27 Meetings about Blight

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by Charlie London

This was the 27th meeting since the city began inviting the public to attend the BlightStat meetings.

NOTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 17, 2011 BLIGHTSTAT MEETING ARE BELOW:

Mr. Oliver Wise began the meeting with introductions and announcements. Deputy Mayor Kopplin was unable to attend due to a meeting with the State Bond Commission in Baton Rouge. He was there to ask for and received permission to refinance the City’s debt by selling new bonds.

Mr. Hebert began the meeting with an overview of the Blight Strategy begun in August, 2010.

Process Improvements
– consolidated code enforcement – 5 offices to one

Created a data management system to improve outcomes and support strategy development for programs.

Established BlightStat to manage performance of blight strategy.

Prioritized Sheriff’s Sales as the primary tool for disposition of blighted properties.

Developed new programs targeting blighted properties and lots.

Increased collaboration with NORA to focus interventions strategically.

Sheriff sales are making a difference.

43,755 blight properties. 25,662 inspections
15,413 inquiries 5,326 hearings 1,743 lots cleared 687 properties brought in to compliance due to inspections. 3,214 blighted units eradicated in the first year.

Interdepartment collaboration. Revenue collection up 90%. $791,406 fines collected in 2009. $1,346,631 fines collected in 2011.

0 Sheriff sales in 2009 | 68 in 2010 | 1,002 in 2011

Revenue collected from lien foreclosures $648,610 in liens – zero before

154 properties demolished in 2009. 523 properties demolished in 2010. 1,349 properties demolished in 2011.

Clearing nuisance lots – zero in 2009 for lots cut
5 years no lots cut – huge backlog. Lots were cited previously but there was no program to cut lots.

873 cut in 2010 – New program started April, 2010.
During 2011, 359 lots were cut as part of the lot cutting program in the 9th Ward with an additional 917 lots cut throughout the city.

Executable Judgments
1200 executable.

22,000 housing code inspections.
Entire city covered.

Fight the Blight Initiative – 5th one coming up in Dec.

Partnerships – collaborating with neighborhoods and city agencies for greater impact.

Large scale apartment demolitions.

10341 Plainfield – great before and after photo.
Higgins Gate getting cleaned up in Algiers now.
Successful property auctions in Lakeview.

Eradication of 10,000 blighted properties is the goal. 3,214 done with 6,786 to go to meet goal. Even with the ambitious goal of eradicating 10,000 blighted properties within three years, there will be at least 30,000 more properties needing attention. It is a herculean task.

INSPECTIONS
Ms. Basco continued the meeting and noted that inspections continue with 668 done this bi-weekly period. Inspections backlog is increasing slightly due to a focus on hearings.

Mr. Wise commented that Code Enforcement has made remarkable progress since February.

Inspections process is smoother now that inspectors have been assigned districts. There are also people to replace them when someone is out which keeps the process moving.

Mr. Kray inquired about data on inspections by district and inspector. Ms. Basco indicated that would be a great thing to have.

Ms. Illarmo continued the meeting with a discussion of the hearings backlog which has been reduced by 421 cases this bi-weekly period. Ms. Illarmo and “Tammy” continue to work hard to keep cases moving. Ms. Illarmo has put in lots of nights and weekends.

Mr. Wise asked about the time period between inspections and when hearings are scheduled. That time can vary due to several variables. The goal is 30 days.

337 hearings done this bi-weekly period with 413 scheduled for the next two weeks. Highest ever!

20% compliance, 36% guilty judgments, resets down due to increased focus. There were 67% of cases reset in Nov 2010. That has been reduced to 13% this period. BlightStat meetings and community input drove this success.

Mr. Square indicated IBM pushed to have the BlightStat meetings reach a wider audience. He suggested information by neighborhoods be available to make the information more meaningful to individuals.

Ms. Basco indicated that is the goal to have information that is meaningful to individuals.
Mr. Bayas stressed the importance of having meaningful information for neighborhoods.

Quality of Life “STAT” meeting was brought up.
The program is still in development and is not currently open to the public.

