Gentilly Terrace and Gardens
Improvement Association

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PROVISIONAL:

Gentilly Terrace & Gardens Improvement Association
General Membership Meeting:  April 11^th, 2007

Meeting convened at 7:05 p.m.

Approximately 60 people present.

Norm Whitley, opened the meeting and introduced Jean Marie Jean

Jean Marie Jean, distributed an education survey.  Gentilly Terrace Elementary is slated for re-opening, but there are very few details.

Norm Whitley, asked those present to identify themselves and the neighborhoods where they reside.  Those present included residents of Gentilly Terrace, Lower Gentilly, Sugar Hill, Oak Park, Vascoville, etc...

Parking tickets are still a problem.  But, the various groups are working with UNO to get the matter resolved.

Mrs. Smallwood and Dr. Nance, with Dr. Blakely's office, recently made presentations to the GCIA board, explaining the 17 redevelopment zones.  But, they did not give detailed financial information.  The city is working hard to entice additional investment.  Norm will request Dr. Nance and Dr. Ralph Thayer to attend a Terrace meeting in the near future to discuss the project.

Q: GCIA has relatively bad communications, when compared to Lakeview.  What can be done?
A: Norm explained that the background of the GCIA and its current status.  Each neighborhood president now sits on the board of the GCIA.  Angelle Givens is the president of the board.  She was scheduled to attend to night's meeting but could not make it.

Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell arrived at 7:30pm, accompanied by JP Morrell, and Norm turned the floor over to the Councilwoman to discuss the status of the proposed lounge on Frenchmen.

Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, explained that Norm had asked her whether he should attend the city council meeting where she was forced to table the issue of the conditional use permit.  She had told Norm it would not be necessary because she had already confirmed enough votes from the other council people to prevent the permit, as requested by numerous neighborhood groups and individuals.  But, then Mr. Lawes arrived at the city council with a number of community members supporting him.  He met with Councilmembers Carter, Thomas and Head.  The perception of some council members changed as they came to believe this was a case where a struggling African American businessman was being forced out of business.

Initially, the request for that location had been for a restaurant, which many supported.  But, about five months ago, Mr. Lawes went to the ABO and, via a computer glitch, received an inappropriate ABO permit.  Before the next meeting of the city council, Mrs. Morrell believes the opponents should flood the council members with e-mails and phone calls to voice their opposition.  Mr. Lawes had a number of businessmen speak on his behalf.  Mr. August Williams, the landlord for Mr. Lawes, owns four properties in that same area.  Provisos can be added to the permit.  It is zoned C-1 so a business is appropriate.  But, the type of business is in question.

Q: Other cities have guidelines for appearances of the businesses, but not here.  Why not?
A: An Urban Corridor Overlay was added to that area right after Katrina.  It runs from Paris Avenue to the Industrial Canal, but only applies to new buildings.  Two developers are trying to buy the shopping center.  But, the asking price has gone up to $15 million.  Still, I expect something to happen there within three to five years.

Q: Are the council members aware of previous problems at that location?
A: Yes, they are

Q: Why does the city allow private vehicles to park on Broad Street?
A: A state law was passed, with the goal of creating a situation similar to along the Harrison Avenue shopping district.  That was the original intent.

Q: I live on Mexico Street, near the Walgreen's and Daquiri Shop where there are many issues with those businesses.  What is the process to file complaints?
A: Provisos can be placed to limit conflicts with the neighborhood. 

Q: What about the elevation of houses?  Mandatory levels?  On Roger Williams two houses were raised a full story and the other houses around them are all on slabs.  This is creating a bizarre streetscape.
A: The city adopted FEMA's BFE so people could rebuild.  FEMA grandfathered in any houses that was less than 50 percent damaged.  Many homes have daylight basements.  But, much of this is smart rebuilding.

Mrs. Morrell also noted that she might be able to narrow down the window of time when the lounge debate will take place, in order to help make it easier for residents to appear in person.

Gwen Hawkins mentioned that she has seen lots of litter around the bars.

Others noted that condoms had been found around that area because of  bar patrons.  They attracted crime.  The previous bar welcomed kids into the bars.  Neighbors have tried to suggest other uses to the owner in the past.

Mrs. Morrell pointed out that she should have more information Monday, after another meeting.  Tuesday is the scheduled date for the next ABO hearing.  Thursday, the bar owner will meet with a group that Mrs. Morrell has put together to discuss the matter.

Q: What about the problem with dumping along Dreux and Peoples?
A: The S&WB is being told to take care of that problem.

Q: What is the status of Gentilly Terrace Elementary?
A: I met with Paul Pastorek.  UNO's charter application was denied.

JP Morrell offered that UNO wanted a high school at Milneburg and a K-8 school at G.T.E. But, he believes a better situation would be comparable to the way McDonough 15's charter was selected by the neighborhood.  That level of input is important and the RSD is simply not getting it.

Q: What are you doing about Bradley School?
A: Pastorek was told to do something about Bradley.  We need our schools better than simply rehabilitated.  RSD and the Orleans Parish School Board must start making decisions and stop simply waiting for more money to arrive.

Q: Why are books on the 2nd floors of schools being left behind and neglected until they are unusable?
A: Mrs. Morrell says that FEMA considers all of those items "contaminated".  Schools simply bought into the idea and replacements have been slow in coming.  McDonough 15's entire library was thrown away, even though it did not flood.  RSD  is the problem.  They have too much independence.  My education meeting drew about 300 people and will get more information to work with.  Charters are not the answer to everything.

Q: St. Bernard Parish is moving schools forward.  How can we affect state law to better utilize schools as attractants for residents.
A: JP Morrell noted that his first bill would be to bring oversight back to the individual parishes.  He hopes to create a board that RSD must consult for their decisions.

Q: What about the new trees on Elysian Fields Ave.?  Its sad to see the avenue bare.
A: Norm Whitley and John Lyon noted that Parkway Partners' Jean Farr (sp?) will work with the neighborhood to develop a new cohesive "tree plan".

Q: What about the local historic district recognition for Gentilly Terrace?
A: Patty Gay with the PRC was supposed to attend but could not make it.  She is working with the association on that application.

Q: There are no patrol cars along my area.  Why not?
A: Mrs. Morrell noted that there are 72 officers within the 3rd District.  They work out of trailers and use portable toilets.  They really are struggling and doing the best they can with what they have.

Denise McConduit, the new columnist that writes the "Gentilly Warriors" column in the Times Picayune has created a blog to help residents report crime incidents.  She also welcomes information and ideas for future articles.  Please call her at (504)957-9191 or e-mail her at denisemcconduit@gmail.com with questions or information.

Mrs. Morrell asked that residents notify her office about any illegal activities.  Her staff will work to get that information to the appropriate authorities.

Meeting adjourned at 9pm.

Next meeting with be the second Wednesday in May, more information to follow.