12 Ways to Improve Your Quality of Life

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In Order To Register For A Curbside Recycling Cart, You Must Contact The Sanitation Department By:
Completing a Recycling Registration Card,
Mailing or bringing the card to the
Department of Sanitation, City Hall
1300 Perdido Street, Room 1W03, N.O., LA 70112
OR
Faxing the card to (504) 658-3801
OR
Registering Online At
http://recycle.nola.gov/
OR
Calling us at (504) 658-3800

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The City of New Orleans Sanitation Department would like to help you improve your quality of life. Here’s 12 Ways to Improve the Quality of Life in New Orleans:

1. Do not litter. (Section 138)
2. Do not place signs illegally on public right of ways, such as neutral grounds or the area between the sidewalk and the curb (Section 134)
3. Properly contain solid waste for collection and remove empty carts from curbs. (Section 138)
4. Call your solid waste collection contractor in advance to schedule the pick-up of bulky waste such as appliances, furniture, carpet (rolled and tied in less than 4’ lengths), more than 6 bundles of tree branches (cut in less than 4’ lengths) and up to 4 tires. Businesses are not eligible for bulky waste collection. (Section 138)
5. If a business generates more than 96 gallons of solid waste at each routine collection (the limit is 35 gallons in the FQ/DDD) or if the property is used as a restaurant, bar or hotel or if the property has more than 4 units, private arrangements are required for the removal of solid waste. (Section 138)
6. If rebuilding, renovating or clearing property, arrangements must be made to obtain private disposal (Section 138)
7. Ensure that all permanent dumpsters are screened from public view. (Section 26-447)
8. Cut your grass and remove litter, grass cuttings, and leaves from the property, extending 1-1/2 ft from the curb. Do not sweep, blow or pour items into storm drains. Contents flow to the lake. Pontchartrain. (Sections 66-287, 313, 314)
9. Do not keep more than 20 tires on your property unless you are specifically permitted. (Chapter 105 – State Regulatory Code)
10. If you are hauling garbage, trash or other loose items in vehicles, securely cover the contents. (Section 138-105)
11. Do not place Household Hazardous Waste in your regular garbage nor should such items be dumped into drain systems (Sections 66, 138)
12. Reduce, Reuse, Educate and Recycle

Fines for violating City Codes range from $150 to $5,000 and may include Community Service or imprisonment.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION’s BROCHURE ABOUT HAZARDOUS WASTE, RECYCLING, and ELECTRONICS DISPOSAL

Neighbor Makes News

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Tania Dall / Eyewitness News

NEW ORLEANS – They’re not hard to spot — advertisements sit next to chunks of old torn paper, cluttering utility poles.

"It’s just something that got under my skin and there didn’t seem to be any reason for it, especially in a city like New Orleans, which is so historic and beautiful," Faubourg St. John resident Steve Mardon said.

The Mid-City resident has taken down thousands of signs, in a personal battle to clean up city streets.

"Basically go down to Home Depot, get yourself a PVC pipe and put a screw through it and you can go up and yank them down."

He’s not alone. Councilwoman Stacy Head recently helped revise a city ordinance cracking down on the illegal signs that she says are spiraling out of control.

"The tax services, the free cell phones, the dental work, the tree cutting, the house leveling and raising, we really need to get rid of those," she said. Head said signs also deter potential future commercial development in certain neighborhoods.

The city is now sending a $10 removal invoice to any person or business listed on the illegal sign. If found guilty, additional fines of $25 to $50 could follow.

"The law has been very clear for a long time that these bandit signs that create lots of visual clutter, particularly in neighborhoods that have shown a lot of disinvestment in the past. They detract from the quality of life,” she said.

An epidemic is how Johnnie Young describes the illegal dumping that’s plagued his block and the Lower 9th Ward since Hurricane Katrina.

“Look on that corner. They have tires over there in the big old push, over here they’ve got a pile, over there," Young said. “People are trying to come back. Unfortunately, when they come back and drive by and see this, it’s become an eyesore, and that’s detrimental for the people who want to come back."

No dumping signs haven’t stopped offenders from off-loading their unwanted junk. But the city says it’s cracking down.

