Dec 11, 2024 Parish Council East Bank

>> USE THAT?

[00:00:02]

>> MAYBE YOU HAVE.

>> SOMEONE REMARKED IT LOOKED LIKE WE HAD A CHRISTMAS CHOIR HERE FOR THE MEETING TODAY.

[SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS]

ARE ALL THE JUDGES WHO WILL BE HERE HERE? IS EVERYBODY HERE? THANK YOU ALL FOR ATTENDING MARION PALOOZA TODAY.

THIS WILL FILL THE NEXT 30 MINUTES OR SO BEFORE OUR MEETING.

ACTUALLY, IT JUST CAME TO ME. I HADN'T PRE-PLANNED MARION PALOOZA, BUT I THINK IT WORKS.

WE OBVIOUSLY ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE THE RETIREMENT OF COUNCILMAN MARION EDWARDS TODAY OF DISTRICT 1 WHO HAS SERVED THIS PARISH IN MANY CAPACITIES FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

I REMARKED TO HIM YESTERDAY NOT TO MAKE HIM FEEL OLD, BUT TO PUT IN CONTEXT HOW LONG HE'S BEEN AROUND.

HE'S BEEN SERVING THIS PARISH SINCE BEFORE I WAS BORN.

THAT IS QUITE A LONG AND LENGTHY TRACK RECORD OF SERVICE TO THIS PARISH.

I KNOW ON THIS COUNCIL SIDE, WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT HE'S DONE ON OUR COUNCIL FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AND I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH MANY OTHER STORIES WHO ADMIRE AND APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT HE'S DONE FOR THIS PARISH OVER HIS LIFETIME.

I KNOW CHIEF JUDGE FAULKNER HAS SOME WORDS HE WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS MORNING ON BEHALF OF THE OTHER JUDGES WHO ARE PRESENT.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO APPROACH THE PODIUM AND GET THINGS STARTED, YOU CAN DO SO.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M GOING TO DEFER TO CHIEF JUDGE SUSAN SHORTY.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

FIRST OF ALL, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR INCLUDING US IN THE CELEBRATION OF MARION EDWARDS.

EVERYONE WHO IS IN THIS ROOM HAS KNOWN FORMER JUDGE, NOW COUNCILMAN EDWARDS FOR SO LONG AND NOT EVEN GOING TO SAY HOW LONG IT'S BEEN.

BUT WE CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH, THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS THAT ARE HERE TODAY, THE JUDGES SITTING RIGHT BEHIND ME, AND ALL THE ONES WHO ARE NOT HERE WITH US APPRECIATE ALL THE SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFETIME.

YOU HAVE MADE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THIS PARISH, AND YOUR IMPACT WILL CONTINUE TO BE FELT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

JUDGE FAULKNER HAS SOMETHING THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO READ AT THIS TIME, SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PASS THE MIC TO HIM.

>> COUNCILMAN, ON BEHALF OF THE JUDGES OF JEFFERSON PARISH, WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH THIS PROCLAMATION AND IN READS AS FOLLOWS.

WHEREAS MARION F. EDWARDS WAS BORN ON JUNE 23, 1941 IN MONROE, LOUISIANA, TO THELMA AND JOSEPH MARION EDWARDS.

WHEREAS MARION F. EDWARDS ATTENDED WICHITA HIGH SCHOOL AND GRADUATED IN 1957, AND ATTENDED NORTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY BEFORE MOVING TO NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA TO ATTEND TULANE UNIVERSITY, AND WHEREAS MARION F. EDWARDS ATTENDED LOYOLA UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL, WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS JURIS DOCTORATE IN 1967.

WHEREAS MARION F. EDWARDS WAS LATER RECOMMENDED FOR A POSITION AS ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY UNDER DISTRICT ATTORNEY FRANK LANGLAGE, AND HE BECAME THE NINTH ASSISTANT.

WHEREAS MARION F. EDWARDS WAS NAMED FIRST ASSISTANT IN 1974, UNDER DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN MAMOULIDES, AND HELD THAT POSITION UNTIL 1996.

DURING HIS TENURE, THE LOUISIANA DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED.

MARION SERVED ON THE BOARD AND WAS THE SECOND ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY SECTION.

WHEREAS MARION F. EDWARDS MADE HIS FIRST VISIT TO A DRUG TREATMENT COURT IN DENVER, COLORADO IN 1995.

WHEREAS MARION F. EDWARDS WAS DEDICATED AND DECIDED TO RUN FOR DIVISION O OF THE 24 JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT AND STARTED ONE OF THE FIRST DRUG COURTS IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.

HE WAS ELECTED TO THE FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL BY APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF OUR SUPREME COURT, HE CONTINUED TO SIT AD HOC AS A DRUG COURT JUDGE FOR THE 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS.

WHEREAS MARION F. EDWARDS RETIRED AT THE END OF 2012 AS CHIEF JUDGE OF THE LOUISIANA FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL, WHEREAS MARION F. EDWARDS WAS ELECTED IN 2019 TO SERVE AS JEFFERSON PARISH COUNSEL FOR DISTRICT ONE AND WAS RE ELECTED UNOPPOSED IN 2023.

HE IS STILL SERVING AND IS DEDICATED TO MANY CAUSES, PARTICULARLY THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, BOYS TOWN, AND THE SALVATION ARMY.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE HEREBY CONGRATULATE MARION F. EDWARDS FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND THE LEGAL COMMUNITY THIS 11TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2024. CONGRATULATIONS, SIR.

[00:05:24]

>> THANK YOU. LET ME QUICKLY SAY THAT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SURPRISE TO ME.

I CERTAINLY DID NOT EXPECT THIS.

YOU MISSED MY FIRST EMPLOYMENT FROM PARISH.

I WAS THE FIRST LAW CLERK THAT THE DISTRICT COURT EVER HAD IN 1996 WHEN I WAS STILL IN LAW SCHOOL.

I LEARNED MORE FOR THAT YEAR AND A HALF THAN I DID IN ALL MY YEARS IN LAW SCHOOL.

IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE.

EVERY ONE OF MY STOPS ALONG THE WAY.

I HAVE ENJOYED MORE THAN I COULD TELL YOU.

I WOULD GO BACK TO THE DA'S OFFICE TOMORROW IF I COULD.

I LOVE THE TIME THAT I SPENT ON THE DISTRICT COURT AND THE COURT OF APPEAL, AND I HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED GETTING TO KNOW ALL OF THE PEOPLE HERE ON THIS COUNCIL AND HAVE GAINED A LOT OF RESPECT FOR THEM.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

I LOVE THE COURTS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS PARISH.

I'M VERY PROUD OF THEM, AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS AWARD.

THANK YOU ALL.

MIN.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GET A PICTURE DOWN HERE.

>> COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOU WILL HAVE MORE FREE TIME, SO MAYBE THE DA'S OFFICE WILL HAVE YOU BACK.

>> WE CAN SQUEEZE ALL THAT STUFF IN THERE.

WE JUST COULD SQUEEZE IT ALL IN.

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

HOW ARE YOU DOING? THANK YOU, JOHN.

>> DON'T GO FAR, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, BECAUSE THE PARISH PRESIDENT NOW HAS SOME WORDS TO SAY.

STAY ON UP THERE, MARION. DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

IN FACT, DON'T SIT DOWN FOR THE NEXT 20 MINUTES OR SO.

>> I'M GOING TO READ A PROCLAMATION, MARION FIRST, THEN I DO HAVE SOME WORDS.

BUT WE'LL DO THE OFFICIAL WORDS FIRST.

WHEREAS COUNCILMAN MARION EDWARDS WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MONROE, LOUISIANA, AFTER RECEIVING HIS JURIS DOCTORATE DEGREE FROM LOYOLA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW IN 1967, AND HE AND HARRY LEE OPENED THEIR LAW OFFICE IN GRETNA, WHERE THE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED UNTIL HARRY LEE WAS ELECTED SHERIFF.

WHEREAS IN 1970, COUNCILMAN MARION EDWARDS WAS HIRED AS AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

FOR 22 OF THOSE YEARS, HE SERVED AS FIRST ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

WHEREAS COUNCILMAN EDWARDS WAS ELECTED JUDGE OF DIVISION 0 OF THE 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT IN 1996.

WHILE IN THAT POSITION, HE BEGAN ONE OF THE FIRST TREATMENT BASED DRUG COURTS IN LOUISIANA.

HE LECTURED AND WORKED WITH JUDGES AROUND THE STATE TO HELP LOUISIANA BECOME A NATIONAL LEADER IN THE DRUG COURT MOVEMENT.

HE WAS ELECTED TO THE FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL IN 1998, WHERE HE RETIRED AS THE CHIEF JUDGE IN 2012.

IN 2018, JUDGE EDWARDS WAS APPOINTED THE STATE'S FIRST JUDICIAL OUTREACH LIAISON, WHERE HE SERVED FOR ONE YEAR.

WHEREAS COUNCILMAN EDWARDS BEGAN SERVING AS DISTRICT ONE COUNCILMAN FOR JEFFERSON PARISH IN 2020.

AS COUNCILMAN, HE WORKED TIRELESSLY WITH PARISH DEPARTMENTS, NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS, AND NON-PROFITS TO ENHANCE THEIR SERVICES AND FOOTPRINT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

HE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN FUNDING NEW AMENITIES AND BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS THROUGHOUT DISTRICT 1.

NOTABLY, HE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN DEVELOPING MULTIPURPOSE FIELDS, A MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL, A KAYAK LAUNCH, FISHING PIERS, AND A VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER AT PARK DE FAME.

WHEREAS IN 2023, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS WAS PIVOTAL IN SECURING FUNDING FOR THE RETROFITTING OF THE JOHN M. MAMOULIDES, JEFFERSON CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER, PROVIDING A NEW HOME FOR THE JEFFERSONS CHILDREN ADVOCACY CENTER.

[00:10:04]

COUNCILMAN EDWARDS HAS HELPED RAISE FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATIONS, SERVED ON NUMEROUS BOARDS, AND HAS BEEN HONORED FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS COUNCILMAN EDWARDS HAS BEEN DEVOTED TO ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND SAFETY IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, AN ORDINANCE WAS PASSED, MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE A MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT WITHOUT A PERMIT, HELP COMBAT SEX TRAFFICKING.

COUNCILMAN EDWARDS HAS ALSO WORKED CLOSELY WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO SECURE GRANTS AIMED AT RE-ROUTING TRAINS OUT OF GRETNA, AND WHEREAS THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP, COMPASSION AND VISION, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS HAS LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON JEFFERSON PARISH.

NOW, THEREFORE, CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO HEREBY COMMEND AND RECOGNIZE COUNCILMAN EDWARDS FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO JEFFERSON PARISH.

HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TO SAY. I WANT EVERYBODY TO THINK OF THE ATTRIBUTES OF WHAT YOU THINK OF AS A GOOD PERSON.

YOU'RE GOING TO THINK OF HONESTY.

YOU'RE GOING TO THINK OF INTEGRITY.

YOU'RE GOING TO THINK OF SINCERITY.

YOU'RE GOING TO THINK OF SOMEONE BEING AUTHENTIC.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE SOMEONE INTELLIGENT, SOMEONE WHO WAS RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS, ALWAYS.

YOU'RE GOING TO THINK OF SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T GIVE UP ON PEOPLE AND SOMEONE WHO ALWAYS TRIES TO GET THE BEST OUT OF EVERYONE.

YOU'RE GOING TO THINK OF SOMEONE FUNNY AND MARION IS WICKEDLY FUNNY IF THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, AND YOU'RE GOING TO THINK OF BEING KIND, AND YOU'RE GOING TO THINK OF BEING HUMBLE.

MARION, I KNOW I'VE BEEN BLESSED TO KNOW MANY, MANY PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, AND NOBODY CHECKS ALL THOSE BOXES, EXCEPT FOR YOU.

NOBODY. SO I'VE BEEN HONORED TO WORK WITH YOU.

I'VE BEEN HONORED TO ALWAYS HAVE YOU IN MY CORNER.

IF MY DAD WERE HERE, HE WOULD HAVE A MESSAGE, AND HE WOULD SAY, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR MY DAUGHTER, WHICH YOU ALWAYS HAVE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO ON THE PROJECTS THAT YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT, AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SPEND 100% OF YOUR TIME ON THAT, AND I'M GOING TO HELP YOU DO THAT.

BUT IT HAS BEEN THE HONOR OF MY CAREER TO BE ABLE TO SERVE WITH YOU IN JEFFERSON PARISH. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I'M NOT REALLY SURE I CAN SPEAK AFTER THAT, BUT I'M VERY TOUCHED, CYNTHIA.

YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN SUCH A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE.

I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE FIRST DAY OF LAW SCHOOL WHEN I COULDN'T FIND WHERE THE CLASSES WERE SUPPOSED TO BE.

WHEN I FINALLY DID AND GOT THERE, THE LAST EMPTY CHAIR IN THAT CLASSROOM WAS BY HARRY LEE.

NOW THAT CHANGED MY LIFE.

AS WE WERE GETTING READY TO GRADUATE, HARRY CAME TO ME AND HE SAID, WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO? I SAID, I GUESS I'M JUST GOING BACK TO MONROE.

HE SAID, CAN I TALK INTO STAYING DOWN HERE AND PRACTICING LAW WITH ME.

WELL, I REALLY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PLANS GOING BACK TO MONROE AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER WAS, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW A LAWYER IN MONROE.

MY DAD WAS A CARPENTER.

I KNEW A LOT OF CARPENTERS, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW ANY LAWYERS.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PLANS AND HARRY TALKED ME INTO DOING THAT.

AS I LOOK BACK OVER THE PATHWAY, IT'S SO CLEAR, BUT I PROMISE YOU LOOKING FORWARD, I HAD NO IDEA.

THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS OF OUR PRACTICE WERE A LITTLE BIT SHAKY, BUT IT EVENED OUT AND WE DIDN'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, BUT WE HAD A GOOD TIME.

WE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND IT WAS JUST SO WORTHWHILE, AND THE OPPORTUNITIES JUST KEPT POPPING UP AND POPPING UP.

I'LL TELL YOU, HONESTLY, EVERY STOP ALONG THE WAY, I COULD NOT HAVE ENJOYED MORE.

I HAD NO IDEA THAT I COULD EVER BE A TRIAL ATTORNEY.

IF YOU HAD KNOWN ME BACK IN THOSE DAYS, I WAS INCREDIBLY SHY.

I WAS THE QUINTESSENTIAL NERD AND I HAD NO IDEA THAT I COULD STAND IN FRONT OF A JUDGE AND NEVER IN FRONT OF A JURY, BUT JUDGE GODIN TOLD ME THAT I COULD DO IT AND HE MADE ME DO IT.

ALL THE WAY ALONG THE WAY, EACH STOP WAS BETTER THAN THE LAST.

EVERYBODY HAS ALWAYS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME, AND I'VE ENJOYED EVERY STEP ALONG THE WAY, AND I HAVE THANKED THE GOOD LORD FOR WHAT HE HAS GIVEN TO ME.

TODAY, I THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.

I'M NOT SURE WHY, BUT THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

[00:15:05]

>> YOU WANT TO COME?

>> YEAH, WE'LL COME UP AND DO THE PICTURES.

THEN WE HAVE MORE, SO DON'T LEAVE, MARION.

>> GOOD MORNING FOR YOU.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> THEY WANT YOU TO SIT DOWN?

>> YEAH.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. [BACKGROUND]

>> NOW, MARION, IT DOESN'T END ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

WE'VE GOT SOME WORDS ON VIDEO FROM CONGRESSMAN TROY CARTER.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I RISE TODAY, [NOISE] EXCUSE ME, TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE REMARKABLE CAREER OF MY DEAR FRIEND, MARION EDWARDS.

AS HE PREPARES TO RETIRE FROM JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, A PROUD LOUISIANA NATIVE, BORN IN MONROE, MARION EDWARDS HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO SERVING OUR STATE WITH INTEGRITY, PASSION, AND A COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE.

FROM HIS ROLE AS ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO SERVING AS JUDGE OF DIVISION O OF THE 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT AND CHIEF JUDGE OF THE 5TH DISTRICT CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS, HE HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO UPHOLD THE PRINCIPLES OF FAIRNESS AND EQUITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA.

MARION'S SERVICE FOR OUR STATE EXTENDS TO EVERY PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

HE WAS ON THE BOARDS OF SEVERAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE BOARD OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, THE SALVATION ARMY, GRACE HOUSE OF LOUISIANA, RESPONSIBILITY HOUSE, G-REDI, AND THE JEFFERSON PARIS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

HE HAS ALSO SUPPORTED THOSE SUFFERING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN OUR STATE, FOUNDING ONE OF THE FIRST TREATMENT-BASED DISTRICT COURTS IN LOUISIANA, AND RECEIVING AWARDS, INCLUDING THE COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PIONEER IN RECOVERY AWARD OF THE OFFICE OF ADDICTIVE DISORDERS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AWARD.

THE COMPASSION HE HAS SHOWN TO HIS NEIGHBORS IN THEIR MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS IS A TESTAMENT TO HIS CHARACTER AND SERVES AS A SHINING EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF US TO FOLLOW.

THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP, COMPASSION, AND VISION, COUNCILMAN MARION EDWARDS HAS LEFT A LASTING MARK ON JEFFERSON PARISH AND OUR GREAT STATE.

HIS CONTRIBUTIONS WILL RESONATE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

MARION, AS YOU ENTER THIS NEW CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE, KNOW THAT YOUR LEGACY OF SERVICE, LEADERSHIP, AND LOVE FOR COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE ALL OF US FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

MY DEAR FRIEND, YOU ARE, IN FACT, A GENTLEMAN, A SCHOLAR, AND A STATESMAN.

CONGRATULATIONS ON AN EXTRAORDINARY CAREER, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA, TO OUR COUNTRY, AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO CALL YOU MY FRIEND.

MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMEN, YIELD. [APPLAUSE]

>> ON BEHALF OF CONGRESSMAN CARTER'S OFFICE, CONGRESSMAN CARTER'S OBVIOUSLY IN DC, DEMETRIC MERCADEL IS HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF CONGRESSMAN CARTER.

>> GOOD MORNING, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

I WAS ON THE ELEVATOR WITH YOU, TRYING TO HIDE THIS STUFF FROM YOU.

[LAUGHTER] BUT AS WAS STATED, CONGRESSMAN CARTER IS IN WASHINGTON,

[00:20:01]

HOWEVER, THAT RECORDING THAT YOU JUST SAW, WE HAVE IT HERE IN THE FORM OF A CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.

THIS DOCUMENT WILL REMAIN IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS IN PERPETUITY.

YOU CAN GOOGLE YOUR NAME, AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO READ OF THE PHENOMENAL, FABULOUS THINGS THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.

ON BEHALF OF CONGRESSMAN CARTER, I'D LIKE TO PRESENT TO YOU THIS CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.

HE ALSO HAD SOME GREAT GIFTS THAT HE HAD BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

HE WANTED TO BE HERE TO PUT IN YOUR HAND A SET OF CONGRESSIONAL CUFFLINKS AND A CHALLENGE GOING FOR YOU.

THESE THINGS ARE FOR YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> YOU NEED TO ADD A NEW WING TO YOUR HOUSE FOR ALL THIS STUFF.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO? [BACKGROUND]

>> THANK YOU.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. STAY RIGHT THERE, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.

GRETNA MAYOR BELINDA CONSTANT WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.

THANK YOU, CHIEF LAWSON, FOR BEING HERE WITH ME.

OF COURSE, I WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE CITY OF GRETNA, BUT I WANT TO TAKE A PERSONAL MOMENT RIGHT NOW TO BE ABLE TO PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS GENTLEMAN, AS EVERYBODY HAS SAID, WHO HAS BELIEVED IN ME BEFORE I BELIEVED IN MYSELF AND HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS MENTOR.

I KNOW HOW CYNTHIA FEELS, AND I FEEL LIKE HE'S PART OF MY FAMILY.

HE'S BEEN A PART OF MY FAMILY FOR THE BETTER PART OF 30 YEARS.

I ALWAYS TELL EVERYBODY, HE'S PROFESSIONALLY RAISED ME, AND I WOULDN'T BE THE LEADER I AM TODAY, BUT FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO HAVE MARION MENTOR ME.

THROUGH THE TIMES, JUST LIKE HE SAID, WHAT HE WENT THROUGH, HE DID THAT FOR ME.

THERE WERE TIMES WHEN WE WERE DOING DRUG COURT AND WE WERE BASICALLY SELLING DRUG COURT ACROSS JEFFERSON PARISH.

WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT WAS TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL THAT ROAD WITH HIM AND SEE THAT COME TO FRUITION.

I REMEMBER TELLING HIM, I CAN'T SPEAK IN PUBLIC, PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME SAY ANYTHING.

HE WOULD SAY, NO, YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR THE MONEY BECAUSE I CAN'T.

I WAS ALWAYS THE PERSON ASKING FOR THE DONATIONS BECAUSE I JUST CAN AND HE COULDN'T.

I GUESS THAT IS WHAT STARTED AT ALL FOR ME, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

IT WAS THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE, SEEING PEOPLE IN RECOVERY, LIVE SUCCESSFUL LIVES.

IT'S DAYS THAT I'LL NEVER EVER FORGET IN THE WORK THAT I WAS SO PROUD OF DOING WITH YOU, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I WANT TO HAVE THE CHIEF SPEAK ABOUT US AS PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND WHAT YOU HAVE MEANT TO THE CITY OF GRETNA.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. MARION, WE GO BACK, ALL OF US, WITH YOU A LONG TIME FROM WHEN I STARTED 50 YEARS AGO AS A PATROLMAN IN GRETNA AND YOU IN THE DA'S OFFICE, AND YOU'VE BEEN A FRIEND.

YOU'VE BEEN SOMEONE THAT ALWAYS HAS EVERYONE LOOKS TO, DOES THE RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

EVERYONE KNOWS YOU GET A FAIR SHAKE IN FRONT OF MARION EDWARDS.

