Gentilly Terrace and Gardens
Improvement Association

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PROVISIONAL:

Gentilly Terrace & Gardens Improvement Association
General Membership Meeting:  June 20th, 2007

Meeting convened at 7:10 p.m. by Jim Hollingshad.  Pres. Norm Whitley unable to attend.

Approximately 25 people present.

AGENDA:

1. John Lyon:       Status of Parkway Partners Projects
   Parkway Partners has completed their major Re-Leaf project which included planting Live Oaks and Magnolias along the Elysian Fields corridor.  Their efforts in Gentilly are winding down for now.  As they get additional funding, new opportunities may arise.  John will continue to monitor.
   
   A GTGIA member offered information about a non-profit that is helping to re-plant New Orleans.  Monique Pilie hiked the Appalachian Trail to raise funds to buy trees for New Orleans.  Ms. Pilie's program planted two new trees for the member, who was very satisfied.  The program has  webpage at http://www.hikeforkatreena.com and may also be reached by calling (504)301-5628
   
2. Jim Hollingshad    District 6 Community Council / GCIA
   The District 6 Community Council and the GCIA are two separate entities.  D6CC was partially modeled after the Citizens Road Home Action Team (CHAT) and has been studying planning issues within District 6 in great detail.  Much of their initial work was directed at evaluation of of the Duany proposals.  Although separate entities, both GCIA and the District 6 CC are communicating with each other, in the hope of limiting conflicting messages, and also and cooperating where appropriate.
   
   Etienne Skrabo, head of GCIA's economic development committee recently made a presentation to the D6CC to bring them up to speed on what is happening on the business side.  The primary point of his presentation was that there are currently two developers looking at the Gentilly & Elysian Fields commercial area.  One of those developers has submitted a Letter of Intent. (It is not known how the owner responded to the LOI).  The GCIA has also designated several other areas that they are calling "sub zones".  These include the areas of Paris & Robert E. Lee, Paris & Mirabeau, and Gentilly Woods.
   
   Etienne voiced his plan to bring the developers to the relevant neighborhood associations one time to present their proposals.  He expressed a desire to keep the residents informed while trying to not scare off the developers with too many questions.  Jim Hollingshad feels that this is a delicate balance and is hopeful that all entities will proactively approach the GTGIA when handling projects that would impact the neighborhood.
   
   Etienne also explained that his committee, although technically under the GCIA structure, is operating with "some level of autonomy" from the GCIA.  Jim does not know the parameters of this committee's autonomy or authority.  He will speak with Norm Whitley to try to get a more clear picture of the current activities of GCIA.
      
3. Dan Falk          Kisses Lounge
   The bar operator requested a permit to sell liquor and host live music.  His request, after considerable controversy, was finally denied.  The GTGIA actively resisted the proposal.  The location has had problems in the past and the neighborhood association which covers that location was adamantly opposed.  There is still a chance that the operator could open a lounge on the other side of the street, which has a more permissive zoning level.  We do not currently know if this matter will re-emerge in the future.  But, this is one of the reasons the Board would like to have accurate contact information for residents.  When bad projects are proposed it is important that residents make their feelings known.
   
4. Jim Hollingshad             Gentilly Terrace Beautification
   GTGIA had been discussing ideas to beautify the terrace's signs.  But, a resident beat them to the punch.  If anyone knows the identity of the people who added plants to the sign at St. Roch and Gentilly, please let us know so we can thank them.
   
5. Jim Hollingshad           Emergency Text Messaging System
   The City of N.O. has implemented a plan where citizens can sign up to get emergency alerts sent directly to their cel phones.  The details of the program are still a bit hazy.  But, as we enter a new hurricane season, such a program would save lives.  We should encourage people to sign up for the alerts.  To sign up go to the city's webpage at www.nolaready.info  It is also possible to register via your cel phone, without the use of a computer by sending a text message to 665248 or "nola4u".  If you register via your cel phone, you will quickly receive a text message with further instructions.  This method is especially useful for tourists.
   
6. Dan Falk          Neighborhood Database
   Work on the database has slowed a bit recently.  The Dartmouth database, which is viewable online, has completed at least the initial stage.  This is one way that the GTGIA will be able to contact residents who might need or assistance or when other matters similar to the Kisses Lounge project might arise again.
   
7. John Lyon        City-Assisted Evacuation Plan (CAEP)
   The City of New Orleans has created an evacuation plan for those who cannot evacuate on their own.  This could include the elderly, the handicapped and tourists.  Details of the plan can be found on the city's webpage at www.cityofno.com  The GTGIA Board would like to remind everyone that neighbors helping neighbors is one of the most effective ways we have to react to crises.  If you have a neighbor that you know needs assistance, please help them register with the plan.  If you run into trouble, contact a board member and we will assist.
   
8. Jim Hollingshad           Dumping on People’s Avenue
   Dumping on Peoples Avenue continues to be a problem.  Norm has spoken with a contact at the USACE who has promised to try to find an answer.  Apparently, some of the items dumped there were car parts that have been traced back to a garage owner.  But, authorities made an initial contact with the garage owner with no good result.  Unfortunately, for some reason, the authorities did not follow up on the matter.  We will keep trying to find out what is happening and get an answer from someone.
   