Violators caught littering or illegally dumping face fines of $150 to $5,000 per infraction – a promise Young hopes the city will keep.

"I’m like, this I’d rather see and not be satisfied to believe it.”

 

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Keep New Orleans Beautiful

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http://katrinafilm.com/public/wordpress/?p=2397

You may remember on August 25th that Charlie’s Neighborhood
News broke the news that the “Day of Reckoning” for bandit signs
would be here on September 12th. Below is the city’s press
release that came out today…

On September 12th the City of New Orleans will begin aggressively fining those who insist on placing signs on public property. To learn more about bandit signs and how you can help fight blight, please visit the link below:
http://business.fsjna.org/steps-to-stomp-out-blight/

The New Orleans City Council recently passed legislation that prohibits the placement of signs on public streets, sidewalks, and neutral grounds is part of a city-wide effort improve the quality of life in the New Orleans for locals and visitors alike.

In an effort to allow businesses and individuals time to remove any signs already on public property before incurring fines and penalties, we strongly encourage the removal of any signs erected or posted or those which list your band or business name/venue, phone numbers or addresses. This amnesty program runs between Monday, August 29th and Friday, September 9, 2011.

Starting on Monday, September 12th, the City will use its resources to enforce the existing City Code (Section 134) which prohibits the placement of signs, placards, posters or other advertisement on public right-of-way such as on neutral grounds, parks, playgrounds or the area between the sidewalk and the curb unless written consent is granted by the City. This includes a prohibition of such items on utility poles, light standards, street signs, parking meters and trees. Any unlawful posting will be removed and disposed. According to this law, it is also unlawful to distribute or cause to be distributed, any commercial product samples, commercial advertising brochures, leaflets, pamphlets or commercial literature of any kind on the streets and sidewalks of the City.

We are mindful that cultural businesses may host musical groups, have gallery openings or other such events that require advertising. However, the law requires that you keep signs off of public property and do not distribute fliers on public streets and sidewalks. Alternative forms of free or low-cost advertising such as social media, local resources such radio stations, publications, on-line listings, phone applications, etc. are also encouraged.

Section 134 of the City Code also provides for penalties associated with violations, “the existence of any illegal sign on the public right-of-way constitutes prima face evidence that any individual or entity depicted or advertised on an illegal sign caused, authorized, allowed, or is allowing the placement or posting of the signs on public property and is in violation of this section.” Violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not more than $25.00 per sign, per violation and/or community service. If the violation involves the posting of signs on trees, the fine is $50.00 per sign and/or community service. The Code also authorizes the Department of Sanitation or Parks and Parkways “to invoice any individual or entity depicted or advertised on the illegal sign for the cost of removal of the sign”.

CITY TO LAUNCH BEAUTIFICATION CAMPAIGN

Focus on Removing Litter and Bandit Signs to Begin September 12th

NEW ORLEANS, LA-Today, the City announced that on Monday, September 12, 2011, the Department of Sanitation will begin stronger enforcement of
City quality-of-life laws regarding littering, illegal dumping, and
signs or posters posted unlawfully on public rights of way, commonly
referred to as “bandit signs.” The City Code has been amended in regard
to some of these provisions as recently as June 2011.

City law specifically prohibits the placement of any sign, placard,
poster or other advertisement on public rights-of-way including on
neutral grounds, parks, playgrounds, trees, utility poles, light
fixtures, street signs, and parking meters. It also provides guidelines
related to the collection and disposal of solid waste and specifies
penalties and fines for littering and illegal dumping.

“Removing litter and bandit signs across the City is a beautification
effort that will improve our quality of life,” said Mayor Mitch
Landrieu. “Over the next 18 months, we have an unprecedented series of
national and international events that will showcase New Orleans, so it
is critical that we put our best foot forward as our City takes center
stage.”

The City will institute an amnesty period from Monday, August 29th
through Friday, September 9th. Individuals and businesses who have
dumped trash illegally, littered, or posted bandit signs should utilize
this time period to remove them. During the amnesty period the City will
not issue fines.

