[00:00:03]
[SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS]
THANK YOU. WE THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO BE FIRST, BUT THEN WE KNOW ONE HAS TO GET BACK TO SCHOOL.SO WE'LL INTRODUCE COUNCILMAN LEE FIRST WITH A PROCLAMATION THIS MORNING.
WHAT? AALIYAH LANE, PLEASE COME UP.
GOOD MORNING, AALIYAH. GOOD MORNING.
WE'RE SO PROUD HERE TODAY TO PROVIDE A PROCLAMATION TO AALIYAH FOR HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
AND I'M SURE EVERYONE AT OUR LADY IS PROUD OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
AND SO, I'LL READ THIS PROCLAMATION.
AND. WHEREAS, THE SAME YEAR, AALIYAH WAS A TWO-TIME ALL-AMERICAN AND WAS PART OF THE FOUR BY 100 RELAY THAT TRAVELED TO THE JUNIOR OLYMPICS AND BECAME A NATIONAL CHAMPION.
AND. WHEREAS, IN 2022, SHE COMPETED AGAIN IN THE JUNIOR OLYMPICS AND WAS TITLED AN ALL AMERICAN IN THE 400-METER DASH AND THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND HER PERSONAL FAVORITE, THE 800-METER DASH.
AND WHEREAS, AALIYAH IS NOW IN THE EIGHTH GRADE AND ATTENDS ACADEMY OF OUR LADY HIGH SCHOOL.
AND. WHEREAS, SHE IS A MEMBER OF THE SUMMER TRACK AND FIELD LEAGUE SPRINT NOLA TRACK CLUB.
AND. WHEREAS, SHE HAS BROKEN MANY RECORDS AND HOLDS VARIOUS TITLES IN THE 200 400 AND 800 METER DASH EVENTS, AS WELL AS THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS 200 METER HURDLE BY JUMPING 30IN HIGH.
AND. WHEREAS, AALIYAH IS THE FIRST MILESPLIT LOUISIANA FUTURE STAR BASED ON HER EXTRAORDINARY INDOOR SEASON, SHE WAS, WAS AND CONTINUES TO HAVE.
AND. WHEREAS, SHE IS A MULTIPLE TIME WEST BANK CHAMPION AND JEFFERSON PARISH CHAMPION.
AND WHEREAS, AALIYAH IS KNOWN ALL OVER THE WORLD AS ONE OF THE BEST AND HAS HAD MULTIPLE ARTICLES WRITTEN ABOUT HER PERFORMANCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL HERE OF JEFFERSON PARISH HEREBY RECOGNIZES, CONGRATULATES AND COMMENDS AALIYAH LANE ON HER MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN TRACK AND FIELD.
BARRACK PRESIDENT WITH ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, PLEASE COME DOWN AND SHARE THIS MOMENT.
OKAY. GOOD MORNING. ONE, TWO, THREE.
AND WE'LL GET ONE MORE. TWO, THREE.
THANK YOU, BROTHER. A FUTURE FOR YOU.
WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GUEST WITH US TODAY FOR LOUISIANA FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK.
SO IF I COULD ASK MARSHA TO COME UP ALONG WITH OUR FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR, MAGGIE TALLEY, AND OUR ECOSYSTEM AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR MICHELLE GONZALEZ TO COME UP. THIS IS ABOUT LOUISIANA FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK TO EDUCATE LOUISIANIANS ON THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF OF FLOODING.
[00:05:09]
FLOODING IS ACTUALLY THE MOST COMMON, NATURAL, NATURALLY OCCURRING DISASTER IN THE UNITED STATES.OBVIOUSLY, WE KNOW FLOODWATERS ARE A RISK TO LIFE AND PROPERTY.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO PREPARE THEIR HOMES, TO UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS OF FLASH FLOODING, WHETHER IT'S DRIVING IN YOUR CAR, HAVING THE WATER OBSTRUCT, THE DEBRIS IN THE ROADS, OR EVEN JUST SIX INCHES OF MOVING WATER CAN MAKE SOMEONE LOSE THEIR BALANCE AND FALL DOWN.
SO IN 2016, AS WITH EDUCATION, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A MASCOT.
IN 2016, MARSHA BECAME JEFFERSON PARISH'S MASCOT FOR US TO HELP EXPLAIN IT.
AND I JUST WANT TO THANK MARSHA.
AND I HAD A PREPAREDNESS PACK THAT, HEY, CAN YOU HAND ME THAT? AN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PACK TO REPRESENT THAT, YOU HAVE TO BE READY FOR ALL YOUR EMERGENCIES.
MARSHA, ARE YOU READY? YES. OKAY.
THANK YOU. SO, YEAH, WE KICKED OFF FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK ON MONDAY.
THIS IS A STATE INITIATIVE THAT'S BEEN PUT FORTH BY THE LOUISIANA STATE FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS ASSOCIATION, BUT IT'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT'S TAKEN OFF ON A NATIONAL LEVEL AS WELL. SO, JEFFERSON PARISH AS OF LAST YEAR, HAS STARTED PARTICIPATING, AND ON MONDAY, EACH DAY OF THE WEEK WE DO A DIFFERENT TOPIC.
MONDAY WAS ABOUT GENERAL FLOOD AWARENESS.
WE DO AN ANNUAL EVALUATION OF THE OUTREACH THAT WE CONDUCT AROUND FLOOD EDUCATION AND AWARENESS.
AND SO, WE HAD THAT MEETING YESTERDAY.
AND THEN WE HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS GOING ON THIS WEEK AS WELL.
YEAH. SO TODAY IS ACTUALLY JUST A REMINDER ABOUT FLOOD INSURANCE.
FLOOD INSURANCE IS AN IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU TO PROTECT YOUR HOME.
HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WE HAVE OVER 40% OF OUR LAND AREA IS IN A FLOOD PLAIN.
SO CERTAINLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR FLOOD INSURANCE POLICIES.
TOMORROW, WE WILL BE AT LAKESIDE MALL SET UP TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT FLOOD PREPAREDNESS SPECIFICALLY AND THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO CONSIDER HAVING IN THEIR EMERGENCY KIT FOR WHEN THEY MAY NEED TO EVACUATE.
AND THEN FRIDAY IS WHAT ARE WE DOING FRIDAY MITIGATION? ACTUALLY, OUR HAZARD MITIGATION DEPARTMENT, WE'RE GOING TO BE REALLY HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS WITH ELEVATING HOMES AND THE SUCCESS STORIES WITH THAT, COUNCIL MEMBERS WANT TO COME TAKE A PICTURE WITH MARSHA.
DO YOU WANT TO INVITE YOUR TEAMS UP TO MICHELLE, GET YOUR TEAMS UP? WHY DO I WANT TO SAY MARSHA, MARSHA, MARSHA? WHAT IS THAT FROM BRADY? BRADY BUNCH? I THOUGHT SO BECAUSE SHE WAS THE.
COUNCILMAN IMPASTATO HAS A PROCLAMATION.
AT THIS TIME, WE'D LIKE TO HONOR AND PAY TRIBUTE TO A GENTLEMAN OF EXCEPTIONAL CAPABILITIES, BUT ALSO TO A TEAM THAT REALLY REPRESENTS THE SORT OF COLLABORATION, MENTORSHIP, LEADERSHIP AND CARE THAT I THINK JUST EMBODIES EVERYTHING THAT JEFFERSON PARISH HAS TO OFFER.
WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO BRING UP, IF I COULD, JUDGE STEVE ENRIGHT.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, HIS SON, THE BEST ATHLETE OF THE FAMILY, NEIL ENRIGHT, BY A LONG SHOT AND A DEAR, LONGTIME FRIEND OF MINE, GARY BAKER.
YOU AND I SHARE SOMETHING AT ONE.
ONCE UPON A TIME, GARRETT ACTUALLY TRAINED ME IN HIGH SCHOOL.
[00:10:01]
I TRAINED HIM IN THE CLASSROOM.HE TRAINED ME IN THE FOOTBALL FIELD.
SO. BUT I THINK I DID A BETTER JOB WITH HIM IN THE CLASSROOM THAN HE DID WITH ME ON THE FIELD.
BUT ANYWAY, NEIL COMES BEFORE US HAVING COMPLETED THE CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC THIS PAST APRIL, REPRESENTING A PROGRAM CALLED THE ADIDAS RUNNER 321, WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT ADIDAS AND THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE WANTED TO DO THIS IS HELP BRING SOME ATTENTION TO THIS PROGRAM THAT ADIDAS HAS NATIONWIDE TO ENCOURAGE NOT ONLY EVENTS TO ATTRACT PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME, BUT ALSO TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE RACES NATIONWIDE.
NEIL IS THE SECOND PERSON IN OUR CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC HISTORY THAT WE KNOW OF TO HAVE REPRESENTED THE DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY AND MEN AND WOMEN OF HIS SPECIAL CAPABILITIES.
AND SO, WE WANT TO HONOR HIM AND CONGRATULATE HIM ON HIS SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC THIS APRIL. SO, WITH THAT, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING NEIL ENRIGHT, REPRESENTING THOSE WITH DOWN SYNDROME, WEARING NUMBER 321 IN THE 2023 CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC. WHEREAS ON APRIL 8TH, 2023, NEIL ENRIGHT WAS PRESENTED BIB NUMBER 321 FOR THE 2023 CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC BY RACE DIRECTOR ERIC STEWART.
AND. WHEREAS, THIS NUMBER IS SET ASIDE SPECIFICALLY FOR A RUNNER WITH DOWN SYNDROME, WHICH IS PART OF THE ADIDAS RUNNER 321 CAMPAIGN, A PROGRAM ASKING MARATHON AND 10-K RACES TO SAVE THE NUMBER FOR THOSE AS SPECIAL AS MR. ENRIGHT. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT THIS NUMBER HAS BEEN DESIGNATED TO SOMEONE IN THE CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC.
AND WHEREAS, NEIL ENRIGHT'S LIFE HAS BEEN ONE OF RESILIENCE AND COMMITMENT FROM THE START, WHEN HE SPENT HIS FIRST TWO YEARS OF LIFE ON THE NEO IN THE NEONATAL ICU UNIT ON OXYGEN 24 HOURS A DAY REMAINED ON OXYGEN AT HOME, AROUND THE CLOCK FOR SIX MONTHS.
NEIL OUTGREW THIS AND HAS BEEN ENJOYING GOOD HEALTH FOR MANY, MANY YEARS NOW.
WHEREAS, NEIL HAS TRAINED WITH GHAFAR BAKAR FOR TEN FOR TEN WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC, BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY, ONE EVENT HE PARTICIPATED IN PRIOR TO THE CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC WAS A5K SPONSORED BY UPSIDE DOWNS, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION HELPING DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY TO HELP HIM PREPARE FOR THE CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC. AND WHEREAS, GHAFAR BACKER FOR BACKER GAVE NEIL VISUAL OBJECTS SUCH AS MAKESHIFT FINISH LINES AND OTHER TOOLS THAT HELPED MOTIVATE HIM IN HIS TRAINING. NEIL'S REAL MOTIVATION, WE ARE TOLD, THOUGH, IS HIS FRIEND OF TEN YEARS, MS. EMILY RYAN, WHO ATTENDS SAINT MICHAEL'S SPECIAL SCHOOL IN NEW ORLEANS WITH HIM.
NOW, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND COMMENDS NEIL ENRIGHT IN BEING CHOSEN BY THE CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC TO WEAR NUMBER 321, REPRESENTING THOSE WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN THE 2023 CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC.
THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL NOW ALSO WISHES NEIL ENRIGHT GOOD LUCK IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS AND DECLARES TODAY, AUGUST 23RD, 2023, AS NEIL ENRIGHT DAY HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
GREAT JOB, NEIL. DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? NO JUDGE.
JUDGE WOULD LIKE SAYING, JUDGE.
JUST JUST THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU ON BEHALF OF NEIL.
OBVIOUSLY THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
YEAH, THANK YOU. YEAH, I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE THING, NEIL.
WE'LL DO A HANDSHAKE. WHY NOT? WE'LL DO A HANDSHAKE. COME ON, LET'S JUST.
THAT'S HOW WE GET STARTED, GUYS.
RIGHT HERE. LET'S GET IT. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR.
RIGHT HERE. FIST BUMP. LET'S GET.
LET'S GET. LET'S GET IT, LET'S GET IT.
JUST REAL QUICK. THIS GUY INSPIRED US ALL.
HE INSPIRED ME ESPECIALLY I THINK HE HELPED ME, AND I HELPED HIM.
AND IT WAS JUST A JOURNEY THAT I'LL NEVER FORGET.
SO, IT WAS AWESOME. SO, CONGRATULATIONS, NEIL.
WE LOVE YOU. PARISH PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBERS, PLEASE JOIN US.
[00:15:22]
.ALL RIGHT. I HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM CASA JEFFERSON UP HERE WITH ME.
THEY ACT AS A VOICE FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO IS TREMENDOUS.
THEIR GALA IS COMING UP ON SEPTEMBER 15TH AT THE OTTOMAN TEA ROOM.
