| Woodland Oaks Civic Association Meeting Minutes Date: July 20, 2010 Type: General |
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM Location: Faith Presbyterian Church Minutes Prepared by: Lynn Folse
Attendees: Robert (Bob) Grace, Lynn Folse, Mike Biondolillo, Estle Neie, Lynette Bourg, Terry Clark, Patricia
Randazzo, Charles Saucier and the general membership
Absent: Tony Quaglino, and William (Billy) Arnold
1. Bob called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Bob gave an update on flood protection.
• The flood wall along the Harvey Canal is about 95% complete.
• Only a small section at the Hero pump station is left to complete.
3. Gloria King, a volunteer with the Presbyterian Church of Pennsylvania, came to New Orleans to
promote coastal restoration. She discussed ways the average citizen can get involved.
• The primary causes of coastal land loss are levees which divert rich sediment to the deep water of the
Gulf, canals which allow salt water intrusion and pollution which destroys the marsh.
• Cypress mulch should not be used because it encourages the destruction of cypress swamps.
• Recycling is encouraged to reduce pollution and the following companies offer recycling services:
Phoenix Recycling provided curb-side pick up, Best Buy accepts old electronic appliances, The Green
Project accepts old paint.
4. Bob suggested the neighborhood should consider speed bumps for Jupiter, Apollo and Vulcan. He
showed the members a picture of a successful speed bump used in Raceland. Mike McAuliffe will see if
the fire department has any objections and Bob will ask the parish council to consider the design for use in
Woodland West and the parish attorney to review the design for liability issues.
5. Wayne Ory, coordinator for senior citizens services, described the services offered by Jefferson
Parish for seniors in need:
• Home delivery of meals.
• Transportation to doctors and special events.
• Emergency evacuation to shelters. Call 736-6100
• Jefferson Parish Senior Expo on October 20 at the Alario Center will offer health information,
recreation, entertainment, line dancing, bands and meals.
6. Bob showed pictures of the GIWW closure and pump station and discussed the progress and
massive size of the station.
7. John Young gave a brief status of the parish
• The BP well blowout happened 3 months ago and they finally have the leak stopped, except for small
seepage. The relief well to permanently plug the well with cement is on schedule for completion in mid
August.
• JP has 13 safe rooms at pump stations and 2 at water works plants.
• LA legislators are trying to move up the 2017 date for LA to get a larger share of the oil royalties and
use this money for coastal restoration.
• $25 MM will be spent in WJ for drainage improvements.
• Everyone in southern LA is trying to get the drilling moratorium shortened. The negative economic
effects may huge.
• Avondale Shipyard is scheduled to shut down in 2013 and NASA Michoud facility may close soon.
• John Young is running for parish president .
• A special election will be held for his council-at-large position.
• All areas are open for recreational fishing. Local officials are petitioning the feds to open all areas for
commercial fishing.
8. Mike McAuliffe reviewed statistics for the local JPFD. He distributed booklets on fire safety.
9. Mike had news of a New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood restaurant coming soon on Manhattan
Blvd. A children’s play station will open at old Helm Paint store.
10. Bob announced WOCA will not participate this year in the Night Out Against Crime on August 3rd. He
would like WOCA to sponsor a neighborhood picnic in October or November.
11. Bob adjourned the meeting.
*************************************************************************************************************
Woodland Oaks Civic Association
Meeting Minutes
Date: May 18, 2010 Type: General
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM Location: Faith Presbyterian Church Minutes Prepared by: Lynn Folse
Attendees: Robert (Bob) Grace, Lynn Folse, Mike Biondolillo, Estle Neie, Lynette Bourg, and the general
membership
Absent: Tony Quaglino, Patricia Randazzo, Terry Clark, Charles Saucier and William (Billy) Arnold
1. Bob called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Bob gave an update on flood protection.
• We currently have 11 ft high flood protection along the Harvey Canal and will have 14 ft when complete.
• The GIWW pump station is under construction. The coffer dam is in place and the site is drained.
Pilings are installed. The walls and gate are scheduled for completion in 2011.
• A tour of the site is available and Bob will notify all members once a date is secured.
3. District Attorney Paul Connick briefly explained how his office functions:
• The police report and the evidence are reviewed to determine if charges can be filed.
• If charges are filed, the suspect is allowed to plead.
• If the suspect pleads not guilty, the defense may motion to suppress certain evidence, disclose
prosecution’s witnesses and delay the trial.
• A trial date is then set and a jury selected.
