>> HI, GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
[SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS]
[00:00:04]
WE'LL GET STARTED WITH OUR PRESENTATIONS IN JUST A MOMENT. IF WE'LL TAKE YOUR SEATS.IT'S 9:30. WE'LL GET STARTED SHORTLY, AND I BELIEVE WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET TO THE MEETING RIGHT AT 10 O'CLOCK TODAY.
[00:06:41]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN ENDS UP FIRST THIS MORNING WITH A PROCLAMATION.
>> ARE WE ON? GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SPECIAL GUESTS IN OUR AUDIENCE TODAY.
WE HAVE SUPERINTENDENT OF JEFFERSON PAIR SCHOOL SYSTEM RIGHT HERE IN THE BACK, DR. JAMES GRAY.
WE HAVE THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, RALPH BRANT WITH US THIS MORNING. WELCOME GENTLEMEN.
WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL PROCLAMATION THIS MORNING FOR THE BONNEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AND THE HEAD BOYS BASKETBALL COACH MICAH HAGANS. COACH HAGANS.
>> MORNING, COACH. [APPLAUSE] GOOD MORNING.
YOU GET TO STAND UP HERE UNCOMFORTABLE WHILE WE TALK ABOUT YOU.
[LAUGHTER] WHEREAS, COACH MICAH HAGANS WAS NAMED THE 2024 2025 BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR IN DISTRICT 105 A.
WHEREAS COACH HAGANS PLAYED BASKETBALL FOR BONNEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FROM 2001 IN 2005 AND MADE IT TO THE STATE QUARTER FINALS TWICE AS A PLAYER HIMSELF.
COACH MICAH HAGANS CAME FULL CIRCLE WHEN HE RETURNED TO BONNEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL AS AN ASSISTANT BASKETBALL COACH IN 2011, AND ASSISTED IN DIRECTING THE TEAM TO THE STATE FINAL FOR THREE TIMES 2016, 2017, AND 2020, FINISHING AS A STATE RUNNER UP IN 2017 AND 2020.
WHEREAS COACH HAGANS WAS ASSUMED THE HEAD COACH POSITION IN 2020 AND DIRECTED HIS TEAM TO THE SECOND ROUND OF THE BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS TWICE IN HIS FIVE YEARS AS HEAD COACH.
HIS TEAM ENDED THE '24, '25 SEASON WITH A RECORD OF 25-8.
WHEREAS COACH HAGAN WAS NAMED ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF BONNEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL IN THE 2022, 2023 SCHOOL YEAR.
HE SECURED HIS 100TH BASKETBALL WIN ON FEBRUARY, 2025.
[APPLAUSE] IT WAS AGAINST HAYNES ACADEMY, AND IT WAS A PRETTY HEFTY WIN.
IT WAS 79-49, NOT THAT WE'RE BRAGGING.
[LAUGHTER] COACH HAGANS HAS BEEN NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR THREE TIMES IN HIS FIVE YEARS OF BEING THE HEAD BASKETBALL COACH AT BONNEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL IN 2021, '24, AND 2025.
COACH HAGAN IS NOT ONLY KNOWN FOR SHAPING GREAT ATHLETES, BUT ALSO OUTSTANDING YOUNG MEN, WHICH IS A TRUE TESTAMENT TO HIS HARD WORK, HIS DEDICATION AND HIS LEADERSHIP OF THE BASKETBALL PLAYERS IN THE TEAM.
WHEREAS COACH HAGAN WORKED AS SPECIALTY SPORTS COORDINATOR IN THE CITY OF KINERS RECREATION DEPARTMENT FROM JUNE OF 2018 TO MARCH OF 2023, AND WHEREAS THE BASKETBALL TEAM LOOKS FORWARD TO FUTURE SEASONS WITH COACH HAGANS AT THE HELM TO LEAD THEM TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND CONGRATULATES THE BONNEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH, MICAH HAGANS, ON BEING NAMED THE '24, '25 BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR IN DISTRICT 105 A.
WE WISH HIM GOOD LUCK ON ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
[LAUGHTER] WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE.
IF MY COUNCIL MEMBERS WANT TO COME DOWN AND TAKE A PHOTO.
>> MY PRINCIPAL AS WELL IS HERE.
[00:10:29]
[BACKGROUND]>> GOOD MORNING. COME ON UP, GUYS.
WHEREAS WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY ON MARCH 21ST, IS A GLOBAL AWARENESS DAY, WHICH HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY OBSERVED BY THE UNITED NATIONS SINCE 2012.
WHEREAS DOWN SYNDROME IS A GENETIC DISORDER AFFECTING ONE AND OVER 700 BABIES OR APPROXIMATELY 6,000 BIRTHS PER YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES, AND WHEREAS IT OCCURS FROM AN INDIVIDUAL HAVING A FULL OR PARTIAL EXTRA COPY OF CHROMOSOME NUMBER 21.
WHEREAS DOWN SYNDROME IS A NATURALLY OCCURRING CHROMOSOMAL ARRANGEMENT AND IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CHROMOSOMAL CONDITIONS, AND WHEREAS INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH DOWN SYNDROME ARE INDEPENDENT, VALUABLE, AND ACTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES WHO ARE DIGNIFIED PARTICIPANTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND WHEREAS THE DATE MARCH 21ST REPRESENTS THE UNIQUENESS OF THE THREE COPIES OF CHROMOSOME 21 AND CELEBRATES INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME, AND WHEREAS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE TREATED FAIRLY AND HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS EVERYONE ELSE, WORKING WITH OTHERS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, AND WHEREAS THIS COUNCIL URGES THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO RECOGNIZE WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY AND PARTICIPATE FITTINGLY IN ITS OBSERVANCE.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH, HEREBY PROCLAIMS THAT MARCH 21ST SHALL BE KNOWN AS WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY IN JEFFERSON PARISH. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD MORNING. COUNCILMEN HANS AIDE LOGAN AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH, COUNCIL.
I AM ON THE BOARD OF GG PLAYHOUSE WITH AN ACHIEVEMENT CENTER FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DANCING THEM IN MALLORY.
I HAVE LIVED INDEPENDENTLY FOR OVER 15 YEARS IN MY OWN CONDO, AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED THOUGH A COMMITMENT CEREMONY TO MY WIFE, HEATHER FOR EIGHT YEARS.
[00:15:04]
THE SAINTS AS A TEAM MEMBER OF THE EQUIPMENT STAFF, AND I LOVE MY CAREER.I AM ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND I AM A PROUD, REGISTERED VOTER.
THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING OUR POPULATION OF RISERS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND THE ABILITY WE ALL HAVE.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS TESS LANDRY.
I AM 26-YEARS-OLD AND VERY ACTIVE WITH THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION AND GG PLAYHOUSE.
I AM EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN OUR COMMUNITY [APPLAUSE]
>> WE HAVE PAIRS OF FUN SOCKS FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBERS BECAUSE ON FRIDAY, PLEASE WEAR THESE AND WHEN OTHER PEOPLE ASK YOU WHY YOU'RE WEARING THEM, TELL THEM YOU'RE SUPPORTING THE POPULATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME, AND THAT'LL PROMOTE AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OUR POPULATION, AS YOU CAN SEE, WHO HAVE GREAT ABILITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]
>> WE'RE FOLLOWING ON THE THEME OF DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY.
I'M FORTUNATE TO HAVE HERE WITH US TODAY THE FOUR CHILDREN WHO ALL WENT TO ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL TOGETHER, WE CALL THE FAB FOUR.
A MEMBER OF OUR COUNCIL STAFF, KAREN ASEGERA'S DAUGHTER, IS ONE OF THE FAB FOUR.
THROUGH HER, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WATCH THESE CHILDREN'S PROGRESS, AND IT'S BEEN AMAZING.
I'D LIKE TO CALL UP TO TWO MATTHEWS, ELEANOR, AND OLIVIA. COME ON UP WITH ME.
HOLD THIS FOR ME. THANK YOU, MATTHEW.
NOW, MOVE THE THING JUST A LITTLE BIT.
WHEREAS THE FAB FOUR IS A GROUP OF FRIENDS CREATED WHEN ELEANOR GERRERA, MATTHEW NAUR, OLIVIA ASEGARA, AND MATTHEW ROS MET AT ST. MICHAEL'S SCHOOL AND THE LITTLE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF GREAT NEW ORLEANS.
ELEANOR AND OLIVIA BEGAN THEIR FRIENDSHIP AT THE AGE OF FOUR THROUGH THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF GREAT NEW ORLEANS.
AT AGE 6, BOTH GIRLS STARTED ST. MICHAEL SPECIAL SCHOOL AND THE LEAGUE OF GREAT NEW ORLEANS.
MATTHEW NAUR AND MATTHEW ROS BEGAN THEIR FRIENDSHIP AT AGES 4 AND 6, THROUGH THEIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND FOUND THEIR WAY TO ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL AND THE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF GREAT NEW ORLEANS.
ELEANOR AND OLIVIA BEGAN THEIR FRIENDSHIP WITH MATTHEW AND MATTHEW, SO THE FAB FOUR WAS CREATED.
BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS, PROMS, BOWLING, SWIMMING, TOP GOLF, THE PELICANS GAMES, AND SO MUCH MORE HAS DEPENDED ON THEIR BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP.
THEIR PARENTS ARE FOREVER BLESSED, GETTING TO WITNESS THE LOVE GIVEN THEIR CHILDREN BY SO MANY AND SEEING ALL THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAT THESE KIDS GIVE TO OTHERS.
THE FAB FOURS KNOW NO STRANGERS.
INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH DOWN SYNDROME ARE INDEPENDENT, VALUABLE, AND ACTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHO ARE DIGNIFIED PARTICIPANTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
WHEREAS WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY ON MARCH 21 IS A GLOBAL AWARENESS DAY, WHICH HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY OBSERVED BY THE UNITED NATIONS.
THEREFORE, THE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, I HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND OLIVIA ASEGARA AS A FAB FOUR MEMBER.
OLIVIA, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A PROCLAMATION.
MAKE SURE I'M GIVING YOU THE RIGHT ONE. THIS IS OLIVIA'S.
EVERYBODY, COME STAND IN FRONT. COUNCIL MEMBERS.
ON THREE, 1, 2, 3. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A FEW.
ONE MORE. HERE WE GO, 1, 2, 3.
[00:20:08]
>> THAT'S IT, PRE-MEETING, SO SIT TIGHT FOR ANOTHER NINE MINUTES OR SO.
>> IF EVERYBODY WILL TAKE THEIR SEATS,
[00:28:03]
WE'LL GET STARTED IN ABOUT TWO MINUTES.IS REVEREND ROBERT TANNER HERE? IF YOU ARE, RAISE YOUR HAND, PLEASE.
COUNCILMAN LEE IS NOT HERE YET, AND I KNOW YOU'RE HIS INVOCATION GUEST, BUT WE MAY HAVE TO GET STARTED BEFORE HE ROLLS IN.
[00:30:15]
IT'S 10:00. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
WELCOME TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON THIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025.WE'RE IN THE JOSEPH S. YENNI BUILDING, 1221 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD IN JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA.
IF YOU PLAN TO SPEAK TODAY, MAKE SURE YOU FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD AND HAND IT UP AT THE FRONT OF CHAMBERS, PLEASE.
THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.
I KNOW COUNCILMAN LEE IS GOING TO BE HERE, BUT HIS GUEST THIS MORNING IS THE REVEREND ROBERT TANNER WITH COMMUNITY CHURCH IN RIVER RIDGE. I GET THAT RIGHT?
>> PLEASE LEAD US IN THIS MORNING'S INVOCATION.
>> LET'S RISE. FATHER GOD, THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.
THANK YOU FOR OUR LAST NIGHT'S REST AND WAKING US UP THIS MORNING, AND OUR SAFE TRAVELS TO THIS COUNCIL MEETING, FATHER.
FATHER, I PRAY THAT WE ARE GUIDED WITH COMPASSION AND WISDOM IN OUR DECISIONS TODAY, FATHER GOD, THAT WE CONTINUE TO RUN WITH INTEGRITY, FATHER.
FATHER, I PRAY FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, FATHER GOD, AS THEY MOVE WITH WISDOM TO SEEK THE BETTERMENT FOR THIS COMMUNITY, FATHER GOD, TO CONTINUE TO BE THE BEST PARISH THAT'S OUT THERE.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> HANG ON. LET ME GET ALL YOUR MICS ON. GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK, AND WE BELIEVE COUNCILMAN LEE WILL BE HERE.
HE'S IN ROW. PAS PRESIDENT, THE FLOOR IS YOURS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
[PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I'LL START OFF WITH THE PARADES.
WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR PARADES THIS PAST WEEKEND AND ENJOYED SEEING SO MANY PEOPLE OUT ON THE ROUTE CELEBRATING THE FIRST EVER ST. PATTI GRAS.
THANKS TO ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS IN PARISH DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR HARD WORK DURING CARNIVAL SEASON.
WE HAVE ONE MORE DAY OF PARADING LEFT IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
LOOK FORWARD TO AND GET READY FOR THE IRISH ITALIAN PARADE.
THAT'S GOING TO ROLL AT 12:00 P.M. ON VETERANS BOULEVARD, AND THE ELKS KREWE OF JEFFERSON WILL FOLLOW ON SUNDAY.
THE PROCUREMENT MONTH INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OBSERVES THE MONTH OF MARCH AS NATIONAL PROCUREMENT MONTH, WHICH RECOGNIZES THE DEDICATED PROCUREMENT PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
OUR JEFFERSON PARISH PURCHASING DEPARTMENT STAFF STRIVE TO REDUCE COSTS AND PROMOTE HIGH STANDARDS, PROVIDING VITAL SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT IS OPERATING EFFICIENTLY, EVEN IN THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES.
THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT PROVIDES CENTRAL PROCUREMENT, SERVICES FOR ALL PARISH DEPARTMENTS, REQUESTS FOR SERVICES, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
IN 2024, THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT PROCESSED 30,659 PURCHASE ORDERS, 02,800 BIDS, 39 STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS, AND 23 REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE PROFESSIONALS HELPING US MOVE THAT FORWARD.
THE LIBRARY INVITES ALL CARD HOLDERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HUNDREDS OF FREE ONLINE CREATIVITY CLASSES WITH THE DEBUT OF A NEWLY ACQUIRED APP, CRAFT AND HOBBY.
THIS DIGITAL RESOURCE INCLUDES VIDEO AND LIVE STREAMING CLASSES IN QUILTING, KNITTING, PAINTING, DRAWING, WOODWORKING, CAKE DECORATING, AND MANY OTHER SUBJECTS.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JPA, A PET CHIP SCANNING STATION HAS BEEN INSTALLED NEAR THE FRONT ENTRANCE OF THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
THE SCANNING WAND MAY BE ACCESSED 24/7 EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.
THIS IS IF YOU FIND A LOST PET, YOU CAN JUST GO TO THAT PET SCANNING STATION AND BE ABLE TO MATCH THE PET WITH THE OWNER ON YOUR OWN.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WYESTV, THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL HOST A SCREENING OF FREE FOR A PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
A FILM THAT CHRONICLES THE HISTORY OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THE VITAL RULES INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY SERVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
THE FREE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT 7:00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, MARCH 20.
IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL POETRY MONTH, EIGHT LOCAL POETS WILL READ THEIR WORKS AT OL METER LIBRARY ON SATURDAY, MARCH 22, FROM 2:00 TO 3:00 P.M. FOR MORE INFORMATION IN A FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS, CHECK OUT JPLIBRARY.NET.
[00:35:03]
OUR SENIOR EXPO THIS YEAR IS THE 22ND ANNUAL JEFFERSON PARISH SENIOR EXPO, PRESENTED BY LOUISIANA BLUE AND HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.THAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW, THURSDAY, MARCH 20, FROM 8:30 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. AT THE PONT TRAIN CENTER.
THE EXPOSITION WILL FEATURE OVER 125 EXHIBITOR BOOTHS DECORATED IN A FESTIVE RED WHITE AND BLUE ATMOSPHERE IN HONOR OF JEFFERSON PARISH'S BICENTENNIAL.
ATTENDEES ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR THE RED WHITE AND BLUE ATTIRE TO CELEBRATE OUR THEME.
SOME OF THE FEATURED EVENTS INCLUDE HEALTH SCREENINGS, A BLOOD DRIVE, A THEMED CONTEST, AND ENTERTAINMENT BY DJ ROCK AND RON.
ADMISSION IS FREE, AND LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN CONTACT THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AT 5042641 237.
OUR BICENTENNIAL PARK TO PARK 10-K WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 22, STARTING AT LASALLE PARK AND FINISHING AT LAFRENIERE PARK WITH THE BICENTENNIAL BASH POST RACE PARTY, A FESTIVE POST RACE CELEBRATION FEATURING LIVE MUSIC, LOCAL CUISINE, AND FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES.
THIS RACE IS PRESENTED BY THE NEW ORLEANS TRACK CLUB AND BENEFITS THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF LOUISIANA.
THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME EVENT IS ALL ABOUT CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY ONE STEP AT A TIME AND CELEBRATING THE BEST OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
REGISTER NOW TO BE PART OF THIS HISTORY FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE, VISIT WWW2PARK10K.COM.
JEFFERSON PARISH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH AMERICAN JOB CENTER IS HOSTING A CAREER EXPO NEXT FRIDAY, MARCH 28, FROM 10:00 A.M-2:00 P.M. AT DELGADO RIVER CITY CAMPUS LOCATED AT 709 CHURCHILL PARK IN AVONDALE.
THERE WILL BE OVER 30 EMPLOYEE VENDORS IN ATTENDANCE.
RESIDENTS CAN EXPLORE DIVERSE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, NETWORK WITH EMPLOYERS AND CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 504-227-1283.
JAY PAUSE, OUR JEFFERSON PETE AND ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES WILL PARTICIPATE IN A PET FESTIVAL AND ADOPTION EVENT NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 30TH, FROM 11:00 A.M-3:00 P.M. AT LAFRENIERE PARK.
THIS IS A FREE EVENT WHICH WILL INCLUDE MICROCHIPPING, RABIES VACCINES, PET ADOPTIONS, FOOD TRUCKS, AND MORE.
THANKS TO JEFFERSON, FED, PET AND GARDEN FOR PRESENTING THIS EVENT AND THE DREW PET FOUNDATION FOR PARTNERING WITH US.
NUMBER 84 ON THE AGENDA, I WANT TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO AND ASK FOR YOUR FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION TO NAME, MICHELLE GONZALEZ, OUR ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR.
MICHELLE IS NOT NEW TO THE PARISH.
SHE MOST RECENTLY SERVED AS OUR ECOSYSTEM AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR SINCE MARCH OF 2020, AND SHE WAS OUR JEFFERSON PARISH DIRECTOR OF FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT AND HAZARD MITIGATION DIRECTOR 2013-2018.
MICHELLE ALSO SERVED AS THE STATE APPLICANT L LIAISON FOR THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR FIVE YEARS BEFORE COMING TO JEFFERSON PARISH.
