[00:00:01] >> [BACKGROUND] EVERYBODY, IF YOU'LL TAKE A SEAT, [SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (Part 1 of 2)] WE'LL GET STARTED WITH A COUPLE OF PRE-MEETING FESTIVITIES THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS. THE PARISH PRESIDENT HAS A PROCLAMATION, AND WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS THIS MORNING BEFORE WE GET TO THE REGULAR MEETING. AGAIN, IF YOU'RE COMING IN, IF YOU'VE NEVER SPOKEN AT A MEETING BEFORE, YOU DO NEED TO FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS AND HAND IT UP TO THE FRONT IF YOU PLAN ON SPEAKING AT TODAY'S MEETING. THANK YOU. >> I'M SORRY. [BACKGROUND] >> YOU OKAY? >> SO GREAT. SCRAMBLING. THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND] >> GOOD MORNING. HOW ARE YOU? >> YES. [BACKGROUND] >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I'M HONORED TO HAVE IN THE CHAMBER WITH US MEMBERS OF OUR DIVERSITY INCLUSION BOARD. OCTOBER IS GLOBAL DIVERSITY AWARENESS MONTH, AND OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE OUR VERY STRONG JEFFERSON PARISH DIVERSITY INCLUSION BOARD, WHICH REPRESENTS EMPLOYEES FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE PARISH. I WOULD LIKE TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION FOR THEM, BUT THEY HAVE REALLY PROGRAMMED THINGS, AND WE HAVE CELEBRATED ALL THE MANY DIFFERENT CULTURES THAT WE ARE REPRESENTED WITH THE PARISH. I ALWAYS SAY OUR EMPLOYEES ARE JUST A FRACTION OF REPRESENTATION OF WHO LIVES IN THE PARISH, AND IT IS TO BE CELEBRATED. I WANT TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION, AND THEN WE'LL GIVE THE CERTIFICATES TO OUR BOARD MEMBERS, AND THEY'RE HERE IN ORANGE, SO YOU CAN SEE THEM. EVERYBODY IN ORANGE. WHEREAS OCTOBER IS GLOBAL DIVERSITY AWARENESS MONTH AND A SPECIAL TIME TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND TO CELEBRATE THE DIVERSITY AND UNIQUENESS OF ALL ETHNICITIES AROUND THE WORLD. WHEREAS THE JEFFERSON PARISH DIVERSITY INCLUSION BOARD SERVES AS AN IMPORTANT AND VITAL COMMUNICATION SOURCE BETWEEN PARISH LEADERSHIP AND OUR EMPLOYEES WHILE ADVOCATING FOR MORE INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE CULTURE. WHEREAS THE JEFFERSON DIVERSITY INCLUSION BOARD IS COMPRISED OF DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES WHO SERVE TO FOSTER A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS OF THE VALUE OF EACH HUMAN BEING REGARDLESS OF THEIR NATIONALITY, RACE, COLOR, SEX, GENDER, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, OR LANGUAGE. WHEREAS THE JEFFERSON PARISH DIVERSITY INCLUSION BOARD CELEBRATES THE UNIQUE ABILITIES OF OUR DIVERSE JEFFERSON PARISH WORKFORCE AND CREATES A WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT TO BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. WHEREAS RECENT EVENTS HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED FOR EVEN GREATER AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE OF INDIVIDUALS WHOSE CULTURES AND ETHNICITIES ARE DIFFERENT FROM OUR OWN. WE ARE A STRONGER COMMUNITY WHEN WE HELP EACH OTHER. WHEREAS THE JEFFERSON PARISH DIVERSITY INCLUSION BOARD HAS BROUGHT UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF OUR EMPLOYEES. WE DO HAVE FUN. THAT'S FOR SURE. WHEREAS THE JEFFERSON D&I BOARD IS RECOGNIZED AND COMMENDED FOR MAKING GREAT STRIDES IN PROMOTING DIVERSITY AWARENESS AND INCLUSION IN OUR WORKPLACE. NOW, THEREFORE, I, CYNTHIA LEE-SHENG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2024 AS DIVERSITY INCLUSION AWARENESS MONTH IN JEFFERSON PARISH. WITH THAT, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANTOINETTE DAVIS COME UP AND ANNOUNCE ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS TO COME UP. THANK YOU, ANTOINETTE. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. ANTOINETTE DAVIS. [LAUGHTER] BRITTANY MAJOR. DEON GREEN. HUBERT FRANKLIN. JASMINE HAMILTON. MAISHA GOODER. NICOLE THOMPSON. PAY PALAFOX. RAY MALA. SHAKIVA TAYLOR. STACY FIELDS. >> THANK YOU. >> TERRY PAJAROS. JESMINDA RAMSEY. KATINA WEBB. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, Y'ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? [BACKGROUND] NO. COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU WANT TO COME TAKE A PICTURE WITH OUR DIVERSITY INCLUSION BOARD. I PERSONALLY WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU ALL FOR ALL THE PROGRAMMING THAT YOU DO FOR US. COUNCIL MEMBERS. WHO'S GOING TO HOLD THIS? [BACKGROUND] WE GOT TO SPLIT UP. [BACKGROUND] >> I'LL HOLD IT. FINE. >> YOU WANT TO HOLD IT, PAY? >> I'LL HOLD IT. >> COME UP. >> COME UP. >> I FORGOT. >> I KNOW [INAUDIBLE]. COME ON. [BACKGROUND] >> HI, FRED. WAIT, JUMP IN. >> HERE'S FRED, OUR DANCER. [00:05:03] [LAUGHTER] WE SHARE OUR BIRTHDAY. >> THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING] >> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. SOMEBODY ELSE TO HOLD. >> I DON'T WANT TO BLOCK [INAUDIBLE]. >> COME ON. HOLD IT UP. COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE READY? >> WE GO. LOOK AT ME. EVERYBODY, Y'ALL LOOK THIS WAY. [BACKGROUND] HERE WE GO ON THREE, 01, 2, 3. EVERYBODY [INAUDIBLE] ON THREE, 01, 2, 3. >> I FEEL BAD, I FORGOT TO WEAR [INAUDIBLE] TOO. >> HAVE A GOOD ONE. >> THAT'S THE PROBLEM. WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE PROCLAMATION? Y'ALL TAKE THE PROCLAMATION. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. [BACKGROUND] >> THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE]. [BACKGROUND] >> NEXT, I'D LIKE TO INVITE UP MR. BRENT LOYD. [BACKGROUND] HE'S HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION 65TH ANNIVERSARY. WELCOME. >> THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BRENT LOYD. I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION. WE'VE PROUDLY SERVED THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF OUR MEMBERS SINCE CHARTERING IN OCTOBER THE 23RD, 1959. SINCE OUR HUMBLE BEGINNINGS WITH JUST TWO STAFF MEMBERS, JPEFCU HAS TRANSFORMED INTO A FULL-SERVICE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION WITH OVER 50 EMPLOYEES AND MORE THAN $150 MILLION IN ASSETS SERVING RIGHT AT 14,000 MEMBERS CURRENTLY. JEFFERSON PARISH OR JPEFCU SERVES A CLOSED MEMBERSHIP GROUP THAT INCLUDES ALL OF JEFFERSON AND PARISH EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS SELECT EMPLOYEE GROUPS LIKE THE STAFF AT LCMC, USED TO BE EAST JEFFERSON GENERAL HOSPITAL, AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. NEXT WEEK, WE'LL BE KICKING OFF OUR 65TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS WITH TWO SPECIAL EVENTS. THE FIRST WILL TAKE PLACE IN OCTOBER THE 23RD FROM 12:00-3:00 HERE IN THE YENNI BUILDING PARKING LOT, FEATURING LUCKY DOGS, SNACKS, GAMES, AND A CHANCE FOR OUR CREDIT UNION STAFF TO MEET THE MEMBERS. OUR SECOND CELEBRATION WILL BE ON OCTOBER THE 30TH AT PELICAN PARK NEXT TO THE COURTHOUSE ON THE WEST BANK FROM 12:00-2:00 PM. WE HOPE TO SEE EVERYBODY THERE TO CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. LOYD. >> THANK YOU, MR. LOYD. WE'LL WAIT JUST A COUPLE MINUTES FOR OUR NEXT ONE. STAND BY FOR A SECOND. [BACKGROUND] >> THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS AND THE NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC BELT RAILROAD IS RUN BY A BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, AND THAT BOARD IS TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM JEFFERSON PARISH. OUR NEWEST COMMISSIONER WAS RECENTLY NAMED CHAIRMAN OF PORT NOLA. HIS NAME IS MIKE THOMAS. HE'S A FORMER ASSISTANT PARISH ATTORNEY, FORMER COUNCIL AIDE, AND FORMER INTERIM COUNCIL MEMBER. INTERESTING FIRST FEW WEEKS AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PORT, THE DOCK WORKERS WENT ON STRIKE JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER HE WAS SWORN IN AS CHAIRMAN. THEN THREE DAYS LATER, THE STRIKE ENDED. ALL CREDIT TO YOU, I'M SURE, ON THAT. WE'RE ALL CERTAINLY GLAD TO HEAR THAT. I'M INVITED MIKE, THOUGH, HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AHEAD AND HOW JEFFERSON PARISH CAN MAXIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY EXIST IN ONE OF OUR BIGGEST INDUSTRIES. MIKE, TAKE IT AWAY. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU, FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MADAM PRESIDENT. BEFORE MY REMARKS, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A SHORT VIDEO THAT THE PORT HAS TO GIVE YOU [00:10:03] SOME BRIEF INFORMATION AND THEN I'LL MAKE A FEW STATEMENTS AND OPEN UP FOR QUESTIONS. [BACKGROUND] >> LET'S ROLL IT ON BACK TO THE BEGINNING SO WE GET THE AUDIO. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT [BACKGROUND] [MUSIC] >> THIS IS THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA'S ONLY INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER PORT, AND THE STATE'S LARGEST BREAKBULK AND PROJECT CARGO HANDLING PORT. WE PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN, PROVIDING INNOVATIVE SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS BY RIVER, RAIL, AND ROAD FOR SHIPPERS LOOKING TO DIVERSIFY THEIR TRADE LANES. WE'RE MAKING SURE THE PRODUCTS YOU USE EVERY DAY ARRIVE AT YOUR HOME. WE'RE HELPING BUSINESSES EFFICIENTLY MOVE THEIR PRODUCTS ACROSS THE NATION, AND OUR MISSION IS TO DRIVE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND JOB CREATION FOR LOUISIANA AND THE REGION. WE'RE BUILDING MOMENTUM AS THE GULF'S GATEWAY TO MIDDLE AMERICA. [MUSIC] >> STRATEGICALLY LOCATED AS THE ONLY DEEPWATER POT IN THE US CONNECTED TO ALL OF NORTH AMERICA'S SIX CLASS 1 RAILROADS THROUGH THE NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC BELT, AND WE'RE MAKING SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NINE-BILLION DOLLAR LOCAL TOURISM INDUSTRY, WELCOMING TOURISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. AS THE SIXTH LARGEST CRUISE PORT IN THE COUNTRY, HERE, YOU CAN ENJOY TWO VACATIONS IN ONE, SAILING THE OCEAN OR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. OUR STRENGTH IS IN OUR DIVERSITY WITH FOUR DISTINCT BUSINESS LINES; CARGO, RAIL, CRUISE, AND INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE, GENERATING MORE THAN 115 MILLION IN REVENUE EACH YEAR. BUT PORT NOLA ISN'T JUST MAKING SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN OUR EXISTING ASSETS AND INFRASTRUCTURE. WE'RE ALSO PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE, BUILDING A NEW $1.8 BILLION STATE-OF-THE-ART CONTAINER TERMINAL. THE LOUISIANA INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL, ALSO KNOWN AS LIT, IS THE LARGEST PUBLIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. IT WILL BE BUILT IN VIOLET, 17 MILES DOWN RIVER FROM THE CRESCENT CITY CONNECTION BRIDGE, AND WILL SERVE VESSELS OF ALL SIZES, DRAMATICALLY INCREASING LOUISIANA'S IMPORT AND EXPORT CAPACITY. LIT IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE 32,000 NEW JOBS NATIONWIDE, 18,000 IN LOUISIANA ALONE, AND MORE THAN ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN NEW STATE AND LOCAL TAX REVENUE, AND WE'RE BUILDING LIT THROUGH A HISTORIC PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. PARTNERS, PORTS AMERICA, AND TIL HAVE COMMITTED 800 MILLION IN PRIVATE FUNDING. PORT NOLA WAS ALSO AWARDED 300 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING, THE LARGEST FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN A NEW CONTAINER TERMINAL IN US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HISTORY, AND THE STATE OF LOUISIANA RECENTLY COMMITTED MORE THAN 230 MILLION TO LIT AND OTHER RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN 2025 WITH THE FIRST BERTH OPENING IN 2028. THERE'S NO QUESTION. THIS WILL POSITION LOUISIANA AS THE PREMIER GLOBAL GATEWAY IN THE GULF AS THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS CONTINUES TO DELIVER LOUISIANA'S FUTURE. [MUSIC] >> THAT GIVES YOU A LITTLE BIT OF SUMMARY OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE PORT. IT'S REALLY AN EXCITING TIME, AND TO FURTHER WHAT CHAIRMAN WALKER SAID, I WAS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR LANDRY TO BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PORT AND I REPRESENT JEFFERSON PARISH, AND THE SECOND DAY OR THE THIRD DAY AFTER MY APPOINTMENT, [00:15:03] THEY HAD A LONGSHOREMAN STRIKE, AND THANKFULLY, THAT ENDED THREE DAYS LATER, AND THEN TWO DAYS AFTER THAT WE HAD A TRUCKER STRIKE, AND WE'RE ALSO IN THE MIDDLE OF TRYING TO HIRE A NEW PORT DIRECTOR. WE'RE IN SOME CHANGES, BUT THEY'RE ALL FOR THE POSITIVE. WHAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE ABOUT THIS PORT IS THAT IT'S DRAMATICALLY PLACED TO AFFECT THIS REGION, NOT JUST THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. JEFFERSON PARISH IS A PART OF IT. WE'VE TALKED ON THE COUNCIL FOR MANY YEARS ON HOW AVONDALE IS BASICALLY AN UNPOLISHED DIAMOND, AND THAT IS PART OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS. THE PORT HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY REALLY SHINE WITH AVONDALE AND TO CREATE VALUE-ADDED SERVICES WITH AVONDALE. >> WE'VE WORKED WITH THEM, WE'VE COMMITTED TO THEM TO TRY TO GET THEM SOME RAIL CAPABILITIES TO ALLOW THEM TO BETTER SERVE THEIR MARKET. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING NOW WITH THE WIND TECHNOLOGY IS REALLY HELPING THEIR BUSINESS. THEY HAVE THE UNLIMITED POSSIBILITY AND UNLIMITED GROWTH. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT GOVERNOR LANDRY IS DOING WITH HIS NEW COMMISSION OF LPWIC, HE IS CHANGING THE DYNAMIC OF THIS COMMUNITY AND THIS REGION TO WHERE ALL OF THESE PORTS CAN COME TOGETHER. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED WITH, I LIKE THE EXAMPLE OF THE AIRPORT. LET'S GO BACK TO 50 YEARS. WE WERE TRYING TO BE THE HUB FOR UNITED, THE HUB FOR AMERICAN AIRLINES, THE HUB FOR DELTA. BECAUSE WE COULDN'T HAVE THE AGREEMENTS WITH ST. CHARLES PARISH, OR JEFFERSON, OR ORLEANS, OR KENNER, AND WE COULDN'T EXTEND THE RUNWAYS, ALL OF THOSE AIRLINES LEFT. THAT OPPORTUNITY, THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH PASSED US BY. WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IN THIS STATE AND THIS REGION IS TRYING TO AVOID THAT WITH THE PORTS. WE HAVE FIVE DEEP-WATER PORTS IN THIS AREA, FROM BATON ROUGE TO THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER. THIS GOVERNOR HAS CREATED A COMMISSION TO BRING THOSE PORTS TOGETHER ALONG WITH THE PORTS OF THE REST OF THE STATE TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE AND SAY, LOOK, THIS IS WHAT IS THE MOST ECONOMICAL, VIABLE PROJECTS FOR ALL OF THESE PORTS AND ALL OF THESE COMMUNITIES TO FORWARD THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF THE STATE, WHICH IN TURN, WILL FORWARD THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL PORT. IF YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THESE DEEP-WATER PORTS, THEY ALL DO SOMETHING VERY, VERY UNIQUE AND VERY SPECIAL, WHETHER IT'S CONTAINERS LIKE THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS, WHETHER IT'S BREAK BULK, LIKE WE DO, WHETHER IT'S BULK LIKE THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA, WHETHER IT'S PETROCHEMICAL LIKE BATON ROUGE, OR WHETHER IT'S LNG, LIKE PORT OF PLAQUEMINES, WE ALL DO THOSE THINGS VERY WELL. BUT TOGETHER, WE CAN BASICALLY BECOME UNMATCHED IN THE REGION, IN THE COUNTRY, AND IN THE WORLD. THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT IT'S EXCITING, FROM MY END, TO BE A PART OF, AND WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF GOVERNOR LANDRY, IT'S REALLY GOING TO CHANGE THE DYNAMIC OF HOW THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE JEFFERSON PARISH AND THE REGION. THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS ARE ON THE ONLY PORTS IN THE COUNTRY THAT RECEIVES NO FUNDING FROM ITS SHAREHOLDERS, WHICH IS JEFFERSON PARISH AND ORLEANS AND ST. BERNARD. THERE'S NO MILLAGE, THERE'S NO PROPERTY TAX. FOR EXAMPLE, HOUSTON HAS A PROPERTY TAX THAT FUNDS AND HELPS FUND THE OPERATION OF A PORT. THIS PORT IS SELF-FUNDED, AND IT'S NOT ONLY THE PORT, IT'S ALSO THE PUBLIC BELT. NEW ORLEANS IS ONE OF ONLY A FEW CITIES, AND, AS THE VIDEO SHOWED, ONE OF THE ONLY DEEP-WATER PORTS THAT HAS ACCESS TO SIX PUBLIC BELT RAILROADS. YOU DON'T REALIZE THE DYNAMIC THAT IS, YOU DON'T REALIZE THE OPPORTUNITY THAT IS TO GET OUR PRODUCTS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THIS COUNTRY IN A TIMELY AND EFFICIENT AND COSTLY MANNER. IT'S AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY. THAT HAS TRANSFORMED OUR ABILITY TO MOVE OUR PRODUCTS AND TO HELP OUR CUSTOMERS, AND WE ACQUIRED THAT FROM THE CITY IN 2018. WITH THIS NEW FACILITY IN VIOLET, LIT, IT'S GOING TO INCREASE OUR CAPACITY TO MOVE CONTAINER TERMINALS FROM ONE MILLION TEUS OR ONE MILLION CONTAINERS A YEAR TO OVER TWO MILLION A YEAR. THE REASON IT HAS TO HAPPEN IS THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL WIDENING PROJECT, THE SHIPS ARE GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER. THEY'RE ABLE TO MOVE NOT ONLY JUST 9,000 CONTAINERS ON A SHIP, BUT UP TO 15,000 18,000 CONTAINERS ON A SHIP, AND HEIGHT OF THOSE SHIPS CAN'T GO UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE. NOW WE HAVE TO HAVE A NEW TERMINAL SOUTH OF THE BRIDGE TO ALLOW THAT CARGO TO BE PROCESSED. THOSE ARE ALSO CONNECTED TO THE RAILWAY. THAT WILL ALLOW THIS CARGO TO BE MOVED NORTH TO CHICAGO, TO ST. LOUIS, TO MEMPHIS, TO ALLOW US TO BETTER ACCESS THE HEARTLAND OF AMERICA. BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW, THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER ALL COMES DOWN HERE. WE HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF EXPORTS. WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS GETTING IMPORTS, GETTING OTHER PRODUCTS TO OUR COUNTRY, AND THEN SHIPPING THEM UPRIVER. THIS IS AN EXCITING TIME. I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH GOVERNOR LANDRY. I'M VERY PROUD OF HIS SELECTION AND HONOR THAT HE CHOSE ME TO DO THIS. OBVIOUSLY, I'VE BEEN A BIG PART OF JEFFERSON PARISH FOR A LONG TIME. [00:20:03] I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH AVONDALE, AND TRYING TO HELP THEM SUCCEED BECAUSE WITH AVONDALE SUCCESS, THIS ALSO HELPS JEFFERSON PARISH SUCCEED, WHETHER IT'S TAX REVENUE, WHETHER IT'S JOBS, WHETHER IT'S ADDED VALUE SERVICES, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO OUR REGION AND OUR COMMUNITY. WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER. >> YOU MENTIONED AVONDALE, AND WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST, SOME COMPETITIVENESS, EVEN MAYBE SOME COMBATIVENESS BETWEEN THE PORTS. DO YOU FEEL LIKE THERE'S A MOVE GOING FORWARD WHERE WE'LL SEE LESS COMBATIVENESS AND MORE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE PORTS? >> WHEN I SAT DOWN WITH AVONDALE, THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIG CONCERNS. WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WHEN THEY CAME IN AND TRIED TO BUY AVONDALE, AND THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT. AVONDALE IS PART OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS. ALTHOUGH WE DON'T OWN IT, THE REAL ESTATE, LIKE WE DO ON MANY OF OUR OTHER DOCKS AND WHARVES, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP FOSTER THEIR GROWTH. ONE OF THE THINGS I ASKED GOVERNOR LANDRY IS, "DO YOU WANT THIS TO BE A BUSINESS OR DO YOU WANT THIS TO BE AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THE REGION?" HE SAID, "IT'S NOT A BUSINESS, IT'S AN ECONOMIC ENGINE." WE'VE GOT TO FACILITATE THE GROWTH OF THE PORT, AND THEY'RE PART OF THAT. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID IS I WENT AND I SAT DOWN WITH THEM AND I SAID, "OKAY, HOW CAN WE HELP FACILITATE YOUR GROWTH?" THEY SAID, " CAN YOU ATTEND MEETINGS WITH US? CAN YOU HELP PROMOTE US?" I SAID, "ABSOLUTELY." I DON'T SEE THAT BEING A HINDRANCE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM. >> LAST QUESTION I HAVE, IS THAT NEW TERMINAL IN ST. BERNARD THAT'S BEING BUILT, DOES THAT PROVIDE SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR JEFFERSON PARISH? >> ABSOLUTELY. THERE ARE THINGS THAT AVONDALE CAN DO TO HELP ACCENTUATE WHAT LIT CAN DO. AVONDALE HAS SO MUCH LAND WHERE THEY CAN PUT, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY CAN BRING IN PIPE THAT IS NOT COATED, THAT IS NOT THREADED. BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MUCH LAND, THEY CAN BUILD FACILITIES ON THEIR PROPERTY THAT CAN ADD TO THAT, AND THEN SHIP IT OUT THROUGH THE CONTAINERS AT LIT, THROUGH THE CONTAINERS AT AVONDALE, TO WHERE AVONDALE COULD PROSPER THROUGH THE GROWTH OF THE PORT [INAUDIBLE]. >> ANYBODY ELSE HAVE QUESTIONS? COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN. >> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT THE PORT IS SUCH A GREAT EXAMPLE OF PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS, AND IT SHOULD BE REPLICATED THROUGHOUT THE PARISH, AND I CONGRATULATE THEM ON DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB OF THAT. CONGRATULATION ON YOUR APPOINTMENT, IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S CONFIDENCE IN YOU. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING FROM THIS COUNCIL, I'M SURE WE'D BE HAPPY TO HELP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT. >> COUNCILMAN LEE. >> MIKE, YOU MAY ALSO, WHEN YOU ENGAGED WITH THE PORT IN BLANCHARD PARISH, I'VE MET WITH THEM SEVERAL TIMES, AND GOING BACK ABOUT FOUR YEARS NOW WHERE THEIR INTERESTS, AND I'M ONLY ADDRESSING THIS BECAUSE OF THE QUESTION THAT SCOTT HAD ASKED. BUT THEY HAD AN INTEREST OF HAVING A LIGHT RAIL FROM THEIR FACILITY DOWN IN THE FAIRFIELD AREA. BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZED THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH HOUSING IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH, AND THAT THEIR INTEREST WAS BECAUSE THE POPULATION IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THAT IT WOULD BE A BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP TO BE ABLE TO CREATE A RAIL, WHEREAS PEOPLE FROM JP COULD GO AND WORK OUT THERE. WHEN YOU HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM, BRING THAT BACK UP AGAIN BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A WIN FOR EVERYBODY. >> SURE THING. WILL DO. THERE'S ONE MORE THING I WANTED TO POINT OUT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MAY BE LISTENING AT HOME THAT I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I FOUND INTERESTING. WE SEE ON TV TODAY THE BRIDGES IN MINNEAPOLIS FALLING DOWN AND CRUMBLING BECAUSE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS COUNTRY MAY NOT BE MAINTAINED THE WAY THAT IT SHOULD BE. ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED IN A SHORT TIME THAT I'VE BEEN CHAIRMAN IS THAT THE PORT OWNS THE HUEY P. LONG BRIDGE, ALTHOUGH THE MAINTENANCE OF THE HUEY P. LONG BRIDGE SINCE ITS INCEPTION, IS 98% PAID FOR BY THE RAILROADS. IT'S PROBABLY THE MOST MAINTAINED BRIDGE IN THE COUNTRY, IF NOT THE WORLD. IT IS EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, IT HAS A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF EIGHT HOURS ON THAT BRIDGE. THE PORT OWNS ITS OWN TIMBER YARD TO MANUFACTURE THE RAILROAD TIES THAT GO ON THAT BRIDGE. IT'S AMAZING TO SEE THE DEDICATION AND THE COMMITMENT THAT THIS PORT HAS TO THIS COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY, COMMERCE, AND THE WELL-BEING OF THIS COMMUNITY. IT'S TRULY AMAZING. >> ANYBODY ELSE? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. >> THANK YOU. >> APPRECIATE IT. >> HAVE A NICE DAY. >> YOU TOO. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. [MEETING CALLED TO ORDER] WELCOME TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16TH. WE'RE AT THE JOSEPH S. YENNI BUILDING, 1221 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD, JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA. [00:25:02] THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER. I WANT TO REMIND YOU, IF YOU'RE NEW TO OUR MEETINGS AND YOU PLAN TO SPEAK TODAY, YOU DO NEED TO FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD AT THE BACK OF CHAMBERS AND HAND IT UP TO THE CLERK AT THE FRONT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. LIZ, RIGHT HERE, WILL RECEIVE YOUR. JUST HAND IT ONCE IT'S COMPLETED, BUT YOU DO NEED TO FILL OUT THAT CARD TO SPEAK AT THE MEETING TODAY. MADAM PRESIDENT, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOUR GUEST TODAY WHO WILL LEAD OUR INVOCATION. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I'M HONORED TO HAVE WITH US PASTOR MANLEY MILLER FROM THE CELEBRATION CHURCH, ACTUALLY, IT'S AT THE KENNER CAMPUS. I JUST WANT TO REALLY THANK THE CELEBRATION CHURCH. I'D GO BACK TO THE COVID DAYS WHEN WE NEEDED SO MUCH HELP AND SO MUCH OUTREACH IN THE COMMUNITY, AND PASTOR DENNIS WATSON CAME UP TO ME, I'LL NEVER FORGET, AND HE SAID, "WHAT DO YOU NEED? WE WILL HAVE PEOPLE THERE." I WASN'T GETTING THAT A LOT DURING COVID, BUT IT WAS REMARKABLE. THEY'RE THE REAL DEAL. I WILL SAY THAT THESE FOLKS AT THIS CHURCH ARE THE REAL DEAL. THEY'VE BEEN INCREDIBLE PARTNERS TO US. MORE RECENTLY WITH HURRICANE FRANCINE, OBVIOUSLY, IMPACTING KENNER THE MOST, PASTOR MANLEY MILLER AND HIS CHURCH AT THE KENNER CAMPUS HAVE REALLY DONE A LOT OF OUTREACH, DISASTER RELIEF DRIVES, GETTING SUPPLIES TO PEOPLE AND EVEN SENDING TEAMS TO NEIGHBORING STATES WITH THEIR HURRICANE ISSUES. A BIG KUDOS TO THE CELEBRATION CHURCH. I WILL NOTE THAT IN NOVEMBER, THEY'RE CELEBRATING THEIR 35-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, SO TO THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION, A HAPPY EARLY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU. WITH THAT, PASTOR MANLEY MILLER. >> PLEASE RISE IF YOU'RE ABLE TO DO SO. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE OPEN TODAY'S SESSION WITH A WORD ASKING FOR YOU TO EXTEND YOUR HAND AND YOUR GRACE UPON THIS PLACE AND THIS MEETING. WE KNOW THAT DISAGREEMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID, BUT ALL DISAGREEMENT CAN BE DONE WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY. THAT IS A CHOICE WE CHOOSE TO MAKE. MIGHT EVERYONE TODAY BE QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO BE FRUSTRATED. YOUR WORD SAYS IN YOUR EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS, CHAPTER 13, THAT ALL GOVERNING AUTHORITY IS APPOINTED BY GOD, VOTED ON BY PEOPLE, BUT APPOINTED BY YOU WITH GIFTS, TALENTS, ABILITIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES. WE PRAY THAT TODAY, THIS PLACE WOULD BRING GLORY AND HONOR TO YOU AND THAT WE WOULD KNOW THAT YOU ARE WITH US. WE ASK THAT YOUR PRESENCE WOULD BE KNOWN BY ALL AND WE'D BE GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL THAT YOU'VE GIVEN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US BREATH TODAY. IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD, WE PRAY. AMEN. >> AMEN. >> THANK YOU. >> >> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> CHAIRMAN WALKER. >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILMAN EDWARDS. >> HERE. >> COUNCILMAN BONANO. >> HERE. >> COUNCILMAN LEE. >> HERE. >> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN. >> HERE. >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG. >> PRESENT. >> PARISH PRESIDENT MS. LEE SHENG. >> PRESENT. >> I'VE COMPLETED THE ROLE. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. BEFORE WE GET TO YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, [SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (Part 2 of 2)] I WENT PAST COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG'S PROCLAMATION THAT HE HAS FOR THIS MEETING, SO WE'LL DO THAT, THEN WE'LL COME RIGHT TO YOUR REMARKS. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DON'T WRITE SOMETHING DOWN. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. I HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR THE NEW ORLEANS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. I'D ASK YOU GUYS TO STEP UP, PLEASE. WHEREAS, THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS UNIVERSALLY RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, INTENDED TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISEASE AND TO RAISE FUNDS FOR RESEARCH INTO ITS CAUSE, PREVENTION AND CURE; AND WHEREAS, NUMEROUS CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH, INCLUDING FRIENDS AND FAMILIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY BREAST CANCER; AND WHEREAS, AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE MORE THAN FOUR MILLION BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS IN THE UNITED STATES; AND WHEREAS, BREAST CANCER IS THE MOST COMMON CANCER DIAGNOSED AMONG WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES, ONE IN EIGHT WOMEN WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER IN THEIR LIFETIME; AND WHEREAS, BREAST CANCER SCREENING SAVES LIVES. REGULAR BREAST CANCER SCREENING CAN HELP CATCH EARLY CANCER WHEN IT MAY BE EASIER TO TREAT; AND WHEREAS, [00:30:01] THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY OFFERS 24/7 SUPPORT LINE, CLINICAL TRIALS, RISE FOR TREATMENT, AND PLACES TO STAY TO BE CLOSER FOR TREATMENT, INCLUDING THE PATRICK F. TAYLOR HOPE LODGE ON RIVER ROAD IN JEFFERSON PARISH; AND WHEREAS, THE PATRICK F. TAYLOR HOPE LODGE OFFERS FREE HOTEL-STYLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS THROUGHOUT THE GULF SOUTH TO RECEIVE TREATMENT AT LOCAL CANCER CENTERS; AND WHEREAS, THE PATRICK F. TAYLOR HOPE LODGE IS STAFFED 24/7 WITH AREAS FOR ENTERTAINMENT, RELAXATION, LAUNDRY SERVICES, AND MEAL PREPARATION; AND WHEREAS, TEAM MEMBERS HAVE WELCOMED AND ASSISTED THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS AT THE PATRICK F. TAYLOR HOPE LODGE; AND WHEREAS, EACH YEAR AN AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY MEN WARE PINK CAMPAIGN BEGINS IN OCTOBER; WHEREAS MEN WARE PINK AMBASSADORS RAISE MONEY FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, HOSTING EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA; AND WHEREAS, IN 2003, THE CAMPAIGN RANKED IN THE TOP 10 NATION, RAISING OVER $200,000. NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND COMMENDS THE NEW ORLEANS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMITMENT AND CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH. THANK YOU, ALL, SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> COUNCIL, IF YOU'D LIKE TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, ALL. CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. >> APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU, BROTHER. [BACKGROUND] >> MY APOLOGIES FOR THE DELAY IN GETTING TO THAT PROCLAMATION THIS MORNING. MADAM PRESIDENT, THE FLOOR IS YOURS. [PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL] >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I'M GOING TO START WITH THE HURRICANE RESPONSE. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR OWN JEFFERSON PARISH DEPARTMENTS WHO HAVE BEEN BUSY HELPING OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT WERE RECENTLY IMPACTED BY THE HURRICANES. CERTAINLY, WE KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE OTHER PEOPLE COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND HELP US, AND SO WE WANT TO CERTAINLY DO THAT FOR THE OTHER FOLKS AS WELL, ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE IN FLORIDA. MEMBERS OF OUR JEFFERSON PROTECTION AND ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES PROGRAM UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR JPAWS DIRECTOR MICHELLE BRIGNAC, WERE DEPLOYED SUNDAY OCTOBER 6TH BY THE MULTI-STATE ANIMAL RESCUE TEAM THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY, TO RESPOND TO THE RESCUE AND RELIEF EFFORTS IN GEORGIA AND NORTH CAROLINA FOLLOWING HURRICANE HELENE. NOW, ACTUALLY, OUR JPAWS STAFF ARE IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA TO RESPOND TO THE ANIMAL NEEDS FOLLOWING HURRICANE MILTON. MEMBERS OF OUR JPAWS TEAM ARE HELPING US SET UP CAMPS AND BUILDING AND CLEANING KENNELS TO HOUSE PETS, OBVIOUSLY, TO RELIEVE THE TIRED STAFF THERE THAT THEY HAVE. ADDITIONALLY, OUR JPAWS TEAM HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WORKED THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND TO INTAKE 15 RESCUE DOGS FROM THE HURRICANE-IMPACTED AREAS. BEST FRIENDS PROVIDED US FUNDING TO HELP OFFSET THESE COSTS, AND WE ARE WORKING TO TRANSPORT THEM OUT TO OTHER RESCUES. MEMBERS OF OUR WEST BANK FIRE SERVICES AND EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING TARRYTOWN, MARRERO HARVEY, HARVEY, AND BRIDGE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENTS, WERE ALSO PART OF A STRIKE TEAM SENT TO OCALA, FLORIDA LAST THURSDAY ON A MISSION REQUEST FROM THE LOUISIANA OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL. WE ALL KNOW BRYAN ADAMS, OUR STATE FIRE MARSHAL. OUR DEPLOYMENT GROUP MET WITH MORE FIRE CREWS FROM LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, FLORIDA, AND ILLINOIS, AND THEY WERE A PART OF 150-200-PERSON FIREFIGHTER TEAM THAT STOOD READY TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. WE JUST WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR JPAWS TEAM WHO ARE ON THE GROUND OVER THERE ASSISTING. RYAN BABCOCK AND OUR GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ORGANIZING A HURRICANE RELIEF DRIVE IN COORDINATION WITH THE SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS AND ACADIANA FOR THOSE WHO WERE IMPACTED BY RECENT HURRICANES. WE ARE CURRENTLY COLLECTING HOUSEHOLD CLEANING SUPPLIES AND TOILETRIES THROUGH THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18TH, AND YOU CAN DROP OFF THOSE SUPPLIES AT THE YENNI BUILDING HERE, RIGHT WHERE WE ARE NOW, GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING IN GRETNA AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH SURPLUS BUILDING, 920 DAVID DRIVE IN METAIRIE. ITEMS MOST NEEDED AT THIS TIME ARE BLEACH, DISINFECTANT, GLOVES, SCRUB BRUSHES, SPONGES, BUCKETS, TRASH BAGS, BABY WIPES, FEMININE PRODUCTS, DIAPERS, PERSONAL TOILETRIES, TOOTHBRUSHES, AND PAPER TOWELS. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT WE'VE ALREADY COLLECTED FROM OUR CITIZENS OVER 12,000 POUNDS OF THESE MATERIALS TO SEND OVER THERE. [00:35:03] FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RELIEF DRIVE, YOU CAN CONTACT GENERAL SERVICES AT 504-346-2675. OBVIOUSLY, WITH THE COLD WEATHER TODAY, WE HAVE HALLOWEEN ON THE WAY, TRUNK OR TREAT AT JPAWS AND LAFRENIERE PARK. WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR SPOOKY SEASON IN JEFFERSON PARISH WITH TWO TRUNK OR TREAT EVENTS THIS WEEKEND. JPAWS WILL HOST A TRUNK OR TREAT AT 271 LAPALCO BOULEVARD THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18TH, FROM 7:00-8:30. THE EVENT WILL FEATURE CANDY, FACE PAINTING, GAMES, AND A COSTUME CONTEST. THEN LAFRENIERE PARK WILL HOST ITS ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, FROM 6:00-8:00 PM. THAT'S GOING TO BE $15 PER CHILD AND WILL INCLUDE CANDY AND CAROUSEL RIDES. A FLU DRIVE THAT'S BEING HOSTED NOW FOR A FREE FLU SHOT, NARCAN AND COVID TEST KIT DISTRIBUTION EVENT THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, FROM 10:00-2:00 AT THE MARRERO PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT. THAT'S AT 1855 AMES BOULEVARD. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 504-349-5639. JEFFCAP, OUR JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, IS GOING TO HOST THEIR INAUGURAL FALL FEST. THIS IS A FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, FROM 9:00-1:00 AT THE ALARIO CENTER. JEFFCAP'S FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL IS A FREE COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENT THAT WILL PROVIDE RESOURCES, ENTERTAINMENT, AND REFRESHMENTS. RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH PARISH DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ABOUT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, HEAD START ENROLLMENT, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, SENIOR PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, JPAWS ADOPTIONS, THAT'S THE ANIMAL ADOPTIONS, LIBRARY RESOURCES AND PROGRAM, AND FREE COVID AND FLU VACCINE APPOINTMENTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN CONTACT JEFFCAP AT 504-736-6900. WE'RE ALSO DOING A BOOK DRIVE FOR JEFFCAP TO COLLECT CHILDREN'S BOOKS THAT ARE NEW OR USED TO HELP FILL THE SHELVES IN OUR HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START CLASSROOM LIBRARIES. IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE, COLLECTION BOXES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE LOBBIES OF THE YENNI BUILDING, THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING IN GRETNA, THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY, AND THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST. IF YOUR KIDS ARE GETTING OLDER, PLEASE SEND THOSE BOOKS OVER TO US SO WE CAN PUT THEM TO GOOD USE. JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK IS GOING TO CONTINUE A SNACK GIVEAWAY PROGRAM FOR OUR YOUTH. IT'S BEEN EXTENDED FOLLOWING ITS POPULARITY THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS. SHELF-STABLE SNACKS ARE DISTRIBUTED AT EAST AND WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARIES, BELTARE, LAKE SHORE, AND TARRYTOWN BRANCH LIBRARIES, TWICE PER WEEK AT EACH LOCATION DURING AFTER-SCHOOL HOURS, AND WE'VE HAD AN AVERAGE OF 40 CHILDREN PER DAY. FOLLOWING THE DEBUT OF THE NEW COMMUNITY GARDEN AT THE TARRYTOWN LIBRARY, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS, I SAW IT THIS WEEKEND, AND WE CELEBRATED THE LIBRARY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY AS WELL, THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN GARDENING MAINTENANCE SESSIONS EVERY FRIDAY, 11:00 AM TO NOON. THE HARVESTED PRODUCE WILL ALSO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE LIBRARY'S KITCHEN KIDS WEEKLY FAMILY FOOD PREPARATION PROGRAM. WE PLANTED PUMPKINS, AND BY NEXT OCTOBER, WE HOPE TO HAVE FULL PUMPKINS AND THE KIDS ARE ABLE TO SEE THAT FROM INCEPTION TO CARVING A PUMPKIN. THAT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT EVENT. A WRITER'S CRITIQUE GROUP MEETS AT LAKE SHORE LIBRARY ON SATURDAYS AT 9:30 AM FOR ROUNDTABLE READINGS AND PEER FEEDBACK. WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL HOST AN IPHONE SEMINAR FOR SENIORS THAT COVERS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TEXTING AND USING APPS THAT IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE. SENIORS SHOULD BRING THEIR PHONES TO THE SESSION ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH FROM 10:00 AM TO NOON. THIS IS ALL LIBRARY STUFF I'M TALKING ABOUT. PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO MARK THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY WITH A COMMUNITY-WIDE CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH FROM 1:00-4:00 PM AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY. THAT PARTY IS GOING TO HAVE A BRASS BAND, AN ANNIVERSARY CAKE, A LECTURE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEM, AND THE DEBUT OF AN EXHIBITION THAT CHRONICLES THE LIBRARY'S EXPANSION, ALONG WITH THE SEALING OF A TIME CAPSULE CONTAINING ARTIFACTS FROM ALL OF THE BRANCH LIBRARIES AND DEPARTMENTS. NOW, I'LL MOVE TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD. IS TOASTING AN INFORMATIONAL SESSION FOR EMPLOYERS, TRAINERS, AND PROVIDERS. INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT, THAT SESSION IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24TH FROM 1:00-2:30 AT THE JEDCO CONFERENCE CENTER. CALL 504-736-6542 FOR MORE INFORMATION. NOW, LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK IS OCTOBER 20TH THROUGH 26TH, AND IT'S A CALL TO BRING TOGETHER INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, INDUSTRY, AND GOVERNMENTS TO REDUCE CHILDHOOD EXPOSURE TO LEAD BY INCREASING LEAD POISONING PREVENTION AWARENESS. IF A HOME WAS BUILT PRIOR TO 1978, IT CONTAIN LEAD-BASED PAINT. THE OLDER THE HOME, THE GREATER THE CHANCES OF HAVING LEAD-BASED PAINT OR HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD DUST. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IS PARTNERED WITH THE US HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ON LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION IN LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME HOUSING. THE LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION GRANT PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO HOMEOWNERS AND RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS FOR REPAIRS, DESIGNED TO CONTROL LEAD-BASED PET PAINT HAZARDS. [00:40:04] ADDITIONALLY, THE HEALTH HOME SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT CAN BE USED FOR IDENTIFYING AND REMEDIATING MULTIPLE OTHER HOUSING-RELATED HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS, SUCH AS MOLD, ASBESTOS, AND PEST CONTROL. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE PROGRAMS, CALL 504-736-6262. LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS GOOD NEWS FOR OUR FINANCIAL TEAM. MOODY'S RATING HAS UPGRADED THE JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL SALES TAX BOND RATING TO A AA2, WHICH IS TWO FULL GRADES ABOVE THE PRIOR RATING OF A1. THIS UPGRADE MOVES THE SPECIAL TAX SALES TAX INVESTMENT GRADE BONDS TO HIGH-GRADE INVESTMENTS, REFLECTING THE PARISH'S STABLE ECONOMIC BASE AND LOW-DEBT BURDEN. MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS REPRESENT A RANK ORDERING OF CREDITWORTHINESS. JEFFERSON PARISH'S GENERAL CREDITWORTHINESS IS RATED AT AA1, ONE GRADE ABOVE THE SPECIAL SALES TAX BOND. INVESTORS WHO INVEST IN JEFFERSON PARISH BONDS, USE THESE RATINGS TO HELP PRICE THE CREDIT RISK OF FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES THEY MAY PURCHASE, PROVIDING JEFFERSON PARISH STABLE, FLEXIBLE ACCESS TO THOSE INVESTORS, AND OBVIOUSLY, LOWERING THE COST OF FUTURE BORROWINGS, WHICH IS CRITICAL TO US. TIM PALMATIER, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR WORKING SO HARD, THAT'S A BIG DEAL FOR US, AS WELL AS ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR KERRY SCHRIEFFER, AND YOU HAD TO PARTICIPATE IN A SIX-STEP PROCESS TO GET THIS DONE, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE PARISH PRESIDENT? COMMENTS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. A COUPLE OF HOUSEKEEPING NOTES REAL QUICK BEFORE WE GET INTO THIS PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION. [PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA] AGAIN, IF YOU'RE NEW TO OUR MEETINGS AND HAVEN'T SPOKEN BEFORE, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK TODAY, YOU NEED TO FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS AND HAND IT UP TO THE FRONT. IF YOU'RE HERE TO SPEAK ON THE [INAUDIBLE] ITEMS, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ALL THREE OF THOSE SIMILAR ITEMS TOGETHER RIGHT AFTER THIS PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU DON'T GET UP FOR THIS ONE, YOU GET UP FOR THE NEXT ONE BECAUSE IT'S NOT A RESOLUTION. ANYBODY WHO'S HERE TO SPEAK ON RESOLUTIONS ON OUR AGENDA CAN DO SO NOW. YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT THE REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD AND SAY YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, AND IT MUST BE RELATED TO A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA. >> AL MORELLA, 4260 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, FIFTH DISTRICT, KENNER, FOURTH DISTRICT GUN INCORPORATED JEFFERSON, 52 YEARS. ITEM NUMBER 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 71, 74, AND 105. TOTAL INCREASE ON THE CHANGE ORDER AND 13 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA. WE'LL DO THESE ITEMS ON A REGULAR AGENDA FIRST. TOTAL INCREASE IN THESE CONTRACTS, $1.082 MILLION, ITEM NUMBER 46, $168,000 INCREASE, TWO DEPARTMENTS, PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION, AND LAFRENIERE PARK, WHICH FALLS UNDER PARKS AND RECREATION. NOW, AN UNFORESEEN OBSTRUCTIONS, THE USUAL EXCUSES WHY THESE CONTRACTS ARE INFLATED. UNFORESEEN OBSTRUCTIONS, ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY THE DOTD. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE SHOULD BE LOOKING INTO AS WELL. THIS KIND OF STUFF. WRITE IT DOWN, COUNCILMAN BYRON LEE. 1.082 MILLION, AGAIN, THAT WAY WHEN WE GO FOR MORE MONEY FROM OUR EMPLOYEES, WE GOT A BARGAINING CHIP. NOW, ITEM NUMBER 13. ONCE AGAIN, WE GOT THE FILTHY DIRTY GAME OF POLITICS BEING PLAYED DOWN HERE, AND THE TAXPAYERS ARE THE ONES NOW WHO HAS TO PAY THE PRICE FOR THIS, FOR THIS RIDICULOUS STUFF THAT'S GOING ON DOWN HERE. NOW, WE GOT AN ATTORNEY THAT SITS IN AND IS ON THE PAYROLL WITH THE ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE COMMISSION. DO WE NOT? WHEN DO WE HAVE TO BRING IN AN OUTSIDE LEGAL FIRM TO INVESTIGATE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE? WE GOT AN ATTORNEY ON THE PAYROLL RIGHT THERE. NOW, I TAKE THAT THIS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BACK AND FORTH AGAIN AT THIS MEETING FOR TWO HOURS LIKE WE'VE BEEN IN THE LAST TWO MEETINGS WE HAD. I WANT THAT FIVE MINUTES BACK FOR THE SPEAKERS AT THIS PODIUM. IT WAS CUT TO THREE MINUTES TO FACILITATE THESE MEETINGS. THERE'S NO FACILITATION GOING ON HERE. WE WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION THE LAST TWO MEETINGS, [INAUDIBLE] GET TO THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA. I'M DEMANDING THOSE FIVE MINUTES BACK. I'M NOT ASKING, I'M DEMANDING. ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. >> THAT'S A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW. I'M JOE MARINO, A RESIDENT OF GRETNA. I'M HERE FOR ITEM NUMBER 68, [00:45:02] THE RESOLUTION ASKING TO FREEZE $10.3 MILLION IN FUNDING. THE REASON THAT I'M HERE IS THE SAME REASON I WAS HERE AT THE LAST MEETING. I WAS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE INVOLVED IN THE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECT THAT IS THE SUBJECT AND IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO WHAT IS CONTAINED IN RESOLUTION 68. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS ON A BIGGER LEVEL AND THEN BRING IT BACK DOWN TO HOW IT DIRECTLY IS GOING TO IMPACT OUR STATE CAPITAL PROJECT. THE OVERALL PROJECT IS THE KING FISH RIVERVIEW DEVELOPMENT. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL HAS WRITTEN A PUBLIC LETTER, WHICH WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT, WHERE SHE'S ADDRESSING AND HYPER-FOCUSING ON A PART OF THAT DEVELOPMENT. THE LETTER THAT SHE'S WRITTEN, SHE'S ADMITTEDLY BEEN BEFORE SHE'S ACTUALLY DONE HER INVESTIGATION AND GOTTEN THE INFORMATION. BUT I CAN TELL YOU FROM BEING INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS FROM THE BEGINNING WHEN WE GOT IT INTO THE STATE BUDGET, THAT SHE'S GOT SOME VERY FACTUALLY WRONG THINGS THAT SHE'S RELYING UPON IN HER LETTER. TO BEGIN WITH, THE LETTER DOESN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT A STATE CAPITAL FUNDING OUTLAY PROJECT. THIS PROCESS IS WHEN THE STATE RECEIVES A FUNDING REQUEST FROM A LOCAL ENTITY. IN THIS CASE, IT'S THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON TO FUND A CAPITAL PROJECT. THE CAPITAL PROJECT THAT THEY'RE FUNDING IS THIS WHOLE DEVELOPMENT. IT'S NOT A SMALL APPLICATION. IT WAS AN APPLICATION. WE WERE TRYING TO GET AN ALLOTMENT OF MORE THAN $20 MILLION. IN 2022, THE PARISH THROUGH REPRESENTING THE JEFFERSON DELEGATION, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT INTO THE BUDGET. >> ONE MINUTE. >> YES. WELL, I'M GOING TO ASK FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE LEEWAY BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO EXPLAIN THE PROJECT WHY, AND IT'S COMPLICATED. >> YOU CAN HAND OFF YOUR TIME TO SOMEBODY ELSE IF SOMEBODY FOLLOWS. >> OKAY. >> THE PROJECT GETS INTO THE STATE BUDGET IN 2022, AND THE STATE IS GOING TO FUND UP TO 75% OF THE TOTAL PROJECT. RESOLUTION 68 IS DEALING WITH THE PART, WHICH IS THE LOCAL MATCH BY GOVERNMENT. THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO PUT UP A PART OF THE PROJECT FOR THE STATE TO FUND THE MAJORITY OF IT. THE LOCAL MATCH IN THIS PROCESS IS WHAT JEFFERSON PARISH IS DOING IN CREATING THE BUILDING OF THE COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE ON THIS PROJECT, WHICH IS GOING TO INCLUDE A PARKING COMPLEX, COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE, A LINEAR PARK, AND A KIOSK. THAT'S THE WHOLE PROJECT. YOU CAN'T JUST LOOK AT A PIECE OF THE PROJECT AND SAY, ANYWAY, LET ME JUST KEEP TRYING TO UP FOR. [OVERLAPPING] >> THAT'S YOUR TIME, BUT COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN HAS A QUESTION. YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ANSWER. YOU WERE PLANNING TO SAVING THAT. SORRY, HANG ON. THERE YOU GO. >> I DO HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. YOU'RE AN ATTORNEY, TOO? >> YES. >> THE PARISH ATTORNEY HAS TOLD US THERE'S NOTHING ILLEGAL. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL HAS SAID THERE'S NOTHING ILLEGAL. WHEN IT GETS TO YOU, IT WAS DONE BY THE PARISH, CORRECT? >> PARISH FUNDING REQUEST. >> WHEN IT GETS TO YOU AT THE STATE LEVEL, DO YOU ALSO REVIEW IT? DOES YOUR LEGAL TEAM REVIEW IT? DID YOU CHECK IT ALSO TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NOTHING ILLEGAL OR IRREGULAR ABOUT IT? >> THE SHORT ANSWER IS THIS HAS MET EVERY STEP AND PASSED EVERY CHECKPOINT, AND THE STATE REVIEWS IT FAR MORE THAN THE PARISH EVER WILL. THE PROCESS, WHICH I WAS TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO YOU, WHEN YOU GET IN THE BUDGET, WHEN YOUR PROJECT GETS IN, THAT'S JUST THE START OF RECEIVING STATE FUNDING. THEY DON'T GIVE YOU STATE FUNDING UNTIL THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION THROUGH FACILITY PLANNING AND CONTROL, ASSIGNS A PROJECT MANAGER WHO'S GOING TO MEET WITH THE LOCALS, REVIEW FOR COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC BID LAWS, THEY'RE GOING TO REVIEW THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, THEY'RE GOING TO REVIEW THE BUDGET OF THE PROJECT, AND BEFORE YOU GET A SINGLE DOLLAR, YOU HAVE TO PASS THESE CHECKPOINTS. THE PROJECT STARTS, AND THEN THEY GIVE YOU PART OF THE MONEY THAT YOU'VE RECEIVED AND YOU GO DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AND PLANS. THEN YOU'VE GOT TO GO BACK TO THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE STATE, AND THEY'RE GOING TO REVIEW IT AGAIN, AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONCUR IN WRITING THAT YOU ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC BID LAWS. YOU LOCAL MATCH IS SECURED AND APPROVED. ALSO THAT THEY'RE GOING TO AGAIN, REVIEW THE SCOPE AND BUDGET OF THE WHOLE PROJECT. THE LOCAL MATCH HERE IS THE PART WHERE THE PARISH IS BUILDING THESE TWO BUILDINGS. THAT IS THE LOCAL MATCH. IT IS NOT A STANDALONE PROJECT. [00:50:02] THAT IS WHAT THE PARISH IS DOING. THE CRAZY PART ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING IS THAT THE PARISH'S INVESTMENT IN THE WHOLE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN $9-10 MILLION. IN THE END, THE PARISH OWNS THE ENTIRE COMPLEX. THEY OWN THE GARAGE, THEY OWN THE COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE, WHICH IS PRIME REAL ESTATE. THEY OWN IT ALL. THEY WILL NOT BE ON THE HOOK FOR ANY ADDITIONAL MONEY BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDING, AGAIN, IS GOING TO COME FROM THE STATE. BUT WE GET IT ANNUALLY AND WE GET IT IN PIECES, AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, IF ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE GO BACK TO THE STATE NEXT YEAR IN YEAR 4 OF THE FUNDING REQUEST AND SAY, OUR LOCAL MATCH IS NOW IN QUESTION. WE HAVE DECIDED TO STOP AND PAUSE THE PART, WHICH IS THE LOCAL MATCH, THEN THE FUNDING IS NOT GOING TO CONTINUE. THEN IF YOUR PROJECT DOESN'T ADVANCE AND CONTINUE AND IT STOPS, YOU COULD LOSE ALL OF YOUR FUNDING, IT COULD GO BACKWARDS. THAT'S THE SHORT ANSWER. IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT JEFFERSON PARISH HAS ALSO REVIEWED THIS PROJECT, AND WE'VE MET WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY. ALSO, AGAIN, WHEN TALKING ABOUT WHAT DOES THE INSPECTOR GENERAL UNDERSTAND AND NOT UNDERSTAND, SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS AT ALL, DOESN'T DISCUSS IT AT ALL. SHE'S NOT FOCUSED ON THAT THE CMR PROCESS, WHICH IS BEING USED IS IN STATE LAW. IT IS LEGAL. IT IS THREE SECTIONS OVER AWAY FROM THE LOWEST BID SECTION IN THE LAW, WHICH IS THE OLD SLOW WAY OF DOING THINGS. ALLOWABLE WAY TO DO THINGS IS CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AT RISK, WHICH IS HOW IT'S BEING DONE, AND IT'S IN COMPLIANCE WITH THAT. WE HAVE LOOKED AT THIS SO MANY DIFFERENT TIMES. IT'S PAINFUL FOR ME AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHEN I WAS THERE TO SEE HOW MANY HURDLES WE HAVE TO CLEAR IN REVIEWS AND CHECKS, WE HAVE TO GET THE MONEY. BUT WE ARE RIGHT NOW AT THE STARTING LINE, GETTING READY TO BREAK GROUND. WE ARE READY TO DO THIS IN YEAR 3, AND NOW SOMEBODY WANTS TO PAUSE IT. >> LET COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN JUMP IN NOW. >> THIS IS TOUGH BECAUSE AGAIN, I KNOW WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE WHO HAVE THOUGHTS. NORMALLY, IT'S NOT A BACK AND FORTH, BUT USUALLY IT'S MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND BRETT MARINO, OBVIOUSLY, YOU'RE NOT YOUR AVERAGE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, YOU HAVE INFORMATION. LET ME SAY FIRST, PASTOR MANLEY, THIS MORNING POINTED OUT WE WILL INEVITABLY HAVE DISAGREEMENT, BUT WE CAN BE RESPECTFUL. MY PLEDGE TODAY IS TO BE RESPECTFUL THROUGH THIS WHOLE DISCOURSE, ALSO TO STICK TO THE FACTS. I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO PERSONALITIES, I'M NOT GOING TO DO ANY OF THAT. I REALLY JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL HAVE THE BENEFIT OF GOOD FACTS, AND SOME OF THOSE MIGHT BE DIFFERENT THAN I UNDERSTAND OR NOT. MY APPRECIATION, BRETT MARINO, IS WHEN THIS CAPITAL OUTLAY PROCESS STARTED YEARS AGO, THE TWO RETAIL SPACES, THE BREW PUB, AND THE TACO RESTAURANT WERE NOT PART OF THE APPLICATION, CORRECT? >> THIS PROJECT STARTED OUT INITIALLY THE DESIGN WAS WE WERE THINKING ABOUT BUILDING A PARKING COMPLEX ON A ASPHALT PARKING LOT. AS THAT PROCESS WAS GOING ALONG, WE'RE LIKE, WAIT, IS THERE A BETTER USE OF THIS THAN JUST A PARKING COMPLEX? THEN WE DETERMINED THAT WE'RE GOING TO EXPAND THIS TO COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE AND A PARKING COMPLEX, AND THAT'S HOW IT'S EVOLVED, AND THAT'S WHAT THE STATE HAS APPROVED IN THE FUNDING. >> BRETT MARINO. AGAIN, I KNOW, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN HAS POINTED OUT, SHE'S AN ATTORNEY, YOU'RE AN ATTORNEY, I'M AN ATTORNEY, HE'S AN ATTORNEY, HE'S AN ATTORNEY, SHE'S AN ATTORNEY. MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE TOO MANY ATTORNEYS. BUT RESPECTFULLY, THAT WAS NOT A RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION I ASKED. THE QUESTION I ASKED WAS, IN THE BEGINNING, DID WE FILE A CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUEST THAT DID NOT INCLUDE THE RESTAURANT AND THE BREW PUB? >> YES. >> THANK YOU. IN THAT CASE, THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON WOULD HAVE TO GET OUR 25% MATCH BY INVESTING IN SOME PART OF THIS OURSELVES, LIKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE JUDGE'S PARKING LOT OR BUILDING A PARKING GARAGE. I MEAN, WE CAN PUT OUR 25% MATCH INTO ANY ELEMENT OF THIS WHOLE COMPLEX. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MONEY IN THE BREW PUB, CORRECT? >> I'M NOT THE REPRESENTATIVE, I'M THE FORMER REPRESENTATIVE. >> GOT IT. >> VINCENT COX IS OUR REP. IN ORDER TO GET THE LOCAL MATCH APPROVED, [00:55:01] FACILITY PLANNING AND CONTROL HAS TO LOOK AT IT, EVALUATE IT, AND THEN SIGN OFF ON IT. AS WE'RE GOING FORWARD, WE DECIDED THE WAY THAT THIS IS GOING TO GO FORWARD IS THE PARISH CAN BUILD THIS PART, THAT WILL CHECK THE BOX OF LOCAL MATCH, THE PROJECT IS GOOD, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. >> BUT COULD CHOOSE TO PUT OUR MONEY INTO THE JUDGE'S PARKING LOT. I MEAN, WE HAVE THAT FLEXIBILITY. >> I DON'T WANT TO SPEND THE WHOLE TIME TALKING ABOUT, THE JUDGE'S PARKING LOT STARTED LONG BEFORE THIS. THE JUDGE'S PARKING LOT HAS BEEN IN THE BUDGET FOR MANY YEARS, AND IT'S ON THE SAME APPLICATION THAT THIS PARKING COMPLEX ON, BUT IT'S COMPLICATED AND THAT'S I THINK PARTLY WHY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL DOESN'T SEE WHAT IT IS, IS THAT THIS IS A SEPARATE PROJECT ON THAT SAME APPLICATION, BUT THEY ARE SEPARATE. THE JUDGE'S PARKING IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LOCAL MATCH OR THE DESIGN AND BUILD OF THE COMPLEX. >> WELL, LET ME JUST SUBMIT FOR THE RECORD THAT THE PARISH HAS THE FLEXIBILITY TO CHOOSE TO PUT OUR MATCH IN ANYWHERE. I WON'T ASK YOU TO SAY THAT, I'LL STATE THAT AS A PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT. WE CAN CHOSE TO PUT OUR MONEY INTO ANY PART OF THIS TO SATISFY THE STATE THAT WE HAVE, PUT OUR 25% IN. LET ME ALSO ASK, I KNOW YOU POINTED OUT, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROCESS. THAT IS YOUR WHEELHOUSE AND OUR LEGISLATOR'S WHEELHOUSE, DO YOU KNOW THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL CAN ONLY FOLLOW MONEY COMING FROM THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON? SHE COULD NOT ACTUALLY LEGITIMATELY DO AN ANALYSIS OF MONEY FLOWING FROM THE STATE, SHE CAN ONLY FOLLOW MONEY FLOWING FROM THE PARISH. SINCE THE 10 MILLION IS COMING FROM THE PARISH, HAS TO FOCUS ON THE BREW PUB, SHE CAN'T FOCUS ON THE ELEMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO THE STATE. DO YOU APPRECIATE THAT? >> YEAH. I ALSO APPRECIATE THAT IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR WHEN SHE HAD A CONCERN, SHE COULD HAVE ASKED ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS IS MOVING THIS WAY. I COULD HAVE HANDED HER OF ALL OF THE FILES. THIS IS THE STATE APPLICATION. SINCE THEN, I'VE TALKED ABOUT IT. SHE'S NEVER ASKED FOR IT BEFORE SHE PUT OUT HER REPORT, HER PUBLIC LETTER, ATTACKING IT. SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A MUCH BIGGER PROJECT, IT'S NOT JUST THE PARISH PART. YOU CAN'T SAY THIS STANDS ALONE, IT DOES NOT. >> CAN WE AGREE THAT AT THIS MOMENT, THE PARISH FUNDS THAT WE ARE OBLIGATED TO ENSURE USED APPROPRIATELY. WE AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL CAN ONLY FOCUS ON OUR FUNDS, AND RIGHT NOW OUR FUNDS ARE GOING INTO THE BREW PUB. CAN WE JUST AGREE ON THAT? >> MY UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PROCESS IS WHERE THE PARISH FUNDS COME FROM, IS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN. LET ME ANSWER, AND THEN YOU CAN DISAGREE. THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, THEY GIVE THE MONEY DOWN TO THE STATES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RECOVERY, AND THAT MONEY CAME THROUGH THE PARISH. I KNOW WHERE IT WENT, IT DIDN'T DIRECTLY GO STRAIGHT OUT THE DOOR TO THE PROJECT. BUT THAT IS ULTIMATELY THE SOURCE OF THE FUNDS THAT ALLOWED THE PARISH TO FREE UP MONEY THROUGH PAYROLL AND THEN DIVIDE IT UP AMONG THE DISTRICTS AND LET THE DISTRICT COUNCILMAN DECIDE WHICH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT THEY WANT TO COMMIT THAT MONEY. THE MONEY CAME FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ORIGINALLY AND THEN IT COMES DOWN AND COUNCILMAN EDWARDS IS USING THAT MONEY TO PAY FOR THAT DEVELOPMENT PART, WHICH IS CAPPED, AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING WHICH YOU ALL HAVE MISSTATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST THE PARISH. YES, YOU DO. IN A CMR PROCESS, ONCE THE CONTRACTOR SIGNS THE CONTRACT, IT'S A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE. ANYTHING OVER THAT, THE CONTRACTOR EATS THAT. THE PART THAT THE PARISH IS DOING IS FIXED ONCE THAT CONTRACT IS SIGNED. THEN THE REST OF IT IS WHERE THE PARISH WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY OVERAGES IF THE GARAGE PART TAKES LONGER, COST MORE, STATE OF LOUISIANA DOES. THAT'S A CRITICAL DISTINCTION THAT YOU HAVE MISSTATED IN YOUR JUST THE FACTS EMAIL. >> THANK YOU. BECAUSE I WANT TO STICK TO THE FACTS, I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO ANYTHING THAT'S NOT FACTUAL. FOR THIS PART, LET'S ADDRESS THE I THINK WHAT I'VE TRIED TO ESTABLISH RIGHT NOW AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S NOT FACTUAL. BUT I'M JUST TRYING TO ESTABLISH THAT WE HAVE A LARGE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECT REQUEST TO THE STATE. ASKING THE STATE FOR FUNDING FOR MULTIPLE PIECES, BUT WE'RE NOT ASKING THE STATE FOR FUNDING FOR [01:00:01] THE BREW PUB THAT WILL BE TOTALLY OUR LOCAL FUNDS, AND THAT IS WHAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL WAS FOCUSED ON BECAUSE SHE CAN ONLY FOLLOW OUR FUNDS. THAT'S REALLY WHERE I LEFT THE CAPITAL OUTLAY. NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO THE FUNDING BECAUSE I WATCH FOX 8, USED TO WORK AT FOX 8, WATCH ALL THE STATIONS, BUT LAST NIGHT IN THAT PARTICULAR STORY, THERE WAS A STATEMENT, AND I'M GOING TO ASK TIM PALMAN CHAIR TO CLARIFY THIS WITH US, OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR. THE STATEMENT LAST NIGHT ON THE NEWS SAID, THESE ARE ARPA COVID FUNDS. THESE HAVE TO BE USED IN A CERTAIN MANNER FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS. THEY CANNOT BE USED FOR DRAINAGE OR INFRASTRUCTURE OR ANY OF THAT. THIS IS WHERE CHRIS JOES HAVE CHALLENGED, THESE ARE NOT YOUR LOCAL TAX DOLLARS. HE SAID, WELL, EVEN IF THEY'RE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THEIR TAX DOLLARS, THEY'RE YOUR LOCAL TAX DOLLARS. BUT TIM, AS OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR, CLARIFY FOR ME BECAUSE COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN WAS NOT ON THE COUNCIL WHEN THIS OCCURRED, SO RESPECTFULLY, I UNDERSTAND WHY MAYBE THE CONFUSION. WHEN JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT GOT COVID FUNDING OR MONIES TO HELP US THROUGH COVID, THOSE CAME DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, CORRECT? >> CORRECT. >> WE DECIDED ULTIMATELY AS A COUNCIL, AND I ACTUALLY THINK THIS WAS THE RIGHT DECISION. WHEN YOU TAKE FEDERAL FUNDINGS, THERE ARE A LOT OF RULES AND YOU HAVE TO REPORT ON THINGS, AND YOU HAVE TO DOCUMENT IT SO THAT THE FEDS KNOW YOU'VE USED IT APPROPRIATELY. HAD WE PUT THOSE COVID FUNDS INTO PROJECTS, WOULD THEY HAVE HAD LIMITATIONS THAT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HAVING TO BE MINDFUL OF STRINGS ATTACHED, AND WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO REPORT THAT OVER TIME TO THE FEDS, CORRECT? >> CORRECT. >> WHAT THE DECISION OF THE COUNCIL WAS AT THAT TIME WAS, LET'S TAKE THE COVID FUNDING, AND LET'S REPORT SIMPLY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT THESE FUNDS ARE GOING TO GO PRIMARILY TO SALARIES AND OTHER LEGITIMATE USES FOR THOSE COVID FUNDS. WE SUBMITTED ALL OF THAT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THEN WE'RE DONE WITH THE COVID FUNDS, CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> NOW TO MAKE THE COUNCIL HAVE A SIMILAR AMOUNT OF MONEY, WE HAVE TAKEN THE SAME AMOUNT AND ALLOTTED IT TO DISTRICTS, 12.5 MILLION, 12.5 MILLION, 12.5 MILLION. BUT THE SOURCE OF THE MONEY THAT NOW SITS IN EACH OF THESE COUNCIL DISTRICT ACCOUNTS, IS IT GENERAL FUND JEFFERSON PARISH DOLLARS? >> IT IS GENERAL FUND. >> IT'S LOCAL JEFFERSON PARISH DOLLARS THAT NOW WILL FUND WHATEVER PROJECTS COME TO LIFE, CORRECT? >> YES. >> DO THEY HAVE ANY STRINGS ATTACHED? CAN THEY BE ACTUALLY USED FOR DRAINAGE OR INFRASTRUCTURE OR A BREW PUB? >> I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY. >> NO STRINGS. WHAT HAS BEEN PORTRAYED, I THINK, IS THAT THEY MUST BE USED ON TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS. I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THAT, BY THE WAY, TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS CAME AS A RECOMMENDATION FROM A LOCAL CITIZEN GROUP THAT SIMPLY SAID, THEY THINK THESE MONEY SHOULD BE USED TRANSFORMATIONALLY, IT'S A RECOMMENDATION, BUT IT IS NOT A LIMITATION OR A REQUIREMENT. >> YES. LET ME SAY THAT IT'S TREATED LIKE OTHER COUNCIL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT ASSISTANCE FUNDS AND SO IN THE CODE, THERE ARE SOME PROVISIONS AND AREAS OF WHERE THE MONEY HAS TO BE SPENT. >> YEAH. BUT PRETTY BROADLY FOR ANY LEGAL PURPOSE AS SUCH. AGAIN, THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DO THINK THERE'S BEEN SOME BACK AND FORTH ON AND MY GOAL IS STRICTLY FACTS SO RIGHT NOW, LET'S AGREE THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED, THESE ARE NOT COVID FUNDS. THEY ARE NOT FEDERAL FUNDS. THEY ARE LOCAL JEFFERSON PARISH DOLLARS THAT ORIGINALLY WERE SWAPPED FOR FUNDS, BUT NOW IT'S LOCAL JEFFERSON PARISH TAX DOLLARS THAT WILL BE USED FOR ANY OF THESE PROJECTS WITH NO LIMITATIONS AND NO STRINGS ATTACHED. I JUST WANT GOOD FACTS. I DON'T WANT THAT, I KNOW THAT WAS A POINT OF CONTENTION IN THE STORY LAST NIGHT SO IF WE CAN ESTABLISH WHERE THE MONEY'S COMING FROM AND THAT IT IS LOCAL TAX DOLLARS. THE LAST POINT I'LL BRING UP BECAUSE REP MARINO IS TALKING TO ME ABOUT CMAR. PARISH ATTORNEY, TONY HURLEY, ANOTHER ATTORNEY, WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT CMAR LAST YEAR OR MAYBE THE YEAR BEFORE, WHEN FOR THE FIRST TIME, RIGHT, HOW DID IT COME UP IN OUR DISCUSSION? MISS HURLEY? >> AM I UNMUTED? >> NO, YOU'RE ON. [01:05:01] >> FOR YOUR DISTRICT PROJECT, BECAUSE EACH COUNCIL DISTRICT HAD THEIR OWN PROJECT SO YOURS WAS EAT FAT CITY, AND BECAUSE THE CMAR PROCESS, IT'S AN ALTERNATIVE PROCESS WHERE YOU CAN DELIVER A BUILDING AS OPPOSED TO REGULAR TRADITIONAL DESIGN BID BUILD, PUBLIC BID LAW. BECAUSE IT'S AN EFFICIENT AND A COST EFFECTIVE PROJECT, WE WERE GOING TO USE IT FOR YOUR PROJECT IN THE METRE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT. >> CORRECT I REALLY APPRECIATE REP MARINO AND OUR PARISH ATTORNEY. I AM A BIG FAN OF CMAR. WHEN CMAR IS CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK, AND I'M A BIG FAN, AND ACTUALLY VERY APPRECIATIVE THAT OUR PARISH ATTORNEY SAID, WELL, JEFFERSON'S NEVER DONE THIS, BUT IF YOU WANT TO DO IT WITH EAT FAT CITY CENTER, THEN WE WILL EXPLORE IT, WE'LL GET KNOWLEDGEABLE ON IT, AND THAT IS WHEN OUR PARISH ATTORNEY REALLY DOVE IN TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF WE, THE PARISH, CAN BUILD SOMETHING WITH A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE SO THAT IF WE SURPASS THAT PRICE, IT'S NOT ON THE TAXPAYER, IT'S ON THE CONTRACTOR WHO IS THEN AT RISK. >> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. >> CORRECT. BUT THAT IS WHY I'M SAYING, PLEASE DON'T SAY THAT SOMEHOW I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT A CMAR IS. I DO UNDERSTAND WHAT A CMAR IS AND LET ME JUST FINISH MY THOUGHT. THE CMAR IS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO GO BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED A JEFFERSON PARISH SCENARIO LIKE WITH OUR PERFORMING ART CENTER, WHERE WE WENT 26 MILLION-52 MILLION. HAD WE HAD A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE CONTRACTOR AND NOT ON THE TAXPAYER'S. >> WE AGREE ON THAT. >> WE CAN AGREE ON THAT. >> LET'S AGREE ALSO THAT BECAUSE NOW YOU UNDERSTAND HOW THE PROCESS IS STRUCTURED, THAT THE PUBLIC LETTER, WHICH STARTS OFF SAYING, DONATING PUBLIC FUNDS AND PROPERTY, THAT IS INCORRECT. THERE ARE NO DONATED PUBLIC FUNDS OR PROPERTY DONATED. INCORRECT. TWO, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT PUBLIC BID. WE FOLLOW THE CMAR PROCESS THAT IS ALSO INCORRECT. THREE, LACK OF TRANSPARENCY. SHOW ME ONE THING THAT WE DID NOT DO IN THE PROCESS? THIS IS ALL WRONG, AND THIS IS WHAT HER ARGUMENT IS BASED UPON. THE PROJECT IS SET UP AS A STATE CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDED PROJECT, THE STATE IS DOING THE MAJORITY OF THE PROJECT. THE PARISH IS UTILIZING THE CMAR PROCESS TO BUILD AND THEIR PORTION OF THE LOCAL MATCH AND IT HAS ALL BEEN CHECKED AND REVIEWED AND CHECKED AND REVIEWED AND IT IS NOT IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW. >> THE CMAR IS CERTAINLY NOT IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW, BUT THE JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT IS NOT BUILDING THIS BUILDING, WHICH IS PART OF MY CONCERN. IT'S GOING TO BE JFI THAT BUILDS THE BUILDING AND REP MARINO, WE CAN'T ACTUALLY DO IT. THIS IS SOMETHING I'D LIKE OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS TO HELP US WITH BECAUSE WHEN WE STARTED LOOKING AT EAT FAT CITY, WHEN WE STARTED LOOKING AT THE CMAR PROCESS, THE STATE CAN DO THIS PROCESS ON ITS OWN AT ANY TIME, WHICH IS GREAT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY CANNOT UNTIL YOU REACH A THRESHOLD OF $15 MILLION. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED IN THE STATE LAW. >> IT'S ACTUALLY 5 MILLION. >> IS IT NOW? >> IT'S ALWAYS BEEN. BETWEEN 5 AND 15, YOU JUST NEED APPROVAL OF A COUPLE OF THE COMMITTEES IN BATON ROUGE, ABOVE 15 MILLION, YOU DON'T NEED ANY APPROVAL FROM THE STATE. >> OKAY. WELL, I STAND CORRECTED. THEN WE CAN DO THIS DIRECTLY, NOT THROUGH ANOTHER ENTITY. THE PARISH COULD DO A CMAR OURSELVES. >> WE COULD ACTUALLY TRY TO DO IT MANY DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT THE POINT IS THAT IN YEAR 3 OF THIS BIG ECONOMIC PROJECT FOR THE WEST BANK, NOW WE'RE BEING ASKED TO HIT THE BRAKES AND PAUSE BASED UPON A FALSE REPORT THAT'S MAKING ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPRIETIES THAT DO NOT EXIST. >> I GUESS WE CAN GET INTO THAT LATER BECAUSE EVEN IN THE FIRST THING YOU JUST READ, YOU SAID, WHAT WAS THE SECOND POINT? YOUR SECOND POINT WAS ABOUT SOMETHING ABOUT [OVERLAPPING]. >> I WAS NOT MY SECOND POINT. >> IG SECOND POINT. >> YEAH, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT PUBLIC BID. THE CMAR PROCESS HAS ITS OWN PROCEDURE AND IT'S ALL IN LAW. AGAIN, AS THE PARISH IS MOVING FORWARD ON THEIR PART, WHICH IS THE LOCAL MATCH, THE STATE IS REVIEWING IT AND THE STATE IS IN A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON PARISH, JRI, AND JFI, A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR. IT'S A CONTRACT THAT WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU THIS MONEY, AND YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS, AND WE'VE APPROVED WHAT YOU'VE OFFERED TO DO AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. >> [OVERLAPPING] AT THE RISK OF THIS BECOMING A TRIAL, CAN WE WRAP THIS UP SOON, PLEASE? >> MY LAST QUESTION IS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE CASE OR NOT, [01:10:02] BUT IT IS IMPORTANT. IF IT'S ONLY LOCAL DOLLARS, NO STATE FUNDS, ONLY LOCAL DOLLARS GOING INTO THE ONE ELEMENT THAT IS THE BREW PUB AND THE TACO RESTAURANT, WILL THE STATE VET THAT IN THE SAME WAY AS THE OTHER PROJECTS? >> YES, THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, FACILITY PLANNING AND CONTROL PROJECT MANAGER LOOKS AT IT AND ITS ENTIRETY. THEY LOOK AT THE WHOLE PLAN. THEY LOOK AT ITS COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE THAT THE PARISH IS GOING TO OWN, WHICH HAS A TENANT COMING IN ALREADY AND THAT IS APPROVED AS THE LOCAL MATCH BY THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. >> THAT'S ACTUALLY REASSURING TO ME, IF THE STATE IS GOING TO LOOK AT HOW OUR LOCAL DOLLARS ARE USED, THAT'S GREAT, BECAUSE IT APPEARED THAT BECAUSE WE WERE BUILDING THIS ONE ELEMENT WITHOUT STATE DOLLARS, I DIDN'T THINK THE STATE WOULD ACTUALLY DO THE LEGWORK OF VETTING THAT, BUT THAT'S REASSURING. >> MOST OF YOUR FACTS ARE COMING FROM A PUBLIC LETTER, WHICH IS INCORRECT THE NEXT PUBLIC LETTER SHOULD SAY, AFTER I INVESTIGATED IT, NOW I KNOW THAT THE PROJECT SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT. >> REMEMBER WE'RE BEING RESPECTFUL. >> I'M TRYING TO. THANK YOU. >> THANKS. >> MR. MARINO, YOU LEAVE, I HAVE A QUICK FOLLOW UP QUESTION. I DIDN'T MISUNDERSTAND THE SOURCE OF THE FUNDING LAST NIGHT. I'M SORRY, I JUST DIDN'T. I WASN'T ON THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME, BUT COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANKIN DID NOT VOTE FOR THAT MONEY TO GO TOWARDS STREETS OR DRAINAGE. SHE SPECIFICALLY VOTED FOR THAT MONEY TO BE DIVIDED, AND SHE WANTED HER CUT OF IT, AND SHE USED THAT ON THIS EAT FAT CITY PROJECT THAT HAS RESULTED IN LAWSUITS. IT'S NOT THAT I WAS UNDERSTANDING WHERE THE SOURCE OF THE MONEY WAS FROM. THAT WAS FROM THE ARPA MONEY. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AFTER COVID WAS NOT INTENDED. THE SPIRIT OF THE MONEY RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS NOT INTENDED. FOR THOSE TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT. BUT MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS YOU WERE ASKED IN THE VERY VERY BEGINNING, WAS IT THAT THE PARISH HAD SET OUT OR GRETNA HAD SET OUT TO BUILD A BREW PUB, AND YOU SAID NO. IN LIVNAR PARK, WE'RE NOT SETTING OUT TO HAVE ANY PARTICULAR TYPE OF RESTAURANT. WE HAVE AN RFP PROJECT RIGHT NOW THAT'S OUT. WE'RE HOPING THAT PEOPLE WILL RESPOND AND OFFER TO BUILD ONE OF THEIR RESTAURANTS THERE, EVEN THOUGH THE COMMENTS I'M GETTING IS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE NEWS LIKE GRETNA IS SO I'M NOT GETTING A GREAT RESPONSE, WHICH SCARES ME. BUT I'M NOT SETTING OUT TO HAVE ANY SPECIFIC TYPE OF RESTAURANT THERE. WHEN THAT HAPPENED WITH THE COUNCILMAN BEFORE ME, THE IDEA WAS TO JUST HAVE AFFORDABLE FOOD IN THE PARK FOR PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE PARK. THE INTENT WAS TO HAVE A FOOD PAVILION. WHEN YOU SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T SET OUT TO BUILD A BREW PUB, IS THAT WHAT HAPPENED THERE? YOU SET OUT TO BUILD THE LEASABLE SPACE, AND THEN THE PERSON WHO RESPONDED HAPPENED TO BE THE BREW PUB. >> THE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROCESS IS COMPLICATED AS GOVERNMENT ITSELF, IT TAKES A WHILE TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT ACTUALLY WORKS, BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO IN AND TAKE AN EXISTING PROJECT AND AMEND IT AND CHANGE IT WHILE IT'S MOVING AND AND IT CAN BE APPROVED WHICH THIS PROJECT, AGAIN, IT STARTED OUT AS, WHAT CAN WE DO ON THIS FLAT LOT? IT'S EVOLVED INTO AND BEEN CHECKED AND APPROVED TO BE COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE THAT THE PARISH OWNS AND A PARKING COMPLEX. AGAIN, ASPHALT LOT IS WHERE YOU START, WHERE YOU END $10 MILLION LEFT OF PARISH MONEY BECAUSE IT'S A STATE FUNDED PROJECT. YOU HAVE A COMPLEX, YOU HAVE A THREE STORY PARKING GARAGE, YOU HAVE COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE WITH A TENANT ALREADY IN IT COMING IN THAT'S INVESTING 2.5 MILLION OF THEIR OWN DOLLARS INTO THE PROJECT. YOU HAVE LINEAR PARK, YOU HAVE ALL OF THIS. NOW THAT'S WHAT THE PARISH OWNS BECAUSE IT'S A STATE FUNDED PROJECT. THIS IS SUCH A WIN FOR THE WEST BANK, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE FIGHT. >> HAS YOUR QUESTION BEEN ANSWERED? >> YEAH. >> OUT OF RESPECT FOR ALL THE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE TO COMMENT ON MANY, MANY THINGS TODAY, I'D ASK THAT WE MOVE FORWARD AS BEST WE CAN WITHOUT AN ELONGATED Q&A FOR ANYTHING GOING FORWARD UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. ANYBODY ELSE? THAT'S YOUR TIME, MR. MARINO. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU. >> RANKE HIERS. JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY AND AWAY WE GO. AN HOUR, A FULL HOUR, I WOULD SUGGEST JUST AS WHEN THE FIREMEN SHOW UP, WHEN YOU HAVE A GROUP OF CITIZENS THAT HAVE TAKEN TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY, SET ASIDE THEIR ITEM, CALL IT OUT FIRST, LET THEM HAVE THEIR WORD, AND THEN COMMENCE TO THIS. CROCHET INGENUITY THAT THE COMBINATIONS OF DAY GAVE RISE TO. [01:15:04] TIME AND AGAIN, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THOSE WORDS MEAN. THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW WE EMPOWER GOVERNMENT CLEARLY MATTERS MORE SO THAN WHO HOLDS IT. I HAD TO THANK THE REVEREND PASTOR THE SUPERSEDING COMMANDMENT TO LOVE THY NEIGHBOR. DON'T MEAN WE HAVE TO LIKE EACH OTHER. MEANS WE HAVE TO BEAR RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER AND BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER'S BACK WHEN NECESSARY. NOW, TRANSLATES INTO THE FIRST REASON I CAME INTO THESE ROOMS TO ENSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY. ANYBODY FEELING TRANQUIL TODAY? >> ARE YOU SPEAKING ON A RESOLUTION, MR. HIERS? >> YEAH, I AM SPEAKING ON THE RESOLUTION. I'M SPEAKING ON LOTS OF THEM, BECAUSE THE CONSTRUCT OF THE CONSTITUTION WOULD ENSURE THAT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE TODAY AND ALL OF THIS IS DONE BY A WAY THAT NO TWO PERSONS COULD DIFFER, REDUCES IT TO AN ARITHMETICAL OPERATION. THE APPLICATION ONE RATIO WOULD BE INTELLIGIBLE TO THEM AND THEREFORE PROVE WHILE THE COMPLEX OPERATIONS OF THE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS AND EVERY OTHER CROCHET INGENUITY ON THIS AGENDA FROM COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENTS TO GRANT FUNDING, YEAH, NEVER COMPREHENDED BY THEM THOUGH WE'VE ACQUIESCED, WE CANNOT APPROVE WHAT WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND SO WHEN IT COMES TO THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM, I DIDN'T GET TO IT BECAUSE I WORKED FROM THE BACK. BUT I DID SEE SOMETHING ABOUT A COMPLIANCE AND ETHICS COMMISSION, ANOTHER CROCHET INGENUITY, WHICH IF I HAD AN APPORTION BODY, I WOULDN'T NEED BECAUSE YOU'D BE DOING IT UPON YOURSELVES, JUST AS THE COUNCIL AT LARGE IS DOING IT UPON THE TOWERS OF MORDOR AND SARUMAN. I WISH [INAUDIBLE] WAS HERE BECAUSE HE COULD APPRECIATE SOME OF THESE MOVIE REFERENCES. LOOK, I SAID THIS BEFORE, AND IT WAS THE ONLY THING THE PRESS COULD PUT ON THE RECORD. IF THE WEST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH WAS ITS OWN PARISH, HAD ITS OWN GOVERNMENT, THIS WOULD BE A MOOT POINT. WE WOULDN'T BE TALKING ABOUT ANY OF THIS. YOU TAKE GRANT FUNDING THAT'S STOLEN MONEY. IT'S A THEFT FROM OUR GREAT GREAT GRANDCHILDREN BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE STATE OF PERPETUAL DEBT HAS BEEN FOR OVER 100 YEARS NOW. THERE'S NO FREE MONEY AND IT BELONGS TO EVERYONE, OURSELVES, THE POSTERITY. YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY WITH ANYTHING IN HERE. NOW, I DON'T FAULT ANYBODY AND TO HAVE TO WATCH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHETHER IT'S THE POLICE CHIEF APPOINTED OR ANYBODY ELSE FROM GRETNA HAVE TO BE GRILLED, HAVE TO BE TREATED LIKE THEY'RE SOMEHOW NEFARIOUS IS AN INSULT. I WOULD HAVE OPPOSED, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN HERE FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT WHEN THIS THING WAS BROUGHT UP, BUT NOBODY CALLED ME OR MR. [INAUDIBLE] LET US KNOW BACK IN OCTOBER WHEN YOU CALLED EMERGENCY SESSION REGARDING THIS THING. NOBODY, IT IS A COURTESY. FIGURE IT OUT. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE HERE. >> I CAN UNDERSTAND THE LORD OF THE RINGS REFERENCE TOO, THOUGH. MAY FEEL LIKE LORD OF THE FLIES, THAT I WAS SPEAKING OF. [LAUGHTER]. >> HELLO THERE. HOPEFULLY I'M FOLLOWING CORRECT PROTOCOL. >> YOU CAN LOWER THAT MICROPHONE TO YOUR MOUTH. >> HELLO. >> THERE YOU GO. >> SOME OF YOU MIGHT KNOW ME. I AM COLLEEN KEO AND I'M OWNER OF KINGFISH CIDER, THE FIRST AND ONLY TAP ROOM IN THE PARISH. I BROUGHT ALCOHOL TO THE PARISH, AND I WOULD WELCOME ANOTHER ALCOHOL VENTURE. IT JUST SEEMS VERY ODD WHAT HAS BEEN LAID OUT BEFORE US AS FAR AS THE DEALS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SPUR ON MORE DEVELOPMENT, I'M ALL FOR THAT. IT JUST SEEMS EXTREMELY SHADY THE WAY THAT IT HAS COME TO FRUITION AND HAS BEEN POINTED OUT BY MISS VAN BRACKEN ON HOW THE DEAL HAS COME ABOUT. FIRST OF ALL, A NONPROFIT INVOLVED WITH THE NON PROFIT, GIVING A BUILDING AND THIS BREW PUB THAT IS COMING DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES OR A LEASE AS NORMALLY LAID OUT BY MOST OF SMALL BUSINESSES. I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, I'M A MINORITY, AND I BROUGHT A REVOLUTIONARY BUSINESS TO THE PARISH, AND I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING, FINANCIALLY WITH ALL THE TAXES AND THE LEASES AND THE LICENSES, WHICH ARE REALLY VERY CUMBERSOME AND DETRIMENTAL TO GROWTH FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. BUT I'LL WORK THROUGH THAT. BUT INSTEAD, WE HAVE A BREW PUB AND I DON'T KNOW. IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT WENT THROUGH ANY KIND OF BID PROCESS. IF THE JEFFERSON PARISH IS HAVING TO PAY FOR IT, WHY ISN'T JEFFERSON PARISH SEEKING OUT THE BIDS INSTEAD OF WHATEVER THE STATE IS DOING? IT'S VERY INTERESTING THAT IT'S GOING TO BE LEASED TO ONE OF THE MOST WELL FUNDED BUSINESSES IN THE STATE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A BUSINESS OWNED BY CEOS OF BLUE RUNNER FOODS COMPANY, [01:20:05] A FORMER SAINTS PLAYER. THEY HAVE ALL THE MONEY THEY DON'T NEED ANY BREAKS. IT'D BE WONDERFUL TO SEE THIS ACTUALLY BE TRANSFORMATIONAL, AS I'VE HEARD THE TERM PUT OUT TODAY, TO A BUSINESS THAT IS MINORITY OWNED OR DOING SOMETHING EXTREMELY DIFFERENT AND WOULD REALLY BE REVOLUTIONARY TO THE SPOT AND TRANSFER AND SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT. BUT IT IS BEER, IT IS BREWERY, WHICH WE HAVE A LOT OF ALREADY. IT'D BE WONDERFUL MAYBE TO HAVE REACHED OUT TO SAY CAJUN FIRE, THE FIFTH BLACK OWNED BREWERY IN THE NATION. THEY DON'T HAVE A TAP ROOM. THERE'S SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT LOOK LIKE THEY'RE TOTALLY BEING MISSED. I DON'T KNOW HOW PORT ORLEANS GOT INVOLVED. IT'S NO SHADE PORT ORLEANS OR A PERSONAL ATTACK TO THEM IT'S JUST A FACT THAT THEY'RE OWNED BY SOME VERY WEALTHY PEOPLE AND THEY DON'T NEED A BREAK ON ANY OF THESE THINGS. >> THAT'S, YOUR TIME MA'AM. >> OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. BUT HOPEFULLY YOU ALL WILL LOOK INTO SOME OTHER TENANTS, IT'LL WOULD BE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. [APPLAUSE] >> ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING ON A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA? >> HI. MY NAME IS RICHARD FURTADO. I LIVE IN KENNER. A FRIEND ASKED ME TO COME AND TALK BECAUSE HE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. LOOKING AT THIS RESOLUTION 68, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. IT DOESN'T. WHERE DO WE GET THE $10.3 MILLION FROM? DO WE PRINT IT? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? IT COMES FROM US. IT COMES FROM THE TAXPAYERS. SHOULDN'T WE HAVE SOME INPUT ON WHAT'S DONE AND HOW WE DO IT. WE LOOK AT A LOT OF THINGS. THIS HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS IN THE MAKING. KATRINA WAS YEARS AGO. WHAT HAPPENED DURING KATRINA TO US? WE EVACUATED THE PUMP OPERATORS. WHO MADE THAT DECISION? DID I MAKE THAT DECISION? I DIDN'T MAKE IT. YOU GUYS AND A PARISH PRESIDENT MADE THAT DECISION. BEFORE KATRINA HIT, WE TOOK AND PUT IN NEW PUMPS. WE PUT IN AN AIR SUPPRESSION SYSTEM THAT TAKES ANOTHER OPERATOR TO OPERATE. ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM HAS A TOILET? YOU KNOW WHAT A TOILET HAS IN IT? IT'S GOT A FLAPPER VALVE. YOU KNOW WHAT THE FLAPPER VALVE DOES? IT STOPS THE WATER FROM FLOWING OUT OF THE TANK INTO THE TOILET. IT WILL NOT DRY, BUT IT KEEPS WATER FROM CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING. WE SPEND MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PUT A SOPHISTICATED AIR SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INTO THE PUMP STATIONS. WE EVACUATE THE PUMP OPERATORS. WE DIDN'T FLOOD FROM THE RAIN FROM KATRINA. WE FLOODED BECAUSE THE WATER WAS PUSHED FROM THE WIND AGAINST THE SOUTH SHORE. IT BACK FLOWED THROUGH THE PUMPS INTO THE STREETS, INTO OUR HOUSES. MY MOTHER IN-LAW WAS ONE OF THE FIRST RESIDENTS IN UNIVERSITY CITY WHEN THEY HAD A WOODEN BRIDGE TO GET INTO UNIVERSITY CITY. THAT SUBDIVISION NEVER EVER FLOODED. FLOODED IN KATRINA, IT FLOODED IN THAT LITTLE HURRICANE THAT WE HAD JUST A LITTLE WHILE AGO, BECAUSE WHY? WE WERE TOLD BY YOU PEOPLE THAT WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE READY, THAT WE WERE PREPARED FOR THE HURRICANE. IN NORTH KENNER, THERE'S SIX PUMPS, THREE OF SIX WEREN'T FUNCTIONING. WHEN DID YOU ALL FIND OUT ABOUT THAT? WE'RE GOING TO SPEND $10.3 MILLION FOR A BREWERY, LIKE THE LADY BEFORE ME SAID, GUESS WHAT? THEY GOT LOTS OF MONEY. YOU ALL SEEN THAT FACILITY ON THE NORTH SHORE? IT'S BIG. >> THAT'S YOUR TIME, SIR. >> BUT THE THING IS YOU'RE USING OUR MONEY. WE BASICALLY HIRED YOU GUYS. IF YOU CAN'T DO WHAT WE NEED AND WHAT WE WANT, WE DON'T NEED YOU. >> THAT'S YOUR TIME, SIR. THANK YOU. >> WELL, NO, I'M NOT FINISHED. >> WELL, THAT'S YOUR TIME, SIR. >> WELL, THE ATTORNEY GOT TO TALK LONGER? >> THAT WAS A Q&A FROM THE COUNSEL. THAT'S YOUR TIME, SIR. I'LL TURN OFF YOUR MICROPHONE. [01:25:01] THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. >> HOW MUCH TIME DO WE GET? >> THREE MINUTES. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS, JOE TOOMEY, RESIDENT OF GRETNA, HERE AS A FORMER COMMISSIONER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD WITH THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS, AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT JOE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN INTRODUCTION WITH MIKE THOMAS, WHO REPLACED ME TWO WEEKS AGO, AND I'VE WORKED CLOSELY WITH HIM AND WISH HIM WELL. IN MY ROLE AS COMMISSIONER AND AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FOR THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS, TRYING TO GET JEFFERSON PARISH MORE PRESENCE OF THE BOARD WITHIN JEFFERSON PARISH, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT LOCATIONS FOR NEW RIVER CRUISERS COMING INTO THE AREA. I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE BOARD ENGAGE A SITE SELECTION CONSULTANT TO LOOK AT WHERE WE COULD BEST LOCATE AND HOMEPORT RIVER CRUISERS IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA. SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT JEFFERSON PARISH, GRETNA, WESTWEGO, CANADA, WHEREVER THEY COULD LOCATE IN METROPOLITAN AREA. NEXT TO MARDI GRASS, WHERE THE CITY OF GRETNA WAS THE NEXT SELECTION FOR THE SELECTION COMMITTEE THAT WORKED SPECIFICALLY WITH CRUISE LINES. MY POINT TODAY IS THAT THERE'S ENOUGH CRUISERS COMING ON BOARD THAT WE NEED LOCATIONS OUTSIDE OF NEW ORLEANS. GRETNA WAS PICKED AS THE FIRST CHOICE OF THE NEXT PLACE TO GO. MY CONCERN IS WHEN IN GOVERNMENT, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DELAYING PROJECTS, IT OFTEN GETS DELAYED LONGER THAN WHAT WE ANTICIPATE. MY HOPE IS THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD ON A PROJECT, SO WE NO LONGER HAVE JUST A LARGE BLACKTOP LOT CLOSE TO WHERE THE HOPEFUL RIVER CRUISERS WOULD DOCK IN JEFFERSON PARISH AT THE OLD BERRY TERMINAL IN GRETNA. [NOISE] WE'VE TAKEN THEM AROUND, WE'VE WALKED THE AREA. THEY SEE ALL THE AMENITIES, THEY SEE THE ATTRACTIONS FOR MUSEUMS, RESTAURANTS, BARS, ATTRACTIONS FOR VISITORS. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ONE OF MAKING THAT PARKING LOT INTO SOME ATTRACTION FOR VISITORS, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING FOR PARKING, BOTH OF WHICH ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE RIVER CRUISERS. MY ONLY CONCERN NOW IS WE DON'T DELAY THE PROJECT AND CONTINUE TO DELAY THE PROJECT BECAUSE OUR LIKELIHOOD OF GETTING A RIVER CRUISE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, [NOISE] IS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE IN GRETNA. THE SOONER WE HAVE THIS PROJECT BUILT OUT, SO IT'S AN AMENITY FOR THE VISITORS, AND WE HAVE THE PARKING FOR THE VISITORS THE BETTER. IN ADDITION, ONCE WE CAN HOMEPORT RIVER CREWS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THEY RELY ON LOCAL VENDORS TO PROVIDE THE PRODUCE, SUPPLIES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, SO IT'S A REAL BOOM TO THE AREA. >> THAT'S YOUR TIME, MR. TOOMEY. >> BUT MY POINT IS JUST THAT THE SOONER THE BETTER THAT WE CAN MAKE THESE IMPROVEMENTS TO HAVE THAT AMENITY TO ATTRACT RIVER CREWS TO JEFFERSON PARISH. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN HAS A QUESTION. >> MR TOOMEY, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG YOU'LL STICK AROUND. FIRST, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THE PORT AND TO OUR COMMUNITY IN COUNTLESS WAYS. I AGREE 100% WITH YOUR CONCERN ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND AN UNKNOWN TIMELINE OF DELAY. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT A 45-DAY DELAY SO THAT IT'S A FIXED NUMBER. WE GO BACK, WE LOOK AT EVERYTHING. AFTER THAT 45 DAYS EXPIRES, WE MOVE FORWARD. I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT I'VE TRIED TO PUT IN HERE SO THAT IT ADDRESSES THAT CONCERN. >> BECAUSE I'VE BEEN IN GOVERNMENT SO LONG, THERE'S ALWAYS THAT CONCERN. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. >> I THINK THE SOONER THE BETTER THAT WE CAN MAKE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS TO ENTICE RIVER CRUISE TO JEFFERSON PARISH. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING ON A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA? ARE YOU SURE? NOW, IF THE ACTION ITEMS ARE COMING UP, WE ARE TAKING ALL THREE OF THOSE AGAIN OUT OF ORDER, COMBINING THEM SO THE FOUR AND AGAINST WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF 45 MINUTES TO SPEAK BECAUSE EACH ITEM REQUIRES A 15-MINUTE PUBLIC HEARING FOR EACH SIDE, UP TO 15 MINUTES. FOUR AND AGAINST WILL HAVE A COMBINED 45 MINUTES FOR ALL THREE OF THOSE SIMILAR ITEMS THAT ARE COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. BUT WE HAVE TO GET TO A FEW MORE FIRST, AND THEN THOSE WILL BE HERE IN JUST A MOMENT. WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED NOW AND NOTE [ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED] [01:30:02] THAT ITEM 1 WILL BE DEFERRED TO 1162024, ITEMS 2 AND 3. WHICH ONE IS CANCELED? I'M SORRY, I MISSED THAT NOTE. ITEM 1 WILL BE CANCELED, AND ITEMS 2 AND 3 WILL BE DEFERRED TO 1211. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE DEFERRAL OF TWO AND THREE AND THE CANCELLATION OF ONE? >> I MOVE TO DEFER AND CANCEL ONE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE CANCELLATION OF ITEM 1 AND ITEMS 2 AND 3 TO BE DEFERRED TO 12112024, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 4. PLEASE, MADAM CLERK. >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING A VENDOR TO PROVIDE EAST BANK AND WEST BANK CARNIVAL MARDI GRASS REVIEWING STAND FOR THE 2025 AND 2026 CARNIVAL SEASON FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENS AFFAIRS UNDER RFP NUMBER 0488. >> COUNCIL, LEE, YOUR SELECTION? >> LET ME DEFER TO BESS. THANK, YOUR HONOR. >> UNMUTE YOURSELF, BESS. YOU HAVE IT. THERE YOU GO. >> ITEM NUMBER 2, WE DEFERRED TO THE DECEMBER MEETING. IS THAT CORRECT? >> IT IS ACTUALLY IS NOT. >> THANK YOU. THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING, COUNCILMAN. I HATE TO INTERRUPT ON YOUR SELECTION, BUT I JUST WANTED BEFORE WE GOT TOO FAR. >> THAT WAS MINE ACTUALLY. GO AHEAD. WE'RE DEFERRING TO THE NEXT MEETING IN NOVEMBER. >> YES, SIR. THAT'S CORRECT. BUT NUMBER 2? >> I APOLOGIZE. >> THAT WAS A MISTAKE ON HERE. APOLOGIES ALL AROUND. WE'LL GO BACK AND DO THAT ONE MORE TIME. CANCEL NUMBER 1, DEFER ITEM 2 TO OUR NOVEMBER 6TH MEETING, AND NUMBER 3, DEFER TO OUR DECEMBER 11TH MEETING, IS THAT CORRECT? COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN YOUR MOTION ON THAT. >> MOVE. >> I'LL REPEAT IT. JUST MOVE. >> MOVE TO CANCEL ONE, DEFER TO THE NOVEMBER MEETING AND DEFER THREE TO THE DECEMBER MEETING. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE CANCELLATION OF ITEM NUMBER 1, THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 2 TO 11/6, AND THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 3 TO 12/11, A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NOW WE CAN GO TO NUMBER 4. [PROFESSIONAL SERVICES] >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING A VENDOR TO PROVIDE EAST BANK AND WEST BANK CARNIVAL MARDI GRASS REVIEWING STANDS FOR THE 2025 AND 2026 CARNIVAL SEASONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENS AFFAIRS UNDER RFP NUMBER 0488. >> COUNCILMAN LEE YOUR SELECTION. >> THERE SHOULD BE AN AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL, IS IT IN THE NOTE? LET'S COMING IN AT THE NEXT MEETING. I MOVE FOR BUSAN CREATIVE SERVICES. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF BUSAN CREATIVE STRATEGIES ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. WE HAVE NO EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY. HERE'S WHERE IT GETS FUN. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO SUSPEND, [SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES & RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING (Part 1 of 2)] NOT THAT IT WASN'T FUN ALREADY, ANY OBJECTION TO SUSPENDING THE RULES AND TAKING ITEMS 6, 10, AND 13 OUT OF ORDER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ ITEM 6, 10, AND 13. AGAIN, IN FAVOR, HAS 45 MINUTES IN TOTAL TO SPEAK. WE'LL KEEP THE TIME UP HERE. I WILL NOT STOP YOU AT THREE MINUTES LIKE NORMAL. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HERE, IF EVERYBODY WANTS TO SPEAK, YOU'LL HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT HOW MUCH TIME EVERYBODY SPEAKS. YOU'LL HAVE 45 MINUTES ON EACH SIDE TO SPEAK FOR AND AGAINST. MADAM CLERK, ITEM 6, 10, AND 13, PLEASE. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26339, RESUB OF LOT 1 SQUARE 1, LUDGER FORTIER SUBDIVISION LOT 52 SQUARE 8 LIVE OAKS PLACE SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF BETZ STREET, REVOKED PORTION OF LOTS 1-14, LOTS 15-16, AND 28-42, AND LOT WP OF SQUARE 1 LIVE OAK PLACE SUBDIVISION, LOT 08-1 SQUARE 18, AND A DEDICATION OF PORTION OF LOTS 1-14, SQUARE 1 LIVE OAKS PLACE SUBDIVISION HAS DECKBAR AVENUE, ES-77-23 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2. SUMMARY NUMBER 26340, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP, LOT 52 SQUARE 8, LIVE OAKS PLACE SUBDIVISION PORTION OF BETZ AVENUE, REVOKED LOT 1-16 AND 28-42. LOT WP, SQUARE 1 LIVE OAKS PLACE SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 100-216 BETZ AVENUE,101-241 DECKBAR AVENUE AND 1706 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R-1A, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT AND H-1 MEDICAL SERVICE DISTRICT, WITH THE CPZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE TO H-2 MEDICAL SERVICE DISTRICT, WITH THE CPZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE EZ-23-23 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2. [01:35:01] SUMMARY NUMBER 26344. APPROVING SP-23-24, REQUESTED TO ESTABLISH A MEDICAL CAMPUS MASTER PLAN FOR OSCHNER CLINIC FOUNDATION WITH VARIANCES TO THE MEDICAL CAMPUS MASTER PLAN REGULATION ON LOT 1, SQUARE 1, ALSO KNOWN AS PART OF LOTS 8 AND 9, LOTS 1-44 A AND 5-9 SQUARE 5 HYMAN SUBDIVISION, LOT 52 SQUARE 8, LIVE OAKS PLACE SUBDIVISION PORTION OF BETZ AVENUE TO BE REVOKED. LOTS 1-16 AND 28-42, LOT 22-A-1 AND LOT WP SQUARE 1 LIVE OAKS PLACE SUBDIVISION, LOT 0H2-A, AND WB LA BAR SUBDIVISION, LOT Y2V1 CAST SUBDIVISION, AND LOTS 10-X-1 AND 10-X-2, JEFFERSON PLAZA SUBDIVISION. >> WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBERS 26339 26340 AND 26344. SO ALL THOSE ACTION ITEMS ARE NOW COMBINED. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> HI, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS EMILY ARATA. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF OCHSNER HEALTH, 1415 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY 70121. THANK YOU FOR HEARING US ON YOUR AGENDA THIS MORNING. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROJECT. WE'VE BEEN AT THIS FOR MONTHS. WE'RE COMING TO YOU TODAY WITH A PROJECT THAT'S REALLY OF GREAT BENEFIT TO JEFFERSON PARISH. WITH YOUR APPROVAL, WE WILL BE ABLE TO BUILD A NEW HOME FOR OCHSNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL THAT WILL ALLOW US TO CARE FOR KIDS CLOSER TO HOME WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CARE. THROUGH THE PROCESS, WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO LISTEN TO OUR NEIGHBORS, AND WE'VE ALSO WORKED REALLY CLOSELY WITH COUNCILMAN DEANO BONANO TO INCORPORATE ELEMENTS INTO THIS PROJECT SO THAT WE'RE MINIMIZING THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT AND ALSO INCORPORATING POSITIVE ELEMENTS THAT WILL BE ASSETS FOR THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY, LIKE A NEW POCKET PARK AND IMPROVED DRAINAGE RETENTION. WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT, TALK ABOUT WHY WE WANT TO BUILD THE PROJECT, WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR IT TO BE IN THIS LOCATION. OCHSNER'S HISTORY OF MAKING POSITIVE INVESTMENTS ON THE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CORRIDOR, AND THEN THE IMPROVEMENTS WE'VE MADE THROUGH THE PROJECT. THE SUBMISSIONS YOU HAVE IMPROVE DRAINAGE, TRAFFIC, AND TREE PLANS, AND ALSO THE COMMITMENTS WE'VE MADE ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS, ALONG WITH THE COMMITMENTS WE'VE MADE THAT ARE GOING TO BE CODIFIED IN A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE PARISH WITH YOUR APPROVAL AROUND RESIDENTIAL HOUSING AND THAT POCKET PARK. LET'S START WITH THE WHY. IF YOU CAN SEE THE IMAGE ON YOUR SCREEN. WHAT YOU'RE SEEING THERE IN THE BACKGROUND IS OCHSNER'S EXISTING HOSPITAL TOWER. WITHIN THAT HOSPITAL TOWER ON JEFFERSON HIGHWAY A COUPLE OF FLOORS IN THAT HOSPITAL ARE ACTUALLY OCHSNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. JUST LAST WEEK, OCHSNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WAS AWARDED BY US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT AS THE NUMBER 1 CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN LOUISIANA. WE'VE GOT OVER 200 PHYSICIANS AND 30 SPECIALTIES TAKING CARE OF PATIENTS IN JEFFERSON PARISH TODAY. AGAIN, NUMBER 1 RANKED IN THE STATE AND NATIONALLY RANKED IN THREE SPECIALTIES. BUT THE CHALLENGE IS THAT DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, WE SOMETIMES HAVE TO TURN PATIENTS AWAY. SOMETIMES UP TO A THIRD OF THE KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT ARE COMING TO US FOR THAT SPECIALIZED CARE, WE HAVE TO TURN AWAY. THAT'S THE PROBLEM WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE. THAT'S WHY MISS GAYLE BENSON GAVE US A TRANSFORMATIONAL GIFT TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A NEW HOME FOR OCHSNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, AGAIN, TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CARE FOR KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CARE, TO BUILD A HOSPITAL THAT'S DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THEM. ALSO THIS WILL HELP US RETAIN AND ATTRACT TOP PHYSICIANS AND TOP SPECIALISTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR IT TO BE IN THIS LOCATION? YOU CAN SEE IN THIS RENDERING THAT OUR HOSPITAL WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE EXISTING HOSPITAL. THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS. WE EXPLORED A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS OF WHERE THIS NEW HOME FOR OCHSNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COULD GO. WE CAME TO THE DECISION THAT IT HAD TO BE HERE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE. THAT'S THE DRIVING FORCE FOR US. WHERE CAN WE PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE? THE REASON WE CAN PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY PATIENT CARE IN THIS LOCATION IS BECAUSE WE'RE CONNECTED TO OUR EXISTING HOSPITAL. WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES IN THIS SPACE. THE BACK OF THE HOUSE SERVICES THAT OUR PATIENTS, ADULT AND PEDIATRIC EXPERIENCE, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LABS OR IMAGING WILL BE SHARED. [01:40:01] I TALKED ABOUT THE 30 SPECIALTIES IN PEDIATRICS. MANY OF THOSE SPECIALISTS CARE FOR ADULT AND PEDIATRIC PATIENTS. THEY'LL BE ABLE TO WALK BETWEEN THE TWO FACILITIES TAKING CARE OF PATIENTS. FINALLY, WE THINK ABOUT EMERGENCIES, NATURAL DISASTERS, HURRICANES. OCHSNER HAS ONE OF THE BEST CENTRAL UTILITY PLANTS IN THE COUNTRY. WE CAN GO ON WHAT'S CALLED ISLAND MODE FOR 30 DAYS. MEANING WE CAN TAKE CARE OF PATIENTS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUTSIDE WATER AND OUTSIDE POWER FOR 30 DAYS. BY PUTTING THE NEW HOME FOR OCHSNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN THIS LOCATION, WE'LL BE ABLE TO TAP INTO THAT CENTRAL UTILITY PLANT AND PROVIDE OUR YOUNGEST PATIENTS WITH THAT SAME LEVEL OF CARE DURING AND AFTER AN EMERGENCY. WHAT YOU SEE IN THIS RED BOX IS THE PROPOSED AREA OF DEVELOPMENT. YOU CAN SEE THE BLUE AREA IS OCHSNER'S EXISTING CAMPUS, YOU SEE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY THERE, AND THAT RED BOX IS BOUND BY DECK BAR AND BETZ AVENUE. IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OCHSNER OWNS EVERYTHING WITHIN THIS RED BOX. WHAT YOU SEE AT THE TOP OF THE BOX IS AN EXISTING SURFACE PARKING LOT THAT IS ZONED HOSPITAL. JUST OUTSIDE OF THAT BOX TO THE LEFT IS AN EXISTING SURFACE PARKING LOT THAT'S ZONED COMMERCIAL. JUST BELOW IT, YOU CAN SEE THE LEVEE RUN APARTMENT, EXISTING LEVEE RUN APARTMENTS THAT ARE ZONED HOSPITAL. THEN THERE ARE ALSO A SERIES OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES THAT OCHSNER OWNS AND THAT ARE CURRENTLY VACANT. WE SHARED ALL THE REASONS WHY THIS LOCATION IS IMPORTANT TO US FROM A PATIENT CARE'S PERSPECTIVE, ADJACENCY TO OUR EXISTING HOSPITAL, OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES, QUALITY OF CARE, AND BEING ABLE TO TAP IN TO THAT CENTRAL UTILITY PLANT. WE ALSO FELT LIKE THIS WAS FEASIBLE BECAUSE WE OWN ALL OF THIS PROPERTY, AND THOSE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES THAT WE OWN THAT ARE CURRENTLY VACANT ARE SURROUNDED BY EXISTING COMMERCIAL AND HOSPITAL ZONING. WE KNEW WHEN WE WENT TO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE HAVE REGULAR NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS, WE HEAR A LOT FROM OUR NEIGHBORS THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE SOME CONCERN AND SOME FEAR WHEN WE SAID WE WANTED TO EXPAND AND PUT THE NEW HOME FOR OCHSNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN THIS RED BOX AREA. AT THAT FIRST MEETING LAST YEAR, WE SAID, HEY, WE UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN, AND OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU IS THAT WE WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS SURROUNDING OUR HOSPITAL. LATER WE WERE ASKED TO PUT THAT COMMITMENT IN WRITING, WHICH WE DID, WE WERE ALSO ASKED LATER TO PUT THAT COMMITMENT INTO A LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE PARISH, AND THAT'S BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR CONSIDERATION AS WELL. WE ALSO HEARD THROUGHOUT THE YEARS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS THAT THEY WANTED TO SEE MORE GREEN SPACE, MORE WALKABILITY. THE COUNCILMAN IN PARTICULAR SAID HE WANTED TO SEE GREATER CONNECTIVITY TO THE LEVEE SO THAT FOLKS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT LEVEE WALKING TRAIL. WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS A DEPICTION OF SOME OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITIES. I WOULD DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE CORNER OF DECK BAR RIVER ROAD. THAT'S WHERE WE'RE PROPOSING TO INCORPORATE A POCKET PARK THAT WILL BE 30,000 SQUARE FEET. THAT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF ABOUT HALF THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD. WE THINK THIS WILL BE OF GREAT BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OAK TREES IN THIS POCKET PARK. ONE IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN DUBBED BIG BET'S SPY BY THE COMMUNITY, AND IT'S BELOVED. THAT OAK TREE WILL BE PART OF THE PARK AND WILL BE PROTECTED, AND THAT IS ALSO CODIFIED IN THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BEFORE YOU TODAY. WITH APPROVAL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT AND ALSO FROM THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. WE ALSO PLAN TO INCORPORATE A PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY TO THE LEVEE AND ENHANCEMENTS ON THAT LEVEE. AGAIN, A PLUS WALKABILITY, GREATER PEDESTRIAN ACCESS ALONG DECK BAR. ALL OF THESE THINGS, WE THINK WILL BE CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN THIS AREA. THESE ARE RENDERINGS OF WHAT THIS PROJECT WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN COMPLETE. THIS IS THE VIEW FROM JEFFERSON HIGHWAY LOOKING TO THE RIVER. YOU CAN SEE THE PROPOSED NEW HOME FOR OCHSNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ON THE LEFT. BEHIND THAT IS THE ASSOCIATED PARKING GARAGE. YOU CAN SEE DECK BAR WITH THAT ENHANCED WALKABILITY THAT WE WERE DISCUSSING. THEN THIS IS THE VIEW FROM THE RIVER LOOKING BACK TOWARDS JEFFERSON HIGHWAY. YOU CAN SEE THE POCKET PARK THERE ON YOUR RIGHT. YOU CAN SEE THE PROPOSED ENHANCEMENTS TO THE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY AND PROPOSED ENHANCEMENTS AT THE LEVEE. AGAIN, WE FEEL THIS WILL BE A GREAT BENEFIT FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. [01:45:03] OCHSNER EMPLOYEES, OUR PATIENTS, AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE DONE. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE DONE. WE'VE INVESTED IN A NUMBER OF TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS ALONG THE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CORRIDOR. YOU'RE SEEING BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS HERE. AT THE TOP, YOU SEE THE OLD SHOPPING MALL SHOPPING CENTER ON JEFFERSON HIGHWAY NEAR CAUSEWAY. THIS WAS A BLIGHTED PROPERTY. YOU CAN SEE THE CONCRETE. IT WAS VACANT FOR MANY YEARS. WE HAVE OVER 7,700 OCHSNER EMPLOYEES WORKING ON THE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CORRIDOR. WE'RE TAKING CARE OF MANY PATIENTS ON THE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CORRIDOR. THROUGH OUR INVESTMENT, YOU CAN SEE THAT OLD ABANDONED SHOPPING CENTER IS NOW A REHAB HOSPITAL. YOU CAN SEE THE NICE LANDSCAPING THERE THAT'S IN COMPLIANCE WITH CPC REQUIREMENTS. WE WENT FROM A REAL EYESORE TO THE COMMUNITY TO A CENTER OF HEALING AND HIRING AND A BRIGHT SPOT FOR THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR INVESTMENT. THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE. YOU CAN SEE AT THE TOP AN OLD WAREHOUSE THAT WE TRANSFORMED INTO A NEW IMAGING CENTER. SAME STORY. NOW THIS IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO FOR EASY ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF JOBS AT THIS FACILITY. YOU CAN SEE THE QUALITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE LANDSCAPING INVOLVED. THIS IS THE DR. JOHN OCHSNER DISCOVERY SCHOOL THAT WE MADE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DISCOVERY SCHOOL AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD. THIS IS JUST OFF THE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CORRIDOR AND CAUSEWAY. WHAT WAS ONCE A RUNDOWN AND ALTERNATE SCHOOL, A VERY WONDERFUL HISTORIC SCHOOL HAD FALLEN INTO DISREPAIR, AND THROUGH OUR INVESTMENT AND THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH DISCOVERY IN THE SCHOOL BOARD. THAT'S NOW REALLY A THRIVING HEALTH SCIENCES ACADEMY WITH A LONG WAIT LIST OF FAMILIES AND THEIR KIDS WHO'D LIKE TO TEND TO GET HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION. THEN FINALLY, THIS IS A DAYCARE CENTER ON THE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CORRIDOR. YOU CAN SEE THE EMPTY LOT THERE AND THE SURFACE PARKING, AND THAT IS NOW A DAYCARE WHERE MANY KIDS OF OCHSNER EMPLOYEES ARE GETTING TAKEN CARE OF DURING THE DAY. YOU CAN SEE THE QUALITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE LANDSCAPING. WE HAVE A HISTORY OF MAKING THESE TRANSFORMATIONAL INVESTMENTS. I'D ALSO LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU, I MENTIONED THAT WE'VE LISTENED TO OUR NEIGHBORS. WE'VE HELD SEVERAL NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS SINCE LAST YEAR TO GET FEEDBACK TO SHARE PLANS AND TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS. WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO MORE DETAILS, BUT I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPROVEMENTS WE'VE MADE AROUND DRAINAGE. NUMBER 1, WE HAVE INCORPORATED OVER 400,000 GALLONS OF UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE RETENTION INTO THIS PROJECT. THAT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF ABOUT A FOOT OF WATER ACROSS A FOOTBALL FIELD. THAT WILL IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO RETAIN WATER ON OUR SITE. THAT WILL BE OF BENEFIT TO US IN TERMS OF DRAINAGE AND ALSO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. WE'VE MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO OUR TREE PLAN. WE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR HOW IMPORTANT THE HISTORIC OAK TREE CANOPY IS TO THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY. THERE ARE 14 OAK TREES ON THE PROPOSED SITE WHERE WE'RE LOOKING TO BUILD THIS PROJECT. EIGHT OF THOSE OAK TREES WILL BE PROTECTED AND NOT IMPACTED BY THIS PROJECT. THEY WILL REMAIN IN PLACE. THE SIX TREES WE ARE REMOVING TO MAKE WAY FOR THIS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WILL BE REPLACED WITH SIX REALLY SUBSTANTIAL MATURE OAK TREES THAT ARE 12 " IN DIAMETER, 20 FEET HIGH WITH A 20 FOOT CANOPY. THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT THAT WE'RE MAKING. BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT OAK TREES ARE IN THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY. FINALLY, WE'VE WORKED REALLY CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DEVELOP A TRAFFIC PLAN. WE KNOW THAT AS WE CREATE MORE JOBS, AS WE CARE FOR MORE PATIENTS, THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE IN THIS AREA AND THERE WILL BE MORE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC. WE'RE MAKING SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS TO WIDEN DECK BAR, TO ADD MORE TURN LANES, TO ADD MORE STORAGE LANES THAT WILL HELP MAKE THE TRAFFIC MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE SAFE AND HELP MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF THE TRAFFIC. WE'VE ALSO MADE A NUMBER OF COMMITMENTS. EARLY ON, COUNCILMAN BONANO ASKED US, WE HEAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT LEVEE RUN. WE KNOW THAT THAT IS ZONED HOSPITAL. THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE RESIDENTIAL HOUSING THERE, SO WE PUT IN OUR LETTER OF COMMITMENT THAT WE WOULD WORK TO DEVELOP THAT PROPERTY AS MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL IN THE FUTURE, THAT IS CONTINGENT UPON THE FINANCING WORKING OUT, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON. WE WERE ALSO ASKED TO CODIFY AGAIN, OUR COMMITMENTS IN A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT. [01:50:02] BEFORE YOU TODAY IS OUR COMMITMENT TO NO LONGER PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS SURROUNDING THIS HOSPITAL, AND THAT COMMITMENT IS IN PLACE, AS LONG AS WE'RE OPERATING A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ON THIS SITE AND IT EVEN APPLIES TO OUR SUCCESSOR. WE ALSO CODIFIED IN THAT AGREEMENT THAT WE WOULD OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THAT AREA AS A POCKET PARK, AS LONG AS WE ARE OUR SUCCESSORS ARE OPERATING A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN THIS SPACE. AGAIN, WE BELIEVE WE ARE PUTTING BEFORE YOU TODAY A PROJECT THAT IS OF GREAT BENEFIT TO THE PARISH. THIS PROJECT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE IT WILL ALLOW FOR US TO CARE FOR MORE PATIENTS. OUR YOUNGEST PATIENTS CLOSE TO HOME, AND WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO LISTEN TO THE NEIGHBORS AND MAKE EVERY CONCESSION AND IMPROVEMENT THAT THE COUNCILMAN HAS ASKED US TO MAKE, AND WE HOPE YOU'LL CONSIDER OUR REQUESTS FAVORABLY. I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO SOME OF OUR PHYSICIANS AND NURSES AND OTHER SPEAKERS FROM OCHSNER TO GET INTO MORE OF THE DETAILS. THANK YOU. >> 30 MINUTES LEFT. 30 MINUTES FOR THOSE IN FAVOR. >> GOOD MORNING. THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I'M DR. BILLY LENARS. I'M THE SYSTEM CHAIR FOR PEDIATRICS AT OXNER. I'M A PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN BY PEDIGREE AND STILL PRACTICE IN THE PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. I'VE BEEN WITH OXNER ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AND I WAS BROUGHT HERE REALLY FOLLOWING THE DECISION AND INTENT OF THE BOARD AND THE LEADERS AT OXNER WHO REALIZED THAT WE NEEDED TO DO MORE BETTER AND BROADER SERVICES IN PEDIATRICS. THAT DECISION WAS MADE AROUND 10 YEARS AGO. IN THAT TIME, WE HAVE REALLY BECOME A NATIONAL LEADER IN PEDIATRICS. WE PROVIDE CARE THAT OTHERWISE, AND BEFORE THESE DEVELOPMENTS, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAD TO LEAVE NEW ORLEANS AND LEAVE LOUISIANA TO RECEIVE THINGS LIKE LIVER TRANSPLANTS, HEART TRANSPLANTS, CERTAIN GENE THERAPY, AND LOTS OF CONGENITAL HEART PROCEDURES. WE HAD FAMILIES LEAVING AS RECENTLY AS FIVE, SIX YEARS AGO TO GO TO BOSTON, PHILADELPHIA, AND HAVE CARE FOR THESE CONGENITAL HEART CONDITIONS. WE'VE ASSEMBLED A TEAM OF PHYSICIANS THAT HAVE HAPPILY COME TO NEW ORLEANS, JOINED OUR TEAM, AND THEY HAVE COME FROM ALL THE TOP CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, PHILADELPHIA, BOSTON CHILDREN'S, CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S, CHILDREN'S COLORADO, SEATTLE CHILDREN'S, TEXAS CHILDREN'S, UCLA, CHILDREN'S LA, RADY, AND SAN DIEGO. THESE ARE ALL, IF YOU READ ANY ACCOUNT OF THE TOP CARE FOR KIDS, REALLY IN THE WORLD AND CERTAINLY IN NORTH AMERICA, THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE ASSEMBLED OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS FROM, AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT OUR OUTCOMES NOW RIVAL THOSE OF THESE TOP CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS AND THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY CARING FOR KIDS FROM ALL ACROSS LOUISIANA, AS WELL AS THE GULF SOUTH EVEN FAR SPREAD THAN THAT. BUT WHAT WE DON'T HAVE NOW IS THE SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE ALL THESE CHILDREN. SOME FAMILIES STILL HAVE TO LEAVE AND BASICALLY MOVE THEIR ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD FOR UP TO MONTHS AT A TIME TO HAVE THIS CARE OUTSIDE OF THE AREA. IN ADDITION, THE OTHER IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTE THAT THIS NEW HOME WILL BRING US IS THE ABILITY TO DELIVER CARE IN THE TEAM APPROACH IN MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS. ALL OF THIS VERY ADVANCED CARE, HIGHLY TECHNICAL. NONE OF THIS IS DONE BY ONE DOCTOR OR ONE NURSING TEAM. BUT IN FACT, THEY'RE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO WORK IN THE SAME SPACE IN THE SAME TIME IN A SPACE THAT'S 100% DEDICATED TO KIDS. IT'S A HAPPY PROBLEM TO HAVE AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO MOVE AHEAD AND DELIVER THESE NATIONALLY RANKED SERVICES TO KIDS HERE IN JEFFERSON AND LOUISIANA. [01:55:01] >> TWENTY-SIX MINUTES. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. I'M VINCENT ATOV. I'M A JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENT FOR 30 YEARS, AND I'M A PEDIATRIC SURGEON PRACTICING AT ASHNER, AND I'M NOW THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR ASHNER SHOULDERS HOSPITAL. I REALLY WANT TO SHORTLY FOCUS ON WHY THE LOCATION OF THE HOSPITAL WHERE WE'RE PROPOSING IT IS SO IMPORTANT. WE HAVE A LONG LEGACY OF INNOVATIVE PEDIATRIC CARE AT ASHNER. IF YOU'LL EXCUSE THE BRIEF HISTORY LESSON IN 1975, THE FIRST PROCEDURE IN THE WORLD TO CLOSE A DEFECT IN THE HEART WITHOUT SURGERY WAS PERFORMED AT ASHNER IN A PEDIATRIC PATIENT. IN 1983, WE STARTED THE FIRST ECMO PROGRAM IN THE SOUTHEAST AND IT WAS THE FOURTH ONE IN THE COUNTRY. IT WAS MORE THAN 15 YEARS BEFORE THERE WAS ANOTHER ECMO PROGRAM IN THE STATE THAT TAKES CARE OF THE SICKEST CHILDREN WITH HEART AND LUNG DISEASE. IN 1985, DR. OSTER PERFORMED THE FIRST PEDIATRIC HEART TRANSPLANT IN THE GULF SOUTH AND WE STILL ARE THE ONLY PROGRAM IN LOUISIANA THAT PERFORMS HEART TRANSPLANTS AND LIVER TRANSPLANTS. WE HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF PROVIDING INNOVATIVE CARE, WHICH IN MANY CASES IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE IN LOUISIANA. AS AN EXAMPLE OF FUTURE PLANS, THERE IS A NEW TECHNOLOGY WITHOUT GETTING TOO TECHNICAL THAT IT COMBINES ADVANCED IMAGING WITH RADIATION THERAPY THAT WE WILL HAVE AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR AT ASHNER THAT WILL BE ONE OF TEN PLACES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. THAT INNOVATIVE CARE FOR PEDIATRICS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ANYPLACE ELSE IN THE REGION ANYTIME SOON. I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THOSE POINTS BECAUSE AS A GROUP PRACTICE, WHICH IS A MORE THAN 80 YEAR LEGACY AT ASHNER, THAT COLLABORATIVE MULTI DISCIPLINARY CARE IS WHAT HAS ALLOWED US TO DEVELOP THOSE PROGRAMS, WHICH I'VE HOPEFULLY DEMONSTRATED TO YOU THAT WE HAVE A LONG TRACK RECORD OF DOING IN THE PAST, STILL DOING AND HAVE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. I HOPE AS YOU REVIEW THIS PROJECT, YOU'LL CONSIDER THE VALUE OF HAVING IT ON THIS LOCATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU 24 MINUTES. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS AUSTIN READER. I LIVE AT 713 RIO VISTA AVENUE. I AM A NEIGHBOR. I'M ALSO THE COO FOR THE HOSPITAL, REPRESENTING THE HOSPITAL OPERATIONS. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE FROM AN OPERATIONS PERSPECTIVE, THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THIS CAMPUS THIS FACILITY ON CAMPUS. AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED HERE, PREVIOUSLY, IT IS NOT UNCOMMON ON A DAILY OCCURRENCE THAT WE HAVE TO TRANSFER KIDS OUT OF OUR ER TO OTHER FACILITIES BECAUSE WE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY. WE ALSO HAVE TO TURN KIDS AWAY FROM ACROSS THE GULF COAST BECAUSE WE HAVE OUTGROWN THE SPACE INSIDE THE ADULT FACILITY. IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE ENVIRONMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN TAKING CARE OF OUR KIDS. I'M A FATHER OF THREE. MY YOUNGEST HAS UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO USE THE HOSPITAL, WAS AN INPATIENT HERE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. HE'S DOING GREAT. THE CARE WAS FANTASTIC, BUT I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, WE CAN DO BETTER FROM AN ENVIRONMENT PERSPECTIVE. THIS NEW HOSPITAL, AS YOU'VE SEEN IN THE PLANS AND THE RENDERINGS WILL PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S CONDUCIVE FOR OUR KIDS, BUT ALSO THE FAMILIES THAT CARE FOR THEM AS WELL. WHY THIS LOCATION, AS IT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED, IT'S IMMENSELY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE BACKUP OF OUR CENTRAL POWER PLANT, BUT ALSO OUR WELL. IT'S NOT UNCOMMON THAT WE HAVE TO USE THIS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. HAVING ACCESS TO THAT FROM A BUSINESS CONTINUITY PERSPECTIVE IS ESSENTIAL. I WILL ALSO SAY THAT THE ACCESS TO THE ADULT HOSPITAL, AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. WE HAVE PHYSICIANS AND SUPPORT STAFF THAT ROUTINELY TAKE CARE OF ADULTS AND KIDS. HAVING ACCESS ON MULTIPLE FLOORS FOR PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN CARE FOR OUR LITTLEST ONES IS ESSENTIAL. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND YOUR SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU, 22 MINUTES. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS KATIE CODE, AND I AM THE CHILD LIFE DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR AT ASHNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. TODAY I WANT TO SHARE THE IMPACT OF CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS IN HOSPITALS AND HOW OUR VITAL WORK WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW HOME FOR ASHNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. OUR GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE STRESS, TRAUMA, AND ANXIETY RELATED TO A HOSPITALIZATION OR HEALTHCARE ENCOUNTER FOR THE PATIENT, PARENTS, OR CAREGIVERS, AND WHOMEVER THEY CALL FAMILY. CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS STEP INTO THE HOSPITAL ROOM, NOT JUST AS HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, BUT AS BEACONS OF COMFORT, UNDERSTANDING, AND HOPE. WHEN A CHILD WALKS THROUGH THE DOORS OF A HOSPITAL, THEY ARE OFTEN OVERWHELMED WITH FEAR, CONFUSION, AND UNCERTAINTY. THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS, AND EVEN THE LANGUAGE OF A HOSPITAL CAN BE INTIMIDATING FOR ANYONE, LET ALONE A CHILD. THIS IS WHERE CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS SHINE AS ADVOCATES FOR OUR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE WORK TO TRANSFORM A POTENTIALLY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE INTO ONE THAT IS MANAGEABLE AND AT TIMES EVEN EMPOWERING. THROUGH THERAPEUTIC PLAY, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND EDUCATION, WE HELP CHILDREN NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF ILLNESS AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES. [02:00:03] WE USE TOYS, ART, GAMES, AND STORYTELLING TO BREAK DOWN COMPLEX MEDICAL INFORMATION INTO SOMETHING A CHILD CAN UNDERSTAND AND COPE WITH. WE PREPARE CHILDREN FOR SURGERY BY EXPLAINING WHAT THEY WILL EXPERIENCE IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE TO THEM. WE HELP FAMILIES CREATE MEMORIES AND FIND MOMENTS OF JOY THROUGH CELEBRATING TREATMENT MILESTONES SUCH AS NOMO CHEMO PARTIES, AND TRANSPLANT ANNIVERSARIES. WE HELP FAMILIES FIND COMFORT IN THE MIDST OF UNCERTAINTY AND END OF LIFE CARE BY PROVIDING LEGACY BUILDING AND MEMORY MAKING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE PATIENT'S SIBLINGS AND LOVED ONES. SIMPLY PUT, WE BRING US INTO NORMALCY AND SAFETY INTO AN ENVIRONMENT THAT OFTEN FEELS ANYTHING BUT NORMAL. NOW IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES WITH OPENING OUR NEW HOME FOR ASHNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. THIS NEW FACILITY WILL NOT ONLY HOUSE THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY NEEDED TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF CARE, BUT WILL ALSO BE A PLACE DESIGNED WITH THE HOLISTIC NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN MIND. A PLACE WHERE CHILDLIFE SPECIALISTS CAN FULLY UTILIZE THEIR SKILLS AND EXPERTISE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS OUR MISSION. WITH PURPOSE BUILT SPACES LIKE CHILD FRIENDLY TREATMENT ROOMS, THERAPEUTIC PLAY AREAS, AND FAMILY SUPPORT CENTERS. OUR ENTIRE TEAM WILL HAVE THE TOOLS WE NEED TO MAKE AN EVEN GREATER IMPACT. DEDICATED PLAYROOM SPACES WILL ALLOW A CHILD TO EXPLORE AND PLAY FREELY, FORGETTING FOR A MOMENT THAT THEY ARE IN THE HOSPITAL. A FAMILY ROOM WHERE PARENTS CAN FIND SOLACE AND SUPPORT, KNOWING THAT THEIR CHILD IS NOT JUST RECEIVING MEDICAL TREATMENT, BUT IS ALSO BEING CARED FOR EMOTIONALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY. INTERACTIVE LEARNING SPACES WILL ALLOW CHILDREN TO ENGAGE WITH AGE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES TO UNDERSTAND THEIR MEDICAL JOURNEY, REDUCING FEAR, AND EMPOWERING THEM TO BE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR CARE. THIS NEW HOME FOR ASHNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS MORE THAN JUST A BUILDING. IT IS A PROMISE TO PROVIDE CARE THAT SEES THE CHILD AS A WHOLE PERSON, NOT JUST AS A PATIENT. IT'S A PROMISE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES THROUGH ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ALLOWING EVERYONE TO BE TOGETHER IN A SPACE MADE FOR THEM. IT WILL ALLOW US TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE PATIENT AND FAMILY EXPERIENCE TO COMPLEMENT OUR NATIONALLY RANKED PEDIATRIC PROGRAMS. AS I LOOK TO THE FUTURE, I AM EXCITED TO SEE A PLACE WHERE EVERY CHILD AND FAMILY WHO WALKS THROUGH OUR DOORS IS MET WITH AN ENVIRONMENT CREATED JUST FOR THEM. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS VISION. >> NINETEEN MINUTES. >> HELLO, AND THANK YOU. MY NAME IS JAY BRIDGE. I'M THE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT AT AUCTIONEER AND FACILITIES. WHAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU NOW IS THE PROPOSED DRAINAGE EXHIBIT THAT EMILY SPOKE ABOUT A MOMENT AGO. I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU SOME OF THE DETAILS. SPECIFICALLY, THE TWO AREAS AFFECTED BY THE DEVELOPMENT BOUNDED BY THE PURPLE LINES THAT YOU CAN SEE IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE PAGE OF THE SCREEN AND THE BLUE D SECTION AS WELL TO THE NORTH, WHICH IS WHERE LEVEE RUN IS. SPECIFICALLY, THE EXISTING DRAINAGE AND CULVERTS IN THESE TWO AREAS ARE GOING TO BE UPSIZED AND RE ROUTED AROUND THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. JUST THE CULVERTS ALONE WITH THEIR EXPANDED CAPACITY, AS WELL AS THEIR INCREASED LENGTH, IS GOING TO PROVIDE ABOUT 207,000 GALLONS OF STORM WATER CAPACITY. THAT ALONE MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF OUR DEVELOPMENT. ON TOP OF THAT, WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDING DETENTION SYSTEMS WITH ARCH PIPE. THAT'S IDENTIFIED THERE. YOU CAN SEE OF THE TURQUOISE COLORED LINES THERE WITHIN THE FACILITY OR ADJACENT TO THE FACILITY ALONG THE GARAGE TO THE SOUTH AND TO THE NORTH THERE IN FRONT OF OUR FACILITY, ALONG D EFFERSON HIGHWAY. SPECIFICALLY, THOSE IN COMBINATION, AS EMICH STATED EARLIER, IS GOING TO ADD ABOUT 435,000 GALLONS OF INCREASED STORMWATER CAPACITY, WHICH EQUALS AGAIN ABOUT 1 FT OF WATER ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA OF A FOOTBALL FIELD. BOTH THESE AREAS HAVE OUTFALLS DIRECTLY TO THE NORTH. THEY GO UNDER JEFFERSON HIGHWAY THERE WITH OUTFALLS ONE AND TWO, AND THOSE OUTFALLS ARE NOT CONNECTED TO ANY OF THE DRAINAGE THAT CONNECTED THERE ALONG JEFFERSON HIGHWAY. AREA ONE ALONE IS GOING TO HAVE A 53% REDUCTION OF PEAK RUNOFF FLOW RATE BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED CAPACITY. AREA TWO WILL HAVE ABOUT A 9.3% REDUCED FLOW RATE CROSSING THE HIGHWAY AS WELL. THAT CAPACITY IS SIGNIFICANT. THAT WAS REVIEWED WITH JEFFERSON PARISH ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. WE LOOKED AT THE MITIGATION PLANS AND ADDRESSED THEIR CONCERNS AND WITH THE EXCEEDED REQUIREMENTS, THAT WE GAINED APPROVALS FOR THAT. WHICH IS SEEN HERE AGAIN AS OUR LANDSCAPE AND TREES EXHIBIT. UP SPECIFICALLY AS DMY STATED EARLIER, THERE'S 14 EXISTING OAK TREES WITHIN THE SITE. EIGHT OF THOSE ARE GOING TO BE PRESERVED IN THEIR PRESENT LOCATIONS. INCLUDING BIG BETS, WHICH IS THERE TOWARD THE SOUTH AT THE POCKET PARK. SIX OF THOSE TREES WILL BE REPLACED WITH SUBSTANTIAL 12 INCH DIAMETER TREES, WHICH AGAIN GOING ABOUT 20-24 FEET HIGH AND A 20 FOOT DIAMETER CANOPY. THE SIX TREES THAT ARE GOING TO BE REMOVED [02:05:01] ARE NOT GOOD CANDIDATES FOR RELOCATION OR SURVIVAL, AND FOR VARIOUS REASONS WITH SOME OF THE CONFINEMENT RIGHT NOW WITH SIDEWALKS AND ROADWAYS, AS WELL AS UNSTABLE CANOPIES AS THEY ARE TODAY. BUT AGAIN, THOSE WILL BE REPLACED. THE SIX SIGNIFICANT OAK TREES THAT WE'RE PLANTING ARE SHOWN THERE IN THE BLUE CIRCLES. YOU HAVE TWO THERE NEXT TO THE GARAGE, ONE THERE IN THE POCKET PARK, AND THREE THERE SOUTH OF OUR LEVEE RUN APARTMENTS. THIS PLAN AGAIN WAS MEETS ALL CPC REQUIREMENTS AND WAS APPROVED AS WELL. I THINK WE'RE MISSING A SLIDE. LET ME SPEAK TO A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAD THERE AGAIN. EXCUSE ME, THE TRAFFIC STUDY. A TRAFFIC STUDY AND THE TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS CONDUCTED FROM CAUSEWAY TO THE WEST TO COLLINS DEB TO THE EAST AND FROM JEFFERSON HIGHWAY TO RIVER ROAD. SPECIFICALLY, THAT STUDY LOOKED AT THE PEAK AM AND PM CAPACITIES. THE PEAK CAPACITIES, CONDITIONS, AND THEY WERE STUDIED FOR OPTIMUM DESIGN WITH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT AND OUR TRAFFIC CONSULTANTS AS WELL. THEY LOOKED AT THE EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY OF ALL THOSE INTERSECTIONS. WE LOOKED AT MULTIPLE LANE CONFIGURATIONS, PHASINGS, AND TIMINGS AND STUDIED THOSE AGAIN FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY. WHICH YOU CAN SEE, OF COURSE, I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. THE STUDY REQUIRED SEVERAL MITIGATION MEASURES. SPECIFICALLY, WIDENING OF DECK BAR AVENUE, ADDING OF TURN LANES. THERE ARE THREE THAT ARE ADDED THERE AT THE CORNER OF DECK BAR AND JEFFERSON HIGHWAY. THERE'S ANOTHER TURN LANE THAT'S BEEN ADDED AT RIVER ROAD, ALONG WITH A SIGNAL THAT'S ADDED AT RIVER ROAD NEAR THE POCKET PARK, WHICH EMILY SHOWED YOU A MOMENT AGO. WE ALSO HAVE MODIFIED SIGNAL TIMING AT ALL THE LOCATIONS. THEN WE HAVE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY MEDIAN MODIFICATIONS, WHICH HELP OF STORAGE, EFFICIENCY, AND SAFETY OF VEHICLES AT THAT INTERSECTION. AGAIN, THOSE WERE STUDIED, WE LOOKED AT THOSE WITH DOTD, AND THOSE WERE APPROVED AND THOSE METER EXCEED CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS AT THOSE INTERSECTIONS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING IN FAVOR? FOURTEEN MINUTES. LEAVE SOME FOR EVERYBODY ELSE, JERRY. >> GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. THANKS FOR HAVING ME. JERRY BOLA, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF JEDCO, 700 CHURCHILL PARKWAY AND AVONDALE. JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE, A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT PATH HERE. NEARLY 25 YEARS AGO, JEFFERSON PARISH AND JEDCO EMBARKED ON THE PARISHES FIRST LONG TERM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN, THE JEFFERSON EDGE. THAT PLAN HAS BEEN UPDATED NEARLY EVERY FIVE YEARS IN THE INTERVENING PERIOD, AND THERE'S BEEN ONE CONSTANT. EVERY ITERATION OF THAT PLAN HAS TALKED ABOUT OUR MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOW WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THAT INFRASTRUCTURE. IT'S WHAT KEEPS OUR ECONOMY MOVING. IT SERVES THE COMMUNITY, BUT IT'S ALSO A SIGNIFICANT DRIVER FOR US. LIKE ANY INDUSTRY, WE CAN'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN THOSE INDUSTRIES TO KEEP THEM THRIVING. WHAT WE DON'T ALWAYS DO A GOOD ENOUGH JOB OF IN OUR COMMUNITY IS TELLING THE STORY OF WHAT OUR MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE LENDS TO THIS COMMUNITY. THERE'S SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT. OF COURSE, BUT IT'S THE JOBS THAT ARE ATTRACTED. THE DOCTOR TALKED ABOUT THE VARIOUS PHYSICIANS THAT ARE ATTRACTED TO THIS COMMUNITY FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY. THEY'RE INVESTING, THEY'RE CHOOSING TO LIVE HERE NOW IN JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT ALSO THE THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE EMPLOYED THERE ON THE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CORRIDOR. THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT CONTINUE TO MAKE JEFFERSON PARISH A COMMUNITY OF CHOICE. FOR THOSE REASONS, WE SUPPORT ASHNER. THEY HAVE BEEN A GOOD STEWARD. THEY'VE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER TO US AT JCO AND WITH JEFFERSON PARISH, AND WE'RE IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROJECT. >> TWELVE MINUTES. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND MADAM PRESIDENT. MY NAME IS RUTH LAWSON. I AM PRESIDENT OF THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, LOCATED AT 3421 NORTH CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE ASHNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FACILITY. ASHNER, JUST AS JERRY JUST SPOKE ABOUT, CONTINUES TO BE A STRONG ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR JEFFERSON PARISH. THIS OVER $100 MILLION PLUS INVESTMENT IS EVIDENCE OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO JEFFERSON PARISH WITH AN ADDITIONAL 120 GREAT PAYING JOBS. ASHNER HAS BEEN YOU KNOW, AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY PARTNER, NOT ONLY TO THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER, JED CO, TO ALL OF JEFFERSON PARISH, ESPECIALLY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CORRIDOR. THEY HAVE SHOWN EVEN FURTHER COMMITMENT DURING THIS PROCESS. THEY HAVE WORKED EXTENSIVELY. THEY HAVE MADE NUMEROUS COMPROMISES, CONCESSIONS TO THE COMMUNITY, OF WHICH WE DON'T OFTEN SEE IN [02:10:03] PRIVATE ENTITIES COMING IN AND FURTHER INVESTING IN OUR PARISH. I JUST WANT TO SUPPORT THEM IN THIS PROCESS, TO SAY HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TO OUR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND TO MAKING THAT STRETCH OF JEFFERSON HIGHWAY AN INCREDIBLE ASSET TO JEFFERSON. THIS ISN'T JUST AN INCREDIBLE HEALTHCARE PROJECT FOR JEFFERSON. THIS IS ALSO AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF OUR PARISH AS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE STATE AND THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN JEFFERSON PARISH. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING IN FAVOR? GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT SEVEN APPEARED IN FAVOR. NOW, EIGHT. I WAS JUST SEEING IF YOU'RE PAYING ATTENTION. EIGHT APPEARED IN FAVOR. NOW, ANYONE IN OPPOSITION MAY COME FORWARD AND YOU WILL ALSO HAVE 45 MINUTES. SO I'LL MENTION THE TIME AFTER EACH SPEAKER, SO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IS LEFT, BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO PACE YOURSELVES AND FIGURE OUT HOW LONG EACH ONE OF YOU WANTS TO SPEAK. FORTY-FIVE MINUTES, PLEASE SAY YOUR NAME AND GO AHEAD. SIR, YOU CAN BEGIN. >> MY NAME IS TILTON BOND. MY ADDRESS IS 323 BETTS AVENUE. MY BACKYARD TOUCHES ASHNER. I'M SURE THERE'S ASHNER FACILITY NEAR YOU. WOULD YOU LET ASHNER BUILD ON YOUR STREET AND BLOCK IT OFF FOREVER, WHERE YOU CAN NEVER DRIVE DOWN YOUR STREET AGAIN? DON'T LET ASHNER DESTROY BETTS AVENUE, PLEASE. THEY HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM ON THEIR PROPERTY TO BUILD A BIG CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. THEY HAVE JUST AS MANY EMPLOYEES, JUST AS MUCH PEOPLE IN IT. IT CAN STILL CONNECT TO THE HOSPITAL. THEY DON'T HAVE TO DESTROY BETTS AVENUE TO DO IT, THOUGH. THERE'S NO DISADVANTAGE TO OLD JEFFERSON FOR NOT REZONING. ASHNER IS STILL GOING TO BUILD THE NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WITH GAIL BENSON'S MONEY. LET THEM BUILD WITHOUT REZONING, PLEASE. GIVING PUBLIC STREETS TO ASHNER MAKES LIFE HARDER ON THE CITIZENS OF OLD JEFFERSON. THE TRAFFIC'S ALREADY BAD. IT'S GOING TO BE HORRENDOUS. GETTING RID OF ONE OF THE STREETS IS GOING TO MAKE IT EVEN WORSE. THERE'S NO REASON TO GET RID OF BETTS AVENUE. WHEN OLD JEFFERSON ASSOCIATION VOTED, EVERYONE WAS AGAINST GIVING BETTS AVENUE TO ASHNER HOSPITAL. ASHNER CEO MADE 10 MILLION IN 2022 ALONE, THAT'S MORE THAN NICK SABIN. THAT'S JUST A SIDE NOTE THERE. ON SEPTEMBER 19TH, THE JEFFERSON PARISH ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDED DENIAL OF ASHNER'S REZONING REQUEST ON ALL THREE DOCKETS. THERE'S BEEN NO REAL CHANGE SINCE THEN. THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE US A PARK. THE PARK IS BASICALLY SURROUNDED BY ASHNER THOUGH. THERE'S NO ACCESS TO IT UNLESS YOU WALK THROUGH ASHNER. IT'S A PARK FOR THEM. THEY'RE NOT GIVING IT TO JEFFERSON PARISH. THEY'RE JUST BUILDING IT ON THEIR PROPERTY. IT'S GOING TO BE NICE. THE HOSPITAL IS GOING TO BE NICE, BUT THEY DON'T NEED TO PUT IT ON TOP OF BETTS AVENUE. NO REAL CHANGES, THE VOTE SHOULDN'T CHANGE. ASHNER WILL STOP BUYING HOUSES IN THE AREA IF YOU STOP REZONING. THAT'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO. THEY MIGHT EVEN STOP SOME OF THE HOUSES BACK THAT THEY HAVE IF YOU KEEP IT ZONED RESIDENTIAL. THAT'S THE BEST THING FOR IT. IT'S KEEP IT ZONED RESIDENTIAL. THEY HAVE THE RESIDENTIAL HOUSES THERE, AND THEY HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM ON THE PROPERTY THEY ALREADY OWN TO BUILD A CHILDREN'S HOUSE SCHOOL. ALSO, THEY TALK ABOUT THE RETENTION COVERTS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RETAIN WATER. IT'S A PRETTY LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER. BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACRES OF THE SIZE OF THE PROPERTY, IT'S LESS THAN AN INCH OVER THE WHOLE INCH OF WATER WOULD FILL UP THESE RETENTION PONDS. NOW I KNOW ALL THE WATER IS NOT GOING TO GO STRAIGHT INTO THE RETENTION PONDS, BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE A WHOLE LOT OF RANGE TO FILL UP THE AMOUNT OF RETENTION PONDS THAT THEY'RE BUILDING. IF THEY WERE SO CONFIDENT IN THE RETENTION PONDS, THEY WOULD BUILD THEIR HOSPITAL AT STREET LEVEL. MY HOUSE IS AT STREET LEVEL. IF IT FLOODS ABOVE STREET LEVEL, I GET FLOODED. THEY'RE BUILDING THREE FEET ABOVE STREET LEVEL, AND THAT COSTS EXTRA MONEY TO BUILD THREE FEET ABOVE STREET LEVEL. IT WOULD SAVE THE MONEY TO BUILD A STREET LEVEL, BUT THEY KNOW IT'S GOING TO FLOOD, SO THEY'RE BUILDING UP, AND THAT'S JUST GOING TO MAKE IT FLOW INTO MY YARD. I GOT A BUNCH OF MORE STUFF, BUT I'LL PEOPLE GO NEXT. THANK YOU. >> FORTY-TWO MINUTES. >> [INAUDIBLE]. [LAUGHTER] >> I'M RICHARD SPECTOR. MY WIFE AND I OWN 135 HARDING STREET, AND I'M THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SECRETARY OF OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONCESSIONS OUTLINED IN THE CEA, THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT. APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS MADE TO ENGAGE WITH OUR COMMUNITY THUS FAR. WE SUBMITTED AN OFFICIAL LETTER PRIOR TO THIS MEETING FOR YOUR REVIEW, CLEARLY STATING THAT THE OJCA OPPOSES THE REZONING OF RESIDENTIAL HOMES WITHOUT OUR BORDERS. THIS POSITION IS SUPPORTED BY OVER 320 SIGNATURES ON OUR PETITION, COPIES OF WHICH WERE SUPPLIED TO THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD. WHILE THE CEA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE OUR NO REZONING MANDATE, [02:15:04] THE CEA IS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE PRESSURES EXERTED BY OUR COMMUNITY, EVEN AS WE WERE NEITHER INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CEA NEGOTIATIONS NOR WERE WE INFORMED OF THEM. WE ARE WILLING TO COMPROMISE AND NOT OPPOSE THE DECISION OF THIS COUNCIL PROVIDED THAT THE WRITTEN AGREEMENT, THE CEA, MEETS THE DURATION DEFINED IN SECTION 5.1, WHICH WAS BROUGHT UP BY MRS. ARATA, LIMITING THEIR AGREEMENT TO THE DURATION THAT THAT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL EXISTS. BUT WITHOUT THE BUDGETARY APPROVAL BY JEFFERSON PARISH AS DEFINED IN SECTION 16.15, WHICH ESSENTIALLY MAKES THAT CONTRACT A SHAME BECAUSE IT CAN BE VOIDED FOR BUDGETARY REASONS ANNUALLY. IF THIS ANNUAL BUDGETARY APPROPRIATION REMAINS, THIS CEA IS UNENFORCEABLE AND PLACES OUR ORGANIZATION ADVERSE TO THE REZONING REQUESTED BY OXNER. THANK YOU. >> I'M MONICA BRADY, 144 COOLIDGE STREET IN OLD JEFFERSON. THIS IS MY COMMUNITY OF CHOICE TO LIVE IN JEFFERSON PARISH. THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, WHICH I'M A MEMBER OF, WANTS TO ADD TO THE PUBLIC RECORD THAT 320 PEOPLE SIGNED THE PETITION DURING THE SUMMER OF 2024 FOR NO REZONING OF PROPERTIES ON BETTS AND DECK BAR AVENUES. THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT, THE CEA, INCLUDES LANGUAGE ABOUT OXNER NOT PURCHASING HOMES IN A LIMITED AREA NEAR THE HOSPITAL. BUT THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION'S MANDATE HAS ALWAYS BEEN NO REZONING, NOT LIMITING WHO PEOPLE CAN SELL THEIR HOMES TO. WE DON'T WANT TO PIT NEIGHBORS UP AGAINST THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. WE LOST 10 OLD JEFFERSON HOMES IN 2018 AND LIVE OAKS TO A PARKING LOT THAT ASHNER NOW WANTS TO BUILD A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ON. THE NEIGHBORS FOUGHT THE REZONING REQUEST AND LOST. NOW WE ARE HERE TODAY DISCUSSING REZONING OF 31 HOMES. DUE TO THE REPEATING HISTORY OF ASHNER PURCHASING HOMES OVER DECADES, REQUESTING APPROVAL TO REZONE OVER SUCCESSIVE PARISH COUNCILS RIGHT HERE IN THESE CHAMBERS, AND THEN DEMOLISHING THE HOMES. FOR THE HISTORICAL RECORD, WE HAVE MEMORIALIZED THE 10 HOMES THAT WERE REZONED AND RAISED IN 2018 ON OUR OJCA WEBSITE, INCLUDING PHOTOS AND ASSESSOR RECORDS. YOU CAN GO TO JPOJCA.ORG THE LOST HOMES LINK. WE KNOW ASHNER IS THE STATE'S LARGEST EMPLOYER. THEY ARE THE ECONOMIC ENGINE. THEY ARE THE NUMBER 1 HOSPITAL FOR KIDS WITHOUT THESE NEW STRUCTURES. WE KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF DOLLARS ON THE LINE. HOWEVER, IT'S LONG OVERDUE FOR ASHNER TO RETHINK THEIR LONG-TERM REAL ESTATE STRATEGY IN OLD JEFFERSON. WE HOPE JEFFERSON PARISH OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO US. RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE TO BE HERE AGAIN IN ONE YEAR, FIVE YEARS, 10 YEARS, 30 YEARS, FIGHTING THIS BATTLE AGAIN. WE NEED A GOOD AGREEMENT AND GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP GOING FORWARD. WE DON'T LAND HERE AGAIN OR LOSE OUR HOMES. NO, I'M NOT AT MY JOB TODAY IN ORDER TO SPEAK TO YOU. I ALSO HAVE A PRESENTATION THAT SHOWS THESE HOMES THAT I'LL DO AT THE END IF THERE'S TIME. I THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN BANANO FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS. I HAVE A LOT MORE I COULD SAY, BUT I'LL JUST END WITH. I'M OPPOSED TO THE REZONING, BUT I WILL NOT STAND IN OPPOSITION TO A MODIFIED ENFORCEABLE CEA. THANK YOU. >> THIRTY-SEVEN MINUTES. >> MY NAME IS JEDI SPECTER. I LIVE AT 135 HARDING STREET, AND I AM A COMMITTEE CHAIR FOR THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION. I AM ONE OF THE 320 MEMBERS THAT SIGNED THE PETITION FOR NO REZONING. I OPPOSE THE REZONING, BUT I WILL NOT STAND IN THE WAY IN OPPOSITION IF A MODIFIED ENFORCEABLE, WHICH THE PAB PROMISED US WE WOULD HAVE IN WRITING. I HOPE GAIL BENSON'S GENEROUS DONATION WAS NEVER MEANT TO DESTROY A WELL-FUNCTIONING COMMUNITY OF AFFORDABLE HOMES. REZONING OF ANY HOMES IN OUR AREA THAT OXNER PURCHASES IN THE FUTURE IS CONTINUED DESTRUCTION OF OLD JEFFERSON. THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS JUNE ELDERBUSH, AND I LIVE AT 117 COLLEGE STREET, AND I HAVE LIVED THERE 32 YEARS AND HAVE WATCHED THE GROWING OF ASHNER. I AM OPPOSED TO REZONING, BUT I WILL NOT STAND IN OPPOSITION IF A MODIFIED ENFORCEABLE CEA IS WRITTEN WITH [02:20:05] TIME ON IT OF HOW LONG THEY'RE GOING TO HOLD ON TO THIS REZONING. >> MY NAME IS NANCY FREEMAN. I LIVE AT 116 COLLEGE AVENUE. I AM OPPOSED TO REZONING, BUT WILL NOT STAND IN OPPOSITION IF A MODIFIED ENFORCEABLE CEA IS WRITTEN. THANK YOU. >> HI. MY NAME IS WESLEY PUJA. I LIVE AT 120 HARDING STREET. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING PREPARED TODAY. I WANTED TO SAY HOW DISAPPOINTED I AM IN THIS COUNCIL FOR YOUR ATTENTION. I HAVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION NOW. THERE WE GO. THE WHOLE TIME, ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY SPOKE, I HAVE PICTURES OF ALL OF YOU LOOKING DOWN, LOOKING DOWN ON YOUR PHONES. I SEE THAT SOMEBODY'S NAME WOULD BE MENTIONED AND THEY'D SHOOT UP AND START NODDING THEIR HEAD. I'M A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER. I UNDERSTAND WHEN PEOPLE ARE OFF TRACK AND DOING THINGS. I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW DISAPPOINTED I AM IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. THE PUBLIC ADVISORY BOARD WAS VERY RESPECTFUL OF OUR TIME. THEY GAVE US ATTENTION. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE NOW THAT IT'S TIME FOR THE VOTE TO ACTUALLY HAPPEN, WE JUST LOST THAT. WE HAVE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AGAINST US CURRENTLY, AND IT SEEMS TO BE THAT'S THE THEME FROM OUR FIRST MEETING TODAY TO NOW, THE CONSTITUENTS ARE SAYING NO, PLEASE HELP US. WE DO NOT WANT THIS. BUT THE BIG MONEY COMES IN, THE FUNDING COMES IN, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT'S GREASE PALMS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING. BUT THINGS ARE HAPPENING TO WHERE THINGS GET PUSHED THROUGH. WE'RE SAYING ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, PLEASE HELP US. WE WANT NO MORE. THE REASON ASHNER IS ABLE TO HAVE ALL THEIR IMAGING IN PLACES IS BECAUSE THEY'VE REZONED RESIDENTIAL HOUSING IN THE PAST. NOW THEY HAVE AN IMAGE CENTER ACROSS THE STREET. THEY'RE SAYING SOME OF THESE ADVANTAGES BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN INVESTING IN THEIR OWN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> HI, MY NAME IS ELLEN O'RLEY, AND I LIVE AT 116 HARDING STREET. I ALSO I AM ONE OF THE 320 PEOPLE WHO SIGNED THE PETITION. I JUST WANT TO GET THIS SAID BECAUSE I WANT TO READ A SHORT PIECE FROM ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE LIVED ON RIO VISTA AND BEEN THERE OVER 30 YEARS AND HAVE WORKED HARD AND WATCHED DOCTRINE GROW AND GROW. I'M OPPOSED TO THE REZONING, BUT I WILL NOT STAND IN OPPOSITION IF A MODIFIED ENFORCEABLE CEA IS WRITTEN WITH US BEING INVOLVED IN IT. THIS IS ACTUALLY FROM MY NEIGHBORS. IT IS LES AND MARGARET. I JUST WANT TO READ PORTIONS OF THIS. WE WERE ALL TAUGHT THAT WE SHOULD GO TO SCHOOL, GET A JOB, WORK HARD, START A FAMILY, AND WE'D BE ABLE TO REALIZE THE GREAT AMERICAN DREAM OF OWNING A HOME. WE'VE DONE THAT IN OLD JEFFERSON. WELCOMED NEW NEIGHBORS. WATCH YOUNG COUPLES START FAMILIES. WATCH BABIES TAKE THEIR FIRST STEPS, SHARED IN GRIEF OF LOSING FAMILY MEMBERS. WORKED NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR TO REPAIR OUR COMMUNITY AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS AND SHARED A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT WE PAY TAXES ON FOR THE LITTLE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE BUILT. WE'VE INVESTED BLOOD, SWEAT, TEARS IN OUR HARD-EARNED MONEY IN OUR HOMES, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, OUR COMMUNITY, AND IN JEFFERSON PARISH. WE DESERVE ENJOYING FRUITS OF OUR LABOR. IT'S THE REALIZATION OF OUR HOPES AND DREAMS. IT IS THE AMERICAN WAY. TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE IS NOT AMERICAN. OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN UNDER SIEGE SINCE THE LATE '80S WHEN ASHNER WANTED A VARIANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CURRENT OLD PARKING LOT AT THE CORNER OF DECK BAR IN JEFFERSON HIGHWAY. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THE WEALTHY AND MEGA-CORPORATIONS HAVE CONTINUALLY TRIED TO ENCROACH ON OUR LIVES. EACH AND EVERY TIME FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS, THE MEMBERS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, NO RESPECT INTENDED, HAVE SUPPORTED THESE OUTSIDER PROJECTS WITHOUT REGARD FOR THE CONCERNS OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE, US. >> THE LITTLE PEOPLE, BEING US, THE HOMEOWNERS THAT HAVE MADE THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY SUCH A DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE. ONE THING I JUST WANTED TO ADD BECAUSE I SPOKE AT ONE OF THE MANY MEETINGS WE HAD IS SOME OF THE SAME THINGS THAT OCHSNER COMES BACK TO YOU WITH. OCHSNER WANTS THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR. WE WANT THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE WANT OUR COMMUNITY PEOPLE THAT WE LIVE WITH AND WORK HARD TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER. THAT IS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT YOU HAVE WELCOMED US IN BECAUSE SEVERAL OF US HAVE DONE FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS, WE'VE DONE THE ROOF, AND WE'VE HAD DIFFERENT GRANTS OURSELVES TO BE ABLE TO BE IN THIS PARISH. SAY THAT YOU HAVE CHILDREN, OF COURSE, [02:25:03] ALL OF US WANT CHILDREN OR ANYBODY TO BE TAKEN CARE OF A HOSPITAL IN A VERY WELL RUN HOSPITAL. BUT WHEN YOU SAY THAT THEY SOMETIMES HAVE TO LEAVE NEW ORLEANS TO GET TO LEAVE THEIR FAMILIES, TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES, YOU'RE ASKING US TO LEAVE OUR HOMES, OUR FAMILIES IN ORDER TO JUST GET ANOTHER SECTION OF OCHSNER. THE TEAM APPROACH, A TEAM APPROACH IS A COMMUNITY. A TEAM APPROACH IS ALL OF US HELPING EACH OTHER EVERY TIME YOU NEED ANYTHING, SOMEBODY SICK, SOMEONE ELSE GOES TO THE STORE. OUR WORK, MANY OF US HAVE TAKEN OFF TO BE HERE BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT MUCH TO US. ONE THING WE'VE ASKED IS WE ASKED TO HAVE A CONTRACT WITH US. WE ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE OCHSNER MAKING COMPROMISES BECAUSE WE ARE SAYING THIS MEANS THE MOST TO US. THIS IS PATIENT CARE. THIS IS OUR PATIENT CARE WITH EACH OTHER, A VIABLE JEFFERSON PARISH NEIGHBORHOOD THAT DOES PAY TAXES. I'M ASKING ALL OF YOU TO PLEASE RECONSIDER AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD ADMITTED THAT WE DO NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TRANSPARENTLY, AND WE NEED CONTRACTS WITH EACH OTHER, NOT THE PARISH AND OCHSNER, OCHSNER AND US. THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS VICKY CAPEL. I DIDN'T HAVE TO WRITE IT DOWN. I KNOW MY NAME, AND I LIVE AT 1:45 AND OWN OTHER HOUSES ON COOLIDGE STREET IN OUR BEAUTIFUL OLD JEFFERSON. I AM OPPOSED TO REZONING, BUT I WILL NOT STAND IN OPPOSITION OF A MODIFIED ENFORCEABLE CEA, IF SHOULD ONE BE WRITTEN. ANOTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS, WE ARE A POLITICAL BODY. WE ARE A HUMAN BODY. REMEMBER, WE ARE LIVING WITH CRANES. WE ARE LIVING WITH POUND POUND. WE ARE LIVING WITH TRAFFIC. WE ARE LIVING WITH RAIN. WE ARE LIVING WITH MANY HUMAN ELEMENTS. MANY ELEMENTS WHICH ARE DESTRUCTIVE TO THE BEAUTY OF A WELL FUNCTIONING OCHSNER, THE BEAUTY OF A WELL FUNCTIONING NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S NOT JUST WE RESIDENTS AGAINST OCHSNER, IT'S US SAYING, YES, YOU'RE GREAT, BUT CAN YOU BE GREAT SOMEWHERE ELSE, PLEASE? >> HI, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS YVONNE CAPEL VICKERY. I GREW UP IN THE 100 BLOCK OF HULL STREET AND NOW OWN A HOME IN THE 400 BLOCK OF HULL STREET. AS MUCH AS OCHSNER HAS INVESTED IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE TO HAVE ALL INVESTED IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE CONTINUE TO DO SO AS WE HAVE CHILDREN, EXPANDS OUR FAMILIES, SUPPORT OUR AGING FAMILIES, AND SIMPLY SPEND MONEY HERE IN THIS PARISH. I THINK YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THAT THIS IS A REALLY, FOR ME, PERSONALLY, A TERRIFYING PROPOSAL TO SLOWLY WATCH THE ONLY NEIGHBORHOOD YOU'VE REALLY EVER KNOWN DISAPPEAR, BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY, THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN WATCHING HAPPEN. I WANT TO CONTINUE TO LIVE HERE. I WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES THAT I'VE HAD GROWING UP AND SHARE THOSE WITH FUTURE FAMILY MEMBERS. I REALLY JUST WOULD HOPE THAT YOU REMEMBER THE PERSONAL THINGS THAT ARE REALLY AT PLAY HERE. WE ARE NOT AGAINST CHILDREN GETTING CARE BY ANY MEANS. I WAS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER FOR MANY YEARS. I LOVE CHILDREN. I LOVE PEOPLE. WE DON'T WANT TO HOLD PEOPLE BACK FROM THAT. WE JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A COMMUNITY, TO HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME, AND TO BE A PART OF THIS PROCESS. MY OFFICIAL STATEMENT IS, I AM OPPOSED TO REZONING, BUT I WILL NOT STAND IN OPPOSITION IF A MODIFIED ENFORCEABLE CEA IS WRITTEN. I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR TIME AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. >> PARISH PRESIDENT, ESTEEMED COUNCIL, AND THE RESIDENTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU THIS MORNING. WELL, THAT'S THIS AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LISA LOOP. I AM PRESIDENT OF SUBURBAN TERRACE CIVIC ASSOCIATION. SUBURBAN TERRACE CIVIC ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS OVER 2,800 HOMES IN OLD JEFFERSON. WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST, BUT ABSOLUTELY THE ACTIVE CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS, AS MANY OF THE MEMBERS HERE, COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN TO OUR MEETINGS AND KNOW HOW ACTIVE WE ARE. I HAVE TWO POINTS. ONE THING IS THAT IT IS PROFOUNDLY SAD THAT THERE ARE SO MANY RESIDENTS HERE OF OLD JEFFERSON TODAY. IT SHOULD GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE BEEN BETRAYED. [02:30:04] NOW, I AM NOT NECESSARILY SAYING THAT THIS COUNCIL AND THIS PARISH PRESIDENT BETRAY US. BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS. OUR CIVIC ASSOCIATION HAS HAD OCHSNER COME TO SPEAK ON MANY OCCASIONS. EVERY TIME WE ASKED, WHY ARE YOU BUYING OUR RESIDENTIAL HOMES? WHY? WE WERE ASSURED EVERY SINGLE TIME WITH A NOTICE OF BETRAYAL. WE ONLY NEED THESE HOMES SO THAT OUR NURSES AND THAT OUR DOCTORS HAVE A PLACE TO STAY. WE'RE NOT TAKING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WE WOULDN'T DO THAT. WE'RE HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF THAT. I CAN TELL YOU AS A CIVIC ASSOCIATION LEADER AND PRESIDENT, HOW OUR BOARD FEELS AND HOW OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FEEL. WE FEEL BETRAYED, ESPECIALLY BY OCHSNER. EMILY, IF YOU WOULD NOD YOUR HEAD, HAVE WE ALWAYS SUPPORTED AND WORKED WITH YOU? HAVE WE? >> WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHERE. >> YES, WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER, AND WE HAVE SUPPORTED EVERY ENDEAVOR FOR THEIR EXPANSION UNTIL THIS ONE. WHY? BECAUSE THEY STOLE PART OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD? THEY STOLE IT. THEY MADE SURE THAT WHEN WE WERE SLEEPING AND TRUSTING THAT THEY HAD OTHER REPRESENTATIVES ON THIS COUNCIL CHANGE AND GET ZONING PASS THROUGH TO BOUND A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD BETWEEN TWO HOSPITALS. MY FIRST POINT IS NO, THAT SUBURBAN TERRACE CIVIC ASSOCIATION WILL NEVER, EVER SUPPORT THIS REZONING, BUT WE WILL SWALLOW IT. TO OUR ESTEEMED COUNCILMAN DEANO BONANO, MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU BECAUSE YOU WERE PUT IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION THAT WAS A NO WIN, AND YOU TRULY SHINED. YOU LISTENED TO US, YOU WENT OUT AND YOU SEEKED THE TRUTH, AND I HOPE THAT YOU CAN SEEK AND TELL THAT TRUTH TO OUR PARISH PRESIDENT AND TO ALL THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS SO THAT THEY KNOW THE TRUTH. THEY KNOW HOW THIS HAPPENED, AND THEY KNOW THE SITUATION THAT YOU WERE PUT INTO. THEY KNOW HOW MANY TIMES THAT PEOPLE YELLED AT YOU AND BLAMED YOU WHEN NONE OF THIS WAS YOUR FAULT, NONE OF IT. YOU HAVE STOOD BY US, YOU HAVE PROTECTED US. YOU WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE, HAVE CARVED OUT SOMETHING TO TRY AND SAVE OLD JEFFERSON. IT IS A SHAME THAT YOU WERE PUT IN THAT POSITION, AND IT WAS A SHAME THAT YOU WERE TREATED IN THE WAYS THAT YOU WERE TREATED. I DEEPLY RESPECT YOU, AND SUBURBAN TERRACE CIVIC ASSOCIATION RESPECTS YOU. WE WANT YOU TO CONTINUE ON YOUR MISSION TO STOP OCHSNER FROM STEALING OUR RESIDENTIAL HOMES. STOP OCHSNER FROM BETRAYING US BY TELLING US THINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE, BECAUSE THEIR EXPANSION WILL CONTINUE. I KNOW IT WILL, AND MAYBE NOT TOMORROW BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, AND MAYBE NOT FIVE YEARS FROM NOW. BUT THEY'VE ALREADY JUMPED ACROSS CAUSEWAY. THEY ARE IN MY SIDE. THEY HAVE THE NEW SCHOOL. THEY HAVE THE OLD KB OF THE RIGHT AD. THEY HAVE THE OCHSNER ON CLEARVIEW, THEY WANT OUR WHOLE AREA, AND THEY REALLY, REALLY AREN'T CONCERNED ABOUT THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE THERE. WHEN YOU GIVE ALL OF OUR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AWAY, THERE WON'T BE ANY RESIDENTS TO GO TO OCHSNER TO RECEIVE WHAT OCHSNER CAN GIVE. JUST A SIDE NOTE, MY BABY AT THREE MONTHS WAS PUT IN INTENSIVE CARE FOR A MONTH WITH A 10% CHANCE OF SURVIVAL. I SPENT A MONTH IN PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE AND CHILDREN HOSPITAL. IF YOU DON'T THINK THAT I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT MEDICAL CARE IS FOR ENTIRE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY OUR FUTURE, WHICH IS OUR CHILDREN, DON'T BE MISTAKEN BY THAT. THEY HAVE OTHER AREAS THEY COULD HAVE DONE THIS ON. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> TWENTY ONE MINUTES LEFT. >> HI. I'M MONICA CALLERY, [02:35:01] 222 HARDING STREET, OLD JEFFERSON. IT IS A MAGICAL, WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD. BEST USED TO LIVE THERE. SHE WOULD ATTEST TO THAT WE HAVE A WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD. I WANT TO FIRST ADDRESS A FEW THINGS THAT I HEARD OCHSNER SAY THIS MORNING. NUMBER 1 WAS OCHSNER TAKING CREDIT FOR HOLDING MEETINGS WITH THE COMMUNITY. WELL, I WILL TELL YOU, AS I KNOW, AS A WITNESS, COUNCILMAN, MISS D. SHE PRESSURED OCHSNER TO START THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS. SHE WAS THE ONE WHO STARTED. THE FIRST MEETING THAT THEY HELD, POSTCARDS WENT OUT TO HARDLY ANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WE PRINTED 400 FLYERS AND WALKED OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO GET ATTENDANCE TO THE FIRST COMMUNITY MEETING. THAT'S HOW MUCH WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT. OCHSNER DIDN'T FEEL IT WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T PUT THE WORD OUT. WE DID. WE WERE THE ONES THAT STARTED IT. ALSO, I'M HEARING ABOUT A CEA AND THAT OCHSNER WILL STOP BUYING UP OUR HOMES IF WE SIGN THIS CEA. EMILY, WE WENT TO COFFEE TOGETHER AND YOU TOLD ME PERSONALLY THAT OCHSNER WAS GOING TO STOP BUYING HOUSES ON THE EAST SIDE OF JEFFERSON HOSPITAL. NOW I HEAR THERE'S STRINGS ATTACHED. THAT'S ABSOLUTELY WRONG. WATER. OCHSNER WANTS TO BUILD BECAUSE OF INFRASTRUCTURE. WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF THINGS CHANGED AFTER HURRICANE IDA, BUT I COUNTED AT 1.15 WATER TRUCKS LINED UP TO BRING WATER INTO OCHSNER. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT WELL GOT DUG, MAYBE IT GOT DUG SOONER, BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE WERE WATER TRUCKS FOR DAYS BRINGING WATER TO OCHSNER. THE LEVEE. WE SPOKE TO THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS IN JULY. THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT ANY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LEVEE THAT OCHSNER HAD CONTACTED THEM ABOUT. THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I SEE THE PLANS, BUT THAT ABSOLUTELY HAS TO GO THROUGH THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS. THE POCKET PARK. THEY HAVE A CROSSWALK ACROSS RIVER ROAD. IF YOU LIVE BY RIVER ROAD, LIKE WE ALL DO, YOU DO NOT CROSS RIVER ROAD UNLESS THERE'S A TRAFFIC LIGHT. YOU'RE TAKING YOUR LIFE IN YOUR HANDS. I DON'T SEE A TRAFFIC LIGHT THERE AT ALL, SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED. TWO REASONS OCHSNER WANTS TO BUILD THE NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN THE PROPOSED LOCATION. WE ALREADY HAVE HEARD ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ONE, 12 MINUTES AWAY FROM OCHSNER IS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, NEW ORLEANS. THEY WANT TO GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH THEM, AND 12 MINUTES FROM THEM IS THE EASIEST WAY. WE SEE AN INDICATION OF THAT IN THAT OCHSNER HAS BUILT A KIDNEY CENTER RIGHT NEXT TO EJ. RIGHT NEXT DOOR. THAT SHOWS YOU HOW THEY WANT TO GO TO WAR WITH LCMC. IF THEY WANT TO REALLY BUILD A WORLD CLASS HOSPITAL IN JEFFERSON PARISH TO SERVE THE PARISH, BUILD IT IN THE CENTER OF THE PARISH. THERE'S A LOT OF AVAILABLE SPACE. THEY'RE BUILDING IT IN A CORNER OF THE PARISH. WHAT ABOUT WEST BANK? WHAT ABOUT METARY? WHAT ABOUT KENNER? THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES THEY COULD TRULY BUILD A WORLD CLASS HOSPITAL THAT WOULDN'T UPSET THE COMMUNITY. COUNCILMAN BANANO, YOU WERE THE TIP OF THE SPEAR IN TAKING THAT CARBUNCLE HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE PLACE CALLED STUDIO ARMS, AND IT WAS A HOTBED OF CRIME. YOU WERE THE REASON THAT IT NOW IS A BEAUTIFUL APARTMENT BUILDING THAT IS AN ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE VOTE WITH YOUR HEART. Y'ALL KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT. PLEASE VOTE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> I LOST MY TIMER. HI. MY NAME IS ALEXANDRA STROUD. I LIVE AT 219 HARDING. THE HOUSE HAS BEEN IN MY FAMILY SINCE IT WAS BUILT IN THE 30S, MY GREAT AUNT PURCHASED THE LAND, AND THE HOUSE WAS BUILT ON THAT LAND, AND I'M STILL LIVING THERE. I'M OPPOSED TO REZONING, BUT I WILL NOT STAND IN OPPOSITION IF A MODIFIED ENFORCEABLE CEA IS WRITTEN. THANKS. >> HELLO. NICOLETTE, WHERE I LIVE AT 224 BROOKLYN AVENUE IN OLD JEFFERSON. I'M A RECENT MEMBER OF THE OLD JEFFERSON CIVIC ASSOCIATION. I'M ON THE BOARD NOW, WHICH I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT. I JUST WANTED TO PUT ON THE RECORD THAT THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN FORMED FOR THIS REASON. AND THE ONLY I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE ASHNER COMMUNITY MEETINGS BEFORE THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION WAS REACHING OUT TO US IN THE COMMUNITY. I APPRECIATE DEEPLY THE WORK OUR COUNCILMAN HAS DONE WORKING WITH [02:40:04] ASHNER AND THE COMMUNITY IN THE CONCESSIONS THAT YOU'VE ALL HEARD ABOUT THE PARK, THE TRAFFIC, THE DRAINAGE, SIDEWALKS, AND LEVEE ACCESS. I INVITE EVERYONE IN THE ROOM TO CONSIDER THAT SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS OR ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS THAT WERE MADE BY THE COMMUNITY ARE NOT FOR ASHNER TO ADDRESS. THESE ARE PARISH ISSUES, THESE ARE COMMUNITY ISSUES. I THINK A VERY POSITIVE OUT OF THIS ENTIRE THING IS THE FORMATION OF OJCA, AND THIS IS NOT THE LAST TIME THAT WE'LL BE HERE IN FRONT OF YOU. I AM OPPOSED TO REZONING, BUT I WILL NOT STAND IN OPPOSITION WITH THE REST OF MY ASSOCIATION. THANK YOU. >> FIFTEEN MINUTES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. JUSTIN SCHMIDT, 1506 SEVENTH STREET, NEW ORLEANS. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF A CLIENT IN OPPOSITION. I LIKE TO FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE IT. IT'S HARD TO SPEAK AGAINST A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. NOBODY WANTS TO DO THAT. THIS LOOKS LIKE A GREAT PROJECT. NOBODY, I THINK IN THE ROOM WANTS TO SPEAK AGAINST THE MERITS OF THIS PROJECT. THIS LOOKS AS EMILY SAYS, TRANSFORMATIONAL. AXNER HAS DEFINITELY BEEN A MAINSTAY FOR THE GREATER METROPOLITAN AREA FOR YEARS. IN FACT, MY FOURTH CHILD WHO WAS BORN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2005, WAS DELIVERED AT OXNER, FROM UPTOWN AFTER GOING THROUGH GUARDS THE NATIONAL GUARD AT THE PARISH LINE AFTER KATRINA. WE DEFINITELY FEEL SOMETHING FOR OXNER. BUT OXNERS TODAY, NOTWITHSTANDING ALL THESE GOOD DEEDS AND THIS GOOD PROJECT, IT'S HAVING TO FACE A DECISION IT MADE AND REALLY A GAMBLE IT MADE 30 YEARS AGO WHEN IT STARTED BUYING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY ADJACENT TO IT, AND THINKING THAT, WELL, WE'RE JUST BIG ENOUGH AND WE'RE TOO BIG TO FAIL AND WE'LL ALWAYS GET WHAT WE NEED. BUT THERE'S BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THAT, AND ONE OF THE PROBLEMS ACTUALLY HAS BEEN SOME TRANSPARENCY. I'VE HAD A HARD TIME GETTING PUBLIC RECORDS ON THIS PROJECT, DESPITE GOING THROUGH THE RIGHT CHANNELS. I GOT THE LAST EVEN THE APPLICATIONS JUST AT 3:30 LAST NIGHT, YESTERDAY, DESPITE REQUESTING THEM TWO WEEKS AGO. THERE'S STILL THE TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS THAT THEY'VE REFERENCED THAT MR. BLITCH REFERENCED IT'S NOT BEEN PRODUCED. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY SHOULD HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT AND TO ADDRESS. THE OTHER THING THAT'S PROBLEMATIC, AND THE STAFF, THE PLANNING STAFF ACKNOWLEDGES IT IN ITS REPORTS IS THAT WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT A COMPLETE SET OF PLANS YET. OXNER HAS NOT SUBMITTED A COMPLETE SET OF FLOOR PLANS. IT HAS NOT, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING INTO THIS BUILDING, WHERE IT'S GOING, THE WAY IT'S GOING TO THINK. WE'VE GOT A VANILLA BOX, BUT WE DON'T HAVE EVERYTHING ELSE. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT'S IMPORTANT IS DR. RIDER SPOKE ABOUT OXNER SERVICING CHILDREN ACROSS THE GULF SOUTH, AND THAT'S PROBABLY TRUE. I WOULD THINK IT DOES. THAT INCLUDES A LOT OF HELICOPTER TRAFFIC AND ANGEL FLIGHTS AS THEY'RE CALLED. RIGHT NOW THE HELIPAD IS CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC BELT RAILROAD RIGHT AWAY AND IT'S OVER THERE AND IT'S SECLUDED. IS THERE GOING TO BE A HELIPAD ON TOP OF THIS BUILDING WHERE THOSE HELICOPTERS ARE GOING TO COME? THAT'S NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS. WHILE THE STAFF SAYS, THESE ARE JUST MINISTERIAL WAYS THAT WE HAVE TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT AND THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK TO COUNCIL, THOSE ARE BIG DEALS FOR NEIGHBORS. THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH MRS. ARADO USED THE TERM OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES WITH WHY IT HAS TO BE HERE. THAT'S CODE WORD FOR, IT'S CHEAPER THAT WAY. IT'S SHARED FACILITIES. THAT'S CODE WORD FOUR, IT'S CHEAPER THAT WAY. IF OXNER REALLY HAS THE COMMITMENT THAT AND I HONESTLY BELIEVE IT IS, I'LL COMMIT THOSE DOLLARS, BUT JUST NOT WHERE IT'S HURTING THESE NEIGHBORS. THEY'VE MADE JUST AS MUCH INVESTMENT IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD ON A PRO RATA BASIS AS AXNER HAS MADE IN THE COMMUNITY. AND NOW IT IS STEP BY STEP. LET'S GET A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME, THE CREEPY CRAWL OF EXPANSION. YOU'VE GOT A MASTER PLAN FOR A REASON. THAT'S YOUR MASTER PLAN. LIVE WITHIN IT. DON'T CONTINUE TO EXPAND IT. THERE'S NO SENSE IN HAVING A MASTER PLAN IF YOU CAN CONTINUE TO EXPAND IT OR AMEND IT. [02:45:03] AT SOME POINT, THIS COUNCIL. THIS ISN'T OX. I DON'T BLAME AUCTIONER FOR IT. YOU GRAB AS MUCH AS YOU CAN GET. BUT IT'S THIS COUNCIL THAT NEEDS TO STAND UP AND SAY, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. YOU'VE GOT THE LAND. YOU CAN DO IT ELSEWHERE. THANK YOU. >> JUST UNDER 11 MINUTES. >> I'M MORELLA 426 EAST SOIL DRIVE, FIFTH KENNA DISTRICT, I MEAN, FIFTH DISTRICT KENNA, FOURTH DISTRICT, UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON PARISH 52 YEARS. THESE PEOPLE OLD JEFFERSON ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THE EXPANSION. THEY'RE OPPOSED TO THE REZONING. THEY BUILT THIS COMMUNITY. THEY GOT TO LIVE IN IT. EXPANSION SHOULD NEVER COME AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DISPLACEMENT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THESE HOMES FOR GENERATIONS AFTER GENERATIONS. I'M GOING TO DO A QUOTE FROM THE ORIGINAL MOVIE WALKING TALL WITH JOE DON BAKER, 1973. WHEN HE TOLD THESE PEOPLE WHO WAS TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE COUNTY, YOU GIVE THEM AN INCH. THEY'LL TAKE THE WHOLE COUNTY AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY GOT A LEG UP ON IT ALREADY. THEY NEED TO BE PUT A STOP TO IT. THEY GOT NOT ONE PERSON IN THIS AUDIENCE WHO WAS NOT AN EMPLOYEE OF SN CAME UP HERE AND SUPPORTED THIS. THAT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING RIGHT NOW. EVERYBODY WHO'S OPPOSING IT ARE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO'S LOOKING AT WHAT'S GOING ON. RIGHT NOW, YOU NEED TO OPPOSE THIS AND PUT A STOP TO THIS RIGHT NOW. FOR THESE PEOPLE TAKE OVER ALL OF O JES. NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY'LL BE TAKEN OVER THE ENTIRE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY ALL THE WAY TO KENNA. ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. >> NINE MINUTES. >> MY NAME IS FRED MATHEWS. I LIVE AT 17 SHIRLING AVENUE IN OLD JEFFERSON. MY TAKEAWAY FROM THE JED CO REPORTS THAT THE GENTLEMAN REFERRED TO EARLIER, THE CONSTANT THAT I SAW WAS THAT QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING WAS THE THING THAT ATTRACTED EMPLOYEES TO JEFFERSON PARISH. THE TRAFFIC REPORT THAT'S BEEN REFERRED TO. THEY ONLY MEASURED THE TRAFFIC AT THE STOP LIGHTS. THEY DIDN'T MEASURE THE TRAFFIC THAT GOES OFF OF JEFFERSON HIGHWAY INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AT STREETS THAT DON'T HAVE A TRAFFIC LIGHT. BOTH THE PARISH AND THE STATE HAS NO IDEA HOW MUCH TRAFFIC IS GOING INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. I LIVE IN THE NORTH RIO VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD AND THAT'S A CUT FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO AVOID THOSE TWO STOP LIGHTS AND GET ON CAUSEWAY. LAST, I DON'T THINK THAT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL NEEDS TO BE BUILT HERE. THAT ASHNER HOSPITAL IN KINER HAS ALL PROPERTY AROUND IT THAT THEY COULD BUILD ON THAT DOESN'T GO INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I'LL TELL YOU WHY I THINK THEY'RE BUILDING IT HERE. THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY TALK ABOUT, WITH THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EXPAND THE CENTRAL POWER PLANT. THAT TELLS ME MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT CENTRAL POWER PLANT WAS BUILT WITH THIS IN MIND THE WHOLE TIME, AND YET THEY TELL US, WE HAVE NO LONG TERM PLANS. THANK YOU. >> SEVEN AND HALF MINUTES. >> I HAVE A PRESENTATION. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN GET IT ON THE DISPLAY. WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. THIS IS A PRESENTATION OF THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION. OUR HOMES ARE UNDER THREAT. I WANT TO SAY I LIVE ON COOLIDGE STREET. ASHNER DURING THE PANDEMIC STARTED BUYING HOMES ON COOLIDGE STREET. MR. J, WHO SPOKE AT ASHNER TOLD ME PERSONALLY THAT THEY ARE VERY INTERESTED AND ALWAYS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO ACQUIRE HOMES CONTIGUOUS TO THEIR PROPERTIES. WE ARE UNDER THREAT. IN OLD JEFFERSON, THE HOMES ARE BOUGHT BY ASHNER, OFTEN WITHOUT TRANSPARENCY, WITH NON DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS, IN THE ASSESSOR RECORDS, THERE ARE RECORDED AS 0-$10 SALES. HOMES ARE NEGLECTED, OFTEN SITTING EMPTY FOR YEARS, REZONING REQUESTS ARE MADE TO JEFFERSON PARISH, THEY ARE ALWAYS APPROVED, AND THEN HOMES ARE DEMOLISHED FOR HOSPITAL EXPANSION. ASNER ALWAYS SAYS, WE WANT TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, YET WE'RE CONTINUOUSLY THREATENED BY THE ENCROACHMENT INTO R1A RESIDENTIAL ZONES. YOU ARE VOTED INTO OFFICE. YOU APPROVE REZONING REQUESTS ALL THE TIME, BUT YOU LEAVE OFFICE, NOT REALIZING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS GETTING DESTROYED THROUGH THEIR LONG RANGE SECRETIVE PLANS. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF STORIES. IN 2018, 10 HOMES WERE REZONED AND RAISED FOR PARKING LOTS, A QUOTE FROM NOLA.COM. ASHNER OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY HAVE MADE NO PLANS FOR THE AREA BEYOND BUILDING THE SURFACE PARKING LOT, [02:50:03] AND THAT THE HOSPITAL SIMPLY WANTS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR THAT ADDS VALUE TO THE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CORRIDOR. NOW, SIX YEARS LATER TODAY, ASHNER WANTS TO DEMOLISH THE PARKING LOTS AND BUILD A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND OTHER STRUCTURES IN THEIR PLACE. THEY SAID THEY WOULD SAVE THE LIVE OAKS, WHERE THOSE HOMES WERE IN 2018, THEY'RE ALL DYING, EXCEPT, I THINK ONE. HERE'S A HOME THEY ACQUIRED 32 YEARS AGO. I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU SLIDE TO THE 10 HOMES THAT WERE REZONED AND RAISED IN 2018. THEY PURCHASED 32 YEARS AGO, 225 DECK BAR 229 DECK BAR. YOU LOOK AT THESE HOMES, NOTICE 24 YEARS FROM ACQUISITION TO DESTRUCTION. IT LOOKS LIKE A DUMP BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T MAINTAIN THEM; 233 DECK BAR, 237 DECK BAR, 241 DECK BAR. YOU SEE THE TREE CANOPY, TWO YEARS FROM ACQUISITION TO DESTRUCTION. ONE YEAR FROM ACQUISITION TO DESTRUCTION. MONTHS FROM ACQUISITION TO DESTRUCTION. THEY ACQUIRED THAT HOUSE, THEY CAME HERE, SAID, HEY, WE NEED REZONING, BOOM, WE'RE RAISING THEM. THIRTEEN YEARS FROM ACQUISITION TO DESTRUCTION. THIRTY TWO YEARS FROM ACQUISITION TO DESTRUCTION, AND WE GET HERE REPEATEDLY, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR. BUT NOTICE, THERE'S ELECTRICAL WIRES ALL OVER THIS HOUSE. THAT'S THE GOOD NEIGHBOR MAINTENANCE THAT WE GET FROM AKSHNER. THIS IS REAL EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE SEE EVERY DAY. NOW, TODAY, 31 HOMES ARE TARGETED FOR REZONING. THIS IS YOUR FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON IT. WE PAY PROPERTY TAXES, THEY DON'T. WE'RE YOUR CONSTITUENTS. LOOK, ASNER IS THE STATE'S LARGEST EMPLOYER THAT'S AN ECONOMIC ENGINE, AND WE NEED SOLUTIONS FOR US BOTH TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE. JEFFERSON PARISH ELECTED OFFICIALS ALLOW THIS SCENARIO TO PLAY OVER AND OVER AGAIN EVERY TIME REZONING IS APPROVED. OFTEN, YOU DON'T EVEN REALIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE STORY OUT. WE NEED TO TALK SOME MORE. WE NEED BETTER CONTRACTS, COVENANTS TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE GOOD NEIGHBOR BEHAVIORS AND STOP THE ENCROACHMENT. IT'S TIME FOR ASHNER TO RETHINK THEIR LONG TERM REAL ESTATE STRATEGY, AND EXPANSION OF THEIR MAIN CAMPUS INTO RESIDENTIAL AREAS. WE NEED TO SAVE OLD JEFFERSON, STOP THE ENCROACHMENT. WE'RE GOING TO LOSE A STREET, BETS AVENUE. WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS. NOW, HERE IS SIX OF THE 31 HOMES THAT ARE TARGETED FOR REZONING, 104 BETS ACQUIRED 26 YEARS AGO BY DEUTERON, WHICH WAS A PRIVATE REAL ESTATE COMPANY OWNED BY AXNER EXECUTIVES. THEN IT WAS SOLD TO AXNER IN 2002. IT'S TARGETED FOR DEMOLITION IN 2024. 120 BETS. THEY BOUGHT THIS HOUSE TWO YEARS AGO FOR $453,000, 108 IS A VANCET LOT WITH THE BIG BETS TREE, AND THEY BOUGHT THE HOUSE NEXT TO IT 34 YEARS AGO FOR $66,000. MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAPPILY LIVE IN THESE HOMES, ORDERLIES, FIRST YEAR NURSES, ADMINISTRATORS. LET'S SEE. HERE WE HAVE A HOUSE WITH MANY MAGNOLIAS. A THAT'S GOING TO BE TAKEN AWAY. THEY BOUGHT IT 1998 FOR IT JUST UNDER $100,000. HERE'S A MODEST HOUSE IN A GREEN SPACE. AGAIN, THEY WEREN'T MAINTAINING THE TREES OR THE HOUSE. THEY BOUGHT THAT. DUERON BOUGHT THAT IN 1992, 20 YEARS LATER, WHATEVER THE MATH IS THERE, 10 YEARS, THEY SOLD IT TO ASHNER FOR WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH. NOW WE HAVE THESE HOMES ARE ALL GOING TO BE DESTROYED, THOSE SIX PLUS THE 16 MORE OR 26 MORE FOR A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, A MULTI STORY PARKING LOT, A PARK TODAY, AND HOW LONG BEFORE AUSTIN WANTS TO TEAR ALL THAT DOWN AND BUILD BIGGER? WHAT WILL THEY BUILD IN OUR RIA VISTAS BACKYARD? TRAFFIC AND CAR ADMISSION, WALKABILITY, DRAINAGE AND FLOODING, THE LOSS OF GREEN SPACE AND TREE CANOPIES, AND BEES AND SUNSHINES, HAS REAL CONSEQUENCES FOR US ALL. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DRIVE DOWN RIO VISTA AVENUE, IF YOU WANT TO SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAINTAINING THEIR HOMES AND LOVE THEIR HOMES. WE REALLY NEED THIS PROCESS TO STOP. WE WANT YOU TO RECONSIDER AND REFLECT HOW THE SYSTEMATIC ACQUISITION, REZONING, AND DEMOLITION OF R1A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IMPACTS RESIDENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE JEFFERSON HIGHWAY CORRIDOR. I DO BUSINESS AT CREAN REHAB. I HAD THIS YEAR A $15,300 CONTRACT WITH RUBY ON CONSTRUCTION ON DAKIN TO DO SHORING OF MY HOUSE WITH OSTER SEVEN STORY PARKING GARAGE IN MY BACKYARD, BECAUSE I WANT TO BE THERE. BUT I CAN'T BE THERE WHEN THEY'RE BUYING HOUSES AND WE KEEP GETTING ALL THIS REZONING. IS ASHNER GETTING TOO BIG? LOOK, WE WANT ALL BUSINESSES TO SUCCEED IN OUR CORRIDOR, NOT JUST A BIG ONE, ALL OF THEM. IF YOU NEED US, YOU NEED YOUR SMALL BUSINESSES. [02:55:03] WE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER AND COLLABORATIVELY WITH JEFFERSON PARISH AND OSHNER, BUT IT STARTS WITH A GOOD AGREEMENT, SO WE'RE NOT FIGHTING THIS FIGHT AGAIN IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN ONE YEAR, FIVE YEARS, 10 YEARS, AND SO ON. THANK YOU. >> FRANKIE HIRES YOU OUGHT TO DEFER. YOU JUST OUGHT TO DEFER. JUST DEFER IT. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HEARD AND YOU DISENFRANCHISE THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD BY GROUPING THESE THINGS TOGETHER. I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE. ESSENTIALLY, YOU'VE GIVEN THE PROPONENTS 45 MINUTES SRAIGHT. YOU'VE GIVEN THEM 45 MINUTES TO OPPOSE. THEY'RE GOING TO GET TO REBUT FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES. WHEN I WATCH A CHOREOGRAPH PROPAGANDA MACHINE WHERE SOMEBODY'S GOT TO COME UP HERE AND CHANGE THE VISUALS, AND I'M LOOKING AT THOSE VISUALS. I'M A FILMMAKER. THAT'S WHERE I GREW UP IN HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA. I'M WATCHING JEFFERSON PARISH TURN INTO THE PLACE I LEFT 30 YEARS AGO. FIRST PLACE I LIVE WAS ON WEST FALK, RIGHT OFF OF JEFFERSON HEIGHTS AND BOYD, DO I LOVE OLD JEFFERSON. I LOVE OLD JEFFERSON. IT'S THE ONLY PLACE WHERE I COULD WALK AND GET SHADE. THE PEOPLE OF OLD JEFFERSON SAVED MY LIFE LAST YEAR. DURING THE MONTH OF JULY AND AUGUST, MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT. I WAS FALLING DOWN, AND THE PEOPLE BROUGHT ME INTO THE HOMES AND GAVE ME WATER. I GOT SEVERAL FRIENDS ON RIO VISTA DEFER THIS ITEM. UNDER THE PEOPLE'S TIME, THEY SHOULDN'T BE CUT OFF THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO REBUT WHAT OSTER IS GOING TO COME HERE AND SAY, AGAIN, IF YOU DIVIDED IT INTO THREE ITEMS AS IT SHOULD BE, THEY'D HAVE A CHANCE TO REBUT THE PROPAGANDA. FIGURE IT OUT. >> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT BY MY COUNT, 18 APPEARED IN OPPOSITION AND EIGHT APPEARED IN FAVOR TO RECAP THAT. OVER TO COUNCILMAN BONANO. >> BEFORE I COMMENT, MADAM PARISH ATTORNEY I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU ABOUT THE ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS AGREEMENT. FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS NO APPROPRIATION FOR THIS CONTRACT. THAT'S BALL APART LANGUAGE. THERE WILL NEVER BE AN APPROPRIATION FOR THIS, SO THAT'S NOT AN ISSUE THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE EVER ADDRESSED. HOW WOULD WE ENFORCE THIS AGREEMENT? >> WHAT DO YOU MEAN? IT WILL BE ENFORCEABLE, IT WILL BE EXECUTED BY ALL THE PARTIES. >> IF I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A HOME, WHAT WOULD WE DO? >> WELL, YOU MEAN WITHIN THE AREA THAT THEY'RE PROHIBITED? >> CORRECT. THE AREA COVERED BY THE AGREEMENT. >> WELL, THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO. >> BUT WE WOULD SUE THEM, WHAT WOULD WE DO? WE WOULD SUE THEM. AS A PARISH, WE HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD WOULDN'T HAVE. WE HAVE A WHOLE STAFF OF PARISH ATTORNEYS PLUS PRIVATE ATTORNEY. >> THEY WOULD BE IN A VIOLATION OF THE AGREEMENT. >> THEY WOULD BE IN VIOLATION. AS YOU HEARD MANY PEOPLE SAY, UNBEKNOWNST TO ME WHEN I RAN FOR THIS OFFICE FIVE YEARS AGO, I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE PROCESS TO GET US WHERE WE ARE TODAY WAS ALREADY IN PLACE, AND THAT THIS ISSUE WOULD TAKE ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN, BUT WHEN YOU TAKE ON A LEADERSHIP ROLE, YOU ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOU'RE CAN BE CRITICIZED AND SECOND GUESS BY THOSE WHO DON'T AGREE WITH THE POSITION OR DECISIONS. I'M OKAY. THAT'S WHAT ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE HERE FOR. IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, TO SAY THAT THIS ISSUE HAS DOMINATED MY AGENDA IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. I HAVE ATTENDED EVERY MEETING. I WAS ASKED TO ATTEND PUBLIC MEETINGS, I'VE MET WITH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS, I'VE MET WITH CIVIC LEADERS, PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS, OUR PLANNING STAFF, OUR LAWYERS, OCHSNER STAFF, AND THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM ALL OF THAT FOR ME WAS THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEEDS OCHSNER TO STOP BY THEIR HOMES AND ENCROACH IT INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. THAT WAS THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT I SET OUT TO ACCOMPLISH. IF YOU ALL REMEMBER SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, IT WAS JUST A LETTER THAT SAID WE PROMISE NOT TO BUY ANY MORE HOMES. THAT WAS A LINE ON A SAND FROM ME THAT SAID WITHOUT A WRITTEN AGREEMENT, AN ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENT THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BUY ANY HOMES, WE CAN'T GO ANY FURTHER. WE FINALLY GOT THERE WITH THAT ISSUE. WE WORKED A LONG TIME WITH OUR LAWYERS AND THEIRS TO GET TO THAT AGREEMENT, BUT THE AGREEMENT ALSO NOT ONLY PROMISES THAT THEY WON'T BUY HOMES, IT PROMISES THAT THEY WON'T MOVE THE HOTEL TO BETZ AVENUE. THAT'S IN THE AGREEMENT. THE AGREEMENT ALSO INCLUDES THE 30,000 SQUARE FOOT PARK AND THE SAVING OF ALL THE TREES WITHIN THAT 30,000 SQUARE FOOT PARK. THERE ARE OTHER THINGS IN THERE AS WELL. I PUSHED BACK HARD ON THE DRAINAGE. EVEN THOUGH THEIR ORIGINAL DRAINAGE PLAN WAS ACCEPTABLE, WE NOW HAVE 430,000 GALLONS OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE THAT WASN'T A PART OF THE ORIGINAL PLAN THAT WILL ACTUALLY STORE WATER DURING A STORM EVENT AND DELAY THE WATER THAT GOES ONTO THAT SITE FROM A RAIN FROM ENTERING THE PASSENGER DRAINING SYSTEM THROUGH PIPES AROUND IT DRAIN DOWN. IT'S A BETTER SYSTEM THAN WE HAVE TODAY. I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU ALL WITH RESPECT TO THE TRAFFIC CONCERNS, THE TRAFFIC STUDY DID NOT LOOK AT LOCAL STREETS, IT DIDN'T, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ALL DON'T KNOW THAT I [03:00:03] KNOW IS THAT THE OCHSNER AREA IS A SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, WHICH MEANS SOME OF THE SALES TAX GENERATED IN THAT AREA GO INTO A SPECIAL ACCOUNT TO BE USED TO PAY FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS SPECIFICALLY IN YOUR AREA. IT'S ABOUT $3 MILLION IN THAT ACCOUNT RIGHT NOW. I PLAN TO USE THAT MONEY TO HIRE A TRAFFIC CONSULTANT TO MEET DIRECTLY WITH THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION AND SAY, TELL ME WHAT YOUR CONCERNS ARE ABOUT TRAFFIC, AND USE THOSE DOLLARS TO DO WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO, TURNING LANES, TRAFFIC SIGNALS, WHATEVER IT IS THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD USES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THAT MONEY WAS DESIGNED TO DO, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M COMMITTING TO DO FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO ME COMING OUT OF THIS IS TO SHRINK OCHSNER'S CURRENT HOSPITAL FOOTPRINT. AS YOU ALL KNOW, ALL THE PROPERTY ON THE WEST SIDE OF DECKBAR FROM JEFFERSON HIGHWAY TO RIVER ROAD IS ZONED HOSPITAL AS WE SPEAK TODAY. I'VE MET WITH OCHSNER AND I'VE TOLD THEM, LOOK, I'M GOING TO CALL A ZONING STUDY, AND WE'RE GOING TO REZONE THAT, AND THEY'VE AGREED TO DO THAT. THEY'VE AGREED TO CHANGE THAT FROM HOSPITAL TO ZONING TO RESIDENTIAL ZONING, TO TEAR DOWN THE OLD DILAPIDATED LEVEE RUN APARTMENTS AND BUILD HOUSING FOR THEIR TRANSPLANT PATIENTS AND FAMILIES. EXCUSE ME ONE SECOND. THAT GIVES US THE ADDITIONAL CAPABILITY TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE ISSUES YOU'LL BROUGHT UP WITH ME. THAT IS THAT THE BACKYARDS BETWEEN THE LEVEE RUN APARTMENTS AND THOSE HOMES THAT FACE IS IT RIO VISTA, I BELIEVE, HAVE SOME FLOODING ISSUES BECAUSE THE WATER DOESN'T DRAIN. WHEN THEY GO TO REBUILD, PUT APARTMENT COMPLEXES, WHATEVER THEY WANT TO PUT THERE FOR THEIR TRANSPLANT PATIENTS, THEY HAVE TO PRESENT US A PLAN TO ADDRESS THOSE DRAINAGE ISSUES. CURRENT PARISH ORDINANCES REQUIRE THAT YOUR LOT DRAIN TO THE STREET, NOT TO THE REAR YARD. WHATEVER THAT'S REBUILT, THOSE REAR YARDS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO BE POINTED TOWARDS THE STREET, WHICH IS DECKBAR, AND NOT TOWARDS RIO VISTA. THAT GIVES US SOME ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS ALL OF THAT. THERE'S NO LIE THAT THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUE THAT I'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH IN THE LAST 4.5 YEARS OF MINE BEING IN OFFICE. IT'S A CHALLENGE I TOOK ON FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I PUSHED OCHSNER HARD TO GET WHAT WE CAN, BUT IT'S CLEAR TO ME TODAY AS IT WAS MONTHS AGO, THAT THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO EVER STOP OCHSNER FROM ENCROACHING THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS TO HAVE A WRITTEN AGREEMENT. THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE, A WRITTEN AGREEMENT THAT PREVENTS THEM FROM BUYING ANY MORE HOUSES. IT DRAWS A LINE IN THE SAND. WE'RE GOING TO SHRINK THE HOSPITAL FOOTPRINT. UNLIKE SOME OF MY PREDECESSORS WHO JUST KICKED THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, I'M NOT KICKING THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD. IT ENDS TODAY. WE HAVE TO PUT A STOP TO IT. THERE ARE RAMIFICATIONS FOR EVERY DECISION WE MAKE, BUT THERE ARE SOMETIMES EVEN BIGGER RAMIFICATIONS FOR NOT MAKING DECISIONS. THAT'S WHAT I'M NOT PREPARED TO DO, IS NOT MAKE A DECISION TODAY. IT'S FUNNY THAT I'VE BEEN ACCUSED BY SOME OF OUR BUSINESS LEADERS OF BEING ANTI-BUSINESS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT TOTALLY JUST ENDORSED OCHSNER'S PLAN, I'VE HAD CITIZENS ACCUSE ME OF BEING PRO-OCHSNER. I'M NEITHER OF THOSE. I'M PRO-JEFFERSON PARISH, AND I WANT TO SEE WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CITIZENS. I LISTENED TO YOU ALL. I HEARD YOU ALL WANT TO END OCHSNER GOING INTO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT, IS TO STOP THEM FROM GOING INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IS TO HAVE AN AGREEMENT. WITH THAT OCHSNER, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE BUILDING A NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, BUT WE'RE STOPPING THEM FROM ANY FURTHER GROWTH IN THE AREA AND SHRINKING THEIR FOOTPRINT. MR. CHAIRMAN, WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL ON ALL THREE ITEMS. >> HANG ON ONE SECOND BECAUSE WE HAVE TO VOTE ON SEPARATE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN HAS A QUESTION. >> JUST WANTED TO GET ONE CLARIFICATION BECAUSE I HEARD THE CIVIC FOLKS WHO SPOKE TO US TODAY, YOU KEPT REPEATING THE SAME THING. MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU HAVE TWO CONCERNS. YOU WANT TO SEE THE CEA, BUT YOU'VE SAID YOU WANT THE DURATION TO MATCH THE DURATION OF SECTION 5.1, AND YOU'D LIKE TO STRIKE THE BUDGETARY PROVISION BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT THE VULNERABILITY OF IF THE MONEY'S NOT THERE. I KNOW THERE'S NOT A BUDGETARY IMPACT, BUT WOULD THERE BE ANY REASON THAT WE COULD NOT STRIKE THAT LANGUAGE SINCE THERE'S NO MONEY CONVEYED AND MAKE SURE THE DURATION MATCHES SECTION 5.1? >> THE APPROPRIATION CLAUSE APPLIES. IN THE CODE OF ORDINANCE REQUIRES THAT ALL OF OUR CONTRACTS HAVE IT. IT NEEDS TO BE IN THERE AS PART OF OUR BOILERPLATE LANGUAGE AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE, BUT LIKE COUNCILMAN BONANO SAID, THERE'S NO FUNDING THAT'S A PART OF THE CEA. >> REALLY MOOT. >> IT'S A MOOT POINT. >> IT'S MOOT FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM. >> I FORGOT TO MENTION. I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP. I'M SORRY, MS. VAN VRANCKEN. THE TERM ACTUALLY MIRRORS THE HOSPITAL. IT SAYS VERY SPECIFICALLY THAT THIS AGREEMENT REMAINS IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS LONG AS THE HOSPITAL IS THERE, [03:05:03] ITS SUCCESSORS, ITS SUBSIDIARIES, ANY OF THOSE. IF THEY SELL IT, IT'S STILL IN PLACE. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> CORRECT. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> CAN WE SAVE BETZ AVENUE? THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR. THAT'S WHAT WE WANT. >> PLEASE REFRAIN FROM YELLING FROM THE BACK. THE 45 MINUTES WAS USED UP ALREADY OF PUBLIC COMMENT. COUNCILMAN BONANO WILL DO FIRST SUMMARY NUMBER 26339. IS THE FIRST ONE WE'RE VOTING FOR. YOUR MOTION ON THAT? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26339, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26340. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26,340, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. YOUR MOTION, COUNCILMAN BONANO ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26344. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26344, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR A SHORT RECESS. IF EVERYBODY IS AMENABLE TO THAT, CAN I GET A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> ANY OBJECTION TO A SHORT RECESS, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. WE'LL BE BACK BEFORE TOO LONG. THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND] ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR SEATS, WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED. WE'LL START BACK UP WITH NUMBER 7 AND A NOTE THAT THAT ITEM WILL BE DEFERRED TO OUR NOVEMBER 6TH MEETING. COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 7. >> I MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 7 TO 11/6/2024, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NOW, I'LL TAKE A FEW OUT OF ORDER HERE TO KEEP THEM GROUPED TOGETHER. ANY OBJECTION TO SUSPENDING THE RULES AND TAKING EIGHT AND 12 OUT OF ORDER? HEARING NONE, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ ITEMS 8 AND 12. THOSE IN FAVOR WILL HAVE 30 MINUTES TO SPEAK. THOSE IN OPPOSITION WILL HAVE 30 MINUTES TO SPEAK AS WELL. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26417, RE-SUB OF LOTS 1-A-1, 1-B-1 AND 1-E, BISSONET PLAZA SUBDIVISION ON LOT 1-B-1-A IN APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLAT OF SAID SUBDIVISION IN THE DEDICATION OF A SEWER SERVITUDE ES-54-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 4. SUMMARY NUMBER 26,419, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOTS 1-A-1, 1-B-1 AND 1-E, BISSONET PLAZA SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 3711 POWER BOULEVARD, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R-1A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO C-1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT TO R-1A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, AND EXPANSION OF THE C-1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT WITH THE CBZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE, EZ-11-24, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4. >> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBERS 26417 AND 26419. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> HI. MY NAME IS ASHLEY ROOT WITH DUPLANTIS DESIGN GROUP, LOCATED AT ONE GALLERIA BOULEVARD, SUITE 1,506 IN METAIRIE. ROS ARE SEEKING A RE-SUBDIVISION AND REZONING TO ALLOW FOR FUTURE PLANS OF ADDING EV CHARGING STATIONS AND POTENTIALLY A COFFEE SHOP. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE NEIGHBORS TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM TO RE-SUBDIVIDE THE SITE AND REZONE A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY AS C-1 WHILE LEAVING A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY AS A RESIDENTIAL TO PROVIDE A STRICTER BUFFER REQUIREMENT TO THE NEIGHBORING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. WHILE ALSO PUTTING A CPZ OVERLAY ON THE PROPERTY, WHICH HAS A STRICTER LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENT, AND WILL NEED TO GO THROUGH A PLANNING DEPARTMENT SITE PLAN REVIEW BEFORE PUTTING ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT ON THE PROPERTY. WE ASK THAT YOU APPROVE THIS RE-SUBDIVISION AND REZONING FOR THESE REASONS. >> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS BETH ABERMAN. I LIVE AT 6701 BLANK STREET. I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BISSONET CIVIC ASSOCIATION. WE'D LIKE TO SAY THAT THE BISSONET CIVIC ASSOCIATION HAS MET WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ROS, AND WE WANT TO THANK ROS FOR WORKING WITH US. WE BOTH HAVE MADE COMPROMISES, AND THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS THIS CHANGE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? >> [INAUDIBLE] IS NOT RISING IN FAVOR ON BEHALF OF THAT BISSONET AREA, BUT UNFORTUNATELY ALSO RISE IN OPPOSITION BECAUSE BY GROUPING ITEMS TOGETHER, AGAIN, YOU DISENFRANCHISE ANYBODY WHO WOULD OPPOSE ANY GROUP OF ITEMS. IN OTHER WORDS YOU MAKE IT SO THAT THEY CAN'T OPPOSE ANY REBUTTAL AND I [03:10:03] FIND THAT ABHORENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT. >> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THE TWO APPEARED IN FAVOR. ON APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26,417 FIRST. HANG ON. THERE YOU. SHOULD BE ON. OH, I HIT THE WRONG BUTTON. SORRY. >> IT'S OKAY. THE FACT THAT THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION AND ROUSES IS HERE TOGETHER JUST MAKES ME SO HAPPY. WE'VE COME A LONG WAY. THANK YOU GUYS FOR WORKING IT OUT. WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26417, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NOW YOUR MOTION ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26419. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26419, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NOW, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO SUSPENDING THE RULES AND [SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES & RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - VARIANCES] TAKING ITEMS 9 AND 15 OUT OF ORDER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ NINE AND 15. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26418, RE-SUB OF LOT H-1 AND H-2-A, SQUARE X, WESTGATE SUBDIVISION INTO LOT H-2-A-1 SQUARE X IN APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLAT OF SAID SUBDIVISION, ES-73-24, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4. SUMMARY NUMBER 26421, APPROVING SP-54-24, REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE AREA REGULATIONS AND LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REGULATIONS OF THE COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE FOR PORSCHE NEW ORLEANS LOCATED AT 8,900 VETERANS ON LOTS H-1 AND H-2-A, SQUARE X, WESTGATE SUBDIVISION, PROPOSED LOT H-2-A-1 SQUARE X, WESTGATE SUBDIVISION, AND LOT J SQUARE X, WESTGATE SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4. >> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBERS 26418 AND 26421. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. FAVOR AND OPPOSITION HAVE 30 COMBINED MINUTES TO SPEAK ON EACH SIDE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. PAUL WHITTINGTON, DDG. THE OWNER IS LOOKING AT COMBINING THE LOTS CLUBS MEN INTO TWO PROPERTIES AND TAKING AN OLD VACANT, WHAT USED TO BE THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND PUTTING IT BACK INTO COMMERCE WITH A NEW DEALERSHIP. IT'S PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE ON OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26418. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26418, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN NOW YOUR MOTION ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26421. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26421, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 11, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26396, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP, LOT A, TRUDEAU PARK LOCATED AT 212, TRUDEAU DRIVE, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R-1-A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO R-2 TO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, EZ-16-24, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4. >> WE NOW HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26396. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? SO MANY PEOPLE MOVING AROUND. IN THE BACK COMING, IN FAVOR? >> IN FAVOR. >> I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT YOU WERE WALKING OUT. >> I'M PETER KAY HILL, RESIDENT 126 WEST IMPERIAL DRIVE. I AM LOOKING TO HAVE THIS AS AN R-2 FOR AFFORDABLE LIVING. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT. WE ALSO PROVIDE PLANS. WHEN I DO GET IT APPROVED IF YOU GUYS ARE APPROVING THE PLANS THAT I HAVE FOR IT, IT IS SINGLE-FAMILY HOME RIGHT NOW AND LOOKING TO MAKE IT R-2 FOR AFFORDABLE LIVING. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS HEDRICK BOHM. I LIVE AT 8118 BURRUS AVENUE, AND I'VE LIVED AT THAT ADDRESS FOR 49 YEARS. THE AREA HAS ALWAYS BEEN ZONED FOR R1 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN THE AREA. THERE'S BEEN MORE THAN 50 HOMES BUILT IN THE AREA AS SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. JUST TO THE NORTH SIDE OF THE LOT THAT HE'S PROPOSING TO BUILD, THREE BRAND NEW HOMES HAVE BEEN BUILT IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, [03:15:04] AD ACROSS THE STREET, THERE IS ANOTHER SINGLE FAMILY HOME CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. TWO BLOCKS DOWN, THERE ARE THREE HOMES. TWO OF THEM HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND ARE NOW OWNER OCCUPIED WITH ANOTHER ONE UNDER CONSTRUCTION. AROUND THE CORNER, THERE'S FOUR BRAND NEW HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT, AND THEY'RE ALL SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. EVERYONE THAT I'VE TALKED TO IN THE AREA WANTS TO KEEP THE AREA AS A SINGLE FAMILY HOME, NOT A MULTI-FAMILY AREA OF HOMES. AND I BELIEVE THAT WOULD START DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF OUR AREA. EVERYONE IS MIDDLE CLASS, HARD WORKING, AND THEY MOVED TO THE AREA BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL VOTE AGAINST ANY MULTI-FAMILY HOMES OR TWO FAMILY UNITS BECAUSE THE HOME THAT WAS ON THE LOT THAT HE PROPOSED WAS A SINGLE FAMILY HOME THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNERS JUST COULDN'T AFFORD TO REBUILD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> I'M AL MARILLA 4260 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, 5TH DISTRICT KENNA, 4TH DISTRICT GUNN INCORPORATED JEFFERSON, 52 YEARS. I TOO I'M OPPOSED TO THIS REZONING R2, AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHY. I DIRECT THIS TO YOU, COUNCILWOMAN MOHANDAS SINCE YOU MY COUNCIL MEMBER ON THIS COUNCIL REPRESENTS 60% OF YOUR SEAT IS NORTH KENNA. ANYWAY, WE GOT A PROBLEM IN NORTH KENNA, WITH DEATHS IN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN R1. WE GOT MULTIPLE FAMILIES LIVING IN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES BACK IN KENNA THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY. WE GOT AN ORDINANCE ON THE BOOKS THAT PROHIBITS THAT, NOT ENFORCED. NOT ONLY THAT, IT OPENS UP THE DOOR FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS WITH THIS REZONING. WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM, COUNCIL WOMAN MEMBER IN KENNA. NOBODY WANTS TO ADDRESS IT. WE GOT ORDINANCE ON THE BOOKS, AND I TELL YOU JUST LIKE THIS YOUNG LADY JUST SAID, THE MORE PEOPLE YOU'VE GOT LIVING IN A HOUSE, THE GREATER THE CHANCES ARE OF A FIRE. OVERLOADING CIRCUITS, NOT REALIZING WHAT THEY'RE DOING. IT'S HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN KENNA. WE GOT AN ENTIRE VACANT GREEN SPACE THAT USED TO BE APARTMENTS ON VINTAGE, DID PUNCH TO THE GROUND. NOW WE DID REBUILD IT, IT'S GREEN SPACE NOW. PROBABLY THAT'S BETTER BECAUSE THE RIFF RAFT WE WAS GETTING IN THERE WAS UNBELIEVABLE. WE GOT RIFF RAFT THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF KENNA RIGHT NOW ALL OVER THE PLACE. TWELVE CARS PARKED ALL OVER THE PLACE. THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW THEY GOT MULTIPLE FAMILIES LIVING IN A SINGLE FAMILY HOME. I AGREE WITH THIS LADY. I RECOMMEND THAT WE OPPOSE THIS. WE DO NOT PASS THIS. YOU INVITE TROUBLE. BIG TROUBLE. WE GOT ENOUGH OF THAT GOING ON, KENNA NOW. ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS? ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, TWO APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNON IN YOUR MOTION? >> WELL, MR. CAHILL, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR MEETING WITH ME, AND FOR INVESTING IN THE AREA IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I HAVE HEARD AND SEEN YOUR DESIGNS. I'VE ALSO SPOKEN WITH MS. BOHM. I HAVE A PETITION SIGNED BY 30 OR SO NEIGHBORS, ALL OF WHICH I'VE VERIFIED. THEY HAVE ALSO GONE THROUGH THE EFFORT OF PHOTOGRAPHING EACH AND EVERY HOUSE AND DATING IT, AND HOW NEW IT IS AND HOW OLD IT IS. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD. I LOVE THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS IS SPOT ZONING, WHICH IS WHY IT WAS DENIED BY ZONING, AND IT WAS DENIED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD. BUT TO PRESERVE THE INTERESTS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND EVERYONE WHO LIVES ON THE SURROUNDING STREETS, I'M GOING TO MOVE TO DENY. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DENIAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26396? A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NOW, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING ITEM 68/69 OUT OF ORDER, [CONSENT AGENDA TWO (Part 1 of 2)] SUSPENDING THE RULES AND TAKING THOSE OUT OF ORDER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ ITEM 68 FIRST. WE'RE TAKING THOSE SEPARATELY, COUNCILWOMAN? ITEM NUMBER 68, FIRST. >> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENTS OF FINANCE, ACCOUNTING, AND THE PARISH ADMINISTRATION TO FREEZE THE $10,300,000 IN FUNDING HELD IN ACCOUNT NUMBER 44530 40077670 45325.108 FOR A PERIOD OF 45 BUSINESS DAYS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF [03:20:02] ROUTINE OR MINIMAL PAYMENTS NOT TO EXCEED $50,000. >> HOLD ON ONE SECOND, MADAM CLERK. BEST IS TRYING TO GET MY ATTENTION. WHAT DID I DO? HOLD ON. SHOULD BE OPEN NOW OR NOT? THERE IT IS. >> I APOLOGIZE. I DON'T THINK THAT WE DID ITEM NUMBER 14. >> NO, WE'VE JUST TAKEN THESE OUT OF ORDER. >> OH, OKAY. SORRY. I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO GET THROUGH ALL THE PLANNING ONES. I APOLOGIZE. >> IS IT EASIER FOR YOU IF WE TAKE 14 FIRST, AND JUMP BACK TO IT? WELL, WE'LL PICK UP ON 14. SEE WHAT SHE'S TRYING TO WORK OVER THERE. 68 WAS READ, COUNCILWOMAN VAN RIKEN. >> YES. >> LET ME GET YOU. THERE YOU GO. YOU JUST TURNED YOURSELF. YOU JUST METED YOURSELF. GO AHEAD. >> AND THIS IS AGENDA ITEM 68, SO 68 AND 69 ARE THE TWO ITEMS THAT I SPONSORED TO THE AGENDA. SIXTY-EIGHTY, AGAIN, I'M DRAFTING AND ASKING FOR A PAUSE OF 45 DAYS BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE SOME CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BUT CAN BE ADDRESSED. THERE ARE WAYS TO GET THERE. BUT IF THIS PROCEEDS AS IT IS, WE WILL NOT HAVE ADDRESSED THOSE THINGS. THIS IS A MODIFIED GRAPHIC THAT WAS PART OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S LETTER. I THINK IT IS CERTAINLY A CONFUSING THING TO UNDERSTAND, AND SO WE'VE TRIED TO ILLUSTRATE IT AS CLEARLY AS WE CAN. $10.3 MILLION OF FUNDING WILL COME FROM JEFFERSON PARISH AND GO TO JFI TO BUILD A BUILDING. THEN THE PARISH IS ALSO BRINGING LAND, WHICH WILL GO TO JRI AND THEN LEASED BY JFI AND $1 WILL COME BACK TO THE PARISH THERE. ESSENTIALLY, WHEN YOU BOIL IT DOWN, IN ESSENCE, THE PARISH IS EXPENDING 10.3 MILLION AND BRINGING A PIECE OF LAND THAT HAS A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR VALUE TO THE TABLE, AND IN RETURN, JEFFERSON WILL DIRECTLY GET $1. MY CONCERN IS ULTIMATELY, WHEN THE PARISH EXPENDS MONEY, IT CAN'T BE A PROHIBITED DONATION, AND SO ADDRESSING THAT WILL CERTAINLY BE A CONCERN. I GUESS, MY FIRST QUESTION AND WE CAN COME OUT OF THE SLIDE, BECAUSE THE FIRST ONE REALLY IS A LEGAL QUESTION TO ASK IN TERMS OF THE THE PROHIBITED DONATION. WE AS A PARISH HAVE TO PUT ON RECORD. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, THAT WE AS A PARISH HAVE TO PUT ON RECORD, THAT WHEN WE PUT OUT SOMETHING PUBLICLY, PUBLIC FUNDS AND PUBLIC LANDS, THAT WE GET SOMETHING IN RETURN OF EQUAL VALUE DIRECTLY. WHO DRAFTED, I GUESS, THE CEAS AND HOW IS THIS NOT A PROHIBITED DONATION? >> STARTING FROM 2000? >> NO. THE MORE CURRENT WITH THIS PARTICULAR WITH THIS PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT. THE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD THE LAND AND THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD THE FUNDING, AND WE CAN PUT THAT IN A CEA, BUT WE HAVE TO DOCUMENT THAT WE GET SOMETHING FOR THE TAXPAYERS OF EQUAL VALUE. >> THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS STATED, IT IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IT IS AN ECONOMIC ANCHOR IN THE CITY OF GRETNA, WHICH WILL SPARK REVITALIZATION OF ONE OF OUR OLDER STREETS, AND IT COMPORTS WITH THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN, WHICH WILL INCLUDE EVENTUALLY THE VIKING CRUISE SHIPS COMING AND DOCKING THERE. IT'S PART OF A BIG PROJECT, AND AS REPRESENTATIVE MARINO HAD SAID EARLIER, IT'S ALSO PART OF THE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECT. IT'S THAT PIECE. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION SUCCINCTLY, IT'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. >> THE PURPOSE IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BUT WHEN WE LOOK TO THAT CABELA TEST OF THOSE THREE PRONGS THAT WE HAVE TO SATISFY AS TO HOW THE TAXPAYERS GET SOMETHING OF EQUAL VALUE, WHAT IS COMING BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS? >> INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF THE AREA AND INCREASE IN THE PROPERTY TAXES. >> YOU FEEL LIKE THE CEA ADEQUATELY ADDRESSES EACH OF THOSE THREE PRONGS OF CABELA, AND THAT WE'RE NOT AT ANY RISK OF THIS BEING A PROHIBITED DONATION, BECAUSE FOR THE VALUE OF THE LAND, WE ARE STRUCTURED IN A WAY THAT WE GET $1. >> WE STILL OWN THE BUILDING, SO I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE DEAL BECAUSE WE STILL OWN THE BUILDING. WE'RE NOT GIVING AWAY THE BUILDING. THE PROJECT TURNS A PIECE OF ASPHALT INTO [03:25:01] A COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE THAT IS ATTACHED TO A GARAGE, WHICH WILL BE USED BY A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. IT'S PART OF A HUGE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECT, THAT'S PART OF AN ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION PROJECT, WHICH WILL JUMP START DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY OF GRETNA, AND AS THAT NEIGHBORHOOD GROWS IT INCREASES IN VALUE, THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH GET INCREASED PROPERTY TAX VALUE, A REALIZATION FROM THAT. I'M COMFORTABLE WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE PARISH DOES IT OFTEN, THE STATE DOES IT OFTEN. WE OWN THE BUILDING. WE'RE NOT GIVING AWAY THE BUILDING. >> I THINK IN THE MOST RECENT CEA, TONY, AND WE CAN CHECK THIS, I BELIEVE JRI OWNS THE BUILDING OR JFI OWNS THE BUILDING, AND WE WON'T GET THE BUILDING UNTIL 2046. >> NO. WHAT I THINK YOU'RE CONFUSING IS, WHEN THEY DID THE GARAGE, WE HAD TO RELINQUISH OWNERSHIP OF THE GARAGE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THE BONDS WERE UNDERWRITTEN AND WE TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE GARAGE, AND I BELIEVE IT'S 2029 OR 2031, SOMEWHERE AROUND THERE. BUT WE WILL ALWAYS OWN THE BUILDING, THE COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE. THERE IS A GROUND LEASE, BUT WE OWN THE BUILDING. >> I'LL RESERVE, I GUESS, GETTING TO THE FACTS WHERE I'M NOT SURE THAT IS CORRECT, BECAUSE AGAIN, I THINK WE'VE AMENDED THOSE LEASES SO MANY TIMES THAT WE ARE NOT ACTUALLY GOING TO OWN THE BUILDING ON THE FRONT END, AND THAT ACTUALLY WE WILL. >> IT WAS A GROUND LEASE. >> WE CAN GET TO SOME OF THOSE FACTS. I WILL SAY THAT IT APPEARS TO ME, FROM THE WAY THIS DEAL IS STRUCTURED, I THINK WE ARE AT RISK OF NOT HAVING VALUE RETURNING TO THE TAXPAYERS OF WHAT IS REQUIRED OF US, OF EQUAL VALUE IN RETURN. I CAN ONLY STATE ON THE RECORD A CONCERN ABOUT THAT. DID THE PARISH DRAFT THOSE DOCUMENTS OR DID SOME OTHER ENTITY? >> THE PARISH DID. >> THE CEAS. >> I KNOW JEDCO, AND I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE CHAMBER, BUT I KNOW JEDCO COULD PROBABLY SPEAK BETTER TO THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT THAT WILL ACCRUE TO THE PARISH AND TO THE CITY OF GRETNA, WHICH OF COURSE, IS A PART OF THE PARISH, IF THAT WOULD HELP ALLAY SOME OF YOUR CONCERNS. >> I THINK THEY'VE TURNED OVER DOCUMENTATION ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. BESS, IF YOU COULD OR BROOK, I KNOW THE NEXT SLIDE. I JUST WANT TO SHOW TWO MORE ON ITEM 68, BECAUSE I HAVE NOT GOTTEN AN ANSWER TO SOME OF THESE. THE NEXT IS THE LEASES. TWO LEASES CAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR. COUNCILWOMAN LIZBERG AND BOHANNON WERE NOT ON THE COUNCIL AT THAT TIME. THAT WAS A SPECIAL MEETING IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR. TWO LEASES CAME FORWARD, AND THE LEASES ARE STRUCTURED IN A WAY THAT HAS THE BREW PUB PAYING ZERO RENT, $1,000 TO RENT THE BREWING EQUIPMENT, AND 3% GROSS REVENUE, WHICH I'VE BEEN TOLD IS BELOW MARKET. THEN THE WAY THE LEASE IS STRUCTURED, THE REVENUE GENERATED BY THESE BUSINESSES DOES NOT RETURN TO THE PARISH, TO THE TAXPAYERS WHO BUILD THE BUILDING, BUT IT RETURNS TO THE MIDDLEMAN, TO JRI/JFI. WITH THE TACO LEASE, SIMILARLY, THERE'S ZERO BASE RENT AND 3% GROSS REVENUE BELOW MARKET, AND THE REVENUES FROM ANY TACO SOLD WILL GO TO THE MIDDLEMAN, NOT THE PARISH WHO'S BUILDING THIS STRUCTURE. WHO DRAFTED THESE LEASES? >> FOR PORT ORLEANS? >> WHO DRAFT DRAFTED THE LEASES THAT THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR? WHO WAS THE ACTUAL DRAFTER OF THE LEASES? >> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DRAFTED THE GROUND LEASE AND THE SUB LEASE TO JFI AND TO JRI. I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. >> IT'S NOT THE PARISH THAT DRAFTED THESE TWO LEASES. MR. COLVIN, I KNOW, IS IN THE AUDIENCE, DID YOU DRAFT THESE TWO LEASES? WHO DRAFTED THE LEASES? >> I DRAFTED ALONG WITH THE ATTORNEY FOR PORTE ORLEANS. >> COULD YOU JUST COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE? I'M SORRY, BECAUSE WE CAN'T HEAR YOU, AND THE FOLKS AT HOME CAN'T HEAR? >> YES. I DRAFTED ALONG WITH THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PORTE ORLEANS. >> NOT PORTE ORLEANS, BUT PORT ORLEANS RUING? YEAH, DIFFERENT. I DON'T WANT THE PORT COMING IN AND FEELING DRAGGED INTO THIS, ALTHOUGH WE ALL NEED A BEER AFTER THIS. YOU DRAFTED THESE TWO LEASES THAT CONTAIN NO BASE RENT, A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF REVENUE, AND THE REVENUE NOT COMING BACK TO JEFFERSON, BUT GOING BACK TO THE NON-PROFIT ENTITY? >> CORRECT. >> DID ANYONE FROM THE PARISH ON BEHALF OF THE TAXPAYERS REVIEW THESE, [03:30:05] AND AGREE THAT NO BASE RENT IN THIS PERCENT, AND THE REVENUE GOING ELSEWHERE. DID TAXPAYERS HAVE SOMEONE AT THE TABLE? >> I'M NOT SURE OF THAT. I BELIEVE IT WAS SO, BUT I'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND CHECK MY RECORDS. >> WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN AT THE TABLE FOR THE PARISH? >> IT WOULD HAVE BEEN PROBABLY A PARISH TRAIN'S OFFICE AND THE COUNCILWOMAN DEID. >> WAS THE PARISH AT THE TABLE SAYING, NO REVENUE IS OKAY, NO BASE RENT IS OKAY, REVENUE GOING ELSEWHERE IS OKAY. I ASKED THIS IN OCTOBER AND I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN AN ANSWER AS TO WHO, FOR THE TAXPAYERS, LOOKED THAT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA? >> I'D RATHER CHECK MY NOTE TO GIVE YOU THAT ANSWER. >> THANK YOU. >> OUR OFFICE REVIEWED THE LEASES. I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON ANY OF THE COMMERCIAL LEASES, BUT WE REVIEWED THEM, AND WE DISCUSSED IT WITH JEDCO, AND THAT IT WAS SUGGESTED BY THE EXPERTS IN THE FIELD THAT THIS IS REASONABLE AND WHAT THE COMMERCIAL WORLD DOES. >> WHAT EXPERTS? I GUESS, THAT'S REALLY PART OF MY PROBLEM, BECAUSE YOU SAID IT'S NOT OUR EXPERTISE, SO WHO HAD THE EXPERTISE? >> I THINK JEDCO'S EXPERTISE. >> I'M SORRY. >> I MEAN, THE PEOPLE AT JEDCO, MR. BOLANA, THAT THIS IS THE NORM, AND THIS IS WHAT COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES DO. >> JERRY, DID YOU ALL HAVE SOMEONE? I KNOW RAY CORNELIUS USED TO DO THIS. GOD REST HIS SOUL. WHO WAS THE EXPERT RETAINED TO LOOK AT THIS FOR THE TAXPAYER PERSPECTIVE TO MAKE SURE WE WERE GETTING A LEASE WE WERE COMFORTABLE WITH. >> I WANT TO BE CLEAR, JEDCO IS NOT PARTY TO ANY OF THESE AGREEMENTS. I ACTED IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY AND WAS AT THE TABLE. I THINK EVEN A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW THAT MARKET RATE IS PROBABLY IN THE 6-8% RANGE. >> WE WENT BACK AND FORTH AND ULTIMATELY, AS WE DO WITH LOTS OF INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS, THERE'S SOMETHING ON THE FRONT-END TO ATTRACT A COMPANY TO COME IN, AND THAT'S WHEN WE SETTLED ON THE 3% AT THE FRONT-END. >> JERRY, BEFORE YOU GO FURTHER, IF YOU DON'T MIND REAL QUICK, THAT 3% IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT IS FOR THE FIRST 30 MONTHS. >> THIRTY MONTHS. >> IT'S 30 MONTHS, AND IT'S NOT FOR THE DURATION. THEN IT GOES TO EIGHT. >> THAT IS CORRECT. I THINK WE KEEP SAYING THAT THERE'S ZERO RENT HERE, AND I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE BIT MISLEADING. IF THEY'RE PAYING ZERO BASE RENT, THAT MEANS THEY HAVE NO SALES, WHICH MEANS THE BUSINESS IS PROBABLY OUT OF BUSINESS AT THAT POINT ANYWAY. THAT 3% IS PEGGED TO THEIR SALES, BUT ON THE FIRST 30 MONTHS. >> BUT IF THEY ARE DARK OR IF THEY'RE NOT DOING WELL, WE HAVE NO BASE RENT, CORRECT? >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE WORLD IS A SPECIALTY. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT WE DID NOT HAVE SOMEONE WHO SPECIALIZES IN COMMERCIAL LEASES, LOOK AT THIS ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH TO MAKE SURE WE WERE COMFORTABLE WITH THE TERMS. >> MY PART IN THIS WAS JUST ADVISING ON SOME OF THOSE TERMS. I DID NOT REVIEW IT FOR LEGAL, I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY. MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE IN THE ROOM THAT'S NOT AN ATTORNEY, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PART THAT I PLAYED IN THIS. I ASSUME THAT THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS REVIEWED IT FOR LEGALITY. >> WE DID. >> OR THOSE LEGAL. >> FOR LEGALITY, BUT NOT FOR THE TERMS, AND I GUESS THAT'S REALLY PROVING MY POINT. IF YOU ARE NEGOTIATING SOMETHING FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES, FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, THAT IS WHERE THAT EXPERTISE COMES IN. IF JEDCO DID NOT RETAIN SOMEONE TO LOOK AT IT FROM THE COMMERCIAL LEASE PERSPECTIVE, AND IF THE PARISH ATTORNEY DIDN'T LOOK AT IT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, THEN REALLY THIS DISCUSSION LEADS TO THE CONCLUSION THAT NO ONE ON BEHALF OF THE TAXPAYERS, REVIEWED IT BEYOND LEGALITY. WE HAVE NOT REVIEWED IT FOR THE TERMS AND THE DEAL THAT OUR TAXPAYERS GET. THE REASON THAT'S IMPORTANT, AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AT THE LAST JEDCO MEETING. I'M NOT A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY. I DON'T THINK ANY OF US UP HERE WHO ARE LAWYERS ARE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ATTORNEYS. IT IS A SPECIALTY, AND SO ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS IN METAIRIE WILL UNDERSTAND, AND OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL UNDERSTAND HOW MANY EMAIL HAVE WE GOTTEN OVER THE YEARS THAT COMPLAINS ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE KMART ON VETERANS IS EMPTY, IS VACANT. THAT SITS VACANT BECAUSE OF A MISSING PROVISION IN A COMMERCIAL LEASE THAT SAYS, [03:35:03] THE PROPERTY CAN GO DARK AND THE LEASEHOLDER CAN REALLY EXTORT YOU AND HOLD YOU OVER A BARREL AND KEEP IT DARK UNTIL YOU COME UP WITH ENOUGH MONEY FOR THEM TO LET A USE BE IN THERE. MY APPRECIATION IS THIS LEASE, AS WE SIT, IF WE DO NOT PAUSE AND AMEND IT, WILL HAVE THE SAME STRUCTURE AS THAT KMART LEASE, WHERE IF THESE BUSINESSES FAIL, THEY HOLD THE PARISH OVER A BARREL AND CAN KEEP IT DARK UNTIL WE COME UP WITH ENOUGH TO GET THEM OUT. THAT MISSING PROVISION IS SOMETHING THAT AN EXPERT COULD HAVE WARNED US, BUT IF YOU DIDN'T, THE PARISH ATTORNEY DIDN'T, IF NO ONE WAS RETAINED ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A MISSING PROVISION AND A RISK IN THESE CONTRACTS. YOU KNOW THAT THAT'S NOT IN THERE. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AT THE JEDCO MEETING. >> AGAIN, I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY, SO I DON'T WANT EVEN PRETEND TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE OR AGREE TO THAT. >> I'M JUST REALLY TRYING TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WHEN PEOPLE SAY, WHY A PAUSE, I'M NOT TRYING TO DELAY THE PROJECT. I'M TRYING TO TAKE A FINITE AMOUNT OF 45 DAYS, WHICH I DON'T THINK IS AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, BECAUSE IF RIGHT NOW, THE TAXPAYER GETS THE ANSWER THAT NO ONE LOOKED AT THIS FOR THEIR BENEFIT OR THEIR PERSPECTIVE, AND WE HAVE PROVISIONS THAT WE HAVE JUST NOW PUT ON THE RECORD THAT PUT THE PARISH AT RISK, HOW DO WE NOT SAY, LET'S JUST TAKE A FEW DAYS. LET'S MAKE SURE WE NEGOTIATE THIS WITH AN EXPERT ON BOARD TO TAKE THOSE RISKS OUT AS ANYONE IN BUSINESS WOULD DO. WHEN YOU SAY WHY THE PAUSE, THAT IS WHY THE PAUSE SO THAT WE AS STEWARDS OF THE PARISH, CAN REMOVE THE RISK THAT WE HAVE SEEN PLAY OUT IN OUR COMMUNITY ON VETERANS, ON A CORRIDOR THAT'S PRETTY FRONT AND CENTER. THANK YOU, AND THE LAST, I GUESS, IS JUST THIS, THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT WHO GIVES WHAT, THIS WOULD BE MY OTHER REASON FOR A PAUSE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THE WAY THAT THIS IS STRUCTURED, THE ENTITIES THAT ARE BRINGING SOMETHING FORWARD, AND THIS IS SPECIFIC TO THE BREW PUB. LET ME SAY THIS IS ONLY AS RELATED TO THE TAX DOLLARS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CITIZENS. THIS IS NOT ADDRESSING THE LARGER SCOPE OF WHAT REP MARINO TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. THIS IS ONLY THE BUILDING THAT TAXPAYER FUNDS WILL BUILD. THE PARISH WILL BRING THE LAND TO THE TABLE, AND FOR THAT LAND LEASE, WE GET A DOLLAR. THE PARISH WILL BRING THE FUNDING TO THE TABLE, AND YOU COULD SAY WE GET A BUILDING. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE BUILDING AND SPEND MONEY ON THE BUILDING, BUT LET'S SAY WE'LL GET A BUILDING AND I GIVE YOU THAT. LOUISIANA, FOR THE BREW PUB, IS NOT BRINGING ANYTHING TO THE TABLE. THEY WILL BE PAYING FOR OTHER PROJECTS, BUT IN TALKING TO OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS DEPARTMENT, STATE MONIES WILL NOT GO TO THIS BUILDING, BUT THE STATE WILL GET MONEY BACK IN SALES TAXES, AND THESE ARE JEDCO'S ESTIMATES, SO I'M NOT MAKING THESE NUMBERS UP. THESE COME STRAIGHT FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION PRESENTED TO US, AND WE NOTED THAT AT THE BOTTOM. GRETNA WILL BE PUTTING MONEY INTO OTHER PROJECTS, THE KIOSK. WAYFINDING KIOSK, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA, BUT NO MONEY DIRECTLY AS THIS SITS NOW. NO MONEY WILL COME FROM GRETNA TO HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME IN THIS BUILDING, BUT GRETNA WILL BENEFIT $2.3 MILLION IN SALES TAX ESTIMATES. SAME WITH JFI, JFI DOESN'T PUT ANYTHING DIRECTLY, BUT WILL GET, FROM THE REVENUE THAT WE HAVE STRUCTURED, THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY. PLEASE UNDERSTAND. I KNOW IT'S EASY TO SAY, OH, IT'S ANTI-BREW PUB, I'M A FAN OF TACOS AND BEERS, BUT I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT MAYBE IT'S BETTER STRUCTURED THAT EVERYONE HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME THAT WILL BENEFIT AND THE PAUSE IS MERELY TO RESTRUCTURE SO THAT THIS CHART LOOKS MORE FAIR. THIS CHART LOOKS LEGAL IN TERMS OF PUTTING IN AND GETTING BENEFIT. THAT IS THE ONLY ASK AS TO WHY THE PAUSE, AND I THINK WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT IN 45 DAYS. IT'S A MATTER OF RESTRUCTURING, AND I THINK WE HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO DO THAT BECAUSE THESE TERMS ARE WHOLLY WITHIN OUR CONTROL, AND SO THAT IS WHY THE ASK AS TO RESTRUCTURING, SO THAT THIS CHART LOOKS DIFFERENT AND THE BENEFIT IS GOING TO THE ONES PUTTING THE MONEY IN. I'LL SAY IT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT HIM TO GET MAD AT ME, THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN WHO EMAILED ME, AND WE CAN COME OUT OF THIS GRAPHIC, A GENTLEMAN WHO EMAILED ME FROM WESTWEGO, AND HE SAID, LOOK, MAYBE THE FASTEST THING IS, IF THE STATE AND THE CITY CAN AGREE THAT THE FIRST $10 MILLION IN SALES TAXES COLLECTED, [03:40:04] HE HOPES IT WAS GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THAT MONEY COULD BE CAPTURED AND GO BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS. THEN AFTER THAT AMOUNT IS PAID BACK, ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING ABOVE THAT AMOUNT COULD GO TO GRETNA AND THE STATE. THAT WAS A TAXPAYER SUGGESTION TO WHICH I'M NOT OPPOSED. AGAIN, THAT IS THE LOGIC BEHIND ASKING FOR A FINITE PAUSE OF 45 DAYS TO RENEGOTIATE SOME OF THESE THINGS SO THAT'S MORE DIRECT GIVE AND MORE DIRECT BENEFIT BACK. >> MR. CHAIRMAN. >> ONE SECOND. UNMUTE YOURSELF, AND YOU'LL BE GOOD TO GO. >> I DON'T SEE ANY REASON FOR A PAUSE. >> UNMUTE YOUR BUTTON. >> WE CAN'T HEAR YOU, MAN. >> UNMUTE YOURSELF ON THE CORNER THERE. THERE YOU GO. >> I SEE NO REASON FOR A PAUSE HERE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW. OUR PARISH ATTORNEY WENT OVER ALL OF THESE PAPERS VERY CAREFULLY AND APPROVED WHAT WAS THERE. IT IS OF SOME URGENCY TO GET THIS DONE AND GET IT GOING DOWN THE ROAD TO COMPLETION. I SEE NO REASON THAT WE SHOULD PAUSE THIS AT ALL. IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS, WE CAN DO IT WITHOUT PAUSING IT. >> I RESPECT YOUR THOUGHTS, COUNCILMAN. I SAW RYAN BABCOCK WALK OUT. HE'S IN CHARGE OF OUR FACILITIES. I'LL HAVE HIM CHECK THIS IF THIS IS NOT CORRECT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE JUST MOVED $800,000 BECAUSE WE HAVE TO RELOCATE A CHILLER. WE HAVE TO RELOCATE CERTAIN UTILITIES BEFORE ANY OF THIS CAN PROCEED. I SEE RYAN THERE. RYAN, I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT CHILLERS. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT RELOCATING UTILITIES. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE $800,000 THAT THE PARISH MOVED TO BE ABLE TO RELOCATE UTILITIES SO THAT WE CAN PROCEED IN THE CONSTRUCTION, HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE CONSTRUCTION TAKES PLACE. I'M GOING TO TRUST YOU ON THAT BECAUSE AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS TO MOVE THE UTILITIES FOR THE CHILLER. HOW LONG WILL THAT TAKE AND HAVE WE BEGUN THAT PROCESS? >> YEAH, WE'VE BEGUN THE PROCESS. >> MOVE THE MICROPHONE TOWARDS YOU, PLEASE, RYAN. >> WE HAVE BEGUN THE PROCESS. IT IS OUT FOR BID. GO THROUGH THE BIDDING PROCESS UNTIL IT'S AWARDED. >> WE HAVEN'T YET ACCEPTED A BID. IT'S GOING TO BE BID OUT, SO WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE BIDDING PROCESS, WHICH IS, THREE MONTHS? >> NO. PROBABLY ABOUT 30 DAYS, 45 DAYS, AND THEN TO GET THE WORK COMPLETED, PROBABLY ANOTHER MONTH AND A HALF. >> SO WE'RE LOOKING AT A 3-4-MONTH PERIOD? >> YES, MA'AM. >> I WOULD HUMBLY SUGGEST, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS. AGAIN, I KNOW THIS IS YOUR PROJECT, AND IF YOU DO NOT SHARE THE CONCERN, I RESPECT THAT AS WELL. CONSIDERING WE KNOW THAT OUR CONSTRUCTION CANNOT BEGIN FOR A PERIOD OF 3-4 MONTHS, CAN WE AGREE TO THE 45-DAY PAUSE SINCE THAT'S ACTUALLY BUILT IN? BECAUSE MY CONCERN IS IF THE 10 MILLION IS DRAWN DOWN UPON BEFORE THESE ITEMS ARE FIGURED OUT, IT WILL BE HARDER, I BELIEVE, TO GET IT BACK INTO OUR BANK ACCOUNT. >> WELL, I DON'T WANT TO PAUSE THIS. WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS. WE NEED TO GET THE CONTRACTS NEGOTIATED BECAUSE PRICES ARE GOING UP EVERY DAY. WE DON'T NEED TO MAKE THIS PROJECT COST MORE THAN IT NEEDS TO, AND I DON'T THINK A PAUSE IS NECESSARY. I'M PERFECTLY WILLING TO HAVE PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, BUT WITHOUT PAUSING THE JOB. >> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN GO AHEAD AND THEN COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG. >> IF YOU COULD PUT UP THAT LAST SLIDE AGAIN FOR ME, PLEASE. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT GRETNA IS LISTED HERE AS RECEIVING OVER $2.3 MILLION IN ESTIMATED SALES TAX. GRETNA IS LOCATED IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND I REPRESENT A HUGE MUNICIPALITY AS WELL. WHEN MY MUNICIPALITY IS SUCCESSFUL, MY WHOLE PARISH IS SUCCESSFUL. I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS THIS INSISTENCE THAT WE CARVE OUT GRETNA AS IF IT'S NOT PART OF OUR WHOLE. IT IS PART OF OUR WHOLE. WE HAVE TO HELP THEM BE SUCCESSFUL. LISTEN, I HAVE A LOT OF ENVY WITH GRETNA, BECAUSE I WANT PARTS OF KENNER TO LOOK LIKE THAT. WHEN YOU DRIVE DOWN DOWNTOWN GRETNA, AND ANYONE WHO WENT TO THE GRETNA FEST, IT'S BEAUTIFUL WHAT THEY'VE DONE. IT HAS TAKEN THEM 20 YEARS. I THINK JOE MARINO HAD MENTIONED THAT IN 2001 WAS THE FIRST EFFORTS TO DO THIS PROJECT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 20 YEARS AND THE RESULTS ARE SHOWING. [03:45:03] TO CARVE OUT GRETNA AND SAY THAT THEY HAVE TO PAY US BACK, IT'S LIKE MAKING YOUR MOM PAY YOU BACK. THEY'RE PART OF OUR FAMILY. STOP CARVING THEM OUT. STOP TRYING TO SEPARATE THEM. IF THE ARGUMENT IS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE HAD SOMEONE BETTER NEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT. WE SHOULD HAVE HAD AN EXPERT IN LEASES AND COMMERCIAL LEASES NEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT. THAT'S A GREAT ARGUMENT. IT'S TRUE. THE TIME TO HAVE DONE THAT WAS BEFORE WE ENTERED THE CONTRACT. YOU'RE RIGHT, I WASN'T HERE. THIS HAPPENED A YEAR AGO. THE TIME TO ASK THOSE VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO YOU WAS BEFORE YOU VOTED SEVEN TIMES. NOW, WHAT YOU'RE ASKING US TO DO BY HITTING PAUSE, IS OPENING US UP TO LIABILITY AND ADDITIONAL LAWSUITS. WE JUST GOT OUT OF A BIG LAWSUIT WITH EAT FAT CITY. I'M NOT WILLING TO VOTE TO RISK THIS PARISH ANYMORE. I'M NOT WILLING TO VOTE TO RISK US GETTING INTO ANOTHER LAWSUIT BECAUSE WE ARE RENEGING ON A CONTRACT THAT ALREADY EXISTS. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED BEFORE. MAYBE WE USE THIS AS A LEARNING TOOL. MAYBE GOING FORWARD, WE TRY TO BE A LITTLE MORE CAREFUL IN OUR NEGOTIATIONS. I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T KNOW WHO WAS THERE, BUT I KNOW WHAT WE DON'T DO IS TRY TO BACK OUT OF A CONTRACT THAT EXISTS. BEFORE I MOVE ON, MR. MARINO, WOULD YOU MIND COMING UP? I WANT TO ASK YOU SOMETHING. COULD YOU PUT UP THE FIRST SLIDE? THERE'S THIS ONGOING THING THAT THE PARISH ONLY GETS A DOLLAR. CAN YOU GIVE US SOME INSIGHT. UNLESS THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD BETTER EXPLAIN THAT. >> I'M REALLY SHOCKED THAT WE KEEP PUTTING THESE THINGS UP AGAIN WITH THIS FALSE INFORMATION THAT WE'VE ALREADY SHOWN YOU IS NOT RIGHT. ON THE FIRST SLIDE, THAT'S NOT THE FIRST. WHERE'S THE SLIDE THAT SAYS IT? >> I CAN'T GO BACK TO THE FIRST SLIDE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T LET ME GO BACK. WAIT, MAYBE IT'S. >> WHILE SHE'S PULLING IT UP, THAT WE ARE GETTING A DOLLAR. FIRST IT SAYS WE'RE GIVING LAND, WHICH IS PART OF THE DONATING LAND. INCORRECT, FALSE, NO GIVING LAND, NO DONATING ANYTHING. THIS IS THE LOCAL MATCH IN THE PROJECT. THEN YOU EARN A DOLLAR. YOU SPEND 10 MILLION AND YOU GET 28 MILLION WORTH OF REAL ESTATE. YOU SPEND $10 MILLION ON THE MATCH, YOU GET THE WHOLE THING, WHICH IS THE PARKING COMPLEX, THE COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE. THE REAL ESTATE ALONE, IT'S $28 MILLION WORTH OF INVESTMENT, THE PARISH OWNS. YOUR STATEMENT ABOUT WE DON'T OWN IT UNTIL THIS OTHER LAND, THAT'S WRONG, IT'S INCORRECT. WHAT IT IS, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OTHER GARAGE THAT JFI WAS INVOLVED IN, IN MIXING THINGS AND CONFUSING THINGS. YOU PUT UP A SLIDE AGAIN THAT SAYS RENT IS ZERO. RENT IS NOT ZERO. RENT IS 3% OF THE GROSS FOR 30 MONTHS IN RECOGNITION OF THE $2.5 MILLION THAT THE PORT ORLEANS IS GOING TO PUT INTO THE PROJECT. THAT'S THE INCENTIVE. THEN IT SWITCHES TO 6% FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CONTRACT. IT'S IN THE CONTRACT, AND THAT IS MARKET RATE. THERE'S NO SWEETHEART DEAL HERE. IN THIS LEASE, WAS APPROVED BY THIS COUNCIL IN OCTOBER, 6-0. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DEBATING RIGHT NOW. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED. YOU'RE RIGHT. IF WE DO SAY PORT ORLEANS, WE'RE BACKING OUT OF THE AGREEMENT NOW. WHY? >> PUT YOUR OTHER SLIDE, WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE FOR ME, PLEASE. YOU EARN A DOLLAR. NO, YOU EARN REAL ESTATE. THE NEXT ONE, BREWPUB LEASE RENT FREE. IT'S NOT FREE. IT'S 3% THEN 6%. THAT IS THE RENT. THAT IS MISLEADING. SAME THING, TACO LEASE, FREE. IT'S NOT FREE. BUT HERE'S ANOTHER THING THAT WE'RE MISSING. WHEN YOU BUILD THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OTHER GARAGE IS THAT WE HAVE A NOTE ON THAT. WE HAVE BONDS WE'RE PAYING ON THAT. WE HAVE INTEREST WE'RE PAYING ON THAT. ONCE WE PUT UP THIS $10 MILLION. WE OWN THIS BUILDING, AND I SAY WE MEANING, JEFFERSON PARISH. WE OWN IT. THERE IS NO NOTE. THE MONEY THAT COMES TO JFI GOES FOR OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THAT BIG COMPLEX. THEN THE OTHER MONEY THAT'S COLLECTED AS RENT CAN GO THROUGH JFI TO WEST BANK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. JFI IS NOT SOME FREE-FLOATING ORGANIZATION WE'RE GIVING MONEY TO. IT'S A BOARD APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL. THAT HAS RULES THAT THEY FOLLOW AND THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON THE WEST BANK. [03:50:02] YOU COLLECT RENT, IF YOU HAVE MONEY OVER OPERATIONAL, IT GOES TO ANOTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROCESS PROJECT ON THE WEST BANK. HOW ARE YOU SAYING WE GET ZERO? >> WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT THE RENTS COLLECTED BY THE NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION, I THINK IT'S A NONPROFIT? >> YES. >> THAT MONEY IS MANDATED TO BE SPENT ON THE WEST BANK ANYWAY? >> YES. >> EVEN THOUGH THE PARISH IS COLLECTING ZERO OR COLLECTING ONE DOLLAR, IT'S REALLY NOT BECAUSE WHATEVER THAT CORPORATION COLLECTS MUST BE SPENT ON THE WEST BANK FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SO WE'RE STILL RECEIVING THE BENEFIT OF IT. >> STILL RECEIVING THE BENEFIT. WE'RE NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT MAYBE 55 JOBS. HOW DO YOU LOOK AT TURNING A PARKING LOT INTO THIS GIANT STRUCTURE THAT THE PARISH FULLY OWNS AND SAY, WE'RE GETTING THE SHORT END OF THIS DEAL? >> THANKS. THAT EXPLAINS IT. THANK YOU. >>THANK YOU. >> COUNCILOR ROSENBERG. >> THANK YOU. I THINK A LOT OF WHAT I HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT HAS BEEN ANSWERED, JUST NOW. I THINK PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH THESE SLIDES AND IT'S BEEN BROUGHT OUT, BUT THE ISSUE IS THIS ASSUMES THAT THE BREWPUB NEVER OPENS. I THINK WHEN YOU SAY ZERO RENT, IT'S NOT ZERO RENT, IT'S 3% FOR THE FIRST 30 MONTHS AND THEN 6%, WHICH IS FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE, AND I HAVE ACTUALLY GOOGLED IT, THE MARKET RENT FOR A RESTAURANT. I THINK THE ISSUE IS, THAT WE'VE DETERMINED THAT IT'S LEGAL, AND I THINK THE ISSUE THAT YOU'VE BROUGHT UP, COUNCILWOMAN, IS THAT, IS IT A GOOD DEAL? I'M CERTAINLY NO EXPERT, BUT I SEE THAT WE HAVE FUNDING FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA THAT FORMER REPRESENTATIVE MARINO SAID HAS DONE A DEEP DIVE ON THE PROJECT. THE ENTIRE COUNCIL PRIOR TO COUNCILWOMAN BONANO AND I BEING HERE SEVERAL TIMES, THE PARISH PRESIDENT. CURRENT STATE REP, FORMER STATE REP, EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL IN GRETNA, THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER, GNO INC., LED, ALL BELIEVE THAT IT'S A GOOD ECONOMIC DEAL. WE GOT A PACKET TODAY THAT WE HAD SITTING ON THE COUNTER HERE. I WAS REALLY SHOCKED TO SEE THERE'S A LETTER IN HERE FROM VIKING CRUISE LINES, ENCOURAGING US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT. I'D ALSO NOTE THAT I AGREE WITH COUNCILWOMAN BONANO, 45 DAYS WOULD BE NICE, BUT I WAS ACTUALLY AT THE COUNCIL MEETING IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR. WE HAD A YEAR TO DO THIS, AND I SAY, YOU AND I WEREN'T HERE, BUT THE COUNCIL HAD A YEAR TO DO THIS. BUT STILL, ALL IS NOT LOST. I STILL THINK THAT WE CAN REVIEW THE LEASE AND TWEAK IT, IF NEED BE, WITHOUT PAUSING THE PROJECT. PARISH PRESIDENT SHANG, YOU WERE HERE THROUGHOUT, I'D LIKE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS. >> THE PROJECTS BEING PUT TOGETHER WITH CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDS, WITH DIFFERENT SOURCES OF FUNDING. I DO THINK THIS IS THE WAY IT WAS DONE WITH THE HISTORY OF THESE ARPA FUNDS COMING DOWN. THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION AMONGST COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHICH YOU TWO WERE NOT PART OF AT THE TIME. IF I'M MISCHARACTERIZING IT WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WERE THERE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THESE FUNDS. I PERSONALLY DIDN'T WANT A LOT OF BUILD OUT ON THINGS THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO MAINTAIN LATER. THAT'S WHAT WE GET OURSELVES INTO THE PROBLEM WITHIN IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. WE BUILD THINGS AND THEN WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO MAINTAIN THEM LATER, AND THEN WE'RE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL TO DO THE MAINTENANCE. I PROBABLY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ONES TO SAY, LET'S NOT SPLIT THIS MONEY. LET'S TRY TO DO SOMETHING TRANSFORMATIONAL. THIS IS A ONE-TIME FUND. LET'S DO SOMETHING. WE AS AN ADMINISTRATION SUBMITTED IDEAS TO THE COUNCIL AT THAT TIME DIDN'T GET ANYWHERE. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I CALL IT ILLEGAL, IT'S JUST I DIDN'T GET MY WAY. BUT THAT'S FINE BECAUSE YOU ALL HAVE THE VOTE, AND PER THE CHARTER, YOU ALL DETERMINE WHERE THE RESOURCES GO. I RESPECT THAT BECAUSE I WAS ON YOUR SIDE AS WELL. THE DECISION WAS MADE TO TRY TO DO TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS, AND VISIONARY PROJECTS, AND TO ENSURE THAT ALL PARTS OF THE PARISH WERE RECEIVING SOME OF THE BENEFIT OF THIS MONEY, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO PUSH IT TO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS. I GET THAT, THERE'S A DISCUSSION, COUNCILMAN VAN RACKEN, YOU DON'T AGREE THAT THIS PROJECT IS A GOOD DEAL, BUT THE WAY WE WOULD ALWAYS LOOK AT IT BEFORE, IN TRUTH IS THAT THIS IS COUNCILMAN EDWARDS MONEY TO SPEND IN HIS DISTRICT. THE WAY EAT FAT CITY WAS FOR YOU, WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING IN EACH DISTRICT, AND THAT'S THE WAY THESE FUNDS WERE LOOKED AT TO BE TRUE. YOU TELL ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THAT'S THE TRUTH. THIS WAS DISTRICT ONE'S MONEY TO BE SPENT IN THE WAY THAT IT SHOULD BE, [03:55:02] AND HAVING SAID THAT, LET'S BRING FAT CITY BACK INTO IT. I REPRESENTED FAT CITY. I WAS TRYING TO REVITALIZE FAT CITY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MANY PEOPLE WOULD COME TO US AND SAY IS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A WALKABLE PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED CORE IN JEFFERSON PARISH. THE NEWER COMMUNITIES, THE FLORIDA, PARTS IN TEXAS, NASHVILLE, THEY'RE ALL WALKABLE, AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE BUILT OUT. I STUDIED IT FOR A LONG TIME. WE'RE BUILT OUT, AND THERE'S ONLY A HANDFUL OF PLACES IN THE PARISH WHERE WE CAN HAVE WALKABLE PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED CORES, AND DOWNTOWN GRETNA JUST HAS THE BONES FOR IT. I GET WHY THAT PROJECT WAS BEING LOOKED AT AT THE STATE LEVEL. I GET WHY COUNCILMAN EDWARDS WANTED TO BELIEVE IN IT. FAT CITY IS ANOTHER AREA, SALA, WEST WEGO, RIVERTOWN, COUNCILWOMAN, WE TALKED ABOUT, I THINK YOU'RE TRYING TO DEVELOP LAKE TOWN IN THE SAME WAY. THERE ARE LITTLE POCKETS IN THE PARISH WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO DEVELOP THAT WAY. WE REALLY DON'T HAVE THAT MANY AREAS IN THE PARISH. THAT'S MY THOUGHTS ON THE PROJECT. I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT PROJECT FOR DOWNTOWN GRETNA. I THINK THIS WAS A DISTRICT DISCRETIONARY FUND IF YOU WANT TO SAY THAT WORD TO BE SPENT, AND THAT'S MY THOUGHTS ON IT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. AT THAT SAME TIME, THE DISCUSSION ALSO INCLUDED THE FACT THAT WE WERE MOVING THAT MONEY SO THE TIME FRAME WE HAD TO MAKE USE OF THOSE ARPA FUNDS WAS PRETTY SHORT. WE CAME UP WITH WAYS WE COULD MOVE THEM SO THAT WE COULD STILL MAINTAIN THOSE FUNDS A LITTLE BIT LONGER AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIND TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS THAT WE COULD DO IN THE INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT. THAT'S WHY THE MOVE WAS MADE, BUT AT THE TIME WE DISCUSSED ATTEMPTING TO ADHERE TO THE REASONS FOR THOSE FUNDS COMING TO US IN THE FIRST PLACE. I KNOW WE ALL TRIED TO FIND PROJECTS THAT WOULD BE TRANSFORMATIONAL FROM AN ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW. THAT'S WHAT WE DID WITH THIS PROJECT, AND I WAS VERY PLEASED WHEN THIS CAME TOGETHER, BUT IT WAS NOT LIKE WE WENT OUT AND SOLICITED THIS GROUP TO COME INTO GRETNA. THEY EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN IT AND I THOUGHT WE WERE MOST FORTUNATE, I'M GLAD THAT MAYOR CONSON HAD THE LETTER FROM VIKING LINES BECAUSE I HEARD SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE WAS AN ALLEGATION THAT MAYOR CONSON PROBABLY NEVER TALKED TO VIKING LINES. THERE'S SO MUCH MISINFORMATION THAT'S BEEN SPREAD OUT HERE THAT'S MADE THIS VERY DIFFICULT. THIS IS INCREDIBLY PAINFUL TO ME BECAUSE YOU'VE KNOWN ME ALL OF YOUR LIFE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER, AND IT'S BEEN HEARTBREAKING TO SEE THIS BREAK DOWN HERE. I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE MINISTER THAT DID OUR INVOCATION THIS MORNING TALKED ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER AND WHEN WE DISAGREE TO DO IT RESPECTFULLY. THAT'S GOTTEN AWAY FROM US WITH THIS. I'M VERY HELPFUL AND PRAY THAT WE CAN GET BACK TO THAT. BUT THIS IS A DISRUPTION THAT WE DO NOT NEED AND IT CAN END UP COSTING US MORE MONEY TO BUILD THIS PROJECT AND MAKE IT LESS LIKELY THAT WE'LL HAVE SOMEBODY LIKE VIKING COME IN AND BRING MORE POSITIVE ECONOMIC FLOW TO THE GRETNA AREA. >> COUNSEL LEE? >> YES. BACK IN OCTOBER, IT WAS SIX COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED THE MEETING. THERE WERE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED MUCH OF THE GRETNA DELEGATION. I WAS HERE THEN AS THEY'VE BEEN TO ALL THESE MEETINGS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. AFTER QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED, ALL OF US VOTED, YES. BECAUSE WE FELT COMFORTABLE. HERE WE ARE, AGAIN, GOING BACK OVER A MATTER THAT WE FELT COMFORTABLE WITH. THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS BECAUSE SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FISCAL ISSUES IS THAT I LIKE TO JUST KNOW 0 TO 3%, ZERO FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND THEN IT WILL RISE. I'M SORRY, 3% FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS, THEN IT RISES TO 6%. IS THERE ANY PROJECTIONS THAT JOE THE MAYOR THAT YOU ALL HAVE IN TERMS OF SHOWING WHAT THE REAL REVENUE POTENTIAL REALLY CAN BE? IS THERE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH US? >> JOE, DO YOU HAVE SOME FIGURES. >> ANY PROJECTIONS? [04:00:04] >> I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON LEASES. BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE OLD WAY WHEN WE USED TO DO LEASES AND CONTRACTS, YOU JUST SET A DOLLAR AMOUNT AND THAT'S YOUR RENT. THEN WE HAD COVID AND A LOT OF BUSINESSES COMPLETELY ALMOST SHUTTERED AND WENT OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T GENERATING SALES, THEY COULDN'T MEET THEIR FIXED RENT THAT THEY HAD. THIS NEW METHOD IN MY UNDERSTANDING OF USING A PERCENTAGE OF THE GROSS REVENUE IS THE WAY THAT GOES FORWARD, AND IT BENEFITS BOTH PARTIES. IT BENEFITS THE LESSEE BECAUSE IF SOMETHING LIKE COVID HAPPENS AGAIN, THEIR SALES PLUMMET THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE KICKED OUT OF THE SPACE IF THEY CONTINUE TO PAY THE MONEY. BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE BENEFITS TO THE PARISH AS THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY IS IF WHATEVER THEIR PROJECTED SALES ARE, IF THEY'RE DOUBLE OR THREE TIMES WHAT THEY WERE, YOU'RE PAYING THE PERCENTAGE OF THAT ALL THE WAY UP. THEY COULD WIND UP PAYING A LOT MORE IN RENT IF THEY'RE FAIRLY SUCCESSFUL, BUT YOU CAN RENEGOTIATE A LEASE WHEN IT COMES UP. BUT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE MADE UP OR THAT I'M AWARE OF. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS USED AND THE MARKET RATE IS 6%, SO YOU START OUT WITH 3% FOR 30 MONTHS, AND YOU'RE RECOGNIZING THE 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS THAT THE TENANT HAS TO PUT IN TO EVEN BE OPERATIONAL. THAT'S THEIR INCENTIVE. IT'S NOT A GIFT. WE'RE NOT GIVING IT AWAY. WE'RE INCENTIVIZING A BUSINESS TO COME IN. THEN THEY'RE GOING TO PAY THE MARKET RATE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS LEASE, AND IT COULD BE A LOT MORE THAN THEY EVER EVEN EXPECTED. >> I GET YOUR MATH THAT I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL. >> RIGHT. >> I'M JUST ASKING, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY PROJECTIONS THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DISCLOSE IN THOSE YEARS MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL. >> I THINK JED CO. DID THAT ANALYSIS AND MAYBE ALSO GNO INC. AS TO WHAT THEY PROJECT IT COULD BE. I BELIEVE SO. >> THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO KNOW. >> THANK YOU, JOE. I JUST WANT TO MENTION A COUPLE OF THINGS WHILE I HAVE THE MOMENT BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID, I'VE BEEN QUIET ON THIS AND THAT'S BEEN INTENTIONAL OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS. I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THERE WAS A LOT FOR ME TO ADD, HONESTLY, BECAUSE I MADE MY POSITION CLEAR LAST OCTOBER, AND I VOTED FOR THIS AND I'VE OWNED THE VOTE, AND I'M NOT BACKTRACKING ON THE VOTE, AND I'M STICKING WITH IT. I'M STILL NOT 100% SURE HOW THIS TURNS OUT. IS ANYBODY? WE'RE NOT SURE IF ANY BUSINESS IS GOING TO SUCCEED, AND WE SHOULDN'T ASSUME THAT ANY BUSINESS IS GOING TO FAIL. BUT WE TRY IN JEFFERSON PARISH TO BE BUSINESS FRIENDLY AND PUT BUSINESSES IN A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT, WE OFFER INCENTIVES ALL THE TIME, AND WE OFFER THINGS THAT MAKE OUR PARISH ATTRACTIVE FOR BUSINESSES TO COME HERE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS FROM WHERE I SIT, IS A GOOD ENDEAVOR FOR OUR PARISH. SHOULD WE BE IN THE COMMERCIAL LANDLORD BUSINESS, I DON'T KNOW YET, BUT I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON THAT AND I DON'T PRETEND TO BE. I TAKE MY CONCERNS AND MY OPINIONS AND COLLABORATE WITH EXPERTS AND GO THROUGH THE PROCESS, TRUST THE PROCESS, ENSURE THAT IT'S FOLLOWED PROPERLY AND THAT THINGS ARE DONE LEGALLY, AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED, AND NAUSEAM AT NO POINT HAS ANYBODY POINTED OUT ANYTHING THAT HAS BEEN DONE ILLEGALLY IN THIS PROCESS. THE MOMENT THAT ANYTHING COMES OUT THAT SOMEBODY SAYS, THIS IS ILLEGAL, OUR PARISH ATTORNEY OR ANYBODY ELSE IN A SIMILAR POSITION SAYS SOMETHING ILLEGAL HAS BEEN DONE, I WILL CERTAINLY SWING MY POSITION 180 ON THIS ISSUE AND SAY, I'M OUT, BUT THAT HASN'T HAPPENED. ONE THING I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS IS PART OF THE STORY AND THE WAY IT'S BEEN PORTRAYED OUT THERE, BECAUSE THE SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDING FRENZY THAT GOES WITH THE MEDIA FEEDING FRENZY, WHERE NOT ALL THE FACTS ARE OUT PUBLICLY IS FRUSTRATING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE ME, WHO'S GETTING TAGGED IN EVERY FACEBOOK POST AND EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP ACROSS JEFFERSON PARISH, AND WE LOOK AT ALL OF IT. WE SEE ALL OF IT, AND A LOT OF IT IS PAINTING US IN A NEGATIVE LIGHT, WE'RE CORRUPT, WE'RE LINING OUR POCKETS, WE'RE DOING THIS, WE'RE DOING THAT. I TAKE OFFENSE TO THAT BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHY I'M HERE. I'VE MADE THAT CLEAR SINCE DAY ONE. I'M HERE TO WORK FOR THE FUTURE OF JEFFERSON PARISH, THAT'S WHAT DRIVES ME EVERY DAY, AND THAT'S WHAT GETS ME UP IN THE MORNING TO TRY AND MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE THAN I FOUND IT WHEN I CAME IN. I'M CERTAINLY NOT INTERESTED IN ANY OTHER OUTCOME THAN THE BEST THING FOR JEFFERSON PARISH. ONE THING IN THE MEDIA COVERAGE AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF THIS IS THAT PEOPLE READ HEADLINES. PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION, AND THIS HAS BEEN MENTIONED A COUPLE OF TIMES TODAY, BUT I DON'T THINK IT CAN BE MENTIONED ENOUGH THAT THIS MONEY WAS SPLIT UP AMONG DISTRICTS, TWELVE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FOR EACH DISTRICT, ONE MILLION FOR EACH AT LARGE. WE GOT THE SHORT END OF THE STICK AS USUAL, BUT TWELVE AND A HALF MILLION FOR EVERY DISTRICT IN THE PARISH TO USE FOR WHAT WE TERM LAST YEAR AS TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS WITHIN THEIR DISTRICTS. THIS MONEY FOR THE PEOPLE COMPLAINING IN METARI AND HARAHAN, [04:05:03] AND KENNER, AND RIVER RIDGE AND ANYWHERE ELSE, THIS MONEY WAS NEVER GOING TO BE SPENT IN THOSE AREAS, THIS MONEY WAS GOING TO BE SPENT ON THE WEST BANK, IN DISTRICT ONE, AND THAT'S IT. EVERY DISTRICT GOT THAT SAME TWELVE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE SAME TYPE OF THING IN THEIR DISTRICT. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS DECIDED THIS WAS THE TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECT HE WANTED TO PUT OUT IN HIS DISTRICT, THAT HE WANTED TO PURSUE THAT HE WANTED TO PRIORITIZE, THAT HE WANTED TO FOCUS HIS ATTENTION ON. I SUPPORTED THAT VISION AS DID THE REST OF THE COUNCIL, JUST LIKE WE HAVE WITH OTHER DISTRICTS WHO HAVE SPENT ALL OR PART OF THEIR TWELVE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS. WHILE WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY COUNCIL, I KNOW THERE ARE SOME OTHER BUSINESSES WHO ARE LOOKING AT US DIFFERENTLY TODAY BECAUSE OF THE WAY THIS HAS BEEN OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE LAST YEAR. >> WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING HERE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS? I DON'T THINK ACCURATELY PORTRAYS WHO WE ARE AS A COUNCIL OR REALLY WHO WE ASPIRE TO BE. I THINK DISCOURSE IS CERTAINLY ESSENTIAL, AND WE SHOULD BE PASSIONATE IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS AND REALIZE THAT CONSENSUS ISN'T ALWAYS POSSIBLE. WE KNOW THAT. BUT RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER AND RESPECT FOR THE PROCESS SHOULD BE NON NEGOTIABLE. I HOPE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AFTER THIS ON A BETTER PATH, ON A PATH WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE AND BE ON THE RECORD FOR DISAGREEING ABOUT SOMETHING, TALK IT OUT, SAY CLEARLY WHAT WE DON'T LIKE, AND THEN WE MOVE ON AND WE HELP BUILD THIS BETTER INSTEAD OF TRYING TO TEAR IT DOWN. I FEEL LIKE, NOT JUST THIS ISSUE, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES THIS YEAR ON THIS COUNCIL THAT HAVE FRUSTRATED ME AS THE CHAIRMAN, THAT HAVE FRUSTRATED ME AS A COUNCILMAN, THAT WE'VE DONE THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE, EVEN DURING AN ELECTION YEAR LAST YEAR. WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A TOUGH YEAR. HAS ANYBODY CHECKED IN ON 2024, 2023, MIGHT PALE IN COMPARISON IN SOME RESPECTS. I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO BE AS SUPPORTIVE AS WE CAN TO OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY. I THINK THIS WHOLE COUNCIL AGREES WITH THAT. I APPRECIATE COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKENS CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROCESS. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, AGAIN, THIS WAS WHERE COUNCILMAN EDWARDS WANTED TO SPEND THESE DOLLARS. IF ANYBODY DOESN'T LIKE THE WAY THAT THAT MONEY IS BEING SPENT IN TERRYTOWN IN HARVEY IN MARRERO IN LAFITTE IN GRAND ISLE AND CROWN POINT, BRETARIO, WHEREVER, THEN THEY HAVE TO TAKE IT UP WITH HIM. BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE HE DECIDED TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS. I VOTED FOR THIS LAST YEAR. I STAND BY THIS PROJECT, I STAND BY MY VOTE, AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND SEE MEANINGFUL PROGRESS ON THIS PROJECT AND NOT HAVE FOUR AND FIVE HOUR COUNCIL MEETINGS ANYMORE. AT LEAST FOR A LITTLE WHILE. THANK YOU. I HAD TO MAKE MY FEELINGS KNOWN BECAUSE I WAS INTENTIONALLY QUIET ON THIS FOR A GOOD WHILE BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE HOW THINGS PLAYED OUT AND I REALLY DIDN'T THINK I NEEDED TO DEFEND ANYTHING. BECAUSE OF WHERE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR LAST OCTOBER. BUT THE MORE PEOPLE ASK AND THE MORE PEOPLE MIS CHARACTERIZE THINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THE MORE I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING. THAT'S AS CLEAR AS I CAN BE ON WHERE I STAND AND I'M NOT GOING TO CLARIFY IT ANY FURTHER AFTER THIS TODAY, AND THAT'S WHERE I STAND ON THIS ISSUE AND THAT'S WHERE I WILL STAND. COUNCILMAN VAN BRECKEN. >> LET ME SAY, I AGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN TERMS OF HOW WE SHOULD BE ABLE AS COLLEAGUES TO DISCUSS THIS AND DISCUSS THIS OPENLY AND MOVE ON. I ACTUALLY EMAILED EACH MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL WHEN I INTRODUCED THESE TWO RESOLUTIONS AND SOUGHT TO HAVE THEM INTRODUCED IN JOINT MOTION AND OFFERED THAT WE DO THIS TOGETHER TO HIT THE PAUSE AND GET THE ANSWERS. I CERTAINLY HAVE TRIED TO APPROACH IT NOT IN A WAY TO BE DIVISIVE, BUT SAID, HERE ARE THE RESOLUTIONS. I WOULD LIKE FOR THESE TO BE INTRODUCED TOGETHER. I HAVE TRIED TO DO THAT IN A SPIRIT OF NOT DIVISION, BUT EVERYONE COMING FORWARD. NONE OF MY QUESTIONS ARE ABOUT MICROMANAGING, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, WHERE YOU CHOOSE TO SPEND YOUR MONEY. IT IS ABSOLUTELY THE DECISION OF YOURS TO BE MADE AS THE GENTLEMAN WHO REPRESENTS DISTRICT 1. I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT AT ALL AND HAVE NEVER QUESTIONED YOUR DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD ON WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS A TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECT. I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. WHAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED TODAY AND THIS ALONE IS WHAT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED TODAY THAT NO ONE LOOKED AT THIS DEAL FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE TAXPAYER. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED, EVEN IF I GIVE YOU THAT THERE IS RENT BECAUSE IT'S COMING IN A PERCENTAGE, IT'S NOT GOING BACK TO THE TAXPAYER. IT DOES NOT COME BACK TO THE PARISH. [04:10:03] MY CONCERN HAS ONLY BEEN WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THIS DEAL. PLEASE, EVERYONE IN GRETNA AND EVERYBODY ON THE WEST BANK NEEDS TO KNOW. I HAVE NOT VOICED ANY SECOND THOUGHT ABOUT HOW YOU CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, ONLY IN HOW THE LEASES ARE STRUCTURED AND ONLY IN THE FACT THAT THE JEFFERSON PARISH, IS BRINGING MONEY AND LAND TO THE TABLE. BUT THE REVENUE WILL GO ELSEWHERE AND THE DIRECT RETURN IS NOT COMING BACK TO THE PARISH. AND WE DID NOT HAVE ANYONE OF A COMMERCIAL LAWYER BACKGROUND LOOK OVER THESE LEASES TO MAKE SURE THE PARISH IS NOT VULNERABLE. THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS. IT IS HOW THE DEAL IS STRUCTURED. NOW, PHILOSOPHICALLY, I WILL SAY GROWING UP AROUND A SMALL BUSINESS. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE ARE GOING IN THE BUSINESS OF BARS AND RESTAURANTS. THE LOUISIANA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION ITSELF PUTS FORWARD A STATISTIC THAT 80% OF RESTAURANTS FAIL IN THEIR FIRST FIVE YEARS OF OPERATION. BELIEVE ME, I HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE RISK, BUT I'VE NEVER OPPOSED IT ON THOSE GROUNDS. I HAVE ONLY ASKED THAT WE LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE OF WHERE THE REVENUE GOES AND WHY IS IT NOT COMING BACK TO THE PARISH? AGAIN, I THINK I HAVE HANDLED MYSELF NOT IN A DIVISIVE MANNER TODAY. I'VE ASKED THE QUESTIONS. I'VE GOTTEN THE ANSWERS. LET ME SAY RIGHT NOW, I WILL RESPECT HOWEVER THIS RESOLVES. IF YOU ALL CHOOSE TO NOT MOVE FORWARD ON THIS OR NOT VOTE FOR IT, THAT IS BETWEEN YOU AND THE TAXPAYER WHO'S GIVEN YOU THE BENEFIT OF BEING HERE, IT WILL NOT CAUSE ME ANY REASON TO BE DIVISIVE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I PUT THAT ON THE RECORD AS WELL. I RESPECT EACH OF YOU TO MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION ON THIS, AND WE WILL MOVE FORWARD. >> COUNCILMAN WALKER? >> YES. >> THE RESOLUTION DOESN'T ASK TO RELOOK AT THE LEASES. IT ACTUALLY ASKED TO PUT A FREEZE AND THEN THE SECOND ONE REQUEST TO PUT A FREEZE ON THE FUNDING. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE EMAIL THAT I GOT MUCH LATER, MY INITIAL COPY CAME FROM A REPORTER OF YOUR RESOLUTIONS. AT THIS POINT, I'D LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION. >> I HAVE NO SECOND. >> THERE'S NO SECOND OR IS THERE? >> WAS THERE A MOTION? >> WELL, I THINK IT'S HER INITIAL MOTION. I HAVEN'T HEARD A SECOND TO THAT. >> WELL, WE DIDN'T GET TO SHE STARTED SPEAKING AT THE BEGINNING BEFORE SHE MOVED, SO WE NEED A MOTION FIRST FROM COUNCILMAN MEN. >> I WILL MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A SECOND. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKENS SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. >> THANK YOU. >> I GOT A VOTE. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> YOU SECONDED. >> INDIVIDUALLY VOTE. >> THE RECORDED VOTE IS WHAT? ARE YOU NOW THE CLERK? >> YES. >> LET'S DO A ROLL CALL. >> THE RECORDED VOTE THAT JUST OCCURRED IS WHAT? >> THERE WAS NO VOTE. WE NEED TO DO A ROLL CALL VOTE. >> THERE WAS A VOTE. >> THERE WAS COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKENS MOTIONED. SHE MOTIONED TO APPROVE, AND I ASKED FOR A SECOND, AND COUNCILMAN EDWARDS SECONDED. IS THAT WHAT YOU INTEND TO DO, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECOND? >> YOU'RE RIGHT. >> THIS IS THE VOTE ON HER RESOLUTION. ITEM NUMBER 68. LET'S JUST READ THIS FROM THE BEGINNING. >> HOW, WE CAN DO A ROLL CALL. >> FOR ULTIMATE CLARITY. READ NUMBER 68, AGAIN, PLEASE. SINCE IT'S BEEN A MINUTE. >> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENTS OF FINANCE, ACCOUNTING AND THE PARISH ADMINISTRATION TO FREEZE THE $10.3 MILLION IN FUNDING HELD IN ACCOUNT NUMBER 4 4 5 3 0 4 0 0 7 7 6 7 0 4 5 3 2 5 1 0 8 FOR A PERIOD OF 45 BUSINESS DAYS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ROUTINE OR MINIMAL PAYMENTS NOT TO EXCEED $50,000. >> COUNCILMAN AN RANKIN, YOUR MOTION? >> FOR APPROVAL. >> IS THERE A SECOND? THERE'S NO SECOND. THE MOTION FAILS. ITEM NUMBER 69, PLEASE. >> ITEM NUMBER 69 IS A COMPANION PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT I INTRODUCED, AND THIS ONE IS ABOUT. >> LET'S HAVE A READ IT FIRST, AND THEN WE'LL COME TO YOU. >> A RESOLUTION DIRECTING JEFFERSON REDEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED JRI, AND JEFFERSON FACILITIES, [04:15:05] INCORPORATED JFI TO MAKE A SPECIAL PRESENTATION AT THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, DETAILING EFFORTS TO DEVELOP AND CONSTRUCT TWO SI RETAIL SPACES IN THE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT ON TRACK FOUR COURTHOUSE LOT, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE KING FISH DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FULL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, ARCHITECTURAL PLANS, COST ESTIMATES FOR CONSTRUCTION, LEASES, FOR THE RETAIL SPACES, A SITE PLAN SHOWING THE KING FISH PROJECT IN RELATION TO OTHER PLAN IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE GRETNA GOVERNMENT COMPLEX, ASSOCIATED CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUEST FOR STATE FUNDING, PRESENTING THIS INFORMATION COMPREHENSIVELY TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> COUNCILMAN REAGAN. >> THANKS, LIZ. I KNOW THAT SAYS A LOT TO BOIL IT DOWN FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ITEM 69 IS ASKING THAT JRI AND JFI, THESE NONPROFIT ENTITIES, COME TO THE COUNCIL, COME TO THIS VENUE HERE ON THE WEST BANK AND MAKE ONE COMPREHENSIVE PRESENTATION OF THIS PROJECT. THEN ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO PROVIDE COMMENT. WE HAD SOME COMMENT THIS MORNING, BUT THIS PROJECT HAS NEVER COME COMPREHENSIVELY. IF YOU COULD JUST PUT UP, BECAUSE I KNOW A LOT OF WHAT I'VE SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND I APPRECIATE THIS. PEOPLE HAVE SAID, WELL, HAVEN'T YOU VOTED ON THIS SEVEN TIMES? HASN'T IT COME FORWARD TO THE COUNCIL MULTIPLE TIMES? THIS IS HOW THIS SITS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT JUST WENT. THIS IS HOW IT'S COME FORWARD. IN 2022, AND AGAIN, NOT ALL OF THE CURRENT MEMBERS WERE ON THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME. IN 2022 WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS APPEARED ON AN AGENDA, AND IT WAS IMPROVEMENTS TO A PARKING LOT AT A COST OF $34,000. WHEN IT CAME UP IN MAY OF LAST YEAR, IT WAS ALL OF A SUDDEN TO CONSTRUCT SPECIFICALLY, A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT, A STRUCTURE, A PARKING GARAGE, AND TWO COMMERCIAL SPACES. WHEN IT CAME UP A FEW MONTHS LATER, WE WENT FROM THE 34,000 TO NOW DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING THESE MIXED USE THINGS FOR $425. AGAIN, CREEPING UP, IT COMES LATER THAT MONTH, AND IT IS THAT JRI, JFI WILL CONSTRUCT THE PARKING STRUCTURE AND THE TWO LEASABLE SPACES. IT SHALL BE OWNED BY THE PARISH. BUT JEFFERSON PARISH WILL LEASE THE DEVELOPMENT UNTIL AUGUST 1, 2046. AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE LEASING SOMETHING WE OWN, BECAUSE IF WE SHALL OWN IT, THEN I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE LEASE COMES IN. THEN IT COMES UP, THAT SAME DAY, JRI WILL OWN THE FACILITIES, BUT WHEN WE REPAY THE BONDS, THEN WE'LL CONTINUE TO LEASE THE LAND. AGAIN, I'M NOT SURE WHY WE'RE LEASING SOMETHING IF WE OWN IT. IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, AND THIS IS THE MEETING MOST OFTEN CITED. IT WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AN ELECTION. AT THAT MOMENT, I WAS STILL REPRESENTING THE METER AREA AND THE MARI AREA ALONE. WE HOLD A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING. AND LET ME TELL YOU HOW RARE THAT IS BECAUSE WE'VE ONLY HELD A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING TO SELL EAST JEFFERSON GENERAL HOSPITAL. BUT WE WERE HOLDING A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING TO APPROVE THE BEER LEASE AND THE TACO LEASE. WE HELD A SPECIAL MEETING ON OCTOBER 24, AND I THEN RAISED AN HOUR OF QUESTIONS AND FUSSED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE LEASES THEMSELVES HAD NOT BEEN PUBLISHED TO THE TAXPAYERS OF JEFFERSON UNTIL AN HOUR BEFORE. IT WASN'T CLEAR AT THAT MOMENT THAT WHILE THE LEASE IS SET AT NO DIRECT COST TO THE PARISH, I FOUND OUT LATER THERE WAS ACTUALLY NO DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE PARISH EITHER. THEN IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR WAS WHEN THE MONEY MOVED EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS AND THIS IS WHERE WE GO BACK TO THESE ARE THE FUNDS ALLOTTED TO THE COUNCILMAN, AND I AGREE 100% COUNCILMAN, BECAUSE WE HAVE ALWAYS AGREED THE MONEY SPENT IN OUR DISTRICT, YOU REALLY DETERMINE HOW THEY MOVE FORWARD. THAT IS WHY I DID NOT SAY ANYTHING THEN. I RESPECT THAT.EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS MOVES, BUT YOU'LL NOTICE THE PARKING GARAGE IS NOW NOT PART OF THIS DEAL. THE PARKING GARAGE IS GONE. AGAIN, IT KEEPS CHANGING. THEN THE LAST VOTE WE TOOK WAS A MONTH AGO. THIS IS WHERE IT'S GONE BEYOND THE MONIES ALLOTTED TO YOUR DISTRICT INTO THE LARGER POT OF GENERAL FUNDS THAT COVER ALL PARTS OF OUR PARISH, BEYOND THE DISTRICT FUNDS, AND NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER 1.25 MILLION. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY BEYOND THE DISTRICT FUNDS NOW WILL BE OBLIGATED. THAT IS WHERE I CHOSE TO NOT SUPPORT IT. [04:20:02] I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT YES, THIS HAS COME BEFORE US, BUT IT KEEPS CHANGING, THE BALL KEEPS MOVING, THE PRICE KEEPS MOVING. WHAT'S IN AND OUT OF THIS PROJECT KEEPS MOVING. I DON'T KNOW WHY THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT BE WELL SERVED TO HAVE ONE PRESENTATION WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW TO COME FORWARD AND PRESENT THE WHOLE PLAN, WHAT'S IN AND WHAT'S OUT, WHAT'S THE PRICE TAG, AND ALLOW THE PUBLIC, THE PEOPLE WHO PUT US HERE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT. I'M ONLY ASKING FOR THAT, A PUBLIC PRESENTATION AND PUBLIC COMMENT. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN A MAP, AND I BELIEVE I HAD ASKED MR. COLVIN FOR THIS, BUT I UNDERSTAND IF IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET THIS. ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS THAT IF WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE WHOLE PICTURE, WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE WHOLE PICTURE IS AND WHAT MIGHT THEY HAVE CONCERN ABOUT. I GOT THIS LITERALLY EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE EVERYTHING FITS. THE PURPLE THERE IS THE PARKING STRUCTURE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE JUDGES WHO SIT IN THE FIFTH CIRCUIT HAVE CONCERN ABOUT A PARKING STRUCTURE THAT WILL BE BUILT, AND IN THE DAY AND AGE WHERE WE HAVE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS AND SUCH, THAT PARKING STRUCTURE IS GOING TO LOOK AT THEIR WINDOWS, AND THE CONCERN THEY HAVE EXPRESSED IS THAT COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN. WE HAVE JUST COMPLETED A PARKING LOT FOR THE JUDGES TO HAVE SAFETY. AGAIN, LET'S PRESENT IT TO EVERY STAKEHOLDER SO THAT IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE MOVED OR ALTERED, LET'S DO THAT. BUT IF EVERYONE HASN'T SEEN THE WHOLE PICTURE, THEY HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT, AND THEN WE DON'T GET A FULL VIEW OF HOW THIS ALL FITS. AGAIN, I'M ONLY ASKING THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM IS, PLEASE GIVE US ONE COMPREHENSIVE PRESENTATION WITH PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD, BECAUSE IT HAS CONTINUED TO CHANGE. >> CHAIR. >> ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILMAN LILJBERG. >> I GUESS DUE RESPECT I SERVED ON THAT COURT FOR 10 YEARS. I'VE NEVER FELT SO SAFE IN MY LIFE. THERE'S NOBODY LOOKING TO KILL ANYBODY IN THAT COURT, I PROMISE YOU. [LAUGHTER] I THINK JUDGE EDWARDS CAN SECOND THAT. PUN INTENDED. >> FOR THE RECORD, WE DID HAVE A MEETING WITH THE JUDGES FROM THE FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL, AND I THINK WE CAME UP WITH VARIOUS THINGS THAT THEY COULD DO IF THEY FELT THAT THEY WERE IN ANY DANGER, SO THAT WAS DONE. >> AS FAR AS TAKING THE TIME TO DO THIS, I THINK WE HAVE THE ARCHITECT HERE, MS. PEER. I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL IF YOU CAN TELL US WHAT THE DELAY, IF ANYTHING, WILL DO, OR IS IT DETRIMENTAL TO DELAY THIS PROJECT TO CONDUCT THIS HEARING? >> SURE. MY NAME IS PAULA PEER WITH TRAPOLIN-PEER. I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF GRETNA, 44 DERBES GRETNA. THE PROJECT IS ACTUALLY IN DESIGN. WE HAVE 100% CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS DUE ON FRIDAY, WHICH IS JUST IN TWO DAYS. THE HOPE IS THAT WE WILL MOVE FORWARD, GET OUR NEGOTIATIONS, MAKE SURE WE'RE IN BUDGET, WHICH WE THINK WE ARE BECAUSE WE'VE DONE SEVERAL PRICING EXERCISES ALREADY, AND TO GET UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND GET THE FOUNDATION IN THE GROUND STARTING IN DECEMBER SO THAT WE DON'T GET TIED UP OR DELAYED BY THE THE HIGHER WATER LEVELS THAT COME IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER THAT COULD DELAY THE JOB. IF THE PROJECT IS DELAYED INTO THAT PERIOD, YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THOSE WATERS GO BACK DOWN TO FINISH YOUR FOUNDATION. >> THANK YOU. >> LET ME JUST SAY I'M NOT ASKING FOR YOU TO STOP YOUR 100% DESIGN. YOU HAVE JUST INDICATED THAT YOU'LL HAVE 100% DESIGN ON THE PLANS FOR FRIDAY. >> YES. >> YOU WILL BE NARROWING IN ON THE PRICE TAG. >> YEAH. >> COULD YOU BE PREPARED IN NOVEMBER 6TH, AT THE VERY START OF THE MONTH, TO COME IN WITH THE FULL PRICE TAG AND WITH THE FULL PLANS TO BE ABLE TO SAY, THESE ARE 100% DESIGN, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE BUILDING, AND THIS IS THE PRICE TAG? >>THE DESIGN, YES. I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO TAKE SIX WEEKS TO GET FINAL PRICING. >> WE WON'T HAVE A FIRM PRICE POTENTIALLY BY THEN, BUT YOU COULD SHOW US THE PLANS AND SAY, THIS IS 100% DESIGN? >> YES, AND IT'S ACTUALLY VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE PRESENTED A YEAR AGO, LAST OCTOBER. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS CHANGED IS THAT THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT CAME IN OVER BUDGET, AND SO WE MODIFIED THAT AND PUT THOSE DETAILS IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PROJECT TOGETHER. IT LOOKS THE SAME. IT'S A SLIGHTLY SMALLER BUILDING. >> BUT YOU COULD SHOW US IF THERE'S A COFFEE SHOP, IF THERE'S A BARBER SHOP. I KNOW THOSE THINGS WERE MENTIONED. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE IN THE FILE. [OVERLAPPING] >> YES. THEY WERE IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN AND NOW THEY'RE IN THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS. >> RIGHT. I'M GLAD AGAIN, [04:25:01] COUNCILMAN, I DON'T MEAN TO SLOW THE PROJECT. IF THE 100% DESIGN IS PREPARED, THEN WE COULD SHOW THAT TO THE PUBLIC NOVEMBER 6TH. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ANYONE? COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING AND ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT. >> IS THERE A SECOND? HEARING NONE, THAT MOTION FAILS. THAT TAKES US BACK TO NUMBER 14, [RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING (Part 2 of 2)] AND BACK TO BESS'S WORLD. [LAUGHTER] ITEM NUMBER 14, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26420, APPROVING SP-38-24, REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE LANDSCAPE STANDARDS OF THE CBZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE FOR THE PROPOSED JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION LOCATED AT 1090 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD ON LOT B1C, MOUNDS DIVISION ELMWOOD INDUSTRIAL PARK SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2. >> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26420. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> HI. MY NAME IS ASHLEY REWARD TO [INAUDIBLE], 1 GALLERIA BOULEVARD SUITE 1506. THIS PROJECT IS TO CONSTRUCT THE NEW JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION OFFICE AND BRANCH. THE OFFICE WILL ALSO SERVE AS THE EMERGENCY HEADQUARTERS FOR THE BANK AND ACCOMMODATE WORKERS IN TIMES OF CRISIS SUCH AS A HURRICANE. THE BUILDING SQUARE FOOTAGE WAS DESIGNED TO HOUSE IT'S HEADQUARTERS AND TO MEET THE REQUIRED PARKING ON SITE, WE ARE ASKING FOR A VARIANCE TO THE LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS. WE DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED LANDSCAPE ISLANDS AND END CAPS DUE TO SPACE CONSTRAINTS AND UNDERGROUND UTILITIES. HOWEVER, WE PROVIDE THE REQUIRED TREES AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL TREES ELSEWHERE ON THE SITE AND EXCEED THE REQUIRED 10% LANDSCAPE SQUARE FOOTAGE REQUIREMENT ON THE SITE. FOR THESE REASONS, WE ASK YOU CONSIDER APPROVAL. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILMAN BONANO. ANY OBJECTION? >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? COULD YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, SIR. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26420, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 16, PLEASE. [OTHER PROPERTY MATTERS ORDINANCES] >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26422, DECLARING A PORTION OF 9TH STREET RIGHT OF WAY ADJACENT TO LOT 1A SQUARE EIGHT, LOW MONACO SUBDIVISION ADDITION MARRERO, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING A SALE TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER FOR THE APPRAISED VALUE OF $14,000. COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. >> PUBLIC HEARING'S NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26422. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD? ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE. >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26422, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 17 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE. [OTHER ORDINANCES] SUMMARY NUMBER 26423, AMENDING THE 2024 OPERATING BUDGET, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ALLOCATE $1,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE'S EAST BANK TOURISM FUND FOR THE FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE CEA WITH JEFFERSON COMMUNITY BANK INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE COMPLIMENTARY USE OF METAIRIE SENIOR CENTER AND THE BUCKTOWN HARBOR PAVILION NUMBER 1. THE BUCKTOWN HARBOR BAND STAND FOR WEEKLY BAND REHEARSALS AND SEASONAL PERFORMANCES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5. ALLOCATE $200,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING FUND FOR A CEA WITH TERRYTOWN COUNTRY CLUB TO PROVIDE ENHANCED RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH BY PROVIDING FUNDING TOWARDS RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE TERRYTOWN COUNTRY CLUB, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1. CHANGE THE ACCOUNT NUMBER UNDER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND ITEM FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE OVERSIGHT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND ACRES ROAD REVITALIZATION PLAN FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 2252035527680389 TO 456004076733156010301 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. CHANGE THE FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE CEA WITH THE JEFFERSON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU INCORPORATED FROM THE PARKS AND CULTURE FUND TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4. ALLOCATE $938 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING FOR A CEA AMENDMENT WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR UNIFORMS FOR HIGGINS VOLLEYBALL TEAM COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? [04:30:02] HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS AND MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26423. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED. >> WHAT TIME IS IT? FRANKIE HIRES IS TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY. I'M REALLY HUNGRY. I'M FEELING ANGRY, AND I HATE HAVING TO PLAY THE GRINCH. I AM TIRED OF PLAYING THE GRINCH. ALL THE GOOD DEEDS WE CAN DO. IF IT IS ACHIEVED BY MEANS PRESCRIBED CONSTITUTIONALLY, I GOT NOTHING TO SAY, I'M OUT THE DOOR. I'LL APPLAUD YOU ALL. BUT IF IT'S ACHIEVED, ACQUIRED BY ANY MEANS, NOT PRESCRIBED CONSTITUTIONALLY, OR THAT'S ARBITRARY AND INADMISSIBLE. THESE ARE NOT MY WORDS. I AM NOT THIS SMART. I JUST HAPPEN TO BE DROPPED ON MY HEAD, MAYBE ONE TOO MANY TIMES, ELECTROCUTED IN A CERTAIN WAY. I'M NOT SURE. BUT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF ANY ONE OF YOU ALL COULD DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO EVERY TIME I COME IN HERE ON MY BEHALF SO I DON'T HAVE TO OPPOSE GOOD DEEDS. WE ARE ARBITRARILY TAXED. THE WEST BANK SUFFERS A HALF A PERCENT LESS THAN THE EAST BANK WITH REGARDS TO HOSPITALITY TAXATION. THAT DEFIES ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8, CLAUSE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION. DUTIES, SALES TAXES HAVE TO BE UNIFORM THROUGHOUT THE BODY, OR ARBITRARILY TAX WITH REGARDS TO PROPERTY TAXES, PAYING AN UNDUE BURDEN UPON EVERYBODY WHO HAS TO RENT THEIR HOUSE, APARTMENT, OR THEIR BUSINESS PROPERTY, SUBJECT TO AN ARBITRARY TAXATION. ON INCOME OR IMPROVEMENTS, THAT COULD BE WIPED AWAY BY A STORM OR BY A PANDEMIC. LET'S FIGURE THIS OUT. >> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26423, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. THAT TAKES US TO, MY PAGE FLIPPED AWAY FROM ME, THAT'S NUMBER 18 AND THE CAPITAL BUDGET. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26424, AMENDING THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO TRANSFER AN UNEXPENDED $40,000 FROM THE JOHNNY JACOBS SPLASH PAD PROJECT TO THE FARMERS MARKET PROJECT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, UPDATE THE CAPITAL BUDGET TO CHANGE THE ACCOUNT NUMBER UNDER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND ITEM FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE OVERSIGHT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND ACRES ROAD REVITALIZATION PLAN FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 2252035527680389 TO 456004076733156010301, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE. >> ANY OBJECTION AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26424. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED. >> FRANKIE HIRES ON THE VERY SAME GROUNDS. WE GOT A CONSTITUTION. I SWORE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND IT. I GOT TO KEEP DOING THIS UNTIL SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD DO IT ON MY BEHALF. I'LL LET ANYBODY DO IT ON MY BEHALF. ANYONE OF YOU. ANYBODY. AS A JEFFERSONIAN, I GOT TO HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT'S FRUGAL AND SIMPLE. WE CERTAINLY LACK FOR THE LATTER. NOW ON ANY GIVEN ISSUE, I HOPE THAT THIS IS DONE FRUGALLY. I SAW THE SPLASH PAD PICTURES. IT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT FUN. I LIKE TO COME OUT THERE AND VISIT. [LAUGHTER] I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THE SPLASH PARK. THE SLUSH FUNDS I'M OPPOSED TO. I DON'T FAULT SHARKS FOR BEING SHARKS OR RATS FOR GOING AFTER CHEESE, BUT I'M SUPPOSED TO HAVE A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED TO ME CONSTITUTIONALLY ARTICLE 4, SECTION 4 THAT MAKES THIS LESS BURDENSOME. >> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26424, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. TAKES US TO RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR. [RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR] PLEASE CALL THE ROLL, MADAM CLERK. >> COUNCILMAN EDWARDS. >> WE GO TO HAVE ONE. >> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONDUCT A FEASIBLE STUDY REGARDING EXPANSION OF THE PARC DES FAMILLES DISC GOLF COURSE, INCLUDING EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL FISCAL IMPACTS AND USAGE AND REQUESTING THEY WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, THE PARC DES FAMILLES ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE RECREATION AND TOURISM IN DETERMINING THE FEASIBLE OF SAID EXPANSION. >> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT IN THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN ON THAT RESOLUTION. ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. [04:35:01] MADAM CLERK, NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS? >> APPROVED. >> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. >> COUNCILMAN BONANO. >> I HAVE ONE, MA'AM. PLEASE READ IT. >> YES, SIR. >> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING AND AUTHORIZING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD TO STUDY THE TEXT OF CHAPTER 33, UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, AND CHAPTER 40, ZONING OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH, WITH THE INTENT OF REORGANIZING, REFORMATTING, AND REVISING ARTICLES AND SECTIONS PERTAINING TO THE PROCEDURE, ZONING, DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, AND SUPPLEMENTAL CONDITIONS, PROVIDING FOR CROSS REFERENCES BETWEEN RELATED PROVISIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO EFFICIENTLY ADMINISTER LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, ESTABLISHING INTERIM DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS DURING THE STUDY TO ADDRESS AN UNINTENTIONAL DELETION AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, AND I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION. ANYONE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BONANO. >> JUST FOR CLARITY PURPOSES, THIS IS JUST A HOUSE CLEANING MEASURE FOR A UNINTENTIONAL DELETION THAT WAS MADE WHEN WE APPROVED THE INDUSTRIAL ZONING. >> YOUR MOTION? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> COUNCILMAN LEE. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> YOU HAVE ONE? >> I HAVE ONE. >> YES. >> [INAUDIBLE]. [LAUGHTER] >> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS AT LW HIGGINS HIGH SCHOOL AND ALFRED BONNABEL, MAGNET ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $938 FOR UNIFORMS FOR THE LW HIGGINS HIGH SCHOOL'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM, THEREBY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE AGREEMENT FROM $15,883-$16,821. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN ON THAT RESOLUTION, ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> COUNCILMAN WALKER. >> NONE. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. >> I THINK I HAVE TWO. >> YES, MA'AM. A RESOLUTION APPROVING A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CO-OPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHICH PROVIDED FUNDING FOR THE 2024 WASHINGTON MARDI GRAS EVENT AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $100,000, TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT TO ALLOW THE ORGANIZATION TO UTILIZE UNEXPENDED FUNDS FROM THE 2024 WASHINGTON MARDI GRAS EVENT TOWARDS THE 2025 WASHINGTON MARDI GRAS EVENT, AND TO PROVIDE $61,519 FOR THE 2025 WASHINGTON MARDI GRAS EVENT, THEREBY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE AGREEMENT FROM $100,000-$161,519, AND TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR FROM FEBRUARY 15TH, 2025 TO FEBRUARY 15TH, 2026. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE KNOW OPEN PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION. ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO APPEARED. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADDITION OF A SUBCONTRACTOR TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN JEFFERSON PARISH AND BERG DALL AND GRAVES ARCHITECTS, A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES ON HAS-NEEDED BASIS FOR ARCHITECTURAL TYPE PROJECTS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE PARISH. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN ON THAT RESOLUTION. ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION FOR THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANAN. >> I HAVE NONE. >> COUNCILMAN LILJBERG. >> ONE. >> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO BROCKEN BROLL COURT TO CONDUCT A HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31ST, 2024, FROM 6:00 A.M. TO 9:00 P.M. >> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION. ANYONE IN FAVOR, OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> FRANKIE HIRES IN FAVOR. [LAUGHTER] I CAN'T WAIT. I KNOW BROCKEN BROLL COURT. I'LL BE OVER TOO, MAN. WE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME. [LAUGHTER] >> I'M SURE BROCKEN BRO IS GOING TO BE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT. WELL, LET THEM KNOW. [04:40:02] >> THERE YOU GO. >> MOVE. >> COUNCILMAN LOZENBERG. >> LET THEM KNOW. >> ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, BY THE WAY. >> I MOVED TO APPROVE. [LAUGHTER] >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION AND RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD, IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LOZENBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. >> HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> I HAVE COMPLETED THE ROLL. >> CONSENT AGENDA 1. [CONSENT AGENDA ONE] COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 20 THROUGH 67-27, WHICH WE'RE GOING TO CANCEL. >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 20 THROUGH 67 -27, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER 68. >> WE'VE DONE THAT. >> WE DID THAT. [LAUGHTER] SORRY. NEXT, YOU'RE GOING TO SAY WE DID 69, TOO. [BACKGROUND] LET'S GO TO CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 70 THROUGH 123-100, [CONSENT AGENDA TWO (Part 2 of 2)] WHICH WILL BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION. >> NO WAY. >> [LAUGHTER] JUST HOLD ON. SETTLE DOWN. WELL, WE'LL SAVE THE SUSPENSE AND THE SURPRISE FOR EVERYONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 70 THROUGH 123-100, WHICH WILL BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION, 73, WHICH COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN WILL ABSTAIN FROM 85 AND 121, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED. >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEM 70 THROUGH 123-100, WHICH ARE PULLING FOR DISCUSSION, 73, WHICH COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN WILL BE ABSTAINING, 85 AND 121, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED. ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US 273. >> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON PERFORMING ART SOCIETY, WHICH AUTHORIZES AN EXTENSION OF THE AGREEMENT FOR SIX MONTHS OR UPON THE EXECUTION OF A NEW CONTRACT, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $9,791.67 MONTHLY UNTIL TERMINATED. >> COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION. A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER WITH COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN ABSTAINING. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 85. WITH AMENDMENTS. >> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FOURTH AMENDMENT AGREEMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND CS RS LLC, AUTHORIZED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER 140979, ADOPTED ON THE 14TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2022 TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT WITH GRANT CONSULTING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021, AND OTHER LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL AND PRIVATE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES UNDER RFP NUMBER 047 TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT CAP BY AN ADDITIONAL $370 FOR A NEW AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,768,000 ANNUALLY. THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ADD IN SECTION 2 WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT YOU SERVE, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS? >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS? ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, YOUR MOTION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. GO TO NUMBER 100, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK. [NOISE] >> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE JEFFERSON PARIS TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION TO INSTALL ALL WAY STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF HOMA BOULEVARD AND DOWN STREET IN METER, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2. [LAUGHTER] >> COUNSELMAN BONANO. >> MR. [INAUDIBLE], I DIDN'T KNOW I DON'T WANT TO DISCUSS IT. I JUST WANT TO SEE YOU FACE WHEN YOU'RE READY. [LAUGHTER]. >> RICKY HIRES. JUST TRY TO SPARK SOME CURIOSITY AWAY WE GO. >> WAIT, ARE YOU OPPOSED OR FOUR. BOTH. >> I FIGURED THAT. [LAUGHTER]. >> IN THE TRADITION OF A ROW WOULD BE REPRESENTATIVE, I GOT TO RISE IN FAVOR, RIGHT? BECAUSE TO SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY. THAT REQUIRES AN EXERCISE OF RESTRAINT, I'M GOING TO ASK MY NEIGHBORS, AND A FELLOW TRAVELERS ALONG HOMA BOULEVARD TO EXERCISE THAT RESTRAINT. >> HE'S MORE SPEAK. >> [LAUGHTER] OH, MAN. >> THIS DOESN'T EVEN REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING. >> I KNOW IT DOESN'T. LET'S HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS WE CAN GET AWAY WITH. THIS IS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY. THAT'S WHY I WAS BROUGHT IN HERE TO BEGIN WITH ON BEHALF OF MY NEIGHBORS, NOT FOR ME. THAT'S WHY I HAVE TO DO THE OTHER THING AND OPPOSE IT, REALLY, DON'T. >> NO, BUT IF YOU DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT YOUR PROMISE WAS. [04:45:02] >> YES, AND I WOULD HAVE TO WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY THANKSGIVING. YOU WILL NOT SEE ME NOVEMBER 6TH. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] I'M A MAN OF MY WORD. YOU WILL NOT SEE ME AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. I WILL MISS Y'ALL. I'LL BE RESTING MY HEAD, AND I HOPE TO BE VERY WEARY. I PLAN TO BE OUT IN THE STREETS AS MUCH AS I CAN GET TO. YOU KEPT ME FROM IT TODAY. I DON'T KNOW THAT SOMEBODY'S GOING TO TAKE FOR SOMEBODY, BUT I DO APPRECIATE IT ON BEHALF OF ALL THE YOUNG CHILDREN. I'VE WATCHED MY NEIGHBOR CHILDREN, I'VE WATCHED ANIMALS KILLED. I HAD TO WATCH RIGHT AFTER KATRINA, MY NEIGHBOR'S DOG GOT KILLED, AND I WARNED THEM THE WEEK BEFORE THIS. IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT. REALLY THE APPROACH TO DOING THIS IS REALLY WHAT SHOULD BE DONE. I WOULD RECOMMEND SUGGEST TO EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER, IF YOU HAVE NEIGHBORS THAT ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE RECKLESS DRIVING, DO WHATEVER IS IN YOUR POWER TO DO TO REDRESS THIS. IT'S RAMPANT. THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS THE ISSUE HERE FOR ME AND FOR MY NEIGHBORS. THAT BEING SAID. ANYBODY ELSE IN FAVOR? [LAUGHTER]. >> NO, THREE MINUTES IS UP. >> BUT UNDER PRINCIPALS, I'M TO STOP ONE HOUSE BEFORE MY HOUSE. I OPPOSE. >> TO BE CLEAR, IT'S ONLY ONE MEETING. NOVEMBER 8TH? [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER] THIS ONE. COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION ON 100. [BACKGROUND] ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION. MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM 121 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE. >> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND THE JEFFERSON CONVENTION IN VISITORS BUREAU INCORPORATED TO COORDINATE AND PLAN THE 2024 AND 2025 READ 22520-3552-764-102 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS TO BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION ON THE RESOLUTION. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 124 NOW ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, [ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS] WHICH I HAVE A NOTE TO CANCEL, AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THROUGH A COUPLE OF OTHER ONES AS WELL. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 1 THROUGH 24-13, WHICH WILL BE DISCUSSED, AND 17, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED. >> THIRTEEN, WHICH WILL BE DISCUSSED. I'D ALSO LIKE TO PULL 21 FOR DISCUSSION, AND THEN WHICH ONE DID YOU SAY IS CANCELED? >> SEVENTEEN. >> MOVE. >> I'LL READ IT HERE. NOW, ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 1 THROUGH 24-13, WHICH WILL BE DISCUSSED, 17, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED AND 21 WHICH WILL BE DISCUSSED. A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. LET'S GO TO 13, PLEASE. >> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO SELECT A PERSON OR FIRM FROM THE APPROVED LIST OF LAW FIRMS TO PROVIDE AN ANALYST STUDY REPORT [NOISE] RECOMMENDATION REGARDING THE POTENTIAL ETHICAL VIOLATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE COMMISSION WHETHER THE VIOLATIONS, IF ANY, RISE TO THE LEVEL OF REMOVAL FROM THE OFFICE PURSUANT TO JPCO 2155.105. >> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN YOUR MOTION OR YOUR DISCUSSION? >> ACTUALLY, I THINK THE WHEREAS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. I JUST MOVED TO APPROVE. >> WELL, I'VE MADE MY CONVERSATIONS AND MY THOUGHTS KNOWN ON THIS WITH FIVE DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS. WHILE THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I AM SUPPORTIVE OF IN THIS MEASURE AND SOME THINGS I AGREE WITH, I WAS NOT READY TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE TIME FRAME OF THIS MEETING. I HAD EXPRESSED THAT AND THERE WAS A DESIRE TO MOVE FORWARD AT THIS MEETING. BECAUSE WE'RE MOVING FORWARD TO THIS MEETING, I'M NOT READY TO MOVE FORWARD AT THIS MEETING. I'M GOING TO OBJECT TO THIS. SOMEONE ELSE WILL HAVE TO SECOND. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE [BACKGROUND]. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN MOVES? >> ROLL CALL. >> DO WE HAVE TO DO A ROLL CALL OUT? [04:50:02] >> I'D LIKE TO REQUEST. >> YOU WANT ONE. I THOUGHT YOU WERE. I NEED ONE. [OVERLAPPING] WHAT'S THAT? >> BEFORE WE VOTE. CAN WE HAVE DISCUSSION? >> WE CAN START WITH YOU, COUNCILMAN LILJBERG, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. I MEAN, I JUST WANT TO SAY FIRST OF ALL, THAT I THINK IN NO WAY DOES THIS, I KNOW THAT I FULLY SUPPORT OVERSIGHT. I KNOW I'VE DISCUSSED THIS WITH COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN AND SHE FULLY SUPPORTS OVERSIGHT. WE'RE ALL FOR OVERSIGHT. YOU CAN'T HAVE ENOUGH OVERSIGHT. WE CERTAINLY HAVE PLENTY IN THIS PARISH WITH AN INSPECTOR GENERAL AND A LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR AND AN INTERNAL AUDITOR. LOCAL AND STATE POLICE FORCES, BUT STILL YOU CAN'T HAVE ENOUGH OVERSIGHT. MY CONCERN WITH THIS IS SIMPLY, STAYING WITHIN BOUNDS. I THINK I'VE SEEN SOME THINGS THAT AND AS YOU SAID, THE WHEREAS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FRANKLY, I'VE SEEN MORE SINCE THE RESOLUTION WAS SENT DOWN. IT IS CONCERNING TO ME, AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. I WOULD ALSO, I LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT. >> SORRY, I'LL GIVE YOU A MINUTE. >> I'LL PASS. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? LET'S KNOW IF IT COMES BACK TO YOU. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN. >> I'M JUST GOING TO SAY IN ANTICIPATION, I'M GOING TO VOTE NO ON THIS MATTER. THIS IS A MATTER WHEN THIS ITEM POPULATED THE AGENDA, I'LL SIMPLY SAY, I READ IT AND NOTICE THAT NOWHERE IN THIS IS MENTIONED TAXPAYERS. IF ANYONE ON THIS COUNCIL HAS A CONCERN ABOUT ANYTHING, THE WAY THAT THE TAXPAYERS HAVE AUTHORIZED THIS TO BE SET UP IS THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS INDEPENDENT. THE FUNDING SOURCE FOR HER OFFICE IS INDEPENDENT. THERE IS A BOARD, THE ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE COMMISSION THAT OVERSEES THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, AND IF ANYONE HAS A CONCERN, THEY CAN GO FOR FREE TO THE ECC AND EXPRESS THOSE CONCERNS. WHAT I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF IS SPENDING ADDITIONAL TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO TRY TO FIND SOMETHING TO BRING TO THE ECC WHEN ANYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DO THAT FOR FREE. I WILL VOTE NO ON THAT BASIS. >> YOU REMINDED ME WHAT I HAD TO SAY. THANK YOU. >> GO AHEAD, COUNCILMAN LILJBERG. >> ACTUALLY, MR. HOW YOU BROUGHT UP A GOOD POINT, WHY ARE WE SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO HAVE SOMEBODY INVESTIGATE THIS WHEN WE HAVE LAWYERS IN HOUSE? I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM AS LONG AS THEY HAVE NO CONFLICT, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE COMFORTABLE DOING. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH DOING THAT. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP. I'VE ACTUALLY HAVEN'T ATTENDED THE ECC MEETINGS, BUT I'VE LISTENED TO SOME OF THEM, AND THEY'RE CONCERNING. I THINK, AGAIN, IN THIS RESOLUTION SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, AND I THINK THAT WE MIGHT NEED TO, UNFORTUNATELY, HANDED TO HIM ON A SILVER PLATTER. >> I AGREE WITH THOSE SENTIMENTS EXACTLY. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THEM AND REMIND THEM ABOUT WHAT THEIR JOB IS. YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE WATCHDOGS, AND WHILE THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO WATCH US. THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, WE HAVE A RECIPROCAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT OFFICE IS NOT ABUSED OR USED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES. I THINK MOST OF US ON THIS COUNCIL JUST REFUSE TO SIT BY AND WATCH ME OR CAMPAIGN HAPPEN TO A PARISH THAT WE LOVE. IF THERE'S NOTHING TO LOOK AT, THEN THEY WILL FIND NOTHING. IF THERE IS SOMETHING, THEN THEY'LL REPORT IT. THAT'S ALL THIS DOES. >> ANY OTHER? >> ASK A QUESTION BECAUSE LOOK YEARS AGO, I COMPLAINED AS A YOUNG REPORTER ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE IN THE STATION, AND MY BOSS AT THE TIME, SIMPLY SAID, "HAVE YOU GONE TO THAT PERSON YOU'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT AND HAD A DISCUSSION?" I SAID, "YOU KNOW WHAT? NO." I WALKED MYSELF OUT OF THAT OFFICE AND I WENT AND TALKED TO THAT EMPLOYEE. HAVE EITHER OF YOU EXPRESSED YOUR CONCERN TO THE ECC BECAUSE I WILL USE A PHRASE KIDS USE. WE'RE NOT THE BOSS OF THE IG. THE ECC IS THE BOSS OF THE IG AND THE TAXPAYERS ARE THE BOSS OF THE IG. I THINK WE'RE OVERSTEPPING OUR BOUNDS AS A COUNSEL TO TRY TO BE THE BOSS OF THE IG WHO IS INDEPENDENT AND HAVE EITHER OF YOU EXPRESS YOUR CONCERN TO THE BODY THAT IS SET UP TO OVERSEE THE IG. HAVE YOU WALKED OVER THERE AND EXPRESSED CONCERN? >> IF YOU'RE DIRECTING THAT AT ME, NO, I HAVE NOT. BECAUSE THIS LAW FIRM. >> [OVERLAPPING] I COULD THAT FIRST. >> I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT YOU WERE DONE SPEAKING. NO, I HAVE NOT DONE THAT. THE REASON I HAVE NOT DONE THAT IS BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE WHAT THERE IS TO REPORT. UNTIL WE HAVE AN OPINION, I KNOW THAT I HAVE SEEN ENOUGH IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS WITH WHAT HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF GRETNA, [04:55:04] THAT I AM SPOOKED, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF IT. I'M A PRACTICING AND LICENSED ATTORNEY, AND I REFUSE TO JUST WATCH THIS HAPPEN AND PRETEND LIKE IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL. IF THERE'S SOMETHING NEFARIOUS GOING ON, WE'RE GOING TO FIND IT. AFTER WE FIND IT, WE'RE GOING TO REPORT IT. >> YOU KNOW YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION AS A LICENSED ATTORNEY THAT IF YOU ARE AWARE OF A VIOLATION, YOU HAVE A DUTY TO REPORT IT. YOU KEEP THROWING THAT OUT THERE, BUT THERE'S NOTHING THERE. >> YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT. I SERVED ON THE COMMISSION FOR THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE FOR EIGHT YEARS. >> JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU. >> YOU DON'T HAVE TO, YOU DON'T NEED TO REMIND ME OF MY OBLIGATION. >> OH, SURE. >> THIS RESOLUTION REMINDS YOU OF YOURS. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT. LET'S HOPE. [OVERLAPPING] LET'S JUST HOPE. LET'S JUST HOPE THEY DON'T FIND ANYTHING. BUT IF THEY DO, AND I KNOW ABOUT IT, YOU CAN BE ASSURED I KNOW MY OBLIGATION AS A MEMBER OF THE BAR, AND WHOEVER'S INVOLVED WILL BE REPORTED. >> I THINK UNDER THE RULES AND THAT'S ANOTHER VERY GOOD QUESTION. I HAVEN'T GONE TO THE EEC OR THE ECC, BUT I ACTUALLY HAVE SAT DOWN WITH, YOU'RE SAYING THAT THE IG IS SUPPOSED TO BE INDEPENDENT AND I AGREE WITH YOU. >> ANSWER. >> IN FACT, THEY'RE ALL OVER THEIR OWN RULES ARE, IT'S NOT EVEN JUST THAT THEY HAVE TO BE INDEPENDENT IT'S THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE APPEARANCE OF INDEPENDENCE, WHICH IS AN EVEN HIGHER STANDARD. RESPECTFULLY, BUT JUST THE FACTS ARE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GOING TO, AFTER I HAD A MEETING WITH THE IG, SHE WENT TO ANOTHER CIVIL ASSOCIATION MEETING WITH YOU, TOUTING THINGS THAT, AGAIN, AS YOU SAID, AGAINST THIS PROJECT IN GRETNA. THEN I SAW ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING WHEN ASKED ABOUT [INAUDIBLE] CITY, THAT'S UNDER INVESTIGATION. WELL, HOW COME ONE THING'S UNDER INVESTIGATION OR SHE ACTUALLY SAID I CAN'T DISCUSS IT IS OR MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT BE UNDER INVESTIGATION? WELL, THAT'S CONCERNING WHEN I CAN NOT ONLY, I GUESS WE CAN SPLIT HEARS ON PUBLIC LETTER OR INVESTIGATION, BUT NOW WE'RE ISSUING SUBPOENAS. I ASSUME THAT MEANS THERE'S AN INVESTIGATION. IF THERE'S AN INVESTIGATION, THEN MOM IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE WORD, BUT WE'RE STILL GOING TO CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGS. YET, ASK A [INAUDIBLE] CITY, CAN'T SAY ANYTHING. I FIND THAT VERY CONCERNING. AGAIN, THAT DOES NOT APPEAR INDEPENDENT. >> LET ME JUST SAY SINCE THAT IS DIRECTED MY WAY, I AND EVERY CIVIC ASSOCIATION CAN CONFIRM THIS. I GO TO CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, SOMETIMES JUST TO LISTEN AND SOMETIMES TO SPEAK. THAT IS NOT AN UNUSUAL PATTERN FOR ME. THAT IS MY PATTERN. I GO TO CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGS. I KNOW YOU ARE NEW IN THIS ROLE, COUNCILMAN. AS A JUDGE, I KNOW YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE PLEASURE OF GOING TO CIVIC MEETINGS AS WE DO. BUT THE IG FOR YEARS, HAS GONE TO CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, BOTH THE CURRENT IG AND THE PREDECESSOR. US GOING TO CIVIC MEETINGS IS NOT IN ANY WAY INAPPROPRIATE OR NOT THE NORM FOR EACH OF US INDEPENDENTLY. SECONDLY, AND I KNOW OUR FRIENDS IN THE NEWS WILL KNOW THIS BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IN NEW ORLEANS POINTED OUT PROBLEMS WITH THE CODE DEPARTMENT IN NEW ORLEANS, AND RATHER THAN FIGHTING THE IG, THE CODE DEPARTMENT WELCOMED A MEMBER OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL STAFF TO EMBED IN THE CODE DEPARTMENT I TAKE IT AS MY RESPONSIBILITY WHEN SOMETHING IS ON THE RADAR OF THE IG, THAT I CAN IN ANY WAY ADDRESS, I EMBRACE WORKING TOGETHER TO FIX IT, BECAUSE IF THERE'S WASTE, FRAUD, OR ABUSE, I'M GOING TO WORK WITH THE IG. I DON'T THINK IT'S AN APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY TO WORK PUBLICLY ON SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN POINTED OUT AS A CONCERN. I THINK IT'S MY JOB TO ADDRESS THAT CONCERN AND CONSIDER ACTION TO REMEDIATE THAT. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW THAT IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR INSPECTOR GENERAL TO ATTEND CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGS. IN FACT, IN THEIR OWN RULES, IT ENCOURAGES THEM TO GO TO CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGS TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT THE OFFICE IS ABOUT AND WHAT THEY DO. NOWHERE DO YOU FIND ANYWHERE THAT SAYS YOU SHOULD GO TOUT THIS PUBLIC LETTER OR SOMETHING THAT YOU DID NO INVESTIGATION ON, CALL INTO QUESTION REPUTATIONS, AND THEN BACK OFF AND SAY, NOW I'M DONE, SEE YOU LATER. OUR LAST PUBLIC LETTER ALSO WAS VERY CONCERNING. THE SKY WAS GOING TO FALL AND AND FBI WAS COMING DOWN AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS COMING DOWN. HERE WE ARE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, NOTHING, BUT REPUTATIONS WERE CALLED INTO QUESTION. BY THE WAY, THAT [05:00:02] WAS THE MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE HOUSED IN GRETNA. MAYBE IT'S A COINCIDENCE. >> I SAID THIS TO CHRIS JOSEPH WHEN I WAS ASKED, THE COMMONALITY TO ME IS NEVER THE LOCATION, IT'S ALWAYS THE DOLLARS. WE TALKED ABOUT IT THEN. IF THERE ARE DOLLARS TO BE QUESTIONED, THAT IS WHERE MY CONCERN ARISES. THIS IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I DIDN'T ACTUALLY BRING IT UP, BUT THE GRETNA TASK FORCE HAS FOR MANY YEARS BEEN FUNDED AT A RATE OF $250,000. WHEN THAT RATE JUMPED TO $1 MILLION THIS YEAR, I DID QUESTION THAT, BECAUSE WHAT IS THE REASON FOR IT GOING FROM 250 TO A MILLION? I GUESS THE ESSENCE OF WHAT I CONSIDER MY ROLE TO BE IS TO ASK THE COMMON SENSE QUESTIONS THAT THE TAXPAYER WOULD ASK. IF I SEE SOMETHING GO 250 TO A MILLION, I DO FEEL AN OBLIGATION TO ASK THE QUESTION WHEREVER THAT MONEY IS DIRECTED. THE COMMONALITY TO ME IS NOT THE LOCATION, THE COMMONALITY IS THE DOLLARS. >> EXCEPT IN THIS CASE, THE TAXPAYER DIDN'T ASK. >> NO, I GOT PUT HERE BY THE TAXPAYER. I ASK ON BEHALF OF THE TAXPAYER, WHY IS THE INCREASE FOUR-FOLD? LET ME JUST COMPLETE IT. >> ARE YOU FINISHED? >> I'M MOMENTARILY. >> OKAY. >> THE TAXPAYER DIDN'T ASK. THIS WAS YOU AND THE IG GOING AROUND WITH FLYERS THAT CLEARLY, WE HAD A STATE REPRESENTATIVE GET UP AND EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHY THERE'S A TON OF MISREPRESENTATIONS ON THERE. YOU'RE HANDING THEM OUT AT NIGHT AGAINST CRIME. I'VE NEVER SEEN YOU AT A KENNER CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETING, YET YOU SHOW UP TO [OVERLAPPING] >> I WAS THERE LAST NIGHT. IT'S CLEAR. >> NO, YOU CAN BE AS CLEAR AS YOU WANT WHEN I'M DONE SPEAKING. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, YOU SHOW UP AT THE FIRST KENNER CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETING EVER THAT I'M AWARE OF, AND I GO TO ALL OF THEM, AND YOU SHOW UP WITH THE IG. YOU WANT US TO JUST SAY, IT'S OKAY, SHE STILL APPEARS TO BE INDEPENDENT. THIS RESOLUTION LITERALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN GRETNA. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRIMES TASK FORCE. THIS HAS ALL TO DO WITH HER DUTIES, HER OBLIGATIONS, AND WHETHER OR NOT SHE IS INDEPENDENT, IN FACT, AND IN APPEARANCE. IF SHE'S NOT, ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS, THEN IT GETS REPORTED. THAT'S JUST WHERE WE ARE. >> ON THAT NOTE, CAN WE LEAVE IT THERE? EVERYBODY GOOD? I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR MY POSITION AGAIN, SINCE IT'S BEEN A MINUTE THAT I'M VOTING AGAINST THIS TODAY, NOT BECAUSE I'M AGAINST THIS, BECAUSE I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS. I JUST WASN'T READY UNDER THE GUISE OF WHAT THIS IS TODAY AND HOW IT'S WRITTEN, AND I HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROCESS FORWARD WITH THIS RESOLUTION. I WOULD HAVE LIKED A LITTLE MORE TIME, BUT LIKE I SAID, THERE WAS A DESIRE TO GO FORWARD TODAY. THAT'S WHERE WE ARE, AND THAT'S WHY I'M AGAINST IT, BUT THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS THAT I ECHO WITH MY COLLEAGUES UP HERE. ON THAT NOTE, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION. >> ROLL CALL VOTE, PLEASE. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> I WILL SECOND. >> GO AHEAD. MADAM CLERK, START AT THE END. >> THIS IS GOING TO BE FOR ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM 13, ROLL CALL VOTE. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN BONANO? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN LEE? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN WALKER? >> NO. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? >> NO. >> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG? >> YES. >> THE MOTION PASSES. >> LET'S GO TO ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM 17, PLEASE, WITH AMENDMENTS. SORRY, 17 CAN BE CANCELED. I'M SORRY. SEVENTEEN IS CANCELED, SO WE GO TO 25 IN SPECIAL DISTRICTS. OR 21. WE'RE PULLING 21? PLEASE READ ITEM NUMBER 21, MADAM CLERK. >> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ATTACHED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE KENNER LAKE TOWN AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION OPERATING WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF JEFFERSON PARISH, PARTICULARLY THE KENNER LAKE TOWN DISTRICT AND THE LAKE TOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4. >> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN. >> I MOVED TO APPROVE. >> LET ME ASK A QUESTION IF I CAN. THIS ITEM, AGAIN, BECAUSE WE'VE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF OUR MEETING TODAY ON SETTING UP PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS. IS THIS ITEM SETTING UP ANOTHER ENTITY THAT WILL DO SOMETHING INDIRECTLY THAT THE PARISH COULD DO DIRECTLY? >> I'M NOT AWARE OF ANYONE AND MAYBE, MADAM PRESIDENT, [05:05:02] YOU CAN TELL ME IF THERE'S ANYONE ON OUR STAFF THAT RUNS AMPHITHEATERS. I DIDN'T THINK SO. WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THE PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION IS ESTABLISHING PARAMETERS TO RUN WHAT WILL BE THE AMPHITHEATER THAT'S GOING OUT AT LAKE TOWN. LET ME TELL YOU. TALK ABOUT TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS. THIS IS HUGE FOR KENNER. THE MAYOR, ALL OF US ARE EXCITED. WE'VE WORKED REALLY CLOSELY WITH THE PARISH, MICHELLE GONZALEZ, A BIG SHOUT OUT. WE'RE GETTING HER A CAP WHEN THIS THING'S FINISHED, AND BROUGHT A LOT OF PEOPLE TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS DREAM A REALITY FOR KENNER FINALLY, BECAUSE WE HAVE WANTED THIS FOR A LONG TIME. THAT'S WHAT THIS DOES. IT WILL HELP US SO THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO MANAGE THE ASSET ITSELF, AND ALL OF THE PROCEEDS. BECAUSE IT ISN'T A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION, THEY ARE TAXED AS A NONPROFIT. BUT LET ME JUST EXPLAIN IT NOW BECAUSE WE JUST HAD ALL THIS CONVERSATION WITH JFI. FOR THIS PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION, EVERYONE SERVES AT WILL. THEY ARE NOT PAID TO SERVE, THEY'RE ALL VOLUNTEERS. WHATEVER INCOME THAT IS DERIVED FROM THE ASSET, WHICH IN THIS CASE, WILL BE AN AMPHITHEATER, THE PARAMETERS OF THE PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION IS THAT IT MUST BE SPENT FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE LAKE TOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. LIKE GRETNA'S HAS TO BE SPENT ON THE WEST BANK, THIS ONE SPECIFICALLY WILL HAVE TO BE SPENT IN THAT LAKE TOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. THE MONEY THAT IS RECEIVED BY THE NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION IS SPENT TO GO RIGHT BACK INTO THE AREA TO CONTINUE IMPROVEMENTS. >> AGAIN, YOU CAN DO IT HOW YOU WANT TO, BUT I JUST WANT CLARIFICATION. COULD WE NOT SEEK THAT EXPERTISE BY A DIRECT SOQ SAYING, ANYONE OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC WHO HAS THE EXPERTISE OF RUNNING AN AMPHITHEATER, PLEASE COME TO US BECAUSE WE DO THAT WITH THE PERFORMING ART CENTER. WE DO THAT WITH OTHER ENTITIES. >> I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE [INAUDIBLE] DID, DIDN'T THEY? >> INDEED, THAT IS WHAT THE [INAUDIBLE] DID. >> JUST CURIOUS WHY WE WOULDN'T DO THIS DIRECTLY. WE DO IT IN OTHER SCENARIOS DIRECTLY. >> BECAUSE IT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF DOING. WHAT I'M REALLY TRYING TO MAKE SURE IS THAT THIS IS A KENNER ASSET, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, REGARDLESS OF WHO'S THE MAYOR OF KENNER OR WHO'S SITTING IN THIS SEAT, THAT THAT ASSET IS PROTECTED FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A BOARD. IT'S NOT JUST WHOEVER'S AT WILL AT THE PARISH THAT'S PICKING THE COMPANY THAT'S GOING TO RUN IT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE VETTED AND THAT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN KENNER HAVE A SAY. THE MAKEUP OF THE BOARD ARE NOT ONLY RESIDENTS, BUT THEY HAVE ALL KIND OF PARAMETERS. ONE HAS TO BE A LAWYER, ONE HAS TO BE AN ACCOUNTANT, THE MAYOR SERVES ON IT, THE DISTRICT 4 PERSON WILL SERVE ON IT, SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REAL STAKEHOLDERS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A SAY AND THAT THE ASSET RUNS SMOOTHLY. THE LAST THING WE WANT IS THAT THE MONEY IS PUT BACK INTO ANY KIND OF GENERAL TILL, AND THEN THEY HAVE A HARD TIME MAINTAINING THE ASSET ITSELF. WE'RE NOT GOING TO INVEST ALL THIS TIME AND EFFORT TO LET IT GO TO WASTE, SO I'M DOING MY VERY BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ASSET IS PROTECTED REGARDLESS OF WHO'S RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT. >> AS YOU MOVE FOR APPROVAL, JUST NOTE ME AS OBJECTING BECAUSE I PREFER TO DO THINGS DIRECTLY AND TRANSPARENTLY, AND THE CONTINUED PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS JUST LEAVE ME UNCOMFORTABLE. >> MS. VAN VRANCKEN, YOU SHOULD READ THAT WHEN YOU GUYS DID THAT FAT CITY THING, HOLD ON, WAIT. SOMEBODY GAVE ME A COPY. THEY HAD SUGGESTED IN HERE WHEN YOU DID EAT FAT CITY THAT YOU DO A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION TO HELP MAINTAIN SOME OF THOSE ASSETS. MAYBE HAD THAT BEEN FOLLOWED, WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN IN THE POSITION WHERE IT'S NOT WORKING. >> LET ME ADDRESS THAT SINCE YOU PULLED OUT THE ULI. LET ME SHOW THAT TO THE PUBLIC, IF YOU WOULD. THIS IS WHY I'M A FIRM BELIEVER IN TRANSPARENCY. THIS IS A DOCUMENT. IT IS GETTING LONG, BUT AGAIN, WE KEEP COMING UP WITH NEW SUBJECTS. THIS IS SOMETHING WE DID PUBLICLY. JEFFERSON PARISH SOLICITED ULI, EXPERTS IN PLANNING, TO GIVE US INPUT INTO FAT CITY. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK DOING THINGS DIRECTLY ARE MORE TRANSPARENT, BECAUSE IF THE DOLLARS ARE COMING FROM US, I THINK IT SHOULD GO THROUGH AN AGENDA, I THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE DIRECTLY. THIS WAS DONE DIRECTLY. WE DID AN RFI DIRECTLY. WE DID A SOLICITATION FOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES DIRECTLY. WE DID A SOLICITATION FOR ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS DIRECTLY. WE DID A SOLICITATION FOR A CMAR DIRECTLY. MY FAVORITE PRESIDENT OF ALL TIME IS RONALD REAGAN, AND I REMEMBER RONALD REAGAN PUTTING ON THE DESK THE BUDGET. LET ME PUT THE PUBLIC RECORDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS THEM ON EAT FAT CITY. [05:10:02] THESE ARE ALL PUBLIC. THEY DON'T GO THROUGH A MIDDLEMAN. THIS WAS DONE BY THE PARISH DIRECTLY. ALL OF THOSE THINGS SECURED DIRECTLY. I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THEM OUT. THIS TO ME, IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING TO DOCUMENT HOW WE'RE USING PUBLIC DOLLARS INSTEAD OF OBSCURING THE USE. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, CAN I SPEAK? >> YES, MADAM PRESIDENT. >> COUNCILWOMAN, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT. >> YES. >> THE COUNCIL AND YOUR SUCCESSOR IN DISTRICT 5 HAD TO JUST GO SETTLE A LAWSUIT FOR $5 MILLION, AND PARTLY, I'M TO BLAME. >> WHY'S THAT? >> BECAUSE I'M THE ONE WHO OBJECTED TO EAT FAT CITY. I HAD TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT IN A POSITION THAT I NEVER WANT TO BE IN EVER. YOU WERE A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY. I NEVER WANTED TO COME OUT PUBLICLY AGAINST FAT CITY. I WAS THE ONE WHO STARTED OFF IN FAT CITY. IT WAS A BAD SITUATION FOR ME TO BE IN. I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, ALL OF US WHO WERE FINDING OUT LATER ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING IN EAT FAT CITY, THE RESOUNDING MESSAGE IN THE BUILDING WAS, "WHERE'S THE IG?". >> I NEVER HEARD. >> IT'S NOT MY STYLE TO GO TO THE IG OR TO GO TO THE ETHICS COMMISSION AND REPORT YOU BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, BUT I HAD TO PUBLICLY COME OUT IN OPPOSITION TO FAT CITY, AND NONE OF THOSE DOCUMENTS WERE SHARED WITH US. I WAS CHASING IT. GREG GIANGROSSO SAW ON A COUNCIL MEETING, A BUDGET MOVE THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE PAYING RENT. THAT WAS NOT TOLD TO ME. WHILE EVERYBODY WAS MOVING OUT OF THE HOTELS, AND I THINK THIS IS PART OF THE DAMAGES FOR THE LAWSUIT, IS EVERYBODY WAS MOVING OUT OF THE HOTELS, AND EVERYBODY WAS MOVING OUT OF THE APARTMENT, I HAD NO IDEA THAT ALL THIS WAS GOING ON IN FAT CITY, AND THAT OUR OPERATING DEPARTMENTS, THE LAND WAS GETTING SOLD RIGHT FROM UNDER US. IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SIT HERE AND I'M TRYING TO STAY IN MY LANE. BUT TO HEAR THAT THE IG, NOW SHE'S SAYING SHE MIGHT BE INVESTIGATED. NOBODY ASKED ME ABOUT EAT FAT CITY, OR YOU, OR ANYBODY ON THE COUNCIL. I ASKED YOUR COLLEAGUES, DID THEY KNOW ABOUT EAT FAT CITY? BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO REALLY GO AGAINST YOU. YOU SAID YOU WERE TELLING ALL THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT IT. IT WAS A BAD SITUATION FOR ALL OF US TO BE IN. BUT I PROMISE YOU, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL WAS NOT ASKING ANYTHING ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE ABOUT EAT FAT CITY. NO ONE WAS. IT'S HARD TO SIT HERE AND SEE YOU SUBJECT GRETNA TO SUCH A LEVEL OF SCRUTINY WHEN MAYBE IF A SMIDGEN OF THAT LEVEL OF SCRUTINY WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ON EAT FAT CITY, WE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO PAY $5 MILLION LAWSUIT. IT'S JUST DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SIT HERE AND BE QUIET ON THIS SUBJECT. WE WOULD HAVE LIKED SOME OF THE DOCUMENTS THAT EAT FAT CITY WAS GOING, BECAUSE I'M THE ONE WHO HAD TO STEP IN AND THEN WE GOT A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST US, AND NOW THE PARISH DISHED OUT $5 MILLION. I'M SURE THE TAXPAYERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT $5 MILLION TOO. >> LET ME RESPOND. >> ACTUALLY, I'D LIKE [OVERLAPPING] >> LET ME RESPOND TO THIS DISCUSSION. >> LET HER GO, THEN YOU GO, AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON, PLEASE. >> BECAUSE I JUST WANT A POINT OF CLARIFICATION. EVERYTHING THAT WAS DONE, THE SOQS THAT WERE ADVERTISED, ALL OF THE PUBLIC SOLICITATIONS WERE ON COUNCIL AGENDAS, SO THEY WERE NOT HIDDEN. THEY ARE ON THE SAME DOCUMENTS THAT WE ALL READ, AND THEY WERE ALL THERE. THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT THAT IS UNDER YOU SENT OUT THE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR EACH OF THESE SOLICITATIONS, OUR PARISH ATTORNEY THEN DOCUMENTED THE RESPONSES THAT EACH SOLICITATION HAD AND THE SCORES, THEN THE SELECTION CAME BACK, THE CONTRACTS CAME BACK PUBLICLY, LOCKING IN RATES ACCORDING TO THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. IF YOU WERE NOT AWARE, I APOLOGIZE, BUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM WAS DOCUMENTED ON A COUNCIL AGENDA, AND IS A PUBLIC RECORD INVOLVING ALL OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS, SO IT WAS ALL DONE PUBLICLY. >> AS FOR THE LITIGATION, IT IS VERY BOTHERSOME TO ME BECAUSE WHEN I LEFT DISTRICT 5, THE LAST EMAIL I SENT WAS TO COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG TO SAY, WE HAVE TWO PIECES OF PROPERTY. IN APRIL OF 2023, THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED SOMETHING THAT SAID, WE WILL EITHER SWAP LAND TO ACQUIRE THESE TWO PIECES OF PROPERTY OR PURCHASE THESE TWO PIECES OF PROPERTY. THAT ORDINANCE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN APRIL, IT BECAME LAW. THE PROPERTY OWNER STARTED VACATING THE PROPERTY AND SHUTTING DOWN HIS BUSINESSES. I TOLD THE COUNCILMAN, I HAVE HAD THESE PROPERTIES APPRAISED. [05:15:03] HAD REVIEW APPRAISALS. ONE OF THEM WAS COMFORTABLE TO ME, ONE I THOUGHT HAD QUESTIONS. I SAID, IF I WERE YOU, I WOULD GET AN ADDITIONAL ROUND OF APPRAISALS SO THAT WE DOCUMENT FOR THE PUBLIC THE VALUE OF THESE LAND AND BUSINESSES, AND I HAVE PUT THE $6,000,000 IN AN ACCOUNT OR FIVE MILLION, I THINK IT'S A $6,000,000 FIGURE THAT WAS THERE TO BUY THESE TWO PROPERTIES. THE ONLY REASON FOR THE LITIGATION AND PARISH ATTORNEY, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THE SETTLEMENT SAYS, COUNCIL, YOU PASSED SOMETHING THAT SAID YOU WERE ACQUIRING THESE TWO PROPERTIES, AND THEN THE MONEY NEVER MOVED. THE SIX MILLION THAT I LEFT IN AN ACCOUNT THAT I DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO ANYMORE, BUT HAD WE JUST SIMPLY FOLLOWED THROUGH ON OUR OBLIGATION AND MOVED THE MONEY TO ACQUIRE THE TWO PIECES OF LAND AND PROPERTIES, THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A LAWSUIT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE SETTLED FOR THE APPRAISED VALUE OF THOSE PROPERTIES AND BUSINESSES. I ACTUALLY WAS NOT THE REASON FOR THE LAWSUIT. THE MONEY NOT MOVING WAS THE REASON FOR THE LAWSUIT, AND THAT IS A DECISION OF COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 AND NOT MINE. >> THE PROPERTY SWAP WITH THE APPRAISALS, AND I'VE NEVER TALKED ABOUT IT PUBLICLY, BUT THAT WAS STRANGE DEAL, LOPSIDED DEAL FOR THE PARISH. IF ANYBODY LOOKS AT THE APPRAISALS. >> I THINK WE'RE LOSING SIGHT OF THE REAL. [OVERLAPPING] >> WE REALLY ARE LOSING SIGHT. >> I NEED TO RESPOND. >> COUNCILWOMAN, I WOULD JUST HIGHLY SUGGEST THAT IF PROPERTY WAS GOING TO GET SWAPPED FROM UNDER ME WHEN I HAD OPERATING UNITS ON IT. THAT IS A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION THAT I THINK I NEEDED TO HAVE BEFOREHAND AND NOT SHAME ON YOU FOR NOT CATCHING IT ON 200 ITEMS THAT GET MOVED EVERY COUNCIL MEETING. I HAD UNITS ON THOSE PROPERTIES THAT WERE BEING SWAPPED RIGHT FROM UNDER ME AND WE DID CATCH IT. WE DID CATCH IT AND THE FIRST SIGHT OF US HAVING TO CATCH IT WAS A RENT MOVE ON A BUDGET. THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED YOU WERE SWAPPING THE PROPERTY RIGHT FROM UNDER ME, AND I HAD TO PUBLICLY OPPOSE IT. BUT I WAS NEVER GIVEN THAT INFORMATION. THAT WAS BIG INFORMATION, WHICH WAS THE REASON WHY THE WHOLE THING FELL APART. >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG. >> ALL THE PARTIES THAT NEEDED TO KNOW DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. >> COUNCILMAN, I HAVE A LOT TO SAY, BUT AT THE RISK. [OVERLAPPING] >> THEN WE'LL GET BACK TO THE ACTUAL [OVERLAPPING] >> I'M GOING TO PASS ON EVERYTHING I HAVE TO SAY EXCEPT THIS. I KEEP HEARING TRANSPARENCY AND GOOD GOVERNMENT OVER AND OVER PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST MISS PARISH ATTORNEY. >> OPEN MEETING'S LAW. >> THESE ARE ALL TRANSPARENT AND THEY HAVE THE SAME SCRUTINY AS IT WOULD BE IF YOU DID IT IN-HOUSE. I'M JUST GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT. >> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. >> YEAH. NOTE ME AS. >> ROLL CALL OUT. >> ROLL CALL AGAIN. DO YOU WANT TO ROLL CALL THAT? ROLL CALL. ANY OBJECTION TO A MOTION FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE. DO I GET A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> OKAY. >> THIS WILL BE A ROLL CALL VOTE FOR ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM 21. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN BANANO? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN LEE? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN WALKER? >> YES. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? >> I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN BECAUSE I RESPECT THE COUNCILWOMAN'S DECISION TO MOVE AS SHE WISHES. IT IS JUST NOT MY PLACE OF COMFORT. >> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN? >> MOVE TO PROOF. YES. [LAUGHTER] >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG? >> I ALSO RESPECT THE COUNCILWOMAN'S OBLIGATION TO DO ITS BEST FOR HER OWN DISTRICT, SO I'M GOING TO VOTE YES. >> THE MOTION PASSES. >> LET'S GO TO NUMBER 25, PLEASE. ON THE AGENDA OF AGENDA 25. >> I THINK WE DID THAT ONE. >> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE MATORY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO ALLOW MBDD TO PERFORM ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING, ABATEMENT, AND DEMOLITION OF DERELICT STRUCTURES ON PARISH-OWNED LAND LOCATED AT 3708 DIVISION STREET IN 3800 AND 3828 HESMER AVENUE, [05:20:04] MATAIRIE, LOUISIANA, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS. COUNCIL DISTRICT 5. >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG? >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. I HAVE A NOTE THAT ITEM 26 WILL BE CANCELED, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN. >> YES. MOVE TO CANCEL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE CANCELLATION OF ITEM 26 OR MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM 125, PLEASE. [JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS] >> A RESOLUTION RESENDING RESOLUTION NUMBER 144898, ADOPTED ON THE 28TH DAY OF AUGUST 2024, WHICH AUTHORIZED AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN JEFFERSON PARISH AND SIGMA CONSULTING CORPORATION, DATED OCTOBER 4TH, 2022, THAT COULD NOT BE EXECUTED DUE TO AN ADMISSION IN THE RESOLUTION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A SECOND AGREEMENT CONTINUING IN FORM OF SUBSTANCE, THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT WITH SIGMA CONSULTING CORPORATION TO CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH DEPARTMENT OF RISK MANAGEMENT, JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER 1 AND JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT 2, ACCEPT THE SECOND AGREEMENT SHALL INCREASE THE NOT EXCEED AMOUNT BY ONE MILLION DOLLARS AND ADD ONE YEAR TO THE AGREEMENT, GIVING IT AN EXPIRATION DATE OF OCTOBER 3RD, 2025. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN YOUR MOTION? >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDER. ITEM 126, PLEASE. >> A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND SHER HARDY SHERMAN WILLIAMS RES AND HAYES, LLP, TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES IN REGARDS TO UNINSURED MATTERS OF JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER 2, CONTINUING ON IT HAS NEEDED BASIS, INCLUDING JOSEPH F. ODO JUNIOR MD VERSUS JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER 2, DOING BUSINESS AS EAST JEFFERSON GENERAL HOSPITAL 24TH JDC NUMBER 790224 DIVISION E AND SELLA III, LLC VERSUS JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER 2, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA. DOING BUSINESS HAS EAST JEFFERSON GENERAL HOSPITAL, USBC EDLA NUMBER 19-11528 SECTION A NUMBER 19-01145, AND SHALL NOT EXCEED $250,000 FOR THE TWO-YEAR TERM. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. NO NEW BUSINESS, NO STATUS REPORTS. [PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS] PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS, YOU'RE UP. YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO? >> I'M MARLA 4260 EAST FLORIDA DRIVE, FIFTH DISTRICT KENNER, FOURTH DISTRICT INCORPORATED JEFFERSON, 52 YEARS. CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION FROM THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, $157,492.25. TOP FIVE BENEFACTORS, COUNCILMAN LEE, COUNCILMAN WALKER, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, AND COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN. NOW, WE TOUCHED ON THE INVOCATION TODAY, SO I WANT TO ADD A LITTLE SOMETHING TO THAT. I'M GOING TO PARAPHRASE HERE A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE WOMEN IN AUTHORITY NOWADAYS IN POLITICS. NOW, FOR WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN OR A WOMAN, IF HE OR SHE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, BUT LOSE THEIR OWN SOUL? GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY, I'M THE BURDEN ON YOUR RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. YOU APPOINT PEOPLE IN BAT ROUGE BASED ON A LOYALTY TO YOU. THAT MAKES THEM PUPPETS, ALL OF THEM, AND YOU THE PUPPET MASTER. NOW, THE LOYALTIES SHOULD BE FIRST AND FOREMOST TO THE 4.6 MILLION LOUISIANIANS. NOWHERE ELSE, GOVERNOR, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TEACH YOU A LESSON IN THAT RESPECT. COME ON DOWN HERE SOMETIME AND DEBATE ME, GOVERNOR. I LOOK FORWARD TO IT. NOW, NUMBER 69 ON THE AGENDA, I THINK THAT SENT UP A HUGE RED FLAG. I GOT QUESTIONS THAT I'D LIKE TO ASK JFI AND JRI. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVITED DOWN HERE A LONG TIME AGO, BUT THIS SHOULD HAVE PASSED, BUT THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE I'M GOING TO MAKE MY COMMENTS AT THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING. WITH THEM OR WITHOUT THEM, I DON'T NEED THEM HERE. ONE OTHER THING. ITEM NUMBER 13. I'M GOING TO DIRECT THIS TO YOU. MISS CHATELAIN, OUR INSPECTOR GENERAL. FIRST OF ALL, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, INSPECTOR GENERAL WORKED FOR THE TAXPAYERS. WE ARE HER EMPLOYEE. [05:25:02] THE ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE COMMISSION OVERSEES THAT OFFICE FOR THE TAXPAYERS WHO MANDATED THAT OFFICE, BY THE WAY, TO GO AFTER ALL AND EVERY BIT OF FRAUD WASTE, AND ABUSE, NOT TO BE SELECTIVE AS TO WHAT THEY GO AFTER. THIS WAS WHAT THE DEMISE WAS OF HER PREDECESSOR, DAVID MCKINNOCK, BECAUSE HE COULDN'T SEPARATE FRIENDSHIPS ON HIS COUNCIL FROM BUSINESS SO HE WENT AFTER WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO GO AFTER ACROSS THE BOARD SELECTIVELY. ANYBODY GOT ANY COMMENTS OR ANY QUESTIONS? ONE MORE THING. >> YOU'RE OUT OF TIME. >> I'M OUT OF TIME. TO BE CONTINUED. ANY QUESTIONS? ANYBODY? LAST CALL. THANK YOU. >> WELL, FRANKIE HIERS. I'M PRETTY SURE WE GOT SOME CURIOSITY. I'M CERTAINLY A WAY READY TO GO. I'LL BE BRIEF. I WON'T TAKE MY THREE MINUTES, BUT I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE SAVED US ALL A LOT OF TIME. YOU JUST GAVE HIM HIS FIVE MINUTES. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU HE WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE ADDRESSING AGENDA ITEMS WHEN HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE UP HERE ON HIS OWN ITEMS. THERE'S RULES. THANK YOU ALL. I DO APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS MADE. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE ME, YOU ALL CAN SEND ME TO ANOTHER CHAMBER IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. YOU COULD SEND ME SOMEWHERE ELSE. YOU COULD GIVE ME SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GO. >> DID I SEE YOU SOMETHING AT THE ASCENSION PARISH COUNCIL MEETING? >> MAYBE. I'VE BEEN ASCENSION PARISH. I'M GETTING TO ASCENSION. LIVINGSTON I'M ALL OVER THE PLACE. WE'RE GOING PARISH-WIDE. WE'RE GOING STATEWIDE. DON'T KNOW WHAT FENCE I'M SWINGING FOR NEXT, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG ONE. TRUST ME. IT IS ALL ABOUT JUST THE POSTERITY. WE ARE OBLIGED TO SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES, AND NOT TO YOU OR ME, HIM OR HER. >> NOT TO YOU JUST SO YOU KNOW. >> NOTHING BUT LOVE. MR. LILJEBERG, NOTHING BUT LOVE, JUDGE. I WAS OVER IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. I KNOW YOU'RE METRO HEIGHTS, MORY COORS. I'M KNOCK I'M GOING TO FIND YOUR DOORS. >> OKAY, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU HE CAME TO KENNER TOO. >> THAT'S RIGHT. YOU CAN'T KEEP ME OUT OF ANYWHERE. I'VE BEEN DOWN ON BETTY STREET. I AIN'T AFRAID OF ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOODS. I'LL GO TO WEST BANK. WE'LL COME SEE YOU. >> BROOKLYN'S GOES NEXT. >> I LOVE THIS PARISH. I LOVE THIS REGION. I'M A JEFFERSONIAN THROUGH AND THROUGH. IF WE LACK FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT REQUIRED TO EXERCISE OUR CONTROL WITH A WHOLESOME DISCRETION, THE REMEDY IS NOT TO TAKE IT FROM THEM, NOT FROM OURSELVES, BUT TO INFORM OUR DISCRETION. ROMANS 13 GUIDED ME REAL STRONG LAST YEAR, SO TO GET THAT PASTOR IN HERE AND TO GET A TASTE OF THAT MEANT A LOT TO ME, I APPRECIATE YOU ALL CALLING THEM IN HERE. GRACE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY TOUGHEST STRUGGLE TO EXERCISE GRACE. FORGIVENESS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S REALLY MY JOB. I THINK THAT'S TO THE LORD. I LEAVE ROOM FOR PEOPLE'S REDEMPTION. I BELIEVE WE'RE ALL REDEEMABLE, AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AND IMPORTANT TO AFFORD EACH OTHER. THE ROOM FOR REDEMPTION. BUT OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO WANT FOR THAT. THAT'S ALL I'M GOING TO SAY. MUCH LOVE, HAPPY THANKSGIVING. MAYBE YOU WON'T SEE ME IN DECEMBER. I DON'T KNOW IF NOT MERRY CHRISTMAS. I WANT TO COME BACK AND WISH MERRY CHRISTMAS. BUT PROBABLY FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY. I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT ONE OFF TOO FOR YOU ALL. HAPPY NEW YEAR. >> HAPPY NEW YEAR. [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER] >> NO. [INAUDIBLE]. >> ANYONE ELSE? MADAM CLERK, [ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY] PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY. >> THE FIRST TWO, I'M GOING TO READ. I'M GOING TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTES. [BACKGROUND] AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE MANHATTAN BOULEVARD, FOUNTAIN PARK, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE RESTORATION TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM, HARVEY, JEFFERSON, PARISH, LOUISIANA, AND TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER RELATED MATTERS. [BACKGROUND] >> THIS NEEDS TO BE A UNANIMOUS VOTE, COUNCILMAN BANANO. [LAUGHTER] ANY OBJECTION, THAT ORDINANCE BEING READ IN A SUMMARY. HEARING NONE. >> AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES ARTICLE 5, RELATIVE TO AMENDING SECTION 2-155.10 REGARDING APPOINTMENT, AUTHORITY, AND INVESTIGATIVE POWERS OF THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL. [BACKGROUND] DOESN'T GET READ. NEXT. [05:30:11] >> MADAM CLERK, JENNIFER VAN VRANCKEN IS OBJECTING TO THAT ONE COMING ON FROM THE FLOOR. CAN WE JUST MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ON THE NEXT AGENDA? YES. >> AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION SQUARE 1 TRACK SUBDIVISION INTO LOT 30 SQUARE 1. AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF LOT 3C FOUND PARK CENTER SUBDIVISION INTO LOT 5 AND 6 IN THE DEDICATION OF AN ACCESS AND UTILITY SERVITUDE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSED LOT 5. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP PARTIAL C3B HARVEY CANAL SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 3840 POST DRIVE, AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM GO-2 TO CPZ, GENERAL OFFICE DISTRICT COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE TO R1A, SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND OR APPROVING AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2025 FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS FOR THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2024 OPERATING BUDGET, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THAT'S ALL THE ORDINANCES I HAVE TO READ INTO SUMMARY. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE IS READ INTO SUMMARY AND MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NEARLY SIX HOURS LATER. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADJOURN BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYBODY. >> BYE. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.