[SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS]
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WE'VE GOT SOME PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS TO GET TO BEFORE THE MEETING GETS STARTED.THE PARISH PRESIDENT IS NOT HERE TODAY, BUT MR. STEVE LACHUTE IS PLAYING THE ROLE OF PARISH PRESIDENT TODAY, AND HE WILL BEGIN THE PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS PART OF THE PROGRAM.
>> MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I'D LIKE TO CALL MS. DIANA CARTER WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM, AS A SPECIAL PRESENTATION FOR OUR 2025 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AND JOSEPH S. YENNI AWARD RECIPIENT, MR. KAILUMN REYNOLDS, WHO IS A JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL ALUM.
KAILUMN HAS WORKED WITH THE SEWAGE DEPARTMENT FOR 12 YEARS, AND DURING THAT TIME, HE HAS GONE FAR BEYOND HIS REGULAR DUTIES.
AS AN OPERATOR AT THE BRIDGE CITY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, KAILUMN RUNS A BELL PRESS, WHICH IS A KEY PART OF REMOVING SOLIDS FROM THE PLANT.
NOT ONLY DOES HE MASTER HIS DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES, KAILUMN ALSO HELPS TRAIN OTHER OPERATORS AND SUPPORTS THE MAINTENANCE TEAM.
WE'RE SO VERY PROUD OF KAILUMN.
HE IS A TRUE LEADER AND TEAM PLAYER WHO IS ALWAYS WILLING TO SERVE WHEREVER HE IS NEEDED AND IS FOCUSED ON PASSING DOWN HIS KNOWLEDGE TO HELP THE NEXT GENERATION SUCCEED.
KAILUMN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO JEFFERSON PARISH. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> GOOD MORNING. I STAND HERE THIS MORNING AS AN EDUCATOR OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM AND ALSO AS A FORMER TEACHER OF MR. KAILUMN REYNOLDS, SO THIS HAS PERSONAL MEANING TO ME AS WELL.
KAILUMN, ON BEHALF OF DR. JAMES GRAY, SUPERINTENDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOLS, FROM A STUDENT WHO SHOWED GREAT PERSEVERANCE TO A PROFESSIONAL RECOGNIZED AS A JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR, YOUR JOURNEY STANDS AS A POWERFUL TESTAMENT TO HOW COURAGE, DETERMINATION, AND RESILIENCE CAN TRANSFORM LIVES.
YOUR STORY INSPIRES US ALL WHO ARE FOLLOWING YOUR FOOTSTEPS, REMINDING US THAT THE PATH TO GREATNESS IS BUILT ONE STEP AT A TIME.
ON BEHALF OF EDUCATORS AND PERSONALLY, KAILUMN, ALL OF YOUR TEACHERS, YOU ARE THE VERY REASON THAT WE HAVE CHOSEN THIS CAREER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO SUCCESS. [APPLAUSE]
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, COME DOWN AND TAKE A PICTURE.
>> EVERYBODY, WE GO ON THREE, 1, 02, 3. THANKS.
>> ONE, TWO, THREE. [BACKGROUND]
>> GOOD MORNING. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL ON MS. SUZY POTTER WITH THE BLOOD CENTER AND HER GUESTS.
I'M SURE SOME OF YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH MS. POTTER, IF YOU'VE BEEN TO ANY OF THE BLOOD DRIVES HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THE MONTH OF JANUARY IS DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR AWARENESS MONTH IN THE UNITED STATES.
DUE TO HOLIDAYS, CELEBRATIONS, INCLEMENT WEATHER, AND COLD AND FLU SEASONS, THE WINTER MONTHS ARE OFTEN A TIME OF REDUCED DONATIONS AND AN INCREASED RISK FOR BLOOD SHORTAGES.
NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH CELEBRATES BLOOD DONORS DURING THIS CRITICAL TIME AND REMINDS PEOPLE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF DONATING BLOOD.
A BLOOD DONATION IS TRULY AN ALTRUISTIC GIFT THAT AN INDIVIDUAL CAN GIVE TO OTHERS IN NEED.
IN ONLY 45-60 MINUTES, AN ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL CAN DONATE ONE UNIT OF BLOOD THAT CAN BE SEPARATED INTO FOUR INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS THAT COULD HELP SAVE MULTIPLE LIVES.
AFTER I READ THIS PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF PARISH PRESIDENT CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, WHO COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY, I'LL LET MS. POTTER INTRODUCE HER GUESTS SO THAT THEY CAN SHARE WHY DONATING BLOOD IS SO VITAL.
WHEREAS ON JANUARY 1ST, 2025, THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS ENDURED A HORRIFIC TERRORIST ATTACK, RESULTING IN THE TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS, AND WHEREAS IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF THIS TRAGEDY, AN EXTRAORDINARY NUMBER OF CITIZENS, FIRST RESPONDERS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, AND VOLUNTEERS CAME TOGETHER IN A UNIFIED EFFORT TO SAVE LIVES, AND WHEREAS BLOOD DONORS, BOTH KNOWN AND ANONYMOUS, PLAYED A CRUCIAL AND LIFE STANDING ROLE IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORTS, ENSURING THAT THE INDIVIDUAL RECEIVED THE VITAL BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS NECESSARY FOR SURVIVAL, AND WHEREAS THE ACT OF COMPASSION AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY DEMONSTRATED THE INDISPENSABLE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING A STRONG AND CONSISTENT SUPPLY OF DONATED BLOOD TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC IN TIMES OF CRISIS, AND WHEREAS BLOOD DONATION IS A SELFLESS ACT THAT DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTES TO HEALTH, SAFETY,
[00:05:01]
AND SECURITY OF OUR COMMUNITIES, AND IT IS IMPERATIVE TO HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN AND CONTINUE TO GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE THROUGH BLOOD DONATION.WHEREAS THOUSANDS OF LIVES ACROSS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND UNITED STATES ARE SAVED EACH YEAR DUE TO THE GENEROSITY OF BLOOD DONORS IN THE EVENTS OF JANUARY 1, 2025, HAVE REINFORCED THE URGENT NEED TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR BLOOD DONATION.
WHEREAS IT IS FITTING THAT THE PARISH SET ASIDE A TIME TO RECOGNIZE, HONOR, AND COMMEMORATE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE LIFE-SAVING BLOOD DONATIONS SUPPORT OUR HOSPITALS, EMERGENCY SERVICES, AND DISASTER RESPONSE EFFORTS.
WHEREAS THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH STAND UNITED AND GRIEVE FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE JANUARY 1, 2025 ATTACK AND IN GRATITUDE FOR THE HEROES SEEN AND UNSEEN, WHOSE GENEROSITY HELPED SAVE LIVES DURING ONE OF OUR STATE'S DARKEST HOURS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JANUARY AS BLOOD DONOR AWARENESS MONTH IN JEFFERSON PARISH, GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE SEAL OF JEFFERSON PARISH THIS 10TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2025, CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, PRESIDENT. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMAN. GOOD MORNING.
I HAVE BEEN WITH THE BLOOD CENTER FOR 40 YEARS.
I WORK MOSTLY WITH KIDS BATTLING BLOOD DISORDERS.
TO MY RIGHT IS 11-YEAR-OLD, ABRON; HIS MOM, MISTY; HIS DAD, ABIRAM.
THE REASON WHY I HAVE HIM HERE IS HE'S A TESTAMENT TO WHY BLOOD DONATIONS TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE BLOOD CENTER, WE ARE NOT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS.
THE RED CROSS DOES NOT COLLECT BLOOD IN LOUISIANA.
YEARS AGO, EVERY HOSPITAL COLLECTED THEIR OWN BLOOD.
IT WAS A VERY INEFFICIENT SYSTEM BECAUSE IF YOU HAD A TRAGEDY NEAR A HOSPITAL AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH BLOOD, YOU'D HAVE TO WAIT TILL IT CAME IN.
BECAUSE WE PROVIDE BLOOD TO ALL OF THE HOSPITALS, IT MADE MUCH BETTER SENSE THAT WE PULL OUT INVENTORY FROM THE NEAREST HOSPITAL, GET IT OVER TO THAT PATIENT AND THEN REPLENISH THAT HOSPITAL WITHIN 48 HOURS.
JANUARY 1ST WAS AN AWAKENING THAT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND, WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE TO GIVE BLOOD ALL THE TIME.
UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE WERE OUT OF TOWN PEOPLE, SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE LOCAL RESOURCES FOR US.
IN THE BLOOD CENTER AS WELL, LESS THAN 3% GIVE BLOOD.
I'M GOING TO CALL OUT COUNCILMAN WALKER.
I NEED TO SEE YOU, SIR, SOMETIME IN 2026.
HE IS A BLOOD DONOR AND A BELIEVER IN THIS SYSTEM.
YOU CAN'T WAIT TILL IT TOUCHES YOU TO RESPOND BECAUSE SOMETIMES THAT CAN BE TOO LATE.
I'M GOING TO TURN THIS OVER TO MOM WHO'S GOING TO JUST SAY A FEW WORDS.
DAD'S GOING TO SAY A FEW WORDS, AND THEN ABRON'S GOT SOMETHING ELSE TO SAY BEFORE WE LEAVE.
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND JUST SHARE A BRIEF STORY ABOUT ABRON JOURNEY.
HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH T-CELL ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA, WHICH HE BATTLED FOR THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS, HAVING TO TAKE CHEMOTHERAPY EVERY DAY.
BUT IN ORDER FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THE CHEMOTHERAPY AND INFUSION, HE SOMETIMES NEEDED BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS AND PLATELETS TRANSFUSIONS.
THAT HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES, SO I LOST COUNT.
I'LL STAND HERE TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR DONATING BLOOD.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING JANUARY, BLOOD DONOR AWARENESS MONTH, BUT WE NEED THIS EVERY DAY.
WE NEED THIS EVERY DAY, EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR, AND WE NEED MORE PEOPLE EDUCATED ON A KNOWLEDGE OF WHY DONATING BLOOD IS SO IMPORTANT.
MY BABY IS ALIVE TODAY BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU, THAT I DON'T EVEN KNOW, DONATED BLOOD AND PLATELETS, AND HE'S STANDING HERE CANCER-FREE.
[APPLAUSE] WITH THAT, I'M NOT GOING TO KEEP GOING BECAUSE I CAN GO ON AND ON, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, AND I CHALLENGE ALL OF YOU.
IF YOU CAN'T DONATE BLOOD, JUST GET SOMEBODY YOU KNOW TO DONATE BLOOD AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR.
>> DAD'S GOING TO SAY ONE LINE.
WE DID A REHEARSAL, HE'S GOT ONE SHORT SENTENCE.
>> [LAUGHTER] GOOD MORNING. ON BEHALF OF THE FRYE FAMILY AND BLOOD CENTER, WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT EVERYONE GIVE BLOOD TWICE A YEAR IN 2026. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR BUDDY ABRON, AFTER FIVE YEARS NOW, GOT TO RING THE BELL IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR.
WHEN YOU RING THE BELL, THERE IS A SIGN BEHIND THE BELL THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE HIM READ TO YOU BECAUSE IT'S POWERFUL.
>> RING THIS BELL, THREE TIMES WELL.
ITS TOLL TO CLEARLY SAY, MY TREATMENT'S BEEN DONE.
THIS COURSE IS RUN, AND I'M ON MY WAY. [APPLAUSE]
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME DOWN TO TAKE A PHOTO?
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>> I WILL SAY REAL QUICK, THE BLOOD CENTER COULDN'T HAVE A BETTER ADVOCATE AND SPOKESPERSON THAN SUZY.
>> I'LL PAY YOU OUTSIDE. THANK YOU, SCOTT. [LAUGHTER]
>> WHO MAKES SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE EVERY TIME THERE IS A BLOOD DONATION EVENT, AND SHE DOES A TREMENDOUS JOB OF SPREADING THE WORD AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE LIKE ME REMEMBER TO GO OUT THERE AND DONATE.
>> [BACKGROUND] EVERYBODY, HERE WE GO ON THREE, 1, 2, 3.
ONE MORE, 1, 02, 3. THANK YOU.
>> [BACKGROUND] GOOD MORNING. I'D LIKE TO CALL UP A VERY SPECIAL MEMBER OF OUR JEFFERSON PARISH TEAM, MITCH THERIOT, CHIEF ENGINEER IV IN OUR JEFFERSON PARISH ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
TODAY, WE ARE HONORED TO RECOGNIZE MITCH FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO JEFFERSON PARISH.
THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER WITH JEFFERSON PARISH, MITCH HAS SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF BOTH THE WATER AND THE DRAINAGE DEPARTMENTS.
HE HAS OVERSEEN MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, MANAGED, CRITICAL DRAINAGE, AND PUMP STATION OPERATIONS AND LED THE PARISH THROUGH NUMEROUS RECOVERY EFFORTS.
HIS GUIDANCE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING JEFFERSON PARISH A SALTWATER MITIGATION PLAN, NOW RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY AS A MODEL SOLUTION.
MITCH IS ALSO NOT ONLY KNOWN FOR HIS EXPERTISE, BUT FOR HIS HUMILITY, HIS WORK ETHIC, AND HIS DEEP COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
I THINK WE ALL SAW THAT DURING IDA, 24/7 OVER HERE, WATCHING EVERYTHING THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION, MITCH.
WITH THAT, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE TO MITCH FOR HIS 32 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND INVITE HIM UP AS I PRESENT HIM WITH THE PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH PRESIDENT WHO CANNOT BE HERE TODAY.
WHEREAS MITCHELL THERIOT WAS BORN IN PLAQUEMINE, LOUISIANA AND EARNED A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING FROM LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, AND WHEREAS AFTER BEGINNING HIS CAREER IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FLORIDA, MITCH RETURNED TO LOUISIANA TO JOIN THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT, WHERE HE MET HIS FUTURE WIFE AND FELLOW ENGINEER, ANNE MARINO.
WHEREAS IN AUGUST OF 1997, MITCH WAS EMPLOYED BY JEFFERSON PARISH AS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER AND OVER THE NEXT 13 YEARS, HE WAS PROMOTED ACROSS THE ENGINEERING WATER AND DRAINAGE DEPARTMENTS.
WHEREAS IN MARCH 2010, MITCH ACCEPTED THE POSITION OF DIRECTOR OF WATER DEPARTMENT, AND IN APRIL 2011, MITCH BECAME THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE DEPARTMENT WHERE HE OVERSAW A MAJOR CONSTRUCTION UPGRADES, INCLUDING THE $700 MILLION FEDERAL SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA URBAN FLOOD PATROL, COMMONLY KNOWN AS SELA PROGRAM, $50 MILLION DRAINAGE BOND PROGRAM, AND THE $200 MILLION DRAINAGE PUMP STATION IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING THE HARAHAN PUMP TO THE RIVER COMPLEX.
WHEREAS MITCH WORKED COUNTLESS HOURS MANAGING SEVERE RAIN EVENTS AND GUIDED THE DRAINAGE DEPARTMENT THROUGH HURRICANES ISAAC, HURRICANE NATE, BARRY, ZETA, AND IDA, AND NOTABLY PERSONALLY TRAVELING BY FLATBOAT TO LAFITTE AFTER IDA TO RESTORE DRAINAGE OPERATIONS.
WHEREAS IN MAY 2022, MITCH STEPPED DOWN FROM HIS ROLE AS DIRECTOR TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS FATHER AND RETURN TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING IV.
WHEREAS IN THE SUMMER OF 2023, MITCH HELPED LEAD JEFFERSON PARISH ITS SUCCESSFUL $25 MILLION SALTWATER INTRUSION MITIGATION PLAN, WHICH WAS DEVELOPED, INSTALLED, AND SUCCESSFULLY TESTED WITH JUST FIVE WEEKS AND IS NOW RECOGNIZED BY FEMA AND OTHER AGENCIES AS A MODEL SOLUTION.
WHEREAS MITCH THERIOT IS KNOWN AS A DEDICATED AND HUMBLE LEADER WHO HAS A KIND HEART, PASSION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH, AND A TALENT FOR REBUILDING CARS, AND WHEREAS MITCH IS MARRIED TO ANNE MARINO THERIOT, TOGETHER, THEY HAVE RAISED THREE CHILDREN, JAKE, JENNY, AND TREY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO HEREBY CELEBRATE AND CONGRATULATE MITCH THERIOT ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 32 YEARS OF SERVICE TO JEFFERSON PARISH, AND GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE SEAL OF JEFFERSON PARISH, THIS 10TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2025, CYNTHIA LEE SHENG, PARISH PRESIDENT.
MITCH, I KNOW EVERYBODY'S GOING TO MISS YOU.
YOU'VE BEEN A GREAT ASSET TO THE PARISH OVER THE TIMES THAT YOU'VE BEEN HERE.
I'M GOING TO MISS YOU PERSONALLY.
YOU DID A LOT FOR US DURING IDA AND [INAUDIBLE] AND EVERYBODY IN THE DRAINAGE AND ALL THE PUBLIC WORKS, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, YOU'VE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS? [BACKGROUND]
[00:15:05]
>> UP NEXT, COUNCILMAN BANANO.
>> AS MR. LISCH JUST SAID, TODAY CAN BE BOTH.
A HAPPY DAY AND A SOLEMN AND SAD DAY, BUT MY LONGTIME ASSISTANT OF 33 YEARS, IN VARIOUS DIFFERENT ROLES THROUGHOUT THIS PARISH.
HE RETIRED ON JANUARY I'M SORRY, ON DECEMBER 26.
I MET THROUGH HER FATHER, TONY DIGIALAMO, WHO WORKED WITH US FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
A DIGIALAMO HAS BEEN ON THE PARISH STAFF ON THE COUNCIL AND PARISH PRESENCE SIDE SINCE 19, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S GOING TO COME TO AN END ON DECEMBER 26.
SAY THAT, I FEEL LIKE I'M LOSING MY RIGHT ARM, IS THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR.
THIS YOUNG LADY RIGHT HERE KNOWS MY THOUGHTS AFTER 33 YEARS.
SHE ANTICIPATES EVERYTHING I NEED.
SHE KNOWS WHAT I NEED TO DO BEFORE I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.
IT'S A BITTERSWEET MOMENT, BUT I'M HAPPY FOR HER TO BE ABLE TO RETIRE, AND SHE AND HER FAMILY ARE MOVING TO ONO ISLAND IN ORANGE BEACH, SO SHE WILL BE LIVING ON THE BEACH. WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO READ. [INAUDIBLE]
>> WHEREAS ANGELA ANGEL DI GERALMO KELLE BEGAN HER CAREER WITH JEFFERSON PARISH ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1992, AS A TYPES CLERK FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL, WHERE SHE WORKED IN VARIOUS DIFFERENT POSITIONS UNTIL TRANSFERRING TO THE PARISH PRESIDENT'S OFFICE IN JANUARY OF 2004.
WHEREAS ANGEL TRANSFERRED BACK TO THE COUNCIL STAFF IN FEBRUARY OF 2011, WHERE SHE EVENTUALLY BECAME THE COUNCIL AIDE TO COUNCILMAN AT LARGE B AND WHEREAS MISS KELLER MOVED ON TO COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO, I'M SORRY, WHERE COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE FOR FOUR YEARS FROM DECEMBER 2015 UNTIL 2020, WHEREAS THE ANGEL WAS PROMOTED TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF, THE DISTRICT TO COUNCIL MANDINO VANANO ON JANUARY IN JANUARY 2020, WHERE SHE FINISHED HER CAREER OF 33 YEARS AND THREE MONTHS, WHEREAS SHE HAS EXEMPLIFIED TRUE DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
ANGEL HAS WORN MANY HATS THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, INCLUDING BEING A MEMBER, A VALUABLE MEMBER OF THE PARISH EMERGING MANAGEMENT TEAM, SERVING THROUGH MANY HURRICANES, AND SHE EVEN SPENT TIME ON GRAND ISLE ON THE BPO BILL.
WHEREAS, AFTER 33 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO JEFFERSON PARISH, ANGELA DI GERALMO KELLE WILL RETIRE ON DECEMBER 26, 2025.
WHEREAS THIS COUNCIL WISHES TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND ANGELA KELLE ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM JEFFERSON PARISH FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL IS THE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA.
COMMENDS ANGELA KELLE FOR HER EXEMPLARY CAREER AND SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
>> I'M GOING TO TRY AND MAKE THIS QUICK.
IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE LAST 33 YEARS.
I HAVE WORKED FOR SEVERAL COUNCILMEN AND COUNCILWOMEN AND PARISH PRESIDENTS.
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I HAVE MADE LIFELONG FRIENDS THAT HAVE BECOME MY FAMILY.I HAVE TO MENTION A FEW PEOPLE WHO HELPED SHAPE MY CAREER ALONG THE WAY.
SONNY BAMASER, THANK YOU FOR TAKING A CHANCE ON A YOUNG GIRL THREE YEARS AGO, RIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE.
TIM COON, YOU HAVE BEEN A MENTOR AND A FRIEND SINCE I WAS HIRED.
MIKE QUICKLEY, YOU TAUGHT ME SO MANY THINGS ABOUT ADMINISTRATION IN JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT.
ELTON MEGAS, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE MYSELF AS YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT LARGE.
LASTLY, MY DEAR FRIEND, DINO BANANO.
I HAVE WORKED ALONGSIDE YOU FOR THE LAST 25-PLUS YEARS.
I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU ABOUT HURRICANES, FIRES, AND OIL SPILLS DURING THE PANDEMIC.
WE LEARNED TOGETHER HOW TO PROCESS GRANTS AND DEAL WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO ENSURE JEFFERSON PARISH WAS TAKEN CARE OF.
DINO INTRODUCED ME TO MY HUSBAND OF 28 YEARS, AND FOR THAT, I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.
ALL OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE GROWN UP TOGETHER, AND I CONSIDER THEM MY OWN, AND I KNOW YOU CONSIDER MY BOYS' CHOICE, TOO.
WE HAVE A BOND THAT CAN NEVER BE BROKEN.
THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME AND PUSHING ME TO BE THE BEST CHIEF STAFF FOR THE COUNCIL DISTRICT, TOO.
I TRULY ENJOYED IT EVERY MOMENT.
IT HAS BEEN A BUMPY RIDE, BUT I WOULDN'T WANT TO DO IT WITH ANYONE ELSE.
I CAN'T LET THE MOMENT GO BY WITHOUT MENTIONING MY FATHER, TONY DI GERALMO, FOR WHOM THE CHAMBERS IS NAMED AFTER.
HE BEGAN WORKING FOR JEFFERSON PARISH SIX MONTHS BEFORE ME.
IT WAS A GREAT FEELING TO RECEIVE ALL OF OUR MILESTONE PINS TOGETHER.
I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WORK ALONGSIDE HIM ON THE COUNCIL SIDE, BOTH ADMINISTRATION, WHO WERE BOTH ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS TO DIFFERENT COUNCILMEN.
I HOPE HE IS SMILING DOWN FROM HEAVEN TODAY, AND I PRAY I MADE HIM PROUD.
AFTER ALL, MY WORK ETHICS WERE INSTILLED IN ME FROM HIM SINCE A CHILD.
LOYALTY WAS A PRIORITY AND ALWAYS WILL BE.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE COUNCILMEN AND THEIR STAFF FOR THIS HONOR TODAY.
ALSO, MY STAFF, WHO ARE ABSOLUTELY AWESOME THAT MADE MY LIFE AND MY JOB EASIER WITH THEIR HELP AND ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU.
>> WE'RE GOING TO DO A STAFF PHOTO, AND THEN I'LL HAVE ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS JOIN US.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, MISS. LISHU, WELCOME TO JOIN US FOR A PICTURE, PLEASE.
>> EVERYBODY, HERE WE GO ON TO THREE. ONE MORE ONE, TWO, THREE
>> NEXT, I'D LIKE TO CALL TO THE STAGE, I'M SORRY, THE PODIUM, MR. DAVID ETIENNE WITH THE LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION.
HE'S GOING TO TALK TO US ABOUT ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE PROJECTS I'VE EVER SEEN.
IT'S GOING TO REVOLUTIONIZE HOW WE GROW OUR FOOD HERE, NOT ONLY IN LOUISIANA, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
IT IS SUCH A FABULOUS PROJECT.
I'M SO PROUD TO HAVE IT IN MY DISTRICT, AND ON TODAY'S AGENDA, WE'RE USING COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO MONIES DISCRETIONARY MONIES TO EXPAND HIS FACILITY TO ENABLE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS TO LEARN HOW TO DO.
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IS IT AQUAPONICS?>>THE FLOOR IS YOURS. MR. ETIENNE.
>> BUT THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
I APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL HOSTING US.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL PROJECT, AND IT IS THE ONLY AND THE LARGEST IN LOUISIANA.
IT'S BEEN VISITED BY EVERYONE FROM GOVERNOR LANDRY TO COMMISSIONER STRAND AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AGRICULTURE COMMISSION, AS WELL AS SOME OF HIS COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
I INVITE EVERY ONE OF THE COUNCIL PEOPLE TOO PLEASE.
LET'S DO A TOUR, IF YOU WILL, AND WE'RE ONLY 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM HERE ON LESSON COURT, RIGHT OFF EIGHTH STREET, IF YOU WILL.
THERE'S A VIDEO I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU.
THERE WE GO. LET'S PLAY THE VIDEO FIRST, AND THEN I'LL TALK ABOUT THE PROJECT IN ITSELF.
I ALSO WANT TO EXTEND THE COUNCILMAN BANANO, COUNCILMAN LEE, AND COUNCILMAN VAN RANKIN HAVE ALSO BEEN THERE AS WELL. LET'S PLAY THE VIDEO.
AT THE LOUISIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT IS AT THE AQUA AQUA CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.
IT IS A FACILITY IN WHICH WE ARE ACTUALLY TRAINING PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN AQUA AND AQUA AQUAPONICS, IF YOU WILL.
IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT IN HYDROPONICS, SO YOU MAY WELL KNOW THAT THAT'S GROWN ON WATER.
AQUAPONICS IS WHERE WE TAKE WHAT WE CALL OUR RESIDENTS, CATFISH, IF YOU WILL, BIODIGESTED WASTE, SEPARATE THE NITRO AND NITROCARBON, AND THEN PROCESS THAT WASTE INTO A FERTILIZER, AND THEN FEED THE PLANTS.
AT THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY, WE'RE GROWING 8,000 HEAD OF LETTUCE, ROMAINE LETTUCE, PER MONTH.
THE EXPANSION WILL ALLOW US TO EXPAND ON LAND RIGHT DOWN THE STREET THAT'S LEASED FROM EACH OF THE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEMS, AND WE WILL ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO GROW VERTICALLY, THEN, WHICH WILL BE CUCUMBERS, BELL PEPPERS, TOMATOES, STRAWBERRIES, AND EIGHT ADDITIONAL GREENHOUSES.
WHAT THIS DOES FOR THE KIDS IS AQUAPONICS.
IT'S ALL ABOUT STEM AND STEM-RELATEDNESS, SO WE TALKED ABOUT FLOW DYNAMICS.
WE TALK ABOUT TAKING WATER TESTING EVERY DAY.
WE TALK ABOUT DATA ANALYTICS, AND SO ALL OF THAT'S PART OF THE PROCESS, IF YOU WILL, AND WE'RE ENGAGING THE KIDS WITH THAT.
WE'RE PUTTING 11 SMALLER CENTERS IN EACH ONE OF THE SCIENCE CLASSES OF THE 11 HIGH SCHOOLS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
WE HAVE A 14-WEEK COURSE THAT THE CURRICULUM THAT WE CREATED, AND THEN OUR FIRST COHORT JUST GRADUATED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.
IN THAT, THIS IS REVOLUTIONARY.
AQUAPONICS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES IN AMERICA, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN COMMERCIALIZED TO THE POINT.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HEALTHY LIVING, HEALTHY EATING, THIS IS THE WAY TO GO.
ALSO, THE NATIONAL BUYER FOR RUSS JUST COMMITTED TO COMING NEXT WEEK TO LOOK AT THE FARM AS WELL.
ARE WE OKAY? LET'S DO IT, SO WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS THE INSIDE ONE PORTION OF THE GREENHOUSE.
EACH ONE OF THESE BAYS IS 7,500 GALLONS OF WATER.[BACKGROUND] SKIPPING.
