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ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY, WE'RE GONNA GET STARTED WITH OUR PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS, IF YOU'LL TAKE A
[SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS]
SEAT, PLEASE, THE PARISH PRESIDENT.WE'LL GET THINGS STARTED THIS MORNING WITH A FEW PRESIDENT, YOU GOT THE, UH, PROCLAMATION.
I HAVE QUITE A FEW PROCLAMATIONS TODAY, SO I'LL START WITH THE FIRST ONE.
IF I COULD HAVE, UH, MR. RAPHAEL AND MS. CLAUDIA CHAI COME FORWARD, PLEASE.
RAPHAEL AND CLAUDIA FOUNDED THE SUPPLEMENT RADIO SHOW 20 YEARS AGO AS A MEANS OF INFORMING THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT OUR REGION.
ONE OF THE STATISTICS THAT I LOVE TO SAY ABOUT JEFFERSON PARISH IS JEFFERSON PARISH OF THE 64 PARISHES IS THE MOST DIVERSE, RACIALLY DIVERSE PARISH IN THE STATE.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MAKES US SO STRONG.
RADIO SHOWS LIKE SUPPLEMENT, RECOGNIZE AND PROMOTE THIS DIVERSITY AND IT, OR AN IMPORTANT VOICE IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY.
SO LET ME READ THIS PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS SUPPLEMENT FOUNDED BY RAPHAEL AND CLAUDIA CHAI DEBUTED ON LA FABULOSA IN JANUARY, 2003 AS A MEANS OF INFORMING THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA.
AND WHEREAS THE AWARD-WINNING RADIO VARIETY SHOW PRESENTS A MIX OF INFORMATION ABOUT CULTURE, HEALTH, BUSINESS, MUSIC, AND CURRENT EVENTS FROM A VARIETY OF PERSONALITIES AND EXPERTS, AS WELL AS SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY RADIO EXTERIOR TO ESPANIA, BBC MUNO, CNN IN ESPANOL RADIO, AND OTHER CORRESPONDENT AROUND THE WORLD.
SUPERMAN HOSTS RAPHAEL AND CLAUDIA ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF NO SOROS MAGAZINE'S 2004 RADIO PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD, THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S 2004 INSPIRATION AWARD, AND THE CERVANTES FOUNDATION'S 2019 GUIERLLMO DEGO AWARD FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE.
AND WHERE A SUPPLEMENT HAS BEEN A VITAL SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY DURING LANDMARK EVENTS, INCLUDING THE EXPLOSION OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA, THE DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II IN HURRICANE KATRINA.
WHEREAS 20 YEARS LATER, SUPPLEMENT CONTINUES TO INFORM AND ENTERTAIN JEFFERSON PARISH CITIZENS AND BEYOND THROUGH NEWS, CONVERSATION, MUSIC, AND MORE.
WHEREAS SUPPLEMENT, WHICH AIRED ITS 1000TH EPISODE THAT'S INCREDIBLE ON OCTOBER 22ND, 2022, HAS INTEGRATED ITSELF INTO THE LOCAL MEDIA LANDSCAPE BECOMING AN IMPORTANT VOICE FOR THE LATIN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CYNTHIA LEE SHANK, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZING CONGRATULATES RAPHAEL CLAUDE, HIS CHAI FOR THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF SUPPLEMENT.
THIS IS AN HONOR FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION, AND IN A WAY, RECOGNITION FOR 20 YEARS SERVING OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN NEW ORLEANS, IN ERY, IN KENNER, LOUISIANA.
AND THESE DAYS, THANKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA, WE GO AROUND THE WORLD.
SO A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LISTENING AND HEARING ABOUT OUR CITY AND OUR STATE, THANKS TO OUR SHOW, AND OUR CULTURE IS SO RICH THAT WE WANNA SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE.
AND NOT ONLY THAT, WE ARE COMMUNICATORS AND WE LIKE TO PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR CITY, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, UH, HURRICANES PREPARATION, HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS.
WE CANNOT BE TIRED OF REPEATING THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN EVERY HURRICANE SEASON.
SO WE BELIEVE THAT THE MORE WE SAY IT, THE MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE SAFE, RATHER THAN SORRY.
AND WE JUST WANNA THANK, UH, K G L A AND CROK BROADCASTING, UH, RADIO TROPICAL FOR HOSTING US AND FOR HAVING US RIGHT NOW FOR, UH, NINE YEARS WITH THIS STATION IN 20 YEARS IN TOTAL.
MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CAN YOU COME DOWN FOR A PICTURE, PLEASE? LET'S SEE.
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HEY, MR. MIKE LOCKWOOD, IF YOU COULD COME FORWARD, PLEASE.SERENA, WHO DO I HAVE? SERENA.
WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE THAT'S, IT'S ILLEGAL.
MICKEY AND MY DAUGHTER AARON, MY SON-IN-LAW.
I'M HONORED HERE TO HAVE MR. MICHAEL LOCKWOOD, DIRECTOR OF OUR SEWAGE DEPARTMENT.
HE'S GONNA RETIRE THIS MONTH AFTER 32 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE.
UH, MIKE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING OUR ADMINISTRATION SECURE A MUCH NEEDED SEWER RATE INCREASE AND ESTABLISHES THE PARISH'S FIRST EVER SEWER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM.
AND I WANNA THANK YOU FOR THAT WORK.
THAT WAS, UH, INCREDIBLE WORK THAT YOU, THAT YOU WILL DO, THAT YOU WILL SEE THE BENEFITS OF FOR ALL THE FUTURE, FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL SEE THAT.
SO, UM, I'M GONNA READ THE PROCLAMATION.
HE'S HERE WITH HIS FAMILY THAT I'LL LET YOU INTRODUCE, UM, WHEN YOU GET UP HERE, WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU SPEAK.
SO, WHEREAS MICHAEL LOCKWOOD WAS BORN IN SAN ANTONIO AND MOVED TO VIRGINIA AT THE AGE OF FIVE, AS A RESULT OF SEVERAL VISITS TO NEW ORLEANS TO SPEND TIME WITH HIS MOTHER'S FAMILY WHO OWNED TWO JAGS RESTAURANT.
IS THAT, IS THAT HOW YOU PRONOUNCE IT? YEAH.
UM, TWO JAGS RESTAURANT DECIDED TO ATTEND TULANE UNIVERSITY TO PURSUE A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY AND A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
WHEREAS MR. LOCKWOOD ENTERED THE PRIVATE SECTOR WORKING AS THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF WASTEWATER FOR THE NEW ORLEANS SEWER AND WATER BOARD FROM 1985 TO 1990, BEFORE BRINGING HIS EXPERTISE TO JEFFERSON PARISH AS THE MANAGER OF THE EAST BANK WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
AND WHEREAS OVER THE NEXT 15 YEARS, MR. LOCKWOOD PROVIDED INVALUABLE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND OPERATIONS OVERSIGHT AS THE CONSULTANT FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT.
THEN IN 2016, IN JANUARY, MR. LOCKWOOD GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE TO BE THE DIRECTOR OF JEFFERSON PARISH'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.
FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, YOU, YOU WORKED TIRELESSLY TO UPGRADE OUR PARISH'S LANDFILL WHILE MANAGING ALL FACETS OF THE DEPARTMENT'S REQUIRED DUTIES.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE MANY OF THE, OUR PUBLIC KNOWS YOU FROM ALL THOSE LANDFILL MEETINGS,
SO, UH, AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR CAREER.
UM, AFTER OVERSEEING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LANDFILL'S INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN EMISSIONS IN GAS COLLECTION, SALE ROYALTY REVENUE, MR. LOCKWOOD ACCEPTED THE POSITION OF SEWER DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR IN JANUARY, 2020 UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION.
UM, DURING HIS THREE YEARS MANAGING THE SEWER DEPARTMENT, HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN SEWER SYSTEM OPERATIONS THROUGH COVID, THE PANDEMIC HURRICANE ZETA IDA, AND WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH OUR ADMINISTRATION TO OBTAIN A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT SEWER RATE INCREASE, UH, WHICH WILL BRING MANY, MANY PROJECTS, UH, FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS.
AS A RESULT OF THIS RATE INCREASE, MR. LOCKWOOD WAS ABLE TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST EVER PARISH SEWER PIPE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM, AN 800,000,020 YEAR PROGRAM, WHICH WILL ENABLE THE PARISH TO MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT WORKING SEWER SYSTEM FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
WHEREAS MR. LOCKWOOD IS KNOWN AND RESPECTED BY, BY FRIENDS AND COWORKERS AS AN EXTREMELY DEDICATED AND HUMBLE LEADER WITH A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL CAREER, WHO HAS A KIND HEART, A PASSION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND A FABULOUS BARITONE VOICE TO GO ALONG WITH HIS LOVE FOR CORAL MUSIC.
I THEREFORE, CYNTHIA LEE SHANK, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE MICHAEL LOCKWOOD ON YOUR RETIREMENT FROM JEFFERSON PARISH.
MIKE ALSO MAKES A MEAN HAUNTED HOUSE IN HIS CONFERENCE ROOM.
I WAS SO VERY IMPRESSED THIS PAST OCTOBER, UH, WITH THE DETAIL OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE THAT YOU DID FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES AND, AND ALL YOUR PASSION FOR THAT.
SO, UH, I'M GONNA TURN IT OVER TO YOU, MIKE.
THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, UH, COUNCIL, ADMINISTRATION.
IT CERTAINLY HAS BEEN A JOURNEY OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.
UH, I WENT FROM GARBAGE MAN TO, UH, SHALL WE SAY TURD, HERDER,
BUT, UH, I, I'M, I'M DEEPLY INDEBTED TO YOU AND, AND, AND THE PARISH FOR, UH,
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LEADING ME TO THIS NEXT PHASE OF LIFE.AND I, AND I MUST SAY, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE HAUNTED HOUSE, THAT I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT
UM, BUT IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE.
UH, I HAVE MY FAMILY HERE, MY WIFE MICKEY, MY DAUGHTER AARON, AND MY SON-IN-LAW, DAVID.
AND I THINK THE BEST THING THAT, THAT I CAN SAY THAT, THAT WE'VE DONE IS THROUGH THE COUNCIL AND, AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION IS GET THE WATER AND SEWER H UH, DONE.
IF, IF YOU RECALL, WHEN YOU CALLED ME AND ASKED ME TO TAKE THE POSITION OF SEWAGE DIRECTOR, YOU SAID, I WANT THE SEWAGE DEPARTMENT TO MOVE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION IN THE FUTURE.
AND IF YOU REMEMBER WHAT I SAID, I, I SAID, THE, THERE IS NO FUTURE FOR THE SEWAGE DEPARTMENT IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
AND I WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT DUE TO THE RATES AND, AND, AND WHAT WE WERE GETTING, WE WERE BARELY, UH, NOT TREADING WATER, REALLY.
SO, UH, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S GONNA BE AN IMPROVEMENT, THAT THE, AS YOU SAID, FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL SEE.
AND, AND I THINK IT, IT, IT'S AN ENORMOUS ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR YOU, YOUR ADMINISTRATION AND THE COUNCIL TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO SOMETHING THAT WAS PROBABLY INTRINSICALLY VERY UNPOPULAR AND, AND, AND TO GET IT DONE.
SO, I, I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS.
IT WAS UNBELIEVABLY, UH, GRATIFYING.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, COME TAKE A PICTURE WITH MR. LOCKWOOD AND HIS FAMILY ON HIS RETIREMENT.
YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD, VERY PROUD OF ALL HIS WORK.
THANKS FOR LETTING US OCCUPIED SO MUCH OF HIS TIME.
WE CAN'T, WE DON'T GET TO PICK FAMILY, NEED A CHARACTER, BUT YOU, I HAVE A LOT OF CHARACTERS AND I LOVE THEM ALL.
YOU KNOW WHAT WE ALL DO YOU THINK? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
KATE, I HAVE QUITE A FEW PROCLAMATIONS TODAY, MR. CHAIRMAN, SO I'M GONNA DO ONE MORE, AND THEN I'LL LET SOMEBODY ELSE DO, DO SOME, AND THEN I'LL COME BACK LATER.
SO, UM, MR. MICHAEL ADAMS. PAUL ADAMS, AND SUSIE POTTER IS PAUL HERE AS WELL FROM THE, FROM THE, UM, THE BLOOD CENTER.
AND I KNOW MR. ADAMS FROM DILLARDS
I'M GONNA TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE THAT MR. ADAMS DONE.
LAST MONTH, MR. ADAMS. SUSIE, YOU WANNA GET UP? UM, LAST MONTH, MICHAEL ADAMS, A RESIDENT OF MADY, DONATED HIS 50TH GALLON OF BLOOD AT THE BLOOD CENTER.
THAT'S CALLED A GOLDEN DONATION.
WHEREAS MADY RESIDENT MICHAEL ADAMS BEGAN DONATING BLOOD AT THE BLOOD BANK MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO.
AND ON JANUARY 4TH, 2023, HE DONATED A RECORD BREAKING 50TH GALLON DURING HIS 400TH VISIT.
WHEREAS EVERY TWO SECONDS, SOMEONE IN THE UNITED STATES NEED BLOOD AND A SINGLE DONATION CAN SAVE MULTIPLE LIVES.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT MR. ADAMS, WHO SPENDS AN HOUR AND A HALF EACH WEEK GIVING BLOOD, HAS HELPED MORE THAN A THOUSAND PATIENTS THROUGH HIS MANY DONATIONS.
THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDING.
UM, MR. ADAMS GIVES A PHIS, DID I SAY IT RIGHT, PH APHERESIS ASIS FSIS, ALLOWING HIM TO DONATE MORE.
OFTEN, THE PROCESS REMOVES WHOLE
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BLOOD, SEPARATES THE RED CELLS FROM THE PLATELETS IN PLASMA, AND GIVES THE DONOR BACK WHAT WASN'T USED.AND WHEREAS IN THE UNITED STATES, 65% OF THE POPULATION IS ELIGIBLE TO ELIGIBLE TO GIVE BLOOD, BUT ONLY 3% DOES DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS UNDER 19 HAVE DROPPED NEARLY 50% OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS ALONE.
THIS REALITY HAS CREATED AN URGENT NEED FOR YOUNGER MO DIVERSE DONORS.
AND WHEREAS ANY OF US, OUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, COULD BE IN AN ACCIDENT OR BECOME ILL AND SOMEDAY NEED BLOOD BY CHOOSING TO GIVE.
NOW, DONORS NOT ONLY HELP BOOST A FUTURE BLOOD SUPPLY, BUT ALSO SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED OF AN EMERGENCY LIFESAVING CARE OR TRANSFUSIONS FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.
AND WHEREAS FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF MEMBERS OF A LOVED ONE BATTLING DISEASES WILL OFTEN ANSWER THE CALL TO BECOME PLATELET DONORS AFTER LEARNING THAT SUPPLIES CAN BE SCARCE.
BLOOD IS ONE OF THE FEW MEDICATIONS HOSPITALS RELY ON THAT CANNOT BE MANUFACTURED.
WHEREAS MR. ADAMS SELFLESS DECISION TO REGULARLY DONATE BLOOD HELPS SAVE LIVES AND GIVE MORE PEOPLE THERE TOMORROW.
NOW, THEREFORE, AS CYNTHIA LEE SHANK, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND THANK MICHAEL ADAMS FOR BECOMING A GOLDEN BLOOD DONOR IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LITTLE TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN IN, SO I THINK ALL OF US ARE THINKING THAT WAY.
SO, UM, MR. ADAMS, WHAT WE'RE, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE SAVING LIVES.
WE NEED TO STEP OUT OF THE BOX.
AND ACTUALLY THE WORLDWIDE, YOU SAID 65%, THAT'S PROBABLY IN META, BUT ON, BUT ALL OF THE 65% IS 3%.
THAT'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE DONATING TO PEOPLE THAT NEED THIS.
THIS IS GOING TO CHILDREN, IT'S GOING TO ELDERLY.
WE TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE BECOME BETTER, HEALTHIER, AND SAVE SOME OF THE WORLD.
IT'S HOW WE REACH OUT AND CHANGE LIVES AND BECOME MORE CARING AND GIVING AND SHARING PEOPLE.
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR EACH OTHER.
WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THIS OTHER STUFF THAT WE'RE GETTING INVOLVED WITH.
AND THINK ABOUT REACHING OUT, DONATING, AND GIVING TO OTHER PEOPLE.
AND THAT'S HOW WE NEED TO LET WALK AND LIVE OUR LIVES.
AND I GOT MY TWO SONS HERE TOO.
YOU HAVE YOUR SON, TWO SON, TWO SONS.
THIS IS ANTHONY, MY SON ROBERT.
MAYBE EVEN HAVE MR. EUGENE WILLIAMS HERE FROM DILLARDS.
OH, MR. WILLIAMS FROM DILLARD.
LET'S, COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF YOU WANNA COME GET A PICTURE WITH MR. ADAMS. OKAY.
JUST ME AND HIM AFTER THE COUNCIL.
MORE COUNCILMAN? ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.
YOU WANNA GET ONE WITH, COME ON, LET'S GET SUSIE ONCE.
DID ALL OF THIS IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW.
REALLY? SO WE, WE ALWAYS GIVE AND LIKE YOU AND LIKE YOU.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOU ARE UP NEXT.
AS THE PARISH PRESIDENT GETS A BREAK BEFORE HER FINAL TWO PROCLAMATIONS LATER IN THE PROGRAM.
RIGHT? I WAS SAYING, UH, WE JUST RECOGNIZED, UH, MIKE FOR HIS BLOOD DONATIONS.
MY DAD, UM, HAS REACHED THAT SAME MILESTONE.
SO WE ALWAYS GREW UP GIVING, IT'S A REALLY EASY WAY TO GIVE BACK.
AND I TOOK SOME OF MY STAFF FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME WHO HAD NOT GIVEN BLOOD.
I SAID, LOOK, IT'S NOT PAINFUL AT ALL.
KEEP YOUR SUGAR UP, YOU KNOW, AND IT'S
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AN EASY WAY TO SAVE LIVES.SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR WHAT YOU DO.
COOKIES, PLENTY OF COOKIES AFTERWARD.
I MEAN, WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED,
AND SO WE'RE RECOGNIZING JOHN BURRIS THIS MORNING.
UM, I WANNA THANK HIS BOSS ALSO, DR.
MIKE STRAIN, WHO IS OUR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.
ANYTIME WE HAVE AN ISSUE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, UM, WHETHER IT'S, YOU KNOW, WITH, WITH ANIMALS, UH, ON THE WEST BANK, I KNOW JERRY BOLOGNAS HERE.
WILD HOGS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE ON THE EAST BANK, SOMETIMES DUCKS THAT ARE.
AND SO, UH, THE AG DEPARTMENT IS ALWAYS THERE FOR US AS A RESOURCE.
JOHN BURRIS PARTICULARLY SO, UM, HE'S A FORESTER WITH LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY.
HE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, FOREST HEALTH, AS WELL AS WILDFIRE DETECTION AND SUPPRESSION ON THE NORTH SHORE AND ST.
HIS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY, THOUGH ALSO EXTENDS HERE TO THE SOUTH OF THE LAKE REGIONS OF JEFFERSON TERREBONNE ST.
UM, SO HIS REACH REALLY IS REGIONAL.
JOHN GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN FORESTRY FROM MISSISSIPPI STATE.
HE'S A CERTIFIED PRESCRIBED BURNER AND A REGISTERED FORESTER.
HE WORKED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR 45 YEARS, AND NOW HAS JOINED THE DEPARTMENT OF AG, UM, FOR ABOUT THE PAST SIX YEARS.
AND HE'S BEEN A REALLY WONDERFUL RESOURCE TO US IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
UH, WE ASKED HIM TO BE HERE TODAY.
UM, CARRIE HAMMETT IS OUR DISTRICT FIVE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BZA A AND CARRIE SAID JOHN HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY INVALUABLE, UM, RESOURCE IN AIDING THE BZA.
HE IS A WONDERFUL SECOND OPINION, AND HIS EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE ARE ALWAYS PROVIDED TO JEFFERSON PARISH AND OUR RESIDENTS WITHOUT COST.
HE JUST BRINGS THAT KNOWLEDGE TO THE TABLE, UH, TO HELP US OUT.
HIS EXPERIENCE IS ALSO GIVEN APPLICANTS WITH TREE PROBLEMS, THE COMFORT THAT KNOWING THEIR CASES HAVE REALLY BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND FAIRLY DECIDED.
HE'S MADE HIMSELF AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH ANY ISSUES THAT ARISE, UH, THAT CONCERN TREES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND IN THE PRE TREE PROTECTION AREAS, UH, OF DISTRICT FIVE.
THAT'S PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT.
SO WE'RE JUST SO GRATEFUL AND, UH, THANKFUL THAT WE CAN RELY ON HIS EXPERIENCE.
SO WE HAVE AN OFFICIAL, UH, CERTIFICATE FOR HIM THIS MORNING.
IT IS A CER CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION.
IT'S HEREBY PRESENTED TO JOHN BURRIS OF THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND DEDICATION TO THE PROTECTION AND WELFARE OF ITS NATIVE TREES.
WE GIVE THIS ON THIS EIGHTH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2023 AND SAY, THANK YOU.
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN, SO, WE, UH, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? YES.
YOU HAVE A UNIQUE, UH, SKILLSET.
AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT A GYM YOU HAVE RIGHT HERE.
UH, HER PASSION FOR, UH, THE FRIENDS OF JEFFERSON AND, UH, TREE SCHOOL, UH, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S REALLY A PASSION FOR HER AND, UH, HER WORK, UH, WITH TREE SCHOOL, WHICH, UH, L E A F IS INVOLVED IN.
WE, UH, UH, WE COME AND WE, UH, OFFER THE CERTIFICATION THROUGH, UM, UH, CONTINUING ED FOR ARBORIST.
AND MS. CAREY IS VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN PUTTING THAT TOGETHER.
AND THEN, UH, I WORKED WITH HER ON ONE OR TWO PROJECTS HERE, SO JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW, UH, HOW SPECIAL SHE IS.
NOW, ASK ANY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO COME DOWN AND, AND TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA, JOHN, OF HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS.
THE VERY FIRST TEXT I GOT THIS MORNING WAS FROM A RESIDENT CONCERNED ABOUT AT AND T DIGGING FIBER AROUND OUR HISTORIC OAKS ON NORTHLINE.
AND SO REALLY, IT IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VALUE AND THE BEAUTY OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
SO WE'RE GONNA GET THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO COME DOWN AND TAKE A PICTURE WITH US.
SO, UM, I HAVE ON A, A FEW OF THEM MY MARDI GRAS COLORS, AND, UM, WE KNOW THIS WEEKEND WE ARE APPROACHING FAMILY GRA AND, UM, THE FIRST PARADES IN JEFFERSON
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PARISH.UM, LITTLE RASCALS KICKED US OFF LAST WEEKEND, OUR CHILDREN'S PARADE, BUT OUR TRADITIONAL CREW CREWS WILL START ROLLING THIS WEEKEND.
UM, FRIDAY NIGHT WE HAVE EXCALIBUR, UM, SATURDAY, UH, AND SYMPHONY SYMPHONY'S, ONE OF OUR NEWER PARADES AND BEAUTIFUL LIGHTING IN THAT FLOAT, UH, IN THAT PARADE.
AND THEN ON SATURDAY, WE WILL HAVE, UM, MAD HATTERS, WHICH IS A SPECTACULAR PARADE.
AND WE'RE OFF FOR SUNDAY BECAUSE IT IS THE SUPER BOWL.
UM, BUT FAMILY GRA HAS BECOME SUCH A SPECIAL PART OF CELEBRATING THIS TIME OF YEAR IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC MEETING, MAJESTY, IT'S LIKE THE APPETIZER TO THE PARADES, AND WE HAVE A GREAT LINEUP.
SO WE WANTED TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO COME OUT AND JOIN US, UH, FOR FAMILY GRA THIS WEEKEND.
WE SH WE WANNA SHOW YOU A LITTLE, UM, BIT ABOUT THE LINEUP OF TALENT THAT WE HAVE AT THIS YEAR'S FAMILY.
GRA DON'T BLAME IT ON SUNSHINE.
ALL THE COOL GIRLS ARE OUT TONIGHT.
SHE'S GOT HOLLYWOOD, EVERYTHING.
SHE PINE TREES IN THE WINDING ROOM.
I, I, IF I COULD SAVE TIME IN A BOTTLE, WHAT COULD YOU, ME, PLEASE.
THERE HIS CAR HOME OF THESE OUT.
WHAT TURNS ON NICE ME, IT'S, SO THAT IS THE LINEUP FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FOR FAMILY GRA.
I DON'T KNOW IF PARISH PRESIDENT YOU RECEIVED CALLS FROM GIRLFRIENDS WHO HAD CRUSHES ON RICK SPRINGFIELD DURING THE EIGHTIES.
THEY WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT HE WAS COMING.
UM, AND THEN HALEY WHITTERS IS OPENING FOR SHANIA TWAIN, WHO'S OUT ON TOUR.
SHE'S A HOT NEW COUNTRY ARTIST.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE HER.
UM, AS WELL AS, UH, CLASSICS LIKE THE JACKSON'S, UH, JIM CROCI SON.
WE THANK ASHNER FOR BEING A SPONSOR, UM, OUR MAJOR SPONSOR BECAUSE IT IS A FREE FESTIVAL.
UM, IF YOU WANNA SUPPORT FAMILY GRA AND COME OUT AND JOIN US, YOU CAN, UH, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY WELCOME.
AND THEN ALSO THERE'S A V I P PASS THAT'S AVAILABLE, UH, FOR $99.
UH, IT COVERS BOTH DAYS AND FOOD, AND, UM, AND, YOU KNOW, SOME VACCINE BACKSTAGE, UH, ACTION AS WELL.
LOOK FORWARD TO A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY.
GRA AND THE WEATHER'S GONNA BE GREAT.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANKIN PARISH PRESIDENT NOW UP FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF PROCLAMATIONS.
SHE'S USED UP ALL HER PROCLAMATIONS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR ALREADY.
I GOTTA BORROW SOME OTHER PEOPLE.
SO, UM, I THINK MISS SCHULMAN, I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN YOU EARLIER BECAUSE I THINK YOU WANNA GO OPEN YOUR STORE PROBABLY ON SIVER, RIGHT? I'M GONNA INVITE MISSY LANE, SCHULMAN UP WITH HER DAUGHTER COURTNEY, HER
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SON JORDAN DAUGHTER-IN-LAW.BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOME MORE PEOPLE IN THE FAMILY.
I GOT, I THINK SOME GRANDCHILDREN ARE INVOLVED.
HUH? HADN'T SEEN YOU ALL IN A WHILE.
THREE GENERATIONS, RIGHT? YES.
I THINK THIS IS A PLACE THAT WE ARE ALL VERY FAMILIAR WITH.
THE SCHULMAN FAMILY OWNS AND OPERATES PEARLS PLACE, BRIDAL BOUTIQUE, A PIONEER AMONG BUSINESSES IN THE FAT CITY AREA OF MEY SENE.
WE'VE JUST GONE THROUGH ALL THE UPGRADES.
INVERNE, I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
I KNOW IT WAS A LONG TIME, UH, WITH THAT, BUT IT'S BEAUTIFUL NOW AND IT'S GONNA EVEN BE MORE BEAUTIFUL WHEN WE INSTALL THE TREES AFTER MARDI GRAS.
UM, BUT SENE IS SUCH A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE AND SO IMPORTANT TO US, AND IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF BUSINESSES SUCH STABLE BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR SO LONG, LONG-STANDING BUSINESSES, UM, THEY HAVE BEEN IN, IN, UM, IN OPERATION FOR MORE THAN HALF OF A CENTURY.
SO I WANNA READ THIS PROCLAMATION, PEARL'S PLACE, BRIDAL BOUTIQUE WAS CO-FOUNDED IN 1970 BY PEARL MOZ AND ELAINE AND FREDERICK SCHULMAN IN THE FAT CITY NEIGHBORHOOD OF MATTY AS ONE OF THE FIRST RETAILERS TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF LAKESIDE MALL, INVERNE AVENUE, PEARL'S PLACE WAS A PIONEER IN THE AREA SELLING CLOTHING FOR A NIGHT OUT IN FAT CITY.
IT'S DISCO CLOTHING, RIGHT? THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE SELLING.
PEARL'S PLACE IS NOW ONE OF THE LEADING BRIDAL AND FORMAL WEAR STORES IN THE GULF SOUTH IN BOSEN, EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF STYLES TO FULFILL THE WISHES OF EVERY MEMBER OF THE WEDDING PARTY WITHOUT BUDGET INVENTORY OR SIZING RESTRAINTS.
AND WHEREAS THE BOUTIQUE, WHICH PRIDES ITSELF ON CULTIVATING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE MOST COVETED DESIGNERS HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN INNOVATOR AND ON THE CUTTING EDGE IN FASHION, CARRYING THE LATEST TRENDS ALONG WITH TRADITIONAL LOOKS.
AND WHEREAS PEARL'S PLACE STARTED THE BRIDAL INDUSTRY INTERNET REVOLUTION BY CREATING THE VERY FIRST WEBSITE DEVOTED TO BRIDAL FASHIONS IN 1995, I DID NOT KNOW THAT.
WHEREAS PEARLS PLACE HAS BEEN FEATURED ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, HAS BEEN MENTIONED IN EVERY MAJOR BRIDAL PUBLICATION.
AND IT'S CONSISTENTLY AWARDED HONORS AND PLATINUM STATUS RANKINGS BY VENDORS DUE TO YOUR REMARKABLE SALES.
AND WHEREAS THE SUCCESS OF PEARLS PLACE STILL AT ITS ORIGINAL SEVERN AVENUE LOCATION, AND UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF A NEW GENERATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS, CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO ITS PASSION, COMMITMENT, AND BELIEF THAT EVERY BRIDE AND BRIDES MADE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO OBTAIN QUALITY GOWNS ON ALL PRICE RANGES FROM VARIOUS DESIGNERS.
NOW, THERE I, FOR CYNTHIA LEE CHEANG, PRESIDENT JEFFERSON PARIS, DO BY RECOGNIZING, CONGRATULATE PEARL'S PLACE BRIDAL BOUTIQUE FOR 53 YEARS OF BUSINESS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
AND I APOLOGIZE, COUNCILMAN VAN REICHEN, I SHOULD HAVE HAD YOU DOWN HERE WITH US.
PLEASE COME JOIN US AND GIVE SOME WORDS.
UM, AND MS. SCHULMAN, I WANT YOU TO SAY SOME WORDS, AND I WANT YOU TO ALSO, UM, TELL US THE, THE, THE NAME, WHERE THE NAME COMES FROM, BUT I WANNA INVITE THE COUNCILWOMAN UP.
WE, WE, UH, TALKED ABOUT OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH YOU OVER THE YEARS.
I REMEMBER BUYING THINGS FOR SWEET 16 AND EVERY SPECIAL EVENT WITH YOU.
SO THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE AND BEING SUCH A PART OF ALL OF OUR SPECIAL MEMORIES, UH, GROWING UP AROUND THE WEDDING BUSINESS.
WE HAVE LOTS OF CONNECTIONS THERE, OBVIOUSLY, AND, AND WHAT YOU'VE GIVEN TO OUR PARISH AND DISTRICT FIVE, WE'RE JUST VERY APPRECIATIVE.
I STILL PULL OUT ONE OF MY DRESSES, ONE OF MY TATA POOFY DRESSES FROM THE EIGHTIES WHEN I GO TO A RETRO PROM.
AND I THINK OF YOU EVERY TIME.
UM, BUT, UM, ON MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, ELAINE'S BEHALF, I WANT TO, UM, THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING US.
WE ARE SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF JEFFERSON PARISH HISTORY.
UM, AND MOSTLY WE JUST WANNA THANK OUR OLD CUSTOMERS, OUR VERY OLD CUSTOMERS, OUR NEW CUSTOMERS, AND OUR FUTURE CUSTOMERS.
SO, AND ELAINE, THAT'S, UM, COURTNEY, HER DAUGHTER, MY DAUGHTER SILER SAWYER, AND MY HUSBAND JORDAN.
OKAY, COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHEN YOU COME, WAIT, WHERE'S THE NAME FROM PEARL'S PLACE? IS THAT, WAS THAT YOUR MOM? THAT WAS MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WHO, UM, ORIGINALLY TRAVELED ON THE ROAD AND SOLD SAMPLES FROM HER HOUSE AND EVERYBODY WOULD SAY, LET'S GO TO PEARL'S PLACE.
SO THAT WAS A NATURAL NAME, PEARL'S PLACE.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS, I WAS THINKING THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CASE.
Y'ALL GET, COME UP A LITTLE BIT.
[00:35:08]
SO MUCH.I MEAN, SHE DON'T AT ALL BECAUSE SHE WORKS SO HARD, RIGHT, JERRY? YEAH.
IF I COULD HAVE MS. CYNTHIA GROSS COME UP WITH HER FAMILY, I'M HONORED TO BE HERE WITH JERRY BOLOGNA, OUR FEARLESS LEADER AT JED CO.
CYNTHIA, THIS IS ANOTHER CELEBRATION OF A VERY LONG CAREER.
MS. CYNTHIA GROSS IS JED CO'S CONTROLLER, AND YOU WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF MARCH, RIGHT AFTER NEARLY 35 YEARS OF ABSOLUTELY EXEMPLARY SERVICE.
SO, UM, JED CO IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL FOR US IN OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND, AND REALLY, UH, TO HELP US RETAIN BUSINESSES AND GET NEW BUSINESSES.
VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
WHEREAS CYNTHIA GROSS BEGAN HER OUTSTANDING CAREER WITH THE NEWLY FORMED JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, JCO AS CONTROLLER IN 1988, IS ONE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S FIRST EMPLOYEES.
AND WHEREAS CYNTHIA OVERSAW THE DEVELOPMENT OF JED CO'S FIRST ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND EMPLOYEE MANUAL ALONG WITH NEEDED AMENDMENTS.
OVER TIME, AS THE ORGANIZATION EVOLVED, COORDINATED JED CO'S INSURANCE FUNCTIONS, MANAGED ALL OF JCOS OF ACCOUNTING FACET PREPARED JED O'S ANNUAL BUDGETS, OVERSAW GEN JCOS ANNUAL AUDIT, ASSISTED SENIOR MANAGEMENT WITH IMPORTANT FINANCIAL PERSONNEL DECISIONS, MANAGED ALL HUMAN RESOURCE FUNCTIONS, AND SUPERVISE THE OPERATIONS ASSISTANT RECEPTIONIST AND OFFICE IT MANAGERS.
I KNOW THE PERSON YOU ARE IN THE OFFICE.
YOU'RE EITHER JUST THE PERSON THAT MAKES THINGS GO.
WE ALL HAVE ONE OF THOSE IN OUR OFFICE, RIGHT? THAT'S, THAT'S CERTAINLY WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE.
WHEREAS IN THE FACE OF THE UNPRECEDENTED EVENTS OF HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, CYNTHIA REMARKABLY AND QUICKLY RESPONDED TO THE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, KEEPING THE ORGANIZATION OPERATING AT A TIME WHEN JED CO'S ASSISTANCE IN THE COMMUNITY WAS NEEDED THE MOST.
AND I CAN CERTAINLY SPEAK TO THAT.
WHEREAS ON PAR WITH OTHER SUCCESSFUL WOMEN, CYNTHIA MANAGED TO CARRY OUT HER EXPANDING DUTIES TO JCO WHILE EXPANDING HER ROLE AT HOME, FROM WIFE OF AN ADURING HUSBAND, TO NURTURING MOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN, TO CAREGIVER OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND GRANDMOTHER OF TWO ADORABLE GRANDCHILDREN.
AND WHEREAS ON MARCH 31ST, 2023, CYNTHIA GROSS WILL RETIRE AFTER NEARLY 35 EXEMPLARY YEARS AS THE CONTROLLER OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.
NOW, THEREFORE, CYNTHIA LEE SHANG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH DO HEREBY CONGRATULATE AND RECOGNIZE CYNTHIA GROSS FOR HER COMMENDABLE DEDICATION TO HER ROLE AS COMPTROLLER FOR JCO.
I'M GONNA LET, I'M GONNA ELECTED LET JERRY SPEAK, AND THEN IF YOU WANNA, YOU WANNA, UM, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
THANKS TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND MY FAMILY AT JCO.
I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS AT ALL, BUT I DO APPRECIATE IT.
UH, RETIREMENT IS SOMETHING I'VE WORKED FOR AND LOOK FORWARD TO.
AND I PLAN ON ENJOYING THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH MY FAMILY.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU WANNA COME TAKE A PICTURE? DO YOU HAVE ANYBODY FROM JCO, ANOTHER JED CO MEMBERS WHO WANNA TAKE A PICTURE WITH MS. GROSS? OKAY.
SHE'S GONNA WANT EVERYBODY IN THIS PICTURE.
JERRY, GET JERRY, GET UP HERE NEXT TO YOU.
WE'LL, THEY'LL HELP US NEIL, WE'LL HELP US GET SITUATED.
GREAT, CYNTHIA, CONGRATULATIONS.
THAT'S A NICE PICTURE FOR YOU.
[00:40:03]
CONGRATULATIONS.UH, THIS MORNING, UH, THE PARISH, UH, DISTRICT FOUR, BUT THE PARISH AS A WHOLE SITS IN A UNIQUE POSITION, UH, IN THE PROCLAMATION SECTION OF OUR, UH, OF OUR MEETING BECAUSE WE ARE NOT AS MUCH IN THE GIVING, UH, POSITION AS MUCH AS RECEIVING, UH, TODAY.
