[SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS]
[00:00:03]
WE'LL GET STARTED WITH OUR PROCLAMATIONS IN A MOMENT.IF YOU COULD GRAB YOUR SEAT, PLEASE.
GOT JUST A FEW TO GET THROUGH THIS MORNING.
IF THE PARISH PRESIDENT IS READY, WE'LL KICK THINGS OFF WITH HER, IF NOT, WE'LL SEE IF COUNCILMAN BONANO IS READY TO ROLL.
WE'LL DO THE PARISH PRESIDENT FIRST.
>> CAN I HAVE MS. PAMAY WORTH OR THE REST OF TERRYTOWN.
MS. PAMAY, YOU WANT TO COME UP? YOU CAN BRING WHOEVER IS WITH YOU FROM TERRYTOWN.
WE HAVE THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CLUB WITH US, CELEBRATING SOME BIG ANNIVERSARIES HERE.
DO WE HAVE ANYBODY FROM RECREATION? HAROLD? MS. PAMAY, HI, HOW ARE YOU? GOOD TO SEE YOU. GOOD MORNING.
WE HAVE THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CLUB.
MS. PAMAY WORTH, AS WELL AS SOME OF OUR RECREATION STAFF I THINK ARE HERE.
THIS IS A TESTAMENT TO HOW IMPORTANT OUR GOLDEN AGE AND SENIOR CENTERS ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
FOR 50 YEARS, THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CENTER HAS BEEN A PLACE WHERE JEFFERSON PARISH SENIORS CAN MEET, FORM FRIENDSHIPS, ENJOY ACTIVITIES, AND CREATE HONESTLY, REALLY LIFELONG MEMORIES.
AS OUR POPULATION CONTINUES TO AGE, IT'S CERTAINLY THE GOAL OF OUR ADMINISTRATION AND OUR COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE OUR SENIOR CENTERS AND ALL SENIOR PROGRAMMING ARE BETTER THAN EVER.
COUNCILMAN BONANO IS WORKING WITH US SO CLOSELY ON THAT.
IT'S VITAL THAT OUR SENIORS HAVE CLUBS THAT PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS, FOSTER SOCIAL BONDS, AND INSPIRE CREATIVITY.
NOT ONLY DOES THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CLUB BENEFIT ITS MEMBERS, BUT IT ALSO SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH A NUMBER OF CHARITABLE DRIVES THAT YOU ALL DO, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND GIFTS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON PARISH'S TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CLUB WAS ORGANIZED ON THE WEST BANK ON APRIL 25TH, 1974 BY JEFFERSON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR PRO SHOREMAN AND RECREATION SPECIALIST MARLENE TOZIER.
WHEREAS THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CLUB WAS SO POPULAR THAT IT SPLIT INTO TWO CLUBS UPON REACHING 200 MEMBERS, THE THETA GOLDEN AGE CLUB WAS FORMED.
WHEREAS THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CLUB BRINGS TOGETHER SENIORS FROM ACROSS THE WEST BANK AND PROVIDES THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET, FORM FRIENDSHIPS, ENJOY SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, AND EXCHANGE IDEAS.
WHEREAS WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, JEFFERSON PARKS AND RECREATION OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL RECREATION ACTIVITIES FOR GOLDEN AGES AND HAS EIGHT GOLDEN AGE CLUBS ON THE WEST BANK.
WHEREAS CHARTER MEMBER MARGIE FALCON WAS THE CREATOR OF THE TOE THE LINE DANCE PROGRAM MORE THAN 10 YEARS AGO, THE PROGRAM STILL EXISTS AND IS THE POPULAR WAY TO KEEP GOLDEN AGES MOVING.
WHEREAS IN 2022, THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CLUB MADE TERRYTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ONE OF ITS MAJOR PHILANTHROPIC INTERESTS BY CREATING A FOOD DRIVE FOR THE SCHOOL'S FOOD PANTRY.
EVERY YEAR, SNACKS, CANNED GOODS, TORTILLAS, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER TYPES OF NON-PERISHABLE FOODS ARE COLLECTED AND DELIVERED TO THE FOOD PANTRY.
WHEREAS EVERY JUNE THROUGH AUGUST, THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CLUB ALSO HOSTS A TOY DRIVE TO COLLECT CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED, THE TOYS ARE DELIVERED TO TERRYTOWN ELEMENTARY AND DISTRIBUTED BEFORE WINTER BREAK.
WHEREAS THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CLUB CONTINUES TO BE A TOUCHSTONE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, ENRICHMENT, AND ENLIGHTENMENT FOR SO MANY SENIOR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO CONGRATULATE AND RECOGNIZE THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CLUB ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY.
[APPLAUSE] YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?
>> THANK YOU ALL. WE HAVE BEEN AROUND A LITTLE WHILE, EACH CLUB HAS CHOSEN THEIR OWN ROSE FOR THEIR CLUB.
WE CHOSE THE YELLOW ROSE WHEN WE WERE CREATED.
THE YELLOW ROSE IS THE ROSE OF FRIENDSHIP.
WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW, COME JOIN US, BE OUR FRIEND.
PLEASE COME VISIT TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGES.
WE ARE ON HERITAGE IN OUR OWN BUILDING AT THE TERRYTOWN GOLDEN AGE CENTER.
>> ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS.
YOU KNOW YOU'RE ONE OF MY FAVORITES.
>> WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT MONTH AT THE LUNCHEON.
[00:05:05]
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
THIS GROUP AT THIS TERRYTOWN SENIOR CLUB IS JUST WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH.
EVERY TIME I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE LUNCH WITH THEM OR GO TO ONE OF THEIR EVENTS, I'M ALWAYS SO IMPRESSED AND YOU GUYS JUST GIVE ME HOPE.
[LAUGHTER] EVEN THOUGH I'M ALREADY IN YOUR AGE GROUP, SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF YOU WANT TO GET IN THE PICTURE WITH US.
HAROLD BUHLER, RECREATION DEPARTMENT GET IN THE PICTURE WITH US, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. YOU CAN HOLD THIS UP.
>> EVERYBODY, YOU KNOW ON THREE, 1, 2, 3. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER ON THREE, 1, 2, 3. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, PAMAY. THANK YOU.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> HERE, TAKE THIS ENVELOPE WITH IT.
>> IS IT JUST STEPHANIE TO COME UP? IF I CAN HAVE STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD COME FORWARD.
THIS IS OUR JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD.
APRIL 1ST THROUGH 5TH IS NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK, AND THIS YEAR WE'RE CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VERY IMPORTANT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK PROGRAM.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR HELPING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TACKLE SERIOUS CHALLENGES FACING OUR COMMUNITY.
THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, STEPHANIE'S TEAM IS ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND CREATE JOBS THROUGH THE EXPANSION AND RETENTION OF BUSINESSES.
BECAUSE OF PROGRAMS LIKE CDBG, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HELP THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BY AWARDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING.
WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR STEPHANIE AND HER TEAM.
IN HONOR OF THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK, I WANT TO READ THE PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS APRIL 1ST THROUGH 5TH IS TO BE DECLARED NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK TO COINCIDE WITH THE CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM AND THE 56TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON PARISH RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, ESPECIALLY THE CDBG GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH THE RESOURCES TO DEVELOP VIABLE COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND A SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
WHEREAS THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM IS AMONG THE FEW REMAINING FEDERAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME PEOPLE IN SMALL CITIES.
WHEREAS THE CDBG PROGRAM ALSO PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN HELPING OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS THROUGH KEY INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING, PUBLIC SERVICES, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
WHEREAS THE MONTH OF APRIL IS ALSO DEDICATED TO PROMOTE THE PRINCIPLES OUTLINED IN THE FAIR HOUSING ACT OF 1968.
WHICH SHOULD BE AN OCCASION FOR ALL AMERICANS, BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY, TO REDEDICATE THEMSELVES TO THE PRINCIPLE OF FREEDOM FROM HOUSING DISCRIMINATION WHENEVER IT EXISTS.
THIS LAW GUARANTEES FOR EACH CITIZEN THAT CRITICAL PERSONAL ELEMENT OF FREEDOM OF CHOICE, SELECTION OF THE HOME.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON PARISH WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO MAKE FAIR HOUSING NOT JUST AN ASPIRATION, BUT A REALITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF APRIL 1ST THROUGH 5TH NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THANK YOU, STEPHANIE, AND YOU HAVE YOUR TEAM HERE.
YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? [APPLAUSE] GO AHEAD. I RECOGNIZE YOU.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING US TODAY.
THE COUNCIL, ALSO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR RECOGNIZING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK, I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PARTNERS, EVERYONE WHO WORKS WITH OUR AGENCY.
I WANT TO THANK THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR ALWAYS DOING THE WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY AND WORKING WITH THE MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
[APPLAUSE] COUNCIL, YOU WANT TO COME TAKE A PICTURE WITH US? STEPHANIE HERE. GOOD JOB.
Y'ALL SQUEEZE IT. Y'ALL HELP ME SQUEEZE IN.
[00:10:07]
>> SOME PEOPLE WE GOT TO GET, DR. ZIMMERMAN.
>> WHERE IS DR. ZIMMERMAN? COME ON DR. Z.
>> I'M NOT SURE. THERE'S [INAUDIBLE]
>> EVERYBODY YOU ON THREE, 1, 2, 3. ONE MORE ON THREE, 1, 2, 3. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] GREAT JOB, GUYS. THANK YOU.
>> OH MY GOD, WONDERFUL. [INAUDIBLE]
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PROUD TO HAVE WITH ME HERE TODAY, FATHER LICH VAN NGUYEN.
HE IS THE PASTOR AT ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR 20 YEARS, AND HAS BEEN SO AT INFANT JESUS OF PRAGUE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS WELL.
WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE HIS 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION.
I JUST FOUND OUT TODAY MY PRIEST, FATHER BAKER, AS WE AFFECTIONATELY CALL HIM, FATHER HIGH, AND FATHER LICH WERE CLASSMATES AT NOTRE DAME SEMINARY 40 YEARS AGO, AND THEY BOTH ARE CELEBRATING THEIR ANNIVERSARY.
WHEREAS FATHER LICH WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE RAPID REOPENING OF ST.
MARTHA CATHOLIC CHURCH AFTER THE DEVASTATION OF HURRICANE KATRINA IN 2005, AND WHEREAS WHILE SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR OF THE CHURCH OFFICE, AS THE RECTORY IS NOT INHABITABLE, HE WAS ULTIMATELY GIVEN THE ADDED RESPONSIBILITY OF INFANT JESUS OF PRAGUE AS HIS MISSION CHURCH.
FATHER LICH CONTINUED TO MINISTER TO HIS PARISHIONERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY OFFICIATING AT MASSES ONLINE AND OUTSIDE THE CHURCH PROPERTY IN THE GARDENS, ALL WHILE KEEPING THE PARISHES FUNCTIONING WITH DIMINISHED CONTRIBUTIONS.
WHEN INFANT JESUS PRAGUE CHURCH TOOK A DIRECT HIT FROM A CATEGORY 5 TORNADO IN 2022, FATHER LICH IMMEDIATELY TRANSFORMED CARMEL HALL INTO A CHURCH WHERE MASSES ARE STILL BEING HELD TODAY.
WHEREAS IN ADDITION TO HIS SERVICE TO ST. MARTHA AND INFANT JESUS PARISHES, FATHER LICH ALSO SERVES THE COMMUNITY BY MINISTERING TO ILL PARISHIONERS AT PRIVATE RESIDENCES, LOCAL HOSPITALS, AND NURSING HOMES.
WHEREAS FATHER LICH WAS ORDAINED INTO THE PRIESTHOOD AT NOTRE DAME SEMINARY IN NEW ORLEANS ON MAY 19TH, 1984, AND WILL BE CELEBRATING HIS 40TH ORDINATION ON MAY 19TH, 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL OF JEFFERSON PARISH HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND CONGRATULATES AND COMMENDS FATHER LICH VAN NGUYEN ON HIS ORDINATION.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE JEFFERSON PARISH PRESIDENT, MISS CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, COUNCIL DISTRICT NUMBER 2, MR. DEANO BONANO.
>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO [INAUDIBLE].
>> ENTIRE PARISH COUNCIL FOR YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
ESPECIALLY MISS [INAUDIBLE] LENORMANS, WHO SUBMITTING MY NAME TO THE COUNCIL.
ALTHOUGH I NEVER EXPECT TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION FOR THE WORK THAT I DO EVERY DAY AT THE PARISH.
BUT I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO RECEIVE THIS HONOR.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK AND GIVE CREDIT TO OUR DEACONS AND THEIR WIFE, DEACON TERRY AND HIS WIFE, DEBBIE MANIERI, DEACON BRIAN, SHARON SOILEAU, AND THE WHOLE PARISH STAFF HERE TODAY WITH ME, PAPA LOUIS.
>> JEAN, AND SOME OF THE PARISHIONERS HERE, JEROME AND WAVE, MARY CHARLES, AND DENNIS FREDERICK, FOR BEING HERE WITH ME.
FOR ALL THE PARISHIONERS WHO HAVE ATTACHED MY LIFE SINCE I START TO SERVE AS YOUR PASTOR, I TRULY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LOVE AND YOUR SUPPORT.
ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR HAVING CHOSEN ME. THANK YOU.
>> NEIL, LET'S DO TWO PICTURES BEFORE WE GET THE COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT.
GET YOUR PARISHIONERS UP HERE. I'D LOVE TO GET A PICTURE WITH YOU ALL AND YOUR FATHER.
I WOULD JUST SPREAD OUT ON BOTH SIDES.
[00:15:04]
SOME OF YOU ALL COME ON THIS SIDE.WE'LL BALANCE THE PICTURE OUT.
YOU ALL WOULD COME ON THIS SIDE.
>> NEIL, YOU LET US KNOW WHEN YOU'RE READY.
>> OKAY, EVERYBODY? EVERYBODY, THIS WAY HERE.
HERE WE GO ON THREE, 1, 2, 3, AND I'M GOING TO GET ONE MORE ON THREE.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBERS, PRESIDENT SHENG, IF YOU ALL WOULD JOIN US FOR A PICTURE.
>>YEAH. [INAUDIBLE]. I'LL FIT EVERYBODY IN.
COME IN, PUT YOU IN THE MIDDLE.
>> WELL, HI, FATHER. HOW ARE YOU? CONGRATULATIONS.
>> EVERYBODY, HERE WE GO ON THREE, 1, 2, 3.
I'M GOING TO GET ONE MORE ON THREE, 1, 2, 3. THANK YOU.
>> [INAUDIBLE]. MY BRIGHT DRESS [INAUDIBLE].
>> LAST BUT NOT LEAST, COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> I'D ASK THAT THE BEAUTIFUL LADIES OF THE KREWE OF ATHENA PLEASE COME AND JOIN ME.
>> YOU DON'T MIND IF I HAVE YOU ALL HIGHLY [INAUDIBLE].
>> TODAY WE HONOR THE KREWE OF ATHENA WITH A PROCLAMATION AND IT STATES, WHEREAS THE KREWE OF ATHENA CARNIVAL CLUB INCORPORATED, IN MARCH 2014, IT IS AN ALL FEMALE MARDI GRAS CLUB IN THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA, SPEARHEADED BY A GROUP OF MARDI GRAS VETERANS AND FOUNDING MEMBERS, DR. TAISHA WILLIAMS-PAYNE.
WHEREAS THE BIRTH OF THIS KREWE WAS MOTIVATED BY THE LOVE OF MARDI GRAS, A PASSION TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITY, AND THE DESIRE TO CREATE A MARDI GRAS ORGANIZATION OPEN TO PROFESSIONAL WOMEN FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.
WHEREAS THE KREWE OF ATHENA CARNIVAL CLUB EXISTS TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY THROUGH SISTERHOOD, SERVICE, FELLOWSHIP, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, FUN.
WHEREAS THE KREWE OF ATHENA PRESENTED ITS INAUGURAL PARADE ON FEBRUARY 6TH OF 2015 ON THEIR METAIRIE ROUTE, AND SINCE THEN, THE LADIES OF THE KREWE HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO HONOR THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY THROUGH SISTERHOOD, SERVICE, FELLOWSHIP, AND AGAIN, FUN.
WHEREAS THE KREWE OF ATHENA IS NOT ONLY ROOTED IN THEIR DEEP LOVE OF MARDI GRAS, BUT ALSO THE ADMIRATION OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY.
WHEREAS ATHENA IS RECOGNIZED AS THE GODDESS OF WISDOM, COURAGE, INSPIRATION, CIVILIZATION, LAW AND JUSTICE, JUST WARFARE, MATHEMATICS, STRENGTH, STRATEGY, THE ARTS, CRAFTS, AND SKILL.
WHEREAS ADDITIONALLY, ATHENA IS SEEN AS PERHAPS THE WISEST, MOST COURAGEOUS OF SISTERHOOD, SERVICE, AND FELLOWSHIP, AND LIKE THE ANCIENT GODDESS HERSELF IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING THE RICH TRADITIONS OF MARDI GRAS.
WHEREAS WITH JOYOUS REVELRY AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION, THE KREWE OF ATHENA SHALL HOST A BEAUTIFUL STREET PARADE THAT WINDS THROUGH THE HISTORIC STREETS, CONFETTI SWIRLING LIKE WHISPERED SECRETS, AND GRAND CARNIVAL BALL THAT SHALL UNFOLD.
[00:20:03]
WHEREAS MASK CONCEAL IDENTITIES AND LAUGHTER DANCES WITH ABANDONED.NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL OF JEFFERSON PARISH HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND COMMENDS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27 AS THE KREWE OF ATHENA DAY IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
>> GOOD MORNING. THAT WAS AMAZING.
[LAUGHTER] I JUST WANT TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THANK JUDGE SHEPHERD, COUNCILMAN BYRON LEE, AND ALL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR ACKNOWLEDGING KREWE OF ATHENA'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY.
IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO STAND HERE TODAY, BECAUSE 10 YEARS AGO, MANY PEOPLE DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD MAKE IT PAST ONE YEAR, BUT SOMEHOW WE'VE MANAGED TO MERGE FORWARD AND CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF KREWE OF ATHENA.
THE PART THAT WASN'T SAID IN A PROCLAMATION IS THAT WE ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN THE MARDI GRAS KREWE.
EVERYTHING COUNCILMAN BYRON LEE SAID WAS TRUE.
BUT WE ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN THE MARDI GRAS KREWE.
THAT'S WHAT HAS SUSTAINED US FOR 10 YEARS.
FOR OUR MEMBERS, ALL OF THE LADIES WHO ARE HERE WITH US TODAY HERE IN SPIRIT, OUR SISTERHOOD IS ABOUT EMPOWERMENT, LOVE, SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT.
I CAN'T SPEAK ENOUGH ABOUT THE WOMEN WHO HAVE GONE BACK TO COLLEGE TO PURSUE THEIR BACHELOR'S, MASTER'S, DOCTORIAL DEGREES, WHO HAVE STARTED BUSINESSES, WHO HAVE EXPANDED THEIR BUSINESSES BECAUSE OF THIS NETWORK.
ALTHOUGH WE ARE MARDI GRAS KREWE AND THAT IS AMAZING, WE ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN THE MARDI GRAS KREWE.
TO OUR COMMUNITY, WE JUST HAD IN A COMMUNITY EVENT THIS PAST SUNDAY.
WE WANT TO BE A RESOURCE TO THEM.
WE WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT, YES, WE GO AND PARADE ON THE STREETS, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO SUPPORT YOU DURING THE HOLIDAYS.
SUPPORT YOU AT THANKSGIVING, AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
WE WANT TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU AT EASTER TIME, BACK TO SCHOOL, AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE OVER 10 YEARS TO ENHANCE THE COMMUNITY.
BUT I ALSO JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, THIS ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN A BEACON OF LIGHT.
IT HAS BEEN A BEACON OF HOPE BECAUSE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE IN MARDI GRAS BEFORE KREWE OF ATHENA, THEY DID NOT SEE THEMSELVES, NEITHER AS PEOPLE RIDING IN PARADES OR SPECTATORS ON THE PARADE, AND I KNOW THAT KREWE OF ATHENA HAS CHANGED THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THESE PAST 10 YEARS.
IF YOU DON'T SEE IT, I CAN'T HELP YOU TO SEE IT. BUT I SEE IT.
I RIDE ON THAT PARADE AND I KNOW, I SEE THE FACES AND HOW IT'S CHANGED AND HOW IT'S EVOLVED OVER TIME AND SO I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR WHAT KREWE OF ATHENA HAS DONE FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
I WOULD BE REMISS AND I'M GOING TO GET OFF THE MIKE, BUT I'M LONG, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT HONOR AND DID NOT SPEAK THE NAME OF THE HONORABLE MARK SPEARS, WHO WAS A COUNCILMAN AT THE TIME WHO BELIEVED IN THIS ORGANIZATION.
NOT JUST IN DEED, BUT HE SUPPORTED THIS ORGANIZATION FINANCIALLY.
I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THAT. I THANK HIM.
I DON'T BELIEVE HE'S HERE TODAY, BUT I THANK HIM SO MUCH ON BEHALF OF KREWE OF ATHENA.
>> I'D ASK ALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS IN PARISH PRESENT PLEASE JOIN US.
