Meeting: August 2026 Monthly Meeting Date: Monday, August 17, 2026 Format: Virtual (Zoom) Presiding: Sarah Cusick, Membership, hosting in the absence of Chris Spruell, President
7:00 PM — Call to Order
Sarah Cusick called the meeting to order with 26 in attendance.
- Meeting recorded; recording posted after the meeting.
- Substantive votes are conducted online via https://candlerpark.org/vote; polls open after the recording is posted and close at 11:59 PM the following day.
- All participants were remote. Members wishing to speak raised a hand in Zoom, were recognized by the chair, and gave their name and street.
- Presenters were allotted five minutes, with two minutes for questions and responses.
7:02 PM — Adoption of Agenda and Minutes
- The agenda and the minutes of the previous meeting were adopted by unanimous consent, no objections.
7:05 PM — Guest Speakers
APD Zone 6 — Sergeant Smart
Sergeant Smart represented Lt. Brown and brought regards from Major Webster and Captain Davis.
- Crime down 15% year-to-date and down 12% over the last 28 days.
- At Lt. Brown’s direction, Sergeant Smart addressed an email from the Safety Officer seeking clarification on how APD handles mental health calls as distinct from calls involving threatening criminal behavior. The Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative (PAD) is used only for lesser offenses and city ordinance violations; it is not used where someone’s life is threatened or a person is in danger.
- APD reiterated that they need to be called when a situation is questionable as to whether it is best to call APD or PAD. Calling is the correct response, and officers will approach the situation in an appropriate manner depending on the facts.
- Matt Johnson, Safety Officer, asked APD to speak to de-escalation for the benefit of residents who hesitate to call 911 over borderline behavior. Sergeant Smart said officers assess a situation on arrival and use force only where it is needed. He was explicit that this is never the opening approach, and that it is expressly not how officers handle a call involving someone in a mental health crisis: they work to communicate with the individual and can bring in Grady Crisis to assist.
- No further questions from membership.
District 5 Council Update — Jacob Pierce, District Director (Council Member Liliana Bakhtiari)
- An $8.5 million ADA investment has been secured with the Department of Transportation for curb cuts and sidewalk improvements across District 5.
- Residents were urged to sign up for Notify ATL text and email alerts for heat advisories, flood warnings, and similar notices.
- For city service issues — missed trash pickup, a new garbage can — start with a 311 report. The legislative branch does not direct city departments; the council office can follow up when an issue is not resolved in a reasonable time.
- Jacob will send the links he referenced to CPNO for distribution.
Candler Park Forever — Lexa King
Lexa King (Euclid Avenue, 40-plus-year resident) reported on the organization, which is housed by CPNO and was founded roughly eight years ago to support and connect longtime residents.
- Services include accountability partners so that everyone is accounted for daily, rides to doctors, help with errands, and socialization.
- Standing activities are the book club and Geezers Movies on Tuesdays, usually at the Tara Theatre.
- In place of its regular monthly meeting, the group will host Wanda Morris, Georgia Author of the Year, on her second book Anywhere You Run, at Lost in the Letters on McLendon near Clifton, Thursday, September 24, 7:00 PM.
- Seating is limited to about 40. Light refreshments will be served, and part of the group’s budget goes to the venue as a stipend. RSVP required to lexaking@gmail.com.
Little Five Points Alliance — Lauren Welch, Executive Director
- The Alliance brings together Candler Park, Inman Park, and the property owners and business owners of Little Five Points, and works on trash cleanup, additional security, artistic programming such as murals and signal boxes, and long-term homelessness support through Intown Cares and Peace Worker.
- Criminal Records celebrated its 35th anniversary the previous Saturday.
- People Make the Place takes place Sunday, August 23, 5:00–7:30 PM at Seven Stages, honoring Juanique Shabazz, a longtime Sevananda board member, and Georgia Works, the Alliance’s first community partner. Food from Pizza Berdura, acai samples from Beyond Berry, drinks from Candler Park Market, and flowers from Candler Park Flowers.
- Each of the four member organizations contributes $2,500 annually in membership. The Alliance requested an additional $2,500 event sponsorship, which carries 10 free tickets for CPNO members. Members interested in tickets should notify the board if the sponsorship passes.
Education Committee — Lynley Teras, Education Chair
Lynley Teras presented the case for supporting the foundations and parent-teacher organizations of the Midtown cluster: Mary Lin Elementary, David T. Howard Middle School, and Midtown High School.
- These organizations pay for what state and federal funding does not: Saturday school, teen mental health training, teacher grants, world language grants, professional learning, curriculum materials, family engagement, STEAM, outdoor classrooms, and capital improvements.
- Each giving level brings CPNO digital and print exposure at school events.
- Andy Deutsch (Benning Place), David T. Howard Foundation board and formerly Mary Lin Foundation board, described the academic and executive-functioning support the foundation funds at the middle school level. He added that CPNO’s support gives the neighborhood a voice in those conversations.
- Seth Eisenberg (Euclid Avenue), Midtown Foundation board, former CPNO board member, and current zoning committee member, urged support and noted CPNO prioritized the schools in years when its budget was far smaller.
