March 2008 HTNA Meeting Minutes

Hoffman Neighborhood Association Meeting

Pleasant Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Church Representatives: 2

Local Residents: 11

Agenda: Assessor Mire is here to talk about properties and Staff of Stacy Head is here to answer your questions.

Update from Last meeting: The articles of incorporation for the neighborhood organization are being coordinated through Tulane. Several articles about Hoffman Triangle were in the paper, City Business, last week.

Hoffman elementary update: There are several options. 1. Tear school down and rebuild as new school 2. Rebuild school as a community center. 3. College Prep move to Hoffman elementary. Is anyone interested in a petition to reopen Hoffman school? (Consensus, yes).

Booster club update: We need someone to monitor the park (ie, professional theft of wiring.) Also 2^nd lines and other events affect home access to get parking and street control. Rahida will go tomorrow to get information.

Assessor Mire: Assessor for 1^st district in Orleans parish. His duties are to assess all property, and place values on property in order for the City Council to determine property taxes.

All Hoffman Triangle properties were reassessed in August 2007. Reasons we saw tax increases this year were because

Every property reassessed every 4 years. Once a property is renovated it will be reassessed at a later time. August 1-15 is the time to check value of your property. Assessments are available online, so one can avoid the lines at City Hall.

Feb. 1 property taxes are due. Once you own property you pay taxes on that. After Feb. 1 interest starts collecting. Pay attention to millage rate (175.19-129.20 SIGNIFICANT reduction). Stacey Head also wants to reduce millage rates if assessments go up. (factor used to calculate property taxes)

Discussion open for questions

The City does a mass appraisal, and looks at the whole neighborhood. Data is square footage driven. The appraiser looks at properties sold over the last 3 weeks, so it has more recent information.

Reassessment does not mean increase. Values stay the same

No. They are exempt by law. If churches own rental property and rent to community members they do have to pay taxes. Community centers or buildings used for church purposes don't have to pay taxes.

3. Why are taxes so high this year?

Assessment of inflation after Katrina. Under assessed in the past. Not valued at what it was worth.

4. Parking lot taxes went up, why?

Land values changed. Based on land sales in the neighborhood. After Katrina people weren't sure if they would be back, and land was valued at $10. Now, with people returning it's valued higher at $40. Also, after storm out-of-staters came and bought property, which caused increased assessments.

No, but set up an appointment with assessor. If you get revalued this year, if they decide to change you can get a tax refund.

If you have further questions call assessor at: (504)658-1340 or go to the website at http://www.opboa.org

6. What are some alternative measures one can take if you have problem with assessment?

As an Organization, file a claim against assessment. Go together. There is power in numbers.

65 years or older and you have 60,000 or less you can be frozen from assessment increase until you pass or sell your property. Have to have a home set exemption.

No. You lose the freeze when you pass or the deed.

Barbara Keller from Ms. Stacey Head's office:

Every Tues. 2pm at 6^th district police station anyone is welcome to participate in the Comeback Committee, that deals with quality of life and crime prevention issues.

General Questions:

What do we do to get the streets cleaned?

To demolish property is not easy. Through safety and permit has to inspect property and defined as eminent danger. Owner must be contacted. If owner doesn't respond, they city has to go to court and get permission to demolish the house. If not, they are liable-trespassing.

A Neighborhood sweep can be organized to get prisoners and will help coordinate major cleanup. Call her office for more details.

What do we do if there is a problem with stagnant water?

Need to contact public works or Sewage and Water Board (SWB). SWB needs money to fix their machines.

What about a drainage issue?

SWB needs to send out an Inspector to see the problem and see what possibility of getting drain.

If you have specific problems write them down on this sheet of paper. I will report it, and call you with a reference number.

There is a lack of security. We need lights.

If there are no street lights, go to public works.

I have a problem with homes that need to be boarded up, and there are crack heads living in them. What can neighbors do about this?

Neighbors should find out who the owner is and demand that owner board up home.

There will be a meeting in Mid-City next month at Jeff. Davis and Tulane as well as a meeting on April 19 from 10-12 with Nagin and other City Department Heads.

Barbara Lacen-Keller

Director of Constituent Services, District B

Office (504) 658-1020

Cell (504) 253-1364

Experience handing out fliers:

Most fliers do go directly in peoples hands. Reception is responsive when they know that with the neighborhood association. People upset about people dumping trash from other neighborhoods, safety of kids, drugs and Taylor park lights.

Open Discussion:

Are people interested in getting people to come in to provide resources? There are 30 different providers, Health services, children resources etc, but there was not a lot of community showing. Is it a good idea to have for the community?

What is purpose of the neighborhood organization?

Power in numbers. To improve the quality of the neighborhood.

What is going on in the old Winn Dixie building?

There are 3 potential businesses. A Supermarket, Restaurant or wig shop. Neighborhood organization needs to be organized as a unit and be aggressive to get things done. Invite the developer to the next community meeting.

General Association Business:

T-shirts for sale and Neighborhood organization officers are needed.

Chaplain: Mr. Morris

Vice President: Rev. Thompson-nominated

Developer at the meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Meeting closed with a prayer and a poem, 7 p.m.