Neighborhood Groups
News
The latest news for this neighborhood is listed here. For city-wide news, please see our news archive
November 11th 2009
National Dance Project Accepting Applications for Production Grants
Posted on October 29, 2009
Deadline: March 2, 2009
Administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts, the National Dance Project provides a system of support for contemporary dance by supporting the creation (production) and engagement (touring) of dance in the United States and beyond.
NDP’s production grants fund the creation of new dance work that will tour nationally by supporting costs incurred through the artistic development of the work. These highly competitive grants are awarded to approximately twenty projects annually. Grants generally range from $25,000 to $40,000 each. Projects supported by production grants also receive touring support for the season following the work’s creation.
Projects applying for production grants should make possible the creation of regionally or nationally significant work that will tour; offer potential to engage audiences; explore collaborations within and across disciplines, if appropriate; and involve creative and dynamic partnership with one or more U.S. presenter partners in the development of the work.
Choreographers, artists, and companies are eligible to apply for production grants. Projects must have a U.S. presenter partner.
NDP can only award grants to organizations with nonprofit status. Production grants may be paid either directly to an incorporated dance company and/or to a fiscal agent (such as the presenter partner).
Visit the NEFA Web site for complete grant program information.
July 17th 2009
NPN Seeks Community Liaison: Healthy Communities
Neighborhoods Partnership Network’s mission is to provide an inclusive and collaborative citywide framework that empowers New Orleans neighborhood groups in community development and citizen engagement.
Dates of Assignment: August 1st 2009 – August 1st 2010
Reply To: Gill Benedek, Community Programs Manager ()
*NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE!
Work Schedule: 30 Hrs per week. Hours include considerable time spent attending neighborhood meetings, community issue forums and other public venues. Office hours will most likely be morning to early afternoon with some flexibility.
Objectives/Purpose of Position:
The purpose of this position is to assist in the recruitment of civic/neighborhood groups to participate in NPN and Louisiana Public Health Initiative programs/services. Specifically, the focus is on providing the information and capacity for groups to develop their own plans for improving the general health of their community. This includes but is not limited to: securing healthy food options, scheduling mobile health clinics, dissiminating health literature/info, excersise clubs and options, advocating for green parks/spaces, and emergency preparedness.
Responsibilities
HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOOD
* Research and create Healthy Neighborhoods Starter Kit o Contact information and resources for holistic healthy communities: NORD, Farmers Markets, Scheduling Mobile Health Clinics, etc. * Attend neighborhood group meetings, community events and forums to establish contacts and relationships. * Recruit residents from community groups to enroll in Capacity College101 classes * Recruit residents from community groups to participate in Capacity College102 classes, specifically the LPHI Neighborhood Health Governance class. * Record recruitment/outreach Campaign progress on Salesforce.com database. * Collaborate with LPHI project staff and project partners (Concordia, Tulane PRC, Goody Clancy) to establish recruitment strategy and mutual goals. MEMBER RELATIONSHIP BUILDING * Building and deepening our membership base through: o Attend neighborhood meetings to establish relationships. o Follow up communications and meetings with member and non member organizations. o Tabling at various public events o Support pre-existing member technical assistance cases. o Record and update case accomplishments on Salesforce.com database (Salesforce.com training will be provided if necessary).COMMUNICATIONS CONTENT
* Create communications strategy on healthy neighborhoods initiative with Communications Coordinator. * Finding content for Communications platforms relating to healthy neighborhood assets and resources.Outputs/Final Product/Deliverable
* Report on outcome of 7 Good Neighbor Partnership Cases * Created Healthy Neighborhoods Starter Kit. * Blog reporting on Trumpet Blog. * Monthly report on Healthy Neighborhoods case progress. * Monthly report on related Membership Case Management.Performance Standards
* Recruitment of 10 neighborhood groups to Capacity College. * Create “Healthy Neighborhoods” section in The Trumpet magazine. Provide 1-2 Trumpet Articles every issue written by partner nonprofits and/or neighborhood groups. * 1 Trumpet Blog entry per week about your own experience, research or findings. * Incorporate 1 weekly healthy resources/links into Trumpet Tidbits E-NewsletterBenefits
* Competitive hourly pay up to 30 hrs. * Loaner laptop for work use. * Develop extensive contacts in local/regional nonprofits and community organizations.Preferred Skills and Background
* Bachelors degree in social sciences. Graduate degree or experience in Public Health, Social Worker highly preferred. * Knowledge of public health industry and healthcare services. * Organized with the ability to prioritize, multi-task and manage time efficiently * Strong leadership and networking skills * Passion for working with in New Orleans community * Flexible schedule to attend meetings at during weekday evenings and weekends.Neighborhoods Partnership Network | 4902 Canal St. Suite 301, New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone 504-940-2207 | WWW.NPNNOLA.COM
June 17th 2009
PRELIMINARY DIGITAL FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS TO DEBUT AT OPEN HOUSE IN ORLEANS PARISH -- Today, June 17
Dear Citizens,
Below you will find a press release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding a Flood Map Mitigation Open House that will be held on tomorrow. The City of New Orleans will provide mitigation specialist during this event to assist with any questions regarding your property elevation options.
June 16, 2009
PRELIMINARY DIGITAL FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS TO DEBUT AT OPEN HOUSE IN ORLEANS PARISH
New Orleans, La. – The public is invited to view newly revised Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) for Orleans Parish at an open house scheduled on June 17, 2009. The open house will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters Botanical Gardens at City Park, Victory Drive, New Orleans, LA.
Specialists from the City of New Orleans and FEMA will be on hand at the open house to answer citizens’ questions and to provide additional information. Citizens are encouraged to view the maps, which will be available in both digital and paper formats.
The preliminary flood maps were developed as part of the nationwide map modernization effort spearheaded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the National Flood Insurance Program.
The new maps are in a digital format, providing greater detail and making it easier for citizens to view the information.
The flood maps will help residents and business owners understand their current flood risk and make more informed decisions about protecting their property. In addition, community planners, local officials, engineers, builders and others will have the tools to make important determinations about how to maximize safety for new structures and developments.
While adoption is voluntary, it is a requirement for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Final maps will not become effective until adopted by the parish and/or city council. Orleans Parish is not required to adopt the preliminary DFIRMS at this time. Once the federal levees are completed, new maps will be issued for the parish’s review and adoption.
Residents should consult their local floodplain administrator with questions on what flood map or elevations to use during the rebuilding process. Extensive information about the Louisiana Mapping Project (LaMP) and the map adoption process is available online at http://www.lamappingproject.com. Assistance is also available through the LaMP Call Center, 1-866-751-3989 open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The LaMP Call Center is available for general information on map status, schedules for public meetings, contact information for local officials relative to specific properties, and assistance from FEMA hazard mitigation staff, including HFIP specialists, engineers, and floodplain management specialists.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/latro
June 3rd 2009
City Council to be Briefed on Digital Conversation Countdown TOMORROW, June 4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
June 3, 2009
C. Brylski/ 504-897-6110
Local Facilitator
Rick Kaplan, 202-418-1728
Email:
Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253
Email:
REQUEST FOR COVERAGE
CITY COUNCIL TO BE BRIEFED ON DIGITAL CONVERSATION COUNTDOWN
RESIDENTS REMINDED HOW IMPORTANT PORTABLE TV CONVERSION IS TO HURRICANE PREPARATIONS
FCC representatives on-hand to answer DTV questions
WHAT: As the greater New Orleans area prepares for the 2009 hurricane season, FCC representatives will remind the New Orleans Council that many have not made preparations to convert their portable TVs in campers, boats, cars and/or their homes. A portable, battery-operated converter box is available.
The countdown to the digital TV conversion is 8 days away!WHEN: Thursday, June 4, 10:00 a.m. (approximately; near start of regular Council meeting)
WHERE: City Council Chambers, City Hall 1300 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112
WHO: Local FCC representatives Stephen Rooney and Dedrick Roybiskie
About DTV:
Digital television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that improves picture and sound quality, and provides more channels, and program choices. The switch from analog to digital was authorized by the U.S. Congress, with June 12, 2009 as the final date when full- power television stations must cease broadcasting analog signals. In addition to its other benefits, the switch to digital broadcasts will free up valuable spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments and rescue squads), and advanced mobile wireless services (such as wireless broadband). For the latest and most up-to-date information, please visit http://www.dtv.gov, or contact the DTV hotline, an extension of the FCC Consumer Center’s existing toll free number, at 1-888-CALLFCC (1-888-225-5322). News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s website http://www.fcc.gov.
June 3rd 2009
Home Depot Building Healthy Communities Grant Program
The grant provides support to nonprofit organizations, public schools, and public service agencies using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities. Grants of up to $2,500 are made in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools or materials. Take the eligibility test. Deadlines: June 15, Sept 15, Dec 15
June 3rd 2009
Mid-City Redevelopment RFP
The RFP is designed to draw proposals from individuals, small entrepreneurs and larger entities interested in purchasing property to support redevelopment within the neighborhood. Deadline: July 10. Click here for more information
May 18th 2009
CHAT Action Item: Ask for a fair investigation of the Road Home program
Citizens’ Road Home Action Team (CHAT) is urging residents to send an email asking four Congressmen to make sure that a fair investigation of the Louisiana Road Home Program begins promptly.
A complaint about the Road Home Program was accepted for investigation by the Office of the HUD Inspector General. The 39-page complaint was co-signed by leaders of the all-volunteer Citizens’ Road Home Action Team, Loyola Law Clinic in New Orleans, and Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition in Houma. The complaint is about serious problems in the Road Home Program. These problems resulted in thousands of applicants not getting fair grants for rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina or Rita seriously damaged or destroyed their homes.
Melanie Ehrlich, founder of CHAT, has been asked to testify in DC about the Road Home on May 20. Please send your email before then, if possible.
Send the email to and CHAT will fax these emails to Sens. Vitter and Lieberman and Rep. Olver and hand deliver them to a HUD representative and Sen. Landrieu on May 20.
CHAT recommends you write your email like this:
Dear Sens. Landrieu, Vitter, and Lieberman and Rep. Olver,
Use your own words to urge that the HUD OIG conduct a fair investigation of the Louisiana Road Home Program without delays. Please tell why this is important. Give a personal example if you like.
Yours truly,
YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS
More Explanation:
As the Program nears its end, we are very concerned that the remaining money for the Program is not being spent to correct extraordinarily frequent mistakes made by the Program that led to grant short-changing.
-Many applicants cannot repair or rebuild their homes without fair grants.
-There should be accountability for the extremely high uncorrected error rate of the Road Home Program.
A HUD inspector was supposed to start the investigation on Apr. 2 by meeting with Melanie Ehrlich, the Co-Chairman of Citizens’ Road Home Action Team (CHAT). Suddenly, the meeting was cancelled and she was told that the investigation would be postponed for 6 months.
The longer the investigation is delayed, the less chance that the government will take responsibility:
-for the extraordinary neglect that many thousands of applicants have faced during grant processing
-and for the violation of HUD rules and Road Home Program rules, which has hurt so many applicants.
If you have a fax machine available, please fax your letter yourself, and send an email to telling us that you did so.
Sen. Mary Landrieu, Louisiana
Fax:(202) 224-9735
Sen. David Vitter, Louisiana
Fax: (202) 228-5061
Rep. John W. Olver, Chair, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Fax: 202-226-1224
Sen. Joe Lieberman, Chair, Governmental Affairs and Homeland Security Committee
Fax:(202) 224-9750 Fax
For more information about the HUD OIG complaint and for updates about the Road Home Program, elevation grants, follow-up of building by LRA, and other Road Home matters from the applicants’ viewpoint, please see CHAT’s website: http://www.chatushome.com or r send an email to receive our free weekly e-newsletter.
-write “join CHAT” in the subject
-give your name and city in the body of the email
-send to
May 6th 2009
NPN Seeks Office Assistant!
Job Title: Office Assistant
Organization: Neighborhoods Partnership Network
Position Reports to: Executive Director
POSITION OVERVIEW
Provides administrative and clerical support to Executive Director; serves as administrative point person for the network
DUTIES
Administrative
-Manages day-to-day operations of Neighborhoods Partnership Network’s office and oversees efforts to locate new office and residential space.
-Prepares newsletter layout, assists with copy editing, and oversees printing and mailing.
-Serves as site liaison with vendors, including landlords, repair companies, and utility companies.
-Maintains supplies and replenishes stock.
-Screens telephone calls, answers routine questions, and takes messages.
-Assists in coordination of logistics for annual event, programs, and meetings.
-Performs administrative and clerical duties including preparation, photocopying, and dissemination of correspondence, reports, minutes of Board meetings, and membership acknowledgments.
-Updates and maintains Salesforce database.
-Performs any other operational-related duties or special projects as directed by management.
Financial
-Tracks monthly expenses, donations, and reimbursement utilizing the Quickbooks system.
-Processes checks and bills. Maintains, tracks, and replenishes petty cash.
Programmatic
-Work with Community Programs Manager to book and schedule programming events.
-Assist or lead event set-up as needed by Programs Manager.
