>> WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED WITH THE PARISH PRESIDENT
[00:00:03]
THIS MORNING [BACKGROUND]. YEAH.>> HEY, SONNY. CAN I HAVE LEO JOIN ME, LEO WEBB? HEY, LEO.
YOU DON'T LIKE DOING THIS, I BET [LAUGHTER].
YOU DESERVE IT. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
[SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS]
I'M UP HERE WITH ONE OF OUR VERY LONG-STANDING AND INCREDIBLE EMPLOYEES, MR. LEO WEBB.OUR EMPLOYEES ARE REALLY AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND THEY REALLY, WHAT I CALL OUR EMPLOYEES IS THEY ARE OUR GREATEST ASSETS, AND THEY REPRESENT THE BACKBONE OF THE PARISH.
TODAY, I'M PROUD TO RECOGNIZE ONE OF OUR REALLY NEXT-LEVEL EMPLOYEES, OUR DIRECTOR OF PARKS, MR. LEO WEBB.
LEO HAS BEEN A DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT FOR 35 YEARS.
HE STARTED WORKING FOR JEFFERSON PARISH IN 1990 IN OUR DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES. THAT MAKES SENSE.
HE WAS A PROPERTY MANAGER FOR FIVE YEARS, THEN WAS PROMOTED TO THE ROLE OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR GENERAL SERVICES BEFORE MOVING OVER TO OUR DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN 2004.
LEO WAS NAMED THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024, AFTER YEARS OF OVERSEEING MANY OF OUR JPRD RECREATIONAL CAPITAL PROJECTS.
WHEN I ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU FROM WHEN I STARTED IN DISTRICT 5, I ALWAYS JOKE, YOU ALWAYS HAD THE PLANS ROLLED UP ON YOUR ARMS WHEREVER I SAW YOU GOING.
YOU REALLY CREATED A SPECIALTY FOR YOURSELF AND REALLY OVERSAW ALL THE EXPANSION THAT WE'VE DONE IN RECREATION.
FROM GYMNASIUMS TO TOT LOTS, WALKING TRAILS TO SOCCER FIELDS, AND TENNIS COURTS TO PLAYGROUNDS, EACH OF HIS PROJECTS IS ALWAYS ON TIME AND ON BUDGET AND REFLECTS HIS DEEP COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITY'S RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS THAT LEO WAS IN CHARGE OF WERE THE PONTIF PLAYGROUND GYMNASIUM, REBUILT AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA, AND THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RERIO SPECIAL NEEDS CENTER, ALSO BEAUTIFUL, BOTH OF WHICH STAND AS A LASTING SYMBOL OF BOTH RESILIENCE AND INCLUSIVITY UNDER HIS GUIDANCE.
BEYOND CONSTRUCTION, LEO'S LEADERSHIP IS INVALUABLE.
HIS INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION FOR SERVICE WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING JPRD RESTRUCTURE ITS ORGANIZATIONAL CHART IN 2020 TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND PROMOTE A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE AMONG EMPLOYEES.
THIS IS WHY I ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU TWO, LEO, IN TIMES OF CRISIS.
DURING HURRICANE IDA, LEO'S DEDICATION SHINED EVEN BRIGHTER, HELPING TO COORDINATE SHELTERS, ASSESS DAMAGE, AND ALLOCATE EMERGENCY RESOURCES WITH KAREN PRECISION.
WE'RE SO PROUD TO HAVE YOU ON OUR TEAM, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON 35 EXCEPTIONAL YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
[APPLAUSE] YOU WANT TO PUT THE PIN ON? I'LL TRY TO PIN IT ON YOU WITHOUT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, DOES IT GO IN THE BUTTON? DOES IT GO IN THIS BUTTONHOLE? I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS BUTTONHOLE IS ON THE BLAZER FOR MEN.
IS THAT WHAT THIS IS FOR? [LAUGHTER] IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S WHAT THIS IS FOR. IS IT? AM I DOING SOMETHING WRONG? WHAT'S THAT HOLE FOR ON THE LAPEL? IS THAT WHAT? IT'S FOR A FLOW. WELL, YOU HAVE YOURS IN THAT BUTTONHOLE, SO WE'RE GOOD.
YOU WANT TO COME TAKE A PICTURE WITH LEO?
>> ABSOLUTELY. CYNTHIA, WHEN YOU WERE RECALLING YOUR EXPERIENCES IN DISTRICT 5 WITH LEO.
I SAID, I REMEMBER BECOMING THE COUNCILWOMAN FOR DISTRICT 5.
SOMETHING CAME UP, AND IT WAS LIKE 6:30 AT NIGHT, AND I WENT OUT TO THE BONNEVILLE BOAT LAUNCH TO CHECK SOMETHING OUT.
I PULL UP, AND WHOSE TRUCKS ARE THERE? LEO WEBB.
NO MATTER THE HOUR, NO MATTER THE TASK, HE IS ALWAYS THERE, AND REALLY WORKING HARD FOR THE BEST OF OUR PARISH. LEO CONGRATS. [APPLAUSE]
>> I KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE THIS, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE]
>> CAN I HAVE ALL OF OUR HEAD START CREW COME UP, PLEASE?
[00:05:06]
WE HAVE A TEAM OF PEOPLE. HOW ARE YOU? IN NICOLE? I'M GOING TO LET YOU READ THE NAMES AFTER US.FOLKS, THIS IS OUR HEAD START TEAM.
YOU'RE ON THE FIRST OF OCTOBER 1ST.
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL HEAD START MONTH, AND IS CELEBRATED TO HONOR AND RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
OUR HEAD START PROGRAM HAS BEEN SERVING FAMILIES SINCE 1968.
TODAY, NEARLY 750,000 CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED IN HEAD START PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE.
HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, WE PROUDLY SUPPORT APPROXIMATELY 578 CHILDREN THROUGH OUR FUNDED ENROLLMENT.
WITH A DEDICATED TEAM OF APPROXIMATELY 125 EMPLOYEES, THE PARISH'S HEAD START CENTERS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES RANGING FROM PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL EDUCATION FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN UP TO 5 YEARS OLD.
OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME AS IT HAS FOR MORE THAN FIVE DECADES.
HELPING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR HEAD START FAMILIES.
I WILL TELL YOU THE TIMES THAT I GET TO GO READ TO CHILDREN IN YOUR HEAD START PROGRAM.
WHEN I SEE THE CHILDREN AND HOW THEY BEHAVE, AND JUST SUCH A COMMUNITY OF FORM, ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE DAYS IN THE OFFICE.
I WILL SAY THAT. I ALWAYS SAY THAT.
THANK YOU FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THAT YOU CREATE FOR OUR FAMILIES.
THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO LET NICOLE READ THE NAMES OF THE TEAM.
I THINK I HAVE TO READ THIS FIRST.
LET ME READ THE PROCLAMATION FIRST.
HEAD START IS THE LARGEST EDUCATION PROVIDER IN THE UNITED STATES, SERVING 800,000 CHILDREN ANNUALLY AND SUPPORTS CHILDREN FROM BEFORE BIRTH TO AGE 5 AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS NATIONAL HEAD START AWARENESS MONTH, WHICH CELEBRATES AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ENDURING NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO BREAKING THE GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF POVERTY BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO CRITICAL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN NEED.
THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, HEAD START BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS PROGRAM, OFFERS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES TO CHILDREN AGES SIX WEEKS TO 4 YEARS OLD, AND IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED FOR ITS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO PREPARING CHILDREN TO BE READY TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN.
THE JEFFERSON PARISH HEADSTART PROGRAM PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND SNACKS DAILY, SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, AND DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, VISION, AND HEARING.
WHEREAS OUR COMMUNITIES CONTINUE RECOVERING FROM THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC.
HEAD START'S WRAPAROUND SERVICES REMAIN CRUCIAL FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN HIT HARDEST.
WHEREAS WITH INCREASING CHALLENGES RELATED TO INCOME INEQUALITY, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE, AND ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION, THE ROLE OF HEAD START IS MORE VITAL THAN EVER.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON PARISH IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EVERY YOUNG CHILD WITH A NURTURING, LANGUAGE-RICH AND STIMULATING ENVIRONMENT WITH THE IDEA THAT THE EARLIEST INTERVENTION REAPS THE BIGGEST REWARDS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AS NATIONAL HEAD START MONTH IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] IF YOU WANT TO READ.
>> GOOD MORNING, WE HAVE MEMBERS OF OUR ENERGETIC ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM, AS THE OTHERS ARE AT THE CENTERS.
WE HAVE OUR HEAD START ADMINISTRATOR, MISS ROCHELLE RABETH, OUR EDUCATION COORDINATOR, MISS ROSLYN EAST AMBLE, MISS ANNE BRIDGES, OUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, MISS JANIKA GREEN JUPITER, OUR ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST 3 OUR MONEY MAN, THE ACCOUNTANT, MR JASON BROWN, MS MARTHA CHAPLIN, OUR NURSE, MS JOANNE JOHNSON, AND OUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE HAVE A YOUNG LADY HERE WHO'S GOING TO BE LEAVING US AT THE END OF THE MONTH WITH RETIREMENT, WITH 33 YEARS OF SERVICE, MISS VAN DOM. [APPLAUSE]
>> COUNCILMAN, AND COUNCILWOMAN, CAN YOU COME DOWN AND TAKE A PICTURE WITH OUR HEAD START LEADERSHIP? HE WANTS TO HOLD THIS. CHEL, YOU WANT TO HOLD THIS? GET IN THE MIDDLE.
DO ALL WANT TO SPLIT THE TEAM UP? SOME Y'ALL COME OVER ON THIS SIDE.
[00:10:06]
>> MISS TRACY. OH, THERE YOU ARE.
JESSICA IS NOT HERE. IS JESSICA YOUR WIFE?
>> FOLKS, THIS IS OUR BICENTENNIAL YEAR, AND IT IS MY TRUE HONOR TO GIVE A PROCLAMATION, COUNCILMAN BANANO.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE BUSINESSES IN YOUR DISTRICT, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY.
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT? I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SHOP THERE, COUNCILMAN.
JEFFERSON. WHERE DO YOU BUY TRIMS AND SEQUINS AND FEATHERS AND APPLIQUES, AND BLING? YOU CAN GET IT ONLINE NATIONALLY, BUT THE REAL PLACE TO GET IT IN THE REGION IS JEFFERSON VARIETY.
YOU EITHER KNOW THE STORE, OR YOU DON'T KNOW THE STORE, I'LL SAY THAT.
THOSE OF US WHO KNOW THE STORE BELIEVE YOU ARE A BELOVED INSTITUTION IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO WELCOME LISA TRACY TO CELEBRATE JEFFERSON VARIETY.
IT'S A FAMILY-OWNED STORE THAT HAS BEEN THE CORNERSTONE OF CREATIVITY, COMMUNITY, AND CULTURE FOR NEARLY 70 YEARS RIGHT HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
WHILE THEIR ROOTS ARE PROUDLY PLANTED HERE, THEIR INFLUENCE STRETCHES ACROSS LOUISIANA AND THE GULF SOUTH. I BELIEVE THAT.
WHETHER YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE CLERGY PREPARING FOR A CHURCH CELEBRATION, A DANCER GETTING READY FOR A RECITAL, OR A MARDI GRAS CREW DREAMING UP YOUR NEXT COSTUME.
THIS IS WHERE YOU'D GO TO FIND EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED.
IF IT SHINES, SPARKLES, OR HELPS TELL A STORY, CHANCES ARE IT CAME FROM THEIR SHELVES.
BEHIND IT ALL IS THE TRACY FAMILY.
FOR GENERATIONS, THE FAMILY HAS SERVED THE COMMUNITY WITH HEART AND HOSPITALITY.
IF YOU WALK INTO THE STORE, I WILL SAY IT HARKENS BACK TO A TIME PAST.
THAT'S THE FEEL YOU GET, WHICH I LOVE ABOUT IT.
IT ALL STARTED WHEN RUSTY TRACY'S GRANDFATHER, FATHER, AND UNCLE BOUGHT A 5-AND-10 STORE IN HARRAHAN IN 1957.
IF YOU DON'T THINK THEY'RE UNIQUE, THERE IS A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THEM THAT I WATCHED CALLED THE EXCEPTIONALLY EXTRAORDINARY EMPORIUM.
I THINK EMPORIUM IS REALLY THE RIGHT WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOUR STORE.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE VIDEO CALLED IT UNIQUELY OURS, AND THAT'S WHAT I FEEL LIKE YOUR STORE IS, UNIQUELY OURS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I'M GOING TO READ THE PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON VARIETY STORES HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR NEARLY 70 YEARS WITH FOUR GENERATIONS WORKING IN AND LOVING THE BUSINESS SINCE WILLIAM TRACY JUNIOR FIRST OPENED IN 1957, AND WHEREAS JEFFERSON VARIETY STORES BECAME THE LARGEST SUPPLIER OF UNIQUE MARDI GRAS BEADS, NOVELTIES, COSTUME FABRIC AND SEQUENT AND REINSTONE, APPLICS OF NEW ORLEANS, WHEN HIS SON, WILLIAM RUSTY TRACY TOOK OVER THE FAMILY BUSINESS, AND WHEREAS JEFFERSON VARIETY REACH HAS EVEN EXTENDED BEYOND THE NEW ORLEANS ATRO AREA INTO ADDITIONAL AREAS OF LOUISIANA, MOBILE, GALVESTON, AND OTHER PARTS OF THE SOUTH.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON VARIETY HAS SERVED DUAL ROLES IN THE MARDI GRAS COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING FLOAT RIDERS THROWS, SUCH AS BEADS, TRINKETS, PLUSH, AND OTHER CUSTOM ITEMS, AS WELL AS BECOMING A PALETTE FOR MANY DESIGN ARTISTS TO CREATE BY PROVIDING COSTUME FABRIC, SEQUINS, GLITTER, MARDI GRAS INDIAN FEATHERS, AND SECOND LINE SUPPLIES.
FROM THEIR 8,000 SQUARE FOOT SHOWROOM AND 8 ADDITIONAL WAREHOUSES, IS THAT IS THIS YOUR SON? HE WAS EXPLAINING THE EXPANSION TO ME ONE DAY IN THE STORE.
JEFFERSON VARIETY SELLS MORE THAN 400,000 UNITS OF MARDI GRAS BEADS AND 5,000 POUNDS OF GLITTER, WHICH SUPPLIES UP TO 7 PARADING GROUPS A YEAR AND SELLS FABRICS TO FULLY COSTUME AT LEAST 20 CREWS.
WHEREAS MARDI GRAS IS AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF THE CULTURE OF NEW ORLEANS, JEFFERSON VARIETY HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF MAKING THE SEASON SUCCESSFUL EACH YEAR.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON VARIETY'S FOUNDATION IS BUILT AROUND FAMILY, AND IS NOW LED BY RUSTY TRACY'S WIFE, LISA, AFTER HIS PASSING EARLIER THIS YEAR.
YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT I WAS IN THE STORE ON THE DAY THAT HE PASSED AWAY.
MY HEART IS WITH YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR STRENGTH FOR ALL THAT.
NOW, THEREFORE, CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE JEFFERSON VARIETY FOR THEIR MANY YEARS OF EXCELLENCE.
CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> CONGRATULATIONS. WELL, I'VE NEVER SHOPPED THERE BEFORE.
MY WIFE PROBABLY CERTAINLY HAS.
I BELIEVE YOU ARE ALL RIGHT NOW IN JECO'S NEW DESIGN DISTRICT, SO THAT PROVIDES YOU WITH SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR EXPANSION.
YOU NEED TO GO TALK TO JERRY BOLONIA ABOUT TAX CREDITS AND OTHER THINGS YOU CAN GET.
BUT CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL ON YOUR SUCCESS, AND WISH YOU MANY MORE. YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS. DOWN TAKE A PICTURE.
[00:15:01]
>> SOME OF YOUR COSTUMES MAY HAVE COME FROM THERE.
>> EVERYBODY. HERE WE GO THREE, 01, 2, 3.
>> GOOD MORNING. IF I COULD PLEASE HAVE RUTH LAWSON AND ALL THE CHAMBER BOARD JOIN ME.
I CAN BE BRIEF BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW WONDERFUL THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER IS AND EVERYTHING THAT THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER DOES.
YOU GUYS REALLY ARE FANTASTIC, SO I'M GOING TO BE VERY BRIEF BECAUSE AGAIN, YOUR WORK AND ALL YOU DO SHOWS IN OUR PARISH, Y'ALL REALLY ARE A SHINING STAR IN THIS PARISH.
WHEREAS THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS FAITHFULLY SERVED JEFFERSON PARISH FOR NEARLY 3 DECADES, ADVANCING ITS MISSION TO IMPROVE THE BUSINESS CLIMATE AND QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND CONNECTION, AND WHEREAS THE CHAMBER HAS ACHIEVED THE PRESTIGIOUS DISTINCTION OF 5 STAR ACCREDITATION FROM THE US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PLACING IT AMONG THE TOP 2% OF CHAMBERS NATIONWIDE, AND WHEREAS THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER WAS NAMED THE 2025 CHAMBER OF THE YEAR BY THE LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES IN RECOGNITION OF ITS LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION, AND DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS JEFFERSON PARISH PROUDLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR ITS EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP, UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO PROGRESS, AND FOR BEING HONORED AS THE 2025 LACCE CHAMBER OF THE YEAR, AND FURTHER EXTENDS BEST WISHES AND CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ITS MISSION FOR IMPROVING BUSINESS AND IMPROVING LIVES.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND CONGRATULATES THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPON RECEIVING THE DISTINGUISHED HONOR OF 2025 CHAMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM THE LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE]
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.
I'M SO HONORED TO WORK WITH THIS INCREDIBLE TEAM OF PEOPLE.
MY TEAM WHO WORKED SO HARD TO GET THIS DISTINCTION.
WE ARE IN THE TOP 2% OF CHAMBERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IS A GREAT HONOR FOR US, BUT A GREAT HONOR FOR PARISH AS WELL.
I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM AND MY BOARD CHAIR NORA VADEN HOLMES, WHO HAS BEEN SO INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE OF US THIS PAST YEAR, AND OF COURSE, JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, WHO WE WORK WITH IN THE ADMINISTRATION, PARISH PRESIDENT LEE SHENG, WHO WE WORK TO IMPROVE BUSINESS AND DO QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVES, AND JUST MAKE JEFFERSON PARISH A BETTER PLACE.
WE'RE JUST HONORED TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU AS FORMER COLLEAGUES, BUT ALSO AS PARTNERS.
THEN, LASTLY, OF COURSE, WE COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT OUR INCREDIBLE MEMBERS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, THE ENTIRE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION, AND YOUR WHOLE TEAM.
>> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I WANT A COUPLE OF Y'ALL COME ON OUR SIDE.
>> EVERYBODY. HERE WE GO ON THREE, 01, 2, 3. WE GOT ANOTHER, 1, 2, 3, AND ONE MORE THREE, 1, 02, 3. THANK YOU.
>> IF YOU DON'T MIND, I HAVE MANY BOARD MEMBERS HERE TODAY, AND I'D LIKE TO THANK THEM.
IF THEY CAN JOIN US FOR A PICTURE OUTSIDE WHEN EVERYONE'S DONE, I'D LOVE THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> UP NEXT, COUNCILMAN BONANO.
>> FIRST, I'D LIKE TO ASK MR. BRIAN LADE FROM LAKESIDE TO JOIN ME UP HERE.
LYNDA NUGENT WITH THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION,
[00:20:03]
CHRISTINE BRIEDE WITH THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, AND DR. SHONDRA WILLIAMS, AS WELL WITH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.AND ANYBODY ELSE FROM THE FOUNDATION WHO CARE TO JOIN US, PLEASE DO.
IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, WE CELEBRATED THE PARISH'S 200TH ANNIVERSARY.
WITH A BALL HELD AT LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER, IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS ATTENDED BY SO MANY OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, OUR BUSINESS LEADERS, ORDINARY CITIZENS.
BUT NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WERE IT NOT FOR THE PEOPLE STANDING BESIDES ME TODAY.
THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, ALONG WITH LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER, PARTNERED TOGETHER TO ORGANIZE THIS BALL, AND IT WAS A TON OF WORK.
DR. WILLIAMS, CHRISTINE BRIEDE, LYNDA NUGENT, WITH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, MR. BRIAN LADE, AND HIS TEAM, LISA MANZELLA, AND AARON GRAHAM, ALSO CHIPPED IN AND DID A LOT OF THE LEGWORK.
IT WAS A LOT OF BOTH LOGISTICAL WORK AND ARM-TWISTING TO GET SPONSORS, LYNDA.
[LAUGHTER] BUT THEY DID A GREAT DEAL OF WORK IN THE EVENT, AND IT SHOWED IN THE EVENT.
ALSO, I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE SPONSORS, INCLUDING ENTITY, WHO WAS OUR KEYNOTE SPONSOR FOR HELPING PAY FOR THIS EVENT.
AND ANYBODY WHO HELPED VOLUNTEER THAT TIME, THANK YOU, AS WELL. IT WAS A GREAT EVENT.
WITH THAT, I WANT TO READ JUST ONE OF THE CERTIFICATES THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PRESENTED HERE TODAY.
IT'S A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT, AND THIS ONE IS FOR DR. SHONDRA WILLIAMS. BE IT KNOWN THAT FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, WE HAVE CONFERRED UPON YOU THIS CERTIFICATE OF MERIT IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON TO CELEBRATE THE PARISH'S 200TH ANNIVERSARY BY VOLUNTEERING COUNTLESS HOURS OF YOUR TIME TO COORDINATE AND HOLD THIS ANNIVERSARY BALL ON JUNE 14, 2005.
THANK Y'ALL. I HAVE ONE FOR EVERYBODY ELSE AS WELL.
[APPLAUSE] WHERE IS DR. WILLIAMS? YOU'RE HIDING BEHIND. ANYBODY? Y'ALL WANT TO SAY ANYTHING, ANYBODY? NO. GO AHEAD, LYNDA.
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS WHO PARTICIPATED.
SOME GAVE MORE THAN OTHERS, AND EVERYBODY GAVE THEIR TIME.
AND IT'S THE BEST PARTY WE'VE EVER HAD IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
SO THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.
ONLY 200, SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE AROUND FOR 300.
WE THOUGHT WE'D MAKE THE BEST OF THIS ONE.
>> I KNOW MY NAME'S BONANO, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT I'D PLAY A ROLE OF MAFIA TILL LYNDA CAME ALONG AND SAID, LOOK, YOU NEED TO CALL THIS PERSON AND TWIST SOME ARMS. WE NEED A SPONSORSHIP.
[LAUGHTER] CHRISTINE. THIS IS FOR MISS LYNDA, AND THIS IS FOR YOU, MR. LADE.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, DO YOU WANT TO COME DOWN IF I SQUEEZE IN FOR A PICTURE?
>> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. [LAUGHTER]
>> SINCE LYNDA WAS TALKING, I GOT TO SAY SOMETHING.
ANYWAY, SO, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAM PRESIDENT, FOR THINKING OF US AND GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITIES.
I SAID TO YOU, WE EXIST IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE.
AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD THIS EVENT OF THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY, IT'S LIKE, WOW.
I MEAN, TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WAS EASY TO SAY YES TO, SO WE'RE JUST REALLY, VERY HONORED.
THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS THE PARTNERSHIP OF THIS GROUP, I MEAN, YOU CAN TELL BY THE HUGS AND THE PATS ON THE BACK.
IT WAS JUST A GREAT TEAM EFFORT.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK TO LISA MANZELLA AND MY TEAM.
I GET THE FUN OF SAYING YES AND STANDING UP HERE AND MAKING SPEECHES.
THEY DID ALL THE WORK. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, EVERYBODY, FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS.
>> MAYBE SOME PEOPLE FROM THAT SIDE COME OVER HERE.
>> NO, I WAS JUST GOING TO THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS.
WE DO HAVE SOME OF THEM HERE WITH US TODAY.
I SAW BERKELEY, RICHARD. WHO ELSE?
>> THE CHAMBER HELPED AS WELL.
YES. IF YOU WANT TO COME UP FOR THE PHOTO, WE WOULD LOVE THAT, MARCELL.
>> HERE WE GO ON THREE, 1, 2, 3.
I'LL GET ANOTHER ON THREE, 1, 2, 3 AND ONE MORE 1, 02, 3. [APPLAUSE]
>> CONGRATULATIONS. [BACKGROUND]
>> NO, THANK YOU. IT WAS OUR PLEASURE. IT'S GREAT.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU TOO.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO. THANK YOU.
>> IT'S WAS OUR PLEASURE. [BACKGROUND]
[00:25:05]
>> NEXT, I'D LIKE TO CALL TO THE PODIUM THIS YEAR'S NEWLY CROWNED KING OF THE BRIDGE CITY GUMBO FESTIVAL AND ANY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE I WENT TO, CHIEF DWAYNE PONCHO MUNCH OF THE CITY OF WEST TO TALK ABOUT THE RETURN OF THE GUMBO FESTIVAL.
[APPLAUSE] SINCE HE FAILED TO WEAR HIS CROWN, I'VE HAD POSTED UP THERE ON ALL THE SCREENS FOR EVERYONE TO SEE THE CHIEF IN HIS CROWNING MOMENT.
>> WELL, COUNCILMAN, YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO WAS DISAPPOINTED ABOUT ME NOT WEARING MY CROWN.
OUR SENATOR CONNICK GAVE ME SOME TROUBLE OUT IN THE HALLWAY, AS WELL.
BUT WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE OUR GUMBO FESTIVAL BACK THIS YEAR.
IT'S COMING UP WEEKEND AFTER NEXT, THE 10TH, 11TH, AND 12TH.
GREAT FOOD, GREAT ENTERTAINMENT.
IT'S MOVED TO THE CITY OF WESTWEGO NOW, INSTEAD OF BRIDGE CITY, WHERE MONSIGNOR LUMINAIS ORIGINATED THE GUMBO FESTIVAL.
IT WAS A GREAT EVENT THERE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE ARCHDIOCESE HAS DONE SOME REARRANGING.
NOW WE'RE IN WESTWEGO. WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE IT.
I'M FORTUNATE TO BE THE KING 50, KING CREOLE GUMBO 50 TO SERVE IN THE LIKES OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, WHO WAS LAST YEAR'S KING, A YEAR BEFORE LAST, BECAUSE WE HAD A HIATUS LAST YEAR.
ALSO, MADAM PRESIDENT, YOUR FATHER SERVED AS KING CREOLE GUMBO, GOVERNOR EDWARDS, BILLY NUNGESSER, TO NAME A FEW.
ALSO, OUR SENATOR PAT CONNICK, HIS FATHER WAS KING CREOLE GUMBO 1.
WE INVITE EVERYONE TO PLEASE COME OUT TO THE GUMBO FESTIVAL ON THE 10TH, 11TH, AND 12TH, LIKE I SAID, HAVE A GUMBO CONTEST.
SO PLEASE COME OUT AND JOIN US IN WESTWEGO.
>> LET'S TAKE A PICTURE WITH OUR NEW KING.
I GOT TO PUT THE CROWN ON HIS HEAD.
I TOLD HIM HE WAS VERY LUCKY DIDN'T PUT ANY THORNS IN THERE.
>> EVERYBODY. HERE WE GO IN THREE, 01, 2, 3, AND ONE MORE 1, 2, 3.
SO WE HAD MENTIONED EARLIER THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THE GREAT WORK OF THE CHAMBER.
WELL, OUR COMMUNITY HAS LOTS OF HEROES THAT YOU DON'T ACTUALLY ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT, AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.
SO I'M EXCITED TO DO A PROCLAMATION THIS MORNING FOR MY FRIEND, MEL DUSSELL, FOR HIS DEDICATION, OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, BUT GIVE ME A MINUTE BECAUSE THEY'RE REALLY GOOD.
MEL WAS BORN, NOVEMBER 2, 1947.
HE GRADUATED FROM EAST JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL IN 1965 AND ATTENDED TULANE UNIVERSITY, UNO, AND USL.
HE MAJORED IN RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING.
HE'S BEEN MARRIED FOR 54 YEARS TO SUSAN, AND HE SHARES THREE CHILDREN AND SIX GRANDCHILDREN.
MEL JOINED THE UNITED STATES ARMY, WHERE HE SERVED HONORABLY FROM 1968-1970.
DURING HIS SERVICE, HE GRADUATED FROM THE US ARMY HELICOPTER SCHOOL AT FORT WOLTERS, TEXAS, AND HE WAS SELECTED TO JOIN THE FIRST SIG BRIGADE IG TEAM SERVING IN LONG BINH, VIETNAM.
HIS BUSINESS CAREER LED MEL TO BECOME AN ACTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE IN CONSTRUCTION, BUT HIS REAL LOVE WAS BROADCASTING.
HE SERVED AS A RADIO VOICE FOR HIS COMPANY FOR MANY YEARS.
HE STARTED THE BUSINESS THAT HE STILL OPERATES TODAY, INCLUDING KING MEL MINING AND THE DUSSELL GROUP, WHERE HE IS MANAGING PARTNER AND PRESIDENT, SPECIALIZING IN MINING IN SEMI-PRECIOUS GEMSTONES AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCES.
NOW, MEL CLAIMS TO BE RETIRED.
BUT FOR THE LAST 19 YEARS, HE HAS BEEN A PROUD MEMBER IN FORCE OF NATURE, ACTUALLY, WITH THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS.
HE'S BEEN NAMED KIWANIAN OF THE YEAR FOR THREE YEARS.
HE IS THE LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI TENNESSE DISTRICT KEY CLUB ADVISER FOR HIS ONGOING DEDICATION TO ONGOING YOUNG PEOPLE INTO A LIFE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS.
THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST ACTIVE ORGANIZATION OF ALL THE KIWANIS.
AND MEL IS BELIEVED TO HOLD THE UNOFFICIAL WORLD RECORD FOR INDIVIDUAL SPONSORED IN ANY ONE CLUB.
MEL HAS BEEN A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS, THEIR SIGNATURE SERVICE PROGRAM, THE REWARDS FOR READING, WHICH IS HOW I FELL IN LOVE WITH MEL.
IT'S AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL READING PROGRAM, WHICH IS ACTIVE IN 56 JEFFERSON SCHOOLS, AND ENCOURAGES THE PARTICIPANTS TO READ AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS AND TAKE A QUIZ TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE BOOK, WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN PRIZES AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
ATTENDING A REWARDS READING PROGRAM WITH MEL,
[00:30:03]
AS THE ANNOUNCER, IS THE CULMINATION OF ALL OF MEL'S PASSION AND SKILL.IT COMBINES HIS COMMANDING ANNOUNCER VOICE WITH THE CIRCUS RINGMASTER HYPE, AND THE CHILDREN ARE MADE TO FEEL EXCITED AND ENCOURAGED FOR ALL THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
SINCE MEL IS NOW CULTIVATING HIS REPLACEMENT FOR THE REWARDS FOR READING PROGRAM, IT IS MY HONOR AND VERY BIG PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE MEL FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE, FRIENDSHIP, COMPASSION FOR OTHERS, AND DOING HIS WORK FOR THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS.
BUT I WANTED TO SAY, WHEN YOU GO TO THESE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITH MEL, HE BRINGS IN THE CHARACTERS.
THEY WAIT ALL YEAR FOR THIS DAY.
IT'S SO MUCH PRIDE TO WATCH A JEFFERSONIAN WHO HAS INVESTED SO MUCH OF HIS TIME AND CREATED THESE CHARACTERS, INVESTED SO MUCH OF HIS PERSONAL MONEY IN EFFORTS.
HONESTLY, WE ARE SO PROUD TO HAVE YOU IN JEFFERSON PARISH, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE] IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE?
>> THANK YOU, LYNDA. I'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE.
GUY'S BEEN GOOD TO ME. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS.
I'VE DONE 520 PRESENTATIONS IN THE LAST 19 YEARS, AND I'VE GIVEN AWAY ALMOST $20 MILLION IN PRIZES TO BOYS AND GIRLS IN JEFFERSON PARISH TO READ BOOKS.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT I'M REALLY PROUD OF TODAY.
LET ME TELL YOU WHY TO THE AUDIENCE.
IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW IT, OUR PRESIDENT, MISS CYNTHIA, IS A MEMBER OF DAWN BUSTERS.
HANS IS A MEMBER OF DAWN BUSTERS.
ARITA IS A MEMBER OF DAWN BUSTERS, AND JENNIFER IS A MEMBER OF DAWN BUSTERS AND DEANO IS A MEMBER OF DAWN BUSTERS.
AS OF YESTERDAY, IT'S OFFICIAL BECAUSE WE GOT HIS APPLICATION AS CHECKED, SCOTT WALKER IS NOW A MEMBER OF DAWN BUSTERS.
[APPLAUSE] SO THANK YOU TO THE COUNSEL.
>> I KNOW. [BACKGROUND] I COULD HAVE BROUGHT BOB.
>> [BACKGROUND] WE ACTUALLY HAD A GROUP OF THE DAWN BUSTERS THE NEXT MORNING AT THE [INAUDIBLE].
>> HERE WE GO ON THREE, 01, 2, 3, AGAIN, 1, 2, 3, AND ONE MORE, 1, 2, 3.
>> I KEPT TELLING MEL, THE HOLD UP FOR ME WAS NOON BUSTERS WORKS A LOT BETTER FOR ME THAN DAWN BUSTERS, BUT MAKE IT WORK.
NOW WE'VE GOT OUR FRIENDS FROM THE JEFFERSON READY START NETWORK, HERE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
WHOEVER MAY BE COMING UP TO THE PODIUM CAN DO SO NOW.
GOOD MORNING, SARINTHA STRICKLIN, THE JEFFERSON READY START NETWORK.
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU GUYS HAVE HAD A LOT OF PRESENTATIONS THIS MORNING, BUT WE FEEL LIKE YOUR COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTION TO YOUNG CHILDREN IN JEFFERSON PARISH IS INCREDIBLY OUTSTANDING.
YOU RECOGNIZED HEAD START, ONE OF OUR PARTNERS.
THAT SHOWS YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AS WELL.
BUT THE JEFFERSON READY START NETWORK CAN'T BE MORE OF THE WORK WE'RE ABLE TO DO IN JEFFERSON WITH YOUR SUPPORT.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION IN PAST MEETINGS AND COMMITMENT FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS OF FUNDING ALLOWS US TO SERVE CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO BE SERVED BY HEAD START.
SO WE'RE SERVING THOSE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO ARE MAYBE ABOVE THE INCOME LEVEL, OR WHO ARE PERHAPS ON A WAITING LIST FOR EARLY HEAD START AND HEAD START.
SO WE WORK WITH PRIVATE CHILDCARE THAT SERVES PUBLICLY FUNDED CHILDREN.
WE SERVE WITH THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS, WE COLLABORATE WITH A VARIETY OF ENTITIES.
WE COULDN'T DO THAT WORK WITHOUT YOU.
I'M SURE YOU ALL REMEMBER THAT EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE RAISE LOCALLY IS MATCHED DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR BY THE STATE THROUGH THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FUND.
WE CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR COMMITMENT,
[00:35:01]
NOT JUST THIS YEAR, BUT FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.WE LOOK FORWARD TO REPORTING BACK TO YOU IN THE SPRING, THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN THAT WE'VE SERVED ACROSS ALL OF YOUR DISTRICTS, AND SHOW YOU THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED WITH THAT DONATION.
>> THANK YOU, SARINTHA. THANK YOU ALL.
>> I THINK, WE'RE AT ABOUT $3 MILLION, INCLUDING THE STATE'S MATCHING DOLLARS, SINCE WE STARTED DOING THIS.
WE APPRECIATE YOU CONTINUING TO FOSTER THE RELATIONSHIP WITH US AND THROUGH THE CHAMBER IN OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WHICH IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO DOING THINGS FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR PARISH, BECAUSE IT DIRECTLY AFFECTS THEM AS A WORKFORCE ISSUE OF TODAY AND TOMORROW BY MAKING SURE THAT OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS GET OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO FOSTER THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ALL OVER THE PARISH AND CONTINUING TO BE WHAT I AFFECTIONATELY HAVE DUBBED POLITELY PERSISTENT SINCE 2019, WHEN I FIRST MET UP WITH YOU ALL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND I KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
>> POLITELY PERSISTENT. WE'VE BEEN CALLED WORSE.
>> I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T ALSO, WHEN YOU GUYS COME UP FOR A PICTURE, CALL OUT OUR NEW PARTNER, AND THAT'S THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.
THE JEFFERSON READY START NETWORK IS NOW FULLY UNDER THE LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT OF THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.
WE'RE GOING TO ASK OUR REPS FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO COME UP AS WELL.
>> AT LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, STATE SENATOR PAT CONNICK JOINS US THIS MORNING, AND HE'LL BE SPEAKING FOR A MOMENT AND INTRODUCING SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE ACCOMPANIED HIM TODAY.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN AND COUNCIL.
MEMBERS, I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION AND BRING TO THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION AS SOME GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN JEFFERSON PARISH, ESPECIALLY ON THE WEST BANK.
WE'RE BRINGING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF YOUR STATE TAX DOLLARS BACK INTO JEFFERSON PARISH.
WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THREE PROJECTS THAT WILL BE TRANSFORMATIVE FOR THE PARISH.
NUMBER 1 IS JOHN ALARIO SPORTS COMPLEX.
HATS OFF TO PRESIDENT JOHN ALARIO FOR HIS VISION TO GET THIS THING STARTED.
IT'S GOING TO TRANSFORM THE WEST BANK IN JEFFERSON PARISH WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN WAGGAMAN, AVONDALE, OSWEGO.
THAT AREA IS SO SORELY NEEDED WITH GROCERY STORES AND HOTELS.
THIS IS GOING TO BRING ECONOMY TO THAT AREA.
COUNCILMAN BYRON LEE IS INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
I'M HERE WITH WALLY PONTIFF AND ANDY POWERS, WHO ARE THE DEVELOPERS, BUT THE OPERATORS.
ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE WHOLE PAVAN, THE REBIRTH OF THAT FACILITY.
WE HAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS GOING INTO THAT FACILITY.
THANKS TO JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, COUNCILMAN BONANO, FOR HIS WORK.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE AQUATIC CENTER THAT'S GOING TO BE DEVELOPED THERE, THE WALKING TRAIL, AND WE'RE SAVING THOSE 100-YEAR-OLD BUILDINGS.
IT'S AN IMPRESSIVE COMPLEX CAMPUS, AND IT'S WORTH SAVING, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT.
ALSO, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE WEST BANK EXPRESSWAY IMPROVEMENTS.
IN 2017, WE ESTABLISHED A FUND IN BATON ROUGE FROM THE TAXES ON YOUR LICENSE PLATE FEES.
WE HAVE $8 MILLION IN THAT ACCOUNT.
WE'RE GOING TO BE TAKING THE LIGHTS FROM AVONDALE, ALL THE WAY TO TERRY PARKWAY ALONG THE EXPRESSWAY. CHANGE OF THOSE OUT.
ANGELA DESOTO WITH THE PARISH HAS A PLAN TO GET THAT DONE.
ALSO, WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THE LANDSCAPING.
DANA BROWN IS HERE, AND SHE'S GOING TO SHOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO IMPROVE THE LANDSCAPING TO MAKE THE QUALITY OF LIFE ON A WHOLE CORRIDOR, SOMETHING SPECIAL.
WITH THAT, I ALSO I WANT TO THANK CYNTHIA LEE SHENG FOR HER EFFORTS WITH THE AQUATIC CENTER, AND SHE CAME VISIT HOPE HAVEN A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND SAW HOW IMPRESSIVE THAT COMPLEX IS.
I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR LEO WEBB, RYAN BABCOCK, AND BRIAN PARKS.
EVERY TIME I CALL HIM, THEY'RE THERE.
YOU GOT SOME GREAT EMPLOYEES IN JEFFERSON PARISH NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THAT.
[00:40:02]
WE WANT TO COME UP FIRST WITH THE SPORTS COMPLEX.I'M TOLD YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS ANDY POWERS, WALLY PONTIFF.
WE REPRESENT CHAMPIONS SPORTS MANAGEMENT, SO WE HAVE THE OPERATING CONTRACT FOR THE NEW ALARIO CENTER.
I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A QUICK RUNDOWN OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH ALREADY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS SINCE WE'VE GOTTEN THIS CONTRACT.
I WAS HANDED OUT A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY.
BUT BEFORE WE DO, JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE CYNTHIA.
I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE IN YOUR ADMINISTRATION TO HELP US GET THIS STARTED.
AS OF TODAY, WE PRETTY MUCH GOT ALL OF ALMOST 2026, NEXT YEAR'S SCHEDULE FILLED OUT, WHICH IS ALMOST EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR, FOR NEXT YEAR HAS GOT ACTIVITY GOING.
WE'VE GOT CONTRACTS THAT WE'VE SIGNED, STARTING AT THE END OF FEBRUARY, IS WHEN WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE OUR FIRST OFFICIAL EVENTS OUT THERE THAT WE'VE SIGNED WITH 2D SPORTS.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE RUNNING SOME EVENTS OUT THERE ON THE WEEKENDS ALL SPRING.
THEY'RE GUARANTEEING AT LEAST 45 TEAMS PER WEEKEND FOR THOSE TOURNAMENTS, AND THEN WE'LL GO INTO THE SUMMER, WHERE WE'LL HAVE 10-WEEK-LONG TOURNAMENTS, WHERE WE'RE LOOKING TO BRING IN ABOUT 360 TEAMS OVER THE SUMMER FOR THAT.
THEN WE'LL SPILL INTO THE FALL, WHERE WE'VE GOT MANY OF OUR DATES ALREADY BOOKED FOR THE FALL.
THEN THERE'S A FEW SPECIAL EVENTS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
I'M ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO HEAR PROBABLY AN ANSWER TODAY.
IN FACT, WE HAVE A SOFTBALL EVENT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON THAT IS GOING TO BRING 300 OF THE BEST SOFTBALL PLAYERS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL 2029 GRADUATING CLASS TO THIS COMMUNITY FOR A THREE-DAY EVENT, AND IT'S GOING TO BE NATIONALLY TELEVISED, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY BIG DEAL.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO ACTUALLY GET THAT ANSWER TODAY, I HOPE, WHERE EVERYTHING GOES FROM THERE.
BUT TO THE COUNCIL, MET WITH MANY OF YOU GUYS.
COUNCILMAN LEE MET WITH YOU YESTERDAY.
REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT, AND AS WE CONTINUE TO PUT THIS TOGETHER WITH PUTTING ALL THE VENDORS TOGETHER, THE SPONSORSHIPS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, IT'S GOING TO BE SPECIAL.
THIS IS GOING TO BE ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROCESS.
>> I'LL NEED YOU TO SAY, THERE YOU GO.
>> I DID WANT TO CHIME IN BECAUSE IT'S HARD FOR ME NOT TO.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR RECREATION TEAM, SOMETIMES TO DO THINGS WELL, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN'T DO.
MARIO BAZILE CAME TO ME AND HIS TEAM YEARS AGO.
THIS IS A STATE-FUNDED PROJECT, IF ANYBODY DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT.
THIS IS A STATE-FUNDED PROJECT, BUT AFTER IT'S BUILT, IT'S TURNED OVER TO THE PARISH.
OUR RECREATION TEAM, WHO WOULDN'T WANT AN INCREDIBLE COMPLEX LIKE THIS? IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, THESE BALL FIELDS ARE AMAZING.
WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO MANAGE THAT, BUT OUR RECREATION TEAM SAW THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS SITE AND SAID, WE DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO REALLY REACH OUR FULL POTENTIAL.
WE RUN REALLY GOOD LOCAL RECREATION, BUT WE WANT TO TAP INTO SOME NATIONAL PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE NATIONAL MARKET AND REALLY REALIZE OUR POTENTIAL HERE.
SO, I WANT TO KUDOS TO THEM FOR SEEING A BIGGER VISION BECAUSE ANY RECREATION DIRECTOR WOULD LOVE TO TAKE OVER THIS, BUT THEY KNEW THAT WE COULD ONLY TAKE IT SO FAR.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN A TOUR OF THIS YET, WHY I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS IS THIS AGAIN THIS WAS A STATE PROJECT, BUT WE TOOK ON RECREATION RE-EMERGING YEARS AGO.
NOT ONLY HAS THAT BEEN SUCCESSFUL, BUT SPORTS TOURISM IS REALLY WHERE WE CAN GROW OUR ECONOMY.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, I THINK, WHERE YOU WILL HAVE PLAIN LOADS OF FAMILIES COMING TO DESTINATION JEFFERSON PARISH.
WE GET A LOT OF TOURISM FROM NEW ORLEANS, BUT PLAIN LOADS OF PEOPLE, FAMILIES FROM OUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, GETTING HERE TO JEFFERSON PARISH TO PLAY ON FIELDS.
THAT MEANS HOTEL ROOMS, THAT MEANS DINERS IN RESTAURANTS, THAT MEANS SHOPPING.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SOME OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS, SOME OTHER SPORTS, BUT I REALIZED THE POTENTIAL ON SPORTS TOURISM YEARS AGO WHEN WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PITCH CORNHOLE.
I SAW THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN OUT-OF-TOWN PEOPLE THAT CAME IN FOR THAT ONE EVENT AND ALARIO CENTER, AND I KNEW WE WERE ONTO SOMETHING.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE US, THE COUNCIL'S INVESTING IN A LOT OF SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THIS IS REALLY ONE WAY WHERE OUR OWN PUBLIC MONEY CAN REALLY AFFECT THE ECONOMY.
I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT I SEE A LOT OF GROWTH.
YOUR ABILITY TO FILL NEXT YEAR WHEN THIS PLACE HAS NOT EVEN OPEN, SHOWS THAT WE ARE JUST TAPPING INTO WHAT THIS CAN BE FOR US IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT IS IT DOES NOT TAKE TOURISM AWAY FROM NEW ORLEANS.
IT ADDS, WE COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER ON IT.
WE CAN GET ON THE NATIONAL FRONT AND BRING SO MANY SPORTS A NATIONAL TOURNAMENT AND BRING NEW ORLEANS TO THEIR SCHEDULE.
I'M TRYING ON PICKLEBALL GUYS.
I'M TRYING. HOPEFULLY WE'LL MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT SOON.
BUT CONGRATULATIONS, AND YOU ALL KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.