Mr. Carrere continued the meeting. He indicated that there were 6 emergency demolitions over the last two weeks. They are working on demolition of a large complex near the high rise bridge on I-10 in New Orleans East. 111 properties in the pipeline but the contractor is current on the properties given to them.

Mr. Lessinger indicated that is why contractors and others are invited to BlightStat meetings to make sure everyone is aware of the importance of blight removal.

Eleven FEMA demolitions were done over the past two weeks. 101 properties salvaged to date.

INAP – Keith Ferrouillet said 20 lots were cut and 4 complied after warning.

Mr. Lessinger said there is a pilot program in the 9th Ward for cutting lots due to the large number of properties needing attention in that area. Mr. Hebert indicated that http://data.nola.gov has a map of lots being cut. Neighbors, ex-offenders, and re-entry folks are cutting the lots.

Mr. Hebert indicated his frustration with dumping. After lots are cleared of tall grass and debris, more dumping occurs.

Only 5 FEMA trailers still remain. They should be gone soon.

Ms. C.S. Lear indicated that the Sanitation Department has been working more in the 9th Ward.
Dumping continues to be a major problem. Inspecting tire shops for proper documentation continues to be the focus.

Tire dumping is a nation-wide problem. The Sanitation Department is getting info from many state and federal sources that indicated tires are a problem everywhere. A unique stamp for each tire shop is a possible solution.

Mr. Gray discussed the legal issues concerning properties going up at the Sheriff sales. He discussed the results and problems associated with Sheriff sales.

Sheriff Sales will take place December 6th and 15th then again January 10th, 19th and 26th and February 2nd, 2012.

Mr. Lessinger is going to receive a list of properties from Mr. Kray on all the properties that did not sell with a copy to Mr. Hebert.

Ms. Breaux indicated some of the owners are waiting for grant money from the state. The law department has met with several owners to stress the importance of repairing properties.

Mr. Bayas indicated that the PRC had a great training program for the Sheriff sales. The City is looking into a similar program.

Ms. Wilkerson indicated that many people bid on properties based on the community they are in. She suggested selling properties strategically by area.

Mr. Gray indicated over a million dollars has been collected so far this year due to the lien foreclosure process. Code Lien Foreclosures are listed at http://data.nola.gov

Ms. Wilkerson indicated 13 NORA/LLT closings happened. Rehab financing is sparce with no program to help people to rehabilitate homes.

There will be an auction in January for LLT/NORA properties. Hundreds of properties will be available.

Mr. Square said the City won a grant from Code for America. The City does not have a good way to retrieve batch information from individuals and neighborhoods. The grant will bring in smart folks (programmers) who can help resolve this problem.

The Code for America program will focus on solving tech problems for the City. Work should commence in January, 2012. More about Code for America at
http://codeforamerica.org/

Mr. Hebert indicated that city funds are limited so grants are a focus. The City of New Orleans beat out 20 other cities for the Code for America grant.

Mr. Square indicated IBM’s Smarter Cities report will be coming out soon with a set of recommendations that the City will have to figure out how to fund.

The Green Project has a contract to remove architectural details and other salvageable items from properties before they are demolished.

An “alternatives to demolition” meeting was held with all consulting parties for FEMA demolitions.

Mr. Square indicated a new computer system is a priority and is currently being reviewed. The new system should be up and running by October, 2012.

Questions from the audience were answered and the meeting adjourned.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CITY’s
November 17, 2011 BlightStat Presentation

At the first BlightStat meeting, Mayor Landrieu spoke about the hearing process noting that, “Continuances should be the exception rather than the rule.”