YOU'VE BEEN A GUIDE SENT TO US IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THE CITY OF GRETNA, AND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BEEN A GREAT SUPPORTER.

ON BEHALF OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THANK YOU FOR THAT SUPPORT AND YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THEN I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT WE'LL BE HONORING COUNCILMAN EDWARDS AT OUR JANUARY COUNCIL MEETING ON JANUARY 8TH, AND EVERYBODY'S INVITED TO ATTEND.

>> LET ME JUST ASK ONE QUESTION, CYNTHIA AND BELINDA.

DOES THIS MEAN THAT YOU'VE FINISHED RAISING ME NOW? [LAUGHTER]

>> ANYTHING ELSE.

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

[00:25:04]

>> I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL THE PLANNED SPEAKERS THAT WE HAD.

IS ANYBODY ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON MARION THAT I MIGHT HAVE OVERLOOKED, WHO WOULD LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? WE'LL COME UP TO THE COUNCIL NOW AND ANY OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS.

AND I'LL START WITH THE JUDGE, JUDGE TO JUDGE. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUDGE, AND YOU'LL ALWAYS BE JUDGE TO ME, I GOT TO BE HONEST, I'M STARTING TO TAKE THIS PERSONAL.

I WENT TO THE DA'S OFFICE TO TRY TO CATCH YOU AND YOU WERE GONE.

THEN I WENT TO THE DISTRICT COURT TO TRY TO CATCH YOU AND YOU WERE GONE.

I BECAME A DRUG COURT JUDGE, WHICH YOU STARTED, BUT YOU WERE GONE.

THEN I WENT TO THE FIFTH CIRCUIT, AND YOU WERE GONE.

I FINALLY CAUGHT UP TO YOU, AND NOW YOU'RE LEAVING.

[LAUGHTER] SERIOUSLY, I PUT ON DEODORANT EVERY DAY AND EVERYTHING.

WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU, JUDGE. [LAUGHTER]

>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CHIEF, THOUGH.

WHEN ALL PATROLLED BACK THEN, WAS IT A HORSE AND BUGGY? [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU, JUDGE FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR PARISH.

>> COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN.

>> I'M THE MOST LIKELY TO CRY, SO I'LL KEEP IT VERY BRIEF.

IT HAS BEEN SUCH A DISTINCT HONOR TO SERVE WITH POLITICAL LEGEND THAT IS IDOLIZED AND RESPECTED BY SO MANY TO LOOK BACK ON MY CAREER AND BE ABLE TO KNOW THAT ABOUT YOURSELF HAS TO BE VERY REWARDING.

IT WAS BRIEF, BUT I KNOW AND YOU KNOW THAT I WILL BE CALLING YOU LONG AFTER YOU LEAVE, LIKE I DID BEFORE I EVEN GOT SWORN IN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS TO ME.

>> COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

>> SIR, IT'S BEEN AN HONOR, AND YOU BRING DECORUM TO THIS BODY AND WISDOM AND GENTILITY, AND I'M MOST APPRECIATIVE.

I ALWAYS REFER BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN TIP O'NEILL AND RONALD REAGAN COULD HAVE A DISAGREEMENT, BUT COULD THEN SHAKE HANDS AND JUST BE TWO IRISHMEN SERVING THE PEOPLE.

I JUST APPRECIATE THE SPIRIT THAT YOU BROUGHT TO THIS COUNCIL, AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU ON THE THINGS THAT I KNOW YOU'RE MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, I'LL SAY THAT YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE STORYTELLER, AS MOST PEOPLE KNOW.

IN FACT, IN OUR LAST AGENDA MEETING YESTERDAY, WE HEARD ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF MARION'S STORIES, SOME OF WHICH WE'VE HEARD BEFORE, BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER.

[LAUGHTER] YOU HAVE MADE AN INDELIBLE MARK ON THIS PARISH, AND AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE TO TELL STORIES, I THINK THE GREATEST STORY THAT YOU'VE EVER WRITTEN IS YOUR BODY OF WORK OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, DECADES IN THIS PARISH.

TREMENDOUS ASSET TO US ON THIS COUNCIL.

I KNOW YOU'RE A TREMENDOUS ASSET AS A JUDGE, AND YOU'LL CONTINUE TO BE A TREMENDOUS ASSET AS LONG AS YOU'RE WILLING TO DO SO IN THIS PARISH.

I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST OF LUCK IN THE FUTURE.

YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FRIEND TO ME ON THIS COUNCIL.

WE COULD ALWAYS TALK ABOUT ANYTHING FRANKLY AND HONESTLY.

I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR ME, FOR THIS COUNCIL, AND FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, SO THANK YOU MUCH.

>> COUNCILMAN LEE.

>> LONG BEFORE THERE WAS EVER AN AFRICAN AMERICAN TO SERVE ON THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, REPRESENTING DISTRICT 3, PEOPLE LIKE MY FATHER AND OTHER MINISTERS AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, WHENEVER THERE WERE ANY ISSUES, AND AMONGST FOLKS WHO WERE GOING TO SEE A JUDGE, THE ONE THING THAT THEY DID KNOW IS THAT WHEN THEY CAME TO YOUR COURT, YOU WOULD BE FAIR.

I'VE ADMIRED YOU FOR MANY YEARS WHILE SITTING ON THE SIDELINES, AND IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH YOU.

IT'S AN HONOR TO KNOW YOU, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I RESPECT YOU AS A GENTLEMAN AND SOMEONE WHO'S ONE OF THE BEST PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET IN MY LIFE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SERVING WITH ME.

>> THANK YOU. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH THAT MEANS.

>> COUNCILMAN BONANO.

>> JUDGE, I'VE TRULY ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF THESE LAST FIVE YEARS TOGETHER WITH YOU.

I THINK I'VE GROWN TO BE ABLE TO CALL YOU MY FRIEND.

I HAVE ENJOYED EVERY SECOND OF IT, AND AS THE PARISH PRESIDENT SAID, YOU'RE A MAN OF HONOR, INTEGRITY, AND SOMEONE WHO TRULY CARES ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.

IF YOU KNOW THIS MAN, HE DEDICATES SO MUCH OF HIS TIME VOLUNTEERING TO HELP THE YOUTH OF THIS PARISH, ESPECIALLY THE TROUBLED YOUTH.

THAT'S WHAT HE IS LEAVING US TO DO, IT'S TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT WORK.

THAT IS YOUR MISSION IN LIFE, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

YOU'RE TRULY A SYMBOL OF WHAT EVERY CHILD IN THIS PARISH SHOULD STRIVE TO BE AS AN ADULT.

I WISH MORE PEOPLE WOULD FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS.

[00:30:01]

THAT'S HOW MUCH OF A GENTLEMAN HE IS.

NOW, WITH THAT SAID, THOUGH, EVERYBODY SAW ACCOLADES AT YOU, BUT I HAVE TO GIVE YOU ONE DEMERIT.

I LEARNED RECENTLY THAT OUR ESTEEMED ASSESSOR, MR. TOMMY CAPELLA, SERVED AS YOUR LAW CLERK.

YOU DIDN'T RAISE HIM RIGHT, JUDGE. THAT'S ALL I CAN TELL YOU.

[LAUGHTER] HE'S BEEN AN HONOR AND PLEASURE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE.

[LAUGHTER].

>> COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> LET ME JUST RESPOND.

[OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER]

>> IT'S TURNED ON. JUST GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO IT.

>> THIS HAS JUST BEEN OVERWHELMING TO ME.

>> IT'S ON.

>> THIS IS ALL BECAUSE WHEN BELINDA CAME TO ME.

MY VOICE IS VERY WEAK ANYWAY, SO I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

WHEN BELINDA CAME TO ME AND SAID THAT SHE AND ARTHUR WANTED ME TO RUN FOR THE COUNCIL, I WAS ABLE TO SAY NO ABOUT THREE TIMES, AND THEN THEY JUST OVERWHELMED ME.

IT'S BEEN THAT WAGE.

I COULD TAKE YOU BACK TO MEET BELINDA.

WHEN I FIRST MET HER, SHE WALKED INTO MY GRAND JURY ROOM WITH HER LITTLE STENOTYPE MACHINE.

SHE SAT DOWN AND TOOK THE TESTIMONY THAT WAS GIVEN IN THERE, BUT SHE COULDN'T TALK TO ME.

IT WAS A YEAR BEFORE I COULD HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH HER.

THAT WAS ONLY BECAUSE THE GUY THAT SHE'D BEEN WORKING FOR THAT PUT HER THERE HAD CALLED HER IN AND SAID I'M TAKING YOU OUT OF GRAND JURY.

SHE SAID, "I WON'T BE HERE ANYMORE." I SAID, YES, YOU WILL BE.

SHE HAD DONE SUCH A GOOD JOB FOR US.

WE NEVER HAD ANYBODY THAT RESPONDED AS SHE DID TO TAKING THE TESTIMONY AND GETTING IT BACK TO ME.

I'D HAVE ALL THE TESTIMONY THE DAY AFTER GRAND JURY.

I NEVER GOT THAT RESPONSE WHEN SHE WAS MY SECRETARY, [LAUGHTER] BUT I RESISTED AGREEING TO RUN FOR THIS SEAT FOR AS LONG AS I COULD.

FINALLY, I AGREED TO DO IT AND I, QUITE FRANKLY, MUST TELL YOU THAT I'M GLAD THAT I DID BECAUSE I'D KNOWN A LOT OF THE COUNCILMEN OVER THE YEARS AND ENJOYED WORKING WITH THEM, BUT THIS GAVE ME A NEW VIEW.

I'M TELLING YOU, MY HAT'S OFF TO ALL OF YOU.

THE JOB THAT YOU DO IS ABSOLUTELY INVALUABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH, AND QUITE FRANKLY, IT ALL STARTS RIGHT HERE.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF CYNTHIA.

THE FIRST TIME I MET HER, SHE WAS IN DIAPERS.

SHE'S CHANGED A LOT SINCE THEN.

[LAUGHTER]

>> I KNEW CYNTHIA WOULD DO THE JOB THAT SHE'S DONE.

IF THERE'S ONE PERSON THAT I CAN SAY POSITIVELY, AND REALLY BELINDA TOO, BUT WHEN THEY MAKE A DECISION, YOU KNOW THAT IT IS AN HONEST DECISION THAT HAS BEEN THOUGHT THROUGH AND THEY'RE COMFORTABLE WITH IT, AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO CHANGE THEIR MIND.

CYNTHIA, I'M TELLING YOU, I'M SO PROUD OF THE JOB THAT YOU'VE DONE AND THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO.

THIS PARISH NEEDED YOU.

I REMEMBER TALKING TO YOU THE FIRST TIME WHEN YOU CALLED ME AND ASKED ME ABOUT WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU RUNNING FOR THE COUNCIL, AND I HAD JUST HAD A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR FATHER DAYS BEFORE.

JUST BEFORE HE DIED, AND I SAID, "DO YOU THINK CYNTHIA IS EVER GOING TO BE INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO POLITICS." HE SAID, "CYNTHIA GETTING INTO POLITICS, SHE WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO SPELL IT." [LAUGHTER] THEN YOU CALLED ME VERY SHORTLY AFTER THAT AND SAID YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR THE COUNCIL, AND MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS, I SUSPECTED THAT, BUT I COULDN'T MAKE HARRY SEE IT.

HE JUST WOULD NOT SEE IT. HE WANTED YOU TO.

LISTEN, ALL THE JUDGES, WE HAVE A REAL FORCE HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

IT'S ONE THAT WE NEED TO MAINTAIN AND PUSH FORWARD WITH.

WE NEED TO MAKE THIS PARISH WHAT IT CAN BE.

WE GET A LITTLE BIT CLOSER EVERY YEAR.

FOR ALL OF YOU THAT ARE ELECTED TO OFFICES HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH,

[00:35:01]

IF THERE'S EVER ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO TO HELP ANY OF YOU, WHETHER IT'S IN THE OFFICE THAT YOU HOLD OR PERSONALLY, I KNOW YOU KNOW THAT I'M THERE, BUT JUST FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR ME HERE TODAY, FROM MY HEART, THANK YOU, FROM MY HEART. [APPLAUSE]

>> IT'S A GOOD THING YOUR BROTHER DROVE THE PICKUP TRUCK TODAY, BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO NEED TO LOAD ALL THAT STUFF IN IT ON THE WAY HOME.

[LAUGHTER]

>> FOR ALL OF US AGAIN, MARION, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES MARION [INAUDIBLE] FOR THIS HALF HOUR, BUT I'M SURE THERE'LL BE SOME MORE SUBTLE REFERENCES THROUGHOUT THE MEETING, BUT I KNOW, BEFORE WE GET INTO THE ACTUAL MEETING, WE'VE GOT ONE MORE PRESENTATION.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, WILL HANDLE THAT.

>> GOOD MORNING. WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR MR. JOHN HAYES.

JOHN, YOU WANT TO JOIN ME.

JOHN HAYES IS RETIRING AFTER 34 YEARS WITH THE PARISH, BUT HE'S NOT YOUR TYPICAL EMPLOYEE.

WHEREAS, AFTER 34 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, JOHN HAYES IS RETIRING FROM HIS ROLE AS PARK SUPERINTENDENT AT LAFRENIERE PARK, BRINGING TO CLOSE AN ERA OF EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP, CREATIVITY, AND HARD WORK.

WHEREAS JOHN'S CAREER BEGAN IN 1990 WHEN HE JOINED JEFFERSON PARISH AS WATER DEPARTMENT, SOON, HE FOUND HIS TRUE CALLING AT LAFRENIERE PARK, WHERE HE TRANSFERRED AND BEGAN MAKING HIS MARK.

OVER THE YEARS, HAYES ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS, STARTING AS A PARK RANGER, BECOMING A FOREMAN, AND ULTIMATELY ASSUMING THE ROLE OF PARK SUPERINTENDENT.

A POSITION HE HAS HELD WITH DISTINCTION UNTIL THIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS JOHN HAYES COMMITMENT TO LAFRENIERE PARK HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARY, THROUGH BOTH EVERYDAY TASK AND CHALLENGES, HE ALWAYS APPROACHED HIS WORK WITH PASSION, DEDICATION, AND AN UNWAVERING SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.

WHEREAS JOHN'S INFLUENCE ON LAFRENIERE PARK IS PERHAPS BEST EXEMPLIFIED BY HIS WORK ON THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY.

WHEREAS JOHN NOT ONLY CREATED THE DESIGNS, BUT ALSO PERSONALLY DESIGNED AND ASSEMBLED MANY OF THE STUNNING DISPLAYS THAT HAVE BECOME A HOLIDAY TRADITION FOR THOUSANDS.

THE POPULAR LIGHT DISPLAY, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE ISLAND DISPLAY AREA OF THE PARK, ARE NOW SYNONYMOUS WITH SEASONAL CHEER AND ARE A TESTAMENT TO HIS PASSION, CREATIVITY, AND DEDICATION.

SOME ICONIC DISPLAYS THAT BEAR JOHN'S PERSONAL TOUCH IN BRINGING IMAGINATION TO LIFE, ARE GRANDMA GOT RAN OVER BY A MONSTER TRUCK, THE FIRST RESPONDERS TRIBUTE, A TOWERING FERRIS WHEEL, FROZEN CHARACTERS, A PIRATE SHIP, AND SEA SERPENT.

WHEREAS JOHN'S YEARS OF SERVICE, HIS UNMATCHED DEDICATION, WORK ETHIC, PERSONAL INVESTMENT, AND HIS GENUINE LOVE FOR LAFRENIERE PARK, HAVE MADE THE LASTING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY THAT WILL BE FELT FOR YEARS TO COME.

WHEREAS THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL DECLARES TOMORROW, DECEMBER 12TH, 2024, AS JOHN HAYES DAY IN JEFFERSON PARISH. YOU HAVE A WHOLE DAY.

[LAUGHTER] NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND CONGRATULATES JOHN HAYES ON THE CELEBRATION OF HIS 34 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH, ESPECIALLY LAFRENIERE PARK AND WISHES HIM WELL ON HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

BUT BEFORE WE FINISH THE PRESENTATION, I THINK OUR PARISH PRESIDENT WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING.

>> I'M SORRY. SORRY ABOUT THAT. GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN JOHN, I JUST WANTED TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS.

I THINK YOU REPRESENT THE BEST OF OUR JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEES.

I DON'T THINK YOU CAN REALLY UNDERSTAND THE QUALITY AND THE PASSION THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR JOB.

I ASKED OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE TO DO A VIDEO.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S JUST A GREAT TIME FOR YOU.

I KNOW IT'S YOUR RETIREMENT, BUT IT'S EVERYBODY, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY GO SEE JOHN'S WORK FIRSTHAND.

I'D LIKE THE PIO OFFICE TO PLAY A VIDEO OF YOU THAT I WAS HONORED TO BE ABLE TO STAND WITH YOU AS WE TURNED ON THE LIGHTS, COUNCILWOMAN, JUST ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, AND THIS IS YOUR PASSION AND YOUR LEGACY TO JEFFERSON PARISH.

IT IS ACTUALLY OUT THERE FOR EVERYBODY TO SEE.

>> WHEN PEOPLE COME OUT AND THEY FLIP ON A SWITCH, IT MAKES MY HAIR STAND UP.

[LAUGHTER] IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

[00:40:05]

[MUSIC] WE DECIDED INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BUY SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY DIDN'T LIKE AS MUCH AS WHAT WE COULD BUILD, SO WE JUST STARTED BUILDING OUR OWN.

IT JUST BLEW UP BIG.

BIGGER FIGURES THAN WE EVER HAD.

WE STARTED OFF WITH MANY LIGHTS, GRADUALLY WITH THE LED, WHICH IS LESS MAINTENANCE, LOW ENERGY. SQUIRRELS DON'T EAT THEM.

[LAUGHTER] AFTER I FIND A PICTURE, I'LL SKETCH IT OUT, HOW WE WANT IT.

AS MUCH DETAIL AS WE CAN GET OUT OF THE PICTURE AND WHAT WE COULD DO WITH THE LIGHTS AND THE METAL AND EVERYTHING, AND THEN WE JUST GO WITH IT.

JUST START BENDING THE METAL AND THROWING IT TOGETHER.

IT'S REALLY NO SCIENCE TO IT.

IT'S GET A VISION IN YOUR HEAD AND START ROLLING WITH IT.

WE MERGED LAFRENIERE PARKS WITH AL COPLAND'S, AND THEN IT TURNED INTO THIS.

[MUSIC] I ENJOY IT A LOT.

IT MAKES YOU FEEL GREAT WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE COMING TO ENJOY WHAT YOU'VE MADE, STARTING FROM A PIECE OF PAPER TO THIS, IT'S AMAZING.

[MUSIC] [APPLAUSE]

>> COUNCIL, YOU WANT TO COME DOWN FOR A PICTURE.

HERE'S YOUR PROCLAMATION, SIR.

>> ONE, 2, 3.

EVERYBODY COULD JUST LOOK THIS WAY AT THREE.

ONE, 2, 3. ONE MORE.

ONE, 2, 3. THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND]

>> I LOVE IT. [INAUDIBLE]

>> I'LL GIVE US JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]

OUR LAST MEETING OF 2024.

WE'RE AT THE JOSEPH S. YENNI BUILDING, 1221 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD, JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.

THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.

AS SOON AS EVERYBODY GETS A SEAT, WE'LL INTRODUCE OUR GUEST WHO'S GIVING US OUR INVOCATION TODAY.

[BACKGROUND] I'D LIKE TO WELCOME FATHER WILLIAM O'RIORDAN, FROM ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN METAIRIE TO COME UP AND GIVE OUR INVOCATION THIS MORNING, PLEASE.

>> IN THE NAME OF GOD, WE PRAY, FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT.

I TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK COUNCILMAN SCOTT WALKER FOR INVITING ME TODAY TO DO THE INVOCATION AND PRAY WITH YOU. LET US PRAY.

WE PRAY FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE ELECTED TO LEAD AND GOVERN JEFFERSON PARISH.

PRESIDENT CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, COUNCILMAN AND WOMEN, OUR SHERIFF, CLERKS, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, CIVIL SERVANTS, OFFICE STAFF, AND ALL WHO HELP WITH THE GOVERNANCE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

[00:45:04]

WE PRAY FOR OPEN MINDS SO THAT LEADERS WILL MAKE WISE COUNSEL, ESPECIALLY IN ISSUES REQUIRING UNDERSTANDING.

WE PRAY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL PEOPLES, ESPECIALLY OUR MILITARY, OUR POLICE, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, AND FOR PEACE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS WE DRAW NEAR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.

WITH THE WINDY CONDITIONS TODAY, I WILL CLOSE WITH AN IRISH BLESSING.

MAY THE WIND BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACK.

MAY THE SUN SHINE WARM UPON YOUR FACE.

THE RAINS FALL SOFTLY UPON YOUR FIELDS.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.

GOD BLESS YOU AND HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY AND NEW YEAR'S DAY.

MAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING, FATHER WILLIAM.

COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, WOULD YOU LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE TODAY?

>> CHAIRMAN WALKER.

>> PRESENT.

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

>> PRESENT.

>> COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.

>> PRESENT.

>> COUNCILMAN BONANO.

>> HERE.

>> COUNCILMAN LEE.

>> HERE.

>> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.

>> PRESENT.

>> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.

>> PRESENT.

>> PARISH PRESIDENT, MS. LEE SHENG.

>> HERE.

>> I'VE COMPLETED THE ROLL.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MADAM PRESIDENT,

[PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

I'M GOING TO START WITH THE JEDCO'S HEART AWARD.

WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR JEFFERSON PARISH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR FRANCES TURNER ON RECEIVING THAT JEDCO HEART AWARD THIS YEAR.

SHE WAS GIVEN THE AWARD AT LAST WEEK'S LUNCHEON.

JED CO CHOOSES SOMEONE EACH YEAR WHO HAS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN BUSINESS RETENTION, EXPANSION, ATTRACTION, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND IS AT THE HEART OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

FRANCES' FINGERPRINTS CAN BE FOUND ALL OVER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN RECENT YEARS.