WHEREAS THE MISSION OF COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES, CASA JEFFERSON INC IS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT THROUGH VOLUNTEERS ADVOCATING FOR SAFE, NURTURING AND PERMANENT HOMES FOR FOSTER CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS, ADVOCATES GET TO KNOW THE CHILDREN, REVIEW RECORDS, RESEARCH INFORMATION, MAKE VISITS TO THE TEMPORARY HOME AND TALK TO EVERYONE IN THE CHILD'S LIFE, INCLUDING TEACHERS, FAMILY MEMBERS, ATTORNEYS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND JUDGES.
AND. WHEREAS, BY GETTING TO KNOW THEIR ASSIGNED CHILD AND THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE CHILD'S LIFE, ADVOCATES CAN FIGHT FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF THEIR CHILD AND SERVE AS A CONSISTENT, RESPONSIBLE ADULT PRESENCE IN THEIR LIFE.
AND WHEREAS, WHILE SOME CHILDREN ARE REUNITED WITH THEIR PARENTS OR RELATIVES AND OTHERS MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH THEIR ADOPTIVE FAMILY, THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO ENSURE A SAFE AND PERMANENT HOME WHERE THEY CAN THRIVE.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND COMMENDS CASA JEFFERSON INC FOR THEIR EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA.
THE GALA IS COMING UP ON THE 15TH.
AS I MENTIONED. I'M SURE YOU'RE STILL ACCEPTING SPONSORSHIPS.
I'M SURE YOU'RE STILL ACCEPTING PEOPLE BUYING TICKETS.
YES. THE GALA IS COMING UP ON SEPTEMBER 15TH OVER AT THE AUDUBON TEA ROOM.
IT'S A WONDERFUL EVENT TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT.
YOU CAN GO ONLINE TO CASA JEFFERSON AND FIND THE TICKET TO WHERE YOU CAN PURCHASE.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL THERE.
YOU OUGHT TO COME DOWN AND TAKE A PICTURE.
WE'LL TAKE THE PICTURE IN JUST A SECOND.
ALL RIGHT, COUNCILMAN LEE, BACK UP AT THE PODIUM FOR ANOTHER ONE.
MANY OF YOU ALL WHO ATTEND THIS MEETING MAY BE AWARE AND MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE AVONDALE WAGGAMAN AREA IN TERMS OF BRINGING A GROCERY STORE TO THAT COMMUNITY.
AND SO, I STAND HERE TODAY TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD FOR THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS TO ENCOURAGE GROCERS TO OPEN UP A STORE IN THAT AREA.
[00:20:05]
AND WE'VE MET ANYWHERE FROM THE FOLKS WITH ROUSES AT LEAST FOUR TIMES AS WELL AS WELL AS IDEAL MARKET, AS WELL AS OTHER GROCERS.WE'VE WORKED WITH JEFFCO EXCLUSIVELY TO HELP US CRAFT STRUCTURES, TO CONTRACTS TO ENSURE THAT THERE WOULD BE THE TYPE OF INCENTIVES THAT WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO A GROCER IF THEY WERE TO LOCATE IN THAT AREA.
AND SO BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT DONE IT JUST YET AND WE BELIEVE THAT IT WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE THE AREA IS GROWING AS NEW SUBDIVISIONS AND THERE ARE CERTAINLY NEW INDUSTRY COMING THERE.
WE'VE COME UP WITH, WE BELIEVE IS THE NEXT BEST THING FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE WAGGAMAN AND AVONDALE AND BRIDGE CITY AREA, AND THAT IS A MOBILE GROCERY STORE.
AND SO WE HAVE A VIDEO THAT'S GOING TO BE PLAYED TODAY, WHEREAS.
OKAY. AND WE HAVE A PRESENTATION THAT'S GOING TO YOU'LL SEE A VIDEO IN A LITTLE BIT.
AND WE'D LIKE TO THANK MISS NATALIE AS WELL AS CHRISTINE BRADY FOR HELPING US TO BRING THIS TOGETHER AND PRESENT THIS BEFORE YOU.
AND SO AT SO AFTER THE VIDEO, THEY WILL COME UP AND SPEAK AND SHARE WITH YOU ALL THE EXCITING NEWS.
THANK YOU ALL. TODAY WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE THE MAKING GROCERIES MOBILE MARKET. WITH OUR RIBBON CUTTING AND GRAND OPENING.
THIS IS BRINGING FRESH, AFFORDABLE PRODUCE STRAIGHT INTO THE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE ACADIANA AREA.
SO THAT'S A BIG HELP FOR THE HUMANA MEMBER AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE BECAUSE IN AREAS WHERE PERHAPS THEIR ONLY OPTION WAS UNHEALTHY FOOD, THEY NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE AND USE HEALTHY FOODS ON A RECURRING BASIS, WHICH IMPROVES THE OVERALL HEALTH OF WELL-BEING OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE COMMUNITIES.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS FOOD.
WE KNOW THAT FOOD IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT IN OUR SOUTH LOUISIANA CULTURE.
IT'S WHAT BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
AND NOT ONLY IS IT FOOD, PART OF THE HOPE AND THE OPPORTUNITY COMES INTO THE OTHER SERVICES THAT COME WITH THE FOOD, WHETHER THAT BE HEALTH CARE, VACCINATIONS, DIABETIC EXAMS, FLU SHOTS.
AND THEN WHEN THE NUTRITION EDUCATION, GIVING THEM ANY KIND OF RESOURCE CONTENT, COOKING DEMOS, SHOWING THEM HOW THEY CAN SURVIVE OR BE SUCCESSFUL WITH HEALTHY EATING, WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO LAUNCH THIS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.
HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.
IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MAKING GROCERIES MOBILE MARKET, GO TO KNOW HUNGER.ORG/MOBILE MARKET.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CHRISTINE BRADY.
I'M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.
AND LAST YEAR DURING OUR BOARD RETREAT, WE DISCUSSED THIS CONCERN THAT WE HAD FOR FOOD DESERTS IN AVONDALE, WAGGAMAN AND SO ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS THAT WE'VE COME UP WITH IS TO PARTNER WITH SECOND HARVEST.
AND THANK YOU TO THE COUNCILMAN.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM.
SO, WE DO, ON AVERAGE, 40 MILLION MEALS A YEAR, THOUGH WE WOULD LIKE FOR IT TO BE TWICE THAT MUCH BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY COVER THE ENTIRE SOUTHERN PART OF LOUISIANA FROM THE MISSISSIPPI TO THE TEXAS BORDER.
BUT WE'RE ALSO VERY, VERY INTERESTED IN MEETING THE COMMUNITY AND ITS NEEDS WHERE THEY ARE.
[00:25:04]
BE A GREAT SOLUTION WHILE YOU'RE WORKING ON THAT LONG TERM SOLUTION OF THE GROCERY STORES.AND WHAT MOBILE MARKET DOES IS THAT IT LITERALLY BRINGS THE GROCERY STORE INTO A COMMUNITY, A COMMUNITY THAT IS A FOOD DESERT WHERE INDIVIDUALS MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH TRANSPORTATION TO REACH A GROCERY STORE THAT HAS FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.
AND WE ACTUALLY MAKE THOSE GROCERIES AVAILABLE AT A DISCOUNTED RATE.
WE USE OUR VOLUME BUYING POWER TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE GETTING THE BEST POSSIBLE PRODUCE AT THE LOWEST COST, BECAUSE WE KNOW OFTEN FOLKS IN THESE COMMUNITIES ARE DEALING WITH A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES.
SO, WE WANT THEIR ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO BE AS GREAT AS WE CAN POSSIBLY MAKE IT.
AND I JUST WANT TO INTRODUCE LINDSAY HENDRIX.
LINDSAY'S BEEN WORKING FOR YEARS ON THIS MOBILE MARKET PROJECT, SELLING IT, SELLING IT, SELLING IT.
AND WE REALLY FEEL LIKE FOR A SITUATION LIKE THIS AND FOR US AT SECOND HARVEST, WHERE WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES, THAT THIS IS ONE OF OUR BEST WAYS TO DO THAT.
GO AHEAD, LINDSAY. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
THANK YOU TO PAM AND COUNCILMEMBER LEE'S OFFICE FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION.
LIKE NATALIE SAID, THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT ADDRESSES TWO KEY BARRIERS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS STRUGGLING WITH FOOD INSECURITY, AFFORDABILITY OF GROCERIES AND ACCESS TO THOSE GROCERIES IN TERMS OF PROXIMITY.
SO, FOR US BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE LOW-COST GROCERIES AT RATES THAT ARE LOWER THAN A RETAIL MARKET IS REALLY A WIN FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. IN ADDITION TO BRINGING LOW-COST GROCERIES INTO COMMUNITIES, WE'RE ALSO ABLE TO PROVIDE OTHER SERVICES SUCH AS NUTRITION, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE INTERVENTIONS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, USING OUR EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS IN THE PARISH.
AND WE'RE JUST REALLY EXCITED TO KICK OFF THIS INITIATIVE AND ADDRESSING THE NEED IN THAT COMMUNITY AND HOPEFULLY OTHER AREAS IN THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS COMMUNITY THAT IS STRUGGLING WITH FOOD DESERTS AND LOW ACCESS TO GROCERIES.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.
I AM SO GRATEFUL TO YOU ALL, FOR YOU ALL WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH US WITH THIS.
WE NEED ONE. SO I ALWAYS SAY WORKING TOGETHER WORKS.
AND SO I THANK YOU ALL FOR FOR BEING A PART OF THIS BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY NEEDS ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD, MEATS AND EVERYTHING THAT THAT'S REQUIRED TO SUSTAIN THEM.
THANK YOU. IF ANY OF MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES WANT TO COME DOWN, PLEASE DO.
THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN BONANO, ARE YOU READY TO DO YOURS? I'D LIKE TO. IS THIS ON? I'D LIKE TO CALL TO THE PODIUM.
AND HE JUST WANTS TO TALK TO YOU ALL A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SUCCESSES HE'S HAD THIS YEAR.
MY NAME IS SERGE VILANOVA, A LOCAL MUSIC PRODUCER, PRESIDENT OF STRANDED SOUTH MUSIC MEDIA AND EVENTS, AS WELL AS THE FOUNDER OF THE HARAHAN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND FOOD DRIVE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COUNCILMAN BONANO AS WELL AS HIS OFFICE NOT ONLY FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND PROMOTING OUR FESTIVAL, BUT FOR FACILITATING TODAY'S OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO EXPOUND A LITTLE BIT ON THIS PHILANTHROPIC AND ENTERTAINMENT ENDEAVOR WE'VE BEEN BUILDING IN THE CITY OF HARAHAN SINCE MY FAMILY AND I DECIDED TO START IT IN 2021.
THIS IS AN OLD POSTER OF THIS PAST MAY'S EVENT.
[00:30:04]
ATTENDANCE OF OVER 500 PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY AT XIRANG PARK ON HICKORY AVENUE IN HARAHAN THE LOCATION OF OUR FESTIVAL.THE FOSTERS GIVE THIS FEST TWO THUMBS UP.
THANK YOU TO THEM. A PICTURE FROM OUR HUMBLE BEGINNINGS IN 2021.
WORLD WAR II VICTORY BELLS IN A 2023.
THE GRAMMY AWARD WINNING LOST BAYOU RAMBLERS NEW ORLEANS SOUL SINGER ANDRE LOVETT.
IT'S REALLY GREAT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A STAGE FOR FOR TALENTS LIKE MR. LOVETT SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME HONING HIS CRAFT ON FRENCHMEN STREET.
AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY BY AND THE SUPPORT OF HARAHAN MAYOR TIM BORDIER, AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE HARAHAN CITY COUNCIL IN PRODUCING THIS EVENT FOR THE COMMUNITY, WHICH HAS TO DATE PAID OVER 25 $20,000 IN PAID ARTIST FEES.
ONE MOMENT, PLEASE. AND I'M ESPECIALLY PROUD OF 2021 WHEN WE STARTED THE EVENT, WHEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUSICIANS TO PERFORM AND WORK OPPORTUNITIES WERE SPARSE, TO SAY THE LEAST, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER FOR MUCH NEEDED PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT HAD BEEN DECIMATED DURING THE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES OF THAT TIME.
THANK YOU. NOT ONLY DO WE INTRODUCE GREAT MUSICAL OFFERINGS INTO THE CITY OF HARAHAN, BUT OUR FESTIVAL IS ALSO ACTED AS A CATALYST FOR NUMEROUS COMMUNITY BETTERMENT INITIATIVES.
ELLA WATERS, CAMELLIA BRAND, BLUE RUNNER AND MANY SMALL BUSINESSES SUPPORT OUR WORK.
IN 20 2020 AND 2022, WE BEGAN A RELATIONSHIP WITH HOME DEPOT, WHICH WOULD BEGIN IN A DONATION OF FREE ROOFING MATERIALS FOR HURRICANE IDA BATTERED PARK SHELTER AT ZERINGUE PARK.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS IS THE PARK SHELTER.
AND IN 2023, WE WOULD ASSIST HARAHAN BASED VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 3267 AND OBTAINING A $5,000 HOME DEPOT COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT, IN WHICH THEY BOUGHT A BRAND NEW JOHN DEERE RIDING LAWN MOWER, WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING USED TO ASSIST LOCAL, ELDERLY, ELDERLY AND DISABLED VETERANS WITH LAWN CARE.
I'M VERY PROUD OF A LOT OF THESE INITIATIVES.