-Serves as first touch for potential members. Provides them with relevant membership information.
-Assists Community Programs Manager with intern/staff/volunteer orientation and retreats.
QUALIFICATIONS
-Excellent administrative and organizational skills; strong attention to detail.
-Excellent facility with or ability to learn Microsoft Office products, Quickbooks and Adobe Suite.
-Familiarity with Salesforce or similar database, preferred.
-Strong writing and editing skills.
-Team player, with a positive attitude.
-Ability and willingness to work occasional evening and weekend hours.
-Bachelor’s degree preferred.
May 4th 2009
Bulletin Available on How Nonprofits Can Apply for Stimulus Package Funding
A free, special bulletin, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Act Appropriations Beneficial to the Nonprofit Sector and Key Resources for Organizations to Approach and Access Funding Sources, is available starting April 27, 2009.
Written and researched by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and published in conjunction with Giving USA Foundation, the Bulletin provides timely information on how charitable and philanthropic organizations can apply for funding through the Act, also known as the stimulus package. The Bulletin contains hotlinks to numerous sites and resources.
As a public service to the nonprofit sector, the Bulletin is offered free. The passage of the Act offers nonprofits opportunities to acquire desperately needed funding relief to sustain current programs and to access novel forms of funding to implement new and innovative programs. There is a sense of urgency, however, as deadlines for applying for grants under the Act are approaching.
May 4th 2009
Lawsuit by National Trust for Historic Preservation against Dept of Veterans Affairs and FEMA
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Virgil McDill Communications & Marketing, 202-294-9187
LAWSUIT BY NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CLAIMS VA AND FEMA FAILED TO FOLLOW FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW ORLEANS HOSPITALS
Suit asks Federal court to order VA and FEMA to prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement and reduce neighborhood destruction, or select alternative sites
Washington, D.C. (May 1, 2009) — A lawsuit filed today in federal court by the National Trust for Historic Preservation against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) challenges their decisions to approve the construction of two major new hospitals in New Orleans. VA plans to build a new medical center, and Louisiana State University (LSU) plans to build a new academic medical center, which would be funded in part by FEMA. The sites chosen would require bulldozing 25 square blocks, containing 165 historic properties in the Mid-City Historic District, including homes already renovated by their owners after Hurricane Katrina.
The lawsuit charges that VA and FEMA violated the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzing the impacts on historic properties and the local community from the proposed new hospitals.
Alternative locations for both medical centers would require significantly less neighborhood destruction than the 67-acre Mid-City location, and would return medical care more quickly than the selected sites, by minimizing the need for time-consuming acquisition of homes and businesses from local owners, relocating hundreds of people, and extensive demolition, while still providing the space necessary to construct high-tech medical facilities. Rather than delaying the return of medical care to veterans and the people of New Orleans, the intention of the lawsuit is to have the opposite effect: by encouraging the agencies to revisit their site-location decisions, the agencies could choose sites that would not only avoid delays, but allow hospitals to open sooner than under current plans.
“Bulldozing a historic neighborhood in New Orleans in order to build these two medical centers is wrong, both legally and morally,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “There are other sites that would bring state-of-the-art medical care to the community faster and for less money, without destroying Mid-City.”
“VA and FEMA have refused to recognize the magnitude of the community destruction these projects will wreak,” Moe said. “Instead, they have dismissed this massive demolition as ‘insignificant,’ and have chosen the most destructive alternatives, offering nothing more than token mitigation measures. We hope this lawsuit will lead VA and FEMA to go back and revisit the less destructive options.”
“A lot has changed since VA and FEMA announced their decisions,” said Moe. “The new administration in Washington has placed an emphasis on sound environmental reviews, and on transparency, accountability, and public input, all of which were short-changed in New Orleans. Also, it has become clear in recent months that the supposed ‘synergy’ between the LSU and VA hospitals is nothing more than a fiction, eliminating the need to co-locate the hospitals in Mid-City. Given these major changes, we expect the agencies can now find a better way to deliver much needed health care in New Orleans.”
VA is building its own facility, while FEMA’s role is limited to providing funding for the LSU medical center, in the form of compensation for Hurricane Katrina’s damage to Charity Hospital, which has been the teaching hospital for LSU medical school. FEMA policies allow LSU to use these damage payments to build a new facility, but FEMA retains the legal responsibility to make sure the money is not spent in violation of federal environmental requirements. FEMA and VA are both required to fully evaluate the impacts of the projects for which their federal funds will be used, and consider alternatives that avoid and minimize harm to historic properties. The lawsuit challenges the ‘Finding Of No Significant Impact’ issued by each agency, and it challenges their attempt to avoid an EIS by splitting the review into separate phases, instead of evaluating the impacts of the entire development process.
For the past year, the National Trust has been engaged as a consulting party in the historic preservation review process for both the proposed VA and LSU medical centers, and has raised repeated objections to the agencies’ failure to prepare an EIS and failure to acknowledge the significance of the destructive impacts on historic properties.
“To put this into perspective,” said Peter Brink, senior vice president for the National Trust, “these medical centers would wipe out more than the total number of homes that have been rehabilitated in the Lower 9th Ward’s Holy Cross neighborhood through the combined efforts of the Preservation Resource Center’s Rebuilding Together and Operation Comeback, the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office, and the National Trust. In our view, it would be an unconscionable waste for the government to destroy these homes in Mid-City, when the demolition could be so easily avoided through alternative sites, and when local homeowners are working so hard to bring back housing that was damaged by the hurricane.”
The lawsuit was filed in the federal district court for the District of Columbia. The National Trust is represented by the Institute for Public Representation at Georgetown University Law Center.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation (http://www.PreservationNation.org) is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories.
April 27th 2009
International Jane's Walk Coming to New Orleans on SATURDAY May 2
MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2009
Contact:
Mary Rowe
(434)806-4284
Karen Gadbois
504.606.6013
International Jane’s Walk Coming to New Orleans on SATURDAY May 2
Jane’s Walk New Orleans, a project of New Orleans Institute, invites New Orleans residents and guests to participate in any one of ten free neighborhood walking tours exploring our collective history, architecture, planning and personalities. An international event that will take place on May 2 in dozens of cities and towns around the world, Jane’s Walk celebrates the legacy and ideas of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs by putting citizens in touch with their environment and each other. This year will be the first time New Orleans hosts Jane’s Walk and ten different walks will take place.
In 2008, over six thousand people took part in Jane’s Walks in 11 cities — exploring 141 urban landscapes from public housing slated for redevelopment to areas with a rich architectural and cultural heritage, from teen hangouts to secret gardens. Jane’s Walks are led by individual and small groups of volunteers with an interest in the neighborhoods where they live, work or socialize. Anyone can lead a walk. From former community gardeners and journalists to local activists and architects, guides customize their tours with personal stories, local perspectives and insider hideaways.
All walks take place on Saturday morning, May 2, and last no more than 90 minutes so Jazz Festers are encouraged to attend!
For a full listing of New Orleans Jane’s Walks, start times and locations, please consult:
http://www.janeswalkusa.org/new-orleans-walk
“No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at … suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities….You’ve got to get out and walk.”
Jane Jacobs , “Downtown is for People” from the Exploding Metropolis
April 27th 2009
RECOVERY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE TOP 2009 CITY OF NEW ORLEANS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
NEW ORLEANS, LA (April 24, 2009) – In preparation for the 2009 Louisiana Legislative Session, the City of New Orleans today outlined its legislative and fiscal priorities. The City’s priorities seek to promote the continued recovery and revitalization of New Orleans, the region and Louisiana.
“Our legislative delegation has been a true partner in our rebuilding efforts,” said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. “We look forward to continuing our work with them during this session to maintain the momentum of our recovery. Although this is a fiscal session, we appreciate the ongoing interactions our delegation has had with us to identify and propose action on other key issues that need immediate attention as well.”
The priorities cover four broad areas: Protect and Enhance our Recovery; Ensure Access to Physical and Mental Health Services; Expand Economic Development Opportunities; and Prioritize Public Safety. The following are among the City’s priorities for this Legislative Session:
PROTECT AND ENHANCE OUR RECOVERY
New Orleans is progressing toward a full recovery, but continues to need support from state partners to ensure continued forward movement. The City supports legislation and initiatives that will facilitate the rebuilding of public infrastructure. The City also supports efforts that protect the needs, rights and opportunities of citizens working to rebuild their homes and lives and help New Orleans as a community to build smarter and stronger.
Design-Build Contract Option for All Rebuilding; Rep. G. Jackson
- HB 354- Extends the length of time relative to the utilization of design-build contracts.
Hurricane Evacuation Support; Sen. Morrell and Rep. Arnold - SB 81 (Sen. Morrell) – Grants a refundable credit for 50 % of contributions made to an Emergency Evacuation Expense Savings Accounts for the benefit of certain individuals having a primary residence within a parish with a history of emergency evacuations, limited to $250 per family member and $5,000 per account.
- HB 200 (Rep. Arnold) – Encourages and supports evacuation by authorizing individual tax credit for certain expenses incurred during a mandatory hurricane evacuation.
ENSURE ACCESS TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The continued growth and development of the City’s biomedical district is a key economic development initiative that will contribute significantly to the future of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the entire region. The implementation of planned projects in this district will transform employment and the economics of New Orleans for generations and make the city and Louisiana competitive with other leaders in medical treatment and research.
New Orleans faces significant healthcare needs that must be addressed simultaneous to the development of the new biomedical district. Since Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has lacked adequate medical and mental health infrastructure as well as a sufficient supply of medical professionals. This has led to an increased dependence on emergency room services for conditions that could normally be addressed more easily and with less expense by primary care physicians. It also has led to an overall decrease the access to services for our poorest citizens and residents without health insurance. Mental health services also are in critical need, since inadequate inpatient beds and supportive services are available for poor citizens
The City of New Orleans opposes both the closure of the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital and the proposed reductions in staffing and services at the LSU Interim Hospital. These cuts would be a devastating blow to a system that is already under tremendous stress and struggling to recover. The City supports the constitutional and statutory changes that would give the Governor flexibility in cutting protected programs so that critical needs for healthcare and education are not sacrificed.
Enhancing Healthcare Services for Uninsured and Medicaid Patients; Sen. Heitmeier
- SB 51-Authorizes the Department of Health and Hospitals to accept intergovernmental transfers from local governing bodies for the purpose of enhancing the provision of health care services for uninsured and Medicaid patients.
EXPAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
New Orleans must continue to advance strategies for economic development in order to be competitive today and in the future. The City must take advantage of current assets and must develop new opportunities. The City supports legislation designed to foster a more robust business environment and to enhance Louisiana’s image, reputation and standing both nationally and internationally as a good place to do business. To that end, the City of New Orleans supports legislation that positions critical assets including port and the tourism sector to capitalize on the opportunities that exist now and those that will be presented during the next phase of the City’s recovery.
Port Consolidation; Speaker Tucker
- HB 779 – Consolidates the ports in the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines.
Tax incentives for shipping via New Orleans Port and others; Rep. Richmond and Rep. Hutter
- HB 744 (Richmond) – Louisiana International Business Incentive and Retention Tax Credit.
- HB 215 (Hutter) – Creates the Ports of Louisiana Investor Tax Credit. Rep. Hutter.
Extend Film Tax Incentives; Rep. Henry and Rep. Richmond - HB 142 (Henry) – Provides relative to the maximum amount of the tax credit for state-certified productions and repeals the phase-down of such tax credits.
- HB 272 (Richmond) – Extends the deadline for issuance of motion picture investor tax credits for state-certified infrastructure projects.
Extend Sound Recording Tax Incentives; Rep. Richmond - HB 271- Extends the date for issuance of the sound recording investor tax credit to January 1, 2011.
PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY
The future of New Orleans depends on the recovery of the entire public safety system and investment in our children. Even as City of New Orleans experiences a declining crime rate, new legislation is essential to address critical concerns, such as access to assault weapons, workforce preparation for former offenders, and special programs for at risk youth. In addition, the system will operate most efficiently when all sectors of it are financed at an adequate level.
Assault Weapons Ban; Rep. Richmond
- HB 387- Bans possession of certain assault weapons.
Weapons and Firearms Control; Sen. Morrell, Rep. Ernst, Rep. LaFonta - SB 219, HB 523, & HB 44 criminalize the carrying and/or discharging of weapons at parades or public events.
Promote Witness Protection; Rep. Leger - HB 33 – Enacts the Witness Protection Act.
—————————————
Also, click here to see NPN’s members priorities for the 2009 Legislative Session!
