Port Allen Community Development Corporation

Meeting Minutes
Port Allen CDC Board of Directors Meeting

Date: Monday, August 13, 2007
Time: 6:15 PM - 7:55 PM
Place: Port Allen City Hall
Port Allen, Louisiana

Board Members Present: Lynn Bradley, Reynard Douglas, Tabitha Gray, Liz Holmes, Gary Hubble, and Izetta McDowell

Board Members Absent: Frances Alexander, Terrell Joseph, and Tammy Seneca

Guests Present: Kathryn Perry, Lu Cutrera

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

I. CALL TO ORDER
Liz Holmes called the meeting to order and introduced members and guests. A quorum was present at 6:22 pm.

II. READING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The CDC Board approved the July 9, 2007, meeting minutes (Bradley/Hubble).

III. OLD BUSINESS

A. Election of New Chairman
This item remains open.

B. Nominating Committee
This item was not discussed.

C. Education Program
No report was presented.

IV. THE FERRY

A. Ferry Areas Identified
Preceding the business meeting, the CDC board members did a walk-through of the Ferry neighborhood to identify problem areas. A number of vacant and/or dilapidated properties were noted. The CDC could identify a signature home to fix up or have numerous houses on the list so no one house is singled out.

It was suggested that the CDC take photos of abandoned cars and structurally unsound properties and bring them to the City Council for possible condemnation action. Shaw offered to take photos identifying addresses and property owners and bring them to the next CDC meeting.

B. Strategy for Phasing Improvements
The CDC requested that Shaw provide estimates per linear foot for sidewalks, underground utilities, and subsurface drainage improvements along Atchafalaya and Kentucky Streets.

C. Capital Outlay Request
A motion was made and seconded (Gray/Hubble) to discuss having the CDC apply for capital outlay funds as an entity rather than going through the city. A unanimous vote (6-0) was made to apply for a capital outlay request as the CDC.

Shaw will contact Ashley Albritton to set up a number for the CDC and begin to draft a capital outlay request application. Gary and Tabitha will invite Carol Finch to the September CDC meeting to discuss the capital outlay process.

V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee
Shaw will bring an example of a mixed use ordinance to review for applicability to the Ferry area. Shaw will also obtain a copy of West Baton Rouge Parish’s latest Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) ordinance.

B. Image Improvement Program
No specific items discussed here.

C. Change 501(c)(3) Status
Shaw will draft a letter to the IRS detailing CDC’s planned activities. This is to inform the IRS that the CDC will be changing from engaging solely in educational activities and to starting up economic and community development activities.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS
The CDC received a notice from the La. Treasury Department that it was awarded a $10,000 Act 18 Line Appropriation from the 2007 state budget. Shaw will download the necessary forms to request the monies from the state. Shaw will also draft a letter to Sen. Marrionneaux thanking him for his assistance. The CDC received its annual report from the La. Secretary of State’s office which was updated and will be mailed with the $5.00 annual fee. Shaw received a call from Ms. Frances Alexander saying that she has moved out of state and will thus be resigning from the CDC board.

VII. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting date is Monday, September 10, 2007 at 6 p.m. at the Port Allen City Hall. Tentative agenda items are listed below.
o Election of New Chairman
o Act 18 Line Appropriation
o Capital Outlay Request
o Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee-TND and mixed use
o Image Improvement Committee

VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM (Bradley/Gray).

Meeting Minutes
Port Allen CDC Board of Directors Meeting

Date: Monday, July 9, 2007
Time: 6:15 PM - 8:30 PM
Place: Port Allen City Hall
Port Allen, Louisiana

Board Members Present: Lynn Bradley, Reynard Douglas, Tabitha Gray, Liz Holmes, Gary Hubble, and Izetta McDowell

Board Members Absent: Frances Alexander, Terrell Joseph, and Tammy Seneca

Guests Present: Julie Rose (WBR Museum), Barry Brewer, Claire Sarradet, Kathryn Perry

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

I. CALL TO ORDER
Liz Holmes called the meeting to order and introduced members and guests. A quorum was present at 6:15 pm.