>> I GOT IT ALL IN. [BACKGROUND]
COULD YOU JUST LOOK THIS WAY FOR A MOMENT? HERE WE GO ON THREE, 1, 2, 3.
GET ONE MORE, 1, 2, 3. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER]
>> I NEED YOU ALL TO BEAR WITH ME.
I'M GOING TO ASK MY DEAR FRIEND FROM CHILDHOOD, JOHN BROOKS AND HIS FAMILY, PLEASE COME UP.
[00:25:33]
WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR JOHN BROOKS JUNIOR.WHEREAS JOHN BROOKS FIRST BEGAN HIS JOURNEY AS A PART TIME ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR ON NOVEMBER 26TH, 1994, AND WHEREAS SHORTLY AFTER, ON JANUARY 21, 1995, HE THEN TRANSFERRED TO JOHNNY JACOBS PLAYGROUND AS A PART-TIME ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR BEFORE HIS RESIGNATION ON FEBRUARY 7TH, 1997, AND WHEREAS THREE YEARS LATER, ON OCTOBER 21ST, HE WAS REINSTATED AS A PART TIME ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR AT JOHNNY JACOBS PLAYGROUND.
WHEREAS FROM THERE, HE WAS PROMOTED TO A FULL-TIME POSITION AS CENTER SUPERVISOR ON OCTOBER 28TH, 2006 AT MLK PLAYGROUND IN HARVEY, AND WHEREAS FAST FORWARD TO JULY 2019, HE TOOK A LABORAL TRANSFER TO WOODMERE PLAYGROUND AS A CENTER SUPERVISOR, AND AS OF LAST JANUARY, UNDERWENT ANOTHER TRANSFER TO NICHOLSON PLAYGROUND AS A CENTER SUPERVISOR.
WHEREAS IN TOTAL, JOHN BROOKS JUNIOR HAS GIVEN NEARLY 30 YEARS OF HIS TIME AS A RESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, AND WHEREAS OF COUNTLESS YEARS OF SERVICE GIVEN BACK TO HIS COMMUNITY, JOHN BROOKS JUNIOR IS SET TO RETIRE ON MARCH 29TH OF THIS YEAR.
NOW THEREFORE, MY FRIEND, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL OF JEFFERSON, HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND COMMENDS JOHN BROOKS JUNIOR IN RECOGNITION OF HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH YOU, IF YOU WILL.
>> EVERYBODY, HERE WE GO ON THREE 1, 2, 3.
LET ME GET ONE MORE,1, 2, 3, AND I THINK GOT ONE MORE, 1 2, 3.
[00:30:24]
[NOISE] GOT IT. [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER]>> HI. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
WELCOME TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2024.WE'RE IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING, 200 DERBY STREET, GRETNA, LOUISIANA.
THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.
WE'LL START THINGS OFF WITH COUNCILMAN LEE WHO WILL INTRODUCE HIS GUEST IN A MOMENT TO LEAD US IN OUR INVOCATION TODAY.
>> PASTOR HARRISON, LOUIS HARRISON JUNIOR, WONDERFUL MAN.
IT'S BEEN SINGING GOD'S PRAISE AND DOING MANY THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY, IN OLD HARVEY.
WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU TO COME HERE AND DO WHAT YOU AS A VERY FINE PREACHER WOULD DO. PRAY FOR US.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCILMAN LEE FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY.
AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO JOHN AUSTIN BROOKS JUNIOR, WHO JUST RETIRED, WHO IS ALSO MY UNCLE AMEN.
ALL HEADS BOWED AS WE GO TO GOD IN PRAYER.
I GOT AN OLD SCHOOL PREACHER VOICE. I COULD JUST SCREAM.
>> STEP AWAY FROM THE MICRO LITTLE KID.
>> ALL HEADS BOWED AS WE PRAY.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU AS HUMBLY AS WE KNOW HOW.
FIRST AND FOREMOST GOD TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THIS MORNING.
WHEN WE WOKE UP THIS MORNING, THE BIRDS WERE CHIRPING IN, THE SUN WAS OUT AND WE JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT.
JUST TO KNOW THAT WE ALL ARE IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.
WE ASK THAT YOU WILL LOOK UPON THIS MEETING RIGHT NOW.
LOOK UPON YOUR COUNSEL, FATHER GOD.
LOOK UPON EVERYONE WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE POLICY MAKING AND DECISION MAKING OF THIS PARISH.
WE THANK YOU FATHER GOD FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP.
WE THANK YOU FATHER GOD FOR THE WAY THEY CONDUCT THEMSELVES.
WE THANK YOU FATHER GOD FOR THIS GREAT PARISH OF JEFFERSON.
WE THANK YOU FATHER GOD FOR THE MANY PEOPLE FATHER GOD WHO MAKE UP THIS GREAT PARISH.
WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO HOLD US TOGETHER.
WE ASK GOD THAT YOU CONTINUE TO BLESS US.
WE ASK GOD THAT YOU WILL LOOK UPON OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
WE ASK GOD THAT YOU WILL LOOK UPON OUR COUNSEL.
GOD BLESS THIS PLACE. BLESS THIS MEETING.
ALLOW GREAT THINGS TO COME OUT, TOUCH OUR HEARTS AND MINDS, THAT WE ACCEPT WHATEVER YOUR WILL IS.
BLESS THE COUNSEL, THAT THEY DO A GREAT JOB IN CONDUCTING THE BUSINESS OF THIS PARISH IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY AND FOR HIS SAKE. AMEN.
>> THANK YOU. PASTOR MR. AL, WOULD YOU MIND?
>> 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.
>> BUT WITH THE SPRINGIEST JACKET IN THE ROOM TODAY, I FIGURED IT HAD TO BE YOU.
>> WELL, NOTWITHSTANDING COUNCILMAN BONANO'S JACKET, HE DOESN'T COUNT.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE? COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN?
>> PARISH PRESENT. MS. LEE SHENG?
>> AND I'VE COMPLETED THE ROLE.
[00:35:03]
>> COUNCILMAN LEE IS HERE. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE HE'S AROUND.
MADAM PRESIDENT, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
[PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'LL START OFF MY TALKING POINTS TODAY BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE RECEIVED SOME CALLS.
WE'VE CERTAINLY HAVE AS WELL IN MEDIA INQUIRIES REGARDING THE UTILITY BILLS.
I'LL START ON THAT AND I WANT TO GO INTO A LITTLE BIT FURTHER DISCUSSION.
WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE, ONE OF THE BIGGEST THREATS THAT I FELT AS A PARISH WAS THAT WE WERE SITTING ON TOP OF AN AGING WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM.
YOU WILL RECALL, OUR ADMINISTRATION MADE PRESENTATIONS TO YOU BACK IN 2021 FOR APPROVAL OF ASKING YOU TO APPROVE RATE INCREASES IN THE WATER AND SEWER.
THANKFULLY, WE GOT THAT PASSED.
THESE RATE INCREASES STARTED IN JANUARY OF 2022 AND THEY ARE SMALL INCREASES.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO GO UP ALL THE WAY EARLY ON SMALL INCREASES EVERY YEAR IN JANUARY.
WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE 2022, BUT THIS YEAR THERE'S JUST A LOT MORE INQUIRIES, A LOT MORE TALKS, A LOT MORE CALLS INTO OUR DEPARTMENTS.
I THINK THAT HAS TO DO WITH AT THE SAME TIME THE GARBAGE RATE INCREASED AS WELL, FROM $39.77 TO $50.40 ON YOUR BIMONTHLY BILL.
THAT WAS A 27% INCREASE THERE.
THAT GARBAGE INCREASE, COMBINED WITH THE PLANNED UTILITY INCREASES IN SEWER AND WATER, MAKES THE UTILITY BILL EVEN HIGHER.
A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE NOTE THAT THERE IS A LONG DELAY IN OUR BILLING CYCLES.
THE BILLING CYCLE, YOU THINK OF IT AS YOUR MONTHLY BILL.
YOU PAY IT WHEN I PAY MY MONTHLY BILLS, THAT'S WHEN I PAY MY WATER BILL.
THE CYCLE IS ABOUT 57 TO 63 DAYS BECAUSE WE STILL RELY ON PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND READ YOUR WATER METER.
THAT'S WHY WE CAN'T DO IT ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO IT ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
WE ARE PART OF THOSE INCREASES IS TO GIVE YOU A MODERN WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM.
AUTOMATIC WATER RITA METERS ARE SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL HAVE.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE US A COUPLE YEARS TO IMPLEMENT ACROSS THE WHOLE PARISH COMMERCIAL, WE'RE GOING TO DO FIRST, AND THEN RESIDENTIAL, BUT THAT IS UPDATING THE SYSTEM SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THESE LONG BILLING CYCLES AS PART OF THE PLAN AS WELL.
AGAIN, PART OF THE REASON YOU'RE PAYING A HIGHER BILL.
I WANT TO USE MY OWN BILL AS AN EXAMPLE BECAUSE I DID A DEEP DIVE INTO MY OWN WATER CONSUMPTION.
THE WATER BILL THAT I RECEIVED, AND THAT IS DUE ON APRIL 8, IS CHARGING ME FOR WATER THAT I CONSUMED BACK ON JANUARY 5 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28.
THERE IS A LONG BUILT IN DELAY WHICH MAKES IT MORE COMPLICATED BECAUSE YOU'RE PAYING A BILL AND FOR WATER THAT YOU CONSUMED 60 DAYS AGO.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW, WE BELIEVE, IS THAT THESE BILLS IN MARCH AND APRIL ARE THE FIRST BILLS OF THE YEAR WHERE THE ENTIRE CONSUMPTION OF WATER IS USING 2024 HIGHER RATES, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE WITH YOUR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY BILL.
YOU WERE PAYING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER UNDER THOSE RATES.
AGAIN, COUPLED WITH THE INCREASE IN GARBAGE THAT STARTED, THAT'S GOING TO MAKE YOUR BILL GO HIGHER.
I WANT TO BRING UP SOME OTHER POINTS BECAUSE WE STILL THINK OF IT AS A WATER BILL.
WE CALL IT A WATER BILL AND WATER REALLY GETS A BAD RAP BECAUSE ACTUALLY WATER IS PRETTY CHEAP THAT WE GIVE YOU.
CHEAPER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE REGION OR IN OTHER STATES.
WE NEED TO STOP CALLING IT A WATER BILL AND WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR PART ON OUR END TO MAKE SURE THAT CULTURE CHANGES.
IT'S REALLY A UTILITY BILL THAT OFFERS MANY OTHER SERVICES, INCLUDING SEWER, GARBAGE, MOSQUITO CONTROL, AND DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE PARISH OR WHAT MUNICIPALITY YOU LIVE IN, COULD BE CHARGED FOR LAUGH IN YOUR PARK, RECREATION, OR FIRE SERVICES THAT ARE ALSO TACKED ONTO THAT BILL.
WHEN COMPARING THESE COSTS TO YOUR OTHER MONTHLY BILLS, REMEMBER AS I SAID, THIS BILL IS BI MONTHLY.
AND I WANT TO GIVE MYSELF AS AN EXAMPLE BECAUSE I DID A DEEP DIVE ON MY OWN BILLS.
MY LATEST BILL TOTALED $108 THAT'S DUE ON APRIL 8.
IF I CONVERT THAT TO A MONTHLY BASIS AND I ONLY LOOK AT THE WATER PORTION, I'M PAYING $12.62 A MONTH FOR WATER.
BUT IN MY HEAD, I MIGHT THINK I'M WRITING $108 WATER BILL.
BUT AGAIN, I WAS PAYING 12.62 A MONTH FOR WATER WHEN I HAD TO WRITE $108 BILL.
MY SUGGESTION TO ANYONE BELIEVES THAT THEIR BILL IS OVERLY HIGH, ACTUALLY, LOOK AT YOUR WATER CONSUMPTION AND SEE IF THOSE DIFFERENCES MAKE SENSE.
[00:40:02]
THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO LOOK AT AT THAT BILL IS THE WATER CONSUMPTION THAT YOU'RE USING THOSE GALLONS.I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT MY WATER CONSUMPTION WAS FAIRLY CONSISTENT.
I JUST BELIEVE THAT WHEN I WENT TO GO LOOK AT THE BILL, I LIKE I'M PROBABLY A VERY CONSISTENT WATER, AND I WAS NOT.
SOME BILLING CYCLES I RECEIVED I USE 5,000 GALLONS, OTHER BILLING CYCLES I RECEIVED I USE 13,000 GALLONS, THAT'S A BIG SWING.
THAT'S COMPLETELY NOT WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT MY OWN WATER USAGE.
BUT, OF COURSE, I THOUGHT IT THROUGH.
I HAVE KIDS IN COLLEGE, DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT HOME.
WHEN YOU THINK THAT A 10-MINUTE SHOWER IS 25 GALLONS, A LAUNDRY IS 20 GALLONS, DRAWING A BATH TAKES 30 GALLONS.
THAT ONE ADDITIONAL PERSON IN YOUR HOUSE IS REALLY GOING TO CHANGE THE WATER CONSUMPTION THAT YOU HAVE.
CERTAINLY, WHEN YOU'RE COMPARING YOUR BILL, BILLING CYCLE TO BILLING CYCLE AND YOU GO WAY OUT OF RANGE, THAT'S NOT EXPLAINABLE, YOU'RE NOT FILLING A POOL, YOU'RE NOT USING YOUR SPRINKLER ALL THE TIME, THERE COULD BE A POSSIBLE LEAK.
THAT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN THE BILL IS HIGHER.
THE KEY IS IF YOU CAN REDUCE YOUR WATER CONSUMPTION, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONTROL.
SIDNEY ALWAYS REMINDS US THAT YOU CAN CONTROL THE WATER YOU USE.
YOU'RE GOING TO BRING DOWN FOUR LINE ITEMS ON THAT BILL, YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THE SEWER CONSUMPTION, THE SEWER USAGE, THE WATER CONSUMPTION, AND THE WATER USAGE.
JUST TO NOTE, SEWER IS CHARGED BY THE GALLONS OF WATER THAT YOU USE AND IT'S CHARGED AT A HIGHER RATE THAN WHAT WE CHARGE FOR WATER.
IF YOU CAN BRING DOWN YOUR WATER CONSUMPTION, YOUR SEWAGE IS GOING TO GO DOWN MUCH MORE AND THAT'S MORE EXPENSIVE ON YOUR BILL.
YOU'RE GOING TO REALLY FEEL THE DIFFERENCE ON YOUR BILL IF YOU CAN BRING DOWN YOUR WATER CONSUMPTION.
I DID A LOOK ALSO AND COMPARED SOME LOWER LEVEL, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN ME, BUT LOWER LEVEL 7,000 GALLONS VERSUS 35,000-GALLON USAGE ACCOUNTS VERSUS $104,000 USAGE ACCOUNTS.
ON THE LOWER ACCOUNTS THAT MIGHT USE LESS GALLONS, GARBAGE IS HALF THE BILL, HALF THE BILL IS GARBAGE.
AS YOU GET UP IN THE NUMBER OF GALLONS USED, THE SEWER IS ACTUALLY HALF THE BILL.
I WANT TO MOVE ON TO SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN CALL VOLUME BECAUSE OF THESE HIGH WATER BILLS.
OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH REALLY SINCE THE PANDEMIC.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF VACANCIES IN OUR WATER DEPARTMENT ANSWERING PHONE CALLS.
LIKE MANY OF OUR DEPARTMENTS, WE JUST SUFFERED A LOT OF VACANCIES WITH THE PANDEMIC.
I WANT TO SAY THAT WE'VE DONE SOME PROACTIVE THINGS OVER THE YEARS TO TRY TO INCREASE OUR STAFFING BECAUSE THE LEAST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE HAVE, THE LONGER YOU'RE GOING TO WAIT FOR YOUR PHONE CALLS, AND WE DON'T WANT THAT SITUATION, BUT THAT'S THE SITUATION WE FACE.
WHEN THE CALLS INCREASE, THE LONGER YOU'RE GOING TO WAIT.
I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE PARTNERED WITH MONEYGRAM AND CHECKFREE TO HAVE MORE THAN 100 LOCATIONS TO PAY YOUR UTILITY BILLS.
IF YOU'RE JUST NEEDING TO PAY YOUR BILL, THERE'S NO REASON THAT YOU SHOULD BE CALLING, AND WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING TO GET THOSE CUSTOMERS OUT OF THAT PHONE LINE.
WE ALSO WORK WITH THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT TO INCREASE THE PAY OF OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST.
WE MOVED THOSE CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALISTS, MOVE TO A 40-HOUR WORK WEEK TO ALLOW MORE PHONE TIME AND EMAIL REPLIES.
WE ALSO JUST INSTITUTED A CALLBACK FEATURE THAT HAS BEEN ADDED, SO IF YOU'RE PLACED ON HOLD, YOUR SPACE IN THE WHOLE LINE IS RESERVED AND YOU WILL GET A CALLBACK, SO YOU CAN MOVE ON WITH YOUR DAY AND GET A CALLBACK.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT FROM MANY OF THESE EFFORTS, WE'VE ALREADY HIRED FIVE NEW PEOPLE THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN TRAINING, AND OUR WATER DIRECTOR SIDNEY BAZLEY IS ACTUALLY INTERVIEWING FIVE MORE PEOPLE THIS WEEK.
AS SOON AS THEY GET TRAINED IN UP TO SPEED, WE SHOULD SEE THAT CALL WHOLE TIME AND CALL WAITING TIME GO DOWN.
OUR NEXT STEP IS TO START A TEMPORARY STAFFING PILOT PROGRAM TO BE ABLE TO HIRE ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL, SO WE'RE STILL NOT UP TO PRE-COVID LEVELS THROUGH TEMPORARY AGENCIES AS WE STILL CONTINUE TO RECRUIT FOR THE ACTUAL POSITIONS TO BE EMPLOYED WITH JEFFERSON PARISH.
THAT'S ADDENDUM ITEM NUMBER 24 AND NUMBER 25, A TWO-YEAR TEMPORARY STAFFING TO HELP WITH OUR CALL CENTER WITH DELTA PERSONNEL AND LABOR STAFFING SO WE CAN TRY TO MINIMIZE THE WAIT TIME EVEN MORE.
WITH THAT, I'LL MOVE ON TO OUR OTHER ITEMS. RECREATION JPRD IS TEAMING UP WITH OUR JPAWS, OUR PROTECTION AND ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES TO HOST A NEW RESCUE-EXCLUSIVE DOG SHOW ON SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH, AT 10:00 AM AT THE JEFFERSON PLAYGROUND GYM AT 4100 SOUTH DRIVE.
THE BEST RESCUE IN SHOW WILL HOST DOGS FROM LOCAL RESCUES INCLUDING JPAWS TO COMPETE FOR THE BEST RESCUE AND SHOW TITLE.
ALL DOGS IN ATTENDANCE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION AND ANIMAL LOVERS CAN VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORITE DOG IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES,
[00:45:03]
INCLUDING BEST COSTUME, BEST UNDERBITE, THAT'S GOING TO BE MY FAVORITE CATEGORY, I LOVE A DOG WITH AN UNDERBITE, BEST EARS, BEST SENIOR DOG, MOST MUDDY, BEST SMILE, PERSONALITY, AND BEST SPECIAL NEEDS.FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN PURCHASE TICKETS AT JPRD.COM OR CALL 504-736-6999.
OUR EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL HOST A COLLEGE NIGHT ON FRIDAY, APRIL 5TH AT 6:00 PM TO INCLUDE A PANEL DISCUSSION THAT WILL FOCUS ON ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS, AVAILABILITY OF CAMPUS TOURS, APPLICATION DEADLINES, POPULAR MAJORS, INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, TYPES OF CAMPUS HOUSING, FINANCIAL AID, SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND MORE.
THAT IS, AGAIN, ON APRIL 5TH, AT SIX O'CLOCK AT EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
ALSO, A SOLAR ECLIPSE IS HAPPENING ON MONDAY, APRIL 8TH.
JEFFERSON PARISH, HERE, WHERE WE ARE, WE'LL WITNESS AN 82% PARTIAL SHADOW ACROSS THE SUN, PEAKING AT 1:50 PM.
TO GET READY FOR THIS, 3,000 PROTECTIVE EYEGLASSES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY BRANCHES BEGINNING FRIDAY, APRIL 5TH, SO IF YOU WANT YOUR PROTECTIVE EYEGLASSES, THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.
YOU REMEMBER THESE FROM THE 3D MOVIES THAT WE USED TO GO TO.
THIS WILL BE STARTING ON APRIL 5TH, THE DISTRIBUTION WILL START.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE AT THE CIRCULATION DESK ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS, ONE PER PATRON, INCLUDING CHILDREN.
LOCAL AUTHOR, JEANETTE DOWNING WILL READ HER POEMS AND CONDUCT A HAIKU WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH, AT 2:00 PM AT THE OLD METAIRIE LIBRARY.
THEN, OUR BELLE TERRE LIBRARY IS OFFERING ADULT EDUCATION COURSES ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 11:30-1:00 TO FOCUS ON SKILLS IN LITERACY AND READING AT ANY LEVEL, BASIC MATH AND WRITING AND PREPARATION FOR HISET GED TESTS AND JOB READINESS.