April 9th 2009
Department of Public Works Open Houses
Throughout the month of April, the Department of Public Works, with MWH Americas, will be hosting open houses on various road repair and street work throughout the city. People are welcome to attend and send questions along to the Department. Meetings for the month of April:
April 7, 6:30 p.m. at Dillard University, Kearny Hall West Wing, 2nd Floor, 2601 Gentilly Blvd. (Gentilly)
April 13, 6:30 p.m. at Blessed Trinity Church, 4230 S. Broad St. (Broadmoor)
April 14, 6:30 p.m. at Delgado Community College Westbank Campus, Larocca Hall, 2600 General Meyer Ave. (Gen. Meyer)
April 16, 2009, 7:00 p.m. at MQVN Community Development Corporation Office, 4626 Alcee Fortier Blvd. (Alcee Fortier
April 22, 6:30 p.m. at The Greater Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 5130 Chartres St. (Lower Ninth Ward)
April 27, 6:30 p.m. at Gulf Coast Bank Building, Second Floor 848 Harrison Ave. (Harrison Avenue Streetscape)
April 28, 6:30 p.m. at St. Maria Goretti, 7300 Crowder Blvd. (New Orleans East)
Please e-mail and share your recollections of the meetings and opinions on the Department of Public Works in New Orleans. Contact .
April 8th 2009
Round 2 of Planning District Meetings for the Master Plan!
Meetings will take place April 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 from 6 pm – 9 pm.
Please click here to find the date of your district meeting!
Visit nolamasterplan.org for more information!
Don’t forget that a working version of the Master Plan is available at the NPN Office (office hours are M-F, 9:30 – 5:00.
March 19th 2009
Grant Writing Workshops: Free Workshop for Community Organizations
Saturday, March 28
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 25
Seating is limited so sign up today via email:
Workshop Schedule
Kearny Hall, Room 105
8-9 Registration/Networking
9-5 Workshop
Noon Break for Lunch
Contact Nick Harris
Phone: 504-816-4704 or 504-816-4205
Email:
Topics of Discussion:
-Overview of the Non-Profit sector in New Orleans
-Partnerships: HBCUs and Non-Profit Sector
-Neighborhood Associations and Faith-Based Organizations
-Jobs created by the non-profit sector (national/local)
-President Obama’s stimulus program and the non-profit sector
-Organizational needs/survey
-The Next Step
Workshop facilitator Ivory L. Williams has more than 25 years experience in the public and non-profit sectors. Williams currently serves as the director of urban development in Hattiesburg, Misssissippi, and has held similar positions with Southern University of New Orleans and Dillard University.
Topics/Hand-Outs:
-501©3 status
-Indirect costs/overhead
-How to write a successful grant
-Grant funds
March 17th 2009
Robert E. Lee Streetscape Improvement Project Community Meeting Notice
The City of New Orleans and MWH would like to invite you to a community meeting to discuss the upcoming streetscape enhancement project on Robert E. Lee Boulevard from St. Bernard Avenue to Paris Avenue. The project, which has a budget of $235,000, is funded by Community Development Block Grants.
A streetscape is a public improvement project that will enhance the public area and trigger subsequent recovery and investment in surrounding neighborhoods. This development is designed to help create additional and continued private investment in the City’s key recovery areas. The streetscape is designed to benefit the surrounding neighborhood residents, business owners and visitors by providing amenities that contribute to economic vitality. Streetscape projects enhance the area surrounding the actual roadway, but do not include roadway repair or reconstruction. The current scope of work for the project may include:
* Sidewalk, bikeway, driveway and other pedestrian surface walkway improvements * Traffic and pedestrian signalization and signage * Landscaping * Lighting * Public Art * Bus Shelters * Minor utility modifications and improvementsThis community meeting is designed to offer local neighborhood residents the opportunity to provide input on the project and present any specific plans created by the community. For this community meeting, we ask that residents come prepared to voice their opinions on the design of this project.
WHERE:
Edgewater Baptist Church
5900 Paris Avenue
WHEN:
Thursday, March 17, 2009
6:30 p.m.
March 17th 2009
Community Advisory: Education Stakeholders' Forum
Orleans Parish School Board Invites Education Leaders, Advocates and Stakeholders to Participate in Special Forum
WHAT: The Orleans Parish School Board will host an Education Stakeholders’ Forum to allow education leaders, advocates and stakeholders the opportunity to share their opinions and ideas for sustaining progress in public education within Orleans Parish.
WHO:Orleans Parish School Superintendent Darryl Kilbert, Orleans Parish School Board President Woody Koppel, Orleans Parish School Board Vice President Lourdes Moran, Orleans Parish School Board Member Seth Bloom, Orleans Parish School Board Member Brett Bonin, Orleans Parish School Board Member Cynthia Cade, Orleans Parish School Board Member Thomas Robichaux, Orleans Parish School Board Member Ira Thomas
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 19, 2009, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
WHERE: Lindy C. Boggs International Conference Center; University of New Orleans Technology Park; 2045 Lakeshore Drive, CERM Building, Room 152
March 11th 2009
Team Up With Entergy: Announcement of 2009 Community Partnership Grants
Submit your application by April 17, 2009!
Entergy New Orleans, Inc. grants up to $1,000 for projects that effectively impact education and literacy, community improvement/enrichment, healthy families, or arts and culture. Do you have an idea that can help build a stronger, more productive New Orleans? Entergy wants to team up with you to create programs that will have a positive impact on our communities, schools and youth. Entergy’s Community Partnership Grant Program is part of our investment in the future.
Grants of up to $1,000 will be made to the following organizations:
1) Non-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2) Schools, hospitals, governmental units and religious institutions.
Each organization may submit only one application per year. Programs must be provided in Orleans Parish to be eligible. Visit www.entergy.com/our_community/giving.aspx to submit an application and for more information about eligibility and funding.
Deadlines:
Application deadline: April 17, 2009
Grant recipients announcement: May 2009
Check presentations: Summer 2009
If you have any questions, call Preston Favorite at (504) 595-3705.
Applications must be submitted online at www.entergy.com/our_community/giving.aspx.
March 3rd 2009
Common Application: One Application, Many Schools
Though each public school in New Orleans is different, you can apply to most of them using the Common Application. It is available at all participating public schools in New Orleans, at the RSD Welcome School, 2239 Poydras Street, and online at www.rsdla.net.
The easy to fill-out Common Application allows parents to:
1) apply to a different school other than the one their child is currently attending;
2) apply for a child entering school for the first time; or
3) submit applications for multiple schools at one location.
IMPORTANT
Applications to ALL RSD Traditional and Charter Schools Due March 30.
Now is the time to decide which schools will be the best fit for your child. You may apply to as many schools as you like, but you will only be able to enroll your child in one.
Need more information?
Call 1-877-343-4773 with any questions, and to make sure the schools in which you are interested accept the Common Application.
For more information on the Common Application go to: www.rsdla.net or www.nolaparentsguide.org/CommonApp.html
You may also contact the Urban League Parent Information Center Leadership Academy at 620-2332.
For information on each of New Orleans’ public schools, go to: nolaparentsguide.org
February 20th 2009
Obama Extends Gulf Coast Recovery Office for Another Six Months
The Gulf Coast Recovery Office was created by former President George W. Bush in October 2005, two months after Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. It was scheduled to close on February 28, but President Barack Obama announced today that he will keep it open for another six months.
February 20th 2009
FREE URGENT CARE CLINIC TO OPEN FOR CARNIVAL
The Mardi Gras Temporary Urgent Care Clinic opens tomorrow and closes Wednesday
NEW ORLEANS, LA (February 20, 2009) – In order to better serve the citizens of New Orleans as well as our guests, the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the LSU Healthcare Services Division have joined forces to provide free emergency urgent care services during the upcoming Carnival weekend.
This free urgent care clinic will be located at 1927 Tulane Ave., and will be operational from 7 a.m. Saturday, February 21st through 7 a.m. Wednesday, February 25th. This facility will be referred to as the Mardi Gras Temporary Urgent Care Clinic (MGTUCC). MGTUCC will be staffed by Board Certified Emergency Medicine physicians and licensed, registered and/or certified staff.
The temporary urgent care clinic will capable of handling minor injuries and illnesses without charge. Examples include: simple lacerations requiring stitches, sore throats, coughs, mild asthma attacks, acute alcohol intoxication, etc. Should you have a medical emergency, please call 911.
This is possible as a result of provisions from the Louisiana State Legislature, donation from private vendors (DRASH, EMsystems, Bike Track and Charlie’s Horse), as well as local, and state medical surge assets.
February 2nd 2009
Watch Trumpet Editor Ted Hornick Discuss Post-Katrina New Orleans!
Ted was recently interviewed by a Bosnian artist for a video produced for the Re-Artikulacija workshop at Transmediale ’09, Berlin.
Ted’s interview starts in minute 2 of the video.
January 30th 2009
Cerasoli Resigns from Inspector General Post UPDATED
Click here to read the Times-Picayune article about Cerasoli’s sudden resignation.
January 30th 2009
The Census Bureau is hiring!
The Census Bureau is hiring census takers to update their master address file to ensure that every household will receive a questionnaire in the spring of 2010.
To apply to be a census taker, applicants should call 866-861-2010 to schedule a basic employment test in their area. This is the only way to apply for the position.
Census takers will receive competitive pay of $8.00-$19.25 an hour based on position and location, have flexible hours and paid training, and be reimbursed for mileage while on duty.
Please spread the word about this opportunity!
January 26th 2009
North Rampart Community Center Seeks Volunteers to do Basic Income Tax Preparation
The North Rampart Community Center recognizes a need to assist in helping the community members in preparing their income taxes!
North Rampart Community Center is seeking volunteers who want to help community members who cannot afford professional tax assistance. The volunteers must be at least 18 years or older. The requirement for preparing the client’s taxes is attending a four to five hours training session on January 29, 2009 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at North Rampart Community Center. Once trained, the hours of operation for the Volunteer Income Tax Clinic are Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Monday – Friday from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The Tax Clinic will be open from February 1 through April 15th.
The program is promoted by the Internal Revenue Service. Upon completion of the training, the volunteers will be issued a certificate verifying that they participated in the training. This certificate allows you to provide service to people in the community who could not otherwise afford it.
If you are interested in volunteering, but would not like to prepare taxes, we can still use your help. Volunteers are needed for the following: 1) Greet, 2) Recruit, 3) Manage Equipment and 4) Interpret for Spanish speaking clients. If you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at 529-1681 or email me at .
Joanne Finley
Executive Director
—-
North Rampart Community Center
1130 North Rampart Community Center
New Orleans, LA 70116
Phone: 504-529-1681
Fax: 504-522-9981
Website: www.northrampartcommunity.com
January 14th 2009
Census Increases 2007 Population Estimate for New Orleans by 50,000
Change means millions in funding for local programs
NEW ORLEANS – (January 14, 2009) – The U.S. Census Bureau has accepted a challenge by the City of New Orleans to the July 1, 2007 population estimates and has adjusted the estimates upward by nearly 50,000.
“The increase in population will mean millions more for programs that serve our citizens,” said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. “As we continue our recovery from the greatest natural and man made disaster in our country’s history, it is important for our community to have access to every dollar our citizens deserve.”
The Census has informed the City of New Orleans that its population estimate for July 1, 2007 will be increased to 288,113 from its original estimate of 239,124. The 48,989 increase in population will mean $45.6 million more for education, homeless assistance, child care, elderly assistance, law enforcement and other programs.
In July, the City submitted a challenge to the population estimates, which had been recently released. The challenge was prepared using new data analysis from the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center. According to the Census Bureau, New Orleans was the first municipality to submit a challenge last year.
GNOCDC Deputy Director Allison Plyer said her organization examined building permit data, electric account data, and USPS data on households receiving mail to identify data not readily available to the Census Bureau. The report to the Census included data from all of those sources.
“We’re pleased to have worked with the Census Bureau, combining their expertise with our local data to come up with a population estimate that better reflects the thousands of New Orleanians who have struggled to come home and rebuild,” Plyer said.
Typically, the Census Bureau bases its population estimates on decennial census counts, adding births, subtracting deaths and noting changes of address from IRS tax returns and Medicare forms. Because many residents do not file taxes or are not legal citizens, this method often leads to inaccurate estimates.
Census challenges such as this one are not uncommon. In 2007, 59 U.S. cities and counties successfully challenged their 2006 census estimates, including Cincinnati, New York City and Fulton County, Georgia.
To create its population report, GNOCDC gathered data from GCR & Associates, the City of New Orleans GIS Department, Entergy New Orleans Inc., Claritas Inc. and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
January 14th 2009
Redevelopment of Historic Saenger
Less than a week after the grand opening of the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, the City of New Orleans and the Canal Street Development Corporation (CSDC) today signed an agreement that will lead to the re-development of the Historic Saenger Theatre in downtown New Orleans. The Saenger is located on Canal Street at Basin Street and North Rampart Street, an important center of downtown commerce, and is on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places. Construction is scheduled to begin in late fall 2009. Work is expected to be completed to return the beloved, historic performing arts theatre to its former grandeur and glory by the fall of 2011.
January 9th 2009
GNOF Environmental Fund Now Accepting Applications
The Greater New Orleans Foundation announced that the Environmental Fund, aimed at inspiring and facilitating ecological, economic, and cultural vitality, resilience, and sustainability through environmentally focused policies, programs, and projects, is now accepting applications. With a current grant cycle of $500,000, the Environmental Fund will support organizations in Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and Washington parishes. Click here for more information from the GNOF website about the Environmental Fund and how to apply.