There’s been much progress toward that end over the last year. New hearing officers have been hired, case managers have been assigned, and the case review process has been streamlined. All in an effort to get properties adjudicated and if necessary, moved to Sheriff’s sale. Read more about that first BlightStat meeting in the link below:
https://fsjna.org/2010/11/bi-weekly-blight-business/

You can review my reports on all of the previous BlightStat Meetings in the links below:
Blight Sweep in 9th Ward: https://fsjna.org/2010/11/blighted-beginnings/
BLIGHTSTAT ONE: https://fsjna.org/2010/11/bi-weekly-blight-business/
BLIGHTSTAT TWO:https://fsjna.org/2010/11/keeping-our-eyes-on-the-prize/
BLIGHTSTAT THREE: https://fsjna.org/2010/12/what-gets-measured-gets-managed/
BLIGHTSTAT FOUR: https://fsjna.org/2010/12/blight-busting/
2010 Year End Update: https://fsjna.org/2010/12/year-end-update-from-the-landrieu-administration/
BLIGHTSTAT FIVE: https://fsjna.org/2011/01/the-5th-dimension-of-blight/
BLIGHTSTAT SIX: https://fsjna.org/2011/01/a-sixth-sense-for-blight/
BLIGHTSTAT SEVEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/02/the-7-heavens-of-blight/
BLIGHTSTAT EIGHT: https://fsjna.org/2011/02/8-by-ya-mommas/
BLIGHTSTAT NINE: https://fsjna.org/2011/03/blightstat-9/
BLIGHTSTAT TEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/03/blightstat-10/
BLIGHTSTAT ELEVEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/04/blightstat-11/
BLIGHTSTAT TWELVE: https://fsjna.org/2011/04/blightstat-12/
Mayor’s State of the City Address: https://fsjna.org/2011/04/one-city-that-shares-one-fate/
BLIGHTSTAT THIRTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/05/blightstat-13/
BLIGHTSTAT FOURTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/05/blightstat-14/
BLIGHTSTAT FIFTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/blightstat-15/
CITY GETS REPORT CARD: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/city-gets-report-card/
BLIGHTSTAT SIXTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/blightstat-16/
BLIGHTSTAT SEVENTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/blightstat-17/
BLIGHTSTAT EIGHTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/07/blightstat-18
BLIGHTSTAT NINETEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/07/blightstat-19/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY: https://fsjna.org/2011/08/blightstat-20/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-ONE: https://fsjna.org/2011/08/blightstat-turns-21/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-TWO: https://fsjna.org/2011/09/blightstat-22/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-THREE: https://fsjna.org/2011/09/blightstat-23/
FIGHT BLIGHT RIGHT: https://fsjna.org/2011/09/fight-blight-right/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-FOUR: https://fsjna.org/2011/10/blightstat-24/
CITIZENS PARTICIPATE: https://fsjna.org/2011/10/citizens-participate-in-new-orleans/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-FIVE: https://fsjna.org/2011/10/blightstat-25/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-SIX: https://fsjna.org/2011/11/blightstat-turns-one

BlightStat Turns Out One Year of Meetings

by

by Charlie London

It’s been one year since the city invited the public to attend the BlightStat meetings. Today’s meeting was the 26th BlightStat meeting that the public was invited to attend.

At the first BlightStat meeting, Mayor Landrieu spoke about the hearing process noting that, “Continuances should be the exception rather than the rule.”

There’s been much progress toward that end over the last year. New hearing officers have been hired, case managers have been assigned, and the case review process has been streamlined. All in an effort to get properties adjudicated and if necessary, moved to Sheriff’s sale. Read more about that first BlightStat meeting in the link below:
https://fsjna.org/2010/11/bi-weekly-blight-business/

