[00:00:02]
WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS.DO YOU WANT TO COME ON UP? WHEREAS THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN PROVIDING AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION TO STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS.
WHEREAS THE RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP OF UNO FACULTY ENHANCE OUR REGION, STATE, AND NATION.
WHEREAS UNO IS THE ONLY URBAN PUBLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITY IN THE METRO AREA.
WHEREAS UNO FACULTY AND STAFF ARE ENGAGED AND VITAL MEMBERS OF OUR REGIONAL COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS UNO GIVEN THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORKFORCE, DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC IMPACT, AND SOCIAL MOBILITY, STRENGTHEN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND ENHANCE OUR LONG-TERM PROSPERITY.
WHEREAS THIS COUNCIL SUPPORTS THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR REGION AS AN URBAN RESEARCH INSTITUTION.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL HERE I PROCLAIMS APRIL 9TH, 2025 AS UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS DAY.
[APPLAUSE] MY COLLEAGUES AND MADAM PRESIDENT WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US.
>> ADAM DAIGLE. WHEREAS ON APRIL 2ND, THE WORLD RECOGNIZES AUTISM ACCEPTANCE DAY, SHINING A LIGHT ON THE EXPERIENCES, TALENTS, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS.
WHEREAS ADAM DAIGLE IS A 30-YEAR-OLD AUTISTIC PERSON WHO IS NON-SPEAKING.
WHEREAS HE LIVES IN [INAUDIBLE] WITH HIS PARENTS, FRANK AND CHRISTINE DAIGLE.
WHEREAS ADAM ATTENDED EAST JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL AND JEFFERSON PARISH EXTENDED SCHOOL PROGRAM.
WHEREAS HE IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE PINNACLE SPECIAL NEEDS CLUB WITH JEFFERSON PARISH RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
WHEREAS HE ENJOYS FISHING AND PARTICIPATING IN BOWLING, BACH, SOFTBALL, AND TRACK AND FIELD WITH LOUISIANA SPECIAL OLYMPICS.
WHEREAS SINCE MAY OF 2023, ADAM HAS BEEN UNDERGOING RPM, WHICH IS A RAPID PROMPTING METHOD, THERAPY WITH FIVE LOUISIANA CENTER AND HARAHAN.
WHEREAS WITH THE SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION PARTNER, HE HAS LEARNED TO EXPRESS HIS THOUGHTS USING RPM OR SPELLING ON A LETTER BOARD AND KEYPAD.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA.
HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND COMMENDS ADAM DAIGLE IN CELEBRATION OF AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH, A TIME DEDICATED TO EMBRACING NEURODIVERSITY AND FOSTERING INCLUSION.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS ON ADAM'S BEHALF.
HI, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE UP HERE.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE RECOGNIZED.
IF THERE'S ONE THING YOU LEARNED TODAY, LET IT BE THESE TWO WORDS.
WE ARE ALL REALLY INTELLECTUAL PEOPLE WITH BODIES THAT ARE UNRULY.
[00:05:02]
CHEERS TO CELEBRATING AUTISTICS IN THE MONTH OF APRIL AND PRESUMING COMPETENCE FOR A LIFETIME.>> HEY, PARISH PRESIDENT IS UP NEXT.
COUNSEL LIZBERG WILL BE BACK WITH ANOTHER ONE WHEN COUNSEL BANANO COMES IN BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING ONE TOGETHER. [BACKGROUND]
>> CAN I HAVE STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD COME UP AND STEPHANIE, IF YOU HAVE MEMBERS OF YOUR TEAM? WITH THAT JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT? STEPHANIE? THERE YOU ARE.
YOU GOT THE TEAM? GREAT. THE WHOLE TEAM'S HERE THIS MORNING.
I'M WITH OUR DIRECTOR FOR JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD, AND HER TEAM. HI, GUYS.
WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT APRIL 21 THROUGH 25TH IS A NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK.
THIS YEAR, WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
THE CDBG PROGRAM IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR HELPING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TACKLE SERIOUS CHALLENGES FACING OUR COMMUNITIES.
THROUGH THE CDBG PROGRAM, STEPHANIE'S TEAM AND ALL OF THEM ARE UP HERE WITH US, THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK TO ENSURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND CREATE JOBS THROUGH THE EXPANSION AND RETENTION OF BUSINESSES.
BECAUSE OF THESE PROGRAMS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HELP THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BY AWARDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING.
WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THIS TEAM FOR THEIR TIRELESS WORK, BEING ABLE TO SECURE VALUABLE FUNDING THROUGHOUT JEFFERSON PARISH.
I WANT TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS THE WEEK OF APRIL 21 THROUGH 25TH, 2025 IS TO BE DECLARED NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK TO COINCIDE WITH THE CELEBRATION OF BOTH THE 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM AND THE 57TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON PARISH RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, ESPECIALLY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH THE RESOURCES TO DEVELOP VIABLE COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND A SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
WHEREAS THE CDBG PROGRAM IS AMONG THE FEW REMAINING FEDERAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME PEOPLE IN SMALL CITIES AND WHEREAS THE CDBG PROGRAM PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN HELPING OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS THROUGH KEY INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING, PUBLIC SERVICES, PUBLIC FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
WHEREAS THE MONTH OF APRIL IS ALSO DEDICATED TO PROMOTE THE PRINCIPLES OUTLINED IN THE FAIR HOUSING ACT OF 1968, WHICH SHOULD BE AN OCCASION FOR ALL AMERICANS BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY TO REDEDICATE THEMSELVES TO THE PRINCIPLE OF FREEDOM FROM HOUSING DISCRIMINATION WHENEVER IT EXISTS.
THIS LAW GUARANTEES FOR EACH CITIZEN THAT CRITICAL PERSONAL ELEMENT OF FREEDOM OF CHOICE SELECTION OF THEIR HOME.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON PARISH WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO MAKE FAIR HOUSING, NOT JUST AN ASPIRATION, BUT A REALITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I CYNTHIA SHANG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF APRIL 21 THROUGH 25TH AS NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS MONTH, AND I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM FOR JUST BEING SO AMAZING AND DOING WHAT YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU GO TO COME TAKE A PICTURE WITH OUR GREAT TEAM.
[00:10:18]
NEXT, WE HAVE SOME EMPLOYEE SERVICE PIN PRESENTATIONS.WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE A NUMBER OF OUR EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND ALL THAT THEY DO.
I'LL START WITH TRIP V. TRIP HAS CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE WITH JEFFERSON, PARISH, TRIP ON YOUR WAY UP.
WHERE IS HE? YOU'RE COMING UP HERE? HE'S BEEN THE DIRECTOR OF LAPINE PARK SINCE MARCH OF 2020.
UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, LAPINE PARK HAS REALLY BLOOMED IN RECENT YEARS.
MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN THERE A LOT.
THE PARK HOSTS MANY SUCCESSFUL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND YOU HAVE REALLY HELPED BRING THE PARK TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
HE WAS ABLE TO BRING TOP TACO FESTIVAL TO THE PARK, CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC, CHRISTMAS RACE.
YOU SAID THIS PAST WEEK YOU HAD AN INTERNATIONAL SOCCER TOURNAMENT WHERE THE PRIZE WAS $150,000.
OBVIOUSLY, OUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND WORKING WITH DISTRICT 4 AND THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY, AND THAT IS ALL OF TRIPS TEAM BRINGING ALL THOSE INCREDIBLE PROGRAMS TO US.
THANK YOU, TRIP. YOU HAVE YOUR PEN. YOU WOULDN'T DO IT? WELL LET RACHEL DO IT. [APPLAUSE] YOU STAY UP HERE.
>> NEXT, MICHELLE GONZALEZ WITH TEN YEARS OF SERVICE AS THE JEFFERSON PARISH DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.
THAT'S A VERY RECENT POSITION SHE'S TAKEN ON FOR US.
SHE SERVED AS THE DIRECTOR OF ECOSYSTEM AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT SINCE MARCH OF 2020, AND SHE WAS THE DIRECTOR OF FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT AND HAZARD MITIGATION FROM 2013-2018.
SHE'S WORKED ON SUCH PROJECTS AS THE BUCKTOWN LIVING SHORELINE, THE MIKE MY PLAYGROUND VISION THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR FUTURE THAT ONE, THE GRADY NEW ORLEANS PROJECT.
SHE REALLY IS A NEXT-LEVEL DIRECTOR.
REALLY, ESPECIALLY WE NEED HER DURING TIMES OF DIFFICULT DISASTERS, WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE.
MICHELLE, WHEN I GO ANYWHERE WITH STATE PEOPLE, THEY TELL ME HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO HAVE YOU HERE IN THE PARISH.
YOUR REPUTATION PRECEDES YOU, AND WE'VE KNOWN THAT FOR A LONG TIME.
[APPLAUSE] THEN JONAS PEROT JONAS, COMING UP, JONAS. THERE WE GO, TEN YEARS.
ALSO, A NEW POSITION THAT HE'S JUST TAKEN ON AS OUR HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER.
HE WAS A HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER IN APRIL 2015, BUILDING A REPUTATION AS YOU READY? TOUGH, BUT FAIR.
IS THAT A FAIR ASSESSMENT OF YOU?
>> HIS KEEN ATTENTION TO DETAIL, WHILE WORKING AS THE HR MANAGER FOR PUBLIC WORKS MADE HIM A GREAT CANDIDATE FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POSITION.
SIDNEY TOLD ME HE'S ALL BUSINESS.
THAT'S WHY I WANTED HIM. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO THAT POSITION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020.
DURING HIS TIME THERE, HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING POLICIES THAT ARE IN PLACE NOW.
HIS BUSINESS DEGREE AIDED THE WATER DEPARTMENT IN DEVELOPING FINANCIAL PRACTICES THAT ARE AN INDUSTRY STANDARD.
THEN JUST THIS JANUARY, HE RETURNED AS OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, HAVING A REPUTATION OF BEING ALL BUSINESS, BUT GETTING THE JOB DONE.
THAT'S WHY PEOPLE RECOMMEND YOU FOR THOSE JOBS.
CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU WANT TO COME TAKE A PICTURE WITH OUR EMPLOYEES AS WE RECOGNIZE THEM. Y'ALL GET IN THE MIDDLE.
CONGRATULATIONS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
>> IT'S ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS MONTH WHERE OUR LOOP OF PEOPLE COME ON UP.
>> I'LL READ SOME THINGS. APRIL IS ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS MONTH.
WHEREAS MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE WAITING ON A LIFE-SAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANT WITH 2000 OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
[00:15:01]
WHEREAS MORE THAN 61 PATIENTS CAN BENEFIT FROM THE GIFTS OF ONE DONOR HERO AND DONATED ORGANS SUCH AS THE HEART, LUNGS, LIVER, KIDNEYS, PANCREAS, AND SMALL INTESTINES, CAN SAVE UP TO EIGHT LIVES.WHEREAS DONATED CORNEAS CAN RESTORE SIGHT TO TWO RECIPIENTS AND RECOVERED TISSUES CAN ENHANCE MORE THAN 75 LIVES PRIMARILY THROUGH RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERIES.
WHEREAS, LISTING YOUR NAME IN THE LOUISIANA DONOR REGISTRY PROVIDES HOPE FOR THOSE WHOSE LIFE OR PRODUCTIVITY DEPENDS ON A TRANSPLANT.
WHEREAS MORE THAN 2.6 MILLION LOUISIANA RESIDENTS HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED AS AN ORGAN DONOR AT THE OFFICE OF MOTOR VEHICLES WHEN APPLYING FOR OR RENEWING A DRIVER'S LICENSE, WITH MANY ALSO CHOOSING TO SIGN UP ONLINE AND THROUGH LA WALLET.
WHEREAS THE SPIRIT OF GIVING AND THE DECISION TO DONATE ARE NOT RESTRICTED BY AGE OR MEDICAL CONDITION.
WHEREAS THE LOUISIANA OREGAN PROCUREMENT AGENCY AND DONATE LIFE LOUISIANA, WORK TOGETHER WITH VOLUNTEERS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR, NON-PROFITS, AND MEDIA PARTNERS TO BRING AWARENESS AND INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE LIFESAVING POTENTIAL OF ORGAN TISSUE AND EYE DONATION.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, HEREBY PROCLAIMS THAT APRIL 2025 SHALL BE KNOWN AS ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS MONTH IN JEFFERSON PARISH. [APPLAUSE]
>> YOU ALL DO SO MUCH TO RAISE AWARENESS.
WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY ALL OVER JEFFERSON PARISH, ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES, CERTAINLY A WORTHY CAUSE, AND IT'S EASY TO PUT IT ON YOUR LICENSE BECAUSE YOU DON'T NEED IT ANYWAY WHEN YOU GET TO THAT POINT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK YOU DO, IF YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING.
>> THANKS, EVERYBODY, FOR HAVING US TODAY.
I LIKE TO POINT OUT WE HAVE A DONOR, A JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENT, DONOR MOM, STEPHANIE [INAUDIBLE] HERE.
HER SON JONATHAN WAS A DONOR HERO IN 2019, AND FRANK IS A DOUBLE LONG RECIPIENT TIMES TWO, AS WELL AS A KIDNEY RECIPIENT TIMES TWO.
WE ARE HAPPY TO BE HERE AND REPRESENT JEFFERSON PARISH.
THANK YOU AGAIN, AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION.
>> HANG ON ONE SECOND. GRAB THE MICROPHONE NEAR YOU.
>> WHEN YOU RENEW YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE, THEY ALWAYS ASK YOU THAT IMPORTANT QUESTION.
DO YOU WANT TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR? SAY YES.
YOU CAN SAVE UP TO EIGHT LIVES WITH YOUR ORGANS, PLUS MANY TISSUES, AT LEAST 75 PEOPLE WITH YOUR TISSUES.
MY SON LIVES ON THROUGH SIX PEOPLE WITH HIS ORGANS, AND MANY MORE WITH HIS TISSUES.
TALK TO YOUR FAMILY, HAVE THAT TALK BECAUSE IN A SECOND, LIFE CAN CHANGE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF YOU WANT TO COME TAKE A PICTURE, PLEASE?
>> MR. WALKER, CAN WORK THIS IN THE GARDEN OUTSIDE?
>> WE'LL LEAVE IT THERE UNTIL SOMEBODY MOVES IT.
>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO. SPREAD IT ON ONESELF.
>> THANK YOU. WE GO TO TAKE A PICTURE.
>> YOU'LL WANT TO COME TAKE A PICTURE?
>> WHEN YOU READ IT. I WAS LIKE, I WANT TO CRY [INAUDIBLE].
01, 2, 3. WE GET ANOTHER ONE ON THREE.
>> I'M BACK TO THE PODIUM FOR AN ENCORE PERFORMANCE, COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, AND COUNCILMAN BONANO.
WHEREAS ON APRIL 2, THE WORLD RECOGNIZES AUTISM ACCEPTANCE DAY SHINING A LIGHT ON THE EXPERIENCE, TALENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS, AND WHEREAS SETH BODIE IS A VIBRANT AND DETERMINED
[00:20:04]
30-YEAR-OLD WHO IS PROUDLY ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, AND WHEREAS A GRADUATE OF GRACE KING HIGH SCHOOL, SETH FURTHERED HIS EDUCATION AT JEFFERSON PARISH POST SECONDARY PROGRAM AT DELGADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND WHEREAS SETH THRIVES IN HIS ROLE AT THE ART AND M, A CENTER FOR APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS, WHERE HE TAKES PRIDE IN HIS ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL.WHEREAS HIS RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE FILING, MANAGING OFFICE TASKS, AND ENSURING EVERYTHING RUNS SMOOTHLY BEHIND THE SCENES.
WHEREAS BEYOND HIS OFFICE DUTIES SETH ALSO ENJOYS ENGAGING WITH CHILDREN, READING THEM STORIES, ORGANIZING GAMES AND PUZZLES, AND BRINGING SMILES TO THEIR FACES.
AND WHEREAS SETH IS THE HEART AND FACE OF PE ROCK PALIN COMPANY, A FAMILY BUSINESS HE HELPED LAUNCH EIGHT YEARS AGO.
IF YOU ALL HAVEN'T HAD THEM, YOU NEED TO.
WHEREAS HIS KEEN ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS, FRIENDLY PERSONALITY, AND PASSION FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MAKES HIM A NATURAL AMBASSADOR FOR THE BRAND, AND WHEREAS WHETHER CONNECTING WITH CUSTOMERS OR REPRESENTING THE COMPANY AT EVENTS, SETH'S ENTHUSIASM IS CONTAGIOUS, PROVING THAT AUTISM IS NOT A LIMITATION, BUT A STRENGTH WORTH CELEBRATING.
AND WHEREAS EVERY APRIL, SETH FAMILY CELEBRATES AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, HEREBY RECOGNIZES SETH BODIE IN CELEBRATION OF AUTISM ACCEPT ACCEPTANCE MONTH.
>> CAN WE GET THE REST OF THE COUNCIL COME ON HERE FOR A PICTURE?
>> ABSOLUTELY. ONE THING IT DID MENTION, I'VE HAD THE PROUD DISTINCTION OF KNOWING THE BODIE FAMILY FOR A LONG TIME.
>> [INAUDIBLE] COUNT ON THREE.
>> SETH HAS A FEW WORDS. HE WANTS TO SAY TO EVERYBODY. CAN YOU PRESS THIS ON.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PARIS COUNCIL AND STAFF, AS WELL AS THE PARISH PRESIDENT FOR RECOGNIZING APRIL AS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH.
PEOPLE LIKE ADAM AND I DON'T HAVE A DISABILITY.
WE JUST HAVE A DIFFERENT ABILITY.
>> NEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE SHAW HIGH SCHOOL CHILEAS, THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF THIS YEAR TO COME UP AND RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT.
[APPLAUSE] IF YOU ALL KNOW ME, YOU KNOW I'M A RUMMEL RAIDER, AS WELL AS ALL THREE OF MY SONS.
THIS IS TWO TIMES IN A ROW, TWO MEETINGS A ROW I HAVE HAD TO RECOGNIZE SHAW FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. YOU WANT TO COME UP HERE, SENATOR? COME ON. I'M GOING TO LET YOU HAND THEM OUT. MICHAEL?
>> YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> YES. I'M A SHAW 1979 GRADUATE, SO. THANK YOU.
YOU'RE NOT RELATED TO WAYNE MACEDO.
>> YOU POOR CHILD. [LAUGHTER] [INAUDIBLE] BROOK RITTER.
CAPTAIN, AS WELL, CO-CAPTAIN LANE CINTOLA.
>> SHE'S NOT HERE TODAY. WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO BRING IT TO HER.
LANE PRICE, CO-CAPTAIN? NOT HERE EITHER.
I MUST HAVE GOT IN TROUBLE AT SCHOOL? KATIE BERG. NO. RILEY SCHEXNIDER.
NO. LAKEN ACKERMAN. WELL, COME ON, LAKEN.
[00:25:03]
>> CONGRATULATIONS. LAUREN BEASLEY.
>> ADDISON MACERN. CLARE PERK.
ELLA VOLTA. GOOD ITALIAN GIRL.
ARBY RICK. DID YOU GUYS DO ANYTHING THAT WAY? [LAUGHTER] RANGE SWETA.
NO. [INAUDIBLE]. NO. CECILIA VILARY.
I SURE HOPE THIS IS FOR YOU GUYS.
>> DREW DE CARLO. CRUZ MARTIN.
>> CHRISTOPHER MING. CALEB WILLIAMS.
>> I'LL GIVE A BIG RANDOM OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE] THIS IS THEIR COACH AND HE'S GOING TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE ADMINISTRATION, TO THE COUNCIL, TO COUNCILMAN BONANO, AND TO PAT CONNICK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SAYING A FEW WORDS.
BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING US HERE.
I DO WANT TO SAY THIS IS OUR EIGHTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, SO WE'RE REAL PROUD OF WHAT WE DO AT SHAW HIGH SCHOOL.
[APPLAUSE] I THINK I'M GETTING OLD BECAUSE I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE.
IT SEEMS LIKE I'M GETTING OLD.
BUT TAMMY AND I AND MY DAUGHTER, CODY, WE COACH THE TEAM, AND WE'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR 33 YEARS NOW.
WE WORK WITH A BUNCH OF GREAT KIDS, VERY TALENTED KIDS, AND YOU CAN WATCH THEM ON THE ESPN 2.
THEY WERE ACTUALLY ON THE ESPN 2 WEEKENDS AGO, AND THEY'LL BE SHOWING THEM AGAIN SOON.
AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL, AND I HOPE IT'S NOT RUDE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE LEAVING AFTER WE TAKE A PICTURE REAL QUICK.
WE GOT TO GET THESE KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BUT THANKS EVERYONE.
THANK Y'ALL. [APPLAUSE] [INAUDIBLE]
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS? SOMEBODY LINED UP IN FRONT OF THE BOYS.
>> 1, 2, 3. WE'LL TAKE ANOTHER ONE.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.
[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
[00:30:22]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON THIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2025, WE'RE IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING IN GRETNA, LOUISIANA 200 DERBIGNY STREET.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE WITH US THIS MORNING.
THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.
I LIKE TO RECOGNIZE A COUPLE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE HERE WITH US OF THE ONES I SEE.
IF THERE'S ANYBODY ELSE, LET ME KNOW, BUT GRETNA MAYOR BELINDA CONSTANT IS HERE, AS WELL AS NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCILMAN EUGENE GREEN IN THE FRONT ROW.