SHE TRULY IS A NEXT LEVEL DIRECTOR WHO HAS SHOWN GREAT LEADERSHIP FOR US, ESPECIALLY DURING VERY DIFFICULT TIMES OF DISASTERS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND WE'RE THRILLED TO HAVE HER STEP INTO THIS NEW ROLE.
MICHELLE GONZALEZ, IF YOU CAN LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHERE YOU ARE, MICHELLE.
THERE YOU GO. EVERYBODY KNOWS, MICHELLE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> ANYONE WITH COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE PARISH PRESIDENT? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM PRESIDENT.
NOW, ANYONE WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON
[PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA]
AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR AT THE END OF AGENDA, CAN DO SO NOW.MAKE SURE YOU FILL OUT REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS AND HAND IT OUT FRONT.
PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR AT THE END OF AGENDA.
>> FRANK [INAUDIBLE] IT'S GOING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE GO.
RELATED TO THE QUID PRO QUOS, YOU GOT 22,26, 50, 51, 52 53, 70 71.
COMPLIMENT ALL ON A SHORT AGENDA. I ONLY GET 3 MINUTES.
IT WOULD BE LIKE 2 SECONDS AN ITEM.
THAT'S COOL. IT'S BETTER THAN THE HALF A SECOND ITEM I USUALLY GET.
REGARDING THOSE ITEMS, SPECIFICALLY, THE BIGGEST NET GAINERS THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PASS THIS QUID PRO QUO.
WE CAN TURN DOWN THAT MIC BE COOL.
COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 AND 5 GOT THE MOST VESTED IN THIS AGENDA, GETTING APPROVED IN GLOBAL FROM THOSE SPECIFIC ITEMS, 32 GRAND FOR DISTRICT 4, 25 PLUS GRAND FOR DISTRICT 5.
NEXT COMES IN, DIVISION A COMES IN NEXT.
THE TWO PEOPLE WHO COULD OPPOSE THIS, MR. LEE, AND MR. BONANO GOT THE LEAST INVESTED IN THIS.
NOW, ON TO WHAT I CARE ABOUT PERSONALLY, BUT NOT REALLY PERSONALLY, BUT AS A CIVIC DUTY, IF I'M GOING TO LOOK AT THIS THING AND RAISE ANY QUESTIONS.
49, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PAY TO TAKE PICTURES OF METERS THAT ONLY HAVE THREE DIGITS.
THEY'RE OUT THERE, I SEE THEM.
THEY'VE GOT TWO PEOPLE DOING THIS.
I GOT SOMEBODY WHO CAN ALREADY SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT THAT IS GETTING DONE.
I DON'T NEED A PICTURE, AND I DON'T NEED TO PAY TO GET PICTURES DONE.
I DON'T NEED TO PAY TO FIND SOMEBODY TO OFFER TO DO
[00:40:03]
PICTURE TAKING OF A METER THAT ONLY READS THREE NUMBERS.I CONSUME THOUSANDS OF GALLONS.
EVERYBODY CONSUMES THOUSANDS OF GALLONS.
YOU GET THE IDEA. THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS.
50, YOU GOT A CONTRACT GOING FOR TRANSIT STOP IMPROVEMENTS, MY GOD.
IF WE HAD A TRANSIT SYSTEM, IT'D BE ONE THING.
BUT WE'RE PAYING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THINGS THAT WE HAVE NOTHING.
YOU PAY MORE TO SERVICE THE HOMELESS THAN THE HOMELESS BENEFIT FROM.
THAT DEBACLE THAT LANDRY MADE OVER THERE WITH THE WAREHOUSING $19,000,000.
THEY COULD ALL HAVE $100,000 OR A HOME.
ANYWAY, I COULD GO THROUGH SEVERAL OF THESE.
I HAD, LIKE, 53-54, 60S 66, 68 73-74,81 85.
I'M GOING TO SKIP TO 85 BECAUSE THAT'S ONE THAT REALLY HAS BEEN.
I HAD FUN WITH THAT SEEING THAT ONE ON THE AGENDA.
THESE SUBSCRIPTIONS, FIRST OF ALL, THE LIBRARY AND LINKEDIN AND ALL THAT.
SAVE THE MONEY, AIN'T WORTH IT.
BUT 85. NOW, WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT THERE, AND WE'RE GOING TO ASK OTHER PEOPLE TO PRETTY MUCH ADDRESS THE THING THAT I'VE BEEN ADDRESSING FOR THREE YEARS, AND ACCUMULATION OF STATUTES.
WE WATCHED IT JUST LAST MEETING.
WE GOT TO BOOK THIS BIG WHEN WE STARTED.
BOOK THIS BIG, AND NOW IT'S THIS BIG. BY NOW IT'S THIS BIG.
NOW I GOT TO PAY TO FIND SOMEBODY TO UNDO THIS. YOU KNOW WHAT? IF WE JUST REPEAL THE CHARTER, ALL OF THOSE ORDINANCES GO AWAY, AND WE CAN START OVER.
EVERY ONE OF THEM ORDINANCE HAS BEEN PASSED THROUGH COUNCIL, IT'S ILLEGITIMATELY FORMED.
THAT'S WHY IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE.
WILL CHANGE EVER HAPPEN? CHANGE IS DIFFICULT, ISN'T IT?
>> IT'S REAL DIFFICULT. BUT GUESS WHAT? WE'LL FIGURE THIS OUT.
ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR AT THE END OF AGENDA? YES, MA'AM.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS TERRY PAJAS, PRESIDENT OF EPILEPSY AWARENESS OF AMERICA.
THIS YEAR, WE ARE HAVING A CRAWFISH BOIL IN LAFRENIERE PARK, AND THE TOP CATS ARE PLAYING FOR US.
I'M JUST TRYING TO GET THE AWARENESS OUT TO THE PUBLIC BECAUSE AFTER TWO BRAIN SURGERIES FROM MY EPILEPSY, MY LIFE HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED.
>> I DON'T WANT TO CUT YOU OFF, BUT COULD YOU SAVE THIS FOR THE END BECAUSE THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA, IS IT?
>> I'M SORRY. I APOLOGIZE, TERRY.
>> I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WAS ON THIS AGENDA. MY APOLOGIES.
>> SIMPLY BECAUSE I DO HAVE TO GET THE PERMIT TO HAVE [INAUDIBLE] BUT I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WITH THE PARISH.
IT ALSO MEANS A LOT TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE EPILEPSY, BECAUSE IT IS A HIDDEN DISABILITY.
ONLY PEOPLE WHO I WORK WITH NOTICE IT SOMETIMES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> I'D LIKE TO ADD, TERRY, THAT THE WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING AND SOME OF THE TECHNOLOGY THAT'S BEING USED THAT WE WERE INTRODUCED TO NOT TOO LONG AGO IS INCREDIBLE AND IS LIFE CHANGING FOR PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM EPILEPSY, SO I COMMEND THE WORK YOU ALL DO, AND I ALWAYS TRY TO SUPPORT IT AS MUCH AS I CAN.
YOU'RE DOING REALLY GREAT WORK FOR THE PEOPLE WHO SUFFER WITH THIS.
>> THANK YOU, BECAUSE I HAVE THE RNS SYSTEM IN ME, WHICH HAS LINKS.
WHEN IT'S SENSES TO BE HAVING A SEIZURE, IT FIGHTS AGAINST IT, WHICH IS THE SAME THING AS A PACEMAKER.
IT SENSES WHEN THE HEART'S NOT BEATING, AND IT SHOCKS IT.
IT JUST SO HAPPENED, I GOT MY DEVICE TURNED UP TO A THREE BECAUSE I WAS STILL HAVING SOME SEIZURES.
IT SEEMS LIKE I HAVE THE SEIZURES AFTER I EXERCISE. NOW, CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? YOU'RE TRYING TO KEEP YOURSELF HEALTH.
BUT ANYWAY, THANKS AGAIN. I APPRECIATE.
>> THANK YOU AND APOLOGIES AGAIN.
LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 1,
[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED]
WHICH I HAVE A NOTE WILL BE DEFERRED UNTIL APRIL 9TH.COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON NUMBER 1, PLEASE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 1 TO APRIL 9TH, 2025, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN CITED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES]
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE SIXTH STREET BRIDGE AT KEYHOLE CANAL, COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO.
>> MOVE ON THE TEAM OF LINFIELD HUNTER AND JUNIUS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF LINFIELD HUNTER AND JUNIUS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE IS SO ORDERED. ITEM 3.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING FROM FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE SALA AVENUE, HISTORIC DISTRICT DRAINAGE,
[00:45:01]
FEASIBLE ANALYSIS AND IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO.>> JUST FOR PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, THESE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS, AND WE HAVE TO SELECT THE NUMBER ONE RANK FIRM.
AGAIN, I'M MOVING ON THE TEAM OF LINFIELD HUNTER AND JUNIUS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF LINFIELD HUNTER AND JUNIUS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDER. ITEM 4, PLEASE?
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSONS OR FIRMS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES ON AN HAS NEEDED BASIS FOR ARCHITECTURAL TYPE PROJECTS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.
>> MOVE ON ALL QUALIFIED FIRMS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL QUALIFIED FIRMS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSONS OR FIRMS TO PROVIDE FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION SERVICES FOR JUVENILE COURT FOR AN AT RISK JUVENILES AND OR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE SUPERVISED BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES.
>> GOOD MOVE ON NORTH LAKE NORAL REHAB CENTER.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF NORTH LAKE NORAL REHAB CENTER ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDER. WE'VE GOT TWO EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS THAT WE'LL GET BACK TO AT 12:00.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.
[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES]
RESUB PART OF LOTS FIVE AND SIX SQUARE P METERY CLUB GARDEN SUBDIVISION, AND TRACK M1 A, METERY CLUB GARDEN SUBDIVISION, JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, INTO LOT 6A SQUARE P. METERY CLUB GARDEN SUBDIVISION, AND TRACK M1A2 METERY CLUB GARDEN SUBDIVISION, ES-108-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE.>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26493.
THOSE IN FAVOR. PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> GOOD MORNING. DON'T REALLY HAVE MUCH TO ADD.
THE SURVEY LOOKS LIKE THE NEW PROPERTY LINE IS GOING TO BE JUTTING OUT INTO THE GOLF COURSE, BUT IN FACT, IT EXTENDS THE PROPERTY TO WHERE THE FENCE LINE IS AND HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST 50, 60 YEARS OR SO.
THAT'S ALL IT REALLY IS ADDING THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT WAS WITHIN THE FENCE LINE, BUT TECHNICALLY PART OF THE METAIRIE COUNTRY CLUB PROPERTY, AND ALSO CONSOLIDATING PARTS OF TWO LOTS, PART OF LOT 5 AND PART OF LOT 6 INTO ONE LOT.
IT'S EXACTLY WHERE THE HOUSE HAS STOOD AGAIN FOR 50, 60 YEARS.
IT'S REALLY NOT CHANGING MUCH, JUST ADDING THAT LITTLE PIECE OF PROPERTY AND CONSOLIDATING THE TWO LOTS.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCIL LILJEBERG? MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26493.
THE MOTION OF COUNCIL LILJEBERG SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM 9, PLEASE?
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - PERMITTED USES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26494, AMENDING THE MASTER PLAN OF A SPECIAL PERMANENT USE LAST APPROVED ON THE DOCKET NUMBER CU-3-24 TO INSTALL A NEW SCOREBOARD WITH A VARIANCE TO THE SIZE OF THE SCOREBOARD AT 300 PARK ROAD ON LOT CD1 AND CD2 GULF SUBDIVISION, JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, ZONED R-1C SPU-824 COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26494. ANYONE IN FAVOR.
PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCIL LILJEBERG.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26494, MOTION OF COUNCIL LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILLMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 10.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - VARIANCES (Part 1 of 2)]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26495, APPROVING SP-94-24, REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE AREA OF REGULATIONS IN THE LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE FOR THE MARY J SEAFOOD RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 114 TRANSCONTINENTAL DRIVE ON LOT 9 SQUARE 7, BRIDGEDALE SUBDIVISION, SECTION A, JEFFERSON, PARISH, LOUISIANA COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26495.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> I'M JOHN DALTON. I AM THE ARCHITECT WORKING FOR THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY.
WE ARE URGING YOU GUYS TO APPROVE THIS BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU APPROVED BACK IN 2023, DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THE WORK DONE AT THAT TIME, AND SO THIS IS JUST COMING UP FOR RE-APPROVAL.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK,
[00:50:03]
NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, COUNCILMAN BANANO.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26495, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 2496, APPROVING SP-97-24, REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT REGULATIONS FOR A WAREHOUSE LOCATED AT 3600 ROBERTSON STREET ON LOT C-7-A MONTEE INDUSTRIAL PARK SUBDIVISION, JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26496.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THOSE OPPOSED. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCIL BANANO.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26496, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 12, PLEASE.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26497, APPROVING SP-100-24 REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE AREA REGULATIONS IN THE LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE FOR CHICK-FIL-A LOCATED AT 3870 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD ON LOT 1-R SQUARE 7 DANNY SUBDIVISION, JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AS WELL.
NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26497.
THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THIS IS JUST AN AMENDMENT TO THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED EXPANSION OF THE CHICK-FIL-A ON VETERANS, JUST TO PUSH THE DRIVEWAY AISLE BACK TO APPROVE EFFICIENCY OF THE SITE.
THIS SPECIFIC REQUEST IS JUST TO MOVE THE ORDER CANOPY BACKWARDS TO AGAIN FURTHER IMPROVE EFFICIENCY.
YOU'LL ORDER QUICKER, HAVE MORE TIME BEFORE YOU GET YOUR FOOD IN HOPES THAT LESS CARS ARE BACKING UP ONTO VETERANS.
THERE'S NO NEW VARIANCES AS PART OF THIS REQUEST, SO THIS IS JUST A SIMPLE REARRANGEMENT OF THE SITE PLAN, SO WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> INTRODUCE YOURSELF, PLEASE.
>> ACTUALLY, SHERMAN STRATEGIES, WE REPRESENT CHICK-FIL-A.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCIL LILJEBERG?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS PER THE RECOMMENDATION OF PLANNING.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26497 ON MOTION OF COUNCIL LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[OTHER ORDINANCES (Part 1 of 2)]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26499, AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO CREATE THE NEW JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND APPLY FOOTNOTE 7 FOR UTILITY SERVICES, TECHNICAL ANALYSIS, UTILITY SERVICES TECHNICIAN, UTILITY SERVICES TECHNICIAN COORDINATOR AND UTILITY SERVICES TECHNICIAN SUPERVISOR, AND DELETE THE CLASSIFICATIONS FOR WATER SERVICE INSPECTOR 1, 02, AND 3, AND WATER SERVICE INSPECTOR SUPERVISOR.
>> WE'RE NOW WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26499.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?
>> HEY GUYS. YOU DON'T WANT TO OPPOSE ALL THIS STUFF.
THIS IS JUST LIPSTICK ON A PIG.
THAT'S ALL IT IS. ANALYST TECHNICIAN, COORDINATOR.
INSTEAD OF JUST INSPECTOR 1, 2, AND 3.
NEXT PERSON COMES ALONG, SEES THESE JOB, SAYS, I WANT TO BE A WHAT IS THAT? WATER UTILITY SERVICES TECHNICIAN.
I'M GOING TO BE A WATER UTILITY SERVICES ANALYST AND I'M GOING TO GET PAID $100,000 INSTEAD OF $50,000 BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT AN INSPECTOR WOULD GET.
I NEED A GOVERNMENT THAT'S FRUGAL AND SIMPLE.
THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF THAT. THIS IS DOING THE OPPOSITE.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHY YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE AN APPEAL FOR THE PEOPLE TO CONSIDER SOME DRAMATIC CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR ORDINANCE.
IT IS WHY I GOT TO PAY TO HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE INVESTIGATE ALL OF OUR ORDINANCES TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE GOTTEN RID OF.
LET'S JUST GET RID OF THIS OPTION RIGHT NOW.
I'M SURE IT'LL MAKE THE PEOPLE WHO HOLD THESE JOBS FEEL MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.
IT'S JUST A LIPSTICK ON A PIG.
THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT ANYBODY WHO HOLDS THESE POSITIONS IS SWINE.
THE WHOLE CONSTRUCT IS SWINE FULL.
BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE AN APPORTIONED BODY, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.
WHAT I'M PRESCRIBED IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT WE'RE SETTLING FOR HERE THROUGHOUT THIS AGENDA.
I OPPOSE, AS A JEFFERSONIAN REPUBLICAN, A REAL REPUBLICAN WHO NEEDS A GOVERNMENT THAT'S APPORTIONED, A REPRESENTATIVE BODY. GET TO IT.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
[00:55:04]
>> I'M GOING TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> ANY OBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF 26499.
A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
TAKES US TO ITEM 14. MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26500, AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796 THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH, TO REVISE THE CLASS TITLE FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF OF A ALARIO CENTER EVENTS COORDINATOR.
>> PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26500.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
AND THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> BUT YOU CHARACTERIZE IN OPPOSITION, ANY PAY PLAN, CLASSIFICATION, REORGANIZATION, OR EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU DO THAT IS JUST AN EXCESS AND A CONFUSION TO THE MULTITUDES.
BUREAUCRATIC STATE, JUST KEEP ON DOING THE SAME THING.
WHAT'S THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY? I WATCHED THE LAST MEETING.
WHEN I STEP OUT OF THE ROOM, AND YOU START TALKING ABOUT ME, IT'S IRONIC.
THE CIVICS LESSON WILL PERSIST.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK. NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF 26500, MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED NUMBER 15 WITH AMENDMENTS, THE OPERATING BUDGET.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26501, AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE.
TO ALLOCATE $6,654 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S OFF-TRACK BETTING FUND TO PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL PROJECTS ACCOUNT NUMBER 4456 0400 8733 1456 29141 FOR THE CROCHET STREET PARK PROJECT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
ALLOCATE $6,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S OFF-TRACK BETTING FUND TO PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL PROJECTS ACCOUNT NUMBER 4456 0400 8733 1456 29142 FOR THE FARADAY COURT PARK PROJECT COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, ALLOCATE $113,621 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 VIDEO POKER FUND TO THE STREETS DEPARTMENT ACCOUNT NUMBER 222 0030 0073 442 FROM MADISON STREET PROJECTS COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
ALLOCATE $25,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL PROJECTS ACCOUNT NUMBER 4456 0400 8745 4456 29145 FOR TREES FOR WOODLAND WEST PLAYGROUND LOCATED IN HARVEY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
TO ALLOCATE $3,220 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND, TALAIO CENTER ACCOUNT NUMBER 2185 0000 5356 FOR RENTAL OF ALARIO CENTER FOR FALL BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL DAY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
ALLOCATE $240 FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND, TALAIO CENTER ACCOUNT NUMBER 2185 0000 5357.2 FOR JPSO SECURITY DETAIL FOR SMALL BUSINESS INDUSTRY DAY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
ALLOCATE $11,540 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO ACCOUNT 2204 0277 37699.920473000 FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE PRODUCTION OF THE SMALL BUSINESS INDUSTRY DAY AT THE ALARIO CENTER, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
TO ALLOCATE $846 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S BP FUND TO THE PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL PROJECTS ACCOUNT NUMBER 4456 0400 8733 14562 9141 FOR THE CROCHET STREET PARK PROJECT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
TO ALLOCATE $49,667 FROM COUNCIL AT-LARGE A'S GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT NUMBER 1001 0001 0306 7011 FOR AN AGREEMENT WITH EAG GULF COAST, LLC TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS AND OR DISTRICTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH HAS ASSIGNED ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL FOR ONE YEAR.
