Minutes of the Meeting of the General Membership of the

Irish Channel Neighborhood Association

June 14, 2007

            President Cele Husing convened the meeting.  The May meeting minutes were approved.

            Ms. Husing spoke about the possibility of undertaking the building of a playground at Soraparu

Park with KaBOOM!  The

Hill

School has done the necessary grant application with KaBOOM!  The grant application was approved, but the school elected not to pursue the project for various internal reasons.  Ms. Husing proposed that ICNA pick up the project.  The build is scheduled for August or September.  The funder has been identified, though not announced.  Two hundred volunteers are required.  The funder supplies 100 volunteers.  The neighborhood will be responsible for finding 100 more.  Ms. Husing feels that through ICNA, Rachel Simms, Stacy Head and the neighborhood that this will be no problem.  The value of the playground is $100,000, but will cost the neighborhood nothing.

            The neighborhood is still eligible to apply for one more grant from KaBOOM! for a playground.  Ms. Husing suggested that the space at Tchoupitoulas and Toledano and Live Oak School should be considered.  Live Oak is an elementary school and does not have any play equipment.  Ms. Husing said that KaBOOM! is very enthusiastic about working with the Irish Channel.

            Melanie Miranda stated that she had a very good experience working with KaBOOM! at the

Laurel

School build.  She said they are very organized.  She said, however, that when the gate is locked at Laurel Elementary, neighborhood children are not allowed to play there.

            Ms. Husing said that KaBOOM!’s goal is to build 100 playgrounds on the

Gulf

Coast.  Usually, neighborhoods must put up $10,000, but this financing is being waived.

            A motion was made to move forward with the KaBOOM! Soraparu project and to put Cele Husing in charge of the ICNA KaBOOM! committee.  All were in favor and the motion passed by voice vote.

            Ms. Husing discussed KaBOOM!’s planning process and passed around a sign-up sheet for the KaBOOM! committee.  Those who signed up were given paperwork and guidelines provided to Ms. Husing by KaBOOM!

            Ed McGinnis spoke for the Clean-up Committee.  Four weeks ago, about 45 people cleaned up 6th and 7th Streets.  La Divina Gelateria provided delicious snacks at the end of the work day.  Three weeks ago, 20 to 25 neighbors cleaned up 8th and 9th Streets.  Radio station 99.5 came out and took photographs and invited Ed and Charlie to come down to the radio station.  Charlie Burck has also put an Irish Channel community webpage online.  (Tess:  can you add the address?)  Ed was invited down to the radio for a roundtable and ended up being asked to do an audio spot for the neighborhood.  Last Saturday, around 14 neighbors helped with the KaBOOM! build at Laurel Elementary.  Omnicron, a build sponsor, gave $50,000 to the school at the end of the day.  A neighbor who works for Chevron and lives near Laurel Elementary told Ed that Chevron would like to help the school.

            The next clean-up is scheduled for this coming Saturday.  Stacy Head has asked that we re-do

Washington and Sixth, though this is not next on the planned grid.  A discussion ensued.  A neighbor recommended that we target known drug hotspots as well.    It was decided that

Washington and Sixth will be the streets for next Saturday’s clean-up.  A motion was made, and passed, that Ed McGinnis and Charlie Burck create a schedule for the next quarter.  Additionally, Charlie Burck made a motion, which passed, that the start time be moved up to 8:30 a.m. for the summer.

            It was also suggested that we need clean-up t-shirts.  A neighbor suggested LaChiva at Tchoupitoulas and Soraparu.  A motion was made in favor of creating and ordering t-shirts; the motion passed.

            Michelle Kimball spoke for the zoning committee.  She appeared before the HDLC last week and asked for a deferral in the matter of the proposed tear down of

2325-27 Rousseau Street

.

            Harvey Stern informed those gathered that the final council hearings on UNOP are scheduled for June 30 and July 1.  The last chance to check the plans is July 1.

            Mike Humphrey said that he has gotten calls from neighbors wondering what to do about blight.  Michelle Kimball and Ed McGinnis said that there is a big problem with enforcement regarding blight in the city.  There is a plan in the works to do something, i.e. a forum, to shame the city into showing up.  Michelle and Ed have compiled a list of all the blighted properties in the neighborhood.  Ms. Head asked them for a book of photographs and addresses.  From the city’s last compiled blighted properties list to the list made by Michelle and Ed, one-third to one-half have been renovated.

            Karen Chabert spoke for the police committee.  There is a Silence is Violence walk scheduled for June 28 from 7 to 9 p.m.  Ms. Chabert will send an e-mail to the entire membership about the event.  She also said that the police internal affairs unit is available to do presentations.

            A neighbor reported that someone broke into his warehouse and stole a trailer.

            Another neighbor reported complaints about loitering and possible drug dealing at the store at First and Constance Streets.

            It was reported that some officers have been seen resting in their cruisers.  Also, there have been some side window and back door home burglaries.  In addition, one armed robbery was reported and the police have a suspect in mind.  Ten drug arrests have been made.

            Ms. Chabert reminded everyone that the NONPACC meeting is next week.  There will be a crime prevention seminar at UNO on July 14 from 10 to 3.  Iron works companies, locksmiths, and burglar alarm companies will be present.

            The block captain committee had no report.

            The schools committee referred to the KaBOOM! report.

            Charlie Burck asked that submissions be sent to him for the next newsletter.

            The bylaws committee had no report.

            Neighbors expressed concern about speeding traffic on Chippewa, Annunciation and

Jackson.  A neighbor suggested asking Cpt. Bardy for an assignment of motorcycle officers.

            Under old business, Mike Humphrey reported that the actual cost to supply a dog waste bag station is closer to $125-500 per year.  The initial cost is $337 to buy two stations.  Mike is going to contact the

Coliseum Square

neighbor association to ask about their program of nailing up and stocking black mailboxes in their park.  A discussion was held regarding what type of bag to order.

            A motion was made that ICNA continue meeting through the summer.  The motion passed.

            Mark Redding addressed those assembled regarding his desire to tear down a building he owns at 2325-27 Rousseau.  He has made an application to demolish the building.  All exterior openings and the back porch have been significantly modified.  The house is not redeemable.  He will salvage lumber, etc.  The lot will be used for one year as a garden for The Hill School.  At some point, an appropriate building or buildings will be built.  A motion was made that ICNA send a letter to the HDLC stating that ICNA is not opposed to Mr. Redding’s application for demolition and asking Mr. Redding to go along with the architectural committee’s suggestions and not appeal to the full commission when planning his new buildings.  After discussion, the motion was restated:  ICNA will write a letter to the HDLC stating that ICNA does not oppose the demolition.  The motion passed.

            An election for officer and board members positions was held.  The results follow:

President: Ed McGinnisProgram Coordinator: Sarah JohnsonSecretary: Theresa ConradTreasurer: Mike Humphrey  Two Year Board Members:Chris HorrellMichelle KimballAdolph LopezMelanie MirandaHarvey Stern One Year Board Members:Charles BurckEllen BrandaoKaren ChabertMike FairchildCele HusingBelvia Isabelle 

            The meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by Ellen Brandao, Secretary