SINCE THEN, HE'S GRADUATED OVER A THOUSAND YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THROUGH HIS PROGRAM, MANY OF WHICH ARE CURRENTLY SERVING IN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND VARIOUS MILITARY BRANCHES, INCLUDING THE GRETNA POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IN THE SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP, COMPETITION AND COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FOR LISTENING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO COUNCILMAN BONANO OFFICE.
MY NAME IS SERGE VILANOVA WITH STRANDED SOUTH MUSIC AND MEDIA AND WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TO BUILD.
OUR FOURTH YEAR WILL TURN 4 IN 2024 WITH THE HARAHAN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND FOOD DRIVE.
THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU, SIR.
YOU CAN TELL SERGE IS A GO GETTER.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR CONTINUED SUCCESS.
JUST ON A QUICK NOTE, KINGFISH, BOXING IS A GOOD PROGRAM.
AS HE TALKED TO YOU ABOUT, THEY'RE DOING A FUNDRAISER AT THE CAMP.
THEY'RE GOING TO DO A BOXING MATCH IN SEPTEMBER.
SO IF YOU'RE SO INCLINED, PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT THEM.
LASTLY, THIS MORNING, JUDGE ENRIGHT GETS A DOUBLE DIP TODAY.
HE'S HERE ALONG WITH CHIEF JUDGE NANCY MILLER FROM THE 24TH DC.
[00:35:06]
THIS YEAR, A DEFICIT OF $150,000 IN THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY COSTS INCREASE, AND YOU HAVE SOME UNFORESEEN THINGS HAPPEN.THIS IS IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH COMMISSIONER'S COURT, THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT OFFICES.
ONE DEALS WITH CIVIL MATTERS, ONE DEALS WITH CRIMINAL MATTERS, ONE DEALS WITH DOMESTIC MATTERS.
AND WHEN THEY CAME TO ME WITH THIS PROBLEM, I THOUGHT IT WAS A NO BRAINER.
AND THEN WE'LL DEAL WITH NEXT YEAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET FROM THE PARISH.
BUT THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT SHORTFALL.
AND I'D LIKE YOU ALL TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT COMMISSIONERS COURT AND LET US KNOW JUST HOW IMPORTANT IT IS AND WHAT EXACTLY YOU ALL DO IN THE COMMUNITY TO TO KEEP US SAFE OUTSIDE OF YOUR NORMAL JUDGE DUTIES.
TO PULL THE MIC DOWN A LITTLE BIT. YOU CALLING ME SHORT? THE MIC WAS JUST TALL.
NO PROBLEM. CHAIRMAN WALKER, THE REST OF YOU ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
FIRST OF ALL, AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF NEAL, THANK YOU.
BUT THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE COURT.
LIKE MUCH LIKE COUNCILMAN IMPASTATO SAID, NEAL IS THE BEST ATHLETE IN THE FAMILY.
I'M GOING TO DEFER TO OUR CHIEF JUDGE.
SHE'S CERTAINLY MUCH BETTER AT LAYING THIS OUT.
BUT THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING US THIS MORNING.
WHEN FAMILIES ARE GOING THROUGH THE WORST TIME IN THEIR LIVES, BE IT DIVORCE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
WE ARE ABLE THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS TO GET THEM WITHIN FRONT OF A HEARING OFFICER WITHIN 30 DAYS, PROVIDING STABILITY, A SCHEDULE FOR CHILD CUSTODY SO THAT NO PARENT IS DEPRIVED OF VISITATION WITH THEIR CHILD, A HOME TO LIVE IN FOR THE CHILDREN, AND WHO WILL BE THERE WITH THEM.
WE'VE HEARD A TOTAL OF 1255 PETITIONS FOR PROTECTIVE ORDERS.
OF THOSE, 640 WERE IN PROPER PERSON.
IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT AND MOST OF ALL, PATIENCE.
WE HAVE HEARD THREE I'M SORRY, 3128 DOMESTIC CASES IN THE YEAR 2022.
WE'VE GONE TO THE SUPREME COURT AND RAISED OUR COMMISSIONER FUND FEE FROM, I BELIEVE, $75.
WE ARE NOW AFTER TWO ROUNDS WITH THE SUPREME COURT COURT COST COMMITTEE UP TO $175 PER CASE.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAD LEGISLATION PASSED THAT ALLOWED US TO TAKE SOME OF IN COOPERATION WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO TAKE SOME OF THE OFF DUTY WITNESS FEES AND APPLY IT TO OUR SHORTAGES TO MAINTAIN THIS PROGRAM.
AND WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THAT THE COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION GIVE US.
THANK YOU ALL. ANYTHING ELSE, JUDGE ENRIGHT? NO, OTHER THAN. THANK YOU AND ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING THIS MORNING.
HUH? ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET STARTED.
[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23RD, 2023.WE'RE AT THE JOSEPH YENNI BUILDING, LOCATED AT 1221 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD IN JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA.
THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.
IT'S A DESPERATE NEED FOR BLOOD, AS ALWAYS.
NOW, IN PARTICULAR, THERE IS A CRITICAL NEED.
DONORS WILL GET A DONOR T SHIRT, A HUBIG'S PIES DONOR T SHIRT.
SO IF YOU CAN STOP BY THAT BLOOD DRIVE, IT GOES ON THE REST OF THE DAY.
TODAY, I'M GOING TO GO AFTER THE COUNCIL MEETING.
IF YOU CAN DO THE DOUBLE RED THING, WHICH I STILL DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND, SUSIE POTTER'S HERE.
AND I'M GOING TO DO THAT TODAY.
AND SOME PEOPLE CAN DO BECAUSE I HAVE O NEGATIVE.
[00:40:01]
SO I GUESS THAT MAKES ME ABLE TO DO THAT.BUT ANYBODY WHO CAN GIVE ANYTHING TODAY, IT'S MUCH APPRECIATED.
AND IF YOU DON'T, SUSIE WILL COME AFTER YOU.
SHE WILL. SHE WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND DRAG YOU UP THERE HERSELF IF YOU NEED TO.
AGAIN, IT'S IN ROOM 405 HERE AT THE ANY BUILDING ALL DAY.
IS THAT RIGHT? SUSIE, TOO? OKAY, SO IT ENDS AT TWO.
NOT QUITE ALL DAY. 2:00 IS WHEN IT ENDS TODAY.
SO THANK YOU, SUSIE, FOR BEING HERE.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING THIS BLOOD DRIVE.
AND THERE ARE A LOT OF APPOINTMENTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR TODAY.
SO WALK IN OR MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE BEFORE YOU GO OUT.
I'VE ALREADY GOTTEN MY EMAIL FROM SUSIE SO I WILL BE UPSTAIRS FOR THE BLOOD DRIVE AS WELL.
THIS MORNING WE HAVE WITH US RABBI MENDEL ZEITLIN.
HE IS WITH THE CHABAD JEWISH CENTER IN METAIRIE.
WE ACTUALLY MET WHEN WE WERE OUT INSTALLING THE LARGE FLOWER BOUQUET SCULPTURE, THE SPIRIT OF HOPE, OUT ON THE NEUTRAL GROUND ON WEST ESPLANADE, WHICH IS RIGHT NEAR THE CHABAD JEWISH CENTER.
AND IT'S JUST SUCH A BEAUTIFUL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AFFILIATIONS OF JEWISH HERITAGE AND JEWISH FAITH AND EDUCATION FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
IN FACT, SEPTEMBER 11TH COMING UP NEXT MONTH AT THE JEFFERSON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ON AIRLINE, THERE WILL BE A WOMAN, PHENOMENAL WOMAN, ESTHER BOSCH, WHO IS REFERRED TO AS THE HONEY GIRL OF AUSCHWITZ.
SHE WAS TAKEN TO AUSCHWITZ AT 16 AND WILL BE SPEAKING IN PERSON TO US.
WHAT A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.
SO SEPTEMBER 11TH AT THE JEFFERSON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.
RABBI, WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
WE APPRECIATE YOU. EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND LEADING US IN PRAYER THIS MORNING.
ALMIGHTY GOD, WE STAND BEFORE YOU IN PRAYER, SEEKING YOUR BENEVOLENT PRESENCE.
GUIDING THEM WITH YOUR WISDOM AND COMPASSION.
JEWISH COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD WILL BE CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY OF ROSH HASHANAH, WHICH MARKS THE JEWISH NEW YEAR, THE MONTH LEADING UP TO ROSH HASHANAH, WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES IN TODAY, IS KNOWN AS ELUL.
THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF ELUL, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO BLOW THE SHOFAR AS WELL.
THE SIMPLE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR SERVES AS A SPIRITUAL WAKE UP CALL TO US ALL, A REMINDER THAT OUR EXISTENCE ON EARTH IS FOR A DIVINE PURPOSE AND GOAL TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE BY LEADING LIVES RICH WITH MEANING AND GUIDED BY A MORAL COMPASS, A LIFE SUFFUSED WITH ACTS OF CHARITY AND CARING FOR OTHERS.
MAY ITS HAUNTING NOTES SYMBOLIZE OUR COLLECTIVE ASPIRATION FOR GROWTH, UNITY AND POSITIVE CHANGE.
MAY THEIR DECISIONS BE INFUSED WITH INTEGRITY, GUIDED BY YOUR PRESENCE AS WE STAND BEFORE YOU IN UNITY? LET US ECHO THE SENTIMENT.
THANK YOU. THAT WAS CERTAINLY A FIRST FOR OUR PRAYERS HERE IN THE CHAMBERS.
APPRECIATE IT. CHIEF ROBERTSON, YOU MIND LEADING US IN THE PLEDGE, PLEASE? I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[00:45:06]
MELINDA BOURGEOIS.AND I DON'T THINK I'M MISSING ANYBODY.
IF ANYBODY ELSE POPS IN ALONG THE WAY, I'LL LET YOU KNOW.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
PRESIDENT COUNCILMAN BONANO HERE.
PRESIDENT. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN PRESENT.
PARISH PRESIDENT. MS.. LEE SHENG AND I HAVE COMPLETED THE ROLE.
[PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL? YES, MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.WE'LL START OUT WITH HEAT SAFETY.
OBVIOUSLY, TODAY IS ANOTHER VERY HOT DAY FOR US.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED ANOTHER EXTREME HEAT ADVISORY FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A RECORD BREAKING YEAR.
AND THERE HAVE BEEN 35 DAYS THIS YEAR WHERE WE HAVE HAD THE DAILY HIGH AND BROKEN THOSE RECORDS.
SO WE WANT TO OBVIOUSLY MAKE SURE CITIZENS SHOULD REMAIN WEATHER AWARE.
AND PLEASE TAKE THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM OF HEAT EXHAUSTION.
OBVIOUSLY DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS, STAY IN AIR CONDITIONED ROOMS. IF YOU CAN STAY OUT OF THE SUN AND CHECK UP ON YOUR RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS, ESPECIALLY THE MORE VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT PETS AND SMALL CHILDREN SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED IN VEHICLES.
AND WE WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT EVERY DAY WE HAVE 15 LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.
SO YOU'RE NOT JUST GOING TO SIT IN A COOL ROOM.
THE BURN BAN, OBVIOUSLY DUE TO THE EXTREMELY DRY CONDITIONS STATEWIDE AND THE CONCERN OVER FIRST RESPONDER SAFETY IN THESE HIGH TEMPERATURE WEATHERS, THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL HAS ISSUED A STATEWIDE BURN BAN WHICH INCLUDES JEFFERSON PARISH.
THE STATE IS ALSO UNDER A RED FLAG WARNING DUE TO WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH WEATHER ACTIVITY IN THE GULF THAT ARE ELEVATING THE FIRE DANGER LEVEL TO ONE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DETRIMENTAL TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL HAS ASKED US TO REMIND THE PUBLIC TO COOPERATE WITH THIS BURN BAN AND BE CONSIDERATE OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE PUT AT INCREASED DANGER IN THIS HEAT EVERY TIME THEY'RE CALLED TO RESPOND TO A FIRE.
AND OBVIOUSLY, THIS WEEK WE HAVE HAD TO RESPOND TO QUITE A FEW FIRES ALREADY IN UPPER JEFFERSON IN TERMS OF OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM THERE, CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE ACTIVITY IN THE TROPICS, ESPECIALLY NOW WE'RE AT THE PEAK OF THE ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON.
CURRENTLY, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING OUT THERE THAT IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT JEFFERSON PARISH CONTINUES TO REMAIN PREPARED AND WE HAVE THE FULL SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.
WE JUST DID A SHELTER TRAINING RECENTLY.
WE'VE BOUGHT NEW EQUIPMENT ALL TO HELP US IN OUR RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FOLLOWING A STORM.
AND THOUGH IT'S BEEN A QUIET AUGUST SO FAR, THIS IS NOT OUR TIME TO LET OUR GUARD DOWN.
WE'RE JUST ASKING THAT ALL CITIZENS BE READY, REMAIN PREPARED AND WEATHER AWARE.
AS A RESULT, 325 JEFFERSON PARISH HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR BILLS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE TOTALING OVER 51,000 IN FUNDING NOW TO WATER ASSISTANCE. JEFF KAPP IS NOW PROVIDING ELIGIBLE WESTWEGO RESIDENTS WITH UTILITY UTILITY ASSISTANCE.