THIS IS, WELL, A SMALL SHOW IN A NURSERY.
THIS IS THE ACTUAL FLOATING BOARDS.
THAT IS THE ACTUAL GREENHOUSE, IF YOU WILL.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE ROMAINE LETTUCE.
NOW YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE CATFISH TANKS.
THERE'S 41200 GALLON TANKS. YOU CAN SEE THEM.
[00:30:14]
>> ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE BACK AT THE GREENHOUSE.
ALL THIS IS TEMPERATURE CONTROL.
THIS POLL SHOWING THE LETTUCE.
YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE ROOTS OF THE LETTUCE THROUGH WHAT WE CALL THE BEAVER BOARDS, WHICH ACTUALLY FLOAT ON THE WATER.
BUT ANYWAY, SO PAUL IS THE SYSTEMS COORDINATOR FOR THE CENTER.
ALSO, YOU MAY SEE PATNA, WHICH IS THE CENTER DIRECTOR.
BOTH OF THESE GUYS WHO HAVE OVER 30 YEARS OF AQUAPONICS IN DESIGN AND INSTALLING SYSTEMS. SENATOR MACMATH, WHICH IS FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, WANTS ONE ACROSS IN NOTS HE'S OVER MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN FOR OUR STATE.
EVERYONE WHO HAS COME THROUGH IT'S BEEN THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOR THE PEOPLE IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND THE KIDS IS LEARNING ABOUT STEM THE STEM PATHWAY INTO THAT PARTICULAR CAREER MODEL.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS.
BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS OR LIKE TO TOUR THE CENTER, FEEL FREE TO GO TO WEBSITE AND SIGN UP FOR IT, WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.
THIS IS ACTUALLY REPRESENTATIVE ROMERO.
>> MR. ATIAN, TELL EVERYBODY HOW QUICKLY YOU CAN GROW.
HAD A LETTUCE FROM THE DAY YOU PUT IT IN THE TANK.
>> THE NURSERY THAT YOU SAW THAT CAN HOLD 19,000 PLANTS, IT SITS IN THE NURSERY FOR TWO WEEKS AND FOUR WEEKS ACTUALLY ON THE WATER ITSELF.
A TOTAL SIX WEEK CYCLE, YOU'RE GOING FROM SEED TO HARVEST.
BECAUSE IT'S A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT GREENHOUSE, YOU'RE DOING IT YEAR ROUND.
YOU'RE NOT AFFECTED BY THE SEASONAL GROWING, IF YOU WILL.
THIS PRODUCT NEVER SEES DIRT, NEVER SEES PEST, NEVER SEES PESTICIDES.
IT'S 100% CLEAN AT THAT POINT, AND YOU CAN EAT IT JUST AS YOU TOUCH IT, PICK IT UP AND EAT IT.
WE ASK YOU TO WASH IT, BUT THERE'S REALLY NO NEED.
WE TURN EVERY 6-7WEEKS, 08,000 HIT OF LETTUCE IN THAT DO GREENHOUSE THAT YOU'VE SEEN RIGHT NOW.
ONCE AGAIN, WE WELCOME EVERY COUNCIL PERSON AND STAFF THAT WANTS TO OR ANYBODY WANTS TO TOUR THE FACILITY SO YOU CAN GET A HANDS ON LOOK.
ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE FIVE MINUTES AWAY RIGHT RIGHT BEHIND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, QUITE FRANKLY, RIGHT OFF EIGHTH STREET ON LESSON COURT.
>> MOST IMPRESSIVE THING TO ME THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO KNOW IS HE'S GROWING CATFISH FOR CONSUMPTION, BUT THE WASTEWATER FROM THE CATFISH IS FILTERED AND SANITIZED, AND THE FERTILIZER IS EXTRACTED FROM THAT, AND THAT IS WHAT THE PLANTS ARE FLOATING.
I THINK IN TERMS OF STRAWBERRIES.
THIS PROCESS, YOU CAN GROW STRAWBERRIES YEAR ROUND, SO IT'S GOING TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.
THANK, MR. ATIAN. I'M SORRY, WE HAD TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES TODAY.
>> BUT IF ANYBODY WANTS TO GO SEE THIS IMPRESSIVE FACILITY, PLEASE CONTACT HIM AND GO SEE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.
>> IN 2026, WE WILL BE UPGRADING OUR AUDIO VISUAL CAPABILITIES.
THAT'S A GOOD THING AS WELL. COUCILMAN, IRON LEE.
>> WHERE'S MY JPRD WEST BANK CHAMPIONS. WHERE ARE YOU? [APPLAUSE] WE WHOLE HEARTILY HONOR YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL DO.
FOR OUR KIDS, WE KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU ALL EXCEL IN SPORTS, BUT ALSO SCHLATICALLY, YOU ALL SO EXCEL, GIVE YOU A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE] WE'RE GOING TO START WITH OUR COACHES FIRST BECAUSE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK THAT THEY DO WORKING WITH OUR KIDS OVER AT JOHNNY JACOBS PLAYGROUND.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH COACH ANTOINE CRAIG, [APPLAUSE] COACH FLOYD KNIGHT, [APPLAUSE] EMMANUEL COOPER.
[00:35:08]
[APPLAUSE] THEN WE HAVE LOYD KNIGHT.[APPLAUSE] COACH JONATHAN THOMPSON.
[APPLAUSE] NOW THE MOMENT THAT YOU ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.
FOR OUR 6, 7 AND 8, OUTSTANDING PLAYERS, BEGIN WITH LARE BAY [APPLAUSE] IS ELI JOHNSON HERE [APPLAUSE] SAMAD BUTLER [APPLAUSE] SIDNEY CALVIN.
[APPLAUSE] THE CHARLES COLEMAN.
HERBERT HARRIS, JABARI HOLLINS.
DAVID LIME. OBJECTION. RYDER LOMBAD.
KAIN MACMIL KENNETH MACMIL JAMIRA AND NELSON.
RENEE SINGLETON. DESMOND SMITH.
ROYAL TAYLOR. JONATHAN THOMPSON.
REASON WASHINGTON, AND JOHNNY WHITE.
COACHES WE ASK YOU ALL TO GET THEIR PROCLAMATION. NEXT UP.
GIVE THE 6, 7 AND 8 AROUND OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE.
THESE PROCLAMATIONS ARE FOR OUR NINE AND 10-YEAR-OLD TEAM THAT WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP COACH MIKE COLEMAN.
BRANDON JACKSON. MICHAEL CHRISTIAN.
CAMERON ADAMS. TORY ADAMS. CARTER HAYES, ROYAL CRAIN.
[00:40:02]
JUSTIN MEL.RALEIGH LONZO. BRAD AND LEBERTA.
ROBERT JONES. COREY SINGLETON.
C KYLIN PETTY. RYE LANDER. CHRISTOPHER KIM.
LON JULIAN, CHANCE STOVALL, JAMIR SMITH.
NAZ GRAVES, KINGSTON COLEMAN, DUTCH SIMMONS, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST ROBERT DAVIS.
>> HERE WE GO ONE, THREE, ONE, TWO, THREE, THREE, TWO, THREE, ONE, ONE, ONE, TWO, THREE.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH OVER TO THIS SIDE.
EVERYBODY, GENTLEMEN? SOME YOU GUYS.
HERE WE GO 1, 2, 3. LET'S SEE.
HERE WE GO ON THREE. HERE WE GO 1, 2 3.
EVERYBODY LOOK THIS WAY ON 1, 2, 3.
[00:45:11]
>> OUR LAST PROCLAMATION OF THE MORNING IS COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN.
>> A LOT OF SEATS ARE OBVIOUSLY OPENING UP NOW, SO ANYBODY WHO CAN FIND A SEAT, PLEASE DO SO. [BACKGROUND]
>> WE HAVE ONE MORE PROCLAMATION.
THIS MORNING, WE'VE RECOGNIZED SOME LONG TIME PARISH EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR DECADES BUT ANOTHER THING THAT MAKES JEFFERSON PARISH SO SPECIAL IS PEOPLE WHO ARE VOLUNTARILY WILLING TO GIVE THEIR TIME GENEROUSLY TO SERVE ON BOARDS.
ALL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE LOTS OF APPOINTMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE AND IT TAKES A SPECIAL PERSON TO STEP UP AND USE THEIR TIME TO GIVE BACK.
WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE ONE OF THOSE MOST VALUABLE VOLUNTEERS THAT WE HAVE HAD IN SO MANY DIFFERENT CAPACITIES, DARYL BEERBAUM.
I'M GOING TO READ A LITTLE BIT OF THE THINGS THAT HE HAS DONE FOR THE PARISH.
WHEREAS HE SAID, DON'T READ IT ALL.
BUT LOOK, IT'S SO MUCH TIME THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US.
WHEREAS MR. DARYL BEERBAUM HAS, FOR DECADES, DEMONSTRATED UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THE ADVANCEMENT, PROTECTION, AND CULTURAL VITALITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH THROUGH ENTHUSIASTIC AND SELFLESS PUBLIC SERVICE.
WHEREAS UNDERSTANDING THE CRITICAL ROLE THAT LEVY SYSTEMS PLAY IN SAFEGUARDING OUR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES, MR. BEERBAUM ACCEPTED AN APPOINTMENT FROM THE LOUISIANA SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TO THE WEST JEFFERSON LEVEY BOARD, SERVING IN 2002-2005 UNTIL RESTRUCTURING UNDER GOVERNOR KATHLEEN BLANCO.
WHEREAS IN THE YEAR FOLLOWING HURRICANE KATRINA, AT A TIME WHEN COASTAL COMMUNITIES WERE REBUILDING THEIR LIVELIHOODS, MR. BEERBAUM ACCEPTED AN APPOINTMENT TO THE MARINE FISHERIES ADVISORY BOARD, RECOGNIZING, OF COURSE, THE PROFOUND CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY.
WHEREAS, ALSO IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE KATRINA, MR. BEERBAUM SERVED AS ONE OF FIVE INFORMAL ADVISORS TO THEN JEFFERSON PARISH PRESIDENT AARON BROSSARD, PROVIDING GUIDANCE ON LEVEE AND FLOODWALL PROTECTION TO ENSURE THE LONG TERM RESILIENCE AND SAFETY OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
WHEREAS KNOWING THAT BRIDGES ARE A VERY VITAL PART OF OUR LIFELINE CONNECTING THE WEST BANK TO THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS REGION, MR. BEERBAUM FURTHER ACCEPTED AN APPOINTMENT TO THE CRESCENT CITY CONNECTION OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY, CONTRIBUTING TO EFFORTS THAT SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION ACCESS, INFRASTRUCTURE STABILITY, AND MOBILITY FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
IT IS A DIVERSE LIST OF THINGS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR TIME AND ENERGY, WHEREAS FROM 2018-2024, MR. BEERBAUM SERVED AS A VALUABLE MEMBER OF THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD, OFFERING THOUGHTFUL RECOMMENDATIONS ON LAND USE MATTERS AND HELPING GUIDE RESPONSIBLE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
TWO MORE THINGS. WHEREAS THE IMPORTANCE OF ATHLETICS IN BUILDING CHARACTER, DISCIPLINE, AS WE JUST SAW FROM OUR YOUNG VICTORIOUS TEAMS, AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED, MR. BEERBAUM SERVED AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE WEST BANK QUARTERBACK CLUB, SUPPORTING AND HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING STUDENT ATHLETES.
THIS ONE IS CURRENT, WHEREAS MR. BEERBAUM CONTINUES MORE THAN A DECADE OF DEDICATED SERVICE ON THE BOARD OF THE JEFFERSON PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY, NURTURING, THRIVING THEATER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMS THAT INSPIRE, EDUCATE, AND UPLIFT FUTURE GENERATIONS OF PERFORMING ARTISTS.
HIS DECADES OF VOLUNTEERISM, LEADERSHIP, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT REFLECT A DEEP LOVE FOR JEFFERSON PARISH AND A STEADFAST BELIEF IN STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH SERVICE.
I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT, WHICH IS WHY THE ENTIRE PARISH COUNCIL OF LOUISIANA DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND DARYL BEERBAUM, FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DEVOTED PUBLIC SERVICE AND HIS LASTING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SAFETY, CULTURE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR TIME AND ENERGY OVER THE YEARS.
>> I'M NOT PREPARED TO SAY ANYTHING REALLY.
[00:50:02]
THANK YOU, JENNIFER FOR DOING THIS FOR ME, AND IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.I'VE BEEN HERE 51 YEARS, AND IT'S A PLEASURE DOING IT.
I HOPE I CAN DO SOME MORE IN THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND]
>> YOUR SON WAS HERE EARLIER, AND SO YOU CAN COME UP FOR THE PICTURE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, DO YOU WANT TO COME ON DOWN? THANK YOU, BECAUSE AGAIN, YOU REALLY HELPED MAKE IT ALL WORK.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO OUR JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.
BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I KNOW WE HAVE A FEW NEW VISITORS WHO HAVE BEEN TO OUR MEETINGS THIS MORNING, WHO HAVEN'T BEEN TO OUR MEETINGS BEFORE.
A COUPLE OF REMINDERS, ANY SIGNS THAT YOU HAVE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO HOLD THE SIGNS.
THEY JUST CAN'T OBSTRUCT ANYBODY'S VIEW BEHIND YOU, SO THEY HAVE TO BE HELD LOW AND THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE MEETING FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA IS AT THE END OF OUR MEETING.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING IS FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA.
THAT'S WHAT THAT PUBLIC COMMENT IS FOR.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE END IS FOR ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
A REMINDER THAT ANY DISRUPTIONS OF OUR COUNCIL MEETING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, SO PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND.
ANY OF DISRUPTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE.
ON THAT NOTE, WE WILL GET STARTED.
[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
THIS IS THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10TH, 2025.WE'RE IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING, 200 DERBY STREET, BRETON, LOUISIANA, 70053.
THIS MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER, AND COUNCILMAN LEE HAS TODAY'S GUEST WHO WILL GIVE OUR INVOCATION.
>> I'M LOOKING FOR TIMOTHY HOSKINS.
>> I THINK HE STOOD ME UP [LAUGHTER].
>> WELL, WANT TO IMPROVISE? MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU HANDLE THE INVOCATION ON SHORT NOTICE?
>> GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR US STRENGTH, WISDOM, AND PURPOSE.
HE WILL BLESS US, EVEN AS WE DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SINFUL STRAY, AND HE WILL BLESS US BY REDEEMING SOME OF OUR MANY MISSTEPS.
EACH DAY, WE SHOULD PRAISE HIM AND THANK HIM FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS, HIS GRACE, AND FOR HIS ABILITY TO MAKE ALL THINGS NEW.
>> YOU MAY SEE OUR CLERK LIZ AND GREEN.
TODAY, I'D LIKE YOU TO HOLD UP YOUR JACKET THAT YOU'RE HIDING BEHIND YOUR CHAIR.
HER SHAW EAGLES AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE SHAW EAGLES.
PLAY FOR THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST ST. CHARLES CATHOLICS.
WE WISH THEM LUCK AS WELL ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
COACH HAN KELSEN IN A GOOD PLACE.
I THINK THEY'LL BE IN GOOD SHAPE.
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, STEVE LACH?
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK, THAT MIGHT HAVE GIVEN YOU A CLUE THAT THE PARISH PRESIDENT IS NOT HERE TODAY.
[PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]
SHE IS OUT, SO STEVE SHUT IS PLAYING THAT ROLE. STEVE, TAKE IT AWAY.>> ORDER MR. CHAIRMAN, AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
PARISH PRESIDENT IS UNABLE TO JOIN US TODAY, SHE IS ON A MEDICAL DAY, SO I'LL BE STANDING IN FOR HER.
[00:55:02]
AT OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING, THE PARISH PRESIDENT PROVIDED REMARKS ABOUT THE 2026 PROPOSED OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS, WHICH WERE DEFERRED TO TODAY'S MEETING FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION.THE PROPOSED BUDGETS CONTAIN TOTAL EXPENDITURES OF 1.0 TO $9 BILLION.
REVENUES ARE BUDGETED CONSERVATIVELY WHILE EXPENDITURES ARE FORECASTED TO REMAIN AT RECENT LEVELS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT INFORMATION KNOWN.
DEDICATED REVENUES, INCLUDING PROPERTY TAX, SERVICE CHARGES, AND SALES TAXES ACCOUNT FOR ROUGHLY 90% OF OUR OPERATING REVENUES.
I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THE PARISH HAS BUDGETED A 5% MERIT BASED ANNUAL PAY INCREASE FOR OUR CLASSIFIED EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL PAY PLAN EMPLOYEES.
ALL DEPARTMENTS CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A 15% RESERVE FUND BALANCE, WHICH EXCEEDS OUR 10% RESERVE FUND BALANCE REQUIREMENTS AND IS IN KEEPING WITH OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES.
THE 15% RESERVE FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND ALL OTHER FUNDS WILL HELP ENSURE THAT WE ARE IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE FINANCIAL STANDING FOR FUTURE BOND RATING EVALUATIONS.
THE 2026 CAPITAL BUDGET CONTAINS $139 MILLION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.
THE MAJOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES WILL OCCUR IN THE PUBLIC WORKS AREA OF APPROXIMATELY $127.8 MILLION OR 92% OF THE ENTIRE CAPITAL BUDGET FOR DRAINAGE STREETS, WATER, AND SEWAGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING $36 MILLION TO DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, $28 MILLION TO STREETS IMPROVEMENTS, $25 MILLION TO WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS, AND $37 MILLION TO SEWER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS.
ONE FINAL NOTE LOOKING FORWARD.
ALTHOUGH THE 2026 ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS IS COMPLETE, JEFFERSON PARISH MUST BE KEENLY AWARE OF OPERATING SHORTFALLS THAT MAY OCCUR, ESPECIALLY AS TO THE GENERAL FUND.
WITH SALES TAXES AS A MAJOR SOURCE OF REVENUE, THE GENERAL FUND AND THE STREETS AND DRAINAGE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGETS WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
AS THE STATE CONTINUES ITS BUDGET CHALLENGES AND WITH STATE MANDATED COSTS THAT CONTINUE TO RISE, ADDITIONAL REVENUE SOURCES COULD BE NEEDED TO BE CONSIDERED IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE GENERAL FUND IN THE FUTURE YEARS.
IN 2026 STATE MANDATED APPROPRIATIONS AMOUNTED TO APPROXIMATELY $56.9 MILLION OR 40% OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET WITH THE NET COST IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND OF APPROXIMATELY $51.3 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, THE 2026 BUDGET WILL FACE TIGHTER FUNDING CONSTRAINTS FURTHER CHALLENGED BY THE LINGERING EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND POTENTIAL RISING COSTS FROM TARIFFS, WHICH INCREASE IN MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND CONTRACTED SERVICES, ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAINING PASH OPERATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
IN SUMMARY, THE 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET FOLLOWS CONSERVATIVE FISCAL POLICIES WHILE MAINTAINING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE CITIZENS HAVE COME TO EXPECT FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT.
AS ALWAYS, THE BUDGET CAN BE AMENDED AT ANY COUNCIL MEETING TO ALLOW FOR UPDATING OUR FINANCIAL POSITION.
I RESPECTFULLY SUGGEST THAT COUNCIL ADOPT BOTH BUDGETS, OPERATE IN CAPITAL, AND ASK YOU TO SUPPORT AND ADOPT THE BUDGET ORDINANCES AS PRESENTED.
OUR JEFFERSON PROTECTION AND ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES HAS A FEW ADOPTION EVENTS COMING UP.
THE HOLIDAY IN THE PARK ADOPTION EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE TO SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH FROM 1:00 TO 4:00 PM AT LA FNET PARK AND METER.
THE PUPPET UP FOR STATION 31 FIREFIGHTERS AND FERRY CANINES ADOPTION EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY DECEMBER 20TH FROM 11:00 AM TO 2:00 PM AT THE THIRD DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, LOCATED AT 10423 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY AND RIVER BRIDGE.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JAY PAUSE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY WILL HOST A PET WEDDING BETWEEN AN ADOPTABLE CAT AND AN ADOPTABLE DOG RESPECTIVELY NAMED TAYLOR AND TRAVIS [LAUGHTER].
THE ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT WAS RELEASED YESTERDAY ON DECEMBER THE 9TH, AND A BRIDAL SHOWER AND BACHELOR PARTY WILL BE SCHEDULED IN THE NEAR FUTURE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE NAPLTS.
THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL HOST ITS ANNUAL YUE FESTIVE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, FROM NOON TO 3:00 PM.
THIS EVENT IS A GATHERING OF LITERARY FANS OF ALL AGES FOR FANTASY GENRE NOVELS, INCLUDING THE HARRY POTTER SERIES, NARNIA, WICKARD, THE WIZARD OF OZ, AND HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.
COSTUMES ARE ENCOURAGED, AND THE EVENT WILL FEATURE THEME GAMES, CRAFTS, AND A SCAVENGER HUNT.
THE WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY WELCOMES THE HARVEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR OUR HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY DEMONSTRATION THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH, FROM 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM.
KIDS AND ADULTS ARE INVITED TO MEET THE FIREFIGHTERS AND EXPLORE A FIRE TRUCK AND ALL UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF LIBRARY PATRONS WILL BE HELD AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 18TH, FROM 6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM.
THERE WILL BE A GIFT WRAPPING PARTY AT NORTH CENTER LIBRARY ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20TH FROM 2:00 PM TO 4:00 PM.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIBRARY PROGRAM AND BRANCHES, VISIT JPLIBRARY.NET, ALL EVENTS CAN BE FOUND AT CALENDAR.JPLIBRARY.NET.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WANTS TO REMIND RESIDENTS BEFORE SELECTING A LIVE CHRISTMAS TREE THIS YEAR THAT FLOCK TREES CANNOT BE DONATED TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH COASTAL TREE RECYCLING PROGRAM.
LIVE UNFLOCK TREES WILL BE COLLECTED CURBSIDE IN EARLY JANUARY ON JANUARY 8TH, 9TH AND 10TH, TO BE PLACED IN THE MARSH AREA, SURROUNDING LAFITTE ON JANUARY 24TH, TO CREATE HABITAT FOR FISH AND CRABS AND LOWER WAVE ACTION FOR THE SHORELINE.
[01:00:04]
PLEASE ALSO SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR FIRST HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENT FOR 2026, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SHRINE ON AIRLINE IN MEURY ON SATURDAY, JANUARY THE 17TH.RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO BRING ITEMS SUCH AS ELECTRONIC WASTE, CLEANING PRODUCTS, LAWN, GARDEN PRODUCTS, PAINT, AND SMALL AMMUNITION.
EVENTS LIKE THIS DIVERT HAZARDOUS WASTE MATERIALS FROM OUR LANDFILL AND AID IN KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFER AND HEALTHIER.
OUR JPRD BULLDOG ALL STAR PROGRAM, PARTICIPATED IN THE 53RD ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BOWL AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN GALAN BURG, TENNESSEE.
THREE TEAMS, THE 9S, THE 10S, THE 11S, 12S, REACH A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN THE 11, 12, 126, TO 13 OVER THE POWER HOUSE PRIDE FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
ITEM NUMBER 128 ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA IS A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A STUDY OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, TO EFFECT THE REGULATIONS AND ZONING CHANGES THAT WILL COME OUT OF THE UDC COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE PROJECT BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
THE UDC COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY CDBG DR RECOVERY FUNDS UNDER THE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM GRANTED TO JEFFERSON PARISH BY THE LOUISIANA OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISASTER RECOVERY.
THIS PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE, AND THIS RESOLUTION IS ONE OF THE FIRST ITEMS NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT IT CONTINUES SMOOTHLY.
PLANNING HAS MET WITH MULTIPLE PARTIES ACROSS A BROAD SPECTRUM, INCLUDING ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED INTERIM STANDARDS AND GAIN FEEDBACK.
IN PARTICULAR, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE PARISH PRESIDENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS, INCLUDING YOUR APPOINTEES FOR THEIR WORK ON FORMULATING THESE INTERIM STANDARDS.
WHAT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY IS A RESULT OF ALMOST A YEAR OF WORK AND COLLABORATION INVOLVING MULTIPLE PARISH DEPARTMENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS, AND WE ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING YOUR APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION.
LASTLY, I'D LIKE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO RESOLUTION 118 ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA AND REQUEST THE COUNCIL'S FAVORABLE APPROVAL OF THE APPOINTMENT OF STEVEN QUINZ AS THE NEW JP EOC MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR.
STEVEN HAS SERVED AS THE DIRECTOR OF SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR JEFFERSON PARISH SINCE 2023, AND HE BRINGS MORE THAN 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS LEADING SECURITY EMERGENCY AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS.
STEVEN IS ICS NM CERTIFIED FMA TRAIN, AND ALSO BRINGS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE AND SECURITY TECHNOLOGY TO THIS NEW ROLE.
WE BELIEVE THAT HIS PROVEN LEADERSHIP EXPERTISE, AND UNDERSTANDING OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE MAKING VERY QUALIFIED TO LEAD BY JEFFERSON PARISH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM.THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ANYBODY WITH COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR MR. LACHUTE.
ABOUT THE CAT WEDDING AND DOG WEDDING.
I'M A LITTLE MORE WORRIED ABOUT THE ACTUAL GUEST LIST THAN THE DOG AND CAT [LAUGHTER] GETTING MARRIED THEMSELVES.
THANK YOU, STEVE. A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE FROM COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN?
>> WELL, I WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE TO JUST PERSONALLY INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO LAFRENIERE PARK TO SEE OUR LIGHT DISPLAY.
WE HAVE OVER 10 MILLION LIGHTS.
IT WOULD BE A GREAT BACKGROUND FOR THIS WEDDING, THOUGH, BECAUSE WE HAVE LOTS OF NEW LIGHTS FOR THE DOG PARK.
ADOPT, NOT SHOP. THAT'S WHAT WE LIKE TO SAY THERE.
ANYWAY, WHEN DIVIDE EVERYBODY OUT, IT'S $20 FOR A CAR LOAD, AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN FIT IN YOUR CAR, AND WE DO HAVE SOME CLOWN CAR LOOKING THINGS HAPPENING. WE DON'T CARE.
BRING EVERYBODY YOU CAN FIT IN YOUR CAR FOR $20, IT'S THE BEST DEAL THAT WE HAVE GOING IN THE PARISH.
WHILE YOU'RE THERE, STOP BY THE POINT BECAUSE IT'S OUR NEW RESTAURANT PAVILION.
WE HAVE A TOTAL OF FOUR SPOTS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO USE.
WE HAVE TWO, ONE THAT'S OPEN RIGHT NOW, ONE THAT'S GOING TO BE OPEN, I THINK BY THIS WEEKEND.
THEN ONE THAT SHOULD BE OPENED VERY SHORTLY.
WE'RE WAITING FOR THE BOARD OF HEALTH TO COME.
THE FOOD'S DELICIOUS, STOP BY, GET SOME HOT COCOA AND HAVE YOUR DINNER OUT THERE.
>> HEY, COUNCILMAN BONANO. ANYBODY ELSE? ANYBODY WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON
[PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL REGARDING A RESOLUTION(S) ON AGENDA/ADDENDUM AGENDA]
AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA CAN DO SO NOW.YOU MUST FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEED CARD AT THE BACK OF CHAMBERS AND HAND IT UP TO THE CLERK IN FRONT.
A PERSON WHO SUBMITS A REQUEST TO SPEED CARD HAS THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA.
YOU CAN JUST LEAVE IT RIGHT THERE.
I LIVE AT 1056 KINGSWAY DRIVE, EAST IN TERRYTOWN.
I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK ON ITEM 20, THE PROHIBITION OF FILMING IN THE COURTHOUSE.
THIS SEEMS A VIOLATION. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT'S AN ORDINANCE, AND WHEN THAT COMES UP, THERE'LL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THAT.
>> HI, 509 HOME AND BOULEVARD, JUST TRYING TO SPARK A LITTLE CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE GO.
I HAD ITEMS NUMBER 84 THROUGH LIKE 99,
[01:05:07]
159, 165, 173, 178, 112.FORTY WE'RE SPENDING MONEY ON THIS WATER DEPARTMENT.
THE SLEW OF ITEMS RELATED TO WATER DEPARTMENT, SERVING TWO MASTERS.
