Aug 20, 2025 Parish Council East Bank

SO NOW WE OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS 147 THROUGH 151.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS CAN DO SO NOW.

YOU MUST TURN IN AND REQUEST A SPEAK CARD FROM THE BACK OF CHAMBERS TO OUR CLERK.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MISS EMILY ARATA AND DR.

SCHUTTE FROM OCHSNER TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PLANS FOR THIS FACILITY.

>> HANG ON, EMILY. THERE YOU GO.

>> GOOD MORNING, I'M EMILY ARATA, 1514 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY 70121.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF OCHSNER HEALTH, AND APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU THIS MORNING.

YOU ALL HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS ON YOUR AGENDA THAT WOULD ENABLE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROJECT THAT MY COLLEAGUE, DR. SCHUTTE AND I ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT, HOW THIS WILL BENEFIT THE PARISH IN TERMS OF DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY HEALTHCARE, CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, IMPROVING DRAINAGE, AND ALSO FOSTERING THE COLLABORATIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT THIS COMMUNITY FOR YEARS TO COME.

I THINK OUR TEAM IS GOING TO PULL UP SOME IMAGES OF THE RENDERING OF THE PROPOSED OCHSNER MEDICAL COMPLEX AIRLINE.

THIS PROJECT WILL BE DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OCHSNER, THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, THE PELICANS, AND THE ANDREWS INSTITUTE.

THIS PROJECT WILL BE LOCATED ON THE LASALLE TRACK AT THE CORNER OF AIRLINE HIGHWAY AND TOM BENSON WAY, ADJACENT TO THE OCHSNER SPORTS PERFORMANCE CENTER, WHICH IS WHERE THE SAINTS AND THE PELICANS HAVE THEIR PRACTICE FACILITIES.

THROUGH THIS PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ANDREWS INSTITUTE.

IT WOULD BE ANCHORED BY ORTHOPEDICS AND SPORTS MEDICINE.

THIS PROJECT WILL ALLOW A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERTS AT THE OCHSNER ANDREWS INSTITUTE TO REALLY BE A DESTINATION FOR CARE FOR ATHLETES OF ALL LEVELS, WHETHER IT'S THE PROFESSIONALS UP THE ROAD OR THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THIS COMMUNITY TO RECEIVE WORLD CLASS SPORTS MEDICINE.

AGAIN, DR. SCHUTTE WILL PROVIDE MORE DETAILS ON WHAT THIS PROJECT WILL MEAN IN TERMS OF CLINICAL CAPABILITIES.

BUT I WOULD JUST ADD THAT THIS IS A TWO STORY FACILITY, 46,000 SQUARE FEET THAT WILL PROVIDE OTHER SERVICES AS WELL, INCLUDING PEDIATRICS, WOMEN'S SERVICES, PHYSICAL THERAPY, LAB, AND IMAGING.

IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT, THIS PROJECT WILL REPRESENT A 45.6 MILLION DOLLAR PRIVATE INVESTMENT INTO JEFFERSON PARISH.

ACCORDING TO AN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY CONDUCTED BY DR. LAUREN SCOTT, THIS PROJECT WILL GENERATE MORE THAN $134 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT IN THE PARISH.

IN ADDITION, THE PROJECT WILL CREATE MORE THAN 60 NEW PERMANENT JOBS IN THE PARISH.

WE BELIEVE A PROJECT OF THIS CALIBER AND OF THIS MAGNITUDE

[00:15:04]

SPUR ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE LASALLE TRACT AND ALONG THE AIRLINE HIGHWAY CORRIDOR, WHICH WE KNOW IS A PRIORITY FOR YOU ALL TO REVITALIZE.

FINALLY, IN TERMS OF DRAINAGE, WE KNOW THAT DRAINAGE IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR THIS PARISH.

IT'S A TOP PRIORITY FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

OCHSNER WILL INVEST MORE THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP A RETENTION POND ON THIS PARCEL.

THIS DETENTION POND WILL PROVIDE DRAINAGE, IMPROVEMENTS, AND ENHANCEMENTS, NOT JUST FOR THE PROJECT, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE LASALLE TRACK.

AND AGAIN, THOSE ENHANCEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR DRAINAGE ARE AT NO COST TO THE PARISH.

WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE, DR. STEVEN SHOT, WHO IS AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON AND SPORTS MEDICINE SPECIALIST, AND HE IS THE HEAD TEAM PHYSICIAN FOR THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, DR. CHOATE?

>> YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, DOCTOR.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M AT THE SAME ADDRESS, 1514 JEFFS AND HIGHWAY 70121.

>> I AM THE HEAD TEAM PHYSICIAN OF THE SAINTS.

I'VE BEEN WITH THE TEAM NOW FOR EIGHT, NINE YEARS, AND THE ASSOCIATE TEAM PHYSICIAN FOR THE PELICANS.

I HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT'S REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF THESE ATHLETES AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.

JUST AS A SIDE NOTE, THERE'S A TREND, PARTICULARLY IN THE NFL ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHERE HEALTH SYSTEMS ARE PARTNERING WITH THESE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE A SPORTS HEALTH, A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE, PRETTY CLOSED, ADJACENT TO THESE FACILITIES.

DENVER, MINNESOTA, CLEVELAND. ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

WE REALLY NEED TO STAY UP WITH WHAT'S THE TREND NATIONALLY WITH WHAT'S REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF THESE ATHLETES.

I ALSO TAKE CARE OF FIVE HIGH SCHOOLS HERE IN TOWN IN DELGADO.

I KNOW WHAT'S REQUIRED ALSO TO TAKE CARE OF COLLEGIAN ATHLETES AND HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES.

WHAT OCHSNER DOES UNIQUELY IS WE PROVIDE MULTI-SPECIALTY CARE REALLY ACROSS THE BOARD IN A COLLABORATIVE WAY, WHICH I THINK IS VERY EFFICIENT FOR ALL PATIENTS, BUT ESPECIALLY ATHLETES.

WHAT THIS CENTER IS GOING TO DO IS, BE THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF THAT, ALLOW US TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CARE TO NOT ONLY THE SAINTS AND THE PELLIES, BUT ALL OF OUR ATHLETES HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S GOING TO OFFER LABS, IMAGING, ORTHOPEDIC CARE, PRIMARY CARE, SPORTS, MEDICINE, THE ABILITY TO DO ALL OF OUR INJECTIONS ON SITE, PEDIATRICS, WOMEN'S HEALTH, AS ADJUNCTS FOR THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THESE ATHLETES, WHICH IS QUITE UNIQUE.

WE'VE HAD ALMOST FIVE YEARS PARTNERSHIP WITH DOCTOR JAMES ANDREWS, WHO'S A WORLD RENOWNED ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON.

HIS CENTER IS OVER IN GULF BREEZE.

THIS IS GOING TO REALLY BE A MIRROR IMAGE OF HIS FACILITY, WHICH REALLY HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING IN TERMS OF BRINGING IN ATHLETES FROM ACROSS THE REGION AND THE COUNTRY.

IT'S GOING TO BE A BEST PRACTICES, SHARED COLLABORATIVE APPROACH.

THE PROJECT, I THINK IS A TESTAMENT TO THE STRONG PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OCHSNER HEALTH AND NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AND THE PELICANS.

I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AGAIN OF WORKING WITH THESE ATHLETES, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE FACILITY ITSELF.

MORE THAN ANYTHING, I THINK IT'S AN INVESTMENT IN THE HEALTH AND THE WELLNESS AND PROSPERITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT FROM THE COUNCIL, THE SAINTS, THE PELICANS, AND THE COMMUNITIES.

WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS, JERRY BOLOGNA, 700 CHURCHILL PARKWAY, AVONDALE, LOUISIANA.

I'M PRESIDENT OF THE JEFFERSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.

I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TYPE OF PROJECT TO JEFFERSON PARISH.

FOR THE LAST 10 OR 15 YEARS, OUR MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN A LINCHPIN IN THE JEFFERSON EDGE, THE LONG TERM STRATEGIC PLAN OF THIS PARISH.

WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TRAVELING TO JEFFERSON PARISH FOR WORLD CLASS HEALTHCARE LEADS TO ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACT.

IT'S NOT JUST THE $45 MILLION IN DIRECT SPENDING THAT OCHSNER WILL MAKE, BUT IT'S THE NIGHTS AND HOTELS.

IT'S THE MEALS AT RESTAURANTS.

IT'S THOSE SECONDARY AND TERTIARY BENEFITS THAT REALLY BENEFIT THIS PARISH.

THEN GOING BACK FURTHER THAN THE 15 YEARS OF THIS BEING IN THE JEFFERSON EDGE, THE CONTINUED REVITALIZATION AND UPGRADES OF AIRLINE DRIVE ALSO PLAY INTO THIS.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT TO US, AND WE'RE PLEASED TO SUPPORT OCHSNER IN THIS ENDEAVOR.

>> ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 147 THROUGH 151 ON THE AGENDA.

>> FRANKIE HYERS, TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY AND WAY WE GO.

I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO GET TO THIS ONE, BECAUSE,

[00:20:01]

THREE MINUTES FOR THAT IS ROUGH.

JUST INTOLERABLE RESULTS.

I LOOKED AT THIS AGENDA A COUPLE OF NIGHTS AGO.

I READ IT OVER ACROSS A LIVE TIKTOK, SO ANYBODY THAT WAS INTERESTED COULD GO IN BACK AND CHECK OUT SOME OF THIS STUFF.

THE STUFF THAT HAPPENS AT LASALLE.

FIRST OFF, I THINK YOU GOT A QUESTION WITH ORDER.

I THINK THAT YOU DO THINGS ON THIS AGENDA IN ORDER.

ONE ITEM COMES AFTER THE NEXT, AND I THINK THAT YOU MESSED UP ON THAT A LITTLE BIT, AND THAT YOU PUT A CART BEFORE THE HORSE.

YOU DEVOTE THINGS TO THIS CORPORATION THAT YOU HAVEN'T ACTUALLY APPROVED YET.

IF YOU'RE DOING THIS IN ORDER, I THINK YOU HAVE TO APPROVE OF THE CORPORATION BEFORE YOU DO THINGS THAT DO THAT FOR THE CORPORATION.

THERE'S ANOTHER INSTANCE IN THE AGENDA WHERE THIS OCCURS AS WELL, WHERE YOU BASICALLY DEVOTE THINGS TO AN ORGANIZATION, WHETHER IT'S A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION, IN THIS CASE, OR SOME OTHER ENTITY THAT'S, ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARISH, BUT NOT OBLIGED TO ANY PUBLIC SCRUTINY.

PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION.

THE GOVERNMENT DOES ANYTHING AND NAMES IT SOMETHING, YOU CAN GUARANTEE IT'S THE OPPOSITE.

THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY BENEFIT FOR THE PUBLIC HERE.

I'M A SEASON TICKET HOLDER.

I LOVE THE SAINTS.

I WROTE THE BEST SAINTS SONG EVER.

LITTLE MARKET TEAM. LOOK IT UP.

I APPRECIATE WHAT THEY'VE DONE THERE.

I LIVE RIGHT OFF A AIRLINE.

I'M NOT OPPOSED TO A GOOD DEED.

IF THE POWER TO APPROVE ANY OF THIS WAS DONE AND OR ACCOMPLISHED BY ANY MEANS, PRESCRIBED CONSTITUTIONALLY, I'D HAVE NO ARGUMENT TO MAKE AGAINST THIS.

BUT THAT CORRIDOR OF AIRLINE, ONE OF THE MOST DISENFRANCHISED PARTS OF THE PARISH.

WALK THE STREETS AND DISTRICT 3, DISTRICT 2, COLLIDE HERE.

DISTRICT 4 EVEN SLIDES DOWN INTO THIS AREA, IT'S NO WONDER THAT IT LOOKS A MESS.

WHEN I HEAR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HERE AND TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THERE.

WE THE PEOPLE IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION, ESTABLISH JUSTICE.

THEN THE THING THAT BROUGHT ME HERE, FIRSTLY, ENSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, TENS OF MILLIONS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, 3.5 MILLION DOLLAR TO YOUR OWN DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, EARNED OFF OF INTEREST FROM MY MONEY.

BY ME, I MEAN THE ROYAL ME.

THE PEOPLE, ME.

YOU DISTRIBUTE 3.5 MILLION DOLLARS TO YOURSELVES.

YOU OFFER UP A TOKEN GESTURE WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BEEF UP A LOTTERY SYSTEM TO BENEFIT MAYBE THE FIREMEN, TENS OF MILLIONS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

I'M GUESSING, THERE'S PROBABLY LESS THAN 30.

MAYBE I'LL GIVE YOU 50 FIREMEN THAT ARE UNDERPAID.

PAID LESS THAN $15 AN HOUR, AND WE CAN'T RECONCILE THIS WITH OCHSNER.

>> MR. HYERS.

>> I'VE GOT 15 MINUTES. OCHSNER. MY LEVERAGE.

>> THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU DON'T HAVE 15 MINUTES.

THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU'RE DONE.

I'M NOT OUT OF ORDER. YOU'RE DONE. YES, YOU ARE.

YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES JUST LIKE THE REST OF PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.

IF YOU STUDY THE AGENDA THAT CLOSELY, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT.

IF ANYONE. PLEASE DON'T SPEAK FROM THE SEATS.

YES, MR. LEE.

>> I THOUGHT I HEARD THEM SAY THAT THIS IS JUST PRIVATE MONEY.

>> I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR BECAUSE I THOUGHT I HEARD THAT.

>> WE HAVE THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

THEN WE VOTE ON IT, JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT'S HAPPENING OUT OF THE NORM HERE.

IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON 147 THROUGH 151 ON THE AGENDA? DURING THIS PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE MEETING, WHERE YOU GET 3 MINUTES.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ ITEM 151.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, BEFORE YOU DO THAT.

>> I'M SORRY. I HAVE TO SLOW YOU DOWN.

>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND.

>> SIR, IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK, YOU CAN COME UP.

GO AHEAD. YOU WANT TO LET HIM SPEAK FIRST? I DIDN'T SEE HIM GET UP. I'M SORRY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ALVIN BRADY, 217, [INAUDIBLE] JEFFERSON 70121.

>> PULL THE MICE DOWN TOWARDS YOU A LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE NOT IMPROVING THE DRAINAGE. YOU KNOW THAT.

BUT THE RETENTION POND, ONCE YOU GIVE THEM PERMISSION TO BUILD A RETENTION POND, AND 20 YEARS GOES BY, AND SOMEBODY WANTS TO BUILD A BUILDING, THEY'RE GOING TO FILL IN THAT DRAINAGE POND, AND THEY'RE GOING TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

THE THOUGHT HERE IS, AS I MENTIONED TO ALL, CONCERNING THE HOSPITAL WITH THE UNDERGROUND WATER STORAGE IS SOMETHING THAT ALL BUILDINGS IN JEFFERSON PARISH SHOULD HAVE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO EAT UP YOUR PARISH WITH RETENTION PONDS.

[00:25:02]

YOU WANT THE BUILDERS, THE ENGINEERS TO DEVISE THE SYSTEM, TO HOLD THE WATER.

HOLD IT. HOLD THE WATER AND WHEN THE RAIN STOPS AND THE WATER GOES DOWN, THEN YOU EMPTY YOUR UNDER THE BUILDING RETENTION PONDS.

IF YOU'D GO TO THAT PLACE IN NEW ORLEANS, THE LARGEST BAPTIST CHURCH IN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, AND ASK TO SEE THAT, YOU'D THEN KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

>> ANYONE ELSE ON ITEMS 147 THROUGH 151.

>> SIR, QUITE TO THE CONTRARY?

>> WE'VE GOT ONE MORE COUNCILMAN NOW.

I'M SORRY.

>> I'M CHARLES WHITE, 5813 ARROW STREET.

IS FIRST I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, SO I'M NOT NECESSARILY OPPOSED TO IT OR AGAINST IT.

BUT I'M JUST CURIOUS ON THE TRAFFIC ISSUE IN THAT AREA.

I RUN THERE EVERY DAY AT LASALLE.

I PROBABLY LOG MILLIONS OF MILES ON THAT PARK AND THERE'S ALREADY TRAFFIC ISSUES WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THEY'VE BUILT THERE BETWEEN THE SAINTS, THE BASEBALL, GETTING BIGGER, EVERYTHING ELSE.

I HAVE TRAINED A LOT OF CHILDREN OUT THERE THROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT WE USE THAT TRACK, ALSO, AND THEN JUST ADDING ANOTHER THING TO THAT AREA JUST TO MEET JUST BUILDS TRAFFIC, TURNS THIS PARK.

THERE'S A RUNNING LANE, A WALKING LANE, TO ME, A LITTLE BIT MORE UNSAFE THAN IT ALREADY IS BEGINNING TO BE.

THAT'S ONE OF MY QUESTIONS.

I BELIEVE THAT IS A BIRD SANCTUARY IN THAT SECTION, ALSO.

THAT WHOLE AREA THAT I UNDERSTAND IS A WILD LIFE OR A BIRD SANCTUARY TO BEGIN WITH, AND IF THEY'RE TEARING THAT DOWN, WHAT IS THE LEGALITY OF THAT? THAT'S ALL I GOT.

>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE BEFORE COUNCILMAN, BONANO HAS HIS RESPONSES? ALRIGHT, COUNCILOR BONANO.

>> QUITE TO THE CONTRARY, WE'RE IMPROVING DRAINAGE THERE.

WE'RE BUILDING A BIGGER RETENTION POND THAT EXISTS TODAY, AND IT WILL ACTUALLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WATER GOING INTO OUR DRAIN SYSTEM CAUSE WILL HOLD THE WATER UNTIL THE CANAL IS DRAINED DOWN.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING.

TO UNDERSTAND ISSUE, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IN 2008, MY PREDECESSORS APPROVED A LEASE FOR THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY FOR 50 YEARS.

THE LEASE WAS BETWEEN THE PARISH, THE LOUISIANA SUPERDOME AND EXPEDITION DISTRICT, THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND THE SAINTS TO DEVELOP A SPORTS COMPLEX ON THIS SITE.

THAT PLAN NEVER BECAME REALITY.

THE SITE HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE 2009, NOT BEING USED, NOT GENERATING REVENUE FOR THE PARISH, NOT PROVIDING ANY OPPORTUNITIES TO THE PARISH AND LET ME MENTION, THE PREVIOUS LEASE WAS AT NO COST.

THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH WOULD NOT HAVE GOT A PENNY.

WE HAVE NEGOTIATED A FIVE MILLION PAYMENT FOR THE USES PROPERTY, AND IT'S DEDICATED TO RECREATION IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

THE OTHER THING IS THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS.

I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND ALLOW THIS PROPERTY TO GO UNUSED TILL 2049, BECAUSE THE LEASE IS VALID.

TILL 2049, IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING TODAY, THIS PROPERTY DOES NOT GET PUT INTO USE.

YES, WE LOOK AT THE TRAFFIC.

WE HAVE OUR TRAFFIC PLANS LOOKED AT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE APPROVAL LEVELS, AS IT HAS TO GO TO TRAFFIC ENGINEERING.

THIS IS A STADIUM, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

WE WE'RE MODELING THE STADIUM RIGHT NOW INTO A FOOTBALL, SOCCER, RUGBY, LACROSSE STADIUM, AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE A CONCERT STAGE BUILT IN IT JUST LIKE THEY DO AT THE SUPERDOME.

SOON, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO CONSTRUCTION, HOPEFULLY IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY ON THE RENOVATIONS TO THE STADIUM, AND THAT FACILITY IS GOING TO GET A LOT BUSIER BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE.

THAT FACILITY SHOULD BE USED EVERY WEEKEND, AND IT WILL BE GENERATING JOBS AND REVENUE FOR THE PARISH.

THIS HOSPITAL IS GOING TO BRING ATHLETES IN FROM ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

DR. ANDREWS IS A WORLD RENOWN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON WHO HAS A HOSPITAL IN FLORIDA RIGHT NOW.

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES FROM EVERY SPORT, COLLEGE ATHLETES FROM EVERY SPORT.

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES ARE GOING TO COME TO THE FACILITY AND SPEND THEIR MONEY IN JEFFERSON PARISH AT OUR HOTELS AND OUR RESTAURANTS TO GET TREATMENT IN THE HOSPITAL.

THAT'S WHY THIS FACILITY IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF LASALLE PARK AND TO THE FUTURE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

MR. HYERS MENTIONED THAT AIRLINE HIGHWAY NEEDS REDEVELOPMENT.

I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE.

THIS FACILITY IS GOING TO STIMULATE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF AIRLINE HIGHWAY.

MR. HYERS MADE THE COMMENT THAT WE'RE GETTING NOTHING OUT OF IT.

I DON'T THINK FIVE MILLION DOLLARS MR. HYERS IS GETTING NOTHING OUT OF IT.

I WISH YOU WOULD EDUCATE YOURSELF MORE ABOUT ISSUES BEFORE YOU GET UP HERE AND SPEAK. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN, BONANO.

MADAM CLERK, ITEM 151, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED LAND USE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND THE LOUISIANA STADIUM AND EXPOSITION DISTRICT TO RELEASE A PORTION OF GROUND LOCATED WITHIN G-1-B ELMWOOD LAFRENIERE PLANTATION FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE LASALLE TRACK.

[00:30:07]

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN, BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN, WALKER.

>> APPROVAL.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 150, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION KNOWN AS THE LASALLE PARK AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND APPROVING THE ATTACHED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION, AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN, BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN, WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ONE FORTY NINE, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, THE LASALLE PARK AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND GMB PROPERTIES, LLC TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF 13.1453 ACRES OF LAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS MEDICINE FACILITY, WHICH WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN JEFFERSON PARISH AND THE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS FRANCHISES AND PROVIDE AN ECONOMIC ENHANCEMENT TO THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION OF THE MOTION OF COUNCILMAN, BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN, WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED 148, PLEASE.

>> RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A GROUND LEASE BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND LASALLE PARK AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF A 13.1453 ACRE TRACT OF LAND LOCATED AT LASALLE PARK FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARK AT NO DIRECT COST TO THE PARISH.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN, BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN, WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ONE FORTY SEVEN, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON TO SIGN AS INTERVENOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT SUBLEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LASALLE PARK AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND GMB PROPERTIES, LLC FOR THE USE OF A 10.8351 ACRE TRACT OF LAND FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT LASALLE PARK.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AND MOTION BY COUNCILMAN, BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN, WALKER.

NOW WE GO TO THE REST OF OUR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE AGENDA OR ADENAM AGENDA.

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

ANYONE WHO HAS COMMENTS ABOUT ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR ADENAM AGENDA CAN SPEAK NOW.

PLEASE FILL OUT YOUR REQUEST TO SPEAK IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS.

YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

>> THAT WAY CLOSE TODAY TO GET IN AND GET OUT.

NANCY PEARSON, 8924 [INAUDIBLE] DRIVE, PRESIDENT OF THE RIVER RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE'RE INTERESTED IN AT THIS MEETING. FIFTY FIVE.

HOPEFULLY, YOU ALL WILL BE APPROVING THE BEAUTIFICATION OF JEFFERSON HIGHWAY IN DISTRICT 2.

WE WERE HOPING THAT DISTRICT 3 AND DISTRICT 2 WOULD BOTH PUT OUT THE BIDS AT THE SAME TIME THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN BUT ARE GOING TO BE APPROVED TODAY FOR DISTRICT 2, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT COUNCILMAN, LEE, WILL GET THOSE MOVING ON YOUR END SO WE CAN GET THE OTHER END OF RIVER RIDGE STARTED PRETTY QUICKLY.

THE SECOND ITEM IS 113.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN BEFORE THE COUNCILS FOR MANY YEARS.

IT STARTED WITH COUNCILMAN JOHNSTON IN DISTRICT 2 WITH COVENTRY COURT WITH THE DRAINAGE PROJECT THAT PUMPED TO THE RIVER.

THAT'S BEEN EXTENDED A COUPLE OF TIMES, I BELIEVE, AND NOW IT'S BEING EXTENDED.

THIS IS JUST THE CONTRACT WITH THEM CONSULTANT TO DESIGN IT.

IT STARTED, LIKE I SAID, UNDER COUNCILMAN JOHNSTON, AND IT'S NOW BEING EXTENDED TO 2029.

THE COUNCILMAN SPOKE TO US LAST WEEK ABOUT IT BUT WE WOULD LIKE SOME EXPLANATION WHY IT'S TAKEN SO LONG TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD IT OR THEY'RE NOT.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BUILD IT, PUT IT UP FOR SALE, AND LET SOMEBODY BUILD A BIG BEAUTIFUL MANSION BACK THERE.

THE THIRD THING IS 154.

I THINK MR. GIBBS HAS TO BE COMMENDED, HONORED, WHATEVER.

LITTLE FARMS PLAYGROUND IS PROBABLY THE OLDEST AND THE SMALLEST PLAYGROUND IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST USED.

IF YOU GO IN THAT AREA, YOU'LL SEE YOU CAN'T GET NEAR THE PARK IN THE AFTERNOON.

YOU HAVE CHILDREN PLAYING THEIR BASEBALL, SO ON, AND SO FORTH.

YOU HAVE THEIR SIBLINGS, YOU HAVE THEIR PARENTS, THEIR GRANDPARENTS, AND THEIR NEIGHBORS.

IT HADN'T BEEN RENOVATED.

I'VE BEEN THERE FOR 35 YEARS.

HE SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED.

I'M NOT SURE ANYBODY REALLY READ ANY OF THESE RESOLUTIONS.

THEY READ THE AGENDA AND NOT MUCH OF THE RESOLUTIONS, BUT THIS GENTLEMAN IS DONATING A HALF-A-MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE KIDS IN RIVER RIDGE.

THEY HAVE A BETTER PLAYGROUND.

HOW MANY OF US CAN SAY WE'VE DONATED ANYTHING.

I THINK HE SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THAT AND THE ASSOCIATION DEFINITELY WANTS TO.

[00:35:06]

>> THIRTY SECONDS.

>> I HOPE THAT EVERY COUNCIL PERSON READ THAT LEASE ON 185 WITH THE OK MART.

MY BIGGEST CONCERN AND OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS, AGAIN, THE TRAFFIC ISSUE.

IN THE AFTERNOON, YOU CAN'T GET IN AND OUT OF HERE.

THAT'S GOING TO BRING A LOT MORE TRAFFIC.

I'M HOPING THAT THAT GOES IN BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE START MOVING IN, AND THE DELIVERIES AND THE WALMART DELIVERIES AND THE AMAZON DELIVERIES, AND I'LL START TO YELL.

DEAL WITH THE TRAFFIC FIRST BEFORE WE HAVE TO DO IT AFTER THE FACT.

>> MISS PEARSON, WITH RESPECT TO THE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS, AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS GETTING DOT TO APPROVE PERMITS.

THEY'RE TREATING BOTH OF THESE PIECES OF BEAUTIFICATION SEPARATELY, BECAUSE ONE IS AT THE KENER SIDE, ONE IS AT THE HARRY HAN SIDE.

WE'RE GETTING READY TO BID THE SECOND PHASE AS WELL SO THAT'S COMING UP.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH REPRESENTATIVE IIIG AND SENATOR TALBOT TO GET THE DOT TO APPROVE THE SIGNS AND THE TREES, WHICH THEY HAVEN'T APPROVED YET.

WITH RESPECT TO COVENTRY COURT, IT'S NOT GOING TO TAKE TILL 2029.

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ALWAYS PUTS ADDITIONAL TIME IN THERE JUST TO MAKE SURE WE CAN FINISH IT.

BUT TRUST ME, IT'S MOVING FORWARD.

IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED PROJECT.

ANYTIME YOU HAVE TO BURY A PIPE UNDER PEOPLE'S HOUSES, AND THEN GO UP AND OVER THE LEVEE, THERE'S A TON OF PERMITS THAT HAVE TO BE APPROVED, INCLUDING THE CORE.

BUT, MR. DREWES, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL STUFF YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT.

>> YOU'RE PRETTY ACCURATE THERE.

WE PUT THAT EXTRA TIME BECAUSE THAT ENGINEER IS ALSO GOING TO GO THROUGH THAT JOB UNTIL IT'S COMPLETELY CONSTRUCTED, WHICH WILL TAKE SEVERAL YEARS AND THEN ANY CLOSEOUT COSTS, ET CETERA.

THAT'S WHY YOU'RE GOING TO SEE 2029.

>> VERY GOOD. WE JUST DON'T WANT ANOTHER SIDE THING THAT'S NOT DOWN THERE.

>> ALSO, IF YOU NOTICE ON THIS AGENDA, MISS PEARSON, WE'RE APPROVING THE BID FOR THE RUSSELL STREET PUMPING STATION PROJECT, WHICH IS GOING TO TAKE WATER OUT OF RIVER RIDGE AND PUMP IT INTO THE CANAL.

WHERES NOW, IT'S GRAVITY FLOW.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK ON DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS FOR RIVER RIDGE.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS AL ROBICHAUX I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JEFFERSON COUNCIL ON AGING.

I CAME TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ITEM NUMBER 108, AND TO ASK YOU, PLEASE DO NOT DELAY ANY LONGER THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

I'M MOST GRATEFUL TO THE PARISH PRESIDENT AND TO THE COUNCIL FOR YOUR PAST AND YOUR CURRENT SUPPORT OF OUR ORGANIZATION.

HOWEVER, WE NEED TO DO MUCH MORE.

JEFFERSON PARISH IS A GRAYING COMMUNITY, A GRAYING PARISH.

THE MEDIUM AGE IN OUR PARISH IS 40 YEARS.

WE HAVE OVER 110,000 SENIORS, 60 YEARS AND OLDER IN OUR PARISH.

FOR THIS, THE JEFFERSON COUNCIL ON AGING HAS A BUDGET OF LESS THAN SIX MILLION DOLLAR.

IN CONTRAST, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, WHICH IS SMALLER IN SIZE IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF SENIORS, NOT IN TOTAL POPULATION, THEY HAVE A THREE-AND-A-HALF TIMES BUDGET THAN WE DO THE REASON FOR THAT IS THEY HAVE A MILLITE THAT BRINGS IN OVER $10,000,000 A YEAR.

EVEN SMALLER PARISHES SUCH AS LAFOURCHE, TERRABONNE, ST. TAMMANY, AND EAST BATON ROUGE, HAVE GREATER MILLAGES FOR SENIORS THAN JEFFERSON PARISH.

TODAY, I AM CERTAIN THAT ONE-FOURTH OF JEFFERSON SENIORS WILL EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY.

I KNOW EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS TO FEED THE SENIORS, WHICH IS WELL KNOWN BUT WE DO OTHER THINGS.

WE HAVE PERSONAL CARE, WHICH IS TO GIVE SENIORS BATHS FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT DO IT FOR THEMSELVES, WHO MAKE A SERVICES, WE GO IN AND CLEAN PEOPLE'S HOUSES TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE LIVING IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

WE PROVIDE MATERIAL AID, SUCH AS INSURE AND ADULT DIAPERS, WHICH ARE IMPORTANT.

WE ALSO HAVE NINE SENIOR CENTERS THAT WE OPERATE.

ALL OF THESE SERVICES ARE TO KEEP OUR SENIORS INDEPENDENT.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF OF THE JEFFERSON COUNCIL ON AGING ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO RAISE ADDITIONAL FUNDS AND ARE VERY PRUDENT WITH PUBLIC FUNDS.

AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THIS ORGANIZATION, I HAVE SEVERAL TIMES REFUSED RAISES.

I ALLOW NO STAFF MEMBER INCLUDING MYSELF TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE ON COUNCIL DOLLARS.

WE TRY TO RAISE FUNDS THROUGH GRANTS.

WE WRITE NUMEROUS GRANTS AND ARE SUCCESSFUL.

WE JUST RECENTLY HAD A FUND RAISER CALLED SENIOR MOMENTS, WHICH WE RAISED ABOUT $20,000, WHICH IS FAR LESS THAN PREVIOUS YEARS.

WE DO NOT OWN ANY IMMOVABLE PROPERTY.

[00:40:02]

THEREFORE, ALL OF OUR FUNDS GO TOWARD PROVIDING SERVICES.

PLEASE DON'T DELAY ANY FURTHER THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

AS THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN PROVIDING SENIORS THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED TO MAINTAIN THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND TO BE HAPPY IN JEFFERSON PARISH.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> EXACTLY 3 MINUTES LIKE YOU PLANNED IT THAT WAY.

>> I WROTE IT, SIR.

>> THANK YOU, MR. ROBICHAUX.

>> THANK YOU, AL. I TOLD YOU ALL THAT IN MY SECOND TERM IN OFFICE, I PLEDGED TO MAKE SENIORS IN IMPROVING THEIR SERVICES MY PRIORITY AND ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES, WE'RE GOING TO BE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT.

>> YES, SIR, I KNOW YOU HAVE, AND AGAIN, I THANK THE ENTIRE COUNCIL.

YOU ALL HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE ELDERLY IN THIS PARISH.

BUT, AS I SAID, WE NEED TO DO MORE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ANYONE ELSE APPEARING ON, I'LL JUST SAVE MY BREATH.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE. ROBERT BURKETT, JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS, SEVEN BUNDIT COURT KERNNEL, LOUISIANA.

I RISE TO SPEAK ABOUT ITEM 21 ON THE [INAUDIBLE] AGENDA, ABOUT A PROFESSIONAL FIRM TO DO PUBLIC RELATIONS WORK FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS RIGHT OUT OF THE 2007 AARON BROUSSARD ADMINISTRATION PLAYBOOK.

WHEN THE FIREFIGHTERS HAD A DISPUTE WITH THAT ADMINISTRATION, THERE WAS A PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM THAT WAS HIRED THROUGH THEIR LEGAL TEAM THAT THEY HAD HIRED.

ALL THEY ACTUALLY DID WAS TRASH THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS MEN AND WOMEN THAT PROVIDED THE SERVICES.

ONE, AS FAR AS TO RELEASE OUR ADDRESSES, OUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, IT WAS A CLOWN SHOW.

IT WAS ALSO UNDER THE SAME GUISE TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE CLAIMS THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE MAKING.

THE BIG THING THEN IS THAT WE WERE BEING PAID FOR HOURS THAT WE DIDN'T WORK, WHICH WASN'T TRUE.

THE OTHER THING WAS IS OUR AVERAGE SALARY BACK IN 2007 WAS $68,000, WHICH, AGAIN, WAS SUPPOSED TO SET THE CITIZENRY ON FIRE, AND IT DIDN'T.

THEN THERE WAS A STUDY DONE.

BUT I WILL GIVE THIS TO MR. BROUSSARD.

HE DID HIS STUDY.

HE CAME BACK AND SAID THE FIREFIGHTERS NEEDED A 35% INCREASE IN PAY ACROSS THE BOARD, AND HE DID IT.

IT WAS DONE, WAS OVER WITH, AND OUR PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED.

THIS STUDY HERE, IT'S GOING TO WIND UP BEING THE SAME THING, WHICH IS WHY WE OPPOSE IT.. ONE, WE'RE SPENDING MILLAGE THAT WE ALL AGREE WE NEED TO HOLD ONTO AS BEST AS WE CAN.

WHY NOT DO THE EASIEST, CHEAPEST THING? WHY DON'T WE STOP MEETING IN THE PARISH PRESIDENTS? LET'S USE THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.

SET UP A TABLE.

LET'S CALL IT THE TABLE OF TRUTH.

LET THE NEWS MEDIA COME IN, THE IG COME IN.

EVERYBODY WATCH. LET THE COMMUNITY, THE CIVIC LEAGUES AND ASSOCIATIONS, LET THEM SIT THERE AND BE THE PARTICIPANTS.

THEN EVERYBODY WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHERE EVERYBODY'S COMING FROM AND WHERE EVERYBODY STANDS, AND IT WOULDN'T COST US A DIME.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH BEING COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT WITH WHERE WE ARES.

WE DON'T NEED TO SPEND.

I DON'T NEED TO DO ANY OF THIS STUFF.

I DON'T LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA MYSELF.

LET'S DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

LET'S DO IT THE EASIER WAY.

LET'S NEGOTIATE IN THE SUNSHINE.

LET EVERYBODY IN THIS PARISH KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WHY AND HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE.

THAT BEING SAID, ON ITEM 184, WHERE WE WERE APPROVING THE CONTRACT FOR A FIRE STATION OF ALMOST FOUR MILLION DOLLARS.

I STILL DISAGREE THAT WE SHOULD WRITE CHEQUES FOR THAT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S MONEY AVAILABLE TO PAY THE PERSONNEL THAT'S GOING TO MAN THAT STATION.

>> OUT OF TIME, MR. BURKETT.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> [APPLAUSE]

>> FIRES CAN SPARK THAT CURIOSITY, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.