THROUGH OUR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
THERE'S GOING TO BE AN OUTREACH EVENT FOR WESTWEGO RESIDENTS THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 25TH, FROM 10 A.M.
TO 2 P.M. AT THE WESTWEGO SENIOR CENTER ON FOURTH STREET.
SO FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS WATER ASSISTANCE EVENT BY JEFF KAPP.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT A NEW SERVICE WE'RE PROVIDING AT THE LIBRARY.
THIS IS THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARIES BOOK, A LIBRARIAN.
IT'S GOING TO START NEXT WEEK FOR PATRONS TO RESERVE ONE ON ONE TIME WITH LIBRARIANS TO ASSIST WITH EVERYTHING FROM ONLINE JOB APPLICATIONS AND RESUME CREATION TO REGISTERING FOR AN EMAIL ACCOUNT, SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT AND SNAP BENEFITS SESSIONS.
SESSIONS ARE GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN THE LIBRARY'S COMPUTER LAB.
THE BOOK A LIBRARIAN MUST BE RESERVED BY WAY OF PHONE OR EMAIL REQUESTS WITH THE CALLBACK.
[00:50:07]
THIS IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MORRISON LAW.THE PURPOSE OF THIS EVENT IS TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN DRAWING UP FREE POWER OF ATTORNEY DOCUMENTS FOR FAMILIES OF AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS AND FOR AUTISTIC AUTISTIC ADULTS LIVING INDEPENDENTLY TO REDUCE INEQUALITY AND ADDRESS ACCESS ISSUES.
TRAINED TUTORS ARE AVAILABLE BETWEEN 2 AND 11 P.M..
BY VISITING BRAINFUSE.COM AND LOGGING IN WITH YOUR LIBRARY CARD NUMBER AND THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL LAUNCH ITS FIRST BINGO FOR BOOKS GAME NIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH AT 6 P.M..
BOOKS ARE GENEROUSLY DONATED BY OUR FRIENDS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC LIBRARY.
SO FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ALL THESE EVENTS W-W-W J P LIBRARY DOT NET.
REGISTRATION IS ALSO GOING ON FOR OUR JPD KICKBALL TOURNAMENT.
IT'S THE THIRD ANNUAL AND WE CALL IT FAMILIES KICKING IT.
AND THE THE TOURNAMENT IS NOW OPEN.
IT'S SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON OCTOBER 28TH AT 10 A.M.
AT THE MILEY SOFTBALL COMPLEX.
YOU HAVE TO BE SEVEN YEARS OR OLDER TO PLAY AND TEAMS MUST HAVE 7 TO 10 PLAYERS.
SO AT THE COST IS $15 PER TEAM.
YOU WANT TO REGISTER FOR THE FAMILY KICKBALL EVENT@JPD.COM.
AND THEN I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE NEWEST PART OF OUR ONE OF THE TENANTS OF RECREATION REIMAGINED.
WHEN WE LOOK AT TODAY'S NUMBERS AND THIS IS WHAT WE TOOK ON LAST YEAR, WHILE SOME PLAYGROUNDS WERE BUSTLING WITH ACTIVITY, WE HAD OTHER PLAYGROUNDS THAT DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH ACTIVITY, NOT DUE TO OUR PARENT VOLUNTEERS, NOT DUE TO OUR COACHING IS STRICTLY A DEMOGRAPHIC ISSUE.
IF YOU WERE A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAD YOUNG FAMILIES, YOUR NEIGHBOR IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ARE FILLED WITH GRANDPARENTS, RIGHT? SO ONE OF THE TENANTS WAS THAT WE CAN CHANGE OUR PROGRAMING TO MAKE SPACE FOR ADDITIONAL SPORTS THAT ARE IN HIGH DEMAND.
AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT PICKLEBALL.
PICKLEBALL HAS BEEN THE FASTEST GROWING SPORT IN AMERICA FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.
THE PARTICIPATION HAS GROWN OVER 150%.
AND IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WE HAVE CERTAINLY RESPONDED TO THAT DEMAND THE BEST WE COULD AT THE TIME, WHICH IS PLAYING ON TENNIS COURTS AND NOT TO THE NOT TO THE JOY OF THE TENNIS COURT PLAYERS.
WE'VE HAD PICKLEBALL AT PONTIFF MILEY AND BEL AIR.
AND ANY GIVEN WEEK WE HAVE 300 TO 500 JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENTS PLAYING PICKLEBALL.
WE HAVE LEAGUES WITH OVER 100 PLAYERS.
PONTIFF IS HAVING A MIXED DOUBLES LEAGUE WRAPPING UP THIS WEEK.
AND OUR JP SPONSORED FAMILY PICKLEBALL AT DELTA PLAYGROUND STARTS NEXT WEEK WITH 18 TEAMS. SO PICKLEBALL IS VERY, VERY POPULAR IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
SO THAT'S WHY WE WANT TO POINT YOU TO ITEM NUMBER 25 ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
WE'RE HAPPY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A TRUE, DEDICATED PICKLEBALL COMPLEX AT MILEY.
THIS IS GOING TO BE NINE NEW COURTS, FOUR REFURBISHED COURTS, LANDSCAPING LIGHTS.
THIS IS A TRUE PICKLEBALL COMPLEX.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
I KNOW THE PICKLEBALL PLAYERS ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
SO WE ASK FOR YOUR FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION FOR ITEM NUMBER 25.
THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. COUNCILMAN TEMPLET.
I JUST REAL QUICK WANT TO COMPLIMENT I WANT TO SAY IT WAS ON FRIDAY WE HAD THE SENIORS, WAS IT BEANBAG BEANBAG BASEBALL TOURNAMENT, WHICH WAS A HUGE CROWD FROM ACROSS ALL THE SENIOR GROUPS IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND PROUD.
SO THEY ALL WANTED ME ON THEIR TEAM ALL OF A SUDDEN.
BUT DON'T FORGET WHO KNOCKED YOU HOME ONE TIME RBI KNOCKED ME IN, BUT IT WAS A GREAT, GREAT EVENT TO SEE SUCH SUCH SO MANY SENIORS ENJOYING THE QUALITY OF LIFE WE HAVE HERE TO OFFER IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND A GREAT TIME.
PLUS, IT WAS INDOORS WITH AIR CONDITIONING RIGHT NOW.
SO HATS OFF TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PARISH AND THE SENIORS AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
OKAY. HEARD THE PARISH PRESIDENT SAY THAT THE FAMILY KICKBALL EVENT TAKES SEVEN PLAYERS OR MORE.
I THINK MAYBE A COUNCIL TEAM COULD BE FUN.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO TWO OF OUR DEPARTMENTS.
ONE YOU MENTIONED, PARISH PRESIDENT, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, EAST BANK, CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT, RESPONDED TO A REALLY A BLAZE AT A BUSINESS IN THE METAIRIE AREA.
[00:55:04]
BUT THE SURROUNDING BUSINESSES WHO OF COURSE, WHEN YOU SEE A NEIGHBORING STRUCTURE ON FIRE, WE'RE SO WORRIED ABOUT THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.AND EACH OF THEM HAS REACHED OUT OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS TO SAY THANK YOU.
THEY WERE AFRAID THE WIND WOULD BLOW THE FIRE IN THEIR DIRECTION AND AFFECT THEIR BUSINESSES.
SO AGAIN, THAT WE HAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO EVEN IN THIS HEAT ARE WILLING TO DON THOSE SUITS AND THE EQUIPMENT AND GO IN AND SAVE OUR BUSINESSES AND LIVELIHOODS.
A HUGE OAK TREE BRANCH LAYING ACROSS THE STREET AND WE DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO RUN INTO IT AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT CAUSE SO JPSO IMMEDIATELY WAS ON THE SCENE.
BUT THEN PARKWAY SENT OUT CREWS.
THOSE TREES ARE BEAUTIFUL, MATURE TREES.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER ONE ON THE AGENDA ITEMS ONE AND TWO.
I HAVE A NOTE THAT THEY'LL BE DEFERRED UNTIL NINE 1323.
SO COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION ON ITEMS NUMBER ONE AND TWO, I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS ONE AND TWO AND SPEAKING ON RESOLUTIONS.
OH MAN. JUST WENT JUST WENT RIGHT PAST IT.
I GUESS I'M JUST ANXIOUS TO MOVE FORWARD.
[PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA]
AL, WHO CERTAINLY WAS NOT TRYING TO OVERLOOK HE MOVE PAST YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.YOU NEED TO FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS.
STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. THANK YOU.
OKAY, MA'AM, WE GOT 42, 43, 44, 61 AND 82 SHORT LIST THIS MORNING.
OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH 42 FIRST $47,000 INCREASE, WHICH IS 2.4%.
THIS IS FOR ADDITIONAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROJECT, 44 OKAY.
OKAY. 44 NO MONETARY INCREASE, JUST 47 ADDITIONAL WORKING DAYS.
61 WE GOT A $584,000 INCREASE, 3.6% AS A RESULT.
ONCE AGAIN, ENHANCEMENT AND LONGEVITY OF THE PROJECT 82 YOU GOT $175,000 ADDITIONAL COST. THIS PROJECT HAS NOT BEEN OUT FOR BID YET.
THE DESIGN PHASE HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED.
THIS 175,000 REFLECTS INSPECTION SERVICES.
NOW, ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR ME? AND DON'T WORRY, COUNCILMAN WALKER, I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU EVER GET AWAY WITH THAT ONE.
COUNT ON IT. I ALMOST FEEL LIKE I SHOULD GIVE YOU MORE TIME, MR. AL, FOR TRYING TO SKIP PAST YOU.
WELL, WE NEED TO GET THE FIVE MINUTES BACK, MAN.
ANYBODY OTHER DAY? THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. AL. FRANKIE HYERS 509 HOMER BOULEVARD.
JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE GO.
SOME OF THESE TOE CROSSES THE LINE.
YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.
THANK YOU, MR. ALFORD, FOR MAKING SURE WE DIDN'T MISS OUT ON THIS.
ON BEHALF OF BONNIE THOMPSON, I'M HERE FOR ITEM 124 AT JAY PASS.
JAY PASS. WHATEVER THEY WANT TO CALL THEMSELVES THE TROUGH.
SHE FINDS THEM TO BE A CULPABLE OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ILL GOTTEN GAINS HERE.
WE GOT AN EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT PROVIDING A TROUGH TO ONE MAN WHO PAYS HIMSELF LIKE 100 GRAND A YEAR.
I TRY TO LOOK IT UP. IT'S HARD TO FIND ANY OF THE ANY OF THE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THESE NONPROFITS.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE A WAY TO LAUNDER MONEY.
I CAN'T KNOW HOW MUCH EVERYBODY'S PAYING ANY OF THE EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVES.
[01:00:05]
THROUGH 15 HOOPS TO QUALIFY FOR, AND AT THE END OF IT PROBABLY WON'T ANYWAY.SUCH IS THE CASE WITH ALMOST EVERY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THIS PARISH SUBSIDIZES.
BUT I'LL TELL YOU THIS AS A CITIZEN, I HAVE NO INTEREST IN BEING YOUR DEPENDENT, NOR DO I APPRECIATE HAVING TO ASSAIL THIS ENTITY TO DEAL WITH WHAT IT MEANS TO BE APPORTIONED ACCORDING TO LAW.
WE'RE GOING TO APPOINT SOMEBODY TO THIS TASK FORCE FOR HOMELESSNESS.
AND I DON'T BELIEVE ANYBODY'S APPOINTING ANYBODY THAT'S EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT.
WE'RE ON A LOT OF THINKERS, NO DOERS.
AND THEN YOU HAD THE DECENCY TO PUT A STOP SIGN UP.
AND I GOT TO WONDER, IN THAT DISTRICT TWO STOP SIGN, MISTER, THE COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT TWO.
WERE THEY FORCED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS TO SIGN A PETITION, OR ARE YOU JUST DECIDING TO PUT THAT THERE BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER CAN JUST PUT A STOP SIGN WHEREVER YOU WANT.
THE CITIZENS AREN'T DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO SUBMIT TO THIS PETITION PROCESS.
THAT'S ABSURD, ARCHAIC AND BASED OFF OF SOME ORGANIZATION IN MICHIGAN OR CALIFORNIA.
SO I'M HOPING THAT YOU'RE DOING THIS JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND YOU DIDN'T FORCE YOUR CITIZENS TO GO AND SUBMIT TO NEGOTIATING WITH ONE NEIGHBOR OR THE NEXT ARBITRARILY TO TO SEE THIS DONE.
I'M GUESSING I'M HOPING THAT THIS IS ABOUT RECKLESS DRIVING AND WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING HERE.
I KNOW THAT NONE OF YOU HAVE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION WE ASK BECAUSE THE CHAIRMAN MADE THAT CLEAR YEARS AGO TO MR. AL. WE COULD DO BETTER.
SO TODAY I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE COURSE OF MY ASSOCIATION.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR LAST WEEK PARTICIPATING.
AND LISA CARLIN AND THE ORGANIZATION SHE REPRESENTS TODAY.
SHE'S IN BATON ROUGE AT A COMMITTEE MEETING FOR ITEP.
AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON 67 TO 75.