January 9th 2009
Citizens Take to the Street Today Against New Orleans Crime
Click here for news from nola.com about the march, organized by Silence is Violence
January 8th 2009
Half a Million Nonprofits Could Lose Their Tax Exemptions -- Info from Guidestar.org
The sector may look very different 18 months from now.
Did you know that in May 2010, half a million nonprofits could find themselves stripped of their exempt status? The IRS estimates that that’s the number of smaller organizations that have failed to file a Form 990-N.
January 8th 2009
Digital Conversion: Senior Outreach (Information from Catholic Charities)
To Community Partners throughout the Greater New Orleans Area:
On February 17, 2009, all television transmission in the United States will convert to a digital signal. Televisions not hooked up to cable or satellite will need a digital converter box in order to continue to operate. In the Greater New Orleans Area, we anticipate that the group most heavily impacted by this change will be senior citizens. For many seniors, especially the home-bound, their link with the outside world is their television. Catholic Charities, United Way, the Councils on Aging and the Greater New Orleans Broadcasters Association are collaborating to assist seniors through this change.
We would like to invite you to a meeting Digital Conversion: Senior Outreach to be held on Thursday, January 22 at 12:00pm to discuss how we all may work together to assist our neighbors through this conversion. This meeting will be held at Catholic Charities, 1000 Howard Avenue in the First Floor Conference Room. Parking is available and light refreshments will be served. We do anticipate that the United Way and the Greater New Orleans Broadcasters Association may be able to provide a small number of converter boxes and we will train all attendees on the step by step process of installing a digital converter box. We also hope to discuss other strategies for working together to outreach to seniors.
Please RSVP to Catholic Charities Volunteer Services at 310-6978 or with your name and the organization you will be representing.
Thank you for your assistance in this outreach.
January 7th 2009
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts to Open Thursday with Slate of Activities
MAHALIA JACKSON THEATER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS TO OPEN THURSDAY WITH SLATE OF ACTIVITIES
Historic Cultural Landmark to Re-Open with New Orleans Flare
NEW ORLEANS, LA (January 7, 2008) – Mayor C. Ray Nagin will be joined by members of the New Orleans City Council, other federal and state elected officials, and local arts organizations at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 8, as he hosts a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially reopen the historic Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. The ceremony, which will be followed by a tour of the refurbished facility, precedes a week of performances showcasing renowned local, national and international talent.
The public also is invited to join Mayor Nagin at 6:15 p.m. Thursday as he lights up the historic Louis Armstrong Park, where the theater is located. At the Rampart Street gate, the Mayor with throw the switch to illuminate the park and herald an exciting new era for the newly renovated park and the entire Treme community.
After lighting up the park, Mayor Nagin will join the Pinstripe Brass Band for a rousing second line around the Louis Armstrong statue and over to the theater. The New Orleans All-Star Review, a concert featuring an array of acclaimed New Orleans performers, will begin at 7 p.m. There are no more available tickets for the event.
“The re-opening of the Mahalia Jackson Theater is an exciting development in the recovery of our city,” said Mayor Nagin. “This highlights the continuing importance of the cultural arts to our city, region and country. It also signals to the world that New Orleans is open for both business and recreation.”
Inaugurated in 1973 when New Orleans native Norman Treigle performed Giuseppe Verdi’s “Messa di Requiem” with the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mahalia Jackson Theater was severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina. During Hurricane Katrina, wind damaged the roof, rear doors, stage and other fixtures. It also shattered an 8-foot-by-16-foot window. The basement of the theater received more than 14 feet of water, which damaged the motor control center, orchestra lifts, HVAC controls, sewerage ejector pumps and other structural components.
The refurbished, state-of-the-art theater features new automated, motorized rigging control systems, a new automated theatrical lighting system that includes lighting instruments, dimmers and spotlights, a modern theatrical stage lift system with six on-stage lifting sections and four orchestra pit lifting sections, a sound system that can accommodate a wide range of presentations from single performer spoken acts to Broadway musicals, a new orchestra shell and sprung dance floor and a new digital cinema projection system. In addition, six locations within the facility will be configured to support broadcast camera feeds to television remote trucks located outside the building.
The repaired building also includes a state-of-the-art sound system, a new orchestra shell and enhanced lighting. A removable floor will be used exclusively for dance performances.
Renovation of the theater has cost approximately $27 million. To date, FEMA has obligated $8.5 million for the project.
The theater will again serve as the venue home for the New Orleans Ballet Association, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Orleans Opera.
“After Hurricane Katrina, we prioritized the recovery of our public safety facilities, followed immediately by this theater. I appreciate the dedication of our citizens and the hard work of the many New Orleans businesses have been part of this restoration,” said Nagin. “The Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts is once again worthy of the name is carries.”
For still photographs or opening events, please visit http://www.cityofno.com. Additional information regarding the theater is available at http://www.mahaliajacksontheater.com.
Schedule of Events:
“The New Orleans All Star Review”
Thursday, January 8, 2009, 7 p.m.
Featuring: Preservation Hall, Rebirth, Kermit Ruffins, Irma Thomas, Marva Wright, Jeremy Davenport, Ingrid Lucia, Phillip Manuel, Michael Ward and Freddy Omar
Free Concert – TICKETS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
“An Evening of Music and Dance”
Presented by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Orleans Ballet Association
Featuring Itzhak Perlman, plus principal dancers of the San Francisco Ballet and the New York City Ballet
Saturday, January 10, 2009, 7 p.m.
SOLD OUT
“Family Day in the Park”
Sunday, January 11, 2009, 12 Noon
Congo Square Drumming Circles, Congo Square Drumming Circle, National Parks Service Youth Music Program, Second Line Parade, Kids Activities and more!
Free event
“Family Day in the Theatre”
Sunday, January 11, 2009, 2:00 p.m.
Featuring: NORD/NOBA Center for Dance, Crescent City Lights Youth Theatre, Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities PRIME TIME, and Young Artists/Young Aspirations (YA/YA)
Free event
“Beethoven & The Blues”
Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
Featuring a special performance by Allen Toussaint
Tickets $10 – $65
Tickets available at Ticketmaster by calling 1-800-982-2787 or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased at LPO by calling (504) 523-6530 on online at http://www.lpomusic.com.
“Louisiana Philharmonic Special School Performance”
Thursday, January 15, 2009, 10 a.m.
“An Evening with Yolanda Adams and Irvin Mayfield with The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra”
Friday, January 16, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Featuring Yolanda Adams, The One New Orleans Chorus, and the
New Orleans Jazz Orchestra – Featuring Irvin Mayfield
Tickets $10 – $35
Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 1-800-982-2787
“The New Orleans Opera Association presents Placido Domingo”
Saturday, January 17, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
For Tickets call NOOA at 529-3000 or online at http://www.neworleansopera.org
January 7th 2009
Gulf Coast Civic Works News from the RFK Center
Greetings and Happy New Year!
I have an important time sensitive message for you. Congress and President Elect Obama are drafting an enormous economic recovery package they hope to enact as early Inauguration Day, a stimulus that may leave out vital aid for Gulf Coast families and communities still recovering from Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike without your help. If we act now we still have a real chance to raise our voices and help urge the Obama Administration to authorize and 111th Congress to fully fund Gulf Coast Civic Works (see summary at http://www.rfkcenter.org/gccw/) for resident led, human rights based recovery projects creating 100,000 “green” jobs and training opportunities for residents and displaced families to revitalize their community infrastructure, and restore the coastal environment, beginning to make good on the federal government’s promises for rebuilding after three years of struggle. Read the attached sign-on letters:
Letter to President Elect Obama: http://www.rfkcenter.org/files/Letter to President-elect Obama.pdf
Letter to Speaker Pelosi/Majority Leader Reid: http://www.rfkcenter.org/files/Letter to Speaker Pelosi_0.pdf
Please email TODAY to join our local and national supporters by adding your organization’s name and voice to these letters. Whether you’ve signed past GCCW letters or not, we still need your help, so please email and let us know you want your voice added to this critical call. Please email confirming your organization’s sign-on no later than COB Wednesday, January 7th.
Several reports to date on the prospective stimulus programs have detailed federal aid formulas that leave Gulf states with much fewer stimulus dollars than other states despite their substantial continuing needs after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike and Gustav. Locally and nationally, community, environmental, faith, human rights, labor and student organizations need to send a message to Washington that no communities more deserve jobs, training, infrastructure and environmentally restorative green jobs (especially given the national interests being protected by now eroding coastal wetlands) than the Gulf Coast. Gulf Coast Civic Works policy is a chance to meet these needs and empower residents and community organizations in the decision making process.
In recent weeks we’ve had some small victories toward the possibility of enacting Gulf Coast Civic Works:
The Center for American Progress, headed by President-Elect Obama’s Transition Chair John Podesta, endorsed funding Gulf Coast Civic Works in their proposal for the second stimulus package. Click here to read their report.
The New Orleans City Council joined Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes in endorsing the policy.
GCCW supporters have already individually met with members of President Elect Obama’s Transition team and discussed Gulf Coast Civic Works.
We have a significant but brief opportunity, as Congress and the incoming President will soon finalize their proposed economic recovery plan. We need to ensure Gulf Coast recovery makes its way into the proposal. Please email today to sign these letters and support this initiative.
I will also be forwarding information about opportunities to call on members of Congress to support this initiative.
Regards,
Jeffrey Buchanan
Information Officer,
Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
1367 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 463-7575 ×241
Fax: (202) 463-6606
January 6th 2009
CTC VISTA Project Announces Call for Applications
The CTC VISTA Project is pleased to announce the opening of our annual application cycle.
The CTC VISTA Project builds the capacity of nonprofit organizations that use media and technology to strengthen communities. We support a diverse network of partner organizations that provide services that benefit communities nationwide. While any organization using media and technology is a potential partner, organizations typically include low-power radio stations, media arts centers, rural broadband initiatives, and media reform policy advocates. CTC VISTA builds the strength and community impact of these organizations by supporting specific capacity-building projects through the recruitment and placement of a full-time, on-site AmeriCorps*VISTA member.
Interested organizations are invited to submit proposals for capacity building projects. If accepted, the organization and the CTC VISTA Project work together to recruit an AmeriCorps*VISTA member to work with the organization for one year. With a successful placement, the CTC VISTA Project provides approximately $14,500 for the VISTA member’s living expenses, relocation, and professional development, in addition to other non-cash support. The partnering organization contributes $3,500 and budgets $1,000 for the VISTA member to attend a national conference during their year of service and additional funds for local transportation.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis with a final deadline of April 1, 2009. Early applications will receive priority.
Full details and online application are available at http://ctcvista.org/apply/org. Please direct application questions to .
December 18th 2008
Mid-City and the New Years' Eve Bonfire
The City of New Orleans is taking steps to prevent the New Year’s Eve Bonfire (typically in the 4200 Block of Orleans Avenue), due to the risk to public safety and violation of a number of City codes. An informational session will be jointly hosted by NOPD, NOFD, and Parks & Parkways on Monday December 22, 2008 at 6:30pm, at Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal Street. The purpose of the session is to proactively inform residents and business owners about the City’s enforcement plans for the night of the event.
The Mid-City Neighborhood Organization has responded to these plans by writing in their blog, “MCNO has questioned whether an engineered bonfire could receive a permit, and was told that City Code prevents any permit from being issued for an open burn on this neutral ground because of the proximity to homes. MCNO also questioned whether any permits for a block party, without a fire, might be issued. This is a possibility, should the organizers of the NYE event wish to pursue it through the normal permitting channels. Attached is a flyer for the Informational Session. Please distribute this information to your Mid-City friends and neighbors. Also note that NOFD representatives will be distributing these flyers door-to-door for a 2-3 block radius around the event site starting tomorrow.”
December 17th 2008
C. Ray Nagin 2009 Budget Response and Executive Order
Mayor C. Ray Nagin’s 2009 Budget Response and Executive Order CRN 08-08
Q/A Sheet
Q: What actions did Mayor Nagin take in response to the New Orleans City Council 2009 budget ordinances?
Ordinance No. 23,334 M.C.S., Calendar Ordinance No. 27,227 gives the Mayor of the City of New Orleans the authority to disapprove (veto) and/or reduce appropriations. To that end, Mayor Nagin vetoed all proposals that appropriated new or additional funds to third party agencies. For example:
· Indigent Defender Board appropriation of $1,700,000. (Mayor Nagin is proposing an alternative source of financing)
· Recovery School District appropriation of $379,391
· Office of the District Attorney, an additional appropriation to replace funding from a Federal grant of $1,200,000 was reduced to $600,000.
· Juvenile Court for appropriation of $97,000 for Law Clerk salaries
· Crime Stoppers appropriation of $25,000
· LSU Cooperative Extension Service appropriation of $100,000
As Mayor Nagin noted in his veto message, many of these entities are very worthy of receiving additional funding; however, the priority must be funding essential City services. In addition, the Mayor vetoed an additional appropriation of $200,000 to the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) for an Aquatics program.
Q: Did the Mayor’s veto message cut sanitation services in the French Quarter?
