[00:00:01]
WE'RE GOING TO CALL[Call to Order]
THIS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, 2021 REGULAR MEETING OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO ORDER ASHLEY, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM? WE HAVE A QUORUM AT THIS TIME.I WILL ASK, UH, THE GENTLE LADY FROM THE LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY TO INTRODUCE FROM THE DISTRICT OF COUNCIL, DISTRICT 11, TO INTRODUCE OUR GUESTS WHO WILL LEAD US IN THE INVITATION AS WELL AS THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
UH, OFFERING OUR OPENING PRAYER WILL BE DR.
DAVID GOZA SENIOR PASTOR AT JEFFERSON BAPTIST CHURCH.
JEFFERSON BAPTIST CHURCH IS A VIBRANT FAITH COMMUNITY IN DISTRICT 11 THAT HAS FLOURISHED UNDER DR.
AND THEN THIS EVENING TO SAY OUR PLEDGE I'VE INVITED RAPHAEL NUNEZ.
UH, RAFAEL CAME TO AMERICA AND, UM, FROM BRAZIL IN 2016, I BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH HIM WHEN HE WAS HIRED TO TEACH SPANISH AT PARKVIEW AND COACH THE GIRLS' SOCCER TEAM.
UM, WANT Y'ALL TO JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING, MR. NUNEZ AND PASSING HIS AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP TEST IN JANUARY
IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE WITH YOU.
WE PAUSE RIGHT NOW BEFORE THIS BUSINESS BEGINS AND WE COME BEFORE YOU AND ASK FATHER THAT YOU WILL GIVE WISDOM AND DIRECTION AND DISCERNMENT TO THIS, OUR CITY COUNCIL, AND EACH ONE OF THE MEMBERS GOT ME.
MAY YOU MOVE UPON THEM? GOD, WE PRAY FOR UNITY IN OUR CITY.
IN BATON ROUGE, GOD, WE PRAY FOR UNITY.
WE PRAY FOR PEACE AND WE PRAY FOR PROSPERITY THAT WE CAN LIVE TOGETHER IN HARMONY AND SERVE YOU FAITHFULLY.
SO I PRAY FOR THE CITY COUNCIL AND PRAY OVER THE CITY COUNCIL IN THE NAME OF JESUS THAT YOU'D GIVE THEM ONE MIND TO ACCOMPLISH BUSINESS.
IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE CITIZENS OF OUR CITY, AND GOD WILL HONOR AND GLORIFY YOUR NAME.
AND I PRAY THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO A MAP OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FALL AGAIN, REGULATIONS, MR. NUNEZ.
WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOU AS ALWAYS.
WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR CITY PAIRS EMPLOYEES BEING HERE FOR ANOTHER MEETING.
ONE THING TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, COMING BACK THAT IS PRAY, FATHER, FRIEND, AND BROTHERS, UH, OUR SUFFERING.
I PARTICULARLY WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR, UH, DPW EMPLOYEES FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND YOUR SERVICE LAST WEEK DURING THE WINTER STORM.
UH, THOSE GENTLEMEN AND LADIES WHO ARE OUT IN THE FREEZING COLD, UH, KEEPING OUR STREETS CLEAR, PICKING UP ALL OF THE FALLING DEBRIS AND TREE LIMBS.
AND SO OFTENTIMES I KNOW I WOULD DPW EMPLOYEES DON'T GO RECOGNIZE.
AND AT A CERTAIN POINT, WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT DOING SOMETHING TO SUPPORT THOSE INDIVIDUALS, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH, UH, FOR YOUR SERVICE, WANT TO THINK IT'S ALSO THOSE CITIZENS.
UH, WE KNOW IN OUR CITY WHO ARE OUT THERE, UH, BEING GOOD NEIGHBORS, ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO STAY IN WITH THEM WHEN THEY LOST ELECTRICITY.
AND THAT IS WHAT THE TRUE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY IS ALL ABOUT.
UH, I WANT TO THANK PARTICULARLY OUR UTILITY COMPANY WHILE ALL OF US PERHAPS WERE FRUSTRATED WITH THEM.
LAST WEEK, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE NEIGHBORING STATE OF TEXAS, UH, THERE WAS SOME EXTREME CHALLENGES AND THEY ARE STILL DEALING WITH SOME EXTREME CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF WATER AND ELECTRICITY.