THESE COURSES ARE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE YMCA EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
A CERTIFIED DIETICIAN, ROSETTA DANIGOLE FROM LSU, IS LEADING A FOUR-PART SEMINAR ON NUTRITION AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY ON SELECT DATES THROUGH APRIL 24TH AT 7:00 PM WITH AN EMPHASIS MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES BY ANALYZING FOOD LABELS AND RESTAURANT MENUS.
THEN THE FICTION SECTION AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY IS BEING TEMPORARILY RELOCATED TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF BEYOND BOOKS, THE MAKERSPACE.
WE'LL GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION ON THE MAKERSPACE IN THE FUTURE.
BUT THE RELOCATION OF THOSE BOOKS SHOULD TAKE FIVE WEEKS.
DURING THIS TIME, FICTION BOOKS SHOULD BE REQUESTED FROM OTHER BRANCHES.
JEFF CAP HEAD START WILL HOST A SERIES OF OUTREACH EVENTS TO HELP FAMILIES REGISTER FOR HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR.
ALL OF THESE EVENTS ARE GOING TO TAKE PLACE FROM 9:00-3:00.
APRIL 3RD AT HAZEL HURST, APRIL 4TH AT HARVEY COMMUNITY CENTER, APRIL 9TH AT MARRERO COMMUNITY CENTER, APRIL 11TH AT GRETNA COMMUNITY CENTER, APRIL 23RD AT WOODMERE COMMUNITY CENTER, APRIL 25TH, J. C. SIMMONS COMMUNITY CENTER, AND APRIL 30TH, DOROTHY B. WATSON COMMUNITY CENTER.
FOR MORE INFO CALL 504-735-6900.
I THINK THAT SHOULD BE 736-6900.
WE WANT TO THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS FROM OUR LOCAL JEFFERSON PARISH WALMART TEAM AND COASTAL ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS AND DIGITAL ENGINEERING FOR WORKING WITH OUR ECOSYSTEM AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT LAST WEEK TO PLANT 500 BALD CYPRESS TREES IN NEWLY RESTORED LAND SOUTH OF LAFITTE.
THE TREE ROOTS WILL HELP THE SOIL STAY COMPACTED WHEN STORM SURGE COMES THROUGH THE AREA.
OUR GOAL IS TO SEE THESE TREES GROW TALL TO HELP CREATE HABITAT IN THIS AREA THAT HAS LOST SO MUCH LAND OVER THE PAST YEARS.
THESE VOLUNTEERS WORKED INCREDIBLY HARD, SO WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THAT.
THEN JUST A REMINDER, ALL OF OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICES, INCLUDING OUR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, OUR JPAS ANIMAL SHELTER LIBRARIES, EAST AND WEST BANK, AMERICAN JOB CENTERS, WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY IN OBSERVANCE OF GOOD FRIDAY.
CURBSIDE GARBAGE COLLECTION WILL TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED ON FRIDAY.
HOWEVER, THE LANDFILL WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY AND WILL REOPEN AT SATURDAY AT 6:00 AM.
TRANSIT WILL BE RUNNING A SATURDAY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE ON FRIDAY AND WE'LL CONTINUE NORMAL SERVICES ON SATURDAY.
I KNOW I STARTED OFF MY TALKING POINTS ON THE HIGH UTILITY BILLS.
I KNOW YOU ALL ARE STILL GETTING CALLS.
I DID ASK OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE TO DO A VIDEO.
YOU COULD PUSH, WE'LL PUT IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
WE CAN PLAY THAT VIDEO NOW SO YOU CAN SEE IT.
OUR TEAM TURNED IT AROUND IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
WE CAN GET THIS OUT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS, OUR COUNSEL OFFICES YOU CAN SHARE IT, PLEASE, TO HELP GET THIS INFORMATION OUT.
GRETCHEN, IF YOU CAN QUEUE THAT UP? THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.
>> KNOWING HOW TO READ YOUR JEFFERSON PARISH UTILITY BILL HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND THE SERVICES YOU'RE PAYING FOR AND CONNECTS THE INVESTMENTS YOU'RE MAKING TO SUPPORT UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY.
ON THE TOP RIGHT OF YOUR UTILITY BILL,
[00:50:03]
YOU WILL SEE THE DAYS OF SERVICE FOR YOUR MOST RECENT BILLING CYCLE, THE DATE YOUR METER WAS LAST READ, AND THE AMOUNT OF WATER CONSUMED WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD.IN JEFFERSON PARISH, RESIDENTS RECEIVE A UTILITY BILL EVERY OTHER MONTH.
ON THE MIDDLE OF YOUR UTILITY BILL, YOU WILL SEE A LIST OF ITEMIZED CHARGES FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED IN YOUR AREA.
THE WATER CONSUMPTION FEE AND SEWER USAGE FEE ARE BASED ON HOW MUCH WATER YOUR HOUSEHOLD USED WITHIN THAT BILLING CYCLE.
WATER AND SEWER SERVICE FEES ARE FIXED COSTS THAT GO TOWARDS MAINTAINING THE SYSTEMS. THESE FEES ALSO REFLECT A GRADUATED RATE INCREASE TO HELP UPDATE AND FUND VITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO JEFFERSON PARISH'S AGING INFRASTRUCTURE.
IF YOU LIVE IN UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON PARISH, IN THE TOWN OF JEAN LAFITTE, YOU'RE ALSO CHARGED A GARBAGE SERVICE FEE OF $50.40 EVERY BILLING CYCLE.
DUE TO A NEW GARBAGE CONTRACT, THIS FEE HAS INCREASED BY $10.64 PER BILL STARTING IN JANUARY 2024.
OTHER FEES ON YOUR UTILITY BILL MAY INCLUDE MOSQUITO CONTROL, RECREATION, AND A SAFE WATER FEE, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
IN 2021, THE JEFFERSON PARISH ADMINISTRATION REQUESTED AND THE COUNCIL APPROVED GRADUATED WATER AND SEWER RATE INCREASES OVER A 20-YEAR PERIOD.
RATE INCREASES BEGAN JANUARY 1, 2022 WITH THE GOAL OF CONSTRUCTING IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND ESTABLISHING A PIPE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS THE DETERIORATION OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM.
HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST YOU? JEFFERSON PARISH'S WATER AND SEWER RATES ARE STILL FAR BELOW NEIGHBORING PARISHES AND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
THE NEW RATES BRING US CLOSER TO WHAT IS CHARGED BY COMPARABLY SIZED SYSTEMS AND ALLOW US TO BEGIN NEEDED UPGRADES AND CONTINUE MAINTENANCE.
A RESIDENT WHO USES 12,000 GALLONS OF WATER FOR A TWO-MONTH PERIOD SHOULD SEE AN INCREASE OF ABOUT $27 ON THE UTILITY BILL.
KEEP IN MIND, THE MORE WATER YOU USE, THE HIGHER YOUR BILL WILL BE.
EACH MONTH, FOR EVERY ADDITIONAL 1,000 GALLONS ABOVE 6,000 GALLONS CONSUMED, THE BILL WILL GO UP APPROXIMATELY $13.25.
THAT'S $8.46 FOR SEWER USAGE AND $4.79 FOR WATER USAGE.
DID YOU KNOW THAT MOST WATER USAGE COMES FROM SHOWERS, FAUCETS, TOILETS, AND WASHING MACHINES? IF YOU NOTICE UNUSUALLY HIGH WATER USE ON YOUR UTILITY BILL, YOU MAY HAVE A LEAK.
PLEASE CONTACT THE JEFFERSON PARISH WATER DEPARTMENT AT (504) 736-6060 SO THAT THEY CAN INVESTIGATE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INCREASES TO WATER AND SEWER RATES, VISIT JEFFPARISH.NET/RATES.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, MADAM PRESIDENT.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE PARISH PRESIDENT WHILE WE'RE HERE? NO? WE'RE ALL GOOD?
[PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA]
NOW WE'RE TO THE PART OF THE MEETING WHERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNSEL ON AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA CAN DO SO.NOW, YOU MUST FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS.
YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND PLEASE GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> I'M MORELLA 4260 EAST ROYAL DRIVE, 50TH STREET KENNER, FOURTH DISTRICT GUN INCORPORATED JEFFERSON 52 YEARS.
ITEM NUMBER 33-35-37-38, 60-63-66-75-77-84-97.
ITEMS NUMBER 11-14 ON ITEM AGENDA.
LET'S GO WITH THE CHANGE ORDERS FIRST, 35-97.
TOTAL INCREASE, $4.47 MILLION, THREE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED HERE, PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION, GENERAL SERVICES AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
33, NO MONEY. JUST 81 ADDITIONAL DAYS.
REASON FOR THIS 4.47 MILLION INCREASE.
ANYTHING FROM ADDITIONAL ADA REQUIREMENTS TO ADDITIONAL WORK, TO UNFORESEEN OBSTRUCTIONS, AND TO ADDITIONAL MATERIALS.
NOW, 11-14 ON THE ITEM AGENDA, WHICH RELATES TO THE RTA SITUATION.
I AGREE WITH PARISH PRESIDENT, LEE SHENG.
WE NEED TO GET OUT FROM THE RTA.
THAT AGENCY HAS BEEN RIDDLED WITH SCANDAL AND CORRUPTION SINCE IT TOOK OVER FROM NATZI.
I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, I THINK IT WAS THE WRONG THING FOR THOSE BOARD MEMBERS TO DO IS GET OUT WHEN THE HEAT GOT TOO HOT IN THERE.
NOW, I GOT APPOINTED TO THE KENNER HOUSING AUTHORITY IN 2011, AN AGENCY THAT WAS RIDDLED WITH SCANDAL AND CORRUPTION AND IN TROUBLE STATUS.
THE FIRST START OF BUSINESS WHEN I HIT THAT BOARD, WAS TO OPEN UP A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION AND AIDED THAT INVESTIGATION, STAYED THERE.
NOT ONLY THAT, DID FIVE INTERVIEWS WITH
[00:55:03]
FOX 8 NEWS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PLACE SO THEY COULD SEE ME, AND BROUGHT THE DISTRICT DOWN HERE.YOU DON'T LEAVE LIKE THAT, YOU STAY THERE AND FIGHT TILL JUSTICE IS SERVED.
ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
>> CAN WE WORK ON THE HANDHELD MIC FOR THE PODIUM, PLEASE? IN THE MEANTIME, WHILE THAT'S STILL CRACKING UP, CAN WE BRING THAT UP THERE AT SOME POINT?
>> AND JUST STAND A LITTLE FURTHER AWAY AND JUST SPEAK OUT. I KNOW YOU'RE LOUD.
>> HEY GUYS, 509 HOME BOULEVARD.
JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE GO.
I HAD NUMBER 6, 11, 18, 19, 53, ALL OF PAGE 11, 66, 67, 78, 79, 81, 87, 96 I'M IN FAVOR OF.
ON THE ADDENDUM 14, 22-25, I GOT A DIFFERENT TAKE THAN MR. AL.
I'LL START WITH MY TAKE ON THAT BECAUSE THERE'S AN APPEAL TO A DELEGATION TO DO SOMETHING ON OUR BEHALF AT THE STATE.
WE REALLY NEED SOME HELP THERE.
WE DON'T HAVE A DELEGATION BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE AN APPORTIONED STATE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, JUST LIKE WE DON'T HAVE AN APPORTION PARISH GOVERNMENT.
THE RULES OF OUR MONOPOLY GAME HAVE BEEN LOST, AND WE'RE WILLING TO DO THIS BY ANY DEMOCRATIC MEANS.
THEMES THAT WE'RE WILLING TO PUT FORTH.
THERE'S EVERY CROTCHET INGENUITY THAT THE COMBINATIONS OF THE DAY HAVE GIVEN RISE TO, AND IT AFFECTS OUR WATER BILLS.
I GOT THREE DIFFERENT AGENDA ITEMS HERE WITH REGARDS TO THAT.
97 SPECIFICALLY, I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PONY UP 80,000 OR SOMETHING.
THIS IS FOR WEST BANK WATER TREATMENT PLANTS, THERE'S PLANTS ON THE WEST BANK.
WE ONLY GOT ONE ON THE EAST BANK.
THERE'S A PLANT ON THE EAST BANK.
I CAN'T DO ANY OVERSIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO ANY OF THIS.
YOU CAN REDUCE THIS DOWN TO SOME DEAL WHERE IT'S, IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE $12 A MONTH.
MY WATER BILL FLUCTUATE FROM 3-6,000 GALLONS AND I AIN'T USING MORE THAN 2.
I DON'T EVEN SHOWER EVERY DAY.
>> IT JUST CAME UP FOR THE SPEAKER CARD.
>> FOR REAL, WHO'S SMELLING ME? THE POINT IS THAT IT'S BEEN ARBITRARILY DONE.
MY WATER BILL READS THE METER READING 500 AND SOME EVERY SINGLE METER.
THIRTY YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE, IT AIN'T CHANGED.
THIS IS ALL CAHOOTS AND I CAN'T DO ANY OVERSIGHT BECAUSE THERE'S TWO WATER DEPARTMENTS.
I COULD GO DOWN THIS WHOLE LIST.
WE DON'T HAVE A DELEGATION AT THE STATE.
WE LACKED FOR A REPRESENTATIVE BODY THERE, JEFFERSON PARISH PARTICULARLY DISENFRANCHISED.
WE'RE GOING TO WAKE UP TO THIS. I NEED YOUR HELP.
WE GOT TO GET CURIOUS ABOUT ALL THIS.
I'M GOOD. I THINK WE'RE DOING ALL RIGHT.
>> FOR THE NEXT PERSON OR WHATEVER.
I'D LIKE TO GO THROUGH THE REST OF THE REALLY, THAT LACK OF A DELEGATION SPEAKS TO ALL OF THAT BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT THE APPORTION, IT'S ABOUT THE DISTRIBUTION OF POWER, BECAUSE WITH THAT, OUR MONEY IS LOST.
YOU GOT A COUNCIL ON AGING EXPENDITURE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE IN HERE.
I SPOKE TO THAT WHEN I RAN FOR STATE GOVERNMENT.
LOOK, WE HAVE TO PICK UP THE SLACK FOR EVERY OTHER PARISH THAT CAN'T AFFORD THE $100,000 THAT THE STATE HAS GUARANTEED TO EVERY OTHER COUNCIL ON AGING, SO WE HAVE TO PICK UP THAT OTHER 80 GRAND HERE AT OUR PARISH LEVEL, BECAUSE WE'RE PAYING FOR 49 PARISHES WITH LESS THAN 50,000 PEOPLE, AND WE GOT TO FUND THEIR COUNCILS ON AGING TO THE TUNE OF $100,000.
WHY? BECAUSE WE LACKED FOR A STATE DELEGATION.
>> ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA?
>> TIM COOL, ON 3815 NORTH HOLLAND.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I'M NOT HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT RTA.
I THINK WE'VE SPOKEN ENOUGH AND I APPRECIATE MR. AL'S COMMENTS.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO MENTION TO YOU, YOU CAN BLAME ME FOR A LOT OF THINGS.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT IN 2000, THE PUBLIC SAW IT FIT TO TAKE THE SEVEN-EIGHTHS OF A PENNY THAT WERE DEDICATED TO SEWAGE AND WE REDEDICATED TO STREETS.
THE RATIONALE WAS WE HADN'T DONE A PUBLIC BOND ISSUE IN STREETS SINCE 1965, 35 YEARS.
WE MADE A CONSCIOUS DECISION AND, OF COURSE, THE ANSWER TO MY SEWER DIRECTOR AT THE TIME WAS YOU COULDN'T SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING UNDERGROUND.
THE SECOND THING IS THAT WE HAVE ENJOYED THE CONTINUATION OF THAT SEVEN-EIGHTHS OF A PENNY REDEDICATED BY THE PUBLIC EVERY 10 YEARS.
LAST THING, I ADMIRE WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE, I THINK IT TOOK A LOT.
WE GOT FOUR-YEAR INCREASES IN SEWER AND WATER RATES.
YOU HAVE ACTUALLY SET THE STAGE FOR THE FUTURE.
[01:00:02]
PROBABLY, ALL OF US WON'T BE AROUND TO SEE THE BENEFITS, BUT THERE'S A NEED.THE LAST THING ABOUT THE PRESIDENT IS, FOR THOSE OF US WHO DON'T HAVE A GARDEN METER, WE PAY A LOT BECAUSE AS YOU SAID, WE PAY MORE FOR SEWER WATER.
I DON'T HAVE A GARDEN METER, SO SHAME ON ME.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO PAY OFF IN THE FUTURE.
WHEN YOU GET THESE [INAUDIBLE] BACKUPS, AND YOU GET THESE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING WHEN THE PUBLIC WILL CALL YOU, THESE THINGS WILL EVENTUALLY BE RESOLVED.
I THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID, MADAM PRESIDENT, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COUNCILMAN BONANO.
I HAD A MADRES CODE AT ONE TIME THAT YOU USED TO CRITICIZE ME ABOUT.
I KNOW. WELL, THANK YOU ALL AGAIN. [LAUGHTER]
>> I'D LIKE TO SAY GOOD MORNING TO THE COUNCIL.
I APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU BECAUSE I THINK.
>> GO AHEAD AND GRAB THE HANDHELD MICROPHONE IN FRONT OF YOU IF YOU DON'T MIND.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THE COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERING SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS ME.
WE WERE TALKING ABOUT CONSIDERING THE ISSUE OF DISCUSSING THE REVOCATION OF A TAX EXEMPT STATUS FOR THE BELLEMONT APARTMENTS.
>> SIR, THAT ITEM YOU CAN SPEAK ON WHEN WE GET TO IT ON THE AGENDA.
THERE'S A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT ITEM.
>> GOOD MORNING. CAN YOU HEAR ME? JAMES TATE, 2109, SUTHERLAND PLACE, HARVEY, LOUISIANA.
I'M PROUD THAT MR. DOUG HARVEY IS MY COUNCILMAN.
I'VE HEARD A NUMBER THIS MORNING, AND I WAS GOING TO SAVE IT FOR LATER.
IN OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, WE HAD 27 GRIEVANCES AGAINST KING GEORGE.
ONCE WE HAD OUR CONSTITUTION, TODAY WE HAVE 27 AMENDMENTS IN OUR CONSTITUTION.
THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE WITH THAT 27 IS TODAY THE 27TH, AND I WANT TO USE THAT NUMBER TO HAVE YOU GUYS REMEMBER TO BE MORE UNIFIED.
FORGET THESE RS, FORGET THE DS BECAUSE WHAT MADE ME REMEMBER THAT NUMBER WAS SUNDAY.
I WAS WATCHING A NEWS PROGRAM.
A STATISTIC WENT BY THE SCREEN REAL QUICK.
IT SAID, PRESIDENT TRUMAN CALLED THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS A DO-NOTHING CONGRESS.
THAT YEAR, THEY PASSED 900 BILLS, BUT HE CALLED THEM A DO-NOTHING CONGRESS.
LAST YEAR, OUR REPUBLICAN LED CONGRESS, PASSED 27 BILLS. THAT'S ALL.
TODAY, I THINK WE'VE ACTUALLY MOVED BACKWARDS BECAUSE OF NOT A SENSE OF UNITY.
I HEARD 27 AGAIN TODAY, 27% INCREASE ON OUR WATER BILL.
USE THIS DATE, THE 27TH TO START TO FOCUS ON, AND I'M SNEAKING IT IN, MORE ESSENTIAL SERVICES, FIRE, EMS, PUBLIC SAFETY.
IF YOU GUYS CAN START THERE, THIS WILL BE THE BEST PARISH.
IT'S ALREADY ONE OF THE BEST PARISHES IN LOUISIANA.
THIS WOULD BE THE BEST PARISH TO LIVE IN IN THE UNITED STATES.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MISS JASMINE.
I'D LIKE PEOPLE TO ADDRESS ME AS MISS JASMINE.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON SEVERAL ISSUES.
CURRENTLY, YOU'RE ON AGENDA ITEM WITH THE RTA AND THE TRANSIT, SO I'M JUST GOING TO STICK WITH THAT.
I WANT TO FIRST SAY THAT I'M ASKING FOR WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION RETALIATION ACT RECOGNITION AS A VICTIM OF SWATTING.
WITH THE RTA, GARY RODNEY, WHO IS A LONG TERM EMPLOYEE, SWATTED ME BY CALLING EMERGENCY SERVICES POLICE WHO CAME AND BLOCKED UP ONE LANE OF A CITY THOROUGHFARE, CANAL STREET, AND ALARMED EVERYONE IN THE CITY THAT THERE WAS A THREAT.
THERE WAS NOT A THREAT, HE ASSAULTED ME.
WHEN THE POLICE PULLED OVER THE TROLLEY, INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR IT TO GET TO THE NEXT STOP, THE TROLLEY WAS PULLED OVER AND I WAS ASKED TO GET OFF.
I IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO SERGEANT KEVIN JACKSON AND SUPERVISOR FROM TRANSIT RTA,
[01:05:01]
MR. POLAND, THAT I WAS ASSAULTED BY THE DRIVER.I ALSO LET THE POLICEMAN KNOW THAT I DID NOT WANT TO PRESS ANY CHARGES BECAUSE HE WAS TRYING TO ROUSE ME OFF THE TROLLEY AND THAT I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GET CAUGHT UP IN LOUISIANA'S PRISONS FOR PROFIT SYSTEM AND GET 100 YEARS FOR DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BUT I LET THE SUPERVISOR KNOW, I WANTED THEM TO PULL THE VIDEO AND DO AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION SO THAT THE VIDEO COULD BE PRESERVED FOR THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
THEY PARTICIPATED IN A COVER UP, AND I'VE TRIED TO SPEAK TO PEOPLE ON THE BOARD, PEOPLE ALL OVER THE CITY, AND I JUST WANT TO TESTIFY THAT THAT ORGANIZATION IS COMPLETELY CORRUPT.
