>> [LAUGHTER]OUR JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEES ARE CERTAINLY AT THE HEART
[SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS]
[00:00:03]
OF WHAT WE DO TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY.I'M PROUD TO RECOGNIZE OUR JEFFERSON PARISH DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE AGENCY RONALD LAMPART, FOR HIS 15 YEARS OF SERVICE.
UNDER RONALD'S LEADERSHIP, OUR COMMUNITY JUSTICE AGENCY OVERSEES THE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDS ALLOCATED TO JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT AND AGENCIES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR VARIOUS CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS TO HELP REDUCE CRIME AND ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE AGENCY ALSO SERVES AS THE LOCAL GRANT MANAGER FOR SIMILAR AGENCIES IN THE PARISHES OF ASSUMPTION, LA FOUCHE, PLAQUEMIN ST. BERNARD, ST. CHARLES, ST. JAMES, ST. JOHN, ST. TAMMANY, AND TERRABONE PARISHES.
BEFORE HIS TIME WITH THE PARISH RONALD DEVOTED 35 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE NEW ORLEANS MUNICIPAL COURT, RETIRING AFTER A CAREER THAT CULMINATED WITH HIS APPOINTMENT AS CLERK OF COURT, A ROLE HE SERVED IN FOR THE FINAL TEN YEARS OF HIS TENURE.
HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE LOUISIANA BAR SINCE 1982, DEMONSTRATING MORE THAN FOUR DECADES OF DEDICATION TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND PUBLIC SERVICE.
BEYOND HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER RONALD HAS REMAINED DEEPLY ENGAGED IN HIS COMMUNITY, SERVING AS A 15 YEAR MEMBER OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA COUNCIL, INCLUDING SERVICE AS A BOARD MEMBER, RONALD'S DECADES OF SERVICE, EXEMPLIFIED PROFESSIONALISM, INTEGRITY, AND DEDICATION TO THE PUBLIC GOOD, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
CONGRATULATIONS ON 15 YEARS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WANT TO COME GET A PICTURE WITH RONALD? NEXT, I'M GOING TO HAVE STEVE LEUSHU JOIN ME AT THE PODIUM.
I KNOW HE WAS HOPING THIS WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.
THIS IS A LITTLE SADDER FOR US, BUT FOR GOOD FOR HIM.
[LAUGHTER] WHEREAS STEVE LEUSHU GREW UP IN ALGIOS, LOUISIANA, AND MOVED TO BRAZIL AS A TEENAGER, WHERE HE LEARNED TO SPEAK PORTUGUESE FLUENTLY.
WHY DID I JUST LEARN THIS NOW? HE RETURNED FOR A SENIOR YEAR AT O PARE WALKER HIGH SCHOOL AND HIS INTEREST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS SPARKED DURING HIS TIME, WHERE HE VOLUNTEERED AS A POLICE EXPLORER ANSWERING PHONES AT THE POLICE STATION ON SATURDAYS.
WHEREAS A DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT, STEVE BEGAN HIS CAREER LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH THE JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN 1981, WHERE OVER THE COURSE OF 34 YEARS, HE ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS TO SERVE AS DEPUTY CHIEF OVERSEEING CRITICAL OPERATIONS, INCLUDING THE CRIME LABORATORY, DNA LAB, 911 COMMUNICATION CENTER, AND RECORDS DIVISION.
WHEREAS FOLLOWING HIS RETIREMENT FROM JPSO IN 2015, STEVE CONTINUED HIS COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE WHEN THEN AT LARGE PARISH COUNCIL MEMBER, CYNTHIA LI SHANG, THAT'S ME, APPOINTED HIM AS AN AIDE IN OUR WEST BANK OFFICE.
WHEREAS IN 2019, STEVE LICHT WAS APPOINTED AS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR JEFFERSON PARISH, SERVING AS SECOND IN COMMAND IN MANAGING THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS OF PARISH GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING OVERSIGHT OF MORE THAN 2,400 PARISH EMPLOYEES.
WHEREAS DURING HIS TENURE AS CIOO, STEVE PROVIDED STEADY LEADERSHIP THROUGH AN UNPRECEDENTED PERIOD IN MODERN HISTORY, INCLUDING THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC, HURRICANE ZETA, IDA, AND FRANCINE, AS WELL AS TORNADOES IN 2022, 41 CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF RECORD BREAKING HEAT AND THE RESULTING SALT WATER INTRUSION CRISIS IN 2023, MAJOR WATER LINE BREAK IN 2024 AND A SNOWSTORM IN 2025.
THERE WAS SOME FUN THINGS TOO HE GOT TO DO, WHEREAS STEVE WAS HONORED TO SERVICE KING OF ARGUS 38, LEADING THE CREW'S 50TH PARADE THROUGH MORI IN 2023.
WHEREAS STEVE'S CALM DEMEANOR, DEDICATION, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT EARNED HIM THE RESPECT OF HIS COLLEAGUES, PARTNER AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY, DEMONSTRATING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS.
I MEAN THAT, STEVE, THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP DURING JEFFERSON PARISH'S MOST CHALLENGING TIMES.
WHEREAS STEVE IS MARRIED TO HIS WIFE, ADRIAN, AND TOGETHER, THEY ARE THE PROUD PARENTS OF TWO ADULT DAUGHTERS, CAITLIN AND COURTNEY.
HE'S ALSO KNOWN AS A BIG ANIMAL LOVER WITH ONE DOG AND FIVE RESCUE CATS.
[00:05:02]
BEFORE I FINISH, I WANT TO SAY I WAS A DISTRICT 5 COUNCIL MEMBER, WHICH REPRESENTED THE EAST BANK, AND I GREW UP IN THE EAST BANK AND WHEN I WAS ELECTED AT LARGE, I WANTED SOMEONE ON MY STAFF WHO KNEW THE WEST BANK.THAT WAS REALLY WHEN I WAS HIRING STEVE FOR HIS WEST BANK CRED AND TO HELP ME PERFORM BETTER IN OFFICE.
WHEN I LOOKED BACK OVER 10 YEARS, CERTAINLY HE HELPED US ON THAT FRONT.
BUT IT'S LIKE THE ROAD IS STEADY, STEADY, CALM. HE'S ALWAYS THERE.
I THINK THE DIRECTORS ALWAYS FELT A COMFORT LEVEL WITH HIM.
I THINK HIS TYPE OF MANAGEMENT AND MY TYPE OF MANAGEMENT, I THINK WE WORKED VERY WELL TOGETHER.
WE'RE DIFFERENT, AND WE COMPLIMENTED EACH OTHER VERY WELL.
HE WAS CERTAINLY MY PARTNER IN CRIME AND I WILL MISS HIM.
WE LIVE LIFE IN CHAPTERS, AND THIS CHAPTER IS OVER FOR HIM, AND ONLY YOU KNOW THAT.
I KNOW HE'S GOING TO GO ON TO DO MANY EXCITING REWARDING THINGS, AND I'M HAPPY FOR YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU CAME INTO MY LIFE THAT YOU'RE PART OF MY WORK FAMILY.
I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH. YOU SHOULD BE SO PROUD OF YOUR FAMILY, AND JUST PROUD OF HOW YOU GAVE YOURSELF TO JEFFERSON PARISH.
WITH THAT, NOW, THEREFORE, CYNTHIA LI SHANG, PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, DO HEREBY CELEBRATE AND CONGRATULATE STEVE LEUSHU ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 10 YEARS OF SERVICE TO JEFFERSON PARISH.
WE HAVE A LITTLE THING TO GIVE YOU AS TO REMEMBER YOU BY, STEVE.
[LAUGHTER] I WANT THE STAFF TO COME IN AND TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> THIS IS VERY SURREAL AND HUMBLING TO ME TO BE HAVE SERVED JEFFERSON PARISH FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS.
CYNTHIA, YOU GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY.
I APPRECIATE YOUR CONFIDENCE IN ME, AND IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU AS IT WAS WORKING WITH YOUR FATHER.
LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU AS I LEARNED FROM HIM.
LEARNED SO MUCH FROM EVERYBODY I WORK WITH.
I MISS MY WORK FAMILY, BUT IT'S TIME FOR ME TO MOVE ON, AND I TRULY ENJOY SERVING MEMBERS HERE, MEMBERS OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND THE COMMUNITY, AND I WILL MISS EVERYONE INDEED. THANKS. [APPLAUSE]
>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO TAKE AN OFFICE PICTURE, AND THEN WE WANT THE COUNCILMEMBERS TO GET IN ON THE NEXT PICTURE, SO LET'S GET THERE. [BACKGROUND]
>> COUNCILMEMBERS, I KNOW HE WANTS ONE WITH THE COUNCILMEMBERS AS WELL. [BACKGROUND]
>> AS YOU CAN SEE, LOTS OF PURPLE, GREEN, AND GOLD AROUND OUR COUNCIL CHAMBER.
IT IS THE OFFICIAL KICKOFF TO THE CARNIVAL SEASON IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
BEFORE WE RECOGNIZE EACH CREW, I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE A FORMER PARISH PRESIDENT WHO IS IN THE AUDIENCE, STEVE TERRIO, WHO'S HERE THIS MORNING, I THINK, TO CELEBRATE ONE OF OUR ROYALTY, HIS GRANDDAUGHTER, CALLIE LANGT, WHO'S GOING TO BE THE QUEEN OF ARGUS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATORY TIMES, OBVIOUSLY IN JEFFERSON PARISH, AND SO WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE EACH CREW AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE CARNIVAL IN JEFFERSON WITH OUR EAST BANK CREWS THIS MORNING SO SPECIAL.
[00:10:12]
>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR PARISH DEPARTMENTS, FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE EMS. YOU ALL TRULY ARE WHAT MAKES THIS HAPPEN.
OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO THANK THE CREWS WHO SPENT A LOT OF EFFORT, TIME AND MONEY TO PUT MARTI GRAS ON.
PLEASE EXCUSE ME, BY THE WAY, I'M HAVING SOME EYE ISSUES, MY EYES ARE DILATED, SO I HAVE TO PUT ON MY SUNGLASSES.
IT'S NOT BECAUSE I THINK I'M COOL.
IT'S JUST BECAUSE I'M HAVING A HARD TIME SEEING.
FIRST, THE CREW OF EXCALIB MELISSA HILDRETH, CAPTAIN.
ROBERT BROWN, CAPTAIN'S ASSISTANT, CREW OF EXCALIBER.
SANDRA CRUZ NIX, QUEEN OF EXCALIBER, AND JOHN VALENZA, KING OF THE CREW OF EXCALIBER. [BACKGROUND]
>> GWEN LACOSTE, THE CAPTAIN OF THE CREW OF MAT HATTERS.
JOSEPH ACOST THE CAPTAIN OF THE CREW OF MAT HATTERS, PIERRE THOMAS, THE MAT HATTER.
KAREN WALDROP, ALICE AND IRMA THOMAS, THE GRAND MARSHAL.
CREW OF SYMPHONY, LOR NELSON, CAPTAIN.
LAUREN MCLANE ESQUIRE, THE QUEEN OF THE CREW OF SYMPHONY.
DASMON WHITLEY ALLEN, CREW OF SYMPHONY THE KING.
>> WITH THE CREW OF ATHENA, TAISHA WILLIAMS PAYNE, CAPTAIN.
DR. MAURIE SHOWS, THE KING, ASEL RENEE BANKS ROSS, GRACE OF FUN.
VERONICA LABA, GRACE OF SISTERHOOD.
JASMINE PROCTOR, GRACE OF SERVICE.
KANE JONES, GRACE OF FELLOWSHIP.
CREW OF CENTURIONS, MICHAEL BOURGEOIS JUNIOR, THE CAPTAIN.
[LAUGHTER] KEITH CONLEY, THE KING.
>> ROBERT NORMAN, THE GRAND MARSHAL.
THERE'S A GUY THAT CAN'T KEEP A JOB.
WE ALREADY MOVED ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.
DANNY MURRAY, CAPTAIN OF ATLAS.
THE QUEEN OF ATLAS, CARLYN ABADY.
THE CREW OF ARGUS, ROBERT DEVINE.
I'M SORRY, ROBERT DEVINE IS CAPTAIN.
CONGRATULATIONS. DAVID HAYDLL, KING.
CREW OF JEFFERSONIANS, MIKE, CAPTAIN LEN JERAS GRAND MARSHAL AND THAT'S EVERYBODY.
IF WE CAN GET A PICTURE AND THEN ASK OUR COUNSEL AND PARISH PRESIDENT TO TAKE PICTURES WITH YOU GUYS. [BACKGROUND]
[00:15:14]
>> THAT WAS FUN. I WAS LIKE, OH, RUN.
