MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF THE LAFAYETTE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR DECEMBER 20, 2021

Members in attendance: Randie Denker, President; Matt Duke; Sam Kimelman; Bill Mattox; Kathy McGuire; Craig Shaw.

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.

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

Treasurer's Report: No report from Sam (report previously emailed to all Board members).

Agenda Item 1, Meeting Schedule for 2022. On motion made and seconded, there was unanimous agreement among those present that the Board should continue to meet on the third Monday of each month.  Sam raised the point that the January meeting date (the 17th) falls on a holiday and Randie stated that she would reschedule if conflicts arose.

Agenda Item 2, Midtown Working Group: Randie read a report from Board member John Wallace in which John reported that the Group had a productive meeting recently, aided by increased staff involvement in guiding the Group toward a master plan. The Group will hold meetings with businesses and the public in February and March, respectively.The Group's January 5th meeting is open to the public.

Agenda Item 3, Grant Money for Neighborhood Projects: Bill reported that he has been in touch with City staffer Ashley Edwards, and that she felt that creation of "crosswalk murals" was the most viable idea for implementation with the grant money now available. Bill has submitted a proposal and has also spoken with the mayor's chief of staff about the project. Randie pointed out that the County rather than the City has oversight as to Miccosukee Road, but Bill is of the opinion that the City can assist the LPNA in getting the County to allow this proposal to go forward. Bill also feels that the schools adjacent to Blessed Sacrament (near which the proposed artwork may be installed) might be interested in participating with companion projects, and that if the projects are implemented successfully, the nearby retail merchants might be interested in also entertaining future proposals. Randie notified the Board that she has been in touch with Charles Wu, who would be responsible for giving artists access to the road, and that he is supportive of the idea. The Board then discussed criteria for how to solicit and screen proposals. Kathy mentioned that the president of the Old Town Neighborhood Association, Marcia Turner, is a close friend and that she will ask Ms. Turner if she wants to officially join in supporting the project. Matt advised that he is on the Leon High School Foundation Board and that if the project goes forward, he might be able to approach the Foundation Board next fall about their possible involvement in future projects.

Agenda Item 4, Update on activities of  Alliance of Tallahassee Neighborhoods: Kathy reported that ATN has continued to meet with City officials on the "glitch ordinance" and that ATN remains concerned that the changes that purportedly protect trees may not be effective because of the ability of developers to increase density and to exercise the Transfer of Development Rights. Another issue involves "stand alone" garages that may be allowed in Midtown. Regarding the development of the former Northwood Mall, the current plan is that the City will build the new headquarters for the Tallahassee Police Department and only afterwards will it develop a master plan for the rest of the vacant parcel, which ATN does not feel is the right approach. Regarding the current site of TPD, the City has not stated that it has a formal plan yet for what will happen to that property. Randie then reported that she met twice recently with City Attorney staff regarding variances. She continues to be concerned that the new variance ordinance will only apply to 2 of the 3 Boards that issue variances, and will not include the Environmental Board. The City claims that it will adopt the same variance criteria for the Environmental Board at a later date."

Agenda Item 5, City Tree Planting Program: There was agreement that the Board should note the availability of the program on its website.

Agenda Item 6, LPNA Facebook Page: Matt stated that he, Benji, John and Ellery have met regarding the update of the webpage and have discussed some ideas, and that he has been posting items of interest every couple of weeks, including a posting of Board meeting dates. Matt also expressed concern about posting the names and telephone numbers of Board members and that he would like Randie to ask each member what information he or she wants posted.

Agenda Item 7, Yard Signs: Matt suggested that the Board might want to post yard signs around the neighborhood announcing upcoming Board meetings, a few days before each meeting. He will get pricing information from sign companies and will send the Board a budget proposal, subject to a review of the final wording of the signs. The suggestion received unanimous approval without a formal motion being made.

Committee Reports:

Development and Growth Committee: No report.
Outreach Committee: Craig reported that he and the other members of the subcommittee will meet soon and solicited ideas from those present about what they might want to see in a handout. Kathy suggested a link to the property appraiser's website and Randie mentioned the little free libraries scattered around the neighborhood. Craig suggested including a map of the boundaries of the neighborhood.
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.

The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.