Carrollton-Riverbend Neighborhood Association (CRNA)

If you’re in Carrollton-Riverbend, I want your input about street repairs. Email eleyda.crna@gmail.com I’m compiling a list. This is important. Please send me info by this Friday evening, if possible, or Monday (2/1/21) at the latest.

Please send me info: 1. The block number (such as 1600 block of Dublin) 2. The problem(s) 3. When the work began 4. The current state now 5. If you’ve contacted someone about the matter, who (or what department) and when.

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New Orleans history Virtual Field Trips are free! This terrific resource from the Historic New Orleans Collection offers individual and group virtual tours. Some of the group VTs are designed for school kids.

You can also request a recording of archived VTs, on topics like Reconstruction in New Orleans, Louisiana Indigenous History, and more. They ask that you sign up two weeks ahead of the tour. Some topics: History of St Aug’s Marching 100; history of flambeaux; the Baby Dolls. Visit and browse, then sign up: https://www.hnoc.org/programs/virtual-field-trips

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Community Office Hours (COH) is a chance for residents to talk with the Neighborhood Engagement Office Liaison, Stephen Mosgrove, for our district. Stephen will be at the Mid-City Library (4140 Canal) Monday through Wednesday from 10:30 am to 5 pm. Make an appointment (info below)! These are good opportunities to share concerns, ideas, etc.

On Wed 27 Jan, he’ll be joined virtually by a rep with the Department of Code Enforcement. You DO need to make an appointment in advance: nola.gov/COH; or please call (504) 658-4933.

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In the last half of February, CRNA will resume collecting glass for recycling. The exact date, time, and drop-off spot will be announced here well in advance. It will not be on the same day as the CCA drop-off; this way, people can have two drop-off days.

I’ll take as much as can fit in my SUV, but if someone VOLUNTEERS to help collect and drive their car, SUV, or truck, more can be collected. YES, the glass will be given to Glass Half-Full. 😉

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VIA ZOOM

CRNA Board: Bill Ives, Elaine Leyda, Julianna Padgett, Melissa Lilly, Nathan Schwam, Tammy Butler

Residents: Sabine Winters, Joyce Thomas, Kelly Maggiore

Others: Councilman Joe Giarrusso, Claire Byun (Dist. A), Stephen Mosgrove (Mayors Neighborhood Engagement Office), Brandon Muetzel, Energy Smart

The meeting was opened at 6:35.

Financial Report and Minutes: Nathan Schwam reported that CRNA has $3520.62 in the account. The minutes were accepted. 

Acceptance of Motions. Bill made a motion to accept motions by the majority of members present. Julianna seconded. All voted to support this motion, therefore not requiring a majority of board members.

City Councilperson Joe Giarusso.

• Covid-19 vaccines available for adults at Children’s Hospital. 
• Property Taxes should be certified by the State soon and online by Friday, Jan 15th; with expected extension of payment deadline.
• Doubles to Dormitories – Joe is thinking though a multi prong approach with enforcement as well as design overlay+parking restrictions which has worked pretty well under the IZD. He wants to provide a motion to CPC in February.  Can only extend IZD for six months.  He will present at the CAN meeting at the end of the month.
• Council rejected Folgers tax exemption request.
• CM Banks, new chair of criminal justice will host joint meeting with community development committees to discuss crime. In our area, Captain Walls is targeting 8 people – two around the neighborhood have been arrested. Others are out of town or in another part of the city.
• Council did not take up former the resolution re: multifamily home. Giarusso is proposing that, if a site can be proven to be a former MFH, then they can skip the conditional use process and can include an expansion of footprint which would go straight to Safety and Permits with possible NPP or notice to neighbors.

Brandon Muetzel, Energy Wise does outreach for Entergy Smart Program https://www.energysmartnola.info/

Energy Smart Program is 11 years old, administered by Entergy, rate payer funded program to incentivize energy efficiency.  Lots of money every year.  Important programs:

• Home Performance with Energy Star (free energy assessment w/ free lightbulbs, thermostats) and discount energy upgrades;
• Income Qualified Weatherization – must be at or below 200% poverty guideline – rentors or owners (air and duct sealing, AC tuneup, attic insulation plus free energy resources as above)
• Rebates for new appliances up to $50-$400.
• Small and large commercial sections that offer efficiency resources to business.

Question: State incentive for solar panels no longer exists. 30% Federal subsidy.

Julianna, Report on HANO-IRIS and D2Ds.

• The City received a letter from State Historic Preservation Office (SHP)) on December 4 stating that the current IRIS plans will have adverse impact on our historic district.  Betty Dimarco contacted Yvette Hester, director of HANO, asking for a meeting. Ms. Hester replied saying IRIS is responding to SHPO’s concerns. Betty has asked that we work together with HANO/IRIS to create the new design. Our hope that out of this comes a collaborative process with neighbors to lessen the adversarial challenges we have faced in the last year.
• D2Ds – A strong organized effort monitoring D2D developments continues. Recent 60 second ad informing the public and asking for violations to be reported. See townofcarrolltonwatch.org

Stephen Mosgrove, Neighborhood Engagement Office

• Community Office Hours have resumed at MidCity Library, Mon-Wed 10:30-5:00 PM / Under COVD, requires appointment. nola.gov/coh
• Police Community Advisory Board. (P-CAB) Please make an application to join. Citizen-led meetings to discuss police policy. Different from NON-PAC where they discuss crime as is.
• Tax bills will be online by tomorrow, Friday, Jan 15^th.
• COVID-19: see ready.nola.gov for: a) meals continue – call 311; b) free testing locations c) vaccines – Phase 1.B.1 – prioritizing most vulnerable. Note that University Hospital is offering vaccines.
• $90M of losses in City’s budget. Hoping for some support from Federal relief packages.
• Post meeting: Stephen confirmed that NOPD continues work in the Leonidas/Green St/Monroe area with neighbors seeing increased police presence.