>> MA'AM, I HATE TO INTERRUPT, BUT IS THIS SPECIFIC TO THE RTA ITEM ON THE AGENDA? IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE ON THIS, YOU CAN SPEAK AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
>> I WAS DONE ALREADY. NO, I WAS DONE.
>> I WAS JUST WAITING FOR YOU TO GET TO THE ACTUAL SPECIFIC RTA ITEM.
THAT'S WHAT THIS WOULD BE FOR.
>> I'M SORRY IF I DIDN'T SPEAK TO THE SPECIFIC ITEM.
I THOUGHT THAT I COULD SPEAK TO RTA IN TRANSIT.
>> I'M GOING TO STEP AWAY. I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS JUST FOR THAT SPECIFIC ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA? THANK YOU ALL. I'M SORRY, SIR.
GO AHEAD, GRAB THAT HANDHELD MICROPHONE, PLEASE, SINCE WE HAVE THE STATIC GOING ON THAT MICROPHONE.
JUST HOLD THE HANDHELD, PLEASE.
>> GOOD MORNING. HOW ARE Y'ALL DOING?
>> I HAVE THE PODIUM MIC TURNED OFF AND IT'S STILL BEING STATICY.
THAT MICROPHONE'S OFF, NEIL? I TURNED OFF THE PODIUM, SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE STATIC IS COMING FROM STEP TO THE SIDE.
>> EVERYONE IN THE COUNCIL HAS STRONG BELIEF ON BRINGING BACK THE TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD.
THE TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD, BASICALLY, IT WILL CREATE DIALOGUE FEEDBACK, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, OVERSIGHT.
TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD IS CRITICAL TO OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM MOVING FORWARD.
I KNOW THAT WE NEED THIS TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD BECAUSE IT'S A REINFORCEMENT.
I KNOW THAT WE NEED THIS TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD BECAUSE WE ARE STARTING TO GO INTO UNCHARTED WATERS AS FAR AS ACQUIRING BASICALLY THE [INAUDIBLE] .
EVERYONE OF Y'ALL WHO REPRESENT A CONSTITUENT HERE, THEY NEED THIS.
THEY MOST DEFINITELY NEED THIS TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD.
I'M ASKING ALL OF YOU TO STRONGLY AGREE ON IT.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE HAVE IT, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE RE-ESTABLISHED REALLY RIGHT NOW.
I KNOW EACH ONE OF Y'ALL HAVE A PERSON THAT Y'ALL CAN APPOINT.
FIVE, EIGHT PEOPLE THAT DEPENDS ON PUBLIC TRANSIT REALLY DESERVES THIS.
I'M JUST ASKING YOU TODAY TO REALLY STRONGLY AGREE ON IT, CONSIDER IT BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM.
THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE Y'ALL.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? I WISH YOU COULD PINPOINT WHERE THE STATIC IS COMING FROM.
>> HI, MY NAME IS SUSAN BARBE, 217 OAKS ROAD, MONROE LOUISIANA.
I'M EMBARRASSED TO SAY I'VE NEVER SPOKEN AT A COUNCIL MEETING BEFORE, SO I DON'T REALLY KNOW ALL OF THE RULES AND REGS.
I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE THERE AREN'T ANY LEFT ANYMORE WHEN I'M HERE, BUT I DO WANT TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES FOR WOODMERE SUBDIVISION.
>> THAT'LL BE A PUBLIC HEARING WHEN WE GET TO THAT ITEM.
YOU CAN COME BACK UP FOR THAT.
>> YES, MA'AM. ANYONE ELSE? I MUTED ALL THE COUNSEL MICS AND THAT'S STOPPED THE STATIC FOR A SECOND, IF THAT HELPS ANYBODY.
>> YOU WANT TO TRY THE PODIUM AGAIN REAL QUICK SINCE I'VE TURNED EVERYTHING ELSE OFF?
>> WE SHOULD HAVE MR. AL TEST IT FOR VOLUME.
I THINK WE'RE GOOD. WE'LL SEE WHEN THE NEXT PERSON COMES UP.
>> I KNOW YOU CAN'T. MOVING ON TO ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED NOW.
[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED]
I HAVE A NOTE THAT ITEMS 1, 2, 4 AND 5 WILL BE DEFERRED TO APRIL 17TH,[01:10:02]
AND ITEM NUMBER 3 WILL BE CANCELED.COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE DEFERRAL OF 1, 2, 4 AND 5 AND THE CANCELLATION OF THREE.
LET ME TURN YOURS ON SINCE YOU'LL BE TALKING.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS 1, 2, 4 AND 5 TO 4/17/2024, AND THE CANCELLATION OF ITEM 3 ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 6 AND 7 WHICH IS THE EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT WE'LL REVISIT AT NOON.
I'M SORRY, THAT'S NOT EXECUTIVE SESSION.
NUMBER 6, AND THEN SEVEN AND EIGHT ARE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.
RIGHT NOW, ITEM 6, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES]
YOU'RE BACK ON.>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES ON AN HAS NEEDED BASIS FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH A MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE FEES OF $500,000 PER YEAR.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR SELECTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL QUALIFIED OR MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, ITEM 7 AND 8 ARE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE'LL GET BACK TO THOSE AT NOON.
THAT TAKES US TO NUMBER 9, AND I HAVE A NOTE THAT COUNCILMAN LEE WOULD LIKE TO DEFER THIS TO APRIL 17TH,
[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES]
SO YOUR MOTION, COUNCILMAN LEE?>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26272 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN? I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T SEE YOU WAIVING.
>> IT'S AMENDMENT TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE.
YEAH, AMENDMENT TO EXTENDED THE DEADLINE.
>> SO WE'RE DEFERRING IT WITH AN AMENDMENT? GO AHEAD.
>> THE EXISTING ORDINANCE WOULD HAVE TO BE AMENDED TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE.
A NEW ORDINANCE WILL BE PLACED IN SUMMARY AT THE END OF THIS MEETING.
YOU WOULD HAVE TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE AND THEN ACT ON IT.
>> OKAY. DO YOU HAVE THE AMENDMENT? SHOULD WE COME BACK?
>> I CAN READ THE AMENDMENT NOW.
>> OKAY. YOU HAVE IT? ALL RIGHT, SO MADAM CLERK, LET'S LOOK AT ITEM NUMBER 9 WITH AN AMENDMENT, PLEASE.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26272, RESUB OF PARTIAL C-3-B, HARVEY CANAL SUBDIVISION WS-106-22 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENT COMING FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT SUMMARY NUMBER 26272 AS AMENDED A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE.
>> THE AMENDMENT IS AS FOLLOWS.
SECTION 1 WILL BE CHANGED TO READ, THAT THE TIME LIMIT SET FORTH IN SECTION 33-1.7E SHALL BE EXTENDED TO APRIL 17TH, 2024, FOR THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF TILTON, J. DUFRE AND JUNIOR, DATED DECEMBER 21ST, 2021, REVISED OCTOBER 5TH, 2023, SHOWING THE SUBDIVISION OF PARCEL C3B HARVEY CANAL SUBDIVISION, JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, IN TWO LOTS, 1-27 SQUARE ONE, LOTS 1-18 SQUARE TWO, AND PARCEL A SOLARIUM PARK SUBDIVISION AND THE DEDICATION OF SOLARIUM LOOP AT 20 FOOT DRAINAGE SERVITUDE AND A NINE FOOT DRAINAGE SERVITUDE.
SECTIONS 2 AND SECTIONS 3 WILL BE DELETED AND THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS WILL BE RENUMBERED.
>> OKAY. NOW WE'LL PASS IT AS AMENDED AND THEN VOTE ON THE DEFERRAL TO 4/17.
OKAY. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26272 AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, WE'LL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26 TO DUTY OF THE PUBLIC HEARING IF WE'RE GOING TO DEFER IT OR NOT.
RIGHT. OKAY. COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE SUMMARY NUMBER 26272 AS AMENDED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26272 TO APRIL 17TH AS AMENDED? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THAT TAKES TO ITEM NUMBER 10, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26273, RESUB OF AN UNDESIGNATED PORTION OF TOWNSHIP 13 SOUTH, RANGE 22 EAST, SECTION 4 AND A PORTION OF TRACK W LIVE OAK PLANTATION SUBDIVISION, WS-160-23, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM.
WE'LL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26273.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM. YES, SIR.
>> I'M NOT HERE TO OPPOSE BUT I'M LOOKING AT THESE AND I HAVE A QUESTION.
WHEN WE DO THE SUBDIVISIONS, DO WE CONSIDER THE LAST ISSUE WE JUST HAD ABOUT RTA TRANSPORTATION?
[01:15:01]
MOST SUBDIVISIONS [INAUDIBLE].OUR FAMILY ORIGIN, WHEN WE HAVE TO HAVE A CAR TO GET IN AND A CAR GET OUT.
THERE ARE SOME SUBDIVISIONS, YOU HAVE TO WALK TWO MILES TO GET TO A, MAYBE THOROUGHFARE.
TRANSPORTATION IS GETTING TO INCREASING OF [INAUDIBLE].
ARE WE CONSIDERING HAVING MORE [INAUDIBLE] THESE SUBDIVISIONS? [INAUDIBLE] WHILE WE MAKE MORE AND MORE SUBDIVISIONS THAT PEOPLE [INAUDIBLE]?
>> COUNCILMAN LEE. HE CAN SPEAK ON THAT IF YOU'D LIKE.
>> IT'S WORKING NOW. FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, AND I AGREE WITH YOU, TRANSPORTATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE.
BUT IN TERMS OF THIS ITEM, THERE WAS NO OBJECTION FROM THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THAT AREA IN TERMS OF PASSING THIS RESOLUTION ON THIS PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT.
CAN WE IMPROVE? ABSOLUTELY. DO WE HAVE TO IMPROVE ACCESS? ABSOLUTELY, BUT IT HAS NO BEARING ON THIS PARTICULAR MATTER.
>> KEEPING IN MIND WHEN YOU MAKE ONE OR MORE SUB DIVISION THAT DON'T HAVE MAIN THOROUGHFARES, TWO, AND WITHIN THE SUBDIVISION [INAUDIBLE].
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND GOING [INAUDIBLE].
[INAUDIBLE] I LOST MY DRIVER'S LICENSE.
I'VE [INAUDIBLE] ON THE BACK TO WALK, AND ALL THE PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING THERE TOO.
PLEASE START MAKING THAT ANOTHER CONCERN AND WE'LL KEEP CREATING MORE.
>> THANK YOU, JAMES. ANYONE ELSE? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED AND ONE HAD A QUESTION. COUNCIL LEE, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26273, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
ITEM NUMBER 11, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING - AND LAND USE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26274, AMENDING LOT 4BX AIMS HOMESTEAD FARMS, LOCATED AT 7435 FOURTH STREET, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM C-1 TO C-2, WZ-20-23, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE'RE GOING TO WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26274.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HOW ARE YOU-ALL DOING?
>> HEY, I'M JONATHAN [INAUDIBLE].
I'M OWNER OF THE BEST CLEANERS CAR CLUB.
THIS IS AN OLD BEST CLEANERS BUILDING IN MARRERO THAT WE ARE RENOVATING AND WE'RE MAKING IT INTO A CAR CLUB WHERE YOU CAN STORE YOUR CAR.
IT'S CLOSE TO AVONDALE, SO WE'RE BRINGING PART OF THE PERFORMANCE CAR COMMUNITY, VERY FUN, MULTICULTURAL, MULTIGENERATIONAL COMMUNITY THAT I GOT INTO FROM MY UNCLE WHO THE UPDATE IS FROM LAST TIME, MY UNCLE PASSED, BONE MARROW CANCER.
HE AND I FIXED UP 65 STANGS TOGETHER.
NOW IT'S '80S FORDS BECAUSE THAT'S THE COOL THING NOW.
BUT ANYWAY, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING DOWN THERE.
PREVIOUSLY, THERE WAS SOME CONCERN THAT I WOULD BE OPENING UP A BAR, THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT HAPPENING.
THAT'S THE QUICKEST WAY I KNOW TO LOSE MONEY, EVEN IN THIS AREA.
DEFINITELY HERE TO HELP ANSWER ANY COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND WORK WITH EVERYBODY.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED?
>> MY NAME IS ALAN ORGERON, AND I LIVE AT 720 JUNG BOULEVARD, WHICH CORNERS THE LOT.
I ATTENDED THE PLANNING COMMISSION WHEN THEY EXPLAINED WHAT GOING FROM C1 TO C2 IS.
WHEN YOU GO TO A C2 ZONING, YOU'RE ALLOWED TO PUT A BAR IN.
I DON'T HAVE AN OBJECTION TO HIM PUTTING A CAR CLUB PLACE THERE.
MY PROBLEM IS SOMEBODY OFFERS HIM TWICE THE MONEY FOR THAT PROPERTY, IT'S ZONED C2, I THINK THEY COULD PUT A BAR IN.
JUNG IS A TWO-STREET THAT GOES ACROSS THE EXPRESSWAY.
I LIVE THREE HOUSES FROM THAT STOP SIGN, 50% OF THE CARS DON'T STOP.
HE PUT SOMETHING IN LIKE THAT,
[01:20:02]
THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE TRAFFIC.THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS ON OUR STREET.
IF HE COULD HAVE IT ZONED ANOTHER WAY WHERE A BAR COULDN'T BE PUT IN, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM CHANGING ZONING, BUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THIS IS THE ONLY ZONING IT COULD BE.
I JUST ASK THAT IT BE DENIED. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? THERE'S STILL TIME LEFT FOR YOU TO REBUT.
>> THANK YOU. YES, I DID MEET WITH MR. ORGERON AND I THINK I CAME UP WITH AN ELEGANT SOLUTION, AND THAT IS A DEED RESTRICTION THAT HAVE, A DRAFT OF IT HERE WITH ME, THAT SAYS I WON'T OPEN A BAR AND RESTAURANT THERE IF I HAVE A C2.
I THINK THAT'S THE MOST ELEGANT WAY OF, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO SPLIT THE BABY.
I'M NOT EVEN TRYING TO DO THAT.
LIKE I SAID, THIS IS ME WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY.
DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO GET ANYBODY'S FEATHERS UP.
WANT TO WORK WITH MR. AND MRS. ORGERON, MAKE SURE I SAY THAT NAME RIGHT, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING SO.
I APPRECIATE YOU-ALL AND ESPECIALLY COUNCILMAN BONANO. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN BONANO?
>> THIS IS THE FIRST I'M HEARING OF THIS ISSUE, SO I WOULD LIKE SOME TIME TO WORK ON IT.
MISS MARTIN, IS THERE ANY REASON WE CAN'T DEFER THIS TODAY?
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO DEFER THIS TO THE NEXT WEST BANK MEETING, PLEASE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26274 TO OUR APRIL 17 MEETING?
>> NEXT WEST BANK, MAY 1. I'M SORRY. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION?
>> [INAUDIBLE] COME GET JOHN'S PHONE NUMBERS FROM YOU.
>> TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 26274 TO OUR NEXT WEST BANK MEETING ON MAY 1, 2024, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 12, PLEASE.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - PERMITTED USES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26275, AMENDING THE SPU APPROVED ON THE DOCKET NUMBER SY-1-95, ORDINANCE 19499 TO ENLARGE AN EXISTING WAREHOUSE AND ADD SEVEN PARKING SPACES FOR RIVERSIDE USED AUTO PARTS LOCATED AT 4604, RIVER ROAD ON LOT AS BELL PLANTATION SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM AND I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26275.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BONANO?
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26275 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 13.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - VARIANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26276, APPROVING SP-86-23, FOR VARIANCES TO THE EXTERIOR WALL MATERIAL AND LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FIRE TRAINING ADMINISTRATION BUILDING LOCATED AT 3221 RIVER ROAD ON TRACK FT, FAIRFIELD PLANTATION SUBDIVISION COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AS WELL.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26276.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26276, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. FOURTEEN, PLEASE.
[OTHER PROPERTY MATTERS ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26277, DECLARING LOT 6, SQUARE 6, VILLAGE OF MCLANCHAM, CITY OF GRETNA, BEARING MUNICIPAL ADDRESS 220, LAVOISIER STREET, GRETNA.
NO LONGER NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, AND AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE SALE AND SAID PROPERTY, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 2-951, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
>> WE NOW MOVE TO PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26277.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION?
>> AS A QUICK EXPLANATION, THIS PROPERTY WAS ACQUIRED IN THE LATE 1980S BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WAS RENOVATED AND OUTFITTED TO BE A CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER.
WE HAVE RELOCATED THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER NOW AND IS NO LONGER NEEDED FOR THE PURPOSE THAT IT HAD SERVED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26277, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26278, DECLARING A PORTION OF LOT 22 SQUARE 26, SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION HARVEY, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES AND AUTHORIZING ITS SALE TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> I NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26278.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BONANO?
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER
[01:25:01]
26278 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 16.>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26279, DECLARING LOTS 29 AND 30, SQUARE 26, SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION NO LONGER NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE SALE OF SAID PROPERTY, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 2-951, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26279.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BONANO.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26279, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 17.
[OTHER ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26264, TO REVOKE THE AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION FOR THE PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS JEFFERSON PARISH ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, PARTIAL NUMBER 0820039805, WHICH IS OWNED BY MOF PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABILITY CORPORATION, FORMERLY KNOWN AS GMF PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABILITY CORPORATION.
IT IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS LOTS 1 AND 2, SQUARE A, BISSONET PLAZA SUBDIVISION, AND LOTS 1 AND 2, SQUARE B, BISSONET PLAZA SUBDIVISION, AND BEARS THE MUNICIPAL ADDRESS, 6201 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA, 6215 RIVERSIDE DRIVE METAIRIE LOUISIANA.
6301 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA, AND 6315 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA.
REFERRED TO FURTHER AS THE BELLEMONT APARTMENT HOMES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 7, SECTION 21 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF LOUISIANA COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.
>> COUNCILMAN BONANO, BEFORE WE DO THE PUBLIC HEARING, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHOW THE VIDEO AHEAD OF THIS OR AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> LET ME GET YOUR MIC, I'M SORRY.
>> GO AHEAD. SOMEONE SECOND, MR. [INAUDIBLE]. PUBLIC HEARING AFTER THIS.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE TIME.
>> IT'S MY FIRST TIME DOING THIS. I HOPE THIS WORKS.
THE BELLEMONT APARTMENTS REALLY GOT ON MY RADAR SHORTLY AFTER I WAS SWORN IN.
LITERALLY THE INK WASN'T DRY, I DON'T BELIEVE, AND THE BELLEMONT WAS ON MY RADAR.
THAT'S ACTUALLY IN TOTAL PART DUE TO THE REPORTING OF MEG GATTO.
SHE HAS DONE A SERIES OF STORIES THROUGH FOX 8 ON THIS PARTICULAR APARTMENT COMPLEX AND ASKED ME TO MEET HER OUT THERE SO THAT SHE COULD SHOW ME AND GET SOME COMMENTS.
IT REPLAYED WITH SOME FREQUENCY, AND IT WAS A VERY EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR ME TO SEE THAT PEOPLE WERE LIVING IN THESE TYPE OF LIVING CONDITIONS.
A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT THE BELLEMONT. HERE WE GO.
IT IS OWNED BY MINISTRY OUTREACH FOUNDATION, ALSO KNOWN AS THE GLOBAL MINISTRIES FOUNDATION.
THEY ARE A 501(C)(3), SO THEY ARE A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION.
THEY PURPORT TO BE A RELIGIOUS MINISTRY THAT PROVIDES AFFORDABLE HOMES TO PEOPLE WHO CAN'T OTHERWISE AFFORD HOUSING.
THEY RECEIVED TO BUY THE BELLEMONT $17 MILLION IN BONDS FROM THE LOUISIANA COMMUNITY DEVELOP AUTHORITY, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THEY OWE OUR CITIZENS SOMETHING IN RETURN FOR THE MONEY THAT WE GAVE THEM TO HELP THEM BECOME WHAT THEY BECAME.
THE MOF AND REVEREND HAMLET HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED BY SEVERAL STATES.
THEY NO LONGER FALL AND QUALIFY FOR ANY KIND OF HUD PROGRAMMING AT ALL, WHICH IS GREAT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS STEPPED IN SOME.
BECAUSE THEY DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS AND HOUSING PROGRAMS, WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE AUTHORITY TO GO IN AND SEE THE INTERIOR OF THEIR BUILDINGS, WHICH HAS BEEN PROVED TO BE A LITTLE PROBLEMATIC FOR US IN TRYING TO CARRY OUT, MAKING THEM MAINTAIN THEIR PROPERTY.
THE DAY THAT I MET MISS GATTO OUT AT THE PROPERTY, A GENTLEMAN HAPPENED TO BE WALKING IN AND SHE ASKED HIM IF WE COULD SEE THE INSIDE OF HIS APARTMENT, IF HE HAD ANY PROBLEMS, AND HE SAID, LADY, DO I HAVE PROBLEMS, THESE ARE PICTURES THAT WE TOOK THAT DAY.