Mr. Kopplin noted that I was likely the only one who has made it to all of the BlightStat meetings so far. You can review my reports on all of the previous BlightStat Meetings in the links below:
Blight Sweep in 9th Ward: https://fsjna.org/2010/11/blighted-beginnings/
BLIGHTSTAT ONE: https://fsjna.org/2010/11/bi-weekly-blight-business/
BLIGHTSTAT TWO:https://fsjna.org/2010/11/keeping-our-eyes-on-the-prize/
BLIGHTSTAT THREE: https://fsjna.org/2010/12/what-gets-measured-gets-managed/
BLIGHTSTAT FOUR: https://fsjna.org/2010/12/blight-busting/
2010 Year End Update: https://fsjna.org/2010/12/year-end-update-from-the-landrieu-administration/
BLIGHTSTAT FIVE: https://fsjna.org/2011/01/the-5th-dimension-of-blight/
BLIGHTSTAT SIX: https://fsjna.org/2011/01/a-sixth-sense-for-blight/
BLIGHTSTAT SEVEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/02/the-7-heavens-of-blight/
BLIGHTSTAT EIGHT: https://fsjna.org/2011/02/8-by-ya-mommas/
BLIGHTSTAT NINE: https://fsjna.org/2011/03/blightstat-9/
BLIGHTSTAT TEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/03/blightstat-10/
BLIGHTSTAT ELEVEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/04/blightstat-11/
BLIGHTSTAT TWELVE: https://fsjna.org/2011/04/blightstat-12/
Mayor’s State of the City Address: https://fsjna.org/2011/04/one-city-that-shares-one-fate/
BLIGHTSTAT THIRTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/05/blightstat-13/
BLIGHTSTAT FOURTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/05/blightstat-14/
BLIGHTSTAT FIFTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/blightstat-15/
CITY GETS REPORT CARD: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/city-gets-report-card/
BLIGHTSTAT SIXTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/blightstat-16/
BLIGHTSTAT SEVENTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/06/blightstat-17/
BLIGHTSTAT EIGHTEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/07/blightstat-18
BLIGHTSTAT NINETEEN: https://fsjna.org/2011/07/blightstat-19/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY: https://fsjna.org/2011/08/blightstat-20/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-ONE: https://fsjna.org/2011/08/blightstat-turns-21/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-TWO: https://fsjna.org/2011/09/blightstat-22/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-THREE: https://fsjna.org/2011/09/blightstat-23/
FIGHT BLIGHT RIGHT: https://fsjna.org/2011/09/fight-blight-right/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-FOUR: https://fsjna.org/2011/10/blightstat-24/
CITIZENS PARTICIPATE: https://fsjna.org/2011/10/citizens-participate-in-new-orleans/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-FIVE: https://fsjna.org/2011/10/blightstat-25/
BLIGHTSTAT TWENTY-SIX: https://fsjna.org/2011/11/blightstat-turns-one

NOTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 3, 2011 BLIGHTSTAT MEETING ARE BELOW:


CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CITY’S NOVEMBER 3, 2011
BLIGHTSTAT PRESENTATION

Mr. Oliver Wise began the meeting with introductions and announcements. He announced the one year anniversary of the BlightStat meetings and presented buttermilk drops to those in attendance.

Mr. Hebert introduced Ken Grossman who is working with the City because of a grant from HUD. Mr. Hebert also introduced Allison Plyer of the Community Data Center who began the meeting.

She discussed the new report which is available at gnodc.org. Please visit the link below to read her report:
http://www.gnocdc.org/HousingDevelopmentAndAbandonment/index.html

Ms. Plyer presented the following facts: New Orleans peak population was in 1960. Between 1960 and 1980 suburban development expanded while historic neighborhoods in New Orleans experienced abandonment.

The “sliver by the river” experienced growth in the 1990’s. After Hurricane Katrina singles are attracted to downtown living but more households move out than move in. Westbank gains households.

Mr. Kopplin asked about the depopulation of New Orleans. Ms. Plyer indicated that while population does fluctuate, overall population in New Orleans is down. Large growth is happening in St. Tammany Parish and other areas north of Lake Ponchartrain.

Ms. Plyer stated that the “baby boom” generation is getting older and there will be a “demographic tidal wave” of elderly in the next few years. She indicated that the city may want to pursue measures to keep elderly in their New Orleans homes.

Mr. Kopplin discussed redevelopment programs for vacant housing like the soft-second program. He indicated that rehab of vacant housing is the focus of the Landrieu administration.

Mr. Hebert indicated that many people want larger homes and are moving to suburbia to get them.

Ms. Bascos introduced “Tammy” who will be working on hearings with Ms. Illarmo.

Inspections continue to exceed goals with 22,000 inspections done this year and 469 inspections during this bi-weekly period.

Ms. Bascos continued with a discussion of the inspections backlog with Mr. Wise inquiring about the time it takes between a call for an inspection and when the inspection takes place. The goal of having the inspection take place within 5 days is not currently happening.