• If found guilty, the accused may appeal to the local court and then to the state supreme court.
• Death penalty cases are scrutinized more closely and usually have many appeals.
• The DA described the on-going case where the murder suspect has been caught in Mexico. In order to
get the suspect extradited to the US, the DA office must present the case and evidence to the Mexican
authorities. The DA also had to waive the death penalty, because Mexico does not have a death penalty.
• The DA office offers witness protection.
• Citizens can visit LA.gov web site to review pending bills.
• 6% of the criminals account for 90% of the crime. Career criminal laws allow the DA to seek longer jail
time for repeat offenders.
4. Captain David Ducombs of the Harvey Volunteer Fire Department handles inspections of structures
and investigations of fires. He reviewed the statistics for the incidents in our area. He had safety brochures
available.
5. Bob discussed zoning variances in the neighborhood.
6. Brett Lawson offered the following information:
• Modular homes are different from mobile homes in that they must comply with all codes and
inspections for permanent structure.
• The estimated cost for JP to demolish a home is $50,000.
• The owner of the Spanish Oaks Swim Club property is unclear and Bret will investigate and get back to
WOCA.
• The property across Lapalco from Breaux Mart is scheduled to be rezoned C1. It is currently zones
R3. The parish owns this property and it is for sale.
7. JPSO Sergeant Chad Dear briefed us on local criminal activity. We have seen a spike in vehicle
burglaries, primarily with unlocked cars. GPS and visible items are stolen most often.
8. Everyone was encouraged to support Cafe Hope on Barataria Blvd. It is open for lunch only.
9. Bob promoted CERT training for citizens to learn about emergency assistance. It requires 4 evenings
and one Saturday of training. He also promoted the JPSO citizens police academy for informing citizens
about the workings of the sheriff’s office.
10. Bob adjourned the meeting.
************************************************************************************************************
Woodland Oaks Civic Association
Meeting Minutes
Date: March 16, 2010 Type: General
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM Location: Faith Presbyterian Church Minutes Prepared by: Lynn Folse
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM Location: Faith Presbyterian Church Minutes Prepared by: Lynn Folse
Attendees: Robert (Bob) Grace, Lynn Folse, Mike Biondolillo, Estle Neie, Lynette Bourg, Patricia Randazzo,
Terry Clark, Charles Saucier and the general membership
Absent: Tom Kerner, Tony Quaglino and William (Billy) Arnold
1. Bob called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Donna with the Faith Presbyterian Church invited anyone wishing to volunteer or participate in any
church activities or prayer groups to pick up a flyer of the scheduled church events.
3. Councilman John Young talked about the general status of the parish:
• The Harvey Canal flood wall offers more protection now than we have ever had.
• The parish has 15 safe houses for pump operators and these are 35 feet above sea level and designed
for 250 mph winds.
• The parish will continue to push the Army Corps of Engineers to install an adequate pumping station at
the end of the 17th street canal and dismantle all existing stations feeding this canal.
• Crime prevention in New Orleans will be much improved with the new DA, mayor and soon-to-be-hired
police chief.
• Jefferson Parish has an aggressive approach to blight and crime prevention.
• The parish council will remain committed to a transparent government.
4. Bob summarized the his brief meeting with ACE:
• The GIWW (Gulf Inter-coastal Waterway West Closure Complex) will have a safe room.
• The gates and walls of the GIWW will be 14 feet above MSL.
• The Algiers Canal levees are 8.5 feet above MSL. The Harvey Canal flood walls are 14 feet above MSL.
• When the GIWW gates are closed, the maximum expected water level in the Harvey Canal is 5 feet
above MSL.
• The coffer dam for the construction of the GIWW gates is 60% complete.
• Visit the website for the Southeast LA Flood Protection Authority West at www.slfpaw.org for the
latest news on flood protection projects.
5. Captain Ronnie Platt briefed the members on crime stats:
• Crime is down for 2010.
• A recent arrest has accounted for most burglaries in our area.
• The 2nd district will have a new station on Manhattan Blvd and it will be storm resistant.
6. Bob recommended that we arrange for an assistant DA to provide a presentation to the members
about prosecution procedures of the DA office.
7. Bob announced WOCA needs 2 more board members, but no one volunteered. Billy Arnold has stated
that his job is taking too much of his time to participate. Thomas Kerner has been unable to participate
much of the year, also because of his business.
With no nominees from the floor, the current board was re-elected by acclimation, with two open positions
to be filled later.
