August 2025 WEND General Body Mtg Minutes

GENERAL BODY MEETING MINUTES
West End Neighborhood Development Inc.

Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, 5:30 PM

2025 Officers

Marquise “Tony” McNeal, President – president@atlantawestend.com
John Mitchell, 1st Vice President – firstvp@atlantawestend.com
Kimberly Carlisle, 2nd Vice President – secondvp@atlantawestend.com
Troy Farina, Treasurer – treasurer@atlantawestend.com
Dave Mardis, Secretary – secretary@atlantawestend.com
Melba T. Furlow, Recording Secretary recordingsecretary@atlantawestend.com
Kim Scott, Past President – kimscottmanagement@gmail.com
Terry Ross, Parliamentarian – t-ross01@hotmail.com

INTRODUCTION (Tony McNeal, President)

CALL TO ORDER 5:33 PM

Welcome
Motion to adopt August Agenda properly seconded and approved. (Carlton W & Melba F)
Favor: 19 Oppose: 0 Abstain: 2
Motion to approve July 2025 properly seconded and approved. (Dave M & Matt H)
Favor: 16 Oppose: 0 Abstain: 2

PRESENTATIONS – 5:40PM

Food ‘n Fun Food Mart – 785 Lee St. Lisa Morchower
- Question from participant: Past owner lost liquor license. Do you know why? Attorney replied that it was never lost to her knowledge.
- Mr. Raikhy – Cell# 404-510-3838. Plans to be at store daily from 9a-2p
Atlanta Land Trust – 879 White Street – Grace Roth
- Requesting to adjust the setback in order to save a water oak.

CITY REPRESENTATIVES & ELECTED OFFICIALS

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 6:13 PM

NNO postponed d/t weather. We will bring it back, hopefully the first Tuesday in October
Next month will be our quarterly hybrid meeting.
Our Biggest fundraiser of the year, the Candlelight Concert, feat. Kindred the Family Soul, is coming up on September 27th.. Presented by Lee+White, 1200 White St. & Gordon White Townhomes. We need lots of volunteers. Please reach out to wendevents@gmail.com if you’re interested in volunteering.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 6:16 PM

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Education Committee – Ayana Dunston, Co-Chair
(Education does not have a standing meeting, but communicates by text chain. If you’d like to join, email WENDeducation@gmail.com)
- Co-chair introduces Dr. Chendra Dupree, the new Principal at Herman J Russell West End Academy. Her email address is chendra.dupree@apsk12.org
- One of the goals of the education committee is to partner with West End Schools. We’re keen for opportunities to volunteer and contribute to initiatives at the school. Please feel free to share with us any month moving forward and we’d love to partner with you.
- Question: What needs does the school have? Answer: Attendance is a big issue. School was at a 45% attendance rate last year (55% of students were chronically absent). PBIS (positive behavioral intervention and supports) are being implemented this year School is offering several incentives to get them into school. Offering gift cards to reward kids and families. School is on the ATSI (Additional Targeted Support and Improvement) list and would like to get off of it.
Environmental Health & Beautification – Kristen Koehnemann
(Does not have a standing meeting, but if you’d like to join, email WENDbeautification@gmail.com) and visit the committee page

Events – Doug Cain
(Does not have a standing meeting, but if you’d like to join, email wendevents@gmail.com)

- Will push NNO to October.
- Need volunteers for Candlelight Concert in September. Please buy your tickets.
- Trunk or Treat at the end of October.

PR – Brittney Cain
(Does not have a standing meeting, but if you’d like to join, email AtlantaWestEndPR@gmail.com)

Membership – Brooks Payne
(Meets virtually on second Tuesdays via zoom. More information on committee page
- Get your membership card!
- Please get a yard sign to advertise our meetings!

Transportation – Matt Hawkins
(Meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM. For more info, visit the transportation committee page
- The transportation committee wants to get a better idea of what transportation projects are important to you for our neighborhood. If you have an ongoing effort that you’re into, working with a council member or the like, please let us know. We’re not trying to take it over from you. We want to put the weight of WEND behind your efforts!
- Beltline is having a virtual public engagement event tonight about public transportation on the Beltline.
- Pothole/manhole and sinkhole on White St. Councilman Dozier is aware. ATL311 case number is posted at https://atlantawestend.com/atl311/?case=CS10719054

Preservation & Urban Design – Kathy Woodcock
(Meets the first and third Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, as needed. If you’d like to join, email WENDPreservation@gmail.com)

- For the dozens of people who have filed complaints about a wooden retaining wall at 1029 Oak St., it worked! The property owner applied for a variance to keep the wood, and the commission denied it.

WRAP-UP & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Shara Kennedy – Just Schooling still collecting statistical data to see what type of resources are needed in our area. We will be using the information to get a parent resource center in the Peeples Street Project.
Alexis Brown – Licensed Esthetician – Free event behind MNB. Pilates event. 8/24 6:30-7:30
Elections are coming and we need a nominating committee. If you are interested, please contact secretary@atlantawestend.com.
NPU-T meeting will be held next Wednesday. For more information, visit www.nputatlanta.com/meetings

ADJOURN 7:02 PM

Draft Minutes Completed on 8/9/25 by DM