SHE HAS LED THE RELOCATION OF THE WEST BANK AMERICAN JOB CENTER TO CHURCHILL PARK, LOCATED IN THE DELGADO RIVER CITY SITE, AMPLIFYING THE COLLEGE'S VISIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY.

FRANCES WAS ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN REVISING POLICIES TO ALLOW MORE FLEXIBILITY IN SUMMER YOUTH PLACEMENTS AT PRIVATE BUSINESSES.

SHE HELPED SECURE A NEW ONE-STOP OPERATOR AND A THIRD PARTY OPERATOR TO OVERSEE THE JEFFERSON LOCATIONS OF THE AMERICAN JOB CENTER.

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF FRANCES FOR RECEIVING THIS AWARD, AND VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE HER ON OUR TEAM.

FRANCES IS IN HERE.

IS SHE IN THE AUDIENCE? THERE YOU GO. THERE'S FRANCES.

CONGRATULATIONS, FRANCES.

[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS.

WELL, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HURRICANE SEASON OFFICIALLY ENDED ON NOVEMBER 30TH, BUT OUR TEAM CERTAINLY STAYS BUSY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR DEPARTMENT FOR HOSTING EFIMA BASIC ACADEMY PROGRAM THIS YEAR IN COORDINATION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM GRADUATED FROM THAT ACADEMY, MAKING OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION ONE OF THE ONLY AGENCIES IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE 100% OF THEIR STAFF HAVING COMPLETED THIS PROGRAM.

ALSO, A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR METEOROLOGIST, ALAN DICE, WHO ATTENDED THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EMERGENCY MANAGERS CONFERENCE, AND RECEIVED A CERTIFICATION WITH THE DESIGNATION OF ASSOCIATE EMERGENCY MANAGER FOR MEETING VARIOUS CRITERIA, COMPLETING 100 HOURS OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING AND PASSING A CERTIFICATION EXAM.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, ALAN.

OTHER RECOGNITION AND AWARDS.

LAST WEEK, OUR HUMANS RESOURCES DEPARTMENT HOSTED A SERVICE PIN RECOGNITION PROGRAM AND BREAKFAST FOR OUR JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEES WHO WERE CELEBRATING 20, 25, 30, 35, AND 40 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS.

I THINK ONE OF THOSE IS IN THE ROOM.

DANNY FARRAR WAS A 40-YEAR RECIPIENT. I KNOW HE'S IN THE ROOM.

CONGRATULATIONS. I ALWAYS SAY, OUR BIGGEST ASSET IS OUR EMPLOYEES, AND THOSE EMPLOYEES WITH ABSOLUTE DECADES OF SERVICE ARE VITAL FOR US DELIVERING OUR DAILY SERVICES TO OUR CITIZENS.

ADDITIONALLY, WE HAD A RECREATION DEPARTMENT CEREMONY TO HONOR ALL OF OUR JPRD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS. LAST YEAR, WE HAD MANY TEAMS, SO WE WANT TO WISH ALL OF OUR RECREATION EMPLOYEES AND ALL THOSE TEAMS AND THEIR COACHES.

WE WERE GLAD TO HONOR YOU AS WELL LAST WEEK.

OUR JEFFERSON PROTECTION ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES, JPAWS, HAD A SUCCESSFUL, HEALTHY PAWS IN SANTA CLAUS EVENT THIS PAST SATURDAY, WHICH RESULTED IN 14 ADOPTIONS AND FOUR REDEMPTIONS.

JPAWS WILL BE WALKING ADOPTABLE PETS IN THE CHRISTMAS ON SALA AVENUE PARADE IN WESTWEGO,

[00:50:02]

THIS EVENT WILL HAVE FOOD, CLASSIC CARS, VENDORS, CAROLERS, HOT CHOCOLATE, A TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY, AND MORE.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO ADOPT THE PET, YOU MIGHT MEET YOUR NEW FAMILY MEMBER RIGHT THERE.

I'D LIKE TO ALSO BRING ATTENTION TO ITEM 146 ON TODAY'S AGENDA TO ACCEPT A VERY SPECIAL DONATION TO JPAWS, WHICH IS A BEQUEST FROM THE SUCCESSION OF MR. LEWIS FRANCIS BALONE FOR $395,780.

>> MR. BLUMENAUER WAS A JPAWS VOLUNTEER FOR MANY YEARS.

HE HAD A TRUE LOVE AND DEDICATION FOR ANIMALS, AND IT IS OUR HOPE TO NAME ONE OF THE ROOMS AFTER BLUMENAUER ONCE THE NEW EAST BANK ADOPTION CENTER IS BUILT.

AS ALWAYS, JPAWS HAS SO MANY ADORABLE PETS THAT WANT A LOVING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ADOPTABLE PETS AND UPCOMING JPAWS EVENTS, YOU CAN CALL 504-349-5111.

AS PART OF OUR CHRISTMAS TREE SEASON, WE WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE WANT YOU TO RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREES, YOUR NATURAL CHRISTMAS TREES IN OUR EFFORT TO HELP FIGHT COASTAL EROSION.

EACH YEAR, THOUSANDS OF CHRISTMAS TREES ARE DONATED BY JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENTS AND DIVERTED FROM LANDFILLS, WHICH WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU JUST PUT IT OUT IN THE GARBAGE.

WE DIVERT THEM TO PROTECT OUR WETLAND HABITAT WITHIN THE BARATARIA BASIN.

THIS YEAR, WE'VE CHANGED THE PROGRAM A LITTLE BIT TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE USER FRIENDLY.

THERE ARE TWO WAYS THAT RESIDENTS IN UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON PARISH AND THE TOWN OF JEAN LAFITTE CAN RECYCLE THEIR CHRISTMAS TREES.

NUMBER 1, YOU CAN BRING YOUR TREE YOURSELF TO OUR DROP OFF SITES AT 400 DAVID DRIVE OR OUR LAPALCO SITE, 6440 LAPALCO BOULEVARD DROP OFF SITES FROM JANUARY 4TH TO JANUARY 14TH.

OR YOU CAN PLACE YOUR NATURAL TREE CURBSIDE, AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

DON'T DO IT BEFORE THIS DATE.

IT'S GOING TO GET PICKED UP WITH THE REGULAR GARBAGE.

WE WANT YOU TO PUT IT CURBSIDE THE EVENING OF JANUARY 8TH, AND IT'S GOING TO BE PICKED UP JANUARY 9TH, 10TH, AND 11TH.

PUT IT OUT ON THE EVENING OF WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8TH, NOT BEFORE, AND IT WILL BE COLLECTED ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9TH, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10TH, OR SATURDAY, JANUARY 11TH.

IT WILL NOT BE PART OF YOUR REGULAR GARBAGE PICK UP.

DO NOT BE ALARMED IF YOUR GARBAGE GET PICK GETS PICKED UP, BUT THE TREE REMAINS THERE.

THIS IS A SEPARATE PICK UP, SEPARATE TRUCK.

IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THIS YEAR'S CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING PROGRAM MORE EFFICIENT, JEFFERSON PARISH, OUR TEAMS ARE GOING TO FOLLOW THE RIVER BIRCH COLLECTION TRUCKS AND USE A TRACKING APP TO DOCUMENT WHERE TREES WERE EITHER COLLECTED OR DEEMED UNSUITABLE FOR PICKUP, AS WELL AS CREATE A LOG OF THE ROUTES DRIVEN.

I KNOW LAST YEAR THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION ON THIS, SO WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO ADD SOME ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS CLEAR.

REMEMBER, YOUR TREE CANNOT BE FLOCKED.

WE DON'T WANT ARTIFICIAL TREES.

IT CAN'T BE PAINTED IN ANY WAY, AND THERE CANNOT BE ANY LIGHTS, GARLAND, TINSEL ORNAMENTS, TREE STANDS, PLASTIC BAGS, ANYTHING.

YOUR JUST NATURAL TREE, YOUR NATURAL GREEN TREE NEEDS TO GET SET OUT.

THEN THE TREE CYCLING VOLUNTEER EVENT AT THE MARSH WILL BE SATURDAY, JANUARY 25TH.

FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS TREE COLLECTION PROCESS, WE'LL FOLLOW THIS UP WITH A PRESS RELEASE AND TALK ABOUT IT EVEN MORE IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS.

BUT YOU CAN CONTACT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AT 504-731-4612.

AGAIN, LET'S TALK ABOUT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT LAFRENIERE PARK.

AS A REMINDER, THE CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE PLACE AT LAFRENIERE THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF DECEMBER.

WE'RE GOING TO BE CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25TH.

BUT UP UNTIL THEN, EVERY SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY FROM 5:30-9:00 PM AND EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FROM 5:30-10:00 PM, WEATHER PERMITTING.

THE COST IS $10 PER CAR IN ADVANCE OR $15 FOR EACH CAR AT THE PARK.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN GO TO THEIR WEBSITE, WHICH IS LAFRENIEREPARK.ORG.

THE JEFFERSON PARISH PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH'S HAD START PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY HOSTING AN INFORMATIONAL JOB FAIR FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITH HEAD START TODAY FROM 10:00-AM-2:00 PM AT THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 504-364-2730.

THEN OUR LIBRARY HAS MANY PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS PLANNED IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

WE HAVE AN ANDROID PHONE TRAINING FOR SENIORS.

IT'S SCHEDULED FOR THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13TH AT 9:30 AT THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.

THE CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14TH AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY FROM 9:30 AM TO 1:00 PM.

THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL HOST ITS ANNUAL MAGIC YULE FESTIVAL, CELEBRATING FANTASY FICTION FOR YOUNG AND ADULT READERS THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15TH FROM 12:00 TO 3:00 PM.

ALSO, THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL HOST AN AUTHOR EVENT CALLED PAINTING THE TOWN: THE IMPORTANCE OF COLOR AND HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS ARCHITECTURE ON MONDAY, JANUARY 6TH AT 7:00 PM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION IN THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS, YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE JPLIBRARY.NET.

[00:55:03]

AGAIN, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, DECEMBER 31ST, AND NEW YEAR'S DAY ON JANUARY 1ST.

WITH THAT, THAT CONCLUDES MY TALKING POINTS, WE JUST WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON, VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. COUNCILMAN BONANO.

>> AS A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY, FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, WE HAVE EXPANDED THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAY AT HOPE HAVEN.

IF YOU'RE ON THE WEST BANK AT THE CORNER OF BARATARIA AND WEST BANK EXPRESSWAY RIGHT IN FRONT OF SHAW HIGH SCHOOL, YOU CAN WALK THROUGH OUR NEW WALKING TRAIL UNDER ALL OF THE LIVE OAK TREES THAT HAVE BEEN LIT UP AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

WE LEFT THE FOUNTAIN UP. THAT'S DONE IN COOPERATION WITH SENATOR PAT CO.

IF YOU'RE THERE AT NIGHT, PLEASE DO THAT.

THIS SATURDAY, HARAHAN WILL AGAIN HAVE THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE.

IT STARTS AT HORD STREET AND JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, AND PROCEEDS DOWN JEFFERSON HIGHWAY TO THE LINE WITH RIVER RIDGE AND THEN COMES BACK.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR KIDS OUT TO SEE SOMETHING, SEE SANTA CLAUS, IT'S THIS SATURDAY TO START NOON. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILMAN LEE.

>> A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, AS WELL.

SOME OF YOU ALL MAY KNOW THAT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN AVONDALE, ACTUALLY, WE'RE IN WEDNESDAY, A FEW DAYS AGO.

THERE ARE SOME CONCERNED PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL CALLING OUR OFFICE, AND I'M STILL CALLING YOUR OFFICE AS WELL ABOUT THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO ASK OUR CHIEF TO COME UP.

DON, WOULD YOU PLEASE, OUR FIRE CHIEF DON ROBS, COME UP SO THAT MAYBE WE CAN ALLAY SOME FEARS FOR PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT THERE'S STILL GAS AND DIFFERENT ODORS THAT COULD POSSIBLY AFFECT THEM.

>> YES, SIR, COUNCILMAN. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THERE WAS A REPORTED GAS LEAK AT HIGHWAY 90 IN AVONDALE GARDEN ROAD ON THE MONDAY WHEN THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON SCENE, AND OF COURSE, THEY DID EXACTLY PROCEDURE.

THEY NOTIFIED THE GAS COMPANY OF THE LEAK.

THE GAS COMPANY RESPONDED.

THEN SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HOUSE DOWN OF STREET EXPLODED.

OF COURSE, IT'S IN A FULL INVESTIGATION IN THIS TIME BY THE LOUISIANA STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH, EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHICH DOES INVESTIGATIONS FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, AND THEN SOME OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

AS FAR AS I KNOW, AT THIS TIME, COUNCILMAN, THERE IS NO OFFICIAL REPORT AS IT IS DONE.

IT'S, OF COURSE, A VERY THOROUGH, IN MY OPINION, INSPECTION GOING ON.

TO ADD TO THAT, MONDAY OF THIS WEEK, THERE WAS A REPORTED GAS LEAK WITH THE WIND BLOWING OUT THE SOUTH AT THAT TIME, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ATMOS GAS ON THE SCENE DECIDED TO DO A PRELIMINARY EVACUATION THAT INVOLVED EIGHT HOMES BECAUSE THERE WAS A REPORT OF A GAS ODOR IN THE AREA.

IT WAS FOUND OUT TO BE THAT THERE WAS NOT A GAS ODOR.

ALL CLEAR WAS GIVING, AND THEN IT WAS REPORTED THAT EVERYONE SHOULD GO BACK INTO THEIR HOME.

SPEAKING FOR CHIEF BERGMAN FROM THE HERBERT WALLACE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AS HE STATED ON THE NEWS YESTERDAY AND DAYS BEFORE THAT, THAT IF ANYBODY IN THAT AVONDALE AREA SUSPECTS, SMELLS ANYTHING, PLEASE DIAL 911 AS SOON AS YOU CAN AND GET THE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OUT THERE.

WE WILL INVESTIGATE, NOTIFY THE GAS COMPANY, IF NEEDED, AND WORK FROM THAT.

SIR. THAT'S WHERE WE AT RIGHT NOW, COUNCILMAN.

>> THAT ODOR THAT WAS MOST RECENTLY REPORTED, DID THEY IDENTIFY WHAT IT ACTUALLY WAS?

>> I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION IN FRONT OF ME, SIR.

I CAN CHECK WITH THE FIRE CHIEF AND SEE IF THEY DECIDED IF IT WAS NATURAL GAS, BUT I DON'T HAVE THAT AS TO WHAT THEY SAID IT WAS ON MONDAY.

>> THEY CAN CALL 911?

>> YES, SIR. AGAIN, IF ANYBODY IN THAT AREA ANYWHERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, IF YOU SMELL NATURAL GAS, OR IF YOU THINK YOU'RE SMELLING NATURAL GAS, PLEASE CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY, AND LET'S GET OUR FIRST RESPONDERS OUT THERE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE? THANK, MADAM PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, CHIEF.

THIS IS NOW THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE MEETING,

[PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA]

WE'VE GOT MR. AL'S SEAT RESERVED THERE AT THE FRONT CORNER BEHIND THE PODIUM.

AS YOU LIKELY KNOW, MR. AL PASSED AWAY RECENTLY.

HE WAS OBVIOUSLY A REGULAR HERE AND HIS PRESENCE WILL BE CERTAINLY MISSED.

HIS VOICE WILL ALSO BE MISSED.

THE ASSESSOR, I SEE IS MODELING WHAT LOOKS LIKE ONE OF MR. AL'S FASHION FASHIONABLE JACKETS.

[01:00:02]

>> [MUSIC] AL MORELLA, 4260 EAST LOYOLA DRIVE, KENNER, FIFTH DISTRICT, FOURTH DISTRICT GUN INCORPORATED JEFFERSON 40 YEARS.

MIKE YENNI, I'M DEMANDING YOUR RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

JAMES GRAY, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM, I'M DEMANDING YOUR RESIGNATION.

GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS, I'M DEMANDING YOUR RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

GOVERNOR JEFF LANDRY, I'M DEMANDING YOUR RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

US SENATOR BILL CASSIDY, I'M DEMANDING YOUR RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

WE GOT THE 50 DIRTY GAME OF POLITICS BEING PLAYED DOWN HERE, AND THE TAXPAYERS AREN'T THE ONES NOW WHO HAS TO PAY THE PRICE FOR THIS.

WHO ARE THE POLITICIANS? WHO ARE THESE BUREAUCRATS? SOMEBODY HAS TO STAND UP.

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION FROM THE LAST MEETING, $181,981.

>> MR. AL, YOUR TIME'S UP.

>> I HAVE JUST A FEW MORE SECONDS, SCOTT? I'M JUST ABOUT TO WRAP IT UP.

>> ABOUT ONE QUOTE.

>> CAN I MAKE THE TWO? [LAUGHTER]

>> MAKE THEM FAST.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE LONG, MAN.

>> MAKE THEM FAST.

>> WELL, WE GOT TO HAVE A LITTLE HUMAN IN THESE COUNCIL MEETINGS, TOO, YOU CAN'T ALL BE SERIOUS.

[LAUGHTER] THIS IS THE MOST INCOMPETENT BUNCH OF PEOPLE I'VE EVER SEEN IN ONE PLACE IN ALL MY 75 YEARS ON THIS EARTH.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, I THINK MY TIE WOULD MATCH YOUR COAT AND SHIRT TODAY.

I'LL LEND IT TO YOU IF YOU EVER WANT IT FOR NEXT MEETING. [LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU. CHANGE ORDERS 61, 62, AND 63, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 87, 89, 90, 100, 136, 144, 151, AND 159.

NOW, I'M NOT CRAMMING MY MEMORY WITH THE NUMBER, SO I BROUGHT THE PAPERS UP HERE TO READ SOME OF THEM.

HOW MUCH TIME I GOT LEFT OF, SCOTT?

>> FORTY-FIVE SECONDS.

>> THAT'S PLENTY OF TIME, MAN. I'M ALMOST DONE.

>> THAT'S YOUR TIME, MR. AL. SORRY.

>> MY TIME?

>> THAT'S IT. YOU ALMOST GOT THERE.

>> I TELL YOU WHAT? I'LL GET THE OTHER TWO WHEN DONE WITH THE MEETING.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

>> MR. AL, I KNOW YOU HAVE A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY, BUT I THINK THAT CHAIN THAT YOU'RE WEARING, THAT BEAUTIFUL CHAIN YOU'RE WEARING IS AFFECTING YOUR MEMORY TODAY.

[LAUGHTER].

>> WELL, HANG ON. AL, I GOT TO TELL YOU HOW YOU REMIND ME OF SOME OF MY RELATIVES FROM NEW YORK WITH THAT OUTFIT ON.

[LAUGHTER]

>> AT THE TABLE WITH THE FIVE FAMILIES.

LOOK, I'LL CATCH THESE TWO TO THE MET, MAN.

>> THANK YOU, MR. AL.

>> 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.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

>> THE LAST 10 SECONDS OF THAT VIDEO, THE FIRST TIME I WATCHED, IT GAVE ME CHILLS, BECAUSE HE'S NEVER SAID TO BE CONTINUED.

HE'S NEVER SAID LAST CALL.

I JUST FOUND THAT POIGNANT.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, OBVIOUSLY, WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.

IN FACT, NEITHER WILL HAVEN.

I'VE ALREADY HEARD THAT ST. ANTHONY HAS REPORTED THAT MR. AL HAS ASKED FOR JESUS' RESIGNATION.

[LAUGHTER] MIGHT BE A BUMPY ROAD AHEAD.

[LAUGHTER] HE WILL CERTAINLY BE MISSED, AND HIS MARK ON OUR PARISH WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

WITH THAT, IF ANYBODY HAS ANYTHING TO ADD ON MR. AL, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO NOW.

I THINK THE VIDEO SAID IT ALL.

[LAUGHTER] NOW WE'LL GET TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PART OF THE MEETING.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL? BY THE WAY, THE THAT VIDEO WAS THREE MINUTES AND TWO SECONDS, SO MR. AL WENT OVER IN HIS LAST COUNCIL APPEARANCE, WHICH IS TO BE EXPECTED.

ANYONE WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD TO THE COUNCIL CLERK.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK, PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

>> FRANKIE HIERS, 509 HOME BOULEVARD.

THAT'D BE A SECOND DISTRICT, JEFFERSON PARISH.

FORMERLY FIFTH DISTRICT.

I DIDN'T PLAN ON Y'ALL SEEING ME FOR A GOOD LONG WHILE.

CHANGE ORDERS 61, 62, 63, 64. ITEMS 93, 94, 97, 102, 104, 105, 152-154, 203-209.

IN HONOR OF MR. AL,

[01:05:03]

I WORK IN CONSTRUCTION, SO I UNDERSTAND WHY CHANGE ORDERS HAPPEN.

I'VE PERFORMED THE CHANGE ORDERS.

I'VE DONE THESE CHANGE ORDERS, SO I GET IT.

I DON'T NEED ANYONE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THEY HAPPEN OR TO ACCOUNT FOR THEM PERSONALLY.

BUT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PEOPLE TO WATCH THESE THINGS, BECAUSE IF YOU'RE NOT WATCHING, THEN CHANGE ORDERS COST THE PEOPLE, THE PUBLIC.

THE PUBLIC TRUST IS LOST ON A CHANGE ORDER.

THAT'S WHY IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO HIM.

I HAD THE HONOR OF SPENDING A GOOD BIT OF TIME WITH MR. AL.

WE BROKE BREAD IN HIS KITCHEN.

I'D CERTAINLY LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THOSE 14 VOTES I GOT FROM KENNER 7B LAST MONTH CAME FROM HIM.

I THINK HE'D BE HAPPY TO SEE THE DECREASE IN ITEM 62.

I THINK HE'D PRAISE THAT.

I THINK HE'D BE SUSPICIOUS OF ALL THE TIME, NINE DAYS TO BE ADDED TO A CONTRACT, NINE DAYS SPECIFICALLY.