8. Tim Gautreau with the JP Emergency Management gave a slide show presentation.
• The new JP Emergency Management facility is under construction at 4th Street and Derbigny and will
also house the 911 center.
• The presentation showed the mission statement, organization chart and pictures of the current
facilities on Ames Blvd.
• EM facilities house a radio room, operations room, SCADA room (monitors canal levels, rain gauges,
pump status)
• Tim reviewed basic emergency supplies, hurricane preparedness plan, JP alert system, public
assisted evacuation, re-entry plan, tornado response plan.
• Citizens can sign up for the JP alert system at jeffparish.net.
• Citizens can volunteer for the CERT program and receive 20 hours of emergency training. Contact Tim
for more information and to schedule the training. Contact info is available at jeffparish.net.
• JP has recently purchased 2 mobile command vehicles with satellite communications.
• Pamphlets were available for evacuation routes and suggested emergency supplies.
9. Mike McAuliffe discussed a few stats and safety tips:
• There were 68 fire deaths in JP. All associated with no smoke alarm.
• Fire district 6 responded to over 700 calls for 2009. There are 4 stations in district 6.
• JP has demolished 21 blighted structures for 2009.
• Clean and check your smoke alarms at least once a year.
10. Bob adjourned the meeting.
************************************************************************************************************
Woodland Oaks Civic Association
Meeting Minutes
Date: January 19, 2010 Type: General
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM Location: Faith Presbyterian Church Minutes Prepared by: Lynn Folse
Attendees: Robert (Bob) Grace, Lynn Folse, Mike Biondolillo, Estle Neie, Lynette Bourg, and the general
membership
Absent: Charles Saucier, Tony Quaglino, Patricia Randazzo, William (Billy) Arnold, Terry Clark
1. Bob called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Chris Roberts talked about the following issues:
• Interim president Theriot has requested the state audit office to audit all parish contracts.
• Lapalco Blvd. will have guard rails installed near the bridge and striping of the new surface.
• Harvey Blvd. from Manhattan to Wall Blvd. will be completed by the end of March.
• A 3rd lane will be added to Manhattan Blvd. from Gretna Blvd. to the WB Expressway.
• A fly-over on-ramp from Manhattan Blvd. to east-bound WB Expressway is planned.
• The new EOC building can support 911 calls for 10 days with self-contained power, water, sewage, etc.
• The abandoned Evan’s property is under study for environmental hazards.
• N. Friendship Dr. will be repaired with FEMA funds.
• Aeration and landscaping will be planned for the retention ponds.
• Waste Management refused to submit a bid for the garbage contract. They are not doing any business
south of I-12.
3. Captain Ronnie Platt review criminal activity in Jefferson Parish:
• There were 51 homicides in 2009.
• Auto burglaries are up, especially targeting unlocked cars in gated communities.
• The sheriff's office is conducting specific patrols for high-crime areas.
• The license plate recognition cameras greatly help in the retrieving of stolen cars.
4. Bob summarized the progress on the Harvey Canal flood wall:
• The wall is 99% complete from Lapalco to Boomtown.
• There are 26 culverts with valves along Peters Road for drainage of the property along the Harvey
Canal. These valves must be closed when the gates in the wall are closed.
• This project will be 100% complete by June 15, 2011, except for the permanent protection at the Hero
pump station. This area will still have an 11 foot coffer dam in place.
5. Tim Connell, project manager with the Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation on the Gulf Inter-
coastal Waterway West Closure Complex:
• A contract was awarded on April 17, 2009
• Construction started August 4, 2009
• The contractor is working closely with the designers and many changes to the design have been
incorporated based on suggestions by the contractor.
• A comparison was shown of the original scope and the new revised scope.
• The final price of the contract will be negotiated.
• The pump station foundation is under construction.
• The coffer dam for the navigation gates is 60% complete.
• Elevation of the gates, flood walls and levees will be 16 feet MSL.
• Maps of the levee system and a summary of all local projects were handed out.
• The facility will provide functional protection (floodwall, levee, sector gate, sluice gates, and 6 pumps)
by Summer 2011, although full pumping capacity will not be complete until 2013.
6. Bob urged anyone willing to volunteer for emergencies to take the Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) training class. Contact Bob if you are interested or call 349-5360.
7. A tour of the construction site at the GIWW West Closure Complex is available for small groups. Bob
will inquire and email members for participation.