AND WHILE WE ARE WE'RE INCONVENIENCED FOR A FEW DAYS HERE IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, UH, I THINK, UH, WE FELT A GREAT DEAL BETTER THAN SOME OTHER MUNICIPALITIES AROUND THE STATE, AS WELL AS AROUND THIS REGION AS A RESULT OF THE WINTER STORM.
SO THANK YOU SINCERELY, UH, TO ALL OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND PITCHED IN AND HELPED OUT RIGHT NOW.
THE POINT OF PERFECT PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, I WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU TO DENNIS MCCAIN AND HIS OFFICE.
I KNOW THEY ARE NOT IN HERE, BUT THEY TAKE CARE OF US AT EVERY MEETING
[00:05:01]
THAT MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ALREADY, WE NEED, JAMIE ALWAYS IS HERE TO TAKE PICTURES.THAT'D BE SO MUCH TO DENNIS MCKENNA.
LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
I BET YOU ALL RECOGNIZE, UH, I LIKE CELEBRATE PEOPLE.
SOMETIMES WE NEED TO CELEBRATE PEOPLE FOR THE LITTLE THINGS AND THAT WAY, WHEN, UH, WE CELEBRATE THEM, WE CAN WORK BETTER TOGETHER
[Introductions]
AT THIS TIME.ASHLEY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE INTRODUCTIONS SECTION 2.12 INTRODUCTIONS.
NUMBER TWO, A SUPPLEMENTAL BOND RESOLUTION AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING AMENDED AND RESTATED GENERAL BOND RESOLUTION FOUR, FOUR EIGHT, NINE, THREE, PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF MULTI MODAL REVENUE RE REFUNDING BONDS SERIES 2021 A OF THE EAST BATON ROUGE, SUICIDE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED GENERAL BOND RESOLUTION, PRESCRIBING THE TERM, PRESCRIBING THE FORM, FIXING THE DETAILS AND PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE SERIES 2021, A REFUNDING BONDS AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE WITH, BY BOND COUNSEL, NUMBER THREE, AMENDING THE APPROPRIATION OF NOT TO EXCEED $175,000 OF SU I'M SORRY.
I WAS $175 MILLION OF SEWER REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS SERIES 2028 OF THE EAST BATON ROUGE, PARISH, SEWAGE COMMISSION, AND ANY OTHER FINANCING SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CURRENT REFUNDING, THE 2021, A SEWER REVENUE BONDS TO PAY THE TERMINATION PAYMENTS DUE TO BANK OF AMERICA IN A, IN CONNECTION WITH THE TERMINATION OF THE BANK OF AMERICA, SWAP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND BANK OF AMERICA IN A AND PAYING THE ASSOCIATED COST OF ISSUANCE BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE AND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.
NUMBER FOUR, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, FOR THE STATE TO PROVIDE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF TWO MILLION SIXTY THREE THOUSAND SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE POLICE DEPART DEPARTMENT.
CORONAVIRUS EXPENSES FROM FUNDING PROVIDED IN ACT 25 OF THE 20, 22ND EXTRAORDINARY SESSION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR SAID PURPOSE NUMBER FIVE, CREATING THE HARVEST IN RE UH, ROAD LIGHTING DISTRICT TO PROVIDE AS PROVIDED IN THE PETITION RECEIVED BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL AND ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF THE ROAD LENDING DISTRICT BY COUNCILMAN ROWDY, GOOD DAY, NUMBER SIX, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER ENTITLED STANLEY WILLIAMS VERSUS DOCKERY PRAISE JOHN IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000 PLUS COURT COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $274 AND APPROPRIATING THAT SUM FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY NUMBER SEVEN, AMENDING RESOLUTION FIVE, FIVE, FOUR, THREE ADOPTED BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL APPROVED ON FEBRUARY 10TH, 2021, WHICH AUTHORIZED THE SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER ENTITLED ANDREA WILLIAMS AT AL VS.
THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND THE AMOUNT OF $4,500,000 INCLUSIVE COSTS ATTORNEY'S FEES AND ANY OTHER AMOUNTS TO CHANGE THE PAYMENT TERMS TO AN INITIAL PAYMENT OF $2 MILLION, BUT THE BALANCE TO BE PAID IN TWO EQUAL INSTALLMENTS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND APPROPRIATING TOTAL OF $10 MILLION FOR THE INITIAL PAYMENT, NUMBER 48, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT, LOUISIANA, LLC, TO PERFORM ADDITIONAL SERVICES AT THE NORTH LANDFILL.
