[StBernard] Minutes of Operations Briefing - April 26

[Westley Annis]

MINUTES OF OPERATIONS BRIEFING
Wednesday, April 26, 2006, 8:00 a.m.

Craig Taffaro, Councilman District D, presiding.
Present:  32

Emergency Operations: Larry Ingargiola.  Not present.
Community Development:  Michael Hunnicutt.  Not present.

Public Works and Water and Sewer:  Chris Merkl
1.  Good news with respect to debris pick up.  Recognized Kevin Harbin, FEMA
who stated he met with LDEQ and EPA in Baton Rouge.  As a result, FEMA has
released approval for debris pick up within the judge's expanded area with
the condition of the presence of a monitor.  Dysart stated that white goods
are included for pick up. 
2.  Met on Tuesday, URG accessing problem regarding asbestos, verifying if
homes for demolition have asbestos containing materials, FEMA reconsidered
whether treating all as asbestos material or not.  Recommend starting at the
State OEP, come up with a list of items including demolition debris,
approved by FEMA to assist in moving the demolition process forward.  URG is
currently working on the other end of the project worksheet regarding
demolition, appears to be two tiers, one with asbestos and one without.
3.  Harbin reported a total of 10 crews will be working by Friday.  The goal
for debris pick up this week is at 13,000 cubic yards per day and 16,000
cubic yards per day for next week.  Starting tomorrow the areas of
concentration will be old Arabi, Buccaneer Villa, the area around the
Courthouse, Lexington, Violet and Verret. Merkl noted that President
Rodriguez requested an updated report on debris pick up by areas not by
zones, he is working on mapping out areas.
4.  Trailers by Water and Sewer Division are occupied, contemplating a grand
opening for the billing department in the near future, waiting on furniture.
FYI - billing is to resume effective in May.
5.  Taffaro inquired about the old driver's license building stating that
the council took formal action in response to immediate need expressed by
the court.  Merkl stated it could be a heightened priority but expressed
concern that once work/repairs begin it lessens the ability to mitigate the
property.  Parish Government owns the structure and is not involved with the
contents.

Recovery:  David Dysart
1.  School Board is trying to identify an alternative school for volunteers
other than St. Claude Heights which they are planning to use as a facility
for students with special needs. Met with Alphonse Jackson, Director of HUD,
although he understands the use of the manor for volunteers, there are
restrictions for housing only elderly volunteers.  So they are trying to
decide whether a waiver can be granted or whether or not it requires an
executive order allowing us to use the facility.  One disadvantage for using
the St. Claude Heights School is it requires us to use tents for housing
volunteers.  The State had promised us 55 15 man tents by April 7th which we
have not received.  Camp Premier is scheduled for closure in less than 35
days.  Hoping to hear something by Friday morning, he will be leaving for
Korea for a week on military maneuvers.  Meeting scheduled for Friday
morning with State, FEMA and PAC in an attempt to write a PW for long term
support required for volunteer camp.  Donald Powell, FEMA visited the base
camp and no one was notified of his arrival.  Andrew Sterling, Powell's
under secretary, contacted President Rodriguez through Reppel to say that he
was happy to hear, according to FEMA, that St. Bernard will not need any
help past June, which he was told by the tour guide. He plans to discuss
with Chairman Powell our continued needs.
2.  Vehicle and vessel removal program is still on hold.  Meet with Merkl to
discuss if program extends past June 30th the cost of removing them may be
on us.  His intent is to identify a method by which we can ensure that all
10,000 vehicles/vessels go to a salvage company where there may be a return
to the Parish for those residents who do not wish to pursue that angle.
3.  Heard from Jessie St. Amant yesterday, the State has forwarded request
for extension of Category A and B debris, they have approved it and it has
been sent to FEMA for further approval.  The TRO (Transitional Recovery
Office) believes that it will be passed with some limitations by parish, so
those most affected will be able to get a continuation on 100% reimbursement
through potentially December.
4.  Volunteers will not be working today due to the weather.

Public Assistance: 
Residential:  Craig Taffaro
1.  Trailer up date: less than 4,400 trailers leased in, two weeks until 30
day deadline of completion. Requested updated list to identify our trailer
parks or parks being set up at egg sites, he is still concerned that St.
Bernard Parish was being set-up for non-residents.  FEMA continues to dance
around the answer.  Dysart stated that there was a previous commitment by
FEMA at the AFO saying there would be absolutely no non-residents placed
into St. Bernard sites.  Taffaro planning to send letter from the Council to
the Mayor of New Orleans requesting him to take care of his own residents
and open the parks he has on hold.  Melerine inquired to the number of parks
and egg sites presently in St. Bernard.  Melerine stated that if FEMA
started to place non-residents in our parks he will not be sitting on this
council.  He would resign from the council the very first time he hears of
non-residents moving into the parks whether it be from New Orleans or other
areas.  His heart cannot take all that.  Taffaro said FEMA does not care
about that, and he pointed out that he was not bashing FEMA it was the facts
of the matter.

