>> [BACKGROUND] GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
[SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS]
[00:00:05]
WE'LL GET STARTED WITH PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS IN JUST A MOMENT, SO IF YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR SEAT.I BELIEVE THE PARISH PRESIDENT WILL LEAD US OFF WITH SOME JPRD FUN. WELCOME, EVERYBODY.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.
CONGRATULATIONS. [BACKGROUND] SMATTERING OF FLAWS.
>> [INAUDIBLE] WE COULD DO THIS DURING SCHOOL THEN YOU GET TO MISS A LITTLE BIT OF CLASS.
NOW YOU GOT TO GET UP EARLY DURING THE SUMMER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I'M GOING TO ASK OUR RECREATION DIRECTOR, MR. HOWARD BUELLER, TO JOIN ME HERE AT THE PODIUM.
YOU WILL SEE THAT WE HAVE SOME VERY SPECIAL ATHLETES FROM OUR RECREATIONAL DEPARTMENT HERE TODAY.
THIS IS THE 11 TO 12 BOYS A STAR SOCCER TEAM WHO RECENTLY WON THE LOUISIANA OPEN CUP STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
THIS IS THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR THEY'VE WON THIS VERY PRESTIGIOUS TOURNAMENT.
CLINCHING THEIR THIRD CHAMPIONSHIP IN FOUR YEARS IS A TESTAMENT TO THE DEDICATION, ATHLETIC SKILL, TEAMWORK BY THIS INCREDIBLE GROUP OF YOUNG ATHLETES FOR US.
COMPETING AGAINST SEASON YEAR-ROUND SOCCER CLUBS FROM AROUND THE STATE, THESE BOYS DEMONSTRATED OUTSTANDING DETERMINATION AND PROWESS, SCORING AN IMPRESSIVE 15 GOALS WHILE ONLY CONCEDING ONE THROUGH THE TOURNAMENT.
IS THAT RIGHT? DID I READ THAT RIGHT? REALLY? FIFTEEN, AND YOU ONLY CONCEDED ONE? INCREDIBLE. IT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND EXECUTION BROUGHT TO THE FIELD.
WHAT I REALLY LOVE ABOUT THIS TEAM IS THEY REPRESENT BOTH EAST BANK AND WEST BANK PLAYGROUNDS, MY FAVORITE TEAM.
THEY REALLY WENT OUT AND REPRESENTED JEFFERSON PARISH.
IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS OUR COMMITMENT IN JPRD TO NURTURING YOUNG TALENT FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, UNITING THEM UNDER A COMMON GOAL OF SPORTSMANSHIP AND EXCELLENCE.
I WANT TO INTRODUCE HOWARD BUELLER, WHO IS OUR RECREATION DIRECTOR FOR A FEW WORDS, AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO INTRODUCE THE COACHES, AND THEN EVENTUALLY THE ATHLETES.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME THIS MORNING.
REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS TEAM.
I MET COACH GEORGE WHEN I WAS WORKING IN ATHLETICS, AND HE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO OUR SOCCER PROGRAM, HAVING CLINICS FOR COACHES, CLINICS FOR KIDS, HE'S GOTTEN REAL INVOLVED.
AS THE PARISH PRESIDENT SAID, THE UNIQUE THING ABOUT THIS IS WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE EAST BANK AND WEST BANK KIDS PLAYING TOGETHER, MEETING NEW FRIENDS, GETTING TO PLAY WITH OTHER KIDS.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS IN THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.
WE'VE WON THIS CHAMPIONSHIP, THE STATE CUP.
WITH THAT SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE COACH GEORGE [INAUDIBLE].
>> WHAT A GREAT DAY TO BE A PART OF JEFFERSON PARISH, HONESTLY.
ANYTIME THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE YOUNG PEOPLE, YOU CAN COUNT ME IN.
YOU CAN COUNT MY ORGANIZATION IN.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL TO EVERYBODY AT JPRD, MARIO BAZILE, HIS ENTIRE STAFF, FOR LOOKING AT US FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN WE CAME TO HIM WITH THIS IDEA OF CREATING A PROGRAM WHERE WE COULD TAKE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THE GAME OF SOCCER TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
WE'VE BEEN VERY DILIGENT WITH OUR APPROACH TO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE IN TERMS OF GROWING THE GAME AND REALLY GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE CELEBRATED LIKE THIS.
THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR ALLOWING US THIS OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU AGAIN.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. I'M GOING TO BE CALLING OUT THE PLAYERS ONE BY ONE FOR THEIR CERTIFICATE.
[INAUDIBLE] SAWYER [INAUDIBLE].
[00:05:05]
BRADEN DE JAN. JACE GOMEZ.MARCOS RAMIREZ, ERIC RODRIGUEZ, MASON STANLEY.
JACK STRUDING. JOSHUA [INAUDIBLE].
NOW OUR COACHES, ALBERT BUNGARD, LANCE [INAUDIBLE], JOHN PAUL [INAUDIBLE] AND ADRIAN [INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU WANT TO COME GET A PICTURE WITH THE WINNING TEAM? BOYS, MOVE TO THE MIDDLE. Y'ALL COME IN THE MIDDLE, WE'LL GET AROUND YOU.
[00:13:51]
CERTIFICATES OF MERIT?>> LADIES, GENTLEMEN, IF WE GET QUIET FROM MOMENT, THE PARISH PRESIDENT HAS ONE MORE BEFORE WE GET TO COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> WELL, IT'S A BITTERSWEET DAY FOR US TODAY.
I'M GOING TO CALL KATHERINE COSTANZA, AS WELL AS OUR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS MARK DREWES, PLEASE, IF YOU COULD JOIN ME AT THE PODIUM. KATHERINE AND MARK.
I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT ME TO DO THIS, KATHERINE. TOO BAD.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, KATHERINE COSTANZA IS GOING TO RETIRE THIS MONTH AFTER 25 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO JEFFERSON PARISH.
[00:15:03]
[APPLAUSE] THAT'S RIGHT, 25 YEARS.DURING HER TENURE, KATHERINE HAS REALLY SERVED SO MUCH THROUGH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, HER LEADERSHIP, AND TIRELESS EFFORTS AND WORK ETHIC HAVE REALLY BEEN A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO THE PARISH.
I SAW FIRSTHAND HOW HARD SHE WORKED DURING IDA, OBVIOUSLY, WITH ALL THE DEBRIS THAT HAD TO BE PICKED UP AND ALL THE COORDINATION AND ALL THE CONTRACTS THAT SHE HAD TO COORDINATE.
FOLKS, WE GOT THAT DEBRIS UP BY CHRISTMAS.
JEFFERSON PARISH WAS ALREADY STARTING TO PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER THROUGH HER EFFORTS.
A LOT OF THAT IS JUST WHAT WE LOOK LIKE AND HOW MUCH GARBAGE WE'RE STILL SEEING.
KATHERINE, I WANTED TO READ THIS TO YOU, THIS PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS KATHERINE FONTANA COSTANZA IS A DEDICATED CARING AND HARDWORKING LEADER WHO HAS FAITHFULLY SERVED THE CONSTITUENTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH OVER HER 25 YEAR CAREER.
SHE JOINED THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT ON JANUARY 28TH, 1999 AS A PLANNER TOO, AND SOON THEREAFTER, WAS PROMOTED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY SUPERVISOR.
DUE TO HER EXCEPTIONAL WORK ETHIC, SELF-MOTIVATION AND LEADERSHIP DURING THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE KATRINA.
KATHERINE WAS PROMOTED TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS IN 2006.
THEN IN 2007, KATHERINE COMPLETED AN APPLICATION TO KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL INC, WHICH ALLOWED JEFFERSON PARISH TO BECOME A LOCAL AFFILIATE AND PROMOTE PARISH-WIDE LITTER ABATEMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION.
THROUGH HER DEDICATION, THE PARISH HAS RECEIVED THE KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE AWARD EACH YEAR FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS.
WHEREAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING HURRICANE ZETA IN 2020, KATHERINE TOOK CHARGE OF THE DEBRIS COLLECTION PROGRAM, WHICH QUICKLY REMOVED 145,000 CUBIC YARDS IN JUST 51 DAYS AND LEAVING KATHERINE TO MANAGE THE EXTENSIVE PARISH-WIDE DEBRIS COLLECTION PROGRAM.
DUE TO HER TIRELESS EFFORTS, DEBRIS COLLECTION BEGAN JUST EIGHT DAYS AFTER THE STORM AND RESULTED IN THE COLLECTION OF OVER 1.8 MILLION CUBIC YARDS IN THREE MONTHS, WITH ALL APPROXIMATELY 27 MILLION IN COSTS APPROVED AS ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
WHEREAS KATHERINE WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH GRAND ISLE OFFICIALS TO SET UP AND IMPLEMENT A FEMA APPROVED SAND RECOVERY OPERATION TO RESTORE THE BEACHES AND WORK WITH LAFITTE OFFICIALS TO SET UP AND IMPLEMENT A MUD REMOVAL OPERATION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY FLOODED BY HURRICANE IDA.
WHEREAS KATHERINE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN NEGOTIATING A REVISED LANDFILL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WHICH WILL REDUCE COSTS BY APPROXIMATELY A HALF A MILLION A YEAR THROUGH 2037.
WHEREAS IN SEPTEMBER 2022, KATHERINE WAS APPOINTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR.
IN THIS POSITION, KATHERINE DEVELOPED A NEW 10-YEAR GARBAGE COLLECTION CONTRACT TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES, WHICH WE'RE ENJOYING TODAY.
SHE HAS LED THE DEPARTMENT BY EXAMPLE, DISPLAYING A COMMITMENT TO HARD WORK EVERY DAY TO COMPLETE RETIRED TASKS AND IMPLEMENT NEW PROCEDURES TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS, ALONG WITH UNSELFISHLY WORKING COUNTLESS EXTRA HOURS TO PROVIDE THE RESIDENTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE, AND I'VE SEEN THAT WITH MY OWN EYES, KATHERINE.
THANK YOU. KATHERINE AND HER HUSBAND, PAUL ARE THE PROUD PARENTS OF JOSHUA COSTANZA, AND LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING MORE TIME WITH HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND RIDING HER THREE HORSES ON THEIR FARMLAND IN MISSISSIPPI.
YOU GOT A GREAT NEXT CHAPTER COMING YOUR WAY, KATHERINE.
JEFFERSON PARISH, THANKS KATHERINE FOR HER 25 YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE, AND WE WISH HER GREAT JOY, LOVE, AND HAPPINESS IN HER RETIREMENT.
>> I DO WANT TO INVITE MARK DREWES UP TO SAY A FEW WORDS BECAUSE MARK WORKED SO CLOSELY WITH KATHERINE, MARK.
>> THANK YOU. LOOK, JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I'LL JUST TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT SHE WAS, ESPECIALLY TO ME.
WHEN I TOOK OVER AS PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, WE TOOK THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTOR, MIKE CLOCKWOOD, AND MADE HIM THE SEWER DIRECTOR SO WE DIDN'T HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTOR.
AND TYPICALLY WHEN ABOUT SIX MONTHS, YOU'LL HAVE SOMEONE AND WE ACTUALLY SELECTED SOMEONE IN SIX MONTHS BUT A MONTH LATER AFTER HE ACCEPTED THE JOB, HE STILL WASN'T HERE, SO WE HAD TO GO ON, GET ANOTHER DIRECTOR.
SO KATHERINE LITERALLY RAN THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT AS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR.
NOT ONLY THAT, ZETA HAPPENED DURING THAT YEAR.
SHE MANAGED THAT TO, NOT ONE COMPLAINT, NOT ONE PROBLEM.
IT WAS AS IF WE HAD A DIRECTOR THERE THE WHOLE TIME.
SO I'LL JUST TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HER.
AND I THINK WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHEN IT COMES TO DEBRIS COLLECTION.
WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT HURRICANE I, TYPICALLY LIKE SEWERS, WE WERE ABLE TO FINISH THE SEWERS WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WITHIN A MONTH, MOST STUFF IS BACK TO NORMAL LIKE GARBAGE COLLECTION GOES ON AND I KNOW THE COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION ARE WELL AWARE OF HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU GET BECAUSE AS FAST AS YOU TAKE STUFF OFF WHEN PEOPLE ARE REPAIRING THE HOUSES, WELL GUESS WHAT THEY'RE PUTTING STUFF BACK.
SHE DEALT WITH ALL OF THOSE COMPLAINTS DAILY, SHE KNOWS HOW TO GO THROUGH THOSE COMPLAINTS, SAY, THIS ONE'S LEGITIMATE, THIS ONE'S NOT AND TAKING CARE OF IT.
SHE'S BEEN THROUGH MULTIPLE STORMS AND WE'RE REALLY GOING TO MISS HER,
[00:20:01]
AND SHE HAS A NUMBER OF HER EMPLOYEES HERE THAT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE IF YOU ALL CAN STAND UP THAT CAME HERE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HERE FOR THIS PROCLAMATION, AND I'D ALSO LIKE IF Y'ALL CAN COME TAKE A PICTURE WITH US AS WELL.>> DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?
>> YEAH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS.
IT WAS A TOUGH DECISION FOR ME TO MAKE, BUT I KNOW IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
I HOPE I'VE LEFT A POSITIVE LEGACY HERE.
IT WAS AN HONOR WORKING FOR YOU AND WORKING FOR MY COLLEAGUES IN PUBLIC WORKS.
I THINK I LEAVE YOU WITH A GOOD STAFF.
I SEE SO MANY PROMISING YOUNG PEOPLE COMING UP THROUGH THE RANKS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT SO THAT GIVES ME HOPE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS PLEASE COME JOIN US WITH THE PICTURE FOR KATHERINE.
>> NO. YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF A GREAT CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE.
I'LL STAND ON ONE SIDE YOU AND MARK STAND ON THE OTHER SIDE.
>> THANK Y'ALL. GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU.
>> KATHERINE CAN STAY AT THE PODIUM FOR ONE SECOND.
I KNOW COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN HAD A COUPLE OF WORDS FOR YOU.
>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD TO WHAT WAS ALREADY A LONG LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS TWO REALLY SPECIAL THINGS ABOUT KATHERINE.
ONE, WHEN I WAS REPRESENTING DISTRICT 5, AS COUNCILMAN LOORBERG IS NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS MOST PEOPLE DON'T APPRECIATE IS THAT MEDARY IS NOT ACTUALLY A CITY.
UNLIKE WESTWEGO AND GRETNA, AND GRANDAL, LAFITTE, KENA AND HARRAHAN, MEDARY JUST AN UNINCORPORATED AREA.
KATHERINE OF HER OWN INITIATIVE PUT TOGETHER A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION FOR MEDARY TO BE ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES, CLEANEST CITIES IN OUR STATE AND ONE.
AGAIN, THAT INITIATIVE SPEAKS VOLUMES.
IT'S SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO.
THEN THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS YESTERDAY, JUST AS SHE'S GETTING READY TO EXIT, SHE SAID, I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON BRINGING BACK RECYCLING AND IS DETERMINED TO DO THAT AND IS SUCH A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE ON THAT.
YOUR DEDICATION TO THE VERY LAST MOMENT OF YOUR SERVICE WITH THE PARISH JUST SPEAKS VOLUMES.
WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU TREMENDOUSLY.
THANK YOU FOR LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT IN GOOD HANDS AND HAVING GOOD PEOPLE COMING UP THROUGH THE RANKS.
>> KATHERINE, I WILL ADD A LITTLE BIT, JUST TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE YEARS OF SERVICE AND THE FOUR PLUS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, WHETHER IT'S ZETA, IDA, TORNADOES, GARBAGE CONTRACTS, RECYCLING CHANGES, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN RESPONSIVE. YOU'VE ALWAYS HELPED.
YOU'VE NEVER TURNED A BLIND EYE TO ANYTHING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE HARD WORK AND THE DEDICATION TO THE PARISH.
THANK YOU. IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK TO WORK IN THE PARISH THAT MANY YEARS, TOO.
THAT'S A LOT. CONGRATULATIONS, KATHERINE.
COUNCILMAN, LEA, I BELIEVE IS READY FOR CERTIFICATES OF MERIT NOW, AND THEN WE'LL GET THE MEETING ROLLING RIGHT AFTER THAT.
>> GOOD MORNING. IT'S A PROUD MOMENT WHERE ARE THE TWO BEAUTIFUL LITTLE LADIES? I HAVE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT, AND WE'LL START WE'LL START WITH THIS CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AND READS.
FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY THIS CERTIFICATE OF MERIT IS FOR WHAT I CALL BEAUTIFUL LITTLE LADY, RILEY SMITH JONES, WHO WAS SELECTED AT THE 2024 THROUGH '25 LITTLE MISS JEFFERSON PARISH DANCE COVERGIRL HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
WE WANTED TO PROVIDE HER WITH THIS CERTIFICATE OF MERIT TO ENCOURAGE HER TO CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS AND BE A WONDERFUL RESOURCE TO ALL OF US HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
[00:25:09]
OUR NEXT CERTIFICATE OF MERIT IS GIVEN TO KINGSTON SIMON RENARD, WHOSE MOTHER IS HERE, WHO'S ONE OF OUR VERY FINE PARISH EMPLOYEES.THIS YOUNG LADY WAS AWARDED WITH 2024 MISS NOVEMBER HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE SEASONS FOR BEING THANKFUL.
PLEASE GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE I WILL ASK ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO PLEASE COME UP AND JOIN AS PARISH PRESIDENT AS WELL AS THE FAMILY MEMBERS.
LET ME GIVE ONE MORE AND THEN INDIVIDUALLY.
I LOVE YOUR CROWN, IT'S PERFECT.
>> IS SOMEONE FROM THE SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA FLOOD PROTECTION AUTHORITY WEST HERE AT THE MOMENT? WE'VE GOT A SHORT PRESENTATION FROM THEM BEFORE WE GET THE MEETING STARTED.
I JUMPED THE GUN A LITTLE BIT.
DIDN'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS NICK KELLY.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE FLOOD PROTECTION AUTHORITY WEST.
I WANT TO SAY AT THE OUTSET OF THIS MEETING, IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE IN THE FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN THIS POSITION TO WORK WITH PRESIDENT LI SCHENG, TO WORK WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH ALL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS.
WE'VE HAD I TRIED TO COUNT I THINK EIGHT HURRICANES, GLOBAL PANDEMIC, THAT SALTWATER THING.
THROUGH ALL OF IT, WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT A GREAT PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP AND MUTUAL SUPPORT ALL THE WAY.
IT'S A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WE'VE ENJOYED TO THIS POINT, AND I SEE IT GOING FOR A LONG TIME NOW.
TODAY, I WANT TO BE VERY BRIEF.
YOU HAVE A HANDOUT IN FRONT OF YOU THAT IS A MUCH MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE LEVY DISTRICT, WHO WE ARE, WHO OUR COMMISSIONERS ARE, OUR MISSION, AND WHAT WE PROTECT IN THE REGION.
TO GET RIGHT TO IT, WE ARE MANAGED BY A BOARD OR GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF SEVEN COMMISSIONERS.
THOSE COMMISIONERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THEY'RE NOMINATED BY A SPECIAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE, THEY CALL A BLUE RIBBON PANEL.
THERE ARE CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS OF THOSE TWO HAVE TO LIVE INSIDE JEFFERSON PARISH INSIDE WEST JEFFERSON.
THEY'RE TAXPAYERS WITH SKIN IN THE GAME, TWO IN ALGIERS, THREE THAT ARE AT LARGE, AND OF THAT GROUP, THREE OF THEM ARE LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS.
WE HAVE THE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, WE HAVE THE LOCAL REPRESENTATION AND A GOOD CROSS-SECTION OF THE FOLKS THAT WE PROTECT.
THE SYSTEM IS PRETTY BIG, AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT IT'S PROBABLY THE FINEST IN THE WORLD, 33 MILES OF RIVER LEVEE, 47 MILES OF THE HURRICANE LEVEE.
[00:30:02]
A TOTAL OF 80 MILES OF LEVEES AND FLOOD WALLS THAT MAKE UP THIS PROTECTION SYSTEM, A CONTINUOUS RING, 67 FLOODGATES, MOST OF THEM ARE THE ONES ON PETER'S ROAD.YOU SEE BY BOOMTOWN AND ALL THOSE BUSINESSES. WE MANAGE THOSE.
THE THREE PUMP STATIONS AND SECTOR GATES, THAT'S THE ONE UNDER THE HARVEY CANAL UNDER PACO BRIDGE BY SIGNET, AND THEN THE WEST CLOSURE COMPLEX, OF COURSE, WHICH MANY OF YOU HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO TOUR.
IF YOU HAVE NOT, PLEASE, I WELCOME YOU TO COME SEE IT AS A VERY IMPRESSIVE STRUCTURE.