AND I'D ON A TASK BASIS AND AUTHORIZE AND A BUDGET SUPPLEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $950,000 FOR THE SERVICES TO BE PAID IN THE 2021 BUDGET BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR, NUMBER 51, AUTHORIZING A BUDGET SUPPLEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF 1 MILLION, $200,000 FOR DEBRIS COLLECTION AND MONITORING AND RESPONSE TO WINTER STORM URI BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR, THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS REQUESTED TO AMEND ITEM.
I APOLOGIZE THE WILLIAM'S SETTLEMENT ITEM TO INDICATE THAT IT CAN BE HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SO A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS WITH THE NOTED AMENDMENT IS AN ORDER MOST OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBER DONE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER, HUDSON SHOWING NONE, ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN READ LADIES
[Condemnations (Part 1 of 2)]
AND GENTLEMEN, IF YOU DON'T MIND, WE'LL GO TO YOUR SEPARATE SHEET FOR CONDEMNATIONS.I WILL READ A CONDEMNATION RECOMMENDATION FROM DPW IS TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 56 57 58, 59 62 63 64 66 67, 68 69, 71 72 AND 73 DEFER FOR 30 DAYS ITEMS 60 65 AND 70 AND DELETE ITEM 61.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THE CONDEMNATION ITEMS, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON CONDEMNATIONS, HAVING KNOWN GOING BACK TO COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANYONE, ANY CONCERN OR CONDEMNATIONS
[00:10:01]
GOTCHA.COUNCIL MEMBERS THAN ANYBODY ELSE I'M GOING TO READ.
THE NEW STAIN IS THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM DPW OR TUPELO OCEANA.
ANYWHERE ELSE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 56 58, 59 62.
EXCUSE ME, PROCEED WITH ITEMS 58 59 62 63 64 67 68 69, 71 72 73.
WE ARE GOING TO DEFER FOR 30 DAYS ITEMS, 57, 60 65 AND 70.
WE'RE GOING TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS ITEMS, 56, HAVING READ ALL ITEMS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
ARE THERE ANY MOTIONS TO MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN
WE WILL NOW GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTION OF OUR MEETING FOR THOSE WHO ARE HERE, UH, TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, PLEASE BE AWARE YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
AND WHILE I RECOGNIZE SOME OF YOU MAY BE PASSIONATE ABOUT SOME ITEMS, UH, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
SO I WOULD ASK THAT YOU KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES AND, OR I WILL HAVE TO INTERRUPT YOU WITH I'D LIKE YOU TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE ALL OF YOUR STATEMENTS, BUT PLEASE TRY TO REDUCE THEM TO THREE MINUTES, IF AT ALL, POSSIBLE
[74. 21-00046]
ITEM 74, AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DECLARED LAST 19 THROUGH 24 SQUARE 33 BANKS UP DIVISION MUNICIPAL ADDRESS TWO, TWO EIGHT, FIVE 72ND AVENUE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA SEVEN ZERO EIGHT ZERO SIX OH FIVE STATION IS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND NOT NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PERSON PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF THE SAME PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW.WE THEN LOG ONTO ROSALIND DICKSON IN OUR COMPANY, NEW BEGINNING SPEECH THERAPY SOLUTIONS, LLC, FOR THE SUM $10,000 BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 74, HAVING NONE COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION TO A POLL BY BANK SECONDED BY HUDSON QUESTION, MR. I'LL STILL SECOND.
BUT UH, IF MR. BILLY AARON WOULD COME UP, BILLY, IF YOU WOULD, UH, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT WE USE FOR THIS.
SO IF YOU WENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NEW MEMBERS AND, UM, AND US WALK ME THROUGH THE PROCESS AND KIND OF LET ME KNOW THE DUE DILIGENCE THAT WAS DONE FOR THE VALUATION AND THAT SORT OF THING RIGHT BEFORE COVID THIS, THIS LADY APPROACHED THE CITY ABOUT BUYING THE PROPERTY.
IT'S I THINK WE BOUGHT THE PROPERTY IN 1955, LIKE MANY OF OUR FIRE STATIONS.
IT'S TOO SMALL FOR THE CURRENT TRUCKS THAT FIT IN THOSE THINGS.
AND WE'VE BEEN MAKING USE SOME IN THE MANY NUMBER OF WAYS.
