Mar 18, 2026 Parish Council West Bank

WHEREAS CATHERINE MANSFIELD WAS BORN ON JULY 30TH, 2004 IN METAIRIE, LOUISIANA TO LISA MARIE AND PETER MANSFIELD.

AND WHEREAS AT AN EARLY AGE CATHERINE DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL MUSICAL ABILITY AND BEGAN STUDYING PIANO UNDER THE INSTRUCTION OF KAY.

MARZONI MILLER OF METAIRIE, LOUISIANA, AND WHEREAS CATHERINE ATTENDED ST.

ANNE ELEMENTARY IN METAIRIE, LOUISIANA, WHERE SHE DISTINGUISHED HERSELF MUSICALLY AND WAS SELECTED AS A LOUISIANA DISTRICT 6 HONOR BAND SELECTEE ON FLUTES IN IN BOTH ELEMENTARY AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.

CATHERINE LATER ATTENDED ST.

MARY'S DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE SHE PERFORMED AS A MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL'S ALL-FEMALE MARCHING BAND, AND ULTIMATELY SERVED AS CO-DRUM MAJOR, DEMONSTRATING OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND MUSICMANSHIP.

CATHERINE GRADUATED SUMMA CUM LAUDE FROM THE HONORS PROGRAM AT ST.

MARY'S DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL.

[00:15:01]

CHOSE TO PURSUE POST-SECONDARY STUDIES AT LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY IN BATON ROUGE.

THROUGH A COMPETITIVE WEEK-LONG AUDITION AND SELECTION PROCESS, CATHERINE EARNED A POSITION IN THE GOLDEN BAND FROM TIGERLAND, SERVING AS A MEMBER OF THE PICCOLO...

SECTION FOR FOUR YEARS AND AS A SECTION LEADER DURING HER FINAL TWO YEARS.

CATHERINE HAS EXCELLED ACADEMICALLY AT LSU AS A RECIPIENT OF NUMEROUS HONORS, INCLUDING THE LSU FLAGSHIP SCHOLARS RESIDENT AWARD, THE PRESIDENT'S AID SCHOLARSHIP, THE ALFRED GLASSELL JR.

DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARSHIP, THE TOPPS EXCELLENCE AWARD, AND THE TIGER BAND SCHOLARSHIP.

WHEREAS DURING HER TIME AT LSU, CATHERINE HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE KAPPA KAPPA PSI BAND SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND HAS SERVED AS A STUDENT EMPLOYEE OF BOTH THE LSU SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND THE LSU MUSEUM OF ART.

WHEREAS IN THE SPRING OF 2025, CATHERINE WAS SELECTED TO SERVE AS DRUM MAJOR OF THE GOLDEN BAND FROM TIGERLAND, BECOMING ONLY THE FOURTH FEMALE IN THE 132-YEAR HISTORY.

OF THE BAND.

SHE HOLDS A VERY DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP ROLE.

CATHERINE WILL GRADUATE WITH HONORS FROM THE HODGKIN HONORS COLLEGE AT LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY IN MAY WITH A MAJOR IN ART HISTORY AND A MINOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND ITALIAN AND PLANS TO PURSUE GRADUATE STUDIES IN FINE ARTS OR ARTS ADMINISTRATION.

THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL HERE IN LOUISIANA HEREBY RECOMMENDS AND COMMENDS CATHERINE MANSFIELD FOR HER OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, HER MUSIC EXCELLENCE, AND HER LEADERSHIP BUT WE EXTEND OUR BEST WISHES FOR HER AND HER FUTURE.

I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN ARITA BOHANNAN ALONG WITH JOHN TOBLER FOR ORGANIZING THIS COMMENDATION WHICH IS A HUGE PRIVILEGE FOR MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES.

ADDITIONAL GRATITUDE GOES OUT TO MY FAMILY, SOME OF WHOM ARE HERE TODAY, AS WELL AS PARISH PRESIDENT CYNTHIA LICHANG.

IT'S BEEN THE HONOR OF A LIFETIME TO SERVE AS THE DRUM MAJOR OF THE GOLDEN BAND FROM TIGERLAND, AND I'M HAPPY I COULD SHARE SOME OF THAT JOY HERE TODAY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO ENDING MY MARCHING CAREER IN MY HOMETOWN OF METAIRIE THIS SUNDAY AT THE IRISH-ITALIAN PARADE, AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE.

THANK YOU ALL, AND GO TIGERS.

CAN I HAVE SOMETHING REAL QUICK? I KNOW A LONG LINE OF MANSFIELDS FROM THE ST.

ANGELA DAYS, AND THERE ARE MANY OF YOU, AS YOU KNOW, BUT CLEARLY WITH YOU, THEY BROKE THE MOLD.

AND YOU'VE SURPASSED THEM ALL.

SO CONGRATULATIONS.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE COUNCILMAN KERNER TO PRESENT A SERVICE PIN.

YOU MADE IT? OH, TODAY IS SUCH AN HONOR.

WE GET THE HONOR OF ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL HUMAN BEINGS, MS. KIM LIBERTO, COME UP.

SHE'S MADE 15 YEARS WITH THE PARISH, AND I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A PERSON WHO EXEMPLIFIES WHAT PUBLIC SERVICE IS.

SHE SERVED THE PARISH THROUGH THREE COUNCIL OFFICES, CORRECT, AND GENERAL SERVICE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.

PEOPLE WONDER HOW HER OFFICE CAUGHT ON SO FAST.

THERE IS NO SECRET.

[00:20:02]

THE SECRET IS KIM LIBERTO.

SHE IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE.

SHE IS TRULY THE HEART OF OUR OFFICE.

SHE'S OUTSIDE OF JEFFERSON PARISH.

SHE SERVED AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AT WISCONSIN FOR A DECADE.

SO 25 YEARS OF SERVING THE PUBLIC AND SHE'S DONE IT WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE AND DIGNITY AND A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE THAT MY OFFICE BENEFITS FROM EVERY SINGLE DAY.

SO I WANT TO JUST CONGRATULATE MS. KIM LIBERTO AND THANK HER SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR YOUR SERVICE AND EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR MY OFFICE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON 15 YEARS.

AND WE DIDN'T COORDINATE, THIS IS JUST GOD.

YEAH, I WANT TO PUT IT ON.

ALL RIGHT, AS COUNCILMAN KERNER INDICATED, WE'RE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE AROUND US, AND WE WANT TO CALL UP SOME VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE THIS MORNING.

IF BYRON ADAMS, JOHN BRASWELL, BRENT GRIFFIN, CAYMAN RHODES, WE'VE GOT A BUNCH OF THESE, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE OUT, SEAN KING, AND JACQUELINE SANCHEZ.

CAN JOIN US AT THE PODIUM AND LEO WEBB AS WELL.

COUNCILMAN KERNER AND OUR PARISH PRESIDENT ALSO CAN JOIN US FOR THIS BECAUSE WE ALL WERE TALKING OVER THE WEEKEND ABOUT HOW SPECIAL THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE IS.

AND I DO WANT TO SAY, WHAT THIS CREW HAS DID, THEY WORK WITH THE SMALLEST BUDGET AND THE MOST LAND IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

WHAT THEY DID THIS PAST WEEKEND, REALLY WHAT THEY DO EVERY SINGLE DAY AT THAT PARK IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, AND THEY PULL IT OFF.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A GROUP OF PEOPLE TAKE SUCH OWNERSHIP IN THAT PARK.

I MEAN, IT IS THEIR PARK, AND THEY GET PUT SO MANY HOURS.

IT'S TRULY REMARKABLE.

AND WE WERE SHOWN.

AROUND THE WORLD, ON THE WEST BANK, RIGHT THERE AT PARK DAY FOR ME, PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER.

PAUL WAS THE STAND-NEXT-TO-THE-GUY.

HE SAID, I ACTUALLY AM FROM JAPAN.

I SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON, FLEW OVER HERE, AND WENT TO GO SEE THE FRISBEE GOLF.

I WAS WATCHED BY ESPN, AND IT WAS TRULY SUCH A HIGHLIGHT FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.

AND WHAT THESE FEW PEOPLE DID THERE IS TRULY REMARKABLE.

JOHN LEADING THE CHARGE AND ALL THE HARD WORK, AND LEO.

I'M JUST, I WANT TO JUST EMPHASIZE THIS.

IF YOU GO OUT THERE, PLEASE DO.

IT IS GORGEOUS.

IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

BUT I RECOMMEND GOING OUT THERE AND SEEING HOW MUCH LAND THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

AND YOU SEE THE FEW PEOPLE UP HERE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL.

AND NOT ONLY MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL WHERE THE LOCALS ENJOY IT, BUT SOMETHING THAT THE ENTIRE WORLD WAS IMPRESSED BY.

IT'S TRULY SOMETHING THAT EVERY ONE OF YOU ALL SHOULD BE PROUD OF.

AND I'M CERTAINLY THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF Y'ALL.

SO, WHAT DOES THAT SAY? PROCLAMATION? ILLUSTRATION.

SO, AS COUNCILMAN KERNER EXPRESSED, PARC DES FAMILLES IS 600 AND SOMETHING ACRES OF LAND, AND YOU SEE THIS SMALL TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT ARE THE CARETAKERS OF THAT SPACE.

AND IF JEFFERSON PARISH HAS THE STRENGTH, IT IS THE DEDICATION, THE HARD WORK, THE PERSISTENCE, AND THE PASSION OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

SO I'M GOING TO READ THIS OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS A SMALL YET MIGHTY STAFF DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION AND TIRELESS COMMITMENT IN PREPARING PARC DES FAMILLES TO HOST THE FIRST EVER PROFESSIONAL DISC GOLF TOURNAMENT IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.

WHEREAS THE PDF STAFF WORKED WITH PASSION AND DETERMINATION FOR SIX MONTHS.

FOLLOWING THE DGPT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT PARC DES FAMILLES WOULD HOST A PROFESSIONAL-LEVEL TOURNAMENT, ENSURING EVERY DETAIL OF THE COURSE AND THE AMENITIES MET THE HIGHEST STANDARD SET FOR PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION.

WHEREAS THE PARC DES FAMILLES DISC GOLF COURSE, RECOGNIZED AS

[00:25:01]

THE NUMBER ONE RATED DISC GOLF COURSE IN LOUISIANA, WAS RE-ENVISIONED BY THE HOUCK DESIGN TEAM TO PREPARE IT FOR PROFESSIONAL PLAY, REQUIRING THIS PDF STAFF TO RACE THE CLOCK, LITERALLY, ON SIGNIFICANT PREPARATIONS, INCLUDING TREE REMOVAL, POND EXCAVATION, GROUND CULTIVATION, GROWING RYE GRASS, AND A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT YOU ALL FOCUSED ON.

WHEREAS THROUGH THEIR EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS, THE STAFF ENSURED THE BIG EASY OPEN WAS A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS, BRINGING PROFESSIONAL DISC GOLFERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO LOUISIANA FOR THE FIRST TIME AND SHOWCASING JEFFERSON PARISH'S ABILITY TO HOST WORLD-CLASS SPORTS TOURISM EVENTS.

WHEREAS THE 610 ACRES OF LAND HOLDS BOTH POTENTIAL TO BECOME A MULTIFACETED RECREATIONAL GEM FOR THE WEST BANK AND PREMIER SPORTS TOURISM DESTINATION.

GIVEN THE TALENTS OF THE DYNAMIC PDF STAFF WHO ARE CAPABLE OF TURNING A VISION INTO REALITY.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL AND OUR PARISH PRESIDENT, THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF JEFFERSON PARISH, HEREBY COMMENDS THESE INDIVIDUALS, YOUR MIGHTY PDF STAFF, AND WE RECOGNIZE THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION, THEIR LEADERSHIP, AND THEIR SERVICE TO JEFFERSON PARISH.

CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB MORE THAN WELL DONE.

LEO WEBB WAS THE FEARLESS TEAM LEADER ON THIS PROJECT AND HE'S GOING TO SAY A FEW THINGS.

THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

I'D BE REMISS IF, FIRST OFF, IF I START OUT WITH NOT INVITING THE PUBLIC TO COME OUT AND VISIT THE SITE.

YOU ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON YOUTUBE AND YOU CAN SEE THE WHOLE DISC GOLF TOURNAMENT ON YOUTUBE, WHICH WAS AMAZING.

THEY HAD DRONE FOOTAGE, CAMERA FOOTAGE, EVERYTHING WAS TRULY AMAZING.

AND THEN ALSO THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT HELPED US.

I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE ANYBODY OUT, BUT WE HAD PARKWAYS, STREETS, EOC, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING, CARNIVAL AND SPECIAL EVENTS, DRAINAGE, HELP DIG A POND.

THE LIST WAS ENDLESS, AND I HOPE I DIDN'T FORGET ANYBODY.

OH, IT, YEAH, JEB SPENT A LOT OF TIME OUT THERE.

HE'S GOT A NEW PLACE TO VISIT AND ACTUALLY BOUGHT A SUBSCRIPTION FOR DISCO.

SO COME TO OFFICE, PAUL AND CLAY.

THERE WAS NUMEROUS PEOPLE.

I THINK EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME.

AND PLEASE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WHEN YOU HAVE SOME AVAILABLE TIME.

SINCE I'M GETTING FORCED INTO THIS, IT STARTED AS A THOUGHT, AND THEN JENNIFER AND TIMMY BROUGHT THE DREAM TO REALITY.

AND THEN THE TEAM THAT I JUST HAPPENED TO GET ASSOCIATED WITH BROUGHT THE REALITY HOME.

SATURDAY WE HAD OVER 1,600 PEOPLE ON THE SITE, AND THEN SUNDAY WE HAD OVER 2,000.

JOHN AND I'S GREATEST FEELING OF THE DAY WAS WHEN THE LADY CHAMPION GOT HER TROPHY AND THEN A BRASS BAND NEEDED HER ON THE 18TH HOLE AND WALKED HER TO THE STAGE AREA.

SHE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO ACT WHEN A BRASS BAND FROM NEW ORLEANS CAME AND RECEIVED HER AFTER WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

JOHN AND I PUT OUR SUNGLASSES ON BECAUSE WE GOT CHILLS AND SHED A COUPLE TEARS.

THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS ON WEDNESDAY, THE PRO TOUR ASKED US TO CUT THE WHOLE COURSE.

NORMALLY TAKES JOHN AND HIS STAFF 12 AND A HALF HOURS.

WE DID IT IN FIVE.

SO ON MY BEHALF, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF AND JENNIFER, TIMMY, CYNTHIA.

FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO FOR JEFFERSON PARISH.

AND WHAT SNOOPY MAYBE DIDN'T MENTION IS I HEARD THAT WOMEN'S CHAMPION ALSO MENTIONED SPECIFICALLY JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S ALL OF YOU.

AND SO THANK YOU BECAUSE IT WAS RECOGNIZED BY EVERYONE WHO WAS THERE.

SO THANK YOU ALL.

COME ON IN FOR A PICTURE, ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.

[MEETING CALLED TO ORDER]

[00:31:11]

ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING AND OFFICIALLY WELCOME TO THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING ON THIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH THE 18TH.

WE'RE AT THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING AT 200 DURBAN EAST STREET IN GRETNA.

I WANT TO INTRODUCE COUNCILMAN BONANO, WHO WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED.

WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.

WE ORIGINALLY HAD COUNCILMAN BONANO, DO WE HAVE HIS GUEST, DO YOU KNOW, FOR THE INVOCATION? COUNCILMAN BONANO HAD TO BE, YEAH, OKAY, GREAT, HAD TO BE AWAY FOR OUR MEETING THIS MORNING.

HE'S HEALING UP FROM A KNEE SURGERY, SO KEEP HIM IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

PASTOR RICKY JOHNSON, IF YOU WILL COME FORWARD.

I KNOW COUNCILMAN BONANO WISHED HE COULD HAVE BEEN HERE TO INTRODUCE YOU PERSONALLY, BUT WE'RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU TO LEAD US IN PRAYER THIS MORNING.

TO MR. RANKIN AND TO PRESIDENT SHANE, TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE PART OF THE BOARD, I TRULY THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS PRIVILEGE AND HONOR.

AND AS WE CAN SEE, OUR WORLD IS IN NEED OF PRAYER.

I'M PRAYING THAT YOU NOT JUST BOW YOUR HEAD, BUT THAT YOU TRULY DO BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER.

LET US PRAY.

GOD, OUR FATHER, WE COME.

UNTO YOU BECAUSE THERE'S NONE LIKE YOU, DEAR GOD.

FATHER, WE COME FIRST.

WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE.

YOU'VE GIVEN US A BRAND NEW DAY THAT WE CAN DO THE THINGS THAT ARE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT.

WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY, DEAR GOD.

FATHER, AS WE COME, WE PRAY THAT YOU LOOK UPON THIS WORLD, DEAR GOD.

WE PRAY A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR OUR PRESIDENT, DEAR GOD, THAT HE MAKE GREAT DECISIONS TO LEAD THIS UNITED STATES IN A GREAT WAY.

DEAR GOD, WE ASK YOU TO LOOK ON THIS COUNCIL, DEAR GOD, CONTINUE TO KEEP THEM, DEAR GOD.

I WANT TO THANK THEM, DEAR GOD, PERSONALLY, DEAR GOD, FOR TAKING OUR TIME TO ENCOURAGE AND ACKNOWLEDGE OTHERS THAT ARE DOING THE WORK, DEAR GOD.

FATHER, WE ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE NEED YOU AND WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU.

WE PRAY THAT YOU CONTINUE TO PROTECT US.

PUT YOUR LOVE AND HONOR AND PROTECTION AROUND US, DEAR GOD.

FATHER, SOMEONE HERE'S MIND MAY NOT BE.

WHAT IT SHOULD BE, DEAR GOD.

BUT WE KNOW YOU AS A MIND REGULATOR AND SOMEONE'S HEART MIGHT NOT BE WHAT IT SHOULD BE.

BUT WE KNOW YOU AS A HEART FIXER, DEAR GOD.

WE PRAY RIGHT NOW, DEAR GOD, THAT YOU TOUCH IN A MIGHTY WAY THAT YOUR PEOPLE WILL DO THE THINGS THAT ARE PLEASING TO YOUR SIGHT IN YOUR NAME.

AND WE ALL SAY AMEN.

A BETTER AMEN THAN THAT.

AMEN.

ONE MORE BETTER THAN THAT.

AMEN.

GOD BLESS YOU.

PASTOR, SINCE WE'RE ONE NATION UNDER GOD, IF YOU'LL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE THIS MORNING AS WELL.

>>I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

MADAM CLERK, IF YOU'LL CALL THE ROLL.

CHAIRWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

PRESENT.

COUNCILMAN WALKER.

HERE.

STRUGGLING WITH HIS SEAT.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.

PRESENT.

COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG.

HERE.

PARISH PRESIDENT MS. LEE SHENG.

HERE.

AND I'VE COMPLETED THE ROLE.

[PARISH PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL]

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

PARISH PRESIDENT CYNTHIA LEE- SHENG, IF YOU WOULD WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRWOMAN AND HONORABLE COUNCILMEMBERS.

I'LL START MY REMARKS ON A HIGH NOTE, WITH SOME VERY EXCITING STATISTICS RELATED

[00:35:01]

TO OUR INVESTMENT IN BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A GROWING SPORTS TOURISM ECONOMY HERE IN JEFFERSON PARISH, THANKS TO OUR RECREATION REIMAGINED COMMITMENT TO OFFER MORE PREMIER FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ATHLETES, WE'VE POSITIONED JEFFERSON PARISH TO HOST EVENTS THAT ATTRACT VISITORS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD, AS YOU COULD SEE WITH THE LATEST PROCLAMATION THAT YOU ALL JUST DID.

AS WE APPROACH THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS EMERGING ECONOMY FOR YOU WITH NUMEROUS ATHLETIC EVENTS BRINGING IN TEAMS, FAMILIES, AND FANS FROM ALL OVER TO JEFFERSON PARISH.

AND I WANT TO STRESS AND ANSWER THE QUESTION, WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT FOR US AND WHY DO WE TALK ABOUT IT SO MUCH? FAMILIES TRAVEL TO OUR AREA TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTING COMPETITION, BUT THEY ALSO LEARN AND ENJOY OUR UNIQUE WAY OF LIFE HERE IN SOUTH LOUISIANA.

IT GIVES US AN EDGE IN ATTRACTING.

THESE TYPES OF TOURNAMENTS.

SPORTS TOURISM CREATES JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES, AND WITH THAT COMES NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING SEVERAL HOTELS ON THE WEST BANK LOOKING TO BUILD RIGHT NOW JUST TO SUPPORT THE ELARIA SPORTS COMPLEX TOURNAMENTS, WHICH WE OPENED THIS YEAR.

BUT MOST CRITICALLY, AS I SIT HERE IN GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE OUT-OF-TOWNERS PAYING SALES TAX, HOTEL AND MOTEL TAXES, AUTO RENTAL TAXES.

AND WHEN VISITORS PAY THESE TAXES, AND HELP THE GOVERNMENT GIVE US THE REVENUES WE NEED TO OPERATE, IT DIRECTLY REDUCES THE BURDEN FOR OUR LOCAL TAXPAYERS.

THAT IS WHY THIS IS SO VERY CRITICAL TO US, AND THAT'S WHY I'M SPEAKING ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.

IN ONE WEEKEND ALONE, FROM FEBRUARY 20TH TO FEBRUARY 22ND, WE HOSTED A SEVEN-ON-SEVEN FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT AT THE NEW HILARIO SPORTS COMPLEX.

WE ALSO HOSTED ADULT TRAVEL SOFTBALL LEAGUE AT LASALLE PARK, AND WE HOSTED ADULT KICKBALL TOURNAMENT AT OUR ESTELLE SOCCER.

FIELDS.

TO PAINT A QUICK PICTURE OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT, VISIT JEFFERSON ESTIMATES THAT THESE THREE EVENTS ALONE BROUGHT IN NEARLY 6,000 VISITORS TRAVELING MORE THAN 100 MILES FROM JEFFERSON PARISH, AND JUST THIS WEEKEND ALONE THEY FILLED 01,795 HOTEL ROOMS. WE HAVEN'T SLOWED DOWN SINCE THE START OF THIS YEAR EITHER.

WE'VE HOSTED THE KING K CLASSIC GYMNASTICS COMPETITION AT THE LARIO CENTER.

THE FIRST NOLA PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT AT OUR MIKE MILEY PICKLEBALL COURSE, AND MANY OTHER DIFFERENT SPORTING EVENTS AT THE JOHN O'LEARY SPORTS COMPLEX.

AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR COUNCIL, JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND, WE WERE PROUD TO HOST THE DISC GOLF PRO TOUR AT PARK DAY FOR ME AND THE PARK TO PARK 10K FROM LASALLE TO LAFRENIERE.

WE'RE ALSO VERY EXCITED FOR THE NEW ORLEANS POWERBOAT GRAND PRIX TO RETURN TO JEFFERSON PARISH ON SATURDAY, APRIL 11TH AND SUNDAY, APRIL 12TH.

OKAY, MOVING ON TO A VERY BIG...

PROJECT FOR US.

WE ARE ERP.