HE'S GOING TO SPEAK TO US IN A LITTLE BIT.
OUTSIDE OF THAT, COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOUR GUESTS FOR TODAY'S INVOCATION.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. I WANT TO INTRODUCE REVEREND DAMIAN BROWN TO YOU THIS MORNING.
HE ACTUALLY DOES DOUBLE DUTY AS A PASTOR AND HAS TWO DIFFERENT CONGREGATIONS HERE ON THE WEST BANK, LITTLE ZION, AS WELL AS SECOND ST. JOHN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.
I'M SO PLEASED TO HAVE HIM HERE WITH US THIS MORNING, BECAUSE HE REALLY MEETS THE SPIRITUAL AND THE PHYSICAL NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
HE, OF COURSE, FEEDS HIS CONGREGATION SPIRITUALLY IN SERVICE, BUT ALSO PHYSICALLY.
HE HAS REALLY BEEN WORKING WITH MANY OF US IN LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNMENT TO TRY TO MEET THE PHYSICAL NEEDS OF OUR AVONDALE COMMUNITY AND GET A GROCERY STORE TO OPEN.
I THINK GOOD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN GOVERNMENT CAN PARTNER WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THAT TOGETHER.
I WOULD ASK IF HE CAN JOIN US NOW AND LEAD US IN PRAYER.
>> LET US PRAY. GRACIOUS AND ETERNAL GOD.
WE'VE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH HEARTS FULL OF GRATITUDE FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF LEADERSHIP.
WE INVITE YOUR PRESENCE INTO THIS MEETING AND ASK YOUR WISDOM TO GUIDE EVERY DECISION.
BLESS EACH COUNCIL MEMBER, EVERY PARISH WORKER, AND ALL WHO ARE PRESENT.
GIVE US CLARITY OF MIND, UNITY OF PURPOSE, AND A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION.
PROTECT OUR PARISH, BLESS OUR CITIZENS, AND KEEP OUR HEARTS CENTERED ON SERVICE IN YOUR HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS NAME, WE PRAY, AMEN.
>> THANK YOU. SENATOR CONNICK AS I FORGOT TO MENTION YOU CAN LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE, PLEASE.
>> THAT'S SENATOR PAT CONNICK IN THE FRONT ROW, WHO DIDN'T SEE STARING RIGHT AT ME A FEW MINUTES AGO.
THANK YOU, SENATOR CONNICK. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> PARISH PRESIDENT, MISS LEE SHENG.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MADAM PRESIDENT. THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
[PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]
>> THANK YOU. I DO HAVE QUITE A FEW UPDATES.
I APOLOGIZE, BUT IT IS A VERY BUSY TIME OF THE YEAR.
I WANT TO START OFF WITH OUR WATER DEPARTMENT AND OUR UTILITY SERVICES UPDATE SINCE WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AT THE LAST MEETING.
THE IN PERSON SERVICES BY APPOINTMENT ONLY TWICE A WEEK.
WE'RE HAVING A LOT OF INITIATIVES IN THE NEXT COMING MONTH.
WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT PIECE, GETTING THE LOCATION.
WE HAVE TO DO SOME SOFTWARE TO PREPARE FOR THAT.
I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE IN 6-8 WEEKS IT'S GOING TO TAKE US FOR THE IN SERVICES BY APPOINTMENT ONLY FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
ALSO IN THE NEXT COMING MONTHS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ONLINE PORTAL TO SET UP UTILITY SERVICE APPOINTMENTS.
KIOSK LOCATED AT VARIOUS PARISH FACILITIES TO SET UP UTILITY SERVICE APPOINTMENTS AND PAY BILLS BY CHECK OR CREDIT CARD.
A UTILITY RESOURCE GUIDE ON THE WATER DEPARTMENT'S PAGE AT JEFFPARISH.GOV.
THIS IS GOING TO INCLUDE HOW TO READ YOUR WATER METER, COMMON USES OF WATER CONSUMPTION, AND A SAMPLE BILL CALCULATOR AND VIDEO TUTORIALS, SO PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THE BILL WORKS AND HOW SEWER AND WATER AND ALL THE OTHER CHARGES ARE THERE ON YOUR BILL.
A LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORY MAP THAT SHOWS EACH CUSTOMER'S SERVICE LINE MATERIAL, A NEW UTILITY BILL DESIGNED TO SHOW AVERAGE USAGE FOR THE PAST YEAR AND AND A SNAPSHOT OF
[00:35:06]
THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S CONSUMPTION AND A MOBILE APP AND WEB BASED COMPUTER PORTAL TO VIEW AND RECEIVE VARIOUS ALERTS RELATED TO WATER USAGE, WATER OUTAGES, BILL PAYMENTS, AS WELL AS IRRIGATION INSIGHT FOR THE GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE LOVERS.ADDITIONALLY, THE WATER DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN MOVING CUSTOMERS TO MONTHLY BILLING AS NEW METERS ARE INSTALLED.
THIS IS NOT UNTIL YOU GET YOUR NEW AUTOMATED METER INFRASTRUCTURE, THE AMI.
THIS IS GOING TO GIVE CUSTOMERS A MONTHLY COMPARISON OF THEIR JP UTILITY SERVICES COMPARED TO OTHER UTILITY BILLS.
WE'VE BEEN WANTING TO DO THAT FOR SOME TIME.
I WANT TO THANK OUR PUBLIC WORK DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR IN WATER SIDNEY BAZLEY, AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MARK DREWS FOR WORKING DILIGENTLY TO BRING THESE IMPROVEMENTS TO FRUITION.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, IN HONOR, AS WE'VE SAID OF HEALTHY HOMES MONTH, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WILL HOST TWO OUTREACH EVENTS.
THE FIRST WILL BE THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 12 AT JOHNNY JACOBS PLAYGROUND IN MARRERO, AND THE SECOND WILL BE SATURDAY, APRIL 26 AT THE WILLIAMS PLAY LOT.
METAIRIE. THESE EVENTS WILL HAVE OUTDOOR VENDORS FROM VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, AND THEY'LL OFFER RESOURCEFUL INFORMATION ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS SUCH AS HEALTHY HOMES, HOME OWNERSHIP, CHILDCARE, HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS, LEGAL SERVICES, PET ADOPTION INFORMATION, COUNSELING SERVICES, AND BILINGUAL FAMILY SERVICES.
THESE EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AT 5-047-366-262.
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE MEETING.
JEFFERSON PARISH AND ITS INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITIES HAVE COMPLETED A DRAFT OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH MULTI JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE FOR 2025.
THE FIMA APPROVED PLAN, WHICH REQUIRES AN UPDATE EVERY FIVE YEARS, PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY OFFICIALS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO AID IN REDUCING THE COMMUNITY'S VULNERABILITY TO NATURAL HAZARDS.
OUR DEPARTMENT OF FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT AND HAZARD MITIGATION WILL HOST A FINAL PUBLIC MEETING TODAY, APRIL 9 AT 6:00 P.M AT THE BELLE TERRE LIBRARY.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED FOR AN OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN DOCUMENT, HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PLANNING PROCESS AND TO SHARE COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK.
YOU CAN VIEW THIS PLAN AND REMAIN UP TO DATE ON INFORMATION RELATED TO IT AT HMPUPDATE2025.NET OR E MAIL JPFLOODPLAIN@JEFFPARI.GOV.
EASTER IS COMING, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BUNNY BASH.
THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS CLUB OF METAIRIE WHO IS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER WITH US IS GOING TO HOST A 2025 BUNNY BASH THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 12 AT LAFRENIERE PARK FROM 11:00 A.M TO 3:00 P.M.
THIS FAMILY ORIENTED EASTER EVENT WILL INCLUDE CAROUSEL RIDES, MULTIPLE EGG HUNTS, SPACEWALKS, FACE PAINTING CHILDREN'S GAMES, AND A PHOTO ALLEY.
EASTER EGG HUNTS FOR CHILDREN AGES 1-4, 5-7 AND 8-12 WILL TAKE PLACE AT 12:30 P.M AND1:45 P.M.
ADMISSION IS $10 FOR CHILDREN AND $5 FOR ADULTS, AND TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE GATE.
ALL PROCEEDS AT THIS EVENT ARE FOR PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS CLUB OF METAIRIE, AND FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION OF LAFRENIERE PARK.
FOR MORE INFORMATION 5-048-384-389.
ON TO OUR ANIMALS AND RECREATION.
LEISURE SERVICES AND JPRD WILL HOST THE SECOND ANNUAL BEST RESCUE AND SHOW ON SATURDAY, APRIL 19 AT 10:00 A.M. AT JEFFERSON PLAYGROUND.
THIS IS JEFFERSON'S PARISH A'S RESCUE EXCLUSIVE DOG SHOW.
ATTENDEES CAN MEET ADORABLE PUPS FROM LOCAL RESCUES, CHEER ON THEIR FAVORITES IN EXCITING COMPETITIONS AND FIND A FUTURE FURRY FAMILY MEMBER.
ALL CONTESTANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.
ADMISSION IS $10 PER PERSON, AND TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE OR AT THE DOOR VISIT JPRD.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
NOW, TO OUR JPRD BIDDY BASKETBALL NATIONAL TOURNAMENT WINNERS, SOME OF OUR TEAMS FROM BOTH THE EAST BANK AND WEST BANK HAD GREAT SUCCESS AT LAST WEEK'S BIDDY BASKETBALL NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE AND CONGRATULATE THE WEST BANK 8U GIRLS AS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, WEST BANK 12U GIRLS OUR NATIONAL RUNNER UPS, THE EAST BANK 10U BOYS OUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.
WEST BANK 10U BOYS ARE NATIONAL RUNNER UPS.
THE EAST BANK 11U BOYS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, AND THE WEST BANK 11U BOYS ARE NATIONAL RUNNERS UP.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THAT TEAM.
I ALWAYS SAY IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WE ARE A VERY ATHLETIC BUNCH.
CONGRATULATIONS. JUVENILE SERVICES NEW FACILITY, THIS WEEK, WE'LL CUT THE RIBBON ON THE NEW EAST BANK PARISH JUVENILE SERVICES BUILDING LOCATED ON DAVID DRIVE AND METAIRIE.
THE TWO STORY OFFICE BUILDING WILL HOUSE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES ADMINISTRATION AND PROBATION AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM, AND JUVENILE COURTS FAMILIES IN NEED OF SERVICES PROGRAM.
THIS IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT BUILDING DEDICATED DURING OUR JEFFERSON PARISH BICENTENNIAL, WORK STARTED IN DECEMBER OF 2023 AND WAS COMPLETED IN APRIL.
FIRE SERVICES, WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE 24 NEW FIREFIGHTERS WHO RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM THE JEFFERSON PARISH FIRE TRAINING CENTER RECRUIT ACADEMY, THE PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS WHERE KENNER FIRE DEPARTMENT, MARRERO HARVEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, MARRERO-ESTELLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE THIRD DISTRICT FIRE DEPARTMENT, HARVEY,
[00:40:03]
DAVID CROCKETT, JEFFERSON PARISH EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE, AS WELL AS TERRY TOWN.LOVE THE BOOT WEEK IN LOUISIANA IS GOING ON.
IT'S A GREAT INITIATIVE, LED BY KEEP LOUISIANA BEAUTIFUL THROUGH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
GROUPS FROM ACROSS THE STATE SIGN UP TO PICK UP LITTER AND BEAUTIFY AREAS.
CURRENTLY IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THERE ARE 51 REGISTERED EVENTS, WHICH INCLUDE FOUR BUSINESSES, 15 CIVIC GROUPS, 16 OF OUR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, FIVE NON PROFITS, EIGHT SCHOOLS, TWO SCOUT GROUPS, AND ONE FAMILY EVENT.
WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR PARTICIPATING IN THAT.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN A GROUP, EVENTS CONTINUE THROUGH APRIL 13.
YOU CAN VISIT KEEPLOUISIANABEAUTIFUL.ORG TO FIND A GROUP TO JOIN.
OUR DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS RESUMED THE RECYCLING DROP OFF PROGRAM LAST SATURDAY AT THE LAPALCO AND DAVID DRIVE SIGN.
WE HAD GREAT PARTICIPATION WITH 588 VEHICLES ON THE EAST BANK AND 213 ON THE WEST BANK.
INDIVIDUALS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SORT THEIR ITEMS PRIOR TO ARRIVING SO THEY CAN MOVE EFFICIENTLY THROUGH THE LINE AS THERE ARE SEPARATE BINS FOR CARDBOARD, PAPER, GLASS, AND PLASTICS.
RECYCLINGS CAN CONTINUE FOR 19 MORE WEEKS UNTIL A NEW CONTRACT IS IN PLACE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION 504-731-4612.
LOUISIANA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION AWARDS.
WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE LIBRARY DIRECTOR JESSICA STICE WAS AWARDED THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD FROM THE LOUISIANA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION IN MARCH.
THE AWARD PUBLICLY RECOGNIZES INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED SUSTAIN AND EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP IN SERVICE TO FURTHER THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES VISIBILITY OF THE ASSOCIATION.
ADDITIONAL LIBRARY EMPLOYEES WERE ALSO NOMINATED FOR THE PELICAN AWARD FOR EXEMPLARY LIBRARY SERVICE, INCLUDING KRISTY COGNIVICH, SKY CORNELIA, AND DAISY GRIFFIN.
OTHER EMPLOYEES LED SEMINARS FOR FELLOW LIBRARIANS AND OTHER LIBRARY EMPLOYEES FROM AROUND THE STATE ON TOPICS RANGING FROM UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY.
TO INNOVATE CHILDREN'S AND ADULT PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING KATHERINE MARTIN, DANIEL PEREZ, MARIA PEAKIN, RICARDO MESA LAUREN CLEMENT, AND KRISTKONEVICH.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM.
YOU CAN SEE OUR LIBRARY PROGRAM IS VERY, VERY VIBRANT. I'M GOING TO GO INTO THAT.
MORE THAN THIS PAST WEEKEND, MORE THAN 100 CLASSIC AUTOMOBILES WERE ON VIEW AT THE FIRST EVER CAR MEET AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY LAST SATURDAY FOR THE LAUNCH OF CARS AND COFFEE.
OWNERS AND ENTHUSIASTS ALIKE, MARVELED AT NO LESS THAN THREE LAMBORGHINIS, A RARE 1951 MOSKVITCH MANUFACTURED IN RUSKA, AND A VINTAGE MID CENTURY VOLKSWAGEN VANS, AMONG OTHER UNIQUE VEHICLES FROM THE 1920S TO PRESENT DAY.
BASED ON THE TURNOUT, AND PEOPLE ARE ALREADY ASKING, WHEN'S THE NEXT EVENT? WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE NEXT EVENT IN THE FALL.
I LOVE THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT WAS AN IDEA FROM A JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY EMPLOYEE, AND THEY DEVELOPED IT SO CONGRATULATIONS.
THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY BAND WILL PRESENT A FREE SPRINGTIME CONCERT AT EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY ON MONDAY, APRIL 4 AT 7:00.
BELLE TERRE HAS LAUNCHED CREATIVE CONNECTIONS, A WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
THE NEXT SESSION WILL BE MONDAY, APRIL 14, AT 10:00, AND ANDROID PHONES FOR SENIORS, A TRAINING SEMINAR FOR SENIORS ON HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A SMARTPHONE APP THAT BOOSTS QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTHY LIVING CONTINUES AT THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY ON WEDNESDAYS FROM 9:30 TO 11:30 A.M.
YESTERDAY, WE UNVEILED OUR NEWEST BICENTENNIAL INITIATIVE.
I LOVE THIS PROGRAM FOR US IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY, FEATURING THE WORK OF OUR MAKER SPACE TEAM.
THE LIBRARY IS OFFERING A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE A BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED BUST OF THOMAS JEFFERSON, OR, AS OUR LIBRARY TEAM HAS AFFECTIONATELY CALLED THEM TOMMY JAYS.
I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU WHAT THE BUSTS LOOKS LIKE.
THIS GREAT BUST. I HAD THE IDEA.
I WANTED US TO BE ABLE TO REALLY CELEBRATE THE BICENTENNIAL AND DECORATE IT AND HAVE EACH BUSINESS OR ANY FAMILY WHO WANTS IT FOR THOSE OF YOU CAN'T SEE IN THE AUDIENCE.
THEY'RE HANDMADE. THEY HAD 3D PRINTED FIRST.
IT WAS A REAL ENDEAVOR FOR OUR MAKER SPACE TEAM TO COME UP WITH THEM.
TOMMY STANOVICH DRAGOS ALREADY HAS ONE.
>> THAT'S MEANT TO LOOK LIKE ME IN MY COSTUME.
>> YEAH, IT IS. IT DOES LOOK LIKE YOU, COUNCILMAN. I AGREE.
>> WE ARE SAYING THE HASHTAG, SHOW US YOUR BUST.
WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT. BUT LOOK, IT'S WE'RE FROM HERE THIS IS OUR CULTURE.
BUT LOOK, EVERYBODY THEY COME IN FOUR BEAUTIFUL COLORS THAT MATCH OUR LOGO.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY MAKES THE MONEY SO IT'S A GREAT DONATION TO OUR LIBRARY.
YOU CAN PUT THIS AT THE FRONT OF YOUR BUSINESS, AND AS THE SEASONS CHANGE, YOU CAN DECORATE IT ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
IT'S A FUN WAY FOR EVERYBODY TO GET A LOW COST WAY, HELP THE LIBRARY, AND CELEBRATE OUR BICENTENNIAL.
WE JUST UNVEILED THESE YESTERDAY AT THE LIBRARY.
I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE A BIG HIT, AND THE COLORS ARE INCREDIBLE.
BUT KUDOS TO OUR MAKER SPACE TEAM.
THERE WAS A LOT OF STARTS AND STOPS TRYING TO GET THESE PRODUCED, AND THEY'RE HANDMADE.
[00:45:02]
THEY LITERALLY MOLE THEM BY HAND SO YOU BETTER GET YOURS BEFORE THEY RUN OUT BUT WE'LL KEEP MAKING THEM, BUT I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GO QUICK $100.ON THE WEBSITE, I THINK WE'RE PUTTING ON OUR BICENTENNIAL JEFFPARISH.GOV/JP200 IS THE FORM TO FILL OUT AND YOU MAKE A CHECK FOR $100 TO FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY.
>> WHAT COULD GO WRONG WITH THAT HASH TAG.
>> SHOW US YOUR BUST, COUNCILMAN.
SHOW US YOUR BUST. NOW ON TO THE MILLAGE, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT WORK FOR US.
WE HAVE THREE MILLAGES THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT ON THE MAY 3 ELECTION AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THAT.
THE FIRST IS TONIGHT AT THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY THE SECOND WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW AT 6:00 P.M AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
WE HAVE HAD STAFF GO TO ALL THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, AND WE'VE BEEN TO QUITE A FEW OF THEM ALREADY.
THERE'S A COUPLE MORE THIS WEEK.
IF YOU HAVE A CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETING, WE WILL HAVE NO LESS THAN PROBABLY HALF A DOZEN OF OUR TEAM THERE TO EXPLAIN THE MILLAGES AND EXPLAIN THIS ELECTION.
THESE ARE CRITICAL. THEY ARE RENEWALS.
THIS IS RENEWALS THAT WE HAVE BEEN PAYING AT PREVIOUS AUTHORIZED AMOUNTS, SO WE'RE USED TO THESE.
THEN ALSO, ALL OF OUR SESSIONS ARE GOING TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AS I SAID TONIGHT AT THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY AT 6:00 TOMORROW AT 6:00 P.M AT EAST BANK REGIONAL.
THEN ALSO ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.JEFFPARISHTV, OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND OUR JPTV CHANNEL 6 ON COX AND CHANNEL 99 AND AT&T UNIVERSE.
VOTERS IN JEFFERSON PARISH WILL DECIDE ON THE RENEWAL OF THREE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGES.
THESE MILLAGES HELP FUND THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM, PARKS, AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
THESE ARE SERVICES THAT YOU KNOW WELL AND OUR LIBRARIES.
THEY ARE NOT NEW TAXES, BUT RENEWALS AT THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED RATES.
RENEWALS WILL BE FOR 10 YEARS, DRAINAGE AND RECREATION STARTING IN 2027, LIBRARY OF STARTING IN 2028, AND THESE MILLAGES ARE CRUCIAL FOR MAINTAINING THE SERVICES THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE THROUGH THE GO VOTE ONLINE REGISTRATION SYSTEM IS APRIL 12.
ON MAY 3, THE POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 7:00 A.M TO 8:00 P.M. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT JEFFPARISH.GOV/MILLAGES, AND WE DO HAVE A VIDEO THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SHOW ABOUT THIS UPCOMING ELECTION ON MAY 3. THANK YOU.
>> ON MAY 3RD, 2025, VOTERS IN JEFFERSON PARISH WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO RENEW THREE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGES THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENTS.
THESE MILLAGES HELP FUND THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH DRAINAGE SYSTEM, PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES, AND LIBRARIES.
THE MILLAGES ARE NOT NEW TAXES, BUT RENEWALS AT PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED RATES APPROVED BY JEFFERSON PARISH VOTERS.
IF APPROVED AGAIN, THE DRAINAGE AND RECREATION MILLAGES WILL CONTINUE TO BE COLLECTED FOR ANOTHER PERIOD OF 10 YEARS STARTING IN 2027, AND THE LIBRARY MILLAGE WILL BE COLLECTED FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS STARTING IN 2028.