I THINK HE'D TAKE ISSUE WITH SOME OF THESE THINGS.

MOST OF THESE ISSUES REGARDING CHANGE ORDERS ARE REASONABLY FOUNDED AS CONDITIONS CHANGE IN THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO INSTALL SOMETHING.

I DON'T REALLY SEE A NEED TO GET INTO ANY OF THESE IN DEPTH OR TO BE TAKEN FROM THE CHAMBER TO HAVE ANY OF THEM EXPLAINED TO ME.

DOING THIS, REDRESSING OUR GOVERNMENT REGARDING THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, THE AMOUNT OF TIME GIVEN FOR THOSE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OVER 200 ITEMS, BUT I'M GIVEN BUT THREE MINUTES TO TRY TO REDRESS THEM.

MR. AL'S LAST REQUEST WAS TO SEE THE FIVE MINUTES DUE TO THE PUBLIC REINSTATED.

I'D BE VERY DISAPPOINTED IF SOMEBODY UP HERE DOESN'T MAKE THAT A POINT TO SEE THAT DONE.

REINSTATE MR. AL'S FIVE MINUTES, AND TRUST ME, YOU'LL SEE LESS OF ME.

COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENTS, SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS.

I CAN COME UP HERE AND DO THIS EVERY SINGLE MEETING, BUT I PLANNED ON NOT DOING SO.

I PLANNED ON GIVING YA ALL A BREAK.

MAKE YOU LOOK CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A STOP SIGN COULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF ME.

HOW MANY AT RISK YOUTH DO WE HAVE? WHEN I READ THE AGENDA ITEMS, AND I'VE GOT NINE LLCS QUALIFIED NOW TO TAKE UP TO $1.62 MILLION A PIECE.

>> THAT'S YOUR TIME, MR. HIERS.

>> PROVIDE CARE OR SERVICES TO AT RISK YOUTH.

I GOT TO WONDER HOW MANY AT RISK YOUTH DO WE HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE?

>> RESTORE TO FIVE MINUTES.

>> ANYONE ELSE WHO'S HERE TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA?

>> LADIES FIRST.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ADRIAN GABRIEL.

I WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE GAS LEAK BECAUSE I SAW IT THROUGH MY DOOR.

>> THIS WOULD BE FOR THE END OF THE MEETING, MA'AM.

THIS IS FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR THE ADDENDUM AGENDA.

>> OKAY. I APOLOGIZE.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS TIME.

>> NO PROBLEM AT ALL. JUST LISTEN FOR THE END OF THE MEETING WHEN IT'S FOR ANY SUBJECT MATTER.

>> GOOD MORNING, SCOTT. GLENN DENNING, 1704 NORTH STARRETT ROAD, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA 70003.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT ITEM NUMBER 11 UNDER THE PUBLIC AGENDA.

THE SUBDIVISION OF LYNN PARK SUBDIVISION, FORMERLY KNOWN AS SPORTS CLUB.

IT'S BEEN VACANT SINCE KATRINA.

I'VE LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD MY WHOLE LIFE.

I'M 53-YEARS-OLD, I'VE BEEN THERE 52 YEARS.

>> I'M SORRY.

>> SORRY.

>> I WAS LOOKING AT SOMETHING ELSE. THAT'S COMING UP ON THAT ITEM.

WHEN THAT ITEM COMES UP ON THE AGENDA, YOU CAN SPEAK ON IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I'M SORRY. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. WAYNE ZIMMERMAN, 4812 KENT AVENUE.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER.

JUST TO ANSWER THE GENTLEMAN'S QUESTION, HOW MANY TROUBLED YOUTH DO WE HAVE? THE ADVOCACY CENTER IN AND OF ITSELF, SO FAR THIS YEAR HAS INTERVIEWED 370 CHILDREN THAT HAVE DISCLOSED ABUSE.

THAT IS ONLY ONE OF THE MANY AGENCIES, AND I THINK THAT WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION. THANK YOU, SCOTT.

>> ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING ON AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA? SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS COME AT THE END OF THE MEETING IF YOU'RE HERE FOR THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I HAVE A NOTE THAT ITEMS 1 AND 2 WILL BE DEFERRED TO OUR JANUARY 15TH MEETING.

[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED]

>> I MOVE TO DEFER.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS 1 AND 2 TO JANUARY 15TH, 2025 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, ITEM 3, PLEASE.

[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES]

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL, STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR ANALYSIS FOR WIND LOADING ON BUILDINGS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.

[01:10:02]

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

>> MOVE ON THE HIGHEST SCORED, LINFIELD, HUNTER & JUNIUS.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF LINFIELD, HUNTER & JUNIUS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NUMBER 4.

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING VENDORS TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE REMEDIATION SERVICES UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A JEFFERSON PARISH REPRESENTATIVES FOR VARIOUS JEFFERSON PARISH DEPARTMENTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES UNDER RFP 0487.

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN?

>> MOVE ON ALL QUALIFIED.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL QUALIFIED, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 5.

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING VENDORS TO PROVIDE FORENSIC EVALUATIONS AS ORDERED BY THE 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT AND PARISH COURTS.

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

>> MOVE ON ALL QUALIFIED.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL QUALIFIED, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 6.

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSONS OR FIRMS TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS AND/OR DISTRICTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH HAS ASSIGNED ON AN A NEEDED BASIS BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL.

>> AND MY SELECTION ON THAT IS EAG GULF COAST, LLC, THE ONLY RESPONDER.

IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF EAG GULF COAST, LLC, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 7, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL, ARCHITECTURAL, AND ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION OF RAM FACILITY RENOVATIONS.

>> COUNCILMAN BONANO.

>> MOVE ON RCL RICHARD C LAMBERT CONSULTANTS.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF RCL RICHARD C LAMBERT CONSULTANTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

WE HAVE ONE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM THAT WILL TAKE UP AROUND NOON.

[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES]

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26433, RESUB OF LOTS I C-14-A, C-14-B, 5-A, 5-B-1, AND 5-B-2 SQUARE 5, OAKDALE SECTION C SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS 5-B-1A AND 5-B-2A SQUARE 5 AND APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLAT OF SAID SUBDIVISION, WS-110-24, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.

>> I'M SORRY. I BELIEVE I SAD ITEM NUMBER 9.

THAT WAS ALSO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THAT IS ITEM NUMBER 10 THAT THE CLERK JUST READ.

WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON ITEM NUMBER 10.

WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26433.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN EDWARDS?

>> I MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26433, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 11.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26434, RESUB OF LOT Y-2, LYNN PARK SUBDIVISION, AND LOTS 13-17 SQUARE 30 UPLAND SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS 1-20, THE UPLAND SUBDIVISION AND THE DEDICATION OF UPLAND COURT AND PRIVATE UTILITY SERVITUDES, ES-101-24, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26434.

THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

>> JA DU FRIEND, THE ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING ON THE PROJECT.

THIS IS THE FARMER SPORTSMAN CLUB, TENNIS AND SWIM CLUB IN THE AREA THAT'S NOW GONE, DEVELOPING IT INTO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL.

I WAS HAPPY TO SEE WHEN WE HAD THE PUBLIC AREA OF PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD, WE DID HAVE SEVERAL LOCAL RESIDENTS SHOW UP IN SUPPORT OF WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO ON THE SITE.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR APPROVAL. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR?

>> TOMMY GENNUSA, OWNER OF TAG HOMES, DEVELOPER OF THIS PROPERTY.

WE'RE JUST EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BRING A WORKFORCE NEIGHBORHOOD TO JEFFERSON PARISH, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?

>> GOOD MORNING, SCOTT. GLENN DENNING, 1704 NORTH STARRETT METAIRIE ROAD RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM THIS DEVELOPMENT.

I'VE LIVED IN THE AREA FOR 53 YEARS.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD APPRECIATES AND WANTS HOUSES TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT NOW HE'S TURNED THIS ONE IRREGULAR SHAPED LOT INTO 20 DIFFERENT LOTS WHERE THERE WAS ONLY FOUR LOTS BEFORE.

THESE ARE SMALLER LOTS, ALL IRREGULAR SHAPED.

THERE IS MORE THAN EIGHT VARIANCES FOR THESE LOTS TO PUT THESE LITTLE SMALL TIKI TACK HOMES ON.

THERE ARE BETTER DESIGNS OUT THERE, AND I'M WILLING TO WORK WITH THE DEVELOPER TO GET SOMETHING GOING.

AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME, WITH 20 LOTS BEING ON THERE, WE BELIEVE IT'S TOO MANY LOTS.

IT'S GOING TO OVERRUN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE SEWAGE AND CAUSE BIGGER ISSUES THAN IT IS.

[01:15:02]

THIS IS IN DISTRICT 4, RITA'S DISTRICT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION?

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M NOT NECESSARILY IN OPPOSITION.

I JUST HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

I OWN PROPERTIES SURROUNDING PARCELS 13-17.

I WAS TOLD BY THE PARTY THAT BOUGHT IT BY THEIR REALTOR CATHERINE BESS, THAT THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF AWAY THAT RUNS IN BETWEEN THE BIG LOT AND THE ONE LOT ON THE LEFT, THAT I WILL NOT HAVE PUBLIC RIGHT OF AWAY TO MY LOTS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE A STREET THAT IS COMING OFF OF WEST NAPOLEON, BUT IT WILL STOP AT THEIR LOT THAT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF OURS.

THEREFORE, THEY SAID THEY OWN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF AWAY THAT'S GOING TO BUTT UP TO MY LOTS, AND I WILL NO LONGER HAVE PUBLIC ACCESS TO MY LOTS.

THEREFORE, I AM GOING TO BE FORCED TO SELL. ANYBODY?

>> IS THERE SOMEONE WHO CAN ADDRESS THAT?

>> I'M TRYING TO GET AN ANSWER THAT THEY SAID THEY OWN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF AWAY, AND I WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO MY PROPERTIES THAT SURROUND LOTS PARCELS 13-17.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE CONCESSIONS THEY MADE WAS TO PUT A THROUGH STREET.

>> THEY'RE NOT PUTTING IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

THEY'RE ONLY PUTTING IT HALFWAY THROUGH TO WHERE IT RUNS FROM WEST NAPOLEON TO THAT LOT THAT THEY OWN ON THE LEFT.

IT WILL NOW STOP.

THE LOT THAT IS CLOSEST TO VEGAS THAT I OWN, THEY SAID THEY OWN ALL THAT PUBLIC RIGHT OF AWAY AND THAT THEIR LAND WILL BUTT UP TO MY LAND.

THERE'S A HOUSE RIGHT THERE.

THEN IT WILL BE MY LAND, AND THEN IT'LL BE THEIR LAND.

SO I'LL HAVE NO ACCESS TO MY LAND.

IS THAT TRUE THAT THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY?

>> LET'S GET AN ANSWER. HOPEFULLY, SOME CLARIFICATION.

>> THANK YOU. THE GENTLEMAN, HE'S INSTALLING THE ROAD UP TO THE LOTS THAT HE IS DEVELOPING.

NO, HE'S NOT INSTALLING THE ROAD THE REST OF THE WAY, BUT IT'S STILL DEDICATED RIGHT OF AWAY.

IT'S JUST NOT IMPROVED.

HE DOESN'T OWN THE RIGHT OF AWAY.

IT'S STILL DEDICATED TO THE PARISH.

IT'S JUST THAT HE'S NOT IMPROVING IT BECAUSE THOSE LOTS AREN'T BEFORE US FOR DEVELOPMENT AT THIS TIME.

I DON'T KNOW, ANGELA, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO ADD?

>> THE REASON WHY HE'S NOT DEVELOPING THE STREET AT THIS TIME IS BECAUSE WHEN A STREET IS LIKE THIS, EXISTENT, BUT NOT DEVELOPED, WE REQUIRE THE OWNERS OF THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES TO DEVELOP THE STREET AND TO REACH THEIR PROPERTY.

WE WOULD NOT PUT THE BURDEN OF ROADWAY DEVELOPMENT ON THIS DEVELOPER FOR FRONTAGE TO PROPERTIES THAT HE DOES NOT OWN.

THAT'S WHY IT STOPS AT THE EDGE OF HIS PROPERTY AND DOESN'T CONTINUE FORTH.

>> BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S UNDEVELOPED, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT. WHEN THE NEXT DEVELOPER COMES IN AND DEVELOPS THE LOTS IN THAT CONTINUATION, THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING THE ROADWAY TO JEFFERSON PARISH STANDARDS AT THAT TIME.

>> MY UNDERSTANDING, TOO, IS WHEN THEY WENT IN FRONT OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD THAT THEY DID MAKE SOME CONCESSIONS THAT ULTIMATELY ENDED UP BEING APPROVED BY THE BOARD. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?

>> WHICH IS FINE. ROAD OR NO ROAD, AS LONG AS THEY DON'T OWN THE LAND BUTTING UPRIGHT. THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY.

>> YES, MA'AM. IT'S STILL A PUBLIC RIGHT OF AWAY.

IT'S JUST NOT IMPROVED.

>> PERFECT.

>> THAT'S ALL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT TWO APPEARED IN FAVOR, ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, AND ONE APPEARED WITH QUESTIONS.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION?

>> JUST SO YOU KNOW, MR. GLENN DENNING, WE DID MEET WITH THE DEVELOPER.

THERE WERE SEVERAL DIFFERENT OPTIONS AS FAR AS DEVELOPING THIS LAND THAT HE'S GONE THROUGH TO MAKE IT BOTH AFFORDABLE AND PRACTICAL, BUT ALSO CONSISTENT WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE WERE CONCESSIONS MADE TO COME UP WITH THIS ULTIMATE DESIGN.

INITIALLY, WAS DENIED, BUT THEN EVENTUALLY WITH THE CONCESSIONS WAS APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.

HAVING SEEN THE OTHER OPTIONS THAT THEY HAD, I THINK THAT THIS FOR THAT NEIGHBORHOOD IS PROBABLY THE BEST OPTION.

OF COURSE, WE DON'T WANT TO SEE IT JUST SIT VACANT FOR FOREVER, EITHER.

IN LIGHT OF THAT, I'M GOING TO MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26434, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 12, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26435, RESERVE OF LOT 17 AND 10-A SQUARE 40, JEFFERSON DRIVE SUBDIVISION AND LOTS 2-A-1 AND 2-A-2 SQUARE A,

[01:20:04]

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26435.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG?

>> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26435 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING]

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26436, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP AND THE OFFICIAL FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH FOR CERTAIN LOTS OR PORTIONS OF LOTS BOUNDED BY LISETTE STREET, THE EASTERN SIDE LINES OF THE R-3 MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF SHREWSBURY ROAD, THE R-3 MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT FRONTING ON LISETTE STREET, CLEVELAND AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD, CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILROAD AND THE WESTERN SIDE BOUNDARY OF THE R-3 MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, FRONTING ON CATLIN STREET, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING FROM R-3 MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO R-2 TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, AND I-L LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT AND AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE FROM MU, MIXED USE TO PDR, PRODUCTION DISTRIBUTION AND REPAIR, AS RECOMMENDED BY STUDY, AUTHORIZED BY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NUMBER 141955 EZ-10-24, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26436.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BONANO?

>> MOVE APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26436 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 14, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26437, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON POWERS SOUTHERN PORTION OF LOT 4 SQUARE 4, EAST KENNER SUBDIVISION, LOCATED AT 11627 SHORT STREET, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R-1A, SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO R-3 MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, EZ-20-24, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26437.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

>> FABER GONZALEZ, 6905 KAWANEE AVENUE, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA 70003. I'M THE OWNER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS LYNNETTE GORDON, 2439 WEST BANK EXPRESSWAY, HARVARD, LOUISIANA.

I'M JUST COMING HERE FROM SPECTRUM DESIGN TO REPRESENT THE CLIENTS, MR. FAVOR AND HIS WIFE, CYNTHIA GONZALEZ.

I JUST WANTED TO COME BEFORE YOU TODAY BECAUSE THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY LIES IN THE AREA THAT IS SO MIXED USED.

THIS BUILDING ORIGINATED BACK IN THE LATE 1950S, AND IT WAS DAMAGED BECAUSE ONE OF THE HURRICANES THAT CAME THROUGH AND HAD DAMAGED IT THAT THE PRIOR OWNERS OWNED THE BUILDING.

PRESENTLY, THE PROPERTY STILL HAS WATER UTILITIES THAT THEY PAY EVERY MONTH.

THE ELECTRICITY WAS DISCONNECTED BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING INTO DOING RENOVATIONS TO THE BUILDING, AND THEN THESE NEW CLIENTS ENDED UP PURCHASING THE BUILDING.

WHEN WE WENT IN TO TRY TO GET THE PERMITS, THEY LOST THEIR EXISTING NON-CONFORMING USE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE ELECTRICITY HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE FABRIC OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, I'VE BEEN COMING BEFORE THIS BOARD FOR 35 YEARS NOW, CAREER LONG.

I ONLY COME BEFORE YOU IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT I TRULY BELIEVE IN.

I REALLY BELIEVE IF YOU LOOK AT THE FABRIC OF THIS COMMUNITY, IT DOES NOT CHANGE WHAT'S ALREADY THERE.

WE HAVE A LIST THAT WE'VE SENT OVER TO THE COUNCIL REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT TO SHOW THAT THERE ARE ACTUALLY 12 PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED A PETITION IN SUPPORT OF THIS GETTING BACK INTO COMMERCE.

THEY WANT TO GET THE BLIGHT OUT OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD BY PUTTING THIS BUILDING BACK INTO COMMERCE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO COME FORWARD TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT.

UNFORTUNATELY, YESTERDAY WITH THE RAIN, WE COULDN'T GO BACK OUT TO GET THE REST OF THE NEIGHBORS WHO ARE IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROJECT.

WE'RE ASKING YOU TO SERIOUSLY, PLEASE, UNIQUELY LOOK AT THIS SITUATION.

THE TRAILERS THAT SURROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD, EVEN SOME OF THE NEW HOMES THAT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN BUILT INTO THE COMMUNITY, YOU WOULD SEE THAT IT'S A TOTAL MIXED USE THAT WORKS WELL TOGETHER.

THIS BUILDING IS AN EYESORE RIGHT NOW.

SOME OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS THAT WE'VE SUBMITTED, YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S BEEN SET UP FOR VANDAL, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WRITING HORRIBLE WORDS ON THE BUILDING.

[01:25:02]

WE'RE ASKING YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER VOTING YES TO ALLOW US TO BE ABLE TO JUST KEEP IT BACK AND PUT IT BACK INTO HIS EXISTING CONDITION.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS LYNN WILLIAMS LEWIS.

WE HAVE PROPERTY AT 403 FILLMORE, 11634 SHORT STREET, THE PROPERTY WHICH IS TRYING TO BE REZONED, AS THE YOUNG LADY SAID.

FIRST OF ALL, EXCUSE ME.

GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL.

WHAT YOU SAID SIR, TOUCHED ME WHEN YOU SAY YOU WANT THE PARISH THAT COUNCIL CONTINUE TO WORK TO BUILD THE PARISH FOR ALL PEOPLE.

THAT WAS A GOOD THING. I MAY NOT BE QUOTING RIGHT MY HONORABLE COUNCILMAN, BYRON LEE.

YESTERDAY, I HAD A CHANCE TO GET OUT IN THE RAIN TO GET SIGNATURES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST ANY ZONING CHANGE.

LET ME GO ON FROM THERE.

I USED TO SPEAKING IN FRONT OF A COUNCIL, AND PRESIDENT LEE, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, LEE, THANK YOU.

AS YOU SAID, YOU PRAYED THAT THE COUNCIL CONTINUE TO MAKE JEFFERSON WONDERFUL FOR ALL AREAS.

THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID, COUNCILMAN.

I AM A PROPERTY OWNER IN DISTRICT 3, AND AGAINST ALL AND ANY CHANGES THAT WOULD AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH SOUTH, SOUTHERN PORTION OF LOT 4, SQUARE 4, LOCATED AT 11627 SHORT STREET.

WHEN THE CURRENT OWNER PURCHASES PROPERTY, NOTHING WAS HIDDEN FROM HIM.

HE KNEW THAT FOR DECADES, THIS AREA HAS BEEN ZONED R1.

THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON A DEAD END STREET, WHICH BORDERS A PARISH SERVITUDE BETWEEN FILLMORE AND PROVIDENCE LANE.

ALL PROPERTY OWNERS IN THIS AREA ARE OPPOSED TO GIVING SPECIAL PRIVILEGES.

THE SIGNATURE HE GOT WAS FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE RENTERS, NOT PROPERTY OWNERS.

BECAUSE ZONING CHANGE IN THIS AREA FROM R1 TO MULTIFAMILY DWELLING HAS BEEN REJECTED MANY TIMES.

IF THIS ZONING CHANGE IS ALLOWED, THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF OVER 24 PLUS INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THAT HOLE IN THE BACK, WHERE THIS PROPERTY LIES.

THE FLOODGATES WILL OPEN FOR OTHERS WHO DON'T WANT TO ADHERE TO CURRENT ZONING CLASSIFICATION.

ADDITIONATED THE PROPERTY ON SHORT STREET, BUT AGAINST A LOT ON CARWIN STREET, THE PROPERTY OWNER WILL POSSIBLY REMOVE THAT GATE, AND PUT MORE MULTI FAMILY COMPLEXES THERE.

IN THE CLOAK OF NIGHT, AS I SAID, HE RODE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD KNOCKING ON DOORS TO GET SIGNATURES FROM RESIDENTS WHO WOULD APPROVE THE ZONING CHANGE, BUT THEY DID NOT.

THEY DID IT UNDER FALSE PRETENSE.

MR. JOE JAMES, VON WILLIAMS, ERSON FAMILY, SMALLS, THE DIGGS, OPPOSED THE ZONING CHANGE.

COUNCILMAN LEE AND PARISH COUNCIL, WE ASK THAT YOU REJECT ANY ZONING CHANGE TO LOT FOUR SQUARE FOUR LOT LOCATED AT 11624 SHORT STREET.