9. Flora Williams            Recycling
   The City ended their curbside recycling program with Katrina.  A new group, Phoenix Recycling, is working to bring curbside recycling back to New Orleans.  They have been offering drop off programs and hope to have the curbside project operational during 2007.  There would be a small fee involved, which would decrease as more people enroll.  And there is also a neighborhood association discount.  More info is available on their webpage at www.phoenixrecyclingnola.com or by e-mail at phoenixrecycling@gmail.com.
   
10. Jim Hollingshad:          July Neighborhood Picnic Proposal
    Norm has floated the idea of having a picnic one weekend in July.  Everybody has been working and going to meetings and it is also important to socialize and have fun.  A majority of those present expressed interest in such a picnic or social gathering.
    
11. Jim Hollingshad           Neighborhood Yard Sale
    A resident also proposed the idea of organizing a large community yard sale.  In other cities, such mass sales have attracted a lot of attention for the community.  It would not necessarily have to be a single sale, which would be more work.  But, by coordinating the date, everyone who wishes to have a sale could participate without any additional work on their part.  Think of the same pattern as neighborhood home tours.  This could even raise funds for the association if sale participants agreed to donate a small percentage of their revenues in exchange for help with promotion.

New Business

Mirabeau
A resident noted that there are bad potholes on Mirabeau and there are still too many street nights missing or damaged.  The resident is also curious to know about the status of "kuzcar's property" on the 4400 block of Eastern ST. which has been re-zoned to "multi-family".
Wayne Gillette agreed to research the re-zoned property.  Jim Hollingshad noted that previous speakers had provided a phone number to report damaged lights and signs.  He will try to find that info and post on the webpage.

Night Out Against Crime
A resident invited everybody to attend her Night Out Against Crime in the 4600 block of Music St. on August 7th, 6:30 - 9:00 pm

I-610 & Elysian Fields
A resident warned everybody to be careful.  The traffic lights at I-610 and Elysian Fields were malfunctioning and were "out of sync".

Parking at the Snowball Stand
A resident complained that customers going into the snowball stand are creating hazardous situations.  They park half in the street and block drives.

Blighted Housing
A resident complained that there seems to be no progress with blighted housing.  There is also concern about the speed of traffic along Lombard, behind Brother Martin.  That same area is still not draining adequately during storms.

Crime
A resident reported that there are tennis shoes hanging from the electrical lines at Lombard & St. Roch.  This is a sign that there is gang activity or drug dealing.

Jim Hollingshad asked that people report crime and dangerous conditions to NOPD's Quality of Life Officer, SGT Mike Levasseur malevasseur@cityofno.com or (504)658-5590.  SGT Levasseur has promised to get the complaints delivered to the appropriate people for follow-up.  Please also send a copy of the e-mail, or an explanation, to Norm (president@gentillyterrace.org) or Jim (secretary@gentillyterrace.org) so that the association can help to monitor progress.  It is important to remember that residents' first approach with problems, whether they be with disruptive neighbors/businesses, crime, or city officials should be to try to report and resolve the problem through regular channels.  The association is here to help when that proper attempt fails. 

Adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Resources for Residents  

• Concerned about unsafe, un-gutted buildings in your area?
  Contact the Good Neighbor Program to report homes that are not in compliance with the ordinance requiring all owners to secure flood damaged properties.  Those not in compliance with the program can be reported to the city via their website at www.cityofno.com.  This program is being handled by the Dept. of Safety and Permits which can be reached through the city’s switchboard at (504)658-4000.
  
  
• Crime issues?
  Contact SGT Mike LeVasseur, NOPD’s Quality of Life Officer at malevasseur@cityofno.com or (504)658-5590.  Emergency situations should always be reported directly to 911.  Non-emergency issues can also be reported to (504)821-2222.  Report ALL crime and/or suspicious activity. 
  
  
• Having problems with the Road Home Program?
  Contact the Citizens Road Home Action Team(CHAT) at http://chat.thinknola.com
  
  
• See a gas or water leak?
  Report it to the Sewerage and Water Board at http://www.swbno.org or (504)529-2837.
  
  
• Have a question and don’t know where to start?
  Contact your Councilwoman, Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, at http://www.citycouncil.com or (504)658-1040.  Better yet, contact her assistant, Jarrod Brossett at reached at (504)701-6993.
  Norm Whitley , Pres. of GTGIA, can also be contacted at president@gentillyterrace.org or (504)280-7120.
  
  
• Want to know about issues affecting all of Gentilly?
  The Gentilly Civic Improvement Association (GCIA) has a webpage at http://www.gcia.us.  GCIA President Angelle Givens can be reached at givensfamily@bellsouth.net or (504)416-0696.
  
  
• Need dangerous trees removed?
  Contact the Dept. of Parks and Parkways through the city’s website at http://www.cityofno.com or report a tree emergency to (504)658-2299.  They have an office at 2829 Gentilly Blvd. (504)658-3200.
  
  
• Need help deciding planting trees in your own yard?
  Contact Parkway Partners at http://www.parkwaypartnersnola.org or (504)620-2224