THE FIRST PROPOSITION IS A RENEWAL NOT TO EXCEED SIX MILLS THAT WILL HELP FUND THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATION OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CONSOLIDATED DRAINAGE DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES THE ENTIRE EAST AND WEST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GRAND ISLE.
JEFFERSON PARISH VOTERS IN THE CONSOLIDATED DRAINAGE DISTRICT NUMBER 2 WILL VOTE ON THE DRAINAGE MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSITION.
THIS WILL GENERATE APPROXIMATELY $27 MILLION PER YEAR, PROVIDING OVER 45% OF THE ENTIRE DRAINAGE DEPARTMENT OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, MAINTAINING, AND OPERATING THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM THROUGHOUT JEFFERSON PARISH.
THE SYSTEM INCLUDES 340 MILES OF DRAINAGE CANALS, DRAINAGE DITCHES, CROSS DRAINS, AND CULVERTS, 01,465 MILES OF STREET SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, AND THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF 72 DRAINAGE PUMP STATIONS.
RENEWAL OF THE MILLAGE WOULD PRESERVE A CRITICAL FUNDING SOURCE FOR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND PROVIDE REVENUE TO HELP FUND CAPITAL NEEDS THE PARISH HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN.
>> THE DRAINAGE PUMP STATION AND CANAL SYSTEM IS THE BACKBONE KEEPING OUR HOMES AND BUSINESSES FROM FLOODING.
THE CURRENT MILLAGE REPRESENTS CLOSE TO HALF THE DRAINAGE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET AND IS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF OUR CURRENT SYSTEM, ALONG WITH THE FUTURE FLOOD MITIGATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
>> THE SECOND PROPOSITION IS A RENEWAL NOT TO EXCEED 10 MILLS THAT WILL HELP FUND THE JEFFERSON PARISH RECREATION COMMUNITY CENTERS AND PLAYGROUNDS THROUGHOUT UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON PARISH, PLUS THE TOWN OF JEAN LAFITTE.
JEFFERSON PARISH VOTERS IN THE CONSOLIDATED JEFFERSON RECREATION AND COMMUNITY CENTER AND PLAYGROUND DISTRICT WILL VOTE ON THE RECREATION MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSITION, WHICH WILL GENERATE APPROXIMATELY $35 MILLION PER YEAR,
[00:50:03]
PROVIDING 93% OF THE JPRD'S OPERATING BUDGET TO HELP FUND THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT JEFFERSON PARISH.THE JEFFERSON PARISH RECREATION DEPARTMENT, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS JPRD, OFFERS A VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES.
THIS INCLUDES BOTH ATHLETIC AND LEISURE PROGRAMS FOR KIDS, ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS FOR SENIORS, ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, CAMPS, AND A WIDE RANGE OF CLASSES AND SPECIAL EVENTS AT DOZENS OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS LOCATED THROUGHOUT JEFFERSON PARISH.
LOSS OF THE RECREATION MILLAGE WOULD FORCE WIDESPREAD CLOSURES OF PLAYGROUNDS, PARKS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND BRING ATHLETICS, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES TO A HALT.
>> THESE MILLAGES ARE VITAL TO KEEP OUR OPERATIONS IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH RECREATION DEPARTMENT UP AND RUNNING TO HELP SERVICE OUR YOUTH, SENIORS, AND SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY.
>> THE THIRD PROPOSITION IS A RENEWAL NOT TO EXCEED 6.5 MILLS THAT WILL PROVIDE ALMOST ALL OPERATING AND CAPITAL FUNDING FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON PARISH IN THE VARIOUS MUNICIPALITIES, INCLUDING GRETNA, HARAHAN, KENNER, WESTWEGO, JEAN LAFITTE, AND GRAND ISLE.
ALL JEFFERSON PARISH VOTERS WILL VOTE ON THE LIBRARY MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSITION, WHICH WILL GENERATE APPROXIMATELY $29 MILLION PER YEAR, PROVIDING 95% OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEM'S OPERATING BUDGET.
NOW IN ITS 75TH YEAR OF SERVICE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY SYSTEM OPERATES 16 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE PARISH, WITH PLANS TO OPEN A NEW LIBRARY IN AVONDALE IN APRIL 2025.
ALL JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARIES OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES TO THE COMMUNITY.
WITH TWO LARGE REGIONAL LIBRARIES AND SEVEN BRANCHES ON EACH SIDE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, THE SYSTEM PROVIDES TRADITIONAL SERVICES RANGING FROM BOOK LENDING, INTERNET ACCESS, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, TO MORE INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE LIBRARY OF THINGS COLLECTION, WHICH ALLOWS CARDHOLDERS TO CHECK OUT OBJECTS RANGING FROM MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO COOKWARE, AND EXPERIENCE PASSES THAT GRANTS CARDHOLDERS ACCESS TO REGIONAL MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THE UPCOMING MAKER SPACE, WHICH WILL ALLOW PATRONS TO USE CRAFTING TOOLS FOR HOBBIES LIKE QUILTING AND PODCASTING, AS WELL AS 24/7 SERVICES, SUCH AS EBOOK, AUDIO, VIDEO STREAMING, AND WI-FI.
LOSS OF THE LIBRARY MILLAGE WOULD HOLD NEW CAPITAL PROJECTS IN PROGRAMMING, TRIGGERING SEVERE CUTS TO SERVICE.
THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY SUPPORTS ALL OF OUR JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENTS.
PROGRAMS AND OUR SERVICES HELP EVERYONE SUCCEED.
A LOSS OF FUNDING WOULD IMPACT EVERY RESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
HOW WOULD THESE RENEWALS IMPACT YOU? IF YOU OWN A HOME VALUED AT $200,000, AND YOU HAVE A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ON YOUR RESIDENTS, YOU WOULD PAY $75 A YEAR, WHICH EQUATES TO $6.25 PER MONTH FOR THE DRAINAGE MILLAGE, $125 A YEAR, WHICH EQUATES TO $10.42 PER MONTH FOR THE RECREATION MILLAGE, AND $81.25 A YEAR, WHICH EQUATES TO $6.77 PER MONTH FOR THE LIBRARY MILLAGE, SO PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE ON SATURDAY, MAY 3RD.
EARLY VOTING IS FROM APRIL 19TH THROUGH APRIL 26.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.JEFFPARISH.GOV/MILLAGES.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. THANK YOU FOR GETTING TO THE WATER IN PERSON, THINGS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
I KNOW IT'LL TAKE SOME SETUP TIME, BUT THE QUICKER WE CAN GET TO THAT, THE BETTER.
ONE QUICK QUESTION FOR THE PARISH ATTORNEY, NOT FOR YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, JUST AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE WITH OLAMETER.
LAST MEETING, WE TALKED ABOUT SOME POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS WITH OUR WATER METER READING COMPANY TO SEE HOW WE MIGHT TIGHTEN UP THEIR CONTRACT A LITTLE BIT AND HOLD THEM MORE ACCOUNTABLE.
WHERE ARE YOU IN THE PROCESS? A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER?
>> WE ARE IN CONVERSATIONS WITH OLAMETER.
WE'VE ADDRESSED MOST OF THE ISSUES.
THERE'S A 13-ISSUE THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO DISCUSS, AND THE AMENDMENT SHOULD BE READY FOR THE SECOND APRIL MEETING.
>> THE SECOND APRIL MEETING, WHICH IS APRIL 30, THE NEXT MEETING.
THANK YOU, MADAM PARISH ATTORNEY.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR THE PARISH PRESIDENT? OR ANYBODY ELSE? THANK YOU. NOW WE'LL GET TO ANYBODY WANTING TO APPEAR
[PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING]
BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, CAN DO SO NOW, YOU MUST FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS AND HAND IT UP TO OUR CLERK.YOU'LL HAVE 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK, AND YOU MUST GIVE YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME, AND YOUR ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
IF YOU'RE HERE TO SPEAK ON THE APARTMENT COMPLEX ISSUE, YOU WAIT UNTIL THAT ITEM COMES UP.
THAT WILL BE THE THIRD AND FOURTH ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA ONCE WE MOVE THINGS AROUND IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES.
COUNCILMAN GREEN, YOU'LL BE RIGHT AFTER THIS PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE WE GO INTO THOSE FIRST TWO ITEMS WHEN WE MOVE THOSE.
WE'RE DOING SOME REARRANGING AT THE TOP OF THE MEETING, BUT RIGHT NOW, ANYBODY WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA CAN APPROACH THE PODIUM.
ANYBODY? GOING ONCE. GOING TWICE.
[00:55:02]
THAT MAY BE A FIRST IN A WHILE.THANK YOU. MOVING RIGHT ALONG.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING - AND LAND USE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ORDINANCES (Part 1 of 2)]
ANY OBJECTION TO SUSPENDING THE RULES TO, SAY, ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 11 AND 12, WITH 12 COMING BEFORE 11 ON THE AGENDA ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.LET'S START WITH ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM 12 AFTER WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER GREEN COME TO THE PODIUM, PLEASE.
BUT WE'LL START WITH 12 ONCE P SPEAKS.
>> CYNTHIA LEE SHENG AND MR. CHAIR, COUNCILMAN SCOTT WALKER, COUNCILMEN AT LARGE, AND MEMBERS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, I AM EUGENE GREEN, AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL.
I REPRESENT DISTRICT D, AND I'M ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL'S TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.
I SIMPLY COME HERE THIS MORNING IN THE SPIRIT THAT PASTOR BROWN RAISED IN HIS OPENING BLESSINGS OF THIS MEETING, AND I COME IN THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION.
I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I, AS THE CHAIR OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, AM VERY OPEN TO MEETINGS AND TO ENHANCE DIALOGUE THAT ENHANCE THIS VERY VALUABLE ASSET THAT WE HAVE IN THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AN ENTITY THAT PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OUR REGION, AND TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR TENS OF MILLIONS OF PASSENGERS EACH YEAR AND ENHANCES BOTH OF OUR PARISHES.
I'M JUST HERE TO SAY THAT WHATEVER I CAN DO AS THE CHAIR OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, AS JUST SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO SEE OUR REGION TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I'M AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CALLS, YOUR QUESTIONS, AND FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET.
I'M HERE TODAY, AND I'M JUST SO PLEASED TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU ON THIS DAY, AS YOU CELEBRATED SO MANY POSITIVES IN JEFFERSON PARISH, TO CELEBRATE THE POSITIVES IN OUR ENTIRE REGION.
THIS AIRPORT THAT WE HAVE, THAT WE ALL ENJOY, IS SOMETHING THAT IS VIEWED ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL AS A VERY IMPORTANT ASSET, AND ALSO AS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.
I'M VERY PROUD TO BE IN THE POSITION THAT I AM TO BE ABLE TO HEAR SOME OF THE CONCERNS AND TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AS NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS AIRPORT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.
I'M HERE AGAIN IN THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION SO THAT YOU CAN SEE MY FACE AND KNOW THAT OUR TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, BUT WE ARE AVAILABLE TO MEET FOR A SPECIAL MEETING AT ANY TIME THAT IS NEEDED.
I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.
I AM AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THEM WITH YOU WITH THE AVIATION BOARD, AND WITH OTHER PARTIES THAT YOU MIGHT WISH TO BRING TO THE TABLE.
I APPRECIATE THAT I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE TODAY, COUNCIL MEMBER BOHANNAN AND COUNCIL MEMBER LEE, AND WE'LL TALK TO EVERYONE ELSE, AS YOU WISH TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS TAKE PLACE.
AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF AND TO JUST SAY HOW PROUD I AM TO BE IN A POSITION TO WORK WITH JEFFERSON PARISH, TO WORK WITH ORLEANS PARISH, TO MAKE THIS AIRPORT CONTINUE TO GROW AND TO BE THE ASSET THAT REALLY HELPS TO DO SO MUCH IN OUR CITY AND REGION TO MAKE OUR AREA BETTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> WE DID HAVE A CHANCE TO MEET AND SPEAK THIS MORNING, AND IT SPEAKS VOLUMES THAT YOU WOULD COME HERE AND APPROACH OUR COUNCIL AND COME IN THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION.
THIS FIRST RESOLUTION THAT WE'RE DOING IS ACTUALLY ASKING FOR JUST THAT.
YOU'RE GREETED WITH OPEN ARMS HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
WE HAVE COMPETING INTERESTS, BUT WE ALL AGREE ON THE AIRPORT BEING SUCCESSFUL.
I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE ON THIS COUNCIL WOULD WANT ANYTHING OTHER THAN US TO HAVE THE BEST AND BIGGEST AIRPORT IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY.
BUT WE HAVE TO DO SO IN A SAFE WAY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I KNOW WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CONCERNS THIS MORNING.
I'M THRILLED TO HEAR THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH US TO ACHIEVE SOME BETTER PARAMETERS AND SAFETY, AND AT LEAST CONTINUE IN OPEN DIALOGUE, WHICH IS REALLY, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS MORNING, MISSING RIGHT NOW.
I'M HOPING THAT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN A LONG JOURNEY OF US MAKING THE AIRPORT SUCCESSFUL AND PROTECTING JEFFERSON PARISH.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING, TRULY.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. IT'S MY HONOR TO BE HERE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN, FOR COMING, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH YOU TO TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES.
WE JUST APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO COME AND SPEAK BEFORE US.
>> AGAIN, WE HAD A CHANCE TO MEET A LITTLE BIT BEFOREHAND.
[01:00:01]
AND WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS RECENTLY, COMING WITH A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION, CIVILITY, I THINK YOU ALWAYS DEMONSTRATE THAT.REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER.
I WAS IN AMSTERDAM ONE TIME, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I LEARNED THERE THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR DRAINAGE MONEY AND FOR THINGS; IN THAT COUNTRY, EVERYONE IS UNITED IN KEEPING THEIR FEET DRY, IS HOW THEY PUT IT.
WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR AIRPORT, MAKING IT A SHINING STAR AND KEEPING OUR RESIDENTS' HOMES AROUND IT DRY AND SAFE IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING I THINK WILL BE A SHARED AND COMMON GOAL, SO LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE OUTREACH.
THANK YOU FOR THE COMMUNICATION.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING. WE DO APPRECIATE IT.
>> I AM HONORED TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU ALL AND TO SPEAK WITH YOU, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS COOPERATION TO MOVE OUR REGION FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU. FEEL FREE TO STAY AROUND FOR THE NEXT TWO AGENDA ITEMS. [LAUGHTER].
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM 12.
>> A RESOLUTION URGING AND REQUESTING THE NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL, SPECIFICALLY THE TRANSPORTATION AND AIRPORT COMMITTEE, THE NEW ORLEANS AVIATION BOARD, THE CITY OF KENNER, SPECIFICALLY THE MAYOR OF KENNER, AND AT LARGE COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, SPECIFICALLY THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM DISTRICTS 3 AND 4, TO CONDUCT A JOINT MEETING REGARDING THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG, NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS IMPACTS TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES DURING HURRICANE FRANCINE, INCLUDING DRAINAGE AND PUMP SYSTEMS, AND TO DETERMINE IF A COMPROMISE REGARDING THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE NEW ORLEANS AVIATION BOARD MEMBERSHIP TO A REGIONAL GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE CAN BE REACHED THAT MINIMIZES FUTURE HARM, DANGER, AND OFFENSE CAUSED BY FLOODING TO THE RESIDENTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND KENNER WHILE FACILITATING THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON JOINT MOTION OF ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL AND URGING THE MEMBERS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO SUPPORT AND ENDEAVOR TO HAVE ENACTED A BILL TO ALLOW FOR THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE NEW ORLEANS AVIATION BOARD.
>> THIS ONE IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN THE FIRST ONE THAT WE READ.
THIS IS ASKING THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN'T HAPPEN THIS YEAR, AS YOU'LL KNOW IT'S A FISCAL YEAR, BUT IT WILL GIVE US SOME TIME, IF OUR CONVERSATIONS DO FAIL, THAT WE CAN STILL GO TO THE STATE AND SEEK HELP.
I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT JEFFERSON PARISH IS PROTECTED IS TO RECONSTITUTE THAT BOARD.
IF WE NEED TO MOVE SOME MOUNTAINS TO DO IT, WE JUST MIGHT HAVE TO MOVE SOME MOUNTAINS, BUT I THINK THAT THERE HAS TO BE A MORE EQUITABLE WAY.
THE AIRPORT IS OWNED BY THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE CAN'T HAVE A BIGGER VOICE ON THE BOAR, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.
I'M THRILLED THAT MY COLLEAGUES JOIN COUNCILMAN LEE AND I IN PURSUING THIS ENDEAVOR.
WE'VE HAD NOTHING BUT ENCOURAGEMENT.
I THINK THAT WE ALL SEE THIS AS A PATH OF PROTECTION FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
WITH THAT, I'D MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON JOINT MOTION OF ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
WHILE SENATOR CONNICK IS HERE, CAN I CALL YOU UP REAL QUICK, SENATOR CONNICK, BEFORE WE MOVE ON? THIS JUST OCCURRED TO ME LAST NIGHT AS I TALKED TO COUNCIL MEMBER GREEN AND COUNCIL MEMBER MARINO AT AN OPENING, WHICH IS A GREAT FACILITY YOU-ALL HAVE IN ORLEANS PARISH OPENING, NOW 504 GOLF.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT, BUT I KNOW ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES IS THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION BY THE AVIATION BOARD, THE SHARING OF INFORMATION.
ISN'T THERE A WAY, AT THE STATE LEVEL, THAT THEY CAN BE REQUIRED TO SHARE INFORMATION ON A QUARTERLY BASIS OR MORE OFTEN THAN IS CURRENTLY SHARED.
I KNOW THAT'S ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ORLEANS PARISH HAVE, IS THAT THEY DON'T GET INFORMATION.
WHILE I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA TO LOOK AT RECONSTITUTING THE BOARD, WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF THERE'S NOT BETTER SHARING OF INFORMATION?
>> FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING ME ON THE SPOT.
>> I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT, BUT YOU GOT LUCKY AS BEING THE ONLY REP HERE.
>> WE STILL HAVE TIME TO FILE BILLS.
[01:05:02]
THERE WAS A PRE FILING DEADLINE THAT WAS LAST WEEK.THERE IS A DEADLINE COMING UP AFTER SESSION STARTS FOR NON FISCAL BILLS.
IF THE COUNCIL WANTS TO COME UP WITH SOME LEGISLATION, I KNOW I HAVE ONE BILL AVAILABLE THAT I CAN CONSIDER.
THERE MAY BE MANY OTHER LEGISLATORS IN JEFFERSON PARISH THAT HAVE SOME BILLS AVAILABLE, OR BILLS CAN BE DROPPED AND ADDED.
IT IS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC, BUT I'D BE HAPPY TO TALK TO THE COUNCIL, BUT IT COULD BE DONE THROUGH LEGISLATION.
JUST GIVE US THE LANGUAGE TO CONSIDER.
>> I JUST CAME UP WITH THAT QUESTION LAST NIGHT.
I'M SORRY FOR PUT YOU ON THE SPOT BUT THANK YOU FOR INFORMATION.
>> WE START ON MONDAY WHEN THE SESSION STARTS, THE 14TH.
>> CAN WE ALL ASK HIM QUESTIONS?
>> DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? SENATOR PAT CONNICK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NOW WE WILL SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OBJECTIONS TO SUSPENDING THE RULES TO
[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES (Part 1 of 2)]
TAKE AGENDA ITEMS 7 AND 14 OUT OF ORDER, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.WE WILL START WITH ITEM NUMBER 7.
LET ME SAY BEFORE WE READ BOTH OF THESE, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS, THERE IS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR BOTH OF THESE ITEMS, SEVEN AND 14. FOR EACH PUBLIC HEARING, THOSE FOR AND AGAINST HAVE 15 MINUTES TO SPEAK.
THERE'S 15 ON THE FIRST ITEM FOR EACH SIDE AND 15 FOR THE SECOND ITEM ON EACH SIDE, BUT WE'LL READ THOSE ONE AT A TIME AND TAKE THEM INDIVIDUALLY.
FIRST IS ITEM NUMBER 7. MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26451, RE-SUB OF LOT 3-C-2 AND E SQUARE A22, AMES FARM SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS E-1 AND E-2 IN THE DEDICATION OF A 25-FOOT DRAINAGE SERVITUDE, WS-137-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26451.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I BELIEVE YOU'RE FORWARD ALREADY, SO GO AHEAD. IS THE MICE OFF?
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PATIENCE.
MY NAME IS THOMAS DELAHAYE AND MY ADDRESS IS 1113 RANGE AVENUE, DENHAM SPRINGS, LOUISIANA.
>> I'M SORRY ABOUT THE FEEDBACK. WE'LL WORK ON THAT.
>> MADAM PRESIDENT, MR. CHAIRMAN, CHAIR PEOPLE OF THE BOARD.
>> LET'S PAUSE THIS TIME FOR A SECOND AND SEE IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT.
WE HAVE ANOTHER MICROPHONE. WE'LL TRY THAT.
>> BAD LUCK ALL THE WAY AROUND. THIS WILL WORK.
AGAIN, MY NAME IS THOMAS DELAHAYE OR TOM DELAHAYE.
I AM PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CST MULTIFAMILY REAL ESTATE SERVICES AND HEAD OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY.
MADAM PRESIDENT AND MR. CHAIRMAN, CHAIR PEOPLE OF THE BOARD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I WANTED TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR COMPANY FIRST.