II. READING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The CDC Board approved the June 11, 2007, meeting minutes (Hubble/Reynard).

III. OLD BUSINESS

A. Election of New Chairman

This item remains open.

B. Nominating Committee
This item was not discussed.

C. Education Program
No report was presented.

IV. THE FERRY

A. Capital Outlay Request

Claire Sarradet provided a copy of the capital outlay application for fiscal 06-07. Shaw provided copies of the cover letter and fax transmittal for the capital outlay 05-06 application to Tabitha Gray. Ms. Sarradet stated that another source of infrastructure improvement funds is line item grants from the Division of Administration (Governor’s Office). Port Allen received grants to cover drainage ditches along Avenues A and B and a portion of Avenue C west of LA 1. The City also received grant funding for the south side of Rosedale Road west of LA 1, but problems still exist on the north side.

The CDC would like to start outlining specific steps to begin Phase I of the Ferry Redevelopment Plan. The August 13, 2007, monthly meeting will begin at 5 pm with a walking tour of the Ferry area. Members will bring maps from the Plan to note drainage problems, and areas needing improvements. Shaw will email the CDC to notify members of the earlier meeting time. PEC engineers will be asked to accompany the group to ensure coordination of drainage and street improvements. A motion was made (Bradley/McDowell) and approved to allow Ms. Holmes to approve the PEC invoice. The CDC will outline a plan of action, meet with the city, and invite Carol Finch to discuss the capital outlay application process.
B. Historical Significance
This item was not discussed.

V. NEW BUSINESS

A. Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee
Ms. Holmes invited CDC board members to attend the next upcoming Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Wednesday, July 25, 6 pm, so the Commission could meet the CDC as the Planning Advisory Committee.

B. Image Improvement Program
The Image Improvement Committee (Bradley, Hubble, and McDowell) reported on its meeting with Samuel Sanders, Executive Director, MidCity Redevelopment Alliance, on June 19, 2007. The committee provided a draft timeline for starting a fix-up/clean-up program for the Ferry area. Items included getting CDC’s approval, meeting with the mayor, and developing an application form for interested homeowners. Shaw will email the timeline to the CDC membership for their approval at the next meeting and call the Mayor to set up a meeting.

Ms. Sarradet said the city received Community Development Block Grants in 1978 and 1980 from the state Division of Administration, but it was a very tedious process.

C. 501(c)(3) Status
Shaw is contacting the IRS to notify the agency of the CDC’s planned activities and determine what other steps are needed to change CDC’s educational organization status. Ms. Holmes gave the 2006 Income Tax return forms (Form 990-EZ) that had been sent to past Chairman Chris Guerin to Shaw.

D. Tree City USA
Barry Brewer noted that Port Allen applied for and received Tree City USA designation and has an urban forestry ordinance in place. The designation has lapsed and the city is not interested in pursuing the matter further at this time.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS
Barry Brewer discussed the lot of record issue. A lot of record is a lot which is part of a subdivision recorded in the WBR clerk of court office, or a parcel of land legally established and defined by deed or act of sale on or before February 8, 1989. One can build or modify a building on a lot of record that is smaller than defined in the zoning ordinance as long as setback requirements are followed. If the original lot is changed by subdividing or combining with other lots, then a variance may be required from the Board of Adjustment. Any non-conforming use on a lot of record is considered grandfathered unless the property is unoccupied for six months or more, in which case it would convert to the current zoning designation.

VII. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting date is Monday, August 13, 2007 at 5 p.m. at the Port Allen City Hall. Tentative agenda items are listed below.
o Walking Tour of Ferry
o Election of New Chairman
o Capital Outlay Request
o Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee
o Image Improvement Committee

VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM (Gray/Hubble).

Meeting Minutes
Port Allen CDC Board of Directors Meeting

Date: Monday, June 11, 2007
Time: 6:05 PM - 7:50 PM
Place: Port Allen City Hall
Port Allen, Louisiana

Board Members Present: Frances Alexander, Lynn Bradley, Reynard Douglas, Virginia Gough, Liz Holmes, Gary Hubble, and Izetta McDowell

Board Members Absent: Tabitha Gray, Joyce Jenne, and Terrell Joseph

Guests Present: Rev. William Laws (Scott United Methodist Church), Tammy Seneca (WBR School Board), Kathryn Perry

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

I. CALL TO ORDER
Liz Holmes called the meeting to order and introduced members and guests. A quorum was present at 6:06 pm.