UM, IF I COULD HAVE THE MEMBERS OF DAWN BUSTERS AND TRIP R UH, THE DIRECTOR OF LAIER PARK, PLEASE, UH, COME JOIN ME.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE MOST PROUD OF IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, UH, IN DISTRICT FOUR, WHAT WE'VE DONE IS THE MOST AGGRESSIVE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP EFFORT, UH, THAT THE PARISH HAS SEEN.
AND PRIVATE DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN PRIVATE BUSINESS, IT OFTEN MEANS VOLUNTEERS.
UH, DAWN BUSTERS, DAWN BUSTER'S, KIWANIS CLUB IS HERE.
UH, IF YOU LIVE IN MADY AND YOU, AND YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH DAWN BUSTERS, UM, I, I'M, I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED
WELL, WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE.
ONE OF THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE'VE CULTIVATED AT LAIER PARK HAS BEEN WITH THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS CLUB.
UM, WHAT WAS ONCE THE BOOTH AT THE ZOO, UH, NOT BOOTH AT THE ZOO, EXCUSE ME, PARK ABO AT LAIER PARK WAS DONE BY THE NORTH KENNER KIWANIS DUE TO A VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT WASN'T ABLE TO CONTINUE.
SO WE PICKED UP THE PHONE AND CALLED DON BUSTER AND SAID, GUYS, CAN, CAN Y'ALL STEP UP AND, AND CARRY THE TORCH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LAIER PARK AND JEFFERSON PARISH, WHICH THEY DID.
UM, THE WAYS THEY HAVE CARRIED THE TORCH AND ASSISTED US IN THE PARISH, UM, JUST CONTINUES TO MOUNT EVERY DAY.
UH, WE HAVE GARDENS BEING BUILT, UM, AT THE FRONT OF THE PARK.
WE HAVE, UM, WE JUST HAD THE SECOND ANNUAL KING CAKE FEST AT LAIER PARK HOSTED, UH, BY DAWN BUSTERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH US, UH, AT THE PARISH.
EVERYTHING THEY DO, THEY HA THEY SEEM TO HAVE THE MIDAS TOUCH.
EVERYTHING THEY DO TO TURNS TO GOLD, EVERYTHING THEY TOUCH TURNS TO GOLD.
AND, UM, AND THE IRONY IS THEY DON'T DO IT TO MAKE MONEY.
THEY DO IT TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE.
SO THERE IS NO BETTER PARTNER FOR JEFFERSON PARISH THAN THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS CLUB.
I'M PROUD TO SAY THE TRIP ALEE, UH, AND I HAVE, HAVE GONE AND REACHED OUT AND CULTIVATED THAT RELATIONSHIP TO MAKE SURE JEFFSON PARISH IS A BETTER PLACE.
AS WE SAY ALL THE TIME, GOVERNMENT CAN'T SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE NEED PRIVATE INDUSTRY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
LAIER PARK, THE CROWN JEWEL HAS BEEN EV THE BEST ILLUSTRATION OF THAT IN OUR MINDS.
AND, UH, WITH THAT, I'M GONNA TURN IT OVER TO MR. SALAK AS HE HAS A PRESENTATION, UH, FOR THE PARISH PRESIDENT AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL.
THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.
UM, WE REPRESENT DON BUSES AND WE HAVE SOME REALLY GOOD NEWS AT TAKE.
WE REPRESENT JEFFERSON PARISH AND WE, UM, WE'RE THE LARGEST FUNDRAISING ARM THAT YOU CAN PUT TOGETHER FOR A NONPROFIT EXCEPT THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMEN FROM GRETNA WHO HAVE THE GRETNA FEST.
AND TODAY WE WANT TO BRAG JUST A LITTLE BIT.
FIRST OFF, WE HAVE A FAMILY SERIES TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHERE'S TRIP REVEL? TRIP R THE DISTINGUISH CHARISMATIC CHRIS RABLAY.
HE HAS COME UP WITH TWO IDEAS THAT HE GAVE TO US, WHICH WERE BOMBS, AND THEY WERE GREAT BOMBS.
HE CAME UP WITH A FAMILY SERIES.
HE GOT TOGETHER, MR. EMPALE, AND THEY SAID, HOW CAN WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN THE PART? SO THEY CREATED A FAMILY SERIES.
THE FIRST FAMILY SERIES WAS TO CREATE THE INTRODUCTION OF MARDI GRAS EACH YEAR BACK INTO OUR PARISH.
SO THEY CAME UP WITH THE KING CAKE FESTIVAL THAT CAME TOGETHER, AND WE NEED TO BRING CHRISTINE UP.
CHRISTINE WORKS WITH US ON THAT.
SO THE KING CAKE FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR.
NOW YOU'RE GONNA OPEN MARDI GRAS IN LAUGHING YEAR PARK WITH THE KING CAKES FESTIVAL.
THEN THEY HAVE FAMILY SERIES NUMBER TWO, THE EASTER FESTIVAL WITH THE EASTER BUNNIES FAMILY.
NUMBER THREE, HE'S COME UP WITH, UH, BTU U, WHICH IS HALLOWEEN.
HE'S GONNA HAVE A BACK TO SCHOOL WHERE ALL OF THE PARENTS FINALLY GET TO ALLOW THEIR KIDS ONE LAST FLING.
AND OF COURSE, WE ARE GONNA DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR CHRISTMAS.
WE'RE HERE TO BRAG BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO WE LOVE WORKING AT LAUGHER PARK, WE WANT TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK.
YOU KNOW, ALL THE TIME PEOPLE COME TO YOU TO ASK FOR SOMETHING TODAY WE WANT TO GIVE BACK.
BUT FIRST WE'RE GONNA TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN, IN MR A'S SERIES NUMBER TWO, HE'S GOT FAMILY SERIES PARK BEAUTIFICATION NUMBER TWO, WE HAVE DONATED
[00:45:01]
TWO BEAUTIFUL ROSE GARDENS.AND WE HAVE NOW, IF YOU'LL GO TO THE FRONT OF LAFA YEAR PARK, YOU WILL SEE A $1,500 INVESTMENT OF WHAT WE CALL THE INSPIRATION GARDEN.
INSPIRATION GARDEN IS NOW ABOUT TO BLOOM AND TAKE OVER, AND IT'S GONNA BE THE WHOLE PARK ASPIRATION.
SO TODAY, HAVING BRAGGED ABOUT ALL THAT, MIKE HEFNER IS WITH ME, RIGHT HERE WITH MEL.
CHRISTINE, WE'RE GOING TO SAY THIS.
WE ARE DONATING $3,000 TO YOU FROM ORIGINALLY OUR FIRST, UH, BOO TO YOU.
WE'RE DONATING $3,500 TO YOU FROM OUR EASTER, AND WE'RE DONATING $2,500 TO YOU FROM OUR KING CAKE FESTIVAL, NOT COUNTING THE $3,000 THAT WE'VE GOT ALREADY IN BEAUTIFICATION THAT WE'VE DONE TO THE PARK.
THANK YOU ALL OF, HOW MANY OF YOU ARE MEMBERS OF DAWN BUSES? ANYBODY IN THE ROOM? SO THANK YOU.
AND SO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE NOT, SO WE WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. MR. HEFNER.
YOU CAN PRESENT THE CHECKS TO THEM, PLEASE.
THIS IS, UH, UH, A TOTAL CHECK FOR THIS PAST YEAR.
THIS TOTAL, THIS CHECK HERE WILL NOW TOTAL UP TO $9,000 THAT WE'VE GIVEN INTO THE PARK.
SO I WANNA MAKE SURE WHO'S, WHO'S RECEIVING IT? TRIP, TRIP
IT'S WRITTEN, IT'S WRITTEN TO CASH.
YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT ONE,
BUT IT'S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE PARK.
UM, AND THEN OF COURSE, MR. FERTA HERE, HE'S HELPED US, UH, MAKE THIS RELATIONSHIP WORK.
AND IT'S, IT'S, I MEAN, THE THINGS THAT WE DO IN THERE, THE WIND CHIME GARDENS, THE, UH, BIRD HOUSES, AND I MEAN, IT JUST GOES TO THE GARDENS LIKE, UH, SOUTH TALKED ABOUT.
SO IT JUST GOES ON AND ON AND ON.
SO WE HOPE TO BE MORE AND MORE.
AND AS YOU GET, AS ANYBODY GOES INTO THE PARK, YOU SEE THERE'S MORE AND MORE PEOPLE THERE.
WE NOW HAVE TO CALL TRIP AND ASK HIM, HEY, CAN WE DO THIS ON THIS WEEKEND? CUZ OF, YOU KNOW, PARK'S JUST GETTING BOOKED UP MORE AND MORE.
SO, SO THANK Y'ALL FOR Y'ALL YOUR HELP.
WE JUST, THE STAFF OF LAVENDER PARK AND, AND JEFFERSON PARISH IN GENERAL WOULD LOVE TO, WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU GUYS.
ALL OF THE THINGS YOU DO FOR US, MAKE MY JOB EASIER.
IT IT IS, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE COME TO THE PARK.
IT'S WONDERFUL THAT THEY'RE ALL GETTING TO EXPERIENCE THE JEWEL OF JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT YOU GUYS MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.
WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO DO IT.
UH, THE KING K CRAWL WAS INCREDIBLE.
WE CAN'T BLAME THE WEATHER, MAN AT ALL.
BUT WHEN YOU BRING FOUR OR 5,000 PEOPLE TO THE PARK AND THEY ENJOY THE, THE AMENITIES WE HAVE, THAT'S FOUR OR 5,000 MORE PEOPLE WHO TELL MORE PEOPLE WHO TELL MORE PEOPLE.
WE GET MORE RENTALS FROM IT, THE CAROUSEL, EVERYTHING.
SO IT'S A SNOWBALL AND WE CAN'T THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE PARK AND WITH HIS BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM, WE'RE GONNA HAVE GARDENS ALL AROUND THE PARK.
CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW BEAUTIFUL THAT'S GONNA BE? AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK BARRY BOARD LONG FOR YOUR FIRST HUGE CONTRIBUTION FOR IT.
AND I DO BELIEVE THAT, UH, MS. GUGGENHEIMER IS HERE.
SHE'S GONNA CHAIR THAT COMMITTEE FOR US.
SO WE'RE GONNA PUT FLOWERS ALL OVER THE GARDEN.
THANK YOU FOR ASKING US TO DO THAT.
WE'RE GONNA LIGHT IT UP FOR YOU.
PUTTING ON A DIFFERENT HAT, UM, I WANNA TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING US TO MAKE LAIER PARK THE NEW HOME OF DAWN BUSTERS.
KIWANIS, FOR THOSE OF YOU DON'T KNOW, WE'RE IN 80 COUNTRIES NOW.
THERE ARE OVER 8,000 DIFFERENT KIWANIS GROUPS AROUND THE WORLD.
WE'RE THE 10TH LARGEST IN THE WORLD, AND WE DO MORE SERVICE WORK THAN ANY QANTAS CLUB ANYWHERE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.
BUT WHILE I'M HERE, SATURDAY NIGHT IS THE CREW OF MATT HATTERS.
I HAPPEN TO BE THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES FOR THE PARISH.
IN THE REVIEWING STAN, ON SATURDAY NIGHT THIS YEAR, WE'RE GONNA HAVE 143 UNITS, 39 FLOATS, 21 PEOPLE OR 21 GROUPS PLAYING MUSIC.
AND WE'RE HONORING ONE OF THE GREAT AMERICANS IN THE WORLD TODAY, THE GREAT BOB WALKER.
SO I KNOW WE WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE MEMBER OF THE CONSOLE AT THIS THING SATURDAY.
BUT, UM, FOR ALL OF YOU PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE, DAWN BUSTERS.ORG AND FOR ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CONS THAT ARE NOT MEMBERS OF DAWN BUSTERS YET, I'M THE NEW MEMBER CHAIRMAN AND I'M AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PARISH PRESENT.
DID YOU JOIN US FOR A PICTURE? THANKS.
[00:50:01]
OKAY EVERYBODY HERE WE GO ON 3 1, 2, 3, AND WE'LL GET ONE MORE.CAN WE GET, UH, THE JED CO STAFF AND JERRY BOLOGNA BACK UP ONCE AGAIN.
WE ALL KNOW WHAT AN IMPORTANT JED CO UH, WHAT AN IMPORTANT PART OF JEFFERSON PARISH JED CO IS AND HOW CRITICAL THEIR ORGANIZATION AND WHAT THEY DO IS FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
SO WE'VE GOT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING ONE OF THEIR RECENT HONORS, WHEREAS THE JEFFERSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION'S MISSION IS TO BUILD A RESILIENT, EQUITABLE, DIVERSE AND COMPETITIVE ECONOMY IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
WHEREAS JED CO HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED INTERNATIONALLY AS A PREMIER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION FOR THE FIFTH TIME IN 14 YEARS, MAKE IT THE LONGEST, CONTINUOUSLY ACCREDITED A E D O IN THE STATE AND THE SECOND LONGEST RUNNING A E D O IN THE GULF SOUTH BY THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
WHEREAS THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IS THE LARGEST MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION SERVING ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS IN THE WORLD.
IT'S A E D O PROGRAM IS A COMPREHENSIVE PEER REVIEW PROCESS THAT CONSISTS OF TWO PHASES, A DOCUMENTATION REVIEW AND AN ONSITE VISIT.
WHEREAS EARNING THE A E D O ACCREDITATION SIGNALS TO THE COMMUNITY AND PROSPECTIVE BUSINESSES, THE JED CO HAS OBTAINED A MEASURE OF EXTREME EXCELLENCE.
JED CO WAS RECOGNIZED FOR KEY PROJECTS SUCH AS FACILITATING THE PURCHASE AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE ICONIC AVONDALE SHIPYARD, SUPPORTING THE OSSNER HEALTH SYSTEM EXPANSION ALONG JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, RETAINING US FOODS, ATTRACTING MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES SUCH AS SLEEP NUMBER DINER NOBLE AND FUJI VEGETABLE OIL TO JEFFERSON PARISH, COMPLETING A MASTER PLAN FOR THE CHURCHILL TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS PARK, SECURING A FEDERAL GRANT TO AID IN DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL BROWNFIELD SITES AND SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1500 SQUARE FOOT MODEL HOME THROUGH THE TERRYTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION STRATEGIC PLAN.
IS THAT ALL
THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY RECOGNIZES THE JCO STAFF FOR THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT AND FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY WORK FOR THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND CONGRATULATIONS EVERYBODY.
I'LL, I'LL BE VERY BRIEF CUZ THIS DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH ME.
UH, BUT IT'S ABOUT THE JED CO TEAM AND SOME OF OUR, OUR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE UP HERE AND REALLY ABOUT YOU, THE COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION WHO GIVE US THE, THE TOOLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
CYNTHIA DIDN'T MENTION IT, BUT WHEN SHE STARTED 34 YEARS AGO, SHE TELLS ME WE HAD ONE DESK AND NO DOOR HANDLES ON, ON THE OFFICE.
SO, UH, THAT WE HAVE TAKEN THAT AND GROWN IT INTO, UH, ONE OF THE PREMIER, UH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN ALL OF NORTH AMERICA.
I HOPE IT MAKES, UH, MAKES YOU PROUD.
AND I'LL JUST CLOSE BY SAYING, UH, ORGANIZATIONS THAT ACHIEVE THIS ACCREDITATION, UH, LOOK AT THAT OFTEN AS THE PINNACLE.
AND I THINK WE LOOK AT THAT AS THE BASELINE AND A PLATFORM TO ACHIEVE MORE AND DO MORE FOR JEFFERSON.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR, UH, YOUR SUPPORT.
THESE GLASSES OFF HERE, WHICH MAKES A HOLE.
I'LL DUCK DOWN, I'LL DUCK DOWN.
RIGHT ALL CONGRATULATIONS MAN.
I JUST KNOW Y'ALL HAD SO MANY S ALL RIGHT, WE'RE ALMOST THERE.
WE'D LIKE TO INVITE UP MR. PATRICK HAMBY FROM ENERGY NOW FOR A FEW WORDS.
HE GETS SOME TIME AND IS NOT EVEN HURRICANE SEASON.
[00:55:15]
GOOD MORNING.WE'RE JUST GETTING THE PRESENTATION, UH, SET UP.
COUNCIL BANANA, IF YOU'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE MR. HAMBY IN INTERIM.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, MR. HAMBY.
YOU KNOW, I WISH YOU WERE HERE IN BETTER CIRCUMSTANCES.
AS YOU KNOW, WE STRUGGLED MIGHTILY AFTER IDA TO GET OUR STREETLIGHTS BACK INTO SERVICE.
AND I, I CONSIDER OUR STREETLIGHTS OUR FIRST LINE DEFENSE AGAINST CRIME.
A WELL AS STREET IS A DETERRENT FOR CRIMINALS TO COME AROUND AND TRY TO ROB YOUR CAR AND COMMIT CRIMES FOLLOWING IDA.
YOU GUYS BROUGHT IN SOME SUBCONTRACTORS AND GOT THAT UNDER CONTROL, BUT I HAVE TO BE CANDID WITH YOU, THAT SITUATION HAS GROWN VERY MUCH WORSE OVER THE LAST 90 DAYS.
UH, JUST ABOUT ON A DAILY BASIS, MY OFFICE GETS A COMPLAINT ABOUT A STREET LIGHT THAT'S OUT AND IT'S JUST NOT A STREET LIGHT THAT'S OUT FOR A WEEK OR TWO, BUT FOR NUMEROUS DAYS.
AND SO LAST WEEK I CONTACTED THE HEAD OF OUR STREET LIGHTING DIVISION AND I ASKED HER FOR A LIST OF THE NUMBER OF STREETLIGHTS OUT JUST IN DISTRICT TWO.
AND I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT THERE'S 73 LIGHTS OUT JUST IN MY DISTRICT.
SO IF YOU SPREAD THAT OUT OF A FIVE DISTRICTS, WE GOT 350 TO 400 LIGHTS OUT.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO ALLOW THIS SITUATION TO CONTINUE TO GROW.
AT SIX O'CLOCK THIS MORNING, I GOT AN EMAIL AND IF YOU'LL HUMOR ME FOR A MINUTE, I'M GONNA READ IT.
IT'S FROM ONE OF MY RESIDENTS IN RIVER RIDGE.
TWO WEEKS LATER AND STILL NO RESOLUTION TO THE STREETLIGHT ISSUE THAT I'VE RAISED IN MY ORIGINAL EMAIL, AND I'M GONNA READ TO HER ORIGINAL EMAIL TO ME.
I HOPE YOU CAN LOOK INTO THIS MATTER CONCERNING TWO STREET LIGHTS IN RIVER RIDGE.
THE FIRST IS LOCATED AT 1000 1 0 4 JANE COURT, AND THE SECOND IS ACROSS FROM 1001 13 LUCY COURT.
BOTH OF THESE LIGHTS NOT WORKING ARE LOCATED ON WOODEN POLES, AND WERE FIRST REPORTED ONLINE ON OCTOBER 17TH, 2022.
TO SAY THAT THIS RESIDENT IS FRUSTRATED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
SHE SAYS THAT SHE APPRECIATES ALL OUR EFFORT AND HOPES THAT THE COUNCIL CAN FIND SOME RESOLUTION TO THIS MATTER.
SO WITH THAT, I ASK FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO TELL US WHAT ENTITY IS GOING TO DO TO GET THESE LIGHTS REPAIRED AND GET BACK INTO SOME SYSTEM WHERE IT DOESN'T TAKE SIX WEEKS TO GET A STREETLIGHT REPAIRED FROM THE TIME IT'S REPORTED.
CAN, CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME OKAY.
I'M PATRICK CANBY ON BEHALF OF ENERGY, LOUISIANA, AND I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS CONCERNS.
AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M HERE TODAY TO DO, IS TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS AND LET YOU KNOW OF OUR PLAN GOING FORWARD TO DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU'VE ASKED, TO MAKE IT AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO, NOT SIX WEEKS TO GET ALL OF THESE LIGHTS RESOLVED.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE LIGHTING WORLD, WE WILL NEVER HAVE EVERY SINGLE LIGHT BURNING AT ONE TIME FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.
WE HAVE LIGHTNING STORMS, CARS HITTING POLES, EQUIPMENT, YOU KNOW, JUST GETS OLD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, SIMILAR TO LIGHT BULBS IN YOUR HOUSE.
BUT WE DO OUR VERY BEST AND WE DO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH YOUR STAFF, ANGELA DESOTO AND CATHERINE BENNETT.
AND WE MONITOR THE PARISHES LIST AS WELL AS THE COMPLAINTS WE GET.
BUT I'LL ROLL INTO KIND OF A HISTORY OF ALL OF THE LIGHTS, INCLUDING DISTRICT, UH, TOO, BUT, BUT MORE ENCOMPASSING THE WHOLE PARISH AND WHAT PROGRESS WE'VE MADE AND, AND WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO TO ALLEVIATE THAT IN THE FUTURE.
YOU WILL SEE HERE THE SUMMARY AND YOU MENTIONED, UH, 73 LIGHTS IN DISTRICT TWO, BUT THE FIRST COLUMN ON THE LEFT ARE THE REPORTED LIGHTS THAT COME THROUGH THE PARISH, AND THAT'S FOR THE WHOLE PARISH.
AND THIS IS AS OF, UH, MIDDLE OF LAST MONTH.
WE SAT DOWN AND MET WITH YOUR TEAM.
WE DO IT ON A PRETTY REGULAR CADENCE, AT LEAST ONCE A QUARTER, YOU KNOW, FOUR TIMES A YEAR OR MORE TO REVIEW THE LIST THAT YOU GUYS COMPILE THAT HAD 700 OR 611 LIGHTS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS BEING OUT, UH, SINCE THAT TIME.
AND THAT WAS, YOU KNOW, THREE WEEKS OR SO.
WE GOT 535 OF THOSE LIGHTS REPAIRED.
WE HAVE 76 LIGHTS REMAINING OUT.
UH, THE MIDDLE COLUMN THERE, YOU WILL SEE THOSE ARE THE, THE CUSTOMERS THAT DIRECTLY REPORT 'EM TO US TO ENERGY.
SO THAT WE HAD 1,304 LIGHTS REPORTED OUT.
AND OF THAT, THAT NUMBER WE HAD REPAIRED OR WE HAVE REPAIRED 652, WHICH WERE ON THE EAST BANK, 308, WHICH WERE ON THE WEST BANK, AND THEN 72 IN THE OUTER AREAS, WHICH ARE, UH, WEST WEGO, GRETNA, HARAHAN, AND PROBABLY PARTS OF KENNER AS WELL.
AND THAT THIRD COLUMN IS JUST WHAT WE HAVE LEFT TO DO.
WE HAVE FOR THE REMAINING LIGHTS THAT WERE REPORTED TO ENERGY, WE HAVE 272 THAT REMAIN OUT.
THAT'S 124 ON THE EAST BANK, 106 ON THE WEST BANK, AND 42 IN THOSE KIND OF PERIPHERAL AREAS WITHIN THE PARISH.
YOU'LL SEE AT THE TOP THOUGH, WE DO HAVE 35,000 LIGHTS THAT WE MAINTAIN.
THE PERCENTAGE IS SMALL, BUT I GET IT.
[01:00:01]
WANT TO HEAR THAT.WE WANT ALL THE LIGHTS TO BE ON AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE FOR THE OBVIOUS REASONS THAT YOU MENTIONED HERE, UH, BEFOREHAND.
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS SLIDE IS THE BOX DOWN AT THE BOTTOM.
ALL OF THESE LIGHTS ON THIS LIST THAT YOU SEE HERE, INCLUDING THE 73 AND DISTRICT TWO WILL BE REPLACED OUR REPAIRED THIS WEEK.
A LARGE PORTION OF THEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED ACTUALLY THROUGH LAST NIGHT, BUT WE'RE CLEANING UP EVERYTHING THROUGH THE END OF THIS WEEK.
AND THAT'S, UH, MY COMMITMENT TO YOU TO GET THINGS CLEARED UP, GET THAT BASELINE BACK TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE AN EASIER PROGRESSION GOING FORWARD.
NOW THIS IS JUST A SLIDE THAT, THAT SHOWS IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR REACTIVE STREETLIGHT REPAIRS, OTHER THINGS WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH YOUR TEAM ON, UH, SOME OF IT WAS HIT ON HERE TODAY, BUT TO GO BACK TO THE STREET LIGHTS, WE'VE REPAIRED 1,567 STREET LIGHTS.
THAT'S THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PARISH, AND THAT IS ALL THE LISTS, THAT'S THE ONES THAT YOU GUYS REPORT TO US, AND THE ONES THAT THE CUSTOMERS REPORT DIRECTLY TO US AS WELL.
WE ALSO HAVE DONE SOME, SOME SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR THE MARDI GRAS PARADES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER.
SO ON THE WEST BANK WE HAD AN L E D UPGRADE OVER BY AMES AND LAPALCO, YOU HAD SOME EXISTING HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LIGHTS AND YOU MENTIONED SAFETY.
THEY, THEY PUT OUT LIGHT, THAT'S JUST AN OLDER TECHNOLOGY.
THEY'RE NOT AS GOOD OF A LIGHT AS L E D.
SO WE PUT SOME L E D LIGHTS IN THERE AT THE REQUEST AND IN COORDINATION, UH, WITH THE PARISH, THAT WAS ABOUT 44 LIGHTS.
WE HAD A FAMILY GROW PROCLAMATION HERE.
SO WE HAD MADE SURE THAT THE ENERGY, UH, HAD SUPPLIED ADEQUATE ELECTRICAL SERVICES, NOT ONLY FOR THE BANDS, BUT FOR SECURITY LIGHTS AS WELL THERE.
OBVIOUSLY WE'VE MADE LIGHTING REPAIRS, UH, FOR THE KENNER PARADE AS WELL.
AND WE'VE ALSO WORKED HAND IN HAND WITH YOUR TRAFFIC CONTROL GROUP TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE, UH, POWER LINES ARE RAISED SO THE FLOATS COULD SAFELY PASS UNDERNEATH.
NOW I'M GONNA GO INTO THE RE A NEW REPORTING APP THAT WE HAVE.
THERE'S AN ONLINE VERSION WHERE YOU COULD GET IT ACCESSED BY YOUR COMPUTER.
AND YOU CAN ALSO DO, UH, A, A MORE KIND OF UPDATED VERSION ON YOUR MOBILE APP, ON YOUR SMARTPHONE.
AND I'LL GET INTO THE DETAILS HERE.
SO ON YOUR COMPUTER, YOU GO TO OUR OUR ENERGY.COM WEBSITE.
YOU SELECT ENERGY LOUISIANA AS YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER, AND YOU'LL SEE DOWN TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THAT PAGE THEY HAVE A PRODUCT AND SERVICES SECTION.
I'VE CIRCLED IT OVER ON THE LEFT.
YOU CAN REPORT EITHER A SECURITY LIGHT OUT.
THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THE, THE SQUARE LIGHTS THAT YOU HAVE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OR STREET LIGHTS OUT, WHICH ARE THE LIGHTS ON THE WOODEN POLES THAT, UH, YOU GET THE MOST COMPLAINTS ABOUT.
SO ON YOUR SMARTPHONE YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, EITHER AN IPHONE OR, OR A DROID.
YOU CAN GO TO THE APPLE STORE OR GOOGLE PLAY STORE, GET SIMILAR INFORMATION, BUT IT HAS SOME ENHANCEMENTS THAT I'LL GO TO.
SO ON THE SMARTPHONE APP, IT IS GPS ENABLED.
SO IT'S IN ESSENCE, YOU KNOW, FOLLOWING YOU AROUND TO HELP US GET GPS COORDINATES.
WHEN YOU TAP WHERE THE LIGHT IS, IT FLAGS IT ON A MAP TO HELP OUR SERVICE GUYS IDENTIFY AND REPAIR THE LIGHT QUICKER.
IT ALSO HAS, UM, A TRACKING SECTION THERE WHERE YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE LIGHT OR WHEN THE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, AND YOU CAN DO MULTIPLE LIGHTS.
YOU ENTER ONE AT A TIME, YOU JUST HAVE TO GO TO THE BACK BUTTON, ENTER ANOTHER ONE.
AND EACH LIGHT THAT YOU REPORT HAS ITS UNIQUE GPS COORDINATES THERE.
AGAIN, TO HELP US IDENTIFY QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY, YOU KNOW, WHERE THE LIGHT IS SO WE CAN REPAIR IT FASTER.
AND WITH THAT, I WILL OPEN IT UP TO ANY QUESTIONS AND REITERATE THAT I, I DO AGREE WITH YOUR CONCERNS.
COUNCILMAN BANANA WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO, UH, GET THIS REMEDY.
WELL, ONE OF THE MAIN CONCERNS I HAVE, LOOKING AT YOUR OWN NUMBERS, BY YOUR OWN ADMISSION, WHY DO THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUTAGES OCCUR IN COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO? WELL, THAT'S, THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
I BELIEVE I CAN GO GET ALL THE COUNCIL DISTRICTS FOR YOU FOLLOW UP AFTERWARDS.
I, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THOSE NUMBERS ON DISTRICT TWO BECAUSE OF THE, UH, THE REQUEST.
DOMINIC, I, I'LL, I'LL BEG TO DIFFER WITH YOU.
DINO DOMINIC'S
DINO, DINO, I'LL BEG TO DIFFER WITH YOU, UH, BETTY AND JULIA STREET LIGHTS, NOT ONE OF THEM ARE WORKING GOTCHA.
AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY WHERE THE PUBLIC HOUSING IS OFF OF ACRES ROAD IN MARRERO, NOT A SINGLE LIGHT IS WORKING.
AND IF YOU DRIVE DOWN THAT STREET, BOTH OF THOSE STREETS ON BETTY AND JULIA, WHICH YOU'LL SEE IS PROBABLY ABOUT 40 OR 50 LIGHTS THAT ARE THERE BUT ARE NOT WORKING.
NOW, WE'VE REPORTED THAT AND WE'VE HAD THE PUBLIC HOUSING MANAGEMENT FOLKS TO REPORT IT.
AND TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, WE HAD A TORNADO IN THAT AREA.
AND WE'VE HAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO, NOT ONLY
[01:05:01]
TO PROPERTIES OVER THERE, BUT ALSO THE ADJOINING STREETS, UH, PLAZA AND COLA.SO I WANTED TO GO AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANY PROGRESS BEING MADE.
AND, AND, AND SO THAT'S WHY I BEG DIFFER WITH MY COLLEAGUE BECAUSE BETWEEN BETTY, JULIA COLA AND PLAZA AS WELL AS LINCOLN AVENUE, WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF LIGHTS OUT.
NOW, I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T, I APPRECIATE, UH, THE REPORT AND IT'S NICE AND IT'S GONNA BE AN APP.
BUT THE REALITY IS, IS THAT, IS THAT THE EFFICIENCY THAT WE REALLY NEED IS TO KNOW THAT WHEN WE CALL OR WHEN THE PARISH CALL THAT YOU GUYS ARE GONNA RESPOND.
BECAUSE IF YOU WERE TO GO AND RIDE THAT AREA YOURSELF, OR IF YOU CALL THE TECH OUT TO GO AND REVIEW THAT AREA AND JUST RIDE THERE IN THE EVENING TIME, IT IS THE WORST I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE WHERE YOU HAVE AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY WHERE NO LIGHTS ARE ON, NONE.
SO I NEED YOU TO GO BACK AND REPORT TO THOSE FOLKS WHO, WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND SAY THAT I'VE SAID, AND THAT WE ARE SAYING IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
AND SO I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, BETTY, JULIA, LINCOLN AVENUE, COLA AND PLAZA.
NOW THERE ARE OTHERS, BUT THAT'S WHERE I WROTE IT LAST NIGHT.
AND I, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAY TOO.
WE DON'T WANT IT TO BE THAT WAY AT ALL.
I WILL DEFINITELY RUN THAT UP TO OUR LIGHTING SUPERVISORS TO MAKE SURE THAT GETS HANDLED AS A P IT SHOULD BE HANDLED THIS WEEK ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT GOING FORWARD I AGREE WITH YOU TOO.
WE DON'T NEED THAT GAP BECAUSE LET, LET ME, LET ME SAY IT, IT, IT, IT MAKES ME FEEL THE CERTAIN WAY.
IT MAKES ME FEEL THAT YOU ALL OR SOMEBODY ELSE JUST DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THOSE FOLKS.
AND SO I'M TAKING THIS PUBLIC NOW BECAUSE IT'S PERSONAL FOR ME NOW, BECAUSE IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SOMEBODY SAYS THAT COMMUNITY DOES NOT MATTER.
AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE, BUT I, I, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT IT'S HANDLED ASAP.
IS THAT IT FOR EVERYBODY? UH, MR. HAMBY, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND HAVING AT LEAST ONE PERSON WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION, OKAY, MR. MORERE.
AND IF WE HAVE AN INFLUX OF PEOPLE, WE MIGHT HAVE TO MANAGE IT A LITTLE BIT.
BUT IF YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE, GO AHEAD AND ASK YOU A QUESTION.
MR. AL, AL MORERE, 42 60 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, FIFTH DISTRICT, KENNER, FOURTH DISTRICT GUN INCORPORATED.
I JUST WANT TO ADD, UH, YOU KNOW, THE LAST TIME THIS GENTLEMAN WAS DOWN HERE WITH THE ENTITY, WE TALKED, I TALKED ABOUT THE $17 MILLION MAN, YOU KNOW, THE $17 MILLION A YEAR SALARY FOR THE CEO.
UH, READ AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER WITH 43 MILLION, UH, STOCKED FROM THE COMPANY, COMPANY.
THIS CERTAIN, AIN'T NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, BUT, UH, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, $43 MILLION IN STOCK FROM THE COMPANY.
NOW WE GOT ALL THESE PROBLEMS WITH LIGHTS OUT AND EVERYTHING.
IF HE CAN GO QUICKLY, MR. HIAS.
FRANKIE HIRES FROM, UH, HOMAN BOULEVARD, UM, BROUGHT THIS UP THE LAST TIME AND IT TURNED INTO A BIG DEFENSE OF, UH, MR. ETT, WHICH I, WHO, WHO'S A PERSON I NEVER MENTIONED.
I BELIEVE THAT THE REASONS WHY DISTRICTS TWO, THREE, AND THEN LASTLY, FOUR WILL SUFFER IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ENERGY'S PROBLEMS OR WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CABLE INTERNET AND IT GETS PUT ON DISPLAY WHEN WE HAVE A STORM, RIGHT? SO NOW YOU'RE REACHING INTO EVERYBODY'S POCKET TO GET MORE MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS.
MEANWHILE, IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE, DISTRICT TWO COMPLAINS THE MOST.
DISTRICT THREE THE SECOND MOST, AND THEN DISTRICT FOUR IS A DISTANT, UH, THIRD.
TYPICALLY, I WONDER IF THERE'S NOT A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VIRTUAL REPRESENTATION OF THOSE SPECIFIC DISTRICTS THAT LEADS TO THE PEOPLE FEELING DISAFFECTED, DISSERVICED APATHETIC.
CUZ I DON'T CALL YOU ABOUT THE STREETLIGHT ON MY, ON MY STREET, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IF I'M WEST OF CAUSEWAY, DISTRICT FIVE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT IT.
IF IT'S NOT NORTH OF VETS WEST OF, OR EAST OF CAUSEWAY DISTRICT FIVE, PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON THERE.
AND I'M PRETTY SURE THAT THE PEOPLE LIVE IN DISTRICTS TWO AND THREE, WHICH SERVE EITHER SIDE OF THE RIVER, GET THE FEELING THE SAME WAY IF YOU'RE NOT IN WEST WEGO, HARAHAN, THE CHERISHED PORTIONS OF RIVER RIDGE, MAYBE LITTLE FARMS, RIGHT? IF YOU'RE NOT IN ONE OF THESE PLACES THAT HAS DIRECT ACCESS TO THESE PEOPLE WHO WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE LIGHTS ARE ON, RIGHT.
THE PEOPLE ALONG JEFFERSON HIGHWAY WHERE IT GETS TO THE PARISH LINE, I TALK TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE ANY, ANY CHANCE TO GET YOU TO DO ANYTHING.
THEY DON'T KNOW WHO'S LIGHT'S, WHO'S, SO ALL THE PARISH HAS TO DO IS SAY, WELL, IT'S PROBABLY AN ENERGY LIGHT.
[01:10:01]
ENERGY SAYS IS, WELL, IT'S PROBABLY A PARISH LIGHT.SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY KIND OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE REPRESENTING US IN THE WAY, THE PLACES WHERE WE HAVE THE LEAST RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE THAT MIGHT REPRESENT US.
IT'S WHERE WE GET THE MOST COMPLAINTS.
MEANWHILE, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONERS MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT YOU IMPOSE UPON US.
JEFFERSON PARISH SUFFERS FOR TWO, TWO OF THEM.
WE'RE MADE ENEMIES OF EACH OTHER, RIGHT? SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANYBODY, YOU GOT TWO MASTERS TO POSSIBLY COUNT TWO.
SO YOU GET UP HERE AND YOU TELL ME ABOUT A THOUSAND LIGHTS YOU FIXED HERE, AND A THOUSAND LIGHTS YOU FIXED HERE, AND 15,000 LIGHTS THAT ARE OVER HERE AND 1530 $5,000 LIGHTS, DINNER.
IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE BESIDES THIS GENTLEMAN WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? OKAY, BRO, YOU'RE DOING A, WE'LL WRAP IT UP RIGHT AFTER THIS ONE.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? LET'S BRING IT OUT.
READY FOR FAMILY GROW, AND LET'S DO IT.