[00:45:04]
IT ACTUALLY WORKS THAT WAY IF I SAY IT THAT.BUT WHEN I SAW YOUR SCHEDULE FOR NEXT YEAR, AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN OPENED, I WAS AMAZED, AND I KNEW WE BROUGHT IN THE RIGHT TEAM, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
>> JUST A COMPLIMENT, REAL QUICK, TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID IS THE SOFTBALL EVENT I WAS REFERRING TO RIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING NEXT YEAR.
THAT'S A PROJECTED 850 ROOM-NIGHT STAYS IN THE PARISH.
THEN, THE WEEKEND BEFORE THAT, I THINK I TOLD YOU ABOUT IT.
WE'RE LOOKING TO BRING IT IN A GROUP THAT DO A 12 BASEBALL SHOWCASE THE WEEKEND BEFORE THE SOFTBALL EVENT, AND THAT'S A PROJECTED 600 ROOM NIGHT STAYS JUST IN THOSE TWO WEEKENDS ALONE.
THAT'S THE EVENTS WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER.
>> TO ADD ON TO THE END OF THAT IS, AS THE PARISH PRESIDENT SAID, WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT SPORTS TOURISM IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT AND THE COUNCIL SENT THOSE LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR THAT EVENT THAT YOU'RE REFERENCING AROUND THANKSGIVING NEXT YEAR.
IT IS A WORLD-CLASS FACILITY, AND WE HEAR FROM PEOPLE A LOT.
WHY DIDN'T THE WEST BANK GET THIS? WHY DIDN'T THE WEST BANK GET THAT? WELL, THE WEST BANK GOT THIS, AND IT IS A GREAT FACILITY THAT'S GOING TO BRING PEOPLE AND DOLLARS, AND EVENTUALLY A HOTEL TO LET PEOPLE STAY A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO THAT FACILITY TO THE WEST BANK.
THANK YOU AND COACH WALLY FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE FOR YEARS, LEADING UP TO THIS.
OUR FIRST CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS WAS FOUR YEARS AGO, 3.5 YEARS AGO, SOMEWHERE LIKE THAT.
IT TOOK A LITTLE WHILE, BUT IT'S SO GREAT TO SEE IT FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
SPORTS TOURISM REALLY IS OUR FUTURE, AND I THINK WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CONTINUE TO GROW, AND SO I DIDN'T WANT TO FAIL TO ADD TO THE MIX OF GOOD NEWS.
WE JUST FOUND OUT AND ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT WE WILL BE GETTING A PRO DISC GOLF TOURNAMENT.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME COMING TO PARC DES FAMILLES, FIRST TIME COMING TO LOUISIANA.
AGAIN, THE EARLY TICKETS SOLD OUT IMMEDIATELY.
THEY OPENED ANOTHER ROUND OF EARLY TICKETS, SOLD OUT IMMEDIATELY.
I THINK SPORTS TOURISM, WHAT YOU'RE DOING, AND WHAT WE'RE DOING ALL ACROSS THE PARISH, REALLY IS THE FUTURE.
KUDOS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU TO SUCCEED.
>> THANK YOU. HOLD ON. THERE YOU GO.
>> COACH WALLY WAS MY BATTING COACH GROWING UP.
BUT DON'T LET MY SWING BE AN INDICATION.
HE'S ACTUALLY A DAMN GOOD ONE.
BUT LOOK, ANYTHING YOU'RE A PART OF, I SUPPORT, YOUR LEGEND, EVERYTHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAS DONE IN THE SPORTS INDUSTRY.
THERE'S NO BETTER PERSON LOCALLY TO RUN THIS FACILITY.
>> THANK YOU. Y'ALL HAVE ALL THESE PROCLAMATIONS, EVERY MEETING.
YOU GOT TO GET JOHN ALARIO UP HERE.
TODAY, HE COULDN'T MAKE IT BECAUSE HE'S DOING A GOLF TOURNAMENT FOR HIS DAUGHTER.
BUT HIS VISION IS WHY WE'RE HERE. THANK THE PRESIDENT.
NEXT ON THE AGENDA, I THINK, IS THE HOPE HAVEN CAMPUS, THE REBIRTH OF THAT PROJECT.
WE HAD $15 MILLION OF STATE MONEY GOING INTO THOSE BUILDINGS NOW.
WE WILL SAVE THAT GYM IN THE BACK A BUILT IN 1930.
DEANO, YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY? THANKS OF HIS LEADERSHIP.
HE'S NOT A WEST BANKER, BUT HE ACTS LIKE ONE WHEN IT COMES TO HOPE HAVEN.
THANK YOU. IN WEST, GO AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WELL, IT'S A GREAT PROJECT.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE VISION TO START THIS PROJECT.
WE'RE TURNING IT INTO A CENTER FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS ON THE WEST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
WE'VE ALREADY COMPLETED TWO PHASES OF THE WALKING TRAIL.
WE HAVE PLANS FOR AN AUDITORIUM, FESTIVAL PARK.
WE'RE GOING TO TURN THE GYMNASIUM INTO SOME TYPE OF HOPEFULLY EVENT SPACE.
WE HAVE THIS BIG ARCHWAY OF LIVE OAKS THROUGH THE BACK.
I CAN JUST PICTURE A BRIDE RIDING ON A CARRIAGE THROUGH THE OAK TREES, COMING UP TO HER WEDDING.
IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT FACILITY FOR ALL OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESSES, HOPEFULLY, WHEN WE FINISH STABILIZING THE MAIN BUILDING SOMETIME NEXT YEAR, WE'LL ABLE TO ADVERTISE RFPS, SOLICE THOSE BUILDINGS OUT, AND USE THOSE LEASE DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THE PARK.
BUT THANK YOU, SENATOR, FOR ALL YOUR GREAT WORK ON THAT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE COACH WALLY FEEL REALLY OLD.
HOW OLD ARE YOU? HE COACHED YOU.
HE COACHED ME IN HIGH SCHOOL IN 1980. HOW OLD IS THAT? SORRY, COACH, I HAD TO DO THAT.
HIM AND HIS BROTHER BOTH WERE COACHES AT RUMMEL WHEN I WAS THERE.
>> THANK YOU, DEANO. IF YOU GO TO THIS PARK IN THE MORNING, PEOPLE ARE WALKING, YOU'RE GOING TO THE NIGHT, THEY'RE WALKING.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PARK. THE DIVERSITY IS BEAUTIFUL.
ALL WALKS OF LIFE, AND IT'S A SAFE, FUN PLACE TO WALK IN.
IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO GO TAKE A WALK IN HOPE HAVEN TRAIL, GO DO IT.
THE LAST ITEM I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THE WEST BANK IMPROVEMENT UNDER THE EXPRESSWAY.
THIS IS A FUN THAT STARTED IN 2017, AND IT'S UP TO $8 MILLION NOW.
WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT TO BEAUTIFY THE WEST BANK EXPRESSWAY, PUT NEW LIGHTS ON, AND ENTER THE DESOTO.
DANA BROWN, CAN Y'ALL COME BRIEFLY TELL US WHAT Y'ALL PLANS OF ALL THIS?
[00:50:04]
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING.
WHAT WE'RE DOING, LAST YEAR, WE COMMITTED TO UPGRADING THE I10 TO LED LIGHTS TO IMPROVE BOTH THE VISIBILITY FOR OUR DRIVERS, MODERNIZE OUR SYSTEM, AND HELP WITH OUR MAINTENANCE.
THIS YEAR, WE COMMITTED TO UPGRADING THE WEST BANK EXPRESSWAY, ALSO TO LED LIGHTS.
THE GOAL IS TO UPGRADE THE ENTIRETY OF THE EXPRESSWAY.
THAT IS THE ENTIRE AT GREAT PORTION FROM THE HUEY P. LONG BRIDGE TO THE BASE OF THE ELEVATED EXPRESSWAY.
UPGRADE THE ELEVATED EXPRESSWAY ALONG WITH THE PENDANT LIGHTS.
THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE HANGING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BRIDGE AT THE INTERSECTIONS UNDER THE BRIDGE, AND ALSO THE BRIDGE COLUMN LIGHTS.
ALL OF THOSE WILL BE UPGRADED TO LED.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO UPGRADE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WE DO THIS, TRY AND MAKE THEM MORE THEFT-PROOF.
SOMETIMES, WHEN YOU SEE THE ENTIRE ELEVATED EXPRESSWAY GO OUT.
WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE COMMUNITY UNDERNEATH PULLING THE BREAKER SWITCHES BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.
I WISH I WERE MAKING THAT UP. I'M NOT.
THESE WILL ALL BE DONE THROUGH OUR MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR.
WE HAVE A BRAND NEW MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR FOR THE WEST BANK, BIRD ELECTRIC, THAT CONTRACT IS ABOUT TO BE SIGNED.
THEY'RE ALREADY WORKING ON A REVISED ESTIMATE OF THE MATERIAL COST.
AS SOON AS WE GET THAT, WE WILL BEGIN THE ORDERING OF MATERIALS.
ALL OF THIS DOES REQUIRE DOTD PERMITS.
WE'RE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DOTD.
THEY'RE TOTALLY ON BOARD AND ARE GOING TO EXPEDITE ALL OF THE PERMITS AS NECESSARY.
THE PORTION THAT IS THE MOST PERMIT HEAVY IS, AS YOU WOULD IMAGINE, THE ELEVATED EXPRESSWAY ITSELF.
A CURRENT ESTIMATE, AND IT'S AN OLD ESTIMATE FROM LAST YEAR, IT'S ABOUT 2.4 MILLION FOR THIS ENTIRE ENDEAVOR.
WE DO HAVE MONEY FROM THE STATE TREASURY, AS SENATOR CONNICK MENTIONED, AND ANY OVERAGE FROM THAT WILL BE PAID FOR BY JEFFERSON PARISH, USING UNALLOCATED STREETS AND SEWER FUNDS.
THE FUNDS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.
THE CONTRACTOR IS ABOUT TO SIGN THE CONTRACT.
AS SOON AS WE HAVE THE MATERIAL, WE WILL BEGIN ORDERING, AND I'LL GIVE YOU ALL AN UPDATE OF WHEN CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN ONCE WE HAVE THE MATERIAL ORDERED, AND WE KNOW THE DELIVERY DATE.
MY GUESS, IT'LL BE SOMETIME EITHER VERY LATE THIS YEAR OR VERY EARLY IN 2026, BUT IT'LL BE THE MATERIAL ARRIVAL.
>> HI. THANK YOU. I'M DANA BROWN. WHAT AM I DO? THAT'S MY CLICK FIRST. HAS THAT GONE.
BUT I WANT TO THANK SENATOR CONNICK.
HE'S HAD US, AND ALSO, COUNCILMAN BONANO, WORKING ON THE WEST BANK EXPRESSWAY A FEW TIMES.
SO YOU'VE SEEN SOME IMPROVEMENTS.
THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS PHASE IS REALLY ABOUT SCREENING SOME OF THE UNSIGHTLY VIEWS, WHETHER YOU'RE ON THE GROUND LEVEL, FIRST LEVEL DRIVING ALONG THE SIDE OF IT, OR YOU'RE CROSSING THE STREET.
WHAT I WANTED TO SHOW YOU IS JUST THE MAIN INTERSECTIONS WE'RE FOCUSING ON IN AREAS AROUND THOSE INTERSECTIONS, BECAUSE IT'S NINE-AND-A-HALF MILES LONG, I THINK, THE WHOLE THING, SO IT'S A LOT.
WE'RE FOCUSING ON THESE PARTICULAR INTERSECTIONS TO SCREEN ON SITE LEA VIEWS ALONG THE AREA.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE TWO PHOTOS ON THE LEFT, THE TOP ONE SHOWS YOU WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN YOU'RE CROSSING ONE OF THOSE INTERSECTIONS AND YOU LOOK DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY, AND IT'S NOT VERY ATTRACTIVE.
A LOT OF THOSE AREAS YOU CAN'T PLANT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH SUN, SO THEY JUST STAY DIRT.
SO FROM THE GROUND LEVEL, THE FIRST LEVEL DRIVING THROUGH, SO THAT'S WHAT THE BOTTOM PICTURE IS ABOUT.
WE'VE COME UP WITH SOME CONCEPT PLANS, AND THAT'S THE STAGE WE'RE AT OF HOW PLANTING COULD WORK.
WE KNOW WHAT PLANTS WORK THERE NOW BECAUSE WE'VE HAD YEARS OF SEEING PLANTS WORK.
BRIAN PARKS PUT SOME TEST PLANTINGS IN BEFORE.
WE PUT SOME IN THE LAST PHASE, AND WE SEE WHAT WORKS REALLY WELL.
THIS IS JUST A REALLY QUICK SKETCH OF WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO BLOCK THOSE VIEWS, BUT TO CREATE A REALLY NICE EXPERIENCE.
FROM THE SIDE, TREES, AS WELL AS SHRUBS, TO SCREEN IT AND CREATE A BETTER EXPERIENCE THERE.
THIS IS AT THE GROUND LEVEL THAT MISS SOTO WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT ALSO, WESTWEGO WANTS SCULPTURES.
WE HAVE A PELICAN THERE, BUT I THINK IT'D PROBABLY BE A SHRIMP OR A CRAB.
BUT WE'RE THINKING OF A CHAINSAW WOODEN SCULPTURE THING,
[00:55:03]
RUSTIC TO GO WITH THE THEME OF WESTWEGO AND SHRIMP BOATS AND EVERYTHING.SO EVEN AT THE AREA WHERE IT'S NOT ELEVATED, WE'RE DOING SOME IMPROVEMENTS.
AS I SAID, THIS IS THE CONCEPTUAL STAGE WHEN WE GET OKAY ON THIS, THEN WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT PHASE AND CREATE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY, SENATOR. THANK YOU.
>> DANA, THANK YOU AND COUNCILMEN AND COUNCILWOMAN, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPENING IN JEFFERSON PARISH ON THE WEST BANK, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU TO MAKE THE WEST BANK A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> PLEASURE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING ON RECORD THAT DANA BROWN IS GOING TO GET SENATOR CONNICK OUT THERE PLANTING BECAUSE HE ACTUALLY HAS QUITE A GREEN THUMB I'VE LEARNED.
>> I LOVE DOING THAT BETTER THAN DOING THIS.
>> I WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT MONEY IS REOCCURRING.
EVERY YEAR, WE PUT MONEY INTO AN ACCOUNT FROM OUR LICENSE PLATE FEES.
WE HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THIS, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SENATOR CONNICK. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.
[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
WE'RE A LITTLE BIT LATE.WE KNEW WE WOULD BE THIS MORNING, BUT NOW WE WILL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
YOU ARE AT THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1, 2025, THE JOSEPH S. YENNI BUILDING, 1221 ELMWOOD PARK BOULEVARD, JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA.
THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOUR GUEST FOR TODAY'S INVOCATION.
>> THANK YOU, AND I'M GLAD SHE'S BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING FOR THE START OF OUR MEETING A LITTLE BIT LATE.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE BIBLE PASSAGES IS PROVERBS 21:35.
SHE IS CLOTHED WITH STRENGTH AND DIGNITY, AND SHE LAUGHS WITHOUT FEAR OF THE FUTURE.
SO MANY OF US, I THINK, HAVE EXPERIENCED THE HAND OF CATHOLIC NUNS IN OUR LIVES, STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH, GIVING US GOOD ROLE MODELS.
I KNOW AS A GIRL AT SAINT CLEMENT OF ROME, I HAD THE RECONCILIATION OR THE PRESENTATION SISTERS FROM IRELAND, SISTER CONCILIO, SISTER VERA BUTLER, WHO WENT ON TO FOUND THE ST. JOSEPH REBUILD CENTER.
ONE OF MY CHILDHOOD FRIENDS, DD WESTHOLS, FROM ST. CLEMENT WITH ME WENT ON TO BECOME SISTER MARY ELLEN.
THEN ANOTHER SISTER WHO IS JUST A FORCE OF NATURE, WHO I AM SO BLESSED TO KNOW IS SISTER NICHOLAS, A LOT OF STUDENTS IN JEFFERSON, AND IN NEW ORLEANS WILL REMEMBER HER AS THE PRINCIPAL OF HOLY NAME OF JESUS, AND THEN OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER ON MEURY ROAD.
SISTER NICHOLAS, WHEN I READ, SHE IS CLOTHED WITH STRENGTH AND DIGNITY, AND SHE LAUGHS WITHOUT FEAR OF THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU FOR LEADING US IN PRAYER.
>> IS EVERYBODY DIDN'T HEAR WHAT I SAID, I'M NOT MOTHER TERESA.
ONE OF THESE DAYS I'LL MAKE IT.
I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS PRAYER IS EVERYBODY IN HERE IS INCLUDED IN THIS PRAYER.
LIKE I KNOWS EVERYBODY, WE ALL NEED PRAYERS.
BUT I'M DIRECTING A LARGE PORTION OF IT TO OUR COUNCIL BECAUSE THEY CERTAINLY NEED PRAYERS.
ANY LAWMAKERS TODAY NEED PRAYERS. WE ALL NEED THEM.
BUT I WANT TO, FIRST OF ALL, INCLUDE IN THESE PRAYERS, ALL OF YOUR FAMILIES, ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY WHO IS ILL AT THIS TIME, YOUR CHILDREN, AND EVERYBODY THAT IS ENCOMPASSED IN YOUR LIFE OR YOUR LIVES.
SO LET US PRAY. TO THE COUNCIL.
DEAR GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT, WISDOM AND JUSTICE.
THROUGH YOU, THE AUTHORITY IS RIGHTLY ADMINISTERED.
LAWS ARE ENACTED AND JUDGMENT IS DECREED.
MAY GOD ASSIST YOU IN YOUR SPIRIT OF COUNCIL WITH FORTITUDE AND BLESSINGS ALWAYS.
MAY YOU ALWAYS SEEK THE WAYS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUSTICE, AND MERCY.
GRANT THAT YOU MAY BE ENABLED BY YOUR POWERFUL PROTECTION TO LEAD OUR PARISH WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY.
MAY ALL THAT YOU ENCOUNTER BE BLESSED BY OUR DEAR LORD, OUR BLESSED LADY AND ALL THE ANGELS AND SAINTS? WE ASK THIS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD, AMEN.
[01:00:02]
ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> PARISH PRESIDENT, MISS LEE SHENG?
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MADAM PRESIDENT.
[PARISH PRESIDENT PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]
THE FLOOR IS YOURS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, HONORABLE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'LL START WITH OUR JEFFERSON PROTECTION ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES, JPAWS.
WE'LL BE HOSTING A $15 MICRO CHIPPING CLINIC ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10TH, FROM 11:00 AM TO 2:00 PM AT THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
WE'LL ALSO HOST A $20 RABIES VACCINATION DRIVE IN COLLABORATION WITH JS PCA AND HELPING PAWS ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12TH FROM 10:00 AM TO 1:00 PM AT CLEARY PLAYGROUND IN MEURY.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR JPAWS TEAM FOR THEIR CONSISTENT HARD WORK TO PROVIDE ANIMAL CARE AND SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.
JUST RECENTLY, JPAWS WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE BISSEL PET FOUNDATION AS ONE OF THEIR TOP PERFORMERS THROUGH THE FIX THE FUTURE PROGRAM, HAVING COMPLETED 4,105 SPAY NEUTER SURGERIES.
LAFRENIERE PARK TRUNK RETREAT.
YES, IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR WILL TAKE PLACE AT LAFRENIERE PARK ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18TH, AT 6:00 PM.
THIS FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DAWN BUSTERS KOANAS GROUP, AND IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, EMAIL LPOFFICE@JEFFPARIS.GOV.
IN TERMS OF OUR LIBRARY UPDATES, WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, RECREATION, AND TOURISM, AND THE LOUISIANA STATE LIBRARY TO EXPAND OUR EXPERIENCE PAST PROGRAM.
LIBRARY CARD HOLDERS MAY NOW RESERVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF FREE ADMISSIONS TO ALL 12 STATE OWNED MUSEUMS, INCLUDING THE PRESBYTER, CABILDO, THE LOUISIANA SPORTS HALL OF FAME, AND THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MUSEUM, AMONG OTHERS.
IN ADDITION TO OUR ESTABLISHED AGREEMENTS ALREADY WITH THE NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART, THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, THE NATIONAL WORLD II MUSEUM, JEFFERSON PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY, AND THE PONTO TRAN CONSERVANCY LIGHTHOUSE AT WESTEND.
SO ALL OF THESE PASSES STRAIGHT THROUGH YOUR LIBRARY.
OUR NEWEST LIBRARY, THE DOCTOR JOSEPH AND CONSTANT CAROL AVONDALE LIBRARY WILL HOST ITS FIRST EVER COMMUNITY FUN DAY THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4TH, FROM 10:00 AM TO NOON, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A VISIT FROM THE NOLA GAMES ON WHEELS VIDEO GAME TRUCK, ALONG WITH STORY TIME AND A CRAFT SESSION.
BELTRE LIBRARY WILL HOST A HOME MOVIE DAY ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 18TH FROM 10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM.
PATRONS ARE INVITED TO BRING HOME MOVIES ON FILM OR VHS TAPES TO LEARN ABOUT MEDIA PRESERVATION WITH NEW DIGITIZATION EQUIPMENT THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE INSTALLED AT THE FORTHCOMING MAKER SPACE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
THEN LAKE SHORE LIBRARY WELCOMES CROCHET ENTHUSIASTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A SERIES OF CRAFTING SESSIONS WITH THE GOAL OF CREATING ENOUGH GRANNY SQUARES TO COVER A QUILTED CHRISTMAS TREE FOR DISPLAY THIS COMING HOLIDAY SEASON IN THE LOBBY OF THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
THE SESSIONS WILL BE HELD FROM 1:00 TO 2:00 PM ON SELECT MONDAYS, OCTOBER 6TH, NOVEMBER 3RD, NOVEMBER 17TH, AND DECEMBER 1ST.
THE FRIENDS OF JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL HOST THEIR FALL BIG BOOK SALE FOR THREE DAYS FROM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24TH TO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH AT THE PONTO TRAIN CENTER.
THESE SALES TYPICALLY OFFER MORE THAN 60,000 USED BOOKS, PUZZLES, DVDS, AND VINYL ALBUMS. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY, AND DONATIONS OF SUCH ITEMS MAY BE MADE TO THE FRIENDS YEAR ROUND AT THEIR DROP OFF BINS LOCATED AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR LIBRARY PROGRAM AND BRANCHES, VISIT JPLIBRARY.NET.
OUR HEADSTART PROGRAM, JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ACTIONS PROGRAM IS CONDUCTING A COMMUNITY NEEDS SURVEY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
TO TAKE THE SURVEY YOU WANT TO VISIT OUR JEFFCAP PAGE AT JEFFPARISH.GOV.
THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS SURVEY IS TAILORED FOR JEFFCAP, DESIGNED TO GATHER INPUT FROM FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO INFORM PLANNING AND SERVICES FOR THE HEAD START BIRTH TO FIVE PROGRAM.
YOUR RESPONSES WILL HELP IMPROVE SERVICES AND STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
WE WERE PROUD THAT SARAH BABCOCK, CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CA SARAH BABCOCK ON RECEIVING THE OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP TO END HOMELESSNESS AWARD FROM UNITY OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS.
THIS AWARD IS A TESTAMENT TO HER LEADERSHIP AND OUR COLLECTIVE WORK IN JEFFERSON PARISH TO HELP ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.