WE HAVE CONSTRUCTED DEVELOPMENTS JUST LIKE OUR PLAN RESERVE AT LAPALCO PLACE IN MANY PARISHES ACROSS THE STATE.
MULTIPLE COMPLEXES UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW HELP DRIVE ECONOMIES OF THE PARISHES BY PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED WORKFORCE HOUSING.
YOU ALL RECEIVED CST INFORMATION PACKETS WE'VE PREPARED.
I SENT IT TO YOU BOTH ELECTRONICALLY AND PAPER COPIES VIA FEDEX TO GIVE YOU A FULL PICTURE OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE WOULD BUILD HERE.
WE ARE A LOUISIANA COMPANY HEADQUARTERED IN LIVINGSTON PARISH.
WE PUT OUR MONEY AND RESOURCES INTO LOUISIANA PARISHES, AND WE WANT TO DO THAT HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
UNLIKE MANY DEVELOPERS, CST FINDS THE PROPERTY, BUILDS THE DEVELOPMENT, AND WE MANAGE IT THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE.
WE WILL BE HERE SUPPORTING THE PARISH AND THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH FOR MANY YEARS.
NOW, LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS DEVELOPMENT.
THE INFORMATION WE SENT TO YOU IN
[01:10:02]
THE PACKET DESCRIBES A PROPERTY AND WHAT WE INTEND TO BUILD, A FIRST-CLASS WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.IT HAS BEEN APPROVED AND RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH PLANNING AND ZONING STAFF WITHOUT ANY EXCEPTIONS, WE WEREN'T ASKING FOR A VARIANCE OR ANY KIND OF ZONING CHANGE.
ALL WE WERE LOOKING FOR IS A SITE PLAN APPROVAL AND A SUBDIVISION, AND YOUR STAFF RECOMMENDED YOU APPROVE THAT.
EVERY PROFESSIONAL WITHIN THAT DEPARTMENT WHO HAS LOOKED AT THE PROJECT HAS RECOMMENDED IT FOR APPROVAL, AND IT MEETS ALL YOUR QUALIFICATIONS UNDER THE LAW, OUR DEVELOPMENT.
CST HAS EXPENDED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME AND RESOURCES, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ALREADY TO GET TO THIS POINT.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO SPENDING MUCH MORE TO SUPPORT THE PARISH AND ITS RESIDENTS.
WE HAVE OVER TWO MILLION DOLLARS ALREADY SPENT, INVESTED IN THE LAND.
OVER TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN PRE-DEVELOPMENT COST.
THE DEVELOPMENT COST FOR THE BUILDINGS AND EVERYTHING WILL RANGE AROUND 35 MILLION.
THE ENTIRE DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE ROUGHLY 50 MILLION, AND WE WILL LOSE APPROXIMATELY $20,000,000 GRANT FROM LOUISIANA HOUSING CORPORATION IF WE FAIL TO DEVELOP THIS PROPERTY OR IF WE'RE PREVENTED FROM DEVELOPING THIS PROPERTY.
NOW, LET ME TELL YOU WHY THIS DEVELOPMENT IS IMPORTANT TO THE ECONOMY OF JEFFERSON PARISH RIGHT NOW.
OUR GOVERNOR IS BRINGING HUGE ECONOMIC PROJECTS INTO THE STATE.
THOSE PROJECTS NEED WORKERS AND WORKERS NEED WORKFORCE HOUSING.
AS YOU KNOW, FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, THE AVONDALE PROJECT IS A KEY TO DRIVING THE PARISH'S ECONOMIC ENGINE.
THE AVONDALE PROJECT NEEDS WORKERS, AND THOSE WORKERS NEED HOUSING LIKE WE PLAN TO BUILD.
THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THIS DEVELOPMENT.
THE DEVELOPMENT IS A STONE'S THROW FROM AVONDALE.
IN ADDITION, THE DEVELOPMENT IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO HOUSE WORKERS AT THE NEW SIX BILLION DOLLAR HYUNDAI STEEL PLANT IN ASCENSION PARISH.
THE STEEL PLANT NEEDS WORKERS, AND THOSE WORKERS NEED HOUSING.
JEFFERSON PARISH, THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN DESTROYED OR BEEN WRECKED BY SEVERAL HURRICANES, INCLUDING IDA, AND HAS BEEN NEGLECTED FOR TOO LONG.
CST HAS, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, SECURED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING THAT ARE AT RISK THAT WILL BE USED TO HELP BUILD THE COMMUNITY BACK WITH THIS WORKFORCE HOUSING.
THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PARISH TO PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED HOUSING AND TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FEDERAL FUNDING.
CST HAS LOCKED DOWN FAVORABLE INTEREST RATE FOR THE PROJECT AND SECURED THE FEDERAL FUNDING, AND ADVERSE ACTION WE WOULD LOSE THIS FAVORABLE INTEREST RATE, WHICH WOULD ALSO COST US MULTIPLE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
AS INTEREST RATES CONTINUE TO GO UP AND FEDERAL FUNDING CONTINUES TO DISAPPEAR, THIS TYPE OF PROJECT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE IN THE FUTURE.
NOW, LET ME TELL YOU WHY THIS PROJECT IS IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF WORKING CLASS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THE PARISH WHO CANNOT AFFORD A SINGLE FAMILY HOME.
WHY IS THAT? INTEREST RATES ARE TOO HIGH TODAY, MAKING A MORTGAGE INFEASIBLE FOR THEM.
INSURANCE COSTS ARE TOO HIGH, AND OF COURSE, THEY HAVE TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES, WHICH ARE EXPENSIVE TO THEM.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JEFFERSON PARISH CITIZENS ARE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE WHO NEED A CLEAN, SAFE, SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR FAMILIES TO LIVE IN.
[01:15:01]
OUR DEVELOPMENT, THE RESERVE AT LAPALCO PLACE, WILL PROVIDE THAT SAFE, CLEAN, SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR MANY OF THOSE WORKING CLASS FAMILIES IN THE PARISH.I KNOW YOU RECOGNIZE THESE ECONOMIC REALITIES FACING WORKING CLASS FAMILIES IN JEFFERSON PARISH BY YOUR RECOGNITION TODAY IN SUPPORT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I THANK YOU FOR THAT SUPPORT, AND I HOPE THAT SUPPORT THAT YOU RECOGNIZED TODAY EARLIER IN THE MEETING GOES ALONG WITH YOUR SUPPORT TODAY FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT.
I ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT CST'S EFFORT TO HELP WORKING CLASS FAMILIES IN JEFFERSON PARISH BY APPROVING OUR REQUEST BEFORE THE COUNCIL TODAY AND TO AVOID MULTIPLE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF LOSSES THAT WE WOULD SUFFER AS A RESULT OF OUR INABILITY TO DEVELOP THIS PROPERTY.
AGAIN, MANY THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND PATIENCE.
IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
OTHERWISE, I'D LET Y'ALL MOVE FORWARD.
>> WE'LL PAUSE THE CLOCK THERE, AND WE'LL HAVE SIX MINUTES AND 37 SECONDS.
IF ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK IN FAVOR, BUT I WANT TO SEE IF ANYBODY UP HERE HAS ANY QUESTIONS FOR YOU BEFORE YOU GO OFF.
ANYONE? I'LL ASK A COUPLE, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER THEM ALL, BUT JUST SOME OF THE CONCERNS I'VE HEARD THAT I JUST WANTED TO THROW AT YOU.
IT INVOLVES TRAFFIC IMPACT AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN THAT AREA, DRAINAGE CONCERNS AND STORM WATER CONSIDERATIONS.
WILL LOCAL RENTERS BE ABLE TO AFFORD THIS COMPLEX? IF THEY CAN'T, WILL IT BECOME SECTION 8 HOUSING? WILL IT GO DOWN TO THAT? THAT'S PROBABLY THE BIGGEST THEME THAT WE HEAR, AND LONG-TERM UPKEEP, YOUR TRACK RECORD AT YOUR OTHER PROPERTIES.
>> WE OWN AND MANAGE OVER 2,000 UNITS REGARDING TRAFFIC.
WE WERE REQUIRED BY THE PARISH PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO DO A TRAFFIC STUDY.
WE HAD TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THAT THEY REQUESTED, AND WE AGREED TO THEM, BUT THE TRAFFIC STUDY INDICATED NO ADDITIONAL PROBLEM CREATED BY THIS DEVELOPMENT.
WE DID, OF COURSE, DO A STORM WATER PLAN TO HANDLE ANY RUNOFF FROM A STORM, AND WE MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS THAT JEFFERSON PARISH REQUIRES.
IN SO FAR AS SECTION 8 IS A VOUCHER PROGRAM THAT PEOPLE CAN MOVE FROM PLACE TO PLACE IF THEY HAVE THE VOUCHER.
OUR DEVELOPMENT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE WITH UP TO 80% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.
NOW, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT 20 OR $30,000 A YEAR.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 60, 70, $80,000 A YEAR INCOMES THAT CAN LIVE IN THIS COMPLEX.
WE DO HAVE RESTRICTIONS BASED ON INCOME, BUT WITH THE NEW RULES RECENTLY ADOPTED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE, WE'RE ABLE TO RENT TO MUCH HIGHER INCOME INDIVIDUALS.
IT WILL HAVE A MIXED INCOME, BUT AS A RESULT, THE WAGES AND EVERYTHING FOR THE BUSINESSES THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE THERE.
TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE WEST BANK, IN PARTICULAR, THIS AREA, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ROOFTOPS.
IF YOU WANT A GROCERY STORE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ROOFTOPS.
THAT'S THE FIRST THING BUSINESSES LOOK FOR.
THE INTERESTING FACT, OF COURSE, IT WILL REQUIRE THE SUBDIVISION OF THIS PROPERTY, BUT WE'VE ALREADY BEEN APPROACHED BY SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO PURCHASE THE CARVE OUT OF THE ONE ACRE TO PUT, I BELIEVE, FAST FOOD OR AN ICE CREAM PLACE OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES THERE, OR A COFFEE SHOP.
I CAN'T SPECIFICALLY REMEMBER.
THEY DO DIFFERENT TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT, BUT THEY EXPRESSED INTEREST IN PURCHASING THIS FOR THAT PURPOSE.
IT WOULD GO TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE WEST BANK AND CITIZENS, BUT IF YOU WANT THE WEST BANK TO GROW,
[01:20:02]
YOU HAVE TO HAVE ROOFTOPS.IF YOU DON'T HAVE ROOFTOPS, BUSINESSES AREN'T GOING TO COME.
THE BUSINESSES DON'T COME FIRST.
THE ROOFTOPS HAVE TO COME FIRST.
>> LAST FOR ME, REAL QUICK, OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT APPROVED THIS.
OUR PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD VOTED IT DOWN 6-1, BECAUSE TO BE FRANK, THEY SAID YOU TRIED TO PULL A FAST ONE ON THEM.
WHAT'S THE EXPLANATION FOR THAT?
>> WELL, THE PLANNING DEPART THE PLANNING BOARD, NO ONE EVER QUESTIONED THE SITE PLAN OR THE SUBDIVISION OF THE PROPERTY, WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT BEFORE THE PLANNING BOARD.
I NEVER TRIED TO PULL A FAST ONE ON ANYONE.
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHERE OUR FUNDING CAME FROM, WHAT OUR RENTS WOULD BE.
I DID SAY, AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS, IF YOU LOOK AT OUR DEVELOPMENTS, THAT IT WOULD BE A FIRST CLASS, A DEVELOPMENT.
WE USE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS, WE USE ALL HARDWOOD FLOORS, WE USE ALL THE VERY BEST, NOT THE TYPICAL WHICH YOU SEE IN WORKFORCE HOUSING.
WE DO THAT FOR A PURPOSE BECAUSE THAT'S OUR MARKETING.
THAT'S HOW WE MARKET OUR PROPERTIES.
ANY ONE OF YOU, ANYONE HERE WOULD BE WILLING WHEN THEY WALK IN TO SEE OUR DEVELOPMENTS ARE AMAZED AT HOW NICE THEY LOOK, HOW WELL DONE THEY ARE, AND WE DO THAT.
WE USE A PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNER AND WE MAKE SURE OUR DEVELOPMENTS ARE FIRST CLASS.
I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THE POINT THAT WE TRIED TO PULL A FASTEN.
WE WERE ALWAYS VERY PUBLIC AND PARTICIPATE AND DID EVERYTHING THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD ASKED US TO DO.
THE ONE THING THEY NEVER THE QUESTIONS CAME TO ME WERE ABOUT OUR FINANCING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WHICH WERE NOT GERMANE WHATSOEVER TO THE PLANNING BOARD.
BUT I, OUT OF RESPECT FOR EVERYONE THERE, ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS AND WAS WITH FULL DISCLOSURE.
IT WAS DISAPPOINTING, I MUST SAY.
I OPERATE WITH THE UTMOST HONESTY AND INTEGRITY.
I HAVE A RECORD. THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR WITH SIX MINUTES AND 37 SECONDS LEFT ON THE IN FAVOR PORTION OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, I'LL BE ABLE TO RESPOND IF THAT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> NOW, KEEP IN MIND, THERE ARE 15 MINUTES FOR THE OPPOSITION, AND THERE'S ANOTHER ITEM ON THIS AS WELL THAT WILL READ NEXT.
IF YOU'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, YOU CAN STILL COMMENT ON THE NEXT ITEM, AS WELL.
BUT WHOEVER LINES UP KEEP A CLOCK IN YOUR HEAD, SO EVERYBODY GETS TO SPEAK OVER THOSE 15 PLUS MINUTES.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION, PLEASE FORM A LINE AND STEP TO THE PODIUM.
PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES OF OPPOSITION TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL CHAIRMAN WALKER.
MY NAME IS PATRICK CONNICK, 50201 WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY IN MARRERO.
FIRST, I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN LEE FOR HIS WORK ON THIS ISSUE, AS WELL AS THE PLANNING AND ADVISORY BOARD.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING MARRERO.
MARRERO HAS ONE COMMUNITY OF INTEREST.
YET WE'RE SERVED BY THREE COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
LOOKING AT IT AS A WHOLE, THIS IS MORE THAN JUST COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 ISSUE.
THE COMMUNITY THAT I REPRESENT MARRERO, DOES NOT WANT THIS DEVELOPMENT.
WE HAVE SUBMITTED TO THE PLANNING AND ADVISORY BOARD AT LEAST 700-1,200 SIGNATURES SAYING WE'RE AGAINST IT.
THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD VOTED AGAINST IT.
THE SECOND POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THE TRAFFIC STUDY.
CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, WHICH IS ABOUT A HALF A MILE FROM WHERE THIS DEVELOPMENT WANTS TO BUILD, IS A UNIT,344 UNITS.
344 APARTMENT UNITS ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED NOW.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT THAT WE'RE TALKING HERE TODAY WILL ADD ANOTHER 144 UNITS.
NEARLY 488 APARTMENT UNITS IN THIS ONE MILE AREA.
IN TWO DIFFERENT COUNCIL DISTRICTS, THERE'S NO STUDY THAT COMBINES THOSE TWO.
THERE'S NO TRAFFIC STUDY, HOW BOTH OF THESE UNITS, IF THEY GO ONLINE WILL AFFECT THE COMMUNITY.
[01:25:01]
THERE'S NO TRAFFIC STUDY, THERE'S NO THE WATER, THE SEWAGE.ALL THAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE THAT COMBINES THESE TWO PROPERTIES.
IF THAT'S DONE AND IT SHOWS OKAY, THEN THEN WE MIGHT HAVE A DIFFERENT ISSUE.
BUT I THINK AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, UNTIL YOU HAVE A STUDY THAT COMBINES BOTH OF THESE 100 ALMOST 500 UNITS IN THIS ONE AREA, THIS REQUEST IS PREMATURE. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS DWAYNE DUNN.
I AM HERE REGARDING PROPERTY THAT I INHERITED ON BONNIE ANN DRIVE, WHICH LITERALLY IS ABOUT A HOUSE AWAY FROM THE BACK END OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.
I REITERATE WHAT SENATOR CONNICK SAID, AND THAT IS THAT THE TRAFFIC STUDY, WHICH WAS PAID FOR AND DONE PRIVATELY BY THE DEVELOPER, NOT BY THE PARISH, DID NOT CONSIDER THE OTHER DEVELOPMENT.
IT TALKS ABOUT CURRENT LEVELS OF TRAFFIC ON BARATARIA AND AT THE INTERSECTION OF BARATARIAN LAPCO, AND IT MAKES A STATEMENT THAT IT WILL CAUSE MINIMUM DELAY TO DRIVERS EXITING THE DEVELOPMENT.
WE'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE DRIVERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT.
WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE USING THE HIGHWAY.
IT DOES NOT CONSIDER THE ADDITIONAL UNITS BEING BUILT IN COUNCILMAN BANANOS DISTRICT.
FOR THAT REASON, I THINK IT'S FAULTY.
WITH REGARD TO THE COMMENTS THAT THEY WERE NOT THAT CST WAS NOT MISLEADING OR THAT MR. DELE HE WAS NOT MISLEADING.
COUNCILMAN LEE'S MEMBER ON THE BOARD CALLED IT TO A HALT BECAUSE HE WAS BEING ASKED QUESTIONS.
I BELIEVE IT WAS BY MISS MASSENA, IF I'M CORRECT.
I'M TERRIBLE WITH NAMES ABOUT THE RENT, AND HE WOULD NOT TESTIFY TRUTHFULLY AND COMPLETELY ABOUT THE RENTS.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RENTS ARE.
I HEARD WHAT HE SAID TODAY, AND IF HE WANTS TO PUT HIS MONEY WHERE HIS MOUTH IS, HE SHOULD HAVE MADE THIS A MARKET VALUE RENT, AND HE DIDN'T DO THAT.
COUNCILMAN BANANOS DEVELOPMENT IS MARKET VALUE RENT.
THAT IS NOT WHAT WE HAVE HERE.
IF YOU LOOK AT THEIR PLAN OF OPERATION AS ESPOUSED ON THE INTERNET, THEIR PLAN IS TO GET THIS MONEY, RUN IT DOWN UNTIL THEY CAN DUMP IT OFF AND THEN MOVE ON.
THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT US HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE CITIZENRY IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
HE TALKS ABOUT THE STAFF, AGAIN, MISLEADING, WHICH COUNCILMAN LEE'S MEMBER ON THE BOARD SAID, HE TALKS ABOUT THE STAFF APPROVING.
HE DIDN'T MENTION THAT THE BOARD DENIED IT. THE BOARD DENIED IT.
HE GAVE HIS ADDRESS AS AS DENHAM SPRINGS, I BELIEVE IT WAS.
YOU CHECK THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE, HIS ADDRESS IS IN NORTH CAROLINA. WHICH ONE'S TRUE? I DON'T KNOW, BUT HE'S EITHER UNTRUTHFUL WITH THE STATE OR HE'S UNTRUTHFUL WITH US HERE TODAY.
ALSO, AT THE BOARD MEETING, HE HAD TO READ OFF HIS ADDRESS OFF OF A BUSINESS CARD.
HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HIS ADDRESS.
FINALLY, I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT HE TALKED ABOUT THEY SATISFIED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS, AND THEY SPENT ALL OF THIS MONEY.
YOU DON'T GO BUY A CAR AND DON'T KNOW IF IF IT WORKS.
HE DUMPED THIS MONEY IN THIS PROPERTY FEELING ENTITLED THAT HE'S GOING TO GET THIS DEVELOPMENT APPROVED.
THERE IS NO STATEMENT OR PROVISION IN THE LAW IN THE ORDINANCES THAT SAYS, IF HE MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS, YOU ARE OBLIGATED TO APPROVE HIS PLAN, HIS PROJECT.
I BELIEVE YOUR JOB IS TO LOOK OUT FOR THE ENTIRE PARISH AND WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE PARISH, NOT WHAT'S JUST GOOD FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL IN THIS COMPANY.
>> NINE MINUTES AND 40 SECONDS LEFT.
>> GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TODAY FOR OUR CONCERNS.
I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF THE SUBJECT AREA.
I GREW UP ON EDEN ROCK DRIVE, WENT TO MILLER WALL ELEMENTARY ON BONNIE ANN, EARNED MY BACHELOR'S AND MASTER'S DEGREES AT TO LANE.
I HAVE SINCE PURCHASED MY HOME ON TOWERING OAKS AVENUE, A STREET ADJACENT TO THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.
I HAVE TWO BRIEF POINTS THIS MORNING REGARDING ISSUES AND INCONSISTENCIES WITH THIS PROJECT.
AT MY CONCLUSION, I WILL BEG UPON THIS COUNCIL TO DENY THE REZONING.
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THE INCONSISTENCIES WITH THIS DEVELOPER'S PRESENTATIONS.
IN JUST THE LAST FEW MONTHS, WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE DEVELOPER RESHAPING HIS CLAIMS TO SATISFY WHOMEVER HE HAPPENS TO BE TALKING TO.
WHEN YOUR COMMITTEE QUESTIONED HIM LAST MEETING, HE STUTTERED THROUGH ANSWERS AND FORCED THEM TO ASK THE SAME QUESTIONS MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE HE WAS CORNERED INTO PROVIDING RELUCTANT HALF BAKED ANSWERS.
BASIC QUESTIONS THAT REQUIRED SIMPLE QUANTITATIVE ANSWERS HE DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE.
