Port Allen Community Development Corporation

Meeting Minutes
Port Allen CDC Board of Directors Meeting

Date: Monday, March 10, 2008
Time: 6:02 PM – 7:55 PM
Place: Port Allen City Hall
Port Allen, Louisiana

Board Members Present: Reynard Douglas, Tabitha Gray, Julie Harris, Liz Holmes, Gary Hubble, George Jenne, Izetta McDowell, and Tammy Seneca

Board Members Absent: Lynn Bradley

Guests Present: Kathryn Perry, Garland Pennison

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 at 6:02 p.m. with a quorum present.

II. READING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Minutes for the February 11, 2008, meeting were approved (Gray/Hubble).

III. OLD BUSINESS
A. Election of New Chairman/Secretary/Treasurer
A motion was made (Gray/Hubble) and approved 8-0 to nominate and elect Reynard Douglas as Chairperson of the CDC Board. The meeting was then handed over to Douglas. A motion was made (Hubble/Douglas) and approved 8-0 to nominate and elect George Jenne as Treasurer.

B. Act 18 Line Appropriation Funds
1. Port Allen Elementary Outdoor Classroom
Ms. Holmes has received calls from 100 Black Men regarding computers for Cohn Elementary School 2nd grade classrooms. The Board discussed using Act 18 funds for computers for a targeted math tutoring program at Cohn at the December 10, 2007, meeting. Tammy Seneca noted that Cohn Elementary received computers from Title I funds for the math tutoring program and will confirm the status of the computers with the principal Ms. French. Douglas stated that future proposals must be submitted in writing to the CDC Board.
2. Bank Account
The $10,000 line appropriation check was received from the Treasury Department on March 10, 2008. A motion was made (Gray/Seneca) and approved to allow Douglas and Jenne to open an account with either American Gateway Bank or Iberville Bank. CDC by-laws state that an operating account and a project account should be set up and funds deposited under the name of the Port Allen Community Development Corporation. Signatures of both the Chairperson and Treasurer are required for checks.

C. Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee—TND and Mixed Use Ordinance
Shaw explained the concept of the Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) and Mixed Use Ordinances. Shaw will work with the Planning and Zoning Commission at the P&Z monthly meetings to draft both ordinances for Port Allen. The P&Z Committee would like for CDC board members to attend the meetings if possible.

D. Potential Land Banking Initiatives
Land banking was discussed as on option for the CDC including acquiring lots, obtaining grants and donated property, starting business incubators and collecting rent for income generation. The CDC may be eligible for U.S. Department of Transportatiaon ISTEA funds and programs. Action item for Shaw to call the IRS about the CDC’s 501(c)(3) status as activities are starting up.

E. Clean Up
1. Photos of Abandoned Cars
Involving the community in the overall community and encouraging people to donate cars or receive money for their cars was discussed.
2. Photos of Abandoned Cars in Rest of City
It was suggested that the CDC accomplish getting rid of abandoned cars in the Ferry area first before moving on to the rest of the city.
3. Photos of Deteriorated Housing
This item was not discussed.
4. Other
The City Council may be initiating a clean up effort. A clean-up day (city and/or CDC) could be advertised on the Neighborhood Watch website.

IV. THE FERRY
It was reported that an update was given by Terry Pennson at the last City Council meeting on street improvements and ditch closings. Monies left over will be used to close some ditches in the Ferry area.

V. NEW BUSINESS

VI. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING W BUSINESS
The next meeting date is Monday, April 14, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Port Allen City Hall. Tentative agenda items are listed below.
o Election of Secretary
o Port Allen Elementary School Project
o Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee—TND and Mixed Use Ordinances
o Clean-Up Projects
o One Year Plan of Action

VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM (Gray/Holmes).

Meeting Minutes
Port Allen CDC Board of Directors Meeting

Date: Monday, February 11, 2008
Time: 6:02 PM – 7:15 PM
Place: Port Allen City Hall
Port Allen, Louisiana

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

Board Members Absent: Lynn Bradley, George Jenne, and Tammy Seneca

Guests Present: Kathryn Perry, Lucien Cutrera, Julie Harris

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 at 6:05 p.m. A quorum was present at 6:20p.m.

II. READING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Minutes for the January 14, 2008, meeting were approved (Hubble / Gray).

III. OLD BUSINESS
A. Election of New Chairman/Secretary/Treasurer
Board discussed nomination of chairperson, secretary, & treasurer; no new nominations offered. A motion was made (Gray/Hubble) and approved 5-0 to accept Julie Harris, Port Allen resident, as a member of the CDC Board.