WE ARE COMPRISED OF TWO LEVEE DISTRICTS AT THE ALGIERS LEVEE DISTRICT, WHICH WAS CARVED OUT OF THE LEGACY ORLEANS LEVEE DISTRICT AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA, AND THE WEST JEFFERSON LEVEE DISTRICT, WHICH HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1980.
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SLIDE.
THIS IS WHAT WE DO, 250,000 RESIDENTS AND $41,000,000,000 IN PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE WITHIN THE PROTECTED LEVEE SYSTEM.
EVERY DAY WE GO TO WORK FOCUSED ON THAT SINGLE MISSION THAT WE HAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY AT STAKE, AND THIS IS WHAT WE DO.
EVERY EFFORT, EVERY DOLLAR SPENT GOES TOWARD OUR MISSION.
TO GIVE EVERYBODY A LITTLE BIT OF AN IDEA BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS THE KNOWLEDGE GAP WITH A LOT OF THE LEVY DISTRICTS.
PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE'RE FUNDED, HOW WE OPERATE, WHAT WE DO.
IN OUR LAST FISCAL YEAR, WE BUDGETED 9.5 MILLION IN REVENUES, AND WE BUDGETED 9.4 MILLION IN EXPENSES.
WE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, HAVE SOME LABOR SHORTFALLS AND SOME EFFICIENCIES, SO WE DID HAVE A SURPLUS, A MODEST SURPLUS, AND MODEST SURPLUS, WE'LL GO BACK INTO THE CAPITAL PROJECT FUND AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
WE ARE FUNDED PRIMARILY THROUGH AVALORUM TAXES.
WE COLLECT A WEST JEFFERSON MILLAGE OF 4.93 MILLS THAT GENERATE 6.1 MILLION.
WE HAVE THE ALGIERS LEVY DISTRICT 10.8, AND THESE ARE THE OPERATING, GENERATING $3,000,000.
THOSE ARE THE OPERATING FUNDS.
THEN WE HAVE A WEST JEFFERSON SUPPLEMENTAL MILLAGE, OF 4.6, THAT GENERATES 5.7, THAT IS DEDICATED CONSTRUCTION MONEY FOR LEVY LIFTS AND MAJOR MAINTENANCE ON THE STRUCTURES.
WE HAVE A 20-YEAR CAPITAL PROJECT PLAN, A LONG-TERM OUTLOOK, AND SO WE ARE TRYING TO MAINTAIN THAT LEVEL OF FUNDING SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF PROTECTION THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE STRUCTURES.
ANY SURPLUS REVENUE THAT WE REALIZE AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, WE'LL BE RETURNED TO THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND FOR ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE.
RIGHT NOW, WE ARE RE-CERTIFYING THE SYSTEM.
WE HAVE THE DRAFT LSER LEVY SAFETY EVALUATION REPORT IN HAND.
WE THINK IT WILL BE FINALIZED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AND THAT WILL RECERTIFY THE SYSTEM WITH FMA AND THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
WE HAVE SOME OTHER SMALLER PROJECTS AROUND THE SYSTEM THAT WE'RE DOING, INCLUDING JAZZ WALK, AND SOME UPGRADES TO WEST CLOSURE, WITH ABOUT $800,000 PROGRAM THERE.
IN THE FUTURE, WE ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON OUR LIFTS AND ARMORING PROGRAM AGAIN.
THESE LEVEES ARE CONSTANTLY SINKING.
WE'RE CONSTANTLY LIFTING THEM.
WE ARE PURSUING FEDERAL FUNDING, BUT PLANNING LIKE WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET IT AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN A POSITION TO KEEP THESE AT THE ELEVATION WE NEED FOR THE LONG TERM.
YOU'LL START TO SEE LEVEE LIFTS BEGINNING THEY'RE IN DESIGN NOW.
BY NEXT YEAR, THEY WILL BE IN CONSTRUCTION.
THEN THE ACCESS ROADS, I KNOW THIS IS A HOT-BUTTON ISSUE.
I DID HAVE A CONVERSATION TODAY.
WE CALL THEM ALL-WEATHER ACCESS ROADS BECAUSE IF YOU CALL IT A BIKE PATH, THAT REQUIRES A SECTION 408 PERMISSION FROM THE CORE, AND IT TAKES LIKE A YEAR AND A HALF TO GET.
BUT IF IT'S AN ALL-WEATHER ACCESS ROAD, IT'S MAINTENANCE FOR ME.
WE DO IT A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT. WE PARTNERED WITH JEFFERSON PARISH.
WE COMMITTED TO MATCHING FUNDS UP TO $500,000 TO ENSURE THAT THESE PROJECTS GET DONE.
I SPOKE TO MARK AND ANGELA JUST A LITTLE WHILE AGO ABOUT SOME OF THE HOLDUPS, AND I THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO BREAK THAT FREE VERY SOON HERE AND SEE CONSTRUCTION ON THOSE.
THAT COMPLETES MY PRESENTATION UNLESS ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS.
THE LAST THING I'LL DO IS I'M GOING TO PUT THIS UP HERE. WE DO HAVE A NEWSLETTER.
OUR FOLKS DO A GREAT JOB WITH THE NEWSLETTER, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE TO IT, YOU CAN JUST GO AHEAD AND SCAN THAT THING.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND YOUR WORK.
[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
WE'RE NOW READY TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. EXCUSE ME.THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER, AND I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE FATHER LUKE WYNN FROM ST.
ATHLETE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LAFITTE FOR OUR INVOCATION TODAY.
HE'S BEEN THERE FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS.
HE'S SEEN THE WRATH OF GOD COME DOWN ON LAFITTE AND HE'S BEEN THROUGH IT ALL AND HAS BECOME STRONGER FOR IT, I'M SURE.
I KNOW YOU'VE LED THE TOWN THROUGH SOME GREAT CHALLENGES, AND YOU'RE STRONGER ON THE OTHER SIDE POST I THAN YOU WERE BEFORE.
I KNOW THE TOWN APPRECIATES ALL YOUR WORK AS DEWEY AND JEFFERSON PARISH. THANKS FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.
[00:35:01]
>> COUNCILMAN SCOTT. WITH OUR PRAYER, WOULD YOU INVITE ME TO STAND AND A TUNE WITH ME FAITH? OUR FAITH.
MY FAITH WE BEGIN THE PRAYER WITH THE SIGN OF THE CROSS IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AMEN.
LORD, YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF LIFE.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF THIS DAY.
BE PRESENT WITH US THIS MORNING AS WE GATHER TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY OF PERSONS OF GOODWILL, ALWAYS STRIVING TO DO GOOD WORKS FOR YOUR PEOPLE.
HELP US TO BE MINDFUL OF YOUR LOVE, THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN US TO DO IMPORTANT TASKS, TASK THAT PERTAINS TO SALVATION.
THE TASK THAT YOU HAVE CALLED US TO BE PEACEMAKER SO THAT WE CAN EXECUTE MATTERS WITH LOVE AND CARE.
TO SAVE LIVES AND TO BUILD YOUR KINGDOM OF LOVE, PEACE, AND JUSTICE IS OUR EVERYDAY MISSION.
HELP US TO STAY FOCUSED, TO WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH ONE ANOTHER SO THAT WE CAN SERVE YOUR PEOPLE IN JUSTICE AND PEACE, GOD OF PEACE AND LOVE.
YOU HAVE CALLED US TO BE BRIDGE BUILDERS OF YOUR TOOTH AND LIFE, OF YOUR PEACE AND LOVE IN THE CITY.
LET JUSTICE REIGN IN OUR HEARTS, ESPECIALLY IN THE HEARTS OF OUR OFFICIALS HERE THIS MORNING SO THAT EMPOWERED BY YOUR LOVE AND EQUIPPED WITH YOUR ETERNAL WISDOM, THEY MAY DISCERN IMPORTANT MATTERS THAT RELATE TO THE WELL BEING OF YOUR PEOPLE TO PUT AN END TO ANY FORMS OF ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND HATRED, SO THAT WE CAN BUILD A KINGDOM OF YOUR PEACE AND LOVE.
HELP US TO WORK TOGETHER FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR VARIOUS ETHNIC PEOPLE FOR SOCIAL HARMONY AMONG PEOPLE TO SAFE AND SOUND COMMUNITY FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AROUND OUR CITY EMPOWERS ENERGY TO CONTINUE TO DO YOUR WORK TO BUILD OUR CITY A COMMITMENT TO SERVE THE PEOPLE'S NEED.
WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST, O LORD, AMEN, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, FATHER LUKE. WESEGO MAYOR ROBERT BIO IS HERE TODAY.
WOULD YOU MIND LEADING US IN THE PLEDGE THIS MORNING,
>> I [INAUDIBLE] OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL HEAR MORE FROM MAYOR BIOT IN A FEW MOMENTS.
WE GET TO HIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> PARISH PRESIDENT MISS LEE SHANE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MADAM PRESIDENT.
[PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]
THE FLOOR IS YOURS NOW TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.I'LL START OFF WITH OUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EVENT.
THAT MORE THAN 300 RESIDENTS CAME OUT TO OUR MATERIALS COLLECTION THIS PAST SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH AT THE ALARIO CENTER.
WE WANT TO THANK, AGAIN, BRINGING UP KATHERINE OUR DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND LEGACY ENVIRONMENTAL FOR COORDINATING THIS ANNUAL EVENT TO HELP US COLLECT MATERIALS THAT CONTAIN HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS AND REQUIRE SPECIAL CARE.
THIS COLLECTION EVENT RESULTED IN APPROXIMATELY 418 WHEELER TRUCKLOADS OF DISPOSED LEFTOVER HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN CORROSIVE TOXIBLE OR REACTIVE INGREDIENTS.
IN TERMS OF THE DROP-OFF RECYCLING, WE CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH REAL CYCLE AND GLASS HALF FULL TO ACCEPT RECYCLING EVERY SATURDAY FROM 10:00 AM-2:00 PM ON BOTH THE EAST BANK AND WEST BANK LOCATIONS.
THAT'S THE YANI BUILDING ON THE EAST BANK AND 6440 LA PALKO ON THE WEST BANK.
WE WANT TO THANK OUR PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES.
WE KNOW ONE WEEKEND, ESPECIALLY, WAS BACKED UP THE WEEKEND BEFORE RAIN, SO THAT WAS MADE IT EVEN WORSE, BUT WE WANT TO EXPLAIN THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT ON MORE EMPLOYEES FROM OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO HELP SMOOTH THAT LINE GOING THROUGH SO WE WANT TO ESPECIALLY THANK OUR SURGEON STREETS DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP EXPEDITE THOSE LINES AT THESE RECYCLING DROP OFF SITES AND JUST HAVE A SMOOTHER AND LESS WAIT TIME FOR PEOPLE.
THEY'VE BEEN ASSISTING WITH SORTING AND THESE EFFORTS HAVE DEFINITELY RESULTED IN LOWER WAIT TIMES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY, THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM KICKED OFF, AND WE HAD RECORD CROWDS STARTING ON JANUARY JUNE 1ST.
THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY DREW 790 PATRONS
[00:40:02]
AND THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY RECORDED 400 ATTENDEES.MORE THAN 2,200 READERS OF ALL AGES ACROSS JEFFERSON PARISH HAVE SIGNED UP TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE THROUGH JULY 31ST, AND ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES ARE ONGOING AT ALL 16 BRANCHES.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JEFFERSON SPCA AND EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY, WE WILL HOST THIS IS A FAVORITE KITTEN YOGA, A SERIES OF PLAYFUL YOGA SESSIONS WHERE ADOPTABLE CATS ARE ALLOWED TO ROAM AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS.
THESE GATHERINGS ARE FOR AGES 12 PLUS AND TAKE PLACE AT 10:00 AM ON THE FOLLOWING THURSDAYS, JUNE 13TH, AND 27TH, AND JULY 11TH AND 25TH, YES.
THE LSU ART CENTER WILL HOST AN INFORMATIVE DISCUSSION AT THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY ON THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET, A HEART-HEALTHY LIFESTYLE NUTRITION PLAN.
THE PRESENTATION ON MONDAY, JUNE 17TH AT 5:30 WILL INCLUDE A SAMPLE TASTING OF PINEAPPLE SALSA, SHOWCASING HOW SIMPLE CHANGES IN YOUR DIET CAN LEAD TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE.
THEN ALSO MORE LIBRARY NEWS THE RIVER RIDGE LIBRARY WILL HOST A SCRABBLE SCRAMBLE COMPETITION ON JUNE 18TH, FROM 5:30-7:30.
ENTHUSIASTS OF THE GAME WILL COMPETE IN TWO ROUNDS TO DETERMINE A CHAMPION WINNER.
IF YOU'RE A SCRABBLE PLAYER AND I KNOW MANY OF THEM, YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT THAT EVENT.
ALL OF THESE INFORMATION AND MORE EVENTS ARE AVAILABLE AT OUR WEBSITE, JPLIBRARY.NET.
THEN OUR BUDGET AWARD, JEFFERSON PARISH IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION'S DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD FOR THE 31ST CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
THIS AWARD IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF RECOGNITION IN GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETING.
IT'S THE ONLY NATIONAL AWARDS PROGRAM IN GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETING AND REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT BY OUR JEFFERSON PARISH BUDGET DEPARTMENT.
I WANT TO THANK OUR TEAM LED BY OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR TIM PAAL MITER TO MY LEFT, AS WELL AS OUR NEW BUDGET DIRECTOR SUSAN ANDREWS, FOR ONCE AGAIN RECEIVING THIS HONOR BY MEETING THE HIGHEST PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETING, AND THE TEAM IS ACTUALLY WITH US TODAY BEHIND ME.
DINA DELLA HOUSE, JANINE URITA, CHARLES VASQUEZ, JUNIOR AND TIA VENABLE.
PLEASE STAND UP, TIM, AS WELL AS YOUR TEAM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BUDGETING IT'S A DIFFICULT PROCESS.
WE'RE IN THE BEGINNING OF BUDGETING FOR THIS NEXT YEAR, SO I KNOW WE GET THE AWARD, AND THE WORK STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN, GUYS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WORK IN GETTING THAT AWARD FOR US.
THEN, OF COURSE, WITH GUIDANCE FROM OUR FORMER BUDGET DIRECTOR, VICTOR LAROCA. THANK YOU, VICTOR.
IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE BUDGET AWARD, JEFFERSON PARISH HAD TO SATISFY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTIVE BUDGET PRESENTATION.
THESE GUIDELINES ARE DESIGNED TO ASSESS HOW WELL OUR BUDGET SERVES AS A POLICY DOCUMENT, FINANCIAL PLAN, OPERATIONS GUIDE, AND COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE.
BUDGET DOCUMENTS MUST BE RATED PROFICIENT IN ALL FOUR RANKING CATEGORIES AND THE 14 MANDATORY CRITERIA WITHIN THOSE CATEGORIES TO RECEIVE THE AWARD.
I'LL MOVE NOW TO JEFF CAP MORTGAGE ASSISTANT.
THIS IS A ONE-TIME MORTGAGE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE TO QUALIFYING INDIVIDUALS.
THE ASSISTANCE IS ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS AND REQUIRES YOUR MORTGAGE LENDER TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION.
THOSE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING MORE INFORMATION CAN CONTACT JEFF CAP FEDERAL PROGRAMS COORDINATOR STACY FIELDS, AT 504-7366-6900.
OUR MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN.
WE ARE CONDUCTING A FIVE-YEAR UPDATE TO THE MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN.
IT'S A COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENT CREATED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PRACTICAL, MANAGEABLE MITIGATION STRATEGIES THAT HELP REDUCE THE PARISHES' RISK TO NATURAL HAZARDS.
THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THE PARISH WILL BE RE-EVALUATING OUR RISKS AND WORKING TO DETERMINE THE BEST SOLUTIONS THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT TO ADDRESS THOSE RISKS.
WE'RE ASKING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO FILL OUT A COMMUNITY SURVEY TO LET US KNOW HOW THE PARISH CAN BEST KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF NATURAL HAZARDS.
THIS SURVEY IS AVAILABLE ONLINE @HMPUPDATE2025.NET AND TAKES ABOUT FIVE MINUTES TO COMPLETE.
ADDITIONALLY, THE PARISH WILL BE HOSTING ITS THIRD PUBLIC OUTREACH EVENT FOR THIS MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE ON TUESDAY, JUNE 18TH, FROM 4:30-5:30 AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
THE EVENTS GOING TO FOCUS ON HURRICANE, TROPICAL STORM, AND FLOOD HAZARD RISK IN JEFFERSON PARISH WHILE PROVIDING AN OVERVIEW OF THE MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PLANNING PROCESS.
JOIN OUR DEPARTMENT OF FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT HAZARD MITIGATION ALONG WITH L SHU AG CENTER AS THEY PRESENT HURRICANE-THEMED FOOD AND DRINK DEMONSTRATIONS, HAZARD TRIVIA, AND OFFER PUZZLE GIVEAWAYS.
ALL JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED IN PARISH PROGRAMMING WILL BE SUSPENDED THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 14, IN OBSERVANCE OF THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY.
CURBSIDE GARBAGE COLLECTION WILL TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED, AND OUR TRANSIT WILL BE RUNNING A NORMAL SCHEDULE AND OUR JEFFERSON PARISH DIVERSITY INCLUSION BOARD WILL HOST A JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19TH AT 11:30 OUTSIDE THE YANI BUILDING.
[00:45:02]
ALL EMPLOYEES ARE INVITED TO ENJOY THE MUSIC AND A SPECIAL SPEAKER AS WELL AS FOOD TRUCKS.I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT UNCLE SAM JAM, BUT I THINK COUNCILMAN RITA BAHANNAN IS GOING TO DO THAT.
WE JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS ON UNCLE SAM JAM.
I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT AND MAYBE EVEN HAVE A VIDEO ON IT, SO I'LL SAVE THAT FOR YOU, BUT THAT'S ALWAYS A GREAT ANNUAL EVENT FOR US.
I KNOW YOU'RE EXCITED TO BE THERE FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR.
THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE DO HAVE A VIDEO OF PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE ID.
OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARDS, THEY'RE NOMINATED BY THEIR SUPERVISORS.
THESE ARE THE 2023 -2024 RECIPIENTS OF THE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR.
THEY REPRESENT THE BEST OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE YEARS, THEY ARE THE LOCAL ROLE MODELS IN EACH OFFICE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT REALLY SERVE AS MENTORS TO OUR NEWER PEOPLE AND EMPLOYEES IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND WHAT WE KNOW IS THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE IS WHAT MAKES US SO STRONG.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR AND GRETCHEN'S TEAM PUT TOGETHER A VIDEO THAT I'D LIKE TO QUEUE UP.
>> [MUSIC] THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. ANYBODY WITH QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR THE PARISH PRESIDENT? THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN NOW HAS SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT, UNCLE SAM JAM.
[00:50:11]
>> YES, WE'RE HAVING A SMALL LITTLE PARTY IN LAFRENIERE PARK THAT WE'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO.
IT'S THE ANNUAL UNCLE SAM JAM.
AS THE PARISH PRESIDENT MENTIONED, THIS WILL BE MY FIRST YEAR HOSTING OR PLAYING HOST, I'M VERY EXCITED.
BUT WE HAVE A VIDEO PREPARED TO SHOW YOU WHAT THE ENTERTAINMENT IS GOING TO BE LIKE THIS YEAR.
[MUSIC] THE DOORS WILL OPEN AT 3:00 ON JULY 3RD, AND THE FIRST ACT WILL TAKE THE STAGE, THE MARINE CORPS AT FOUR O'CLOCK.
WE WILL GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY AROUND 9:30, AND THEN FOLLOWED BY CHAPEL HART. I'M REALLY EXCITED.
THE FRONTMEN HAVE HAD OVER 30 NUMBER ONES COMBINED.
THEY'VE HAD 30 MILLION RECORDS SOLD.
YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THIS YEAR, UNCLE SAM JAM'S GONE COUNTRY.
BRING YOUR BOOTS, SOME UMBRELLAS FOR THE SUN, AND COME OUT AND JOIN US.
I'M EXCITED. SEE YOU JULY 3RD.
>> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, I DIDN'T SAY THIS AT THE TOP OF THE MEETING, WHICH I SHOULD HAVE.
WE'RE AT THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING, 200 DERBIGNY STREET BRETON, LOUISIANA.
IT IS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12TH, AND THIS IS JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING IN CASE ANYBODY'S UNSURE, BUT I'LL LEFT THAT OUT AT THE TOP OF THE MEETING. THANK YOU.
[PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA]
NOW WE'RE AT THE PART OF THE MEETING WHERE ANYONE WHO WISHES TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA CAN DO SO NOW YOU MUST FILL OUT A REQUEST SPEAK CARD THE BACK OF CHAMBERS AND HAND IT UP TO THE COUNCIL CLERK.YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK, AND YOU MUST GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
WE DON'T NEED YOUR PHONE NUMBER. YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS WHEN YOU COME AND SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.