8. Our next meeting is on March 16 and John Young will be our guest speaker.
9. Bob asked for volunteers to join the WOCA board. Elections will be held at the next meeting.
10. Bob adjourned the meeting.
Attendees: Robert (Bob) Grace, Lynn Folse, Mike Biondolillo, Estle Neie, Lynette Bourg, Terry Clark, Patricia
Randazzo, Charles Saucier and the general membership
Absent: Tony Quaglino, and William (Billy) Arnold
1. Bob called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Bob gave an update on flood protection.
• The flood wall along the Harvey Canal is about 95% complete.
• Only a small section at the Hero pump station is left to complete.
3. Gloria King, a volunteer with the Presbyterian Church of Pennsylvania, came to New Orleans to
promote coastal restoration. She discussed ways the average citizen can get involved.
• The primary causes of coastal land loss are levees which divert rich sediment to the deep water of the
Gulf, canals which allow salt water intrusion and pollution which destroys the marsh.
• Cypress mulch should not be used because it encourages the destruction of cypress swamps.
• Recycling is encouraged to reduce pollution and the following companies offer recycling services:
Phoenix Recycling provided curb-side pick up, Best Buy accepts old electronic appliances, The Green
Project accepts old paint.
4. Bob suggested the neighborhood should consider speed bumps for Jupiter, Apollo and Vulcan. He
showed the members a picture of a successful speed bump used in Raceland. Mike McAuliffe will see if
the fire department has any objections and Bob will ask the parish council to consider the design for use in
Woodland West and the parish attorney to review the design for liability issues.
5. Wayne Ory, coordinator for senior citizens services, described the services offered by Jefferson
Parish for seniors in need:
• Home delivery of meals.
• Transportation to doctors and special events.
• Emergency evacuation to shelters. Call 736-6100
• Jefferson Parish Senior Expo on October 20 at the Alario Center will offer health information,
recreation, entertainment, line dancing, bands and meals.
6. Bob showed pictures of the GIWW closure and pump station and discussed the progress and
massive size of the station.
7. John Young gave a brief status of the parish
• The BP well blowout happened 3 months ago and they finally have the leak stopped, except for small
seepage. The relief well to permanently plug the well with cement is on schedule for completion in mid
August.
• JP has 13 safe rooms at pump stations and 2 at water works plants.
• LA legislators are trying to move up the 2017 date for LA to get a larger share of the oil royalties and
use this money for coastal restoration.
• $25 MM will be spent in WJ for drainage improvements.
• Everyone in southern LA is trying to get the drilling moratorium shortened. The negative economic
effects may huge.
• Avondale Shipyard is scheduled to shut down in 2013 and NASA Michoud facility may close soon.
• John Young is running for parish president .
• A special election will be held for his council-at-large position.
• All areas are open for recreational fishing. Local officials are petitioning the feds to open all areas for
commercial fishing.
8. Mike McAuliffe reviewed statistics for the local JPFD. He distributed booklets on fire safety.
9. Mike had news of a New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood restaurant coming soon on Manhattan
Blvd. A children’s play station will open at old Helm Paint store.
10. Bob announced WOCA will not participate this year in the Night Out Against Crime on August 3rd. He
would like WOCA to sponsor a neighborhood picnic in October or November.
11. Bob adjourned the meeting.
*************************************************************************************************************
Woodland Oaks Civic Association
Meeting Minutes
Date: May 18, 2010 Type: General
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM Location: Faith Presbyterian Church Minutes Prepared by: Lynn Folse
Attendees: Robert (Bob) Grace, Lynn Folse, Mike Biondolillo, Estle Neie, Lynette Bourg, and the general
membership
Absent: Tony Quaglino, Patricia Randazzo, Terry Clark, Charles Saucier and William (Billy) Arnold
1. Bob called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Bob gave an update on flood protection.
• We currently have 11 ft high flood protection along the Harvey Canal and will have 14 ft when complete.
• The GIWW pump station is under construction. The coffer dam is in place and the site is drained.
Pilings are installed. The walls and gate are scheduled for completion in 2011.
• A tour of the site is available and Bob will notify all members once a date is secured.
3. District Attorney Paul Connick briefly explained how his office functions:
• The police report and the evidence are reviewed to determine if charges can be filed.
• If charges are filed, the suspect is allowed to plead.
• If the suspect pleads not guilty, the defense may motion to suppress certain evidence, disclose
prosecution’s witnesses and delay the trial.
• A trial date is then set and a jury selected.
• If found guilty, the accused may appeal to the local court and then to the state supreme court.