EVERYBODY'S GETTING HIT WITH THESE RANDOM WATER BILLS ARE JACKED UP.
NOBODY HAS A TIME OR THE EFFORT THAT THEY CAN PUT TOWARDS TRYING TO FIGHT ANY OF THESE.
YOU CAN'T GET A HOLD OF ANYBODY.
WE HAVE AN ILLEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT ILLEGITIMATELY EMPOWERED.
THAT'S WHY THE UNINCORPORATED CITIZENS WHO STRUGGLE TO PAY THEIR WATER BILLS, THEY GET JACKED EVERY SIX MONTHS WITH ONE OUT OF THE BLUE AND TRY AND CONVINCE ANYBODY THAT THERE'S ANY READINGS.
TRY AND CONVINCE THEM THEY HAVE A LEAK. GO AHEAD.
HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME RHETORIC, THE SAME LINE FED TO THEM BEFORE WE FIGURE OUT THAT YOU THE EMPOWERED DON'T SERVE US? THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT I HAVE ON THE AGENDA RELATED TO STATE GOVERNMENT AND THAT SUPPOSED DELEGATION WE HAVE OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.
THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY BOTH OF THESE PARTIES AGAINST THE 800,000 CITIZENS, STATEWIDE THAT AREN'T REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS.
>> WHAT ITEMS, MR. HEYERS, ARE YOU SPEAKING ON?
>> SEVERAL OF THEM RELATED TO INTERACTIONS, CO-OPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENTS.
THERE ARE SEVERAL ITEMS WHERE WE INTERACT WITH THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND WE ARE DISSERVED, PREJUDICED AGAINST 85,000 JEFFERSON PARISH CITIZENS, 85,700 PLUS ARE UNAFFILIATED.
WE CANNOT BECOME OUR OWN LEGISLATOR IN THE SAME FASHION BY WHICH YOU, A REPUBLICAN, OR YOU, A DEMOCRAT CAN.
I CALL FOR THE RESOLUTION OF BOTH OF THESE PARTIES IMMEDIATELY.
I FIND THIS GOVERNMENT ILLEGITIMATELY EMPOWERED.
REPRESENTATIVES DIRECT TAXES SHALL BE APPORTIONED AMONG THEIR SELLER PARTS OF THE PARISH ACCORDING TO RESPECTIVE NUMBERS.
NO INVASIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION IS SO FUNDAMENTALLY DANGEROUS AS THE TRICKS PLAYED ON THE LEGAL QUALIFICATIONS TO LEGISLATE FOR THE UNION.
YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN VIOLATED BY YOUR PARTIES.
>> IT TURNS ON AUTOMATICALLY NOW.
WHEN YOU START SPEAKING AND THEN THERE'S A LITTLE BIT DELAY SOMETIME, SIR.
>> IS THIS TIME TO SPEAK ON ITEM 15 AND 16? I'M SORRY, ITEM 15 AND 16 ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET AS STATED.
>> SORRY, 15 AND 16, WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING WHEN WE GET TO THAT.
>> WHAT ABOUT 87 OR IS THAT DEFERRED?
>> LET ME SCROLL. WHAT IS THAT ONE?
>> THAT ONE IS A RESOLUTION RATIFYING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH JEFFERSON AND LAW FIRM.
>> THAT'S MISS SHENG VERSUS STEPHEN ORCAS IN HER LAWSUIT AGAINST HIM FOR HIM SAYING NOT NICE THINGS TO THE PARISH PRESIDENT.
WHERE IS THAT MONEY COMING FROM? WHAT BUDGET OR WHAT LINE ITEM?
>> DO YOU KNOW MADAM PARISH ATTORNEY? HANG ON. PLEASE.
>> YES. COUNCILMAN, IT'S COMING FROM OUR OFFICE'S BUDGET, THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
>> THAT'S IT'S NOT COMING OUT OF EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED, CORRECT?
>> I OWN 135 HARDING STREET, AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, WHOSE RESIDENCES ARE IN THE AREA OF ITEM 13, APPROVING SP 48-25.
>> THERE'S A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT ITEM AS WELL WHEN WE GET TO IT.
YOU CAN SPEAK WHEN THAT ITEM COMES UP.
>> THESE ARE ALL RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA AND ADDENDUM AGENDA.
THE ORDINANCES HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> GOOD MORNING. CHIEF GARY BRIDGE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I'M HERE FOR ITEM 179 ON THE AGENDA.
I'M ASKING FOR A SUPPORT TO REIMBURSE US FOR THE PURCHASE OF SOME NEW RESCUE EQUIPMENT.
OUR OLD RESCUE TOOLS WERE PURCHASED IN 2000, SO I THINK IT'S TIME FOR US TO GRADE THEM.
THAT'S WHAT THIS PURCHASE IS FOR.
I ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I THINK THAT OUR EQUIPMENT LASTED THIS LONG BECAUSE OF THE GUYS THAT WORKED FOR US DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THE MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP.
I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU.
[01:10:03]
>> ANYBODY ELSE SPEAKING ON AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR ADDENDUM AGENDA? MOVING ON TO THE REGULAR MEETING NOW.
[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED]
I HAVE A NOTE THAT ONE WILL BE DEFERRED TO FEBRUARY 4TH.ITEM NUMBER 2 WILL BE CANCELED.
ITEM NUMBER 3 WILL BE DEFERRED TO FEBRUARY 25TH, 2026.
COUNCILMAN FRANK IN YOUR MOTION ON THE DEFERRAL OF ONE AND THREE AND THE CANCELLATION OF NUMBER 2.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 1 TO FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026, THE CANCELLATION OF ITEM 2 AND THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 3 TO FEBRUARY 25TH, 2026.
A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THAT TAKES US TO NUMBER 4, MADAM CLERK.
[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES]
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSON OR FIRM TO CONTRACT WITH THE PARISH TO PROVIDE LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE DRUG SCREENINGS FOR THE YOUTH PLACED ON PROBATION BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH JUVENILE COURT.
>> COUNCILMAN HAVE BEEN RANKING YOUR SELECTION?
>> MOVE ON REDWOOD TOXICOLOGY.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF REDWOOD TOXICOLOGY ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 5.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING A PERSON OR FIRM TO PROVIDE EXECUTIVE SEARCH SERVICES TO ASSIST THE PARISH IN RECRUITING A FINANCE DIRECTOR AND ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR IN ANY OTHER RELATED POSITIONS ON AN HAS NEEDED BASIS.
>> THAT SELECTION IS MGP IMPACT SOLUTIONS, THE HIGHEST SCORE.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF MGP IMPACT SOLUTIONS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDER NUMBER 6.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING A PERSON OR FIRM TO PROVIDE ON SITE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON FOR THE PREPARATION OF A CONSOLIDATED MASTER PLANNING EFFORT FOR LAKE TOWN AND THE ESPLANADE MALL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF CSRS, LLC ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NUMBER 7.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING PERSON OR FIRM TO PROVIDE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR FOUR ONE YEAR TERMS FOR THE JEFFERSON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER LOCATED AT 6,400 AIRLINE DRIVE, METAILIE, LOUISIANA 70002 FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES UNDER RFP NUMBER 0504.
>> COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR SELECTION?
>> JEFFERSON PERFORMING ART SOCIETY.
>> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF JEFFERSON PERFORMING ART SOCIETY? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER WITH COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN ABSTAINING? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED? NUMBER 8 IS EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT AT NOON.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING]
WHICH I HAVE A NOTE WILL BE DEFERRED TO FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026.>> NINE AND TEN. NUMBER 9 AND 10 WILL BE DEFERRED TO FEBRUARY 4, 2026.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE REFERRAL OF THOSE ITEMS? YOUR MOTION ON THE REFERRAL OF THOSE ITEMS. COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS 9 AND 10 TO FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026, ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
THAT TAKES US TO NUMBER 11, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26653, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOT 5A, SQUARE 154 SOUTH NEW ORLEANS SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT 2408 MATHIS AVENUE, MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM MUCD TO R1A, WZ-17-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26653.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THOSE OPPOSED. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26653, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, NUMBER 12.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26654, AMENDING CHAPTER 33 UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON TO EVALUATE AND UPDATE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD AND PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS AS RECOMMENDED BY STUDY, AUTHORIZED BY COUNSEL, RESOLUTION NUMBER 147380 ON OCTOBER 22, 2025.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26654.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THOSE IN OPPOSITION. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26654, MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED, 13, PLEASE, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26600, APPROVING SP-48-25, REQUESTED VARIANCES TO ALL REQUIRED LANDSCAPING REGULATIONS OF THE CVZ, FOR MR.
[01:15:04]
WHEELCHAIR LOCATED AT 1201 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY ON LOT 20-A SQUARE NUMBER 6 HYMAN SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS AS WELL, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26600.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> VECTOR, I LIVE AT 135 HARDING STREET.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING OLD JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IN THIS DISTRICT.
PAB, MR. WHEELCHAIR, AND OJCA, REACHED A COMPROMISE REGARDING LANDSCAPING AT 1201 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY.
OJCA SUPPORTS THAT COMPROMISE AND REQUESTS COUNSEL VOTE IN FAVOR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE SPEAKING OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR, COUNCILMAN BONANO.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26600.
MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BONANO SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDER, NUMBER 14.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26655, APPROVING SP-71-25, REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE FRONT YARD FENCE AND SIGN REGULATIONS OF THE R1A FOR THE BONELLA A ST.
VILLE PRE-K THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE SCHOOL LOCATED AT 2,200 LAPALCO BOULEVARD ON LOT T2 DESTREHAN DIVISION SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.
>> WE WAIVE THE READING, AND NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26655.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THOSE IN OPPOSITION. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26655, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDER NUMBER 15, PLEASE.
[OTHER ORDINANCES]
ADOPTING AND OR APPROVING AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2026 FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 4.02 C AND D OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CHARTER, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO ADJUSTMENTS TO REVENUES, SERVICE CHARGES, AND EXPENDITURES.
>> WE NOW OVER THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26631.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THOSE OPPOSED. MADAM CLERK, DO YOU COME TO THE PODIUM? ANY OPPOSITION?
>> ALSO CONSTITUTE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED'S BUDGET?
>> YES. THIS IS THE BUDGET FOR 2026.
>> OUR BUDGET IS $54 MILLION FOR EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED.
IN OUR INTERGOVERNMENTALS, WE'VE TABULATED TO ABOUT $8.1 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 331236 LINE ITEM 35, IT SAYS THAT ONLY 4% OF THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET SHOULD BE USED ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS.
WE'RE EXCEEDING THAT BY ALMOST $6 MILLION, ACCORDING TO OUR CALCULATIONS.
MISS SHANG WANTS TO KNOW WHY THE FIREFIGHTERS KEEP SUING HER.
THE FIREFIGHTERS HAVE TO SUE THIS PARISH BECAUSE MISS SHANG REFUSES TO ABIDE BY THE LAW.
THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE DONE. WE CAN SIT DOWN, WE CAN MEET, WE CAN DISCUSS THESE ISSUES.
BUT AGAIN, AS STATED BEFORE, THIS WAS BROUGHT UP IN A MEETING WITH MISS SHANG AND MR. LECHUTE, AND MR. LECHUTE SAID, THAT'S JUST HOW JEFFERSON PARISH HAS CHOSEN TO DO IT.
IF JEFFERSON PARISH CHOOSES THIS COURSE, I CAN'T GUARANTEE OUR ASSOCIATION WILL NOT FILE ANOTHER LAWSUIT TO KEEP OUR MONEY WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT AND ABIDE BY THE LAW.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? NO. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? NO ONE ELSE STANDING? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN?
>> I DID WANT TO COMMENT BEFORE MOVING FOR APPROVAL.
THIS IS THE BUDGET THAT WILL GUIDE US FOR 2026, BUT WE DO AMEND THAT AT EVERY COUNCIL MEETING.
WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY MOVING FORWARD TO AMEND THINGS IF NEEDED.
I NOTICED THAT MR. LECHUTE, YOU HIT ON THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE YOU SAID ON THE GENERAL FUND, ON STREETS, AND ON DRAINAGE.
I NOTICE YOU ALSO SAID THAT WE MAY NEED TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL REVENUE.
I WOULD JUST SAY FROM MY PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE AT THIS TIME, THE EMPHASIS, I THINK, NEEDS TO BE ON TIGHTENING OUR BELT RATHER THAN ADDITIONAL REVENUE.
I DON'T THINK OUR RESIDENTS ARE IN ANY POSITION FOR HIGHER TAXES OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.
WE HAD A REALLY GOOD DISCUSSION.
I WANT TO THANK VICTOR AND MADISON FOR ANSWERING A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE.
THE ONLY THING THAT I WILL SAY THAT IS STILL A CONCERN TO ME IS THE GENERAL FUND,
[01:20:01]
AND THE RATE AT WHICH WE ARE SPENDING BEYOND REVENUE AND HAVING TO RELY ON OUR FUND BALANCE.I HAD PROVIDED MY COLLEAGUES WITH A CHART.
I KNOW WE WON'T GET FINAL NUMBERS AND SEE THOSE REFLECTED UNTIL MARCH.
I'LL REALLY HOLD UNTIL WE SEE OUR FINAL NUMBERS.
BUT AT THAT POINT, IF WE DO SEE A TROUBLING TREND, BECAUSE THE GRAPH SHOWS WE'RE CONTINUING TO RELY ON OUR FUND BALANCE, THEN I THINK IT'LL BE WORTH US REVISITING THAT AND TALKING ABOUT THAT IF WE SEE A TREND.
NOW, HOPEFULLY, LOTS OF PEOPLE WILL BE SHOPPING AND SPENDING SALES TAX DOLLARS, AND WE'LL HAVE A HEALTHY DECEMBER.
BUT THAT'S THE ONE THING I WANTED TO NOTE AS A CONCERN.
IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENT, I'LL MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26631, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN AN BRANK AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDER, NUMBER 16, PLEASE.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26632, ADOPTING THE 2026 CAPITAL BUDGET FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS FOR THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.
>> NOW, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26632.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. THOSE OPPOSED.
>> YOU KNOW I'M GOING TO OPPOSE MOST OF THESE.
I GOT DISTRACTED, SO I MISSED THAT LAST ONE, BUT IT'S THE SAME DIFFERENCE.
CAPITAL BUDGET, OPERATING BUDGET.
EITHER ONE OF THEM SERVES SPECIAL DISTRICTS MORE THAN THEY DO THE UNINCORPORATED CITIZENS, THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THIS TAXATION MORE SO THAN EVERYBODY ELSE.
TOWN JOHN LAFITTE DOESN'T CHARGE ANY PROPERTY TAX AND GET A 25% BREAK.
EVERY MUNICIPALITY GETS A 25% CUT OFF THE TOP OF THEIR TAX BILL.
I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
I'VE BEEN PAYING THESE TAXES FOR ALL 30 YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE.
ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION IN JUST THE LAST FEW YEARS, PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS.
ONLY DISTRICT 5 SERVES ONLY THE UNINCORPORATED.
THERE'S A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOW THE SPENDING BETWEEN FIRE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE IN UNINCORPORATED, UNIONIZED, ONLY SERVING UNINCORPORATED PEOPLE, VERSUS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND THIS BUDGET REFLECTS ALL OF THE PERVERSION, ALL OF THE CORRUPTION.
I'M A JEFFERSONIAN REPUBLICAN.
NO INVASIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION SO FUNDAMENTALLY DANGEROUS AS TRICKS PLAYED ON THEIR OWN NUMBERS, FIVE PLUS TWO, NO METHOD BY WHICH YOU CAN APPORTION.
I GOT TWO SENATORS TRYING TO DO THIS.
WITH WHAT WOULD BE A HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES? THERE IS NOTHING LEGITIMATE COMING FORTH FROM THIS BUDGET, ANY PREVIOUS BUDGET.
UNTIL THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE FIGURE THIS OUT.
I GUESS I'M STUCK HAVING TO OPPOSE THIS.
I KNOW I GOT A LOT OF COURAGEOUS MEN AND WOMEN STANDING BEHIND ME.
IF THEY COULD JUST MUSTER THE COURAGE TO SWEEP YOU ALL OUT, WE COULD REMEDY THIS IN SHORT ORDER, REPEAL THE CHARTER.
MAKE EACH MUNICIPALITY HAVE ONE REPRESENTATIVE, NONE MORE THAN ONE FOR EVERY SO MANY PEOPLE, LIKE THE CONSTITUTION PRESCRIBES.
EACH SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE, NONE NONE MORE THAN ONE FOR EVERY SO MANY PEOPLE.
LEGITIMIZE THE POWER THAT BEGETS THE BUDGET, THEN I CAN QUIT OPPOSING THIS.
UNTIL YOU DO SO, I GOT TO KEEP ON REMINDING YOU OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES YOU SWORE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND.
WHETHER YOU HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING OR THE ABILITY, IF YOU LACK FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT REQUIRED, WELL, THE REMEDY ISN'T TO TAKE IT FROM YOU, IS IT? WHAT GOOD DOS IT DO TO REPLACE A TERMINATED PARISH PRESIDENT WITH A BROADCAST JOURNALIST.
I DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF ANY OF YOU.
AT LEAST I'VE COME TO KNOW YOU.
YOU'VE COME TO KNOW ME. YOU KNOW WHY I'M HERE.
IF YOU FIX THIS THING, WE CAN GET IT DONE.
YOU COULD BE THE FIRST ONES TO DO IT.
YOU COULD ACTUALLY RE ESTABLISH A REPUBLICAN FORMER GOVERNMENT RIGHT HERE IN THE PARISH NAME FOR THOMAS JEFFERSON.
I HAVE TO OPPOSE ON THE FUNDAMENTAL GROUNDS, I COMPREHEND.
UNLESS SOMEBODY WANTS TO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW IT'S DIFFER THAN WHAT THOMAS JEFFERSON SAID, I'M GOING TO KEEP DOING THIS. I OPPOSE.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, ONE APPEAR IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26632 AND MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN CAN BRACKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NUMBER 17, MADAM CLERK.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26657, AMENDING SECTION 4-18 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO PERMIT THE SALE OF ALCOHOL BEVERAGES BY LESS OF THE POINT AT LAFANER PARK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.
>> NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26657.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THOSE OPPOSED. MADAM CLERK NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN BOHANAN?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26657? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BOHANAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. 18, PLEASE.
[01:25:02]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26658, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 6 ARTICLE 5 OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO CARNIVAL, MARDIGRA, AND OTHER PARADES AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS REGARDING ATTIRE AND ARTSATION, INSURANCE, MARCHING CLUBS, AND VIOLATIONS, AND PENALTIES.
>> PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26658.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THOSE OPPOSED. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LISENBERG.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26658? OUR MOTION CARRIES.
COUNCILMAN LISENBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE IN SO ORDER. 19, PLEASE?
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26659, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 12 ELECTIONS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ALIGN WITH THE LOUISIANA SECRETARY OF STATE-APPROVED PRECINCT LIST TO MERGE UNDERSIZED PRECINCTS AS REQUIRED BY THE LOUISIANA ELECTION CODE.
>> PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26659.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THOSE OPPOSED. MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED, COUNCILMAN KERNER.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26659, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. NUMBER 20, PLEASE.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 2660, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH BY ADDING A SECTION TO BE NUMBER 20-46.1 RELATIVE TO PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES IN THE THOMAS F DONELON COURTHOUSE IN ENTRYWAYS.
>> PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 2660.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED?
>> MY NAME IS MICHAEL TEVIS, 1056 KINGS WAY DRIVE, EAST CHERRY TOWN.
I OPPOSE THIS BECAUSE, AS IT'S WRITTEN, IT SEEMS TO VIOLATE FREEDOM OF PRESS.
COUNCILWOMAN, AS A REPORTER, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU COULD PUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS UP.
IT SEEMS AS IT'S WRITTEN, IT RESTRICTS AND PUNISHES THOSE THAT ARE REPORTING ACTIONS IN THE COURTHOUSE.
I WOULD PROPOSE TO AMEND TO RESTRICT FILMING TO STRICTLY IN COURT PROCEEDINGS.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? DIDN'T KNOW WHERE YOU WERE MOVING TO? SORRY ABOUT THAT. DO YOU HAVE YOUR CARD? JUST HAND IT UP WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE.
>> JAMES TATE, 2109 SUTHERLAND PLACE, HARVARD, LOUISIANA.
I DIDN'T COME TO SPEAK ON THIS.
WHEN I'M HEARING THIS GENTLEMAN, IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE THAT YOU WOULD PASS AN ORDINANCE TO DO THIS.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION, BUT A LITTLE BIT I DO KNOW, I HAVE RIGHTS TO OWN PROPERTY AND TO BE SECURE IN MY OWN PROPERTY.
IF I DON'T BRING CONTRABAND INTO THIS BUILDING, SUCH AS A CELL PHONE OR A PEN, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CONFISCATE THAT OR RESTRICT ME FROM USING IT IN A PUBLIC SPACE.
HOW CAN YOU WRITE AN ORDINANCE THAT'S AGAINST OUR STATE AND NATIONAL CONSTITUTION? I UNDERSTAND THAT CELL PHONES MAY GO OFF WHILE I'M TALKING, WHICH IS RUDE BECAUSE MINE'S ON RIGHT NOW.
BUT TO RESTRICT THE USE OF A GENTLEMAN COMING IN TO RECORD A PUBLIC HEARING TO ME IS RIDICULOUS. I OPPOSE IT.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN?
>> I GOT TO GET A BREATH AND A DRINK OF WATER, BUT, YEAH, YOU CAN REGISTER FRANKIE HIRES' OPPOSITION TO ANYTHING THAT SOMEHOW INFRINGES ON THE PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO HOLD THEIR GOVERNMENT TO ACCOUNT. I OPPOSE.
>> ANYONE ELSE? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT THREE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN.
>> A FEW THINGS. THIS ITEM IS NOT ONE THAT WAS INITIATED BY THE COUNSEL.
IT WAS INITIATED BY THE JUDGES.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING ACTUALLY THAT THE COUNSEL THOUGHT UP.
IT CAME AT THE REQUEST OF OUR JUDGES.
AS A FORMER JOURNALIST, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
I HAVE CERTAINLY ARGUED IN THE PAST AS A JOURNALIST TO BE ABLE TO FILM IN COURT.
I REMEMBER COVERING THE VINCE MARINELO TRIAL IN LAFAYETTE, WHERE THERE WAS A POSTED SIGN THAT SAID YOU COULD NOT HAVE PHONES IN THE COURTROOM UNLESS YOU ARE AN ATTORNEY.
I WAS AN ATTORNEY. I STARTED TAKING MY PHONE IN UNTIL THE JUDGE CALLED ME TO CHAMBERS ONE DAY AND SAID, YOU'RE NOT ACTING AS AN ATTORNEY HERE. GIVE ME YOUR PHONE.
[01:30:02]
COURT ROOMS ALL OVER THE STATE AND ALL OVER THE COUNTRY CAN RESTRICT CELL PHONE USE.ALL OF US WHO WITNESSED THE HORROR OF THE ATTACK ON BOURBON STREET THIS PAST NEW YEAR'S.
PART OF WHAT POLICE UNDERSTOOD AFTER THE FACT WAS THAT THE GENTLEMAN WHO WOULD PERPETRATE THOSE MURDERS WAS FILMING THROUGH GLASSES, WALKING PLACES, SEEING EXIT, SEEING GARBAGE CANS, WHERE HE COULD PLACE BOMBS.
THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE GOING THROUGH OUR JUDICIAL BUILDING, LOOKING AT EXITS, LOOKING AT LAYOUT, LOOKING AT CHAMBERS.
THAT IS WHAT THE JUDGES EXPRESSED.
THAT IS WHY WE'RE GOING TO RESPECT THE JUDGE'S REQUEST ON THIS AND MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> AGAIN, THAT ONLY APPLIES TO THE COURTHOUSE, NOT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
THE REST IS LIKE IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN.
SORRY. THERE WERE THREE IN OPPOSITION.
COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN, BRING THE MOTION.
>> I'M GOING TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
IF YOU DO HAVE QUESTIONS, I WOULD ENCOURAGE DIALOGUE WITH THE JUDICIAL BRANCH WITH THE JUDGES.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26660, AND MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRACKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NUMBER 21, PLEASE.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26661, AMENDING SECTION 27-196 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH, RELATIVE TO THE HANDLING OF ACCOUNTS.
>> NOW, ON THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26661.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> MR. HIERS FROM REPRESENTATIVE BODY.
I TRUST YOU TO HOLD NO ACCOUNTS IN ANY WAY THAT BENEFITS THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
IF YOU WERE APPORTIONED BODY, THEN AT LEAST I'D HAVE THAT.
BUT LACKING FOR AN APPORTIONED REPRESENTATIVE BODY, AS I'M COMPELLED TO BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TRUST ME, I'D RATHER HAVE LIBERTY THAN SECURITY EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.
I NEED A FRUGAL AND SIMPLE GOVERNMENT, ONE THAT HAS THE APPLICATION OF ONE RATIO, WHICH IS INTELLIGIBLE TO THE PEOPLE.
WHILE THE APPLICATIONS OF FIVE DISTRICTS PLUS TWO AT LARGE MEMBERS, NEVER COMPREHENDED BY THEM, I OPPOSE ON FUNDAMENTAL GROUNDS.
>> I WANT TO REMIND YOU, MR. HIERS, THAT YOU HAVE TO OPPOSE THE ITEM ITSELF AND NOT THE WAY OUR GOVERNMENT IS MADE UP.
>> MR. HIERS, BEFORE YOU WALK OUT, WELL, I THINK YOU'LL ACTUALLY LIKE THIS.
I'M PUTTING MYSELF OUT ON A LIMB HERE.
BUT COUNCILMAN LISENBERG AND I, BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU APPRECIATE WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO DO.
WE'RE NOT CREATING AN ACCOUNT.
CONSTITUENTS OFTEN CALL OUR OFFICES, AND I KNOW COUNCILMAN LISENBERG HAS GOTTEN A MULTITUDE OF THESE CALLS AS OUR OFFICE, WHERE SOMEONE SAYS, MY RELATIVE HAS DIED, AND THE WATER ACCOUNT IS IN THEIR NAME.
TRADITIONALLY, OUR PRACTICE, OFTEN, DEPENDING ON THE RELATIONSHIP, HAS BEEN TO CHARGE A NEW FEE TO CHANGE THE ACCOUNT NAME.
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS ENCOURAGE THE WATER DEPARTMENT IN THOSE INSTANCES OF DEATH TO TRY TO FIND WAYS WHERE THINGS CAN BE TRANSFERRED IN NAME WITH PROOF OF A DEATH CERTIFICATE, AND NOT HAVING TO BURDEN THE LOVED ONE WHO JUST LOST SOMEONE WITH A FEE.
WE'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO FIND A COMMON-SENSE WAY TO HAVE SOME RULES WHERE IF YOU HAVE A LOST LOVED ONE, WE CAN TRANSFER THE ACCOUNT WITHOUT AN ADDITIONAL FEE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
>> THAT'S WONDERFUL THAT YOU GAVE THAT EXPLANATION.
THE NEED FOR IT, THE NEED TO DO THIS LITTLE CROTCHET, IS BECAUSE OF THE LAST LITTLE CROTCHET.
IN OTHER WORDS, WE DON'T HAVE AN OFFICE FOR ANYBODY TO GO INTO TO RESOLVE THIS WITH A PERSON.
YOU'RE TRYING TO NOW REMEDY IT BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET THE ADMINISTRATION TO DO WHAT WOULD BE EXPECTED OF ANY GOVERNMENT.
WHAT EVERY CITIZEN I KNOCK ON THE DOOR, AND THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WATER BILL, THEY WANT AN OFFICE.
THEY WANT A REAL PERSON TO JUST GO WALK INTO AND RESOLVE THIS.
WE WOULDN'T NEED AN EXTRA RULE.
WE WOULDN'T NEED THIS ACCOUNT HANDLING.
>> THAT'S THE BEST THAT WE GET.
LET'S DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THINGS A LITTLE BETTER TO GAIN A LITTLE AQUEOUS FROM THE CITIZENS.
I'M NOT SETTING FOR ACQUIESCENCE.