ALSO, AN ELDER FROM SOUTH KENNER, MR. JOSEPH JAMES.

YOU CAN STAND UP. HE'S 97 YEARS YOUNG.

HE'S BEEN A PROPERTY OWNER FOR YEARS, AND A CITIZEN OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

HE RETIRED SCHOOL BOARD AND SO YOU ALL MAY KNOW HIM. HE'S A LEGEND.

BUT WE JUST WANT YOU ALL TO TAKE UP THE BANNER, AND ALLOW US TO REFURBISH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE DON'T WANT THESE MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS IN THIS AREA, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN GOING ON.

JEFFERSON PARISH IS IMPORTANT TO ALL PEOPLE, NORTH SIDE, SOUTH SIDE, EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE.

ADDITIONALLY, THE PLAN AND ADVISORY BOARD OPPOSED ANY ZONING CHANGE PREVIOUSLY FROM R1 TO R3.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> ANY OTHERS IN OPPOSITION? TWO MORE AT LEAST.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ELISA WILLIAMS GALE.

FORGIVE ME. I HAD TO COME TO THIS MEETING.

I HAD SURGERY ABOUT ON 11TH, BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

THE PROPERTY THAT'S ASKING FOR REZONING BUTTS TO THE BACK OF MY PROPERTY.

NOW, WHILE I'M IN RECOVERY, BEFORE THIS THEY PUT A NINE FOOT GATE UP.

YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

[01:30:01]

SINCE I'VE BEEN RECOVERING, I HAVE 15 CARS IN MY BACKYARD THAT ADJACENT TO THE OTHER PROPERTY.

ALL I'M HEARING IS CAR TIRE CHANGING, THE NOISE, THE LOUD MUSIC.

HE'S USING IT AS A MECHANIC SHOP. HE AND HIS FRIEND.

I'M A LITTLE WEAK RIGHT NOW, BUT I HAD TO COME.

I'M OPPOSED TO IT.

THEY ERECTED THIS GATE.

THE FENCE THAT'S NINE FEET TALL, AND YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE WHAT'S OVER THE FENCE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO USE IT FOR COMMERCIAL.

WHEN HE PURCHASED THE PROPERTY, HE KNEW IT WAS ON R1, BUT HE THOUGHT HE HAD A LITTLE SAFE HAVEN THAT NOBODY WAS GOING TO PAY ATTENTION.

BUT WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION RIGHT NOW.

I'M ASKING THAT HE DENIED BECAUSE WHAT THEY'RE DOING BACK THERE IS NOT RIGHT.

THAT PROPERTY HAS BEEN VACANT, AND THEY DO NOT HAVE WATER, AND THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ELECTRICITY, SO HE'S NOT TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT IT.

WE BUILD HOUSES THERE, AND WE WANT TO BRING THE NEIGHBORHOOD UP.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO COME DROP TRAILERS AT NIGHT, AND ON FRIDAY WHEN EVERYTHING CLOSED.

WE HAD A TRAILER THAT THEY TRIED TO DROP.

WE HAVE 75% OF THE TRAILERS THAT ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, DO NOT HAVE PERMITS FOR IT.

I THINK YOU DID A SURVEY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

YOU HAVE TO EXCUSE ME, I'M NOT FEELING WELL, BUT I JUST HAD TO COME TODAY.

I OPPOSE IT. THANK YOU.

>> HI. NANCY PEARSON, 8924 RENSU RIVER RIDGE, PRESIDENT OF RIVER RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.

I THINK THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS, ONE OF THE PEOPLE FOR IT WAS FROM THE WESTBANK, AND THE OTHER ONE WAS OFF OF KUANI.

WE LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE REPRESENT THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEY'VE WORKED FOR YEARS TO CLEAN IT UP.

WE'RE VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THE DECISION THE COUNCIL MADE LAST WEEK ABOUT PUTTING MORE RENTALS IN THERE.

BUT THESE PEOPLE ARE PROPERTY OWNERS.

THEY OWN THEIR PROPERTIES.

THEY'VE WORKED VERY HARD TO GET THOSE TERRIBLE LANDLORDS THAT WE HAD THERE FOR A LONG TIME TO CLEAN UP SOME OF THE RENTALS THAT THEY DO HAVE.

WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE RENTALS.

WE'RE ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO FOR THAT. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT TWO APPEARED IN FAVOR, AND I BELIEVE THAT WAS THREE IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION.

>> FIRST OF ALL I'D LIKE TO SAY HELLO TO MR. JAMES.

HE'S BEEN MY HERO FOR MANY YEARS AND A VERY GOOD PERSON.

I LOOKED AT THE INFORMATION, AND BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IT IS DENIED.

YOU ALL CAN CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK YOU'RE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE IT BETTER.

BUT MOTION IS DENIED.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DENIAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26437, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

ITEM 15, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26438, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH FOR CERTAIN LOTS OR PORTIONS OF LOTS BOUNDED BY AIRLINE DRIVE, SEVERN AVENUE, JOHNSON STREET, CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD, AND NORTH LABARRE ROAD, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING FROM C2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, R22 FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, CPZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE TO C2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, CPZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE IN C2, GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.

CPZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE TO C2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, AS RECOMMENDED BY A STUDY, AUTHORIZED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER 142068 AND EXTENDED VIA RESOLUTION NUMBER 144281 EZ-19-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26438.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG?

>> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26438, ON MOTION OF COUNCIL LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

ITEM 16, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26439, AMENDING THE MASTER PLAN OF A SPECIAL PERMANENT USE, LAST APPROVED UNDER CU-6-22 FOR THE METAIRIE COUNTRY CLUB WITH VARIANCES TO THE SPU CRITERIA AT 580 WOODVINE AVENUE ON TRACTM-1-A,

[01:35:02]

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26439.

THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEAR. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG?

>> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26439, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 17.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26398, APPROVING SP-51-23, REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE SIGN REGULATIONS, AND LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS OF THE CPZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE FROM MCALISTER'S DELI, LOCATED AT 8850 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD ON LOT 12 AND 7A, HIGHWAY PARK SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM NOW OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26398.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.

>> I'M GOING TO MOVE TO APPROVE AS TO THE SIGN VARIANCE ONLY, AND DENY THE BALANCE OF WHAT THEY'VE REQUESTED.

>> ALL RIGHT. ANY OBJECTION TO THE, WHAT DO WE CALL THAT? THE MIXED APPROVAL?

>> MIXED APPROVAL.

>> MIXED APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26398.

A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDER. ITEM 18 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26440, APPROVING SP-45-24, REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE LANDSCAPE AND BUFFING REQUIREMENTS IN AN AREA OF REGULATIONS OF THE CPZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE FOR BBQ REX LOCATED AT 2903, JEFFERSON HIGHWAY ON LOT C1 SQUARE 148 HARLEM SUBDIVISION, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE IN THE SECOND WHEREAS IN SECTION 1 TO CHANGE SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 TO LAST REVISED DECEMBER 7, 2024.

THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE WE NOW OPEN, I'M SORRY.

COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> IT'S COMING. WE HAVE TO ADOPT THE AMENDMENTS FIRST.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR 26440.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. YOU'RE IN OPPOSITION?

>> YES.

>> OR IN FAVOR? ONE SECOND.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. HE'LL NEED TO SPEAK FIRST, MA'AM.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS SAMUEL LEVITO.

ADDRESS IS 3425 NORTH RAMPART STREET.

I'M THE ARCHITECT THAT DID THE PLANNING ON THIS.

PRIOR TO COMING IN TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD, WE DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON WHAT ZONING REQUIREMENTS WERE FOR THIS PROPERTY.

ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS WE ASKED WAS, CAN WE HAVE A THROUGH DRIVEWAY? THERE IS NO ORDINANCE THAT SAYS THAT WE CAN'T HAVE A THROUGH DRIVEWAY AT THIS LOCATION.

THERE'S BEEN SOME OPPOSITION DURING THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING ABOUT THAT DRIVEWAY, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR.

WE'RE HERE FOR A LANDSCAPE VARIANCE THAT IS MOSTLY AFFECTED ALONG JEFFERSON HIGHWAY.

I HAVE SOME PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE BACK OF THE PROPERTY RIGHT NOW.

I'D LIKE TO PASS THAT ON.

IT SHOWS HOW THAT PROPERTY IS BEING USED BY THE NEIGHBORS RIGHT NOW.

THOSE ARE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RIGHT OF WAY, RIGHT WHERE OUR NEW DRIVEWAY WILL BE COMING THROUGH.

WE WENT TO GREAT EXTENTS ON THE PLANNING OF THIS SITE, AND WE'RE ABLE TO SAVE A 150-YEAR-OLD OAK TREE.

WE'RE DOING NOTHING BUT BETTERING THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THIS PROJECT.

WE CAME BEFORE THE BOARD IN 2020 AND ASKED FOR A SIMILAR VARIANCE WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THIS PROJECT, AND WE WERE GRANTED IT.

AGAIN, THAT VARIANCE, AND WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR TODAY IS MAINLY ALONG JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT THE OPPOSITION MIGHT BRING UP NEXT. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MA'AM.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS GAIL SCOTT GILLESPIE.

I LIVE ON HAWKSTON STREET, 2811 HAWKSTON STREET, JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA, 70121, AND MYSELF AND THE NEIGHBORS THAT OWN PROPERTY ON THAT STREET,

[01:40:01]

HE MAY HAVE GIVEN YOU SOME PICTURES OF WHAT GOES ON ON THAT STREET.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET RID OF.

WE'RE TRYING TO ERADICATE THAT PROBLEM WITH THE PEOPLE SITTING UNDERNEATH THE TREES.

THEY HAVE A BUILDING OVER THERE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE SELLING BARBECUE.

IN THE BACK OF THAT BUILDING, COMING TOWARDS JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, THERE IS NO CLOSURE.

THERE IS A HOUSE THERE WHERE THERE IS NO CLOSURE.

PEOPLE THEY CAN ALSO WALK FROM JEFFERSON HIGHWAY ONTO OUR STREET.

WE HAVE ENOUGH TRAFFIC ON THAT STREET FROM THE BUILDING THAT'S AROUND THE CORNER, WHERE THEY WORK ON CARS.

ALL WE'RE SAYING IS, WE DON'T NEED THAT TO TRY TO INTERRUPT WHAT WE HAVE ON THAT STREET.

I'VE LIVED ON THAT STREET FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

WE'VE NEVER HAD ANYBODY WANTING TO COME THROUGH, AND DISRUPT OUR STREET.

IF HE WANTS TO HAVE HIS RESTAURANT, SURE HAVE IT.

BUT LET HIM TURN OFF JEFFERSON HIGHWAY LIKE ANYBODY ELSE WOULD.

WE'RE TRYING TO CLEAN OUR STREET UP.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO ADD ANY MORE MESS TO IT.

OUR STREET NEEDS TO BE FIXED NOW.

WITH MORE TRAFFIC, IT'S ONLY GOING TO MAKE IT WORSE.

I'D APPRECIATE IF YOU'D CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT IN OUR COMMUNITY, FOR BUSINESSES TO TURN OFF JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, GO TO A RESTAURANT, AND GO INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, INVADE PEOPLE'S PRIVACY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MS. GILLESPIE. THE THROUGH LOT LEGALLY ALLOWS HIM TO DO THAT, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY.

HE IS LEGALLY ALLOWED TO DO THAT.

THAT'S NOT EVEN WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA HERE TODAY.

>> WHAT MAKES THAT ILLEGAL? IS THAT WRITTEN ANYWHERE?

>> IT'S NOT IF I CAN ASK THE PLANNING DIRECTOR TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

>> I MEAN, IT'S NOT PROHIBITED.

WE DON'T HAVE REGULATIONS THAT SPECIFICALLY ALLOW IT, BUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT PROHIBITED, IT IS ALLOWED.

>> THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY.

>> WELL, THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY TOLD ME AT THE LAST MEETING.

THEY SAID, COME TO THIS MEETING IF YOU WANTED TO BE OPPOSED TO WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO.

THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT, BUT THE VOTE HERE TODAY DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT HE HAS LEGAL RIGHTS TO USE THAT LOT IN THAT WAY.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY.

>> I'M HEARING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

HE HAS RIGHTS, AND SO DO WE, SO WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK BEFORE COUNCIL, AND LET THEM KNOW THAT WE DON'T AGREE WITH THAT SINCE THERE IS NO LAW THAT SAYS HE DOES NOT HAVE PERMISSION OR HE DOES HAVE PERMISSION. WE'LL BE BACK.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN BONANO?

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26440, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE IS SO ORDERED. ITEM 19, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26441, APPROVING SP-66-24, REQUEST FOR VARIANCES TO THE LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS AND SIGN REGULATIONS OF THE IMU, INDUSTRIAL MIX USE, FOR AN AMAZON SAME DAY DELIVERY CENTER ON LOT 1A, 1D, 3A, MOUNES DIVISION, ELMWOOD INDUSTRIAL PARK, AND ZONED I-MU COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26441.

THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. THOSE OPPOSED.

I'M SORRY, ONE IN FAVOR COMING. ARE YOU'RE IN FAVOR, SIR? [OVERLAPPING].

HANG ON A SECOND. YOU'RE IN FAVOR, SIR?

>> YES, SIR.

>> OKAY.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS KEITH KEMPER.

I'M REPRESENTING THE DEVELOPER FOR THIS PROJECT.

WE'RE REQUESTING THREE VARIANCES.

ONE TO INCREASE SLIGHTLY THE HEIGHT OF THE SIGNAGE WITHIN OUR TRUCK COURT FOR THE VISIBILITY OF OUR DRIVERS.

THE SECOND IS TO INCREASE THE HEIGHT OF THE BARRIER WALL AT THE SOUTH SIDE OF OUR PROJECT BETWEEN OUR PARKING AREA AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS ON THE SOUTH END OF OUR PROPERTY, AND THEN THE THIRD IS AT OUR NEIGHBOR'S REQUEST TO REMOVE TWO TREES THAT

[01:45:03]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED? NO, I THOUGHT YOU WERE GETTING UP.

SORRY. CHANGED YOUR MIND.

MADAM CLERK, THE ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILMAN BONANO.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS CORRECT.

THIS IS ACTUALLY AT THE REQUEST OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE TWO TREES IN QUESTIONS ACTUALLY GROWING INTO THE FENCE, THE REAR YARD FENCE OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON FARADAY COURT, AND SO I'M GOING TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26441, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 20.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26442, APPROVING SP-71-24, REQUESTED VARIANCES TO OFF STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS IN THE AREA REGULATIONS OF THE CPZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE FOR THE JOEL COMMISARY KITCHEN ON LOTS 57-59, AND PORTIONS OF LOTS 12-14, ALSO KNOWN AS LOTS 58A, SQUARE FIVE METERI TERRACE SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26442.

THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN BONANO?

>> THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT.

THIS COMMISSARY WILL ACTUALLY SERVE AS THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FORMAL CATERER FOR THE SUPER BOWL SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE TRYING TO GET THIS DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER.

WITH THAT, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26442 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 21, PLEASE.

[OTHER ORDINANCES]

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26429, ADOPTING AND OR APPROVING AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2025 FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 4.02-C AND D, OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CHARTER, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO ADJUSTMENTS TO REVENUES, SERVICE CHARGES, AND EXPENDITURES IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

>> NOW FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26429.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?

>> FRANK HIERS 509 HOMAGE IS RISING IN OPPOSITION FOR THE SAME OLD REASONS.

YOU CANNOT APPROVE SOMETHING IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

ANYBODY WANT TO EXPLAIN HOW YOU COME TO HAVE FIVE DISTRICTS WITH TWO AT LARGE MEMBERS? CONSTITUTING WOULD BE SENATORS REPRESENTING THE ADMINISTRATION, NOT THE PEOPLE.

YOU CAN'T APPORTION IN THAT LARGE MEMBERSHIP, THEREFORE YOU CANNOT APPROVE ANY OF THIS CONSTITUTIONALLY. I OPPOSE.

>> 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 26429, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, 22 PLEASE, THE CAPITAL BUDGET.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26430, ADOPTING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS FOR THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.

>> WE'RE NOW WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMER NUMBER 26430.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?

>> FRANK HIERS, RISING IN OPPOSITION AGAIN FOR THE SAME REASON.

REPRESENTATIVES AND DIRECT TAXES SHALL BE APPORTIONED AMONG THE SEVERAL PARTS OF THE PARISH ACCORDING TO THEIR RESPECTIVE NUMBERS.

THERE'S EIGHT DISTINCTIVE PARTS.

THERE'S SIX MUNICIPALITIES THAT ARE TAXED DIFFERENTLY.

THERE'S AN EAST BANK UNINCORPORATED, AND THERE'S A WEST BANK UNINCORPORATED.

THOSE ARE EIGHT DISTINCTIVE PARTS THAT NEED TO BE APPORTIONED.

FIGURE THIS OUT, AND I CAN QUIT COMING HERE.

>> 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 26430, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

ITEM 23, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26443, 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.

>> WE'RE NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26443.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

>> FRANK HIERS. WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS BOTH WAYS.

GUARANTEE. MY FRIEND, MR. AL, WOULD BE IN FAVOR, PROBABLY OF ANYTHING RELATED TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS GOING TO LIMIT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, I BELIEVE THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS TO UNDERMINE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC.

THAT'S WHAT WAS PUT ON TV.

THAT'S WHAT THE NEWS SAID THIS IS ABOUT.

IN THAT CASE, HE'D PROBABLY BE OPPOSED TO THIS.

BUT YOU'RE NOT CLEAR ON THE AGENDA SO YOU DON'T TELL ME THAT IN THE AGENDA,

[01:50:01]

EITHER WAY, I'M GOING TO GET UP FOR BOTH SIDES OF THIS.

BECAUSE WHILE MR. AL WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF EVERYTHING THE INSPECTOR GENERAL MIGHT HAVE TO DO AND EVERY OPPORTUNITY THEY MIGHT HAVE TO DO IT, ME PERSONALLY, I SEE IT AS A REDUNDANCY.

I SEE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE AS UNDERMINING THE ACTUAL CIVIC DUTY THE CITIZENS ARE TO PERFORM.

WE TURN A BLIND EYE BECAUSE WE THINK WE GOT AN INSPECTOR GENERAL.

NOW, WHAT I THINK YOU'RE DOING HERE THAT I WOULD OPPOSE, OR BE IN FAVOR OF, FORGIVE ME.

LOSING TRACK OF WHERE I'M AT, I'M NOT REALLY SUPPOSED TO BE HERE.

I WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE HERE.

THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THIS BODY TO OPPOSE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ARE AN AFFRONT TO THE PUBLIC'S ACCESS TO INFORMATION ITSELF.

YOU CRITICIZE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR NOT DOING THINGS THAT CERTAINLY THE PUBLIC COULDN'T DO.

I WATCHED THIS ALL GO DOWN.

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ACTED LIKE A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH SOMETHING.

ARE YOU GOING TO ISSUE A STATEMENT ACCORDINGLY? I BELIEVE THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS UNDERMINING [OVERLAPPING].

>> HANG ON. ARE YOU STILL SPEAKING IN FAVOR? IT SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO NOT IN FAVOR NOW.

WE NEED TO GET THROUGH IN FAVOR BEFORE WE GET TO NOT IN FAVOR.

ARE YOU DONE SPEAKING IN FAVOR?

>> WELL, HAS ANYBODY MADE IT CLEAR WHAT WE'RE DOING? ARE WE TRYING TO LIMIT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL WITH THIS RESOLUTION?

>> THERE ARE LINES IN THERE THAT YOU COULD MAKE THAT CONCLUSION, YES, IN THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS.

I MEAN, YOU CAN READ IT. IT'S RIGHT THERE. YOU CAN DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSION.

>> NO INVASIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION ARE SO FUNDAMENTALLY DANGEROUS AS THE TRICKS PLAYED ON THEIR OWN NUMBERS, APPORTIONMENT AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES RESPECTING THEIR LEGAL QUALIFICATIONS TO LEGISLATE FOR THE UNION.

[OVERLAPPING]. YOU REALIZE WE CANNOT APPROVE WHAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND, AND YOU CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN THIS TO ME EASILY? HOW CAN I UNDERSTAND HOW COULD I APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE?

>> MR. HIERS, IT IS THERE.

YOU CAN I KNOW AND READ IT FORM YOUR OWN OPINION.

>> I WATCH THE NEWS.

I COULD READ ALL THIS AND [OVERLAPPING].

>> LET THE NEWS FORM YOUR OPINION.

>> I COULD STILL MISCONSTRUE THIS.

>> ARE YOU STILL SPEAKING IN FAVOR? BECAUSE WE NEED TO SEE IF ANYBODY ELSE IS IN FAVOR BEFORE WE GET TO THE OTHER SIDE.

>> SURE. I'LL STILL SPEAK IN FAVOR OF LIMITING THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED AN INSPECTOR GENERAL. LET ME SAY THAT.

I BELIEVE THAT YOU COULD LIMIT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL TO DOING NOTHING.

IN FACT, YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO AWAY WITH THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST DO THAT? WHY DON'T YOU QUIT GIVING US A HALF MEASURE? WHY DON'T YOU GO THE FULL THROAT ON THIS ONE? GO AHEAD AND JUST DISMISS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

THERE. THAT'S MY IN FAVOR OF.

>> THANK YOU, MR. HIERS. ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR? IS THERE ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?

>> NOW, WE'LL RISE IN OPPOSITION AND JUST GO AT THIS WITH BOTH BARRELS.

MR. AL WOULD SEE YOU AS TREADING UPON THE PUBLIC'S ACCESS TO INFORMATION.

THAT'S ALL YOU'RE DOING. IN THAT VEIN, I CAN STEP RIGHT UP HERE AND SPEAK RIGHT ALONGSIDE HIM.

THIS IS JUST A VANITY PROJECT.

