Port Allen Community Development Corporation

Date: Monday, September 11, 2006

Time: 6:10 PM – 7:38 PM

Place: Port Allen City Hall

Port Allen, Louisiana

Board Members Present: Vice-Chairperson Ms. Liz Holmes, Scott’s United Methodist Church; Ms. Lynn Bradley, Bradley-Brewster & Associates; Ms. Virginia Gough, West Baton Rouge School Board (Retired); Ms. Frances Alexander, Cohn Elementary; Ms. Susan Langlois, Remax; Mr. Reynard Douglas, Port Allen Resident; Mr. Terrell Joseph, Port Allen Police Department; Mr. Gary Hubble, Times-Picayune Circulation & Distribution

Board Members Absent: Chairman Chris Guerin, West Baton Rouge Assessor’s Office; Ms. Joyce Jenne, Kitchen & Bath Design; Ms. Tabitha Gray, Louisiana State Senate

Guests Present: Mr. Aharon Varady, Shaw Group; Ms. Molly Porter, Shaw Group;

Mr. Brent Soileau, Shaw Group

Type of Meeting: Regular monthly meeting of the Port Allen CDC Board of Directors

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Ms. Liz Holmes and introductions of members and guests were made. Some discussion was made about the number of board members and lack of attendance.

Reading and Acceptance of Minutes:

There were no minutes to accept from the August meeting because there was no quorum. Therefore, no official business was conducted at that time.

Communications and Unfinished Business:

Support was voiced for the Bylaws’ requirement that fifty percent of the membership of the board should be from Port Allen with future members preferably being Port Allen residents as they are appointed. Discussion was held as to whether a “vital connection” to the community would be an appropriate substitute for the residency requirement.

As to Board membership numbers, it was noted that the Bylaws require no fewer than seven members and no more than twelve. The Board presently has eleven members. The Bylaws require that over 50% of the members be present to establish a quorum; that is, at least six members. The reason for the lack of attendance by board members was discussed. One board member, who admitted to infrequent attendance, said that the meetings often feel as though there is no direction and that there is much discussion but very little action. This member stated that they felt the board was often “spinning its wheels” and that nothing got accomplished, which is why they felt that attendance was inconsequential.

Due to the absence of the Chair, who had initially raised the issues for Board discussion, it was agreed that the matter would be tabled until the next meeting.

New Business:

1. The next agenda item discussed was the topic of education and schools. There was broad agreement that there should be a renewed focus on education in the area, which would help negate the stigma of “bad schools” and attract more young people of child-bearing age to the area. Positive attributes that were identified were a Head Start program that may be initiated in April, 2007, strong reading programs, some of which are unique to Port Allen (i.e. “Literacy for All”), and the fact that all schools are now out of corrective action. It was also mentioned that the schools had received $650,000 in grant money to implement the improvement plans. The need to accentuate and advertise these positive attributes was noted.

2. Mr. Varady led a discussion regarding the best strategy for fulfilling this need. He suggested creating a website to this end. It was suggested that a working committee be formed with a goal to create a website by a specific date, identified as a two-month timeframe. Mr. Varady agreed to train one or more committee members to manage the site. There was an idea expressed to have website visitors register in order to conduct targeted marketing campaigns. Mr. Douglas and Mr. Joseph both volunteered to man the committee and a motion was made and seconded to form a committee to explore the possibility of creating a website.

3. The Ferry district and the annexation process were then discussed. Much of the focus was on the availability of two lots for sale at the end of Kentucky Street with direct access to the levee. There was also some discussion regarding the annexation plan, the need to, and failure in some cases, to continue the existing street grid layout. Two examples of cul-de-sac developments were identified as well as the problems that are endemic of such developments. The possibility was discussed of adding new zoning classifications to the existing zoning ordinance, e.g. a recreational district, a batture district, and two overlay districts. One such overlay, the “Revitalization Overlay” would apply to the whole of Port Allen within its current boundaries; that is, “pre-annexation” Port Allen as it now exists. This overlay would allow new residential and light commercial development on small, presently non-conforming lots as a matter of right, removing the obstacles to new construction that owners wishing to demolish and rebuild now face. The second proposed overlay district is a “Mixed-Use Overlay” which would apply to Jefferson and Court Street. This overlay would encourage the ongoing intermingling of single-family residential housing with small restaurant, retail and service establishments, bolstering the area around the Ferry Landing and encouraging the revitalization of downtown and the Ferry District.

Tentative Agenda for Next Meeting:

The next meeting date was set for Monday, October 9, 2006 at 6 PM to be held at the Port Allen City Hall. Issues to be discussed at the next CDC meeting will include discussion on membership issues and lack of attendance. The Ferry and Annexation Plan will also be discussed and an update on the website will be addressed.

Adjournment:

A motion from Ms. Holmes to adjourn was offered and seconded by Mr. Joseph. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 PM.