I WANT A RESPONSIBLE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
I NEED A FRUGAL AND SIMPLE ONE THAT ABIDES THE CONSTITUTION.
I GET THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO GET IT. I SEE THAT.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? THE FACT THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS LITTLE EXCHANGE RIGHT HERE GIVES ME CAUSE FOR GREAT HOPE.
>> THANK YOU, AND I AGREE. WE NEED TO GET BACK TO HAVING AN OPEN OFFICE WHERE HUMANS CAN TALK TO HUMANS.
I'LL MOVE FOR APPROVAL, AND THANKS TO COUNCILMAN LISENBERG FOR BRINGING FORTH THIS EFFORT.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 6661 ON JOINT MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN BRACKEN AND COUNCILMAN LISENBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NUMBER 22 WITH AMENDMENTS, PLEASE, THE OPERATING BUDGET.
[01:35:07]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26662, AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET.
THE FIRST ONE I'M GOING TO READ IS GOING TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTES TO ALLOCATE $5,500 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 'S OFF TRACK BETTING FUND FOR JEFFERSON POWER SHERIFF'S OFFICE, POLICE PATROLS IN TARRYTOWN AND AROUND OAKWOOD DURING THE HOLIDAYS.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THAT AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, SO ALL.
>> CHANGE THE $61,000 TRANSFER FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 'S VIDEO POKER ACCOUNT 2 2 0 2 0 2 7 5 3 7 6 8 0 5 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 0 0 FOR THE MLK CELEBRATION TO $51,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 'S VIDEO POKER ACCOUNT NUMBER 2 2 0 2 0 2 7 5 3 7 6 8 0 1 7 0 2 0 2 5 3 0 0 0 FOR NEW GROWTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FOR THE MLK CELEBRATIONS.
CHANGE THE $43,000 TRANSFER FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S WEST BANK TOURISM ACCOUNT NUMBER 2 2 0 3 0 2 7 6 3 1 2 7 7 6 8 0 5 5 2 0 3 7 3 0 0 0 2 $43,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S WEST BANK TOURISM TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 2 2 0 3 0 2 7 6 3 1 2 7 7 6 8 0 1 7 0 2 0 3 7 3 0 0 FOR NEW GROWTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FOR THE MLK CELEBRATIONS.
ALLOCATE $45,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND, FOR A CEA WITH BELMET CIVIC ASSOCIATION TO ASSIST THEM IN REDEEMING THEIR CLUBHOUSE AND PULL PROPERTY OUT OF TAX SALE.
ALLOCATE $70,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND FOR A CEA WITH TERRYTOWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR FOOD TRUCK FEST.
ALLOCATE $3,748 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND TO PAY CONVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC FOR A SECURITY CAMERA IN MARRERO.
ALLOCATE $600 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3'S WEST BANK RIVER BOAT GAMING FUND FOR A CEA WITH JEFFERSON COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CENTERS, DOING BUSINESS AS INCLUSIVE CARE FOR A CEA AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
ALLOCATE $30,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 BP SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 2 3 0 1 0 2 7 8 3 7 9 1 1 4 4 5 3 0 3 0 1 8 3 0 0 0 TO FUND A TRANSFER TO PROJECT 45333001 TO REPLACE THE LOCKS, TRANSFER UTILITIES, PAY UTILITIES, AND OBTAIN INSURANCE FOR THE BUILDING AT 1006 PALETTE STREET.
THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THOSE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
ANY OBJECTION TO LOG ACCOUNT NUMBERS? [LAUGHTER]
>> HEARING NONE ON THE OBJECTIONS ON THE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR, SO ORDERED, COUNCILMAN AN RANK IN YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN AN RANKING, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> WE GOT TO OPEN THE HEARING.
>> I'M SORRY. MAYBE JUST WISHFUL THINKING THAT I WAS SKIPPING AHEAD.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION?
>> THERE ARE TWO WAYS THAT I COULD AVOID HAVING TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION FRANKY HIRES HIGHWAY NINE HOME AND BOULEVARD, IS TRYING TO SPARK THAT CURIOSITY IN THE WAY WE COULD GO.
TWO WAYS THIS COULD BE RESOLVED.
I'LL NEVER HAVE TO COME UP HERE, AND BY THE WAY, BPOIL.
YOU SPEND THAT MONEY ANYWAY YOU WANT.
DON'T EVEN HAVE A CONCERN FOR THAT.
IT'S STILL ILLEGITIMATELY DONE, BUT WE'LL LET THAT JUST SLIDE ON THIS ONE.
BECAUSE I'M ONLY UP HERE ON THIS STUFF WITH THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
TYPICALLY, YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I'M HERE.
ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8, CLAUSE 1, SALES TAX DUTIES SHALL BE UNIFORMLY APPLIED.
SALES TAXES, WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT THE STATE SALES TAX GETS APPLIED TO EACH PARISH THE SAME RATE. WE ALL KNOW THAT.
WE ALL UNDERSTAND EVEN THE MUNICIPALITY SALES TAX IS UNIFORM THROUGHOUT THAT MUNICIPALITY.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO HOSPITALITY TAXATION, WHEN I WAS STUMBLING UPON THAT EVIDENCE OF THE 25% BREAK THAT EVERYBODY GETS ON PROPERTY TAXES, I STUMBLED UPON THIS ONE.
BOY IS IT JUST IRRITATE, I GOT A FRIEND WHO OWNS A VENDING MACHINE.
HIS BASE OF OPERATIONS IS KERNER.
HE'S PAYING A HALF A PERCENT MORE SALES TAX
[01:40:01]
TO THE PARISH THAN IF HE PUT IT ON THE WEST BANK.ALL OF THAT GAMBLING MONEY, ALL THOSE GOOD DEEDS.
ALL GETTING SQUIRED AWAY BY A DISTRICT AND BEING SPENT FROM A DISTRICT THAT'S VIRTUALLY REPRESENTATIVE FROM HARVEY TO MORY, AND ALL POINTS IN BETWEEN.
SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES TAX DIFFERENTLY.
SPECIAL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT ALL THIS.
NOBODY UNDERSTANDS THE IMPLICATIONS OF A SPECIAL DISTRICT.
WE JUST HAD A COMPANY WERE A PLOTTING FOR MOVING INTO THE PARISH LINE FROM ORLEANS PARISH.
WE JUST STOLE THAT COMPANY FROM ORLEANS PARISH.
WHY? BECAUSE WE CREATED A SPECIAL DESIGN DISTRICT.
THEY DON'T PAY PROPERTY TAXES FOR 20 YEARS.
WE'VE HAD SEVERAL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COME UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT THE DISPARITIES WHEN IT COMES TO PROPERTY TAXATION.
THE IMPOSITIONS OF THE STATE UPON US WITH ITEP EXEMPTIONS.
WHAT'S THE COMPANY? YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT? CORNERSTONE. FROM ONE LITTLE CROTCHET INGENUITY TO THE NEXT.
I OPPOSE BECAUSE FUNDAMENTALLY, I'M SUPPOSED TO HAVE A FRUGAL AND SIMPLE GOVERNMENT, ONE THAT IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.
BUT THESE TWO PARTIES THAT RUN THE SHOW EXCLUDED A THIRD OF THE POPULATION FROM HAVING ANY INFLUENCE ON THEIR OWN GOVERNANCE.
YOUR PARTIES. YOU'RE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, YOU DISQUALIFIED A NO PARTY, HALF A THIRD OF THE POPULATION OF JEFFERS PARISH, 85,700 PEOPLE.
YOU'RE ALLOWING TO BE DISQUALIFIED FROM GAINING ACCESS TO A BALLOT.TREASONOUS.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, THE ONE APPEAR IN OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN VAN FRANKEN?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26662, A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO. NEXT IS CAPITAL BUDGET.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26663, AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET, IN THE AMENDMENTS ARE.
THE FIRST ONE IN MARID IS GOING TO REQUIRE UNANIMOUS VOTES TO APPROPRIATE $20,127 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 CDIA GENERAL FUND TO PROJECT 45325401 LAND BANKING FOR THE PAYMENT OF LEGAL SERVICES.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
>> TO RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $30,000 FROM ACCOUNT NUMBER 2 3 0 1 0 2 7 8 3 7 9 1 1 4 4 5 3 0 3 0 1 8 3 0 0 0 TO PROJECT 45333001 TO REPLACE THE LOCKS, TRANSFER UTILITIES, PAY UTILITIES, AND OBTAIN INSURANCE FOR THE BUILDING AT 1006 PALETTE STREET, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THOSE AMENDMENTS BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE. COUNCILMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> ANY OBJECTION. THE ADOPTION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN FRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26663.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN VAN FRANKEN.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPROVAL OF SUMAR NUMBER 26663 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN VAN.
RANKIN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
NUMBER 24, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR, PLEASE.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]
>> I BELIEVE I HAVE A FEW. THREE HERE.
>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO AQUILA TEMPLE NUMBER 283 INCORPORATED IN AQUILA CURT NUMBER 255 TO CONDUCT ITS CHRISTMAS TOY GIVEAWAY AT WILT TERMINAL ON THE WEST BANK EXPRESSWAY, GRETNA ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2025, FROM 3:00 P.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
IN CONNECTION THEREWITH TO HAVE DJ AMPLIFIED MUSIC TO GIVE AWAY DRIVE THROUGH TOYS AND TO SERVE FOOD AND BEVERAGES, PROVIDED THAT ALL PERMITS ARE OBTAINED.
>> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, AND NO PEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
WHEN FAVOR OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
COUNSEL MC KERNER. MOVE TO PROOF. ANY OBJECTION.
ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORD A MOTION BY COUNSEL MCKERN, SECONDED BY COUNSELMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SO ORDERED.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE. [LAUGHTER] ONE, TWO, THREE.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND JEFFERSON COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CENTERS INCORPORATED, DOING BUSINESS AS INCLUSIVE CARE,
[01:45:02]
WHICH PROVIDES FOR QUALITY, LOW COST MEDICAL CARE TO THE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED REGARDLESS OF INSURANCE STATUS AT ITS MARO AND AVONDALE LOCATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE FOOD PANTRIES AT ITS SCHOOL BASED HEALTHCARE CENTERS IN LW HIGGINS HIGH SCHOOL IN LINCOLN SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $5,000 TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $600 TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES, THEREBY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE AGREEMENT FROM $5,700 TO $6,300.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
THOSE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
CAME CLERK NOT TO NO ONE APPEARED. COUNCILMAN LEE.
I MOVE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY CONCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE SOWDED.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, WHICH PROVIDES FOR EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $114,323 TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDS AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $2,500 FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS AT EMMET GILBERT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE, THEREBY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF THE AGREEMENT FROM $114,323 TO $116,823.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THAT RESOLUTION BEING BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION BEFORE THE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION APPOINTING GERARD JACKSON TO THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 22, 2025, REPRESENTING JEFFERSON PARISH, COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE.
>> ANY OBJECTION THAT RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT FROM THE FLOOR? HEARING NONE, AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT RESOLUTION.
THOSE IN FAVOR OF OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION THAT RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. CONSENT AGENDA 1.
[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]
NOW, COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 25 THROUGH 72 -26 FROM WHICH YOU WILL ABSTAIN.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 25 THROUGH 72 -26, FROM WHICH COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN WILL ABSTAIN, A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. ITEM NUMBER 26, PLEASE.
>> RESOLUTION APPROVAL OF THE 2025 IN 2026 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE PERMITS.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION. ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER WITH COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN ABSTAIN. HEARING NONE SO ORDER.
LET'S GO TO ITEM NUMBER 73 NOW AND CONSENT AGENDA 2.
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO]
THAT IS THE GLOBAL ADOPTION OF ITEM 73 THROUGH 170 -76, WHICH IS ELECTION, AND 104, FROM WHICH COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN WILL ABSTAIN.>> ALSO, REQUEST TO POLL 83 FOR DISCUSSION AND OR DEFERRAL.
>> LET ME READ THAT AGAIN. COUNCILMAN VAN FRANKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 73 THROUGH 170, -76, WHICH IS A SELECTION, 83, WHICH WILL BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION, AND 104 FROM WHICH YOU WILL ABSTAIN. YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF 73 THROUGH 170, -76, WHICH IS A SELECTION, 83, WHICH WILL BE DISCUSSED, AND 104, FROM WHICH COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN WILL ABSTAIN, A MOTION OF COUNCIL WOMAN BOHANNAN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> 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 NORTH CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD BRIDGES OVER VETERANS BOULEVARD REHABILITATION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
>> COUNCILMAN LOSBERG, YOUR SELECTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF DESIGN ENGINEERING, ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LOSBERG,
[01:50:01]
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT NUMBER 3 TO THE AGREEMENT, CONTRACT NUMBER 550-002-2080 BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND DELOITTE AND TOUCHE LLP, INCREASING THE TOTAL CONTRACT CAP BY $6,800,000 FOR A NEW TOTAL CONTRACT CAP OF $15 MILLION TO ACCOMMODATE FIVE DISTINCT WORK STREAMS UNDER THE SCOPE OF WORK, YEAR IN CLOSE, AND AUDIT TO PART FOR 2024 AND 2025.
FINANCE PROCESS AND CAPABILITIES, GRANT MANAGEMENT, DATA ACCURACY, AND TECHNOLOGY CAPACITY ASSOCIATED WITH JEFFERSON PARISH.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW M4 ERP PLATFORM AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT TERM TO COINCIDE WITH THE END OF THE PARISH FISCAL YEAR ENDING AT MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 31, 2027.
>> I'D LIKE TO DEFER THIS IF WE CAN FOR ONE MEETING.
WE'VE HAD SOME GOOD DISCUSSIONS, BUT THIS IS NOT A SMALL CONTRACT, AND THE NUMBER DOES SEEM TO KEEP MOVING.
I KNOW I SPOKE WITH THE BUDGET DIRECTOR AND INTERIM FINANCE DIRECTOR.
I'D LIKE TO DEFER IT FOR ONE MEETING.
I KNOW SINCE THE DRAINAGE DEPARTMENT, STREETS DEPARTMENT, GENERAL FUND ARE STRESSED, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CONTRACT ARE GOING TO BE SPREAD OVER THOSE DEPARTMENTS.
I'M CURIOUS ONE, HOW IT WILL IMPACT DEPARTMENTS LIKE THE DRAINAGE DEPARTMENT.
HOW MUCH WILL THEY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR? A MAYBE MORE IMMEDIATE CONCERN, TOO, IS THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT DELOITTE HAS PROVIDED US, THE ANTICIPATED SPEND FOR 2026 IS ROUGHLY $10 MILLION.
THE ASK IN THIS LATEST AMENDMENT IS LESS THAN THAT.
I REALLY DON'T WANT TO GET CAUGHT IN A SCENARIO WHERE WE'RE PIECEMEALING THIS, AND WE REALLY CAN'T PLAN ON THE WHOLE BUDGET FIGURE THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE ON.
PRIORITY NUMBER 1, TO ME, IS THE AUDIT.
I ALSO WHEN I SHARED THAT I WOULD REQUEST DEFERRAL, I ALSO DON'T MIND IF WE FULLY FUND THE AUDIT SUPPORT, WHICH I THINK THE ESTIMATE IS LIKE 2.6 MILLION THIS YEAR, I JUST DON'T WANT TO IMMEDIATELY BE SPENDING MILLIONS BEYOND THAT UNTIL WE REALLY KNOW WHAT IS THE TOTAL HIT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS YEAR, AND WHAT DO WE HAVE TO PLAN ON LONGER TERM? I THINK DEFERRING IT FOR ONE MEETING WOULD GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A BETTER HANDLE ON HOW DOES THIS IMPACT, ESPECIALLY OUR DRAINAGE DEPARTMENT.
I KNOW WE HAVE DRAINAGE PROJECTS THAT WE'RE WAITING ON.
HOW DOES THIS COST HIT THOSE DEPARTMENTS?
>> IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS? ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING? COUNCILWOMAN [INAUDIBLE]
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. JUST SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS, BEFORE WE COME TODAY, WE HAVE SEVERAL MEETINGS IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY.
WE'RE JUST NOW LEARNING ABOUT THIS REQUEST FOR A DEFER, AT LEAST I AM.
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE, BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY BEFORE THIS MOMENT TO ASK THIS QUESTION.
BUT IF WE WERE TO DEFER AT A MEETING, WOULD THAT DELAY ANYTHING FOR YOU GUYS? ARE WE RISKING ANYTHING? THE LAST THING THAT WE CAN AFFORD TO DO IS DELAY THIS AUDIT OR GIVE DELOITTE ANY REASON WHY THIS AUDIT IS NOT DONE IN MARCH, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING.
WILL THAT AT ALL COMPROMISE THAT OPPORTUNITY?
>> WE HAVE A MEETING IN JANUARY, OBVIOUSLY, AND A BILL FOR JANUARY WOULDN'T COME UNTIL DECEMBER.
AS LONG AS DELOITTE IS AMENABLE TO CONTINUING WORK WHILE WE SORT OUT THE FUNDING.
>> WELL, THE BUDGET. I'M SORRY, WERE YOU DONE? THE BUDGET FOR DELOITTE FOR 2026, THE MONEY IS IN THE BUDGET THAT WE JUST APPROVED FOR THAT PART OF THEIR WORK FOR THE AUDIT?
>> BUT IN TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE CONTRACT, THE FUNDING FOR 2026 IS TIED TO THE AMENDMENT.
>> I APPRECIATE COUNCILWOMAN, WHAT YOU'RE ASKING BECAUSE I ACTUALLY ASKED THE SAME THING YESTERDAY, AND I DIDN'T GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEND THE EMAIL AND DOCUMENTATION UNTIL LIKE 5:00 YESTERDAY.
BUT I DID ASK SPECIFICALLY TO KNOW WHAT MONEY WE HAD IN THE ACCOUNT NOW SO THAT DELOITTE CONTINUES TO GET THE MONEY THEY NEED AND THAT WE DON'T SLOW ANYTHING DOWN.
BUT I THINK WE NEED DISCUSSIONS BEFORE WE SPEND PART OF MONEY AND NOT KNOW WHAT WE'RE REALLY GOING TO NEED TO SPEND.
[01:55:02]
THERE ARE A FEW MILLION DOLLARS IN THE ACCOUNT ALREADY.THEN WE JUST MOVED IN OUR AMENDMENT FOR 2025, ANOTHER 900,000 TO THE DELOITTE ACCOUNT, AND 300 TO EISNER AMPLER.
I THINK THERE'S SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO KEEP IT MOVING.
>> I THINK I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M HEARING FROM YOU THAT THERE ARE SUFFICIENT FUNDS THAT THIS WILL NOT DELAY THIS AUDIT.
>> THE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO FINISH OUT 2025.
THE BUDGET INCORPORATES THE FUNDING FOR THE CONTRACT, BUT THE CONTRACT DOES NOT EXTEND THE MONEY THAT WE NEED FOR 2026.
WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT ON THAT JANUARY MEETING FOR THAT.
>> AGAIN, WE'RE NOT PAYING REAL INVOICES IN REAL TIME.
THERE'S A BACKLOG OF INVOICES THAT STILL HAVE TO CATCH UP. ANYTHING ELSE? IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO A MOTION TO DEFER BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN TO OUR JANUARY 14 MEETING, 2026, ITEM NUMBER 83? OR IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND. ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO DEFER TO JANUARY 14, 2026, A MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. THAT TAKES US TO 104, I BELIEVE, IS THAT RIGHT? AM I REMEMBERING MY NUMBERS RIGHT?
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIFTH AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY, WHICH AUTHORIZES AN EXTENSION OF THE AGREEMENT ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS FROM THE TIME OF FULL EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT NUMBER 5, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $9,791.67 MONTHLY UNTIL TERMINATED.
>> COUNCILMAN BANANO, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION.
MOTION OF COUNSEL BANANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, WITH COUNCILMAN VAN BRANKEN ABSTAINING.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED 171, PLEASE.
[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS]
THAT'S ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM 1.THAT'S ALSO SOMETHING WE'LL COME BACK TO IN A LITTLE WHILE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THAT TAKES US TO ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM IN GLOBO.
LET'S GO, COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN, YOUR MOTION ON THE ENLOW ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 2 THROUGH 22, MINUS ITEM NUMBER 9, WHICH IS A SELECTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS NUMBER 2 THROUGH 22 MINUS ITEM NUMBER 9, WHICH IS A SELECTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. LET'S GO TO NUMBER 9.
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144-902, ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2024, FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES THAT COSTS UNDER $500,000 FOR WATER PROJECTS HAS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A WATER UNIT SHEET, ACCESS MANAGEMENT, GIS, ONLINE INTERFACE.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN, YOUR SELECTION?
>> MOVE ON DIGITAL ENGINEERING.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE SELECTION OF DIGITAL ENGINEERING ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, THAT TAKES US TO ADDENDUM AGENDA NUMBER 23.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT TO PROVIDE $1,500,000 TOWARD THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS INCUBATOR FACILITY IN THE CHURCHILL TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS PARK.
>> ANY OBJECTION ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NUMBER 24.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH HOUSING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
WHICH PROVIDES FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND SELF-SUFFICIENT PROGRAMS FOR PARTICIPANTS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $150,000.
TO AMEND AND EXPAND THE SCOPE OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $160,000, THEREBY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE AGREEMENT FROM $150,000 - $310,000.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NUMBER 172.
[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]
>> A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND APPROVING
[02:00:01]
THE HOUSING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 2026 PAYMENT STANDARD SCHEDULE FOR THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM.>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
173. BEFORE WE READ THAT, I'D LIKE TO HAVE JERRY BALONE JUST STEP TO THE PODIUM, JUST FOR A SECOND TO TELL US WHAT THIS IS AND TELL US ITS BENEFITS. GO AHEAD, JERRY.
>> JERRY BALONE, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF JEDCO, 700 CHURCHILL PARKWAY.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROCESS.
MANY OF YOU OVER THE COURSE OF MANY YEARS, BUT THE JEFFERSON EDGE IS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN, THE ROADMAP FOR THE PARISH IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S UPDATED EVERY FIVE YEARS.
THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE YEARS OF UPDATING.
OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR, WE'VE BROUGHT TOGETHER NEARLY 90 ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUSINESS LEADERS, OUR RESOURCE PARTNERS, ALL TO HELP INFORM THIS PLAN AND PRESENT IT FOR YOU TODAY AS ADOPTION FOR THE OFFICIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN OF THE PARISH.
JUST OF NOTE, THE PRIORITIES OF THIS YEAR'S OR THIS FIVE-YEAR PLAN INCLUDE OUR INDUSTRY ECOSYSTEM, DEVELOPMENT, FOCUSING ON THOSE CLUSTERS, WHICH WE KNOW ARE STRONG IN THIS PARISH, OUR HEALTH CARE, MANUFACTURING, ENERGY, FOOD, AND BEVERAGE.
ANOTHER PRIORITY OF THIS PLAN IS TALENT DEVELOPMENT AND ATTRACTION.
WE HAVE GOT TO CONTINUE TO CREATE CAREER PATHWAYS FOR OUR YOUNG FAMILIES.
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE OUR WORK, DOUBLING DOWN WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND HELPING PARTNER OUR STUDENTS WITH THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE BEING CREATED HERE.
WE HAVE SEEN TREMENDOUS SUCCESS WITH REDEVELOPMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, AT CLEARVIEW, THAT IS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE.
BUT WE KNOW WE HAVE TO DOUBLE DOWN ON EFFORTS, FOR EXAMPLE, AT THE ESPLANADE MALL AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE TO CREATE THESE PLACE-BASED DEVELOPMENTS, AND THEN BUSINESS CLIMATE IMPROVEMENTS.
THIS PARISH HAS BEEN STEADFAST IN TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN ON THE INSURANCE FRONT AND ON STREAMLINING PERMITS AND MAKING IT EASIER TO DO BUSINESS HERE.
THIS IS ALL OUTLINED IN OUR PLAN.
THEN, FINALLY, JUST IN TERMS OF REGIONAL POSITIONING.
I WANT TO NOTE ONE THING THAT STOOD OUT IN THIS PLAN IS WE HAVE ALWAYS LOOKED AT JEFFERSON PARISH AS A BEDROOM COMMUNITY, OR MANY OF US THINK OF IT THAT WAY, BUT WE ACTUALLY HAVE A DAILY INFLOW.
THERE ARE 20,000, 25,000 MORE PEOPLE EVERY DAY THAT ARE COMING INTO JEFFERSON PARISH TO WORK THAN ARE LEAVING TO GO WORK IN OTHER AREAS.
THAT'S INDICATIVE OF A STRONG STANDALONE ECONOMY, BUT WE WANT TO TAKE THAT EVEN FURTHER WITH OUR REGIONAL POSITIONING MESSAGE.
THAT GOES WITH OUR MORE HERE CAMPAIGN AND OTHER EFFORTS THAT THE COUNCIL HAS REALLY HELPED US WITH.
I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THOSE THINGS.
THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT AND HELPING TO INFORM THIS PLAN.
>> THANK YOU, JERRY. THANKS FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DONE ON THIS AND THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO ON THE JEFFERSON EDGE PLAN AND THE WORK THAT JEDCO DOES YEAR ROUND.
ANYBODY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR JERRY? THANK YOU, JERRY. 173, PLEASE, MADAM PESH.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE JEFFERSON EDGE 2030 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN DATED NOVEMBER 20, 2025, HAS THE OVERALL FIVE-YEAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN, YOUR MOTION.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED 174, PLEASE?
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PORT DISTRICT, REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF FUNDING FOR A DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE REPORT, WHICH MODIFIES THE SCOPE OF WORK TO INCLUDE THE HOSTING OF A DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE PORTAL ON THE JEDCO WEBSITE.
EXTENDS THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR AND INCREASES THE MAXIMUM CONTRACT AMOUNT FROM $24,800 - $42,800.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INCREASE TO THE CONTRACT CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO TERRYTOWN FIFTH DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, PURSUANT TO ITS AGREEMENT WITH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 5 OF THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, FROM $355,000 PER MONTH TO $400,000 PER MONTH.
[02:05:03]
>> ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STONEBRIDGE SUBDIVISION SPECIAL DISTRICT OF THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND STONEBRIDGE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE SECURITY ENHANCEMENT TAX OR THE PROCEEDS OF ANY FUTURE MILLAGE, WHICH MAY BE USED FOR SECURITY ENHANCEMENT SERVICES WITHIN THE GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICT AT NO DIRECT COST TO THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. 177, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BID OF CASCO UNDER BID PROPOSAL NUMBER 50-00148764 FOR A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTING BOOTS ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, AT A BID TABULATION PRICE OF $145,200.
MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES FOR THIS CONTRACT SHALL NOT EXCEED $145,200 FOR THE TWO YEARS BY A FACTOR OF MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT AUTHORIZED BY RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION? A MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. NUMBER 178.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE-TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,330 FOR THE PURCHASE OF SECURITY CAMERAS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT FOR STATION 74 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 7 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND THE AVONDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY DATED MARCH 7, 2018.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,983 TO BRIDGE CITY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 1 FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE HURST S789 E3 CONNECT CUTTER 9AH PACKAGE, ONE HURST SP 555 E3 CONNECT SPREADER 9AH PACKAGE AND ONE HURST CR 522 E3 CONNECT RAM WITH EXTENSIONS 9AH KIT 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 BRIDGE CITY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 1 DATED MARCH 7, 2018.
>> ANY OBJECTION OF ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE. ORDERED 180. MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BID OF HUBS PROPERTIES, LLC UNDER ITB NUMBER 25-002 ISSUED BY THE JEFFERSON PARISH HOUSING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR A 270 DAY CONTRACT TO DEVELOP NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON VACANT LOTS FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, HOUSING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AT A BID TABULATION PRICE OF $1,835,824, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH HOUSING SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO EXECUTE THE DESIGNATION OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR AS AGENT OF A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY IN SALES TAX EXEMPT CERTIFICATE.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,630 FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A BOWER AIR COMPRESSOR SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 6, 2018, BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 8 AND THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, MARRERO RAGUSA VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 3.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT RESOLUTION AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED, 182, PLEASE.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,417.13 TO HERBERT WALLACE MEMORIAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY FOR THE PURCHASE OF TOOLS, PARTS, TIRES, LOCKSMITHS AND SERVICES 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 HERBERT WALLACE MEMORIAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY,
[02:10:01]
DATED FEBRUARY 27, 2018.>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION AND MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
IT'S 11:43, AND BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE A HEALTHY PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION COMING UP,
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
I CAN'T RUN OVER OUR 12 O'CLOCK STOP FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.WE'LL STOP EARLY AND WE'LL GO DO WHAT'S EXPECTED TO BE OUR BRIEF EXECUTIVE SESSION ON TWO ITEMS. WE'LL BE BACK RIGHT AFTER THAT TO WRAP UP THE MEETING WITH PUBLIC COMMENT.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED PASCO ARCHITECTS, LLC VERSUS THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON.
THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL IN BRAZIL, SACHI AND WILSON, LLP 24 JDC CASE NUMBER 857.
>> HANG ON. PLEASE BE QUIET AS YOU EXIT CHAMBERS.
WE'RE NOT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION YET.
WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HEAR WHAT THE CLERK IS READING.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION? A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. ONE MORE.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED JENNY MONTELANGO VERSUS EAST JEFFERSON GENERAL HOSPITAL, OWC NUMBER 1803443 DISTRICT 7, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER? HEARING NONE SO ORDERED. WE'RE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTIONS.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A LAWSUIT ENTITLED PASCO ARCHITECTS, LLC VERSUS THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL IN BRAZIL SACHI AND WILSON, LLP 24 JDC CASE NUMBER 857700 DIVISION E.
QUIET IN CHAMBERS, PLEASE. ANY OBJECTION TO THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION, RESOLUTION? ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION, MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED. WAIT. ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER. HEARING NONE, SO ORDERED.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT A LAWSUIT ENTITLED JENNY MONTELANGO VERSUS EAST JEFFERSON GENERAL HOSPITAL, OWC NUMBER 18-03443 DISTRICT 7 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
BACK TO THE AGENDA IN NEW BUSINESS, NONE, STATUS REPORTS, NONE.
SO NOW WE'RE TO THE PART OF THE MEETING WHERE ANYONE WISHING TO
[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]
APPEAR BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS CAN DO SO.PLEASE FILL OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD IN THE BACK OF CHAMBERS AND MAKE SURE YOU'VE HANDED IT UP TO THE FRONT.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS NOT RELATED TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. GO AHEAD. WAIT. HANG ON.
>> HI. MY NAME IS SHERIDA SAB.
I JUST WANTED TO STAND BEFORE THE COUNCIL TODAY AND SAY I APPRECIATE THE PASSING OF THE RESOLUTION IN CA FOR OPERATION RESTORATION.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE YOU ALL INVESTING IN CURRENTLY INFORMALLY INCARCERATED WOMEN HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I MYSELF BELONG TO THAT POPULATION AND STARTED MY ORGANIZATION ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO.
I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN NEW ORLEANS EXTENSIVELY, BUT I CALLED JEFFERSON PARISH MY HOME, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND SERVICES HERE TO JEFFERSON PARISH TO BEGIN SUPPORTING WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION AND SUPPORTING THEM THROUGH THEIR RE-ENTRY.
OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE SUPPORTED OVER 2,500 WOMEN AND PROVIDED ABOUT 17,000 SERVICES, AND 15 PERCENT OF OUR CLIENTELE IS HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THIS APPROVAL OF THIS CA ALLOWS US TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND OUR SERVICES TO MORE WOMEN AND GIRLS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I REALLY WANT TO AGAIN GIVE MY APPRECIATION AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR SUPPORTING OPERATION RESTORATION.
I DO HAVE ONE OF MY BOARD MEMBERS HERE, AND SHE ALSO PUT IN A CARD TO SPEAK AS WELL.
THANK YOU AGAIN, COUNCILMAN LEE, FOR YOUR BELIEF IN US, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU.
HI, COUNCILWOMAN VRANCKEN. SEE YOU. YES, MA'AM.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OPERATION RESTORATION.
I'M A NEW ORLEANS NATIVE WHO MOVED AWAY ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO.
I'VE BEEN BACK HOME NOW THREE YEARS SLOWLY GETTING MYSELF INVOLVED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.
I'M A FORMER DEFENSE LAWYER AND FORMER PROSECUTOR.
THE WORK BEING DONE BY OPERATION RESTORATION IS SO NEEDED.
WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO RE-INTEGRATE WOMEN WHO ARE FORMALLY INCARCERATED AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THEM WHILE INCARCERATED,
[02:15:03]
AS WELL AS SUPPORT THEIR DAUGHTERS.I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO SUPPORT OPERATION RESTORATION, AND I HOPE THAT MORE OF YOU WILL CONSIDER DOING SO.
THE WORK THAT SHERIDA HAS ESTABLISHED AND DOES IS OUTSTANDING AND SHOULD BE REPLICATED IN MANY PLACES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. JUST EVERYBODY KNOWS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAND IN LINE.
WE'LL GIVE EVERYBODY A CHANCE TO SPEAK, BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO, FEEL FREE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M THE PRESIDENT CEO OF THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF LOUISIANA.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
IN THIS CHALLENGING MOMENT, THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF LOUISIANA STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY CONFRONTING PERSECUTION, UNCERTAINTY AND VULNERABILITY DUE TO IMMIGRATION STATUS.
THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED STRUGGLE.
IT IS A COLLECTIVE CHALLENGE THAT TOUCHES OUR HOMES, BUSINESSES, AND THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY.
TOGETHER, WE CALL UPON AUTHORITIES TO UPHOLD HUMAN DIGNITY AND ENSURE FAIR, CONSTITUTIONAL LEGAL PROCESSES.
BUT UNITY ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH.
THIS MOMENT DEMANDS VISION, COURAGE, AND ACTION.
HISPANIC IMMIGRANTS CONTRIBUTE 1.6 TRILLION TO THE US GDP, WILL 910 BILLION IN PURCHASING POWER AND HAVE BUILT MORE THAN 4.7 MILLION BUSINESSES THAT CREATE JOBS, SUSTAINED SUPPLY CHAINS, AND ENERGIZED LOCAL ECONOMIES.
HERE IN LOUISIANA, OUR IMPACT IS PROFOUND.
MORE THAN 79,000 HISPANIC RESIDENTS CALL JEFFERSON PARISH HOME.
NEARLY A QUARTER IN KENNER, THE GATEWAY TO REGIONAL COMMERCE.
OUR COMMUNITY NOW REPRESENTS 18% OF THE PARISH'S POPULATION, HISPANIC ENTREPRENEURS HOLD NEARLY ONE THIRD OF KENNER'S 7,000 OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES, OPERATING BUSINESSES THAT SERVE, EMPLOY AND SUSTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS DAILY.
FROM SMALL SHOPS TO CONSTRUCTION, HOSPITALITY, AND AGRICULTURE, OUR PRESENCE FUELS THE STATE'S GROWTH AND VITALITY.
LOUISIANA ALSO LEADS THE NATION IN HISPANIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH MORE THAN 25,000 BUSINESSES DRIVING ECONOMIC STABILITY.
WHEN OUR COMMUNITY SUFFERS, SO DOES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
CURRENT POLICIES DISRUPT NOT ONLY LIVES, BUT ENTIRE COMMERCIAL ECOSYSTEMS. WE THEREFORE URGE JEFFERSON PARISH LEADERS TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS INVESTED SO DEEPLY IN ITS PROSPERITY.
HISPANIC FAMILIES AND ENTREPRENEURS HAVE ROOTED THEMSELVES HERE, STRENGTHEN INDUSTRIES, AND ENRICHED NEIGHBORHOODS.
IT IS ONLY JUST THAT THEY FEEL SAFE, VALUED AND PROTECTED IN THE PLACE THEY CALL HOME.
FOR THESE REASONS, WE RESPECTFULLY AND URGENTLY ASK THAT AUTHORITIES PROTECT THE DIGNITY OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND UPHOLD FAIR, CONSTITUTIONAL LEGAL PROCESSES.
THAT LAWMAKERS PURSUE MODERN HUMANE IMMIGRATION REFORM, AND THAT ALL OF US, NEIGHBORS, EMPLOYERS, CIVIC LEADERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OFFER CONCRETE SUPPORT, DONATIONS, MENTORSHIP, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, OR SIMPLY A CARING HAND AND AN OPEN HEART.
>> THAT YOUR TIME, MS. PINEDA.
IT CUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY. I'M SORRY.
WHILE YOU'RE HERE, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU FOR BIZ NEW ORLEANS 500 BEING NAMED TO THAT LIST.
THAT'S A PRESTIGIOUS, IMPRESSIVE LIST. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, A RESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, AND AN IMMIGRANT WHO BECAME A PROUD CITIZEN.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND IMMIGRATION IN OUR STATE AND IN OUR PARISH HAS BECOME MORE THAN A POLICY DISCUSSION.
IT'S BECOME A HUMAN CRISIS WITH REAL ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES.
IN RECENT DAYS, WE'VE SEEN REPORTS AND VIDEOS OF ICE ARRIVING MASK, APPROACHING PEOPLE IN PARKING LOTS AND STOPPING INDIVIDUALS ON THE STREET.
THE FEAR THIS CREATES IN OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDENIABLE, AND THIS FEAR IS IMMEDIATE, WIDESPREAD, AND PARALYZING FOR MANY HISPANIC FAMILIES WHO LIVE AND WORK RIGHT HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
OUR PARISH HAS THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF HISPANICS IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
HISPANICS WORK IN ESSENTIAL INDUSTRIES.
WE OPEN SMALL BUSINESSES, WE PAY TAXES, WE VOLUNTEER, AND WE RAISE OUR CHILDREN HERE, AND WE CONTRIBUTE EVERY SINGLE DAY TO THE GROWTH AND VITALITY OF THIS PARISH AND STATE.
BUT TODAY, MANY FAMILIES ARE AFRAID TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES.
CHILDREN ARE GOING TO SCHOOL UNSURE WHETHER THEIR PARENTS WILL BE HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY, AND PARENTS ARE FEARFUL OF WALKING THEIR KIDS TO THE BUS STOP, DRIVING TO WORK, OR RUNNING SIMPLE ERRANDS LIKE GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE.
I WANT TO BE HONEST, I FEEL THAT FEAR TOO.
I HAVE MY PASSPORT IN MY PURSE.
[02:20:03]
I'VE HAD IT THERE FOR TWO MONTHS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO BE PULLED OVER AND QUESTIONED WITHOUT DUE PROCESS.IF THAT'S MY REALITY AS A US CITIZEN, IMAGINE THE REALITY OF FAMILIES WITH EVEN LESS PROTECTION.
THIS FEAR IS ALSO HURTING OUR ECONOMY.
IN JUST THE PAST FEW WEEKS, SEVERAL HISPANIC OWNED BUSINESSES IN JEFFERSON PARISH HAVE CLOSED.
MANY MORE CONSIDERING CLOSING BECAUSE CUSTOMERS ARE TOO AFRAID TO COME OUT AND WORKERS ARE TOO AFRAID TO SHOW UP.
THIS AFFECTS PAYROLL, SALES TAX, REVENUE, JOB SITES, CONTRACTS AND THE OVERALL STABILITY OF OUR ECONOMY.
FEAR SET PEOPLE FROM LIVING NORMAL LIVES.
WORKERS STAY HOME AND PROJECTS SLOW DOWN OR SHUT DOWN.
FAMILIES STOP SHOPPING AND BUSINESSES LOSE REVENUE.
CAFES, MARKETS, SALONS, AND RESTAURANTS, MANY HISPANIC OWNED ARE SITTING EMPTY.
THIS DOES NOT ONLY HURT THIS HISPANIC COMMUNITY, IT HURTS EVERY INDUSTRY, EVERY EMPLOYEE, AND ULTIMATELY EVERY RESIDENT.
LET ME BE CLEAR. I BELIEVE IN IMMIGRATION REFORM.
I BELIEVE IN A SYSTEM THAT'S FAIR, WORKABLE, AND HUMANE, AND I ALSO BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT CRIMINALS WHO HURT OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE REMOVED.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COUNCIL DOES NOT CONTROL IMMIGRATION POLICY, BUT YOUR VOICES MATTER.
MY ASK TODAY IS SIMPLE AND RESPECTFUL.
THAT WE CONTINUE ADVOCATING FOR FAIR TREATMENT, FOR DUE PROCESS, AND FOR FOCUSING ENFORCEMENT ON ACTUAL CRIMINALS, NOT FAMILIES, NOT WORKERS, NOT PEOPLE STANDING IN PARKING LOTS OR WALKING DOWN THE STREET, LIVING THEIR DAILY LIVES.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TIME, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR PARISH.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE HUMAN SIDE AS WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS A STABLE, SAFE AND COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS PASTOR MELCHIZ CASTILLO.
I WANT TO READ A BIBLE VERSE TO YOU, "WHOEVER HUMBLE HIMSELF LIKE THIS CHILD IS THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, WHOEVER RECEIVED ONE SUCH CHILD IN MY NAME, RECEIVES ME.
BUT WHOEVER CALLS IS ONE OF THE LITTLE ONES, TO FALL, IT WILL BE BETTER FOR HIM TO GET A MILESTONE FASTER AROUND HIS NECK AND BE DROWNED IN THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA." I WANT TO BEG YOU, PLEASE, THAT YOU FIND COMPASSION AND THINK ABOUT THE CHILDREN THAT ARE BEING TRAUMATIZED.
KIDS ARE BEING BULLIED AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY LOOK LIKE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING ARRESTED IN THE STREETS.
MOST OF THESE KIDS ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS, BUT THEY'RE LIVING LIKE ANNE FRANK AND NAZI GERMANY, HIDDEN FROM BAD GUYS WITH THEIR FACES COVERS HUNTING THEIR PARENTS.
ALL WE ASK IS THAT THEY ARE EXCUSE OF THEIR ABSENCE FROM THEIR SCHOOLS TO PLEASE PROVIDE A MEANS FOR THEM TO HAVE VIRTUAL EDUCATION.
THESE KIDS ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS.
BUT ABOVE ALL, THEY ARE CHILDREN OF GOD.
REMEMBER THE WORDS OF JESUS THAT IF YOU CAUSE THIS KIDS TO FALL, IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR YOU TO PUT A MOST ON IT AND BE DRAWN IN THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA.
THIS IS NOT A THREAT, BUT A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW MUCH JESUS CARED FOR THE KIDS, AND HE WANTS YOU TO COME TO A REPENTANT HEART AND ACCEPTING AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR SO THAT YOUR HEART CAN BE TRANSFORMED IN SUCH WAY THAT YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE THE LOVE THAT JESUS HAD FOR THE CHILDRENS.
THE CHILDREN'S WILL NOT HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS.
>> I'M HAVING TO EXPLAIN TO MY DAUGHTER, WHO ARE THE BAD GUYS, IN THIS CASE, I ALWAYS TOLD MY LITTLE GIRL THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS HERE TO PROTECT US, BUT WHEN SHE SEE PEOPLE LIKE ME BEING ROUND UP AND AND THEY ASKED MY DAD, WHAT DID THEY DO? THEY'RE JUST FULFILLING WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS THAT IF YOU DON'T PROVIDE FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD, YOU ARE WORSE THAN A NON-BELIEVER WE COME TO THIS COUNTRY, AND MANY OF US COME WITH GOOD INTENTION AND WE LOVE THIS COUNTRY.
I LOVE THIS COUNTRY HAS GIVEN ME SO MUCH, BUT I WANT TO BEG YOU, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR THESE CHILDREN.
THEY'RE BEING TRAUMATIZED BY POLICE BY THESE PEOPLE THAT THEY DON'T EVEN IDENTIFY THEMSELVES.
I WANT TO BEG YOU, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE I BEG YOU.
THESE KIDS ARE BEING TRAUMATIZED AND BULLIED AT SCHOOL.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SCHOOL AND THEY'RE ASKING WHY SOME KIDS GET TO GO TO SCHOOL AND WHEN THE OTHERS DON'T THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CAN'T COMPREHEND THIS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, I ASK YOU, PLEASE.
ANOTHER THING I WANT TO SAY, WE WANT RESPECT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
MARCH 7TH, KEITH CONLEY CAME TO OUR CHURCH, AND WE HAD ALL SEVERAL PASTORS, THE, THE SHERIFF.
>> AT YOUR TIME, SIR. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS KIMBERLY CHECK SNYDER.
[02:25:01]
I'M A MOTHER, A PROUD DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANTS, A 33-YEAR RESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND A LOCAL REALTOR.I'M HERE RESPECTFULLY TO REQUEST TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY REGARDING ICE OPERATIONS.
IMMIGRANT FAMILIES ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR WORKFORCE, HOUSING MARKET, AND COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR.
WHEN FEAR PREVENTS THEM FROM PARTICIPATING IN DAILY LIFE, THE PARISH LOSES.
TO ILLUSTRATE THE IMPACT, I PULLED 10 DIVERSE REALTORS IN THE AREA.
OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THEY FACILITATED 171 HOME SALES TO IMMIGRANT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THESE HOME SALES GENERATED APPROXIMATELY $7.2 MILLION IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND ADDED NEARLY $500,000 MILLION ANNUALLY TO TAX REVENUE.
REMEMBER, THAT'S JUST 10 REALTORS, SO THE IMPACT IS FAR GREATER THAN THIS.
IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS ALONE, THE SAME 10 REALTORS REPORTED FOUR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES WANT TO SELL IN JEFFERSON PARISH, 16 IMMIGRANT BUYERS HAVE DECIDED TO PUT THEIR HOUSE SEARCH ON HOLD IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
JEFFERSON PARISH HAS EXPERIENCED A POPULATION DECLINE SINCE 2020, AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE MORE FAMILIES.
WORKERS, ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO LIVE HERE RIGHT NOW.
THE CURRENT ICE TACTICS AFFECT NOT ONLY UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS, BUT ALSO US CITIZENS AND LEGAL RESIDENTS WHO FEAR ENFORCEMENT, BECAUSE OFFICERS OPERATE MASK, UNIDENTIFIABLE, AND EMPOWERED TO STOP PEOPLE BASED ON REASONABLE SUSPICION.
MY FATHER AND DAUGHTERS, THEY GO TO THE PARK EVERY WEEK.
I HAVE HALTED THAT COMPLETELY, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT MY DAUGHTERS TO SEE THEIR PEOPLE GETTING HARASSED OR QUESTIONED, JUST BECAUSE HE HAS AN ACCENT AND LOOKS LIKE ME.
I UNDERSTAND THAT COUNCIL CANNOT CONTROL A FEDERAL AGENCY, BUT I RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO REQUEST TRANSPARENCY FROM ICE ABOUT THEIR TACTICS AND SEEK ANSWERS REGARDING STOPS AND DETAINMENT OF LAWFUL RESIDENTS, AND TWO TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH CLEAR INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS DURING ENCOUNTERS.
OTHER MUNICIPALITIES HAVE DONE SO, AND IT'S LAWFUL AND UNFORTUNATELY NECESSARY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LEND US YOUR YEARS.
I COME HERE. MY NAME IS ALEX PERDOMO.
I'M A FINANCIAL ADVISOR IN METAIRIE, BUT I DON'T COME HERE TO PUT OUT THE FACTS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT OVER 50% OF S&P 500 COMPANIES ARE FOUNDED BY IMMIGRANTS OR SONS OF DAUGHTERS OF IMMIGRANTS.
BUT I COME HERE PRIVILEGED TO BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.
MY FAMILY IMMIGRATED HERE IN 1996.
MY FATHER WAS AN ENGINEER IN HONDURAS, AND MY MOTHER WAS A NURSE.
THEY GAVE UP THAT CAREER, THAT DREAM THAT THEY HAD OF LIVING IN HONDURAS, FOR A BETTER LIFE FOR ME AND MY BROTHERS,1996 CAME.
WE CAME HERE, WE ENROLLED INTO THE JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
I WENT TO PHOEBE HURST, MEISLER MIDDLE, EAST JEFFERSON HIGH, AND THEN I WENT ON TO GO TO LSU AND GET AN MBA FROM TULANE.
THIS IS NOT TO SAY, I DID IT, BUT TO SAY THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE LIKE ME OUT THERE THAT NEED THE SUPPORT.
NORMALLY, I WOULDN'T BE ONE TO COME OUT HERE AND SPEAK.
BUT WHEN A FOUR-MONTH PREGNANT MOTHER IS PICKED UP IN FRONT OF HER KIDS, LOADING THEM UP FOR SCHOOL, THIS JUST HAPPENED THIS WEEK IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE, SOMETHING HAS TO BE SAID.
WE LOOK TO YOU GUYS, NOT ONLY AS LEADERS, BUT AS NEIGHBORS, AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SUPPORT US, TO BE PART OF THIS AMERICAN DREAM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> HELLO, COUNCILMAN. COUNCILWOMAN. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR TIME.
I'M ALSO A FINANCIAL ADVISOR IN THE METAIRIE AREA, A PROUD BYPRODUCT OF IMMIGRANT PARENTS.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK TODAY ON BEHALF OF A COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND TODAY'S MEETING. AS AN EDUCATOR.
>> ONE SECOND, SIR. THE TIME NEEDS TO RESTART.
>> AS AN EDUCATOR IN JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS, I'M WRITING TODAY IN URGENT OPPOSITION TO THE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATION, CATAHOULA CRUNCH.
THIS DEPLOYMENT OF HUNDREDS OF BORDER PATROL AGENTS TO LOUISIANA IS SOWING TERROR IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND HARMING THE STUDENTS WE ARE SWORN TO PROTECT.
UNDER FEDERAL LAW, ALL STUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO A PUBLIC EDUCATION, REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS AND THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY UNDER FERPA, WHICH INCLUDES SHARING THE STUDENTS' AND GUARDIANS IMMIGRATION STATUS.
AS AN EDUCATOR, MY DUTY EXTENDS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, TEACHES OUR PROTECTORS OF OUR STUDENTS DREAMS AND THEIR RIGHT TO A SAFE STABLE EDUCATION REGARDLESS OF THE STUDENT'S BACKGROUND.
CATAHOULA CRUNCH IS A DIRECT ASSAULT ON THAT SAFETY.
[02:30:04]
WHEN OUR STUDENTS LIVE IN FEAR OF THEIR FAMILIES BEING TORN APART, THEIR EDUCATION AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING BECOME COLLATERAL DAMAGE.WE HAVE WITNESSED HOW THE THREAT OF DEPORTATION HAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED ATTENDANCE, UNDERMINED TRUST WITH STUDENTS AND PREVENTED CHILDREN FROM FEELING SAFE ENOUGH TO LEARN.
HOW CAN A CHILD FOCUS ON MATH OR READING WHEN THEY ARE TERRIFIED THAT THEIR PARENTS OR FAMILY MEMBERS WON'T BE HOME WHEN THE SCHOOL BELL RINGS? THESE RAIDS PROMISE TO TRAUMATIZE OUR CHILDREN, SHATTER OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES, AND BETRAY THE TRUST WE WORK SO HARD TO BUILD.
I CANNOT STAND BY WHILE OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE TARGETED.
OUR CLASSROOMS DEPEND ON THE STABILITY AND SAFETY OF EVERY FAMILY.
WE DEMAND YOU, PROTECT OUR STUDENTS' RIGHTS TO LEARN WITHOUT FEAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> [NOISE] GOOD AFTERNOON. [INAUDIBLE] TORRENCE.
I'M A CUBAN BY BIRTH, AN AMERICAN BY CHOICE.
CHOOSING TO BE AN AMERICAN WAS THE MOST AMAZING THING I EVER DONE FOR ME FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY FAMILY.
I DON'T LOOK LIKE A NICARAGUAN OR A HINDI NATION.
IT IS THE COLOR OF MY SKIN AND HOW I LOOK THAT DEFINES WHETHER OR NOT I GET STOPPED AND PICKED UP, AND IT HURTS BECAUSE I JUST WANT TO KNOW.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS, THE REASON WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH THIS.
A VERY FAMOUS WOMAN ONCE SAID, THE WORST THING THAN HAVING NO SIGHT IS HAVING NO VISION.
I'M ASKING YOU TO PURSUE THE VISION.
WHAT IS THE END RESULT? IF YOU'RE A BUSINESS OWNER, WHEN YOU START YOUR BUSINESS, YOU STARTED WITH THE END AND YOU WORK YOURSELF BACKWARDS TO SEE WHERE YOU'RE GOING.
BUT WE ARE AT A JUNCTION THAT NO ONE KNOWS WHERE WE'RE GOING.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT OUR END RESULT IS GOING TO BE TO HATE EACH OTHER AND INSTILL HATE IN CHILDREN, AND ALLOWING THEIR FEAR TO CONTROL THE OUTCOME.
I'M ASKING YOU, IS THIS NOT UNFAIR TO TRY TO RELIVE NAZISM.
THIS IS A CANCER, AND ALL OF YOU KNOW WHAT CANCER FEELS LIKE WHEN SOMEONE THAT YOU LOVE HAS IT AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
I'M NOT HERE AS A BUSINESS OWNER TODAY.
I THINK I'VE BEEN IN THIS COUNTRY SINCE 1973.
I WAS THE LAST FREEDOM FLIGHT TO LEAVE CUBA.
MY FATHER WAS HUNG IN 1977, THAT KEPT HIM BEHIND.
UNDERSTAND THE PRESSURE OF DAILY LIVING JUST TO MAKE A PENNY.
ON TOP OF THAT, I'M BEING JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF MY SKIN. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ANNALISA KELLY.
[NOISE] I'M HERE TO SHARE MY OWN PERSONAL THOUGHTS AND NOT THOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION I'VE WORKED FOR.
I AM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, BUT I GREW UP OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING IN COUNTRIES WITHOUT FULLY PROTECTED DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS.
FROM A YOUNG AGE, I REVERED AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AND THE CONSTITUTION.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD OF THE DIVERSITY OF AMERICANS BACKGROUNDS AND THIS NATION'S WELCOMING SPIRIT TO PEOPLE SEEKING A BETTER LIFE.
I AM DEEPLY PROUD OF JEFFERSON PARISH FOR EMBODYING THIS DIVERSITY.
BEING THE MOST DIVERSE PARISH IN LOUISIANA, WITH KENNER BEING THE 20TH MOST DIVERSE, SMALL CITY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH YOU ALL ON COUNTLESS PROJECTS.
YOU ARE ALL COMMITTED PUBLIC SERVANTS.
IT'S HARD FOR ME TO BE UP HERE BECAUSE I TRULY RESPECT ALL OF YOU.
I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW MUCH EACH OF YOU GENUINELY CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE HERE IN JEFFERSON.
NOW THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE NEED YOUR HELP.
YOUR CONSTITUENTS, LIKE A 22-YEAR-OLD MARRERO MOTHER AND LEGAL US CITIZEN, ARE BEING PHYSICALLY CHASED AND HARASSED BY ICE.
YOUR RESIDENTS, THE JEFFERSON PARISH CHILDREN, WHO ARE WITNESSING ICE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER SCHOOLS, AND ARE AFRAID THAT THEIR PARENTS WILL BE TAKEN FROM THEM, THEY NEED YOU.
THE POLITICAL RHETORIC IS THAT ONLY HARDENED CRIMINALS AND THE WORST OF THE WORST ARE BEING TAKEN.
BUT AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF ICE DETENTIONS NATIONWIDE HAS SHOWN THAT 73% OF DETAINEES HAVE NO CRIMINAL RECORD.
A PRO-PUBLICA INVESTIGATIVE REPORT FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 100 US CITIZENS WRONGFULLY DETAINED, AS WELL AS MANY PERMANENT RESIDENTS AND VALID VISA HOLDERS.
[02:35:01]
CONSEQUENTLY, THOUSANDS OF JEFFERSONIANS, INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO ARE LEGALLY PERMITTED TO WORK AND LIVE HERE ARE AFRAID TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES.BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING, SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS ARE FEARFUL.
THIS IS HAPPENING HERE NOW IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
STATE LAW HAS LIMITATIONS FOR MUNICIPALITIES REGARDING ICE.
BUT JEFFERSON HAS A LEGAL RIGHT AND MORAL OBLIGATION TO ENSURE ITS PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS ARE BEING UPHELD AND THAT JEFFERSONIANS ARE TREATED WITH RESPECT.