AND. SOME OF YOU ALL RECEIVED A LETTER AFTER LISA AND I MET WITH A COUPLE OF YOUR DIVISIONS WITHIN THE WITHIN SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
JEEZ, I'VE BEEN THERE TOO LONG WITHIN THE PARISH AND OUR CONCERNS AFTER THAT MEETING.
AND SO THIS THESE, I THINK NINE COMPANIES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SIGN CONTRACTS WITH.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S MOSTLY USED WITHIN THE PARISH PROCESS WITH PARISH PROJECTS.
BUT I WAS TOLD YESTERDAY THAT IT CAN BE USED FOR OUTSIDE PROJECTS.
COUNCILMAN LEE SPOKE ABOUT THE ISSUES IN WAGGAMAN AND NO GROCERY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST EMPLOYEES ANYBODY CAN HAVE AS FAR AS A CITY OR A PARISH OR A COUNTY GOES.
THERE ARE COMPANIES WANTING TO DO BUSINESS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
AND THAT'S VERY CONCERNING TO US.
SO IF WE COULD USE PEOPLE FIRMS WITH SPECIAL EXPERTISE IN AREAS WHEN THESE FIRMS WANT TO COME DO BUSINESS WITH US, THAT MIGHT GIVE US A LITTLE BIT MORE LIGHT, A LITTLE MORE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE AND THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE.
SO I'M HOPING THAT NOT ONLY WILL YOU USE THEM FOR PARISH PROJECTS, BUT ALSO, IF MY UNDERSTANDING IS CORRECT FROM MY CONVERSATION YESTERDAY THAT THEY CAN BE USED FOR PEOPLE WANTING TO DO A PROCESS OF ADDING BUSINESSES, ADDING FIRMS, ADDING PLANTS, STORAGE TANKS AND THAT SORT OF THING. SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING YOU'LL DO, IS USE THAT WITHIN PRIVATE ENTITY ALSO.
AND WHAT ELSE? ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR THE ADDENDUM AGENDA.
[01:05:02]
IS THIS ABOUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR THE ADDENDUM AGENDA? IF IT'S NOT, YOU CAN SPEAK AT THE END OF THE MEETING ON ON ANY TOPIC.OKAY. ANYONE ELSE WITH ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA? ALL RIGHT. NOW WE CAN MOVE TO NUMBER ONE AND TWO.
[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED]
SO COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION ONCE AGAIN ON THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS ONE AND TWO TO SEPTEMBER 13TH MEETING.THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER THREE, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES]
A RESOLUTION SELECTING A PERSON OR FIRM TO PROVIDE A TRANSIT SYSTEM PLANNING PLATFORM SOLUTION FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.ITEM NUMBER FOUR, FIVE AND SIX ARE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. WE'LL GET BACK TO THAT AROUND NOON.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, WHICH I HAVE A NOTE TO DEFER UNTIL 927 MEETING.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING]
SO COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN YOUR MOTION ON THAT MOVE.ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26178.
MADAM CLERK SUMMARY NUMBER 26179.
APPROVING SP DASH 40 DASH 23 REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE SIGN REGULATIONS FOR PREMIER NISSAN LOCATED AT 6636 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD ON LOT H.
DASH 2-A ELMWOOD LAFONIA PLANTATION COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR.
WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26179.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS STACY LANDRY, 3949, MEADOW RIDGE DRIVE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA.
I'M HERE TO REPRESENT PREMIER NISSAN.
JUST WANT TO SAY I'M IN FAVOR OF IT THAT WAY.
THEY'LL HAVE FOR ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE ON THE BUILDING.
THAT WAY THE MOTORISTS WILL HAVE VISIBILITY.
THANK YOU. ONE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK. NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR COUNCILMAN IMPASTATO MOTION TO APPROVE.
ITEM NUMBER NINE, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
[OTHER ORDINANCES]
SUMMARY NUMBER 26181 AMEND CHAPTER TWO ARTICLE ONE, SECTION 2-7 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26181 ANYONE IN FAVOR.PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED.
MADAM CLERK. NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET. ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26181.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
ITEM NUMBER TEN WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
THE OPERATING BUDGET SUMMARY NUMBER 26182.
AMENDING THE 2023 OPERATING BUDGET IN THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ALLOCATE $1,703 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE VIDEO POKER FUND TO PAY FOR RENDERINGS FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS IN COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE ALLOCATE $200,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE TO WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING FUND FOR A CAR WITH STONEBRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT AND BEAUTIFICATION BEAUTIFICATION DISTRICT TO PROVIDE FUNDING TOWARDS REBUILDING THE KITCHEN AT THE STONEBRIDGE GOLF CLUB.
ALLOCATE $10,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO'S WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING FUND FOR KIA WITH THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN TUTORING AND EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR A TUTORING PROGRAM. ALLOCATE $8,343 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE'S WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING FUND TO RECREATION FOR UNIFORMS FOR MLK PLAYGROUNDS, FOOTBALL TRACK CHEERLEADING AND VOLLEYBALL TEAMS. ALLOCATE $150,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE'S WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING FUND TO SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS FOR KIA TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A MACON GROCERIES MOBILE MARKET TO SERVE AS AN ACCESS POINT FOR HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOODS TO CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH WITHIN THE WEST BANK OF COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN AVONDALE AND WAGGAMAN WITH LESS ACCESS TO FRESH FOODS.
ALLOCATE $160 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE'S WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING FUND TO PAY AN INVOICE FROM JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR SECURITY DETAIL FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE.
[01:10:09]
AND EXERCISE EQUIPMENT AT ROSEMARY J.AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS.
THANK YOU. ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS, I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
SO NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26182.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
JEFFERSONIAN REPUBLICAN 509 HOME BOULEVARD.
I PREFER A GOVERNMENT THAT'S FRUGAL AND SIMPLE LACKING FOR EITHER OF THOSE CONDITIONS.
I GOT TO RISE IN OPPOSITION NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE WORKS.
IF WE CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW WE FEEL THE COOKIE JARS, WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE AN APPORTIONED TAXATION WITH REGARDS TO PROPERTY TAXES OR UNIFORMITY WITH REGARDS TO SALES TAXES.
SOMEBODY WANTS TO CORRECT ME ON THIS.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM NOT ADDRESSING THIS.
I'M NOT DOING THIS BECAUSE IT'S FUN.
I'M DOING THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A CIVIC DUTY.
I OPPOSE ARBITRARY REPRESENTATION.
IT DEFIES A PORTION. YOU CAN'T APPORTION THIS BODY ACCORDING TO LAW AS IT'S STRUCTURED.
THEREFORE, ALL OF THE GOOD WORKS ARE FRUIT OF A POISONED TREE.
MADAM CLERK NOTED. ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26182 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED ITEM NUMBER 11 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
THE CAPITAL BUDGET SUMMARY NUMBER 26183.
AMENDING THE 2023 CAPITAL BUDGET IN THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ALLOCATE $200,000 FROM AT LARGE A CDI CDI, A GENERAL FUND FOR A CSA WITH THE CITY OF HARAHAN FOR GYM REPAIRS DUE TO HURRICANE IDA.
AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT.
I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT AMENDMENT? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26183.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
NO ACTIONS. THIS BODY TAKES STAND UP TO THE TEST.
NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 12 RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL, MADAM CLERK.COUNCILMAN EDWARDS? YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION TO NAME THE BUILDING LOCATED AT 128 WRIGHT AVENUE, GRETNA, LOUISIANA.
MAMA. CLETUS JEFFERSON CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED COUNCILMAN EDWARDS ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. BEN LÉPINE TO THE POSITION DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD? MADAM CLERK KNOW THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED COUNCILMAN TEMPLET ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING.
CONGRATULATIONS, MR. LAPINE. WHERE ARE YOU? THERE HE IS. CONGRATULATIONS.
[01:15:02]
COUNCILWOMAN, VAN VRANCKEN AND I'VE COMPLETED THE ROLE.[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]
AGENDA ONE NOW. COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS? 13 THROUGH 57.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 58.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS]
PLEASE READ THAT, MADAM CLERK.A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM A FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 139781, ADOPTED ON JUNE 15TH, 2022 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES, WHICH COST UNDER $500,000 FOR STREET PROJECTS.
WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO BUS STOPS AND ADJACENT INTERSECTIONS. COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO COUNCILMAN BONANO ECM.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ECM? ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
NUMBER 59. I HAVE A NOTE THAT IT WILL BE DEFERRED UNTIL THE 927 MEETING.
TO DEFER ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 59.
ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER BEING DEFERRED TO 927.
ITEM NUMBER 60, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
A RESOLUTION SELECTING FROM THE LIST OF FIRMS APPROVED TO PROVIDE URBAN PLANNING SERVICES FOR A FEE OF $150,000 OR LESS TO CONDUCT A ZONING AND OR LAND USE STUDY TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE ONE A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL METAIRIE RIDGE TREE PRESERVATION DISTRICT AND THE R1B SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL 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 POSSIBLY ALLEVIATE, MITIGATE AND OR ELIMINATE THOSE POTENTIAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, NY AND ASSOCIATES.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE TO THE SELECTION OF NY AND ASSOCIATES.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO]
YOUR MOTION ON THAT COUNCILMAN TEMPLET I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ITEMS? SIX. MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M SORRY. COUNCILMAN BONANO ITEM THREE FOR DISCUSSION, PLEASE.ALL RIGHT, LET'S START THAT AGAIN.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION ON THE ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 61 THROUGH 130 -62, WHICH IS TO BE DEFERRED TO NINE 2766, WHICH IS TO BE CANCELED AND 83 WHICH WILL PULL OUT FOR DISCUSSION.
I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ITEM 61 THROUGH 130 -62, WHICH IS TO BE DEFERRED TO NINE, 27, 66, WHICH IS TO BE CANCELED, AND 83 WHICH WILL PULL TO DISCUSS A MOTION TO COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[AUTHORIZE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN CONSULTANT AGREEMENTS]
PLEASE READ THAT, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH BROADMOOR LLC TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AT RISK SERVICES FOR THE FAT CITY CENTER, A COMMUNITY CAMPUS FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ART AND TECHNOLOGY, AND ITS ASSOCIATED TRANSPORTATION HUB PARKING GARAGE, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE DESIGNATION OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR AS AGENT, A GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY AND SALES TAX EXEMPT CERTIFICATE.
COUNCILMAN. BONANO. MRS. VAN VRANCKEN. I REALIZE THIS IS A DISTRICT FIVE PROJECT.
I WAS CONTACTED THIS WEEK BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIRE UNION AND HE HAS HE'S OUT OF TOWN.
WE'RE ALREADY DEFERRING ANY ITEM RELATED TO THE FIRE STATION.
THOSE WERE REQUESTED DEFERRALS THAT COUNCILMAN WALKER NOTED.
THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH THE FIRE STATION.
THIS IS A CONTRACT SEPARATE AND APART FOR THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CENTER ONLY.
IT DOES NOT HAVE TO DO WITH THE FIRE STATION AT ALL.
AND THIS IS A $40,000 CONTRACT WITH DISTRICT FUNDS.
IT WENT THROUGH A PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROCESS.
BUT I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
THIS ONE DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT.
SO THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SWAP OF PROPERTY? NO, THE OTHER ITEMS ALREADY DEFERRED.
THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF PROPERTY IN QUESTION, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO.
THIS HAS TO DO SIMPLY WITH PLANNING FOR A FUTURE BUILDING.
[01:20:04]
AND THAT CONTRACT WAS A SEPARATE PROCESS.WHO'S GOING TO PAY TO MAINTAIN THIS BUILDING AND PAY THE UTILITIES AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT THE PARISH BUDGET HAS TO BE IMPACTED BY? AGAIN, THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH THAT.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH BROADMOOR GIVING US GUIDANCE ON CONSTRUCTION.
SO AGAIN, THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH THAT.
SO THIS DOESN'T BUILD A BUILDING.
WE'RE NOT BUILDING A BUILDING BY PASS THIS.
THIS HELPS US IN THAT PROCESS.
I'M HAPPY TO DISCUSS THOSE AND THAT'S WHY I'VE ASKED FOR DEFERRAL.
I'D REQUEST TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ONE.
I JUST WANT YOU TO COMMIT TO HAVING A FISCAL NOTE BEFORE WE BUILD ANY NEW PARISH BUILDING THAT INVOLVES ANY PARISH WIDE MONIES, LIBRARY, FIRE, JUVENILE SERVICES. WE NEED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON HOW THAT'S GOING TO BE PAID FOR.
AND THERE SHOULD BE A FISCAL NOTE ATTACHED TO EACH.
THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN TEMPLET.
LOOK AT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT, DO YOU ALL HAVE ANY IDEA OF THE FISCAL NOTE AND WHAT THIS IS TAKING PLACE? WELL, I'M JUST.
AT THE SEYMOUR PROJECT IS FOR FAT CITY.
IS THAT CORRECT? ONLY FOR FAT CITY, AND ONLY TO GUIDE US ON THAT BUILDING.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY ON CAUSEWAY AND I WOULD RESPECT, SINCE THIS WAS SINCE I REQUESTED THE DEFERRAL THAT THE DISCUSSION BE DEFERRED AS WELL, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE MEETINGS AND I'VE HAD MEETINGS.