HE CLAIMED A LACK OF PREPARATION THAT HE COULDN'T PREDICT
[01:30:01]
THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE UNITS WOULD GO FOR PER MONTH.HE WAS ALSO ASKED FOR QUALITATIVE INFORMATION ON THE UNITS.
HE CLAIMED THEY WOULD BE QUALITY INSTALLMENTS, LUXURY DEVELOPMENTS LIKE THEY HAVE ALLEGEDLY BUILT ELSEWHERE.
THIS STATEMENT IS INCONGRUENT WITH THE SCHEMATICS AND PLANS THEY HAVE PUBLISHED.
THESE UNITS ARE DESIGNED TO CRAM VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY INTO TINY BOXES, UP TO EIGHT HEARTBEATS, MOST OF WHICH WOULD BE MINORS ACCORDING TO THEIR DESCRIPTIONS ON INCOME LIMITATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS, STUFFED INTO A FACILITY WHERE THE CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA IS AKIN TO THE SIZE OF THE TRASH AREA AND SMALLER THAN THE PET AREA.
WHAT'S MORE, PLANS FOR SECURITY IN THE AREA ARE EVER CHANGING, AND THERE'S NO EVIDENCE BEYOND THE DEVELOPERS ANECDOTAL STATEMENTS THAT THEY WILL HAVE ANY INTEREST IN THE SECURITY AND WELL BEING OF THE POTENTIAL TENANTS AFTER THIS BOHEMO IS BUILT.
MUCH LESS CARE FOR THE IMPACT ON THE SURROUNDING AREA.
THIS FAR INTO THE PROCESS, THESE PLANS SHOULD NOT BE SO FLUID.
IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE THAT BASIC QUESTIONS SHOULD HAVE ONLY BEEN ANSWERED WITH GENERALITIES.
NEXT, I WANT TO REFOCUS ON THE QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONS I MENTIONED THE DEVELOPER DID NOT WANT TO ANSWER.
I AM A CPA AND HAVE SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING PROJECTION MODELS WITH REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS.
IN MY 10 PLUS YEARS IN BUSINESS, I HAVE ENCOUNTERED EXACTLY ZERO DEVELOPERS THAT COULDN'T TELL ME EVEN IN THE VERY FIRST MEETING, THEIR RENTAL RATES, OCCUPANCY EXPECTATIONS, AND OTHER DETAILED CHARACTERISTICS TO THEIR PROJECT.
THIS DEVELOPER REFUSED TO BE FORTHRIGHT AT THE LAST MEETING.
BEFORE THEY PURCHASED THE LAND, THEY WOULD HAVE LOOKED AT WHAT THE RETURN WOULD BE.
AT THIS POINT IN THE TIMELINE, ANYONE QUALIFIED TO REPRESENT THE PROJECT TO THAT COMMITTEE OR THIS COUNCIL WOULD KNOW WHAT THEY WILL CHARGE PER UNIT, HOW MANY UNIT, AND WHO THEIR TARGET TENANTS ARE.
TO CLAIM OTHERWISE IS EITHER A LIE OR WORRYING INCOMPETENCE.
EITHER LIKELIHOOD IS TROUBLING.
ADDITIONAL HOUSING IS NEEDED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT AS A COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO APPROACH IT IN A WAY THAT STIMULATES GROWTH AND ATTRACTS JOBS FOR OUR CITIZENS, A WAY THAT FOSTERS A SAFE COMMUNITY FOR OUR CHILDREN AND MAKES A PLACE WHERE THEY WANT TO STAY, NOT A PLACE TO ESCAPE.
I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS DEVELOPER SHARE THOSE INTERESTS, NOR EVIDENCE THEY WILL COMMIT TO ANY OF THEIR IMMEDIATE CLAIMS, NEVERTHELESS, TWO TO FIVE YEARS FROM NOW.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> 6.5 MINUTES.>> MY NAME IS KENNY ARNOLD.
I'VE BEEN LIVING THERE FOR 46 YEARS.
IT WASN'T TOO LONG AGO, MAYBE A YEAR AGO.
SOMEBODY WAS TRYING TO BUILD 20 HOUSES ADJACENT TO OUR SUBDIVISION, AND THEY GOT SHOT DOWN BECAUSE OF INCREASED TRAFFIC.
NOW, I THINK IF HE LIVES IN DENHAM SPRINGS, I KNOW THEY'VE GOT A LOT MORE OPEN LAND IN DENHAM SPRINGS THAN THEY DO IN MARRERO.
PLUS, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING 1.8 MILLION ANNUAL TAX CREDITS FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS AND 74% PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYING FOR THAT, NOT HIM.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU.
>> I AM SHARON BROWN 5113 RANDOLPH MARRERO, LOUISIANA.
I ECHO THEIR SENTIMENTS ON THE TRAFFIC.
I THINK WE NEED A DASH CAM SHOWING AT PEAK TIMES WITH THE TRAVEL BECAUSE I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYBODY WANTS ANY MORE TRAFFIC ON BARATARIA.
I WORKED ON THE EAST AND WEST BANK FOR 18 YEARS EQUALLY, AND IT TAKES ME ALMOST AS MUCH TIME TO GET TO MARRERO AS IT DID TO THE EAST BANK.
THE EAST BANK GETS THINGS LIKE ZEPHYR STADIUM, LAFARGE, ELMWOOD.
WHERE WE COULD HAVE HAD A ELWOOD TYPE PLACE, WE GOT APARTMENTS, AGAIN, A TRAFFIC ISSUE, WHICH IS NOT GOING TO GENERATE JOBS.
I LIVE LESS THAN A MILE FROM THIS AREA, AND I GO TO THE EAST BANK FOR EVERYTHING BECAUSE I CAN DO A ONE STOP SHOP AT ELMWOOD.
THE LAST FEW THINGS ON THE WEST BANK THAT I'M AWARE OF ARE TWO SETS OF APARTMENTS AND A BREWERY AND A LOCATION WHERE PEOPLE GO TO COURT FOR DWI.
I'M NOT SURE WHERE OUR INTERESTS OF LEFT STRIM, TRAFFIC AND A BETTER WAY OF LIFE ARE BEING ADDRESSED BY THIS NATURE BECAUSE WE HAVE A TON OF HOUSING MARKET AND A TON OF LIQUOR SHOPS.
THESE MEETINGS ARE HELD IN THE EVENING, YET THE VOTES TAKE PLACE DURING THE DAY WHEN MOST PEOPLE CAN'T COME.
IN SPITE OF ONLY OPPOSITION, WE'VE HAD TO ENDURE REPEATEDLY SHOWING UP TO STOP THIS.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CALL THE OFFICE OF ANYBODY WHO REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE TO SHOW UP TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS OR COUNCIL MEETINGS.
I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT AUTOMATICALLY, IF A PERSON CAN'T GO, THEY WOULD SEND SOMEONE IN THEIR PLACE.
EMPLOYEES WORKING FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS ALSO SHOULDN'T ASK ME TO SEND AN EMAIL INSTEAD OF TAKING A MESSAGE OR TELL ME IT'S THEIR PART TIME JOB, THAT THAT'S WHY THEY'RE NOT AVAILABLE.
REPRESENTATION OF ALL OF MARRERO SHOULD SHOW UP FOR ANY PART OF MARRERO, LIKE THEY SAID.
ALL PARTS OF MARRERO SHOULD BE THERE TO DISCUSS THIS.
NOW, MILLER WALL WAS JUST TORN DOWN IN MAJOR OAK TREES THAT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE 50 100-YEARS-OLD.
THEY WERE HUGE. THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, AND THEY WERE TORN DOWN.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE TARGET IS FOR THAT DEVELOPMENT.
IF IT'S GOING TO BE MORE APARTMENTS FROM THIS GENTLEMAN OR SOMEONE ELSE.
MY OPINION, WE HAVE ENOUGH HOUSING ON THE SIDE OF THE RIVER.
IF YOU GO ON ZILLO, YOU CAN SEE ALL THE AVAILABLE HOUSING AND APARTMENTS,
[01:35:02]
AS FAR AS HIS REPUTATION, I SAW THE GENTLEMAN HAND HIM A SLIVER OF PAPER OR CARD TO READ AN ADDRESS FROM.YOU KNOW YOUR OWN ADDRESS IF YOU LIVE THERE.
I'M NOT SAYING HE DOES OR HE DON'T, BUT WHY WOULD YOU NEED SOMEBODY TO HAND YOU SOMETHING TO READ YOUR OWN ADDRESS? I HOPE THAT SINCE ALL THE CITIZENS OPPOSE THE VOTES OF THE COUNCIL WILL ECHO OUR WISHES AND THAT THIS IS TAKEN AS CONSTRUCTIVE FOR FUTURE ENDEAVORS IN OUR PARISH, BECAUSE I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A DIFFERENT LOOK AT IT.
>> THREE MINUTES AND 20 SECONDS.
>> MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU THIS MORNING.
WISE MAN TOLD ME THAT BEING A REPRESENTATIVE AND REPRESENTING PEOPLE IS ABOUT LOOKING AT EVERY ISSUE, WEAR OUT THE FACTS IN FRONT OF YOU.
THEN AT THE END OF THE DAY, FOLLOW YOUR CONSCIENCE AND DO RIGHT FOR PEOPLE.
TODAY, YOU HAVE TWO SIDES OF AN ISSUE.
YOU HAVE A DEVELOPMENT THAT'S TRYING TO BUILD A MARRERO.
THEY WERE NOT COMPLETELY HONEST THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS.
THEY LOT DURING THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY.
THEY WERE A LOT AND MISREPRESENTED THEIR PROJECT DURING THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD IN WHICH YOUR REPRESENTATIVES OVERWHELMINGLY VOTED AGAINST IT.
RIGHT NOW, I THINK YOU HAD A CROSSROADS LOOKING AT THIS.
DO YOUR FIGHT A LAWSUIT FROM A DEVELOPER BECAUSE YOU'VE HAD TO TURN THEM DOWN, BUT THEY MISREPRESENTED THEMSELVES.
YOU HAVE RECORDS WITH THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD.
YOU HAVE THOSE FACTS TO FIGHT THE LAWSUIT.
ALTHOUGH YOU FED A LAWSUIT FROM THE CONSTITUENTS WHO VOTED YOU'RE IN OFFICE.
BUT I REALLY ADMIRE EVERYTHING THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU DO.
I TRULY TRUST THAT YOU LOOK AT ALL THE FACTS AND DO IT RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE AND VOTE NO FOR SP 72-24.
>> [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK EVERYONE WHO'S AGAINST THE PROJECT THAT MAY NOT GET TO SPEAK, JUST TO STAND UP AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEMSELVES.
>> [LAUGHTER] FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T ABLE TO SPEAK IN THIS NEXT MINUTE-AND-A-HALF, THERE IS ANOTHER ITEM AFTER WE MOVE ON THIS ONE.
THEY'LL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 15 MINUTES IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION. THANK YOU.
>> THANKS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO ATTEND QUALITY OF LIFE TOWN HALL MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE IN UNINCORPORATED MARRERO AND HARVEY.
IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.THERE'S A MINUTE, 34 LEFT.
>> HI, I'M GOING TO REALLY CUT MY PRESENTATION SHORT.
I'M SUSAN BARBE, 217 OAKS ROAD, MARRERO, LOUISIANA.
AGAIN, THANKS ALL OF YOU FOR BEING FAIR AND LISTENING AND DOING WHAT'S RIGHT BY YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
I JUST ECHO THE TRAFFIC STUDY, ECHO A LOT OF OTHER THINGS ABOUT HOW THIS IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT I WANT TO SPECIFICALLY SAY THAT, YES, THIS GENTLEMAN DEFINITELY MISREPRESENTED HIMSELF.
IT TOOK THREE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS FOR THEM TO FINALLY GET THE SOMEWHAT OF THE TRUTH OUT OF HIM.
THE FACT IS THAT 50% OF THE FUNDING OF THE MONEY THAT HE'S GETTING WILL BE FREE FROM HUD, AND THAT REQUIRES HIM TO PROVIDE AT LEAST 50% HOUSING TO SUBSIDIZED RENTERS.
HE SPECIFICALLY SAID AT THE FINAL UNDER DURESS, THAT AT LEAST 50% OF THE PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE JOBS AND WILL NOT BE EMPLOYED WHILE THEY LIVE THERE.
THEY WILL BE ON SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME.
THAT GOES AGAINST EXACTLY WHAT HE JUST SAID TODAY.
THERE IS NO CONGRUITY WITH WHAT HE'S SAYING IN ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.
THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HEARTBEATS.
>> THAT'S YOUR TIME ON THIS ONE?
>> [LAUGHTER] IT'S OKAY. BUT IF YOU STILL NEED TO SPEAK, AND EVERYBODY ELSE WHO'S IN LINE, THERE IS THIS NEXT ITEM AFTER WE MOVE ON THIS ONE, THAT WE'LL HAVE THE SAME PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION [LAUGHTER] TAKE A BREATH.
WE'LL BE BACK IN A MINUTE. BUT THERE IS SIX MINUTES AND 37 SECONDS OF OF REBUTTAL TIME,
[01:40:01]
SIR, IF YOU'D LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.>> MADAM PRESIDENT, MR. CHAIRMAN, AND CHAIR PEOPLE OF THE BOARD, I HAVE NEVER, EVER KNOWN THAT IT'S A REQUIREMENT TO LIVE ANYWHERE WHEN YOU'RE DOING A DEVELOPMENT ANYWHERE.
I'M A FIFTH GENERATION LOUISIANAN.
MY MOTHER WAS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL TEACHER.
I GREW UP IN PLAQUEMINE, LOUISIANA, NOT THE PARISH, THE CITY, IBERVILLE PARISH.
AGAIN, I'M A FIFTH GENERATION LOUISIANAN.
I AM NOT GOING TO STAND UP HERE AND ANNOUNCE MY HOME ADDRESS.
I'M JUST NOT GOING TO DO IT, BECAUSE THAT'S MY PRIVATE BUSINESS, AND IT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT.
WE ALL KNOW WHAT THOSE QUESTIONS MEAN AND THE SUBTEXT OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RENT AND THE RESTRICTED RENTS.
YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHEN I WAS ASKED THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RENT, I WAS IN NO WAY TRYING TO BE DECEPTIVE, BUT EACH UNIT HAS A DIFFERENT RENT BASED ON THE SIZE, WHETHER IT'S A 1, 2, OR 3-BEDROOM UNIT.
THE INCOME OF THE INDIVIDUAL ALSO DICTATES THE RENT.
IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SIT HERE AND GIVE A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF WHAT THE RENTS WILL BE BECAUSE THEY WILL VARY.
THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT TO BE DECEPTIVE.
BUT THE RENTS AREN'T ON GERMANE TO WHAT WE'RE DOING.
FINALLY, LET ME SAY, WE CAME TO JEFFERSON PARISH.
WE FOLLOWED EVERYTHING THAT WAS ASKED OF US OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
THEY ASKED OF US TO PUT A REAR EXIT FOR FIRE PURPOSES.
IT'S NOT WHAT WE WOULD CHOOSE, BUT THEY ASKED US TO DO A TRAFFIC STUDY.
IT'S NOTHING UNTOWARD ABOUT THAT.
IT'S WHAT EVERYBODY HAS TO DO.
THEY ASKED US TO DO A WATER DRAINAGE STUDY.
WE DID THAT. WE FOLLOWED EVERYTHING THAT THEY ASKED US TO DO, AND THEY RECOMMENDED TO YOU AND TO THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD FOR APPROVAL.
THE FACT THAT THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD VOTED IT DOWN BECAUSE I COULDN'T STATE THE RENTS.
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD DEALS WITH WHAT THE PROPERTY IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, THE SHAPE OF THE PROPERTY IF IT MEETS CERTAIN REGULATIONS, AND IT MET ALL OF THOSE.
THE RENTS ARE A SUBTEXT OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SAY ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THEY DON'T WANT IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHAT THE SUBJECT OF THE RENT IS ABOUT.
I DIDN'T SAY THAT AT THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
ASKING IF WE'RE GOING TO ACCEPT SECTION 8 IS ALSO A SUBTEXT OR A SUB-MEANING OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE THOSE PEOPLE THAT THEY DON'T WANT IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
LET'S BE HONEST. I'M BEING HONEST.
LET'S BE HONEST AND SAY THAT YOU DON'T WANT THOSE PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S INSULTING TO HEAR THAT THEY QUESTION WHAT THE RENTS ARE.
I WISH SOMEONE WOULD COME UP HERE AND BE HONEST ABOUT WHY THEY REALLY DON'T WANT THE APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
I HAVE ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS, FOLLOWED ALL THE RULES AND EXPENDED A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ALREADY IN PLANNING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.
THAT WAS OUR CHOICE. WE DID THAT.
AGAIN, WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR ADOPTION OF THIS PROPOSAL.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. MADAM CLERK, I HAVE ONE IN FAVOR AND EIGHT IN OPPOSITION ON ITEM NUMBER 7.
>> THAT'S RIGHT? SEVEN IN OPPOSITION.
WELL, THE EIGHTH WILL COME IN A MINUTE.
BUT SEVEN FOR ITEM NUMBER 7, SEVEN IN OPPOSITION, ONE IN FAVOR.
>> THANK YOU. THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS, AND CERTAINLY WE'VE RECEIVED OUR SHARE OF EMAIL AND PHONE CALLS AND ALL.
[01:45:03]
I'VE BEEN VERY DELIBERATIVE IN THIS PROCESS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE INVOLVED WITH A PROCESS WHERE BOTH PARTIES DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THEIR MIND OR TAKE POSITIONS PUBLICLY THAT I DEEM TO BE UNNECESSARY.I DO THIS THE WAY I'VE BEEN DOING IT, AND THAT IS TO GIVE EVERYBODY AN OPPORTUNITY.
I DON'T TALK TO THE MEDIA ABOUT MATTERS BECAUSE I NEVER WANT TO COMPROMISE MYSELF AND NEVER WANT TO COMPROMISE THIS PARISH IF I'M DOING SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS UNTOWARD.
I TAKE MY TIME, I MAKE SURE THAT I TREAT EVERYBODY FAIR.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, LAST NIGHT, I MADE A VERY FIRM DECISION, AND I CALLED MR. DELAHEY'S ATTORNEY, AND I CALLED ALSO SENATOR CONNICK, AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO HIM.
I MADE IT VERY CLEAR TO BOTH PARTIES THAT I'M VOTING AGAINST THIS [APPLAUSE] I MOVE TO DENY.
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE DENIAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26451, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
THAT IS ITEM NUMBER 7, AND NOW WE'RE HALFWAY THROUGH THIS WITH ITEM NUMBER 14 TO COME NEXT, MADAM CLERK.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES (Part 1 of 2)]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26455, APPROVING SP-72-24, A SITE PLAN REVIEW REQUEST FOR THE RESERVE AT LAPALCO PLACE, A MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 50 401 LAPALCO BOULEVARD ON PARCEL E AND 3-C-2 SQUARE A-22 SECTION 00, AMES FORM SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE, AND WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 14, SUMMARY NUMBER 26455.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE THE MAJORITY OF MY TIME FOR MY REBUTTAL.
BUT AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT WE FOLLOWED ALL THE RULES THAT YOU REQUIRE.
COUNCILMAN LEE HAS BEEN A GENTLEMAN TO WORK WITH.
I TOLD HIM THAT BEFORE THE MEETING.
I RESPECT HIS POSITION. I UNDERSTAND IT.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
BUT PLEASE ALSO UNDERSTAND OUR POSITION.
YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR JOB, AND WE HAVE TO DO OURS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRECIOUS TIME AND YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
BUT I RESERVE THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME FOR FINAL REBUTTAL.
>> ANYONE ELSE? WE HAVE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK IN FAVOR, AND THEN WHAT'S LEFT AFTER THAT, BUT I THINK I KNOW WHERE WE ARE.
ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING IN FAVOR.
WE'LL HAVE 14 MINUTES AND 13 SECONDS ON THE OTHER SIDE.
ANYONE SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
WE SAID TO BE CONTINUED. GO AHEAD.
>> SUSAN BARBE, 217 OAKS ROAD, MARRERO, LOUISIANA.
HERE'S ANOTHER INCONSISTENT STATEMENT THAT HE JUST MADE.
HE JUST SAID 1, 2, OR 3-BEDROOM UNITS, BUT THERE WILL ALSO BE FOUR BEDROOM UNITS.
I DON'T KNOW WHY HE'S NOT CONSISTENT WITH HIS FACTS.
ANYWAY, IN THOSE FOUR BEDROOM UNITS, THEY CAN LEGALLY FIT EIGHT ADULTS, AND WHAT I JUST SAID EARLIER, 50% OR MORE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE RESIDENTS IN THIS COMMUNITY WILL NOT HAVE JOBS.
THAT LEADS ME TO A SECOND INCONSISTENCY.
EARLIER, HE MENTIONED THE WORD WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE HOUSING, WORKFORCE HOUSING.
HE SAID IT THREE OR FOUR TIMES.
BUT THAT GOES BACK TO WHAT I JUST SAID, THAT HALF OF THE PEOPLE THAT'S LIVING IN THIS COMMUNITY WILL NOT HAVE JOBS.
ALSO, I JUST WANT TO SAY, I HAVE NO PROBLEM AT ALL WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND I AM VERY OFFENDED BY HIS ACCUSATION THAT I DO.
BUT I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH LIARS.
