[00:00:06]
>> ALL RIGHT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IF WE COULD GET YOUR ATTENTION.
[SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS]
WE'RE GOING TO DO A COUPLE OF PROCLAMATIONS WITH THE PARISH PRESIDENT IN JUST A MOMENT. [BACKGROUND]IF WE CAN HAVE MISS LISA CANASQUE AND MISS ALAINA PEN COME FORWARD.
EVERYBODY KNOWS LISA FROM JEFFERSON DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS.
THIS YEAR IS ACTUALLY THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATION.
THE RECIPIENTS OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS DOLLAR FOR SCHOLARS ATTEND MORE THAN 30 COLLEGES NATIONWIDE.
THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY IS JUST ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
WE KNOW THAT IN THE 21ST CENTURY, THE COST OF COLLEGE HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED.
WITH THE AVERAGE COST OF COLLEGE BEING $36,000 A YEAR, WHICH IS BOOKS, SUPPLIES, LIVING EXPENSES.
I WANT TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION TO LISA AND ALAINA FROM JEFFERSON DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS ON JUST THEIR ANNIVERSARY AND HOW CRITICAL THEY ARE FOR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CITIZENS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
JEFFERSON DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS WAS FOUNDED 30 YEARS AGO IN 1993 TO BENEFIT JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
AND WHEREAS JEFFERSON DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS, A CHAPTER OF SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA, HAS GROWN INTO A LOCAL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SURPASSED MORE THAN 30 MILLION IN TOTAL STUDENT IMPACT OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES BENEFITING MORE THAN 6,000 STUDENTS.
WHEREAS THE ORGANIZATION HAS DEVELOPED ACT CLASSES TO HELP MORE STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR TOPS, AND ALSO ADMINISTERS THE NATIONAL MERIT PREPARATION CLASSES TO HELP STUDENTS PREPARE FOR THE NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS PROVIDES SUMMER ENRICHMENT AWARDS TO STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE TO ATTEND ART, STEM, AND OTHER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS SUPPLIES GRADUATING SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS WITH LAPTOPS FOR COLLEGE.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS HAS WON THREE NATIONAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE THROUGH SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA AND IS THE ONLY CHAPTER TO BE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED THREE TIMES FOR ITS OUTSTANDING WORK AND COMMITMENT.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS HAS GUIDED AND MENTORED THOUSANDS OF YOUNG CITIZENS, HELPS STUDENTS ATTEND COLLEGE BASED ON THEIR ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND FINANCIAL NEEDS AND POSITIVELY IMPACTED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT JEFFERSON PARISH.
NOW, THEREFORE, I CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE JEFFERSON DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS FOR 30 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE STUDENTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND WE HAVE SOME BOARD MEMBERS HERE. [APPLAUSE].
>> I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOUR BOARD.
YOU WANT TO SAY SOME WORDS, LISA?
>> SURE. THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL PROCLAMATION TODAY.
WE ARE GLAD TO CELEBRATE WITH ALL OF YOU AND APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION.
WE'RE ALSO HAPPY TO DELIVER OUR MESSAGE TO ALL OF YOU THAT IN OUR 30 YEARS WE HAVE IMPACTED OVER $30 MILLION ON THE FAMILIES AND STUDENTS IN JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
WE HAVE ANECDOTE AFTER ANECDOTE ABOUT OUR SUCCESS STORIES.
OUR KIDS DO FABULOUSLY ONCE THEY GO TO COLLEGE AND THEY GO IN-STATE AND OUT-OF-STATE.
AND THEY HAVE TO REPORT TO US EVERY YEAR THAT THEY'RE IN COLLEGE.
THEY'RE JUST SO SUCCESSFUL AND SO AMBITIOUS.
AND I WANT YOU ALL TO JOIN US IN BEING PROUD OF THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING BEAUTIFULLY AND THEY ARE PRODUCTS OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
AND THEY ARE OUR FUTURE LEADERS.
AND I JUST SPOKE TO ONE OF THE BOYS ON E-MAIL LAST NIGHT, HE SAID, HE'S BEEN AT OXFORD THIS YEAR ABROAD.
THE GREATEST ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, SO IS IT OKAY IF HE DIDN'T SEND ME THE TRADITIONAL TRANSCRIPT? SO THOSE ARE THE PLEASURES THAT WE GET.
THEN I'M HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU BECAUSE I WONDER IF WE CAN GET ENOUGH GOOD STORIES OUT ABOUT HOW SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS ARE IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND HOW HAPPY WE ARE TO HELP THEM AND FOLLOW THEM AND TELL THEIR STORIES.
AND WHAT WE RELY ON JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, IS FOR SUPPORT BECAUSE WE HAVE NO OTHER SOURCE OF REVENUE.
WE DON'T SELL COOKIES AND WE DON'T DO ANY PROJECTS TO RAISE MONEY.
WE RELY ON PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN US.
SO WE HAVE AVAILABLE ON EACH OF YOU ARE DESK AND AVAILABLE AT THE BACK DESK AS WELL, OUR QR CODE CARD WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO JUST LEND US YOUR SUPPORT AND SEND US SOME LOVE AND SOME LUCK TO HELP THESE WONDERFUL KIDS.
EVERY YEAR WE START ALL OVER AGAIN AND WE'RE GEARING UP FOR THE NEXT SUCCESSFUL CLASS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING OUR 31ST YEAR WITH EVEN MORE SUCCESSES AND GOOD NEWS.
[00:05:05]
THANK YOU FOR HONORING US TODAY.COUNCIL MEMBERS, CAN YOU COME TAKE A PICTURE WITH US. [BACKGROUND].
>> HOW DO WE DO THIS? YOU GET IN THE MIDDLE.
>> WAIT FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE'LL [INAUDIBLE] [BACKGROUND]
>> I DO. [INAUDIBLE] [BACKGROUND].
>> HOW ARE YOU DOING? [BACKGROUND].
>> IS MS. SUZY POTTER IN THE ROOM OR SHE'S STILL OUTSIDE IN THE LOBBY? IF SHE IS, HOPEFULLY SHE HEARS ME OUT THERE, SHE'LL COME IN AND TALK ABOUT THE BLOOD DRIVE COMING UP HERE AT THE ANY BUILDING.
I KNOW SHE'S HERE, SO SHE'LL BE UP IN A MOMENT AS SOON AS SHE WALKS IN. HERE SHE COMES.
THIS IS SUZY POTTER FROM THE BLOOD CENTER APPROACHING THE PODIUM.
THERE WILL BE A BLOOD DRIVE AT THE ANY BUILDING VERY SOON.
AND OBVIOUSLY, AS ALWAYS, THERE IS AN EXTREME NEED FOR BLOOD, AND SUZY GOT ALL THE DETAILS. MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS GOING TO HAVE AIR TIME, SO IT'S OUT THERE BUSY RUNNING MY MOUTH.
I'M GLAD SOMEBODY SAID YOU UP FRONT.
GOOD MORNING, MS. CYNTHIA. WE'RE HAVING A BLOOD DRAW ON AUGUST 23RD, WHICH COINCIDENTALLY IS FOUR DAYS BEFORE AUGUST 29TH.
WE ALL KNOW WHAT DATE IS FAMOUS FOR.
YOU-ALL HAVE A CLUE. KATRINA AND AIDA? ANYWAY, WE'RE TRYING TO DO THIS IN A PREPARATION FOR HURRICANE.
THAT'S GOING TO BE THE PEAK SEASON ALL THE WAY THROUGH MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER.
IN MY WORLD, WE HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE.
AND I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES.
BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND UNLESS IT'S ON TV, THEY CAN'T CONNECT THE DOTS.
ONE OF THE EMISSIONS THAT WE NOW HAVE TO DO AS A PART OF EMERGENCY IS WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AMBULANCES HAVE BLOOD, LIKE AKKADIAN AMBULANCE IN NEW ORLEANS EMS. IF YOU REMEMBER, A FEW DAYS AGO THERE WAS UNO STUDENTS THAT WAS ROBBED AND SHOT. GUESS WHAT? WHEN HE HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, HE HAD TO HAVE A TRANSFUSION IN THE AMBULANCE IN TRANSPORT.
AT THE END OF JUNE, THERE WAS A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT INVOLVING AN AKKADIAN AMBULANCE, A COCA-COLA TRUCK, AND A SEMI.
AT THE TIME THE AMBULANCE WAS TRANSPORTING A PATIENT.
THE DRIVER GOT KILLED, THE PATIENT GOT KILLED, AND THE ONLY PERSON LEFT WAS THE OTHER WORKER.
THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER AMBULANCE TO GET HIM, BUT GUESS WHAT? ON HIS WAY THE HOSPITAL, HE HAD TO HAVE BLOOD.
I'M WORKING RIGHT NOW WITH A CHILD WHO'S THREE MONTHS OLD JUST BEING DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA.
DURING TRANSPORT, THAT BABY NEEDED BLOOD.
WE ARE IN A SITUATION NOW WHERE IF WE HAVE EMERGENCIES, THAT'LL BE THE FIRST THING I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT.
WILL THERE BE BLOOD AVAILABLE, SO BLOOD DONORS ARE THE ONLY WAY I CAN MAKE SURE THIS HAPPENS.
NEXT MONTH I CONVINCED COUNCILMAN WALKER TO DO A BLOOD DRAW BECAUSE I REALIZED NEXT MONTH EVERYBODY'S GOING TO BE HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR.
>> YOU'RE VERY PERSISTENT. [LAUGHTER]
>> I'M SORRY, YOU DIDN'T TELL ME IF I HAD TWO MINUTES OR TWO SECONDS.
ANYWAY, SO NEXT MONTH WHEN YOU COME WE'RE GOING TO HAVE WEEKLY DRAWING, AND YOU'LL BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN A PORTABLE GENERATOR.
IN WALKING THE CROWD, I GOT TO GIVE SOMEBODY A SPECIAL RECOGNITION.
THAT GENTLEMAN OVER THERE IN THE BLUE WAS MY FIRST SIGN-UP OF THE DAY.
JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW, WE DO HAVE SOME COUNSEL PEOPLE HERE THAT ACTUALLY GIVE BLOOD.
RAISE YOUR HAND. RAISE YOUR HAND, SCOTT.
RAISE YOUR HAND, CYNTHIA. RAISE YOUR HAND, JENIFFER.
THEY'RE BELIEVERS IN DOING THIS.
I KNOW THAT TIME IS EVERYBODY'S ENEMY, BUT LET ME JUST SAY THIS.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SOMEBODY IN NEED, AND MOST OF THE TIME IT'S AN EMERGENCY, THE ONE THING THEY DON'T HAVE IS TIME.
THIS COULD BE SOMEBODY YOU LOVE.
[00:10:01]
STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND BE THERE FOR THEM. THANK YOU, SIR.>> SUZY, WAIT. I'LL MENTION THE DATE TOO, TELL ME THE OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE I KNOW YOU CAN JUST GIVE BLOOD.
THEN THERE'S A THING I DID WITH THE DOUBLE RED THAT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I COULD DO, AND YOU TOLD ME WHEN I GOT THERE, AND IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO DO THAT PART, ASIDE FROM GIVING THE REGULAR BLOOD, WHICH TAKES 20 OR SO.
>> I'LL BE GLAD TO. THERE ARE THREE THINGS THAT YOU GIVE WHEN YOU GIVE BLOOD.
PLATELETS, WHICH IS YOUR CLOTTING AGENT, WHICH A LOT OF CANCER PATIENTS NEED; A LOT OF TRAUMA PATIENTS NEED.
IF YOU'RE INVOLVED IN A FIRE, PLASMA IS YOUR LIQUID PROTEIN THAT HELPS YOU FIGHT INFECTION.
THE THIRD ONE THAT SCOTT IS TALKING ABOUT IS YOUR RED CELLS.
THAT PRODUCES YOUR OXYGENATION IN YOUR BLOOD.
IF YOU'RE SOMEBODY WHO HAS A COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM, THEY HAVE TO KEEP GIVING YOU RED CELLS.
TECHNOLOGY NOW ALLOWS US, SPECIFICALLY, IF YOU'RE TYPE O, TYPE B, OR A NEGATIVE.
WHY THOSE THREE TYPES? IT IS THE MOST COMMONLY TRANSFUSED TYPES AND IT'S VERY HARD FOR US TO KEEP THIS ON THE SHELF.
HOWEVER, REGARDLESS OF YOUR BLOOD TYPE, IF YOU'RE NOT GIVEN, I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE IT.
ON THE DOUBLE RED, IF WHEN YOU GIVE BLOOD IT'S A SINGLE-ARM DONATION, ONE NEEDLE.
MAYBE THREE, FIVE MINUTES IF YOU'RE NOT CHICKEN LITTLE.
IF YOU DO A DOUBLE RED, IT TAKES 20 MINUTES. WHY IS THAT? FIRST OF ALL, SMALLER NEEDLE, LESS BLOOD, BUT IT TAKES 20 MINUTES BECAUSE YOU WILL BE CONNECTED TO A MACHINE SO THAT YOU WILL GIVE A VERY SMALL PORTION OF YOUR BLOOD AT A TIME.
IT'S GOING TO EXTRACT A LITTLE OF THE RED CELLS AND GIVE YOU BACK THE PLASMA AND PLATELETS BACK IN YOUR BLOOD.
IT IS DEFINITELY GOING THE EXTRA MILE.
COUNCILMAN WALKER, AS HE SAID, IS BECOME A BELIEVER AND HE'S ACTUALLY DONE ONE THIS YEAR AND THIS WILL PROBABLY BE HIS SECOND ONE THIS YEAR.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET PEOPLE TO COMMIT GIVING THREE TIMES IN 23.
BUT WE WILL HAVE DOUBLE RED MACHINES.
IF YOU SIGN UP, I PERSONALLY WILL BE EMAILING YOU HOW TO DO YOUR MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE BEFORE YOU COME.
ALSO, I'LL BE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, WHICH IS I THINK ROOM 405.
I'LL BE THERE TO GREET YOU, SO IF YOU'VE GOT ANY ENEMIES THAT DAY, YOU CERTAINLY CAN BRING THEM.
>> SHE WILL EMAIL YOU. IT'S WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23RD, 8:30-2:30, ROOM 405, HERE AT THE YENNI BUILDING.
IT IS FASCINATING TO WATCH THE DOUBLE RED PROCESS PLAY OUT BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA WHEN I WENT IN THERE THAT I'D BE ABLE TO DO THAT THAT DAY.
IT'S NEAT TO WATCH AND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE DOING, WHICH I FORGOT WHAT I WAS DOING.
GLAD YOU EXPLAINED THAT AGAIN BECAUSE I REALLY DIDN'T REMEMBER WHAT THE PROCESS WAS A FEW MONTHS AGO.
>> I'D LIKE TO GIVE COUNCILMAN WALKER A LITTLE PAT ON THE BACK BECAUSE WHEN HE WORKED WD ISSUE, WE DID ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE AND I MANAGED TO CONVINCE HIM TO GIVE BLOOD ON THAT DAY, SO SINCE THAT TIME YOU'VE BECOME AN ACTIVE BELIEVER.
>> AND YOU HAVEN'T LEFT ME ALONE SINCE, SUZY
>> ABSOLUTELY. I GOT TO STARVE MOSQUITOES, FEED PEOPLE.
>> ONCE SHE FINDS YOU, SHE WON'T FORGET ABOUT YOU. WHICH IS A GOOD THING.
THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING PERSISTENT, SUZY, AND THANKS FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.
IF YOU COULD ANYBODY, SHARE THAT INFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
WE ALL HAVE INFORMATION UP HERE AT THE DAY AS THAT WE CAN PUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23RD, 8:30-2:30 AT THE YENNI BUILDING HERE, ROOM 405.
WE'LL START THE MEETING IN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES OR SO.
THAT'S IT FOR THE PRESENTATIONS THIS MORNING, SO GRAB YOUR SEATS IN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES. ONE MORE THING.
THERE IS A PAGE MISSING FROM THE AGENDA AND THAT PAGE HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE IN THE BACK OF THE CHAMBERS.
THERE WAS ONE PAGE THAT WAS ACCIDENTALLY LEFT OUT OF THE COPY, SO THAT PAGE IS ON THE BACK TABLE, WHICH YOU CAN GRAB [BACKGROUND]
[00:18:13]
CAN I GET EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION JUST FOR A MOMENT? EVERYBODY WHO'S HERE FOR THE HAYNES ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.ANYBODY WHO'S HERE FOR THE HAYNES ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND TAKE CARE OF YOU VERY QUICKLY AT THE TOP OF THE MEETING, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT AROUND.
AS SOON AS THE PARISH PRESIDENT DOES HER REMARKS.
WE'LL TRY AND TAKE CARE OF YOU OF YOU ALL QUICKLY SO YOU CAN GET OUT OF HERE.
I ASSUME THAT'S WHY YOU GUYS ARE OVER THERE TOO, WITH THE CAMERAS.
WE'LL TRY AND TAKE CARE OF ALL THAT QUICKLY.
[00:22:06]
HELLO, EVERYBODY CAN TAKE A SEAT.WILL START THE MEETING IN ABOUT TWO MINUTES.
PLEASE TAKE A SEAT AND WE'LL GET STARTED IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES.
[00:25:39]
EVERYBODY, IF YOU CAN TAKE YOUR SEAT, WE'LL GET THE MEETING STARTED.>> YEAH. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS SO WE CAN GET THE MEETING STARTED.MUST BE SOMETHING GOING ON TODAY.
I REMEMBER THE LAST TIME WE WERE THIS CROWDED.
WELCOME EVERYBODY TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 12TH, 2023.
WE'RE AT THE JOSEPH S. YENNI BUILDING 1221 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD IN JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.
THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.
COUNCILMAN IMPASTATO, YOUR GUEST HAS THE INVOCATION TODAY. LET ME GET YOUR MIC HANG ON.
>> THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO ASK FATHER ANDREW RODMAN TO COME TO THE PODIUM.
WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE FATHER RODMAN HERE.
FATHER SERVES CURRENTLY AT ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH, WHERE HE WAS RELATIVELY RECENTLY TRANSFERRED, HAS ALSO SERVED AS ST. CLEMENT OF ROME AND ALSO AS THE CHAPLAIN AT ARCHBISHOP CHAPPELLE, I BELIEVE UNTIL RECENTLY, LED THEM TO A DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP IN SOFTBALL.
I THINK IT WAS YOUR PRAYERS THEY DID IT.
AT LEAST MY DAUGHTER SAYS THAT.
BUT ANYWAY, FATHER, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND LEADING US IN PRAYER TO OPEN OUR MEETING
>> AS WE'RE BEGINNING THIS [INAUDIBLE] I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME HERE.
THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME HERE AND ALSO JUST RETURNED FROM A MISSION TRIP TO BELIZE WE'RE AT 20 HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS, INCLUDING DOMINIC JUNIOR ON THE TRIP.
THE FOURTH SORRY, THE FOURTH YEAR, AND 20 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM ARCHBISHOP ROMO AND ARCHBISHOP CHAPPELLE TO BELIZE FOR THIS MISSION.
IT WAS AN AMAZING TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE.
WE TOOK PEOPLE FROM JEFFERSON PARISH, BRAHMS, AND BELIZE AND DID A LOT OF GOOD, AND IT HAD A REAL TRANSFORMATION THERE.
ALSO THE CONTENT OF THIS INDICATION IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE THE GOSPEL PASSAGE FROM TODAY.
ALL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, THIS GOSPEL IS BEING READ.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW, I DIDN'T CHOOSE THIS GOSPEL, THIS IS WHAT IS BEING READ ALL AROUND THE WORLD.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
AMEN. THE GRACE OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST, THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL.
>> JESUS CALLED TO HIM HIS 12 DISCIPLES AND GAVE THEM AUTHORITY OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS TO CAST THEM OUT AND TO HEAL EVERY DISEASE AND EVERY INFIRMITY.
THE NAMES OF THE 12 APOSTLES ARE THESE.
FIRST SIMON WHO IS CALLED PETER AND ANDREW, HIS BROTHER, JAMES, THE SON OF HIS ZEBEDEE AND JOHN, HIS BROTHER, PHILIP AND BARTHOLOMEW, THOMAS, AND MATTHEW, A TAX COLLECTOR.
JAMES'S SON OF ALPHAEUS, THADDEUS, SIMON, THE CANANIAN, AND JUDAS THE ISCARIOT WHO BETRAYED HIM.
THESE 12, JESUS SENT OUT CHARGING THEM, GO NOWHERE AMONG THE GENTILES AND ENTER THE TOWN OF THE SAMARITANS, BUT RATHER GO TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND PREACH AS YOU GO, SAYING, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.
HEAVENLY FATHER IN YOUR NAME, I PROCLAIM THAT MESSAGE THAT JESUS CHRIST GAVE TO US, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.
WE REALIZE AND WE HEAR THAT HE GAVE US AUTHORITY OVER THE UNCLEAN SPIRITS.
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, I CLAIM THAT AUTHORITY AND CAST OUT EVERY UNCLEAN SPIRIT FROM THIS COUNCIL, FROM THIS PLACE, FROM OUR PARISH, FROM OUR HEARTS.
I CAST OUT ALL THE SPIRIT OF PRIDE MAY BE REPLACED WITH A SPIRIT OF HUMILITY.
I CAST OUT THE SPIRIT OF WRATH AND OF GREED, OF THE VIOLENCE THAT WE EXPERIENCE AND MAY BE REPLACED WITH A SPIRIT OF MERCY AND OF PEACE.
I CAST OUT THE SPIRIT OF LUST.
THAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING CAN SEIZE, THAT IT CAN BE REPLACED WITH THE SPIRIT OF PURITY.
I CAST OUT THE SPIRIT OF DECEIT.
MAY ONLY THE TRUTH RESOUND IN THESE PLACES.
[00:30:02]
MAY WE BE MEN AND WOMEN OF INTEGRITY.MAY YOUR HOLY SPIRIT FILL US TO THE BRIM.
I PRAY FATHER FOR THESE MEN AND WOMEN, THIS COUNCIL TASKED WITH GOVERNANCE OF OUR PARISH.
BLESS THEM, BLESS THEIR FAMILIES, BLESS ALL THAT THEY DO.
HELP THEM TO REALIZE THAT THE AUTHORITY THAT THEY HAVE IS GIVEN FROM YOU AND MAY THEY USE THIS AUTHORITY WELL FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE PEOPLE HERE IN OUR PARISH.
I PRAY THAT YOUR HOLY SPIRIT CAN FILL THIS PLACE AND CAST OUT WHATEVER DIVIDES US.
MAY WE REALIZE THAT WE ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN YOU, UNITED IN JESUS CHRIST.
WE ARE ONE BODY AND OUR TRUE ENEMY IS SATAN, THE DEVIL, NOT ONE ANOTHER.
LET US ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS AS ONE PRAY THE PRAYER THAT JESUS TAUGHT US, WE HAVE ONE FATHER IN HEAVEN WHO PROVIDES FOR ALL THAT WE NEED. LET US PRAY.
OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME.
THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
AMEN. MAY THE BLESSING OF ALMIGHTY GOD, THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT COME DOWN ON YOU AND REMAIN WITH YOU FOREVER.
>> THANK YOU, FATHER. MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE, PLEASE?
>> MADAM CLERK, JUST A MOMENT.
MY COLLEAGUE, MR. IMPASTATO, I WANT YOU TO KNOW MY COLLEAGUE, BYRON LEE.
HE'S WEARING HIS RATE OF PRIDE TIED TODAY.
IF YOU NOTICE THAT THE RATE OF PRIDE.
MADAM CLERK, TAKE THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> PARISH PRESIDENT MISS LEE SHENG.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MADAM PRESIDENT, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
[PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, LET'S START OFF WITH JEFF CAP HEADSTART.
THEY'RE CONTINUING TO ENROLL CHILDREN FOR OUR UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE HOSTING AN ON-SITE ENROLLMENT AND INFORMATIONAL EVENTS FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN OUR HEADSTART PROGRAM, WHICH IS AN ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE PROGRAM.
I ALWAYS SAY SOME OF MY FAVORITE DAYS AT WORK OR BEING ABLE TO READ THROUGH THOSE CHILDREN.
THAT'S GOING TO BE 9:00-3:00 ON THE FOLLOWING DATES.
SATURDAY, JULY 22ND AT THE ALARIO CENTER, MONDAY, JULY 24TH IN TERRY TOWN AT THE GRETNA HEADSTART, TUESDAY, JULY 25TH, AT LAPALCO HEADSTART AND WEDNESDAY, JULY 26TH AT THE WEST METAIRIE HEADSTART.
THESE EVENTS ARE GOING TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVES THAT HEADSTART AND OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT CURRENT JOBS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
YOU CAN CALL 504-736-6900 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS EVENT.
THEN JEFF CAP IS HAVING A COMMUNITY JAMBERRY ON SATURDAY, JULY 22ND FROM 10:00-3:00 AT THE ALARIO CENTER.
THE JAMBERRY IS GOING TO FEATURE PARISH DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION RESOURCES TO OUR RESIDENTS.
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM JAY PAUSE, OUR PROTECTION AND ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES WILL PROVIDE PET ADOPTION INFORMATION AND HAVE ADOPTABLE ANIMALS ON-SITE.
PERSONNEL AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT AVAILABLE JOB OPENINGS AND TRAINING.
OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL BE THERE TO HELP RESIDENTS PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASON.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 504-736-6400.
IN TERMS OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES, WE WILL HOST A COVID-19 EDUCATION AND HEALTH FAIR INITIATIVE AT THE HAZLEHURST COMMUNITY CENTER ON CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD ON FRIDAY, JULY 21ST, FROM 1:00 TO 3:30.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE COVID-19 BOOSTERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE AND ALL HEALTH FAIR PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE PRIZES AND RAFFLE OPPORTUNITIES, VACCINE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AND OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE AUTISM SOCIETY OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 504-312-1342.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, HUD, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH AND THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, IS GOING TO HOST A CLIMATE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE ROUNDTABLE ON FRIDAY, JULY 21ST, FROM 8:30-4:30 AT OUR EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
ACCORDING TO HUD, THIS IS THE FIRST CLIMATE RESILIENCE MEETING IN THE COUNTRY.
[00:35:05]
WE'RE THRILLED TO BE HOSTING THIS EVENT HERE.THE ROUNDTABLE WILL PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS TO COLLABORATE AND SHARE RESOURCES IN RESPONDING TO OUR CLIMATE CRISIS, HIGHLIGHT BEST PRACTICES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, DISCUSS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND LEVERAGE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, HOUSING PROVIDERS, PHILANTHROPIC AND SOCIAL FINANCIAL STRUCTURES, NON-PROFITS, BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS OR RESIDENTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN LEVERAGING THESE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, PUBLIC, AND PRIVATE RESOURCES FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE ARE INVITED TO JOIN.
HOWEVER, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND SPACE'S LIMITED.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A BLENDED FORMAT OF ZOOM AND TELEPHONE THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION AS WELL.
504-671-3754 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
IN TERMS OF OUR JPRD RECREATION, THEY'RE GOING TO HOST THE DIXIE YOUTH STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT AT LASALLE PARK STARTING TOMORROW.
WE WANT TO WISH GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN THAT EVENT.
THEN FOR LAFRENIERE PARK, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE TO TAKE SOME TIME TO THANK ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS YEAR'S UNCLE SAM JAM A REAL SUCCESS ON JULY 3RD.
WE BELIEVE THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS WE'VE EVER HAD.
THANK THE JEFFERSON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU FOR PARTNERING WITH US ON THE VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENT.
WE HAD PARKWAY STREET SEWER, WATER, RECREATION TEAMS, GENERAL SERVICES, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND OUR TRANSIT TEAMS OUT THERE SUPPORTING THIS EVENT.
KUDOS TO ALL OF THEM AND ARE LAFRENIERE PARK STAFF, THAT PARK WAS COMPLETELY CLEAN AND BACK TO NORMAL BY 11:30 THAT NIGHT, READY FOR THE NEXT DAY'S VISITORS.
THE HILARIOUS CENTER WILL BE HOSTING THE UNITED STATES POWER LIFTING ASSOCIATIONS 2023, NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP STARTING TOMORROW, JULY 13TH THROUGH JULY 16TH FROM 09:00 AM TO 04:00 PM.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS EVENT IS HELD IN LOUISIANA AND WE'LL FEATURE POWER LIFTERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THE COMPETITION NOT ONLY DETERMINES THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUT ALSO GRANTS OPPORTUNITIES TO SECURE A SPOT ON TEAM USA FOR THE UPCOMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.
EACH DAY OVER 100 LIFTERS WILL SHOWCASE THEIR STRENGTHS IN THE SQUAT, BENCH PRESS AND DEADLIFT DISCIPLINES.
PARTICIPANTS WILL VIE FOR THE TOP HONORS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WEIGHT CLASSES AND STRIVE TO ACHIEVE THE BEST POUND FOR POUND TOTAL.
THE REASON I'M BRINGING THIS UP IS THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHERE JEFFERSON PARISH CAN JUST EXPAND WITH SPORTS TOURISM.
THERE'S 1,200 PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT, WHO MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE NOT FROM THIS AREA.
WHEN YOU THINK OF HOTEL ROOMS AND THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES WE'RE MAKING FOR HOSTING THIS EVENT IT'S TRULY A GAME CHANGER FOR OUR ECONOMY.
AGAIN, ANOTHER WIN FOR US IN THE SPORTS TOURISM ROLE.
OUR EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL BE HOSTING A MASQUERADE MURDER MYSTERY BALL ON FRIDAY, JULY 14TH, FROM 6:00-8:00.
THE PROGRAM WAS PART OF THE LIBRARIES ADULTS SUMMER READING PROGRAMS. WE WANT TO BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND HELP SOLVE THE MYSTERY.
DUE TO LIMITED ROLES, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE.
CALL ANGIE WALSH LAGER AT (504)457-4048 AND EVERYONE IS WELCOMED TO WATCH THE ACTION.
THEY'LL GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL MASQUERADE MURDER MYSTERY BALLS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HELD AT THE LAKESHORE LIBRARY ON JULY 21ST, 6:00-8:00, AND AT THE ROWS DALE LIBRARY ON JULY 28TH, 6:00-8:00.
THEN THE SUMMER GENEALOGY SERIES WITH LIBRARIAN GWEN KELLY CONTINUES AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WITH A FOCUS ON USING CEMETERY RECORDS FOR YOUR RESEARCH.
THE FREE PROGRAM RUNS 6:00-8:00 PM ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, TONIGHT, JULY 12TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20TH.
AGAIN, THIS IS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS.
UPCOMING TOPICS INCLUDE USING MILITARY AND IMMIGRATION RECORDS AS WELL AS GENETIC GENEALOGY AND THERE'S NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
THEN FINALLY AT THE LIBRARY, LEGOS ARE BUSTING OUT ALL OVER.
SATURDAY, JULY 5TH, THERE ARE FOUR SEPARATE LEGO EVENTS.
CHILDREN ARE INVITED TO JOIN US AT 11:30 AT THE OLD METAIRIE LIBRARY AND AT TWO AT EITHER THE LAFAYETTE LIBRARY OR THE ROWS DALE LIBRARY.
THEN SATURDAY ALSO MARKS THE INAUGURAL ADULT LEGO CLUB AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY AT 2:00 PM.
FOR TRANSIT I JUST DOWNLOADED THE APP.
TODAY IS THE FIRST TIME JEFFERSON'S TRANSIT DEPARTMENT IS COLLABORATING WITH OUR TAS LOW-PASS.
I JUST DID IT WHILE I WAS SITTING HERE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, WHICH IS A TICKETING PHONE APPLICATION.
WE GO LIVE. WE WERE ALREADY LIVE RIGHT NOW.
COMPARED TO PUTTING CHANGE IN A CHANGE INTO A FARE BOX, THE VISUAL VERIFICATION ON YOUR PHONE APP CUTS BOARDING TIME BY MORE THAN HALF.
JP TRANSIT IS ALSO INTRODUCING A USE PAST FOR AGES 6-17, AND THE YOUTH PASS MAY BE PURCHASED AS A SINGLE ONE-WAY RIDE OR A ONE-DAY PASS OR MONTHLY PASS.
CHILDREN UNDER FIVE RIDE FREE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THAT, WWW.JPTRANSIT.ORG.
[00:40:04]
FINALLY, I'M SURE MANY OF YOU SAW THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE REGARDING OUR J.PAUSE EAST BANK ANIMAL SHELTER.
WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING OUT OF OUR WEST BANK SHELTER WITHOUT AN EAST BANK SHELTER FOR QUITE SOME TIME SINCE HURRICANE EITHER.
TODAY YOU WILL CONSIDER COUNCIL MEMBERS NUMBER 96 ON THE AGENDA, WHICH IS A 1.1 MILLION CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, WHICH WILL HELP US CONTINUE TO MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD.
WE'RE HAPPY TO BE IN THIS PLACE AND IT HAS BEEN SOME TIME THAT WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT AN EAST BANK ANIMAL SHELTER.
ONCE THE OLD BUILDING IS DEMOLISHED, THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 18-24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR DIRECTOR, MICHELLE BRIGNAC, WE'RE ENVISIONING A TRUE NEXT LEVEL SHELTER, WHICH OF COURSE IS GOING TO BE AN INCREDIBLE ASSET FOR US AND OUR ANIMAL COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. PARISH PRESIDENT THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE.
YOU MENTIONED JPRD, AND I WANTED TO BRING UP AN ISSUE THAT I KNOW YOUR OFFICE IS DEALING WITH AND SEE, I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO TURN ANY ATTENTION TO IT DURING THE MEETING OR IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE HANDLED ADMINISTRATIVELY.
AS YOU KNOW, WE SEND ALL OF OUR TEAMS THAT ARE HEADED TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT ON BUSES AND WE WILL SEND THEM TO THE WORLD SERIES.
WE HAVE HAD AN ABSOLUTE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE BUS SERVICE THAT OUR PARISHES CONTRACTED WITH.
I THINK YOU ARE AWARE WE HAD AT LEAST ONE TEAM.
ODDLY ENOUGH, WE HAD JPRG WEST THAT GOT STRANDED ON THE WAY UP THIS YEAR, AND JPRG EAST GOT STRANDED ON THE WAY BACK.
I WAS JUST HOPING IF THERE'S A WAY WE COULD GET THAT CORRECTED PERHAPS WITH A NEW CONTRACT.
BECAUSE I KNOW MARIO AND TIM COLLINS ARE AWARE OF THIS.