COUNCIL AT-LARGE A, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTIONS. THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26501.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?
[01:00:06]
>> I COULD HAVE GOT UP A LITTLE BIT SOONER.
I THOUGHT IT WAS CROCHET, WHICH IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TERMS FOR WHAT GOES ON IN HERE, MOST OFTEN.
THERE'S A UNIFORMITY CLAUSE, AND THERE'S AN APPORTIONMENT CLAUSE.
IF THE WEST BANK WAS ITS OWN PARISH.
>> I'M OBJECTING ON THE GROUNDS THAT WE DO NOT TAX.
I'M TELLING YOU SOMETHING YOU NEED TO ABIDE BY.
>> AS MY FIRST AMENDMENT, GO AHEAD AND STEP ON IT.
>> PLEASE SPEAK ON THE SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS AMENDMENTS.
>> I ALREADY AM. JUST LIKE YOU'VE GONE UP BEFORE ME.
>> NOT ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT. NOT ABOUT THE WAY IT'S CONSTRUCTED BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SPEAK ON THAT.
NOT ABOUT THE WAY OUR GOVERNMENT IS CONSTRUCTED.
YOU CAN DO THAT AT THE END. YOU CAN'T DO THAT HERE.
>> I'M TALKING ABOUT TAXATION, WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT APPROPRIATING RIGHT NOW.
>> MR. HIERS WE'VE TALKED WITH OUR PARISH ATTORNEY.
>> THAT'S FINE. YOU CAN SPEAK WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY AT YOUR WILL. YOU CAN GO AHEAD [OVERLAPPING]
>> OR YOU COULD JUST LET ME SAY WHAT I NEED TO SAY.
>> LISTEN. YOU CAN SPEAK ABOUT THESE SPECIFIC BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
>> I DID. I STARTED TO. YOU INTERRUPTED ME.
I SPOKE ABOUT CANVASSING ON CROCHET AND BOULEVARD.
>> I KNOW WHERE YOU WERE GOING, BUT PLEASE CONTINUE. LET'S SEE WHERE IT GOES.
[LAUGHTER] YOU'VE GOT YOUR FULL THREE MINUTES STARTING NOW. GO AHEAD.
>> I'M SORRY, YOU'RE 15 MINUTES. GO.
>> IF YOU KNEW THE RULES, I WOULDN'T HAVE [OVERLAPPING]
I'M NOT IN THE MOOD TODAY, SO PLEASE GO.
>> I'M GLAD YOU'RE NOT IN THE MOOD.
I'M THANKFUL TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR MOOD.
>> CAN WE TALK ABOUT YOUR MOOD FOR A MINUTE?
>> MR. HIERS, PLEASE CONTINUE.
>> THERE'S A UNIFORMITY CLAUSE WITH REGARDS TO TAXATION WHEN IT COMES TO CROCHET BOULEVARD OR ANY OTHER SPECIFIC ITEM ON THAT AGENDA FROM ONE GOOD DEED TO THE NEXT.
I DON'T OPPOSE THE GOOD DEEDS.
I OPPOSE THE PROCESS BY WHICH WE TAKE THE MONEY AND THEN APPROPRIATE THE MONEY BECAUSE IT DEFIES THE CONSTITUTION.
I'M GETTING UP HERE TO OPPOSE IT ON THOSE GROUNDS, AND THAT'S IT.
YOU COULD LET ME JUST SAY WHAT I NEED TO SAY AND LEAVE, OR YOU CAN KEEP ON TRYING TO INTERRUPT ME AND STEP ON MY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO REDRESS MY GOVERNMENT FOR GRIEVANCES.
>> MR. HIERS. I'M GOING TO SPEAK. YOU CAN SPEAK.
>> DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT'S LEGAL AND WHAT CONSTITUTIONAL? DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERN FOR [OVERLAPPING]
>> YES AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING, MR. HIERS.
LISTEN YOU HAVE TAKEN OUR MEETINGS HOSTAGE FOR TOO LONG, AND THIS IS HOW IT'S GOING TO BE.
CAN YOU PLEASE STOP OR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO WHAT I DON'T WANT TO DO.
MISS HURLEY, CAN YOU PLEASE SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED? BECAUSE YOU'RE DONE IF YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP GOING ON WITH WHAT YOU WERE GOING ON WITH.
NO, YOU WEREN'T. BUT THEN YOU WERE GOING TO GET UP FOR THE NEXT ONE, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THE SAME THING OVER AGAIN.
MR. HIERS, PLEASE. MISS HURLEY.
YOUR TIME HAS STOPPED. IT'S PAUSED.
CAN YOU PLEASE SPEAK ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED DURING SPECIFIC ITEMS THAT ARE BROUGHT UP ON THE AGENDA? WHEN THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN, WHAT CAN BE ADDRESSED DURING THAT SPECIFIC PUBLIC HEARING?
>> MR. HIERS, YOU CAN'T KEEP INTERRUPTING.
>> I DON'T APPRECIATE HAVING YOU [OVERLAPPING]
>> I DON'T WANT TO HAVE YOU REMOVE MR. HIERS, BUT YOU'RE BEING DISRUPTIVE.
CAN YOU PLEASE STOP AND LET MISS HURLEY SPEAK?
>> THANK YOU. MR. HIERS, YOU'RE ABLE TO ADDRESS, I'LL SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL, THE SPECIFIC ORDINANCE, THE SPECIFIC RESOLUTION, OR PERHAPS A CONTRACT THAT IS BEING DISCUSSED AT A PARTICULAR TIME.
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO INTO THE STRUCTURE OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT, PROPER TAXATION OF JEFFERSON PARISH CITIZENS, THE STRUCTURE OF OUR GOVERNMENT, THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
YOU CANNOT WAX POETICALLY ABOUT ALL THESE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES.
YOUR COMMENTS NEED TO BE LIMITED TO WHATEVER ORDINANCE RESOLUTION OR CONTRACT IS BEING DISCUSSED.
HOWEVER, AT THE END OF THE MEETING, OUR CITIZENRY HAS THREE MINUTES TO DISCUSS WHATEVER THEY CHOOSE TO DISCUSS AS LONG AS PROPER DECORUM IS OBSERVED.
>> WHICH CAN INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCT OF OUR GOVERNMENTS IF SO DESIRED.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. THE CONSTRUCT OF OUR GOVERNMENT MAY NOT BE BROUGHT UP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING OR WHILE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS ARE BEING DISCUSSED.
>> I'M SORRY. IT'S NOT ONLY YOU SAYING THIS, I'D LIKE TO LOOK AT OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN AS WELL AND GIVE ME A HEAD NOD THAT EVERYTHING IS ACCURATE WITH WHAT MISS HURLEY.
>> I ALSO REACHED OUT TO A PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN AND HAD AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH HER TO CLARIFY THAT WE ARE CORRECT IN STATING THIS, IN ADDITION TO OUR PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PARLIAMENTARIAN.
>> I'LL JUST ADD, AND I APPRECIATE THE IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS THAT YOU DID.
[01:05:03]
THIS IS WHY IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE I SEE A GENTLEMAN SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE, WHO I KNOW IS GOING TO WAIT TILL THE VERY END OF THE MEETING FOR HIS THREE MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT ANY TOPIC SO WE HAVE TO BE FAIR AND EQUITABLE WITH THE TIME WITH EVERYBODY.YOU BEING OFF-ROAD EVERY TIME EATS INTO OTHER PEOPLE'S TIME SO IT'S REALLY JUST CREATING ORDER SO THAT EVERYONE SPEAKS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, AND WE CAN MOVE ALONG EFFICIENTLY FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.
IT'S NOT PERSONAL IT'S THE RULES THAT WE ALL ABIDE BY.
>> THERE'S BEEN SLACK FOR A LONG TIME, AND I'VE LET YOU GO AND I'VE LET YOU GO, BUT IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE OUR MEETING IS BEING HELD UP YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THIS, AS MISS HURLEY SAID AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
THERE'S NO PROBLEM, BUT WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH THE BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA THAT'S IN FRONT OF US, AND WHATEVER BUDGET AMENDMENT OR WHATEVER PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT THERE IS, THAT'S WHAT WE CAN DISCUSS.
BUT PLEASE JUST SAVE THE REST FOR THE END.
LIKE COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SAID, THIS IS NOTHING PERSONAL.
IT IS JUST TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT WITH OUR MEETING AND GETTING THE BUSINESS DONE.
THAT'S ALL. I'M PUTTING YOUR MIKE BACK ON AND YOUR TIME RESUMES.
WHAT'S LEGAL, YOU CAN GO THROUGH ALL THE PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATIONS YOU WANT.
ANYTHING THAT'S BEEN PASSED THROUGH ANY JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
>> IT'S JUST NOT FOR DISCUSSION.
>> I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
AGAIN, YOU CAN TRY AND TELL ME WHAT'S LEGAL AND I'M STILL GOING TO DO WHAT I BELIEVE IS MY CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION.
MR. CHAIRMAN, IF YOU PLEASE AS IT GOES TO ROBERT'S RULES, PLEASE ASK THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS TO GO THROUGH YOU AND NOT TO SPEAK TO ME EVER DIRECTLY AGAIN.
LET'S OBSERVE ROBERT'S RULES SO IT'S NOT PERSONAL BECAUSE IT'S BEEN MADE PERSONAL.
I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE PERSONAL ASSAULTS THAT ARE CONTINUALLY MADE AGAINST ME.
HOW ABOUT YOU STOP THEM? HOW ABOUT YOU STOP YOUR FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM SPEAKING TO ME DIRECTLY ANY FURTHER? THE ATTORNEY KNEW BETTER.
THE ATTORNEY ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL.
NOW, IF YOU CAN OBSERVE ROBERT'S RULE.
>> I GAVE YOU ANOTHER SHOT. LET'S MOVE ON IF YOU'RE DONE. THANK YOU.
>> THE CONSTITUTION MATTERS MORE SO THAN YOUR LEGALITY REMEMBER THAT. WE GOT ANOTHER ONE TO DO.
>> I'M WELL AWARE. ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF THE OPERATING BUDGET AS AMENDED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26501, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
NUMBER 16 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
>> CHAIRMAN, CAN WE GO BACK TO NUMBER 12?
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - VARIANCES (Part 2 of 2)]
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REDO NUMBER 12.>> THE CLERK IS ASKING THAT WE GO BACK TO NUMBER 12.
LET'S JUMP BACK TO SUMMARY NUMBER 26497. READ THAT AGAIN.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26497, APPROVING SP-100-24, REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE AREA REGULATIONS AND THE LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE FOR CHICK-FIL-A LOCATED AT 3870 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD ON LOT 1R SQUARE SEVEN DANNY SUBDIVISION, JEFFERSON, PARISH, LOUISIANA, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ONCE AGAIN FOR 26497.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD, AND THOSE OPPOSED.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26497, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[OTHER ORDINANCES (Part 2 of 2)]
THE CAPITAL BUDGET WITH AMENDMENTS.>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26502, AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE: TO RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $6,654 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S OFFTRACKBETTING FUND TO PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL PROJECTS ACCOUNT NUMBER 4456040087331456141 FOR THE CROCHET STREET.
SORRY. PARK PROJECT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $6,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S OFFTRACKBETTING FUND TO PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL PROJECTS ACCOUNT NUMBER 445604008733145629142
[01:10:02]
FOR THE FARIDA COURT PARK PROJECT , COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $25,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1, WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL PROJECTS ACCOUNT NUMBER 445604008745445629145 FOR TREES FOR WOODLAND WEST PLAYGROUND, LOCATED IN HARVEY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1, TO RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $846 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, BP FUND TO PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL PROJECT ACCOUNT NUMBER 44560408733145629141 FOR THE CROSSE STREET PARK PROJECT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
ALLOCATE $49,667 FROM COUNCIL AT LARGE BCDIA GENERAL FUND FOR AN AGREEMENT WITH EAG, GULF COAST LLC TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS AND OR DISTRICTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH AS ASSIGNED ON AND HAS NEEDED BASIS BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL FOR ONE YEAR.
COUNCIL AT LARGE B, ALLOCATE $49,667 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 CDIA GENERAL FUND FOR AN AGREEMENT WITH EAG, GULF COAST, LLC TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS, AND OR DISTRICTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH AS ASSIGNED ON AND HAS NEEDED BASIS BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL FOR ONE YEAR.
COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. ANY OBJECTIONS TO AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE OF THE AMENDMENTS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
PUBLIC HEARINGS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26502.
THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE COME FORWARD AND THOSE OPPOSED.
>> [INAUDIBLE] OPPOSING. ALTHOUGH I DID, AGAIN, I AGREE WITH THE STUFF GOING ON ON CROCHET. I DON'T OPPOSE THOSE.
I COULD RISE IN FAVOR OF THAT PORTION, ESPECIALLY IF TAXATION TO DO ANY OF THIS WAS DONE BY THE UNIFORMITY CLAUSE, THAT'S CONSTITUTIONALLY BINDING.
PRESCRIBED MIGHT NOT MATTER TO THE LAWYERS IN THE ROOM, BUT IT MATTERS.
ANYWAY, THE THING THAT I'M REALLY OPPOSING OF IS ACTUALLY THAT THING, IT WAS ON THE AGENDA, TOO, SO I'M THRILLED THAT IT CAME UP IN THIS BUDGET BECAUSE THEN I CAN SPEAK TO THAT.
THIS WHOLE IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO SPEND MONEY, TO HAVE SOMEBODY DO AN ASSESSMENT OR ANALYSIS OF THE DISTRICTS AND THE DEPARTMENTS.
THAT'S LIKE PAYING SOMEBODY TO DO WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
THIS IS WHAT YOUR JOB IS AND REPRESENTATIVE BODY.
IF I HAD ANYBODY WHO WAS ACTUALLY TRYING TO DO THIS, WE HAVE OUR OWN INTERNAL FINANCIAL DIRECTORS, WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF ASSETS AT YOUR DISPOSAL.
THE IDEA THAT I'M GOING TO OUTSOURCE THIS IS AN INSULT TO ME AS A CITIZEN.
IT'S A WASTE OF MY TAXPAYER DOLLARS, AND I OPPOSE IT.
AS A JEFFERSONIAN, I DEMAND A GOVERNMENT THAT'S FRUGAL, SIMPLE AND APPORTIONED.
>> THE IDEA BEHIND IT, MR. HIERS JUST FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS TO HAVE THE OUTSIDE PERSON LOOK AT IT, WHO'S GOT NO KNOWLEDGE REALLY INTERWORKING OF OUR GOVERNMENT TO LOOK AT THE WAY WE'VE SPENT MONEY, BECAUSE THIS PARISH HAS SPENT MONEY IN MUCH THE SAME WAGE FOR A LONG TIME, AND WE'RE TRYING TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT WAYS TO SPEND THAT MONEY WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.
NEW WAYS TO SPEND OLD MONEY, AND MAYBE SPEND IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION OF ANYTHING ON THE CAPITAL BUDGET? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26502 AND MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US TO RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO LAZY HOUND RACING TO HOST THE MILES FOR SMILES 5K ON SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2025, FROM 9:00 AM UNTIL 12:00 PM AT BUCK TOWN MARINA 325 METAIRIE HAMMOND HIGHWAY IN METAIRIE AND TO ALLOW THE SERVING OF BEER PROVIDED THAT ALL NECESSARY PERMITS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE RESOLUTION TO BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, AND I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> I HAVE NONE, BUT IF YOU WOULD, ON BEHALF OF MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUE, MISS LEE, WOULD YOU READ HIS, PLEASE?
[01:15:02]
A RESOLUTION NAMING MEETING ROOM 102 AT THE WAGGAMAN PLAYGROUND GYMNASIUM IN WAGGAMAN, LOUISIANA HAS THE LANDRY J CARMADE JUNIOR MEETING ROOM IN HONOR OF MR. CARMADE'S OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.
WE'RE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BONANO.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> I HAVE ONE, MADAM CLERK IF YOU COULD READ IT.
>> YES, MA'AM. A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO KIWANIS DAWN BUSTERS OF METAIRIE TO SELL BEER AND WINE TO HAVE FOOD TRUCKS AND TO HAVE DJ AMPLIFIED OUTDOOR MUSIC PROVIDED THAT THE NOISE ORDINANCE IS OBSERVED IN ALL CASES AT THEIR UPCOMING BUNNY BASH EASTER CELEBRATION TO BE HELD IN LAFRENIERE PARK NEAR THE CAROUSEL ON SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025, FROM 11:00 AM UNTIL 3:00 PM AND TO ALLOW THE ERECTION OF TENTS, CANOPIES, AND CRAFT BOOTHS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, PROVIDED THAT ALL PERMITS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION MAY BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, AND I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> AND I'VE COMPLETED THE ROLE.
>> THAT TAKES US TO CONSENT AGENDA 1 COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN,
[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]
YOUR MOTION ON THE [INAUDIBLE] ADOPTION OF ITEMS 18 -47 MINUS 33, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE [INAUDIBLE] ADOPTION OF ITEMS 18-47 MINUS 33, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED.
A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[PROMULGATE ELECTION RETURNS]
>> A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE OF PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024 FOR AUTHORITY TO LEVY AND COLLECT AN AD VALOREM TAX IN THE DISTRICT AND FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE WITHIN COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
THE FOLLOWING VOTES HAD BEEN CAST IN THE DISTRICT.
VOTES FOR 1822 VOTES AGAINST 1494.
THERE WAS A MAJORITY OF 328 VOTES CAST FOR THE PROPOSITION, THE PROPOSITION PASSED.
>> COUNCILMAN BONANO YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ON MOTION COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. 49, PLEASE.
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO]
>> RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO NEGOTIATE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH OLAMETER TO IMPLEMENT THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS FOR EVERY NON-AUTOMATED WATER METER READING IN ORDER TO FOSTER TRANSPARENCY IN THE UTILITY BILLING SYSTEM AND FURTHER ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE WATER METER READERS.
>> JUST REAL QUICKLY, SINCE MR. HYERS BROUGHT IT UP, [LAUGHTER] THIS DOES NOT OBLIGATE US TO SPEND ANY MONEY, THIS JUST ASKED THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO NEGOTIATE AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL, WHERE WE WOULD APPROVE IT OR NOT APPROVE IT, TO SEE IF THERE IS A PATH TO A BETTER WAY FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN OUR WATER METER READING PROCESS BECAUSE, AS HAS BEEN WELL CHRONICLED, WE'VE HAD MANY ISSUES AND MANY COMPLAINTS, AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE GONE ON WITH THE SPECIFIC ACTUAL READING OF THE METER, AND IF IT'S HAPPENING THE WAY IT SHOULD.