>> I DIDN'T GET IT IN TIME. [BACKGROUND]
>> HE WAS RECORDING. I'M SORRY.
I HAD IT ON MY CALENDAR FOR 11:00. I THINK WHAT HAPPENED WAS WE [OVERLAPPING]
>> WHAT IS SHE TALKING ABOUT? WHAT HAPPENS IS SOMETIMES WHEN I'M TRAVELING AND THE CALENDAR GETS POPULATED, IT WAS 9:00 PACIFIC TIME.
[00:20:33]
>> THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10:00 A.M, SO WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES TO VISIT. GOOD MORNING.
[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]
WELCOME TO THIS JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.IT IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY THE 14TH.
WE'RE HERE AT THE YENI BUILDING.
AS WE TO BEGIN, WE ALWAYS START WITH AN INVOCATION, AND COUNCILMAN HANS LILJEBERG HAS SELECTED THE PERSON WHO WILL LEAD US IN PRAYER THIS MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. FATHER JOE PALERMO, WHO IS THE PASTOR, LONG TIME PASTOR AT ST. FRANCIS SAVIOR.
WE'LL DO OUR INVOCATION TODAY.
FATHER PALERMO IS A LONG TIME MEMBER OF THE ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC LAWYERS ASSOCIATION.
HE'S OUR CHAPLAIN, WHICH IS HOW I KNOW HIM.
HE'S A GREAT PRIEST, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT HE'S A LAWYER, SO PLEASE DON'T HOLD THAT AGAINST HIM.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AS WE BEGIN A NEW YEAR FOR THE COUNCIL TO MEET, LET'S PAUSE FOR A MOMENT TO REMEMBER THAT WE'RE ALWAYS IN GOD'S HOLY PRESENCE, AND LET'S TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO PUT OURSELVES INTO THAT PRESENCE.
OH, GOD, YOU ARE THE BEGINNING AND END OF OUR JOURNEY.
YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM AND COMPASSION.
AS THIS COUNCIL GATHERS, THE COUNCIL DOES SO AS STEWARDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
ENTRUSTED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SERVING THE PEOPLE, WITH INTEGRITY, FAIRNESS AND FAITHFULNESS.
GRANT CLARITY OF MIND AND VISION TO THIS COUNCIL, SO THAT ITS DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS MAY BE GUIDED BY TRUTH, AND ALWAYS SEEK THE COMMON GOOD.
BLESS THE COUNCIL WITH UNITY OF PURPOSE, EVEN WHEN OPINIONS AND PERSPECTIVES DIFFER, AND HELP IT TO SEEK SOLUTIONS THAT FOSTER JUSTICE AND PEACE.
WITH GRATITUDE TO YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND USE THE GIFTS YOU HAVE GIVEN US, WE SEEK YOUR GUIDANCE AND GRACE AND ALL THINGS AS WE BEGIN A NEW CALENDAR YEAR.
IN YOUR MOST HOLY NAME, WE PRAY, AMEN.
>>THANK YOU, FATHER JOE. OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER STEVE LOOT.
THIS IS HIS LAST OFFICIAL COUNCIL MEETING, SO IF YOU'LL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.
>> AS THIS MEETINGS CALL TO ORDER, WE'LL BEGIN WITH THE ROLL.
>> PARISH PRESIDENT, MISS LEE SHENG?
>> MADAM PRESIDENT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL?
[PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRWOMAN, HONORARY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE'RE GOING TO START THE YEAR WITH A NEW INITIATIVE.
WE'RE CALLING THIS LITTER FREE JP, LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON.
I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER UP TO CONNECTICUT LAST YEAR, AND DRIVING THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA, AND WHAT WAS VERY NOTICEABLE ABOUT ME WAS THE LACK OF LITTER ON THEIR ROADS.
I WAS SO VERY IMPRESSED WITH IT.
THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER, I WAS AT A CONFERENCE IN FLORIDA, AND I WAS SITTING NEXT TO SOMEONE AT BREAKFAST FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, AND I COMMENTED ABOUT HOW INCREDIBLE THEIR ROADS LOOKED.
HE SAID, YEAH, WE DID THIS NEW PROGRAM.
WE DIDN'T HIRE A BIG CONTRACTOR.
WE JUST HIRED, A GUY IN A TRUCK, AND IT ENDED UP BEING A GREAT INITIATIVE, AND IT'S GREAT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S TAKEN US THIS LONG TO GET THIS FAR BECAUSE IT'S NEW, AND IN GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE PROCESSES, BUT THIS WAS NEW, AND WE REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL NON PROFITS TO HELP US WITH THE PILOT AND FIGURE THIS OUT.
WE NEEDED TO PILOT IT FIRST BEFORE WE CAN EXPAND IT.
[00:25:01]
THANK GOODNESS MURPHY EDUCATION AND SPORTS FOUNDATION TOOK THE CHALLENGE.ONLY ONE OF THEM WERE WILLING TO PARTNER WITH US FIRST.
AGAIN, VERY EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEW LITTER FREE JP PILOT PROGRAM BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS AN INNOVATIVE WAY FOR JEFFERSON PARISH TO PARTNER WITH LOCAL NON PROFITS TO TACKLE LITTER AND OUR COMMUNITY.
THE COUNCIL, YOU ALL APPROVED A CEA ON THE DECEMBER 10TH AGENDA WITH THE MURPHY EDUCATION AND SPORTS FOUNDATION FOR THIS PROGRAM.THE NONPROFIT HAS STARTED TO ASSIST WITH A LITER REMOVAL ALONG OUR PARISH AND THE STATE RIGHTS OF WAY.
BY WORKING WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, WE CAN KEEP LITTER OFF OUR STREETS AT A LOWER COST THAN TRADITIONAL CONTRACTED SERVICES, WHILE ALSO SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE INVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITY IN PROVIDING MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
THE CEA IS FOR ONE YEAR, AND ALLOWS FOR LITTER REMOVAL ON BOTH THE EAST AND WEST BANKS.
THE COST IS NOT TO EXCEED 200,000, AND FUNDING WILL BE THROUGH THE STREETS DEPARTMENT'S FUND BALANCE.
PAYMENT WILL BE BASED ON THE HOUR SPENT BY THE ORGANIZATION REMOVING LITTER.
THE ORGANIZATION WILL SUPPLY THE VEHICLES, AND THE LABOR NEEDED FOR LITTER COLLECTION, AND THE PARISH WILL PROVIDE TOOLS AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT TO ASSIST IN THE PROJECT.
ALL LITTER COLLECTED BY THE ORGANIZATION WILL BE DISPOSED AT ONE OF THE STREETS PARKWAYS FACILITIES.
THIS PILOT ALLOWS US TO EVALUATE A COST EFFECTIVE, FLEXIBLE, AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED APPROACH TO LITTER REMOVAL THAT IF SUCCESSFUL, WE HOPE, CAN BE EXPANDED IN THE FUTURE.
ULTIMATELY, THIS PROGRAM HELPS US KEEP JEFFERSON PARISH CLEANER, STRETCH TAXPAYER DOLLARS FURTHER, AND STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT CARE ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
SOMETIMES I WILL CALL BRIAN PARKS, OUR GREAT DIRECTOR OF PARKWAYS AND SAY, CLEAN UP THIS AREA, IT'S FULL OF LITTER, AND TWO DAYS LATER, I'LL PASS IT AGAIN, AND IT'S MESSY.
OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A LANDFILL IN OUR PARISH.
WE HAVE A LOT OF TRUCKS WITH LITTER THAT COME THROUGH OUR PARISH THAT DON'T SEAL IT PROPERLY AND COVER IT PROPERLY.
A COUPLE OF PASSES A WEEK ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARES IS NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THE LITTER THAT GETS DROPPED THERE.
HOPEFULLY, WITH THIS NEW INITIATIVE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO MORE PASSES ON VERY POPULAR THOROUGHFARES.
MOVING ON TO OUR JEFFERSON PROTECTION AND ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES J PAWS, SOME EXCITING NEWS JUST LAST WEEK AND MANY OF YOU ATTENDED, WE BROKE GROUND ON THE NEW JPAWS EAST BANK ADOPTION CENTER IN COUNCILMAN BONANO 'S DISTRICT.
THIS CENTER WILL RESTORE CRITICAL ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES TO THE PARISH.
FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF OUR FORMER EAST BANK SHELTER DUE TO HURRICANE IDA.
THE NEW 27,750 SQUARE FOOT SINGLE STORY FACILITY IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION ON FEBRUARY 28, 2027, AND WILL FEATURE SEPARATE ADOPTION, COMMUNITY CLINIC AND INTAKE ENTRANCES, AS WELL AS PET HOUSING AREAS THAT SUPPORT EFFICIENT OPERATIONS.
THIS WILL OFFER A WELCOMING, MODERN SPACE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE ANIMALS IN OUR AREA.
THE NEW FACILITY HAS BEEN ENVISIONED AS AN ANIMAL UTOPIA.
PRIORITIZING COMFORT, FUNCTIONALITY, AND THE NEXT LEVEL DESIGNED TO REDUCE STRESS FOR ANIMALS AND CREATE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR VISITORS.
I WANT TO THANK OUR DIRECTOR AND LEADER, JPAWS DIRECTOR MICHELLE BRIGNAC, AND THE COUNCIL AND OUR STAFF AND PARTNERS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AS WE MARK THIS MAJOR MILESTONE IN ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.
ALSO, OUR JPAWS EMPLOYEES WILL BE DOING A LIFE SAVING TRANSPORT OF 50 CATS TO THE KC PET PROJECT IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI TOMORROW, JANUARY 15.
JPAWS CURRENT LIVE RELEASE RATE IS 80%, WHICH IS THE PERCENTAGE OF ANIMALS THAT LEAVE ALIVE THROUGH ADOPTION, RETURN TO OWNER OR TRANSFER TO ANOTHER RESCUE.
JPAWS' HOPE IS TO INCREASE THIS IN 2026 BY 15-20% TO REACH 90-98% OF ANIMALS BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
JPAWS WILL ALSO BE HOSTING A NEW YEAR NEW BEST FRIEND ADOPTION EVENT THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M. AT JEFFERSON FED, LOCATED AT 4421 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY AND METAIRIE.
OUR LIBRARY CONTINUES TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR ITS INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS.
THE ONGOING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OUR JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY AND JPAWS WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION'S ONLINE MAGAZINE THIS MONTH, REACHING A NATIONAL AUDIENCE.
MULTIPLE BRANCHES OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY ARE CELEBRATING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF BRITISH ROMANCE NOVELIST JANE AUSTIN.
OSTENTATIOUS MOVIE SERIES OF BOOK TO SCREEN ADAPTATIONS TO PAPER QUILLING, AND CALLIGRAPHY CLASSES, A TRIVIANITE, A T TASTING PARTY, AND A REGENCY ERA BALL, FEATURING A DANCE TROUPE THAT WILL CLOSE OUT THE ACTIVITIES ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 31.
IF YOU'RE A JANE AUSTIN FAN, WE HAVE A PROGRAM FOR YOU.
RIVER RIDGE LIBRARY IS HOSTING A SIX SESSION MEMOIR WRITING CLASS ON WEDNESDAYS 1-3 THROUGH FEBRUARY 25.
THE INSTRUCTOR WILL GUIDE PRE REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS THROUGH THE STAGES OF WRITING AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY, AND INDIVIDUALS WILL SHARE SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS FROM THEIR LIFE STORIES IN A GROUP SETTING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SERIES.
WEST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY HOSTS FREE NOTARY SERVICES ON THE SECOND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 9:00-10:00 A.M.
[00:30:01]
PATRONS SHOULD BRING DOCUMENTS REQUIRING A NOTARY SEAL, ANY REQUIRED WITNESSES, AND A VALID IDENTIFICATION.NOTARY SESSIONS TAKE PLACE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS AND END PROMPTLY AT 10:00 A.M. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIBRARY PROGRAMMING AND BRANCHES, VISIT JPLIBRARY.NET.
ALL EVENTS CAN BE FOUND AT CALENDAR.JPLIBRARY.NET.
FIRST, HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENT FOR 2026 WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SHRINE ON AIRLINE IN METAIRIE THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, FROM 9:00 A.M. TO NOON.
THIS IS A FREE SERVICE TO RESIDENTS AND A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROPER DISPOSAL OF LEFTOVER HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN CORROSIVE AND TOXIC INGREDIENTS.
ACCEPTED MATERIALS INCLUDE PAINT, ELECTRONIC WASTE, HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS, AND MERCURY CONTAINING EQUIPMENT.