I'M GONNA BE PERFORMING NEXT YEAR WITH MY PEOPLE FROM HOUSTON.
LOOK, IS THIS ABOUT ENERGY, SIR? YEAH, IT IS.
BUT ANYWAY,
BECAUSE ME PERSONALLY, I'M TIRED OF THE ENERGY NAME TOO, SEEING IT COME IN MY MAIL.
I SAID, WELL, LET'S HAVE MY NAME COME ON NOW.
OH, Y'ALL, IM PRETTY SURE ALL Y'ALL HAVE MY, OKAY, WELL, SHORT OF RENAMING ENERGY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING FOR MR. HAMBY? YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB, SIR.
THERE'S A HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND 270, HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT WAS, THAT WAS COMPLAINING AND Y'ALL DROPPED THAT TO 270 SOMETHING AND NOW Y'ALL WITH THE 400, LIKE WHAT IT WAS LIKE, MAN, KEEP DOING A GOOD JOB.
AND, UH, COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE HAS ONE MORE THING FOR YOU, THEN WE'LL LET YOU GO.
AND MR. HAMBY, WE WANT TO THANK YOU, YOU KNOW, FOR THE SERVICES YOU DO, YOU KNOW, AND APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY FOR MARDI GRAS, GETTING CERTAIN STREETS UP AND RUNNING AND LIGHTS FIXED AND ALL, BUT THE BOTTOM LAWN, THOSE LIGHTS SHOULD BE WORKING ANYWAY.
UH, ONE, BUT WE APPRECIATE IT.
BUT THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT I DON'T THINK WE NO LONGER HAVE SCHEDULED ROD AT NIGHTS TO WHERE WE'RE CHECKING THE STREET LIGHTS THROUGHOUT JEPSON PARISH.
UH, WE USED TO HAVE THAT WITH ENERGY YEARS AGO, AND WITH OUR ADMINISTRATION TO WHERE WE DID SCHEDULE RUNS SO OFTEN THROUGHOUT THE PARISH TO IDENTIFY THESE AREAS THAT ARE IMPACTED WITH LIGHTS THAT ARE OUT.
UH, MAYBE WE NEED TO SIT DOWN WITH ENERGY AGAIN AND START SCHEDULING THOSE TO BE PROACTIVE WITHOUT LIGHTING IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND SEE WHAT LIGHTS ARE OUT, YOU KNOW, EARLIER THAN WAITING TILL LATER WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING.
SO I, I'D LIKE TO SCHEDULE SOME TYPE OF MEETINGS WITH YOU IN YOUR OFFICE AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO SEE HOW WE CAN SCHEDULE SOME TIGHT NIGHTTIME RUNS ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE BASIS TO DETERMINE WHERE LIGHTS ARE OUT IN JUVE PARISH.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, PATRICK HAS BEEN PROMOTED AND I'M SURE DAYS LIKE THIS MAKE HIM REALLY WANNA HIRE HIS REPLACEMENT VERY SOON,
ALL RIGHT, Y'ALL READY TO START THE MEETING? HERE WE GO.
[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
UM, WELCOME TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.IT'S WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH, 2023.
WE'RE AT THE JOSEPH SIENI BUILDING, 1221 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD IN JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA, 7 0 1 2 3.
THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.
WE'LL INTRODUCE COUNCILMAN BON TO, UH, GIVE OUR INVOCATION TODAY.
RIGHT BEFORE THAT, COUNCILMAN, UH, FORGOT THAT COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKIE WOULD LIKE TO OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE QUICKLY.
YEAH, THERE'S SOMEONE THAT, UM, MANY OF US KNOW, AND HIS FUNERAL IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, SO WE WON'T BE ABLE TO ATTEND BECAUSE OF THE COUNCIL MEETING.
BUT, UM, GUS CRANKY, UH, IS A RETIRED N O P D OFFICER FOR 30 SOMETHING YEARS.
UH, HE WAS ON THE FORCE, HE RAISED HIS DAUGHTER'S, UM, HERE IN MEY, UM, RIGHT NEAR WHERE I GREW UP.
AND HE'S A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE FRATERNAL ODOR OF POLICE, UH, THE RECIPIENT OF THE F O P WILLIE PATTON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, PAST COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 3 0 7 THAT SO MANY OF OUR LOCALS ARE INVOLVED IN.
AND LESS THAN A MONTH AGO, WAS JUST HELPING TO HOST A, AN APPRECIATION LUNCHEON FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
SO ACTIVE UNTIL, UM, YOU KNOW, THE, THE VERY END.
HE PASSED AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY LAST WEEK, AND HIS FUNERAL IS AT SAINT JEROME RIGHT NOW.
SO JUST KEEP HIS FAMILY AND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
I'M HONORED TO HAVE WITH US TODAY, FATHER LEE POCHE.
MATTHEWS CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SCHOOL ON JEFFERSON HIGHWAY.
AND FATHER, I NEED TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU FOR THE EXTRA LONG DELAY IN GETTING YOU UP HERE.
OBVIOUSLY, SOMETIMES WE CAN'T PLAN THESE THINGS AND KNOW THE TIME IT'S GONNA TAKE, BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY.
[01:15:03]
LET US TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER GOD IS PRESENT WITH US NOW IN THIS ASSEMBLY.GOD, WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AS OUR CREATOR, CREATOR OF A UNIVERSE, WONDERFULLY MADE.
WE THANK YOU FOR CREATING US IN YOUR IMAGE AND GRANTING US THE RESPONSIBILITY TO OVERSEE YOUR CREATION.
WE ASK YOU TO GRANT US THE WISDOM TO KNOW YOUR WILL FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ASK YOU TO GRANT US THE FORTITUDE TO PURSUE YOUR WILL FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WE ASK YOU TO GRANT US THE COMPASSION IN SERVING THOSE IN NEED.
LORD, MAY EVERYTHING WE DO BEGIN WITH YOUR INSPIRATION, AND MAY IT CONTINUE WITH YOUR HELP SO AS TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND EARN US THE REWARDS OF EVERLASTING, EVERLASTING LIFE WITH YOU.
WE ASK THIS THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST.
MS. SHULA, WOULD YOU MIND LEADING US IN THE PLEDGE THIS MORNING? I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE BRA.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
PRESENT COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE PRESENT.
COUNCILMAN AND PASTA PRESENT? COUNCILWOMAN DAN RANKEN.
[PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]
YOU, MADAM CLERK.MADAM PRESIDENT, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
I'LL START OFF BY HAVING, UM, A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED US WITH THE TREE CYCLING VOLUNTEER DAY.
I WAS OUT WITH MANY OF YOU, UH, THIS PAST SATURDAY FOR OUR 33RD ANNUAL JEFFERSON PARISH COASTAL TREE CYCLING EVENT.
WE WANNA REALLY THANK OUR ECOSYSTEM AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT TEAM LED BY MICHELLE GONZALEZ, UM, AND THE OTHER PARISH DEPARTMENTS TO HELP WITH THIS ENDEAVOR.
PARKWAY STREETS ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT, GENERAL SERVICES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, OUR WEST BANK FIRE SERVICES, OUR EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE, AS WELL AS OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE.
WE PROBABLY LAID ABOUT 5,000 TREES IN THE MARSH IN THE BARRIT AREA BASIN.
THIS WAS ABOUT DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF TREES AS LAST YEAR BECAUSE WE WORKED WITH MANY CHRISTMAS TREE LOTS TO RECEIVE THEIR TREE DONATIONS WITH THEIR EXTRA INVENTORY.
SO THIS PROGRAM STARTED IN THE EARLY 1990S, AND SINCE THAT TIME, NEARLY THREE MILES OF SHORELINE PROTECTION HAS BEEN CREATED, PROVIDING PROTECTION TO MORE THAN 100 ACRES OF WETLAND HABITAT.
VOLUNTEERS PLACED CHRISTMAS TREE CHRISTMAS TREES IN PRE-CONSTRUCTED SHORELINE STRUCTURES, WHICH WE CALL CRIBS, WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING COASTAL EROSION.
AND MANY OF THOSE CRIBS WERE REPLACED SINCE IDA.
SO WE HAD SOME NEW CRIBS LAID BEFORE, UM, SATURDAY'S EVENT, IN ADDITION TO SLOWING THE WAVE ACTION, THE FENCES TRAPPED SEDIMENT, COMBAT EROSION, AND HELP PROTECT AND RESTORE WHICH RICH WETLAND HABITAT WITHIN THE BARR AREA BASIN.
I WAS ABLE TO GET ON THE WEATHER CHANNEL THE OTHER DAY TO TALK ABOUT THEY WERE VERY INTERESTED IN THIS PROGRAM.
SO I THINK THIS PROGRAM WAS ABLE TO MAKE, UH, NATIONAL NEWS.
SO WE WANNA THANK EVERYBODY FOR THIS, UM, FOR, FOR VOLUNTEERING WITH THIS ON SATURDAY.
I, I THINK ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE BEFORE THEM A J P R D INSIDER.
UH, THIS IS, UH, AVAILABLE TODAY.
THIS IS A PUBLICATION FOR OUR J P R D EMPLOYEES.
UM, IT'S A VERY, VERY LARGE DEPARTMENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, UM, AND NEXT LEVEL INITIATIVES IS ALSO WITH REGARDS TO ALL THE RECREATION REIMAGINED TIMELINE IN THERE.
SO WE WANNA, IT'S A GREAT PUBLICATION.
I THINK IT'S GREAT FOR MORALE.
UH, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MARIO AND HIS TEAM FOR PUTTING OUT, UM, THIS PUBLICATION.
AND THEN, UH, SPEAKING OF RECREATION REIMAGINE, WE'RE HOSTING A SERIES OF CORNHOLE CLINICS RIGHT NOW, PARISH WIDE, UM, THIS MONTH LEADING UP TO THE AMERICAN CORNHOLE LEAGUE ON, UH, IT'S CALLED CORNHOLE LEAGUE OPEN NUMBER NINE TOURNAMENT, WHICH TAKES PLACE AT THE LAO CENTER FROM MARCH 3RD THROUGH FIFTH.
UM, SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE CORNHOLE EVENTS TODAY, FEBRUARY 8TH AT KING'S GRANT PLAYGROUND FROM SIX 30 TO SEVEN 30, AND TOMORROW FEBRUARY 9TH FROM SIX 30 TO SEVEN 30 AT DELTA PLAYGROUND.
SO CORN HOLE EXPERT IN ONE OF MY DEAR FRIENDS, SAM DANTON, WILL BE AT THESE CLINICS OFFERING INSTRUCTION, UM, BASED FUNDAMENTALS OF THE GAME.
HE HAD A BLAST AT RIO LAO CENTER A FEW DAYS AGO, UH, TEACHING THOSE, UM, ADULTS AND SOME OF OUR CHILDREN.
UM, THE GAME OF CORN HOLE PRACTICE TOURNAMENTS WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH, FROM NINE TO TWO AT DELTA PLAYGROUND, IN TERRYTOWN PLAYGROUND.
AND THEN OUR OWN J P R D QUALIFIERS WILL TAKE PLACE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH AT 3:00 PM AT TERRYTOWN IN DELTA.
[01:20:01]
WIDE TOURNAMENT WILL BE AT TERRYTOWN ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH AT ONE.UM, SO CHECK OUT JP RD.COM TO REGISTER AND GET MORE INFORMATION ON ALL OF THAT.
AND AGAIN, THE WINNERS OF OUR TOURNAMENT GET A SEED INTO THIS BIG REGIONAL TOURNAMENT THAT'S GONNA, UM, I'M, I'M TOLD IT'S GONNA EVEN BE ON ESPN.
SO, UH, MARDI GRA CAMP, ALSO WITH J P R D PROGRAM.
WE WILL RUN FROM FEBRUARY 22ND TO FEBRUARY 24TH AT CLEARY PLAYGROUND.
THAT ACTUALLY IS FULL WITH 19 ON THE WAIT LIST.
SO THIS IS A VERY, VERY, UM, POPULAR PROGRAM WE'RE WANTING.
BUT OUR E OUR WEST BANK CAMP AT TERRYTOWN PLAYGROUND STILL HAS FIVE SPOTS LEFT.
SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR MARDI GRAS CAMP FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND THEN ADULT PICKLEBALL LOCATIONS, WE WANNA JUST SAY, CUZ THIS IS, WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF INQUIRIES, UM, INDOOR AT AIRE DELTA LITTLE FARMS IN JEFFERSON OUTDOOR AT WAGMAN, MILEY, AND PANA FOR OUR PICKLEBALL COURTS.
UM, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A YOUTH PICKLEBALL LEAGUE STARTS ON MARCH 7TH AT DELTA PLAYGROUND.
REMEMBER PICKLEBALL, IF YOU GOOGLE THE BO POPULAR SPORT IN AMERICA, ALL SEARCHES WILL SHOW IT'S PICKLEBALL.
SO, UH, WE GET LOTS OF INQUIRIES.
WE JUST WANTED TO GET THAT INFORMATION OUT TO YOU ALL.
I'M SITTING HERE NEXT TO PEGGY BARTON.
OUR PUBLIC RECORDS SECTION OF THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS NOW IN THE ONBOARDING STAGE IN PREPARATION FOR A LIVE LAUNCH OF NEXT REQUEST, A NEW CLOUD-BASED ONLINE RECORDS MANAGEMENT PORTAL.
UM, NEXT REQUEST WILL ENABLE CONSTITUENTS TO SUBMIT PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST THROUGH A WEB PORTAL AND PROVIDE ONE PLATFORM FOR MANAGING RECORD REQUEST.
NEXT REQUEST WILL ALLOW FOR THE SEAMLESS AND CENTRAL MANAGEMENT OF REQUESTS AMONG PARISH DEPARTMENTS.
THIS WILL REDUCE THE VOLUME OF EMAIL COMMUNICATION, REDUCE THE USE OF DATA STORAGE SPACE ON THE PARISH SERVERS, AND REDUCE COPY COSTS TO THE PARISH.
NEXT LEVEL WILL PROVIDE AN INFORMATIVE AND TRANSPARENT TOOL FOR THE PUBLIC'S USE.
AND WE'RE EXCITED TO MOVE INTO THE NEXT STAGE IN PUBLICLY LAUNCHING THIS NEXT LEVEL PA PLATFORM.
SO CONSTITUENT CONSTITUENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SUBMIT PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST THROUGH THIS PORTAL AND TRACK THE PROGRESS OF THAT PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST IN REAL TIME.
THERE ARE SEARCH FUNCTIONS, FUNCTIONS THAT WILL ALLOW THE CONSTITUENT TO SEARCH FOR PREVIOUS REQUESTS AND HAVE ACCESS TO DOWNLOAD ANY DOCUMENTS ALREADY MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, THEREBY REDUCING DUPLICATION OF WORK ON PARISH DEPARTMENTS AND REDUCING COST OF DOCUMENT PRODUCTION.
UM, AND IN ADDITION, THERE'S GONNA BE KEY WORD PROMPTS THAT WILL AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDE REFERRAL INFORMATION TO AGENCIES OUTSIDE OF JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT.
SO, PEGGY, I WANNA CONGRATULATE YOU.
WE ALWAYS PUSH FOR NEXT LEVEL INITIATIVES AND GIVING BETTER SERVICES TO OUR CITIZENS.
SO I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK.
SO, UH, CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT LAUNCH.
IN TERMS OF PUBLIC HEALTH, FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL HEART MONTH, AND WE HAVE USED THE MOMENTUM CREATED BY THE CARDIAC ARREST RECENTLY, UM, OF FOOTBALL PLAYERS MORE HAMLIN, AND THE DONATION OF AEDS BY THE SAINTS AND PELICANS TO OUR RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO INCREASE THIS ABILITY TO, UM, ADDRESS CARDIAC ARREST IN ALL OF OUR BUILDINGS.
SO WE'RE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING AEDS IN ALL JEFFERSON PARISH BUILDINGS.
AND ON FEBRUARY 28TH FROM 11 TO 12, WE'LL BE JOINING THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION'S B, THE BEAT CAMPAIGN.
AND ON THAT DAY, THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION WILL BE HOSTING, UM, CPR TRAINING, TRAINING FOR BUSINESSES.
SO, UM, UH, WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THIS TRAINING AND HAVING MANY MORE OF OUR, ALL OF OUR FACILITIES HAVE THAT LIFESAVING A E D EQUIPMENT, JEFF CAP'S EARLY EDUCATION MONTH, UM, THAT WE'RE CELEBRATING SINCE 1968.
OUR JEFF CAP HEADSTART BIRTH TO FIVE PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY COMPREHENSIVE CHILDHOOD SERVICES TO OUR YOUNGEST RESIDENTS.
UM, WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR INNOVATIVE WAYS TO GET OUR STAKEHOLDERS TO VISIT AND VOLUNTEER AT OUR CENTER.
SO ALL OF OUR CENTERS IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY WILL CELEBRATE THE 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL, VALENTINE'S DAY, MARDI GRAS AND HOST MULTICULTURAL PRO PROGRAMS. SO WE, UM, THE CHILDREN WILL CELEBRATE ALL OF THESE CULTURES AND THROUGH LIVE AND VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES AT OUR HEADSTART AND CHILDCARE PARTNER CENTERS.
AND I KNOW MANY OF YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS GO TO OUR HEADSTART CENTERS AND READ BOOKS TO THE CHILDREN O OFTEN, AND I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED BY THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
UM, WE'RE, IF YOU HAVE, YOU NEED A UTILITY ASSISTANCE, OUR JEFF CAP WILL BE HAVING A UTILITY ASSISTANCE DAY TOMORROW.
UM, DOROTHY WATSON CENTER AND GRETNA COMMUNITY CENTER ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH FROM 10 TO TWO TO ASSIST SENIORS OVER 60 WITH THEIR ATMO BILL.
UH, BRIDGE CITY COMMUNITY CENTER WILL BE CLOSED FOR RENOVATION STARTING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH.
AND ALL OF THOSE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, INCLUDING FOOD DISTRIBUTION, WILL CONTINUE AT THE JC SIMMONS COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH IS FIVE MILES AWAY.
SO 5 0 4 3 4 9 5 4 1 4 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
UM, J PAUL'S UPDATE OUR PRO ANIMAL PROTECTION AND WELL WELFARE SOCIETY.
UM, THE STUDENTS AT ACADEMY OF OUR LADY VISITED OUR WEST BANK SHELTER LAST WEEK TO VOLUNTEER AND WORKS.
WE WANNA THANK THEM FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
THEY ALSO WERE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT HEARTWORM DISEASE, UH, PET OVERPOPULATION, AND THEN PET PREVENTION.
SO, UM, UM, WITH SPAY AND NEUTERING.
SO WE WANNA THANK J PAUL'S DIRECTOR MICHELLE BRIGNAC FOR LEADING THAT EFFORT.
IN TERMS OF OUR LIBRARY UPDATES, BELLAIRE LIBRARY WILL START HAVING
[01:25:01]
A, UH, PROGRAM CALLED STARTING STITCHES VALENTINE MUG RUG.SO YOU CAN LEARN YOUR BASIC SEWING MACHINE SKILLS AND MAKE A HEART SHAPED MUG RUG FOR, UM, I GUESS YOUR COFFEE CUP IF THAT.
I GUESS THAT'S WHAT A MUG RUG IS TO PUT YOUR COFFEE CUP ON IT.
UM, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH AT SIXTH, THEN THE NEW DEAD POET SOCIETY DISCUSSION GROUP WILL READ AND DISCUSS POEMS BY FAVORITE POETS, UH, WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 9TH AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
AND THEN WE'RE GONNA HOST A A C T TEST PREP, UH, AT THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY FOR TEENAGERS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH AT NINE 30.
AND THEN THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL HOST A MARDI GRAS ESCAPE ROOM FOR SCHOOL-AGED KIDS.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH FROM 11 TO THREE FOR, UM, AND YOU CAN HUNT FOR CLUES AND SOLVE THE PUZZLE.
AND THEN I KNOW, UM, COUNCILMAN VAN REICHEN WENT OVER ALL OF OUR UPCOMING PARADES ALREADY, BUT WE ALL, MANY OF YOU WERE IN THE DRIFTWOOD PARADE IN KENNER.
WHAT A GREAT WAY TO KICK OFF, UM, THE MARDI GRAS SEASON.
UM, AND THEN WE HAD LITTLE RASCALS ON SUNDAY, AND THEN FAMILY GRA WEEKEND, UH, THIS WEEKEND WITH EXCALIBUR SYMPHONY AND MATT HATTERS.
UH, WE'LL, WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THOSE GREAT EVENTS AND HOPE THE WEATHER COOPERATES WITH US.
THANK YOU, MOUNTAIN PRESIDENT.
ANYONE HAVE COMMENTS FOR THE PARISH PRESIDENT? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
[PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA]
NOW, ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA, PLEASE STEP FORWARD.YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS.
BEFORE YOU COME UP, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
AL MARELLA, 42 60 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, FIFTH DISTRICT, KEN FOURTH, DISTRICT GUN INCORPORATED.
60 62 AND FOUR ON THE ADAM AGENDA.
OKAY, ITEM NUMBER 24 FIRST, CHANGE ORDERS.
OKAY, UH, ADDITIONAL $126,439.
TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT, 1.3 MILLION.
ADDITIONAL WORK ON DISCHARGE LINES AND GRAVITY LINES.
UH, ITEM NUMBER 58 PROJECT HASN'T STARTED YET.
TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT, 800,000 CONSTRUCTION AND ADMINISTRATION FEES.
ITEM NUMBER 60, UM, ADDITIONAL $35,363.
TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT, 119,200.
UH, THIS IS ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND DESIGN MODIFICATIONS BY THE D O T D.
UH, ITEM NUMBER 62, INCREASE OF $190,000 TOTAL IN THE AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT.
UH, ONCE AGAIN, THIS PROJECT HASN'T STARTED YET.
THIS IS ADDITIONAL WORK RESULTING IN ADDITIONAL PERMITS AND ADDITIONAL DESIGN WORK.
ITEM NUMBER FOUR ON ADAM AGENDA, UH, INCREASE OF 83,000.
TOTAL, THE AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT.
1.1 MILLION UNFORESEEN OBSTRUCTIONS.
ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS? ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE GO.
UM, I HAD NUMBERS 19 22, 23, 32, 46 TO 49 AND 57 ON MY REDRESSING LIST.
I HAVE ITEM FOUR FROM ADDENDUM.
I'M GLAD HE CAUGHT IT SO I DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT.
AS FAR AS, UH, MOST OF THE EARLY ONES ARE, ARE, UH, QUESTIONS AND OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE TOTAL SUMS OF THESE CONTRACTS.
HE THINKS A LOT OF THIS IS ABOUT MONEY.
I I, IF I HAVE TO CONTRACT THE MONEY, IT GETS VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE WHEN WE SIGN A CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY OF, OR THE MAINTENANCE FOR, AND THERE'S A, THERE'S A CONTRACT MONEY THAT'S LISTED, AND THEN THERE'S THE, THE EXPENDITURES SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF, RIGHT.
SO JUST FOR SIGNING THE CONTRACT IS THE MONEY THAT THEY, THAT THEY'RE GETTING ON THAT UPFRONT SIDE.
AND THEN, THEN THEY'RE GONNA BILL US FOR THESE THINGS THAT ARE SERVICES LATER FOR ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS.
AND, AND TYPICALLY MY BIGGEST CONCERNS ARE ALWAYS THAT WE'RE SPENDING DISPROPORTIONATELY, UH, MONEY ON ONE SIDE OF THIS RIVER OR THE OTHER.
AND WHEN IT'S PERISH WIDE, IT GETS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.
LIKE HE WANTS TO CONDUCT SOME, UH, MY, MY FELLOW CITIZENS WANT TO CONDUCT SOME OVERSIGHT ON WHERE AND HOW THIS MONEY IS GONNA GET APPROPRIATE AND SPENT AND WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GONNA GET OUR DUE FROM IT.
IT, I THINK IT'S ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THAT THROUGH.
I APPRECIATE THE, THE LIMITS TO THESE 10 PERCENTS, BUT, UH, IT GETS REALLY DIFFICULT WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO KEEP UP WITH EVERY SINGLE CONTRACT.
I MEAN, I GOT OTHER THINGS TO DO.
UH, I'M GUESSING, UH, BY COUNCIL'S DECISIONS OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS THAT MESSINA IS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN THE PARISH.
MESSINA'S IS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN THE PARISH.
RIGHT? IS THERE, IS THERE ANY ARGUMENT ABOUT THAT? CUZ IT SEEMS LIKE IS
[01:30:01]
THE GO-TO, AND I DON'T MIND GIVING MESSINA $4 MILLION A YEAR TO HOLD A CONTRACT FOR, TO FEED Y'ALL AND, AND THE PARISH EMPLOYEES.IT'S A LITTLE DISTURBING WHEN THE PARISH CITIZENS SHOULD THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN A SHELTER.
DON'T GET MESSINA WHEN MESSINA IS ON ITEM NUMBER 23 AND THEY GOT AN EXCLUSIVE, AN EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT.
AND THAT KIND OF CONCERNS ME BECAUSE THEN THEY THAT'S OKAY.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SAYING THEN THIS MACHINE IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT WE'RE PAYING FOR, THE ONLY PLACE WE WANNA SEE PROFIT OR, OR, OR BENEFIT FROM THIS KIND OF, UH, OPPORTUNITY.
THE 40 SECTION HERE IS JUST ABOUT PRETTY MUCH WHAT I SAID EARLIER ON THE, ON THE ENERGY ISSUE.
IF DISTRICT FIVE, IF YOU'RE NOT EAST OF CAUSEWAY, NORTH OF I 10, EH, AND, AND IT'S DEMONSTRATIVE.
YOUR ACTIONS ARE DEMONSTRATIVE FOR THE CRITICISMS I BEAR TO THIS COUNCIL.
COUNCILMAN, I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS IT.
UH, MESSINA WAS SELECTED THROUGH A, UH, TYPICAL VETTING PROCESS.
R F P UH, WAS, UH, PLACED PUBLICLY AND UH, THEY WERE SELECTED VIA THAT PROCESS.
BILLY JOHNSON WITH WASTE PRO NINE 20 KENNER AVENUE.
UM, WE'D LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST ABOUT, NOT AGAINST, BUT ABOUT, UM, ADDENDA ITEM NUMBER 84 AND WE REQUEST THAT WE SPEAK DURING THAT ITEM.
CAN THAT'LL BE ON, CAN WE DO THAT? THAT'S COMING UP LATER IN THE MEETING AND, YES.
CHARLES MERLEY FCC ENVIRONMENTALS.
ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT EN AGENDA ITEM 84.
THAT'LL BE IN SPECIAL DISTRICTS NEAR THE END OF THE MEETING, BUT YOU'LL HAVE YOUR OPPORTUNITY.
NOW WE HAVE A, A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BANANA TO TAKE NUMBER 16.
UM, FISHER WATER MYERS 64 0 5 MARCY STREET IN WILLOWDALE ON EAST BANK.
UH, I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE BULK WASTE ISSUE.
THAT'S NUMBER 84 AS WELL, WHICH WILL BE LATER IN THE MEETING.
AND ALSO THE HOMELESS ISSUE THAT'S NOT ON THIS AGENDA, BUT THAT'S ALSO AT THE END OF THE MEETING WHERE YOU CAN SPEAK ON ANY SUBJECT MATTER.
[AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT OR READVERTISEMENT FOR SEALED BIDS]
BANANA.NOW TO TAKE 16 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA OUT OF ORDER BECAUSE OF OUR SPEAKER FROM AVONDALE SHIPYARD.
UM, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING ITEM 16 ON THE ITEM AGENDA? OUT OF ORDER? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANA SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU READ NUMBER 16 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, A RESOLUTION REQUESTING LOUISIANA GOVERNOR JOHN BELL EDWARDS AND LOUISIANA STATE TREASURER JOHN M. SCHROEDER, TO SUPPORT THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THE SALE OF AVONDALE GLOBAL GATEWAY TO THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO COUNCIL, YOUR MOTION, UH, BEFORE WE MOVE ON A MOTION, UH, I'D LIKE TO, UH, RECOGNIZE MR. PAUL MATTHEWS, THE C E O OF PORT SOUTH LOUISIANA, AND MR. JEFF KEEVER, WHO REPRESENTS AVONDALE GLOBAL GATEWAYS.
YOU KNOW, RECENTLY THE PORT ANNOUNCED ITS INTENTION TO PURCHASE THE AVONDALE GLOBAL GATEWAY GLOBAL GATEWAY, WHICH IS NOW KNOWN IN BRIDGE CITY, FORMERLY T PARKER HOST.
IT'S A EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ECONOMY OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
THE PORT IS THE NUMBER ONE PORT IN ALL LOUISIANA BY TONNAGE.
AND HAVING AVONDALE MARINE GATEWAY UNDER ITS MANAGEMENT HAS ALREADY, YOU KNOW, T PARKER HOST HAS ALREADY EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN TONNAGE AND REVENUES, EVEN THOUGH WE EXPERIENCED THE PANDEMIC IN TWO HURRICANES.
THIS NEW PARTNERSHIP WILL OPEN MANY NEW DOORS FOR JEFFERSON PARISH AS WE TRY TO ATTRACT NEW MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTERS TO THE WEST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
THE PORT WILL MARRY AVONDALE WITH MANY OF ITS CURRENT UPSTREAM FACILITIES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT CURRENTLY EXIST DUE TO LACK OF CAPACITY AND SPACE, AND INCREASE THE BULK CARGO THAT PASSES THROUGH AVONDALE.
THE FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS.
WE HOPE TO SEE EVERYTHING FROM DISTRIBUTION CENTERS TO CLEAN MANUFACTURING OCCUR AT THIS SITE.
MANY OF THE CURRENT CUSTOMERS OF THE PORT ARE ALREADY DISCUSSING HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY AND THIS PARTNERSHIP PARTNERSHIP MARRIES JEFFERSON PARISH WITH OTHER PARISHES IN THE PORT'S 54 MILE JURISDICTION.
IT'S TRULY A REGIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
AND LASTLY, THE PEOPLE OF PARISH NEED TO KNOW THAT THIS PROPOSED SALE DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY TAX DOLLARS FROM THE CITIZENS OF JEFFS PARIS.
THIS IS PRIVATE REVENUE GENERATED BY AVONDALE GLOBAL GATEWAY AND NO TAX DOLLARS INVOLVED IN THAT.
AND WITHOUT, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MR. PAUL MATTHEW AS C E O OF PORT SOUTH LOUISIANA.
[01:35:01]
UH, MR. CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND, AND THE REST OF THE COUNCILMEN'S HERE.UH, CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME PRETTY WELL? UH, AGAIN, PAUL MATTHEW, CEO OF THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA.
UH, ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR CHAIRMAN WHO IS HERE, MR. RYAN BURKES HERE AS WELL, UM, IN SUPPORT REPRESENTING THE BOARD.
UH, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE.
AS WE LOOKED AT SIX, EIGHT MONTHS AGO, THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE AVONDALE AND CREATE A PARTNERSHIP WITH T PARKER HOST, IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE REGION IN MIND.
UH, THE RIVER PARISHES AND THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA, AS MR AS THE COUNCILMAN SAID, REPRESENTS THE LARGEST TONNAGE PORT, UM, IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, BUT THE SECOND LARGEST IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, WHERE WE MOVED OVER 200 MILLION TONS OF CARGO ANGULARLY.
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2017, UH, IN 2022, WE ACTUALLY SAW A SIGNIFICANT GROWTH, UM, AND ACTUALLY MOVED MORE THAN 10 MILLION TONS OF CARGO IN 2022.
THAT'S OVER A HUNDRED MILLION TONS OF PETROCHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND OVER A HUNDRED MILLION TONS OF GRAIN THAT'S FEEDING THE REST OF THE WORLD.
SO OUR PORT FEEDS AND FUELS THE WORLD EACH AND EVERY DAY.
AND SO WE SEE THIS OPPORTUNITY WHERE WE WOULD OWN ALL THE ASSETS OF AVONDALE AND T PARKER HOSTS WOULD SERVE AS THE TERMINAL OPERATOR.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AVONDALE TO REALLY BE A NEXUS TO GROW OUR REGION.
AND THAT IS, HAS TO BE THE FOCUS, IS OUR REGION.
THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA COMPETES WITH HOUSTON TO BE THE LARGEST PORT IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
AND IF WE WANT TO COMPETE WITH THE HOUSTONS OF THE WORLDS IN CALIFORNIA AND REST OF TEXAS AND FLORIDA, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT OURSELVES AS A REGION.
NO ONE ELSE HAS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
NO ONE HAS THE 50 FOOT DEPTHS THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT THE STATE INVESTED AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE DEPTHS OF 50 FEET.
SO OUR FOCUS IS TO MAKING SURE THAT FROM, UH, ASCENSION ALL THE WAY TO JEFFERSON, THAT WE ARE COMPETING GLOBALLY.
AND WE SEE AVONDALE AS THE START OF THIS.
SO WE'RE EXCITED TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND IT IS A PROCESS OF, UH, DEALING WITH THE, UM, WITH THE BOND COMMISSION AND GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS AND LOOKING AT AFFORDABILITY AND FEASIBILITY STUDIES.
AND IT'S REALLY SIMPLE FOR US.
IF THE NUMBERS WORK ON THE REVENUE BONDS, THE NUMBERS WORK, AND WE MOVE FORWARD.
IF THEY DON'T WORK, EVERYBODY GOES THEIR SEPARATE WAY.
BUT WE'LL STILL FIND WAYS TO, TO WORK TOGETHER.
BUT WE ARE GOING TO MISS EVERY SINGLE SHOT THAT WE DO NOT TAKE.
AND THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA IS WILLING TO TAKE THE LEAD AND THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARGO AND TO DIVERSIFY THE CARGO AT AVONDALE.
AND WE WANNA WORK WITH THE COUNCIL OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND ALSO WORK WITH, UH, JCO TO FIND THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO MOVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARGO, UH, IN AND OUT OF AVONDALE AND ATTRACT CUSTOMERS.
I CAN TELL YOU IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT, WE'VE HAD, UH, AT LEAST THREE COMPANIES COME TO US AND SAY THAT THEY WANT TO, THEY WANT TO BUILD AT AVONDALE.
THAT'S SIGNIFICANT FOR THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA FOR T PARKER HOSTS.
BUT IF THEY'RE BRINGING IN PRIVATE DOLLARS TO BUILD VERTICALS AND BUILD ASSETS THAT GOES ON THE TAX ROLES, THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
AND IT ALSO CREATES JOBS, WHICH WE ALL WANT, AND THAT MAKES US GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE EACH AND EVERY DAY.
SO WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO BE HERE AND TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT, TELL YOU THE STORY OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, BECAUSE IF JEFFERSON PARISH WINS, THE RIVER REGION WINS AND LOUISIANA WINS.
AND THAT'S THE WAY WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.
CUZ BUSINESSES ARE NOT LOOKING AT OUR BOUNDARIES, OUR PARISH BOUNDARIES.
THEY'RE NOT LOOKING AT EAST BANK, WEST BANK.
THEY'RE LOOKING AT WHAT CAN THEY DO RIGHT HERE IN LOUISIANA.
AND WE NEED TO FACILITATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM.
UM, SO SUBJECT TO ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS, I'M HERE.
AND ALSO, UH, JEFF KEER WITH T PARKER HOST.
MR. MATTHEWS, YOU, YOU BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR JEFFERSON PARISH TO SHOW IT SUPPORT TODAY, BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, YOU SAW IN THE PAPER THERE ARE OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THIS AREA WHO SEEK THE DERAIL THIS PROJECT.
SO HOW IMPORTANT IS OUR SUPPORT TO YOU? WELL, JEFFERSON PARISH HAS A GREAT VOICE.
UM, COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANKIN IS, IS MY COUNCILWOMAN.
AND, UM, I, I RECOGNIZE THE, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF, OF JEFFERSON PARISH, BECAUSE JEFFERSON PARISH IS, IS, IS LOCATED STRATEGICALLY, UM, TO REALLY SPEAK TO LOUISIANA, UH, HOW WE CAN MOVE MORE CARGO AND CREATE MORE JOBS IN THE REGION.
YOU GUYS KNOW THIS PLACE BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.
WHEN WE MENTION THE NAME AVONDALE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE.
AND THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH KNOW THAT BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.
YOU KNOW, A BROTHER OR SISTER OR UNCLE, A COUSIN, A GRANDPARENT THAT WORKED, UH, AT AVONDALE, UH, THAT REALLY EXPANDED THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR GENERATIONS.
IT'S A, IT'S A FEELING THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND THEY RECOGNIZE THEY WANTED TO BRING IT BACK TO WHERE IT WAS, BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY BECAUSE, UM, BECAUSE OF TECHNOLOGY, BECAUSE OF THE MARKET, THINGS CHANGE.
BUT WE CAN MAKE AVONDALE BETTER THAN IT'S EVER BEEN BEFORE.
AND SO TO HAVE THE COUNCIL, UM, IN ANY FORM OF WAY SUPPORT THIS PUBLICLY TELLS THE STATE AND FRANKLY TELLS THE UNITED STATES THAT ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, EVERYBODY IS IN
[01:40:01]
LOCKSTEP WORKING TOGETHER TO BE COMPETITIVE AND TO CREATE AS MANY JOBS AND ATTRACT AS MANY BUSINESS AS POSSIBLE.UH, THANK YOU MR. MATTHEWS, UH, FOR BEING HERE.
UH, I KNOW IN WASHINGTON DC ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, COUNCILMAN TEMPLE AND I SPENT A COUPLE HOURS WITH YOU AND CHAIRMAN BURKES, UH, DISCUSSING, YOU KNOW, THIS POTENTIAL.