THANKS TO SARAH'S LEADERSHIP AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH JEFFERSON PARISH HUMAN SERVICES AUTHORITY, THERE'S NOW A ONE STOP SHOP, DAY CENTER IN JEFFERSON PARISH THAT PROVIDES A CENTRALIZED LOCATION FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE TO GET ASSISTANCE.
THE CENTER RUN BY JEFFERSON PARISH HUMAN SERVICES AUTHORITY PROVIDES EVERYTHING FROM
[01:05:01]
CASE MANAGEMENT TO CLOTHING DONATIONS TO TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL ILLNESS, TO SERVING AS A MAILING ADDRESS FOR THOSE WITHOUT HOMES.THE JEFFERSON PARISH HUMAN SERVICES AUTHORITY ALSO RECEIVED AN AWARD FROM UNITY FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING HOMELESS PROGRAM.
IN THE NEARLY THREE MONTHS SINCE ITS OPENING, THE CENTER HAS HAD 126 VISITS AND OPENED 32 CASES WITH CLIENTS ALL THROUGH OUTREACH GROUPS AND WORD OF MOUTH.THEY ALSO SUCCESSFULLY HOUSED THEIR FIRST PERSON LAST WEEK.
THE CENTRAL HOMELESSNESS INTAKE PHONE NUMBER IS 504-82-2677.
THANKS TO SARAH AND HER TEAM FOR ALL HER HARD WORK, AND THOSE WITHOUT HOMES TO HELP GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET.
WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON THIS WELL DESERVED HONOR, AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS INITIATIVE CAME FROM THE HOMELESS TASK FORCE LED BY COUNCILMAN BONANO.
THIS IS WHERE THIS INITIATIVE GOT STARTED, AND SARAH IS ABLE TO SERVE AS VICE CHAIR ON THAT COMMITTEE.
SO COUNCILMAN BONANO, THAT AWARD GOES TO YOU AS WELL BECAUSE IT ALL STARTED WITH THE COMMITTEE THAT YOU FORMED.
FINANCIAL UPDATE, I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT YESTERDAY, WE COMPLETED THE 2023 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT.
MY SINCERE THANKS GOES TO OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENTS FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
IT'S ACCOUNTING, PURCHASING, BUDGETING, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND GRANTS ADMINISTRATION, IN ADDITION TO OUR PARTNERS AT DELOITTE, EISNER, AMPER AUDITOR AND KUSHNER LA GRAYS.
THIS IS A BIG MILESTONE BEHIND US.WE'RE TAKING PROACTIVE STEPS ON THE 2024 AUDIT ON TRACK TO BE BACK ON SCHEDULE FOR OUR 2025 AUDIT AND WELL POSITIONED TO MANAGE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM.
SO ALL OF US WERE TALKING A LOT.
WE FINALLY PUSHED THE BUTTON, 06:00 OR 7:00 PM, VICTOR? AROUND THAT TIME, SO WE HAD UNTIL MIDNIGHT, BUT WE GOT IT DONE.
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS JEFFERSON PARISH RECEIVED 500.
I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE GOT OURSELVES IN THIS SITUATION.
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, JEFFERSON PARISH RECEIVED 586 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING TO RESPOND TO ALL THE EMERGENCIES WE HAD.
THIS WAS ROUGHLY 18 TIMES OUR AVERAGE ANNUAL WORKLOAD BEFORE THE 2020 YEAR, WITHOUT A CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN STAFF.
THE INFLUX OF GRANT MONEY TYPICALLY TAKES MORE MANPOWER THAN TAX REVENUE DOLLARS BECAUSE OF THE STANDARDS, THE REPORTING PERIODS, LITTLE TO NO GUIDANCE.
FOR MANY OF THESE PROGRAMS WERE ISSUED AT THE START.
THE CONSTANT BACK AND FORTH, EMERGENCY RENTAL HAD VERY LITTLE GUIDANCE, AND THAT WAS A LOT OF MONEY.
ALL OF THIS ADDS ADDITIONAL WORK ON OUR TEAM.
HOWEVER, CREATING GRANT FUNDED POSITIONS TO HELP WITH THE WORKLOAD TAKES TIME, TRAINING, EXPERTISE, AND DOESN'T ALLOW US TO GUARANTEE PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT PAST THE GRANT.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE DEAL WITH WHEN WE RECEIVE THIS MONEY.
ADDITIONALLY, OUR TEAM IS IN THE PROCESS OF UNDERTAKING A MAJOR MODERNIZATION OF OUR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE A 30-YEAR-OLD SYSTEM THAT CANNOT BE SUPPORTED ANYMORE.
OUR WORK TO UPDATE THIS SYSTEM INCLUDES CLEANING UP LEGACY, CORRUPT DATA ROLLED OVER FOR DECADES, INCLUDING GRANTS, CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND ASSET PROJECTS THAT WERE NEVER CLOSED OUT.
WHILE THIS CREATES EXTRA WORK, WE'RE COMMITTED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING BY CLEANING UP THIS DATA BEFORE WE MIGRATED OVER TO A NEW SYSTEM.
WE'RE NOW CONDUCTING EXTENSIVE UPDATES AND TASKS THAT ARE LONG OVERDUE AND ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE A SMOOTH AND EFFECTIVE LAUNCH.
THERE'S A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS THAT IS WELL DOCUMENTED, PARTICULARLY IN GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING, AND WE'RE FEELING THOSE EFFECTS HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH AS WELL, WHICH WAS WHY WE BROUGHT ON A GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED ACCOUNTING FIRM, DELOITTE TO ASSIST US IN THIS WORK.
THE SOLE DRIVER OF THE BOND WITHDRAWAL WAS DELAYED AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WHICH WAS DUE TO INCREASED WORKLOAD AND A SHORTAGE OF STAFF, AS I HAVE JUST EXPLAINED.
HOWEVER, WE'VE BEEN ACTIVELY ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE TO ENSURE JEFFERSON PARISH IS NOT ONLY FINANCIALLY STRONG, BUT WELL EQUIPPED AND WELL POSITIONED FOR THE FUTURE.
WE REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL OF OUR BOND COVENANTS, INCLUDING CONTINUING DISCLOSURE, AND WE'RE STABILIZING AND BUILDING A STRONG TEAM, REVIEWING AND REORGANIZING OUR FINANCE UNIT ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND CREATING AND UPDATING STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
WE'RE CURRENTLY ADVERTISING AND ACCEPTING RESUMES FOR OUR OPEN ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR POSITION WITH THE HOPE TO FILL THAT POSITION SOON AND CONTINUE TO BUILD INTERNAL CAPACITY.
THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST OUR FIREFIGHTER PAY STUDIES, DISCUSSIONS, AND NEGOTIATIONS ARE STILL ONGOING WITH THE JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, AND WE CONTINUE TO MEET.
THE ADMINISTRATION IS COMMITTED TO BRINGING ENTRANCE SALARY UP TO COMPETITIVE RATES.
HOWEVER, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO SO WITH THE EXISTING MONEY THAT THE TAXPAYERS GIVE US THROUGH THE MILLAGE.
AS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, THE PARISH IS CURRENTLY RESTRICTED IN ADDRESSING PAY DISPARITIES AT THE ENTRANCE SCALE DUE TO CURRENT STATE LEGISLATION GOING BACK MANY YEARS.
OVER TIME, THIS DISPARITY HAS REMAINED AND HAS BEEN EXACERBATED DUE TO THIS LAW.
WE'VE OFFERED RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS.IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE THE PAY FOR A FIRST YEAR FIREMAN, WE PROPOSED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A ONE TIME SUPPLEMENTAL OR INCENTIVE PAYMENT.
ADDITIONALLY, WE RECOMMEND AND REQUEST AND TO HAVE THE UNION SUPPORT TO GO TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO AMEND THE STATUTE TO AUTHORIZE THE PARISH TO GRANT
[01:10:01]
RAISES WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF RANK OR LONGEVITY IN AN EQUITABLE MANNER, ACCORDING TO PARISH GENERATED MATRIX PERCENTAGES. THANK YOU.>> MADAM PRESIDENT, THANK YOU.
ANYBODY WITH COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR THE PARISH PRESIDENT? THANK YOU.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE GRAND ISLE MAYOR DAVID CAMARDELLE, WHO'S WITH US THIS MORNING.
YOU MUST BE GETTING SOMETHING.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, MAYOR CARBADEL.
NOW WE'RE TO THE PORTION OF THE MEETING WHERE PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE
[PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA]
THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA CAN DO SO.YOU MUST FILL OUT AND COMPLETE A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS.
HAND IT UP TO THE CLERK IN THE FRONT.
ANYONE WHO REQUESTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK HAS 3 MINUTES TO DO SO, AND MUST GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND REFERENCE THE AGENDA ITEM YOU'RE SPEAKING ON, PLEASE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSEL CRAIG BURKETT JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, 13 12 AIRLINE PARK BOULEVARD, MATTER, LOUISIANA 7,003.
THIS IS A STATEMENT ON AGENDA, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 24.
JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS, YOU KNOW, AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE EXPLAINED IT IN THE PAST, WE'RE OPPOSED TO THAT ITEM.
WE BELIEVE THE FUNDS CAN BE BETTER SPENT GOING TO FIREFIGHTER PAY RAISES.
MISS SHENG, WE'VE DECLARED AN IMPASSE.
TO SAY WE'RE ONGOING, THAT'S NOW GOING TO THE COUNCIL, AND WE NOTIFIED YOUR TEAM, WE WERE GOING TO BE DECLARING THAT IMPASSE AND SENDING IT.
THOSE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE NOW ENDED.
WE'LL BE SENDING YOU THAT FINAL OFFER, BUT AS IT RELATES TO THE PR FIRM FOR MEETING AFTER MEETING, WE HAVE NOW MET WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS WITHOUT ANY PROGRESS.
40 ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE PAY PLAN THEMSELVES, MUCH LESS EXPLAIN IT TO A PR FIRM THAT'S SUPPOSED TO EXPLAIN IT TO OUR PUBLIC.
THEY CONFIRMED THAT JUST THE LAST MEETING, THEY HAVE NOT EVEN UPDATED THE MULTITUDE OF ISSUES WITH IN THE PAY STUDY, THAT THEY COMMITTED, INCLUDING THE INCORRECT DATA.
FOR THEM TO GO AHEAD AND SAY THAT THEY WE'RE GOING TO START A PR HIRE A PR FIRM IS PREMATURE, AND WE'RE OPPOSED TO IT. THANK YOU.
>> MR. [INAUDIBLE] BEFORE YOU LEAVE, I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR YOU.
FOR MY CLARIFICATION AND KNOWLEDGE AND POSSIBLY OTHERS.
WE HEARD ABOUT AN IMPASSE THE GRAND ALL MEETING.
CAN YOU DEFINE WHAT IMPASSE MEANS ON YOUR END?
>> IN CHAPTER 23 AND I ASKED HOW TO LOOK INTO IT, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTION, COUNCILMAN.
IN CHAPTER 23, THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, AND COUNCIL'S PREVIOUS PREDECESSORS IN THEIR WISDOM, DECIDED THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO HAVE A DISRUPTION IN PUBLIC SERVICES.
TO THE CITIZENS OVER LABOR DISPUTES.
WHAT THEY AGREED TO DO WAS, INSTEAD OF JOB ACTIONS AND STRIKES AND HAVING THOSE DISRUPTIONS, THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE COUNCIL IS SUPPOSED TO MEET IN GOOD FAITH, WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED AND MEET WITH US.
IF WE CAN'T AGREE THE AGREEMENT IS IS THAT WE'LL SUBMIT IT TO THE VOTERS IF WE DECLARE AN IMPASSE ON THOSE ITEMS WE CAN'T AGREE ON.
WHAT BETTER WAY TO RESOLVE IT OTHER THAN INSTEAD OF GIVING IT TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO DECIDE AND SAY NO, AND THAT'S THE END OF THE RESOLUTION TO LEAD A JOB ACTION.
IT GOES TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO PAY THE BILLS, WHICH IS THE VOTERS.
WE HAVE AGREED TO THAT YOU ALL DO THAT IN EXCHANGE FOR A NO STRIKE CLAUSE WITHIN OUR CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS.
WE HAVE MAINTAINED I END OF THE BARGAIN.
THE ADMINISTRATION HASN'T UP TO THIS POINT.
TO BE QUITE FRANK WITH YOU, WE'RE NOT GOING TO CONTINUE TO HONOR IT ON A ONE SIDED AGREEMENT, SO FAR, WE STILL HAVE IT, BUT IT'LL BE UP TO YOU GUYS TO SEND IT TO THE VOTERS AND ARRANGE THAT NOW THAT WE CAN'T MEET.
WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND IN SIX YEARS THEY HAVE MET WITH US AND HAVE PRODUCED NOT EVEN A SINGLE COUNTEROFFER TO OUR PROPOSAL. THANK YOU.
>> 1 SECOND, COUNCILMAN BEN RIKEN.
>> I KNOW IN SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS, THERE WAS CONCERN ABOUT MEDICAL RESPONSE, AND I DO WANT TO THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN OF EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FOR STEPPING UP AND TAKING THOSE RE-CERTIFICATIONS AND MAKING SURE THAT YOU ALL CAN STILL RESPOND TO THOSE SCENES THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, APPROPRIATE FOR YOU.
>> COUNCILMAN, WE APPRECIATE YOUR MEETINGS AND THE OTHERS THAT HAVE ASKED,
[01:15:01]
THAT IT'S AN ONGOING ISSUE AND WORKLOAD.WE'LL DO ANYTHING WE CAN TO HELP THE CITIZENS.
WE DON'T APPRECIATE IN THE WAY WITH THE [INAUDIBLE] OF WHICH IT'S HANDLED.
IT'S STILL AN ONGOING ITEM FOR THE ADMINISTRATION.
BUT, QUITE FRANKLY, I THINK THIS IS, FOR THEM TO NOT HAVE IN THE CONTRACT WITH LCMC, MANDATED MINIMUM MAN AND AMBULANCES TO SEND FIREFIGHTERS TO AMBULANCE RESPONSE TO DUPE THE PUBLIC INTO BELIEVING THEY'RE GETTING ADEQUATE SERVICES.
JUST AT OUR LAST MEETING OR TWO MEETINGS AGO, MR. LU SCHUTZ SAID, WE'RE OUT OF THE AMBULANCE BUSINESS.
BUT FIREFIGHTERS ARE STILL RESPONDING TO SUPPLEMENT, THE AMBULANCE SERVICES THAT IS FAILING IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
CALL AFTER CALL, WE'RE GETTING TOLD THAT THERE'S NO AMBULANCES, AND EMS UNITS AVAILABLE.
THAT'S NOT FAIR TO OUR CITIZENS OR TO FIREFIGHTERS TO PUT US IN A POSITION WHERE WE CAN'T PUSH DRUGS, WE CAN'T TRANSPORT.
WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THEM.
WHILE WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO HELP HELP THE CITIZENS, SOMEBODY'S GOT TO TAKE A STAND AT SOME POINT.
SOMEBODY HAS TO SUPPLY TO [INAUDIBLE] THE CITIZENS WITH THE EMS SERVICES THEY DESERVE.
>> I APPRECIATE IT, AND THANK YOU FOR THE CONVERSATION, BECAUSE, AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING AS AN UNTRAINED.
I'M NOT A MEDICAL RESPONDER, BUT I DO APPRECIATE THAT THIS BASIC CERTIFICATION ALLOWS YOU TO DO SOME THINGS LIKE MOUTH TO MOUTH OR CHEST COMPRESSIONS, BUT NOT MUCH BEYOND THAT.
IT IS A LARGER ISSUE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE AMBULANCES IN JEFFERSON PARISH TO RESPOND TO OUR LOVED ONES WHO MIGHT NEED A MEDICATION OR SOME OTHER DRUG OR TECHNOLOGY TO GET THE EMERGENCY SERVICE AT A SCENE THEY NEED.
I KNOW OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, STEVE LASCHUK HAD ASKED THE FIREFIGHTERS TO TAKE THOSE CERTIFICATIONS AND TO CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR THE CITIZENS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
I APPRECIATE THAT HE MADE THE ASK, AND YOU ALL FOLLOWED THROUGH AND, TO HIS ASK TO TAKE THOSE CERTIFICATIONS, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> WELL, AND THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN, AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW IT'S EXACTLY THE WAY IT WAS, BUT IT WOULDN'T BE RIGHT TO BURDEN THE PUBLIC WITH THE SEMANTICS OF HOW THAT WENT.
I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME LITIGATION SOON OVER HOW THAT OCCURRED, UNFORTUNATELY.
BUT AS ALWAYS, WE TOOK THE TRAINING TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.
WE ALWAYS DO WHAT WE CAN TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.
BUT JUST FOR THE RECORD, WE HAVE ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION TO COME TO CIVIL SERVICE HEARINGS TO HEAR THESE ISSUES MEET PRIVATELY.
THIS ISSUE'S BEEN SITTING FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AND IGNORED BY THIS ADMINISTRATION.
TO THE POINT WHERE WE SUBPOENAED MISS SHENG BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T APPEAR AT CIVIL SERVICE TO HEAR IT, AND SHE REFUSED TO COME.
EMS HAS BEEN FLATLY IGNORED BY THIS ADMINISTRATION. THANK YOU.
>> MR. CHAIR, SINCE THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP, AND IT SOUNDS VERY CONFUSING, I WILL LIKE TO DISCUSS IT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION'S POINT OF VIEW.
BUT THE CERTIFICATE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS CALLED AN EMR CERTIFICATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE.
IT IS THE LOWEST LEVEL OF TYPE OF CERTIFICATE YOU NEED.
WE DO EXPECT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO BE TRAINED AND TO MAINTAIN THAT TRAINING, IF I HATE TO BRING TONY UP, BUT IF TONY COMES TO ME AND SAYS, CYNTHIA, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE MY TRAINING ANYMORE TO MAINTAIN MY PARISH ATTORNEY LICENSE, I WOULD HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THAT.
I WOULD SAY, THAT'S A DECISION YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE, BUT THAT IS PART OF YOUR JOB.
IT'S PART OF THE TRAINING THAT YOU HAVE YOUR JOB. YOU'RE AN ATTORNEY.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING YOU NEED TO MAINTAIN YOUR PARISH ATTORNEY LICENSE.
WE HAD HAD FIREFIGHTERS WHO WERE UNWILLING TO MAINTAIN THE BASIC EMR CERTIFICATE TRAINING, WHICH, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, AND I'VE ASKED, HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR DECADES.
SO THIS IS NOT A NEW THING THAT MR. LICHT IS ASKING ANYBODY TO DO.
THIS IS BASIC TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
IT'S A COURSE, BUT YOU'RE SAYING, I DON'T WANT IT TO BE PERCEIVED AS WE'RE ASKING SUCH A BIG FAVOR AND THANKING THEM FOR DO IT.
THEY WERE SUBMITTING BLANK EXAMS. THEY WERE SIGNING IN AND NOT TAKING THE TEST.
OUR CHIEF HAD TO GIVE AN ORDER THREE TIMES BECAUSE THIS IS A BASIC CERTIFICATION THAT WE'RE SAYING AS PART OF THE JOB TO THE POINT WHERE ON THE LAST DAY, WE HAD THREE DAYS OF TEST TAKING LAST FRIDAY, MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
I APPRECIATE YOU THANKING THEM, BUT IT HAS BEEN A LOT MORE WORK THAN NEEDED TO HAPPEN FOR PEOPLE WHO JUST, I BELIEVE, NEED TO DO THE VERY BASICS OF THEIR JOB.
I DON'T TREAT THEM ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE, JULIET HAS MANY DEPARTMENTS.
MARK HAS MANY DEPARTMENTS WHERE WE EXPECT OUR EMPLOYEES TO MAINTAIN THE BASIC CERTIFICATION THAT THEY NEED FOR THE JOB.
WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE PARISH.
WE ALL HAVE TO TAKE CLASSES EVERY YEAR TO MAINTAIN, WE ALL DO, YOU DO TOO, AS WELL, BUT REALLY, MORE PARTICULARLY FOR JOB, WE HAVE PROPERTY INSPECTORS, WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN THE TRADES FOR PROPERTY THROUGHOUT THE PARISH THAT HAVE TO MAINTAIN THEIR CERTIFICATION.
[01:20:03]
IT'S THE BASICS OF YOUR JOB TO DO.THAT'S THE SAME POSITION WE'RE TAKING FOR OUR EASTMAN CONSOLIDATED FIREFIGHTERS.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. ON THAT, WE'LL SAVE ANYTHING ADDITIONALLY ON THAT TO THE END OF THE MEETING FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT OR ANYTHING, SO WE CAN GET BACK TO THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND ADDENDUM AGENDA? OUR QUESTIONING HAS CAUSED US TO SPIRAL AWAY FROM THAT.
ANYBODY ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA?
>> MY NAME IS JOSHUA MOSBY LIVE A EIGHT OH FIVE SOPHIA STREET, RIVER RIDGE.
I'M SPEAKING ON THE SAME ONE ABOUT THE PR FIRM.
JUST BEFORE I START, IS THIS BEING AWARDED TO A FIRM TODAY OR IS IT BEING AWARDED AND IS A PRICE GOING TO BE NEGOTIATED AND AWARDED? LIKE, HOW IS THIS GOING TO WORK?
>> SELECTION TODAY. WHAT ACCOUNT IS THIS BEING PAID FROM? IS THIS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET OR IS IT FROM THE GENERAL FUND?
>> I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION.
>> IT'S TAXPAYER MONEY REGARDLESS.
NOT AS A FIREFIGHTER, BUT A TAXPAYING CITIZEN, MR. LEE, YOU'RE MY COUNCIL MEMBER.
IN YOUR WORDS, WHY ARE WE HIRING A PR FIRM TO EXPLAIN THE CURRENT PAY FOR FIREFIGHTERS? YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER, BUT.
>> IT'S YOUR TURN TO ADDRESS US.
>> THIS IS WHAT I THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND TAXPAYER MONEY ON INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS, THEN WHY ARE WE NOT INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE PAY PLAN? WHY ARE WE AS TAX CITIZEN, I WANT AN EXPLANATION OF THE RULES OR LACK THEREOF FOR THAT PAY PLAN? HOW ABOUT WE EXPLAIN EVERYONE'S PAY PLAN? PR FIRM ISN'T ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.
WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO IS, THEY'RE GOING TO MAP OUT OUR LONGEVITY RAISES TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE EVERYTHING IS FINE.
THEY'LL HIGHLIGHT THE SALARIES OF HIGHER RANKS, WHO'VE HAD TO WORK ENDLESS EXTRA OVERTIME, PRETEND THAT'S THE NORMAL PAY. HERE'S THE TRUTH.
THE TENTH PERCENTILE OF FIREFIGHTERS IN THIS COUNTRY, WHICH IS THE LOWEST PAID.
THE AVERAGE HOURLY IS AROUND $15.
YOU ARE HIRING A PR FIRM TO GO AFTER FIREFIGHTER PAY.
THIS IS MY OPINION, BUT IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE A FACT.
HOW CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT? LOUISIANA RANKS USUALLY IS THE LOWEST PAID IN THE COUNTRY.
EVERY YEAR. THIS YEAR IS NORTH CAROLINA.
34,000 LOWEST AVERAGE STARTING RATE, NORTH CAROLINA. OURS IS 27.
MOST DEPARTMENTS, IF NOT ALL, PAY 100% HEALTH INSURANCE.