At the conclusion of the amnesty period, teams of City employees will be
dispatched throughout the City to photograph, count, log, remove and
dispose of bandit signs and litter. Any bandit sign will be removed,
disposed of, and the owner will receive a fine of $25 per sign, or $50
per sign if attached to a tree. Community service is possible for repeat
offenders. Fines for littering and illegal dumping range from $150 to
$5,000, with the possibility of community service and jail time for
repeat offenders. These penalties are determined by the City’s Municipal
Court.

City Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, “We are all
very excited and proud to show our City in its best light. In order to
make the next 18 months and beyond as spectacular as possible, we will
all have to commit to strong enforcement – from top to bottom.”

“I look forward to this aggressive enforcement of nuisance laws,” said
District B Councilmember Stacy Head. “Eradication of these signs will
reduce litter and visual clutter and improve livability in all
neighborhoods, particularly in areas like Central City that has been
plagued with these signs.”

“This increased effort to enforce these quality of life issues will be
beneficial not only to our visitors, but to our residents who live and
work in our communities on a daily basis,” said District C Councilmember
Kristin Gisleson Palmer. “The French Quarter, Marigny and other historic
areas, are especially impacted. With greater enforcement, we will
uphold the beauty and unique nature of these important neighborhoods.”

District D Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell said, “Keeping our
neighborhoods neat and clean is important to our quality of life. The
residents of District D look forward to the results of this push by the
administration to fight litter, illegal dumping, and nuisance signs.”

Political and campaign signs may be posted 48 hours prior to an election
and remain for 48 hours after the closing of the polls for the election.
Realtors may post signs 24 hours before and after an open house takes
place.

For more information or questions about bandit signs or littering and
dumping fines, please contact the Department of Sanitation at
[email protected] or call (504) 658-3800.

BlightStat 16

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by Charlie London

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PDF OF THE CITY’s June 16, 2011 BlightStat Presentation

This was the sixteenthth BlightStat meeting where the public was invited to attend.

The City continues to march toward its goal of eradicating 10,000 blighted properties within three years. City departments that can help with this process meet every two weeks for a “BlightStat” meeting.

Goals have been set for each department and a presentation is made at each meeting to show how each department is doing toward meeting those goals.

BELOW ARE NOTES FROM THE JUNE 16th BLIGHTSTAT MEETING

Attendance continues to be sparce at the BlightStat meetings but interest from the public remains strong. Reports from various sources allow people to get the information without having to attend the meetings.

Mr. Oliver Wise continues to work as moderator for the meetings.
Mr. Jeff Hebert asked Ms. Lear to talk about Household Hazardous Waste day.

Ms. Cynthia Sylvain Lear – over 600 vehicles showed with up 5 tons of ewaste, 3,400 gallons of paint which was donated to the Green Project. City is committed to doing it again. Ms. Lear urged citizens to save their hazardous waste for the event.

Mr. Winston Reid – inspections remain above target in spite of Memorial Day holiday. Uptick in sweep levels. Targeting FEMA properties. Continuing demo pipeline and inspections for hearings. Continuing sweeps. Still working on backlog. Updated backlog by address with internal filtering to look for matches of properties already done.

Mr. Jeff Hebert – Kristin away. Slight increase in hearings but remains far below the target. JPHebert, AKopplin, and Brenda Breaux working together on a strategy to get cases moving. Dedicating two Saturdays to just go through files. Considering staff adjustments.

Mr. Andy Kopplin – there is a much bigger backlog than two Saturdays. Fill the capacity of hearings officers. Spend two Saturdays to fill the short term pipeline but that doesn’t remove the backlog. Suggested to go back to the bar association for help. Let’s get together to make a pitch to the bar association to Brenda Breaux…will do.

Mr. Jeff Hebert– uptick in cases with 24 percent guilty. Resets are down.

Mr. Hillary Carrere – abatement – 6 emergency demos. Strategic demos lower due to SHPO. SHPO has not responded to requests for review of some properties.

Mr. Winston Reid – continuing to monitor processes to see how to streamline the process. SHPO continues to be the problem. Only one SHPO employee in Baton Rouge reviews the files and there is no travel budget. Working on ways to get that person to New Orleans or the files to them.

