The meeting of the Board of Commissioners for the ADD was called to order by Chairman Arnold at 8:55 a.m. Roll call of the commissioners was taken by Ms. Duplessis. Chairman Arnold referred the commissioners and others in attendance to the Rules of Order in the packet.  Chairman Arnold asked for a moment of silence for Pastor Wardsworth before beginning the meeting.

Members Present:

Board members present were Rep. Jeff Arnold, Assessor Tom Arnold, Mr. Tyrone Casby, Senator J.P. Morrell and House Speaker Jim Tucker.

Others Present:

Attorneys Fred Chevalier and  Scott Zander of Jones Walker, ADD’s Attorney Ken Pickering, ADD’s Accountant Sean Bruno, Ariana Tipper of NORA, ADD’s staff – Kathy Lynn Honaker and Vanessa Duplessis.
 
Minutes

The minutes from the last board meeting were presented for approval. Assessor Arnold made the motion to approve which was seconded by Speaker Tucker and approved by all.

Treasurer’s Report

The financial report for the 2009 year end was covered by Bruno and Tervalon.  All questions were addressed.

Over one million is set aside for the road work on Gen. DeGaulle/Holiday Drives which has not yet been billed by the City of New Orleans, along with the work being done on Gen. DeGaulle and Woodland-Tullis. A motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report was made by Mr. Tyrone Casby and seconded by Assessor Arnold.

Old Business

TIF Extension

Ms. Honaker informed the board that she and Mr. Pickering have been working with the Department of Revenue for the extension of the State’s Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) to match the term of the City of New Orleans extension earlier this year.  The state approved the CEA thirty (30) additional years.

Keep Algiers Clean Update

Ms. Honaker gave an update to the board and public.

The clean up of major streets is being conducted on weekends from 8:00 a.m. to noon. We have received several thank you calls from the community for the weekly “Keep Algiers Clean” work.

Ms. Honaker explained the next step suggested by community members is an awareness campaign in Algiers schools, and radio shows to help educate and inform the public to keep Algiers clean.

She and Chairman Arnold are meeting with the head of the Algiers Charter schools in February to work out a strategy plan for communication with all students in Algiers.

Ms. Honaker and Chairman Arnold also met with Sheriff Gusman’s media team and are awaiting their proposal to be presented to ADD.  We also plan on utilizing radio advertising to get out the  Keep Algiers Clean message.

Ms. Honaker further explained that after the awareness campaign, she has requested the Fourth District Police Department implement ticketing on General DeGaulle Drive for littering.  Ms. Honaker will also request the Times Picayune cover a story about the campaign.

Blight Update

Ariana Tipper of New Orleans Redevelopment Authority provided the Board with a recap of all the activities with the blighted properties on ADD’s target list sent to the City by ADD and Councilman Carter’s office. She answered specific questions on the individual properties and vacant lots. 

She gave an update on Higgins Gate explaining the court date is scheduled for March and the owner was given until the end of January to have all the buildings demolished. 

Ariana was asked to make sure the School Board buildings were on the ADD Blight list along with the apartments behind our office location. 

YMCA -Federal City

Attorney Pickering gave an update on the YMCA for Federal City. He covered the results of the study which ADD assisted with funding in 2009. Highlights:

• Telephone in-depth interviews were held with over 600 families in the area;
• There was significant interest 5.5 is great, and 4.5 being the national average; which was exceeded;
• A total of 2,215 families are targeted to join the YMCA per the stud results;
• The location will be 45,000 square feet featuring an indoor pool, which is required by the marines for training;
• The marines will have between 800 to 1,000 members; and
• The Coast Guard should have between 150 to 200 members.

 
New Business

Election of Officers for 2010-2011

Chairman Arnold informed the board that it was time to elect a new slate of officers. After discussion, Mr. Casby made a motion that the current board officers remain in tact.  Ms. Honaker summarized the officers as:

Chairman: Jeff Arnold
Secretary: Senator Morrell
Treasurer: Speaker Tucker

Speaker Tucker seconded the motion made by Mr. Casby and everyone voted in favor of Mr. Casby’s motion. The board officers will serve 2010 through 2011 with the next elections being January of 2012.

Public Input

There was no additional public input.

A motion was made to adjourn by Speaker Tucker and seconded by Assessor Arnold.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:55 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Lynn Honaker
Executive Director