WHEN YOU'RE COMING INTO OUR COMMUNITY TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE, AND YOU HAVE INCONSISTENTLY SPOKEN ABOUT THE FACTS OF THIS PROJECT FROM DAY 1, CALLING IT A LUXURY APARTMENT COMPLEX, SAYING THAT THE RENTS WOULD BE 2,500-3,000 OR WHATEVER HE SAID THAT'S ON THE RECORD WITH THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD.
[01:50:03]
THEN COME BACK AND SAY 50% OF THIS COMPLEX IS BEING PROVIDED FREE MONEY FROM HUD.I'M SORRY. I'M VERY FLUSTERED.
I'M VERY OFFENDED BY WHAT HE SAID, AND I NEED TO TAKE A BREATH AND LET EVERYBODY ELSE SPEAK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU, MR. LYME [APPLAUSE]
>> I'LL TAKE THE FULL 13 [LAUGHTER]
>> MY NAME IS TIM KERNER. I'M THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF JEAN LAFITTE.
FIRST OFF, COUNCIL, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO PEOPLE.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY PAY FOR THESE LIGHTS, THE CHAIRS, EVERYTHING IN THIS ROOM.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
LOOK, I HAVE TO SAY, I'M INSULTED, AS WELL.
I HAVE THE LUXURY TO GET A REAL GOOD FEEL OF HOW PEOPLE ARE FEELING ABOUT THESE APARTMENTS BECAUSE I'M CURRENTLY IN AN ELECTION.
I'VE DOOR KNOCKED RICH NEIGHBORHOODS, POOR NEIGHBORHOODS, WHITE, BLACK, EVERYTHING.
I CAN TELL YOU, ALL PEOPLE DON'T WANT THIS IN MARRERO.
IT'S JUST SO INSULTING TO SAY THAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S BIG ISSUES.
OF COURSE, THERE'S BEEN MISREPRESENTATIONS THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE THING, AND I'VE BEEN AT THOSE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEES? I'VE BEEN AT THE MEETING THAT PART.
BUT IF WE'RE SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT THE PLANNING PORTION OF THIS, ONE QUESTION REALLY ALERTED ME.
I LOOKED AT THE TRAFFIC STUDY.
I THINK IT WAS AROUND 2:00 AM, IF I'M CORRECT.
WELL, THERE WAS STATED HERE BY ONE OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE ASKED AND THEY SAID HOW MANY PEOPLE PER APARTMENT, IS THERE A QUOTA? IS THERE A LIMIT? THE GUY SAID, OF COURSE, THERE IS.
WELL, THEN WHEN THEY GOT HAMMERED DOWN ON IN THE NEXT MEETING, IT CAME COME TO FIND OUT THERE WAS NOTHING IN WRITTEN PER PERSON IF THERE WAS ANY LIMIT IN THOSE APARTMENTS.
I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW A TRAFFIC STUDY CAN BE DONE.
BUT I CAN TELL YOU THE MAIN REASON WHY I OBJECT THIS.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE IN MARRERO, BUT ALSO LAFE BEAR AND CROWN POINT, ALL OF THE LAPALCO CORRIDOR.
THAT IS OUR HOSPITAL ROUTE, SIR.
IF SOMEBODY CATCHES A HEART ATTACK, SOMEBODY'S FAMILY MEMBER IN THIS ROOM CATCHES A HEART ATTACK, CATCHES A STROKE, THEIR ONLY LINE TO THAT HOSPITAL IS THIS.
YOU CAN'T LOOK. YOU CAN COME HERE AND TELL THE PEOPLE AND THAT YOU KNOW MORE THAN US.
THERE'S OLD SAYING IN POLITICS THAT THE PEOPLE KNOW THEIR PROBLEMS AND THEY KNOW THEIR SOLUTIONS.
JUST DOING THE COMMON SENSE MATH, IF YOU HAVE AN APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH OVER 150 APARTMENTS RANGING 1-4 BEDROOMS AND YOU'RE DOING ANOTHER ONE IN THE SAME STREET THAT'S DIRECTLY IN ACCESS TO THE HOSPITAL, IT'S GOING TO CAUSE ISSUES.
JUST LOOK AT PLAQUE-MINE'S PARISH. I'M SURE IT WAS GREAT.
I'M SURE A LOT OF THOSE THINGS PLACED THE PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEES, L&G PLANS, THE BRIDGE GOING UP OVER.
GOD FORBID, SOMEBODY HAS A SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUE, A HEALTH EMERGENCY.
PEOPLE ARE SITTING IN TRAFFIC FOR FOUR HOURS A DAY.
IT IS PAINFUL FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE RESIDENTS RIGHT NOW.
I'M ASKING THIS COUNCIL, AND I APPRECIATE THAT I ALREADY GOT THE RESPONSE.
BUT I'M ASKING THIS COUNCIL TO DO WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THOSE PEOPLE.
HAVING THESE TWO MAJOR APARTMENT COMPLEXES RIGHT DOWN BARRETT AREA PUTS EVERYONE AT RISK THAT HAS A HEALTH CARE EMERGENCY, AND THAT'S WHY PEOPLE ARE AGAINST IT. THAT'S THE MAIN REASON.
THAT'S WHY PEOPLE LAFE BEAR AND CROWN POINT ARE AGAINST IT BECAUSE IT WILL CREATE TRAFFIC.
WE DRIVE THESE ROADS EVERY DAY.
I UNDERSTAND, LOOK, YOU MAY HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS WITH THIS, BUT WE DRIVE THESE ROADS EVERY DAY.
WE SEE THE TRAFFIC BUILD UP NOW.
IT'S BACKED UP PAST THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW BEFORE THESE FIRST RANGE OF APARTMENTS ARE EVEN FINISHED.
THEN IF THESE GET FINISHED AND THESE GET APPROVED, WE CAN EASILY SEE THAT THERE'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, KNOW THE BEST MONEY SCIENCE CAN BUY THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE PAID FOR IS NOT GOING TO CONVINCE US THAT THAT'S NOT GOING TO CAUSE ISSUES.
IF SOMEBODY GETS A HEART ATTACK IN LAFE AREA IN LOWER MARRERO AREA, AND THEY CAN'T GET TO A HOSPITAL, IT IS ON THIS COUNCIL, IT'S ON THIS PARISH BEING IN FAVOR OF IT AND ALLOWING IT.
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING TODAY.
TRULY, LOOK, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKEN AND Y'ALL HAVE HEARD THEM, AND EACH ONE OF YOU DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT.
THIS COMES FROM COUNCILMAN LEE'S DISTRICT, AND THANK YOU FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING BY THESE PEOPLE AND LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
I GREATLY APPRECIATE IT, AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO HEARD ALL THE SURROUNDING AREAS AS WELL [APPLAUSE]
>> NINE MINUTES LEFT, AND A REMINDER, COUNCILMAN LEE DID VOTE AGAINST IT [LAUGHTER]
>> TIM KERNER, 5091 JOHN LE BOULEVARD.
I'M A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THIS AREA, AND I'M GOING TO BE REALLY QUICK.
BUT I'LL JUST TELL YOU THAT I'VE BEEN WALKING IN THIS AREA. I'VE BEEN TALKING A LOT OF PEOPLE.
I CAN'T FIND ANYBODY WITH IT, IT'S JUST UNBELIEVABLE.
[01:55:03]
AGAIN, JUST THE PEOPLE THAT'S HERE TODAY, AGAIN, WE'VE HEARD IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.THEY PAY THE SALARY FOR EVERYBODY.
THEY KEEP THE LIGHTS ON WITH THE PARISH, AND THEY ACTUALLY VOTE AND GIVE US ALL JOBS BECAUSE I'M A STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO.
THESE PEOPLE GIVE US ALL JOBS.
I'LL JUST ASK YOU TO RESPECT AND HEAR WHAT THEY'RE SAYING.
EVERY SINGLE PERSON IS ACTUALLY SAYING, THEY DON'T WANT IT.
GIVE THEM THEIR VOICE, AND THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN LEE FOR OPPOSING IT, AND I HOPE YOU CONTINUE ON THIS ONE.
BUT GIVE THEM THEIR VOICE, THEY DESERVE IT.
THEY PAY OUR SALARIES, THEY VOTE US IN.
THAT'S THE PEOPLE WE SHOULD LISTEN TO.
THEY VOTE EVERYBODY IN AND GIVE THEM A VOICE.
YOU THAT VOICE. LET'S GIVE IT TO THEM TODAY.
>> HI. I'M J. JACKSON AT 5140 PAGE STREET.
THAT'S MY REAL ADDRESS [LAUGHTER] I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO START OFF, I MAYBE ONE OF THE YOUNGEST REPRESENTATIVES OF THIS COMMUNITY IN THIS ROOM.
I FOLLOWED THIS DEVELOPMENT FROM THE FIRST MEETING AT PAR DEVELOPMENT.
FIRST, IT WAS JUST ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO FIT THESE APARTMENT COMPLEXES IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE IN MARRERO.
OUR HOSPITALS, OUR SCHOOLS ARE ALL OVERRUN, 30 SOMETHING KIDS IN THE SCHOOL, AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE IN ALL THESE OTHER KIDS, AND WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO? NOW OUR KIDS WILL BE AFFECTED, THE EDUCATION, THE SCHOOLS, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENTS, OUR POLICE STATION, OUR POLICE FORCE.
AT FIRST, THAT WAS THE MISSION.
BUT HEARING THIS MISREPRESENTATION AND THAT WE WOULDN'T WANT SECTION 8, JUST THE RACIAL COMMENT THAT HE JUST MADE, BECAUSE IF HE WANTS TO BE CLEAR ABOUT IT, SINCE HE DIDN'T WANT TO SAY IT, BUT WANTS TO BEAT AROUND THE BUSH, WE ALL KNOW WHAT HE WAS REFERRING TO.
THAT'S OFFENSIVE TO EVERYONE THAT LIVES IN THIS COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE IF HE CARED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, HE WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE THAT ON HIS MIND.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, THIS GUY'S BEEN LYING THROUGH HIS TEETH SINCE HE'S BEEN HERE.
THIS WASN'T A PERSONAL DILEMMA AGAINST HIM.
THIS WAS REALLY JUST PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY.
THE PROBLEM IS HE GAVE AMMUNITION TO US, BECAUSE HE HAD LACK OF RESOURCES, LACK OF ABILITY, LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF HIS OWN.
LET'S GET TO HIS OWN NUMBERS, $48 MILLION THAT HE SAID WAS GOING TO BE A GOVERNMENT GRANT THAT WAS GOING TO BE FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSING.
SEVENTEEN MILLION WAS GOING TO BE A HURRICANE GRANT THAT HE GOT FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSING, WHICH MEANS HE'S ONLY GOING TO BE ON THE BOARD FOR $7 MILLION.
HE'S GOING TO GET $1.7 MILLION FOR THE FIRST 10 YEARS BACK.
THAT'S A GREAT INVESTMENT FOR ANYBODY IN HERE.
WE WOULD ALL JUMP AT THAT OPPORTUNITY.
BUT THERE'S NO PLACE FOR THAT IN MARRERO.
I MIGHT ASK YOU, AND I UNDERSTAND 'ALL SAID ALREADY, BUT WHAT BENEFIT DOES THIS HAVE TO THE COMMUNITY? THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
I WORK FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, FULL DISCLOSURE AT THE BUILDING PERMIT DEPARTMENT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS, BUT I'M A REAL ESTATE AGENT FOR 20 YEARS.
I'M ALSO A HOMEOWNER IN THE AFFECTED AREA.
APARTMENTS USUALLY START OUT GOOD, ALWAYS END UP TARNISHED IN SOME WAY.
EVENTUALLY, INCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN.
THE POLICE GET CALLED OUT FOR VARIOUS REASONS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PETTY CRIMES, AND PERHAPS EVEN SHOOTINGS, AND THEN A LASTING REPUTATION FORMS. AS A REALTOR, I SEND A LIST OF HOUSES OUT FOR CLIENTS TO REVIEW.
ONE OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS THEY REJECT THE HOME AS NOT WANT TO MOVE FORWARD IS THE LOCATION.
THEY TELL ME, I DON'T LIKE THE AREA.
WHEN I'M ACTUALLY SHOWING HOUSES AND THEY LOCATED NEAR OBVIOUS RENTALS OF ANY KIND, THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME, THEY DO NOT WANT TO MOVE FORWARD.
THOSE FOR SALE HOUSES SIT ON THE MARKET AND EVENTUALLY HAVE TO LOWER THEIR LIST PRICE TO SELL.
THIS IS HOW THE VALUES GO DOWN.
IF YOU HAVE YOU NOTICED THE PRICE OF A NEW ROOF LATELY, MAYBE A HOMEOWNER IS DEPENDENT ON THE EQUITY FOR THE NEW ROOF OR REPAIRS.
A REFI FROM THEIR EQUITY TO OBTAIN FUNDS MAY NOT BE AN OPTION ANYMORE.
WHETHER THEY NEEDED A VARIANCE OR THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS, I THINK IT'S A HORRIBLE PLACE TO PUT IT.
I CAN ASSURE YOU THIS WILL AFFECT PROPERTY VALUES WHEN IT ALREADY HAS WITH THE BUREAU POSSIBILITY THAT THIS PROJECT WILL BE BUILT.
>> RIDA D, 42704C A LAWN, 2609, CALLED THE DRIVE 5201 TYRE VA AND MARRERO, YOU COULD FIND ON ANYONE.
TALK ABOUT YOUR LOSSES, MR. DELA A.
WE AIN'T GOT TO GO WITH THESE NUMBERS AGAIN WITH THE 24 MILLION TO 1.8 MILLION,
[02:00:02]
TO $14 MILLION GRANT, 74% TAX. WHAT'S THAT LOSS? WE GOT 1,200 PEOPLE THAT SIGN A PETITION.IF WE ALL LOSE $25,000 ON OUR HOUSE, THAT'S 30 MILLION.
THINK OF OUR LOSSES, 1,200 SIGNATURES [APPLAUSE] COMES $25,000 ON A PROPERTY THAT GOES DOWN.
THAT'S $30 MILLION. THAT'S OUR NUMBERS.
I'M FLUSTERED, TOO, BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE.
MY FIRST HOUSE IT WAS A TRAILER.
I CAN'T LIVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IF I HAVE A TRAILER.
EVERYBODY GOT A STORE SOMEWHERE.
SAYING THOSE PEOPLE, WE ALL BEEN THOSE PEOPLE AT ONE TIME.
ALL OF US [APPLAUSE] BUT YOU WORK TO GET WHERE WE AT.
LOOK, THIS PROJECT, I SAID IT THREE TIMES.
I HOVER OVER MANY MEETINGS WE'VE HAD.
THIS PROJECT BELONGS SOMEWHERE.
IT JUST DON'T BELONG HERE. TO FINISH THAT UP [APPLAUSE] I LIKE WHAT Y'ALL SAID AT THE END WHEN ALL WANTED TO PASS A RESOLUTION ABOUT SHARING INFORMATION AND HAVING A BIGGER VOICE, BECAUSE Y'ALL WANT THAT WITH THE AIRPORT.
WE WANT THAT WITH Y'ALL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH [APPLAUSE]
I LIVE AT 2009 MANOR HEIGHTS DRIVE IN MARRERO, AND I WILL SAY TO HIS FACE, HE'S LIED FROM DAY ONE.
IF WE WOULDN'T HAVE PASSED OUT, NOBODY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROJECT WHEN IT FIRST STARTED.
THEN THEY CAME BACK AT THE SECOND MEETING, AND THEY SAID, THEY WENT OUT AND PASSED PAMPHLETS OUT FOR 300 FEET.
WHAT IS THIS 300 FEET? AGAIN, IT'S BEEN NOTHING BUT LIES.
I'VE LIVED HERE FOR 50 YEARS AT MY RESIDENCE.
I LOST MY HOUSE 26 YEARS AGO FROM FIRE.
I REBUILT BECAUSE THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS GREAT, AND IT'S STILL GREAT, AND WE WANT IT TO STAY GREAT.
AGAIN, IT'S BEEN LIE FROM DAY ONE, AND IT'S STILL THAT WAY.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME [APPLAUSE]
>> MY NAME IS MAGGIE ROBICHAU.
I THINK I'M LISTED AS MADELEINE ROBICHAUO.
I LIVE AT 2009 MANOR HEIGHTS DRIVE, ALSO. THAT WAS MY HUSBAND.
WE ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THIS PROJECT BEING DEVELOPED.
OUR HOMES, PROPERTY IN MY BACKYARD WE ACTUALLY LINKED TOGETHER.
THE DAY WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROJECT WAS COMING ABOUT, I AM GOING TO BE TOTALLY HONEST WITH YOU.
BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS COMING ABOUT. I DIDN'T.
I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
THEN WE NEVER MISSED ANY OF THE MEETINGS THAT CAME ABOUT.
WE WANTED TO KEEP UP. I NEVER SPOKE.
MY FAMILY, THEY ALL KEPT UP AND SPOKE, BUT I NEED TO GIVE YOU MY PERSONAL REASON WHY I'M HERE.
WE HAVE LOTS AND LOTS OF OCCASIONS THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE JOIN US AT OUR HOMES.
MY FAMILY, WE COME TOGETHER A LOT.
WE USE OUR BACKYARD AS A GATHERING MULTIPLE TIMES.
THIS PROJECT, THEY SAY, IS IF I DON'T REMEMBER, 55 FEET HIGH, THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING DOWN.
THEY CAN LOOK DOWN. I HAVE A SIX-FOOT FENCE.
FOR PRIVACY, WE WILL NO LONGER HAVE PRIVACY.
I THINK I CAN SPEAK WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON MANOR HEIGHTS ALSO FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.
IT'S UNREAL. I WENT HOUSE TO HOUSE AND SPOKE TO PEOPLE AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING, NOT ALL OF IT ON MANOR HEIGHTS, BUT MANOR HEIGHTS IS DIVIDED.
NO ONE PERSON SAID THEY WERE IN AGREEANCE TO IT.
MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE MORE THAN 50 YEARS.
MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL THERE THAT WE DECIDED TO GO THERE AS NEWLYWEDS.
WE ALL RAISED OUR CHILDREN THERE.
>> WHEN WE LOST OUR HOME, WE KEPT OUR HOME.
WE WANT TO STAY WHERE WE ARE [APPLAUSE]
>> IT'S 509 HOME. I GOT MY BEST BANK VISA, AND IF YOU LOOK BACK FAR ENOUGH, AND YOU LOOK CLOSELY ENOUGH, WE ARE ALL THOSE PEOPLE.
IF THE PEOPLE OF MARRERO, THE THIRD LARGEST PLACE IN THE PARISH JUST BEHIND KENNER.
IF THE PEOPLE OF MARRERO HAD THEIR OWN REPRESENTATIVE, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO HOPE THAT THIS WOULD BE DENIED [OVERLAPPING] A CHANCE.
>> CAN YOU PLEASE MAKE IT BRIEF, AND WE'LL LET YOU GO.
>> YOU REALLY? RODNEY DELA GARDELL AT 5425 LA ROAD, MARRERO.
I AM 72 YEARS OLD, I WORKED FOR THE PARISH FOR MANY YEARS.
MY FAMILY BEEN 96 YEARS IN ESTEL ON LA ROAD.
I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT IN THAT AREA.
WE DON'T NEED HOUSING THAT WILL BE MULTI-COMPLEX.
I WAS A COMMISSIONER WITH HOOD, WITH THE WEST GO OF HOUSING AUTHORITY.
[02:05:01]
WE HAVE OVER 500 HOUSING UNITS WITHIN ONE-THIRD OF A MILE FROM THERE, OFF AMES BOULEVARD AND BETTY STREET.GO UP ONE HALF MILE TO AGNES DAIRY'S PROPERTY.
THERE ARE HOUSING PROJECTS THERE.
WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE HOUSING PROJECTS THERE.
LOOK AT ALL THE RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA HE WANTS TO DEVELOP OUR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN THERE.
IT'S NOT LIKE HE'S COMING THERE AND DOING SOMETHING GREAT FOR THE PEOPLE.
WE NEED TO DEVELOP SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.
AND TO HAVE THAT LOOK AT THE APARTMENT COMPLEX A PARK FONTAINE.
>> AS SIMPLE AS THIS. WE'RE RESIDENTS.
WE WANT TO KEEP OUR RESIDENT SITUATION.
WE NEED SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES IN THAT DEVELOPED AREA, AND THERE'S OTHER OPEN AREAS THAT LOOKING TO BE DEVELOPED.
REMEMBER, THIS WILL GROW LIKE CANCER IF YOU DO THE WRONG THING.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NOW, YOU'VE GOT TIME FOR REBUTTAL.
I BELIEVE THERE'S JUST OVER 14 MINUTES LEFT.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I PROMISE NOT TO TAKE THE ENTIRE POINT.
>> TWENTY YEARS AGO, I LOST MY ABILITY TO WALK, AND THAT TAUGHT ME A LOT OF THINGS IN LIFE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT TAUGHT ME IS THAT LIFE IS VERY SHARP, AND YOU NEED TO BE VERY PATIENT AND UNDERSTANDING.
I UNDERSTAND THESE RESIDENTS, VOTERS' CONCERNS.
WE HAVE DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT SOME OF THE FACTS, AND THOSE ARE FACTS.
ONE THING I DO WANT TO POINT OUT TO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY, YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A JOB.
THE STATEMENT THAT WAS MADE BEFORE WAS MAYBE MISUNDERSTOOD.
ALL THE ARROWS AND KNIVES AND EVERYTHING THROWN AT ME, I'VE LEARNED OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS BECAUSE OF MY PHYSICAL SITUATION, JUST LEARNED TO TAKE IT.