NEWS TIME. THIS IS JUST EVERYBODY GETTING THEIR NAME ON TV, THEIR FACE ON TV, SO YOU CAN MAINTAIN NAME RECOGNITION.

MAKE YOURSELVES LOOK LIKE YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING THAT'S LEGIT.

I OPPOSE ALL OF THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT LEGITIMATELY APPORTIONED.

YOU CAN'T EVEN VOTE ON THIS LEGITIMATELY AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, AND AS FAR AS THE REPUBLIC THAT I SWORE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND, PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE TO WOULD PRESCRIBE.

I CAN OPPOSE THIS. I COULD OPPOSE EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR 15 MINUTES.

I COULD FIND SOME WAY TO RISE IN FAVOR OF EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR 15 MINUTES IF I REALLY FELT SO INCLINED.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST GIVE THE PUBLIC BACK THE FIVE MINUTES OF THEIR OWN COMMENT TIME AND DO A CIVIC DUTY? MAKE IT AL'S RESOLUTION.

>> KIM SHATLANE, INSPECTOR GENERAL ARISING IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.

I HAVE A FEW COMMENTS TO MAKE ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE AMENDMENTS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN MY COMMENTS WITH AN ASK, AND THAT IS THAT I WOULD URGE FOR YOU TO DEFER THIS AMENDMENT FROM ACTION TODAY SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME SUBSTANTIVE CONVERSATIONS.

IS THERE ANY INCLINATION TO DEFER IT?

>> COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE], WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK ON THAT? I WILL IF YOU'RE NOT.

>> LISTEN, I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM YOU THIS MORNING ASKING TO DEFER AND MAKING SOME ASSURANCES AS TO WHAT YOUR BEHAVIOR WOULD BE BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE CAME BACK FOR THE FOLLOW UP MEETING.

YOU ASKED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT AND SPEAK WITH US AND ADD SOME INPUT.

IN LIGHT OF THAT, MY COLLEAGUES ARE INCLINED TO DEFER.

I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, THIS HAS BEEN ON THE AGENDA FOR A MONTH.

THE BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SIX MONTHS.

THE CONVERSATION COULD HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN HAD BEFORE THIS MORNING, AND AFTER THIS WEEK WITH ANOTHER SERIES OF

[01:55:04]

I'M GOING TO SUPPORT MY COLLEAGUE'S OPINION THAT WE SHOULD DEFER THIS.

BUT I'M GOING TO BE HONEST I DON'T LIKE IT, AND IT MAKES ME EXTREMELY NERVOUS.

I HAVE YOUR ASSURANCE, YOU SAID, THAT YOU WILL NOT MAKE MEDIA COMMENTS, THAT YOU WILL NOT APPEAR BEFORE THE MEDIA, THAT YOU WILL NOT RELEASE PUBLIC LETTERS OR STATEMENTS, OTHER THAN THOSE IN YOUR NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS, THAT ARE RELATIVE TO ACTUAL REAL REPORTS THAT ARE PERMITTED BY THE STATUTE.

IN LIGHT OF THAT, I'LL GO ALONG WITH AGREEING TO DEFER.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS.

THE LAW IS A LIVING, BREATHING THING, AND IT GETS MODIFIED BY THIS BODY ALL THE TIME.

TO MAKE IT SOUND TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE SOMEHOW MUZZLING YOU, WHAT DID YOU SAY? WE'RE PUTTING A GAG ORDER ON YOU, IS COMPLETELY UNFAIR, AGAIN, DISPLAY OF WHAT THIS BODY IS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

THIS IS A MEDIA POLICY THAT CLEARLY IS NEEDED.

FOR SIX MONTHS OR SO, THIS COUNCIL HAS HAD TO ENDURE UNFAIR ATTACKS, AND SO THERE HAS TO BE SOME MEDIA POLICY PUT IN PLACE.

WE'VE TAKEN OUR BEST STAB AT IT.

WE ARE WILLING TO SIT DOWN, AND WE HAVE REACHED OUT AND TALKED TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR INSPECTOR GENERALS.

HANS AND I HAD AN HOUR LONG CONVERSATION WITH THEM ASKING FOR THEIR INPUT.

YOU DON'T EVEN WANT TO KNOW THEIR SUGGESTION ABOUT WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO.

IT'S WAY HARSHER THAN WHAT WE WERE EVEN TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

WE HAVE AN AG THAT HAS WEIGHED IN ON THE BEHAVIOR.

WE HAVE THE ECC DOING AN INVESTIGATION ON YOU.

POTENTIALLY, THE LOUISIANA DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE WEIGHING IN AT SOME POINT.

WE CANNOT SIT BY AND PRETEND LIKE THIS IS NOT HAPPENING.

YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO OUR TAXPAYERS.

THEY DID NOT HIRE YOU TO BE A MEDIA CONSULT.

>> THEY DID NOT PAY YOU TO APPRISE THE MEDIA OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU THINK MIGHT HAPPEN, AN INVESTIGATION THAT MAY COME.

THEY HIRED YOU TO AUDIT, TO INVESTIGATE, AND TO REPORT.

THAT'S IT. YOU ARE NOT THE FACE OF THE PARISH.

IT IS NOT YOUR OBLIGATION TO KEEP THE MEDIA APPRISED FIRST.

I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE JEFFERSON PARISH FIRST, NOT THE MEDIA.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT'S YOUR ROLE.

THERE'S A REASON WHY THE FBI, THE POLICE, YOU DON'T SEE THEM COMMENTING ON INVESTIGATIONS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN, AND THAT'S BECAUSE IT INTERFERES WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE INVESTIGATION.

EVERY TIME YOU GO IN THE MEDIA AND OUR PUBLIC PAYS YOU TO DO AN INVESTIGATION, AND THAT INVESTIGATION GETS TAINTED BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU'VE SAID AT A CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETING OR TO THE NEWS, YOU RISK THE ENTIRE PROCESS THAT YOU'RE HERE TO DEFEND AND PROTECT.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO DEFER TODAY. I DON'T LOVE IT.

I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOME GUARD RAILS, BUT I'M WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND MEET WITH YOU AND SEE IF WE CAN HASH OUT SOMETHING THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS A GAG ORDER OR THAT WE'RE QUIETING THE IG, MR. [INAUDIBLE], PLEASE, GO READ THE ORDINANCE.

THIS WOULD PREVENT HER FROM USING METHODS OF OBTAINING EVIDENCE THAT VIOLATES THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS.

YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY WANT AN IG THAT CAN VIOLATE THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS.

THIS PREVENTS HER FROM SECRETLY OR ANONYMOUSLY PROVIDING NON PUBLIC INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA, ON OR OFF THE RECORD, WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION.

YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY WANT AN IG TO SECRETLY OR ANONYMOUSLY HAVE CONTACT WITH THE MEDIA.

IT'S NOT HER ROLE.

SHE'S SUPPOSED TO BE ABOVE ALL OF THIS.

SHE'S SUPPOSED TO BE ABOVE THE POLITICS.

THIS STOPS HER FROM ALLOWING HER JUDGMENT TO BE INFLUENCED BY PERSONAL INTERESTS OR POTENTIAL MEDIA CONTACTS OR ATTENTION.

YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY WANT AN IG WHO IS USING HER PERSONAL INTERESTS OR TRYING TO GET PERSONAL ATTENTION AND RISKING HER INDEPENDENCE.

YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY WANT THAT.

WE DEMAND MORE THAN THAT FROM YOU.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS ANY COMMENTS, BUT IF NOT,

[02:00:01]

>> I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT YOU AND I HAD, I THINK, A PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSION YESTERDAY.

AS COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN SAID, WE REACHED OUT TO THE OFFICE OF INSPECTORS GENERAL, HAD A PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION WITH THEM.

THE PRESS TOLD ME THAT THEY SPOKE WITH DANE CIOLINO.

I REACHED OUT TO HIM. I CAN'T SAY THAT A LOT OF THIS ISN'T NECESSARY, BUT I DO THINK THAT WE NEED SOME GOOD HONEST DEBATE AND INPUT TO PUT SOME APPROPRIATE GUARD RAILS IN PLACE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH YOU. ANYONE ELSE?

>> MISS CHATELAIN, I JUST JUST HAVE A QUESTION.

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, YOU COMMENTED WHEN ASKED ON TELEVISION ABOUT WHETHER YOU WERE INVESTIGATING EAT FAT CITY, AND YOUR RESPONSE WAS, I DON'T TALK ABOUT ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS, YET YOU'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE GRETNA BREWPUB THE WHOLE TIME.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW THAT HYPOCRISY CAUSES THIS COUNCIL GREAT CONCERN?

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS LIKELY NEEDED SOME CLARIFYING COMMUNICATIONS.

I THINK THAT MY CONVERSATION WITH COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG HIGHLIGHTED WHERE SOME BREAKDOWNS ARE HAPPENING.

I WANT TO SIT DOWN AND RESOLVE WHAT I TOLD COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SO WE CAN JUST GET THIS OUT PUBLICLY, BECAUSE I REALLY AM ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

SHE EXPRESSED TO ME FEAR AND CONCERN ABOUT DEFERRING TODAY BECAUSE SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT I WOULD CONTINUE TO SPEAK TO THE MEDIA, AND THAT SHE DIDN'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT FIVE WEEKS.

I SAID, UNEQUIVOCALLY, I HAVE NO PROBLEMS MAKING NO COMMENTS FOR THE NEXT FIVE WEEKS SO THAT WE CAN SIT DOWN.

SHE ASKED ME ABOUT ANY MORE PUBLIC LETTERS COMING OUT, AND I TOLD HER VERY HONESTLY, WE HAVE NOTHING COMING OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT A DRAFT, WHICH WILL BE CONFIDENTIAL.

I'M TELLING YOU THAT, IT'S COMING OUT.

I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE DRAFT IS, I'M TELLING YOU IT'S COMING OUT.

BEYOND THAT, MY COMMENTS TO HER THIS MORNING, HOPEFULLY, SHE DOES NOT OBJECT TO ME REPEATING IT, WAS I HAVE NO PROBLEMS DISAGREEING.

I HAVE NO PROBLEMS IN REACHING A PLACE WHERE WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE, AND I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THAT WE HAVE TO AGREE ON A PROBLEM TO DESIGN A SOLUTION.

I NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEM SITTING DOWN WITH ANYBODY ON THE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS PATHS FORWARD.

IF IT'S DEFERRED TODAY, I WILL BE REACHING OUT TO YOUR OFFICES TODAY OR TOMORROW TO LOOK TO PUT A DATE ON THE CALENDAR TO BEGIN THOSE DISCUSSIONS SO THAT WE CAN EITHER COME TO A PLACE WHERE WE AGREE OR WE COME TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN REACH AN INFORMED AGREEMENT TO DISAGREE.

>> ANYBODY ELSE? COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

>> I'LL JUST SAY I APPRECIATE COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN AND LILJEBERG BEING WILLING TO DEFER THIS.

I'LL JUST SAY TWO THINGS IN GENERAL.

I KNOW AT THE START OF THE NEW YEAR, WE ALL GET BACK TO THE GYM, WE ALL GET BACK TO DIETS, AND WE ALL START THE YEAR WITH A FRESH COMMITMENT.

I THINK JEFFERSON PARISH HAS SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS GOING FOR IT, AND WE'RE ALL PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

I THINK WE COULD ALL SERVE EACH OTHER AND OUR PARISH WELL, AND THIS IS MY COMMITMENT FOR THE NEW YEAR, TO COMMUNICATE WELL WITH EACH OTHER BECAUSE I DO THINK A LOT OF THE TUMULTUOUSNESS WE'VE HAD THIS YEAR COMES FROM A LACK OF COMMUNICATION, AND I THINK A COMMITMENT TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER IS GOING TO SERVE US ALL WELL, AND THAT'S CERTAINLY MY COMMITMENT.

THEN I DO THINK THAT THIS SENDS A GOOD MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE IF THERE'S ANY LACK OF CLARITY ON THIS, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO CONVEY TO BGR AND OTHERS WHO HAVE REACHED OUT THAT WE ARE LISTENING, AND THAT OUR GOAL IS ONLY TO SERVE THEM AND SERVE THEM WELL.

I THINK THE DEFERRAL SPEAKS TO THAT, AND I'M APPRECIATIVE.

LOOK, WE'VE ALL HONORED COUNCILMAN EDWARDS THIS MORNING.

I THINK WE UNIVERSALLY SEE HIM AS A MODEL OF DECORUM AND AN HONORABLE SERVICE.

IN THE SPIRIT OF THAT LEGACY, I THINK MOVING TO DEFER THIS AND TALK WITH EACH OTHER RESPECTFULLY ABOUT IT IS IN THE SPIRIT OF HONORING HIM AS WELL.

>> WELL, FIRST, TO BACKTRACK.

[02:05:02]

TWO APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, I'M SORRY.

>> MOTION TO DEFER.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26443 TO JANUARY 15, 2025 ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

ITEM NUMBER 24, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26446, WAIVING THE BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR THE 2025 ST.

JUDE DREAM HOME LOCATED AT 425 LIVE OAK STREET IN METAIRIE, LOUISIANA, PROJECT NUMBER 24-310459, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERE TO COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.

>> PUBLIC HEARINGS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26446.

ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD, THOSE IN OPPOSITION?

>> FREAK GUY IS GOING TO RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THIS ONE AGAIN, JUST BECAUSE.

IT'S THAT GOOD DEED.

IT'S A CHANCE TO PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK.

GOING TO DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR ST. JUDE.

HOW DOES ANYBODY OPPOSE ST. JUDE? HOW DO YOU DO IT?

>> I DON'T KNOW, BUT I'M TAKING MY STOP SIGN BACK.

>> IT AIN'T YOURS. YOU AIN'T DISTRICT 2, YOU DON'T GET TO HAVE THAT.

TRUST ME, A LOT OF MY NEIGHBORS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SEEN THAT STOP SIGN GONE, ESPECIALLY A LITTLE BOY GOT RAN DOWN.

REAR ENDED THE CAR WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK.

I OPPOSE THIS SIMPLY BECAUSE WHEN WE MAKE EXCEPTIONS FOR THE GOOD DEED, FOR THE DO GOODER, THEN WE UNDERMINE THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE LEGITIMACY OF THE WHOLE THING.

IT'S THE INVASION UPON THE CONSTITUTION.

IT LOOKS GOOD, SOUNDS GOOD, IT'S A GOOD THING TO DO, PRAISE, ALL GOOD.

GOOD PEOPLE, GOOD WORKS, ALL THAT, THAT'S WONDERFUL, BUT IT ALLOWS FOR A WAY FOR CHEESE TO BE PUT ON A PLATE THAT RATS CAN'T RESIST.

WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS I GOT ST. JUDE COMMERCIALS ON MY TV ALL DAY LONG.

HOW MUCH MONEY IS ST. JUDE SPENDING ON ADVERTISING? THIS IS A GRIFT.

THIS IS THE GREAT CON, THE BIG CON.

IF IT GOES ON LONG ENOUGH, GETS BIG ENOUGH, IT GETS EASIER TO PULL.

THIS IS JUST ME OPPOSING US CONING OURSELVES INTO THINKING WE'RE DOING SOMETHING GOOD.

MAKE THEM PAY FOR THE BUILDING PERMIT FEES.

IT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY, AND IF IT IS, LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT TO WHERE IT'S LESS MONEY FOR EVERYBODY, BECAUSE IF YOU EXEMPT ONE PERSON'S PERMIT FEES, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE THE FEES FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.

THAT'S WHAT A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT WOULD PROTECT US FROM A DEMOCRACY, WHERE YOU CAN JUST DO WHATEVER YOU FEEL LIKE DOING.

PAT YOURSELVES ON THE BACK FOR IT.

I OPPOSE THIS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC THAT I PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE TO.

EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE TO THIS REPUBLIC.

SOME OF US SWORE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND IT.

I'D LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THAT AND A LITTLE LESS OF THE INDULGENCES, THE CHANCES TO PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK FOR DOING SOMETHING GOOD.

YOUR GOOD DEED IN THIS ROOM FOR THIS AND INNUMERABLE AGENDA ITEMS REVEALS THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

NOW, YOU-ALL ARE TERM LIMITED, SO I'M NOT SURPRISED TO SEE HOW THIS WORKS OUT.

HOPSCOTCH HERE, HOPSCOTCH THERE, I GOT A PARISH PRESIDENT ELECT.

WE ALL KNOW WHERE THIS IS GOING NEXT.

I'D LIKE TO SEE IT LESS PREDICTABLE.

I'D LIKE TO SEE THE GOOD SENSE OF THE PEOPLE CORRECT FOR OURSELVES.

YOU COULD START. YOU'RE AMONG US.

YOU ARE OF THE PEOPLE.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THE ONE WHO APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.

>> I MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMERY NUMBER 26446, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. TWENTY FIVE, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26447, ESTABLISHING MARRERO HARVEY, VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 1 FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26447.

THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD, AND THOSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BONANO.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26447 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 26, PLEASE, WITH AMENDMENTS.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26448, AMENDING THE 2024 OPERATING BUDGET.

THE AMENDMENTS ARE, ALLOCATE $3,543 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 4'S OFF TRACK BETTING FUND FOR THE CEA WITH JEDCO REGARDING THE PROVISIONS AND FUNDING FOR A DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE REPORT FOR JEFFERSON PARISH THAT WILL INFORM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.

ALLOCATE $3,543 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR THE CEA WITH JEDCO REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF FUNDING FOR A DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE REPORT FOR JEFFERSON PARISH THAT WILL INFORM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

ALLOCATE $3,543 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR A CEA WITH JEDCO REGARDING

[02:10:06]

ALLOCATE $6,615 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR SECURITY DETAILS IN WESTMINSTER SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

ALLOCATE $2,097 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S BP SETTLEMENT FUND FOR A CEA WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PORT DISTRICT REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MANUFACTURING AND TRAINING FACILITY IN JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE BENEFIT OF RENEGADE LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS, THE MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

WE'RE NOW OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26448.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD, ANYONE OPPOSED?

>> FREAK GUY IS RISING IN OPPOSITION, AND THERE AREN'T EVEN HARDLY ANY GOOD DEEDS IN THERE FOR ME TO HAVE TO EVEN BE WORRIED ABOUT INSULTING? THIS IS ALL JUST TO BENEFIT JEDCO.

THE SELF PROFESSED ARM OF JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT, UNACCOUNTABLE, BUT THEY'RE THE ARM OF THIS GOVERNMENT.

BOY, DO THEY BENEFIT GREATLY FROM IT? WE GOT HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY TAXATION THAT'S DONE DIFFERENTLY ON ONE SIDE OF THIS RIVER TO THE NEXT, AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE TO GET UP EVERY SINGLE TIME WE MISAPPROPRIATE BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GOT THE MONEY, THEN IT AIN'T GOT LEGITIMATELY.

IF WE'RE GO TO ALLOW FOR A HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY TO BE TAXED DIFFERENTLY ON ONE SIDE OF THIS RIVER THAN THE OTHER, WE'RE VIOLATING THE UNIFORMITY CLAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION.

THAT'S ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8, CLAUSE 1.

THAT'S WHY I HAVE TO GET UP AND KEEP DOING THIS.

NOW, HOW ABOUT WE JUST SEPARATE THE PARISH INTO TWO PARISHES? WEST BANK COULD HAVE ITS OWN PARISH PRESIDENT, ITS OWN SHERIFF, HAVE ALL THE LUXURIES OF THE EAST BANK.

WELL, IF YOU'RE EAST OF CAUSEWAY, YOU'RE OUT BY LAKE, ANYWAY, YOU GET ALL THOSE BENEFITS.

YOU HAVE YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU, THE PEOPLE OF THE WEST BANK. IMAGINE THAT.

THEN WE MIGHT EVEN FETCH SOME ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE EAST BANK.

THEN I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT JEDCO OR WHAT THEY'RE UP TO, OR WHETHER OR NOT THEY RETURN A PHONE CALL OR PUT ME ON THAT CHARTER REVIEW BOARD SINCE THEIR OWN APPOINTEE WOULDN'T SHOW UP.

BUT I'M SUPPOSED TO TRUST JEDCO WITH GAMBLING MONEY.

I'M PRETTY SURE MY FRIEND, MR. [INAUDIBLE], I THINK HE'D OPPOSE THIS AS WELL.

HE DIDN'T MIND WHEN YOU SPEND IT TOWARDS A GOOD DEED, YOU SPEND IT TOWARDS THE SCHOOL, SPEND IT TOWARDS THE IMPROVING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN.

BUT HE'D SURELY BE ABLE TO GET UP AND OPPOSE THIS LITTLE GRIFT, THIS LITTLE CON GAME THAT GETS TO FUND JEDCO'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STUDIES AND REPORTS.

AGAIN, MORE THINKING ABOUT WORK, LESS DOING OF WORK.

WE GOT TO FIGURE THIS OUT. TAXATION, REPRESENTATION, IT MATTERS.

IT'S A REASON WHY WE FORMED A UNION, A REASON WHY WE SHED A KING.

WE'RE NOT GUARANTEED ANY DEMOCRACY.

WE'RE GUARANTEED A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT, THAT'S WHY I KEEP GETTING UP OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

I DIDN'T THINK I'D HAVE TO BE HERE FOR A WHILE.

FIGURE THIS OUT. I'M GOING TO GET UP ON THE NEXT ONE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU WHEN YOU STOP COMING TO THE MEETINGS.

WE'RE HANGING ON FOR ONE SECOND FOR REASONS UNKNOWN AT THIS POINT.

ONE IN OPPOSITION.

COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26448, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

>> ARE WE PAUSING AGAIN?

>> WE GOT TO GO BACK. I GOT TO ADD ONE MORE MINUTE.

>> LET US PASS IT, THEN GO BACK.

>> OH, NO.

>> YOU HAVE TO READ IT ALL AGAIN?

>> NO. I'M JUST GOING TO ADD ONE MORE MINUTE.

>> WE CAN MOVE ON TO CAPITAL.