THAT MONEY, THE QUID PRO QUO THAT MR. AL USED TO TRY AND ASSERT THE MONEY YOU TOOK NOW.

LET'S MAKE IT CLEAR, THIS MONEY THAT'S ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED.

MR. KERNER, GOD BLESS YOU.

YOU'VE GOT A BIG HANDFUL OF IT AND I GUESS YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT TO TRY AND HOLD THAT SEAT.

PLEASE, I OFFER MY SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWBORN.

I SPOKE TO ONE OF YOUR AIDES OR YOUR STAFF MEMBERS, JULIE.

ISLAND CATS IS GETTING 10 GRAND FOR THOSE SERVICES.

I SPOKE TO MISS DARLENE WITH ISLAND CATS AT LENGTH. IT'S A STRUGGLE.

THEY HAVE TO COME ALL THE WAY UP HERE TO HARVEY TO GET THESE CATS TAKEN CARE OF.

RIGHT NOW THEY SHOULD BE ANNEXED TO LAFOURCHE PARISH.

[00:45:02]

THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT THAT COUNCIL ON AGING SPOKE TO, I SPOKE TO THAT ON A CAMPAIGN SIX YEARS AGO.

WE'RE DISENFRANCHISING AS A DELEGATION TO THE STATE, DISSERVED, MADE ENEMIES OF OUR NEIGHBOR ORLEANS PARISH, ONE STATE SENATOR FOR EACH, THE REST OF THEM MIXED BETWEEN.

DISENFRANCHISES US WITH REGARDS TO THIS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE FIREMAN'S PAY.

WITH REGARDS TO THAT, LIKE I WAS SAYING EARLIER BEFORE I WAS CUT OFF, THERE MIGHT BE 50 FIREMEN THAT ARE DESERVING OF PAY RAISE AT THE BARE MINIMUM AND IT'S BIGGER NUMBER ON THE WEST BANK.

HOW ABOUT OUT OF THAT $500,000 YOU TOOK FROM INTEREST ON OUR MONEY, YOU GO AHEAD AND COVER THEIR INSURANCE PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR.

WE CAN INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY AND END THIS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PARISH PRESIDENTS.

YOU ALL HAVE $500,000 A PIECE OF OUR MONEY.

PAY FOR THEIR INSUARNCE, I'LL BE YOUR PR GUY. I'M THE PR GUY.

THIS IS ITEM 21. I'M DOING YOUR PR FOR YOU. YOU DON'T NEED A FIRM.

I'M GOING TO SELL IT RIGHT NOW.

YOU ALL TAKE OUR MONEY, FUND THE LOWEST PAID FIREMAN'S INSURANCE, AND CALL IT A DAY.

THEN THEN WE GOT TO ADDRESS THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> [APPLAUSE].

>> THEN, LIKE I SAID, YOU'RE SPENDING $90,000 A YEAR FOR A STATE LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT.

I OFFERED TO DO IT FOR 20 GRAND.

YOU'RE SPENDING 190 GRAND A YEAR FOR THAT LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT.

IT'S RIGHT IN HERE. ITEM WHATEVER.

HUNDRED AND NINETY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A DC CONSULTANT.

I'LL DO THAT ON TOP OF THE STATE.

I'LL DO BOTH OF THEM FOR 20 GRAND.

SAVE THE PARISH A HALF MILLION DOLLARS, COVER THEIR INSURANCE PAYMENTS. FIGURE THIS OUT.

YOU'RE NOT REPRESENTATIVE.

YOU'RE NOT LEGITIMATELY FORMED, SO IT'S TOKEN GESTURES, LIP SERVICE, AND KICK THE CAN BECAUSE YOU'RE ALL TERM LIMITED.

I'VE HAD ENOUGH. REPRESENTATIVES AND DIRECT TAXES SHALL BE APPORTIONED AMONG THE SEVERAL PARTS OF THE PARISH.

AMONG THE MUNICIPALITIES, EACH SHALL HAVE ONE, EACH SIDE OF THE PARISH ON THE UNINCORPORATED GETS ONE.

YOU GET ANOTHER ONE FOR EVERY SO MANY PERSONS.

THAT'S THE RULE, AND TAXATION APPLIES DIRECTLY THE SAME WAY.

>> ARE YOU STILL ON ITEM 21?

>> FIGURE IT OUT.

>> OTHERWISE, THANK YOU.

>> [APPLAUSE]

>> YES, SIR. MARK DECKER, 3913 CYPRESS STREET, METER LOUISIANA.

ON ITEM 184, THE REBUILDING OF STATION 11, THE KEITH BALDWIN FIREHOUSE.

CURIOSITY ON WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO COME FROM? WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO ISSUE BONDS TO PAY FOR IT, SO IT'S GOT TO COME OUT OF ONE ACCOUNT.

THIS FIREHOUSE HAS BEEN DESTROYED FROM US FOUR YEARS.

FOR FOUR YEARS NOW, IT'S BEEN AN EMPTY LOT NOW.

WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING TO COME FROM? IS IT GOING TO COME FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET, FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL? WHAT ABOUT THE FEMA MONEY THAT WAS USED TO REIMBURSE IT? DID WE RECEIVE FEMA MONEY TO REIMBURSE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THAT STATION? IF SO, WILL THE MONEY BEING TAKEN OUT OF THE BUDGET WITH THIS RESOLUTION BE RETURNED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR WILL IT RETURN INTO THE GENERAL FUND TO BE USED HOW THE PARISH SEES FIT?

>> VICTOR, CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT ISSUE?

>> YES, SIR, 2.6 MILLION OF THE FIRE STATION IS COMING FROM FEMA FUNDS RELATED TO HURRICANE IDA AND 700,000 IN INSURANCE PROCEEDS.

>> ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING ON ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR [INAUDIBLE] AGENDA? I WANT TO MAKE SURE I DON'T MISS ANYBODY GETTING UP LATE.

>> [LAUGHTER]

>> HELLO. I'M MONICA BRADY AT 144 COOLIDGE STREET IN JEFFERSON AND I WANT TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 32, SUMMARY NUMBER 26565.

>> WE'LL COME UP FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT SHORTLY.

CAN YOU COME UP WHEN THAT ITEM GETS HERE? IS THAT IT FOR THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA? THANK YOU. THAT BRINGS US TO MY NOTE THAT HAS ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE BEING DEFERRED TO SEPTEMBER 17, 2025, COUNCILMAN LEE.

[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED]

YOUR MOTION ON THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE?

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE TO SEPTEMBER 17TH ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. LET'S GO TO ITEM NUMBER 4 MADAM CLERK.

[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES]

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSON OR FIRM TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION AND RESIDENT INSPECTION SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE BUCK TOWN BOAT DOCK AND SEWER PUMP OUT PROJECT COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.

>> COUNCIL LILJEBERG, YOUR SELECTION?

>> NUMBER 1 FROM ALL SOUTH.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL SOUTH CONSULTING ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 5, PLEASE.

[00:50:06]

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING A PERSON OR FIRM TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE SERVICES FOR THE MIKE MILEY PLAYGROUND COMMUNITY OASIS PROJECT, FUNDED BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> DO PLANETS DESIGN GROUP.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF DO PLANETS DESIGN GROUP ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 6.

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TWO YEAR PERIOD ON A HAS NEEDED BASIS WITH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE FEES OF $500,000, NOT TO BE EXCEEDED BY A FACTOR OF MORE THAN 10% PER YEAR WITHOUT AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT AUTHORIZED BY RESOLUTION, WHO ARE NOT ONE OF THE 14 FIRMS APPROVED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER 143868 DATED MARCH 27TH, 2024.

>> I'M GOING TO MOVE ON ALL QUALIFIED FIRMS.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ALL QUALIFIED FIRMS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

WE'LL COME BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS AT NOON.

THAT BRINGS US TO ITEM NUMBER 10.

[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES]

SUMMARY NUMBER 26512, RESUB OF LOTS 15-A, 15-B 23-B, PORTION OF NEWMAN AVENUE, PORTION OF KATHERINE STREET, AND A PORTION OF PARCEL 5-10 SQUARE C, RICHLAND GARDEN SUBDIVISION, AND TO LOT 15-C SQUARE C, ES-134-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

WE CAN HAVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM, AND I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26512.

ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK.

GO AHEAD. IF YOU'RE IN OPPOSITION SPEAK AT THE PODIUM.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JUAN PRATO, 4522 ROSEDALE DRIVE IN MONTGOMERY.

PROPERTY OWNER TO TOUCH ALL THREE OF THESE LOTS.

I'M GOING TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF 512 AND 516'S BECAUSE OF THEIR INTERCONNECTED.

HONORABLE PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS SOLIDLY OPPOSED TO BOTH OF THESE ZONING CHANGES.

THERE IS NO COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ON THE WEST SIDE OF CLEARVIEW.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF HIGHLAND PARK ESTATE IS ONE STORY OWNER OCCUPIED FAMILY RESIDENTS.

WE ARE A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD WITH NEW FAMILIES THAT HAVE MOVED IN RECENTLY.

LOTS OF KIDS AND REVITALIZATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE ALSO HAVE NEIGHBORS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 YEARS, AND THEY JUST WANT A QUIET LITTLE PLACE TO LIVE.

I MET ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS ON UTOPIA, WHO REMEMBERS WHEN CLEARVIEW PARKWAY WAS A DIRT ROAD.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE CAN EVEN SAY THAT.

THAT IS AIRLINE IN CLEARVIEW IS THE WORST TRAFFIC INTERSECTION ON THE EAST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

I BELIEVE PROBABLY EVEN WORSE THAN WEST BANK ALSO COMBINED.

THERE ARE FREQUENT ACCIDENTS.

IT'S A HIGH VOLUME EVEN WITH THE NEW LANE CHANGES.

IT IS STILL A BAD INTERSECTION.

ANYONE WHO DRIVES THROUGH THAT WILL KNOW THAT.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT TRAFFIC BEING DUMPED INTO UTOPIA, TRYING TO SHORT CIRCUIT, NOT GOING ALL THE WAY TO CITRUS TO MAKE A U-TURN, AND THEN TRYING TO EXIT ON HIGHLAND, WHICH IS AN EXTREMELY NARROW STREET AND THEN TRYING TO EXIT ONTO AIRLINE HIGHWAY.

IN THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE HAD ONE CHILD INJURED SEVERELY ON HIGHLAND AVENUE STRUCK BY A CAR.

ONE OF MY OTHER NEIGHBORS HAD THEIR PARKED CAR HIT BY SOMEONE TRYING TO CUT THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ALSO.

WE DON'T WANT THE TRAFFIC, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE SEEN NO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STUDY ON THE TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT OF AIRLINE AND CLEARVIEW WITH THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

I BELIEVE THE STATE DOTD HAS CONTROL ALL THESE INTERSECTIONS.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE THE ENTRANCE AND AGGRESS OF THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO BE AND WHAT DOT HAS APPROVED.

WE HAVE SEEN NOTHING IN WRITING.

WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE SALE OF THE UNDEVELOPED STREETS AND THE SMALL PARCEL THAT NO ONE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS NOTIFIED.

I AND THE THREE PROPERTY OWNERS THAT TOUCHED THESE DEVELOPMENTS WERE NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE SALE OF THIS, AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS NOT GIVEN INPUT BECAUSE WE WOULD'VE STRONGLY ASKED FOR THAT AND HAVE BEEN DENIED.

THE PETITION AND AWARDING OF THAT SALE SEEMS TO BE POORLY WORDED.

WE HAVE 150 PETITIONS THAT WERE TURNED IN AT THE PLANNING BOARD FROM OVER 100 RESIDENCES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ARE ALL SADLY OPPOSED TO THIS DEVELOPMENT.

ON MONDAY, WE MET WITH THE LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEVELOPER AND THE PROPERTY OWNER.

THEY WERE PROPOSING A THREE STORY MASSIVE OFFICE BUILDING WITH 78 PARKING SPOTS, WHICH IS TOTALLY OUT OF CHARACTER FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

[00:55:01]

WE ARE MOSTLY ONE STORY HOUSES.

78 PARKING SPOTS, I DON'T EVEN THINK EXIST AT WALGREENS OR LET ALONE THE IDEAL MARKET ACROSS THE STREET.

NO ONE WANTS A THREE STORY BUILDING ACROSS FROM THEM WITH THE LIGHTS, THE POLLUTION.

AT NIGHT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE LIGHTS.

WE ARE SADLY OPPOSED TO THIS.

WE DO NOT WANT LOT 23 CHANGE FROM RESIDENTIAL TO ANYTHING BUT RESIDENTIAL, AND WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF ALL THREE LOTS.

RESPECTFULLY, THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION?

>> CAN I SPEAK IN FAVOR?

>> YES, WE'LL GO BACK TO IN FAVOR. SORRY YOU MISSED THAT.

I DID IN FAVOR BEFORE, BUT GO AHEAD.

WE'LL GO BACK TO IN FAVOR AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO OPPOSE IF ANYBODY HAS ANYTHING ELSE.

>> APOLOGIES. GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS LEE SEGERS, AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF KJL PROPERTIES, WHICH IS THE OWNER OF THE LOTS AT ISSUE THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THIS REZONING AND RESUBDIVISION APPLICATION.

THE THREE PARCELS, I'M SORRY, THE SIX LOTS AT ISSUE CONSIST OF THREE MAIN LOTS, WHICH YOU'D SEE WHEN YOU DRIVE BY, AND THEN THREE SMALLER IRREGULAR LOTS, WHICH ARE RIGHT AWAY PARCELS THAT THE PARISH SOLD TO KJL PROPERTIES IN 2023.

ONE OF THOSE LOTS, ONE OF THE MAIN LOTS THAT IS AT THE CORNER OF UTOPIA AND SOUTH CLEARVIEW IS ZONE RESIDENTIAL R1A.

THE OTHER FIVE LOTS ARE IN G02 GENERAL OFFICE.

AGAIN, WHEN THE PAIR SOLD THE LOTS TO KJL, THE THREE RIGHT AWAY LOTS IN 2023, THE PARISH IMPOSE SEVERAL IMPORTANT RESTRICTIONS IN THE ACT OF SALE.

THOSE RESTRICTIONS ARE THAT ALL SIX OF THE LOTS MUST BE COMBINED WITH A SINGLE PARCEL OF RECORD.

BECAUSE THE PARISH DOESN'T ALLOW SPLIT ZONING, THAT MEANS THAT THE RESIDENTIAL LOT MUST BE CHANGED TO G02.

THE SECOND RESTRICTION IN THE ACTIVE SALE WAS THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS THAT MUST BE MET TO PREVENT THE FLOW OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ONTO UTOPIA AND EXITING ONTO SOUTH CLEARVIEW.

IN OTHER WORDS, ALL EXITING TRAFFIC MUST BE FILTERED ON THE AIRLINE DRIVE.

THE TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS WERE PUT IN PLACE BY THE PARISH TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE RESIDENTS IN ISLAND PARK.

THEY MAY DISAGREE WITH THOSE.

THAT IS WHAT THE PARISH DEEMED APPROPRIATE IN PUTTING THE ACT OF SALE.

KJL HAS PREPARED A SITE PLAN.

IT MEETS THOSE TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS.

WE'VE DISCUSSED IT WITH THE RESIDENTS.

AMONG THEIR CONCERNS ARE ABOUT INCREASED TRAFFIC FLOW, TRAFFIC CUTTING THROUGH THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

I GET IT, THEY'RE BACKED UP TO A VERY HIGH TRAFFIC INTERSECTION.

THEY HAVE LEGITIMATE ISSUES ONGOING.

HOWEVER, THE CONCERN THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO INCREASE, WELL IT'S BASED ON AN ASSUMPTION OF WHERE CARS ARE GOING TO GO, HOW THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE U-TURNS.

ARE THEY HEADING TO KENER OR THEY'RE HEADING TO THE RIVER RIDGE.

ARE THEY'RE GOING TO SPEED THROUGH THEIR INTERSECTION? THIS IS ALL BASED ON ASSUMPTIONS, AND AGAIN, KJL IS DOING WHAT IT HAS BEEN ASKED TO DO WITH THE SITE PLAN AND THE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FLOW.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS COME UP IN 2011, THE PARISH DENIED A VERY SIMILAR REZONING APPLICATION FOR LOT 15-B, WHICH IS ONE OF THE KJL PARCELS.

THE MATTER WAS ULTIMATELY LITIGATED, AND THE COURT DETERMINED THAT LOT 15-B SHOULD BE A G02.

THAT'S WHY IT IS WHAT IT IS TODAY.

IT MEETS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS VERY BUSY INTERSECTION.

WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO DO ANY FAVORS.

WE'RE JUST ASKING YOU TO DO WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY ASKED US TO DO IN THE ACTIVE SALE, WHICH IS TO COMBINE ALL THE LOTS AND REZONE ONE RESIDENTIAL LOT.

THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT PREPARED A VERY DETAILED STAFF REPORT, AND THESE ITEMS MET ALL THE CONDITIONS FOR REZONING, RESUBDIVISION, WITH NO OBJECTION. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION.

>> FRANKIE HYERS. IT'S RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM ME.

I WOULD HAVE SPOKEN TO IT MORE DIRECTLY AT THE LAST MEETING SPECIFICALLY, SO I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT LAST MEETING ON THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

I GOT FRIENDS THAT LIVE RIGHT BACK BEHIND THERE ON CLEARVIEW.

IF YOU TRY AND LOOK FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND.

BUT THAT TRAFFIC AT AIRLINE AND CLEARVIEW, THAT'S GOING TO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.

EVERY ONE OF THOSE LITTLE THOROUGHFARES, EVERY ONE OF THEM LITTLE VESSELS THAT GET YOU OUT FROM BEHIND THERE.

I KNOW FROM HOMA BOULEVARD, 1500 CARS A DAY BEFORE THAT STOP SIGN GOT PUT IN THERE,

[01:00:01]

THANK YOU, COUNCILPERSON DINO BONANO.

WE DON'T HAVE 1500 CARS A DAY DOWN HOMA NO MORE.

YOU OPEN UP THAT LITTLE CORNER OVER THERE, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A MESS.

THE FACT THAT THEIR NEIGHBORS DIDN'T GET UP HERE, I TRIED TO GET OVER THERE YESTERDAY. I GOT TO STRAY.

IT WAS JUST SO HOT. I COULDN'T GET OUT.

BUT I WANTED TO GO TALK TO THOSE NEIGHBORS PERSONALLY, AND I WAS HOPING SOME OF THEM WOULD BE HERE.

>> THEY'RE ALL SITTING RIGHT BEHIND YOU.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU EVERYBODY.

>> DID THEY SATISFY YOU ALL? [INAUDIBLE] I GOT TO RISE IN OPPOSITION, BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET THE SENSE THEY WERE SATISFIED FROM EVEN WHAT THE GUY WHO WAS IN FAVOR OF TRYING TO DO THIS.

HE EVEN GAVE ME THE IMPRESSION THAT THE CITIZENS PROBABLY WEREN'T SATISFIED.

I KNOW IT'S GOING TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THAT WHOLE INTERSECTION.

I'VE BEEN LIVING HERE FOR 30 YEARS.

YOU ALL PUT THREE LANES IN THERE.

IT STILL AIN'T GETTING BETTER. WE GOT PANHANDLERS THERE.

ALL KINDS OF ISSUES THAT ARE ALREADY A PROBLEM FOR THAT AIRLINE CORRIDOR ARE GOING TO BE MADE WORSE BY THIS.

EXERCISE SOME RESTRAINT. THAT'S IT.

>> EVERYONE ELSE? IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, MA'AM?

>> OPPOSITION. I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS A COUPLE OF THINGS REALLY QUICK.

NOT ONLY DID THE PROPERTY MANAGER AND HIS REPRESENTATION WAIT UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE TO MEET WITH US ON MONDAY WHEN WE'VE HAD TWO MONTHS TO MEET, THEY ALSO DECIDED THAT IT WAS NOT APPROPRIATE TO SHOW UP ON TIME WHEN THEY WERE CALLED.

SECONDLY, THE EGRESS IN THIS PROPOSAL SHOWS THAT THEY ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO EXIT THIS PROPERTY ONTO TWO TURNING LANES ONTO AIRLINE HIGHWAY, WHICH WOULD JUST EXACERBATE THE ALREADY MASSIVE TRAFFIC PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE THERE, WHICH WOULD ALSO FORCE THEM TO THEN TURN ONTO CLEARVIEW AND THEN COME THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO GET TO WHEREVER THEY'RE GOING.

BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT NOBODY IS GOING ALL THE WAY OVER THE OVERPASS AND DOWN BY THE BEST BY TO TURN AROUND.

ALSO, ACCORDING TO THIS AGREEMENT TO THIS BILL OF SALE, THE PROPERTY HAS TO BE ZONED THE SAME.

WHY NOT REZONE IT RESIDENTIAL? REZONE IT ALL RESIDENTIAL AND BUILD RESIDENCES THERE. THANK YOU.

>> MA'AM, CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME PLEASE?

>> [INAUDIBLE]. 4526 ROSEDALE.

I LIVE AT 4525 UTOPIA, WHICH IS JUST THREE HOUSES OFF FROM CLEARVIEW.

>> I'M GAIL TERRA BILL.

I JUST WANT TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD BEING OPPOSED TO THIS.

YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE THAT RESIDENTIAL LOT A PARKING LOT, [INAUDIBLE] LOITERING.

AS ONE HAD SAID, NOT EVEN THE WALGREENS HAS 78 PARKING SPACES.

YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD A HUGE COMMERCIAL BUILDING WITH ONE WAY OUT ONTO CLEARVIEW, AND LIKE THAT'S BEEN EXPRESSED, THEY'RE GOING TO COME CUT THROUGH UTOPIA.

WE ALREADY HAVE CARS ON OUR STREET CONSTANTLY BECAUSE OF THAT INTERSECTION AT CLEARVIEW AND AIRLINE BEING SO DANGEROUS ALREADY.

IT'S A QUIET LITTLE POCKET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY, AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT LIKE THAT. THANK YOU.

>> I'M SORRY. I FORGOT ONE REALLY IMPORTANT THING.

IS IT OKAY FOR ME TO?

>> CAN SOMEBODY ELSE SAY IT FOR YOU?

>> I'LL GET SOMEBODY ELSE. [LAUGHTER]

>> REBUTTAL?

>> NO, SIR.

>> MR. WALKER, SINCE WE HAVEN'T USED THE WHOLE 15 MINUTES, WOULD YOU ALLOW HER TO GET BACK UP AND SAY WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY?

>> IF THERE'S NO OPPOSITION, SURE.

>> GO AHEAD, DIANA.

>> I'M SORRY. I'LL BE BRIEF.

WHEN WE DID MEET, I'M SORRY, I'M NERVOUS IN FRONT OF A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WHEN WE DID MEET, WE HAD A PROPOSAL FOR THE COMPANY.

THE PARISH IS ALLOTTED FUNDS IN ORDER TO BUILD GREEN SPACES FOR OUR PARISH.

SINCE ONE OF THE LOTS IS RESIDENTIAL AND NOT ZONED THE SAME, WE HAD REQUESTED THAT WE POSSIBLY COULD HAVE THE PARISH PURCHASE THAT PROPERTY AND TURN IT INTO A PARK AND A GREEN SPACE SO THAT THE CHILDREN THAT ARE PLAYING ON THE STREETS NOW HAVE SOMEWHERE SAFE THAT THEY CAN PLAY, AND THEN THEY CAN STILL BUILD ON THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.

THAT'S THAT'S I THINK THE BEST SITUATION FOR EVERYBODY.

>> HI. YOU HERE.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR.

FOUR APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCIL BONANO.

>> I'VE BEEN IN THE PARISH SERVICE FOR 37 YEARS, AND I CAN COUNT AT LEAST FOUR TIMES THAT PREVIOUS PEOPLE HAVE COME HERE AND

[01:05:02]

TRIED TO REZONE THIS PROPERTY INTO C2 AND OTHER PURPOSES.

THIS NEIGHBORHOOD REALLY DOES SUFFER WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC.

PEOPLE WHO GO THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO TRY TO BYPASS THE TRAFFIC AT CLEARVIEW AIRLINE.

AND THEY ALSO GO THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD SO THEY CAN CROSS UNDER CLEARVIEW BY AT THE EARHART BRIDGE AND GO TO AIRLINE ON OTHER SIDE.

THEY DO REALLY SUFFER A LOT OF TRAFFIC IMPACTS.

AS YOU HEARD THE YOUNG LADY JUST SAY, I ENCOURAGE THE OWNER TO MEET WITH THE NEIGHBORS, AND HE WAITED ALL THE WAY TILL MONDAY NIGHT TO DO THAT.

WE HAD A COMPROMISE ON THE TABLE BETWEEN HIS REPRESENTATIVES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WHEREBY I WAS GOING TO USE DISCRETIONARY MONIES TO PURCHASE LOT 23B, WHICH IS STILL CURRENTLY ZONED RESIDENTIAL.

HE COULDN'T MAKE UP HIS MIND. I GOT A CALL LAST NIGHT.

HE STILL COULDN'T MAKE UP HIS MIND.

WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO MOVE FOR DENIAL.

>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE DENIAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26512 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER WITH COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN ABSTAINING.

HEARING NONE IS SO ORDERED.

ITEM NUMBER 11, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26531 RESUB OF LOTS H-321-H-2A AND H-321-H-2B, AMES FARM SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS H-321-H-2C, H-321-H-2D AND H-321-H-2E WITH A WAIVER TO THE GENERAL DESIGN STANDARDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECTION 33-2.35, SUBDIVISION WAIVERS OF THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, WS-2-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.

>> WE CAN GAVE THE READING HERE AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMER NUMBER 26531.

>> I'M JAJU FRANCE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE CURRENT OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY.

THIS IS A PART OF THE GAMBINO ESTATE THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO SETTLE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT FAMILY MEMBERS.

PURPOSE OF THE RESBDIVISION IS TO DIVIDE THE FRONT LOTS ON AIMS, WHICH HAVE EXISTING RESIDENTIAL HOUSES FROM THE VERY LARGE TRACK IN THE BACK, WHICH IS VACANT.

THE PLAN IS TO SELL THAT VACANT LOT IN THE BACK TO A POTENTIAL DEVELOPER.

WE PROBABLY LOOKED AT ABOUT 12 DIFFERENT PLANS FOR HIM OF HOW TO DEVELOP THAT IN THE BACK.

I THINK THE ONE THAT'S ON THE SCREEN MAY BE ONE OF THEM THAT HE'S KIND OF LEANING TO, WHICH WOULD IN CALL ON THE MINDS OF CREATING A LOT CUL-DE-SAC TO COMPLETE THAT DEAD END STREET, AND THEN USE THE OTHER LOT THAT COMES OUT TO FLOORS FOR MOST OF THE ACCESS.

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED YET.

IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT'S ON THE TABLE OF WHAT WE COULD POSSIBLY DO.

ONCE WE CAN COMPLETE THE RE-SUBDIVISION THAT'S BEFORE YOU TODAY, WHICH CREATES THIS AS A VACANT LOT, NOT AS A DEVELOPED LOT.

THEN WE CAN SELL IT TO A DEVELOPER.

THEN WE CAN WORK ON THE PLANS, GET WITH PLAN AND GET WITH ENGINEERING, TO SEE WHAT WORKS BEST BEFORE IT COMES BACK TO YOU FOR APPROVAL.

WE'RE ASKING YOU FOR APPROVAL, NOT OF WHAT'S ON YOUR SCREEN, BUT CREATING THAT AS A VACANT LOT.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR?

>> RAMON RAMOS, 3435 BARATARIA BOULEVARD.

OUR INTEREST IN THIS PROPERTY IS TO DEVELOP THE REAR PIECE.

IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE MORE THAN GLAD TO ANSWER. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, THE TWO APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILMAN KERNER.

>> YES. WE'RE NOT APPROVING WHAT'S ON THE SCREEN HERE TODAY?

>> NO, SIR. THAT WILL HAVE TO COME BACK BEFORE YOU IN A SEPARATE APPLICATION.

THEY'RE PETITIONING TO RESBDIVIDE NOW TO CREATE THE ONE LARGE LOT IN ORDER FOR THE SALE TO GO THROUGH, AND THEN THEY WILL COME BACK BEFORE YOU WITH A PRELIMINARY PLOT.

>> A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMARRY NUMBER 26531, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 12, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26568, RESELL OF A PLOTS Z1, AMES FARM SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS Y-2-B, Z-3-C, Q-1 THROUGH Q-31 AND LOT X-1-A WITH WAIVERS TO THE SECTIONS 40-219 AND 40-239, AREA REGULATIONS AND APPROVING ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLOT OF SAID SUBDIVISION, WS-117-24, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26568.

THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

THOSE OPPOSED.

I'M SORRY, ARE WE WALKING UP FOR IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED?

>> I'M SORRY.

[01:10:02]

>> I DIDN'T SEE YOU WALKING UP.

>> I'M A. K. GORDON. I LIVE AT 2350 BECK STREET IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS SO RE-SUBDIVISION.

WE ARE APPLYING FOR A HARDSHIP WAIVER.

IT'S AN EXISTING APARTMENT COMMUNITY.

SIX OF OUR LOTS ARE GOING TO THE WAIVER BECAUSE THEY'RE IN BETWEEN EXISTING BUILDINGS AND ALL OF OUR NEW LOTS WILL CONFORM.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILMAN LEE?

>> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION? TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26568, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, NUMBER 13.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26569, RESUB OF LOTS, X-A-1 AND X-A-2.

SOUTH KENNER SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS X-A-3 AND X-A-4, WS-31-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26569.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS, PIERRE MODU FOR THE APPLICANTS, VICTOR BOSTIC, AND THE SUCCESSION OF LINDA BOSTIC THOMAS.

THIS IS THE LAST PIECE IN THE CLOSING SUCCESSION OF LINDA THOMAS.

THE DECIDE HAD LEFT A DRIVEWAY TO HER BROTHER, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY ON HER PIECE OF PROPERTY.

THIS IS MEANLY ADMINISTRATIVE IN MY OPINION THAT WE HOPE WITH YOUR APPROVAL TODAY, WE CAN CONCLUDE THE SUCCESSION, SO THANK YOU.

>> ANYBODY ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, ASSUMING THAT GENTLEMAN IS NOT GOING TO SPEAK. COUNCIL LEE.

>> ANY OBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26569, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM 14.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26570 RESUB OF LOT 20-A-1-A, CHURCHILL FARM SUBDIVISION INTO LOT 20-A-1-A-1 AND 20-A-1-A-2 WITH WAIVERS TO THE GENERAL DESIGN STANDARDS AND THE DEDICATION OF A PRIVATE ACCESS SERVITUDE IN APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLOT OF SAID SUBDIVISION WS-38-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26570.

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

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26570, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM 15, PLEASE.

[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING - AND LAND USE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ORDINANCES]

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26516, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP IN THE OFFICIAL FUTURE LAND USE MAP, LOT 23-B, SQUARE C, RICHLAND GARDEN SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF THE PROPOSED LOT 15C, LOCATED AT 1,700 BLOCK OF CLEARVIEW PARKWAY, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING FROM R-1A TO GO- 2, AND AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE CLASSIFICATION FROM SUB TO COM, EZ-26-24 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26516.

>> I'LL MAKE IT BRIEF. JUAN PRATO, 4522 ROSEDALE DRIVE.

ANYONE OPPOSED?

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE COUNCIL'S PREVIOUS TESTIMONY, HAVING 78 PARKING SPOTS AND HAVING TRAFFIC IN AND OUT ALL DAY WILL CERTAINLY IMPACT THE TRAFFIC THEY'RE ALREADY IN A VERY BAD AREA.

THREE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES WOULD NOT. THANK YOU.

>> I GETTING THIS RIGHT THE SAME ONE OFF CLEARVIEW, RIGHT? OPPOSITION. I NORMALLY I AM GOING TO DO THIS, IF ANYTHING, JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT LEGITIMATELY FORMED, WE'LL JUST SET IT THERE AND LEAVE IT.

I'M HOPING THAT SINCE WE ALREADY SINCE WE ALREADY GOT A DENIAL THAT WILL CONCLUDE THIS, AND I'M JUST GOING TO HOPE FOR THE BEST.

>> I DISAGREE. YEAH. JUST AGAIN, WE'RE IN OPPOSITION TO DISRUPTING OUR QUIET LITTLE COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD, AND WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO NOT ZONE IT COMMERCIAL. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK,

[01:15:01]

NOTE THAT THE THREE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILMAN BONANO.

>> FOR THE REASONS I PREVIOUSLY STATED, MOVE FOR DENIAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DENIAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26516, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER WITH COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN ABSTAINING.

HEARING NONE AWARDED. ITEM 16, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26549, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP, LOT 14 SQUARE 4 AIRLINE PARK WEST SUBDIVISION, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R-1A TO R 2, WZ-2-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26549.

>> GOOD MORNING. IT'S LINDA GARDEN, 2439 JOLYN DRIVE, HARVEY, LOUISIANA, 758.

I WAS JUST COMING TO YOU THIS MORNING.

I'M A SPECTRUM DESIGNS AND ENGINEERING.

WE'RE REPRESENTING THE OWNER FOR THE PROPERTY, AND WHEN WE FIRST CAME BEFORE THE BOARD PRIOR TO COMING TO THIS COMMITTEE, WE ACTUALLY DEFERRED IT BECAUSE WHEN I CAME BEFORE THEM, I WAS EXPLAINING TO THEM THAT IN THE REPORT THAT THEY DID, THEY ONLY CLASSIFIED A FEW OF THE TWO FAMILY HOMES THAT WAS EXISTING IN THE AREA.

WHAT WE DID, WE CAME BACK TO THE TABLE TO PROVE TO THEM THAT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS A DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH SEVERAL EXISTING NONCONFORMING USE DOUBLES.

IT'S A REALLY MIXED AREA BETWEEN SINGLE FAMILY AND DOUBLES.

IT'S SOMEWHERE LIKE ABOUT MAYBE 60 AND 40%.

WHAT WE DID WAS, WE TOOK PICTURES OF ALL THE BUILDINGS ON THE STREET THAT WERE DOUBLES.

WE CAME BACK, WAS ABLE TO PROVE OUR CASE TO THE BZA, AND THEY WENT AHEAD AND WENT AGAINST THE RULING OF THE CITY PLANNING RECOMMENDATIONS.

WHAT I'M COMING TO YOU TODAY IS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU SAW THE PAPERWORK THAT WE SENT OVER TO YOUR COUNCILMAN LEE TO SHOW YOU THAT ALL OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS A VAST CHANGE.

I MEAN, A MIXED USE BETWEEN, NOT MIXED USE, BUT MIXED BETWEEN DOUBLES AND SINGLES.

WE ALSO PROVE TO THE BOARD THAT JUST RECENTLY, EARLIER IN THIS YEAR, THAT MAYBE A FEW HOUSES DOWN THAT THE R-1 WAS CHANGED TO AN R-2.

WITH THE OWNERS ASKING FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT ANYTHING UNIQUE TO THIS COMMUNITY.

THE PLANNING BOARD STATED THAT THERE WAS ONLY FOUR THAT WAS IN THE LAST 40 YEARS.

BUT WHAT THEY DID NOT ALLOW FOR WAS ALL OF THE EXISTING NONCONFORMING USE THAT'S ALREADY IN THAT COMMUNITY.

I'M HOPING THAT YOU WOULD TAKE ALL OF THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HERE TO ANSWER.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, COUNCILMAN LEE.

>> IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT BEGIN DOING STUDIES IN THAT AREA.

WE CAME UP WITH A SOMETHING FAIR THAT ALLOWS FOR EVERYTHING TO ESSENTIALLY MELD IN TOGETHER BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN NO ISSUES HISTORICALLY.

SHE'S RIGHT. IT'S BEEN A STREET THAT HAS A COMBINATION OF BOTH SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES, AS WELL AS SMALL DUPLEXES.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26549, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED ITEM 17, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26550, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP LOT VC, SQUARES 1 & 2, HESSMER PARK SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 3409 DIVISION STREET.

MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM FC-3 TO C-1.

EZ-1-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND NOW PEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26550.

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

>> I MOVE TO DENY.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DENIAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26550, MOTION OF COUNCIL LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO WORD NUMBER 18, MADAM CLERK.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26551, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP, LOTS 29A AND 29B, 708 AURORA AVENUE,

[01:20:02]

AND LOTS 28A AND 28B 710 AURORA AVENUE, SQUARE 42, BONNABLE PLACE SUBDIVISION, LOCATED AT 708 AND 710 AURORA AVENUE, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R-1A TO R-2.

EZ-3-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING, AND I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26551.

THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

THOSE IN OPPOSITION.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNSEL.

MY NAME IS DR. MICHELLE DELIMA, PROFESSOR AT DELGADO.

I LIVE AT 645 ARION AVENUE WITHIN THE ZONE THAT I RECEIVED A MAILED NOTIFICATION FOR THIS.

I WANT TO THANK YOUR STAFF.

I'D SENT E-MAILS TO COUNCILMAN WALKER, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, AND COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG AND I WANT TO THANK YOUR STAFF FOR PASSING ON THAT E-MAIL.

I AM IN OPPOSITION.

WE HAVE A VERY TIGHT KNIT NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THIS IS A VERY MARGINALIZED NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE WE'RE STUCK BETWEEN I_10 AND VETERANS.

WE ALREADY HAVE ON AURORA.

WE HAVE ZONING FOR BUSINESSES ON THE ODD SIDE OF THE STREET.

THESE PROPERTIES ARE ON THE EVEN SIDE, AND USED TO BE OWNED BY DIAZ CASH REGISTER.

THEY SOLD FIVE PROPERTIES WHICH WERE NEVER PUBLISHED IN LIKE, THEY DIDN'T HAVE FOR SALE SIGNS OR ANYTHING ON THERE.

ONE PERSON BOUGHT ALL THESE.

SO IF THE DOOR IS OPEN TO CHANGE THE ZONING ON 708 AND 710, THIS COULD CREATE A HARDSHIP BECAUSE OF PARKING.

I WANT TO ALSO BRING FORWARD THAT THIS PROPERTIES BETWEEN I_10 AND VETERANS.

THIS IS MARDI GRAS CENTRAL, AND WE HAVE TONS OF TRAFFIC.

WE KNOW WHEN PEOPLE PARK ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET, IT CREATES A HARDSHIP FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO GET THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO ANSWER THE CALLS.

IT COULD ALSO HAPPEN WITH ALL OF THIS EXTRA PARKING IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

I WANT TO REITERATE ABOUT SPOT ZONING, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE.

SPOT ZONING IS APPLICATION OF ZONING TO A SPECIFIC PARCEL OR PARCELS OF LAND.

MAY BE RULED INVALID AS ARBITRARY, CAPRICIOUS, AND UNREASONABLE TREATMENT OF A LIMITED PARCEL OF LAND BY LOCAL ZONING ORDINANCE.

I THINK IF THIS IS REZONED, IT COULD CREATE A BIG PROBLEM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE ALREADY HAVE BUSINESSES ON THE ODD SIDE.

WE HAVE A SCHOOL WITHIN THE AUTISM SCHOOL ON DEMOSTHENES.

I WOULD IMPLORE THE COUNCIL TO GO BY THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PAB TO PLEASE OPPOSE THIS ZONING.

AT THE PAB MEETING, WE HAD WELL OVER 20 PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP, WHO SIGNED AN OPPOSITION.

I HOPE THAT YOU WILL EXTEND THAT AS THE COUNCIL.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS TERRY ALMAN.

I RESIDE AT 241 AURORA AVENUE.

I'M HERE BOTH AS A HOMEOWNER, BUT ALSO AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE BONNEVILLE CIVIC ASSOCIATION.

THE BONNEVILLE CIVIC ASSOCIATION HAS RECEIVED INPUT FROM NUMEROUS PROPERTY OWNERS IN THIS AREA SURROUNDING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 708 AND 710 AURORA.

ALL INPUT THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED HAS BEEN IN OPPOSITION TO THIS REZONING REQUEST.

ALL OF THAT OPPOSITION HAS BEEN VERY STRONGLY EXPRESSED.

WE HAVE SUBMITTED A LETTER IN OPPOSITION TO THE ZONING REQUEST AND THE REASONS FOR OPPOSITION ALIGNED WITH THE ZONING REQUIREMENTS, WHICH WOULD CHANGE THE CHARACTER OF A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, INCREASED DENSITY, INCREASED TRAFFIC, INCREASED GRAY INFRASTRUCTURE, AND REDUCTION OF GREEN SPACE, CREATE SAFETY ISSUES AND DETERIORATE PROPERTY VALUES.

YOU HAVE OUR LETTER, AND WE HAVE SPOKEN AT TWO PREVIOUS MEETINGS OF THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD.

TODAY, I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO ANOTHER ISSUE, WHICH IS, WHAT CAN PROPERTY OWNERS COUNT ON WHEN THEY BUY WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE THEIR SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT, THE PURCHASE OF THEIR HOME? WHEN I PURCHASED MY HOME, I INVESTIGATED THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE VISITED IT MULTIPLE TIMES OF DAY, BOTH WEEKDAYS AND WEEKENDS.

WE CHECKED ZONING AND INVESTIGATED GRANDFATHERING OF PROPERTIES THAT WOULD REVERT TO R1A WHEN SOLD.

WE TALKED TO THE NEIGHBORS.

WE KNEW WHAT COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES WERE CLOSE BY.

[01:25:02]

WE KNEW ABOUT THE CHURCHES AND THE SCHOOLS.

IN SOME, AS A PROPERTY OWNER, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO COUNT ON ZONING TO PROTECT OUR INVESTMENT, AND TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT US AGAINST NUMEROUS VARIANCES TO ZONING, WHICH IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT THIS REQUEST WOULD DO.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> MY NAME IS PATRICIA SCHREIBER.

I LIVE IN 1600 DEMOSTHENES, WHICH IS ON THE CORNER OF AURORA.

I OWN SEVERAL HOUSES DOWN FROM THIS PROPERTY, AND I E-MAILED ALL THE COUNSEL LAST NIGHT SOME OF THE REASONS FOR MY OPPOSITION TO THIS ZONING CHANGE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT IS SPOT ZONING, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE.

I CANNOT SAY IT ENOUGH.

SPOT ZONING ONLY GIVES RIGHTS TO ONE INDIVIDUAL, THAT HOMEOWNER THAT'S REQUESTING THAT.

ALSO, WHAT'S SCARY ABOUT THIS PROPERTY, IS THERE TWO LOTS THAT ARE SIDE BY SIDE, BASICALLY, FOUR LOTS TWO ADDRESSES.

THEREFORE, IF THIS ZONING REQUEST IS GRANTED AND CHANGED FROM R1 TO R2, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE ARE PROTECTIVE ORDINANCES WITHIN THE PARISH RULES, BUT STILL, IT DOES NOT PREVENT THEM FROM COMING BACK IN AND REQUESTING A CONSOLIDATION OF THE TWO LOTS, AND THIS DEVELOPMENT TURNED INTO SOMETHING MAJOR.

THERE IS NO CLEAR PLAN THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THE NEIGHBORS OR THE BONNABEL CIVIC ASSOCIATION REGARDING THE STRUCTURE THAT WOULD BE BUILT ON THIS PROPERTY.

IN THE ZONING APPLICATION, MS. CAPTIVILL SAID THAT SHE WANTED TO BUILD A TOWNHOME.

WHEN SHE CAME TO THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION MEETING, WHAT WAS PRESENTED WAS A DOUBLE AND WITH A PARKING SLAB IN FRONT.

THEREFORE, THAT IS TOTALLY OUT OF CHARACTER THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE WOULD BE NO GREEN SPACE IN FRONT OF THE PROPERTY OR ANY OTHER BEAUTIFICATION TYPE OF THINGS.

THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, WE HAVE A LOT OF PROPERTIES THAT ARE GRANDFATHERED IN, BUT LESS ONCE THOSE PROPERTIES DETERIORATE OR CHANGE, THERE STILL ARE ONE.

KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ALL ONE.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT.

WITH PROPERTY SCARCE, PEOPLE ARE BUILDING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, EVEN WITH THE MARGINALIZATION WITH OTHER STRUCTURE.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I CAN'T STRESS IT ENOUGH.

THERE'S ALSO TO FOLLOW PLANNING.

THE ADVISORY BOARD, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, ALL DENIED.

THEY RECOGNIZE IT.

LET'S LISTEN TO THEM.

IT'S AGAINST THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR LAND USE OF THE PARISH.

WHY WOULD YOU APPROVE THIS? THAT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME.

THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN R1 SINCE 1958, AND WAS RECONFIRMED IN 1966.

AGAIN, IT'S BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED.

IT SHOULD BE R1.

THERE IS TREMENDOUS TRAFFIC BECAUSE DEMOSTHENES IS THE ONLY STREET THAT RUNS BETWEEN I_10 SERVICE ROAD AND VETERANS.

IF PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO WAIT AT THE BACKUP TRAFFIC THAT EXIST AT THE STOP LIGHT AT BONNABEL AND VETS.

[01:30:05]

THEY CUT DOWN DEMOSTHENES AND GO UP AURORA BECAUSE AURORA HAS A STOP LIGHT AT VETERANS AND AURORA.

THEY CAN BYPASS THE STOP LIGHT AT BONNABEL AND VETS.

THERE IS NOTHING TO STOP FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE OTHER PROPERTIES THAT MS. CAPTIVILL HAS PURCHASED.

SO FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE FEEL AS THOUGH WE NEED TO STOP IT AT THIS PROPERTY.

I REQUEST THAT YOU DENY THE ZONING CHANGE.

I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THERE IS A SHADE OVER FIVE MINUTES LEFT POSITION.

>> MARY POOL, 711 AURORA.

WE ARE ON THE COMMERCIAL SIDE OF THE BLOCK, AND 708 IS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET AND CASH REGISTER, WHICH MS. WANDA ALSO OWNS IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

I'M OPPOSED BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC REASONS AND THE PARKING REASONS THAT EVERYBODY HAS ITERATED.

BUT ALSO, WE GET TO THAT BIG QUESTION THAT THE DOCTOR ALLUDED TO AT THE BEGINNING.

FIVE PROPERTIES ON ONE BLOCK THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED AT SOME POINT.

IT GETS TO A REAL BIG PICTURE QUESTION OF WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH ALL THIS.

I'M GOING TO TAKE IT THAT WANDA WAS BEING HONEST WITH ME WHEN SHE SAID SHE DID NOT REALIZE ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF OPPOSITION THERE WOULD BE, AND THAT SHE IS WILLING TO SIT DOWN AT SOME POINT, AND THAT POINT HAS NOT COME YET.

I'M GOING TO ASK FOR DENIAL, AND SHE HAS SAID SHE WANTS TO SIT DOWN AT SOME POINT, AND I'M GOING TO TAKE HER AT HER WORD ON THAT.

IT GETS TO AGAIN, THIS BIG PICTURE QUESTION OF, WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THOSE TWO, WHICH DEFINITELY, I THINK SHOULD NOT BE TOWNHOUSES.

I DO UNDERSTAND AS A CPA, PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE MONEY.

THERE NEEDS TO BE RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

YOU ACQUIRE FIVE PROPERTIES.

YOU THINK THAT THERE MUST BE A BIG PICTURE.

I CERTAINLY THINK IT'S TIME THAT THE BIG PICTURE GETS SHARED.

THREE OF THOSE PROPERTIES ARE ON THE COMMERCIAL SIDE.

TODAY, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE TWO THAT ARE ON THE RESIDENTIAL SIDE.

BUT I WOULD ASK THAT YOU DENY IT UNTIL SHE SITS DOWN WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND TALKS ABOUT WHAT THE BIG PLAN IS AND WHAT OTHER IDEAS THERE MIGHT BE FOR WHAT.

SHE TELLS ME SHE DOES NOT WANT TO TEAR 710 DOWN, ALTHOUGH IT'S ON THE AGENDA, BUT SHE SAYS SHE DOESN'T WANT TO TEAR IT DOWN.

SHE REPEATED THAT TO THE PLANNING BOARD AT THE LAST MEETING.

SHE SAID THAT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TOLD HER SHE HAD TO ASK FOR TWO PROPERTIES TO MAKE IT INTO A PROJECT.

THAT I'VE NEVER UNDERSTOOD EITHER, WHERE WE GET BACK TO THE PARISH TELLING HER SHE NEEDED TO ASK FOR TWO AND WHAT KIND OF MISUNDERSTANDING HAPPENED THERE.

BUT PLEASE VOTE FOR DENIAL.

AGAIN, HOPEFULLY WE WILL COME TO A RESOLUTION BECAUSE SHE'S A MAJOR PROPERTY OWNER ON THE BLOCK.

I MEAN, MY PROPERTY MEANS A LOT TO ME AS THEIR HOMES MEAN A LOT TO THEM.

WE'VE PUT A LOT INTO THE BUILDING SINCE WE BOUGHT IT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HER SIT DOWN WITH EVERYBODY AND WORK OUT THIS BIG PICTURE.

KNOWING SHE'S GOT TO MAKE MONEY, TOO, BUT WE NEED TO ALSO KEEP JEFFERSON PARISH AS THE NICE PLACE THAT WE ALL LOVE TO LIVE IN.

THIS IS A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

I THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

>> ANN POOL 711 AURORA AVENUE.

I WOULD LIKE TO HEARKEN BACK TO SOMETHING THAT MS. BOOSTER MONTE SAID AT THE FRONT OF THIS MEETING WHEN THE DAY STARTED.

THAT IS IT REMINDED ME OF THE MOTTO OF JEFFERSON PARISH, EAT, WORK, PLAY.

OUR PLACE IS ONLY ABOUT THREE BLOCKS FROM WHERE MISS BOOSTER MONTE'S PIECE OF HEAVEN IS.

I'D LIKE TO KEEP THE BALANCE IN NATURE THAT EXISTS IN OUR BLOCK.

THE COMMERCIAL SIDE IS VERY DENSE.

AS THEY SAID THERE'S A SCHOOL AT THE CORNER.

[01:35:01]

PEOPLE ARE RACING DOWN AURORA ALL THE TIME TO GET SOMEWHERE.

I'D LIKE TO SEE OUR BALANCE BE MAINTAINED OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ACROSS THE STREET.

I THINK HAVING GROWN UP IN THE AREA, THAT'S WHY WE BOUGHT OUR BUSINESS TO THE AREA IS MY SISTER WAS VERY EAGER TO GET BACK TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH SHE FELT STILL HAD THE VIBE OF WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN.

THAT VIBE IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OTHER FAMILIES BE ABLE TO ENJOY.

WE GREW UP IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WAS COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL, JUST LIKE AURORA IS.

I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK ACROSS THE STREET AND SEE CHILDREN PLAYING AND ENJOYING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ON THOSE LOTS.

I DON'T THINK THAT WILL DETRACT FROM ANYONE'S OR THE PARISH'S DEVELOPMENT IN ANY WAY FOR THOSE LOTS TO STAY SINGLE FAMILY.

I WOULD ASK THAT YOU PLEASE DENY ANY DEVELOPMENT THERE OF ANY OTHER TYPE.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THERE'S 22 SECONDS LEFT.

>> IT STARTS WHEN YOU START SPEAKING.

>> PAM SARANG, 822 AURORA.

JUST WANT TO VERY QUICKLY, SAY, I'VE BEEN LIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD 48 YEARS, AND IT'S BEEN A VERY QUIET, PEACEFUL NEIGHBORHOOD.

PEOPLE TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

BUT A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN, AND IT'S THEIR AMERICAN DREAM.

WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT, AS WAS POINTED OUT, THEY LOOKED AT THE RESIDENTIAL AREA, OR ONE.

LET'S HONOR THEIR INVESTMENT, KEEP IT THEIR AMERICAN DREAM, AND ALL OF OUR AREAS RESIDENTIAL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> I THINK THAT WAS FIVE IN OPPOSITION, MADAM CLERK.

>> SIX.

>> SIX. OF COURSE. MISSED ONE.

NONE IN FAVOR. SIX IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.

>> THANK Y'ALL FOR COMING INTO THE MEETING.

I KNOW THAT Y'ALL HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT GOING TO THE PAB.

I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER THAN YOU SAID IT, DOC.

YOUR COMMENTS WERE EXACTLY THE WAY I FEEL, MISS ALMAN, AS WELL.

WE HAVE A RECOMMENDED DENIAL FROM OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS PAB. I'M GOING TO MOVE TO DENY.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DENIAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26551, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM 19, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26571, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOT P5 SECTION D, ELMWOOD SUBDIVISION, LOCATED AT THE 1,000 BLOCK OF BERMAN HIGHWAY, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R1 TO MUCD MZ-6-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26571.

ANYONE IN THAT BACK ROW INS FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN KERNER.

>> ANY OBJECTION, APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26571.

MOTION OF COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 20.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26573, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP, PORTIONS OF LOT NINE, TEN, 11 AND 12 SQUARE S 22 BEL BRIDGE SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 419 FOURTH STREET, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R2 TO C2, WZ-8-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMAR NUMBER 26573.

ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOT TO KNOW WHAT APPEARED.

COUNSEL BONANO. TO APPROVE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26573, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDER NUMBER 21, MADAM CLERK.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26574, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP LOT D102A, GOLDEN HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION, SECTION H LOCATED AT 1991 AMES BOULEVARD, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R3 CPZ TO MUCD MZ-5-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26574.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN LEE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26574, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM 22.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26575, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF LOT L SQUARE 38 MATORYVLL SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 105 PINK STREET,

[01:40:04]

MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R1 A, MATORY RIDGE TREE PRESERVATION DISTRICT TO R2 EZ-4-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26575.

>> HI. MY NAME IS OSCAR. I'M THE OWNER OF 105 PINK STREET.

I LIVE AT 3435 NAPOLEON AVENUE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I PURCHASED THIS PROPERTY ABOUT 13 YEARS AGO.

I WAS ACTUALLY THERE YESTERDAY TALKING TO MY TENANTS, WHICH I DO PRETTY OFTEN.

WHEN I PURCHASED THE PROPERTY WAS FROM A DECEASED INDIVIDUAL.

IT WAS A FAMILY THAT WAS SELLING IT.

I LITERALLY GOT NO INFORMATION ON THE PROPERTY.

I REHABILITATED MYSELF AND AFTER REHABILITATING THE PROPERTY, I NOTICED OBVIOUSLY, I HAVE R1, BUT IN THE BACK OF THE PROPERTY, THERE WAS A METER ON A HOUSE, WHICH WAS GUTTED AND WAS BEING USED AS STORAGE.

I WAS LIKE, WHY DO WE HAVE THIS METER? I REMOVED THE METER SINCE IT WAS A R1.

I STARTED NOTICING A BUNCH OF HOUSES AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPING INTO R2 SO I WENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION HERE AND I WAS LIKE, HEY, IS MY PROPERTY IN R2 CAUSE TECHNICALLY, IT HAS TWO ADDRESSES, 105 AND 107.

THEY WERE LIKE YOURS IS ACTUALLY AN R2.

JUST GIVE US THE 2 METERS THAT ARE ON THE PROPERTY, AND WE'LL AUTOMATICALLY CONVERT IT, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY COMMISSION.

I WAS LIKE THAT'S WHAT THAT OTHER METER WAS, THEREFORE THAT I REMOVED WHEN I PURCHASED THE PROPERTY.

DUE TO TECHNICALITY, I HAVE TO NOW OBVIOUSLY PRESENT IN FRONT OF THE PAB, WHICH APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY AFTER THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO OPPOSE.

THE REASON THEY APPROVED IS THIS PROPERTY ISN'T THE ONLY ONE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S IN R2.

THERE ARE MANY PROPERTIES THAT ARE R2, THREE HOUSES DOWN, FOUR HOUSES DOWN, FIVE HOUSES DOWN.

IN ADDITION, AS FAR AS ANY TRAFFIC, THIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, INDUSTRIAL BUILDING HAS BIG TRUCKS COMING IN AND OUT.

ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, THERE'S AN EMPTY LOT WHICH GETS USED BY IN JEFFERSON PARISH AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

THE MOST RECENT WAS FOR STORAGE FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC WATER WORKS PROJECTS THAT WAS BEING DONE.

IT'S CHANGING THIS MY REQUEST IS TO TAKE WHAT THE PAB RECOMMENDED AND CONTINUE ON THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPERTY FOR CHANGING INTO AN R2. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, COUNSEL LILJEBERG.

>> APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26575, MOTION OF COUNSEL LIZBERG, SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER.

HERE NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 23, PLEASE.

[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - AMEND 3813/TEXT CHANGE]

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26576, AMENDING CHAPTER 33 UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, AND CHAPTER 40, ZONING OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO REORGANIZE, REFORMAT, AND REVISE ARTICLES AND SECTIONS, PERTAINING TO PROCEDURES, ZONING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, AND SUPPLEMENTAL CONDITIONS, PROVIDE FOR CROSS REFERENCES BETWEEN RELATED PROVISIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO EFFICIENTLY ADMINISTER LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS IN JEFFERSON PARISH AS RECOMMENDED BY A STUDY, AUTHORIZED BY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NUMBER 145086 ON OCTOBER 16, 2024.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26576.

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

>> BRIGG HIRES, SPARKED A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE GO.

WHEN I READ THIS AMENDING THE CHAPTERS 33 OF A UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, CHAPTERS 40 OF A ZONING OF A CODE TO ORDINANCES TO REORGANIZE REFORMAT, REVISE ARTICLES SECTIONS PERTAINING TO PROCEDURES.

THEN I GET TO EFFICIENTLY ADMINISTER THE PARISH PRESIDENT LITERALLY HELD UP THE BOOK, THE ACCUMULATION OF STATUTES.

WE'RE GOING TO AMEND ANOTHER ONE.

THIS GOT MY ATTENTION REAL QUICKLY, JUST BASED ON THE ACCUMULATION OF STATUTES AND THE WHOLE THING.

WE'RE GOING TO AMEND ANOTHER CHAPTER OF RULES, AND SUPPOSEDLY THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO SOME EFFICIENCY.

I HAD THIS IN MIND WHEN I READ THIS ITEM THAT I'D DEPOSE IT JUST ON THIS GROUNDS IF I NEED A FRUGAL AND SIMPLE GOVERNMENT. WHO KNOWS? MAYBE EVEN THIS ACHIEVES SOME OF THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEN, I READ THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM AND REALIZED WHAT THIS WAS ABOUT, WHERE IT ACTUALLY APPLIES.

[01:45:02]

THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN MAKING ENTERGY LLC, THAT BIG MONSTER, MAKING THEIR WORK EASY.

IF I HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE BODY, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THE CITIZENS GOT TO COME IN HERE, AFTER EVERY STORM, AFTER EVERY RATE INCREASE, AFTER EVERY SINGLE INTRUSION, AND IMPOSITION OF ENTERGY UPON THE CITIZENS OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA RIGHT HERE IN THIS PARISH.

WE GOT TO SIT IN HERE AND COME HAT IN HAND AND BEG FOR Y'ALL TO SAY SOMETHING ENERGY.

EVERY TIME THEY COME IN HERE, ENERGY COMES IN HERE AND THEY GIVE THE REPORT.

THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN HAS TO REMIND EVERYBODY WE GOT NO PURVEANCE OVER ENERGY.

THAT'S A PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

I'VE SPOKEN TO THAT MANY TIMES MYSELF.

WE'RE DISENFRANCHISED. IN FACT, THE WHOLE COUNCIL JUMPED UP TO DEFEND MR. SCAMTA, WHEN I NEVER MENTIONED HIS NAME. REMEMBER THAT? THIS IS WHEN YOU ACTUALLY HAVE SOME LEVERAGE.

WHEN I'M OVER THERE SPEAKING TO THE DEBATE FORUMS OF ORLEANS PARISH, BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT THE SAME CORRUPTED FORM OF GOVERNMENT, A TYRANNY OF TWO, TWO DISTRICTS, HOLD FOUR OUT OF SEVEN VOTES.

THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT ENERGY EITHER.

EVERYBODY COMPLAINS ABOUT ENERGY OVER THERE, THE SAME WAY WE COMPLAIN ABOUT THEM HERE. IT'S A MONOPOLY.

THIS IS ONE TIME YOU HAVE LEVERAGE.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO MAKE ENERGY DO FOR THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH, IF WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM THIS? HAVE ANY OF YOU CONSIDERED THAT? I'M THINKING, NO BAUSE NOBODY'S OFFERING TO OPPOSE IT OR TALK ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

I HAVE TO GET UP TO DO THIS.

IF I HAD A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THIS AND SAID, HEY MAYBE WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

MAYBE WE COULD DO SOMETHING BETTER FOR THE CITIZENS INSTEAD OF JUST RUBBER STAMPING SOMETHING TO THE BENEFIT OF ENTERGY. THEY GOT PLENTY OF MONEY.

I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE ENERGY CAN FIND A WAY TO HELP US WITH SOMETHING.

IT'S A QUID PRO QUO.

I'M GOING TO GET UP IN THE VERY NEXT AGENDA ITEM AND OPPOSE IT AS WELL.

I NEED A GOVERNMENT THAT'S FRUGAL AND SIMPLE.

I NEED A LEGISLATIVE BRANCH THAT PERFORMS AS ONE.

MAYBE IF WE HAD NOT TWO SENATORS SITTING IN ON THE GIG, WE'D GET SOMETHING.

>> PLANNING DIRECTOR MISS MARTIN.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL CHAIRMAN.

IF YOU'LL NOTE ON THE SCREEN IN FRONT OF YOU, IT'S OUR RECOMMENDATION AND SUMMARY.

WE NOTED, BOTH IN THE RESOLUTION CALLING THE STUDY AND IN OUR LENGTHY REPORT EXPLAINING WHY WE UNDERTOOK THIS STUDY THAT IT WAS A HOUSEKEEPING STUDY TO ADDRESS SOME ISSUES THAT CAME ABOUT WHILE WE WERE UNDERTAKING THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT STUDY.

AS WE NOTED IN OUR REPORT, THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT STUDY, THAT REPORT FOR THAT STUDY, AND THE PAGES THAT WENT WITH IT NUMBERED ALMOST 400 PAGES.

IN THE PROCESS OF THAT STUDY, THERE WERE SECTION REFERENCES THAT NEEDED TO BE UPDATED THAT WE DID NOT UPDATE.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A FORMATTING ERROR IN OUR USE MATRIX.

THAT IS THE THIRD ITEM ON THE SCREEN.

THE UPDATED SECTION REFERENCES OR THE SECOND ITEM.

THE FIRST ITEM WAS TO ADDRESS AN ERROR WITHIN C2, WHICH WE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED ALLOWING PERMITTED USES IN THE C1 DISTRICT.

THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR ZONING ORDINANCE SINCE 1958.

IT WAS AN ERROR. WE ARE TRYING TO CORRECT IT WITH THIS STUDY.

THIS STUDY WAS A HOUSEKEEPING STUDY FOR THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO UNDERTAKE ONLY WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE NEXT REQUEST, ITEM NUMBER 24 ON THE AGENDA, AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ENTERGY.

THIS IS SIMPLY PLANNING UNDERTAKING SOME HOUSEKEEPING SO THAT EVERYTHING IS HOW IT SHOULD BE IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION.

>> DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM KIRK AT THE ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

>> THANKS FOR THE EXPLANATION AND MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26576.

A MOTION OF COUNSELMAN AN RIKEN SECONDED BY CONCAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 24.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26577,

[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - PERMITTED USES]

APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A 500 KV ENERGY SUBSTATION AS A SPECIAL PERMANENT USE FOR ENERGY, LOUISIANA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 33 AND 40 OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES ON PROPOSED LOT 20A1A2, CHURCHILL FARM SUBDIVISION, WHICH LOT IS ZONED U1SU1RC2FODWS-38-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMER NUMBER 26577.

[01:50:01]

>> HELLO, MARIO CHIAVOLO, 3518 CAMP STREET IN NEW ORLEANS, 70115.

I'M THE ENTERGY PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE NEW SUBSTATION.

I WAS ALSO THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE ADJACENT EXISTING SUBSTATION THAT WAS BUILT SIX YEARS AGO.

I JUST WANTED TO LET I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF I NEED TO. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?

>> FRANKIE HYERS, JUST TRYING TO SPARK SOME CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE GO.

I DO APPRECIATE THAT EXPLANATION. I DO.

IF ANYTHING YOU COULD ACHIEVE HERE IN YOUR HOUSEKEEPING OR ANYTHING ELSE, COULD BE DONE, BY ANY MEANS PRESCRIBED CONSTITUTIONALLY.

I WOULDN'T HAVE TO SHOW UP TO ANY OF THESE MEETINGS.

YOU JUST APPORTION YOURSELF, ACCORDING TO LAW AND THEN I DON'T HAVE TO GET UP HERE AND EMBARRASS MYSELF. ANYBODY ELSE?

>> THE GOVERNMENT, MR. HYERS.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ONE, THIS IS ENERGY.

THIS DOES APPLY, AND IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE THOSE SAME CHAPTERS, 33 AND 40 OF BOOKS OF ORDINANCES.

THE ACCUMULATION OF STATUTES IS WHAT I OPPOSE.

THE NEED FOR THE HOUSEKEEPING.

THE ARBITRARY NATURE BY WHICH EVERYTHING IS ACHIEVED IN THIS ROOM.

COMPLETELY ARBITRARY AND INADMISSIBLE.

FROM ONE CHAPTER OF ORDINANCES TO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF ORDINANCES, ANOTHER CROTCHET, WHICH AND THE COMBINATIONS OF A DAY HAVE GIVEN STRENGTH TO CARRY A CROTCHET.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS. I OPPOSE THIS BECAUSE NOBODY'S GOING TO UNDERSTAND ALL THIS.

I DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ YOUR BOOKS OF ORDINANCES.

EVERY TIME I READ THEM, THEN I HAVE TO BRING THEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE ENFORCEMENT BRANCH, AND WHAT HAPPENS TO ME THEN? THEY COME UP WITH ANOTHER WAY TO SOMEHOW ACCUSE ME OF THE CRIME.

AS THIS BENEFITS ENERGY, AND IT DOES, APPARENTLY BECAUSE HE GOT UP THERE IN FAVOR OF IT, EXERCISE SOME LEVERAGE, IF YOU WOULD.

>> YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SUBSTATION, MR. HYERS? THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

>> I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH DOING ANYTHING TO ENABLE ENERGY.

YES. THAT'S WHY I'M OPPOSING THIS, CHAIRMAN, I'M OPPOSING IT BECAUSE I OPPOSE ANYTHING THAT YOU DO TO ENABLE THE BENEFITS OF ENERGY, BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEEM TO DO A WHOLE LOT FOR US.

THAT'S JUST BASED ON WHAT PEOPLE TELL ME, EVERYWHERE.

THEY COULD DO BETTER BY THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TOLD.

>> THIS IS A NEW SUBSTATION.

>> EXACTLY. GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT OTHER THAN JUST GIVING THEM THE SUBSTATION. THAT'S THE POINT.

>> IT'S ALSO ILLEGAL. THANK YOU, MR. HYERS.

>> IT ISN'T.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.

COUNCILMAN LEE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMER NUMBER 26577 A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDER 25.

[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - VARIANCES (Part 1 of 2)]

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26518, APPROVING SP-74-24 FOR REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE LANDSCAPE, AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS FOR LASALLE PARK LOCATED AT 6600 AIRLINE DRIVE ON LOT CN G 3 ELM-WOOD LEFNIER PLANTATION COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING, AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 6518.

ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK WITH THE NO ONE APPEAR, COUNCILMAN BONANO.

>> JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THIS IS.

IT'S ACTUALLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM LASALLE PARK, AND EVERYBODY WILL REFER TO IT AS THE OLD CONCRETE PILE.

THE PARIS ACTUALLY OWNS THAT PROPERTY.

WE'RE DEVELOPING IT INTO ANOTHER SOCCER FIELD FOR LASALLE PARK, INCLUDING MULTIPLE TREES WITH A WALKING PATH UNDERNEATH DICKERY, SO YOU CAN GET TO THE MAIN PARK.

IT'S JUST TO BE YET ANOTHER GREAT ADDITION TO LASALLE PARK, AND FOR THAT, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMERY NUMBER 26518 ON MOTION OF COUNCIL VANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.

I HAVE A NOTE THAT NUMBER 26 WITHDRAWN BY THE APPLICANTS, WE MOVE TO NUMBER 27, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26579, APPROVING SP-35-25 FOR REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE LANDSCAPING, AND PARKING REGULATIONS OF THE MUCD FOR ROSE GARDEN R V 2, LOCATED AT 5400 BLOCK OF LAPALCO BOULEVARD ON LOT 2B SQUARE A22, AMES FARM SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING, AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26579.

>> JAY DU FRAM. I'M REPRESENTING THE OWNER, AND POTENTIAL DEVELOPER OF THE PROPERTY.

THIS PARTICULAR LOT IS ON LAPALCO, AND IMMEDIATELY TO THE RIGHT OF IT IS A USED CAR LOT.

IMMEDIATELY TO LEFT IS THE ROSE GARDEN CENTER.

ROSE GARDEN CENTER IS OWNED BY TONY BERANETA, WHO IS THE POTENTIAL PURCHASER, AND DEVELOPER OF THE PROPERTY THAT'S BEFORE YOU.

TONY ALSO OWNS THE PROPERTY TO THE LEFT OF HIS ROAD YARD CENTER, AND HAS THAT ALREADY DEVELOPED THAT AS AN RV SURFACE STORAGE LOT.

IT'S A STONE AREA, FENCED AREA THAT HE DEVELOPED,

[01:55:01]

AND IT'S VERY SUCCESSFUL.

IT'S VERY BUSY, SO HE BOUGHT THE VACANT LOT NEXT TO HIM WITH THE INTENTIONS OF CREATING A DUPLICATE RV SURFACE STORAGE AREA.

SO WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR YOUR APPROVAL OF THE SITE PLAN.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED? ARE YOU IN FAVOR, SIR?

>> CHRISTOPHER RUSSELL 26 13 ASHLEY COURT, AND MARRERO.

SO I JUST WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR THE VARIANCES IN THIS PROJECT BECAUSE IT AFFECTS MARRERO, AND THAT COMES WITH THREE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS.

DISTRICT 1, DISTRICT 2, AND DISTRICT 3.

MAINLY, I THINK IT WOULD AFFECT MORE OF TIM KERNER, AND MR. BYRON LEE, BUT.

AS A REAL ESTATE BROKER, AND OWNER OF A REAL ESTATE FIRM HERE ON THE WEST BANK, WE SEE, AND I GET A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH MY CLIENTS CALLING CODE ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE OF TRAILERS AND RVS, AND BOATS THAT ARE JUST LITTERED IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

RV IS ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSES, TRAILERS IN FRONT OF THE HOUSES, AND SO THEY'RE JUST GETTING BOGGED DOWN.

I'M HAVING TO TOW VEHICLES OFF OF OLD SHAWNE'S PARKING LOT.

THEY'RE ON BARATARIA, AND IT'S JUST BECOMING A NUISANCE.

I JUST THINK THAT APPROVING THIS WILL REALLY HELP THE THREE DISTRICTS IN MARRERO TO CLEAN UP OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

AS FAR AS A VARIANCE IN THE DRAINAGE IS THAT GRAVEL, I THINK IS GOING TO MAXIMIZE THE SURFACE ASSUMPTION OF THAT WATER, AND THEN PUSHING THE SUBSURFACE WATER COMING FROM THOSE WELLS.

I JUST THINK IT'S GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR THAT GRAVEL VERSUS A CONCRETE.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR?

>> MY NAME IS ANTHONY OR TONY BERANETA, AND I LIVE AT 104 SOUTH RANDALL COURT, GRETNA, LOUISIANA.

I DO OWN THE BUSINESS NEXT TO IT, WHICH IS A GARDEN CENTER PET STORE.

THEN ADJACENT HUNDRED FEET TO THE WEST SIDE, I ALSO OWN THE, AN OV STORAGE FACILITY.

I'M PROPOSING THE BILL ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE GARDEN CENTER BUSINESS THAT I OWN.

SO FIRST VARIANCE, OF COURSE IS, LET'S GO WITH THE ISLANDS.

THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WANTED I BELIEVE, NINE ISLANDS, AND I PROPOSED PUTTING TWO IN BECAUSE THE OTHER SEVEN ISLANDS WOULD GO INSIDE THE FENCE AREA WHERE THE STORAGE.

THIS IS RV STORAGE, RV, AND BOAT STORAGE WOULD BE AT.

IT WOULD HELP MAXIMIZE MY STORAGE CAPACITY BY MY NOT HAVING ISLANDS WHERE THEY PARK IN THE VEHICLE THE STORAGE, I MEAN, THE RV VEHICLES, AND BOATS.

ADJACENT TO THOSE PROPERTIES, OF COURSE, I OWN THE ONE ON THE WEST SIDE OF IT.

IT'S BASICALLY THAT AREA OF STORAGE, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, THE FIRST 50 FEET ALSO FROM LAPALCO BOULEVARD IS NOT FOR STORAGE.

IT'S GOING TO BE THE ENTRANCE, WHICH IS GOING TO BE LANDSCAPED.

