Mid City Security District - Mid City Security District, New Orleans, LA

Topics Covered:

• Approval of April 15, 2010 minutes
• Angela Henderson future resignation
• Financial report
• Compliance Questionaire (Legislative Audit)
• Bank signature cards
• Crime statistics
• Procurement of a new vehicle
• Phones (call) Policy 
• MCSD Investment Policy
• New Commissioner Brian Huben
• Newsletter Update
• Positive Website Feedback

Mid City Security District

Meeting Minutes

May 20, 2010

Minutes – Motion by Romney, seconded by Colleen to approve the minutes of April 15, 2010 as recorded.  Approved unanimously.

Angela Henderson will be moving out of the district and subsequently resigning her position.  She will advise MCNO so that a replacement can be named.

Financial report – Motion by Colleen, seconded by Romney to accept quarterly financial report as presented (attached).  Approved unanimously.  Total assets equal to $1,072,591.38.  Cash on hand as of April 30, 2010 is $1,229,943.57.  Payroll current through April 10, 2010.

Compliance Questionaire - Commissioners discussed Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for Audit Engagements of Government Agencies.  Motion by Colleen, seconded by Romney to send completed questionnaire to accounting firm responsible for subject audit.  Approved unanimously.

Bank signature cards – Motion by Colleen, second by Brian to update signature cards for all accounts (Gulf Coast, Guaranty, Liberty, Whitney, Capital One (2)) to include all commissioners (Gannon, Richard, Misko, Huber, new MCNO nominee) and remove former commissioners (Tisdale, Guidry, Henderson).  Approved unanimously.

Crime statistics – Sgt. Stevens reviewed crime statistics.  He indicated that 4 of 5 armed robberies in April were perpetrated by 3 individuals that have been apprehended.  The other case is under investigation and is currently awaiting a lineup.  Spent considerable time discussing the two murders in May.  Both victims were not from the mid City area.  Still under investigation at the time of the meeting.

Procurement of a new vehicle -  Patrol cars last approximately 2 years and originally it took 6 months to acquire and fully outfit a vehicle.  Our vehicles currently have over 25,000 miles and will require increasing amounts of service.  Recent quotes (prices do not include outfitting for patrol usage) : Crown Victoria - $ 21,447, SUV - $24,273.  Outfitting the vehicles for patrol usage is an additional $15,000. Currently have 3 Crown Victorias in the fleet, discussed benefit of adding a SUV. Motion by Colleen, second by Romney to purchase and fully outfit a SUV for up to $45,000.

Call Policy – Discussed continued issues / confusion with calls, text and phone messages left on officer’s phone.  Need to reemphasize for citizens to call 911.  MCSD officers do not answer phones if they are with a citizen handling an issue.  MCSD phones are also not recorded.  Calls to 911 are detailed out to district officers.  Colleen will draft a call policy to promote better understanding of the process.

Investment policy – Discussed pros and cons of utilizing an investment firm for handling funds.  Pros – Potentially higher returns, investment firm can spread funds to different institutions, no multiple accounts.  Cons – Fees associated with managing funds, assets may not be readily accessible, investments carry risk.  Decided to maintain existing practice of multiple accounts to maintain FDIC status on all assets.  Ben to draft an investment policy documenting our current practice. 

New Commissioner – A nomination letter has been received from the Parkview Neighborhood Association for Brian Huber replacing Susan Guidry.

Newsletter – Romney plans to complete the newsletter in the next two weeks.  Plans are to include: brief bios on new commissioner’s, Ben and Brian; MCSD patrol highlights and survey results.

Website – State Representative Nick Lorusso provided positive feedback regarding the MCSD website.

Motion by Romney to adjourn, second by Colleen to adjourn.  Approved unanimously.

Recorded by Brian Huber