I JUST DIDN'T KNOW IF THE PARISH ATTORNEY FELT IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN HANDLE ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS OR ADMINISTRATIVELY TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE SEND THESE TEAMS TO THE WORLD SERIES WE'RE SENDING THEM WITH THE APPROPRIATE TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE I GOT TO TELL YOU THIS NEW ORLEANS TOURS FOR NOW, THIS IS GOING ON THREE YEARS IN A ROW.
IN MY MIND HAS ABSOLUTELY SHOW A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTRACT AND DELIVER THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE PAYING THEM FOR.
IF THIS COUNCIL ACTION NEEDED TO DO IT TODAY.
>> MARIO WAS RECREATION DIRECTOR?
>> YES. TO BE CLEAR, I SAY IT AGAIN.
I KNOW MARIO AND HIS STAFF ARE WELL AWARE OF IT AND DEALING WITH IT, AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND GETTING THEM BACK SAFELY TO THEIR HOTELS AND WHATNOT THIS WEEK.
BUT AS YOU KNOW MARIO, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THIS CONTRACTOR.
>> THIS HAS BEEN DIFFICULT AND IT'S HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES WITH DIFFERENT SPORTS WHEN WE TRAVEL, EVEN WITH BETTY BASKETBALL.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE TROUBLE WITH DRIVERS IN TERMS OF BEING LATE AND WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS.
WE ARE UNDER CONTRACT, BUT WITH THIS LATEST INCIDENT WE'RE GOING TO PURSUE SOME TYPE OF ACTION TO BE ABLE TO EITHER TRY TO TIGHTEN THINGS UP A LITTLE BIT AND HOLD THESE PEOPLE MORE ACCOUNTABLE OR SEE IF THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN WORK WITH ANOTHER.
>> THAT'S REALLY WHAT I'M SAYING IS, DO WE THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH CARS AND IF THE PARISH ATTORNEY CAN LOOK INTO IT, MAYBE TO SAY THEY'VE BREACHED THE CONTRACT.
WE HAVE A NEED AND PERHAPS ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS.
I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE WORLD SERIES ARE, BUT THEY'RE PROBABLY COMING OUT THERE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
>> WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING SEVERAL TEAMS TO FLORIDA, RUSTIN.
WE'RE ALL OVER IT RIGHT NOW, COUNCILMAN, I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW WITH THE BUS COMPANY.
OUR PRIORITY RIGHT NOW IS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR KIDS GET WHERE THEY NEED TO GO SAFELY RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THESE NEXT TWO WEEKS ARE GOING TO BE VERY CRITICAL FOR US WITH THIS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY.
BUT WE ARE ABSOLUTELY WORKING WITH THE COMPANY TO ENSURE THAT WE'VE GOT PROPER EQUIPMENT TO GET THESE KIDS OUT THERE AND DRIVERS THAT CAN HANDLE IT.
>> WELL, LIKE I SAID, IF THERE'S A BELIEF THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TODAY, PERHAPS FROM THE FLOOR TO HAVE THEM HELD IN BREACH OR SOMETHING AND WE CAN PROPOSE SOMETHING.
MS. BARTON, I MEAN, JUST LET US KNOW BEFORE THE MEETING IS OVER AND WE CAN TAKE THAT ACTION TODAY IF NEED BE.
>> I'LL SPEAK WITH ADMINISTRATION BUT I THINK THE BEST COURSE RIGHT NOW IS TO JUST TRY TO WORK BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT, LIKE I SAID, THESE NEXT TWO WEEKS, WE'RE ALREADY IN PROCESS.
WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS COMPANY, WE GOT TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE, MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE NEED.
>> YES. MADAM PRESIDENT, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION LAFRENIERE PARK, YOUR ADMINISTRATION FOR AND YOU MENTIONED IT UNCLE SAM JAM WAS A VERY BIG SUCCESS.
IT MADE JEFFERSON PARISH SEAN AND YOU PEOPLE DID A GREAT JOB.
IT HELPED US ALL CELEBRATE THE INDEPENDENCE DAY, BUT IT ALSO HELPED JEFFERSON PARISH CELEBRATE ITS FAMILY AND ITS RICH HISTORY OF CULTURAL BEHAVIOR.
[00:45:01]
I WANTED TO TELL YOU, THANK YOU PERSONALLY, COUNCILMAN TEMPLET STATA DID A FINE JOB OUT THERE, FACILITATING THE MICROPHONE AND INTRODUCING THE BANDS.WE ACTUALLY WAS TOLD THAT WE HAD RECORD CROWDS OUT THERE FOR YEAR.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING JEFFERSON PARISH, SEAN, AND A FAMILY WAY. APPRECIATE THAT.
>> THEN UPGRADE HOTDOG EATING CONTRACT.
>> YES. WELL, YOU CAN TELL I DON'T GET A WHOLE LOT OF HOT DOGS.
BUT THEN AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE SHOULD SPEND OUR ROLES AND TAKE ITEMS NUMBER 77, 78, 79, 80 AND 84, OUT-OF-ORDER.
>> GIVE ME ONE SECOND SO I CAN RECOGNIZE SOME PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE.
WE HAVE A FEW PEOPLE HERE TODAY.
I SEE RALPH BRYANT, SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT, AND CHRIS FORTUNATO, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, FORMER JUDGE HURG LOZENBERG, FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER MELINDA BOURGEOIS.
SOMEBODY TOLD ME CARDELL MAYOR DAVID MCCARDELL IS HERE. I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM YET.
ANY OTHER MICHAEL CATALINA RIGHT THERE. I'M SORRY.
YOU WERE BLOCKED FROM MY VIEW.
FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER LARRY DALE. ANYBODY ELSE? IF I MISSED YOU, I APOLOGIZE.
WAVE TO ME IF I DID. COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS (Part 1 of 2)]
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND TAKE OUT OUR ORDER ITEMS NUMBER 77, 78, 79, 80 AND 84.
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING 70,77,78,79, 80, AND 84 EMOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. THIS IS WHAT WE'LL DO.
EVERYBODY WHO'S HERE FOR THIS.
WE'LL DO THESE HEYNE'S ITEMS RIGHT NOW.
THIS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE BEFORE THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THAT WE NORMALLY HAVE AT THIS POINT IN THE MEETING.
THIS PUBLIC COMMENT WILL ONLY BE ABOUT THE HAYNES ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
YOU'LL STILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK JUST LIKE YOU WOULD ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT PART OF THE MEETING, BUT THIS IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE HAYNES TOPICS.
THEN WE'LL GET TO THE OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT AS SOON AS WE WRAP UP WITH THIS.
WE'LL READ THOSE ITEMS AND THEN YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK ON THOSE IN A MOMENT. MADAM CLERK?
>> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM COOPERATIVELY ENDEAVOR WITH JEFFERSON PARISH TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THE EXISTING TRIANGULAR GREEN SPACE ALONG METAIRIE ROUTE AT ELLIS PARKWAY IN PERPETUITY AS A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> SHOULD WE JUST READ ALL THESE AND VOTE ON THEM AFTER THE PUBLIC COMMENT, AFTER EVERYBODY SPEAKS?
>> WE WILL TAKE THEM ONE AT A TIME.
>> TAKE THEM ONE AT A TIME? VOTE ON THIS NOW.
>> GOT TO EXPORT THIS SCHOLARSHIP.
>> WE CAN DO THE DISCUSSION FIRST AND THEN DO THE MOTION.
>> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION 77?
>> WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK ON 77?
>> IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED? IS THIS GOING TO BE A CLUNKY TO DO IT THIS WAY WHERE, BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE EVERYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE KNOWS EXACTLY RIGHT NOW WHAT EACH ITEM SPECIFIES AND THEY HAVE TO SPEAK ON THAT ITEM, OR CAN WE MAKE IT A GENERAL?
>> COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, I'M SURE WE COULD MAKE A MOTION TO OPEN, GENERAL.
>> YEAH, I THINK THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY HERE WANTS TO DO [OVERLAPPING].
>> A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL OF THESE ITEMS RELATE TO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT THE SCHOOL BOARD PROPERTY AT HAYNES AND JUST ANY DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE HAYNES ITEMS.
>> [OVERLAPPING], WE CAN JUST VOTE ON EACH ONE AS I READ THEM AND THEN OPEN THE DISCUSSION.
>> SHOULD WE DISCUSS BEFORE WE VOTE THOUGH? LET'S DISCUSS BEFORE WE VOTE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] JUST DO IT LIKE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE AGENDA.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE SUSPEND THE RULES TO OPEN GENERAL DISCUSSION ON ALL ISSUES RELATED TO THE HAYNES PROPERTY AND THE SCHOOL BOARD PROPERTY ON METAIRIE ROAD, WHICH RELATES TO EACH OF THE ITEMS YOU LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
>> THE ONLY THING WE WOULD EXCLUDE FROM THAT IS THE ACTUAL SALE OF THE PROPERTY BECAUSE THAT'S NOT OUR PURVIEW.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE SALE TODAY.
>> THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA EITHER. JUST KEEP THE TOPICS OF THE SALE TO YOUR NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS YOU GO TO.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO OPEN A GENERAL DISCUSSION ON THE HAYNES PROPERTY MATTERS ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDARY.
EXCUSE ME, COUNSELING IT BESTOWS SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
NOW, ANYONE WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK, YOU MUST FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS.
IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO ALREADY, YOU CAN TURN IT IN AND HAVE YOUR THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
ANYONE WHO HAS DONE SO ALREADY, CAN APPROACH THE PODIUM AND BEGIN THEIR THREE MINUTES ON THIS TOPIC.
>> THEY SHOULD SAY THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> WHEN YOU COME TO THE PODIUM, MAKE SURE YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
>> GOOD MORNING. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
[00:50:02]
IT'S LOVELY TO BE HERE AND HAVE A MEETING START WITH A PRAYER AND THE PLEDGE.I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW DELIGHTFUL THAT WAS THIS THE CITIZEN TO SEE. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
YES, COUNCILMAN WALKER, THERE IS SOMETHING BAD GOING ON.
I RESIDE AT 191 RIDGE WOULD DRIVE AND I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
I'M DELIGHTED TO COME BEFORE YOU TODAY TO SPEAK TO RESOLUTIONS 84,77 AND 78.
I'M REPRESENTING CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR THE RESPONSIBLE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HAYNES TRACKED.
MY CO-CHAIR, LAUREN DOSAN, IS OUT OF TOWN AND I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF BOTH OF US.
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK AND ACKNOWLEDGE MY NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE COME HERE AND SUPPORTED THESE MEASURES.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS, TO BE CROWNED.
I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT NOT HERE, BUT BY WAY OF BEING ON THE RECORD IS SIGNING A PETITION IN FAVOR OF THESE RESOLUTIONS ARE NEAR TO 1,000 PEOPLE.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK COUNCILMAN TEMPLET AND EPA STATO, AND OUR OWN COUNCILWOMAN, JENNIFER VAN VRANCKEN.
YOU'VE BEEN FABULOUS TO WORK WITH.
I FEEL THAT OUR COLLECTIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THESE RESOLUTIONS DEMONSTRATE GOVERNMENT AT ITS BEST.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE HAYNES TRACKS, IT'S PRACTICALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF CRESCENT PARK AND COTTON PARK AND OLD METAIRIE.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING PRIMARILY WITH THESE TWO CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS RISING OUT OF THE DECOMMISSIONING OF HAYNES ACADEMY.
ESSENTIALLY, THESE CONCERNS ARE FIRST, THE FLOODING POTENTIAL, THE OVERWHELMING OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM ALREADY AT ITS MAX.
THIRD, LOSS OF GREEN SPACE AND LAST POSSIBLE COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE PROPERTY.
WE HAVE CONVENED A WORKING GROUP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM NEIGHBORHOODS SPANNING MEDLEY ROAD, FROM METAIRIE CLUB GARDENS TO BONNABEL LIVINGSTON, AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN.
WE ARE ANXIOUS ABOUT THE FATE OF THESE 8.3 ACRES IN THE HEART OF OLD METAIRIE.
THE JUNE 4TH ARTICLE IN THE TIMES SPOOKY AND SPARE THE VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOODS TO COME TOGETHER AND GAIN CONSENSUS AROUND TOO SIMPLE, BUT CRITICAL CONCEPTS.
WE ARE AGAINST RESOUNDING ANY PORTION OF THE HAYNES TRACK FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
ON THIS, THERE WILL BE NO COMPROMISE.
WE OFFER RETAINING THE R-1A OR LAYERING, R-1B FOR THE TRACKED.
SINCE THAT FIRST ARTICLE IN EARLY JUNE, WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT YOU HAVE ALL ARTICULATED AND STATED UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT ARE AGAINST ANY CHANGE TO COMMERCIAL ZONING.
AS YOU CONSIDER SEVERAL RESOLUTIONS TODAY REGARDING THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY THAT THE DECOMMISSIONING OF HAYNES ACADEMY REPRESENTS, WE ARE CONFIDENT OF YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR POSITION.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP 8.3 ACRES, IF ESSENTIALLY VIRGIN LAND IN THE HEART OF A WELL-ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOOD IS TRULY UNPRECEDENTED.
>> I'M SPEAKING ON RE-AUTHORIZATION.
SHE'D GIVEN MORE TIME [LAUGHTER].
>> YOU JUST HAVE THE 10 SECONDS LEFT. I'M SORRY.
>> THE CONCERNED CITIZENS ARE RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HAYNES TRACK ARE IN SUPPORT.
A RESOLUTIONS 84 AND 78, BOTH CALLING FOR A LAND-USE STUDY IN SOME WAY THAT WOULD ADD AT A MINIMUM, RETAIN THE EXISTING R-1A REGULATION REQUIRING 50 BY 100 FOOT LOTS AND POSSIBLY ALLOW FOR R-1B 7,500 FOOT LOTS.
>> THAT'S YOUR TIME, BUT SOMEBODY ELSE CAN FINISH YOUR STATEMENT IF YOU WANT TO HAND IT OFF TO SOMEBODY FOR THE NEXT TIME.
>> [BACKGROUND] [OVERLAPPING] AM ALMOST FINISHED, LET ME GO.
>> JUST THIS LITTLE BIT, AND THIS LITTLE BIT. [LAUGHTER].
>> WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE, THE THREE MINUTES IS THE RULE. I'M SORRY.
>> ELIZABETH, WOULD YOU COME FINISH MY REMARKS? YOU CAN START HERE, THE CONCERNED CITIZENS.
>> THE CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR THE RESPONSIBLE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HAYNES TRACT, ARE IN SUPPORT OF RESOLUTION 84 AND 78, BOTH CALLING FOR A LAND-USE STUDY THAT WOULD AT A MINIMUM RETAIN THE EXISTING OR WHEN A REGULATION REQUIRING 50 BY 150 LOTS AND POSSIBLE ALLOW FOR R-1B 75 BY 100 FOOT LOTS.
WHILE CONSIDERING THE IMPACT THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE ON THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
IT IS OUR ESTIMATION BASED ON AN ENGINEER'S ANALYSIS THAT R-1A WOULD ALLOW FOR 45 HOUSES IN AND R1-B WOULD ALLOW 40.
CLEARLY, THE LARGER LOTS WOULD BE PREFERABLE AS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF HOUSES, THEREFORE REDUCING THE IMPACT ON DRAINAGE AND TRAFFIC.
WE ALSO SUPPORT GREEN SPACE, WATER RETENTION CONCEPTS, AND INCENTIVES FOR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE TENANTS TO BE USED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AS LOSING EIGHT ACRES OF GREEN SPACE WILL HAVE UNAVOIDABLE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE SURROUNDING AREA.
WELL BEYOND OUR TWO NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN DEVELOPED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BEST MARTIN, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, WILL BE A VALUABLE GUIDE FOR THIS TRULY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY, DONE WELL AND DONE RIGHT.
THIS PROJECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A MODEL NOT ONLY FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT ANY COMMUNITY NATIONALLY FACING THE CHALLENGES, THE FLOODING THAT WE ALL FACE IN SOUTH LOUISIANA.
AS WE COME TOGETHER ON OUR SHARED GOALS OF PROTECTING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR WAY OF LIFE.
[00:55:01]
THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT OF JEFFERSON, AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JEFFERSON PARISH, AND BY YOUR DESIRE TO HEAR US, RESPOND TO US, AND SUPPORT AND PROTECT US.WE STAND IN SUPPORT OF RESOLUTIONS 84,77 AND 78.
>> YOU HAVE ANOTHER MINUTE AND A HALF, MA'AM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE.
>> HANG ON A SECOND BEFORE YOU WALK OFF, CAN YOU SAY YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE?
>> MY NAME IS ELIZABETH PURINA, A RESIDENT OF COTTON PARK.
I ALSO HAD PREPARED A VERY SHORT.
>> GIVE A MINUTE, 15 LEFT ON YOUR TIME, YOU CAN CONTINUE.
>> THE PRESENT DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE AND OLD METAIRIE WAS DESIGNED BASED ON THE HINGE PROPERTY BEING WHAT IT IS TODAY.
A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE [INAUDIBLE] OF A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE SHOULD TRIGGER A COMPLETE REEVALUATION OF THE DRAINAGE PLAN.
EVEN TODAY, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD EXPERIENCES REPETITIVE FLOODING.
IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, ST. CHARLES PARISH PLACED A MORATORIUM ON NEW DEVELOPMENT WHILE THEY REASSESSED AND REWORKED THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE AND DRAINAGE, I SUGGEST WE CONSIDER DOING THE SAME.
>> THANK YOU. BEFORE WE GET TO THE NEXT PERSON, COUNCILMAN TEMPLET?
>> [OVERLAPPING] THE LADY WHO SPOKE FIRST, MUFFIN NOTHING, WHO'S SPEAKING.
CAN I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, CAN YOU COME INTO MIC? YOU SPOKE IN FAVOR OF 84,78 AND 77?
>> BUT THERE'S A COUPLE OF OTHER RESOLUTIONS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] MY GROUP, THE CITIZENS FOR THEIR RESPONSIVELY REDEVELOPMENT HAS NOT [INAUDIBLE].
WE DON'T HAVE A POSITION ON THIS.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS THOMAS GARDNER.
I KNOW SOME OF YOU, I'VE APPEARED BEFORE SOME OF YOU BEFORE.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF 67 PEOPLE WHO IN THREE DAYS RESPONDED TO AN EMAIL REQUEST THAT I SENT OUT IN FAVOR OF A STORM-WATER RETENTION PARK ON THE ENTIRE HAYNES SITE.
I NOW OFFER TO ATTACH AND FILE INTO THE RECORD THESE 67 EMAILS SHOWING CONSENT.
I ALSO HAVE INNUMERABLE OTHER NEIGHBORS WHO APPROACHED ME TO MAKE THIS A PARK.
WHY WOULD WE WANT TO PARK THERE? WELL, THERE'S INADEQUATE DRAINAGE.
THERE'S OVERCROWDING ON METAIRIE ROAD.
RESOLUTIONS 78 AND 84, IN A GOOD START, THEY'LL PERPETUATE THE FLOODING THAT WE EXPERIENCE, THEY'LL PERPETUATE THE OVERCROWDING OF THE ROADS.
IT'S NOT THE SOLUTION TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO.
THE SOLUTION IS TO USE THIS GREEN SPACE SO THAT WE CAN BETTER IMPROVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD, DECREASE THE TRAFFIC PROBLEM, AND INCREASE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
NOW WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS ABOUT THREE WEEKS AS A VOLUNTEER FROM MY HOME.
I FOUND SOME FUNDING, I BELIEVE, BECAUSE WHEN I WROTE THIS JULY 6TH LETTER THAT I SENT TO ALL OF YOU WITH THESE ATTACHMENTS, I ALSO SENT A COPY TO SENATOR KENNEDY.
SENATOR KENNEDY'S OFFICE CALLED ME WITHIN THREE HOURS AND SAID THEY'RE ON IT.
THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT.
CONGRESSMAN SCALISE'S OFFICE HAS THIS LETTER.
IT'S IN THE PIPELINE THERE AS WELL, SO I THINK THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THIS AND I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE INTO THIS LEGISLATIVE RECORD WHAT I'VE MARKED AS PART NUMBER 2.
CONCEPTUALLY, WHAT IS A RAINWATER PARK AND WHAT IS THE RETENTION ZONE? THE PRIMARY GOAL FROM DRAINAGE PERSPECTIVE IS TO GET THE WATER OFF METAIRIE ROAD SO THAT DURING A RAINSTORM WE CAN ACTUALLY USE THAT ROAD.
ALSO, WE ONLY USE THE COLLECTOR STREETS THAT FEED INTO METAIRIE ROAD.
THE SECONDARY FUNCTION WOULD BE TO RETAIN THE WATER THAT'S CURRENTLY FALLING ON THE HAYNES SITE.
IF ANYBODY GOES OUT THERE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN ENGINEER, I JUST HAPPEN TO BE ONE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE ONE, YOU CAN GO OUT THERE AND LOOK AT THE ELEVATION THERE AND YOU ARE GOING TO SEE SHEETS OF WATER COMING DOWN.
YOU STAND ON THE CROWN OF MAGNOLIA AND YOU LOOK THERE, YOU'LL BE LOOKING UP, NOT DOWN.
THE RAINWATER JUST CASCADES OFF AND IT FLOODS THROUGH SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.
WE HAVE A CHANCE TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.
BY SOLVING THE DRAINAGE ISSUE, WE'LL PROTECT OUR HOMES, WE'LL PROTECT OUR PROPERTY, AND OUR CARS.
BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY BENEFIT YOU'RE GOING TO REALIZE IF YOU CAN CONVERT THIS TO A PARK.
THINK ABOUT IT, WHEN IT'S DRY, YOU'LL HAVE CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS PARK TO PUSH BABY STROLLERS THAT ARE NOW BEING PUSHED THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE STREETS IN THAT BUSY NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE THERE'S NO SAFE PLACE TO PUSH BABY STROLLERS.
YOU CAN HAVE CHILDREN PLAY IN THAT PARK WITHOUT HAVING TO CROSS THESE DANGEROUS RAILROAD TRACKS WHERE THERE'S INADEQUATE PASSAGE FOR PEDESTRIANS.
WE ALSO NEED TO INCLUDE, I'M ASKING FOR 30 MORE SECONDS.
>> I HAVE TO KEEP IT TO WHERE WE ARE.
>> PERMEABLE PAVERS LIKE YOU HAVE AT BAYOU METAIRIE
[01:00:02]
CAN OFFLOAD THE EXCESSIVE TRAFFIC THAT'S USING THE COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES RIGHT THERE AND ALSO PROVIDE PLACES FOR THE PEOPLE TO PARK WHEN THEY'RE USING THE NEW PARK.IF YOU WANT TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY, LET'S DO IT RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. JUST SO EVERYBODY'S CLEAR, SIR AND SO YOU'RE CLEAR, WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PROPERTY, OVER THE SALE, OR ANYTHING.
>> I KNOW I'M OUT OF TIME, BUT I'D LIKE TO RESPOND.
>> YEAH, YOU CAN RESPOND, BUT THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL.
>> ARTICLE 1 SAYS THAT YOUR JOB AND THE SCHOOL BOARD'S JOB IS TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS AND TO MAKE US IMPROVE OUR LIVES. THAT'S ALL.
>> UNDERSTANDABLE. I'M JUST TELLING YOU OUR JOBS ARE SEPARATE.
THE SCHOOL BOARD CONTROLS THE PROPERTY.
>> IF YOU GET ENOUGH GRANT FUNDING I'M SURE THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THIS.
>> GO AHEAD, COUNSELOR NEPASIS.
>> TECHNICALLY WE CAN'T CONTROL WHO THE SCHOOL BOARD SELLS IT TO, BUT I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR, WE ABSOLUTELY CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PROPERTY ONCE IT'S SOLD.
LOOK, THAT'S WHAT I THINK YIELDED ALL OF THIS DISCUSSION AS IT SITS RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE TWO LOTS.
AS IT SITS RIGHT NOW, ANY PURCHASER OF THE PROPERTY CAN DO ONE OF, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THREE THINGS.
PUT A SCHOOL THERE, PUT A CHURCH THERE, OR PUT ONE HOME ON EACH LOT.
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT RIGHT NOW BASED ON THE WAY IT'S ZONED.
ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT IS GOING TO INVOLVE THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD HERE AT THE PARISH AND THE COUNCIL ULTIMATELY.
I THINK TO BE CLEAR, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE DO HAVE THE COUNCIL, AND THE PARISH ABSOLUTELY DOES HAVE CONTROL IN SOME WAY.
WHILE I AGREE AND I THINK IT'S ACCURATE TO SAY, LOOK, IF THE SCHOOL BOARD DECIDES TO SELL IT TO JOHN DOE OR JANE DOE OR WHATEVER, THAT'S A DIFFERENT ANIMAL.
BUT AS FAR AS WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS ON ANY SUBDIVISION APPLICATIONS, WHICH ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN. IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN.
>> YOU'D HAVE TO DO SOMETHING MORE THAN, YOU COULD EXPROPRIATE, YOU CAN ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT.
THERE'S ANY NUMBER OF WAYS, OR YOU CAN TEAM UP WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD.
>> WELL, AND I THINK THAT IS THE CHALLENGE IN TERMS OF RIGHT NOW SAYING, HEY, SCHOOL BOARD, WE WANT YOU ALL TO DO X, Y, AND Z WITH THE PROPERTY.
IF WE CHANGE THE ZONING TODAY OR IF WE SAY YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT A PARK, IT'S AN EXPROPRIATION AS YOU KNOW, MR. GARDNER, WHICH MEANS WE BUY IT, [LAUGHTER] THE PARISH BUYS IT.
>> REMEMBER, IT'S ALL PUBLIC LAND.
>> THOMAS, IF I COULD JUST SAY, I'M GLAD YOU'VE REACHED OUT TO THE CONGRESSMEN ALREADY BECAUSE I SEE THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD IS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE.
REALLY, YOU'RE GETTING THE BENEFIT OF SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR SENTIMENTS BOTH WITH THE COUNCIL THAT WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER WHO AT SOME POINT WILL BE DETERMINED, BUT ALSO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE LISTENING AND HEARING THAT DESIRE AS WELL.
I THINK WHAT THEY'VE EXPRESSED TO US, AND AGAIN, THIS IS A REMOTE POSSIBILITY.
I DON'T WANT TO MISGUIDE ANYONE, BUT LET'S SAY THERE WAS A FUNDING SOURCE THAT COULD BE DETERMINED THAT COULD MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WHOLE FOR THE PROPERTY.
THEY CANNOT BE OUT-OF-POCKET FOR THIS BECAUSE THEIR INTENTION IS TO USE THESE PROCEEDS TO BUILD NEW SCHOOLS, TO CREATE A BETTER SYSTEM FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE PARISH.
IF THERE'S A FUNDING SOURCE THAT COULD BE IDENTIFIED TO MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WHOLE AND TURN THIS INTO A GREEN SPACE, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THEM, BUT CERTAINLY, PUTTING THAT IDEA OUT THERE IS ONE I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WOULD MIND PURSUING AND SEE HAPPEN, BUT IT IS UNLIKELY, I THINK THE PATH THAT THEY'VE ENVISIONED IS PROBABLY IT WOULD BE SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.
BUT LOOK, WE'RE HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU.
IF THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET FUNDS THAT COULD MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WHOLE AND KEEP THIS GREEN, COUNT ME IN.
>> I'M MORELLA, FLORIDA, 260 [INAUDIBLE] 5TH DISTRICT KENNER, FOURTH DISTRICT [INAUDIBLE] JEFFERSON, 51 YEARS.
I'M IN FAVOR OF KEEPING THAT AREA R1 RESIDENTIAL.
DARN, WHENEVER WE CAN TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
I AGREE WITH COUNCILWOMAN DANARANKEN.
NOW, I LOVE THE HISTORY ABOUT THAT SCHOOL.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING.
NUMBER 1, THAT'S THE OLDEST SCHOOL ON THE EAST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH, OPENED ITS DOORS IN 1909.
HOW WAS THAT SCHOOL ABLE TO COEXIST IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD FOR ALMOST 120 YEARS DEPENDING UPON WHEN THE ZONING TOOK PLACE OF THAT AREA? WAS IT AFTER THE SCHOOL WAS ALREADY BUILT AND OPENED IN 1909 OR WHATEVER? SECOND QUESTION I GOT IS I QUESTION WHY THE SCHOOL WAS CLOSED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
SCHOOL YEAR '21/'22, THEY'RE HAVING AN ENROLLMENT OF 860 STUDENTS.
IT WAS ONE OF THE TOP-RATED SCHOOLS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
[01:05:04]
>> MR. DELLE, CAN YOU STAY ON TOPIC?
>> THAT'S ON TOPIC. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS SCHOOL, MAN.
>> THE SCHOOL WASN'T CLOSED, IT WAS MOVED.
TECHNICALLY, THE STUDENTS WERE MOVED.
THAT SCHOOL LOCATION WAS CLOSED.
>> BUT IT'S GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED.
IT'S GOING TO BE TORN DOWN AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, COUNCILMAN WALTER.
>> TO THE RESOLUTIONS, PLEASE. MR. AL, PLEASE.
>> ANYWAY, TO CLOSE IT OUT, COUNCILWOMAN DANARANKEN, I AGREE WITH YOU.
THOSE QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN AND I'D LIKE AN ANSWER, I'D LIKE AN EXPLANATION, THE ANSWER TO THOSE TWO QUESTIONS.
>> WE HAVE MULTIPLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE.
THEY REPRESENT THE SAME PEOPLE WE DO, WHICH IS YOU AND THE OTHERS WHO ARE HERE.
I'M SURE THEY'LL BE HAPPY TO TALK AFTER THE MEETING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'LL BE LISTENING TO EVERYTHING THEY SAY.
ANYBODY ELSE GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS SHELLEY FARROW, 237 CADIFFER BOULEVARD AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
ALSO WANTED TO SAY THAT I SUPPORT THE PREVIOUS GENTLEMAN WHO MENTIONED THIS, OFFERED A SUGGESTION THIS MAY BE A PARK OR WATER RETENTION FACILITY.
RIGHT NOW, CONSIDERING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE WITH FLOODING, PARTICULARLY ON METAIRIE ROAD THIS WOULD BE VERY IMPORTANT.
WHILE THERE'S A PROPOSAL TO HAVE THIS UNDER THE METAIRIE RIDGE TREE PROTECTION DISTRICT PLAN, THE CHALLENGE WITH THAT IS ANY TREE THAT ENDS UP IN THE BUILDABLE ZONE IS GOING TO BE CUT DOWN.
THAT COULD BE MOST OF THE TREES, WHICH IS REALLY A SHAME.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT PROPERTY AND YOU THINK OF THE MATURE TREE CANOPY, YOU LOOK AT THE OAK TREES AND YOU REALIZE THE FLOODING PROTECTION AND THE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THESE TREES PROVIDE AND TO ELIMINATE THAT SOURCE OF FLOOD PROTECTION IS JUST NOT A GOOD THING TO DO FOR THE AREA.
THE OTHER THING I WAS HOPING TO ASK A QUESTION, BUT IS THERE FUNDING AVAILABLE SO THAT THE PARISH COULD BE ONE OF THE BIDDERS? MAYBE FROM FEMA OR FROM HUD OR FROM PARISH MONEY OR EVEN FROM THE GOVERNOR WHO SEEMS TO BE LEAVING A LOT OF MONEY IN THE COFFER.
THAT'D BE VERY NICE. WOULD SOMETHING LIKE THAT BE AVAILABLE SO THAT THE PARISH COULD BE A BIDDER ON THE PROPERTY?
>> I DON'T THINK. NOT AT THIS TIME.
>> I JUST WANTED TO ASK. I WOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF MAINTAINING GREEN SPACE OR AT LEAST A PERCENTAGE OF THE GREEN SPACE, BUT STILL HAVE TIME.
I HAVE ONE OTHER QUESTION. COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, AT THE HOLLAND MEETING, YOU MENTIONED THAT RATHER THAN R1A, WE MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER LARGER LOT SIZES.
>> WELL, THAT'S ACTUALLY IN THE STUDY WE'RE CALLING FOR ALLOWING R1B, WHICH WILL ALLOW LARGER LOTS.
BUT LET'S BE CLEAR, AND I SAID DURING MEETING IS THAT IF YOU STICK WITH R1A, A DEVELOPER COMES IN AND, YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, A MINIMUM LOT SIZE AND R1A CAN BE 50 BY 100 FEET.
MINIMUM. I TOLD YOU AT THAT MEETING THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HOLD YOURSELF TO THAT MINIMUM, YOU WANT TO HAVE AN OPTION TO HAVE SOME LARGER LOTS.
THAT'S WHY WE ADDED IN THE STUDY, R1B.
>> GOOD MORNING. SONYA HAUSER, 1512 ELLIS PARKWAY.
I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE AT THIS POINT HOW THE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROPERTY MOVED FROM JEFFERSON PARISH TO SCHOOL BOARD.
BUT IN THE RESEARCH I'VE FOUND SO FAR, JEFFERSON PARISH DID NOT PAY A PENNY FOR THIS.
ALFRED BONNABEL DONATED THIS PROPERTY, AND I CAN'T FIND WHERE THE SCHOOL BOARD PAID JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THIS PROPERTY.
TO ME, THE ARGUMENT THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD NEEDS TO MAKE HOLD IS INAPPROPRIATE.
THIS IS PUBLIC LAND, IT WAS DONATED FOR PUBLIC USE.
IF THE SCHOOL BOARD DOES NOT WANT TO USE THE PROPERTY THEN IT SHOULD BE RETURNED TO PUBLIC USE.
NOW, IT WOULD BE A LENGTHY PROCESS, BUT IT APPEARS THAT JEFFERSON PARISH DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP TO ANOTHER PARTY.
IF THAT IS THE CASE, AND JEFFERSON PARISH AND THE SCHOOL BOARD CAN'T MAKE A DEAL, THEN THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE SALE OF THIS INTO COMMERCE WOULD BE FOR ME TO SUE THE PARISH FOR SOMETHING IT DID ABOUT NINE YEARS AGO.
I WOULD PREFER NOT TO HAVE TO DO THAT.
I THINK THE BEST USE OF THIS PROPERTY IS RAIN WATER RETENTION.
AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, THE STATE OF LOUISIANA OWN'S METAIRIE ROAD, WE CAN'T IMPROVE OUR DRAINAGE.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE INADEQUATE DRAINAGE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
[01:10:04]
IF WE ADD MORE HOUSES AND TAKE AWAY THAT HUGE SWATH OF LAND THAT HELPS OUR DRAINAGE, THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE FLOODING.WE DO NOT HAVE A GOOD POSITION WITH FEMA AT THIS POINT.
WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ENACT ANY OF THE FLOOD IMPROVEMENTS THAT THEY WANT IN NEIGHBORHOODS.
THIS WOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
NOW THAT THEY'RE IN MICRO RATING, THIS WOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR ALL THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS FLOOD RATING.
RAINWATER RETENTION IS THE BEST WAY TO USE PUBLIC LAND.
THIS IS PUBLIC LAND, IT SHOULD NOT BE SOLD.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL FRANK ORNAMENT, AND I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT FEELINGS ABOUT THIS AREA BECAUSE I LIVE AT 247 ROSEWOOD DRIVE IN MY WIFE'S HOME.
ROSEWOOD DRIVE DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET.
MY FAMILY HAS OWNED THE PROPERTY THAT I OWN FOR OVER 75 YEARS.
DURING MY 28 YEARS IN THE NAVY IN THE AIR FORCE, I WAS VERY ANXIOUS TO COME HOME.
ALL I EVER WANTED TO DO WAS COME HOME AND LIVE ON ROSEWOOD DRIVE, AND HERE I AM, I AM DOING THAT NOW.
NOW, I FEEL THERE'S A THREAT TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD RIGHT NOW AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY HOPING YOU WILL DEAL WITH THAT AND MITIGATE THE THREAT.
MY HOME FLOODED DURING KATRINA AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE WORST EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE.
LIKE MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS, WE FLOODED.
THE PROBLEM NOW, FIRST OF ALL, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF THINGS DONE TO MAKE THE FLOOD SYSTEM BETTER.
MY STREET, ROSEWOOD DRIVE, STILL FLOODS WHEN WE HAVE A HEAVY RAIN, SO WE'RE NOT THERE YET.
WHAT I'M AFRAID OF IS THE INCORRECT DEVELOPMENT AT THE HYNE SCHOOL SITE WILL MAKE THE FLOOD SITUATION WORSE THAN IT ALREADY IS.
I FULLY SUPPORT MR. TOM GARDNER'S IDEA OF A RAIN RETENTION PARK, THAT IS A WONDERFUL IDEA.
IT WOULD PROVIDE FLOOD PROTECTION, IMPROVED WATER CONTROL, AND IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
IT IS REALLY A SERIOUS THING AND I'M ALSO CONCERNED, I THINK THE R1 DEVELOPMENT IS TOO DENSE FOR THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
I REALLY THINK THAT'S A MISTAKE.
YOU COULD SAY YOU COULD DO IT BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY IT IS, BUT I HOPE YOU ARE AS A PARISH COUNCIL WILL EXERCISE YOUR MUSCLE AND SEE THAT THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.
FINALLY, I THINK SENATOR KENNEDY'S OFFICE HAS SUGGESTED THAT THERE'S SOME FUNDS AVAILABLE THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.
FINALLY, I THINK THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY AND I HOPE YOU WON'T MAKE A QUICK DECISION ON THIS.
I HOPE YOU WILL THINK ABOUT IT AND GIVE MANY CITIZENS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I APPRECIATE IT.
I'M GLAD TO BE HERE AND APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> LICK AYERS, 509 ROAD, BOULEVARD.
JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY ON THIS TOPIC.
THERE'S NO RESOLUTION THAT'S GOING TO GET PASSED BY THIS BODY THAT CAN BE VERY EASILY UNRESOLVED.
RESOLUTION DOESN'T AMOUNT TO ANYTHING OR REQUEST OF THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT NOBODY HAS ANY UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THOSE LINES ARE DRAWN.
THERE'S NO COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW YOUR SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICTS RELATE TO YOUR PARISH DISTRICTS.
YOU MIGHT HAVE NINE OR 11 SCHOOL BOARDS.
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PAY ATTENTION TO EVERYTHING GOING ON.
WHEN YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, DOES ANYBODY KNOW HOW MANY COUNCIL MEMBERS YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR? MAGIC NUMBERS, THREE.
ONLY ONE OF THEM HAS AN OBLIGATION TO YOU.
MY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR YOUR OWN DISTRICT, HE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS OBLIGATION AND THAT'S TO BE A POINT OF CONTACT.
HE'S NOT HERE TO BE YOUR ADVOCATE, BUT I'LL DEFER TO HIS WORDS.
WHAT WAS SAID HERE MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE TO PASS.
IT JUST DOES. THE GOOD SENSE OF THE PEOPLE.
THE MAN I COME HERE, CHAMPION AND EVERY TIME TRYING TO WAKE THESE PEOPLE UP THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTATIVE, SUPPOSED TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS, NO, THEY'RE CONVINCED THEY'RE LEADERS AND THEY'RE GOING TO DO WHATEVER SUITS THEIR NEEDS.
IT WAS SAID THAT THE GOOD SENSE OF THE PEOPLE WOULD ALWAYS BE FOUND TO BE THE BEST ARMY AND I AM CERTAINLY IMPRESSED BY WHAT I'VE SEEN.
HOWEVER, IF WE FIND THEM LACKING FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT REQUIRED TO EXERCISE THEIR CONTROL WITH THE WHOLESOME DISCRETION,
[01:15:02]
WE'RE ADVISED NOT TO TAKE IT FROM THEM, BUT TO INFORM THEIR DISCRETION.ON THAT NOTE, THAT REQUEST IS NOTHING BUT LIP SERVICE, THEY'RE TAKING IN ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY, A TOKEN GESTURE, ANY COMMITTEE THAT'S JUST A WAY TO DEFER THEIR ACCOUNTABILITY.
YOU SUFFER THE BOARDS, COMMITTEES, TASK FORCE, ALL THAT DOES IS KEEP YOU OUT OF THIS LOOP.
IT'S OUR NEGLECT AS THE PEOPLE TO HOW WE EMPOWER THIS BODY.
FUNDAMENTALLY, YOU'VE GIVEN TWO DISTRICTS, AN EXTRA MEMBER.
THAT MEANS THAT THREE DISTRICTS WHICH WOULD MAKE THE MAJORITY IS NOW A MINORITY, AND THEY DON'T ARGUE ABOUT ANYTHING FOR TWO YEARS.
THEY PASS THE $649 MILLION BUDGET, PATTED THEMSELVES ON THE BACK FOR BEING CONSERVATIVE.
THEY JUST PASSED $800 MILLION BUDGET AND AGAIN, CONSIDER THEMSELVES CONSERVATIVE JUST BECAUSE THEY TOOK THE TAX DOLLARS FROM US.
WHY ARE THE SCHOOLS CLOSED? BECAUSE FEDERAL GRANT MONEY, WHICH IS ALL A THEFT FROM OUR GRANDCHILDREN, IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE IN 2024.
THEY'RE GOING TO PAY THEMSELVES TO CLOSE THESE SCHOOLS AND REBUILD THEM.
THERE'S SOME ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE THAT'S BASICALLY EXPLOITING THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A GREATER CHILDREN POPULATION IN 1970.
>> MR. AYERS, CAN YOU STAY ON TOPIC, PLEASE. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
>> YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FOR LAST TWO ENUMERATIONS AND THE CHILDREN UNDER FIVE, THAT POPULATION IS GROWING STEADILY.
WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE A BOOM HERE.
>> THIS ISN'T ON TOPIC, MR. AYERS.
>> THAT IS. IT'S ALL THEIR SCHOOL.
>> YOU COULD HAVE SUSPENDED THE RULES AND GIVEN EVERYBODY FOUR MINUTES EASILY.
>> HI, MY NAME IS PAUL LEWIS, 159 HOLLYWOOD DRIVE.
I'M STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF WATER RETENTION FACILITY AND WOULD ALSO SERVE AS A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK.
THE MAIN REASON IS THE DRAINAGE AND THE FLOODING THAT'S CAUSED BECAUSE THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IS INADEQUATE, TO SAY THE LEAST.
I'M HERE TO SHED LIGHT ON THE FACT THAT THE PROPERTY HAS AN IMPACT NOT ONLY ON THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD.
BUT IF YOU WERE TO GO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS TOWARDS THE AIRLINE HIGHWAY SIDE, YOU COULD SEE IF YOU JUST WALK AROUND PONTO PARK, THIS HUGE CONDUITS THE EXTRA WATER THAT FALLS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND FLOODS THE PARK EVERY TIME IT RAINS.
THE PARK CAN'T TAKE WHAT'S BEING PUMPED INTO THE PARK NOW.
IF YOU ADD EVEN ONE DROP OF WATER, IT'S GOING TO GO INTO THE PARK, PROBABLY.
THE METAIRIE ROAD FILLS UP, IT CAN'T DRAIN OUT THAT WAY.
I SEE THE IMPACT IS NOT JUST ON OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT IT'S ALSO ON THE PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACK, NOT TO MENTION THE ENTIRE SURROUNDING AREA, EVEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF METAIRIE ROAD.
I'M JUST HERE TO SAY IT'S A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN JUST OUR SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOOD AND THAT'S WHY I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY OTHER CHOICE THAN TO TURN THE PART OF THE FACILITY INTO A WATER RETENTION FACILITY. THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ANN CERISE AND I RESIDE AT 315 PHOSPHOR AVENUE.
I'M HERE TO SAY THAT I DO AGREE WITH WHAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED ABOUT THE RAINWATER RETENTION AND GREEN SPACE IN A PARK.
I'M OPPOSED TO MAKING THIS A DEVELOPMENT WHERE ADDITIONAL HOMES CAN BE BUILT.
MY CONCERNS ARE THE LACK OF GREEN SPACE, THE LOSS OF TREES, INCLUDING BIRDS, ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC FEEDING ONTO METAIRIE ROAD.
I ALMOST GOT HIT TURNING IN THE LEFT LANE AT CODIFER IN METAIRIE ROAD THE OTHER DAY.
WE ALL KNOW HOW NARROW METAIRIE ROAD IS AND CARS ARE GETTING BIGGER AND IT'S GOING TO JUST BE A MATTER OF WHEN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS THERE.
FEEDING MORE CARS ONTO METAIRIE ROAD IN THAT AREA IS REALLY GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE CITIZENS WHO LIVE THERE NOW.
ALSO, THE FLOODING THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT.
WE HAD A FLOOD YESTERDAY ON PHOSPHOR JUST BECAUSE WE HAD RAIN AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO DRAIN.
HOW COULD IT BE USED? I HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THIS WILL THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TRAVEL TO OTHER CITIES AND SEE WHAT BEAUTIFUL THINGS THEY DO WITH GREEN SPACE.
IT COULD BE A COMMUNITY CENTER IN A PARK.
IT COULD HAVE AN EXERCISE TRACK FOR ALL AGES, A CLIMBING WALL FOR OUR STUDENTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN, PLANT TREES FOR SHADE AND PROVIDE BENCHES AND WATER JETS FOR THE KIDS,
[01:20:05]
WALKING AND BIKE PATHS, AN AMPHITHEATER THAT WE COULD HAVE MUSICAL EVENTS AT, HAVE GUEST SPEAKERS AND CONCERTS.I'M ASKING YOU TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.
THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS RIGHT.
I WAS ENCOURAGED WHEN WE MET WITH MS. VAN VRANCKEN ON MONDAY THAT SHE SAID THAT DANA BROWN, THE LANDSCAPER IS INVOLVED WITH THIS.
I HOPE THAT WE LOOK TO OTHER CITIES TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND I HOPE YOU HEAR US BECAUSE I HAVE LIVED IN MY AREA FOR OVER 27 YEARS.
MANY PEOPLE HERE, MY NEIGHBOR THAT IS IN THE AUDIENCE, HER FAMILY HAS LIVED FOR 70 YEARS.
THESE ARE NOT NEW RESIDENTS THAT ARE HERE TODAY TELLING YOU WHAT WE THINK AND WHAT OUR DESIRES ARE, SO I HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER THAT AND THINK ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, CLAYTON CANGELOSI, I WILL BE VERY BRIEF.
JUST SITTING AND LISTENING TO ALL THE COMMENTS AND I AGREE 100% WITH THE RESIDENCE.
I AGREE WITH POSSIBLY THE POWERS RETAINING THE PROPERTY AND USING IT AS GREEN SPACE, A PARK.
AS A WEST BANKER, I LOVE GOING TO THAT AREA TOWN.
I LOVE GOING WINE AND DINE OUT THERE AND ENTERTAIN PEOPLE OUT THERE, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE.
IT'S JUST A UNIQUE PART OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
IT'S ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PARTS OF JEFFERSON.
BY PUTTING MORE AND MORE IN THERE, WE'RE JUST GOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM THAT BEAUTY.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM WHAT THAT PART OF JEFFERSON PARISH BRINGS TO US.
I'M IN FAVOR OF MAKING IT GREEN SPACE, MAKING IT POSSIBLY A PARK FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, FOR THE PEOPLE THERE IN THAT AREA.
I'M NOT ONE FOR KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, BUT LET'S MAYBE OPEN US UP TO NOT JUST THE PEOPLE, LET'S LOOK AT BUYING THIS PROPERTY.
MAYBE WE SHOULD CONTINUE BUYING IT FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD AND TAKING OWNERSHIP OR IF IT WAS DONATED, THE SCHOOL BOARD DONATE IT BACK TO JEFFERSON PARISH.
SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, THOSE OPTIONS, AND LET'S MAINTAIN THAT BEAUTY OF THAT AREA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I WAS JUST ASKED BY THE TWO NICE LADIES SITTING IN A ROW, MS. MUFFIN AND MISS ELIZABETH, TO COME UP AND READ THIS [LAUGHTER].
>> I'M IN SUPPORT OF YOU, MS. MUFFIN [LAUGHTER] THEY'RE ASKING FOR ME TO ASK YOU ALL, WHY CAN'T A MORATORIUM BE PLACED ON THE SALE IN NEW DEVELOPMENT WHILE THE RESEARCH, THE REWORK, AND REASSESSMENT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND DRAINAGE IS GOING ON? I'LL ALLOW YOU TO ANSWER THE TWO LADIES.
>> ARE YOU GOING TO ANSWER THEM OR CAN YOU?
>> ALL RIGHT. MY NAME IS STAN ELLINGTON.
I LIVE AT 1608 ELLIS PARKWAY IN METAIRIE.
I'M IMMEDIATELY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE LITTLE GREEN TRIANGLE.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN TEMPLET FOR COMING TO MEET WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
HE GAVE US A LOT OF TIME AND HE LISTENED VERY ATTENTIVELY AND MADE A VERY NICE PRESENTATION AND WE APPRECIATE HIS DOING SO.
I'M NOT OPPOSED TO CONVERTING THE HAYNES SITE TO A DRAINAGE PART, BUT I DO NOT WANT THAT DRAINAGE PARK TO LOOK LIKE POTTED PLAYGROUND WITH THOSE HUGE PUMPS AND PIPES STICKING OUT INTO IT.
THIS IS ONE OF THE NICEST RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE ENTIRE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT PRESERVE GOING FORWARD, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
IF WE DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDING TO CONVERT IT TO A WATER DRAINAGE FACILITY, I'M VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF TOTAL BAN ON ANY COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ZONING THAT AREA AS RESIDENTIAL IS AS R1B, SO WE CAN HAVE LARGER LOTS TO HELP WITH THE DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. I APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL LISTENING TO US TODAY.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS JENNIFER DUPLANTIS SABADILLA.
[01:25:04]
I HAVE PROPERTY AT 1718 HOMER STREET, WHICH WE WILL BE BUILDING ON IN ABOUT A YEAR.I CURRENTLY LIVE AT 1844 OLEANDER STREET WITH MY FAMILY.
I MOVED TO OLD METAIRIE ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, VERY YOUNG PURCHASED MY FIRST HOME, WAS HOUSE POOR FOR VERY LONG TIME.
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 10 YEARS, BUT I'M A NEWBIE COMPARED TO MOST OF OUR LIFETIME RESIDENTS.
YOU CAN TELL HIM NERVOUS BECAUSE I FEEL VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT WHERE WE LIVE.
I'M NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN 10 YEARS, BUT I LOVE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MY WHOLE HEART.
I'VE JOINED THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION BOARD, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO OUR COUNCIL, AS WELL AS OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF HAVING THEM BOTH HERE.
I CHALLENGE BOTH OF YOUR GROUPS TO TAKE A MOMENT AND CONSIDER THAT YOU'RE HERE TO SERVE YOUR PARISH RESIDENCE AND THE CHILDREN OF THIS PARISH.
THIS PROPERTY, WE NEED TO TAKE OFF A DEVELOPER HAT, WE NEED TO TAKE OFF THE PROFIT HATS, AND WE NEED TO CONSIDER HOW CAN WE BEST SERVE THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
THE CHILDREN THAT WENT TO THIS SCHOOL THE CHILDREN THAT, LIKE MINE, MAY HAVE GONE TO THIS SCHOOL THAT NO LONGER HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
HOW CAN THIS PROPERTY BE USED TO ENSURE THAT THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY IS FIRST AND FOREMOST, AND IT'S NOT PROFIT? THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD MORNING. NANCY PEARSON, 8924 RENSU DRIVE.
BEING A PRODUCT OF LOCAL PUBLIC EDUCATION, I'M THINKING OUT OF THE BOX BECAUSE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS CHANGING THE SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY NEEDED THE MONEY, SO FOR THE PARISH TO ASK THEM TO GO INTO AN ENDEAVOR TO MAKE GREEN SPACE UNLESS THE PARISH IS GOING TO BUY THAT PROPERTY, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT.
BUT TO GO INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR WITH JUST DONATING THAT PROPERTY, I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
I LIVED IN OLD METAIRIE FOR MANY YEARS AND IT WAS SO MUCH DEVELOPMENT GOING ON I DECIDED TO RELOCATE TO RIVER RIDGE WHERE WE'RE LOCKED IN.
IT IS WHAT IT IS. YOU CAN'T GET ANY BIGGER.
I FEEL THE PAIN OF THOSE THAT ARE SPEAKING, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY PREMATURE ON A LOT OF THIS BEFORE THE COUNCIL TODAY BECAUSE UNTIL THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SELLS THE PROPERTY, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE.
WE'VE HAD TO WORK IN OUR AREA WITH DEVELOPERS IN A HIGH-END SECTION OF RIVER RIDGE AND WE KNOW HOW THAT WORKED OUT.
WE WORKED WITH THE DEVELOPER, WE CHANGE THE ZONING AND HOPEFULLY, WHAT GOES THERE IS WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
TO ME, ASKING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO DONATE SOMETHING IS OUT OF THE QUESTION.
THE REASON THAT THEY'RE RELOCATING SCHOOLS AND CLOSING SCHOOLS IS BECAUSE THEY NEED THE MONEY TO EDUCATE THOSE CHILDREN WHO CANNOT GO TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR GET INTO THE CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND THOSE ARE OUR MOST NEEDED AREAS.
THOSE CHILDREN WHO UNDER SERVED, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT WHEN THEY WERE DOING THIS.
I KNOW IT WAS A HARD DECISION ON THEM.
BUT AT THIS POINT, A LOT OF THIS IS BEFORE YOU TODAY IS PREMATURE.
YOU NEED TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT THEY DO, WORK WITH THEM, GET TO DEVELOP THAT WANTS TO BUILD HOUSES.
HOPEFULLY, LARGE HOUSES, A FEW OF THEM, NOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF THEM, BUT A FEW NICE HOUSES, AND THEN HAVE GREEN SPACE.
BUT AT THIS POINT A LOT OF THIS IS PREMATURE AND AGAIN, I'M AGAINST THE SCHOOL SYSTEM DONATING ANYTHING TO YOU BECAUSE THAT'S WHY THEY'RE IN THIS PREDICAMENT NOW.
THEY NEED THE MONEY. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS RICHARD HAEUSER.
THE PROPERTY THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING WAS DONATED, IT WAS FREE AND NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT I DON'T KNOW, COUNCILMAN TEMPLET BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO SELL FOR 20 MILLION.
THAT'S FREE MONEY. I DISAGREE WITH THE PRIOR SPEAKER.
THE SCHOOL BOARD IS CUTTING SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE STUDENT POPULATION.
THEY DON'T NEED ALL OF THE SCHOOLS TO BE OPEN.
THEY'RE CUTTING THEIR EXPENSES.
WHY DO THEY NEED MORE MONEY? WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH IT?
[01:30:01]
THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO SAY IS I'M OPPOSED TO THE ITEM 84.I DON'T THINK FOR THE HAYNES PROPERTY BEING INCLUDED AN ITEM 84.
WE DON'T NEED ANY STUDY TO SHOW US THAT IT STILL NEEDS TO BE R1A.
WHY WASTE THE MONEY? COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, AT THE MEETING AT MUNHOLLAND SAID NOBODY WANTS TO LIVE ON METAIRIE ROAD.
THAT TO ME SAYS HE'S LOOKING FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THAT TRIANGLE SPACE FACING METAIRIE ROAD.
I DON'T WANT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT THERE.
I DON'T WANT A STUDY THAT OPENS THIS UP TO POTENTIALLY SAY, THAT REALLY SHOULD BE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. IT SHOULD BE R1A.
I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, R1A OR NOTHING.
WE DON'T NEED A STUDY TO TELL US WHAT WE NEED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE].
LOOKING OUT AT THIS AUDIENCE MAKES ME PROUD OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND PROUD OF THE PARTICIPATION THAT WE HAVE ON THIS SUBJECT.
I KNOW WE'RE ALL GOING TO WANT TO TALK ON THIS.
THIS OBVIOUSLY IS AN ISSUE WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON WITH YOU, BUT THANK YOU FIRST FOR THE PARTICIPATION BECAUSE I THINK WE'RE AT A MOMENT OF HAVING MANY GOOD THINGS TO PUT US IN A PROACTIVE STANCE.
MS. PEARSON WAS SAYING THESE ARE PREMATURE, BUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE.
SO IF WE'RE PUTTING OURSELVES ON THE PUBLIC RECORD, THERE IS NO DEVELOPER IN THE COUNTRY THAT CAN PLAY STUPID AND NOT APPRECIATE THAT WE ONLY WANT RESIDENTIAL, PREFERABLY LOTS AND LOTS OF GREEN SPACE AND WE WILL WORK TO SEE WHAT PATHS FORWARD WE HAVE THERE.
BUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE ITEMS TO ME ARE PUTTING OURSELVES ON THE RECORD FOR WHAT IS IMPORTANT, WHAT OUR CONCERNS ARE, AND HOW WE WANT TO PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THEM.
THANK YOU FOR EACH PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROCESS.
WE HAVE FIVE ITEMS THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING, ALL RELATED TO HAYNES.
I DO WANT TO JUST BRIEFLY SAY HOW I HOPE THESE WILL BE HELPFUL AND ENCOURAGE OUR COLLEAGUES TO VOTE UNANIMOUSLY ON THESE.
SEVENTY SEVEN, I REACHED OUT TO OUR SCHOOL BOARD AND ASK THAT TRIANGULAR GREEN SPACE THAT EXISTS NOW IS ALREADY IMPORTANT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SO I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT GO AWAY.
I THINK THAT'S BEEN IMPORTANT.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ABOUT IT.
I ASKED FOR A DONATION, BUT I KNOW THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DONATE IT TO US.
WE'RE EVEN MOVING SOME MONEY ON THIS AGENDA FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING IT, IF WE NEED TO.
THEY WILL GET AN APPRAISAL OF THIS PROPERTY.
I'VE ASKED THAT THEY GET A SEPARATE APPRAISAL OF THE TRIANGULAR GREEN SPACE SO THAT WE WILL KNOW WHAT THE VALUE OF THAT ALONE IS.
IF WE NEED TO BUY IT AS A PARISH, WE CAN DO THAT TO MAINTAIN THAT PORTION OF THE PROPERTY. THAT'S ITEM 77.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT HAS TO BE THE ONLY GREEN SPACE, BUT I THINK IT'S A START, IT'S AN EASY ONE, HOPEFULLY TO WORK TOGETHER ON.
SEVENTY-EIGHT REALLY ADDRESSES ALL THE THINGS THAT MUFFIN EXPRESSED ARE THE CONCERNS.
SHE TICKED OFF VERY LOGICALLY A LIST OF THOSE CONCERNS.
WHEN SHE SAYS DRAINAGE NUMBER 1, TRAFFIC NUMBER 2, GREEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, THOSE ARE THE CONCERNS.
ITEM 78 REALLY WENT THROUGH EACH OF THOSE AND TRIED AS BEST WE COULD TO ADDRESS THAT.
IN PARISH GOVERNMENT, A LOT OF OUR PROCESSES GO THROUGH AND DON'T ALWAYS INVOLVE THE COUNCIL.
SOMETIMES IN THE PAST WHAT I'VE SEEN IS THAT WHERE A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS COULD BE DONE, IT'S BEEN WAIVED AND HASN'T BEEN DONE, SO I DID NOT WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN IN THIS CASE.
SIMILARLY, SOMETIMES WE HAVE RULES THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO SEEK GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT SOMETIMES THOSE HAVE BEEN WAIVED IF A SITE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BEFORE AND SUCH.
THIS TO ME WAS THE LAUNDRY LIST OF TRYING TO PUT EVERYTHING OF SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPORTANCE AND CONCERN AND ANXIETY TO PEOPLE IN ONE EASY TO READ BY A DEVELOPER ITEM AND ALSO OUR DEPARTMENT.
OUR DEPARTMENTS ARE HEARING WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO OUR RESIDENTS AND THEY'LL KNOW WHEN THIS SIDE IS SOLD AND POTENTIALLY SOMEONE TRIES TO DEVELOP.
THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW WE NEED A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS.
WE NEED RUNOFF NOT TO EXCEED WHAT IT IS NOW BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF GREEN SPACE THERE NOW, SO WE DON'T WANT MORE RUNOFF TO OVERWHELM OUR DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
I CREDIT THE COTON PARK AND CRESTMONT CIVIC ASSOCIATION WITH ACTUALLY BEING THE INSPIRATION.
I KNOW SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.
SHE WAS THE ONE WHO SAID OTHER COMMUNITIES REQUIRE 50% OF THEIR FRONT YARDS TO BE GREEN.
I'M WATCHING MY NEIGHBORS JUST PAVE THE WHOLE FRONT OF THEIR HOME,
[01:35:02]
IT BECOMES A BIG TRAFFIC PAD, A PARKING PAD.HER CONCERN IS WHAT LED US TO CALL THE STUDY THAT RESULTED IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE ON AN INTERIM RIGHT NOW THAT SAY, YOU MUST MAKE 50% OF THESE FRONT LAWNS, ANY FRONT LAWNS IN THE PARISH, GREEN PERMEABLE.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT, I THINK, ADDITION AS WELL.
THE LAST TWO ITEMS I'LL TOUCH ON MORE QUICKLY.
THEY'RE THE NEW ONES TO THIS AGENDA.
ONE IS DANA BROWN AND ASSOCIATES.
DANA BROWN IS A WONDERFUL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
WE HAVE MANY TALENTED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, BUT I THINK THE OLD METAIRIE AREA IS FAMILIAR WITH BAYOU METAIRIE PARK RIGHT THERE AT THE CORNER OF LABARRE AND METAIRIE ROAD.
DANA BROWN WAS THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT WHO HELPED THE PARISH DESIGN THAT GREEN SPACE.
I THINK IT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE AND FEELS APPROPRIATE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE ASKED DANA BROWN AND WE ASKED HER COULD SHE DO IT PRO BONO BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE PUBLIC FUNDS USED ULTIMATELY.
THIS SITE IS ULTIMATELY LIKELY TO BE PRIVATE IF WE CAN'T FIND A WAY TO KEEP IT GREEN.
BUT IF IT'S PRIVATE, WE CAN'T SPEND THOSE PUBLIC DOLLARS ON A PLAN FOR A PRIVATE PROPERTY.
SHE AGREED AS A STUDENT WHO WENT TO SCHOOL ON THIS SITE, AND ULTIMATELY AS A GRADUATE OF GRACE KING WHERE HAYNES IS MOVING AND A GRADUATE OF HARVARD, A GREAT PRODUCT OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
SHE HAS AGREED PRO BONO TO LOOK AT THIS SITE.
WHAT CAN WE DO? GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HOLD WATER? SHE'S GOING TO DO THAT AND JUST THINK AS CREATIVELY AS SHE CAN ABOUT HOW TO INCORPORATE GREEN THAT WILL HOLD THE WATER AS WELL AS WE CAN.
THAT IS 79 AND THEN THE LAST IS 80.
WHEN WE'VE HAD ISSUES COME UP, SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO SOLICIT PUBLIC INPUT.
WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT CHANGES, ONE EXAMPLE WE HAD WAS WITH OUR PARADES AND SOME OF THOSE.
WE FORMED A GROUP THAT WAS A STANDING COMMITTEE SO THAT WE COULD QUICKLY CALL IT TOGETHER AND SAY, OKAY, WHAT ARE THE IDEAS YOU HAVE? WHAT ARE THE IDEAS WE LIKE? WHAT ARE THE IDEAS WE WANT TO SCRAP? AS THIS DEVELOPS, WE WANTED TO HAVE JUST A COMMITTEE AT THE STANDING THAT REPRESENTS ALL OF OUR CIVIC GROUPS, AS WELL AS THE NEWLY FORMED GROUP OF CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE REDEVELOPMENT OF HAYNES.
WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EACH OF THOSE REPRESENTATIVES CAN BE QUICKLY CALLED TOGETHER TO REACT TO WHATEVER MAY BE DEVELOPING BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE PROCESS GOES FROM HERE EXACTLY IN TERMS OF PUTTING THIS OUT FOR PUBLIC SALE.
WE WANT TO HAVE A GROUP THAT CAN QUICKLY JUST RESPOND FOR INPUT, FOR THOUGHTS, FOR SOLICITATION, AND THEN FOR DISSEMINATION OF GOOD INFORMATION.
WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE BAD INFORMATION OUT THERE CAUSING PEOPLE ANXIETY.
I JUST I'M APPRECIATIVE. I THANK YOU.
ALSO THANK MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING, I SPENT A LOT OF TIME EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT CALLING A ZONING STUDY OF THIS SITE.
IN MY MIND AND WHAT I EXPRESSED THEN, THIS IS R1A, IT NEEDS TO STAY SINGLE-FAMILY.
I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT CALLING A ZONING STUDY FOR THIS SITE.
BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK WITHIN 1,000 FEET OF THIS SITE, YOU'VE GOT COMMERCIAL, YOU'VE GOT R2, DOUBLE, YOU'VE GOT A MULTITUDE OF ZONINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATE BECAUSE THEY'RE IN 1,000 FEET, AND I DID NOT WANT TO OPEN THAT PANDORA'S BOX.
I THANK MY COLLEAGUES ALSO FOR AMENDING ITEM 84.
THE RED THAT YOU SEE ON HERE ARE THE AMENDMENTS THAT THEY MADE AND STRIKING THOSE THINGS THAT WERE OF CONCERN AND JUST GETTING TO SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING R1A OR R1B, WHICH ARE BOTH SINGLE-FAMILY ZONING.
I THINK THAT'S A HECK OF A LOT BETTER PLACE THAN WHERE THAT ITEM STARTED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND YOUR PASSION.
>> COUNCILMAN TEMPLET IMPASTATO, ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK ON 84?
>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST FOR BEING HERE AT SUCH A CONVENIENT TIME 10 O'CLOCK ON A WEDNESDAY, I'M SURE NOBODY HAD ANYTHING ELSE TO DO BUT COME TO OUR PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE.
BUT EQUAL IS IMPORTANT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WE'VE SPENT TONS OF TIME TALKING TO AND MEETING WITH OVER THE LAST MONTH OVER THIS ISSUE.
THIS ISSUE FROM MY VANTAGE POINT AROSE FROM THE COMMUNITY.
AS I BELIEVE ONE OF THE INITIAL, I THINK IT WAS MISS PELL ART SAID THAT JUNE 4TH NEWSPAPER ARTICLE OR ONLINE ARTICLE, I GUESS I SHOULD SAY IN THE MODERN AGE, GENERATED A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS SUCH THAT MY OFFICE, WE STARTED GETTING CALLS OFF THE HOOK WITH LOTS OF CONCERNS, ALL THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED TODAY.
FROM MY IMPRESSION, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR MY COLLEAGUES, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE IS IN
[01:40:01]
AGREEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CONCERNS ARE ALLEVIATED.BUT SO WHAT WE PROPOSE, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLARIFIED WHAT THE ITEM THAT I HAD DRAFTED ALONG WITH COUNCILMAN TEMPLET I'M NUMBER 84, IS NOT JUST A ZONING STUDY, IT IS A AN OVERALL LAND USE STUDY THAT I THINK IS THE BEST AVENUE TO ADDRESS ALL OF THE CONCERNS FROM EVERYONE HERE ON THAT PROPERTY.
WHY? WHAT IS THE INTENTION? NOT TO CHANGE THE ZONING AT ALL, BUT TO PROVIDE DATA, TO PROVIDE AN EVALUATION, TO PROVIDE ANALYSIS THAT WILL SHOW IF X HAPPENS AT THIS SITE, HERE'S WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
IF Y HAPPENS ON THIS SITE, THIS IS WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE.
IF ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE HAPPENS, THIS IS WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE.
ALL OF THAT SERVES A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT GOALS.
THE COMMENTS ABOUT RETENTION PARK OR JUST GREEN SPACE HAVE BEEN MADE.
LOOK, GOD KNOWS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE DONE, I'VE TRAVELED TO OVER A DOZEN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND STUDIED THE GOVERNING BODIES OF OTHER COMMUNITIES TO SEE WHAT ARE THEY DOING IN OTHER PLACES THAT'S BETTER THAN US.
THE INCREASE IN GREEN SPACE IN PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS ABSOLUTELY THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE, IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE CHALLENGE THAT WE DO HAVE LEGALLY IS, IF WE TELL THE SCHOOL BOARD OR WE DECIDE THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE THERE IS A PARK OR GREEN SPACE OR RETENTION POND, OR EVEN POTENTIALLY A MORATORIUM ON THERE.
MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW, AND I CLAIM TO BE NOT NEARLY AS MUCH OF AN EXPERT AS SAY MR. ROBIN CHEATHAM AND ONE OF THEM, BUT I DABBLE IN IT A LITTLE BIT.
THE LITTLE BIT THAT I DO KNOW IS THAT OR MISS [INAUDIBLE] SON ATN IS WAY SMARTER THAN ME.