>> NOW, WE'RE JUST GOING TO MOVE TO CAPITAL.

>> WE'RE JUST GOING TO MOVE TO CAPITAL. WHERE ARE WE AT? I LOST MY PAGE NOW. CAPITAL BUDGET.

GO AHEAD. I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER IN FRONT OF ME.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26449, AMENDING THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE: ALLOCATE $4,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 4'S CDIA HEALTH AND WELFARE FUNDS FOR A CEA WITH NEW ORLEANS TRACK CLUB FOR THE PARK2PARK 5K RACE AND EVENT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.

TRANSFER $80,000 FROM THE STATE APPROPRIATION TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 44530-000-527045324005 FOR A CA

[02:15:05]

ALLOCATE $197,903 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 CDIA GENERAL FUND FOR A CEA WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF MANUFACTURING AND TRAINING FACILITY IN JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE BENEFITS OF RENEGADE, LLC, AND ITS AFFILIATES, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

ALLOCATE $150,000 FROM CDIA GENERAL FUND TO PROJECT NUMBER 45743001 FOR THE PURCHASE OF STREET LIGHT BANNER ARMS FOR SUPER BOWL AND BICENTENNIAL BANNERS.

COUNCIL TA LARGE A, COUNCIL AT LARGE B, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4, AND COUNCIL DISTRICT FIV5E.

AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> ANYTHING FROM THE PINA GALLERY? ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, WE'RE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26449.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION.

>> GUYS RISING IN OPPOSITION, [INAUDIBLE] REPUBLICAN FORMER GOVERNMENT.

I GOT TO KEEP ON DOING IT.

AT LEAST THAT ONE SOUNDED BETTER.

AT LEAST SOME OF THAT SOUNDED LIKE BETTER STUFF TO DO WITH MONEY THAT'S ILL GOTTEN, UNFORTUNATELY.

IF YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW THE REPRESENT BODY IS FORMED, THEN YOU DON'T HAVE A LEGITIMATE ONE.

AND IF YOU IMPOSE TAXATION WHILE NOT LEGITIMATELY FORMED, WELL, GUESS WHAT? THAT'S FRUIT OF A POISONED TREE.

THAT'S JUST FRUIT OF A POISONED TREE, ILL GOTTEN GAINS.

SO WE KEEP ON GOING THROUGH THIS, AND I'M GOING TO KEEP ON DOING WHAT I GOT TO DO, JUST AS LONG AS I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO.

I WISH YOU-ALL WOULD FIGURE THIS OUT, SO I DON'T.

I GOT OTHER THINGS TO DO.

I GOT OTHER PLACES TO BE.

IF WE COULD APPORTION THIS BODY, THEN I COULD WALK AWAY.

I WOULDN'T FEEL LIKE SOME QUOTA THAT'S BEEN ASSIGNED TO A LEADER.

I'M A CITIZEN THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE APPORTIONED A REPRESENTATIVE.

THOSE ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS, AND IT SHOWS EVERY TIME I GOT TO GET UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT IT.

I NEED ONE OF YOU, ANY OF YOU TO GET CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

THE REPUBLICAN FORM WE'RE GUARANTEED IS A LITTLE MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT WE'VE BEEN SETTLING FOR HERE.

I'D APPRECIATE Y'ALL FIGURING THAT OUT. I OPPOSE.

>> 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 26449 ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

IT IS STRAIGHT UP TWELVE O'CLOCK.

WE HAVE ONE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET TO TODAY, SO MADAM CLERK, WE'LL DEFER ONE AND READ THE OTHER ONE, PLEASE.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 8 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> MOTION TO DEFER TO JANUARY.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 8 TO JANUARY 15TH, 2025, ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, NOW READ ITEM NUMBER 9, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM FOR LYNN ADAMS CCMSI, CLAIM NUMBER 19C99J130561 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

WE WON'T BE GOING LONG. DON'T GO FAR.

WE'RE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION.

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM FOR LYNN ADAMS CCMSI, CLAIM NUMBER 19C99J130561 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COUNCILMAN LEE.

>> I HAVE ONE.

>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ARCHBISHOP SHAW HIGH SCHOOL TO USE THE JOHN A. ALARIO SR.

EVENT CENTER ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, 2024, AND TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10TH, 2024, SO THAT ITS FOOTBALL TEAM CAN PRACTICE INDOORS AND AVOID THE INCLEMENT WEATHER AS IT PREPARES FOR THE LHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL GAME AND AUTHORIZING THE WAIVER OF ALL FEES ASSOCIATED.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.

[02:20:01]

MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE?

>> GO SHAW. YES.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? BROUGHT FORWARD TO MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

>> COUNCILMAN WALKER.

>> I HAVE NONE.

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

>> I HAVE NONE.

>> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.

>> I HAVE NONE.

>> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.

>> I HAVE TWO.

>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA AND THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATOR TO SUPPORT THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF ANNUAL STATE FUNDING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE DURING THE 2025 REGULAR SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATOR.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR?

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> SURE. GO AHEAD. I'M SORRY. UNMUTE YOURSELF.

>>THANK YOU. THIS TASK FORCE HAS DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB THIS YEAR, AS THEY DO EVERY YEAR.

AS WE ALL KNOW, CRIMINALS DON'T KNOW JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES.

THIS TASK FORCE OPERATES IN JEFFERSON, ORLEANS, AND PLAQUEMINES PARISH.

IT'S HEADQUARTERED IN GRETNA.

IT ALSO HAS MEMBERS FROM THE DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

THIS YEAR ALONE, THEY HAVE MADE OVER 100 ARRESTS, MANY HIGH-PROFILE CASES.

THEY SEIZED APPROXIMATELY 104 THAN DOLLAR AND ILL GOTTEN ASSETS AND TWO VEHICLES.

THEY HAVE TAKEN APPROXIMATELY TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN ILLEGAL NARCOTICS OFF OF OUR STREETS.

I THINK THEY'RE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB.

THEY OPERATE INSIDE OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND OUTSIDE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

I THINK IT'S THE APPROPRIATE THING FOR THE STATE TO PITCH IN.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD TO MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

>> A RESOLUTION REDUCING THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF MUSICAL UNITS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 6-80, THAT EACH FLOW PARADE ORGANIZATION SHALL CONTRACT FROM 10:00-8:00 FOR THE 2025 MARDI GRAS SEASON.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.

ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD TO MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

THAT TAKES TO CONSENT AGENDA 1.

I'M SORRY, YOU GOT TO FINISH CALLING THE ROLL.

SORRY. IT'S LIKE SENIORITIS. IT'S THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.

>> WHAT ARE WE DOING?

>> FLOOR.

>> FLOOR RESOLUTIONS.

>> I HAVE NONE.

>> COUNCILMAN BONANO.

>> NONE.

>> I'VE COMPLETED THE ROLE.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. CONSENT AGENDA 1 NOW,

[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]

>> MOVED.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE IN GLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 29 THROUGH 78 MINUS 31, IN WHICH I WILL ABSTAIN, ITEM 72, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, GO TO 31, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVAL OF THE 2024 AND 2025 ALCOHOL BEVERAGE PERMIT.

>> COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, YOUR MOTION?

>> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, WITH COUNCILMAN WALKER ABSTAINING? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

ITEM 79, PLEASE.

[CONSENT AGENDA TWO]

PREGNANT PAUSE. YOUR MOTION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN ON THE IN GLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 79 THROUGH 120 ON CONSENT AGENDA 2 MINUS 80 AND 81, WHICH ARE SELECTIONS AND 174, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED.

>> SEVENTY-NINE THROUGH 210.

>> WHAT DID I SAY?

>> TO 120.

>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. LET ME START AGAIN.

COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE IN GLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 79 THROUGH 210 MINUS 80 AND 81, WHICH ARE SELECTIONS, AND 174, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED.

>> MOVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO IN GLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEM 79 THROUGH 210 MINUS 80 AND 81, WHICH ARE SELECTIONS, AND 174, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 80, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144664,

[02:25:01]

>> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, YOUR SELECTION.

>> ELECT SHREAD KUYRKENDALL & ASSOCIATES WITH T. BAKER SMITH AS RESIDENT INSPECTION.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF SHREAD KUYRKENDALL & ASSOCIATES WITH T. BAKER SMITH AS THE RESIDENT INSPECTION, SELECTION ON MOTION OF COUNCIL LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. EIGHTY-ONE, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS, ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144664, ADOPTED AUGUST 7TH, 2024, FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SEWAGE PROJECTS, WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EASTBANK WWTP SLUDGE DISPOSAL, SCIP PROJECT NUMBER 5125, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR SELECTION.

>> MOVE TO SELECT N-Y & ASSOCIATES.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF N-Y & ASSOCIATES ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HERE NONE, SO ORDERED.

THAT TAKES US DOWN TO ITEM 174, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE JOEY'S HOPE FOR HUNGRY CHILDREN TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR FOOD, CLOTHING, AND SHELTER FOR LESS FORTUNATE CHILDREN IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNITY AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $10,000 PER YEAR FOR A MAXIMUM OF $30,000, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE: TO CHANGE THE VENDOR'S NAME FROM JOEY'S HOPE FOR HUNGRY CHILDREN TO JOEY'S HOPE INCORPORATED IN THE PREAMBLE IN SECTION 1, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THAT AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. I MOVE ON THE AMENDMENTS.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

I MOVE ON THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION AS WELL.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

THAT TAKES US ALL THE WAY TO 211 NOW ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA.

[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS]

>> SO MOVED.

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. I'M SORRY. I HAD A NOTE FOR THAT, AND I MISSED IT.

YOUR MOTION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN ON THE IN GLOBO ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 1 THROUGH 17, MINUS NUMBER 6, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO JANUARY 15TH.

>> SO MOVED.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 1 THROUGH 17, MINUS NUMBER 6, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO JANUARY 15TH, 2025, ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, SO WE GO PAST NUMBER 6, AND THAT TAKES US TO 18 IN SPECIAL DISTRICTS, CORRECT?

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT AND MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INCORPORATE TO PROVIDE ANNUAL NETWORK MAINTENANCE AND LOCAL TROUBLESHOOTING REPAIR FOR ALL RADIO CONSOLES AND NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE LOCATED AT THE BACKUP 911 CENTER LOCATED AT 3300 METAIRIE ROAD, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $137,853.12 ANNUALLY.

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

NUMBER 19 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MANUFACTURING AND TRAINING FACILITY IN JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE BENEFIT OF RENEGADE, LLC, AND ITS AFFILIATES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 IN PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS.

THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ADD THE ACCOUNT NUMBER TO SECTION 2, WHICH WILL READ THAT THE FUNDING FOR THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT SHALL BE CHARGED TO THE FOLLOWING $197,903 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 445304007767145325221, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, CDIAGF, AND $2,097 FROM 230102782767130182000, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 BP SETTLEMENT, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.

>> SO MOVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

YOUR MOTION ON THAT RESOLUTION NOW, COUNCILMAN LEE?

[02:30:03]

>> I MOVE.

>> I'M SORRY. IT'S YOURS.

>> HE CAN VOTE FOR ME. MOVE APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECT TO THE ADOPTION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.

>> I JUST WANT TO SEE HOW LONG YOU WERE GOING TO GO BEFORE YOU CAUGHT THAT.

[LAUGHTER]

>> THAT'S WHY LIZ IS SITTING RIGHT IN FRONT, SO SHE CAN LOOK UP AT ME WITH STEELY EYES.

>> SHE WAS GIVING ME [LAUGHTER].

>> I NEED BETTER READERS. NEXT ITEM, WHERE ARE WE?

[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE JEFFERSON PARISH HOUSING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 2025 PAYMENT STANDARD SCHEDULE FOR THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM.

>> NOW IT'S COUNCILMAN LEE, MAYA JUST WENT TOO FAR DOWN THE PAGE. COUNCILMAN LEE YOUR MOTION.

>> I MOVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTED THE RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, 213, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE JEFFERSON PARISH HOUSING SERVICE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 2025 ANNUAL AGENCY PLAN.

>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION?

>> I MOVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION.

MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 214.

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A CUSTOM PIERCE ENFORCER NON WALK IN RESCUE 1051 FIRE APPARATUS AT A COST OF $1,159,253 UNDER HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL CONTRACT NUMBER FS12-23 WITH THE SIDDONS-MARTIN EMERGENCY GROUP, LLC, QUOTE NUMBER SMEG0008131-1 FOR THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA.

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?

>> MOVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO A RESOLUTION.

MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.

ITEM 215 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PORT DISTRICT REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF FUNDING FOR A DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE REPORT FOR JEFFERSON PARISH THAT WILL INFORM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $24,800 IN PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS.

AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ADD THE ACCOUNT NUMBER IN SECTION 2, WHICH WILL READ THAT THE FUNDING FOR THIS CORROBORATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT SHALL BE CHARGED AS FOLLOWS, $3,543 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 1001000103067671 COUNCIL AT LARGE A GENERAL FUND, $3,543 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 445304007767145325710.

COUNCIL AT LARGE B, CDIA GF $3,543 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 220202751767120251000 COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 VIDEO POKER, $3,543 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 220202752767120252000 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 VIDEO POKER, $3,543 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 22020275376712025300 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 VIDEO POKER, $3,543 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 220102744767120144000 COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 OFF TRACK BETTING, AND $3,543 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 220102745767120145000 COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 OFF TRACK BETTING.

THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS. MOVE.

>> FOR APPROVAL.

>> AND YOUR MOTION ON THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION?

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL AS AMENDED.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED OR A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED 216, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN BETWEEN AMBULANCE SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER 2 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA AND GRAND ISLE VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICES INCORPORATED, RELATIVE TO THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.

>> EXCUSE ME, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS.

YOUR MOTION. ANY OBJECTION.

ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

ITEM 218, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT NUMBER 2 TO THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 9 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA AND GRAND ISLE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 1,

[02:35:03]

>> OTHER THAN THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES AT THE END OF THE MEETING AND THE MOTION TO ADJOURN, THIS IS BASICALLY THE LAST MOTION OF THE MEETING.

COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, THIS IS YOUR FINAL MOTION AS THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL WHAT'S YOUR MOTION?

>> I CHOSE TO MOVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION OF MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

[BACKGROUND].

>> HE'S GOT ONE.

>> WHICH ONES HE HAVE? HOW DID I MISS THAT? SON OF A GUN.

[LAUGHTER] WELL, FORGET EVERYTHING I JUST SAID AND SAVE IT FOR THIS ONE.

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE LAST ONE. I THOUGHT I WAS ON 218.

I LOOKED AHEAD. GO AHEAD OF 218, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN TERRYTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AND RESTORATION DISTRICT OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA AND A NEW ORLEANS AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INCORPORATED, REGARDING THE PROVISIONS IN FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED FOR THE RISING OAKS DEVELOPMENT AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO AMEND THE BUILD SCHEDULE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 40 HOUSING UNITS AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THE PARISH.

>> NOW THIS IS YOUR LAST ONE, COUNCILMAN EDWARDS. YOUR MOTION.

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.

ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN EDWARDS SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

AND NOW WE DO HAVE NEW BUSINESS AT THIS MEETING, MADAM CLERK.

[NEW BUSINESS]

>> MAY 3, 2025 ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT, DRAINAGE MILLAGE RENEWAL.

THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL ATTENDS TO VOTE ON A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CALLING OF A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A SPECIAL TAX IN CONSOLIDATED DRAINAGE DISTRICT NUMBER 2 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, SPECIFICALLY THE RENEWAL OF THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A TAX NOT TO EXCEED SIX MILLS ON ALL PROPERTIES SUBJECT TO TAXATION IN SET DISTRICT FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS, BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR 2027, THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT REASONABLY EXPECTED TO BE COLLECTED FROM THE LEVY OF THE TAX FOR ONE YEAR BEING $26,847,412 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, MAINTAINING OR OPERATING THE DRAINAGE WORKS WITHIN IN FOR SAID DISTRICT.

RECREATIONAL MILLAGERENEWAL.

THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL ATTENDS TO VOTE ON A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CALLING OF A SPECIAL ELECTION.

RENEWAL OF THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF SPECIAL TAX AND CONSOLIDATED JEFFERSON RECREATION AND COMMUNITY CENTER AND PLAYGROUND DISTRICT OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA.

SPECIFICALLY, THE RENEWAL OF THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A TAX NOT TO EXCEED 10 MILLS ON ALL PROPERTIES SUBJECT TO TAXATION IN SAID DISTRICT FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS, BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR 2027, WITH THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT REASONABLY EXPECTED TO BE COLLECTED FROM THE LEVY OF THE TAX FOR ONE YEAR BEING $35,012,021 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, MAINTAINING, AND OPERATING RECREATION AND OTHER FACILITIES IN SAID DISTRICT.

LIBRARY MILLAGE RENEWAL.

THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL INTENDS TO VOTE ON A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CALLING OF A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF THE SPECIAL TAX IN PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA.

SPECIFICALLY, THE RENEWAL OF THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A TAX NOT TO EXCEED ONE HALF MILLS ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THE TAXATION IN THE PARISH FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS, LET ME GO BACK.

NOT TO EXCEED SIX AND ONE HALF.

SORRY. MILLS ON ALL PROPERTIES SUBJECT TO TAXATION IN THE PARISH FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS, BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR 2028, WITH THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT REASONABLY EXPECTED TO BE COLLECTED FROM THE LEVY OF THE TAX FOR ONE YEAR BEING $29,522,838 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, MAINTAINING, AND OPERATING PUBLIC LIBRARY FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT, THEREFORE, WITHIN AND FOR THE PARISH.

JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON THESE RESOLUTIONS AT THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025, BEGINNING AT 10:00 AM IN THE WEST BANK COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING LOCATED AT 200 DERBIGNY STREET, LOUISIANA.

THE TENTATIVE DATE FOR THIS ELECTION IS SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. NO STATUS REPORT TO TALK ABOUT.

NOW WE ARE AT THE SECTION OF THE MEETING WHERE PERSONS APPEAR BEFORE

[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]

PLEASE FILL OUT YOUR REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

[02:40:01]

HEY, MA'AM. I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ROSALINE BELL.

I LIVE AT 1112, SOUTH STARRETT.

IT HAVE A COUPLE OF ISSUES, AND I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT ABOUT IT.

SEEMED LIKE THEY'RE NOT DOING THEIR JOB.

FULL DISTRICT POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT COMES OUT THERE.

IT'S AN ISSUE.

YOU GOT A MECHANIC SHOP THAT DON'T HAVE LICENSE. IT'S A RUNNER.

THEY GOT ALL THEIR CARS PARK THERE.

WE HAD A ACCIDENT, SOMEONE BACKING OUT THEIR DRIVEWAY.

THE GUY HIT HIM AND KEPT ON GOING.

THEY HAVEN'T FOUND HIM. THAT'S THE SAME PROBLEM I GOT IN FRONT OF MINE.

I SENT ALL THE PICTURES TO CODE ENFORCEMENT. IT'S A PROBLEM.

WHEN WE BACKING OUT OUR DRIVEWAY, WHERE THE RUNNER STAY ON THIS SIDE, HE GOT ALL THE CARS PARK THAT HE'S FIXING ON OUR SIDE.

WE CAN'T HARDLY SEE GETTING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY.

IT'S AN ISSUE. I'M TIRED OF KEEP COMING TO COUNCIL MEETING.

SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS IS TRYING TO WORK WITH YOU, AND YOUR CODE ENFORCEMENT IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB.

SO SOMEBODY NEED TO BE INVESTIGATING THEM.

'CAUSE FOUR DISTRICT POLICE HAVE BEEN OUT THE SEPARATE TIME AND THAT'S MY ISSUE.

>> WE'VE GOT LIZ HERE IS READY TO TO SPEAK TO YOU, MA'AM.

> HI, MS. BELL. WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO WORK WITH MS. BELL.

I THINK WE'VE DONE OVER 30 INSPECTIONS, EVEN SATURDAY, WEEKEND INSPECTIONS, AND WE'RE JUST NOT SEEING WHAT SHE'S SEEN.

[NOISE] WE TAKE PICTURES.

SHE BRINGS US IN RING DOORBELL, VIDEOS AND PICTURES, IS NOT AGAINST THE LAW TO WORK ON YOUR OWN PERSONAL VEHICLE, AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T GO OUT INTO THE STREET OR THE SIDEWALK.

IT IS, HOWEVER, OBVIOUSLY AGAINST REGULATIONS TO RUN AN AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS AT YOUR HOME.

BUT WE JUST DON'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT.

AT THIS POINT, AFTER 30 INSPECTIONS, I'VE ASKED HER TO START BRINGING IN EVIDENCE.

I CAN GO DOWN RIGHT AND GRAB THE PICTURES, BUT THE EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE IS JUST NOT SUFFICIENT TO SHOW THAT AUTO REPAIR WORK IS DONE.

WE HAVE PICTURES OF GUYS WITH A WHITE TRUCK WITH A HOOD UP.

LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE TALKING AROUND IT.

THIS IS ALSO A UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE THERE ARE SIGNS ERECTED ON THERE THAT ALLOW THEM TO PARK ON THE PATCH RIGHT AWAY, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT I DON'T THINK MS. BELL AGREES WITH.

WE'RE NOT ABLE TO ENFORCE THAT PROHIBITION BECAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY ALLOWED IN THAT STREET.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING WITH MS. BELL GET THE EVIDENCE THAT WHATEVER EVIDENCE SHE HAS, WE'LL REVIEW, AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING WITH HER.

>> YOU HAVE A MINUTE AND A HALF LEFT, MS. BELL.

>> EXCUSE ME. CAN YOU SEND A OFFICER OUT THERE RIGHT NOW? THEY DON'T HAVE LICENSE PLATES OR ANYTHING ON THE CALLS.

THE CALLS DO NOT BELONG THERE.

ONE OF THE CALLS STAY ON JEFFERSON HIGHWAY THAT HE PUT A TRANSMISSION IN IT.

SECOND CALL THAT JUST BROUGHT IT THE OTHER DAY.