>> EARL MORELA, [INAUDIBLE] DRIVE, FIFTH DISTRICT [INAUDIBLE], FOURTH DISTRICT INCORPORATED JEFFERSON 52 YEARS.
THIRTY-SIX, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 54, AND 85.
WE GOT PUBLIC WORKS, JUVENILE JUSTICE, LAFRENIERE PARK, AND PARKS AND RECREATION.
TOTAL INCREASE OF THESE CONTRACTS, $308,000.
REASON WHY? SAME, UNFORESEEN OBSTRUCTIONS, ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS TACKED ON, ADDITIONAL MATERIALS, ADDITIONAL WORK.
FORTY-ONE WAS A REDUCTION OF $8,690 BECAUSE OF A SURPLUS OF MATERIALS THAT WAS PURCHASED FOR THE JOB AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET A CREDIT FOR IT, $8,690.
ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS?
>> YOU CALL ME IN FUTURE AND LET ME KNOW WHAT COLOR COAT YOU'RE WEARING.
>> I KNOW. I DIDN'T GET THE MEMO, THE YELLOW MEMO, MR. EARL.
>> YOU GOT ESP, AND A COUNCILWOMAN BEHIND HAS ESP AND SO DO I, BUT THIS IS A NEW ONE THAT JUST COME OFF THE RACK.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU. ONE MORE TIME, ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
>> FRANKIE [INAUDIBLE] I JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY AND I GOT THE CANARY MEMO. THANK YOU, MR. EARL.
I DON'T THINK I NEED A DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION BOARD AT ALL.
I DON'T CARE WHAT GOOD DEEDS THEY'RE DOING.
I DON'T CARE WHAT GOOD DEEDS THEY DO.
I DON'T APPROVE OF ALL THESE BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, EVERYTHING ELSE THAT ALLOWS YOU ALL TO BLAME SHIFT OR TO PAT YOURSELVES ON THE BACK.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS.
I TAKE OFFENSE TO BEING LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES.
I TAKE OFFENSE TO BEING FILIBUSTERED DURING OTHER ORDINANCES BY PUBLIC SERVANTS.
[00:55:07]
IT SHOULD BE EMBARRASSING TO YOU THAT I GOT TO BE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES ON 100 SOMETHING ITEMS. I COULD RATTLE OFF THE NUMBERS HERE.LET'S JUST DO THAT, MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU GOT A LEGITIMATE PROCESS, WHICH YOU DON'T.
ALL THE PROCESS AND REASONING DOESN'T MAKE SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN MORE LEGITIMATE.
IF YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW YOU EMPOWER YOUR BODY, YOU GOT NO LEGITIMACY SO I DON'T CARE HOW OFTEN I HAVE TO DO THIS, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP AT IT UNTIL YOU FIGURE THIS OUT.
FORTY-NINE, 59, 61, 62, 64, 68, 70, 74, 81, 93, 94, ON THE ADDENDUM 10 AND 11-15.
WITH 59 AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES, YOU'RE OUTSOURCING.
I GOT TO PAY A STAFFING AGENCY.
I GOT TO PAY TO HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE DO THE HIRING BECAUSE WE LACK FOR THE ABILITY TO DO SO.
THAT ADDS ON COSTS OF TAXPAYERS AT EVERY SINGLE TURN.
THE LAND GRABS FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD ALL BECAUSE FEDERAL MONEY IS GOING TO EXPIRE BY THIS SEPTEMBER SO WE GOT THIS LITTLE DOSEY DOE FROM HAYNES TO WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SCHOOL IN HARVEY, ANY NUMBER OF OTHER LITTLE BUTLER ELEMENTARY, $2,000,000 GOING HERE AND THERE AND EVERYWHERE, BUT I GOT THREE MINUTES TO TRY AND DO THIS IN.
YOU'RE INSULTING YOUR CONSTITUENCIES.
I'M HERE ON MY TIME AND MONEY, AND YOU TOOK IT AWAY FROM ME AT THE LAST MEETING.
I DIDN'T GET TO OPPOSE THAT INSPECTOR GENERAL.
WHY? YOU GOT ANOTHER THING WHERE WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME MORE OUTSOURCING HERE, COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENTS TO LOYOLA UNIVERSITY FOR COUNSELING.
WHY? BECAUSE WE LACK FOR A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE, THE SECOND MOST POPULATED PARISH OF THE GODDAM STATE, AND WE CAN'T GET A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE.
[OVERLAPPING] BUT WE CAN DO BETTER.
THIS IS AN INSULT TO THE PEOPLE.
>> YEAH, I JUST WANT TO FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES IN OUR PARISH WHO SERVE ON THE DIVERSITY BOARD, I APOLOGIZE FOR HIS INSULT BECAUSE I KNOW YOU SERVE ON YOUR OWN TIME WITHOUT COMPENSATION.
WE JUST HAD A VIDEO THAT SHOWED ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES OF OUR DEPARTMENTS WHO ARE SPECTACULAR, AND THEY ARE VIETNAMESE, SPANISH, IRISH, ITALIAN, ALL DIVERSITY.
IT'S REALLY A STRENGTH OF OUR PARISH AND FOR THOSE WHO TAKE THEIR TIME TO SERVE FREE OF CHARGE, WE APPRECIATE YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. ROBERT BURKETT, PRESIDENT JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS.
SEVEN BUNDY COURT KENNEL, LOUISIANA.
I COME TODAY BEFORE YOU TO TALK ABOUT 94.
THAT'S A PAGE STUDY FOR FIREFIGHTERS.
THAT PAGE STUDY WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE COUNCIL IN DECEMBER OF 2019, AND IT'S BEEN SITTING THERE EVER SINCE, NOT ACTED UPON.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE HORRIBLE PAY ISSUES THAT WE HAVE ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SUBMITTED A PAY PROPOSAL TO HIM AND I THINK IT WAS IN THE LATE DECEMBER EARLY JANUARY.
FOUR MONTHS LATER, THEY MEET WITH US AND HAVE NO COUNTERPROPOSAL.
THEY MEET WITH US AND TELL US THEY'RE GOING TO REVISIT THE STUDY THAT'S NOW 4.5 YEARS OLD.
TO ALLOW THAT THING TO SPOIL WHILE FIREFIGHTERS ARE STRUGGLING TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES IS INEXCUSABLE.
WE HAVE FIREFIGHTERS RIGHT NOW, THANKS TO THE COUNCIL'S LAST YEAR'S RESOLUTION GIVING US A 5% COLA, AND I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
OUR STARTING PAY FOR FIREFIGHTERS IS 10.53 AN HOUR.
THEY'RE THE LOWEST-PAID EMPLOYEES THAT WORK IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
WHEN WE PROPOSED OUR PROPOSAL, WE PROPOSED STARTING FIREFIGHTERS AT $18 AN HOUR, FOUR DOLLARS AN HOUR, LESS THAN A ROAD DEPUTY THAT THE SHERIFF HAS THE EXACT SAME HOURLY RATE THAT RIVER BURCH PAYS ITS LABORERS THAT WE JUST GOT UNDER CONTRACT.
WE NEEDED NO STUDY TO DO ANY OF THAT.
SHERIFF LA PINTO DIDN'T DO A STUDY TO REALIZE WHAT HE NEEDED TO PAY HIS DEPUTIES.
I THINK THE CITIZENS OF THE PARISH ELECT THE PARISH PRESIDENT AND HER STAFF TO BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE WAGES THAT SHOULDN'T TAKE TWO OR THREE STUDIES IN 4.5 YEARS TO COMPLETE.
THE HUE AND CRY IS, WELL, IF WE GIVE FIREFIGHTERS $18 AN HOUR,
[01:00:01]
THE ASSISTANT CHIEFS ARE GOING TO BE MAKING MORE THAN ANYBODY IN THE PARISH.ALL FIRE PERSONNEL THAT ARE IN SUPPRESSION WORK 56.5 HOURS A WEEK, NOT 35, AND THEY HAVE TO BE COMPENSATED.
OUR ASSISTANT CHIEF CURRENTLY TODAY, THERE'S THREE OF THEM, ONE ON EACH PLATOON.
HE'S IN CHARGE OF 10 FIRE STATIONS, 71 FIREMEN, 250,000 LIVES, 100,000 RESIDENCES, AND NO MATTER WHAT THE DISASTER IS FROM A NUCLEAR EXPLOSION TO A SHED FIRE, HE'D BETTER KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING BECAUSE THERE'S NOBODY ELSE.
IF HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING, THERE'S NOBODY ELSE TO GO TO.
HE CURRENTLY MAKES $42.35 AN HOUR.
YOU CAN MAKE STARTING FIREFIGHTER PAY ABOUT 150 GRAND A YEAR AT ANY PLANT IN THE RIVER PARISHES.
IT'S INSULTING AND FOR US TO CONTINUE TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR FIREFIGHTERS TO BE ABLE TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.
>> THAT'S YOUR TIME, MR. BURKE CAN YOU WRAP UP, PLEASE?
>> THE REASON WE HAVE 95 FIGHTERS IN THE HALL TODAY IS THEY WANT TO LET YOU KNOW.
WE APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL'S EFFORT IN REDOING THE STUDY, BUT SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE AND IT NEEDS TO CHANGE SOON. THANK YOU.
>> FIREFIGHTER STEVE ORCHES 104 PANTHER RUN DESTRO HAN, LOUISIANA, SPEAKING ON NUMBER 94.
BORN AT LAKESIDE HOSPITAL, RAISED IN THE 1,100 BLOCK OF NORTH TURNBULL DRIVE, NEXT TO CLARE PLAYGROUND, ST. PENILLA SCHOOL A PROUD PUBLIC SERVANT, BEEN ON THIS JOB EIGHT YEARS NOW.
I CURRENTLY DON'T MAKE $15 AN HOUR STILL.
HAVE A 10-YEAR-OLD AND A 7-YEAR-OLD BOY.
THOSE 56.5 HOURS A WEEK THAT I WORK.
MISS A LOT OF PRACTICES, MISS A LOT OF BALL GAMES, MISS SCHOOL EVENTS, WORK CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY, FATHER'S DAY, MOTHER'S DAY, SUNDAYS, SATURDAYS, EASTER, THANKSGIVING, HALLOWEEN, ALL OF IT.
DON'T SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT, GET WOKEN UP, TO GO ON CALLS, TO DEAL WITH THINGS THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULDN'T WANT TO DO.
SOME TRAUMATIC THINGS, SOME AGGRAVATING THINGS, BUT REGARDLESS, WHEN THAT BELL GOES OFF, WE ANSWER THE CALL.
OUT OF THE 90 GUYS AND GIRLS IN THIS ROOM THAT I'M SPEAKING FOR NOT A SINGLE ONE OF US WOULDN'T GIVE OUR LIVES IF NEEDED FOR ONE ANOTHER OR TO SAVE SOMEONE IN THIS PARISH IN A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE ASKING FOR MUCH.
THE FACT THAT I TAKE HOME A LITTLE OVER $900 EVERY TWO WEEKS, $1,800 A MONTH, TELL ME WHAT THAT'S GOING TO PAY OFF IN JEFFERSON PARISH TO OWN A HOME, PAY FOR SCHOOL, FOOD, WHATEVER.
THOSE 56.5 HOURS A WEEK, MY WHOLE LIFE HAVE BECOME 100, 120, WORKING A SECOND, THIRD, OR FOURTH JOB, JUST TO PROVIDE FOR MY WIFE AND KIDS.
LIKE MR. BOB SAID, 4.5 YEARS, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
PLEASE THINK ABOUT WHAT WE DO AND PLEASE THINK ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD BE FAIRLY COMPENSATED MOVING FORWARD. THANK YOU.
>> SCOTT TASIN 0.5462, PUNCH 2, LOUISIANA, TALKING ABOUT 94 FIREMEN.
EVERYTHING FIREMEN HAVE SAID SO FAR, I AGREE ON, AND I WOULD IMAGINE THE PUBLIC AGREES ON ALSO.
THIRTY YEARS AGO, I BECAME A FIREMAN.
I'M A DISTRICT CHIEF RIGHT NOW.
I'M GOING TO RETIRE NEXT YEAR, BUT I'M TALKING AMONGST THE FIREMEN.
I'M NOT SURE IF EVERYBODY KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT WE DO SO I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND EXPLAIN WHAT WE DO.
WHETHER IT'S ONE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, A LIFTED ASSISTANCE, STRUCTURE FIRE, HURRICANE, DOESN'T MATTER.
WE'RE GOING TO BE THERE FOR 10.53 AN HOUR, IT'S APPALLING.
AGAIN, I WOULD IMAGINE THE PUBLIC WOULD AGREE WHEN I ASK Y'ALL,
[01:05:04]
HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY FOR YOUR LIFE IF YOUR HOUSE CAUGHT A FIRE FOR YOUR FAMILY, YOUR SONS, YOUR DAUGHTERS? WOULD IT BE MORE THAN 10.53 AN HOUR OR WOULD BE MORE THAN THAT? I KNOW I WOULD PAY MORE THAN THAT.I'D PAY ANYTHING TO SAVE MY FAMILY SO I'M ASKING Y'ALL TO RETHINK WHAT WE'RE GETTING PAID RIGHT NOW AND MAKE A CHANGE. THANK YOU.
>> YES, SIR. MARK DECKER, 3913 CYPRESS STREET, MERY LOUISIANA.
I'M A LIEUTENANT WITH JEFFERSON PARISH FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WHEN I FIRST TOOK THIS JOB, I HAD TO WORK THREE JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
RENT WAS ONLY $700 A MONTH 15 YEARS AGO, AND IT IS MORE THAN THAT TODAY.
MY WIFE HAS 20 WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD.
THE TWO OF US TOGETHER WITH OUR DAUGHTER WHO WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM, LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.
THE COST OF FLOOD INSURANCE, THE COST OF HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE, THE COST OF MEDICAL INSURANCE FROM THE PARISH, THE COST OF THE TAX ASSESSOR'S INSURANCE ON THE HOME, THE COST TO SEND HER TO THERAPY, TO SEND HER TO A SPECIAL SCHOOL WHERE SHE CAN SUCCEED AND THRIVE AFTER 15 AND 20 YEARS, WE'RE HALFWAY THROUGH OUR CAREERS BEFORE WE CAN RETIRE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE COMFORTABLY, NOT LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.
I WOULD LIKE Y'ALL TO REALLY CONSIDER HOW MUCH LONGER WE NEED TO WAIT ON THIS.
AFTER 15 YEARS I'VE SEEN THE PAY STUDIES COME AND THE PAY STUDIES GO AND IN THE END, THEY USUALLY TELL YOU WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT THE FIREMEN ARE NOT PAID ENOUGH.
WE ARE NOW BEHIND NEW ORLEANS AS A FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE ARE ABOUT TO FALL BEHIND KENNER AS A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND IN THE END, WE MAY START LOSING FIREFIGHTERS TO THOSE DEPARTMENTS.
JEFFERSON PARISH IS THE CROWN JEWEL OF THIS AREA, WHERE SOME OF THE MOST RESPECTED AND WELL-TRAINED FIREMEN IN THE AREA, YET WE'RE NOT BEING PAID LIKE WE ARE.
I WOULD LIKE THEM TO RECONSIDER THIS. THANK YOU.
>> LET ME MENTION AGAIN, BEFORE YOU BEGIN, IF YOU HAVE NOT FILLED OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD AND YOU'RE SPEAKING, PLEASE DO ONE AND PLEASE FILL ONE OUT AND HAND IT UP TO THE CLERK AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN TO HAVEN'T FILLED ONE OUT, PLEASE JUST DO SO SO WE CAN HAVE EVERYBODY'S NAME ON RECORD ON PAPER AS WELL. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MITCH ARWA, 79 KAJAN, LOUISIANA.
I'M A 13-YEAR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR WITH JEFFERSON PARISH FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE SOME GUYS WHO ARE GETTING THIS JOB THAT ARE ON FOOD STAMPS.
THEIR KIDS ARE ON LA CHIP BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE HEALTH INSURANCE.
THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THEIR BILLS.
AS MY FELLOW FIREFIGHTERS JUST SAID, THEY'RE WORKING TWO AND THREE JOBS JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
ONE THING WE ALWAYS HEAR IS THAT OUR TOP END IS MAKING TOO MUCH MONEY.
WELL, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE FIRE CHIEF WHO RETIRED A FEW YEARS AGO, HAD THREE YEARS OF SERVICE MAKING $62 AN HOUR FOR A 35-HOUR WORKWEEK.
ALL THE WHILE, THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT DO THE HEAVY LIFTING OF THIS JOB MAKE 10.53.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE FIRE SERVICES MAKES $161,000 A YEAR, MORE THAN ANYBODY IN EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FIRE CHIEF.
HE HAS 17 YEARS OF SERVICE OR $88 AN HOUR.
OUR PAY PROPOSAL WOULDN'T EVEN BRING OUR ASSISTANT CHIEFS TO THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT.
IT'S A SHAME THAT THE SHANG ADMINISTRATION HAS LET THIS SIT FOR SO LONG.
THEY ALL ASKED US TO MAKE THEM A PROPOSAL, AND WE DID.
IF THEY WANTED A PAY STUDY, THEY COULD HAVE SAID, LOOK, WE'RE GOING TO DO A PAY STUDY WHILE YOU GIVE US A PROPOSAL. THEY DIDN'T.
THEY'RE TRYING TO DELAY AS LONG AS THEY CAN TO MAKE THESE FIREFIGHTERS STARVE EVEN LONGER.
THERE WAS NO EFFORT OF GOODWILL.
THERE WAS NO GESTURE OF GOODWILL TO BRING THESE MEN AND WOMEN UP TO 11.99 AN HOUR, LIKE EVERY OTHER PARISH EMPLOYEE.
FROM WHAT WE'RE HEARING, PARISH EMPLOYEES WILL GO UP TO $14 AN HOUR, WHICH IS GREAT.
THEY DESERVE A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN THAT.
THEY WORK HARD, BUT SO DO THESE FIREMEN.
FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO SAY A THIRD PAY STUDY NEEDED TO BE DONE TO PAY THEIR FIREFIGHTERS, THAT'S ABSURD.
I HOPE THE COUNCIL WOULD STEP IN AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND BACK THEIR FIREFIGHTERS. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS VERNON BOUDREAUX, 2537 CARDINAL DRIVE IN MARRERO.
IT'S FUNNY THE PARISH COUNCIL COULD FIND $74 MILLION TO BUY AN ABANDONED APARTMENT COMPLEX IN MEDARY.
THEY CAN BUILD FISHING PIERS ON EVERY HIGHWAY THAT GOES TO THE LAKEFRONT, BUCKTOWN, TRANSCONTINENTAL, WILLIAMS BOULEVARD.
YOU'LL HAVE 4TH OF JULY FAM COMING UP WITH ENTERTAINMENT, THAT'S MONEY,
[01:10:01]
YOU HAVE ALL THE PARADES, YOU HAVE COVERED STANDS FOR THE POLITICIANS AND THEIR FAMILY WITH HEATED TOILETS, AIR-CONDITIONED IN SUMMERTIME AND THE TAXPAYERS ON THE WEST BANK ARE PAYING FOR THAT.WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BUILD A PARK ON BAYARD FAMILY PARK 20 YEARS AGO WHEN THE PARISH PRESIDENT CAME.
I USED TO WORK FOR THE PARISH AT THAT TIME.
WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A PARK JUST LIKE WE'RE OFFERING YOU FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE WEST BANK.
WELL, THE HURRICANE CAME, THEY ALL TOOK THE MONEY TO REBUILD LAFRENIERE PARK.
DID YOU ALL EVER THANK THE PEOPLE OF WEST BANK? NO. TWENTY YEARS LATER, YOU FINALLY OPENED UP A PARK ON THE WEST BANK.
>> LET ME ASK YOU ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ITEM 94 OR SOMETHING ELSE? I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR WITH WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT.
>> THIS WAS GRAFT FOR KATRINA.
>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR THE ADDENDUM AGENDA? I THOUGHT YOU WERE SPEAKING ON ITEM 94 IN RELATION TO THE PAY PLAN.
>> I'M TALKING ABOUT WASTED MONEY.
>> OKAY. WELL, THAT COMES AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
THAT'S NOT FOR THIS PART OF THE MEETING.
>> I FEEL OUT THE BLUE CARD. I'M SORRY.
I THOUGHT YOU JUST WALKED OUT.
>> I'M SORRY. NO, THIS IS FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR THE ADDENDUM AGENDA.
>> I'M SORRY. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HERE.