THIS IS JUST TO LOOK FOR A POSSIBLE PATH FORWARD TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY TO DO IT UNDER THE CURRENT CONTRACT, THE PARAMETERS OF THE CURRENT CONTRACT, AND SEE IF THINGS CAN BE DONE IN A MORE EFFICIENT AND TRANSPARENT WAY.
MAKE THE PROCESS A LITTLE BETTER TO BEAR.
IF THAT SATISFY YOU. NO MONEY'S BEING SPENT.
COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION.
>> CAN WE DISCUSS THAT JUST BRIEFLY?
>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM THAT THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY READING THE METERS OR THERE HAVE BEEN ACCUSATIONS, I GUESS, THAT THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY READING THE METERS.
MY MICROPHONE DOESN'T WANT TO WORK AGAIN? THAT'S OKAY.
I JUST WANTED TO ASK THE PARISH ATTORNEY, IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE CURRENT CONTRACT THAT THEY HAVE WHICH OBLIGATES THEM TO DO THE WORK? THIS IS A FUN GAME WE PLAY?
>> YES. THEY HAVE TO READ A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF METERS.
[01:20:01]
THEY GET PAID PER METER, AND YOU HAVE TO READ A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF METERS OR YOU WOULD BE IN BREACH OF CONTRACT.>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE PROBLEM OF TRYING TO CORRECT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY READING THEM.
BUT IF THEY'RE NOT READING THEM, AND WE FIND OUT THAT THEY HADN'T BEEN READ, WHAT IS THE REMEDY?
>> RIGHT NOW, IF THEY IF THEY READ LESS THAN 60%, THEY'RE IN BREACH OF CONTRACT, BUT FOR SPECIFIC REMEDIES, THERE IS NO PENALTY RIGHT NOW.
>> THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO NEGOTIATE INTO A CONTRACT IS THAT THEY'RE REQUIRED TO READ IT, AND IF THEY DON'T READ IT, THEN THERE MIGHT BE SOME PENALTY BECAUSE THEY'RE ACTUALLY BEING PAID MONEY.
>> WELL, THEORETICALLY, THE PENALTY WOULD BE THAT THEY DON'T GET PAID FOR THAT READING THAT PARTICULAR METER, BUT THAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT.
>> HERE'S THE RUB, COUNCILMAN MARINO, WHERE THERE ARE MANY THAT WE KNOW THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS AND DIFFERENT ANECDOTAL STORIES WE'VE GOTTEN FROM PEOPLE THAT SOME METERS THAT WE BELIEVE ARE SAID TO BE READ ARE NOT ACTUALLY BEING READ BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE ARE SOME SITUATIONS WHERE THOSE METERS AREN'T BEING TOUCHED.
SOME OF THE ONES THAT THEY MAY BE CLAIMING ARE READ ARE NOT NECESSARILY READ, SO THAT NOT ONLY ARE THEY READING THE ONES AND REPORTING THE ONES THAT ARE READ AND ARE VERIFIED, BUT SOME ARE NOT READ, AND THIS WOULD PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEM IF THIS HAPPENS WHERE THEY HAVE TO TOUCH EVERY METER, AND THEY HAVE TO PROVE THAT THEY'VE TOUCHED EVERY METER.
IF THEY CAN'T TOUCH THAT METER, THEN IT IS FLAGGED AND FURTHER ACTIONS TAKEN.
>> JUST LOOKING IF THERE'S ANOTHER SOLUTION THAT'S NOT PHOTOGRAPH, EVERYONE.
IF THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO ACTUALLY ALSO CORRECT THE SITUATION.
>> WELL, OUR OFFICE WILL SIT DOWN WITH THE PEOPLE AT OLAMETER AND SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH THAT WOULD PROVIDE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY.
>> AND A PENALTY IF THEY OBVIOUSLY ARE NOT REPEATEDLY DOING THE WORK THAT THEY'RE BILLING US FOR.
>> THAT'S THE PROBLEM. THAT'S WHERE WE GET THE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE PEOPLE SAY THEY DIDN'T READ MY METER, THEY COULD NOT HAVE READ MY METER, AND I HAVE A BILL.
>> I'M JUST TRYING TO SEE BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT, I ANTICIPATE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO SAY IS THAT, YES, WE CAN TAKE A PICTURE OF EVERY METER, BUT IT'S GOING TO COST THIS MUCH MORE AND TAKE THIS MUCH MORE TIME, OR I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR RESPONSE [INAUDIBLE].
>> PART OF IT, AS WELL, IS WE'RE GETTING PEOPLE SO PEOPLE CAN FEEL SAFE IN ASSUMING THAT WHEN WE SAY THEIR METER WAS READ, IT WAS READ.
BECAUSE A LOT OF THE FEEDBACK THAT WE GET IS THEY'RE SAYING MY METER IS READ, THEY'RE SAYING THIS WAS THE READING, BUT THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE LOOK AT WHAT THIS METER LOOKS LIKE.
UPON REQUEST, IF THERE'S A PHOTO SYSTEM AVAILABLE, THE RESIDENT WOULD BE ABLE TO SAY, LET ME SEE WHAT MY METER READING WAS WHEN THEY CAME THAT DAY, AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE A PICTURE THAT SHOWS WHAT THAT READING WAS THEORETICALLY.
>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE DISCUSSIONS, BUT TO DISCUSS THIS WITHOUT SAYING THAT WE ARE IN THE BIGGER PICTURE.
THIS IS THE OLD SYSTEM WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
AS YOU KNOW, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I CAME TO THE COUNCIL ASKING FOR A RATE INCREASE.
THE RATE INCREASE GOES UP EVERY JANUARY.
WE'RE GOING TO BRING OUR CITIZENS 20 YEARS' WORTH OF PROJECTS ON THE WATER AND SEWER FRONT TO BRING OUR SYSTEMS TO MODERN DAY.
I LIKE TO TALK ABOUT IT AS WE'RE INVESTING IN OURSELVES.
EVERY YEAR, SINCE WE'VE GONE UP, MARK, DID WE START IN 2021? NO, WE WENT 2022.
>> WE SPENT MOST OF THE YEAR IN 2021 TRYING TO CONVINCE AND GOING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT OUR INITIATIVE IS, JANUARY OF 2022, THE RATES GO UP, AND WE DO IT A LITTLE BIT EVERY YEAR.
WE DIDN'T HIT EVERYBODY WITH ONE BIG EVERY YEAR, WE GO UP A LITTLE.
WE DO SEE THE COMPLAINTS GO UP EVERY YEAR COME UP THROUGH THIS TIME OF THE YEAR BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S RATE GOES UP, AND THEY THINK IT'S THEIR CONSUMPTION, BUT IT'S JUST THE RATE INCREASE.
BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE AND CONTINUING THE DISCUSSIONS, BUT THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION IS TRYING TO IMPROVE A SERVICE ON THE OLD METERS, BUT PLEASE, THE BIGGER PICTURE IS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY INSTALLING NEW AUTOMATED READER METERS.
AS WE SPEAK NOW, THEY TELL ME GRANDYLE IS FINISHED, WE'RE WORKING IN LAFITTE.
LAFITTE WILL GET DONE BY THE END OF MAY.
THAT'S ABOUT 5,000 INSTALLS, AND THEN ONCE IT GETS TO UPPER JEFFERSON, WE'RE EXPECTING 4,000 NEW INSTALLATIONS A MONTH FOR THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
THE DISCUSSION WE'RE HAVING IS ABOUT THE OLD SYSTEM.
OBVIOUSLY, THE BIG MONEY IS GOING TOWARD A NEW SYSTEM.
I CAN APPRECIATE COUNCILMAN WALKER SAYING, WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE FOUR MORE YEARS OF HIGH COMPLAINTS.
THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD PREFER TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM COMPLAINTS AND TRY TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE,
[01:25:01]
WHICH IS WE KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE WATER OVER 200% OF WHAT YOU USED AT LAST CYCLE, IT'S GOING TO BE A COMPLAINT.WE WOULD PREFER TO PUT OUR RESOURCES ON MAKING SURE THE LINES GET ANSWERED QUICKER.
WHEN WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO GET COMPLAINTS, WE RUN A MAJOR UTILITY SERVICE, BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON WHATEVER WE CAN DO.
>> YOU'RE CORRECT WHEN YOU SAY THAT I'M NOT WILLING TO SIT HERE FOR ANOTHER 3-5 YEARS AND FIELD THE COMPLAINTS THAT WE'VE FIELDED OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS THAT THIS HAS COME IN.
I KNOW THAT WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS THE NEW SYSTEM AND BETTER PROCESSES, MUCH MORE ACCURATE PROCESS.
WHEN THAT HAPPENS, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SEE HIGHER BILLS, TOO, BECAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE DEADLY ACCURATE.
BUT AT THIS POINT, I THINK THE PROBLEM GOES BEYOND THE PROBLEM ACCOUNTS, LIKE THE ONES THAT ARE 200% OUT OF WHACK.
HOPEFULLY, THAT'S WHAT WE CAN DRILL DOWN ON AND GET A BETTER FOCUS ON.
COUNCILMAN BONANO, I THINK YOU HAD A QUESTION.
>> PARISH WOMAN, YOU AND I SPOKE EARLIER THIS WEEK ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND YOU SAID SOMETHING THAT WAS PROMISING TO ME, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO WORK TOWARDS AFFORDING PEOPLE A CAPABILITY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND MEET PERSON TO PERSON WITH SOMEONE.
I THINK THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP.
PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE, PLEASE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY OUR ELDER RESIDENTS, DON'T USE COMPUTERS AND DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PROCESSES, SO THEY NEED SOMEBODY TO SIT DOWN WITH AND WALK THEM THROUGH THIS.
I APPLAUD YOUR EFFORT ON THAT. IF WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS HAVING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE EITHER IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY TO TALK TO SOMEBODY IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT STEP.
>> YES. YOU ALL HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THAT.
WE TRY TO MAKE SURE OUR RESOURCES GO TO GETTING THAT CALL TIME AS REDUCED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
OBVIOUSLY, TAKING PEOPLE OFF THAT LINE AND GOING TO SEE IN PERSON.
WE'VE FOUGHT THAT, BUT WE KNOW YOU'VE BEEN ASKING THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO DO IT BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, ONE DAY A WEEK ON THE EAST BANK, AND ONE DAY IN THE WEEK ON THE WEST BANK, TO MAKE SURE NOBODY'S JUST SITTING THERE, THEY'RE OFF THE CALL LINE, THEY'RE JUST WAITING FOR PEOPLE IF WE JUST DO A WALK-UP SERVICE.
BUT WE WILL BE WILLING TO DO THAT BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
I'VE SAID THIS TO MANY OF YOU THIS LAST MEETING THIS WEEK.
IF YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR GARBAGE NOT GETTING PICKED UP, WE CAN QUICKLY GET YOUR GARBAGE PICKED UP.
OR A LIGHT BEING OUT ON YOUR STREET, WE CAN QUICKLY REMEDY THAT SITUATION, AND YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.
A LOT OF THINGS WITH THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND OUR COMPLAINTS, WE FIND PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LEAKS, THEY DON'T THINK THEY HAVE A LEAK, THE PLUMBER COMES OUT.
THE PLUMBER SAYS THERE'S NO LEAK.
BUT AS MARK WILL TELL YOU, MAYBE THEY HAVE A LEAK, IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE WATER SURROUNDING YOUR HOUSE, MAYBE IT'S GOING RIGHT INTO THE GROUND.
WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT OVERALL, THE METERS STILL WORK.
IF ANYTHING, THE OLD METERS ARE SLOWER.
THE CITIZEN IS BENEFITING FROM A SLOWER READER METER READING.
WE'RE EXPECTING A LOT MORE COMPLAINTS WHEN THE NEW, VERY ACCURATE, MORE NEW TECHNOLOGY COMES OUT, EVERYBODY'S BILL IS GOING TO GO UP BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GETTING WATER.
BUT SHORT OF THAT, WE DON'T JUST WAVE AWAY.
IF YOU'VE USED OUR WATER, IF THERE'S A LEAK, WE HAVE TO CHARGE YOU FOR WHAT WE WORK.
SIDNEY HIMSELF, THE WATER DIRECTOR, GOES OUT ON THE COMPLAINTS THAT YOU GIVE US AND THAT WE GET AND GOES AND LOOKS AT THE BUILDING HIMSELF.
YES, WE HAVE ISSUES, BUT WE ISSUE 960,000 BILLS A YEAR. THERE'S BUILT IN.
WE THINK WE HAVE ABOUT A 1 1/2% COMPLAINT RATE, WHICH I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT, NO MATTER WHAT.
BUT IF THERE IS ANY, WHETHER IT COMES FROM YOUR OFFICE OR OUR OFFICE, IF THERE'S ANY COMPLAINTS, WE LOOK AT IT AND WE ADJUST IT.
WE DON'T EXPECT THE CONSUMER OR OUR CITIZENS TO JUST PAY IT BECAUSE WE HAVE AN OLD SYSTEM.
I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK WE'VE LOST CREDIBILITY IN OUR ENTIRE SYSTEM.
WE HAVE NOT. IT'S AN OLD SYSTEM.
WE'RE REPLACING IT WITH THE NEW.
SOMETIMES ON SOCIAL MEDIA, IT GETS CRAZY AND NOT REALLY TRUE AND NOT REALLY FAIR ALL THE TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. WHILE I GOT THE MICROPHONE, JUST TO REMIND EVERYBODY, WE HAD A HUGE FREEZE ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO.
IF YOU RAN YOUR WATER, EXPECT A MUCH HIGHER WATER BILL, SO DON'T BE SHOCKED BY THAT. THANK YOU.
>> YES. COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
>> I HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK AND REVIEW THE WATER METER CONTRACT, BUT I THINK, TONY, YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT OUR CURRENT OBLIGATION IN THE CONTRACT IS THAT OLAMETER READ 60% OF THE METERS EACH BILLING CYCLE?
>> THEY GET MONEY PER METER THAT THEY READ?
>> THEY'RE INCENTIVIZED TO READ AS MANY AS POSSIBLE, RIGHT?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE THIS INFORMATION OR SIDNEY.
[01:30:02]
HOW MANY DO THEY NORMALLY READ ON AVERAGE? HOW MANY ARE WE PAYING THEM FOR EACH BILLING CYCLE?>> [OVERLAPPING] SYDNEY, WHO'S OUR WATER DIRECTOR.
AGAIN, WE'VE GOT GREAT EMPLOYEES WHO HELP EVERY TIME WE HAVE A CITIZEN CALL.
BUT I'M CURIOUS, HOW MANY ON AVERAGE DO GET READ EACH BILLING CYCLE THAT WE'RE PAYING OLAMETER FOR?
>> WELL, IT VARIES BETWEEN BILLING CYCLE DEPENDING ON THE AREA THAT WE'RE READING.
I CAN BREAK IT DOWN TO 3,500 METERS A DAY.
THAT'S WHAT WE TRIED TO ISSUE THEM A DAY TO STAY ON SCHEDULE.
>> BECAUSE I GUESS MY CONCERN THAT'S COME UP, AND I WASN'T AWARE OF THE PERCENTAGE.
IF WE MOVE IN A DIRECTION OF MAKING THE READERS READ 100% OF THE METERS EVERY TIME, TAKE A PICTURE OF 100% OF THE METERS EVERY TIME, AREN'T WE GOING TO BE PAYING MORE EVERY TIME IF WE'RE PAYING THEM PER METER?
>> JUST BECAUSE THEY READ THE METER, DOESN'T MEAN THEY GET PAID FOR IT.
A PART OF THE CONTRACT AND ON THE ADDENDUM ON THE BACK END, IF IT'S A MISREAD, IF IT'S UNDER A CAR, IF THERE'S ANY OBSTRUCTION THAT PREVENTS THEM FROM READING THE METER, WE DO NOT PAY THEM FOR IT.
>> HOW ARE WE GOING TO DEAL WITH WHEN THERE'S A CAR ON THE METER, AND THE PICTURE CAN'T TAKE A PICTURE? THE PHOTO DOESN'T HAPPEN.
>> WE DO HAVE SITUATIONS WHERE A METER CAN'T BE RAD OR IT'S MISREAD.
WE HAVE AN INTERNAL PROCESS WHERE WE GO BACK, WE MAKE A SECOND ATTEMPT, AND WE MAKE A THIRD ATTEMPT TO READ THE METER, BUT THAT'S DONE BY OUR FORCES.
EVEN THOUGH A METER MAY BE MISREAD BY THE CONTRACTOR, WE HAVE AN INTERNAL PROCESS THAT FOLLOWS THAT TO GUARANTEE THAT THE READING IS CORRECT BY PHOTO OR TO ENSURE IF THE METER READER SAID THEY READ SOMETHING THAT WAS UNDER A CAR, IF THEY DO NOT PROVIDE US A PHOTO OF IT UNDER A CAR, THEY WON'T GET PAID FOR IT.
IN THE EVENT THAT IT IS, WE MAKE A SECOND ATTEMPT BY OUR OWN FORCES TO GET IT READ.
>> I GUESS, ORIGINALLY, WHEN THE CONTRACT WAS DRAFTED, WHY DO WE GO WITH 60% INSTEAD OF ALWAYS HAVING SAID 100% OF THE METERS? IS IT MANPOWER? IS IT TIME?
IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE AREA AT THE TIME.
THE CONTRACTOR KNEW AT THE TIME THAT IT WASN'T FAIR TO SAY YOU HAVE TO READ ALL OF THOSE METERS BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT HAPPEN ON A DAILY BASIS THAT WE DON'T CONTROL THAT PREVENTS THEM FROM READING THE METER, SO 60% WAS A SAFE NUMBER TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE READING ENOUGH METERS TO KEEP US ON SCHEDULE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE STILL HAD INTERNAL FORCES THAT CAN MAKE UP THE REST AT ANY EVENT SOMETHING HAPPENED.
THAT'S WHY WE SAID 60%, 100% IS TOO AMBITIOUS TO BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN BE ABLE TO DO THAT ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT OUR HELP.
>> THAT'S SOME OF MY QUESTIONS.
I LIKE THE IDEA, AND I KNOW OTHER MUNICIPALITIES HAVE DOCUMENTED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS.
THE WAY THIS IS WRITTEN, I DO HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT, AGAIN, WHAT IS IT GOING TO MEAN IN TIME AND IN MONEY IF WE MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF SAYING 100% OF THE METERS HAVE TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED.
>> PHOTOGRAPHED. IF THAT'S NOT OUR ORIGINAL CONTRACT, HOW IS THAT GOING TO AFFECT THE CONTRACT? WE BRING THAT INFORMATION, I GUESS, BACK, BECAUSE I CAN'T IMAGINE IF WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THEM FOR 60%, AT LEAST MET TO READING, AND WE'RE NOW MOVING TO 100% AND 100% PHOTOGRAPHS.
>> IN THE CONTRACT CURRENTLY NOW, IT'S NOT REQUIRED THAT THEY TAKE A PICTURE AT EVERY READ.
THE ONLY I'D HAVE NO CONCERN ABOUT IT GOING TO 100% THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PROMISE US THAT THEY WOULD READ.
THE ISSUE, AND I SPOKE TO MOST OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT IT IS TAKING A PICTURE AT EVERY SINGLE READ.
