P.O. Box 24378  New Orleans, LA 70184   504.324.2270
 

District Five Recovery News
 

Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes

 May 16, 2006 

Representatives from BellSouth came to the meeting to answer our questions and give us updated information on the progress in Lakeview. The salt filled flood waters really did BellSouth in with damage to all the underground lines besides all of the overhead damage to lines. 

 Lakeview is served by 2 central offices, one in Lakeview with the prefix of 28 and the Mid City office using the prefix of 48.  Both offices were heavily damaged by Katrina, but the company is making progress.  The biggest problems are with right away issues 

.  The new “cabinets” are much larger to accommodate the digital equipment necessary for all the expanded services now offered and to be offered by BellSouth, such as, cable TV, DSL Extreme, Telephone lines, Burglar Alarms, and Movies.  Pre Katrina, copper was used to hold lines in the ground, now with fiber-optic, bigger boxes are needed.  Permits are needed for the placement of these “boxes” or “Cabinets” which in some cases can provide service for 5400 lines or about 1000 customers with multiple lines. 

It was first thought that the “boxes” could be placed on Levee Board and School Board properties, but after 8 months there is no agreement with the School Board.  The Levee Board is of course in the state of flux.  Many of the Neighborhood Associations do not want the “boxes” either. 

 Presently, there is a “box” at 900 Harrison Ave.  behind Haynes School.  More “boxes” are needed for our community, but the problem is the “not in my back yard” attitude has prevailed.  Also the “boxes” are now on platforms 3 feet off the ground, in case of rising water. 

 You can help speed up BellSouth service in your area by calling BellSouth new service at 1-888-757-6500.  It is important that you say  “new service” because after Katrina, all service in Lakeview was turned off .  Place your order for the estimated time that you will be back in your home or business.  This will help BellSouth decide where most of their customer base will be and the more customers will determine the earlier service.  Take whatever date is given but continue to call back every two weeks as dates are flexible and subject to change. 

 Additional meetings have been arranged with our Committee Chairman to work out an acceptable plan for Lakeview. 

 Cox Communication is working aggressively in Lakeview.  We encourage you to call if you want service.  We will have a representative attend our next meeting on May 30 and hope to be able to give you some encouraging news shortly after. 

 The UNO folks put together a power point presentation of the information gathered so far by our committee members.  It took into account the various milestone dates post Katrina, showing where we were in March and the improvements or lack there- of to date.  This will be updated as we continue our fact finding. 

 Superintendent Charles Parent of the New Orleans Fire Department came to our meeting to thank us for our work trying to help restore the 2 Lakeview firehouses. 

 He also gave us some very useful updated information about the NOFD.  The department is presently operating with no overtime at all.  The whole department is down by 150 firemen.  The Shreveport Fire Dept. helped train our recruits after Katrina and we have 10 new firefighters as of last week.  The Superintendent now is filling a new class of 24 recruits, so far 17 have signed up.  The applicants go through a very thorough testing process before being accepted.  Many of the 35 year and under members went on to other Departments around the country, but many that were at an age for retirement have stayed on.  26 have retired since Katrina.  It is difficult to recruit at this time because NOFD does not pay competitive wages and there are many jobs available in construction work. 

 Since our hospitals are not operable, NOFD is our first responder.  The Department has 12 boats for first response, 4 are from FEMA.  During the aftermath of Katrina, between 16,000 and 19,000 people were rescued by boat. 

 The fire house contents and the fire engines have been taken care of, but the fire houses need to be refurbished.  As of now 6 water tankers that hold 1600 gallons and 2 helicopters that carry 800 gallons of water are on stand by to help fight fires.  These are on loan from FEMA.  Many of the fire hydrants are being cleaned and fixed by the S&WB in the West Lakeview area.  There are 12,000 hydrants in the city and most need painting and flushing because of the salt water.  Fires are down by 42% from last year and every fire that is in anyway suspicious is reported to the FBI and is aggressively investigated.  Evacuation in the future is encouraged because the NOFD will not be able to protect  everyone in the city.  

The Broadmoor area has been adopted by Harvard University and their “Plan” looks much more to the future than we are able to do at this time due to our devastation.  Although this area had flooding it was not to the extent of Lakeview.  Much of their “wish list” will be funded by Harvard.  Their civic group was awarded $20,000 for a study by one of the best local architectural firms.  Their plan is more of a beautification plan compared to ours which is more basic involving services for electric,gas, water ,sewerage, etc. 

A grid to be used by the Block Captains was presented.  This will give information on conditions of the streets, sidewalks, catch basins, manholes, fire hydrants, water , signs, tree stumps and junk cars.  Since some of the streets are considered state roads, they are on the books to be fixed eventually.  The rest of the Lakeview streets have no timetable for repair.  From the information that the Block Captains return to us we will prioritize our needs into:

1)  Fact gathering mode

2)  Plan mode

3)  Action mode

Hopes and dreams are still a vital part of any plan. 

 Everyone on the Infrastructure Committee was asked to be Block Captain for their block.  Likewise all LCIA Board members and Recovery Committee members will be  Block Captain for their block.   The officers of the other District 5 Civic Associations will also be designated as Block Captains and they will be asked to appoint Block Captains for the rest of their respective areas of District 5.  There are 385 blocks in Lakeview.  We need volunteers to help in this most important fact gathering.  If you are able to help you can register at the Communication desk at the Gulf Coast Bank on Harrison Ave. 

The Portable Community Trailers are ready for delivery by FEMA but arrangements have still not been finalized by the City.

Fleur de Lis Car Care at Harrison and Fleur de Lis will have its grand opening from 11 – 2 on Friday May 19.  Hot dogs and snow balls will be served as part of the big celebration.
 

As of May 12, the total demolition permits issued is 408.  The knockdowns following permit issue seems to be pretty fast and activity seems brisk throughout Lakeview.