FROM THE TIME THEY BROUGHT, I CALLED THEIR OFFICE AND REPORTED IT.

STILL SHE SAID, OH, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH EMPLOYEES TO SEND OUT THERE TO CHECK IT.

>> ANYONE ELSE? GO AHEAD, MA'AM.

>> GRAND RISING TO EVERYBODY.

I'M SORRY THE FIRST TIME.

>> BUT NOW YOU GOT YOU THREE MINUTES. IT'S TIME.

>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS ADRIAN GABRIEL.

I'M STANDING IN THE MIDST FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY.

SOME COULDN'T BE HERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO WORK.

DOCTOR'S APARTMENT, DON'T HAVE RIDES.

I'M HERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS THE SAFETY PROCEDURES WHEN THE LINE BROKE, WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO TAKE ON BEHALF OF THAT, AND WAS THERE ANY MARKING TO SHOW THAT THEY HAD THE GAS LINE THAT WAS SITTING THERE.

ALSO, BY BEING WET AND MOIST, SHOULDN'T HAVE EVEN BACKED UP ON THE GROUND BECAUSE THE GAS LINE IS REALLY FRESH. NUMBER 2.

I WAS LISTENING AT THE CHIEF WHEN HE SAID, WE THEY HAVE A GAS LEAK FOR US TO IMMEDIATELY, YOU KNOW, CALL 911.

WELL, I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WELL, IF THEY ARRIVED AT THE PLACE AT 5:12, WHEN THEY HEARD UP THE GAS LINE BEING RUPTURED.

AND AT 5:15, THE FIGHT FIGHTER ARRIVED AT THE SCENE.

[02:45:01]

AT 5:19, THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS EN ROUTE.

AT 6:27, MY COUSIN'S HOUSE BLEW UP, AND I LOOKED AT IT.

I'M STANDING IN MY DOOR.

I JUST WANT TO KNOW YOU SAY WE HAVE TO DO THIS.

WHY Y'ALL DIDN'T DO WHAT YOU HAD TO DO WAS COME KNOCK ON THE DOOR WHEN YOU KNEW THAT THE GAS, AND FOR AS THE COMMISSIONER, I HAVE TO ANSWER FOR HIM FOR MYSTERIOUS BLOWING BECAUSE MY COUSIN DIDN'T HAVE GAS SHE HAD TOTAL ELECTRIC.

THE THING, THE REASON WHY THAT ACTUALLY BLOW BECAUSE WHEN I OPENED UP MY DOOR THE GAS KNOCKED ME BACK, THE GAS WAS INVISIBLE THAT YOU COULDN'T SEE IT, BUT IT WAS LIKE A CLOUD.

SO NOW, I HAVE A BREATHING PROBLEM.

I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T DO THE PROPER PROTOCOL TO PROTECT US CAUSE WE ARE PEOPLE TOO. WE'RE TRYING TO COME UP.

WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE A LIBRARY WAS COMING UP IN OUR AREA, 'CAUSE WE NEED OUR BLACK CHILDREN, OUR WHITE KIDS OR WHOEVER. I DON'T CARE.

I'M NOT THAT TYPE OF PERSON, BUT WE ALL TRYING TO COME UP.

AND THAT WAS BRINGING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD UP.

NOW WE GO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS, HOW I LOST MY COUSIN CAN'T BRING HER BACK.

HER SON IN THE IN THE HOSPITAL.

EVERYBODY MESSED UP.

THEY DIDN'T DO THEIR JOB.

WE PAID TAXES 'CAUSE I WORK.

SO WE ALL PAY TAXES.

WHY SHOULD WE GO THROUGH THIS? THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. 'ALL FIGURE THAT OUT.

FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY DID 'CAUSE THEY TOTALLY WRONG.

I FOUGHT EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM.

SO DON'T TELL ME ABOUT CALLING YOU.

WHEN YOU WAS READY THEN YOU DIDN'T EVEN COME KNOCK ON OUR DOOR. THANK YOU.

>> MA'AM, THAT'S WHY IF I COULD FOR A SECOND.

THAT'S WHY THEY'RE DOING THE INVESTIGATIONS.

AS A FORMER FIREFIGHTER MYSELF.

THIS IS AN ANOMALY.

HAS EVERYBODY SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS.

THE TRAILER THAT BLEW UP WAS UP WIND OF THE GAS LEAK.

GAS TRAVELS WITH THE WIND.

AS YOU SAID, THERE WAS NO GAS CONNECTED TO THE HOUSE.

HOW DID IT GET INSIDE THE HOUSE AND BUILD UP TO THE POINT WHERE IT EXPLODED? THAT'S THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE INVESTIGATION BECAUSE NOBODY CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION RIGHT NOW.

>> I JUST FEEL THERE WAS A LOT OF GAS THAT WAS LEAKING, SIR.

I HAVE GAS. I HAVE A GENERATOR.

I HAVE ALL THAT. TO ME, IT WAS THICK.

I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING I NEVER EXPERIENCED IN MY LIFE. YOU'RE NOT THERE.

>> NO. BUT AS I TOLD YOU, GAS DOESN'T NORMALLY TRAVEL AGAINST THE WIND.

IT HAD TO GET THERE THROUGH SOME UNDERGROUND MEANS, AND THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF THE INVESTIGATION.

THAT'S WHY THERE'S NO ANSWERS YET TODAY.

WE HAVE ALL THESE DIFFERENT FEDERAL STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES LOOKING AT IT.

AS SOON AS WE GET THE RESULTS OF THAT INVESTIGATION, WE'LL BE BETTER ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> SEE HOW I'M STANDING WITH YOU, THE LIBRARY'S READY BY ME COMING THIS WAY.

THAT'S WHERE THE GAS CAME FROM THE LIBRARY.

THAT'S ALL I COULD SEE. THANK YOU,.

>> YES MA'AM. THANK YOU.

>> APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU ALL.

>> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M [INAUDIBLE].

OUR ADDRESS IS 3605, LAKE MICHELLE, GRETTON AND LOUISIANA.

WE PURCHASED THE HOUSE OVER TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO.

WE WORKED ON THE HOUSE. WE MOVED INTO THE HOUSE.

OUR WATER BILL WAS $120.

IT WENT UP TO $160.

IT JUMPED UP TO $500.

IT JUMPED UP $700.

IT JUMPED UP TO 1,000.

THEN IT WENT TO $1,597.

WE'VE CALLED THE WATER COMPANY OUT THERE SEVERAL TIMES.

THEY SAID THAT WE HAD A LEAK.

WE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS HAVING OUR HOUSE, WHICH I HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK.

WHICH I'VE ALREADY GONE TO SEE THE COUNCIL PEOPLE IN GRETTON.

THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO COME HERE AND COME BEFORE YOU AND SEE YOU. WE DON'T HAVE A LEAK.

THEN THEY SAID THAT IT MUST BE THE AUTO FILLER ON OUR SWIMMING POOL.

WE DON'T HAVE AN AUTO FILLER ON OUR SWIMMING POOL.

WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING.

WE'VE HAD THE TESTS WHERE THEY'VE DONE, THEY'VE COME OUT, AND THEY'VE DONE THE LEAK TEST.

THEY'VE DONE THE VALVE TESTS.

THEY'VE DONE EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

NOW, THE NEW THING IS, IT'S OUR AUTO FILLER ON OUR SWIMMING POOL.

WE DON'T HAVE AN AUTO FILLER.

THEN IT WENT FROM $1,597.

THEN IT DROPPED DOWN TO $700.

WHEN I TALKED TO THE LADY AT THE WATER COMPANY, SHE SAYS, WELL, DOES THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY? NO, IT'D MAKE ME HAPPY IF SHE PUT THAT IN THE EMAIL.

IT WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY IF IT WAS A 140 THAT OUR NEIGHBORS ARE, THAT HAVE A SPRINKLER SYSTEM.

THE HIGHEST BILL HE'S EVER GOT IS 225,000.

THE WATER BILL ITSELF SAYS THAT I HAD A LEAK, BUT THEN IT SAID THAT IT WAS A SLOW READ. IT MUST HAVE BEEN A LEAK.

BUT THEN WHEN THEY SHOWED THAT THERE WAS NO LEAK AND THEY'VE DONE ALL THESE SETS, THEY'RE LIKE, NO, THEN IT MUST BE YOUR AUTO FILLER.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE ONE. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? WHAT PERSON CAN AFFORD TO PAY $1,600 FOR A WATER BILL? THEN WE'VE PAID 500 FOR THIS COMPANY, 01,000 FOR THIS COMPANY TO COME OUT.

THEY'RE SAYING THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE METER.

WHEN I ASKED THE LADY, COULD YOU PLEASE SEND SOMEONE BACK OUT TO MEET WITH HIM TO LOOK AT THE METER?

[02:50:01]

IT'S NOT AN US PROBLEM.

IT'S A YOU PROBLEM.

>> HANG ON ONE SECOND THERE, MA'AM, SIDNEY'S OVER HERE, THE WATER DIRECTOR TO COME AND SPEAK.

YOU'LL HAVE TIME AFTERWARDS, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY MORE.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS ACCOUNT.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REVIEW IT AND JUST GET BACK WITH HER.

I CAN WORK WITH THE OUTSIDE AND SEE WHO WE CAN COME UP WITH BECAUSE I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS ADDRESS.

>> WELL, NOW HE'S FAMILIAR, AND Y'ALL ARE FAMILIAR AND SEE WHAT WE CAN WORK OUT.

>> OF COURSE.

>> HERE YOU GO. GOT EVERYTHING IN IT. THANK YOU.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE, MA'AM?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE?

>> AGAIN, WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON.

I JUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT COUNCILMAN EDWARDS, AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER, JEFFERSON PARISH.

MANY OF Y'ALL DON'T REALIZE WE HAVE THE NUMBER 1, THE FIRST EVER IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER RIGHT HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

THAT MAN SITTING RIGHT OVER THERE HAS A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT THAT HAPPENED.

HE HAS SAVED NUMEROUS LIVES OF CHILDREN THAT HAVE BEEN ABUSED THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF THIS THING.

IT WAS THROUGH HIS INITIATIVES, HIS AND MR. JOHN MAMOULIDES THAT WE CAME TO BE.

WITH A LITTLE BIT OF POETIC JUSTICE, I'D LIKE TO SAY JUST ONE LITTLE THING TO YOU.

THIS IS FROM PART OF A POEM FROM MISS LINDA ELLIS.

THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT WHO STOOD TO SPEAK AT THE RETIREMENT OF A FRIEND, REFERRED TO THE DATES ON THE PROCLAMATION FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END.

SHE NOTED FIRST CAME THE DATE OF THE BIRTH AND THE FOLLOWING DATE IN TEARS.

BUT SHE SAID WHAT MATTERED MOST OF ALL WAS THE DASH BETWEEN THE YEARS.

MR. EDWARDS, YOUR DASH GOES THROUGHOUT THIS PARISH THROUGHOUT THIS STATE, AND I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING, BUT WE LOVE YOU, AND THANK YOU [APPLAUSE].

>> ANYONE ELSE?

>> FRICK GYRES 509 HOME IN BOULEVARD, JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN A WAY WE GO.

IT'S BETTER TO BE THOUGHT A FOOL THAN OPEN ONE'S MOUTH AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT.

THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITES.

THERE'S NO WAY I CAN CHARGE THE COUNCIL DISTRICT MEMBER FOR DISTRICT 11 AS BEING A FOOL BECAUSE HE'S BEEN ONE OF THE MOST RESTRAINED MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL IN ALL THE TIME I'VE ATTENDED.

I KNOW I APPRECIATE THAT.

I APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH, MR. EDWARDS [NOISE].

I EXPECTED NOTHING LESS FROM THE JUDGE, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. I DID.

WHEN I FIRST STARTED COMING TO THESE MEETINGS, MR. ALLOT ASKED ME TO BRING EVERYBODY I COULD.

WE GOT TO GET THE PEOPLE IN HERE.

WE GOT TO HAVE PEOPLE IN HERE. PEOPLE ARE IN HERE, THEN THESE PEOPLE LISTEN.

I LOOKED AT HIM, OH, WELL. I'M JUST ME.

I CAN JUST DO ME. IT'S NOT EASY TO GET PEOPLE TO WANT TO SHOW UP TO THESE THINGS.

YOU HAVE TO GET THROUGH A CERTAIN INTIMIDATION FACTOR THAT Y'ALL HAVE OVER THE PUBLIC IN ORDER TO GET UP AND DO THIS.

UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS BORN ON APRIL FOOL'S DAY, SO I DON'T HAVE MUCH TROUBLE GETTING THERE.

I TOLD MR. ALLOT, I SAID, ABOUT THE ONLY THING I THINK THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH HERE IS TO TRY AND MAKE THIS THING MORE ENTERTAINING.

MAKE PEOPLE WANT TO WATCH THIS MEETING.

TO THAT END, I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT BETWEEN THE TWO OF US, WE DID PRETTY GOOD OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

I PREPARED MY OWN VIDEO, BUT Y'ALL DID PRETTY MUCH THE SAME DEAL, SO I'LL SPARE YOU.

MINE HAD BETTER MUSIC, THOUGH.

I'LL TELL YOU THAT. I HAD BETTER MUSIC.

I THINK MY ENDING WAS A LITTLE BETTER.

THAT BEING SAID, IN THE SAME VEIN AS MR. ALLOT, THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL THING WITH ANYBODY FOR ME AND HERE, AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS FOR HIM, NECESSARILY.

I MEAN, HE HAD PERSONAL ATTRACTION WITH ALL Y'ALL AND YOUR PARENTS BETTER SO THAN I WOULD.

BUT THIS IS A CIVIC DUTY.

SHOWING UP HERE AT THESE MEETINGS, WHETHER IT WAS FOR COUNTY COUNCIL OR FOR JP COUNCIL, HE ATTENDED THESE THINGS TO FULFILL A CIVIC DUTY.

THAT'S WHY I SHOW UP BECAUSE IT GIVES ME A SENSE OF HAVING FULFILLED A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THAT CIVIC DUTY THAN VOTING COULD EVER ACCOMPLISH.

TO BE UP BUYING FOR THE PEOPLE, THAT MEANS PEOPLE HAVE TO SHOW UP.

I WAS GOING TO SPARE YOU ALL MY PRESENCE FOR A GOOD BIT, MAKE A ALL CURIOUS.

I WISH YOU ALL VERY HAPPY HOLIDAYS,

[02:55:03]

THAT EXTENDS TO ALL THE PARISH EMPLOYEES AND ALL THE PARISH CITIZENS.

LET'S HAVE '25 BE A BETTER YEAR FOR US ALL. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON THIS TIME.

FIRST, FOR THOSE OF US WHO WORKED WITH YOU IN THE '70S, WHEN YOU WERE AT THE DA'S OFFICE AND SAW YOU BEGIN THE ADVOCACY CENTER, IT WAS A JOY WHEN HE WAS WITH THE DA'S OFFICE AND WE WERE BRINGING CASES, AND HE'D HELP US THROUGH THOSE OF US WHO WERE NEW TO THE JOB AND DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT WE WERE DOING TOO MUCH.

THE DA'S OFFICE BACK THEN WAS JUST AWESOME.

I'M GOOD RETIRED, SO I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT ANYMORE, HOPEFULLY.

BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE YEARS.

I KNOW YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH HARRY LEE, SO THERE WAS A CONNECTION THERE.

BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THOSE YEARS BACK THEN WHEN YOU HELPED US SO MUCH.

I'D LIKE TO LEAVE THIS ON A POSITIVE NOTE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

I HAD A CALL THIS WEEK FROM ONE OF THE LADIES WHO CAME, WHO DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW TO FIND THE AGENDA ON THE WEBSITE.

I TALKED HER THROUGH THAT, BUT THEN SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIND THE RESOLUTION. WE TALKED HER THROUGH THAT.

IF MAYBE A TUTORIAL COULD BE MADE AND PUT ON A TV STATION, THOSE THAT STILL GET THE PARISH CHANNEL ON THEIR TVS, OR ON THE COUNCIL'S WEBSITE OR ON THE DOCUMENTS TO SHOW PEOPLE WHEN TO TALK, HOW LONG THEY GET TO TALK, THE SUMMARIES, THE RESOLUTIONS, AND ALSO THAT THOSE AGENDAS ARE AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY ON YOUR COMPUTER OR ANY COMPUTER.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A COMPUTER, YOU GO TO THE LIBRARY, MOST PEOPLE CAN GET IT FOR THEIR PHONES.

BUT ALSO, THAT IF YOU CLICK ON THAT ON THE AGENDA, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE RESOLUTION AND READ IT AND KNOW IF YOU'RE FOR OR AGAINST OR IF YOU WANT TO COME TO THE COUNCIL MEETING TO SPEAK ON IT, IF IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU OR NOT IMPORTANT TO YOU.

BUT YOU ACTUALLY CAN READ THE WHOLE WHOLE RESOLUTION SO THAT YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT YOU'RE COMING UP HERE TO SPEAK ON. THAT WOULD HELP US.

SINCE YOU HAVE THE TV, YOU HAVE THE COMPUTER, AND YOU HAVE THE WEBSITE, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT THING THAT MAYBE WE COULD START '25 WITH.

THANK YOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND VERY GOOD NEW YEAR. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? BEFORE WE WRAP THINGS UP, WHEN I COUNT TO THREE WITH ONE FINAL TRIBUTE FROM MARIAN.

THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO VERY QUICKLY.

YEAH, THEY'RE GOING TO BE HERE IN A SECOND TO DO IT.

READY, 1, 2, 3 [LAUGHTER][APPLAUSE].

>> HAVE WE EVER LOOKED BETTER? [LAUGHTER] WE ALL SHOULD HAVE A MUSTACHE.

I GAVE NEIL LATE NOTICE TO COME DOWN FROM PIO TO TAKE A PICTURE, SO HE'LL BE HERE IN JUST A SECOND.

WE CAN LEAVE THEM ON WHILE WE READ THE ORDINANCES

[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]

WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

THIS IS GREAT [LAUGHTER] GO AHEAD, MADAM CLERK.

WHEN NEIL COMES WE'LL STOP.

>> THE FIRST ONE I'M GOING TO READ IS GOING TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTE.

>> LEAVE YOUR MUSTACHES ON [LAUGHTER].

>> AN ORDINANCE REVOKING AND DECLARING A PORTION OF LOT A1 SQUARE 13 PELICAN BAY SUBDIVISION, ADJACENT TO LOT 24 SQUARE 13 PELICAN BAY SUBDIVISION 4905 AMES BOULEVARD, MARRERO NO LONGER NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING A SALE TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS FOR THE APPRAISAL VALUE OF $7,600.

>> I'M SORRY [LAUGHTER]. WE'RE LOOKING AT PICTURES BEING TAKEN.

IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT? I CAN'T EVEN SPEAK WITH THIS THING ON.

THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN FRANKIN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

NEIL'S HERE, LET'S PAUSE FOR ONE SECOND AND LOOK OVER HERE [LAUGHTER].

WE CAN DO A GROUP ONE RIGHT AFTER, IF YOU STICK AROUND NEIL.. CONTINUE, MADAM CLERK.

>> RESERVE OF LOTS 26, 27, 28 AND 29, SQUARE 82 SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS 26A AND 28A SQUARE 82.

RESERVE OF SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 3C2 AND E SQUARE 8A 22 AMES FORM SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS E1 AND E2,

[03:00:01]

AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, PART OF LOTS 11 AND 12, SQUARE B AT 547 BARATARIA BOULEVARD, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM C2CBZ GENERAL COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE TO DISTRICT 2R1 A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.

AMEND CHAPTER 33 UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, SECTION 33-3 45.4 APPROVING A REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS OF THE C2CBZ GENERAL COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE FOR A SEVEN BREW COFFEE LOCATED BARATARIA BOULEVARD ON LOT 4E BELL PLANTATION SUBDIVISION.

APPROVING A SITE PLAN REVIEW REQUEST FOR THE RESERVE AT LA PACO PLACE, A MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 541 LA PACO BOULEVARD ON PARCELS E AND 3C2 SQUARE A22 SECTION 00.

A REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE PARKING REGULATIONS OF THE OFF STREET PARKING LOADING AND CLEAR VISION AREA REGULATIONS FOR WOODMERE PLAYGROUND, LOCATED AT 4,100 GLENMERE DRIVE ON LOT 13 WP.

DECREASING THE SPEED LIMIT FROM 35 MILES PER HOUR TO 30 MILES PER HOUR ON CANAL STREET FROM THE INTERSECTION OF CANAL STREET AND SOUTH I10 SERVICE ROAD.

TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 13709, THE EXECUTIVE PAY PLAN FOR THE UNCLASSIFIED AT WILL EMPLOYEES OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH TO INCORPORATE NEW JOB CLASSIFICATIONS.

TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 3 ARTICLE 2, DIVISION 1, SECTION 2-16.5 AND CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE 3 DIVISION 1 SECTION 2-97 REGARDING SPECIAL NON COMPETITIVE LIMITED TERM EMPLOYEES.

AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 12 ELECTIONS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES TO MERGE PRECINCTS K018 AND K019 AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE ELECTION CODE.

TO AMEND SECTION 2-891 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO ADDING HOUSING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, TWO SPECIAL DISTRICTS THAT ARE EXEMPT FROM THE JEFFERSON PARISH PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 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 THE SUMMARY A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.

I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN THE WAY THIS FEELS ON MY LIP THAT IT'S NOT GOING OFF [LAUGHTER].

IT'S NOT GOING TO REMOVE [LAUGHTER].

I THINK WE ALL LOOK GOOD WITH MUSTACHES [LAUGHTER].

EVEN THE LADIES? MIGHT BE ON THE FRONT END OF SOMETHING.

ON THAT NOTE, EVERYBODY, HAVE A WONDERFUL REST OF THIS YEAR.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK FOR A FRESH START IN 2025.

IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADJOURN BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

BEST OF LUCK, MARIAN. TAKE CARE.

THIS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.