JEFFERSON HAS THE ABILITY TO REQUEST THAT FEDERAL AGENTS PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY IN THEIR ACTIONS, SUCH AS WHO THEY ARE ARRESTING, WHERE THEY'RE BEING TAKEN AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS, WHAT DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS ARE BEING ENSURED? ARE DETENTIONS AND ARRESTS DONE WITH WARRANTS? ARE THEY ABLE TO RETAIN A LAWYER? THESE ARE BASIC QUESTIONS THAT AS ELECTED OFFICIALS SWORN TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION AND TO SERVE YOUR RESIDENTS, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW.
THIS IS AN UNPARALLELED MOMENT.
YOU SERVE A DIVERSE AND STRONG PARISH.
I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR RESIDENTS.
I ASK THAT YOU STAND UP FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY NEED YOU THE MOST. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS AXEL ROSA, AND I AM THE COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR AND PROUD BOARD MEMBER AT ECO COMMUNITY CENTER, A LOCAL NON-PROFIT THAT PROVIDES COLLEGE ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES TO FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY HISPANIC FAMILIES.
TODAY, I STAND BEFORE YOU, BOTH AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF ECO AND A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO ADDRESS THE GRAVE CONCERN THAT IS AFFECTING OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
EVERY DAY WE SEE A STRONG PRESENCE OF ICE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND I MUST SAY IT HAS CREATED A CLIMATE OF FEAR AND ANXIETY AMONG OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
MANY STUDENTS ARE AFRAID TO ATTEND SCHOOL FEARING THAT THEY COULD BE QUESTIONED OR HARASSED FOR SIMPLY GOING ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIVES.
FOR INSTANCE, THE CASE OF A 22-YEAR-OLD YOUNG LADY IN MARRERO HIGHLIGHTS THE UNBELIEVABLE REALITY THAT WE'RE FACING.
SUCH SITUATIONS NOT ONLY INFRINGE ON INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, BUT ALSO DISRUPT THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS FOR YOUNG LEARNERS WHO SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON THEIR STUDIES, NOT LIVING IN FEAR OF DEPORTATION.
WITH THE ONGOING ANXIETY, WE HAVE OBSERVED STUDENTS MISSING SCHOOL DAYS WHICH ARE NOT EXCUSED.
AS SOME EDUCATORS ATTEMPT TO BRIDGE THE GAP THROUGH ONLINE RESOURCES AND HOMEWORK BEING SENT HOME.
THE REALITY IS THAT REMOTE LEARNING IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE SUBSTITUTE.
WE HAVE HEARD OF SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS, NEIGHBORS AND SUPPORT GROUPS ASSISTING STUDENTS BY PERSONALLY TRANSPORTING THEM TO SCHOOL.
THAT'S AN ADMIRABLE EFFORT, BUT NOT ONE THAT IS SUSTAINABLE.
THIS UNDERSCORES A LOOMING ISSUE.
HOW CAN OUR CHILDREN THRIVE WHEN THEY ARE BURDENED BY FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY? OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNITY.
WE CONTRIBUTE TO REBUILDING AFTER STORMS, WE PAY TAXES, WE OPEN BUSINESSES, AND WE CREATE COMMUNITY EVENTS.
YET WE FEEL DISREGARDED AND IGNORED BY OUR LEADERS.
RECENTLY, WHILE JEFFERSON PARISH CELEBRATED ITS BICENTENNIAL, THERE WAS NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY HISPANIC INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
BY THE WAY, I LOVE THAT FLAG. THAT'S A GREAT LOGO.
COMPARATIVELY, LEADERS IN NEW ORLEANS LIKE MAYOR ELECT ELENA MORENO HAVE VOICED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE HISPANIC AND MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES, SETTING A PRECEDENT THAT WE HOPE TO SEE MERIT HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
COUNCILWOMAN BONAN EXCUSE ME IF I SAID THAT WRONG, I NOTICED YOUR SUPPORT FOR EVENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY SUCH AS CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL THIS PAST MAY IN LAPINER PARK.
TO OUR PRESIDENT LEE-SHENG, SHE'S PARTICIPATED IN MANY CULTURAL EVENTS, AND THAT HAS BEEN NOTED, YET WE URGE ALL OF YOU TO TRANSLATE THE TRIBAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT INTO CONSISTENT SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AS A FIRST GENERATION HISPANIC, I ASK YOU TODAY, CAN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN JEFFERSON PARISH RELY ON YOUR SUPPORT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT? WE IMPLORE YOU TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT AND ENGAGED WITH US JUST AS WE SEE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEW ORLEANS.
IN CONCLUSION, WE STAND AT A CROSSROADS.
TOGETHER, WE CAN FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND, FEEL SAFE, ACKNOWLEDGED, AND SUPPORTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> AT YOUR TIME UP. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT IT.
I AM A RESIDENT OF NEW ORLEANS.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN NEW ORLEANS, BUT I'VE HAD MANY JOBS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I HAVE FAMILY IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I'M TRAVELING TO AND OUT OF MY CITY.
I AM DOING IT THROUGH JEFFERSON PARISH.
THAT'S WHY I FEEL COMPELLED TO BE HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON JEFFERSON PARISH'S OPEN COLLABORATION WITH ICE AND BORDER PATROL DURING CATAHOULA CRUNCH.
ONE THING THAT I'M NOTICING THROUGH THIS PUBLIC COMMENT,
[02:40:01]
EVEN THOUGH WE'VE HAD MANY HEARTFELT COMMENTS IS THAT NOT ALL OF OUR COUNCILMEN HERE REALLY CAN TAKE THE SECOND TO MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH THEIR CONSTITUENTS, ESPECIALLY COUNCILMEN FROM DISTRICTS 1 THROUGH 3 AND 5, WHICH IS SURPRISING TO ME BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WHEN YOU ALL HAD YOUR EXECUTIVE BREAK, Y'ALL DEFINITELY HAD THE TIME TO GET SOME FOOD AND WATER IN YOUR BODIES TO BE ABLE TO PAY ATTENTION TO US.I'M SPEAKING HERE IN ALVIN JEFFERSON PARISH, NEW ORLEANS PARISH, BECAUSE JEFFERSON PARISH HAS REALLY DRAGGED THE REPUTATION OF NEW ORLEANS THROUGH THE MUD THIS PAST WEEK.
BECAUSE THIS NEWS ABOUT THIS CATAHOULA CRUNCH IS INTERNATIONAL NEWS. NOT JUST NATIONALLY.
INTERNATIONALLY, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, MY GOSH, CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT NEW ORLEANS IS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN, WHAT NEW ORLEANS IS DOING? BUT JEFFERSON PARISH I WON'T BLAME ALL FOR WHY THE BORDER PATROL CAME DOWN HERE.
THAT WAS CLEARLY DONALD TRUMP, AND CLEARLY THEY'RE TARGETING THE WAN SENSE OF RESPECT FOR IMMIGRANTS, SOMETHING THAT IS VERY LACKING IN JEFFERSON PARISH, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S WHERE MANY OF OUR IMMIGRANTS LIVE.
BUT WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THEM STAYING HERE ARE THE RULING CLASS OF JEFFERSON PARISH? WE SEE THAT THE KENER POLICE, WE SEE THAT THE GRETNA POLICE ARE OPENLY COLLABORATING IN THESE UNCONSTITUTIONAL DETENTIONS OF PEOPLE TERRORIZING THE COMMUNITY, AND IT'S NOT THE PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON PARISH WHO ARE INVITING THESE PEOPLE TO STAY.
IT'S ONLY THE RULING. THE PEOPLE OUT HERE.
THE PEOPLE ARE IN THESE GROUP CHATS BY THE HUNDREDS.
THEY'RE CHASING THEM AROUND IN CAR CRAVENS.
THEY'RE DEMONSTRATING NOT JUST IN NEW ORLEANS, THE DEMONSTRATING OUT IN KENER.
THEY DON'T WANT THEM HERE, BUT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE SHOWING THAT ICE IS WELCOME TO STAY HAS BEEN THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POWER TO SAY AND MAKE RESOLUTIONS TO SAY THAT YOU'LL ACTUALLY AREN'T WELCOME HERE.
THAT'S SHAMEFUL. MORE THAN THAT, THIS CONTESTORE CAN BE PREVENTED IN OTHER WAYS.
THIS POWER THAT JEFFERSON PARISH HAS, NOT ONLY PASSING RESOLUTION, PASSING SANCTUARY CITY ORDINANCES TO PROTECT THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, ENDING THE 287G AGREEMENTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
THAT CAN HAPPEN NOW. THIS REFUSING SIMPLY TO LET THESE MASS THUGS USE PARISH PROPERTY.
>> TIME IS UP, SIR. THANK YOU.
>> HI, THERE. MY NAME IS RULE HELLER.
I AM A RESIDENT OF NEW ORLEANS.
I'M NOT A RESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
BUT AS A VERY FAMOUS TALMUDIC DICTUM STATES THAT I WAS RAISED WITH, WOE TO THE WICKED, WOE TO THEIR NEIGHBOR.
JEFFERSON PARISH AND KENER POLICE HAVE INVITED IN THIS WICKEDNESS, THIS COMMUNITY DESTROYING, FAMILY DESTROYING, PERSON DESTROYING WICKEDNESS OF ICE OF BORDER PATROL, AND THE MASSED UNACCOUNTABLE VIOLENT TACTICS.
WE IN NEW ORLEANS, ARE COMMUNITIES ARE SUFFERING FOR IT.
I STAND HERE ON BEHALF OF MY COMMUNITIES, IT'S A MATTER OF ALL COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH A MASS VIOLENT NEO GESTAPO COMING IN AND DESTROYING INNOCENT PEOPLE WORKING JUST DESTROYING THE VERY FABRIC OF THE COMMUNITY.
I'M THINKING OF THE PICTURE LAST WEEK OF THE WORKERS WHO WERE CHASED ONTO THE ROOF BY BORDER PATROL.
I THINK THAT PICTURE AS HISTORICAL LEGS.
I THINK OF THE PICTURE OF A YOUNG KIM FUK WHO WAS BURNED BY NAPALM IN VIETNAM.
YOU ALL REMEMBER THAT PICTURE, A CHILD NAKED WITH THEIR ARMS OUT.
REMEMBER PICTURES OF THE CAMPS BEING LIBERATED IN EUROPE.
I'VE SEEN THAT PICTURE OF THOSE WORKERS SCARED, HELPLESS, ON A ROOF HERE IN AMERICA, HERE IN LOUISIANA, HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THIS IS AN EVIL THAT WE'VE INVITED IN FOR BECAUSE THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR OF POLITICAL THINKERS ASKED FOR IT, AND INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING FOR IT.
YOU HAVE THE POWER AS TONY SAID, YOU HAVE THE POWER TO THROW YOUR WEIGHT AROUND IN DEFENSE OF THE COMMUNITY, IN DEFENSE OF THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY, AND NOW IS THE TIME.
I WANT TO STATE, A FEW PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT UP COMPARISONS TO NAZI GERMANY.
AS A JEW RAISED IN BROOKLYN IN A COMMUNITY OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, WITH BLUE TATTOOS EVERYWHERE.
MY JEWISH COMMUNITY SEES IT THAT WAY AS WELL.
THESE ARE TACTICS WE'VE SEEN BEFORE.
THESE ARE HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS WE'VE SEEN BEFORE, AND WE DESERVE IN AMERICA, WHERE FOR ONCE, I DON'T THINK IT'S HAPPENED IN HISTORY YET, WHERE FOR ONCE, THE REGULAR BUSINESS OF THE DAY DOESN'T RELY ON AT LEAST ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE LIVING IN FEAR. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
[02:45:02]
I AM ANTHONY CHATHAM.I AM NOT FAR LEFT, I AM NOT FAR RIGHT.
I AM SIMPLY SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
EVEN THOUGH I'M JUST 30-YEARS-OLD, I BELIEVE I'VE LIVED A LIFE OF SERVICE SO FAR. SIMILAR TO YOU ALL.
I WAS AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOUR YEARS, EXCEPT AT MY COLLEGES STUDENT COUNCIL.
AFTER THAT, I SERVED AS A PEACE CORP VOLUNTEER REPRESENTING THE UNITED STATES, AND MORE RECENTLY, I SERVED AS A TEACHER IN BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
I BELIEVE THAT ICE AND BORDER PATROL ARE DOING HARM TO OUR COMMUNITIES, AND I ASK THOSE IN POWER AND THOSE WHO ARE CONNECTED TO THOSE IN POWER, ENSURE THAT OUR FIFTH AND 14TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED.
THESE AMENDMENTS ENSURE THAT NO PERSON SHALL BE DEPRIVED OF LIFE, LIBERTY, OR PROPERTY WITHOUT DUE PROCESS OF LAW.
THESE PROTECTED RIGHTS INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO A FAIR HEARING, THE RIGHT TO NOTICE OF CHARGES, THE RIGHT TO PRESENT EVIDENCE, THE RIGHT TO AN IMPARTIAL JUDGE, AND THE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE UNLAWFUL OR PROLONGED DETENTION.
THIS IS FOR ANY PERSON, BOTH CITIZEN AND NON-CITIZEN.
THESE COURT PRECEDENTS PROTECT THESE RIGHTS.
THESE COURT PRECEDENTS INCLUDE YICK VERSUS HOPKINS, WONG WING VERSUS UNITED STATES, PLYLER VERSUS DOE, MATTHEWS VERSUS DIAZ, I CAN PRONOUNCE THAT, VERSUS DAVIS AND RINO VERSUS FLORES.
I'M ASKING YOU ALL AS REPRESENTATIVES OF US TO PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE FIFTH AND 14TH AMENDMENTS ARE PROTECTED IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS REVEREND LEV THOMAS.
BEFORE CHRIST WAS HUNG ON THE CROSS AND EXECUTED.
BEFORE HE WAS KIDNAPPED, BEFORE HE WAS SURVEILED.
BEFORE HE CROSSED BORDERS HE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO, HE WAS TURNED INTO THE AUTHORITIES BY A FRIEND BY JUDAS, FOR 30 PIECES OF SILVER.
YOU COUNCIL PEOPLE BY NOT STANDING ACTIVELY AGAINST ICE ARE MOVING LIKE JUDAS. FOR WHAT? THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, FOR SOME VOTES? IF YOU DO NOT CHANGE YOUR WAYS, YOU ARE SELLING OUT YOUR NEIGHBORS.
OUR NEIGHBORS, HARD WORKING KIND PEOPLE FOR WHAT? YOU ARE ACTIVELY ALLOWING FOR KIDNAPPINGS TO TAKE PLACE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. FOR WHAT? A SHARED LAUGH WITH OTHER COUNCIL PEOPLE AT THE EXPENSE OF A TERRIFIED POPULATION.
I'M SURE MANY OF YOU ATTEND CHRISTIAN CHURCHES, AND I WANT TO TELL YOU THE GOOD NEWS THAT IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO TURN BACK AND REPENT.
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO CHANGE YOUR DECISION, TO REMAIN SILENT ABOUT THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN ICE AND JEFFERSON PARISH POLICE DEPARTMENT.
YOU CAN LIMIT THE EVIL IN THIS PARISH.
YOU CAN STOP MOVING LIKE JUDAS.
IF YOU DO NOT, I FEAR YOUR HEARTS WILL FOREVER BE TROUBLED WHEN YOU GO TO YOUR CHURCHES.
YOUR HEARTS WILL BE TROUBLED BY THE HYPOCRISY.
TO CLAIM TO LOVE AND SERVE A SAVIOR, WHO SOUGHT TO BRING ABOUT PEACE, WHO LOVE THE IMMIGRANT, WHO LOVE THE POOR.
THEN TO SIT IDLY BY WHILE YOUR POLICE ASSIST ICE IN DESTROYING FAMILIES.
THAT IS A HYPOCRISY I PRAY GOD TROUBLES YOU WITH IF YOU DO NOT CHANGE YOUR WAYS.
MAY YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW IN THE WAY OF A SAVIOR WHO CAME TO BREAK THE CHAINS, TO FEED THE HUNGRY, TO LOVE THE IMMIGRANT, TO HEAL THE SICK.
MAY JUSTICE ROLL DOWN LIKE WATERS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE AN EVER FLOWING STREAM.
HAPPY ADVENT AND MERRY CHRISTMAS, MAY GOD HELP US [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS OLIVIA WAGONER.
I'M A RESIDENT OF ORLEANS PARISH AND A CONCERNED COMMUNITY MEMBER.
I'M HERE FOR ONE SIMPLE REASON, AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE PEOPLE DO NOT WANT ICE IN OUR CITIES.
THEY DO NOT WANT THEM IN OUR PARISHES.
WE DO NOT WANT THEM IN OUR STATE.
WE DO NOT WANT THEM IN OUR COUNTRY.
WE'RE SEEING DEFIANCE TO THESE AGENTS IN CITIES THAT ARE ERUPTING ALL OVER THE STATE.
THE PEOPLE ARE OUT HERE LETTING YOU KNOW HOW WE FEEL ABOUT ICE COMING, AND I'M HERE RIGHT NOW TO DO THE SAME THING WITH YOU ALL.
THESE AGENTS ARE COMING AND THEY'RE PROFILING PEOPLE.
THEY'RE DETAINING PEOPLE BASED JUST ON HOW THEY LOOK, SOMETIMES ARRESTING PEOPLE WHO DO HAVE CITIZENSHIP, WHO THEN SPEND WEEKS LOST IN THESE HORRIBLE, CRUEL ICE DETENTION FACILITIES.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE MOTHER FROM WHO WAS AMBUSHED A WOMAN WALKING ALONE, HOME, AMBUSHED BY FOUR OR FIVE MEN, MASKED, CHASED HER INTO HER HOME.
OPERATION CHULA CRUNCH STATES THAT THE GOAL IS TO KIDNAP AND DETAIN 5,000 OF OUR NEIGHBORS, CONTINUING WITH THE LIE OF TRYING TO DO THIS IN THE NAME OF REDUCING CRIME, WHICH THE STATISTICS ARE ALREADY PROVING ARE FALSE.
THESE ARE NOT CRIMINALS THAT THEY ARE DETAINING.
THE ONLY THINGS BEING REDUCED RIGHT NOW ARE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SHOWING UP TO DO THEIR JOB,
[02:50:02]
THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE SHOWING UP TO GO TO SCHOOL, AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL SAFE, JUST WALKING OUTSIDE, TO GO RUN ERRANDS, GO TO THE GROCERY STORE.WORKERS ARE SCARED TO GO TO WORK.
WE SAW ALL THE VIDEOS OF THE ROOFERS WITH THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF SNIPERS POINTED AT THEM.
RESTAURANTS ARE CLOSING DOWN, BUSINESSES ARE CLOSING DOWN, AND KIDS ARE AFRAID TO GO TO SCHOOL TO LEARN OUT OF FEAR OF THEIR PARENTS BEING DETAINED WHILE THEY'RE GONE.
SINCE ICE AND CBP CAME TO OUR STATE TEN DAYS AGO, THERE'S ALREADY BEEN A 15% DECREASE IN SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ACROSS THE STATE, ESPECIALLY IN ORLEANS AND JEFFERSON PARISH, AND THAT'S JUST AS OF RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS THE TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN KIDS SHOULD BE GETTING EXCITED ABOUT WINTER BREAK, WHEN FAMILIES SHOULD BE CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY SEASON TOGETHER.
INSTEAD, PEOPLE ARE SPENDING THIS TIME LOCKED IN THEIR HOMES, FEARING BEING AMBUSHED BY MASS GOONS, BEING RIPPED APART FROM THEIR FAMILIES.
THESE ARE THE ONLY CRIMINALS THAT WE SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT, THESE PEOPLE WHO CAME FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATE WHO ARE HERE TO DETAIN OUR NEIGHBORS.
WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DO WHAT YOU CAN IN YOUR POWER TO PUT AN END TO THIS INTO THE ATTACKS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR CITY.
WE ARE HERE TO DEMAND THAT YOU CODIFY NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ICE AND CBP AND END 287G AGREEMENTS IN GRETIN KENER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM THE SHINY AWARE.
I'M AN EDUCATOR OF 10 PLUS YEARS.
I HAVE A CHILDCARE CENTER IN THAT WE'VE BEEN OPEN FOR THREE YEARS.
I MOVED HERE IN 2016 FROM ST. LOUIS MISSOURI, AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH SINCE MOVING TO LOUISIANA.
EVERY DAY I SERVE FAMILIES WHO ARE WHO ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF THIS PARISH, INCLUDING HISPANIC FAMILIES WHO WORK, PAY TAXES, SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND KEEP OUR ECONOMY RUNNING.
WHEN FAMILIES FEEL SAFE, CHILDREN LEARN BETTER, PARENTS STAY EMPLOYED, BUSINESSES THRIVE, AND THE PARISH WINS.
BUT RIGHT NOW, FEAR IS DESTABILIZING HOUSEHOLDS.
DUE TO THE FEAR OF SEPARATION FROM THEIR CHILDREN, FAMILIES ARE PULLING THEIR CHILDREN FROM SCHOOLS AND FROM CHILDCARE CENTERS.
WE ARE LIVING IN A PARISH WHERE PARENTS WHO ARE DOING EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN NOW HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR SAFETY, BETWEEN THEIR THERAPY THAT THEIR CHILDREN'S NEED FOR SPEECH, FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY, FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, FOR THEM TO LIVE CHOICE FILL LIVES, BETWEEN THAT AND PROTECTION, BETWEEN PROGRESS AND SURVIVAL.
PARENTS, THEY HAVE TO CHOOSE TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN AND AND CHILDREN HAVE TO CHOOSE TO PROTECT THEIR PARENTS.
WHEN PARENTS FEEL SAFE, BRINGING THEIR KIDS TO CHILDCARE, THEY CAN WORK.
WHEN FAMILIES TRUST THEIR PARENTS, THEY CAN INVEST IN IT.
STRONG FAMILIES CREATE A STRONG JEFFERSON PARISH.
FEAR DOES NOT MAKE COMMUNITY SAFER, STABILITY DOES.
TODAY, I'M RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE COUNCIL ENSURES THAT RESIDENTS RECEIVE CLEAR COMMUNICATION ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS.
FAMILIES DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT PROTECTION IS THIS AND HOW TO SAFELY ACCESS THOSE SERVICES.
I'M ALSO DEMANDING TRANSPARENCY AND CLARITY FROM THE PARISH FOR ICE REGARDING THEIR ACTIVITY WITHIN OUR PARISH.
OUR COMMUNITY CANNOT FUNCTION IN CONFUSION AND FEAR.
WHEN WE PROTECT FAMILIES, WE PROTECT CHILDREN, AND WHEN WE PROTECT CHILDREN, WE PROTECT THE FUTURE OF JEFFERSON PARISH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> MY NAME IS DR. JULIE LE BLA.
I GREW UP IN BOTH KENER AND GRETNA HERE.
MY GRANDPA AND ALL LEBLAN FAMILY LIVES OUT HERE IN GRETNA.
I ALSO AM A PRACTITIONER HERE AS A FAMILY DOCTOR BOTH IN NEW ORLEANS AND OUT IN KENER, AND I CAME HERE TODAY TO SPEAK FOR MY PATIENTS.
AS SOMEONE WHO'S DEDICATED THEIR LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE, AND ALSO TO THE CARE OF THE LESS FORTUNATE.
I HAVE ALWAYS CARED FOR IMMIGRANTS.
I LEARNED SPANISH AND PUBLIC SCHOOL HERE IN NEW ORLEANS AND HAVE MADE IT ONE OF MY KEY GOALS TO ALWAYS BE THERE FOR MY PATIENTS.
I SEE BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS AND HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS INCREASING FEAR AND INDECISION OF OUR PATIENTS IN TERMS OF WHAT CARE THEY CAN PROVIDE AND WHEN THEY CAN COME INTO CLINIC.
AS OUR LAST SPEAKER SAID, AS AN EDUCATOR, I HAVE SEEN MY CHILDREN NOT GO TO SPEECH THERAPY APPOINTMENTS OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY APPOINTMENTS THAT ARE VERY
[02:55:02]
NEEDED BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS ARE AFRAID.I HAVE, OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS, HAD COUNTLESS APPOINTMENTS CANCELED OR RESCHEDULED BECAUSE FAMILIES ARE TOO SCARED TO COME TO CLINIC TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN TO CLINIC OR TO COME THEMSELVES.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ONE PATIENT THAT I WAS TALKING TO THIS WEEK, JUST TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF WHAT DAY TO DAY LIFE IS LIKE FOR ONE OF YOUR RESIDENTS IN KENER.
SHE'S BEEN MY PATIENT FOR THAT TIME.
I'VE CARED FOR HER. I'VE CARED FOR HER THROUGH ONE OF HER PREGNANCIES.
I'VE CARED FOR HER SON WHO'S NOW NINE, AND HER SECOND NON WHO'S NOW 2.5, AND THEY'RE BOTH US CITIZENS.
SHE'S NEVER GOTTEN IN TROUBLE.
SHE'S THE SAME AGE AS ME, AND WE'VE GOTTEN CLOSE.
WITH HER SECOND CHILD CHILD TODAY, HE GOT SICK OVER THE WEEKEND WITH THE SEMIC VIRUS, AND SHE CALLED ME ON MONDAY, SCARED TO BRING HIM TO THE HOSPITAL.
HE'S DOING OKAY. IT'S JUST A SEMIC VIRUS.
HE'S A YOUNG KID. SHE'S JUST A WORRIED MOM.
BUT THE FACT THAT SHE'S TOO SCARED TO LIVE HER HOUSE, HER OLDER SON, SHE'S SEND HIM TO SCHOOL STILL, BUT SHE'S WORRIED EVERY DAY.
HER NIECE IS BRINGING HIM BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL.
HER YOUNGER SON JUST KEEPS ASKING WHY THEY CAN'T LEAVE THE HOUSE, WHY THEY CAN'T GO EVERYWHERE.
SHE DOESN'T SPEAK THAT WELL, AND HE ACTUALLY ONLY REALLY SPEAKS ENGLISH. SPANISH ISN'T.
>> HI. MY NAME IS ABBY LUDWIG.
I'M A RESIDENT OF ORLEANS PARISH.
I THINK THE PEOPLE BEFORE ME MADE GREAT ARGUMENTS THAT I WANT TO REITERATE, BUT I WON'T REPEAT.
I'LL JUST SAY THAT WE ARE NOT OUTSIDERS TO JEFFERSON PARISH.
OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO BEING KIDNAPPED OFF THE STREET, AND THAT'S CAUSE FOR CONCERN FOR ANYONE WHO LIVES IN THIS AREA IN THIS CITY.
THERE IS NO PROTECTION OR GUARANTEE THAT ANYONE WE KNOW THAT LOOKS A CERTAIN WAY WON'T BE PLUGGED OFF THE STREET AND SENT TO INHUMANE FACILITIES.
YOUR RESIDENTS ARE BEING KIDNAPPED.
KIDS IN YOUR PARISH ARE TERRIFIED.
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO RESIST THE ATTACKS ON THE CITY.
IGNORING AND MORE THAN THAT, COMPLYING WITH YOUR RESIDENTS BEING KIDNAPPED AS REPRESENTATIVES OF YOUR PARISH IS CAUSE FOR ABSOLUTE OUTRAGE.
PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT ARE TERRIFIED.
I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT IF MANY OF YOU HAVE TIME TO LAUGH ABOUT PET WEDDINGS AND FALL ASLEEP DURING PLEAS FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS, THEN YOU ARE UNCONCERNED WHAT IS HAPPENING OUTSIDE THIS DOOR.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO RESIDENTS THAT ARE BEING PROFILED AND TAKEN FROM THEIR FAMILIES FOR NO REASON, EXCEPT THAT THIS OPERATION WANTS TO FIND 5,000 PEOPLE TO DISAPPEAR, THAT THEY HAVE A QUOTA TO MEET.
THERE IS A BIGGER COST TO KISSING THE FEET OF BORDER PATROL AS THEY TERRORIZE YOUR PEOPLE THAN TO STAND UP AGAINST THIS ADMINISTRATION.
WE DEMAND THAT NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ICE AND BORDER PATROL DECODIFIED INTO LAW, AND WE DEMAND AN END TO THE 278(G) AGREEMENTS IN GRETNA AND KENNER. THANK YOU.