WE'RE NOW IN THE FINAL STRETCH OF UPDATING THE PARISH'S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO AN ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING, WHAT WE CALL ERP SYSTEM.

THIS WILL BE THE LARGEST INTERNAL PROJECT THE PARISH HAS EVER UNDERTAKEN.

THE SWITCH FROM OUR OLD SYSTEM, AS400 TO INFOR, WILL TOUCH EVERY PARISH DEPARTMENT AND MANY AGENCIES, IMPROVING HOW OUR FINANCIAL DATA IS PROCESSED AND HOW IT IS REPORTED.

THIS IS A BIG LEAP FOR US.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE A 30-YEAR-OLD SYSTEM THAT CANNOT BE SUPPORTED ANYMORE AND NO LONGER MEETS THE PARISH'S NEEDS TO COMPLY WITH TODAY'S RIGOROUS FINANCIAL REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS.

MODERNIZING AND STABILIZING OUR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IS ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN TRANSPARENCY, ACCURACY, AND COMPLIANCE.

IN PREPARATION FOR THE SCHEDULED JULY 1ST LAUNCH, WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR DEPARTMENTS AND VENDORS TO ENSURE AS SMOOTH A TRANSITION AS POSSIBLE.

I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING OUR IT DIRECTOR, JEB TATE, AND INTERIM FINANCE DIRECTOR, VICTOR LAROCCA, WHO HAVE BEEN REALLY WORKING DAILY TO PREPARE FOR THIS TRANSITION.

THIS IS A HUGE UNDERTAKING, BUT WE WILL GET THROUGH IT TOGETHER, AND WE WILL BE MUCH STRONGER AND HAVE A MUCH STRONGER SYSTEM ON THE OTHER SIDE.

STUDIES CONSISTENTLY SHOW THAT IMPLEMENTING AN ERP SYSTEM LEADS TO OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS.

A 2023 STUDY FOUND THAT 66% OF ORGANIZATIONS REPORTED INCREASED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AFTER ADOPTING AN ERP SYSTEM.

SO WE'RE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THIS TRANSITION AND APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S PATIENCE AND COOPERATION BECAUSE WE KNOW IT CAN BE A BUMPY RIDE.

MANY OF OUR PARISH DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN KEEPING WITH A FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND INITIATIVES, SO I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW QUICKLY TODAY.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS WHO WORKED HARD TO PUT ON ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ST.

PATRICK'S PARADE IN JEFFERSON THIS PAST WEEKEND.

THE PARADE SEASON ISN'T OVER FOR US QUITE YET.

WE HAVE THE LOUISIANA IRISH ITALIAN PARADE WE'RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO ROLLING DOWN VETERANS BOULEVARD THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 22ND, STARTING AT NOON.

OUR LIBRARY AND OUR J-POD TEAMS

[00:40:02]

ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO HOST TAYLOR THE CAT AND TRAVIS.

THE DOG'S WEDDING AT THE EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST.

VISIT JPLIBRARY.NET TO REGISTER TO ATTEND THIS ADOPTION EVENT.

AND THANKS TO OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DAWN BUSTERS KIWANIS CLUB OF METAIRIE, BUNNY BASH IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE AT LAFAYETTE PARK ON SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH FROM 11 A.M.

TO 3 P.M.

THIS EVENT WHICH INCLUDES FAMILY FUN AND EASTER EGG HUNTS COSTS $10 PER CHILD AND $5 PER ADULT.

KIDS UNDER ONE ARE FREE.

EASTER EGG HUNTS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WILL ALSO TAKE PLACE AT THE SAME TIME ON THE CONCRETE SURFACE OF THE SPRAY PAD.

TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE GATE.

I WANT TO ALSO, THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOR US, CONGRATULATE OUR LIBRARY DIRECTOR, JESSICA SKIONS, FOR BEING NAMED THE PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR IN 2026 BY THE LOUISIANA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

JESSICA, PLEASE STAND UP.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP, VISION, AND SERVICE TO THE LIBRARY'S PROFESSION, AND WE'RE SO PROUD TO HAVE JESSICA ON OUR TEAM.

HER AND HER STAFF WILL TRY ANYTHING NEW.

THEY HAVE HAD SO MANY NEW INITIATIVES.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED, AND SHE IS VERY WELL DESERVING OF THAT REWARD.

OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM IS LOOKING FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO VOLUNTEER AS EVACUEES DURING OUR ANNUAL HURRICANE EVACUATION EXERCISE.

THIS EXERCISE WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 13TH FROM NOON TO 3.

AND WE'LL ALSO ALLOW OUR PARISH STAFF AND FIRST RESPONDERS TO PRACTICE OUR ROLES DURING THE HURRICANE EVACUATION.

SO PLEASE, IF YOU'RE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE COME HELP US THAT DAY.

VISIT JEFFERSONPARISH.GOV/ HURRICANEEXERCISE OR CALL 504-731-4478 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO FILL OUT THE VOLUNTEER FORMS. AND LASTLY, I WANT TO SPEND SOME TIME TODAY TO TALK ABOUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS DURING OUR TIME IN OFFICE.

UNDERTAKING THE MODERNIZATION OF OUR SEWER AND WATER SYSTEMS. WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE, BOTH OF THESE SYSTEMS WERE ACTUALLY LOSING MONEY.

WE WERE IN A POSITION WHERE WE WERE SPENDING OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT MONEY TO MAINTAIN OPERATIONS, A VERY UPSIDE-DOWN PLACE TO BE.

THAT'S NEVER HOW YOU WANT TO BE.

MOST SIMPLY PUT, WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF OLD PIPES.

SO IN 2021, WE SPENT THE BETTER PART OF THE YEAR, IF YOU WILL RECALL, MAKING THE CASE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR A RATE INCREASE.

SO THAT WE COULD HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MODERNIZE THESE AGING SYSTEMS. I KNOW NONE OF US LIKE PAYING HIGHER RATES, AND I HEAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME, BUT IT WAS CRITICAL THAT WE MADE THIS INVESTMENT IN OURSELVES BECAUSE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, PIPES WOULD START BREAKING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THE COST TO REPAIR A PIPE THAT IS BROKEN ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS IS EXPONENTIALLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IF WE JUST WOULD HAVE REPLACED IT BEFOREHAND DURING ITS USEFUL LIFE.

I RECALL THE...

SEWER WATER MAIN BROKE RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE LIBRARY.

I THINK THAT WAS NINE TIMES THE COST ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS THAN IF WE WOULD HAVE REPLACED IT BEFOREHAND.

WE HAVE SO MANY SEWER AND WATER PROJECTS GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.

OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS IN MOTION ACROSS THE PARISH.

OUR PIO OFFICE PUT TOGETHER A VIDEO ALONG WITH MARK, OUR FORMER PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, BUT NOW ONE OF OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS, AND OUR WATER DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, SIDNEY BATHLEY.

THIS REALLY HIGHLIGHTS THE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS WE HAVE MADE AND CONTINUE TO MAKE THROUGHOUT THE PARISH OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

SO I'M GOING TO LET THE VIDEO DO THE TALKING, BUT I KNOW PEOPLE PAY THEIR BILL.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHERE THEIR MONEY GOES.

AND SO HERE IS THE VIDEO SHOWING YOU EXACTLY WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES INTO SEWER AND WATER.

HI, THIS IS PARISH PRESIDENT CYNTHIA LEE SHENG.

WHEN I CAME TO OFFICE, WE WERE ON TOP OF A WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM THAT WAS ACTUALLY LOSING MONEY.

WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO HAVE FUNDS ENOUGH FOR US TO MAINTAIN THE SYSTEM WE HAVE.

AND THE SYSTEM WE HAVE, MANY PARTS OF IT ARE ALMOST A CENTURY OLD.

AND THINGS WERE STARTING TO BREAK.

AND WE WERE REALLY IN A FIX IT AS IT BREAKS MODE.

AND WE SAW THAT WHEN PIPES BREAK AND WE HAVE TO FIX IT ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS, IT ACTUALLY WAS COSTING US LIKE, YOU KNOW, BETWEEN NINE AND 16 TIMES THE AMOUNT TO FIX IT.

AND THAT IS NO WAY THAT YOU WOULD MANAGE YOUR HOUSE.

YOU WOULD NEVER REPLACE A ROOF.

ONLY AFTER IT STARTS LEAKING INTO YOUR HOME AND MORE DAMAGE OCCURS.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE POSITION I WANTED OUR JEFFERSON PARISH TO BE IN.

SO IN 2022, WE RAISED YOUR SEWER AND WATER RATE THAT YOU SEE ON YOUR MONTHLY, YOUR UTILITY BILL, WHICH ACTUALLY COMES TO YOU BIMONTHLY.

AND BASICALLY, THIS IS NONE OF US WANT TO PAY MORE.

BUT THIS WAS NECESSARY FOR US TO REALLY, WHAT I THINK OF, INVEST IN OURSELVES.

WE NEED TO HAVE A STRONG PUBLIC WORKS SYSTEM.

THIS IS CRITICAL, AND WATER AND SEWER, MANY PARTS OF THAT.

THIS IS CRITICAL FOR OUR OWN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, BUT IT'S ALSO CRITICAL FOR OUR ECONOMY.

WE NEED A RELIABLE SYSTEM THAT'S DELIVERING YOU A STRONG AND A MODERN WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT ALSO, AS A HOMEOWNER MYSELF AND AS A BUSINESS OWNER,

[00:45:01]

IT PROTECTS YOUR PROPERTY VALUES FROM YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR HOME.

SO IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE INVEST IT IN OURSELVES.

AND WHAT HAPPENS IS WE DIDN'T WANT TO INCREASE THE RATES IMMEDIATELY AND GET THE MONEY WE NEED.

WE WANTED TO DO IT INCREMENTALLY BECAUSE WE KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE, IT'S HARD TO PAY BILLS AT THIS TIME FOR MANY PEOPLE.

SO EVERY JANUARY WE DO AN INCREMENTAL RAISE IN YOUR RATES.

AND WE CERTAINLY HEAR THE COMPLAINTS AROUND.

BUT I WANTED TO TAKE THIS TIME NOW THAT WE'RE FOUR YEARS OUT TO REALLY GO OVER WHAT THAT EXTRA MONEY BOUGHT FOR US.

REMEMBER, WE WERE ONLY IN A MAINTENANCE MODE.

WE DID NOT HAVE FUNDS TO BUILD NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.

BUT FOUR YEARS OUT NOW, WE STARTED THIS IN 2022, AND, AGAIN, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE YOUR RATES INCREASE, AND YOU'LL NOTICE IT IN YOUR UTILITY BILL.

I WANT TO SHOW YOU WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

I AM HONORED TO BE STANDING HERE WITH MARK DREWS, WHO'S OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, WHO WAS REALLY LEADING THE CHARGE ON THIS AND REALLY THE EXPERT ON THIS.

BACK WHEN WE WERE REALLY FIGHTING FOR THIS IN 2021, AND SIDNEY BASLEY, WHO IS OUR WATER DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, WHO ALSO WAS WITH US TRYING TO GET THIS ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

I WANT TO REALLY, BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO MARK, I WANT TO EXPLAIN, AND I ASKED SIDNEY THIS MORNING TO PULL MY BILL.

THIS IS MY BILL.

NOW, FOR DECADES, I STILL GET IN THE MINDSET MYSELF, WE IN JEFFERSON PARISH THINK OF THIS AS A WATER BILL.

MANY PEOPLE CALL IT A WATER BILL BECAUSE FOR DECADES WE CALLED IT A WATER BILL.

I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT THERE'S ALSO SEWAGE, GARBAGE, SOMETIMES PARKS IS ON HERE, SOMETIMES FIRE DISTRICTS ARE ON HERE.