B. Act 18 Line Appropriation Funds
1. Port Allen Elementary- Shaw presented an update
2. Bank-
• City uses American Gateway
• Iberville: free checking for businesses
• Set up trust?
Motion to allow Liz to sign for checking account (Hubble/Gray)

C. Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee—TND and Mixed Use Ordinance
Shaw made a presentation to the planning and zoning commission on traditional neighborhood development (TND) and mixed use ordinance concepts at the January 30, 2008, P&Z meeting. Liz Holmes invited CDC Board to work with Planning and Zoning and Shaw to help adopt traditional neighborhood development (TND) ordinance. Liz wants CDC to attend Planning and Zoning Meetings (last Wed of month).

D. Land Banking
Reynard would like to meet with Lu Cutrera and George Jenne.

IV. THE FERRY
A. Abandoned Cars/Clean-up Sites
Send letter to mayor with photos, but also ask for entire city. Put items on council agenda & bring residents to council meeting. Enforcement officer works Tuesday & Thursday.

V. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING W BUSINESS
The next meeting date is Monday, March 10, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Port Allen City Hall. Tentative agenda items are listed below.

o Election of New Chairman/Secretary/Treasurer
o Act 18 Line Appropriation Funds
o Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee—TND and Mixed Use Ordinances
o Ferry Clean-Up
o Land Banking Proposal

VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM (Douglas / Hubble)

Meeting Minutes
Port Allen CDC Board of Directors Meeting

Date: Monday, January 14, 2008
Time: 6:05 PM – 7:15 PM
Place: Port Allen City Hall
Port Allen, Louisiana

Board Members Present: Lynn Bradley, Reynard Douglas, Liz Holmes, Izetta McDowell, and Tammy Seneca

Board Members Absent: Tabitha Gray, Gary Hubble, and L. Terrell Joseph

Guests Present: Kathryn Perry, Lucien 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 at 6:05 p.m. A quorum was present at 6:35p.m.

II. READING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Minutes for the December 10, 2007, meeting was approved (Seneca/Bradley).

III. OLD BUSINESS
A. Election of New Chairman/Secretary
No action taken.

B. New Members
Motion was made (Holmes/Bradley) with no objections to accept George Jenne as a new member. The Board will send a letter to Terrell Joseph advising him that, per by-law provisions, his membership will be dropped due to three consecutive absences and missing more than six meetings in the last 12-months. The letter will invite him to apply for re-appointment if he desires.

C. Education Program
The schools are preparing for standardized testing.

D. Act 18 Line Appropriation Funds—Vote on Proposals
Motion was made and seconded (Bradley/Seneca) to authorize Liz Holmes to sign a resolution for the Board to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the state to administer the Act 18 Line Appropriation funds. Shaw will submit the application for an art education and construction project at Port Allen Elementary School.

E. Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee—TND and Mixed Use Ordinance
Shaw will make a presentation to the planning and zoning commission at its January 30, 2008, meeting to explain Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) and mixed use ordinance concepts.

F. Commercial Update
Telo molecular is currently working on an initial public offering (IPO). Telo is considering offering loan packages to downtown Port Allen residents and/or obtaining a purchase agreement from a block of property owners.

IV. THE FERRY
A. Identify Fix-Up/Clean-Up Projects
Shaw will photograph abandoned cars in the Ferry. The Board will send a letter to the mayor requesting removal and then follow up as needed.

V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Land Banking Proposal
A motion was made and seconded (McDowell/Bradley) for Shaw to investigate land banking as a concept for the Ferry area.

VI. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting date is Monday, February 11, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Port Allen City Hall. Tentative agenda items are listed below.

o Election of New Chairman/Secretary/Treasurer
o Education Program
o Act 18 Line Appropriation Funds
o Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee—TND and Mixed Use Ordinances
o Commercial Update
o Ferry Clean-Up
o Land Banking Proposal

VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM (Seneca/McDowell)

Meeting Minutes
Port Allen CDC Board of Directors Meeting

Date: Monday, December 10, 2007
Time: 6:05 PM – 7:00 PM
Place: Port Allen City Hall
Port Allen, Louisiana

Board Members Present: Lynn Bradley, Liz Holmes, Gary Hubble, Tabitha Gray, and Tammy Seneca

Board Members Absent: Reynard Douglas, Izetta McDowell, and L. Terrell Joseph

Guests Present: Kathryn Perry, Jamie Bartel, Lucien 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 at 6:05 pm with a quorum present; guests introduced themselves.

II. READING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Minutes for the October 8, 2007, and November 12, 2007, meetings were approved (Gray/Hubble).

III. OLD BUSINESS
A. Election of New Chairman/Secretary
No action taken.

B. Education Program
This item was not discussed.

C. Act 18 Line Appropriation Funds—Vote on Proposals
The Board discussed proposals for a community art project and additional computers at Port Allen Elementary and Cohn Elementary, respectively. Cohn Elementary will most likely be able to purchase computers for a math intervention program using Title I funds. CDC members will visit the Principal of Port Allen Elementary to discuss the proposed art project in more detail.