- Foundation versus PTO/PTSO: foundations support technology, curriculum, facilities, and broader school priorities; PTOs and PTSOs support teacher grants, professional learning, student activities, and community building. Mary Lin combined the two into one organization this year; Howard and Midtown each retain two.
- Midtown Foundation organized the ninth-grade orientation experience and piloted Yonder phone pouches a year ahead of Georgia’s statewide school phone ban. Midtown’s request letter was sent to the President on August 16.
- Eric Dusenbury asked about the Council of In-Town Neighborhood Schools; it disbanded roughly two weeks ago and its functions rolled into the local GO Teams. Lynley Teras serves on the Howard GO Team and Stacee Bruton White on the Midtown GO Team.
- Stacee Bruton White noted the cluster schools have moved from four and five out of ten to nine out of ten. That affects property values and the strength of the neighborhood whether or not a household has children in the schools.
- Members were encouraged to give to the foundations individually through their websites, separate from the CPNO vote.
7:40 PM — Announcements
Nominating Committee — Allen Broyles
- The nominating committee has been formed to develop the next board slate; its work finishes in October. Serving are Emily Taff (chair, not present), Allison Lanig, Beth Keener Dent, Julie Franklin, and Lauren Welch.
Candler Park Fall Ball — Sarah Cusick
- Friday, September 18, at the Wrecking Bar (Mariana Room). The Fall Ball is CPNO’s warm-up to Fall Fest. Scheduling and venue constraints moved it earlier than usual, and Hudson Grille, last year’s venue, has closed.
- Advance tickets are $50, down from $75 last year, and include two drink tickets, light appetizers, and casino chips. Big Eastern Events returns with casino games; prizes for chip winners replace last year’s raffle.
- Tickets at candlerpark.org/fallball. Open to all, not only Candler Park residents.
Happy Hour — 8/26
- Wednesday, August 26, 7:00–9:00 PM at The Porter. One drink per person. A reminder will follow by email and social media.
Halloween Decorating Contest
- The Lake Claire and Candler Park Halloween decorating contest returns in October; the board voted to support it.
7:50 PM — Items for Vote
Little Five Points Alliance Sponsorship
- Motion to allocate an additional $2,500 to the Little Five Points Alliance as sponsorship of People Make the Place, beyond CPNO’s standard $2,500 membership contribution. See Lauren Welch’s presentation above. Going to online ballot.
School Foundations and Parent-Teacher Organizations
- Motion to support the Midtown cluster school foundations and parent-teacher organizations at the giving levels presented. See Lynley Teras’s presentation above. Going to online ballot.
Little Tart Bakeshop — Liquor License
Sarah O’Brien presented her application. Alexis von Dickmann introduced the item for the zoning committee.
- Sarah O’Brien is opening Little Tart in the space Kelly vacated and a new sandwich shop, Midi, in the former Dr. Bombay space on McLendon. The bakery expects to open at 7:00 AM and close between 4:00 and 6:00 PM; Midi expects roughly 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- The application covers beer, wine, and a limited bespoke cocktail menu, modeled on Little Tart After Dark in Grant Park. Alcohol will be ordered on the sandwich shop side only. The two spaces share a kitchen and restrooms with separate menus, and Big Softy soft serve will have a presence at the sandwich shop.
- Amy Stout asked how the license works across the two connected spaces. Mark Clement asked about parking and about how the application became possible. Most staff will bike or walk, and Fellini’s has offered morning parking to the bakery’s early shift. A variance on the building dating to Dr. Bombay’s is what allows the application at all.
- Emily Glynn Troup (1610 McLendon) asked about timing; Sarah O’Brien is targeting a November 1 opening and will keep the neighborhood updated.
- Motion to support the Liquor Review Board application for Little Tart Bakeshop and Midi. Going to online ballot.
Self-Storage Special Use Permit Ordinance — Alexis von Dickmann
- Motion of the zoning committee to support a special use permit process for all self-storage facilities. The requirement previously applied only to specific zoning categories within the BeltLine overlay and now extends to all zoning categories.
- No tip sheet accompanied the ordinance and the document itself is long; the committee will attach it to the voting link so members can read the actual language. Going to online ballot.
8:05 PM — Treasurer Report — Michelle Moulton
- CPNO is in a strong financial position, and Michelle thanked members for their donations, time, and commitment.
- July was a slow month; August is ramping up with Fall Fest preparations underway. Nothing out of the ordinary to report.
- Michelle noted, for members weighing the additional funding requests on this month’s ballot, that CPNO is well positioned to support them.
- Questions: treasurer@candlerpark.org. No questions from membership.
8:10 PM — Adjournment
- With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Items Going to Online Vote
This month’s online ballot:
- Little Five Points Alliance — additional $2,500 sponsorship of People Make the Place.
- School foundations and parent-teacher organizations — Mary Lin, David T. Howard, and Midtown.
- Little Tart Bakeshop — Liquor Review Board application.
- Self-storage special use permit zoning ordinance — full ordinance document attached to the voting link.
Roger Bakeman distributed ballots the night of the meeting. Polls close at 11:59 PM the following day, and results will be announced at the September meeting.
Minutes prepared by Allen Broyles, Secretary — secretary@candlerpark.org