MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF THE LAFAYETTE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Members in attendance: Randie Denker, President; Benji Charles; Matt Duke; Sam Kimelman; Bill Mattox; Kathy McGuire; Craig Shaw; John Wallace
Others attending: Staci Mellman

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.

(The minutes of the September meeting were previously approved.)

Treasurer's Report: No report from Sam, awaiting data from Ellery.

Agenda Item 1, Midtown Working Group: John expressed frustration at the lack of recent progress by the Group regarding matters such as the Multimodal Transportation District Overlay, possible modifications to Thomasville Road, and the Master Plan. He reported that the Beard Street reconfiguration (where it intersects with Gadsden Street) will go forward but is dependent on Blueprint money. John feels that staff is not as supportive as they could be to the Chair and members of the Group. Randie met with the Chair to inform him of matters the neighborhood would like addressed, such as landscaping, signage, traffic, and building height. Kathy suggested that we might reach out to staff and the Chair concerning the conduct of the Working Group meetings, to allow the Group to exert more autonomy in the running of the meetings. Randie will again confer with the Chair to see if there is a way to engage more constructively with staff.

Agenda Item 2, Glitch Ordinance: Kathy stated that the ordinance has been introduced to the Planning Commission for action on January 4, 2022. It will be introduced to the City Commission on December 8th for public hearing, and adoption on January 26th. Randie asked Bill Pable of the City's Growth Management Committee about the holdup in responding with a legal opinion about the variance ordinance but has not received a response. Randie asked the Board members if she should write to the City Attorney's Office to ask why an opinion has not been forthcoming, and the Board expressed no opposition.

Agenda Item 3, Meeting with Blessed Sacrament Church: Randie reported that she had a productive meeting with representatives of  Blessed Sacrament Church, who agreed to coordinate with the LPNA about neighborhood projects. Two areas discussed were tree planting and traffic concerns, especially speeding, on Miccosukee Road. The Church would like to join with the LPNA and Old Town neighborhoods to ask the City for a traffic study. Randie also reported that the Church has purchased the former Purple Martin Nursery property on Miccosukee Road (near the intersection with Terrace Street) to use the existing house as a retreat and convert the greenhouse to a picnic area, and that the existing church property at the north end of Talaflo Street will remain undeveloped indefinitely. There are no plans to expand the footprint of the school. Randie asked the Church representatives if the playground could be open to neighborhood residents on the weekend and they indicated that that is a possibility. The Church has joined the LPNA  and is now a dues-paying member. Randie moved that the Board join with the Church and the Old Town neighborhood to petition the City for a traffic study of Miccosukee Road. After discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 4, LPNA Webpage: Benji stated that he, Matt and Ellery will be meeting tomorrow regarding the update of the webpage. Matt felt that they could have a report ready by the December meeting of the Board. Some suggestions from those present were to include profiles of notable neighborhood residents (both past and present), information about upcoming meetings, contact information for Board members, publicizing neighborhood events, and a history of the neighborhood, including photos.

Agenda Item 5, Update on activities of  Alliance of Tallahassee Neighborhoods: Kathy reported that ATN's monthly meeting is this week. Three current areas that ATN is focused on: 1) Hiring by the City of a consultant to update the Comprehensive Plan; 2) Improving the processes for public participation; and 3) Concerns over what will happen to the soon-to-be former site of the Tallahassee Police Department headquarters on 7th Avenue, and the adjacent parking areas. The status of the new police station on the site of the former Northwood Mall is an area of concern in that ATN wants to mesh that development with the plans of the Midtown Working Group.

Agenda Item 6, Grant Money for Neighborhood Projects: Bill reported that there is grant money available from the City for various neighborhood improvement projects, with a deadline of December 31st of this year "or until funds run out." Projects might include beautification or landscaping projects or even community event projects. Kathy noted that she has reviewed the application and it is extremely specific and detailed. Staci put forth the concept of "placemaking" as an attraction for visitors, such as painting the bridges in Lafayette Park, and Randie offered the idea of a mural on an entire sidewalk block within the neighborhood, while Bill suggested perhaps street murals would help with traffic calming. Randie will ask the City if murals are allowed. Kathy likes the idea of a historic walking tour of the neighborhood. Bill mentioned the possible value of involving the Knight Creative Communities Initiative and will contact KCCI to see if there is any interest. John Wallace offered to assist Bill if needed. Randie asked all involved to send around ideas soon because of the short deadline.

Agenda Items 7 and 8 were tabled.

Committee Reports:
Development and Growth Committee: No report.
Outreach Committee: Craig reported that Andrea Kacourek wishes to remain on the Committee. He and Bill Mattox will meet with her soon to discuss approaches to new neighbors.
Police Liaison Committee: Craig will ask our TPD liaison to attend the January 2022 meeting to answer any general questions board members may have.
Newsletter Committee: No report.
Communications Committee: No further report as this matter was covered earlier in the meeting
Disaster Preparedness Committee: No report.
Traffic Committee: No report.

New Business: Matt mentioned that he had posted to the group a link to the website of a neighborhood he used to live in that may be helpful in developing projects for our neighborhood, commended the neighborhood for its conduct of the Halloween fesitivities, and reported that he had recently suffered a theft from his car and urged vigilance in securing vehicles. Bill also offered compliments on the conduct of the neighborhood at Halloween.

The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.