D. Capital Outlay Request
Shaw confirmed that Senator Marrionneaux sent a letter of support for the CDC capital outlay request. Shaw will contact Representative Regina Barrow for a letter of support. Shaw will also track the capital outlay request during the legislative session next spring.

E. Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee—TND and Mixed Use Ordinance
Ms. Holmes will put an item on the January 30, 2008, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting to address adoption of Traditional Neighborhood Development and Mixed Use ordinances.

IV. THE FERRY
A. Identify Fix-Up/Clean-Up Projects
Shaw will photograph and inventory areas for clean-up in the Ferry. The Board will identify the top five priorities to be addressed and send a letter to the mayor.

V. NEW BUSINESS
A. New Members
George Jenne is interested in becoming a member and will be invited to the next Board meeting.

B. Commercial Update
Telomolecular is still interested in locating a new facility in the Port Allen area. They are working on a package to present to the community regarding potential programs and benefits for residents.

VI. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting date is Monday, January 14, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Port Allen City Hall. Tentative agenda items are listed below.

o Election of New Chairman/Secretary
o New Members
o Education Program
o Act 18 Line Appropriation Funds
o Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee—TND and Mixed Use Ordinances
o Commercial Update

VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM (Bradley/Hubble).

Meeting Minutes
Port Allen CDC Board of Directors Meeting

Date: Monday, November 12, 2007
Time: 6:05 PM – 7:35 PM
Place: PortAllenCity Hall
PortAllen, Louisiana

Board Members Present: Reynard Douglas, Liz Holmes, Izetta McDowell, and Tammy Seneca

Board Members Absent: Lynn Bradley, Gary Hubble, Tabitha Gray, and L. Terrell Joseph

Guests Present: Kathryn Perry, Aharon Varady, Kevin Durbin, Kaye French, Michelle Kauffman, Darrell Moore, and Arthell Brown

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 guests introduced themselves.

II. READING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
No quorum to approve minutes.

III. OLD BUSINESS
A. Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee—TND and Mixed Use Ordinance
Kevin Durbin, Director, WBR Planning and Zoning, gave a brief overview of the Parish’s Traditional Neighborhood Zoning ordinance (handout). Aharon Varady handed out a model mixed use ordinance and explained that mixed use zoning generally covers a smaller area and scope than a TND.

B. Act 18 Line Appropriation Funds
Michelle Kauffman, Principal, Port Allen Elementary, presented a proposal to incorporate art into the curriculum by creating a mosaic wall and sitting area in front of the school. Students, staff, parents, and volunteers would help to create the project and the school will seek the assistance of the Baton Rouge Arts Council for design, budget, and planning phases. CDC funds would be used to purchase materials. Kaye French, Principal, Cohn Elementary, presented a proposal to purchase computers for a math intervention program to bring student scores up to basic, mastery, and advanced. The newly hired teacher for the program has no computers in his classroom and the school’s request for computers was turned down by LSU. Both schools will provide a preliminary budget which will be distributed to CDC Board members before the next Board meeting.

C. Capital Outlay Request Submission
Shaw submitted a $1 million Capital Outlay Request by the CDC for infrastructure improvements in the Ferry. Shaw will follow-up on letters of support from Representative Cazayoux and Senator Marrionneaux.

D. IRS 501 (c) (3) Status
A letter to the IRS describing CDC’s community and economic development activities was given to Ms. Holmes for review and signature by November 15.

E. Election of New Chairman/Secretary
No action taken.

F. Education Program
Ms. Seneca reported that staff members are currently analyzing test score data to determine which skill areas need improvement so teaching can be geared towards school accountability requirements. WBR Parish schools will participate in a drop-out academy pilot program to reduce drop-out rates.

IV. THE FERRY
A. Identify Fix-Up/Clean-Up Projects
Ms. McDowell said the Mayor is considering doing a spring clean-up either by district or city-wide. The CDC suggested that the Image Improvement Committee do a survey of the Ferry and recommend areas for clean-up.

V. NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Holmes and Arthell Brown asked about Telemolecular’s plans for locating in WBR Parish. They will follow up with Deborah Biggs (WBR Chamber of Commerce) and Mayor Derek Lewis, respectively.

VI. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting date is Monday, December 10, 2007 at 6 p.m. at the PortAllenCity Hall. Tentative agenda items are listed below.

o Election of New Chairman/Secretary
o Education Program
o Capital Outlay Request—Follow-up
o Act 18 Line Appropriation Funds
o Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee—TND Adoption

VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM (Douglas/Seneca).