SO IT'S A UTILITY BILL THAT CAPTURES MUCH MORE THAN THE WATER.

SO WE HAVE TO BREAK THAT MINDSET OF HOW HIGH YOUR WATER BILL IS.

WE STILL ARE VERY REASONABLE.

SO, AND THEN THIS ONLY COMES TO YOU EVERY OTHER MONTH BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GET SOMEONE TO YOUR HOUSE TO READ THE METER.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A MODERN WATER SYSTEM, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AMI INSTALLED AND MANY OF YOU MAY HAVE IT INSTALLED ALREADY THAT WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE US REAL-TIME WATER USAGE.

BUT JUST AS A REMINDER, I WANT TO SAY MY BILL FOR THIS CYCLE WAS $160.

IF I ONLY LOOK AT THE WATER PORTION AND I PUT IT ON A MONTHLY BASIS, I'M ONLY PAYING $23 A MONTH FOR WATER.

SO JUST A REMINDER THAT THIS CAN BE VERY DECEPTIVE AND NOT TO THINK OF IT AS JUST YOUR WATER.

BUT WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MARK DREWS WHO REALLY I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND.

WHAT YOUR MONEY BOUGHT US IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

AGAIN, IT'S AN INVESTMENT IN OURSELVES.

LOOK, JUST AS AN UPDATE, WE'RE IN THE FIFTH YEAR NOW OF OUR 20-YEAR INCREMENTAL RATE INCREASE.

THANK YOU, CYNTHIA.

THE RATES THIS YEAR WILL GO UP FOR AN AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER WHO USES APPROXIMATELY 06,200 GALLONS PER MONTH.

IT WILL GO UP THE UTILITY BILL $19.34.

BUT REMEMBER, THAT'S FOR TWO MONTHS.

SO FOR ONE MONTH, THE UTILITY BILL FOR YOUR AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER IS ONLY GOING UP ABOUT $9.87.

AND JUST AS CYNTHIA SAID, THAT'S WATER, SEWER, AND INFLATIONARY INCREASES FOR YOUR GARBAGE COLLECTION, THE SEA TO CONTROL, AND FOR YOUR RECREATIONAL FEES AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES.

SO WITH THAT SAID, IT'S STILL IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT DESPITE THAT INCREASE, OUR 2026 RATES ARE STILL BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND THOSE OF OUR NEIGHBORING PARISHES.

SO WHAT THAT HAS DONE FOR US THOUGH, OVER 20 YEARS IT WILL ENABLE US TO DO OVER 1 BILLION DOLLARS IN IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR WATER SYSTEM AND 1 BILLION DOLLARS TO IMPROVEMENTS OF OUR SEWER SYSTEM.

AND ON TOP OF THAT WE WERE ABLE TO BOND 100 MILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE USE FOR OUR SEWER SYSTEM AND 200 MILLION DOLLARS FOR OUR WATER SYSTEM.

SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK NOW AT WHERE WE ARE FOUR YEARS LATER AND WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED.

FIRST, LET'S LOOK AT OUR GRAVITY COLLECTION SEWER SYSTEM, WHICH WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REHABILITATING OR REPLACING.

THAT SYSTEM IS THE PIPES ON THE GROUND THAT COLLECT SEWER FROM THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AND BRING THEM TO A LIFT STATION.

SO THAT SERIES OF PIPES AND MANHOLES, WE HAVE ALREADY HAD EVALUATIONS DONE ON 41 OF OUR 500 SEWER LIFT STATION AREAS, ROUGHLY 8% OF OUR SYSTEM.

BUT WE'VE ALSO BEEN ABLE IN THOSE FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE REHABILITATION OF 23 OF THOSE COLLECTION SYSTEMS, WHICH IS 5% OF OUR SYSTEMS ALREADY BEEN REHABILITATED.

BESIDES THAT, WE TAKE A LOOK AT MANHOLES THROUGHOUT THE PARISH.

OUTSIDE OF THOSE SYSTEMS WE REHAB, WE'VE ALREADY LINED UP.

06,900 OF OUR 21,000 MANHOLES TO PREVENT INFILTRATION.

THAT'S 33% OF OUR MANHOLES.

NOW LET'S GO TO OUR LIFT STATIONS.

OUR LIFT STATIONS TAKE THAT COLLECTED SEWER AND WE'LL PUMP IT TO ANOTHER LARGER LIFT STATION OR STRAIGHT TO OUR TREATMENT PLANT.

OVER THESE PAST FOUR YEARS WE'VE TOTALLY RECONSTRUCTED ONE LIFT STATION WITH ONE UNDER TOTAL RECONSTRUCTION BUT WE'VE ALSO TOTALLY REHABILITATED 16 SEWER LIFT

[00:50:02]

STATIONS WITH TWO UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

SO BY OKAY.

PRIOR TO THE END OF THIS YEAR, WE'LL HAVE REHABILITATED 5% OF OUR LIFT STATIONS.

ALSO, WITH THOSE LIFT STATIONS, JUST IN FOUR YEARS, WE'VE ADDED SKATER CONTROLS TO 243 LIFT STATIONS.

SO NOW, OVER 400 OF OUR LIFT STATIONS HAVE AUTOMATION.

WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR US? THE SKATER CONTROLS ALLOW US TO TURN PUMPS ON AND OFF.

BUT MORE IMPORTANT, WE CAN MONITOR PUMP PERFORMANCE.

SO IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE PUMP, WE CAN CATCH IT EARLY.

WE CAN FIX IT BEFORE THAT PUMP TOTALLY FAILS.

ODOR CONTROL, ANOTHER ISSUE WITH OUR SEWER SYSTEM.

IN JUST FOUR YEARS WE'VE BEEN ADDED 134 OF OUR RESIDENTIAL LIFT STATIONS NOW HAVE A CARBON FILTER ODOR CONTROL UNIT TO CONTROL ODORS.

OUR TWO LARGEST REGIONAL LIFT STATIONS IN THE PARISH ON THE EAST BANK, WE PUT OXYGEN INJECTION UNITS TO REDUCE ODORS THERE.

ON THE WEST BANK, OUR FOUR LARGEST REGIONAL LIFT STATIONS BY THE END OF THE YEAR, WE WILL HAVE OXYGEN INJECTION UNITS INSTALLED ON THOSE.

THE OTHER THING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS OUR FORCE MAINS.

THOSE ARE OUR LARGE TRANSMISSION LINES THAT PUMP DIRECTLY TO OUR TREATMENT PLANTS.

BY THE END OF THIS SUMMER, WE'LL HAVE REPLACED THREE MILES OF THOSE TRANSMISSION LINES.

AND JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HOW SUCCESSFUL WE'VE BEEN IN 2021, WE RECORDED ROUGHLY JUST UNDER 450.

BACKUPS INTO RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN 2025, WE'VE REDUCED THAT TO LESS THAN HALF, JUST UNDER 160 OF THOSE INCIDENTS.

NOW LET'S TAKE A TURN AND WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WATER SYSTEM.

OUR WATER SYSTEM IS SIMILAR.

WE HAVE AN $800 MILLION PIPE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM.

THE FIRST FIVE PROJECTS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION THIS YEAR.

THOSE ARE LARGE TRANSMISSION LINES WITH A LOT OF FLOW, SO WE'LL BE REPLACING SIGNIFICANT SECTIONS OF OUR UNDERGROUND WATER SYSTEM.

WE'VE FOCUSED ON UPGRADING OUR WATER TREATMENT PLANT IN EAST BANK.

THE INITIAL CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED IN 1931.

SO SINCE THAT IN THESE PAST FOUR YEARS WE'VE TOTALLY REHABILITATED OUR MAJOR INTAKE PUMP STATION THAT TAKES WATER FROM THE RIVER DELIVERS IT TO OUR PLANTS.

THEN WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY COMPLETED A BRAND NEW TWELVE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLAR WATER LAB.

IT'S STATE-OF-THE-ART.

AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT THERE IS WE'RE ONE OF THE VERY FEW PARISHES OR MUNICIPALITIES THAT CAN ACTUALLY SAMPLE THEIR WATER ON A DAILY BASIS.

WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE SAMPLES, SEND IT TO THE STATE, AND WAIT FOR THE RESULTS OF THAT.

IN ADDITION, WE'RE IN FINAL DESIGN OF A BRAND NEW TREATMENT PLANT, WHICH WE HOPE TO HAVE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN 2027.

AND WHEN IT'S COMPLETED, FINALLY, WE CAN DECOMMISSION THE PLANT THAT WAS BUILT IN 1931 AND IS STILL IN SERVICE.

NOW...

THE MOST MAJOR OF OUR PROJECTS IS OBVIOUSLY AUTOMATED METERS AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO SIDNEY BAZLEY WHO CAN GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE AND THE BENEFITS OF THAT PROCESS.

AS YOU SPOKE ABOUT MANY PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT, ONE OF OUR PROJECTS WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS THE ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE, THE SMART WATER SOLUTION THAT WE HAVE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

IT'S ABOUT A $116 MILLION INVESTMENT INTO OUR OWN BILLING SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO GIVE CUSTOMERS A MORE ACCURATE READING.

ALSO TO BE ABLE TO HELP THE WATER SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO SEE LEAKS AT A MORE ADVANCED RATE TO BE ABLE TO MINIMIZE WHAT WE'RE SEEING OUT THERE AS FAR AS BREAKS AND TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE SMART METER SOLUTION BRINGS TO US IS THE ABILITY TO SEE REAL-TIME WATER USAGE.

WE CAN SEE THE REAL-TIME WATER USAGE BUT THE RESIDENTS CAN ALSO SEE THE REAL-TIME WATER USAGE AND WITH THAT COMES A SMART APP THAT WE'RE GOING TO ALSO GIVE TO THE CUSTOMERS TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT USAGE FOR THEMSELVES.

THE SMART APP ALLOWS THE CUSTOMER TO RECEIVE ALERTS, WHETHER IT'S A COST THRESHOLD, WHETHER IT'S A USAGE THRESHOLD, THE CUSTOMER CAN SET AN ALERT FOR THEMSELVES TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE IT VIA THE EMAIL, TEXT MESSAGE, OR THE ACTUAL APP ITSELF.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THE CUSTOMERS THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THEIR USAGE TO MINIMIZE THEIR BILLS.

AS THE PAST PRESIDENT SAID EARLIER, WE HAVE A TWO-MONTH BILL WHICH IS REASONABLE, BUT WE WILL ALSO, WITH THE APP, YOU CAN HAVE THE OPTION OF BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THAT USAGE FOR YOURSELF TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THE BILL WHERE YOU'RE COMFORTABLE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE IT ON A BI-MONTHLY BASIS.

BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROJECTS WE WERE EXCITED ABOUT WAS THE ADVANCED METER INFRASTRUCTURE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BOTH BEING WITH ME THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR SPENDING THE TIME WITH US BECAUSE, AGAIN, AS THEY'VE SAID, THIS IS OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN WATER AND A BILLION DOLLARS IN SEWER.

WE COLLECT THE MONEY FROM YOU ON YOUR UTILITY BILL.

I PAY IT AS WELL.

BUT I WANTED YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE PUTTING THE MONEY TO GOOD USE.

AGAIN, THIS IS AN INVESTMENT IN OURSELVES, IN OUR COMMUNITY, FOR A STRONG SEWER AND WATER SYSTEM.

I DO WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT SYDNEY WAS TALKING ABOUT AT THE END OF THAT VIDEO.

[00:55:01]

OUR JEFFERSON PARISH UTILITY SERVICES TEAM HAS ALSO BEEN WORKING WITH PETAL VALVES TO INSTALL THE NEW METERS.

THESE ARE THE STATE-OF-THE-ART AUTOMATED WATER METERS THAT WILL ENHANCE OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE MORE EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE USE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO BETTER MONITOR AND MANAGE WATER USAGE.