No, sanitation services were not cut in the French Quarter. The Vieux Carre and portions of the downtown area received “twice a day, 365 days a year” garbage collection services and enhanced services that included mechanical and manual street sweeping, street flushing, and power washing. Mayor Nagin reduced all sanitation services citywide to sanitation garbage collection services only. Therefore, garbage twice-a-day collection will be maintained in the Vieux Carre and the enhanced street sweeping and power washing services will be cut for the 2009 budget year.
Q: Some local news reports have stated that Mayor Nagin cut half of the budget for the Office of the District Attorney?
The City of New Orleans appropriation to the Office of the District Attorney, of $3.6 million was apart of Mayor Nagin’s original budget proposal on November 1st, and was not cut. This appropriation is more than the city’s pre-Katrina funding to this critical public service agency. However, the City Council proposed an additional $1.2million to cover the funding from an expired Federal grant.
The Mayor’s budget response reduced City Council’s additional appropriation of $1.2million to 600,000k to replace the Federal grant funds. The Mayor said he would assist the DA in lobbying for the expired grant funds with other entities. The other entities that provide funding to the Office of the District Attorney are:
2008 Funds Projected 2009City of New Orleans General Fund: $3,616,131 $3,616,131
State of Louisiana ADA Warrants: $3,527,506 $3,527,506
State of Louisiana Child Supp. Allocation: $2,485,972 $2,485,972
State of LA Vict. Asstance Cord. Warrant: $137,000 $137,000
Court Costs and Fees: $687,918 $687,918
Federal Grants: $764,914 $764,914
Infrastructure Grant: $736,895
FEMA Rental Reimbursement: $294,924
Q: Were street lights appropriations vetoed?
No, street light appropriations were not disapproved/vetoed. Mayor Nagin is in agreement with the City Council’s desire to repair street lights; however, the appropriation made by Council from the traditional CDBG funds is inappropriate. Therefore, Mayor Nagin, using his authority, has directed the Office of Recovery Development Administration (ORDA) and the Department of Public Works to address this issue by utilizing the appropriate funding source.
Note: As a result of Hurricane Katrina, 9,500 street lights were damaged and/or destroyed. To date, 9,250 street lights have been repaired. The approximately 250 remaining street lights to be repaired does not include those street lights that are apart of the streetscape repair/restoration process (CDBG funding projects that are in the process of community reviews). There are a total of 52,325 street lights in the city of New Orleans.
Q: Did Mayor Nagin veto appropriations that were placed in “reserve”?
No. A 2001 opinion by then City Attorney Mavis Early, states that there is no provision for appropriations to be placed in a “reserve” category not created by the Mayor.
Opinion Number 01-14, which was issued on November 29, 2001, points to the language of the Home Rule Charter that details the preparation of and establishes the procedure by which the budget shall be adopted. The opinion specifically addresses Section 6-102, which states, in part:
(5) The proposed ordinance for the operating budget shall provide lump sum appropriations under the following classes for each budget unit:
(a) Personal services of officers and employees.
(b) Other operating expenses.
© Debt service.
(d) Such other classes as the Mayor may annually establish.
The Charter further mandates an annual appropriation for all expenditures. The provision specifically provides as follows:
(4) The allotments herein provided may be altered at any time by the Chief Administrative Officer upon his own initiative or at the request of the head of an office, department or board and shall be altered at the direction of the Mayor. The Mayor shall direct appropriate revisions in allotments to keep expenditures within the revenues received or anticipated.
In addition, Section 3-115 addresses the Consideration and Adoption of the Annual Operating Budget Ordinance, in providing, in pertinent part, as follows:
(2) The Council, upon conclusion of the public hearings but not later than the first day of December, shall adopt the operating budget ordinance in the form submitted by the Mayor, but it may increase, decrease, or delete any item of appropriation recommended by the Mayor. Upon concurrence of two-thirds of its members, it may add new items of appropriation or subdivide items of appropriation, provided, however, that all appropriations for personal services shall be made only in lump amounts and not by specific portions or rates of pay, except as otherwise provided by applicable state law.
In summary, the Council has proposed amendments which would violate the intent of the Home Rule Charter. In order for the Council to appropriate to a class other than personal services, other operating expenses or debt services, a special class must be established for such purpose by the Mayor pursuant to Section 6-102(5)(d). Such a class has not been established and therefore, this action unenforceable. Further, by creating a “reserve” class these amendments would effectively create a surplus in the budget.
Q: How long will the hiring freeze be in effect? What will be the impact on public safety?
Executive Order CRN 08-08 instructs all departments in city government except public safety to remain at their current staffing levels and not hire any additional personnel, effective immediately. This order applies to public safety departments — EMS, NOPD, NOFD — at the end of the year.
Effective Dec. 31, 2008, there will be a hiring freeze capped at the level of positions filled for those departments and positions directly related to public safety (police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel) and revenue producing positions.
The Mayor’s Executive Order does not prohibit the hiring of personnel to replace positions that become vacant during the budget year. Again, all departments, including public safety, are to remain at their current levels, not reduce/cut staffing. Thus, the City will have a “hiring freeze” rather than a reduction in workforce.
The impact on service levels will be most evident in key departments that have been working to bring staffing closer to pre-Katrina levels. More than 3,000 city employees were laid off due to the negative impact of the storm.
For example, the New Orleans Police Department, which was anticipated to increase its forces to 1,700 officers this year, and the New Orleans Fire Department, will be able to maintain their current staffing levels only. The Department of Safety and Permits is another example. That department will be unable to fill 24 positions, including seven building and electrical inspectors.
Q: What else does Executive Order CRN 08-08 address?
Executive Order CRN 08-08 directs mandates a spending cut of at least 2.5 percent for all City of New Orleans departmental budgets, excluding public safety. Further, effective December 31, 2008, there will be a review of departmental budgets and recapture of unspent departmental allocations, such as encumbrances and/or outstanding unspent obligations. These funds will be added to the overall savings for the city.
Q: Why are budget cuts and “freezes” necessary when it has been reported that the City of New Orleans has a $1 billion budget?
The General Fund, or operating budget of the City of New Orleans, is approximately $485 million. This operating budget funds all city operations – staffing, utilities, fuel, supplies, etc. The remaining of the funds that make up the $1.1 billion dollar is primarily federal funding, including grants, to support the city’s recovery initiatives.
Mayor Nagin’s budget alterations will reduce the city’s expenditures by $18 million in 2009. The reductions, which will lead to reduced services, are necessary to fill a budget gap that began at $24 million and was reduced to $18 million when President Bush reduced the City’s match for Hurricane Gustav repairs from 25% to 10%. This budget gap results from a decision by the Council beginning in 2007 to add recurring costs without adding a correlating recurring source of revenue.
Council members acknowledged in a November 30, 2007 resolution that they had included new expenditures without adding appropriate recurring revenues and said that they would consider either reducing expenditures or rolling forward millage in 2008 “in order to continue to provide municipal services while adhering to the Administration’s five-year plan.”
Last month, Director of Finance Reginald Zeno sent a letter to the City Council in which he reiterated the importance of increased recurring revenue and outlined the cuts that would be likely if the Council failed to implement a revenue generating measure. Zeno also warned of another financial crisis anticipated for 2010.
Pension bonds the city obtained in 2000, under an earlier administration, have been unexpectedly called and the city may be required to repay the bonds over five years at an annual rate of $26 million beginning in 2010. At that time, Zeno said that the cumulative effect of the existing shortfall and the bond payments would total more than $44 million per year.
The Council instead used the final $10 million of the $240 million Community Disaster Loan, which would have been used in the 2010 budget under the five-year plan, to pay some increase expenditures this year. The council’a budget also eliminates the restoration of the reserve fund and could leave the city inadequately prepared for the next hurricane season or other emergencies. This also could greatly diminish the likelihood that the city could sell bonds needed for rebuilding projects and for other critical purposes.
Therefore, it is necessary to impose strict constraints on hiring and other expenditures for the year 2009.
The budget savings as a result of Mayor Nagin’s actions today are as follows:
2 ½ percent spending cut: $1 million
Hiring freeze: $8 million
Vetoed appropriations: $3 million
Sanitation service reduction: $4 million
Encumberance recapture: $2 million
Total: $18 million
December 12th 2008
Mayor Nagin Announces Spending Cuts and Hiring Freeze
On Friday, December 12, Mayor Nagin announced major spending cuts and a hiring freeze for all departments that he attributes to a projected budget shortfall of $18 million in the coming year.
The 2.5% spending cut will affect all departments except police, fire, and EMS. Nagin also vetoed $1.7 million dollars the City Council had approved for the public defender’s office; $600,000 of the $1.2 million approved for the District Attorney’s office; $379,000 for Recovery School District after-school programs; and $100,000 for NORD.
Click here for the full 2009 budget announcement.
Nagin’s original proposed solution to this problem included a 10-mill increase in property taxes. The proposed millages would have added approximately $150/year for the owner of a $250,000 property. The council has rejected Nagin’s requests for millage increases on property taxes twice in two years; Nagin recently said he is “done” on seeking property tax increases.
City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss the vetoes on Wednesday, December 17. Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge Morrell claimed in the Times-Picayune that she is concerned “how these cuts will impact the delivery of services next year and beyond.” Councilwoman Shelley Midura said she is “inclined to support the veto” and that she is pleased that the mayor responded with “cuts in expenditure rather than a millage increase.”
December 1st 2008
State Farm Company Grants Program
State Farm Company Grants
State Farm is committed to meeting the needs of our communities by focusing our giving in three areas: Safe Neighbors (safety), Strong Neighborhoods (community development), and Education Excellence (education). In addition, there’s limited funding available to meet community-based needs.
Grant requests for local initiatives are considered by State Farm field offices. Each office determines the types of grants (outlined below) it will fund, based on available funding.
Safe Neighbors (safety)
State Farm values the importance of keeping our neighbors safe. Our funding is directed to:
- Improving driver, vehicle, and roadway safety
- Shielding homes from fires, criminals, and natural disasters
- Supporting disaster preparedness programs and recovery services
- Enhancing personal financial security
Strong Neighborhoods (community development)
Communities are the foundation and lifeblood of society. The condition of available housing and services greatly affects the quality of life for residents and the stability of the community. State Farm is committed to helping maintain the vibrancy and culture of neighborhoods in various communities throughout the U.S. and Canada. We demonstrate this commitment by supporting nonprofit organizations’ programs that:
- Make housing affordable
- Promote first-time homeownership
- Eliminate barriers to homeownership
- Educate homebuyers about insurance, loss mitigation, and homeownership
- Foster sustainable communities
- Rehabilitate neighborhoods or communities
K-12 Public Schools
The following types of grants for K-12 Public Schools will be considered:
- Teacher excellence programs that improve teacher quality
- Service-Learning programs that integrate core classroom curriculum with service to the community
- Programs that incorporate the Systemic Improvement criteria into education systems to improve overall effectiveness
(More information about State Farm’s K-12 Service-Learning and Baldrige initiatives is located in Education Excellence.)
A State Farm field office may support grants for a designated college or university.
- Eligible organizations*
State Farm makes charitable contributions to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations under Section 501©(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Canadian charitable organizations, educational institutions, and governmental entities.
In general, grants are awarded for specific programs in the giving categories described above.
Restrictions
State Farm does not fund:
- Organizations that are not a governmental entity, a stable nonprofit 501©(3) organization with a diverse funding base, an educational institution, or a Canadian charitable organization
- Individuals seeking personal help or scholarships
- Religious programs
- Politically partisan programs
- Organizations outside the U.S. and Canada
Guidelines for requesting grants
State Farm uses the following criteria when reviewing requests for charitable contributions:
- Is the organization a governmental entity, an educational institution, a stable nonprofit 501©(3) organization with a diverse funding base, or a Canadian charitable organization?
- Does the program meet a community need that falls within our focus areas (Safe Neighbors/safety, Strong Neighborhoods/community development, or Education Excellence/education)?
- Does the program yield measurable results for participants?
- Does the program offer volunteer opportunities for State Farm associates?
How to request a grant
One proposal per organization per year will be considered if it meets the guidelines outlined. (This should include all of an organization’s needs for a 12-month period.) In addition, organizations need to provide the following supporting documents:
- Name, address, and telephone number of the organization
- Contact person and title
- Background information, including history and purpose of the organization
- A copy of the IRS exemption letter verifying 501©(3) tax-exempt status or sufficient documentation verifying a governmental entity or educational institution
- Detailed description of the program we are being asked to support, including the number of people it will reach+
- Most recent audited financial statement+
- Current operating budget and sources of income+
(+These questions do not apply if this request is for a school.)
In addition to the above, the proposal must address the following questions:
- What is the purpose and objective(s) of the program?
- Does the program meet a community need that falls within our focus areas (Safe Neighbors/safety, Strong Neighborhoods/community development, or Education Excellence/education)?
- How many participants will benefit from our contribution if we make one? (Please give an approximate number if necessary.)
- What is the amount of the request and what time period does it cover (e.g., six months or one year)?
- What is the total funding required for this project or program? Who are the other funding sources, including the amount they’ve contributed or committed?
- What specifically is State Farm being asked to support? Please submit an itemized budget.