THESE WERE PICTURES FROM SOMEONE WHO HAD NOT REPORTED THE ISSUES THAT HE WAS HAVING.
THAT IS HOW WE SAW IT, WITH NO PLAN THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE THERE.
I WAS SHOCKED AND APPALLED WHEN HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT HIS THREE CHILDREN, WHO LIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS WITH HIM, HE WOULD SET HIS ALARM TO WAKE UP EARLY BEFORE THEY WOULD GET UP SO THAT HE COULD REMOVE ANY RODENTS THAT THEY HAD CAUGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE.
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LAST PICTURE, THESE ARE PICTURES THAT WE ALSO TOOK THAT DAY.
[01:30:02]
THE LAST PICTURE IS THE SCENE OF A SHOOTING THAT THEY HAD IN 2022 AT THE BELLEMONT.THE RESIDENTS OF THE BELLEMONT, I'M NOT NAIVE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS A BIG CRIMINAL ELEMENT THAT LIVES AT THE BELLEMONT.
THAT IS IN PART BECAUSE THE OWNER HAS ALLOWED THAT TO HAPPEN.
BUT THERE'S ALSO A GREAT DEAL OF REALLY GOOD PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE.
ELDERLY PEOPLE, LOW-INCOME PEOPLE, FAMILIES, DISABLED PEOPLE, RETIRED SOLDIERS, THE WHOLE SPECTRUM.
IN REGARDS TO THE CODE VIOLATIONS AT THE BELLEMONT, THEY HAVE PAID THE LARGEST FINE IN JEFFERSON PARISH HISTORY OF 150,000 IN 2022.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE 10 CODE ENFORCEMENT VIOLATIONS OPEN, OVER 65 COMPLAINTS SINCE 2022.
BESIDES THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE, THERE IS A HUGE BURDEN ON THE PARISH.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE, I THINK, LIZA CALUDA, HER OFFICIAL TITLE IS THE DIRECTOR OF PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND ZONING, BUT WHAT SHE'S REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR IS MAKING SURE THAT THESE CODE ENFORCEMENT VIOLATIONS ARE FOLLOWED UP ON.
HER TIME, HER STAFF'S TIME, THE COURT'S TIME, THE ATTORNEY'S TIMES TO CHASE AFTER 65 VIOLATIONS SINCE 2022 IS ENORMOUS.
THESE CODE VIOLATIONS SCAN THE GAMBIT AND WE'RE GOING TO GO A LITTLE BIT MORE INTO THOSE.
WE'VE HAD REPEATED FIRE ISSUES.
JUST THIS YEAR WE'VE ALREADY HAD TWO.
IN 2019, WE HAD A THREE-YEAR-OLD CHILD THAT DIED FROM A FIRE, LACK OF SMOKE DETECTORS, AND UNFORTUNATELY, SHE COULDN'T BE SAVED IN TIME.
LAST YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED ACT NUMBER 48, AND WE ALL VOTED THIS INTO LAW.
THIS BECAME TO EXIST BECAUSE OF THE OWNERS OF THE BELLEMONT, AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A PROPERTY RELATED TO THE WILLOWS IN NEW ORLEANS, THE LEGISLATURE WORKED HARD TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH THIS LAW SO THAT THESE TAX-EXEMPT CORPORATIONS THAT ARE USING PUBLIC FUNDS AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PUBLIC TRUST, THAT THEY ARE DOING CHARITABLE WORK, WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
THEY CREATED WHAT THE LAWYERS UP HERE WILL CALL A TWO-PRONGED TEST.
THE FIRST THING IS THAT THE PROPERTY IS LEASED AS HOUSING.
IT'S IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR, AND IT MANIFESTS CONDITIONS WHICH ENDANGER THE HEALTH OR SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC.
LIKE I SAID, THIS IS LEASED AS LOW-INCOME HOUSING.
MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS SINCE 2022 WHEN WE STARTED REALLY HOPING WE COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LAW.
YOU CAN SEE JUST BY THE PICTURES THAT THERE'S MOLD, HEATING ISSUES.
THE GENTLEMAN THAT I MET WITH CANNOT HAVE HIS CHILDREN BATHE IN HIS APARTMENT BECAUSE HE HASN'T HAD HOT WATER IN OVER A YEAR IN HIS APARTMENT.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE ISSUE THAT WHEN HE WOULD USE THE BATHTUB, HIS DIRTY WATER WOULD DRAIN INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S BATHROOM, AND WHEN SHE USED HER'S, HER WATER WOULD DRAIN INTO HIS.
HE ALWAYS FELT HE WAS UNCLEAN FOR HIS THREE CHILDREN.
SECOND IS THAT THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY HABITUALLY NEGLECTS THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPERTY, AS EVIDENCED BY THREE OR MORE SUSTAINED CODE VIOLATIONS ISSUED FOR THE PROPERTY IN THE PRIOR 12 MONTHS FOR MATTERS THAT ENDANGERED THE HEALTH OR SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE PROPERTY OR THE PERSONS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.
THEN THEY GIVE A LIST OF WHAT THINGS WOULD QUALIFY FOR THAT.
THE BELLEMONT CONSISTS OF FOUR HUGE U-SHAPED PROPERTIES, TAKES UP TWO CITY BLOCKS.
ALTHOUGH THEY ARE ONE PROPERTY, REALLY, JUST TO SATISFY THE PUBLIC, AND SO THAT YOU'LL KNOW WHY WE'RE SO STRONGLY ASKING FOR THIS TO BE PASSED IS THAT, THAT EACH ONE OF THESE BUILDINGS HAS HAD QUALIFIED FOR THE THREE OR MORE.
6201 RIVERSIDE HAS PLUMBING, ZONING, JUNK CARS, DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, SWIMMING POOL VIOLATIONS WITH CHILDREN LIVING THERE.
SIXTY-TWO FIFTEEN, WHICH IS THE ONE THAT WE WENT INTO, THEY'VE HAD SIX VIOLATIONS OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS.
WATER AND SEWAGE LEAKING INTO UNITS.
NO HOT WATER, DANGEROUS BUILDING VIOLATIONS, HOLES IN THE CEILINGS AND THE WALKWAYS.
VACANT AND UNSECURED UNITS, WHICH IS REALLY PROBLEMATIC FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS AS WELL, BECAUSE THESE VACANT AND UNSECURED UNITS ARE BEING OCCUPIED BY HOMELESS CRIMINALS, WHO KNOWS? 6301 RIVERSIDE ALSO HAS SIX VIOLATIONS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
SAME TYPE OF ISSUES, WATER AND SEWAGE LEAKING, HOLES IN THE CEILINGS, IN THE WALKWAYS, AND VACANT UNITS.
SIXTY-THREE FIFTEEN RIVERSIDE, DEFECTIVE PLUMBING, DANGEROUS BUILDING VIOLATIONS, HOLES IN THE CEILINGS AND WALKWAYS, SHEETROCK MISSING AROUND ELECTRICAL PANELS.
WE SAW THAT OURSELVES WHEN WE WENT IN THERE THAT DAY.
THE LITTER AND THE LACK OF LIGHTING IN THE ENTIRE BELLEMONT IS PROBLEMATIC.
[01:35:03]
THEY'VE HAD MAJOR MOLD AND HABITABILITY ISSUES, NO HOT WATER, THE LIGHTING ISSUES.THIS LOWER PICTURE WAS ONE THAT WE ALSO TOOK THAT DAY.
THAT WAS RAT FECES ON THE STOVETOP.
NOT THAT HIS STOVE WORKED, BY THE WAY.
THIS NONPROFIT CURRENTLY OWES THE PARISH OVER $7,400 IN FINES RELATED TO THE BELLEMONT.
THIS IS A OVERVIEW OF THE BELLEMONT IN THE EIGHT TOTAL BUILDINGS THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.
IT SPANS OVER TWO ENTIRE CITY BLOCKS.
IT'S APPROXIMATELY 80,000 IN REAL ESTATE SQUARE FEET.
THE TAX CONSEQUENCE TO THE PARISH JUST LAST YEAR WOULD HAVE BEEN ALMOST $188,000 THAT THEY ARE GETTING, THAT THIS CHARITY IS SUPPOSED TO BE USING TO TAKE CARE OF ITS RESIDENTS, AND INSTEAD IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEM.
THE TOTAL TAXES EXEMPTED FOR THE BELLEMONT SINCE THEY'VE BEEN HERE IN 2015 IS ALMOST ONE-AND-A-HALF MILLION DOLLARS.
NOT THAT OUR LEGISLATION HAS AT ALL FRIGHTENED THEM, BECAUSE THESE WERE TAKEN JUST LAST FRIDAY.
THEY HAVE SEVERAL CONTEMPT HEARINGS PENDING.
THEY HAVE SEVERAL CODE VIOLATIONS OUTSTANDING, AND YET THIS IS WHAT WE FOUND FRIDAY.
REVEREND RICHARD HAMLET WAS QUOTED BY RUBIO ON THE SENATE FLOOR WHEN HE SAID, "THIS IS A BUSINESS, THIS ISN'T A CHURCH MISSION.
THESE ARE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS THAT WE SET UP, BUT WE'RE NO DIFFERENT FROM A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST OR A PRIVATE EQUITY GROUP." REVEREND HAMLET, WE AGREE WITH YOU.
TODAY, I'M ASKING THIS COUNCIL TO TAX YOU AS ON.
YOU USE THE GUISE OF GOD TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE AND IT'S DISGUSTING.
TODAY, I'M ASKING THIS COUNCIL TO PUT AN END TO IT.
WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE AND TO THIS PARISH.
I'M HOPING THAT THEY'LL SUPPORT ME IN THIS ENDEAVOR.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. I'LL JUST CHIME IN REAL QUICK THAT THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE WORST AND BEST THINGS I'VE SEEN COME BEFORE THIS COUNCIL.
IT'S THE WORST SITUATION THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE PEOPLE LIVING IN DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS THAT NOBODY IN JEFFERSON PARISH SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO.
I KNOW THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX ISN'T ALONE.
THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS PARISH WHO LIVE IN SIMILAR CONDITIONS, AND LET THIS BE NOTICE TO OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS AS WELL IN THIS PARISH, WHETHER THEY'RE CORPORATIONS, OR WHETHER THEY'RE INDIVIDUALS, OR WHOMEVER IT MAY BE, LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY CAN'T GET AWAY WITH THIS IN THIS PARISH.
I THINK THIS IS ON THE BEST SIDE, ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I'VE SEEN BROUGHT BEFORE THIS COUNCIL.
I COMMEND YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU PUT INTO THIS AND GETTING THIS IN FRONT OF US AND PUTTING AN END TO WHAT'S GOING ON AT THAT COMPLEX.
THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? LET'S OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM 26264.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> DRIVE FIFTH DISTRICT KENNER, FOURTH DISTRICT KENNER INCORPORATED JEFFERSON, 52 YEARS.
OF COURSE, THEY'RE NOT WORRIED, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, THEY'RE CONNECTED.
WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHERE THE CONNECTIONS ARE AT HUD.
I'VE BEEN CALLING FOR HUD TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.
HUD IS THE PROBLEM, AS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM WITH EVERY HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENCY IN THIS STATE, IN THIS AREA ANYWAY, AND THEY NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED.
THIS GUY HERE, THE ONLY CHARITY FOR HIM IS HIS POCKETBOOK.
NOT WORRYING ABOUT NONE OF THEM PEOPLE, HE ALREADY SHOWED THAT.
ANY TAXPAYER MONEY HE GOT FROM THE STATE, HE NEEDS TO PAY IT ALL BACK AND PUT OUT OF BUSINESS.
LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S A BUSINESS, WELL, HE NEEDS TO BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS.
HE SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO EVEN ASSOCIATE THE WORD CHARITY WITH SOMEBODY DESPICABLE AS HE IS.
ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? YOU CAN HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? [LAUGHTER] SORRY, I CAN KNOCK THAT STATIC OUT IF YOU WANT ME TO. THANK YOU.
I'M HERE BECAUSE I WORK WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED WITH SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THE BELLEMONT.
ACTUALLY, I THANK CHANNEL 8, BUT IT WAS BECAUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE JASON HUGHES WHO ACTUALLY GOT THE BALL ROLLING BECAUSE OF THE WILLOWS WHICH IS OWNED, I THINK, BY THE SAME GENTLEMAN THAT OWNS THE BELLEMONT.
I WENT ONLINE JUST TO SEE BECAUSE I'VE WORKED WITH THESE PEOPLE, AND THIS IS HOW IT'S ADVERTISED.
[01:40:02]
AIR CONDITION, CEILING FANS, OVERSIZED CLOSETS, DISHWASHERS, GARBAGE DISPOSAL, REFRIGERATOR, 24-HOUR EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE, BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED, ETC, WITH 33 AMENITIES.I WENT ON. I ALSO PRICED FOR A ONE BEDROOM, ONE BATH, $880 AND IT GOES UP TO A THREE BEDROOM, TWO-AND-A-HALF BATH FOR $1,250 A MONTH.
THE LEASE TERMS IS 6-12 MONTHS WITH 291 UNITS.
THERE ARE ALSO FEES ATTACHED WITH THIS, SUCH AS ADMINISTRATION AND APPLICATION FEES, AND THEY TAG POOL AND PROPERTY MANAGER ON SITE, ETC.
NOW, HERE ARE SOME OF THE ACTUAL REVIEWS OF SOME OF THE TENANTS.
BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE AND HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT MY WATER AND AC, MANAGEMENT IS POOR AND THE FACILITY IS ALWAYS DIRTY.
I WANT TO JUST MENTION ON THE CHILD THAT DIED IN 2019.
BECAUSE THERE WERE PEOPLE ASKING FOR MONEY FOR HELP, I WENT TO MANAGEMENT THREE TIMES TO TRY TO FIND OUT IF THESE PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIVED IN THE APARTMENT.
MANAGEMENT WAS NEVER AVAILABLE.
THE RATS AND MICE ARE BAD. BUT WE KNOW THAT.
HERE'S ANOTHER ONE, MY TOILET AND SINK WAS BACKED UP FOR WEEKS, AND THE SMELL WAS HORRIBLE.
I HAD TO LIVE WITH MY MOM UNTIL THEY DECIDED TO COME FIX THINGS.
I'M BEGGING YOU, DON'T LIVE HERE.
BIG RATS, FLEAS, ROACHES, MOLD.
MY BOYFRIEND AND I MOVED IN, AND WE ARE STILL WAITING TO GET OUT.
THEY WANT $1,000 TO BREAK THE LEASE.
I AGREE WITH YOU, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, THAT THERE IS CRIME THERE, BUT THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF HARDWORKING PEOPLE.
ACTUALLY, I HAD A LADY WHO WALKED FROM THE BELLEMONT APARTMENTS TO EAST JEFFERSON HOSPITAL EVERY DAY.
WHEN WE COULD, WE WOULD GIVE HER A RIDE.
I'M ASKING PLEASE, REPRESENTATIVE JASON HUGHES HAS GOTTEN THE BALL ROLLING AND THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, YOU HAVE PICKED UP THE BALL FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
JOIN HER IN GETTING THESE PEOPLE HELP. THANK YOU.
>> MISS JACKIE, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OUTREACH THAT YOU DO IN THAT COMMUNITY.
I KNOW IT'S A SCARY SITUATION YOU PUT YOURSELF INTO EVERY WEEK TO SERVICE THAT APARTMENT COMPLEX AND DELIVERING MEALS, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] 5090 BOULEVARD, JUST TRYING TO SPARK SOME CURIOSITY THE WAY WE GO. HOW MUCH TIME I GOT?
>> THERE'S 10 MINUTES LEFT FOR IN FAVOR.
YOU DON'T NEED TO TAKE IT ALL THOUGH.
>> NO, I CAN'T. IF EVER YOU'RE GOING TO REVOKE A TAX EXEMPTION YOU CAN GUARANTEE I'M GOING TO STAND UP HERE IN FAVOR OF IT, ABOUT THEM RULES ABOUT THIS MONOPOLY GAME THAT I'M ALWAYS STANDING UP FOR, AND SO WHEN YOU DO THIS, IT'S IMPORTANT.
THIS IS A REALLY BIG ONE TOO BECAUSE THIS SPEAKS TO NOT JUST THE FUNDAMENTAL RULES WHERE PROPERTY TAXES, WHICH ARE DIRECT TAX, ARE OBLIGED TO BE APPORTIONED AS IS THE REPRESENTATIVE BODY THAT WOULD IMPOSE LEVY OR COLLECT THEM.
OF COURSE, WE CAN'T APPORTION THIS BODY.
YOU CAN'T DO IT BECAUSE WE HAVE AT LARGE MEMBERS WHICH ARE SENATORS.
THEY REPRESENT THE WHOLE BODY.
ANYTIME WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES, YOU KNOW I GOT TO GET UP AND REMIND EVERYBODY ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL RULES THAT MONOPOLY GAME.
THE LID, WHAT IT SAYS, GO ROUND, PASS, GO, YOU GET $200.
IF YOU LOST THE LEAGUE, YOU MIGHT MAKE UP ANY KIND OF RULES THAT YOU SEE FIT TO.
EVEN THOUGH THERE'S AN ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE IN THAT FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.
NEVER MIND THAT 27TH AMENDMENT.
THANK YOU, MR. JAMES, BECAUSE WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT ONE LATER.
[NOISE] WITH THIS ONE, THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE, THAT'S WHERE WE END UP IN THIS SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE TO LIKE QUESTION THIS TRESPASS OF OUR FAITH WITH OUR TAXATION.
WHEN IT GETS TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE READY TO REVOKE AN EXEMPTION ON A RELIGIOUS,
[01:45:07]
AN ORGANIZATION OF FAITH.TO ME I THINK THE ENLIGHTENMENT AGE, WE MIGHT BE COMING RIGHT UPON ANOTHER RE-ENLIGHTENMENT AGE RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW.
BECAUSE RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE SITTING HERE DEALING WITH SOMETHING THAT IS SO CONTROVERSIAL AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY REALIZES IT.
THE REASON WHY THAT ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE IS DESPITE ALL OF MY TERRIFIED LIBERAL FRIENDS, IT WASN'T TO KEEP FAITH FROM OUR GOVERNMENT.
NO. WE INVOKE GOD HERE HAPPILY, AND AS A MAN OF RENEWED FAITH, I'M THRILLED TO SEE IT DONE FOR REAL.
BUT THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE WASN'T THERE TO PROTECT GOVERNMENT FROM FAITH.
IT IS TO PROTECT OUR FAITH FROM THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT.
BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FAITH CAPTURES THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT IS THAT IT MIGHT JUST EXEMPT ITSELF FROM TAXATION.
THEN ANY FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION WHATSOEVER THAT CAN DEFINE ITSELF AS SUCH CAN STEAL AND THIEVE FROM THE TAXPAYER IN THE NAME OF GOD.
WE AIN'T HAVING NONE OF THAT NOW, ARE WE? WE AIN'T HAVING NONE OF THAT.
BUT REALIZE THIS, YOU REVOKE THIS ONE, ANYBODY CAN REVOKE ANYBODY'S TAX EXEMPTION.
IF YOU THINK THAT POWER IS GOING TO GET WIELDED IN SOME EGALITARIAN MANNER, YOU DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE THEIR TAX EXEMPT STATUS TAKEN FROM THEM ARBITRARILY, ESPECIALLY IN THE MOST RURAL OF PARISHES, WHERE THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT PEOPLE DISPROPORTIONATELY.
THOSE WHO HOLD POWER IN THE MOST RURAL PARISHES HAVE NO FEAR OF THIS WHATSOEVER, BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS EACH OTHER IN MAYBERRY.
IT'S HERE IN THE BIGGEST OF PARISHES WHERE WE'RE DISENFRANCHISED, WHERE THIS IS GOING TO BE WIELDED IN A MANNER THAT WE EXPECTED TO.
THE RULES MATTER TO THIS MONOPOLY GAME.
TAXATION REPRESENTATION IS TO BE APPORTIONED.
EVERY EXEMPTION INFRINGES ON THIS AND RAISES TAXATION ARBITRARILY UPON THE WHOLE.
IF WE'RE NOT APPORTIONED, IF WE CAN'T APPORTION POWER, HOW CAN I EXPECT YOU TO APPORTION THE TAXATION? IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THESE TWO RULES, THIS FUNDAMENTAL RULE AND HOW IT APPLIES, IT MAKES IT SO THAT WE HAVE TO PAY THE COST TO BE THE BOSS SO THAT I CAN BE SURE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO EXERCISE FRUGALITY.
BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT.
THIS INSTITUTION HERE, THE BELLEMONT, PAYING FOR NOTHING.
THEY'RE STEALING ALL THAT MONEY FROM ALL OF US, AREN'T THEY? IN THE NAME OF GOD.
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.
THAT'S THE FUNDAMENTAL STUFF HERE.
IF WE UNDERSTOOD APPORTIONMENT, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE BELLEMONT.
BELLEMONT WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD THIS LITTLE PILE FULL OF CHEESE TO COME AFTER.
PERHAPS WE SHOULD START THINKING ABOUT FINDING THE LID TO THE MONOPOLY BOX.
GET YOURSELVES CURIOUS ABOUT IT AND I WON'T HAVE TO SPEND 10 MINUTES TALKING ABOUT IT. FIGURE IT OUT.
