Monday, March 17, 2026 • 7:00 PM
Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes of committees are available in this document as meetings are held and committees have minutes to report.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 PM by the Chair. Members and guests were welcomed. The Chair reminded attendees that the meeting is recorded, that substantive votes occur online after the meeting, and that anyone wishing to speak should raise their hand in the Zoom interface or approach the microphone in the room.
Adoption of Agenda and Minutes
The agenda and minutes from the previous meeting were adopted by unanimous consent with no objections.
APD Zone 6 Report – Lt. Brown
Lt. Brown, Zone 6 Commander, provided the public safety update:
- Overall crime in Zone 6 is down 21%; in the last seven days, crime was down 90%.
- There has been a slight uptick in aggravated assaults and in thefts from automobiles compared to the prior year.
- Joint details with the APD auto theft crime unit (H Unit) are underway and producing good results.
- Regarding the reported tire thefts from two vehicles in Candler Park, APD has not identified a broader trend. The case remains open and investigators have promising leads, some of which were shared with the community through Officer Duncan.
State Representative Saira Draper – House District 90
Rep. Draper, whose district includes all of Candler Park, provided a legislative update:
- Day 32 of the legislative session was completed, with seven legislative days remaining. The last scheduled session day is April 2.
- The session has been marked by a tension between members seeking higher office (introducing attention-getting bills) and a Republican caucus focused on kitchen-table affordability issues. Rep. Draper characterized many of the affordability bills as performative rather than substantive.
- No major election-related bills have passed this cycle. A consequential election bill was expected in committee the following day.
- Rep. Draper announced that State Senator Elena Parent will not seek re-election and has asked Rep. Draper to run for the Senate seat. Rep. Draper is pursuing that campaign.
- She noted that several qualified candidates are running for the House District 90 seat and that some would be presenting later in the meeting.
- Residents were encouraged to sign up for her legislative newsletter, “The Draper Paper,” at cyradraper.com.
InTown Cares – Rachel Knowles
- Rachel Knowles joined remotely to present on InTown Cares, a nonprofit headquartered near Ponce and Moreland that provides street outreach and long-term case management to chronically unsheltered individuals. A case manager covers the Little Five Points/Kirkwood area, which includes Candler Park, connecting clients with identity documents, food, shelter, medical and mental health care, and ultimately permanent supportive housing.
- Knowles discussed a specific nonverbal individual living in the park whom neighbors have reported. InTown Cares is conducting regular outreach to build rapport and advised residents to approach slowly, maintain distance, and respect his wishes if he declines assistance.
House District 90 Candidate Presentations
The Chair noted that CPNO and its board do not endorse any candidates. Three candidates in the Democratic primary for House District 90 each addressed the membership:
Nicole Horn
Horn described herself as a mom (two children through APS), small business owner, and civic advocate serving on the boards of Georgia Majority for Gun Safety and Georgia Equality. Her priorities include housing affordability, healthcare costs, childcare investment, and restoring education funding after years of austerity cuts.
Howard Mosby
Mosby is a lifelong Atlanta resident, CPA, 30-year Grady Health System employee, and Vice Chair of the Atlanta Region Transit Authority. He previously served in the General Assembly on the Health, Governmental Affairs, and Ways and Means committees. His priorities include Medicaid expansion, transit investment, and housing affordability through tax-law changes and corporate-purchase regulations.
Bentley Hudgens
Hudgens is a human rights leader, voting rights expert, and former state director for the Human Rights Campaign, where he helped defeat 37 anti-LGBTQ+ bills. A union member with CWA 32035, his priorities include anti-poverty measures (fully funded Georgia Work Credit and child tax credit), Medicaid expansion, civil rights protections, and labor law reform. More information at bentley4us.com.
City Council District 5 – Council Member Liliana Bakhtiari and Jacob Pierce
Council Member Bakhtiari addressed the membership in person:
- Noted that Candler Park has moved from District 6 to District 2 and now to District 5, where it is reunited with Lake Claire.
- Introduced Jacob Pierce, her new staff member who started the preceding Thursday. Pierce grew up in Metro Atlanta and will be a regular presence in the district handling constituent services.