BUT THE FACT IS, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IS THAT WOULD BE POTENTIALLY CONSIDERED A TAKINGS OR AN EXPROPRIATION, WHICH MEANS THE PARISH CAN FORCE IT, BUT BASICALLY WE BECOME THE BUYER OF THE PROPERTY.
THAT MAY VERY WELL BE WHAT THE PARISH COULD ULTIMATELY DECIDE TO DO.
BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, IN ORDER TO FORCE THAT ISSUE, THERE'S A SERIES OF STEPS THAT HAVE TO TAKE PLACE.
ONE OF WHICH IS TO SHOW THE JUSTIFICATION, THE PUBLIC PURPOSE.
ONE OF THOSE PUBLIC PURPOSES MAY VERY WELL BE THAT ANY DEVELOPMENT ON THAT SITE WOULD CAUSE DRAMATIC DRAINAGE, ADVERSE IMPACTS TO THE COMMUNITY, OR COULD BE THE TRAFFIC.
BUT THERE'S ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT COULD BE A DETRIMENT TO THE COMMUNITY, THAT COULD BE USED AS THE PUBLIC PURPOSE TO JUSTIFY A PURCHASE OF THAT PROPERTY BY THE PARISH, IF THAT IS WHAT IS DEEMED BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY.
MY BELIEF IS, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THE ANALYSIS, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THE DATA.
WE'VE GO DO THE RESEARCH TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW THE ANSWERS TO ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS.
R1A, I BELIEVE IT WAS SAID BEFORE.
NO DOUBT CONCEPTUALLY, I THINK EVERYONE'S BELIEF SEEMS TO BE IF WE CAN KEEP THIS RESIDENTIAL, THAT MAKES THE COMMUNITY MAYBE NOT THE MOST HAPPY BECAUSE MAYBE RETENTION POND, A GREEN SPACE WOULD BE IDEAL, BUT IT WOULD SOLVE A LOT OF ISSUES.
BUT IT DOESN'T SOLVE ALL OF THEM.
BECAUSE PUTTING THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF LOTS THAT THE LAW ALLOWS IN THERE COULD VERY WELL CREATE AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM OR MORE THAN ALREADY EXIST POTENTIALLY.
WE'RE VERY MUCH HYPOTHESIZING AT THIS POINT, AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SEE IS A COMPARISON IF IT'S 50 BY 100 LOTS AND THERE'S 85 OF THEM IN THERE.
HERE'S WHAT THE COMMUNITY CAN EXPECT.
DRAINAGE, TRAFFIC EFFECT ON THE TREE LINE, ON THE TREE CANOPY.
ALL OF THOSE THOSE ITEMS, BECAUSE WHEN YOU DO THESE URBAN PLANNING STUDIES, THAT'S ALL THE STUFF THEY LOOK AT.
IF A CERTAIN DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS HERE, HERE'S WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE ON ALL OF THOSE ISSUES AND EVEN MORE THAT WE'RE NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT.
ALTERNATIVELY, WHAT IF THE LATS WERE 100 FOOT WIDE? WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? THEN OTHER ALTERNATIVES UP AND DOWN THE LINE.
WHAT IF A SECTION WAS RESERVED FOR GREEN SPACE? SO A DEVELOPER WERE EITHER ENCOURAGED OR FORCED TO DO THAT.
HERE'S WHY I THINK THAT'S SO IMPORTANT.
I'M GOING TO ECHO MY COMMENTS.
I'M GOING TO TIE BACK TO MY COMMENTS THAT I MADE EARLIER ON IN THE QUESTIONS.
WHATEVER HAPPENS ON THIS SITE WILL INVOLVE THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD INVOLVEMENT, AND ULTIMATELY THE COUNCIL.
WHAT I WOULD HATE TO SEE HAPPEN, WHAT I FEAR, AND UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE I'VE SEEN THIS HAPPEN AT THE CANTER COUNCIL LEVEL, THE PARISH COUNCIL LEVEL.
DEVELOPER A, BUYS THIS PROPERTY WITH
[01:45:01]
THIS IDEA THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO SOME GRANDIOSE PLAN.THEY MEET WITH PEOPLE UP AND DOWN THE LINE TO GET A WINK AND A NOD THAT IT MIGHT BE OKAY, THEY BUY THE PROPERTY AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY GO TO THE PLANNING ENVIRONMENT HAVING ALREADY BOUGHT THE PROPERTY AND WANT TO PUSH AND PUSH AND PUSH FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT TO HAPPEN AND START USING, OH MAN, YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IF YOU DON'T APPROVE THIS.
WHAT I WOULD RATHER SEE HAPPEN IS WHETHER IT'S THIS COUNCIL, THE NEXT COUNCIL, OR MULTIPLE COUNSELORS DOWN THE LINE TO ALREADY HAVE SOME DATA IN HAND, TO ALREADY HAVE SOME ANALYSIS IN HAND THAT THEY CAN GO TO AND KEEP IN MIND.
WHEN WE FORCE DEVELOPERS TO DO TRAFFIC STUDIES, THEY DO IT.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S AN OUTSIDE FIRM, BUT STILL THEY COMMISSION THE STUDY.
HAVE THAT ANALYSIS DONE, SO THAT WHATEVER PROPOSALS ARE MADE TO PLANNING ADVISORY, AND THEN THIS COUNCIL, THERE'S ALREADY AN ANALYSIS DONE TO GIVE SOME DATA AND SOME ANALYSIS, SOMETHING TO LEAN ON AND MAKE AN EDUCATED AND INFORMED DECISION.
THAT'S WHAT'S BEHIND WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING.
I THINK IT'S AN ISSUE THAT RELATES TO ANY OF THESE PROPERTIES, AND I THINK PART OF WHAT WAS DISCUSSED IS HOW MUCH GREEN SPACE SHOULD BE NEEDED.
THE COMMENT ABOUT HOW MUCH FRONTAGE SHOULD HAVE GREEN SPACE VERSUS CONCRETE.
THAT'S ALL AN ISSUE. BECAUSE LISTEN, THINK ABOUT THAT.
WHEN YOU PUT SLABS, IF YOU PUT 85 SLABS IN THERE PLUS DRIVEWAYS, HOW MUCH GREEN SPACE? WELL, RIGHT NOW THIS CONCRETE PARKING LOT, SO MAYBE IT MIGHT NOT BE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN IT IS NOW, BUT THE FACT IS THAT'S AN ISSUE.
ALL OF THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED.
I DO LOOK AT KERNEL, MADE SOME COMMENTS THAT I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO AGREE WITH, AND PROBABLY THE MOST COGENT IS AN INCORRECT DEVELOPMENT ON THAT SITE WILL HARM OUR AREA.
I'M SORRY IF I MISQUOTED YOU, BUT I THINK THAT'S MORE OR LESS WHAT I HEARD.
THAT'S MY CONCERN IS WHAT AN INCORRECT DEVELOPMENT ON THAT SITE, WHAT HARM WILL THAT DO TO THE AREA? THIS IS, AS COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SAID AS WELL.
NOT WHEN SOME DEVELOPER OR SOME NEW PROPERTY OWNER HAS AN ITEM ON THE PAB AGENDA OR HAS AN ITEM ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA TRYING TO PUSH SOMETHING AND PUT PRESSURE ON THE ITEM.
I THINK THIS IS SO PRUDENT, VERY COGENT WAY TO GO THROUGH IT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN AVOID POTENTIAL FUTURE PROBLEMS, AND THE INPUT, THE PUBLIC DISCORD HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL, HAS BEEN A PLEASURE.
I CERTAINLY SUPPORT ALL OF THE ITEMS. I THINK ASPIRATIONALLY, IF THE SCHOOL BOARD WERE TO DONATE THAT PROPERTY, THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
THERE ARE IN FAIRNESS TO THEM, I BELIEVE THERE'S SOME IMPEDIMENTS TO THAT ON A NUMBER OF LEVELS.
LEGALLY BEING THE BIGGEST ONE.
BUT THAT BEING SAID, THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
I SUPPORT THE MEASURES COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN CAN PUT FORWARD, BECAUSE I THINK IT ADEQUATELY EXPRESSES OUR WILL AND OUR INTENTION.
OUR STUDY THAT I'M PROPOSING IS NOT TO CHANGE THE ZONING, BUT TO GIVE EVERYONE AN IDEA, SOME CONCRETE DATA TO SHOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF ALL THESE DIFFERENT OPTIONS HAPPENS.
FOR THAT REASON, I'M ASKING MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING THAT ITEM AND THANK EVERYONE, INCLUDING COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN,.
COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE], FOR THEIR HARD WORK ON MAKING THIS HAPPEN. THANK YOU, COUNCIL CHAIRMAN.
>> THANK YOU. ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYONE COMING OUT THIS MORNING.
I'M PROBABLY GOING TO ECHO SOME OF THE SAME VERBIAGE YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD FROM MY COLLEAGUES AND COUNSELING AND FOR STATO.
BUT FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO MAKE PERFECTLY CLEAR.
I'M NOT HERE REPRESENTING A DEVELOPER.
I'M NOT HERE REPRESENTING A CONTRACT, I'M NOT HERE REPRESENTING THE INVESTOR.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE WITHIN JEFFERSON PARISH IN WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.
THERE'S A LOT OF TALK OF WANTING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY.
THAT'S WHAT ITEM NUMBER 84 DOES, PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IN DOING A STUDY THAT WE'RE CALLING.
I'VE BEEN PART OF REPRESENTING THE POWERS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND EVERY STUDY HAS COME BACK AND SAYING PEOPLE WANT MORE BIKEABLE, WALKABLE GREEN SPACE WITHIN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT NOTES IN THIS STUDY, IF YOU LOOK AT, IT STATES THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE LOOK AT EVERY POSSIBILITY OF GREEN SPACE WITHIN THIS HAYNES DEVELOPMENT IN THESE TWO TRACKS OF LAND.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS PROTECTED, THE TREE CANOPY IS PROTECTED.
THE SEWER, THE WATER, ALL HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO HANDLE ANY TYPE OF IMPROVEMENT.
[01:50:03]
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAN SUSTAIN IT, AS WELL AS THE DRAINAGE.I HEARD A GENTLEMAN TALK ABOUT PONTO PARK WITH THE PUMPS AND USING THAT AS A TYPE OF DRAINAGE FACILITY.
WE HAVE MULTIPLE DRAINAGE FACILITIES AND PARKS THAT ARE USED AS DETENTION PONDS.
A LOT OF THEM ARE GRAVITY FED TO DRAIN AND RETAIN THE WATER FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, AND THEN THEIR GRAVITY FED THE RELIEF SUCH WATER.
WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO PUT PUMPS WITHIN THOSE FACILITIES TO DO SO.
THE MAIN FOCUS HERE IS TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND LOOK, I'LL BE HONEST, YOU HEARD IT TWICE THIS MORNING ABOUT AN ARTICLE.
WELL, HERE GO LOOK UP IN JUNE 4TH, IT'S IN THE TOWN'S TRIBUNE, OF WHERE THIS IS WHERE ALL THE CONVERSATION WAS SPARKED FROM.
MY PHONE STARTED RINGING OFF THE HOOK AFTER THAT ARTICLE ON THAT SUNDAY AND THAT MONDAY MORNING I HAD A LOT OF CONCERNED CITIZENS WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMERCIAL ASPECT.
I THINK THE LAST GENTLEMAN SPOKE AT THE MIC MENTIONED THAT CONCERNS THAT I MIGHT BE SUPPORTING COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON METAIRIE ROAD.
THE PEOPLE THAT WERE IN THAT MEETING WHEN I MET WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF STANDING ROOM ONLY, I COMMITTED TO THE FACT THAT I DO NOT SUPPORT ANY TYPE OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON METAIRIE ROAD, THAT WOULD ONLY STICK WITHIN R1A, OR I TRIED TO EXPLAIN GOING TO R1B GIVES YOU A OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE LESS DENSITY WITHIN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AS FAR AS FUNDING IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, DONATING LAND, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'M BEING TOLD THAT'S NOT AN OPTION.
YOU COULD CALL YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND FIND OUT.
BUT PURCHASING THE LAND IS AN OPTION.
BECAUSE IT WON'T BE FOR SALE, AND SO THERE'S THE TALK OF OPTIONS OF FUNDING.
WELL, I'M JUST GOING TO STATE THIS, EACH DISTRICT HAD FUNDING CAPABILITY FROM OPA FUNDS OF ROUGHLY $12 MILLION FOR EACH DISTRICT, SO HAS DISTRICT 5.
THOSE DOLLARS COULD BE LOOKED AT, LOOKING TO NOT MAYBE BUY ALL THE LAND, BUT COULD BE LOOKED AT AT BUYING SOME OF THE LAND AND MAINTAINING A GREEN SPACE WITHIN THIS AREA.
IT'S JUST HOW THEY'RE APPROPRIATED.
BUT I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT I'M STANDING WITH YOU, NOT AGAINST YOU TO TRY TO JUST MAKE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
LOOK, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE WITHOUT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND FAMILIES, WE HAVE NO ONE TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES.
LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH YOU, I WANT TO THANK THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES BECAUSE MYSELF AND COUNCILMAN PISTOLETTO HAS MET NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES CRAFTING ITEM NUMBER 84, TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AND THEIRS IS TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
HOPEFULLY, THEY ALL CAN SUPPORT IT, A FEW OF MY COLLEAGUES.
I DO WANT TO STATE THE OTHER ITEMS ON HERE, I THINK THREE OF THEM AT LEAST ARE REALLY MORE FEEL-GOOD MEASURES.
THEY REALLY DON'T DICTATE LAW.
ITEM NUMBER 84 DICTATES LAW AND DOES A STUDY, AND THEN YOU HAVE AN OUTCOME AFTER THAT. THANK YOU.
>> I'LL END THE CONVERSATION BY THANKING YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
THIS IS WHAT THE PROCESS LOOKS LIKE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING US HEAR YOUR CONCERNS.
BECAUSE I KNOW I LIVE IN THIS AREA TOO.
I HEAR EVERY COMMENT AND CONCERN, I GET THE EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS AND THEY'VE BEEN CONSTANT EVERY DAY.
KNOW THAT YOU ARE BEING HEARD.
I KNOW THAT FOR SOME, THERE IS AN INNATE DISTRUST OF GOVERNMENT AND ULTERIOR MOTIVES AND WHATEVER.
BUT ON THIS ISSUE, KNOW THAT YOU ARE BEING HEARD AND WHEREVER THIS LANDS WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD, WHATEVER COMES NEXT, KNOW THAT THIS COUNCIL AND HOPEFULLY FUTURE COUNCILS WILL BE COMMITTED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT BOILS DOWN TO THAT, THE RIGHT THING FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND GOVERNMENT CAN DO THE RIGHT THING.
I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS CAUSE, AND WE'VE HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR FOR MONTHS, SO WHEREVER THIS ENDS UP WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD, WHETHER WE WORK WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION, OR WE WORK WITH OTHER ENTITIES TO COME UP WITH THE SOLUTION, WE WILL WORK AND WE'LL TRY AND DO THE BEST THING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE THAT YOUR VOICES ARE HEARD AS LOUD AS THEY CAN BE.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
MS. EULA, I THINK WE CAN TAKE 77 THROUGH 80 IN GLOBAL AND THEN 84 WITH THE AMENDMENT SEPARATELY.
WE'LL DO THOSE TWO ITEMS APART.
[01:55:04]
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION ON THE COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN CAN MOTION ON THAT, 77 THROUGH 80 YOUR MOTION AND TAKING THOSE IN GLOBAL?>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE IN GLOBAL ADOPTION OF NUMBER 77, 78, 79, AND 80 ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
NOW, WE WILL TAKE NUMBER 84 WITH THE AMENDMENTS, PLEASE MS. EULA.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD TO CONDUCT A ZONING AND OR LAND-USE STUDY TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE R1A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, MRTPD, METAIRIE RIDGE TREE PRESERVATION DISTRICT, AND THE R1B SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL MRTPD, METAIRIE RIDGE TREE PRESERVATION DISTRICT, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS AFFECTED BY THE DECOMMISSIONING OF HAYNES ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES, BY THE APPROVED PLAN OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, ALLEVIATE, MITIGATE, AND OR ELIMINATE THOSE POTENTIAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
THEN THE FIFTH WHEREAS HAYNES ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES LOCATED AT 1416 METAIRIE ROAD, HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS APPROVED PLAN.
THEN THE SIXTH, WHEREAS ADDING THE LANGUAGE TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, ALLEVIATE, MITIGATE, AND OR ELIMINATE ALL POTENTIAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS.
THEN SEVENTH WHEREAS JEFFERSON PARISH WILL CONDUCT PUBLIC MEETINGS TO OBTAIN CITIZEN INPUT REGARDING THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
EIGHTH, WHEREAS JEFFERSON PARISH ACKNOWLEDGES THAT CURRENT INPUT FROM RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS AT HAYNES ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES STRONGLY DESIRE THAT THESE PARCELS ARE ONLY LIMITED TO R1A AND R1B.
THEN NEXT, WHEREAS JEFFERSON PARISH WILL STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF INCLUDING PUBLIC GREEN SPACE WITHIN THE EFFECTIVE PARCELS FOR THE SCHOOL PROPERTY.
THEN IN SECTION 1, THAT THE JEFFERSON PARISH PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD, I HEREBY AUTHORIZE TO CONDUCT ANY NECESSARY ZONING AND OR LAND-USE STUDY TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE ARM WHEN A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL METAIRIE RIDGE TREE PRESERVATION DISTRICT THEN R1B SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL, METAIRIE RIDGE TREE PRESERVATION DISTRICT, WITH NO OTHER ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THIS STUDY FOR THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS HAYNES ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES LOCATED AT 1416.
METAIRIE ROAD BOUNDED BY METAIRIE ROAD, ELLIS PARKWAY, CRESTMONT, AND MAGNOLIA DRIVE, AND DRIVE TO ONE, IDENTIFY THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF SAID SITE, AND ATTEMPTING TO ALLEVIATE OR MITIGATE ANY SUCH ADVERSE IMPACTS ON THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AFFECTED BY THE DECOMMISSIONING OF THIS SCHOOL.
TWO, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, ALLEVIATE, MITIGATE OR ELIMINATE THOSE POTENTIAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
THEN SECTION 2, THAT JEFFERSON PARISH WILL CONDUCT PUBLIC MEETINGS TO OBTAIN CITIZEN INPUT REGARDING THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
SECTION 3, THAT THE JEFFERSON PARISH PLANNING DEPARTMENT TAKES STRONG CONSIDERATION OF THE INPUT FROM RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS OF HAYNES ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES IN THEIR DESIRE THAT THESE PARCELS ARE ONLY LIMITED TO R1A AND R1B.
SECTION 4, THAT JEFFERSON PARISH WILL STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF INCLUDING PUBLIC GREEN SPACE WITHIN THE AFFECTED PARCELS.
THEN SECTION 5, THAT ANY MORATORIUM OR INTERIM DEVELOPMENT, STANDARDS PROPOSALS, AND OR OTHER REQUESTS RELATED TO HAYNES ACADEMY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES LOCATED AT 1416 METAIRIE ROAD BOUNDED BY METAIRIE ROAD, ELLIS PARKWAY, CRESTMONT, AND MAGNOLIA DRIVE, AND HOLLY DRIVE REQUIRE A RESONANCE WITHIN 500 FEET OF THE PROPERTY TO BE NOTIFIED VIA MAIL MINIMUM OF 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ANY DECISION BEING MADE BY THE COUNCIL.
[02:00:03]
THAT'S ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE TO READ.>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION NUMBER 84 AS AMENDED.
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 84 AS AMENDED ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. THANK YOU ALL.
YOU'RE FREE TO CONTINUE YOUR LIVES IF YOU'D LIKE [LAUGHTER].
WE'LL GIVE YOU A MOMENT TO ROLL OUT IF YOU'D LIKE.
EVERYBODY IS READY, WE'LL CONTINUE ON AND GO TO
[PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA]
THE PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL.ANYBODY WHO'S STAYING, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEAT. WE'LL MOVE ON.
>> HANG ON ONE SECOND MS. PEARSON.
>> NOW, ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL MAY DO SO ON OTHER MATTERS NOT RELATED TO THE HAYNES TOPICS ON THE AGENDA.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK, YOU FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS AND PLEASE HAND IT UP FRONT.
WHEN YOU GET TO THE PODIUM, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK, AND LET'S JUST LET EVERYTHING QUIET DOWN FOR ONE SECOND MS. PEARSON.
IF EVERYBODY COULD TAKE A SEAT PLEASE.
>> IN FRONT OF THE LINE THIS TIME.
>> I THINK AS SOON AS THOSE DOORS CLOSE WE'LL BE IN GOOD SHAPE. GO AHEAD, MS. PEARSON.
>> NANCY PEARSON, 8924 RENSU DRIVE IN RIVER RIDGE.
AS PRESIDENT OF THE RIVER RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, I GET QUITE A FEW TEXTS, EMAILS, AND PHONE CALLS WITH REGARD TO WHAT I'M HOPING WE CAN CHANGE IN YOUR RESOLUTION 114, WHICH IS FOR A CONTRACT FOR AIR QUALITY WITHIN PARISH BUILDINGS.
I'M HOPING THAT AT SOME POINT WE CAN AMEND THAT.
I LOOKED UP THE RESOLUTION AND IT'S JUST FOR PARISH BUILDINGS AND IT'S JUST FOR INSIDE.
I LOOKED UP THE COMPANY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO THE CONTRACT WITH AND I'M HOPING THAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING OUTSIDE AIR QUALITY, AND THAT WE COULD AMEND THAT RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE AIR QUALITY IN OUR AREA.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PROBLEMS IN RIVER RIDGE WITH THE AIR QUALITY.
FRIDAY NIGHT, I WAS OUT WALKING THE NEIGHBORHOODS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM BECAUSE IT'S IN POCKETS.
WE'VE ALWAYS ASSUMED THAT IT CAME FROM ONE PLACE BECAUSE IN THE BEGINNING UNDER THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL AND THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, IT WAS COMING FROM ONE SOURCE AND IT WAS TERRIBLE.
BUT I'M NOT CONFIDENT THAT'S WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.
WE NEED TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHERE IT'S COMING FROM SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.
IT'S DEFINITELY A QUALITY OF LIFE AND I'M HOPING THAT YOU CAN AMEND AT SOME POINT THAT RESOLUTION 114 TO INCLUDE OUTSIDE AIR, NOT JUST IN PARISH BUILDINGS. THANK YOU.
>> GO AHEAD. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.
I LIVE AT 241 AURORA, AND I'M HERE TODAY, BOTH AS A RESIDENT BUT ALSO AS A MEMBER OF THE BONNEVILLE CIVIC ASSOCIATION.
THANK YOU TO COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN FOR YOUR TIME AND THE EXPLANATIONS YOU HAVE PROVIDED TO OUR GROUP REGARDING THE SUBDIVISION OF THE PROPERTY AT 316 FOSTER.
I'M SPEAKING TO THAT TODAY, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER 7.
WHILE WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE SUBDIVISION MEETS THE LOT SIZE.
[02:05:02]
>> MA'AM, THAT'S ITEMS AND ORDINANCE AND YOU CAN SPEAK ON IT WHEN IT COMES UP.
>> DON'T SPEAK OUT HERE. I'M SORRY.
BUT YOU'RE NOT EXPECTED TO KNOW THAT.
BUT WHEN THE ITEM COMES UP ON THE AGENDA, YOU CAN GET UP AND SPEAK AT THAT POINT.
>> ALMORELLA 4260 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, 5TH DISTRICT KENNER, 4TH DISTRICT GOING TO INCOOPERATE JEFFERSON, 51 YEARS.
RESOLUTION NUMBERS 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 95, 85, 109, 110, 132, AND 99, 192, AND 97 I'LL SAVE FOR LAST BECAUSE THOSE CONTRACTS HAVE NOT BEEN BUILT YET.
ADDITIONAL WORK 51, 52 ADDITIONAL WORKING DAYS, NO MONEY.
FIFTY-THREE, 62 ADDITIONAL WORKING DAYS, NO MONEY.
FIFTY-FOUR, $300,000 CREDIT MATERIALS DIDN'T MEET SPECS, NET INCREASE 102,000.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO TO THE NEXT ITEM.
NINETY-FIVE, 95 THE CONTRACT AND WENT BANKRUPT.
WE HAVE SECURE ANOTHER CONTRACTOR.
EIGHTY-FIVE, FIVE MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE, ADDITIONAL GRANTS, ADDITIONAL WORK.
109, 1.3 MILLION ADDITIONAL FEMA FUNDS PROJECT COMPLETE.
ADDITIONAL FEMA FUNDS PROJECT COMPLETE.
132, INCREASE TO $30,000 ADDITIONAL WORK.
NOW 90, 91, 92, AND 97 CONTRACT HAS NOT BEEN BID YET, AND ALL OF THESE FOUR ITEMS, THESE ADDITIONAL COSTS ADDED TO THE CONTRACT IS DESIGNED IN INSPECTION FEES.
NINETY, IS $101,000 ADDITION, 91 IS $30,000 ADDITION, 92, $50,000 ADDITION, AND 97 IS A $35,000 ADDITION.
I'M GOING TOO FAST FOR YOU PEOPLE? SCOTT WALKER, YOU LOOK BEFUDDLED OVER THERE, MAN. Y'ALL RIGHT.
>> ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I AM IMPRESSED WITH YOUR MEMORY.
>> I GUESS THAT'S NOT TOO BAD.
I WANTED TO ATTEND THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, BUT IT WAS CANCELED BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY LAST ONE AT 76 YEARS OLD, SO NOW THIS IS MY FIRST ONE AT 77.
I WANTED TO TELL YOU BEFORE I LEAVE THE PODIUM 77 LOOKING AT HAVING A D FOR ANOTHER 23. THANK YOU.
>> I'M VERY HONORED TO FOLLOW THAT GENTLEMAN.
I AM FORMER RESIDENT OF NEW YORK, BUT NOW I MAY CONVERTED CAJUN CHRISTIAN LIVING IN JENNIFER VAN VRANCKEN DISTRICT.
I LIVE AT 3900 NORTH TURNBULL DRIVE, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA.
I WANT TO ADDRESS WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR LIBRARIES AND ACROSS THIS NATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE EXPOSURE OF OUR CHILDREN TO BOOKS THAT ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE THAT REALLY SHOULD BE NOT IN PURVIEW OF THEIR SIGHT.
>> SIR, THIS ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA SO YOU CAN SPEAK AT THE END OF THE MEETING ON THIS.
I THOUGHT AS YOU SAID IT WAS OPEN.
>> IT'S JUST ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. I WILL COME BACK.
>> AGAIN, YOU'RE NOT EXPECTED TO KNOW THAT.
>> BUT I'M A CRAWFISH CAJUN EATING CHRISTIAN NOW.
>> OKAY GUYS, 509 HOME JUST TRYING TO SPARK SOME CURIOSITY AND AWAY WE GO.
82, 85, 90, 96, 108, 110, 112, 121, 128-42, 155, 156.
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN TURNED ON ITS HEAD TRUST ME.
TURN YOUR BALLOT UPSIDE DOWN AND JUST WORRY ABOUT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND THE EXECUTIVES.
YOU DON'T KNOW THE JOB ANYBODY ELSE. FIGURE THAT OUT.
WITH RESOLUTION 121, MY FAVORITE TOPIC, AND IN FACT, THIS IS THE DOCUMENT THAT INSPIRED MY CHIEF OF STAFF TO SAY THAT IT MADE TOO MUCH SENSE TO PASS AND IT REGARDS ITEM 121.
WE'RE GOING TO INSTALL ANOTHER ALWAYS STOPS AND I'M BETTING SOMEBODY'S HERE TO BEG FOR THEM TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION AND OR THANK THEM FOR HAVING DOING SO BECAUSE THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF OUR PARISH COUNCIL GET TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT ANY GIVEN NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGHOUT THE UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON PARISH
[02:10:03]
CAN ACTUALLY HAVE A STOP SIGN TO REDRESS THAT RECKLESS DRIVING.HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEING RUN OVER IN THIS PARISH AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ANY OF THESE OFFICIALS TO ADDRESS THE RECKLESS DRIVING? IT'S GETTING TERRIBLE THROUGHOUT THE PARISH, ESPECIALLY THOSE PLACES THAT ARE ON THE FRINGES OF THESE DISTRICTS.
AFTER IDA, THERE WERE THREE DISTRICTS THAT COMPLAINED AND THEY'RE THE ONES THAT SUFFER FOR NOT HAVING THAT SURPLUS MEMBER.
2, 3, AND 4, THEY LACK FOR THE EXTRA REPRESENTATIVE.
SO WHEN IT COMES TO THE STOP SIGN, ONLY DISTRICT 5 IS MADE UP OF UNINCORPORATED ONLY JEFFERSON PARISH.
WHETHER IT'S THE CITIZENS ON AURORA, BROKEN BOW THAT HAD TO BEG FOR YEARS, THEY HAD TO WORK TO GET A STOP SIGN PETITIONS SIGNED, THIS JUST SAYS HERE, THE SEVERITY OF COLLISIONS MAY ALSO BE REDUCED.
BASICALLY, THE TACOMA WASHINGTON APPROACH IS TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE PLACEMENT OF STOP SIGNS SUCH THAT A MOTORS WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO TRAVEL THROUGH TWO NEIGHBORHOOD INTERSECTIONS.
IMAGINE YOU'RE 20 MILE ON OUR STREETS.
IF YOU THINK TO PUT A STOP SIGN, YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE KILLED.
IT'S INSANE, BUT THE GOOD SENSE THE PEOPLE HAS BEEN LOST.
THESE PEOPLE CONSIDER THEMSELVES LEADERS NOT PUBLIC SERVANTS.
WHILE I'M THRILLED TO SEE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IN DISTRICT 4 THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND AND TOLEDANO, I'M THRILLED TO SEE THEIR RECKLESS DRIVING OR DRESSED.
IT'S SHAMEFUL THAT THIS COUNCIL CAN'T FIGURE THIS OUT.
IT'S SHAMEFUL THAT THEY'RE DEFER TO CRIMINALITY OBEDIENCE STUDIES DATING BACK TO 1906, RHETORIC FROM A TRANSPORTATION OF PROVEN ASSOCIATION BASED IN 1960S.
NOW WITH REGARDS TO 82, REALIZE THIS FOR EVERY $100 THAT WE PAY A PARISH EMPLOYEE AND TRUST ME, YOU'RE PAYING SOME OF THESE PEOPLE $100,000.
YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE ME A 5% COLA INCREASE, THAT'S $5,000 RAISE TO THEM.
BUT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THE RAISE, IT'S PITONS AND FOR EVERY $100 A PARISH EMPLOYEE MAKES, ALL OF US, WHILE YOU ONLY GET 6.25 DEVOTED TO YOUR RETIREMENT THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY, THEY'RE EXEMPTED.
AS TAXPAYERS WERE PAYING $11.50 FOR EVERY $100 THAT A PARISH EMPLOYEE EARNS TWICE WHAT WE GAINED FOR OUR RETIREMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE TURNED A BLIND EYE TO HOW WE'RE GOVERNED.
>> ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
I THINK WE'LL HIT EXECUTIVE SESSION JUST A FEW MINUTES EARLY.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
MISSOULA, IF YOU CAN READ THOSE ITEMS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION 1, 2, 3, 4, AND 5.I'M SORRY, YOU ARE UNMUTED ON MY END.
YOU SHOULD BE GOOD, IT'S GREEN.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING THE LAWSUIT ENTITLED THOMAS GIBSON JUNIOR ET AL VERSUS JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER 2 ET AL, 24TH JDC NUMBER 789884, DIVISION E. YOU WANT TO DO THEM ALL IN?
>> CAN WE DO IT THAT WAY? OR YOU JUST GO ON EACH ONE [OVERLAPPING].
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, ON THAT RESOLUTION, EXCUSE ME.
ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN NIMBASADO SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING THE LAWSUIT DONNA MCKAY VERSUS THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, CONSOLIDATED WATERWORKS DISTRICT NUMBER 1 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND VAN HUGHES, 24TH JDC NUMBER 836967, DIVISION B.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER [INAUDIBLE]
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING THE LAWSUIT, TIMOTHY FALCON AND JOEL FALCON VERSUS THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL 24TH JDC NUMBER 821019, DIVISION AGE 24TH, JDC NUMBER 831763, DIVISION G, FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL NUMBER 22CA526.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING THE LAWSUIT ENTITLED STACY BACON VERSUS JEFFERSON PARISH FIRE DEPARTMENT OWC DOCKET NUMBER 2105454 DISTRICT 7.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[02:15:01]
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.WE'RE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE ARE NOW RESUMING OUR MEETING.
IF EVERYBODY CAN GET QUIET AND TAKE A SEAT.
PLEASE, MISSOULA, CAN YOU READ THOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS NUMBER 3, PLEASE? HANG ON. I'M SORRY.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN THE LAWSUIT ENTITLED THOMAS GIBSON JUNIOR ET AL VERSUS JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER 2, ET AL, 24TH JDC NUMBER 789- 884, DIVISION E.
>> THIS IS JUST THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM. SORRY.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 4 PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN THE LAWSUIT ENTITLED DONNA MCKAY VERSUS THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA CONSOLIDATED WATERWORKS DISTRICT NUMBER 1 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA AND VAN HUGHES, 24TH, JDC NUMBER 836- 967 DIVISION B.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE] SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 5, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN THE LAWSUIT ENTITLED STACY BACON VERSUS JEFFERSON PARISH FIRE DEPARTMENT OWC DOCKET.
>> I'M SORRY, THAT'S NUMBER 6 MADAM CLERK.
>> I THINK YOU SKIPPED OVER NUMBER 5. I'M SORRY.
THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT OUT. OKAY. I'M SORRY. NUMBER 6, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN THE LAWSUIT ENTITLED STACY BACON VERSUS JEFFERSON PARISH FIRE DEPARTMENT, OWC DOCKET NUMBER 21- 05454. DISTRICT 7.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE] SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
THAT TAKES CARE OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS SO NOW LET'S START WITH ITEM NUMBER 1.
[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (Part 1 of 2)]
[LAUGHTER]>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING AND SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE DESIGNING CONSTRUCTION FOR THE GRAND ISLE WATERLINE LOWERING PROJECT [INAUDIBLE] TO GRAND ISLE COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
>> YOUR SELECTION COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF THE AIMS GROUP ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE. SO ORDERED.