- How will the program yield measurable results for participants? If the program is new, what does the organization plan to measure to determine these results? (These results will be needed to consider future funding.)
Grant requests must be submitted in writing on the requesting organization’s letterhead. Telephone and e-mail solicitations cannot be considered. Grant proposals can be submitted to the appropriate State Farm office nearest you, attention: Public Affairs, GNC Coordinator.
Proposals are accepted year-round and are reviewed in a timely manner. However, approval time depends on the requesting amount and completeness of the proposal.
The State Farm corporate office also provides funding for our Safe Neighborhoods, Strong Neighborhoods, and Education Excellence initiatives that are national in scope.
Questions?
For more information or questions, please contact the State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship team at
December 1st 2008
The City of New Orleans to Hold Meetings to Discuss the Public Private Partnership Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 26, 2008
CONTACT:
JAMES D. ROSS, (504) 90609123
CEEON QUIETT, (504) 799-5246
The City of New Orleans to Hold Meetings to Discuss the Public Private Partnership Initiative
NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 26, 2008) — The City of New Orleans will host seven public meetings next week to discuss the planned public-private partnership for economic development.
The meetings will be held in each council district beginning Monday. Two meetings will be held in both District C and District E.
The initiative will be a partnership between city government and the local business community. All economic development functions will be consolidated under one umbrella and managed by the new partnership, which will be a non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors from the public and private sectors. The Public Private Partnership will work with City plans and priorities, and will be accountable for development goals. Mayor C. Ray Nagin has committed funding $2 million annually for the first three years of operations. Community meetings regarding the initiative begin Monday.
The public meeting schedule is as follows (weekday meetings 6pm-8pm):
December 1st : District B
Gallier Hall
545 St. Charles Ave
December 2nd : District D
UNO Lindy Boggs Center, Rm. 256
2045 Lakeshore Dr.
December 3rd : District C
St. Peter Claiver School Cafeteria
1020 N. Prieur St. (east)
December 4th : District C
Delgado Westbank Campus, Bldg. 1, Rm. 130
2600 General Meyer
December 5th : District E
Household of Faith
9300 I-10 Service Rd.
December 6th : District E (2 p.m.- 4 p.m.)
MLK Charter School Library
1617 Caffin Ave.
ENTER THROUGH LIBRARY ENTRANCE FACING CLAIBORNE.
December 6th : District A (10 a.m.- Noon)
Warren Easton H.S. Auditorium
3019 Canal St
Funding Breakdown
Year 1: $2.0 City/$400,000 Private Sector
Year 2: $2.0 City/ $600,000 Private Sector
Year 3: $2.0 City/$1.0M Private Sector
This initiative represents a great leap forward for the City of New Orleans and will be a cornerstone in recovery and ultimate revival of our city.
Rethink, Renew, Revive
City of New Orleans
Mayor’s Press Office
1300 Perdido Street, Suite 2E04
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
504-658-4940
November 19th 2008
Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb to Support Garden Programs
Deadline: February 17, 2009
Fiskars’ Project Orange Thumb to Support Garden Programs
Launched in 2003, Fiskars’ Project Orange Thumb has awarded more than 100 community groups, schools, churches, and other organizations more than $300,000 in total grants for their garden programs.
This year, the program will award 20 grants within the United States and Canada. Each will receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and up to $800 in gardening-related materials (i.e. green goods). Four grant recipients will also be awarded within Australia. Each of these recipients will receive up to $1,000 in Fiskars Tools and up to $1,000 in gardening-related materials.
Gardens and/or gardening projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture, and/or horticultural education are eligible. Community garden groups, as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, and treatment facilities are all encouraged to apply. Only group applications will be considered; single individuals are not eligible for a Project Orange Thumb grant.
For complete program information and application, visit the project’s Web site.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP
November 10th 2008
Master Plan Meeting Schedule
PLANNING DISTRICT MEETINGS
November 10-13, 2008
-Focus on planning and zoning issues that affect the neighborhoods in your district.
-Join your neighbors to set priorities for your future!
-Tell us what you think about zoning in your neighborhood!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Planning District 3 (Uptown and Carrollton)
6:30-8:30 pm | Sophie B. Wright Charter School, 1426 Napoleon Avenue
Planning District 5 (Lakeview and Lake Area)
6:30-8:30 pm | Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal Street
Planning District 9 (Lower Ninth and Holy Cross)
6:30-8:30 pm | MLK Charter School, 1617 Caffin Avenue
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Planning District 11 (CBD, Warehouse District, Vieux Carre)
6:30-8:30 pm | Chateau Bourbon Hotel (formerly Chateau Sonesta Hotel), 1800 Iberville St.
Planning District 6 (Gentilly)
6:30-8:30 PM | Dillard University, Kearny Hall West Wing, 2601 Gentilly Blvd
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Planning District 2 (Central City and Garden District)
6:30-8:30PM | Dryades YMCA/singleton Charter, 2220 OC Haley Blvd.
Planning District 7 (Marigny, Bywater, St. Claude, St. Roch, and Desire)
6:30-8:30 PM | Holy Angels, 3500 St. Claude Avenue
Planning District 9, 10, and 11 (New Orleans East)
6:30-8:30 PM | Schaumberg Elementary School, 9501 Grant Street
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Planning District 4 (Mid City)
6:30-8:30 PM | Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal Street
Planning District 12 and 13 (Algiers and English Turn)
6:30-8:30 PM | OP Walker High School, 2832 General Meyer Ave.
November 10th 2008
Home Depot's 2009 Affordable Housing Built Responsibly Grant Program
The Home Depot Foundation’s 2009 Affordable Housing Built Responsibly Grant Program:
Request For Proposal
Posted on November 5, 2008
Deadline: November 15, 2008; March 1, 2009; and July 1, 2009 (Letters of Inquiry)
Home Depot Foundation Announces 2009 Affordable Housing Built Responsibly Grant Program
Through the Affordable Housing Built Responsibly grant program, the Home Depot Foundation administers funding to nonprofit organizations whose missions align with the foundation’s interests in supporting the production and preservation of affordable, efficient, and healthy housing.
The foundation makes grants to 501©(3) tax-exempt public charities in the United States and to charitable organizations in Canada. To better support its mission, the Home Depot Foundation awards most of its grants by directly soliciting proposals from high-performing nonprofit organizations with demonstrated ability to create strong partnerships, impact multiple communities, and leverage grant resources. In order to identify potential future nonprofit partners or respond to unique community revitalization opportunities, a limited amount of unsolicited grant funding is set aside to be awarded through a competitive process.
Preference is given to proposals that encourage community involvement and result in the production, preservation, or financing of housing units for low-to moderate-income families. The most promising proposals will incorporate a number of “green” building design practices. Also, in 2009, preference will be given to proposals that clearly demonstrate how urban forestry strategies will be utilized to create healthier, more vibrant communities.
The foundation makes Affordable Housing Built Responsibly grant decisions three times per year and grants typically range from $50,000 to $125,000 each.
Letters of inquiry are due on November 15, 2008; March 1, 2009; and July 1, 2009. The foundation will consider only one proposal from the same organization per calendar year.
Visit the Home Depot Foundation Web site for complete program guidelines.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP
November 10th 2008
Mayor Nagin Signs Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
MAYOR NAGIN SIGNS COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT, COMMITTING $38 MILLION TO THE NEW ORLEANS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 6, 2008) – Mayor C. Ray Nagin and New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) Executive Director Joseph E. Williams today signed a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) that will help further reduce the number of blighted properties that exist in New Orleans as a result of the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The CEA represents a $38 million commitment to NORA by the City of New Orleans. It is funded as a portion of the City’s $411 million in Disaster CDBG funding administered through the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA). Under this agreement, NORA will implement a number of programs on behalf of the City of New Orleans to help fight blight, maintain public health and safety, and spur development in New Orleans.
The CEA includes funding for the following:
- The Clean and Lien program — $5 million
- Program will allow NORA to manage the performance of maintenance and yard cleaning on properties that received judgments of blight or public nuisance under Chapter 28 of the city ordinance.
- Acquisition and Redevelopments: VA, Pontilly, Lake Forest Plaza, South Claiborne, and additional projects (“Bayou District”, Greater Treme, St. Claude Avenue Corridor, Oretha Castle Haley Avenue Corridor, “Gert Town”, Chef Menteur Highway Corridor) — $23.3 million
- NORA to initiate acquisition and redevelop property in the city.
- Lot Next Door Incentive Program Management — $250,000
- Gives property owners with a homestead exemption a right of first refusal on adjacent properties that NORA owns.
- Quick Take Authority — $2 million
- Provides NORA with quick take authority in all area given to City, provided by Ordinance M.C.S 22645
- Blighted Property Lending Fund — $2 million
- NORA shall utilize funds provided to increase the availability of construction financing for developers, contractors, no-profits and other small entrepreneurs interested in redeveloping blighted properties and derelict historic properties.
- Rehab and Construction Mitigation Study — $550,000
- NORA shall commission a study to determine the appropriate level for insurance pricing that would combine an analysis of the risk of different storm events, model of the performance of the existing housing stock during different storm events, and the valuation of different properties and the expected losses from storm damages.
- Commercial Appraisal Fund — $500,000
- Provides NORA with funds to conduct appraisals of commercial, industrial, and other vacant and derelict properties located in the City’s targeted area, opportunity zones, and other locations agreed upon by ORDA, NORA and the City’s approval.
- Methodist Hospital Planning Study —$500,000
- Provides NORA with funds for hiring consultants to complete an independent financial and physical feasibility study of the potential for renewed hospital and medical services on the former Methodist Hospital site.
- Property Inventory Database – $375,000
- Provides NORA with funds for hiring professional services to maintain a database for all properties acquired or to be acquired by NORA and its redevelopment status.
The purpose of this CEA is to accelerate the eradication of blight in post-Katrina New Orleans and to enhance the redevelopment of key strategic areas across our city. Already this year, the City of New Orleans has committed $8 million dollars to NORA – $2 million for general operations, $1 million for property acquisition and redevelopment in the bio-medical corridor, and $5 million for property acquisition in the City’s 17 Target Areas.
To track our recovery progress, visit www.cityofno.com/recovery . All project documents that were available at the press conference can be found under the City Updates on the www.cityofno.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
CEEON QUIETT, (504) 799-5246;
JAMES ROSS, (504) 906-9123
November 5th 2008
Community Rebuilding and Flood Protection Expo
FOR RELEASE: November 3, 2008
LSU AG CENTER AND PARTNERS HOST
COMMUNITY REBUILDING AND FLOOD PROTECTION EXPO
WHAT: The LSU Ag Center, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and Gulf Coast Bank and Trust, will host a Community Rebuilding and Flood Protection Expo. The Expo will provide homeowners with information on how to build energy-efficient, storm resistant homes, through a series of seminars, demonstrations and tours. The Expo will feature local elevation contractors as well as exhibitors and presenters coming to town for the National Floodproofing Conference, Nov. 17-20. The Corps will offer a tour of the 17th Street Canal Pump Station.
The expo is open to the public and free of charge.
WHO: Expo partners and sponsors include the following: LSU AgCenter Raised Floor Living La. DOTD – Floodplain Regulations Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Innovative Emergency Management Tulane City Center Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure Inc. University of New Orleans-CHART
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Headquartered at Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Parking Lot on Harrison Avenue. Seminars will be held at: St. Paul’s Episcopal School Knights of Columbus Hall (Lakeview) Homes and covered areas throughout Lakeview
CONTACT: Sarah Materne – 504.558.1761; 504.250.5708
November 5th 2008
City of New Orleans Continues to Update Public on the Status of Recovery Projects
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS CONTINUES TO UPDATE PUBLIC ON THE STATUS OF RECOVERY PROJECTS
MAYOR TO SIGN COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW ORLEANS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 5, 2008) – On Thursday, the City of New Orleans will host a media briefing to update the public on the progress and status of several recovery projects. The briefing will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Mayor’s Press Room located on the 2nd floor in City Hall.
During the briefing, Mayor C. Ray Nagin will meet with Executive Director of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) Joseph E. Williams will sign a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) intended to help further reduce the number of blighted properties that exist in New Orleans as a result of the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The City’s $38 million commitment to this program is part of the projects funded by the $411 million in Disaster CDBG financing that the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) has allocated to the City of New Orleans for implementation of the citywide recovery plan — which was the first plan approved in Louisiana. Under this agreement, NORA will implement a number of programs that will help fight blight, maintain public health and safety, and spur development in New Orleans. The programs include the Lot Next Door, which gives property owners a right of first refusal on adjacent properties that NORA owns; the Clean and Lien Program, under which NORA would manage maintenance and yard cleaning on properties that have received blight judgments or public nuisance; and the blighted property lending fund, though which NORA is to increase the availability of construction financing for developers, contractors, non-profits and others interested in developing blighted properties and derelict historic properties.
This briefing will focus on public/private partnerships within the City. In addition, Capital Projects Administrator William Chrisman and other key department heads will provide updates on several critical projects. Chrisman will highlight the status of New Orleans Police Department Third District Station, Arthur Monday Health Clinic, Papania and Cardenas Streets, along with the FEMA eligible sidewalk and patching projects managed by the Department of Public Works.
