The meeting was led by Henry Bauer, Civic Association President, and was called to order at 7:30 PM at the Ansley Golf Club. Approximately, 50 Sherwood Forest residents, three Atlanta City police officers, Robbie Ashe (City of Atlanta sewer guru) and Lawrence Ashe (Kathy Ashe's husband) were in attendance. The description provided here are not the official meeting minutes but rather my personal notes of the proceedings.
Cynthia Jeness
Sherwood Forest Web Team
Then he described his own history and current standing with the Atlanta Police Department. His immediate superiors are Assistant Chief Dreher, Deputy Chief Knox and Chief Pennington. Major Archangel made his first arrest in 1974.
Major Archangel commented that it is unfortunate that Sherwood Forest must supplement the work done by the police department with its own private security patrol; however, the good news is that there are no significant security problems in the neighborhood.
Major Archangel then opened the floor to questions:
Question from Leslie Gonyea, 230 Little John Trail: Is the police department still short of staff?
Answer: Yes they are still short of staff. Chief Pennington is trying to address this problem as well as the best use of the existing police officers.
Question from Mary Carole Cooney, 380 Robin Hood Road:
What are the boundaries of our police district?
Answer: The boundaries are the following:
Sherwood Forest is on the Northern tip of the district. There are five precincts:
The motion to adopt the amendment was carried unanimously.
Question from Jeff McClellan, 1647 Friar Tuck: Why is provision
for legal fees $0.00?
Answer: The money to handle expenses related to the traffic
situation was collected last year through raising the dues
and there is still $3,500 in the treasury. Henry Bauer also
commented that, as a result of raising the dues, the number of
households who paid the dues dropped from 170 who paid $165 in the
prior year to 162 who were willing to pay $200. It had been
hoped that the number would actually increase to 175.
The new budget is premised on 160 households paying the lower dues level of
$175.
Question from Howard Kaplan, 1629 Lady Marion: Why did we lose 10
members and was the dues increase given as a reason?
Answer: Yes, Elizabeth Stone and others talked to those not
renewing and the dues increase was a factor.
Question from Anita Moore, 85 Robin Hood: What about families moving
into the neighborhood?
Answer: The people who have moved into the neighborhood have already
paid their dues. A lot of time as spent contacting people who did
not contribute. This included 2 notices and lots of phone calls. 162 out
of 199 households contributed and the 37 who did not contribute were
contacted 3 times. (Anita commended Elizabeth Stone for her email
responding to question with regard to the neighborhood events.)
Question from Paul Gonyea, 230 Little John: Why not give people the
option of paying less; e.g. $175?
Answer: One person did, in fact, contribute only $100 for the island
maintenance because he felt that security was not a worthy expenditure.
Question from Jeff McClellan, 1647 Friar Tuck: Would the Civic
Association or board consider the creation of a membership committee
who would look at other civic associations to determine whether dues
are appropriate; e.g. seniors less.
Answer: The officers are all here at the meeting.
Question from Rosalinda Ratajczak, 1681 Lady Marian: Have the dues
been set at $175? We should never lower dues
Answer: The current board must approve the budget. The incoming
board sets the dues level. The agreement was that there would
be a one year increase in the dues to pay for the expenses related
to the traffic issues; then the dues were to return to a lower level.
There is $35,000 in the bank which is sufficient to cover the
cost of replacing two islands damaged through a storm, for example.
Question from Gary Zweifel, 1719 Barnesdale Way:
Do people not agree with expenditures? Henry indicated
that the security expenditure was cut in the current budget. Gary
would rather pay $200 and keep security.
Answer: Security was previously budgeted at 10 hours for 52 weeks
plus an additional 30 hours during the holidays. It was the additional
holiday service that was reduced. The board, based on discussions with
Elizabeth Stone, concluded that the additional holiday coverage was
not needed and also not as effective because it was rendered by
a different person not familiar with neighborhood and driving a pickup
truck.
Denton Harris then moved that the budget be accepted as written. The
motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
The new officers were elected unanimously.
Ansley is using Dave Wilburn as their engineer. The intersection
presents a difficult problem so we must be willing to make compromises.
The should be completed next year and the actual construction in a
couple of years.
Question from Denton Harris, 84 Robin Hood Road: Shouldn't we get
Equifax and WXIA involved?
Answer: WXIA may have a concernt, but Equifax's interest is more questionable.
Question from Paul Gonyea, 230 Little John Trail: What is the timetable
on the 17th Street bridge?
Answer: Probably next year
Question from Anita Moore, 85 Robin Hood: Does Dewberry still plan to
develop the property near the BP stations? What about the BP station?
Answer: The BP station has had its lease renewed for 3 years.
Question from Brigham Moorman, 209 Little John Trail: What is the
situation on left turns from WSB?
Answer: The sign is just WSB's sign and the police cannot give
tickets.
Question from Ratajczak, 1661 Friar Tuck: When the 17th Street bridge
is complete, won't the 14th Street bridge be coming down?
Answer: They will be working on the 14th, 15th and 17th Street bridges.
Observation from Henry Bauer: The traffic engineer came up with an
idea which justifies the money spent.
Question from Brigham Moorman, 209 Little John Trail: What about
freeway noise; the new barriers are better.
Answer: Henry indicated that the next board could/should look into this.
Janie Wright (140 Little John) commented that it is a major deal
to change barriers; e.g., large amounts of water may flow through the
yards near the barrier replacement.
Much discussion followed. Elizabeth Stone indicated that the by-laws
would not permit bringing forward a motion which was not published in
advance of the meeting. Mary Carole Cooney felt that it would be
appropriate for the current board to convey their feelings on this
matter to the incoming board. Laurie Schwarz stated that the published
purpose of money gathered for the tour was the "island fund". The
Sherwood Forest Foundation was only used as a vehicle for providing
a tax deduction. Gary Zeifel proposed the following motion:
Gary Dresser commented that everyone agrees with the spirit of the
motion but we should not handcuff the new board. Anita Moore stated that
people would feel deceived if the money was not spent for the islands.