THAT'S WHERE THE LANDSCAPING IS GOING TO GO.

THE MORE CURB APPEAL PART OF THIS DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO BE FACING LAPALCO BOULEVARD.

BUT INSIDE, IT'S JUST BASICALLY A STORAGE, A ROAD GOING TO THE BACK FOR DELIVERY TRUCKS AT MY GARDEN CENTER.

THE EAST SIDE OF THE PROPERTY IS A USED CAR LOT, AND THAT ADJACENT TO THAT STORAGE AREA.

BASICALLY, THE OWNER OF THAT BUSINESS, WHICH IS NICHOLAS COLLEGE CARS.

HE HAS HE BASICALLY STORES HIS CARS THAT ARE WAITING TO BE REPAIRED THERE.

IT'S LIKE A BACKUP STORAGE PLACE FOR USED CARS THAT HE HAS TO PUT OUT.

HE PUTS HIS INVENTORY OUT IN FRONT OF THE PLACE, WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE PACO BOULEVARD.

BUT ANYWAY, SO THAT'S AS FAR AS THE ISLANDS GO.

AS FAR AS THE TREES ON EAST WEST SIDE OF THE PROPERTY, THEY HAVE A PROPOSED A FIVE FOOT BUFFER ON EACH SIDE.

THERE'S TREES, THEY HAD A TOTAL OF I THINK, 34 TREES BETWEEN THAT WOULD GO ON IN THESE TWO BUFFER ZONES.

THE WATER THAT AREA REALLY IS WHERE THE WATER IS GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT THAT FIVE FOOT ON EACH SIDE, IS WHERE THE WATERS ARE GOING TO DRAIN TO THE FRONT OF THE PROPERTY, AND FLOW INTO CATCH BASINS, WHICH ENTAIL ARE GOING TO BE, I'LL USE THE WORD PIPE OR COVETED FROM THE CATCH BASINS INTO THE LAPALCO DRAIN SYSTEM.

[02:00:01]

THOSE TWO BUFFERS AREAS, FIVE FOOT ON EACH SIDE IS, I KNOW CHRIS TALKED ABOUT THE WATER BEING SATURATED, BUT YOU'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE WATER RUNOFF BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE I THINK THEY USE THAT WORD.

>> THE SWELL.

>> THE SWELLS, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE BELLIED, SO THE WATER RUNS TO THE SIDE OF THE PROPERTY BUT WHEN IT GETS TO THE SIDE, IT'S GOT TO RUN TO THE FRONT OF THE PROPERTY TO GET INTO THE CATCH BASIN.

ANYWAY, SO I'M ASKING THAT WE NOT PUT TREES IN THOSE 25 FOOT BUFFERS ON EACH SIDE, BECAUSE I KNOW BECAUSE THE ONE I HAVE ON THE OTHER SIDE, WHEN THE WATER FLOWS THROUGH ANY BUFFER OR SWALE, I'LL SAY A BUFFER OR SWALE.

ANY OBSTRUCTION IN THAT BUFFER WILL JUST COLLECT TRASH.

IT COLLECTS ANY LITTLE DIRT DEBRIS OR WHATEVER, AND IT GETS CAUGHT UP AND IT BLOCKS THE FLOW OF WATER.

SO THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING FOR A VARIANCE AS FAR AS THE TREES BEING ALONE.

THERE'S 34 TREES, ACTUALLY, THE ONE IS 46 TREES.

WE'RE PROPOSING TO PUTTING 12 TREES IN THE FRONT, AND THE BACK.

BECAUSE THE BACK IS R2 IN THE BACK, WHICH IS JUST A VACANT LOT, BUT JUST TO GIVE CURB APPEAL OR BEAUTIFY THE FRONT ON THE PACO IN THE BACK, BUT THE SIDES, LIKE INDUSTRIAL AREAS, AND SO WE'RE ASKING FOR A VARIANCE ON THE TREES AS WELL, AND THAT'S IT.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?

>> LESTER PLAYS ON BOX 24 52 HARVEY.

I'M OPPOSED TO THE VARIANCES, NOT SO MUCH THE USE OF THE PROPERTY.

BUT AS IT STANDS NOW, THE NEIGHBOR TO THE RIGHT, WHICH HE MENTIONED, WAS THE NICASON CARS, THERE HAVE NO HARD SURFACE.

WE HAD BEEN PROVEN BY ANOTHER, I GUESS STORAGE FACILITY.

WE HAVE APPROVED, AND JUST BEEN CONSTRUCTED, AND THE I GUESS THAT WAS OFF OF MANHATTAN BOULEVARD ON SEVENTH STREET.

THE PROPERTY STONES HAVE DETERIORATED.

THAT NOW THEY HAVE HIGH WEEDS INSIDE THE YARD.

I THINK THAT WE SHOULD NOT GO BEHIND, I MEAN, REDUCE OUR STANDARDS AND DEVELOP CLASS C PROPERTIES, UNLESS ALONG THE CORRIDOR GOING FROM BARATARIA TO THE HIGHWAY 90.

WE ALREADY HAVE AN EYESORE NEXT TO THIS PARTICULAR LOT.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD LOWER OUR STANDARDS TOWARDS DEVELOPING MORE GREEN SPACE.

WE HAVE THE FRIENDS OF JEFFERSON WHO PROMOTES TREES.

TO REDUCE TREES IS COTTER PRODUCTIVE.

THEY ALSO HAVE THE VACANT LOT BEHIND THAT PROPERTY THAT HE'S SEEKING TO PURCHASE OR HAS PURCHASED, AND YOU NEED A BUFFER OF SOME TREES.

THAT WHOLE AREA HAS NO TREES.

IT'S ONE BIG VACANT SPANS THAT YOU CAN SEE FROM ICE, AND ICE AVENUE, I WOULD CALL IT, ICE STREET.

YOU CAN SEE NOTHING BUT VEHICLES BEING STORED, HIGH GRASS, AND WEEDS, IS JUST AN EYESORE.

I THINK WE NEED TO RAISE OUR STANDARDS, AND TRY TO DEVELOP ALONG THAT CORRIDOR TO HIGHWAY 9, FROM BARATARIA, A BETTER STANDARD.

IT GETS A MORE SO WE GET BETTER INVESTMENT.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF VACANCIES ON THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES THERE, AND FOR US AS CITIZENS.

I'M A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF THE WEST BANK.

TYPICALLY, MOST PEOPLE GO TOWARDS GRETNA FOR VARIOUS SERVICES.

THEY DON'T GO THE OTHER WAY.

ONCE YOU PASS AMES BOTH, OR IT'S A DESERT, AND IT'S JUST A DISGRACE.

I THINK PEOPLE WHO COME TO NEW ORLEANS FOR THE PLAYERS CLUB, THEY HAVE THREE NICE HOTELS WE BUILT ON MANHATTAN BOULEVARD.

IT'S AN EMBARRASSMENT FOR ME.

I LIVE THERE, I DID NOT MOVE TO ST TAVY AT THE GRETNA.

[02:05:01]

I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A FIGHTING STUDY THAT WOULD PROMOTE MORE QUALITY CLASS COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS TOWARDS HIGHWAY 90, INSTEAD OF US ALL HAVE TO GO TOWARDS GRETNA FROM BARATARIA BOULEVARD.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

I HOPE THAT WE REJECT THIS REDUCTION OF THE A GREEN SPACE, THE TREES THAT WE WANT TO PROMOTE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND ALSO NOT HAVING A HARD SURFACE BECAUSE THAT IS NOT HAVING A HARD SURFACE, AND JUST HAVING STONES IS NOT A LONG TERM SOLUTION TO HAVING WEEDS GROW THROUGH THAT ROOT.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? COUNCILMAN LEE? OH, THREE IN FAVOR OF ONE IN OPPOSITION, MADAM CLERK. COUNCILMAN LEE.

>> WE GET A REBUTTAL?

>> WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING IS IS THAT YOU ALL HAVE MET WITH THE APPLICANT, AND YOU ALL HAVE NEGOTIATED SOME TERMS THAT BOTH OF YOU ALL HAVE AGREED TO, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDED APPROVAL WITH STIPULATIONS.

THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT DID NOT MEET WITH THE APPLICANT OR COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT IS IN FAVOR OF THE VARIANCE TO THE HARD SURFACE PARKING.

THAT LIMESTONE THAT IS BEING PROPOSED IS ONLY BEING PROPOSED IN THE AREA WHERE THE STORAGE WILL BE THE ACTUAL ACCESS, AND THE PARKING SPACES ARE ALL HARD SURFACE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING WAS ALSO NOT OPPOSED TO IT.

THEY DID JUST NEED TO PROVIDE A BORDER TO KEEP THE LIMESTONE IN PLACE.

FOR THAT VARIANCE, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

FOR THE OTHER VARIANCES, WE ARE RECOMMENDING DENIAL JUST BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THERE'S NO HARDSHIP HERE THAT WOULD PREVENT THE PROPERTY OWNER FROM PROVIDING THE REQUIRED LANDSCAPING.

WHAT THE PROPERTY OWNER OR THE PROPOSED PROPERTY OWNER AGREED TO WITH THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD OR THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE IRRIGATION FOR THE TREES THAT ARE PROVIDED.

THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD VOTED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL BASED ON HIS PROMISE TO PROVIDE THE IRRIGATION FOR THE TREES, AND HE DID UPDATE THE LANDSCAPE PLAN TO SHOW THAT THAT IRRIGATION WOULD BE PROVIDED.

>> SO AS I WAS LISTENING TO HIM, HE WAS SUGGESTING THAT SEEMED TO BE A BIT ONEROUS IN TERMS OF THAT MATTER.

I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET SOME CLARITY BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND, AS YOU'VE SAID THAT I'M NOT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, BUT THE BOARD DID APPROVE IT WITH STIPULATIONS.

TO YOUR BEST KNOWLEDGE, I'D LIKE TO KNOW FOR SURE, THAT THOSE STIPULATIONS ARE VERY CLEAR TO THE APPLICANT, AND THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT.

THAT IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, THEN THAT'S WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO COMPLY TO?

>>YES, SIR. HE HAS AGREED IN WRITING, AND HE HAS ALSO UPDATED THE LANDSCAPE PLAN TO SHOW HIS COMPLIANCE WITH THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD STIPULATIONS.

>> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT. BEFORE WE MOVE ON, WHO ASKED IF THEY HAD TIME FOR REBUTTAL?

>> HOLD ON. WELL, LET HIM FINISH.

THERE'S STILL TIME REMAINING ON HIS SIDE, AND THEN YOU CAN COME BACK FOR THE REBUTTAL.

THERE'S SILL FIVE MINUTES LEFT ON YOUR SIDE.

I OUGHT HANG ON. I THOUGHT TIME HAD EXPIRED FOR THE REBUTTAL, BUT IT DIDN'T, SO CONTINUE WITH YOU HAVE OPPOSITION? CONTINUE WITH YOUR OPPOSITION, AND THEN THERE'S A LITTLE TIME LEFT FOR REBUTTAL.

>> TO ANSWER MR. LEE'S QUESTION.

I DID TALK TO THE PLANNING BOARD TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON THERE.

THEY SAID THAT THEY APPROVED THE NOT HARD SURFACE, ONLY BECAUSE THAT HE HAS IT ALREADY ON THE EXISTING STORAGE AREA.

HE'S NOW PUTTING IT ASKING TO PUT IT ON THE NEW PROPERTY, WHICH IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS NURSERY, BUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE, HIS PROPERTY, WE HAVE THE CARS BUSINESS, WHICH HAS, ITS STONES OR GRAVEL OR WHATEVER THEY HAD HAS LONG DETERIORATED, AND THEY NEVER DID PUT IT BACK.

I'M NOT TO SAY, THIS WOULD DO THAT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE ON SEVENTH STREET IN HARVEY, A NEW STORAGE YARD THAT IS DEPLORABLE.

[02:10:02]

WE BASICALLY SETTING PRECEDENT TO NOT HAVE LOW GRADE PROPERTIES THAT ARE NOT UP TO STANDARD WHEN YOU CAN HAVE A CLASS TRY TO GET A CLASS B OR BETTER COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES THAT WON'T GO RUN DOWN, THEN WE HAVE TO CALL CO ENFORCEMENT, WHICH IS WHAT THE ADJACENT PROPERTY THAT IS LOT ON THE CORNER, WHICH IS NICHOLSON'S CAR STUFF.

THEY ALWAYS HAVE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS, AND THEY HAVE EXISTING COMPLAINTS NOW WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT.

I HAVE ON MANHATTAN BOULEVARD, WHICH IS ALSO IN MR. VNANOS DISTRICT, THAT YOU RV, NOT RV, BUT STORAGE YARD.

IT'S JUST BECOMING A CATASTROPHE.

WE HAVE ALREADY, SINCE HE JUST STARTED, HE DEVELOPED IT AS A LOW GRADE STORAGE YARD, AND HE HAS IT FULL OF STONES.

THE STONES THAT HAVE ALREADY GONE.

I GUESS THEY PUT TOO LITTLE.

GREEN SPACE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU GUYS, BUT I THINK WITH THE HURRICANES AND GLOBAL WARMING AND SO FORTH, WE NEED TO START NOT SAY, GEE, THAT'S OKAY.

WE CAN DO TEN TREES WHEN WE RECOMMENDED WE NEEDED 30 TREES.

I'M NOT THERE WITH YOU GUYS WITH THAT.

WE ARE HURTING OURSELVES IN THE PLANET, AND WE NEED TO START THINKING ABOUT WHAT CAN WE DO LITTLE BY LITTLE, TO MAKE IT RIGHT, AND WE'RE DOING OUR PART.

THE LOWER OUR STANDARDS IS THAT THE WAY TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING, AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

>> HEY, IS ANYBODY ELSE IN OPPOSITION? THERE'S FIVE MINUTES LEFT ON YOUR SIDE FOR REBUTTAL, BUT THERE'S NO OTHER REBUTTAL. THAT'S IT.

>> AGAIN, I LIVE ON THE WEST BANK, AND NOT ONLY AS A BROKER, AND THIS.

I KNOW ALL OF THOSE LOTS, THE CONTROVERSIAL APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT'S IN LITIGATION RIGHT NOW ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LAPALCO, WHERE THAT 144 UNIT COMPLEX IS.

I KNOW ABOUT THE 300 UNITS THAT'S BEEN BUILT BY AUDI.

I SOLD ALL THAT PROPERTY ON THE NORTH SIDE BEHIND THIS DEVELOPMENT, AND SO MY CONCERN IS, I'M IN THIS NEIGHBOR THESE NEIGHBORHOODS DAILY.

THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN EXPANSION OF WHAT IS PRESENT THERE.

THERE'S SO MANY CLIMATE CONTROLLED FACILITIES THAT HAS BEEN BUILT JUST ON THE WEST BANK, ON THE INTERIOR STORAGE, BUT NOTHING ON THE EXTERIOR.

ALL WE HAVE REALLY OVER THERE IS FORT KNOX.

WE NEED MORE AREAS TO GET THESE BOATS AND RVS INTO THAT STAGING AREA.

NOT ONLY THAT, THE SUPPLY GOES UP.

HOPEFULLY, OVER TIME, THE COSTS WILL GO DOWN, SO PEOPLE CAN GET THESE ITEMS AND ASSETS INTO A STORAGE AND AWAY FROM THEIR STREETS AND OUR HOUSES.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE DRAINAGE, THOSE SWELLS ON THE EAST SIDE AND THE WEST SIDE OF THIS LOT, YOU DON'T WANT TO OBSTRUCT THAT, BECAUSE THEN YOU'RE FORCING WATER TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE PERIMETER THEY COULD POTENTIALLY FLOOD SOMEBODY ELSE.

WE NEED THOSE STONES THERE, BECAUSE HE'S TALKING ABOUT GREEN SPACE.

WELL, IF YOU CONCRETE THAT WHOLE AREA, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL THAT SURFACE WATER GOING INTO OUR DRAINS.

WE NEED SOMETHING IN PLACE LIKE THESE STONES AND THE NATURAL ELEMENTS TO ABSORB THE MAJORITY OF THE WATER, AND SO I JUST THINK THE AMOUNT OF TREES, THE PLACEMENT OF THE TREES, AND THE ISLANDS, IS JUST GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO NOT ONLY THAT FACILITY, BUT THE NEIGHBORS AROUND IT, AND SO WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 144 UNITS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT COME, AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 300 UNITS THAT JUST BEEN BUILT, THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE ASSETS.

THEY'RE GOING TO NEED A PLACE TO PUT THIS, AND SO I JUST THINK THAT THIS OPPOSITION IS GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND SO WE NEED THAT SPACE.

>> COUNCILMAN LEE.

>> WE NEED GOOD DEVELOPMENT ON THE WEST BANK AS A WHOLE, AND I CERTAINLY SUPPORT THAT.

ROSE GARDEN CENTER HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE THAT THEY'VE BEEN CONSISTENT AND THAT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IS GOING TO BE ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL FOR THE AREA.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THERE ARE SOME CHALLENGES THAT EXIST ON THE WEST BANK, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THEM.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL WITH STIPULATIONS.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26579, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

WE HAVE TO GET TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THOSE ITEMS?

[02:15:01]

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

>> WE HAVE ONE MORE.

>> WE HAVE TO GET TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, THOUGH.

IT'S 15 MINUTES PAST.

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED TREY POCHE VERSUS PARIS JEFFERSON, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, 24 JDC CASE NUMBER 84023 DIVISION P.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM? HEARING NONE. ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. HEARING NONE.

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED JASON JACKSON SENIOR AND KAMALA BAKER JACKSON INDIVIDUALLY, H AND ADMINISTRATORS OF THE ESTATE OF THEIR MINOR CHILD, JASON JACKSON JUNIOR, CDC CASE NUMBER 20165196 DIVISION M SECTION 13.

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AND MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. WE'RE GOING TO DEFER NUMBER 9 TO OUR SEPTEMBER 17 MEETING.

COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THAT?

>> MOVE TO DEFER. ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 9 TO SEPTEMBER 17, 2025, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

WE'RE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTIONS?

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT AND A LAWSUIT ENTITLED TREY POCHE VERSUS PARISH OF JEFFERSON, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, 24TH JDC CASE NUMBER 840233 DIVISION P.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION, RESOLUTION, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO.

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A LAWSUIT ENTITLED JASON JACKSON SENIOR AND KAMALA BAKER JACKSON.

INDIVIDUALLY HAS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF THE ESTATE OF THE MINOR CHILD, JASON JACKSON JUNIOR, CDC CASE NUMBER 20165196 DIVISION M SECTION 13.

>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION, RESOLUTION, THE MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

LET'S GO BACK TO NUMBER 28,

[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - VARIANCES (Part 2 of 2)]

MADAM CLERK, I BELIEVE THAT'S WHERE WE LEFT OFF.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26580, APPROVING SP 43-25 FOR A REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE SIGNED REGULATIONS OF THE CBZ FOR MATT BOWERS HONDA, LOCATED AT 5969 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD ON LOT W2D ELMWOOD LEFER PLANTATION SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.

>> NUMBER 26 WAS WITHDRAWN, SIR.

SIR, NUMBER 26 WAS WITHDRAWN BY THE APPLICANT.

HOLD ON. LET ME GET BACK NOW. WE WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM, AND THE PUBLIC HEARINGS NOW OPEN FOR 26580.

ANYONE IN OPPOSITION. MADAM CLERK, IF NO ONE APPEAR.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.

LET ME OPEN EVERYBODY'S MICS AGAIN. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26560, MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26581, REVOKING AND DECLARING A 50 FOOT WIDE PORTION OF WESTWOOD DRIVE, RIGHT AWAY ADJACENT TO PARCEL EA, ORLEANS CORP TRACK.

NUMBER 29, PLEASE.

[OTHER PROPERTY MATTERS ORDINANCES]

MORAL NO LONGER NEEDED FOR ANY PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING ITS SALE TO LINCOLN WEST, LLC, THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

>> NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26581.

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

COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION?

>> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26581.

MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDER. NUMBER 30, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26582, REVOKING AND DECLARING A PORTION OF BROKEN BRO STREET,

[02:20:02]

RIGHT AWAY ADJACENT TO LOT 50, BEVERLY GARDEN SUBDIVISION EXTENDED AT 50 BEVERLY GARDEN DRIVE MORY, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING A SALE TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS.

COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE.

>> PUBLIC HEARINGS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26582.

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

>> APPROVED.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26582 AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED 31.

[CHANGING STREET NAMES ORDINANCES]

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26583.

RESENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 24689 ADOPTED ON THE 14TH DAY OF MARCH 2014, WHICH RENAMED THE PORTION OF OAK STREET FROM NINTH STREET TO ST. LETA TAN STREET TO JOSEPH FAN VAN TO STREET, MARO, LOUISIANA, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

>> PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26583.

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

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26583, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

NUMBER 32 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.

[OTHER ORDINANCES]

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26565, ESTABLISHING THE DESIGN DISTRICT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE RESTORATION TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM, JEFFERSON, JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA.

THE AMENDMENTS ARE IN SECTION 1 TO CHANGE MONTE SILO AVENUE TO PARISH LINE AND SOUTHERN SIDE OF AIRHART EXPRESSWAY TO THE CENTER LINE OF AIRHART EXPRESSWAY, EXTENDED THE BOUNDARY WESTWARD TO THE EASTERN BOUNDARY OF ASHNER'S MAIN CAMPUS NORTHWARD TO SPRUCE STREET, THEN BACK SOUTH TO JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, ADDING PROPERTIES ON BOTH SIDES OF BROOKLYN AVENUE AND WESTERN SIDE OF IRIS AVENUE, AS WELL, OTHERWISE SIMILAR BOUNDARIES.

THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?

>> WELL, YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR COMMENTS.

>> THAT'S COMING AFTER THE AMENDMENTS.

>> I MOVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS, THE MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26565.

ANYONE IN FAVOR. PLEASE COME FORWARD.

>> I'M MONICA BRADY AT 144 COOLIDGE STREET IN JEFFERSON, AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, ALSO KNOWN AS OJCA.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, MR. BOLONIA, JEDCO, AND COUNCILMAN BONANO AND COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, FOR ATTENDING AND SPEAKING AT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING ABOUT THE PROPOSED DESIGN DISTRICT.

OJCA IS IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED DESIGN DISTRICT, IF IT INCLUDES BOTH THE WEST DOWN RIVERSIDE AND THE EAST DOWN RIVER SIDE AND WEST RIVER SIDES OF COOLIDGE STREET BETWEEN RIVER ROAD AND JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, SO BOTH SIDES.

THE PROPOSED DESIGN DISTRICTS WAS EXTENDED ONCE BEFORE FROM BROOKLYN AVENUE TO BOTH SIDES OF HARDING STREET BETWEEN RIVER ROAD AND JEFFERSON HIGHWAY.

ODDLY, AT THAT TIME, BOTH SIDES OF COOLIDGE STREET BETWEEN RIVER ROAD AND JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, WERE EXCLUDED.

ALL THE ROADS FROM THE ORLEANS JEFFERSON PARISH LINE TO OCHSNER MAINE HOSPITAL BETWEEN RIVER ROAD AND JEFFERSON HIGHWAY WERE INCLUDED, EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE, WHICH WAS COOLIDGE.

SO THAT WAS ODD AND IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED BOTH SIDES, INCLUDING THE SIDE THAT SHARES A PROPERTY LINE WITH OCHSNER MAINE HOSPITAL.

OJCA PROMOTES THE LIVABILITY OF THE OLD JEFFERSON NEIGHBORHOOD, AND AS OPPOSED TO REZONING OF RESIDENTIAL HOUSING STOCK IN OUR AREA, COOLIDGE STREET'S INCLUSION IN THE PROPOSED DESIGN DISTRICT IS CRITICAL AND BENEFICIAL TO OUR MISSION.

WE ARE IN FAVOR IF BOTH SIDES COOLIDGE STREET BETWEEN RIVER ROAD AND JEFFERSON HIGHWAY ARE INCLUDED, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR?

>> FRANKIE HYERS GOING TO RISE IN FAVOR.

THEN YOU KNOW I'M GOING TO DO THAT OTHER THING, BUT YOU MENTIONED IT, AND I GOT TO RISE IN FAVOR.

I GOT PLENTY OF FRIENDS THROUGHOUT FROM RIO VISTA TO BROOKLYN.

SPECIFICALLY, MY FRIENDS RESIDE, AND I PLAY MUSIC WITH THEM ON BROOKLYN AVENUE.

GREAT THAT THEY GET TO HAVE SOME TAX BREAK THAT THEY GOT INCLUDED IN THIS.

I SUPPOSE YOU'D HAVE TO AMEND THIS IN ORDER TO INCLUDE COOLIDGE, UNLESS AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE DIDN'T INCLUDE COOLIDGE ON THIS AMENDMENT.

>> THAT'S JUST WHAT WE DID.

>> IT DID?

>> I DIDN'T GET IT, AND FROM WHAT THE LAST SPEAKER SAID, I WAS WORRIED THAT THAT WASN'T PART OF THAT.

IT'S THAT ARBITRARY LINE, THOUGH,

[02:25:01]

SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THAT COMMUNITY AND RESPECTING THE NEEDS OF THAT COMMUNITY. I RISE IN FAVOR.

I'M HAPPY TO SEE SOME OF MY FRIENDS POSSIBLY GET A BENEFIT OUT OF THIS.

I'M GUESSING THIS IS ONE OF THEM DEALS WHERE IF THEY RESTORE THEIR PROPERTY OR IMPROVE THE PROPERTY, THEY'D GET A BREAK ON THEIR PROPERTY TAXES, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

>> OKAY.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION. OH, I'M SORRY, MA'AM.

>> MONICA BRADY 144 COOLIDGE STREET.

WHEN IT WAS RED, I HEARD IT WAS THE EAST SIDE OF COOLIDGE STREET.

CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT THE BOUNDARY IS BOTH THE WEST SIDE, WHICH IS THE SIDE OF THE STREET THAT IS CONTIGUOUS WITH OCHSNER MAINE HOSPITAL IS INCLUDED IN THE DISTRICT?

>> IT SAID THE EAST SIDE OF ASHNERS CAMPUS SO THAT WOULD INCLUDE ALL OF ALL OF COOLIDGE.

>> YEAH. FRANKIE HYERS HAS GOT TO RISE IN OPPOSITION EVERY TIME WE DO SOME OF THIS STUFF AS WELL INTENDED AS IT IS AND I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE MY BOYS THEY DO LANDSCAPING.

>> ANYONE IN OPPOSITION.

I'M GONNA MAKE SURE THEY DO RENOVATION SO THEY CAN CAPITALIZE ON THIS AND IT'S SAD THAT I HAVE TO.

IF WE UNDERSTOOD THE RULES WITH REGARD TO DIRECT TAXES, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO, AND YOU WOULDN'T BE INDULGING THIS.

DIRECT TAXES SHALL BE APPORTIONED.

EVERY EXCEPTION RAISES THE TAX BURDEN ON THOSE WHO DON'T QUALIFY AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PAYING THE MILLAGES AREN'T EVEN SHOWING UP TO VOTE FOR THEM.

THE PEOPLE YOU GOT VOTING FOR THESE MILLAGES ARE THE PEOPLE BENEFITING FROM THIS THAT HAVE EXEMPTIONS THAT HAVE ASSESSMENTS FROZEN SO AS WE ENDEAVOR TO DO ONE GOOD DEED FROM THE NEXT, CREATE SOME OTHER SPECIAL DISTRICT THAT GETS A TAX EXEMPTION JUST BY INVESTING IN THEIR PROPERTY ARBITRARILY, AND GOD BLESS THEM IF THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

TO BAD FOR YOU.

YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOU COULD INVEST A LITTLE BIT IN YOUR PROPERTY AND AVOID TAXES? I GUESS YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT THE MEETING.

MAYBE IF YOU HAD A REPRESENTATIVE FOR EVERY 250, 30,000 PEOPLE, IF WE WERE APPORTIONED 15 SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS LIKE A POLICE JURY, SEVEN ON THE WEST, EIGHT ON THE EAST, THEN I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANY OF THESE LITTLE TRICKS AND LITTLE CROTCHETS OF INGENUITY BECAUSE YOU'D BE MY REPRESENTATIVE, OR I'D BE KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR AND REPLACING YOU.

THIS ISN'T A REPRESENTATIVE BODY BECAUSE IT'S NOT APPORTIONED AND YOU ALL MEAN WELL, SOME OF YOU MORE SO THAN OTHERS, I SUPPOSE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO RELY ON GOOD INTENTIONS.

I WANT A SIMPLE AND FRUGAL GOVERNMENT, ONE THAT'S ACCOUNTABLE OF BUYING FLORIDA PEOPLE.

YOU'RE NOT THE AUTHORITY.

THE PEOPLE ARE THE AUTHORITY.

CHAIRMAN, YOU'RE A FACILITATOR OF THIS MEETING.

YOU'RE NOT THE AUTHORITY.

I APPRECIATE YOU, AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME AFFORDED TO ME WHEN YOU DO SO.

FIGURE THIS OUT, I GO HOME.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT TWO APPEARED IN FAVOR.

ON APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, WHO IS ALSO IN FAVOR.

[LAUGHTER].

>> COUNCIL ON BONANO.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26565.

A MOTION OF COUNCIL ON BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26584, DECREASING THE SPEED LIMIT FROM 30 MILES PER HOUR TO 25 MILES PER HOUR ON AVRON BOULEVARD FROM THE INTERSECTION OF TRANSCONTINENTAL DRIVE AND AVRON BOULEVARD TO THE INTERSECTION OF LAKE VILLA DRIVE IN AVRON BOULEVARD, MOE, LOUISIANA, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.

ITEM 33, PLEASE.

>> NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26584.

>> BERGER HARRIS RISING IN FAVOR ENSURING DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY TRUMPS EVEN AN APPORTIONED REPRESENTATIVE BODY SO I AM THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO SEE Y'ALL ADDRESS THE RECKLESS DRIVING ON THAT NORTH PART OF LAKE PANZA TRAIN AREA.

I KNOW TRANSCON ALL OVER THERE.

I WORK OVER THERE LOTS OF TIMES AND THROUGHOUT THIS PARISH, THE RECKLESS DRIVING, THE ABUSE OF SPEED LIMITS IN THESE NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS, I COULDN'T SPEAK TO THAT ENOUGH.

IT'S WHAT GOT ME IN HERE JUST 4.5 YEARS AGO.

REALIZE THAT CHAIRMAN'S ONLY BEEN FOUR YEARS IN A FEW MONTHS?

>> SEEMS LIKE NINE. [LAUGHTER].

>> ANYONE IN OPPOSITION. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCIL LIZBERG.

>> I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T SEE YOU STAND UP.

OPPOSITION? IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION.

>> OPPOSITION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> MY NAME IS RYAN NUGENT. I ACTUALLY LIVE AT 5444 LANGER IN DISTRICT 4.

BUT MY FAMILY HAS ALSO OWNED PROPERTY ON AVRON BOULEVARD IN MORI SINCE THE MID 1970S.

I CAN ATTEST THAT SPEEDING HAS LONG BEEN AN ISSUE ON AVRON BOULEVARD.

BUT I ALSO HAVE TO COMMENT ON THE FACT THAT IN MOST OF THOSE YEARS,

[02:30:03]

I COULD PROBABLY COUNT ON ONE HAND THAT I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN JPSO DOING SPEED ENFORCEMENT ON AVRON BOULEVARD.

I SUPPOSE THE QUESTION IS, BECAUSE NUMBER ONE, AVRON WAS NEVER BUILT OUT, THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED TO BE BUILT OUT, AND, OF COURSE, WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH IT IN, THE WAY THAT IT IS TODAY, BUT AVRON WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO BE A MUCH WIDER ROADWAY.

IT WAS INTENDED TO BE TWO TRAVEL LANES WITH EITHER TWO ADDITIONAL TRAVEL LANES OR WITH A PARKING LANE ON EITHER SIDE.

THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THOSE FRONTAGES ARE SO LARGE.

THIS WAS INTENDED TO BE A MAIN ARTERY INTO MANY OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS AND I DO THINK FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY OBEYING THE SPEED LIMITS AND TRAVELING AT 30 MILES PER HOUR, MAKING THEM EVERYTHING TAKE LONGER, FOR THE PEOPLE WHO AREN'T SIMPLY AREN'T OBEYING THE LAW.I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT NECESSARILY FIXES THE PROBLEM.

I TOTALLY RESPECT THAT THE INTENTION HERE IS 100% GREAT.

WE DEFINITELY DO WANT TO REDUCE TRAFFIC FATALITIES THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.

BUT LIKE I SAID, IN THIS CASE, I THINK ENFORCEMENT IS PROBABLY MORE OF THE SOLUTION THAN CHANGING A LAW THAT'S ALREADY NOT BEING ENFORCED. THANK YOU.

>> LOOK, WE ALWAYS ENCOURAGE PEOPLE.

WE GET SPEEDING COMPLAINTS ALL THE TIME IN OUR OFFICES.

CAN YOU? PLEASE. MR. HYERS?

>> YEAH.

>> ONE A THEATRICS, OKAY?

>> THEATRICS.

>> HANG ON. SIR, WE GET PLENTY OF SPEEDING COMPLAINTS THROUGHOUT THE PARISH ALL THE TIME.

WE ALWAYS ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CALL THE TRAFFIC DIVISION OF JPSO BECAUSE WE ARE SEPARATE, AND WE DON'T DEAL WITH TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE SPEED TRAILERS AVAILABLE THAT CAN BE REQUESTED TO PUT ON STREETS FOR A WHILE IN DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS.

THEY'LL BE THERE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

IT'S A DETERRENT SOMETIMES, BUT THEN IT COMES BACK AT TIMES.

BUT IN THE END, PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEY'RE DRIVING THROUGH AND WHERE THEY LIVE, BUT JPSO WILL USUALLY COME OUT IF REQUESTED BY THE AREA TO RUN RADAR FOR A PERIOD OF TIME ON A STREET LIKE THAT.

>> YEAH. SO RISING IN OPPOSITION, BECAUSE HE INSPIRED ME.

>> GUY, SUPER.

>> BECAUSE HE INSPIRED ME, THAT'S WHY I HAD COME UP HERE TO PIGGYBACK ON HIM ON THIS IN THE OPPOSITION, BECAUSE REDUCING THAT SPEED LIMIT DOESN'T NECESSARILY GET THIS DONE AND HE'S PROBABLY MORE ACCURATE.

HE LIVES OVER THERE AND KNOWS THAT LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN I DO.

I HAD TO GET IN HERE OVER A STOP SO I HAVE PLENTY OF NEIGHBORS.

ONE NEIGHBOR WANTED US TO HAVE ANOTHER SPEED LIMIT SIGN.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, THE THING THAT REMEDIED MY PROBLEM AND THE CITIZENS PROBLEM ON HOMA WAS THAT ADDITIONAL STOP SIGN AND I'VE GOT PLENTY OF NEIGHBORS THAT WISH YOU'D PUT ANOTHER ONE A LITTLE BIT FURTHER UP THE ROAD, CLOSER TO WEST MONROE.

I HADN'T BEEN OVER THERE ENOUGH TO KNOW IF IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO AFFECT ANOTHER STOP SIGN, A STREET AWAY FROM WHEREVER THERE'S A FOUR WAY ALREADY, TO BASICALLY REMEDY THIS IN A WAY THAT FORCES PEOPLE TO REDUCE THAT SPEED.

I DON'T GET EVERYBODY STOPPING AT THAT STOP SIGN.

NOT EVERYBODY DOES.

BUT NOBODY'S DOING 60 AND 70 MILES AN HOUR DOWN THAT STREET ANYMORE.

WAYS TO MITIGATE FOR THIS AND WAYS TO DO THIS, REDUCING THE SPEED LIMIT, I THINK IT'S STILL A REASONABLE THING TO DO JUST LIKE HE SAID, BUT IT'S NOT PROBABLY ENFORCEMENT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

JPSO DOESN'T HAVE THE SHERIFFS.

WHEN THEY WERE CALLED FOR HOME BOULEVARD, THEY SHOWED UP ON FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND.

JPSO IS NOT THE SOLUTION WHEN THE COUNCIL CAN DO SOME THINGS ABOUT THIS.

YOU HAVE TOOLS THAT CAN REDRESS THIS.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? ONE IN FAVOR, TWO IN OPPOSITION, ONE OF WHO WAS ALSO IN FAVOR AGAIN. COUNCIL LIZBERG.

>> I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THE OPPOSITION, BUT SINCE WE DON'T ENFORCE THE LAW, THIS IS THE BEST THAT WE CAN DO, SO I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26584, MOTION OF COUNCIL LIZBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26585, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 6, ARTICLE 5 OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO CARNIVAL MARDIGRA AND OTHER PARADES.

