MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF THE LAFAYETTE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR FEBRUARY 21, 2022

Members in attendance: Randie Denker, President; Benji Charles; Matt Duke; Sam Kimelman; Bill Mattox; Kathy McGuire; Ellery Sedgwick; Craig Shaw, John Wallace
Others attending: Nina Alexander; Angie Deas, Dara Kam; Jim Parker; Ben Poston

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.

The minutes of the November meeting were previously approved.

Treasurer's report: Ellery Sedgwick has resigned as LPNA Treasurer. Upon motion made and seconded, Sam Kimelman was nominated as LPNA Treasurer with signatory powers over all accounts accruing to the Board, with Ellery Sedgwick to be retained as an additional signator, and Kathy McGuire to be removed as a signator. The Board voted 8-0 to approve this motion.

Randie asked all guests on the call to introduce themselves.

Agenda Item 1, Midtown Working Group. John reported that the Group met on February 7th to entertain comments from the business community regarding the master plan, but no comments were received. The Group will meet on March 7th to entertain comments from individuals, and John asked Matt to include a notice of that meeting on the neighborhood's Facebook page. John stated that Kathy, Randie, Ellery, and John met to develop bullet points on topics such as land use, transportation, and urban design, and will join with several other neighborhoods in making recommendations.

Agenda Item 2, Grant Money for Neighborhood Projects. Bill stated that the City sent him a letter requesting information about the LPNA proposal for a street mural, on matters such as budget figures and  materials, and he has contacted the Knight Creative Communities Initiative for guidance. Bill reported that the city also wants names of residents who support the project, and the consensus of those in attendance was that a list of all Board members, plus Staci Mellman who first put forward the idea for an art project, would suffice. 

Agenda Item 3, Update on Activities of  Alliance of Tallahassee Neighborhoods. Kathy reported that the "glitch ordinance" that had been worked on extensively by various city planners came before the City Commission but was not adopted. Kathy is not certain about the effect of this vote on the pending variance ordinance proposal. Concerning the move by the Tallahassee Police Department from its current location near Lake Ella to the site formerly occupied by the Northwood Mall, Kathy stated that the Los Robles neighborhood group has suggested a mixed-use development for the current TPD property, which is not in LPNA's proposal. Kathy noted that the public meeting at the Senior Center on January 20th regarding development of the Northwood Mall property. drew over 200 participants. City staff reported to the City Commission on January 26th and the city requested that staff move forward with planning on the site. Kathy informed the Board that Mike Sheridan has proposed that a performing arts center be built on the Northwood site and is asking that five acres be set aside for that project. The city is currently in negotiations with Mr. Sheridan. Finally, Kathy noted that ATN is still working on a proposal for the undeveloped parcels at the Northwood site.

Agenda Item 4, Outreach Committee. Craig reported that the proposed handout for new residents of the neighborhood that he circulated would be enhanced by the additions suggested by Kathy. On motion made and seconded, the amended document was approved unanimously and will be printed in landscape format.

Agenda Item 5, LPNA Facebook Page and Website. Benji reported that his committee updated some plug-ins and templates on the website and updated the security of the website to an https status. The committee is looking at the Myers Park Neighborhood webpage as a good example of how the LPNA page might be modeled. Benji raised the question of what entity hosts the website, and will contact Rachelle McClure to see if she can provide information in that regard. Matt stated that the yard signs promoting the monthly Board meetings seem to be creating more interest. Regarding the Board's Facebook page, it appears to have about 350 followers but far fewer persons who review every post. 

Item 6, Revised Noise Ordinance. Randie reported that the city had two proposals before it from the City Attorney's office regarding how to deal with noise complaints. Randie commented that she felt the first proposal was unsatisfactory and the second was stronger, but the city commission adopted the first proposal, with further review in six months. The adopted proposal provides that anyone making noise within the urban core is not subject to any restrictions before 2 a.m., and the position of the Tallahassee Police Department is that it will attempt to seek voluntary compliance if a complaint is lodged.

Committee Reports:
Development and Growth Committee: No report other than the issues discussed earlier in the meeting.
Outreach Committee: No report other than the issues discussed earlier in the meeting.
Police Liaison Committee: No report.
Newsletter Committee: No report.
Communications Committee: No report other than the issues discussed earlier in the meeting.
Disaster Preparedness Committee: No report.
Traffic Committee: Jim Parker submitted a draft letter requesting a more visible crosswalk at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Terrace Street. The Board has not yet taken action on the draft and will put the letter on the agenda for the next meeting. Jim asked the city for the latest results on speed studies and traffic volume, which he forwarded to the Board. He feels that the results of the studies are not valid because Betton Road has not yet reopened, which will alter the traffic flow on 6th and 7th avenues. Once Betton Road reopens, Jim stated, the city will conduct another speed study.

Open Discussion: Ben reported that Dara Kam had noted a drop in water pressure in the area of Shell and Harbert streets but it no longer appears to be a problem. Randie noted that the church property along Miccosukee Road near the site of the former Purple Martin Nursery will be basically preserved in its current condition and there are no plans to develop it with a subdivision, although the church has requested a Planned Unit Development designation that would allow for development in the future. Craig commented that he investigated the possibility of a neighborhood-wide "shredding event" but the City no longer offers such a service.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


______________________________
Craig Shaw, Secretary