Mr. Oliver Wise – numbers of cases under historical review only went up by 2. Of the 123. 66 site layouts. 53 in newspaper ads. Remaining called to come back. 6 on hold. 5 deferred. 14 town houses.

Mr. Andy Kopplin – is process flow charted? Yes. Properties can have multiple actions to get them into the pipeline.

Mr. Andy Kopplin – Scott Hutcheson used to be the SHPO. He will be assigned to work on the SHPO problem. He is to work on helping code enforcement solve the SHPO stop gag.

NORA – LLT asked NORA to identify 350 more NORA properties to be demolished. Would like to target multi-family properties. Doesn’t want funding to run out. NORA also has a SHPO backlog. It is a lingering problem.

Mr. Jeff Hebert – have to find a solution to moving the people out of multi-family so the building can be demolished.

Mr. Dean Wolcott- FEMA funded demolitions. Has report. City did a large file location project and most files have been found. Focusing on tracking and accountability.

Mr. Andy Kopplin asked that numbers from FEMA be simplified to make them more meaningful.

Mr. Jeff Hebert – David, please give a report on the file finding process.
Shut down office to make it happen. David- 260 files searched for. Found 107. Some on desks. Did total inventory.

Mr. Hebert to shut down office again to find the other hundred files.

Mr. Allen Square – this is a painful process but one that needs to be done and will likely result in better file management.
JPHebert – it is very effective and another day will be set up to find the rest.

Mr. Andy Kopplin – 47 FEMA trailers remain. FEMA trailer at Fire Dept in Lakeshore area to be removed this week.

City’s grass cutting program for blighted properties ramping up for the summer growing season.

Mr. Hebert – priority for lower 9th Ward and N.O. East. Not satisfied with current efforts on grass cutting.

Ms. Cynthia Sylvain Lear – cleaning dump sites. QOL officers have been busy working in all of their districts. Dumpsters out of public view, citizens contain refuse properly. Sanitation Ranger to start Monday and will focus on bandit signs. Will take pictures and document where the signs are being placed. Will take more than city resources to get bandit signs removed. Stressed that ANYONE can remove bandit signs.

Recycle bins are being delivered except to DDD and French Quarter. Get yours at http://recycle.nola.gov or 658-3800

Keep America Beautiful going well. Submitted 3 grants. One for additional carts. Anti-graffiti project. Education project.
Household hazardous waste day was extremely successful.
Tire dumping continues to be a problem but they are being picked up.

Mr. Miles Granderson – steady, consistent progress on filing cases to go to Sheriff sale. Many people are coming in to pay liens as properties go to Sheriff sale. Over 140,000 dollars collected this two week period. $234,000 collected just this year.

If the Sheriff can’t personally serve the defendant it is turned over to curator. There is a follow up process with curators.

The city is aggressively going after code enforcement liens. If you have one better pay it or it’s going to Sheriff’s sale.

NORA closings – 68 properties closed. LLT is working on additional properties. 200 properties for sale. Working on auction for Lakeview properties in August. Training needed for people participating in auction so that more closings can be completed. Working with 203K lenders to provide financing. Signed 1000th purchase agreement for lot next door program.

Mr. Wise – ahead on inspections behind on hearings.

Mr. Hebert- David to work on pulling together numbers to see where we are where we have to go.

If properties don’t sell at Sheriff sale what then? Ms. Brenda Breaux –Goes to second sale, comparison data, check minimum bid. The law department has a detailed policy on this.

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BLIGHTSTAT MEETING (every 2 weeks)
WHO: Key blight policy and code enforcement staff

WHEN: Thursday, June 30, 2011
8:00-9:30 AM CST

WHERE: 1340 Poydras Street
9TH Floor—City Planning Conference Room
New Orleans, LA 70117

BlightStat Meetings
Nov 4, 2010 | Nov 18, 2010 | Dec 2, 2010 | Dec 16, 2010
| Jan 13, 2011 | Jan 27, 2011 | Feb 10, 2011 | Feb 24, 2011 |
Mar 10, 2011 | March 29, 2011 | April 7, 2011 | April 21, 2011 | May 5, 2011 | May 19, 2011| | June 2, 2011 | June 16, 2011