THAT'S THE ISSUE THAT I HAVE THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE FOR ALL OF THE CONSTITUENTS, BECAUSE JUST, FOR EXAMPLE, TO GIVE EVERYBODY A PICTURE.
IN THE TIME THAT IT WOULD TAKE TO READ ONE METER.
TAKE A PICTURE AT ONE METER, YOU CAN GET THREE METERS RED.
IT'S GOING TO DRASTICALLY SLOW PRODUCTION, AND THAT'S MY BIGGEST ISSUE.
WE HAVE A DELICATE SCHEDULE OF TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE STAYS ON SCHEDULE APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 58-62 DAYS, WE TRY TO KEEP THAT TIGHT WINDOW TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS BUILD ON A 60 DAY SCHEDULE.
IF WE SLOW PRODUCTION, IT'S GOING TO PROLONG THE BILLING CYCLE, WHICH IS GOING TO ADD DAYS TO GET THE NUMBER OF REQUIRED METERS READ FOR THAT TIME PERIOD.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT 70 DAY BILLS, 75 DAY BILLS, AND IN MOST CASES, 80 DAY BILLS, CURRENTLY NOW, BECAUSE OF THE FREEZE, WE HAVE CUSTOMERS THAT WERE BILLED AT 70 DAYS, 75 DAYS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO TURN AROUND AND GET A 40 DAY BILL BECAUSE WE WANT TO KEEP THEM ON A SCHEDULE GOING FORWARD.
BUT BACK TO WHAT I WAS SAYING ABOUT THE 70 DAYS, IF SOMEONE HAS A 70 DAY OR 80 DAY BILL, IT'S GOING TO HAVE MORE WATER USAGE IN THAT SAME TIME PERIOD.
[01:35:01]
MOST CUSTOMERS DON'T TAKE IN ACCOUNT OF THE DAYS THAT IT TAKE TO READ THEIR METER.THEY JUST LOOK AT THE OVERALL NUMBER AND SAY, WOW, I DIDN'T USE THIS AMOUNT OF WATER.
IT'S NO WAY I USE THIS AMOUNT OF WATER, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO PREVENT ON THE BACK END, IS IF WE TAKE A PICTURE AT EVERY METER, IT'S GOING TO PROLONG THE BILLING SCHEDULE, WHICH IS GOING TO ADD TO MORE CALLS.
NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY DO HAVE CUSTOMERS THAT POST ON ON FACEBOOK ABOUT WE DON'T READ THE METER, SHOW LEAVES IN A BOX, WHATEVER.
WE WILL, AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE PICTURES FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS AND SHOW UP. WE DO READ.
BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 1.5% OF THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO ACTUALLY COMPLAINED ABOUT A HIGHER BILL.
IN THAT TIME WE INVESTIGATE ALL OF THOSE CUSTOMERS.
IN MOST CASES, I WOULD SAY MAYBE 1% OF THOSE OF THE 1.5%, IT MAY HAVE BEEN A MISREAD, IT MAY HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE ON OUT, AND THAT WE CORRECT BEFORE THE BILL ACTUALLY GOES OUT.
THE NARRATIVE THAT THE METERS AREN'T BEING READ IS JUST I FEEL LIKE TAKING A PICTURE AT EVERY METER READ IS GOING TO CAUSE A BIGGER ISSUE ON THE BACK END AND THAT'S MY BIGGEST CONCERN.
>> FOR THE RECORD, I'VE MADE IT CLEAR WITH EVERYBODY I'VE SPOKEN TO ON THIS THAT THAT IS NOT AN OPTION THAT I WOULD BE AGREEABLE TO EXTENDING THE BILLING CYCLE, WHERE PEOPLE WOULD SEE MORE CHARGE ON THEIR BILL BECAUSE IT'S TAKEN LONGER TO READ THE METERS.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE ASKING THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO LOOK AT THESE OPTIONS AND SEE IF THERE IS A FEASIBLE AND DIGESTIBLE OPTION FOR US THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE GOING FORWARD WITH THAT WOULD HELP WITH TRANSPARENCY.
IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY NEED TO BE EVERY METER.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING INTO THE NEGOTIATION WITH, BUT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT WE COME OUT OF IT WITH BECAUSE MAYBE THERE'S A BETTER OPTION THAT WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF YET THAT THEY CAN COME UP WITH OR WE CAN COME UP WITH THAT MAKES IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AND MORE TRANSPARENT FOR THE PUBLIC AND PUTS MORE TRUST IN THE PROCESS.
THAT'S BUT TO BE VERY CLEAR, I'M NOT IN ANY WAY AGREEABLE TO MAKING THE PROCESS LONGER, AND PEOPLE SEEING ON TOP OF HIGHER CHARGES A LONGER BILLING CYCLE THAT RESULTS IN HIGHER CHARGES.
WERE YOU DONE, COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN?
>> WELL, AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE MY CONCERN. I HAD A LEAK.
IT WAS SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A LEAKY TOILET, AND I WAS SHOCKED IN THAT TWO MONTH BILLING CYCLE, HOW MUCH THAT IMPACTED OUR BILL.
I WOULD NOT WANT TO SEE A SCENARIO WHERE THERE'S A THREE MONTH CYCLE WHERE ALL OF A SUDDEN, I WOULD HAVE HAD ALL THAT MUCH MORE A BILL.
I GUESS, AT THIS POINT, THE LANGUAGE THAT CONCERNS ME IN LOOKING AT THE CAPTION IS TO IMPLEMENT THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS FOR EVERY NON AUTOMATED WATER METER READING.
THAT WOULD BE 100% PHOTOGRAPHS.
IT DOESN'T SPECIFY EVERY OTHER MONTH OR SO THAT MEANS EVERY METER EVERY TIME.
WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY.
THAT'S REALLY WHERE MY CONCERN COMES IN.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE COULD TAKE THE SPIRIT OF WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO GET AT, BUT MAYBE AMEND IT TO TO HAVE A DIFFERENT RESULT.
I DO KNOW I TALKED TO A COUNCIL PERSON IN NEW ORLEANS WHO SAID THE PHOTOGRAPHS CAN HELP WHEN THERE'S SOMETHING THAT IS OFF, AND IT HELPS DOCUMENT THAT, BUT I'M NOT SURE THE WAY THIS IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, IT'S EVERY METER, EVERY TIME.
I JUST THINK THAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO LEAD TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, SIDNEY AND SLOWING DOWN THE READINGS THEMSELVES.
>> JUST THE PIG IT BACK OFF THE PARISH PRESIDENT, WE'LL BE DEDICATED MORE OF THOSE PROBLEM CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.
CURRENTLY, RIGHT NOW, OUR PROCESS, WE DO TAKE A PICTURE OF EVERY ABNORMAL READING.
WHEN I SAY ABNORMAL, SOMETHING THAT'S TOO LOW OR HIGHER THAN WHAT THE CUSTOMER NORMALLY USES.
CURRENTLY TAKE A PHOTO OF THAT NOW.
BUT WHAT WE'LL BE WILLING TO DO IS IF WE DO HAVE THOSE CUSTOMERS THAT WILL CALL US AND QUESTION TO READ, WE'LL BE WILLING TO INVESTIGATE THAT FURTHER WITH THE PHOTO.
OUR CURRENT PROCESS RIGHT NOW, WE WOULDN'T TAKE A PHOTO IF THEY'RE IN THE NORMAL RANGE BECAUSE IT'S A WASTE OF MANPOWER TO GO OUT ON SOMETHING THAT'S NOT WRONG.
BUT WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON, WE DEFINITELY BE WILLING TO TAKE THOSE PHOTOS, BECAUSE THERE'S STILL A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PHOTOS WE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE COMPARED TO HAVING TO DO IT TO EVERY SINGLE METER READ.
>> THAT'S WHAT I GUESS I WOULD OFFER A SUGGESTION, IF WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD AT THIS TIME TO DO THAT RATHER THAN EVERY METER.
I THINK THAT GETS AT THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM WHEN WE HAVE A CUSTOMER COMING IN.
I THINK THEY'D BE REASSURED THAT WE WOULD PROMISE THAT WE WILL COME OUT.
WE WILL DOCUMENT THAT, AND MAYBE THAT'S THE MORE NUANCED WAY TO APPROACH IT.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OPTIONS.
I'M NOT PRETENDING THAT THIS IS THE END ALL B ALL.
I DON'T CARE HOW WE GET TO A SOLUTION.
I WANT TO GET TO A BETTER WAY OF DOING IT FOR THE NEXT 3, 04, 5 YEARS THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE OLD METERS THAT ARE PROBLEMATIC.
DOESN'T MATTER HOW WE GET THERE.
IF IT'S TAKING A PICTURE OF EVERY METER, IF IT'S TAKING A PICTURE OF SOME METERS, IF IT'S DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN SOME OTHER WAY, I'M TOTALLY FINE WITH THAT. I JUST WANT TO GET THERE.
I THINK WHAT TONY CAN FIND OUT BY DIRECTLY DEALING WITH OLAMETER, AND THROUGH YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH OLAMETER AND THROUGH MINE. I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS.
YOU'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD OFFICIAL CONVERSATIONS.
[01:40:02]
REGARDING THE CONTRACT WITH OLAMETER.THAT'S JUST WHAT WE WANT TO GET TO.
>> INITIALLY, WHEN I READ THIS, I HAD SOME QUESTION ABOUT THE LANGUAGE AS WELL, AND I WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE THE WAY IT READS, IT DIRECTS THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO NEGOTIATE AND IMPLEMENT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR TODAY.
I DON'T MIND VOTING YES FOR THIS IN SUPPORT OF CHAIRMAN WALKER'S PROPOSAL, BUT THIS IS JUST TO ASK THE QUESTIONS.
IT'S NOT TO VOTE YES ON THE PICTURE TAKING, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT FIXES WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, AND I WOULD MUCH RATHER SEE OUR TIME AND OUR RESOURCES SPENT ON CUSTOMER SERVICE AVENUES, I THINK JUST OPENING IT UP WHERE SOMEONE CAN TALK TO A HUMAN BEING IS GOING TO CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS.
A LOT OF THESE COMPLAINTS COME TO US BECAUSE THEY CAN'T REACH A PERSON, AND THEY SEE SOMEONE ON THE PHONE AND THEY EXPRESS THEIR FRUSTRATIONS, BUT THEN IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
THEY WANT TO SIT EYEBALL TO EYEBALL WITH SOMEONE AND SAY HOW THEY THINK THAT IT'S WRONG OR UNFAIR.
A LOT OF TIMES YOU'LL INVESTIGATE, AND IT TURNS OUT THAT THEY DID HAVE A LEAK.
I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, YOU'VE GONE TO HOUSES WITH ME TO LOOK AT PEOPLE'S HOUSES.
I WOULD RATHER SEE OUR RESOURCES SPENT ON CUSTOMER SERVICE TYPE OF AVENUES LIKE THAT.
BUT I THINK THIS AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS JUST SO THAT YOU CAN ASK THE QUESTION.
WE'RE NOT IMPLEMENTING ANYTHING.
>> CORRECT. ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED WOULD BE IN THE FORM OF AN AMENDMENT WHICH WOULD GO BACK BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
>> YOU'RE DONE? I KNOW YOU'RE DONE. COUNSEL LILJEBERG.
>> THANK YOU. IT STRIKES ME THAT I'VE MET WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
I'VE MET WITH COUNCILMAN WALKER ON THIS, AND IT STRIKES ME THAT WE ARE.
I'M AFRAID THAT THIS MIGHT BE LIKE KILLING A FLY WITH AN ELEPHANT GUN.
WE'RE LOOKING AT TAKING PICTURES OF THE 98.5% THAT AREN'T COMPLAINING.
COUNCILMAN WALKER IS 100% RIGHT.
WE'RE REALLY NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THESE CALLS.
PEOPLE TRY TO CALL THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
TRY TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE WATER DEPARTMENT. THEY CAN'T.
BY THE TIME THEY GET TO US, THEY'RE MAD, WE ORDINARILY CAN CONVINCE THEM THAT YOUR BILL IS FOR YOUR USAGE, OR YOU HAVE A LEAK.
I THINK 99.9% OF THE TIME, IT'S RESOLVED, BUT THESE ARE CALLS THAT THE COUNCIL'S OFFICES SHOULDN'T BE GETTING.
I THINK THAT COUNCILMAN BANANA IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
WE JUST NEED TO STAFF UP PROPERLY.
>> IF I COULD, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT INTERNALLY, WHEN YOU RUN A LARGE UTILITY BILLING SYSTEM, LIKE WE DO, YOU'RE GOING TO GET A 1.5% COMPLAINT RIGHT.
THAT'S NORMAL, THAT'S COX GETS IT, ATMOST GETS IT.
THIS IS RUNNING A UTILITY BILLING SYSTEM.
IN PRIOR TIMES, THOSE CALLS WOULD GO TO THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
SIDNEY SAYS, NOW, NOBODY'S CALLING ME.
THEY'RE CALLING THE COUNSEL OFFICES, BECAUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, BECAUSE OF THE REACH IS SO EASY TO YOUR OFFICE BECAUSE MAYBE OUR CALL TIME IS 15 MINUTES, AND THEY SAY, I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS.
I'D RATHER CALL MY COUNSEL OFFICE.
BUT AS YOU SAID, THEN YOUR OFFICE IS CALLING US BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.
WE'VE TRAINED THE PUBLIC TO CALL YOUR OFFICES, AND NOW WE DIDN'T, BUT WE WANT THEM TO CALL OUR WATER DEPARTMENT.
WE DON'T WAN YOUR STAFF GETTING INVOLVED IN THAT.
BUT IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, PEOPLE HAVE STARTED COMPLAINING MORE ON SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTLY TO YOUR OFFICE, AND THAT HAS REALLY CHANGED THE DYNAMICS OF THIS.
SIDNEY WILL TELL YOU, THIS IS FOR DECADES.
WE ALWAYS GET WATER COMPLAINTS.
IT'S WHERE THE COMPLAINTS ARE GOING NOW, AND THE EASE OF COMPLAINING ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE EASE OF PEOPLE ADDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THEY'RE BEING UPSET ABOUT SOMETHING TWO YEARS AGO, THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOLVE, BUT THEY'RE STILL UPSET ABOUT IT I GET IF THEY HAD A LEAK, AND THEY HAD A VERY HIGH BILL, AND THEY'RE ADDING ON THERE.
THAT DYNAMIC IS DEFINITELY GOING ON.
>> I DISAGREE TO A POINT WHERE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE GET TO US AND THEY'RE SUPER FRUSTRATED AFTER THEY'VE TRIED TO TALK TO THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
THAT'S WHERE IT GETS. [OVERLAPPING]
IT JUST THERE'S ENOUGH OF A NARRATIVE OUT THERE THAT SAYS, THEY'RE NOT READING, THEY'RE NOT DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
I'VE SEEN PEOPLE POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND I KNOW SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT THE END LB ALL, BUT IT IS A VOCAL MINORITY THAT DICTATES A LOT OF WHAT PUBLIC PERCEPTION IS OF THIS.
WE'VE HAD PEOPLE SAY, AND THIS IS QUOTING PEOPLE ONLINE, NOT ANYBODY ELSE HERE, BUT THEY'RE STEALING FROM US.
THEY'RE PUTTING MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS.
WHO'S LINING THEIR POCKETS? TO ME, THAT'S OFFENSIVE STUFF THAT I DON'T WANT TO HEAR, AND NONE OF US WANT TO HEAR.
BUT THAT'S WHAT SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE IS GOING ON.
THAT'S FRUSTRATING, AND WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
TO THIS POINT, WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING THAT I CAN SEE OR REMEMBER PUBLICLY TO QUELL THAT BELIEF THAT SOMETHING IS A MISS.
[01:45:04]
LOOK, I KNOW SIDNEY IS GREAT.THE PEOPLE IN HIS DEPARTMENT ARE GREAT, AND WE DEAL WITH THEM ON A DAILY BASIS.
MOST OF THE CASES ARE SOLVED IN ONE WAY SHAPE OR FORM.
THERE WAS EITHER A PROBLEM WITH A LEAK THAT THE CUSTOMER WASN'T AWARE OF, OR IT WAS AN ERROR ON THE POWER SIDE, AND IT'S FIXED.
BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT, THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE THAT HAVE ISSUES BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE SOMEBODY COMING TO THEIR METER.
IT'S COVERED. IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT BEEN READ IN A LONG TIME. THAT'S WHERE THE TRUST.
>> I THINK IF THEY COULD CALL OUR OFFICE OR CALL THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND QUICKLY GET HELPED, ALL OF THIS GOES AWAY, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE SIDNEY, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THE COVID WAS THE WORST, PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE WAITED ON THE PHONE FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF.
WE'VE CHANGED THE HOURS THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK.
WE'VE FOUGHT FOR NEW POSITIONS.
WE'VE HIRED TEMPORARY STAFFING AGENCIES.
WE'VE GOTTEN THIS CALL DOWN BETWEEN 1-15 MINUTES DEPENDING ON, AND I KNOW 15 MINUTES IS A LOT, BUT IF YOU CALL OTHER UTILITY COMPANIES OR COX, YOU PROBABLY, THIS IS JUST THE WAY IT IS.
WE WANT TO GET THAT DOWN EVEN LOWER.
I THINK IF WE COULD ANSWER THE PHONE QUICKER, AND IT COULD GET RESOLVED, IT WOULD STOP COMING TO YOUR OFFICE.
THAT'S WHY AGAIN, MY POINT, WE WOULD RATHER PUT THE SCARCE RESOURCES WE HAVE DIRECTLY DEALING WITH THAT COMPLAINT LINE.
THAT IS THE MOST PRIMARY SOURCE THAT WOULD EXPONENTIALLY CHANGE EVERYTHING, HOW YOU SEE IT.
WE KNOW THE PUBLIC ON, ESPECIALLY MAYBE THE ELDERLY PEOPLE THEY WANT SOMEBODY TO COME SPEAK TO, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE NOT INTERNET SAVVY, AND WE WILL DO THAT, AND WE WILL START THAT.
BUT AGAIN, OUR RESOURCES, I REALLY WOULD REALLY ADVOCATE THAT THE RESOURCES WE HAVE GO DIRECTLY TO DEALING WITH THE COMPLAINTS AND NOT TOUCH EVERY SINGLE 960,000 BILL.
>> MAYBE BE MORE PROACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, TOO.
SERIOUSLY. WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO DO THIS.
WE'VE ASKED FOR IN PERSON FOR A YEAR AND A HALF, TWO YEARS NOW.
I'M JUST NOT WILLING TO SEE HER ANY LONGER AND TAKE THESE COMPLAINTS AND TAKE IT ON THE CHIN FROM PEOPLE FOR SOMETHING, HONESTLY, WE DON'T HAVE ANY PURVIEW OVER.
THE WATER DEPARTMENT IS A FUNCTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION, AND WE'RE SITTING HERE TAKING ALL THE HEAT FOR SOMETHING THAT WE JUST GO BACK TO THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND SAY, HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON? IT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK WEARS ON ALL OF US, AND ALL OF OUR OFFICES SEE IT. ALL OF US GET HIT WITH IT.
