MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF THE LAFAYETTE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR OCTOBER !7, 2022

Members in attendance: Randie Denker, President; Benji Charles; Matt Duke; Kathy McGuire; Ellery Sedgwick; Craig Shaw; John Wallace
Others attending: Nina Alexander; Sarah McCrae; Ben Poston

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m.

The minutes of the September meeting were previously approved.

Agenda Item 1, Fall Picnic. A date of Sunday, November 13 had previously been agreed upon. After some discussion, it was decided that the picnic should commence at noon. The board also agreed that flyers should be distributed. Kathy indicated that she would try to get flyers ready for distribution shortly after Halloween. The flyers will include a suggestion that attendees supply their own chairs. Further discussion was suspended until later in the meeting.

Agenda Item 2, Planning for Halloween. Matt reported that his colleague John has secured traffic cones for placement around the neighborhood. Each intersection will have five cones. Matt displayed a map of the streets that would be blocked. Benji, Craig, Kathy and Ben will cover Cherry, Martin, Pine and Terrace, respectively. The cones are to be placed at around 5 p.m.There was discussion of whether it would be advisable to have the Lafayette Park lot available for parking. Ben Poston will talk to his contact at the park about the safety concerns. 

Continuation of Agenda Item 1. There was discussion about whether voting for new Board members should take place on line or at the fall picnic, and about how to solicit potential new board members. There are five potential slots open for the coming year, although four seats are currently not expected to be vacated. Bill suggested that the election be held after the picnic to allow residents to sign up at the picnic, or indicate a desire to run for the board. It was moved and seconded that the election be held on line, which passed unanimously. It was also decided that ballots would be sent out by November 15th and returned by the 22nd. Randie asked that suggestions for possible candidates for the board be sent to her. Regarding advertising for the picnic, Craig volunteered to place signs around the neighborhood. Regarding entertainment, Tiffiny Hewitt-Brown and her band will perform. Further discussion ensued about the logistics of supplying plates, cups etc. Ideas for children's entertainment included kickball in the ballfield, a bubble machine, frisbees, and chalk drawing.

Agenda Item 3, Activities of the Alliance of Tallahassee Neighborhoods. No discussion, but Craig urged all board members to carefully review ATN's proposal regarding development of the Northwood property that Kathy previously forwarded to all members.

Agenda Item 4, Midtown Working Group. John reported that the Group had not met recently.

Agenda Item 5, Traffic Safety Issues. Randie reported on a recent meeting that she and Jim Parker had with Commissioner Jack Porter, who expressed dismay that the board has had to spend the better part of three years raising issues of concern with the city. The primary issue at this point appears to be differing interpretations of Rule 601, which addresses raised intersections. Ms. Porter informed Randie and Jim that she intends to raise the issue with the city attorney and to continue to press the issue with the city commission

Agenda Item 6, Grant Money for Neighborhood Projects. Bill briefly summarized the recent activities of KCCI and that our neighborhood should try again to propose some sort of simple project for consideration in the upcoming year. Randie solicited ideas for consideration at the next meeting, and asked each Board member to bring one idea to her before the next meeting. Kathy suggested that we solicit ideas at the upcoming picnic.

Treasurer's Report: No report.

Committee Reports: No reports.

The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.