II. READING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The CDC Board approved the May 14, 2007, meeting minutes (Gough/Hubble).

III. OLD BUSINESS

A. Election of New Chairman
No one approached by the Nominating Committee accepted nomination for chairman. This item will continue to be open.

B. Membership Drive
The Membership Committee will contact Ms. Murray about becoming a CDC member. Kathryn Perry informed the Board that Joyce Jenne will not be extending her current term past June 30, 2007. The position of Secretary will need to be filled. Virginia Gough is not extending her term and will need to be replaced on the Nominating Committee

C. Education Program
Frances Alexander reported that the school scoring configuration has changed. Port Allen Elementary is now only scored using the 3rd grade ILEAP. This hurt the school’s scores as 3rd grade scores were lower than last year. Cohn Elementary’s 4th grade LEAP scores were good and may or may not improve next year. The Cohn Skill Center is being used for state-of-the-art technology training for staff. Tammy Seneca noted that Port Allen High drop-out rates are going down and the school is starting a pre-GED program which will further improve drop-out rates. Port Allen Middle is still a struggle. The district received a grant to push literacy for pre-K through 12th grades. Ms. Holmes suggested they create a Power Point on the positive points of Port Allen schools.

IV. THE FERRY

A. Capital Outlay Request

1. Town of West Baton Rouge boundaries
The WBR Assessor’s Office was contacted for a map of the original subdivision. The map from the assessor shows an area bounded by Roosevelt Street, Kentucky Ave., Alabama Street, and Court Street.

2. Lot of record
“Lot of record” is defined in Appendix B of Port Allen’s zoning ordinance as “…a parcel of land which became legally established and defined by deed or act of sale on or before the date of adoption of the ordinance from which this appendix is derived (1989).” The current interpretation is that an owner can build on a lot of record if the appropriate setbacks are used. The CDC will contact Barry Brewer to further clarify this issue.

B. Capital Outlay Request
The CDC will discuss the capital outlay plan of action at the July meeting and invite Senator Marrionneaux and Representatives Cazayouz and Barrow to CDC’s August meeting. Shaw will look through the corporate files for the original capital outlay application. Gary Hubble will invite Ms. Carol Finch to the July meeting as she is familiar with the capital outlay process.

V. NEW BUSINESS

A. Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee
Ms. Holmes invited CDC board members to attend the upcoming Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Wednesday, June 27, 6 pm, so the Commission could meet the members as the Planning Advisory Committee.

B. Image Improvement Program
The Board discussed putting the Image Improvement Committee on the back burner until more new members came on board. Gary Hubble asked how the image improvement program will fit into the Ferry redevelopment plan and if the Ferry area could qualify for any historical grants. Scott United Methodist Church is about 135 years old and Rev. Laws used to do title searches. Izetta McDowell, Lynn Bradley, and Mr. Hubble expressed interest in meeting with Mid City Redevelopment Alliance to get information on its clean-up and fix-up programs and Ms. Perry agreed to set up a meeting. It was noted that the CDC should coordinate with the mayor about the city’s clean-up efforts and ongoing drainage work.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS
The Board discussed distributing an updated contact list, changing its 501(c)(3) status, and preparing a plan for the next 12 months. Shaw will follow-up on the first two items and the Board will discuss the third at its next meeting.

Ms. Gough made a motion (seconded by Reynard Douglas) to nominate Tammy Seneca for membership. The Board voted unanimously to accept Ms. Seneca as a member.

VII. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting date is Monday, July 9, 2007 at 6 p.m. at the Port Allen City Hall. Tentative agenda items are listed below.
o Election of New Chairman
o Membership
o Education Program
o Capital Outlay Request
o Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee
o Image Improvement Committee
o CDC’s 12-month plan

V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM (Holmes/Gough).