UH, I ALSO WANT TO THANK, UH, ONE OF OUR, UH, SISTER COLLEAGUES FROM OUR NEIGHBOR, OUR NEIGHBORS, NEXT TO A COUNCILWOMAN FISHER CORMIER, WHO IS WITH YOU TODAY IN HER CAPACITY WITH THE PORT.
UH, BUT JUST, I THINK THAT JUST ILLUSTRATES THE REGIONAL IMPACT OF THIS AND HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS NOT JUST TO JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT TO EVERYONE AROUND US.
UM, CERTAINLY I, YOU KNOW, I, I COMMEND COUNCILMAN BANANA FOR ASKING YOU TO COME.
I THINK THIS COMES ON THE HEELS OF SOME, SOME CRITICISMS FROM CERTAIN PEOPLE, UM, WHO, UH, AND I SPECIFIC PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BUYER'S REMORSE CUZ THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE FORESIGHT TO DO, UH, WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE.
UH, AND WE KNOW WHAT CRITICS, I THINK THEODORE ROOSEVELT HAS AN APROPO, UH, QUOTE ABOUT THAT.
WE WON'T TALK ABOUT THAT TODAY.
BUT MY POINT IS, UM, UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO MAY, UH, HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE NEGATIVE COMMENTS THAT REALLY HAVE MORE TO DO WITH THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO CREATE A REGIONAL, UH, IMPACT PROJECT LIKE YOU HAVE.
AND, UM, AND MAYBE ARE SAYING SOME THINGS THAT ARE, ARE LESS THAN ACCURATE PUBLICLY ABOUT WHAT'S REALLY GONNA HAPPEN.
THE ONE THING I'D LIKE YOU TO TOUCH ON, IF YOU DON'T MIND, ONE OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAS BEEN MADE IS, OH MAN, THIS WAS ALL DONE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
THIS IS A, A SECRET AND, AND, YOU KNOW, NO PUBLIC INPUT, UH, WHICH WE KNOW TO BE FALSE.
COULD YOU COMMENT ON THAT? I MEAN, WHAT DOES THE, WHAT DOES THE PROCESS LOOK LIKE FROM THIS POINT FORWARD? AND WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WILL THERE BE FOR PUBLIC INPUT SHOULD THAT BE NECESSARY? WELL, I, I THINK FIRST THING, IF YOU, IF YOU'RE DEALING WITH A, IN THIS CASE OF A 400 PLUS MILLION DOLLAR NEGOTIATION, AND IT'S A NEGOTIATION THAT LASTS EIGHT MONTHS.
SO IF ANYBODY SAYS, WELL, THESE NEGOTIATIONS WERE DONE CONFIDENTIALLY, MY ANSWER WOULD BE, DUH.
THAT'S THE PROCESS RIGHT? NOW, ONCE YOU HAVE AN AGREEMENT IN WHICH, UH, WE BRING AS A STAFF, WE BRING THAT AGREEMENT TO THE BOARD PUBLICLY AND THERE'S PUBLIC DISCUSSION AS, AS THE BOARD, RIGHT? SO, SO THE FIRST STEP IS IT HAS TO GO TO THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, RIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT.
PUBLIC MEETINGS, JUST LIKE WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW.
AND BEFORE, BEFORE THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA CAN GO FORWARD, FORMALLY IT'S GOTTA BE APPROVED BY YOUR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GOTTA BE APPROVED BY OUR BOARD.
THE BOARD ASKS MYSELF AND OUR ENTIRE STAFF A LOT OF DIFFERENT QUESTIONS.
OUR ATTORNEYS WE'RE IN THE ROOM.
BOND COUNCIL, UH, FO UDEL WAS IN THE ROOM TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER A LOT OF DIFFERENT QUESTIONS ON WHAT THIS PROCESS WOULD LOOK LIKE AND WHY THIS IS BENEFICIAL TO THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA AND THE REGION.
SO WE HAD THE DISCUSSION AND OUR BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO PASS THE RESOLUTION FOR ME TO ENTER THE AGREEMENT, THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH T PARKER HOSTS.
FROM THERE, WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SUBMITTING TO THE BOND COMMISSION, UH, WHICH IS A PUBLIC PROCESS, UH, WHICH WILL BE IN THE FEBRUARY.
AND THEN WE WILL DISSEMINATE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE ON WHY, UH, THIS REVENUE BOND PROCESS WOULD WORK.
AND SO THERE'S DIFFERENT, UH, AFFORDABILITY STUDIES.
WE HAVE THREE UNDERWRITERS WORKING ON THIS PROCESS, UH, WHICH IS WELLS FARGO, STIFEL, AND, UH, PIPER SANDLER.
SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A PUBLIC PROCESS, AND IT HAS BEEN A PUBLIC PROCESS THE MOMENT THAT WE PRESENTED IT TO OUR BOARD AS AN OPPORTUNITY.
AND ON JANUARY 9TH, OUR BOARD VOTED, UH, AS SOON AS THAT HAPPENED, WE REACHED OUT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS IN ST.
JAMES JEFFERSON PARISH, ALL OF OUR, UH, STATE OFFICIALS, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, STATE SENATORS TO GIVE THEM A HEADS UP.
AND WE ALSO MET WITH SOME OF THE STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING.
AND THEN THERE WAS A PRESS RELEASE, AND THAT WAS OUR PROCESS TO GET IT TO WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW.
SO WE WILL SUBMIT TO THE BOND COMMISSION IN FEBRUARY, AND THEN AS THE BOND COMMISSION SEES FIT TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, UM, THERE WILL BE A PROCESS FOR VOTE, BUT ALL THE INFORMATION WILL BE PUBLIC, UH, SOON AS WE SUBMIT.
AND SO THIS PROCESS IS GONNA BE COMMENTED ON, OBVIOUSLY DURING THE MEETINGS.
AND THEN ONCE THERE'S A, THERE'S A VOTE BY THE BOND COMMISSION, WHICH WE ANTICIPATE WILL BE IN A POSITIVE LIGHT.
UH, THEN YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND SELL THE BONDS, WHICH AGAIN, IS A PROCESS THAT THE UNDERWRITERS ARE WORKING ON.
SO BEFORE ALL THAT, UH, HAPPENS WHERE THERE'S A SELLING OF BONDS, THERE'S GONNA BE MULTIPLE AFFORDABILITY STUDIES AND FEASIBILITY STUDIES FROM THERE.
ULTIMATELY, PAUL, I'D LIKE TO COMMEND YOU AND THE BOARD.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A BRILLIANT MOVE.
I'VE SHARED THAT WITH YOU PERSONALLY, AND I'M SAYING THAT PUBLICLY, UH, WHEN WE WEST BANKERS THINK ABOUT AVONDALE, WE THINK ABOUT JOBS, WE THINK
[01:45:01]
ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE, WE THINK ABOUT GROWTH, WE THINK ABOUT PEOPLE BUYING NEW HOMES.WE THINK ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE INCOMES TO AFFORD TO SENDS THEIR CHILDRENS TO COLLEGE, RIGHT? AND SO THIS, THIS IS A RENAISSANCE AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.
THE OPPORTUNITY IS A RENAISSANCE.
THANK Y'ALL FOR, UH, FOR, UH, YOUR DOGGED DETERMINED THIS TO, TO DO THIS BECAUSE THIS IS MAJOR.
AND, UH, SO I COMMEND YOU ALL FOR DOING SO.
THIS IS A GREAT TIME FOR, FOR THE WEST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND REALLY THE WEST BANK OF OUR REGION.
UM, AS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, IN THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA, THE NEXT FRONTIER FOR DEVELOPMENT IS THE WEST BANK.
AND SO WE SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRULY CREATE A WEST BANK CORRIDOR, RAIL AND ROADS FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.
UH, IT COULD BE FROM, FROM, UH, JEFFERSON PARISH ALL THE WAY UP TO ASCENSION WHERE WE ALL LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.
AND SO IF AS LONG AS WE HAVE THAT MINDSET, I BELIEVE WE CAN, WE CAN ATTRACT AS MANY BUSINESS AS POSSIBLE TO THE AREA.
AND, AND WHEN WE GET THE GROCERY STORE, WE NEED YOU ALL TO COMMIT TO SUPPORTING THAT GROCERY STORE.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, UH, COUNCILMAN LEE, YOU KNOW, WHERE HE GOT THAT DOGGED DETERMINATION? HE IS A TWO-LANE FAN.
IT TOOK US A WHILE, BUT HE STUCK IN THERE
I ENVISIONED SIMILAR PAUL, YOU KNOW, AVONDALE, WHEN IT CLOSED DOWN OF, OF COURSE WE KNOW THE JOBS, UH, THAT WERE IMPACTED, THE FAMILIES THAT WERE IMPACTED.
AND THERE'S SUCH A TRICKLE DOWN.
I MEAN, YOU TAKE SOMETHING EVEN LIKE MO'S PIZZA WEST BANK INSTITUTION THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY'RE NOT SENDING 20 TO 40 PIZZAS WHEN A, WHEN AVONDALE WAS BUILDING SHIPS, YOU KNOW, TO THE CREW THERE.
I MEAN, IT HAS SUCH A TREMENDOUS IMPACT IN THE WAYS THAT WE THINK OF AND IN THE WAYS SOMETIMES WE DON'T EVEN EVEN RECOGNIZE.
SO THANK YOU FOR BEING SO AGGRESSIVE, SO DOGGED, UM, AND, AND REALLY GIVING US A PATH TO THE FUTURE.
WE TALK ALL OF THE TIME ABOUT DES DIVERSIFYING OUR ECONOMY.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A GREAT HOSPITALITY, UH, ECONOMY HERE IN LOUISIANA, BUT WE NEED DIVERSITY.
WE NEED OTHER THINGS BRINGING BUSINESS TO OUR REGION.
AND SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
UM, PLEASE LET US KNOW AGAIN, WE'LL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT.
ONE THING MAYBE YOU CAN TOUCH ON, UM, I KNOW WITH WITH BONDS, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL OF THAT, BUT, BUT THE WAY YOU'RE DOING THIS AND THE REVENUE BONDS, JUST I GUESS WHY IS THAT REASSURING TO PEOPLE? YEAH, SO THERE'S, THERE'S TWO TYPES.
YOU CAN HAVE THE STATE BACKED BONDS OR THE REVENUE BONDS, WHICH YOU GUYS PROBABLY KNOW BETTER THAN ME.
BUT BOTTOM LINE IS, IS THAT WE ARE REQUESTING THE BONDS SOLELY BASED ON THE REVENUE THAT'S COMING OUT OF AVONDALE RIGHT NOW.
SO IN, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH T PARKER HOST, THE REVENUES THAT ARE BEING GENERATED IS GONNA DETERMINE THE BONDS THAT WE GET.
SO WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR BONDS THAT WOULD BE OBLIGATED BY THE STATE OR THE TAXPAYER IS SIMPLY BY REVENUE THAT'S GENERATING RIGHT NOW.
SO IF IT'S COM, IF THE MONEY IS COMING IN, THAT'S HOW WE DETERMINE THE BONDS.
AND SO IT'S REALLY A BUSINESS DEAL AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ABOUT MATH, THE WAY THE MONEY WORKS BASED ON THE REVENUE.
AND JUST REAL FAST, I'M PROBABLY GONNA ECHO SOME OF THE SAME THINGS MY COLLEAGUES, BUT MR. MATTHEWS, WHEN, WHEN WE ALL TALK ABOUT FAMILIES AND JOBS AND AVONDALE, I'M ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAD UNCLES, YOU KNOW, COUSINS FAMILY MEMBERS WORKING AT AVONDALE WHEN AVONDALE AT THE TIME WAS PROBABLY THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE STATE OR WAS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND SAW THE IMPACT PERSONALLY OF FAMILY MEMBERS', FRIENDS, UH, IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND ON THE WEST BANK.
YOU KNOW, WHEN ALL THE AVONDALE FAILED FOR YEARS, THAT FACILITY WAS SITTING THERE EMPTY.
UH, YOU KNOW, T T PARKER HOST TOOK THE GAMBLE, UH, TO DO SUCH, TO BRING IT BACK TO LIFE, TO TAKE THEIR ECONOMIC PACKAGE THEY HAD AND INVEST IT INTO JEFFERSON PARISH.
THIS IS IN MY MIND AND I'M IN MY COLLEAGUES.
THIS IS JUST AN EXTENSION OF THAT TO WHERE SOMEONE TOOK THE GAMBLE, SOMEONE TOOK THE CHANCE ON JEFFERSON PARISH, UH, IN ON AVONDALE, UH, TO HAVE GROWTH.
UH, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY NOT JUST FOR THE WEST BANK, BUT THE JEFFERSON PARISH AS A WHOLE.
YOU KNOW, UH, COUNCILMAN BANANA SAID, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN SINCE THREE WEEKS AGO, POSSIBLY PEOPLE TRYING TO DERAIL THIS.
WELL, ONCE AGAIN, THOSE INDIVIDUALS COULD HAVE BOUGHT AVONDALE MANY YEARS AGO.
UH, NOW THAT IT'S, IT'S WORKING AND IT'S PROVED THAT IT WORKS AND Y'ALL ARE TAKING A CHANCE ON US IN JEFFERSON PARISH, IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, UH, WE STAND BY YOU, UH, AND HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
SO JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THANK YOU FOR TAKING A CHANCE.
AND IF YOU DON'T TAKE A SHOT IN THE DARK, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE.
ANYONE ELSE? THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.
I DON'T KNOW, JERRY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANNA ADD? THANK YOU.
UM, I, I JUST WANT TO ADD A LITTLE, LITTLE CONTEXT AND REMIND EVERYONE, UH, WHEN WE BEGAN THIS JOURNEY IN 2014, NORTHROP GRUMMAN, UH, HUNTINGTON INGLES HAD ANNOUNCED THEIR CLOSURE.
AND THE SEVEN OR 8,000 JOBS THAT WERE THERE AT THE TIME BEGAN TO DWINDLE TO ZERO.
[01:50:01]
UM, WE, WE FOUGHT THAT FIGHT EVERY DAY WITH YOU ALL TO BRING T PARKER HOST IN, UH, IN 2018, THEIR ACQUISITION.AND WE HAVE WORKED WITH THEM ON A NEAR DAILY BASIS, UH, TO BRING THE HUNDREDS OF JOBS THAT ARE THERE NOW.
AND WE FEEL LIKE THIS ACQUISITION, UH, BY THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA PROPELS US TO THAT NEXT LEVEL, ENSURES THE LONG-TERM STABILITY, UH, OF THIS PROPERTY AND HELPS US ATTRACT THE JOBS THAT, THAT YOU ALL AS A COUNCIL AND US AS, AS JED CO HAVE IDENTIFIED, UH, IN TERMS OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND, AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND THINGS THAT WE, WE WANT TO SEE IN THIS PARISH.
AND WE KNOW OF THE SECONDARY AND TERTIARY JOB CREATION THAT COMES FROM PORT, UH, PORT INVOLVEMENT IN PORT OWNERSHIP.
SO WE'RE, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND I WANNA THANK THE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERING THIS, UH, RESOLUTION.
JUST REAL QUICK, YOU KNOW, JERRY, YOU BROUGHT UP A GOOD POINT.
I MEAN, I CAN, AND WE'RE DANCING AROUND IT.
FOUR YEARS AGO, I GUESS WE WERE IN WASHINGTON DC
AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THE PORTER NEW ORLEANS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY,
UM, AND, AND FRANKLY PROBABLY COULD HAVE PURCHASED IT AT, AT A FAR LESS PRICE THAN T PARKER HOST DID.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE'RE KIND OF, WE'VE DANCED AROUND IT ENOUGH.
LET'S JUST PUT THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM ON THE TABLE.
I MEAN, WE WERE THERE, WE WERE IN DC THEY, THEY WERE THERE AT THE TABLE AND THEY SQUANDERED THE OPPORTUNITY.
UH, AND FRANKLY, I THINK HAVE BUYER'S REMORSE AT THIS POINT, OR NON-BUYER REMORSE.
YOU KNOW,
SO THE OPPORTUNITY WAS THERE FOR A NUMBER OF BUYERS AND, AND WE THANK HOST FOR STEPPING UP, UH, AND DOING THAT.
BUT, UH, I'M NOT GONNA COMMENT ON THE O OTHER PART OF, OF, OF YOUR, YOUR, UM, REACTION.
BUT EVERYONE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY.
THERE'S A DOCTRINE CALLED ACCEPTANCE BY SILENCE.
I THINK YOUR SILENCE IS NOTED.
SO
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THIS BEING A JOINT MOTION? YES.
UH, SO YOUR MOTION COUNCIL BANANA MOVE FOR POOL, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO, UH, THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM? AGENDA ITEM NUMBER, WHAT WAS THAT? 16.
16 ON MOTION OF, UH, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER HEARING.
IF I COULD, AND I, I, I THINK IF THIS DISCUSSION IS GONNA BE PART OF IT, WHAT WHAT WE'VE LEARNED, AND CERTAINLY WHAT I I I'VE, I'VE LEARNED, AND I, I'D ASK MR. PAUL MATTHEWS TO COME, IF YOU JUST LOOKED AT THE STRATEGIES OF THE BOTH PORTS, UM, PORT NOLA IS LARGELY ENGAGED IN CONTAINERS.
UH, YOU SEE THE PICTURES OF THE CONTAINER STACKED ON, ON VESSELS.
UH, WE DON'T DO THAT AT AVONDALE.
WE CAN DO THAT AT AVONDALE BECAUSE OF THE BRIDGES.
SO, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY THIS CAME TO THE FOREFRONT IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS.
IF YOU JUST LOOKED AT THE TWO PORTS, WHAT AVONDALE CAN OFFER SEEMS LIKE IT JUST FITS WITH THE BEST BETTER STRATEGY THAT PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA HAS, WHICH IS BREAK BULK.
UM, AND YOU CAN SEE WITH PORTOLA'S DEVELOPMENT INTO ST.
BERNARD THAT IT'S VERY MUCH CONTAINER ORIENTED AND WE CAN'T PLAY THAT GAME VERY WELL IN AVONDALE.
SO CERTAINLY THAT, YOU KNOW, UH, WHAT THE BOND COMMISSION DOES AND WHAT THAT'S, BUT FOR ME IT'S THE STRATEGY THAT WE, WE FIT IN WELL WITH PORT OF SOUTH LIAN STRATEGY.
AND IF, IF YOU WANNA DISCUSS THAT, CUZ THAT'S REALLY, THAT'S, THAT'S VERY KEY.
IF IF FORGET EVERYTHING ELSE AND FORGET THE PEOPLE INVOLVED.
IF YOU JUST LOOKED AT THE WORK AND THE STRATEGIES THAT BOTH PORTS ARE OFFERING, IT SEEMS LIKE AVONDALE IS A BETTER FIT TO THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA.
AND, AND THAT'S A GREAT POINT BECAUSE WE KNOW AVONDALE WAS ONCE A SHIPYARD, BUT NOW IT'S A FULLY FUNCTIONING OPERATING TERMINAL AND OUR FOCUS IS NOT CONTAINERS.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER TO COMPETE WITH ANY PORT IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA THAT JUST DON'T MAKE SENSE.
WHAT WE'RE COMPETING AGAINST IS TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA EACH AND EVERY DAY.
AND SO IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH AVONDALE, WHICH YES FUNCTIONS AND OPERATES VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DO ALREADY, THEN WE NEED IT.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPANIES IN THE RIVER PARISHES RIGHT NOW WHO HAVE REACHED OUT TO US OVER THE LAST SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS NEEDING ADDITIONAL DOCKS.
NOW IT'S, IT'S GONNA TAKE A GOOD WHILE BETWEEN PERMITTING AND YOU GUYS ALL KNOW ABOUT PERMITTING, DEALING WITH THE CORE OF ENGINEERS, WHICH SOMETIMES CAN BE A FOUR LETTER WORD, AND HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET THE PERMIT AND THEN ALSO DO CONSTRUCTION.
UM, COUNCILMAN LEE JUST TALKED ABOUT A BID PROCESS AND THAT TAKES A WHILE TO GET THINGS DONE.
AND SO WE HAD REQUESTS FROM CUSTOMERS,
[01:55:01]
AND I'M TALKING ABOUT, UH, CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 40 YEARS THAT HAVE CREATED HUNDREDS OF JOBS, HELPED SO MANY FAMILIES WHO ARE SAYING WE NEED MORE DOCKS.SO WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CAPACITY ON THE WEST BANK WITH THE DOCKS THAT WE HAVE.
SO I, WE CAN EITHER WAIT AS PORT OR SOUTH LOUISIANA TWO OR THREE YEARS AND MAYBE HAVE A DOCK READY WHILE THESE COMPANIES CONTINUE TO SHIP CARGO TO HOUSTON AND THEN GET IT OUT OF THE GULF.
OR WE CAN DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW AND BE AGGRESSIVE AND HAVE FOUR OR FIVE BIRTHS AVAILABLE FOR MORE CARGO GOING OUT ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AS OPPOSED TO GETTING SHIPPED TO HOUSTON.
SO I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT WE FIGHT ONE AND TWO VERSUS HOUSTON EACH AND EVERY DAY IN THE RANKINGS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE FOR TONNAGE.
WELL, A LOT OF THEIR TONNAGE IS OUR TONNAGE BECAUSE IT'S MOVING OUT TO THEM AND THEN IT'S GOING OUT INTO THE GULF.
SO AVONDALE DOES EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IN PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA, THE RIVER REGION.
SO NOW IT'S TIME TO COME TOGETHER AND MAKE THIS WORK.
AND SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT, AS I SAID BEFORE, THERE ARE THREE OR FOUR COMPANIES THAT ALREADY WANT TO DO BUSINESS AT AVONDALE JUST BECAUSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.
AND IT'S ON THE, THE GENERAL CARGO SIDE, IT'S ON THE PROJECT CARGO.
AND WE HAVE A, A, A COMPANY THAT THE OTHER HALF A BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW, UH, COULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE SOME OF THE DOCKS, UM, AT AVONDALE IN JUST A, A FEW SHORT YEARS TO SAVE THEM TIME AND MONEY FOR CONSTRUCTION IN WHICH THEY'RE CREATING OVER, UH, 300 PERMANENT JOBS, 2000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS.
SO WHAT HAPPENS IN JEFFERSON IMPACTS THE RIVER REGION AND VICE VERSA.
LET'S COME TOGETHER, LET'S DO THIS, LET'S CHANGE THE GAME AND HAVE A WATERSHED MOMENT WHERE WE'RE THINKING AS A REGION.
THANK YOU MR. MATTHEWS FOR THE, FOR THE CONFIDENCE FOR THE ECONOMIC JUMPSTART.
AND LIKE YOU SAID EARLIER, THE AREA MOST POISED FOR GROWTH IN JEFFERSON PARISH IS THE WEST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
AND THIS WILL BE A CATALYST FOR A LOT MORE.
AND, UH, AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE THE CONFIDENCE IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND THE INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
PEOPLE DO NOT GET APPLAUSE IN OUR CHAMBERS VERY OFTEN.
[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED (Part 1 of 2) ]
LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER ONE,AND I HAVE A NOTE THAT ITEM ONE IS TO BE DEFERRED TO OUR, UH, MARCH 15TH MEETING.
COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM ONE.
I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER ONE TO MARCH 15TH, 2023.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
SO ORDERED EXECUTIVE SESSION, UH, WILL BE COMING UP IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING - AND LAND USE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ORDINANCES]
MADAM CLERK.LET'S MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER THREE, PLEASE.
SUMMARY NUMBER 26 40 AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FOR LOT 13 A SQUARE.
THREE CLAYBORN PARKWAY, SUBDIVISION MOORE, PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R ONE A AND R TWO TO R THREE E Z 2222 COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 2 60 40.
ANYONE IN FAVOR? PLEASE COME FORWARD.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
UM, MY HUSBAND AND I ARE CO APPLICANTS FOR, UM, THIS REZONING APPLICATION.
MY ADDRESS IS 2 86 GLENWOOD DRIVE IN MEY.
WE ARE CURRENTLY, MY HUSBAND AND I ARE CO-OWNERS OF SMITH AND SONS HOMES, LLC, A DEVELOPMENT COMPANY WE DEVELOP EXCLUSIVELY IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I CAN SAY THAT CAUSE WE ARE ALMOST WRAPPING UP OUR FIRST PROJECT.
UM, AND WE ARE LOOKING TO BASICALLY BUILD A DOUBLE ON THIS PROPERTY.
WE HAD INITIALLY WITH THE CURRENT OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY.
WE ARE UNDER CONTRACTED BY ITS SUBJECT TO THE REZONING, BUT IN COOPERATION WITH THE CURRENT OWNERS SUBMITTED AN AN APPLICATION FOR R THREE ZONING.
HOWEVER, THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD AND, UM, IN SPEAKING WITH SOME NEIGHBORS, WE HAVE AGREED TO AMEND THAT APPLICATION TO R TWO.
UM, BASICALLY YOU CAN SEE ON THE SCREEN, AND JUST TO CLARIFY EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS, IT IS THE OLD, UH, PARKING LOT FOR PICCADILLY, WHICH FRONTS JEFFERSON HIGHWAY.
SO, UM, WE HAD A ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY DONE OFF THE PROPERTY.
AND JUST HISTORICALLY IN THE, BETWEEN 1930 AND SIXTIES, IT WAS BASICALLY UTILIZED AS FARMLAND AND THERE WAS A BARN ON IT.
IT WAS AN APARTMENT COMPLEX FROM THE SIXTIES TO THE EIGHTIES.
AND THE ENTIRE PROPERTY, INCLUDING THE R THE RED POR PORTION, THAT FRONT JEFFERSON HIGHWAY WAS THE PICCADILLY RESTAURANT.
UM, AND THIS IS A NORTH PARKING LOT.
IT STILL ACTUALLY IS PAVED TODAY, COMPLETELY FENCED, UM, AND HAS NOT BEEN UTILIZED OR IN COMMERCE SINCE THE PICCADILLY CLOSED.
UM, IT WAS, THE PROPERTY COLLECTIVELY WAS BOUGHT BY RACETRACK SUBDIVIDED, AND NOW THERE'S A RACETRACK AS YOU CAN SEE, UM, THAT FRONTS IT.
SO CURRENTLY THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY IS ZONED R TWO AND THE FRONT IS R ONE.
HOWEVER, THE PROPERTY TO THE NORTH, YOU CAN SEE AN ORANGE IS R TWO, UM, TO THE WEST, R TWO AND THEN OBVIOUSLY COMMERCIAL AT THE RACETRACK.
[02:00:01]
UM, IT IS COMPLETELY FENCED AND BASICALLY KIND OF HAS BEEN ABANDONED EXCEPT FOR THERE IS ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER.UM, SO CURRENTLY THERE IS, IT'S LIKE I SAID, NOT IN COMMERCE.
THERE'S TRASH, DEBRIS AND EVIDENCE OF USED BY VAGRANTS AND LITTERING ON THE PROPERTY.
WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE KIND OF COMING AND GO FROM THE PROPERTY AT THE TIME.
SO OUR INTENTION, UM, ASSUMING IT'S ZONED R TWO, WOULD BE TO DEVELOP A MULTI-FAMILY PROPERTY.
UM, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE MAP, IT IS IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ASHNER ASHHAR MAIN CAMPUS AND ALL THE, UH, ADDITIONAL MEDICAL FACILITIES THAT THEY HAVE BUILT IN THE AREA.
SO WHILE IT WOULD BE ADVERTISED FOR LEASE PUBLICLY, WHOEVER WANTS TO, TO LIVE THERE, OUR INTENT WOULD BE TO BUILD IT WITH THE INTENT, UH, IN MIND TO APPEAL TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, INTERNS, RESIDENTS, PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING TO POTENTIALLY BE IN THE AIR TEMPORARILY, UM, MAYBE WITH ROOMMATES, THAT KIND OF THING.
UM, THE PROPERTY IS VERY DEEP, SO THERE'S AMPLE ROOM AT THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY FOR PARKING.
SO THE INTENT WOULD BE NOT HAVE THE PARKING FOR ALL THESE PEOPLE KIND OF AT THE FRONT OF THE PROPERTY FACING LU LINE.
BUT, UM, WITH A DRIVEWAY, UM, AND PARKING TO THE REAR, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT, A SIGNIFICANT NEED FOR NEW OR NEWER CONSTRUCTION.
UM, UM, A LICENSE REALTOR WAS LOOKING ON THE MLS TO SEE LAST NIGHT HOW MANY NEW CONSTRUCTION OR PROPERTIES LESS THAN 15 YEARS OLD HAD BEEN AVAILABLE AND LEASED IN THE AREA IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.
UM, AS OF YESTERDAY, AND AGAIN THIS IS JUST IN THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE, THERE WERE FOUR PROPERTIES IN 7 0 1 21, LESS THAN 15 YEARS OLD, UH, BY CONSTRUCTION LEASE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.
ALTERNATIVELY, IN THE NEIGHBORING ZIP CODE OF 7 0 1 18, THERE WERE 18 LEASE PROPERTIES.
SO FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING IN TO POTENTIALLY WORK AT THIS FACILITY, WHICH IS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THERE ARE A LOT MORE OPTIONS FOR THEM IN ORLEANS, UM, IN THE NEIGHBORING 7 0 1 18.
SO IF YOU'RE LIVING THERE, YOU'RE SPENDING MONEY THERE.
SO OUR INTENT IS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME MORE RESIDENTIAL, UM, OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE POTENTIALLY WALKING DISTANCE TO THESE JOBS, UM, THAT ARE RIGHT THERE ACROSS THE STREET.
UM, UH, JUST TO NOTE ALSO, MY HUSBAND AND I ARE ARE JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENCE.
WE INTEND TO KEEP THIS PROPERTY, MANAGE THE PROPERTY OURSELVES.
THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR WE'D BE UTILIZING IS ALSO A JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENT WHO LIVES IN GRETNA AND WE WOULD BE U UTILIZING A LOCAL, A LOCAL BANK FOR FINANCING.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, COUNCILMAN BANANA.
SO AS THE APPLICANT SO ADEQUATELY NOTED, THIS ENTIRE PROPERTY IS SURROUNDED BY C2, SO IT IS A VERY APPROPRIATE ZONING CHANGE.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 2 60 40 IN MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANA SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, HEARING NONE SO ORDERED ITEM
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - VARIANCES]
NUMBER FOUR PLEASE, MADAM CLERK SUMMARY NUMBER 2 6 7 1 APPROVING THE REQUEST SUBMITTED UNDER DOCKET NUMBER S P 38 22 FOR A VARIANCE TO THE SIGN REGULATIONS OF THE C PZ FOR A M C ELMWOOD LOCATED AT 1200 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD ON LODGE, A ONE A ELMWOOD INDUSTRIAL PARK SUBDIVISION, JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BONO FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 2 6 71.ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, COUNCILMAN BON YOU BE AGAINST THE MOVIES, MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
[OTHER ORDINANCES]
NUMBER 2 60 72 AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 1 4 70 96, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE CLASSES OF SIGNAL TECHNICIAN ONE, TWO, AND THREE AND WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 2 6 0 72.ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED MADAM CLERK? NOTE THAT NO.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR MOTION.
I MOVE ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 2 6 7 2 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
MADAM CLERK WITH THE AMENDMENTS SUMMARY NUMBER 2 60 73 AMENDING THE 2023 OPERATING BUDGET AND THE AMENDMENTS OR OR AS FOLLOWS, ALLOCATE $15,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT FOR VIDEO POKER TO LAING YEAR PARK CAPITAL FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS ALLOCATE $50,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE WEST BANK TOURISM TO NEW GROWTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FOR A C E A TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROMOTION AND STAGING OF TOURISM RELATED
[02:05:01]
EVENTS AND OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE WEST BANK OF COUNCIL.DISTRICT THREE, ALLOCATE $437 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE WEST BANK, RIVERBOAT GAMING TO PARKWAYS FOR A NO WAKE SIGN.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
SO WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUMMARY NUMBER 2 6 0 73 AS AMENDED.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? THANK HIRES RISING IN AN OPPOSITION.
UM, AGAIN, THIS IS ABOUT TAXATION IN QUESTIONS, UH, RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCT.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE OURSELVES BACK TO THE SPIRIT WITHIN WHICH, WITHIN WHICH IT WAS DEBATED AND RATHER THAN SQUEEZING FROM THE TEXT OR INVENTING AGAINST IT, APPROACH IT FROM THE SPIRIT WITH WHICH THEY DID.
I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE SPIRIT OR THE CONTENT OF THAT CONSTITUTION ENOUGH TO ADDRESSS OR ADDRESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO REDRESS.
AGAIN, THIS IS GAMING TAXES, RIGHT? GAMBLING MONEY AND GOD BLESS Y'ALL FOR DOING SOMETHING GOOD WITH GAMBLING MONEY, RIGHT? A LOT OF GOOD WORKS.
EVERYBODY'S PROMOTING AND, AND TAKING PICTURES OF AND ALL OF THIS STUFF IS ALL REALLY COOL.
AND IF IT WERE DONE BY ANY WAY PRESCRIBED IN THAT CONSTRUCT, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO ANY OF THIS FROM ITEM 16 BEING TAKEN OUT OF ORDER AND NOT BEING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BEFORE IT'S APPROVED, RIGHT? THAT'S THAT'S IN THE MEETINGS LAWS TO THIS KIND OF STUFF, RIGHT? I PREFER A GOVERNMENT THAT'S FRUGAL AND SIMPLE.
IF I CAN ADD, YOU COULD'VE SPOKEN ON 16 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING WHEN YOU FIRST CAME UP.
IF YOU TAKE AN I I'M NOT GONNA DEBATE WITH THE CHAIR ABOUT WHAT MEETING LAW IS.
I'M JUST GONNA EXPRESS WHAT MEETING LAW IS.
JUST DON'T SAY WE DID IT WRONG BECAUSE WE COULD'VE SPOKEN ON 16TH THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
YOU ARE, I I'M NOT OBLIGED TO SUCCEED HERE.
RIGHT? THE CHAIR IS OBLIGED TO SOME MEASURE OF DECORUM, SOME ME MEASURE OF ORDER.
SO WHEN THE CHAIR DECIDES TO RIDICULE OR MOCK A CITIZEN DOING A CIVIC DUTY, IT SHOWS POOR FORM.
AL MARELLA 42 60 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, FIFTH DISTRICT, KENNER FOURTH DISTRICT GUN INCORPORATED.
UH, I'M NOT SPEAKING IN FAVORABLE OR OPPOSITION.
UH, SCOTT, I JUST WANT TO ADD SOMETHING HERE.
UH, I'VE BEEN COMING TO THESE MEETINGS FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND EVERY TIME AT EVERY MEETING, UH, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING, THE FLOOR WAS OPENED FOR PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO SPEAK ON RESOLUTIONS.
SO I JUST WANTED TO CLEAR THAT UP AND LIKE I SAID, I'VE BEEN COMING HERE FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
OKAY, SO IF YOU MISS IT, YOU JUST GOTTA WAIT TILL THE END OF THE MEETING WHEN PERSON IS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
LIKE I MISSED ONE AND I'M WAITING TILL THE END.
THANK YOU MR. ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION OR IN FAVOR OR INDIFFERENT? ALL RIGHT, MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT UH, ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.
MR. AL APPEARED WITH NO OPINION COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE.
I MOVE ANY OBJECTIONS TO APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 2 60 73 AS AMENDED A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER HEARING NONE SO ORDERED ITEM NUMBER SEVEN PLEASE.
SUMMARY NUMBER 2 60 74 AMENDING THE 2023 CAPITAL BUDGET AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS, RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $15,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR VIDEO POKER TO LAIER PARK CAPITAL FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS TRANSFER OF $50,000 FROM RED FLEX COASTAL FUNDING FOR THE HACKBERRY BAY COASTAL RESTORATION PROJECT, WHICH CREATES AN ARTIFICIAL OYSTER REEF COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS? I'M MOVED.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
SO WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 2 6 74 AS AMENDED.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
HEY AYES, THIS RISING IN OPPOSITION ON PRINCIPLE LACKING FOR A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
THE TAXATION'S BEEN ARBITRARY IN THE APPROPRIATIONS ARBITRARY IF THEY LACK FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT REQUIRED TO EXERCISE THEIR CONTROL WITH A WHOLESOME DISCRETION.
THE SOLUTION ISN'T TO TAKE IT THE CONTROL FROM THEM OR A COUNCIL OR A CHAIRMAN OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER, BUT TO INFORM THEIR DISCRETION AND THIS IS THE TRUE CORRECTIVE FOR ABUSES OF POWER CONSTITUTIONALLY.
[02:10:01]
MADAM CLERK? NO ONE.UH, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR MOTION.
ANY OBJECTIONS? APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 2 6 0 74 AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
UH, NUMBER EIGHT, UH, RESOLUTIONS OF MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL MADAM CLERK COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE.
I THINK YOU YOU HAVE FOUR NOW.
AND A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MS. JUDY SULLIVAN SULLIVAN TO THE JEFFERSON REDEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED BOARD REPLACING MR. FRANK MUSCARELLA ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
ANYONE IN FAVOR? OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MR. WILLIAM LARO TO THE JEFFERSON REDEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED BOARD REPLACING MR. ALEX BELO ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? WE NOW HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR? OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MR. MICHAEL A HEK TO THE JEFFERSON REDEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED BOARD REPLACING MR. ARTHUR LAWSON.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR HEARING NONES WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR? OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED MADAM CLERK COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE I MOVED ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER HEARING NONE SO ORDERED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN GRETNA POLICE DEPARTMENT AND JEFFERSON PARISH TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL $230,000 TO THE GRETNA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE, THEREBY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE AGREEMENT FROM $460,000 TO $690,000 IN EXTENDING THE AGREEMENT FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR TO MIDNIGHT ON FEBRUARY 19TH, 2024.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR? OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED AND CHAIRMAN WALKER, I HAVE NONE.
