Capital Heights Neighborhood Association
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Directors
11 January 2017 6:30 pm
I. BOARD MEMBERS:
Present: Jacob Newsom, Tyler Hicks, Andy Carlson, Elise Read, Emy Langlois, and Addie
Graffeo
Absent: Eric White
Quorum present? Yes
II. PROCEEDING:
1) Called to order
Meeting called to order at 6:40 pm by Mr. Hicks at 5580 Government Street, Baton Rouge
LA 70806.
2) Reports:
a. Financials:
Mr. Carlson reported that the month end December 2016 bank account
balance was $3,587.03. Recent major expenses included $1,876 paid under
the cooperative endeavor agreement with the Capital Heights Crime
Prevention and Improvement District
b. Attendance at meetings of community organizations:
Mid-city Redevelopment Authority: no meeting
City Center Development District: Mr. Hicks reported that the group is
considering its 2017 goals.
Greater Baton Rouge Federation of Civic Association: no report
c. Newsletter:
Discussion of articles to be included: date for April General Meeting, crime
district, membership drive, garage sales, potential article re real estate values.
There was discussion about the number of newsletters that needed to be
printed. It was decided that a bin of some sort would be attached to the Little
Library at the Ingelside Church to be a receptacle for newsletters for persons
who may want one.
d. Beautification and Improvement:
Regarding the status of a potential application to the Mid-City FixUp! Grant
program: Mr. Newsome reported that the city owns the land adjacent to the
proposed pocket park site, and that Councilman Cole is consulting with the city
on CHNA’s behalf concerning permission to use the site. It was decided that a
plan be made for a semi-permanent installation. The adjacent property owner
still needs to be consulted. Grant deadline is April.
3) New Business
a. 2017 Calendar:
April 9, 2017 for general meeting
May 20th for spring garage sale
Beautification day events, no dates yet
Membership drive, no date yet
b. Concerning the garage sale, Ms. Graffeo advised that she will be considering
coordination of the CHNA garage sale with those of adjacent neighborhoods. Mr.
Hicks moved that at least 50% of proceeds to CHNA from the spring garage sale be
donated to Youth Oasis, motion was adopted without objection.
c. Mr. Hicks advised that there is a group organizing a MidCity Mardi Gras Parade and
they have established a Facebook group.
d. Ms. Graffeo suggested a “welcome wagon” concept be explored with regard to new
neighbors. She will research this idea, based on reports of new property sales.
e. Mr. Hicks advised that there was a request for pine straw to be placed at the beds at
Ingleside Drive and that he would take care of it.
f. Mr. Hicks advised that Councilman Cole was holding a meeting to receive community input on
January 26, 2017 at the Grace Episcopal Church at 6:00 pm. Mr. Hicks will prepare a list of
concerns of the CHNA and provide that to Councilman Cole.
4) Ongoing Business
a. Membership:
Mr. Hicks will explore ways to do mailers for this purpose, which shall include
research about Shutterfly. He will report back concerning costs and other
aspects.
Mr. Hicks will add to the membership from a place for consent that the name
be included in CHNA publications.
Mr. Hicks suggested that there be a membership drive at a Bee Nice Concert,
maybe in late April, after the general meeting.
b. Rapides and Richland traffic study:
Richland had 85% of traffic within 4 mph of the speed limit, and Rapides had
85% of traffic within 2 mph of speed limit.
c. Bee Nice Concerts:
Mr. Hicks will add a calendar on the website for the eleven Bee Nice concerts
planned for 2017, and include a format where people can sign up to volunteer
for a particular day.
d. Board members: All board members agreed to continue in their roles for 2017.
e. Administrative:
Mr. Hicks will give Mr. Carlson a key to the mailbox for which he will now be
responsible.
Mr. Newsome and Mr. White have agreed to keep the website up to date
concerning members and payments.
Mr. Hicks will explore more use of the polling feature on the website.
5) ADJOURNMENT: 7:50 pm
Capital Heights Neighborhood Association 