A DETAILED LIST OF ACCEPTED MATERIALS IS AVAILABLE ON OUR PARISH WEBSITE.
EACH YEAR, THOUSANDS OF CHRISTMAS TREES ARE DONATED BY JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENTS AND DIVERTED FROM LANDFILLS TO PROTECT WETLAND HABITAT WITHIN THE BARATARIA BASIN.
THESE RECYCLE TREES ARE USED TO BUILD WAVE DAMPENING FENCES LOCATED OFF THE SHORE, HELPING TO REDUCE COASTAL EROSION.
THE 2026 CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, FROM 8:30 UNTIL NOON.
VISIT THE JEFFERSON PARISH WEBSITE TO SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER.
LAFRENIERE PARK, DIRECTOR WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE VARIOUS PARISH DEPARTMENTS AND EMPLOYEES WHO HELPED MAKE THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS THIS YEAR BETTER THAN EVER.
LAFRENIERE PARK NOT ONLY HOSTS OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK BUT MANY OTHER EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
ONE OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS, WHO IS HOSTING THE BREAKING DAWN 5K & KID'S DASH AT LAFRENIERE PARK ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS 5K RACE AND HOW TO SIGN UP IS AVAILABLE ON RACEROSTER.COM.
>> HEAD START WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK COUNCILMAN LEE FOR ALLOCATING ONE MILLION AT THE DECEMBER 10TH COUNCIL MEETING TO COMPLETE THE RIVER RIDGE HEAD START RENOVATION PROJECT.
THIS INVESTMENT WILL ENHANCE OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SAFE, HIGH QUALITY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED OF SERVICES.
I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 69, WHICH IS THE DELOITTE CONTRACT.
WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION OF THIS ITEM TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT CAP AND EXTEND THE CONTRACT FOR DELOITTE, WHICH WAS DEFERRED AT THE LAST MEETING.
THIS AMENDMENT IS NEEDED DUE TO, OBVIOUSLY, ONGOING STAFF SHORTAGES, THE AUDIT COMPLEXITY, AND OUR LEGACY FINANCIAL SYSTEM DATA.
DELOITTE'S SUPPORT REMAINS CRITICAL AS A SHORT-TERM MEASURE TO MAINTAIN ACCURATE REPORTING, MEET AUDIT DEADLINES, AND ENSURE THAT WE ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO HAVE OUR BOND RATING RESTORED WHILE WE CONTINUE TO RECRUIT STAFF AND BUILD INTERNAL CAPACITY.
THE LEGACY FINANCIAL SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE THAT WE ARE TRYING TO MIGRATE FROM, THE LIMITATIONS OF THAT SYSTEM FURTHER COMPOUND THE WORKLOAD, BECAUSE THE PARISH WERE OPERATING ON A 30-YEAR-OLD SYSTEM THAT CAN NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AS OUR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
IT'S OUTDATED AND IT HAS INCOMPLETE DATA.
TO ADDRESS THIS, DELOITTE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN OUR ERP PROJECT, WHICH REQUIRES EXTENSIVE DATA CLEAN-UP, IT'S LONG OVERDUE, AND IS THE LARGEST INTERNAL PROJECT IN PARISH HISTORY.
SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE IS REQUIRED TO INTERPRET THE HISTORICAL DATA, ENSURE REPORTING ACCURACY AND PREPARE FOR THE EVENTUAL CONVERSION TO A MODERN ERP SYSTEM.
USE OF EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS FOR LARGE SPECIALIZED PROJECTS SUCH AS THE ERP, WHICH TOUCHES EVERY SINGLE PARISH DEPARTMENT IS STANDARD PRACTICE.
DELOITTE'S WORK WILL CONTINUE TO HELP US AVOID FURTHER DELAYS AND RESTORE CONSISTENT REPORTING, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING AUDIT OUTCOMES, POSITIONING THE PARISH TO REGAIN AND STRENGTHEN ITS BOND RATINGS, AND ENSURING JEFFERSON PARISH REMAINS FINANCIALLY STRONG AND PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE.
AGAIN, THIS IS ITEM NUMBER 69 ON THE AGENDA. TWO MORE ITEMS. BICENTENNIAL TIME CAPSULES, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR CELEBRATING OUR JEFFERSON PARISH BICENTENNIAL WITH US ALL YEAR LONG.
WE'RE GOING TO END THIS INCREDIBLE BICENTENNIAL YEAR IN THE SAME LOCATION WE BEGAN, AND WE'LL BE CLOSING OUT OUR 200TH YEAR CELEBRATION ON OUR 201ST BIRTHDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH.
WITH A VERY SPECIAL CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE AT 10:00 AM IN THE PELICAN PARK NEXT TO THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
AS PART OF THIS CEREMONY, WE'LL BE PLACING TIME CAPULES INTO THE BASE OF OUR PELICAN SCULPTURE, WHICH WAS UNVEILED ONE YEAR AGO ON OUR 200TH BIRTHDAY.
WE HAVE A SPECIAL TIME CAPSULE FOR EACH OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS TO FILL WITH ITEMS THAT BEST REPRESENT OUR PARISH, YOUR DISTRICT, AND THE MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN YOUR DISTRICT.
THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I WANT TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO RESOLUTION NUMBER 105 ON THE AGENDA, REQUESTING THE COUNCIL'S FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION FOR THE REAPPOINTMENT OF NINETE BARRIOS AS OUR TRANSIT DIRECTOR.
NINETE IS NO STRANGER TO JEFFERSON PARISH.
SHE'S ALWAYS BEEN A NEXT LEVEL DIRECTOR FOR US, AND WE ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME HER BACK HOME. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR THE PARISH PRESIDENT?
[00:35:04]
COUNCILMAN SCOTT WALKER IS GOING TO INTRODUCE AN UPDATE ON A PROJECT WITH BARRY DUNN.>> WE'VE GOT SAM AND CARA HERE FROM BARRY DUNN WHO WANT TO COME ON UP TO THE PODIUM.
THIS JUST STARTED REALLY A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO WHERE THEY MET WITH THE PERMITTING STAFF IN JEFFERSON PARISH TO GO OVER SOME NEW INITIATIVES TO HELP MAKE THE PROCESS MORE EFFICIENT, A LITTLE MORE STREAMLINED, AND THEY ARE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED.
BARRY DUNN, WHO WORKS WITH GOVERNMENTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING GOVERNMENTS SIMILAR TO OUR SIZE.
OFTENTIMES, THE FIRST INTERACTION PEOPLE HAVE IS WITH OUR PERMITTING AND PLANNING DEPARTMENTS IN JEFFERSON POWERS, SO THERE'S ALREADY A PERMITTING REVIEW UNDER WAY WITH THE PARISH PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO STREAMLINE THOSE PROCESSES AND REWRITE OUR CODE, WHICH AS WE'VE SEEN BEFORE, IS VOLUMINOUS.
THIS IS THE PERMITTING SIDE OF THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE UPDATED, WE'RE EMPLOYING BEST PRACTICES, AND WE'RE DOING THE THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE AS THEY GO THROUGH THE PROCESS WHEN THEY'RE BUILDING AND OPENING BUSINESSES IN JEFFERSON POWERS.
CARA GO AHEAD AND FIRE AWAY WITH YOUR QUICK PRESENTATION.
HANG ON ONE SECOND. THERE IT IS.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNSEL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.
MY NAME IS CARA WILLETT WITH BARRY DUNN, AND YOU'LL SEE A FEW OTHER OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS HERE AROUND THE BUILDING THIS WEEK.
AS COUNCILMAN WALKER NOTED, BARRY DUNN IS A MANAGEMENT CONSULTING FIRM.
WE'VE BEEN CONSULTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR 38 YEARS.
OUR TEAM SPECIFICALLY WORKS WITH BUILDING PLANNING OPERATIONS, SO WE'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THESE PROCESSES AND WE'LL WORK WITH COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
JUST TO GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF OUR PROJECT TIMELINE, WE BEGAN WORKING WITH THE PARISH TEAM IN LATE NOVEMBER ON SOME INITIAL PROJECT PLANNING.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF PHASE 1, WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT, UNDERSTANDING PROCESSES, AND IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO WRAP THAT UP IN FEBRUARY, SO NEXT MONTH.
THEN FOLLOWING THAT, PHASE 2 WOULD BE DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT TO COMPLETE THAT WITH A REPORT ANTICIPATED FOR MAY.
FOLLOWING THE REPORT, WE'LL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE PARISH ON IMPLEMENTATION AND ORDINANCE UPDATE ONCE THEY BEGIN THAT PROCESS.
FOR PHASE 1, WE'VE BEEN COLLECTING INFORMATION FROM THE PARISH BACKGROUND DOCUMENTATION ON THE PERMITTING PROCESS AS WELL AS GENERAL FEEDBACK FROM STAFF THROUGH SURVEYS.
WE'RE HERE ON SITE THIS WEEK, MEETING WITH ALL OF THE TEAMS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, GETTING INFORMATION ON HOW THEY CONDUCT THEIR OPERATIONS, SYSTEMS THAT THEY'RE USING AND CHALLENGES THAT THEY'RE HAVING.
WE'RE ALSO MEETING WITH EXTERNAL PARTNERS, SO THAT INCLUDES DEVELOPERS AND BUILDERS WHO ARE REGULARLY INTERACTING WITH THE PARISH FOR THE PERMITTING PROCESS.
WE ALSO WILL BE MEETING WITH THE PARISH PRESIDENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY TO UNDERSTAND THE WORK THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY'RE HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY.
THE NEXT STEP IN THIS PROCESS AFTER THESE MEETINGS THIS WEEK WILL BE TO DEVELOP AS IS PROCESS DIAGRAMS, SO DIAGRAMMING DETAIL BY DETAIL, STEP BY STEP OF THE PROCESSES AS THEY ARE TODAY.
THAT'S ALSO A GREAT TOOL FOR THE PARISH TO HAVE DOWN THE ROAD TO UPDATE THOSE, TO REALLY HAVE THAT DOCUMENTED OF WHAT'S HAPPENING, AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT TASKS.
I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT WE'RE ALSO, AS I MENTIONED, WE'LL BE MEETING WITH THE PARISH PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE CONTINUING PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS, SYSTEM UPGRADES, AND WE'RE AWARE OF THOSE AND ALIGNING OUR EFFORTS WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND HERE AS WELL AS THE WORK THAT CAMERAS IS DOING WITH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND ORDINANCE UPDATE.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT FROM WORKING WITH THE PARISH PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM FROM NOVEMBER, AND THEN OUR MEETINGS ON SITE HAVE BEEN GREAT.
STAFF HAS BEEN VERY OPEN AND RECEPTIVE AND RESPONSIVE, AND WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> I KNOW WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE IN THAT DEPARTMENT, AND I MADE IT CLEAR WHEN WE SPOKE TO HIM THE OTHER DAY, THIS ISN'T ABOUT ANYBODY DOING A BAD JOB OR MAKING MISTAKES.
THIS IS ABOUT RAISING THE BAR TOGETHER AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS FOR THE FUTURE AND EVOLVING IN A WAY THAT WE SHOULD.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR OUTSIDE UNBIASED PERSPECTIVE, THIS NON-POLITICAL, THAT GIVES SOME FRESH EYES ON THE ENTIRE SITUATION.
I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE IF ANYBODY ELSE IS ANY QUESTIONS.
GO AHEAD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, IS THE PORTION OF OUR AGENDA WHERE ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON A RESOLUTION THAT IS ON OUR AGENDA, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FILLED OUT A REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD,
[00:40:01]
SIGN THAT, AND GIVEN THAT TO OUR CLERK.EACH PERSON WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES.
IF YOU'RE HERE TO SPEAK ON AN ORDINANCE, SO THAT'S NUMBER 6-15, THOSE ORDINANCES WILL HAVE THEIR OWN TIME, THEIR OWN PUBLIC HEARING, BUT THIS IS THE TIME WHEN ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON A RESOLUTION CAN COME FORWARD.
NO ONE? I THINK THIS IS A FIRST.
BEFORE WE BEGIN THE BULK OF OUR AGENDA, I DID WANT TO MENTION, YOU'LL SEE SOMETHING THIS MORNING THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN WE'VE DONE IN PAST COUNCIL MEETINGS.
YOU WILL SEE US OPEN ELECTRONIC VOTING, AND YOU'LL SEE A VISUAL COME UP THAT WILL RECORD OUR VOTE AND TALLY THE VOTE WHETHER AN ITEM PASSES OR FAILS.