>> NO COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRS, PLEASE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS Q SANFORD.
RESPECTFULLY AFTER WAITING 3.5 WEEKS FOR MY SCHEDULED MEETING WITH COUNCIL AND TIM KERNER, HE DID NOT APPEAR FOR THE MEETING AND SAID, I MET WITH HIS STAFF.
DESPITE SUBMITTING A DETAILED SUMMARY OF CONCERNS, THE FOLLOW-UP FROM HIS OFFICE DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY OF THE POINTS RAISED LEAVING OUR COMMUNITY ISSUES UNADDRESSED.
THIS LACK OF FOLLOW-UP AND ENGAGEMENT IS WHY I'M HERE TODAY BEFORE THE COUNCIL, PRESENTING THIS PETITION SIGNED BY RESIDENTS AND SUPPORT OF THE BOARD FROM ESPRIT AT STONEBRIDGE AND PASTOR NOOR MARK FROM THE WHITEDOVE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH, REFLECTING THE COMMUNITY'S OPPOSITION AGAINST THE PROPOSED CONVENIENCE STORE AT 4,100 MANHATTAN BOULEVARD IN HARVARD, LOUISIANA, AND THE ADJACENT 55,000 PLUS SQUARE FOOT FACILITY, WHICH IS THE OLD MANHATTAN ATHLETIC CLUB.
WE WANT CLEAR, ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT ITS INTENDED USE, OPERATIONS, AND COMMUNITY IMPACT.
FIRST, THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONVENIENCE STORE PROJECT BEGIN WITHOUT A PERMIT, WHICH IS A DIRECT VIOLATION OF JEFFERSON PARISH RULES.
AFTER BEING CITED BY THE PARISH,
[03:00:02]
THE DEVELOPER OBTAINED A PERMIT, BUT EVEN THEN, IT WAS NOT CLEARLY POSTED, LEAVING THE PUBLIC UNAWARE OF WHAT WAS BEING BUILT.FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PARISH RULES, ITS GROUNDS TO DENY THE DEVELOPMENT.
DURING THIS TIME, THE CONVENIENCE STORE WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT A PERMIT IN VIOLATION OF JEFFERSON PARISH RULES.
DURING THIS PERIOD, THERE WERE TWO MURDERS IN THAT AREA.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER THE 13TH, AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER THE 29TH, 2025.
RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WHO LIVE AND PLAY IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE AREA ALSO INCLUDES AN EXISTING ADDICTION TREATMENT FACILITY, WHICH MAKES ENSURING THE AREA IS SAFE EVEN MORE CRITICAL.
FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, FAMILIES HAVE LIVED, RAISED CHILDREN, AND INVESTED IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
RESIDENTS HAVE ASKED THE PARISH FOR A PARK, WALKING TRAIL, OR SOMETHING TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY, BUT THOSE REQUESTS WERE DENIED.
INSTEAD, A CONVENIENCE STORE AND A 55,000 PLUS SQUARE FOOT FACILITY OR COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH THE COMMUNITY CANNOT ATTEND WERE APPROVED.
ALL IN THE MIDDLE OF A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WAS ZERO VISIBILITY FROM MAIN ROADS DIRECTLY AFFECTING FAMILIES AND CREATING HIGH RISK CONDITIONS.
FINALLY, WE ARE REQUESTING A MEETING WITH COUNCILMAN TIM KERNER TO DISCUSS THESE CONCERNS DIRECTLY WITH HIM.
WE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO DENY THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONVENIENCE STORE AND ENSURE THAT ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD INCLUDES COMMUNITY INPUT AND OVERSIGHT. THANK YOU.
>> LOOK, I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO ATTEND YOUR MEETING.
WE CERTAINLY HAVE LOOKED INTO THE ISSUE. HOLD ON FOR A SECOND.
I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE I GET YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, SO I CAN GIVE YOU A CALL TO MEET WITH YOU.
PAUL. BUT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE CONVENIENCE STORE THAT'S GOING ACROSS THE WESTBANK ATHLETIC CLUB?
>> YES, SIR. I AM SPEAKING OF THAT CONVENIENCE STORE LIQUOR STORE.
>> WHAT IS THE STATUS ON THAT? BECAUSE BEFORE YOU REACHED OUT TO OUR OFFICE, WE'VE HAD PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE SCHOOL THAT'S LOOKING AT GOING INTO THE NEW WESTBANK ATHLETIC CLUB.
WE ASKED ABOUT IT BEFORE AND THERE WAS NOTHING, BUT NOW THEY JUST SENT US A PERMIT, I GUESS ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO.
BEST, DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, THAT ACT PIECE OF LAND?
>> YES, SIR. I DO KNOW WHICH CONVENIENCE STORE YOU ARE SPEAKING OF.
>> WHAT MAKES THIS AN ISSUE IS, OBVIOUSLY, AS SOON AS I GOT IN OFFICE, I WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS NOT A LARGE DRUG TREATMENT FACILITY, WHICH I THINK, LOOK, THOSE FACILITIES ARE NEEDED, BUT RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD, I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THE RIGHT PLACE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WESTBANK ATHLETIC CLUB SERVED AS SUCH A WONDERFUL THING FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR SO MANY YEARS.
I WAS VERY PLEASED WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT ONCE WE WERE ABLE TO STOP THAT, THEY WERE ACTUALLY TURN IT INTO A SCHOOL.
THAT BUSINESS THAT'S OPENING UP IN THAT LOT, IF IT IS TO SELL LIQUOR, IT MIGHT CAUSE BIG ISSUES WITH THE PROXIMITY OF SCHOOL.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET A LITTLE UPDATE ON THAT.
I DO BELIEVE THE PERMIT HAS BEEN ISSUED.
I WOULD DIFFER A LITTLE BIT MORE TO BUILDING PERMITS, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS IN OUR SYSTEM CORRECTLY AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE LOOKING TO SELL PACKAGED ALCOHOL, SO THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE OBVIOUSLY TO OPERATE AS A BAR AND SERVE ALCOHOL THERE TO SELL PACKAGE ALCOHOL.
THAT IS NOT CAPTURED WITHIN THE BUILDING PERMIT, SO I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO THAT.
THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DOES HANDLE THOSE ABO PERMITS.
>> IF YOU CAN MEET WITH US, MAYBE WE COULD HOLD THE COACH.
BUT ALSO, I MET WITH RODNEY LYONS QUITE A BIT, REALLY TO DISCUSS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR NOW.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO WORK IN CONJUNCTION THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I TOLD HIM I'LL MATCH ANY DOLLAR OR NOT DOUBLE ANY DOLLAR TO MAKE SURE WE COULD BRING EITHER BASKETBALL COURTS OR SOMETHING TO THAT CORRIDOR RIGHT THERE TOWARDS THE END TOWARD STONEBRIDGE IN MANHATTAN.
IT'S SOMETHING HE REALLY WANTED TO DO.
LOOK, I'VE BEEN HERE FOR SIX MONTHS.
HE'S BEEN ELECTED FOR MANY YEARS.
I SAID, WHAT WOULD BE BEST FOR THIS AREA THAT I THOUGHT HAD A GAP? I JOG EVERY SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD, I WALK EVERY SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD TO TRY TO COME UP WITH IDEAS.
HE SAID THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT HE REALLY WANTED TO BRING TO THAT AREA, WHICH IS JUST WAY FROM THE LIBRARY TOWARDS EXACTLY WHERE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TO BRING SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS COULD TO DO.
NOW, WE DID MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AT A WOODLAND WEST PARK, BUT PEOPLE ACROSS WOULD HAVE TO WALK ACROSS THE STREET.
LOOK, WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING A WALKING TRAIL, A BASKETBALL COURT IN THAT AREA, AND YOU HAVE MY WORD WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT.
BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH YOU AND FINDING OUT MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS CONVENIENCE STORE.
[03:05:05]
>> IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS IN PRIVATE, THE CONVENIENCE STORE AND THE RESIDENTS NOT WANTING IT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?
>> THE CONVENIENCE STORE IT'S COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT CAME BEFORE ME AS A COUNCIL MEMBER TO APPROVE.
WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT, WE'RE GOING TO SEE, TO ENSURE THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP THE PROGRESS OF THAT SCHOOL BECAUSE TO ME TURNING THE WESTBANK ATHLETIC CLUB INTO A SCHOOL, INTO ANOTHER FORM OF PRIDE FOR THE COMMUNITY IS GREATLY BENEFICIAL.
REALLY, THAT IS MY MAJOR CONCERN, BUT WHAT SOMEONE DOES WITH THEIR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.
WE HAVE LIMITATIONS AS WELL, BUT WE'LL CERTAINLY LOOK AT IT, AND WHATEVER I COULD DO TO HELP THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THAT COMMUNITY TO GET WHAT THEY WANT, I'M CERTAINLY GOING TO DO IT. YOU HAVE MY WORD ON THAT.
>> YOU SPEAKING OF THE FACILITY, THE MANHATTAN ATHLETIC CLUB, YOU'RE STATING THAT IT'S A SCHOOL?
>> ORIGINALLY, IT WAS PURCHASED TO BE A DRUG TREATMENT FACILITY, A VERY LARGE ONE.
WE PUSHED BACK AGAINST THAT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA DID NOT WANT IT THAT CLOSE TO THEIR HOMES, AND IT'S CLOSE TO PARKS, IT'S CLOSE TO SCHOOLS.
ONCE WE PUSHED BACK, IT ACTUALLY WAS SOLD TO ANOTHER PARTY WHO IS TURNING IT INTO A SCHOOL. YES, MA'AM.
>> AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, AS FAR AS THE SCHOOL IS CONCERNED, WE WILL CLEAR ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT IT AND IT'S INTENDED USE.
YOU'RE STATING THAT IT'S A SCHOOL.
IF IT'S A SCHOOL, THE OPERATION WOULD BE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, CORRECT?
>> THAT IS WHAT THE OWNERS INTEND TO DO WITH IT.
>> I HAVE PICTURES OF THAT FACILITY WHERE THERE ARE 50 PLUS CARS 2:00 AM IN THE MORNING, AS WELL AS ON SUNDAYS.
I AM AWARE OF SCHOOL STARTS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
WHAT'S GOING ON AFTER HOURS AND ALSO WHAT'S GOING ON ON A SATURDAY AND A SUNDAY? WHEN I APPROACHED THE INDIVIDUALS AT THAT COMMUNITY CENTER, I ASKED WHAT TYPE OF EDUCATION OR WHAT TYPE OF SCHOOL WAS IT? I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FOR ONE NATIONALITY ONLY.
THAT COMMUNITY CENTER IS OWNED BY A NONPROFIT.
>> TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE SCHOOL DOESN'T EXIST YET.
THAT'S WHAT THEY INTENDED TO DO WITH IT.
I'LL FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION. BUT WHAT THEY'VE DONE THIS PLACE HAS BEEN VACANT FOR QUITE A BIT OF TIME.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
>> IT'S ONLY BEEN BUILD FOR A YEAR.
>> FOR A YEAR. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.
THE BUILDING IS BEING OCCUPIED.
>> WELL, I KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT IT WANTED TO TURN INTO A SCHOOL AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE THAT YET, SO I'M NOT SURE IN THE MEANTIME WHAT THEY'RE DOING, BUT I'LL TRY TO GET MORE INFORMATION.
MAYBE WE COULD SCHEDULE MEET WITH THE OWNERS AND YOU COULD BE IN ATTENDANCE TO FIND OUT EXACTLY MORE DETAILS.
BUT AGAIN, THIS IS THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY.
I'M GOING TO REACH OUT AND TRY TO GET THAT INFORMATION TO MAKE SURE IT'S CONFORMING WITH THE AREA.
BUT UNTIL SOMETHING COMES IN FRONT THE COUNCIL, I DON'T HAVE THAT DECISION MAKING POWER.
I COULD CERTAINLY GO AND ACQUIRE THAT INFORMATION.
I CERTAINLY WILL. YOU HAVE MY WORD ON THAT.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF SOMEONE IS BUYING PROPERTY, AND THE UNITED STATES ARE ABLE TO DO WITHIN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LAW.
IF THEY'RE WITHIN THAT, THEY'RE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT WITH THAT PROPERTY.
NOW I'LL CERTAINLY FIND INFORMATION AND WE'LL BRING IT TO THE COMMUNITY, AND WE'LL SEE HOW EVERYONE FEELS ABOUT IT.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, PEOPLE HAVE RIGHTS TO WHAT THEY PURCHASE.
>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THEY DO HAVE RIGHTS, AND ALSO STARTING A BUSINESS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, IF THEY'RE GOING TO START A BUSINESS ILLEGALLY WITHOUT A PERMIT.
AS FAR AS THAT IS CONCERNED, SHOULDN'T THE COUNCIL HAVE A DECISION, HEY, LET'S REVISIT THIS, AND HEY, IF THEY STARTED THIS BUSINESS, WHICH THEY DID, THEY DID THE POLLENS.
THEY DID ALL OF THESE THINGS WITHOUT A PERMIT.
IT WASN'T UNTIL THE PARISH CITED THEM TO GET A PERMIT.
IF THEY WERE DOING THIS ILLEGALLY WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF JEFFERSON PARISH, WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY'RE GOING TO DO ONCE THE BUSINESS IS ESTABLISHED?
>> THAT IS MORE OF A QUESTION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS.
>> I'M SORRY. ARE WE BACK TO TALKING ABOUT THE CONVENIENCE STORE NOW?
>> I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE WESTBANK.
>> NOT ABOUT THE MANHATTAN ATHLETIC CLUB, BUT THE CONVENIENCE STORE AT 4,100?
>> IF A BUSINESS IS CITED, AND THEN THEY MAKE STEPS TO COMPLY, THEY ARE ACTING WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE LAW AND WE WILL NOT SEND THEM TO THE BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION, ALTHOUGH I'M OPEN TO THE PARISH ATTORNEY CORRECTING ME.
BUT GENERALLY, IF WE CITE A BUSINESS AND THEN THEY COME INTO COMPLIANCE, THOSE ARE THE STEPS THAT ARE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN IN ORDER TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE, WHICH IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CONVENIENCE STORE DID.
>> WELL, LOOK, WE'RE GOING TO SCHEDULE MEETING.
WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF ALL OF IT AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS.
>> HOW ARE YOU DOING? I'M CHARLIE SHELLEY.
I'M AN ATTORNEY IN NEW ORLEANS.
[03:10:01]
I'M FROM NEW ORLEANS.I EXPERIENCE HURRICANE KATRINA.
MY FATHER OWNS A BUSINESS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
HOWEVER, I DO FREQUENT BUSINESSES IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
I DID SEE THE RACIAL PROFILING THAT HAPPENED IN JEFFERSON PARISH, IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH.
I DID HAVE A QUESTION PRIMARILY FOR THIS COUNCIL BECAUSE I JUST SAW THAT EXCHANGE.
I WANTED TO KNOW WHEN THERE ARE HUMAN BEINGS ON THE LINE AND NOT A CORNER STORE AND NOT A CONVENIENCE STORE.
WHY DON'T WE ALL GET THAT SAME LEVEL OF EXAMINATION? I KNOW THAT YOU ALL CARE OR I THINK THEY ALL CARE.
BUT COUNCILMEMBER LEE, COUNCILMEMBER KERNER, THESE ARE YOUR DISTRICTS.
THE WESTBANK IS WHERE 287(G) IS PRIMARILY IN EFFECT.
IT RIPS FAMILIES APART DURING CHRISTMAS.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS RIGHT NOW, AND YOU DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOUR OWN CONSTITUENTS.
>> THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
IT'S NOT A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.
THAT WAS DIRECTED TO COUNCILMAN KERNER.
HE CHOSE TO ANSWER, SO THAT'S WHY.
>> THIS IS DIRECTED TO EVERYONE.
THAT WAS MY QUESTION. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MOLINA DINER.
I'M HERE ALONGSIDE MY BRAVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO DEMAND THE CODIFICATION OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ICE AND CBP AGENCIES.
THESE FEDERAL AGENCIES ARE INVADING AND OCCUPYING OUR CITY, TERRORIZING PEOPLE, ABDUCTING THEM, SEPARATING FAMILIES, AND HOLDING THEM HOSTAGE IN DETENTION PRISONS, DEPORTING PEOPLE TO PLACES THEY'VE NEVER BEEN.
PEOPLE ARE TOO AFRAID TO GO TO SCHOOL, TO GO TO WORK, AND BUSINESSES ARE CLOSING.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHO REBUILT THIS CITY COUNTLESS TIMES, NOTABLY AFTER KATRINA? THE PEOPLE ABSOLUTELY REJECT ICE AND CBP IN OUR CITY, AND WE CALL ON YOU TO DO THE SAME.
WE DEMAND THAT CITY COUNCIL AND LOCAL POLICE, ABSOLUTELY, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE, COLLABORATE WITH THESE AGENCIES.
IF YOU CARED AT ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU CLAIM TO SERVE, YOU WOULD DENOUNCE THEIR RAMPANT IMPERIALIST PLAN TO KIDNAP OUR NEIGHBORS.
YOU WOULD CONDEMN THE RACIST AGENDA OF THE TRUMP AND LANDRY ADMINISTRATIONS.
THESE ARE THE SAME TACTICS THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION HAS BEEN USING AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE FOR DECADES.
WE KNOW WHAT ETHNIC CLEANSING AND APARTHEID LOOKS LIKE.
WE KNOW THIS ISN'T ABOUT LEGALITY, AND IT'S GLARINGLY OBVIOUS THIS ISN'T ABOUT SAFETY.
THIS IS ABOUT TERROR AND CONTROL.
NO COLLABORATION WITH ICE AND CBP IS THE BARE MINIMUM.
I GUESS I'M A SOUND A LITTLE SCHIZOPHRENIC.
FIRST, I'M GOING TO START TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR SELF-SERVICE.
DON'T GET UPSET. ICE IS NEEDED.
WE NEED TO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS COUNTRY.
IF YOU GO BACK TO 2008 AND 2016, WE DEPORTED A LOT OF PEOPLE.
MATTER OF FACT, THE GUY THAT WAS PRESENT, THEY CALLED HIM THE DEPORTER, I BELIEVE THEY CALL HIM, DEPORTER IN CHIEF.
HE ENFORCED THE LAWS, BUT HE DIDN'T INSTILL FEAR.
THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON TODAY.
I WANT TO SAY BOTH. I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR TRYING TO ENFORCE THE LAW, BUT THERE'S A WAY TO DO IT.
YOU COULD SERVE ME MY BEST MEAL THAT I'VE EVER HAD, BUT IF YOU SHOVE IT ON A PAPER PLATE AND SAY, HERE YOU GO, I DON'T WANT TO EAT IT.
IT'S JUST THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT THIS LADY JUST HAD ABOUT MY COUNCILMAN.
I COME UP HERE, AND I FUSS A LOT.
I GET A LITTLE PASSIONATE SOMETIMES.
I'VE CALLED MY COUNCILMAN SEVERAL TIMES.
I'VE VISITED WITH MY COUNCIL, CHIEF OF STAFF.
[03:15:01]
I'LL GET BACK WITH YOU.THAT NEVER HAPPENED. I SAID I WASN'T GOING TO DO IT IN PUBLIC.
BUT COUNCILMAN KERNEL, YOU NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
IF WE HAVE ISSUES, YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE ISSUES, AT LEAST CALL THEM BACK AND SAY, WE'RE NOT DOING A DAMN THING ABOUT IT, OR WE CAN'T DO A DAMN THING ABOUT IT, OR WE'RE DOING SOMETHING.
THAT JUST SHOWING US DISRESPECT.
I DO APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING, BUT IT'S A MATTER OF HOW YOU DO IT.
SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ARE ASKING YOU TO ENFORCE THE LAW, AND I'M ASKING YOU TO ENFORCE THE LAW.
BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO INSTILL FEAR, RATHER THAN RESPECT, ENTITLE CITIZENRY.
THE LAST ONE, I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT FIRE BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ISSUE I CALLED COUNCILMAN.
I THINK YOU CAN SHAKE YOUR HEAD BECAUSE YES, I'M STILL CONCERNED ABOUT BASIC SERVICES IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND ONE OF WHICH IS SAFETY, AND THAT'S FIRE.
I THINK THEY CAN SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
>> NO COMMENTS FROM THE CROWD, THAT'S THE LAST WARNING.
THE NEXT TIME, YOU'LL BE ESCORTED OUT. THANK YOU.
>> CHIEF LIBO, VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
LAST MONTH AT THE EAST BANK MEETING, I BELIEVE MISS PEARSON BROUGHT UP SOME CONCERNS ABOUT CANCER TESTING.
I JUST WANTED TO BRING TO YOU TODAY, I KNOW COUNCILMAN MARKER, YOU MADE A GOOD GESTURE SAYING THAT YOU MIGHT HELP AND FUND IT, WHICH HAD COST A LOT OF MONEY, JUST SO YOU KNOW.
>> TIL WE REALIZED HOW EXPENSIVE IT WAS, WE'RE STILL GOING TO HELP.
>> OUR WEST BANK DEPARTMENTS WERE INVITED BY THE VERY EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE PART IN, AND I KNOW I'M GOING TO MESS THIS WORD UP.
AT NO COST, NOT ONLY TO OUR ACTIVE FIREFIGHTERS BUT RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS AND THEIR SPOUSE.
I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND READ THE WHOLE EMAIL THAT THEY SENT TO ME TO PASS OUT, BUT I DID WANT YOU TO KNOW, SINCE YOU SHOWED AN INTEREST, ALONG WITH THE OTHER COUNCIL, THAT THEY DID FOR THE WEST BANK DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDE US, IN THAT OUT OF NO OUT-OF-POCKET COST SCREENING.
IT HAS TO DO WITH A SWALLOW TEST RATHER THAN BLOOD.
I THINK THAT'S A COMMENDABLE THING THAT THEY WERE ALLOWED TO INVOLVE US IN THAT, JUST SO YOU'RE AWARE OF IT.
>> I THINK IF I REMEMBER RIGHT FROM WHAT I READ, THAT THIS IS NOT A YEARLY TEST, THAT IT'LL BE NECESSARY.
IT'S ONLY IF A CONDITION PROGRESSES TO WARRANT ANOTHER TEST.
>> IS THAT THE WAY IT WAS EXPLAINED TO US, YES, THAT IF CONDITIONS CHANGED EVEN AFTER THIS INITIAL SCREENING, YOU CAN GO THROUGH IT AGAIN, BUT IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I KNOW Y'ALL AWARE OF THE BILL THAT REP STAGNY PUT THROUGH.
THIS ISN'T A THING THAT WE WANT TO.
LET'S COME UP WITH AN IDEA TO DO THIS FOR OUR GUYS.
IT'S NOW A LAW THAT WE HAVE TO, AS DEPARTMENTS, PROVIDE THIS FOUR-HOUR STAFF.
I THINK IT WAS A VERY COMMENDABLE THING THAT THE EXECUTIVE BOARD DID FOR US.
I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT. THANK YOU.
>> JOSHUA MOSEBY, I LIVE AT 805 SOPHIA STREET, RIVER RIDGE, LOUISIANA.
I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING REAL QUICK.
ON NOVEMBER 12TH AT AROUND 1:23 PM, ENGINE 128 RESPONDED TO A STRUCTURE FIRE.
UPON ARRIVAL, FIREFIGHTER AXLE SITES LIEUTENANT JARED ENGLISH MADE ENTRY AND FOUND AN UNRESPONSIVE MAN INSIDE THE HOME.
LIEUTENANT ENGLISH PULLED THE VICTIM TO SAFETY AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN CPR.
BECAUSE OF HOW JPFD FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED THAT DAY, TEXTBOOK EXECUTION, PERFECTION.
THAT GENTLEMAN IS ALIVE TODAY.
HERE'S THE FUNNY THING ABOUT NARRATIVES.
ONE OF THE NARRATIVES THAT I'D LIKE TO JUST DISMANTLE IS 40% OF THESE GUYS MAKE OVER SIX FIGURES.
THAT'S BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 70 YEARS, EXTRA OVERTIME FOR STAFFING HAS BEEN ALLOWED.
THAT EXTRA OVERTIME, LIEUTENANT ENGLISH, CAPTAIN JEFF CRUMP, WERE EXTRA OVERTIME, SAVED A MAN'S LIFE.
WHAT IS THAT WORTH? IS IT WORTH POUNDING THESE GUYS AND SUBMISSION, SAYING WE MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY AS IT IS, SO WE DON'T DESERVE A RAISE? WE'RE NOT WORTHY OF A LIVING WAGE.
HOW MUCH IS THAT WORTH TO YOU? YOU'RE USING THIS EXTRA OVERTIME AS A WEAPON TO SAY, WE DON'T NEED TO RAISE.
THEY CAN WORK EXTRA DAYS, IT'S FINE.
BASE SALARY, 26,287, YOU'RE CHARGING $17,000 FOR HEALTH INSURANCE NEXT YEAR.
I'M GOING TO HAVE A COPY OF A FIRST-YEAR FIREFIGHTER'S PAYCHECK NEXT MONTH.
IT'S GOING TO HAVE THE INSURANCE ON FOR A FAMILY, AND WE'RE NOT EVEN GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION ANYMORE.
IT'S GOING TO BE LESS THAN $400.
HOW'S THIS FOR A NARRATIVE? FIREFIGHTERS ARE FIGHTING FOR BETTER WAGES AND BENEFITS FOR THEIR FAMILIES USING FACTUAL, WELL-DOCUMENTED STATEMENTS BACKED BY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW, ALL WHILE PRESENTING A CLEAR TIMELINE PROVING THAT JPFD CONTINUES TO PERFORM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.
[03:20:01]
WE ARE THE HIGHEST-RATED INSURANCE CLASS DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE.YOU'RE NOT FIGHTING US IN THE NAME OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
YOU ARE FIGHTING US TO PRESERVE A SYSTEM THAT LETS US MISUSE OUR FUNDS WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.
PERFECT EXAMPLE, HIRING A PR FIRM TO SLANDER FIREFIGHTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES USING MONEY TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS' DEDICATED MILLAGE.
A MILLAGE BY LAW CAN ONLY BE USED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
I HAD TO COME HERE AND QUESTION IT TO GET IT CORRECTED.
THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT CORRECTED IT.
THE WILDEST PART, TWO MEETINGS BEFORE THAT, THE PARISH PRESIDENT EXPLAINED WHAT A DEDICATED MILLAGE IS IN CRAYON, AND YOU STILL DID IT.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO DO YOUR JOB, OR YOU DIDN'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD NOTICE.
WE NOTICE EVERYTHING. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, WE'RE DOING OUR JOB.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CATCH YOU NOT DOING YOURS.
I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR ANYONE IN THIS ROOM FOR THEIR FAMILIES TO FIGHT TO SAVE YOU, AND YOU GIVE ME 180 SECONDS ONCE A MONTH TO FIGHT FOR MY LITTLE GIRLS FOR BETTER PAY FOR BETTER BENEFITS.
>> MARK DECKER, JEFFERSON PARISH FIREFIGHTERS, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND NOT MY EMPLOYER.
JULY 2025, A STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED AND COMPLETED.
WE'VE HAD SIX MONTHS NOW TO REVIEW IT.
I FIGURE I'LL GO OVER SOME THINGS AND WHERE WE STAND.
IT WAS COMPLAINED, IT WAS LONG AND DIFFICULT.
I SAT HERE AT THIS MEETING AND WENT THROUGH IT ON MY PHONE, AND DREW OUT THESE FACTS FOR THE STARTING FIREFIGHTERS.
THE FIRST STUDY INCLUDED THE AVERAGE OF ALL THE STUDIES DONE TOGETHER.
THE SECOND STUDY WAS A REDO OF THE 2020 STUDY, WHICH NEVER SAW THE LIGHT OF DAY IN THE PARISH.
THE THIRD STUDY WAS THE 2020 STUDY, BUT ONLY THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENTS INCLUDED.
THE FOURTH STUDY WAS 2020 STUDY, IN ADDITION TO 2024 STUDY, PUT TOGETHER.
THE STUDY AFTER THAT, 2020 AND 2024, JUST LOUISIANA.