To track our recovery progress, visit http://www.cityofno.com/recovery
CONTACT:
LESLEY EUGENE, (504) 416-7694
JAMES ROSS, (504) 906-9123
October 23rd 2008
Grants from the MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation
Application Deadline: Ongoing (requests are accepted and reviewed throughout the year).
Description: Grants usually fall within the following broad areas of concern: health, civic affairs, education, culture and public broadcasting. Requests for general or project support are considered.
Who May Apply: MetLife Foundation makes contributions only to tax-exempt organizations under Section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Limitations: Grants are NOT made to religious organizations, hospitals and community health clinics, elementary and secondary schools, or organizations receiving support form United Way. Please reference website for complete list of limitations.
Requests must be made in writing and should be directed to:
MetLife Foundation / 27-01 Queens Plaza North / Long Island City, NY 11101
For complete guidelines and restrictions, reference the following link:
http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,1674,P296,00.html.
October 23rd 2008
Grants for Education and/or Youth Development
The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation’s
The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation’s mission is to support and redefine music education. Through music education, a child can better achieve his/her full potential and stimulate personal and educational growth.
Music Matters Grants for 2009 will focus on educational reform in school music programs and independent music programs. Grants will be awarded in April 2009 (money will be distributed by October 2009), to schools and music programs throughout the United States. Grant amounts for this cycle are between $1,000-$12,000 each and are made on an annual one-time basis.
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Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation
The MEAF Inclusion Champion Award honors individuals who have made significant efforts to promote the full inclusion of youth with disabilities in society. The focus of the efforts may include, but is not limited to, helping to create a culture of inclusion within an organization or community or developing innovative strategies for inclusive programming in: school activities, after-school programs, community service, and leadership development.
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VSA arts and MetLife Foundation
The goals of Arts Connect All are to:
* Enable more students with disabilities to experience social, cognitive, and cultural development through arts learning alongside their peers without disabilities; * Create educational access and inclusion in the arts for students with disabilities; and * Document the contributions that arts organizations make to inclusive education in public schoolsOctober 22nd 2008
DOL Funding Opportunity for Community Colleges and Job Training Facilities
Description
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), announces the availability of approximately $125 million in grant funds for Community-Based Job Training Grants. Community-Based Job Training Grants will be awarded through a competitive process to support workforce training for high-growth/high-demand industries through the national system of community and technical colleges. Funds will be awarded to individual community and technical colleges, community college districts, state community college systems, and One-Stop Career Centers to support or engage in a combination of capacity building and training activities for the purpose of building the capacity of community colleges to train individuals for careers in high-growth/high-demand industries in the local and/or regional economies. This Solicitation contains an exception for rural areas and other communities that are educationally underserved due to their lack of access to community or technical colleges. In awarding Community-Based Job Training Grants, every effort will be made to fairly distribute grants across rural and urban areas and across the different geographic regions of the United States. It is anticipated that individual awards will range from $500,000 to $2 million.
Community-Based Job Training Grants
If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
Chari Magruder
Grant Officer
Phone 2026933346 or .
October 22nd 2008
NEA "Big Read" Community Reading Initiative
Request For Proposal
Posted on October 22, 2008
Deadline: February 3, 2009
Big Read Offers Support for Community Reading Projects
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents the Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. The Big Read brings together partners across the United States to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment.
The Big Read is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations to conduct month-long, community-wide reads between September 2009 and June 2010. Organizations selected to participate in the Big Read will each receive a grant ranging from $2,500 to $20,000, financial support to attend the orientation meeting, educational and promotional materials, an Organizer’s Guide for developing and managing Big Read activities, inclusion of the organization and activities on the Big Read Web site, and the prestige of participating in a highly visible national initiative. Approximately 400 organizations of varying sizes across the country will be selected for this cycle.
Applicant organizations must be a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, a division of state, local, or tribal government, or a tax-exempt public library. Eligible applicants include such organizations as literary centers, libraries, museums, colleges and universities, art centers, historical societies, arts councils, tribal governments, humanities councils, literary festivals, and arts organizations. Applicant organizations must partner with a library (if the applicant organization itself is not a library), and must select one of the twenty-seven available book titles or one of the three available poetry books.
Complete program information is available at the Big Read Web site.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP
October 22nd 2008
Home Depot's Housing Grants Impact Program
Request For Proposal
Deadline: December 15, 2008
Home Depot to Accept Housing Impact Grants Program Applications
The Home Depot’s Housing Impact Grants program is a quarterly grants process designed to assist nonprofit organizations in North America whose projects involve affordable housing built responsibly in a timely manner. Projects that seek to build or rebuild affordable housing will be eligible for grants of $1,000 to $3,000 each. Preference will be given to projects that integrate sustainability.
Beginning in 2008, the Housing Impact Grants program will fully align with the Home Depot Foundation’s Affordable Housing Built Responsibly program. The online process will remain competitive and will be open to nonprofit organizations with proper tax exempt status whose projects align with the new grant guidelines in North America.
The Home Depot will only fund nonprofit organizations that have 501©(3) tax-exempt status in the United States, or that have a notification of registration and confirmation of registration from the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency Charities Division in Canada.
Applications for the next funding cycle may be submitted from November 1 to December 15, 2008.
For more information on the Housing Impact Grants program, visit the Home Depot Web site.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP
October 21st 2008
WYES presents...RESHAPING NEW ORLEANS: CRIMINAL JUSTICE
WYES TAKES AN IN-DEPTH LOOK INTO PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE NEW ORLEANS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
NEW ORLEANS (OCTOBER 21, 2008) – WYES continues its television series RESHAPING NEW ORLEANS examining the city’s post-Katrina recovery with a third installment, CRIMINAL JUSTICE. The hour special airs Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. The program repeats Friday, October 31 at 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 2 at 10:00 p.m.
RESHAPING NEW ORLEANS: CRIMINAL JUSTICE explains new initiatives to use best
practices from around the nation to rebuild an already struggling criminal justice system crippled by
Katrina. It explores recommendations made by the Vera Institute of Justice, which led to an historic agreement made by the New Orleans Criminal Justice Leadership Alliance to bring positive change to advance safety and justice.
WWL-TV news anchor Dennis Woltering will moderate the program. The special broadcast features a series of in-depth reports interviewing leaders from law enforcement, the courts, the district attorney’s office and public defenders, as well as City Councilman James Carter who spearheaded the Alliance, and leaders of the Vera Institute and Pretrial Justice Institute who are guiding New Orleans in its mission. The stories will be interwoven with a roundtable discussion between Woltering and criminal justice watchdogs.
Scheduled panelists are retired Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Calvin Johnson, Rafael Goyeneche of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, Greg Rusovich of the New Orleans Business Council and New Orleans Crime Coalition, criminologist Peter Scharf from Tulane University, and New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation President & C.E.O Robert Stellingworth.
The program is underwritten by Baptist Community Ministries (BCM), which is also organizer of
ProjectJusticeNola, a collaboration of community organizations built to inform citizens about the proposed changes and show where candidates for criminal justice offices stand on the issues.
WYES has partnered with BCM and ProjectJusticeNola to create an exclusive webcast on
wyes.org. Voters can view taped answers to questions about specific proposed reforms from the
candidates for Orleans district attorney and criminal court judge to be elected November 4. After the show’s initial broadcast, look for the entire one-hour episode of RESHAPING NEW ORLEANS:
CRIMINAL JUSTICE On Demand at wyes.org.
RESHAPING NEW ORLEANS: CRIMINAL JUSTICE is produced by Paula Pendarvis. WYES
Director of Local Initiatives Marcia Kavanaugh is Executive Producer.
WYES-TV is a non-profit public broadcasting television service providing viewership to over 650,000 people in the Greater New Orleans area and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. WYES is a partnership between citizens, foundations, businesses and local, state and federal governments, working together toward the education and development of our community. WYES’ local award-winning productions showcase what is unique and interesting about our people, city and region.
Media Contact:
Aislinn Hinyup
WYES Promotion Manager
504-838-0364
October 15th 2008
CITY EXPANDS ROADWAY AND SIDEWALK PATCHING REPAIRS TO THREE ADDITIONAL NEIGHBORHOODS
CITY EXPANDS ROADWAY AND SIDEWALK PATCHING REPAIRS TO THREE ADDITIONAL NEIGHBORHOODS
REPAIRS CONTINUE AS PART OF FEMA-ELIGIBLE ROADWAY AND SIDEWALK PATCHING REPAIRS PROJECT FOR MINOR STREETS
The City’s Department of Public Works today announced the expansion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Eligible Roadway and Sidewalk Patching Repairs Project for Minor Streets. This project, under which work will begin in three additional neighborhoods later this month, will ultimately include the repair of approximately 17,000 different sites and 6,000 blocks along minor streets in neighborhoods across the city by June 2010.
A total of 2,235 repairs are scheduled to begin in the Freret, St. Anthony and Little Woods neighborhoods. The Freret neighborhood will see repairs to 341 individual sites, the St. Anthony neighborhood will see a total of 524 repairs and the Little Woods neighborhood will see 1,370 sites as part of this program.
Last June, construction began in the Hollygrove, Broadmoor, Pontchartrain Park, on the Westbank and in the Read Boulevard/New Orleans East areas. The total project will cost an estimated $42.8 million, all of which will be reimbursed by FEMA.
“The repair of minor streets damaged by the storms of 2005 is very critical to the repair and restoration of our city,” said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. “And, as we continue to reach milestones in our recovery, this partnership with the federal government represents another step toward the rehabilitation of our city. This department is working miracles to make sure our residents get better streets.”
Harris Builders, LLC; Fleming Construction Company; Durr Heavy Construction, LLC; and Boh Brothers Construction Company, LLC were awarded contracts through the city’s public bid process to perform roadway and sidewalk patching as well as driveway apron and curb repairs. The contractors will work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Citizens should be aware of possible temporary changes in traffic flow, and can track the completion of repairs in their neighborhoods by visiting http://www.cityofno.com/streets.
“The sidewalk and patching project will continue to improve the quality of our roadways and sidewalks and will move us toward rebuilding a better New Orleans with safer streets,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. “We are happy with the progress the work crews are making as they continue to move through the list of neighborhoods being repaired.”
The Minor Streets program is part of a comprehensive effort to restore New Orleans streets. The Department of Public Works has begun post-Katrina work that will total $363 million. Overall, the City of New Orleans has begun public infrastructure work that will total more than $1.2 billion.
QUICK FACTS
Initial five Contract Areas:
o Lakeview/City Park/Mid-City
o Carrollton/Garden District/Central City/Central Business District
o Gentilly/Fairgrounds/Pontchartrain Park
o Treme’/French Quarter/Ninth Ward/Algiers
o New Orleans East
Cot of repairs for Feret, St. Athony and Little Woods:
o Freret (Fleming Construction Company, LLC) – $749,268 in repairs
o St. Anthony (Durr Heavy Construction, LLC) – $2,550,064 in repairs
o Little Woods (Fleming Construction Company, LLC) – $1,267,554 in repairs
Total number of street blocks that will be repaired by Council District:
o District A – 1835
o District B – 963
o District C – 561
o District D – 1640
o District E – 876
Number of Repairs by Council District:
o District A – 5125
o District B – 2065
o District C – 1312
o District D – 6016
o District E – 2542
For more information or to report a damaged site, citizens can also call 311 or dial (504) 658-2299.
City of New Orleans
Mayor’s Press Office
1300 Perdido Street, Suite 2E04
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
504-658-4940
CONTACT:
Lesley Eugene, (504) 416-7694
James Ross, (504) 906-9123
October 10th 2008
YouthBuild Grant Competition Announced
The YouthBuild program provides education and training to high risk youth, giving them tools to compete in today’s quickly changing job market. This alternative education program provides a path to higher education in addition to tools for immediate work in high demand fields such as construction.
The program aims to provide an education for young people who have been in the juvenile justice system, youth aging out of foster care, high school dropouts and other at-risk populations, and immediately uses the vocational tools learned to expand affordable housing in low-income communities. This vocational experience strengthens the leadership and learning skills of participating youth to help in future employment. The program is sponsored by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Association, which works to give at-risk youth concrete tools to achieve sustainable employment.
The Department of Labor will award $47 million to various community organizations under this program.
Eligibility: Under this new solicitation, DOL will award grants to community organizations — including Workforce Investment Boards, One-Stop Career Centers, faith-based and community groups, housing development agencies, Indian tribes, and other eligible entities — to provide YouthBuild programs, including educational and vocational skills, to at-risk youth.
Solicitation is available here, or at www.grants.gov.
Due By: Applications are due by January 15th 2009. Details on a future virtual prospective applicant conference will be posted at http://www.doleta.gov/youth%5Fservices/youthbuildgrantee.cfm.
Contact: Donna Kelly, Grants Management Specialist at (202) 693-3934 or .