• Death penalty cases are scrutinized more closely and usually have many appeals.
• The DA described the on-going case where the murder suspect has been caught in Mexico. In order to
get the suspect extradited to the US, the DA office must present the case and evidence to the Mexican
authorities. The DA also had to waive the death penalty, because Mexico does not have a death penalty.
• The DA office offers witness protection.
• Citizens can visit LA.gov web site to review pending bills.
• 6% of the criminals account for 90% of the crime. Career criminal laws allow the DA to seek longer jail
time for repeat offenders.
4. Captain David Ducombs of the Harvey Volunteer Fire Department handles inspections of structures
and investigations of fires. He reviewed the statistics for the incidents in our area. He had safety brochures
available.
5. Bob discussed zoning variances in the neighborhood.
6. Brett Lawson offered the following information:
• Modular homes are different from mobile homes in that they must comply with all codes and
inspections for permanent structure.
• The estimated cost for JP to demolish a home is $50,000.
• The owner of the Spanish Oaks Swim Club property is unclear and Bret will investigate and get back to
WOCA.
• The property across Lapalco from Breaux Mart is scheduled to be rezoned C1. It is currently zones
R3. The parish owns this property and it is for sale.
7. JPSO Sergeant Chad Dear briefed us on local criminal activity. We have seen a spike in vehicle
burglaries, primarily with unlocked cars. GPS and visible items are stolen most often.
8. Everyone was encouraged to support Cafe Hope on Barataria Blvd. It is open for lunch only.
9. Bob promoted CERT training for citizens to learn about emergency assistance. It requires 4 evenings
and one Saturday of training. He also promoted the JPSO citizens police academy for informing citizens
about the workings of the sheriff’s office.
10. Bob adjourned the meeting.
************************************************************************************************************
Woodland Oaks Civic Association
Meeting Minutes
Date: March 16, 2010 Type: General
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM Location: Faith Presbyterian Church Minutes Prepared by: Lynn Folse
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM Location: Faith Presbyterian Church Minutes Prepared by: Lynn Folse
Attendees: Robert (Bob) Grace, Lynn Folse, Mike Biondolillo, Estle Neie, Lynette Bourg, Patricia Randazzo,
Terry Clark, Charles Saucier and the general membership
Absent: Tom Kerner, Tony Quaglino and William (Billy) Arnold
1. Bob called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Donna with the Faith Presbyterian Church invited anyone wishing to volunteer or participate in any
church activities or prayer groups to pick up a flyer of the scheduled church events.
3. Councilman John Young talked about the general status of the parish:
• The Harvey Canal flood wall offers more protection now than we have ever had.
• The parish has 15 safe houses for pump operators and these are 35 feet above sea level and designed
for 250 mph winds.
• The parish will continue to push the Army Corps of Engineers to install an adequate pumping station at
the end of the 17th street canal and dismantle all existing stations feeding this canal.
• Crime prevention in New Orleans will be much improved with the new DA, mayor and soon-to-be-hired
police chief.
• Jefferson Parish has an aggressive approach to blight and crime prevention.
• The parish council will remain committed to a transparent government.
4. Bob summarized the his brief meeting with ACE:
• The GIWW (Gulf Inter-coastal Waterway West Closure Complex) will have a safe room.
• The gates and walls of the GIWW will be 14 feet above MSL.
• The Algiers Canal levees are 8.5 feet above MSL. The Harvey Canal flood walls are 14 feet above MSL.
• When the GIWW gates are closed, the maximum expected water level in the Harvey Canal is 5 feet
above MSL.
• The coffer dam for the construction of the GIWW gates is 60% complete.
• Visit the website for the Southeast LA Flood Protection Authority West at www.slfpaw.org for the
latest news on flood protection projects.
5. Captain Ronnie Platt briefed the members on crime stats:
• Crime is down for 2010.
• A recent arrest has accounted for most burglaries in our area.
• The 2nd district will have a new station on Manhattan Blvd and it will be storm resistant.
6. Bob recommended that we arrange for an assistant DA to provide a presentation to the members
about prosecution procedures of the DA office.
7. Bob announced WOCA needs 2 more board members, but no one volunteered. Billy Arnold has stated
that his job is taking too much of his time to participate. Thomas Kerner has been unable to participate
much of the year, also because of his business.
With no nominees from the floor, the current board was re-elected by acclimation, with two open positions
to be filled later.
8. Tim Gautreau with the JP Emergency Management gave a slide show presentation.
• The new JP Emergency Management facility is under construction at 4th Street and Derbigny and will
also house the 911 center.