Elaine Leyda, President – CRNA in 2021

• Street Renaming Commission. Urges everyone to look at Renaming Commission’s website and preliminary report/suggestions for street renaming.
• Oversize Trucks. Project. Please report violation of trucks:  illegal parking, hitting trees, not following truck routes, etc.
• CAN. Elaine will be the Carrollton Area Network (CAN) representative. Bill offered to be a backup.
• Walkability. Elaine met with Paul Barricos, Phyllis Jordan, Janel Hazlett to talk about walkability of Carrollton: more crosswalks, speed limit signs, access to levee, etc.
• Trash Clean-Up. Would like to do a Trash Clean-Up, maybe along Carrollton in February or March
• Glass Recycling. Resume Glass Recycling on 2^nd Saturday, for 1.5 hours in a more central location.
• Street Repairs and Contracts. Plans to look at how contracts are created and managed. Doesn’t seem to have good scheduling or good coordination between city agencies. Not very transparent. If you have a complaint about the repairs, send Elaine an email.
• Social Media. Elaine is “fiddling” with CRNA’s Facebook page, WordPress page with the possibility that we’ll move to MailChimp eventually.
• Gardening. Wants to get people interested in certified native plant gardening
• Next meeting: Aimee Freeman, State Rep and Dawn Massey, RoadWorksNOLA, will be at our February meeting.

Other Announcements:

Joyce Thomas has an interest in having our neighborhood engage more with Together New Orleans.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00PM.

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Who’s Earl Palmer and Why You Should Know | Tuesday, Jan. 12 | 6 p.m. | Speaker Dave Thomas General public: $10, Friends of the Cabildo: free. Register and they’ll send a Zoom link before the lecture. Of special interest because some have suggested renaming or redesignating Palmer Park after Earl Palmer. 🙂

Our first lecture will be on New Orleans Drummer Earl Palmer and how important of an influence Palmer is to the history of music in the 20^th century. Musicians and Tour Guide Dave Thomas will explain why we should be celebrating Palmer and how we should recognize his influence.

Link: https://friendsofthecabildo.org/foc-events-calendar/

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Join us for our first meeting of 2021, via Zoom, Thursday 14 January, 6:30. The agenda is below, with Zoom info. Sorry it’s so hugely spaced.

CRNA Monthly Meeting Thursday, 14 January 2021

6:30 Welcome and hellos –December Meeting Minutes Here–

6:35 Board: approval of minutes and financial report

6:40 Joe Giarusso, District A Councilperson: property tax bills & update

7:00 Brandon Muetzel: EnergySmart Program

7:15 Stephen Mosgrove: welcome back, updates

7:15 Updates from Julianna:

• D2D
• HANO/IRIS

7:30 Elaine & discussion: update & ideas for 2021

• DPW & SWB street repairs
• Street Naming Commission
• Walkability Group
• Oversized Trucks meeting
• CAN (Carrollton Area Network)
• Certified Native Habitat & gardening
• Facebook, WordPress, email, newsletter, Mailchimp
• Trash cleanup?

7:45-8:00 Adjourn

You are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Time: Jan 14, 2021 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81093002271?pwd=K1BuODBFTXJrK0hqN3ZBRHg0bFBpUT09

Meeting ID: 810 9300 2271

Passcode: 756217

One tap mobile

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+13126266799,,81093002271#,,,,*756217# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

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Meeting ID: 810 9300 2271 Passcode: 756217

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc1VC2XwLQ

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As of Monday 11 January 2021, the Nix will close for upgrading and installing an ADA-compliant ramp. Estimated closure is three months.

Book Holds & Returns: During the closure, books on hold that are usually picked up at Nix Library may be sent to any of our other 14 Library locations. You may request to have them sent to another location by logging into your Library account online or by calling any location. Items may not be returned to Nix Library while it is closed to the public. Items may be returned to any other Library location.

See info at the link below: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/LANOLA/bulletins/2b3feee

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Our first meeting of the new year (!) will be 14 January at 6:30. We usually end at 8:00, at the latest, but may wrap up earlier. If you have topics or questions you’d like addressed or would like to bring up, email me ASAP at eleyda.crna@gmail.com.

Draft agenda thus far:

1. District A Councilmember Joe Giarusso will give us an update and talk about property tax bills.
2. Brandon will explain new Energy Smart Program details (new savings incentives that can benefit renters and homeowners, as well as a new online market).
3. I’ll talk about my ideas for CRNA’s 2021, including re-starting glass recycling collection once a month, and will ask for yours.
4. Neighborhood Liaison Stephen Mosgrove will join us.

I will post an agenda and the Zoom info this weekend, after I subscribe to Zoom. 🙂

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