Darlene Hawksley - MILRA James McCormick, MILRA Sandra Tennyson, MIRA Jocelyn Bivins Councilmember Sheperd s office

Transcription

1 The, meeting of the Community Engagement Subcommittee was held in the MILRA offices at 1794 Walker Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA ATTENDEES: Subcommittee Members Councilmember Joyce Sheperd Committee Chair Gamba Stewart, Sylvan Hills Ricardo Jacobs, NPU-R Rosslyn Baughn, CANO Shirley Gomez, Westridge/Sandtown/Venetian Hills Glenda Knight, MACC Joe Shekarabi, Jefferson Park, New Appointment James Harris, CVNA Wil Miller, East Point Ward B, New Appointment Ruben Burney, Perkerson Civic Alonzo Ross, NPU-X, Judy Walker, OCCO Anitra Favors, Semmes Park Robbie Hunter, NPU-S Senator Nan Orrock, MILRA Ex Offico Chase Randall, NPU-X, New Appointment- Alternate (attended in orientation, participated from the audience) Murjan Rasheed, OCCO New Appointment-Alternate (attended orientation, participated from audience) STAFF GUESTS: None Darlene Hawksley - MILRA James McCormick, MILRA Sandra Tennyson, MIRA Jocelyn Bivins Councilmember Sheperd s office Joyce Sheperd, Councilmember for District 12 and Chair of the Community Engagement Subcommittee, acknowledged the new appointees who attended the orientation prior to the meeting: Joe Shekarabi -Jefferson Park, Chase Randall-NPU-X, Wil Miller-East Point Ward B, and Murjan Rasheed-OCCO. She also welcomed the new MILRA CES appointments to the meeting and expressed pleasure for the increased participation. Also, Ms. Sheperd welcomed and acknowledged Senator Nan Orrock s attendance. The meeting began at 5:40P. A quorum was present and the minutes from March 26 th and January 23 rd were approved with corrections. Glenda Knight 1

2 was added to the attendance for March and Robbie Hunter s representation was changed to NPU-S on January minutes. MILRA CES APPOINTMENTS Joyce Sheperd, Chair, conducted a roll-call from the current CES appointment list to confirm participation from the identified communities. Also, she reiterated the primary role of the community representative is to update and report to their respective communities on the MILRA progress and activities. An updated list of any new appointments will be provided monthly with the meeting minutes. MILRA UPDATES: STATUS OF PROPERTY CONVEYANCE Darlene Hawksley, MILRA Staff, began by clarifying that the security package referenced in prior meetings is a financial document required by the Department of Defense. The financial backers provide Department of Defense (DOD) with assurance that MILRA can pay for the property. The city will work with banks and MILRA to get the financial security needed for the Economic Development Conveyance (EDC). Questions from CES members: Q1: Is the consultant hired to do parcels and/or science, technology and biomedical? Ms. Sheperd: Both Ms. Hawksley: The original vision was for biomedical. Our main focus is to validate if the earlier focus is still valid and advise on the direction to continue our marketing. Q2: Is there a TAD? Ms. Hawksley: Yes, there is the Campbellton Road TAD. Also, a Opportunity Zone and a HUD Zone as well. Q3: How will the TAD be utilized if it is almost 25% finished? Ms. Sheperd: The challenges are that Commercial TADs are pay as you go with less than 20 years remaining. Ft. McPherson will make the Campbellton Road Commercial TAD a successful TAD. Invest Atlanta can market as a bond TAD versus pay as you go. Some TADs will be closed out since they are very successful in jump starting neighborhoods. Q4: Is interim leasing available and when immediately or July? Ms. Hawksley: Interim leasing can begin when the property is transferred to the Local Redevelopment Authority. 2

3 Q5: Has the school board signed off? Ms. Sheperd: No, 50% of your taxes are for Schools. Q6: Will the study [... conducted by the consultants] be presented to the ES? Ms. Hawksley: Yes Q7: What is the anticipated complete date [ consultant study]? Ms. Hawksley: Within 3 months around July or August. A basic update will be given at a MILRA board meeting. Ms. Sheperd continued with the discussion by reviewing the basic requirements for base closures: 1. A board is created to manage the base closure process, thus the McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority (MILRA) was created. 2. Bids go out to Federal agencies first to see if there is any interest in locating their resources on base. Ms Sheperd stated that the Veterans Administration Hospital responded with their interest to locate on the base. In the last MILRA meeting, they committed to provide an update quarterly. Ms. Hawksley added that the VA has bought approximately 10.5 acres and Mr. Rosa da-va agreed to conduct tours of the facility. It is opening for men with mental and health issues, provides a one stop shop for veterans needing substance abuse treatment and programs for homeless veterans. The VA hospital is partnering with various local agencies for the vast needs of veterans. One of the providers is Traveler s Aid and they have 2 fulltime workers at the VA complex. Additionally, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires that the LRA addresses homeless services. In 2007, six providers were identified. Since 7 years have pas sed, the committee (Homeless Provider Subcommittee) chaired by Ms. Khanna, will reconvene. The committee will meet with the providers who have executed a Legal Binding Agreement (LBA). The committee will assess if this project is still something they want to continue. After the assessment, the pared down list will reviewed with CES and interviews will be scheduled. Q8: Can two representatives from CES be on the committee? Ms. Sheperd: The request will be submitted to MILRA. Q9: Will veteran services and children of veterans include counseling to families of veterans and other services? Ms. Sheperd: CES will invite them to a future meeting to address. 3

4 Ms. Sheperd suggested that a reassessment of MILRA board members be conducted. The Governor of Georgia makes appoi ntments and Mayor of Atlanta and East Point make recommendations as well. Every 5-10 years, reappointments to the board should be considered. The CES will make a request to the MILRA board to consider a representative from the community. The current community representative lives in Mid-town Atlanta, Chandra Houston. Chairman Ward will provide a response. Also, CES needs to review the legislation which created the MILRA board. Action Item: Next CES meeting, Ms. Hawksley will or confirm website PRIORITIES A. Presentations The Georgia Historian will be contacted to confirm if he can present at the next CES meeting. In June, the Fulton County Health Services Rapid Assessment conducted last year. B. MILRA CES Tours of Ft. McPherson Gamba Stewart recommended the May 16 th and May 30 th for the CES tours of Ft. McPherson. Since the base closes at 3:30P Monday through Friday, the group decided that Friday, May 16 th is a beginning at noon. The next date will be determined in a subsequent meeting. Session will begin with a brief orientation, box lunch and combination walk -ride tour. The committee will decide on the areas to be toured and package about the sites will be provided. Question from CES member: Q10: Will the canceled Tiger grant or rescinded federal funds affect any activity on the base or developing neighborhoods on Lee Street? Ms. Sheperd: Tiger grants are not an issue for the CES subcommittee. OLD BUSINESS: No discussion NEW BUSINESS, PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS: No discussion, public comments or suggestions 4

5 MEETING ADJOURNED APPROXIMATELY AT 7:05P. THE NEXT FT. MCPHERSON CES MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 ST. NOTIFICATION WILL BE PROVIDED. AGENDA TOPICS FOR FEBRUARY: Presentation by Dr. Clifford Kuhn, Atlanta Historian MILRA Board Meeting Update minutes approved in May 21, 2014 meeting 5