I WAS LASTLY USED AS A HEAD START FACILITY, AND THAT WAS PROBABLY SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT YEARS AGO.
AND IT'S KINDA BEEN SITTING FALLOW SINCE, UH, WHEN THE LADY APPROACHED US, WE MET WITH COUNCILWOMAN, UM, BANKS, AND WE ALSO MET WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
SHE WENT AND OBTAINED AN APPRAISAL FOR THE PROPERTY.
SHE ALSO OBTAINED AN INSPECTION REPORT, WHICH REVEALED A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE BUILDING THAT SHE WAS GOING TO NEED TO BE REPAIRED.
THE APPRAISAL CAME IN AT AROUND 28,000, UH, THE NUMBER OF REPAIRS OR THE INSPECTION REPORT SHE HAD CAME IN ABOUT 24,000.
WE HAD THE FOLKS AT DPW LOOK AT THAT REPORT AND MAKE SURE THAT IT MADE SOME SENSE AND THAT IT WAS THINGS THAT WOULD ACTUALLY NEED TO BE REPAIRED.
UH, WHEN SHE OFFERED THE PRICE OF 10,000, WE FELT THAT WAS PROBABLY FAIR MARKET VALUE.
IF WE HAD TO TURN AROUND AND TRY TO SELL IT TODAY.
UM, SO THAT'S, THAT'S KINDA HOW WE DO IT.
EVERY PIECE OF PROPERTY HAS ITS OWN LITTLE STORY, BUT THIS ONE IS ONE THAT WE FEEL LIKE THEY'RE MAKING A VALID OFFER.
SHE'S GOING TO USE THIS FOR A SPEECH THERAPY OFFICE IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD IN SCOTLANDVILLE.
UM, AND SHE'S VERY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING THE BUILDING AND GETTING IN THERE AND GETTING TO WORK SO MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS, SECOND BY HUDSON, AND THEN A POSITION MOTION CARES.
[Condemnations (Part 2 of 2)]
NEGLECTED TO READ ONE OF THE CONDEMNATION.SO I'M GOING TO READ THOSE AGAIN.
DPW RECOMMENDATIONS AND CHANGES OR TO APPROVE PROCEED WITH ITEMS 58 62 63 64, 66, 67, 68, 59, 71 7,273 DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS, ITEM 56, DEFER FOR 30 DAYS, ITEM 57, ITEM 60 65 AND 70 AND DELETE ITEMS, 59 AND 61 MOTION TO APPROVE.
LET'S DO THAT AGAIN BY HUDSON SECOND, BY DONE ANY OPPOSITION, HAVING NONE MOTION CARRIES.
[Items 75 - 81]
NOW WE'RE BACK TO ITEM 75.I'M GOING TO TAKE ITEM 75 THROUGH 81 TOGETHER.
I STILL NEED TO READ THEM ALL, BUT I'M GONNA READ THEM ALL.
THEN HAVE ONE PART WITH PUBLIC GAMING ON ITEM 74, AUTHORIZING THEM THE ITEM 75 WAS SENT IN CANCELING THE DECISION IN ORDER AND
[00:15:01]
THE MATTER OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS CLAIBORNE GAMES, SENIOR RANDOM GAMES AND JAMES B. MOSS GAMES TWO 63 LEWIS STREET REASON FOR RECESSION, COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN INTENDED TO DEFER THIS PROPERTY.YOU GET AN UNINTENTIONALLY ALLOWED TO VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD.
IN JANUARY OF 13 METRO COUNCIL MEETING BY COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN ITEM 76, WE'RE SITTING IN A CATHOLIC DECISION ORDER ISSUED IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS ELLA ARTS, WASHINGTON, THREE ONE THREE, ONE PLANK ROAD.
THE HOMEOWNER HAS BEEN MAKING REPAIRS AND IT TENDS TO CONTINUE.
SHE INTENDS TO RENT THE PROPERTY BY COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN RESENDING A CANCELING DECISION IN ORDER ITEM 77 IN THE MATTER OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS PRIORITY REAL ESTATE, LLC CONDEMNATION PROCEEDING READING FOR RESCISSION.
THE HOMEOWNER HAS A PERMIT AND HAS PROCURED A CONTRACTS TO BEGIN TO WORK IN, TENDS TO RENT THE PROPERTY BY COUNCIL WOMAN COLEMAN.