OUR IS ABOUT TO BE $15,000 NEXT YEAR. GUESS WHAT? IF WE'RE GOING TO AVERAGE PAY AND HAVE BUCKETS TO PAY, MY BUCKET'S GOT A HOLE IN IT, BECAUSE THAT 27 JUST WENT DOWN TO 12.
SOMEONE COULD ACTUALLY SAY, WE ARE THE LOWEST PAID.
IN MY OPINION, WITH THOSE NUMBERS, YOU'RE THE LOWEST PAID FIREFIGHTER IN THIS COUNTRY, IN THE BEST PARISH IN THIS STATE.
YOU'RE GOING TO HIRE A PR FIRM TO EXPLAIN THIS.
YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND TAXPAYER MONEY.
I'M VERY PROUD OF EVERY SINGLE PERSON BEHIND ME.
I KNOW THESE GUYS WOULD GIVE THEIR LIFE FOR ME.
I WOULD GIVE MY LIFE FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON FOR YOUR FAMILY, FOR YOUR CHILDREN.
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ME.
I WOULD DIE FOR YOU AND A HART BY BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR.
WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT NOW? THIS LOOKS AWFUL.
BUT MY EXECUTIVE BOARD RIGHT NOW IS LITERALLY TRYING TO DO THIS ADMINISTRATION'S JOB BY FINDING MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO FIGURE OUT A RAISE.
>> THAT'S YOUR TIME, SIR. THANK YOU.
>> LAST THING, WE CAN DO OUR JOB.
>> FRANKIE HIRES, 509 HOME BOULEVARD.
I'M TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE GO.
MR. KERNER, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU YOU WELL ON THE WAY TO GETTING YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HOLD THAT SEAT.
35.5 K INVESTED ON THIS ONE. I'M IMPRESSED.
I THINK YOU'RE DOING RIGHT BY THAT SEAT. BY THE WAY.
I MAY HAVE TO OPPOSE ONE THING OR ANOTHER, AND I'M GOING TO. I HAVE TO.
IT'S ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES THAT AFFECT EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.
THERE'S A VIRTUAL REPRESENTATION AGENDA.
IS EVERYTHING ON YOUR AGENDA ITEM.
FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE ON THIS AGENDA, RIGHT? THE ARBITRARY APPROPRIATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS ON THE WEST BANK, NOT TO MENTION THE END THE INVESTIGATION THAT YOU'RE APPROVING.
ITEM NUMBER 25. I COULDN'T KEEP AN AGENDA.
YOU RAN OUT. I'M AT A DISADVANTAGE.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO TOLERATE JUST HOW I APPROACH YOUR AGENDA.
>> I GOT 35.5. YOU RAN OUT OF AGENDAS. THEY WEREN'T AVAILABLE TO ME.
>> YOU STILL HAVE TO SPEAK ON AN AGENDA ITEM?
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THEM ALL RIGHT.
YOU GOT NUMBER 33, 34 47 48 49 51.
[01:25:05]
THAT ALL MAKES UP THE MONEY THAT'S ON THIS AGENDA THAT'S RELATED TO YOUR CAMPAIGN TAKING.SPECIFIC ITEMS, MR. DYER? THAT'S THEM. I JUST NAMED THEM.
>> I BEGAN, AND YOU DECIDED TO INTERRUPT ME.
IT'S MORE IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO RULE OVER ME THAN IT IS TO JUST AFFORD TO PUBLIC THEIR TIME.
>> YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER, MR. HYERS, AND IT'S OVER AFTER THIS, IF YOU DON'T START TALKING.
>> I'VE BEEN TALKING. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MONEY THEY'RE SPENDING ARBITRARILY ON THE WEST BANK.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION THAT'S GOING ON.
THAT'S ITEMS NUMBER ON THE [INAUDIBLE] AGENDA. I NAME THEM.
>> WHY YOU KEEP ON CONFLICTING WITH ME? IS ADDENDUM ITEMS 27 25 20.
THERE'S ALSO AN ITEM, I THINK, 34 OR 40 WHERE YOU GOT A PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAX.
I TAKE GREAT OFFENSE WITH ANY PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAX. THAT'S ON THERE.
YOU GOT COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENTS AT MORTEM.
NOW, YOU'VE LIMITED THIS AGENDA 78 ITEMS. I GOT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
THAT MADE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO COME IN HERE AND DEAL WITH THIS.
20,000 INVESTED ON APPROVING THIS AGENDA.
SO WHEN I HEAR SECONDED BY MR. WALKER HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, I KNOW THE MOTIVES.
THE MOTIVES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SPENDING IS WHAT I TAKE OFFENSE TO WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNANCE.
BECAUSE HOW YOU SPEND THAT MONEY TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ON THOSE AGENDA ITEMS THAT I ALREADY NAMED.
I ALREADY NAMED THE AGENDA ITEMS I'M TALKING ABOUT.
YOU DON'T NEED TO INTERRUPT ME AGAIN.
YOU DON'T NEED TO CALL ME OUT OF ORDER.
BUT IF YOU WANT TO, YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
NOW, HOW DISTRICT ONE CAN EVER APPROVE ANYTHING THAT BENEFITS THE EAST BANK.
>> YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER, MR. HYERS. THAT'S IT.
SORRY. THANK YOU. YOU'RE DONE.
YOU'RE NOT STAYING TO SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS, THIS PART OF THE MEETING, MR. HYERS.
I HAVE TO [BACKGROUND] NO, YOU'RE DONE. PLEASE SIT DOWN, MR. HYERS.
>> YES, YOU DO. PLEASE SIT DOWN.
IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW OUR RULES AT EVERY MEETING, THEN YOU'LL BE ASKED TO LEAVE MR. HYERS.
AT THE END OF THE MEETING, YOU TALK ABOUT WHATEVER YOU WANT.
THIS PART OF THE MEETING, WE TALK ABOUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, OR ADDENDUM AGENDA.
THAT IS IT. ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA?
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A NOTE THAT ITEM NUMBER ONE WILL BE DEFERRED TO OCTOBER 22.
COUNSELMAN VAN FRANKEN YOUR MOTION ON THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM1.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 1? I'M SORRY WAS THERE SOMEBODY ELSE WHO STOOD UP? I'M SORRY, I DID NOT SEE YOU, SIR.
>> I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 6.
CAMPO APPLIANCES IN REGARDS TO.
>> OH, AND THERE'LL BE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT WHEN WE GET TO IT.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 1? I'M SORRY, SIR. WHEN I ASK IF THERE'S ANYBODY ELSE, PLEASE STAND UP.
I'LL LOOK AROUND THE ROOM FOR A GOOD 10 SECONDS AND DON'T SEE ANYBODY GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. MY NAME IS MIKE.
I REPRESENT ELKS KREB JEFF TONY.
NOW, THIS ITEM WAS CALLED TO MY ATTENTION FROM THE NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE MASKING ON MARDI GRAS D.
>> THAT ITEM WAS AT OUR LAST MEETING, BUT CAN SPEAK ON THAT AT THE END OF THIS MEETING.
WHEN WE OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT, ANYTHING. THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING ON AN ITEM 1 THE AGENDA OR AGENDA? I'M STARING AT BOTH SIDES OF THE CHAMBERS.
ANYONE, I KNOW AS SOON AS I LOOK DOWN, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO STAND UP. THANK YOU.
NUMBER 1, AGAIN, DEFERRED TO OCTOBER 22,
[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED]
COUNCILMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOU MOVED ON THE DEFERRAL.NOW, ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 1 TO OCTOBER 22, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
WE HAVE NO EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY, SO WE CAN JUST POWER THROUGH.
[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26613, RESUB OF LOT 207208 AND 271 DASH A MANSON SUBDIVISION INTO LOT 207-A AND 208-A ES 83-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26613.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> GOOD MORNING. JOHN LAMBERTSON WITH CARB ENGINEERING, 03,400 HESMER AVENUE, METER 7,002.
I'M REPRESENTING THE DEVELOPER AND THE ENGINEERING FIRM ON THIS PROJECT.
WE PRESENTED OUR DESIGN TO YOU GUYS ON THE LAST MEETING.
THIS IS JUST THE RESUB TO FINALIZE THAT DESIGN.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE AVAILABLE.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE SPEAKING IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, COUNCILMAN LIZBERG.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26613.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LIZBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, ITEM 4, MADAM CLERK, WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING - AND LAND USE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ORDINANCES]
[01:30:04]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26572, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP, LOTS 20-21-29-30 AND PART OF LOT 22 SQUARE 26 SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 1,500 BLOCK OF YORK AVENUE, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM MUCD TO C2 WZ-725 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, AND I WILL DEFER TO MISS MARTIN WITH THE AMENDMENTS.
>> THANK YOU. THE AMENDMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS, THERE IS A WAS SECTION ADDED, WHICH READS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 32.6 A3 SUBSTITUTE ALTERNATIVE OR MODIFIED PROPOSAL TOGETHER WITH SECTION 40-32 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE PARISH COUNCIL MAY REQUEST A RECLASSIFICATION TO C2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL WITH THE CPZ COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE, INSTEAD OF THE REQUESTED C 2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL WITH NO OVERLAY, AND THE APPLICANT AGREED TO THE ALTERNATIVE.
WE ARE ADDING THE CPC COMMERCIAL PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE TO SECTION 1 AND SECTION 2 AS WELL.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT IN THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE COUNCILMAN BANO, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS.
THE MOTION OF CONSUL BANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, SO WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26572.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?
>> MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED COUNCIL MANA?
>> YOU RECALL AT THE LAST MEETING.
WE DEFERRED THIS BECAUSE SOME OF THE NEIGHBORS HAD CONCERNS ABOUT IT.
MYSELF AND MISS MARTIN AND HER STAFF, THE NEIGHBORS AND THE DEVELOPER ALL MET AND REACHED AN AMICABLE SOLUTION, WHICH IS REFLECTED IN THE AMENDMENT THAT MISS MARTIN JUST READ, SO WITH THAT, I'LL MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26572, A MOTION OF COUNCIL MANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, ITEM 5.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - CPZ/MUC'S]
AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 23736, ADOPTED JANUARY 27, 2010, AND ORDINANCE NUMBER 23864, ADOPTED ON AUGUST 18, 2010, TO REMOVE THE TITLE RESTRICTION PLACED ON THE PROPERTY UNDER PLANNING DEPARTMENT DOCKET NUMBER CPZ-27-09 AND CPZ 14-10 LOCATED AT 21:05 CLEARY AVENUE ON LT 14 A1 SQUARE E, CORTLAND PARK SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26614.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. THOSE OPOSED?
>> MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMAR NUMBER 26614 OR MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LIZBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDER NUMBER 6.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - VARIANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26615, APPROVING SP-47-25 FOR REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE SIGN REGULATIONS OF THE CPZ FOR CAMPO APPLIANCES LOCATED AT 1,400 AIRLINE DRIVE ON LT A 12, VOLANTE L BAR PLANTATION SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING HERE AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUMMARY NUMBER 266.5.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> HELLO. REPRESENTING FOR CAMPO APPLIANCES, PAUL KLEIN.
I KNOW WE GOT APPROVED ON THE SIGN ON THE SIDE, AND WE'RE HERE FOR THE END CAPS.
THE PREVIOUS COMPANY THAT WE TOOK OVER THE BUILDING FROM HAD SIGNS THERE, AND ALL WE DID WAS REPLACE THEM WITH OUR NEW SIGNS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I'LL BE HERE.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILMAN.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26615.
MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED NUMBER 7, MADAM CLERK?
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26616, APPROVING SP-52-25, FOR A REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE FENCE REGULATIONS OF THE IMU FOR AN OFFICE BUILDING LOCATED AT 990 CORPORATE ROAD ON LT CV-2Y-1E ELWOOD CORPORATE VILLAGE SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26616.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNSELMAN VANA.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26616.
A MOTION OF COUNSELMAN VANA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM 8 PLEASE.
[OTHER PROPERTY MATTERS ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26617, REVOKING AND DECLARING A PORTION OF UNDEVELOPED HOLLAND STREET BEHIND 204, CLAIBORNE CURT, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, AUTHORIZING ITS SALE TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26617.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THOSE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEAL. COUNSEL BANO.
[01:35:01]
MOVE TO APPROVE.ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26617 MOTION OF COUNSEL BANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, I HAVE A NOTE NOW THAT NUMBER NINE WILL BE DEFERRED TO OCTOBER 22.
COUNCILMAN BANO, YOUR MOTION ON THAT? ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NINE TO OCTOBER 22, ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, NUMBER 10.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26619, DECLARING VARIOUS ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES NO LONGER NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAID PROPERTIES TO THE ADJACENT LAND OWNER PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 47 2202.
>> NOW WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26619, THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THOSE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNSELMAN VAN FRANKEN.
>> ANY OBJECTION THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26619, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDER NUMBER 11 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
[OTHER ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26553, AMENDING CHAPTER 4 SECTION 32 OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF ALCOHOL BEVERAGE PERMITS, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE UNDER SECTION 4-3221 TO CHANGE THE WORD SHALL TO MAY AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FOR THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, COUNSEL, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT.
>> THIS CHANGE IS GOING TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND MORREA OFF OF ACRES ROAD.
WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES, AND WE'VE HAD TO DO THIS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS A QUALITY OF LIFE IN THAT AREA.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MADE THIS AMENDMENT SO THAT WE CAN START CLEANING THINGS UP OVER THERE IN THAT AREA.
>> NOW WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26553.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> IT'S NICE TO BE ABLE TO DO AT LEAST ONE OF THESE.
I WILL RISE ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS.
THAT'S WHAT A REPRESENTATIVE COULD DO.
I WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE HERE IF YOU WOULD KEEP THAT IN MIND, CHAIRMAN.
I RISE IN FAVOR BECAUSE I'M PRETTY FAMILIAR, I THINK WITH THE AREA THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
JUST AS I ROSE IN SUPPORT OF THE STOP SIGNS AND THE WHOLE APPROACH BEING REVISED TO THE STOP SIGN UTILIZATION, IT'S THE SAME THING HERE, IT'S DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY.
THIS IS AN ISSUE OF DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY.
EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE NOT LEGITIMATELY EMPOWERED, YOU CAN'T APPORTION THIS BODY WITH TWO SENATORS SITTING AMONGST WOULD BE REPRESENTATIVES, I DO APPRECIATE THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE REDRESSES DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY AND THE OPERATION OF JUST COMMERCE OVER THERE.
A MAN CAN'T EVEN KEEP HIS RESTAURANT, CAN'T FEED THE PEOPLE.
BE OF TOO MUCH OF THIS STUFF GOING ON OVER THERE.
I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT THIS IS RELATED TO, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
ON THAT BASIS, BECAUSE YOU ARE ENSURING DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, I FORGIVE YOU FOR NOT BEING APPORTIONED.
I FORGIVE YOU FOR NOT BEING LEGITIMATELY EMPOWERED, AND I I RISE IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?
>> BE HIRES, AND I'M JUST GOING TO RISE IN OPPOSITION BECAUSE YOU ARE ILLEGITIMATELY EMPOWERED.
>> MADAM, THE ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR AND OPPOSITION, THAT WAS THE SAME PERSON.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26553.
A MOTION OF COUNSELMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDER NUMBER 12.
>> I'M GOING TO ACTUALLY ASK THIS BE DEFERRED ONE MORE TIME.
WE HAD A MEETING WITH THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT, AND THEY PROVIDED SOME INFORMATION, BUT THEY PROVIDED SOME LAST NIGHT THAT HAD INFORMATION ABOUT A POTENTIAL $3 MILLION IMPACT, SO I WANT TO GET SOME CLARIFICATION ON THAT SO JUST TO THE SECOND OCTOBER MEETING.
>> NUMBER 12 TO THE OCTOBER 22 MEETING.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 12 TO OCTOBER 22, 2025, ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKIN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. WAS THERE AN ISSUE? SHE MOTION, SO THAT'LL BE DEFERRED TO OCTOBER 22.
TAKE THE TITLE NUMBER 13, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26609, AMENDING 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.
>> NOW, WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26609, ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD? ANYONE OPPOSED?
>> MIKE IRE IS GONG TO ALWAYS RISE IN OPPOSITION TO ANY OF THESE PAY PLAN REVISIONS, I'M ALMOST CERTAIN IT ALWAYS COSTS ME THE TAXPAYER MORE.
IT'S A CONFUSION OF MULTITUDES.
EVERY TIME I AMEND ANOTHER PART OF A PAY PLAN OR ANY PART OF THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT WHATSOEVER.
IT'S JUST ANOTHER STACK ON THAT BOOK THAT THE PARISH PRESIDENT REFLECTED UPON MONTHS AGO.
[01:40:05]
YOU'RE JUST ADDING ONE LAYER ON TOP OF ANOTHER, TRYING TO DO A GOOD DEED.AT SOME POINT, THE WHOLE BOOK HAS TO BE CLEARED OUT AND READDRESSED.
NOW, I'D LOVE TO SEE THIS COUNCIL OPEN ANOTHER CHARTER REVIEW OR THE PARISH PRESIDENT DECLARE ANOTHER CHARTER REVIEW, AND US REMEDY THIS CORRECT FOR OURSELVES.
Y'ALL COULD DO THIS UNTIL THEN I'M KEEP ON OPPOSING EVERYTHING YOU DO BECAUSE YOU CAN'T BE APPORTIONED WITH TWO SENATORS SITTING AMONGST FIVE REPRESENTATIVES.
>> MADAM CLERK, KNOW THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.
COUNCILMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> YES, SO THE BOOK THAT THE PARISH PRESIDENT SHOWED WAS THE CODE BOOK, AND WE ACTUALLY ARE WORKING ON STREAMLINING THAT, THANKS TO OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
I'M GOING TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26609, A MOTION OF CUNCILAN VAN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26610, AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARIS, TO REVISE THE PAY GRADE ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF RECREATION SPECIAL PROGRAM SUPERVISOR.
>> NOW, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26610.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. THOSE IN OPPOSITION? YOU CAN HOUSE CLEAN ALL YOU WANT.
JUST INTOLERABLE RESULTS IS ALL IT COMES DOWN TO.
IF ACHIEVED BY ANY MEANS, PRESCRIBED CONSTITUTIONALLY, I COULD NOT OPPOSE.
BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT APPORTIONED, I MUST OPPOSE.
AS A JEFFERSONIAN, I MUST HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT'S FRUGAL AND SIMPLE AND IS APPORTIONED.
REPRESENTATIVES DIRECT TAXES, GOT TO BE APPORTIONED.
YOU TAKE PROPERTY TAXES, THOSE ARE DIRECT TAXES YOU HAVE TO BE APPORTIONED.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, KNOW THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26610, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN FRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED NUMBER 15.
SUMMARY NUMBER 26620, AMENDING JEFFERSON PARRIS CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 36 TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES, ARTICLE 5 PARKING, STOPPING AND STANDING DIVISION 5 TRAILERS, COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND BUSES RESTRICTED ON CERTAIN STREETS.
SECTION 162 SCHEDULED OF STREETS TO ADD RIVET BOULEVARD FROM RIVER ROAD TO LIVE OAK BOULEVARD AND WAGGAMAN TO THE SCHEDULE OF STREETS ON WHICH HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLES, COMMERCIAL VANS, COMMERCIAL, AND NONCOMMERCIAL TRAILERS AND BUSES ARE PROHIBITED FROM PARKING.
>> PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26620.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEAR, COUNSELMAN LEE.
BEFORE I MOVE, THIS HAS BECOME A MAJOR ISSUE IN WAGGAMAN, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO LIVE OFF OF REVETT ROAD.
I WANT THEM TO KNOW, AND THEY MAY BE WATCHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE ANY HEAVY TRUCK, COMMERCIAL VEHICLES OR ANY OTHER NON CONFORMING VEHICLES SUCH AS IN TRAILERS AND BUSES FROM EVER BEING ABLE TO PARK ON REVETT ROAD AGAIN.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I MOVE FORWARD.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26620, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, ITEM 16, PLEASE.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26621, PROHIBITED PARKING FROM 1:30 PM TO 3:30 PM.
ON SCHOOL DAYS ONLY ON THE WEST SIDE OF MONTANA AVENUE FROM THE INTERSECTION OF MONTANA AVENUE AND 27TH STREET SOUTH TO THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE OF 2636 MONTANA AVENUE IN MEURY, IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 36-30 OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR.
>> NOW THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26621.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCIL WOMAN BOHANAN.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26621 ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANAN.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, 17, PLEASE?
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26622, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 5 ARTICLE 5 OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO CARNIVAL, MARDIGRA, AND OTHER PARADES.
>> NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26622.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD, THOSE OPPOSED.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LIZBERG.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26622 ON MOTION OF COUNSELMAN SECONDED BY COUNCIL WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, MADAM CLERK, 18 WITH AMENDMENTS, THE OPERATING BUDGET.
>. SUMMARY NUMBER 26623, AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO ALLOCATE A ONE TIME CAPITAL DISTRIBUTION FROM THE JP COMMUNITY CENTER IN PLAYGROUND DISTRICT NUMBER 16 FUND NUMBER 21940 IN THE AMOUNT OF $350,000 TO GO TO THE TOWN OF GRAND ALES COMMUNITY CENTER FUND FOR THE PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION, OR REPAIR OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER SUBSTRUCTURE.
[01:45:06]
ALLOCATE 50,000 $500,000 FROM CD3'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 44670401474544656001 FOR A FENCE AT THE MORROS FARMERS MARKET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN AN RANKING, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANKIN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE.
ORDERED. WE NOW FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26626623.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?
>> I'M RISING IN FAVOR, AND OPPOSING.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING GRAND ISLE.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE GRAND ISLE GETTING THE HELP THAT THEY NEED FOR THAT.
I RISE IN FAVOR OF THAT EXPENDITURE. GOOD JOB.
>> YEAH, I WANT TO GET MAYOR COMO UP HERE.
>> GOOD MORNING, GOOD EVENING. I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE, WORKING WITH COUNCILMAN TIMMY KERNER AND WORKING THROUGH YOU, JENNIFER, ESPECIALLY, WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, CYNTHIA, AND STEVE SHOOT THE WHOLE TEAM.
I'VE BEEN IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK AND WORKING DIFFERENT ANGLES.
BUT TWO BIG ISSUES THAT WE GOT TO BRING UP THERE WAS TO GET WITH THE CORE AND PUT THE ROCKS.
WE 35 SEGMENTS SHORT, AND WE GOT ABOUT $50 MILLION FROM THE GOVERNOR AND WORKING TOWARDS THE PARISH AND ALL OFFICIALS.
WE STAYED THERE FOR THREE DAYS WITH ALL THE LEVY BOYS, ALL THE WAY FROM CARROLL, ILLINOIS ALL THE WAY DOWN.
I'M ALSO PRESIDENT OF LEVEY BOARD.
I EVEN TESTIFIED WITH THEM AND TOLD HIM THAT IF THE CORE CAN'T DO IT, JUST TURN IT TO OUR LITTLE LEVEY BOARD THAT SENATOR LARIO AND SENATOR EULO PUT US TOGETHER.
WE PUT ROCKS ALL OVER THE BACK SIDE OF THE ISLAND.
DEALING WITH THE CORE IS A WHOLE NEW CHAPTER.
BORN AND RAISED THERE AND BEEN ELECTED SINCE 1989, AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AND WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE PARISH.
