Audubon Riverside Neighborhood Association
Minutes of Board meeting January 8, 2015
St. Paul’s UCC, 616 Eleonore Street
The following Board members were present;
David Smith, President
Lyn Koppel, Secretary
John Pietras
Kevin Murphy, Vice-President
Cindy Schupp, Membership Tom Rey
Austin Lavin, Treasurer
Frank Davies
Sharon La Hoste, Past President
Andrew Greenhaw
Jim Reese
Also present was Megan Langhoff of Councilwoman Susan Guidry’s office.
The meeting was called to order by President Smith at 6:45. Lyn Koppel, secretary, asked that minutes
of the December meeting be approved. She sends out meeting minutes to all Board members for
amendment and comments; those who were present at the meeting should accept or amend by e-mail.
The treasurer, Austin Lavin, reported that the organization has $13,381, and there were very few
expenses since December. A number of new members joined and this amount reflects the new dues
collected.
The Sharon LaHoste of the Zoning and Planning committee reported that a satisfactory resolution had
been reached with the restaurant going in to the building on the corner of Nashville and Magazine.
Committee members attended the City Zoning Board meeting and thanked Councilwoman Guidry for
her help with this issue. A copy of the letters between the parties and the agreement can be found in
the secretary’s files.
A meeting between Children’s Hospital and ARNA was proposed by the Hospital and will be held on
Thursday, January 15, at a time yet to be decided. The proposed topic will be plans for the NOAH
campus.
Jim Reese said that he was distributing Welcome Baskets to new residents in the ARNA district.
Activities to increase membership are key and will be explored. New members joined after the Night
Out Against Crime this fall. The spring Movie Night at Alma Peters park is ongoing and more details will
be released as it progresses.
A Spring Party was discussed and the Board generally agreed that one should be held. Dates and format
will be decided.
A security firm has approached ARNA to see if members would like to enroll and expand the firm’s
coverage. The firm, BCP/Palance, covers adjacent areas and parts of ARNA’s. Board members and
members of the audience seemed interested in contacting Norris Gagnet who the liaison between the
security company and the neighborhood group contracting with the firm and asking her to make a
presentation to ARNA.
Megan Langhoff spoke about the CAT(Citizen’s Advisory Team) organizations and a meeting January 29
about Alma Peters Park.
The Planning Commission is considering the issue of making Joseph Street one way. Sherry Babitt spoke
in favor of the one way plan and was pleased to hear that ARNA was actively championing the idea.
Questions were asked about the plans for Magazine Street repair during Mardi Gras, but Ms. Langhoff
was not sure about the progress or dates.
The issue of short term rentals was also raised and discussed. Jay Seastrunk provided information about
zoning matters and the building at Nashville and Patton Street.
The meeting was adjourned at 8pm.