Inspectors have specific areas to cover now and that seems to be working well.

Ms. Illarmo continued the meeting stating that 352 hearings were done during the last two weeks with 315 hearings set for the next two weeks.

Mr. Kopplin asked what the plan is to close the gap. Mr. Hebert indicated that Ms. Illarmo is working nights and weekends to keep things moving.

Mr. Lessinger indicated that “Tammy” will be focusing on higher level management of the blight cases. This was in response to Mr. Kopplin’s question on what is to be done to “close the gap”.

Mr. Hebert indicated that the Case Management system is a problem with getting blight cases adjudicated.

Mr. Kopplin discussed with Ms. Illarmo about the churning of re-inspections due to case resets and indicated that 26 hearing officers have been hired and the process needs to move along efficiently.

Mr. Kopplin indicated that the hearings backlog should disappear by December 31, 2011. He also indicated that he wants citizens to be able to call up on January 1, 2012 and be able to find out information about blighted properties easily.

Mr. Kopplin stated, “Don’t submarine our goals” when referring to the backlog of blight cases.

Mr. Wise indicated the backlog is down to 1600 from 2200. Mr. Wise indicated that hearings productivity has increased while Mr. Kopplin expressed his gratitude for that.

Mr. Hebert indicated that “undesirable resets” of blight hearings has gone down from 67% last November to 23% this November.

Mr. Carrere discussed the “Total Demolitions by Program” slide. He indicated that a large apartment complex that sat languishing due to some procedural errors has been cleaned up.

Mr. Kopplin continued with a discussion of the problems encountered with demolition contractors.

The FEMA representative indicated FEMA funded demolitions are moving along. He indicated that during 2008 and 2009, people were not renovating properties but many more are now due to increased enforcement via blight hearings.

Mr. Kopplin indicated that the HDLC has a new booklet on how to properly and inexpensively rehab historic properties. The city is getting contractors to use the HDLC guidelines when doing rehab on historic properties for the small rental program. Please visit the link below to learn more about the Historic District Landmarks Commission guidelines for proper restoration:
http://www.nola.gov/RESIDENTS/HDLC/Guidelines/Guidelines/

Mr. Keith Ferrouillet of INAP indicated the contractor has equipment issues so not many lots were cut this bi-weekly period.

Mr. David Lessinger indicated 12 people have been hired under the Job 1 program several of which are ex-offenders to perform grass cutting in the 9th Ward area. Over 100 lots have been cut already.

Ms. Lear indicated 3 front-end loaders are damaged and need repair. She once again asked citizens to immediately report dumping. Citations are being issued.

Mr. Hebert indicated that tire dumping is a huge problem. He said he saw a boat in the middle of one street and the boat was filled with tires.

Mr. Kopplin indicated that he would like greater emphasis on catching violators or solving the problem. It’s not individuals but small tire shops that are doing most of the dumping.

Tires are recycled through LDEQ via COLT. Learn more about the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and tire recycling by visiting the link below:
http://www.deq.state.la.us/portal/DIVISIONS/FinancialServices/WasteTires.aspx

Mr. Wise indicated that a lot more Sheriff Sales happened over the last two weeks.

Mr. Granderson said many of these properties were re-sales that did not sell at the first auction so the asking price was lowered.

Mr. Granderson said that Mr. Ryan Berni will be sending out a press release about the upcoming Sheriff sales.

Mr. Kopplin asked how many properties are scheduled for sale. Mr. Granderson indicated that goals for the year will not likely be met.

Mr. Kopplin put pressure on Mr. Granderson to get contractors that help with the Sheriff sale process to produce results the City is paying for… namely that blighted property sales increase significantly before the end of this year.

Mr. Kopplin requested an email blast be sent out with links to properties for sale to make it easy for people to find properties they may be interested in.

Ms. Wilkerson reviewed the stats on NORA properties and announced that another auction is coming up this Saturday.

Mr. Hebert said the City has learned from other cities what enforcement mechanisms work in different situations.

Mr. Kopplin indicated he is “deeply uncomfortable” with differential enforcement based on how an area is affected by blight.