SO WHERE ARE WE WITH THE INSTALLATION? WE ARE APPROXIMATELY 37.77.

PERCENT COMPLETED AS OF TODAY.

SO OUT OF 160,788 METERS PARISH-WIDE, 60,727 METERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

SO I WANT TO SHOW A MAP SHOWING ALL THE AREAS ACROSS JEFFERSON PARISH THAT NOW HAVE UPDATED METERS INSTALLED.

THE TIMELINE FOR ALL METERS TO REPLACE IS THE END OF 2027.

WE'RE ALSO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT CUSTOMERS WHO ALREADY HAVE THESE NEW METERS ARE NOW ABLE TO DOWNLOAD AN APP ON THEIR SMARTPHONE.

OR GO ONLINE TO VIEW REAL-TIME WATER USAGE, LEAK ALERTS, RECEIVE WATER OUTAGE NOTIFICATIONS, AND MANAGE PAYMENT THRESHOLDS.

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO INSTALL THE NEW APP WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO ALL CUSTOMERS AS THEY RECEIVE THEIR NEW SMART METER.

THIS FLYER YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN ALSO PROVIDES MORE INFORMATION, WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT JEFFPARISH.GOV SLASH UTILITY SERVICES.

THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.

ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PARISH PRESIDENT? IS THAT VIDEO GOING TO BE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA SO WE CAN SHARE IT? YES, I THINK WE ALREADY DID.

IT WAS ALREADY POSTED.

GREAT, GREAT.

JEFFHARRIS.GOV SLASH UTILITY SERVICES.

AND WHAT DID YOU SAY, RACHEL? ALSO ON FACEBOOK, SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.

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

NOW WE COME TO THE PORTION OF OUR COUNCIL MEETING WHERE ANYONE WHO WISHES TO APPEAR AND SPEAK ON AN ITEM ON OUR COUNCIL AGENDA THAT IS A RESOLUTION, SO NOT THE ORDINANCES 8 THROUGH 17, BUT ANY RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

YES.

AND, COUNCILWOMAN, I'M GOING TO READ IT BEHIND AND ASK FOR JUST A MOMENT BEFORE WE BEGIN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

I WANTED TO JUST THANK DOVE BLOCK, WHO'S RECENTLY JOINED THE PARISH.

TWO THINGS REALLY QUICK.

WE HAD AN EMPLOYEE THAT TOOK REALLY ILL, AND SHE WAS IN CHARGE OF MY SIGN PROGRAM ON WILLIAMS BOULEVARD.

AND DOVE BLOCK HAS TAKEN HER SPOT, AND HE'S DONE AN AMAZING JOB.

SO, MICHELLE GONZALEZ, KUDOS TO YOUR TEAM, AS ALWAYS.

AND I ALSO WANTED TO INVITE TRIPP RAVELY TO COME UP.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS MENTIONED IN THE PARISH PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS, BUT...

YOU KNOW, TRIPP RAVELY IS THE DIRECTOR OF LAFAYETTE PARK, AND WE'RE DOING SOME MAGICAL THINGS AT LAFAYETTE PARK, INCLUDING THE BUNNY BASH.

I WANTED YOU TO HIGHLIGHT THE NEW ADDITION WE'RE DOING THIS YEAR.

SO THE BUNNY BASH IS IN ITS FIFTH OR SIXTH YEAR.

THE DAWNBUSTERS HAVE HELPED US WITH IT FOR YEARS.

WHAT'S VERY SPECIAL ABOUT WHAT WE DO IS WE DIVIDE THE CHILDREN UP INTO GROUPS FOR THEIR HUNTS, BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT A 10-YEAR-OLD RUNNING A 4-YEAR-OLD DOWN TRYING TO GET EGGS.

BUT MORE THAN THAT, AND OF COURSE WE SEND HOME EVERYBODY WITH PLENTY OF CANDY, KIND OF LIKE GRANDPARENTS, WHICH IS GREAT.

BUT THIS YEAR WE'RE ADDING A SPECIAL NEEDS HUNT.

WE'RE DOING IT IN THE SPLASH PAD BECAUSE IT'S CONCRETE, SO IF YOU'RE IN A WHEELCHAIR, IF YOU'RE USING CRUTCHES, A WALKER, IT'S MUCH MORE STABLE GROUND.

BUT WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYBODY TO COME.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME, AND THE FIRST TIME YOU DO ANYTHING IT'S HARD TO GET EVERYBODY TO COME OUT.

IT'S NEXT SATURDAY, BUT IT'S VERY SPECIAL.

UNDER ARETHA'S DIRECTION.

WE ADDED A NEW TOT LOT THAT IT IS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN.

THIS IS JUST FURTHERING THAT CAUSE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY FEELS INCLUDED.

LOOK, IT'S NO SECRET, MY SISTER WHO RECENTLY PASSED WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR FOR MOST OF HER LIFE.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE THESE THINGS.

SO IT'S VERY PERSONAL TO ME AS WELL, BUT WE WANT EVERYBODY TO COME OUT.

WE WANT EVERYBODY TO FEEL WELCOME AND TO KNOW THAT THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING IT.

SO PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS, TELL YOUR FAMILY, TELL ANYBODY YOU KNOW THAT HAS.

THAT NEED THAT IS USUALLY NOT ADDRESSED, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE PERFECT.

I PROMISE YOU WE'RE GOING TO SCREW SOMETHING UP.

BUT WE'RE TRYING THE BEST WE CAN.

WE HAVE INVITED SOME SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS, BUT WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYBODY THAT MIGHT WANT TO COME, AND I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS ANYBODY MIGHT HAVE ABOUT IT.

NO? GOOD.

I MUST HAVE EXPLAINED IT.

YES.

THANK YOU, TRIPP.

AGAIN, NOW WE RETURN TO THE PORTION.

THANKS SO MUCH, TRIPP.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA? MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL PRESIDENTS, GOOD MORNING.

ROBERT BURKETT, JEFFERSON FIREFIGHTERS, 7 BUNDY COURT IN KENDALL, LOUISIANA.

I RISE TO TALK ABOUT ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA ON THE SPECIAL DISTRICTS, I'LL START WITH RESOLUTION 31.

[01:00:02]

WHILE IT PROPOSES THAT IT'S A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT, IT GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN THAT.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN JEFFERSON PARISH, EAST AND WEST BANK HAVE HAD MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS FOR PROBABLY 70 YEARS.

ALL THE TIME THAT I WAS IN SERVICE, WE CERTAINLY HAD THEM, AND WE STILL PROVIDE THAT TODAY TO MAKE SURE OF NO...

NO DISTRICT WOULD BE LEFT IN TROUBLE DURING AN EMERGENCY.

SO I THINK THAT THIS ACTUALLY HAS SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

ONE, WHOEVER WROTE IT OBVIOUSLY HASN'T SPENT TWO MINUTES IN INCIDENT COMMAND, WHICH ALL OUR DEPARTMENTS RELY ON VERY HEAVILY AT ANY MAJOR SCENE.

IT TRAMPLES ON THE WHOLE VISION OF WHAT INCIDENT COMMAND IS.

AND I THINK ADOPTING IT COULD CERTAINLY CAUSE A PROBLEM.

IT ALSO TRAMPLES ON REVISED STATUTE 33-2101 ABOUT SPENDING MILLAGE MONEY FROM ONE DISTRICT AND ANOTHER, WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO A PROBLEM UNDER OUR CURRENT MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS.

SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO RETHINK THIS OR BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN YOU ADOPT IT.

ON RESOLUTION 32, WHICH IS THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, WHILE I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA TO HAVE SOMEBODY TAKE A LOOK.

I DON'T THINK IT GOES FAR ENOUGH.

I THINK WE NEED TO INCLUDE MAYBE SOME OTHER AGENCIES WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

YOU KNOW, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, THEY'RE WONDERFUL PEOPLE, DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW TO RUN A FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW HOW TO FIND THE EFFICIENCIES THAT YOU LOOK FOR.

WE CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED.

I DON'T THINK IT WOULD HURT TO HAVE MAYBE SOME PEOPLE FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY INCLUDED AND MAYBE THE CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS INCLUDED.

IN THIS REVIEW, YOU KNOW, WHERE WE COULD BRING IN SOME OTHER PROFESSIONALS TO DISCUSS WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WHERE THESE EFFICIENCIES COULD BE FOUND AND IMPLEMENTED.

I HAVE AN ANSWER TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON AN AGENDA ITEM OR AN ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEM THIS MORNING?

[ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED]

MADAM CLERK, SEEING NO ONE ELSE.

WISHING TO SPEAK.

WE'LL MOVE TO ORDINANCES TO BE DEFERRED.

I HAVE AN ITEM NOTE THAT ITEMS ONE AND TWO WILL BE CANCELED.

ITEMS THREE AND FOUR WILL BE DEFERRED TO APRIL 22ND.

COUNCILMAN LEE, WHAT'S YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE CANCELLATION OF ONE AND TWO AND THE DEFERRAL OF ITEMS THREE AND FOUR? I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

COUNCILMAN LEE MOVES AND OPEN VOTING.

TO CANCEL TWO ITEMS AND DEFER THE OTHER TWO.

I'M SORRY, COUNCILMAN BONANO IS ABSENT.

ENDING THE VOTING.

THE ITEM PASSES, SIX YAYS AND ONE ABSENT.

[PROFESSIONAL SERVICES]

ALL RIGHT, MOVING TO ITEM FIVE.

MADAM CLERK, ITEM FIVE.

A RESOLUTION SELECTING A PERSON OR FIRM FOR PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE LAFITTE DOCK AND FORD WALK PROJECT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.

COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR SELECTION.

MEYER ENGINEERING.

COUNCILMAN KERNER SELECTS THE HIGHEST SCORED MEYER ENGINEERING.

MOTION OF COUNCILMAN KERNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

I'M GOING TO OPEN THE VOTING.

THE ITEM PASSES, SIX YAYS, ONE ABSENCE.

ITEM SIX, MADAM CLERK.

A RESOLUTION SELECTING A PERSON OR FIRM TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE KENNER LAKE TOWN PARK AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, FUNDED BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR SELECTION.

THE HIGHEST SCORE, WHICH IS LINFIELD, HUNTER, AND JUNIA SEAM.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN SELECTS LINFIELD, HUNTER, AND JUNIUS, THE HIGHEST SCORER ON MOTION OF COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

I'M GOING TO OPEN VOTING ON THIS ITEM, ON THE SELECTION.

CLOSING THE VOTING, THE ITEM PASSES, SIX YAYS, ONE ABSENT ON THE SELECTION.

WE HAVE NO EXECUTIVE SESSIONS,

[ORDINANCES SCHEDULED FOR FINAL ADOPTION THIS DAY]

WHICH IS ITEM SEVEN.

MOVING TO THE ORDINANCES SCHEDULED FOR FINAL ADOPTION, I HAVE SEVERAL NOTES HERE.

DEFERRING ITEMS 8 AND 11 TO APRIL THE 22ND.

AND DEFERRING ITEM 12 TO APRIL THE 18TH.

COUNCILMAN LEE, IF YOU WILL

[01:05:01]

MOVE ON DEFERRING ITEMS 8 AND 11 TO APRIL 22ND AND 12 TO APRIL THE 8TH.

I MOVE.

COUNCILMAN LEE MOVES, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

I'M GOING TO START THE VOTE ON THESE DEFERRALS.

ALL RIGHT, SO WE'RE GOING TO GO NOW TO ITEM 9.

THE ITEMS PASS SIX YEAS,

[SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES]

ONE ABSENT.

MADAM CLERK, ITEM 9.