>> IT'S OKAY. I WAS LISTENING TO YOU THOUGH THINKING YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT 94, AND THEN I REALIZED IT WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING ELSE.
>> IT'S WASTED MONEY ON BRICKS AND STUFF $3 MILLION ON BRICKS.
>> END OF THE MEETING, YOU GOT YOUR 3 MINUTES.
>> NO PROBLEM. I'LL BE BACK. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR THE ADDENDUM AGENDA? ANYBODY THINKING ABOUT GETTING UP, BUT THEY'RE NOT SURE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE HEARD IS HEARD. THANK YOU ALL.
LET'S MOVE NOW TO ITEM NUMBER 64,
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO (Part 1 of 2)]
WHICH WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER, I BELIEVE.ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING ITEM 64 OUT OF ORDER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDER, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ ITEM NUMBER 64.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE CITY OF WESTWEGO AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $2 MILLION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING THE FARMER BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LOCATED AT 304TH STREET IN WESTWEGO, LOUISIANA, AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> WELL, BEFORE WE VOTE, I'M GOING TO CALL UP IN A MINUTE, MAYOR BIOT AND MISS CHARMAINE FROM THE UNITED WAY.
I JUST WANT TO SAY I COULD NOT FIND A MORE PERFECT PROJECT THAT MEETS THE CRITERIA GOALS OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO HELP AMERICANS RECOVER FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC.
THESE FUNDS WILL NOT ONLY SAVE A HISTORIC 100-YEAR-OLD SCHOOL, BUT THAT WILL ALSO CERTAINLY BE PLACED ON THE FEDERAL AND STATE HISTORIC REGISTERS, BUT IT WILL TURN AROUND AND USE IT TO ESTABLISH A CENTER TO HELP FAMILIES IN JEFFERSON, PARISH DURING FINANCIAL NEED.
THE CITY WILL BE ABLE TO USE IT TO CREATE A COMMUNITY CENTER AS WELL AS DEVELOP OTHER USES IN THE FUTURE.
THIS FACILITY WILL BE THE FIRST UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER IN JEFFERSON, PARISH.
IT'S CURRENTLY ONE LOCATED IN NEW ORLEANS AND ANOTHER ONE ON THE NORTH SHORE, BUT THIS WILL BE THE FIRST IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND IT WILL BE OPEN TO ALL JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENTS.
I'M HAPPY TO HAVE HERE WITH ME TODAY, MISS SHARMA CASSIOPE WITH THE UNITED WAY, WHO WILL SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE PLANS ARE AND WHAT A PROSPERITY CENTER IS, AND WE'LL FOLLOW THAT UP WITH A COUPLE OF WORDS FROM MAYOR BIOT.
MISS CHARMAINE, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE.
>> [INAUDIBLE]. HE'S GOING TO SPEAK INSTEAD OF ME.
>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, COUNSEL. I'M JUST HERE.
I WAS ASKED TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WORK OF THE UNITED WAY PROSPERITY CENTER, WHICH HAS BEEN TIED TO THE RECENT CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE ACQUISITION OF JOSHUA BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
IN LIGHT OF SOME OF THE EARLIER COMMENTS, I DECIDED TO NOT USE MY PREPARED REMARKS, BUT JUST SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR RICH HISTORY OF HELPING FAMILIES THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AND OUR STRONG DESIRE TO BE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, PHYSICALLY LOCATED TO BETTER SERVE, WHAT WE CALL ALICE HOUSEHOLDS.
MANY OF YOU KNOW ALICE. ALICE IS AN ACRONYM FOR ASSET LIMITED, INCOME CONSTRAINED, EMPLOYED.
IT REPRESENTS THE HARDWORKING RESIDENTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH THAT OFTENTIMES HAVE ONE OR TWO OR THREE JOBS BUT IS STILL STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET IN THE SAD REALITY IS THROUGHOUT OUR STATE, THAT ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT ONE OUT OF TWO HOUSEHOLDS.
ONCE AGAIN, FOLKS ARE DOING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS, BUT STILL STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET, MEETING THE BASIC NEEDS OF CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, FOOD, AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS.
OUR PROSPERITY CENTERS, I'D LIKE TO CAUSE THE TIP OF THE SPEAR IN OUR ABILITY TO ADDRESS THOSE CHALLENGES BY OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING FINANCIAL CAPABILITY OF BUILDING, BUDGETING, CREDIT REPAIR, FREE TAX PREP.
BUT ALSO UTILITY ASSISTANCE, MORTGAGE AND RENT ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES THAT NEED LITTLE HELP
[01:15:01]
A HAND UP JUST TO GET BY IN A PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING MONTH.WE CURRENTLY HAVE THREE CENTERS.
WE'RE PREPARING TO OPEN OUR FOURTH IN NEW ORLEANS EAST.
THIS RECENT CONVERSATION WITH MARY BEAT AND LEADERSHIP OF WESTWEGO HAS PRESENTED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE CONSIDERED TO JOIN AN EFFORT IN WESTWEGO TO OPEN A CENTER THERE.
JUST TO HIT ON SOME OF THE RESULTS.
IN FIVE YEARS, WE'VE HELPED FAMILIES ACQUIRE OVER 13 OR $15 MILLION, AND ASSETS MEANS THEY'RE BUYING CARS AND HOMES, ETC, THEY CAN SHELTER THEIR FAMILIES OR GET TO AND FROM WORK.
WE'VE HELP FOLKS SAVE ON AVERAGE $1,500 IN A SIX MONTH PERIOD SHOWING THEM THE POWER OF HOW YOU CAN EARN, KEEP, AND SAVE YOUR RESOURCES.
WE'VE SEEN FOLKS REDUCE THEIR DEBT.
OVER $300 IN THREE MONTHS, WHICH IS IN SIX MONTHS IS SIGNIFICANT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS THAT THESE CENTERS ARE EFFECTIVE IN HELPING FAMILIES MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS AND GET ON THE PATHWAY TO FINANCIAL STABILITY.
I'M ALSO VERY VERY PROUD AS WE WRAPPED UP TAX SEASON RECENTLY THAT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WE'VE HELPED FAMILIES.
WE HOPE PAYS PROCESS OVER $65 MILLION IN TAX RETURNS, AND WE DO THIS FOR FREE FOR HOUSEHOLDS THAT QUALIFY BASED ON INCOME INSURING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A PREPARE, BUT THEY CAN KEEP THAT 2,3, $400 IN MONEY AND PUT IT BACK IN THEIR POCKET AND PAY AN ESSENTIAL BILL.
WE'RE EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION REGARDING WESTWEGO AND SAVING JOSHUA BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS TO BRING MORE SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS AT JEFFERSON PARISH.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE, AND I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY TO ANSWER.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU PRIMARILY DO IS A PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE FACED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HERE, JEFFERSON PARISH AND AS WITH HOMELESSNESS AND FAMILY HOMELESSNESS.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PROSPERITY CENTER IS GEARED TOWARDS ADDRESSING, IS IT NOT?
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT'S NO SECRET.
WE'VE ALL SEEN THE RISING COSTS OF INSURANCE, INCLUDING EARLIER REFERENCE, HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE, BUT MANY, WELL, HALF OF OUR RESIDENTS OFTENTIMES CAN ENDURE THAT.
THEY CAN PAY THOSE BILLS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO.
BUT WE SEE SO MANY FAMILIES THAT COME TO OUR PROSPERITY CENTER THAT THAT EXTRA EXPENSE EVERY MONTH HAS THROWN THEM INTO A SPIRAL ON A TAILSPIN.
WE PUTS THEM ON THE VERGE OF HOMELESSNESS, BUT FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE AS AN EXAMPLE, A PROGRAM CALLED MOVING FAMILIES FORWARD.
WHICH ALLOWS US TO HELP FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES SO THEIR CHILDREN CAN STAY IN SCHOOL AND CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION WITHOUT BOUNCING FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL.
THAT'S JUST ONE OF MANY PROGRAMS WE OFFER, AND WE WORK CONSTANTLY DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
YOU SEE MY COLLEAGUES HERE, CHARM AND PAM TO RAISE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND FIND OTHER FUNDERS THAT WILL HELP US MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE HOUSEHOLDS AS WELL.
THAT WE'RE TRYING TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS CLEARLY THROUGH THOSE PROGRAMS.
>> MAYBE I WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE OR IT'S JUST YOU?
>> TELL ME, EVERYBODY ELSE GOT A JOB BUT ME, HE SAYS, EXCEPT ME.
BUT YEARS AGO, WE TALKED ABOUT ALL THIS EVERY TIME.
WHEN AVONDALE SHIPYARD CLOSES DOORS, NOT ONLY DID YOU LOSE 28,000 JOBS AND AT ONE AREA, JUST SPREAD OUT ALL THE SUBCONTRACTORS THAT YOU HAD BACK ON THE WESTBANK AND THE EASTBANK.
I REMEMBER GOING OUT THERE A COUPLE OF TIMES AND SEEING THE BUS ROUTES COMING IN FROM AS FAR AS MOBILE TO HOUMA.
AND AT THAT TIME, YOU'LL HAVE PEOPLE SPREAD OUT ALL OVER THERE AND WORK IN DIFFERENT PLACES AS SUBCONTRACTORS, BUT [INAUDIBLE] SAYS THE GREEN ENERGY IS STARTING TO TAKE EFFECT.
WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME OF THE MORE COMPANIES COMING BACK OVER AND TRYING TO HELP, JEDCO'S PLAYING A MAJOR PART IN THAT ALSO.
WHEN THE SCHOOL BOARD DECIDED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SELL THE SCHOOL, I HAD PEOPLE COMING TO ME THAT GRADUATED, AND I THOUGHT DEANO WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS, BUT HE GRADUATED AT THE SCHOOL IN 1923.
THAT'S WHAT HE WAS TELLING ME, THAT I GRADUATED.
>> YOU WERE IN THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF 1927? SCHOOL OPENED AT '23.
>> I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS AS WE SPOKE.
ANYHOW, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN, DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS IN TO JOSHUA BUTLER SCHOOL, AND TALKING ABOUT IT.
THEN WE ALL WENT BACK TO THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, AND NOW IS BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
SOMETIMES WHEN WE WAS REFERRING IT TO GETTING READY TO KNOCK DOWN NEW ORLEANS SCHOOL, THEY WOULD GO BACK AND SAY, I JUST BUILT THAT SCHOOL IN 1972 AND SAY, WELL, NO, THAT'S NOT THE ONE, THIS WAS BUILT IN 1923.
ANYHOW, AFTER BRINGING DEANO OVER THERE AND LOOKING OVER SOME SITUATIONS, AND CHARMAINE WITH UNITED WAY AND MR. MICHAEL WILLIAMSON WITH UNITED WAY COMING BY, THEY STARTED TALKING TO US REALLY DEEPLY ABOUT IT, AND THEN WE GOT BACK WITH DEANO AND HERE WE ARE TODAY.
SO WE REALLY WANT TO THANK THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, SPECIALLY COUNCILMAN DEANO, FOR LOOKING AFTER THAT SITUATION AND LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PARISH IN THE WHOLE WESTBANK OF WHAT THIS IS GOING TO DO FOR US.
[01:20:01]
IT'S REALLY GOING TO BRING PEOPLE IN WHO'S BEEN LIVING ON, NOT ALMOST, PAY DATE TO PAY DATE, MANY OF THEM, AND SO TO MAKE THEM COME IN LINE WITH HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BUDGET THEIR MONEY AND DO THINGS.ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR THAT ATTENTION. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR, THANK YOU AND YOUR COUNCIL FOR BEING DILIGENT IN YOUR PURSUIT OF KEEPING THIS SCHOOL ALIVE.
AS YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS INTENDING TO TEAR IT DOWN, AND I WANT TO THANK DR. GRAY, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND ALL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FOR BEING SO PATIENT AS WE ASKED THEM TO HOLD OFF ON DOING THIS UNTIL WE COULD FIND A SOLUTION.
WITH THAT, I'LL MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES]
I HAVE A NOTE THAT THAT WILL BE DEFERRED TO JULY 10TH.COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THAT?
>> I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS, AND THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CONVEYED SOME NEW INFORMATION TO US THIS MORNING.
JUST SO EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT AND CONSIDER IT, I'D LIKE TO DEFER ONE MEETING.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 1 TO OUR JULY 10TH MEETING ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ITEM NUMBER 2, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING FOR LICENSED SCHOOL UNIFORM VENDORS FOR PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS, JEFF CAP, COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR SELECTION?
>> SELECT ALL QUALIFIED, WHICH IS KARMA CLOTHING, DOING BUSINESS AS UNIFORMS BY LOGO EXPRESS, AS WELL AS UNIFORMS BY KAJAN.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL QUALIFIED, KARMA CLOTHING, DBA UNIFORMS BY LOGO EXPRESS, AND UNIFORMS BY KAJAN INC., ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 3, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL 24-HOUR LOUISIANA LICENSED VETERINARIAN SERVICES FOR THE JEFFERSON PROTECTION AND ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
>> SELECT METAIRIE SMALL ANIMAL HOSPITAL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF METAIRIE SMALL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ITEMS 4, 5, 6, AND 7, OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE'LL GET BACK TO THOSE AT NOON.
THAT TAKES US TO THE PUBLIC APPEARANCE AGENDA
[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES]
AND SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES IN ITEM 8, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26324, RESUB OF LOT 1-A, SQUARE 143, SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS X-Y-2 AND A-B-1, SQUARE 143 AND APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLAT OF THE SAID SUBDIVISION, WS-171-23 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26324.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26324, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ITEM NUMBER 9, I'VE GOT A NOTE TO DEFER THAT TO JULY 10TH.
COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THAT?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 3, SUMMARY NUMBER 26325, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, TO OUR JULY 10TH MEETING, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING]
NOW NUMBER 10, A NOTE THAT THAT WILL BE DEFERRED TO OUR AUGUST 7TH MEETING.COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION ON THAT?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 10 TO AUGUST 7TH ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
NO DEFERRAL HERE. PLEASE READ, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26327, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP LOTS 8 AND 9, SQUARE G, FAZANDE TRACT SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 417 AND 419 AVENUE J, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R-1A TO R-2, WZ-4-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26327.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> HI. SANDY TRUPIANO, 5313 FOURTH STREET, MARRERO.
I'M REPRESENTING PROVENZANO PROPERTIES, THAT IS OUR COMPANY WHO OWNS THE SUBJECT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 417, 419 AVENUE J IN MARRERO.
WE'RE ASKING FOR THE ZONING TO BE CHANGED FROM R-1 TO R-2.
THAT PARTICULAR PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY A DOUBLE.
IT WAS CONSTRUCTED IN THE EARLY 1950S AND IT HAS BEEN A DOUBLE SINCE THEN PRIOR TO THE PARISH HAVING THE ZONING THAT IT HAS NOW.
[01:25:04]
WE'RE LOOKING TO RENOVATE IT TO TOTALLY PUT IT TOGETHER AS A NEW PROPERTY.WE HAD ASKED FOR A SIMILAR ITEM BACK IN 2009 ON ANOTHER PROPERTY ON THE OTHER STREET, AND WE WERE GRANTED THAT ON OCTOBER 14TH OF 2009.
THESE PROPERTIES THAT WE HAVE DO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY.
IT SEEMS LIKE TODAY, THAT'S BEEN A BIG TOPIC.
WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT NEEDING THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS.
THE DOUBLES, IN GENERAL, ALLOW THE INVESTOR TO PRODUCE A PROPERTY ECONOMICALLY, MORE EFFICIENT, AND GIVES MORE UNITS AVAILABLE AT A LOWER PRICE POINT TO THE PERSON WHO'S TRYING TO RENT.
BUILDING A NEW, AS OPPOSED TO JUST REFURBISHING AN OLD PROPERTY, IS BETTER FOR ALL.
THE NEW BUILDING IS UP TO ALL STANDARDS AND HAS ALL THE MODERN AMENITIES, WHICH ARE NOT ALWAYS FEASIBLE WITH THE RENOVATION.
THE AGE OF JEFFERSON PARISH HOUSING STOCK AND LIMITED VACANT LAND MAKES IT ESSENTIAL THAT WE USE THE AREAS WE HAVE TO ITS FULLEST TO ACCOMMODATE OUR CURRENT POPULATION AND NEWCOMERS.
THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION ON THE WESTBANK FROM HARVEY ALL THE WAY THROUGH MARRERO, THERE ARE NUMEROUS DOUBLES THAT ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION.
YOU HAVE THEM ZONED R-1, AND AS AN R-2, THEY CAN REALLY HOUSE MORE INDIVIDUALS AND PROVIDE BETTER PRICE POINT FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS.
FOR NEIGHBORS, THE NEW BUILDING IS PREFERABLE TO A RENOVATION AND THE PROPERTY VALUE INCREASES, AND IT'S MORE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING TO ALL.
I ACTUALLY LIVE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
I LIVE ABOUT A HALF A BLOCK AWAY FROM WHERE THIS IS, SO I FEEL LIKE I DO HAVE A STAKE IN IT FOR THE QUALITY OF MY PERSONAL SELF AND FAMILY, AND FOR ALL THE OTHER PROPERTIES THAT ARE IN THAT AREA.
I JUST WANT TO QUOTE, IN 2017, THERE WAS AN ARTICLE THAT WAS PUBLISHED FROM JEDCO, WHICH GAVE TO THE PARISH JUST RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOME OF THE HOUSING STOCK THAT WE HAVE.
AND ONE OF THEM WAS AMENDING THE PARISH CODE TO ACCOMMODATE WALKABLE MIXED-USE NEIGHBORHOODS.
THAT'S WHAT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS, IT IS A MIXED-USE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT IS WALKING DISTANCE TO ABOUT THREE OR FOUR RESTAURANTS AND OTHER BUSINESSES THAT ARE IN THAT AREA.
SO WE JUST RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER CHANGING THAT TO AN R-2. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26327 ON MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ITEM NUMBER 12, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26328, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP, LOT 26A, SQUARE 117, SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 2255 ROCHELLE AVENUE, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R-1A TO C-2, WZ-1-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE'RE NOW OVER THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26328.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS LINDA DAVIS.
I'M REPRESENTING MY FATHER REVEREND GEORGE DAVIS.
I DO NOT APPROVE OF THIS REZONING BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A RESIDENTIAL AREA EVER SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE AND MY PARENTS MOVED THERE WHEN I WAS 5-YEARS-OLD.
NOT ONLY IS IT A RESIDENTIAL AREA IT IS A VERY GOOD AREA WHERE WE'VE BEEN RAISING CHILDREN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAS ALSO BUILT HOMES BACK THERE SO THERE'S EVEN MORE MULTIPLE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN THERE.
WE DON'T NEED A BUSINESS AREA IN THAT AREA.
WE'RE STILL TRYING TO GET FUNDING AND OTHER THINGS DONE IN THAT AREA, AND A BUSINESS BEING LOCATED IN THAT AREA IS NOT A GOOD THING.
THERE ARE BIG TRUCKS COME THERE, THERE ARE PEOPLE BRING THEIR VEHICLES THERE ALL HOURS OF THE EVENING.
WE DON'T NEED THAT AND HOW I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I'M IN THE HOUSE RIGHT ACROSS FROM IT SO I SEE IT BY CAMERAS, PICK IT UP.
WE DON'T NEED THAT TYPE OF BUSINESS.
THAT ACTUALLY WAS A GARDEN THAT MY FATHER HAD FOR YEARS THERE SO WE DON'T NEED THAT.
[01:30:01]
AND I DO OPPOSE IT, AS WELL AS OTHER THINGS, BUT I'M SPEAKING ABOUT THIS, BUT THAT'S NOT SOMETHING SUFFICIENT FOR THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND I'M I'M ACTUALLY LIVING BACK THERE NOW TAKING CARE OF MY FATHER AND THAT'S NOT SUFFICIENT AND I HAVE A HANDICAPPED CHILD THERE SO I OPPOSE IT.>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILMAN LEE, HIT YOUR MICROPHONE, TOO. YOU'RE MUTED.
>> FIRST, LET ME SAY I AGREE WITH YOUR POSITION AND THE POSITION OF THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY AND I MOVE TO DENY IT.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DENIAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26328 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26329, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP LOT 29-A SQUARE 21, HARVEY CANAL SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 10:30 ESCOLOT AVENUE, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM C2 TO R-1A WZ-2-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE KNOW OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26329.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26329, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26330 TO AMEND CHAPTER 25 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON TO AMEND THE FAIRFIELD STRATEGIC PLAN OF SUB AREA PLAN OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
AS AUTHORIZED BY ORDINANCE NUMBER 25020, ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2015, AND COUNCIL RESOLUTION NUMBER 139831 ADOPTED ON JUNE 15TH, 2022, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL DO THIS PRESENTATION BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MICHAEL FLYNN WITH DIGITAL ENGINEERING.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME HERE TO PRESENT THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE, THIS CONSULTING GROUP OF DIGITAL ENGINEERING, MSF GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, AND STEWART CONSULTING GROUP.