PARISH PRESIDENT WITH YOUR STAFF, BUT I'VE NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH YOU DIRECTLY, WHICH IS WHY I'M ASKING FOR DEFERRAL FOR A MONTH SO THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET FACE TO FACE AND DISCUSS THIS.
SO BEFORE WE HAVE PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON THINGS THAT I THINK WE HAVE ANSWERS TO, I'D RESPECT THAT.
ABSOLUTELY. BUT JUST FOR THE RECORD, BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RECORD IS CLEAR, I THINK THAT THE PROPERTY SWAP HAPPENS AND ONCE THE PROPERTY SWAP HAPPENS, THEN I THINK THIS SEYMOUR KICKS IN ON THAT PROPERTY.
SO UNLESS I HAVE SOMETHING WRONG, OBVIOUSLY, AS WE HAVE TALKED TO YOU OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE HAVE OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPERTY SWAP AND MANY OF THE ISSUES WITH THE PROPERTY SWAP.
BUT MY UNDERSTANDING OF THIS IS THAT AFTER THE PROPERTY IS SWAPPED, SEYMOUR IS THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK FOR THE BUILDING THAT'S GOING TO GO ON ONE OF THOSE PROPERTIES. SO BUT WE HAVE I THINK THIS IS KIND OF TAKING THE THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.
SO WHETHER WE ULTIMATELY BUILD THE FAT CITY CENTER ON THE PROPERTY WE ALREADY EXCLUSIVELY OWN THAT OUR OFFICE HAS PURCHASED ALREADY, OR WHETHER IT COMES TO FRUITION ON ONE OF THE PROPERTIES.
WITH THE LAND SWAP, WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS.
WE DEFINITELY STILL WANT TO USE A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK MODEL.
SO THIS IS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE LAND SWAP.
AND I WOULD ASK THAT THE DOCUMENTS REFLECT THAT.
SO I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE DOCUMENT AND WE CAN HAVE THE ATTORNEYS LOOK AT IT DURING THIS MEETING, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE SEYMOUR IS ON THE PROPERTY THAT'S BEING SWAPPED. IT IS NOT.
AND IT AGAIN, THE SEYMOUR IS A METHOD OF BRINGING A BUILDING TO LIFE.
IT DOES NOT HAVE TO DO WITH THE LOCATION OF THE BUILDING.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THEM GUIDE US WHEREVER IT'S BUILT.
AND AGAIN, I JUST HATE TO HAVE A HALF HEARTED DISCUSSION ON THIS, WHICH IS WHY I REQUESTED DEFERRAL.
[01:25:03]
WELL, LISTEN, WITH ALL THAT SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO DEFER SO WE CAN ADDRESS IT.SO WE HAVEN'T SWAPPED THOSE PROPERTIES YET.
SO TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE SEYMOUR, THAT ASSUMES THAT THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SWAPPED.
IT WILL BE THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGETED FUNDS.
SO I ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT THAT THIS IS A DISTRICT PROJECT.
WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR A PROJECT IN FAT CITY.
BUT OF COURSE MY CONCERN FOR THE ADMINISTRATION IS THAT OUR BUDGETED DEPARTMENTS ARE GOING TO GET FORCED TO PAY RENT, PAY HOLDOVER FEES, PAY ALL OF THAT, ALL OF THESE THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT CONCERNS TO YOU ABOUT AND ALL OF THAT'S BEEN ADDRESSED.
COUNCIL. I THINK IT'S DISINGENUOUS TO HAVE A PUBLIC DISCUSSION WHEN EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED TO ME, I HAVE DILIGENTLY WORKED TO GET ANSWERS ON AND PLEASE ALLOW ME THE OPPORTUNITY, PARISH PRESIDENT, TO SIT WITH YOU AND PROVIDE THOSE ANSWERS.
LET ME ALSO REMIND YOU THAT WHEN THE PROJECT WENT OUT, WHEN WE PUBLICLY SECURED BROADMOOR TO GUIDE US, IT WAS PRIOR TO THE LAND SWAP EVEN BEING DISCUSSED.
WE ALWAYS SEE THINGS TEND TO GROW LEGS WITH MISINFORMATION, SO PLEASE ALLOW ME TO BRING YOU THE INFORMATION THAT WE'VE ACQUIRED INSTEAD OF CONTINUING. CAN WE MOVE TO DEFER SINCE WE'VE ESTABLISHED THAT THE REASON FOR THIS DISCUSSION, BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT TO BE VOTED ON? NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. ON NUMBER.
THAT IS WHY THE DISCUSSION IS PUBLIC.
ALL OF OUR CONVERSATIONS TO THIS POINT HAVE BEEN PRIVATE.
BUT YOU'RE ABOUT TO TAKE A VOTE OF APPROVAL, SO OR WHATEVER THE VOTE IS TO DEFER.
SO I'M ASKING ON 13, SHE'S AGREED TO DEFER TO 913.
AND THERE'S NO LACK OF CLARITY.
BUT I WANT CLARIFICATION AHEAD.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T KNOW. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE SEEN ANYTHING.
SO MAKE SURE THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE HAD.
AND IT'S GOOD TO HAVE THIS OUT IN PUBLIC.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
OKAY. ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 83 TO OUR 927 EAST BANK MEETING? A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BONANO.
IS THERE A SECOND SECOND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN IMPASTATO? NO OBJECTION. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
ALL RIGHT. THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 131 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, PLEASE.
A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED IN QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE SURVEYING SERVICES ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, WITH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE FEES OF $500,000 PER YEAR.
COUNCILMAN. TEMPLET. I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF WHAT YOUR SELECTION? I'M SORRY YOU MOVED ON IT.
YOUR SELECTION ON THAT ONE ON ITEM NUMBER ONE.
OH, LET ME LOOK AT IT. HOLD ON.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA NOW.
[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS]
COUNCILMAN. TEMPLET YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF ITEMS TWO THROUGH 30 -11, WHICH IS A SELECTION I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS TWO THROUGH 30 -11, WHICH IS ME.CHAIRMAN WE HAVE TO DEFER ITEM NUMBER 19.
OKAY. THAT DEFERRAL WASN'T IN MY NOTES.
WHERE ARE WE? OH, I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY.
WE RECEIVED THE AFFIDAVIT. I'M SORRY.
[01:30:01]
OKAY, SO IT'S NOT BEING DEFERRED.GO TO ITEM NUMBER 11, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 139780, ADOPTED JUNE 15TH, 2022 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SEWAGE PROJECTS WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BRIDGE CITY WW WWTP DRYING BED FACILITY CIP PROJECT NUMBER D1115.
COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO COUNCILMAN BONANO YOUR SELECTION STEWART CONSULTING.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 31 SPECIAL DISTRICTS, PLEASE.
AND I HAVE AN ITEM, A NOTE THAT ITEM 31 WILL BE DEFERRED TO OUR 927 MEETING.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN YOUR MOTION ON THAT MOVE TO DEFER ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM 31 ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]
132. 132.OKAY. A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BID OF CASCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
UNDER BID PROPOSAL NUMBER 50 DASH 00141850 FOR A TWO YEAR CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND STRUCTURAL FIRE FIGHTING 14 INCH PULL ON BOOTS FOR THE EAST BAY CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA.
AT THE BID TABULATION PRICE OF $139,975.
MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES FOR THIS CONTRACT SHALL NOT EXCEED $140,000 FOR THE TWO YEARS BY A FACTOR OF NOT MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT AUTHORIZED BY RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL.
COUNCILMAN BONANO YOUR MOTION.
APPROVAL. ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR AUTO EXTRACTION, RESCUE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $362,418.80 FOR THE EASTBANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER FOR A ONE TIME PURCHASE.
COUNCILMAN BONANO YOUR MOTION.
MOVE APPROVAL. ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BONANO.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE. SO ORDERED NEW BUSINESS.
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 SPEAK ON ANYTHING THAT IS NOT RELATED TO THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA MAY DO SO.NOW YOU MUST FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
AL MORELLA 4260 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE FIFTH DISTRICT.
UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON 51 YEARS.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION FROM THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING.
$120,692.25. TOP FIVE BENEFACTORS.
COUNCILMAN LEE COUNCILMAN WALKER.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN AND COUNCILMAN.
IMPASTATO AND COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.
I WANT TO DIRECT THIS TO TO PARISH ATTORNEY PEGGY BARTON.
THERE'S NO EXPLANATION ON THAT.
I'D LIKE TO GET EITHER AN EXPLANATION TO THE PUBLIC OR GET IT IN WRITING.
I CAN EXPLAIN THAT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
THAT WAS AN OVERPAYMENT BY A DONOR AND $500 WAS RETURNED.
I GOT MY REFLECTED ON THE THE REPORTS.
OKAY. ANYTIME I SEE THAT, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO QUESTION IT.
I KNOW. OKAY. GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS, I'M THE MAN IN YOUR RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
ONCE AGAIN, WE GOT SCANDAL UP IN BATON ROUGE.
THIS TIME IT'S THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
$4 MILLION SCAMMED WIRE FRAUD.
TWO PEOPLE WORKING IN THE OFFICE ACROSS THE LAKE.
OKAY, NOW WE GOT THE DYSFUNCTIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
$112 MILLION HANDED OUT TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T EVEN LIVE IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
THEN YOU GOT 50 TO 56 INMATES ON DEATH ROW.
[01:35:08]
AND THEY STILL WALKING AROUND.AND NOW YOU WANT TO COMMUTE THESE COLD BLOODED MURDERERS WHO TOOK INNOCENT LIVES.
AND OF ALL THE REASONS YOU WANT TO GIVE IS PRO-LIFE.
THIS IS THE MOST IMBECILIC EXPLANATION OR COMMENTS I'VE EVER HEARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
UH, ANYWAY, ONCE AGAIN, BEL EDWARDS, THE MAN IN YOUR RESIGNATION.
I THINK THAT'S I THINK I GOT A SHORT ONE TODAY.
LET ME SEE. I LOOK BACK AT MY NOTES.
WELL, I DO WANT TO SAY THIS TO MS..
LOPEZ, I WISH YOU GODSPEED AND I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.
SHE'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE BEST AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.
AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE.
MS.. LOPEZ AND WE THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
THANK YOU. SHE'S SMILING AT YOU, MR. AL. ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS? ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
DARLENE VILLERY 3501 HERRING ROAD.
NIGHT BEFORE LAST WAS THE THIRD ATTACK IN MY FRONT YARD.
WHEN ARE Y'ALL LETTING THESE GUYS START? COME ON, HONEY.
AM I SAYING THAT CORRECTLY? DID TRAP A COYOTE.
AND ON MONDAY, WE HAD A MEETING WITH ALL OF THE TRAPPERS.
AND BASICALLY WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THEY'VE ACTUALLY TEAMED UP AND THEY'VE SELECTED A LARGE AREA THAT IS AFFECTED WHICH GREEN ACRES IS IN THAT ALMOST THE CENTER OF THAT TEN MILE RADIUS.
WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE SPECIFICS BECAUSE APPARENTLY JOE'S EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN DAMAGED, EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE AWARE THAT HE WAS TRAPPING IN A CERTAIN AREA.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE COYOTES THAT THEY ARE TARGETING ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING INTO PEOPLE'S YARDS, YOU KNOW, ATTACKING PEOPLE'S CATS. AND SO THEY'RE THEY'VE COORDINATED AN EFFORT TO KIND OF MAXIMIZE.
SO THEY'RE GOING TO CONQUER AND DIVIDE, IF YOU WILL.
AND THE OBJECTIVE IS TO WITHOUT BEING GRAPHIC OF HOW THEY'RE GOING TO DO THIS, LURE THE COYOTES OUT OF THE RESIDENTIAL AREA TO THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T, YOU KNOW, TOO MANY LIABILITIES WITH TRYING TO TRAP IN IN AREAS THAT ARE OWNED, ALTHOUGH PEOPLE CAN REQUEST A TRAPPER ON THEIR OWN TO DO IT, WHICH DOES COST THE TRAPPERS THAT WE HAVE ENGAGED WITH ARE KIND OF CONQUERING DIVIDING.
THEY'RE GOING TO LURE THE COYOTES OUT.
SO THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP TRYING AND THEY'RE TARGETING DIFFERENT SECTIONS.
AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME PERMITTING WITH THE LEVY BOARD THAT THEY ARE ALSO ACQUIRING.
AND IT'S TRAPPER JOHN SCHMITT, WHO ALREADY HAS A PERMIT, BUT THE OTHER TWO ARE OBTAINING THEM.
BUT UNTIL THEN, THEY'RE HAVING TO DO IT ON THIS SIDE AND NOT BE ON THE LEVY.
BUT THEY ARE OUT THERE DOING IT.
WE WE DO HAVE FLIERS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE GIVING OUT.
AND SHE DID SAY SHE WOULD PUT IT ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS.
YEAH, YEAH. THE DIGITAL VERSION, JUST SO WE CAN LET PEOPLE KNOW WE'RE TRAPPING IN THE AREA, LEAVING IT VAGUE BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THEM TO BE BOTHERING THE TRAPS OR KNOWING, YOU KNOW, WHERE EVERYTHING IS AT.
IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME, BUT THEY ARE OUT THERE DOING IT, YOU KNOW, AND THEY ASKED THAT WE NOT PUT ANY BIG SIGNS UP SAYING TRAPPING, YOU KNOW, WITH FLAGS, SAYING, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, SO WITH THAT SO WE ARE OUT THERE, THE PARISH IS DOING SOMETHING.