SUMMARY NUMBER 26690, RESUB OF LOT 34A, MONTERAN FARMS, UNIT 1 SUBDIVISION, INTO LOT 34C AND LOT 34D, MONTERAN FARMS, UNIT 1 SUBDIVISION, AND APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FINAL PLAT OF SAID SUBDIVISION, WS-119-25, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

OKAY, WE'RE WAIVING THE READING ON THIS ITEM.

ANYONE WISHES TO NOW SPEAK IN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOU ARE IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROJECT.

SIR, IF YOU COULD STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND SPEAK AS YOU WISH.

I AGREE.

AND I RECENTLY MOVED TO WAGAMAN ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO FROM HARAHAN.

AND WE PURCHASED THIS PROPERTY.

I OWN THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO IT.

AND WE BOUGHT THIS PROPERTY.

IT WAS A COW PASTURE.

AND POTENTIALLY WE BOUGHT THE PROPERTY TO JUST GO AHEAD AND KEEP FROM ANYBODY COMING IN TO BUILD A BIG RESIDENTIAL AREA, IF POSSIBLE, IN THERE.

WE DO HAVE A LOT OF POWER LINES, WHICH Y'ALL CAN SEE, WHICH WE CANNOT EVEN BUILD ON OR ANYTHING.

BUT THERE WAS PROPERTIES THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SUBDIVIDED.

POSSIBLY IN THE FUTURE AND MAKE SMALLER HOMES.

WE WERE TRYING TO AVOID THAT.

SO MY INTENTION WAS TO BREAK OUT ONE SMALL SECTION TO HELP MY DAUGHTER BUILD A NEW HOME IN THAT AREA ALSO.

THE REST OF IT'S JUST GOING TO REMAIN AS OPEN PASTURE.

WE'LL BE MAINTAINING THAT PROPERTY UNDERNEATH THOSE POWER LINES AND WE'RE ACTUALLY BUILDING THE ROAD IN THERE SO ACTUALLY THE POWER COMPANY WILL HAVE ACTUALLY BETTER ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM NUMBER NINE? ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK AGAINST? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT ONE SPOKE IN SUPPORT, NO ONE SPOKE IN OPPOSITION.

COUNCILMAN LEE, YOUR MOTION.

I DENY.

COUNCILMAN LEE MOVES TO DENY ITEM NINE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THE VOTING.

AND THEN, LILJEBERG, IF YOU WANT TO.

ALL RIGHT, THERE WE GO.

THE ITEM TO DENY PASSES WITH SIX IN FAVOR, ONE ABSENT.

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

ITEM 10, MADAM CLERK, WITH AMENDMENTS.

SUMMARY NUMBER 26652.

AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOT 1B1BB, SQUARE 22.

TARRYTOWN SUBDIVISION SECTION 2 LOCATED AT 111 WRIGHT AVENUE MORE PARTICULARLY AMENDING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM C1 CPV TO C2 CBZ WV-20-25 COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 AND I'LL DEFER TO MS. MARTIN WITH THE AMENDMENT.

THANK YOU, MS. MARTIN.

THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.

I BELIEVE WE READ THE AMENDMENTS AT THE PREVIOUS WEST BANK MEETING.

DO WE NEED TO PUT THEM ON THE RECORD AGAIN? OKAY.

MY APOLOGIES.

MY APOLOGIES AGAIN, COUNCILWOMAN.

SO WE ARE AMENDING SECTION 2 TO ADD A SECTION THAT SAYS THAT THE USE OF THE STRUCTURES LOCATED ON LOT 1B 1BB TARRYTOWN SUBDIVISION NUMBER 2A SHALL BE LIMITED AS FOLLOWS.

A 111 RIGHT 111A WRIGHT AVENUE SHALL BE LIMITED TO ONLY THOSE USES PERMITTED IN THE C1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT AS AMENDED AND B 111B WRIGHT AVENUE SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE USE ONLY AS AN EVENT HALL.

SECTION 3, THAT'S UPON THE SALE OF LOT 1B, 1BB, TARRYTOWN SUBDIVISION NUMBER 2A.

LOCATED AT 111A AND 111B WRIGHT AVENUE, THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF SAID LOT SHALL AUTOMATICALLY REVERT BACK TO THE C1 NEIGHBORHOOD

[01:10:01]

COMMERCIAL DISTRICT WITHOUT THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ACTION.

AND THEN A FINAL SECTION THAT THE OWNER HAS AGREED TO THIS TITLE RESTRICTION AND TO RECORD THIS ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO PUT THIRD PARTIES ON NOTICE OF THE REVERSION PROVISIONS.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENTS.

COUNCILMAN KERNER MOVES TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS.

PLEASE VOTE.

ALL RIGHT, CLOSING THE VOTE.

THE VOTE ON THE AMENDMENTS IS SIX IN FAVOR, ONE ABSENT.

COUNCILMAN KERNER, I'M SORRY, WE HAVE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM.

SO IF YOU WISH TO COME FORWARD TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 10.

IN SUPPORT, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COME FORWARD AND SPEAK AGAINST ITEM 10? MADAM CLERK, SEEING NO ONE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION? MOVE TO APPROVE.

COUNCILMAN KERNER MOVES TO APPROVE OPENING VOTING ON ITEM 10.

THE MEASURE PASSES, SIX IN FAVOR, ONE ABSENT.

ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE DEFERRED ITEM 11

[RECLASSIFICATION OF ZONING ORDINANCES - VARIANCES]

PREVIOUSLY AND ITEM 12, SO I BELIEVE WE GO TO ITEM 13.

MADAM CLERK? SUMMARY NUMBER 26695, APPROVING SP-87-25, VARIANCES TO THE SIGNED REGULATIONS OF THE CBZ FOR ZIA ROTISSERIE AND BAR LOCATED AT 4436 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD ON LOT Y1A, SECTION A, PONTCHARTRAIN GARDENS SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT WE CAN WAVE THE READING, EASY FOR ME TO SAY.

WE'RE NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 13.

IF ANYONE WISHES TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, LET'S FIRST DO SUPPORT.

ANYONE IN FAVOR OF ITEM NUMBER 13? SEEING NO ONE HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT.

ANYONE OPPOSED TO ITEM 13? OKAY, SEEING NO ONE APPROACHING TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OR AGAINST.

COUNCILMAN LILJERBERG, YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM? MOVE TO APPROVE.

COUNCILMAN LILJERBERG MOVES TO APPROVE.

YOU WILL PLEASE VOTE ON THIS ITEM.

ITEM 13 PASSES, 6 IN FAVOR AND 1 ABSENT.

[OTHER ORDINANCES]

MADAM CLERK, ITEM 14 WITH AMENDMENTS.

SUMMARY NUMBER 26672, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH BY ADDING A SECTION TO BE NUMBER 27-222 RELATIVE TO SMART WATER METER READINGS.

AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE UNDER SUBSECTION C TO CHANGE THE TRANSMITTER REMOVAL FEE FROM $350 TO $800.

UNDER SUBSECTION B TO CHANGE THE TRANSMITTER INSTALLATION FEE FROM $800 TO $350.

COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT.

MOVE TO AMEND.

OKAY, COUNCILMAN, CLEAR THE VOTE, SORRY.

OKAY, STARTING THE VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.

MOVED BY COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

AND COUNCILMAN, I THINK, YEAH, THERE WE GO, IT REGISTERED.

WE HAVE FIVE YAYS, ONE NAY.

AND ONE ABSENT ITEM THE AMENDMENTS FOR ITEM 14 PASS.

WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THE UM ACTUALLY WE DID THE PUBLIC HEARING SO VOTING NOW ON THE ITEM AS AMENDED STARTING THE VOTE YEAH IF I MAY COUNCIL WOMAN ABSOLUTELY I UH THE REASON I PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA YOU KNOW I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE A A UTILITY.

I HAD A CONSTITUENT COME AND ASK FOR THIS.

I ACTUALLY HAVE THE SMART METER.

I'M PART OF THE PILOT PROGRAM.

I LOVE THE SMART METER.

I THINK IT'S A GREAT TOOL FOR BOTH ME AND FOR ME AS A USER OF THIS SERVICE AND FOR A PUBLIC OFFICIAL BECAUSE I THINK IT'S MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.

HOWEVER, WE HAD SOMEBODY ASK TO OPT OUT.

I PUT THIS ON THE, YOU KNOW, WE LOOKED INTO OTHER UTILITIES.

WE SEE THAT THEY DO.

[01:15:01]

I THINK THAT AS A UTILITY, WE SHOULD HAVE GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS IS, WHICH IS WHY I PUT IT ON HERE.

WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING THAT WAS DOABLE AND SOMETHING THAT WE COULD AFFORD, AND THIS IS WHERE WE ARE.

SO I MOVE.

ANYONE ELSE HAVE A QUESTION TO SPEAK? AGAIN, SO COUNCILMAN LILJBERG MOVED TO, WHAT'S UP, MOVED TO, OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, SO ON THIS ITEM, LET'S OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW THAT THE AMENDMENTS HAVE PASSED.

AGAIN, ITEM 14, ANYBODY WISHING TO SPEAK IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK AGAINST? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT NO ONE DESIRES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

NOW, COUNCILMAN LILJBERG.

COUNCILMAN LILJBERG MOVES TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS AMENDED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

WE HAVE FIVE YAYS, ONE NAY, AND ONE ABSENT.

14796, THE PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF JEFFERSON PARISH TO CREATE THE NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION OF PARKS AND RECREATION BUSINESS MANAGER.

MADAM CLERK, ITEM 15.

SUMMARY NUMBER 26696.

AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.

OKAY, WE'RE NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER, SUMMARY NUMBER 26696.

ANYONE WISHING TO APPEAR IN FAVOR, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE WISHING TO APPEAR AGAINST? MADAM CLERK, SEEING NO ONE IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION, I'M GOING TO OPEN THE VOTING ON THIS ITEM.

I NEED A MOTION.

MOTION BY, LET'S SEE, WHO IS THIS? PARISHWIDE COUNCILMAN WALKER.

OOPS.

MOVE TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN WALKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

AGAIN, OPENING THE VOTING.

YAYS, NO NAYS, AND ONE ABSENT.

SIX.

I WENT TO ITEM 16, MADAM CLERK.

SUMMARY NUMBER 26697, AMENDING THE 2026 OPERATING BUDGET.

AND THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE ARE TO ALLOCATE $3,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 5'S OFF-TRACK BETTING FUND.

FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CEA WITH CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC FOUNDATION INCORPORATED TO ASSIST IN CREATING, SPONSORING, AND PROMOTING NEW EVENTS IN JEFFERSON PARISH TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TOURISM, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.

TO ALLOCATE $25,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CEA WITH TARRYTOWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED TO SPONSOR TWO EASTER EGG HUNTS AT THE ESTELLE PLAYGROUND AND AT WOODLAND WEST PARK.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.

ALLOCATE $240 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 5'S VIDEO POKER FUND FOR JPSO TRAFFIC DETAIL AT RIDGEWOOD DRIVE AT AIRLINE HIGHWAY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5, TO ALLOCATE $53,500 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 2'S WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING FUND FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CEA WITH EAG GULF COAST LLC TO ACCOMMODATE AN ADDITIONAL CONSULTING WORK STREAM UNDER THE SCOPE OF WORK.

ECONOMIC FEASIBLE OF FORMING CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT PAYROLL ANALYSIS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

ALLOCATE $150,000 FROM COUNCIL DISTRICT 1'S HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT 1 FUND FOR A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CEA WITH THE STONEBRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT AND BEAUTIFICATION DISTRICT, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TO PROVIDE FUNDING TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARK IMPROVEMENTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.

COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE AMENDMENT.

A LOT OF AMENDMENTS.

COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS.

VOTING IS OPEN ON THE ITEM AMENDMENTS, PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.