A RESOLUTION GRANTING VOS BAR LLC TO CONDUCT A ST.
PATRICK'S DAY KICKOFF INDOOR OUTDOOR PARTY ON FRIDAY, MARCH 12TH, 2023 FROM 11:00 AM UNTIL 7:00 PM PROVIDED ALL PERMITS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR HEARING? NO.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR? OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANKEN MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO CC CCRC LAKESIDE LLC, DOING BUSINESS AS A TO TOOLA TO SELL FOOD, BEVERAGES, LIQUOR AND BEER FROM A CONCESSION STAND ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AT 34 13 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD, SUITE ONE 20, MEADOWY, LOUISIANA DURING CARNIVAL SEASON AND IRISH ITALIAN PARADES IN 2023.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NOW WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR? OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED A RESOLUTION, GRAINING PERMISSION TO HAYNES ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES 1416 MEADOWY ROAD, ME, LOUISIANA DIRECT ONE CONCESSION STAND ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AT 1416 MEADOWY ROAD MEADOWY FOR THE SALE OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES DURING THE ST.
PATRICK'S PARADE ON SUNDAY, MARCH 12TH, 2023.
PROVIDED ALL PERMITS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED, ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO WATERED A RESOLUTION APPROVING DOCKET NUMBER OM 2022 TO DEMOLISH AN EXISTING RESIDENCE AND ACCESSORY BUILDING AND CONSTRUCT A NEW RESIDENCE ATTACHED
[02:15:01]
GARAGE POOL AND DETACHED STORAGE BUILDING AND THE INSTALLATION OF ROOFTOP MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE OLD MEADOWY NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT AT 1 98 VINCENT AVENUE ON LOT 13 A SQUARE TWO VINCENT SUBDIVISION, JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA BOUNDED BY DEPL STREET BETS PLACE IN AVENUE B ZONED R ONE B SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL OM AND CD COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE.ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR HEARING NONES.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
AND ANYONE IN FAVOR? OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED COUNCILWOMAN VAN DRANKEN MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
COUNCILMAN EDWARDS? I BELIEVE I HAVE ONE.
A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO THE DR.
HAD FOUNDATION TO CONDUCT ITS PAUSE IN THE PARK EVENT ON APRIL 15TH, 2023 FROM 11:00 AM UNTIL 4:00 PM AT PARK DAY FOR ME.
61 0 1 LEO COLONEL LAE PARKWAY MARRERO TO PROVIDE FOR LAY MATTERS AND PERMISSION IS ALSO GRANTED TO ALLOW THE ERECTION OF TEMPORARY SIGNS ON THE PARISH'S RIGHT OF WAY AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO ADVERTISE THE EVENT.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION COMING FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED COUNCILMAN UH, EDWARDS APPROVED ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION.
BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN EDWARD, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 1 39 103 TO INCLUDE RECORDATION INFORMATION FOR THE TERMINATED AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND LMB SERVICES, LLC FOR HOPE HAVEN MAIN BUILDING STABILIZATION AND RESTORATION CONTRACT.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR? OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED COUNCILMAN BONANNO O APPROVAL ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BONANNO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED COUNCILMAN LEE THREE.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZED IN THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 ACTION PLAN FOR THE JEFFERSON HOME CONSORTIUM AND APPROVING THE AMENDMENTS FOR PROJECTS UTILIZING DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT HOME A R P PROGRAM.
FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING THE PARISH PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH ARE HER DESIGNEE TO SIGN AND FILE SET AMENDMENT DOCUMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DOC REQUIREMENTS OF THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED COUNCILMAN LEE MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR SEAL BIZ FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR THE WAGMAN PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT PHASE ONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS PREPARED BY MEYER ENGINEERS LIMITED AND DESIGNATE THIS PROJECT AS SALES TAX EXEMPT.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.
COUNCILMAN, UH, EXCUSE ME, WE'RE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
ANYONE IN FAVOR? OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED COUNCILMAN LEE A MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND NEW GROWTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 FOR THE PROMOTION AND STAGING OF TOURISM RELATED EVENTS AND OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE WEST BANK OF COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE THEREBY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE AGREEMENT FROM $175,000 TO $225,000.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR HEARING? NO, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN LEE MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]
TAKES US TO CONSENT.AGENDA ONE AND COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE IS NOT HERE.
WE'LL GIVE HIM A MOMENT SINCE IT'S HIS MOTION PAGE.
[02:20:02]
HOLD ON SECOND.ALL RIGHT, WE'LL JUST BE HERE.
ALL RIGHT,
UH, YOUR MOTION ON, UH, THE IN GLOBAL ADOPTION OF ITEMS NUMBER NINE THROUGH 44 ON CONSENT AGENDA ONE.
I MOVED ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS NINE THROUGH 44 IN GLOBAL, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER HEARING NONE SO ORDERED THAT TAKES US UP TO ITEM NUMBER
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS]
45 PLEASE AND CONSENT AGENDA TWO, A RESOLUTION REQUESTING AND AUTHORIZING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD TO STUDY THE TEXT ON CHAPTER 33, UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE AND CHAPTER 40, ZONING OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH WITH THE INTENT OF EVALUATING AND AMENDING REGULATIONS RELATED TO EXTERIOR WALL MATERIALS, ESTABLISHING INTERIM DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS DURING THE STUDY AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS.YOUR MOTION
A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF THE APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 1 39 8 92 ADOPTED ON JUNE 29, 22 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES, WHICH COSTS UNDER $500,000 FOR WATER PROJECTS.
WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM DESIGN BIDDING AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR A WATERLINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT ALONG BONK BOULEVARD BETWEEN MEADOWY ROAD AND SOUTH I 10 SERVICE ROAD COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN.
I'M GONNA SELECT INFINITY AS THE PRIME.
UH, RESIDENT INSPECTION WILL BE E J E S AND SURVEY B F M.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF INFINITY AS CRIME RE UH, AS PRIME RESIDENTIAL E INSPECTIONS, E J E S AND THE SURVEYOR B FM.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THOSE ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN MEMBER RANK AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
A RESOLUTION IS SELECTING AN, AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF THE APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 1 39 8 92 ADOPTED ON JUNE 29, 22 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES, WHICH COSTS UNDER $500,000 FOR WATER PROJECTS.
WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM DESIGN BIDDING AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR A WATERLINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT ALONG NORTH CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD BETWEEN VETERANS BOULEVARD AND 14TH STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE COUNCILWOMAN VAN RE SELECT DESIGN ENGINEERING AS THE PRIME RICHARD LAMBERT AS RESIDENT INSPECTION AND BASIN FOR SURVEY.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF DESIGN ENGINEERING IS THE PRIME.
RICHARD LAMBERT AS RESIDENTIAL INSPECTOR AND I CAN'T EVEN READ MY SCRIBBLE.
WHAT'D YOU SAY FOR THE, UH, THE THIRD ONE, COUNCILWOMAN BASIN FOR SURVEY.
I'M SORRY, THE THIRD ONE, I'M SORRY, UH, BASIN FOR SURVEY THE AND BASIN AS THE SURVEYOR ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANK AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
COUNCILMAN WALKER, IF I CAN REVISIT THAT ITEM.
I'M SORRY, BEFORE WE GO ON, UM, ON 47, LET'S JUST DO DESIGN ENGINEERING AND RICHARD LAMBERT RATHER THAN ME SPECIFYING RESIDENT INSPECTION, IF YOU'LL JUST PUT THOSE TWO OKAY.
UM, ON THAT PROJECT AND BASIN AS SURVEY STILL JUST IN, IN THE WAY OF CORRECTION.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S REVISIT THAT ONE.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF DESIGN ENGINEERING AS THE PRIME AND RICHARD LAMBERT AS WELL AS BASIN AS THE SURVEYOR ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN? SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF THE APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 1 3 9 8 9 2, ADOPTED ON JUNE 29, 22 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES, WHICH COSTS UNDER $500,000 FOR WATER PROJECTS.
WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM DESIGN BIDDING AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR WATERLINE IMPROVEMENTS ALONG NORTH CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD FIFTH STREET TO WEST ESPLANADE AVENUE, SOUTH WEST ESPLANADE AVENUE, NORTH NORTH HOLLAND STREET TO TOMAS DRIVE AND RIDGE LAKE DRIVE, WEST ESPLANADE AVENUE, NORTH TO WEST ADE AVENUE SOUTH COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE, COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, SELECT P E C AS THE PRIME FRANKLIN KYLE FOR RESIDENT INSPECTION.
AND BRYANT HAMMETT FOR SURVEY.
[02:25:03]
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF P C AS THE PRIME FRANKLIN? KYLE IS THE RESIDENTIAL INSPECTOR AND BRIAN HAMMETT ASSOCIATES AS I'M SORRY, I GOT THOSE FLIPPED AROUND.AND BRIAN HAMMETT ASSOCIATES AS SURVEY THE SURVEYOR, I'M SORRY, ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN EVENT RANK AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED ITEM 49, NOW A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF THE APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 1 39 89 2, ADOPTED ON JUNE 29, 22 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES, WHICH COST UNDER $500,000 FOR WATER PROJECTS.
WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM DESIGN BIDDING AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR WATERLINE IMPROVEMENTS ALONG NORTH CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD, WEST ESPLANADE AVENUE, SOUTH TO 14TH STREET, WEST SAADE AVENUE, SOUTH SIMRAN AVENUE TO TOMAS DRIVE AND VILLAGE DRIVE AROUND THE CAUSEWAY PLAZA OFFICE COMPLEX AND AROUND THE EXECUTIVE TOWER COMPLEX COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANKEN.
THIS SELECT B B E C AS THE PRIME ALL SOUTH FOR RESIDENT INSPECTION.
AND BRYANT HAMMETT FOR SURVEY.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF B B E C AS THE PRIME ALL SOUTH AS THE RESIDENT INSPECTION AND BRIAN HAMMET AND ASSOCIATES AS THE SURVEYOR ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN DONE RANK CONSECUTIVE BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
ITEM 50, PLEASE A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF THE APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 1 39 89 2, ADOPTED ON JUNE 29, 22 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES, WHICH COSTS UNDER $500,000 FOR WATER PROJECTS.
WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM DESIGN, BIDDING AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR WATERLINE IMPROVEMENTS ON COLONY PLACE F FLAGLER STREET TO CAMPER STREET, ELIZABETH AVENUE, FLAGLER STREET TO CAMPER STREET, CONCORD AVENUE, LAIER STREET TO CAMPER STREET, STANFORD AVENUE, LAIER STREET TO CAMPER STREET, LAKEWOOD STREET, ELIZABETH AVENUE TO COLONY PLACE COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO, COUNCILMAN BANANA.
MOVE ON G E C WITH, UH, RICHARD C LAMBIT BEING THE, UH, RESIDENT INSPECTOR.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF G C AS THE PRIME AND RICHARD SEED LAMBERT AS THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANA SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF THE APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 1 39 8 9 2, ADOPTED ON JUNE 29, 22 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES, WHICH COST UNDER $500,000 FOR WATER PROJECTS.
WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM DESIGN, BIDDING AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR WATERLINE IMPROVEMENTS ON ELIZABETH AVENUE CAMPER STREET TO ROUTE STREET, ROUTE STREET, ELISE AVENUE TO LORRAINE STREET, KATHLEEN AVENUE, LORRAINE STREET TO COLONY PLACE PARK CARE DRIVE, ELISE AVENUE TO DEAD END COUNCIL.
DISTRICT TWO, COUNCILMAN BANANA MOVE ON.
COLUMN AND ASSOCIATES IS THE PRIME AND ART TOIA AS THE RESIDENT INSPECTION.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF KYLE AND ASSOCIATES AS THE PRIME AND ART OVIA AS THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANA? SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED (Part 2 of 2) ]
STOP RIGHT THERE, MADAM CLERK, AND GO BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM SINCE WE'RE AT 12:00 PM A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A CLAIM FOR JEROME JUSTICE OFFICE OF WORKERS COMPENSATION DOCKET NUMBER 22 DASH 0 1 0 46.ANY OBJECTION TO THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE, HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
WE'RE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
HEY EVERYBODY, IF WE CAN TAKE A SEAT.
THIS MEETING'S BEEN LONG ENOUGH, LET'S TRY AND GET HOME.
ALL RIGHT, SO NOW WE LEFT OFF, UH, MADAME CLERK ON ONE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[OTHER RESOLUTIONS (DEFERRED)]
OTHER RESOLUTIONS, WHICH WE'LL START ON.OKAY, GO AHEAD AND READ THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM PLEASE.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT AND A CLAIM FOR JEROME JUSTIN, OFFICE OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION, DOCKET NUMBER 22 DASH 1 0 46.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED IS NOW WE MOVE DOWN TO, UH, OTHER
[02:30:01]
RESOLUTIONS AND COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR MOTION ON THE IN GLOBAL ADOPTION OF ITEMS 52 THROUGH 82 MINUS 53, WHICH NEEDS TO BE AMENDED.I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF AGENDA ITEM 52 THROUGH 82 MINUS 53, WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
THAT TAKES US DOWN TO NUMBER 53 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE MADAM CLERK A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR SEALED BIDS, FOR REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS FROM INTERESTED IN QUALIFIED FIRMS TO REPLACE EX EXISTING RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL WATER METERS WITH NEW AUTOMATED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER.
AND THE AMENDMENT IS IN SECTION FOUR AND IT READS AS FOLLOWS, THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL EVALUATION COMMITTEE SHALL BE COMPRISED OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS AND THE AMENDMENT IS AND COUNCIL DISTRICTS DEPARTMENT OF WATER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, DEPARTMENT OF PURCHASING, DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND BUDGET, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE AND FOUR, COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR, AND THAT'S ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS.
UH, COUNCILMAN LEE NOW HAS THE FLOOR.
I I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND SECTION FOUR TO INCLUDE THE REPRESENTATIVE OF, UH, COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE AND I'LL SECOND IT.
DO YOU NEED TO REREAD THAT OR JUST GO FROM THERE? I I CAN READ THAT IT'LL BE, UH, THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE COUNCIL DISTRICT'S ONE, THREE, AND FOUR.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF AGENDA ITEM, UH, 53 AS AMENDED.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, IF I MAY, COUNSELMAN? YES, SIR.
UM, THE, THE AMENDMENTS WE PROPOSE JUST FOR CLARITY, UM, THIS IS, THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN THE PROCESS OR THE SECOND STEP IN THE PROCESS OF CONVERTING THE PARISH TO DIGITAL WATER METERS.
UM, SO THAT THERE WILL NO LONGER BE THE NEED FOR, UH, METER READERS TO, UH, TO DETERMINE WHAT OUR MONTHLY BILLS WILL BE.
UM, THIS IS ACTUALLY ONE OF TWO ITEMS TODAY THAT WILL ADDRESS THE ISSUES WE HAVE IN LABOR SHORTAGES, UM, IN, IN OUR ORDINARY GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
THE AMENDMENT THAT WE PROPOSED, UM, IS TO ADD REPRESENTATIVES IN PARTICULAR TO COVER THE MUNICIPALITIES IN, UH, IN THE PARISH THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE CHALLENGES IN OUR WATER DEPARTMENT, PARTICULARLY WITH THE METER READING.
SO, UH, WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT AS THESE ARE SCORED AND THESE PROPOSALS ARE MADE, THAT THE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNATELY, PARTICULARLY NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY THAT PROCESS AND WILL BE THE FIRST ONES AFFECTED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION, UM, ARE PART OF THAT EVALUATION PROCESS.
SO, UH, IN SPEAKING WITH THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECT TO MARK DREWS, UM, THE, THE ROLLOUT AND THE IMPLEMENTATION WHEN IT ULTIMATELY HAPPENS, WILL BEGIN IN THE CITY OF KENNER, GRAND ISLE, LAE, AND OTHER AREAS AS THEY GO.
SO, UM, AS THOSE AREAS, BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN THE AREAS OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THUS FAR, UH, WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THOSE AREAS WERE PART OF THE SCORING AND EVALUATION AT THE OUTSET.
SO, UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, THE AMENDMENT AND, UM, MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE AMENDMENTS AND COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE.
AND, AND JUST TO ECHO ON, ON TOP OF COUNCILMAN PASTA, THIS, THIS IS GOING OUT FOR RFP TO REPLACE EVERY COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL WATER METER IN A PARISH.
UH, AND MARK, UH, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IT'S ABOUT AN EIGHT, A LITTLE BIT OVER 80 MILLION PROJECT THAT IS ALREADY BONDED OUT, UH, TO CREATE, UH, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE A BETTER, UH, METERS READ, UH, LESS EMPLOYEES, UH, BE MORE ACCURATE AND UPDATE OUR SYSTEM AND A PROACTIVE APPROACH INSTEAD OF WAITING TO, UH, THINGS ARE FAILING.
AND, UM, ACTUALLY WE'RE ALL PRETTY PROUD OF IT BECAUSE THIS, THIS IS GONNA BRING TECHNOLOGY TO OUR PARISH AS FAR AS, LOOK, ALL OF US HAVE DEALT WITH SOMEONE THAT OWNS AN APARTMENT OR HAS A RESIDENTIAL METER THAT THE, UH, SOMEONE LEFT A TOILET RUNNING A FAUCET OPEN OR AN, UH, OR A CUSTOMER LEFT SOMETHING GOING WRONG IN THEIR APARTMENT.
AND THEN WE'RE GETTING THE CALLS TO WHERE THE METER, UH, THEY GOT A $1,500 WATER BILL, UH, AND, UH, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO PAY IT.
UH, THIS, THIS WOULD ALLOW OUR RESIDENTS TO HAVE NEW TECHNOLOGY TO WHERE THEY COULD GET AN APP TO THEIR PHONE TO LET THEM KNOW IF THEY'VE HAD MORE CONSUMPTION THAN NORMAL.
SO, UH, ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PROACTIVE MOVES THAT WE'RE ALL ARE TAKING, WORKING WITH THE COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE JEFFERSON, UH, JUST A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.
[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS]
MOVE TO, UH, ITEM NUMBER 83.NOW ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, THAT IS THE ADDENDUM AGENDA AND ITEMS ONE THROUGH 22, COUNCILMAN
[02:35:01]
TEMPLATE, YOU'RE UP FOR A MOTION REGARDING CAN WE APPROVE IT? YEAH, WE APPROVED IT.AND THEN I RECOGNIZE COUNCILMAN NEPA 53? YES, SIR.
UH, COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE GLOBAL ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA, ITEMS ONE THROUGH 21 WITH 15 BEING AMENDED, 16 ALREADY BEING HANDLED, AND 19, WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED, AND 20, WHICH IS TO BE CANCELED, YOUR MOTION.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM? AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH 21 MINUS 15, WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED, 16 WAS ALREADY HANDLED, 19, WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED, AND 20, WHICH IS TO BE CANCELED.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, HEARING NONE IS SO ORDERED.
ITEM NUMBER 15, PLEASE, MADAME CLERK WITH THE AMENDMENT.
UM, A RESOLUTION REQUESTING LOUISIANA SECRETARY OF STATE APPROVED AND COORDINATE WITH JEFFERSON PARISH REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, DENNIS, A DEMARCO TO PROVIDE ALL NEEDED SUPPORT, LABOR, EQUIPMENT, LOGISTICS, ET CETERA, NEEDED TO ESTABLISH TWO ADDITIONAL CENTRALIZED EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
AND, UM, IN SECTION ONE, THE USE OF THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY, 47 47 WEST NAPOLEON AVENUE, MAD AND ON THE WEST BANK, IT'S GOING, THE AMENDMENT IS ROSE BORNE ALEXANDER COMMUNITY CENTER IN MARRERO, LOUISIANA.
ANY OBJECTION TO, UH, THE MOTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR FOR ADDENDUM? AGENDA ITEM 19, UH, 16, EXCUSE ME, NO, 15 ITEM 15.
HEARING NONE, ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT ITEM.
ITEM NUMBER 15 AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE.
HEARING NONE, UH, AND I'D LIKE TO MENTION REAL QUICKLY ON THAT, UH, THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE WORKED ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW WITH THE REGISTRAR VOTER'S OFFICE AND TRYING TO GET THIS SET FOR THE NEXT ELECTION COMING UP.
JUST MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE A LITTLE BIT EASIER.
UH, SPOKE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO ABOUT THE, THE YEI BUILDING SITUATION AND PREFERABLY NOT HAVING PEOPLE HAVE TO COME TO THE YEI BUILDING TOO EARLY VOTE AND WAIT IN A LONG LINE OUTSIDE IN THE ELEMENTS, AND THEN COME UP AN ELEVATOR AND WAIT IN A HALLWAY AND, AND THEN FINALLY VOTE.
IT'S BEEN A SERVICEABLE LOCATION FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, UH, AS LONG AS THE SECRETARY OF STATE GOES ALONG WITH THIS, TO HAVE PEOPLE ACTUALLY WAIT OUTSIDE, UH, INSIDE OUT, AWAY FROM THE ELEMENTS WHEN THEY GO TO EARLY VOTE AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
AND THE WEST BANK LOCATION THAT WAS JUST MENTIONED COULD END UP BEING A DIFFERENT LOCATION BASED ON A LAO CENTER AVAILABILITY AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE BEING LOOKED AT, BUT THAT IS THE LOCATION AS IT STANDS NOW FOR A EAST BANK SUPER SITE, SO TO SPEAK, AND A, AND A WEST BANK SUPER SITE TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE, UM, ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND VOTE.
VERY SIMPLE THING, BUT, UM, I THINK A BIG THING AND SOMETHING THAT, UH, WE'RE THANKFUL THAT THE REGISTRAR HAS HELPED US WITH REGISTRAR VOTERS AND, UM, IS WILLING TO GO ALONG WITH, AND WE ARE NOW ASKING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO JUMP ON BOARD AS WELL.
AND WE'VE HAD PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM OVER THE YEARS AND HOPEFULLY THIS IS A PROCESS THAT WILL GO VERY SMOOTHLY AND WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED ON WHAT DEVELOPS ON THAT OUTSIDE OF THAT.
UM, ITEM NUMBER 19, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK WITH AMENDMENTS, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE CEA, UM, BETWEEN JEFFERSON PARISH AND THE LOUISIANA FIRE SOCCER CLUB AND THE AMENDMENT IS TO ADD TWO, WHEREAS ON NUMBER SIX AND SEVEN, WHEREAS A UM, SECTION 3.0, THE AGREEMENT STATES ORGANIZATION HEREBY AGREES TO PAY PARISH A FEE OF $7,087 AND 50 CENTS PER CALENDAR YEAR.
AND WHEREAS THE PARISH WISHES TO CONTINUE THE AGREEMENT WITH ORGANIZATION, BUT REDUCE THE FEE TO $4,725 PER CALENDAR YEAR.
COUNCILMAN BANANA, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS, MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM? AGENDA ITEM 19 AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
WE NOW GO TO SPECIAL DISTRICTS.
UH, NUMBER 22 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA.
A RESOLUTION APPROV CEA BETWEEN JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER ONE, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND THE CITY OF GRETNA REGARDING THE PROVISION OF FUNDING FOR REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO GRETNA BMX RACEWAY, LOCATED AT 800 GRETNA BOULEVARD, GRETNA, LOUISIANA AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $1,500,000 OR SENDING RESOLUTION NUMBER 1,493, ADOPTED ON JULY, 2222 AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS, COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS APPROVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION OF MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]
84, PLEASE.[02:40:01]
A RESOLUTION SELECTING TO PROVIDE CURBSIDE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTIONS ON THE EAST AND WEST BANKS OF JEFFERSON PARISH, INCLUDING IN THE TOWN OF JEANEE CONSOLIDATED GARBAGE DISTRICT NUMBER ONE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS SERVICES TO INCLUDE COLLECTION FROM RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL BUSINESS UNITS, BUS STOPS AND TERMINALS, OPERATION OF TRASH DROP OFF SITES, SPECIAL COLLECTION OF CHRISTMAS TREES AND SERVICES SUCH AS SPECIAL EVENT WASTE COLLECTION AND EMERGENCY POST-DISASTER WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES UNDER RFP NUMBER FOUR 50.AND BEFORE THE SELECTION IS MADE, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SUSPENSION OF THE RULES TO ALLOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE COMP, UH, REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE COME FROM THE COMPANIES, UH, INVOLVED TO SPEAK BRIEFLY, HEARING NONE IF I MAY.
COUNCILMAN I I'D SAY, OR ANYONE? YEAH, SURE, YEAH, OUTSIDE OF THE COMPANIES, ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON IT AS WELL.
SO IF THERE'S ANYBODY HERE TO SPEAK ON THE, UH, GARBAGE COLLECTION CONTRACT, STEP TO THE PODIUM PLEASE AND WE'LL TAKE YOU IN ORDER THAT YOU WALK UP, PLEASE SAY YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
PRESSURE WATER MYERS 64 0 5 MARCY STREET.
I ACTUALLY DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS ON THE AGENDA SPECIFICALLY FOR A COMPANY, BUT I WAS COMING TO MENTION THE BULK TRASH PICKUP SITUATION.
UH, I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MANATA FIRST.
HE IS ALWAYS RESPONSIVE AND HELPFUL WHENEVER I HAVE AN ISSUE.
AND HE HAS CODE ENFORCEMENT COVER THE WILLOWDALE SUBDIVISION IN AN UNBELIEVABLY REALLY SUCCESSFUL WAY.
UH, BUT THE PARK MANOR AREA IS ALL PRETTY MUCH ALL SECTION EIGHT, AND THEY DO NOT, I HAVE A PHONE NUMBER, UH, FOR A COMPANY AND I CALL AND THEY CREATE A TICKET TO COME AND PICK UP BULK WASTE THAT PEOPLE PUT OUT.
MOST OF PARK MANNA HAS NOT THAT KNOWLEDGE, I DON'T THINK.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE I GOT THE NUMBER, BUT I'VE HAD IT FOR YEARS.
I THINK IT MIGHT'VE COME IN ONE OF THOSE PAMPHLETS FROM THE WATER BILL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BUT, UM, IT'LL GO WEEKS OR MONTHS WITHOUT ANYBODY BOTHERING OR UNDERSTANDING OR KNOWING HOW TO CREATE A TICKET FOR THIS BULK WASTE PICKUP.
I WILL EVENTUALLY JUST GET TIRED OF LOOKING AT IT AFTER OLD COUCHES AND EVERYTHING HAVE BEEN SITTING OUT THERE FOR WEEKS AND WEEKS, AND I WILL WRITE DOWN THE ADDRESSES AND CALL THE NUMBER AND GET, UM, A TICKET CREATED FOR THEM TO COME AND PICK IT UP.
I JUST MET MR. LUIS WITH RIVERBOAT BIRCH JUST NOW, AND HE HAS ASSURED ME THAT IF THEY GET THE CONTRACT, THEY WILL DO, UM, MUCH MORE PUBLIC INFORMATION ON HOW TO HANDLE THAT PARTICULAR SITUATION AS WELL AS REGULAR PICKUPS.
SO IF RIVER BIRCH CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF THAT, UM, AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY IN MY AREA OR ANY AREA THAT HAS THE ISSUES, I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY THAT I HOPE YOU APPROVE THEIR CONTRACT.
AND YEAH, WITH ANY NEW SERVICE, THERE'S GONNA BE A BIG EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT THAT'LL COME WITH IT BECAUSE A LOT OF THINGS WILL CHANGE IN THE NEXT CONTRACT, RIGHT? BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE CERTAINLY FOCUSED ON, AND I KNOW WHOEVER THE NEW, UH, GARBAGE COLLECTOR IS, WILL BE FOCUSED ON AS WELL.
AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE HERE TO DO TODAY, IS MAKE THAT SELECTION.
IT'LL BE A, A JANUARY START DATE FOR THE NEW GARBAGE COLLECTOR.
GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIR COUNCIL MEMBERS STAFF.
MY NAME'S CHARLES MERLE WITH FCC ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.
UH, WE ARE ONE OF THE BIDDERS ON THIS PROJECT.
I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE OUR COMPANY.
WE'RE A MULTON NATIONAL COMPANY.
WE'RE IN 37 COUNTRIES, AND WE'VE GOT WELL OVER A THOUSAND EMPLOYEES HERE IN THE UNITED STATES AND 10 MILLION AMERICANS WE SERVE ON THE CURBSIDE COLLECTIONS.
UH, ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE SCOUTED YOUR PARISH QUITE EXTENSIVELY, SO WE KNOW YOUR PARISH.
WE KNOW WHAT THE EAST AND WEST BANKS LOOK LIKE.
UH, ONE IMPORTANT NOTE IS YOUR EVALUATION COMMITTEE ON THE TECHNICAL SIDE PICKED US THE TOP OVERALL.
SO WE WANTED TO PUT A FACE AND A NAME WITH A COMPANY THAT ALSO SERVICES OTHER CURBSIDE PARISHES, CITIES, COUNTIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.
UM, ANY QUESTIONS I'D BE GLAD TO ANSWER? THANK YOU.
HELLO, MY NAME IS ROB CANELLI.
I'M A SENIOR LOGISTICS ENGINEER WITH FCC ENVIRONMENTAL, UH, AND I JUST WANTED TO TOUCH ON SOME OF THE TECHNICAL PIECES THAT OUR COMPANY
[02:45:01]
PROVIDES.UH, WE HAVE LESS HOMES PER ROUTE.
UH, LESS THAN 900 HOMES PER AUTOMATED SIDE LOAD, LESS THAN 650 PER REAR LOAD VEHICLE.
AND THE REASON WHY WE DO THAT IS TO PROVIDE, UH, MORE COMFORTABLE TIME TO COLLECT, UH, LESS HOURS ON THE STREET AND PROVIDES A MORE SA SAFE ATMOSPHERE, UH, FOR THE PARISH.
AND IT ALSO, UH, PROVIDES A BETTER WORK-LIFE BALANCE FOR THE EMPLOYEES.
SO, UH, WITH THAT WE ALSO PROVIDE A LARGER SPARE RATIO, FOUR UNITS THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
UH, FOR THE PARISH IT WOULD BE NEARLY 20%.
UH, AGAIN, THAT HELPS, UH, AID THE SAFE, THE SAFE SERVICE OF THE PARISH.
SO I JUST WANTED TO ADD THOSE PIECES IN THERE AS WELL.
UH, WE'RE EXCITED, WE'RE PASSIONATE AND, UH, YOU KNOW, WE LOVE WHAT WE DO.
ENVIRONMENTAL, THEY ON THE GUN? I DUNNO.
THANK YOU FOR, UH, ALLOWING US TO COME UP AND SPEAK.
UH, JESSE MURPHY WITH, UH, WASTE PRO, LOUISIANA, LOCATED AT NINE 20 KENNER AVENUE IN KENNER.
UM, FIRST I WANTED TO DIS UH, DIS DISCUSS ABOUT THE, UM, THE SCORING PROCESS.
UM, THERE WERE SOME NEGATIVES AND POSITIVES OF EACH COMPANY.
COUPLE THE NEGATIVES FOR WASTE PRO ONE WAS THAT WE DID NOT DETAIL THE DROP-OFF STATIONS.
UM, WE PROVIDED IN THIS, IN OUR PRICE, AND WE, UH, PROVIDED THE EQUIPMENT LIST, WHICH WAS FOR THE DROP-OFF STATIONS.
WE DIDN'T, UH, GO INTO, YOU KNOW, COMPLETE DETAILS ON IT, BUT WE RESPONDED TO THE PROPOSALS AS IT WAS IN THE RFP THAT YOU, UH, THE SERVICES THAT NEEDED TO BE PROVIDED.
NOW, PRICING, WE JUST DIDN'T PUT ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
UM, SO NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE POSITIVES WITH WASTE PRO, UH, ONE WAS, UH, WAS MENTIONED, OUR STAFFING.
UM, WE STAFF ALL OF OUR DRIVERS AND HELPERS IN LOUISIANA WITH A FOUR DAY WORK WEEK.
WE PROVIDE SERVICE AT THIS LOCATION FOR SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, BUT WE ONLY WORK 'EM FOUR DAYS.
WHAT THAT DOES IS, THE BIGGEST THING IS SAFETY.
IF A DRIVER, YOU KNOW, THESE, YOU KNOW, DRIVERS AND HELPERS, UH, TYPICALLY WORK IN 12 HOUR DAYS, 11 HOUR DAYS, UM, ANYTHING MORE THAN, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT PUTS 'EM AT 44 TO 48 HOURS JUST IN A FOUR DAY WORK WEEK.
SO WHEN YOU WORK FIVE AND SIX DAYS A WEEK, UM, IT PUTS, YOU KNOW, IT'S, MAKES UNSAFE CONDITIONS.
SO WE CHANGED THAT A COUPLE YEARS AGO, AND IT'S WORKED REALLY WELL FOR US.
IT ALSO ALLOWS US TO REACT AFTER, UH, HURRICANES OR DURING C COVID.
UM, WHAT THAT DOES IS, UM, YOU KNOW, AFTER IDA, WE, UH, COME TWO DAYS AFTER IDA, EVERY ONE OF OUR MUNICIPALITIES AND CUSTOMERS WERE BEING SERVICED WITHOUT ANY, UH, REDUCTIONS.
UH, WE DIDN'T, YOU KNOW, STOP RECYCLING.
WE DIDN'T REDUCE FROM TWO DAYS A WEEK TO ONCE A WEEK.
I MEAN, WE PROVIDED FULL SERVICES.
HOW WERE WE ABLE TO DO THAT? YOU KNOW, IF, IF 30, 40% OF OUR WORKFORCE, UH, YOU KNOW, OUR TEAM WAS DISPLACED, WE HAD ENOUGH TEAM MEMBERS TO WORK FIVE OR SIX DAYS FOR TWO WEEKS, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO REDUCE ANY SERVICES.
AND, UM, WE, YOU KNOW, SO JUST TALK ABOUT OUR, OUR STAFFING STRATEGY.
AND THE OTHER PART THAT WAS, UH, REFLECTIVE IN OUR, OUR PRICE WAS THAT WE PUT IN THERE THAT WE WOULD NEGOTIATE FOR, UH, WE WOULD COME DOWN ON OUR PRICE IF WE WERE, IF IT WAS SPLIT, UM, YOU KNOW, MAJORITY OF THE MAJOR MUNICIPALITIES ARE ALL SPLITTING THE SERVICES DUE TO THE, THE ISSUES THAT'S HAS HAPPENED.
JOLENE JOHNSON, UH, WASTE PRO NINE 20 KENNER AVENUE, KENNER.
UH, JUST TO REITERATE WHAT JESSE WAS TALKING ABOUT, UM, I DO HAVE SOME HANDOUTS HERE FOR YOU ALL ABOUT SOME OF OUR, UH, SERVICES AS WELL.
AND, UM, WE JUST WANT TO, WOULD LIKE TO IMPLORE REQUEST OR JUST KIND OF ASK YOU TO, TO, TO CONSIDER SPLITTING IT UP.
IT WAS ADDRESSED IN THE RFP ABOUT GIVING, GIVING IT IN, YOU KNOW, MAKING IT INTO DIFFERENT DISTRICTS AND HAVING A COUPLE PROVIDERS.
AND WHAT THAT ALLOWS FOR IS FOR ONE PROVIDER TO BACK UP THE OTHER ONE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS OR IF THERE'S ANY CATASTROPHES.
AND, UM, WE'RE JUST, WE'RE JUST HERE.
WE'RE IN A 10 STATE FOOTPRINT, SO WE ARE ABLE TO PULL IN, UH, RESOURCES FROM OTHER AREAS IF SOMETHING HAPPENS HERE.
AND, UM, IT'S NOT NEWS, IT'S NOT NEW TO US BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN AROUND, WE'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 2001
[02:50:01]
AS WASTE PRO, AND, UH, WE WANNA BE YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER.MS. DO, DO YOU MIND LETTING YEAH, YOU CAN GO RIGHT AFTER HIM IF YOU DON'T MIND.
GO AHEAD, MR. BLAW, YOU KEEP ALL THE, THE SERVICES TOGETHER.
MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TO REPRESENT RIVER BIRCH RENEWABLE ENERGY AND RIVER BIRCH.
UM, LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED, UH, COMPANY HERE IN THIS MARKET.
UH, WE CURRENTLY SERVICE OVER 200,000 RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS.
I WOULD SAY WE'RE THE LEADER IN RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IN THIS MARKET.
UM, WE'VE HEARD SOME OF THE POSITIVES OF THE, OF THE COMPANIES.
WE CURRENTLY SERVICE THE WEST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
UH, WE BROUGHT AUTOMATION TO THIS MARKET.
WE CURRENTLY SERVICE, UH, LAFOURCHE ST.
CHARLES PARISH AND MANY MUNICIPALITIES ON THE NORTH SHORE WITH AUTOMATION.
I HAVE A QUICK LITTLE VIDEO THAT I'D LIKE TO SHOW YOU SOME TESTIMONIALS FROM SOME OF OUR CUSTOMERS, AND THIS IS THE, THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT, UH, HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
IF YOU GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO SERVICE THE RESIDENTS OF THIS PARISH.
YOU HAVE ABOUT TWO MINUTES LEFT.
YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH COASTAL WAYS BACK AFTER KATRINA IN 2005.
AND SO WHEN IT CAME TIME TO LOOK FOR SOMEONE TO EMBED WITH, TO ENSURE THAT WE WOULD GET THE SERVICES WE NEEDED AFTER THIS STORM, IT WAS AN EASY CHOICE.
COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES WAS THE ONLY CHOICE FOR THE CITY OF GRETNA.
COASTAL HAS BEEN GREAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY THERE AT THE INTERMODAL CENTERS FOR THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTING.
THEY'RE AT OUR BALL FIELDS, THEY'RE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES IN MANDEVILLE GOES BEYOND, UH, JUST, YOU KNOW, GARBAGE PICKUP.
THEY'RE VERY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH NONPROFITS.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE OUT AT A LOT OF OUR EVENTS SERVING FOOD.
CHARLES PARISH STARTED ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH RIVER BIRDS IN MAY OF 2021.
AND, UH, IT'S BEEN A GREAT RELATIONSHIP.
RIVER BURCH CAME IN WITH BRAND NEW TRUCKS, BRAND NEW EQUIPMENT.
UH, THEY EVEN PROVIDED EXTRA BOOM SERVICE AT NO CHARGE TO OUR ST.
AND THAT HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS IN HELPING US KEEP, UH, TRASH OFF THE STREETS AND, AND WINDBLOWN TRASH, UH, THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.
LOOK, WE, WE WERE AT A TIME WHEN THE JOB WASN'T GETTING DONE AND WE BROUGHT RIVER BURCH IN.
AND, UH, THE, THE IMPROVEMENT, I MEAN, YOU REALLY CAN'T EVEN PUT IN WORDS, UH, ESPECIALLY IN THIS AREA, IN AN AREA THAT THAT IS REALLY FACED WITH STORMS AND, AND A LOT, A LOT OF HURRICANES THAT IF, IF THE JOB'S NOT GETTING DONE, IF THE TRASH NOT GETTING PICKED UP, UH, IT MATTERS IF TRASH GOES EVERYWHERE.
SO HAVING RIVER BIRDS DOWN HERE, UH, GETTING THE JOB DONE, ANSWERING WHEN WE CALL HAS MADE THE WORLD OF A DIFFERENCE.
IT PUTS THIS COMMUNITY AT EASE, UH, KNOWING THAT WHEN A STORM'S COMING, THAT TRASH IS GONNA BE PICKED UP.
COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CAME TO US LAST YEAR WITH THE PROPOSAL.
IT WAS TIME TO BID THINGS OUT.
SO WE HAD A LONG VETTING PROCESS, AND AS A BOARD, WE COLLECTIVELY CHOSE COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL, AND I'M GLAD WE DID CES.
ANYTIME THAT WE'VE HAD AN ISSUE, WHICH IS VERY RARELY THEY GET IT RESOLVED THAT DAY WHEN SOMETHING'S MISSED AND WE LET 'EM KNOW, THEY COME BACK IN THE EVENING OR THE NEXT MORNING.
IT'S, IT'S, IT'S FIRST CLASS SERVICE, OBVIOUSLY.
I'LL HAVE TO STOP RIGHT THERE.
MUNICIPALITY, ESPECIALLY SOMEBODY LIKE ABIDA WHO WE HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES, UH, AND I'D BE GLAD TO SEND THAT LINK TO YOU SO THAT YOU CAN REVIEW IT, UM, LATER ON.
BUT, UM, AGAIN, WE, WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON THE SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE.
UH, WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN BEING A GOOD CORPORATE CITIZEN AND, UM, NOBODY KNOWS THIS PARISH BETTER THAN WE ARE.
AND, UH, WE STAND READY TO GO TO WORK AND, UH, WE LOOK FORWARD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU MR. BOLAN, SINCE YOU CAME UP, I, I WAS ACTUALLY GONNA ASK YOU IF Y'ALL WERE HERE TO, I HAD SOME QUESTIONS.
I MEAN, THIS PROCESS, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A SCORING AND EVALUATION PROCESS, MUCH LIKE WE, I WAS ALLUDING TO WITH THE WATER METERS, UM, THAT EVALUATED.
AND, AND I BELIEVE ONE OF THE, THE OTHER BIDDERS OR SUBMITTERS REFERENCED IT AS WELL WHERE THERE WAS A SCORING COMMITTEE AND MORE THAN JUST PRICE WAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
I MEAN, I, I KNOW Y'ALL WERE THE, I BELIEVE THE LOWEST, UM, FROM A COST STANDPOINT BY A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT, BUT THERE'S A LOT MORE FACTORS THAN THAT THAT WERE EVALUATED.
AND ULTIMATELY, THE WAY THE SCORING IS, Y'ALL HAD THE HIGHEST SCORE.
BUT I WANNA MAKE SURE WHI WHICH IS NOT A TERRIBLE SURPRISE, CERTAINLY CONSIDERING THE GOOD EXPERIENCE THAT THE WEST BANK ACADEMY, WE HAD A CRISIS ON WEST BANK TRASH PICKUP, YOU KNOW, A YEAR OR SO AGO THAT WAS VERY MUCH DUE TO LABOR FORCE, LABOR SHORTAGES.
I MEAN, THAT'S A CRISIS WE'RE DEALING WITH ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN ALL INDUSTRIES, UM, HAVING PARTICULARLY DO WITH THE HOPPERS.
BUT THAT BEING SAID, YOUR SOLUTION TO THAT BRINGS UP SOME OTHER QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS THAT I KNOW OUR RESIDENTS HAVE.
[02:55:01]
YOU'LL BEAR WITH ME, AND I HOPE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS, YOU KNOW, ARE, ARE SECURE OR THAT WE ARE SECURE, UH, IN WHAT SERVICES OUR GOVERNMENT'S GONNA PROVIDE FOR OUR CITIZENS.NUMBER ONE, HAVE Y'ALL HAD AN EXPERIENCE WITH THE ARMS IN ON YOUR AUTOMATED TRUCKS AND HAVING ISSUES WITH MORE FREQUENT BREAKDOWNS OR MAINTENANCE ISSUES WITH THOSE, UH, PICKUP VEHICLES AS OPPOSED TO THE STANDARD, MORE TYPICAL REAR LOADING VEHICLES? WE HAVE NOT, UM, THE TECHNOLOGY ON THESE TRUCKS HAVE, HAVE BEEN PROVED A GREAT DEAL.
UH, THE KEY TO IT IS HAVING A GREAT MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, AND WE HAVE THAT AND WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.
UH, SO NO, WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY OF THOSE ISSUES THAT, THAT, THAT YOU'RE SPEAKING OF.
IN ADDITION, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH CULTURE AND HABIT AND WHATNOT.
UH, IF WE DRIVE DOWN THE STREET ON A, ON A PICKUP DAY, WE SEE THE CAN
HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THAT IF, LET'S SAY, UH, I WERE TO PUT MY, MY CAN, OKAY.
THAT YOU'RE GONNA PICK UP WITH THE AUTOMATED ARM AND THEN A BAG OF TRASH NEXT TO IT.
WHAT COULD THE RESIDENT, WHAT WILL THE RESIDENTS EXPECT IT ONE BAG, UM, YOU KNOW, A DRIVER RELOADS THE CAN, IF IT'S AN, IF IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM, UH, WE CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT RESIDENT TO GET AN ADDITIONAL CART.
AGAIN, THOSE THINGS THAT WILL, YOU KNOW, WILL BE WORKED OUT THROUGH THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CONTRACT.
BUT OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PARISH IS THAT THE DAY THAT WE, YOUR, YOUR GARBAGE IS OUT, ALL OF IT DISAPPEARS AND IT, IT ENDS UP IN THE LANDFILL.
SO, SO THE, THE RESIDENTS CAN EXPECT THAT BAG WILL BE PICKED UP BY THE END OF THE DAY? THAT IS CORRECT.
EVEN IF IT MEANS YOU GOTTA SEND ANOTHER VEHICLE TO GO GET IT.
IS THAT CORRECT? IS THAT FAIR? UM, BULK WASTE PICKUP IS ANOTHER ISSUE WE DEAL WITH, AND IT, AND I'LL TELL YOU, IT'S ONE OF THE, IT'S ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENTS UNINCORPORATED HAVE A CERTAIN BENEFIT THAT SOME OF THE MUNICIPALITIES DON'T LIKE THE CITY OF KENNER BULK WASTE PICKUP.
SO A RESIDENT TRIMS THEIR BUSHES OR, YOU KNOW, TEARS THEIR FENCE DOWN, PUTS THE SOFA, MS. PATSY WATER MYER WAS BRINGING UP AN ISSUE IN WILLOWDALE.
WHEN THAT'S PUT ON THE LAWN, IS THAT GONNA BE PICKED UP BY YOUR SUBMITTAL? YES, ABSOLUTELY.
UH, ONE THING THAT WE, WE PROMOTED OR AND PROPOSED WAS, UM, MORE BOOM TRUCKS.
UM, WHEN YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM, AND WE WE'RE CERTAINLY BIG SUPPORTERS OF, OF THE AUTOMATION IS THAT YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT THOSE TRUCKS WITH BOOM TRUCKS, IN SOME CASES REAR LOADERS.
AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS PARISH, THAT NOT ALL AREAS CAN BE AUTOMATED.
SO THERE'LL BE A BLEND OF TRUCKS WHERE SOME AREAS WILL, WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE TRADITIONAL REAR LOADERS.
UM, BUT EVERY EFFORT WILL BE TO AUTOMATE AND WE WILL USE MORE BOOM TRUCKS THAN YOU CURRENTLY HAVE ON YOUR, ON YOUR PREVIOUS CONTRACT.
IS THERE GOING TO BE A PHYSICAL LIMITATION OR A VOLUME LIMITATION ON THE BULK WASTE PICKED UP? SO IF I CUT MY TREE LIMBS AND PUT 'EM OUT OUT, IS THERE A, UM, A VOLUME OR CAPACITY LIMITATION AS TO HOW MUCH YOU'LL PICK UP? AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE NEGOTIATED THROUGH THE CONTRACT.
UM, YOU KNOW, IF YOU PUSH IT, TAKE A WHOLE HOUSE TO THE, TO THE CURB, YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND.
UM, IS THAT FAIR TO THE, THE RESIDENT, NEXT RESIDENT THAT'S PAYING THE SAME AMOUNT FOR GARBAGE COLLECTION, UM, YOU KNOW, FENCE BOARDS, UM, TREE LIMBS, COUCHES, ALL OF THOSE THINGS WILL BE TAKEN, UH, WITH THE BOOM TRUCK.
UM, BUT YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I MEAN IN LIMITATION, YOU KNOW, WE, WE DON'T WANT TO COME THERE AND TAKE DOWN THE, SOMEBODY TAKES DOWN A PECAN TREE IN THEIR BACKYARD AND PUSHES IT TO THE CURB.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT THROUGH THE CONTRACT, BUT THE MINIMUM AMOUNT THAT WAS PRESCRIBED IN THE RFP, THAT IS NOT, I MEAN, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY AGREEING TO PICK UP MORE THAN THAT.
THAT WAS JUST THE BARE MINIMUM STANDARD.
SO YOUR AGREEMENT IS TO PICK UP, YOU KNOW, WELL, MORE THAN THAT.
UM, AS FAR AS HOLIDAY PICKUP, SO IF THAN THANKSGIVING FALLS ON A THURSDAY, IF YOUR PICKUP IS ON NORMALLY WOULD BE THURSDAY, UM, ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT WE'VE HAD A LOT OF IN OUR OFFICE IS THAT UNDER THE CURRENT, UH, THE CURRENT CONTRACTOR JUST PUNTS IT TO MONDAY, YOU KNOW, OR TO THE NEXT, IS THAT HOW THAT WILL BE HANDLED? AGAIN, AN ITEM THAT NEEDS TO BE, YOU KNOW, WORKED OUT THROUGH THE CONTRACT, UH, HISTORICALLY IN THIS PARISH, UM, IF THANKSGIVING, FOR EXAMPLE, FALLS ON A THURSDAY, THAT TRASH WAS PICKED UP ON THE, THE MONDAY.
IF YOU, YOU HAVE MONDAY, THURSDAY, TUESDAY, FRIDAY, WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY COLLECTION.
UM, IN OTHER AREAS, WE USUALLY, UH, IF, IF, YOU KNOW, ON A FIVE DAY WORK WEEK, WE'LL SLIDE THE WHOLE, THE WHOLE AREA.
IF, UM, YOUR GARBAGE COLLECTION IS ON A THURSDAY AND IT, IT, IT IS A HOLIDAY, THAT GARBAGE IS PICKED UP ON FRIDAY.
FRIDAY'S GARBAGE IS PICKED UP ON SATURDAY.
UM, WE HAVE SOME, SOME CONTRACTS WHERE WE HAVE DOUBLE
[03:00:01]
DAYS.UM, ALL OF THOSE, ALL OF THAT TRASH IS PICKED UP ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
UM, AGAIN, ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE WORKED OUT IN THE CONTRACT AND IN AND THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, A COMMENT WAS MADE EARLIER ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL CONTRACTORS AND WHATNOT.
UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE SEEN IS THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THERE'S A BACKUP, THERE'S AN OVERLOAD IN, IN, YOU KNOW, LET'S SAY GARBAGE OR THE CONTRACTOR GETS BACKED UP FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, EITHER LABOR FORCE SHORTAGE OR WHATEVER.
AND THEN OF COURSE WE HAVE STORM TIMES.
WILL RIVER BURCH AGREE TO BRING IN WHATEVER ADDITIONAL SUBCONTRACTORS WOULD BE NECESSARY TO COVER THOSE SORT OF SITUATIONS? SURE.
UH, ONE THING THAT WE, WE PROVIDE, UH, WE HAVE A STORM DEBRIS DIVISION IN OUR COMPANY.
UM, AFTER IDA, WE, UH, WE SERVICED, UH, THE CITY OF GRETNA, THE CITY OF SLIDEDALE.
WE HANDLED ALL OF THAT STORM DEBRIS.
WE HAVE A LIST OF SUBCONTRACTORS THAT WE CAN CALL IN AT ANY MOMENT, UH, IF NEED BE.
UM, AGAIN, WE HAVE A FLEET OF BOOM TRUCKS, NOT ONLY ON THE NORTH SHORE, BUT HERE ON THE SOUTH SHORE ALREADY.
UM, SO THAT WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE.
AND WE HAVE IN THE PAST HAD TO BRING IN SOME SUBCONTRACTORS, YOU KNOW, UM, ESPECIALLY DURING, DURING STORMS, LIKE, UH, SOMETHING THAT AS, UH, AS MAJORS ITEM.
AND THE, THE, THE LAST, UH, SET OF QUESTIONS I HAVE RELATE TO THE CANS THEMSELVES.
WE HAD AN ISSUE IN THE CITY OF KENNER WHEN THERE WAS A TRANSITION BETWEEN CONTRACTORS OVER THE OWNERSHIP OF THE CAN AND GETTING THE NEW CONTRACTOR IN WHAT OUR RESIDENTS EXPERIENCED THAT WITH, WITH YOU GUYS IF YOU WERE SELECTED.
WELL, THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT THIS IS THAT THE PARISH OWNS THE CARTS THAT ARE OUT THERE NOW.
SO WHEN THIS CONTRACT THAT YOUR CURRENT CONTRACT WITH WASTE CONNECTION ENDS, UH, THE PARISH TAKES OWNERSHIP OF THOSE CARTS.
SO COMING INTO THE NEW CONTRACT, THE ONLY THING THAT WE WOULD DO IS IF A CUSTOMER'S MISSING A CART OR NEEDS A ANOTHER CART, UM, IF THERE, IF THE, THE WHEELS OR OR LIDS ARE BROKEN, WE WILL MAINTAIN THOSE.
WE'LL TAKE THAT, THAT OPERATION OVER.
UH, BUT STARTING THE CONTRACT, THE, THE CARTS ALREADY ON THE GROUND.
THERE WILL, THERE WON'T BE ANY TRANSITION PERIOD FAR AS REPLACING CARTS AND, AND TAKING THE OWENS OFF, BRINGING NEW ONES ON.
AND WHEN WE PUT HOURS WAS ON THE GROUND, YOU WILL OWN THOSE AS WELL.
UH, THANK, THANK YOU MR. BLAN, THAT, THAT'S REALLY ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAD FOR YOU GUYS.
I APPRECIATE, I, I WOULD ASK IF I COULD, MS. BARTON PARISH PRESIDENT, THE ITEMS THAT WE'VE ADDRESSED, AND MR. BLON HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN, HOLD ON, GUS US DON'T, SORRY, GO AHEAD.
I MEAN, HE'S TELLING HIM TO WAIT CAUSE WE'RE NOT DONE.
UM, THAT THOSE ISSUES BE DEALT WITH IN THE CONTRACTING PHASE, WHICH WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, THE NEXT STEP IN THIS, SHOULD THEY BE SELECTED.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED ADEQUATELY IN THE CONTRACT.
AND THEN THE LAST QUESTION I WOULD ASK IS, IS MADAME PARISH PRESIDENT, I KNOW YOU HAD ONE OF YOUR DIRECTORS WAS ON THE SCORING COMMITTEE AND CERTAINLY HAD THEIR SCORING.
UM, YOU KNOW, DOES, DOES THE ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT THE SELECTION OF, UM, OF RIVER BIRCH OR, YOU KNOW, HAVE AN OPINION ON THAT? UM, SO ABSOLUTELY LISTENING.
I KNOW, AND HANG ON MR. BOLON.
WE'RE NOT, WE'RE NOT DONE WITH HIM YET.
UM, BEFORE I VOTE ON THIS, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT NEEDS TO BE ANSWERED AS WELL, A, AS I'M SURE A FEW OTHER OF US DO.
AS AN AT LARGE COUNCILMAN, WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE THE PLEASURE OF HEARING ABOUT THE ENTIRE PARISHES GARBAGE ISSUES.
AND IT'S PROBABLY THE SINGLE MOST, UM, WRITTEN IN ABOUT AND CALLED ABOUT ISSUE THAT WE GET EVERY DAY.
AND THERE HAVE BEEN PEAKS AND VALLEYS.
THERE HAVE BEEN GOOD TIMES AND BAD, UH, I THINK LATELY MORE GOOD THAN BAD.
BUT WE STILL HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH THE CURRENT SITUATION.
AND I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CHALLENGES.
A LOT OF THINGS HAVE LED TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, BUT WE'RE STILL WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
AND I NEED TO KNOW SOME THINGS THAT WE GET YOU ON CAMERA AND ON TAPE SAYING.
SO IF THIS GOES YOUR WAY, THAT WE HAVE THIS LATER TO REFLECT ON, BECAUSE I WANT PUBLIC PROMISES MADE, AND I WANT OUR PEOPLE IN THE PARISH TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE, WHAT THEY'RE POTENTIALLY GETTING WITH THIS NEW GARBAGE CONTRACTOR.
BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS PARISH WHO CANNOT WAIT UNTIL JANUARY BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES THEY'VE HAD.
SO I WOULD LIKE YOU TO, TO REPLY IN THE AFFIRMATIVE OR NEGATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING.
WILL YOU ALL CONTINUE TO BE EXTREMELY RESPONSIVE AND LOOK TO WASTE CONNECTIONS CREDIT, EVERY TIME I REPORT SOMETHING TO THEM OR MY OFFICE REPORTS SOMETHING TO THEM, THEY GET TO IT.
NOW, THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY INSTANCES WHERE WE HAVE TO REPORT IT, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIVE AND THEY GET TO IT.
SO, CAN YOU PROMISE THAT WHEN THERE IS AN ISSUE, THAT WE'LL HAVE A MAIN POINT PERSON AS A COUNCIL TO DIRECT THESE ISSUES TO OUTSIDE OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT THAT CAN BE ANSWERED AND
[03:05:01]
ADDRESSED QUICKLY? ABSOLUTELY.WE, UM, WE ACTUALLY PROPOSE PUTTING A LIAISON FROM OUR COMPANY WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE, THAT, UH, DEPARTMENT THAT WOULD HANDLE ISSUES THAT, THAT WAY.
UH, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HAVING, UH, CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS THAT ARE FOCUSED STRICTLY FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
SO YOU HAVE OUR COMMITMENT THAT WHEN YOU, YOU NEED US THE MOST, YOU CAN COUNT ON US THE MOST.
SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD TAGLINE FOR AN AD.
UM, EQUIPMENT WISE, I KNOW WE'RE, WE ARE A LITTLE BIT, POTENTIALLY A LITTLE BIT BEHIND IN THE TIMELINE FOR WHAT YOU ALL NEED TO DO TO RAMP UP FOR JANUARY 1ST.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TRUCK WISE, AND WILL YOU ORDER ALL NEW TRUCKS OR WILL THERE BE A RAMP UP PERIOD WITH YOU ALL? AND HOW WILL IT WORK AS WE MOVE CLOSER TO JANUARY 1ST? SO THE WEST BANK, WE'RE, WE'RE CURRENTLY ON THE WEST BANK.
UH, WE BROUGHT IN A NEW FLEET, UH, THERE, THE START OF THIS CONTRACT, THAT FLEET WILL BE THREE YEARS OLD, UM, AT SOME POINT, UM, WITHIN THE, YOU KNOW, THE FIVE YEAR CONTRACT, THOUGH, THAT EQUIPMENT WILL BE REPLACED ON THE EAST BANK.
WE'RE BRINGING IN A BRAND NEW FLEET, UH, TO, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE, AND THE MINUTE YOU GIVE US THE, OKAY, UM, IF WE ARE, WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING SELECTED, UM, THE ORDER IS PUT IN, THEY'RE ON STANDBY AND READY TO GO.
SO, UM, YOU KNOW, AND, AND WE WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN MEET THE TIMELINE TO GET THE EQUIPMENT IN HERE, GET OUR, GET OUR EMPLOYEES TRAINED.
UH, FOR, YOU KNOW, PRIOR TO, UH, THE JANUARY ONE STARTUP, WHEN IT COMES TO, UH, POST HURRICANE COLLECTION, WHICH, UH, BELIEVE YOU BRIEFLY TOUCHED ON EARLIER, YOU ALL WILL GET BACK ON THE STREETS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE AFTER A STORM TO BEGIN CLEARING AND BEGIN GETTING THINGS OUT.
BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE HAD ISSUES DURING IDA WHERE, IN COMPARISON TO KATRINA, WHEN PEOPLE WEREN'T HERE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND DIDN'T NECESSARILY CARE THAT THEIR THINGS WEREN'T BEING PICKED UP AFTER IDA, A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T LEAVE AND WERE, WERE HERE AND WE HAD SOME BIG PROBLEMS WELL, UH, BEING, LIVING THROUGH KATRINA AND IDA, UM, BEING IN THE GARBAGE BUSINESS, YOU KNOW, DURING BOTH OF THOSE, UH, THOSE STORMS. UM, DURING KATRINA, UH, WE HAD A COMPANY CALLED COAST AWAY SERVICES, PROBABLY ONE OF THE SMALLEST COMPANIES HERE IN THIS AREA, BUT WAS THE FIRST TO RESPOND.
AND THE KEY TO THAT IS HAVING A PLAN PRIOR TO, UH, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH HOTELS TO HOUSE OUR PEOPLE.
WE HAVE, UH, CATERING, UH, CONTRACTS IN PLACE TO FEED OUR PEOPLE.
THE KEY IS TO, TO GET ON THE GROUND AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE.
UH, BEING IN LAFOURCHE PARISH, UH, THREE DAYS AFTER IDA RAN THROUGH, UH, LAFOURCHE PARISH, WE WERE ON THE GROUND RUNNING.
UM, THAT'S THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT THE AUTOMATION SYSTEM,
UH, WE HAVE THE ABILITY WITH THE AUTOMATION SYSTEM TO RESPOND QUICKLY, UH, AND AS IS CO A COMMITMENT THAT WE MAKE, NOT ONLY TO YOU, BUT TO ALL OF OUR, OUR CUSTOMERS HERE IN THIS, THIS AREA, EVERY YEAR, AT LEAST FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN AROUND HERE, WHEN IT COMES TO COLLECTING OUR CHRISTMAS TREES FOR THE RECYCLING PROGRAM, WE HAVE MORE BIG PROBLEMS. LAST YEAR, A BUNCH OF TREES WERE PICKED UP ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE RECYCLING PROGRAM BECAUSE THE COLLECTORS THOUGHT IT WAS BEING THROWN AWAY, AND THERE WASN'T A, A WAY FOR THEM TO KNOW, BECAUSE IT WASN'T COMMUNICATED TO THEM FROM THE TOP THAT WE WERE DOING THAT AT THAT TIME.
SO THIS, I THINK BECAUSE IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM THAT THE PARISH INVESTS SO MUCH INTO, IT NEEDS TO BE JUST IMPORTANT FOR THE NEW GARBAGE COLLECTOR AS WELL, SO THAT IT'S A, IT'S A PRIORITY.
IT'S, IT'S STRESSED AND EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT'S HAPPENING WHEN, SO ALL THESE TREES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PICKED UP OR PICKED UP IN A TIMELY MANNER.
I GOT AN EMAIL YESTERDAY, GUYS COUNTING, COUNTING, UH, THE NUMBER OF DAYS HIS TREE'S BEEN ON HIS CURB.
I THINK IT WAS AT 26 DAYS YESTERDAY.
BUT THAT KIND OF THING SHOULDN'T HAPPEN.
AND I KNOW THEY'RE, THEY'RE PEOPLE LEAVE STANDS AND PEOPLE LEAVE LIGHTS AND SOME AREN'T GONNA BE PICKED UP BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT LEFT THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE.
BUT CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT THAT PROCESS WILL BE A LOT SMOOTHER THAN IT'S BEEN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS? YOU, YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE OUR COMMITMENT ON THAT.
I ALSO WOULD, YOU KNOW, TO TOUCH ON, UH, SOME OF THE UNIQUE SERVICES IN THIS PARISH.
UH, WE ALSO PROPOSED, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BUS STOP THROUGHOUT THIS PARISH, UM, CURRENTLY THOSE BUS STOPS ARE BLENDED INTO THE EXISTING ROUTES.
SO THEY GET SERVICED TWICE A WEEK, UH, IN SOME CASES, UH, THERE ARE SOME AREAS THAT ARE HEAVY TRAFFIC AREAS THAT NEED SERVICE MORE, UH, THAN THEY'RE CURRENTLY GETTING.
WE PROPOSED A BUS STOP ROUTE FOR THE EAST BANK AND THE WEST BANK, THAT'S ALL THEY WILL DO IS HANDLE THOSE BUS STOPS BECAUSE WHEN YOU PULL UP AT AN INTERSECTION AND TRASH IS OVERFLOWING OUT OF THE, UH, THE TRASH CANS, IT'S CERTAINLY AN EYESORE.
AND, UH, BUT WE, UH, WE HAVE A PLAN FOR THAT AS WELL.
AND I, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT, BECAUSE THAT WAS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WAS RELAYED TO US, SOME OF THE ISSUES IN THE PARISH.
SO I THINK WE HAVE A SOLID PLAN TO ADDRESS THAT.
AND THOSE ARE BIG ISSUES AS WELL.
AS YOU MENTIONED, UM, I WILL GO ON RECORD NOW SAYING I DON'T WANT TO SEE
[03:10:01]
THE EAST BANK AND WEST BANK SPLIT UP.I THINK ONE SERVICE PROVIDER WITH A SUB, IF NECESSARY, IS THE WAY TO GO WITH YOU ALL DECIDING HOW YOU WANNA OPERATE THAT IF YOU'RE THE ONE SELECTED TO DO THAT.
UM, BUT I THINK THAT THE ONE OPERATOR WITH THE SUB TO SERVICE BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER IS THE BEST WAY TO GO, IN MY OPINION.
THAT'S WHAT WE DID AFTER, UM, WE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH WASTE CONNECTIONS, AND YOU ALL CAME ON TO SERVICE THE WEST BANK.
YOU CAME ON AS A SUB, THEY PICKED YOU ALL TO COME ON, AND I THINK IT'S WORKED OUT VERY WELL.
SO, WHILE YOU'RE HERE, I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR THE JOB THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE ON THE WEST BANKS AS YOU CAME ON.
UM, THE, THE PROBLEM, THE, THE, THE COMPLAINTS WERE HUGE.
I MEAN, WE HAD MOUNTAINS OF, OF EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS THAT CAME THROUGH BEFORE THAT, BUT ONCE THINGS WERE SPLIT AND WASTE CONNECTIONS COULD FOCUS ON THE EAST BANK AND YOU ALL FOCUSED ON THE WEST BANK, THINGS GOT MUCH, MUCH BETTER.
AND WE DO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DID ON THE WEST BANK FOR WHAT, THE PAST YEAR, TWO YEARS, WHATEVER, WHATEVER IT'S, UH, ENDED UP BEING.
UM, SO I THINK THAT ONE MORE THING AND THEN I'M DONE.
GO BACK TO THE TRUCKS REAL QUICKLY.
UH, DO YOU FORESEE ANY AVAILABILITY PROBLEMS OF TRUCKS BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE YEAR? BECAUSE I KNOW PRODUCTION ISSUES, I'VE TALKED TO OTHER PARISHES THAT HAVE HAD A 10 OR 11 MONTH LEAD TIME ON TRUCKS RIGHT NOW.
WELL, WE HAVE COMMITMENTS FROM, UH, FROM THE TRUCK DEALERSHIPS AND, AND, UH, THE MAN BODY MANUFACTURERS.
WE, UM, WE'VE, WE CERTAINLY FEEL THAT WE CAN, WE CAN HAVE THE TRUCKS ON THE GROUND PRIOR TO, UH, ACTUALLY WE'LL START TAKING SOME OF THEM AS EARLY AS, UH, APRIL AND, UH, BRINGING 'EM INTO THE FLEET AND, UH, YOU KNOW, JUST GETTING READY.
BUT, UH, I THINK RIGHT NOW, CURRENTLY AS WE SIT, THE, THE, THE LAST PART OF THE, THE, THE EQUIPMENT TO COME IN WILL BE SOMETIME IN NOVEMBER.
SO THAT GIVES US PLENTY OF TIME TO GET, GET GOING, BUT WE DON'T SEE, FORESEE ANY ISSUES WITH EQUIPMENT.
I THINK COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE HAS A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
AND, AND JUST REAL FAST, THANK YOU.
AND I'LL PROBABLY REGURGITATE SOME OF THE OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, BUT, UM, I'M ONE OF THE ONES IN THE ROOM, MR. BLON, THAT, UH, LIVED THROUGH KATRINA REPRESENTING THE CITY OF GRETTON AT THE TIME WHEN WE BROUGHT A SMALL COMPANY LIKE COASTAL WASTE FROM ACROSS THE LAKE TO BE AGGRESSIVE AND PROGRESSIVE WITH GARBAGE PICKUP, UH, IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
BUT IN THE CITY OF GRETNA, UH, THE, THE COMMENTS OF SOME OF THE MAYORS THAT YOU SAW IN THAT VIDEO THAT I SAW FOR THE FIRST TIME ARE, ARE MEN AND WOMEN THAT I RESPECT AND HAVE SERVED WITH ON MULTIPLE LEVELS.
UH, AND THEY TAKE THEIR COMMUNITY SERIOUSLY.
SO THEY WOULDN'T GET ON THAT VIDEO IF THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE IN WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
YOU KNOW, NOT EVERYTHING IS A HUNDRED PERCENT, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE, BUT GOOD SERVICE IS HARD TO FIND IN ANY PART OF OUR FIELD.
NOW, YOU KNOW, THE MOST MOST RESIDENTS WANT IS TO BE ABLE TO TURN THEIR WATER FAUCET ON AND COME ON AND DRAIN OUT AND GO AWAY AND HAVE THAT GARBAGE PICKED UP PROPERLY TWICE A WEEK.
UH, AND, UM, I WILL TELL YOU, AFTER KATRINA, WHEN WE'RE HERE LIVING IT, WHEN MOST OF THE AREAS WERE, WERE GOING THROUGH MAYHEM, UH, WE WERE PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAD OUR RESIDENTS COVERED.
UH, SO HOPEFULLY, UH, I KNOW THIS IS NOT COASTAL IS PART OF THIS, UH, AS FAR AS RIVER BIRCH RENEWABLE ENERGY, UH, YOUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN A PART OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THAT.
UH, BUT WHEN I WAS SAYING AS FAR AS TWICE A WEEK PICKUP, WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE THAT CORRECT.
SO WE'RE NOT GONNA BE LOOKING LIKE SOME OF OUR SURROUNDING AREAS THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, ON A MONDAY, IF I HAVE A SCHEDULED PICKUP AND ON A FRIDAY, WE'RE NOT GONNA BE GETTING CALLS OR STATING THAT, OH, YOUR SECOND PICKUP'S NOT COMING.
THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE.
STORM RELATED PICKUP, UH, UNDER THIS CONTRACT THAT STARTS, IT DOESN'T START TILL JANUARY.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ANOTHER HURRICANE SEASON JUST A FEW MONTHS AWAY, I HATE TO SAY.
SO THAT DOESN'T FALL UNDER YOU THIS YEAR? NO.
UH, SO, BUT FOR THE FUTURE IT WOULDN'T, IT WOULDN'T.
UNDER THIS GARBAGE CONTRACT, UH, THE PARISH HAS A SEPARATE, UH, DEBRIS CONTRACT.
UM, WE JUST HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.
WE DO IT IN SOME OF THE MUNICIPALITIES THAT WE CURRENT CURRENTLY SERVICE, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD, YOU KNOW, TAKE A LOOK AT ONCE WE GET ESTABLISHED HERE IN, IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
BUT YOU WOULD HAVE STILL THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE, OF THE WEST BANK THOUGH? OH, YEAH.
THAT'S, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE, UH, AND PART OF IT, YOU HEARD EARLIER THAT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IS EDUCATION.
UH, I'LL BE HOPEFULLY THAT YOU WOULD BE PART OF, IF YOU WERE CHOSEN, UH, BE PART OF AN AGGRESSIVE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN OF WHAT WOULD BE DONE, HOW, HOW IT WOULD BE DONE, AND, AND, AND WHERE.
SO IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN WE STARTED THE SERVICES ON THE WEST BANK, SOME OF YOU, UH, PARTICIPATED IN A INFOMERCIAL THAT WE PUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, PARTICULARLY THE, THE, THE WEST BANK, UM, ABOUT
[03:15:01]
THE, THE, THE PROS AND CONS, OR WHAT ARE THE DOS AND DON'TS OF THE SERVICE COURT PLACEMENT, UM, DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.UM, WE WILL DO THAT HERE FOR THE WHOLE PARISH.
WE'D ASK THAT YOU PARTICIPATE IN THAT.
IT'S A, IT'S A JOINT MESSAGE, UH, WITH US AND, AND YOU, THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
IT HAS GONE OVER GREAT IN EVERY MUNICIPALITY, PARISH, OR COUNTY THAT WE CURRENTLY SERVICE.
WE PUT THESE THINGS TOGETHER GEARED SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT MARKET, OR, YOU KNOW, THAT, THAT PARISH, UH, WE SHARED ONE YESTERDAY WITH, UH, COUNCILMAN PASSATA.
AND, UH, IT, IT GOES OVER WELL AND, UH, IT, IT TOUCHES ALL THE POINTS.
UH, WE ALSO DO MAILOUTS TO THE, TO THE RESIDENTS.
UM, UH, WE HAVE A DOOR HANGER SYSTEM THAT WE, A DOOR HANGER THAT WE HANG ON THE CART.
SO IF WE COME UP TO A, TO A, A RESIDENCE HOME AND THE CART IS, UH, NEAR THE MAILBOX, WE, WE'LL SERVICE IT.
NEXT TIME WE'RE GONNA, AND WE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA LEAVE A, A STICKER ON THE, OR A DOOR HANGER ON THAT CART WITH THE ISSUE, YOU KNOW, PLEASE PLACE CART AWAY FROM MAILBOX BECAUSE IT IS A ONGOING, UH, COACHING, IF YOU WILL, OF THE RESIDENTS TO, YOU KNOW, TO, TO, TO BUY INTO THE NEW SERVICE THAT THEY, THEY WILL BE RECEIVING.
SO IT'S A, IT'S A CONSTANT COACHING.
UM, AND WE, WE, YOU KNOW, WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON GETTING THAT INFORMATION OUT TO THE RESIDENTS.
I KNOW THERE'S ALSO A PART OF THIS WITH, UH, YOU KEEP, YOU'VE REFERENCED A COUPLE TIMES IN THE NEGOTIATIONS OF THE CONTRACT, UH, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LARGE SENIOR POPULATION HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH THAT WE DO HAVE SOMEWHERE THERE.
THEIR GARBAGE CAN IS PICKED UP FROM THEIR DOOR.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE NEGOTIATED WITH NO, THAT'S ACTUALLY PART OF OUR PROPOSAL.
SO IN ALL OF THE AREAS THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE AUTOMATION SERVICE.
THOSE, THE DRIVER TREATS THAT AS A HANDICAPPED STOP.
UH, GOES TO THE DOOR, RETRIEVES THE CAN SERVICES IT, AND RETURNS THE CAN BACK TO THE DOOR, UH, THAT WILL A HUNDRED PERCENT STAY IN PLACE.
I MEAN, THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S JUST HOW WE DO OUR BUSINESS.
COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, MR. BK, I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW THAT MY DISTRICT RUNS FROM THE RIVER AT G GRANA TO GRAND ISLE IN THE, AT THE GULF.
UH, WHEN I FIRST TOOK OFFICE THIS TERM, MY PHONE DID NOT STOP RINGING WITH COMPLAINTS.