I DO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND EFFORT AS A COUNCILMAN.
I SERVED FOR 16 YEARS ON THE IBERVILLE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD.
A LOT OF STONES AND ARROWS WERE THROWN AT ME THEN.
BUT THE LAST THING I'D LIKE TO SAY IS TWO THINGS.
ONE, AGAIN, WE FOLLOWED ALL OF YOUR RULES AND REGULATIONS.
WE DID EXACTLY AS YOUR PLANNING AND ZONING STAFF REQUIRED OF US.
THEY MADE A RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL BASED ON THE FACT THAT WE DID EVERYTHING THAT THEY ASKED US TO DO.
THE FAILURE TO DEVELOP THIS PROPERTY, MADAM PRESIDENT, WILL END UP BEING VERY EXPENSIVE FOR THE PARISH, BEING VERY BLUNT, AND THAT NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED.
BUT I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
LIKE I SAID, I'VE SERVED ON A BOARD, SO I UNDERSTAND IT.
I RESPECT IT, RESPECT YOUR POSITION.
JUST PLEASE UNDERSTAND MY POSITION, WHERE WE'RE COMING FROM, AND WHAT WE WILL BE FACED WITH.
AGAIN, MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU TO THE RESIDENTS, MY UTMOST RESPECT AND UNDERSTANDING, WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I DO HAVE THAT.
I WISH EVERYONE WELL, AND ALL THE BEST WHATEVER HAPPENS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, ONE IN FAVOR, 10 IN OPPOSITION.
I BELIEVE THAT'S THE RIGHT COUNT THIS TIME. COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> FIRST, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT WHEN I'M MAKING A DECISION, I LIKE TO LOOK AT THE PEOPLE, BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.
BUT ALSO, I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE WHO WAS IMMEDIATELY IMPACTED BY THESE THINGS.
THE ABILITY THAT THEY CAME UP, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO TALK IN A VERY PERSONAL WAY BECAUSE IT WOULD AFFECT THEM AND IMPACT THEM THE MOST.
I DON'T POLITICIZE THESE TYPE OF THINGS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THERE'S ROOM FOR POLITICS IN THIS, THERE'S ROOM FOR WHAT'S RIGHT AND WHAT'S WRONG.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, I LOOKED AT THIS OVERALL, AND I RECOGNIZE THAT I REPRESENT SO MANY OF YOU ALL PEOPLE, AND LET ME JUST BE PERFECTLY CLEAR.
WE HAVE ISSUES THAT COME UP AT EVERY COUNCIL MEETING THAT ARE DISTRICT-RELATED ISSUES.
THIS IS ON ME. THIS IS NOT ON ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES.
I MADE THE FINAL DECISION, AND MUCH LIKE I DID IN ITEM NUMBER 7,
[02:10:03]
I'M MOVING TO DENY AGAIN.I SAY WHAT I MEAN, AND I MEAN WHAT I SAY.
IF I TELL YOU, I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING, I WILL.
IF I TELL YOU I'M NOT GOING TO DO SOMETHING, I WILL, AND I SLEEP VERY GOOD AT NIGHT.
FOR ALL OF YOU WHO ARE HERE, I THANK YOU FOR COMING.
I THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PARTICIPATION.
I THANK YOU FOR THE INVOLVEMENT, THE CIVIC INVOLVEMENT.
I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN STRIDENT.
I KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR SOME TIMES.
AS I DID ON ITEM NUMBER 7 AND AS I'M DOING ON NUMBER 14, I'M MOVING TO DENY [APPLAUSE]
>> I'LL COME TO YOU [APPLAUSE].
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE DENIAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26455, A MOTION OF COUNCIL LEE SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.
BEFORE WE MOVE ON, COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN HAD SOMETHING TO SAY ON ITEM 14.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY, THANK YOU.
BECAUSE I WILL TELL YOU THIS MORE THAN ANY THING THAT I'VE SEEN COME BEFORE OUR COUNCIL, REALLY HAS DEMONSTRATED, I THINK, WHEN PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED, WHEN PEOPLE LET US KNOW HOW THEY FEEL.
THAT'S BEEN AT COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
I GOT AN E MAIL FROM SUSAN BARBE ON LAST NIGHT.
BUT THIS WAS THE DIFFERENCE MAKER, BECAUSE YOUR ENGAGEMENT, I KNOW WHEN I TALKED TO MY PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER, SHE SAID, NO, THIS IS A LUXURY DEVELOPMENT, THE FIRST TIME I TALKED TO HER.
THEN AFTER THE QUESTIONS, AND AFTER YOUR ENGAGEMENT, THAT LED HER TO LOOK INTO IT DEEPER, AND SHE DID FEEL LIKE IT WAS A DIFFERENT PROJECT THAN IT HAD BEEN PRESENTED.
I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR BEING ENGAGED.
COUNCIL WALKER AND I, I KNOW WE'RE AT THE LAST MARRERO TOWN HALL MEETING.
AT THAT MEETING, WE ALSO DISCUSSED SOMETHING ELSE THAT YOU'LL SEE ON THIS AGENDA, ITEM 77 THAT WE HAVE COMING UP THAT WILL TRY TO HAVE OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT LOOK AT DOING TWO THINGS.
ONE IS ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY EARLIER IN THE PROCESS, NOT AT THE END [APPLAUSE].
I THINK THAT'S GOOD FOR RESIDENTS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT ALSO FOR DEVELOPERS SO THAT THE QUESTIONS DON'T COME AT THE TAIL END OF THE PROCESS WHEN PEOPLE ARE ANXIOUS AND FEELING PRESSED FOR TIME.
THAT WILL BE PART OF THAT, AND ALSO SIGNAGE.
THE LITTLE BLUE SIGNS THAT WE HAVE WITH A PHONE NUMBER AND SOMETHING APPLIED.
WE REALLY KNOW THAT IN THIS DAY AND AGE, WHEN YOU CAN PRINT SOMETHING SO QUICKLY, GIVING PEOPLE MORE TRANSPARENT INFORMATION ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IS GOING TO BE BETTER FOR US IN THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW CLEARLY YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS [APPLAUSE].
>> YEAH, AND TAKE OF THAT, REST ASSURED, YOU WERE HEARD.
PEOPLE LIKE TO CRITICIZE GOVERNMENT IN THE PROCESS, BUT YOU WERE HEARD, AND I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
THAT TAKES US INTO ITEM NUMBER 77 BEFORE WE BREAK FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> NO, IT'S ALL OVER. WE'RE DONE WITH THAT.
>> WE MOVE PAST IT. LET'S GO TO ITEM NUMBER 77 WITH AMENDMENTS, BUT FIRST, WE HAVE TO MOVE THAT ONE OUT OF ORDER TO BRING IT UP TO COINCIDE WITH 7 AND 14.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO SUSPENDING THE RULES TO TAKE ITEM 77 OUT OF ORDER, A MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN, SECOND BY COUNCIL WALKER?
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, CAN I SPEAK ON THAT.
I JUST FEEL THE NEED TO DEFEND OUR TEAM.
THE PROCESS HAPPENED THE WAY THE PROCESS SHOULD.
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT LOOKS AT DEVELOPMENTS WITH REGARD TO THE ZONING, WITH REGARD TO STUDIES, IT'S VERY BY THE BOOK RECOMMENDATION THAT THEY MAKE.
I DON'T GET INVOLVED. THEY'RE PROFESSIONALS.
THEY HAVE DEGREES IN THIS STUFF.
THE OTHER PART WE REALIZE IS THAT IN ADDITION TO THE ZONING, THERE'S MAY BE A NEIGHBORHOOD SENTIMENT.
THERE MAY BE OPPOSITION FOR OTHER REASONS, AND THAT'S THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD PROCESS.
BOTH OF THOSE PROCESSES HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS COVERED.
ZONING IS BY THE BOOK, AND THEN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SENTIMENT IS ALSO HEARD, WHICH IS WHY YOU COME BEFORE THIS COUNCIL, AND WE'VE HAD THESE PUBLIC MEETINGS.
THE PROCESS WORKS, EVERYBODY'S ENGAGED.
I REALLY TAKE OFFENSE TO THE FACT THAT MY PLANNING DEPARTMENT, WHO IS NOTHING BUT PROFESSIONAL, IS GETTING CAUGHT IN THIS MIX.
THEY JUST REALLY DO RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE BOOK, BY STUDIES, BY THE ZONINGS THAT'S ON THERE.
THAT'S THEIR JOB, AND THE OTHER PART, THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD IS THE PORTION THAT WE HAVE AS A PROCESS TO RIGHTFULLY HEAR THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S CONCERNS.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL READ THAT AGAIN FOR ITEM NUMBER 77.
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO (Part 1 of 2)]
[02:15:03]
ANY OBJECTIONS TO SUSPENDING THE RULES TO TAKE ITEM 77 OUT OF ORDER, OR A MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.ITEM 77 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING AND AUTHORIZING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD TO STUDY THE TEXT OF CHAPTER 33, UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE.
CHAPTER 40, ZONING OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH, WITH THE INTENT OF AMENDING AND IMPROVING THE PROCESS RELATED TO LAND USE ACTIONS FOR MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEIGHBORHOOD PARTICIPATION PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE EARLY CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT AND POSTING ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SIGNAGE TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE.
IN THE PREAMBLE AND IN SECTION 1, IT SHOULD READ WITH THE INTENT OF AMENDING AND IMPROVING THE PROCESS RELATED TO LAND USE ACTIONS FOR LARGE SCALE MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND MAJOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS, TO ENCOURAGE EARLIER CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT AND POSTING ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SIGNAGE TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY.
THE SIXTH, WHEREAS IT SHOULD READ, AN EARLY STAGE CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT EFFORT WOULD ENCOURAGE, CREATE AN OPEN DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER AND AFFECTED NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE SECTION NOW, THEREFORE, SHOULD READ, WITH THE INTENT OF AMENDING AND IMPROVING THE PROCESS RELATED TO LAND USE ACTIONS FOR LARGE SCALE MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND MAJOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ENCOURAGING EARLIER CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT AND ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SIGNAGE TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY.
THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN AND, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED, A MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I JUST ASKED A QUESTION. I DON'T HAVE AN OBJECTION.
I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING THINGS INTERNALLY THAT COULD IMPROVE THE NOTIFICATION PROCESS.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE GETTING READY TO START A MEETING PROCESS IN A MONTH ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT IT IS FOR US TO PROCESS PERMITS.
I DON'T WANT TO PUT IT ON THE DEVELOPERS TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNICATION WITH THE CITIZENS.
THIS IS WHAT WE AS A PARISH CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNICATION, CORRECT? THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NO OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.
LET'S MOVE TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
WE'LL BREAK A FEW MINUTES EARLY BECAUSE WE NEED TO.>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A CLAIM FOR KALA LASAGNA.
>> PLEASE KEEP IT DOWN AS IT IN THE CHAMBERS. THANK YOU.
>> CCMSI CLAIM NUMBER 24G 57M 421860, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION, RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LITIGATION RELATED TO THE BUILD OUT OF THE WEST BANK STREETS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BY CM COMBS CONSTRUCTION, LLC, AND RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCIL VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT TITLE, HAMMERMAN AND GAINER, LLC VERSUS PARIS OF JEFFERSON, 24TH JDC CASE NUMBER 838-622 DIVISION A, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCIL VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON VERSUS CENTRAL.
SORRY, I LOST MY PLACE. REALTY OF LOUISIANA INCORPORATED 24TH JDC CASE NUMBER 824-671 DIVISION M TO REVIVE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESION, RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.
WE'RE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU.
[02:20:11]
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. MAYBE.>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A LEGAL MATTER CONCERNING A CLAIM FOR KALA LASAGNA [LAUGHTER].
>> CCM SI CLAIM NUMBER 24G57M421860 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION, RESOLUTION, ON MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
HEY, LIZ, CAN WE GET THE MEETING BACK ON OUR SCREENS, PLEASE? WE'VE BEEN ON THIS FROZEN PLANNING DEPARTMENT DOCKET FOR A WHILE. GO AHEAD, MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT RELATED TO THE BUILDOUT OF THE WEST BANK STREETS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BY CM COMBS CONSTRUCTION, LLC, AND RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A LAWSUIT ENTITLED HAMMERMAN AND GREENER, LLC VERSUS PARIS OF JEFFERSON, 24 JDC CASE NUMBER 838-622 DIVISION A.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT, A LAWSUIT ENTITLED THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON VERSUS CENTRAL OF LOUISIANA INCORPORATED 24 JDC CASE NUMBER 824-671 DIVISION M AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. MADAM CLERK? ITEM NUMBER 1.
[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES]
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTED AN ENGINEERING FIRM INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE AMES BOULEVARD LIGHTING PROJECT, LA PACO BOULEVARD TO BARATARIA BOULEVARD, PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT NUMBER 2025-005-SL COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> COUNCIL LEE, YOUR SELECTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF GEC INC ON MOTION OF COUNCIL LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 2.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING ALL QUALIFIED PERSONS AND OR FIRMS INTERESTED IN PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE PARISH IN THE FIELD IN WHICH THEY SUBMITTED.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. LET ME I MUTE EVERYBODY, AND THEY CAN BEAT YOURSELVES.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, EXCUSE ME.
YEAH. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION, ALL QUALIFIED BY COUNCIL VAN VRANCKEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. WE PASSED THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES (Part 2 of 2)]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26503, THREE IS A PARCEL X, ORLEANS VILLAGE SECTION 1, SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS X_1 AND X_2, ORLEANS VILLAGE SECTION 1 SUBDIVISION, IN THE DEDICATION OF A 10 FOOT WATER SERVITUDE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLEA OF AID SUBDIVISION, WS-83-24, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26503. ALL IN FAVOR.
PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCIL LEE?
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26503.
A MOTION OF COUNCIL LEE AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 9.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26504, RESUB OF TRACKS, G-3-A, G-3-B AND G-3-C SIGNET PARK SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS G-3-A-1 AND G-3-B-1 SIGNET PARK SUBDIVISION WITH A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND THE DEDICATION OF A 50 FOOT AND 60 FOOT DRIVEWAY AND UTILITY SERVITUDES IN FAVOR OF LOTS G-3-B-1, AND APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL LOTS OF SET SUBDIVISION.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AS WELL AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26504.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED.
[02:25:01]
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCIL LEE? ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26504? MOTION OF COUNCIL LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, ITEM 10.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26505 RESERVE OF PARTIAL C, RIDGEFIELD EXTENSION SUBDIVISION INTO LOT_1 THROUGH 25 SQUARE A ALEXANDER RIDGE SUBDIVISION WITH THE DEDICATION OF A FIVE FOOT UTILITY SERVITUDE AND DEDICATION OF ST. JAMES COURT, WS 135-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> CAN WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26505. ANYONE IN FAVOR?
>> THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY.
THIS IS A FORMER SCHOOL SITE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DEVELOP INTO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS AND REQUEST YOUR APPROVAL.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION. MADAM CLERK, NO THE ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCIL LEE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26505 ON MOTION OF COUNCIL LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING (Part 2 of 2)]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26506, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOT 10A SQUARE 122 SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION, LOCATED AT 2200 BLOCK OF VALVA AVENUE, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM GO2 GENERAL OFFICE TO R_1A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, WZ-28-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26506.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?
>> IF YOU CAN PULL THE MICROPHONE DOWN TO YOU MA'AM.
I JUST WOULD LIKE TO COME AND SPEAK AND SAY THAT I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN DONE ON WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IT'S BEEN A LONG RULE, AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL AND I'M THANKFUL FOR IT, AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT ALL DOES. THANK YOU.
>> YOU'RE SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION, IN FAVOR, THEN? I'M SORRY.
I DIDN'T SEE YOU GETTING UP FOR IN FAVOR.
ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK THE ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCIL BANANA?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26506, MOTION OF COUNCIL BANANA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26507, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, 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 R22 FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, WZ-31-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY 26507.
ANYONE IN FAVOR? PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> GOOD EVENING. [INAUDIBLE] 2169 GREAT, PLEASE.
>> TWENTY-ONE 69 GREAT PLEASE. MY REAL ADDRESS.
>> CAN WE TRY AND RAISE THE MICROPHONE AT THE PODIUM? THE VOLUME, PLEASE, IF ANYBODY CAN DO THAT. THANK YOU GO AHEAD.
>> IN FAVOR OF THE PROPERTY THAT I OWN, I'M TRYING TO GET IT REZONED TO R2 SO I CAN BUILD SOME DOUBLES POSSIBLY FOR SECTION 8, TENANTS.
IF YOU CAN GRANT THAT, I'LL APPRECIATE THAT.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION.
MADAM CLERK, OR THE ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILMAN BANANO.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26507, A MOTION OF COUNCIL BANANO SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26508, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOT 2 SQUARE 8, SCOTTSDALE SUBDIVISION, LOCATED AT 2205-2207 ORGYLE DRIVE, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R1A, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO R22 [INAUDIBLE] WZ-33-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26508.
[02:30:01]
ANYONE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26508, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 15.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26509, APPROVING SP-78-24 TO THE SIGN REGULATIONS OF THE MUCD, FOD MIXED U CORRIDOR DISTRICT, FAIRFIELD OVERLAY DISTRICT FOR CANDLE WOOD SUITES, LOCATED AT 30 79 US HIGHWAY 90 ON TRACK U-1 SQUARE 1, AVONDALE HOME SUBDIVISION, SECTION 1 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM, AND NOW I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26509.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26509 ON MOTION OF COUNSEL LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 16.
[OTHER ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26498, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, BY REVISING CHAPTER 8 AND CHAPTER 19 REGARDING GRAFFITI DEFACEMENT OF PRIVATE PROPERTY.
>> WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26498.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?
>> [INAUDIBLE] RISING IN OPPOSITION, MOSTLY BECAUSE I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT'S ABOUT, EXCEPT THAT IT'S JUST ANOTHER ACCUMULATION OF STATUTES THAT MAKES IT PROBABLY EASIER FOR SOMEBODY TO GET AWAY WITH SOMETHING THAN FOR US TO SEE ANY IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE. I OPPOSE ON THE GROUNDS.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK THE ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
>> I TOOK A MOMENT TO TALK WITH DIRECTOR LIZA [INAUDIBLE], TO HAVE OUR EXPLAIN WHAT THIS IS AND SIMILAR TO THE PROCESS THAT ALLOWS FOR THE PARISH TO ADDRESS HIGH GRASS AT A RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS.
THIS WILL DO THE SAME FOR GRAFFITI, SO I DO THINK IT WILL IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. SO MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26498, MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
ITEM 17 WITH AMENDMENTS, THE OPERATING BUDGET.
>> AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ALLOCATE $25,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S OFF TRACK BETTING FUND FOR A CEA WITH JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO FISHER HIGH SCHOOL FOR EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
ALLOCATE $75,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 VIDEO POKER FUND FOR A CEA WITH THE CITY OF GRETNA FOR NIGHT VISION GOGGLES AND DRONES FOR THE GRETNA POLICE DEPARTMENT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
ALLOCATE $30,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO GENERAL SERVICE CAPITAL PROJECT NUMBER 58514079 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 431 HOLMES BOULEVARD, WHICH IS LOCATED IN UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
ALLOCATE $13,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND FOR A CEA WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD TO PROVIDE A SOUND SYSTEM FOR THE CAFETERIA AT WOODMERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
DEOBLIGATE THE $250,000 ALLOCATION FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S HEALTH AND FITNESS PROJECTS FOR THE TIMBER LANE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT IN BAUTIFICATION DISTRICT COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
DEOBLIGATE THE $150,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S HEALTH AND FITNESS PROJECTS FOR THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER AND RE ALLOCATE $150,000 FOR THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAME FUND, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
DEOBLIGATE THE $200,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S HEALTH AND FITNESS PROJECTS FOR CAFE HOPE AND REALLOCATE $200,000 FOR CAFE HOPE FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAME FUND.
DEOBLIGATE THE $27,921 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S HEALTH AND FITNESS PROJECTS FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AND REALLOCATE $27,921 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
ALL OF THESE ARE GOING TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTES.
>> JUST GO WITH THE REGULAR ANY OBJECTION THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
ANY OBJECTION TO A AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS, THE MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26510.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?
>> [INAUDIBLE] IS RISING IN OPPOSITION.
[02:35:02]
MAN, THAT WAS A LOT.THE FACT THAT NONE OF YOU ALL COULD COME UP WITH ANYTHING TO OPPOSE AND ALL THAT REALLY SPEAKS TO HOW DISENFRANCHISED THAT DISTRICT 1 IS.
I'VE WALKED AROUND TIMBER LANE, TERRY TOWN.
ALL THESE THINGS I SEE GETTING DEOBLIGATED AND THEN REAPPROPRIATED.
MAN, I DON'T SEE HOW DISTRICT 1 ISN'T ENTITLED TO VOTE FOR THEIR REPRESENTATIVE AT LEAST BEFORE THESE THINGS ARE DONE IN THEIR STEAD BY NO OFFENSE.
AN INTERIM MEMBER, WHO I AGREE WITH ON OWNS EVERYTHING, INCLUDING HIS PARTY AFFILIATION.
IT'S NOT ABOUT WHO. IT'S ABOUT HOW.
IF WE DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW TAXES ARE TAKEN, THEN, THIS GETS DONE, AND IT ALL MIGHT SOUND GOOD.