BY ME, WORKING WITH ALL OF MY COUNSEL, ESPECIALLY WITH MY COUNSEL AND THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS, IT WAS ALWAYS A FIGHT.
YOU ALL KNEW THAT AS LONG AS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THANK GOD I BELONGED TO YOU ALL.
LOOK AT LT TIM, I LOOK AT BIG TIM.
WE ALL WENT THROUGH HURRICANES TOGETHER.
BUT I WASN'T GOING TO LEAVE WASHINGTON WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CALL ME AND TELL ME WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION TOMORROW.
I SAID, NO, I WANT TO BE THERE.
I'M PROUD TO TELL YOU THAT I GOT A CALL YESTERDAY, AND WE TALKED LAST NIGHT.
I GOT A CALL YESTERDAY, BUT STAYING IN WASHINGTON AND TELLING THEM THAT WE GOT $50 MILLION TO CONTINUE THE ROCK SEGMENTS.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THERE'S ANOTHER CRISIS.
WE HAD MEETINGS, AND I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PRETTY HARD WITH THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNCIL BEFORE.
I BURIED MY MOTHER IN FEBRUARY.
RIGHT NOW, IF I LOSE ANOTHER 78 PEOPLE, I'LL BECOME A VILLAGE.
NOW, WHEN I WAS MAYOR OF LOUISIANA IN 2015, I WENT TO EVERY LITTLE COMMUNITY I HAD, HAD NO OPPOSITION.
IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THE BIG TOWNS, BIG CITIES.
I SAID, YOU ELECT ME AS PRESIDENT TO REPRESENT ALL LOUISIANA.
BUT TODAY, WE GOT 107 TOWNS IN LOUISIANA. IT'S A VILLAGE.
YOU GOT TO BE THE MAYOR. YOU GOT TO BE THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
THEN YOU GOT TO COME TO YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER, WHICH I CALL Y'ALL, THE PARISH.
YOU GOT TO COME IN AND ASK FOR MONEY.
I HOPE THE GRAND ISLE WILL TURN INTO THAT.
I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THIS.
WE BELONG TO THE RICHEST PARISH IN LOUISIANA.
EVERYWHERE I GO. I SAID, YOU'RE RIGHT.
I SAID, WE HAD 25,000 PEOPLE ON GRAND ISLE FOR 4TH JULY.
FOR 4TH OF JULY, TALKING WITH THE COUNCILMAN, TALKING STRAIGHT UP. WE TALKED.
I SAID, LISTEN, THE HOUSING IS THE NEXT THING, WORKING THROUGH THE HOUSING.
WE VISITED THAT. WE LOOKED AT IT.
I HAD A FEW OF THEM THAT CAME IN FROM TEXAS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.WE MET LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.
AS THE ONLY TWO ISSUES THAT WENT UP THERE WAS TO MAKE SURE NOT ONLY ABOUT LEVIES, IS TO COME BACK AND BRING MY PEOPLE BACK TO THE ISLAND. WE'RE WORKING ON IT.
JEFFERSON PARISH HAS GOT SOME HOUSING.
I'LL PROBABLY BE THE FIRST MAYOR IN AMERICA TO CHALLENGE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE WE'RE AMERICANS. WE GOT FEMA SHIRTS.
WE GO TO PUERTO RICA. WE GO ALL THE CAYMAN ISLANDS, AND WE GO TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE. WE'RE AMERICANS.
BUT DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T BUILD IN A V ZONE WHEN THEY'RE BUILDING ALL THE PLACES ON THE GROUND.
THE SAME FUNDING. I'M ASKING YOU ALL, WE'RE GOING TO GET TOGETHER, PASS A RESOLUTION.
WHEN I COME BACK IS WE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER ON THIS BECAUSE THIS AIN'T RIGHT.
WHEN YOU CAN TAKE FEDERAL MONEY AND LET THE LITTLE ISLANDS.
MAYBE I NEED TO CUT THE BRIDGE IN HALF, THEN I'LL BECOME A BURY ISLAND.
I DON'T WANT TO DO LIKE THAT. THAT'S SOMETHING NOT RIGHT.
[01:50:01]
AND I CAN'T LOSE NOBODY.IF I DO, I BECOME A VILLAGE, AND I KEEP ON REPEATING THAT.
I CAN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE.
RIGHT BEHIND MY HOUSE, I GOT A YOUNG GIRL THAT MOVED OUT OF COVINGTON.
SHE GOT TWO KIDS TO PUT ON THE SCHOOL BUS.
TWO KIDS TO PUT ON A SCHOOL BUS.
THEY'RE PAYING $2,700 A MONTH.
HER HUSBAND CAN AFFORD IT, BECAUSE HE'S WORKING 60 DAYS IN AFRICA ON A TUGBOAT.
THAT'S NO LIFE THERE. THERE'S NO LIFE AT ALL.
I GOT GIRLS THAT WORK IN MY STORE BALL STAND AND DRIVE 34 MILES AWAY.
THEY GOT THEIR GRANDMOTHERS AND THEIR MOTHERS RAISING THEM, PUTTING THEM IN SCHOOL THERE.
WE GOT ONE OF THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
BEAUTIFUL SCHOOL. WE ARE STILL WAITING ON LIGHTS TO PUT ON THE BALLPARKS.
I'M GOING TO THE TOP, THE PRESIDENT OF ENERGY, I'M ON TOP. THAT'S WHAT I DO NOW.
RIGHT NOW, WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE'VE MET TO PUT THIS TYPE OF MONEY, THE MONEY THAT YOU JUST APPROVED THAT Y'ALL APPROVED ALTOGETHER.
I KNOW I CALL CYNTHIA, I CALL STEVE.
YOU'LL WONDERFUL. BUT I'M JUST TIRED OF LIVING LIKE THIS.
MY PEOPLE, I DON'T TO KNOW HOW TO ANSWER NO MORE.
BUT THE BIG WORRY ABOUT IT IS RIGHT NOW IT'S GOING TO BE A SHAME.
YOU'RE BELONGING TO THE RICHEST PARISH IN LOUISIANA, AND YOUR TOWN BECOMES A VILLAGE.
I'M SO WORRIED THAT I GET A CALL SOMEBODY GOT KILLED YESTERDAY. IT'S BAD.
I'M SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH, BUT I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THANK GOD, I HAVE Y'ALL.
IN THE MEANTIME, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS I'M JUST STARTED TO GET FUNDING FROM THE HURRICANES. THEY'RE ALWAYS ON A MATCH.
SENATOR CANNON AND WORKING THROUGH YOUR DAD, TIMMY SENIOR, WORKING WITH ALL THE REGISTER.
EVERYBODY THAT REPRESENTS LOVES GREEN LIGHT AND GRAND ISLE.
I'M IN A LOBBY RIGHT THERE WITH THE GOVERNOR.
BUT BY PUTTING THESE PROJECTS TOGETHER, IT'S NOT EASY.
BUT THAT'S WHY WHEN I MET WITH YOU, TIMMY, AND WE EXPLAINED IT, AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT THE MONEY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PROVE TODAY IS ALL YOU ALL TOGETHER, THAT'S GOING TO GIVE ME THE PUSH TO START SAVING THE COMMUNITY CENTER HAS BEEN DESTROYED FOR THE STORM, PUTTING IT TOGETHER.
WORKING WITH FEMA, WORKING WITH EVERYBODY.
I CAN GO ON AND ON, BUT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU. THANK GOD. I HAVE YA'LL.
I'VE BEEN TO MEETINGS IN DIFFERENT PARISHES AND MAYORS CALLED ME ALL OVER LOUISIANA, SAID, DAVID, YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE DOWN THERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, ALL WE GOOD TOGETHER.
I SAID, EXACTLY. THAT'S GOING TO MEAN A LOT.
LIKE I SAID, I HEARD, LIKE HEADSTART, WHICH CUT OUT IN GRAND ISLE.
I GOT ONE OF THE BEST SCHOOLS.
WE DON'T HAVE HEADSTART IN GRAND ISLE.
WE NEVER HAD ENOUGH KIDS, PROBABLY.
BUT WHEN I SEE THAT LITTLE GIRL GET IN THE BUS BEHIND MY HOUSE OUT OF MY WINDOW, AT 7:00 IN THE MORNING, TO GO TO SCHOOL.
THEN NOW I GOT A YOUNG MAN THAT'S GOT TO HAVE KIDNEY FAILURE.
THANK GOD, Y'ALL GAVE US THAT VAN TO ALL THE SENIOR CITIZENS TO COME BACK AND BRING HIM TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL.
I JUST GOT A CALL RIGHT BEFORE WALKING THIS MEETING THAT THE FAMILY WANTS TO KNOW IF WE CAN BRING HIM TO THE HOSPITAL.
ABSOLUTELY. EVERY LITTLE BIT THAT WE DO TOGETHER IS BRINGING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
I'M NOT COMPLAINING. IT'S JUST I'M EXCITED.
I'M WORRIED BECOMING A VILLAGE.
I'M KIND OF WORRIED THAT IF I LOSE ANY MORE LIVES, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE GOOD.
I JUST WANT YOU TO TELL YOU AGAIN THAT I TOOK TOO MUCH TIME, BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
EVERY TIME I CALLED Y'ALL, Y'ALL LEFT US, AND IT MEANS A LOT.
I'M THERE TO TELL YOU THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT THESE ROCKS IN MARCH AND APRIL.
OR WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE MOVING THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO LOOK LIKE IT'S SOME MONEY FOR DRAINAGE TO THE STATE.
THIS IS THE RIGHT TEAM TOGETHER, AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN ELECTED TO GET THINGS READY.
I'M TELLING YOU, ANY LITTLE THING THAT Y'ALL COULD SPARE, AND I DON'T HAVE TO SAY THAT.
YOU'LL TAKE CARE OF US ALL THE WEEK.
BUT I'M SPEAKING OUT OF MY HEART RIGHT NOW.
I'M SO PROUD TO MAKE SURE I'M HERE, EVERY LITTLE PENNY THAT YOU GAVE TO US.
EVERY TIME I CALLED YOU, Y'ALL WAS ALWAYS THERE.
>> LOOK, MAYOR. YEAH. BUT MAYOR CALL ME. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.
YOU'VE BEEN SUCH A STRONG LEADER.
I'M HAPPY TO TELL THOSE STORIES.
UNLESS YOU LIVE IT. UNLESS YOU SEE THAT HUMAN SUFFERING AND PEOPLE YOU LOVE, PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT.
YOU CAN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND IT.
WHEN YOU SPEAK FROM THE HEART, I WANT EVERYBODY TO NOTICE, IT'S BECAUSE HE'S SEEN PEOPLE HE'S LOVED LOSE EVERYTHING.
LOSE THE PLACE THEY CARED ABOUT FOR CENTURIES.
MAN, I WANT MORE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
THANK YOU FOR TELLING THESE STORIES THAT EVEN FOUR YEARS LATER, THE WAYS IN WHICH YOUR COMMUNITY IS STILL SUFFERING. IT'S REAL.
I THINK THE MORE YOU DISCUSS IT, THE MORE PEOPLE DON'T FORGET WHAT HAPPENED, HOW DEVASTATING IT WAS, AND HOW HARD IT WAS TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE.
YOU'VE DONE AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB OF THAT.
NOW, I WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
I THINK PREVIOUSLY, DISTRICT 1,
[01:55:03]
THEY USE YOUR TAX DOLLARS, YOUR PEOPLE'S TAX DOLLARS, SAID THEY'RE SENDING GRAND ISLE MONEY AND SAID THEY WERE DOING A FAVOR.BUT I WANT TO MAKE YOU CRYSTAL CLEAR.
THE THINGS THEY'VE DONE FOR THAT COMMUNITY CENTER.
THIS IS NOT TIM KERNER HELPING GRAND ISLE.
THIS IS NOT THE COUNCIL HELPING GRAND ISLE.
THIS IS NOT THE PARISH PRESIDENT HELPING GRAND ISLE.
THIS IS GRAND ISLE HELPING GRAND ISLE.
THESE ARE TAXES THAT YOUR RESIDENTS PUT UP EVERY SINGLE YEAR TO GO TO THAT COMMUNITY CENTER.
REALLY, THE COMMUNITY CENTER IS AN EXAMPLE JUST A FEDERAL CHALLENGE WHERE THE FM FIX THE TOP WON'T FIX THE BOTTOM.
A RAISED STRUCTURE, I FALL APART.
IT'S THE CHALLENGES THAT SMALL TOWN MAYORS HAVE TO GO THROUGH EVERY DAY, BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR.
WHEN I SEND MONEY TO GRAND ISLE WITH ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT.
IT'S GOING TO ME SENDING DISTRICT 1 FUNDS THERE.
WE'RE PUTTING THIS WAY IT BELONGS.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A VERY LONG TIME, YOU AND THE COUNCIL ARE GOING TO DICTATE HOW THESE FUNDS ARE SPENT BECAUSE IT'S YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE'S FUNDS, AND THE PEOPLE ELECTED YOU TO DO THAT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. ALSO, THE 403 ACT MONEY, WHICH HAD SWITCHED SO MANY DIFFERENT TIMES, I WANT TO THANK NICOLE GOBERT, I WANT TO THANK OUR PARISH ATTORNEY FOR JUMPING UP AND ASSUMING THE STATE RAN OUT OF FUNDS TO MONITOR IT THE PROGRAM CONTINUED THE PROGRAM, WHICH PUT $2 MILLION AT STAKE FOR MATCHING FUNDS FOR HURRICANE.
TONY JUMPED ON IT SO FAST, AND GOBERT JUMPED ON IT SO FAST.
I WANT TO THANK PARISH PRESIDENT STEVE LASCHET.
BECAUSE OF THAT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MATCHING FUNDS FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS YOU HAVE A FEMA.
LAFITTE IS GOING TO HAVE IT, AND IT'S HUGE.
IT IS HUGE, $2 MILLION THAT YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH TO MATCH WHEN YOU DEVASTATED, AND YOUR PEOPLE ARE DEVASTATED.
BUT NOT TO BE TOO LONG-WINDED.
I DO WANT TO SAY, WE'RE GOING TO PASS A RESOLUTION.
NEXT MEETING ABOUT THOSE COAST GUARD HOMES, BECAUSE WHAT A TRAVESTY.
WHAT AN ABSOLUTE TRAVESTY IT IS FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR HOMES, AND THE COAST GUARD TO LEAVE THOSE BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL HOMES THAT ARE RAISED AND COULD WITHSTAND A HURRICANE VACANT FOR NO REASON WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SHELTER.
YOU NEED A WORKFORCE, AND YOU NEED PLACES TO LIVE.
WE'RE GOING TO PASS A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THEM TO WORK WITH US AND COMING UP WITH A SOLUTION.
BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE IN ONE OF THE HARDEST JOBS IN THE COUNTRY.
YOU'VE DONE IT WELL, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, BECAUSE GRAND ISLE IS A.
>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?
>> HAVING TO DO IT. IF ANYBODY CAN FIGURE OUT TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS THING, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK FOR THE MINORITY OPINION AND THE MAJORITY.
THAT'S WHY I GET UP TO DO THIS.
WITH REGARDS TO THE GAMBLING MONEY, THAT'S THAT UNIFORMITY CLAUSE GETTING VIOLATED AGAIN.
I JUST OPPOSE THAT ON JUST THE FUNDAMENTAL GROUNDS OF ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8 CLAUSE 1 OF THE US CONSTITUTION.
THEN WITH REGARDS TO GRAND ISLE, I DON'T OPPOSE WHAT YOU'RE DOING THERE.
I ACTUALLY ALMOST OPPOSE THAT WE'RE NOT DOING WHAT'S ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE FACT THAT THE MAYOR HAS TO COME HERE AND PLEAD AND COME HAT IN HAND AND BE SO THANKFUL AND PLEADING ABOUT THIS.
I GOT FRIENDS DOWN THERE. IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
WE GOT ONE OF THE BEST STATE PARKS IN THE COUNTRY DOWN THERE.
I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT GRAND ISLE.
THAT BEING SAID, IT'S DISENFRANCHISED RIDICULOUSLY.
WHY MR. KERNER HAS TO REMIND HIM THAT IT'S THEIR MONEY.
EACH MUNICIPALITY SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE.
IF YOU'RE TAXED DIFFERENTLY, YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY REPRESENT GRAND ISLE. NOT REALLY.
YOU CAN TRY AND REASSURE HIM YOU'RE REPRESENTING HIM, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO GO FOR THAT EFFORT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T REPRESENT SOMEBODY.
IT'S A VIRTUAL REPRESENTATION.
AND SO I'D RATHER SEE GRAND ISLE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE ON THIS COUNCIL.
I'D RATHER SEE JOHN LEFT HAVE ITS OWN REPRESENTATIVE.
>> I'D RATHER SEE UNINCORPORATED EAST BANK, WEST BANK HAVE THEIR OWN REPRESENTATIVES BY A RATIO.
I GOT TO RISE IN OPPOSITION BECAUSE OF THAT.
IN ADDITION, SPECIFICALLY WITH REGARDS TO GRAND ISLE.
IF WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE THEIR POPULATION, HOW ABOUT WE FIGURE OUT TO NOT MAKE CITIZENS HAVE TO PAY THE TOLL TO GO TO A MEETING THERE? I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PAY MY TOLL.
MY BRIDGE TOLL HASN'T BEEN PAID.
>> THAT DOESN'T MATTER WITH THIS, MR. HYERS. NO.
>> THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. MR. HYERS, YOU'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF OUR MEETINGS, OR YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE HERE, SIR? NO, SIT DOWN. YOU'RE DONE.
YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER, AND YOU'RE DONE, MR. HYERS? SIT DOWN. CAN YOU PLEASE ESCORT MR. HYERS FROM THE ROOM, PLEASE? MR. HYERS, WHEN YOU COME TO THESE MEETINGS,
[02:00:05]
YOU WILL FOLLOW OUR RULES AND MAINTAIN DECORUM IN OUR CHAMBERS, OR YOU WILL NOT BE HERE.YOU'VE TAKEN HOSTAGE OF THESE MEETINGS LONG ENOUGH, AND I, FOR ONE, AM SICK OF IT, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT ANYMORE.
AS YOU HEAR ME AS YOU'RE STORMING OUT, YOU'RE GOING TO STAY ON TOPIC IN THE FUTURE, OR THE SAME THING WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.
I'LL LET HIM GO ON THE MAKEUP OF OUR GOVERNMENT.
HE'S NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT.
BUT WHAT YOU GOING TO DO? ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION?
>> MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT TWO APPEARED IN FAVOR, ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL AS AMENDED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26623, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
NUMBER 19 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26624, AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $50,500 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 446704014745446756001 FOR EVENTS AT THE MARIOS FARMERS MARKET, COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
HEARING NONE. COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN FOR NUMBER 26624.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEAR. COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN.
>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL IS AMENDED.
>> ANY OBJECTION THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26624, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]
RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION, GRANTING PERMISSION TO ST. MARK'S CHURCH TO ERECT TEMPORARY SIGNS ADVERTISING THEIR ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH FUNDRAISER OCTOBER 1 THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2025.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. WE NOW WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN KERNER.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTED THAT RESOLUTION, BROUGHT FORWARD BY COUNCILMAN AND MOTION BY COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> AND LIZ, ALSO HAVE ARISING OAKS FINAL PLOT RESOLUTION.
I'D LIKE TO REPLACE NUMBER 17 ON ADDENDUM AGENDA WITH.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLAT FOR PHASE 1 A OF SUBDIVISION OF LOTS P1B1B, P1D, P4A AND P5 WOOD SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS P4A1, P5A AND LOTS ONE THROUGH 18, RISING OP SUBDIVISION.
THE DEDICATION OF FIVE FOOT SIDEWALK AND UTILITY SERVITUDE, THE DEDICATION OF A 15 FOOT SEWER SERVITUDE, THE DEDICATION OF 2049 SQUARE FOOT SEWER SERVITUDE AND ACCEPTING PORTIONS OF CERTAIN STREETS AND UTILITIES.
RISING OAK SUBDIVISION FOR MAINTENANCE BY THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLANS BY QUALITY ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING LLC, DATED DECEMBER 11, 2023, AND STAMPED RECORD DRAWINGS ON JUNE 16, 2025, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
>> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NO, AND I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEED, COUNCILMAN KERNER.
>> ANY OBJECTION ADOPTION FOR THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHTWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER?
>> I HAVE A QUESTION MORE A LEGAL QUESTION. I DON'T HAVE AN OPPOSITION.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING, TONY?
>> THIS AMENDMENT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.
>> THAT WAS I HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I JUST ASKED FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING SECOND AGO.
>> YOU CAN BRING THAT FROM THE FLOOR LIKE THAT? I'M REALLY ASKING, I DON'T KNOW.
>> IF Y'ALL RECEIVED THE AMENDMENT, YES, IT WAS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA.
IT'S JUST A RESOLUTION THAT HE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
AND YES, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, IT CAN BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
WE DID LET THEM KNOW, AND THIS IS A FINAL PLAT, SO THIS IS REALLY JUST APPROVING SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY APPROVED AS THE PRELIMINARY PLAT.
IT'S JUST THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE STREETS AND UTILITIES THAT WERE PUT IN BY PUBLIC WORKS.
SO THIS IN TRUTH HAS ALREADY RECEIVED A FULL PUBLIC HEARING WITH NOTICE TO THE NEIGHBORS.
>> JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING.
>> SO WHERE WAS I? ANY OBJECTION
[02:05:03]
TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.>> I HAVE TWO, PLEASE READ THEM.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION TO PLACE TEMPORARY SIGNS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO ADVERTISE THEIR GENERAL MEETING ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.
WE NOW HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BANANAN.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BANANAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCKER TO CONDUCT A GUMBO FESTIVAL AT 484 SALA AVENUE, WEST WE GO ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, FROM 6:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, FROM 12:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, FROM 12:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
WAIVING ALL PARISH TAXES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS EVENT, PROVIDED THAT ALL NECESSARY PERMITS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED AND THAT REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS OF SAID DEPARTMENTS ARE MET IN WAIVING ALL TAXES.
>> ANY OBJECTION. THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR? HEARING NO, AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
THOSE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN BANANAN.
>> ANY OBJECTION. THE ADOPTED THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BANANAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> YES, SIR. A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO WESTMINSTER PARK ASSOCIATION 7,400 RUNNY MEAD DRIVE IN MORARO, PERMISSION TO CONDUCT A NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME EVENT ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025, FROM 5:30 P.M. UNTIL 7:30 P.M.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.
WE NOW FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
THOSE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEAR, COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD IN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NUMBER 147114, ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2025, WHICH APPROVED A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE WAGGAMAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE A CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY AT THOMAS JEFFERSON PARK AND THE LIVE OAK LIBRARY IN WAGGAMAN, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $40,000 TO CORRECT THE ACCOUNT NUMBER IN SECTION2 TO READ 22040277376801720473000 COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING.
>> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE.
NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
THOSE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> ANY OBJECTION ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWD TO MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN? HAVE NONE.
>> AND I'VE COMPLETED THE ROLE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. CONSENT AGENDA 1.
[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]
COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE NGLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 21 THROUGH 42.>> ANY OBJECTION, ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 21 THROUGH 42 ON CONSENT AGENDA 2.