UH, MY DISTRICT IS, IS PROBABLY THE DISTRICT THAT IS MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE FROM STORMS. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES DURING, UH, THAT, THAT THE ENTIRE ENTIRETY OF YOUR SUBCONTRACT, THAT I'VE WORN YOUR TELEPHONE OUT, AND YOU HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY RESPONSIVE.
AND MY ONLY QUESTION TO YOU REALLY IS WITH THE EXPANDED, UH, AREA THAT YOU'LL BE WORKING, DO YOU THINK YOU CAN, CAN, CAN MAINTAIN THE HIGH QUALITY OF SERVICE THAT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM YOU SO FAR? ABSOLUTELY.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW YOU TOO
WELL, UH, JUST FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, I THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE THAT WE'VE RECEIVED IN THE FIRST DISTRICT.
I KNOW A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED, UM, SIDE DOOR SERVICE FOR OUR ELDERLY RESIDENTS WAS ONE.
THE ONLY THING I DON'T THINK WE'VE TOUCHED ON, UM, YOU SAID INITIALLY THAT, UM, THE PARISH OWNS THE CANS THAT ARE AT PEOPLE'S HOMES NOW.
AND SO YOU WILL NOT BE PROVIDING ALL NEW CANS TO THE RESIDENTS.
BUT I KNOW ONE OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD WHEN SOMEONE CALLS AND SAYS, MY LID IS BROKEN, THE WHEELS ARE BROKEN, I HAVE A CAN THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
WE'VE HAD RESIDENTS HAVE TO WAIT UP TO SIX MONTHS TO GET A NEW CAN.
SO HOW ARE YOU ALL PREPARING, UM, TO PROVIDE CANS FOR THOSE RESIDENTS THAT WILL NEED NEW ONES WHEN YOU TAKE OVER? WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WE'RE GONNA GO OUT AND IDENTIFY THOSE FOLKS PRIOR TO THE STARTUP OF THE CONTRACT AND TAKE CARE OF THAT, YOU KNOW, UP UPFRONT TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, WHEN THEY, WHEN WE START, THAT, THAT EXPERIENCE IS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE, IT'S READY TO GO.
UM, BUT YEAH, SIX MONTHS FOR A CART IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
IT'S NOT HOW WE DO OUR BUSINESS.
UM, AND YOU WILL SEE A BIG IMPROVEMENT ON THAT, I PROMISE YOU.
AND SO, WILL YOU BE ORDERING A SUPPLY OF CARTS, UM, TO BEGIN INITIALLY, UH, SO THAT YOU HAVE SOME ON HAND FOR REPLACEMENT PURPOSES? YES, MA'AM.
AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE THAT, THAT, THAT SAME DEAL RIGHT NOW ON THE, UM, ON THE WEST BANK, WE HAVE A STORAGE SET UP FOR, FOR CARTS.
UH, BUT YEAH, WE, WE WILL HAVE SEVERAL THOUSAND ON THE GROUND READY TO GO, UH, TO, TO HANDLE THAT, THAT ISSUE THERE.
AND WHO IS THE POINT OF, UH, OF CONTACT, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE, BUT I KNOW THE ONLY OTHER ISSUE THAT WE'VE HAD OF LATE IS, UM, BULK PICKUP SOMETIMES HAS NOT, OR, OR SOMETHING THAT'S LEFT BESIDE THE CAN IS NOT BEING DONE CONSISTENTLY.
AND WE WILL HAVE TO PLACE REPEATED CALLS BEFORE SOMETHING THAT'S OUTSIDE OF THE CAN, UM, GETS REMOVED.
IS THERE A POINT PERSON OR SOMEONE
[03:20:01]
WHO CAN HELP US WHEN WE'RE EXPERIENCING SOMETHING THAT WE'RE CALLING ABOUT REPEATEDLY? UM, HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT? SO AGAIN, UH, OUR PLAN IS TO PUT A LIAISON PERSON WE EMPLOY, UH, WITH THE, WITH THE PARISH TO HANDLE THAT ISSUE RIGHT THERE.UH, WE HAVE, UM, AN OPERATIONS MANAGER AND SEVERAL SUPERVISORS, BOOTS ON THE GROUND HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, UM, TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THAT CALL COMES IN, IT'S ADDRESSED.
I MEAN, THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT WE KNOW HOW TO DO OUR BUSINESSES, YOU KNOW, QUICK RESPONSE IF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO, TO GO THROUGH THAT VIDEO.
ONE THING THAT WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON IS HOW WE RESPOND.
UH, AND ARE WE PERFECT? NO, THERE'S GONNA BE TIMES WHEN WE MAKE MISTAKES, BUT HOW WE RESPOND IS SECOND TO NONE.
I'LL FIGURE YOU'RE OFF THE HOT SEAT.
AL MORERE, 42 60 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, KENNER, FIFTH DISTRICT.
FOURTH DISTRICT, UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON, 51 YEARS.
UH, I GOT A FEW COMMENTS, UH, ON THESE CONTRACTS.
NUMBER ONE, I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE YOUR EVALUATION SYSTEM, YOU HAVE YOUR RATING SYSTEM, UH, BA UH, WITH THESE CONTRACTS, BUT I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT L A R S 2211 AND 22, 12 1 AND TWO, AS IT RELATES TO THE STATE'S OPEN BID LAWS ARE STRICTLY FOLLOWED HERE.
I ALSO WANNA MAKE SURE AND ASK IF THERE IS 180 DAY CLAUSE IN THESE CONTRACTS AND WHAT THAT 180 DAY CLAUSE IS.
BECAUSE THE REASON I'M ASKING THESE QUESTIONS, CAUSE WE GOT SOME SERIOUS ISSUES GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN, IN KENNEL, BECAUSE NONE OF THESE PROCEDURES WERE FOLLOWED BY THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND FOUR OF THE PREVIOUS AND CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL.
SO THE HUNDRED 80 DAY CLAUSE, I'M NOT INTERESTED IN PROMISES.
I'M INTERESTED IN COMPLYING 100% WITH THAT CONTRACT BY THAT VENDOR.
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN HIS PROMISES.
SO IN 180 DAYS, IF HE'S NOT DELIVERING AND HE IS NOT LIVING UP TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THAT CONTRACT, WE CAN CALL HIM IN AND GIVE HIM 180 DAYS NOTICE THAT WE GONNA TERMINATE HIS CONTRACT BASED ON COMPLAINTS AND NON-PERFORMANCE.
SO I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE GOT 180 DAY CLAUSE IN THERE.
I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THOSE STATUTES ARE BEING FOLLOWED TO THE T AND ANYBODY CAN, CAN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
AND ONE MORE THING, SCOTT WALKERS, SINCE YOU BROUGHT THIS UP.
THE REPRESENTATIVE IN HERE FROM THE ADVOCATE IN GEORGE GEORGES WHO OWNS THAT NEWSPAPER,
COUNCIL OF LARGE A AND B REPRESENTS THE ENTIRE PARISH FROM THE ST.
CHARLES PARISH LINE, THE GRAND AISLE.
WE DO NOT HAVE A CONSULATE LODGE THAT REPRESENTS THE EAST BANK, AND A CONSULATE LODGE REPRESENTS THE WEST BANK.
SO Y'ALL NEED TO STOP PUTTING THIS IN YOUR PAPER BECAUSE THIS IS ALL YOU HAVE WAS IN YOUR PAPER.
I'LL CUT IT OUT AND BRING IT TO YOU NEXT TIME.
AND LEMME TELL YOU, YOU NEED TO STOP REFERRING TO ONE OF 'EM REPRESENTS THE WEST BANK AND THE OTHER ONE REPRESENTS THE CAUSE.
IT REPRESENTS THE ENTIRE PACK.
ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? ANYBODY WANNA ANSWER THESE, UH, ISSUES I JUST BROUGHT UP ALTON PASSATO? YEAH, JUST, JUST ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION I WANNA MAKE SURE IS UNDERSTOOD.
THIS IS NOT A LOW BID CONTRACT.
THIS DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE LOW BID REQUIREMENTS UNDER CERTAIN STATE LAWS.
IT'S A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, WHICH IS WHY IT WENT THROUGH THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PROCESS.
UM, AS A TECHNICAL MATTER, WE COULD PICK SOMEONE WITH A HIGHER PRICE, UM, IF THAT WERE DEEMED APPROPRIATE.
UM, IT JUST, WELL, I MEAN, FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, UH, IT APPEARS THAT THE ONE WITH THE LOWEST PRICE ALSO APPEARS TO HAVE THE BEST OVERALL OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE OUR CITIZENS THE SERVICES THEY NEED.
SO IT KIND OF, IT WORKS WELL IN THIS INSTANCE, BUT IT'S NOT A LOW BID ISSUE.
THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING IN THE CITY OF KENNER UNDER THAT COUNCIL AND THAT, UM, THAT MAYOR, UM, PART OF MY QUESTIONING HAS TO DO WITH AVOIDING THAT.
AND THAT'S WHY MUCH OF THESE ISSUES HAVE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT ITSELF, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ISSUES DON'T REPEAT THEMSELVES.
UM, AND KEEP THIS IN MIND AS WELL.
ONE MAJOR DIFFERENCE TOO, THIS IS NOT CANCELING ONE CONTRACT TO REPLACE WITH ANOTHER MM-HMM.
THIS IS SIMPLY THE, YOU KNOW, THE WASTE CONNECTIONS CONTRACT IS EXPIRING.
THIS WILL BE TO REPLACE THEM AND THEY DIDN'T
[03:25:01]
EVEN SUBMIT.UM, BUT SO THIS, THIS WAS A COMPLETE SOLICITATION FOR AN ALL NEW VENDOR.
AND I AGREE WITH YOU, IT'S A PROCESS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FILED IN KENNER, UM, BY THOSE GUYS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT WASN'T.
BUT THAT BEING SAID, THIS IS, IT'S KIND OF APPLES AND ORANGES IN THIS INSTANCE.
IT'S PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT.
SO WHAT I DO IS I JUST REPHRASE IT.
ANY CONTRACTS THAT DO FALL UNDER THE OPEN BID PROCESS, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THOSE TWO STATUTES I JUST TALKED ABOUT IS FILED TO THE LETTER.
AND ONE MORE THING, COUNCILMAN, UH, THE HUNDRED 80 DAY CLAUSE, WE, WE WILL HAVE A HUNDRED, 180 DAY CLAUSE IN THOSE CONTRACTS.
IT'S LESS THAN, THAT'S FOR THEM TO WORK OUT.
ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS? ANY QUESTIONS? ONE MORE TIME? THANK YOU.
I FEEL THAT'S NOT THE LAST TIME TODAY, MR. TRIAL.
THIS WILL ONLY BE ONE TIME FOR ME.
NANCY PEARSON, 89 24 RENS WHO DRIVE IN RIVER RIDGE REPRESENTING THE RIVER RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.
WE JUST WANNA BE SURE THAT WHOEVER YOU PICK WHEN, UH, WHEN YOU'RE NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT OR WHATEVER, WHEREVER IT FALLS, MANY OF OUR STREETS, AND I MEAN MANY OF OUR STREETS ARE SMALL, DEAD END STREETS AT THE PRESENT TIME, MOST OF THE GARBAGE TRUCKS, THEY BACK UP AND THEY HAVE HOPPERS.
AND SO WITH ANIMATION, OH, ANIMATION, SOMETIMES
SO AUTOMATION, WE CAN'T DO THE SIDE, UH, THEY DO HOPPERS NOW.
AND SO WE JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE PROPER TRUCKS THAT THEY CAN SERVICE THOSE AREAS, BECAUSE THAT'S A GOOD BIT OF RIVER RIDGE WITH THOSE VERY SMALL STREETS, AND THEY'RE ALL DEAD ENDS.
YOU CAN'T, YOU CAN'T DRIVE IN AND BACK OUT.
SO, UH, WE JUST WANNA BE SURE THAT THAT'S ADDRESSED.
YEAH, I THINK EVERYBODY'S PRETTY AWARE THAT ALL OF JEFFERSON PARISH IS NOT GONNA FALL UNDER AN AUTOMATED PROCESS.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE DEFINITE PROBLEM AREAS.
FRANKIE HIRES, UM, REAL SIMPLE.
I COULD DO WITH ONE DAY A WEEK.
I'M SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE COULD, ESPECIALLY IF I COULD SEE MY BILL REDUCED WITH REGARDS TO TRASH PICKUP.
SECONDLY, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR THE INFOMERCIAL.
I FEEL LIKE I CAN FULLY VEST ALL OF MY CONFIDENCE IN RIVER BIRCH.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR SUCCESS.
AND FOR THE RECORD, THIS COUNCIL NEVER ONCE CONSIDERED ONE DAY A WEEK SERVICE.
WE WERE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT WE WANTED TO INCLUDE IN THIS RFP TWICE A WEEK SERVICE THAT WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE HAD TO HAVE IN THIS, UH, IN THIS NEW AGREEMENT.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR SELECTION.
UH, THE SELECTION IS RIVER BIRCH RENEWABLE ENERGY LLC.
THERE WERE THE HIGHEST RANKED AND THE LOWEST BID.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF RIVER BIRCH LLC? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THANK YOU ALL WHO CAME AND SPOKE TODAY.
WE DO APPRECIATE ALL THE INPUT.
MADAM CLERK NUMBER 85 WITH THE AMENDMENT, PLEASE.
AND THE AMENDMENT IS, UM, NAMING THE APPOINTEE A RESOLUTION APPOINTING JOSEPH RICCOBONO AS COMMISSIONER H TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PORT DISTRICT, REPRESENTING THE MEDICAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT REPLACING MR. BARRY BRO COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR MOTION ON THAT AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
FOR NUMBER 85, I MOVED ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF ITEM 85 AS AMENDED, APPOINTING JOSEPH RICCOBONO AS COMMISSIONER H ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
ITEM NUMBER 86 WITH THE AMENDMENT, PLEASE.
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MELISSA O'NEILL AS COMMISSIONER I TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT, REPRESENTING THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS, REPLACING MR. MICHAEL CRAFT COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR FOR NUMBER 86, I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF NUMBER 86 ON THE AGENDA AS AMENDED, APPOINTING MELISSA O'NEILL AS COMMISSIONER I ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
SO ORDERED NUMBER 87 WITH THE AMENDMENT, PLEASE.
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MR. ROBERT STEVENS AS COMMISSIONER L TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT, REPRESENTING THE NEW ORLEANS METROPOLITAN ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS REPLACING MS. LEIA FREELAND.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR FOR NUMBER 87.
MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 87 AS AMENDED APPOINTING MR. ROBERT STEVENS AS COMMISSIONER L ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
ITEM NUMBER 88, PLEASE WITH THE AMENDMENT A RESOLUTION APPOINTING TERRY TUCKER AS COMMISSIONER D TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT REPRESENTING THE WEST BANK BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION REPLACING MR. ANTHONY DMO, COUNCILMAN
[03:30:01]
TEMPLE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS FOR ITEM 88.I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF AGENDA ITEM 88 AS AMENDED, APPOINTING MS. TERRY TUCKER AS COMMISSIONER D ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH DELL TECHNOLOGIES TO REPLACE ALL COMPUTERS AT THE CAD WORKS STATIONS AT THE JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT'S THIRD STREET, MEADOWY ROAD, KENNER, AND GRETNA SITES AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $129,000,914 AND 40 CENTS THROUGH STATE CONTRACT NUMBER LOUISIANA NUMBER 44 0 2 5 2 5.
MADAM CLERK, DO YOU WANNA REPEAT THAT? I THINK YOU SAID 129 MILLION INSTEAD OF 129,950.
IT IS A BIG, WE'RE GETTING EXCITED.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR MOTION, I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF ITEM 89? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED ITEM NUMBER 90 WITH THE AMENDMENT, A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MARA PINEDO AS COMMISSIONER M TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT REPRESENTING THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF LOUISIANA.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR FOR ITEM 90, I MOVED.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF A, OF ITEM NUMBER 90 AS AMENDED.
APPOINTING MS. MYRA PINEDA AS COMMISSIONER M ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
A RESOLUTION GRANTING ACCEPTANCE TO CRESCENT COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, LLC FOR THE COMPLETED CONTRACT.
CONTRACT NUMBER 55 19 28, DATED MAY 7TH, 2020 FOR THE NEW FIRE STATION.
NUMBER 12, LOCATED AT 900 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY FOR THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA, COUNCIL DISTRICTS TWO THROUGH FIVE.
WE HAVE NOTES THAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEFERRED IN SINCE THAT'S IN MY DISTRICT.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I'LL MOVE THE DEFERRED.
OKAY, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO DEFER? ITEM NUMBER 91 A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANA SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, THAT WOULD BE DEFERRED TO THE MARCH 1ST MEETING.
[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]
ANYBODY WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNTS ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS CAN DO SO AT THIS TIME, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU FILLED OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS.YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON A SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTER NOT RELATED TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
PLEASE SAY YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
UH, PATRICIA WATER MYERS 64 0 5 MARCY STREET IN MEY.
I'M IN THE WILLOWDALE CIVIC ASSOCIATION.
IN ORDER TO GET INTO THE SUBDIVISION, YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF OF VETERANS ONTO DOWNS BOULEVARD AND RIGHT THERE IS THE ENTRANCE TO LAIA PARK.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS A PLACE WHERE THE HOMELESS ARE CAMPING.
UM, IT HAS BECOME SUCH AN ISSUE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE ADDICTION PROBLEMS, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, BUT THEY ARE LAYING ALL OVER THE SIDEWALKS.
THEY, I GUESS THEY PANHANDLED GET ENOUGH MONEY, THEY'LL GO INTO THE BROTHERS AND GET FOOD.
UH, I'VE HAD TO CALL 9 1 1 TO SEE PEOPLE LITERALLY LAID OUT ON THE SIDEWALK THAT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IF THEY WERE STILL BREATHING.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S THERE RIGHT AT THE ENTRANCE TO LAIA PARK AND THEY'VE JUST OPENED A PRECIOUS NEW ICE CREAM PARLOR, AND THEY HAVE PUT SOME LITTLE TABLES AND CHAIRS OUTSIDE, AND A LOT OF THE FAMILIES WHO WERE THERE AT LAIER PARK ARE COMING OVER TO THE ICE CREAM PARLOR.
AND THEY'RE DEALING WITH THESE PEOPLE LAYING THERE ON THE SIDEWALK, UH, EITHER COVERED UP WITH SOME KIND OF TARP OR HAND, YOU KNOW, CARRYING CANS OF BEER.
UM, IT'S REALLY A VERY DISGUSTING SITUATION.
UH, AND I'M QUITE SURE THAT IF I HAD SMALL CHILDREN AND I WAS LEAVING THE PARK, THAT'S NOT SOMEPLACE THAT I WOULD WANNA STOP WITH MY CHILDREN.
SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
I'VE SPOKEN TO SHERIFF LAP PINTO'S OFFICE.
UM, THEY TELL ME THAT, WELL, THE PERSON WHO OWNS THE PROPERTY HAS TO CALL.
I'VE SPOKEN TO THE MANAGER OF THAT SHELL STATION.
HE SAID HE CALLS THE POLICE, EXCUSE ME, HE CALLS THE POLICE TWO OR THREE TIMES A DAY SOMETIMES, UM, BECAUSE THEY'RE HANGING OUT OUTSIDE OF THE SHELL STATION AND THE BROTHERS.
[03:35:01]
I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT THE SOLUTION IS.THE POLICE SAY THEY CAN'T REALLY DO ANYTHING.
UH, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE VAGRANCY LAWS.
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THESE PEOPLE.
AND I AM HOPING, UH, ONE OF THEM TOLD ME THAT JEFFERSON PARISH HAD ACTUALLY CLOSED THEIR HOMELESS SHELTER.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ONE.
IF SO, IF IT'S STILL OPEN, UH, IF NOT, UM, THEY'RE STARTING TO HAVE TENT CAMPS UNDER THE INTERSTATE RIGHT THERE AT VETERANS AT THE, UH, I 10 EXIT.
IT'S STARTING TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT LIKE NEW ORLEANS AND CLAYBURN AVENUE, AND I DON'T WANNA LIVE WITH THAT.
THAT'S WHY I LIVE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
SO I AM HOPING THAT THIS SITUATION CAN BE RESOLVED SOME KIND OF WAY.
I'M NOT SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THE SOLUTION, BUT YOU ALL GOT ELECTED AND I HOPE ONE OF YOU IS.
I HOPE YOU APPRECIATE THE PROBLEM AND, UH, CAN PROTECT OUR PARISH FROM DISINTEGRATING THE WAY IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS IN THAT SPOT.
I, I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH 99% OF WHICH YOU SAID WITH ONE EXCEPTION, UH, UNDER VETERANS, THERE ISN'T STARTING TO BE A CAMP THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR, I MEAN, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ONGOING.
IT'S RIDICULOUS, AND, AND IT IS DISGUSTING.
UM, I THINK ALMOST EVERYONE ON THIS DAY IS IN THE PARISH PRESENT.
WE'RE PART OF A MEETING THAT WE'VE HAD, UH, WITH SHERIFF LE PENTO TO SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE HOMELESS PROBLEM.
UM, IT IS, IT IS AN ABSOLUTE PROBLEM.
UM, I WILL TELL YOU, I COMMEND CHIEF OF POLICE, KEITH CONLEY AND KENNER, WHO'S TAKEN A VERY AGGRESSIVE STANCE ON THAT, UM, WITHIN THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS PROVIDED TO EVERY HUMAN BEING.
UM, BUT, UH, AND FRANKLY, WITHIN AN HOUR OF HIS NEW EDICT, THEY HAD AN ARREST OF AN, OF A PERSON WHO'S BEEN WANTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER
UM, AND SO WE'RE ADVOCATING AND WE BELIEVE WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, AN AGREEMENT FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT TO ENACT SIMILAR PROCESSES.
THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT WE WERE TOLD IS THAT, UM, WE NEED A COMPLAINANT.
SO, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN A PRIVATE, WHEN A, WHEN A PROPERTY OWNER CONTACTS US, LIKE YOU HAVE ON MANY, MANY OCCASIONS, MS. PATSY, UM, THE OWNER OF THAT PROPERTY, WHEN THEY GIVE US THE COMPLAINT, WE THEN HAVE THE TOOLS TO GET THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO GO AND REMOVE THEM FROM THE PROPERTY.
UM, WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO ENACT A SIMILAR PROCESS WHEREBY THE PARISH CAN BE A COMPLAINANT, SO TO SPEAK, IN THE SAME INSTANCE.
AND IF NOTHING ELSE, REMOVE THEM.
NOW, IT DOESN'T STOP THEM FROM COMING BACK.
UM, BUT THAT KIND OF REGULAR AGGRESSIVE APPROACH, I MEAN, FROM WHAT WE CAN TELL IS REALLY THE ON IS THE ONLY OPTION, BUT WE'VE GOTTA, WE'VE, IT'S GOTTA BE AGGRESSIVE.
THE, THE ISSUES AND, AND THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THAT HAS TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE, I THINK, FOR ALL THE REASONS YOU STATED.
WELL, I HAVE, UH, ONE QUICK COMMENT ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY ON PRIVATE PROPERTY NOW.
THEY'VE STARRED, I'VE GUESSED THE SHELL STATION, YOU KNOW, MADE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS.
THEY'RE NOW LAYING ON THE SIDEWALK, WHICH IS PUBLIC, SO THERE'S NO PRIVATE PROPERTY PERSON TO CALL.
SO WOULD IT BE ADEQUATE IF A PRIVATE RESIDENT, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT ON MY PROPERTY, WOULD THAT BE A PERSON TO CALL? THE BIGGEST THING IS WE NEED THE COMPLAINT, AND IF IT'S ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, THE PARISH CAN BE THE COMPLAINT AND WE CAN NOTIFY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
AND I WILL SAY, EVERY TIME WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DISTRICT COMMANDER THAT COVERS THAT AREA, THEY GO AND ADDRESS THE PROBLEM ON THE SPOT.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD, IT'S JUST, WE, WE NEED THE INFORMA AND WE'RE NOT IN, YOU KNOW, ALL THOSE PLACES AT ONE TIME, BUT WHEN WE GET THE EMAILS, WHEN WE GET THE CALLS, THE FIRST THING WE DO IS CONTACT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO GET 'EM OUT THERE.
AND THEY'LL BE GONE FOR THREE OR FOUR DAYS OR SO, AND THEN THE NEXT WEEK THEY'RE ALL BACK THERE.
I MEAN, I PRACTICALLY KNOW THEIR FIRST NAMES BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME ONES OVER AND OVER.
UM, SOMETIMES I'LL SEE THEM, THEY'VE LEFT THE SIDEWALK AND THEY'LL GO LEAN AGAINST THEIR BACKS, SIT DOWN AND LEAN AGAINST THE BACK OF THE, UM, EVERGREEN MOTEL ON THAT, UH, AREA THERE, WHICH IS BASICALLY PUBLIC SIDEWALK.
SO I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHERE THEY GO WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR FOR A FEW DAYS.
UH, SOMETIMES THEY'LL LEAVE THEIR SHOPPING CARTS, BUT THEN WITHIN A WEEK, WEEK OR SO, THEY'VE, THEY'VE ALL REAPPEARED.
SO, UH, ANYWAY,
I JUST WANTED TO ADD, UM, WE HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE IN, UM, IN DISTRICT FIVE, AND IT WAS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
UM, ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE AND, AND AS YOU ARE OBSERVING, IF THERE IS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAT YOU BELIEVE YOU'RE SEEING, THAT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO PASS ALONG.
UM, THE AREA WHERE WE HAD, UM, SOME, SOME
[03:40:01]
VAGRANCY, WE ALSO GOT NOTICE FROM A RESIDENT THAT THEY BELIEVE THERE TO BE, UM, DRUG SALES AND DRUG ACTIVITY.SO THAT'S IMPORTANT TO PASS ALONG ALSO, BECAUSE AGAIN, J P S O WAS VERY QUICK TO RESPOND, TO GO OUT AND ADDRESS THAT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
YOU KNOW, IF, IF YOU OBSERVE THAT KIND OF ACTIVITY, THAT'S IMPORTANT TO PASS ALONG TOO.
AND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO JUST NEED, UM, ASSISTANCE.
AND SO WE HAVE CALLED UNITY, UH, OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS.
THEY'VE GONE OUT AND, UM, AND TRIED TO ASSESS IF SOMEONE NEEDS MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE OR, AND, AND THEY'RE ASSISTING, UM, THE PARISH WITH COMING UP WITH SOME, WITH SOME BROAD SCALE RESPONSES TO WHAT CAN WE DO, UM, TO HELP THE HOMELESS POPULATION AND TO PREVENT SOMETHING, UH, LIKE YOU'RE SAYING.
SO WHO WOULD YOU ADVISE THAT I CALL IT, IF YOU CALL YOUR DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICE, I THINK THAT'S USUALLY THE MOST EFFECTIVE, BECAUSE THEN WHAT WE DO, WE TAKE THAT INFORMATION, WHO THE COMPLAINANT IS, WHAT THE OBSERVATION IS, IF THERE'S CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, WHAT THE LOCATION IS, AND THEN WE CAN PASS THAT ALONG TO J P S O.
WE OFTEN DO THAT AS COUNCILMAN IN PASSATA SAID WITH OUR DISTRICT COMMANDER.
UM, AND THEN THEY HAVE LOOKED INTO IT, UM, SWIFTLY I WAS WONDERING BECAUSE I HAD TO CALL 9 1 1 1 TIME WHEN I WAS DRIVING BY, AND THERE WAS, LIKE I SAID, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER HE WAS ALIVE, AND THEY, SOME OF 'EM WERE JUST STANDING THERE LOOKING AT HIM, AND I CALLED 9 1 1 AND SHE SAID, WELL, IS HE BREATHING? I WAS LIKE, WELL, I'M NOT GETTING OUTTA MY CAR TO FIND OUT
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, IF I COULD JUST ADD TO THAT CONVERSATION A LITTLE BIT.
CERTAINLY WE HAVE RECOGNIZED, AND I THINK SARAH B BABCOCK IS HERE.
HE GAVE ME NUMBERS, UH, JUST ABOUT, UM, THE OTHER WEEK WE ESTIMATED WE HAD A HUNDRED HOMELESS PEOPLE PRE COVID.
SO I THINK WE'VE ALL SEEN THIS ISSUE INCREASE.
UH, CERTAINLY IT, IT SEEMS TO MANIFEST THE ITSELF IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE PARISH.
I THINK WE CAN ALL IDENTIFY THAT, UM, IN, IN SPEAKING AND, AND HAVING MANY MEETINGS WITH ALL OF YOU.
UM, AS WELL, THIS IS PROBABLY BEST ADDRESSED THROUGH A MULTI-TEAM INITIATIVE.
CERTAINLY WE HAVE A ROLE, UH, IN JEFFERSON PARISH IN TERMS IN WITH OUR DEPARTMENTS.
UM, OUR STREETS AND PARKWAYS, PEOPLE WHO ARE CLEANING UP OFTEN ENCOUNTER THESE PEOPLE.
WE HAVE TAKEN THE POSITION, UM, THAT WHEN YOU GET HIRED FROM THE PARISH AND YOU AND YOU WANNA DO LANDSCAPING, THAT YOU DON'T HAVE THE, UH, THE SKILLSET TO APPROACH SOMEONE, UM, WHO MAY BE HOMELESS, WHO MAY HAVE MENTAL ISSUES, WHO MAY HAVE A WEAPON.
SO, UM, OUR FOLKS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE DOING THAT AND, AND TRYING TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE.
UM, BUT CERTAINLY THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE TRASH PICKUP.
JUST RECENTLY, SARAH HAD TO GO OUT WITH OUR STAFF MEMBER AND WE'RE GETTING THEM ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT BECAUSE THEIR SYRINGES THERE, AND THERE'S, IT'S A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT FOR US TO HAVE TO CLEAN UP.
SO THIS IS VERY, YOU KNOW, MULTI-PRONGED ISSUE.
BUT, UM, WE, WE HAVE, WE, WE DO REQUEST THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE UM, UM, DEPARTMENT, THE STATE POLICE ACCOMPANY US IF WE HAVE TO, UM, DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES.
SO I THINK WE NEED PEOPLE IN THE NONPROFIT WORLD, UH, WITH JEFFERSON HUMAN SERVICES AUTHORITY TO BE THERE AS WELL, WHO KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE PEOPLE AT UNITY.
SO WE HAVE CHURCHES THAT ARE INVOLVED WHO HELP HOUSE SOME OF THESE PEOPLE.
SO I THINK MANY OF US HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY.
IT'S JUST, UM, MAKING SURE THAT WE PUT THAT ALL TOGETHER.
AND AGAIN, YOU ALL HANDLE BUILDING CODES ALL THE TIME AT EVERY COUNCIL MEETING.
UM, IT'S NOT SAFE FOR SOMEONE TO JUST PITCH A TENT.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE NEED IS THERE FOR THAT, BUT CERTAINLY, UM, THERE'S A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY.
YOU CAN HAVE RAPES GOING ON IN, IN THAT POPULATION.
UM, IF YOU DON'T HAVE, UM, THE PERMISSION TO BUILD SOMETHING, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO BUILD SOMETHING THAT IS THE, THE CODE THAT WE ALL HAVE IN THIS PARISH.
AND SO THOSE ARE ISSUES AS WELL.
UM, SO I, I CAN LET SARAH DISCUSS IT A LITTLE BIT MORE, SARAH, IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.
AS THE PARISH PRESIDENT SAID, THIS IS A, A, A DIFFICULT TOPIC.
UM, WE HAVE SEEN, UM, A HUGE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, NOT JUST HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT ACROSS OUR NATION, UM, PARTICULARLY POST COVID.
SO A LOT OF EVICTIONS WERE HELD OFF IN, IN COVID.
THERE WAS, UM, YOU KNOW, A SLOWDOWN IN IN BUILDING NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE CREATING, UM, ISSUES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE'RE SEEING THAT IN ALL OF THE SURROUNDING PARISHES.
SO, UM, AS PARISH PRESIDENT LEE CHANG MENTIONED, JEFFERSON PARISH HUMAN SERVICES AUTHORITY, UM, WAS IN CONTACT WITH OVER 300 INDIVIDUALS LIVING ON THE STREET IN JEFFERSON PARISH IN 2022.
UM, AND WE SAW 2021 AND 2022, OVER 600 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE SOME SORT OF HOMELESS SERVICES.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF FACTORS HERE.
UM, JUST J P S O RUNNING PEOPLE OFF AN AREA
[03:45:01]
OR ARRESTING THEM TO BE IN JAIL FOR A FEW DAYS IS NOT GONNA SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.WE NEED SOME REAL HOUSING SOLUTIONS, UM, TO TODAY.
ONE OF THE RESOLUTIONS BEFORE YOU AS A HOME A R P FUNDING, WE ARE PROPOSING USING A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION AMOUNT OF THAT FUNDING TO LOOK AT BUILDING A HOMELESS SHELTER IN JEFFERSON PARISH THAT DOESN'T CURRENTLY EXIST, TO LOOK AT HOW DO WE INCREASE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING? HOW DO WE ALSO PUT MORE MONEY TOWARDS RAPID REHOUSING, UM, OF THOSE SERVICES.
ONE OF THE OTHER CHALLENGES WE HAVE IS THAT HUD REQUIRES SOMEONE BE HOMELESS FOR OVER 12 MONTHS BEFORE THEY QUALIFY FOR SOMETHING LIKE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
AND SO THAT LEAVES PEOPLE ON THE STREETS FOR A SIGNIFICANT LENGTH OF TIME.
SO WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO TRY AND CREATE A MULTIP APPROACH, WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, UM, ON SOME ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES, INCREASING OUTREACH WITH JEFFERSON PARISH HUMAN SERVICES AUTHORITY AND UNITY OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS.
WE FOUND OUT THIS WEEK WE DID NOT RECEIVE A LARGE GRANT THAT WE HAD APPLIED FOR IN THE FALL.
SO WE HAVE A MEETING THIS AFTERNOON TO TRY AND LOOK FOR WHAT ARE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES, UM, THAT CAN ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
AND THEN, AS I MENTIONED, CONTINUING HOUSING PROGRAMS. HOW DO WE, UM, BUILD A HOMELESS SHELTER HERE IN NEW ORLEANS? AND FINALLY, HOW DO WE KEEP OUR STAFF SAFE, WHO ARE OUT THERE? SO JUST THIS MORNING I WAS TRAINING PARK AND PARKWAYS TEAMS TO USE NARCAN.
IF THEY COME ACROSS SOMEONE WHO'S OVERDOSED, WE ARE GETTING THEM MORE SAFETY EQUIPMENT, AND I WILL BE REGULARLY GOING OUT WITH THEM AS THEY, UM, CLEAN UP THROUGHOUT THE PARISH TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF THESE SIDES, OUR OUTREACH TEAMS ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR CLEANUP CREWS ARE WORKING TOGETHER IN THE SAFEST WAY AND TRYING TO HELP MOVE PEOPLE TOWARDS H STABLE HOUSING.
UM, AND NOT JUST SHIFTING THEM AROUND FROM ONE STREET TO ANOTHER.
BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ANY OF YOU, UM, IN YOUR DISTRICTS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.
UH, THANK YOU COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.
I HAVE DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR THE BETTER PART OF 50 YEARS.
FIRST FOR 26 YEARS AS A PROSECUTOR FOR 18 YEARS AS A JUDGE, AND NOW AS A COUNCILMAN.
THE CHANGES IN WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS, THE SUPREME COURT HAS CHANGED WHAT WE CAN DO AND CAN'T DO.
THEY'VE DONE AWAY WITH A LOT OF THE CRIMES THAT WERE ON THE BOOKS THAT THESE, THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS COULD BE ARRESTED FOR.
UH, AND THE, THE TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL THAT'S OUT THERE NOW HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT, UH, OUR PARISH PRESIDENT SAID IS TRUE.
I THINK THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN EVER GET TO THE, TO THE, THE, THE CRUX OF THIS MATTER IS TO GET EVERYBODY ON BOARD.
WE NEED THE, THE DA, THE SHERIFF.
WE NEED OUR INDIVIDUAL COUNCILMAN ON BOARD.
UH, I WILL TELL YOU THAT MY EXPERIENCE WOULD, WOULD TELL ME THAT YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE SHELTERS THAT YOU WANT TO, AND YOU CAN HAVE THEM IN THE SHELTER, UH, ONE DAY AND THE NEXT DAY THEY'LL BE RIGHT BACK OUT WHERE THEY WERE BEFORE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY WANT TO BE.
UH, THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO TO LIMIT WHAT THEY CAN DO.
WE CAN, THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO WITH, WITH THE PLACES THAT THEY, THAT THEY SEEM TO GATHER TO MAKE IT LESS CONVENIENT FOR THEM TO GATHER THERE.
UH, THE PROBLEM THAT THAT'S AT THE, THE CRUX OF THIS IS, IS GENERALLY EITHER, UH, AN ADDICTION PROBLEM OR A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.
AND WE HAVE, UH, PEOPLE ALL THE TIME THAT ARE ATTEMPTING TO GET THEM TO ADDRESS THOSE TWO PROBLEMS. UH, YOU CAN'T FILL THE JAILS UP WITH THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT THE, THE DA'S OFFICE IS VERY, VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT THEY WILL, WILL DO WITH THESE THINGS.
AND WE WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO JUST GET TOGETHER AND, AND PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH SOME SOLUTIONS FOR THESE PROBLEMS THAT MAY WORK.
THERE ARE HOMELESS COURTS AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT SEEM TO BE WORKING.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT.
