Welcome
Debra Wathen, Executive Director, called the meeting to order at 6:50pm. She recognized the new Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods member, Westover Plantation. The pending resolution to support the Loud Cars Task Force was introduced. The proposed resolution has been distributed for neighborhood feedback.
We then heard a presentation on how successful the fight to protect the former “Galloway Fields” was. The developer has given up their plans and now the local community is looking into ways to convert it permanently to greenspace. This is a great example of how neighborhoods can work together for a common cause.
As there is an election in November for the School Board, the four at-large candidates took a few minutes to introduce themselves and what they wanted to bring to Atlanta schools. There are two incumbents, Tamera Jones and Jessica Johnson, and each has one person also seeking their seats, Alfred “Shivy” Brooks and Nkoyo Effiong Lewis.
Mary Norwood discussed how she was working with the Buckhead Coalition and the Buckhead CID on street paving. Street Paving is happening in District 8.
Denise Starling from Livable Buckhead shared the continual need for affordable housing and how that would improve traffic in Buckhead. Livable Buckhead also working with MARTA to have commuter buses such as those in Cobb and Gwinnett.
Debra Wathen introduced APD Chief Schierbaum and First Deputy Chief James McLemon from the Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department. Chief Schierbaum talked about how many of their calls were for mental health issues. Unlike many recruits in other communities, APD recruits receive several days of training on how to handle mental health issues. APD recruits have 35 weeks of training whereas Georgia State law only requires 10 weeks and 2 days of training. City of Atlanta Fire department personnel have a one-year training program.
The subject then turned to the new training center. Citizens will be able to visit the training center which will have numerous paths and picnic areas. The training center will provide our law enforcement officers with a chance to train together since in many situations they must work together. The was well shown in the recent incidents in midtown.
The training center will have a burn tower so training can be held to fight fires in high-rise buildings. There will be a simulated mini village to allow police and fire to train for those situations. Slides of the Training Center are attached.
Chief Schierbaum pointed out that in 2022 the average time to answer 911 calls was 34 seconds whereas today it is 18 seconds due to some major technology upgrades.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.
Anne McKilllips
Secretary
Meeting Attendance Report