New Safety Cameras Begin Issuing Tickets Monday, April 13
NEW ORLEANS, LA (April 9, 2009) – On Monday, April 13, five new safety cameras will begin issuing citations to speeders traveling northbound and southbound Paris Avenue near Prentiss Avenue, northbound and southbound on Toledano Street near Galvez Street and eastbound on Florida Boulevard near Milne Boulevard. These safety cameras will help to reduce speeding by motorists. The City of New Orleans also plans to further expand the program in the near future
“We want to ensure motorists are aware of these cameras and slow down on these roadways in order to increase the safety of students and neighbors in the areas,” said Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works. “After seeing an 84 percent drop in speeding violations at our original safety camera sites, we began to receive requests from residents to place these cameras in their neighborhoods in order to slow down speeding traffic. In addition, we are implementing the first safety camera in a school zone area.”
As requested by neighborhood residents, the locations of these safety cameras were selected to slow down traffic in residential or school zone areas. The safety camera on eastbound Florida Boulevard near Milne Boulevard will help remind motorists that exit from the highway to reduce their speed through the residential neighborhood.
On Toledano Street near Galvez Street, the safety cameras aim to reduce speeding traffic and allow motorists on Galvez Street to safely cross the intersection. Residents originally requested stop signs or a traffic signal for Toledano Street at South Galvez. Resident complaints revealed that speeding was the primary concern and that traffic conflict was not an issue at the intersection.
Finally, the safety cameras on Paris Avenue near Prentiss Avenue will remind motorists that they are in a school zone and need to reduce their speed as students attending Holy Cross School walk to and from school. During school zone hours, the safety cameras will enforce the 20 mph speed limit. After school zone hours, the safety cameras will enforce the 35 mph speed limit.
“Many schools have started to request these safety cameras in their areas. If testing at this site goes well, we hope to provide safety cameras for many more school zones by the end of the year,” said Mendoza.
American Traffic Solutions (ATS) was awarded the contract to administer the safety camera program by submitting the lowest bid on May 31, 2007 to the City’s solicitation for bid. ATS will be paid on a tiered scale between$10.00 and $29.00 per paid citation each month. Locally, ATS utilized ETI, Inc. for construction and maintenance services. ETI, Inc. is a New Orleans-based minority firm.
Quick Facts
Speed limits at all safety camera-enforced locations:
35 mph
20 mph during school zone hours
Current Safety Camera Locations
Southbound North Carrollton Avenue at Canal Street
Eastbound Canal Street at North Carrollton Avenue
Northbound South Carrollton Avenue at Palmetto Street
Southbound South Carrollton Avenue at Palmetto Street
Northbound South Carrollton Avenue at Earhart Boulevard
Southbound South Carrollton Avenue at Earhart Boulevard
Eastbound Earhart Boulevard at South Carrollton Avenue
Westbound Earhart Boulevard at South Carrollton Avenue
Eastbound Poydras Street at Loyola Avenue
Eastbound Poydras Street at St. Charles Avenue
Westbound Poydras Street at Magazine Street
Westbound Poydras Street at Carondelet Street
Eastbound St. Charles Avenue at Washington Avenue
Southbound St. Charles Avenue at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
Northbound St. Charles Avenue at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
Westbound (toward Uptown) St. Charles Avenue at Louisiana Street
Eastbound (toward Downtown) St. Charles Avenue at Louisiana Street
Violation Fines (excluding $35 cost of enforcement fee and $5 surcharge)
Traffic Control Signal Violation – $100
Speeding (1 – 9 mph over) – $40
Speeding (10 – 14 mph over) – $75
Speeding (15 – 20 mph over) – $125
Speeding (Greater than 20 mph over) – $200
Late fee for unpaid violations – $75 (vehicles with unpaid violations past the second notice are boot-eligible and subject to immobilization fees)
For more information, visit http://www.cityofno.com.
Census Increases 2007 Population Estimate for New Orleans by 50,000
Change means millions in funding for local programs
NEW ORLEANS – (January 14, 2009) – The U.S. Census Bureau has accepted a challenge by the City of New Orleans to the July 1, 2007 population estimates and has adjusted the estimates upward by nearly 50,000.
“The increase in population will mean millions more for programs that serve our citizens,” said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. “As we continue our recovery from the greatest natural and man made disaster in our country’s history, it is important for our community to have access to every dollar our citizens deserve.”
The Census has informed the City of New Orleans that its population estimate for July 1, 2007 will be increased to 288,113 from its original estimate of 239,124. The 48,989 increase in population will mean $45.6 million more for education, homeless assistance, child care, elderly assistance, law enforcement and other programs.
In July, the City submitted a challenge to the population estimates, which had been recently released. The challenge was prepared using new data analysis from the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center. According to the Census Bureau, New Orleans was the first municipality to submit a challenge last year.
GNOCDC Deputy Director Allison Plyer said her organization examined building permit data, electric account data, and USPS data on households receiving mail to identify data not readily available to the Census Bureau. The report to the Census included data from all of those sources.
“We’re pleased to have worked with the Census Bureau, combining their expertise with our local data to come up with a population estimate that better reflects the thousands of New Orleanians who have struggled to come home and rebuild,” Plyer said.
Typically, the Census Bureau bases its population estimates on decennial census counts, adding births, subtracting deaths and noting changes of address from IRS tax returns and Medicare forms. Because many residents do not file taxes or are not legal citizens, this method often leads to inaccurate estimates.
Census challenges such as this one are not uncommon. In 2007, 59 U.S. cities and counties successfully challenged their 2006 census estimates, including Cincinnati, New York City and Fulton County, Georgia.
To create its population report, GNOCDC gathered data from GCR & Associates, the City of New Orleans GIS Department, Entergy New Orleans Inc., Claritas Inc. and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
City of New Orleans
Mayor’s Press Office
1300 Perdido Street, Suite 2E04
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
504-658-4940
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 26, 2008
CONTACT:
JAMES D. ROSS, (504) 90609123
CEEON QUIETT, (504) 799-5246
The City of New Orleans to Hold Meetings to Discuss the Public Private Partnership Initiative
NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 26, 2008) — The City of New Orleans will host seven public meetings next week to discuss the planned public-private partnership for economic development.
The meetings will be held in each council district beginning Monday. Two meetings will be held in both District C and District E.
The initiative will be a partnership between city government and the local business community. All economic development functions will be consolidated under one umbrella and managed by the new partnership, which will be a non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors from the public and private sectors. The Public Private Partnership will work with City plans and priorities, and will be accountable for development goals. Mayor C. Ray Nagin has committed funding $2 million annually for the first three years of operations. Community meetings regarding the initiative begin Monday.
The public meeting schedule is as follows (weekday meetings 6pm-8pm):
· December 1st : District B
Gallier Hall
545 St. Charles Ave
· December 2nd : District D
UNO Lindy Boggs Center, Rm. 256
2045 Lakeshore Dr.
· December 3rd : District C
St. Peter Claiver School Cafeteria
1020 N. Prieur St. (east)
· December 4th : District C
Delgado Westbank Campus, Bldg. 1, Rm. 130
2600 General Meyer
· December 5th : District E
Household of Faith
9300 I-10 Service Rd.
· December 6th : District E (2 p.m.- 4 p.m.)
MLK Charter School Library
1617 Caffin Ave.
ENTER THROUGH LIBRARY ENTRANCE FACING CLAIBORNE.
· December 6th : District A (10 a.m.- Noon)
Warren Easton H.S. Auditorium
3019 Canal St
Funding Breakdown
Year 1: $2.0 City/$400,000 Private Sector
Year 2: $2.0 City/ $600,000 Private Sectorf
Year 3: $2.0 City/$1.0M Private Sector
This initiative represents a great leap forward for the City of New Orleans and will be a cornerstone in recovery and ultimate revival of our city.
Rethink, Renew, Revive
Mayor Nagin Signs Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
MAYOR NAGIN SIGNS COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT, COMMITTING $38 MILLION TO THE NEW ORLEANS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 6, 2008) – Mayor C. Ray Nagin and New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) Executive Director Joseph E. Williams today signed a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) that will help further reduce the number of blighted properties that exist in New Orleans as a result of the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The CEA represents a $38 million commitment to NORA by the City of New Orleans. It is funded as a portion of the City’s $411 million in Disaster CDBG funding administered through the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA). Under this agreement, NORA will implement a number of programs on behalf of the City of New Orleans to help fight blight, maintain public health and safety, and spur development in New Orleans.
The CEA includes funding for the following:
· The Clean and Lien program — $5 million
- Program will allow NORA to manage the performance of maintenance and yard cleaning on properties that received judgments of blight or public nuisance under Chapter 28 of the city ordinance.
· Acquisition and Redevelopments: VA, Pontilly, Lake Forest Plaza, South Claiborne, and additional projects (“Bayou District”, Greater Treme, St. Claude Avenue Corridor, Oretha Castle Haley Avenue Corridor, “Gert Town”, Chef Menteur Highway Corridor) — $23.3 million
- NORA to initiate acquisition and redevelop property in the city.
· Lot Next Door Incentive Program Management — $250,000
- Gives property owners with a homestead exemption a right of first refusal on adjacent properties that NORA owns.
· Quick Take Authority — $2 million
- Provides NORA with quick take authority in all area given to City, provided by Ordinance M.C.S 22645
· Blighted Property Lending Fund — $2 million
- NORA shall utilize funds provided to increase the availability of construction financing for developers, contractors, non-profits and other small entrepreneurs interested in redeveloping blighted properties and derelict historic properties.
· Rehab and Construction Mitigation Study — $550,000
- NORA shall commission a study to determine the appropriate level for insurance pricing that would combine an analysis of the risk of different storm events, model of the performance of the existing housing stock during different storm events, and the valuation of different properties and the expected losses from storm damages.
· Commercial Appraisal Fund — $500,000
- Provides NORA with funds to conduct appraisals of commercial, industrial, and other vacant and derelict properties located in the City’s targeted area, opportunity zones, and other locations agreed upon by ORDA, NORA and the City’s approval.
· Methodist Hospital Planning Study —$500,000
- Provides NORA with funds for hiring consultants to complete an independent financial and physical feasibility study of the potential for renewed hospital and medical services on the former Methodist Hospital site.
· Property Inventory Database – $375,000
- Provides NORA with funds for hiring professional services to maintain a database for all properties acquired or to be acquired by NORA and its redevelopment status.
The purpose of this CEA is to accelerate the eradication of blight in post-Katrina New Orleans and to enhance the redevelopment of key strategic areas across our city. Already this year, the City of New Orleans has committed $8 million dollars to NORA – $2 million for general operations, $1 million for property acquisition and redevelopment in the bio-medical corridor, and $5 million for property acquisition in the City’s 17 Target Areas.
To track our recovery progress, visit www.cityofno.com/recovery. All project documents that were available at the press conference can be found under the City Updates on the www.cityofno.com
OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
CEEON QUIETT, (504) 799-5246;
JAMES ROSS, (504) 906-9123
Community Rebuilding and Flood Protection Expo
FOR RELEASE: November 3, 2008
LSU AG CENTER AND PARTNERS HOST COMMUNITY REBUILDING AND FLOOD PROTECTION EXPO
WHAT: The LSU Ag Center, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and Gulf Coast Bank and Trust, will host a Community Rebuilding and Flood Protection Expo. The Expo will provide homeowners with information on how to build energy-efficient, storm resistant homes, through a series of seminars, demonstrations and tours. The Expo will feature local elevation contractors as well as exhibitors and presenters coming to town for the National Floodproofing Conference, Nov. 17-20. The Corps will offer a tour of the 17th Street Canal Pump Station.
The expo is open to the public and free of charge.
WHO: Expo partners and sponsors include the following: LSU AgCenter Raised Floor Living La. DOTD – Floodplain Regulations Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Innovative Emergency Management Tulane City Center Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure Inc. University of New Orleans-CHART
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Headquartered at Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Parking Lot on Harrison Avenue. Seminars will be held at: St. Paul’s Episcopal School Knights of Columbus Hall (Lakeview) Homes and covered areas throughout Lakeview
CONTACT: Sarah Materne – 504.558.1761; 504.250.5708
Community Rebuilding and Flood Protection Expo
LSU AG CENTER AND PARTNERS HOST COMMUNITY REBUILDING AND FLOOD PROTECTION EXPO
WHAT: The LSU Ag Center, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and Gulf Coast Bank and Trust, will host a Community Rebuilding and Flood Protection Expo. The Expo will provide homeowners with information on how to build energy-efficient, storm resistant homes, through a series of seminars, demonstrations and tours. The Expo will feature local elevation contractors as well as exhibitors and presenters coming to town for the National Floodproofing Conference, Nov. 17-20. The Corps will offer a tour of the 17th Street Canal Pump Station. The expo is open to the public and free of charge.
WHO: Expo partners and sponsors include the following: LSU AgCenter Raised Floor Living La. DOTD – Floodplain Regulations Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Innovative Emergency Management Tulane City Center Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure Inc. University of New Orleans-CHART
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Headquartered at Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Parking Lot on Harrison Avenue. Seminars will be held at: St. Paul’s Episcopal School Knights of Columbus Hall (Lakeview) Homes and covered areas throughout Lakeview
CONTACT: Sarah Materne – 504.558.1761; 504.250.5708
NPN is funded with help from CPSC