>> ITEM NUMBER 2 PLEASE MADAM CLERK,.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING TO PROVIDE EVENT SECURITY AND STAFFING SERVICES FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS WITH THE RIGHT TO EXTEND THIS CONTRACT FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR FOR THE JOHN [INAUDIBLE] SENIOR EVENTS CENTER ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS UNDER RFP NUMBER 0454 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3,.
>> I THINK IT WAS ONLY ONE [INAUDIBLE]
>> YES. IT WAS NOLA PROTECTION GROUP.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF NOLA PROTECTION GROUP, LLC? THE ONLY SUBMITTAL ON THAT PROJECT, ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE. SO ORDERED.
SKIP PAST EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM NUMBER 7, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES.
[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES (Part 1 of 2)]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26135 WITH SUB LOT 29 A^2 13 VULNERABLE PLACE, SUBDIVISION ES5323 COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26135.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
>> HOLD ON. LET ME GET YOU A MICROPHONE.
>> ROBIN CHEATHAM ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY.
WITH ME TODAY IS SCOTT CHEATHAM.
HE'S ALSO PART OF THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY.
MY WIFE, WHO'S THE MANAGING MEMBER OF THE CONTRACTOR, AS WELL AS MY DAUGHTER WHO WORKS WITH MY WIFE AS THE CONTRACTOR.
WE'RE HERE TODAY FOR THIS RE-SUBDIVISION OF LOT 29A INTO TWO LOTS, 29A1, AND 209A2.
THIS PROPERTY BEARS MUNICIPAL NUMBER 316 PHOSPHOR AVENUE.
THE PROPERTY WE ACQUIRED IT IN MARCH OF 2023 FOR $1.1 MILLION.
THE CURRENT CONFIGURATION OF PROPERTY, AS CAN BE SEEN FROM THE DIAGRAM THAT'S ON THE SCREEN, IT'S 112 FEET FRONT BY 162 FEET AND DEPTH,
[02:20:01]
WE'RE SEEKING TO RE-SUBDIVIDE THE PROPERTY INTO TWO LOTS.ONE THAT'S 62 BY 162, THE OTHER ONE, IT IS 50 BY 162.
BOTH OF THE LOTS WOULD FAR EXCEED THE MINIMUM LOT DIMENSIONS REQUIRED BY THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON.
IT WOULD RETURN THE LOTS TO THE TWO LOT CONFIGURATION WHICH EXISTED WITH THIS PROPERTY FROM 1939 UNTIL 1993.
SUBJECT TO THE COUNCIL'S DECISION, WE'VE ALSO DESIGNED A HOME FOR THE LARGER LOT HOME DESIGN UTILIZES AND FOCUSES ON THE LARGE REGISTERED LIVE OAK TREE THAT'S IN SOUTH EAST CORNER OF THE PROPERTY.
AND WE'VE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED CERTAIN PROVISIONS AND PROTECTIONS IN ADDITION TO THOSE THAT ARE NORMALLY REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THAT TREE.
[NOISE] THOSE INCLUDE ADDITIONAL OR EXTENDED TREE PROTECTION.
WE'VE ALSO SET BACK THE HOUSE INSTEAD OF 20 FEET, WE SET IT BACK 35 FEET.
INSTEAD OF A FIVE-FOOT SIDE SETBACK, WE SET IT BACK 10 FEET FROM THE SIDE.
WHERE THE TREE IS REGISTERED LIVE OAK INTERACTS WITH THE HOME THAT WE DESIGNED, THE HEIGHT OF THE HOUSE IS LIMITED TO ONE STORY, SO AS NOT TO AFFECT THE TREE CANOPY.
WHEN THE APPLICATION WAS MADE IN ADDITION TO THE NOTICE THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE PARISH, WE ALSO PLACED IN THE BUDDING PROPERTY OWNERS MAILBOX OUR PLANS FOR WHAT THE PROPERTY WAS TO BECOME.
WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT'S NOT REQUIRED, BUT WE FELT WE WANTED TO LET THE NEIGHBORS KNOW.
WE RECEIVED THREE OBJECTIONS FROM A BUDDING PROPERTY OWNERS.
AND WHILE EACH OBJECTION RECITED THE LANGUAGE AND THE ORDINANCE, THEY HAD NO SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION TO SUBSTANTIATE THOSE OBJECTIONS.
HOWEVER, AS A RESULT OF THE ORDINANCE, THE APPLICATION WAS CONVERTED FROM A MINOR TO A MAJOR.
AND THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN LONG AND ARDUOUS.
WE'VE INCURRED ADDITIONAL COST APPROACHING $50,000 DUE TO THE DELAY.
CONSTRUCTION COSTS HAVE RISEN DURING THIS TIME PERIOD AND OUR SUBCONTRACTORS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SEE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT.THE PAV CONDUCTED A HEARING ON JUNE THE 22ND OF 2023, WHICH IS ORIGINALLY SET FOR JUNE THE 8TH, BUT WAS DEFERRED UNTIL THE 22ND.
THE STAFF REPORT RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.
AND AT A PUBLIC HEARING THAT WAS CONDUCTED, OPPOSING POSITIONS WERE PRESENTED.
DEBATE ENSUED, AND THE BOARD APPROVED THE APPLICATION UNANIMOUSLY, [NOISE] WHICH BRINGS US HERE TODAY.
THIS WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR HEARING ON JUNE 28TH, BUT IT WAS DEFERRED UNTIL TODAY.
THE APPLICATION IS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE ORDINANCE GRANTING IT WOULD SATISFY THE PURPOSES OF THE ORDINANCE.
IT WOULD ALLOW FOR A STRUCTURE IN AN ORDERLY AND WELL-PLANNED MANNER.
IT WOULD RECOGNIZE THE RIGHT OF USE OF AN OWNER'S PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THE REASONABLE CONSTRAINTS, WE'LL RETURN THE PROPERTY INTO THE STREAM OF COMMERCE.
BUT IF IT'S NOT APPROVED, THEN THE CONFIGURATION WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THAT OF THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
I HAVE A AERIAL PHOTO. I DON'T KNOW.
>> ACTUALLY, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS THAT.
IT'S PART OF THEIR REPORT AND WE USED IT YESTERDAY IN OUR DISCUSSIONS.
IT INDICATES THAT THE PROPERTIES TO THE REAR, ADJACENT ON EITHER SIDE AND ACROSS THE STREET OR EITHER 50 OR 60 FOOT FRONT BY 150 IN DEPTH.
SO IF YOU DON'T APPROVE THE APPLICATION, THEN YOU WOULD HAVE A PROPERTY THAT WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HOME OF SUCH MAGNITUDE THAT IT WOULD OVERWHELM OTHER HOMES IN THAT PROPERTY.
AND IT WOULD EFFECTIVELY TAKE OUT THE PROPERTY FROM COMMERCE.
AND CONSTRUCTING A SINGLE HOME LIKE THAT WOULD EFFECTIVELY TAKE THE PROPERTY OFF THE MARKET.
THIS IS NOT WHAT WAS ENVISIONED WHEN WE PURCHASED THE PROPERTY.
[02:25:04]
AS A RESULT OF THE APPLICATION, WE SEEK AND RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE COUNCIL WILL PROVE THE ACTION OF THE PAV AND GRANT THE APPLICATION. THANK YOU.>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? SPEAKING IN FAVOR? OKAY. ANYONE OPPOSED TO COME TO THE PODIUM NOW.
>> WELL, I'M NOT IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED TO THIS.
>> NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE FOR THE RECORD.
>> MY NAME IS TERRY ALLMAN I LIVE IN 242 AURORA AVENUE.
AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE BONNEVILLE CIVIC ASSOCIATION.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING US SPEAK TODAY AND THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, AND FOR THE TIME AND EXPLANATIONS THAT YOU'VE GIVEN OUR GROUP.
[NOISE] WHILE WE DO NOT OPPOSE THE SUBDIVISION, WE UNDERSTAND IT MEETS THE LAW, INSIGHT AND ZONING REQUIREMENTS, BUT WE ARE FORMALLY EXPRESSING SEVERAL CONCERNS REGARDING THE CONTINUED AND ONGOING DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS THIS.
[NOISE] THE BONNEVILLE CIVIC ASSOCIATION IS CONCERNED THE ONGOING DEVELOPMENT OF LOTS, INCLUDING PROPOSED STRUCTURES WITH MUCH LARGER FOOTPRINTS THAN WHAT HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN PLACED ON LOTS.
THE RE-DEVELOPMENT RESULTS IN VERY LITTLE TO NO GREEN SPACE, REDUCTION OF TREE CANOPY ELIMINATION OF TREES, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED FLOODING, INCREASED SUBSISTENCE, AS WELL AS NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON A DRAINAGE AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS DESIGNED FOR MUCH SMALLER HOMES.
AS NEW CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES, TREES ARE BEING REMOVED TO MAKE ROOM FOR HOMES, THUS SLOWING THE SUBSISTENCE AND COOLING THE ENVIRONMENT.
GREEN SPACE IS BEING REPLACED BY PAVEMENT AND HOMES THAT OVERWHELM THE LOT SIZE.
[BACKGROUND] THIS APPLICATION MAY MEET CURRENT REGULATIONS.
THE DILEMMA FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AND INDEED THE LARGER COMMUNITY IS THAT EXISTING REGULATIONS MAY NEED REVIEW AND UPDATING TO MEET CURRENT CONDITIONS.
ONGOING DEVELOPMENT OF THESE LARGER HOMES THAT CONSUME MOST OR ALL OF THE GREEN SPACE.
REMOVAL OF TREES, BOTH PROTECTED AND UNPROTECTED, EVEN WITH THE METAIRIE RIDGE TREE PRESERVATION DISTRICT AND THE THE ABILITY TO PAY A FEE IN LIEU OF, DESTROYS THE TREE CANOPY AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AESTHETICS AND THE CONTINUED PRESSURE ON AN AGING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ARE THE CONCERNS OF ALL PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE BONNEVILLE CIVIC ASSOCIATION.
WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THIS INTO CONSIDERATION, NOT JUST ON THIS PROPERTY, BUT WITH ONGOING DEVELOPMENT AS WELL.
>> ELAINE BABAROV, 310 FOSTER.
AND THIS IS JUST REALLY A SHOUT OUT TO JENNIFER VAN RANKIN FOR MEETING WITH US LIKE A DOZEN OF US ANSWERED EVERY ONE OF OUR QUESTIONS.
THIS IS ALSO A SHOUT OUT TO LHC BUILDERS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE OAK TREE THAT WE ALL ADORE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY SETBACKS AND FENCING.
I AM NOT OPPOSED OR I'M JUST RESIGNED AT THIS POINT SO BE IT.
>> MADAM CLERK. SO ONE IN FAVOR OF ONE AND OPPOSITION AND ONE SHOUT OUT.
>> I THINK THAT'S NEW, I WANT TO SAY I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.
ACTUALLY, SHE THINKS SHE WAS NOT OPPOSED.
SO YEAH REALLY AGAIN, NO OPPOSITION AT THIS TIME.
SO AGAIN, THIS MORNING HAS REALLY BEEN AN AFFIRMATION OF JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT WORKING, I THINK AND THAT'S BEEN APPRECIATED.
I THINK ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DAY IS TODAY WHEN THIS APPLICATION WAS FIRST MADE BY THE OWNERS OF THIS PROPERTY AND IT STARTED GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS.
I REALIZED EVERY DEVELOPER WANTS TO DO THIS AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE TIME IS MONEY FOR YOU.
AND I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN THOSE CONCERNS CAME IN ABOUT THE TREES THAT EXISTED ON THIS SLIDE, THAT IS WHERE OUR PROCESS CALLS FOR MORE DISCUSSION IN A MORE PUBLIC PROCESS, WHAT THAT'S GIVEN US, ALTHOUGH IT DID CERTAINLY SLOW THE PROCESS.
IT ALLOWED US TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONVERSE.
AND EARLIER THIS WEEK, IN ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING, ABOUT A DOZEN NEIGHBORS SAT WITH OUR PARISH ARBORIST, OUR PARKWAY IS DIRECTOR, OUR STAFF AND THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
SO THAT WE COULD EXPLAIN THAT ARIEL THAT YOU SHOWED THAT SHOWED ALL OF THE LOT SIZES BECAUSE THERE IS A VERY CONSISTENT PATTERN OF LOT SIZE IN THIS AREA, THAT CERTAINLY IT WOULD BE ARBITRARY TO DENY IT.
AND SO THE THE THE APPROVAL OF THE SUBDIVISION IS ULTIMATELY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AS RECOMMENDED TODAY.
BUT I DO THINK THE DISCUSSION WAS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE WAS AN UNDERSTANDING NOW OF WHAT OUR RULES ARE,
[02:30:03]
WHAT THE TREE PROTECTION RULES ARE, WHAT THE CHALLENGES ARE.AND AGAIN, KUDOS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED RIGHT NOW IN JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE HAVE INTERIM STANDARDS THAT HOPEFULLY WE WILL MOVE TO MAKE PERMANENT WHEN THE STUDY CONCLUDES.
BUT WE HAVE INTERIM STANDARDS THAT WILL REQUIRE 50% OF RESIDENTIAL FRONT YARDS TO BE PERMEABLE.
SO AGAIN, IT REALLY IS AN AFFIRMATION THAT THE PROCESS WORKS, THE DISCUSSION WORKS.
INFORMED CITIZENS PARTICIPATING IS IMPORTANT AND PEOPLE BEING RESPONSIVE BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND YOU ALL HAVE AGREED TO PUSH BACK THE HOME.
YOU HAVE KEPT IT OF A SMALLER STATURE AND AGREED TO WIDEN THE TREE PROTECTION AROUND THAT BEAUTIFUL OAK ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF OUR ARBORIST.
SO AGAIN, THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED.
BOTH OUR STAFF, PEOPLE WHO EXPRESS CONCERN THE DEVELOPERS BECAUSE IT REALLY SHOWS A COOPERATIVE EFFORT ON EVERYONE'S PART, SO I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> ALL RIGHT. ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26135, MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER HEARING NONE.
SO ORDERED, ITEM NUMBER 8, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK, UNMUTE YOURSELF.
COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, UNMUTE YOURSELF OVER THERE.
[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (Part 2 of 2)]
>> REQUESTING WE SUSPEND THE RULES AND RETURN TO RESOLUTION OR ONE TO ALLOW MAYOR CAMARDELLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
HE IS WITH US IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO SUSPENDING THE RULES TO REVISIT ITEM NUMBER 1, TO ALLOW MAYOR CAMARDELLE TO SPEAK.
A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN EDWARDS SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. WELCOME, MAYOR CAMARDELLE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT I WAS EXCITED TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH MARION IT WAS THROUGH THE HURRICANE FOR THE WATER SYSTEM.
I'M HERE TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING REAL QUICK.
THIS IS A BIG MOVE TO HIRE SOMEBODY WORKING CLOSELY WITH CYNTHIA TO A PARISH PRESIDENT, STEVE, AND WORKING WITH ALL THE COUNCIL.
I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE RAN OUR WATERLINE, MY DAD RAN THE WATERLINE IN 1959 FROM THE FOOLS PARISH.
THE WATERLINE IS STILL THERE, IT'S EIGHT INCHES AND IT WAS THE OLD MISSIONARY PIPE AND THE PARISH CAME IN AND WE JUST CAME IN COMING FROM PORT FOUCAULT AND WE RAN THE EIGHT INCH LINE PLASTIC LINE THROUGH THE WATER TANK ENGINEER.
I UNDERSTAND CONSTRUCTION IS GOING TO BE STARTING PRETTY QUICK, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE DIAGRAMS TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT IN GRAND ISLE.
BUT I'M HERE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT OUR HOMES THAT WE'RE BUILT IN RIGHT NOW IS ABOUT 165 PERMITS.
THEY'RE BUILDING MANSIONS ON THE BEACH AND PEOPLE COME INTO THE ISLAND AND BY KNOWING THAT WE REFURBISHING THAT WATERLINE, I WANTED TO EXPLAIN TO YOU.
WE CAN'T GO BACKWARDS TOWARD LAFAYETTE PARISH.
WE GOT TO STAY WITH THE WATERLINE BECAUSE THERE'S INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY AND I KNOW WE WORK HARD TOGETHER AS A TEAM TO GET MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
WE GOT MITCHELL ANDREW RIGHT THERE IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND WE GOT A GOOD LOBBYING FIRM AND TO COME BACK AND DO THIS WATERLINE FROM LAFAYETTE TO GRAND ISLE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO GO AHEAD.
YOU REMEMBER WE PUT IT IN 2000 AND IT'S 23 YEARS AND THAT WAS ANDY VELEZ'S DREAM WHEN I WAS A COUNCILMAN.
I NEVER FORGOT THAT WHEN WE CAME IN AND WE RAN THE WATERLINE AND WE OPENED THE WATERLINE FROM THE PARISH.
HARELEY, YOUR DAD WAS SITTING NEXT TO ANDY AND ANDY HAD LOST AN ELECTION.
AT THE TIME, I MADE MR. VELEZ, THAT WAS HIS DREAM TO BRING WATERLINE WORKING WITH TIM COOLON THAT WAS HERE EARLIER WITH ME.
THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY WITH THE WATERLINE AND IT WAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE WATERLINE.
THOSE DAYS WE GOT TO COME IN AND BURY IT FOR EIGHT-FOOT BUT I WENT THROUGH 64 WAYS TO LEASES AND I WAS DEALING WITH GOVERNOR FOSTER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GOT IT DONE.
SOME OF THE CORNERS THAT IS STILL DEFECTS THAT IS HAPPENING TODAY, THE WATERLINE GETS HIT.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE ON A RIGHT TRACK.
WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE FIRMS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH, WHATEVER GOT TO DO.
I'M HERE TO TELL YOU, IT'S UNBELIEVABLE THE PEOPLE THAT IN GRAND ISLE FOR 4TH OF JULY AND LAST WEEKEND, WE HAD THE BLUE BOOT FESTIVAL JUST PAST WEEKEND.
YOU COULD PREVENT YOU TO TOP AND ORDER YOUR PAVILION.
THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN LSU BASEBALL PLAYERS SHOWED UP.
WE HAD OVER 4,000 PEOPLE INSIDE THE GATE OF JEFFERSON PARISH WHERE THE PAVILIONS AT.
THESE KIDS WAITED FOR FOUR HOURS TO COME IN.
WE HAD OVER 2,200 GOLF COURTS ON OUR BEACH, OUR BEACH IS IN MACLEAN.
PEOPLE CALLING ME FROM ALL OF THEM. WHAT WE GOT TO DO TO HELP YOU? I SAID NO, I BELONG TO THE BEST PARISH, JEFFERSON PARISH, THE RICHEST PARISH, TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO GET THE MONEY FROM THEM, BUT IT'S OKAY.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT I'M PROUD FOR THE MOVE THAT YOU ALL MADE.
I'LL NEVER FORGET. I WANT TO TELL YOU, I TALKED TO MY STAFF THIS MORNING ON THE WAY UP.
I MET THEM AT THE SHOP THIS MORNING.
I GOT SIX GUYS THAT WORK FOR ME.
WE STILL LIVING IN A FEMA TRAILER, A LAW OFFICE.
WE FINALLY GETTING SOME FEMA MONEY.
[02:35:01]
BUT PEOPLE LOVED THAT AND YOU CAN IMAGINE ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM MISSISSIPPI, TEXAS ALL OVER CALLING ME THAT WHAT CAN WE DO TO ADOPT GRAND ISLE? I SAID YOU CAN'T.WE BELONG TO THE BEST PARISH IN LOUISIANA.
THERE WAS SOME TIMES THAT I WAS A LITTLE ROUGH ON YOU ALL AND THE REASON WHY IS JUST THAT I'M SO USED TO DOING THIS FOR 37 YEARS AND TO SEE TO COME BACK LIKE WE DID AND SEE THE PEOPLE THEY'RE SPENDING MONEY.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE SURPRISED OF THE SALES TAXES.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE SO SURPRISED OF ALL THE MONEY THAT'S GOING TO BE HERE, THAT'S COME AND SPENT IN GRAND ISLE.
THERE'S NOTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD.
JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO, LAST NIGHT I WALKED IN YOUR PEER.
I WENT TO BATON ROUGE, WE WORK TOGETHER CLOSE WITH MARION, RICKY, WE ALL WENT INTO BATON ROUGE.
WE GOT TO HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO FIX THE FISHING PEER.
I'M PROUD TO TELL YOU THAT I OPENED IT LAST NIGHT.
I DIDN'T WANT TO OPEN IT BECAUSE UNTIL THE ENGINEERS AND ELECTRICITY.
BUT WHEN I'VE SEEN A YOUNG MAN, WITH HIS THREE KIDS WITH A FISHING POLL AND IT SAID, DO NOT ENTER.
I SAID, GO AHEAD LET THEM FISH.
WELL LAST NIGHT, THEY CAUGHT THE BIGGEST TROUTS THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE THE FIRST TROUT THAT'S CAUGHT ON A BRIDGE.
NATURE'S BACK, GRAND ISLE'S BACK.
BUT AS YOU ALL, I WANT TO SUPPORT ALL OF YOU ALL TO TELL YOU, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
I'M THERE TO GO TO WASHINGTON TO ANY FUNDING THAT WE COULD GET BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S A BURDEN ON THE PARISH TO THINK THAT IS DANGEROUS FOR THE WATERLINE.
IT COULD BE SAFE. WE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
IT COULD BE BURIED AND WE'RE NOT GOING BACK TO LAFAYETTE PARISH LIKE I LIVED IN THE '70S.
RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A 12 INCH LINE GOING THROUGH THE FOUCAULT.
IF A FIRE HYDRANT GOES OUT THEN FOUCAULT IS SHUTTING GRAND ISLE OFF. WE'RE NOT GOING BACKWARDS.
I'M HERE TO TELL YOU TODAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER TO RUN THIS LINE, FILLING THE MEDIAN GALLONS OF A TANK IN GRAND ISLE. I WILL LEAVE YOU ALONE.
WE GOT ALL THE WATER YOU WANT.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR CAMARDELLE.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE TODAY AND FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE [INAUDIBLE].
>> YES, BECAUSE [OVERLAPPING] WHEN I LET GRAND ISLE, I'LL GO TO NEVADA PARISH, I CAN PROMISE YOU. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
>> MAYOR, [OVERLAPPING] DON'T LEAVE YET.
I JUST WANT TO COMMENT, LOOK YOU AND I REMEMBER THE DAYS ON THE ISLE AND WHEN WE WERE GETTING WATER FROM LAFAYETTE.
YOU HAD TO WAIT UNTIL 01:00 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING TO HAVE ENOUGH WATER PRESSURE TO TAKE A SHOWER.
MISSOULA, REMEMBER THOSE DAYS.
ESPECIALLY ON A WEEKEND AND WHEN YOU HAD 4TH OF JULY AT THE TOP OF RODEO, EVEN AT 01:00 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE A TRICKLE COMING OUT OF THE WATERLINE TO TAKE A SHOWER AT THAT TIME.
THE ISLAND, ONCE IT GOT SUFFICIENT WATER SUPPLY, STARTED TO BOOM AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO SO.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WATERLINE, EVERYBODY DESERVES GOOD CLEAN FRESH WATER AND THE SAFETY ASPECT OF FIGHTING FIRES AS WELL AND HAVING GOOD PRESSURE.
IDA HAS TASKED US WITH A DIFFERENT PROBLEM BECAUSE IT BASICALLY DESTROYED OUR WATERLINE GOING TO GRAND ISLE.
JEFFERSON PARISH'S, WATERLINE 32 MILES THROUGH THE MARSH GOING TO GRAND ISLE.
WHAT A PART OF THE LINE, INTEGRITY BEING FORCED NOW FOR US TO HAVE TO LOOK AT REPLACING IT AS WELL AS BEARING IT.
THIS IS COUNCILMAN EDWARDS WHAT WE PASSED TODAY WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO MAKE SURE WE AFFORD JEFFERSONIANS GOOD, CLEAN, HEALTHY WATER FOR THE FUTURE OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND GRAND ISLE.
>> LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING REAL QUICK.
IN 1965, WE WALKED FROM THE PORT FOUCAULT, THERE WAS A CYPRESS LOG, BUT MY MOM AND DAD LEFT WESTWEGO AND AS ROBBINS HAD A CRAYON, BLACK AND WHITE TELEVISION.
I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT A LITTLE BOY IN HAVING YOU EAT WESTWEGO AND SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.
THEY PULL THE ROOF OFF IN THE WESTWEGO.
WE FINALLY MADE IT TO THE FOUCAULT CURVE AND WE WALKED.
WHEN YOU TURN TO GRAND ISLE, THERE WAS A CYPRESS TREE AND WE WALKED ALL THE WAY BACK TO SHINIER WHERE I LIVE AT.
WE LOST EVERYTHING AND I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS.
WE LIVED ALL IN ONE LITTLE HOUSE, FIVE FAMILIES, WE HAD A CANDLE AND WE CALL IT ON A FLOOR.
I'LL NEVER FORGET, MY DAD SAID WE GOT TO GET SOME WOOD.
WE ALL WE GET A PIECE OF WOOD AND HE TOOK IT THE COWBOYS WITH A PIECE CHAIN AND HE PUT A CAST IRON POT AND WE PUT WOOD HERE.
WE COULD FIGURE OUT, THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
THIS HIT MY HEART. I'LL NEVER FORGET WHEN MY DAD TOLD ME.
HE SAID REMEMBERED THIS SON, WE OWN OUR OWN.
HE SAID WE LOST OUR RESTAURANT, WE LOST OUR HOME BUT I DON'T LOSE MY WIFE AND MY KIDS.
THEN HE WENT UPSTAIRS, HE TOOK THAT CANDLE AND HE CAME. HE LOOKED AT IT.
HE SAYS, REMEMBER, CANDLE MAKES A LIGHT.
THE SAME CANDLE MAKES A FIRE SO MAMA CAN COOK.
BUT HE TOOK A BOTTLE OF WATER AND HE SAID YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT WATER AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY.
BORN AND RAISED IN ISLE, I WENT THROUGH 12 DISASTERS, WENT THROUGH OIL SPILL WITH BP.
[02:40:02]
BUT WHEN I CALLED YOU AND TALKED TO YOU, I SAID WE HAD TO WATER.WE LIVED WITH NO WATER FROM AUGUST THE 29TH UNTIL DECEMBER THE 7TH, MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY.
WE ORDERED THE BARGES FROM MORGAN CITY.
I KNEW WHAT I HAD TO DO TO DO THAT.
BUT TO TELL YOU PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, THAT TO LIVE LIKE I LIVED ON MY PORCH FOR 4-5 NIGHTS FOR 12 DAYS ON A PORCH WITH BOTTLED WATER.
EVERY TIME YOU LOOK AT A BOTTLE OF WATER, DON'T THROW IT OUT.
REMEMBER DON'T THROW IT OUT, I TELL MY KIDS THAT.
THAT'S HOW VALUABLE WATER IS AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY.
IT MAKES A FIRE. I CAN LIVE WITH A CANDLE, MAKE A LIGHT BECAUSE I CALL IT ON THE FLOOR.
I FELT SO GUILTY THAT THE STORM DESTROYED THE WATERLINE.
ONLY THAT WE HAD BARGES COMING IN FROM MORGAN CITY STANDING BY AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH CYNTHIA, ALL OF US ON THE HOUSEBOAT THAT DAY THAT WE KNEW WE HAD A WATERLINE FROM LOUISVILLE TO GRAND ISLE THAT WE OPENED UP TO BRING THE PRESSURE.
THAT'S WHY IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME TO LET YOU KNOW, AND YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE.
TREASURE WATER, DRINKING WATER.
THAT'S LIFE. IT'S THE WAY IT WORKS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, I HOPE YOU DIDN'T USE UP ALL YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE IN GRAND ISLE IN TWO WEEKS FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
>> [LAUGHTER] I'M GLAD YOU SAID THAT, WE GOT TO THE ISLAND STRONG FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND COMING, IT STARTS THURSDAY NIGHT.
WE GOING TO GET THE 4,000 PEOPLE BACK.
AGAIN, THE BEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN IN GRAND ISLE, WE HAVE THE GRAND ISLE TOP AND RODEO WHICH THE PARISH ALWAYS SUPPORTS.
YOU'RE ALL GOING TO BE THERE. DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR WALLETS, WE NEED YOUR MONEY.
>> COUNCIL BONANO'S RIGHT. WE'RE SUBTRACTING ALL THIS TIME FROM YOUR TIME IN TWO WEEKS.
>> I'M GOING BACK TO GRAND ISLE.
>> JULY 26TH IS OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IN GRAND ISLE. THANK YOU.
MAYOR CAMARDELLE. I THINK WE LEFT OFF ON NUMBER 8, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ.
[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES (Part 2 of 2)]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26149; RESUB OF THE ALAN JOSEPH COOLON SENIOR PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT OF BARRETT AREA WAS 123, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM, SO NOW WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26149.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED.
COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26149 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
NUMBER 9, I HAVE A NOTE THAT IT WILL BE DEFERRED UNTIL AUGUST 9TH, OUR MEETING THERE, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION ON THAT.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26150 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26151; RESUB OF LOT 7A1, SECTION D, ELMWOOD SUBDIVISION WS 22, 23 COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE, SO WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26151.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> JG FRANCE 1624 MANHATTAN BOULEVARD.
THIS IS THE FORMER KMART SITE ON BELLE CHASSE HIGHWAY.
THE BUILDING IS BEING CONVERTED TO AN INTERIOR STORAGE BUILDING, SO IT DOESN'T NEED ALL THAT PARKING LOT.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SUBDIVISION IS TO CREATE AN ODD PARCEL IN FRONT OF THE PROPERTY FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE OPPOSED? ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26151, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26152 RESUB OF PART OF LOT H 300 SUNRISE ACRES SUBDIVISION, WS723 COUNCIL DISTRICTS 1 AND 3.
>> WE NOW HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26152.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> J. DO FRIEND AGAIN, THIS IS THE SITE ON DIETARY BOULEVARD, HAS A CELL TOWER IN THE BACK OF THE PROPERTY.
PURPOSE OF RESUB IS JUST SEPARATE THAT CELL TOWER TO A SEPARATE LOT FROM THE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS THERE.
THAT'S THE ONLY CHANGE IS HAPPENING TO THE PROPERTY.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT AGAIN? BECAUSE IT'S IN BOTH DISTRICTS THOUGH.
>> THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING IS A STRIP OF STORE IN THE BUILDING AND IN THE BACK CORNER HAS A CELL TOWER PROPERTY.
THEY'RE TRYING TO SEPARATE THE CELL TOP FROM THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING TO GET TO DIFFERENT OWNERSHIPS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE USE OF THE PROPERTY.
>> I LIKE TO DEFER TO THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, THAT WAY I CAN HAVE A BIT MORE INFORMATION. THANK YOU.
[02:45:04]
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 11 OR MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 11 TO OUR AUGUST 9TH MEETING ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ITEM NUMBER 12, PLEASE. SUMMARY NUMBER 26153 RESUB OF LOTS 8 AND 9, LIVE OAK PLANTATION SUBDIVISION WS223 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND WE NOW HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26153.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. [INAUDIBLE]
>> WAIT, NOBODY'S HERE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT.
IT'S GOING TO HAVE EXTRA WIDE SPACE IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO CALL IT AND I'M NOT CUTTING DOWN ANY TREES [LAUGHTER] I WANT TO PUT OAK TREES ON IT.
>> CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME, PLEASE?
>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? WAS THAT ALL MR. PEERS?
>> ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK YOU'RE THE ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26153 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26127, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FOR CERTAIN LOTS OR PORTIONS OF LOTS BOUNDED BY THE WEST BANK EXPRESSWAY, SILVER LILY LANE, ACRE ROAD, AND MARTIN DRIVE.
MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING FROM R3C1 AND R1A AS RECOMMENDED BY A STUDY BY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NUMBER 138638 WZ-A-23 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26127.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26127 ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
I HAVE A NOTE THAT NUMBER 14 WILL BE CANCELED AT THE REQUEST OF THE APPLICANT.
SO COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR EMOTION ON THAT?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE CANCELLATION OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26154, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26155, AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 22727 TO REMOVE THE TITLE RESTRICTION PLACED ON THE PROPERTY UNDER DOCKET NUMBER MUC 0106, LOCATED AT 1600 LAPALCO BOULEVARD ON LOT, 41B SQUARE 161 SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM AND WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26155.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> QUESTION FOR BEST IS, ARE THERE ANY ISSUES HERE WITH THIS MATTER CONSIDERED HADN'T NOT WENT TO THE BOARD?
>> [INAUDIBLE] THAT'S IN FRONT OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU.
THIS IS A REQUEST TO REMOVE A TITLE RESTRICTION FROM A VERY OLD ORDINANCE THAT WAS PLACED ON THIS LOT TO ALLOW FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
SO THE NEW OWNER WILL BE COMING THROUGH WITH A LAND USE APPLICATION THAT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE TO REVIEW.
THIS IS JUST TO REMOVE THAT TITLE RESTRICTION TO EASE THE LESSEE'S CONCERNS ABOUT THE ACTUAL USE OF THE PROPERTY.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26155 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 16 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26128 APPROVING SP-64-22 FOR VARIANTS TO THE SIGN REGULATIONS FOR TAKE FIVE CAR WASH LOCATED AT 250 LAPALCO BOULEVARD ON LOTS, D2C1, D2A, AND D2B UNIT 1 SQUARE 2 MEADOWBROOK SUBDIVISION COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
I'M GOING TO DEFER TO BETH FOR THE AMENDMENTS.
>> SURE. THANK YOU. THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE SECOND WHEREAS SECTION IS UPDATING THE REFERENCE TO THE PLANS TO THE FRONT SOUTHEAST ELEVATION PREPARED BY RM COLEMAN DATED MARCH 16TH, 2023, INSIDE A SOUTHWEST ELEVATION PREPARED BY RM COLEMAN, DATED MARCH 16TH, 2023, LAST REVISED JUNE 6, 2023.
THE SECOND AMENDMENTS ARE IN SECTION 1 TO REFLECT THAT SAME LANGUAGE AS WELL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER?