I HANDED YOU AFTER THE LAST MEETING A STACK THIS HIGH FROM WATERBILL PRINTOUT COMPLAINTS THAT WE HAVE, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULDN'T SPEND THE AMOUNT OF TIME ON IN OUR OFFICES THAT WE DO EVERY DAY. IT'S A BIG CHUNK OF IT.
>> AGAIN, IF WE COULD FOCUS ON US HANDLING OUR OWN COMPLAINTS, WE WOULD LIKE TO GET THE COMPLAINTS FIRST, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HANDLE IT.
AGAIN, THE CALL TIME IS VERY KEY OF HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR PEOPLE TO WAIT AND THE RESOURCES, IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT $400,000 ON A RESOURCE, LET ME STAFF UP MORE.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD SAY. LET ME STAFF UP MORE WITH PEOPLE TO HANDLE THOSE COMPLAINTS.
WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THE COMPLAINTS. IT'S PART OF IT.
BUT I WOULD ASK THAT THE WAY THROUGH THIS IS TO PUT THE MONEY ON US BEING QUICKER AT HANDLING THE COMPLAINTS THAT WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET.
>> CAN WE JUST HAVE TEENAGERS WALK THEM AND TAKE SELFIE.
[LAUGHTER] NAIL POST IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR FREE.
>> OR, REMEMBER, WE ALSO SAY THIS, YOU CAN GO OUT AND JUST CHECK YOUR OWN METER IF YOU THINK IT'S WRONG.
IT'S THAT EASY. IT DOES GET FOGGED UP.
MARK WILL TELL YOU, THERE IS MUD THAT COVERS IT.
THERE IS, AND PEOPLE THINK IT'S NOT RED, THEY SPRAY SOMETHING ON IT.
THEY SWIPE IT, THEY READ IT, THEY PUT THE CAP BACK ON, AND THEY'RE GONE.
THEN MAYBE BY THE TIME YOU LOOK AT IT AGAIN, IT'S DIRTY AGAIN.
WE KNOW THEY'RE IN THE GROUND.
YES. I'M NOT TO SAY THAT THEY DON'T MAKE MISTAKES, AND SOMETIMES WE MAKE MISTAKES, BUT THIS WHOLE NARRATIVE I THINK IT'S A LITTLE EXAGGERATED.
BUT WE KNOW IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, IT'S A PROBLEM FOR YOU, AND WE WANT TO SOLVE IT, AND WE WANT TO GET BETTER AT IT.
>> THE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT THE WATER DEPARTMENT IS HIRING.
[LAUGHTER] IF ANYBODY WHO IS ANYWHERE WOULD LIKE TO GO WORK IN OUR WATER DEPARTMENT, PLEASE.
>> WE DO STILL HAVE HOW MANY VACANCIES, DID YOU SAY? SIX. BUT WE HAVE HOW MANY CALL TAKERS?
>> SIXTEEN CALL TAKERS AND SIX VACANCIES.
IF WE HAD MORE RESOURCES TO EVEN DO THAT, I'D HAPPILY PUT MORE PEOPLE ON THAT LINE.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU ALL. WHERE ARE WE, COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN, WITH YOUR MOTION.
>> I DON'T MIND MOVING FORWARD.
I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO POTENTIALLY SEE AN AMENDMENT THAT WE EXPLORE MORE THAN JUST EVERY PHOTOGRAPHING EVERY PICTURE.
>> WITHOUT AMENDING, CAN YOU CAN STILL DO THAT IN A NEGOTIATION?
[01:50:01]
AND I DON'T THINK THAT IN AN AMENDMENT, WE WOULD BE WEED TO HAVING TO TAKE A PICTURE AT.>> THAT'S WHAT I THINK IT'S MORE SOPHISTICATED THAN THAT.
I ACTUALLY LIKE SIDNEY'S APPROACH OF TAKING A MORE LIMITED, BUT TARGETED AMOUNT OF PHOTOGRAPH.
IF WE CAN I DON'T MIND OFFERING AN AMENDMENT TO THAT, OR IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE EMPOWERED TO DO THAT WITH THE LANGUAGE CURRENTLY, THAT'S REALLY MY THOUGHT.
>> WITH THE LANGUAGE AS WRITTEN, I DON'T I FEEL LIKE YOU CAN NEGOTIATE BROADLY.
I WILL SECOND. DID WE OPEN UP A PUBLIC OPINION? > >THERE WAS NO PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTED ON THAT RESOLUTION MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
NOW, COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 50 THROUGH 88 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA MINUS 65, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED, 85, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED, AND 61 CORRECT, COUNSELMAN MARINO, WHICH WILL BE PULLED TO DISCUSS?
>> THAT'S THE NOTE I MADE EARLIER. YOUR MOTION ON THAT?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 50 THROUGH 88 MINUS 65 WHICH WILL BE CANCELED, 61 WHICH WILL BE DISCUSSED, AND 85 WHICH WILL BE AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
SO LET'S GO TO ITEM NUMBER 61, MADAM CLERK AND THEN 85.
>> A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING A CHANGE IN FUNDING ASSOCIATED WITH THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA OFFICE OF FACILITY PLANNING AND CONTROL IN JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF GRETNA GOVERNMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT, FP&C, PROJECT NUMBER 50-J26-14-09 COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
>> I CAN TRY THIS MIKE AGAIN AND SEE IF IT WORKS. IT'S WORKING RIGHT NOW.
I ASKED TO PULL THIS OUT OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, I WANT TO SPECIFICALLY EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS AND IN PARTICULAR, I'M DIRECTING THIS EXPLANATION TO OUR INSPECTOR GENERAL, WHO I SEE IS PRESENT.
THIS IS THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT.
THIS IS RECOGNIZING THE STATE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECT THAT INVOLVES THE KINGFISH RIVERVIEW DEVELOPMENT.
WHAT THIS IS IS ANNUALLY EACH YEAR AFTER YOU RECEIVE FUNDING FOR A PROJECT, YOU HAVE TO DO A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING THE CHANGE FROM WHAT HAPPENED FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT.
THIS IS THE DOCUMENT THAT HAS THE HISTORY OF THE MONEY THAT SINCE 2022 HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD IN A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, OFFICE OF FACILITY PLANNING, GOVERNMENT AND CONTROL, AND JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE DESIGN CONSTRUCTION OF THE GRETNA GOVERNMENT COMPLEX.
WHEN YOU GO DOWN ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE LAST ONE, IT'S RECOGNIZING WHAT HAPPENED IN 2024, THAT THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL $2.5 MILLION FROM PRIORITY 5 TO PRIORITY 1 AND INCREASED ANOTHER CASH AMOUNT FOR 428.
THEN IT GIVES A SUMMARY TOTAL.
THE SUMMARY TOTAL AT THE BOTTOM NOW SAYS THAT PURSUANT TO THIS [NOISE] THAT THE REVISION IN FUNDING IS SHOWN IN THE FUNDING SUMMARY REVISION WAS AUTHORIZED BY ACT 5 OF THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF STATE CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDS TOTALING 8,440,000 IN CASH PRIORITY 1, $7,671,600 LINE OF CREDIT, PRIORITY 5 FOR THE BENEFIT OF JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE GRETNA GOVERNMENT COMPLEX, PARKING LOT, PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION, AND IT'S HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED.
TODAY, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL RELEASED HER ANNUAL REPORT.
AGAIN IN HER ANNUAL REPORT, ACTUALLY I'D LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION REGARDING THE PUBLIC LETTER REGARDING THIS MONEY IN THIS PROJECT OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, IF I COULD. MS. CHATELAIN, MY QUESTION TO YOU IS ONE, ARE YOU AWARE AND DO YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS PROJECT SUBJECT TO YOUR PUBLIC LETTER IS ALSO RELATED DIRECTLY TO THIS CAPITAL FUNDING OUTLAY? ARE YOU AWARE OF THAT?
>> SIR, NUMBER 1, I PUBLISHED MY ANNUAL REPORT WHICH I'M OBLIGATED TO PUBLISH BY MARCH 31ST,
[01:55:03]
AND THE PURPOSE OF THAT REPORT.MY OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE IS TO REPORT THE DETAILS OF MY WORK IN 2024.
MY OBLIGATION IS TO INCLUDE ANY SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES THAT HAPPENED IN 2024.
NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE PUBLIC LETTER THAT WAS ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER WAS A SIGNIFICANT REPORT THAT CAME OUT OF THE OFFICE AND SO THAT WAS INCLUDED AS THE ONE OF TWO PUBLIC LETTERS PUBLISHED IN 2024 AND CAPTURED IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I HAVE BEEN CAUTIONED AND ADMONISHED BY THIS COMMISSION BY THIS COUNSEL NOT TO SPEAK ON ANY MATTERS OR TO DELIVER MY OPINION ON ANY MATTERS THAT MIGHT BE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION OR AUDIT OR CONSIDERATION.
PRESENTLY, WE HAVE TWO ANNOUNCED AUDITS.
ONE OF THOSE IS TO JEFFERSON FACILITIES INC AND JEFFERSON REDEVELOPMENT INC. THOSE ARE TWO ANNOUNCED AUDITS.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ALSO HAVE AN ANNOUNCED REVIEW OF THE LEASE AND THE SCOPE OF THAT IS LIMITED TO THE LEASE.
AS I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION, YOU'RE ASKING ME WHETHER I HAVE AN APPRECIATION OR AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF TOTALLY WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE CAPITAL OUTLAY AT THE STATE.
I WILL TELL YOU PROFESSIONALLY, I HAVE LOOKED AT WHAT THE CAPITAL OUTLAY MEANS AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT I CANNOT ANSWER YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTION BECAUSE IT WOULD BE LEADING TO AN OPINION ABOUT SOMETHING THAT ARE ALREADY EITHER ANNOUNCED OR STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION AND I'M NOT GOING TO STEP ON THAT LANDMINE AGAIN.
>> IS THIS UNDER INVESTIGATION?
>> WHAT I ANNOUNCE TO YOU ARE ANNOUNCED AUDIT.
WHAT YOU'RE QUESTIONING ME IS WHETHER I HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF CAPITAL OUTLAY.
I HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF CAPITAL OUTLAY.
I'M NOT GOING TO RELATE IT TO THE MERITS OF ANY OF THE WORK THAT I DO.
I WILL NOT BE MAKING AN OPINION OR MAKING PUBLIC STATEMENTS ABOUT ANYTHING THAT IS NOT ALREADY PUBLISHED. PERIOD.
>> SO YOUR PUBLIC LETTER THAT YOU JUST SUMMARIZED AGAIN.
YOU SUMMARIZED IT AGAIN AND IT'S FACTUALLY INCORRECT AGAIN BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN, IN 2024 WHEN WE TOLD YOU, THIS IS PART OF A MUCH BIGGER CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECT.
THE HYPER FOCUS OF YOUR ATTENTION ON ONE PORTION OF THE PROJECT DOESN'T SHOW THE WHOLE PROJECT TO THE PUBLIC.
YOU MAKE CONCLUSIONS IN YOUR PUBLIC LETTER THAT WE ARE SPENDING MONEY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A SINGLE BUSINESS.
YOU'RE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THAT IS THE LOCAL MATCH FOR A $28 MILLION PROJECT.
WHEN YOU SUGGEST THAT WE ARE ONLY BENEFITING BY BUILDING THE COMMERCIAL LEASABLE SPACE, A SINGLE BUSINESS, THAT IS INCORRECT AND THAT IS YOUR OPINION.
I WANT TO KNOW SO THAT I CAN HAVE IT ON THE RECORD.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROJECT IS PART OF A CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUEST? THAT'S THE QUESTION.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS PART OF A MUCH BIGGER CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUEST WHICH REQUIRES A LOCAL MATCH. YOU UNDERSTAND?
>> WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROCESS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT APPLICATIONS ARE MADE FOR CAPITAL OUTLAY AND I UNDERSTAND THAT CONDITIONS ARE FOR A LOCAL MATCH FOR ANY AND ALL CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS.
BUT I WILL NOT ENGAGE IN A DEBATE WITH YOU ABOUT THE SCOPE OF THE PUBLIC LETTER OR THE CONCLUSIONS REACHED IN THE PUBLIC LETTER.
I WILL RESPECT YOUR OPINIONS ABOUT THE PUBLIC LETTER AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL RESPECT THE BOUNDARIES THAT I'M TRYING TO KEEP.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER HERE, I'M PLEASED TO SIT DOWN YOU WITH MR. MARINO FOR AS LONG AS YOU OCCUPY THAT SEAT, I PROMISE TO MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO YOU AT YOUR CONVENIENCE TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF THIS PUBLIC LETTER, TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF THE CAPITOL OUTLAY.
I'M AWARE OF THE VIDEO THAT YOU RECENTLY MADE.
I'M AWARE OF THE DETAILS THAT YOU'RE PROVIDING ABOUT CAPITAL OUTLAY.
I RESPECT YOUR PASSION AND YOUR EFFORTS TO GO SECURE THAT MONEY.
I DO HAVE QUESTIONS, AND I HAVE A DESIRE FOR A GREATER UNDERSTANDING.
I HOPE WHEN I REACH OUT TO YOUR OFFICE THAT YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE TO ME TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THESE MATTERS, I WILL NOT DISCUSS THIS MATTER PUBLICLY.
>> YOU WRITE WRITE A PUBLIC LETTER.
I'LL LET YOU FINISH, BUT I NEED TO INTERRUPT RIGHT HERE.
YOU TOOK YOUR 35 PAGE PUBLIC LETTER IN YOUR ANNUAL REPORT AND YOU RE-SUMMARIZED IT AGAIN RIGHT HERE.
THIS PAGE IS YOUR SUMMARY OF YOUR 35 PAGE LETTER, IS THAT CORRECT?
[02:00:04]
IS THAT FAIR? THIS IS YOUR SUMMARY OF WHAT THIS IS.>> BECAUSE THAT IS MY OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO REPORT ON ALL OF MY WORK.
EVERY REPORT THAT WE PUBLISHED IS SUMMARIZED IN THERE.
THE NUMBER OF OUR OPEN CASES AND CLOSED CASES ARE SUMMARIZED IN MY ANNUAL REPORT.
THAT IS AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT I'M REQUIRED TO ISSUE EVERY YEAR THAT SUMMARIZES MY WORK.
BUT I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY MORE QUESTIONS OPENLY FROM A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WHO JUST CAME DOWN ON ME LAST YEAR FOR SPEAKING ABOUT THE WORK OF THE OFFICE.
SO PLEASE RESPECT MY BOUNDARIES.
I RESPECTED YOUR INVITATION THAT I COME UP HERE.
BECAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO SIT BACK DOWN THERE AND NOT COME UP AND RESPECT YOUR INVITATION, BUT PLEASE RESPECT MY BOUNDARIES SIR.
>> WELL, LET ME TALK ABOUT YOUR BOUNDARIES WHILE YOU GO.
>> LET'S MOVE ON, IF SHE'S NOT GOING TO GO TO PARTICIPATE.
>> SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO PARTICIPATE FOR ME TO COMMENT THAT THE PROBLEM WE HAD WITH YOUR PUBLIC LETTER IS THAT YOU DID NOT GIVE ANY OF THE PARTIES THAT THE ACCUSATIONS ARE MADE TOWARDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REBUT IT, TO RESPOND IN WRITING.
MY OPINION IS THAT WHEN YOU RE SUMMARIZE IT AGAIN, CONTAIN ALL THE WRONG INFORMATION AGAIN AND DO NOT INCLUDE ANY INFORMATION IN REBUTTAL THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED YOU IN PUBLIC FORUMS OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO REFUTE THAT THIS IS WRONG, YOU ARE MISLEADING THE PUBLIC.
THIS REWORDING IN HERE HAS NEW ALLEGATIONS IN IT.
DID YOU GIVE ANYONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO IT IN WRITING 30 DAYS LIKE YOU'RE REQUIRED TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A REPORT WITH FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS.
DID YOU DO THAT? THE ANSWER IS NO.
YOU REDID IT AGAIN, DIDN'T GIVE ANYONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REBUT IT AND THAT'S WHY I FEEL THE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE THIS IS NOT CONTAINED IN HERE AND YOU ARE MISLEADING THE PUBLIC.
THAT IS WHY I HAD TO TAKE UP THIS TIME RIGHT NOW.
>> HI, COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN HAS SOMETHING TO ADD.
>> AGAIN, I DID NOT INTEND TO SPEAK ON THIS, AND I'M ALWAYS CAUTIOUS BECAUSE WE HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON SOME OF WHAT IS BEING DISCUSSED NOW.
I ACTUALLY APPRECIATE COUNSELMAN MARINO WHEN I ASKED YOU ABOUT THIS ITEM LAST NIGHT, YOU GAVE ME A A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THIS ITEM IS ACTUALLY DOING, HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS ITEM.
INSOFAR AS THE DISCUSSION THAT YOU ARE ADMONISHING OUR INSPECTOR GENERAL ON RIGHT NOW ABOUT YOUR PERCEPTION THAT SHE CONTINUES TO PUT FORWARD FACTS THAT YOU DO NOT THINK ARE CORRECT.
I'M GOING TO AS THIS JUMPING OFF POINT SAY, AND I LOVE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR, JOE, BUT THIS IS THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK.
I GET AN EMAIL FROM OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE EARLIER THIS WEEK SAYING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REVIVE THE IDEA OF A DISTRICT BY DISTRICT VIDEO, WHICH I LIKE VERY MUCH AND WAS HONORED TO DO ONE OF THOSE VIDEOS WHEN I SERVED IN DISTRICT 5 WITH SARAH, WHO IS A FORMER COLLEAGUE OF OURS.
WHEN I WATCHED THE VIDEO THAT IS ON OUR JEFF PARISH.GOV WEBSITE RIGHT NOW, COUNCILMEN, WHICH YOU PUT FORWARD AS USING OUR PUBLIC CHANNELS AND TO PUT OUT THERE IT'S, IN MY OPINION, JUST AS YOU HAVE OPINIONS, IT IN MY OPINION, MISLEADS THE PUBLIC AND STATES FACTS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS CHAMBER CLARIFIED AND YET YOU CONTINUE TO REPEAT THINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE.
I DON'T WANT TO PULL IT ALL APART, BUT I'M GOING TO ASK IN LIGHT OF THIS DISCUSSION, THAT THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE AND OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND OUR PARISH PRESIDENT'S OFFICE AND OUR PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
GO AHEAD AND REVIEW THAT VIDEO FOR FACTUAL ACCURACY, BECAUSE WHEN WE CONTINUE TO PUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC THAT IT IS ARPA FUNDS, BUT WHEN OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR HAS CONTINUED TO SAY ARPA FUNDS WERE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR PAYROLL AND WE HAVE REPORTED THAT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE DOCUMENTED THAT IN THIS CHAMBER, YOUR VIDEO SAYS, WE USED ARPA FUNDS.