ITEM 34, PLEASE.

IT SHOULD ALSO READ THAT IT WAS PLACED ON THE AGENDA BY MR. LIZBERG AT THE REQUEST OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> WE NOW THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26585.

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

>> TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26585 A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, 35, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26587, AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO CREATE A NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FLOOD PLAN MANAGEMENT AND HAZARD MITIGATION.

>> NOW, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26587.

THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. THOSE IN OPPOSITION.

[02:35:03]

>> HI, GUYS RISING IN OPPOSITION.

I NEED A GOVERNMENT THAT'S FRUGAL AND SIMPLE, AND THIS JUST ISN'T GOING TO ADD TO THAT OR MAKE THAT ANY MORE FEASIBLE.

>> MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ANY OTHER OPPOSITION.

ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.

COUNCILWOMAN AN FRANKEN?

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY UMBER 26587 A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN AN FRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, 36, PLEASE.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26588, AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON POWERS TO DELETE SELECT CLASS TITLES.

>> NOW WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARYNUMBER 26588.

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

>> MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN?

>> MOVED FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION APPROVAL OF SUMMARYNUMBER 26588.

MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. NUMBER 37 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE THE OPERATING BUDGET.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26589, AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE; TO ALLOCATE $200,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT T'S WEST BANK TOURISM FUND FOR A MULTI YEAR CEA WITH NEW GROWTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE WEST BANK HERITAGE FESTIVAL TO PROMOTE ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS, RECREATION AND TOURISM, COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE, ALLOCATE $100,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE'S WEST BANK RIVER BO GAMING FUND FOR A MULTI YEAR CEA WITH NEW GROWTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE WEST BANK HERITAGE FESTIVAL TO PROMOTE ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS, RECREATION AND TOURISM, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

ALLOCATE $26,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 445604008745445629123 FOR THE COVID MEMORIAL WALKING TRAIL PROJECT, COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE.

ALLOCATE $20,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO'S OFF TRACK BETTING FUND FOR A CEA WITH JOHN CURTIS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FOR POLICE DETAILS AND FACILITY RENTAL EXPENSES FOR THE LHSAA FOOTBALL GAMES TO BE HELD AT SHRINE ON AIRLINE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

ALLOCATE $1,450 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S VIDEO POKER FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 217902424510427699.9 FOR LAFITTE LIBRARY SIGNAGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.

ALLOCATE $380 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO PROJECT NUMBER 58517004 FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF HOPE HAVEN PROPERTY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

ALLOCATE $153 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO TRAFFIC ENGINEERING ACCOUNT NUMBER 22200000053331 TO PAY INVOICE FOR A SIGN FOR THE AVONDALE HOMES NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE.

AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS AND THE MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.

THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26589.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?

>> FRANK HYERS, RISING IN OPPOSITION.

JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY.

AND I'M CURIOUS FOR ONE THING, BECAUSE I THINK I MIGHT HAVE EITHER MISHEARD IT OR JUST DIDN'T DIDN'T GET WHAT IT WAS FOR.

WAS IT $380 FOR SOMETHING FOR HOPE HAVEN, OR WAS IT $380,000?

>> $380. $380? IT JUST SEEMED LIKE A REALLY SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE ALLOCATED FROM ANYWHERE TO ANYWHERE.

I RISE IN OPPOSITION SIMPLY, NOT BECAUSE I OPPOSE THE GOOD WORKS THAT ARE HOPED TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THIS, BUT THE MEANS BY WHICH THEY'RE ACCOMPLISHED.

THIS IS TOURISM MONEY.

THAT'S A HOSPITALITY TAXATION.

HALF A PERCENT LESS ON THE WEST BANK THAN IT IS HERE ON THE EAST BANK, SWING HOT BLOOD BETWEEN NEIGHBORS.

IT'S THAT VIRTUAL REPRESENTATION CLAUSE SO WHEN DISTRICT 3 AND DISTRICT 1, AND DISTRICT 2, ALL REPRESENT MUNICIPALITIES MORE SO THAN THEY DO THE UNINCORPORATED, AND THEN YOU START TAKING MONEY DIFFERENTLY FROM ONE SIDE OF THE RIVER AND ALLOWING SOMEBODY WHO MAY LIVE ON ONE SIDE OF THE RIVER OR THE OTHER TO ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS.

THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF GOING ON THAT BASICALLY GETS REDUCED TO BEING TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

[02:40:02]

THAT WAS THE CAUSE FOR OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

[OVERLAPPING] I GOT TO RISE IN OPPOSITION.

>> SAY ON THE TOPIC.

>> THIS IS THE TOPIC AND.

>> NOT ABOUT THE CONTRACT [OVERLAPPING]

>> IF YOU'RE NOT EMPOWERED LEGITIMATELY, THEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO TELL ME REALLY ANYTHING.

>> WE DO, THOUGH, SO RAP UP.

>> YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND TRY, BUT YOU DON'T.

THE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES THAT HOLD THE POWER, NOT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THAT BEING SAID, IT'S THE ARBITRARY TAXATION THAT BOTHERS ME.

IT'S THE FACT THAT ONE SIDE OF THE RIVER PAYS A DIFFERENT RATE OF DUTIES, TARIFFS, EXCISES.

THAT'S WHAT THESE ARE. INDIRECT TAXES MUST BE UNIFORM THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE.

UNLESS WE'RE READY TO SEVER THE PARISH, MAKE THE WEST BANK ITS OWN PARISH, THEN THEY CAN TAX THEMSELVES ANY WAY THEY WANT WITH REGARDS TO HOSPITALITY, AND IT WON'T AFFECT THE EAST BANK IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM AND THAT WOULD CONFORM TO THE CONSTITUTION IN THE UNITED STATES THAT I SWORE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND, SIR.

I'D APPRECIATE IT IF YOU GET CURIOUS ABOUT THIS.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION.

MADAM CLERK, KNOW THE ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMER NUMBER 26589 ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, NEXT IS THE CAPITAL BUDGET NUMBER 38 WITH AMENDMENTS.

>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26590, AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $26,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3S WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 445604008745445629123 FOR THE COVID MEMORIAL WALKING TRAIL PROJECT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

ALLOCATE $20,000 FROM COUNCIL AT LARGE BCDIA GENERAL FUND FOR A CEA WITH JOHN CURTIS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FOR POLICE DETAILS AND FACILITY RENTAL EXPENSES FOR THE LHSAA FOOTBALL GAMES TO BE HELD AT THE SHRINE ON AIRLINE, COUNCIL AT LARGE B.

TO RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $380 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2S WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING FUND TO PROJECT NUMBER 585-170-04 FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF HOPE HAVEN PROPERTY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN AN FRANKING, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDER THE PUBLIC HEARINGS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26590.

>> RICK HIRES, HAVING TO DO THIS AGAIN.

ANYONE OPPOSED?

I'M GOING TO SPEAK TO THE ONE THING ON THERE.

THERE MIGHT BE A COUPLE OF THINGS ON THESE AMENDMENTS THAT RESONATED.

WE OPENED A MEETING WITH THE INVOCATION.

SUPERSEDING COMMANDMENT IS TO LOVE THY NEIGHBOR.

I DO BELIEVE THAT OUR APPORTION REPRESENTATION IS MEANT TO CODIFY THAT INTO GOVERNANCE.

THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION PROHIBITS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SIT TO MY LEFT, TAKE THAT, I THINK THE WRONG WAY.

THEY THINK THAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THE INTUITION OF FAITH ON GOVERNANCE.

BOY, WOULD THAT BE TERRIBLE? I'M A MAN OF RENEWED FAITH, AND THE BOOKS OF MATTHEW, MARK, JOHN AND LUKE MEAN A WHOLE LOT TO ME.

EVERYONE WILL BRING THEIR FAITH OR THE LACK THEREOF TO THE OFFICE.

THE REASON WHY THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE, I BELIEVE, IS THERE IS NOT TO PROTECT GOVERNANCE FROM THE INTRUSION OF FAITH, BUT TO PROTECT THE INSTITUTIONS OF FAITH FROM THE CORRUPTIVE INFLUENCE THAT GOVERNANCE AND THE POWER OF GOVERNANCE HAS.

MY QUESTION, AND MY CONCERNS WITH REGARDS TO THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT IS WHEN WE ENRICH JOHN CURTIS, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A COUNCIL COMES ALONG THAT REFUSES TO DO SO? DO WE NOT CREATE A SITUATION WHERE THE CHURCH? THE INSTITUTIONS OF FAITH ARE DEPENDENT UPON THE TAXPAYERS IN A WAY THAT THE TAXPAYERS ARE ARE OBLIVIOUS TO? IF THERE'S NO EVER ANY AMENDMENTS OR ANY CAPITAL OUTLAYS TO BENEFIT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE SHRINE ON ORLEANS NEVER MADE AVAILABLE TO THE TUNE OF $40,000 FOR EJ.

BONNIE THOMPSON HAD COME IN HERE LOOKING FOR A LITTLE ASSISTANCE ON THAT, SHE COULDN'T EVEN GET YOU ALL TO REMEDY THAT.

WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING FOR INSTITUTIONS OF FAITH, TAXPAYER DOLLARS, IT'S A QUESTION OF, WHAT ARE WE SETTING THOSE INSTITUTIONS UP FOR? I'M SURE THOSE INSTITUTIONS OF FAITH ARE WELL INTENDED.

I'M SURE THE PEOPLE THERE ARE DOING GOOD WORKS.

BUT IF THEY'RE BEING SET UP TO FAIL BECAUSE THEY'RE RELIANT UPON PUBLIC DOLLARS, THEN THAT'S ON US.

[02:45:06]

>> YOU KNOW WHAT JUST HAPPENED.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.

COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN YOUR MOTION?

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26590, MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

NUMBER 39. RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR,

[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.

>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING ST. ANGELA MERICI 835 MELODY DRIVE, PERMISSION TO CONDUCT THEIR ST. ANGELA MERICI RAM FEST FORMALLY KNOWN AS CATFISH FESTIVAL.

>> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.

>> ONE.

>> SIR.

ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025, AND SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025, FROM 11:00 A.M. UNTIL 10:30 P.M. ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, 2025 FROM 11:00 A.M. UNTIL 9:00 P.M.

>> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NO, NO OVER THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION, ANYONE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILLMAN LILJEBERG?

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

>> COUNCILMAN KERNER.

>> I HAVE TWO.

>> YES, SIR.

>> A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MR. PAUL RIVERA TO THE POSITION OF CHIEF OF STAFF TO COUNCILMAN TIM KERNER JUNIOR, REPRESENTING COUNCIL DISTRICT 1, APPOINTING MR. JEFF ADAM AND MISS JESSICA RAGUSA TO THE POSITION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AID TO COUNCILMAN TIM KERNER JUNIOR, REPRESENTING COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NO, NO, FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION, ANYONE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN KERNER.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

>> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO IMMEDIATELY CONDUCT EMERGENCY DREADING OF BARATARIA WATERWAY CHANNEL FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVING A UNITED STATES NAVIGABLE WATERWAY AND FACILITATING VITAL TRADE OIL AND GAS AND COMMERCIAL FISHING ROUTES FOR SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA.

>> ANY OBJECTION, THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NO, AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.

THEY WANT FAVOR OPPOSITION.

MADAM CLERK, NOTED THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN KERNER.

>> LOOK, I JUST WANT TO JUST NOTE A FEW THINGS WITH THIS.

THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT I WANT EVERYBODY TO BE AWARE OF.

THIS SLOWS DOWN AND STOPS A LOT OF THE COMMERCE IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA, SPECIFICALLY JEFFERSON PARISH.

RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN VESSELS THAT HAVE BEEN USING THIS FOR 100 YEARS.

THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THROUGH IT AND ARE STOPPING.

YOU HAVE TUGBOATS THAT BRING IN COMMERCE BACK AND FORTH, MATERIALS BACK AND FORTH TO SUPPORT OUR TRADE HERE, THAT ARE BEING STOPPED DEAD IN THEIR TRACKS BECAUSE OF THE ARMY CORPS FAILURE TO DREDGE.

ABOUT, I GUESS, WHAT 10 YEARS AGO, REPRESENTATIVE KERNER AND JUG.

I DON'T KNOW IF ALL KNOW JUG, HE'S DONE PULL IN THE INTERVIEWS, COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN HAS BEEN DOING IT SINCE BEFORE I WAS ALIVE.

THEY WENT UP TO DC AND GOT FUNDING FOR THIS WITH THE HELP OF SENATOR VIER, SENATOR LANDRA AT THE TIME AND CONGRESSMAN SCALISE.

IT'S BEEN A DECADE AND RIGHT NOW THEY'RE JUST SITTING ON THAT FUNDING, NOT DOING IT.

IT'S CREATING A MASSIVE MASSIVE PROBLEM.

I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR JOINING ME IN MAKING THIS A JOINT MOTION, BUT I ALSO WANT TO PUT THE ADMINISTRATION ON NOTICE AS WELL.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO JUMP ON IMMEDIATELY AND TRY TO RESOLVE THIS.

I ALREADY HAVE FISHERMEN RIGHT NOW IN THE COMMUNITY.

LOOK, THE WAY THE PROCESS WORK, IT'S FISHERMEN FIRST, BUT THEN IT'S THE TUGBOATS.

THEN IT'S THE BIG BOATS. YOU'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THAT THRESHOLD, AND IT HAPPENS FAST.

RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE FISHERMEN THAT'S PUTTING FOR SALE SIGNS THAT HAVE LIVED HERE FOR CENTURIES.

FAMILIES HAVE LIVED HERE FOR CENTURIES, PUTTING FOR SALE SIGNS AT THEIR HOUSE BECAUSE THEY CAN NO LONGER FISH AND ONCE THIS HISTORIC FEDERAL CHANNEL.

FIRST, IT'LL START WITH THEM, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT.

IF WE DON'T ALL COME TOGETHER AND JUMP ON THIS, THEN IT'LL BE BUSINESSES.

IT'LL BE ENGINEERS ROAD.

IT'LL BE A LOT OF THE JOBS THAT SUPPORT JEFFERSON PARISH AND REALLY PLAQUEMINES PARISH AND ST. CHARLES PARISH.

I ASK EVERYBODY TO PLEASE PUT THIS ON NOTICE.

I'LL BE SENDING SOME EMAILS IN THE FUTURE TO GET EVERYBODY ON BOARD WITH THIS AND SCHEDULING SOME BEATINGS, BUT BASED ON ALL THAT, I MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN KERNER.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT JOINT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD BY COUNCILMAN KERNER,

[02:50:01]

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

>> COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN.

>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NUMBER 144740 ADOPTED ON AUGUST 7, 2024, WHICH APPROVED A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND NEW GROWTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE WEST BANK CARTAGE FESTIVAL TO AMEND SECTION 2 OF THE RESOLUTION TO ADD TWO ACCOUNT NUMBERS FOR THE 2025 WEST BANK CARTAGE FESTIVAL.

>> COUNCILMAN LEE?

>> I HAVE ONE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.

WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.

ANYONE IN FAVOR, OPPOSITION.

PLEASE COME FORWARD. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN LEE.

>> I MOVE.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

>> COUNCILMAN WALKER.

>> I'VE COMPLETED THE RULE.

>> THANK YOU. TAKES US TO CONSENT AGENDA 1 COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN,

[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]

YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 4399.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 4399.

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

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 100.

[PROMULGATE ELECTION RETURNS]

>> A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA ON SATURDAY, MAY 3RD, 2025 FOR AUTHORITY TO RENEW THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AN AD VALOREM TAX IN THE PARISH AND OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE WITH.

THE FOLLOWING VOTES HAD BEEN CAST IN THE PARISH.

VOTES 42,2429 VOTES AGAINST 13,575.

THERE WAS A MAJORITY OF 8,854 VOTES CAST FOR THE PROPOSITION.

THE PROPOSITION WAS CARRIED.

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.

MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED 101 PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN CONSOLIDATED DRAINAGE DISTRICT NUMBER 2 OF THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, ON SATURDAY, MAY 3RD, 2025, FOR AUTHORITY TO RENEW THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AN AD VALOREM TAX IN THE DISTRICT AND OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE WITH.

THE FOLLOWING VOTES HAD BEEN CAST IN THE DISTRICT.

VOTES 423804 VOTES AGAINST 11,915.

THERE WAS A MAJORITY OF 11,889 VOTES CAST FOR THE PROPOSITION.

THE PROPOSITION WAS CARRIED.

>> COUNCILWOMAN BEEN VAN VRANCKEN YOUR MOTION?

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED? ITEM 102, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN CONSOLIDATED JEFFERSON RECREATION AND COMMUNITY CENTER IN PLAYGROUND DISTRICT OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, ON SATURDAY, MAY 3RD, 2025, FOR AUTHORITY TO RENEW THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AN AD VALOREM TAX IN THE DISTRICT AND OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE WITH.

THE FOLLOWING VOTES HAD BEEN CAST IN THE DISTRICT.

VOTES 418014, VOTES AGAINST 10,011.

THERE WAS A MAJORITY OF 8,003 VOTES CAST FOR THE PROPOSITION.

THE PROPOSITION WAS CARRIED.

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION?

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF OUR RESOLUTION.

MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

THAT TAKES TO CONSENT AGENDA 2 AND COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 103-179 MINUS 104-105, WHICH ARE SELECTIONS, 147-151, WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN ADOPTED, 154, WHICH WILL BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION, 157, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED, AND 173 AND 174, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO 91725.

[CONSENT AGENDA TWO (Part 2 of 2)]

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 103-179, MINUS 104 AND 105, WHICH ARE SELECTIONS, ITEMS 147-151, WHICH HAVE BEEN ADOPTED IN 154, WHICH WILL BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION, 157, WHICH WILL BE AMENDED IN 173 AND 174, WHICH WILL BE DEFERRED TO 917, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN CONSECUTIVE BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM 104, MADAM CLERK.

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS, ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144664, ADOPTED AUGUST 7,

[02:55:03]

2024, AND RESOLUTION NUMBER 146489, ADOPTED JUNE 18, 2025 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SEWAGE PROJECTS, WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES FOR AIRLINE PARK AND HUDSON LIFT STATION IMPROVEMENT, E4-1 SCIP PROJECT NUMBER 55132 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN.

>> MOVE ON PRINCIPAL ENGINEERING AS THE PRIME, AND ELS ENVIRONMENTAL AS THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF PRINCIPAL ENGINEERING AS THE PRIME, AND I MISSED YOUR RESIDENT.

>> ELS ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> ELS ENVIRONMENTAL AS THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR.

MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS, ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144664, ADOPTED AUGUST 7, 2024, IN RESOLUTION NUMBER 146489, ADOPTED JUNE 18, 2025 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SEWAGE PROJECTS, WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES FOR DAY AND COMMERCIAL LIFT STATION IMPROVEMENTS, N-12-7 SCIP PROJECT NUMBER 2544 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

ITEM 105 PLEASE.

>> COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN?

>> MOVE ON PEC AS THE PRIME AND ELS ENVIRONMENTAL AS THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF PEC IS THE PRIME AND ELS ENVIRONMENTAL AS THE RESIDENT INSPECTOR.

OUR MOTION OF COUNCIL BOHANNAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 154.

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A MONETARY DONATION OF $500,000 FROM LAWRENCE LARRY GIBBS AND MARION GIBBS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO LITTLE FARMS PLAYGROUND.

>> ANY HELM BEEN ON YOUR MIND?

>> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

JUST WANT TO PULL THIS OUT OF ORDER.

OFF THE AGENDA, JUST BECAUSE I WANTED TO THANK MR. GIBBS, LARRY, AND MARION GIBBS FOR THIS VERY, VERY GENEROUS GIFT OF $500,000.

LITTLE FARMS PLAYGROUND TURNED 100 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR.

IT'S THE OLDEST PLAYGROUND IN THE PARISH.

MR. GIBBS APPROACHED ME ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO ABOUT DOING SOME MAJOR RENOVATIONS TO THIS PLAYGROUND IN CELEBRATION OF IT TURNED 100 BIRTHDAY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

MR. GIBBS HAS SEVEN KIDS, AND HE COACHED ALL SEVEN KIDS AT THIS PLAYGROUND, AND HE LIVES ACROSS THE STREET.

IT'S VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO HIS HEART, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THIS DONATION.

>> ANY MOTION?

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION RESOLUTION ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

THAT TAKES US 2157 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF LOT FIVE A SQUARE 20, HARVEY CANAL SUBDIVISION, BEARING MUNICIPAL ADDRESS 1006 PALETTE AVENUE, HARVEY, FROM MOUNT PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH FOR ANY PUBLIC PURPOSE IN THE AMENDMENT.

SECTION THREE, TO CHANGE THE ACCOUNT NUMBER 2 2 3 0 1 0 2 7 8 3 7 7 2 0 3 0 1 8 3, COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE BP SETTLEMENT FUND, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS? ANY OBJECTION ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS, AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE.ORDER, YOUR MOTION, COUNCILMAN LEE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED? MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE. SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

LET'S GO TO ITEM 180 NOW ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA,

[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS]

AND COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

YOUR MOTION ON THE NGLOBE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH 20.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH 20, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO ADVERTISE FOR STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS FROM PERSONS OR FIRMS INTERESTED IN PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICES FOR THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN INFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGN RELATED TO THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT, JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA PAY PLAN, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO REMOVE THE SECTION.

ITEM 21, PLEASE.

THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN BONANO, OR YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?

[03:00:01]

>> I'M SORRY. MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNSELMAN MANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

BEFORE WE GO FOR THE MOTION IN DISCUSSION, I'D JUST LIKE TO OFFER A MOTION TO DEFER IF THERE'S A SECOND, ANYWHERE?

>> A SECOND.

>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO DEFER? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

YOU OBJECT? IS THERE ANY OBJECTION?

>> YEAH. YES. I THINK I OBJECT TO THE DEFERRAL.

>> OKAY.

>> I GUESS WE'RE GOING TO NEED A ROLL CALL VOTE, MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> WHERE DOES IT START?

>> DO ANY ROLL CALL VOTES OCCUR IN THE DEFERRAL?

>> THIS IS TO DEFER ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM 21, COUNCILMAN KERNER.

>> I VOTE IN FAVOR OF A DEFERRAL.

>>TO DEFER.

>> TO DEFER.

>> COUNCILMAN LEE?

>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN?

>> COUNCILMAN WALKER.

>> YES, DEFER.

>> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN?

>> I'LL OPEN THE DISCUSSION BY JUST SAYING, I HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS DURING THE WEEK, AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE THE TIMING IS RIGHT, OR THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO DO THIS IS RIGHT.

THERE WAS A TIME ON THIS COUNCIL WHEN, IF YOU ASKED FOR A DEFERRAL, YOU GOT A COURTESY DEFERRAL.

THAT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE.

BUT WHEN SOMEBODY WANTS A DEFERRAL, CONTRARY TO A WANT OF A PARTICULAR COUNCIL PERSON, USUALLY THAT COURTESY DEFERRAL IS GIVEN FOR MORE TIME TO DISCUSS A MATTER OR MORE TIME TO LOOK AT A MATTER.

I'VE HAD THINGS THAT I'VE WANTED TO PASS ON A CERTAIN DAY THAT I'VE DEFERRED BECAUSE THERE WAS A DESIRE TO DEFER IT.

I WISH WE COULD DEFER THIS, AND I WISH WE COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT FURTHER AND SEE IF IT'S NECESSARY SINCE THE PARISH PRESIDENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION ARE IN THE MIDST OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S ANOTHER MEETING SET FOR TOMORROW.

AGAIN, MY POSITION IS THAT I DON'T THINK THIS IS NECESSARY AT THIS TIME, AND IT MAY NOT BE NECESSARY AT ALL, BUT THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO DO SOMETHING THAT WE CAN GENERALLY DO OURSELVES.

I BELIEVE FROM WHERE I SIT, IT IS NOT NECESSARY.

THAT'S, [LAUGHTER] AND LOOK, I'M NOT DOING IT FOR APPLAUSE.

I'M NOT DOING IT FOR ANY OTHER REASON EXCEPT THAT I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN DISCUSS THIS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER AND DO THIS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, IF IT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO DO AT THAT TIME.

BUT I THINK WHEN FACTS ARE IMPORTANT TO ME, THERE'S A LOT OF YELLING AND SCREAMING INVOLVED IN THIS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS.

MY CONTENTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT FACTS ARE FACTS, AND NUMBERS ARE NUMBERS, AND WHEN IT ALL PLAYS OUT, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITHIN OUR CURRENT STRUCTURE, WITHIN OUR CURRENT MILLAGE.

A LOT OF IT IS VERY BLACK AND WHITE.

WHEN WE GET THROUGH THAT BLACK AND WHITE, AND WE SEE WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT, THEN WE'LL BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING AS FAR AS LETTING THE NUMBERS GUIDE US AND LETTING US SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITHIN OUR EXISTING MILLAGE. THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

I THINK ANYTHING BEFORE THAT IS PREMATURE, AND ANYTHING AFTER THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE WARRANTED, BUT I DON'T KNOW AT THIS TIME.

THAT'S WHERE I STAND ON THIS.

IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS COMMENTS, THEY CAN GO NOW, TOO. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, WHEN MY COLLEAGUES BROUGHT THIS UP, I HAD THE SAME INITIAL THOUGHT.

OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE IS THE VEHICLE THAT WE USE TO PUT OUT INFORMATION ON EVERY MILLAGE ISSUE THAT WE BRING BEFORE VOTERS.

I'M NOT SURE WHY OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THIS FREE OF CHARGE.

I THINK THAT'S IN OUR BEST INTEREST.

I DO HAVE ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION.

I'D LIKE TO ASK THE PARISH ATTORNEY, JUST SO I APPRECIATE MOVING FORWARD.

WHEN WE LIKE THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE PUTS SOMETHING OUT BECAUSE THEY'RE USING PUBLIC FUNDS, THEY HAVE TO STAY INFORMATIONAL IN NATURE.

IT CAN'T ADVOCATE FOR A POSITION.

WILL THE SAME BE TRUE IF WE PUT OUT AN SOQ FOR A PRIVATE FIRM TO PUT OUT INFORMATION, WILL IT BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE A POSITION, OR WILL IT HAVE TO REMAIN INFORMATIONAL ONLY? THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.

>> HE SAID INFORMATION. SORRY, YOUR MICROPHONE WAS OFF.

[03:05:01]

>> IT WAS STILL OFF, BUT WE HEARD YOU.

INFORMATIONAL IN NATURE. ANYBODY ELSE?

>> I THINK THE ISSUE HERE, MR. CHAIRMAN, IS THAT THIS IS A VERY TIME-SENSITIVE MATTER.

YOU HAVE TO ADVERTISE FOR A MINIMUM OF 30 DAYS.

WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER COUNCIL MEETING UNTIL SEPTEMBER 17.

THERE'S NO HARM IN THE ADVERTISING IF THIS IS RESOLVED BY SEPTEMBER 17, WE DON'T HAVE TO RATIFY THE CONTRACT, BUT I CANNOT, FOR THE LIFE OF ME, UNDERSTAND WHY ANYBODY WOULD BE OPPOSED TO EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THIS PAY PLAN, THE LAWS THAT AFFECT IT, HOW MUCH EACH POSITION EARNS, INCLUDE MANDATORY OVERTIME AND SUPPLEMENTAL PAY.

IT JUST BOGGLES MY MIND THAT WE WANT TO HIDE THIS FROM THE PUBLIC.

FOR MONTHS NOW [LAUGHTER], MR. CHAIRMAN, CAN YOU PLEASE, [OVERLAPPING] GUYS? WE CAN'T HAVE COMMENTS FROM A CAN LAUGH ALL IF YOU WANT.

IT DOESN'T AFFECT ME. PLEASE, I HAVE SEATS.

UNION MEMBERS ATTACK THIS.

COUNCIL, AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA USING THE MONTRE 1053 IS NOT ENOUGH.

I AGREE WITH YOU. I WANT TO SEE THESE GUYS GET A RAISE.

I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO PUSHED FOR YOU ALL TO GET A 5% RAISE TWO YEARS AGO WHEN NOBODY ELSE GOT ONE.

I PUT THAT ON THERE. I HAVE A VERY BALANCED APPROACH TO ALL OF THIS.

TRUST ME, WHEN I TELL YOU THAT NO ONE WANTS TO FIX THIS ISSUE MORE THAN I, HOWEVER, YOU'LL ALL KNOW, THERE'S A STATE LAW THAT REQUIRES THIS PARISH TO INCREASE EVERY FIRE DEPARTMENT'S JOB CLASSIFICATION, 10% MORE THAN THE CLASSIFICATION THAT'S UNDER HIM.

IF YOU INCREASE THE LOWEST, YOU'VE GOT TO INCREASE THE HIGHEST.

THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN TOLD THAT TO DO SO WOULD REQUIRE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES COLLECTED BY THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO KNOW THE FACTS SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE AND HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST THEM.

I'M NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN A SOCIAL MEDIA DEBATE OVER THIS ISSUE.

ANYONE CAN MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND NOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONSULTANT WOULD BE TO REVIEW ALL THE PAYROLL RULES AND LAWS AND DEVELOP A FACT SHEET, A FACT SHEET ONLY, AND EXPLAIN ALL OF THIS INFORMATION, AND WE CAN PLACE IT ON OUR WEBSITE, SEND IT TO OUR CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS, WOULD BE THE FACTS AND ONLY THE FACTS.

BEING A LEADER IS NOT A POPULARITY CONTEST.

IT'S ABOUT STUDYING BOTH SIDES OF AN ISSUE AND MAKING THE DECISION THAT IS BEST FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

TO DATE, WE HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION.

YET ON SOCIAL MEDIA, FALSE CLAIMS ARE ALREADY BEING MADE.

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO SLANDER THE FIREFIGHTERS, AND NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

I CHALLENGE ANYONE TO SHOW ME WHERE I HAVE SAID ANYTHING NEGATIVE OR DEROGATORY ABOUT THIS DEPARTMENT AND ITS FIREFIGHTERS IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS.

IT DOESN'T EXIST, NOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, BECAUSE I AM NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE SOCIAL MEDIA GAMES.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALSO ENGAGE OUR BUSINESSES.

BUSINESSES PAY THE MAJORITY SHARE OF PROPERTY TAXES, NOT THE CITIZENS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS.

WE'VE BEEN TOLD BY OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS COULD INCREASE OUR ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BY UP TO NINE TO $10 MILLION A YEAR.

HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE IN FUND BALANCE RIGHT NOW? $8,000,000.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO SUSTAIN THIS PLAN GOING FORWARD? NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

THE PUBLIC, THE BUSINESSES, AND THE TAXPAYERS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT THEM BEFORE WE MAKE A DECISION.

I'M NOT GOING TO HIDE THIS FROM THE PUBLIC.

WITH THAT, I'LL OPEN THE FLOOR UP TO MY COLLEAGUES.

>> LET ME RESPOND, COUNCILMAN BONANO, QUICKLY, BECAUSE I DON'T DISAGREE WITH ANYTHING YOU SAID.

I SIMPLY DISAGREE WITH THE VEHICLE.

WHICH ONE TO GET THERE? I THINK THAT WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF BAD BLOOD BOIL OVER DURING THIS MONTH-LONG DEBATE.

I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU CAN TAG ME IN AS MANY SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS AS YOU WANT.

YOU CAN SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT.

YOU CAN MAKE WHATEVER PUBLIC CLAIMS YOU WANT.

THAT'S YOUR RIGHT, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT HOW I LOOK AT THE ISSUE GOING FORWARD.

I BELIEVE RATHER THAN A PR FIRM THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT 30 DAYS FOR, OUR PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE COULD PUT OUT A FACT SHEET IN A WEEK AND ADDRESS ALL THESE ISSUES.

I JUST BELIEVE THERE'S A DIFFERENT WAY TO GET THERE.

I DON'T DISAGREE WITH ANYTHING YOU'VE SAID.

I WANT TO KNOW HOW WE CAN DO THIS WITHIN THE EXISTING MILLAGE, AND I WANT TO KNOW WHERE THERE IS A VIABLE SOLUTION THAT WE DON'T KNOW YET.

I AGREE, BUT I DISAGREE WITH THE WAY TO GET THERE. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.

>> WELL, WE HAVE MADE SOME ATTEMPTS TO HAVE IT DONE IN-HOUSE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S JUST NOT AN OPTION.

EMPLOYEES OF THIS PARISH, INCLUDING THIS COUNCIL, HAVE BEEN VICIOUSLY CYBERATTACKED.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SUBJECT, APPARENTLY, OUR EMPLOYEES TO HAVING THAT THING PUSHED ON THEM.

THE ONLY WAY TO PROTECT OUR EMPLOYEES, WHILE ALSO BEING HONEST WITH THE PUBLIC, IS TO HIRE AN OUTSIDE FIRM.

WE HAVE A PARISH ATTORNEY WHO'S A FORENSIC CPA.

WE HAVE VERY GREAT EXPERTS IN THIS PARISH.

[03:10:01]

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO COME FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND WALKS OF LIFE, AND TO FIGURE OUT THE FIREMAN'S COMPENSATION IS BIGGER THAN JUST US.

WE HIRED EXPERTS TO HELP US.

THOSE EXPERTS RESULTED IN A 369-PAGE REPORT.

EVEN THE EXPERTS COULDN'T BOIL IT DOWN TO A SIMPLE, CLEAR MESSAGE.

BUT THE PUBLIC PAID FOR THIS REPORT.

THE PUBLIC HAS EVERY RIGHT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S IN IT, AND THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW CLEARLY AND CONCISELY, NOT THE RHETORIC, NOT THE EMOTIONAL ARGUMENTS, BUT A CLEAR, CONCISE, FACTUAL MESSAGE.

THAT'S WHAT WE SEEK TO DO.

I REFUSE TO ENGAGE IN USING PUBLIC DOLLARS TO DO THIS REPORT AND NOT LET THE PUBLIC KNOW.

THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT, MY TAXPAYERS, MY CONSTITUENTS, THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IN THAT REPORT.

BUT IF PEOPLE ON THIS COUNCIL AND IN THIS PARISH HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME UNDERSTANDING THE PAY, THE PAY STUDY, OUR PUBLIC CAN'T POSSIBLY BE EXPECTED TO SPEND TO READING AND INTERPRETING 369 PAGES AND UNDERSTAND CLEARLY WHAT'S HAPPENING.

EVEN THOSE OF US DEEPLY ENGAGED HAVE QUESTIONS AFTER READING IT, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN HIDING THE RESULTS FROM THEM.

IF WE CAN'T DO IT IN-HOUSE, WHICH WE CAN'T, THEN WE HAVE TO SEEK OUTSIDE HELP.

THE ALLEGATION OF WHAT HAPPENED 20 YEARS AGO WITH SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES, NO ONE ON THIS COUNCIL WANTS THAT TO HAPPEN.

THIS IS FACTUAL.

WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS? WHAT DO THEY MEAN? WHAT'S THE RESULT OF THEM? IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU WERE UNDERPAID, THEN THAT'S GOING TO SAY THAT IN THERE.

BUT WE CAN'T KEEP DOING THIS SOCIAL MEDIA WEIRD STUFF THAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE TO BE ABOVE THAT.

WE ARE JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEES.

WE ARE THE EXAMPLE FOR THE STATE, AND IT IS EMBARRASSING.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW IS TAKE A STEP BACK, HIRE AN OUTSIDE FIRM THAT CAN GIVE A CLEAR AND CONCISE MESSAGE, AND LET THE VOTERS WHO PAID FOR IT KNOW WHAT IT SAYS.

>> ANYONE ELSE? COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE].

>> I AGREE. I'M GOING TO TRY NOT TO BE REDUNDANT BECAUSE MUCH OF WHAT I WANTED TO SAY HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID.

MR. BURKHARDT, I AGREE.

WE NEED TO NEGOTIATE IN THE SUNSHINE.

COUNCIL CHAIR WALKER, I AGREE WITH YOU.

FACTS ARE IMPORTANT. I BELIEVE THAT THERE'S BEEN A CAMPAIGN OF MISINFORMATION.

I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE ALL BEEN ATTACKED, SOME OF US MORE THAN OTHERS, ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

I MEAN, I HAD A POST OF MY DOG, AND IT WAS A PERSONAL POST, NOT EVEN FROM A PROFESSIONAL PAGE.

I WAS BULLIED ABOUT THAT INTO THIS DEBATE, WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY DOG, I ASSURE YOU.

I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO BE INTIMIDATED.

I WAS NOT RAISED TO BE INTIMIDATED.