SOME BACKGROUND IN 2015, THE ORIGINAL STRATEGIC PLAN WAS ADOPTED, AND AS PART OF VISION 2040, JEFFERSON 2040 BEING ADOPTED, THE FAIR FOR A STRATEGIC PLAN WAS INCLUDED AS A SUB AREA PLAN.
ALSO INCLUDING THAT AUDITS WAS THE ALLOWABLE FOR REVISIONS TO BE DONE IN THE FUTURE TO THIS PLAN, WHICH IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2022, THE WORK BEGAN TO UPDATE THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WAS CREATED EARLY ON TO OVERSEE THE WORK DONE AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK AT ALL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.
INCLUDING ON THE PMC OR A COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 SECTION PARISH DEPARTMENTS OF PLANNING, PERMITTING, ENGINEERING, ECOSYSTEM, AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, NEW ORLEANS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION, AND JCO.
PROJECT OUTREACH ALSO INCLUDED INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AND SEVERAL PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE MEETINGS TO HEAR FEEDBACK FROM THOSE IN THE AREA ON THE PLAN UPDATES.
SOME OF THOSE PRIVATE STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDE BARRO LAKE COMPANY, WAINER COMPANIES, AND CHURCHILL FARMS. FROM THESE MEETINGS, NEEDS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE AREA, ONE BEING THE NEED FOR A GROCERY STORE IN THE AREA, AS THIS AREA IS CONSIDERED A FOOD DESERT.
OTHER NEEDS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED INCLUDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND MORE HOUSING IN GENERAL, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL RETAIL, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS.
USING ALL THIS FEEDBACK FROM THE INTERVIEWS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS, WE WERE ABLE TO CREATE A FINAL PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO FOR THE AREA.
HERE YOU SEE A MAP SHOWING THE FINAL PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO, THAT'S BROKEN DOWN BY THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS.
THESE DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS DID NOT CHANGE THE EXISTING LAND USE OR ZONING DESIGNATIONS OF THE AREA, NOR DID THEY DICTATE WHAT WILL OR BE DEVELOPED IN THE FAIRFIELD AREA.
HOWEVER, THEY DO PROVIDE A VISION OF WHAT COULD BE DEVELOPED IN THE AREA, ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT REGULATIONS IN THE AREA.
THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO HERE INCLUDES COMMERCIAL USE ALONG US HIGHWAY 90 IN THE PALKO BOULEVARDS, THAT'S TO PROVIDE COMMERCIAL SUPPORT TO THE EXISTING RECREATIONAL ATTRACTIONS IN THE EAST AND RESIDENTIAL USES MAINLY TO THE WEST AND EAST TO KEEP THEM AWAY FROM THE NOLL MOTORSPORTS PARK.
HERE I INCLUDED SOME IMAGES SO YOU HAVE A GENERAL IDEA OF WHAT THESE DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS COULD LOOK LIKE.
FOR EXAMPLE, NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE WOULD BE A MORE TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE YOU HAVE MOSTLY RESIDENTIAL USES WITH A FEW SMALL BUSINESSES MIXED IN, SUCH AS SMALL RESTAURANTS OR STORES.
[01:35:03]
COMMUNITY MIXED USE WOULD BE A MORE DENSE MIX OF COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USES WITH EXAMPLES OF BUILDINGS LIKE WITH COMMERCIAL ON THE FIRST FLOOR AND RESIDENTIAL ABOVE.THEN YOU WOULD HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL MIXED-USE, WHICH IS FOR LOW-DENSITY DEVELOPMENT, SUCH AS CONSERVATION OR SUBDIVISIONS WITH LARGE OVERSIZED LOTS.
THE PROPOSED SCENARIO WAS USED TO ALSO EVALUATE FUTURE TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITY NEEDS AND DEMANDS OF A FULLY BUILT-OUT FAIR FIELD AREA TO HELP THE PARISH BETTER PLAN FOR WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THIS DEVELOPMENT.
HERE, YOU HAVE A MAP OF OUR PROPOSED NETWORK OF ARTERIAL ROADWAYS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
THIS WAS CREATED LOOKING AT THE ESTIMATED TRAFFIC DEMANDS OF OUR STUDY.
THE YELLOW ROADS ON THE MAP ARE NEW ROADWAYS AND THE GREEN ARE EXISTING ROADWAYS, THAT WOULD BE IMPROVED.
THIS NETWORK FOCUSES ON MAJOR THOROUGHFARES IN THE AREA AND IT WAS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE USE OF ALL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES.
TWO ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS WERE IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THE STUDY AS THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND THEY'RE MARKED WITH STARS ON THE MAP.
ONE IS THE WIDENING IN THE CALBOULEVARD TO A FOUR-LANE ROADWAY TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO THE EXISTING ATTRACTIONS ON THE COAL AS WELL AS TO THE NEW JOHN AREA JUNIOR SPORTS COMPLEX AND THE SECOND IS CONTINUING NORTH THE ROADWAY THAT IS BEING CONSTRUCTED CURRENTLY AS PART OF THE SPORTS COMPLEX TO CREATE A HALF-MILE CONNECTION BETWEEN PALCO BOULEVARD AND THE COLE BOULEVARD.
IN EVALUATING POTABLE WATER NEEDS, IT'S NOT ANTICIPATED THAT WEST BANK TREATMENT FACILITY WOULD NEED TO BE EXPANDED IN ORDER TO MEET THE ADDITIONAL DEMANDS EXPECTED FROM THE STUDY.
HOWEVER, ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE WOULD BE NEEDED, SUCH AS NEW WATER TOWER AND TRANSMISSION MEANS TO SUPPLY THE ADEQUATE WATER PRESSURE TO THE FAIRFIELD AREA.
IN TERMS OF WASTEWATER, THE FAIRFIELD AREA, AS WELL AS WAGAMAN, AVONDALE, AND BRIDGE CITY, THEY'RE ALL SERVICED BY THE EXISTING BRIDGE CITY WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY.
THIS IS AN OLDER PLANT AND HAS LIMITED ROOM FOR EXPANSION, AND IT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION TO THE PARISH TO BEGIN STUDYING THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSOLIDATING THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT ON THE WEST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY.
POSSIBLY IN THE FAIRFIELD AREA, THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED FUTURE DEMANDS OF THE WEST BANK.
>> ADDITIONALLY, THE FAIRFIELD AREA IS ONE OF THE LAST LARGE UNDEVELOPED AREAS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND THE GOAL OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN WAS TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THROUGHOUT THE AREA.
IF PLANNED EFFECTIVELY, THESE PRACTICES COULD HELP REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF RAIN EVENTS ON THE EXISTING DRAINAGE PUMP SYSTEM.
THESE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES CAN ALSO BE USED TO CREATE MULTIPURPOSE FACILITIES SUCH AS PONTIFF PLAYGROUND IN METER.
IT'S USED AS A PLAYGROUND YEAR-ROUND, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE USED TO STORE STORMWATER DURING A RAIN EVENT.
HERE ARE JUST SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT THESE TYPE OF STORMWATER PRACTICES COULD LOOK LIKE WITHIN A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING ROADSIDE OR PARKING BIOSWALES, RETENTION PONDS, RAIN GARDENS, AND MULTI-USE TRAILS WITH AMPLE GREEN SPACE AROUND THEM.
IN CONCLUSION, THE STUDY RECOMMENDS THAT CHAPTER 25 ARTICLE 6 BE AMENDED TO ADOPT THIS FAIRFIELD STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE AS AN AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING FAIRFIELD STRATEGIC PLAN.
BEYOND THIS STUDY, THE STRATEGIC PLAN ALSO MAKES NOTE OF A FEW ITEMS THAT SHOULD BE FURTHER REVIEWED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT IN THE FUTURE FOR POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS.
AGAIN, WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME UP HERE TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE DID OVER THIS PROJECT, AND IT WAS MY PLEASURE WORKING WITH THE PARISH TO COMPLETE THIS PLAN UPDATE.
>> QUESTIONS FOR ANYBODY. ALL RIGHT.
WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMER NUMBER 26330.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION. YOU'RE COMING IN FAVOR. OKAY.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM LEWIS BUTLER, MORA LAND, AND IMPROVEMENT 5201 WEST BANK EXPRESSWAY.
I DO HAVE SOME CAVEATS THAT I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SHARE AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT EVERYONE HAS IN THEIR MIND.
I DO THANK THE PARISH AND THE COUNCIL FOR ALL OF THEIR ATTENTION TO THE FAIRFIELD AREA.
AIRLINE HAS EXTENSIVE ACREAGE IN THAT AREA, AS OF YET, MUCH OF IT HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED, AND I KNOW THE PARISH HAS FOCUSED A LOT OF ATTENTION ON IT FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS TRYING TO HELP GUIDE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
WE HAVE MOST OF THE LAND IN THAT AREA IS DESIGNATED ON THIS PLAN UPDATE AS COMMERCIAL.
IT IS NOT CURRENTLY ZONED AS COMMERCIAL AND WE WOULD BE OPPOSED TO ANY SPECULATIVE REZONING IN ORDER TO TRY TO CONTROL IT IN ITS DESIGNATION.
I BELIEVE WE NEED TO REMAIN FLEXIBLE IN THAT AREA BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO GO AND THAT'S ONE OF
[01:40:02]
THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT I READ IN THE TEXT UPDATE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE LAND USE IS GOING TO BE IN THAT AREA.IF WE ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO BE ABLE TO ADAPT AND APPROVE AND MOVE, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WILL BENEFIT THE AREA.
THE REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS, THERE'S A RECOMMENDATION THAT PERHAPS PARISH STUDY MAKING A CERTAIN PORTION OF THIS AREA OR PROHIBITING IN A CERTAIN PORTION OF THIS AREA ALL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
WHEREAS NOW THE COUNCIL CAN LOOK AT A PROVISIONAL USE IN THAT AREA.
I BELIEVE WITH THAT RECOMMENDATION, IT WOULD ELIMINATE THE COUNCIL'S RIGHT TO DO THAT ENTIRELY.
WE WOULD CERTAINLY OPPOSE THAT SHOULD THOSE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS COME UNDER STUDY.
AS OF RIGHT NOW, I BELIEVE THAT AREA IS ENTIRELY UNDER THE NOLA MOTORSPORTS BUFFER BOUNDARY.
THERE'S ALSO A RECOMMENDATION THAT THAT BOUNDARY BE EXTENDED FROM 3,000 FEET TO A MILE.
I BELIEVE WE SHOULD OPPOSE THAT AS WELL.
THE FACT IS OF ALL OF OUR LAND IN THERE WITH THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AS COMMERCIAL, THERE'S NO WAY THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY DEVELOP AT ALL AS COMMERCIAL.
WITH THAT AMOUNT OF ACREAGE, WE WOULD NEED THE RESIDENTIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND OTHER ZONINGS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE COMMERCIAL USE IN THAT AREA.
WITH THAT, AGAIN, I COMMEND THE PARISH ON THE EFFORTS TO WORK IN THIS AREA TO IMPROVE IT.
I THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THOSE EFFORTS, AND JUST ASK YOU TO KEEP IN MIND THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU AND HOPE THAT THE PARISH REMAINS IN A POSITION TO WORK WITH US AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT TWO APPEARED IN FAVOR, COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> BEFORE I MOVE MUCH LIKE I DID YEARS AGO WHEN I INITIATED GETTING 3,000 ACRES DELINEATED, SO WHEREAS DEVELOPMENT COULD TAKE PLACE IN THAT AREA.
IT IS MY DESIRE TO SEE THAT AREA GROW AND BE DEVELOPED IN A VERY PROSPEROUS WAY, BUT ALSO ONE THAT MAKES SENSE AND THAT WORKS, WHEREAS THERE'S HARMONY BETWEEN RESIDENCES AS WELL AS BUSINESSES.
THE IDEA OF UPDATING THE STUDY CAME ABOUT NOT ONLY AS A RESULT OF UNDERSTANDING THAT IN THAT AREA, IT'S WHERE THE MOST DEVELOPABLE LAND IS, BUT ALSO ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.
WHAT REALLY INITIATED THIS WAS A MEETING THAT I HAD WITH GOOD FOLKS DOWN IN PLAQUEMINES BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO BE BUILDING A PORT THERE, AND AS FOR SOME OF YOU ALL WHO MAY KNOW, THEY'RE SPENDING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS DOWN THERE TO BUILD A PORT.
BUT THE THING THAT THEY RECOGNIZED WAS THAT IN PLAQUEMINES, THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH LAND MASS FOR WORKERS.
THEY BROUGHT UP AN IDEA ABOUT BUILDING A RAIL THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO TIE IN PLAQUEMINES WITH JEFFERSON PARISH.
WHERE AS THERE WILL BE CONNECTIVITY FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN JEFFERSON PARISH WHO WOULD LOVE TO WORK AT THE NEW FACILITY THAT IS BEING BUILT CURRENTLY.
WE BEGIN THE PROCESS OF DOING A STUDY FOR THAT AREA BECAUSE I REPRESENT PRACTICALLY ALL OF THAT, BUT ALSO WE HAVE OTHER GREAT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THAT AREA IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 AS WELL.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE DO HAVE SOMETHING THAT GIVES US A BLUEPRINT.
CERTAINLY, THERE'S GOING TO BE ROOM TO TWEAK SOME THINGS WHEN NECESSARY.
BUT WE'RE HERE AT THIS VERY MOMENT TO CELEBRATE THE FACT THAT WE NOW HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS THAT WILL EXIST AND THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS MOVING FORWARD.
WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID, I MOVE.
>> OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26330 AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE E, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE. SO ORDER ITEM 15, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 2631, APPROVING SP 44-23 REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS OF THE MUCD FOR BUDA PLAZA, LOCATED AT 2001 LA PACO BOULEVARD ON L2 A SQUARE 166 SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26331.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
[01:45:09]
>> GOOD DAY. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY NAME IS TORN FAM.
I'M THE OWNER OF THE DAD PLAZA.
I'M HERE TO WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR SEVERAL VANS OF THE FENCING AND LANDSCAPING ET CETERA.
AS THE PLAN, I JUST TRIED TO SAVE SOME MONEY IN THE PLAN THAT PUT WOODEN FENCE IN SOME OF THE LANDSCAPING.
BUT AS THE CONSTRUCTION GOES, AND I FEEL LIKE PUTTING SOME IN THE METAL FENCE IT BETTER FOR, YOU KNOW, IT'S BETTER LOOKING FOR THE CD AND FOR MY BUILDING AND GET THE NEIGHBOR BEHIND MORE PRIVATE.
THE LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION, I DID HIRE PROFESSIONAL LICENSE LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION.
I'M SORRY, I'M SO NERVOUS. I COULDN'T SPEAK CLEARLY.
BUT IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND OF MY ENGLISH, MORE THAN HAPPY TO REPEAT.
THE IRRIGATION AND LANDSCAPING, I DID HIRE PROFESSIONAL LICENSE TO DID ALL THAT.
I DON'T KNOW WHY FOR MR. INSPECTOR OR WHATEVER IT IS.
BUT AS A OUT RIGHT NOW, MY LANDSCAPING IS GREEN AND HEALTHY AND I EVEN MAKE SURE MY IRRIGATION RUN MORE THAN IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE TO KEEP MY LANDSCAPING HEALTHY AND GREEN.
EVEN NOW MY WATER BILL IS ALMOST $100 A MONTH, AND I'M HERE, CHURCH TO TRY TO ASK THE CITY, THE PEOPLE KINDLY GRANT ME A VARIANCE FOR THOSE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING IN FAVOR?
I REPRESENT THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY.
HE BUILT PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST GORGEOUS SHOPPING CENTERS IN THE GREAT NEW ORLEANS AREA.
IT'S PRETTIER THAN ANYTHING THAT I'VE SEEN.
IF YOU DRIVE ALONG LAPALCO, IT JUST STANDS OUT.
ACTUALLY, IF YOU DRIVE ALONG MANHATTAN, IT WOULD STAND OUT ONCE YOU TURN TO LAPALCO.
WE WALKED THE PLACE YESTERDAY.
THE FENCING MAKES SENSE, BECAUSE THERE'S A DRIVEWAY IN THE BACK AND PEOPLE GOING, SAY AT NIGHT, GOING TO A DRIVE THROUGH, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE HEADLIGHTS, THE RESIDENTIAL IN THE BACK.
THE RESIDENTIAL IN THE BACK IS ABOUT 150-200 FEET AWAY.
THERE'S A BIG CANAL BETWEEN THE SHOPPING CENTER AND THE RESIDENTIAL.
I JUST WOULD LIKE Y'ALL TO CONSIDER THE VARIANCE, BECAUSE I THINK EVERYTHING THAT WAS DONE WAS DONE PERFECTLY. THANK YOU.
>> UNMUTE YOURSELF COUNCILMAN, PLEASE.
>> YES, SIR. FIRST, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
I'VE BEEN AWARE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT SINCE THEY STARTED WITH IT, AND THERE'S BEEN A PROBLEM WITH A LANGUAGE BARRIER SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING, AND I THINK THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY HAD EVERY INTENTION OF OBEYING ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS AND IT JUST GOT AWAY FROM THERE.
IS ANYTHING THERE TODAY THAT THESE VARIANCES APPLY TO THAT WOULD PRESENT A HAZARD TO ANYONE USING THAT FACILITY?
>> EXCUSE ME, SIR. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS. THEY'RE THERE.
WE HAVE TWO NATIONAL FRANCHISES INTERESTED IN THE LOCATION, AND I GET MORE CALLS ON THAT LOCATION THAN ANYONE I'VE EVER HAD.
>> THANK YOU. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A MATTER OF URGENCY HERE. THANK YOU.
[01:50:01]
>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT TWO APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26331, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED ITEM 16, PLEASE.
[OTHER ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26332, AN ORDINANCE DECREASING THE SPEED LIMIT FROM 30 MILES PER HOUR TO 25 MILES PER HOUR ON SEVERN AVENUE FROM THE INTERSECTION OF SEVERN AVENUE AND WEST ESPLANADE, NORTH OF SEVERN AVENUE AT THE LEE PONTO TRAIN LEVEE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
>> WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26332.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD?
>> J. FRANKIE HYERS IS RISING IN FAVOR.
MR. LILJEBERG, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU DOING THIS BECAUSE WHEN I FIRST APPEARED IN THESE MEETINGS, IT WAS OVER THE ISSUE THAT THIS HITS, RIGHT ON THE NOSE, DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY.
WHY COULD THIS BODY POSSIBLY DO ANYTHING LEGITIMATE WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING? MAYBE YOU MIGHT WONDER, COULD YOU EVEN PUT A STOP SIGN ON HOUMA AND HAVE IT BE DONE LEGITIMATELY IF I ASKED YOU TO DO SO AND YOU DID SO? WOULD IT BE LEGITIMATE? YOU COULD ASK THAT QUESTION. SAME THING HERE.
WE COULD ASK, WILL THIS BE LEGITIMATELY DONE? IT'S IN THE CONSTITUTION YOU SWORE TO SUPPORT, DEFEND, AND UPHOLD. DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY.
IT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE APPORTIONED.
ANYTHING YOU DO TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE, ENSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, PROVIDE FOR COMMON DEFENSE, BECAUSE THIS FALLS UNDER THAT TOO.
OR PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, AND IT HITS THAT ONE TOO.
YOU GOT THREE OF THEM YOU'RE TAKING CARE OF RIGHT HERE.
I CAN RISE IN FAVOR OF THIS. GUESS WHAT? I'M ALSO GOING TO RISE IN OPPOSITION TO IT.
PERSONALLY, I CAN BE IN FAVOR OF ANYTHING.
BUT YOU SEE, YOU INVOKE GOD IN HERE, AND THE SUPERSEDING COMMANDMENT IS TO LOVE THY NEIGHBOR, SO WHETHER I'M IN FAVOR OF A STOP SIGN ON HOUMA OR WHETHER I PERSONALLY OPPOSE ONE, WHICH I DO.
WHEN YOU DID THIS, THE FIRST THING THAT POPPED IN MY HEAD IS LAST FEW DAYS I'VE BEEN DRIVING DOWN MY STREET, PEOPLE DOING 50-60 MILES AN HOUR IN MY HOUMA BOULEVARD, AND I THINK, COULD I GET A SPEED LIMIT CHANGE? MAYBE THAT SHOULDN'T BE 20 MILES AN HOUR.
MAYBE IF WE RAISE THE SPEED LIMIT TO 30 ON HOUMA AND THEN JUST TO IMPROVE THE STREET ACCORDINGLY, I WOULDN'T NEVER HAVE TO CARE ABOUT NONE OF THIS, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT A STOP SIGN ON HOUMA PERSONALLY.
