President Randy Nichols opened the meeting at 7 p.m. by having everyone introduce themselves; tell what they do “during the day”, where they live and something about their house. In attendance were new board members Greta Corona, Ana Acosta and Joe Alton, as well as seasoned board members Mark Upton, Cindy Elliott, Mike and Suzanne Schexnayder, David Franz, Martha Salomon, and Mary Fontenot.

David Franz discussed security. He and Sonya will get together to figure out how many police should patrol each month. How the police log in was discussed. Mary Fontenot passed around samples of the crime mapping that is available through the Police and Sheriff’s websites.

Mary Fontenot asked if anyone had articles they’d like for a newsletter since advertisers have shown interest. Martha Salomon said that people living in Roseland Terrace and Kleinert Terrace need to be warned that two LSU students will be walking around all the houses in those two areas in June through early August, taking photographs. These pictures are required for the applications to become an historical district. We are fortunate that there will be no charges for the survey work or the application. Suzanne Schexnayder will do an article about the oak trees. As head of the Beautification Committee, the trees will be her focus this year. She is going to try to get volunteers to help remove some of the aspidistra from around the bases of the trees on Park Blvd. Her long term goal is to have trees on Cherokee, Kleinert, and Park become part of the Live Oak Society. Suzanne, Kristin, and Martha will work on that. Mike said he would do an article about the alleys because some of them are in bad shape. Suzanne said that Carol Manship, in DPW, said the city would maintain them in the condition they are in now, unless there is a drainage problem or some other problem that needs addressing. Residents are supposed to keep foliage clean and clear in the alleys.

A volunteer was needed to chair or co-chair the Special Events Committee. Greta said she would work with someone else on this. Martha and Ana said they would work on the idea of a cocktail stroll from house to house.

Randy said he wanted folks to talk about what visions they have for the neighborhood. Mary said her office is going into neighborhoods, inviting residents to come to a meeting and discuss what their visions are for the future of their neighborhood s. If the Garden District would like to participate, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods would like to arrange it.

Various subjects were discussed; the manhole at 22nd and Olive; rat problems in the basement at Cherokee and 18th, and cars parked on lawns on Wisteria and Oleander at Camelia. Two applications came before the Historic District Board. One passed inspection and the other did not. Kurt LeJeune’s garage was approved, but Allen Walsh’s fences abutting the sidewalk with parking pads along the right of way area were not. Board members wondered what the zoning restrictions are for the house and lot that are for sale on Government between 22nd and Camelia. Carolyn Bennet, with the Foundation for Historical Louisiana is looking for old photos of the neighborhood.

July 19th will be the next GDCA Board meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Fontenot