Bill Ziegler stated that there was too much bureaucracy. Mary Carole
Cooney indicated that she was one of the ticket sellers and would be
embarrassed if the money was not used as stated on the tickets.
Gary's motion was passed with only one negative vote cast by
Elizabeth Stone.
Combined Sewer System - In 2001, the construction of 2 large
tunnels was begun. The overall plan approved provides for partial
separation. As a result of the budget gap and credibility problems,
Mayor Franklin wanted proper communication. If the first milestone
is not reached by 2007, the city will pay fines of $35,000 per day.
Therefore, there a limit options. Doctor Wayne Clough, president
of Georgia Tech, headed a committee to investigate alternatives.
The following proposals were considered:
Budget, Bill Jacobsen
Bill Jacobsen opened the floor to questions on the proposed budget which
was circulated before the meeting.
Election of Officers, Creel McCormack
Creel McCormack announced the slate of officers selected by the
nominating committee:
Traffic Committee Report, Tom Charlesworth
Ansley, Dewberry and WSB are all working together on the redesign
of the intersection at Peachtree and Beverly. (WSB has responded in
a positive manner.) The city will be in charge of the redesign of
the intersection. The hope is to find a better design than the
previous "failed" design. Additional development will only make
the issues worse. Ansley suggested that we prepare a list of our
general goals. This was the suggestion from Tom:
Home and Garden Tour Motion, Cynthia Jeness
Cynthia Jeness explained that she had been asked by the Garden Club to bring
the following motion:
The money collected from the Sherwood Forest House and Garden Tour 2002
should be spent for the beautification of the existing islands.
The Civic Association appreciates the work done by the Garden club
and directs board to work with the Foundation to assure that the money
collected be used for the islands.
Thanksgiving Baskets, Helen Wright
Helen Wright describe the baskets being prepared for our physically
challenged neighbors. The cards being circulated will be attached
to the baskets. In addition a large fruit basket with a red, white
and blue America flag will be presented to our Fire Department
at 176 10th Street.
Atlanta Sewer Project, Robbie Ashe
In the 1990's, the city was sued by the Chattahooche River Keeper,
the State and the Federal EPA. As a result of a consent decree, the
city must address the problem that during heavy rains, some of the
sewer water is diverted to Clear Creek. This is a significant
violation of the Clean Water Act. This is a result of the "combined
sewers" which handle both rain water an sewage. Outside of a ring
indicated on one of Robbie's maps, the problem is different.
Improper recycling of grease causes clogs and some pipes are broken.
By 2014, everything must be inspected and repaired.
| Proposal | Est. Capital Cost | Contaminants | # CSO | Construction Disruption | Chance of Success | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Plan | 1 billion | 5545 | 6 | Reasonable | High | |
| Tunnels Only (0% Separation/Treatment only) |
829 million | 3293 | 6 | Low | High | |
| Refined Resolution (27% Separation) | 834 million | 4687 | 4 | Reasonable | High |
The 27% Separation plan is the one adopted since it provides a commitment to some separation which is in line with the long term goals.
It is also important to note that even complete separation does not complete solve the problem because of the "first flush". The runoff from the roads during a heavy rain contains oil, rubber, etc which requires some treatment.
The City has already spent several 100 million upgrading the Clear Creek facility which has won 2 gold awards. It is now discharging very clean water into the Chattahoochee. The total price tag will be 3 billion. Other components of the cost include making green space and upgrading treatment facilities. Since many will benefit from the sewer fix, Mayor Franklin is trying to get 1 billion dollars from the federal government. She has gone to Washington 3 times. Both Senator Cleland has proposed specific earmarking in the federal budget. Johnny Isaacson has proposed earmarking for future budgets.
Without federal help, significant increases in property taxes will be necessary and this will drive lower income folks outside of the city of Atlanta. A local option sales tax of limited duration (5 - 10 years) may be the best solution since 40% would come from non-residents.
Question from Creel McCormack, 149 Robin Hood: She has sewage in the creek near her house. She has called the EPA and the City of Atlanta. Who is accountable?
Answer: Greg Giornelli (sp?) is the chief policy office. Contact the Mayor's Office at 404-330-6100 or Robbie Ashe at 404-330-6361. Jack Rabam (sp?) is involved in the project.
Question from Fritzi Herring, 369 Robin Hood: Did others receive the card related to a petition to the Federal Government?
Answer: Yes, this was a legitimate petition which garnered 75,000 signatures.
Question from Gary Dresser, 1572 Friar Tuck: Where are the tunnels going?
Answer: Additional information is available at www.ci.atlanta.ga.us and saveoursewers.org. The Nancy Creek Tunnel is both ahead of schedule and under budget. A tunnel will extend from Clear Creek and go under Beverly, 150-200 feet below the surface.
Question from Anita Moore, 85 Robin Hood: What about houses on the sewers?
Answer: Both individual residences and office buildings (e.g., Georgia Pacific Building) fall in this category. The City must repair all damage. The construction will be non-invasive where possible; e.g., insert a fiber glass sock and then blast steam to fix leaks. Try to minimize the impact on neighborhoods by blasting in the middle day, etc.
Question from Sally Horntvedt, 320 Robin Hood: The sewer rate has risen to 120% of the water rate. Does any of this go to United Water?
Answer: No. Only the water portion goes to United Water; all sewer payments go t the city of Atlanta. The increase in the sewer rate was to fund the R. M. Clayton sewage treatment plant.
The meeting was adjourned by Henry Bauer.