I WAS RAISED TO FIGHT BACK, AND WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT BACK WITH FACTS.

LET'S ALL LOOK AT THE FACTS BECAUSE FACTS ARE IMPORTANT, AND FIGURE OUT WHERE WE GO FROM THERE.

AS COUNCILMAN BONANO SAID, IF NOT A PENNY HAS TO BE SPENT.

IF WE CAN WORK THIS OUT, AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN, NOT A PENNY HAS TO BE SPENT.

LET ME SAY THIS. THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM WHO KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS DO.

WHEN MY WIFE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL, HAVING JUST HAD OUR FIFTH BABY, I WAS AT HOME WITH FOUR KIDS, FOUR TODDLERS, AND WE HAD A FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I SEE WHAT YOU DO.

I WAS DISPLACED FROM MY HOUSE FOR MONTHS.

I KNOW WHAT YOU DO, AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

IF I SEEM LIKE THE ENEMY, I PROMISE YOU I'M NOT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I UNDERSTAND, LOOK, I ALSO KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE A PUBLIC SERVANT WHO FEELS UNDERAPPRECIATED.

I DISPUTED MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ADJUDICATIONS AND SENTENCED PEOPLE TO DEATH FOR $120,000 A YEAR.

I THINK THERE ARE 80-PLUS FIREMEN WHO MAY MAKE MORE THAN THAT RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, WE ALL AGREE.

I THINK EVERYBODY HERE AGREES THAT FIRST-YEAR FIREFIGHTERS NEED TO GET PAID MORE.

IT'S PALTRY, AND IT'S SAD.

I'VE WORKED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION ON TRYING TO FIX THAT.

I KNOW THAT THEY WANT TO FIX THAT, AND WE ALL WANT TO FIX THAT.

BUT WE CAN'T BREAK THE BANK FOR THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT BY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE YOUNGER GUYS GET PAID A FAIR WAGE.

>> LASTLY, THE LATEST INTIMIDATION TACTIC THAT I'VE SEEN IS THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS A SMEAR TACTIC.

IT'S NOTHING FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH THAT IT'S A SMEAR TACTIC.

NOW LISTEN, AS I SAID, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GUYS DO.

[03:15:01]

I KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS DO.

I THINK Y'ALL ARE THE BEST.

WHAT THIS IS IS TO SHOW WHAT A GREAT DEPARTMENT WE HAVE AND WHAT A GREAT JOB IT IS, AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING.

>> ANYONE ELSE? COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION. [OVERLAPPING]

>> TO THE PARISH ATTORNEY, ONE QUICK QUESTION.

MADAM PARISH ATTORNEY, WOULD IT BE INAPPROPRIATE TO HAVE THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CERTIFY THAT ANYTHING WE PUBLISH BEFORE WE PUBLISH IS FACTUAL? [BACKGROUND] WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

>> I HAVE YOUR MIC ON, BUT YOU'RE MUTED. THERE YOU GO.

WE'LL BE HAPPY TO REVIEW IT, SURE.

>> THANK YOU. MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF OUR RESOLUTION ON JOINT MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, AND COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN? IS THERE A SECOND?

>> A SECOND.

>> SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK FOR ROLL CALL.

>> ROLL CALL VOTE, PLEASE. [NOISE]

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION FOR ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 21.

COUNCILMAN KERNER?

>> DID I MISS MY WINDOW TO SAY A FEW WORDS? [LAUGHTER]

>> THAT WAS WHEN I SAID, ANYONE ELSE, AND LEFT ABOUT FIVE SECONDS.

>> IT'S BEEN A FEW NIGHTS AND NO SLEEP WITH THE NEW BOSS.

>> HE'S NOT SLEEPING, AND HE'S A ROOKIE.

>> WE'LL COME BACK AROUND, COUNCILMAN KERNER. GO AHEAD.

>> WHAT I WANTED TO SAY IS, LOOK, MY COLLEAGUES MAKE VERY GOOD POINTS.

I THINK THE TRAIN'S GOTTEN OFF THE TRACKS.

I SUPPORT YOU ALL 100%.

LOOK, JUST FOR THE RECORD, I'M AGAINST US USING THIS, GOING OUTSIDE WHEN WE HAVE THE PIO'S OFFICE.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT WAS USED FOR, BUT I DO HAVE TO LET ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS KNOW, WE ALL SUPPORT YOU.

I KNOW, CERTAINLY, I DO.

I THANK YOU FOR YOU ALL'S SERVICE, BUT I UNDERSTAND WHERE MY COLLEAGUES ARE COMING FROM.

THINGS HAVE GOTTEN TOO PERSONAL.

THE CHIEF HAS BEEN A CLASS ACT, GENTLEMAN RIGHT THERE HAS BEEN A CLASS ACT, BUT YOU'VE HAD A FEW TIMES.

I'M A 34-YEAR-OLD MAN [INAUDIBLE] AND WHEN I SEE CERTAIN MEN COME UP AND ADDRESS THE PARISH PRESIDENT ALMOST IN A VERY AGGRESSIVE WAY, IT JUST SHOWS THAT WE'RE GOING OFF THE TRACKS A LITTLE BIT.

I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD WANT TO TRY TO GET SOME FACTS OUT BECAUSE WHEN THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPEN AND PEOPLE GET TOO OFF TOPIC, AND IT'S MORE OF DAILY WINS AND ACTUALLY ACHIEVING AN OBJECTIVE, YOU GET IN THE WEEDS, AND THE PUBLIC DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE.

NOW, THAT BEING SAID, I'M TRULY HOPING WHATEVER AND REALLY, I HAVE ONE FINAL QUESTION.

IF THIS DOES GO THROUGH, HOW DO WE DETERMINE THEIR MESSAGING, THIS CONSULTANT? DO THEY WORK WITH EACH COUNCIL MEMBER? DO THEY WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION?

>> THE NUMBERS ARE THE NUMBERS.

>> THEY JUST RELEASE NUMBERS AS THEY SEE FIT?

>> NO, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, THE FINANCE DIRECTOR, TO VERIFY ALL THE NUMBERS AND THEN, AS WE SAY, GIVE IT TO THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO VERIFY THE INFORMATION.

>> LOOK, I THINK WE HAVE A PIO OFFICE TO HANDLE JUST THAT, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND MY COLLEAGUE'S POINT, AND I JUST HOPE THAT WHETHER THIS GETS APPROVED OR IT DOESN'T, LET'S START MAKING THINGS CIVIL.

LET'S REACH OUT TO THE PUBLIC WITH FACTS AND NUMBERS.

UNDERSTAND, MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT TO ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC WATCHING.

ALL THESE PEOPLE SUPPORT FIREMEN.

THE PARISH PRESIDENT SUPPORT FIREMAN.

THEY'RE BASING DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT THEY THINK IS BEST AS THEIR POSITION, AS THE STEWARD OF THE TAXPAYERS, AND I JUST THINK WE'RE LOSING SIGHT OF THAT.

NOW, I DO APPRECIATE YOUR PASSION, I APPRECIATE YOU FIGHTING FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.

BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M GOING TO VOTE NO AND TRY TO ENCOURAGE THE PIO'S OFFICE TO START PRESENTING THESE FACTS THAT THE EXPERTS LAID OUT SO FINALLY FOR US.

BUT I DO UNDERSTAND MY COLLEAGUES' POINT, SO THAT BEING SAID, I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THIS.

>> WELL, HANG ON, WE GOT TO DO THIS AGAIN.

YES, MADAM PRESIDENT, HOLD ON. GO AHEAD, UNMUTE YOURSELF.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS.

LOOK, THIS COMES WITH MY JOB.

I RAN FOR OFFICE, AND I'VE BEEN ATTACKED.

I'VE BEEN TURNED INTO AN ANIMAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

I'VE BEEN ALL THESE THINGS THAT RATHER THAN HURT ME PERSONALLY, I'M MORE EMBARRASSED FOR US AS A PARISH OF WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON.

BUT I SIGNED UP FOR THIS ROLE, AND THIS COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

FOR MY EMPLOYEES AND THE EMPLOYEES UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION, I JUST ASK THAT THEY DO THEIR PROFESSIONAL WORK THAT WHAT I HIRED THEM FOR.

I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT TO SEE ANY EMPLOYEE UNDER MY SUPERVISION TO GET PERSONALLY ATTACKED, SO THAT IS WHY I AM NOT COMFORTABLE.

OUR PIO OFFICE WOULD WANT TO DO IT.

THEY ARE READY TO DO ANYTHING,

[03:20:02]

BUT THIS IS SO POLITICAL IN NATURE.

THIS HAS GOT SO PERSONAL IN NATURE.

THIS HAS GOT SO UGLY THAT I WOULD NOT WANT MY BOSS TO EXPECT ME TO DO THAT WHEN I GO TO WORK JUST TRYING TO BE A PROFESSIONAL.

BECAUSE THIS, AS YOU SAID, HAS GOTTEN SO OFF TRACK, I WOULD BE MORE COMFORTABLE IF AN OUTSIDE FIRM DID THIS.

THIS IS NOT MY PIO OFFICE TALKING, THIS IS ME TALKING AS THEIR SUPERVISOR.

>> WELL, LOOK, THAT BEING SAID, IF I FEEL THAT THE MESSAGE COMES OUT AND IT'S BIASED AND IT'S NOT FACTUAL, I'LL BE THE FIRST TO CALL IT OUT AND CALL IT A DISGRACE AND STAND RIGHT DOWNSIDE OF YOU GUYS.

BUT THAT BEING SAID, I'M GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS.

>> WAIT, HANG ON. WE'LL COME BACK AROUND AND DO THE ROLL CALL VOTE.

MADAM PRESIDENT, I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S A PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE, AND I THINK WE DO HAVE A DUTY AS A GOVERNMENT TO PUT OUT THAT INFORMATION IN A FACTUAL WAY.

IS IT OUTSIDE THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY FOR OUR PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO DO THAT, TO PUT OUT THAT INFORMATION IN THE SAME WAY AND CERTIFY THAT INFORMATION AS FACTUAL AS AN ATTORNEY?

>> WHATEVER YOU DO, I JUST WITH THE CONVERSATION OF LIKE, THERE'S AN UNWILLINGNESS TO DO IT, IT IS BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN THAT HAS BEEN LODGED AGAINST MANY OF US THAT I WANT TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT, REGARDLESS OF THIS ISSUE OR ANY ISSUE, THAT WE COME TO WORK IN A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT, AND I WANT TO PROTECT OUR EMPLOYEES AND GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY.

I DON'T THINK THE PAST WEEKS HAVE SHOWN I WILL BE THROWING THEM TO THE WOLVES, AND THAT IS NOT A POSITION AS A MANAGER ANY OF US WANT TO BE IN.

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS SITUATION DID GET THAT UGLY.

MAYBE IT DID NOT GET THE PLAY THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, BUT WITHIN A CERTAIN COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, IT GOT UGLIER THAN I'VE EVER SEEN, AND I WAS EMBARRASSED FOR IT BECAUSE THESE ARE, AT THE END OF THE DAY, PARISH EMPLOYEES GETTING PAID BY PARISH DOLLARS.

WE NEED TO HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY THAT WE NEED TO COME BACK FOR LATER ON, WHICH I KNOW THAT'S NOT MAKING THE ROOM HAPPY, BUT WE ARE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION AND THERE ARE CERTAIN STANDARDS THAT WE NEED TO MAINTAIN, AND WE HAVE NOT MAINTAINED THOSE STANDARDS.

I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO ENFORCE THOSE STANDARDS, OR I WOULD PROBABLY BE CRITICIZED OF TRYING TO SILENCE PEOPLE, AND I DON'T.

I'M NOT AFRAID OF THIS ISSUE, NONE OF US ARE.

I DO SAY THAT WE ARE UNDERPAYING OUR STARTING FIREFIGHTER SALARIES, AND I WANT THEIR COOPERATION AND HELP TO TRY TO MOVE THAT AND GET THESE SALARIES UP.

BUT BECAUSE IT GOT SO PERSONAL AND BECAUSE IT GOT SO OFF TRACK, I REALLY WANT TO PROTECT OUR EMPLOYEES FROM PERSONAL ATTACKS.

I DON'T REALLY WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE, BUT THAT IS HOW I STRONGLY FEEL AS A MANAGER AND AS A SUPERVISOR.

>> I APPRECIATE WHAT EVERYBODY HAS SAID BECAUSE I KNOW THE ONE TIME THAT I RESPONDED, IMMEDIATELY, THE ATTACK WAS ON MY FAMILY THAT HAS AS MUCH TO DO WITH THIS AS HANS' DOG.

I DO THINK WE ALL NEED TO TAKE IT DOWN A NOTCH BECAUSE BEING SO HATEFUL AND UGLY DOESN'T SERVE ANY OF US WELL FROM EITHER SIDE.

WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE, AND THIS IS WHY I HAD SECONDED COUNCILMAN WALKER'S REQUEST FOR A DEFERRAL, WHEN I FIRST ENTERED PARISH GOVERNMENT AND WAS WORKING ON YOUR SIDE OF THE HALL, PARISH PRESIDENT, WE WERE COMING IN IN AN ERA WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND TRYING TO PUT PROCESSES THAT WERE OFF TRACK BACK ON TRACK.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID AT THAT TIME WAS WE PUBLISHED, NOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT ON OUR WEBSITE, WE PUBLISHED EVERY EMPLOYEE'S SALARY, AND I THINK YOU'LL REMEMBER THAT BECAUSE YOU WERE ON THE COUNCIL.

THAT'S WHERE I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE SCOPE OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT MY COLLEAGUES' ENVISION.

BUT IF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS SALARIES, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH PUTTING SALARIES ONLINE, MINE, YOURS, THEIRS, EVERYBODY'S, FREE OF CHARGE.

IT GETS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE, THERE'S NO TALKING BACK TO THE WEBSITE.

THAT INFORMATION USED TO BE UPLOADED FOR FREE AVAILABLE TO ALL, AND SO THAT MIGHT BE A STEP WE CAN TAKE BECAUSE WE'RE ALL PAID BY PUBLIC DOLLARS.

I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, AND I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE.

I WOULD NOT WANT ANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES TO BE SUBJECT TO ANYTHING THAT THEY FEEL IS A PERSONAL ATTACK.

AGAIN, WHETHER OR NOT THIS MOVES FORWARD TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A SCOPE OF WHAT THE INFORMATION WILL BE.

IF WE CAN ACCOMPLISH PUTTING SALARIES OUT THERE ON A CONSISTENT BASIS AND PUTTING THAT ONLINE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE,

[03:25:02]

I'M FINE WITH THAT, AND THAT COSTS US NOTHING AND IS VERY EVEN HANDED IF WE PUBLISH EVERYONE'S.

MAYBE IT TAKES THAT ISSUE OFF THE TABLE.

AGAIN, I GUESS I WOULD JUST ASK BECAUSE WE HAVE A CAPABLE PIO STAFF, AND WE HAVE A WEBSITE AVAILABLE.

MAYBE IF WE CAN PUT SOME OF THAT INFORMATION OUT THERE TO MINIMIZE THE COST OF WHATEVER THIS OUTSIDE FIRM WOULD BE MAKING BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE CHARGED OR WHO'S PAYING FOR THE OUTSIDE FIRM.

BUT IF WE CAN ACCOMPLISH SOME THINGS BY JUST POSTING ON OUR WEBSITE INFORMATION THAT IS USEFUL TO THE PUBLIC, THEN I'D BE HAPPY TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

>> ANYONE ELSE? YOU GOOD? THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN KERNER. COUNCILMAN BONANO, IT'S YOUR MOTION.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON JOINT MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, AND COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN?

>> OBJECT.

>> CAN WE DO A ROLL CALL VOTE?

>> COUNCILMAN KERNER.

>> [NOISE] I'M GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR.

>> COUNCILMAN LEE.

>> COUNCILMAN WALKER?

>> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN?

>> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.

>> ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM 181, MADAM CLERK?

>> THE MOTION PASSES.

[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN OLD METAIRIE SECURITY ENHANCEMENT DISTRICT, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND METAIRIE CLUB GARDENS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECURITY ENHANCEMENT SERVICES WITHIN THE GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICT AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS.

>> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG?

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 182, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN CONSOLIDATED WATER WORKS DISTRICT NUMBER 2 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA AND CITY OF WESTWEGO REGARDING THE SALE OF POTABLE WATER.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 183 NOW, MADAM CLERK.

>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DONATION OF 10 EV PLUG KITS AND 10 TOOLSETS FROM DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS CLUB, VALUED AT $10,345.81 TO EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA.

>> ARE WE BUYING ELECTRIC FIRE TRUCKS? [LAUGHTER] I DON'T KNOW WHAT AN EV PLUG IS, BUT I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

184 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.

>> A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BID OF SIEVERDING CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED UNDER BID PROPOSAL NUMBER 50-00147812 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE STATION NUMBER 11, PROJECT NUMBER D5414 FOR THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA AT THE BID TABULATION PRICE OF $3,932,160, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE DESIGNATION OF A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR AS AGENT OF A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY IN SALES TAX EXEMPT CERTIFICATE.

THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO REMOVE THE FOURTH WHEREAS, 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?

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS, ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION?

>> I THOUGHT WE MOVED ALREADY.

>> THAT WAS ON THE AMENDMENTS.

>> ANY OBJECT TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AS AMENDED, ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. 185, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAX INCENTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT AND THE FRANCIS JV PROP COMPANY,

[03:30:03]

LP RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN APPROXIMATELY 251-UNIT MARKET RATE APARTMENT COMPLEX, INCLUDING PARKING TO BE LOCATED IN THE ELMWOOD CENTER IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO THE FOREGOING COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, AND COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN ABSTAINING? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.

187, PLEASE. THAT WAS 186, RIGHT? DID I JUMP AHEAD?

>> THAT WAS 185.

>> THAT WAS 185. 186, MADAM CLERK, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

[BACKGROUND] THIS ONE, TOO.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PAYMENT IN LAW OF TAX INCENTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FOURTH DISTRICT IN THE ELMWOOD EXPANSION RETAIL, LLC, RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL BUILDINGS, COMPRISING A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 64,000 SQUARE FEET OF ADDITIONAL RETAIL SPACE IN THE ELMWOOD CENTER IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO THE FOREGOING COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

>> COUNCIL BONANO.

>> APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION. HE ADOPTED THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCIL BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, WITH COUNCILWOMAN [INAUDIBLE] ABSTAINING.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED,187, PLEASE.

>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND THE HOUSING SERVICE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF FOUR PROPERTIES, 2909, 2913, 9217 BERWICK STREET, JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA 70121, AND 7732 MISTLETOE STREET, METER, LOUISIANA 70003, TO BE TRANSFERRED BY THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, THE HOUSING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO FURTHER FACILITATE THE SPECIFIC FOCUS OF KEEPING THE UNITS OCCUPIED BY QUALIFIED RESIDENTS AND TO ENSURE THAT THE UNITS CONTINUE TO MEET APPLICABLE HOUSING STANDARDS DURING THE AFFORDABLE PERIOD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

>> COUNCIL LEE, YOUR MOTION.

>> APPROVAL.

>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCIL LEE.

SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.

HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. WOW, WE GOT HERE.

NO NEW BUSINESS, NO STATUS REPORTS.

NOW WE'RE TO THE PART OF THE MEETING WHERE PERSONS

[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]

APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS CAN DO SO.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK, MUST FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD AT THE BACK OF CHAMBERS.

HAND IT UP TO THE CLERK IN FRONT.

PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

>> I'M GLAD I BROUGHT MY LUNCH.

I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK ON THIS, BUT I NEED TO SAY SOMETHING BEFORE I GET TO WHY I'M REALLY HERE.

LAST NIGHT, I RESPONDED ON THE PARISH PAGE, ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO BRING A LUNCH BECAUSE AFTER REVIEWING THE AGENDA AND THE RESOLUTIONS, I KNEW THAT IT WOULD BE A LONG MEETING.

YOU SAID IT GOT UGLY TO YOU GUYS, I HAVE NO PONY IN THIS RACE.

I LIVE IN THE THIRD DISTRICT, SO I HAVE NO PONY IN THIS RACE.

AND SOMEONE TRASHED ME ON FACEBOOK BECAUSE I BRING YOU LUNCH.

AS MANY COUNCIL MEETINGS AS I'VE BEEN TO.

I KNOW WHEN TO BRING A LUNCH AND WHEN I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE SHORT, AND I CAN GET HOME FOR LUNCH.

I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT Y'ALL ARE GETTING DOGGED.

I'VE SEEN IT WHEN I WATCHED THE COUNCIL MEETINGS LIVE.

BUT I HAD NO PONY IN THIS AND THEY ATTACKED ME. NONE WHATSOEVER.

I'M VERY PROUD OF OUR THIRD DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THE REASON I'M STAYING IS BECAUSE I DID READ THAT LEASE FOR THE KMART PROJECT.

WHAT A GREAT DEAL AT ALMOST NO RISK.

WE HAVE AT LEAST THREE NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE COME TO RIVER RIDGE IN THE LAST TWO, THREE MONTHS.

VERY SMALL BUSINESSES, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE REALLY HARD PRESSED TO SURVIVE.

I WISH THAT WE COULD WORK TOGETHER WITH THE COUNCIL AND JEDCO TO HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

Y'ALL AWARDED, HONORED SOMEONE TODAY FOR I THINK, 47 YEARS OF A SMALL BUSINESS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

THAT'S WHERE WE START, SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE VERY MANY SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE TRYING TO STRUGGLE THROUGH ON JEFFERSON HIGHWAY.

WE NEED TO HELP THEM AND NOT SO MUCH THESE BIG CORPORATIONS WHERE WE'RE FUNDING THE BUILDING OF A MULTI STORY COMPLEX,

[03:35:03]

I'D APPRECIATE ANY HELP THE COUNCIL CAN GIVE US AND JEDCO CAN GET US SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THESE SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO THRIVE RIVER RIDGE.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY ROOM FOR BIG BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE VERY LITTLE ROOM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE WANT THOSE TO SURVIVE.

IF WE CAN GET HELP LIKE YOU'RE GIVEN THE BIG BUSINESSES, WE'D MUCH APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS KAREN NUGENT.

I LIVE AT 5444 ERLANGER ROAD IN DISTRICT 4.

I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I HOPE TO START A CONVERSATION ON SOMETHING THAT I THINK THE PARISH HAS NOT DONE SO FAR.

SPECIFICALLY, THE PARISH IS IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSITIONING ITS STREET LIGHTING FROM HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM TO LED.

BUT THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN ANY PUBLIC DISCUSSION ABOUT THE COLOR TEMPERATURE OF THE LEDS BEING INSTALLED.

TO PROVIDE A LITTLE INFO, COLOR TEMPERATURE IS THE COLOR OF LIGHT EMITTED BY A PARTICULAR LIGHT SOURCE.

MOST PEOPLE ARE SOMEWHAT FAMILIAR WITH THIS CONCEPT, SINCE IT'S A FACTOR ANYTIME YOU GO TO THE STORE TO BUY A LIGHT BULB.

FOR REFERENCE, 2,100 KELVIN OR 2,100 K IS THE VERY ORANGY LIGHT FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM BULBS, 02,700 K IS COMPARABLE TO AN INCANDESCENT BULB, 03,000 K IS EQUIVALENT TO HALOGEN LIGHTING, AND 4,000 K IS YOUR STANDARD FLUORESCENT BULB.

03,000 K HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED THE GOLD STANDARD OF GOOD LIGHTING AND HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION.

IT'S PRETTY BAFFLING TO ME AND DISTURBING TO SEE THAT JEFFERSON PARISH IS INSTALLING 04,000 K LIGHTS THAT ARE REALLY BETTER SUITED FOR A PRISON YARD THAN OUR RESIDENTIAL STREETS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO COLOR TEMPERATURE, BUT THERE ARE FOUR WORDS TO REMEMBER THE CRUCIAL BENEFITS OF 3,000 K LIGHTING.

SOFT. SOFT LIGHT IS LESS VISUALLY INTRUSIVE AND LESS DISRUPTIVE TO HUMAN SLEEP PATTERNS.

CLEAN, 3,000 K LIGHT DOES A BETTER JOB OF RENDERING COLORS ACCURATELY, WHICH IS A CRUCIAL FACTOR WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY.

ATTRACTIVE, 3,000 K LIGHT IS VISUALLY MORE ATTRACTIVE AND HELPS ENHANCE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF OUTDOOR SPACES AND BUILDINGS.

FINALLY, CONSCIENTIOUS, 3,000 K LIGHT IS A CONSCIENTIOUS CHOICE BECAUSE IT HAS FEWER NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON DRIVERS WITH OCULAR DISORDERS AND IS LESS HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

AS SOMEONE WITH SEVERAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS, THIS LAST CHARACTERISTIC OF 3,000 K IS ESPECIALLY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

AND'S THE REASON I'M SPEAKING HERE TODAY.

DURING THE NIGHT, DRIVING AT NIGHT CAN BE QUITE A CHALLENGE AND EVEN DANGEROUS WHEN BRIGHT GLARING LIGHTS, LIKE MANY OF THOSE APPEARING ON OUR ROADWAYS ARE SHINING IN YOUR FACE, AND IN SOME INSTANCES, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF TRAFFIC AND THE ROADWAY.

THE HIGH COLOR TEMPERATURES JUST MAKES THE EFFECTS WORSE, AND WITHOUT SOUNDING TOO DRAMATIC, I REALLY DON'T THINK THE DANGERS CAN BE OVERSTATED.

>> THAT YOUR TIME, MA'AM. THAT IS YOU THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS LARRY COLLINS.

I RUN A RESTAURANT IN DISTRICT 3, WAGS FOOD AND CULTURE.

I'M SO JEALOUS OF THE PROBLEMS SOME PEOPLE HAVE HERE.

HEAVY TRAFFIC, ZONING R1, R2.

I HAVE A DIFFERENT TRAFFIC.

ONE, A TRAFFIC THAT HANGS OUTSIDE THE BUILDING AND SCARES AWAY MY CUSTOMERS.

I HAVE TRAFFIC GOING PARKING AND THE CONVENIENCE MY CUSTOMERS, TO GO NEXT DOOR TO SOLICIT DRUGS.

THAT'S THE PROBLEMS I HAVE.

I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO THE PARISH ATTORNEY ABOUT THIS MATTER, I'M I AT THE RIGHT PLACE TO DO THAT?

>> YOU CAN DO THAT AFTERWARDS OUTSIDE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS BORIS [INAUDIBLE].

I LIVE ON THE 600 BLOCK OF AVRON BOULEVARD OVER IN DISTRICT 5.

[03:40:07]

I'M ACTUALLY ORIGINALLY FROM THE DC AREA, AND HAVE LIVED HERE FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS, GOING ON TO EIGHT YEARS GIVE YOU A BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT ME.

I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU TO GIVING US A CHANCE TO SPEAK ON DIFFERENT MATTERS.

I'M ACTUALLY HERE TO BRING UP ATTENTION ON THE LED NEIGHBORHOOD LIGHTING THAT MY FRIEND KAREN HAD MENTIONED JUST EARLIER.

MENTIONED ABOUT THE HIGH PRESSURE KELVIN BLUISH WHITE LED LIGHTS THAT WERE INSTALLED.

WHILE THESE LIGHTS ARE VERY ENERGY EFFICIENT, THE COLOR TEMPERATURES THEY GIVE OFF IS A LOT HARSHER THAN THE WARMER AMBIENT AMBER LIGHTING MOST OF US ARE USED TO.

WHEN I HAD LIVED IN THE DC AREA AND I'D ACTUALLY RECENTLY GOT BACK OVER THERE TO VISIT SOME FRIENDS AND FAMILY, I NOTICED HOW THE LIGHTING IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE WERE UPGRADED AND MADE IT MORE FRIENDLY, MORE WELCOMING AND MORE ATTRACTIVE WHILE NOT COMPROMISING THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE AND THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU HAVE AN LIGHT INSTALLED RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW THAT IS AT LEAST 4,000 KELVIN.

IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE DISTRACTING TO ACTUALLY GET SOME SLEEP.

I'D LIKE FOR THE PARISH TO CONSIDER THAT THIS MIGHT BE A WASTE OF MONEY TO UPGRADE THESE LIGHTS, ONLY TO THEN HAVE TO DOWNGRADE IN THE KELVIN AND THEN REINVEST MONEY TO RETROFIT THESE LIGHTING FIXTURES.

IF WE DO IT CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME, WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE ALL THESE EMERGING PROBLEMS FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO PROPERLY SEE THE ROADS OR PROPERLY IDENTIFY PEOPLE AND THEN, YOU KNOW, ACTUALLY HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT LOOKS GOOD DURING THE DARK HOURS OF THE NIGHT.

WHEN I LIVE IN DC, BACK THEN, THEY LOSE A LOT OF LOW PRESSURE SODIUM LIGHT BULBS, SO IT'S A LOT HARDER TO SEE AT NIGHT.

NOW, IT'S NOT ONLY MORE ATTRACTIVE TO SEE THINGS DURING THE NIGHTTIME, IT'S STILL SAFE WITHOUT IT BEING VERY BRIGHT AND BLINDING.

I HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL CAN TAKE IT A LITTLE MORE SERIOUSLY AND NOT WASTE TAXPAYER DOLLARS UPGRADING LIGHT FIXTURES THAT DO NOT PROMOTE.

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND IT IS A WASTE OF OUR TAXPAYER TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY NAME IS RYAN NUGENT.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

I LIVE AT 5444 ERLANGER ROAD IN DISTRICT 4, AND I PROMISE I'LL BE THE LAST SPEAKER ON THIS ISSUE.

I'M ALMOST SO HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON THE STREET LIGHTING ISSUE, BUT THIS IS FAR FROM MY FIRST TIME ATTEMPTING TO REACH OUT TO THE PARISH AND TO MY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING THIS MATTER.

JEFFERSON PARISH IS A LATE ADOPTER WHEN IT COMES TO LED STREET LIGHTING.

THERE ARE US CITIES THAT STARTED THEIR STREET LIGHT TRANSITIONS AS LONG AGO AS 2008.

WE'VE HAD MANY YEARS TO LEARN FROM THOSE EARLY ADOPTERS.

AS WITH THE ROLLOUT OF ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY, THERE ARE SUCCESSES IN MISFIRES.

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THAT SOME OF THOSE EARLY ADOPTERS ARE NOW SPENDING A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY TO TRANSITION THEIR HIGH KELVIN LED NETWORKS TO WARMER 2,700 K AND 3,000 K EQUIVALENTS? WOULD NOT MAKE THE REALITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH AS A LATE ADOPTER EMBRACING A 4,000 K STANDARD EVEN MORE ABSURD? IT SHOULD, BECAUSE THAT'S THE REALITY OF OUR PRESENT SITUATION.

AS I SAID, I'VE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO REACH OUT ON THIS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

WHEN I FIRST STARTED, I THOUGHT IT WAS MOSTLY A MATTER OF PREFERENCE, AND I CERTAINLY DID FIND SURVEY AFTER SURVEY THAT INDICATED OVERWHELMING PUBLIC PREFERENCE FOR 3,000 K STREET LIGHTING OVER 4,000 K STREET LIGHTING.

HOWEVER, I ALSO FOUND AN ABUNDANCE OF RESEARCH INDICATING THE INTRINSIC ADVANTAGES OF 03,000 K STREET LIGHTING FROM THE NUMEROUS STANDPOINTS THAT PREVIOUS SPEAKERS HAVE MENTIONED.

MOREOVER, IT'S BECAUSE OF THIS SCIENCE AND RESEARCH THAT ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, THE INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY ASSOCIATION, AND THE NATIONAL SOFT LIGHT FOUNDATION HAVE ENDORSED THE USE OF LOWER KELVIN STREET LIGHTING LIKE 3,000 K. NOW, ONE POINT I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY IS THAT WHILE NOT IDEAL, 04,000 K STREET LIGHTING IS AT LEAST PASSABLE IN COMMERCIAL AREAS, WHERE IT'S ENTIRELY INAPPROPRIATE, AND WHEREBY CONTRAST,

[03:45:03]

03,000 K IS MUCH MORE APPROPRIATE IS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

IT'S FOR THIS REASON THAT A BILL WAS RECENTLY PROPOSED BY TWO REPUBLICANS IN THE ARKANSAS LEGISLATURE TO SET A MAXIMUM LIMIT OF 04,000 K STREET LIGHTING AND COMMERCIAL AREAS AND A MAXIMUM OF 3,000 K IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS STATEWIDE.

HUNDREDS OF MUNICIPALITIES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE ALREADY SELECTED 03,000 K AS THEIR STANDARD FOR STREET LIGHTING, INCLUDING KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, WASHINGTON, DC, GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, CHICAGO, SALT LAKE CITY, DENVER, AND PHOENIX, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

I GUESS MY QUESTIONS ARE, WHY ARE WE HERE? WHO'S MAKING THIS DECISION FOR ALL OF US, AND IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT THIS MATTER CAN FINALLY RECEIVE THE CONSIDERATION IT DESERVES?

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, OUR DIRECTOR AND MARK DREWS, WILL BE HAPPY TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE WITH THEM AFTER THIS MEETING.

>> MARK DREWS IS USUALLY RIGHT THERE.

HE'S OVER THERE. HE'LL SPEAK WITH YOU.

>> AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING IN A FEW MINUTES.

>> DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE AGAIN, ROBERT BURKE JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS, SEVEN BUNDA COURT IN KENNER, LOUISIANA.

WE TALKED ABOUT ALL THE RESOLUTION THAT PASSED ABOUT THIS PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM.

I THINK MISS VAN RICAN MADE A VERY GOOD POINT.

WHEN SHE WAS WORKING WITH THEN PARISH PRESIDENT JOHN YOUNG, EMPLOYEE SALARIES WERE POSTED, BUT THEY WERE NOT JUST POSTED.

THEY WERE POSTED EXACTLY WHERE THEY WERE.

THEY WERE POSTED WITH THEIR YEARS OF SERVICE THE EMPLOYEE HAD.

THEY WERE POSTED WITH THEIR BASE PAYS.

THEY WERE POSTED WITH THEIR OVERTIME.

I THINK THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT, IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANYTHING ABOUT OUR SALARIES, I'VE LISTENED ALMOST TO NAUSEUM ABOUT, WELL, YOUR ASSISTANT CHIEFS ARE MAKING MORE MONEY THAN ANYBODY IN THE PARISH.

I'VE STOOD UP HERE TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO TELL YOU THAT THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF OVERTIME THAT THEY'RE FORCED TO WORK.

THEY'RE NOT GIVEN THIS OPPORTUNITY.

WE HAD A STUDY AND THE STUDY SAID THIS IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE.

NOW WE FIND THEM BEING CHASTISED BECAUSE THEY MAKE MORE MONEY THAN IS COMFORTABLE FOR SOME PEOPLE, NOT SUGGESTING ANY OF YOU.

BUT WHAT I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU IS THIS MY HIGHEST RANKING, LONGEST TENURED ASSISTANT CHIEF TODAY, AS WE SPEAK, MAKES $42.35 AN HOUR BASE PAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, I CAN TELL YOU, THE LIST IS VERY LONG OF PARISH EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN THAT GENTLEMAN MAKES.

THERE'S ONLY THREE OF THEM. WHEN I SAY, WELL, HOW MUCH LESS CAN YOU GIVE HIM, SOME OF THOSE ASSISTANT CHIEFS HAVE NOT HAD A INCREASE IN PAY, OTHER THAN MR. BONANO SUGGESTION OF AND MR. LEE SUGGESTED AND THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE 5% COST OF LIVING RAISE, THOSE THREE ASSISTANT CHIEFS HAVE NOT HAD AN INCREASE IN PAY IN 10 YEARS, WHILE INSURANCE AND INFLATION HAS EATEN AWAY AT WHAT THEY EARN.

WHEN WE STAND HERE TODAY AND SAY, WELL, WE'LL JUST POST THEIR TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY TO MAKE THE CITIZENS ENRAGED.

HOW CAN YOU GIVE THESE GUYS A RAISE? WELL, THESE GUYS ARE WORKING 56.5 HOURS A WEEK.

OTHER PARISH EMPLOYEES ARE NOT.

THEN, WHEN YOU BRING IT DOWN TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF IT, YOU GO, WELL, MAYBE US FIREMEN JUST AREN'T WORTH WHAT WE THINK WE'RE WORT.

BUT THEN I LOOK ON THE WEST BANK, THE DIVISION OF FIRE SERVICES THAT THIS PARISH CREATED.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WHO HAS NO SUPPRESSION RESPONSIBILITIES. IT'S AN OFFICE JOB.

>> GET YOUR TIME, MR. BURKETT, JUST FINISH THE SENTENCE, PLEASE.