[02:50:03]
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.NOW WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM AND WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26128.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26128 ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ITEM NUMBER 17 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26156, APPROVING SP-18-23 A REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE PARKING REGULATIONS FOR CELEBRATION VENUE LOCATED AT 1104 TERRY PARKWAY AND PART OF LOT 7B2C PROPOSED LOTS 7B2C2 BLOCK SEVEN, OAKDALE SUBDIVISION, SECTION B, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
THE AMENDMENT IS A SMALL ONE AND IT'S IN THE THIRD WHEREAS AND IT READS, INSTEAD OF THE REQUIRED, IT WENT FROM 185 PARKING SPACES TO 74 PARKING SPACES.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
NOW WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26156.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26156 AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26157, APPROVING SP 1923 AND EBM SIGN IN AN R1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL USE LOCATED AT 3,200 AIMS BOULEVARD ON LOT E16B AIMS FORMS ESTELLE PLANTATION SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26157.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
YOU'RE AN OPPOSITION OR I GO TOO FAST FOR A FAVOR?
>> OH, PAUSE. I'M SORRY, I SAID BOTH. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> DO I HAVE TO STATE MY NAME?
>> RACHEL THOMPSON, 3208 AMES BOULEVARD, MARRERO, LOUISIANA.
I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST START OFF BY READING THE JEFFERSON PARISH EDGE 2020.
THE PARISH'S COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, WHICH IDENTIFIES LARGE OUTER SCALE SIGNAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF BILLBOARDS ALONG BOULEVARD ADJACENT TO RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AS PROBLEMS IMPACTING THE PARISHES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THE ENVISIONED JEFFERSON 2020 ADOPTED AS THE PARISH'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH CALLS FOR THE REDUCING OF THE NUMBER OF SIZE AND SIGNS AND REDUCING CLUTTER CAUSED BY POORLY DESIGNED AND LOCATED SIGNS, SUCH AS SEEN IN THE APPLICATION FOR THE EVM SIGN WITH THE LOCATION OF 3,200 AMES BOULEVARD ZONE IN AR1, A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.
[NOISE] AS STATED PER SECTION 4080, THE MAXIMUM MONUMENT SIGNED AREA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT ALLOWANCES IS 50 FEET.
IN THE FINDINGS NUMBER 3 AND THE TABLE TO R1 A, IF THE DOCKET IT STATED PROPOSED MONUMENT SIGN IS 45.3 SQUARE FEET IN AREA, AND HAS A HEIGHT OF 10 FEET ABOVE THE GRADE.
HOWEVER, FIGURE 5 SHOWS A HEIGHT OF 10 FEET AND A WIDTH OF 10 FEET INDICATING A 100 SQUARE FOOT AREA ASSIGNED PROPOSAL.
THIS IS DOUBLE THE SIZE OF THE MAXIMUM ALLOWANCE OF THE SIGN.
EVM PORTION PROPOSAL IS 45.31 SQUARE FEET AND MAXIMUM ALLOWANCE OF 50 SQUARE FEET AS STATED.
THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SIGNS HOUSING STRUCTURE.
THE HEIGHT OF THE CHURCH SIGN READS 38 INCHES, THE PROPOSED EVM PORTION 37 INCHES AND THE HEIGHT SIX INCH OF CURBING, THIS EQUALS 81 INCHES.
THE WIDTH SHOWS 87 INCHES, 81*87 IS 48.94 SQUARE FEET, A REMAINING ALLOWANCE OF 1.6 SQUARE FEET FOR STRUCTURAL PURPOSE AS ILLUSTRATED.
I UNDERSTAND THAT FIGURE 5 IS ONLY AID YET IN THE FINE PRINT IT STATES THE USER ASSUMES ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR VERIFYING AN ACCURACY OF THE DATA FOR INTENDED USE.
AS A CIVILIAN WITH NO CIVIL PLANNING OR STRUCTURAL BACKGROUND, I FIND IT HARD TO COMPREHEND HOW POORLY PLANNED THE SUBMISSION ACCURACY IS FOR FIGURE 5 AND MADE IT SO FAR ALONG FOR APPROVALS.
[02:55:05]
THE EVM FIGURE 5 STATES 87 INCHES IN LENGTH, THIS IS 4.25 FEET.WITH A SIGN OF HEIGHT OF 10 FEET, THIS WOULD CONCLUDE 72.50 SQUARE FEET, 22.5 SQUARE FEET OVER THE MAXIMUM ALLOWANCE.
THERE'S A CURRENT SIGN THAT IS INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED NOW AGAINST CODE AS STATED IN THE CODE OF ORDINANCE'S SECTION, I LISTED IT, I'LL GIVE YOU THE PAPERS AFTER.
OUTDOOR ILLUMINATION OF ANY BUILDING, SEATING AREA, PLAZA, COURTYARD, LANDSCAPING, SIGN, OR SIMILAR PURPOSE ON THAT BE AIMED, DIRECTED, REFLECTED, FOCUSED, OR MOUNTED TO CAUSE DIRECT LIGHT FROM THE LUMINAIRE TO BE DIRECTED TOWARD RESIDENTIAL USES OR TO CREATE UP LIGHT, SPILL LIGHT, OR GLARE LIGHT PERCEPTIBLE TO PERSONS OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLES IN THE PUBLIC WAYS.
PROVIDED, I HAVE THESE, ARE PICTURES OF THE NAIL INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN, WHICH MAY INDICATE SIMILARITIES OF A NEW EVM SIGN WERE TO BE PERMITTED.
THE INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN CAN ALREADY NOTABLY BE SEEN AS A NUISANCE TO MY RESIDENCE, WHICH MY FAMILY AND I HAVE BEEN TOLERATING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
ALSO NOTED IN FIGURE 5 IS NO EXTERNAL LIGHTING PLANS AS SHOWN.
IS THIS DEPICTING AN INTERNALLY LIT SIGN, AS WELL AS THE EVM PORTION AS THE CHURCH HAS DONE PREVIOUSLY.
I ALSO WANT TO GO OVER THE SIGN REGULATION FOLLOWING THE SIGNS PERMITTED OF RELIGIOUS STRUCTURES.
EVM SIGNS OR INTERNAL ILLUMINATION WOULD ONLY HAVE 25 SQUARE FEET ALLOWANCE.
SIGN ILLUMINATION, ALL SIGNS SHOULD ONLY BE ILLUMINATED EXTERNALLY.
ILLUMINATION SHALL NOT BE AIMED, AS I STATED BEFORE, AT HOUSES CITED ALONG ON THE PUBLIC ROADWAY.
ALSO IN REFERENCE SECTION 4682, REGULATIONS OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY, SECTION 3E TO CERTIFICATION AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION FOR A SIGN PERMIT PERTAINING TO EVM, WRITTEN CERTIFICATION FROM THE SIGN MANUFACTURER SHALL BE PROVIDED CERTIFYING THAT AMBIENT LIGHT SENSORS AREN'T INSTALLED, THE LIGHT INTENSITY HAS BEEN PRESET, AND THE PRESET INTENSITY IS PROTECTED FROM END-USER MANIPULATION.
AFTER THE LAST PUBLIC HEARING, THE PROPERTY OWNER WAS ISSUED A MAINTENANCE OF A NUISANCE VIOLATION FOR LIGHTING RECENTLY ADDED WITHOUT REGARD TO LIGHTING OVER SPILL.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE PROPERTY HAS NOT COMPLIED WITH LIGHTING RULES TO ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AND CONTINUOUS WITH THE CURRENT SIGN AGAINST CODE.
THE FIXTURES ARE NOT SHADED OR HOODED, OR ORIENTED INWARD AS TO PREVENT INTRUSION INTO THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
GIVEN PROPERTY OWNERS HISTORY OF CONTEMPT, THE PROPOSITION OF A NEW EVM SIGN GIVES LITTLE TOO FAITH THAT THE SIGN WILL COMPLY TO REGULATIONS.
CLOSING, I FEEL THAT THE CURRENT APPLICATION IS A SOURCE OF DECEPTION AND FALSEHOOD TO MISLEAD THE COUNCIL FOR PERSONAL GAIN AND ADVANTAGES, WHICH CAN BE SEEN AS BAD FAITH TOWARDS THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY.
DECEPTION IS A MAJOR RELATIONAL TRANSGRESSION THAT OFTEN LEADS TO FEELINGS OF BETRAYAL AND DISTRUST BETWEEN RELATIONAL PARTNERS.
MOST PEOPLE, WE EXPECT FRIENDS AND EVEN STRANGERS TO BE TRUTHFUL AND RESPECTABLE MOST OF THE TIME, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE CHURCH IN REGARDS TO THE LIGHTNING.
IN EVERYTHING DO UNTO OTHERS WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU. DO YOU WANT TO TALK?
MY NAME IS KIM TRAN, 3028 AMES BOULEVARD.
WE BOUGHT 2021 AND DURING THAT TIME, THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRIGHT EVM LIGHTING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT, THEY INSTALLED LED LIGHTING, WHICH WAS VERY BRIGHT, WHICH WE HAVE REPORTED TO THE COURT DEPARTMENT.
SINCE THEN EVERYTHING'S FINE, BUT WE JUST THINK THAT WITH THIS NEW SIGN AND WITH THEIR HISTORY, THAT IT MIGHT GO BACK TO THE SAME THING THAT WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH.
ALSO TOO THERE'S NO BUFFER ZONE FOR THE LIGHTING, SO WE HAVE A CHAIN LINK FENCE, SO ANYTHING THAT'S LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE PUT UP, IT'S GOING TO GO STRAIGHT TO OUR HOUSE.
WE HAVE PICTURES THAT WE TOOK AT NIGHT.
[03:00:02]
I THINK IN THE CODE IT STATES THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF AROUND 10:00 PM, BUT FOR US, WE DON'T THINK WE SHOULD START EVENINGS AT 10:00 PM.IF WE'RE TRYING TO BE OUTSIDE AND ENJOY OUR TIME WITH OUR FAMILY, THERE'S JUST SO MUCH LIGHTING THAT IT'S JUST A NUISANCE.
WE ALSO PURCHASED A LIGHT METER TO DO SOME PRELIMINARY MEASUREMENTS ON THE LIGHTING, AND RIGHT NOW JUST A ROUGH ESTIMATE OF JUST PUTTING IT IN FRONT OF THE SIGN, IT IS WAY OVER ILLUMINATION ACCORDING TO THE CODE.
I'M NOT A SCIENTIST AND NONE LIKE THAT, SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT IS ACCORDING TO LUMENS, BUT IN THIS CODE IT STATES THAT THE MAXIMUM BRIGHTNESS IS ONLY 50 LUMENS.
OUR CONCERN IS JUST HAVING A SIGN THAT'S BLANK, EVEN WHEN WE TRY TO PULL OUT OUR DRIVING IN THE PAST, THE OLD SIGN, BLACKOUT.
A VIEW OF TRYING TO GET INTO THE TRAFFIC, AMES BOULEVARD IT'S PRETTY BUSY ALL THE TIME.
THAT ONE SECOND OF YOU BEING BLIND, TRY AND PULL OUT COULD JUST BE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
WE COULD GO OFF IN DIFFERENT TANGENTS, BUT WE HAVEN'T LOOKED INTO PROPERTY VALUE, BUT I BELIEVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT COULD AFFECT THAT PROPERTY VALUE IN THE FEATURE IF WE WERE TRYING TO SELL THE HOUSE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL FOR LISTENING TO US.
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH OUR CONCERNS.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN THAT POSITION? [BACKGROUND] MADAM CLERK, NOTE THE TWO APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> YES. I SEE THAT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] AS WELL AS THE ADVISORY BOARD APPROVED THIS, DOES THIS FALL WITHIN THE CODES?
>> YES, SIR. THAT REQUEST SIGNAGE MEETS ALL CODE REQUIREMENT.
>> IT MEETS ALL CODE REQUIREMENTS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26157, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 19, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
[OTHER PROPERTY MATTERS ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26158, REVOKING AND DECLARING CHRISTOPHER STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT TO LOT 6 WHERE ONE CASTANZA SUBDIVISION GRETNA NO LONGER NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING A SALE TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER FOR THE APPRAISED VALUE OF $12,850, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
>> WE NOW HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26158.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?
>> THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO IT, BRETT HOGAN, 2804 SOUTHWEST 137TH STREET.
I'M ONLY HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IF NEED BE.
>> YOUR SECOND NAME IS? BRETT HOGAN.
>> ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26158 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26159, DECLARING LOT 127A SQUARE 2 WEST KERATIN SUBDIVISION BEARING MUNICIPAL ADDRESS 968 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY.
JEFFERSON NO LONGER NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE SALE OF SAID PROPERTY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> BUT NOW OVER THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26159, ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BONANO.
>> THERE IT IS. THERE WE GO. MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26159, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
[TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26160, DECREASING THE SPEED LIMIT FROM 30 MILES PER HOUR TO 25 MILES PER HOUR ON CONIFER BOULEVARD FROM THE INTERSECTION OF CONIFER BOULEVARD AND BEVERLY GARDEN DRIVE TO THE INTERSECTION OF CONIFER BOULEVARD AND METAIRIE ROAD, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA.
>> WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26160, ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> AMORELLA, 4260 LOYOLA DRIVE 5TH DISTRICT, KENNER, 4TH DISTRICT [INAUDIBLE] JEFFERSON, 51 YEARS.
I SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION 250%.
MATTER OF FACT, I THINK THE SPEED LIMIT SHOULD BE REDUCED LOWER THAN THAT.
THAT'S SOMETHING EXPENSIVE REAL ESTATE.
WE MOVED ON BEVERLY GARDEN DRIVE BACK IN 1958.
[03:05:04]
ONE OF THEM WAS JUST BUILDING UP BACK THERE.BUT TODAY IS SOME VERY EXPENSIVE REAL ESTATE.
WE DON'T NEED PEOPLE DRIVING CRAZY, GOING THROUGH ANY NEIGHBORHOOD PARTICULARLY THAT ONE WHERE PEOPLE WILL HAVE INVESTED HEAVILY IN NICE HOMES.
THANK YOU. ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
>> EVERYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR.
>> I MAKE SURE FOLKS KNOW THAT THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHETHER THE HOMES ARE NICE OR NOT, MR. AL.
BUT I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING THEY ARE.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF SPEEDING IN THIS AREA.
THERE WAS ALSO A GHOST BIKE ON KATA FOR THAT MARKS THE PLACE WHERE A BICYCLIST WAS KILLED SOME TIME AGO, ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REALLY LOOKED AT CONIFER AND WHAT IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE SO THE SPEED LIMIT WILL BE LOWERED AND SOME ADDITIONAL STREET MARKINGS WILL BE MADE TO TRY TO MAKE THIS CORRIDOR SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS AND EVERYONE IN THE AREA, SO I APPRECIATE THEIR WORK AND MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26160, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 22.
[OTHER ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26161, AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE ASSIGNMENTS AND CLASS TITLES FOR THE CLASSES OF BAR 1, BAR 2, AND BAR 3 AND TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE ASSIGNMENT FOR PURCHASING COORDINATOR.
>> WE NOW HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26161.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN TEMPLET.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26161, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ITEM 23, MADAM CLERK, WITH AMENDMENTS, THE OPERATING BUDGET.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26162, AMENDING THE 2023 OPERATING BUDGET AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE, ALLOCATE $75,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S HOSPITAL SERVICE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NUMBER 1 HEALTH AND FITNESS ACCOUNT TO RECREATION CAPITAL FOR THE LASALLE TOT LOT PROJECT, REMOVE THE ALLOCATION OF $226,510,396.39 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 OFF TRACK BETTING FUNDS, AND $174,603.61 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 VIDEO POKER FUNDS, WHICH WAS PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE LEASE OF 3420 AND 3430 NORTH CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD, METAIRIE, FOR THE LOCATION OF JEFFERSON PARISH JUVENILE SERVICES AND FIRE STATION 18.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS OF THOSE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
WE'RE NOW OVER TO THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26162.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED PLEASE COME FORWARD.
SOMETHING FEELS ODD. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26162 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. THAT BRINGS US TO THE NEXT ITEM, THE CAPITAL BUDGET, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER 24, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK, WITH AMENDMENTS.
>> THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $75,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S HOSPITAL SERVICE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NUMBER 1 HEALTH AND FITNESS ACCOUNT TO RECREATION CAPITAL FOR THE LASALLE TOP-LINE PROJECT.
>> THAT'S ALL. ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT AMENDMENT A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26163.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN TEMPLET.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26163 A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ITEM NUMBER 25, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR (Part 2 of 2)]
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL, MADAM CLERK.>> I BELIEVE I HAVE ONE, IF YOU CAN READ IT.
>> YES, MA'AM. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADDITION OF SUBCONTRACTORS TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND ROME OFFICE, LLC DATED JANUARY 26, 2023, FOR THE EAT FAT CITY CENTER.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR?S 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.
[03:10:02]
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> I BELIEVE I HAVE ONE. WOULD YOU READ, PLEASE.
>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO THE CELEBRATION HISPANIA DAY KENNER, TO HOLD THEIR FIFTH ANNUAL MELILLA FESTIVAL IN SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 AT ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH LOCATED AT 3245 MANHATTAN BOULEVARD, HARVEY, LOUISIANA, PROVIDED ALL PERMITS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, SO NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
IT TAKES US TO CONSENT AGENDA 1 AND YOUR MOTION ON THE IN-GLOBAL ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA 1 [OVERLAPPING]
>> EXCUSE ME. I HAVEN'T FINISHED ROLE.
>> I'M SORRY, MADAM CLERK. [LAUGHTER]
>> DO YOU KNOW THAT [OVERLAPPING]
>> NOBODY ELSE WANTED TO DO THAT.
>> I HAVE ONE, MA'AM. WOULD YOU PLEASE READ IT?
>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION APPOINTING DR. ROSANNA DICHIRO DERBES TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH HOMELESS TASK-FORCE REPRESENTING THE HUMAN SERVICES AUTHORITY AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, SO NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ON THAT RESOLUTION, ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BONANO.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> I HAVE ONE. I WAS TRYING TO BLOW MY MIND TOO.
>> A RESOLUTION APPOINTING KEVIN EGER TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH HOMELESS TASK-FORCE REPRESENTING JEFFERSON PARISH AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF COUNCIL AT-LARGE, DIVISION B.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE'RE NOW OVER THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN WALKER SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLET? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> THAT TAKES US TO CONSENT AGENDA 1 NOW.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, YOUR MOTION ON THE IN-GLOBAL ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA?
[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE IN-GLOBAL ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 26 THROUGH 74, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
SO WE GO TO 75 NOW, MADAM CLERK.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS]
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION KNOWN AS THE LAFRENIERE PARK AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS WITH RESPECT THERE TO COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN IMPASTATO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
I HAD A NOTE THAT INCLUDED 75, SO I HADN'T UPDATED THAT, I APOLOGIZE.
WE HAVE TO REVISIT EVERYTHING FROM THE BEGINNING AND PULL THOSE OUT TOO.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE IN-GLOBAL ADOPTION OF ITEMS 77 THROUGH 80 BECAUSE 76 WILL BE CANCELED.
WELL, NEVER MIND [OVERLAPPING] WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANY OF THOSE [OVERLAPPING]
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE CANCELLATION OF ITEM NUMBER 76 ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
THAT TAKES CARE OF THAT CLUSTER RIGHT THERE AND THEN WE MOVE TO NUMBER 81. IS THAT RIGHT?
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 139781 ADOPTED ON JUNE 15, 2022 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR STREET PROJECTS WHOSE SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE DESIGN OF LAPALCO BOULEVARD BRIDGE OVER HARVEY CANAL REHABILITATION PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT 2023047 RB.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR SELECTION?
ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF MODJESKI AND
[03:15:02]
MASTERS ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.NOW I HAVE A NOTE THAT ITEM NUMBER 82 WILL BE CANCELED.
COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THAT.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE CANCELLATION OF ITEM NUMBER 82 ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 83, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO INCLUDE IN THE 2023 OPERATING BUDGET OF JEFFERSON PARISH A 5% COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT TO BE EFFECTIVE ON JULY 1, 2023 UPON PERSONNEL BOARD RECOMMENDATION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
ITEM NUMBER 84 HAS BEEN HANDLED ALREADY.
SO WE MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 85 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
[CHANGE ORDERS OVER 25%]
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 1 TO THE CONTRACT DATED JUNE 2023 WITH LAURA CROSBY LLC AND THE AMENDMENTS FOR AN INCREASE OF $4,963,220 AND THE AMENDMENT IS TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE TO 69.23% TO THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $7,168,330 FOR A NEW CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $12,131,550 AND THE SAME INFORMATION IS IN THE SIX WHEREAS AND ALSO IN SECTION 1.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR FOR ITEM 85.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ITEM 85 AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO]
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF CHANGES HERE ON CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 86 THROUGH 169, WE HAVE TO PULL OUT 122 AND 152, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO JULY 26TH, THE MEETING.SO COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE IN-GLOBAL ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 86 THROUGH 169 MINUS 122 AND 152, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO 726.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE IN-GLOBAL ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 86 THROUGH 169 MINUS 122 AND 152, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO JULY 26TH? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]
PLEASE, SPECIAL DISTRICTS.>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING ACCEPTANCE, EXECUTION AND FILING OF INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AMENDED FORMS 8879-EO IRS E-FILE SIGNATURE AUTHORIZATION FOR AN EXEMPT ORGANIZATION FOR 990 RETURN OF ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX AND OTHER FORMS AS MAY BE REQUIRED IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
ALL FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AS PREPARED BY THE REPORT CPAS, APAC, AND AS REQUIRED BY THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT, SECTION 11 TAX MATTERS BY AND AMONG LOUISIANA CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER, LCMC HEALTH HOLDINGS INCORPORATED, AND JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER 2, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA DOING BUSINESS AS EAST JEFFERSON GENERAL HOSPITAL AND COLLECTIVELY THE PARTY'S COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
ITEMS 172, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE-TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $526,311 FOR CAPITAL AND OPERATING EXPENDITURES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 21, 2018 BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 3 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, THIRD DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, COUNCIL DISTRICTS 2, 3, AND 4.
>> COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PORT DISTRICT REGARDING THE PROVISION OF FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $90,000.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION NUMBER 142066 TO ADD SECTION 3 TO THE RESOLUTION WHICH INCLUDES THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF
[03:20:04]
$201,000 AND THE ACCOUNT NUMBER FROM WHICH THE FUNDS WILL BE DRAWN.>> COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM 175, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO INCLUDE IN THE 2023 OPERATING BUDGET OF JEFFERSON PARISH A 5% COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO BE EFFECTIVE UPON ALL APPROPRIATE STEPS BEING TAKEN TO ALLOW IT.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
I HAVE A NOTE THAT ITEM 176 WILL BE DEFERRED TO JULY 26TH.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION ON THAT?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 176 TO JULY 26TH ON MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BID OF CORPORATE MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS INC. UNDER BID PROPOSAL NUMBER 50-142378, FOR A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT TO PROVIDE ALL LABOR, MATERIALS, TRANSPORTATION, SUPERVISION, AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS OF HVAC, HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS FOR THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT AT THE BID TABULATION AMOUNT OF $207,570.
MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES FOR THIS CONTRACT SHOULD NOT EXCEED $1 MILLION.
COMPENSATION SHALL NOT EXCEED THIS AMOUNT BY A FACTOR OF MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ITEM 178, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH OTM CYBER THROUGH GSA CONTRACT NUMBER 47QTCA23D0095, TO PROVIDE NETWORK SECURITY AND MONITORING, INTRUSION, DETECTION, VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS, ENDPOINT PROTECTION, AND POST INCIDENT RESPONSE AND MITIGATION ON THE CRITICAL NETWORKS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $56,380.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
NO NEW BUSINESS, NO STATUS REPORTS.
SO NOW WE MOVE TO PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS.
[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]
ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL MUST SIGN AND COMPLETE A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS AND HAND IT IN.STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, PLEASE.
>> I'M MORELLA, 4260S LOYOLA DRIVE, 5TH DISTRICT, [INAUDIBLE] JEFFERSON 51 YEARS.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION FROM THE LAST MEETING, $267,500.
TOP FIVE BENEFACTORS, COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, COUNCILMAN IMPASTATO, COUNCILMAN LEE, COUNCILMAN WALKER AND COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, JOHN BELL AND I WAS ON DEMANDING YOUR RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND I GOT SOME FACTS TO THROW HIS WAY AT THIS MEETING.
I USE THAT TERM RATHER LOOSELY.
YOU FAILED THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA, ESPECIALLY OUR MOST VULNERABLE; THE ELDERLY AND OUR CHILDREN.
NOW, YOUR DEPARTMENT OF ELDERLY AFFAIRS, WHICH RUNS THE PROGRAM, PROTECTION SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, IS A TOTAL FAILURE.
ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE BEING ABUSED, THEY'RE BEEN NEGLECTED AND THEY'RE DYING BECAUSE OF YOUR FAILURE WITH THAT DEPARTMENT.
NOW, SOME MORE FACTS, 59% OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA ARE LIVING IN POVERTY AND COMPRISED MOSTLY OF WHAT THEY CALL THE WORKING POOR.
NEXT FACT, HE'S EMBRACED OPEN BORDERS.
AS A RESULT, OUR STATE HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A BORDER STATE.
WE GOT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LOUISIANANS DYING EVERY YEAR FROM SENTINEL OVERDOSES AND JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, SEVEN DIED ACROSS THE LAKE IN A TWO-WEEK PERIOD.
ECONOMIC GROWTH IN OUR STATE LAGS BEHIND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AT 1.4%.
THAT'S NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT EITHER, BY THE WAY, IT WAS BETTER THAN 1.4.
IT WAS ONE THING WITH THE FAILED DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MULTIPLE CHILD DEATHS IN THAT STATE.
NOW WE GOT THE ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO VETO
[03:25:01]
THREE BILLS THAT WOULD HAVE PROTECTED THAT VULNERABLE GROUP OF OUR CHILDREN FROM THE SICK, TWISTED, PERVERTED AGENDA IS BEING PUSHED IN OUR SCHOOLS.I SUPPORT THOSE BILLS, AND I HOPE THE LEGISLATURE CALLS THAT VETO OVERRIDE SESSION AND VETOES IT.
HOUSE BILL 466, HOUSE BILL 648, AND HOUSE BILL 81.
NOW, I WANT TO DIRECT THIS TO JOHN GEORGES, THE OWNER OF THE ADVOCATE.
EVIDENTIALLY, BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR IS A WEST POINT GRADUATE, HE EQUATES DUTY, HONOR COUNTRY TO THESE ACTIONS, TO THESE FACTS I JUST STATED.
JOHN GEORGES, YOU HAVE A MISUNDERSTANDING.
I WOULD DO THE COUNTRY IN HONOR MEANS.
I SUGGEST YOU GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND YOU LOOK IT UP.
>> ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, CLAYTON CANGELOSI.
I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE MY ADDRESS FOR PERSONAL REASONS.
BUT I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY, FIRST OF ALL, TO THANK MR. TEMPLET AND MR. M. POSALA FOR COMING TO THE PELICAN PATRIOT AWARDS THAT HAPPENED LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, WAS A BIG SUCCESS.
OF COURSE, PACK TOWLS AND WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN COMING OUT AND SHOW ENOUGH SUPPORT TO OUR VETERANS AND PATRIOT THAT COME OUT TO SUPPORT OUR STATE, AND OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR POWERS.
NEXT THING I WANT TO ADDRESS IS THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING.
I WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT THAT I WANT TO APOLOGIZE.
I'VE ACTUALLY CONTACTED MOST OF YOU GUYS, THIS OFFICE, AND MS. CYNTHIA'S OFFICE.
MS. VAN VRANCKEN, YEAR LONG WITH YOU I HAVEN'T PERSONALLY SPOKEN TO, BUT MR. M. POSALA, MR. TEMPLET, MR. WALKER, MR. BONANO, AND MR. EDWARDS, I PERSONALLY WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR CALLING MR. LEE A JACKASS IN THIS COUNCIL.
NO MATTER WHAT I THINK OF HIM, IT DOESN'T MATTER.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT IN THIS MEETING.
I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR STATING THAT, MAKING THOSE COMMENTS IN THIS CHAMBER.
I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT. I WANT TO DEFEND MYSELF BECAUSE OF THE LIES THAT WERE SAID, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I SAID THAT.
HE'S CALLED ME STUPID FROM THIS COUNCIL CHAMBER, WHICH WAS INAPPROPRIATE.
THE ILLEGAL ACTIONS I'VE DONE IN THIS COUNCIL MEETING, I SAID ON THE RADIO, IMMEDIATELY THAT AFTERNOON, WENT ON THE RADIO AND SAID MR. LEE, PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS.
BECAUSE HEAR THOSE PERMITS THAT I'VE DONE IN THE PRIOR YEARS THAT WHEN HE REVOKED MY PERMITS AND THE OTHER CITIES AND POWER JUST I HAVE.
ILLEGAL ITEMS THAT I'VE DONE AND THE ILLEGAL OPPORTUNITIES I'VE DONE IN THIS PARISH, I HAVE THAT THE BACKUPS.
I'VE ALWAYS DONE WITH PERMITS, WITH THE CITY'S PERMISSION THAT ARE PARTICIPATING.
WHEN I'VE DONE IT IN WEST, WE GO ALSO IN A CITY OF OUR HANDS.
I WANT TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT.
THE LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS WHEN I COME HERE TO DO THINGS, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST.
IT'S NOTHING PERSONAL AGAINST YOU GUYS.
MR. LEE MADE THIS PERSONAL WHEN HE REVOKED MY PERMIT.
NOT HIM NOT GIVING ME A PERMIT, HE GAVE ME A PERMIT AND HE REVOKED THE PERMIT.
IT'S NOT THAT HE MADE IT PERSONAL THEN.
NOW IT'S A PERSONAL VENDETTA HE HAS WITH ME.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WANT TO MAKE THIS STATEMENT AND CLOSE WITH THIS STATEMENT IS, WHEN WE COME IN, I ADDRESSED THIS COUNCIL.
I HAVE AN OBLIGATION AS A TAXPAYER CITIZEN TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS DO YOUR JOB.
YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO SCOLD ME WHEN I SAY SOMETHING YOU DON'T AGREE, LIKE MR. LEE DID.
IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE AND HE MUST RESIGN IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE HE'S ON INAPPROPRIATE THINGS IN HIS POWERS FOR YEARS.
THE SOUNDS THAT COME UP NO MORE BORROWING LIVES.
IT HAS TO STOP AND IT'S GOING TO STOP WITH ME, [OVERLAPPING] AND I WILL MAKE SURE. THANK YOU.
>> LET ME RESPOND TO THAT. LET ME JUST RESPOND NOT TO WHAT HE SAID, BUT JUST SAY THIS.
MR. CHANJELOSY, YOU DON'T RUN ENOUGH SPACE IN MY BRAIN FOR ME TO BE THINKING ABOUT WAYS TO HARM YOU.
THE REALITY IS THIS, WE PASSED A RESOLUTION SOMETIMES AGO, AND IT SEEMS TO STILL BE SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.
SO I RESPECT THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SPEAK, AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT ALTHOUGH YOU DIDN'T APOLOGIZE TO ME, YOU APOLOGIZE TO MY COLLEAGUES.
BUT IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR YOU TO HAVE COME AND APOLOGIZE BECAUSE YOU WERE OUT OF LINE WITH WHAT YOU SAID.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, GOD BLESS YOU. THANK YOU.
>> DARLENE VALERIE, 3501 HARING ROAD, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA.
I'M HERE TO ADDRESS THE COYOTES.
THEY HAVE ATTACKED MY FRONT YARD TWICE.
THEY'RE ALL OVER THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
[03:30:03]
THEY'RE COMING THROUGH DURING THE DAY, DURING THE NIGHT.I UNDERSTAND YOU ALL KNEW ABOUT THIS SITUATION IN 2018.
THEY HAVE BEEN BREEDING ALL THIS TIME.
THERE'S NOT ENOUGH FOOD ON THE LEVEES ANYMORE.
THEY'RE COMING INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS EATING OUR PETS.
THE FIRST ATTACK AT MY HOUSE, MY NEIGHBOR COME OUT TO GET IN HER CAR.
THEY WERE LIKE FOR ME TO USE CYNTHIA.
WHEN THEY SAW MY NEIGHBOR, THEY WENT MAYBE TO, RIGHT WHERE HE IS.
THEY DIDN'T RUN OFF LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE.
SOMEBODY'S GOING TO GET BIT AND THEN PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT GOING AHEAD AND SHOOT AND THESE ANIMALS, AND POISONING THESE ANIMALS.
SOMEBODY'S GOING TO GET HURT OR DIE BECAUSE THE PERISH IS NOT DO ANYTHING.
I DON'T CARE WHO. Y'ALL PUT IT ON WHOEVER.
BUT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GET OFF THEIR BUTTS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE ANIMALS KILLING EVERYBODY'S PETS.
THEY'RE JUMPING OVER FENCES NOW GETTING INTO THESE BACKYARDS.
ANY QUESTIONS, ANYTHING YET I WANT TO KNOW? I'M SHAKING STILL [NOISE] BECAUSE IT'S GOT TO BE HANDLED ZHAO, QUIT SITTING ON YOUR HANDS. DO SOMETHING.
>> CHAIRMAN, IF I COULD JUST, AND WE HAVE MICHELLE BRIGNAC HERE FROM THE JEFFERSON PROTECTION ANIMAL & WELFARE SERVICES.
BUT OUR OFFICES HAVE BEEN OUT AT NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TRYING TO HAZE ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE COYOTES AS THE CONSTITUENT MENTIONED, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR FOOD AND PEOPLE HAVE FOOD OUT.
WE DID DO SOME NOTICES ON PEOPLE'S DOORS JUST REMINDING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR CAT FOOD.
OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAVE ALSO BEEN OUT IN AREAS THAT WE THINK MAY HAVE A DEN.
WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN AGENT FROM LOUISIANA WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES HERE TODAY, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND TODAY.
I KNOW MICHELLE BRIGNAC HAD SOME MEETINGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ALSO NEAR THE SANCTUARY PROPERTY.
MICHELLE, YOU WANT TO COME UP AND JUST BRIEF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE COUNCIL ON SOME OF OUR ACTIVITIES.
>> ON TOP OF HAVING OFFICERS GOING REGULARLY FROM MIDNIGHT TO 3:30 IN THE MORNING EVERY DAY, PATROLLING AT THE REQUEST OF THE CITIZENS THAT LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE'VE HAD AN OFFICER THERE JUST TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WE'VE REACHED OUT TO WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES AS WELL AS OTHER BECAUSE WE'RE NOT EXPERTS.
WE'VE REACHED OUT TO EXPERTS TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
HOW CAN WE GET A BETTER HANDLE ON THIS? WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE? OF COURSE, THEY SENT US A MANAGEMENT PLAN.