IT'S JUST SOMETIMES IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE WHILE FOR ANYBODY TO SEE THAT HAPPENING.
[01:40:02]
DO WE KNOW WHAT THE SCHEDULE IS FOR TRAPPING? HOW LONG HOW LONG ARE THEY GOING TO BE A YEAR? IS IT FOR SIX MONTHS? SO THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT IS THEY'RE GOING TO BE TRAPPING, YOU KNOW, UNTIL THEY SEE THAT THE ISSUE IS HAS DISSEMINATED, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALL THEY CAN DO.AND HOW OFTEN WILL WE GET A PROGRESS REPORT OF WHAT'S GOING ON? I MEAN, HOW DO YOU YOU'RE LOOKING FOR LIKE MONTHLY STATISTICS OR WHAT INFORMATION ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? IT'S BEING TAKEN CARE OF.
WE DIDN'T CATCH ANY THIS MONTH.
HOW DO WE KNOW THE PROGRESS OF IT? WELL, IF MICHELLE WANTS A MONTH, CAN YOU PROVIDE THE PARISH PRESIDENT WITH THE STATISTICS FOR THAT MONTH AND THEN PARISH PRESIDENT WHEN YOU DO YOUR OPENING REMARKS, IF YOU WOULD PROVIDE THAT. HOW'S THAT? LISTEN, AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, TRAPPING COYOTES IN AN URBAN SETTING IS GOING TO BE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.
IT IS. AND THERE'S NO QUICK SOLUTION TO THIS.
AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING HAVE TO DO ON A ROUTINE BASIS.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU LIVE IN THE AREA.
THAT'S THE HOT SPOT RIGHT NOW.
AND THOSE COYOTES HAVE LEARNED WHERE THE FOOD SOURCES ARE AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO THERE.
THEY'RE IN YOUR AREA. AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TRAP THEM.
AND IT'S GOING TO BE IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.
PUT IT OUT FOR AN HOUR OR TWO.
BRING IT IN. BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.
I CAN UNDERSTAND LOSING YOUR PETS IS NOT A FUN THING.
NONE OF US WOULD WANT TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE DEALING WITH A WILD ANIMAL THAT'S A VERY INTELLIGENT ANIMAL, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO REMOVE THEM, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE REMAIN VIGILANT AND DO THE BEST WE CAN UNTIL WE CAN GET THEM OUT OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT COULD GO A LITTLE FASTER, THOUGH, Y'ALL.
THREE MONTHS AND TEN DAYS SINCE THE FIRST ATTACK.
SO THIS HAS BEEN A ROYAL NIGHTMARE FOR ME.
YOU KNOW THAT'S THE WAY WE TALK.
COUNCILMAN. IMPASTATO. THANK YOU.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO ADD, MISS DARLENE, IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON WHAT HOW OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT, AS WE SAW FROM THE WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES PRESENTATION A WEEK OR SO AGO. I MEAN, WE'RE NOT ALONE, UNFORTUNATELY, IN THIS DALLAS, TEXAS IN PARTICULAR, I SEE THEIR LOCAL GOVERNING AUTHORITY CAME UP WITH AN INTERACTIVE MAPPING PROGRAM WHERE THE RESIDENTS CAN INTERACTIVELY MAP WITH IT.
AND SO WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY WORKING ON TRYING TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND POTENTIALLY GETTING SOME SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS THAT THE PARISH WORKS WITH TO DEVISE A SIMILAR MAPPING PROGRAM THAT THE RESIDENTS CAN INTERACT WITH THAT WILL THEN ASSIST THE TRAPPERS.
AND SO WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THOSE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES AND TRYING TO GET THOSE ENGAGED.
SO MY DAUGHTER IN LAW AND MY SON LIVES IN COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA.
THEY LIVE RIGHT THERE BY THAT RAVINE.
WOW. GETTING THEM OUT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.
I DON'T CARE WHO YOU PASS THE BUCK TO, BUT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GET THEM OUT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.
THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? YES, SIR. MY NAME IS TONY KEY AND I RESIDE AT 1912 BULLARD AVENUE.
I WAS ISSUED A CITATION FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OVER AN IMPROVEMENT THAT I HAD MADE BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND THE CURB, WHERE I REMOVED DEAD GRASS AND REPLACED IT VERY NEATLY WITH GRAVEL, WITH TRIM AROUND. THERE WAS AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT THAT RESULTED IN THIS CITATION HERE, ONE OF WHICH I WAS TOLD THAT HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT, THERE WOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE OF ONE WITH WHAT I WAS WITH WHAT I DID.
I'M BEING ORDERED TO REMOVE THE GRAVEL AND REPLACE IT WITH SOD.
[01:45:11]
I AM REQUESTING THAT WHAT I'VE DONE REMAIN LIKE IT IS.I'VE ALSO TRIED MR. WALKER TO GET TIME WITH YOURSELF.
AND MR. BONANO AND MY WIFE ALSO REQUESTED TIME WITH MRS. SHINN TO DISCUSS THIS.
I'M HOPING THERE THAT Y'ALL WOULD SEE THIS FOR WHAT IT IS AND FOR WHAT IT AIN'T.
IRONICALLY, I COULD NOT GET PAST YOUR AGE TO GET FIVE MINUTES WITH YOU, WHICH IN ALL PROBABILITY WOULD HAVE MAYBE RESULTED IN MYSELF NOT EVEN HAVING TO BE HERE FOR WHAT THIS IS.
RIGHT. THE ANSWER THAT YOU'VE RECEIVED.
WELL, IT DOESN'T MAKE IT I QUESTION THE LEGALITY.
THERE APPEARS TO BE NO ORDINANCE STATING THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SPEND MONEY BUYING SOD.
IT'S A LITTLE CONTRADICTORY HERE.
THERE SHE MAKES A REMARK WHERE IT, QUOTE, RETURNED TO GRASS.
THAT KIND OF CONTRADICTS THE INITIAL.
ORDERING THAT IT BE RETURNED TO SOD.
MR. SOTO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ELABORATE? SURE. ABSOLUTELY.
GOOD MORNING. I'M ANGELA DE SOTO, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING.
AND AS MR. KEE REPORTED, THAT IS CORRECT.
WE RECEIVED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS CONCERNING THE GRAVEL AND EDGING IN BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND RIGHT OF WAY ON MR. KEES PROPERTY.
AS SUCH, MY TEAM INVESTIGATED AND SENT A LETTER TO MR. KEE AND HIS WIFE, MRS. ALLEN, TO REMOVE SAID MATERIAL AND RETURN IT TO SOD TO RETURN IT TO GRASS, WHICH WAS ITS PRIOR CONDITION PRIOR TO THE REMOVAL THEREOF.
THE FAMILY ASKED FOR A ONE MONTH EXTENSION WHICH WAS GRANTED, SO HE HAS UNTIL OCTOBER 4TH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LETTERS RECEIVED TO REMOVE THE THE GRAVEL AND EDGING MATERIAL AND RETURN THAT AREA TO SOD.
AND WE DO REQUIRE THE AREA BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND DRIVEWAYS TO BE GRASPED, I.E.
SOD SOD IS GRASS AS PART OF OUR ORDINANCE.
SO WE'RE REQUIRING AND WE REQUIRE HIM TO MAINTAIN IT SO IT WAS REMOVED WITHOUT APPROVAL AND IT NEEDS TO BE RETURNED TO THE TO THE CONDITION THAT IT WAS IN GRASS PRIOR TO ITS REMOVAL.
THANK YOU. AND THE REALITY IS, IF SOMEBODY NEVER COMPLAINS, NOBODY MAY EVER SEE IT.
BUT BECAUSE BECAUSE THE COMPLAINTS ARE MADE, THEY HAVE TO BE INVESTIGATED.
THERE WAS ONLY ONE THAT ORIGINATED FROM THE PERSON THAT THOUGHT I TOLD YOU ABOUT ORIGINALLY THERE WHEN I GOOGLED EVERY POSSIBLE VARIATION OF WHAT I WAS DOING TO FIND OUT IF IN FACT GRAVEL WAS PROHIBITED AND IF IN FACT SAAD WAS A REQUIREMENT.
ONE OF THE ORDINANCES THAT I DID VIEW FROM THE PARKWAY DESCRIBED THEM GIVING FROM GROUND COVER UP, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE PRESENTLY, IS GROUND COVER.
AND HE ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE FACT, TOO, THAT THIS WAS, QUOTE UNQUOTE, A GRAY AREA IN REGARDS TO, YOU KNOW, THE RESOLUTION TO THE SECTION 20 9-1 21 VERSUS THE PARKWAYS ORDINANCE THAT I WAS LOOKING AT.
THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT SPECIFY, MAINTAIN HOW IN WHAT MANNER AND WHAT MATERIALS.
IT'S VAGUE ONLY THAT THE HOMEOWNER MAINTAIN.
ALSO THERE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS PARISH BY NO MEANS THAT HAS GRAVEL IN THIS LOCATION.
[01:50:03]
OUT WHERE THERE'S IF WE'RE LOOKING FOR PERSECUTION, WE'RE DRIVING PAST IT EVERY DAY.DAVID DRIVES A PRIME EXAMPLE, WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY ON BOTH SIDES IF WE'RE LOOKING TO CITE SOMEBODY WOULD GRAVEL LOOK THERE'S PROBABLY 25 BUSINESSES THERE THAT CAN BE CITED ALONG WITH OTHER PLACES.
I MEAN, I TOOK THE TIME TO RESEARCH.
I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT PROHIBITED ME FROM DOING WHAT I'M DOING.
I WAS MERELY TRYING TO MAKE A BAD AREA BETTER, THAT'S ALL.
ALL MY NEIGHBORS AROUND ME LOVE IT.
THEY MAKE REMARKS ABOUT HOW NEAT AND CLEAN THAT IT IS.
THIS COMPLAINT ONE COMPLAINT CAME FROM AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS A BONA FIDE TRACK RECORD WITH THE CODE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO IN LIEU OF WHERE THIS COMPLAINT COMES FROM.
NOBODY WOULD CARE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
I WE HAVE TO MOVE ON FROM HERE.
BUT I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.
BUT ONE PERSON'S IMPROVEMENTS IS ANOTHER PERSON'S LACK OF IMPROVEMENT.
SO WHAT I ACTUALLY WANTED TO IS CLARIFICATION.
THERE APPEARS TO BE NOTHING ON THE ORDINANCE THAT STATES THAT THAT I HAVE TO CERTAINLY SPEND MONEY BUYING SIDE AND THAT THAT HAS TO BE SIDE OR GRASS FOR THAT MATTER.
MORE GRASS. MR.. SOTO AND WE'LL WRAP THIS UP AFTER THIS.
SO WE RECEIVED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS.
WE DO NOT DIVULGE THE NAME OF ANY COMPLAINANT.
SO AS THERE IS NOT TO BE RETRIBUTION FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER, WE RECEIVE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS.
WE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS.
THERE IS AN ORDINANCE THAT STATES THAT YOU CANNOT PAVE OR PUT OTHER SURFACE MATERIALS BETWEEN YOUR SIDEWALK AND THE EDGE OF CURB ROCK IS CONSIDERED A SURFACE MATERIAL.
THERE ARE INSTANCES OF GRAVELS.
WHAT IS MISLEADING IS THERE IS PERMEABLE PAVEMENT SYSTEMS THAT INVOLVE ROCK.
THAT IS ALL APPROVED BY MY DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO ITS GOING IN.
SO WHAT APPEARS TO BE GRAVEL TO ONE PERSON MAY OR MAY NOT ACTUALLY BE AS SUCH.
THERE IS ALSO A REQUIREMENT TO GRASS SOD THE AREA BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND THE AND THE EDGE OF CURB.
SO WE AND SO THEREFORE RELATED TO BOTH THE BOTH THE COMPLAINTS AND THE MATERIAL PLACED MY DEPARTMENT DID CITE THE HOMEOWNER AND WILL FOLLOW UP IF IT'S NOT REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH SOD GRASS BY THE 10TH OF OF OF 4TH OF SEPTEMBER, 4TH OF OCTOBER EXCUSE ME TEN FOUR THEN WE WILL ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR RULES AND REGULATIONS AND ORDINANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT AREA IS RETURNED TO GRASS.
THANK YOU. TO BE CLEAR, THERE WAS GRASS THERE PRIOR TO.
BUT THAT'S LET ME LET ME FINISH, BECAUSE YOU'VE HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO SPEAK.
WE NEED TO WE HAVE THESE ORDINANCES FOR A REASON.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, YOU CAN'T SELF INTERPRET THE ORDINANCES AND DO WHAT YOU PLEASE.
IN JUNE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN WELL WITHIN MY LEGAL RIGHTS TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT AND HAVE THAT AREA CONCRETED JUST LIKE MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE.
AND YOU WOULD HAVE APPLIED FOR A PERMIT WHICH YOU ABSOLUTELY.
WHICH WOULD HAVE 100% WHICH WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU PERMISSION FROM THE PARISH IF IT WAS APPROVED.