>> HE MAKES $92 AN HOUR.

TWICE WHAT MY ASSISTANT CHIEF MAKES, THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THIS PARISH.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS TOMMY BERGERN.

I LIVE AT 5924 LUSTRE FIRST AVENUE IN MARRERO.

I AM THE FIRE CHIEF AT HERBERT WALLACE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN AVONDALE, AND I HAVE 49 YEARS OF FIRE EXPERIENCE.

I COME HERE TODAY ON TWO POINTS, ONE BEING THE CONSOLIDATION STUDY THAT'S BEING PROPOSED FOR THE WEST BANK,

[03:50:01]

AND THE OTHER IS FOR THE EAST BANK FIREMAN'S PAY RISE STUDY.

IN MY TIME IN THE FIRE SERVICE, I'VE BEEN AN INSTRUCTOR.

I'VE WORKED AT THE FIRE TRAINING CENTER, WITH THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY, THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS, NEW YORK, AND NEW MEXICO, FLORIDA.

I CAN SAY UNEQUIVOCALLY WITHOUT A DOUBT, LOOKING AT THOSE DEPARTMENTS, AND THEN COMING BACK HERE TO JEFFERSON PARISH, EAST BANK, AND WEST BANK, WE HAVE SOME OF THE FINEST FIREFIGHTERS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND OUT THERE.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE PROBLEM I HAVE AND LOOKING AROUND, WE HAVE OTHER PARISHES THAT ARE PAYING MORE MONEY FOR FIRE PROTECTION FOR FIREFIGHTERS.

THEY'RE GIVEN RAISES.

MY BIGGEST FEAR IS, IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE, WITH THE WEST BANK STUDY ISN'T DONE RIGHT, AND THIS STUDY FOR THE EAST BANK IS NOT DONE RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO START LOSING FIREFIGHTERS.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT. BUT IT'S THE TRUTH.

THESE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE SITTING THERE WAITING TO SEE WHAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND START PICKING THESE FIREFIGHTERS OUT.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST FIRE TRAINING FACILITIES THAT WE'VE EVER HAD IN CONNECTION WITH THE PARISH AND THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE.

WE'RE TRAINING THESE MEN AND WOMEN EVERY DAY.

THEY GET TRAINING. WE GO BACK TO THE ENGINE HOUSE.

WE'RE MAKING THEIR STOCK A LOT MORE WORTHY, AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE TAKING NOTICE.

THE OTHER THING IS, WE GOT MORE FIREFIGHTERS IN JEFFERSON PARISH IN THE EAST BANK, ESPECIALLY, THAT HAVE ADVANCED DEGREES THAT THEY COULD PROBABLY GO OUT AND GET A JOB USING THAT DEGREE.

BUT THEY CHOOSE TO DO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT JOB BECAUSE THEY LOVE THE DEPARTMENT.

THEY LOVE THE JOB, AND THEY WANT TO SERVE THAT COMMUNITY.

WHAT I'M SAYING IS, MAYBE WE COULD TAKE A PAUSE, BACK UP, REALIZE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

BUT AGAIN, AS A FIRE CHIEF, AND I'M GETTING READY TO RETIRE, BUT I'M AFRAID OF WHAT'S COMING DOWN THE ROAD.

I DON'T WANT THESE OTHER PARISHES TO COME IN.

NEW ORLEANS JUST GAVE A 45% RAISE, I'M TOLD.

SPEAKING WITH A CHIEF OVER THERE, THEY MAKE A JOKE TO SAY, YEAH, WE JUST WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN JEFFERSON.

THESE GUYS COME OVER.THEY DON'T HAVE TO PUT THEM THROUGH SCHOOL.

THEY PUT THEM RIGHT IN THE ENGINE HOUSE.

THE JOKE'S BEEN FOR A WHILE.

JEFFERSON WILL TRAIN THEM.

WE'LL TAKE THEM. JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT THAT THESE GUYS, ESPECIALLY THE EAST BANK MEN AND WOMEN, I'VE TRAINED THEM.

I'VE WORKED WITH THEM.

WEST BANK, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS PAY STUDY COMING UP AND DO ADAGE.

IF YOU WANT THE BEST, YOU GOT TO PAY FOR IT.

THAT MAY BE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> BEFORE MY TIME STARTS, I'D LIKE Y'ALL TO SIT DOWN.

I DON'T WANT Y'ALL TO GET BLAMED FOR WHAT I'M ABOUT TO BRING UP.

[LAUGHTER] Y'ALL TAKE A SEAT.

IT'S FUNNY IT WAS BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE SOCIAL MEDIA.

I AM ONE THAT GETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

I AM ONE THAT SAYS THINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA BECAUSE I HAVE THAT RIGHT AS A CITIZEN.

I MADE A COMMENT THIS PAST WEEKEND END OF LAST WEEK, IN REGARDS TO THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS VOTED ON TODAY.

AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT.

I'M OKAY WITH PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BADMOUTH FIREMEN.

IT'S THEIR RIGHT.

I MADE A COMMENT THAT WAS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED OFF OF A CONSULTANT THAT I AM CONCERNED WHO CONTINUALLY GETS CONTRACTS BECAUSE HE'S A CONSULTANT FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

THAT'S WHAT MY POST WAS ABOUT. WHICH, OKAY? I AM WILLING TO ACCEPT WHATEVER REPERCUSSIONS AND CONSEQUENCES COME DOWN UPON ME.

BUT I GOT A TEXT MESSAGE SATURDAY NIGHT, SINCE WE TALKED ABOUT INTIMIDATING AND BULLYING, FROM A COUNCILMAN WHO SAID, "HOW QUICKLY YOU FORGET WHO STEPPED TO HELP YOU WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN." THAT'S THE COPY OF IT RIGHT THERE. THAT'S FROM A COUNCILMAN.

I'M THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE WEST BANK.

I HAVE TO ASK, COUNCILMAN BONANO.

I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS IS AN INTIMIDATION THREAT AGAINST ME PHYSICALLY. I DON'T.

I'M NOT TRYING TO INSINUATE THAT ANYWAY, BUT I TAKE THAT AS A THREAT AGAINST THE COMMUNITY I SERVE.

DO YOU MEAN THAT IF I CAME HERE AND ASKED FOR SOMETHING FROM MY FIRE DEPARTMENT OR FOR MY COMMUNITY, THAT YOU WOULD VOTE IT DOWN BECAUSE I MADE A POLITICAL POST, BECAUSE IF THAT'S A FACT, YOU'RE NOT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST ME, BROTHER.

YOU'RE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST THE VERY PEOPLE YOU AND I BOTH CHOSE TO SERVE.

THAT'S WHAT I'M UPSET ABOUT.

[APPLAUSE] PLEASE DON'T.

I DO NOT WANT Y'ALL TO GET ANY RAMIFICATIONS BROUGHT BACK AGAINST Y'ALL BECAUSE OF ME.

>> I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP BECAUSE YOU'RE THE REASON THESE PEOPLE ALL FEEL INTIMIDATED. CONSTANTLY, [OVERLAPPING]

>> I'M THE REASON I FEEL INTIMIDATED.

>> YOU'RE CONSTANTLY ATTACKING THIS COUNCIL AND THIS PARISH PRESIDENT,

[03:55:03]

ACCUSING US OF SLANDER AND ALL THIS.

LOOK AT YOUR SHIRT. WHAT SHIRT ARE YOU STANDING THERE WEARING RIGHT NOW?

>> MAN, A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

>> DOES THE EAST BANK FIRE PAY PLAN HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU?

>> NO, BUT THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH ME.

>> NO, LET ME FINISH. IS THIS NOT YOUR PROFILE PICTURE ON FACEBOOK?

>> YES, IT IS, SIR.

>> ARE YOU NOT STANDING AT A PUBLIC FIRE STATION FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT?

>> YES, I AM, SIR.

>> DO YOU KNOW WE HAVE A PROHIBITION IN THIS PARISH AGAINST MAKING POLITICAL ACTIVITIES AT A PUBLIC BUILDING?

>> DO WE?

>> YES, WE DID.

>> I MADE A POST, AND THAT'S A PICTURE.

YOU'RE WEARING A HEADLINE, WEARING MY STUFF IN A PUBLIC BUILDING.

>> YOU'RE UNDER THE COLOR OF YOUR DEPARTMENT.

MY QUESTION IS, DOES THE LIVE OAK MANOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONTINUE YOUR POLITICAL ACTIVITY WHILE WEARING THEIR UNIFORM IN A PUBLIC STATION?

>> YOU'D HAVE TO PROBABLY ASK THEM.

> I PLAN ON ASKING THAT.

THAT'S WHY I MADE THAT COMMENT, NOT ABOUT INTIMIDATION.

IT'S YOU, SIR, WHO ARE CREATING INTIMIDATION.

IT'S YOU, SIR, WHO ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA MAKING THESE COMMENTS.

YOU DON'T SEE ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA DOING THAT, AND YOU'RE DOING SO WEARING A UNIFORM AT A PUBLIC STATION.

>> I WASN'T WEARING A UNIFORM.

>> THIS IS THE PICTURE THAT COMES UP ON YOUR PROFILE.

YOU CAN'T SEPARATE YOUR PROFILE PICTURE FROM YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

WE WOULDN'T ALLOW A PARISH EMPLOYEE TO DO THIS, BECAUSE WE HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY.

BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A POST, WEARING THIS UNIFORM, ATTACKING THIS COUNCIL IN A PUBLICLY OWNED FIRE STATION IN FRONT OF PUMPER 738, YOU SIR, ARE ACTING UNDER THE COLOR OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

YOU CANNOT SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THAT.

AND THAT'S MY POINT TO YOU.

MY POINT IS YOU'RE NOT A THREAT TO INTIMIDATION.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO USE YOUR UNIFORM TO ATTACK THIS COUNCIL, YOU DON'T EVEN YOUR DEPARTMENT DOESN'T RISE TO RESIDE IN MY DISTRICT.

MY POINT IS, I'M NOT ENGAGING YOU ANYMORE.

YOU WANT TO ENGAGE IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND THREATEN PEOPLE AND INTIMIDATE THEM, AND GO AHEAD.

BUT I'M NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN IT.

THAT'S MY POINT TO YOU. IT WON'T HAPPEN ANYMORE.

>> FAIR ENOUGH. MY BOARD MEETS, I BELIEVE IT'S THIS TUESDAY, IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK TO HIM.

>> BEFORE YOU START MY TIME, CAN I GET CLARIFICATION ON SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED EARLIER AT THE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION GOING ROUND AND ROUND.

THERE WILL BE A SEAT AT THE TABLE FOR PRESIDENT BURKETT WITH WHOEVER Y'ALL ARE INVOLVED TO LEAD THIS, AND THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO MAKE SURE THAT FACTUAL INFORMATION IS BEING PUT OUT FROM BOTH SIDES' AGREEMENT.

NOT JUST WHAT THE PARISH ATTORNEY WHO SIT NEXT TO HER SAY.

I JUST NEED CLARIFICATION ON HOW THAT'S GOING TO GO.

WHO ARE YOU AS THE COUNSELOR AT LARGE? WOULD YOU BE IN CHARGE?

>> I VOTED AGAINST IT. I'M NOT IN CHARGE.

>> COMPETENCY IS VERY HARD TO FIND AROUND HERE.

I'LL START MY TIME NOW.

>> BEFORE YOU START, LET ME JUST SAY, LOOK.

>> WAIT A SECOND. I DIDN'T ENGAGE YOU.

I WAS JUST ASKING THE COUNCIL.

>> I'M ANSWERING THE QUESTION. YOU ENGAGED US.

>> AS LONG AS I'M NOT ON THE CLOCK.

>> NO, YOU'RE NOT.

>> I HAVEN'T STARTED YET NOW. AS I TOLD YOU GUYS BEFORE, I'M HAPPY TO MEET WITH YOU, MR. BURKETT, ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO MEET WITH ME.

YES, I'LL MAKE SURE THAT IF THIS GOES FORWARD, THAT HE GETS A VOICE.

>> BUT YOU HAVE NOT MET WITH THEM UP UNTIL THIS POINT,

>> THERE IS NOBODY TO MEET WITH.

>> WELL, THIS HAS BEEN GOING FOR FIVE MONTHS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO START NOW. GO AHEAD.

>> STEVE OAKS 104 PANTHER RUN.

I SCRATCHED MY WHOLE SPEECH THAT I HAD.

I'M JUST GOING TO GO OFF OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID. THIS IS PRETTY SIMPLE.

THEY GAVE YOU A 60-DAY DEADLINE AFTER YOU'VE STRUNG US ALONG FOR 5.5 MONTHS.

IF THAT DEADLINE ISN'T MET, AND YOU DON'T CONTINUE TO MEET WITH US WEEKLY, MINIMUM, BIWEEKLY TO MAKE PROGRESSION TO GET A DEAL DONE.

THIS IS IT. THIS WAS THE LAST SLAP IN THE FACE.

ME AND THESE GUYS, THESE WOMEN, WE ARE NOT TAKING THIS ANYMORE.

WE HAVE BEEN PROFESSIONAL.

YOU CAN SAY THAT WE'VE INTIMIDATED.

YOU'VE REFERRED TO OUR PROFESSION AS BEING PROSTITUTES.

YOU ALL HAVE AIDES THAT ARE HIDING IN THE BACKGROUND ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SAYING THE SAME STUPID CRAP ALL OVER THE TIME.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DEAL WITH IT.

I'M JUST LETTING EVERYONE KNOW.

I'M GOING TO SCRATCH WHAT I SAID.

YOU HAVE UNTIL THAT 60-DAY MARK TO COME WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE 80% THAT WE ASKED FOR.

WE'RE NOT THAT FAR OFF OF 80%.

YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE IT TO THE 1053 FIREMEN NOT WITH YOUR OPINIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK IT'S ACTUALLY BEING AT 1697, BECAUSE YOU'RE WRONG.

THE LAW SAYS YOU'RE WRONG.

YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE IT TO THE 102 WHO MAKES $42, BECAUSE HE SHOULD BE MAKING 90, BECAUSE THAT GUY MAKES LIKE 99, AND HE'S NOT WORTH A DAMN. THAT'S WHAT.

>> YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET IN A PERSONAL ATTACKS, MR. OAKS, PLEASE.

>> THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> YOU'RE ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL, OKAY?

>> I AM ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL.

IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, THEN THEY ARE NO LONGER GOING TO BE ABLE TO HOLD THE CHAINS.

THEY ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH.

WE ARE COMING UNGLUED, AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A GIGANTIC HEADACHE FOR EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM.

MARK MY WORDS.

[04:00:02]

I GOT TO GO PICK UP MY KID.

>> THREATS AND INTIMIDATION.

>> MADAM PRESIDENT.

>> I THINK THOSE COMMENTS WERE HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE.

I COMMITTED TO TRYING TO GET ANY OF THE SALARIES THAT WERE BELOW MARKET AND BELOW COMPETITIVE TO THAT POINT.

AS PARISH PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ACROSS THE BOARD ABOVE AVERAGE, 100 AND 508%.

THEN WE CAN ALWAYS RETAIN PEOPLE.

WE HAVE AN ATTRACTIVE DEPARTMENT, AND PEOPLE WILL KEEP COMING TO US.

THAT WOULD BE MY GOAL.

BUT AS YOU KNOW, AND AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, WE HAVE A STATE LAW THAT SETS A PAY PLAN IN A STRUCTURE THAT DOES NOT GIVE US THE ABILITY TO MANAGE IT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE MANAGED PROPERLY.

IT IS NOT ABOUT MY UNWILLINGNESS TO DO IT.

WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS.

MR. LECHUT HAS LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS.

HE KNOWS THESE NUMBERS INSIDE AND OUT.

IT IS NOT ABOUT OUR UNWILLINGNESS TO DO IT.

IT IS STATE LAW THAT TIES OUR HANDS IN A 300 IN HOW MUCH FIX.

BECAUSE OF STATE LAW, A $327,000 FIX TO BRING STARTING FIREFIGHTER SALARIES TO THE COMPETITIVE LEVEL.

HAVING TO MAKE RAISES ACROSS THE BOARD THAT THE STATE MAKES US DO TURNS INTO A $9.8 MILLION FIX.

HOW MUCH WIGGLE ROOM DO YOU THINK I HAVE WITH THE MONEY THAT THE TAXPAYERS GIVE US WITH THAT DISPARITY? IT'S NOT ABOUT AN UNWILLINGNESS TO DO IT.

IT'S ABOUT STATE LAW THAT WE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH.

A RIDICULOUS STATE LAW.

A STATE LAW THAT IS PREVENTING US FROM MANAGING IT FINANCIALLY THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

IT'S NOT ABOUT AN UNWILLINGNESS FOR ME OR MR. LECHUT OR ANY OF US TO WANT TO DO IT.

MY FIRST PROPOSAL WAS TO GO WITH US TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND GET US OUT OF THIS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS LAW THAT IS NOT FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE IN THE FUTURE.

IF I DON'T FIX IT IN MY TERM, IT'LL BE ANOTHER PARISH PRESIDENT WHO'LL HAVE TO FIX IT, AND WE'LL GET MORE AND MORE DISPARITY IN THE PAY PLAN.

DO YOU KNOW THIS PAY PLAN THAT WE HAVE? GENERALLY, WE HAVE SOME SALARIES, I'M LOOKING AT IT RIGHT NOW THAT ARE VERY LOW.

BUT JUST SAY, SOME OF THE FIRST YEAR FIVE FIGHTERS, ABOUT 25,000.

I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBERS, BUT THE NUMBERS START REPEATING HIGH, 15, 16, 2100, 2121, 2020, 23, 24, 25 TO 190,000.

THAT IS A MAJOR DISPARITY IN PAY.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THE WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY JUSTIFIES THAT KIND OF DISPARITY IN PAY.

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU THE LOWER END NEEDS TO BE RAISED, BUT I NEED THEIR COOPERATION, AND I NEED THEM TO HELP ME GO TO THE STATE AND GET THIS LAW CHANGED, SO WE HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO RAISE THE STARTING FIREFIGHTER SALARY.

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT BEING THREATENED.

I DON'T APPRECIATE YOU AS A PARISH EMPLOYEE COMING HERE AND THREATENING US OR SPEAKING THAT WAY TO ANY OF US.

YOU ALL UNDERSTAND THE LAW, AS WELL AS I DO.

IT'S ABOUT THE STATE LAW.

>> A REMINDER, WE HAVE TO KEEP THE COMMENTS FROM THE SEATS TO NOTHING, PLEASE.

UNLESS YOU'RE AT THE PODIUM, PLEASE DON'T SPEAK OR MAKE NOISE.

>> MITCHELL LARB 790K AVENUE.

I'M GOING TO TAKE IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT CAUSE THE TEMPERATURES ARE GETTING A LITTLE HIGH.

WE TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND EVERYTHING.

MISS SHENG, LOOK, I AGREE WITH YOU, WE NEED TO BE TRANSPARENT, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING POSTED FROM OUR SOCIAL MEDIA SITE IS ACCURATE.

HOWEVER, SOMETHING YOU JUST SAID WAS INACCURATE.

YOU USE BASE PAY TO EXPLAIN FIRST YEAR FIREFIGHTERS.

BUT THEN WHEN YOU SAID 190,000, YOU TOOK INTO ACCOUNT BASE PAY, STATE PAY, OVERTIME, AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

AGAIN, I'M NOT THROWING DARTS.

I'M JUST CLARIFYING.

OUR BASE PAY IS, I BELIEVE, 26-82.

THAT'S THE BASE PAY FOR A FIREFIGHTER.

THE BASE PAY FOR AN ASSISTANT CHIEF IS 105.

AGAIN, THEY'VE BEEN THERE FOR 23 YEARS.

THEY MAKE 42 35 AN HOUR.

THAT IS THEIR HOURLY RATE.

PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THAT'S WHAT THEY MAKE.

LET'S ALSO HIT ON TRANSPARENCY.

THE SECOND WE SHOWED UP, I BELIEVE AT THE APRIL COUNCIL MEETING.

OUR SALARIES STARTED GETTING POSTED ONLINE.

I CAN TELL YOU, I AM THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS REQUESTED THOSE SALARIES.

I INITIALLY REQUESTED THEM, I BELIEVE, 2023 AND 2024.

I WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T EXIST.

THEN THEY STARTED BEING PUBLISHED ONLINE AT THE COUNCIL MEETING.

THEN FAKE ACCOUNTS STARTED APPEARING POSTING OUR SALARIES.

OTHER FAKE ACCOUNTS STARTED APPEARING, SAYING, THAT THEY EQUATE US TO PROSTITUTES, THAT THEY TRY TO JUSTIFY OUR OVERTIME, SAYING IT'S EXCESSIVE.

AGAIN, I'VE GOT UP HERE AT EVERY SINGLE MEETING AND SAID, WHY WE HAVE OUR OVERTIME IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION TO THE CITIZENS OF EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED, AS WELL AS UNSCHEDULED OVERTIME, WHICH PROVIDES A MINIMAL LEVEL OF FIRE PROTECTION FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE ON SICK LEAVE OR ON ANNUAL LEAVE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

AGAIN, IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, I CAN TELL YOU WITH ALMOST 100% CERTAINTY THAT EVERYTHING POSTED FROM OUR JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION PAGE IS ACCURATE.

IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT IS INACCURATE,

[04:05:01]

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT'S INACCURATE.

>> IT'S A PART OF THE PICTURE.

>> I SEE.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE POST AFTER POST SAYING THAT YOU ALL MAKE 1053.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S ACCURATE TO THE PUBLIC? BECAUSE THE PUBLIC WOULD SAY 1053 TIMES THE HOUR WORKS, THAT'S WHAT YOU PUT IN THE BANK.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM. GUYS, I REALLY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOU ASKING FOR MORE MONEY.

I GET THAT COSTS ARE HIGH, HEALTHCARE COSTS ARE HIGH, INSURANCE IS HIGH.

I UNDERSTAND THAT. I UNDERSTAND FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING.

I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT IF I WERE TO PROPOSE TO DO A TAX INCREASE THAT WE'RE ALSO PUTTING IT ON FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING.

THERE'S A BALANCE OF THAT. DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> YES ABSOLUTELY.

>> BUT YOU'RE NOT INCLUDING THE WHOLE PICTURE OF WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.

I KNOW WHEN YOU WORK UNSCHEDULED OVERTIME, THAT'S EXTRA HOURS THAT YOU'RE AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY, THAT YOU'RE HAVING TO WORK.

I GET THAT. I'M NOT TRYING TO TAKE THAT AWAY FROM YOU.

BUT TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, THE WAGE YOU MAKE, WHEN THEY GO TO WORK, THAT'S EVERYTHING THEY PUT IN THEIR BANK ACCOUNT.

FOR YOU ALL, YOU HAVE MANY BUCKETS OF DIFFERENT PORTIONS OF SALARY, WHETHER YOU CALL IT BASE PAY, SUPPLEMENTAL PAY, GUARANTEED OVERTIME, UNSCHEDULED OVERTIME.

YOU HAVE TO USE THAT AS A WHOLE PICTURE.

JUST SAYING THE BASE PAY TO THE PUBLIC IS DECEPTIVE.

THAT'S WHAT BOTHERS ME MORE.

NOT THAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR MORE MONEY.

REALLY? IT'S THAT IT'S THE DECEPTIVE NATURE OF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN.

>> MISS SHENG, YOU JUST DID THAT.

YOU USED OUR BASE PAY FOR OUR STARTING FIREFIGHTERS THEN OUR HIGHER END RANGE, YOU SAID 190,000.

YOU DID THE EXACT SAME THING YOU ACCUSE US OF DOING.

>> I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT POINT ARGUMENT.

>> YOU JUST READ OUT THAT WE MAKE 21,000, 22,000, 23,000 24,000 AND THEN SAID THE HIGHEST END IS 190,000.

WHAT YOU JUST DID WAS YOU USED THE BASE PAY OF FIREFIGHTERS, AND THEN ALL THOSE DIFFERENT BUCKETS OF PAY FOR THE ASSISTANT CHIEFS TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THERE'S THIS MASSIVE DISPARITY.

I'M TELLING YOU WHAT THE DISPARITY IS.

OUR BASE PAY IS 26 AND SOME CHANGE.

FOR BASE PAY FIREFIGHTERS AT STEP 1 IN THE PAY PLAN, WHICH IS 1053 AN HOUR, WHICH WE HAVE MAINTAINED IS THE STARTING PAY FOR FIREFIGHTERS.

WE'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT'S WHERE OUR FIREFIGHTERS START.

THEY GET 5% RAISES FOR THE FIRST 14 YEARS, THEN GET 2% FROM YEARS 15-23.

[OVERLAPPING]

>> WE RAN YOUR TIME WHEN YOU WERE SPEAKING AND THAT YOUR 3 MINUTES.

>> MAY I REBUTTAL AS I WAS INTERRUPTED MULTIPLE TIMES?

>> YOUR TIME WAS STOPPED AS YOU WERE NOT SPEAKING WHEN THE PARISH PRESIDENT WAS SPEAKING, YOUR TIME WAS STOPPED.

>> MAY I FINISH AT LEAST THE EXPLANATION?

>> FINISH YOUR SENTENCE, PLEASE, AND THEN LET'S MOVE ON.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. WE GET 14, 5% RAISES, AND THEN 2% RAISES FROM YEAR 15-23.

PARISH EMPLOYEES ALSO GET 5% RAISES IN ADDITIONAL COLAS.

WE DO NOT GET THOSE THINGS.

AGAIN, IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BEING TRANSPARENT, LET'S PLEASE BE TRANSPARENT ALL AROUND.

I'M NOT LOOKING TO ARGUE. I'M NOT LOOKING TO FIGHT.

BUT IF WE WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT, I CAN PROMISE YOU OUR PAGE IS TRANSPARENT.

I'VE COMMITTED TO YOU AND THIS ASSOCIATIONS COMMIT TO YOU, WE WILL DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO WORK WITH YOU AND PROVIDE AN EQUITABLE RAISE WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE BUDGET.

>> THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT. [APPLAUSE]

>> MARK DUCKER, 3913 CYPRESS STREET.

I HEAR A LOT OF NUMBERS BEING THROWN AROUND.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT THE PUBLIC AND THIS COUNCIL TO KNOW IS WHEN YOU SAY, "OH, WHAT THEY MAKE, WHAT THEIR SALARY IS?" YOU'RE FACTORING THAT IN FOR A YEAR.

A FIREMAN WORKS 38 HOUR DAYS A MONTH. LET'S BE HONEST.

IT'S 24 HOURS, 7:00 A.M TO 7:00 A.M. IN A DAY, 365 EIGHT HOUR DAYS A YEAR.

I DON'T THINK YOU'D EXPECT ANYONE ELSE IN THE PARISH TO WORK THAT KIND OF SCHEDULE.

WHEN YOU START SAYING, THEY MAKE 190,000 A YEAR, 180,000 A YEAR, AND WE KEEP SAYING WHAT OUR HOURLY RATE IS IS BECAUSE WE WORK INFINITELY MORE HOURS THAN THE REST OF THE EMPLOYEES IN THIS PARISH.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT FACTS ARE FACTS, DATA IS DATA.

YOU CAN PRESENT FACTS AND DATA IN ANY WAY YOU WANT AND SKEW IT TO YOUR OPINION.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN WITH THIS PAY STUDY WITH THE PR FIRM THAT'S GOING TO BE HIRED TO COME SHOW THE FACTS.

I READ THE PAY STUDY.

THERE ARE FIVE PAY STUDIES IN THE PAY STUDY.

WE DIDN'T NEED FIVE PAY STUDIES.

WE NEEDED ONE PAY STUDY THAT WE ALL AGREED ON, AND THAT IS NOT WHAT WE GOT.

>> FRANKIE HYERS, 509 HOUMA BOULEVARD, JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN A WAY WE COULD GO SOLVE THIS.

WE COULD SOLVE, $9 MILLION.

THAT'S IT, $9 MILLION.

THAT'S ALL IT WOULD TAKE TO MAKE THIS BIG FIX.

I WATCH YOU PISS AWAY TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY COUNCIL MEETING.

[04:10:04]

YOU BOTH, EVERYBODY, YOU GAVE YOURSELVES $3.5 MILLION.

WE COULD SETTLE THIS RIGHT NOW.

OBLIGE YOURSELVES TO COVER THE UNDERPAID HEALTH INSURANCE.

RIGHT NOW. YOU GOT $500,000 OF PEOPLE'S MONEY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS.

WHY? BECAUSE YOU'RE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MUNICIPALITIES.

WE DON'T HAVE A DELEGATION AT THE STATE.

THOSE STATE LAWS.

THE REASON THEY'RE WRITTEN THAT WAY IS BECAUSE THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE 49 RURAL PARISHES THAT CONTROL THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

THEY DON'T SUFFER FOR THIS.

THEY ONLY GOT ONE GUY AT EACH OF THOSE POSITIONS THAT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO GIVE A RAISE TO, SO THEY DON'T SUFFER FOR THIS WAGE COMPRESSION AS THE BIG PARISHES DO, MADE ENEMIES OF EACH OTHER.

ORLEANS AND JEFFERSON PARISH DIMINISHED IN THEIR CAPACITY AT THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

NONE OF YOU, NOT ONE OF YOU SHOWED UP AT THE REDISTRICTING MEETINGS, TO REDRESS THIS.

NOT ONE OF YOU. THE ONLY PERSON WHO EVEN SHOWED UP AT U&O WAS BRIAN.

>> MR. HYERS. LET'S TAKE IT DOWN NOTCH, PLEASE.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS. SETTLE DOWN OR YOU'RE OUT.

STOP YELLING AT THIS DAIS.

I'VE HAD ENOUGH. NOW CONTINUE AT A NORMAL VOLUME, PLEASE.

>> YOUR CHIEF OF STAFF IS THE ONLY ONE WHO SHOWED UP AT A REDISTRICTING MEETING AT U&O.

NOT ONE OF YOU. NOT ONE ELECTED OFFICIAL SHOWED UP ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

>> WE HAD OUR OWN REDISTRICT.

>> THEY ADDRESS ANYTHING.

>> I WAS STATE REDISTRICT. WE HAD OUR OWN REDISTRICT.

>> HE DIDN'T EVEN HOLD THOSE CHARTER REVIEWS BY LAW.

AGAIN, NOBODY SHOWED UP AT THE REDISTRICTING MEETINGS ON BEHALF.

BUT VERNON PARISH, THEY SHOWED UP.

EVERY OTHER PARISH OF RURAL PARISHES THEY SHOWED UP AT EVERY ONE OF THOSE REDISTRICTING MEETINGS.

THE ONLY ONE WHO DID SHOW UP TO ENCOURAGE ME ON BEHALF OF THIS PARISH, BECAUSE I WENT TO EIGHT OF THEM.

THE ONLY PERSON WHO SHOWED UP, MR. WALKER, CHAIRMAN, WAS YOUR CHIEF OF STAFF TO ENCOURAGE ME.

BUT NOT ONE ELECTED OFFICIAL STOOD UP ON BEHALF OF THE DISENFRANCHISED DELEGATION.

KERNER DON'T TRY AND SELL THESE PEOPLE ON LIP SERVICE.

WE HAVE NO POWER AT THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET ANYTHING DONE TO BENEFIT THEM.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST DO THIS WITH OUR DISCRETIONARY MONEY THAT YOU'VE SACKED AWAY THAT YOU SPEND LIBERALLY ON EVERY COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT YOU CAN IMAGINE, WHETHER IT'S $10,000 TO ISLAND CATS OR IT'S $12,500 TO A PRIVATE PR FIRM OR WHATEVER.

HOW ABOUT YOU DIG OUT OF YOUR WALLETS COVER THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE GUYS THAT ARE MAKING LESS THAN 20 BUCKS AN HOUR? DO IT. FIX THIS THING.

BE REPRESENTATIVES.

MY AT LARGE POSITIONS, YOUR SENATORS.

I UNDERSTAND. YOU CAN JUST TAKE ANY POSITION YOU WANT.

YOU CAN JUMP ON BOARD WITH THE FIREMEN, SUPPORT THEM IN A DEFERRAL, BUT IT CARRIES NO WEIGHT.

YOU SUPPORT, AND YOU OBLIGE YOURSELVES TO THE PARISH WIDE EFFORTS.

>> THAT'S YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. I DO APPRECIATE IT.

PLEASE DON'T INTERRUPT ME AGAIN.

>> PLEASE DON'T RAISE YOUR VOICE THIS DAIS AGAIN, OR YOU WILL NOT COME BACK UP TO THE DAIS.

YOU'LL BE REMOVED FROM THE MEETING.

ABSOLUTELY. GLEEF. MR. HYERS, GO. THANK YOU.

WE'RE NOT DOING THIS AGAIN.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO COME UP HERE AT THE PODIUM EVERY MEETING AND YELL AT THIS DAIS.

HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR THE RULES OF DECORUM AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE AT THIS DAIS.

THAT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT. NO, DON'T SPEAK.

>> YOU ARE SPEAKING TO ME FROM THE DAIS.

>> DON'T SPEAK.

>> I'M IN THE GALLERY LEAVING.

>> PLEASE GO.

>>YOU GOT MORE BUSINESS, PLEASE SPEAK TO ME.

>> PLEASE GO. DON'T TELL ME WHAT MY BUSINESS IS.

PLEASE LEAVE. APOLOGIES FOR THAT.

>> NO PROBLEM, COUNCILMAN, CRAIG BURKETT, JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS, 1312 AIRLINE PARK BOULEVARD.

AGAIN, WE KEEP COMING BACK TO THE SAME THING.

WE DID COMMIT TO WORK WITH MISS SHENG AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO TRY TO FIND SOME RESOLUTION.

I'M PROBABLY THE ONE A FEUDAL I HAVE NEVER GO TO TELL YOU, AND I AGREE.

THANK YOU, MISS VAN VRANCKEN, MR. WALKER.

I DON'T CARE IF YOU HIRE A PR FIRM OR NOT BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE 60 DAYS.

WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING WE COULD TO HOLD BACK OUR MEMBERS.

WE HAVE DIRECTION.

I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU COULD GET US CONTRACT SIGN THAT QUICK, TO BE QUITE FRANK.

THIS HAS BEEN KICKED DOWN THE ROAD FOR SIX YEARS.

WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO RETAIN OUR YOUNGER FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS AND LOOKING FOR OTHER.

I AIN'T ABOUT WALKING OFF THE JOB.

EVEN THOUGH YOU ALL HAVE YET TO EVEN GO RESEARCH YOUR OWN RESOLUTION, TO BE QUITE FRANK, IF YOU NOTICE, WE HAVEN'T REALLY LOBBIED FOR VOTES. WE DON'T CARE.

WE DON'T CARE WHO VOTES FOR US. YOU ALL ARE MANDATED BY AN NLRA LAW IN THIS PARISH THAT SAYS, IF WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU AN AGREEMENT NOT TO STRIKE, YOU HAVE TO MEET IN GOOD FAITH, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN DONE IN SIX YEARS.

YOU HAVE TO BE HONEST AND LISTEN TO ME, THE PR FIRM, WE CAN TALK ABOUT SPIN.

YOU CAN'T PUT YOUR EMPLOYEES OR YOUR AIDES OR YOUR FRIENDS ON AIR, RELEASING PUBLIC INFORMATION THAT HAS NOT REALLY BEEN RELEASED PUBLICLY.

SKEW IT AND TALK ABOUT HOW TRANSPARENT YOU WANT TO BE.

[04:15:03]

THAT JUST DOESN'T WORK.

THAT'S WHAT HAS CREATED THIS.

TO SIT THERE AND TRY TO NOW SPIN THAT AGAIN AND SAY, WELL, ONCE AGAIN, WE WILL BE DEBATING THESE ISSUES PUBLICLY WITH OR WITHOUT YOU.

IF YOU'RE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, WE HAVE BEGGED YOU ALL TO BECOME KNOWLEDGEABLE.

MISS SHENG, THE 10.53 AN HOUR, I WILL SIT HERE AS THE VICE PRESIDENT ORGANIZATION AND SAY, JUST LIKE EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THIS STATE, LIKE MOST FIRE DEPARTMENTS, WE GET STATE PAY.

IT'S NOT A SECRET. IT HAPPENS ALL OVER THE STATE.

BUT BY THE LAW, THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE USED TO OFFSET THE MONEY THAT IS PAID BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO ITS PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS.

IT'S BY LAW EXCLUDED.

TO TRY TO USE THAT A AN OFFSET, YES, IT'S INCLUDED.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO INCLUDE IT, NEW ORLEANS IS AT $15.74 UNDER THE SAME LAWS AND STUFF FOR ITS FIREFIGHTERS PLUS STATE PAY.

NO MATTER WHO YOU COMPARE TO, YOU WIND UP AS THE SAME PLACE.

