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Bonnabel Civic Association
General Meeting
September 7, 2006 
Lakeshore Playground
1125 Rosa Ave., Metairie, LA.

Robert Evans, president, called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. The pledge to the flag followed. Mr. Evans introduced the current officers and the board members. He also recognized past president, Scott Schayot.

Sally Bourgeois moved to change the name of the association to the Bonnabel Civic Association. Hugh Cowan seconded the motion. A discussion followed. The MOTION PASSED.

Robert Evans noted that the trees on the lakefront have been cut and stumps have been left that are about 3 feet high. New growth is coming from the roots of the stumps. The Corps of Engineers cut all trees without regard to species and location, yet no trees were responsible for flooding and no science was behind it. The Corps cut the trees with no notice. An attendee said that some of the trees by the boat launch and the palm trees were left. Another person said that the Corps will take the roots out after the hurricane season has passed. The association will send a letter and get clarification on what will be done.

Mr. Evans announced that an oak tree on the median was cut down near Bonnabel and West Esplanade. It did not appear that it was necessary to cut down this tree. He suggested that the Beautification Committee request, through Councilwoman Sneed’s office, that the parish do a study of the Bonnabel median from Metairie Road to the lake to evaluate the trees, determine which should be removed, and what should be planted. We should request that the parish do a study and develop a plan for the median. Sally Bourgeois moved to request this study. Donald Romig seconded the motion. During the discussion, the Codifer Blvd. median was added to the study request. The MOTION PASSED. 

Mr. Evans informed the group that Jefferson Beautification has agreed to landscape the Bonnabel and I-10 area when the work on the interstate is completed.

Mr. Evans said the new Bonnabel exit going west will come out at Elmeer. The association could ask the parish to do a traffic study of the impact on the streets and traffic flow after the exit is completed. Patrica Schreiber moved that we request the study. Donald Romig seconded the motion. The MOTION PASSED.

There was a discussion of the I-10 sound wall by Orion and Phospher. Concerned residents will contact the department of transportation to get clarification on where the sound wall will begin and end.

Al Wilson presented the procedure and process to report zoning violations to parish officials. He noted several addresses where there were violations: 611 Aurora, 739 Homestead, 725 Helois, 839 Homestead, 600 Bonnabel, 620 Bonnabel. He reported that 18 months after the date of the event, FEMA will begin removing the trailers.

Mr. Evans recognized Councilman Tom Capella, and then introduced the speaker, Council Chairman John Young.

Councilman Young thanked everyone for inviting him to the meeting. He discussed hurricane protection and other things affecting the future of Jefferson Parish. He thanked people for coming back to Jefferson Parish after the storm. He also thanked employees of the Jefferson Parish Public School System for returning and getting the schools open by October 3, 2005. This action helped us to repopulate the parish.

Jefferson Parish has come back after the storm and is serving as a platform for rebuilding the entire metropolitan area. Concerning hurricane protection, Jefferson Parish is in better shape now than before Katrina except for the Hoey Basin. The parish has built safe rooms by the pumps with backflow issues. In the safe rooms, operators can operate the pumps and do backflow prevention remotely. There are safe rooms at the water plants on the east and west banks. The council is seeking funds for erecting safe rooms for the remainder of the pumping stations.

The Hoey basin is still compromised. The Hoey basin is bounded by the 17th Street canal, south of Metairie Road, Severn, and the Mississippi River. The floodwalls along the 17th Street canal may not hold, so flood gates have been installed. The gates have compromised the ability to pump out rainwater when the gates are shut. The parish has been meeting with the Corps of Engineers and the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board on this issue. Jefferson Parish has built retention ponds and has dug holes where they can. They have dug an 8 foot hole near Causeway and Earhart and are looking at another piece of land on Earhart to dig a pit. We can withstand a rainstorm of 9.2 inches with the gates closed at present. The long term solution (5 to 6 years) is to build a new pumping station at the lake with the capacity of station #6. 

For the long term solution for the whole area, Louisiana is trying to get its share of the offshore oil revenue so that we can build a redundant storm protection system.

Jefferson Parish is raising the levees because of subsidence. Jefferson and Orleans Parishes received $124 million for internal drainage projects, which the Parish is using to upgrade the drainage system in Jefferson.

Councilman Young discussed several issues affecting the future of Jefferson Parish. The widening of the Huey Pl. Long bring will proceed. There will be a technology park at the foot of the bridge. The wider bridge will help with the growth of the Parish. The construction of the Performing Arts Center is on track. In the long term, however, we need New Orleans to come back.

Crime is now a major issue in Jefferson. At present, crime is actually down, but the murder rate is up. The Council, the DA, and the Sheriff are working to address this issue so we can be safe. When someone commits a crime in Jefferson, the odds are that person will be caught and prosecuted. 

Councilman Capella said that never again will the pump operators be taken out of Jefferson Parish during a hurricane because the council has passed an ordinance regarding this issue. He clarified the new evacuation ordinance. For a category 3, the parish will issue an evacuation order. If an individual does not evacuate, that person must stay on his or her own property. If a person stays, the water and power will probably be off due to hurricane damage. The ordinance gives the police the right to arrest people who obviously should not be in the neighborhood.

Councilman Young announced that Airline Highway will be diked when an evacuation is completed. The parish is trying to get funds to raise Airline Highway at each parish line. The pumps in Jefferson are tested on a weekly basis. All are working and have back up generators with fuel for 3 to 4 days.

Councilman Capella noted that the storm surge for Katrina was at a category 5 level and our levees held.

Councilman Young discussed the economy of the Parish. Sales taxes are up and the parish economy is doing well. Jefferson Parish has the highest bond rating in the state. We still have housing issues and businesses still have staffing problems. The challenge will be that in insurance rates are going up. Long term we need New Orleans to come back. New Orleans is key to our long-term recovery.

Councilman Capella said that some tax mils will be lowered next year. Citizens will get some tax break. The parish budgets for no growth. When there is growth, there is a surplus.

An attendee noted that in the 1300 block of Hesper, drains are not being put back when new houses are built. Mr. Evans suggested the attendee contact Jennifer Sneed’s office.

Mr. Evans recognized State Senator Julie Quinn. Senator Quinn discussed insurance. It is stifling our economy in Jefferson. She would like to use state the budget surplus to subsidize insurance increases. She invited people to call her office 219—4640 with problems regarding I-10 construction.

The 50/50 club drawing was held. The next general meeting will be in November.

Donald Romig moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,



Marilyn M. Malone, secretary 

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