WELL, I MEAN, I'M STATING THE FACT THERE THAT IF I COULD HAVE APPLIED FOR A PERMIT AND CONCRETED THAT AREA LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE, THAT THAT KIND OF DOWNPLAYS THE REQUIREMENT THAT IT IT HAS TO BE THIS OR IT HAS TO BE THAT.
AND IT CANNOT BE THIS OR IT CANNOT BE THAT.
WE DO NOT GRANT THE A PERMIT FOR PAVEMENT BETWEEN THE RIGHT OF WAY AND THE BETWEEN THE CURB AND SIDEWALK, AND THAT PERMIT WOULD HAVE BEEN REJECTED.
[01:55:03]
SO THAT AREA MUST BE GRASS.SO THAT PERMIT, HAD THE PERMIT BEEN APPLIED FOR, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED.
IT WOULD HAVE GONE. THANK YOU, SIR.
WELL, YOU CAN TAKE THAT UP WITH ENGINEERING AND WE CAN LOOK FURTHER INTO IT IF THAT'S THE CASE.
AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S YOUR PROPERTY, YOU CAN'T JUST DO WHATEVER YOU WANT IN A LOT OF CASES.
SO I APPRECIATE YOU COMING, THOUGH.
THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE TIME.
THANK YOU. SLIDE ME IN, JUNIOR.
I'M HERE TODAY CONCERNING THE STATE OF TRANSIT IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I'VE BEEN WITH JEFFERSON PARISH FOR 26 YEARS, AND I STARTED WHEN I WAS 21 YEARS OLD.
I SEEN THE TRANSIT AT ITS BEST AND I SEEN IT AT ITS WORST, WHICH IS RIGHT NOW.
OUR TRANSIT DIRECTOR IS MAKING DECISIONS THAT IS CRIPPLING OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM.
IT RAN FROM FIVE IN THE MORNING TO TEN AT NIGHT.
IT ONLY PICKED UP MAYBE 10 TO 15 PASSENGERS, WHICH IN TURN MADE CUTS COME TO OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM.
VETERANS HIGHWAY, FOR EXAMPLE, WHICH WAS VERY BENEFICIAL FOR THE PARISH.
SO NOW THEY ARE BYPASSING EVERYTHING THAT JEFFERSON PARISH HAS TO OFFER HER DECISION MAKING WITH THE PARATRANSIT AS FAR AS INVESTING IN PROPANE BUSSES, WHICH WE KNOW DUE TO THE HEAT, IT WAS A DISASTER FROM DAY ONE.
THE BUSSES, THE AIR CONDITIONED DOESN'T WORK.
ALSO, THE FARE WAS ADJUSTED, WHICH IN THE PAST WOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL FOR Y'ALL TO VOTE ON.
IT WAS GIVEN TO US BY MEMO AND STARTED THAT EXACT DATE.
I AM ASKING, PLEASE TO BRING BACK THE ADVISORY TRANSIT BOARD SO WE CAN HAVE OVERSIGHT, SO WE CAN HAVE A CHAIN OF COMMUNICATION THAT WE DON'T HAVE.
WE CANNOT EVEN COMMUNICATE WITH THE TRANSIT DIRECTOR AT ALL.
AT ALL. RIGHT NOW, AT THIS PRESENT MOMENT, I HEARD THE PRAYERS.
PARISH PRESIDENT SPEAKING ON THE HEAT ON AIRLINE HIGHWAY, ON VETERANS HIGHWAY ON KENNER LOCAL.
THEY WAIT 30 MINUTES NOW ON CAUSEWAY AND CLEARVIEW.
AT THIS PRESENT TIME, THEY'RE WAITING ONE HOUR.
IT'S TOO HOT FOR THAT. WE'RE DEALING WITH CHILDREN.
WE'RE DEALING WITH WITH JUST REGULAR RIDERSHIP, ELDERLY PEOPLE, DISABLED.
WE NEED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WITH OUR SYSTEM.
BRIAN MILLER, SECOND DISTRICT, FOURTH DISTRICT IN KENNER.
MY QUESTION IS, IN REGARDS TO THE FIRE SERVICE, AGAIN, OUT OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT YESTERDAY I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH CHIEF ROBINSON, ALONG WITH CHIEF GERARD FROM BRIDGE CITY AND MAKE A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST ON THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT STATION 78 IS CLOSED DOWN STARTING FROM JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. JUST UNTIL YESTERDAY, WE'VE HAD 235 DAYS WITHIN THE YEAR OF 235, 158 OF THEM.
THAT FIRE STATION WAS SHUT DOWN DUE TO BEING UNMANNED AND UNSTAFFED.
I UNDERSTAND MIGHT NOT AGREE WITH, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO FOR HIRING AND HAVING PERSONNEL.
[02:00:06]
BUT HAVING BEEN A FIREMAN ON THE WEST BANK.A LOT OF OUR ELDERLY WITHIN THESE COMMUNITIES DON'T USE 911.
THEY CONTACT THE FIRE STATION DIRECTLY OR THEY GO TO THE FIRE STATION WHEN THEY NEED HELP.
HOW WILL WE SERVE THEM CORRECTLY IF 158 DAYS OF 235, THAT STATION IS UNMANNED.
WHAT IF SOMEBODY SHOWS UP AT THAT STATION LOOKING FOR HELP AND THEY RECEIVE NONE? IT'S AN EASY TASK TO ASK THEM TO CALL 911.
IN FACT, IT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT MOST OF YOU WOULD CALL COMMON SENSE.
CAN WE NOT PUT A SIGN OUT? CLOSED FIRE STATION CONTACT 911.
AND THE PERCEPTION OF THAT IS AN OPERATING FIRE STATION IS PATHETIC.
I DO THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAS TO GO TO CHIEF ROBINSON OR TO THE COUNCIL.
BUT I DO THINK IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
WE CAN'T. I UNDERSTAND COUNCILMAN BONANO WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE CONSOLIDATION BEFORE.
WHETHER IT'S A GOOD IDEA OR NOT IS IRRELEVANT TO ME.
IF IT'S GOING TO BE CLOSED, LET'S CLOSE IT AND LET BRIDGE CITY RESPOND IN.
BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
CERTAINLY. CERTAINLY, WE CAN PUT A SIGN UP THAT SAYS FIRE STATION CLOSED.
BUT CHIEF ROBINSON, IF YOU WOULD.
AND AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S ONLY ONE FIREARM IN THERE WHEN IT'S OPEN ONE.
AND AS A FIREFIGHTER MYSELF, ONE FIREARM AND CANNOT FIGHT A FIRE AT ALL.
RIGHT. SO AWARE OF THE PEER MEETING.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
RIGHT? THEY HAVE THESE MEETINGS.
THE CHIEFS GET TOGETHER YET NOBODY'S TAKING ANY ACTION.
BASED OFF OF 1710 AND THE MILES THAT THEY COVER, IT CAN BE GONE.
YOU ALL HAVE COMPLIMENTED EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SEVERAL TIMES TODAY, WHICH I DO, TOO.
I THINK THOSE HEROES DID A GREAT JOB OVER THE WEEKEND WITH THE THREE STRUCTURE FIRES THEY HAD.
BUT HOW CLOSE IS THE EAST BANK FIRE STATION TO THE NEXT FIRE STATION? THEY DON'T OVERLAP.
I WILL, BUT I JUST WANT TO STATE THAT AS AS MR. MILLER KNOWS, THAT STATION, WHEN IT IS CLOSED, IS COVERED BY THE NORMAL STATIONS, THAT IS, AND THE BRIDGE STEADY STATE ASSEMBLY.
I'LL TALK TO THE CHIEF OF MY APPOINTMENT.
I'M NOT SAYING THE AREA IS COVERED.
NO, NO, I GET WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
SO WE GOT IT. I'LL SPEAK TO IT.
THANK YOU. FRANKIE HYERS 509 HOME.
WE'RE JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY, AND AWAY WE GO.
REALLY, I DON'T. I SHOULD BE OUT KNOCKING ON DOORS, AS YOU ALL WELL KNOW.
WHAT IT MIGHT MEAN TO HAVE A LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.
IMAGINE. JUST IMAGINE WHAT IT COULD BE LIKE.
I MIGHT HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE THAT WOULD COME TO MY HOUSE, MAYBE CALL ME UP THE DAY BEFORE ONE OF THESE MEETINGS, BRIEF ME ON THE AGENDA, FIND OUT WHAT MY CONCERNS WERE, AND THEN ADDRESS THEM ON MY BEHALF.
I'VE BEEN I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU ABOUT THIS FOR TWO YEARS.
WE SPENT $135,000 ON A BUS, BUS STOP, SHELTERS TODAY.
IT'S IN THE CHARTER, JUST LIKE HOSPITALS AND MS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
AND THE ONLY REASON THESE PROBLEMS PERSIST IS BECAUSE YOU'RE OUT OF TOUCH.
WE'RE REIGNED BY THE TOWERS OF POWER.
GRETNA, OLD METAIRIE AND KENNER RULING THIS PARISH.
[02:05:05]
WITH SOME KIND OF IRON FIST.YOU ALLOW FOR HOT BLOOD TO BE SOWN BETWEEN NEIGHBORS.
ONE NEIGHBOR COMPLAINS ABOUT ANOTHER NEIGHBOR.
CALL CALL CODE ENFORCEMENT SO THEY CAN MAKE UP A VIOLATION.
THEY'VE GOT A CATCH ALL UNDERNEATH ALL THOSE VIOLATIONS.
YOU CAN JUST BE A MAINTENANCE OF A NUISANCE AND THEN THEY CAN WRITE ANYTHING THEY WANT.
YOU ADD A TOUCH AND IT SHOWS IT'S BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW THE POWER IS DISTRIBUTED.
YOU APPLY A RATIO TO THE PARTS OF A WHOLE.
THAT'S HOW YOU APPORTION A BODY ACCORDING TO LAW.
EACH DESIGNATED PLACE AND EACH MUNICIPALITY GETS ONE REPRESENTATIVE.
NONE GET MORE THAN ONE FOR EVERY SO MANY PEOPLE.
BEYOND THAT, IF IT WERE 10,000, IF THAT WAS THE RATIO WE DETERMINED BECAUSE THAT MIGHT PROVIDE FOR LESS OF A TYRANNY OF FEW METAIRIE WOULD HAVE 14 REPRESENTATIVES, KENNER WOULD HAVE SIX. THE REST OF THE PARISH WOULD HAVE ONE FOR EACH OF THIS.
IT'S GOING TO BE 20 DESIGNATED PLACES.
AND NONE OF THESE NEIGHBORS, NONE OF MY FELLOW NEIGHBORS WOULD HAVE TO PLEAD TO YOU ALL.
NONE OF THEM WOULD BE MADE YOUR SERVANT, YOU'D BE THEIRS.
AND YOU COULD GO HOME FEELING LIKE YOU ACTUALLY DID YOUR JOB.
YOU COULD RESPOND TO THEM ACCORDINGLY.
YOU COULD REDUCE YOUR STAFFING.
YOU COULD REDUCE YOUR INCOME AND LIVE LIKE A JEFFERSONIAN.
REPRESENTING A FRUGAL AND SIMPLE GOVERNMENT.
EACH TIME, MR. HARRIS. THANK YOU.
LET'S GO TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, PLEASE.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS RELATED TO THE GRAND ISLE WATER LINE, HURRICANE IDA INSURANCE CLAIM, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.COUNCILMAN EDWARDS YOUR MOTION MOVED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
CMCI CLAIM NUMBER 13C99C964682.
AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET YOUR MOTION.
I MOVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM SIX, PLEASE.
PEGGY GRANTS ART VERSUS WP W INVESTMENTS, LLC, JEFFERSON PARISH AND JEFFERSON PARISH WATER DEPARTMENT 24TH JDC NUMBER 829-145 DIVISION B AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
COUNCILMAN TEMPLET. ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. WE'RE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ALL RIGHT. EVERYBODY CAN TAKE A SEAT. WE'RE BACK IN SESSION.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTIONS.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION? ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A CLAIM FOR ALISON BEASLEY CM.
AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
INVESTMENTS, LLC, JEFFERSON PARISH AND JEFFERSON PARISH WATER DEPARTMENT 24TH JDC NUMBER 829-145, DIVISION B AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
ALL RIGHT, NOW LET'S MOVE TO READING THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION INTO SUMMARY.
[02:10:02]
MADAM CLERK. OKAY.THE FIRST ONE I'M GOING TO READ IS GOING TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTES.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 31 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, BY ADDING ARTICLE THREE MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL COOPERATION AND BY ADDING SECTION 31 DASH 30 MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE TO PROVIDE RELATIVE TO REQUIRED ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT ORDINANCE? READ INTO SUMMARY A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
OKAY. AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THE INTENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO ACQUIRE FULL OWNERSHIP IN LOTS 22, 23, 24 AND 25 SQUARE 26 SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION GRETNA BOULEVARD.
HARVEY PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 47 2236, WHICH HAS BEEN ADJUDICATED TO JEFFERSON PARISH IN THE NAMES OF DOROTHY GIBBS, TAYLOR AND CLAUDE TAYLOR FOR THE NONPAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 CAPITAL BUDGET, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 OPERATING BUDGET.
AND THAT'S ALL THE SUMMARIES I HAVE TO READ.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES? READ INTO SUMMARY ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN TEMPLET.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADJOURN BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT.
THIS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYBODY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.