>> YOU WERE IN FAVOR, RIGHT? OKAY. MONOPOLY USED TO BE MY FAVORITE GAME.
YES, SIR. GO AHEAD. YOU'RE SPEAKING IN FAVOR?
>> IN FAVOR. I WILL TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN BEHALF.
WITH ALL SINCERITY, I MUST CALL EML OR THE [INAUDIBLE].
>> JUST KEEP THE MIC CLOSER, YOU'RE WAIVING IT AS YOU SPEAK.
>> IF IT IS THEIR MISSION STATEMENT, I'M NOT PRIVY TO THE MISSION STATEMENT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT SAYS.
BUT HOWEVER, IF YOU WANT TO BE BENEVOLENT AND HAVE A PHILANTHROPIST ATTITUDE, YOU SHOULD ALSO NOT TRUMP THE RIGHTS AND THE FAIRNESS OF THE DECENT RIGHTS OF THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE.
I'M ONE WHO'S BEEN A PART OF THE DEPARTMENT SINCE 2010.
I'VE SEEN A STEADY DECLINE IN MAINTENANCE.
I'VE SEEN GARBAGE NOT BEING PICKED UP FOR A WEEK.
I'VE SEEN THE GRASS NOT BEING CUT FOR WEEKS.
IT'S THOSE THINGS, AND I'M ASHAMED TO TELL PEOPLE WHERE I LIVE, I'VE BEEN ASHAMED TO EVEN HAVE VISITORS TO COME OVER AND SEE ME.
NOW, AS FAR AS FAIRNESS AND EQUITY, A PRIMARY CONSIDERATION MUST BE ABOUT LEGALITY TOO.
I'VE WITNESSED THE OWNERSHIP AND THE THREE MANAGEMENT CHANGES OR VICE VERSA IN THE PAST YEARS.
HOWEVER, THERE'S NO QUESTION INTO THE DECLINE OF THE MAINTENANCE.
[01:50:04]
NOW, RIGHT AFTER GMF ASSUMED MANAGEMENT, SEVEN OF THE MAINTENANCE WORKERS QUIT.THE NEXT DAY, ONE OF THE LOAN WORKER WHO WAS ASSIGNED TO DO SOMETHING TO MY APARTMENT QUIT HIMSELF. THEY WALKED OFF.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE [NOISE] MANAGERS IN SIX MONTHS TIME, WE HAD THREE MANAGERS COME THERE.
I'VE COMPLAINED, I MADE STATEMENTS.
PREVIOUS ATTORNEY GENERAL, BUDDY CARDWELL, HE NEVER SAID ANYTHING, WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING.
UPON THE ELECTION OF JEFF LANDRY, I WALKED IN THE MAINTENANCE OFF ON THE MANAGEMENT OFFICE ONE DAY AND THE LADY SAID, MR. GREEN, YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE A LONG TIME.
I SAID, SO WHY DO YOU SAY THAT? SAID, I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, JEFF LANDRY.
HE TOLD ME THAT ALL HE COULD DO OVER IS ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT I HAVE TOLD HIM, TELL THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND HOPE THEY WOULD DO IT BUT HE HAS NO AUTHORITY TO DO ANYTHING.
WELL, WHEN YOU TALK TO THE FIRST COMPANY THAT BANISHED IT WHEN I FIRST MOVED IN OUT OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, AND I'M ASHAMED TO SAY THE COMPANY THAT'S MANAGED IT NOW IS FROM MY HOMETOWN, CORDOVA, TENNESSEE.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, AND I'M JUST EMBARRASSED TO KNOW THAT THEY WANT TO TREAT ME.
I WENT HOME TO VISIT MY MOTHER AND TRIED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE THE PEOPLE TO TALK TO THEM, AND THEY NEVER RESPONDED.
THEN THEY WOULDN'T ANSWER THE PHONE IN THE FIRST PLACE, YOU CAN'T CALL THEM ON THE PHONE.
YOU HAVE TO LEAVE A VOICE MESSAGE, NOBODY WILL TALK TO YOU.
THE THINGS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH STAYING THERE.
ONE DAY, WHAT WAS ATTRACTIVE TO BE IN MOVING THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE, NICE APARTMENT, THEY HAD SWIMMING POOLS.
THEN AFTER A YEAR OR SO OF STAYING THERE, I'LL COME IN FROM WORK ONE DAY AND THEY FILLED THE SWIMMING POOL UP WITH THE SAND.
YET THEY CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE RENT.
YET OVER THE YEARS FROM 2010, THEY'VE GONE UP ON THE RENT AND THE MAINTENANCE HAS DECLINED.
WHEN THIS PRESENT MANAGER CAME IN IN 2018 AND SHE INFORMED ME THAT I WAS NO LONGER GOING TO RECEIVE CONCESSIONS FOR LACK OF AIR CONDITIONING, THE AC HADN'T WORKED IN OVER A YEAR SO THEY GAVE ME A CONCESSION.
SHE SAYS YOU'RE NOT GETTING IT ANYMORE.
>> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE LEFT, SIR.
>> WE'RE GOING UP ON THE RENT AND I'M NOT SAYING, WHY ARE YOU GOING UP ON THE RENT? YOU'RE NOT FIXING PROBLEMS THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW.
WELL, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO.
WELL, THE IMPLICATION WAS, IN ALL HONESTLY, I FELT IT WAS SAYING, YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE, MOVE AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.
THE PROBLEMS LIKE THE WASHING MACHINES HADN'T WORKED.
THE DRYERS, THEY DON'T TRY TO FIX IT.
I COMPLAIN ABOUT MY CLOTHES DON'T BEING CLEANED BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF HOT WATER.
THEY PUT IT ON THE MACHINE COMPANY TO THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE WASHING MACHINES.
WHEN THE TECHNICIAN CAME OUT HERE BECAUSE I COMPLAINED TO THEM, NATURALLY.
>> THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT THEM, THAT WAS HOT WATER.
WHAT I'M ASKING THIS COUNSEL TO DO, MAYBE THE TAX EXEMPT STATUS MAYBE WOULD MAKE THEM CORRECT THEIR WRONGS.
BUT I THINK WHAT'S REALLY NEEDED IS A REGULATORY BOARD THAT CAN FORCE APARTMENT OWNERS TO TREAT THE CITIZENS RIGHT AND TO DO THE PROPER THING.
WHEN REPAIR NEEDS TO BE MADE, I THINK THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO IT AND THEN SOMEBODY HAS TO ASSUME THAT RESPONSIBILITY.
>> THANK YOU, THAT'S YOUR TIME.
>> BEFORE I FORGET, I'M HOOVER GREEN, I'M IN THE APARTMENT.
>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU THAT NEXT.
>> SIR, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED.
JUST SO YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE FIRST STEP AND YOU'RE RIGHT, THEY'VE IGNORED YOU, THEY'VE IGNORED US.
WE'RE HOPING THAT THEY WON'T IGNORE THE FACT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOSING A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY BY IGNORING US.
IT MIGHT BE DEATH BY 1,000 CUTS BUT WE'RE NOT LETTING THEM GO.
I APOLOGIZE THAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED THAT, ESPECIALLY FOR HOW LONG YOU'VE EXPERIENCED IT, BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY. YES, SIR.
>> IS THERE ANYONE HERE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT FOUR APPEARED IN FAVOR.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN HAS A COMMENT BEFORE WE MOVE BACK TO COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.
>> I WANTED TO USE THIS OCCASION BECAUSE WE HAVE AN EXTREMELY GOOD LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION IN BATON ROUGE.
THAT'S WHERE THIS ISSUE FIRST CAME UP AND THE LEGISLATURE WAS ABLE TO GIVE US SOME MORE POWER AT
[01:55:01]
THE LOCAL LEVEL TO PULL BACK TAX EXEMPTIONS FROM ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THIS SO WORKING TOGETHER, BOTH OUR DELEGATION IN BATON ROUGE AND COUNCIL.ON THE AGENDA TODAY TOO, WE HAVE ANOTHER ITEM, 53, THAT COUNCILMAN BONANO PUT ON OUR AGENDA.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE BECAUSE OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION IS ASKING FOR MORE POWER AT THE LOCAL LEVEL TO RAISE OUR FINES.
IN A LOT OF SITUATIONS, EVEN WHEN WE HAVE DEPLORABLE SITUATIONS, WE CAN ONLY FIND $500.
WHEN YOU'RE A MEGA CORPORATION, THAT'S NOTHING, AND IT HASN'T LED TO CHANGE.
WE'RE ASKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL THIS YEAR ALSO TO BE ABLE TO INCREASE OUR FINES SO THAT WE TRULY CAN GET AT THE POCKETBOOK OF BAD ACTORS.
I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT ONE TO NOTE.
THAT'LL HELP US AND GIVE US MORE AMMUNITION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AS WELL.
I THINK THAT'S ONE HOPEFULLY WE'LL PASS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS THAT GIVES US MORE POWER TO STOP THESE KINDS OF SITUATIONS.
>> ANYONE ELSE? COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.
>> LAST YEAR, THIS NONPROFIT MADE OVER $59,000,000 IN INCOME.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH PROPERTY IN REAL ESTATE THEY OWN.
IT'S GOT TO BE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS.
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, EVERYONE'S BEEN INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE AND PATIENT WITH THIS PROCESS WITH ME.
I THINK THAT THEY FEEL THAT IT'S INCUMBENT UPON ALL OF US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PROTECT CITIZENS, AND THEY'VE ABUSED OUR RESOURCES AND TODAY WE TAKE SOME OF OUR RESOURCES BACK.
I'D LIKE TO ASK EVERYBODY TO VOTE YES.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26264 ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDER. THANK YOU.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 18 IN THE OPERATING BUDGET WITH AMENDMENTS. PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26281, AMENDING THE 2024 OPERATING BUDGET AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ALLOCATE $350,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR A CEA WITH THE CITY OF GRETNA FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES AND EVENTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $200,000 FROM THE COUNCIL DISTRICT 5'S EAT FAT CITY ALLOCATION FOR THE ACTIVE CEA WITH METAIRIE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT REGARDING THE IMPROVEMENTS ON 17TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECOND UP BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDER.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26281.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE, COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED.
>> [INAUDIBLE] THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES THAT I'M OBLIGED TO, THAT I SWORE TO.
WE LACK FOR THE UNDERSTANDING, I GOT TO QUESTION THE ABILITY.
WE GOT TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE, WE GOT TO ENSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, PROVIDE FOR A COMMON DEFENSE, PROMOTE A GENERAL WELFARE, SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND TO OUR POSTERITY.
THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.
REALLY, IT'S ABOUT THE POSTERITY.
NONE OF YOU MATTER. EVERYBODY IN HERE IS TERM LIMITED.
BY THE TIME ANYBODY FIGURES OUT WHEN ANYBODY'S GUILTY OF, EVERYBODY HAS MOVED ON AND THERE'S NO THIRST FOR ANY PROSECUTION IN ANY OF OUR OTHER ELECTED BODIES.
FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERALS TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT NOBODY KNOWS WHO THEY'RE VOTING FOR, ANYWAY.
WHAT WAS THE TURNOUT, SATURDAY? ANYBODY KNOW? LIKE 20%? SOMETHING LIKE THAT? TWENTY FIVE IN THE BEST OF PLACES.
WE DON'T HAVE A GOVERNMENT OF THE MAJORITY, WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT OF THE MAJORITY THAT PARTICIPATE, AND IT SHOWS.
THERE'S ONLY ONE REPRESENTATIVE ON THIS COUNCIL THAT IS OBLIGED ONLY TO THE WEST BANK.
THE OTHER SIX OBLIGED TO THE EAST BANK, AT LEAST PARTIALLY.
WHY, IT'S A TAIL OF TWO CITIES.
IN EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT, I'VE WALKED IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE DISTRICTS.
THIS LITTLE CHERRY PICKING APPROPRIATIONS THROUGH YOUR BUDGETARY PROCESS, IT'S A JOKE.
I SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO COME UP HERE AND DO THIS.
IF IT WAS A REPRESENTATIVE BODY, ONE OF YOU WOULD BE DOING THIS ON MY BEHALF. IT'D BE THAT SIMPLE.
SOMEBODY WOULD CALL ME UP THE DAY BEFORE SAY, HEY, WHAT AM I GOING TO HAVE TO SAY ON YOUR BEHALF TODAY OR TOMORROW, FRANKIE? THAT WOULD HAPPEN AND I WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE HERE, YOU WOULDN'T SUFFER ME.
I'D BE DOING OTHER THINGS LIKE EVERY OTHER CITIZEN.
YOU'VE GOT TWO PEOPLE HERE LENDING ANY CREDIBILITY WHATSOEVER TO THIS ILLEGITIMATELY FORMED BODY,
[02:00:02]
AND YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN TAXATION, YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW YOU CONFORM TO THE CONSTITUTION, SO I HAVE TO KEEP GETTING UP HERE AND OPPOSING THIS.I OPPOSE THIS AS A JEFFERSONIAN REPUBLICAN, A REAL REPUBLICAN. FIGURE IT OUT.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26281, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THAT TAKES US TO THE CAPITAL BUDGET NUMBER 19, PLEASE, WITH AMENDMENTS.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26282, AMENDING THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ALLOCATE $100,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2S CDA GENERAL FUND FOR A CEA WITH THE CITY OF HARAHAN FOR THE HARAHAN GYM REPAIRS COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
ALLOCATE $200,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 CDIA GENERAL FUND FOR THE LITTLE FARMS TRAIN APP.
COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, TRANSFER $200,000 FROM THE COUNCIL DISTRICT 5'S EFAT CITY ALLOCATION FOR THE ACTIVE CEA WITH METAIRIE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT REGARDING THE IMPROVEMENTS ON 17TH STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
REDUCE THE AMOUNT TO BE RESCINDED FROM THE CEA WITH THE CITY OF HARAHAN FOR THE HARAHAN GYM REPAIRS FROM $200,000 TO $100,000 AT LARGE DIVISION A.
TRANSFER $100,000 FROM THE HARAHAN GYM REPAIR PROJECT TO AN ACCOUNT FOR THE LITTLE FARMS TRAIN APP AT LARGE DIVISION A, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
NOW THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26282.
ANYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED? RICK HIRES RISING IN OPPOSITION AGAIN.
THIS ONE I CAN OPPOSE ON ALL KINDS OF GROUNDS, VERY GERMANE TO SPECIFICALLY WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO MIXING ALL THIS MONEY FROM HARAHAN GYM.
IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A HARAHAN GYM IS GETTING CHEATED AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY WITH THE INFLUENCE THAT ALL THE MUNICIPALITIES HAVE UPON THIS BODY DISPROPORTIONATELY, BECAUSE IT'S NOT AN APPORTIONED BODY.
WITH SIX MUNICIPALITIES WIELDING A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF STRENGTH, POWER, AND AN EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE.
I DON'T CARE. I'M DISAPPOINTED SOMETIMES IN HOW LITTLE YOU GET AWAY WITH.
THEY GOT A BUDGET ALMOST TWICE OURS.
COME ON, YOU CAN'T GET A LITTLE BIT MORE OUT OF THE TAXPAYER.
THIS IS SILLY. 100,000 HERE, 100,000 THERE, TRAINING APP HERE, GYM IMPROVEMENTS THERE, ROME'S BURNING. FIGURE IT OUT.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26282 ON A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 20 IN RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL, MADAM CLERK.>> I HAVE ONE. IF YOU COULD READ IT.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MUNHOLLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO PLACE TEMPORARY SIGNS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO ADVERTISE THEIR EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE ON SUNDAY, MARCH 31ST, 2024 AT BAYOU METAIRIE PARK AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
>> THAT'S THE ONE ON METAIRIE ROAD?
>> WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD, MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
ANY OBJECTION TO YOUR MOTION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION REAPPOINTING MR. RALPH. C. COX JR. TO THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS EXPRESSWAY COMMISSION REPRESENTING JEFFERSON PARISH.
>> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR.
HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED.
COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> I HAVE ONE, MADAM CLERK, IF YOU'D READ IT, PLEASE.
>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO LDT GROUP, LLC TO CONDUCT THEIR CONNECT INTERNATIONAL CHURCH NOLA PICNIC ON SATURDAY, APRIL 6,
[02:05:07]
2024, AT 1006 BERMAN HIGHWAY TERRYTOWN FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.>> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTES 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.
>> I BELIEVE I HAVE ONE. WILL YOU READ THE POST?
>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION TO THE LOCATION AND USE OF A SNOWBALL STAND AT 922 BROWN AVENUE FROM MAY 1ST, 2024 TO OCTOBER 31ST, 2024.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> ANY OBJECT TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO JEDCO TO CONDUCT THE PROSPER JEFFERSON WOMEN IN BUSINESS EVENT ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27TH, 2024 FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M. IN THE JEDCO CONFERENCE CENTER PARKING AREA AT 701A CHURCHILL PARKWAY TO HAVE DJ AMPLIFIED MUSIC, SALE OF BEVERAGES AND FOOD, AND TO HAVE FOOD TRUCKS PROVIDED THAT ALL PERMITS ARE OBTAINED.
>> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> YOU SAID COUNCIL BOHANNAN, DID I MISSED THAT? OKAY. SORRY. I FELL ASLEEP FOR A MINUTE.
IS EVERYBODY HERE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION?
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
MADAM PARISH ATTORNEY? IS EVERYBODY HERE? I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE BIT EARLY. THIS IS PROBABLY A GOOD TIME.>> OKAY. WELL, WHY DON'T WE GO BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS AND TAKE OUR PAUSE A LITTLE BIT BEFORE NOON.
THAT IS ITEM 7 AND 8. PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A WORKER'S COMPENSATION CLAIM FOR RELINE ALLEN CCMSI CLAIM NUMBER 15C99G535737 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS RELATED TO JEFFERSON PARISH'S HURRICANE IDA INSURANCE CLAIM AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, WE'RE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> HI, EVERYBODY. WE'LL GET STARTED AGAIN.
DO YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR SEATS? >. RESOLUTION WILL COME TO ORDER.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. THAT'S COMING. THERE YOU GO. HIT YOUR BUTTON.
>> GOT IT. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIM FOR RELINE ALLEN CCMSI CLAIM NUMBER 15C99G535737 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A CLAIM RELATED TO JEFFERSON PARISH HURRICANE IDA INSURANCE CLAIM AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
WE LEFT OFF AT CONSENT AGENDA 1,
[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]
AND COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE GLOBAL ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 21 THROUGH 51.>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE GLOBAL ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 21 THROUGH 51, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 52 AND CONSENT AGENDA 2. HANG ON.
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO]
HAVE A LOT OF NUMBERS HERE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN,[02:10:02]
YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE GLOBAL ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 52 THROUGH 119 MINUS 54 AND 55 WHICH ARE SELECTIONS, ITEMS 118 AND 119 WHICH WILL BE AMENDED, AND 103 WHICH WILL DEFER TO 417.>> I BELIEVE 104 MAY NEED AMENDMENT AS WELL.
>> NO, THAT ONE'S NOT GOING TO BE.
>> THAT'S ALL OF IT. YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE GLOBAL ADOPTION OF ITEMS 52 THROUGH 119 MINUS 54 AND 55, WHICH ARE SELECTIONS, ITEM 103, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO 417 AND 118 AND 119, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN [PHONETIC], SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THAT TAKES US NOW TO ITEM 54, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 139 780, ADOPTED JUNE 15TH, 2022 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SEWAGE PROJECTS, W=WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES FOR 6801, VETERANS LIFT STATION IMPROVEMENTS, D6-6 SCIP PROJECT NUMBER D55 129 COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.
>> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN [PHONETIC], YOUR SELECTION.
HANG ON, LET ME GET YOUR MIC. GO AHEAD, TRY AGAIN.
>> T. BAKER SMITH LLC IS THE PRIME AND TERRACON CONSULTANTS IS THE SUB FOR GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES IF NEEDED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF T. BAKER SMITH AS THE PRIME AND TERRACON AS THE GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES IF NEEDED? MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING THE FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS TO PROVIDE ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SEWER PROJECTS FOR A FEE OF $500,000 OR LESS PER ASSIGNMENT, EXCLUDING ANY FEE FOR RESIDENT INSPECTION SERVICES.
SERVICES ARE REQUIRED TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE GREASE TRAP TO INCLUDE SEWER LINE AND MANHOLE REPAIRS AT THE RIVARDE JUVENILE DETENTION HOME LOCATED AT 1546 GRETNA BOULEVARD, HARVEY, LOUISIANA FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR SELECTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF GEC ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 118 WITH AMENDMENTS.
>> APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND TEEN TIME ETIQUETTE FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE ITS SUMMER CAMP AND JEFFERSON PARISH YOUTH HALL OF FAME PROGRAM AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 FROM THE APPROPRIATION IN ACT 397 OF THE 2023 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATOR FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, SENIOR, AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS. THERE ARE NO DIRECT COSTS TO THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AGREEMENT, AND THE AMENDMENT IS TO ATTACH THE AGREEMENT.