I'M WILLING TO SUFFER ONE, JUST AS I'M SURE THE CITIZENS ALONG THIS STRETCH OF SEVERN ARE WILLING TO SUFFER FOR A REDUCTION IN THEIR SPEED.
I'M SURE THEY'RE WILLING TO SUFFER THAT INFRINGEMENT ON THEIR FREEDOM TO TRAVEL AT 30 MILES AN HOUR AND SETTLE FOR 25.
WHY? BECAUSE THEY LOVE THEIR NEIGHBORS.
BECAUSE PROTECTING THEIR NEIGHBORS DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY SUPERSEDES THEIR FREEDOM TO TRAVEL AT THE SPEED WITH WHICH THEY MIGHT CHOOSE.
OF COURSE, ALL OF THIS COMES DOWN TO ENFORCEMENT.
WHETHER I'M TALKING ABOUT A DIVERSITY OR INCLUSION, WHICH I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THE IDEA OF, AND TO MISCONSTRUE MY WORDS, WHETHER I'M TALKING ABOUT THIS, A STOP SIGN OR ANYTHING ELSE, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVES.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO EXPLAIN TO THE BODY WHAT I MEAN TO SAY, NOT USE MY WORDS, SQUEEZE FROM THEM, SQUEEZE AGAINST ME, SQUEEZE FROM MY WORDS OR INVENT AGAINST MY WORDS SO AS TO MAKE ME, THE CITIZEN WHO'S APPEARED HERE ON THEIR OWN TIME, LOOK BAD TO THE PUBLIC.
GROW UP, YOU JUVENILE DELINQUENTS.
>> MR. HYERS, PLEASE MAINTAIN SOME LEVEL OF DECORUM FOR YOUR NEXT TIME UP, WHICH I IMAGINE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY.
IF YOU WANT TO KEEP GOING, THEN JUST KEEP THINGS CIVIL.
HOLD ON. ANYBODY ELSE SPEAKING IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?
>> FRANKIE HYERS RISING IN OPPOSITION.
I DON'T LIKE DOING THIS. I REALLY DON'T ENJOY DOING THIS.
>> LET'S BE CLEAR. YES, YOU DO.
TAKE ONE STEP TOWARDS ADDRESSING APPORTIONMENT. MAKE TIME.
LOOK, I'VE GIVEN YOU HOW MANY HOURS OF MY LIFE OVER THREE YEARS.
YOU FILIBUSTER ME AT THE LAST MEETING SO I COULDN'T EVEN OPPOSE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.
WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ONE THING OR THE NEXT, THERE'S JUST NO ADHERENCE TO ROBERT'S RULES OR ORDER GENERALLY SPEAKING IN HERE.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE ABLE TO SPEAK ON PUBLIC COMMENT TIME, ALL THE TIME, AND Y'ALL CAN ASK QUESTIONS OF THEM TO FILIBUSTER THE PUBLIC THAT MIGHT OPPOSE ANYTHING, WHETHER IT'S THIS OR THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM, WHICH I'M GOING TO OPPOSE.
LOOK, AS A JEFFERSONIAN, I'M ONLY HERE BECAUSE YOU AREN'T APPORTIONED.
TAKE A STEP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE AN APPORTIONED LEGISLATIVE BODY, AND I'LL GO AWAY.
[01:55:05]
>> I'M SURE I'M GOING TO REGRET THIS, [LAUGHTER] BUT LET ME SAY YOU HAVE BEEN SPEAKING HERE FOR YEARS, AND YOU TALK ABOUT HOW WE SHOULD BE APPORTIONED DIFFERENTLY.
IF YOU WILL PUT PEN TO PAPER, AND BRING FORTH A PROPOSAL THAT WE CAN LOOK AT AND CONSIDER, I'LL CONSIDER IT.
BUT IT'S HARD TO FOLLOW SOMETIMES WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR, AND OUT OF CONCERN FOR YOUR TIME, SINCE YOU SAY YOU DON'T WANT TO BE HERE, PUT SOMETHING ON PAPER, BRING IT TO US, TELL US WHAT YOU REALLY WANT, I'LL CONSIDER IT BECAUSE I DO REPRESENT YOU AND OTHERS IN THIS PARISH.
PUT IT ON PAPER BECAUSE I CAN'T TRULY FOLLOW WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR, AND I WOULD LOVE TO SAVE YOUR TIME AND ENERGY IF WE CAN CONSIDER SOMETHING AND MOVE ON.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT THE SAME PERSON APPEARED IN FAVOR AND OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26332, AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, ITEM 17. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I GRANT THAT FRANKLY I'LL WORK WITH MR. EARL ON THAT PRONUNCIATION.
>> LILJEBERG, YOU SAY IT'S SLOWER, IT'S EASIER.
NUMBER 17 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26333, AMENDING [NOISE] ORDINANCE NUMBER 13709.
THE EXECUTIVE PAY PLAN TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WAGE IN OUR DIVISION, FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OVERTIME.
FINAL RULE EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2024, AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO REMOVE THE EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2024, FROM PREAMBLE AND FIRST WHEREAS, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION OF THE AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT AMENDMENT ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26333.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?
>> [INAUDIBLE] CROTCHET INGENUITY, THE COMBINATIONS THEY GIVE RISE TO, THIS IS IT, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I APPRECIATE IT. REALLY, I DO APPRECIATE THAT MOVE.
I MIGHT TAKE THE NEXT MEETING OFF JUST TO SHOW MY APPRECIATION BECAUSE THIS IS REDUNDANT.
IT REALLY IS. IT'S NOT LOST ON ME.
I APPRECIATE YOU. PEN TO PAPER, IT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE.
JEFFREY HAS THE PREVAILING OPINION.
THIS ISN'T MY OPINION ON APPORTIONMENT.
THIS IS THOMAS JEFFERSON, THE MAN FOR WHOM THIS PARISH IS NAMED FOR, AND FOR WHICH THAT PRECEDENT WAS NEVER CHANGED.
I'VE READ IT INTO RECORD HERE, THE EXPOSITION BY JOHN TYLER SPEAKS TO THIS MOST DIRECTLY.
SO YOU-ALL CAN DO THIS FOR YOURSELVES, I'M HAPPY TO HELP.
WITH REGARDS TO THIS, THAT'S THAT CROTCHET INGENUITY.
WHEN I LOOKED AT THESE, THE NEXT THREE OF THEM, THEY'RE ALL GOT THE SAME STUFF.
IT'S TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH.
TO ENSURE THE ONGOING COMPLIANCE WITH.
THAT'S THE PHRASE THAT CATCHES MY ATTENTION.
I GO THROUGH THESE THINGS, AND ALL I LOOK IS FOR THE PHRASES THAT SPEAK TO THIS THING THAT KEEPS US FROM BEING SELF GOVERNED.
TO LOVE THY NEIGHBOR TRANSLATES INTO THAT CONSTITUTION AT THE END OF THAT PREAMBLE.
TO SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND TO OUR POSTERITY.
THIS ALL RELATES TO TAXATION AND REPRESENTATION.
WHEN YOU APPOINT A BOARD OR A COMMITTEE, AND I DON'T CARE HOW WELL INTENDED THEY ARE, ANY OF THESE THINGS THAT YOU DO, IF THEY'RE DONE BY MEANS THAT ARE PRESCRIBED CONSTITUTIONALLY, IF YOU AREN'T AN APPORTIONED BODY, THEN EVERYTHING IS SUBJECT TO NULLIFICATION, BEING THE FRUIT OF A POISONED TREE, AND JUST COMING DOWN TO BEING ILL GOTTEN GAINS, NO MATTER HOW APPRECIATED THEY ARE.
THE SENIOR EXPO, I WATCHED THAT PARTY.
TRIED TO TALK MY GIRLFRIEND INTO GOING TO THAT PARTY ON THE WEST BANK, AND BOY, WAS IT COOL TO WATCH THOSE 70 INCH TVS GET LOTTERIED OFF.
FIGURE THIS OUT, MAN. I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS.
>> MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26333.
A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NON SO ORDERED, ITEM 18 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26334, AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH, TO AMEND THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OVERTIME EXEMPT STATUS, DESIGNATION FROM NUMEROUS CLASSIFICATIONS TO ENSURE ONGOING COMPLIANCE WITH THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OVERTIME REGULATIONS, EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2023, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO REMOVE EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST,
[02:00:02]
2023 FROM THE PREAMBLE, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT AMENDMENT ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26334.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?
>> THANK YOU GUYS FOR WRITING IN OPPOSITION.
IT SHOULD BE CLEAR, IF YOU HAVE TO CHANGE ONE WORD, TWO WORDS, IT'S LIKE WHEN I WENT TO THE CHARTER REVIEW BOARD, AND THEY ARGUED OVER TERM LIMITS AND PRONOUNS.
IT'S THIS FAIR LABOR ACT THAT WAS PASSED THROUGH A HOUSE THAT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONALLY SEATED THAT BRINGS US TO THIS POINT.
YOU HAVE TO ABIDE BY AND COMPLY WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO BEGIN WITH.
THERE ARE EIGHT DISTINCTIVE PARTS TO JEFFERSON PARISH, EIGHT DISTINCTIVE PARTS.
THERE'S AN EAST BANK UNINCORPORATED, A WEST BANK UNINCORPORATED.
THERE ARE SIX MUNICIPALITIES, THAT'S EIGHT DISTINCTIVE PARTS.
APPLY A RATIO TO EACH OF THOSE. APPLY A PORTION.
DETERMINE THE PORTION SIZE, KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE TWO PORTIONS THAT ARE BUT 1,000 PEOPLE, AND THE GREATEST PORTION, WHICH WOULD BE EITHER OF THE UNINCORPORATED THAT ARE GOING TO SIT BETWEEN 150-190,000 RESPECTFULLY.
YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO DISTORT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TAXATION AND REPRESENTATIVE POWER, SUCH THAT ONE WOULD HAVE MORE THAN IT WAS DUE. FIGURE THIS OUT.
>> MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26334, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, ITEM 19 WITH AN AMENDMENT.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26335, AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 20846, THE JUDICIAL COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH JUDICIAL SYSTEM TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WAGE IN OUR DIVISION, FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OVERTIME, FINAL RULE EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2024, AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO REMOVE EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2024 FROM PREAMBLE AND FIRST WHEREAS, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION 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, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26335.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?
>> GUYS RISING IN OPPOSITION FOR THE SAME SIMPLE REASONS.
COMES OF THESE PLANS, IT ALL GOES BACK TO THAT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
LOUISIANA HAS 4.6 MILLION PEOPLE, 4.6 MILLION PEOPLE WE GOT, 430,000 PLUS RIGHT HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, SECOND LARGEST, MOST CONTRIBUTING TO STATE TROUGH, 4.6 MILLION.
THE STATES OF MONTANA, RHODE ISLAND BOTH HAVE LESS THAN 1.1 MILLION.
THEY BOTH GET TWO REPRESENTATIVES, 4.61 1.1 4*2.
>> I THINK YOU'RE DRIFTING, MR. HYERS.
YOU'RE DRIFTING FROM WHAT YOU'RE OPPOSING?
>> THE LABOR ACT. IT'S A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT MAKES US COMPLY WITH THIS THAT'S WHY I MENTIONED THIS.
HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE THE DELEGATION THAT WE ARE DESERVING IN LOUISIANA.
IF WE DON'T HAVE THE DELEGATION THAT WE ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY AFFORDED IN LOUISIANA, THEN WE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH ACTS THAT MAKE US BURDEN, OVERBURDEN AS ELECTORATE.
I CAN'T KEEP TRACK OF ALL THIS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC, NOT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, NOT AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND NOT RIGHT HERE.
WHEN I MENTIONED, WE GOT EIGHT DISTINCTIVE PARTS APPLY A RATIO TO THOSE PARTS.
EACH ONE GETS ONE, NONE EXCEPT FOR ONE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE.
LET'S FIGURE THIS OUT AND FIX THIS, THEN WE WON'T HAVE TO COMMIT TO THIS.
WE WON'T HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THINGS THAT ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26335 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN.
RANKIN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
LET'S MOVE TO NUMBER 20 WITH AMENDMENTS, THE OPERATING BUDGET.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26336, AMENDING THE 2024 OPERATING BUDGET, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ALLOCATE $2,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE'S OFF TRACK BETTING FUND FOR A CEA WITH YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS TO ASSIST FOSTER CHILDREN BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING, SUMMER CAMPS, AND SWIM LESSONS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
ALLOCATE $2,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO'S OFF TRACK BETTING FUND FOR A CEA WITH THE YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS TO ASSIST FOSTER CHILDREN BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING, SUMMER CAMPS, AND SWIM LESSONS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
ALLOCATE $10,710 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 'S VIDEO POKER FUND TO RECREATION FOR FOOD FOR THE COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 'S SUMMER CAMPS.
[02:05:02]
ALLOCATE $2,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR A CA WITH THE YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS TO ASSIST FOSTER CHILDREN BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING SUMMER CAMPS AND SWIM LESSONS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.ALLOCATE $12,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR A CA WITH REJOYE INCORPORATED FOR THEIR ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION.
COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, ALLOCATE $2,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR A CEA WITH YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS TO ASSIST FOSTER CHILDREN BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING, SUMMER CAMPS AND SWIM LESSONS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.
ALLOCATE $2,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR A CEA WITH YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS TO ASSIST FOSTER CHILDREN BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING, SUMMER CAMPS, AND SWIM LESSONS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
ALLOCATE $2,000 FROM COUNCIL AT LARGE A'S GENERAL FUND FOR A CEA WITH YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS TO ASSIST FOSTER CHILDREN BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING, SUMMER CAMPS, AND SWIM LESSONS, COUNCIL AT LARGE A, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS, THE MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE.
ORDER NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMER NUMBER 26336.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I THOUGHT YOU'RE SPEAKING IN FAVOR FOR A SECOND.
>> I WANT TO DO IT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE HAVE TO BE MISCONSTRUED OR SEEN FOR IN OTHERWISE, MY OPINION BEING NOT RIGHTEOUSLY UNDERSTOOD.
THOSE ARE ALL GREAT THINGS I'M IN FAVOR OF YOU DOING ALL THOSE GREAT THINGS THOSE ARE ALL WONDERFUL, I'M DONE.
NOW I'M GOING TO RISE IN OPPOSITION.
>> I HAVE TO GET THROUGH TO MAKE SURE NOBODY SPEAKS IN FAVOR.
IS ANYBODY SPEAKING IN FAVOR? NOW, ANYONE SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION?
>> IT'S THAT PROCESS. WE GOT TO ADHERE TO THE PROCESS, AND I RESPECT THAT.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO ON ON THIS ONE.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGETARY PRACTICES, YOU LACK FOR UNIFORMITY.
WE LACK FOR UNIFORMITY CLAUSE, NO RESPECT FOR ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8, CLAUSE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
I GET UP HERE AND I SAY THIS EVERY SINGLE TIME.
IF YOU JUST FIX THIS, REDUCE TAXATION ON THE EAST BANK BY A HALF A PERCENT WE'RE DONE.
I DON'T NEVER HAVE TO GET UP FOR THIS ONE BECAUSE THIS IS HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY RELATED.
ALL OF IT WAS, AS FAR AS I COULD TELL, EXCEPT FOR THAT DISCRETIONARY FUND STUFF, WHICH THEN I GOT TO THINK ABOUT, HOW DO YOU END UP HAVING A DISCRETIONARY FUND? WELL, YOU HAD TO VOTE TO HAVE THIS DISCRETIONARY FUND.
THERE WAS A DISCRETIONARY FUND COMING OUT OF, I THINK DIVISION A.
THEN THAT BRINGS ME TO THE WHOLE APPORTIONMENT THING AND I GOT TO TALK ABOUT ALL THAT.
IT DOES END UP GETTING INTO MORE STUFF THAN I'D RATHER TALK ABOUT.
IF THIS WAS JUST AN APPORTIONED BODY THAT EMPLOYED THE UNIFORMITY CLAUSE, HAD RESPECT FOR THESE TWO CLAUSES, REPRESENTATIVES AND DIRECT TAXES.
THAT'S PROPERTY TAXES, WHETHER IT'S A MILLAGE TO SUPPORT THE FIREMAN WHO OUGHT TO BE PAID MORE THAN YOU.
NOBODY IN HERE EVEN UNDERSTANDS THE 27TH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.
YOU ALL GET PAID HALF, YOU ALL ACCEPT IN THE MONEY, HALF OF WHAT A STATE JUDGE DISTRICT JUDGE GETS PAID.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO VOTE FOR YOUR RAISES I GOT $85,000 TO THE DISTRICTS, 135,000 PLUS GOING TO THAT LARGE MEMBERS.
NONE OF YOU EVER VOTE FOR YOUR OWN RAISES.
THEY GOT TO COME IN HERE IN MASS TO ARGUE TO TRY AND GET A LIVING. I OPPOSE.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, AND THEY WERE THE SAME. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26336, OR MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNSEL WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US TO THE OPERATING BUDGET.
WHAT NUMBER IS THAT? 21. THERE IT IS.
EXCUSE ME, THE CAPITAL BUDGET.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26337, AMENDING THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET IN THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ALLOCATE $2,000 FROM AT LARGE BCDIA GENERAL FUND FOR CEA WITH YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS TO ASSIST FOSTER CHILDREN BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING, SUMMER CAMPS, AND SWIM LESSONS.
COUNCIL AT LARGE B ALLOCATE $575,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 CDIA GENERAL FUND TO THE CDIA PROJECT TITLED PROPOSED LEGAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
ALLOCATE $575,898 FROM FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 7 TO LIVE OAK MANOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A FIRE TRUCK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS TO BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS.
[02:10:01]
THE MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.HEARING NONE. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26337.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> WELL, I'M DEFINITELY GETTING UP IN FAVOR OF FRANKIE HYERS.
GIVE MY BOY BRIAN THAT FIRE TRUCK.
DON'T EVEN HESITATE NO MATTER HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS AS A JEFFERSONIAN, DO IT, AND I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO DO THE OTHER THING. JUST JUST GO.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? WE KNOW YOU'RE IN FAVOR.
[LAUGHTER] ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, TWO, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26337, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS (Part 1 of 3)]
WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING A LITTLE BIT LONG, I WANTED TO TAKE ITEM NUMBER 11 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA IF WE CAN, BECAUSE WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE HERE TO SPEAK THAT NEED TO GO.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING NUMBER 11 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA OUT OF ORDER? HEARING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ ITEM NUMBER 11 ON THE ADDENDUM.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS TO ASSIST FOSTER CHILDREN IN JEFFERSON PARISH BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING, SUMMER CAMPS, AND SWIM LESSONS OFFERED AT YMCA AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $12,000 IN THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
TO CHANGE $12,000 TO $14,000 IN THE PREAMBLE EIGHTH WHEREAS IN SECTION 1.
IN SECTION 2 AT $2,000 SHALL BE CHARGED TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 100-100-010-306-7011 AT LARGE DIVISION A GENERAL FUND, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> MADAM CLERK, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN GAVE ME THE WRONG NUMBER THAT HE WANTED TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER.
SO LET'S LEAVE ITEM NUMBER 11 ON THE ADENA AGENDA ALONE AND SEE IF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN HAS THE CORRECT NUMBER HE'D LIKE TO TAKE.
WHAT NUMBER IS IT? NUMBER 5 ON THE DENIM AGENDA.
NUMBER 5, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> [INAUDIBLE] MY PARKING SPOT SO CONFUSED.
>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, REPRESENTED BY MISS RUTH LAWSON TO CONDUCT A BLACK AND GOLD GALLO.
>> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN IS NOW ON OFFICIALLY ON TIN ICE.
[BACKGROUND] SHOULD WE READ THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS FIRST WHILE YOU COLLECT YOURSELF?
[EXECUTIVE SESSION (Part 1 of 2)]
>> DO YOU HAVE IT HANDY? WE SHOULD MOVE ON.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK TO THAT AFTER YOU READ THIS.
PLEASE READ THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNSEL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, DISCUSS LEGAL [NOISE] MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED PARISH OF JEFFERSON VERSUS SIEMENS INDUSTRY INCORPORATED, A FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY 24TH JDC NUMBER 84889 DIVISION P AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE. ITEM 5, PLEASE.
>> ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. ON WHAT?
>> [INAUDIBLE] WHAT HE DID. [LAUGHTER]
>> I THINK, SINCE, LIKE, 80% OF THIS ROOM HAS TAKEN VACATION FROM OUR SECOND AND THIRD JOBS, COULD BE MOTION TO GO TO NUMBER 94, IF WE COULD.
>> LOOK, WELL, WE CAN TAKE 94 BEFORE EXECUTIVE SESSION TOO.
