Gentilly Terrace and Gardens
Improvement Association

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TENTATIVE:

Gentilly Terrace & Gardens Improvement Association
General Membership Meeting:  January 17^th, 2007

Meeting convened at 7:05 p.m.

Approximately 30 people present.

Norm Whitley introduced association leaders present and reminded members that meetings from the meetings are available on the webpage at www.gentillyterrace.org  He then introduced Karen Fernandez with the Lambert Advisory Group, to discuss Zoning and Land Use issues in GT&G.

Karen Fernandez displayed a collection of maps related to land use and zoning regulations.  She explained that, during the recent planning process, most residents expressed a desire to maintain the current character of the neighborhood.  The land use maps is about six or seven years old.  But, in general, the area is primarily residential, zoned mostly as RS-2(Single Family), with some RS-1 which is similar, but with a different lot size.  There is also a limited amount of RD-2(duplex family) zoned lots.

Norm introduced Victoria Romano from Baccich St .  She reported that one of her neighbors has gotten permission for a tri-plex at Mirabeau and Baccich.  Most neighbors did not receive advance notice of the request before approval by the city.  Karen explained that the protections that are inherent in the historic designation do not extend to this matter because it is only National and the local Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) would not be consulted.  Karen is not sure of the best way to approach this problem.  It was noted that the approved building is not yet completed.

Another resident asked about a duplex at Mirabeau and Mandeville.  It is possible that location had previously been zoned for duplexes and may not be in violation.

Wayne Gillette added that one of the problems is that Safety & Permits is issuing permits without thoroughly researching the applications.

Karen noted that the Lambert plan is still available on their website at http://www.nolanrp.com.

Another resident noted that there is now a dumping problem on Peoples, between Gentilly Blvd. and Robert E. Lee.

Before closing, Karen promised to try to provide us with digital files so that we can add them to our website.

J.P. Morrell was introduced to report on his recent activities.  He met with ICF officials today and discovered that their contract is “non-performance based” and there are no penalties for poor performance.  JP hopes to address this matter in the March special legislative session.  He also believes the legislature will try to tackle the insurance problem.

Not much was accomplished during the last session.  One of the major topics of that session was incentives for a potential steel mill which, “doesn’t have anything to do with New Orleans .”

Education should be a major focus in the future, with Gentilly Terrace Elementary supposedly opening as a charter school.  April Lauterbach mentioned that if people wish to speak up on this topic, the RSD is accountable to BESE and comments can also be directed to BESE.

A lot of JP’s time has been spent assisting individuals with their Road Home problems.  One of his most powerful allies in dealing with ICF has been Rep. Peppi Bruneau.  ICF was paid $60 million and has paid out only $3 million to citizens.  Wayne Gillette suggested the possibility of adding a deadline, after which interest would be owed to recipients.  JP explained that only HUD is allowed to collect interest on the funds.

JP feels that the Road Home program requires citizens to jump through too many hoops.  The program is being handled like a loan program, with more intense oversight than a grant program.  He hopes that the legislature can direct the auditor to inspect ICF.  For example, it is particularly offensive that ICF is not even required to submit receipts for travel.  Apparently Rep. Ed Murray has been the only legislator allowed to review the ICF contract at this time.  But, he reports that there are numerous problems with the contract.

Gov. Blanco’s office is the only entity with the authority to terminate ICF’s contract.  But, the Governor personally informed JP that “no” residents have complained to her about problems with ICF.  He suggested that residents send complaints directly to her office.  He also believes that, eventually, there will be a congressional investigation of the entire program.

Q:  Is it possible to change the requirement for appraisals?

A:  Many changes have been made.  Post-storm appraisals are supposed to be accepted now.  If legislators could force a new contract, they would have far more control over the terms of such a new contract.  There is an administrative appeal process.  But, that is insufficient to fix the problems.

Q:  Should residents demand a recall petition for Gov. Blanco?

A:  Only something as drastic as that will get Gov. Blanco’s attention now.  JP is open to a dialogue that could create such a petition call.

JP feels that it is important that there be local accountability for the RSD.  Forcing citizens to attend distant BESE meetings makes it too easy for RSD to avoid citizen complaints.