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
NOW 119 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND ST. JOSEPH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF MARRERO TO PROVIDE A FOOD BANK FOR CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH THAT ARE IN NEED FOR THE APPROPRIATION IN ACT 397 OF THE 2023 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, SENIOR, AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS. THERE ARE NO DIRECT COSTS TO THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AGREEMENT, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE, IN SECTION 1, TO ADD AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $5,000. THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS TO BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ITEM 120 IN THE ADDENDUM AGENDA NOW.
[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS]
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE GLOBAL ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA.ITEMS 1 THROUGH 25 MINUS NUMBER 19, WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED, AND 22 AND 23, WHICH WILL PULL FOR DISCUSSION.
>> YEAH, THE TWO RECYCLING ONES.
>> WAS THAT RIGHT ONES. REPEATING NOW, THE GLOBAL ADOPTION OF ITEMS 1 THROUGH 25 MINUS 19,
[02:15:01]
WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED AND 22 AND 23, THE RECYCLING ITEMS THAT WE'LL PULL FOR DISCUSSION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.THAT TAKES US TO NUMBER 19 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, PLEASE, WITH AMENDMENTS.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE CITY OF GRETNA TO PROVIDE $350,000 FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES AND EVENTS.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE IN SECTION 2 FOR THE ACCOUNT NUMBER TO READ 22020-2751-768016020251000, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS TO BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, THAT TAKES US TO ITEMS 22 AND 23, WHICH ARE BOTH THE RECYCLING ITEMS. I BELIEVE WE CAN SPEAK AHEAD OF THOSE, I GUESS, AND JUST TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS IS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN AND I HAVE WORKED ON AND OTHERS HAVE WORKED ON AS WELL.
THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BY THE COUNCIL.
SINCE THE CONTRACT WAS VOTED DOWN FOR RECYCLING IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WE'VE SEARCHED FOR ADDITIONAL OPTIONS.
I'VE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, BUT WE CERTAINLY DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE MISCONSTRUED AS A VOTE AGAINST RECYCLING BECAUSE I THINK ALL OF US UP HERE BELIEVE IN RECYCLING, EVEN THE ONES WHO VOTED AGAINST IT, BUT THIS IS FINDING BETTER SOLUTIONS FOR OUR FUTURE.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.
THERE'S STILL MORE TO BE DONE, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TO GIVE PEOPLE OPTIONS.
I'LL LET COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN ELABORATE ON WHAT THOSE OPTIONS ARE, BUT THIS IS THE RESULT OF A LOT OF WORK.
IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A LOT OF WORK ON THE SURFACE WHEN YOU SEE WHAT THIS IS, BUT IT HAS BEEN THE RESULT OF A LOT OF WORK BY A LOT OF PEOPLE.
AND LIKE I SAID, THERE'S MORE WORK TO BE DONE.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP. HERE WE GO.
>> WE WANT TO THANK KATHERINE COSTANZA [PHONETIC] ALSO, WHO'S THE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT FOR WORKING WITH US ON THIS ISSUE.
STARTING APRIL 13TH, THAT'S AN UPCOMING SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH, WE'RE GOING TO OPEN DROP-OFF LOCATIONS FOR RECYCLING, ONE ON THE WEST BANK AT LAPALCO, ONE ON THE EAST BANK AT DAVID DRIVE.
THE HOURS WILL BE 10:00-2:00 AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO BRING, FOR THE FIRST TIME, GLASS SO YOU CAN RECYCLE GLASS, CARDBOARD, PLASTIC, AND METAL, ALUMINUM CANS, TIN CANS, COKE BOTTLES, THINGS LIKE THAT.
BETWEEN 10:00 AND 2:00 YOU JUST BRING YOUR THINGS TO THE LAPALCO DROP OFF OR THE DAVID DRIVE DROP OFF AND THEN THOSE ITEMS WILL BE RECYCLED.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY FREE TO RESIDENTS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, INCLUDING IN THE MUNICIPALITY.
I KNOW I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT [INAUDIBLE] THEY NO LONGER HAVE THEIR OWN RECYCLING.
IT'S TO ALLOW YOU TO BRING THOSE THINGS.
THEN REALCYCLE IS ONE COMPANY IN THE RECYCLING BUSINESS, GLASS HALF FULL IS ANOTHER IN THE RECYCLING BUSINESS.
THEY ARE GOING TO EACH TAKE A SITE AND OFFER RECYCLING TO OUR RESIDENTS AGAIN.
I'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, I FEEL GUILTY ABOUT THROWING MY STUFF AWAY WHEN THEY WERE USED TO PUTTING IT IN A RECYCLING BIN.
SO THIS IS TO GIVE AN OPTION FOR RECYCLING AGAIN WHILE WE LOOK FOR A PERMANENT OPTION TO BRING BACK CURBSIDE RECYCLING TO JEFFERSON RESIDENTS AS WELL.
>> FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, BOTH OF THESE OPERATIONS CURRENTLY OFFER CURBSIDE SERVICE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN IT.
IT'S AVAILABLE, IT'S IN JEFFERSON PARISH, SO YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT IF YOU'D LIKE TO.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE DOWN THE ROAD ON A BIGGER SCALE AND A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE SCALE WHEN WE CAN DO THAT.
GO AHEAD AND READ ITEM 22 AND THEN WE'LL DO THOSE INDIVIDUALLY,22 AND 23, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH REALCYCLE L3C TO PROVIDE FOR A TEMPORARY RECYCLING PILOT PROGRAM TO OFFER RESIDENTS A WEEKLY DROP OFF AT THE JEFFERSON PARISH TRASH DROP-OFF SITES LOCATED AT 400 DAVID DRIVE, METAIRIE, AND 6440 LAPALCO BOULEVARD, MARRERO, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $14,999.99 FOR A PERIOD OF 24 WEEKS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH GLASS HALF FULL INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY RECYCLING PILOT PROGRAM TO OFFER RESIDENTS A WEEKLY DROP OFF AT THE JEFFERSON PARISH TRASH DROP-OFF SITES LOCATED AT 400 DAVID DRIVE,
[02:20:03]
METAIRIE, AND 6440 LAPALCO BOULEVARD, MARRERO, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $14,999.99 FOR A PERIOD OF 24 WEEKS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
NOW LET'S JUMP BACK REAL QUICK BECAUSE THERE'S ONE MORE WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT WAS TAKEN IN GLOBO.
I NEED TO REREAD THAT SO WE CAN TAKE.
ITEM NUMBER 24 TO DISCUSS THAT AS WELL.
>> TWENTY-FOUR AND 25, MY APOLOGIES.
WE'LL DO THIS IN GLOBO AGAIN, ADDING THOSE TWO ITEMS. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 1 THROUGH 25 MINUS 19, WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED MINUS 22 AND 23 AND 24 AND 25, WHICH WILL BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER?
>> HEARING NO OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
THEN WE GO BACK INTO THE ADDENDUM AGENDA TO ITEM NUMBER 24, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND DELTA PERSONNEL INCORPORATED, FOR A TWO-YEAR STAFFING PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $1,600,000 PER YEAR AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> I'LL LEAVE THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMAN LEE. GO AHEAD, HIT YOUR BUTTON.
>> I'M I MUTED? NOW IT'S WORKING AGAIN.
WHO DO WE HAVE WHO CAN SPEAK ON THIS MATTER? MY QUESTION IS, WHAT IS THE IMPETUS FOR BOTH OF THESE, NUMBER 24 AND NUMBER 25?
>> FULFILL THE STAFFING SHORTAGES WE CURRENTLY HAVE FOR THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS SPECIALIST?
I MEAN, IN TERMS OF STAFF SHORTAGES AND WHAT HAS BEEN THE CHALLENGE.
TO ME, THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT ALSO MAY WANT TO COME UP TO TALK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE HAD OR NOT.
IN TERMS OF FILLING THESE POSITIONS.
>> AFTER HURRICANE IDA, WE JUST HAVEN'T HAD THE AVAILABLE, I GUESS, CANDIDATES TO BE ABLE TO INTERVIEW TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS.
WE STRUGGLED WITH KEEPING THOSE POSITIONS FILLED.
WE WANT TO HAVE 24 TOTAL EMPLOYEES TO STAFF THAT.
THE CALL CENTER, I GUESS OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE'VE ONLY HAD EIGHT EMPLOYEES TO COVER ON AND OFF.
DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, WE WENT INTO THIS AGREEMENT TO TRY TO SEE IF WE CAN GET A AS NEEDED CONTRACT TO BRING US TO FULL STAFF.
I MEAN, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SINCE WE'VE RAISED THE PAY ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WE'VE HIRED FIVE.
IN THIS PAST WEEK, WE'VE INTERVIEWED FIVE MORE.
>> WHEN I LOOKED AT THE WHAT WAS BEING PROPOSED, I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS I WOULD SAY EXORBITANT IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT AND THE TERM OF THE PROPOSED CONTRACTS.
WITH THE FACT THAT YOU'VE HIRED FIVE AND THERE'S FIVE MORE WHO BEING INTERVIEWED, HOW MANY MORE WILL YOU NEED IF YOU ACCOMPLISH HIRING THE ADDITIONAL FIVE?
BUT THE REASON FOR THAT INCREASE WAS TO IF WE WERE TO IF WE WERE TO LOSE ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND WE WOULD NEED THE STAFFING AGENCY TO SUPPLY ALL 24, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE RATE IF WE WOULD NEED THEM FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR.
>> WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED IS ACTUALLY NOT WILL NOT BE THE REALITY.
IN TERMS OF THE FUNDING FOR EITHER ONE OF THESE AGENCIES TO SUPPLY PEOPLE TO US?
>> NO, SIR. THAT WAS JUST TO HAVE A CAP SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR IT AGAIN IF HAPPENED. ALL RIGHT.
>> YEAH. BUT WOULD THERE BE A PROBLEM WITH AMENDING TO A LOWER CAP BASED ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND THEN IF YOU NEED MORE AT THAT POINT YOU CAN COME BACK AND EVALUATE THINGS AT THAT POINT?
>> THAT'S WHAT YOU GUYS. YES, IF WE CAN DO THAT.
>> DOES THAT INHIBIT WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO IN ANY WAY AT ALL?
>> NO. I MEAN, WE JUST HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND SEE WHAT THAT CAP WOULD BE SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO COME BACK SOONER THAN LATER.
>> DOES ANYBODY HAVE A PROPOSED NUMBER FOR THE CAP THAT THEY'D LIKE TO SUGGEST?
>> LET ME ASK YOU GO AHEAD. LET ME ASK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO BEEF UP
[02:25:01]
THE CALL VOLUME BECAUSE WE'VE HEARD LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT.IF WE WERE TO LOWER THIS BECAUSE I DO THINK ONGOING COMMUNICATION IS GOING TO SERVE US ALL WELL IN THIS SCENARIO.
SO DO YOU INTEND TO REACH OUT TO BOTH OF THESE COMPANIES SIMULTANEOUSLY? OR ARE YOU USING ONE BECAUSE THAT MAY IMPACT, YOU KNOW WHAT WE GIVE YOU.
IF IT'S 500,000 EACH COMPANY, DOES THAT ALLOW YOU ENOUGH TO GET OUT AND START HIRING SOME TEMPORARY PEOPLE IN ADDITION TO THE LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES?
>> YES. WE PLAN ON TALKING TO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME AND PULLING THEM AS WE NEEDED.
>> I MEAN, THAT WOULD BE $1 MILLION IF WE DO 500,000 FOR EACH OF THESE LABOR STAFFING AGENCIES.
THEN THAT WOULD GIVE US A TALKING POINT.
IF FOR SOME REASON YOU'RE BUMPING UP AGAINST THAT CAP.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SUGGEST THAT MAYBE IF YOU WENT 800,000 WITH EACH COMPANY BECAUSE WHAT COULD HAPPEN POTENTIALLY IS ONE OF THE CONTRACTS MIGHT FALL THROUGH.
IF THAT HAPPENS, I HAVE A LITTLE MORE THAN 500,000 TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WHOLE.
BUT THAT'S CUTTING EACH 1.5 WHICH, YOU KNOW, IS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR US TO COVER WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
>> WOULD YOU BE OKAY IF WE DID IT FOR ONE YEAR?
>> YES, IT IS. IT'S CURRENTLY ONE YEAR.
YEAH. THAT 800,000 CAP ON EACH ONE FOR ONE YEAR WOULD BE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT, I BELIEVE.
IN CASE ONE CONTRACT, WE HAVE ISSUES WITH ONE OF THE FIRMS GOING FORWARD AND WE HAVE TO RELY ON JUST ONE CONTRACT.
>> IT SAYS TWO IN THE RESOLUTION.
>> THE RESOLUTION SAYS A TWO-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM.
>> WELL, I THINK IT'S JUST BETTER FOR US TO IT GIVES THE STAFFING COMPANIES THAT KNOWLEDGE THAT, HEY, WE'RE LOOKING AT TWO YEARS FOR THAT CONTRACT.
I DON'T LIKE AT, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO HIRE PEOPLE IF WE NEED THEM, SO I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG.
>> PARISH ATTORNEY WANTS TO CHIME IN FOR A MOMENT.
>> MARK JUST SAID WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY, WHICH IS IT'S AN AS NEEDED CONTRACT.
SO IT'S QUITE POSSIBLE WE DON'T GET ANYWHERE NEAR THE CAP IF WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE WORKING FOR US AND IT STRUCTURED SUCH THAT AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PRESENTLY WORKING FOR THOSE TEMP AGENCIES WOULD BECOME OUR EMPLOYEES.
THE CAP IS HIGH, BUT WE MAY NEVER GET ANYWHERE NEAR THAT CAP.
IT WAS MORE OF AN INTERNAL FUNCTION.
IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO NUMBER.
>> ATTORNEY IS THERE A FEE IF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE WHO WOULD BE TEMPS BECOME PARISH EMPLOYEES? OFTENTIMES, THAT HAPPENS WHEN STAFFING AGENCIES LOSE EMPLOYEES TO EMPLOYERS.
>>WITHIN A PERIOD OF TIME, THEY HAD TO FIND COMPANIES THAT WERE WILLING TO ALLOW THEIR EMPLOYEES TO COME EVENTUALLY WORK FOR THE PARISH AND THE PROVISIONS IN BOTH OF THE CONTRACTS, THEY ARE DIFFERENT HOURS.
I BELIEVE FOR DELTA, AFTER 520 HOURS, THEIR EMPLOYEES CAN COME TO WORK FOR THE PARISH PENALTY-FREE.
THEN I BELIEVE FOR THE OTHER ONE, WHICH WAS LABOR STAFFING, THAT WAS A 1,000-HOUR CONTRACT AND SO THEY HAVE TO DO, I BELIEVE, 480 HOURS AND THEN AFTER THAT, THERE'S AN EQUATION THAT WOULD DEFINE HOW MUCH OF A PENALTY WE PAID.
>> IF I COULD AGAIN, COUNCILMAN, THE REASON FOR THIS, WE'VE TRIED MANY THINGS AND CREDIT TO SYDNEY.
IT WAS THE DAY OF THE WATER BREAK IN JANUARY.
HE HAD BEEN UP 24 HOURS PLUS ALREADY, AND I SAID GO HOME AND GO TO BED AND HE CAME BACK, HE'S LIKE I GOT TO COME BACK BECAUSE HE WAS TRYING TO GET A PAY INCREASE FOR HIS CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST AND THAT PAY INCREASE DID WORK.
WE WERE ABLE TO GET MORE PEOPLE COMING.
BUT THIS IS A LONG-TERM PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WITH THE HIGH WATER UTILITY BILLS.
THE CALL WAIT TIME IS VERY LONG.
AFTER TRYING TO INCREASE THE PAY, RESTRUCTURING THINGS, PUTTING PEOPLE WITH A HOLD TO CALL BACK, THIS IS JUST WAS OUR NEXT STEP IN TRYING TO REDUCE THAT CALL TIME.
>> CERTAINLY, I THINK WE ALL APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING WITH THIS AND ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE WE ALL GET COUNTLESS CALLS A WEEK ON THE ISSUES THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE FACING AS WE'VE DOCUMENTED TODAY.
THIS IS NOT ANY REFLECTION OF WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO.
BUT I THINK FOR ALL OF US, THE INITIAL CAP NUMBER WAS ALL EYEBROW-RAISING.
WE'RE LIKE, OH, LOOK AT THAT, AND TO HEAR THE EXPLANATION MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
I THINK LOWERING IT, NO PROBLEM GOING BACK UP IF WE NEED IT AND HOPEFULLY, WE DON'T GET TO THAT POINT.
>> I WILL SAY THIS, COUNCILMAN, YOU'RE VERY AWARE OF THESE ISSUES.
IT'S HARD FOR US TO COMPETE IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT WITH A LOT OF PRIVATE COMPANIES HAVING VACANCIES AND WE HAVE VACANCIES THROUGHOUT OUR DEPARTMENT.
WE WILL ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE, WE GIVE YOU WHAT YOU CAN'T GET IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
A PENSION SYSTEM, A HEALTH CARE PLAN, LIFE INSURANCE, ANNUAL LEAVE, SICK LEAVE.
[02:30:02]
THAT GOES TO OUR COST FOR AN EMPLOYEE.BUT WE'RE SOMETIMES COMPETING ON JUST AN HOURLY WAGE.
WHEN YOU JUST COMPARE HOUR TO HOUR, IT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE TO SAY, WELL, I CARE ABOUT MY PENSION WHEN THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO PAY TODAY'S BILLS.
BUT THIS IS THE REALITY THAT WE LIVE IN WITH BEING SO BENEFIT RICH, IT COSTS US ALL THIS MONEY TO HAVE AN EMPLOYEE.
THEY'RE NOT SEEING IT IN THE HOURLY WAGE AND IT'S MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR US TO COMPETE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
TO LOWER THE CAP TO 800,000 EACH PER YEAR AND IT'S OKAY WITH ME IF IT'S STILL TWO YEARS.
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THAT AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT?
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED WITH A CAP OF $800,000 PER YEAR FOR TWO YEARS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED IS THAT WOULD TAKE US TO 20 THE NEXT.
>> SO WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND ADOPT THAT ONE.
NOW PLEASE READ 25, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND LABOR STAFFING INCORPORATED FOR A TWO-YEAR STAFFING PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $1,600,000 PER YEAR AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO COUNCILMAN LEE'S AMENDMENT TO MAKE THAT AN $800,000 CAP PER YEAR FOR TWO YEARS? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE? SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
LASTLY, ON THAT TOPIC, BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD, MADAM PRESIDENT AND SYDNEY, I KNOW YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD THIS AND WE GET THIS A LOT.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF HAVING SOMEBODY ON THE EAST BANK AND SOMEBODY ON THE WEST BANK WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME SEE PEOPLE IN PERSON AGAIN.
BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO, AS YOU KNOW, DO NOT LIKE ONLINE AND DO NOT LIKE DEALING WITH PEOPLE ON THE PHONE AND THEY WANT TO WALK IN WITH THEIR WATER BILL.
WE HAD SOMEBODY COME TO THE TENTH FLOOR THE OTHER DAY.
WITH THEIR WATER BILL IN HAND AND WHEN THEY WANTED TO TALK TO SOMEBODY ABOUT THEIR WATER BILL.
I JUST THINK PEOPLE LIKE THAT PERSONAL CONNECTION SOMETIMES.
I KNOW WE HAVEN'T HAD IT FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
SO IF WE COULD MAYBE MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF COMING UP WITH SOME SOLUTION, WHETHER IT'S IN THIS BUILDING, OR WE PUT SOMEBODY AT THE EAST BANK LIBRARY, IN THE WEST BANK LIBRARY AND HAVE SOMEBODY IN A ROOM WHERE PEOPLE CAN TAKE THEIR WATER BILLS AND JUST VENT IN SOME CASES, AND HAVE THEM EXPLAINED IN PERSON.
IN SOME CASES, THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL, I THINK, FOR THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]
LET'S GO TO 121, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE.>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, AND JEFFERSON PARISH HUMAN SERVICES AUTHORITY FOR THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF PROVIDING THE PARISH'S FIRST RESPONDERS WITH NARCAN TO ADMINISTER TO ANY PERSON IN JEFFERSON PARISH WHO IS UNDERGOING OR WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE UNDERGOING AN OPIOID-RELATED DRUG OVERDOSE?
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
WE DO HAVE NEW BUSINESS TODAY,
[NEW BUSINESS]
MADAM CLERK, VERY RARE, BUT THERE IS SOME. PLEASE READ.>> THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL INTENDS TO VOTE ON A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CALLING OF AN ELECTION FOR THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE STONE BRIDGE SUBDIVISION SPECIAL DISTRICT.
AN ANNUAL SECURITY ENHANCEMENT TAX FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS COMMENCING IN 2025.
SAID TAX TO BE IN THE AMOUNT OF $499.09 TO BE LEVIED IN 2025, AND THEREAFTER, SAID TAX SHALL INCREASE BY 2 1/2% PER YEAR UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE TAX FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING, ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, AND IMPROVING, OR LEASING, MAINTAINING, AND OPERATING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND OTHER FACILITIES TO BE USED IN PAYING OTHER EXPENSES INCURRED, OR CONTRACTING FOR SERVICES TO BE RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH PROVIDING SECURITY ENHANCEMENT SERVICES TO THE STONEBRIDGE SUBDIVISION SPECIAL DISTRICT, BEING THE TAX APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 2014 AT THE SAME ANNUAL RATE OF AN INCREASE FOR THE SAME PURPOSES.
THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION AT THE APRIL 17TH, 2024 JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING BEGINNING AT 10:00 AM IN THE EAST BANK COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT THE YENNI BUILDING LOCATED AT 1221 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD, HARAHAN, LOUISIANA.
THE TENTATIVE DATE FOR THE ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. STATUS REPORT.
NOW, WE MOVE TO PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS. YES, SIR.
[02:35:03]
>> SIR, MAY I HAVE A MINUTE PERSON OF PRIVILEGE?
>> YES, SIR. COUNCILMAN BONANO.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. IS KATHERINE COSTANZA HERE TODAY? NO. KATHERINE, IF YOU COULD COME UP, I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU.
I MEANT TO ASK THIS QUESTION WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT DROP-OFF SITES ABOUT THE RECYCLING.
MR. SANDERS, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN OUR POLICY IN THE PAST TO ALLOW OUR CITIZENS TO USE A SMALL TRAILER TO BRING DEBRIS TO THE TRASH DROP-OFF SITE.
NOT EVERYBODY HAS A PICKUP TRUCK, SO THEY MIGHT WANT TO HAUL A PIECE OF OFFICE FURNITURE OR BUSHES THERE, ETC., DO THE YARD WORK.
I'VE GOTTEN THREE COMPLAINTS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS THAT RIVER BIRCH, WHICH IS NOW JUST BLANKLY TELLING PEOPLE THEY CAN'T BRING TRAILS THERE.
WHAT DOES THE CONTRACT ACTUALLY SAY?
>> IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THE MICROPHONE, PLEASE.
>> THE CONTRACT DOES GIVE THAT OPERATOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DISCRETION IN HOW THEY MANAGE AND OPERATE THAT SITE.
WE HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS OVER THE WEEKEND WITH TRAFFIC BACKING UP, PARTICULARLY AT THE DAVID DRIVE SITE.
THAT SITE IS VERY SMALL AND WE GET A LOT OF USAGE, PARTICULARLY ON THE WEEKEND THERE.
IN GENERAL, IF THE TRAFFIC VOLUME IS LOW, THAT OPERATOR, IN HIS OR HER DISCRETION, WILL ALLOW A SMALL TRAILER TO GO THROUGH THERE.
IF IT GETS TIGHT AND THERE'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC, SOME TRAILERS WILL BE REDIRECTED TO THE LANDFILL.
>> THAT SETS OUR CITIZENS UP IN A VERY UNFAIR POSITION.
IF YOU DON'T OWN A TRUCK, YOU GET SENT ALL THE WAY TO THE LANDFILL.
IF YOU DO HAVE A TRUCK, YOU GET TO GO TO DAVID DRIVE.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP A MORE CONSISTENT POLICY AND PUT IT IN WRITING AS TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE THAT.
TELLING PEOPLE FLATLY JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE A TRAILER YOU CAN'T USE OUR DUMP SITE IS NOT FAIR, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CAR.
ALL YOU HAVE IS A LITTLE BIT CAR AND YOU NEED A TRAILER TO BRING SOMETHING THERE, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE SITE.
>> WE WILL BRING THAT UP WITH RIVER BIRCH AT OUR NEXT MEETING, WHICH IS SCHEDULED IN APRIL TO DEVELOP A MORE CONSISTENT POLICY FOR TRAILERS.
>> IT IS A PROBLEM. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND WE DO NOT WANT TO COMPROMISE CONVENIENCE FOR SAFETY.
>> DAVID DRIVE HAS BEEN THERE FOR 36 YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN THERE AND WE'VE ALWAYS HAD THAT POLICY AND IT'S NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE, SO I REALLY DON'T ACCEPT THAT ANSWER FROM RIVER BIRCH.
I WANT TO SEE SOME MORE CONSISTENCY.
>> KATHERINE. LET ME PIGGYBACK ON THAT FOR A MINUTE BECAUSE I HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH WASTE CONNECTIONS LAST YEAR ABOUT THE TRAFFIC BACKUP ON DAVID DRIVE AND THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO LETTING THEIR EMPLOYEES AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO COME INTO THAT SITE USE THE BACK ENTRANCE BECAUSE A LOT OF THE TRAFFIC WAS COINCIDING WITH WHEN EMPLOYEES WERE ARRIVING FOR WORK OR LEAVING, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC AT THAT ENTRANCE.
IF WE CAN FIND SOME WAY TO ENCOURAGE RIVER BIRCH TO UTILIZE THAT OTHER ENTRANCE IN A WAY FOR OUR RESIDENTS OR THEIR EMPLOYEES, THAT MAKES IT EASIER FOR THE OVERALL TRAFFIC FLOW, THAT MIGHT HELP THE SITUATION AS WELL.
>> WE'LL LOOK INTO USING THAT SIDE YARD, MORE OF IT.
THAT SIDE YARD OVER THERE, WHICH IS TYPICALLY A DEBRIS YARD, BELONGS TO THE GARBAGE DISTRICT.
WE'VE WANTED FOR A LONG TIME TO EXPAND INTO THERE, BUT AGAIN, THAT COSTS MONEY.
>> RIVER BIRCH WILL BE HAPPY TO PAY FOR IT, I'M SURE.
>> ONE MORE THING. WHEN YOU GET TO THE LANDFILL, THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT POLICY TOO, THEY WANT YOU TO PAY, SO YOU NEED TO ADDRESS THAT AS WELL.
>> IF THEY GO TO OUR LANDFILL, THERE IS NO FEE.
>> WELL, AGAIN, THAT'S NOT BEING APPLIED CONSISTENTLY IN THE LANDFILL.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE CALLS WE GOT THIS WEEK IS ONE OF MY CITIZENS WAS SENT FROM DAVID DRIVE TO THE LANDFILL AND THEN HE HAD TO PAY TO GO IN THERE, SO WE NEED SOME CONSISTENCY.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO APPEAR
[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]
BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS SHALL OF COURSE SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD TO THE COUNCIL, MUST BE SIGNED, AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.PLEASE SAY YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> I'M MORELLA, 4260 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, FIFTH DISTRICT COUNTY, FOURTH DISTRICT UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON, 52 YEARS.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION FROM THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, $206,992.25.
TOP FIVE BENEFACTORS, COUNCILMAN WALKER, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, COUNCILMAN LEE, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, AND COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.
NOW, I WANT TO RESPOND TO A COMMENT THAT WAS MADE IN HERE AT THE FEBRUARY 7TH MEETING.
I WANT TO DIRECT THIS TO MR. HYER, WHO'S HERE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY.
NOW, DURING THE RESOLUTION AGENDA ITEMS PORTION OF THE MEETING, I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE PAY RAISES AND TALKING ABOUT THE WONDERFUL JOB THAT OUR EMPLOYEES DID IN THAT WATER MAIN BREAK.
[02:40:03]
NOW, MR. HYER SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE COUNCILMAN WALKER WAS GRANTING ME SOME KIND OF PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT BECAUSE HE STATED THAT HE DIDN'T KNOW PAY RAISES WAS ON THE AGENDA.BUT I UNDERSTAND BECAUSE MAYBE MR. HYER THINKS THAT AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE WAS NOT WARRANTED FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES, OR THEIR PAY SCALE IS ADEQUATE, THEY DON'T NEED ANY PAY RAISES.
NOW, INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TIM TEMPLE AND STATE SENATOR KIRK TALBOT, DISTRICT 10, MY STATE SENATOR, I'M DEMANDING YOUR RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, AND I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU WHY RIGHT NOW.
YOU WANT TO PASS THIS AROUND AND LOOK AT IT. THIS TELLS IT ALL.
YOU'RE NOT REPRESENTING THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA, YOU'RE REPRESENTING THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
NOW, I STILL DON'T SEE ANY LEGISLATION TO REINSTATE THAT FIVE-MINUTE RULE.
THIS COUNCIL CONTINUES TO DISRESPECT THE SPEAKERS WHO TAKE THEIR TIME AND COME DOWN HERE IN THIS SHAMEFUL THREE-MINUTE RULE.
I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT AT EVERY COUNCIL MEETING UNTIL THAT FIVE MINUTES IS REINSTATED.
NOW, THE NORTH KENNER LIBRARY, IT'S VERY RARE WHEN YOU GO INTO PUBLIC PLACE AND YOU HAVE AN ENTIRE STAFF THAT'S DEDICATED TO THEIR JOB, THAT IS COURTEOUS, AND VERY HELPFUL.
THIS IS THE ENTIRE STAFF AT THE NORTH KENNER LIBRARY, I THINK THEY NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE PARISH THROUGH A PROCLAMATION NOW, AMAZON, REAL QUICK, IN CLOSING, I DON'T EXPECT TO SEE ANY MORE VOTE PUT ON ITS FLOOR FOR THAT PROJECT IN HARAHAN, AND NOW I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHY.
>> NOW, THEY ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE FCC FOR SELLING ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT HAS BEEN BANNED BY WASHINGTON.
NOW, THIS TALKS A LOT ABOUT THEIR [OVERLAPPING].
>> CHARACTER, AND A LOT ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO'S GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY THAT PROJECT.
>> ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS?
>> HAD TO CUT YOU OFF. CAN'T BE ACCUSED OF GIVING YOUR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT.
>> MR. MORELLA, JUST FOR THE RECORD, I TESTIFIED BEFORE THE STATE LEGISLATURE LAST WEEK AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH TIME I WAS GIVEN? THREE MINUTES.
>> CAN I RESPOND TO THAT COUNCILMAN WALKER?
>> YOU WAS GIVEN THREE MINUTES, COUNCILMAN BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR STANDARD POLICY AS IT HAS BEEN.
OUR POLICY USED TO BE FIVE MINUTES.
NOW, IF OUR POLICY WAS THREE MINUTES ALL THE TIME SINCE DAY 1, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE ME UP HERE RIGHT NOW TALKING ABOUT THIS.
BUT IT WAS FIVE MINUTES AND IT WAS FOR DECADES IT WAS FIVE MINUTES.
YOU HAD THREE MINUTES BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEIR STANDARD PROCEDURE WAS.
>> GUYS, 509 ON BOULEVARD THAT SPARKS CURIOSITY AND AWAY WE GO.
THE STATE SETS DIFFERENT TIME ALLOTMENTS TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT AT EVERY SINGLE DIFFERENT MEETING.
I FOUND OUT BECAUSE I WENT TO SEVEN OF THEM ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, IF YOU LIVE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, I WENT TO SEVEN STATEWIDE REDISTRICTING MEETINGS ON YOUR BEHALF, TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR DISENFRANCHISED DELEGATION.
TALBOT'S THE ONLY ONE WHO ONLY SERVES JEFFERSON PARISH.
SADLY, AND APPARENTLY AIN'T EVEN DOING THE ABLE TO DO THAT.
SIX OTHER SENATORS ARE FORCED TO SERVE ANOTHER PARISH THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE SERVING JEFFERSON PARISH.
MR. LEE TRIED TO GET US A THIRD ONE DEDICATED TO US OR SECOND ONE, BASED ON MINORITY POPULATION, COULDN'T DO IT.
SECOND LARGEST PARISH IN THE STATE CONTRIBUTING THE MOST MONEY.
WE COULDN'T EVEN GET A REDISTRICTING MEETING IN OUR PARISH.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT OUR DELEGATION, HOW GREAT THEY ARE.
YOU GOT ONE OUT OF SEVEN SENATORS SERVING IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
YOU GOT SEVEN OUT OF 11 WOULD BE REPRESENTATIVES DEDICATED ONLY TO JEFFERSON PARISH, 27TH AMENDMENT, ANYBODY FAMILIAR WITH IT? IT WAS THE SECOND ARTICLE TO THE CONSTITUTION, RATIFY THE MID-'90S.
IT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE TO VOTE YOURSELF A RAISE.
YOUR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, YOU'VE GOT TO VOTE YOURSELF A RAISE SO THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY IT AND THEN IT'S GOT TO BE APPROVED BY THE NEXT ELECTED BODY SO THAT IF ANYBODY WANT TO RUN AGAINST YOU, WE JUST SAY I'LL VOTE AGAINST A RAISE AND YOU'D BE OUT OF OFFICE.
IT WAS A GREAT LITTLE LINCHPIN THAT COULD SECURE YOU FROM GETTING OVERPAID, BUT WE ALL KNOW NOW THAT YOU DON'T GET TO VOTE FOR YOUR OWN RAISE.
DO YOU KNOW THAT GETS DONE AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE, AND I KNOW THAT TWO JUDGES ON THIS BENCH HERE, THEY'RE FAMILIAR WITH HOW THAT WORKS AND HOW HARD IT IS FOR YOU TO GET A RAISE, ISN'T IT? RIGHT, BECAUSE EVERY OTHER PARISH KNOWS THAT IF THEY VOTE FOR A RAISE FOR A JUDGE,
[02:45:03]
THAT AUTOMATICALLY GIVES YOUR COUNSEL A RAISE.ANYBODY EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH YOU'RE GETTING PAID THIS YEAR? ANYBODY? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO HOLD ANY OF YOU TO ACCOUNT, HOLD YOU TO EXPECT THAT YOU UNDERSTAND OR CAN FULFILL ANY ABILITY TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES? YOU LACK FOR THE COMPREHENSION REQUIRED, YOU LACK FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT REQUIRED TO EXERCISE YOUR CONTROL.
WITH THE WHOLESOME DISCRETION, I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU GET CURIOUS AS TO WHAT IT WILL REQUIRE TO GET THERE.
THERE'S RULES TO THE MONOPOLY GAME.
FIGURE OUT WHAT THE WORD APPORTION MEANS.
COME BACK TO ME WHEN YOU DO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.
THE PUBLIC COMES HERE AND IS MOCKED, BELITTLED, CONDESCENDED TO YOU.
TREAT THE PUBLIC LIKE YOUR ROOM FULL OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS STUCK WITH YOUR HANDS IN A COOKIE JAR.
YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT GETS FILLED.
ANYBODY GOING TO FIGURE THIS OUT? WE LACK FOR THE KURDS CONVICTION REQUIRED TO EVEN ADDRESS THIS STUFF.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES ME THE RIGHT TO REDRESS MY GOVERNMENT AND THE PHILADELPHIA SUPREME COURT.
PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT DETERMINED THAT I CAN BE RUDE.
THE PUBLIC CAN BE RUDE WITH YOU.
YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE RUDE WITH A MAN FOR A REASON.
DON'T ADDRESS THE PUBLIC DIRECTLY UNLESS YOU GO THROUGH THE CHAIR. FIGURE IT OUT.
>> BEN BAGWELL, I'M THE FOUNDER OF REAL CYCLE LLC.
I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF MOTHER EARTH, ON BEHALF OF MY COMPANY, AND ON BEHALF OF SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT RECYCLING.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REIMAGINE HOW JEFFERSON PARISH RECYCLES AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE FAITH IN A REAL RECYCLING SYSTEM.
I JUST WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK COUNCILMAN WALKER, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, PRESIDENT SHENG, AND THEN KATHERINE COSTANZA WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF ORLEANS PARISH.
JEFFERSON PARISH HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFERENT AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET YOU DOWN.
THIS MAY SEEM LIKE AN EXTRA STEP IN THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING AND PROVIDING TO THE PARISH, BUT THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND OUR ENTIRE COMPANY IS HERE TO TAKE IT WITH YOU AND HERE TO FIGURE IT OUT.
WE'RE GOING TO BE TRANSPARENT, WE'RE GOING TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY LIGHTLY.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION INTO SUMMARY.
THREE MINUTES. PLEASE. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
SO DO YOU GET THREE MINUTES PER ISSUE?
>> PULL THE MICROPHONE A LITTLE CLOSER, PLEASE.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. I HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES.
DO I GET THREE MINUTES PER ISSUE? BECAUSE I FILLED OUT SEPARATE CARDS.
>> YOU HAVE THREE TOTAL MINUTES, JUDGE.
TOTAL. YOU'RE ONE PERSON STILL?
>> NO PROBLEM. OKAY. WHEN DO I GO? WHEN DO I START?
>> ON SATURDAY, MARCH THE 16TH, I RECEIVED A WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION BY GETTING SWATTED BY A FALSE INTERACTION WITH THE POLICE.
AGAIN, ON SUNDAY, I'M SORRY, THE MARCH THE 17TH, I GOT SWATTED WITH A FALSE CALL OF A WELLNESS CALL.
ON MONDAY I GOT A 911 CALL BY A LIBRARIAN, A SWATTING CALL, SAYING THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING ON THAT WASN'T GOING ON.
ON WEDNESDAY, I WENT TO THE BOARD MEETING TO REPORT THAT SHE CALLED 911 ON ME FOR MOUTHING HER, AND I WAS RETALIATED AGAIN ON FRIDAY WITH A BAN.
THEN ON FRIDAY ALSO, I'M SORRY, I RECEIVED THE BAND LETTER ON SATURDAY.
BUT ON FRIDAY, I WAS ESCORTED OUT OF THE UNI BUILDING BY A COUPLE OF WHAT ARE THE PEOPLE? NOT STATE TROOPERS, A JPSO.
THEN, ON TUESDAY, YESTERDAY, I WENT TO THE HARRY LEE BUILDING AND I WAS SWATTED AGAIN WITH A FALSE CALL SAYING SOMETHING'S GOING ON, IT'S NOT GOING ON, AND I WAS ESCORTED OUT OF THAT BUILDING.
THERE ARE MORE INCIDENCES, BUT I'M TRYING TO BE BRIEF AND REPETITIVE ABOUT.
IN LOUISIANA, THERE'S A NEW LAW THAT PASSED CALLED THE WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION PROTECTION ACT.
IN MY EXPERIENCE IS WHEN I WHISTLEBLOWER, I IMMEDIATELY GET RETALIATION IN THE FORM OF SWATTING, WHICH IS PEOPLE CALL THE POLICE SAYING SOMETHING'S GOING ON THAT IT'S NOT.
I WANT TO TRY TO GET CONTACT, IF YOU CAN HELP ME GET CONTACT WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, I SPECIFICALLY WANT TO REPORT THE PEOPLE IN THE LIBRARY WHO CALLED THE POLICE ON ME AND CONSTRUCTED
[02:50:01]
A PRETEXT FOR ME TO HAVE A BAN FROM ALL THE LIBRARIES IN THE ENTIRE PARISH OF JEFFERSON.WHEN I REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION AND FOR THEM TO PULL THE VIDEO, THAT'S HOW I GOT RETALIATED ON.
SO IF SOMEONE CAN HELP ME TO GET A MEETING IN PERSON WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES PERSON, I GOT ESCORTED OUT OF THE UNI BUILDING IN THE MIDST OF TRYING TO DO THAT FRIDAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? MAKE SURE I'LL GIVE IT AN EXTRA BEAT THIS TIME.
ALL RIGHT, MADAM CLERK. PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INSTRUCTION IN THE SUMMARY.
[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]
>> OKAY. THE FIRST ONE I'M GOING TO READ IS GOING TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTE.
>> IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTE FOR THE FIRST ONE.
SO WE HAVE TO DO FOR ME TO READ IT INTO SUMMARY.
>> OKAY. PLEASE READ THAT INTO SUMMARY.
IT REQUIRES UNANIMOUS VOTE. THANK YOU.
>> AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE JEFFERSON PARISH CHARTER SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE ELECTORATE OF JEFFERSON PARISH, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERE TOO.
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THAT ORDINANCE BEING READ INTO SUMMARY?
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THAT ORDINANCE BEING READ INTO SUMMARY ON A MOTION OF COUNSEL V. BRIGHTON, SECONDED BY COUNSELOR WALKER HERRING?
>> APPROVING AN ADDITIONAL ADVIL ARM TAX EXEMPTION FOR PROPERTY RECEIVING THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY A QUALIFIED FIRST RESPONDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE SEVEN, SECTION 21 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF LOUISIANA SUB-C3B, HARVEY CANAL SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS ONE THROUGH 27, SQUARE ONE, LOT ONE THROUGH 18, SQUARE TWO AND PARTIAL A DRAINAGE SERVITUDE, AND NINE-FOOT DRAINAGE SERVITUDE, AMENDING LOT 52 SQUARE 111.
BRIDGDALEECTIONC SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 15:29 CLEARVIEW PARKWAY, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING RR3-C2, DOCKET NUMBER P 92 23 FOR AMC CLEARVIEW LOCATED AT 44 86 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD ON Y ONE SECTION PONCHO TRAIN GARDEN SUBDIVISION, AMENDING LOT 52 SQUARE FIVE, INGLESIDE HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 384 ARIS AVENUE.
MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING FROM R1 TO R2 IN AMENDING AN ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796 TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE ASSIGNMENT AND BASE HOURS PER WEEK FOR THE CLASS OF FLOOD PLAN CRS SPECIALIST.
AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796 TO CREATE A NEW CLASSIFICATION OF HEAD START HEALTH MANAGER.
AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796 TO REVISE THE CLASS TITLE FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF RISK MANAGEMENT CLAIM SUPERVISOR.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2024 OPERATING BUDGET.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET.
THAT'S ALL THE SUMMARIES I HAVE TO READ.
>> MADAM CLERK, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES? READ INTO SUMMARY A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO COUNCILMAN BONANO'S COAT.
HEARING NONE. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADJOURN BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT? HEARING NONE. SO ORDERED.
THIS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYBODY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.