STUDY F WAS INCLUDED THE UNION'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED, AND STUDY G WAS THE STATE PAY.
THIS WAS COMPLETED SIX MONTHS AGO AT THIS POINT.
TAKING YOUR OWN STUDY, IT SAID THAT ON AVERAGE, OVERALL FOR THE NATION, 61% OF THE AVERAGE OF A MINIMUM STARTING FIREFIGHTER, WHICH WORKS OUT TO A FIREFIGHTER NEEDING TO PAY $16.95 AN HOUR.
PRETTY CLOSE TO THE NUMBER MISS SHANG ACTUALLY CREATED.
IF YOU TAKE JUST LOUISIANA, IT SHOULD BE 73% FOR A STARTING FIREFIGHTER.
THE FIRST STUDY, 60%, THE SECOND STUDY, 78%, THE THIRD STUDY, 59%, THE FOURTH STUDY, 72%, ALL OF US UNDERPAID COMPARED TO EITHER LOUISIANA OR NATIONWIDE, NO MATTER HOW YOU DIVIDE THE STUDY UP.
THE ONLY STUDY WHERE WE EQUAL WITH EVERYONE ELSE IS THE STATE PAY PORTION OF THE STUDY, WHERE WE ARE RIGHT IN LINE WITH EVERYONE ELSE BECAUSE EVERY SINGLE FIREFIGHTER GETS THE SAME STATE SUPPLEMENTAL PAY THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO INCLUDE IN THE NUMBERS THEY'RE CREATING TO TELL YOU.
I GOT TWO CHRISTMAS CARDS THIS YEAR FROM SHERIFF LOPINTO.
THE FIRST ONE WAS HIS CHRISTMAS CARD.
THE SECOND WAS MY PROPERTY TAX BILL.
I PAY FOR MY FIRE DEPARTMENT, FOR MY LIBRARY, FOR MY SCHOOLS.
MISS SHANG COULD NOT COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH US.
WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNCIL.
IF WE CAN'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH EITHER OF THESE GROUPS, WHY DON'T YOU PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF MYSELF AND THE OTHER PEOPLE PAYING THE PROPERTY TAX FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT WE'D LIKE? THANK YOU.
>> I'M NOT SURE I'LL BE VERY POPULAR WHEN THIS IS OVER.
FOR MONTHS, THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN PARISH VOLUNTEER WORK AND SUCH HAVE LISTENED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND THE PARISH.
UNLIKE SOMEONE ELSE WHO COMES UP BEFORE YOU SCREAMING AND HOLLERING EVERY MEETING ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS, I WASN'T GOING TO OPEN MY MOUTH ON IT, EXCEPT LAST MEETING WHEN I MENTIONED ABOUT THE TEST BECAUSE I THINK THAT SHOULD BE PARISH-WIDE.
I DID MY OWN DUE DILIGENCE, AND I DID IT FOR YOUR REQUEST.
IN THIS BINDER, I HAVE FIVE YEARS' WORTH OF SALARIES, FIVE YEARS' WORTH OF BUDGETS, FIVE YEARS' WORTH OF EXPENDITURES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS,
[03:25:04]
INCLUDING SOME OF THE OTHERS, OTHER THAN CONSOLIDATED.I WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE I'VE LISTENED TO THIS SINCE EARLY SPRING, I THINK.
I WAS REALLY SHOCKED, BUT THE ONE THING THAT SHOCKED ME THE MOST WAS THE LAWS THAT WERE PASSED IN 1962.
ONE IN PARTICULAR, 1995, WHICH IS CALLED SICK LEAVE.
IT'S A STATE LAW, THE PARISH CALLS IT 365.
WELL, IN THE FIVE YEARS THAT I HAVE THE RECORDS OF, NOT COUNTING THE WORKERS' COUNT.
ONLY COUNTING WHAT THE PARISH PAID OUT IN 365, $7.44 MILLION WAS PAID OUT IN THAT LEAVE.
THE LAW THAT WAS PASSED IN 1962 IS ONE SENTENCE.
I WENT TO OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE PARISH, NOTIFIED SOMEBODY IN NEW ORLEANS HOW THEY DO IT.
EVERYBODY DOES A DIFFERENT BECAUSE NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO ENFORCE IT.
NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THERE'S A WORD THAT THEY GOT TO REALLY SCREW UP BAD, BUT NOT TO COVER IT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, BUT THE WORDING IS TERRIBLE IN THIS LAW, BUT 7.44 MILLION IN THAT LEAVE.
IF THOSE PEOPLE ARE ON LEAVE, LIKE THE GENTLEMAN SAID, SOMEBODY'S GOT TO COME TAKE THEIR PLACE, SO NOW YOU'RE GOING TO PAY TIME AND HAVE SOMEBODY TO COME IN ON OVERTIME.
THAT HAPPENS TO THE OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, TOO, WHO DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CONSOLIDATE AS IT HAS. I TALKED TO CHIEFS.
EVERYBODY DOES IT DIFFERENTLY.
SOME DID AWAY COMPLETELY WITH SICK LEAVE.
THEY DON'T GIVE THEIR EMPLOYEES SICK LEAVE, THEY JUST USE 365.
SOME MAKE THEM USE THEIR SICK LEAVE BEFORE THEY CAN USE 365.
SOMETHING ELSE THAT BOTHERED ME WAS THAT IN THOSE 1962 LAWS, THEY DEFINED WHAT A FIREMAN IS.
>> THAT'S YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS AARON BLOCK, AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF JEWISH MULTICULTURAL AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AT THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS, WHICH IS BASED IN METAIRIE.
IT HAS BEEN THE CENTRAL ORGANIZING BODY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION DATING BACK TO 1913.
IN THESE DAYS, IT'S VERY RARE THAT THERE'S AN ISSUE THAT IS NOT DIVISIVE THAT EVERYONE CAN COME TOGETHER ON.
I WILL TELL YOU, IN A WORLD OF DIVISIVENESS, THE ISSUE OF THE CURRENT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE IN THIS AREA RIGHT NOW IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE COME TOGETHER ON.
PEOPLE THAT ARE USUALLY ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THINGS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORS, AND I ASK YOU ALL HERE TODAY TO THINK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN DO THAT AS WELL.
IN MY PERSONAL CONVERSATIONS, WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF THOSE TODAY.
BUT IN MY EXPERIENCE, I HAVE WITNESSED ONE THING I KNOW IS TO BE TRUE, AND THAT THERE IS A LOT OF FEAR OUT THERE.
PEOPLE ARE SCARED, AND THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE.
WE KNOW THAT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE IS PLUMMETING.
WE KNOW THAT FOOD BANKS ARE DRYING UP.
WE KNOW THAT FAMILIES ARE HAVING TO MAKE THE VERY HARD DECISION OF WHO IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR KIDS.
MOST OF THE TIME OR MANY TIMES, AMERICAN-BORN CITIZENS, WHO IS GOING TO WATCH THEIR KIDS IF THEIR KIDS MAKE IT HOME FROM SCHOOL AND THEIR PARENTS ARE NOT THERE TO WATCH OUT FOR THEM.
ONE THING IS VERY CLEAR, THIS IS NOT WORKING.
THE WAY THAT THIS IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW IS NOT WORKING.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COUNCIL, THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY WITHIN YOUR CONTROL.
YOU DID NOT INVITE THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HERE.
YOU ARE NOT BEING BROUGHT IN TO DETERMINE WHAT TACTICS ARE BEING USED.
I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF IT IS OUT OF YOUR CONTROL, BUT I WILL ASK YOU TO JUST REALLY THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT WHAT MAY BE IN YOUR CONTROL.
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT EITHER AS A COUNCIL OR AS INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBERS OR AS INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS? WHAT CAN YOU BE DOING TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE LIVING THIS FEAR RIGHT NOW? I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REALLY THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT THAT, REACH OUT TO THE INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND THERE ARE MANY.
AGAIN, TO SEE THE NUMBER OF FAITH-BASED INSTITUTIONS, CIVIC LEADERS, BUSINESS LEADERS, AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER ON THIS ISSUE.
[03:30:03]
IT IS RARE TO SEE THIS.I ENCOURAGE YOU, PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU CAN, REACH OUT TO THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY WORKING ON THE GROUND, THE INDIVIDUALS.
IF YOU KNOW PEOPLE PERSONALLY THAT YOU HAVEN'T CHECKED IN ON YET, JUST TO SEE HOW THEY'RE DOING, PLEASE DO THAT, IT WILL GO A LONG WAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSEL, CRAIG BURKETT, 1312 AIRLINE PARK BOULEVARD.
JUST TO RESPOND TO SOMETHING THAT MISS PEARSON SAID WHEN IT COMES TO SICK LEAVE, SHE MAY WANT TO KNOW THAT THE RESOURCES OF EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED BENEFIT HER RESIDENTS TO AND RIVER RIDGE IN A THIRD DISTRICT BECAUSE OF THE UNDERSTAFFING THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY.
THROUGH MUTUAL AID AND MUTUAL AGREEMENTS, WHICH CERTAINLY WE DON'T MIND PROVIDING, IT IS EXPECTED THAT WE DO STAFF OUR DEPARTMENT MORE SO THAN THE OTHERS.
WHEN THEY GET INUNDATED, WHICH IS QUITE OFTEN FROM ALL OVER JEFFERSON PARISH.
IT IS EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED AT RESPONSE WITH OVERTIME PERSONNEL THAT GOES TO THOSE COSTS.
I GUESS, JUST TO ADD TO IT, SHE MAY ALSO LIKE TO KNOW THAT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, THEY DO COMPLY WITH THAT LAW THAT'S BEEN ON THE BOOKS SINCE THE '60S.
MOST OF THE LITIGATION THAT IS DERIVED THROUGH THE CASE LAW IS FROM JEFFERSON PARISH, REFUSING TO COMPLY OR RECOGNIZE THAT LAW OR CONTINUOUSLY TRYING TO REMOVE THAT BENEFIT FROM FIREFIGHTERS PARISH WIDE, THE WEST BANK IN INCLUDED.
CERTAINLY IF SHE EVER HAS ANY QUESTIONS, YOU'RE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME, I'LL BE HAPPY TO EXPLAIN IT.
WE DID OFFER TO THE TESTING TO THE THIRD DISTRICT FIREFIGHTERS THE ESOPHAGEAL CANCER TESTING AND SCREENERS BECAUSE I KNOW YOU BROUGHT THAT UP AS WELL.
JUST IN CLOSING, SEVERAL MEETINGS AGO, I THINK THE PARISH SEVERAL OF YOU HAD SUGGESTED THAT YOU TALK TO THE OFFICE OF GROUP BENEFITS.
IT'S FUNNY. I TALKED TO HIM THE OTHER DAY TOO.
REPRESENTATIVE STAGNY LAST YEAR RAN A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO STUDY POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS JOINING.
WHEN I SPOKE TO THE OFFICER GROUP BENEFITS MANAGEMENT ABOUT THAT PROPOSED COST SAVINGS, THEY INFORMED ME THAT SINCE THE PARISH WAS TOO BUSY GETTING ITS AUDIT STRAIGHT, IT DIDN'T PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION NEEDED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY, THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED THAT COST SAVINGS PARISH WIDE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ALL PARISH EMPLOYEES.
I KNOW IT'S NOT A Q&A, COUNSEL, BUT IF YOU ALL COULD MAYBE LOOK INTO WHO WAS IT FROM PARISH GOVERNMENT BECAUSE I'LL BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH YOU PRIVATELY AND TELL YOU WHO I SPOKE TO TODAY OFFICE OF GROUP BENEFITS THAT TOLD ME JEFFERSON PARISH ESSENTIALLY DIDN'T PARTICIPATE.
ALMOST REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE TO THE TAXPAYERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR THOSE COST SAVINGS THAT WE HAD SUGGESTED IN PROPOSED MIDDLE OF LAST YEAR, AS WE'RE ONCE AGAIN GETTING A HIKE IN HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS.
IF YOU COULD FIND THAT OUT, I'D CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT BECAUSE I HAVE 250 MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.
>> MITCHEL ARWA, JEFFERSON PARRISH FIRE DEPARTMENT.
AGAIN, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, NOT MY EMPLOYER.
WHAT MISS PEARSON FAILS TO REALIZE IS THAT A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE TO RUN THROUGH THAT ACCRUED SICK LEAVE BECAUSE OF HOW OUR LEAVE IS MANAGED BY CCMSI.
WE'VE HAD PLENTY OF EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE HAD DELAYED TREATMENT.
SOME HAVE EVEN, I HATE TO SAY IT, PASSED AWAY FROM CANCER, WAITING ON TREATMENT FROM CCMSI.
WE HAVE A FIREFIGHTER IN THE ROOM RIGHT NOW WHO'S OUT ON SICK LEAVE BECAUSE HE TORE, I BELIEVE, HIS SHOULDER AT THAT FIRE PULLING A CHILD OUT.
IT'S EASY TO SIT HERE AND SAY, THIS MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE SPENT, BUT WHEN YOU NEVER SPEND A DAY IN THE FIREHOUSE OR NEVER ACTUALLY WORKED AS A FIREFIGHTER, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE DO.
WE CAN'T GO TO WORK WITH BROKEN FINGERS, BROKEN LEGS.
WE HAVE TO BE 100% ALL THE TIME.
THAT LAW IS THERE BECAUSE MUNICIPALITIES DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR FIREFIGHTERS, AND THAT'S WHY THAT'S THERE.
AGAIN, THESE PAY LAWS ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY DON'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR FIREFIGHTERS.
THOSE LAWS ARE THERE TO PROTECT US AND THE CITIZENS.
THAT WAY THE CITIZENS GET THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE.
AGAIN, WE CAN'T GO TO WORK LIKE A SECRETARY CAN.
WE CAN'T GO TO WORK LIKE ANY OTHER CLERICAL STAFF CAN BECAUSE WE DO A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT JOB,
[03:35:02]
AND THAT'S WHAT SEEMS TO BE LOST IN THAT CONVERSATION.>> CHARLIE HUDSON, JUSTON PARISH FIRE CHIEF.
I JUST WANT TO COME UP AND ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT JOSH BROUGHT UP FOR THE APARTMENT RESCUE, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE REALIZE SOME OF THE DRASTIC THINGS THAT THESE GUYS GO THROUGH.
CHRIS CUTTINGHAM, JEFF CLUMP, AXEL SITE, JOHN ENGLISH, AND AMONG SEVERAL OTHER CREWS THAT WERE ON THE SCENE AT THE MONTICELLO STREET.
I DON'T LEAVE HEADQUARTERS UNTIL I ACTUALLY KNOW THERE'S REALLY A WORKING FIRE GOING ON OUT THERE TO GO OUT THERE TO BEAT THE MEN.
BUT ONCE I DID HEAR THE DISPOSITION, THEY WERE ON THE SCENE AND THEY WERE DOING A RESCUE.
I HEADED OUT THAT WAY FOR THE FIRE.
AS WE'RE MAKING IT THROUGH THE S CURVE BECAUSE THAT'S THE S CURVE GOING INTO NEW ORLEANS WHERE MONTICELLO STREET IS, HAPPENED TO BE AN AMBULANCE ON SODOMY AND I ALREADY KNEW FROM THE GUYS ON THEIR DISPOSITION THEY WERE PULLING SOMEBODY OUT OF THE APARTMENT.
THEY'RE ASKING FOR IT, ETA FOR EMS TO TRY TO SEE WHERE THEY WOULD BE BECAUSE WE GOT A VICTIM THAT'S BURNED AND UNCONSCIOUS AND NOT BREATHING.
BURNED SEVERELY FROM THE CHEST UP ON HIS HEAD.
NEW ORLEANS EMS HAPPENED TO BE LEAVING ASHNER, ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOW AND ASKED THEM IF THEY WOULD FOLLOW ME TO THE FIRE.
I DON'T HAVE THOSE MEDICS NAMES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR EFFORTS WITH ME TODAY, BUT I DID SEND SOMETHING THE NEXT DAY TO THEIR EMS DIRECTOR JUST TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR EFFORTS BECAUSE THEY DID FOLLOW ME TO THE FIRE.
THEY TOOK OUT THEIR EQUIPMENT AS SOON AS THEY GOT THAT AND MET ME AT THE FRONT STEPS AS MY GUYS BROUGHT THE VICTIM DOWNSTAIRS, AND IT'S HORRIBLE TO EXPLAIN IT TO YOU, BUT THIS PERSON HAD SKIN DRIPPING OFF OF THEIR FACE AND THEY'RE NOT BREATHING HER OUT, THE BLACK SMOKE DOWN THEIR THROAT.
THEY TURNED THEM OVER TO THE NEW ORLEANS MEDIC WHO PUT A TUBE DOWN THEIR THROAT, STARTED DOING SOME DEPRESSIONS, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU SEE THIS GENTLEMAN GASSED FOR A BIG BREATH OF AIR.
YOU LIKE TREMENDOUSLY, JUST SEEN DEATH COME BACK ALIVE RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF OUR FACES.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE GUYS THAT DAY FOR THEIR EFFORTS.
I'M SURE THAT GENTLEMAN IS MUCH HAPPY THAT HE'S GOT A SECOND CHANCE OF LIFE BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DID THAT DAY.
IT DOES ACKNOWLEDGE SOME MACULATES TO THOSE GENTLEMEN AND WOMEN THAT WERE THE SCENE THAT DAY.
MY NEXT THING, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ANGEL ON HER RETIREMENT.
I CAME IN MY CAREER WITH JEFFERSON PARISH AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RIGHT AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA, I WAS IN THE FIRE SERVICE, AND I GOT TO WORK AT THE EOC WITH HER FATHER, MR. TONY AND DINO GAVE ME A SHOT AT BEING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BACK THEN.
SHE'S NOT JUST AN ADMINISTRATOR.
SHE'S A FIRST LINE FIRST RESPONDER.
SHE WAS OUT AT MOST OF THOSE CALLS THAT DINO ACKNOWLEDGED HER FOR EFFORTS IN GRAND ALPHA, THE OIL SPILL, ALL THE HURRICANES, THE EVACUATION DRILLS WHEN WE HAD TO SEND PEOPLE OUT AND WE WERE AT ELWOOD SHOPPING CENTER AMC THEATER LOADING PEOPLE ON BUSES.
BRINGING THEM BACK TO JEFFERSON PARISH, SO CONGRATULATIONS ANGEL.
WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU. THANK YOU.
>> EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET HIM FOR THE YEAR ENDS. GO AHEAD.
>> MERRY CHRISTMAS. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
MY NAME'S WALTER BEACH. I'M WITH EMS REFORM.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE FIREFIGHTERS TO SEE THESE MEN AND WOMEN WORK.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THINGS WAS THE APARTMENT FIRE ON THE NAPOLEON.
SEEING THE GUY HIT THIS LADDER, RUN UP THE LADDER, DIVE IN THIS FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND I COULD NOT IMAGINE HIS FAMILY THINKING, WHAT IS HE DOING? WHAT ABOUT US? WE NEVER THINK ABOUT US.
AS A FIRST RESPONDER AND A PARAMEDIC, I DON'T THINK ABOUT MYSELF.
THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT THEMSELVES.
BUT EVERY TIME SOME CUTS COME UP, THEY LOOK AT THE FIRST RESPONDERS, YOU SHOULD BE INVESTING IN THE FIRST RESPONDERS.
THESE MEN AND WOMEN SAVE LIVES.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS SAVED BY THIS FIRE DEPARTMENT, NOT WASTING ENERGY ON MEDIOCRE CALLS BECAUSE THEY COULD CHANGE YOUR MIND AND THEY COULD GO ON A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AT ANY TIME AND IT NOT BE CRITICAL.
THEN YOU HAVE THE EXPENSE IN THE FIRE TRUCKS.
IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY SHOULD LOOK INTO IS HOW MUCH THE SAVINGS IS BECAUSE IT'S FAR MORE THAN WHAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE PAID OUT.
[03:40:01]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MERRY CHRISTMAS.I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE BEHIND ME FOR COMING.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE.
MY NAME IS ZUHEILY HERNANDEZ LEMOINE.
I AM A UNITED STATES CITIZEN AND A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
I AM A PROUD CHILD OF CUBAN IMMIGRANTS.
I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE ABUSE OF POWER HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY AND AFFECTING OUR RESIDENTS.
WERE IT NOT FOR IMMIGRANTS, THIS COMMUNITY WOULD NOT HAVE REBUILT AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA AND IDA.
THESE ARE OUR NEIGHBORS, THESE ARE OUR COUSINS, THESE ARE OUR FRIENDS, AND WE SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THEM THE WAY THEY TAKE CARE OF US.
THE CURRENT REGIME IS USING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AS A GESTAPO TO TERRORIZE NOT ONLY OUR RESIDENTS, BUT OUR CITIZENS.
THEY HAVE CREATED A BOGEYMAN IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO RELINQUISH THEIR RIGHTS OUT OF FEAR.
THIS IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE INTO FASCISM AND REPEATING THE MISTAKES FROM OUR HISTORY THAT NO ONE HERE WANTS TO SEE HAPPEN.
TO QUOTE THOMAS JEFFERSON, AFTER WHOM OUR PARISH IS NAMED.
"IF A LAW IS UNJUST, A MAN IS NOT ONLY RIGHT TO DISOBEY IT.
HE IS OBLIGATED TO DO SO." I AM NOT HERE TO BREAK ANY UNJUST LAWS, I AM HERE TO DEMAND OUR PARISH LEADERS TO STOP PARTICIPATING AND ALLOWING THE 287G PROGRAM AND INSTEAD PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> [INAUDIBLE] HOME OF BOULEVARD IN THE SPIRIT OF MY DEAR AND DEPARTED FRIEND ALLE MARELLA.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE PARISH.
I AM DEMANDING THE RESIGNATION OF GOVERNOR LANDRY IMMEDIATELY FOR VIOLATING MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO BE MY OWN CANDIDATE.
I'M DEMANDING THE RESIGNATION OF MERRELL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
I'M DEMANDING THE RESIGNATION OF NANCY LANDRY, THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
I'M DEMANDING THE RESOLUTION OF BOTH THE REPUBLICAN AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTIES OF LOUISIANA.
NO INVASIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION ARE SO FUNDAMENTALLY DANGEROUS AS THE TRICKS PLAYED ON QUALIFICATIONS TO LEGISLATE FOR THE UNION AND YOUR PARTIES.
MR. LEE, YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT, YES? I BELIEVE YOU'RE PAST THE AGE OF 35, I DON'T MEAN TO AGE YOU, SIR, BUT I'M GUESSING THAT YOU MIGHT BE.
IF YOU CHOSE TO GO UP AGAINST MR. CASSY FOR THE SENATE SEAT, YOU, SIR, COULD JUST TAKE A LITTLE SACK OF CASH, ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT WE SPEND ON BEAUTIFICATION FOR THOSE CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS.
YOU GO TO BAT ROUGE IN FEBRUARY.
YOU CAN BE A CANDIDATE AGAINST MR. CASSY.
YOU AND 900,000 OTHER DEMOCRATS COULD CHOOSE TO DO SO.
MR. CHAIRMAN, IF YOU CHOSE THAT, MAYBE YOU HAD AN IDEA OF SCALISE AS LONG IN THE TOOTH.
MAYBE YOU DECIDED AS REPUBLICAN, YOU WANT TO GO UP AGAINST HIM FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
YOU COULD TAKE A SACK OF CASH JUST $2,500, AND YOU AS A REPUBLICAN AND 950,000 OTHER REPUBLICANS STATEWIDE, YOU COULD MAKE YOURSELF A CANDIDATE.
BUT THIS THIS FOOL WHO RAN AGAINST SCALISE AND GOT 2% OF THE VOTE WITH NO MONEY, NO ENDORSEMENTS, NO PARTY AFFILIATIONS, JUST AN UGLY, UNAFFILIATED GREEN PARTY LIBERTARIAN INDEPENDENT ANOTHER.
HOW WOULD MR. ALLE RESPOND IF HE FOUND OUT THAT AS AN INDEPENDENT, HE COULDN'T QUALIFY FOR OFFICE BY THE SAME MEANS AS EITHER OF YOU.
I COULD BRING $10 MILLION, AND THEY WON'T LET ME ON A BALLOT IN FEBRUARY.
YOU, SIR, YOUR PARTIES, TREASONOUS, AN ACT OF TREASON.
YOU'VE DISQUALIFIED 800,000 CITIZENS FROM ACHIEVING BALLOT STATUS BY THE SAME MEANS AS YOUR PARTIES.
NO INVASION OF THE CONSTITUTION ARE SO FUNDAMENTALLY DANGEROUS.
YOU'RE IN THE DEATH ROWS OF YOUR PARTIES.
THAT'S WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU CAN'T TAKE THE COMPETITION, YOU GO AHEAD AND EXCLUDE THEM.
BY MONEY, YOU'RE AFRAID OF A LITTLE UPCOMING OUTSTANDING CANDIDATE LIKE BARRAS SHALES.
NO INVASIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION SO FUNDAMENTALLY DANGEROUS AND YOU'RE ACQUIESCING TO THEM.
UNAFFILIATE OR MAKE YOURSELVES TREASONOUS.
YOU CAN AFFILIATE, SHOW THE PARTIES WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE CONSTITUTION TO ANY OF YOU.
THIS ISN'T A JOKE. YOU CAN SMILE, YOU CAN LAUGH.
>> YES, I'M NOT GOING TO EXPLAIN IT.
[03:45:03]
YOU CAN STILL RUN WHATEVER YOU WANT.BEFORE WE READ ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION THIS SUMMARY, LET ME SAY QUICKLY, 2025 HAS BEEN A YEAR, AS WE ALL KNOW.
SHOOT, 2020-2025 HAS BEEN A STRETCH.
BUT I JUST WANT TO WISH ALL MY COLLEAGUES A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR AND EVERYBODY WHO HAS BEEN A PART OF THESE MEETINGS AND OUR PARISH ADMINISTRATION, ALL OF OUR STAFF AND POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, EVERYBODY WHO CAME HERE TODAY AND SPOKE POLITELY AND RESPECTFULLY, THAT IS MUCH APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR PASSION AND YOUR CONCERNS WITH US. WE APPRECIATE IT.
OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE JANUARY 14TH.
NO COMPLAINTS HERE. MADAM CLERK,
[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]
PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION IN DECEMBER.>> AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP LOT A1, SQUARE 8, BRIDGEDALE, SECTION A, LOCATED AT 201 TRANSCONTINENTAL DRIVE, AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R1A TO C1.
APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 AND 40 SQUARE 4.
PALLETE PLACE SUBDIVISION TO LOTS 35A, SQUARE 4.
APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 25 26, 27, 28 SQUARE 2 PALLETE PLACE TO LOTS 25A SQUARE 2.
AMEND CHAPTER 2, ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE 6 BOARDS COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, AND OTHER AGENCIES OF THE PARISH, DIVISION 24 ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD.
AMEND THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 7, ANIMALS.
INCREASING THE SALARY OF THE CORNER OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING A SECTION TO BE NUMBER 27-222 RELATIVE TO SMART WATER METER READINGS.
DECLARING A 15 FOOT BY 150 FOOT PORTION OF PARTIAL C, NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC BELT RAILROAD INDUSTRIAL SITE SUBDIVISION, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES AND AUTHORIZING IT'S SALE TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER.
RENAMING THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF MCDERMOTT ROAD TO ITS ONLY INTERSECTION AT L&A ROAD.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2026 OPERATING BUDGET, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2026 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THAT'S ALL THE ORDINANCES I HAVE TO READ.
>> ANY OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE IS READ INTO SUMMARY? A MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN VAN BRANKEN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.
BEFORE EVERYBODY LEAVES, ONE MORE FOND FAREWELL FOR ANGEL CALAIS.
SHE'S STILL RIGHT THERE. THANK YOU, ANGEL YOU'LL BE MISSED.
EARLIER, COUNCILMAN BANANO, YOU SAID HOW MUCH YOU HAVE LEARNED.
BUT I'LL BET YOU HE'S LEARNED A LOT, TOO, FROM YOU BEING IN HIS OFFICE FOR ALL THOSE YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THE PARISH OVER THE YEARS.
WITH THAT, EVERYBODY, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADJOURN BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT? THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED, SO IS THE YEAR.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY.
>> THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.