WHEN YOU SAY, ARPA DEMANDED AND REQUIRED TO USE THOSE MONIES ON TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS, WHEN BEFORE YOUR TIME ON THE COUNCIL WE KNOW THERE WAS A GROUP THAT CAME TOGETHER AS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUGGESTED THAT THOSE ARPA FUNDS BE USED ON TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS, BUT IT IS NOWHERE IN
[02:05:01]
THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS OF ARPA FUNDS WHICH WE'RE NOT USING ON THIS ANYWAY, BUT THOSE THINGS ARE NOT FACTUALLY ACCURATE IN A PIECE OF VIDEO THAT WE HAVE ON JEFFPARISH.GOV RIGHT NOW.IF WE ARE GOING TO ADMONISH SOMEONE ABOUT FACTUAL ACCURACY, THEN I AM REQUESTING THAT THE VIDEO BE TAKEN DOWN, PROVED FOR FACTUAL ACCURACY BECAUSE WE HAVE ALREADY PROVEN THAT SOME OF WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THERE IS NOT ACCURATE.
WE CAN ALL HAVE OUR OPINIONS AND IN THE WORLD OF OPINIONS, WE CAN STATE THOSE AND STAND ON THEM.
BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO DEBATE FACTS, THEN WE NEED TO BE ACCURATE IN ALL RESPECTS IN THE IG'S REPORT AND IN THE VIDEOS THAT OUR DEPARTMENTS AND JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT IS PUTTING FORWARD.
YOU KNOW IT'S ARPA FUNDS AND I EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO MANSPLAIN IT TO ME. GO AHEAD.
>> I'M MANSPLAINING IT TO YOU.
I'M RESPONDING TO WHAT YOU SAID.
YOU KNOW AS WELL AS EVERYONE ELSE THAT THE ARPA MONEY CAME DOWN, AND IT WENT THROUGH PAYROLL DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME NOW I'D SAY WE, BECAUSE I WASN'T ON THE COUNCIL WHEN THE MONEY CAME IN, BUT YOU KNOW THAT THE SOURCE OF THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF FUNDS THAT YOU GOT TO DO ON YOUR PROJECT IN YOUR DISTRICT CAME FROM ARPA.
IT CAME THROUGH ARPA AND WE PUT IT INTO PAYROLL SO WE COULD USE IT IN TIMELY FASHION.
BUT THEN THERE WAS A DECISION MADE THAT EACH DISTRICT, BECAUSE OF THAT MONEY WE SAVE FROM PAY ROLL WOULD GET MONEY TO SPEND ON TRANSFORMATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WHICH IS WHAT ARPA WANTS.
THEN EACH DISTRICT GOT $12.5 MILLION.
WHEN I SAY IT'S ARPA MONEY, THAT IS THE SOURCE OF THE MONEY THAT TRICKLE DOWN TO WHERE WE USED IT.
IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT OUT THAT IT'S NOT ARPA FUNDS, FEEL FREE, IF I SAID IT'S REQUIRED, THAT'S A MISTAKE, LET'S CHANGE THE WORD.
WE'RE TAKING THE DISTRICT MONEY THAT ULTIMATELY CAME FROM ARPA AND WE'RE USING IT FOR AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
HOWEVER, TELL ME ANOTHER PART OF IT THAT IS INCORRECT ABOUT HOW THIS IS A STATE CAPITAL OUTLET PROJECT, WHERE WE'RE ONLY PAYING FOR PART OF IT.
THIS PAGE RIGHT HERE THAT SHE SUMMARIZED AGAIN SAYS THAT WE MIGHT BE SPENDING OBLIGATED $23.3 MILLION.
IT SAYS THAT THE PROCESS WAS INTENTIONALLY CIRCUMVENTED TO AVOID THE PUBLIC BID LAW.
IT'S A CMR CONTRACT WHICH YOU KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE AS WELL.
THIS HAS A BUNCH OF COMPLETELY RIDICULOUSLY WRONG INFORMATION, AND IT GOT REPEATED AGAIN IN SUMMARY AS PART OF HER ANNUAL REPORT AND I TAKE OFFENSE TO THIS.
IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO INCLUDE WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM, THEN I'M GOING TO HELP AND REMIND HER AND TELL HER ABOUT IT. THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING.
>> AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR. IT'S NOT A DEBATE.
RESPECTFULLY, I TOTALLY AGREE AND SO WHAT I WILL DO IS, AGAIN, I WILL ASK THAT WE CLARIFY SOME OF WHAT IS IN THE VIDEO BECAUSE I WAS HERE AT THE TIME WHEN WE CHOSE TO UTILIZE ARPA FUNDS FOR PAY ROLL.
WHEN WE SWAPPED OUT GENERAL FUNDS IN A COMMENSURATE AMOUNT, AND THOSE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS ARE USED.
I REMEMBER READING THROUGH THE RULES THAT CAME DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGARDING ARPA FUNDS, AND NOWHERE IN THERE IS TRANSFORMATIONAL THAT STEMMED FROM OUR COMMITTEE AND SO TO THE EXTENT THAT THOSE ARE NOT FACTUALLY ACCURATE, THEY SHOULD BE CORRECTED.
>> I THINK EVERYBODY'S MADE THEIR POINT. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE TO ADMIT, WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I AGREE WITH YOU THE SOURCE OF THE FUNDING WAS THE ARPA FUNDS.
I DON'T THINK IT'S MISLEADING AT ALL, OR IN SOME INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING THE PUBLIC INTO THINKING THERE WAS A DIFFERENT SOURCE OF THE FUNDING.
I THINK YOU'RE SPOT ON WITH THAT.
AM I WEARING RED AND MAROON, IT'S A MATTER OF OPINION.
THE SOURCE OF IT WAS THE ARPA FUNDS.
WHAT I AM DISAPPOINTED IN, THOUGH, WAS RECEIVING THIS REPORT LAST NIGHT, AND OUR IG JUST SAID, WELL, I'M NOT ABLE TO GET UP HERE AND SPEAK BECAUSE THE WAY THE NUANCE IS WRITTEN, AND THAT WAS DONE INTENTIONALLY SO THAT SHE COULDN'T SPEAK UNTIL A PROPER REPORT WAS DONE AND THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL SIDES TO GIVE A REBUTTAL.
UNFORTUNATELY, COUNCILMAN MARINO IS RIGHT.
I GET THIS REPORT, HAD SHE SAID, THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS I DID THIS YEAR, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE.
[02:10:03]
REGURGITATES WHAT APPEARS TO BE VERY MISLEADING FACTUAL ACCUSATIONS.SHE LITERALLY SAYS IN HERE THAT IT WAS WITH AN INTENT TO DECEIVE THE PUBLIC AND THAT IT RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SPENDING OF, I WANT TO READ EXACTLY HOW IT SAYS IT.
HERE IT IS. THAT WE'VE EXPENDING FUNDS WITH NO RETURN ON ACCOUNTABILITY, THAT THE JPOIG HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIPS OF PUBLIC RESOURCES AND COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAWS.
SHE'S AGAIN, ACCUSING THESE PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS AND THE PARISH OF DOING SOMETHING THAT IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW.
YOU DON'T GET TO DO THAT, MADAM.
YOU GET TO DO IT AFTER YOUR REPORT'S DONE.
THE WHOLE REASON WE WENT THROUGH THIS EXERCISE LAST YEAR WAS SO THAT YOU WOULDN'T ISSUE REPORTS BEFORE THEY WERE COMPLETELY VETTED, AND BEFORE EVERYONE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND.
I AGREE WITH THE COUNCILMAN, IF YOU DON'T THINK THAT THIS, YOUR ANNUAL REPORT IS ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO THROW SOME MUD AT A PROJECT THAT YOU JUST CLEARLY DON'T SUPPORT, YOU DON'T GET TO DO THAT.
IF YOU HAD SUMMARIZED THAT YOU HAD TO ISSUE A PUBLIC LETTER, AND IT HAD JUST BEEN THIS CAPTION ON ALL YOUR OTHER THINGS, YOU JUST BULLET POINT THINGS, MOST OF IT HAS LISTS LIKE THIS, BUT ON THIS PARTICULAR PUBLIC LETTER, YOU HAVE TO GIVE A WHOLE DETAILED HISTORY AND HOW YOU'RE STILL FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT AND TRYING TO AVOID THE DECEITFULNESS THAT IS APPARENTLY HAPPENING IN THE PARISH THAT YOU HAVE NOT INVESTIGATED AND TALKED TO WITNESSES ABOUT.
YOU DON'T GET TO DO THAT. THAT'S WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO AVOID LAST YEAR.
I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I READ THIS.
I THOUGHT THAT WE HAD REACHED A REALLY GOOD PLACE LAST YEAR IN THE BEGINNING OF IT WHERE YOU TALK ABOUT WHERE YOU ATTACKED THE COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION ABOUT HOW WE FORCED YOU INTO THIS DISAGREEMENT, AND YOU GO ON WITH THIS WHOLE HISTORY ABOUT HOW WE'VE TRIED TO SILENCE YOU, WHICH IS JUST TOTALLY UNFAIR AND INACCURATE, AS WELL.
THEN IT ENDS WITH ONE SENTENCE THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WORKED IT OUT.
WELL, THAT WAS NICE, BUT I THOUGHT, WELL, THAT'S NOT VERY COMPLIMENTARY OF YOU TO DO IT THAT WAY.
BUT THEN WHEN I GOT TO THE PUBLIC LETTER PART, I THOUGHT, OH, MY GOSH, HERE SHE IS AGAIN.
COUNCILMAN MARINO AND I HAVE NOT SPOKEN ABOUT THIS, BUT I HAD THE SAME GUT REACTION.
OUR ETHICS COMMISSION IS GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY ARE GOING TO SUPPORT AN IG THAT CONSISTENTLY THUMPS HER NOSE AT THE LAW, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.
WE REWROTE THAT ORDINANCE, WE REWROTE IT WITH YOU, AND YET STILL, HERE WE ARE AGAIN, WITH YOU JUST INACCURATELY REPORTING AND PUTTING IT IN YOUR ANNUAL REPORT FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING.
>> COUNCILMAN MARINO, YOUR MOTION ON 61.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN MARINO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THAT TAKES US TO NUMBER 85 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO ADVERTISE FOR THE SUBMISSIONS OF STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS, INCLUDING FEE SCHEDULES FROM PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED IN PROVIDING A REVIEW AND REVISION OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH PERMITTING AND PLANNING ORDINANCES AND THE AMENDMENT IS TO REMOVE THE WORD PLANNING FROM THE WHOLE RESOLUTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED 89 NOW ON THE ITEM AGENDA, PLEASE.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, BACK TO YOU, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBE ADOPTION OF ITEMS ONE THROUGH 27 -15, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE, EXCEPT FOR PULLING OUT 15 AND 16.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH 27, -15, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED, AND 16, WHICH WILL ALSO BE AMENDED.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED ITEM 15, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND EAG GULF COAST, LLC TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS AND OR DISTRICTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH HAS ASSIGNED
[02:15:02]
ON AS A NEEDED BASIS BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $149,000 FOR ONE YEAR, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE IN SECTION 2, TO READ THE FOLLOWING THAT ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CHARGED AS FOLLOWS, $49,667 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 1001 0001 0306 7322 COUNCIL AT LARGE A GENERAL FUND AUDIT FEES, $49,667 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 44530 4007 7322 4532 5712, COUNCIL AT LARGE B, CDIA, GENERAL FUND AUDIT FEES AND $49,667 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 44530 4007 7322 4532 5224, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, CDIA GENERAL FUND AUDITS, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS TO BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
LET'S GO TO NUMBER 90, SPECIAL DISTRICTS.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND ST. JOSEPH'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH TO PROVIDE A COMFORT STATION RUSHROOM FACILITY FOR CHILI COOK OFF ON MARCH 22ND, 2025, A RECREATIONAL EVENT THAT WILL BENEFIT THE CITIZENS OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE, IN THE PREAMBLE, TO ADD THAT ONE ATV TO BE DRIVEN BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES AND THE FOURTH, WHEREAS, TO READ, PARISH WOULD LIKE TO ALLOW ORGANIZATION TO USE A COMFORT STATION RUSHROOM FACILITY AND ONE ATV TO BE DRIVEN BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES AT NO COST FOR THE CHILI COOK OFF.
SECTION 1 SHOULD READ THAT THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND THE ST. JOSEPH ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN GRETNA, LOUISIANA, TO PROVIDE A COMFORT STATION RUSHROOM FACILITY, ONE ATV TO BE DRIVEN BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE JEFFERSON PARIS DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHILI COOK OFF ON MARCH 22ND, 2025, A RECREATIONAL EVENT THAT WILL BENEFIT THE CITIZENS OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON IS HEREBY APPROVED TO REMOVE SECTION 2 THAT READ THAT THERE ARE NO DIRECT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND TO CHANGE SECTION 3 TO SECTION 2 AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN MARINO, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS.
THE MOTION OF COUNCILMAN MARINO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, COUNCILMAN MARINO, YOUR MOTION.
OVERALL. THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED? MOTION OF COUNCILMAN MARINO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THAT TAKES US UP TO NUMBER 90 IN SPECIAL DISTRICTS, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT AND JOSEPH P LA PINTO III IN HIS CAPACITY AS SHERIFF OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO REIMBURSE SALARY EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE 911 COMMUNICATION AID DISPATCH CENTER OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
LET ME ASK HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HERE TO SPEAK AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
CAN WE GET A SHOW OF HANDS, PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO SPEAK? LET'S DO IT NOW. IF IT WAS GOING TO BE TOO MANY, WE DO IT AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE CAN GET IT IN RIGHT BEFORE THAT.
NOW WE DON'T HAVE ANY NEW BUSINESS, NO STATUS REPORTS.
WE'LL GO TO PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS.
[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]
ANY ITEM THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA.PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD TO MAKE SURE YOU FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD. COME ON DOWN.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL. A FUNNY NOTE HERE AS WE GET OLDER IN AGE, THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS GOING TO SPEAK HAS RUSHED TO THE RESTROOM.
HOPEFULLY, HE'LL BE BACK BECAUSE HE'S BEEN HERE FOR A FEW MINUTES.
ACTUALLY, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON THE BICENTENNIAL, AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS GOING ON WITH THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY, AND WE'LL START WITH GIVING YOU A QUICK UPDATE ON THAT.
[02:20:02]
IN HARRAHAN, I RECENTLY MET WITH THE MAYOR AND THE ITALIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, DC.THEY'RE DEDICATING A PARK OF HEROES, WHICH HAS THREE ITALIANS IN THAT PARK.
THE WEST BANK HAS A GOLF TOURNAMENT COMING UP, AND I WILL BE PART OF THE ROST COMMITTEE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BILLY NONDESER.
THAT'S IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS IN APRIL.
THE IRISH ITALIAN PARADE IS THIS WEEKEND.
THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION.
WE ARE LOOKING TO A REALLY BIG PARADE.
WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN FROM AROUND THE NATION.
WE'VE TRIED TO MAKE THIS A NATIONAL EVENT.
THE SONS OF ITALY, THE FUTURE ITALIAN LEADERS OF AMERICA ARE COMING.
WE LAST WEEK, THE LYNCHING MARKERS UP IN NEW ORLEANS, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING TO PUT HISTORICAL MARKERS IN JEFFERSON PARISH MOVING FORWARD.
THAT'S GETTING A LOT OF GREAT ATTENTION.
WE'RE ALSO WORKING ON A MOVIE RIGHT NOW THAT I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN BONANO BECAUSE WE HAD THE FILM FESTIVAL LAST YEAR WAS A BIG HIT.
WE HAD PEOPLE COME IN FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY FOR THAT EVENT.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE ANOTHER FILM RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE SICILIANS AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH HELPING GENERAL PATTON IN WORLD WAR II, AND ACTUALLY THE LOUISIANA MANEUVERS THAT HAPPENED HERE.
THE OTHER THING THAT I'M GOING TO MOVE ON TO IS OBVIOUSLY WEST END IS COMING UP, AND I'VE BEEN VERY INTERESTED IN THAT SO WE'VE HAD MEETINGS ON THAT.
I WANT TO SHOW THIS IS THE PARK WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE 100 YEARS AGO.
LAKE SHORE PARK IS THE PROPER NAME OF IT.
THE NEXT SLIDE I HAVE HERE SHOWS IT AS A ROSE GARDEN.
IN THE 30S, WPA PUT IN A ROSE GARDEN IN THERE.
THAT LASTED UNTIL AROUND THE 1960S.
THIS LITTLE MAP HERE IS ANOTHER DEAL, YOU CAN SEE THE JEFFERSON PARISH RESTAURANTS HERE THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING MOVING INTO THE PARK.
THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF THE DEBATE IS RIGHT NOW.
DO WE CONVERT THE PARK INTO MORE COMMERCIAL?
>> YES. THIS SLIDE HERE, THERE WAS A POLL DONE AT THE LAST MEETINGS.
WE'VE ACTUALLY HAD A POLL, AND YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IT ON BONTA NEIGHBORHOODS, AND REALLY ABOUT 93% OF THE PEOPLE WANT TO KEEP THE OAK TREES THAT ARE IN THE PARK UP, BECAUSE WE HAVE WILDLIFE IN THOSE TREES THAT EAGLES, PELICANS, OTHER BIRDS IN THERE.
WHEN WE DID A SURVEY OF 250 PEOPLE, PRIMARILY, WE SAW PEOPLE WANTING TO KEEP THOSE TREES IN PLACE.
FOUR SURVEYS HAVE BEEN DONE ALREADY.
RIGHT NOW, HRNA IS DOING ANOTHER SURVEY.
BUT THE PREVIOUS SURVEYS CAME BACK SAYING, DUE TO THE SATURATION OF RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, AND JEFFERSON PARISH INVOLVEMENT, NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT IF THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY SURPLUS OF FUNDS BY THE DEVELOPMENT.
WHAT I HAVE HERE IN THESE IS THIS IS A PICTURE OF A COUPLE OF THE EAGLES HANGING OUT ON THE PILINS AND WE'VE GOT PEOPLE RIGHT NOW THAT ARE WORKING INTERESTED IN GETTING GRANTS TO HELP DEVELOP THIS WILDLIFE PRESERVE, WHICH IS ALSO HOME TO ABOUT 250 PELICANS DURING PELICAN SEASON.
>> THAT'S YOUR TIME, MR MARSALO.
IT'S THE EAGLE SITTING ON THE TOWER AT THE COAST GUARD STATION. THANK YOU.
>> MR MARSALO. I GOT ONE REQUEST.
THAT'S THE ITALIAN GRAND MARSHAL, YOU NEED TO GET WITH YOUR IRISH GRAND MARSHAL.
YOU'LL NEED TO PRACTICE YOUR DANCE BEFORE FRIDAY NIGHT A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN LAST NIGHT, OKAY? YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT FOR ME?
>> I GOT TO SAY I WAS GETTING A LITTLE DIZZY LAST NIGHT.
I WILL WORK ON THAT AND TAKE SOME LESSONS.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, MR. GRAND MARSHAL FROM, I THINK, THREE PREVIOUS ITALIAN GRAND MARSHALS UP HERE.
>> HARD TO CONVINCE ANYBODY THAT'S ITALIAN, BUT IT'S TRUE.
>> YES, MY NAME IS RICHARD CARRIER, AND I WORKED AT THE NATURE CENTER WITH BOB THOMAS FOR OVER 10 YEARS.