I WANT TO THANK THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ISSUED SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES ALL GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS CAN SEE AND HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON IN PARISH GOVERNMENT, AND SO PART OF OUR VOTING ELECTRONICALLY WILL BE TO COMPLY WITH THAT AND HELP THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE.
[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED]
WHICH I HAVE A NOTE WILL BE DEFERRED TO THE FEBRUARY 4TH COUNCIL MEETING.COUNCILMAN WALKER, WHICH YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE DEFERRAL THOSE ITEMS?
>> VOTING IS OPEN ON THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS.
>> WE NEED TO DO A MOTION IN SECOND, AND WE CAN OPEN.
>> SORRY. MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
NOW VOTING IS OPEN FOR CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRAL OF ITEMS 1-3.
WE'RE HITTING. HANG ON ONE SECOND.
WE'VE STARTED THE VOTING. I DON'T SEE.
EVERYBODY, IF YOU'LL CAST YOUR YAY OR NAY VOTE ON THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS 1-3, THIS IS NEW FOR ALL OF US.
WE HAVE SEVEN WHO HAVE VOTED, SO WE'RE GOING TO END THE VOTE.
CLOSE THE VOTING. THE ITEM PASSES, SEVEN YAYS, ZERO NAYS.
WELL, WE'LL GET USED TO THIS AND SPEED IT UP.
THOSE ITEMS ARE DEFERRED TO FEBRUARY, THE 4TH.
THAT'S EXECUTIVE SESSION, ITEM 4 AND 5, SO WE WILL GET BACK TO THOSE. MOVING ONWARD.
>> MADAM CHAIR, WHEN WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, IS IT POSSIBLE MS. PARISH ATTORNEY FOR US TO DISCUSS THE FIREFIGHTER ISSUE PAY RAISE? THESE GUYS ARE HERE EVERY WEEK OR EVERY COUNCIL MEETING, AND I'D LIKE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT GET AN UPDATE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S POSSIBLE OR NOT.
THE MATTER IS NOT IN LITIGATION, AND THERE'S BEEN NO FORMAL SUBMISSION OF A DEMAND FROM THE FIREMEN, SO WE CANNOT GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THAT.
IT WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF OPEN MEETINGS LAW.
>> ITEM 6 IS AN ORDINANCE, MADAM CLERK.
[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26664; APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 25, 26, 27, AND 28 SQUARE 2 PALETTE PLACE SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS 25A SQUARE 2, AND APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLAT OF SAID SUBDIVISION ES-117-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM.
WE'RE NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IF ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WISHES TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
IF YOU'LL STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> I'M JUST HERE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROJECT.
[00:45:02]
>> SORRY, HANG ON. TRY ONE MORE TIME.
>> MY NAME IS BRETT PEMBERTON, 4316 CLAN DRIVE.
I'M THE OWNER OF THIS PROPERTY, AND I'M JUST HERE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ASKED OR NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.
ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM? ANYONE OPPOSED TO THIS ORDINANCE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ARE YOU COMING FORWARD TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT ONE APPEARED IN FAVOR. COUNCILMAN LIZBERG.
>> MOVING ON THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26664 ON COUNCILMAN LIZBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS OPEN. I'M GOING TO START THE VOTE.
WITH ALL SEVEN VOTES IN, WE'RE CLOSING THE VOTING.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26665; APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, AND 40 SQUARE 4, PALETTE PLACE SUBDIVISION INTO LOTS 35A SQUARE 4, AND APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLAT OF SAID SUBDIVISION, ES-118-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING ON THIS ITEM.
WE'RE NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26665.
ANYONE WHO'S IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> MY NAME IS MATTHEW ROSS. GOOD MORNING.
IT'S NOT LETTING ME PUSH THE MIC ON IF YOU ALL CAN. THERE YOU GO.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MATTHEW ROSS.
I LIVE AT 516 MARY LAWN DRIVE, AND I'M THE PROPERTY OWNER AT 435 MARY LAWN DRIVE.
I'M ALSO HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED TO THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, WE'RE NOTING THAT ONE CAME IN FAVOR OF THE PROJECT.
COUNCILMAN LIZBERG, YOUR MOTION?
>> WE'RE MOVING TO APPROVE SUMMARY NUMBER 26665 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LIZBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
WE ARE NOW OPENING THE VOTING ON THIS MATTER.
PLEASE VOTE. WITH ALL VOTES IN, ENDING THE VOTE.
WE HAVE, DID I NOT? NO, I VOTED. COUNCILMAN WALKER IS ABSTAINING.
SIX YAYS, ZERO NAYS, ONE ABSTENTION.
[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING - AND LAND USE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26666, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOT A-1 SQUARE 8, BRIDGEDALE, SECTION A, LOCATED AT 201 TRANSCONTINENTAL DRIVE, MORE PARTICULARLY, AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM R1A TO C-1, EZ-21-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE CAN WAIVE THE READING. WE'RE NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26666.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> IF YOU WOULD STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BRIAN HOF.
I'M THE PROPERTY OWNER OF 201 TRANSCONTINENTAL.
I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS REDUNDANT OR APPROPRIATE OR NOT, BUT I BROUGHT A MAP BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S POSSIBLE THERE'S AN ENCROACHING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND SO I HAVE A MAP HERE THAT I HAVE.
BEYOND THIS LINE HERE IS ALL THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ARE ALLOWING TO EXIST PRESENTLY AND WE ARE RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE BUSIEST POOL BOY SHOP PRETTY MUCH IN THE CITY.
[00:50:03]
I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE TO BE ABLE TO BE NEXT TO THEM AND NOT BENEFIT FROM ALL THE BUSYNESS TO BE ABLE TO CONVERT IT TO AN OFFICE.>> [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US THIS MORNING.
ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR ON THIS ITEM WISHING TO SPEAK? ANYONE OPPOSED ON THIS ITEM? PLEASE COME FORWARD. WE'RE NOTING, MADAM CLERK, THAT ONE CAME IN FAVOR.
NO ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION, COUNCILMAN BANANO?
>> MOVE OF DENIAL OF SUMMARY ORDINANCE NUMBER 26666.
VOTING ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
PLEASE VOTE YOUR MACHINES ON THIS ITEM.
IF YOU'RE SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR DENIAL, IT WOULD BE A YAY VOTE.
[LAUGHTER] WITH SEVEN YAY MOVING IN DENIAL OF THIS ITEM, THE ITEM PASSES TO DENY.
>> NO, WE'RE NOT GOOD. [BACKGROUND]
[OTHER PROPERTY MATTERS ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26667, DECLARING A 15 FOOT BY 150 FOOT PORTION OF PARTIAL C, NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC BELT RAILROAD SITE SUBDIVISION, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES, AND AUTHORIZING ITS SALE TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER AT LOT 1D1B2 617 HILL STREET TO S&K ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
WE'RE NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM, SUMMARY NUMBER 26667.
ANYONE WHO IS IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
[BACKGROUND] SEEING NO ONE, ANYONE OPPOSED ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE NO ONE APPEARED.
COUNCILMAN BANANO, YOUR MOTION?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26667 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
[BACKGROUND] THERE'S ONE MORE VOTE.
WE'RE WAITING ON ONE MORE, MAYBE HIT YOUR BUTTON AGAIN, IF YOU WOULD.
THERE WE GO. CLOSING THE VOTING.
[CHANGING STREET NAMES ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26668, RENAMING THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF MCDERMOTT ROAD TO ITS ONLY INTERSECTION AT LNA ROAD, METAIRIE AS RENEGADE WAY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> WE'RE NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26668.
ANYONE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD. NO ONE? ANYONE OPPOSED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE NO ONE HAS APPEARED IN FAVOR OR AGAINST.
COUNCILMAN BANANO, WHAT'S YOUR MOTION?
>> THE APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26668 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN BANANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
WE'RE GOING TO START THE VOTE.
SEVEN VOTES IN, ENDING THE VOTING.
THE ITEM PASSES 7 YAYS ZERO NAYS.
[OTHER ORDINANCES]
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26669, INCREASING THE SALARY OF THE CORONERS OF JEFFERSON PARISH.
>> NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM, SUMMARY NUMBER 26669.
[00:55:04]
ANYONE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.OUR CORONER JOINING US THIS MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. THIS IS AWKWARD TO BE HERE ASKING THIS.
AFTER YEARS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IF YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT YOUR SALARY, YOU GO BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND MAKE YOUR CASE AND TALK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR AND GO THAT WAY.
THIS IS A LITTLE AWKWARD, BUT I FEEL I'VE DONE A GOOD JOB AS CORONER FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS.
MY GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO MAKE MY FAMILY, THE CITIZENS OF THIS PARISH AND THIS COUNCIL PROUD OF THE JOB I'VE DONE AND TO NOT EMBARRASS THEM.
OTHER GOAL HAS BEEN TO BE RESPECTED BY THE SHERIFF AND THE DA WHO RUN AGENCIES THAT ARE INDEPENDENT OF MINE.
THE OFFICE THAT I RUN IS THE ONLY ACCREDITED CORONER'S OFFICE IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
I THINK THAT'S QUITE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THE OFFICE AND MYSELF.
I'VE STAYED OUT OF THE NEWS, WHICH IS HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT THING FOR OTHER CORONERS IN OUR REGION.
[LAUGHTER] SINCE AROUND 2001, THE CORONER SALARY AND JP HAS BEEN SET AT 50% OF A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE'S SALARY.
CURRENTLY MAKES ME THE FIFTH HIGHEST PAID CORONER IN LOUISIANA.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT THAT BE CHANGED TO 95% OF THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE SALARY, WHICH WILL STILL KEEP ME AS THE FIFTH HIGHEST PAID CORONER IN LOUISIANA.
I FEEL THAT THIS CHANGE WOULD PROPERLY COMPENSATE ME AND ALSO MAKE THE POSITION MORE ATTRACTIVE TO OTHER PHYSICIANS TO RUN FOR IN THE FUTURE.
I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR CORONER CVITANOVICH.
>> JUST TO MAKE IT CLEAR, YOU PAY FOR THE SALARY INCREASE FROM YOUR OWN FUNDS AND YOUR OWN MILLAGE?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. NO PARISH FUNDS.
IT'S RUN THROUGH OUR OWN OFFICE.
>> DOC, I JUST WANT TO SAY YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB.
WHEN I WORKED WITH YOUR OFFICE, BOTH AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND AS A DISTRICT JUDGE AND YOU ALL DO A FANTASTIC JOB.
THANK YOU FOR THE JOB THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR SO LITTLE MONEY FOR SO LONG.
>> THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THE INFORMATION YOU DID ON OTHER CORONER SALARIES AND SUCH.
IT WAS VERY HELPFUL AND YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR THE COMMUNITY IN TIMES OF NEED. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM? YOU CAN COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT ONE CAME IN SUPPORT OF THE ITEM.
I'M GOING TO START THE VOTING ON THIS ITEM TO APPROVE?
>> I'M SORRY, THE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
>> SOMEBODY HAS TO MOVE ON AND THEN [OVERLAPPING].
>> COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN MOVES TO APPROVE SUMMARY NUMBER 26669, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS OPEN. ENDING THE VOTE.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR HARD WORK TO OUR CORONER. ITEM NUMBER 12.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26670, AMENDING THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 2, ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE 6, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, AND OTHER AGENCIES OF THE PARISH, DIVISION 24 ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY BOARD, RELATIVE TO A NAME CHANGE, AMENDING SECTION 2-A31 THROUGH 2-A35.
>> NOW, OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26670.
ANYONE WHO IS IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE NO ONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN WALKER?
>> APPROVAL OF SUMMARY NUMBER 26670 ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
WE HAVE FIVE, SIX, ONE MISSING.
[01:00:01]
>> SEVEN. THERE WE GO. CLOSING THE VOTE.
THE ITEM PASSES, UNANIMOUSLY, SEVEN YAYS, ZERO NAYS.
THE ITEM PASSES. ITEM NUMBER 13.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26671, AMENDING THE JEFFERSON PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 7 ANIMALS AND FILE.
>> NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUMMARY NUMBER 26671.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MA'AM, IF YOU COULD STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> YOGI JOHNSON, 32372 LANE DRIVE.
I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS ORDINANCE.
I'VE BEEN DOING ANIMAL RESCUE FOR 35 YEARS.
THE SHELTER, IN ESSENCE, IS AN ENTITY DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AGAINST IRRESPONSIBLE PET OWNERS.
ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO THAT SAVES TAX DOLLARS, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR IS IRRESPONSIBLE PET OWNERS.