AGAIN, WE CAN KEEP DOING THIS ALL DAY LONG, BUT EVENTUALLY WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING IT IN A PUBLIC PLACE.

I WOULD JUST ASK IT TO COUNCIL AND ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HIDE BEHIND ANY PR FIRM.

IN THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGS, YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO COME UP TO SPEED ON IT.

STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU DO SO BECAUSE THAT TIME IS TICKING.

WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN.

WE WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO KEEP TRYING TO FIND RESOLUTION.

BUT AT THIS POINT, YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE GOOD FIREFIGHTERS TO NEIGHBORING DEPARTMENTS OVER A PAY ISSUE.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, JUST THE LAST MEETING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.

MR. WALKER HAS BEEN TOLD OR A CERTAIN COUNCILMAN HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT OUR EXISTING MILLAGE IS GOING TO BE A SHORTFALL.

WE HAVE TURNED OVER THE DOCUMENTS THAT SHOWED 90% OF YOUR PAY.

>> THAT IS YOUR TIME. WRAP IT PLEASE.

>> 90% OF YOUR PAY ROLL, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE LION'S SHARE OF OUR DEDICATED MILLAGE, YOU ALL HAVE LET THAT FALL BEHIND BY INFLATION BY UP TO 70%.

THE QUESTION IS, WHERE'S THE MONEY? WE GOT TOLD THAT THE MONEY.

>> WE GOT A WRAP. THANK YOU.

>> SOMEBODY'S GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER FOR IT.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> LET'S LOWER THE MICROPHONE A LITTLE BIT.

>> THANK YOU, JOHN.

>> GOOD.

>> CARLY BIKE, 1312 AIRLINE PARK BOULEVARD.

THESE FIREFIGHTERS IN OUR BURNING BUILDINGS WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS RUNNING OUT, AND THEY NEVER ASK FOR ANYTHING IN RETURN EXCEPT TO KNOW THEIR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ARE SAFE.

BUT NOW, FIREFIGHTERS HAVE TO FIGHT JUST TO BE PAID FAIRLY.

THAT HURTS TO SEE BECAUSE I KNOW HOW HARD THEY WORK AND HOW MUCH THEY SACRIFICE.

THEY ARE HEROES, AND ALL I WANT IS FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE TO TREAT THEM WITH THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE.

PLEASE STOP MAKING OUR BRAVEST FIREFIGHTERS FIGHT FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD ALREADY BE THEIRS.

>> RONA RENATO JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, 783 HIGHWAY 1085.

I FIND IT DISINGENUOUS OF THE COUNCIL TO ISSUE PROCLAMATIONS FOR A HERO WHEN IT'S TIME FOR PHOTO OPS, AND AT THE VERY SAME MEETING, NOT ONLY SIT SILENT, BUT ACTIVELY REQUEST TO HIRE A PR FIRM USING TAXPAYER MONEY TO SPEND A NARRATIVE, FIGHT AND ATTACK FIREFIGHTERS SEEKING A FAIR WAGE.

A GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THE LAST TIME JEFFERSON PARISH HIRED A PR FIRM WAS 2019.

HOW MANY RAISES FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND RECEIVED SINCE THEN? HOW MANY PROJECTS FOR PICKLE-BALL COURTS, BREW HOUSES, AND OTHER PET PROJECTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED SINCE THEN? IT'S CONVENIENT THAT NO PR FIRMS OR PAY STUDIES WERE NEEDED FOR THESE THINGS THAT YOU, AS A COUNSEL, VOTED TO SEE HAPPEN.

IT'S ONLY THE THINGS YOU OPPOSE THAT GET THIS SPECIAL TREATMENT.

YOU SAY THE PURPOSE OF THIS FIRM IS TO BRING LIGHT TO FACTS.

FACTS DON'T NEED A FACE OR A PERSON TO STATE THEM.

AS MISS VAN VRANCKEN SAID, THEY CAN BE UPLOADED DIRECTLY TO THE PARISH WEBSITE.

PERSONALLY, I DON'T CARE IF YOU POST MY SALARY, BUT DON'T HIDE HOW MANY HOURS IT TOOK ME TO EARN THAT.

MISS BOHANNAN, YOU SAID THE ONLY WAY TO DO THIS IS TO HIRE AN OUTSIDE FIRM THAT THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW IN A CLEAR AND CONCISE WAY.

I'D LIKE TO REMIND YOU WHAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT THE PAY STUDY.

YOU JUST SAID IT CAME BACK AS 369 PAGES OF CONFUSION, NOT CLEAR NOR CONCISE.

EVERY PARISH IN THE STATE FOLLOWS THE SAME PROMOTIONAL INCREASES THAT WE DO.

IT'S A STATE LAW, AS YOU SAID, PRESIDENT.

WHY ARE WE THE ONLY PARISH IN THE STATE THAT NEEDS A PR FIRM TO EXPLAIN IT? I CAN TELL YOU, I DON'T NEED A PR FIRM TO EXPLAIN TO ME THAT 1053 AN HOUR IS WHAT YOU SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED ABOUT.

YOUR INTENTIONS ARE GLARINGLY OBVIOUS.

YOU'RE ATTEMPTING TO WEAPONIZE THE CITIZENS' TAX DOLLARS THAT THEY'VE GIVEN.

IN AN EFFORT TO FIGHT LOGIC AND PROTECT HIDDEN INTERESTS.

MY FINAL QUESTION IS FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH CITIZENS WHO SEE THIS MEETING.

ASK YOURSELF, WHY WOULD SOMEONE IN POWER FIGHT THIS HARD TO STOP

[04:20:01]

SOMETHING THAT'S LOGICAL AND ALSO SUPPORTED BY THE CITIZENS THAT GAVE THEM THAT POWER? COULD IT BE THAT THERE'S A BENEFIT TO THE ONES IN POWER THAT THEY DON'T WANT US TO KNOW ABOUT? ADDITIONALLY, I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THE RESOLUTIONS DEALING WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ALWAYS ARE LAST ON THE AGENDA.

WE'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 10 O'CLOCK, IT'S 2:40.

IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S JUST ANOTHER TOOL BEING ABUSED TO INCONVENIENCE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO COME TO OPPOSE YOUR EFFORTS.

AS A SAYING GOES, FOLLOW THE MONEY.

REMEMBER, THE TRUTH ALWAYS COMES OUT IN LIGHT [APPLAUSE].

>> PAUL RICALDE, 134 RICHLAND DRIVE SOUTH AVI, LOUISIANA.

I'M NOT HERE TO THROW STONES.

I'M NOT HERE TO ARGUE.

I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU GUYS THE FACTS AND TELL Y'ALL EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH US.

FOR ONE THING, I DID BRING MY PAYCHECK.

SO, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SEE IT, I MAKE $35 AN HOUR.

I'M A CAPTAIN ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I ALSO HAVE PAST PAYCHECKS, SO YOU CAN SEE EXACTLY WHERE I STARTED.

WHEN I STARTED OFF ON THIS JOB 26.5 YEARS AGO.

I MADE $5.45 AN HOUR.

THAT'S JUST $0.30 ABOVE MINIMUM WAGE AT THE TIME.

SO AFTER SEVEN YEARS OF WORK IN THE FIRE SERVICE, I HAD CLIMBED TO A WHOPPING $7.30 AN HOUR.

IT WASN'T UNTIL MY EIGHTH YEAR AND A HARD FIGHT THAT WE GOT A 35% RAISE.

THAT PUT ME OVER $10 AN HOUR.

I WAS ON EIGHT YEARS.

ALREADY FOUGHT HURRICANE KATRINA, STAYED WITH ALL OF THAT.

ALRIGHT, DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TOOK ME TO MAKE $35 AN HOUR? 24 YEARS.

I'VE BEEN ON 26 AND A HALF YEARS NOW.

SO I DON'T THINK WE ARE OVERPAID.

AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT ROOKIES CAN'T GET A RAISE, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, I'LL HAVE TO GET A RAISE.

AND I'M NOT WORTH THAT MUCH, I GUESS.

SO I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S TOO MUCH MONEY FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE CARRY.

THE FIRES THAT WE HAVE, THE RESCUES THAT WE HAVE, THE BURDEN THAT'S PUT ON US WHEN WE GO TO A FIRE, WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OUR FIREMEN AND THE PUBLIC.

THAT'S THE WEIGHT THAT WE CARRY EVERY TIME WE GO TO A FIRE.

ON OUR JOB, IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN MOST PEOPLE. EVEN Y'ALL.

IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, OR YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, A CLICK OF A PIN OR MAYBE A PHONE CALL, AND IT'S STRAIGHTENED OUT.

IF I MAKE A MISTAKE, I COULD LOSE A LIFE.

SO OUR JOB IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WE CARRY A LOT OF WEIGHT.

SO THIS RAISE RIGHT HERE I'M FIGHTING FOR IS NOT GOING TO BENEFIT ME. I'M LEAVING.

I'M GOING INTO DROP IN A FEW MONTHS, NOT BECAUSE I WANT TO, BUT BECAUSE I HAVE TO.

THIS IS MY THIRD BATTLE WITH CANCER.

I JUST LEFT TORO THIS MORNING.

I'VE BEEN THERE SINCE SEVEN O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, AND I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE ALL DAY, AND I'M EXHAUSTED RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE I'M GOING THROUGH RADIATION TREATMENTS.

SO, I ALSO HAVE A LUNG ISSUE THAT I'M FIGHTING RIGHT NOW THAT I'VE HAD FOR A YEAR.

I WAS WORKING DURING THAT TIME, BUT WENT DOWN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT MARDI GRAS DAY THAT MORNING, AND FOUND OUT MY CANCER IS BACK.

SO NOW I'M DEALING WITH A LUNG ISSUE BECAUSE OF THAT PAIN; THEY FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE ASPERGILLUS IN MY LUNG.

I'M FIGHTING THAT, AND I'M FIGHTING CANCER.

SO IT'S TIME FOR ME TO GO. I UNDERSTAND IT.

SO, I JUST REALLY WANT TO LET Y'ALL KNOW THAT THESE FIREFIGHTERS BEHIND ME, I DON'T WANT THEM TO GO THROUGH WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH.

I HAVE A GREAT JOB. I LOVE MY JOB.

I KNEW WHAT IT WAS BEFORE I CAME ON.

>> IT'S TIME, SIR, JUST WRAP IT UP.

>> OKAY. WELL, I KNEW WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO.

AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, BUT I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WORKING 100 HOURS A WEEK TO TRY TO SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY.

THAT'S WHAT I HAD TO DO, AND I DON'T WANT THEM TO HAVE TO DO THAT.

>> OKAY, I'M TRAVIS BOZEMAN, 4604 CONLIN STREET, METAIRIE, LOUISIANA.

I HAVE 20 YEARS ON.

I WANT TO JUST FOLLOW UP WITH WHAT PAUL WAS SAYING, BECAUSE THAT'S ONE THING, EVERYBODY LOOKS AT HOW MUCH WE MAKE, AND YOU POST THIS LARGE FIGURE, AND YOU DON'T REALIZE THAT WE WORK 16 MONTHS' WORTH OF HOURS IN THAT 12-MONTH PERIOD.

SO IT'S REALLY KIND OF, YOU KNOW, CONVOLUTED.

THE OTHER THINGS YOU DON'T SEE, LIKE PAUL JUST MENTIONED, IS THE RISK OF CANCER.

WE ALL HAVE CANCER POLICIES, SECONDARY POLICIES, BECAUSE BEING A FIREMAN, IT'S NOT WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL GET CANCER, IT'S JUST WHEN YOU GET CANCER.

[04:25:01]

NOT TO MENTION THE EMOTIONAL SCARS, THE SITUATIONS THAT I'VE LIVED THROUGH IN MY LIFETIME.

I'VE SEEN THINGS THAT I REGRET, THINGS THAT HAVE MADE ME SAD.

THEY'RE WITH YOU. PEOPLE PASS IN THIS LIFE ALL AROUND US.

WE HAVE THE RISK OF FIRES AND BURNS.

I DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT MY OWN WELL-BEING.

I TOOK THIS JOB TO HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEBODY I'VE NEVER MET BEFORE.

AND SO ALL THESE MEN BEHIND ME, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING.

WE'RE WORKING TWO OR THREE JOBS.

I'M 20 YEARS ON, SO I'VE DONE CONSTRUCTION ON THE SIDE.

AND IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE MAYBE I MAKE MORE ON MY SIDE JOB THAN THIS JOB.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT.

IT DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT THAT I SPEND 16 MONTHS OF TIME IN 12 MONTHS WORKING THIS JOB BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

AND THEN WE TALK ABOUT JEFFERSON PARISH, AND WE TALK ABOUT, WELL, WE HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN AVERAGE.

WELL, JEFFERSON IS THE RICHEST, YOU KNOW, PARISH IN THE STATE.

SO, SHOULDN'T WE BE ABOVE AVERAGE? I LOOK AT THE POLICE OFFICERS.

THEY'RE MY HEROES, RIGHT? I COULDN'T BE A POLICEMAN. I'M A FIREMAN.

I CAN RISK MY LIFE, BUT I CAN'T PUT MYSELF IN FRONT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO HARM ME.

SO THE POLICEMEN GET OUT OF THE ACADEMY, AND I BELIEVE, MAKE UPWARDS OF $24 AN HOUR PLUS STATE PAY, PLUS OVERTIME.

SO NEXT THING, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE DOING VERY WELL.

BUT THEY DESERVE IT.

BUT WHY DO WE NOT? THAT'S MY POINT.

I DIDN'T SEE MY LITTLE GIRL WALK.

I DIDN'T HEAR HER FIRST VOICE, HER FIRST WORDS.

I'VE TOLD YOU ALL THIS BEFORE.

WE'RE JUST TRYING TO DO BETTER.

WE'RE TRYING TO DO BETTER BY OUR NEIGHBORS, YOU KNOW, OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

AND WE JUST WANT ABOVE AVERAGE.

WE DO, AND WHATEVER YOU CAN DO TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE UNION, FIND SOME COMMON GROUND.

PLEASE, DO SO.

AND PAUL IS THE GREATEST GUY IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

AND WE COULD ONLY ALL WANT TO BE AS GOOD A MAN AS HE IS.

>> FRANK QU SOMATO 2117 NORTH WOODLAWN.

I'M NOT GOING TO GO THREE MINUTES BECAUSE THE DAY IS LONG, BUT I'VE HEARD THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS IS THE PAY DIFFERENTIAL FROM THE RANKS BY STATE LAW.

I'VE BEEN ON THIS EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR 44 YEARS.

I'VE BEEN IN MANY OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS, CERTAINLY NOT THIS ONE.

BUT I ALSO SIT ON A STATE BOARD THAT OVERSEES THE ENTIRE STATE'S FIREFIGHTERS.

I'M IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT.

WELL, THAT BOARD HAVE ONLY BEEN SITTING ON FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.

ALL THE JURISDICTIONS ADHERE TO THE STATE LAW.

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF ANYBODY ON MY BOARD IN THE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS COME BEFORE US AND SAY, YOU KNOW, BASTROP, BATON ROUGE, DON'T WANT TO PAY THIS.

CROWLEY DOESN'T WANT TO PAY THIS.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER HEARD THIS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THAT A STATE LAW THAT HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, AND ALL OTHER JURISDICTIONS PAY THAT AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH IT.

IT'S COMING FROM MY HOME UNIT HERE, JEFFERSON PARISH.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE GOT TO PAY A PAY PROBLEM, OR PAYING A GUYS THAT, LIKE PAUL SAID, 24 YEARS TO BE A CAPTAIN, 28 YEARS TO BE A CHIEF, AND YOU'RE GOING TO PENALIZE LONGEVITY.

IT'S SAD THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY [APPLAUSE].

>> ALRIGHT, THERE'S NO ONE ELSE? ONE MORE? TWO MORE

>> OH, GO AHEAD, BROTHER.

>> MY NAME IS JOSHUA MOSBY.

I LIVE AT 805 SOPHIA STREET, RIVER RIDGE, LOUISIANA.

YEAH, I DON'T HAVE A LAW DEGREE, BUT I HAVE A MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY, AND I KNOW A PRETTY GOOD GASLIGHT WHEN I SEE IT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INTIMIDATION.

MISS BOHANNAN, YOUR EMPLOYEE AMEL LARSON? AMEL LARSON, IN TANDEM WITH A FAKE ACCOUNT, DOCKS MY HOME ADDRESS.

SO AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, I SPOKE, AND ANYONE WHO STANDS UP IS INTIMIDATED AND THREATENED.

WITHIN 24 HOURS, HE DID THAT.

MR. LARSON STARTED OFF AT $25 AN HOUR.

YOU HIRED HIM LAST YEAR.

YOU GAVE HIM A $6 HOUR RAISE.

HE'S HIRED AS A STENOGRAPHER.

I CALLED THE STATE. HE HAS NO QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A STENOGRAPHER.

>> YOU KNOW, IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE MAYBE YOU HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH AMEL LARSON.

[04:30:04]

>> NO, I DON'T. I REALLY DON'T, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE THREATENING ME.

I DON'T CARE, BUT I HAVE TWO LITTLE GIRLS, TIM, AND THEY'RE FOUR, AND THEY'RE TWO.

AND THIS MAN KNOWS I WORK 24-HOUR SHIFTS.

SO I DON'T CARE WHO HE IS.

HE CAN COME TO MY HOUSE, I'D LOVE IT.

THREATEN ME WITH A GOOD TIME, THAT'D BE GREAT.

WHAT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IS SOMEONE THREATENING MY CHILDREN.

SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SOMEONE SAYING THAT I'M WORTH NOTHING.

WHEN YOU JUST HIRED A MAN WITHOUT QUALIFICATIONS, GAVE THEM A $6 HOUR RAISE TO $31 AN HOUR.

IT'S NOT A PROBLEM OF ME AS A PERSON.

IT'S A PROBLEM WITH YOU LOOK DOWN ON MY PROFESSION AS NOTHING, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, A MAN WITH NO QUALIFICATIONS CAN MAKE $31 AN HOUR.

I AM 12 YEARS, I MAKE $23 AN HOUR.

WE CAN MAKE THIS A NATIONAL NEWS STORY, IF YOU LIKE, BECAUSE MY WIFE'S UNCLES, ALL FD AND Y RETIRED, THERE FOR 9/11.

THEY WERE THERE FOR THE RESCUE RECOVERY.

HER GODFATHER WAS ON SCENE WHEN THE TOWERS FELL.

LOOK THEM IN THE EYES AND SAY, YOU SAID THREE COUNCIL MEETINGS AGO TO MY EXECUTIVE BOARD.

YOU GUYS SOUND LIKE A BUNCH OF CRYBABIES.

>> I SAID THAT?

>> DID YOU SAY THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> OKAY, WELL. SO, WHETHER OR NOT IT'S TRUE OR NOT, WE CAN HAVE THESE MEN COME DOWN HERE, AND YOU CAN SPEAK HOWEVER YOU LIKE, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO.

WE CAN MAKE THIS A NATIONAL NEWS STORY IF WE'D LIKE.

I'D LOVE IT. IT'D BE GREAT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> IF YOU NEED TO THREATEN, GO AHEAD.

>> I'M NOT THREATENING.

>> THAT'S WHAT YOU DO. YOU GUYS, I'VE NEVER SAID ANYBODY WAS A CRYBABY, AND I'M NOT GONNA BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY BEEF YOU MAY HAVE WITH THE MO ARSON. I'M GONNA TELL YOU THIS.

HE'S A VERY HIGHLY DECORATED POLICE OFFICER.

OKAY. AND HE'S WELL RESPECTED IN THE COMMUNITY.

BUT IF HE HAS THREATENED YOU, THREATENED YOUR CHILDREN, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS CALL THE POLICE.

>>NO. IT'S FINE.

>> BECAUSE I'LL BE THE FIRST ONE SUPPORTING HIS ARREST IF THAT HAPPENED.

BUT I HAVE A REALLY GOOD FEELING THAT THAT'S PROBABLY NOT WHAT HAPPENED.

BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT. IF ANYBODY ON MY STAFF EVER THREATENS YOU, YOU CALL THE POLICE.

I WILL SUPPORT THEIR ARREST.

>> NO, I HAVE WHAT MR. LARSON DID.

HE'S OPENED THE GATEWAY TO ACTUALLY TRACK ALL THE IP ADDRESSES OF ALL THE FAKE ACCOUNTS, WHICH IS GREAT.

>> SOUNDS LIKE A FAIRLAND TYPE OF STUFF.

IF YOU GOT PROOF OF THAT, LIKE I SAID, GO TO THE POLICE.

>> GOT YOU. APPRECIATE IT.

APPRECIATE YOUR CANDOR, AND APPRECIATE YOU TALKING DOWN TO ME. LOVE IT.

>> I'M NOT TALKING DOWN TO YOU.

YOU JUST GOT UP HERE AND THREATENED ME AND THREATENED AMEL.

SO CALL THE POLICE, SIR.

>> HEY, GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS BEN BONCH, 380 AUTUMN WIND LANE, MANDEVILLE, LOUISIANA.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT REASONS.

MY PARENTS OWN A CONDO HERE ON LAKE AVENUE, SO, YOU KNOW, THEY ENJOY THE PROTECTION OF THE FIREFIGHTERS.

I'M ALSO A UNION REP, SO I'M HERE IN SOLIDARITY WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AND I GOT FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT ARE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

MAN, I THOUGHT WE WERE CRAZY UP IN ST. TAMMANY, BUT THIS IS EYE-OPENING.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK I CAN REALLY ADD MUCH TO WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID.

THESE FOLKS ARE HEROES, OKAY.

>> I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO HIRE A PR FIRM.

AGAIN, THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO ME BECAUSE I LIVE IN [INAUDIBLE].

MY TAXES DON'T NECESSARILY ARE AFFECTED BY THIS.

ONE THING THAT WASN'T MENTIONED WAS, HOW MUCH ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO PAY THE PR FIRM? IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PR FIRM TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT MAYBE A TAX INCREASE TO PAY THESE FOLKS, BECAUSE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD HAVE TO HIRE A PR FIRM TO JUSTIFY PAY FOR THESE GUYS AND LADIES.

THE OTHER THING IS THIS, IT WAS MENTIONED ALREADY, I HEAR A LOT OF COMPARISONS WITH, MAYBE ADMIN FOLKS MAKE THIS MUCH, AND YOU GUYS ARE MAKING THIS MUCH.

BUT YOU GUYS, AGAIN, ARE FAILING TO ACCOUNT FOR THE FACT THAT THESE GUYS BEHIND ME, THEY DON'T DO A REGULAR JOB.

THEY DON'T DO A JOB LIKE WE ALL DO.

THEY ARE EXPOSED TO SEEING DEAD BODIES? THEY'RE EXPOSED TO HAVING THEIR LIFE THREATEN, WHEN THEY'RE RUNNING INTO THE BUILDING, WE'RE RUNNING OUT.

WHAT BOTHERS ME THE MOST RIGHT NOW, AS I'M THINKING ABOUT IT.

I WANTED TO SAY OTHER THINGS, BUT I THINK I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS THE MOST.

WHENEVER ANY EVENT LIKE 911 HAPPENS OR EVEN KATRINA, THAT'S WHEN THESE GUYS SHOULD BE ASKING FOR THE PAY RAISE, BECAUSE WHEN THOSE THINGS FADE FROM MEMORY, THIS IS WHERE WE END UP.

DO WE REALLY NEED TO PAY THESE GUYS? WE DO.

ABSOLUTELY. HERE'S THE OTHER THING I'D LIKE TO SAY.

THEY'RE NOT ASKING FOR MORE MONEY.

THEY'RE ASKING FOR THE MONEY THAT THEY DESERVE.

THEY'RE UNDERPAID. THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT.

THIS WHOLE THING WITH THE STATE LAW THAT IF YOU PAY THE LOWEST ONES A CERTAIN AMOUNT, YOU'VE GOT TO PAY EVERYBODY ELSE. YOU DO.

EVERYBODY NEEDS A PAY RAISE.

EVERYBODY SHOULD BE GETTING A PAY RAISE.

NOT JUST YOU SHOULDN'T JUST BE FOCUSED ON THE LOWER END GUYS AND LADIES.

BUT THE POINT IS THIS, I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND IT EMBARRASSES ME AS A CITIZEN OF THE STATE THIS NATION AND THESE GUYS HAVE TO COME HERE AND BEG FOR A PAY RAISE.

IT IT REMINDS ME OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE NEW YORK GUYS WITH THE 911 FOLKS.

I HAD TO GET JOHN STEWART TO GO TO CONGRESS AND ASK THEM TO KEEP PAYING FOR THEIR HEALTH AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

[04:35:03]

YOU GOT FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE DYING OF CANCER AND STUFF LIKE THAT, THAT ARE BEGGING TO HAVE THEIR PAY AND THEIR ILLNESSES COVERED.

IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

I'M NOT TRYING TO, DENIGRATE THE COUNCIL OR YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, BUT YOU GUYS SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED.

THESE GUYS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE HERE.

THEY SHOULD BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND NOT WASTING THEIR WHOLE DAY HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE].

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M KEVIN CROSSON, 118E STREET, JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS.YOU ALL SAY IT'S A SHORTFALL OF $9,000,000.

EVERY OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE AND NATION, THEY RUN THEIR BUDGET OF PAYROLL, 90%.

OURS IS RUNNING 40 SOMETHING PERCENT.

THERE SHOULD BE MONEY THERE.

IF WE START BONDING OUT FIREHOUSES, BONDING OUT, FIRE TRUCKS, WERE WRITING CHECKS FOR MILLION DOLLAR VEHICLES.

WE'RE WASTING MONEY OR MISMANAGING OUR FUNDS.

IF WE DON'T MISMANAGE IT, WE CAN AFFORD TO RAISE ALL THE WAY AROUND FROM BOTTOM TO THE TOP.

GO TO SOCIAL MEDIA.

I DON'T WANT TO ATTACK YOU, MISS BOHANNAN.

AT THAT APRIL COUNCIL MEETING, YOU SWORE TO CHANGE STATE LAW.

ON FACEBOOK, YOU CAST THE FIRST STONE, AND YOU SAID, I'LL CUT OVERTIME, EVEN AT THE COST OF TAXPAYERS. YOU DID.

IT'S SCREENSHOT IT. IT'S OUT THERE.

THERE'S NO APOLOGY FOR IT, NOTHING.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE SO BITTER.

YOU THREW THE FIRST STONE, AND YOU ACT LIKE.

>> IS NOT ACCURATE.

>> IT TO ATTACK ON SOCIAL MEDIA IS A TWO WAY STREET.

>> YOUR TAKE THAT WAS NOT AN ATTACK.

IT WAS SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN, AND YOU GUYS HAVE SAID IT MANY TIMES TODAY.

WE HAVE FORCED OVERTIME.

I WAS OFFERING AN OLIVE BRANCH.

IF YOU ARE TELLING ME YOU DON'T WANT THE FORCED OVERTIME, THEN LET'S WORK TO CHANGE THAT. THAT'S WHAT I SAID.

>> THAT'S NOT.

>> BUT IF YOU GUYS WANT THE FORCED OVERTIME, THEN LET'S KEEP IT. I WAS OFFERING.

IF WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS, IF YOU'RE UPSET THAT YOU'RE FORCED TO WORK OVERTIME, AND WE'VE HEARD IT MANY TIMES TODAY, WE HAVE TO WORK MORE THAN ANY OTHER PARISH EMPLOYEE.

THAT SOUNDS UNFAIR TO ME.

IF YOU'RE ASKING FOR CHANGE, THEN LET'S HELP CHANGE IT.

IF YOU'RE NOT, THEN LET'S LEAVE IT.

BUT I WAS OFFERING THAT.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN I WAS ATTACKING YOU OR YOUR SALARY.

I WAS OFFERING AN OLIVE BRANCH TO TRY TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.

>> TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO SAY, I'M GOING CHANGE STATE LAW.

YOU'RE NOT JUST ATTACKING THE FIREFIGHTERS OF THIS PARISH, YOU'RE ATTACKING FIREFIGHTERS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

>> I NEVER SAID THAT.

>> YOU HAVE A MINUTE AND HALF LEFT, AND JUST LET HIM FINISH, AND THEN YOU CAN RESPOND TO WHATEVER HE SAYS.

>> AS FAR AS THE OLD BRANCH.

WE DIDN'T SEE THAT THAT WAY.

IT WASN'T EXPLAINED.

YOU'VE MET WITH OUR OUR EBOARD, A COUPLE OF TIMES.

YOU SPOKE WITH A CAPTAIN WHO EXPLAINED THINGS TO YOU OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

BUT YOU DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND HOW OUR PAY WORKS, THE HOURS.

WE'RE NOT FORCED TO WORK THE OVERTIME.

I SIGN UP FOR ADDITIONAL OVERTIME EVERY DAY THAT IT CAN.

WE HAVE SCHEDULED.

THAT'S IN OUR 56.5 HOUR WORK WEEK.

THE OTHER OVERTIME, I SIGN UP FOR IT.

IT HELPS PAY FOR MY HEALTH CARE, FOR ANY OTHER THINGS I WANT.

I SHOULDN'T BE RIDICULED FOR SIGNING UP TO WORK MORE.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE MY PAY, SAY, I MAKE $150,000.

I WORK THE HOURS FOR IT EVERY HOUR, EVERY SINGLE HOUR.

ALL OF US DO. WE WANT TO WORK.

WE WANT TO MAKE BETTER.

I WOULD RATHER GET A RAISE AND NOT WORK ON MY OFF DAYS, NOT SIGN UP FOR MORE OVERTIME AND HAVE MORE TIME TO SPEND WITH MY FAMILY.

IT'S NOT FORCED OVER TIME.

IT'S 'ALL ARE BEING MISLED IN HOW OUR PAY WORKS AND HOW OUR SCHEDULE WORKS.

>> IT'S NOT MISLEADING.

IT WAS A COMMENT THAT WE'RE FORCED TO WORK OVERTIME.

I WAS OFFERING TO HELP WITH THAT.

IF YOU TOOK THAT TO MEAN THAT I WAS GOING TO GO AND MAKE SOME ATTEMPT ON MY OWN AS A COUNCIL PERSON OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO STAIN TO CHANGE STATE LAW, THEN I APOLOGIZE THAT YOU MISINTERPRETED WHAT I MEANT.

>> THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID.

>> YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS.

>> LASTLY, THE SOCIAL MEDIA, JEFFERSON, FIREFIGHTERS SALARIES.

WILL ONE OF YOU ALL IN THIS BUILDING OWN IT, PLEASE.

WE CAN END THAT.

[APPLAUSE].

>> COUNCILMAN BEN REGAN.

>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD, BECAUSE I DID ASK AT THE LAST MEETING IN GRAND AISLE THAT AS QUICKLY AS THE PAY STUDY COULD BE RELEASED TO US, THAT IT WAS.

[04:40:03]

I DO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR MOVING THAT ALONG, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WAS FRUSTRATING NOT TO EVEN HAVE THAT DONE.

I APPRECIATE STEVE LECHUT COMING ACROSS THE HALL, SITTING DOWN, EXPLAINING IT.

ACTUALLY CAME INTO THE MEETING HOPEFUL BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'LL HAVE A MEETING TOMORROW.

I'M AN OPTIMIST. I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE STARTED THE NEGOTIATIONS. I KNOW MR. BURKETT.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE GOING INTO THE MEETING TO GIVE SOME CLARITY TO THE NUMBERS YOU ALL ARE PRESENTING.

I HOPE THIS HAS BEEN A ROUGH DAY.

I HOPE WE CAN REDIRECT OUR ENERGY INTO FIGURING THIS OUT TOGETHER AND ENDING IN A FAIR PLACE BECAUSE ALL OF US UP HERE ARE HAVING TO BALANCE MAKING SURE THAT OUR FIREFIGHTERS ARE ADEQUATELY APPRECIATED AND ALSO NOT RAISING TAXES, BECAUSE I KNOW WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

LET'S ALL WORK TOGETHER AND FIGURE IT OUT.

>> I HAVE ONE THING.

I KNOW SOMEBODY MADE THE GOOD POINT, AND A VALID POINT THAT WE HONOR THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT WE'RE IN THIS POSITION, BUT I DO WANT TO, RECOGNIZE CAPTAIN PAUL.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HIS LAST NAME [BACKGROUND].

BUT WITH 27 YEARS IN SERVICE, BATTLING CANCER, FOR YOU TO COME IN AFTER YOUR TREATMENTS TO COME AND SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE FIREFIGHTERS.

I MEANT A LOT TO ME.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY AND YOUR DEDICATION AND FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE [APPLAUSE].

>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE SUMMARY.

[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]

>> ANYBODY REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS OF THE CBZ COLLISION CENTER AT 3,000 RICHLAND AVENUE ON LOTS TWO OH 7208 AND PORTION OF 271 A MANSON SUBDIVISION.

PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 26A1C3, AND 26A1A, CHURCHILL FARMS INTO LOTS 26A1C3A, 26A1C3B, AND 26A1A1 IN THE DEDICATION OF FAIRFIELD BOULEVARD CHURCHILL FARMS SUBDIVISION.

AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING OF LOT A1 SECTION SIX AND 29 TOWNSHIP, 13 SOUTH RANGE 23 EAST SOUTH EAST DISTRICT, LOCATED AT 6857 OAKS BOULEVARD, AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM IL-IH.

APPROVING REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE LANDSCAPING OF THE MUCD MIXED USE CORRIDOR DISTRICT FOR FATBOY'S PIZZA LOCATED AT 15:35 LA PACO BOULEVARD ON LOT E2C1, TRACT NINE, SECTION C, OAKDALE SUBDIVISION, APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION LOTS 1B1D AND X FIVE BLOCK SIX, SECTION C OAKDALE INTO LOT 1B X BLOCK SIX, SECTION C OAKDALE SUBDIVISION.

AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH LOT, X FIVE BLOCK SIX SECTION C OAKDALE SUBDIVISION, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R1A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO MUCD.

AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 26842, THE PHASING PLAN FOR THE SLATER TOUR ACADEMY ON LOT Y1B SQUARE 41 UNIT ONE PONTA TRAIN GARDEN SUBDIVISION, SECTION D, ZONED R ONE A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, APPROVING REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE SIGN REGULATIONS AND THE LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS OF THE CVZ PORSCHE, NEW ORLEANS, LOCATED AT 8,900 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD LOT H2A1 SQUARE X WESTGATE SUBDIVISION.

AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FOR THE CERTAIN LOTS AND PORTION OF LOTS, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING FROM R3C2-R3C2, C2R1A-C2, AMENDING THE FUTURE IN LAND USE URB, COM, SUB, URB UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144563.

APPROVING REQUESTED VARIANCES TO ALL REQUIRED LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS OF THE OF THE CBZ FOR MR. WHEELCHAIR LOCATED AT 12:01 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY ON

[04:45:01]

LOT 28 SQUARE NUMBER SIX HYMAN SUBDIVISION.

AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP LOT THREE A1 SQUARE 15 BELT BRIDGE SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 169 EIGHTH STREET, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R1A, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO R22 FAMILY RESIDENTIAL.

LOTS 1920 AND 21 BLOCK A0 PAVEN SUBDIVISION, LOTS ONE THROUGH 12 SQUARE A, LOTS 13 THROUGH 29 SQUARE B, AUGUST ISLE SUBDIVISION WITH A WAIVER TO THE GENERAL DESIGN STANDARDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 33,32.35 SUBDIVISION WAIVERS OF THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE.

APPROVING REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE REAR YARD SETBACK REGULATIONS OF THE CBZ, C TWO FOR A CAR DEALERSHIP LOCATED AT 3:09 DAVID DRIVE ON LINE SEVEN SQUARE B AIRLINE VISTA SUBDIVISION, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 36 TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AMEND SECTION 2-304 2-306 AND 2-471, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO THE CONVERSION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOSYSTEM AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT INTO THE OFFICE OF ECOSYSTEM AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT, AND PLACING SAID OFFICE AND THE DIRECTOR OF ECOSYSTEM AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT UNDER SUPERVISION OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, AND TO AMEND THE TITLE OF DIVISION 13.5 OF ARTICLE 5 OF CHAPTER TWO.

AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, REPEALING SECTION 6-19 RELATIVE TO THE PROHIBIT OF ALCOHOL BEVERAGES AT AMUSEMENT PLACES.

AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE FOR THE CLASS OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FINANCE.

AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO CREATE A NEW PAY GRADES.

AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF PURCHASING COORDINATOR.

AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON POWERS TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF RECREATION SPECIAL PROGRAM SUPERVISOR, AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THAT'S ALL THE ORDINANCES I HAVE TO READ.

>> IS THAT ALL. ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES READ IN THE SUMMARY, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.