>> I KNOW YOU CAN GET THIS STRAIGHT. [00:00:02] >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. WE'LL GET STARTED WITH OUR PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS, [SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS] AND FIRST IS THE PARISH PRESIDENT. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GET TO BE A CERTAIN AGE, YOU NEED YOUR READERS, AND I THINK I LEFT HIM UPSTAIRS. I'M GOING TO TRY TO DO THIS WITHOUT. [LAUGHTER] OUR JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEES ARE AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO TO SERVE OUR CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND THEY ARE ONE OF OUR GOVERNMENT'S GREATEST ASSETS, REPRESENTING THE BACKBONE OF OUR PARISH. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE TWO OF OUR DIRECTORS TODAY REGARDING THEIR PINS. ANGELA DESOTO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING. ANGELA HAS BEEN OUR ENGINEERING DIRECTOR SINCE JUNE OF 2020. ANGELA. IN THIS SHORT TIME, SHE HAS CAPABLY MANAGED THE EIGHT DIVERSE DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT, THERE YOU GO, ANGELA, WHICH INCLUDES ROADS AND BRIDGES, UTILITY, TRAFFIC, OUR SKATER A SYSTEM, STREET LIGHTING, WAREHOUSE, DRAFTING, AND SURVEYING, TO COMPLETE AND DOCUMENT 62 MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AT A TOTAL COST OF 176 MILLION. NOT TOO SHABBY, ANGELA. IN ADDITION, SHE HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO IMPROVE THE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS, TAKING A LEAD ROLE IN MODIFYING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO STREAMLINE THE CONSTRUCTION PERMITTING AND TO PROMOTE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INSTALLATION, WORKING WITH IT TO MODERNIZE WAREHOUSE TRACKING FROM PURCHASE, TO STORAGE, TO DISTRIBUTION, AND WORKING WITH THE INTERNAL AUDITOR TO DEVELOP AN EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE STREET LIGHTING MAINTENANCE CONTRACT. NEXT, WE HAVE TONI HURLEY, OUR PARISH ATTORNEY. TONI JOINED OUR PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN 2015 AS A SENIOR ASSISTANT PARISH ATTORNEY. AFTER GAINING CONSIDERABLE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN THE AREAS OF PUBLIC WORKERS AND GOVERNMENTAL CONTRACT LAW, TONI WAS ELEVATED TO THE POSITION OF DEPUTY PARISH ATTORNEY, WHERE SHE SERVED IN A SUPERVISORY CAPACITY OVER A NUMBER OF SECTIONS WITHIN THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. HER HARD WORK AND DEDICATION IN THOSE ROLES HAVE PREPARED HER WELL FOR HER APPOINTMENT AS PARISH ATTORNEY, A POSITION THAT SHE HAS EXCELLED IN SINCE 2024. I'M SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE BOTH TONI AND ANGELA BE WITH US ON OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, BOTH. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] COUNCIL MEMBERS, DO YOU WANT TO COME TAKE A PICTURE WITH TONI AND ANGELA? COME IN THE MIDDLE. GET A PICTURE WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. THIS SIDE? >> EVERYONE ON THREE. 1, 2, 3. WE'RE GOING TO GET TWO MORE. 01, 2, 3. ONE MORE. 1, 2, 3. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD JOB. >> NEXT, WE HAVE THE DAWN BUSTERS CREW WITH A CHECK PRESENTATION. [BACKGROUND] [00:05:22] >> YOU GUYS GO FIRST. >> DO YOU WANT TO TALK A MINUTE, AND I'LL GIVE YOU 10. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME. I'M SAL LAROCK. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE. I'M A MEMBER OF THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS CLUB. TWO OF OUR LEADERS ARE NOT HERE. MEL AND MIKE ARE NOT HERE TODAY. THEY'RE MEETING FOR OUR GOLF TOURNAMENT. TODAY, WE'RE HERE AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE. WE'RE HERE TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE A NONPROFIT, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF ACTIVITIES AT LAFRENIERE PARK, BUT WE'RE VERY LUCKY, THOUGH, SOME YOUNG MAN NAMED TRIP RABALE WORKS WITH US, AND HE HAS MADE US A LOT BIGGER THAN WE EVER DREAMED HE HAD BEEN. AT ONE POINT, HE ASKED IF WE COULD PROVIDE A GARDEN FOR HIM AT THE PARK. HE SAID, IN 50 YEARS, HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANY GARDENS IN THE PARK. AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME, WE HAVE PROVIDED OVER A THOUSAND HOURS A YEAR OF VOLUNTEER WORK FOR THREE YEARS, AND WE HAVE OVER 210 KNOCKOUT ROSES PLANTED, DONATION TO THE PARK, AND WE BELIEVE IT'S THE LARGEST ROSE GARDEN IN THE PARISH. WE WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO DO THAT. NOW, THE REASON WE'RE HERE TODAY IS WE GIVE BACK. DAWN BUSTERS GIVE BACK, AND MARCEL IS GOING TO MAKE A PRESENTATION TO MR. RABALE AND TO OUR ESTEEMED COUNCIL LADY WITH US HERE, AND THIS IS MONEY THAT WE'RE GIVING BACK FROM BUNNY BASH. YOU OWN THE LARGEST REGIONAL EASTER EGG HUNT IN THIS AREA. WE ALWAYS HAVE 800-1,000 CHILDREN THAT COME TO OUR EASTER EGG HUNT. AT THIS TIME, LET ME PASS IT OVER TO OUR ESTEEMED COUNCILLADY. >> YOU WANT TO DO THIS FIRST? >> YEAH, YOU CAN DO THAT FIRST, IT'S OKAY. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. I'M MARCEL LASHOVER, ONE OF THE PAST PRESIDENTS, DAWN BUSTERS, BUT I'M ALSO GOVERNOR-ELECT FOR LAMISSTENN, WHICH IS THE DISTRICT, THIS YEAR I'LL BE GOVERNOR OCTOBER 1, BUT IT'S MY HONOR TO PRESENT TRIP AND LAFRENIERE PARK WITH A CHECK FOR $3,000 FROM THE BUNNY BASH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. WE'LL GO TO GOOD THINGS IN THE PARK. WE APPRECIATE YOU GUYS. >> DO I NEED TO GIVE THAT TO ARITA NOW? [LAUGHTER] >> I'M GOING TO SEE WHICH POCKET I'M GOING TO PUT IT IN. [LAUGHTER] >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU GUYS. >> Y'ALL WANT TO TURN AROUND WE TAKE A PICTURE, I GUESS? >> NONE OF YOU DON'T. >> DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE PICTURE? TURN AROUND. [BACKGROUND] I WAS JUST SAYING YOU WANT TO DO THIS OR YOU WON'T. >> EVERYBODY ON THREE. 01, 2, 3. WE GET ANOTHER. 01, 2, 3. ONE MORE. 1, 2, 3. >> THANK YOU. >> BEFORE YOU GUYS GO ANYWHERE, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK, BUT WE HAVE A LITTLE SURPRISE. THIS MORNING IS CERTAINLY ABOUT THE DAWN BUSTERS GIVING BACK, AND THEY ALWAYS DO, BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE MAN WHO JUST SPOKE, SAL LAROCK. IN TRUE SAL FORM, THIS MORNING WHEN HE GETS HERE, HE COMES UP AND HE GIVES A LONG LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT THE DAWN BUSTERS HAVE DONE. WHEN READING THE LIST, IT'S CLEAR THAT THESE ARE REALLY 90% OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT SAL LAROCK HAS DONE. WHEN HE SAYS 1,000 HOURS ARE VOLUNTEERED AT THE PARK, HE MEANS 990 OF THEM ARE BY HIM. TODAY, WE ARE SURPRISING HIM WITH A VIDEO AND A PROCLAMATION. WE'RE SO LUCKY TO HAVE SAL. YOU CAN GO OUT THERE STORMING, AND SAL'S OUT THERE PLANTING THE GARDENS. WE'RE NOT SURE WHERE HE GETS THE ROSES FROM, BUT THAT'S OKAY. [LAUGHTER] SAL LAROCK WAS BORN IN AMITE, LOUISIANA IN 1942, AND HE'S LIVED A FULL LIFE OF SERVICE. SAL LAROCK HAS SERVED AS AN EDUCATOR FOR OVER 30 YEARS IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, AS A TEACHER, COACH, PRINCIPAL, AND DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY EDUCATION. SAL LAROCK HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL FOR 30 YEARS AND IN THE DAWN BUSTERS FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. SAL LAROCK HAS NEVER STRAYED FAR FROM HIS BACKGROUND IN EDUCATION. HE BEGAN WORKING WITH MEL DUSSELL AT DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS WITH THEIR SIGNATURE PROGRAM, REWARDS FOR READING, SERVING MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. SAL LAROCK'S INTRODUCTION OF ROCKY THE ROOSTER PROGRAM FOR [00:10:03] THE KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN TO EMBRACE THE BENEFITS AND IGNITE ENTHUSIASM FOR READING HAS BEEN TRULY AMAZING. HIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS ALSO LED TO THE CREATION OF THE ROCKY BOOK, THE ROCKY ACTIVITY BOOK, A ROCKY DOLL, A ROCKY T-SHIRT, AND EVEN A ROCKY MASCOT. SAL LAROCK'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY CONTINUED WITH HIS ACTIVE ROLE WITH COUNCILMAN BONANO AND LSU EXTENSION SERVICE IN LEADING THE CREATION OF AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY GARDEN IN LASALLE PARK FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL KINDS. THIS PROJECT IS A PERSONAL PASSION FOR BOTH SAL AND BARBARA, HIS WIFE OF OVER 40 YEARS. THE GARDEN ENCOURAGES PARTICIPANTS AND VISITORS TO FEEL AND TOUCH PLANTS AND CONTAINERS AT AN ACCESSIBLE HEIGHT, ALLOWING THEM TO LEARN HOW TO GROW AND PRODUCE VEGETABLES AND HERBS. SAL LAROCK AND THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS HAVE PARTNERED WITH LAFRENIERE PARK TO HOST A MYRIAD OF EVENTS, ACTUALLY, FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING THE BUNNY BASH AND THE EASTER EGG HUNT, ALL FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS, BOO-TO-YOU FOR HALLOWEEN, AND TRUNK-OR-TREAT. SAL LAROCK IS THE ORIGINAL ENERGIZER BUNNY. HE SPENDS DAYTIME DAILY, MAKING LAFRENIERE PARK BEAUTIFUL BY PURCHASING, PLANTING, WATERING, AND GROOMING, AND FLOWERING GARDENS, INCLUDING THE STUNNING RED ROCK RED KNOCKOUT FLOWERS THAT YOU SEE RIGHT WHEN YOU DRIVE INTO THE PARK, THOSE BEAUTIFUL ROSES, ESPECIALLY THE ENTRANCE RIGHT ON DOWNS BOULEVARD. IT'S BEEN HIS PASSION. LASALLE PARK, LAFRENIERE PARK, AND ALL OF JEFFERSON PARISH IS A BETTER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY BECAUSE OF THE ENDLESS AND SELFLESS WORK OF SAL LAROCK, HIS BIGGEST CHEERLEADER, BARBARA, AND THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS. THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY RECOGNIZES SAL LAROCK FOR HIS DEDICATION AND OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNITY AND WISHES HIM SUCCESS IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS. [APPLAUSE] NEVER ONE TIME WHEN HE WAS UP HERE DID HE SAY THE WORD I. NO ONE TIME. IT'S ALWAYS WE, AND THAT'S HOW SAL IS. WE ALL JOIN IN TAKING A PICTURE? >> YEAH. >> YOU IN THE MIDDLE. YOU'RE THE SUPERSTAR. I LIKE IT. MAKES MORE SENSE. HE'S YOURS. >> I KNOW. I HAVE TO THANK NOW. THANK YOU, JOHN >> EVERYONE ON THREE. 01, 2, 3. GOING TO GET ANOTHER ONE. 01, 2, 3. ONE MORE. 01, 2, 3. >> THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND] >> WAIT, WE HAVE A VIDEO. ACTUALLY, WE HAVE A VIDEO WE WANT TO PRESENT TO SHOW YOU EXACTLY SAL'S WORK. ARE WE READY? I'M SORRY. SAL, YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO WATCH THIS. >> I DON'T KNOW. SOME ICE. [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] [00:15:16] >> THANK YOU, [INAUDIBLE]. >> OH, GOSH. THANK YOU TO THE PIO TEAM, TOO, FOR PUTTING TOGETHER SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU. >> THAT'S ALL WE HAVE PRE-MEETING. WE'LL BE BACK IN ABOUT 13 MINUTES TO START THE MEETING. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO [MEETING CALLED TO ORDER] THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON THIS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18TH, 2025. WE'RE IN THE JOSEPH S. YENNI BUILDING 1221 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD IN JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA. THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER. I LIKE TO YIELD THE FLOOR TO THE PARISH PRESIDENT TO INTRODUCE HER GUEST WITH TODAY'S INVOCATION. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I'D TO INTRODUCE PASTOR STEPHEN DAIGLE, WHO WILL LEAD US IN TODAY'S OPENING PRAYER. HE IS A PROUD METAIRIE NATIVE AND A GRADUATE OF BOTH RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AND TULANE UNIVERSITY. PASTOR DAIGLE HAS FAITHFULLY SERVED IN MINISTRY LOCALLY FOR OVER 20 YEARS, TAKING ON ROLES AS A YOUNG ADULT PASTOR, CAMPUS PASTOR, AND MISSIONS PASTOR AT LOCAL CHURCHES. TODAY, PASTOR DAIGLE AND HIS WIFE, LAURA LEAD A NEW CHURCH CALLED HOME CHURCH, WHICH OPENED ITS DOORS ON OCTOBER 27TH, 2024. HOME CHURCH MEETS AT HIS FORMER HIGH SCHOOL, RIDGEWOOD. THE CHURCH CONTINUES TO GROW, AND JUSTICE THIS PAST SUNDAY CELEBRATED ITS HIGHEST NON-EASTER ATTENDANCE TO DATE. PASTOR STEPHEN DAIGLE. >> YOU CAN STAND. LET'S PRAY. FATHER COME BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING. WE SAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU WORD TELLS US THAT IN SCRIPTURE THAT YOU KNEW THE TIMES AND THE PLACES THAT YOU WOULD PUT PEOPLE, AND SO WE THANK YOU FOR PUTTING US RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW, FATHER, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GREAT PLAN AND A PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES. FATHER, SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP ARE A GREAT WEIGHT, AND WE NEED HELP. YOUR WORD REMINDS US THAT, IF ANY MAN, WOMAN LACKS WISDOM, THAT YOU GIVE GENEROUSLY WITHOUT FINDING FAULT, AND SO THIS MORNING, WE HUMBLY ASK THAT YOU WOULD GIVE WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT TO THIS COUNCIL, FATHER. WE ASK THAT EVEN IN THE FACE OF DISAGREEMENT, FATHER, THAT THERE WOULD BE UNITY, FATHER, WITH A COMMON VISION FOR THE FUTURE. WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT IS TO BE IN THIS POSITION, GOD. WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD HELP US TO BE THE BEST LEADERS THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY BE. FATHER, WE ASK THAT YOUR HAND WOULD BE ON OUR PARISH, THAT OUR PARISH WOULD FLOURISH AND THRIVE LIKE IT HAS NEVER BEFORE, FATHER, AS WE YIELD TO YOUR DIVINE INSPIRATION. IN JESUS NAME, EVERYONE SAYS. AMEN. >> THANK YOU. >> >> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> CHAIRMAN WALKER. >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILMAN KERNER. >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILMAN BANANO. >> HERE. >> COUNCILMAN LEE. >> HERE. >> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN. >> HERE. >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG. >> HERE. >> PARISH PRESIDENT MS. LEE SHENG. >> HERE. >> WE HAVE COMPLETED THE ROLL. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MADAM PRESIDENT, [PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL] THE FLOOR IS YOURS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I'D LIKE TO FIRST ASK FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR TWO PEOPLE IN OUR JEFFERSON PARISH FAMILY WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY. KATHY RUSSO, MANY OF YOU KNEW, PASSED AWAY ON MAY 29TH AT THE AGE OF 65. KATHY WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST, MOST RECENTLY SERVING AS THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH COORDINATOR FOR OUR DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS. THROUGH HER ALMOST 38-YEAR TENURE, SHE WAS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE FOR HER DEPARTMENT AND A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR JEFFERSON PARISH. KATHY ALSO PROUDLY SERVED AT HER COUNTRY IN THE US ARMY AS A LIEUTENANT. SHE LOVED HER DOGS, [INAUDIBLE], SAINTS, AND MOST OF ALL HER FAMILY. THEN GREG ALEXANDER ALSO PASSED AWAY ON JUNE 3RD AT THE AGE OF 68. HE WAS THE BELOVED LEADER OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES TRAINING DIVISION, SERVING THE PARISH FOR 23 YEARS FROM 1999 UNTIL HIS RECENT RETIREMENT IN 2022. GREG WAS A MANAGING EDITOR OF OUR HUMAN RESOURCES EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER, JEFFTALK, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE [INAUDIBLE]. HIS COLLEAGUES DESCRIBED HIM AS ONE OF THE KINDEST SUPERVISORS AND MOST HELPFUL MENTOR WITH INVALUABLE INSIGHTS AND WEALTH AND INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE. BOTH KATHY AND GREG WILL BE DEARLY MISSED BY THEIR JEFFERSON PARISH FAMILY, AND HOPEFULLY THAT WE CAN PRAY FOR THEIR LOVED ONES. THANK YOU. [00:20:05] THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I WILL CONTINUE WITH OUR BUDGET AWARD. I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR JEFFERSON PARISH BUDGET DEPARTMENT WAS RECENTLY AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD FROM THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICES ASSOCIATION. THIS IS THE 32ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THIS AWARD, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF RECOGNITION IN GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETING AND REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT. AWARD RECIPIENTS ARE SELECTED BASED UPON ACHIEVING NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTIVE BUDGET PRESENTATION, INCLUDING HOW WELL AN ENTITIES BUDGET SERVES AS A POLICY DOCUMENT, A FINANCIAL PLAN, AN OPERATIONS GUIDE, AND A COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE. BUDGET DOCUMENTS MUST BE RATED PROFICIENT IN ALL FOUR RANKING CATEGORIES AND THE 14 MANDATORY CRITERIA WITH THOSE CATEGORIES TO RECEIVE THE AWARD. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE OUR TEAM, INCLUDING INTERIM FINANCE DIRECTOR, VICTOR LAROCCA, AS WELL AS BUDGET DIRECTOR MADISON MARTIN, TIA VENABLE, [INAUDIBLE] OF THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR BUDGET PRESENTATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST, 2025. CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS, VICTOR AND YOUR TEAM. WE'RE NOW IN HURRICANE SEASON, AND JEFFERSON PARISH TRANSIT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS AWARE OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED. GOOGLE OUTLOOK FOR ANDROID USERS AND SEEING AI FOR IPHONE USERS CAN HELP VISUALLY IMPAIRED BUS RIDERS BY IDENTIFYING OBJECTS, READING TEXT, AND DESCRIBING SURROUNDINGS USING THE PHONES CAMERA. THESE FREE APPS USE YOUR SMARTPHONES CAMERA TO RECOGNIZE AND AUDIBLY DESCRIBE VISUAL INFORMATION IN REAL-TIME, INCLUDING READING BUS STOP SIGNS OR PRINTED SCHEDULES ALLOWED, IDENTIFYING NEARBY LANDMARKS OR SIGNAGE, AND RECOGNIZING BUS NUMBERS OR SAFETY NOTICES. MOVING ON TO OUR LIBRARY, WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS COMING UP. THE EAST BANK ANNUAL REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL HOST, THIS IS A FUN ONE, IT'S 11TH ANNUAL ADULT SPELLING BEE TOMORROW, JUNE 19TH ON THURSDAY. NO ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY. CONTESTANTS AGES 18 PLUS SHOULD SIGN UP ON-SITE IN ADVANCE OF THE 7:00 PM START TIME. PARTICIPANTS ARE ELIMINATED WITH ANY MISSPELLINGS, AND THE CHAMPION WILL RECEIVE A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR THE BIG BOOK SALE FROM OCTOBER 24TH TO 26TH, SPONSORED BY THE FRIENDS OF JEFFERSON LIBRARY. TWO TACTILE BRAILLE AMERICAN FLAGS GIFTED BY THE BLIND VETERANS ASSOCIATION WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOR PERMANENT DISPLAY AT THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY. A PUBLIC DEDICATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 23RD AT 2:00 PM WHICH WILL INCLUDE A SELECTION OF PATRIOTIC MUSIC BY TWO TRUMPETERS FROM THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY BAND, AND A LECTURE ABOUT THE LIFE OF LOUIS BRAILLE BY HISTORIAN CYRIL LAGVANEC. THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM CONTINUES THROUGH JULY 31ST FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS AT ALL 16 BRANCH LIBRARIES. PRIZES ARE GIVEN AWAY FOR REACHING READING MILESTONES WITH A RAFFLE DRAWING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE PROGRAM. SPECIAL EVENTS, INCLUDING PUPPET AND MAGIC SHOWS, ANIMAL ENCOUNTER PROGRAMS, HULA HOOPING SESSIONS AND BOLLYWOOD DANCE LESSONS, WHICH ALL MAKE THE LIBRARIES A SOURCE OF FAMILY-ORIENTED ENTERTAINMENT IN THE WEEKS TO COME. A PRIVATE NURSING ROOM FOR NEW MOTHERS AND THEIR INFANTS OPEN AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WITH A PADDED ROCKING CHAIR AND SOUNDPROOF WALLS. PATRONS IN NEED OF THIS FACILITY MAY REQUEST AN ACCESS CODE IN THE CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT. JPAWS, OUR JEFFERSON PROTECTION AND ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES IS HOSTING THE LAST CAMP HAPPY TALES FOR THIS SUMMER FROM JUNE 30TH TO JULY 3RD FOR AGES 9-12, AND THERE ARE CURRENTLY SIX SPOTS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, EMAIL JPAWS@JEFFPARISH.GOV OR CALL 504-349-5111. JPAWS IS HOSTING BARCA PALOOZA ON SATURDAY, JULY 12, 11:00-2:00 AT OUR WEST BANK ANIMAL SHELTER LOCATION, 2701 LA PALKO BOULEVARD AND HARVEY. THIS EVENT WILL INCLUDE A VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT, INCLUDING VARIOUS ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS A BALL TOSS, VET COMPETITION, AND DIRTY DOG RUN OBSTACLE COURSE, AND MANY OTHER FAMILY-FRIENDLY SUMMER ACTIVITIES. WRISTBANDS ARE $15 AND INCLUDE ADOPTION FEES FOR ONE PET FOR THIS DAY ONLY. ALL PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES. UTILITY SERVICES. WE NOW HAVE A UTILITY SERVICES DASHBOARD ON OUR WEBSITE UNDER THE SERVICES TAB. THIS NEW LANDING PAGE INCLUDES HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES, INCLUDING A BILL CALCULATOR, LIST OF ONGOING WATER PROJECTS, ABNORMAL METER READ PHOTOS, FAQS, AND VIDEO TUTORIALS ON EVERYTHING FROM HOW TO READ YOUR METER TO HOW TO DETECT A LEAK. THERE ARE ALSO DIRECT LINKS ON THE DASHBOARD TO PAY YOUR BILL AND SCHEDULE IN-PERSON APPOINTMENTS, WHICH IS A REMINDER IS A NEW SERVICE WE'RE OFFERING RESIDENTS ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS, EVEN THOUGH THE DEMAND HAS BEEN LOW. THE DASHBOARD ALSO INCLUDES INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SMART WATER METER REPLACEMENT PROJECT. AS OF THIS WEEK, 6,775 OF OVER 160 SMART WATER METERS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED THROUGHOUT JEFFERSON PARISH. THAT'S A LITTLE OVER 4%. GRAND AISLE IS 96% COMPLETED, AND WE WILL BEGIN SENDING OUT BILLS WITH ACTUAL READS ON AUGUST 5TH. CUSTOMERS IN THIS AREA WILL NOT BE BACK-BILLED FOR WATER USAGE SINCE HURRICANE IDA, AND THIS BILL WILL BE A MONTHLY BILL STARTING FROM JULY 5TH TO AUGUST 5TH OF 2025. [00:25:06] WE'RE CURRENTLY REPLACING METERS IN KENNER, MARRERO, AND LAFITTE. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT CUSTOMERS CHECK THEIR PROPERTIES FOR LEAKS IF THEIR WATER CONSUMPTION IS HIGHER THAN NORMAL. THE BILLING INTEGRATION IS ALMOST COMPLETED, AND WE WILL BEGIN DEVELOPING THE CUSTOMER PORTAL. THE CUSTOMER PORTAL WILL PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER A LOOK INTO THEIR REAL-TIME WATER USAGE, IRRIGATION INSIGHT FOR WATERING THE GARDEN, BILLING AND PAYMENT ALERTS, USAGE ALERTS, AND WATER OUTAGE ALERTS. JUNETEENTH. ALL JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH IN OBSERVANCE OF THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY. CURBSIDE GARBAGE COLLECTION WILL TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED FOR RESIDENTS OF UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON PARISH IN THE TOWN OF JEAN LAFITTE, AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH LANDFILL WILL REMAIN OPEN. IN ADDITION, ALL JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARIES, THE JPAWS ADOPTION CENTERS AND JEFFERSON PARISH PARKS AND RECREATION PLAYGROUNDS, NOT INCLUDING LAFRENIERE PARK AND PARC DES FAMILLES WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATIONS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 21ST. EAST BANK AMERICAN JOB CENTER WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, JUNE,19TH AND FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH, BUT THE WEST BANK AMERICAN JOB CENTER WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH. BOTH FACILITIES WILL RESUME NORMAL OPERATIONS ON MONDAY, JUNE 23RD. ADDITIONALLY, JEFFERSON PARISH TRANSIT WILL BE RUNNING A SATURDAY SCHEDULE ON FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH. THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE REALLY, MANY OF US ATTENDED THE BICENTENNIAL BALL AT LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER. IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS FOR US. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD A VERY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE. WE REALLY NEED TO THANK THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, ESPECIALLY BY CENTENNIAL BALL COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN LYNDA NUGENT SMITH, AS WELL AS THE OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHRISTINE BRADY. AGAIN, THE LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER AND THE FILE ORGANIZATION HOSTED US THERE, WINK DESIGN & EVENTS FOR TRANSFORMING THIS SPACE, BUISSON CREATIVE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT, AND THE MANY SPONSORS AND VENDORS, INCLUDING THE GAYLE AND TOM BENSON FOUNDATION, THE PELICANS, THE SAINTS, ENTERGY, AND AS WELL AS JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT. THANK YOU. >>THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR THE PARISH PRESIDENT? THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, THE FLOOR IS YOURS? >> WE ARE SUPER EXCITED TO AGAIN, AM I ON? WE ARE HOSTING UNCLE SAM JAM AT LAFRENIERE PARK. IT IS OUR 30TH YEAR. IF WE COULD ROLL THE VIDEO. SCOTT, [INAUDIBLE] DO COMMENTS ABOUT THE AIRPORT RESOLUTION [INAUDIBLE]. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> [MUSIC] >> IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG YEAR ACTUALLY FOR LAFRENIERE PARK. LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE DID THE FIREWORKS WHILE THE PATRIOTIC MUSIC WAS PLAYING LIVE. WE'RE GOING TO REPEAT THAT THIS YEAR. IT WAS VERY POPULAR. EVERYONE'S INVITED OUT. PLEASE JOIN US. IT'S FREE TO THE PUBLIC. YOU CAN BUY VIP SPOTS THAT WILL INCLUDE PARKING. BUT THEY'RE CERTAINLY NOT NECESSARY. YOU CAN BRING YOUR FAMILY OUT AND JUST ENJOY THE WONDERFUL DAY AND THE WEATHER AND GET READY TO KICK IN 4TH JULY. WHILE I HAVE THE FLOOR, THOUGH, I WANTED TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE ONGOING ISSUES THAT WE'VE HAD RELATIVE TO THE AIRPORT. I KNOW THAT THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WITH THEIR PUMPS DURING THIS LAST STORM. SINCE THEN, THIS COUNCIL HAS PASSED A RESOLUTION TO INCREASE AND OPEN UP A LINE OF COMMUNICATION. WE HAVE REACHED OUT NUMEROUS TIMES TO TRY TO SCHEDULE THAT MEETING. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET A DATE THAT THE ORLEANS COUNCIL WAS AVAILABLE, OR THEY HAD TO CANCEL LAST MINUTE TO RESCHEDULE. IN THE MEANTIME, OUR STATE LEGISLATURE AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOE STAGNI, AND THE ENTIRE JEFFERSON DELEGATION, [00:30:03] THEY PASSED A JOINT RESOLUTION THAT WOULD HAVE THE ORLEANS PARISH COUNCIL OR THE AVIATION BOARD APPEAR BEFORE THIS COUNCIL AND GIVE US THEIR PLAN FOR HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS, PARTICULARLY GOING INTO A SEASON THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF OUR WORST. IF THERE'S ANYONE FROM THE ORLEANS PARISH COUNCIL OR THE NEW ORLEANS AVIATION BOARD HERE, IF YOU COULD STEP UP TO THE PODIUM? NO. I KNOW THAT THEY'RE AWARE, I KNOW THAT THEY'VE BEEN COPIED ON THIS, I KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD SOME OF OUR JEFFERSON DELEGATION SPECIFICALLY REACH OUT TO THEM. IT'S DISAPPOINTING THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THAT LINE OF COMMUNICATION THAT WE HAD HOPED, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRY AND MAKE THAT WORK OUT FOR US. IN THE MEANTIME, THE STATE RESOLUTION IS POSTED ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE. YOU CAN CERTAINLY FIND IT THERE. IF YOU NEED A COPY, JUST LET ME KNOW. THAT'S IT FOR ME. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG. >> RIGHT BEFORE THE UNCLE SAM JAM, WE HAVE THE P1 POWER BOAT RACING THAT WE'RE BRINGING POWER BOAT RACING BACK TO JEFFERSON PARISH AT THE BONNEVILLE BOAT LAUNCH. EVERYBODY REMEMBERS WHEN WE USED TO HAVE THE POWER BOAT RACING BACK THERE. WE'RE BRINGING IT BACK THE LAST WEEKEND IN JUNE, JUNE 27TH THROUGH 29TH, IT'S FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IF WE CAN RUN THE VIDEO, PLEASE. >> [MUSIC] >> WELCOME TO THE WORLD'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS RACING SERIES. >> [MUSIC]. >> [MUSIC] >> OH, BAD. >> IT'S LIKE, BANG, BANG, BANG. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> A HUGE FALL FOR [INAUDIBLE]. LOOK AT THOSE WAVES, THE BOAT IS BUMPING AND HOPPING AS TEAMS STRUGGLE TO KEEP THEM, NOT THIS TIME. EX ASSURANCE IS TAKING A LOT OF AIR ON THE EDGE OF CONTROL. YOU'VE GOT A BIG BATTLE BUILDING WITH SECOND PLACE AND TAKE THE LIGHT. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> STRUGGLE TO KEEP THAT, NOT THIS TIME. >> I KNOW WE HAVE A CHANCE HERE TODAY. WE'RE GOING TO GO FOR IT. >> [INAUDIBLE] FINALLY PASS EX ASSURANCE. >> THAT'S THE LAST WEEKEND IN JUNE. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, CHECK OUT JEFFERSON PARISH'S WEBSITE OR OUR SOCIAL MEDIA. >> [INAUDIBLE], LOOK GREAT IN THE VIDEO [LAUGHTER] THANK, COUNCIL LILJEBERG. ANYBODY ELSE? NOW, PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING [PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA] A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR AT THE END OF AGENDA, CAN DO SO NOW. YOU MUST FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS, HAND IT UP TO THE CLERK IN THE FRONT. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> FAKE GUYS, I WAS JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE MIGHT GO. AGAIN, YOU COULD SUSPEND THE RULES, YOU COULD. CHAIRMAN, IF I COULD MAKE THE RULES, THERE WOULD BE NO QUESTION WHAT I'D DO. LET ME DO THE NICE THING FIRST, ABOUT TIME. ITEM 38. IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOUR OWN AGENDA, I GOT 150 PLUS ITEMS, SO I DON'T FAULT ANYBODY FOR NOT KNOWING WHERE TO LOOK FIRST. ITEM 38, HOW MANY YEARS HAVE WE GONE, WE'RE OUT OF A FACILITY ON THE EAST BANK? TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY EIGHT THOUSAND CITIZENS ON EAST BANK CAN'T, BUT HAVE TO GO ACROSS THE RIVER TO DEAL WITH THEIR ANIMALS. IT'S AN INSULT. BUT ONE OF MANY, I COMMEND YOU ALL FOR FINALLY GETTING AROUND TO IT. NOW, WITH REGARDS TO THE CAMPAIGN MONEY THAT'S SPENT REGARDING THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, THE BIGGEST MONEY GETTER IS MR. KERNER, BUT MOST OF THAT'S LIKE FUNNELING MONEY FROM ONE CAMPAIGN FUND TO THE NEXT. THIS IS FOR AN EXTENSION ON A $750,000 CONTRACT THAT'S GOING TO BE EXTENDED PAST ALL YOURS COUNCIL SEATING. IT'S EXTENDED TO 2028. IF THE PEOPLE ROSE UP AND SWEPT YOU ALL OUT, EVERY SINGLE ONE YOU GOT SWEPT OUT HERE IN 2027, NOTHING THAT HAPPENS ON THIS AGENDA RELATED TO 2028 MATTERS, WE CANCEL EVERYTHING. NULLIFY EVERYTHING. WE GET THE PEOPLE GOVERNING THEMSELVES. THAT BEING SAID, JVV TOOK 6,000 ON THAT. TIM GOT 11, MR. WALKER FOR ITEM 100, AND ITEM 61, 98, 99, 103. THESE ARE ALL ENGINEERING THINGS, I BELIEVE. YOU ALL KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT ENGINEERS. BUT YOU'RE GETTING PAID TO EXTEND CONTRACTS. [00:35:03] LIKE $9,000, MR. WALKER YOU GOING TO GET PAID INTO YOUR CAMPAIGN TO GO AHEAD AND RUBBER STAMP AN EXTENSION OF A CONTRACT AGAIN INTO 2028? I COULD GO INTO ALL THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENTS, ALL THE ENGINEERS 82-86. THE IDEA THAT I'M GOING TO HIRE A FINANCIAL ADVISOR FOR $400,000. BUT I GOT FIREMEN, GOT TO HAVE THREE JOBS TO GET THEIR INSURANCE PAYMENTS PAID, THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I DONE ZONING VARIANCES FOR OCHSNER? HOW BIG A MONSTER AM I GOING TO MAKE OF OCHSNER BEFORE I MAKE OCHSNER COVER MY PUBLIC SERVANTS SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE AN INSURANCE BILL? YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO THESE THINGS. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE POWER BECAUSE IT'S BEEN INFLATED BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT AN APPORTIONED BODY. IF YOU DON'T THINK APPORTIONMENT RELATES TO EVERYTHING ON THAT YOU DO, I CAN RISE ON EVERY SINGLE AGENDA ITEM AND OPPOSE IT BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT LEGITIMATELY FORMED, AND I CAN, AND I MAY START. YOU GOT TO FIGURE THIS OUT, NOT ME. IF YOU CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT, ALLOWING FOR AN AT LARGE MEMBERSHIP, I DEMAND THAT YOU RECUSE YOURSELVES FROM VOTES BECAUSE AN AT LARGE MEMBERSHIP IS CORROSIVE TO A REPUBLIC. IT'S A REASON WHY THE REPRESENTATIVE RATIO FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS LOWERED 40,000-30,000. YOUR FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE STUFF I'M TALKING ABOUT MS. VAN VRANCKEN. HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. THAT LARGE MEMBERSHIP IS ABHORRENT TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US SWORE TO [OVERLAPPING] SUPPORT AND DEFEND. FIGURE THIS OUT. I GO HOME [APPLAUSE] >> ANYBODY ELSE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR AN ITEM AGENDA? >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JUAN PRATO, 4522 ROSEDALE DRIVE IN METAIRIE, AND GOOD MORNING. HONORABLE PRESIDENT, COUNCILMAN, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, MY REMARKS ARE ON TWO OF YOUR ITEMS 26512 AND 26516, BASICALLY, THE REZONING OR PROPOSALS FOR THE LOTS ON THE AIRLINE IN CLEARVIEW. >> LET THERE'LL BE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT WHEN THAT ITEM COMES UP. YOU CAN COME UP AT THAT TIME. >> I'M SORRY. >> THAT'S AN ORDINANCE. YES, SIR. ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR AN ITEM AGENDA? [NOISE] >> HELLO. MY NAME IS LARRY COLLINS, AND I'M FROM WAGS FOOD AND CULTURE. A BUSINESS THAT'S BEEN SERVING THE WEST BANK FOR 25 YEARS. SOME BUSINESSES ARE BUILT FOR THE MOMENT. >> SIR, I THINK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE END OF THE MEETING. >> BUT REAL. >> IT'S NOT A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR AN ITEM OF AGENDA. I DON'T BELIEVE IT. THANK YOU. WHAT'S THAT? I DON'T THINK SO. ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR AN ITEM AGENDA? THANK YOU. YOU HAVE TO BOUNCE BACK TO COUNCILMAN LEE BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE REST OF THE AGENDA WHO WAS GOING TO SPEAK, THEN WASN'T NOW IS [LAUGHTER] COUNCILMAN LEE. GO AHEAD, UNMUTE YOURSELF. >> WE'RE EXCITED THAT WE'VE PROVIDED A SAILING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PICK NINE KIDS TO GO AND LEARN HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING THAT WILL BE BENEFICIAL FOR THEM IN THE FUTURE. WE HAVE A VIDEO, AND WE'D LIKE TO PLAY THE VIDEO. >> [MUSIC] >> A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL LIVE HERE IN NEW ORLEANS FOR PRETTY MUCH THEIR WHOLE LIFE AND HAVE A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF CONTACT WITH THE LAKE ITSELF. MY NAME IS KHARI PARRISH. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS HERE AT COMMUNITY SAILING NEW ORLEANS, A 501C3 NON PROFIT PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO OPEN UP THE ACCESSIBILITY OF LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN TO THE COMMUNITY. >> IT'S GREAT TO SEE ALL TYPES OF FACES FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE HERE. >> THE MISSION OF COMMUNITY SAILING NEW ORLEANS IS TO OPEN UP THE WATERFRONT AND ACCESS OPPORTUNITY TO THE EXPERIENCES WITH SAILING. >> COMMUNITY SAILING NEW ORLEANS IS THE BEST PART OF MY SUMMER. THE CAMPUS IS AMAZING, IT'S HUGE. >> COMMUNITY SAILING IS IMPORTANT TO ME, NOT JUST FOR WHAT IT'S DONE FOR ME, BUT THERE'S A FELLOWSHIP THAT THEY JUST ENGENDER HERE. NOT THAT LONG AGO, THEY HAD CHILDREN WHO ARE SIGHT IMPAIRED. THEY WERE SAILING. >> ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE TRY TO DO IS JUST LET PEOPLE KNOW, WE ARE HERE AND WE'RE HERE FOR THEM. >> I THINK ANYBODY WOULD FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG HERE AT NO LOOK COMMUNITY SAILING. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE ALL THIS MONEY. [00:40:04] THE REALITY IS THAT'S NOT THE CASE. WHAT WE TRY TO DO HERE AT COMMUNITY SAILING NEW ORLEANS IS MITIGATE THAT BY HAVING ALL OF THESE BOATS HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO USE. >> THE ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CURATE HAS BEEN AMAZING, AND I FEEL LIKE IT MAKES YOU WANT TO SHOW UP FOR. >> JUST A WONDERFUL GROUP TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH. HOWEVER, YOU'RE ASSOCIATED WITH IT. >> WE OFFER PROGRAMS FOR EVERYBODY. WE HAVE PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES, GENDER SPECIFIC PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN LIKE WOMEN IN THE WIND AND GIRLS ROCK THE BOAT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE THE SPECIFIC PROGRAMS, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SOME OF WHICH ARE ACTUALLY FREE OF CHARGE. THEN WE HAVE ADULT PROGRAMS LIKE OUR ADULT LEARNING SAIL PROGRAM, OR OUR VETERAN LEARNING SAIL PROGRAM. >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PLACE LIKE COMMUNITY SAILING NEW ORLEANS, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE NEWER GENERATIONS WHO ARE GROWING UP, HAVING NO IDEA THAT THEY WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO SUCH A COOL THING TO DO. >> IT'S NOT JUST SAILING, IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT TOOL IN MY TOOLBOX TO HELP ME IN MY JOURNEY TO FIND PEACE, HAVING THIS AND JUST GETTING THROUGH LIFE. >> I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE PEOPLE OUT HERE JUST USING WHAT WE HAVE. WE ARE YOUR COMMUNITY SAILING CENTER. GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR PRESENTING THAT VIDEO. MY NAME IS KHARI PARRISH, AS YOU SAW UP THERE, THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR COMMUNITY SAILING NEW ORLEANS. JUST WANT TO SAY HOW EXCITED WE ARE TO CONTINUE EXPANDING AND GROWING OUR COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THAT COMMUNITY. AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE JUST OPENED UP A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, OUR NEW HEADQUARTERS AND FACILITY, THE ALEXANDER COMMUNITY SAILING CENTER. WE TRULY ASK AND HOPE THAT ANYBODY INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE REACHES OUT OR PAYS US A VISIT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN LEE. BACK ON TRACK NOW TO ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED. [ORDINANCES TO BE DEFFERED] NUMBERS 1 AND 2 WILL BE DEFERRED TO AUGUST 20TH, 2025. COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON 1 AND 2? >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS 1 AND 2 TO AUGUST 20TH, 2025, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 3, MADAM CLERK. [PROFESSIONAL SERVICES] >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING A PERSON OR FIRM TO PROVIDE A STATUS YOUTH ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM TO DIVERT NON DELINQUENT AT RISK YOUTH FROM COURT PROCESSING INTO EXPEDITED SERVICES THAT MORE CLEARLY MEET THEIR NEEDS FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES UNDER RFP NUMBER 0495. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. >> I'M GOING TO SELECT BOYS TOWN LOUISIANA INC. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF BOYS TOWN, LOUISIANA INC ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, ITEM NUMBER 4. >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING A PERSON OR FIRM TO PROVIDE A DROP OFF PROGRAM FOR COLLECTION, PROCESSING, AND MARKETING OF HOUSEHOLD RECYCLABLES AT TWO LOCATIONS PROVIDED BY THE PARISH ON BOTH THE EAST BANK AND WEST BANK FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS UNDER RFP NUMBER 0500. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? >> I'M GOING TO SELECT GLASS HALF FULL INC. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF GLASS HALF FULL INC ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE. SO ORDER NUMBER 5, PLEASE? >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING A PERSON OR FIRM TO PROVIDE LIMITED INDOOR AIR QUALITY CONSULTING AND TESTING SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES UNDER RFP 0498. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. >> SELECTING TERRACON CONSULTANTS INC. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF TERRACON CONSULTANTS INC ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. NUMBER 6. >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING FROM PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SEWER PROJECTS FOR A FEE OF $500,000 OR LESS PER ASSIGNMENT, EXCLUDING ANY FEE FOR RESIDENT INSPECTION SERVICES, WHO ARE NOT ONE OF THE 46 PERSONS OR FIRMS APPROVED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER 144664 DATED AUGUST 7, 2024. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. >> I'M GOING TO MOVE ON ALL QUALIFIED. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL QUALIFIED, MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDER NUMBER 7, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK. >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING FROM PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR WATER PROJECTS FOR A FEE OF $500,000 OR LESS PER ASSIGNMENT, EXCLUDING ANY FEE FOR RESIDENT INSPECTION SERVICES, WHO ARE NOT ONE OF THE 49 PERSONS OR FIRMS APPROVED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER 144902 DATED SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2024. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? >> MOVE ON ALL QUALIFIED. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL QUALIFIED. A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 8. >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING FROM PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL, MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES ON AN [00:45:04] HAS NEEDED BASIS FOR PROJECTS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE PARISH. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? >> MOVE ON ALL QUALIFIED. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL QUALIFIED? A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED ITEM NUMBER 9. >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING FROM PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF HOEY'S CANAL DRAINAGE PUMP STATION IMPROVEMENT. >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, YOUR SELECTION? >> I SELECT ALL SOUTH AND PIVOTAL AT 65% AND 35% RESPECTIVELY. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL SOUTH AND PIVOTAL AT 65% AND 35% ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NUMBER 10, PLEASE. >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING FROM PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL, ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY. >> COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR SELECTION. >> I SELECT NY ASSOCIATES INC. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF NY AND ASSOCIATES, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN KERNER SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NO EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY. [SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES] THAT TAKES US TO NUMBER 12, WHICH I HAVE A NOTE THAT WE WILL DEFER UNTIL OUR AUGUST 20TH MEETING. COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION ON THAT? >> THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE HERE THAT WANT TO SPEAK ON THAT, MR. CHAIRMAN. AT LEAST OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING. >> GO AHEAD AND READ THAT, MADAM CLERK. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26512, RESUB OF LOTS 15A, 15B, 23 B, PORTION OF NEWMAN AVENUE, PORTION OF KATHERINE STREET, AND A PORTION OF PARCEL 5-10 SQUARE C, RICHLAND GARDEN SUBDIVISION INTO LOT 15C SQUARE C, ES-134-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2. >> WE'LL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26512. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? >> FRANK HIRES. I'M GOING TO RISE IN OPPOSITION FOR PROBABLY EVERYTHING TODAY. THE FIRST THING I OPPOSE IS THAT YOU'RE CLOSING THE CAMERA SO THAT ANYBODY WATCHING THIS FEED, MY GIRLFRIEND JUST TOLD ME YOU'VE CLOSED OFF THE FEED SO THEY CAN'T SEE THE AUDIENCE. YOU'RE INFRINGING ON OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT. I OPPOSE. YOU'RE AN ILLEGITIMATELY FORMED BODY, AND IT SHOWS TIME AFTER TIME. WAKE UP, FIGURE IT OUT. >> MR. HIERS, NEXT TIME, YOU HAVE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE SUBJECT YOU STAND UP TO SPEAK ON, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, AGAIN, HONORABLE PRESIDENT, COUNCILMEN, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. MY NAME IS JUAN PROTO. I'M AT 4522 ROSEDALE DRIVE. I TOUCH ALL THREE LOTS THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED WITH THIS ITEM AND THE COMPANION ITEM NUMBER 16. AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ON THE WEST SIDE OF CLEARVIEW. THIS IS A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, SOLID RESIDENTIAL. IT IS A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD TUCKED AWAY, AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT FAMILIES HAVE NOW STARTED COMING BACK, AND WE HAVE A RESURGENCE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF YOUNG FAMILIES. SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT I OBJECT TO OR HAVE CONCERNS IS THERE HAS BEEN NO TRAFFIC STUDY COMPLETED. THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE ACCIDENT LOCATION ON THE EAST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH. THERE ARE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND AN INJURY TO A CHILD THAT WERE NOTED AT THE ZONING MEETING IN THE TESTIMONY INSIDE THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THERE'S ALSO THE NATURAL TENDENCY THAT THIS IS A TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE LOCATION. ANY TRAFFIC GOING SOUTHBOUND ON CLEARVIEW WILL HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CYRUS TO U-TURN. WE KNOW THAT FOLKS ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT. THEY'RE GOING TO ZIP THROUGH UTOPIA THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO POP OUT ONTO HIGHLAND. HIGHLAND IS AN EXTREMELY NARROW STREET THAT HAS NO ROOM FOR EVEN A PARKED CAR. ONLY ONE VEHICLE CAN GO ON EITHER DIRECTION, AND THEN TRAFFIC WILL BE POPPING OUT ON AN AIRLINE TO CIRCUMVENT THEIR TRAFFIC. AT THE ZONING MEETING, THE 150 DIFFERENT PETITIONS WERE TURNED IN OVER 100 DIFFERENT RESIDENCES FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ALL OPPOSED AS PART OF THE RECORD. ALSO, WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT THE RESIDENTS WERE NOT CONSULTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE SALE OF THE UNDEVELOPED NEWMAN AND KATHERINE STREETS, WHICH IS PART OF THIS ZONING. THIS IS OUT OF CHARACTER FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS IS A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD. ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS ON UTOPIA, THAT'S CLOSEST TO CLEARVIEW, HUMBLED ME WHEN I INTERVIEWED HER, AND SHE TOLD ME SHE REMEMBERED WHEN CLEARVIEW WAS A DIRT STREET. THAT'S HOW LONG SHE HAS BEEN THERE, AND WE HAVE LOTS OF NEIGHBORS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAVE BEEN THERE 60, 70 YEARS, ALL THE WAY DOWN. A LOT OF FOLKS THERE. I AM OPPOSED TO THE ZONING CHANGES. I AM OPPOSED TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF ALL THE THREE LOTS. THEY'RE ALL THE SAME ISSUES, SO I'M JUST GOING TO SPEAK NOW FOR ALL OF THAT. WE WOULD LIKE YOUR SUPPORT TO KEEP THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE CHARACTER THAT IT IS [00:50:05] A FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND FAMILY PLACE TO GROW AND HAVE OUR FAMILIES HAVE KIDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, RESPECTFULLY, YOURS. >> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M TABATHA DAY AT 4526 ROSEDALE DRIVE. I'LL BE BRIEF. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE TO THE COUNCIL THAT KEVIN LORETTE, THE PROPERTY OWNER, ATTEMPTED TO MISLEAD THE ADVISORY BOARD BY TURNING IN A SITE PLAN FOR THE PROPERTY THAT HE KNEW WOULD NOT BE EXECUTED, AS THE PROPERTY WAS UP FOR SALE. CONFIRMED BY MATTHEW GRASS AT M GRASS GROUP, THE REALTOR LISTING THE PROPERTY. SINCE THE LAST BOARD MEETING WHERE THIS WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT, ALL FOUR SALE SIGNS FOR THE PROPERTY HAVE BEEN REMOVED, AND WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE A FURTHER ATTEMPT TO MISLEAD THIS COUNCIL. WE ASK THAT YOU NOT ALLOW THESE ZONING CHANGES FOR THE MULTIPLE REASONS HEARD HERE TODAY AND IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT JEFFERSON PARISH DOES NOT WANT OR CONDONE THE PURPOSEFUL DECEPTION OF OUR PEOPLE AND OUR OFFICIALS. ALSO, FROM A CITIZEN OF JEFFERSON PARISH, OUR FIREFIGHTERS DESERVE A LIVABLE WAGE AND THE KIND OF HEALTH CARE THAT YOU WANT. [APPLAUSE] >> ANYONE WHO USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ANYTHING UNRELATED TO THE ACTUAL AGENDA THAT WE'RE ON WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE CHAMBERS, PLEASE. YOU HAVE TO STAY ON TOPIC AND WAIT UNTIL THE TIME THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SPEAK ON THOSE TOPICS. THANK YOU. THERE WILL BE NO COMMENTARY FROM THE SEATS, PLEASE, BECAUSE THAT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT GETS YOU ESCORTED OUT. WE HAVE TO REMAIN QUIET IN THE SEATS. WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN DECORUM IN CHAMBERS. THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE IN OPPOSITION? COUNCILMAN BANATO, YOUR MOTION. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE TODAY AND ADDRESS US. I HAVE SPOKEN TO LITERALLY DOZENS OF THE NEIGHBORS IN THIS AREA, WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THIS MATTER. RECENTLY, THE OWNER, KEVIN, CAME TO MEET WITH ME AND DISCUSSED ABOUT HOW HE WAS GOING TO SUPPOSEDLY MITIGATE ALL THE IMPACTS ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND MY FIRST WORD WITH HIM WAS, DID YOU SPEAK TO THE NEIGHBORS? HE SAID, NO. I SAID, WELL, YOU GOT TO CONVINCE THEM FIRST BEFORE YOU CONVINCE ME. HE ASKED ME TO GIVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH YOU ALL, SO FOR THAT REASON, AND FOR THAT REASON ALONE, I'M GOING TO DEFER TO OUR NEXT EAST BANK MEETING IN AUGUST AND GIVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THE NEIGHBORS. BUT AGAIN, I INTEND TO VOTE TO WHATEVER THE NEIGHBORHOOD WANTS ME TO VOTE FOR ON THIS MATTER. HE'S GOING TO HAVE HIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONVINCE YOU THAT HE'S MITIGATED THOSE ISSUES, AND THAT WE'LL COME BACK AND DO IT AGAIN IN AUGUST. THANK YOU ALL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO DEFER TO AUGUST 20TH, 2025? BY COUNCILMAN BANANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ALSO, MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT TWO APPEARED IN OPPOSITION ON THAT ITEM. NUMBER 13, PLEASE. THREE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. I'M SORRY. THREE. NUMBER 13, PLEASE. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26537, THREE SUB OF LOTS D103B, AMES FARM SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS1-14 SQUARE A, AND LOTS 15-26 SQUARE B. GRANT CROSSING SUBDIVISION HAS A PRELIMINARY PLAT WITH A WAIVER TO THE GENERAL DESIGN STANDARDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 33-2.35 SUBDIVISION WAIVERS OF THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE AND THE DEDICATION OF GRANT CROSSING ANY FIVE FEET UTILITY SERVITUDE, WS-15-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26537. THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. THOSE IN OPPOSITION. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN LEE. >> I BELIEVE THIS IS A PROPER USE FOR THIS LAND. I MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26537? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 14, PLEASE. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26548, RESUB OF LOT 22-A AND 14 SQUARE NUMBER 2, LAKE DRIVE SUBDIVISION INTO LOT 22-C, SQUARE NUMBER 2, ES-19-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 5. >> WE'LL WAIVE THE READING, AND I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26548. THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS NANCY FAVELAO. I'M THE ONE WHO OWNS BOTH OF THOSE LOTS, AND THE ZONING COMMISSION JUST SAID THAT I SHOULD BE HERE. I REALLY HAVE NOTHING TO ADD, EXCEPT TO ASK YOU TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE LIKE THEY DID. ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? [00:55:02] ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCIL LILGERBERG? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26548, A MOTION OF COUNCIL LILGERBERG, SECONDED BY COUNSEL WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 15. [RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING - AND LAND USE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ORDINANCES] DO YOU NEED TO READ THAT ONE, COUNCILMAN, OR GO TO THE MOTION 2?GO AHEAD AND READ THAT ONE. >> NO. WE DON'T HAVE TO DO. WE JUST GO AHEAD AND DEFER. THIS IS THE COMPANION ORDINANCE TO NUMBER 12. >> COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION ON THE DEFERRAL OF NUMBER 15 TO AUGUST 20TH. >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26516, ITEM NUMBER 15 TO AUGUST 20TH, ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED NUMBER 16 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26538, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOT 8321-C2 AMES FARM SUBDIVISION, LOWER ASTLE PLANTATION, LOCATED AT 4,900 BLOCK OF LEO KERNER PARKWAY, LAFITTE LA ROSE HIGHWAY, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R1B, CBZ TO C2, WZ-30-24, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1, AND I WILL DEFER TO MISS MARTIN FOR THE AMENDMENTS. >> THANK YOU. THE AMENDMENT IS AS FOLLOWS TO BOTH SECTION 1 AND SECTION 2. THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED TO CHANGE THE ZONING FROM C2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL TO C1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL. WITH THAT CHANGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT IS IN SUPPORT OF THEIR REQUEST. >> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THAT AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING. >> IT'S COMING, HANG ON A SECOND. WE JUST HAVE TO GET THROUGH THE AMENDMENT. YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT? >> APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT AMENDMENT? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE. WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26538. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? YES, MA'AM. >> NOT THE GAS STATION. >> THAT'S NOT THE GAS STATION. THAT'S COMING UP. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION TO THIS ITEM? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION? >> TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26538? >> A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 17, I HAVE A NOTE THAT WILL BE DEFERRED TO AUGUST 20TH, AS WELL. COUNCIL LILGERBERG, YOUR MOTION ON THAT? >> MOVE TO DEFER. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 17, AUGUST 20TH, 2025, A MOTION OF COUNCIL LILGERBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 18 I ALSO HAVE A NOTE THAT WILL BE DEFERRED TO AUGUST 20TH. YOUR MOTION ON THAT ONE, COUNCIL LILGERBERG. >> MOVE TO DEFER. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 18 TO AUGUST 20TH, 2025, A MOTION OF COUNCIL LILGERBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? >> HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 19, I HAVE A NOTE THAT WE'RE GOING TO DEFER TO JULY 23RD. [RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - VARIANCES] COUNCIL BANANO, YOUR MOTION ON THAT? MOVE TO DEFER. ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 19 TO JULY 23RD, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NO DEFERRAL ON ITEM NUMBER 20 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26520, APPROVING SP-5-25 FOR REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS IN THE SIGNED REGULATIONS OF THE CBZ FOR A NEW TAKE FIVE OIL CHANGE LOCATED ON THE 7,900 BLOCK OF AIRLINE DRIVE ON LOT 27A AND 27B SQUARE A, MA GREEN SUBDIVISION. COUNCIL DISTRICT 4. I WILL DEFER TO MISS MARTIN FOR THE AMENDMENTS. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO UPDATE THE DATE FOR SHEET C100 SITE PLAN TO LAST REVISED APRIL 8TH, 2025, AND FOR SHEETS C101. THIS UPDATE IS IN THE SECOND WHEREAS AND IN SECTION 1. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS? >> I'M GOING TO MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED. I'D LIKE TO SAY A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO BESS MARTIN, YOUR ENTIRE TEAM, AND TAKE FIVE FOR WORKING THIS OUT WITH US. TO APPROVE AS AMENDED. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. AMENDMENTS ARE APPROVED. WE CAN NOW WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26520. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION. IT IS APPROVING AS AMENDED. WE APPROVED THE AMENDMENTS BEFORE. >> SORRY, I MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER [01:00:02] 26520 AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 21. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26541, APPROVING SP-45-23 FOR REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE AREA AND LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS OF THE C1 CBZ, FOR STAR CONVENIENCE LOCATED AT 2540 LEO KERNER LAFITTE PARKWAY ON LOT 20A SUNRISE ACRES SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1. >> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE, AND NOW WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26541. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? >> FRANK HIRES IS RIGHT IN AN OPPOSITION, AS I ALWAYS WILL FOR ARBITRARY ORDINANCES, ESPECIALLY THE VARIANCES THEREOF, BASICALLY, IT'S GOING TO SEW HOT BLOOD BETWEEN NEIGHBORS. I GOT A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT DO LANDSCAPING AND A LOT OF MY FRIENDS THAT DO LANDSCAPING, WONDER HOW IT IS THAT FROM ONE PROPERTY TO THE NEXT, THINGS CAN BE IN ONE CONDITION OR ANOTHER, WHETHER IT'S UPKEEP, MAINTENANCE, OR IT'S JUST THE GENERAL VARIANCES TO RULES THAT OTHERWISE ONE COMPANY OR ONE RESIDENT HAS TO ADHERE TO. THIS IS A CONSEQUENCE OF AN ACCUMULATION OF STATUTES. THIS ALL GOES BACK TO THOSE SAME THINGS YOU'D RATHER I NOT SPEAK ABOUT. YOU'D RATHER PIGEONHOLE ME AND TELL ME WHAT'S GERMANE. YOU SERVE THE PUBLIC. DECORUM IS APPLICABLE FOR YOU, NOT FOR THE PUBLIC. THAT'S ALREADY BEEN PROVEN IN STATE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA, GOING BACK TO 1969. >> OFF TOPIC, PLEASE. YOU'RE OFF TOPIC. >> NO, I'M NOT. >> DECORUM IS REQUIRED FOR THE PUBLIC. >> NO, IT ISN'T. >> YES, IT IS. PLEASE CONTINUE, OR YOU CAN SIT DOWN. SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA DECIDED OTHERWISE. >> CONTINUE OR SIT DOWN. >> THAT BEING SAID, WITH REGARDS TO MY LANDSCAPING FRIENDS AND EVERY TIME YOU INFRINGE ON MY AMENDMENT, MY FIRST AMENDMENT, YOU PUT ON DISPLAY HOW UNREPRESENTATIVE THIS BODY IS. MY LANDSCAPING FRIENDS HAVE GOT TO GO DOWN THERE AND VISIT LAFE, JIF. THE ONES THAT THE STRIPPERS HAVE GOT TO BE LANDSCAPERS DOWN THERE AND LOWER [INAUDIBLE]. YOU THINK DERIK IS GONNA APPRECIATE PASSING BY ONE VENUE OR THE NEXT THAT HAS A DIFFERENT VARIANCE? EXEMPTIONS AND VARIANCES. I'M GOING TO OPPOSE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM JUST LIKE I MIGHT JUST RISE UP AND OPPOSE EVERY SINGLE THING YOU DO ON THE SAME GROUNDS, LACKING FOR AN APPORTIONED BODY. >> STAY ON TOP. >> LACKING FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT REQUIRED TO EXERCISE YOUR CONTROL WITH A WHOLESOME DISCRETION. >> MR. MYERS, PLEASE SIT DOWN. >> MY REMEDY IS NOT TO TAKE CONTROL FROM YOU, BUT TO INFORM YOUR DISCRETION. THAT'S ALL I'M DOING, MR. CHAIRMAN. >> STAY ON TOPIC, PLEASE. >> I AM ON TOPIC. >> YOU'RE FAR OFF. >> THE CONSTITUTION IS THE TOPIC. YOU'VE SWORN TO DEFEND THAT. >> PLEASE STOP, MR. MYERS. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. >> NO, I'M NOT GOING TO STOP. >> YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC FOR THESE PARTICULAR THINGS, OR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN CHAMBERS. THAT'S YOUR LAST WARNING. ANYONE ELSE IN REAL OPPOSITION? >> MY NAME IS DEMETRIS NICHOLAS. I LIVE AT 261 CHRISTIANA DRIVE IN MARRERO, THE STREET GOES ON UP TO LAFITTE LAROSE HIGHWAY. I'M AT THE INTERSECTION, RIGHT ACROSS FROM MCDONALD'S. I OPPOSE THIS CONVENIENCE STORE. OUR STREET IS A SMALL STREET. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF RETIRED OLDER CITIZENS WHO LIVE ON THE STREET. WE DO HAVE SOME CHILDREN ON THE STREET, BUT MAINLY OLDER RESIDENTS. THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS REALLY QUIET. THIS CONVENIENCE STORE THAT WILL BE OPEN 24 HOURS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, IT'S GOING TO CAUSE A LOT OF PROBLEMS. IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF ACTIVITY LOITERING, PEOPLE BUYING LIQUOR AND WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF INCREASED TRAFFIC. WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF OUR PROPERTY VALUES BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT CONVENIENCE STORES THIS CLOSE TO RESIDENCES AFFECT YOUR PROPERTY VALUES. I LIVE THREE HOUSES DOWN FROM THAT PROPERTY, AND I'M AFRAID THAT, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, I WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO SELL MY HOUSE. THERE'S GOING TO BE ISSUES WITH CRIME THEFT, AND THAT'S GOING TO CAUSE MY INSURANCE TO GO UP. NOT ONLY DO I HAVE DECREASED PROPERTY VALUES, I'M GOING TO HAVE HIGHER INSURANCE TO PAY. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES. I KNOW THAT GAS STATIONS, [01:05:02] THE FUMES, ALL OF THAT AFFECTS THE AIR QUALITY. WHAT ABOUT THE TANKS UNDERNEATH THE GROUND? WHAT ABOUT THAT? I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. WE HAVE TWO GAS STATIONS AT THE CORNER OF AMES AND BARATARIA. THAT'S LESS THAN A MINUTE AWAY FROM WHERE I LIVE. THESE GAS STATIONS ALSO HAVE CONVENIENCE STORES, SO WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER GAS STATION AND CONVENIENCE STORE. WE ALSO HAVE WALGREENS, CVS PHARMACY, AND FAMILY DOLLAR RIGHT THERE. WE DON'T NEED IT. IT'S JUST GOING TO CHANGE THE DYNAMICS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. AS I SAID, IT'S A QUIET STREET. IT'S ELDERLY PEOPLE. MOST OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA ARE RETIRED AND ELDERLY, AND I'M AFRAID THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CRIME, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT I'VE ALREADY MENTIONED. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> GOOD MORNING. I TOO LIVE ON CHRISTIANA, AND SHE COVERED MOST OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO SAY. BUT ALSO, OUR STREET IS ALREADY BEING USED AS A SHORTCUT FROM THE LAFITTE LAROSE TO AMES. THERE'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC THAT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT AREA. AS SHE SAID, WE HAVE KIDS, AND ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS PUT UP A LITTLE SIGN SAYING THAT WE HAVE KIDS, GO SLOW. IT DOESN'T STOP ANYBODY. ALSO, IT'S BUSY ALREADY. WE HAVE AT MCDONALD'S. JUST WHEN I WROTE THIS LETTER, THE NEXT MORNING, THERE WAS AN INCIDENT HAPPENING WELL, AN ACCIDENT WITH A A YOUNG DRIVER, AND I'M AFRAID THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG DRIVERS TRYING TO GET OVER THERE TO MCDONALD'S. I JUST DON'T SEE THIS WORKING OUT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE ALREADY HAVE SERVICE STATIONS, AND IF YOU'RE RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND YOU'RE COMING DOWN BARATARIA, THERE'S GOING TO BE A COUPLE OF SERVICE STATIONS BEFORE YOU GET TO US. I DON'T SEE THE VALUE IN THIS. THANK YOU. >> MA'AM, GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS EVA TYLER, AND I LIVE AT 274 CHRISTIANA DRIVE. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT THREE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILMAN KERNER. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT DENIED IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT COMPATIBLE WITH A NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE COMMERCIAL. I AGREE WITH YOU BOTH, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING UP TO THE EAST BANK TODAY TO BE HEARD. I THINK IN ORDER TO CONTINUE MAKING MARRERO BETTER EVERY SINGLE DAY, IT'S CITIZENS LIKE YOU ALL THAT SPEAK OUT AND PROTECT YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS. WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF BAD INVESTMENTS THROUGHOUT A LOT OF DISTRICT 1, AND THE ONLY WAY WE COMBAT THAT IS BY STANDING UP. THAT BEING SAID, I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO DENY. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DENIAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26541, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 22, PLEASE. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26552, APPROVING SP 92-24 FOR REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE LANDSCAPING AND AREA REGULATIONS OF THE MUCD FOR A MURPHY OIL GAS STATION AND CONVENIENCE STORE LOCATED AT 48 22 LA PACO BOULEVARD ON LOT 6A3A1 B BELL PLANTATION SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2. >> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26552. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNSEL. I'M SAM GAST, I'M WITH PAN AMERICAN ENGINEERS, THE ENGINEER FOR MURPHY OIL. THIS IS A VARIANCE REQUEST FOR 2.68 FEET OF OUR CANOPY THAT IS SITTING INSIDE A SETBACK. THIS IS NOT A BUILDING SETBACK REQUEST. THIS IS JUST 2.68 OF APPROXIMATELY 4,000 SQUARE FEET OF CANOPY. THIS WAS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL AT THE PLANNING MEETING. ALSO ON THE LANDSCAPING, IT WAS A DIFFERENCE IN CLASS A VERSUS CLASS B TREES. WE'RE STILL PUTTING THE CLASS B TREES. IT'S JUST CLASS A ARE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER AND WE CANNOT PUT THOSE ON THE SITE. WE ALSO REQUESTED TO PUT ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE SITE TO MAKE IT WORK WITHIN YOUR PARAMETERS. THIS IS AN EXISTING GAS STATION INSIDE THE WALMART PARKING LOT. THERE'S ALREADY ONE THERE. WE'RE JUST REVAMPING IT AT TAKING IT FROM [01:10:02] 180 SQUARE FEET KIOSK BUILDING THAT YOU TYPICALLY SEE TO A 1,300 FULL CONVENIENCE STORE INSIDE THE WALMART PARKING LOT. THIS IS A NEW THING THAT MURPHY OIL DOES. I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. THE PLANS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY EVERYONE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS. WE JUST NEED THIS VARIANCE REQUEST TO GO FORWARD. THANK YOU. >> JUST FOR THE RECORD, I THINK PLANNING DENIED THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD. >> THE MEETING I WENT TO WAS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. >> THAT WAS IT. >>THANK YOU. >> ANYBODY ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? >> FRANK. I'M IN OPPOSITION. ME AND SAM MADE FRIENDS. THIS IS WHERE IT'S NOT PERSONAL. IT'S ABOUT VARIANCES AND HAVING TO MAKE VARIANCES. IT'S ABOUT THE COBOOK THAT THE PARIS PRESIDENT RAISED UP AND SAID, "THAT'S TOO MUCH, BOB" THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE VARIANCES IN THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE PLANNING. PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THEN THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD. WELL, I KNOW HOW THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD IS APPOINTED, AND THAT'S WHERE I TAKE EXCEPTION TO ANYTHING THEY COME UP WITH ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, SO THEY CAN APPROVE THIS VARIANCE BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL APPOINTED BY THIS CHAMBER. UNCONSTITUTIONALLY APPORTIONED. YOU SEE HOW IT RELATES TO EVERYTHING? THAT'S WHY WHEN YOU TRY AND TELL ME YOU'RE GONNA KICK ME OUT, JUST AS SOON AS I WALK IN, JUST KICK ME OUT, THEN. BECAUSE THIS IS JUST SILLY. THE APPORTIONED REPRESENTATIVE BODY APPLIES TO EVERYTHING. EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE IT'S APPLICABLE TOO. NOW, I'M JUST OPPOSING ON THOSE GROUNDS, BECAUSE I SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION. I THINK I MIGHT HAVE A CLUE. NOW, IF YOU CAN DEMONSTRATE HOW I'M WRONG ABOUT IT, WE COULD ALL BE RELIEVED IN MY PRESENCE. I GOT OTHER THINGS TO DO. I OPPOSE ON THE GROUNDS OF BEING A JEFFERSONIAN, A REAL REPUBLICAN, SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A GOVERNMENT THAT'S FRUGAL AND SIMPLE GOVERNMENT. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU MAKE THESE VARIANCES ACCUMULATION OF VARIANCES. THAT'S JUST NOT GOING TO BE ONE COMPANY AFTER THE NEXT GETTING THEIR SPECIAL TREATMENT. THEN THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME IN HERE, IF THEY DON'T HAVE AN ENGINEER, AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH TIME HE'S GETTING PAID TO BE HERE? YOU KNOW HOW MUCH TIME HE'S BEEN THROUGH WITH THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD AND THE PLANING DEPARTMENT AND EVERYBODY ELSE? HOW MUCH MONEY THAT COMPANY SPENT? HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE I SPENT WITH EVERY PARISH EMPLOYEE THAT'S PAID? HOW MUCH MONEY AND EVERY HOUR THAT EVERY PARISH EMPLOYEE IS PAID? I'M PAYING $0.12 ON EVERY DOLLAR AND NOBODY KNOWS THIS. >> YOU'RE DRIFTING. >> HOW DOES IT AFFECT EVERYTHING? WHY DOES IT MATTER? BECAUSE IF YOU'RE APPORTIONED, I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY OF THIS. YOU DON'T HAVE TO. >> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN BONANO. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26552 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. [OTHER ORDINANCES] ITEM 23, PLEASE. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26554, AMENDING CHAPTER 18 SECTION 18-4 OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THE NAMING OF LIBRARY FACILITIES, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. >> NOW THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26554. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? >> TO RISE IN OPPOSITION BECAUSE I DON'T NEED LIPSTICK ON A PIG. I NEED A FRUGAL AND SIMPLE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ORDINANCE, ANOTHER STATUTE. ANOTHER THING TO PATCH YOURSELVES ON THE BACK FOR DOING. I OPPOSE. >> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, THE ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILMAN LEE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26554, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. MADAM CLERK, 24 WITH AMENDMENTS, THE OPERATING BUDGET. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26555, AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET IN THE AMENDMENTS R TO TRANSFER $5,325 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 VIDEO POKER TO AN EXPENSE ACCOUNT FOR SUMMER CAMP COORDINATOR SERVICES FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. ALLOCATE $20,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND FOR A CEA WITH REJOYCE INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE THEIR ANNUAL JUNE TEENTH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL AT THE ALARIO CENTER, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. TRANSFER $8,580 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO PARKWAY'S ACCOUNT NUMBER 4 4 5 6 0 4 0 0 8 7 4 5 4 4 5 6 5 6 3 0 0 FOR A SIGN AT LINCOLNSHIRE SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $8,560 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 CDIA GENERAL FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 100 100-021-7331 FOR PAYMENT OF LEGAL INVOICES FOR THE 35 20 18TH STREET ACQUISITION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5. THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN BEEN RANKING YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS? [01:15:03] >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS. DID THAT INCLUDE THE COUNCIL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT? >> THAT'S ON CAPITOL, I BELIEVE. >> YES, THAT'S WHY I'M READING IT ON. >> THAT'S NEXT. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS, THE MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN RANKIN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE. ORDER NOW WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26555. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? >> FRANK HIRES IS GOING TO RISE IN OPPOSITION AGAIN, SWORN TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THAT CONSTITUTION, UNIFORMITY CLAUSE ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8, CLAUSE 1. YOU GOT TO TAKE THIS THING THE SAME WAY FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER. IF WE'RE NOT TWO PARISHES. AGAIN, IF WE JUST BECAME TWO PARISHES, THEN THIS CLAUSE DISAPPEARS. I DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS NO MORE. IT'S A UNIFORMITY CLAUSE. IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL. IT RELATES TO YOUR HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY TAXATION. IT'S A HALF A PERCENT LESS ON THE WEST BANK THAN IT IS HERE ON THE EAST BANK. THAT MEANS THE PEOPLE THAT GO AND SPEND THE MONEY AT BOOMTOWN, EITHER ARE GETTING CHEATED OR BENEFITING FROM THIS DISCREPANCY. THE PEOPLE THAT GOING OVER TO THE TREASURE CHEST, SUFFERING FOR ARBITRARY TAXATION. I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH GOOD WORK YOU DO. IT'S A ILL GOTTEN GAIN. IT'S FRUIT FROM A POISONED TREE. THIS IS FUNDAMENTAL COMMON LAW. I GOT HOW MANY ATTORNEYS AND A JUDGE SITTING ON THIS BENCH. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS. ANY ONE OF YOU COULD SAY ANY OF THESE THINGS ON MY BEHALF, AND I'D GO HOME. ANY ONE OF YOU COULD SAY ANYTHING I'VE SAID EVER REGARDING THE CONSTITUTION AND YOUR POWER TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS, TO TAKE OUR MONEY ARBITRARILY, TO PUT IT SOCKET AWAY INTO YOUR LITTLE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, TO DO YOUR LITTLE GOOD DEEDS TO PAT YOURSELVES ON THE BACK WITH, EXTORT VOTES WITH. THAT'S WHAT ALL THIS ENDS UP AMOUNTING TO, AND THE PEOPLE SEE IT. I DON'T GET ARGUED WITH WHEN I'M OUT KNOCKING ON DOORS IN ESTELLE, MARRERO, HARVEY, TIMBER LANE, TERRY TOWN, WHERE ALL THIS MONEY IS COMING FROM. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE GAMBLING OVER THERE AT THE BOOMTOWN. I KNOW THE PEOPLE GAMBLING AT BOOMTOWN. I'VE MET THEM. I'VE KNOCKED ON THEIR DOORS. DO YOU THINK THEY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU CAN JUST TAKE THEIR MONEY AND SPEND IT WHEREVER YOU SEE FIT TO WHICHEVER AGENCIES, WHICHEVER FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES. YOU HAVE TIED TO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT, OR TO ANY OTHER CROTCHET WHICH INGENUITY HAS INVENTED IN THE COMBINATIONS OF THE DAY HAVE GIVEN STRENGTH TO KARRIE. EVERYTHING GOING ON HERE, JUST ANOTHER CROTCHET. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WAKE UP. MR. KERNER WAS THE FIRST. THAT SHOULD BE THE KARRIE THE COAL MINE FOR YOU ALL. WE'RE GOING TO WATCH THIS OVER THE NEXT 2.5 YEARS PUT ON DISPLAY. TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION. HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BEND TO GRETNA. HE'S GOING TO TO BEND TO THE DESIRES AND NEEDS OF THIS BODY THAT'S ILL FORMED. IT'S NOT ANYONE'S FAULT. NONE OF YOU ARE PERSONALLY TO BLAME. BUT EVERYONE IN HERE IS EMPOWERED AND ALREADY SWORN TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE SAME THING. HOW ABOUT WE JUST GET TO IT? HOW ABOUT YOU ALL, THE EMPOWERED? THE BIG LUBOWSKI. I NEED MY RUG FIXED. IT TIES THE ROOM TOGETHER. AS THE REPUBLICAN FORM, WE'RE GUARANTEED, YOU SWORE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND. IT MEANS THAT TAXATION AND REPRESENTATION HAS TO BE RELATABLE. THERE HAS TO BE A RESPECTIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THESE THINGS. THAT'S WHAT THE APPORTION PRINCIPLE IS THERE FOR. THE UNIFORMITY ONE. THAT'S SO WE DON'T SEW HOT BLOOD BETWEEN NEIGHBORS DIRECTLY THROUGH INDIRECT TAXATION. THAT'S WHAT IT IS. IT'S A DUTY. HOW ABOUT YOU ALL DO YOUR CIVIC DUTY? >> MADAM PARISH ATTORNEY, WE'VE ESTABLISHED OVER TIME THAT MR. HIERS CANNOT CONTINUOUSLY DRONE ON ABOUT THE MAKEUP AND CONSTRUCTION OF OUR GOVERNMENT, RIGHT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. IT'S NOT GERMANE TO THE ISSUE THAT THE ORDINANCE THAT ARE BEING TAKEN UP. HE'S WAXING POETICALLY ABOUT HIS PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE, AND IT'S NOT GERMANE [LAUGHTER] TO THE ORDINANCE THAT IS BEING TAKEN UP. >> HE HAS TO SPEAK SPECIFICALLY ON WHAT'S IN FRONT OF HIM. >> SPECIFICALLY, AS TO WHAT ORDINANCES WE'RE DISCUSSING AND WHAT AMENDMENTS WE'RE DISCUSSING. >> THAT'S YOUR LAST WARNING ON THAT, MR. HIERS, AS YOU WALK OUT, LIKE YOU USUALLY DO. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26555, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 25, THE CAPITAL BUDGET WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE. >> SUMMARY NUMBER 26556, AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET IN THE AMENDMENTS R/ TO ALLOCATE $8,560 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 CDIA GENERAL FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 100-10-0021-7331 FOR PAYMENT OF LEGAL INVOICES FOR THE 35, 20, 18 STREET ACQUISITION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5. [01:20:03] ALLOCATE $500,000 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 45300-000 COUNCIL DISTRICT PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE CEA WITH THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COUNCIL AT LARGE B. ALLOCATE $500,000 EACH TO COUNCIL DISTRICTS 1, 02, 3, 4, AND 5 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 45300-000, COUNCIL DISTRICT PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1, 02, 3, 4, 5 A AND B. ALLOCATE $500,000 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 453-00-000, COUNCIL DISTRICT PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION TO COUNCIL AT LARGE A. RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $8,580 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO PARKWAY'S ACCOUNT NUMBER 44560-4008-7454-4565-6300 FOR A SIGN AT LINCOLNSHIRE SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. ALLOCATE $152,109 FROM LAFRENIERE PARK CAPITAL FOR THE PURCHASE OF 2400 JUDITH STREET, METAIRIE, FOR LAFRENIERE PARK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE. >> COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS? >> WAIT FOR APPROVAL. >> I'M SORRY. I'D LIKE TO PULL OUT ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS RELATIVE TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 45300-000. THESE AMENDMENTS ARE NOT AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF WHAT I THOUGHT WE WERE DOING TODAY. I'D LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS IT FURTHER BEFORE WE VOTE ON ALLOCATING THOSE FUNDS. I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO DEFER. THOSE THREE IN PARTICULAR. >> DO YOU WANT TO DISCUSS OR MOVE TO DEFER? THERE'S NO MOTION ON THE FLOOR CURRENTLY ON THOSE AMENDMENTS OR ANY OF THE AMENDMENTS. >> I'D MOVE TO DEFER THOSE THREE AMENDMENTS, RATHER THAN VOTING TO ADD THEM TO THE BUDGET THIS MEETING. >> WHICH THREE SPECIFICALLY? >> THE ONES RELATIVE TO COUNT 45300-000. THEY'RE THE ALLOCATIONS OF THE $500,000. >> OKAY. WELL, THE ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT I HAVE ON THERE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION NEEDED TO BE PASSED TODAY FOR JULY 1ST PURPOSES. >> WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT, THEN THIS SHOULD HAVE REFLECTED WHAT WE HAD DISCUSSED. >> MINE DOESN'T REFLECT ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT WAS DISCUSSED. >> THAT ONE AND THE SECOND ONE DOES. THE OTHER ONE WAS ADDED ON TODAY. THERE'S BEEN NO CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT ONE. IF WE WANT TO JUST PULL THAT ONE, I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT. I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT ACCOUNT EVEN HAS THAT MUCH FUNDING IN IT. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE AGREED TO ALLOCATE THAT FUNDING LIKE IT'S PROPOSED ON HERE. I'D RATHER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS IT THAN TO JUST MOVE IT TODAY. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I KNOW THAT IT NEEDED TO BE DONE IN THIS PARTICULAR MEETING, BUT THIS IS NOT AN ACCURATE REFLECTION OF WHAT I BELIEVE OUR AGREEMENT WAS. RATHER THAN GOING INTO A LOT OF DETAIL, I THINK WE COULD JUST DEFER IT AND THEN HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION. >> WELL, BARRAS SAID, I DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING, SO I'M NOT WILLING TO DEFER MINE BECAUSE IT'S NEEDED FOR JULY 1ST. BUT IF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN WANTS TO ADDRESS HER ADDITION, OR ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO ADDRESS IT, WE CAN DO THAT. >> I'M COMFORTABLE MOVING FORWARD. THIS IS THE ACCOUNT THAT COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN IS REFERENCING REFERS TO INTEREST EARNED ON A PARTICULAR SUM OF MONEY. THIS WOULD ALLOT $500,000 TO EACH OF THE DISTRICTS AND EACH AT LARGE. THE THIRD ONE WAS PUT IN AT THE SAME TIME AS ALL OTHERS, SO THEY'RE ALL TIMELY. THEY'RE ALL OF THE SAME AMOUNT. IT'S STANDARD ACROSS THE BOARD, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE HESITANCE WOULD BE. >> WELL, THE FIRST HESITANCE IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY IN THE ACCOUNT TO EVEN ALLOCATE IT LIKE THIS. THIS WOULD REQUIRE AT LEAST $4 MILLION. THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH MONEY. THAT'S THE FIRST HESITANCY. THE SECOND HESITANCY IS THAT LITERALLY THERE'S BEEN NO CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT. THERE WERE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE OTHER TWO, BUT IN AN EFFORT TO BE FAIR, I'M WILLING TO DEFER ALL THREE SO THAT WE CAN DISCUSS IT. THE FIRST TWO, THERE WAS LOTS OF CONVERSATION BACK AND FORTH. THE THIRD ONE THAT WAS ADDED ON AFTERWARDS, THERE WAS NO CONVERSATION. [01:25:01] I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT ACCOUNT HAS ENOUGH MONEY. >> I BELIEVE FINANCE CAN CONFIRM THAT THERE'S AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT FOR ALL OFFICES TO GET A COMMENSURATE AMOUNT, AN EQUAL AMOUNT. >> GO AHEAD VICTOR, IT'S ON. YOU HAVE TO UNMUTE YOURSELF. >> THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUNDS IN THE ACCOUNT, A LITTLE OVER 3.5 MILLION OF INTEREST EARNED IN THE CDIA COUNCIL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. > LET ME JUST CLARIFY BECAUSE I DO WANT TO ADDRESS THAT EVERYTHING ON HERE WOULD BE EQUAL. THESE BUDGET AMENDMENTS WERE ALL MADE AT THE SAME TIME BEFORE NOON YESTERDAY. THESE BUDGET AMENDMENTS WOULD ALLOT 500,000 TO EVERY COUNCIL DISTRICT AND EVERY AT-LARGE HERE. IT WOULD BE AN EQUAL AMOUNT TO EACH OFFICE. THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS ANY SPECIFICITY AT THIS TIME IS COUNCILMAN WALKER'S ALLOCATION TO GO TO JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, AND MINE HAS A CORRESPONDING RESOLUTION COMING FROM THE FLOOR. MY INTENTION IS TO USE THIS $500,000, AND I SHARED THAT THROUGH THE FLOOR RESOLUTION. THE 500,000 THAT DIVISION A IS PROPOSING WOULD BE A PARISH-WIDE EFFORT TO OFFSET THE TWO THINGS THAT I THINK ARE PLAGUING US MORE THAN ANY OTHER. RISING INSURANCE COSTS ARE SOMETHING WE ARE ALL STRUGGLING UNDER THE BURDEN OF. LAST WEEK, OUR STATE LEGISLATURE CONTINUED A PROGRAM FOR ANOTHER FISCAL YEAR THAT'S GOING TO PUT ROUGHLY $20 MILLION FOR US TO BE ABLE TO APPLY AS HOMEOWNERS FOR A $10,000 GRANT FOR A FORTIFIED ROOF. IN SOME HOMES, THAT IS NOT A FULL AMOUNT THAT ALLOWS YOU TO PUT A CERTIFIED ROOF ON YOUR HOME. MY INTENTION IS TO USE THIS 500,000 SO THAT IF JEFFERSON PARISH HOMEOWNERS GET THE LOTTERY SELECTION FROM THE STATE THAT YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT $10,000 GRANT, WE WILL MATCH ANOTHER 5,000, BECAUSE I'VE TALKED TO MANY HOMEOWNERS THAT SAY THAT FORTIFIED ROOF IS 15 TO $20,000 DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THEIR HOME. IF YOU'RE SELECTED BY THE STATE FOR THE $10,000 GRANT, WE WOULD ADD ON ANOTHER FIVE TO MAKE THAT GAP FUNDING, BECAUSE WHAT THE STATE FOUND LAST YEAR IS SOME PEOPLE HAD TO TURN BACK IN THE 10,000 AND NOT GET A FORTIFIED ROOF BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T MEET THE GAP. THAT'S MY INTENTION TO USE THE PORTION THAT COMES TO DIVISION A FOR THAT PURPOSE AND FOR ONE OTHER PURPOSE. THIS ACTUALLY IS PERTINENT TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS. THE JEFFERSON PARISH FINANCE AUTHORITY HAS TWO EXISTING PROGRAMS. IF YOU ARE A FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNER, YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR $2,500. IF YOU ARE IN A PUBLIC SERVICE PROFESSION, LIKE A FIREFIGHTER, A NURSE, A POLICEMAN, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ANOTHER $2,500. BUT BECAUSE INSURANCE RATES ARE REALLY SUFFOCATING THE HOUSING MARKET, THIS WOULD GIVE ANOTHER $2,500 IF YOU ARE BECOMING A FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER IN JEFFERSON PARISH. THAT WOULD GIVE YOU A TOTAL OF $7,500 TO BECOME A FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER IN JEFFERSON, AND CONSIDERING WE'VE CONTINUED TO LOSE POPULATION, I THINK THAT WOULD ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TO BE IN JEFFERSON. THAT SPECIFICITY IS IN A RESOLUTION COMING FROM THE FLOOR TODAY. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY DISCUSSIONS WITH ANYONE FROM 1, 02, 3, 4, 5, ABOUT HOW THOSE FUNDS WILL BE USED. I'M TRYING TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT HOW THE FUNDING WOULD BE USED AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE. >> IT'S NOT THE PURPOSE THAT'S THE QUESTION. WE'RE LEARNING YOUR PURPOSE THIS MORNING. >> IT WAS AS OF NOON, COUNCILWOMAN, WITH YOUR REQUEST. >> LET ME FINISH. YOU JUST SAID IT'S A FLOOR RESOLUTION. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE AMENDMENT. I'M TALKING ABOUT YOUR EXPLANATION OF HOW YOU WANT TO SPEND IT. THAT WAS HANDED TO US THIS MORNING. ACTUALLY, I GOT A COPY FROM MY COLLEAGUE, NOT FROM YOU. BUT THAT'S REALLY NOT THE POINT. THE POINT RIGHT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS WHETHER OR NOT WE DO THE AMENDMENT. THAT WAS ON THERE NOON YESTERDAY. BUT COUNCILMAN WALKER, THIS MONEY IS INTEREST EARNED OFF OF DISTRICT FUNDS, NOT AT-LARGE FUNDS. A CONVERSATION WAS HAD WITH COUNCILMAN WALKER ABOUT HOW HE WANTED TO DO THAT. ALL OF HIS COLLEAGUES AGREED AND AGREED TO SUPPORT HIM IN THAT ENDEAVOR. THERE'S BEEN NO CONVERSATION WITH YOU ABOUT THAT. MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT WE HAD ABOUT 3.3 IN THAT ACCOUNT. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WE HAD A FULL FOUR NOW OR 3.5 THAT WOULD COVER THIS PORTION THAT IS BEING WAS GIVEN TO US YESTERDAY TO ADD. [01:30:06] THERE IS ENOUGH. YOU'RE SAYING THERE IS ENOUGH. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> RIGHT. >> LET ME RESPECTFULLY REQUEST. BECAUSE THIS IS STARTING TO FEEL PERSONAL. THIS WAS PUT IN AT THE SAME TIME AS YOUR REQUEST YESTERDAY. ALL OF THESE CAME AT NOON YESTERDAY. YOURS DOES NOT HAVE ANY SPECIFICITY ABOUT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO USE YOUR FUNDS IN DISTRICT 4. I AM HERE ELECTED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF OUR PARISH JUST LIKE YOU. I AM TRYING TO TAKE THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT EVERY OTHER OFFICE IS GETTING TO DO SOMETHING THAT I THINK WILL SERVE OUR PEOPLE WELL, PARISH-WIDE. IT'S COMING AS OF NOW BECAUSE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ONLY ENDED LAST THURSDAY? I NEEDED TO WAIT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FUNDING FOR THE LOTTERY PROGRAM WAS GOING TO BE THERE TO ENCOURAGE FORTIFIED ROOFS. NOW THAT WE HAVE THAT CONFIRMATION, THIS SIMPLY SETS ASIDE 500,000 OF THE INTEREST FOR THAT PURPOSE FOR ANY HOMEOWNER IN OUR PARISH TO TAP INTO. LOOK, I TRY TO BE COMMON SENSE. IS THERE A REASON WHY THIS WOULD NOT PASS? WHAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT HAD YOU KNOWN THERE WAS MORE MONEY THERE, YOU'D HAVE TAKEN A GREATER AMOUNT AND CUT ME OUT OF THAT MONEY. I'M HERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF OUR PARISH. IF YOU CAN AGREE THAT THIS IS A GOOD REASON TO SET ASIDE $500,000 TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PUT A FORTIFIED ROOF ON THEIR HOME, THEN I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY DISAGREEMENT. >> IT'S NOT ABOUT THE CAUSE. YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE THIS AN EMOTIONAL ARGUMENT ABOUT YOUR CAUSE. WE ALL HAVE GREAT CAUSES. WE'RE ALL ELECTED TO SERVE. I KNOW WHAT MY DISTRICT NEEDS WAY BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE ON THIS COUNCIL. I DON'T NEED TO GIVE AN EXPLANATION TO YOU TODAY ON HOW I'M GOING TO SPEND THAT FUNDING. WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO IS SAY, I DIDN'T DISCUSS IT WITH ANYONE, BUT I REALLY DESERVE IT, BECAUSE, LOOK WHAT A GREAT THING I'M GOING TO DO WITH IT. THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS. YOU HAVE THE CONVERSATION BEFORE YOU SHOW UP THIS MORNING. THAT'S MY COMPLAINT. NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH IT. THAT SOUNDS GREAT. [OVERLAPPING] LET ME FINISH. WE HAVE WE'VE HEARD THE SPEECH. WE KNOW YOU'RE HERE FOR THE PUBLIC AND ALL THOSE EMOTIONAL ARGUMENTS, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. THIS IS ABOUT THE WAY TO DIVIDE THE FUNDING APPROPRIATELY. WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS BEFORE WE SHOW UP IN THE MORNING. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO DEFER. COUNCILMAN WALKER, I DON'T MIND LEAVING YOURS ON. I'D MOVE TO DEFER THE OTHER TWO, THOUGH. >> COUNCILWOMAN, RESPECTFULLY, I HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH YOU YESTERDAY AT THE LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A $500,000 AMOUNT FOR COUNCILMAN WALKER'S PURPOSES. THEN THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION OR OUTREACH TO OUR OFFICE AT ALL THE REST OF THE DAY FROM YOUR OFFICE OR ANYONE ELSE. I SENT IN THIS RESOLUTION TIMELY AND THE REQUEST TIMELY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE TARGETED REMOVAL OF FUNDS THAT ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN ANYONE ELSE HERE. >> THIS IS NOT TARGETED. YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS A DEBATE. THIS IS NOT A BACK-AND-FORTH. I HAVE CALLED FOR THE VOTE BECAUSE I HAVE HAD THE DISCUSSION WITH ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES. IF FOR SOME REASON, YOU DON'T PARTICIPATE IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS, THAT WOULD REQUIRE SOME SELF-REFLECTION. >> DID YOU REACH OUT TO ME? >> [OVERLAPPING] WHAT I'M SAYING IS, I'VE CALLED THE VOTE. BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, MORE CONVERSATION NEEDS TO BE HAD, I AM WILLING TO DEFER THE 500,000 THAT WAS EVEN GOING TO BE GIVEN TO THE DISTRICTS, WHICH I BELIEVE IS MORE THAN FAIR BECAUSE IT'S OUR FUNDS THAT ARE GAINING THE INTEREST. BUT I'M WILLING TO RESERVE THAT CONVERSATION. BUT I DON'T WANT TO VOTE ON IT TODAY UNTIL WE'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND HOW WE WANT TO EQUALLY SPLIT. YES, IF IT'S NOT A CAUSE THAT WE WOULD NECESSARILY ALL BUY INTO AND BELIEVE IN, LIKE WE DID WITH COUNCILMAN WALKER, THEN I WOULD PREFER THAT MONEY GOES TO MY DISTRICT, BECAUSE I AM HERE TO REPRESENT MY DISTRICT, AND I WANT EVERY DOLLAR IT CAN GET. NO, I'M NOT WILLING TO VOTE ON THAT TODAY. IF MY COLLEAGUES DON'T SUPPORT THAT ENDEAVOR, THEN WE'LL VOTE, AND WE'LL MOVE ON. I'M NOT MAD ABOUT IT. YOU'RE THE ONE MAKING IT PERSONAL. I DON'T CARE. THIS IS WHAT I THINK IS FAIR. WE'VE HAD THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE REST OF THE FUNDING, AND WE HAVE IT WITH THIS ONE. >> WHY DON'T WE THEN, IF THERE'S A MOTION, LET'S ENTERTAIN THAT MOTION. SOMEBODY CLARIFY THE MOTION. WELL, WE WERE GOING TO GET TO COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN TO MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS, SO THE AMENDMENTS ARE ON THE FLOOR. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION TO DEFER? OR WE COULD VOTE ON EACH AMENDMENT [01:35:02] INDIVIDUALLY IF THERE'S NO DESIRE TO DEFER. WE CAN DO IT EITHER WAY. >> MAKE YOUR MOTION, I THINK. >> I WOULD MOVE TO DEFER THE 500,000 TO EACH OF THE COUNCIL DISTRICTS AND THE $500,000 TO COUNCIL AT LARGE A. I WOULD LEAVE THE OTHER FOUR AMENDMENTS. >> OKAY WITH THAT? >> MOVE FORWARD ON THE OTHER FOUR AMENDMENTS. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> I'LL SECOND. I THINK COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN'S AMENDMENT IS LAUDABLE, AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING EVERYBODY CAN GET BEHIND. BUT I DO THINK IF YOU HAVEN'T THAT CHANCE TO DISCUSS IT, I WOULD LIKE FOR COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN TO HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT. I THINK IT'S GOING TO PASS. IT'S A GOOD DEAL. >> I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING DISCUSSED IT WITH ME EARLIER. I WILL SAY, JUST FOR THE RECORD, LOOK, I REACHED OUT TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS YESTERDAY MORNING, AND COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN AND YOU KEEP SAYING YOU'VE TALKED TO EVERYONE, BUT YOU DID NOT REACH OUT TO OUR OFFICE AT ALL ON ANY OF THESE. IT IS UNFORTUNATE IF THE COMMUNICATION IS BEING DEMANDED OF ME THAT YOU DID NOT HAVE THE COURTESY TO REACH OUT WHEN THIS WAS POSTED AT NOON TO OUR OFFICE, OR WHEN THE FLOOR RESOLUTIONS WERE PASSED AROUND WITH ALL THE DETAILS THIS MORNING. THE PHONE WORKS BOTH WAYS, AND YOU COULD HAVE PICKED UP THE PHONE TO ASK IF THERE WERE ANY QUESTIONS. IT FEELS VERY TARGETED. >> ALL RIGHT. IS THERE? >> MANY TIMES. >> ANY OBJECTION? >> COUNCILMAN, THE MOTION SHOULD BE IT'S AN AMENDMENT TO AN AMENDMENT. >> BRINGING IT FROM THE FLOOR. >> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO AMEND THE AMENDMENT TO REMOVE THAT LANGUAGE? IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO AMEND THE AMENDMENT CONCERNING AT LARGE DIVISION A? >> YES. >> THERE'S THE OBJECTION. NOW WE VOTE DOWN THE LINE ON THE AMENDMENT. IS THERE A MOTION? >> I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION TOO. SURE. >> WE'RE VOTING ON BOHANNAN'S AMENDMENT, CORRECT? >> NO. THE ROLL CALL VOTE. >> THIS IS ON THE ORIGINAL AMENDMENT, NOT THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT? THIS IS STRICTLY A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT CONCERNING $500,000 TO DIVISION A, RIGHT? >> YES. >> THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. >> WE'LL JUST DO THAT ONE. I THINK THAT'S EASIER. >> MADAM PARISH ATTORNEY, MAKE SURE WE'RE GOING DOWN THE RIGHT PATH [LAUGHTER] >> CAN I OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE? BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE, SINCE THIS HAS GOTTEN VERY CONFUSING. >> [INAUDIBLE] THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THERE WAS AN OPPOSITION. >> I WOULD PROPOSE THAT OUT OF RESPECT, SINCE EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DONE IN THE SAME TIME FRAME, IF IT'S EASIER TO MOVE THIS FORWARD, AND I WILL COMMIT PUBLICLY NOW THAT IF THERE IS ANY HESITANCE ABOUT THE USE OF THIS $500 OR HOW WE INTEND TO USE IT, I WILL PULL IT BACK. WE CAN PULL IT BACK AS A GROUP. I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM AND I WOULD PREFER FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD. IF ANY OF YOU HAVE A HESITANCE ABOUT THE USE, AS WE SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT IT, I WILL PUT AN AMENDMENT IN NEXT TIME TO PULL THE MONEY BACK. I JUST THINK IT WOULD BE SIMPLER TO MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS SINCE THEY COULD HAVE OCCURRED BOTH WAYS. RESPECTFULLY, LET'S BE COLLEAGUES. LET'S HAVE THE CONVERSATION. IF FOR SOME REASON, YOU ARE HESITANT, WE CAN PULL IT BACK NEXT TIME, WE AMEND THE BUDGET EVERY TIME. I JUST FEEL LIKE IT WOULD MAKE IT SIMPLER AT THIS POINT. I'M JUST ASKING FOR THE RESPECT AS A COLLEAGUE AS WELL. LET'S HAVE THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN NOW AND THE MEETING. IF YOU HAVE HESITANCE, YOU HAVE MY WORD, WE'LL PULL IT BACK. I THINK YOU'LL BE SUPPORTIVE WHEN WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, BUT LET'S JUST SHOW EACH OTHER RESPECT AS COLLEAGUES. THAT'S WHAT THE PASTOR THIS MORNING SAID, EVEN IN DISAGREEMENT, LET'S HAVE UNITY AND RESPECT. LET'S JUST HAVE SOME RESPECT, AND LET'S TALK IN DEPTH ABOUT IT. I WELCOME THE DISCUSSION. IT'S GOTTEN A LITTLE HESITATE, AS TO WHAT WE'RE DOING. [01:40:03] >> LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. >> IS THERE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR? I'VE LOST TRACK. >> LET'S SEE WHAT. >> MADAM PARISH ATTORNEY, WHAT WOULD THE MOTION BE THAT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON? >> I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE. >> GUYS, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS TO RESET? LET'S TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS, AND WE'LL COME RIGHT BACK. IS THERE A MOTION? CAN I GET A MOTION. ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS? A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, THANKS. IF ANYBODY WAS CURIOUS, THAT WAS NOT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THERE WERE NO MORE THAN THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THAT DISCUSSION AT ONE TIME. THE REST OF US WERE OUT HERE. MADAM CLERK, WE'VE READ THE AMENDMENTS. WE WILL TRY AND MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS AGAIN AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. DO WE NEED TO READ ANYTHING WHILE WE'RE HERE? WE'LL PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF, AND I'LL SAY, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, WHAT IS YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS? >> I'M GOING TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL ON THE AMENDMENTS. >> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS? A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. THAT WAS EASY, WASN'T IT? [LAUGHTER] NOW, THAT WAS ON THE AMENDMENT, SO WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26556. WE'RE ON THE CAPITAL BUDGET, ITEM NUMBER 25, IF YOU'RE KEEPING TRACK AT HOME. PUBLIC HEARING FOR 26556. ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? >> GUYS, I'M RISING TO OPPOSE. I'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND REVIEW THE TAPE. I'D PROBABLY HAVE TO SAY BOASTS OF WHY I'M GOING TO OPPOSE THIS FOR THE NEXT ONE. IF Y'ALL COULD DO MY WORK FOR ME BETTER, I COULDN'T PAY YOU. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY YOU TO DO MY WORK FOR ME. HOT BLOOD BETWEEN NEIGHBORS. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO THESE THINGS. WITHOUT A PORTIONED REPRESENTATIVE BODY, THEN YOU END UP IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU'RE TAKING MONEY AND THEN TRYING TO DISTRIBUTE TO DISTRICTS THAT HAVE VIRTUAL REPRESENTATION. DISTRICT 4 REPRESENTS PARTS OF [INAUDIBLE] THERE'S A VERY GOOD REASON WHY MS. VAN VRANCKEN IS OPPOSING THE ACTIONS OF SOMEBODY FROM DISTRICT 4, BECAUSE IT'S HOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING DISENFRANCHISED. THAT'S FUNDAMENTAL. THERE'S A FUNDAMENTAL CAUSE FOR CONFLICT BETWEEN Y'ALL BECAUSE OF THOSE FUNDAMENTAL THINGS THAT I'M EXPRESSING, AND THEY'RE NOT PHILOSOPHICAL. I'M NOT WAX AND POETIC. I AM A POET. I'VE GOT A CHILDREN'S BOOK ABOUT THIS. I'VE GOT A MUSICAL ABOUT THIS, BUT WHEN I'M UTTERING THINGS IN HERE, THEY'RE NOT MY PHILOSOPHY. THIS IS VERBATIM, THE FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE SPEAKING IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES REGARDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF POWER. WHEN IT APPLIES TO CAPITAL BUDGET ISSUES AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF AN APPROPRIATION OF MONEY, IT'S FUNDAMENTAL. YOU GET IT? I DON'T FAULT THE PARISH ATTORNEY FOR TRYING TO DEFEND THE ADMINISTRATION'S ACTIONS. I DON'T EVEN FAULT THE AT LARGE MEMBERS FOR DOING SO BECAUSE YOU SERVE THE ADMINISTRATION MORE SO THAN REPRESENTATIVE. JUST NOT REPRESENTATIVES. YOU HAVE TO APPEAL TO THE WOULD BE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE PARISH ADMINISTRATION, TO ACT AGAINST THE CITIZENS. IT'S PUT ON DISPLAY [OVERLAPPING] WHEN YOU ACT AGAINST EACH OTHER. WHEN YOU ACT AGAINST EACH OTHER [OVERLAPPING] NO, SEE, I'M TYING IT RIGHT TOGETHER, AND YOU'RE CUTTING ME OFF. YOU'RE CUTTING ME OFF BEFORE I MAKE IT RELEVANT. THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE YOU REPRESENT [OVERLAPPING]. >> BECAUSE YOU'VE DRIFTED SO FAR OFF COURSE, MR. [INAUDIBLE] >> YOU LIKE TO JUST INTERRUPT ME EVERY TIME YOU CAN TO STOP ME FROM MAKING IT RELEVANT. THAT'S OKAY. >> OBJECTION [INAUDIBLE]. >> IT'S OKAY. IT'S STILL RELEVANT. THE CONSTITUTION AND THE UNIFORMITY CLAUSE IS STILL RELEVANT, AND THE AMENDMENTS THAT YOU'RE TAKING TO DISTRIBUTE MONEY BETWEEN YOURSELVES IS A THEFT. IT'S ILL GOTTEN GAINS. WHEN YOU CAN TALK ABOUT GIVING EACH OTHER $500,000 TO SOMEHOW BRIBE CITIZENS THAT WOULD QUALIFY THROUGH A LOTTERY SYSTEM FOR MONEY THAT'S STOLEN BY BATON ROUGE, FROM THE CITIZENS OF ORLEANS AND JEFFERSON PARISH, PRIMARILY TO SERVE THE INTERESTS OF NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL LOUISIANA, YOU DO NOT REALIZE WHAT YOU'RE DOING. YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING A GOOD DEED. YOU'RE JUST PROPAGATING A THEFT OF 10 TIMES ON THE DOLLAR, WHAT PARISH CITIZENS ARE DONATING TO THE STATE TROUGH. WE CONTRIBUTE THE MOST TO THE STATE TROUGH. THAT LOTTERY SYSTEM DISENFRANCHISES US FUNDAMENTALLY. YOU'RE SUPPORTING AND GOING TO DO A GOOD DEED THAT IS BASICALLY A THEFT FROM EVERYBODY IN JEFFERSON PARISH, EVERYBODY IN ORLEANS PARISH, MORE SO THAN EVERY OTHER PARISH IN LOUISIANA. PAT YOURSELVES ON THE BACK FOR FIGURING THIS OUT. THE REASON WHY YOU'RE CONFLICTED ABOUT IT, THE REASON WHY I GOT FOUR PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THE THREE PEOPLE. I SEE THE FACTIONS. I GOT FOUR PEOPLE DEFENDING [INAUDIBLE] AND KERNER'S INTERESTS MORE SO, [01:45:04] AND I GOT THREE PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE. YOU ALL GOT TO GO PEEL OFF, AND THEN YOU'VE GOT THE SPECIFIC RULE. YOU GOT, NO MORE THAN THREE OF US GOT TOGETHER, SO IT'S ALL LEGIT. NONE OF IT'S LEGIT. IT'S ALL JUST A CROTCHET, WHICH INGENUITY INVENTED IN THE COMBINATIONS OF THE DAY GAVE STRENGTH TO CARRY. I OPPOSE ON JUST THE FUNDAMENTAL GROUNDS OF HAVING A LEGITIMATELY APPORTIONED REPRESENTATIVE BODY THAT SERVES THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA, JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIFICALLY, AND THEIR CITIZENS. MORE SO THAN AN ADMINISTRATION THAT'S CORRUPTED. >> MR. [INAUDIBLE] AGAIN, YOU'RE FOCUSING ON THE MAKEUP OF OUR GOVERNMENT, AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DISCUSSED DURING THESE ITEMS. IT'S SPECIFIC OBJECTIONS TO THOSE AMENDMENTS. IT IS NOT. IF YOU DO IT AGAIN, MR. [INAUDIBLE] WE'RE GOING TO HAVE YOU ESCORTED OUT, BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE, THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU'RE HERE TO DO. YOU CAN'T JUST DO WHATEVER YOU WANT IN THIS PUBLIC MEETING, MR. [INAUDIBLE] THERE ARE RULES OF DECORUM, AND YOU'RE BREAKING THEM CONSISTENTLY. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. I'M SORRY. >> I'M GOING TO MOVE. I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION AND MOVE UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS CAPITAL BUDGET AS AMENDED. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26556, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, LET'S MOVE TO NUMBER 26. [RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR] RESOLUTION THE MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR, PLEASE. >> COUNCILMAN WALKER. >> I HAVE NONE. >> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. >> I HAVE TWO, IF YOU COULD READ THEM. >> RESOLUTION TO CANCEL RFP NUMBER 0502, AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO RE-ADVERTISE FOR RFP FOR PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PERFORM A COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE. SPECIFICALLY, THE PARISH SEEKS THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FROM EXPERIENCED FIRMS QUALIFIED TO COMPLETE AN ANALYSIS OF THE PARISH'S UDC, INCLUDING A GAAP ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY EXISTING CODE CONFLICTS, AND AUDIT OF THE EXISTING CODE AND ESTABLISHMENT OF FRAMEWORK FOR THE NEW DEVELOPMENT CODE, ESTABLISH OF DRIVEN PROCESS INVOLVING EXTENSIVE PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TO IDENTIFY PRIORITIES FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT, CREATE NEW CONSOLIDATED LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL AND DEVELOP A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT OR IMPORTANT INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT JEFFERSON PARISH. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION. ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION IN ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> A RESOLUTION TO CREATE THE ROOF ENHANCEMENT LOTTERY INCENTIVE FUND TO ADDRESS THE INSURANCE CRISIS IMPACTING JEFFERSON PARISH HOMEOWNERS AND TO ENCOURAGE POPULATION GROWTH BY FIRST TIME HOME OWNER OWNERSHIP. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW MOVE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION. ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD? A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN. >> I HAVE NONE. >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG? >> TWO. >> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 146470, REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION TO INSTALL NO PARKING AND ONE WAY STREET SIGNS DURING THE POWER BOAT P1 USA, LLC, COMMENCING ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27TH, 2025, AND ENDING SUNDAY JUNE 29TH, 2025, AND ADDING POPLAR STREET. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION. ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG? >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> A RESOLUTION GRANTING BRIGGS BROTHERS ENTERPRISES CORPORATION AT 3220 34TH STREET IN MATAIRIE, LOUISIANA. PERMISSION TO CONDUCT THE OUTDOOR COMEDY AND CAJUN MUSIC EVENT ON FRIDAY JULY 4TH, SATURDAY JULY 5TH, AND SUNDAY JULY 6TH, 2025, FROM 6:00 PM UNTIL 10:00 PM. [01:50:05] >> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR. HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION. ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG. >> SO MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> COUNCILMAN KERNER. >> I HAVE NONE. >> COUNCILMAN BONANO. >> I HAVE ONE, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ IT? >> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IMPORT DISTRICT TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2025. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION. ANYONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BONANO. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? THE MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> COUNCILMAN LEE. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY. >> I'VE COMPLETED THE ROLE. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. THAT TAKES US TO CONSENT AGENDA ONE. [CONSENT AGENDA ONE] COUNCILMAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 27-73. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 27-73? MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. LET'S GO TO ITEM NUMBER 74, PLEASE. >> A RESOLUTION NAMING THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF JEFFERSON POWERS FOR THE CONTRACT YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026. WE HAD ONE RESPONDER, THE ADVOCATE. IT'S GOING TO BE 28 CENTS PER LINE, $3.92 PER COLUMN INCH AND $25 PER AFFIDAVIT, A PRO REQUEST, AND COMES WITH A SYSTEM PRINTED TIER SHEET. I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO MAKE SURE ALL THOSE SPECS WORK. >> JUST COME BACK TO IT. LET'S MOVE [CONSENT AGENDA TWO] TO ITEM NUMBER CONSENT AGENDA 2. SEVENTY FIVE THROUGH 157, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN MINUS 77, 78 AND 79, WHICH ARE SELECTION. IS YOUR MOTION? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF 75-157 MINUS 77, 78 AND 79, WHICH ARE SELECTIONS. A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. >> HEARING NONE. ITEM 77, PLEASE. [RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS] >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS, ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144993, ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2024, AS AMENDED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER 146267, ADOPTED ON APRIL 30, 2025, WHICH ADDED ADDITIONAL QUALIFIED FIRMS VIA IN SUPPLEMENTAL LIST FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES, WHICH COST UNDER $500,000 FOR STREET PROJECTS, WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AN INSPECTION FOR THE JEFFERSON, WEST BANK, MISSISSIPPI RIVER MU PATH 3B AND 3C, STATE PROJECT NUMBER H011805, FEDERAL AD PROJECT NUMBER H011805, PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT NUMBER 2015011012 RB, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2. >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG. >> A MOVE? >> SEVENTY-SEVEN IS DISTRICT 2. MY BAD. SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> COUNCILMAN BONANO. >> I APPRECIATE YOU MOVING. >> NEW TO DISTRICT 5, COUNCILMAN BONANO. >> I APPRECIATE YOU. >> I'M THERE WHEN YOU'RE NOT, COUNCILMAN. [LAUGHTER]. >> I GOT IT, SIR. THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER]. >> MOVE ON MEYER ENGINEERING. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF MEYER ENGINEERING, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 78, PLEASE. >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144993, ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2024, AND RESOLUTION NUMBER 146267, [01:55:01] ADOPTED ON APRIL 30, 2025, TO PROVIDE ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR STREET PROJECTS FOR A FEE OF $500,000 OR LESS PER ASSIGNMENT, EXCLUDING ANY FEE FOR RESIDENT INSPECTION SERVICES TO PERFORM CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR CHURCHILL TECHNOLOGY, AND BUSINESS PARK PUBLIC ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. >> THAT'S NOT YOU, MR. LOE. >> COUNCILMAN LEE STILL, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. YOUR SELECTION, COUNCILMAN LEE? >> STEWART CONSULTING. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF STEWART CONSULTING? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL INSPECTION DONE. WE'LL JUMP BACK TO NUMBER 74, PLEASE. EVERYTHING'S ON THE UP AND UP. EVERYTHING'S STRAIGHT? GOOD. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR SELECTION ON THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL. >> MOVE FOR THE ONLY RESPONDENT, THE TIMES-PICAYUNE AND THE ADVOCATE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF THE ADVOCATE THE TIMES-PICAYUNE, ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, NOW WE BOUNCE BACK TO NUMBER 79. >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144664 ADOPTED AUGUST 7, 2024 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SEWAGE PROJECTS, WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE AUGUST AND JEROME LIFT STATION IMPROVEMENTS, SCIP PROJECT NUMBER 2543 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3. >> COUNCILMAN LEE. >> ALL SOUTH. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL SOUTH ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NOW, WE'LL JUMP TO NUMBER 158 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA. [ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS] ITEM NUMBER 1, PLEASE ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. >> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSONS OR FIRMS TO PROVIDE A REVIEW AND REVISION OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH PERMITTING ORDINANCES. >> THAT SELECTION IS BARRY DUNN, MCNEIL, AND PARKER. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF BARRY DUNN, MCNEIL AND PARKER ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, NOW, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA 2-21 MINUS 5, WHICH WILL BE A JOINT MOTION AND 7, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED. >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 2-21 MINUS 5, WHICH WILL BE A JOINT MOTION AND 7, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED. MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. MADAM CLERK, ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM 5. >> A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING LINCOLN BRENNAN SENIOR, A NATIVE OF METAIRIE AND UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES VETERAN WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR II IN THE KOREAN WAR BY GIVING THE HONORARY DESIGNATION OF MANDARIN STREET IN METAIRIE, LOUISIANA AS LINCOLN BRENNAN WAY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5. >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG. >> I'LL MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON JOINT MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, AND THE ENTIRE COUNCIL, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 7 ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, PLEASE. WITH AMENDMENTS. >> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, WHICH PROVIDES FUNDS TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION QUALITY SLOT FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES IN JEFFERSON PARISH AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $350, WHICH WILL QUALIFY FOR THE LOUISIANA EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FUND. ONE TO ONE MATCH TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION DOLLARS OVER THREE YEARS, THEREBY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE AGREEMENT FROM $350,000- $1,350,000 AND EXTENDING THE TERM FOR AN ADDITIONAL THREE YEARS FROM JUNE 30, 2025 TO JUNE 30, 2028. THE AMENDMENTS ARE IN THE PREAMBLE, THE THIRD WHEREAS, THE 13TH WHEREAS, SECTION 1, AND IN THE AGREEMENT, IT SHOULD READ $750,000 OVER THREE YEARS AND $1,100,000 IN EXTENDING THE TERM FOR AN ADDITIONAL THREE YEARS AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS? [02:00:04] >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION? >> MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED ITEM 159, PLEASE. [JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS] >> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE METAIRIE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FOUR CDBG-DR PROJECTS AWARDED UNDER THE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM UNDER THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM THROUGH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR DISASTER RECOVERY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5. >> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG. >> I'LL MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION ADOPTED OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED 160, PLEASE. >> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,096,209.30 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THAT FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT DATED MAY 21, 2018, UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 130383 BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 6 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND HARVEY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 2 FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE PIERCE CUSTOM ENFORCER AERIAL, 107 FEET 2025 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND 10 PORTABLE RADIOS, AND FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF FIRE APPARATUS EXHAUST FILTRATION SYSTEM, AS WELL AS CERAMIC WALL CODING FOR FIRE STATION 61 AND 64, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 >> COUNCILMAN BONANO. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. 161, PLEASE WITH AMENDMENTS. >> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL TO SIGN A SECTION 147 F APPROVAL AND WRITTEN CONTRACT FORM IN CONNECTION WITH THE FINANCING OF SPH 100 PLATFORM FIRE APPARATUS BY THIRD DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE ON THE AGREEMENT, THAT IT SHOULD READ THAT THIS APPROVAL DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY, CONSTITUTE ANY FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT OR OBLIGATION OF EITHER JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, OR FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 3 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, EITHER NOW OR IN THE FUTURE AND THAT THE THIRD DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS PROVIDED EXCLUSIVE FIREFIGHTING AND OTHER SERVICES FOR FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 3 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, WHICH IS LOCATED WITHOUT THE MUNICIPALITY, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. YOUR MOTION. COUNCILMAN BONANO? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. >> ONE SIXTY TWO, PLEASE. >> A RESOLUTION, ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSPECTION PERFORMED BY MARRERO-RAGUSA VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 3, FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU. >> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION? >> I MOVE. >> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, NO NEW BUSINESS, NO STATUS REPORTS. ANYONE WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS, [PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS] ITEMS NOT APPEARING ON THE AGENDA. MAY DO SO NOW. YOU NEED TO FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS. HAND IT UP TO THE FRONT. PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL. HOW YOU ALL DOING? THE WEST BANK IS IN THE HOUSE TONIGHT. MY NAME IS LARRY COLLINS, AND I REPRESENT WAGS FOOD AND CULTURE, SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT LOCATED ON ACRE ROAD AND PLAZA DRIVE IN MARRERO. WE'VE BEEN SERVING MARRERO FOR, SAY ABOUT 25 YEARS, AND WE'VE BEEN THROUGH HURRICANES, ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS. BLACK LIVES MATTER. JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED. RIGHT NOW, I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT OUR RESILIENCE IS JUST THAT IS NOT. [02:05:03] WE'RE NOT IMMUNE TO THE UPS AND DOWNS OF MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR. I'M HAVING A REAL PROBLEM WITH MY NEIGHBOR. THEY HAVE ROUTINE POLICE ACTIVITY, ROUTINE DRUG ACTIVITY, ROUTINE VIOLENCE. IT IS PLAGUING MY BUSINESS A LOT. IT IS DAMAGING MY REPUTATION. IT PLACES ALL SAFETY RISKS ON THE AREA. I CAN'T GET THE CUSTOMERS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO COME BECAUSE OF THIS. I THINK THAT THIS BODY CAN STABILIZE MY SITUATION. I THINK WITH ALL THE POWER YOU ALL HAVE, YOU ALL CAN REACH DOWN AND DIG DEEP AND HELP ME OUT A LOT. I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO ALL TO ADDRESS THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU. LET ME ADDRESS THAT. THANK YOU, LARRY, FOR COMING UP. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF, MATTER OF FACT, WE FUNDED ADDITIONAL POLICE PATROLS IN THE AREA. WE ARE WORKING ON AN ORDINANCE THAT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT, SIMILAR TO OTHER. >> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, COUNCILMAN, WHAT HAPPENS WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW IS NOT PARTICULARLY OF MY CONCERN. I REALLY AM LOOKING FOR A COMPENSATION FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST, YOU KNOW, WHICH WE CAN'T CHANGE. I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO REALLY TALKING ABOUT IT IN PRIVATE, REALLY. I DON'T THINK IT'S A PUBLIC MATTER. >> WELL, YOU'VE MADE IT A PUBLIC MATTER, BECAUSE YOU'VE COME UP HERE TODAY, AND YOU'RE MAKING CERTAIN ASSERTIONS. NOW, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE LITIGATED HERE. >> IT'S NOT A LITIGATION, NO SIR. >> BUT THE REALITY IS THAT, WHEN I WAS SPEAKING, AND I WAS TELLING YOU WHAT WE KNOW IS TAKING PLACE AND WHAT'S GOING ON, I WAS OFFERING TO YOU WHAT WE VIEW AS OUR SOLUTION TOWARD DEALING WITH MATTERS THAT NOT ONLY AFFECT YOU, BUT AFFECT THAT AREA OF THE COMMUNITY OVERALL, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT ONE INDIVIDUAL, ONE BUSINESS. THIS IS ABOUT THE ENTIRE AREA THAT FEELS THE WAY YOU DO, BUT THEY ARE JUST RESIDENTIAL. THEY ARE JUST PERSONS WHO LIVE ON THOSE STREETS WHO ARE NOT IN BUSINESS LIKE YOURSELF. THIS IS AFFECTING EVERYBODY, AND SO WITH THE ORDINANCE THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, IT'S GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT THAT'S GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE WHOLE. >> ARE WE LOOKING FOR SOME FAT CITY TYPE OF DEAL WHERE WE'RE GETTING BEAUTIFICATION GRANTS OR STEPPED UP SHELF PATROLS OR THE ELIMINATION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANTS IN THE AREA OR? >> AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUE IN TERMS OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANTS. >> YES, CORRECT. BUT I THINK THAT IS THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM. IF YOU WANT ME TO TELL YOU, IT IS. IT'S THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM. >> WELL, I CAN'T SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THAT I DON'T KNOW AND I KNOW THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ENGAGED, AND OUR ORDINANCE IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP ALLAY SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE KNOW ARE PLAGUING THAT AREA. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT FAT CITY. I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT. BUT THE REALITY IS THE REALITY. I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT. BUT NEVERTHELESS, I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW WHAT'S TAKING PLACE. WE'VE DONE QUITE A BIT IN THAT AREA. WE HAVE CRIME CAMERAS ALL OVER THE PLACE, THOSE THAT KNOW AND THOSE DO NOT KNOW, AND QUITE FRANKLY, SOME OF THE STUFF, A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE AND HAVE SEEN AND MY STAFF SEES, BECAUSE WE DEAL WITH THIS MATTER IS EMBARRASSING. OUR GOAL IS TO TRY TO ERADICATE IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I'M NOT AT LIBERTY TO GO INTO ALL THE DETAILS, BUT KNOW THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON THAT ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN SEEING CONTINUE. >> IS THERE ANY ORDINANCE THAT WE CAN WORK ON TO CORRECT THE BEHAVIOR OF [02:10:08] CONVENIENCE STORE OPERATORS WHEN THEY'RE FOUND IN VIOLATION OF OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS AND LIQUOR LICENSE STANDARDS? VIOLATIONS OF THESE TYPES SHOULD BE HANDLED A LITTLE BIT MORE HARDER. I MEAN, I TREAT MY OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE WITH RESPECT. I PAID MY TAXES. I TREAT MY LIQUOR LICENSE AS IF I CAN'T GET IT AGAIN IF I LOSE IT, AND I WOULD LIKE MY NEIGHBOR TO BE TREATED THE SAME WAY. >> WELL, LET ME SAY THAT THE STANDARDS THAT ARE REQUIRED, WE'RE REVIEWING THE STANDARDS TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE GREATER ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITIES. THE BOTTOM LINE IS IS THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN CIVIL RIGHTS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABRIDGED AS A RESULT OF. >> BREAKING THE LAW? >> NO, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT BREAK. I'M SAYING THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN CIVIL RIGHTS THAT OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS SHARED WITH US IN MATTERS IN WHICH THEY CAN DEAL WITH AND ISSUES THAT THEY CANNOT DEAL WITH. THE ISSUE OF LOITERING IS A PROBLEM, BUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS STATED THAT THEY CAN NOT JUST GO AND ARREST SOMEBODY IF THEY'RE BEING LAWFUL, JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE STANDING OUTSIDE. NO, HOLD ON, LISTEN TO ME. SOME OF THIS STUFF, WE'VE LEARNED THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH MANY OF THESE ISSUES AND THINGS THAT WE CAN STRENGTHEN. THAT'S WHAT OUR GOAL IS. SOME TIME AGO, WE PASSED AN ORDINANCE THAT REQUIRED PROPERTY OWNERS WHO OWN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, THAT IF THERE ARE VIOLATIONS, THE PROPERTY OWNER WOULD BE THE ONE WHO WOULD BE TARGETED TO ENSURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT ALTHOUGH THEY MAY HAVE SOMEONE LEASING FROM THEM, THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT GOES ON IN THAT PROPERTY. WHAT WE'RE DOING IS, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE SAME TYPE OF THING THAT EXISTS RIGHT NOW VIA ORDINANCE WITH RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS FROM A COMMERCIAL STANDPOINT AS WELL. ON THE UNRELATED NOTE, THERE WAS AN ADVERTISING SIGN THAT WAS REMOVED FROM MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS YARD. IT HAPPENED TO BE MY SIDE, AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE'S ANY PROGRAM WHERE I CAN GET THAT SIGN REPLACED? >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT SIGN YOU'RE REFERENCING. YOU WANT TO GET TOGETHER ON THAT? >> ON ANOTHER TIME. >> CAM WILL COME AND SPEAK WITH YOU OFF TO THE SIDE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> HELLO. MICHAEL SOTO, 768 JACKSON COURT. I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MY FELLOW FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF RISING INSURANCE COSTS AND LOW HOURLY WAGES. PERSONALLY, I DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN YET, AND MY WIFE RECEIVES INSURANCE THROUGH HER EMPLOYER AT THE HOSPITAL, HOWEVER, MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE NOT SO FORTUNATE. A FELLOW FIREFIGHTER AT MY STATION WHO COVERS HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN UNDER HIS PLAN, AS MANY OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS DO, HAD $12,933.12 DEDUCTED FROM HIS PAY LAST YEAR. HIS INSURANCE PREMIUM FOR 2024 WAS $538.88. IT'S NOW $599.05. SINCE 2020, HIS INSURANCE COSTS HAVE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 40%. IF I HAD HIS SAME INSURANCE COST, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN HOME LESS THAN $23,000 LAST YEAR. THAT WOULD BE LESS THAN $900 A CHECK FOR A THREE-YEAR FIREFIGHTER. THESE NUMBERS ARE NOT EXAGGERATIONS. THEY ARE FACTS. THE HOURLY WAGE MUST BE ADDRESSED. THE CURRENT RATE OF RISING INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE PAID DOES NOT PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL STABILITY NECESSARY TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES. MS. CYNTHIA HAS KNOWN ME MY WHOLE LIFE AND CAN VOUCH FOR MY CHARACTER. MY MOTHER SERVED AS A SECRETARY TO HER FATHER, THE LATE SHERIFF HARRY LEE FOR 26 YEARS. PARISH PRESIDENT AND COUNSEL, MAKE NO MISTAKE. I'M HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO BE A FIREFIGHTER FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT TODAY, I'M TO STAND BESIDE THE MEN AND WOMEN I WORK WITH. THOSE WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON LINE EVERY DAY. I'VE LITERALLY RUN TO BURNING BUILDINGS WITH THE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND ME. I KNOW THEY ALWAYS HAVE MY BACK JUST AS I HAVE THEIRS RIGHT NOW. ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR IS PEACE OF MIND, THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILIES WITHOUT THE CONSTANT STRAIN OF FINANCIAL AND MENTAL STRESS. YOU ASK US NOT ONLY DISTURB THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT TO BEAR WITNESS TO THEIR TRAUMA. [02:15:02] IN MY SIX YEARS AS A FIREFIGHTER, FOUR WITH JEFFERSON PARISH, I'VE WITNESSED THINGS MOST PEOPLE COULDN'T BEGIN TO IMAGINE. BUT ONE CALL IN PARTICULAR WILL STAY WITH ME THE REST OF MY LIFE. I WON'T GO INTO GRAPHIC DETAIL ABOUT THE CAR ACCIDENT, BECAUSE I DOUBT MANY IN THIS ROOM, YOURSELVES INCLUDED, COULD STOMACH THE REALITY OF WHAT WE FACE. I'LL SAY ONLY THIS THAT THE CALL RESULTED IN TWO FATALITIES, INCLUDING A WOMAN WHOSE BODY WAS SO VIOLENTLY MUTILATED. SHE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE. STANDING OVER HER BODY, I FELT A CHILLING EMPTINESS AS IF FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, GOD HAD CEASED TO EXIST IN THE WORLD. I DON'T THINK YOU TRULY GRASP THE WEIGHT OF THIS JOB OR THE FACT THAT VERY FEW CAN CARRY IT. DESPITE THE TRAUMA WE WITNESS, WE CONTINUE TO SHOW UP. WE DO THIS WORK BECAUSE IT'S OUR CALLING. RIGHT NOW, I SPEAK MY FELLOW FIREFIGHTERS ARE SITTING IN THEIR STATIONS RIGHT NOW, READY TO RESPOND DAY OR NIGHT WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS HELP. RIGHT NOW, WE ARE THE ONES CALLING UPON YOU FOR HELP. PLEASE DO NOT TURN YOUR BACKS ON US. DON'T KEEP IGNORING OUR PLEAS FOR HELP BECAUSE YOU KNOW WE WILL NEVER IGNORE YOURS. THANK YOU. >> WE'RE HERE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. ROBERT BURKETT, JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION. I RISE AGAIN TO REMIND YOU THAT THE PAY STUDY THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN BEHIND ME WERE PROMISED IS NOW 49 DAYS LATE. THAT'S THE SECOND STUDY. THE FIRST ONE IS OVER FIVE YEARS LATE. WE GET TO HEAR ABOUT ALL OF THE THINGS THAT HOW LUCKY WE ARE AND WHAT WE HAVE THAT OTHER DEPARTMENTS DON'T HAVE. JUST AS THE GENTLEMAN BEFORE ME SAID, HEALTHCARE FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS IN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS COST HALF OF WHAT IT COSTS HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH. THAT HAS TO BE MADE UP IN SOME HOURLY RATE. BUT THEIR FIREFIGHTERS START OFF AT 15.76 AN HOUR. YES, THEY GET OVERTIME. YES, THEY GET SUPPLEMENTAL PAY. ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'VE USED AS EXCUSES NOT TO RAISE THE 10.53 AN HOUR. THEY ALSO GET 4-6,000 A YEAR IN NEW ORLEANS AND A MILLAGE THAT WE'VE NEVER RECEIVED. HOW CAN RIGHT NEXT TO A CITY THAT SUPPOSEDLY DOWN AND OUT, PAY THEIR FIREFIGHTERS SO WELL, BUT WE CAN ONLY MANAGE 10.53 AN HOUR. IT'S RIDICULOUS AND IT'S LONG OVERDUE. THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN GOING ON. WE HEAR WELL. WHAT'S YOUR YEARLY RATE? WELL, THIS ISN'T A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY. SOME OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS DO PRETTY WELL, ESPECIALLY SOME OF THE LONGER ATTENDED FIREFIGHTERS, BUT THEY'RE WORKING 56.5 HOURS A WEEK, NOT 35, NOT 40, 56.5. WE NEED TO COMPENSATE THEM FOR THOSE HOURS. I HEARD SOMEONE SAY, WELL, MAYBE WE SHOULD DO AWAY WITH THE OVERTIME. WELL, THAT'S NOT A BAD IDEA. MATTER OF FACT, MOST RECENTLY WITHIN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, FLORIDA JUST PASSED A STATE LAW FOR ALL OF THEIR COMMUNITIES TO WORK TO REDUCE THEIR FIRE HOURS BY TO 42 HOURS A WEEK. NOT BY CUTTING THEIR PAY, BUT BY TAKING THE SALARY THEY'RE CURRENTLY EARNING AND DIVIDING IT TO THE 42 HOURS A WEEK AND MAKING SURE THAT THEIR TAKE HOME PAY DOESN'T CHANGE. THEY JUST WORK 14.5 HOURS A WEEK LESS THAN THEY USED TO. THERE ARE COMMUNITIES NOT TOO FAR AWAY FROM US THAT HAVE RECOGNIZED THE VALUE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THEM. IN 2022, WHEN THE SHERIFF IS WORKING TO RAISE THE DEPUTIES PAY, AND WE FULLY SUPPORT THAT, THE BGR REPORT THAT WAS CONDUCTED IN RELATIONSHIP TO IT SUGGESTED THAT THEY GO IN 2022 TO AT LEAST $15 AN HOUR. >> IT'S YOUR TIME, MR. BRAGE? >> JUST GIVE ME ONE MORE SECOND. YOU'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD YOU HAVE 300 PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST. WHY? THERE'S YOUR WAITING LIST. IT'S 24 PEOPLE LONG. IT'S NOT 300. IT'S BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY REDUCED OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS, 11 OF THEM BE GONE BY THE END OF THE YEAR. >> IT'S A WRAP. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> STEPHEN ORCHIS, ONE OH FOUR PANTHER RUN DESHER HAND, LOUISIANA. MS. VAN RANKIN, I APPRECIATE YOU TRYING TO GET FIRST RESPONDERS AT 2,500. IT WOULD STILL NOT EVEN COME CLOSE TO LET ME AFFORD A MORTGAGE IN METRE, WHICH IS WHY I LIVE OUT THERE. JUST TO PIGGYBACK TO FINISH WITH MR. BURKETT HEAD. [02:20:02] AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S OF LIES AND PLENTY OF FAKE NEWS AND MISINFORMATION BEING PORTRAYED BY MS. CYNTHIA. IT'S BEEN DEBUNKED. I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL DO A BETTER JOB OF TELLING THE TRUTH AND OF, LIKE YOU AND MS. ARITTA USED THAT WORD RESPECT SO MANY TIMES, HOW IS IT THAT WE'RE 49 DAYS PAST THE APRIL 30TH DATE OF THIS PAY STUDY, AND YOU STOOD ON PUT IT FORTH? THIS IS NOT A JOKE. MY WIFE AND KID ARE IN HERE. MOST OF OUR WIVES AND KIDS ARE AT CAMP OR AT WORK. WE'RE HARD WORKING GOOD PEOPLE. I KNOW THERE'S SOME OF US THAT HAVE MADE BAD MISTAKES, AND MAYBE THAT'S WHY YOU CAST YOUR JUDGMENT ON US, BUT YOU SHOULDN'T DO THAT. JUST LIKE WE DON'T DO WITH PAST POLITICIANS, PAST COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE GIVE YOU ALL A SHOT. ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR IS LITERALLY TO COME SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE, AND LET'S TALK LIKE GROWN ADULTS. LET'S STOP THIS FACEBOOK BS. LET'S JUST SIT DOWN AND TALK TO EACH OTHER. I THINK THERE'S A LOT WE COULD LEARN. I THINK WE KNOW THAT THERE'S ONLY 77% OF THE MILLAGE BEING USED TOWARD SALARY. I THINK WE KNOW THAT THERE'S MONEY FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MILLAGE THAT SOMEHOW DISAPPEARS. I THINK WE KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A NUMBER THAT YOU COULD GIVE ACROSS THE BOARD, LIKE STATE LAW SAYS, THAT WOULD PROBABLY MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY, AND YOU WOULD STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY LEFT OVER. BUT HERE WE ARE, 49 DAYS AFTER, FIVE YEARS AFTER THE FIRST ONE, AND WE'RE STILL HAVING TO COME INTO YOUR COUNCIL CHAMBERS TO TAKE OVER MEETINGS, TAKING OVER YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA. I MEAN, WHEN'S ENOUGH ENOUGH? MS. VAN RANKIN, THANK YOU. I KNOW YOU'VE MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO SPEAK WITH OUR LEADERSHIP. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. I KNOW MR. LEE AND MR. KERNER, YOU-ALL AREN'T REALLY INVOLVED YET BEING ON THE WEST BANK, BUT YOU-ALL ARE CLASSY MEN. I KNOW IF IT GETS TO THAT, YOU'LL HAVE OUR BACK. BUT THE REST OF YOU, HANS, SCOTT, I MEAN, JUST MAKE A PHONE CALL. PLEASE. AS FAR AS MS. ARITTA, I'M SORRY, YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT, MS. VAN RANKIN. I MEAN, I APOLOGIZE. I REALLY DO, BECAUSE THREATENING MY OVERTIME AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CITIZENS TO PAY MORE MONEY, OH, MAN, GOD, BLESS YOU. >> KEEP IT SHORT, PLEASE. FOR THE RECORD, MR. ORCHIS, I HAD A HOUR AND A HALF MEETING WITH MR. BURKETT IN MY OFFICE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. WE DID MEET AND WE TALKED FOR QUITE SOME TIME. >> HE SAID. >> OH, I'M SORRY. >> I JUST NEED TO RESPOND. HE SAID THAT YOU ASKED US TO STOP THE SOCIAL MEDIA. THAT WAS BASICALLY WHAT THE HOUR-AND-A-HALF WAS? >> NO. THE MEETING WAS, LIKE, YOU SAID, LET'S STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS. LET'S FIGURE SOMETHING OUT. THAT WAS WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. >> DO ME A FAVOR. TAKE THAT SAME ENERGY. PUT IT ON HER. >> THERE ARE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS HAPPENING. THAT'S WHAT I CAN SAY. >> YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME'S NANCY DWYER. >> ONE SECOND, MISS DWYER, I'M SORRY. MR. BUKETT, I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT'S WHAT YOU GOT OUT OF THAT MEETING, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TELLING EVERYBODY THAT THAT'S WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED. GO AHEAD, MA'AM. >> MY NAME'S NANCY DWYER, AND I RESIDE AT 542 FIRST AVENUE IN HARVEY. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THIS IS AT LEAST THE FOURTH TIME MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE COME BEFORE THIS JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL ON BEHALF OF OUR RESIDENTIALLY ZONED NEIGHBORHOOD. WE APPRECIATE ALL THE TIMES THIS COUNCIL HAS DECIDED IN FAVOR OF UPHOLDING RESIDENTIAL ZONING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND OTHER RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS OF JEFFERSON PARISH. YOU DECIDED IN FAVOR OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO STOP KINDER MORGAN FROM BUILDING MORE BULK STORAGE TANKS NEAR IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. YOU DECIDED IN FAVOR OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO STOP BLACKWATER FROM BUILDING MORE BULK STORAGE TANKS NEAR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. YOU DECIDED IN FAVOR OF OUR ST. ROSALIE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN A NEIGHBOR WANTED TO PUT A SMALL BUSINESS AND POSSIBLY ANOTHER SMALL BUSINESS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. THIS COUNCIL HAS DECIDED IN FAVOR OF RESIDENTIAL ZONING AGAINST THE INTRUSION OF COMMERCIAL INTERESTS, [02:25:07] AND WE THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS. NOW WE COME BEFORE YOU AGAIN, BECAUSE NEIGHBORS SAY THAT AN ADULT DAYCARE CENTER WILL BE BUILT ACROSS THE STREET, ABOUT 150 FEET FROM OUR HOUSE IN THE 500 AND 600 BLOCKS OF FIRST AVENUE IN HARVEY. WE AGAIN, ARE OPPOSED TO THIS POTENTIAL INTRUSION OF COMMERCIAL INTERESTS AGAINST RESIDENTIAL ZONING. WE WERE REALLY SADDENED THAT ST. ROSALIE SCHOOL HAD TO CLOSE. SOME OF THE PROPERTIES ARE NOW FOR SALE. ST. ROSALIE HAD A PRESCHOOL AND LATER ADDED A DAYCARE TO THE PROPERTIES IN QUESTION. THERE WERE NO SIGNS EVER POSTED, INDICATING REQUESTS TO CHANGE ZONING. THE PRESCHOOL AND THE DAYCARE WERE PART OF ST. ROSALIE SCHOOL. >> THAT'S YOUR TIME, BUT I'LL GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS TO WRAP UP YOUR PREPARED NOTES IF YOU CAN. >> OKAY. WE DON'T WANT THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FOR A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TO BE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND ACROSS THE STREET FROM OUR NEIGHBORS AND US. IF THE PROPOSED ADULT DAYCARE CLOSES AND THE PROPERTY SOLD, IT MAY BE REPLACED BY ANOTHER BUSINESS. [NOISE] I SUGGEST THAT THE PROPERTIES IN QUESTION BE SOLD TO A CONTRACTOR OR CONTRACTORS WHO WILL BUILD OUR ONE RESIDENCES ON THESE PROPERTIES AND OTHER FORMER ST. ROSALIE SCHOOL PROPERTIES. >> I HAVE TO WRAP YOU UP THERE, MA'AM. I'M SORRY. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> HELLO THERE. MY NAME IS LLOYD DWYER. I LIVE AT 542 FIRST AVENUE, AND I AM CONTINUING WHAT MY WIFE SAID. WE HAVE HAD ONE THING AND ANOTHER AFTER OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE UNDER SIEGE. THINGS LIKE THE ADULT DAYCARE, OTHER THINGS THAT ARE ON THE HORIZON, AND I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT IT. MY WIFE TRIED TO REACH OUT TO THE REALTOR TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON REPEATEDLY, AND SHE HEARD NOTHING. WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. THERE'S THE RUMOR MILL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS QUIET. WE'RE NOT FAR FROM INDUSTRIAL, BUT WE DON'T NEED MORE DISRUPTION IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THAT, AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE. THERE ARE ALSO JUST A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS I DON'T WANT TO ADDRESS. FIRST OF ALL, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, IT WAS GOOD SEEING YOU AT THE GRETNA PRAYER DINNER. I RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE IN THE COUNCIL COME TO IT. SECONDLY, AND I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A BILL PASSED, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE UTILITY BILLS, THE WATER BILL IS GOING UP EXPONENTIALLY, AND I KNOW AN ORDINANCE WAS PASSED, BUT IF YOU MULTIPLY THIS OUT, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE BILLS IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT FUTURE THAT ARE GOING TO BE MULTIPLE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT PUTTING IT ONLINE. WE'VE HAD TWO INCREASES NOW. I DO NOT SEE ANY RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT AT THIS POINT. PUTTING IT ONLINE IS ONE THING. BUT I AM CONCERNED. WE ARE RETIRED NOW. WE HAVE FRIENDS THAT DON'T HAVE THE INCOME WE DO. OUT OF THE BLUE, A WOMAN WE WERE TALKING TO SAID HER WATER BILL WENT UP. SHE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY. THE INCREASES IN THE WATER BILLS ARE GOING TO BE HIGHER THAN INFLATION, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH IT. ANYWAY, THAT'S OUR CONCERN. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STAYS STABLE TO GET BACK TO IT. WE REACHED OUT. WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE REALTOR. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. WE ARE LITERALLY THREE HOUSES DOWN FROM WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE. WE ARE JUST CONCERNED ABOUT IT. ALTHOUGH I DON'T HAVE A CONSPIRATORIAL MINDSET, [02:30:03] WE JUST FEEL ALMOST LIKE WE'RE UNDER SIEGE. THANK YOU. >> WELCOME, MR. DWYER. WITH RESPECT TO ST. ROSALIE, IN ORDER TO PUT AN ADULT DAYCARE THERE, IT WOULD REQUIRE COUNCIL APPROVAL. THEY HAVEN'T COME TO US YET. BUT IF THEY DO, YOU WILL CERTAINLY HAVE PUBLIC NOTICE TO THAT AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE YOUR OPINION ON IT. >> WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY 100% OPPOSED TO IT, EITHER. WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. THE REALTOR HASN'T DONE MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING THAT. MY WIFE HAS ACTUALLY CALLED TO TRY TO GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOU, AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT YET. IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER, I'D ALMOST BELIEVE YOU WERE A NULL ISSUE FAN, SIR. >> SOMETIMES. I JUST HAD MY ASSISTANT GET YOUR WIFE'S PHONE NUMBER, AND WE'LL SIT DOWN. I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION. LIKE I SAID, THEY HAVEN'T COME TO US YET. BUT I DO KNOW TO GO TO AN ADULT DAYCARE FACILITY WOULD REQUIRE A SPECIALLY PERMITTED USE, WHICH THE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO ADOPT. >> THANK YOU, SIR. I JUST HAVE ONE OTHER THING TO SAY, AND THAT'S GO TIGERS. >> GO TIGERS. >> [NOISE] MITCHELL ARBUS, 79 OK AVENUE. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK COUNCILMAN WALKER FOR MEETING WITH OUR PRESIDENT, BOB BURKETT. HE DID COMMUNICATE FURTHER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SMOOTH THINGS OVER, AND THAT HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET TO A REASONABLE SOLUTION AT SOME POINT. MS. VAN VRANCKEN, THANK YOU AS WELL FOR REACHING OUT. I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL OF THE COUNCIL PERSONS TO REACH OUT AS WELL, SO WE CAN TRY TO BRING THIS TO AN END. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MISS SHANG, OR HAVE A COUNCIL PERSON ASK MISS SHANG FOR A STATUS UPDATE IN THE PAY STUDY. AS STATED BEFORE, WE'VE WAITED LONG ENOUGH. I MEAN, 10.53 AN HOUR IS JUST NOT GOING TO CUT IT, I'M SORRY. COUNCIL PERSONS' SALARIES ARE DICTATED BY STATE LAW. OUR SALARIES ARE DICTATED BY STATE LAW. I JUST ASKED FOR AN UPDATE, AND IF THAT COULD BE PROVIDED, PLEASE. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I DID HAVE SOME REMARKS, AND CERTAINLY WE CAN DISCUSS THE PAY STUDY AS WELL. IT'S NOT HERE YET. I WANT IT EAGERLY, AS WELL. I'M NOT DOING THIS WORK. WE HIRED A CONSULTANT TO DO IT. THIS IS NOT MY WORK TO DO OR THE ADMINISTRATION'S WORK TO DO. WE HIRED A PROFESSIONAL TO DO THIS WORK. AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR RESPONSES FROM SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES, BUT I'M HOPING THAT IT WILL BE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. WE DON'T HAVE IT. WE DON'T HAVE THE FINAL REPORT. >> [OVERLAPPING] I'M SORRY, LOOK LIKE STEVE WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING. GO AHEAD. CYNTHIA, OR WHOEVER WANTS TO GO AHEAD. I'M SORRY. WRONG. HOLD ON. I DID THE WRONG ONE. GO AHEAD. >> JUST TO CLARIFY, WE HAD A MEETING WITH THE CONSULTANTS ON MONDAY, MYSELF AND VICTOR TO GET SOME CLARIFICATIONS ON THE DATA THAT THEY HAD RETURNED TO US. WE'VE AGREED THAT THE DATA IS CORRECT, AND WE'VE GIVEN THEM DIRECTIONS TO WRAP UP THE STUDY. THEY'RE COMPILING THE NARRATIVE PORTION OF THE STUDY, WHICH SHOULD BE READY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. >> [OVERLAPPING] LOOK, I SAID THIS LAST TIME, AND SOMEONE SAYS I'M CASTING JUDGMENT. THIS IS NOT CASTING JUDGMENT. IF I FEEL ANYTHING ABOUT OUR FIREFIGHTERS, IS I'M GLAD THAT THEY DO THE WORK THAT YOU DO, BECAUSE I WOULD NOT DO THE WORK. THAT IS HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE FIREFIGHTERS. WHAT WE ARE HAVING IS A DISCUSSION ON THE FINANCIALS. WE COLLECT A MILLAGE FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS, AND IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE ALL OUR DEPARTMENTS ARE MANAGED FISCALLY IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE. I WILL COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THEM, AS I SAID LAST MEETING, THAT OUR STARTING SALARY IS LOW. IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME IF THE PAY STUDY SET OUR STARTING SALARY AS LOW. THE LAST PAY STUDY SET OUR STARTING SALARY IS LOW. BUT, AS I ALSO STATED, STATE LAW REQUIRES US THAT IF WE INCREASE THE STARTING PAY FOR THE FIRST-TIME FIREFIGHTERS BEGINNING IN THEIR CAREER, WE HAVE TO INCREASE EVERYONE ELSE. THAT'S WHY IT MAKES IT PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE FOR US. WE CAN'T JUST CORRECT WHERE WE KNOW WE'RE LOW WITHOUT PUTTING EVERYBODY ELSE, PERHAPS EVEN OVER, WELL ABOVE THE AVERAGES OF WHAT WE SEE WITH OUR PEERS. I DO HAVE A PROBLEM AND WHILE IT'S FACTUALLY CORRECT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A RATE OF $10.53, I DON'T THINK WE'RE BEING TRUE TO THE PUBLIC IF WE JUST LET THE PUBLIC BELIEVE, AND THAT'S WHERE I HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN WE HAVE A VERY BIG DISAGREEMENT ON HOW WE'RE DISCUSSING THIS, IT'S NOT FAIR, AND IT'S DECEPTIVE AND MISLEADING TO THE PUBLIC TO TALK ABOUT JUST A $10.53 RATE. IF I HEARD THAT AS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, I WOULD THINK, JUST LIKE THE MINIMUM WAGE, JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE, THAT'S THE RATE YOU GET BECAUSE MOST EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD JUST HAS THAT ONE HOURLY RATE THAT THEY'RE COMPENSATED WITH. THEY THINK OF THEIR OWN RATE, [02:35:01] AND THEN THEY SAY, WELL, THAT'S WHAT THE FIREFIGHTERS MAKE, WHICH I AGREE IS LOW, BUT THAT'S BEING MISLEADING TO THE PUBLIC. LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. WHEN THE ARGUMENT IS ABOUT TAKE-HOME PAY, IN LAYMAN'S TERMS, TAKE-HOME PAY, WHAT RESOURCES YOU BRING TO YOUR FAMILY BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO FOR JEFFERSON PARISH. IT IS THE 10.53 HOURLY RATE THAT THEY DISCUSS SO MUCH. BUT IT'S ALSO, IF WE PUT IT TO AN HOURLY, A $2.88 SUPPLEMENTAL PAY. >> [OVERLAPPING] HOLD ON, MADAM PRESIDENT. AS SHE SPEAKS, PLEASE ALLOW THE PARISH PRESIDENT TO SPEAK. YOU WILL HAVE YOUR TIME IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME TO THE PODIUM WHEN SHE'S DONE. >> AND A $3.56 GUARANTEED OVERTIME, BRINGING WHAT I CALL IS THE TRUE HOURLY RATE, AND THEY'LL DISAGREE WITH ME, BUT I NEED TO BE CREDIBLE WITH THE PUBLIC. BRINGING THE TRUE HOURLY RATE BECAUSE OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT WITH JEFFERSON PARISH AS A FIREFIGHTER, YOU'RE GETTING WHAT I SAY IS A TRUE HOURLY RATE OF $16.97, WHICH, AGAIN, I AGREE IS LOW. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THE STUDY SAYS IT'S LOW. I'M EAGER TO HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS WHEN THE PAY STUDY COMES OUT, BUT I NEED ASSISTANCE AND HELP, NOT JUST UNION GRIEVANCES AND UNION DEMANDS, REALLY GET WITH ME WITH THE NUMBERS, AND LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO. I NEED THAT COOPERATION FROM THEM, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, FOR ME, MAKING DECISIONS, IT'S ABOUT DATA. IT'S NOT ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE GET IN THE ROOM, WHAT SIGNS YOU HOLD, WHAT YOU DO ON SOCIAL MEDIA. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT. I'M A DATA PERSON, AND MY DECISIONS HAVE TO BE JUSTIFIED WITH THE DATA. THAT'S WHAT I WAS ELECTED TO DO. ALL THIS DOESN'T MATTER TO ME, IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME, I DON'T CARE. IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE NUMBER. HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NUMBERS, AND WE CAN TALK. BUT THE REST IS ALL MEANINGLESS WHEN IT COMES TO THE NUMBERS, WHICH IS WHAT WE MAKE DECISIONS ON. I ALSO WANT TO SAY, HEALTHCARE, FULLY AGREE. PAY THE SAME THING, SO DO YOU. THE HEALTHCARE PLAN THAT THEY HAVE, AND THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT THE INCREASES, AND THE LESSER AMOUNT THEY HAVE TO TAKE HOME BECAUSE OF THE PREMIUMS THEY PAY, IT'S THE SAME HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT NEARLY 3,000 OTHER PEOPLE IN THE PARISH PAY. IT'S THE SAME. IT'S YOUR HEALTHCARE PLAN, IT'S MY HEALTHCARE PLAN, THE DRAINAGE EMPLOYEES, THE STEWARD EMPLOYEES, THE RECREATION EMPLOYEES. IT'S THE SAME HEALTHCARE PLAN. A QUICK SHOW ON MY PHONE. I DON'T KNOW THE SOURCE, BUT A QUICK AI, HOWEVER GOOD THAT WAS, IT INCREASES LIKE 5% A YEAR. IT'S INCREASED 22% SINCE 2018, AND 47% INCREASE SINCE 2013. I DON'T KNOW THE SOURCE OF THAT. [OVERLAPPING] IT'S THE SAME PLAN. >> PLEASE, SIR, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS. [OVERLAPPING] HOLD ON, MADAM PRESIDENT. MAKE SURE HE LEAVES. LOOK, ANYBODY WHO IS UPSET WITH ANYTHING THE PARISH PRESIDENT SAYS CAN APPROACH THE PODIUM WHEN SHE'S DONE. BUT THERE WILL BE NO CONVERSATION WHILE SHE IS TALKING, PLEASE. LET HER SAY WHAT SHE'S GOING TO SAY, AND THEN YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY. THAT'S HOW THIS WORKS. >> MY POINT IS, THE FIREFIGHTER UNION GRIEVANCE ABOUT HEALTHCARE IS THE SAME HEALTHCARE PLAN THAT EVERY EMPLOYEE IN JEFFERSON PARISH ENJOYS. THE INCREASED RATES, IT'S NOT SPECIFIC TO FIRE, IT IS WHAT WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED. BY THE WAY, THE REST OF THE COUNTRY HAS EXPERIENCED WITH INCREASED HEALTHCARE COSTS. I HAVE PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH ME. I'M FINE WITH THAT. I CAN MAKE MISTAKES, TOO. IN FACT, LAST TIME I SAID SOMETHING OFF BY $0.03 OR $0.06, I DON'T KNOW WHAT JUST HAPPENED, BUT THE END NUMBER WAS $16.97. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE LIE THEY SAID. THE GENTLEMAN, MAYBE HE WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM, I'M NOT SURE, TOLD ME I WAS TELLING LIES. I DON'T MEAN TO TELL LIES. I WOULD SAY RIGHT NOW, ANY DATA THAT I'M SAYING THAT IS WRONG, BECAUSE I'VE REALLY ONLY TALKED ABOUT DATA, PLEASE COME UP NOW AND TELL ME WHERE I'M WRONG SO WE CAN WORK FROM COMMON KNOWLEDGE. WE CAN HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION WITH THE PUBLIC ON WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE. I WAS ACCUSED OF TELLING NOTHING BUT LIES. I CHALLENGE YOU NOW, PLEASE TELL ME WHERE THE DATA IS WRONG. I'LL GET WITH MY TEAM. LET'S CORRECT THE DATA, AND I WILL USE THE CORRECT DATA FROM NOW ON, BUT I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING THAT IS WRONG. I INVITE THEM TO PLEASE COME UP AND TELL ME WHERE I'M TELLING LIES. LIES. YOU CAN SAY THAT, BUT PROOF THIS IN THE PUDDING. TELL ME WHERE THE DATA IS WRONG SO WE CAN HAVE A TRUTHFUL AND HONEST CONVERSATION IN FRONT OF OUR PUBLIC THAT IT'S THEIR MONEY. I WANT THE DATA TO BE CORRECT. PLEASE COME AND TELL ME WHERE THE DATA IS WRONG. THEN I SAID THIS LAST TIME, I WANT TO GIVE A BREAKDOWN OF WHERE WE ARE, BECAUSE THERE ARE THE LOW SALARIES. NOW, I'M GOING TO 2024 NUMBERS. I TALKED ABOUT IT LAST TIME. THE 2024 NUMBERS, THAT'S THE DATABASE, ENDING JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2024. [02:40:02] THERE ARE 11 EMPLOYEES THAT MAKE THIS VERY LOWEST RATE. I WANT TO GO INTO WHERE WE ARE, SO THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THAT NOT EVERYBODY MAKES THAT LOW RATE, WHICH I DON'T LIKE EITHER. I DON'T LIKE SAYING PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING FIRES AT THIS $16.97 HOUR. I DON'T LIKE SAYING THAT. IT'S NOT WHERE I WANT TO BE EITHER. BUT THERE WERE OF THE 2020, 49 EMPLOYEES, WHICH REPRESENT 17% OF OUR EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIREFIGHTERS MADE LESS THAN $50,000. THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE 11 EMPLOYEES THAT ARE THE VERY LOWEST RATE. A HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTING 43% OF THE PERSONNEL, MAKE 50-100,000. THAT'S THE BIG CHUNK OF IT, THE 43%. THERE WERE 95 EMPLOYEES REPRESENTING 32% OF THE FIREFIGHTERS MAKE 100-$150,000. >>THERE WERE 23 EMPLOYEES REPRESENTING 8% THAT MAKE OVER $150,000. LAST TIME I QUOTED YOU AS SAYING THERE WERE 40% THAT MAKE OVER $100,000, I WAS ADDING THOSE LAST TWO CATEGORIES TOGETHER, 32% AND THE 8%, THAT'S 40%, MAKE OVER $100,000. AGAIN, I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE PUBLIC TO BE CLEAR WITH THE DATA. I REALLY EXPECT THAT IN ANY CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE THAT'S RESPECTING THE ISSUE. PLEASE COME CLEAR UP ANY DATA THAT I HAVE WRONG, SO I CAN CORRECT IT WHEN I SPEAK ABOUT IT IN FAIRNESS TO ALL OF US. THANK YOU. >> ONE SECOND, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES AND NINE SECONDS LEFT OF YOUR TIME. >> I'M GOING TO NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE. PARISH PRESIDENT SHENG, I ASK TO REBUTTAL, AND I CAN REBUTTAL EVERY ONE OF THOSE, RESPECTFULLY, IF YOU COULD GIVE ME MORE TIME. >> YOU'LL HAVE TO SPLIT IT AMONGST EVERYBODY ELSE. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, AND THAT YOU'VE USED A MINUTE. >> ABSOLUTELY. WELL, MS. SHENG, AGAIN, I'M NOT TRYING TO BE DISRESPECTFUL TOWARDS YOU, BUT YOU SAID OUR HOURLY RATE WAS 16.97 AN HOUR. THAT'S BASED ON A 48-HOUR WORK WEEK. WE WORK 56-AND-A-HALF HOURS A WEEK, THAT'S WHERE YOUR NUMBERS ARE WRONG. ALSO, YOU ADDED STATE PAY IN. IF A FIRST YEAR FIREFIGHTER COMES IN FROM ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY, THE PARISH DOES NOT PAY THAT STATE PAY. IF YOU ADDED THE THE OVERTIME AND THE STRAIGHT TIME, THE HIGHEST RATE WOULD BE $11.97 AN HOUR. I'LL GLADLY MEET WITH YOU, AND I'M SURE OUR ASSOCIATION WILL MEET WITH YOU AT ANY POINT TO GO OVER THESE ISSUES, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT A PHONE CALL. TWO YEARS AGO, WE MET WITH MR. SHENG AND WE TOLD HIM THAT WE COULD SAVE THE PARISH 25% OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS, GOING THROUGH THE OFFICE OF GROUP BENEFITS, THAT FELL ON DEAF EARS. THAT'S NOT JUST FOR FIREFIGHTERS, THAT'S FOR EVERY PARISH EMPLOYEE. WE'RE NOT JUST LOOKING OUT FOR OURSELVES. WE'RE LOOKING OUT FOR EVERYBODY WHO WORKS FOR THIS PARISH BECAUSE THEY ALL WORK HARD, THEY ALL DESERVE AN HOURLY WAGE. THE REST OF THE PARISH STARTS AT 14.03 AN HOUR. I BELIEVE THERE'S ALSO SOME DIFFERENTIALS IN THERE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TO DO STRENUOUS LABOR, WHICH IS 5%, AND THOSE WHO HAVE TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATIONS, WHICH IS 10%. WE DON'T GET THAT BECAUSE WE'RE NOT PARISH EMPLOYEES, WE'RE EMPLOYEES OF THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT. AGAIN, MS. SHENG, YOUR NUMBERS ARE WRONG. I HAVE A DEGREE IN PLANNING AND URBAN STUDIES FROM UNO. I'M NOT AN ACCOUNTANT, I'VE NEVER CLAIMED TO BE, BUT WE CAN BE ASSETS TO THIS DEPARTMENT. WE CAN DO A WHOLE LOT OF WORK BESIDES FIGHTING FIRE, AND WE'RE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP, BUT WE CAN'T HELP WHEN WE GET BERATED, WHEN WE GET BEAT DOWN, WHEN WE GET TOLD WE MAKE THIS SALARY, AND WE DON'T. ADDITIONALLY, THOSE TOP SALARIES, WE NEED TO DISCUSS WHY THOSE SALARIES ARE HIGH. IT'S BECAUSE OUR GUYS WORK AT LEAST 2,900 HOURS A YEAR COMPARED TO OTHER PARISH EMPLOYEES WHO WORK 1,800 IF THEY WORK A 35-HOUR WORK WEEK. THAT'S THE REASON WHY OUR SALARIES ARE HIGH. IF ANY OF THOSE EMPLOYEES WOULD WORK THE SAME NUMBER OF HOURS WE DID AT THE SAME HOURLY RATES, THEY'D ACTUALLY MAKE MORE THAN US BECAUSE WE DON'T RECEIVE OVERTIME UNTIL AFTER 48 HOURS. SOME OF THOSE HIGHEST SALARIES ARE ALSO BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE WORKED UNSCHEDULED OVERTIME TO HELP FILL THE STATIONS AND FILL THOSE TRUCKS TO HAVE MINIMUM MANNING ACCORDING TO STANDARDS. THAT'S THE REASON THOSE SALARIES ARE HIGH. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT IN ANY MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT SHOULDN'T BE USED AGAINST OUR FIRE PERSONNEL. THE HIGHEST PAID PERSON IN THE SUPPRESSION DIVISION MAKES $43 AN HOUR. I'M SURE THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE IN PARISH GOVERNMENT THAT MAKE THAT, AND THEY DESERVE IT. NOBODY IS ARGUING THAT, BUT OUR FIREFIGHTERS DESERVE IT AS WELL. >> THAT'S YOUR TIME. >> CAN I HAVE 10 MORE SECONDS? >> TEN MORE SECONDS, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. THOSE PEOPLE THAT MAKE THAT HOURLY WAGE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 30 YEARS, THAT'S WHY THEY MAKE THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> SORRY. THAT WAS A LOT TO GET IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THANK YOU. >> MR. CHAIRMAN, I WANT TO STRESS THAT, YES, THIS IS JUST A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. I CERTAINLY DID INCLUDE THE STATE PORTION BECAUSE TO ME, IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TAKE-HOME PAY, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST WHAT JEFFERSON PARISH PAYS. IN MY CALCULATION, I AM INCLUDING THE STATE PORTION. I DON'T KNOW IF OUR NUMBERS ARE THE SAME. WE'RE JUST DOING IT SEPARATELY, BUT TO ME, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING TO THE PUBLIC, AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TAKE-HOME PAY, I TREAT IT AS WHAT I PUT IN MY BANK [02:45:02] ACCOUNT THAT I'M ABLE TO BRING RESOURCES TO MY FAMILY. THAT IS WHAT I THINK THE GENERAL PUBLIC WOULD EXPECT ME TO SAY IN TERMS OF TAKE-HOME PAY, AND ANYTHING ELSE, I FEEL LIKE I WOULD BE MISLEADING THE PUBLIC IF I SAID ANY DIFFERENT NUMBER. THAT'S HOW I BELIEVE IT. ALSO, THE SCHEDULE, MY UNDERSTANDING, AND THEY CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THE 56 DAYS, I'LL HAVE TO GET SOMEBODY TO EXPLAIN IT TO ME. [OVERLAPPING] >> SIXTY TO FIVE HOURS A WEEK. >> IT'S FIVE DAYS OUT OF 10 DAYS, IT'S A 24-HOUR SCHEDULE. >> NO. >> TWENTY FOUR ON AND 24 OFF FOR 10 DAYS, AND THEN SIX DAYS OFF. [OVERLAPPING] THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCHEDULE. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU ALL HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO ME THE 56. I WAS TOLD IT'S 24 HOURS ON, 25 HOURS OFF FOR 10 STRAIGHT DAYS, AND THEN A FULL SIX DAYS OFF, AND THEN IT REPEATS AGAIN. IT AVERAGES 9-11 DAYS, WHICH IS A 24-HOUR SHIFT PER MONTH. THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING. >> CERTAINLY NOT TO ARGUE, JUST TO PROVIDE CLARIFICATION, WE WORK 24-HOUR SHIFTS, WHICH ARE ACTUALLY BROKEN DOWN INTO TWO 12-HOUR SHIFTS BY STATE LAW AND OUR RED BOOK, SO WE WORK 20, 12-HOUR DAYS A MONTH. MUCH LIKE OTHER PARISH EMPLOYEES, THEY WORK 20 EIGHT-HOUR DAYS OR 20 SEVEN-HOUR DAYS A MONTH. WE WORK 56-AND-A-HALF HOURS A WEEK ON AVERAGE EVERY YEAR BECAUSE WE DO A ROTATING SCHEDULE. WE DO ONE ON, ONE OFF FOR FIVE WORKING DAYS, AND THEN WE'RE OFF FOR SIX IN A ROW. YOU MAY HAVE A FIREFIGHTER WORK 120 HOURS IN A 14-DAY PAY CYCLE. YOU MAY HAVE THEM WORK 96 HOURS IN A 14-DAY PAY CYCLE. BUT ULTIMATELY, IT COMES TO ABOUT 2,904 HOURS A YEAR, WHICH IS ABOUT 1,000 HOURS MORE THAN A 35-HOUR WEEK EMPLOYEE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> NOT AT THIS TIME. I THINK THE PARISH PRESIDENT'S DONE. >> THANK YOU. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU SAW THE EMAIL THOUGH. WHEN MR. BONANO AND I HAD MET WITH THE HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDERS IN AN EXTENDED MEETING, POOR DEANO HAD TO SIT THROUGH WHILE I WAS IN THERE. WE HAD ASKED IF THEY COULD INVESTIGATE WHETHER OR NOT WE COULD BE ADDED TO THE STATE'S INSURANCE POLICY, NOT JUST FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS, BUT FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE PAYING INCREASING RATES, AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE JUST RECEIVED A RESPONSE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW THAT, BUT WE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE PART OF ANY STATE INSURANCE PLANS. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT? >> JUST TO ADD TO THAT, [NOISE] WE DID REACH OUT TO THE OFFICE OF GROUP BENEFITS WHEN THAT REQUEST WAS ORIGINALLY MADE TO US, AND WE WERE TOLD THE SAME THING. >> THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY REASONABLE TO COMMUNICATE THAT WITH US. HOWEVER, WE'VE NEVER RECEIVED THAT PHONE CALL, NOR DO WE KNOW. THAT'S BEEN WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION. AGAIN, I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE INSULTS, I'M TRYING TO THROW PUNCHES. THAT'S JUST WHAT'S HAPPENED. THERE HAS BEEN A LACK OF COMMUNICATION THAT DEFINITELY HAS NOT BEEN ON OUR PART. >> CRAIG BURKETT, JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS, 1312 AIRLINE PARK BOULEVARD. MS. SHENG, YOU KEEP ADDING IN THE STATE SUPPLEMENTAL PAY. IT'S REQUIRED TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THAT CALCULATION THAT'S PAID ON BEHALF OF THE STATE BY LAW, SO INCLUDING IT, THAT IS MISLEADING AND DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, POSSIBLY. BUT THE FACT IS IN NONE OF THE COMPARABLES, WHETHER IT'S NEW ORLEANS OR ANY OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE, WHEN YOU COMPARE THEM, THEY DON'T INCLUDE THAT BECAUSE EVERYBODY RECEIVES IT. IT'S A SEPARATE SUPPLEMENT THAT IS PAID BY THE STATE. TO SUGGEST THAT YOU CAN WORK ENOUGH OVERTIME TO MAYBE MAKE A LIVABLE WAGE, INSTEAD OF THAT JUST BEING AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT OR OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO UNFAIR. IT'S ABOUT WHAT YOU TAKE HOME IN BASE PAY. YOU SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO WORK ADDITIONAL HOURS AT A COST SAVINGS TO THE PARISH. WELL, CERTAINLY IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY JUST TO LOOK AT GROSS WAGES AND SAY, WELL, THEN THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY MAKES AND NOT LOOK AT THE ORIGINAL SALARY. THAT ORIGINAL SALARY IS THE TAKE-HOME SALARY. AS FAR AS THE QUESTION ABOUT THE OFFICE OF GROUP BENEFITS, THAT OFFICE OF GROUP BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY LIST IS AMENDED QUITE OFTEN TO INCLUDE DIFFERENT GROUPS. CERTAINLY IT WOULD TAKE LEGISLATION TO DO IT, BUT IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE. IT'S OFTEN AMENDED. IT'S WHY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, AS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, CAN JOIN. THAT'S WHY MOST OF THE SCHOOL TEACHERS BELONG TO THE OFFICE OF GROUP BENEFITS. THANK YOU. >> MR. CHAIR, I WAS EXPLAINING THAT THE STATE LAW SAYS THE SUPPLEMENTAL PAY IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE CALCULATED AS PART OF THE MINIMUM SALARIES FOR THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FIREFIGHTERS, MEANING THAT, LIKE I EXPLAINED, STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT ENGINEERS AND OPERATORS MUST BE SET 10% ABOVE A FIREFIGHTER, LIEUTENANTS MUST BE 15% ABOVE A FIREFIGHTER, CAPTAINS 25%. THE STATE LAW THAT MAKES THIS DIFFICULT TO CHANGE THE STARTING WITHOUT CHANGING THE WHOLE THING. [02:50:02] SUPPLEMENTAL PAY, I AGREE, IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE CALCULATED IN THAT DISCUSSION. HOWEVER, I INCLUDED IT BECAUSE THESE ARE COMPLICATED ISSUES AND VERY DIFFICULT ISSUES. WHEN YOU SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT PAY, I THINK THE PUBLIC WANTS TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE PUTTING IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. THEY DON'T CARE WHERE YOU'RE GETTING IT FROM, AND WE'RE GOING TO DISAGREE ON THAT BECAUSE I THINK ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OF THAT MISLEADS THE PUBLIC, AND I'M NOT GOING TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC ON THAT. WHEN I SPEAK ABOUT PAY, IT IS YOU'RE EMPLOYED AS A FIREFIGHTER IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND YOU GET THIS MUCH IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. WE WANT TO SPLIT HAIRS ABOUT WHERE IT COMES FROM. THAT'S A CONVERSATION WE CAN HAVE, BUT I AM NOT TRYING TO DECEIVE THE PUBLIC BY DOING THAT. IT'S TO ME, IN LAYMAN'S TERMS, WHAT YOU MAKE IS WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, IT'S RESOURCES THAT YOUR FAMILY CAN USE. WE'RE GOING TO DISAGREE ON A LOT OF THIS LANGUAGE IF THIS NARRATIVE AND THE WAY THEY'RE DISCUSSING IT. WE'RE JUST GOING TO DISAGREE ON THE LANGUAGE THERE. >> YOU STILL HAVE 90 SECONDS LEFT. >> THAT'S FINE. AGAIN, MS. SHENG, AS THE PARISH PRESIDENT, SERIES OF MEETINGS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WHILE SHE DID ATTEND ONE OR TWO, SHE WASN'T AT A GOOD PORTION OF THEM WHERE WE DISCUSSED THESE ISSUES WITH THE STAFF AND COULD HAVE ASKED ANY ONE OF THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE ARRIVED AT THIS CONCLUSION. WE ONLY WORK 8.5 HOURS, SO THE NUMBER SHE'S USING FOR THE OVERTIME RATE ONLY APPLIES TO THE 8.5 HOURS ON AVERAGE A WEEK. THAT'S ONE MORE CLARIFICATION THAT SHOULD BE MADE. AGAIN, THESE ISSUES MAY HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED HAD SHE JUST SIMPLY ATTENDED THE MEETINGS. AS FAR AS THE STUDY GOES, THE STUDY WAS FINISHED A MONTH EARLIER. IT WASN'T UNTIL MS. SHENG'S ADMINISTRATION DECIDED TO ADD IN DEPARTMENTS THAT WE HAD ALREADY AGREED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE EXCLUDED BECAUSE THEY WASN'T COMPARABLE. THAT NOT ONLY MADE IT RUN LATE, BUT IT IS NOW TWO MONTHS OVER TIME. THAT IS THE FACTS WHY WE'RE BEING HONEST WITH THE PUBLIC. [APPLAUSE] >> TONY LAMA, 6336 MILNE BOULEVARD, BROTHER MARTIN '97, SAW THE MISS 2001, SO I APPRECIATE THAT. I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. OUR STATE PAY IS UNDER FIRE CONSTANTLY. EVERY YEAR, OUR UNION AND OTHER LEGISLATORS OR OTHER UNIONS ACROSS THE STATE TRY TO FIGHT TO KEEP THIS BENEFIT FOR US. EVERY SINGLE YEAR, OUR STATE PAY IS UNDER FIRE. IF OUR STATE PAY GETS VOTED OUT BY THE LEGISLATURE BY THE STATE, AND THEY TAKE THAT AWAY, MY QUESTION IS, WILL THE PARISH THEN GIVE US THAT $600 A MONTH? WILL THAT HAPPEN? THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> FRANK HIRES. LET'S TRY TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE GO. I THINK I GOT SOME PEOPLE CURIOUS, I THINK I DO. THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS AN EMPHATIC NO. THE PARISH PRESIDENT'S TERM LIMITED. SHE DOESN'T CARE. SHE HAS NO JOB IN THE PARISH TO SEEK NEXT, AND SHE HAS A CAMPAIGN FUND. WHERE DO YOU THINK SHE'S GOING TO WORK? SHE DOESN'T CARE, NO, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT. I CAMPAIGNED ALONGSIDE THE PARISH PRESIDENT. I VOTED FOR YOU BOTH TIMES. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE THE SAME CONSTRUCT IN THIS PARISH AS ORLEANS, SO WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN INEVITABLY OVER THE COMING DECADES IS THE SAME THING GOING ON THERE, AND WE'RE DISENFRANCHISED AT THAT STATE GOVERNMENT. THOSE PERCENTAGES OF 10%, 15% FOR THE GUYS MAKING MORE AND MORE MONEY, AND THEN YOU GIVE THEM A COLA INCREASE. THIS IS UNSUSTAINABLE FOR THEIR PENSIONS. HALF OF THEIR MONEY IS GETTING SPENT IN THE PENSIONS. THIS IS BENEFITING ONLY THE OLD TIMERS, AND NO OFFENSE TO THE OLD TIMERS. I DON'T FAULT THE SHARK FOR BEING A SHARK. NOW I KNOW HOW MUCH THE CHIEFS ARE GETTING PAID BECAUSE SOMEBODY GAVE ME A REPORT ON IT. MY GOD, I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE THIS INFORMATION. REPRESENTATIVES AND DIRECT TAXES SHALL BE APPORTIONED AMONG THE SEVERAL EIGHT PARTS OF THE PARISH ACCORDING TO THEIR RESPECTIVE NUMBERS. EACH MUNICIPALITY AND UNINCORPORATED SIDE OF THE RIVER SHALL HAVE ONE. EACH SHALL HAVE NO MORE THAN ONE FOR EVERY SO MANY THOUSAND PEOPLE. THAT'S THE PRESCRIPTION. ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS SAY ANY OF THIS ON MY BEHALF, AND I GET TO GO HOME AND NEVER COME BACK BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET A TASTE FOR THIS THING, THE REPUBLICAN FORM, WE'RE GUARANTEED, NOT A PHILOSOPHY. YOU SWORE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND IT. THE FLAGS RIGHT THERE, IT'S A REPUBLIC. AS PROMISED? NO, AND NOT WHEN TWO DISTRICTS HOLD FOUR OUT OF SEVEN VOTES, NOR WHEN ORLEANS AND JEFFERSON PARISH ARE MADE ENEMIES OF EACH OTHER, NOR WHEN THEY BOTH HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT HAS FOUR OUT OF SEVEN VOTES DEVOTED TO TWO OUT OF FIVE DISTRICTS. YOU ALL KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING, I'VE SAID THIS SO MANY TIMES. [02:55:01] I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE HERE. THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU YOUR TOKEN GESTURES. THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU THE HALF MEASURES. YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE THE FIREMEN EVERYTHING THEY WANT JUST SHORT OF THEM, ENDORSING YOU FOR YOUR REELECTIONS, THOSE OF YOU WHO DO ONE. I EXPECT DEANO TO BOUNCE INTO DIVISION B. I DON'T KNOW. I THOUGHT HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ENDORSING ME FOR COUNCIL POSITION DIVISION A LAST MEETING. HE SAID, "WHEN I'M THE CHAIRMAN, I GET TO MAKE THE RULES, TRUST ME, THE NON-AGENDA TIME WILL COME FIRST, THE PEOPLE WILL COME FIRST. IF I'M CHAIRMAN, I WON'T BE EXERCISING THE PARISH'S ADMINISTRATIVE ATTORNEY AGAINST THE PEOPLE FOR MY BENEFIT, POLITICALLY OR OTHERWISE. I WOULD BE A PUBLIC SERVANT", AND YOU ALL SHOULD FIGURE THIS OUT. YOU GOT TO BE DESPERATE FOR THIS, YOU GOT TO BE. YOU GOT TO WANT SOME LEGITIMACY TO THIS. IT'S NOT A PHILOSOPHY IF I WAS WAXING POETIC. THE POEM STARTS, 'IT WAS NIGHT BEFORE A REDRESS, AND YOUR LINE, WHAT A MESS. THAT'S THE BEGINNING OF THE POEM. YOU WANT THE SECOND LINE? SHOULD I WAX POETIC? I'M NOT HERE FOR MY ENTERTAINMENT OR YOURS. I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE. I'M THE PIANO DUDE, I GOT PIANOS TO WORK ON. I GOT A GENERATOR INSTALLED FOR MY FRIEND. I GOT STUFF TO DO. >> THAT'S YOUR TIME, MR. HYERS. >> YOU THINK? DO I GET MY EXTRA 30 SECONDS YOU GAVE TO AN ARBITRARY CITIZEN? CAN I HAVE AN EXTRA 30 SECONDS, CHAIRMAN? >> YOU HAD PREPARED REMARKS YOU WAS TRYING TO FINISH. >> I KNOW. I GET IT. >> I'VE GIVEN YOU PLENTY. >> I'M INVISIBLE IN THIS ROOM. >> I'M TRAVIS BOZEMAN. IT'S 4028, IOTA STREET, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA. I GRADUATED FROM BROTHER MARTIN IN '87. I DO TAKE OFFENSE TO SOME THINGS THAT ARE SAID, AND I JUST WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TELL THEM. WHEN THE PARISH PRESIDENT TALKS ABOUT THE YOUNG GUYS ARE SO UNDERPAID, WHICH THEY ARE, AND THAT THE OLDER GUYS DON'T DESERVE MORE PAY, AND SHE WOULD PAY JUST THEM THE RAISE, BUT SHE CAN'T BUY LAW, I TAKE OFFENSE BECAUSE I'M 20 YEARS ON, I'M ON MY SECOND MARRIAGE. I'M STRUGGLING BECAUSE I SPEND SO MUCH TIME WORKING TO PAY MY INSURANCE, TO PAY MY TAXES. I'M DRIVING A 15-YEAR-OLD TRUCK WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, AND EVERY TIME THE THING STARTS, I SAY A PRAYER TO GOD THAT I CAN DRIVE WHERE I NEED TO GO. YOU HAVE TO PAY US ALL THE MORE MONEY BECAUSE IF YOU PAY THE YOUNG GUYS MORE MONEY, YOU BASICALLY OVERLOOKED THE 20 YEARS OF SACRIFICES AND HOLIDAYS, IN MY DAUGHTER TAKING HER FIRST STEPS AND SPEAKING HER FIRST WORDS, IN THE STRESS ON THE MARRIAGE THAT FAILED, IN BECOMING A CO-PARENT WITH A DIVORCEE, IN DEALING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN TWO DIFFERENT HOUSES, IN THE HIGHER RISK OF CANCER. I HAVE A CANCER POLICY SEPARATE BECAUSE IT'S NOT IF, IT'S WHEN. WE HAD JIMMY SCHEXNAYDER, HE WAS THREE YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME WHEN HE DIED OF CANCER, A MONTH SHY OF DOING 30 AND 3. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT, WONDERING WHEN THE END OF OUR TIME'S GOING TO BE, AND IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DONE ENOUGH FOR OUR FAMILIES. PLEASE DON'T THINK OF US AS THE YOUNG GUYS UNDERPAID BECAUSE I WAS THAT YOUNG GUY, AND NOW I'M NOT. I STARTED IT AT THAT PAY, AND YOU KEEP SAYING THAT OUR CHIEFS MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, AND MAYBE THEY DO, BUT YOU DON'T LOOK AT HOW MUCH THEY MADE WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED. THEY MADE 30,000. I MADE 30,000 WHEN I GOT THIS JOB, SO PLEASE DIVIDE THE WHOLE 30-YEAR CAREER AND SEE WHAT MEDIAN PAY YOU GET. I PROMISE YOU, YOU GUYS ARE MAKING MORE. NOBODY'S TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE MEDIAN PAY ON THE COUNCIL IS. >> WE'RE ALL JUST TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING HERE. THE COST OF INFLATION, MEDICAL, EVERYTHING. THE TRUCK I BOUGHT 15 YEARS AGO WAS $38,000, AND I SPLURGED. THAT SAME TRUCK TODAY IS 68,000, AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET A NEW ONE. PLEASE, START TALKING. STOP POINTING FINGERS. PLEASE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MR. CHAIRMAN, IF I COULD ADD, I THINK HE HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. I THINK OUR SYSTEM IS SUCH THAT YOU START AS A FIREFIGHTER AND YOU ARE PAID LOWER THAN THE AVERAGE. THEN IF YOU'RE ABLE TO STAY LONGER, ACCORDING TO THE LAST PAY STUDY, YOU ARE ABOVE THE AVERAGE WHEN WE'RE COMPARED TO OUR PEER GROUPS. THAT'S THE SYSTEM WE HAVE. AS PARISH PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE US TO BE A LITTLE ABOVE AVERAGE ACROSS EVERY JOB. I'D LIKE TO NOT JUST BE AVERAGE, THERE'S A BALANCE BETWEEN HOW MUCH TAXES WE'RE COLLECTING FROM OUR FOLKS. IF WE HAVE TOO MUCH AND THEY'RE PAYING TOO MUCH, THE PUBLIC'S GOING TO SAY, WELL, WHY ARE YOU COLLECTING SO MUCH TAXES. MAYBE I SHOULD SAY, I NEED TO BE AT LEAST AVERAGE. I'D LIKE TO BE A LITTLE ABOVE AVERAGE IN EVERY CATEGORY AT [03:00:04] EVERY ROLE SO THAT I ALWAYS HAVE PEOPLE LOOKING TO GET JOBS, AND I DON'T HAVE LONG VACANCIES AND THAT KIND OF THING. AS PARISH PRESIDENT, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, BUT THAT'S THE GOAL. THAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL AND THAT'S WHY THE PAY STUDY IS SO CRITICAL, AND IT'S A LOT OF NUMBER CRUNCHING IS TO SEE WHERE WE ARE. BUT I AGREE, THE SYSTEM IS THAT WE HAVE IS YOU COME IN PAID LOW, AND IF YOU'RE ABLE TO MAKE IT FIVE, SEVEN YEARS, WHATEVER IT TAKES, AND THEN IF YOU'RE ABLE TO PUT THOSE YEARS IN, YOU END UP ACCORDING TO THE LAST PAY STUDY, BEING HIGHER THAN AVERAGE, UP TO 14 OR 18% ABOVE THE AVERAGE. WE AGREE ON THAT. >> I KNOW I'VE SPOKEN ALREADY. >> YOU CAN'T SPEAK AGAIN. I'M SORRY. >> MAY I ADDRESS THE PAY STUDY? >> NO. IF SHE ASKS YOU A QUESTION, YOU CAN, BUT YOU'VE SPOKEN. SORRY. >> ANYBODY ELSE CAN. ANYBODY ELSE? ANYBODY ELSE CAN ASK A QUESTION. >> ANYBODY ELSE? >> ANYBODY ELSE CAN SAY ANYTHING. >> MIKE GERUSO, 20056, TAMMANY AVENUE, COVINGTON, LOUISIANA. LIKE MOST OF THESE GUYS ALSO CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN A PARISH, 17 YEARS OF SERVICE. I'M A LIEUTENANT. THE PAY STUDY, AS I'M UNDERSTANDING, IS SUPPOSED TO BE 20% HIGHER ON THE TOP ON THIS LATEST STUDY. BUT ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT. IT'S JUST THE INITIAL DATA WE'VE GOTTEN. >> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE A COPY OF THAT STUDY IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT. >> GO AHEAD. >> TROY MIA. 5312 [INAUDIBLE] LOUISIANA. I'VE BEEN A FIREMAN FOR 32 YEARS NOW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE COME UP HERE TO SPEAK IN 32 YEARS. THE LAST TIME IT WAS BECAUSE OF HEALTHCARE, WHICH IS GOING DOWN THE HILL. MY WIFE DIED OF CANCER, COULDN'T EVEN USE INSURANCE HERE BECAUSE MOST OF THE STUFF WASN'T COVERED. MY SON, RIGHT NOW, HIS WIFE HAS A BRAIN TUMOR. HE HAD TO GO GET HIS OWN POLICY BECAUSE HE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY INSURANCE WITH THE SALARY. YOU WERE SAYING FIVE OR SIX YEARS, YOU MAKE A DECENT SALARY. HE'S GOING ON 10 YEARS. HE STILL CAN'T AFFORD IT. MY QUESTION IS, WHY CAN THESE OTHER PARISHES THAT AREN'T AS WEALTHY AS JEFFERSON PARISH PROVIDE BETTER INSURANCE AT A CHEAPER RATE? WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT. WHY IS IT THAT EVERY TIME WE TALK TO ANOTHER INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT COMING TO GIVE A BID HERE, THEY SCARED THE DEATH TO TALK TO JEFFERSON PARISH. MYSELF, I WENT AND INVESTIGATED IT, AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO FIND OUT THE ANSWERS THAT YOU'RE GONNA FIND OUT. THAT'S PRETTY SCARY. TO RUN ME AWAY TO BE SCARED BECAUSE OF HEALTH. IF WE DON'T HAVE HEALTH, WE HAVE NOTHING. I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE REALLY LOOKED AT BECAUSE NOT JUST US, YOU'RE RIGHT, THE REST OF THE PARISH AS WELL. YOU GUYS MIGHT BE ABLE TO WEATHER IT BETTER THAN THESE GUYS BECAUSE Y'ALL MAKE A DECENT SALARY. YOU DON'T FEEL IT AS MUCH. IT JUST COST ME $3,000 TO CO-PAY TO HAVE CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY, $3,000. THAT'S CRAZY. THE OTHER THING IS, I'D LIKE TO ASK MS. LEE SHENG, WHY DID WE CHANGE THE STUDY AND ADD THESE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT WE AGREED WASN'T GOING TO BE INCLUDED? WHY? CAN WE GET AN ANSWER TO THAT? >> WE INCLUDED DEPARTMENTS THAT THE UNION HAD ASKED US TO PUT IN THIS STUDY THAT WERE NOT PUT IN THE LAST STUDY. IS THAT YOUR QUESTION? >> NO. WE HAD AGREED THAT WE WOULD INCLUDE CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS IN THE STUDY, AND THEN Y'ALL ADDED TWO THAT WE AGREED WOULDN'T BE INCLUDED. WHY IS THAT? >> WE DIDN'T AGREE ON THAT. WE AGREED TO UPDATE THE PREVIOUS STUDY WHICH INCLUDED THE ORIGINAL DEPARTMENTS THAT WERE IN THE ORIGINAL STUDY. THAT'S THE DEPARTMENT THAT'S GOING TO BE IN THE UPDATED STUDIES, THE SAME DEPARTMENTS. >> WE HAVE AN EMAIL IN DECEMBER THAT SAYS THAT THAT'S NOT TRUE. WE TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND BEING HONEST. THIS IS WHY IT COMES TO THIS. ALL THESE GUYS HAVE SAID OVER AND OVER, LET'S BE REASONABLE. MS. SHENG, WHY CAN'T YOU SIT AT THE TABLE WITH THESE GUYS? WHY IS IT? >> I'M HAPPY TO SIT AT THE TABLE. THE NEXT STEP IS, WE'RE ALL WAITING FOR IT. YOU THINK I'M NOT GOING TO MEET WITH YOU AFTER WE GET THE PAY SCALE? THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL WAITING ON. WE CAN'T GET THE CONVERSATION MUCH FURTHER WITHOUT THE PAY STUDY UNTIL WE HAVE THE UPDATED NUMBERS. >> YOU GUYS, IN ALL FAIRNESS, TO BE TRANSPARENT HERE, HAVE SEEN THE PRELIMINARY REPORTS. Y'ALL HAVE SEEN THEM BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN THEM AND Y'ALL KNOW WHAT THEY SAY. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO CHANGE MUCH BECAUSE OF NEW ORLEANS. [03:05:01] AS MATTER OF FACT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE BETTER BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED IN NEW ORLEANS IS THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE THEIR RAISE SALARIES. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WAITING ON HERE. IT'S GOING TO HELP THE STUDY. THAT STUDY BEFORE THAT CAME IN, SAID THESE GUYS DESERVE A BIG RAISE, SO WE'RE FOOLING OURSELVES. THIS IS A BUNCH OF BALONEY RIGHT HERE. MS. SHENG, YOU KNOW THAT'S THE TRUTH. >> YOU KNOW MORE THAN I DO. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OF THE NUMBERS. SOMEBODY MIGHT HAVE IT. I HAVEN'T READ IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT FINAL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE MY TIME CAUSE THE NUMBERS MIGHT CHANGE. I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY SEEN ANYTHING, PERSONALLY. I'M NOT GOING TO SPEND MY TIME LOOKING AT IT AND STUDYING IT IF IT'S NOT FINAL. >> YOU'VE GOT FIVE SECONDS LEFT. >> MS. LEE SHENG, THEN YOU DID THIS PLACE THAT INJUSTICE, BECAUSE IF YOU DIDN'T REPORT TO HER WHAT YOU READ IN THAT STUDY, SHE SHOULD KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. [APPLAUSE] >> THE STUDY, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT. IF YOU ALL GOT PRELIMINARY NUMBERS, I COULD HAVE ASKED. I'M NOT GOING TO READ IT YET BECAUSE IT'S NOT FINAL. THEY'RE NOT NUMBERS THAT I'M GOING TO BASE A DECISION ON YET. >> [INAUDIBLE] YOU GIVE EVERYBODY ELSE TIME. >> HE'S ALREADY SPOKEN. PLEASE NO COMMENTS UNLESS YOU'RE AT THE PODIUM. HE'S SPOKEN, AND YOU REALLY NEED TO FIND A SEAT. I CAN'T HAVE YOU BOUNCING AROUND ALL OVER THE CHAMBERS. IT'S A SECURITY THING. WE GOT TO HAVE YOU IN A SPOT. >> I KNOW. NAME IS BRIAN BARRIOS, LIVE AT 517 BERTUCCI STREET, MARRERO. OUR FIRE CAPTAIN, FIRE DISTRICT CHIEFS, WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED SUSTAINED TENURE AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE, THE JUSTIFICATION FOR COMPETITIVE PAY IS GROUNDED IN THE COMBINATION OF LEADERSHIP DEMANDS, OPERATIONAL EXPERTISE, INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, AND A CRITICAL NATURE OF THEIR ROLES OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVENESS. OUR TENURED FIRE CAPTAINS AND DISTRICT CHIEFS THAT YOU WERE ABOUT PAYING MORE FOR BOTH DAILY OPERATIONS AND LARGE SCALE EMERGENCY RESPONSE, THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING PERSONNEL UNDER HAZARDOUS HIGH PRESSURE CONDITIONS, MAKING LIFE AND DEATH DECISIONS IN REAL-TIME AND ENSURING THE PROPERTY IS EXECUTED. THE LEADERSHIP AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF PERSONNEL, CIVILIANS, AND PROPERTY THAT PARISH ADMINISTRATION CONSTITUENTS ENJOY EVERY NIGHT THEY GO TO BED. YEARS OF SERVICE DEVELOP A KNOWLEDGE THAT CANNOT BE REPLICATED BY TRAINING ALONE. EXPERIENCED OFFICERS ARE ABLE TO ANTICIPATE CHALLENGES, MENTOR NEWER PERSONNEL, AND MAKE INFORMED, TACTICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS THAT PROTECT LIVES AND OPTIMIZES RESOURCES. THIS WISDOM IMPROVES OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, REDUCE THE RISK, ENHANCES THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF JPFD. SENIOR CAPTAINS AND DISTRICT CHIEFS FREQUENTLY OVERSEE MULTIPLE CREWS, APPARATUS, AND STATIONS. THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES EXTEND BEYOND EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO INCLUDE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, INTERAGENCY COORDINATION, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING OVERSIGHT, RESOURCE ALLOCATION, INCIDENT DOCUMENTATION. THIS BROAD SCOPE WARRANTS COMPENSATION REFLECTIVE OF THE COMPLEXITY AND MAGNITUDE OF THEIR DUTIES. THESE OFFICERS SHOULD BE CONSIDERABLY LIABILITY, BOTH LEGALLY AND ETHICALLY. THEY ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE OUTCOMES OF THE MAJOR INCIDENTS, EMPLOYEES CONDUCT, AND OPERATIONAL COMPLIANCE WITH NFPA, OSHA, STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS, INCLUDING DEPARTMENT PROTOCOLS. RETENTION OF SENIOR OFFICERS IS CRITICAL TO DEPARTMENTAL CONTINUALLY AND SUCCESSION PLANNING. COMPENSATING THEM APPROPRIATELY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE SACRIFICING DISCOURAGES EARLY RETIREMENT OR LATERAL MOVEMENT TO THE DEPARTMENTS WITH MORE FAVORABLE COMPENSATION STRUCTURES. REPLACING OF HIGHLY EXPERIENCED OFFICER COMES AT SIGNIFICANT COST IN TIME, RESOURCES, AND TEMPORARY LEADERSHIP GAPS. IN CONCLUSION, THE VALUE BROUGHT BY A TENURED AND EXPERIENCED FIRE CAPTAIN OR DISTRICT CHIEF OR LIEUTENANTS ARE MEASURABLE IN TERMS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, FIREFIGHTER DEVELOPMENT, OPERATIONAL SUCCESS, AND DEPARTMENT STABILITY. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT A FORMAL COMPENSATION REVIEW BE CONSIDERED FOR INDIVIDUALS SERVING IN THIS ROLE WITH SIGNIFICANT TENURE AND CONSIDERED PERFORMANCE ABOVE EXPECTATIONS. WE'RE HERE EVERY NIGHT AND WEEKEND, INCLUDING THE OFFICERS THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY EXTRA FOR BECAUSE YOU'RE AFRAID OF STATE LAW AND PAYING TOO MUCH MORE MONEY. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MORE MONEY YOU CANNOT PAY US TO KEEP YOU ALL SAFE AT NIGHT. FAMILIES, PUBLIC. >> THAT'S YOUR TIME, SIR. >> [INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU ALL. [APPLAUSE] >> BRAD RODRICK, 224 JADE AVENUE, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA. MS. LEE SHENG MADE REFERENCE TO THE UNION AGREEING TO THE ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENTS PUT IN THE PAY STUDY. [03:10:02] IN DECEMBER, 2024, THEY HAVE AN EMAIL THAT BASICALLY SAYS WHAT DEPARTMENTS WOULD HAVE BE PUT IN A PAY STUDY. AFTER THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS CAME BACK, I BELIEVE IN MARCH OF 2025, MS. LEE SHENG SENT AN EMAIL TO THE UNION SAYING THAT MORE DEPARTMENTS WERE ADDED. IF THE UNION KNEW ABOUT IT, NOW WE HAVE EMAILS THAT SAY THEY'RE NOT. WE TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, WHERE IS THAT. YOU ALL ADDED IT WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE. ALSO, MS. SHENG TALKED ABOUT THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PAY STUDY. HOW DOES EVERY SINGLE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FIREFIGHTER ALL THROUGH THE RANKS, BUT JEFFERSON PARISH CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT, AS FAR AS TO GIVE THE NECESSARY RAISE FOR EVERYBODY? THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU. IS THAT IT? >> ONE MORE. GO, MITCH. >> MITCH GLORIOS, 1209 CLEARY AVENUE, RESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH FOR 68 YEARS, BEEN ON A FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR 26 YEARS. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY WE'RE IN HERE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A PAY RAISE IN FRONT OF PUBLIC. WHY ARE WE NOT DOING THIS BEHIND THE SCENES? WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO MEET WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS AND GOTTEN NO RESPONSE. BUT YET, MS. CYNTHIA LEE WANTS TO DO THIS ON THE TV WHERE SHE CAN BROUGHT TO THE PUBLIC HER VIEWS. THIS SHOULD BE DONE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, NOT IN PUBLIC. AFTER THE PRIVATE DEBATE, THEN WE COULD HAVE THE PUBLIC DEBATE. BUT WHY ARE WE DOING THIS IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC? THIS SHOULD BE DONE IN PRIVATE. WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO MEET WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION FOR MONTHS TO GET THIS RESOLVED. HOW CAN WE TRUST Y'ALL WHEN MS. LEE SHENG LIES TO US ABOUT PUTTING STUFF IN THERE? HOW CAN WE TRUST ANYBODY IN THIS ADMINISTRATION? WE NEED TO DO THIS BEHIND SCENE, NOT IN PUBLIC. THAT'S ALL I GO TO SAY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> INTRODUCE YOURSELF. [INAUDIBLE] >> MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] BURKETT, 1312 AIRLINE PARK BOULEVARD. I DON'T HAVE A LOT TO SAY, BUT I'VE KNOWN A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE MY ENTIRE LIFE SINCE I WAS A FEW MONTHS OLD, AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE TO WORK SEPARATE JOBS TO MAKE AN HONEST LIVING TELLS YOU A LOT ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THIS PARISH. THAT'S ALL. [APPLAUSE] >> ANYBODY ELSE? LAST CALL. THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INSTRUCTION, PUBLICATION SUMMARY. [ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY] >> THE FIRST ONE I'M GOING TO READ IS GOING TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTES. AN ORDINANCE DECLARING VARIOUS TAX ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING THE DONATION OF SAID PROPERTIES TO HOUSING CORPORATION OF AMERICA, PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 7 SECTION 14 OF LOUISIANA STATE CONSTITUTION AND LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 472201 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. >> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THAT ORDINANCE BEING READ INTO SUMMARY? HEARING NONE. >> AN ORDINANCE DECLARING LOTS 44 AND 45 SQUARE 30 SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE SALE OF SAID PROPERTY PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES. AN ORDINANCE DECLARING VARIOUS ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAID PROPERTIES TO THE ADJACENT LAND OWNER. ADDING THE CUTTING AND REMOVAL CHARGES FOR GRASS, NOXIOUS WEEDS OR UNHEALTHY GROWTH, TRASH, DEBRIS, REFUSAL OF DISCHARGE, OR NOXIOUS MATTER, PURSUANT TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES SECTION 19-27 TO THE ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAX BILL OF THE PREMISES OR PROPERTY INVOLVED. AN ORDINANCE ADDING PURSUANT TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES SECTION 19-53, THE DEMOLITION AND REMOVAL CHARGES FOR THE BUILDINGS, DWELLINGS, AND OTHER STRUCTURES WHICH HAVE BEEN DETERMINED BY THE BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION TO PRESENT A DANGER TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO THE ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAX RULES. AN ORDINANCE ADDING THE FINES AND HEARING COSTS ASSESSED BY THE BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 132575-3312-3649, [03:15:03] AND THE JEFFERSON PARIS CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 19-53 FOR BUILDINGS, DWELLINGS, AND OTHER STRUCTURES, WHICH HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO PRESENT A DANGER TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH UNDER SECTION 1946 OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES TO THE ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAX ROLES. AN ORDINANCE IN ESTABLISHING MARRERO RAGUSA VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 3, FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE CLASSES OF LAND SURVEY TECHNICIAN 1 AND LAND SURVEY TECHNICIAN 2. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE DESIGN DISTRICT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE RESTORATION TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, AND ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THAT'S ALL THE ORDINANCES I HAVE TO READ. >> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES READ IN THE SUMMARY? A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADJOURN BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT? >> NONE. >> [LAUGHTER] HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEK, EVERYBODY. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.