STRONGER SPAY AND NEUTER LAWS WILL HELP RESCUE, NOT HAVE SUCH A HEAVY BURDEN, AND IT WILL ALSO HELP US PAY LESS TAXES, AND IT WILL HELP THE ANIMALS GET LESS CRUELTY AND NEGLECT. THANK YOU.
>> JAMIE HURSTI, 6213 AIRLINE DRIVE.
YOU ALL, WE NEED SPAY AND NEUTER LAWS. YOU'RE KILLING US.
IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE, EVERY RESCUE IS GOING TO CLOSE.
THERE'S TOO MANY IRRESPONSIBLE OWNERS, AND EVERYBODY KEEPS TURNING A BLIND EYE.
SHELTERS ARE OVERRUN, RESCUES ARE OVERRUN.
WE CAN'T HELP THE PUBLIC SHELTER BECAUSE WE'RE TOO FULL.
WHY? BECAUSE YOUR JOHN Q PUBLIC WILL NOT SPAY AND NEUTER.
YOU'VE GOT TO PUT SOMETHING OUT THERE. YOU'VE GOT TO.
WE'RE RUNNING ON GRIT, SWEAT, AND NO HELP.
YOU ALL NEED TO THINK ABOUT THIS AND HELP US OUT, OR YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO BE IN TROUBLE WHEN ALL OF US HAVE TO FOLD BECAUSE WE'RE STRUGGLING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED TO THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT TWO CAME IN FAVOR.
NO ONE APPEARED IN OPPOSITION.
COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION?
>> COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES TO APPROVE SUMMARY NUMBER 26671, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS NOW OPEN. IF YOU WOULD VOTE? WAITING ON ONE MORE.
HAS SOMEONE NOT VOTED? ITS STILL SHOWING ME SIX.
>> WE CAN FIGURE THIS OUT, YOU ALL.
>> THERE YOU GO. [LAUGHTER] SEVEN VOTES. WE'RE ENDING THE VOTE.
SEVEN YAYS, ZERO DAYS, ITEM PASSES.
[APPLAUSE] ITEM NUMBER 14, MADAM CLERK.
>> CLERK, I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE SOME AMENDMENTS.
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26675, AMENDING THE 2026 OPERATING BUDGET IN THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO INCREASE THE APPROPRIATION OF THE AMBULANCE DISTRICT NUMBER 2 FUND BALANCE TO $275,000 FROM $270,000 TO ACCOUNT 21770242573411 FOR A ONE TIME PAYMENT TO GRAND ISLE VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICES INCORPORATED FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW AMBULANCE.
COUNCIL DISTRICT 1, ALLOCATE $21,063 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S OFF TRACK VETTING FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 2220030057742 MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT FOR SPEED TRAILERS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
ALLOCATE $115,124 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S VIDEO POKER FUND TO PROJECT NUMBER 45629142 FOR LANDSCAPING SERVICES
[01:05:04]
ON DICKERY AVENUE NEAR FAIRDALE PARK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.ALLOCATE $10,500 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S EAST BANK TOURISM FUND TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 220302762126768041820362000 FOR A CEA WITH THE ARDREE MAY TASSAN FOUNDATION FOR EXPENSES FOR THE KING ZULU FLAG RAISING CEREMONY ON FEBRUARY 7TH 2026 IN THE LASALLE PARK, MATORY, LOUISIANA, DURING THE 2026 CARNIVAL SEASON, WHICH WILL PROMOTE TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN JEFFERSON PARISH, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
STRIKE THE PROPOSED REDUCTION OF $23,004 TO THE MONTHLY ALLOTMENT TO THE LAFITTE BARTARIA, CROWN POINT VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY ACCOUNT NUMBER 22090291073461 COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.
ALLOCATE $130,000 FROM STREETS DEPARTMENT UNAPPROPRIATED FUND BALANCE TO ACCOUNT NUMBER 222003050791144560 FOR A TRANSFER TO THE DICKERY AND MOUNDS MEDIAN LANDSCAPING PROJECT NUMBER 45629152 COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN WALKER YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS.
>> ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
>> ONE MORE TO VOTE ON THE AMENDMENTS.
SEVEN IN. WE'RE GOING TO END THE VOTE.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE'RE OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE OPERATING BUDGET ON THIS ITEM, SUMMARY NUMBER 26675.
ANYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
WITH NO ONE APPEARING IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM AS AMENDED?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. VOTING AS OPEN.
[NOISE] WAITING ON ONE MORE.[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.
SEVEN VOTES IN. WE'RE ENDING THE VOTING.
MOVING TO CAPITAL BUDGET NUMBER 15.
MADAM CLERK, IF YOU'LL READ THE AMENDMENTS?
>> SUMMARY NUMBER 26676, AMENDING THE 2026 CAPITAL BUDGET.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $115,124 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO'S VIDEO POKER FUND TO PROJECT NUMBER 45629142 FOR LANDSCAPING SERVICES ON DICKERY AVENUE NEAR FAIRDALE PARK.
RECOGNIZE A TRANSFER OF $130,000 FROM THE STREETS DEPARTMENT TO PROJECT NUMBER 45629152 FOR DICKERY AT MOUNDS MEDIAN LANDSCAPING, COUNCIL DISTRICT II, ALLOCATE $500,000 FROM THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT TO PROJECT NUMBER 58200002 FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE CEA WITH JEFFERSON PARISH HUMAN SERVICES AUTHORITY FOR THE HOMELESS SERVICE CENTER, COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS.
>> SECOND MOTION BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS NOW OPEN ON THE AMENDMENTS.
HAS EVERYONE VOTED ON THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CAPITAL BUDGET? ALL RIGHT.
>> MINE'S LIT UP. I'LL TRY AGAIN.
>> [NOISE] GO AHEAD. LET'S CLOSE IT. [OVERLAPPING]
JUST WASN'T COUNTING CORRECTLY.
THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY ON THE CAPITOL BUD BUDGET, THE AMENDMENTS.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE ITEM AS AMENDMENT, COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN WALKER,
[01:10:03]
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN TO VOTE ON THE CAPITAL BUDGET AS AMENDMENT.>> WE NEED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> I'M SORRY. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM AS AMENDED.
THIS IS OUR CAPITAL BUDGET, ANYONE IN FAVOR. PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> ANYONE OPPOSED? SEEING NO ONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED TO THE AMENDED VERSION OF OUR CAPITAL BUDGET.
ENDING THE VOTE. THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY AS AMENDED.
[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]
>> ITEM 16 IS RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR. MADAM CLERK.
>> I HAVE ONE, I MEAN. [LAUGHTER] I HAVE TO PLAY THE ROLE NOW THAT I'M NOT IN THAT CHAIR.
>> A RESOLUTION REAPPOINTING MR. DENNIS DIMARCO TO THE FINANCE AUTHORITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH, REPRESENTING THE PARISH PRESIDENT.
>> ANYONE OBJECT TO THAT ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR FROM COUNCILMAN WALKER?
>> THEY HAVE NO. VOTE. WE HAVE TO OPEN THE VOTING.
>> SO WE HAVE TO OPEN THE VOTING ON THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR?
>> YES. EVEN IF THEY OBJECT. THEY NEED A VOTE.
VOTE ON THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR. ONE MORE VOTE.
>> IF ANYONE. YEAH. IF YOU OBJECT TO THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
ALL SEVEN ARE IN. WE'RE GOING TO END THE VOTE.
IT'S UNANIMOUS, SO THE ITEM CAN COME FROM THE FLOOR.
>> NO. NO. IT WOULD HAVE TO BE IF THEY DON'T OBJECT TO BE [INAUDIBLE] THIS WOULD BE LIKE YOUR OBJECTION TO THE FLOOR.
>> I DON'T THINK ANY OF US APPRECIATED THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO CLEAR THIS VOTE.
THIS IS FOR THE ITEM TO BE ABLE TO COME FROM THE FLOOR, YOU HAVE TO VOTE NO.
>> [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE YOU DON'T OBJECT.
I'M SORRY. LET ME CLEAR THE VOTE.
IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR, YOU CAN VOTE.
YEAH, MAYBE WE CHANGE THAT WORDING IN THE FUTURE.
SO VOTE NAY, IF YOU'RE OKAY FOR THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
>> I KNOW, WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WORDING TO.
>> IT'S APPOINTMENT ROULETTE. MAYBE YOU'RE APPROVED, MAYBE YOU'RE NOT.
>> [LAUGHTER] WE HAVE ONE MORE VOTE. HAS SOMEBODY NOT CAST A VOTE? OTHERWISE, I'M GOING TO.
>> HERE WE'RE GETTING CLARIFICATION.
>> YEAH, THE PARISH ATTORNEY IS GOING TO GIVE US CLARIFICATION.
>> OKAY. SO JUST SAY, LIKE, CAN THE ITEM COME FROM THE FLOOR AND THEN WE CAN VOTE.
LET'S DO IT THAT WAY BECAUSE I'D PREFER FOR THEM TO ALL BE STANDARD.
WE'RE GOING TO GET THIS CORRECT. I'M GOING TO CLEAR THE VOTE.
IF WE WORD IT AS THE PARISH ATTORNEY HAS RECOMMENDED THAT WE ARE VOTING YAY IF WE ARE IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR, THAT MAKES MUCH MORE SENSE.
WE'RE GOING TO START THE VOTE. A YAY VOTE MEANS YOU'RE OKAY WITH IT COMING FROM THE FLOOR. TWO MORE VOTES.
BECAUSE THIS DOES HAVE TO BE UNANIMOUS.
COMING FROM THE FLOOR, ENDING THE VOTE, ALL ARE OKAY WITH IT COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
WE NEED A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN WALKER ON THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR OR OPEN PUBLIC HEARING.
THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM, COMING FROM THE FLOOR FROM COUNCILMAN WALKER, ANYONE WHO IS IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION.
WE'RE NOW MOVING ON THE ITEM, COUNCILMAN.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
STARTING THE VOTE. ENDING THE VOTE.
>> YES. [LAUGHTER] IN 80 STEPS.
THE MACHINE IS SO TIRED, IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS FREEZING. MADAM CLERK.
[01:15:02]
>> OKAY. COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.
>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO MISS T'S MAMA MIA MEATBALLS, LLC FOR THE SALE OF FOOD FROM ONE FOOD TRAILER DURING THE CARNIVAL SEASON, FEBRUARY 6TH, 7TH, 10TH, 15TH-17TH, 2026, PROVIDED THAT ALL PERMITS ARE OBTAINED.
>> OPEN THE PUBLIC. WE HAVE TO FIRST MOVE THAT IT CAN COME FROM THE FLOOR.
EVERYONE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ITEM, COMING FROM THE FLOOR FROM COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.
WE'RE GOING TO START THE VOTING.
ENDING THE VOTE. IT CAN COME FROM THE FLOOR.
NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, SEEING NO ONE IN FAVOR NOR AGAINST THIS ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR, COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG?
SO ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, VOTING ON THIS ITEM TWO MORE VOTES.
ENDING THE VOTING. ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION, TO THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, LLC TO ERECT ONE STAND FOR THE SALE OF FOOD FROM ONE FOOD TRUCK DURING THE CARNIVAL SEASON, FEBRUARY 6TH, 7TH, 15TH-17TH, 2026, PROVIDED THAT ALL PERMITS ARE OBTAINED.
>> THIS ITEM IS COMING FROM THE FLOOR, SO WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH IT COMING FROM THE FLOOR. YOU CAN VOTE YAY.
ALL VOTES IN. IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM [NOISE].
THAT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD. ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR? PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, NO ONE APPEARING IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION.
>> COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, MOVES TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
WE'LL START THE VOTE. ONE MORE.
>> IT'S GO TO MELT DOWN EVERY TIME.
>> COUNCILMAN KERNER. YES, SIR.
A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO ST. MARK'S CHURCH TO ERECT TEMPORARY SIGNS ADVERTISING THEIR GUMBO TO GO FUND RAISER DURING THEN LENT SEASON TO BE HELD ON ASH WEDNESDAY AND EVERY FRIDAY FROM FEBRUARY 11TH TO APRIL 8TH, 2026.
>> EVERYONE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
PLEASE VOTE YAY. SEVEN IN. THAT WAS OUR FASTEST YET.
ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY FROM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING, ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM. PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> AT THE END OF THE [INAUDIBLE].
>> ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM?
>> COUNCILMAN KERNER MOVES TO APPROVE.
SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. PLEASE VOTE.
[NOISE] ENDING THE VOTE WITH SEVEN VOTES IN.
>> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE JEFFERSON PARISH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO SUPPORT UNITED STATES SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY REGARDING UNFAIR LEGAL BAITING PRACTICES AFFECTING WATER FOWLE IN LOUISIANA.
>> WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR, VOTE, YAY.
ENDING THE VOTE, THE ITEM IS UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED TO COME FROM THE FLOOR.
OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM. ANYONE IN FAVOR.
PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT NO ONE HAS APPEARED.
COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM?
>> I HATE THIS VOTING MACHINE. YOU HEAR.
>> YOU CAN OPEN YOUR OWN MIC, THERE YOU GO.
>> I HATE THIS VOTING MACHINE.
[01:20:01]
BUT ONE THING I DO LOVE IS WHAT SENATOR KENNEDY IS DOING TO REALLY TO MAKE LOUISIANA THE WILDLIFE PARADISE THAT WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE.RIGHT NOW, IF A LOUISIANA DUCK HUNTER, SOMEBODY OWNS THE LAND.
IF THEY PUT A FEW THINGS OF CORN, IT'S ILLEGAL.
YOU CAN'T DO IT TO ATTRACT DUCKS.
BUT RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE PLACES IN NORTHERN STATES THAT ARE FLOODING DIFFERENT FORMS, CORN FIELDS WITH NO AGRICULTURAL BENEFIT AT ALL.
ILLEGALLY BAITING. IT'S UNETHICAL, AND WHAT IT DOES IS, IT MAKES OUR LAND LESS VALUABLE.
IT MAKES WHERE PEOPLE COULD MAKE LIVINGS BEING GUIDES AND DOING THOSE THINGS THEY CAN'T ANYMORE, BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING LESS DUCKS.
AGAIN, IT DRIVES DOWN OUR PROPERTY VALUES.
IN MANY CASES ALONG THE COAST, IT'S PROPERTY VALUES THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PASSED DOWN FROM THEIR FAMILIES FOR GENERATION AFTER GENERATION.
I THINK BY DOING THIS IS GOING TO BE A TRUE WIN FOR SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA, JEFFERSON PARISH, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK SENATOR KENNEDY FOR DOING THIS AND STEPPING UP AND FIGHTING FOR THE COASTAL AND REALLY ALL OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> COUNCILMAN KERNER MOVES TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, IF YOU WILL [NOISE] START THE VOTING.
ALL VOTES IN, ENDING THE VOTING.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RIVER RIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION TO PLACE TEMPORARY SIGNS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO ADVERTISE THEIR GENERAL MEETING ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026.
>> IF YOU WILL VOTE FOR THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
UNANIMOUS VOTE. THE ITEM IS ABLE TO COME FROM THE FLOOR.
NOW, WE'RE STARTING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM. ANYONE IN FAVOR? PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE NO ONE HAS APPEARED IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION.
>> COUNCILMAN BONANO MOVES TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. STARTING THE VOTE.
HAS SOMEBODY NOT CAST? THERE WE GO, COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG ENDING THE VOTE.
>> OH, LORD. COUNCILMAN. [LAUGHTER]
>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS AND ACADIANA TO OPERATE THEIR MAKIN' GROCERIES MOBILE MARKET AT JAMES C. SIMMONS COMMUNITY CENTER ON JANUARY 22ND, FEBRUARY 5TH, 12TH, 19TH, AND 26TH; MARCH 5TH, 12TH, 19TH, AND 26TH; APRIL 2ND, 9TH, 16TH, AND 23RD; MAY 7TH, THE 14TH, 21ST, AND 28TH; JUNE 4TH, 11TH, 18TH, AND 25TH; JULY 2ND, 9TH, 16TH, AND 23RD; AUGUST 6TH, THE 13TH, 20TH, AND 27TH; SEPTEMBER 3RD, 10TH, 17TH, 24TH; OCTOBER 1ST, 8TH, 15TH, AND 22ND; NOVEMBER 5TH, 12TH, AND 19TH; AND DECEMBER 3RD, 10TH, 17TH, 2026, FROM 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM TO ALLOW THE SALE OF FOOD, THREE CANOPIES, AND ONE VEHICLE, PROVIDED THAT ALL PERMITS ARE OBTAINED.
>> ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR? ONE MORE.
>> THERE WE GO. [NOISE] UNANIMOUSLY VOTING TO SUPPORT THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
NOW, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ON THIS ITEM, ANYONE SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM? ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT NO ONE CAME IN FAVOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE MOVES FOR APPROVAL, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
ENDING THE VOTE, ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. MADAM CLERK?
>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO VISITATION OF OUR LADY CHURCH TO CONDUCT SEAFOOD SUPPERS ON FEBRUARY 18TH,
[01:25:02]
20TH, 27TH, 2026 AND MARCH 6TH, THE 13TH, 20TH AND 27TH, 2026, FROM 5:00 PM TO 8:00 PM AT 3520 AMES BOULEVARD.>> ALL VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM. ANYONE IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD IN SUPPORT OR AGAINST. COUNCILMAN LEE?
>> OPENING THE VOTE ON APPROVAL [OVERLAPPING] OF THIS ITEM.
MOVED BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
OPEN THE VOTING. CLOSE THE VOTING.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LAUREATE ACADEMY TO PLACE SIGNS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO ADVERTISE THEIR STUDENT RECRUITMENT.
>> I'LL VOTE IN FAVOR, IF YOU WISH, THE ITEM TO COME FROM THE FLOOR.
ENDING THE VOTE, UNANIMOUS SUPPORT TO COME FROM THE FLOOR.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM? WE'RE OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MADAM CLERK, SEEING NO ONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. COUNCILMAN LEE?
>> MOVES FOR APPROVAL. SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS OPEN. VOTING IS CLOSED.
>> A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 TO CONDUCT ITS FAMILY DAY IN THE PARK CELEBRATION ON JANUARY 19TH, 2026, FROM 2:00 PM TO 5:00 PM AT JOHNNY JACOBS PLAYGROUND TO ALLOW DJ-AMPLIFIED MUSIC, FOOD TRUCKS, AND OUTDOOR COOKING, PROVIDED THAT ALL PERMITS ARE OBTAINED.
>> WE'RE GOING TO OPEN VOTING ON THIS ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
ENDING THE VOTE, UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR COMING FROM THE FLOOR.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. COUNCILMAN LEE?
>> MOVED BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS OPEN. VOTING IS CLOSED.
>> I HAVE NOTHING FROM THE FLOOR.
>> [LAUGHTER] I KNOW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE, EVERYONE, AGAIN.
THIS IS COMPLIANCE THAT WE HAVE TO DO.
NOW WE PICK UP THE PACE WITH COUNCILMAN WALKER.
WE GET TO CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 1.
[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]
CONSENT AGENDA 1 WILL BE ITEMS NUMBER 17-65-18, IN WHICH COUNCILMAN WALKER WILL ABSTAIN.COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION?
>> MOVED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
ITEMS 17-65-18, WHICH COUNCILMAN WALKER WILL ABSTAIN, WE'LL OPEN THE VOTE ON THIS ITEM, ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ONE MORE. HAS SOMEONE NOT VOTED ON THIS CONSENT AGENDA 1?
>> THERE WE GO. WE GOT SEVEN VOTES.
THE ITEM UNANIMOUSLY PASSES. ITEM 18?
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2025 AND 2026 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE PERMITS.
>> DO WE NEED A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS? NO, IT'S A RESOLUTION.
COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION ON THIS ITEM NUMBER 18.
>> COUNCILMAN BOHANNAN MOVES TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
WE'RE GOING TO START THE VOTING ON THIS ITEM 18 WITH COUNCILMAN WALKER ABSTAINING.
THE ITEM PASSES WITH SIX AYES, ZERO NAYS, AND ONE ABSTENTION.
WE'LL GO TO ITEM 66. MADAM CLERK?
>> A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS, ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 144663, ADOPTED ON AUGUST 7TH, 2024 FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES,
[01:30:02]
WHICH COSTS UNDER $500,000, FOR DRAINAGE PROJECTS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH WAGON AND CANAL IMPROVEMENTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR SELECTION.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE MOVES ON THE SELECTION OF T. BAKER SMITH, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS OPEN ON THE SELECTION OF T. BAKER SMITH.
ALL VOTES IN, VOTING IS CLOSED.
THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 67?
>> LET'S SEE. THIS IS, AGAIN, A SECOND IN GLOBO CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 2,
[CONSENT AGENDA TWO]
ITEM 67-114 MINUS ITEM 69, WHICH WILL BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION IN ITEM 106, WHICH IS TO BE CANCELED.>> MOVED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. VOTING IS OPEN.
ON IN GLOBO AGENDA ITEM 2, THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
WE GO TO ITEM 69, WHICH WE HAVE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION. MADAM CLERK?
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT NUMBER 3 TO THE AGREEMENT, CONTRACT NUMBER 55-00022080 BETWEEN THE PARISH 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-END CLOSE AND AUDIT SUPPORT FOR 2024 AND 2025, FINANCE PROCESSING CAPABILITIES, GRANT MANAGEMENTS, 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'S FISCAL YEAR ENDING AT MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2027.
>> THIS ITEM 69 IS OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.
AGAIN, YOU'RE CONTROLLING YOUR OWN MICS NOW WITH THIS SYSTEM SO YOU CAN OPEN IT WITH THAT REQUEST TO SPEAK BUTTON. COUNCILMAN BONANO?
>> [INAUDIBLE] VICTOR, WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THE ACTUAL PAYMENT FOR THE AUDIT, THE DELOITTE AND TOUCHE'S? ARE WE PRORATING THAT BACK TO THE DEPARTMENTS OR IS THERE SOME OTHER FUND THAT WE'RE USING?
>> THE SOURCE FOR THE AUDIT PIECE IS FROM THE GENERAL FUND, AND THEN WE DO A COST ALLOCATION PLAN ANNUALLY.
WE HAVE A CONSULTANT THAT PREPARES THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, AND WE ALLOCATE THOSE COSTS.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? THE ONE THING I WANTED TO KNOW, COUNCILMAN WALKER AND I HAD A MEETING WITH DELOITTE AND TOUCHE RECENTLY AND ASKED THEM WHERE THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY, THE 6.8, WOULD GET US IN PROGRESS ON EACH OF THOSE FIVE SCOPES.
THE ONE THAT I THINK ALL OF US CONSIDER THE PRIORITY IS THE AUDIT, GETTING OUR AUDITS COMPLETE, GETTING OUR BOND RATING BACK.
DELOITTE NOTED THAT THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY, THE 6.8, WOULD ONLY GET US 75% COMPLETE ON THOSE AUDITS.
I THINK IN SOME OF OUR DISCUSSIONS, WE SIMPLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FUNDING IS PRIORITIZED TO THE AUDIT AND 100% OF AUDIT SUPPORT, SINCE THAT WAS THE FIRST SCOPE AND MOST SIGNIFICANT SCOPE, SO THAT IF THAT CAN BE DONE ADMINISTRATIVELY AND MAKING SURE THESE FUNDS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, GO TO 100% COMPLETION OF THE AUDIT, I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE CONVERSATION WE WERE HAVING.
IF WE NEED TO TAKE SOME FORMAL ACTION ON THAT, WE CAN DO THAT IN THE FUTURE.
CAN YOU ALL DO THAT ADMINISTRATIVELY, OR DOES THAT HAVE TO TAKE SOME ACTION?
WE CAN CERTAINLY ADMINISTRATIVELY WORK WITH THE CONSULTANT TO PRIORITIZE.
ABSOLUTELY, WE AGREE, THE AUDIT IS 100% THE PRIORITY.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, VICTOR.
I APPRECIATE THAT. COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION ON ITEM 69?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
WE'LL OPEN THE VOTING. THIS IS ON ITEM 69.
[01:35:04]
>> COUNCILMAN LEE IS ABSENT, SO WE WILL CLOSE THE VOTING.
SIX AYES, NO NAYS, AND ONE ABSENT.
WE'LL GO TO ADDENDUM ITEM 115,
[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS]
WHICH IS THE ADDENDUM AGENDA HERE.THE FIRST ITEM IS EXECUTIVE SESSION, SO WE'LL SKIP THAT FOR NOW.
COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION ON IN GLOBO ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 2-34 MINUS ITEMS 23, 25, 26, AND 30.
>> COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES FOR THE APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 2-34 MINUS ITEMS 23, 25, 26, AND 30, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
HAS ANYONE NOT VOTED BEFORE I CLOSE THE VOTE? CLOSING THE VOTE. ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE ZULU SOCIAL AID AND PLEASURE CLUB INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE FUNDING AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $10,500 TOWARDS EXPENSES FOR THE KING ZULU FLAG RAISING CEREMONY ON FEBRUARY 7TH, 2026 IN LASALLE PARK IN METAIRIE, LOUISIANA DURING THE 2026 CARNIVAL SEASON, WHICH WILL PROMOTE TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN JEFFERSON PARISH.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO CHANGE THE ZULU SOCIAL AID AND PLEASURE CLUB INCORPORATED TO THE AUDREY MAE TASSIN FOUNDATION.
THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
>> TWO MORE. HAS ANYONE NOT VOTED ON THIS ITEM? ONE MORE, ANYONE? THERE WE GO, ALL SEVEN VOTES, ENDING THE VOTE.
THE MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
THEN, MOVING ON THE ITEM AS AMENDMENT, COUNCILMAN BONANO?
>> SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
ONE MORE VOTE? THERE WE GO. ENDING THE VOTE.
THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY AS AMENDED. MADAM CLERK?
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND THE MYSTIC KREWE OF MUSIC TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE MYSTIC KREWE OF MUSIC CARNIVAL PARADE IN MARRERO, LOUISIANA, DURING THE 2026 CARNIVAL SEASON, WHICH WILL PROMOTE TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN JEFFERSON PARISH AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED, $10,000 FROM ACT 461 OF THE 2025 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATOR FOR SENIOR RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, PURSUANT TO STATE CEA NUMBER RS-25-554 APPROVED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER 147653, ADOPTED ON THE TENTH DATE OF DECEMBER 2025.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO CHANGE $10,000 TO $5,000 IN THE PREAMBLE, THIRD, WHEREAS, NINTH, WHEREAS IN SECTION 1, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE MOVES ON THE AMENDMENT, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, VOTING IS OPEN.
ENDING THE VOTE, THE AMENDMENTS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM AS AMENDED.
>> SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS OPEN, ONE MORE VOTE.
THERE WE GO, VOTING IS CLOSED.
THE ITEM PASSES AS AMENDED UNANIMOUSLY, THAT'S ITEM 25. MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND
[01:40:01]
THE KREWE OF NANDI TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF KREWE OF NANDI CARNIVAL PARADE IN MARRERO, LOUISIANA, DURING THE 2026 CARNIVAL SEASON, WHICH WILL PROMOTE TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN JEFFERSON PARISH AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $10,000 FROM ACT 461 OF THE 2025 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATOR FOR SENIOR RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.PURSUANT TO STATE CEA, RS-25-554, APPROVED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER 147653, ADOPTED ON THE TENTH DAY OF DECEMBER 2025.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR VOTE ON THE AMENDMENTS.
>> THAT'S OKAY. THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO CHANGE $10,000 TO $5,000 IN THE PREAMBLE, THIRD, WHERE AS, AND NINTH WERE AS IN SECTION 1.
THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS?
>> SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
THIS IS THE MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
ONE MORE VOTE. DOES ANYONE NOT CAST THEIR VOTE? THERE WE GO, ENDING THE VOTE ON THE AMENDMENTS, THE AMENDMENTS PASS.
COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM AS AMENDED.
>> SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS OPEN, VOTING IS CLOSED.
THE ITEM PASSES AS AMENDED UNANIMOUSLY.
MADAM CLERK, ADDENDUM ITEM NUMBER 30.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON AND NEW GROWTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FOR THE PLANNING AND PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 OF JEFFERSON PARISH AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $114,000 FROM APPROPRIATION AND ACT 461 OF THE 2025 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATOR FOR SENIOR RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING AND COUNCIL DISTRICT 3, PURSUANT TO STATE CEA NUMBER RS-25-554 APPROVED BY RESOLUTION NUMBER 147653, ADOPTED ON THE 10TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2025.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO CHANGE $114,000 TO $100,000 IN THE PREAMBLE, THIRD, WHEREAS, NINTH, WHEREAS, AND SECTION 1, AND THAT'S ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
>> SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, VOTING ON THE AMENDMENTS.
ONE MORE, IS EVERYONE VOTED ON THE AMENDMENTS? AMEND IS STILL OUT. THERE WE GO, ENDING THE VOTE, THE AMENDMENTS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM AS AMENDED?
>> SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
OPEN THE VOTING. THERE WE GO, ENDING THE VOTING.
THE ITEM PASSES AS AMENDED UNANIMOUSLY.
MADAM CLERK, ITEM ADDENDUM NUMBER 35.
>> A RESOLUTION APPOINTING LIEUTENANT MARK D. DECKER TO THE FIRE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE UNEXPIRED THREE-YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE AUGUST 18TH, 2026, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, THAT'S ITEM 35.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE JEFFERSON PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT AND MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE NETWORK MAINTENANCE AND LOCAL TROUBLESHOOTING REPAIR FOR ALL RADIO CONSOLES IN USE BY THE COMMUNICATION DISTRICT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $285,646.62.
>> COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES FOR APPROVAL OF THE ITEM, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS OPEN, WAITING ON TWO MORE, ONE MORE.
ENDING THE VOTE, THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
[01:45:03]
MADAM CLERK, ITEM 116.[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]
>> A RESOLUTION INCREASING THE CONTRACT CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO THIRD DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM $350,800 TO $446,000, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 3 OF THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND THIRD DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT DATED MARCH 21ST, 2018.
>> COUNCILMAN BONANO, YOUR MOTION?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE. COUNCILMAN BONANO MOVES TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS OPEN. ALL SEVEN VOTES IN, ENDING THE VOTE.
MADAM CLERK, ITEM 117 ON THE ADDENDUM.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INCREASE TO THE MONTHLY CONTRACT CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO BRIDGE CITY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 1 FROM $90,883.34 TO $100,883.34 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.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. VOTING IS OPEN.
SEVEN, THAT'S OUR FASTEST, AND THE VOTE.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INCREASE TO THE MONTHLY CONTRACT CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO LIVE OAK MANOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM $90,883.34 TO $100,883.34 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 LIVE OAK MANOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE MOVES FOR APPROVAL, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INCREASE TO THE MONTHLY CONTRACT CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO NON MILE POINT VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 1 FROM $92,883.34 TO $102,883.34 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 NINE MILE POINT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
>> COUNCILMAN LEE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
VOTING IS OPEN, VOTING IS CLOSED.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INCREASE TO THE MONTHLY CONTRACT CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO HERBERT WALLACE MEMORIAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY FROM $93,883.34 TO $103,883.34 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.
>> MOVE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. VOTING IS OPEN.
THERE WE GO, EVERYONE'S VOTED.
THE VOTE IS UNANIMOUS, ITEM PASSES.
>> A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INCREASE TO THE CONTRACT CONSIDERATION PAYABLE TO THE AVONDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY FROM $93,566.67 PER MONTH TO $103,566.67 PER MONTH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 7 OF THE PARIS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND THE AVONDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY.
>> MOVE TO APPROVAL BY COUNCILMAN BONANO.
SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN. YOUR VOTING IS OPEN.
ONE MORE. COUNCILMAN, DID YOU VOTE? THERE WE GO, ENDING THE VOTE, THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, 121.
NEW BUSINESS, WE HAVE NONE STATUS REPORT.
[01:50:02]
WE HAVE NONE, SO NOW THIS IS THE PORTION [OVERLAPPING] I'D SAY YOU WANT TO DO EXECUTIVE SESSION? WE ARE BEFORE NOON, OR DO YOU WANT TO DO THE PUBLIC? LET'S DO THE PUBLIC SPEAKING.>> SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE WANT TO SPEAK, SEE IF IT'S A TIME.
>> ASK HOW MANY WANT TO SEE IF IT ADDS UP.
>> WHAT'S THAT? YOU DON'T THINK EVERYBODY'S HERE FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION? THIS WILL BE THE ITEM OF THE AGENDA WHERE WE HAVE NO STATUS REPORTS, NO NEW BUSINESS.
THIS IS ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK.
[PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTERS]
YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEM.IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE ON THE AGENDA, AND YOU CAN COME FORWARD.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
[BACKGROUND] EVEN WITH A CLUNKY VOTING SYSTEM, WE'RE MOVING ALONG.
AGAIN, THIS IS ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON ANYTHING, DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ON THE AGENDA.
STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> CRAIG BURKETT 1312 ON PARK BOULEVARD, MARRERO, LOUISIANA.
HELLO, EVERYONE, COUNCIL, ADMINISTRATION.
CERTAINLY WANTED TO JUST, CRAIG BURKETT WITH THE JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.
CERTAINLY, COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, WE APPRECIATE YOUR NOTICE AND COMMENTS.
EARLIER IN THE MEETING, WE'RE JUST APPEARING BEFORE YOU AGAIN TODAY.
AT SOME POINT, I KNOW WE'VE PROVIDED ALL OF YOU A COPY OF THE NOTICE OF IMPASSE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
I CERTAINLY THANK THOSE COUNCILMEN WHO HAVE REACHED OUT TO TRY TO FIND SOME RESOLUTION, CERTAINLY INVITE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO US.
WE DON'T CERTAINLY WANT TO HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS IN ANY CAPACITY, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME RESOLUTION.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT SAID BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN US, BUT WE CAN'T HAVE IN ANY RANGE OF OUR PAY PLAN, STAGNANT WAGES FOR 17, 18 YEARS, WITH A STARTING FIREFIGHTER WAGE AS LOW AS IT IS.
WE'VE HAD, I THINK, ABOUT A 26% COST OF INFLATION SINCE WE NOTIFIED THE ADMINISTRATION IN 2019 THAT RAISES OUR WAGES WERE WOEFULLY LOW.
SINCE THEN, THERE'S NO PROGRESS, THAT HAS BEEN MADE AND WE JUST CAN'T SIMPLY KEEP GOING LIKE THIS.
AGAIN, WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD IN SOME CAPACITY.
WE CERTAINLY INVITE ANY ONE OF YOU TO CONTACT US TO TRY TO FIND SOME RESOLUTION AND MAINTAIN THAT DIALOGUE.
AGAIN, WE NEGOTIATED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO FIND NO RESOLUTION TO THE FIRST PASS IN OUR ORGANIZATION'S HISTORY.
SINCE THE 60S, IT'S UNFORTUNATE IT CAME TO THAT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE EITHER NEED TO COUNSEL TO STEP IN OR LET US GO TO LET US GO TO THE VOTERS, AND WE SIMPLY ASK EACH OF YOU, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE THEN, TO CONTACT US, WE'LL CERTAINLY MEET WITH YOU ANY DAY, ANYTIME, ANY PLACE. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON PUBLICLY?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN LEE AND COUNCILMAN BANANO FOR THE MONEY FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT.
THE OTHER CHIEFS COULDN'T MAKE IT.
THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY COULD CROSS THE UEP.
I'M HERE TO TELL THEM, THANK YOU.
>> [LAUGHTER] ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK PUBLICLY THIS MORNING ON ANYTHING? GO AHEAD.
>> YES. GO AHEAD. JUST TELL US YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
I LIVE IN 1605 DEBBIE DRIVE AND I COME TODAY REPRESENTING MY SPANISH COMMUNITY.
I'M A CITIZEN FROM UNITED STATE. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY.
THIS IS MY HOME. I'M PROUD OF THIS COUNTRY.
BUT RIGHT NOW I HAVE TO COME AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING, AND I NEED TO TALK TO MISS ARITA.
I'M FOCUSED ON YOU, MISS ARITA.
BECAUSE IN MY COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW THE BUSINESS ARE SUFFERING AND I AGREE, BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN IN THIS COUNTRY FOR 21 YEARS.
I HAVE MY SMALL BUSINESS, MY HOUSE.
I OWN MY HOUSE HERE, BUT I AGREE THAT WE WANT THE CRIMINALS OUT.
WE SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THE CRIMINALS OUT.
BUT THE TACTICS THAT THEY ARE USING ISN'T THE RIGHT ONES,
[01:55:01]
BECAUSE THEY ARE TAKING PEOPLE WHO HAS BEEN IN THIS COUNTRY FOR MANY YEARS, WHO SUPPORT, WHO HELP, WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUNTRY AND NOBODY'S DOING ANYTHING.EVERYBODY'S SILENT, EVERYBODY'S AFRAID.
KENNER HAS A BIG SPANISH COMMUNITY, BUSINESS, DIVERSITY.
THEY ARE SUFFERING. THEY ARE CLOSE, DEBBIE DRIVE.
IF YOU SEE BETWEEN POWER AND WEST NAPOLEON YOU HAVE A LOT OF BUSINESS WHO ARE CLOSE, WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM THIS SITUATION.
ALSO, PERSONALLY I HAVE TO HELP MY NEIGHBORS TO PICK IT UP THE KIDS FROM THE SCHOOL, FROM THE BUS STOP BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE STOP A BLOCK AWAY.