COUNCILWOMAN BAHAMIAN.

GREAT.

SIX YAYS ON THE AMENDMENTS AND ONE ABSENT.

WE NOW ARE OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUMMARY NUMBER ITEM 26.

06, 9, 7.

ANYBODY WISHING TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 16, THE OPERATING BUDGET AS AMENDED? ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE, COMING FORWARD.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE THAT NO ONE APPEARED.

COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM IS AMENDED.

[01:20:01]

MOVED TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.

COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES TO APPROVE AS AMENDED, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

PLEASE VOTE.

CLOSING THE VOTING, THE ITEM PASSES AS AMENDED, SIX YAYS, ONE ABSENT.

MADAM CLERK, ITEM 17.

SUMMARY NUMBER 26698, AMENDING THE 2026 CAPITAL BUDGET.

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUMMARY NUMBER 26698, WHICH IS THE CAPITAL BUDGET.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE CAPITAL BUDGET, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK AGAINST? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOTE NO ONE APPEARED.

COUNCILMAN WALKER? MOVE.

COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES TO APPROVE SUMMARY NUMBER 26698, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

ALL RIGHT, VOTING IS CLOSED.

THE ITEM PASSES, SIX YAYS, NO NAYS, ONE ABSENT.

[RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR]

ITEM NUMBER 18, RESOLUTION AND MOTIONS FROM THE FLOOR, MADAM CLERK.

COUNCILMAN KERNER.

ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR.

A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO CHAMPION SPORTS MANAGEMENT LLC 11080 NICOLE BOULEVARD IN WEST WIGO, PERMISSION TO CONDUCT A BAYOU NATION TOURNAMENT ON MARCH 20TH, 2026 TO APRIL 19TH, 2026 FROM 8 A.M.

UNTIL 8 P.M.

ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE TO FIRST APPROVE WHETHER THIS ITEM IS IN, IF WE ARE IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.

SO WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THE VOTING ON THE ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR BY COUNCILMAN LEE.

THE ITEM IS ALLOWED TO COME FROM THE FLOOR.

COUNCILMAN LEE.

WAIT, I NEED A PUBLIC HEARING, CORRECT, MADAM CLERK? YES.

ALL RIGHT, LET ME DO THAT.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR? PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE WISHING TO APPEAR FOR OR AGAINST? SEEING NO ONE APPEAR, COUNCILMAN LEE, MOTION.

I MOVE.

COUNCILMAN LEE MOVES FOR APPROVAL OF THE ITEM SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

MADAM CLERK? COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

I HAVE NONE.

COUNCILMAN WALKER? NONE.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN? I HAVE NONE.

COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG? NEVER ONE.

YES, SIR.

A RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO WHISKEY COWBOY SALOON 1300 NORTH CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD IN METAIRIE TO HOST A BENEFIT BLOCK PARTY ON SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026 FROM 11 A.M.

UNTIL 7 P.M.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR, PLEASE VOTE.

I'M NOT SURE YOURS, THERE WE GO.

COUNCILMAN KERNER, IF YOU WISH TO VOTE.

SIX YAYS, ZERO NAYS, ONE ABSENT, SO THE ITEM IS ALLOWED TO COME FROM THE FLOOR.

CLOSE THE VOTING.

NOW WE'RE OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THIS ITEM COMING FROM THE FLOOR.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

NOBODY HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT WHISKEY AND PARTYING? ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK AGAIN? ALL RIGHT, SEEING NO ONE APPEAR TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, MADAM CLERK, THE PUBLIC HEARING ENDS.

AND WE, COUNCILMAN LILJERBERG, YOUR MOTION ON THE ITEM.

COUNCILMAN LILJERBERG MOVES TO APPROVE THE ITEM.

THE ITEM PASSED WITH SIX YAYS, ZERO NAYS, ONE ABSENT.

[CONSENT AGENDA ONE]

AND I'VE COMPLETED THE ROLL.

ALL THE ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR.

CONSENT AGENDA 1, AND AGAIN WE MAY HAVE SOME CHANGES, BUT LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET THEM.

COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE ENGLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS NUMBER 19 THROUGH 52.

DO WE HAVE TO PULL ANY OUT, MADAM CLERK? OKAY, 19 THROUGH 52, COUNCILMAN WALKER? MOVE.

COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES TO APPROVE ITEMS NUMBERS 19 THROUGH 52.

START THE VOTING.

THAT'S THE FASTEST YET.

[CONSENT AGENDA TWO]

ARE THOSE ITEMS PASSED IN GLOBO?

[01:25:01]

LET'S GO TO ITEM 53.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ ITEM 53.

A RESOLUTION SELECTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED FIRMS ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NO.

144993, ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2024, AND RESOLUTION NO.

146267, ADOPTED ON APRIL 30, 2025, FOR ROUTINE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR STREET PROJECTS WHICH SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE DESIGN OF DICKERY AVENUE MULTI-USE PATH.

PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT NUMBER 2025-015-RB, COUNCIL DISTRICT THIS IS THE DISTRICT 2 SELECTION, BUT AS COUNCILMAN DEANO BONANO IS NOT HERE WITH US THIS MORNING, I UNDERSTAND COUNCILMAN LEE IS GOING TO MOVE ON TO SELECTION.

ON BEHALF OF COUNCILMAN BONANO, HE SELECTS ALL SOUTH ENGINEERING AS A PRIME AND QUALITY ENGINEERING AS A SUB.

OKAY, ALL SOUTH AS PRIME AND QUALITY ENGINEERING AS SUB, AS MOVED BY COUNCILMAN LEE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN ON BEHALF OF COUNCILMAN BONANO.

WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THE VOTING ON THE SELECTION.

ALL RIGHT, NOW CONSENT AGENDA COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE IN-GLOBO ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 54 THROUGH 140 MINUS 58, WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED.

THE SELECTION PASSED.

AND 56 NEEDS TO BE PULLED.

AND 56? OKAY, SO PULLING 56 AND PULLING 58.

SO IN-GLOBO ADOPTION OF ITEMS 54 THROUGH 140, PULLING 56 AND 58.

COUNCILMAN? MOVE.

STARTING THE VOTE ON THE IN GLOBO ADOPTION OF THESE ITEMS. CONSENT AGENDA 2.

ALRIGHT, SO WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ITEM 56.

THE ITEMS PASSED.

6 YAY, 0 NAY, 1 ABSENT.

A RESOLUTION URGING THE JEFFERSON PARISH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO SUPPORT AN ENDEAVOR TO HAVE ENACTED HOUSE BILL 892 OF THE 2026 REGULAR SESSION.

WHICH AUTHORIZES THE CREATION OF THE WEST END ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IN JEFFERSON AND ORLEANS PARISHES.

COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG? MOVE TO APPROVE.

COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG MOVES TO APPROVE THIS ITEM.

COUNCILMAN, WE'RE GOING TO NOTE THAT COUNCILMAN WALKER IS ABSTAINING FROM THE VOTE.

COUNCILMAN LILJEBERG IS MOVING FOR APPROVAL, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THE VOTING.

FIVE YAYS, ZERO NAYS, ONE ABSTENTION, AND ONE ABSENT.

AND AMEN, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S REGARDING

[OTHER RESOLUTIONS (DEFERRED)]

WEST END, AND THAT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

ITEM 58, MADAM CLERK.

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON AND THE JEFFERSON PARISH FINANCE AUTHORITY.

TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATION OF FUNDING FOR THE NEW ORLEANS EDUCATION LEAGUE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO IMPLEMENT AND MANAGE A RESIDENTIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO ENHANCE, TRANSFORM, AND REVITALIZE THE HOUSING STOCK OF THE LOWER MARARO NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE CITIZENS LIVING IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND PROMOTE FUTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $85,000.

AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE, IN THE RESOLUTION TO THE TITLE, THE NAME CHANGES TO LOWER MARRERO RESIDENTIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

IN THE SUMMARY, WHEREAS, CAUSES, AND SECTION ONE.

AND IT MENDS THE SCOPE OF THE CEA AGREEMENT TO CLARIFY THE NUMBER OF HOMES THAT WILL BE IMPROVED AS UP TO 10 HOUSES, ADDS THE BOUNDARIES FOR THE PROGRAM, AND ADDS THE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION.

AND THAT IS ALL THE AMENDMENTS I HAVE.

OKAY, GREAT.

COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION ON THE AMENDMENT.

MOVE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS.

COUNCILMAN KERNER MOVES TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS.

WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THE VOTING.

COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION AS AMENDED.

THE AMENDMENTS PASS.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M VERY EXCITED.

WE'VE SEEN WHAT A PILOT PROGRAM

[01:30:01]

DID IN TARRYTOWN AND HOW IT'S STARTING TO SPREAD, EVEN PEOPLE WITHOUT THE PROGRAM, JUST DOWN THOSE STREETS.

IT'S OPPOSITE A BROKEN WINDOW THEORY.

IT'S WHERE PEOPLE ARE PAINTING THE FRONT OF THEIR HOUSES OR ADDING BEAUTIFUL LIGHTS.

THEIR NEIGHBORS ARE DOING IT.

SO I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT FORESEES THE HOMES THAT GETS DONE.

SO I WANT TO THANK MY TWO COLLEAGUES.

AT LARGE, COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN AND COUNCILMAN SCOTT WALKER FOR PARTNERING IN THIS PILOT.

LOWER MARRERO IS A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL PLACE, AND THE WHOLE GOAL WITH THIS PROGRAM IS TO EXTEND THE PROGRESS THEY ALREADY HAVE IN THAT LOWER MARRERO OUTWARDS, GOING UP TOWARDS AMES AND THAT SOUTHERN AREA, WHICH I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT, BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE DESERVE A LOT OF HELP.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

BASED ON THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE.

COUNCILMAN KERNER MOVES FOR APPROVAL OF THE ITEM AS AMENDED.

WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THE VOTING ON THE ITEM AS AMENDED.

[ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS]

I BELIEVE, MADAM CLERK, THAT TAKES US TO THE ADDENDUM AGENDA, ITEM 141.

COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR...

MOTION REGARDING ITEMS 1 THROUGH 28 LET ME MAKE SURE WE HAVE THIS MINUS ITEM 21 AND ITEM 22 DOUBLE-CHECKING BECAUSE WE HAD SOME LAST-MINUTE CHANGES SO PULLING ITEM 21 AND 22 AND THAT IS IT.

SO, COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION IN GLOBO, ADOPTION OF ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS 1 THROUGH 28 MINUS 22, WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED, 21, WHICH IS TO BE AMENDED, SORRY, AND 22, WHICH IS TO BE DEFERRED TO APRIL THE 8TH.

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.

MOVED BY COUNCILMAN WALKER.

ADDENDUM AGENDA ITEMS PASSED.

SIX YAYS, NO NAYS, ONE ABSENT.

CLEARING THOSE VOTES.

MADAM CLERK, WE'LL GO TO ITEM NUMBER 21 FOR AMENDMENTS.

A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE POWERS OF JEFFERSON AND EAG GULF COAST LLC, INCREASING THE TOTAL CONTRACT CAP BY $53,500.

FOR A NEW TOTAL CONTRACT CAP OF $202,500 TO ACCOMMODATE AN ADDITIONAL CONSULTING WORK STREAM UNDER THE SCOPE OF WORK, ECONOMIC FEASIBLE OF FORMING CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT PAYROLL ANALYSIS, AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT TERM FOR AN ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR UNTIL APRIL 7, 2027.

AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE IN SECTION 2 THAT THE ACCOUNT NUMBER 2204027727331 20722 SHOULD BE 220402772733120472000, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, WEST BANK RIVERBOAT GAMING.