EVERYBODY'S ON BOARD WITH THAT.
LET'S GET THROUGH THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 93 AND 94, THEN WE'LL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[APPLAUSE] I THOUGHT ALL WERE JUST HERE TO ENJOY ALL THE MEETING AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.
DON'T YOU WANT TO HEAR MR. HYERS AND SOME OF THE THEATRICS.
WE'LL GET TO THAT JUST A MOMENT.
ITEM NUMBER 5, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK, OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNSEL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM FOR WILLIAM ZIEGLER, CCMSI CLAIM NUMBER 19G57Y234736 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION, A MOTION OF COUNSELMAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNSEL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM FOR SUSAN PATRICK, CCMSI CLAIM NUMBER 24G57K994034 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
[02:15:04]
>> COUNSELMAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION. ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION.
I MOTION OF COUNSELMAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED? ITEM 7, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED MARY A MINARD, MD AND CRESCENT SURGICAL GROUP, LLC VERSUS DAMIEN DIETRICH MD JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER 1, DOING BUSINESS AS WEST JEFFERSON MEDICAL CENTER 24 JDC NUMBER 777-895 DIVISION AND TO PROVIDE FOUR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION. ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION.
A MOTION OF COUNSELMAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER.
>> OH, THAT'S RIGHT. THE ADDENDUM AGENDA 1.
ONE MORE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNSEL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING THE LAWSUIT ENTITLED ENTITLED ELIAS JORGE GEORGE TECH BENEDICT VERSUS WASTE CONNECTIONS BAYU INCORPORATED, USDC EDLA NUMBER 18-78 89, 18-8071, 18-8281, 18-9312 SECTION E5 RELATED CASE FREDERICK ADDISON VERSUS LOUISIANA REGIONAL LANDFILL COMPANY, NUMBER 19-11133, 19-14512, [NOISE] SECTION E5 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNSELMAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER.
[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS (Part 2 of 3)]
NOW, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING NUMBERS 93 AND 94 OUT OF ORDER? 93 AND 94. YOU'RE SURE.WAS A LOT OF SIDE EYES FROM YOUR STAFF A FEW MINUTES AGO. HEARING NONE.
ITEM NUMBER 93, MADAM CLERK, ALL OF YOU ALL ARE AWARE 94 IS A RESOLUTION, YOU CAN'T SPEAK ON 94.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY WAS AWARE OF THAT.
GO AHEAD WITH 93, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PAYMENT AND LURE OF TAX INCENTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT AND RENEGADE, LLC, RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MANUFACTURING AND TRAINING FACILITY FOR A BENEFIT OF RENEGADE, LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES IN M, JEFFERSON PARISH, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO FOREGOING.
GIVE ME A SECOND NOW. WHERE NOW I CAN'T FIND WHERE I AM. I GOT IT.
>> I GOT IT. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.
>> I WOULD ASK THAT WE SUSPEND THE RULES FOR A MOMENT, INVITE MR. JERRY BOLONIA AND MR. WESLEY PALMISANO, TO COME TO THE PODIUM AND JUST TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS PROJECT.
THIS IS A HUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WENT FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
SOMETHING VERY EXCITING THAT'S GOING TO OCCUR IN MY DISTRICT.
>> THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
[NOISE] I'M GOING TO BE VERY BRIEF.
I WANT TO INTRODUCE WESLEY PALMISANO.
MANY OF YOU KNOW PALMISANO CONSTRUCTION, IMPETUS, NOW RENEGADE CONSTRUCTION.
THEY HAVE MULTIPLE OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT THE REGION, BOTH IN MEDARY AND IN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS.
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR COOPERATION IS A CONSOLIDATION, JUST LIKE WE'VE OFFERED TO OTHER COMPANIES TO CONSOLIDATE ALL OF THEIR OPERATIONS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS PROJECT REPRESENTS.
THIS CONSOLIDATION IS GOING TO ALLOW FOR SIGNIFICANT GROWTH AND SOME OTHER EXCITING ADDITIVE FEATURES.
WITH THAT, I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE WESLEY PALMISANO.
>> THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, PARISH PRESIDENT AND JERRY AND JEDCO, FOR WORKING WITH US.
OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO AS WE'VE LOOKED AT OUR LONG TERM VISION FOR THE ORGANIZATION, WE DECIDED THROUGH THAT DECISION TO CONSOLIDATE OUR DIFFERENT BRANDS INTO ONE ORGANIZATION, ONE OPERATING BUSINESS, AND AT THE SAME TIME, THOUGHT IT MADE A LOT OF SENSE TO CONSOLIDATE OUR OPERATIONS FROM THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS INTO ONE SINGLE LOCATION IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND COINCIDENTALLY, THAT'S WHERE MY GRANDFATHER STARTED IN THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS IN 1950 AFTER RETURNING FROM WORLD WAR II.
FOR US, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A HOMECOMING AND GREW UP IN THE PARISH, AND I'M DEFINITELY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW AND EXPAND NOT ONLY THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS, BUT OUR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE REGIONAL OPERATION, OUR MANUFACTURING BUSINESS, WHICH IS A NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS IN THE INDUSTRY OF MANUFACTURING MORE PARTS AND PIECES OFF SITE AND THEN DELIVERING THEM AND ERECTING THEM IN PLACE AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITES.
GREAT MANUFACTURING FACILITY, AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THAT TRAINING ACADEMY FOR
[02:20:03]
THE INDUSTRY AND FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS TO ACCESS JOBS.IT'S AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR US AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND CONTINUE TO GROW AND EXPAND THE BUSINESS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS OR SO.
I TRULY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. PALMISANO, FOR CHOOSING JEFFERSON PARISH, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE YOUR PARTNER.
AND WITH THAT, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER.
THANK YOU, MR. PALMISANO, FOR SEEING THE OPPORTUNITY IN JEFFERSON PARISH TO ECHO THAT.
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN FOR THE WORK PUT IN ON THIS AS WELL.
ITEM 94, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK, AND WHEN I SAID THAT YOU ALL COULDN'T SPEAK ON THIS, IT'S A RESOLUTION.
IF THERE'S ANYBODY WHO STILL WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THAT HASN'T, I CAN ASK THAT WE SUSPEND THE RULES AND COULD GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IF YOU MUST SPEAK.
BUT OTHERWISE, WE JUST MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RESOLUTION RIGHT NOW.
OR YOU COULD SPEAK AT THE END OF THE MEETING, TOO, BUT I KNOW YOU WANT TO LEAVE.
IS THERE ANYBODY WHO STILL WANTS TO SPEAK TO THAT MAYBE WASN'T HERE, DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY EARLIER.
ITEM NUMBER FOUR, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE JEFFERSON PARISH PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO ADVERTISE FOR THE SUBMITTAL OF STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS FROM PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED IN UPDATING A COMPREHENSIVE WAGE AND SALARY SURVEY CONDUCTED 2020-2022 FOR THE CLASSIFIED PAY PLAN FOR THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
[NOISE] NOW SINCE I WANT TO READ IT ANYTHING I CAN JUST SAY WE'RE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION (Part 2 of 2)]
WE'RE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.HOPEFULLY, WE'LL BE BACK BEFORE TOO LONG.
[LAUGHTER] THANKS FOR STICKING AROUND.
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A LENGTHY EXECUTIVE SESSION.
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT.
PROBABLY NOT TODAY, THOUGH. [LAUGHTER] JUST KIDDING.
YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED, PLEASE? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A LAWSUIT ENTITLED PARISH OF JEFFERSON VERSUS SIEMENS INDUSTRY INCORPORATED AND FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY 24 JDC NUMBER 834889 DIVISION P, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT IN A WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM FOR WILLIAM ZIEGLER, CCMSI CLAIM NUMBER 19G57Y234736 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A LEGAL MATTER CONCERNING A CLAIM FOR SUSAN PATRICK, CCMSI CLAIM NUMBER 24G57K994034 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT, A LAWSUIT ENTITLED EMERY A. MINNARD, MD IN CRESCENT SURGICAL GROUP, LLC VERSUS DAMIEN PATRICE, MD JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER 1, DOING BUSINESS AS WEST JEFFERSON MEDICAL CENTER 24 JDC NUMBER 777-895 DIVISION O AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
WE LEFT OFF OF RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR,
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]
NUMBER 22, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO LESDASMO, LLC, TO CONDUCT AN OUTDOOR MUSIC EVENT AT 10801 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY ON SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2024, FROM 7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM TO ALLOW THE SERVING AND SALE OF BEER, WINE, LIQUOR AND BEVERAGES, TO ALLOW LIVE MUSIC UNTIL 11:00 PM, AND TO ERECT THREE CANOPIES, PROVIDED ALL NECESSARY PERMITS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
[02:25:02]
ANYONE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPT THAT RESOLUTION, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> I HAVE ONE ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATION. YES, MA'AM.
>> A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF FRANK M YOUNG JR. TO SERVE ON THE JEFFERSON PARISH ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE COMMISSION AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> [INAUDIBLE] 4260 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, FIFTH DISTRICT, [INAUDIBLE] FOURTH DISTRICT [INAUDIBLE] INCORPORATED JEFFERSON FOR 52 YEARS.
I'M NOT OPPOSED AND I'M NOT IN FAVOR.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE JUST ONE LITTLE COMMENT.
MAKE SURE YOU ADVISE THIS INDIVIDUAL THAT HE HAS TO REPORT PERSONAL FINANCE DISCLOSURE IF HE'S APPOINTED TO THAT BOARD, BECAUSE THAT IS STATE LAW, AND THE ONLY EXEMPTION IS IF HE'S RETIRED LIKE ME AND HE'S ON A FIXED INCOME WITH NO EARNED INCOME.
ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT HIM TO COME IN AND DO THE SAME THING THAT SOME OF THEM HAVE ALREADY DONE.
ONCE AGAIN, ANY COMMENTS OR ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED, NEUTRAL. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO STEPHEN STEWART TO HOST LIVE MUSIC THURSDAYS AT GARRISON KITCHEN AND COCKTAILS, 2918 METAIRIE ROAD ON JUNE 27TH, 2024, JULY 11TH, 2024, AND JULY 25TH, 2024, FROM 6:00 PM TO 9:00 PM, TO ALLOW THE SALE OF BEER, WINE, LIQUOR, BEVERAGES, AND FOOD, AND TO ALLOW LIVE MUSIC, PROVIDED ALL NECESSARY PERMITS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NOW, WE KNOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION, A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
THAT TAKES US TO CONSENT AGENDA 1,
[CONSENT AGENDA ONE (Part 1 of 2)]
AND COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE [INAUDIBLE] ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 23 THROUGH 51 MINUS 32, WHICH IS TO BE CANCELED, AND 38, WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE [INAUDIBLE] ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 23 THROUGH 51 MINUS 32, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED, AND 38, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. THAT TAKES US TO NUMBER 38, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 1 TO THE CONTRACT NUMBER 55-00020782, DATED DECEMBER 13TH, 2022, WITH CYCLE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LLC FOR AN INCREASE OF $708,776.93, 17.41% INCREASE TO THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT FOR THE NICOLE BOULEVARD BIKE PATH, JAMIE BOULEVARD, TO LA PACO BOULEVARD.
PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT NUMBER 2017-056-RBP, PROPOSAL NUMBER 50-00138710.
WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CHANGE ORDER IS COMPLETE WITHIN THE ORIGINAL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL 324 CALENDAR DAYS TO THE CONTRACT TIME IN SECTION 1, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
JUMP TO ITEM NUMBER 52, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION NAMING THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE JEFFERSON POWERS FOR THE CONTRACT YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1ST, 2024, AND ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2025.
WE HAD ONE SUBMITTAL FROM THE ADVOCATES.
>> IT'S GOING TO BE $0.28 PER LINE, $3.92 PER COLUMN INCH,
[02:30:04]
$25 PER AFFIDAVIT UPON REQUEST AND COMES WITH A SYSTEM PRINTED TIER SHEETS.>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN YOUR SELECTION?
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE IT TO THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO REVIEW TO MAKE SURE ALL THESE AND EVERYTHING.
>> WE CAN CONTINUE THEN COME BACK.
>> WE'LL COME BACK TO ITEM NUMBER 52 AND WE'LL MOVE TO CONSENT AGENDA TWO NOW.
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO (Part 2 of 2)]
YOUR MOTION COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 53 THROUGH 90 - 64, WHICH WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER EARLIER. YOUR MOTION?>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 53 THROUGH 90 - 64, WHICH WE TOOK EARLIER OR MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDER, LET'S GO TO 91 NOW ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING FOR INSURANCE PRODUCER OF RECORD FOR JEFFERSON PARISH PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE PROGRAM.
>> I'M GOING TO SELECT THE HIGHEST SCORED FIRM OF USI INSURANCE SERVICES.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF USI INSURANCE SERVICES, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
WE TOOK THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM READY.
LET'S MOVE TO SPECIAL DISTRICTS AND WE HAVE TO COVER HERE WHAT WE, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO MOVE ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 14 AND
[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS (Part 3 of 3)]
15 FROM SPECIAL DISTRICTS TO OTHER RESOLUTIONS? HEARING NONE SO NOW WE GO WITH COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 3 THROUGH 15 MINUS ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 11, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 3 THROUGH 15 MINUS ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE. SO ORDER NOW WE GO TO ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11, PLEASE.
>> RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND YMCA OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS TO ASSIST FOSTER CHILDREN IN JEFFERSON PARISH BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING SUMMER CAMPS AND SWIM LESSONS OFFERED AT YMCA AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $12,000.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO CHANGE $12,000 TO $14,000 IN PREAMBLE EIGHTH WHEREAS IN SECTION 1 AND SECTION 2 TO ADD $2,000 SHALL BE CHARGED TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 10010-0010-306-7011 AT LARGE DIVISION A GENERAL FUND, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THE TEXAS 2 ITEM NUMBER 92 ON SPECIAL DISTRICTS.
[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]
>> A RESOLUTION APPOINTING CAPTAIN CRAIG M. BURKETT TO THE FIRE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA, FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE UNEXPIRED THREE YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE AUGUST 18, 2026, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNSEL LOZRBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
WE'VE ALREADY DONE ITEM 3, ITEM 94 AND WE'LL GO BACK TO THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL SELECTION NOW.
>> FIFTY TWO SO WE JUST [INAUDIBLE].
[CONSENT AGENDA ONE (Part 1 of 2)]
>> EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR SELECTION ON THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL. OH, SELECTION.
>> THE ONE SUBMITTAL OF THE TIMES PICK NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE.
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION [NOISE] TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED AND NOW WE GO TO NEW BUSINESS.
[NEW BUSINESS]
WE HAVE NEW BUSINESS TODAY. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THAT.>> FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 3 ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT.
THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL ATTENDS TO VOTE ON A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CALLING OF A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A SPECIAL TAX IN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 3 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA.
SPECIFICALLY, THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A TAX NOT TO EXCEED
[02:35:03]
25 MILLS ON ALL PROPERTIES SUBJECT TO TAXATION IN SAID DISTRICT FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS, BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR 2025, AND LAURA OF THE NOT TO EXCEED 20 MILLS APPROVED AT AN ELECTION HELD ON DECEMBER 5, 2020 WITH THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT REASONABLY EXPECTED TO BE COLLECTED FROM THE LEVY OF THE TAX FOR ONE YEAR BEING $5,230,864 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, PROVIDING, MAINTAINING, AND OR OPERATING THE DISTRICT'S FIRE PROTECTION FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION AT THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2024, BEGINNING AT 10:00 A.M.
IN THE EAST BANK COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN THE ANY BUILDING LOCATED AT 12:21 ALMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD, HARRAHAN, LOUISIANA.
THE TENTATIVE DATE FOR THIS ELECTION IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. LOST MY VOICE LITERALLY THERE FOR A SECOND.
NO STATUS REPORTS SO NOW WE'RE
[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]
TWO PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS.ANYONE WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON A SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTER, MUST SUBMIT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK, PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> ALMERA 4260 EAST LOYAL DRIVE, FIFTH DISTRICT, COUNTY OF FOURTH DISTRICT COUNTY CORPORATED, JEFFERSON 52 YEARS.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION FROM THE LAST CONCIL MEETING, $213,317.15 TOP FIVE BENEFACTORS CONCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, COUNCILMAN LEE, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, CONCILMAN SCOTT WALKER, AND COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.
JEFF LANDRY, MIKE JOHNSON AND SENATOR MENGUEZ.
I'M DEMANDING ALL THREE OF YOUR RESIGNATIONS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY THAT'S BLAKE MENGUEZ.
TWO SENATORS UP THERE IN BAT ROUZ FOR THAT LITTLE PER.
YOU TWO SENATORS TRIED TO PLAY AS FAR AS SHIELDING THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FROM PUBLIC SCRUTINY, AND ALSO VIOLATING MR. MENGUEZ YOUR OWN SENATE RULES BY PUSHING THE BILL FORWARD AND BYPASSING COMMITTEE.
NOW, I WANT TO DIRECT THIS TO MY REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE VILLIO AND MY STATE SENATOR KURT TALBOT, ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE DELEGATION FROM THE JEFFERSON PARISH AND KENNA AREA, YOU SUPPORTED HOUSE B119 THAT TIES UNEMPLOYMENT TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.
WITHOUT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THAT ONCE A PERSON'S 26 WEEKS RUNS OUT, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE GOES DOWN.
THAT BILL SAYS THAT IF THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS BELOW 4.5%, IF IT'S BELOW 5%, I'M SORRY, THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT BY THE RECIPIENT IS BEING CUT FROM 26-12.
IF ANY OF YOU FAT CATS UP THERE IN BAT ROUZ WAS REDUCED AT ANY TIME TO 245 A WEEK OR WHATEVER IT IS NOW FOR 12 WEEKS, YOU'D BE SCRAMBLING TRYING TO FIND THE NEAREST WINDOW TO JUMP OUT OF, AND WE'D BE THINKING IT'S 1929, ALL OVER AGAIN AROUND HERE.
NOW, ON THAT NOTE, HOW MUCH MORE TIME I GOT LEFT, COUNSELMAN WALKER?
THE CONVERSATION WE HAD AT THE LAST MEETING CONCERNING THE IG'S OFFICE, I WANT TO SAY THIS, THAT PARISH PRESIDENT LE SHANG HAS BEEN OPEN.
SHE HAS BEEN HONEST AND SHE HAS BEEN WILLING TO GIVE ANY DOCUMENTATION TO ANYBODY WHAT THEY WANTED.
I'M A TESTIMONIAL BECAUSE SHE STATED RIGHT HERE AT THIS MIKE.
I'M GOING TO GIVE ALL SOME GOOD ADVICE.
GIVE MR. MORELLA WHATEVER HE ASKED FOR I'M A TESTIMONIAL TO THAT.
ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? ONE MORE THING, POINT OF CLARIFICATION, REAL QUICK, SCOTT.
I MADE A MISTAKE WHEN I TALKED ABOUT THE TOTAL INCREASES IN THE CHANGE ORDERS, I MISSED THAT $709,000 IT'S 1.7 MILLION IS WHAT WE'RE PAYING MORE FOR FOR THESE CONTRACTS NOW.
NOW I'VE DONE. ONCE AGAIN, ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MISS ALLEN FOR THE RECORD.
JEFF LANDRY MADE IT TO JUNE 12 BEFORE HE CALLED FOR HIS RESIGNATION.
THAT'S HALFWAY THROUGH THE FIRST YEAR, SO THAT'S SOLID.
>> IT'S NO DIFFERENT FROM THE DEMOCRATS THAT WAS IN THAT BEFORE YOU. I'M THE ONE.
>> THANK YOU MISAL. ANYONE ELSE? I KNOW THERE'S ONE MORE, AT LEAST.
[02:40:04]
>> WE CAN HAVE AS MANY AS WE WANT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] 509 HOUMA BOULEVARD, JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE GO.
I GOT FILIBUSTERED LAST MEETING.
I DIDN'T GET THE CHANCE TO RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S ORDINANCE, OR RESOLUTION, WHATEVER IT WAS THAT WE WERE GOING TO PASS. I'M SURE YOU PASSED.
NOT ONLY DID I GET FILIBUSTERED, I MADE IT HOME, AND YOU ALL WERE STILL FILIBUSTERING.
STILL TALKING ON THE PUBLIC COMMENT TIME WITH PAID OFFICIALS OR PERHAPS UNPAID OFFICIAL.
I WORK AT JAZZ FEST YOU ALL KNOW THAT.
WE TALKED ABOUT THAT. YOU KNOW WHY THEY PAY ME TO WORK AT JAZZ FEST AND I GOT PLENTY OF PEOPLE, OH, YOU MUST VOLUNTEER.