MY NEPHEWS ARE TRAUMATIZING RIGHT NOW.
THEY DON'T WANT TO GO TO PLAY SOCCER.
I EXPLAINED THE LAST TIME THE POLICE OFFICER.
I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THE POLICE OFFICER FROM KENNER, BECAUSE I'M ONE OF THE PERSONS WHO ORGANIZED THE RALLIES AND I DISAGREE THEY DIDN'T HELP ME.
I'M A CITIZEN LIKE YOU. I PAY TAXES LIKE YOU.
I OWN MY HOUSE IN JEFFERSON PARISH LIKE YOU.
I ASKED FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO BE CLOSE TO US ON THE RALLY.
THEY DIDN'T GO. THEY DENIED IT TO GO. WE ARE CITIZENS TOO.
ALL OF US, 200 PEOPLE OVER THERE CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS, AND NOBODY IS SUPPORTING US.
IN MY CHURCH, I AM PART OF THE CHURCH IN KENNER AND OUR PRIEST COULDN'T COME TO TALK BECAUSE HE HAS WORK PERMIT.
MY CO-WORKERS HAS WORK PERMIT.
THEY TOOK PEOPLE WITH WORK PERMIT.
THEY PAID $10,000 FOR THAT WORK PERMIT.
WHY THEY MAKE THE PEOPLE DO THIS? THEY DON'T HELP PEOPLE AND EVERYBODY'S SILENT.
MISS ARITA, WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WE ARE BIG COMMUNITY IN KENNER.
NATALIE, LIKE BEHIND LAFRENIERE PARK, DRONES NIGHT AND DATE.
THEY CANNOT GO INFRONT OF THE HOUSE.
THEY KIDNAP MY SISTER NEIGHBOR, THAT LADY HAS BEEN HERE FOR 21 YEARS.
SHE EVEN DRY. THEY SAID, WHY YOU DON'T FIX YOUR PAPER SOON? I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY THANK GOD, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE IT.
THEIR KIDS ARE UNDER 21 AND THEY CANNOT.
SOME OF THEM GET IT, BUT NOW FOR NOTHING BECAUSE IT'S GOOD FOR NOTHING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BUT PLEASE ANSWER ME THIS, WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO TO HELP THE SPANISH COMMUNITY AND WHAT YOU CAN HELP US BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID TO CALL THE POLICE FROM KENNER.
I H I HAVE SIX CASES DOCUMENTED AND I DIDN'T PUT IT PUBLIC, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MAKE MORE PROBLEMS. THESE PEOPLE GOT ARREST AFTER THEY CALLED THE POLICE FROM KENNER [INAUDIBLE]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
WE HAVE 3 MINUTES EACH SPEAKER. COUNCILWOMAN.
>> THERE WE GO. MISS MALDONADO, IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM IS A MAN NAMED JOHN TOBLER.
HE'S GOING TO GET YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND WE CAN TALK MORE.
I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT THOUGH ABOUT THE PROTEST IN KENNER.
OUR POLICE HAVE RAVED ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL THE PROTESTERS HAVE BEEN.
THE THINGS THAT WE'RE SEEING HAPPENING IN NEW ORLEANS HAVE NOT HAPPENED THERE.
WHEN IT BECAME DARK AND THE PROTEST WAS OVER, EVERYONE LEFT.
THEY'VE BEEN VERY COMPLIMENTARY ABOUT HOW YOU GUYS HAVE PRESENTED YOURSELF IN THE COMMUNITY, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
UNFORTUNATELY, YOU CAN'T ADD IT HERE BECAUSE OF THE TIME LIMITS, BUT I WILL DEFINITELY CALL YOU, AND YOU AND I CAN SPEAK FURTHER.
JOHN'S GOING TO MEET YOU IN THE BACK.
HE SHOULD BE IN HERE SOMEWHERE.
>> ANYONE ELSE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK? THAT PORTION OF OUR COUNCIL MEETING.
GREAT. WE'RE READY FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION,
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
SO MADAM CLERK IF YOU COULD READ THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS.>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING A LAWSUIT ENTITLED MUD BUGS, WEST BANK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION INCORPORATED VERSUS PARISH OF JEFFERSON 24TH JDC CASE NUMBER 783-764 DIVISION G.
>> COUNCILMAN WALKER. COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVE,
[02:00:02]
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANKIN.VOTING IS OPEN. TWO MORE VOTES.
>> TO VOTE ON THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.
>> ATTORNEY, MY FINGER REALLY HURTS AFTER PUSHING THIS BUTTON SO MANY TODAYS.
DOES THAT QUALIFY FOR WORKERS COMP?
>> THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING CLAIM FOR JOSEPH SIMS, CCMSI CLAIM NUMBER 14C99E185050.
>> SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN VOTING ON THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.
>> THE FASTER WE DO IT, THE FASTER WE GET IT. ONE MORE.
>> [LAUGHTER] VOTING CLOSED. THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. NEXT ITEM.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING CLAIMS BY OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY CONTRACT NUMBER 55-00019795.
>> COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN RANKIN.
LET'S VOTE ON THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM REAL FAST.
VOTING'S OPEN AND THEN WE'LL COME OUT AND RECOGNIZE COUNCILMAN LEE.
THIS IS THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.
VOTING IS OPEN. COUNCILMAN LISBERG, COUNCILMAN.
THIS IS EXECUTIVE SESSION. THERE WE GO.
VOTING CLOSE, THAT ITEM PASSES. COUNCILMAN LEE.
>> I WANT TO PERSONALLY SAY TO ALL AND MANY OF YOU MAY NOT KNOW, THIS IS STEVE WILL SHOOT VERY LAST MEETING ON THE JEFFERSON PARISH WITH SERVING US IN THE CAPACITY.
I WANT TO PERSONALLY TELL YOU IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU.
WE THANK YOU AND SO GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO AND HAVE DONE.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU COMING BACK TO BE WITH US SOON.[OVERLAPPING]
>> HE'S NOT. [LAUGHTER] HE'S ON A BEACH SOMEWHERE.
>> WILL YOU BE COMING TO SIT IN THE AUDIENCE AND COMMENT ON EVERYTHING WHEN HE COMES BACK? [LAUGHTER].
>> THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID FOR US.
I THINK YOU HELPED US GET AS FAR AS WE HAVE IN THIS LAST SIX YEARS, SO THANK YOU, STEVE FOR EVERYTHING.[OVERLAPPING]
>> I WANT TO ADD AS WELL, BECAUSE I SERVED AS COUNCILMAN AND I SERVED AS MAYOR WITH YOU IN THIS SEAT.
WHEN I WAS MAYOR IN A SMALL TOWN, YOU TREATED ME NO DIFFERENTLY AND HELPED ME JUST AS MUCH WHEN I WAS A COUNCILMAN, AND IT'S BEEN A HELL OF A LOT.
WE FACED THROUGH SOME OF THE WORST DISASTERS IN HISTORY RIGHT WHEN WE ALL ENTERED OFFICE TOGETHER YOU AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE PARISH, BLIZZARDS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU CAN NAME OF.
YOU HAVE BEEN THE GLUE BETWEEN THE COUNCIL, THE ADMINISTRATION, AND THE DEPARTMENTS.
YOU WERE THE GUIDE THAT WHEN PEOPLE NEEDED HELP AND THINGS NEEDED TO GET DONE FAST, YOU WERE THAT MAN.
YOU ARE SUCH A HARD PERSON TO REPLACE.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF IT'S POSSIBLE.
WELL I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE, STEVE.
YOU HAVE HELPED EACH ONE OF US.
YOU HAVE HELPED SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS PARISH AND THEY MAY NEVER KNOW IT.
THEY MAY NEVER KNOW THAT IT WAS YOU THAT HELPED THEM, BUT WE KNOW IT AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
>> FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR, THE WAY OUR ORG-CHART WORKS, YOU'RE AT THE TOP OF ALL OF THOSE 40 DEPARTMENTS.
FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS, IT TRULY IS THE HARDEST JOB.
IN PARISH GOVERNMENT YOU ARE THE RIGHT HAND PERSON OF OUR PARISH PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND ENERGY IT TAKES.
>> I'M SORRY TO PROLONG THIS ANY LONGER, BUT HONESTLY AS A NEWBIE I'VE LEARNED THAT IF WE ALL HAVE YOUR INTEGRITY AND QUITE HONESTLY YOUR GUTS, WE'RE UNSTOPPABLE AS A PARISH.
YOU'VE BEEN A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR ME, SO THANK YOU.
>> I AGREE, STEVE. THANK YOU, FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE IT.
I LEARNED SHORTLY AFTER WORKING WITH YOU, I THINK HERE BEFORE.
I DON'T THINK I KNEW THIS WHEN YOU WERE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT YOU WERE A WEST BANKER.
AND I MEAN THIS. AS AN EAST BANK COUNCIL PERSON, I DIDN'T KNOW.
YOU DID YOUR JOB, YOU DID IT WELL, YOU TREATED EVERYBODY FAIRLY.
BUT AS A DAD OF SEVEN HALF WEST BANK GIRLS, I APPRECIATE YOU FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> I'LL WRAP IT UP WITH 45 YEARS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND PUBLIC SERVICE IS A HECK OF A RUN. WE'LL CERTAINLY MISS YOU AROUND HERE.
I ECHO WHAT EVERYBODY SAID AND WE'RE STILL GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT TIMMY CALLS YOU FROM TIME TO TIME JUST TO KEEP IT GOING JUST FOR ALL TIME SAKE.
>> WE'RE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WELCOME EVERYBODY BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[02:05:05]
MADAM CLERK.MADAM CLERK, IF YOU WILL READ THE ITEMS COMING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WAIT. THERE YOU GO.[OVERLAPPING] IF WE CAN HAVE QUIET IN THE CHAMBER.
WE'VE GOT THREE ITEMS AND WE'RE OUT OF HERE.
>> AN ORDINANCE IS TO READ INTO THE SUMMARY.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT AND A LAWSUIT ENTITLED MUD BUGS WEST BANK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION INCORPORATED VERSUS PARIS OF JEFFERSON, 24TH JDC CASE NUMBER 783 THERE 74 DIVISION G.
>> COUNCILMAN WALKER. WAIT. THERE YOU GO.
>> COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES ON THE ITEM.
COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN SECOND.
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT IN A LEGAL MATTER CONCERNING A CLAIM FOR LEGAL MATTERS FOR JOSEPH SIMS, CCMSI CLAIM NUMBER 14C99E185050 AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
>> COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES FOR APPROVAL.
SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
DID YOU TAKE IT? TRY ONE MORE TIME. THERE WE GO.
VOTING CLOSE. THE ITEM PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. MADAM CLERK.
>> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COMPROMISE OF CLAIMS MADE BY OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY FOR WORK PERFORMED UNDER THE TERMS OF CONTRACT NUMBER 55-00019795 REGARDING LABOR, MATERIALS, AND EQUIPMENT FOR ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND REPAIRS AT THE JEFFERSON PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER.
>> SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
FAST AND VOTE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL.
THAT BRINGS US TO THE PORTION WHERE WE READ ORDINANCES INTO SUMMARY.
>> IN ORDINANCE DECLARING THE INTENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO ACQUIRE FULL OWNERSHIP IN LOT 2 SQUARE 5, WESTGATE SUBDIVISION BEARING ADDRESS 2621 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTES 472231.
AN ORDINANCE DECLARING VARIOUS ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAID PROPERTIES TO THE ADJACENT LAND OWNER.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 2-87 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCE SAYS, RELATIVE TO PRINCIPAL OFFICES, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2026 OPERATING BUDGET, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2026 CAPITAL BUDGET, AND THAT'S ALL THE ORDINANCES I HAVE TO READ.
>> EVERYBODY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
>> I'M SORRY. MOTION TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCES THAT WERE READ?
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
ANYONE? I'M JUST GOING TO HIT THE END ON THAT ONE.
SIX YES ON THOSE ITEMS, ONE ABSENT.
THEN A MOTION TO ADJOURN AND I GUESS WE EVEN NEED A VOTE ON THIS, PEOPLE.
MOTION TO ADJOURN, COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.
PLEASE VOTE YAY AND WE'RE OUT OF HERE.
SOMEBODY NOT EVEN VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS, BUT ENDING THE VOTE.[LAUGHTER] THERE WE GO.
IT'S A UNANIMOUS VOTE THAT WE ARE ADJOURNED FOR THE DAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE WITH OUR NEW VOTING SYSTEM.
SEE YOU NEXT MEETING ON THE WEST BANK.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.