YOU KNOW, I THINK THE SPECIALTY COURTS IS ONE OF MY, MY PETS.
UH, YOU KNOW, I, I BELIEVE IN THE DRUG COURTS AND IN THE, THE, THOSE RELATED COURTS.
I DO THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND TRY TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
BUT IT IS NOT ONE THAT'S D THAT'S EASY, AND IT'S NOT GONNA BE ONE THAT'LL BE SOLVED OVERNIGHT.
COUNCILMAN LEE, I'LL, I'LL BE BRIEF.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE SAID.
WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE AND WE'VE HAD DIFFERENT GROUPS COME HERE FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.
PART OF THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT AS PARISHES AND MUNICIPALITIES, WE ARE DEALING WITH AN ISSUE THAT THE STATE ABANDONED MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.
THERE WAS ONE IN MANDEVILLE AND THERE WERE SEVERAL ACROSS THE STATE.
THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THE STATE HAS TO GET INVOLVED
[03:50:01]
WITH SO THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH SOME NEW SOLUTIONS, BECAUSE WHEN THEY CLOSE THOSE F FACILITIES DOWN, THEY LEFT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AS WELL AS DRUG AND ADDICTION ISSUES TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES OR FOR THEIR FAMILIES TO TRY TO GET INVOLVED, TO TRY TO HELP FIND SOME REMEDIES.WE HAVE TO, IF WE, WE GOING TO REALLY, REALLY MAKE A DENT IN THIS ISSUE, AND THIS IS NOT JUST FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT THIS FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
WE HAVE TO GET OUR STATE GOVERNMENT INVOLVED WITH THIS ISSUE TO WORK WITH US SO THAT WE CAN FIND SOLUTIONS.
AND THEN IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THERE WILL BE A PLACE FOR THEM TO GO.
THEY'RE PUTTING BURDENS ON PARISHES AND IT'S JUST UNFAIR.
HI, THIS IS A LITTLE INTIMIDATING.
I LIVE AT 60 0 9 LEARNING STREET.
I'M A JUNIOR AT HAINES ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES.
UM, AND I TESTED FOR THE TALENTED THEATER PROGRAM IN KINDERGARTEN.
UM, MISS BONNIE THOMPSON ACTUALLY TESTED ME, AND I'VE BEEN IN THE PROGRAM EVER SINCE.
UM, AS YOU ALL KNOW, I'M SURE MISS BONNIE PUTS ON, UM, A SHOW EVERY YEAR THAT CHILDREN ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EITHER BE IN OR SEE.
UM, AND I HAVE BEEN IN THESE SHOWS SINCE I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD.
UH, FOR THE CONTINUOUS OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM.
I HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT I PERFORMED ON OTHER STAGES, UM, WITH OTHER PRODUCTIONS.
HOWEVER, MOST OF THE CHILDREN THAT DO THESE SHOWS DO NOT.
UM, WHILE EAST JEFFERSON HAS BEEN A BLESSING FOR US TO BE ABLE TO USE AND PERFORM AT, IT ISN'T IN KEEN CONDITION FOR PERFORMANCES.
UM, THE SOUND SYSTEM IS BROKEN.
THERE'S NO BACKSTAGE AREA FOR CHANGING OR FOR GETTING READY.
UM, THE CURTAINS ARE OLD AND RIPPED, THE PIT FLOODS AND MANY OTHER, UM, MIS SERVICES AT EAST JEFFERSON.
SO YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW EXCITED I WAS TO HEAR THAT JPAC WAS BUILT, UM, A BRAND NEW BUILDING WITH WORKING TECHNOLOGY, A BACKSTAGE AREA WITH ACTUAL DRESSING ROOMS, FLIGHT RIGS, ALL OF THE THINGS.
AND HONESTLY, I'M STILL NOT SURE WHY
UM, WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL CLEAN BUILDING THAT GOES UNUSED FOR A LOT OF THE YEAR.
AND AS I SAID BEFORE, I ATTEND HAINES ACADEMY.
AND A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, IN 2019, WE DID PRODUCTION, UM, FROZEN JUNIOR AT, UH, JPAC.
AND IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE GETTING TO USE THE BUILDING AND DO THINGS THAT WE CAN'T DO AT EAST JEFFERSON.
HOWEVER, IN FINDING OUT THAT THE PRICE THAT WE HAD TO PAY TO PERFORM THERE WAS $36,000, I REALIZED THAT IT WAS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY, UM, BECAUSE NEITHER HAYNES NORM BONNIE HAS THAT KIND OF MONEY TO BE PAYING $36,000 FOR US TO PERFORM THERE, UM, MUCH LESS, $36,000 A YEAR TO PERFORM THERE.
UM, SO YEAH, I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE MANY STUDENTS, UM, IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS THEATER PROGRAM, WHO WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM AT JPAC.
UM, AND I ASKED TODAY THAT YOU ALLOW JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO USE THE FACILITY JPAC, UM, FOR FREE.
BONNIE THOMPSON, 38 19 WILLIAM PLACE.
I DIDN'T WRITE HER SPEECH, JUST SO YOU KNOW.
I HAVE MANY MORE WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT TO GET HERE, THEY HAVE TO TAKE OFF SCHOOL.
I TAKE TIME OFF TO COME HERE AND I'M DOCKED EVERY TIME I DO.
UM, WHEN I FIRST BEGIN COMING TO THIS COUNCIL, I THOUGHT THAT ISSUES WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF IN A TIMELY MANNER.
I THOUGHT I'D, YOU KNOW, SEND MY CONCERNS TO YOU AND WE'D WORK TOGETHER TO FIND A RESOLUTION THAT'S NOT BEEN THE CASE.
THE LAST COMMUNICATION I RECEIVED WAS AN EMAIL FROM REBECCA WHILE WITH THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT ON DECEMBER 19TH.
THAT EMAIL STATED THAT SHE WAS ILL AT THE TIME.
AND, UH, WITHIN A WEEK OR SO, I'D BE CONTACTED AND WE WOULD SET UP ANOTHER MEETING.
MY ABSENCE FROM THE, HAVE Y'ALL MISSED ME CUZ I'VE BEEN GONE
AND I, I DID THAT ON PURPOSE CUZ I WANTED TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.
AND WHAT I LEARNED WAS THAT O ADAGE OUTTA SIGHT OUTTA MINE IS REALLY TRUE HERE CUZ I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ANYONE.
I'M AGAIN, REQUESTING A LEGAL EXPLANATION OF HOW J A'S MANAGEMENT OF JAK IS NOT A CLEAR, UM, CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALENDAR THAT I HAVE REQUESTED NUMEROUS TIMES ASKING FOR THE DAYS EVERY
[03:55:01]
DAY THAT J A S IS IN THAT AUDITORIUM THAT WOULD PROHIBIT OTHER PEOPLE FROM USING IT.I ASKED THEM, THEY WOULDN'T GIVE IT TO ME.
I ASKED YOU, I HAVEN'T RECEIVED IT.
UM, NO ONE HAS TOLD ME HOW THE MONEY J A S RECEIVES FROM THIS PARISH IS REGULATED AND ACCOUNTED FOR.
YOU KNOW, THE LAST TIME I WAS AT A MEETING, THEY GAVE HIM A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
THAT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS WAS EARMARKED TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND THEATRICAL EXPERIENCES.
THE BUSINESS MANAGER WAS SITTING ACROSS THE TABLE FOR ME AND I SAID TO HIM, SO WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO WITH THAT A HUNDRED THOUSAND? AND HE SAID, MM, I DON'T KNOW.
MAYBE WE'LL PAY OFF SOME BILLS.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE A MILLION $0.40 IN DEBT.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS DEBT WAS SELF-INFLICTED.
THEY HAD A BUDGET, THEY DIDN'T STAY WITH IT, AND NOW THEY WANT BAILOUT.
NO ONE HAS ADDRESSED THE FACT, UM, THAT IF JPAC WAS MANAGED BY THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT, IT WOULD SAVE US MONEY AND IT WOULD BETTER SERVICE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
I'VE NOT RECEIVED THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR JPAC, BUT J A MUST SUBMIT TO JERSON PARISH.
BUT I'VE REQUESTED, I HAVE NOT MET WITH ANYONE TO DISCUSS THE INCLUSION OF THE ARTS AS AN EQUAL PARTNER TO SPORTS IN THE REORGANIZATION OF THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
IN SHORT, WE ARE JUST WHERE WE STARTED WHEN I FIRST BEGAN ATTENDING THESE MEETINGS.
I ACTUALLY AM A RESIDENT OF ARLENE PARISH.
I AM THE, UH, TWO THINGS I WANTED TO ADDRESS YOU WITH YOU GUYS.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION OF THE SOUTHEAST, AND I WANTED TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW, I'VE, UH, DONE A DOCUMENTARY ON FAMILY GRA THAT'LL BE AIRING ON PBS COMING UP, UH, TO HELP PROMOTE THAT AS ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO.
WE'RE LOOKING TO DO A FILM FESTIVAL IN JEFFERSON PARISH IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AND LOOK TO DO MORE WITH RIVERTOWN AS FAR AS DEVELOPING THAT AND, AND HONORING THE ITALIAN HERITAGE THERE.
I WAS HERE THREE MONTHS AGO AND I DO WANNA GIVE YOU AN UPDATE, UH, ON WEST END.
I DID HEAR BACK AND THAT THE TREES, I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'RE GONNA BE GONNA BE REMOVED OR IF THEY'RE GONNA BE TRIMMED, BUT THERE'S 13 HERITAGE OAK TREES THAT ARE ON THE JEFFERSON PARISH SIDE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THE JEFFERSON PARISH IS GONNA ADDRESS AND HOPEFULLY IT'S JUST TO TRIM AND NOT TO REMOVE.
UM, WITH THAT, UH, ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT'S BEEN ON MY MIND IS THAT WE FOUND THAT THERE'S AN ACT 2 0 9 OF 1906, WHICH SAYS THE PARK CAN ONLY BE USED FOR PUBLIC PARK OR AN AMUSEMENT PARK.
SO RIGHT NOW THERE'S A GONNA BE PROBABLY A DELAY IN MOVING FORWARD WITH ANYTHING REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARK A SET REPRESENTATIVE HILFERTY HAS SAID SHE'S ONLY GONNA ALLOW AMENDING IT FOR RE UH, RESTAURANTS.
SO THE IDEA OF PUTTING CONDOMINIUMS THERE IS NOT PRACTICAL ANYMORE, AND THAT'S GONNA BE UP TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE IF THEY DECIDE TO ALLOW THE AMENDMENT TO HAPPEN.
THE UH, SEAWALL THAT'S IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH SIDE OF IT, I, I'VE TOLD IS, IS MIGHT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ARLENE'S PARISH, BUT WHEN THEY DID THIS THREE YEARS AGO AT LEASE THE CONTRACT OUT, THEY DID THE SEAWALL UP UNTIL THE PARISH LINE HAD STOPPED.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ACTUALLY EVEN A CODE ENFORCEMENT ISSUE FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, CUZ WITH THE MISSING PARTS OF IT, YOU HAVE A SAFETY RISK.
IF SOMEBODY FALLS OFF, THEY'RE COMING IN FROM JEFFERSON PARISH, THEY FALL INTO THE LAKE, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CRAB THERE AND FISH THERE.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE, AT 17 YEARS OUT, THE SEAWALL IS, IS A PROBLEM.
NO ONE IS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ON THE ARLENE SIDE TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
WE HAVE HAD MANY RESIDENTS TALK ABOUT PUTTING PICKLEBALL COURTS ON THE AREA.
SO IF WE DON'T GO WITH THE RESTAURANTS AND THE HOUSING, CUZ THE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SHOWED THAT THE AREA IS SATURATED WITH RESTAURANTS, MAYBE THE PICKLEBALL COURTS AND IDEAS WE HEARD EARLIER.
AND AGAIN, I WOULD STILL LIKE TO SEE THE 1.3 ACRES BECOME A JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC PARK AND, UH, BE USED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE CUZ THERE'S A PELICAN COLONY RIGHT THERE.
RECENTLY, YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN ME ON THE NEWS, WE HAD CHANNEL EIGHT OUT THERE.
THE LINES THAT USED TO FEED THE RESTAURANTS WERE, UH, BROKEN AND THEY'VE BEEN DUMPING OUT OVER HALF A MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY FOR WHO KNOWS WHETHER IT'S SIX YEARS OR 17 YEARS.
BUT EVENTUALLY, RIGHT NOW WE'RE TRYING TO GET THAT FIXED.
THEY HAVEN'T DONE IT YET, BUT, UH, AT LEAST WE'VE GOT THAT CLEARED UP THAT THE, UH, NEW ORLEANS DOES TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WATER THAT WAS FREE FLOWING INTO JEFFERSON PARISH.
LET ME YOU HAVE 10 MORE SECONDS IF YOU WANT 'EM.
IF I CAN JUST ADD SOMETHING, UM, BECAUSE THIS IS, UH, UH, WEST END IS A, AN AREA OF GREAT INTEREST OBVIOUSLY TO EVERYBODY.
AND I KNOW I HAD EMAILED YOU YESTERDAY AND SAID I'LL SEND SOME DOCUMENTATION TO CLARIFY.
BUT, UM, JUST TO POINT OUT, THE PARISH LINE OF JEFFERSON DOES CUT THROUGH A PORTION OF THE WEST END SITE.
AND SO THE WESTERN PORTION OF THAT LAND MASS SITS IN
[04:00:01]
THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON.IT IS NOT OWNED BY THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON.
AND SO SIMILAR TO MY HOUSE, MY HOUSE, MY PROPERTY SITS IN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON.
IT IS NOT OWNED BY JEFFERSON PARISH.
AND SO IF MY HOUSE IS FALLING APART AND NEEDS MAINTENANCE OR HAS DEBRIS THAT NEEDS TO BE CLEARED, IT IS NOT JEFFERSON PARISH'S RESPONSIBILITY, IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AS THE PROPERTY OWNER.
SO I KNOW IT GETS CONFUSING BECAUSE YOU SEE A PARISH LINE AND YOU THINK, OH, WELL THAT'S IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
IT'S JEFFERSON'S RESPONSIBILITY.
JEFFERSON PARISH IS NOT A PROPERTY OWNER IN THIS MATTER, NOT A LAND MATTER, NOT A LANDOWNER IN THE MATTER.
AND SO WE HAVE CERTAINLY, UH, TRIED TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THINGS THAT YOU AND OTHER RESIDENTS HAVE BROUGHT UP.
SO, UM, WITH REGARD TO THE TREES THAT SIT, UM, IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH, UM, IT PROPER, UH, OUR PARKWAYS DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO TRIM THOSE TREES AFTER MARDI GRAS SEASON AFTER, UH, THEY HAVE SOME AVAILABILITY, BUT WE WILL GO OUT AND TRIM THOSE TREES.
UM, WE ARE NOT A LANDOWNER, SO WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEBRIS THAT HAS COLLECTED ON THAT SITE.
WE DID, HOWEVER, AND KUDOS TO ONE OF OUR DIRECTORS, UM, ANGELA DESOTO, WHO MADE SOME CALLS, WHO DID SOME DIGGING AND FOUND OUT THAT THAT DEBRIS THAT'S REMAINING ON THE PROPERTY IS, UH, MUNICIPAL YACHT HARBORS.
WE CONTACTED THEM, THEY WILL BE REMOVING THAT DEBRIS, UH, THE BROKEN WATER LINES THAT FOX EIGHT DID THE STORY ON.
AGAIN, THEY WERE NOT JEFFERSON PARISH LINES, IT WAS CITY OF NEW ORLEANS LINES.
AND THEY, I DO UNDERSTAND, ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM.
SO BECAUSE PART OF THE PROPERTY SITS IN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE AN INTEREST AND IT IS THE WATERFRONT SIDE.
BUT, BUT I ALWAYS NEED TO POINT OUT WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY A LANDOWNER OUT THERE.
AND SO WHILE CERTAINLY WE LOOK TO BE SUPPORTIVE, UH, OF THAT SITE COMING BACK, THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A LANDOWNER AND JUST A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT HAPPENS TO SIT IN THE PARISH ARE VERY LEGALLY DIFFERENT.
YES, I I'M VERY MUCH AWARE OF THAT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE CERTAIN THINGS WE CAN'T SPEND MONEY ON.
SO WHEN YOU ARE SAYING, PLEASE DO THIS, THIS, AND THIS, OUR JEFFERSON PARISH TAX TAX DOLLARS, IT WOULD BE A PROHIBITED DONATION FOR US TO BE SPENDING JEFFERSON PARISH TAX DOLLAR RESOURCES IN MANNERS THAT ARE NOT APPROPRIATE.
SO WE CAN'T GO FIX NEW ORLEANS LINES, WE CAN'T MOVE MUNICIPAL.
THE YACHT HARBORS JUNK IN DEBRIS.
SO I APPRECIATE THE PASSION THAT YOU HAVE FOR THIS SITE.
UH, MANY OF THESE ISSUES, IT MAY BE BETTER, UM, TO VOICE THEM TO THE NEW ORLEANS COUNCIL.
PLEASE, REST ASSURED JEFFERSON IS DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT AND EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BE RESPONSIVE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO OUR TAXPAYERS TO KNOW WHERE THE LINE IS DRAWN LEGALLY AS TO WHAT WE CAN DO AND WHAT WE CAN'T DO.
WELL, I, AGAIN, AND I RESEARCHED THIS A LOT, SO THE RESTAURANTS THAT WERE ON THE JEFFERSON PARISH SIDE, JEFFERSON PARISH GOT THE TAX REVENUE FOR THAT.
AND YOU ENTERED THOSE FROM THIS PART THAT YOU'RE NOW SAYING IT WAS ARLENE'S.
SO I JUST WANNA BE CLARIFY THAT, THAT THAT IS ACTUALLY ARLENE'S PARKS THAT YOU'RE SAYING IS NOT JEFFERSON PARISH RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN THOUGH THAT WAS WHERE THE FRONT DOORS TO THE RESTAURANTS THAT WERE CONSIDERED JEFFERSON PARISH TAX REVENUE WERE.
SO THAT'S DIFFERENT BECAUSE THOSE USED TO BE OUT OVER THE, THE WATER.
SO THOSE RESTAURANTS SAT ON LEASES LEASED BY THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, NOT JEFFERSON PARISH.
SO THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, UM, LET THOSE LEASED SPACES ON THE WATER.
I BELIEVE JEFFERSON DID SUPPLY WATER AT ONE TIME.
SO WE WOULD'VE BEEN PAID FOR THE WATER THAT WE SUPPLIED.
BUT AGAIN, IT ACTUALLY WOULD BE THE STATE THAT WOULD BE GETTING THE INCOME FROM THOSE LEASES.
UM, IN THE FUTURE, THINGS WILL NOT BE BUILT OVER THE WATER IN THE SAME MANNER.
UM, AND AGAIN, WHEN YOU ASK THAT JEFFERSON PARISH WOULD MAKE THAT PROPERTY A RECREATIONAL PROPERTY OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND SOMEHOW PAY TO BUILD IT OUT AND MAINTAIN IT, AGAIN, IT'S NOT OUR LAND.
SO IT, I KNOW YOU'RE LOOKING PUZZLED, BUT YOU CAN'T COME AND BUILD ON MY PROPERTY.
AND SO JEFFERSON CANNOT MAKE IT A PARK OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND SPEND JEFFERSON PARISH TAX DOLLARS ON SOMETHING THAT IS ORLEANS'S PARISHES.
SO WHY DO YOU GUYS HAVE A SIGN THAT SAYS ENTERING JEFFERSON PARISH? BECAUSE THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE, THERE IS A SIGN THAT SAYS ENTERING JEFFERSON PARISH.
MY HOME SITS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THERE IS A SIGN THAT SAYS THIS IS WHERE JEFFERSON PARISH BEGINS.
AND SO THAT WESTWARD PORTION OF WEST END SITS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
BUT JUST LIKE MY HOME, IT'S NOT OWNED BY JEFFERSON PARISH.
IT'S NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
IT JUST SITS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, JUST LIKE MY HOME OF NEW ORLEANS.
SO IF MY HOME IS DEPLORABLE JEFFERSON PARISH, SINCE IT SITS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WOULD CITE ME AND WOULD KEEP ON ME UNTIL I CLEAN IT.
SO THERE'S A PORTION OF THAT PROPERTY THAT SITS IN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THAT'S WHY WE'VE DONE SOME OUTREACH TO TRY
[04:05:01]
AND MAKE SURE IT GETS CLEANED UP.BUT WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY THE LANDOWNER.
AND THOSE ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS.
SO I CAN'T MAKE IT A JEFFERSON PARISH PARK.
SO SOMEBODY ELSE CAN GET A PERMIT TO BUILD ON THE JEFFERSON PARISH SIDE BECAUSE IT'S NOT JEFFERSON PARISH.
WE WILL ACTUALLY, IF, IF ANYTHING IS PERMITTED OR ASKED TO, UM, REQUIRE A PERMIT FOR A CONSTRUCTION THAT SITS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, IT WOULD BE TREATED JUST LIKE ME.
I BUILT A HOME IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO JEFFERSON PARISHES CODE DEPARTMENT.
IF I'M BUILDING ON A PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN JEFFERSON PARISH, IF THEY'RE BUILDING ON THE ORLEANS SIDE, THEY WOULD GO TO ORLEANS.
NOW, PART OF WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IS BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO DO TO, TO DEAL PROBABLY WITH TWO GOVERNMENTS.
UH, WHEN WE'RE DOING SOMETHING LIKE CODE, WE WILL ULTIMATELY FIGURE OUT COOPERATIVELY A STRUCTURE THAT WILL STREAMLINE IT.
BUT THEY'RE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
AND I KNOW IT'S SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO KEEP THOSE STRAIGHT, BUT, UM, OWNERSHIP IS DIFFERENT THAN JUST LOCATED IN WITH THAT.
CAN WE, CAN WE WRAP IT UP? YEAH.
SO Y'ALL COULD GO BACK AND FORTH ON THIS ALL DAY.
I, I LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING UP WITH YOU.
I'VE BEEN TRY TO DO THAT FOR A WHILE.
AL MORALE 42 60 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, FIFTH DISTRICT, KENNER FOURTH DISTRICT GUN INCORPORATED.
JEFFERSON 51 YEARS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION FROM THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, $53,500 TOP FIVE BENEFACTORS.
UH, NUMBER ONE IS, UH, COUNCILMAN WALKER.
UH, TWO TIED FOR NUMBER TWO IS, UH, COUNCILMAN EMPA PARISH PRESIDENT LEE CHANG.
NUMBER THREE TIED FOR NUMBER THREE IS COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.
COUNCILMAN BONO COUNCILMAN LEE.
UH, NUMBER FOUR, RICKEY COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE NUMBER FIVE IS COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANKEN.
FIRST TIME ALL SEVEN COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE PARISH PRESIDENT MADE THE TOP FIVE.
NOW GOVERNOR JOHN BELL EDWARDS, I'M DEMANDING YOUR RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
UH, ITEM 16 ON A ADAM AGENDA, YOU STATED THIS ISSUE WITH THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA THAT YOU WAS NOT CONSULTED, YOU HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THEM AND T PARKER HOST.
NOW ONE THING THAT, A COUPLE THINGS THAT WAS LEFT OUT WITH THE PRESENTATION WITH MR. MATTHEWS AND MR. BOLOGNA WHO CAME UP HERE AND SPOKE WAS NUMBER ONE, UH, CHIEF PARKER HOST PAID 60 MILLION FOR THAT SITE.
THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA WENT IN THERE AND WAS NEGOTIATING AND COMING UP WITH $445 MILLION FOR THE SITE WITH AN AGREEMENT TO KEEP MR. HOST IN THERE TO MANAGE THE PLACE.
OKAY, NOW, UH, THE, THE, THE SECOND THING, THE SECOND THING IS WITH THAT, UH, THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA REFUSED TO TURN IT OVER TO APPRAISAL DOCUMENTS.
THEY JUST RECENTLY DID SO BECAUSE THEY HAD TO TO GO BEFORE THE BUY THE STATE BUYING COMMISSION.
BUT ALTHOUGH IT WAS HEAVILY REDACTED, NOW, INSURANCE COMMISSIONER JIM DOWNLAND, I'M DEMANDING YOUR RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
AND I'M GONNA TELL YOU WHY YOUR PART OF THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SOLUTION.
AND WHY DO I SAY THAT? THE BULK OF YOUR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS COME FROM THAT VERY INDUSTRY THAT YOU WAS ELECTED TO REGULATE THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
TWO, THERE IS A RIPOFF GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN WEST FELICIANA PARIS, A SCAM, AND THE LITTLE BITTY TOWN OF ST.
FRANCISVILLE WITH A POPULATION OF LESS THAN 2000 PEOPLE.
WEST FELICIANA HAS A POPULATION OF LESS THAN 15,000.
IT'S A SCAM TRYING TO RIP OFF PROPERTY OWNERS THROUGH THIRD PARTY INSURANCE COMPANIES.
NOW YOU EITHER ARE, DON'T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS, UH, AND YOU SHOULD HAVE YOU NOT OUTTA TOUCH OR YOU JUST PLAIN INCOMPETENT.
OKAY, SO I THINK THAT'S ABOUT ALL I HAVE AT THIS TIME.
LEMME MAKE SURE BEFORE I LEAVE HERE AT 10 SECONDS.
ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU MR. AL.
OH, THIS IS WHAT I SHOWED YOU TOO.
I DO NOT MATTER THE CHAIR, THE COUNCIL SHOULD NOT HAVE OR HAVE TO REDRESS ME PERSONALLY.
SHOULDN'T HAVE TO INTERRUPT ME.
JUST LET ME SAY WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.
LET THE PROCESS UNFOLD AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO.
ROBERT'S RULES, PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE, JUST THE FUNDAMENTALS.
BUT IF MY OPINION MATTERS TO ANYONE, LET ME GET IT ON THE RECORD AND BE CLEAR FOR THE FUTURE WITH REGARDS TO WHO
[04:10:01]
IS THE MOST VALUABLE EMPLOYEE TO THE PARISH OR WHO SHOULD BE PAID THE MOST.RIGHT? THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON WORKING FOR THIS PARISH IS NOT IN THIS ROOM.
WELL, MAYBE MS. BONNEY MIGHT QUALIFY CUZ A PRESCHOOL TEACHER, THE FIRST GRADE TEACHER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PARISH EMPLOYEE THERE IS.
NOW, WHO DESERVES THE MOST MONEY? THAT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
WHO DESERVES THE MOST MONEY? THAT'S WHOEVER'S GOTTA BEAR A FIREARM.
IF I'VE CHARGED YOU WITH THE OBLIGATION TO BEAR AN ARM WITH WHICH YOU MAY HAVE TO TAKE THE LIFE OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL, THEN YOU DESERVE THE MOST MONEY.
WHO DESERVES THE SECOND MOST MONEY IS THOSE WHO WOULD PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY.
YOU'RE RESPONDING TO EMERGENCY, YOU'RE DELIVERING CARE.
WELL THAT GOES TO WHOEVER'S GOTTA DEAL WITH SEWAGE AND WASTE THE BASE PAY THOUGH THAT FOURTH PERSON IS THE PRESCHOOL TEACHER OR FIRST GRADE TEACHER.
NOW THE FIFTH MOST IMPORTANT, FIFTH MOST ON THAT PAY SCALE TO ME IS ANYBODY BREAKING A SWEAT.
YOU'RE WORKING FOR A LIVING FOR THE PARISH.
I'LL PAY YOU THE FIFTH MOST AND THE SIXTH MOST THE LEAST PAID YOU.
EVERY ONE OF YOU SHOULD BE THE LEAST PAID.
NONE OF YOU DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME OR THE CITIZENS OF THE PARISH YET GIVE US LIP SERVICE AND EIGHTH MEASURES IT BEST.
THAT'S WHY WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, PARKS, REX ROAD LIGHTING, YOU DEFER TO EVERYONE ELSE AND EVERY OTHER PROCESS YOU CAN.
WHY DOES THE STATE GOVERNMENT FAIL US AND CLOSE THESE, THESE FACILITIES? BECAUSE WE DON'T THE THE BIGGEST OF PARISHES THAT NEED THESE FACILITIES AREN'T REPRESENTED PROPORTIONALLY OR BY APPORTIONMENT.
THE LAWS OF APPORTIONMENT IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT ITSELF.
YOU CAN'T SOLVE ANYTHING YOU LACK FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT REQUIRED TO EXERCISE THIS CONTROL.
NEIGHBORHOOD STOP SIGN POLICY FROM YAKIMA, WASHINGTON.
AS DOCUMENTED IN MANY NATIONAL STUDIES, THE STOP SIGN IS NOT A CURE ALL FOR SOLVING TRAFFIC SAFETY PROBLEMS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
HOWEVER, THE CITY OF YAKIMA FOUND THAT THOUGHTFUL PLACEMENT OF A STOP SIGN ON A NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL MAY CREATE A MORE CONSISTENT DRIVING PATTERN, REDUCE CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC.
YOU HEAR THAT JEFFREY? I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS.
HOW ABOUT A CONVERSATION ABOUT STOP SIGN UTILIZATION LIKE WE HAD FOR HOMELESSNESS OR ANY NUMBER OF, WHAT DOES YOUR CLOCK SAY YOU'LL BE GENEROUS WITH TO ANY THANK YOU CITIZEN, BUT ME.
IF I COULD ADD COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, SURE.
I WHY NOT? AND I'M SURE IT'S, IT'S NOT WELL RECEIVED.
BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE AT HOME, OUR STOP SIGN POLICY IS DOCUMENTED JUST LIKE IT IS IN YAKIMA, WASHINGTON.
THERE'S A FAIR PROCESS THAT WE GO THROUGH.
IF SOMEONE CHOOSES NOT TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS, I MEAN THAT'S ON THEM.
UM, IN TERMS OF RESPONSIVENESS, I AM HONORED TO WORK WITH ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AND OUR PARISH PRESIDENT.
UM, I KNOW I HAVE PERSONALLY AS I WOULD FOR ANY RESIDENT DELIVERED TARPS TO THE GENTLEMAN WHO JUST SPOKES HOME AFTER A STORM.
WE TRY TO BE AS RESPONSIVE TO ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.
AND HE KNOWS I HAVE STOOD ON HIS FRONT LAWN.
I HAVE BROUGHT HIM WHAT HE NEEDED AFTER A STORM.
I HAVE WATCHED THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND OBSERVED WHAT'S GOING ON IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND SO, AND I KNOW EACH OF MY COLLEAGUES DO THE SAME.
SO FOR THE FOLKS AT HOME OR THE FOLKS WHO OBSERVE THIS MEETING, UH, IN ANY MANNER, UM, I THINK JEFFERSON PERISH WILL CONTINUE WORKING FOR EACH AND EVERY OF ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO MAY BE MOST VOCAL.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE A MOCKERY MADE OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.
THE REALITY IS, IS GOVERNOR G WHEN HE WAS IN OFFICE, HE SHUT DOWN THOSE FACILITIES.
AND SO I JUST WANNA MAKE IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT IT'S NEEDED AND THAT WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE.
BUT WE CAN'T MAKE A MOCKERY OUT OF THAT ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S A REAL PROBLEM AND IT REQUIRES REAL SOLUTIONS.
AND IT AND, AND WE WELCOME EVERYONE TO GET INVOLVED WITH IT.
I LIVE AT 1112 SOUTH STAR MEY, LOUISIANA.
MY COMPLAINT IS I NOTIFIED COURT AND FALSE.
I NOTIFIED UM, UH, UH, UM, THE OTHER DEPARTMENT.
I BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS ON 1112 SOUTH STAR.
I DONE TOOK MY CAMERAS, TAKE PICTURES EVERY MORNING.
THIS PERSON TEAR UP PARISH PROPERTY, THE SURVEY TO MY PROPERTY AND THE PARISH
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PROPERTY.WE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED BACK ABOUT IT.
WELL I DON'T HAVE, I HAVE RESPECT FOR THE UH, FOUR DISTRICT POLICE DEPARTMENT CUZ THEY TOLD ME TO CALL 9 1 1, PUT IT ON RECORDED WHERE IT COULD BE RECORDED.
NOBODY FROM THE JEFFERSON PARISH HAVE CONTACTED ME.
NOTHING ABOUT THIS MATTER EVER SINCE I REPORTED IT.
I GO IN JEFFERSON PARISH, I MEAN IN WEST WEGO WHERE MY GIRLFRIEND BUYING PROPERTY AT.
I SEE COURT ENFORCE, GOT TAGGED ON PEOPLE, CARS SITTING IN THE YARD.
BEEN THERE 17 YEARS, THEY AIN'T DONE NOTHING BUT THEM HOUSES IS OVER $200,000.
OUR PROPERTY IS NOT YOU JUST LETTING OUR PROPERTY GO DOWN AND I, I MAINTAIN MY PROPERTY.
I GET OUT THERE AND MAINTAIN MY PROPERTY.
I TRY TO KEEP WELL THE STREET, EVERYTHING CLEAN.
WHY WE HAVE TO MAKE COMPLAINTS WHEN WE COME HERE? NOBODY DOING NOTHING.
YOU REZONE STUFF THAT WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WAS, WAS REZONED.
SO IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED ABOUT OR INVESTIGATED OVER AGAIN.
CAUSE SOME PEOPLE TELLING US, I WENT TO THE UH, ZONING DEPARTMENT ON UH, THIS UM, WELL THE ZONING DEPARTMENT TOLD ME OUR STREET IS NARROW.
WELL IF IT'S NARROW, WHY NOBODY COMING OUT THERE TO MAKE IT BIGGER? BECAUSE I MEAN YOU GOT PEOPLE RUNNING ALL OVER OUR LAWN AND WE MAINTAIN IT.
WE BUY DIRT AND FILL OUR GROUND IN EVERY YEAR.
WHY WE GOT TO KEEP ON DOING THAT NOW THEY TELL ME THEY BROKE MY SL.
THE GUY GOT ON PROB I MEAN WE CALL 9 1 1.
THEY GIVE, WE RANKED THE COAT, THEY PUT THE GUY ON PROBATION.
HE WAS COMING IN MY PROPERTY AND HE RENTING THE NEXT DOOR.
SO WHY WE GOT TO KEEP ON FILLING IN OUR GROUND FOR OTHER PEOPLE MESSING IT UP.
AND I HAVE TALKED MULTIPLE TIMES.
I'VE DEFINITELY BEEN TRYING TO HELP HER AS MUCH AS I CAN.
UNFORTUNATELY RIGHT NOW DEALING WITH IS A NEIGHBOR THAT KEEPS DRIVING ON HER CASH RIGHT AWAY.
SO YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY I DON'T WANNA CITE HER, UH, FOR HER PROPERTY WITH ANY ISSUES ON HER CASH RIGHT AWAY.
BUT IF I LEAVE THE PROPERTY LIKE IT IS TORE UP, 18 WHEELER TRUCK COME IN THERE, DON'T PULL TO BE ON THAT STREET AND TEARING UP THE GROUND, WE LEAVE IT LIKE THAT.
WELL WHO RESPONSIBLE FOR HIM MAKING IT BETTER? WE GOT WATER COMING IN IN OUR DRIVEWAY.
YOU KNOW, WE DO A LOT OF SWEEP IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
TRY TO HELP HER OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
WE HAVE A ZONING STUDY BEING DONE IN THAT AREA, RIGHT? I BELIEVE.
WHERE IS IT? YEAH, I BELIEVE SO.
YES, WE HAVE AN UH, ACTIVE AREA STUDY IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND SOME OF THAT VIA THIS STUDY MAY HELP TO REMEDY SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE CONCERN WITH.
YOU CAN'T TELL Y'ALL, BUT SOME OF THEM THEY MAY DO RESPECT.
CAN WE GET A COPY OF IT, SOMETHING BEING DONE.
CAUSE IT, IT GOT OTHER NEIGHBORS COMING DOWN THE STREET SAYING, WELL HOW YOU GETTING THE POLICE AND TO COME WHEN WE CALL, THEY DON'T COME.
I RESPECT FOR DISTRICT CAUSE THEY COME, I CALL 9 1 1, THEY COMING.
SO THE STUDY IS STILL UNDER REVIEW.
ONCE WE, UM, BEFORE WE RELEASE ANY SORT OF RECOMMENDATION, WE PLAN TO MEET WITH THE COUNCILMAN AND ALSO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, UM, BEFORE WE UH, YOU KNOW, COME OUT WITH ANY SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE ZONING.
SO THIS, THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS YOU'LL BE NOTIFIED? YES.
AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO OUR DIRECTOR OF CODE ENFORCEMENT WITH ANYTHING FURTHER, HE'S RIGHT THERE.
[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]
ALL RIGHT MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION INTO SUMMARY AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF LOTS 15 THROUGH 17 SQUARE B FORAN TRACK MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM M TWO TO R TWO AND W Z 24 22 APPROVING THE REQUEST SUBMITTED UNDER DOCKET NUMBER S P 63 22 FOR A VARIANCE TO THE SIGN.REGULATIONS FOR AFFORDABLE SMILES LOCATED AT 9 54 MANHATTAN BOULEVARD ON LOT 43 BK ONE MERON TRACK SUBDIVISION,
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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 CAPITAL BUDGET OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 OPERATING BUDGET OF JEFFERSON PARISH.AND THAT'S ALL OF THE ITEMS I HAVE TO READ.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE YOUR MOTION ON THE, UH, ADOPTION OF THE SUMMARY ITEMS. I MOVE.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE IS READ INTO SUMMARY.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLATE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
ANY OBJECTION TO A MOTION TO ADJOURN BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT.
THIS MEETING IS THANKFULLY ADJOURNED.