ALRIGHT, AND THIS IS ITEM 21, CORRECT? YES, MA'AM.

OKAY, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE.

COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION REGARDING THE AMENDMENTS.

COUNCILMAN KERNER WILL MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF THOSE AMENDMENTS.

I'M GOING TO OPEN THE VOTING ON THIS ITEM.

ALL RIGHT, VOTING IS OPEN.

COUNCILMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

CLOSING THE VOTING ON THIS ITEM.

THE ITEM AMENDMENTS ARE APPROVED.

6 YAYS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT.

COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION ON THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED.

COUNCILMAN KERNER MOVES TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS AMENDED.

WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THE VOTING ON THIS ITEM.

I BELIEVE WE GO TO ITEM 29.

ITEM PASSES.

CLERK.

[01:35:51]

TO DEFER THIS ITEM.

OKAY, SO THIS ITEM 29? YEAH.

22.

ALRIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO ITEM 22.

22, I'M SORRY, ON THE ADDENDUM AGENDA.

OKAY, YES.

AND THAT ITEM, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO DEFER TO APRIL THE 8TH, WHICH IS THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.

SO I WILL MOVE FOR DEFERRAL, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN KERNER, AND THAT IS ITEM 22.

OPEN THE VOTING.

ON THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM 22 TO THE APRIL 8TH COUNCIL MEETING.

SO THIS IS ITEM 22 BEING DEFERRED TO APRIL THE 8TH.

THE ITEM PASSES FOR DEFERRAL.

SIX YEAS, ZERO NAYS, ONE ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

NOW I'LL BELIEVE.

ALL RIGHT, ITEM 29, AND I HAVE A NOTE THAT COUNCILMAN KERNER WISHES FOR THIS ITEM TO BE DEFERRED TO THE APRIL 8TH COUNCIL MEETING.

CAN WE ACTUALLY PUSH IT BACK TO THE NEXT WEST BANK MEETING? OKAY, SO APRIL 22ND.

COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR ITEM FOR DEFERRAL? MOVE TO DEFER.

SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, VOTING ON THE DEFERRAL OF ITEM NUMBER 29.

THE ITEM IS DEFERRED BY APPROVAL OF SIX TO ZERO, SIX YEAS, ZERO NAYS, ONE ABSENT.

THE ITEM IS DEFERRED TO APRIL THE 22ND.

MADAM CLERK, ITEM NUMBER 30 ON THE ADDENDUM.

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE POWERS OF JEFFERSON AND THE STONEBRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT.

AND BEAUTIFICATION DISTRICT, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TO PROVIDE FUNDING TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARK IMPROVEMENTS TO INCLUDE ONE TENNIS COURT INTO TWO PICKLEBALL COURTS, A PAVILION, A WALKING TRAIL, AND A SMALL PLAYGROUND IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $250,000, WHICH WILL FOSTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000.

FOR A NEW AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $400,000, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.

COUNCILMAN KERNER, YOUR MOTION ON ITEM 30? MOVE TO APPROVE.

COUNCILMAN KERNER MOVES TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, STARTING THE VOTE ON THIS MATTER.

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE POWERS OF JEFFERSON...

ITEM 30 PASSES.

MADAM CLERK, ITEM 31.

EAST BANK CONSOLIDATED SPECIAL SERVICE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, AND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS NUMBERS 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, AND 9 OF THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA.

THIS IS DISTRICT 2, BUT COUNCILMAN BYRON LEE IS GOING TO MOVE.

MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

COUNCILMAN LEE MOVES FOR APPROVAL, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

WE'RE GOING TO START THE VOTE ON THIS ITEM.

ITEM 31 PASSES.

I HAVE A NOTE THAT ITEM 2 IS TO BE, I MEAN ITEM 32 ON THE ADDENDUM IS TO BE DEFERRED TO APRIL 8TH.

MOVE, COUNCILMAN WALKER.

COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES TO DEFER ITEM 32 TO THE APRIL 8TH MEETING, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

OPENING THE VOTE.

THE ITEM PASSES TO BE DEFERRED.

[01:40:01]

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF LOTS 1 AND 2, SQUARE E, WOODLAKE SUBDIVISION IN KENNER FROM 5 PROPERTIES LLC FOR THE VILLAGE DRIVE DRAINAGE PUMP STATION PROJECT AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.

MADAM CLERK, ITEM 32.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN, YOUR MOTION? MOVE TO APPROVE.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN MOVES TO APPROVE, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

VOTING IS OPEN ON THIS ITEM 33.

ALL RIGHT, THERE WE GO.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF LOTS 3 AND 4, SQUARE E, WOODLAKE SUBDIVISION KENNER FROM M.

MADAM CLERK, ITEM 34.

TONTI, LLC FOR THE VINTAGE DRIVE DRAINAGE PUMP STATION PROJECT AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 4.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN.

COUNCILWOMAN BOHANNAN MOVES FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 34, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

THE ITEM PASSES 6 YAYS, 0 NAYS, 1 ABSENT.

[JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICTS]

ITEM 34 PASSES.

MADAM CLERK, AGENDA ITEM 142, I BELIEVE, AND THIS IS JEFFERSON PARISH SPECIAL DISTRICT, SO ITEM 142.

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A ONE-TIME ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,397.35.

FOR FIRE HOSE TESTING, THE PURCHASE OF PAGERS AND ACCESSORIES, AND THE PURCHASE OF AN INSTALLATION OF A NEW ICE MAKER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO.

7 OF THE POWERS OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND THE AVONDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, DATED MARCH 7, 2018, COUNCIL DISTRICTS 2 AND 3.

COUNCILMAN LEE? I MOVE ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND COUNCILMAN BONANO.

COUNCILMAN LEE MOVES FOR APPROVAL.

APPROVAL ON BEHALF OF HIMSELF AND COUNCILMAN BONANO, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN FRANKEN.

I'M GOING TO OPEN VOTING ON THIS ITEM.

CLOSING VOTING.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO ADVERTISE FOR SUBMITTALS OF STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS FROM PROFESSIONAL FIRMS OR INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE A CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE JEFFERSON PARISH, JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT 1 AND JEFFERSON PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT 2.

ITEM NUMBER 143.

COUNCILMAN WALKER? MOVE.

COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES FOR APPROVAL, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

WE'RE GOING TO OPEN VOTING ON 143.

CLOSING VOTE.

I SEE NO NEW BUSINESS, NO STATUS REPORTS.

ITEM 143, PASSIVE.

SO WE ARE NOW AT THE PORTION OF OUR COUNCIL MEETING WHERE IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEM, IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ON THE AGENDA, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.

AND...

[ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION IN SUMMARY]

SEEING NO ONE, MADAM CLERK, CLAPPING FROM COUNCILMAN WALKER NOTED, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE READ THE ORDINANCES TO BE READ INTO SUMMARY.

THE FIRST ONE I'M GOING TO READ IS GOING TO REQUIRE A UNANIMOUS VOTE.

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 27-923 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, RELATIVE TO THE INFORMATION SUBMITTED WITH INVOICES AND TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER RELATED MATTERS.

OKAY, SO WE FIRST NEED TO VOTE TO TAKE THIS ITEM FROM THE FLOOR.

SO WE'RE OPENING THAT ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER.

ON MOTION OF COUNCILMAN WALKER.

BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN.

SO THIS IS TO TAKE THE ITEM TO BE READ INTO SUMMARY.

OKAY, SIX YAYS, ZERO NAYS, ONE ABSENT.

THERE WE GO.

SO IT IS ALLOWED TO BE READ HAVING VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

AND THEN WE'LL JUST ADOPT IT AND DO THE REST OF IT.

OKAY, GREAT.

YEP.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOT 6, TARRYTOWN SECTION NO.

07, LOCATED AT 2020 SOUTH GLENCOVE LANE, AMENDING THE

[01:45:01]

ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM C1 TO R1A AND THE REMOVAL OF THE CBZ.

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION OF LOT 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, SQUARE 4, ELMWOOD BUSINESS PARK SUBDIVISION AND A PARCEL 2, NB1.

ELMWOOD INDUSTRIAL PARK SUBDIVISION INTO LOT BM1 AND BM2 SQUARE AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAN OF SUBDIVISION OF LOT 1A TRACK B COLONIAL FARM SUBDIVISION AND LOTS 3A2 AND 3A3 SQUARE 3 INTO LOT 1A1 TRACK B.

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING REQUESTED VARIANCES TO THE SIGNED REGULATIONS OF THE IMU FOR SMALL SLIDERS LOCATED AT 845 SOUTH CLEARVIEW PARKWAY ON LOT 3F2A, CLEARVIEW COMMERCIAL PARK EXTENSION SUBDIVISION.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.

26997 ADOPTED ON MAY 21, 2025 TO EXTEND THE PERIOD OF COMPLETION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT APPROVED UNDER SP-95-24.

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE AREA REGULATIONS OF THE CBZ FOR A MBP MEDICAL CLINIC GENERATOR.

AT 2800 VETERANS MEMORIAL BOULEVARD ON LOT XA, RIDGEWAY TERRACE SUBDIVISION, WHITNEY BANK.

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A VARIANCE TO THE HEIGHT AND LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS OF THE GO2 IN CPV FOR A NEW COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 1215 AND 1301 CLEARVIEW PARKWAY ON LOTS 11C AND 10A, BRIDGEDALE, SECTION C SUBDIVISION.

AN ORDINANCE DECLARING A PORTION OF TEXAS STREET, RIGHT-OF-WAY, OAKDALE SUBDIVISION, SECTION B, PREVIOUS MUNICIPAL ADDRESS 431 HOLMES BOULEVARD, TARRYTOWN, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE SAID PROPERTY.

AMENDING THE 2026 OPERATING BUDGET.

AMENDING THE 2026 CAPITAL BUDGET.

ALL THE ORDINANCES TO BE READ INTO SUMMARY.

ALL THE ORDINANCES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CLERK.

COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION.

COUNCILMAN WALKER MOVES TO APPROVE THESE ITEMS BEING READ INTO SUMMARY.

SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, THE VOTING IS OPEN.

FIVE YAYS, ZERO NAYS, TWO ABSENT.

AND SO THOSE ITEMS ARE APPROVED HAVING BEEN READ INTO SUMMARY.

ANYONE, I KNOW THIS IS OUR LAST MEETING BEFORE EASTER, I BELIEVE, RIGHT? ANYBODY WANT TO SAY ANY, AGAIN, ANY REMINDERS OF GRADES OR ANYTHING YOU WANT? OTHERWISE, I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

I MEAN, WE HAVE THE IRISH-ITALIAN PARADE SUNDAY, WHICH WE'VE MENTIONED, SO EVERYBODY MAKE SURE YOU GO TO THAT ONE.

IT'S OUR BIGGEST PARADE IN JEFFERSON PARISH.

EXCELLENT.

YEAH, AND ST.

JOSEPH'S DAY IS TOMORROW, SO FOR ALL OF THOSE OF ITALIAN HERITAGE, WE WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY A HAPPY ST.

JOSEPH'S DAY, MARCH 19TH.

COUNCILMAN WALKER? HAPPY EASTER.

AND YOUR MOTION TO ADJOURN? MOVE.

IF YOU WILL VOTE ON ADJOURNING THIS MEETING.

LET ME CLEAR THIS.

AND WE, I BELIEVE, IN RECORD TIME ARE ADJOURNED.

WAIT.

WE HAVE TOO MANY OUT.

WE GOT, COME ON, Y'ALL, ON THE ITEM TO ADJOURN.

WAIT, LET ME CLEAR THIS.

COUNCILMAN WALKER, YOUR MOTION TO ADJOURN? MOVE.

SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN VAN VRANCKEN, OPENING THE VOTE ON ADJOURNING.

THERE WE GO.