Below are minutes for the May 13, 2003, meeting of the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association. Notes were written by ADNA Vice-President Patrick Busko.

Introduction

Pictures from the Meeting!

This very special meeting was hosted by Georgia State Senator Sam Zamarripa. The focus of the meeting was be "The State and You" and "Unique Needs of Urban Communities." Meeting took place at Senate Chambers, Georgia State Capitol -- the first time any neighborhood group has ever met there!

Welcome & Introductions

ADNA President Dorthey Hurst welcomed residents from many different Downtown buildings. We were also pleased to have guests from the other organizations affiliated with Downtown and/or Georgia State government.

Committee Reports

ADNA includes several committees and a number of them made reports to members:

• Downtown Neighborhood Festival Committee
  The committee is coming up on the final stretch for the festival, which is coming up May 17-18. Latest news:
  • They need volunteers -- information, go to ADNA website or see Jen or Maria.
  • VIP party Thurs the 15th at Velvet Underground, tickets available from Jen or Maria

• Vice-President's Report: Community Advocacy
  
  • Court watch program. We want to start monitoring judges in City of Atlanta court to see who is handing out appropriate sentences in quality of life violations. However, the City is about to undergo a major overhaul and restructuring of court system, so some judges may be let go. We will wait to see city's plans before starting the court watch program. Volunteers should contact Patrick.
  • Membership committee needs volunteers for membership drive starting after festival. Also need a rep from each building to help with membership. Contact Patrick or Scott Fortney.
  • ADNA Social at Westin in June, more details to come.

• President’s Report
  
  • CAP Town Hall Meeting - Dorthey talked with Cathy Wooldard, shared a neighborhood wish list
  • Dorthey is working with City on liquor license for Gentleman's Club on Ellis Street
  • ADNA in the AJC this week with an announcement about this evening's meeting

Getting On A Committee
Everybody is welcome to join up to any committee. To lead a committee, you need to be an ADNA member. To sign up, email downtownatl@hotmail.com.

Other Reports

• Police Report
  GSU police were present and say quality of life crackdown still underway, going well. Also, new cameras to be installed around Aderhold Building, which will be a great tool to catch criminal activity on camera.

• House Rep. Doug Dean - 49th District
  Rep. Dean's district includes Downtown, he is very concerned with Downtown and very happy to help us in anyway possible, please call him if he can be of any assistance, 404-522-8900.

• Georgia Department of Transportation Connector Study
  A study has been completed on some immediate improvement that can be done to help relieve traffic congestion on Downtown Connector (Grady Curve area). Public Input meeting on 5/20 from 5-8pm at Steve Polk Plaza by Underground/World of Coke. Full details on CAP web site. Can email him for more info as well, verdell.hawkins@dot.state.ga.us.

Sam Zamarripa - Guest Speaker

Focus of the meeting was on "The State and You" and "Unique Needs of Urban Communities."

A summary of the presentation and discussion:

• Spoke on the unique challenges and opportunities facing Downtown Atlanta and urban communities in general.
• Wants ADNA to host a meeting with senators and house reps next session to get to know them, many of them live Downtown when in session.
• Suggested several unique ideas that are suggestions of ways he and the state can help Downtowners - create incentives for non-commuters, work on pedestrian improvements in Downtown, require public art and public space in all new state funded construction projects.
• Sam thinks that GSU is a huge asset to Downtown Atlanta. He thinks there are ways we can capitalize on their improvements and assets Downtown to benefit everyone Downtown.
• Passed out a document (Word, 39K) highlighting some of the more interesting bills from this years session. Also told us how he voted.

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ADJOURNMENT