I'M RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE MAIN STAGE.
YOU VOLUNTEER FOR THAT, RIGHT? NO. THEY HAVE TO PAY ME FOR THIS JOB.
YOU KNOW WHY THEY HAVE TO PAY ME FOR THAT JOB? IT'S THE GREATEST JOB IN THE WORLD.
YOU WOULDN'T REALLY HAVE TO PAY ME TO DO IT ON MOST DAYS, DEPENDING ON THE ARTIST.
BUT YOU KNOW WHY THEY PAY ME TO DO THAT JOB? SO THAT I'M ACCOUNTABLE.
WHEN YOU BRAG ABOUT A COMMISSION OR ANYBODY VOLUNTEERING WORK HERE, UNLESS IT'S A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN OR SOMEBODY VOLUNTEER TO PICK UP TRASH, THEY'RE NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO ME.
THE IDEA THAT AN ETHICS COMPLIANCE COMMISSION BEING APPOINTED BY COLLEGES FROM OUTSIDE OF THIS PARISH, WHY? BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE.
IN THE SECOND MOST POPULATED PARISH, MOST AFFLUENT PARISH, WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT THAT WE NEED A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE? HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE? YOU KNOW IT'S A GOOD IDEA, CHAIRMAN.
WE TALKED ABOUT THIS PREVIOUSLY.
YOU KNOW WE NEED A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO OUTSOURCE ANY NUMBER OF JOBS THAT WERE ON THAT AGENDA.
I DON'T NEED AN INSPECTOR GENERAL.
I DON'T NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE THROUPLE RELATIONSHIPS SHE'S HAVING WITH SOMEBODY ELSE, ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM.
I DON'T NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THESE THINGS.
I DON'T NEED TO RECEIVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE RECUSING THEMSELVES FROM SELF-INGRATIATING AGENDA ITEMS. RECENTLY, I HEARD SOME RECUSALS.
I ACTUALLY HEARD SOME PEOPLE ABSTAIN FROM VOTES.
I EXPECT THAT THAT'S BECAUSE YOU WERE VIOLATING ETHICS BEFOREHAND.
NOW I GOT SOMEBODY HAVING TO SEND ME STUFF IN THE MAIL ABOUT Y'ALL.
NONE OF YOU MATTER, Y'ALL TERM LIMITED.
HOW MANY TIMES I GOT TO EXPLAIN THIS? IT'S NOT WHO HOLDS POWER, IT'S HOW YOU'RE EMPOWERED THAT MATTERS, AND WE CAN'T EXPLAIN IT IN THIS ROOM.
I GOT TO KEEP ON GETTING UP HERE.
I'LL PUT A PEN TO PAPER, TRUST ME, BUT IT WON'T BE MY WORDS.
I DIDN'T DEFINE APPORTIONMENT.
THOMAS JEFFERSON DID. IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE.
THE APPLICATION OF ONE RATIO, A PORTION SIZE TO THE PARTS OF THE WHOLE WOULD BE INTELLIGIBLE TO THEM, AND THEREFORE BE APPROVED.
WHILE THE COMPLEX OPERATIONS OF THIS CONSTRUCT FIVE PLUS TWO NEVER COMPREHEND BY THEM.
THOUGH THEY MAY ACQUIESCE, THOUGH WE MAY ACQUIESCE, WE KEEP ON GIVING INTO THIS THING, YOU CANNOT APPROVE WHAT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED, MR. HYERS. THANK YOU.
>> RODNEY DUFOUR, 2704, 2704 CEDARLAWN DRIVE, MARRERO, LOUISIANA.
I DID WRITE SOME NOTES DOWN AND EACH ONE OF YOU WILL GET A COPY OF IT.
MY NAME IS RODNEY DUFOUR 58-YEARS-OLD AND A RESIDENT OF MARRERO MY ENTIRE LIFE.
YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR MARRERO A LOT IN THIS SPEECH.
I LIVE IN MARRERO, OWN A BUSINESS IN MARRERO, 5201 TARAVELLA ROAD.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS, INQUIRING ABOUT A FEW THINGS HAPPENING IN MARRERO.
I SPEAK EXCLUSIVELY ABOUT MARRERO, BECAUSE AS I STATED EARLIER, I'M A RESIDENT OF MARRERO, I HAVE A BUSINESS IN MARRERO, I SUPPORT 35 FAMILIES, MOSTLY IN MARRERO.
I'VE HAD TWO ADULT RESIDENCIES IN MARRERO.
NOT CONCERNED ABOUT MARRERO BECAUSE WE HELPED DO A LOT OF THAT INSPECTION ON THAT FLOODGATE THAT HE PUT UP, DAN, I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT.
I RECENTLY ATTENDED A TOWN HALL MEETING, MY FIRST ONE, AND WAS DELIGHTFULLY SURPRISED AT THE ATTENDANCE OF THE COMMUNITY, AND ALSO, MISS VAN VRANCKEN, MR. WALKER, MR. BONANO, ABSENT WAS MR. LEE AND MR. EDWARDS.
HOMELESSNESS, PUBLIC SAFETY, TRASH.
NEXT DAY, HAD A STREET SWEEPER.
IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS. MR. WALKER HOPE THEY COME BACK.
I HAVE A UNIQUE SITUATION HERE, I BELIEVE.
I HAVE MY BUSINESS IN DISTRICT 2.
I HAVE MY RESIDENCE IN DISTRICT 3.
SO I GET TO SHARE MY CONCERNS WITH TWO OF YOU.
>> YOU HAVE A MINUTE AND A HALF, JUST TO KEEP YOU APPRISED OF TIME.
>> YOU HAVE A MINUTE AND A HALF.
>> WELL, I'M GOOD. SEEING SOME THINGS GOING ON.
[02:45:03]
I'M GOING TO READ THIS. NO NEED TO INTERRUPT ME.THESE BUS STOPS BEING PUT UP ON BARATARIA.
I HEARD OF SOME FEDERAL MONEY, A LOT OF MONEY.
I DON'T SEE THAT MANY BUSES OR PEOPLE WAITING FOR IT.
WE HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT'S STARTING TO HAPPEN.
I KNOW IN MARRERO MYSELF IT'S SHORT-TERM EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF THE LNG PLANT, WHICH I ALSO WORK AT AND MAKE MY MONEY, BUT WE HAVE TO PRESERVE OUR SHORT-TERM RENTALS FOR PEOPLE JUST COMING AND GOING TO MAKE THE FAST BUCK.
I HEARD IT'S NOT ALLOWED, BUT I HEARD A FEW PEOPLE THAT CALLED IN TO THE COUNCIL AND THEY SAID, THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.
I'D LIKE SOME PEOPLE TO LOOK INTO IT AND I'D LIKE TO GET AN ANSWER FOR THAT.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BIGGEST THING RIGHT HERE, WHICH IS THE APARTMENT COMPLEX.
I JUST WANT TO GET SOME ANSWERS.
THE APARTMENT COMPLEX. PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, I HAD BUSINESS HERE AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS GOING ON IN MARRERO AND I'VE TRIED TO GET A LOT OF THINGS DONE IN PERSONAL AND BUSINESS.
IT TAKES FOREVER TO GET SOMETHING DONE, A PERMIT, GET SOMEBODY TAKEN OUT OF SOMETHING, GET SOMETHING DONE FOR YOU, BUILD SOMETHING WHATEVER, IT SEEMED LIKE THIS THING JUST POPPED UP OUT OF NOWHERE.
I KNOW SOMEBODY GOING TO SAY THAT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ON THE FLOOR.
I DON'T SEE IT, AND NOBODY ELSE HAS.
MR. BONANO SAID THAT HE HAD EVERYTHING SIGNED, SINCE LIKE ANY OTHER, BUT I CAN TELL YOU WHAT THE CORNER OF BARATARIA APA-CO IS THE BEST CAMPAIGN CORNER YOU'LL EVER SEEN, IF THERE HAD BEEN SOME SIGNS POSTED, YOU'D HAVE GOT SOME FEEDBACK.
I CAN GUARANTEE, IT'S A $60 MILLION PROJECT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I HAVE A PERSONAL ISSUE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD PLEASE. [OVERLAPPING]
HE LIVES ON 558 OAK STREET, MARRERO, LOUISIANA. HIS NEIGHBOR.
SHE CONSTANTLY KEEPS HER TRASH CAN ALONG THE STREET AND WON'T PUT IT WHERE IT GOES BECAUSE YOU HAVE A CODE IN HERE THAT SAYS THAT YOU CAN'T KEEP A TRASH CAN BETWEEN A PROPERTY LINE AND THE STREET PRETTY MUCH.
I CALLED ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS THREE TIMES.
THEY WENT OUT THERE AND SAYS THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THAT, AND THEY JUST TELL ME TO KEEP TO PICK IT UP.
I HAD TO WIN THE OTHER DAY, HE CALLS ME UP AND I HAD TO RUN HOME TO GO PICK UP TRASH ALL OUT OF HIS YARD.
HOW IF THERE'S A CODE FOR THIS, WHY ARE THEY TELLING ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT? THAT'S BASICALLY ALL I NEED TO KNOW.
YOU LOOK UNDER CHAPTER 16 IN THE CODE BOOK. [OVERLAPPING]
>> HAVE YOU HAD A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR?
>> I TRIED TO, AND SHE CALLED THE COPS ON ME.
I REALLY CAN HAVE NO SPEAKING TO MY NEIGHBOR AND THEY JUST KEEP CALLING THE COPS ON ME. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION, I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR QUESTION IS. WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION?
>> MY QUESTION IS WHY ARE YOU CONSIDERING THIS IF THERE'S A CODE SAYING SHE CAN'T DO IT, WHY THEY CAN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT MAKING HER MOVE IT?
>> YEAH, I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO PICK UP HER TRASH.
YOU LIKE COMING HOME IN THE EVENING AND HAVING TO PICK UP SOMEBODY'S TRASH BECAUSE THE WIND BLEW THE CAN OVER AND THE TRASH IS SITTING ALL OVER YOUR YARD?
>> THE TRASH OR THE TRASH CAN?
>> THE TRASH CAN, BUT THE TRASH CAN.
THEY'RE PUTTING IT WHERE IT DON'T BELONG, AND I CALLED ENVIRONMENTAL, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
THEY SAID, "OH, THAT'S LEGAL." BUT I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS LEGAL.
>> I THINK KATHERINE IS APPROACHING, SO BEFORE YOU GET TO RETIRE, KATHERINE, WE CAN ADDRESS THIS.
>> I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS LEGAL.
>> YOU WANT TO COME LOOK AT THAT PICTURE AND TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON?
>> DOES HE HAVE ANY RECOURSE MAYBE Y'ALL CAN DISCUSS ON THE SIDE?
>> [INAUDIBLE] CODE THAT SAYS IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FROM THIS LINE TO THAT LINE AND YET Y'ALL CAME OUT THERE THREE TIMES AND TOLD ME THAT THAT'S LEGAL.
THEN IT'S CONSTANTLY BLOWING IN MY YARD, AND I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO PICK UP ALL THAT CRAP.
>> KATHERINE, YOU WANT TO HANDLE THAT WITH HIM OUTSIDE AND WE CAN FINISH UP THIS MEETING?
>> WHAT I'M SEEING RIGHT HERE IS A CAN THAT IS NOT EXACTLY IN THE SERVITUDE.
THERE'S APPARENTLY A FENCE IN THE FRONT YARD AND IT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FENCE.
IT LOOKS LIKE MORE THAN LIKELY IT IS COMPLIANT.
>> REALLY, IT'S NOT BECAUSE ONE INCH FROM THAT SIDE IS CONSIDERED A SIDEWALK, BUT YOU WOULD HAVE IT RIGHT IN IT.
>> WE CAN SETTLE THIS OFFLINE, SO TO SPEAK.
WE'LL SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO, BUT IF IT'S IN COMPLIANCE AND IT'S WITHIN OUR REGULATIONS, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO.
BUT IF YOU MAY WANT TO ASK HER TO BRING IN HER CAN OR SECURE IT SO THINGS DON'T BLOW OUT, THAT COULD BE A GREAT OPTION.
[02:50:03]
>> OKAY. THANK YOU [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU FOR WAITING, SIR.
>> MY NAME IS VERNON BUDER, I LIVE AT 2537 CARNAL.
I WAS BILL AND INSPECTED BY 20 YEARS AGO FOR THE PARISH AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT CAME IN AND SAID THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD B DIM PARK, WHICH HAS THE PONDS AND ALL JUST LIKE LAFRENIERE PARK.
WELL, HURRICANE AT CAME IN, THE PARISH TOOK THE MONEY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE USED FOR THAT PART TO REBUILD LAFRENIERE PARK.
TWO YEARS AGO, YOU OPENED UP THE PARK, YOU HAD TO WAIT TWO YEARS FOR THE GRASS TO GROW.
THERE'S THREE PONDS YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE THE WATER.
THE FRISBEE GUYS ACTUALLY WALKED INTO THE POND, THEY DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS WATER THERE.
NOW I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THE PARISH IS GOING TO PLAN ON RETURNING THAT MONEY TO FINISH THE PARK.
YOU TOOK $750 OUT OF THEIR BUDGET TO REPLACE THE WROUGHT IRON GATE AT LAFRENIERE PARK THAT SOME DRUNK RAIN INTO ON A SUNDAY, I WAS THERE WHEN THE RECEPTIONIST GOT THE CALL.
YOU ALL TOOK THE $375,000 FOR LIGHTS DESIGNATED FOR BARATARIA BOULEVARD TO PUT FOUNTAINS IN THE RETENTION PONDS ON CLEARVIEW PARKWAY.
WHEN IS THAT MONEY GOING TO COME BACK TO THE WEST BANK? THERE'S ABOUT 10 PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED SO FAR ON BARATARIA.
YOU ALREADY CHANGE THE NAME OF THE STREET TO SUICIDE BOULEVARD.
YOU ALL MADE LEFT TURNS AND RIGHT TURNS SIX FEET AWAY, THE CARS BLOCK EACH OTHER THERE'S NO WAY.
MR. WALKER, YOU CAN CHECK WITH YOUR SECRETARY, SHE'S AFRAID TO GO DOWN TO TURN INTO HER NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE SEE CAR PORTS, ACCIDENTS EVERY DAY THERE.
WHEN THE ENGINEER WAS THERE LAYING OUT, I ASKED HIM WHY DON'T THEY MOVE THE INTERSECTION AT LEAST 20 FEET BACK, REMOVE THE LEFT CURB SO THE CARS CAN MAYBE GO ON TO 45 DEGREE, NOT GET RIGHT IN FRONT OF EACH OTHER WHERE THEY CAN'T SEE.
I ALMOST GOT WIPED OUT BY STATE TROOPER YESTERDAY.
YOU CAN'T SEE THE CAR BEHIND YOU, THE CARS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER.
BY ELIMINATING THE CURB, I'M ALLOWED TO GET FURTHER AWAY FROM THE CAR AT LEAST 20 FEET THAT YOU CAN LOOK AROUND THE CORNER AND RIGHT AT CARDINAL DRIVE, BARATARIA MAKES A SLIGHT TURN, WHICH MAKES THE TRAFFIC FURTHER BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU. YOU CAN'T SEE IT.
>> HAVE YOU MADE A REQUEST IN MY OFFICE OR ANY OFFICE TO HAVE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING TRY AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT?
>> NO, AND THEN ABOUT THE FIREMEN WHEN I GOT UP THERE, THE PARISH IS SPENDING MONEY ON BEAUTIFYING TRANSCONTINENTAL, WEST MEDARY, AND THE FISHING PIERS ALL OVER THE LAKE FRONT, THEY BUILT A FISHING PIER AND A DRAINAGE CANAL.
WE HAVE ABOUT 30 GUYS IN THE CLUB HERE, WE HAVE REMOTE BOATS AND STUFF.
WE HAVE TO GO IN THE OLD DRAINAGE CANAL OFF THE OLD BARATARIA HIGHWAY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO HAVE TABLE SET UP, TENTS TO CHANGE BATTERIES IN THE BOATS AND ALL THAT.
>> BUT IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING SPECIFIC THAT YOU WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT, LIKE THE INTERSECTION YOU JUST DESCRIBED, EMAIL OUR OFFICE, AND WE CAN HAVE IT OBSERVED AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE DEALT WITH.
>> ANYONE ELSE? BEFORE WE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION, PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY I WANTED TO YIELD THE FLOOR TO COUNCIL WAN BOHANNAN FOR A MOMENT.
>> JUST A REALLY QUICK THANK YOU TO SUSAN TREDWAY WITH THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION.
WE HAD AN ISSUE IN GERARD SHE WAS VERY RESPONSIVE AND CREATIVE IN COMING UP WITH A SOLUTION TO HELP US.
I'M PRETTY SURE THAT TRAFFIC ENGINEERING IS NOT THANKED VERY OFTEN.
IT'S NOT AN EXCITING JOB, BUT THEY DO A GREAT JOB, SO I JUST WANT TO QUICKLY SAY THANK YOU TO HER.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL WAN BOHANAN.
NOW, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION INTO SUMMARY,
[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]
AND THERE ARE MANY. GOOD LUCK.>> THE FIRST THREE, I'M GOING TO READ, I'M GOING TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTE FOR EACH ONE.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 20846, THE JUDICIAL COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION PLAN FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, FIRST PARISH COURT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, SECOND PARISH COURT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, JUVENILE COURT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT ORDINANCE BEING READ INTO SUMMARY A MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 13709, THE EXECUTIVE PAY PLAN FOR THE UNCLASSIFIED AT W EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON TO INCORPORATE REVISIONS AND
[02:55:02]
ADJUSTMENTS RECOMMENDED BY THE ARCHER COMPANY LLC.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT ORDINANCE BEING READ INTO SUMMARY A MOTION OF COUNCIL MEMBER BEN VICON SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO INCORPORATE REVISIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS RECOMMENDED BY THE ARCHER COMPANY LLC.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT ORDINANCE BEING READ INTO SUMMARY A MOTION OF COUNCIL MEMBER BEN VICON SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED., AND NOW THE REST.
>> IN ORDER TO ADDING THE CUTTING AND REMOVAL CHARGES FOR GRASS, WEEDS OR OTHER GROOVES, TRASH DEBRIS OR DISCARDED OR OBNOXIOUS MATTER.
ADDING THE FINES AND HEARING COSTS ASSESSED BY THE BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION ADJUDICATION FOR BUILDINGS, DWELLINGS, OR OTHER STRUCTURES, WHICH HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE AND PRESENT A DANGER TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF RESIDENTS.
ADDING THE DEMOLITION AND REMOVAL CHARGES FOR THE BUILDINGS, DWELLINGS, AND OTHER STRUCTURES, WHICH HAVE BEEN DETERMINED BY THE BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION ADJUDICATION TO BE PRESENT A DANGER TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS.
DOCKET NUMBER ES 17723, RESUB OF LOT ONE SQUARE ONE, LOT 52 SQUARE EIGHT LIVE OAK PLACE SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF BETT STREET.
DOCKET NUMBER ES 2424, RESUB OF LOT NINE A, BLOCK TWO, ORLANDO SUBDIVISION OF LOT NINE C BLOCK SIX GRAND DRIVE SUBDIVISION, AMENDING LOT 52 SQUARE EIGHT LIVE OAK PLACE SUBDIVISION, LOCATED AT 100 THROUGH 216 BETTS AVENUE, 101-241 DECK BAR AVENUE, AND 1706 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY.
AMENDING LOT B SQUARE SEVEN, DANNY SUBDIVISION LOCATED ON THE 3200 BLOCK OF DANNY PARK, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING FROM G0-2-C-1.
AMENDING LOT 567 AND PART OF LOT A, SQUARE FOUR, CANAL STREET SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 510 ARIS AVENUE.
AMENDING LOT 14 SQUARE 35 BRIDGEDALE, SECTION B SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 400 CLEARVIEW PARKWAY.
DOCKET NUMBER SP 2324, A REQUEST TO ESTABLISH A MEDICAL CAMPUS MASTER PLAN FOR ASHNER CLINIC FOUNDATION, WITH VARIANCES TO THE MEDICAL CAMPUS MASTER PLAN REGULATIONS.
DOCKET NUMBER SP 5-24, A REQUESTED VARIANCE OF THE CHAPTER 40 ZONING FOR AN UNCOVERED STAIRCASE LOCATED AT 3017 NORTH CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD ON LOT 1A SQUARE 41 HARLEM SUBDIVISION.
DOCKET NUMBER SP 2024 REQUESTED VARIANCES FOR A CHICK-FIL-A LOCATED AT 3870 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD.
A ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2024 OPERATING BUDGET, AND ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THAT'S ALL THE ORDINANCES I HAVE TO READ.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES READ IN SUMMARY, A MOTION OF COUNCIL MEMBER BEN RANKIN, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
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.