A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 43,
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO]
AND THAT IS A SELECTION. PLEASE READ IT, MADAM CLERK.>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS, ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144993, ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2024, AND RESOLUTION NUMBER 146267 ADOPTED ON APRIL 30, 2025, TO PROVIDE ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR STREET PROJECTS FOR A FEE OF $500,000 OR LESS PER ASSIGNMENT, EXCLUDING ANY FEE FOR RESIDENT INSPECTION SERVICES TO PERFORM DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR AMES BOULEVARD ROAD ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR SELECTION?
>> YES, A MOVE FOR INFINITY ENGINEERING, ALONG WITH RICHARD LAMBERT CONSULTANTS AS A SUB TO THE PROJECT, AND FOR INSPECTIONS WHEN THAT OCCURS, EXCEPTIONAL INSPECTIONS FOR RESIDENT INSPECTION SERVICES.
>> SO WE'VE GOT INFINITY ENGINEERING AS THE PRIME, RICHARD LAMBERT CONSULTANTS, AS THE SUB, AND EXCEPTIONAL AS THE INSPECTOR.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF WHAT I JUST MENTIONED, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
[02:10:03]
NUMBER 44. TAKES US TO CONSENT AGENDA TWO.COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 44 THROUGH 71-54, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED IN 2062, FROM WHICH I WILL ABSTAIN.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF 44 THROUGH 71-54, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED IN 2062, FROM WHICH I WILL ABSTAIN ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 62.
[OTHER RESOLUTIONS]
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR AN AGREEMENT TO RECEIVE PRESCRIPTION AND STANDING ORDER PROTOCOL FOR STOCK EEP PIN BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND HOYT INSTITUTE OF FOOD ALLERGY TO RECEIVE A PRESCRIPTION AND STANDING ORDER FOR STOCK IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 17407502 AND HEADSTART STANDARDS AT THE JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, HEADSTART BIRTH TO FIVE IN CHILDCARE PARTNERS CENTERS AT NO DIRECT COST TO THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION, AND MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN BANANAN WITH ME ABSTAINING.
[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS]
PLEASE, WHICH IS SOME WAR IN GLOBO.COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE N GLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS ONE THROUGH 23-17, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ITEMS ONE THROUGH 23 ON THE ADENA AGENDA -17, WHICH WILL BE CANCELED.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, SO LET'S GO TO NUMBER 17. WITH AMENDMENTS?
>> OH, I'M SORRY. LET'S NOT GO TO 17. LET'S GO TO 24.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING A FIRM INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICES FOR THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN INFORMATION CAMPAIGN RELATED TO THE EAST JEFFERSON CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT PAY PLAN.
>> COUNCILMAN BANANAN, YOUR SELECTION.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THIS, PLEASE.
>> SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN.
>> COUNCILMAN COUNCILMAN KERNER?
IS A ROLL CALL VOTE FOR THE SELECTION FOR THE PR FIRM?
>> [LAUGHTER] WHICH NUMBER ARE WE ON?
>> WE MOVED TO SELECT CAMPBELL COMMUNICATIONS.
IS A ROLL CALL VOTE TO MOVE TO SELECT CAMPBELL COMMUNICATIONS.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. I HAVE A NOTE THAT ITEM 25 WILL WE CANCELED.
COUNCILMAN BANANAN OR YOUR MOTION ON THE CANCELLATION OF ITEM NUMBER 25?
>> I WAS NOT TOLD THAT MADAM PASTE, DO YOU KNOW WHY THAT WE'RE CANCELING THAT ITEM?
>> HOLD ON, JEREMY. LET ME GET. GO AHEAD. I MUTE.
HIS ATTORNEY AGREED TO THE EXTENSION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE CANCELLATION OF ITEM 25 ON THE ADENA AGENDA, MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANAN SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE JEFFERSON PARISH HOUSING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 2026 ANNUAL AGENCY PLAN.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, NUMBER 27.
>> A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND APPROVING REVISIONS TO THE HOUSING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN REGARDING THE EMERGENCY HOUSING PROGRAM.
>> ANY OBJECTION. THE ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED SPECIAL DISTRICT,
[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]
ITEM 73, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE TIME ALLOCATION OF
[02:15:02]
SURPLUS PROPERTY FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,732.52 THAT WERE RECEIVED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF A 2000 INTERNATIONAL MAINTAINER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 6, 2018, BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT OF THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND MARIO HARVEY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER ONE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTS THAT RESOLUTION.
A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED NUMBER 74.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,328.97 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT DATED MAY 21, 2018, BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 6 OF THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA AND HARVEY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 2 FOR THE PURCHASE OF BUNKER GEAR IN THE PURCHASE OF AN INSTALLATION OF VEHICLE DECALING AND TRAINING ROOM AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDER. NUMBER 75, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,272,049 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT DATED MAY 21, 2018, BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 6 OF THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND HARVEY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 2 FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE ROSENBAU.
>> OF 101 BOOK COMMANDER KING COBRA FOR THE FIRE APPARATUS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> ANY OBJECTION. ADOPTION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, ITEM 76, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,594.35 FOR REPAIRS TO UNIT 746 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 7 OF THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND THE AVONDALE THE AVONDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY DATED MARCH 7, 2018, COUNCIL DISTRICTS 2 AND 3.
>> MOVE. I DIDN'T EVEN ASK YOU YET [LAUGHTER].
>> [LAUGHTER] COUNCILMAN BONANO.
>> ACTUALLY, THIS FIRE STATION IS IN COUNCILMAN LEE'S DISTRICT. HE HAS TO MOVE ON IT.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION APPOINTING COMMISSIONER B TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PORT DISTRICT, REPRESENTING THE JEFFERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WEST BANK.
>>COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, YOUR SELECTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF ROXANNE AROCHA ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED 78.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PAYMENT IN LAW OF TAX INCENTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PORT DISTRICT AND WESTMINSTER TOWER, LP, RELATING TO THE ACQUISITIONS, RENOVATION, AND IMPROVEMENT OF AN APPROXIMATELY 200 UNIT SENIOR HOUSING APARTMENT BUILDING, INCLUDING PARKING, LOCATED AT 2301, IDAHO AVENUE AND KENNER, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS.
>> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, NO NEW BUSINESS, NO STATUS REPORTS.
SO NOW ANYONE WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON
[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]
SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS CAN DO SO NOW.YOU MUST HAVE A FILLED OUT REQUEST SPEAK CARD HANDED UP TO THE FRONT OF CHAMBERS.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD ON ITEMS NOT RELATED TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
>> CHAIRMAN, IF I CAN REAL QUICK.
>> GO AHEAD, COUNCILMAN KERNER.
>> I'M STILL ADJUSTING. I RAN A MEETING FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, SO FINDING OUT A WAY TO FILL IN THE GAPS IN HERE JUST SITTING IN AS COUNCILMAN IS AN ADJUSTMENT, I GOT TO REPROGRAM MY BRAIN.
I DO WANT TO COMMENT ON MY VOTE IN FAVOR OF CHOOSING THE CONSULTANT FIRM THAT'S GOING TO LEAD THE TRANSPARENCY MISSION TO THE PUBLIC.
I WOULD LIKE TO MEET REGULARLY WITH YOU, THE CHIEF, JOSHUA MITCH WHILE THIS IS GOING ON, TO MAKE SURE THE NUMBERS ARE ACCURATE.
[02:20:02]
IF I FEEL, EVEN IF IT'S SLIGHTLY THAT IT'S BEING WEAPONIZED AGAINST THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, I'LL BE THE FIRST TO SPEAK OUT.I DID VOTE IN FAVOR OF, BUT I WANTED TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW THAT I WOULD LIKE A DIALOGUE GOING FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU ALL DO CONTEST ANY INFORMATION THAT'S OUT THERE.
HOPEFULLY I CAN GET THINGS BEFORE IT IS RELEASED.
IF YOU ALL DO CONTEST IT, I'D LIKE TO SEE EXACTLY THE FACTS AND THE INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE TO SEE.
I WANT CLARITY ON IT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S DONE RIGHT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT BEING USED AGAINST YOU GUYS.
>> YES, SIR. COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.
>> I THINK THAT I CAN SPEAK FOR ALL OF US THAT VOTED, YES.
WE'RE FRIENDS, BUT THIS IS NOT A COUNCIL ISSUE, BUT WE'RE GETTING BEAT UP, AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS THE TRUTH.
AS I SAID TO YOU GUYS A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AGO, I'M ONE OF VERY FEW PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM THAT ACTUALLY HAS GONE THROUGH THIS.
I'VE HEARD YOU GUYS, WE GET EMAILS WHEN YOU ALL RESPOND TO FIRES. THERE AREN'T A WHOLE LOT OF THEM.
I WAS ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATE ONES THAT HAD A BIG ONE AND HAD TO BRING MY WIFE.
I THINK IT WAS FIVE KIDS OR FOUR KIDS AT THE TIME, AND A BRAND NEW INFANT AND LIVE IN A HOTEL ROOM FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
BELIEVE ME, I RESPECT AND APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'LL DO.
CRAIG, I WILL CALL YOU. I TOLD YOU ALL BEFORE THAT I WAS WAITING FOR YOUR CALL, I WILL CALL YOU.
>> ON NOTE COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, I'LL JUST EXPLAIN MY NO REAL QUICK BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A COUNCIL ISSUE.
IT'S AN ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUE AND BY DOING THIS, IT'S BECOMING A COUNCIL ISSUE.
OUR ISSUE IS, IF IT EVER COMES TO THE FIREFIGHTERS REQUESTING A MILLAGE INCREASE AND WANTING TO BRING SOMETHING TO THE VOTERS, THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN.
I JUST THINK THIS ISN'T WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW AS A COUNCIL, BUT IT'S PUTTING US IN THAT POSITION.
IT'S NOTHING AGAINST THE PR FIRM OR ANYTHING ELSE ALONG THOSE LINES, IT JUST REST THAT PERSONALLY ON THAT.
I'M SURE THEY'LL MORE CONVERSATION AS WE GO ALONG. GO AHEAD, MA'AM.
>> GOOD DAY. I AM VILMA PINERO.
I LIVE AT 6701, KAWANEE AVENUE.
MY CONCERN HERE TODAY IS THE DANGER OF THE CARPOOL LINES AT THE SCHOOLS, NOT ONLY BISSONET, BUT EVERYWHERE.
ONE THIRD OF KAWANEE AVENUE, WHICH IS A MAIN DRAG WAS TAKEN TO DEDICATE JUST TO THE CARPOOL LINE.
WHAT HAPPENS THERE IS THAT PEOPLE ARE LINING UP AN HOUR OR MORE BEFORE THE SCHOOL LETS OUT.
WHAT HAPPENS TOO IS THAT THEY GO DOWN COMPLETELY.
THEY'RE TAKING UP THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE ROUSES PARKING LOT.
THEY BLOCK THE STREET TO THE LIBRARY, EVEN AS FAR AS THE OFF-RAMP FROM THE THING.
I KNOW IT'S A VERY UNPOPULAR THING FOR ANYBODY TO TAKE, AND IT'S NOT JUST BISSONET.
THE ISSUE TOO IS THAT THERE'S AN EXTRA LITTLE PARKING SIDE THAT RUNS ALONGSIDE THE FIRE STATION.
WHAT HAPPENS IS PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING FROM GOING DOWN, AND THEN THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO INTO THIS PARKING AREA SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO WALK.
THE TRAFFIC IS COMING FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION WHO HAVE ALREADY DROPPED OFF OR PICKED UP THEIR CHILDREN, AND SO IT'S HARD FOR THE PEOPLE TO MAKE THAT LEFT TURN ALONGSIDE THE FIRE STATION.
OCCASIONALLY, THEY HAVE SOMEBODY OUT THERE STOPPING PEOPLE FROM MAKING THAT TURN.
THE ISSUE IS THAT WHEN THEY SEE THIS THING, THEY JUST GO FLYING ACROSS.
SO THEY'RE GOING ALONGSIDE CARS THAT ARE THERE.
THERE'S A SIDEWALK THERE WHERE STUDENTS, THE PARENTS, PEOPLE ARE WALKING.
THESE PEOPLE JUST FLY THE MINUTE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.
THERE'S NO WAY FOR THESE PEOPLE TO SEE THE CARS COMING, AND THEY CANNOT SEE OR NOT LOOKING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING.
IT'S NOT JUST BISSONET, IT'S A PROBLEM EVERYWHERE.
I'M HOPING THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE, JUST AS SIMPLE AS MAKING A 20 MINUTE TIME WHERE YOU CANNOT PULL UP THERE BEFORE THAT TIME, OR MAYBE EVEN IN BISSONET THING, TALK TO THE ROUSES AND SEE IF THEY CAN LEASE THE PART OF THE PARKING LOT THAT THEY DON'T USE.
I DO HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU.
>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS MA'AM. YOU MENTIONED THEY SOMETIMES TRY TO STOP PEOPLE FROM GOING IN THERE.
WHO'S THEY? IS THAT THE SCHOOLS THAT JPSO?
>> WELL, THE SCHOOL WILL SOMETIMES HAVE A PERSON STAND THERE SO THAT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE THAT LEFT TURN, BUT IT'S NOT EVERY DAY.
IT'S A TRUE DANGER BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEE THE CALLS COMING.
THEY CANNOT SEE THE STUDENTS, AND I'M JUST HOPING THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE BEFORE SOMEBODY'S SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE. THANK YOU.
>> I UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
[02:25:01]
WE HAVE ISSUES IN THAT CORNER, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF BISSONET, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF BONNABEL AND A LOT OF THE PARENTS THAT ARE PARKING AT BONNABEL.BONNABEL PARENTS WHO ARE PARKING IN THE ROUSES PARKING LOT, THEY'VE BEEN VERY GRACIOUS TO LET PEOPLE PARK THERE WITHOUT GIVING THEM ANY TROUBLE.
I HADN'T TALKED TO THE SCHOOL ABOUT HAVING SOMEONE THERE FOR THAT LEFT TURN EVERY DAY.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO MY ATTENTION.
I'LL BE HAPPY TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT HAVING SOMEONE THERE.
BOTH OF THE SCHOOLS REALLY TRY TO WORK HARD WITH US.
OUR STREETS AND TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT HERE, WE'VE HAD COUNTLESS MEETINGS TRYING TO RESOLVE IT AND COME UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS TO STOP THE CONTINUED STREET AND PARKING ISSUES RIGHT THERE.
BUT THANK YOU. I DID NOT KNOW THAT THEY WEREN'T DOING THAT EVERY DAY, SO ALSO A GOOD CHALLENGE.
>> NO, THEY DO NOT. THE BIG ISSUE, TOO, IS THAT THEY'LL TURN ONCE THE DESIGNATED LINE IS FULL, THEN PEOPLE START PARKING ON POWER AND GO DOWN THAT.
THEN IF YOU'RE COMING AND YOU NEED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT KAWANEE, YOU'RE TURNING FROM A TRAFFIC LANE.
BECAUSE WE'VE LOST THAT DEDICATED LANE, IF THERE'S A LARGE CAR, THEY'RE RIGHT THERE, IT'S JUST PURE LUCK IF YOU DON'T GET HIT OR WORSE.
I APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP.
>> HI. MY NAME IS BOBBY BLACKERBY.
I LIVE AT 6704, ITHACA STREET IN METAIRIE.
I HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS AS VILMA DID ABOUT THE CARPOOL LANES.
I LIVE TWO BLOCKS FROM KAWANEE.
BUT THE PROBLEM IS, IS WHEN IT'S TIME FOR KIDS TO BE PICKED UP, THE PEOPLE ARE PARKING UP AND DOWN EITHER SIDE OF ELMWOOD SO THAT YOU CAN'T TURN DOWN THE STREET.
THEN NOW WHAT THEY'VE START OF COURSE THAT ELMWOOD IS BEING WORKED ON RIGHT NOW FOR DRAINAGE.
NOW IT'S BECOMING A PROBLEM WHEN YOU GO TO CRAIG, BECAUSE WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS THEY'RE LINING UP ON CRAIG, TRYING TO MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THE CARPOOL LINE, SO YOU CAN'T GET OUT.
SO IT'S A VERY FRUSTRATING THING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE.
THEN, SINCE YOU'VE CHANGED THE LANE SIZES TO ACCOMMODATE A CARPOOL LANE, IF YOU'RE COMING OUT OF CRAIG AND TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO POWER, YOU EITHER HAVE TO RUN UP ON THE CURVE TO MAKE THE TURN OR GO INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE LANES AREN'T LARGE ENOUGH.
I REALLY THINK SOME OF THIS HAS TO BE LOOKED AT BECAUSE SOMETHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN AT SOME POINT.
AS FAR AS WITH SOME OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS, JUST LIKE THE CARPOOL LANE WILL GO OUT ALL WAY ONTO THE INTERSTATE OFF-RAMP.
YOU GET IN THAT INTERSTATE OFF-RAMP SOMETIMES, AND YOU'RE SITTING THERE AND THE LIGHTS GREEN, YOU'RE GOING, WHAT'S GOING? BECAUSE YOU'RE IN THE CARPOOL LANE THAT HAS CIRCLED ALL THE WAY AROUND.
BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENS ON TRANSCONTINENTAL ONTO VETERANS FOR ST. ANN'S.
YOU CAN END UP ON VETERANS HIGHWAY IN A CARPOOL LANE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT, BUT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. THANK YOU.
>> I'M SURE IF WE TRIED, WE HAD A COMPLAINT ABOUT EVERY CARPOOL LANE FOR EVERY SCHOOL IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
[LAUGHTER] IT'S NOT LIMITED TO THOSE TWO PLACES.
WE HEAR ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME. THANK YOU.
>> AGAIN, CRAIG BURNETT, JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU, COUNCILMEN FOR YOUR STATEMENTS.
MR. WALKER, IF I'M GOING TO HAVE FOUR TOPICS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN JUST LET ME KNOW WHEN I'M APPROACHING 45 SECONDS ON ANY GIVEN ONE.
TO ADDRESS MISS SHENG'S STATEMENTS, THE EMS QUALIFICATIONS.
JUST TO BE CLEAR, WE'VE TURNED OVER MULTIPLE ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS THAT TELL HER THAT USING FIRE FOR EMS DUTIES WHEN IT'S NOT APPROVED FOR THE BY THE VOTERS IS A MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND RESOURCES OF THE DEDICATED FIRE MILLAGE.
I SIT ON OUR CIVIL SERVICE BOARD, IT IS NOT PART OF OUR QUALIFICATIONS.
I WOULD CHALLENGE YOU TO ASK MISS SHENG TO PROVE WHERE THAT'S ANYWHERE REQUIRED IN OUR FIRE CLASS PLAN FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
SHE'S RIGHT. THAT'S BEEN DONE OUT OF GOOD FAITH FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS WILLINGNESS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, AND IT HAS BEEN DONE FOR YEARS.
>> THE QUESTION IS BETTER POSED OF HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE MAYBE NOT SURVIVED BECAUSE THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED IN THEIR DUTIES TO PROVIDE EMS SERVICES.
HOW MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST BY PEOPLE WAITING ON PROPER AMBULANCES? HOW MANY FIRES HAVE BURNED BECAUSE
[02:30:02]
THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE IN ANOTHER AREA ON AN AMBULANCE CALL, SUPPLEMENTING A PRIVATE HOSPITAL INSTEAD OF SUPPLYING FIRE RESPONSE IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS.THOSE ARE THE ISSUES THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS HAVE RAISED THAT'S BEEN THE ONGOING ISSUES.
ADDITIONALLY, THE ADMINISTRATION OVER THE YEARS, HIRED PERSONNEL TO COME IN AND TRAIN FIREFIGHTER TO FAMILIARIZE THEM WITH EMR, THAT WAS DONE THROUGH SHORTED HOURS IN OPEN BOOK TESTING, WHICH IS ANOTHER ISSUE FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS.
IT ACCOUNTS TO FALSIFIED RECORDS.
AS A MATTER OF PUBLIC'S CONCERN, WE WERE HISTORICALLY RESPONDING WITH AMBULANCES IN EMTS, WERE THEY SUPERVISED.
NOW FIREFIGHTERS ARE GOING IN ON FIRST AND RESPONSE, AND WE'RE NEVER TRAINED PROPERLY FOR THAT.
TO SUGGEST THAT THEY JUST PUT THEIR NAME ON A PAPER, YEAH, WAS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE ADEQUATE CERTIFICATIONS TO START WITH.
IT TOOK PLACE THROUGH OPEN BOOK TESTING, SHORTED HOURS AND JUST HOLDING CLASSES BY THE PARISH PROVIDED INSTRUCTORS.
TO BLAME THAT ON THE FIREFIGHTERS IS DISINGENUOUS AT BEST.
>> APPROXIMATELY 70 POSITIONS WERE HIRED.
WHEN THE PARISHES PREVIOUS STUDIES SAID THAT THE 25 MILLS THAT FUNDS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALREADY AT ITS MAX CAPACITY.
MISS SHENG EITHER AS A COUNCIL PERSON OR AS THE PARISH PRESIDENT HIRED 70 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE WITH NO ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES, AND NOW WOULD LIKE OBVIOUSLY THROUGH ORP FIRM TO HAVE THE CITIZENS BELIEVE THAT IT'S A HANDFUL OF SENIOR FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND A 70-YEAR-OLD STATE MANDATED STATE LAW.
>> MY NAME IS JOSHUA MOSBY, 8805 SOPHIA STREET, RIVER RIDGE, LOUISIANA.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS PLAN TO GIVE THE FIRST FIREFIGHTERS A SMALL PAY BUMP AND NOBODY ELSE.
THIS HAPPENED ALL READY. HAPPENED NEXT DOOR IN KENNER.
THOSE GUYS WERE WITH YOU GUYS.
THEY GAVE THEM $13 AN HOUR AND THEN SLASHED THEIR LONGEVITY RAISES.
THEY ESSENTIALLY GAVE THEM A PAY CUT.
THEN THEY GOT THE TAX VOTERS TO VOTE ON A $2.5 MILLION MILLAGE INCREASE, AND THAT 2.5 MILLION IS NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN WHERE IT WENT.
DIDN'T GO TO THE FIREFIGHTERS.
LITTLE BIRD SAYING THAT IT WENT TO ADMINISTRATION SALARIES. THAT'S AWFUL.
THIS IS THE BLUEPRINT THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO FOLLOW.
FIRST YEAR FIREFIGHTERS GET A RAISE AND THEN CUT LONGEVITY RAISES.
SO ESSENTIALLY GIVING US A PAY CUT.
THAT'S THE OFFER. BEST WE CAN DO IS A PAY CUT.
OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD IS SHOWING THEM HOW TO SAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO GET THIS DONE, AND THE BEST OFFER IS A PAY CUT.
MY QUESTION IS, NOW THAT THEY KNOW WHERE THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS CAN BE SAVED AT, WHERE'S THAT MONEY GOING TO GO NOW? WE HAVE A PR FIRM BEING HIRED RIGHT NOW TO EXPLAIN OUR PAY.
IN EFFECT, IN ABOUT NINE DAYS, WE HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY THAT'S GOING TO GAG FIREFIGHTERS FROM SPEAKING THE TRUTH.
COINCIDENCE, THAT'S NOT REALLY SOMETHING I BELIEVE THE COINCIDENCE.
I THINK IT'S A COORDINATED ATTACK.
I THINK IT IS TO KEEP US IN LINE, KEEP US QUIET.
I ACTUALLY NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD USE MY MINOR IN HISTORY FOR ANYTHING.