Business:  Charles Ponstein
1.  New business open: 5 Minute Oil Change, open Friday - Monday, 8 a.m. - 5
p.m. on corner of Paris Road and Genie Street.
2.  A/C in government complex should be repaired today.
3.  Reported that a number of small businesses within the parish did not own
their properties and a lot of them left so the property owners are now
cleaning up the debris and they were not insured for that, therefore we
should resolve the debris issue for small businesses.
4.  Today is the first meeting he will attend as a board member of the Board
of Trustees for the United Way.

Private Non-Profit:  Judy Hoffmeister.  No report.

Volunteers:  Gidget McDougall
1.  Good news:  Volunteer hours total 116,294, contributed by 15
organizations. 
2.  Art in April scheduled for April 29 at Chalmette High School.
3.  Invited Dysart to the Unmet Needs Committee to explain how we can and
cannot use those hours.
4.  Katrina Cottage is open by appointment due to lack of electricity.

Agriculture/Wildlife and Fisheries:  Ricky Melerine
1.  Vessel salvage program is moving forward.  Crews were in Bayou Bienvenu
picking up a shrimp boat. 
2.  In process of identifying all boats on private and public property.
Wildlife and Fisheries agreed to post information on boats, in an attempt to
reach the owners so they may pick up their boats.

Lake Borgne Basin Levee District:  Bob Turner
1.  NCRS is presently assessing canals and they expressed concern about oil
in the canals.
2.  Presently have Stations #4, 6, 7 and 8 operating at full capacity, #5 is
at 70% capacity and #1 is able to go on line as needed.  He reported water
levels in the canals higher than normal this morning; has crews checking all
canal crossings for obstructions, expecting localized street flooding due to
debris on streets and blocked drains.
3.  Corps is working on project clearing out choke points, progressing well,
started at Paris Road and Forty Arpent Canal, worked on area at Guerra Drive
on the Twenty Arpent Canal.  Taffaro asked if the Corps could access the
wastewater treatment plant through Bartolo Drive.  Turner stated he would
check with the Corps.
4.  NRCS performing damage assessment.  Reported 18"-2' sediment in Twenty
Arpent Canal and as much as 5' sediment in some areas of the Forty Arpent
Canal.  The project is a 75%/25% match.  LA Recovery Authority in process of
checking on possible funding from grants and there is proposed legislation
in congress for 100% funding for project. There is a limit to how long the
funding match will be available, probably one year, after which the match
would not be available.

Medical:  Dr. Bertucci.  Not present.
 EMS:  Janie Fuller.  Not present.
Public Safety:  Sheriff's Office & Military.  Pete Tufaro.  Not present.

Fire Department:  A.J. Surentine
1.  Seven stations open, logistics is working out well.  Receiving many
medical calls.  Rain today is much needed in the marsh area.  They have
extra pumps and are ready to assist Turner if needed.

Environmental Issues:
CDC and DEQ:  Not present.
EPA:  Not present.

Murphy Oil Spill update:  Jim Wallwork
1.  Homes cleaned to date: 1,369 exteriors, 344 interiors, 70 yards scrapped
and 282,000 cubic yards of debris cleared.
2.  Contact numbers for Murphy: 504-864-6420 or 800-280-5798.  To have your
property tested residents must chose one of these options, 1) request a
trailer, 2) opt out or 3) settle with Murphy.  If they do none of those they
must contact Mr. Torres.

Education:  Ronnie Alonzo.  Not present.
Parish Government:  Danny Menesses.  Not present.
Council:  Lynn Dean.  Not present.
Parks and Recreation:  John Metzler, Jr.  Not present.
Finance:  Geremie Loupe.  Not present.
Personnel:  Kevin Clark. Not present.
Insurance:  Mike Wiltz.  Not present.
Long Term Recovery:  V.J. Dauterive.  Not present.

General Information:
Next meeting scheduled for Friday, April 28, at 8 a.m. in the OEP conference
room if A/C is operating in the government complex if not the meeting will
be held in the Council Trailer.