- Urged residents to follow the state legislative session closely; crossover day has passed and sine die is April 2.
- Provided background on InTown Cares as an embedded case manager pilot that her office helped start in East Atlanta and has since expanded to most city council districts. The gentleman in Candler Park came to InTown’s attention because a neighbor emailed the Council Member’s office.
- Emphasized the importance of a diverse ecosystem of homeless services (PAD, InTown Cares, the Diversion Center, and others) rather than relying on a single agency.
- Encouraged residents to continue filing 311 reports despite the system’s limitations, because case numbers enable her office to escalate issues.
A resident (Mike) suggested that the CPNO website include links to all elected representatives. The Chair agreed and took it as an action item.
Announcements
Treasurer Transition
Alyssa Ozer is resigning as CPNO Treasurer due to work-life balance constraints. Per the bylaws, the board has appointed Michelle Moulton to serve as Treasurer for the remainder of Ozer’s term. Ozer will remain on the Finance Committee. Moulton introduced herself: she lives on Josephine Street, is a returning Candler Park resident, and brings bookkeeping and small-business experience.
Education Committee – Lynley Teras
- Mary Lin Elementary: The 2026–27 budget has been passed; projected enrollment is 503 students. APS Pre-K lottery enrollment closes Friday, March 20.
- Midtown High School faces over-enrollment (projected ~1,785 students). The board has approved a 300-seat addition contingent on the E-SPLOST referendum on the November ballot. The neighborhood is pushing for approval of both the referendum and the addition.
- Contact: lindley.terasse@gmail.com.
Freedom Park Conservancy – Nancy Forger
- The Conservancy received a $125,000 matching grant from Park Pride to fund Phase 1 of a signage and wayfinding project.
- Three types of signs will be installed beginning this spring: gateway signs at key park entrances, directional wayfinding signs, and map signs showing connections to trails and the surrounding community.
- Phase 2 is anticipated for summer or fall, at which point the Conservancy may request contributions from neighborhood associations including CPNO.
Little Five Points Cultural District – Kelly Stocks
- A leprechaun hunt was held the previous day; an adult bar-crawl leprechaun hunt was scheduled for the following evening at the new plaza at 7:00 PM. Sign-up at littlefivepointsofficial.com.
- Little Five Fest is in less than two weeks, running from the cul-de-sac in Little Five Points down Seminole Avenue. The event will feature 17 bands, skateboarders, and artists/vendors. Contact: hello@littlefivepointsofficial.com.
Other Announcements
- 2026 ATL Black Maternal Health Walk & Community Fair: Scheduled for April 11. Does not require a membership vote.
- Porch/Block Parties: Mark Clement announced a block party on April 18, 2:00–6:00 PM. CPNO provides $50 for porch parties and $250 for block parties upon submission of receipts.
- FootGolf at Candler Park Golf Course: A public meeting is scheduled for March 26 at 6:00 PM. Details at cityofatlantagolf.com.
2026 Fall Fest
- New co-chairs introduced: Mike Connolly (24-year Candler Park resident, recently retired) and Van Jensen. Michelle Moulton will serve as Fall Fest Treasurer.
- The draft Fall Fest budget was presented. Mark Clement raised a bylaws question about whether the budget requires membership approval. The Chair committed to reviewing the bylaws and, if required, bringing the budget for a vote at the April meeting.
- https://candlerpark.org/fall-fest-budgets-2025-2029/
Items for Vote
- 2026 CPNO Budget: The 2026 operating budget, which was presented at the previous month’s meeting and made available for a month of review, will be posted for an online vote following this meeting. The poll will be accessible at candlerpark.org/vote and will remain open through 11:59 PM the following day.
- https://candlerpark.org/cpno-budget-2026/
Treasurer Report
- Michelle Moulton presented the February actuals. Revenues include incoming member donations and porch sign sales. Expenses reflect typical administrative costs. No unusual items were reported. Disbursements to partner organizations are expected in the coming months. No questions were raised.
Adjournment
- With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:05 PM.
Minutes prepared by Allen Broyles, Secretary, CPNO