THEY HAVE SENT AND NOT TO JUST MYSELF, BUT I THINK SOME OF THE RESIDENTS AS WELL THAT HAVE REACHED OUT TO WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES.
THEY DID SEND THEM A LIST OF WILDLIFE TRAPPERS THAT SPECIALIZE IN COYOTES.
THEY SAID TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD ISN'T DRAWING THEM IN, GO LOOK FOR FOOD SOURCES SUCH AS FOOD ON FRONT PORCHES, GARBAGE BEING LEFT OUT.
JUST MAKE SURE WE'RE DOTTING OUR EYES, CROSS NOTICE.
WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT AS WELL, AND TRYING TO FIND OUT FROM THE CONSTITUENTS WHERE ARE THEY BEING SEEN AND THEN WE'RE DEPLOYING OFFICERS TO SEE IF WE CAN HAZE BECAUSE THAT WAS ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION THAT WAS GIVEN TO US.
HAZING THEM, SCARING THEM FROM THE AREA.
THEN WE DID SPEAK TO A TRAPPER WHO LIVES IN THE AREA, THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I KNOW HE HAD MENTIONED THAT THROUGH ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WITH OUR ORGANIZATION THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY ACTIVELY TRAPPING AND IT'S A DIVIDE BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE AREA THAT DON'T WANT THE COYOTES TO BE MESSED WITH, AND THEN WE HAVE THE ONES THAT ARE LIKE THEY NEED TO LEAVE, THEY NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE.
I THINK THERE WERE SOME COMBATIVE THINGS GOING ON.
HE HAD MENTIONED EQUIPMENT BEING TAKEN, PEOPLE COMING OUT AND SCARING THE COYOTES FROM GOING INTO THE [OVERLAPPING] TRIBES.
THERE WERE SOME THINGS MENTIONED TO US THAT EFFORTS HAD BEEN TAKEN ON HIS BEHALF, AND I KNOW THAT ANOTHER CITIZEN HAD REACHED OUT TO A TRAPPER OR ANOTHER TRAPPER HAD SOME DIALOGUE THERE.
WE WERE HOPING THAT WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES WOULD BE HERE TODAY.
THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS SUPPOSED TO COME,
[03:35:01]
DO A PRESENTATION AND ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THEIR CONCERNS AND MAYBE GET A PLAN.SHE CALLED YESTERDAY AND SAID THAT SHE HAD COVID.
THAT'S WHY SHE'S NOT HERE TODAY.
BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS SHE DID SAY THAT SHE WAS GOING TO COME TO ANOTHER MEETING.
I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO INVITE THE SAME INDIVIDUALS BACK JUST IN CASE THEY HAVE QUESTIONS AND STUFF THEY WANT TO BE ANSWERED.
I IMAGINED IT WON'T BE THE NEXT ONE, BUT MAYBE THE ONE AFTER THAT.
>> I CAN TELL YOU, OUR OFFICE HAVE SPOKEN TO MS. MILLER AND SEVERAL CONSTITUENTS AND WE'VE TALKED TO THE ADMINISTRATION, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WILDLIFE, AND FISHERIES.
I THINK EVERY DISTRICT PROBABLY HAS CERTAINLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
THIS IS GETTING ENOUGH COMMUNITY ATTENTION, COULD WE POSSIBLY SCHEDULE THAT MEETING AT WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES CONVENIENCE, NOT NECESSARILY WITH A COUNCIL MEETING, JUST HAVE A SEPARATE MEETING, HAVE A MEETING AND WE'LL NOTICE IT FOR THAT PURPOSE SPECIFICALLY FOR A COMMUNITY AND WE CAN GET TO SHERIFF'S OFFICE, YOUR OFFICE, AND JUST BE ABLE TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY SOME DIRECT ANSWERS TO WHATEVER QUESTIONS THEY HAVE, COULD WE DO THAT?
>> ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. AS SHE'S MENTIONING MAYBE LIKE A LITTLE TOWN HALL?
I'LL JUST INVITE THEM TO COME AND DO THAT AS WELL.
>> OR IF IT'S EASIER, WE COULD DO IT AT THE FOUNDATION ROMAN LAFFENER.
WHATEVER IS MOST CONVENIENT FOR EVERYBODY.
>> OKAY. THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> I HAVE MORE ONE QUESTION. [OVERLAPPING] WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT TRAP? [BACKGROUND]
>> IF I CAN, MR. CHAIRMAN, I WAS GOING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
I'M A BIG OUTDOORSMAN, SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN THE WOODS.
I UNDERSTAND A LOT ABOUT ANIMAL BEHAVIOR.
THE COYOTES ARE HERE, THEY TRAVEL CANAL BANKS, THEY LIVE IN ANY LITTLE CORNER OUT OF THE WAY THEY CAN AND THEY COME OUT TO FEED AT NIGHT.
I THINK WE HAVE AS A PARISH AND I'M GOING TO PUT UP SOME OF OUR DISCRETIONARY MONEY, HIRE A PROFESSIONAL TO COME OUT AND SURVEY, HOW MANY COYOTES DO WE HAVE, WHERE THE DEN'S LOCATED AT, AND THEN LET'S COME UP WITH A PLAN TO ADDRESS IT OTHERWISE, WE'RE JUST SPINNING OUR WHEELS.
>> [BACKGROUND] CAN YOU GET TO THE MICROPHONE, MA'AM?
>> UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE BY I10 BY [INAUDIBLE] AND BY THE LAKE THAT'S THE TWO WHICH I HAD SAID AT FIRST WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED TO ME.
THEY DIDN'T COME THAT WAY, THE TRANSCONTINENTAL AND VETERANS HIGHWAY.
>> THEN OTHER ONES TALKING ABOUT WHEN ALSO WE'VE BEEN HEARING [NOISE] IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
NOW THE NIGHT I GOT UP AT ONE O'CLOCK, LEFT MY BEDROOM BECAUSE I HEARD THE PUP BY MY BEDROOM.
SOMEBODY IS OUT THERE ALREADY SHOOTING.
THAT'S WHY I'M TELLING YOU. THIS IS GETTING BAD, YOU ALL.
SOMEBODY INNOCENT IS GOING TO GET SHOT AND KILLED BECAUSE THIS IS NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
>> IT WAS MENTIONED OR IT WAS MENTIONED TO ME YESTERDAY EVENING, I DON'T HAVE PROOF OF IT, BUT IT WAS MENTIONED BY SOMEBODY THAT LIVES IN THE AREA THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT A COYOTE WAS KILLED NEAR VETERANS.
[OVERLAPPING] THEY HEARD IT THAT A COYOTE WAS KILLED.
THEY DIDN'T SAY WHETHER IT WAS SHOT OR NOT AND WHEN I'D ASK WHERE THEY WEREN'T REAL SURE, IT'S ONE OF THOSE MY NEIGHBOR TOLD MY NEIGHBOR WHO TOLD ME.
SO WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR ADDRESSES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
YEAH, MAYBE IT WAS ON FACEBOOK.
>> MS. [INAUDIBLE], ARE YOU AWARE OF A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT THAT WE CAN BRING IN AND WORK WITH TO HELP US DO A SURVEY AND DETERMINE WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES AND HOW MANY ANIMALS WE'RE DEALING WITH?
>> THERE ARE A FEW THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH, MELISSA COLLINS WITH WILDLIFE AND FISHERY, SHE'S A BIOLOGIST.
SHE MAY BE WILLING TO HELP OR AT LEAST POINT US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO GET THAT DONE.
>> I'LL BE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY MEETINGS YOU'LL PUT TOGETHER ON THAT SUBJECT.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. GO AHEAD, MA'AM.
HI. MY NAME IS BERGERON, MY FIRST NAME IS MERRILL, I LIVE AT 726, GERMANY STRAIGHT, GRETINA.
I SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE COYOTES.
THREE HORSES IN BELL CHASE SURROUNDED BY 30 ACRES OF WOODED AREA.
THE COYOTES THAT CO-EXIST WITH ME ARE AFRAID OF PEOPLE.
MY FAMILY IS OUTDOORSMEN, THEY HUNT.
THESE ANIMALS NOW, ONE HAS GONE OVER AN EIGHT-FOOT FENCE IN MALLORY BY A SWIMMING POOL AND WAS DRINKING WATER OUT OF THE POOL.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
[03:40:03]
I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY CHILD BITTEN.AS A ZOO EMPLOYEE, IN MY EARLIER YEARS, I HAD TO TAKE RABIES SHOTS.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE THESE ANIMALS BEING RIPPED UP, DISMEMBERED IN FRONT OF THESE RESIDENTS.
I AM HERE SPEAKING FOR THESE RESIDENTS BECAUSE MOST OF THEM ARE AFRAID TO COME TO COUNCIL.
THEY'RE AFRAID OF Y'ALL, I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU, THE ANIMAL SHELTER, OR ANYBODY THAT LIVES IN THIS PARISH, AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO START TAKING THE LAW IN THEIR OWN HANDS, THEY ARE GOING TO USE ANYTHING THAT THEY CAN USE WHETHER IT'S A '22, WHETHER IT'S POISON TO GET RID OF THESE ANIMALS.
I'M JUST HERE BECAUSE I FEEL STRONG ENOUGH THAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE WILD WILD WEST IN MALLORY.
NOW IN GRETINA, I KNOW WE HAVE THEM.
LOOK, PEOPLE CALL ME ALL THE TIME EITHER IT'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SHELTER, IT'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE COYOTES, ITS COMPLAINTS ABOUT EVERYTHING.
AND I GUESS THEY TRUST ME, THEY KNOW I'M GOING TO COME HERE AND SPEAK TO Y'ALL.
I'M NOT DOING THIS AS A HYPOCRITICAL HUMAN BEING, I AM TELLING Y'ALL YOU HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.
I DO WANT TO THANK JUDGE EDWARDS, DINO, AND EMPASTATA MIKE AND HIS OFFICE TOOK ME THREE WEEKS TO GET HIM, BUT I GOT HIM, I DO WANT TO THANK THEM FOR REACHING OUT, AND AS WELL AS CYNTHIA.
I MEAN, MY KIDS ARE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. I GET IT.
I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THESE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH GUNS PATROLLING FOR COYOTES.
I LOVE THEM, I THINK THEY'RE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CREATURES IN THE WORLD BUT WHEN YOU BECOME AGGRESSIVE, LAW HAS TO KICK IN.
>> THAT'S YOUR TIME, MA'AM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND I MEAN IT.
THANK YOU, CYNTHIA, AND ALSO CAN I SAY ONE MORE THING?
>> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO CYNTHIA.
I STAND BEHIND YOU, AND I'M TOUGH.
>> [NOISE] GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
MY NAME IS DANA FARLEY, 3908 ASHLEY COURT MALLORY.
I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT FOR OUR CHILDREN'S INNOCENCE FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW.
I'VE SPOKEN AT THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY BOARD MEETING AS WELL AS SEVERAL COMMITTEE HEARINGS AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND IT'S BEEN A VERY INTERESTING AND ALSO DISTURBING RIDE.
OUR PARISH PRESIDENT HAS SAID, LET'S TRUST THE EXPERTS ON THIS ISSUE.
MEANING THOSE EMPLOYED IN THE LIBRARY WITH ADVANCED DEGREES IN LIBRARY SCIENCE.
BUT WE THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH ARE NOT GOING TO LET MINIONS OF A MARXIST ALA PRESIDENT, EMILY DUBINSKY, DICTATE WHAT YOUNG AND IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO READ FROM THE LIBRARY SHELVES.
THERE'S A BOOK IN THE LIBRARY CALLED THE GABI SEES, IT OBVIOUSLY TARGETS PRESCHOOLERS.
ANOTHER BOOK CALLED MY PRINCESS BOY NORMALIZES CROSS-DRESSING TO YOUNG CHILDREN.
OTHER BOOKS NORMALIZE GENERAL GENITAL MUTILATION.
THERE ARE BOOKS THAT NORMALIZE PEDOPHILIA, WHICH WE KNOW IS ILLEGAL, NOT TO MENTION HARMFUL.
JUST BECAUSE THE BOOKS HAVE COLORFUL ILLUSTRATIONS DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY ARE NOT HARMFUL.
WE'RE HERE, WE'RE QUEER, WE'RE COMING FOR YOUR CHILDREN IS NOT BY ACCIDENT.
THE BOOKS NORMALIZE AND LEGITIMIZE RADICAL IDEAS AND FACILITATE RADICAL ACTIONS.
UNFORTUNATELY, SOME CHILDREN WILL MUTILATE THEIR BODIES AND UNDERGO IRREVERSIBLE CHANGES.
SOME WILL DE-TRANSITION, SOME WILL COMMIT SUICIDE.
THE DATA IS VERY EASY TO ACCESS, PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH.
THE BOOKS ARE SETTING CHILDREN UP FOR A LIFE OF MISERY AND CONFUSION, SOME NEVER GETTING TO EXPERIENCE THEIR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE.
THIS IS NOTHING LESS THAN AN ALL-OUT ASSAULT ON THE NUCLEAR FAMILY AND OUR CHILDREN'S INNOCENCE.
SOMETHING THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES.
THE DEPOPULATION AGENDA IS NOW IN HIGH GEAR AND TARGETING OUR YOUTH AT A MUCH YOUNGER AGE.
PART OF THE AGENDA IS NORMALIZING ANY LIFESTYLE THAT IS NOT HETEROSEXUAL, TRADITIONAL, AND WHOLESOME, RESULTING IN A DECLINE IN MARRIAGES AND BIRTH RATES.
SINCE THE '50S, PEOPLE HAVE MOVED HERE TO JEFFERSON PARISH TO RAISE A FAMILY.
THE AGENDA OF THESE BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY IS TO DESTROY FAMILIES.
[03:45:04]
I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL NOT TO BE COMPLICIT AND CONFRONT THIS AGENDA TO SEXUALIZE YOUNG CHILDREN IN OUR LIBRARIES.WE ARE IN A BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL, IT'S TIME NOW TO STAND ON THE SIDE OF GOOD.
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE AWAKE AND THEY ARE WATCHING, AND AT THE VERY LEAST, THESE BOOKS NEED TO BE KEPT IN A SECURE LOCATION AND ONLY ACCESSIBLE BY A PARENT.
THE NEW LAW, SB7, SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR IS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM HARMFUL MATERIAL IN LIBRARY BOOKS. NOW THIS LAW [OVERLAPPING]
>> [NOISE] IS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL, WITH HELP OF THE LIBRARY BOARD AND ALSO CITIZENS, TO DECIDE HOW THIS NEW LAW IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED REFLECTING FAMILY VALUES AND THE WILL OF THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR, SO PLEASE DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR CHILDREN AND ACT ACCORDINGLY. THANK YOU.
>> I WANTED TO MENTION AND I DON'T KNOW IF OTHERS WILL BE SPEAKING ON THIS, BUT WE HAVE GOTTEN EMAIL AND CALLS AND COMMUNICATIONS TO OUR OFFICE WITH SIMILAR CONCERNS EXPRESSED.
I DID REACH OUT TO OUR LIBRARY DIRECTOR WHO I KNOW I SPOKE WITH EARLIER TODAY, I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S STILL HERE.
BUT MY APPROACH IS WHEN WE GO TO CHECKOUT, NOW THIS IS GOING TO SHOW OUR AGE, BUT SOMETHING AT BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO YEARS AGO, YOU KNOW YOU HAD TO SHOW YOUR ID.
THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE SAFEGUARDS BUILT IN.
I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO FIND SOMETHING THAT ADDS ANOTHER LEVEL OF CHECKOUT, WHETHER IT'S AN INDICATION ON A CARD, WHETHER IT'S SOMETHING KEPT BEHIND THE COUNTER THAT YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR.
LIKE I HAVE TO ASK FOR ALEVE-D AT A PHARMACY.
I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT AND OUR BOARD TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE STRUCTURE SOMETHING LIKE THAT? HOW DO WE MAKE SURE IT'S SOMETHING OUR STAFF CAN DO? BUT HOW DO WE MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF PUTTING IN SOME ADDITIONAL MEASURES THAT CREATE A BETTER BALANCE, I THINK.
SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS.
>> IS THIS THE LAST PERSON SPEAKING ON THE LIBRARY ISSUE?
>> OKAY. DO YOU WANT ME TO WAIT UNTIL THE END?
>> WE CAN WAIT TILL THE END. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I WILL JUST SAY THAT WHEN WE MET WITH YOU ALL AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE CERTAINLY DID COMMIT TO.
AT THIS TIME THE STATE LEGISLATION WAS BEING INTRODUCED AND WE WEREN'T FINISHED THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IN BATON ROUGE.
WITH THE PASSING OF IS IT SB7? SB7, WE DO NOT HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THAT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A LIBRARY CONTROL BOARD, BUT CERTAINLY THE SPIRIT OF THAT LEGISLATION WE COMMITTED THAT WE WOULD FOLLOW WHEN THAT CAME ABOUT.
THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE PUTTING CERTAIN BOOKS BEHIND A SHELF.
WHAT THAT MEASURE WOULD LOOK LIKE IS MORE AND WE CERTAINLY AS THE LIBRARY AND AS THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVE IN PARENTAL CONTROL AND IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR CHILD TO LOOK AT CERTAIN MATERIAL, THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL TYPE OF CARD.
THE LIBRARY CARD NOW SAYS YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHATEVER YOUR CHILD CHECKS OUT.
BUT ANOTHER PROCEDURE TO MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR CHILD JUST ROAMING THE LIBRARY AND LOOKING AT WHATEVER THEY WANT, THAT THERE WOULD BE A CARD THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
THE PROCEDURE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN STATE BY LIBRARY CONTROL BOARDS UNTIL NEXT YEAR.
SO WE ARE STARTING TO LOOK AT THAT PROCESS AND HOW TO EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF I'M CLOSE ENOUGH? YES. KEN FERGUSON, I LIVE AT 220 CENTRAL AVENUE IN OLD JEFFERSON.
I FEEL LIKE I'M IN THE WRONG SPOT BECAUSE I TAUGHT CHESS AT HAYNES FOR ABOUT EIGHT YEARS [LAUGHTER] BUT HERE I AM WITH LIBRARY STUFF.
I WAS GOING TO READ SB7, AT LEAST PART OF IT.
"THE LEGISLATURE RECOGNIZES THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF PARENTS TO MAKE DECISIONS AS TO THE CARE, CUSTODY, AND CONTROL OF THEIR CHILDREN.
THIS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT INCLUDES THE RIGHT TO DECIDE THE UPBRINGING AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN UNDER THEIR CONTROL.
PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO GUIDE AND DIRECT THE READING, LISTENING, AND VIEWING CHOICES OF THEIR MINOR CHILDREN.
MANY LIBRARIES LACK ADEQUATE POLICIES ADDRESSING THE ACCESS OF MINORS TO SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIALS.
IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT, IT IS THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE TO REQUIRE LIBRARIES TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT POLICY LANGUAGE TO LIMIT THE ACCESS OF MINORS TO SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIALS." NOW, I WILL SAY PERSONALLY, I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN, I DON'T HAVE GRANDCHILDREN.
I COULD HAVE JUST SAID, WELL, THIS IS NOT MY PROBLEM.
BUT IN RECENT MONTHS, I WAS PART OF A GROUP THAT WENT TO A MAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY IN JEFFERSON AND FOUND ALL KINDS OF BOOKS
[03:50:04]
THAT I WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY FELT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE HANDING OUT TO ANY KIDS I WOULD HAVE.ONE PARTICULAR THAT I READ THE WHOLE BOOK CALLED FLAMER, AND IT HAD PASSAGES DESCRIBING THINGS I FOUND QUITE DISTURBING.
IT WAS A GROUP OF YOUNG TEEN BOYS AND THEY WERE BASICALLY SITTING AROUND AND THEY WERE, WELL TO NO FINE WORD ON IT, MASTURBATING INTO A BOTTLE.
THEN ANYONE IN THE GROUP THAT WOULDN'T DO IT HAD TO DRINK THE CONTENTS OF THE BOTTLE THAT WAS PART OF THE BOOK.
I WONDERED WHAT'S SORT OF UPLIFTING PURPOSE DOES THIS REALLY SERVE? I DON'T REALLY THINK THAT IT DOES.
I ALSO THOUGHT THAT IF I WERE TO SIT ON A PARK BENCH HANDING OUT SOME OF THESE BOOKS TO KIDS, I MIGHT FIND MYSELF WITH AN ANGRY FATHER.
BUT WHEN THEY'RE IN A LIBRARY AND READILY AVAILABLE, THAT'S A DIFFERENT THING BECAUSE IT'S GOTTEN THE APPROVAL SOME LEVEL OF A LIBRARY OR AN OFFICIAL.
YES, IT DOES BOTHER ME SOMEWHAT THAT THE PRESIDENT- [OVERLAPPING]
>> FIFTEEN SECONDS? THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE LIBRARIAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, IS AN AVOWED MARXIST AND THAT I THINK CREATES A LOT OF ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. SO MANY THINGS TO GO INTO, BUT I'M JUST GOING TO WRAP IT UP.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M PASTOR BILL SHANKS.
I LIVE AT SEVEN PATHS PLACE IN METAIRIE.
PASTOR DALE, SO HE CAME UP EARLIER BUT HE HAD TO LEAVE.
HE WANTED ME TO EXPRESS SOME OF HIS IDEAS.
I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN TO THE LIBRARY AND SEEING THE FILTH THAT'S IN THERE IS THAT SORT OF THING ANYBODY WOULD BE IN JAIL IF THEY PROPOSED THAT SORT OF THING TO CHILDREN BUT HERE HAS SOMEHOW IT'S GOTTEN PAST THAT.
WE ALSO SPOKE WITH THE LIBRARY BOARD AND WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS SUBJECT, ALL THE THINGS WE'VE DISCUSSED TODAY PALE IN COMPARISON TO SOMETHING THAT WOULD HARM OUR CHILDREN IN THAT.
THAT'S THE REASON WE COME HERE.
WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS, YOU'VE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB, WE'VE GOT AN EXCELLENT PARISH HERE.
THAT'S PARTIALLY BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT YOU ALL HAVE PROVIDED FOR US.
[NOISE] WE FEEL WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS THING HERE.
PASTOR DALE HAD PUT THIS TOGETHER.
HE SAID DIETRICH BONHOEFFER, THE GERMAN THEOLOGIAN AND PASTOR WHO'S KNOWN FOR HIS OPPOSITION TO GERMAN NAZISM AND SOCIALISM WOULD EVENTUALLY BE ARRESTED AND LED TO HIS EXECUTION IN '45 BECAUSE IT WAS RESISTANCE OF THE EVILS OF THAT DAY.
HE MADE SOME HISTORICAL PROFOUND STATEMENTS.
HE SAYS, "SILENCE IN THE FACE OF EVIL IS ITSELF EVIL.
GOD WILL NOT HOLD THIS GUILTLESS.
NOT TO SPEAK IS TO SPEAK, NOT TO ACT IS TO ACT.
THE ULTIMATE TEST OF A MORAL SOCIETY IS THE WORLD THAT IT LEAVES TO ITS CHILDREN." WE HAVE TO SEE OUR LEGISLATURE HAS PASSED SOME GOOD BILLS IN THESE AREAS, BUT IT DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE NEAR AS FAR.
THIS MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE FOR THE PERUSAL OF ANY CHILD THAT WALKS INTO A LIBRARY.
THEY DON'T NEED A CARD, THEY DON'T NEED ANYTHING, THEY YOU JUST GO READ IT.
THEY NEED A CARD TO CHECK IT OUT.
NOW, OUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE, IT'D BE PUT ON THE SIDE EVEN IN THE GROCERY STORES.
USUALLY PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL WAS ON THE SIDE IN THE BACK, HERE THEY ASK FOR IT, HAVE A WRAPPER ON IT, AND THAT SORT OF THING.
WE FEEL THAT THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY AND SAY, WELL, THE LIBRARY BOARD AND THE EXPERTS OVER THERE, THEY WOULD HAVE GONE THERE, AND THEY SAID, "WE DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THAT, IT'S A CITY COUNCIL," SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.
THE BIBLE IN ROMANS 13 CHAPTER SAYS, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TO REWARD GOOD AND PUNISH EVIL.
>> I'M ASKING YOU NOT TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
[03:55:02]
JESUS ALSO SAID THIS, HE SAID, "WOE TO THOSE WHO OFFEND A LITTLE CHILD, BE BETTER FOR HIM TO HAVE A MILLSTONE TIED AROUND THE NECK AND THROWN INTO THE SEA".WE'RE DEALING WITH SOMETHING THAT GOD HATES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM KIM DEAGANO.
I'D RATHER NOT GIVE MY ADDRESS IF THAT'S OKAY.
AS FATHER RODMAN STATED IN HIS PRAYER EARLIER, OUR ENEMY IS SATAN AND SO I PRAY EACH OF YOU HAVE EYES TO SEE AND EARS TO HEAR.
I PERSONALLY WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE MY TAX DOLLARS BEING USED FOR THE TRASH THAT'S IN OUR LIBRARIES AND IT BEING ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN.
WE'RE ASKING FOR THE PORNOGRAPHIC AND PEDOPHILIC BOOKS TO BE KEPT BEHIND THE COUNTER WHERE ONLY AN ADULT CAN ACCESS THESE BOOKS.
WE DON'T FEEL LIKE THIS ASK IS BEYOND REASONABLE.
THIS HAS BEEN PRESENTED AS AN ANTI-LBGTQ THING.
THIS IS PORNOGRAPHIC AND PEDOPHILIC MATERIAL TO OUR CHILDREN, AND THAT IS THE ISSUE.
THERE ARE BOOKS. THIS IS ONE OF THEM.
YOU CAN SEE IT'S VERY COLORFUL.
IT HAS A LOT OF PICTURES THAT ARE ENTICING TO CHILDREN.
THESE BOOKS ARE GEARED TOWARD THE AGES OF 5-8. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT WHO IS ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINAL DECISION BECAUSE AS WE'VE STATED, IT SEEMS TO BE THAT THE BUCK IS BEING PASSED.
WE CHALLENGE THIS COUNCIL TO TAKE A STAND AND CHANGE THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE IN OUR PARISH LIBRARIES.
OUR CONCERN IS THAT WE HAVE A MORAL AND BIBLICAL OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN.
IF WE CAN'T GET THAT RIGHT, WE ARE IN THE DEPTHS OF DEPRAVITY THAT I SURELY DIDN'T BELIEVE I WOULD EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE TIME.
THERE WAS A STATEMENT IN NOLA.COM THAT SAID, UNLIKE OTHER JURISDICTIONS, THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY ISN'T GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF CONTROL INSTEAD, LIBRARY POLICY IS SET BY JEFFERSON PARISH'S PRESIDENT WITH THE GUIDANCE FROM THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR.
THOUGH, THE PARISH COUNCIL HAS THE AUTHORITY TO OVERRIDE THOSE DECISIONS.
THAT'S WHY WE ARE APPEALING TO Y'ALL.
THERE ARE MANY THAT WERE UNAWARE OF THE AGENDA TO CONFUSE YOUNG CHILDREN ABOUT THEIR SEXUAL IDENTITY AND DISCUSSING THEIR BODIES AND BODY PARTS IN GRAPHIC WAYS TO DESENSITIZE OUR CHILDREN.
BY GRADE SCHOOL AGE AS EARLY AS SECOND GRADE, THEY ARE EXPOSING THEM TO MORE GRAPHIC MATERIALS SUCH AS PICTURES DEPICTING KIDS MASTURBATING AND ADULTS HAVING SEX.
LIKE I STATED, ONE BOOK EXAMPLE IS, SEX IS A FUNNY WORD.
THE DESCRIPTION OF THIS BOOK STATES, IT IS AN ESSENTIAL RESOURCE ABOUT BODIES, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY FOR CHILDREN AGES 8-10.
>> THEY SHOW MALE GENITALIA, THEY SHOW PICTURES OF MASTURBATION, AND THEY EVEN SHOW AN ADULT MALE WITH A YOUNG BOY HOLDING A PENIS.
BOTH OF THEIR PENISES ARE EXPOSED.
>> [NOISE] FIRST GIVING HONOR THE FATHER GOD, TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT DWELLS WITHIN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.
I RESIDE AT 1507 GARDEN ST, KENNER, LOUISIANA AND I'M HERE TO SHARE A COUPLE OF THINGS WITH YOU.
I RAN FOR COUNCILMAN LAW IN THE CITY OF KENNER AGAINST MY FRIEND THAT IS NOW PASSED, ED MUNIZ.
THE REASON I RAN WAS THE FACT THAT THEY WERE KICKING KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR WITH FULL SUSPENSIONS.
I WENT TO MAYOR YENNI IN SALENTINI WHOM I HOPE GOT ELECTED TO SEE IF IT WAS SOMETHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT.
IT WAS OUT OF THE HANDS AND THAT'S WHY I RAN FOR COUNCILMAN AGAINST ED MUNIZ,
[04:00:02]
WHOM I HELP GET ELECTED FOR THE COUNCIL OF KENNER.I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO PRAISE THE COUNCIL, BYRON LEE OVER DISTRICT 3 AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL, FOR THE THINGS THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE, AND ESPECIALLY LETTER MERIT THAT Y'ALL REWARDED ME WITH.
I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
I HAVE GOTTEN OTHER AWARDS FROM THE LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARD DURING KATRINA, CITY OF KENNER, FROM [INAUDIBLE] DURING THE MAY 8TH FLOOD.
BUT THE THING THAT WAS MOST IMPORTANT TO ME IS MY SAY NO TO DRUG GROUP.
I PUT THAT TOGETHER. I'M OSCAR CADE.
AGAIN, THE CADE'S RAIDERS, THE RAIDER RITZ, AND SAY NO TO DRUGS.
PRESIDENT SAYING YOUR FATHER BOUGHT MY FIRST SET OF SHIRTS, FLAGS FOR 30 KIDS.
OUT OF THOSE 30 KIDS, I ONLY LOST TWO.
I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT AND I'M PROUD OF YOU FOR BEING OUR PRESIDENT.
BYRON LEE, TO YOU I LOVE YOU AS A PERSON AND I LOVE YOU COUNCIL FOR RECOGNIZING ME.
HOPEFULLY, YOU ALL WILL FIND THE TIME, BYRON, AND GET WHICH YOU COULD THEN I'M GOING TO PASS THIS ON TO HIM.
I HAVE A SUGGESTION AND A GOOD SOLUTION THAT CAN REVERSE OUR CRIME PROBLEMS AND THEY HELP KEEP OUR KIDS MAKING SOMETHING OUT OF THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM CRIMINALS.
THIS REVOLVING IN AND OUT OF JAIL THING HAS TO STOP AND I HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THAT.
>> MY TIME IS UP, GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO TALK AND BYRON, I'M PROUD OF YOU AND I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN DO TO GET YOU RE-ELECTED. GOD BLESS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M PHILIP MILLER AND I'M VERY HARD OF HEARING.
I GOT HERE EARLY THIS MORNING ABOUT 9:30 TO BE SURE TO I'D IN TUNE.
THIS GETTING OLD IS GETTING OLD.
I CAME HERE JUST FOR 73 AND I WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU WENT TO 80 SOMETHING.
WHAT I'M QUESTIONING IS WHAT HAPPENED TO 73?
>> WE PASSED ALL THE HANDS RELATED RESOLUTIONS.
>> I WISH I COULD ASK YOU THAT AN HOUR AGO.
[LAUGHTER] WELL, ROCK AND ROLL. THANKS, GUYS.
>> SORRY, YOU HAD TO WAIT. [LAUGHTER]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M JOE ANDRADE I BELIEVE.
I'M THE TRAPPER THAT MS. BRIGNITE WAS REFERRING TO EARLIER.
I'M A NUISANCE WILDLIFE CONTROL OPERATOR LICENSED BY WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES.
JUST WANTED TO START BY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT'S IMPRACTICAL OR IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPLETELY ERADICATE COYOTES FROM URBAN AREAS.
BUT IT'S EQUALLY IRRESPONSIBLE TO BELIEVE WE CAN JUST ALLOW THEM TO REPRODUCE UNABATED WITHOUT TRYING TO MITIGATE IT SOMEHOW.
WHEN ANIMALS MOVE IN AND GET COMFORTABLE, THEY BECOME HABITATED AND THERE'S NO CHANGING IN THE BEHAVIOR.
IN MY EXPERIENCE, YOU REMOVE THE TROUBLESOME ONES AND THEN TRY TO CURB THE BEHAVIOR OF THE ONES THAT REMAIN.
[NOISE] SECOND, IT'S DISINGENUOUS OF THE COUNCILMAN AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO INSTRUCT THEIR CONSTITUENTS TO REACH OUT TO WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES HAS DONE THEIR PART.
THEY'VE OUTLINED WHAT WE CAN DO TO TAKE COYOTES OUT.
BUT ALL EVERYTHING THEY OUTLINED IS SUBJECT TO LOCAL ORDINANCES AND ALL THE LEGAL METHODS THAT THEY OUTLINE OR SUBJECT.
IT LIMITS WHAT WE CAN DO AND REMOVING TROUBLESOME ANIMALS SUCH AS THESE AND SAY FERAL HOGS.
JEFFERSON PARISH AND ORLEANS PARISH ARE THE ONLY PARISHES THAT I KNOW OF THAT DON'T ALLOW ANY GUNFIRE, I GUESS, UNLESS YOU'RE CAR JACKING SOMEONE AND THAT TIES OUR HANDS.
FIRST OF ALL, I'VE JUST PROVIDED, I BELIEVE IT WAS LEE SHENG'S OFFICE, WITH VIDEOS THAT I'VE TAKEN FROM THE LEVY FROM THE CYNICAL RETREAT CENTERS PROPERTY WHO'VE GIVEN ME PERMISSION TO GO AND TRAP AND KEEP AN EYE ON THE COYOTES BASICALLY DOING WHAT COUNCILMAN BONANO WAS REFERRING TO.
I'VE REMOVED THREE OF THEM SO FAR EVEN WITH THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO INHIBIT ME FROM DOING THIS, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH. I SEE THEM OUT THERE EVERY DAY.
I HAVE CAMERAS OUT THAT I'VE BEEN WATCHING THEM SINCE SEPTEMBER.
[04:05:04]
THERE'S ACTUALLY SOMEBODY OUT THERE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP THE COYOTES IS BECAUSE I'VE GOT PICTURES OF ONE WHO'S BEEN SEWED UP, A FEMALE COYOTE WITH STITCHES.THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE MAKING IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO ARE TRYING TO HELP.
NOBODY'S PAYING ME A DIME TO DO THIS.