I CAN'T GET THROUGH ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE BEING DEOBLIGATED.
WOULD GRANT MONEY GET SEIZED BACK, RIPPED BACK? THESE ALL AMOUNT TO NOTHING BUT A CROTCHET, WHICH INGENUITY IS INVENTED.
THE COMBINATIONS THAT DAY GIVE RISE TO.
I'M OF JEFFERSON AND I NEED A FRUGAL AND SIMPLE GOVERNMENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLINTON IF THE ONE APPEAR IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN?
>> ANY OBJECTION APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26510.
A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
NOW THE CAPITAL BUDGET, PLEASE WITH AMENDMENTS.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26511, AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THE AMENDMENTS.
DEOBLIGATE $25,000 FROM COUNCIL AT LARGE A CDIA GENERAL FUND PROJECT NUMBER 45325607 FOR WEST BANK IMPROVEMENTS AND RE ALLOCATE $25,000 FROM COUNCIL AT LARGE A CDIA GENERAL FUND FOR A CEA WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO FISHER HIGH SCHOOL FOR EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, COUNCIL AT LARGE A. ALLOCATE $25,000 FROM COUNCIL AT LARGE B CDIA GENERAL FUND FOR CEA WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO FISHER HIGH SCHOOL FOR EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, COUNCIL AT LARGE B, TO RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $30,000 FROM CD1'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO GENERAL SERVICES CAPITAL PROJECT NUMBER 58514079 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 431 HOLMES BOULEVARD, WHICH IS LOCATED IN UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
THESE WILL ALSO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS.
THE MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26511.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION.
>> RICKY IS SIMPLY RISING ON THE SAME PRINCIPLES.
AGAIN, DISTRICT 1 IS ABOUT TO HAVE A VOTE.
YOU COULD EASILY DEFER THESE ITEMS, ALLOW THE PEOPLE TO CHOOSE A REPRESENTATIVE AND THEN GO FORWARD WITH WHATEVER THESE AMOUNT TO.
THAT WOULD BE PROBABLY IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE.
AS SOMEBODY WHO'S IN FAVOR OF THAT CONSTITUTION, PRESCRIPTION THING, I'D LIKE TO SEE GIVE IT SOME RESPECT. THANK YOU.
>> MADAM CLINTON, THE ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION FOR ADOPTION OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26511 MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
NUMBER 19, RESOLUTION, THE MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR, PLEASE.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]
>> GRANTING PERMISSION TO ST. BONILDE'S CATHOLIC CHURCH AT 1901 DIVISION STREET TO CONDUCT THEIR 60TH ANNIVERSARY GALLA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025, FROM 5:30 P.M. UNTIL 10:00 P.M.
>> ANY OBJECTION. THAT RESOLUTION MAY BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NO. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK OF THE NONE APPEARED. COUNCIL LIZBERG.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCIL LIZBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA PARISH TO CONDUCT THEIR FUNDRAISER GALLA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025, FROM 7:00 P.M. UNTIL 11:00 P.M.
[02:40:03]
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION COMING FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WHEN I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED COUNCIL LIZBERG.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION BY COUNCILOR LIZBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
LET'S SEE. WE'VE CONSENT AGENDA 1 NOW.
[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]
WE'RE DEFERRING 33. DOES MY INTERNAL DIALOGUE BECOMING EXTERNAL.COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE GLOBAL ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 20-75 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 33, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO APRIL 30TH.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE GLOBAL ADOPTION OF ITEMS 20-75 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, -33, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO APRIL 30TH.
A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, ITEM 76, PLEASE.
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO (Part 2 of 2)]
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTED AND ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS, ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144993, ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2024, FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR STREET PROJECTS, WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, ADMINISTRATION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSIT STOPS AND ADJACENT INTERSECTIONS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
>> COUNCILMAN MARINO, YOUR SELECTION?
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE SELECTION OF ECM CONSULTANTS, ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN MARINO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, 77 WAS ALREADY TAKEN.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 113.
>> WHAT DID I MISS? LET ME BACK UP.
SORRY. YOUR MOTION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN ON THE ENGLOBAL ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 78-144, -107, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO APRIL 30TH AND 113, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ENGLOBAL ADOPTION OF ITEM 78-144, -107, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO APRIL 30TH AND 113, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
NOW WE CAN GO TO 113. WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CORROBORATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND THE MARRERO SENIOR CITIZEN GILL INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE SENIOR LIFE SELF SUFFICIENCY SERVICES IN THE USE OF THE MARRERO COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTER FOR THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $602.
THE APPROPRIATION IN ACT 397 OF THE 2023 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATOR FOR SENIOR AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, WHICH WAS EXTENDED FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR FROM JULY 1ST, 2024 TO JUNE 30TH, 2025, PURSUANT TO ACTS 776 OF THE 2024 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATOR.
THERE ARE NO DIRECT COSTS TO THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AGREEMENT.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR?
>> I GOT TO READ THE AMENDMENT.
>> YOU HAVE TO READ THE AMENDMENTS.
JUST CHECKING, SEE IF YOU'RE PAYING ATTENTION.
>> IN SECTION 2 THE ACCOUNT NUMBER SHOULD READ 445304007768025145324003, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY THE OBJECTION TO THAT AMENDMENT COMING FROM THE FLOOR? HAVING NONE, COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION?
HE DOUBLE PUNCHED IT, HIT IT AGAIN. THERE YOU GO.
>> I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THIS MEASURE AND A COUPLE OF MORE IN TERMS OF FUNDING FOR SENIORS.
THAT'S STATE REPRESENT ROTNEY LIONS, AND WITH THAT, I MOVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS.
MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NOW YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US TO 145 AND THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, PLEASE.
[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS]
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBE ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 1-19, -11 AND 12, WHICH WERE TAKEN OUT OF ORDER, AND 17, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH 19, -11 AND 12, WHICH WERE TAKEN OUT OF ORDER, AND ITEM 17, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED.
ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD TO
[02:45:01]
PROVIDE A SOUND SYSTEM FOR THE CAFETERIA AT WOODMERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $12,273.>> THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO AMEND THE CAPTION PREAMBLE IN SECTION 1 OF THE RESOLUTION TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT FROM $12,273 TO $87,273, TO REFLECT THE ADDITION OF $75,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE FISHER MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT.
AMEND SECTION 2 OF THE RESOLUTION TO ADD THREE ACCOUNT NUMBERS FOR $25,000 IN FUNDING FROM AT LARGE DIVISION A CDIA GENERAL FUND OF $25,000 IN FUNDING FROM AT LARGE DIVISION B CDIA GENERAL FUND OF $25,000 IN FUNDING FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S OFF TRACK BETTING FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE FISHER MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT.
THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BE BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCIL, LEE YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> I HAVE A QUESTION BECAUSE I WAS A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT I HEARD FISHER HIGH SCHOOL?
>> YEAH, THAT'S COMBINING INTO THAT CEA FOR THE FISHER MONEY THAT 1A AND B MOVED.
IT'S COMBINING WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, JUST MOVING INTO THAT CEA.
>> YES. ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
NOW, YOUR MOTION ON THE RESOLUTION, COUNCILMAN LEE?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 20 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, SPECIAL DISTRICTS.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT AND ESKEW DUMAS AND RIPPLE, A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A NEW FOOD INCUBATOR IN CHURCHILL TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS PARK AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $398,274 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 21.
>> A RESOLUTION APPOINTING COMMISSIONER G TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PORT DISTRICT JDCO, REPRESENTING THE LOUISIANA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR SELECTION?
>> I'LL SELECT ON BEHALF OF US ALL, DARREN CHEFISI.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF DARREN CHEFISI? A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INCREASE TO THE MONTHLY CONTRACT CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO THE THIRD DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, PURSUANT TO ITS AGREEMENT WITH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 3 OF THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DATED MARCH 21ST, 2018, FROM $348,000 TO $350,800 IN APPROVING A ONE TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,052,000.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED 147, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION THAT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 8 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, ASSUMING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND RELEASING THE FIRE MARSHAL AND ANY OTHER STATE ENTITY FROM THE RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR THOSE INSPECTIONS PERFORMED BY MARRERO HARVEY, VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, NUMBER 1, FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OR THE CONSEQUENCES THEREOF WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE SAID FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.
>> COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. 148.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO ADVERTISE FOR SEALED BIDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH FIRE STATION 113525 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA, PROJECT NUMBER D5414 FOR THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS PREPARED BY MURRAY ARCHITECTS INCORPORATED, AND DESIGNATING THIS PROJECT AS SALES TAX EXHIBITS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY CONSUL WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. 149.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, KEITH R. CREDO, ATTORNEY AT LAW TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH FIRE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD.
[02:50:04]
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, NO NEW BUSINESS TO REPORT, NO STATUS REPORTS.
[STATUS REPORT]
PERSONS PRIVILEGE. WHO DOES? I'M SORRY. COUNCILMAN LEE HAS REQUESTED A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, SO FIRE AWAY.>> THIS IS A EASY ONE. FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK MISS ANDRE EMMANUEL, WHO'S RUNNING FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 WAS IN FIRST PLACE FOR BEING HERE AT THE COUNCIL MEETING TO SEE HOW WE FUNCTION.
I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HER AS WE DO FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN OFFICE OR RUN FOR OFFICE. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> THAT'S IT. ANYONE WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL
[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]
ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS CAN DO SO NOW. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.THESE ARE FOR SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS NOT RELATED TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU FILL OUT A REQUESTS TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS.
HANDED UP TO THE CLERK. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
I'M REPRESENTING 30 FAMILIES THAT PLAY AT BAY DE FAME PARK.
WE'VE BEEN PLAYING IN DRAINAGE CANAL, SAME DRAINAGE CANAL AS THE PARK AT THE STEEL FIRE STATION.
IT'S PARISH PROPERTY WITH A LIFT STATION.
I WENT THERE YESTERDAY AND THERE HAS PIPE BALLOTS AND CHAINS ACROSS THE LOT THAT WE'VE BEEN PLAYING ON FOR 30 YEARS.
I HAD A PUBLIC SERVITUDE, IF YOU USE THAT PROPERTY FOR 30 YEARS.
UNTIL YOU FINISH THE BAY DE FAME PARK WHERE WE CAN COME AND BE A SAFER PLACE, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
NOW I CAME HERE A YEAR AGO TO ASK FOR A PIECE OF WOOD PUT ON A FLOATING DOCK AT THE PARK.
YOU ALL SENT MR. TUFF TO MEET ME THERE AT THE PARK BECAUSE OF THE SNAKES AND ALLIGATORS ARE HANGING OUT UNDERNEATH THE FLOATING PLATFORM.
I'M PUTTING MY HAND IN THE WATER TO HOLD THE BOAT, AND THERE'S A COTTON STRIKING AT THE FRONT END OF THE BOAT AND AN ALLIGATOR THAT'S UNDER THE PIER HAS OPENINGS UNDER THE PIER IN A COOL SPOT, TRACKING THE BACK END OF THE BOAT, AND YOU ALL WANT US TO COME PLAY IN THAT PARK? YOU ALL TOOK THE MONEY FROM THE PARK TO REBUILD LAFRENIERE PARK 20 YEARS AGO.
YOU OVERBUILT LAFRENIERE PARK LIKE STUFFED POOR BOY SANDWICHES.
YOU'RE ALL BUILDING TRAILS OUTSIDE THE PARK.
YOU ALL BUILT A PARK INSIDE OF A PARK.
YOU ALL BUILT FOUR TWO-MILLION DOLLAR SOCCER FIELDS.
WHAT DO WE HAVE ON THE WEST BANK? WHEN ARE YOU ALL GOING TO BRING OUT MONEY BACK IN FRENCH SHALL PARK? NOW Y'ALL GOING TO GIVE GRETON A $10 MILLION FROM THE MONEY ALL SHOULD HAVE REPLACED IN THE PARK? WHAT HAPPENED WHEN YOU'LL SOLD WEST JEFFERSON HOSPITAL? WHY WASN'T THAT MONEY PUT BACK ON THE WEST BANK? NO, IT WENT TO BEAUTIFY METERY.
NOW, YOU ALL PUTTING THREE SIDEWALKS ON ALL YOUR MAJOR THOROUGHFARES AND MET SOME DRUNKEN SIDEWALK.
WE HAVE SCHOOLS HERE ON THE WEST BANK, TRUMAN AND ERIC WITH THOSE SIDEWALKS.
WE NEED SIDEWALKS ON THE WEST BANK.
WE NEED A HIGH SPEED ON RAMP ON BARTERIA, LIKE YOU HAVE ON INTERCHANGE ON THE EAST BANK.
WE HAVE A STOP SIGN ON HIGHWAY 90.
IT TOOK FIVE HOURS TO GET FROM GARDEN ROAD TO GARDEN ROAD, AVONDALE FOR EVACUATION FOR THE HURRICANE.
YOU GOT A STOP SIGN ON THE WEST BANK.
WHEN YOU ALL GOING TO QUIT BEAUTIFYING METERY, NOW YOU ALL BUILDING FISHING PIERS ALL OVER THE LAKE, WAIT TILL NEXT HURRICANE SEASON.
YOU ALL GOING TO BE REBUILDING THAT.
YOU ALL SPEND THREE MILLION DOLLARS ON BRICKS, THEN YOU TOOK THE BRICKS UP AND YOU PUT PAVERS THERE.
SIX MONTHS AGO, THERE WAS THREE SETS OF LIGHT POLES ON SEVERN AVENUE.
COME ON. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LIGHTS THEY'LL SUPPOSED TO PUT ON BARRET TELL YOU.
>> [INAUDIBLE] 99, HOME BOULEVARD, JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN WAY WE GO.
IT'S A TALE OF TWO CITIES. IT'S EVEN IN THE CAMPAIGNS.
STEP CHILD OVER HERE ON THE WEST BANK.
THEY ONLY GOT ONE REPRESENTATIVE GOT TO REPRESENT FOUR DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT INTERESTS.
I GOT MY BEST BANK VISA, SO I'LL GO KNOCK ON BETTY STREET, I'LL GO KNOCK ON MARRERO, TIMBERLANE, TERRY TOWN, I AIN'T AFRAID.
FIFTH PRECINCT, RONA, I'M THERE. I'M COMING.
[02:55:04]
PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA DID SOMETHING I DIDN'T EXPECT TO SEE HAPPEN, REJECTED EVERYTHING.WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT NEXT MONTH.
WE FIND OUT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
SOME THINGS WILL NEVER CHANGE, SOME THINGS YOU'RE DESPERATE TO CHANGE.
WHICH SIDE OF THIS ARE WE GOING TO PUT OURSELVES ON? ALL THE ADULTS IN THE ROOM, I JUST COME HERE AS A CITIZEN, JUSTIN CITIZEN.
THAT'S ALL I AM. IF IT TAKES PEOPLE GETTING PAID HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO SILENCE ME OR TO MAKE ME THE ENEMY OF MY FELLOW CITIZENS, TO TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE A CITIZEN AN ENEMY OF FELLOW CITIZENS, WHILE YOU EXPEND OUR HOURS WAITING FOR OUR CHANCE TO SAY SOMETHING THAT WE CARE ABOUT, HOW ABOUT YOU TURN THIS AROUND? MAKE THE CITIZENS A LITTLE MORE IMPORTANT.
THOSE OF US WHO COME HERE TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING NOT AMONG YOUR 150 ITEMS THAT YOU'VE ALREADY DECIDED YOU'RE GOING TO PASS, EXCEPT THE ONES THAT YOU CAN BENEFIT POLITICALLY FROM FOR PULLING OUT OF ORDER.
HOW ABOUT YOU GIVE THOSE OF US WHO JUST SHOW UP TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE FEEL IS IMPORTANT, FIRST.
PUT THEM UP FIRST, AND THEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE ME THE ENEMY OF ANY OF MY NEIGHBORS EVER AGAIN.
IS THIS A GOVERNMENT UP BUYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH? I THINK NOT.
BUT I HOLD GREAT HOPE FOR THE REPUBLIC. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> LITERALLY, THE FIRST THING ON THE AGENDA IS PUBLIC COMMENT, EVERY MEETING.
>> WELL, NOW YOU'RE BEING GREEDY. BUT IT'S THERE.
THANK YOU, MR. HIERS. YES, MA'AM, MADAM PRESIDENT, GO AHEAD.
>> I JUST WANT TO ASSURE EVERYONE, WE HAVE 27 PLAYGROUNDS AROUND THE PARISH.
>> I THINK MR. BODO WALKED OUT.
>> AT ALL TIMES, CERTAIN PLAYGROUNDS WERE DEVELOPED AT DIFFERENT TIMES.
WE'RE EITHER BRINGING IN NEW EQUIPMENT OR WE'RE REHABBING AREAS.
IT'S HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.
THERE IS NO ONE DISTRICT THAT'S GETTING ANY MORE STUFF.
THERE'S NOT A EAST BANK OR WEST BANK, THAT'S GETTING MORE.
I CAN ASSURE, I JUST WENT OVER IT LAST WEEK.
IT'S THROUGHOUT THE PARISH AND THERE MAY JUST AS THERE'S EAST BANK IMPROVEMENTS, THERE'S MANY WEST BANK IMPROVEMENTS TOO, BUT WE DON'T LOOK AT IT AS THE EAST BANK VERSUS WEST BANK THING IS OUT THERE.
>> I THINK WE ESTABLISHED LAST YEAR THAT NO MONEY WAS TAKEN FROM PARK DAY FOR ME AND MOVED TO LAFRENIERE PARK FOR IMPROVEMENTS THERE.
BUT YOU CHOSE NOT TO LISTEN THERE.
>> THAT'S ITS OWN FUNDING SOURCE.
THAT'S DIFFERENT, AND MANY OF THEM DO. I DON'T KNOW.
HE BROUGHT UP ANOTHER PARK, BUT I WILL ASSURE EVERYONE THAT 27 PLAYGROUNDS, WE DON'T GET TO EVERYTHING WE WANT.
WE WOULD WISH WE COULD MAKE IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE BOARD TO ALL PLAYGROUNDS, BUT WE HAVE DIFFERENT CAPITAL PROJECTS EVERY YEAR, AND IT'S DONE THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.
>> YEAH. HE'LL BE NICE YEAR TO SAY IT AGAIN. THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT.
>> IF DISTRICT 1 WOULD LIKE TO SEND THAT MONEY OVER TO LAFRENIERE PARK, MY HUSBAND AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO WORK ON PROJECTS FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK BEFORE WE WRAP THINGS UP? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION INTO SUMMARY.
[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]
HOW MANY? EIGHT OF THEM. GET COMFORTABLE, EVERYBODY.>> AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF LOTS 39F AND 39G TRACT B, COLONIAL FORMS INTO LOTS 39F1 AND 39G1 TRACT B.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING OF LOT C1BA5 AND C1BA6 SECTION 43 ELLWOOD VILLAGE CENTER SUBDIVISION INTO LOT C1BA61 AND C1BA62 SECTION 43.
AN ORDINANCE REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CBZ FOR A NEW INDOOR SOCCER FACILITY LOCATED AT 9021 AIRLINE DRIVE ON LOT 4A, SQUARE 11 MORNINGSIDE PARK SUBDIVISION.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE OFF STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS AND THE SIGN REGULATIONS OF THE CBZ, FOR TAKE FIVE ALL CHANGE LOCATED ON THE 7900 BLOCK OF AIRLINE DRIVE.
AN ORDINANCE REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE SIGN REGULATION, CBZ, FOR ROSS DAVIS, RETINA AT 2221 CLEARVIEW PARK, LOT 25-28 SQUARE 3, CLEARVIEW ESTATE SECTION B SUBDIVISION.
AN ORDINANCE REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS OF THE CBZ AT ZIA'S RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 4436 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD,
[03:00:03]
LOT Y1A, SECTION A PONCHATRAN GARDEN SUBDIVISION.AN ORDINANCE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLOT OF LOTS 48, 50, 52, AND 54.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE LASALLE PARK LOCATED AT 6600 AIRLINE DRIVE ON LOT C AND G3 ELMWOOD LEFFIN PLANTATION.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE OFFSITE PARKING REGULATIONS FOR JEWEL COMMISSARY KITCHEN AT 3622 AIRLINE DRIVE.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING OF LOTS 15A 15B 23B, PORTION OF NEWMAN AVENUE, PORTION OF CATHERINE STREET, AND PORTION OF PARCEL 5-10 SQUARE C, RICHLAND GARDEN SUBDIVISION.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP LOT 23B SQUARE C, RICHLAND GARDEN SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 1700 BLOCK OF CLEARVIEW PARKWAY.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MASTER PLAN OF THE SPECIAL PERMANENT USE FOR THE ST. MATTHEWS THE APOSTLE SCHOOL AND CHURCH TO REPLACE AN EXISTING SIGN AT 10021 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 23-17 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO PROHIBITED ACTIVITY.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 7, DIVISION 3.2 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, INCLUDING SECTION 2-9350.4, 2-9350.5 2-9350.6, AND 2-950.7, RELATIVE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND PROCEDURES.
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT MILLAGE RATES TO BE EXTENDED ON THE ASSESSORS TAX ROLES FOR THE PARISH FOR THE YEAR 2025 BASED ON THE 2025 JEFFERSON PARISH ASSESSMENT ROLE.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THAT'S ALL THE ORDINANCES I HAVE TO READ.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADJOURN BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT? HEARING NONE SO ORDER. THIS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED.
THANKS, EVERYBODY. HAVE A GREAT WEEK.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.