• The presentation showed the mission statement, organization chart and pictures of the current
facilities on Ames Blvd.
• EM facilities house a radio room, operations room, SCADA room (monitors canal levels, rain gauges,
pump status)
• Tim reviewed basic emergency supplies, hurricane preparedness plan, JP alert system, public
assisted evacuation, re-entry plan, tornado response plan.
• Citizens can sign up for the JP alert system at jeffparish.net.
• Citizens can volunteer for the CERT program and receive 20 hours of emergency training. Contact Tim
for more information and to schedule the training. Contact info is available at jeffparish.net.
• JP has recently purchased 2 mobile command vehicles with satellite communications.
• Pamphlets were available for evacuation routes and suggested emergency supplies.
9. Mike McAuliffe discussed a few stats and safety tips:
• There were 68 fire deaths in JP. All associated with no smoke alarm.
• Fire district 6 responded to over 700 calls for 2009. There are 4 stations in district 6.
• JP has demolished 21 blighted structures for 2009.
• Clean and check your smoke alarms at least once a year.
10. Bob adjourned the meeting.
************************************************************************************************************
Woodland Oaks Civic Association
Meeting Minutes
Date: January 19, 2010 Type: General
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM Location: Faith Presbyterian Church Minutes Prepared by: Lynn Folse
Attendees: Robert (Bob) Grace, Lynn Folse, Mike Biondolillo, Estle Neie, Lynette Bourg, and the general
membership
Absent: Charles Saucier, Tony Quaglino, Patricia Randazzo, William (Billy) Arnold, Terry Clark
1. Bob called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Chris Roberts talked about the following issues:
• Interim president Theriot has requested the state audit office to audit all parish contracts.
• Lapalco Blvd. will have guard rails installed near the bridge and striping of the new surface.
• Harvey Blvd. from Manhattan to Wall Blvd. will be completed by the end of March.
• A 3rd lane will be added to Manhattan Blvd. from Gretna Blvd. to the WB Expressway.
• A fly-over on-ramp from Manhattan Blvd. to east-bound WB Expressway is planned.
• The new EOC building can support 911 calls for 10 days with self-contained power, water, sewage, etc.
• The abandoned Evan’s property is under study for environmental hazards.
• N. Friendship Dr. will be repaired with FEMA funds.
• Aeration and landscaping will be planned for the retention ponds.
• Waste Management refused to submit a bid for the garbage contract. They are not doing any business
south of I-12.
3. Captain Ronnie Platt review criminal activity in Jefferson Parish:
• There were 51 homicides in 2009.
• Auto burglaries are up, especially targeting unlocked cars in gated communities.
• The sheriff's office is conducting specific patrols for high-crime areas.
• The license plate recognition cameras greatly help in the retrieving of stolen cars.
4. Bob summarized the progress on the Harvey Canal flood wall:
• The wall is 99% complete from Lapalco to Boomtown.
• There are 26 culverts with valves along Peters Road for drainage of the property along the Harvey
Canal. These valves must be closed when the gates in the wall are closed.
• This project will be 100% complete by June 15, 2011, except for the permanent protection at the Hero
pump station. This area will still have an 11 foot coffer dam in place.
5. Tim Connell, project manager with the Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation on the Gulf Inter-
coastal Waterway West Closure Complex:
• A contract was awarded on April 17, 2009
• Construction started August 4, 2009
• The contractor is working closely with the designers and many changes to the design have been
incorporated based on suggestions by the contractor.
• A comparison was shown of the original scope and the new revised scope.
• The final price of the contract will be negotiated.
• The pump station foundation is under construction.
• The coffer dam for the navigation gates is 60% complete.
• Elevation of the gates, flood walls and levees will be 16 feet MSL.
• Maps of the levee system and a summary of all local projects were handed out.
• The facility will provide functional protection (floodwall, levee, sector gate, sluice gates, and 6 pumps)
by Summer 2011, although full pumping capacity will not be complete until 2013.
6. Bob urged anyone willing to volunteer for emergencies to take the Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) training class. Contact Bob if you are interested or call 349-5360.
7. A tour of the construction site at the GIWW West Closure Complex is available for small groups. Bob
will inquire and email members for participation.
8. Our next meeting is on March 16 and John Young will be our guest speaker.
9. Bob asked for volunteers to join the WOCA board. Elections will be held at the next meeting.
10. Bob adjourned the meeting.
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