IT'S NOT USEFUL. BUT TODAY, I THINK IT IS.
BACK DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, THE ENGLISH WERE PRETTY PISSED OFF AT US BECAUSE WE WEREN'T PARTICIPATING IN WHAT'S CALLED GERMAN WARFARE.
YOU STAND IN A LINE, I STAND IN LINE, I SHOOT YOU, YOU SHOOT ME. THAT'S IT.
WE DIDN'T PARTICIPATE. WE PARTICIPATED THAT IN THE BEGINNING, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, BEHIND YOU, WE DIDN'T REALLY COMMIT TO THAT, DID WE? WE WON.
THAT'S THE REASON. I'M NOT REALLY GOOD AT PUBLIC SPEAKING. LAST TIME I DID THIS.
I WAS AT [INAUDIBLE], I LITERALLY PASSED OUT AND PETE A LITTLE BIT IN FRONT OF LIKE 500 PEOPLE.
I HAVE LIKE, A PHOBIA. I CAN GO INTO BURNING BUILDINGS ALL DAY, BUT PUBLIC SPEAKING, IT'S NOT REALLY.
>> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. [LAUGHTER]
>> I'M SORRY. I'M NOT AFRAID TO SAY IT. IT HAPPENED.
I'M THE GUY THAT DOES THE RESEARCH PROJECT, BUT HE'S NOT THE GUY THAT SPEAKS.
SO PRETTY MUCH, YOU'RE FORCING US TO STAND IN LINE AND TO DO WHAT YOU SAY AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
I'M GOING TO SPEAK THE TRUTH, COME WHAT MAY, AND EVERYBODY BEHIND ME IS GOING TO, AS WELL.
I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH A LITTLE QUOTE, WHICH I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD ABIDE BY.
I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT THAT YOU NEVER LOOK INTO YOUR NEIGHBOR'S BOWL TO SEE THAT THEY HAVE MORE THAN YOU.
YOU LOOK TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ENOUGH.
I THINK WE'D BE A BETTER OFF IF WE ABIDED BY SOMETHING, BUT WE'RE TRYING, MAN.
I GOT TWO SMALL LITTLE GIRLS, FOUR AND THREE.
I HAD NEGATIVE $70 IN MY CHECKING ACCOUNT BEFORE I GOT PAID FRIDAY.
I'M THE PRIME EXAMPLE OF IT'S NOT JUST THE FIRST YEARS THAT ARE SUFFERING, IT'S EVERYBODY.
[02:35:01]
WHEN YOU HAD HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT YOU LITERALLY HAD TO FUNDED TO FIGHT TO GET THIS JOB WITH 23 PEOPLE, AND HALF OF THEM DIDN'T WANT THE JOB BECAUSE THEY HEARD ABOUT THE PAY.>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M RONA RAZA.
LIVE AT 783 HIGHWAY 1085 IN MADISONVILLE.
WE'RE CONSTANTLY BEING TOLD THAT THE REASON MISS SHANG'S ADMINISTRATION IS FIGHTING AGAINST GRANTING US THE RAISE, WHICH LET'S CLEAR THAT UP FIRST.
IT'S JUST GETTING US BACK TO WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID ALL ALONG.
HER EXCUSE IS BECAUSE IT'S NOT FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE IS AN INTERESTING CHOICE OF WORDS.
I KEEP HEARING THE PHRASE, WE'RE THE RICHEST PARISH IN THE STATE.
WE SHOULD ALL BE EMBARRASSED THAT WE ALLOW REPRESENTATIVES TO EVEN UTTER THE WORDS THAT WHILE WE'RE THE RICHEST PARISH IN THE STATE, OUR STATE LAW IS PROHIBITING US FROM ALLOWING JEFFERSON PARISH TO PAY FIREMEN A FAIR WAGE.
THAT SIMPLY DOESN'T HOLD WATER.
HOW CAN EVERY PARISH IN THE STATE MAKE IT WORK? YET LITTLE OLD JEFFERSON PARISH CAN'T? COULD IT BE BECAUSE THERE'S ULTERIOR MOTIVES? IS THERE SOMETHING GOING ON THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT OR DON'T UNDERSTAND? WE SHOULD SHINE A LIGHT ON THAT.
WE'VE BEEN ASKING TO SEE THE BOOKS, ASKING FOR CLARITY, ASKING FOR TRANSPARENCY.
IF THE MONEY ISN'T THERE, SHOW US.
IF MY WIFE ASKS ME, WHERE'S OUR MONEY GOING, BECAUSE IT'S HER MONEY, TOO, LET'S GET THAT STRAIGHT.
SHE GETS TO LOOK AT THE BANK TRANSACTIONS AND QUESTION OUR SPENDING.
WE AS TAXPAYERS SHOULD BE AFFORDED THAT AS WELL.
IT'S NOT YOUR MONEY, IT'S OUR MONEY.
IT HURTS, AND IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WHEN WE HEAR MISS SHANG SAY THAT JEFFERSON PARISH HAS SO MUCH MONEY THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO COUNT IT, YET IN THE SAME BREATH, SAYING THERE ISN'T ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY THE FIREMAN.
YEAH, MISS SHANG, YOU'RE RIGHT.
I CAN'T SAY I'VE HEARD ANYTHING MORE DISINGENUOUS FROM A JEFFERSON PARISH PRESIDENT.
OF COURSE, WE DON'T WANT TO HELP YOU CHANGE STATE LAW THAT WOULD MAKE THE RAISE FOR A FIREMAN TAKING ON RESPONSIBILITIES FROM ACCEPTING A PROMOTION LESS. WHY WOULD WE? SURE, LET'S CHANGE THE WAY THE ENTIRE STATE PAYS THEIR FIREMEN BECAUSE YOU AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT.
WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING IS WE GO FROM FIGHTING FIRE HANDS-ON AS A FIREFIGHTER TO NOW, CONGRATULATIONS, YOU BECOME AN OPERATOR, WHICH THAT TOOK ME 12 YEARS, AND NOW BEING RESPONSIBLE TO GET AN ENTIRE CREW TO THE FIRE SAFELY, SINGLE-HANDEDLY, HAVING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY MAN'S LIFE THAT ARE IN THAT HOUSE DANGLING FROM THE THREAD YOU'RE HOLDING.
IF I HAVE A MISSTEP AS AN OPERATOR AND WE LOSE WATER, PEOPLE DIE.
RUNNING A PUMP ON A FIRE SCENE IS A DIFFICULT DANCE.
I'D RECOMMEND ALL OF YOUR RESEARCH TO CHARLESTON NINE.
SAY THAT THAT WARRANTS 10%, WHICH, MIGHT I ADD.
THAT IS THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE THAT STATE LAW AFFORDS US, 10%.
THIS IS A STATE LAW YOU'RE LOOKING TO CIRCUMVENT, MISS SHANG.
IT'S A 10% INCREASE FROM FIREFIGHTER TO OPERATOR.
IT'S A 5% INCREASE FROM OPERATOR TO LIEUTENANT.
IT'S A 10% INCREASE FROM LIEUTENANT TO CAPTAIN, AND IT'S A 10% INCREASE FROM CAPTAIN TO DISTRICT CHIEF, AND THEN ANOTHER 10 FOR ASSISTANT CHIEF.
AS IT SITS, YOU'RE GETTING A BARGAIN, ONLY HAVING TO PAY 10% MORE FOR THE ADDED RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE TAKE ON WITH THESE PROMOTIONS.
>> MITCHELL LOBOS 79 K AVENUE TO BUILD ON WHAT MR. PIKETA SAID, I'VE SEEN THE BOOKS.
IN 2025, WE'RE ALLOCATING OVER $700,000 TO THE WEST BANK TRAINING CENTER.
I'D LOVE TO KNOW IF THAT'S PROPORTIONATE TO OUR DEPARTMENT'S USE OF THAT TRAINING CENTER AS COMPARED TO EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT.
ALSO, HIRING A PR FIRM IS ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO SWAY THE VOTERS TO EITHER VOTE FOR OR AGAINST WHATEVER'S ON THE PROPOSAL.
WE CAN SIT HERE AND TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT THAT PAY STUDY SAYS, BUT MR. LECHUT AND MISS SHANG CAN'T, BECAUSE IT HAS INACCURATE INFORMATION.
THEY REFUSED TO CORRECT THAT INFORMATION.
INSTEAD OF CORRECTING THAT INFORMATION, THEY DECIDED TO GO OUT AND EXPAND THE PAY STUDY SO THAT WAY THEY COULD FURTHER MISINFORM THE PUBLIC AND CONTINUE TO MISINFORM THE PUBLIC.
AGAIN, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK US.
WE CAN EXPLAIN THAT PAY STUDY, OR BETTER YET, ASK SIEGEL. THEY PRODUCED IT.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO HIRE A PR FIRM TO EXPLAIN A PAY STUDY THAT THE POLITICIANS WHO WANTED THAT PAY STUDY CAN'T UNDERSTAND.
FURTHERMORE, ALL WE HEARD ABOUT WAS PAY STUDY.
I'M NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE PAY STUDY COMES OUT.
I'M GOING TO HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE, AND THEN I'M GOING TO LOOK AT THE PAY STUDY.
WELL, MAGICALLY, NOW, THE PAY STUDIES HERE AND IT SAYS, WE ALL NEED RAISES ACROSS THE BOARD.
WELL, IF WE CAN'T AFFORD IT, WHY WASN'T THAT TOLD THE FIREFIGHTERS YEARS AGO?
[02:40:01]
BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T HAVE WASTED OUR TIME, WOULDN'T HAVE WASTED OUR TIME COMING HERE, TRYING TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH WITH AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS NO GOOD FAITH WHATSOEVER TOWARDS HER FIREFIGHTERS.PLAIN AND SIMPLE. IT'S ABSOLUTELY ABSURD THAT WE HEARD EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE THAT WE NEED A PAY STUDY.
AND NOW THAT IT'S HERE, WE'RE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO NOT PAY OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
I HOPE EVERY PERSON ON THIS COUNCIL SEES THAT AS WELL.
[APPLAUSE] ANYONE ELSE SPEAK ON ITEMS NOT RELATED TO THE AGENDA. YES SIR.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS KIM VENTURELA.
I LIVE AT 4701 PERRY DRIVE IN METAIRIE, AND I'VE BEEN TRYING TO PURCHASE A PIECE OF GROUND THAT WAS AT THE STREET THAT NEVER WAS DEVELOPED.
ONE OF MY TWO NEIGHBORS PURCHASED MORE THAN THREE-FOURTHS OF IT.
THERE WAS ONLY ONE SMALL SECTION LEFT.
IT'S USELESS. IT HAS NO UTILITY VALUE AT ALL FOR ANYBODY ELSE.
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO PURCHASE IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE ASSISTANT PARISH ATTORNEY WHO HAS TOLD ME THAT SHE GOT HER APPRAISER TO HAVE IT APPRAISED, AND HE WAS USING FIGURES THAT WAS SIMILAR TO PROPERTIES THAT R1 REQUIRED VALUES FOR THE PROPERTY.
THAT'S NOT THE SAME THING AS A PIECE OF GROUND THAT'S USELESS.
YOU CAN'T DO THIS. IT'S LIKE APPLES AND ORANGES TO ME.
SHE CAME IN WITH THE APPRAISAL OVER $22,000 FOR THAT 25 BY 70 FOOT PIECE OF GROUND.
NOW, THE REST OF THE STREET WAS PURCHASED FOR $8,600 AT $1.55 A SQUARE.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON? AM I FIGURING WRONG? I ACTUALLY WENT OUT AND GOT ANOTHER APPRAISAL FOR $3,850 THAT PIECE OF GROUND, AND I'M WILLING TO PAY THAT.
MY QUESTION IS, WILL THE COUNCIL ACCEPT THAT AS PAYMENT FOR THAT PIECE OF GROUND THAT'S USELESS TO ANYONE ELSE? OR DO I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PARISH ATTORNEY WHO SAYS SHE'S ADDING THE $22,000 TO THE $3,850 AND THEN DIVIDING THAT BY IN HALF AND WANTING TO CHARGE ME THAT FOR THAT PIECE OF GROUND? CAN I GET AN ANSWER TO THAT BECAUSE I DON'T AGREE WITH HER.
>> I THINK WHAT HAPPENED, AND I'M GOING FROM MEMORY.
I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU WERE GOING TO BE HERE, AND WE CAN GET THE ASSISTANT PARISH ATTORNEY SPEAKING UP DOWN HERE.
BUT GOING FROM MEMORY, I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN APPRAISAL THAT YOU WEREN'T HAPPY WITH, YOU GOT YOUR OWN APPRAISAL, AND I DON'T REMEMBER THE NUMBERS.
YOUR APPRAISAL WAS ACTUALLY HIGHER THAN SO YOU SENT THAT AND THAT APPRAISAL WAS ACTUALLY HIGHER.
THEN YOU GOT ANOTHER APPRAISAL.
YOU AND I SPOKE ON THE PHONE, IF I'M CORRECT.
I SAID, LISTEN, GO GET YOUR APPRAISAL.
THAT PROPERTY IS PROBABLY MORE VALUABLE TO YOU, I THINK, AS THE ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNER THAN ANYBODY ELSE.
GO GET AN APPRAISAL, AND LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.
THAT APPRAISAL WAS ACCORDING TO THE ASSISTANT PARISH ATTORNEY, AND AS YOU JUST MENTIONED, $3,800 WAS EXTRAORDINARILY LOW.
THE PARISH ATTORNEY DECIDED TO AVERAGE NOT THE EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH ONE THAT YOU GOT, BUT THAT EXTRAORDINARILY LOW ONE BUT THE OTHER ONE, AND WE BELIEVED THAT THAT WAS A FAIR VALUE TO OFFER.
SHE RAN THAT BY ME. YOU AND I SPOKE.
I THOUGHT THAT THAT WOULD SATISFY YOU, BUT APPARENTLY NOT SINCE HER HERE.
>> THE MAN THAT LIVES BEHIND ME IS ONE THIRD OF THAT PIECE OF GROUND OR DID, AND HE LET IT GO TO THE MAN ACROSS THE STREET GOES 50% OF THE PROPERTY.
HE WAS CHARGED $1.55 A SQUARE FOOT FOR THAT PIECE OF GROUND, WHICH IS 2,993.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT WAS.
NOW, IN 2018, THE PARISH APPRAISER SAID THERE WASN'T ANY.
>> HANG ON ONE SECOND AND LET THE PARISH ATTORNEY SPEAK ON THIS.
>> YES. MISS TOMPA IS ON HER WAY DOWN. THERE'S MISS TOMPA.
>> SHE'LL BE HAPPY TO SPEAK WITH YOU ABOUT IT.
SHE'S THE ATTORNEY WHO HANDLED IT.
>> YOU CAN SPEAK WITH MISS TOMPA AND CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION?
>> IF YOU WANT I MEAN, ALL CAN GO OFFLINE AND SPEAKER, IF YOU WANT TO JUST EXPLAIN ON THE RECORD.
>> CAN YOU COME TO THE MICROPHONE, PLEASE?
>> YEAH, I THINK WE ATTEMPTED TO REACH
[02:45:02]
A COMPROMISE WITH HIS APPRAISAL AND OUR APPRAISAL, AND WE AVERAGED THE TWO.>> BUT THEY'RE NOT EVEN CLOSE.
ONE OF THEM IS 3,000 SOMETHING DOLLAR, ONE OF THEM 22,000.
THERE'S A PROBLEM THERE. IT'S NOT THE SAME.
>> OH, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THAT TODAY.
I THINK THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES BETWEEN MISS TOMPA AND COUNCILMAN LOZBERG.
>> HOPEFULLY, YOU CAN FIGURE SOMETHING OUT.
>> BE REALLY QUICK. NANCY PEARSON 8924 RENO DRIVE.
NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT, THE SEVENTH, NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON.
THIS YEAR IS A LITTLE BIT WEIRD BECAUSE KENNER IS DOING A DIFFERENT WEEK, GRETON IS DOING A DIFFERENT WEEK, WHICH HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.
BUT REMEMBER, ANYTHING THAT'S COVERED BY JPSO IS TUESDAY NIGHT.
I'M SURE MR. BONANO WILL COME OVER AND HAVE SOME BOBBY SEAFOOD WITH US.
HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY GETS OUT. THANK YOU.
>> I WILL WANT TO ADDRESS THIS, AND I'VE SET ALL THESE NUMBERS AGAIN, BUT SINCE IT WAS DISCUSSED AT THIS MEETING, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INFORMATION GETS OUT PROPERLY.
I DON'T KNOW WHY WE KEEP DISCUSSING THE PAY STUDY.
I'M IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT AT THE LOWEST AND AT THE STARTING LEVEL, WE ARE PAYING OUR FIREFIGHTERS A WAGE THAT IS NOT COMPETITIVE TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT LOOKED AT.
WE ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE MONEY IS TOO LOW FOR OUR STARTING FIREFIGHTERS, AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO TRYING TO FIND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAYS TO BE COMPETITIVE AT THAT LEVEL.
BUT I WILL ALSO REITERATE AT THE MIDPOINT IN THE LATEST STUDY, WE'RE RIGHT THERE, COMPETITIVE AT 99%.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO ASK THE TAXPAYERS FOR MORE MONEY FOR THAT WHEN WE'RE COMPETITIVE AT THAT LEVEL.
WE'RE AT THE MAXIMUM; WE ARE AT 113% OF OUR COMPETITION.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO ASK FAMILIES, AND TAXPAYERS WILL ASK YOU TO ASK THE AVERAGE FAMILY WHO MAKES ABOUT $65,000 A YEAR TO PAY MORE TAXES FOR OUR HIGHEST RANKING FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE ABOVE THE COMPETITIVE RATE.
THAT IS NEVER SOMETHING THAT I WOULD DO.
I WOULD NEVER ASK YOU, YOU ARE RIGHT.
THIS ISSUE IS THE ADMINISTRATION ISSUE.
WE'VE WORKED IN GOOD FAITH, AND WE HAVE GIVEN RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO HOW WE CAN BRING UP THE STARTING FIREFIGHTER PAY WITHIN THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE TO OPERATE, BUT STATE LAW PROHIBITS US FROM OPERATING THIS DEPARTMENT IN A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY TO BRING UP THE POSITIONS THAT ARE BELOW COMPETITION.
BELOW OUR PEERS IN THIS STUDY WOULD COST US $327,000.
WE COULD DO THAT. WE MANAGE OUR OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE SAME WAY. WE COULD DO THAT.
BUT BECAUSE OF STATE LAW WHICH FORCES US TO MOVE EVERYONE UP, INSTEAD OF JUST WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE OR JUST WHERE WE'RE UNDER COMPETITIVE, THAT'S A $9.8 MILLION FIX, $327,000 TO $9.8 MILLION.
I'M NOT ASKING FOR THE REST OF THE STATE TO DO THIS.
I'M ASKING TO GO FOR THE UNION'S SUPPORT TO GO TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND ASK US TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THAT RIDICULOUS TYPE OF EQUATION SO WE CAN BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION, I AM COMMITTED TO TRYING TO BRING ANY SALARIES THAT ARE BELOW COMPETITIVE RATES TO THE COMPETITIVE RATE.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO WANT TO WORK IN JEFFERSON, BARRIS.
WE DO HAVE A WAITING LIST HERE OF PEOPLE TO WORK HERE.
I AM NOT GOING TO GO AND ASK YOU TO ASK TAXPAYERS AND FAMILIES WHO MAKE 65,000 ON AVERAGE TO SPEND MORE IN TAXES WHEN WE'RE OVER THE RATES OF OUR COMPETITION.
AGAIN, IT IS THE A ADMINISTRATION ISSUE.
I GUESS THE FIRE UNION IS SAYING, THEIR DISCUSSIONS HAVE STOPPED ON THAT END, AND TO GO TO THE PUBLIC AND ASK BECOMES, I DON'T HAVE A VOTE IN THE MATTER.
BUT IF I DID HAVE A VOTE, I WOULD SAY, WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE OURSELVES FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE FIRST.
WE CANNOT RUN AN INEFFICIENT DEPARTMENT AND THEN GO TO THE TAXPAYERS AND JUST SAY, WE'LL GET IT FIXED WITH MORE TAX MONEY.
WE DID NOT DO THAT WITH WATER AND SEWER.
I WOULD NEVER HAVE COMMITTED TO WORKING FOR A YEAR TO GET MORE RAISE FOR WATER AND SEWER, AND PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.
BUT I KNEW OUR DEPARTMENTS WERE RUNNING IT EFFICIENTLY.
I KNEW WE HAD THINGS THAT WE JUST DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO.
THAT IS NOT THE CASE WITH OUR EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT.
RUNNING AN INEFFICIENT SYSTEM BECAUSE OF STATE LAW AND JUST SOLVING IT BY GOING TO THE TAXPAYERS AND SAYING, WE'RE JUST GOING TO GET MORE MONEY FROM THEM IS NOT THE THING TO DO, AND I WOULD NOT SUPPORT THAT.
BUT I AM COMMITTED TO BRINGING ANY SALARIES THAT ARE BELOW COMPETITION UP TO THAT LEVEL. THANK YOU.
[02:50:02]
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I BELIEVE THAT WAS EVERYBODY UNLESS SOMEBODY HAS DECIDED TO SPEAK SINCE THE PARISH PRESIDENT JUMPED IN.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE SUMMER.
[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]
>> APPROVING OF LOTS SEVEN A3 AND 7A4 ELWOOD SUBDIVISION INTO LOT 7A5.
REVISION FOR PHASE 1B APPROVED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER 145983 TO REMOVE BUILDING LINES FROM LOTS 99 THROUGH 153 IN THE 20 FOOT PUBLIC DRAINAGE SERVITUDE ALONG LOTS 119 THROUGH 153, 20 FOOT PRIVATE DRAINAGE SERVITUDE OF LOTS 99 THROUGH 118.
APPROVING OF LOTS A1 AND 24 SQUARE 13 PEELICAN BASED SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS A1A AND 24 A SQUARE 13, AND THE DEDICATION OF A 10 FOOT SIDEWALK AND UTILITY SERVITUDE.
APPROVING EA ORLEANS VILLAGE CORP TRACK SUBDIVISION AND A PORTION OF WEST-WOOD DRIVE, INTO LOTS ONE THROUGH 17 SQUARE A, LOTS ONE THROUGH NINE SQUARE B, LOTS ONE THROUGH 18 SQUARE C, KING SUBDIVISION, AND A FIVE-FOOT UTILITY SERVITUDE.
AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP, PARTIAL EA, ORLEANS VILLAGE CORP TRACK SUBDIVISION, LOCATED AT THE 7,000 BLOCK OF WEST-WOOD DRIVE, AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM C2 TO R1A.
APPROVING A REQUESTED VARIANCE TO THE SIGN REGULATIONS OF MUCD FOR RACEWAY GAS STATION LOCATED AT 989 MANHATTAN BOULEVARD ON TRACT K1B, WESTON SNOW DRIFT TRACT SUBDIVISION.
ADOPTING AND APPROVING AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE 2026 FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 4.02 C, AND AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO ADJUSTMENTS TO REVENUES, SERVICE CHARGES, AND EXPENDITURES.
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2026 CAPITAL BUDGET FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET.
THAT'S ALL THE ORDINANCES I HAVE TO READ.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES READ IN THE SUMMARY A MOTION OF COUNCILMEN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADJOURNED BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. THIS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED. HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYBODY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.