I WAS IN CHARGE OF THE GROUNDS, ARBOR DAY.
ALSO, I BROUGHT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY INTO THE STATE OF LOUISIANA FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WE PRESERVED THE WHITE KITCHEN WETLANDS THAT'S IN ST. TAMMANY PARISH, BUT IT WAS PART OF A MITIGATION PROJECT WITH ORLEANS PARISH.
BUT ANYHOW, I WANT TO GET ON TOPIC REGARDING THE ISSUE.
I WANT TO GIVE GREAT THANKS TO COUNCILWOMAN JENNIFER VAN VRANCKEN, BECAUSE I TOTALLY LOVE THE BUCK TOWN HARBOR PROJECT AND DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S MY FAVORITE WALK IN MY LIFE THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR OF MY LIFE TO GO OUT THERE.
>> I ALSO WANT TO THANK HANS BECAUSE HE IS MY REPRESENTATIVE, AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYWHERE WHERE THEY KEEP WATER DRAINS MORE OPEN THAN WHERE I LIVE IN METAIRIE, BECAUSE WE GET A LOT OF RAIN, AND WE GOT TO REMOVE THAT WATER, BUT THEY'RE ON IT.
MY TOPIC IS REGARDING THE PROJECT WITH BUCKTOWN HARBOR.
I HAVEN'T MUCH EXPERIENCE WITH WILDERNESS, LOVE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF THE PENINSULA.
YET, IT'S STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER
[02:25:02]
GONE THERE EXCEPT PERHAPS TO WALK THEIR PIT BULLS OR IF THEY'RE A FISHERMAN, THEY WANT TO SEE IF THE SHRIMP ARE IN, BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE SHRIMP BOATS COMING IN.I WANT WEST END PARK TO BE IN HARMONY WITH BUCKTOWN HARBOR IN THAT WILDERNESS ASPECT OF BUCKTOWN HARBOR.
WHEN I WALKED TO THE END OF THE POINT, WHICH I DID JUST THIS PAST SUNDAY, IT WAS PROBABLY SOMEWHAT LIKE BEING OUT IN A SAILBOAT IN A STIFF WIND.
I HAD THAT EXHILARATING EXPERIENCE OF THE WIND IN THE WAVES IN THE FROTH OF THE WATER, AND I COULD SEE THE BIRDS STRUGGLE IN THE LAND ON THOSE PILINGS OVER ON THE WEST END SIDE.
THAT HAS BECOME A REFUGE FOR MANY BIRDS TO REST AND OVERNIGHT, INCLUDING PELICANS, WHICH ARE NOW IN THEIR NESTING LOCATION ON THE COAST, ON BARRY ISLANDS, BUT THEY WILL RETURN.
WHEN WE DRIVE OVER LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN, YOU'LL SEE THEM.
IN ORDER TO HAVE HARMONY, I FEEL LIKE THE BALUSTRADE SHOULD BE PRESERVED.
THAT LINE OF INITIAL LIVE OAK TREES ARE HISTORIC IN THE NATURE, AND THEY ACTUALLY SHOW RESILIENCE.
THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL. WHEN I LOOK OUT FROM THAT POINT, I SEE THOSE OAK TREES, THEN I CAN LOOK A LITTLE BIT TO RIGHT AND SEE THE PUMPING STATION, WHICH IS A SPECIAL DESIGN BECAUSE OF OUR UNIQUE SITUATION OF BEING BELOW SEA LEVEL.
ALL OF THAT WORKS TOGETHER AS PART OF OUR HERITAGE AND HISTORY AND OUR RESILIENCE.
I WANT TO SEE THOSE TREES PRESERVED.
I WANT TO SEE THE REFUGE PRESERVED AS FAR AS THE POLLENS.
EVENTUALLY, EAGLES MAY ACTUALLY MAKE A NEST ON TOP OF THE TOWER BY THE PUMPING STATION.
THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE AT MARCONI, WHICH I WENT AND OBSERVED THEM YESTERDAY.
IT WAS PHENOMENAL. WHEN I HEARD THAT THE WHITE KITCHEN PRESERVED TIME.
>> IT'S TIME, SIR. THAT'S YOUR TIME'S UP.
>> BUT MAYBE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER NARRATING NATURE DOCUMENTARIES. YOU GOT ME FIRED UP IN THERE.
>> I HAVE A LITTLE ONE THAT I DID WITH CHARLES.
>> YOU CAN SEE IT. I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THAT.
[LAUGHTER] I MET HIM AT THAT POINT.
HE HAD NEVER BEEN THERE TO THE END OF THE PENINSULA, AND HE JUST TOOK OUT HIS CAMERA.
I'M THERE. YOU CAN FIND ME ON FACEBOOK.
>> I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU BECAUSE I THINK THE REASON WE ALL SERVE IS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY AND THE PLACE WHERE WE LIVE.
BUCKTOWN HARBOR IS ABSOLUTELY MY MOST FAVORITE PROJECT THAT I'VE GOTTEN TO WORK ON, AND I KNOW IT'S IN GOOD HANDS WITH COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.
HE HAS ALREADY PARTICIPATED IN FINALIZING THE KAYAK LAUNCH.
HE'S WORKING ON STILL THE, WHAT ARE THEY? KITE BOARDERS, WIND SURFERS IN THAT PART.
THEN A GRAND PAVILION, WHICH ACTUALLY REFLECTS THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF OLD WEST END.
IT IS IN GOOD HANDS, AND THANK YOU FOR JUST PUTTING IT TO USE.
>> I HAPPENED TO NOTICE WE HAD A BIG WATER QUALITY ISSUE ON FEBRUARY 25TH.
IT WAS REALLY BAD IN MOST OF THE LOCATIONS.
I'M GLAD THAT THE CONSERVANCY HAS TAKEN THOSE MEASUREMENTS.
BUT I NOTICED THE 17TH STREET CANAL WAS NOT INCLUDED.
WHEN I GO KAYAKING, I GET MY HANDS WET.
ON OCCASION, I'VE TURNED OVER.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW AND TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN LOOK IT UP ON THEIR MOBILE PHONE.
>> THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT SURVEY.
>> ANYONE ELSE SPEAK ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA? HERE AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
I DIDN'T EVEN SEE YOU STANDING RIGHT THERE, SIR.
GO AHEAD AND STEP UP. I WAS LOOKING OUT IN THE AUDIENCE.
PULL THE MICROPHONE TOWARDS YOU A LITTLE BIT.
>> I WOULD ENDORSE THE COMMENTS OF THE LAST TWO SPEAKERS.
I WANTED TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED CONSECRATION OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN WEST END PARK.
NORMALLY, WHEN THERE'S A PROPOSAL BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY CONCERNING PUBLIC LANDS, THERE ARE PROCEDURES THAT INVOLVE PROFESSIONAL STUDIES AND PUBLIC INPUT.
ALL THIS CAN BE POSTED ONLINE FOR THE REVIEW AND EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC.
THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE WITH WEST END PARK.
THERE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AS TO WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR STUDIES, PERHAPS FIVE IN THE LAST 19 YEARS.
NEW YORK ASSOCIATES IN 2006, PEREZ IN 2012, DANA BROWN IN 2017.
THE FINAL STUDY WAS HACKETT GROUP IN 2022.
WITH ONE EXCEPTION, I CANNOT FIND ONLINE WHAT THESE STUDIES RECOMMENDED.
MORE IMPORTANT, I CANNOT FIND OUT HOW MUCH EACH ONE COST.
[02:30:02]
MAYBE 20,000, MAYBE 200,000, JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THERE.TO BE ADDED TO THE COST OF THESE STUDIES, ARE THE HOURS THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE STAFF SPEND ON WEST END MATTERS.
PERHAPS THESE STUDIES AND PERSONNEL COSTS ADD UP TO A HALF A MILLION OR PERHAPS A MILLION TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
ALL THESE DOLLARS AND EFFORTS TOWARD THE PREDETERMINED GOAL OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN WEST END PARK.
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS IN RECENT WEEKS.
AT NEITHER ONE WAS ANY WRITTEN INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC ON THESE COSTS OR THESE STUDIES.
ALSO, THERE'S NO EMAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS.
BOTH OF THESE MEETINGS IN SUCH AN UNCOMMON FORMAT, IN MY OPINION, IT WAS JUST FOR A SHOW, A CHARADE.
AS FOR THE PARK ITSELF, IT WAS CREATED BY ABOUT 1915 OR 1920.
YOU GET DIFFERENT NUMBERS, ABOUT 100 YEARS AGO.
ABOUT HALF OF THOSE YEARS, THE SPACE WAS A PUBLIC PARK.
FOR THE SECOND HALF, THE SPACE IS USED FOR PARKING, STORAGE AND AS A JUNK YARD.
IT'S EXTREMELY MISLEADING FOR ANYONE TO STATE THAT THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN A COMMERCIAL USE FOR A LONG TIME, WHICH IS DONE IN BOTH PUBLIC MEETINGS.
THE WEST END PARK FOR ABOUT 50 YEARS HAS BEEN A PARK, AND THEN 5-10 YEARS FOR COMMERCIAL USE, 5-10%.
THE MOST FREQUENTLY MENTIONED TO BE CONSTRUCTED IS A RESTAURANT.
YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THERE ARE 15 PLACES TO EAT OR DRINK ARRAYED AROUND WEST END PARK.
ACCORDING TO GOOGLE MAPS, ALL THESE EATERIES ARE WITHIN FOUR MINUTES OR LESS DRIVE TIME FROM WEST END.
>> FOUR MINUTES. IN SUMMARY, REMEMBER THESE NUMBERS.
>> FOUR ACRES OF PUBLIC LANDS, 19 YEARS WITH FOUR STUDIES, A POSSIBLE MILLION DOLLARS EXPENDED, 110 YEARS OF EXISTENCE WITH 5-10 YEARS OF COMMERCIAL USE, 15 RESTAURANTS WITHIN FOUR MINUTES.
>> WE HAVE TO WRAP IT UP. I'M SORRY. WE GOT TO GO.
>> MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, IS THAT THERE'S ALMOST ZERO INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN WEST END PARK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THREE MINUTES.
>> NOW I HAVE TO GIVE MR. HYERS AN EXTRA 15 SECONDS.
>> LET ME JUST JUST RESPOND REAL FAST.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, MR. ONCQUEST.
THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THIS, AS YOU STATED, TWO MOST RECENTLY, ALL EMAILS OF PUBLIC RECORD, THE RF PROCESS WILL BE A PUBLIC RECORD.
I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW THAT SPACE IS UNDER LOCK AND KEY, AND NOBODY GETS TO ENJOY IT.
WE'RE TAKING A LOOK AT WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO UTILIZE THAT PROPERTY.
>> IF WE CAN POST FACTO RATIFY WHAT HAPPENS FOR METAIRIE PARADES, THEN I'LL POST FACTO SEEDING 47 SECONDS OF MY TIME TO THE GENTLEMAN.
>> THANK YOU, SEE YOU LATER. [LAUGHTER]
>> I STILL GOT TWO MINUTES, 13 SECONDS NOW.
NOTHING BUT LOVE, JUDGE. NOTHING BUT LOVE.
WE'RE GOING TO SPARK SOME CURIOSITY.
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF UNITED STATES AMERICA AND TO A REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STOOD.
I COULD WAX POETIC ON IT FOR EASILY, PROBABLY A HALF HOUR.
I GOT A 32-VERSE POEMS, SO IF I WANT TO WAX POETIC ON THE CONSTITUTION OR ANY OF THESE PRINCIPLES OR PHILOSOPHIES, I'VE GOT THE POEM ALREADY PREPPED TO DO IT.
IT WAS NIGHT BEFORE ADDRESS, AND OH, WHAT A MESS THAT'S BEEN MADE OF THIS REPUBLICAN FORM.
TO THE MOST RIGHTEOUS OF THE PROFITEERS OF OUR NEGLECT, BE FOREWARNED.
WE SEE THE CONFUSION OF MULTITUDES, AND WE ALL KNOW A TYRANNY OF FEW TO BE OF, BY, AND FOR AS PROMISED AND SO VERY LONG OVERDUE.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WE FORSOOK JUSTICE WHEN WE ALLOWED FOR ANDREW JACKSON TO SNUB THE COURT.
WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THAT THING EVER SINCE.
IT'S DEVOLVED INTO CRIMINALITY AND PUNISHMENT SYSTEMS. THERE IS NO JUSTICE.
IT'S BEEN PERVERTED BY A CROTCHET, WHICH INGENUITY IS INVENTED,
[02:35:01]
AND THE COMBINATIONS OF THE DAY GIVE STRENGTH TO CARRY.YOU HAVE A BOOK OF STATUTES, A BOOK OF ORDINANCES, AND THEY KEEP GETTING BIGGER.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT? IT OVERBURDENS THE ENFORCEMENT BRANCH.
WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO ENFORCE EXCEPT THAT WHICH PAYS? A REPUBLICAN FORMER GOVERNMENT WOULD SPARE US FROM A CONFUSION OF MULTITUDES, THE BUREAUCRATIC STATE, AND THE TYRANNY OF FEW, TOO MUCH POWER IN TOO FEW HANDS.
I SUFFER FOR BOTH IN THIS ROOM.
JUSTICE, WHAT IS IT? ANYBODY KNOW? A MORAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.
WAS JUSTICE SERVED LAST NIGHT? WAS THERE ANYTHING MORAL ABOUT TAKING THE LIFE OF ANOTHER HUMAN NO MATTER HOW DEPRAVED? I DON'T CALL ON THE RESIGNATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS.
YOU ALL SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT IT FOR YOURSELVES.
YOU CAN'T APPORTION A SENATOR WITH A REPRESENTATIVE BODY.
THE AT LARGE MEMBERSHIP IS THE EQUIVALENT OF A SENATOR.
NO DECISION. EVERY SINGLE DECISION COULD BE OPPOSED ON THE GROUNDS THAT THIS IS AN UNAPPORTIONED BODY, CANNOT BE APPORTIONED.
WHEN YOU GIVE THAT LIP SERVICE AT THE CHARTER REVIEW BOARD MEETINGS, THE FEW THAT WERE HELD, COULDN'T EVEN ADHERE TO THEIR OWN RULES, LET ALONE THE RULES IN HERE.
ROBERT'S RULES CAN'T EVEN BE ADHERED TO IN HERE.
HOW MANY TIMES AM I DIRECTLY ADDRESSED BY PEOPLE THAT OUGHT NOT?
>> THAT'S YOUR TIME, MR. HARRIS.
>> LET'S FIGURE IT OUT, CHAIRMAN.
WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. I SEE YOU GETTING THERE, MAN.
WE'RE RIGHT THERE, MAN. YOU'RE DOING IT? I SEE IT. I SEE THAT SMILE. WE'LL GET THIS.
>> ANYONE ELSE? LET'S GO BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. PLEASE, MADAM CLERK, READ THOSE. I'M SORRY.
COUNCILMAN MARINO WANTED TO MENTION SOMETHING REAL QUICK.
HE FORGOT TO MENTION EARLIER THEN WE'LL PROCEED.
I MENTIONED BEFORE AT THE LAST MEETING THAT THE LOUISIANA KEY ACADEMY WAS GOING TO GO BEFORE BESSIE IN APRIL TO GET A JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL FOR DYSLEXIC STUDENTS.
THAT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE IN JUNE.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE AT THE JUNE 2ND.
THEY'RE GOING TO DO A PUBLIC PRESENTATION AT THE BESSIE MEETING IF ANYONE WANTS TO GO.
AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE A CHILD WHO NEEDS TO BE TESTED OR WANTS TO BE TESTED FOR DYSLEXIA, LKASCHOOLS.COM, AND THEY DO NOT CHARGE. THANK YOU.
>> HE SAID 10 SECONDS AND HE ALMOST WENT 10 SECONDS.
IMPRESSIVE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED COMMAND CONSTRUCTION, LLC VERSUS PARISH OF JEFFERSON, JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL AND RICKY J TEMPLET, 24TH JDC NUMBER 828-591, DIVISION C, AND COMMAND CONSTRUCTION LLC VERSUS PARISH OF JEFFERSON, 24TH JDC NUMBER 831-689, DIVISION P, 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.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED FIREFIGHTERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM VERSUS JOSEPH R GRECO JUNIOR, 19TH JDC NUMBER 641-387, SECTION 25, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
WE ARE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
HI, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTIONS.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT, A LAWSUIT ENTITLED COMMAND CONSTRUCTION, LLC VERSUS PARISH OF JEFFERSON.
JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL AND RICKY J TEMPLE, 24TH JDC NUMBER 828-591, DIVISION C, AND COMMAND CONSTRUCTION, LLC VERSUS PARISH OF JEFFERSON, 24TH JDC NUMBER 831-689 DIVISION P, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT, A LAWSUIT ENTITLED FIREFIGHTERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM VERSUS JOSEPH R GRECO JUNIOR, 19TH JDC NUMBER 641-387 SECTION 25, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE 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.
PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION TO SUMMARY, MADAM CLERK.
[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]
>> AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE SIGN REGULATIONS OF THE MUCD FOD, FAIRFIELD OVERLAY DISTRICT FOR CANDLEWOOD, LOCATED AT 3079 US HIGHWAY 90 ON TRACK U-1,
[02:40:02]
SQUARE 1, AVONDALE HOME SUBDIVISION, SECTION 1, JEFFERSON PARISH.AN ORDINANCE SUBMITTED APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF SUBDIVISION OF PARTIAL C, RIDGEFIELD EXTENSION SUBDIVISION, JEFFERSON PARISH INTO LOT 1 THROUGH 25, SQUARE A, ALEXANDER RIDGE SUBDIVISION, WITH THE DEDICATION OF A FIVE FOOT UTILITY SERVITUDE IN DEDICATION OF ST. JAMES COURT.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP, LOT 6A, SQUARE 2, AMES HOMESTEAD FARM SUBDIVISION, LOCATED AT 7523 FOURTH STREET, MORE PARTICULARLY, AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM C-1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT TO R22 FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP, LOT 10A, SQUARE 122, SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION, LOCATED AT 2200 BLOCK OF VELVA AVENUE, MORE PARTICULARLY, AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM GO-2 GENERAL OFFICE, TO R-1A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL.
AN ORDINANCE SUBMITTED IN APPROVING PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION OF TRACTS G3A, G3B AND G3C INTO LODGE G3A1 AND G3B1 SEGNETTE PARK SUBDIVISION.
AN ORDINANCE SUBMITTED IN APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION OF PARTIAL X, ORLEANS VILLAGE, SECTION 1, SUBDIVISION, JEFFERSON PARISH, INTO LOTS X1 AND X2 ORLEANS VILLAGE.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF LOT 2, SQUARE H, SCOTTSDALE SUBDIVISION, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R-1A, SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO R22 FAMILY RESIDENTIAL.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET.
THAT'S ALL THE ORDINANCES I HAVE TO READ.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. YOUR VOICE MADE IT THROUGH THAT.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES READ IN THE SUMMARY OF MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADJOURN BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK, AND THEN A WEEKEND.
>> HAPPY SAINT JOSEPH'S DAY. HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING TOMORROW. HAPPY EVERYTHING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.