THAT'S WHY IT'S DISCONCERTING WHEN THE BUCK JUST GETS PASSED WHEN I'VE JUST BEEN DOING IT FOR FREE JUST TO HELP OUT.
I JUST MOVED HERE A YEAR AGO. I DIDN'T KNOW ANYBODY.
MY WIFE AND I SAW ON THE NEXTDOOR APP THAT PEOPLE WERE HAVING THEIR ANIMALS, DUCKS EATEN IN THEIR FRONT YARD.
I REACHED OUT TO THE CYNICAL RETREAT CENTER BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THEM ARE LIVING ON THE PROPERTY OR SPENDING A LOT OF TIME ON THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THERE AND ON THE LEVY.
I WENT OUT THERE AND I SPENT MY OWN TIME.
>> TO REMOVE THESE THINGS AND I DON'T HAVE IT IN ME TO TELL MY FELLOW NEIGHBORS, NO, I CAN'T HELP YOU WHEN THEY CALL ME, WHEN THEY ARE JUST STRESSED OUT, FREAKING OUT WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING.
BUT ALSO I HAVE PEOPLE, I HAVE THREE CHILDREN, I HAVE MY HOUSE TO FEED AS WELL AND IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN STEPS AREN'T BEING TAKEN HERE AND I'M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN JUST TO HELP MY NEW NEIGHBORS.
I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE A YEAR. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS COREY JR, I'M A JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEE, I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH JEFFERSON PARISH, 21 YEARS AND I CAME HERE TODAY TO TALK TO YOU-ALL ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING, THE RAISE AND RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGES BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN WORKING.
WE'RE UNDERSTAFFED AND WE NEED HELP AND IT'S HARD TO KEEP COMPLETING OUR JOB WITHOUT HAVING THE AMOUNT OF HELP WE NEED.
I CAME TO THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, SOME QUESTION WAS BROUGHT UP THAT THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHY JEFFERSON PARISH PEOPLE, SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES KEEP LEAVING, WELL THEY ARE LEAVING BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GETTING PAID ENOUGH.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE PAY AND WHAT WE'D BE ON THE JOB SITES, THEY HAVE CONTRACTORS, THEY'RE RECRUITING THE WORKERS, RIFLE MONDAY, JEFFERSON PARISH, LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THEY PAY MORE MONEY SO THEY CAN PAY MORE MONEY AT ANOTHER AS SOMEWHERE ELSE WHY WOULD THEY STAY, THAT'S WHY THEY LEAVING.
SOME OF THE WORKERS WHO'VE BEEN HERE FOR 27 YEARS, 15 SOME YEARS, THEY LEAVING TOO BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO KEEP WORKING UNDER A LOT OF NEW EMPLOYEES WHO COME IN FOR A JOB, BUT WHEN THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE PAY THEY QUIT.
SO ONCE THEY QUIT, RIGHT BACK AT HIS DRAWING BOARD, WE REALLY DON'T NEED TO DO LIKE JEFFERSON PARISH REALLY DON'T HAVE TO DO LIKE ANOTHER JOB, FAIR.
IF YOU RAISE THE PAY, THE PEOPLE WILL COME, THEY GOT PEOPLE STANDING BY WAITING TO COME WORK FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, THEY HAVE SOME PEOPLE WAITING TO SEE THE OUTCOME OF THE LABOR PAY, THE COST OF LIVING RAISED.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE A DETERMINATION WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO STAY OR LEAVE.
SO WE JUST ASKING YOU-ALL IF YOU ARE WONDERING WHY THEY LEAVING, COME TALK TO THE DEPARTMENT, COME TALK TO THE ACTUAL WORKERS AND COME SEE, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO TALK TO YOU-ALL, BUT IT'S HARD FOR THEM, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH COURAGE TO COME DO THIS AND SOME OF THEM CAN TAKE OFF BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR DEPARTMENTS, THERE'S A LOT OF THEM WHO REALLY WANTED TO COME SPEAK THAT'S WATCHING RIGHT NOW.
IF THEY TAKE OFF, A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO RUN.
ME PERSONALLY, LAST YEAR, I HAD 300 AND PROBABLY 80 SOME ANNUAL HOURS, THE REASON WHY I ACCUMULATED ALL THOSE HOURS, I TAKE NO VACATIONS OR NOTHING BUT FOR MY DEPARTMENT HEAD TO RUN.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VETERANS WHO'VE BEEN HERE WHEN YOUR DEPARTMENT NEEDS YOU AND YOU WORK IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS, WHEN A LOT OF STUFF THAT GOES ON IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS THAT HAVE TO GET DONE.
THERE'S ONLY SO MANY OF US HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE THAT'S STILL HERE, THAT KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE PROBLEMS. THAT'S YOUR TIME, SIR. BUT COUNCILMAN LEE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.
LET ME JUST SAY I COMMEND YOU AND I THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEES AND TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU-ALL SIDE OF THE STORY.
DURING OUR LAST MAJOR STORM, IDA, WE ALL SAW HOW HARD YOU-ALL WORK DESPITE THE CONDITIONS THAT YOU-ALL WERE IN AND WE SEE THAT WE CAN'T PUT ON IN ANY EVENTS WITHOUT MANY OF YOU-ALL AND I MEAN,
[04:10:06]
EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THIS PARISH CONTRIBUTES TO THE BETTER MAKING OF THIS PARENTS.YOU'VE PROBABLY BEEN HERE FOR AWHILE, BUT TODAY, WE DID PASS THE RESOLUTION FOR THE COLA INCREASE, WHICH SPENT ABOUT EIGHT YEARS SINCE THERE WAS ONE.
BUT WE'RE NOW ONCE IT GOES, IT'S GOING TO GO TO THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT AND SOMEONE OF YOUR ILK, WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THAT IS SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE PERSONNEL BOUGHT UNDERSTAND YOUR PLIGHT AND UNDERSTANDS ALL THE ISSUES THAT CONFRONT YOU AND WHAT I'LL CALL YOUR BROTHERS IN ARMS AND SISTERS IN ARMS WHO ARE WORKING EVERY DAY TO MAKE JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT WORK BETTER.
YOU GUYS DO THE WORK THAT WE EXPECT.
AGAIN, I COMMEND YOU FOR COMING HERE AND SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF YOUR COMRADES IN ARMS. APPRECIATE YOU.
HELLO, MY NAME IS CYNTHIA CARRY, I RESIDE AT 1300 AT VINTAGE DRIVE IN KENNER.
I'M JUST GOING TO ADD ON TO WHAT SOMEONE EARLIER WAS SAYING OUT OF THE BOOK GENDER QUEER.
IT EVEN HIGHLIGHTS A REVIEW FROM A MEMBER OF NAMBLA AND IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, IT'S THE NORTH AMERICAN MAN BOY LOVE ASSOCIATION AND IT IS A PEDOPHILIA AND PEDERASTY OF ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
IT WORKS TO ABOLISH AGE OF CONSENT LAWS, CRIMINALIZING ADULTS, SEXUAL INVOLVEMENT WITH MINORS AND CAMPAIGNS FOR THE RELEASE OF MEN WHO HAD BEEN JAILED FOR SEXUAL CONTACTS WITH MINORS.
ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW AND IT IS LET'S SAY, WE DON'T HAVE TO JUST WAIT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SB SEVEN BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE WORKED BY STATUTE 91.11, WHICH IS RIGHT NOW, LET'S SEE.
THIS ADDRESSES THE SALE, EXHIBITION, OR DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIAL HARMFUL TO MINORS.
ONE, THE UNLAWFUL SALE EXHIBITION RENTAL, LEASING, OR DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIAL HARMFUL TO MINORS IS THE INTENTIONAL SALE ALLOCATION, DISTRIBUTION, ADVERTISEMENT, DISSEMINATION, EXHIBITION, OR DISPLAY A MATERIAL HARMFUL TO MINORS BY A PERSON WHO IS NOT THE SPOUSE, PARENT, OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE MINOR TO ANY UNMARRIED PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18, OR THE POSSESSION OF MATERIAL HARMFUL TO MINORS WITH THE INTENT TO SELL, ALLOCATE, ADVERTISE, DISSEMINATE, EXHIBIT, OR DISPLAY SUCH MATERIAL TO ANY UNMARRIED PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 BY A PERSON WHO WAS NOT THE SPOUSE, PARENT, OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE MINOR AT A NEWS STAND OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT WHICH IS OPEN TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.
MATERIAL HARMFUL TO MINORS IS DIVINE, DEFINED AS ANY PAPER, MAGAZINE, BOOK, NEWSPAPER, PERIODICAL, PAMPHLET COMPOSITION, PUBLICATION, PHOTOGRAPH, DRAWING, PICTURE, POSTER, MOTION PICTURE FILM, VIDEOTAPE, VIDEO GAME FIGURE, PHONOGRAPH RECORD ALBUM BECAUSE SET COMPACT DISK OR TAPE RECORDING OR OTHER SIMILAR TANGIBLE WORKER THING WHICH EXPLOITS IS DEVOTED TO ARE PRINCIPALLY CONSISTS OF DESCRIPTIONS OR DEPICTIONS OF ILLICIT SEX OR SEXUAL IMMORALITY FOR COMMERCIAL GAIN.
WHEN THE TRIER OF FACT DETERMINES THAT EACH OF THE FOLLOWING APPLIES, A, THE MATERIAL AND SITES ARE APPEALS TO OR IS DESIGNED TO INCITE OR APPEALS TO THE PRURIENT, SHAMEFUL OR MORE BIT INTERESTS OF MINORS AND THE MATERIAL IS OFFENSIVE TO THE AVERAGE ADULT APPLYING CONTEMPORARY COMMUNITY STANDARDS WITH RESPECT TO WHAT IS SUITABLE FOR MINORS.
I'M JUST GOING TO SAY THIS ONE THING REAL QUICK IS YOU-ALL TOOK AN OATH WHEN YOU GOT INTO OFFICE, AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, GOD'S CHILDREN.
BONNIE THOMPSON, 38 19 WILLIAM PLACE.
UNFORTUNATELY, I WASN'T ABLE TO ATTEND THE LAST FEW COUNCIL MEETINGS BECAUSE THERE WERE THINGS GOING ON AT SCHOOL THAT REQUIRED THAT I'D BE THERE TEN O'CLOCK ON A WEEKDAY ISN'T AN EASY TIME FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO ADDRESS YOU.
BUT PLEASE DON'T INTERPRET MY ABSENCES AS EITHER SURRENDER OR ACCEPTANCE.
NEXT MONTH, WILL MARK ONE YEAR SINCE I FIRST ADDRESSED THIS COUNCIL,
[04:15:01]
AND MY EXPRESSED CONCERNS HAVE RESULTED IN NOTHING SO FAR, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP.YOU HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS YOU CREATE IT BY GIVING JPAS MANAGERIAL CONTROL OF JPAC.
YOU HAVE NOT MADE JPAC A FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE VENUE FOR SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS.
RAMOS, PETER PAN WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE MONEY WAS CONTRIBUTED BY ONE OF THE COUNSEL MEN TO THAT PRODUCTION.
IN YOUR RE-IMAGINING OF THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT, YOU WERE UNABLE TO ENVISION CHILDREN WHO CHOOSE ARTS RATHER THAN SPORTS PERFORMING ON JPAC STAGE, THE ONLY TAXPAYER OWNED AUDITORIUM IN THIS PARISH.
TODAY I'M PRESENTING A PLAN THAT WILL PROVIDE ALL CHILDREN IN JEFFERSON PARISH WITH EQUAL ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN PARISH OWNED FACILITIES.
I PROPOSE THE FOLLOWING, TOMORROW PADLOCK EVERY PARISH OWN PLAYGROUND, FIELD, COURT, AND GYM, ESTABLISH FEES FOR CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN TEAMS AND IN ACTIVITIES AT THESE PLAYGROUNDS, EQUITABLE TO THOSE CHARGED BY JAY PASS FOR CHILDREN PERFORM ON THE JPAC STAGE.
THESE FEES WOULD RANGE $500-800 PER SPORT OR ACTIVITY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT JPAS COLLECTS FROM CHILDREN TO PERFORM AT JPAC.
IF YOU ARE THINKING THAT THIS IS A RIDICULOUS PROPOSAL, IF YOU ARE THINKING THAT THESE FEES ARE OUTRAGEOUS, IF YOU WERE THINKING THAT THESE FEES WOULD MAKE PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES INACCESSIBLE FOR THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH, THEN YOU MUST ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION, SHOULDN'T CHILDREN WHO CHOOSE TO BE IN A CAST RATHER THAN HAVE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ON A TEAM, HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES? YOU HAVE THE FACILITY, THESE CHILDREN NEED TO PURSUE THEIR PASSION, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FOLLOW MR. WALKER'S PREVIOUS SUGGESTION THAT DAY AND MAKE GOVERNMENT DO THE RIGHT THING.
THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS TO ASSURE THAT JPAC STAGE IS NO LONGER AN ENDLESS SOURCE OF INCOME FOR JPAS, BUT THAT IT IS FINANCIALLY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL THE CHILDREN IN THIS PARISH. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY.
I'M HERE, MY NAME IS SHARON ROBINSON, I LIVE AT 9449 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY IN RIVER RIDGE, LOUISIANA.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE METAIRIE SANCTUARY ON THE LAKE SITE, THE NATURAL LAND ON AVALON AND ST. MARY OWNED BY SANCTUARY PRESERVATION HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY FIVE BIOLOGISTS AND OR ECOLOGISTS.
ZANE LEBLANC OF THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES LAND MANAGEMENT DIVISION, HE'S A BIOLOGIST, BRIAN ALI ECOLOGISTS OF THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES, WILDLIFE DIVERSITY DEPARTMENT.
DR. JOSHUA LEWIS OF TULANE BYWATER.
DAVE BAKER, A BIOLOGIST OF TULANE, DR. SHELLY ALEXANDER, COYOTE ECOLOGIST AT CALGARY UNIVERSITY IN CANADA, AND SHE IS A WORLDWIDE COYOTE EXPERT.
ALSO, TRAPPER JOHN SMITH INSPECTED THE LAND AND THE LAND DOES NOT HAVE COYOTE DENS, THE WATER TABLE IS TOO HIGH.
THE COYOTES ARE PASSING THROUGH IT FROM THE LEVEE JUST LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE ON THE CITY.
I HAPPEN TO LIVE ABOUT TWO BLOCKS OFF THE LEVY IN RIVER RIDGE, AND I KNOW THE COYOTES ARE AN ISSUE, BUT WE WILL NEVER ERADICATE THEM AND TO DO SO WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO OUR ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM.
THEY ARE KEEPING THE RODENTS AT BAY, THE POSSUMS, THE RACCOONS, THE THINGS THAT BRING COYOTE, THE RABIES TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR SMALL PETS.
I KNOW THERE IS A BALANCE HERE AND WE NEED TO DO BETTER TO ACHIEVE IT, BUT TO CLAIM THAT THIS PROPERTY IS IN ANY WAY BRINGING COYOTE IT'S STILL LOGICAL.
WE'VE DONE THE DUE DILIGENCE TO PROVE THAT THAT IS NOT EVEN A TRUE STATEMENT OR IRRATIONAL THOUGHT.
[04:20:01]
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.>> AARON, IF I COULD WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT OF COYOTES.
I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I'M COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO GET EMERGING CONTRACT IN PLACE TO BE ABLE TO TRAP COYOTES AT LEAST IN DISTRICT 2 AND I'LL FUND THEM OUT OF MY ACCOUNT.
THEY'RE NEVER GOING AWAY, THEY'RE HERE TO STAY.
BUT I CAN TELL YOU I DEAL WITH FERAL HOGS IN MY PROPERTY, AND THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN KEEP THEM UNDER CONTROL IS TO HAVE EFFECTIVE TRAPPING AND SAME THING WITH COYOTES.
LOOK, AS A POLICEMAN ON PATROL THAT AN ITEM, I SEE THEM ON A LAB EXAM, I SEE THEM IN THE CANALS, THEY'RE HERE, BUT WE DO NEED TO CONTROL THEM WHEN THEY BECOME A PROBLEM.
I'M WITH THE DELTA CHAPTER SIERRA CLUB WHICH IS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
WE HAVE ACTUALLY WORKED AT THE METAIRIE PRESERVE, AT THE CYNICAL SANCTUARY, EIGHT ACRES THAT WAS SEPARATE IT OUT.
WE'VE HELPED PLANT NATIVE PLANTS THERE.
I'VE ACTUALLY SPOKEN WITH THE BIOLOGISTS FROM WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES AND WITH THE DR. ALEXANDER FROM CANADA, THIS COYOTE SPECIALIST, AND SHE AFFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO DENS.
SHE WALKED THE ENTIRE EIGHT ACRES AND THERE ARE NO DENSE ANYWHERE ON THE PROPERTY, SO THERE WAS NO BREEDING OF COYOTE IS GOING ON THERE.
I GREW UP IN METAIRIE, I'M 70 YEARS OLD AND I'M FROM METAIRIE.
I REMEMBER MY DAD AND GRANDFATHER HUNTING DEER WHERE LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER IS NOW.
I KNOW WHAT THIS LOOKED LIKE AND I KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE BEFORE.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT HAVING AREAS LIKE THE SANCTUARY THAT ARE UNDEVELOPED AND UNPAID, AND ARE PERMEABLE AND ALLOWING WATER TO DRAIN BACK IN HELPS THE FLOODING ISSUES WHEN THERE'S HEAVY RAINS.
IF WE HAD MORE AREAS LIKE THAT SCATTERED AROUND THE PARISH, IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL BECAUSE IT'S A VERY GOOD THING.
THERE ARE GOING TO BE COYOTES.
THE TRAPPER HIMSELF ADMITTED HE CAN'T GET RID OF THEM ALL BECAUSE WHEN YOU TRAP COYOTES. GUESS WHAT? NEW ONES MOVE IN, AND SO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO END THE COYOTE PROBLEM BY TRAPPING THEM.
THERE ARE NUISANCE COYOTE IS JUST LIKE NUISANCE ALLIGATORS.
ONCE THEY GET USED TO PEOPLE AND THEY'RE NOT AFRAID OF PEOPLE ANYMORE, THEY'RE TROUBLE, AND THEY WILL CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS. BUT, THAT IS SPECIFIC ANIMALS.
LIKE I SAID, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TRAP THEM OUT OF EXISTENCE, THEY ARE HERE.
THEY ARE IN EVERY BIG CITY THEY'RE IN NEW YORK, THEY'RE IN CHICAGO, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET RID OF COYOTES, SO THINKING YOU CAN IS RIDICULOUS.
THE TRAPPER DOESN'T MIND BECAUSE HE MAKES LOTS OF MONEY, SO THAT'S HIS JOB.
BUT, JUST UNDERSTAND THAT THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO END COYOTES IN JEFFERSON.
ALSO, THE CATS THAT PEOPLE ARE CLAIMING THEY KILL AND THEY DO KILL.
I'M NOT SAYING THEY DON'T FEEL ANY CATS, BUT CATS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING ABOUT TWO BILLION SONGBIRDS EVERY YEAR.
CATS THAT ARE LEFT OUTDOORS, EITHER FEDERAL OR DOMESTIC, TWO BILLION NOT MILLION, TWO BILLION A YEAR JUST THE UNITED STATES.
FERAL CATS AND OUTSIDE CATS ARE ACTUALLY MORE OF A PROBLEM THAN THE COYOTES FOR OUR SONG BIRD POPULATIONS.
WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT NATURE.
NATURE IS NATURE AND IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AROUND US WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, YOU CAN'T PAVE IT ALL OVER BECAUSE THEN IT REALLY WILL WASH AWAY AND WILL FLOOD AWAY, AND IT'S WORKING WITH THINGS TO KEEP A BALANCE WHICH IS IMPORTANT.
A LOT OF ISSUES I HEARD EARLIER TODAY WERE ABOUT REZONING AND MAKE IT A LOT SMALLER WHERE MORE HOUSES CAN BE CRAMMED IN AND THAT'S MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE COYOTES.
I CAN GUARANTEE IT BECAUSE CUTTING DOWN ON PERMEABLE SURFACES IN THE PARISH IS NOT A GOOD THING, AND IT'S SOMETHING YOU WANT TO WORK AWAY FROM.
I JUST URGE YOU TO THINK SMART ABOUT THE COYOTES AND KNOW THAT THEY'RE HERE PERMANENTLY.
>> I HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS REAL QUICKLY.
>> CAN I COME BACK? [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT'S IT, I'M SORRY, YOU COME NEXT MEETING.
>> COME ON ANY AS YOU WANT AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
>> I KEPT WAITING FOR LINE TO GET SHORTER AND JUST KEPT GETTING LONGER AND LONGER.
NANCY PEARSON, 8924 RENTS THROUGH.
THIS IS NOT THE SUBJECT THAT I WANTED TO ADDRESS YOU ON, BUT WITH THE COYOTES, WE'VE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH THEM, I LIVE TWO BLOCKS FROM THE RIVER, WE'VE PRETTY MUCH LEARNED LIVE WITH THEM.
BACK IN THE '70S WHEN I WAS STILL WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, PEOPLE USED TO CALL THE ZOO, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, SHE'S CALLED A ZOO AND THEY HAD SOMEBODY WOULD COME AND RELOCATE THE BABIES.
THAT'S JUST THINKING OUT OF THE BOX.
IF SOMEBODY FINDS A BUNCH OF BABIES, TO RELOCATE THOSE BABIES.
THEY WOULD TAKE HIM DOWN TO THE WOODS, I DON'T WANT TO SAY WHAT PERISH, BUT DOWN SOUTH OF HERE AND NOT LEAVING THEM IN THE WOODS DOWN THERE WHERE IT WASN'T AS POPULATED, SO THAT'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU AS PRESIDENT IN THE RIVER RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.
[04:25:02]
JUST ABOUT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ARE INFECTED BY OUR DISTRICT, THAT'S TWO, THREE A AND B.WE SENT ALL LETTERS EXCEPT FOR TWO BECAUSE WE CAN'T FIND ANY OPPOSITION FOR TWO, AND WE HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY.
THEN WE HAVE AN ELECTION FORUM ON MONDAY, AUGUST THE 14TH AT SEVEN O'CLOCK.
THE ONLY PERSON THAT'S RESPONDED IS COUNCILMAN LEE'S OFFICE.
IT'S GOING TO BE A FORM, OUR BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE THE ONES WHO ARE ASKING THE QUESTIONS.
IT'LL BE TIMED, IT'LL BE SO NICE FOR ME TO HAVE THE TIMER INSTEAD OF YOU GUYS [LAUGHTER] HERE IN OUR HOUSE INSTEAD OF YOUR HOUSE.
BUT I'M HOPING THAT SINCE THOSE OFFICES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO US AND WE HAVE ISSUES THAT ARE PARTICULAR TO RIVER RIDGE IN THE HEROINE AREA, AND SOME OF YOU ALL HAVE COME TO ALL OF OUR MEETINGS IN THE PAST FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS ANYWAY AND SO YOU KNOW WHAT THOSE ISSUES ARE.
HOPEFULLY, YOU LOOK UP AND YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH US BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE THE QUESTIONS THAT OUR BOARD IT'S GOING TO BE ASKING; IS THOSE THINGS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
YOU'VE BEEN AT ALL THE MEETINGS, I'VE ADDRESSED ALL OF OUR ISSUES AT MEETINGS, SO YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.
WE'RE LOOKING AT WHO'S RUNNING.
IT'S THE MONDAY AFTER QUALIFICATION, BUT THAT'S THE ONLY DAY WE COULD GET THE FACILITY.
SINCE WE DON'T HAVE ANY BIGGER FACILITY IN RIVER RIDGE OTHER THAN ST. MATTHEW'S, THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO USE.
BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR STATE OFFICES, WE'RE LOOKING AT OTHER PARISH WIDE OFFICES, AND WE CAN'T FIND ANYBODY WHO'S REALLY ACTIVELY RUNNING YET OTHER THAN THESE THREE COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
THERE'LL BE A LOT OF TIME SPENT WITH OUR BOARD ASKING QUESTIONS OF YOU GUYS, THERE WON'T BE ANY BACK-AND-FORTH, IT WON'T BE A DEBATE FORM.
IT'LL BE STRICTLY OUR BOARD ASKING YOU QUESTIONS THAT ARE PERTINENT TO TIER RIVER RIDGE.
I'M HOPING I HEAR FROM YOU GUYS THAT YOU'RE ALL GOING TO BE THERE.
>> I THINK WE HAVE IT ON OUR CALENDAR, SO YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK.
>> WE JUST HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED.
>> NANCY, I'M JUST LOOKING BACK TO YOUR EMAIL.
IT'S SPLITTING HAIRS, VIRGIN ASK FOR RESPONSES SAID EVERYBODY WAS DOING IT, IT'S ON OUR CALENDAR TOO.
>> LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT EVERYBODY'S CALENDAR.
>> I'LL BE THERE REGARDLESS WHETHER I HAVE OPPOSITION.
>> WE JUST WON'T LET YOU TALK THIS TIME.
>> NO, LISTEN, IF I DON'T HAVE OPPOSITION, CAN I ASK MY COLLEAGUES QUESTIONS?
>>YOU CAN ASK US, WE WILL ASK THEM.
WE DO HAVE SOME PEOPLE FROM THAT ARE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR WHO HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FORM AND HAVE EXPRESSED SOME INTEREST INCOME AND DOWN.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE OPPOSITION, WHO WANT TO SPEAK, WE'LL GIVE THEM THREE MINUTES, THAT'S THE GOAL IN TIME, I THINK IT'S THREE MINUTES, TO SAY WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE A BIG TURNOUT.
BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE RIVER RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, WE OPEN IT UP TO ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO COME. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. CHIEF GERRY DRAWBRIDGE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT ALSO CHAIRMAN AT SOUTHERN DISTRICT CHIEFS ASSOCIATION.
BEFORE GETTING THAT, I'D LIKE TO SAY THIS, SO I'M VERY UPSET WITH PARISH PRESIDENTS SAYING IN THE COUNCIL.
THEN LET ME KNOW THAT THEY HAD A HOTDOG EATING CONTESTS AT UNCLE SAM AND I HAD A CHANCE OF WINNING. I'M VERY UPSET.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE SEVENTH DISTRICT FIRE DEPARTMENT.
RECENTLY, WE RECEIVED OUR NEW PROPERTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATED RATING, WHICH WE STAYED A CLASS 2.
I NOTICED SOME TALK ABOUT US POSSIBLY GOING UP TO A THREE, BUT WE STATED TO THE BAD PART OF THAT IS WE DID LOSE A FEW POINTS.
I'M IN A PROCESS OF GETTING WITH CHIEF ROBINSON TO SEE WHERE WE LOST IT.
AS SOON AS I FIGURED OUT, I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW AND GIVE YOU ALL SOME INSIGHT ON HOW WE CAN TRY TO STOP THAT AND GET BETTER.
BUT WE DID LOSE A FEW POINTS AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
I'M NOT SURE WHERE IT HAPPENED AT, BUT WE ARE LOOKING INTO IT.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, MAINTAIN YOUR RATING BUT CHEAP IF I CAN SAY ONE THING.
THE REASON WHY YOU WEREN'T INVITED TO THE HOTDOG CONTESTS IS WE PROMISED TO KEEP IT FAIR [LAUGHTER].
>> CHALLENGE YOU NEXT TIME [LAUGHTER].
>> BRIAN MILLER, 21, 21 INDIANA AVENUE IN CANADA, I'M GLAD TO CHIEF COME UP FIRST.
WE ACTUALLY TALKED DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION AND FIGURE OUT WHICH ONE WOULD GO.
I'M GLAD HE ADDRESSED THE FACT THAT DISTRICT STAYED A CLASS 2 RATING.
BUT AS YOU HEARD HIM SAY, THEY LOST POINTS.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT STAYING AT 2.
THE FACT THAT THEY LOST POINTS, THAT WHAT I BROUGHT UP THE LAST TIME WE SAID HERE IS THERE IS AN ISSUE, THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND THAT NEEDS TO BE FACED BECAUSE TODAY, THOSE POINTS THAT WE LOST, MAYBE WE'LL MINIMAL WHEN WE GOT TO STAY, JUST WRITE, ADD A CLASS 2 MAYBE IN FIVE YEARS WHEN WE GET RATED AGAIN THOSE POINTS OR HIGHER AND WE DO DROP.
[04:30:03]
WE NEED TO LOOK INTO THAT.AND SAYING IT, I KNOW SOME OF YOU ALL, IF NOT YOU PERSONALLY, SOME OF YOU PEOPLE FOLLOW SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I POST ON FACEBOOK.
I RECENTLY POSTED SOMETHING ABOUT SECRETARIES OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS GETTING STATE PAY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MEN AND WOMEN IN HERE THAT ACTUALLY WEAR A BADGE AND HAVE GONE OUT AND DONE THE WORK, FEEL ABOUT WHICH STATE PAY IS, BUT IT'S HAZARDOUS DUTY PAY.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY REASON WHY THE MANIPULATION OF WORDS IN A LAW SHOULD ALLOW A SECRETARY TO GET STATE PAY WHEN IT IS HAZARDOUS DUTY PAY FOR A MAN OR A WOMAN THAT'S DOING THE JOB.
BUT IF IT'S THAT WAY, I WANT YOU TO KNOW.
YESTERDAY I SEEN YOU AT AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS IN A CHEESE JOKE WITH HIM.
AND TWO NIGHTS BEFORE THAT, I WAS AT A STRUCTURE FIRE AND WAGON, LOUISIANA.
I'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND COLLECT MY STATE PAY BECAUSE I WENT OUT THE MEN THAT WERE OUT THERE FIGHTING THAT FIRE ON REYNOLDS DRIVE WITH BRINGING THEM THREE CASES OF WATER AND ICE BECAUSE THERE WAS VEHICLES THAT DIDN'T HAVE WATER ON IT.
THAT THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE I BRING TO YOU BECAUSE OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE ON THE TRUCKS THAT ARE DOING THEIR JOB PROFESSIONALLY, BUT ARE NOT LED BY THE RIGHT LEADERS AND NOT FORCED TO DO THE JOB AT HAND.
THAT'S WHERE OUR PROBLEMS LIE FOR THE VERY CITIZENS THAT PACK THIS ROOM TODAY.
WHETHER THEY'RE FROM THE EAST BANK OR THE WEST BANK.
I STAND HERE APPLAUDING EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THE 5% RAISE THEY JUST GOT.
WHERE'S THE 5% RAISE FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN ON THE WEST BANK THAT ARE DOING THE SAME JOB? I DON'T WANT TO HEAR WELL, THAT'S A PRIVATE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE NEED TO ASSIST THE MEN AND WOMEN OVER THERE AS WE DO OVER HERE.
THE LAST THING I WILL BRING UP AND IT'S A QUESTION, MAYBE YOU WANT TO GIVE HIM THE AFTERWARDS.
I DID TALK TO MR. PAUL MALTIER BEFORE THE MEETING.
>> GOT IT. THE SEVENTH DISTRICT ALONE PAYS $125,000 OUT OF THE MILLAGE COLLECTED FOR THE FIRE SERVICES AND FIRE TRAINING CENTER.
WHY ARE WE USING MILLAGE MONEY TO PAY FOR A TRAINING FACILITY AND A DIRECTOR FOR THE PARISH.
THE QUESTION IS, IF A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY GOT THE CONTRACT TO PAY FOR STREET, DO WE TAKE MONEY OUT OF THAT CONTRACT TO PAY THE DIRECTOR STREETS? I'LL LEAVE THAT TO YOU-ALL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S GOT TO BE THE NEXT MEETING, MA AM.
NOT THE END OF THIS ONE. THE NEXT ONE.
MADAM CLERK, COULD YOU PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INSTRUCTION TO SUMMARY?
[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]
>> AN ORDINANCE ADDING THE CUTTING AND REMOVING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> HANG ON EVERYBODY. LET'S KEEP QUIET IN CHAMBERS. IT'S NOT OVER YET.
>> AN ORDINANCE ADDING THE CUTTING AND REMOVAL CHARGES FOR GRASS, NOXIOUS WEEDS OR OTHER DELETERIOUS OR UNHEALTHFUL GROWTHS, TRASH, DEBRIS, REFUSE, OR DISCARDED, OR NOXIOUS MATTER PURSUANT TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 19-27 TO THE ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAX BILL OF THE PREMISES OR PROPERTY INVOLVED.
AN ORDINANCE ADDING PURSUANT TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES SECTION 19-53, THE DEMOLITION REMOVAL CHARGES FOR BUILDINGS, DWELLINGS, AND OTHER STRUCTURES, WHICH HAD BEEN DETERMINED BY THE BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION TO BE DERELICT AND PRESENT A DANGER TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE RESONANCE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO THE ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAX ROLLS AND TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER RELATED MATTERS.
AN ORDINANCE ADDING THE FINES AND HEARING COSTS ASSESSED BY THE BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION PURSUANT TO L-S-A-O-S, 13: 25, 75, 33: 12, 36, 49, AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 19-53 FOR BUILDINGS, DWELLINGS, AND OTHER STRUCTURES WHICH HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE DERELICT AND PRESENTED DANGER TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE.
THE RESONANCE OF JEFFERSON PARISH UNDER SECTIONS 1946 ET SEQ OF THE PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES TO THE ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAX ROLLS, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8, THERE WAS A CODE RELATIVE TO REQUIRING A BUILDING PERMIT FOR ONE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS WHEN RE-ROOFING AND OR REPLACEMENT OF ROOF COVERING EXCEEDS 50% OF THE TOTAL ROOF AREA.
ESTABLISHING A PERMIT FEE FOR SUCH PERMIT.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 2, ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE 5 DEPARTMENTS,
[04:35:03]
DIVISION 11, DEPARTMENT OF SEWAGE, SECTION 2-272 QUALIFICATIONS, APPOINTMENT AND SALARY OF DIRECTORS SUBSECTION A, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 1, 3, 7, 0, 9, THE EXECUTIVE PAY PLAN TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE FOR THE POSITION OF DIRECTOR OF CODE COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT.ORDINANCE TO MEN ORDINANCE NUMBER 1, 4, 7, 9, 6, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE ASSIGNMENTS AND CLASS TITLE FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF ASSISTANT PARISH CLERK.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 OPERATING BUDGET OF JEFFERSON PARISH, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 CAPITAL BUDGET OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
THAT'S ALL OF THE ITEMS I HAVE TO READ INTO SUMMARY.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE ORDINANCES READ INTO SUMMARY AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING ELSE THEY WANT TO DO? WE GOOD.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADJOURN BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. HAVE A GREAT WEEK.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.