Q:  What about the criminal justice system?  Don’t these problems need to be addressed at the state level?  Revenue from traffic tickets is not enough to fund our criminal justice needs.

A:  Wayne Gillette noted that the merger of civil and criminal courts will cost an additional $50 million to implement, making the problem even worse. JP noted that New Orleans generates about one-third of state revenues.  The city is losing about five officers per week.  The logistics of the court merger are lacking and no real funding has yet been provided.  JP will fight, along with Derrick Shepherd, to find a solution.  Another problem is that too many boards and commissions are filled with part-time people.  It would be much better to pay people to do those jobs and allow them to fully focus on their tasks. 

JP noted that 83% of critical damage was located in New Orleans .  But, Gov. Blanco is using recovery funds across the state, in an effort to garner more statewide votes for her re-election.

Some residents noted that the DA’s office is still operating out of a temporary facility.  He wants assurances that the people in charge of the criminal justice system will be consulted on any possible solutions to the crisis, not simply have un-vetted solutions handed to them.  Another resident responded that both the DA, the Police, etc…already received significant funding to remediate their offices.

Norm Whitley will provide everyone with JP’s e-mail address so that they can easily engage him in dialogue.

Deanna Causey is leading efforts to respond to education.  She was unable to attend so Norm explained that GTE must be preserved because of its historic status.  The D6 Community Council (D6CC) is forming, in order to give neighborhoods a powerful voice.  The Education Committee is one part of that effort.

Norm also noted that Edgar Chase at Dillard University cautioned residents to not settle for less than the best. 

One resident reported that the recent Town Hall Meeting did not offer any real new information.

Norm Whitley expressed an interest in creating a “wiki” to help support recovery efforts.  He asked Councilwoman Morrell’s office for help with such a project, but she has not yet responded.

Daniel Falk reported that 235 properties have been assessed for the GT&G property database.  Quintus Jett’s team has completed their survey of Gentilly.  The results should soon be viewable at http://www.gentillyproject.org.

The Final UNOP Community Congress is scheduled for Saturday.

The agenda item dealing with UNC’s possible assistance with neighborhood recovery centers was skipped due to a lack of time.

Mike Park has informed GT&GIA that the Corps will continue to their pickups.  They have not yet received a stop order from FEMA.

Wayne Gillette explained that Form 95 is required in order to request permission to sue federal agencies such as the Corps of Engineers.  Residents who have not yet submitted the form should do so because there is a pending lawsuit that might be successful.  The form can be downloaded from the Corps homepage at http://www.usace.army.mil

Residents were encouraged to join and support http://www.levees.org

A clearinghouse for helpers and recovery assistance is being created.  The Presbyterian Church has some resources available.  They can be reached view Amelia Welman at (504)482-7892 or Richard Maag at (504)888-1375.  The clearinghouse would include the contact information for people who need assistance.  That way, when volunteer groups come to the city, they will have a single resource that can point them to the needy.

One resident asked that the GT&G Block Captains try to assist the elderly and handicapped, especially those that are displaced.  They do not know what to do.  Dan Falk will see how he can add that effort to the block captain system.

The question of how to modify the current dialogue for greater results was raised.  There are too many unanswered questions, unknown risks, etc…what arguments can be used to persuade more people to return to the area?  The Corps will issue a new risk assessment in about one month.  But, no one knows if it will address all risks.  It is important that residents know about ALL of the risks they face so that they plan to deal with them properly.

Norm Whitley informed residents that there have been reports of a fairly organized gang that is scouring the area for likely targets.  It includes kids on bikes that are taking photographs of potential targets with their cell phones, casing the neighborhood to come back later and break-in.  Residents should be watchful and report ANY suspicious behavior.

The Zuppardo’s lot has been sold to Capitol One.  China Buffett is taking over the old McDonald’s location.

Dillard University appears interested in possibly working with the Gentilly & Elysian Fields shopping centre.   The contacts there are Nick Harris and Walter Strong.

The next meeting will be at 7:00 pm on March 14^th, unless something urgent comes up.

Meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m