I AM 78 WAS SENDING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CLERK OF COURT TO COUNCIL THE DECISION AND ORDER IN A MATTER OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS STEPHANIE P. WATSON THREE EIGHT, SIX, EIGHT ALIQUIPPA PROPERTY HAS BEEN DONATED.
THERE IS A NEW OWNER WHO HAS BEGUN TO MAKE REPAIRS AND WHO WERE BOUGHT UP THE PROPERTY WHILE REPAIRS ARE IN PROGRESS.
EVENTUALLY YOUR HOME WILL BE RENTED, UH, IS THE REASON FOR A RESCISSION COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN ITEM 79 WAS SENDING IN DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURT TO CANCEL THE DECISION TO ORDER IN THE MATTER OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS DEPAUL AND PRAY.
JOHN AND OR JANE L PRAY JOHN REVOCABLE, LIVING TRUST FOR ONE, ONE 11 SHELLEY STREET.
THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS CLEANED THE YARD AND HAS STARTED REPAIRING THE ROOF BY COUNCIL MEMBER GREEN ITEM, NUMBER 80 RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURT TO COUNCIL DECISION IN ORDER ONE, THREE ZERO SEVEN FIVE IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS THE ESTATE OF WILLIE LAFAYETTE AND THE STATE OF JOHN PORGES, LAFAYETTE TWO 65 MARY STREET WAITING FOR A DECISION.
THE HOMEOWNER INTENDS TO REPAIR THE HOUSE AND CLEAN UP THE YARD TO RENT THE PROPERTY BY COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN ITEM 81, WE'RE SENDING IN A RECOMMEND CLERK OF COURT.
THE COUNCIL DECISION TO ORDER IN THE MATTER OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS GERTRUDE BAUER ELLIS FIVE THREE, FIVE, FIVE JACKSON AVENUE.
REASON FOR DECISION THE HOUSE HAS BEEN RENOVATED THE PROPERTY ON HIS MOTHER BY COUNCIL MEMBER, COLE ITEM 80.
THAT'S IT? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
OR IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 75 TO 81? ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 75 THROUGH 81? YES.
SO WOULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? JANE, ARE YOU SEAN? I OWN A HOUSE AT 41 SHELLEY STREET, UH, IN WORK AT YONI
JUST STAY THERE AND WORK ON IT.
WE'VE TAKEN SEVEN TRUCK LOADS.
I WAS BORN IN THAT HOUSE AND IT WAS A NO REGIONAL CUB.
AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIX IT UP AND GIVE YOU
I WOULD VERY, VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD GET IT OFF THE DAMN LIFT IN FOUR WEEKS.
MA'AM THAT'S IN COUNCIL MEMBER.
MA'AM THIS ITEM, UH, IS BEING RESCINDED.
SO YOU WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE REQUESTING TO DO.
UH, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE CONTACT COUNCIL MEMBER GREEN'S OFFICE AND SHE'LL WALK YOU THROUGH THOSE STEPS.
UH, ONCE THE ITEM IS BEING HAS BEEN WITH CINDY, YOU'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH COUNCIL MEMBER GREEN'S OFFICE TO DO THINGS.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANY OTHER ANYONE HERE, ANY HERE FOR THE PUBLIC, HEARING ANYONE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 75 THROUGH 81 SHOWING NON COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 75 THROUGH 81 BY MOKE SECONDED BY AMAROSA MOTION PASSES, ITEM
[82. 21-00147]
82 AMENDING THE 2021 CURRENT BUDGET AS SO TO APPROPRIATE $7,000 FROM THE FUND BALANCE ASSIGNED TO THE COMMUNITY CENTERS TO REPLACE THE CARPET WITH VINYL FLOORING AT THE DR.LEO BUTLER CENTER BY COUNCIL MEMBER, COLEMAN, PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THOSE ITEMS. ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THOSE ITEMS, SHOWING NON COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBER, COLEMAN, COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN MOTION TO APPROVE THE MOTION TO APPROVE BY CALMING SECOND BY ADAMS MOTION CARRIES
[87. 21-00162]
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU,[00:20:01]
WE HAVE SOME, A FEW MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO WERE HERE FOR A PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE AGENDA.AND IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU, I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT ITEM, UH, UP TO NOW ITEM 87.
NOW WE DO HAVE A FEW PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE LIBRARY AS NOT TO WASTE THEIR TIME.
NOW ITEM 87 CONSIDERATION OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM FROM EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION FOR A PRIVATE AND HE AND WAS PARIS, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND NDC INDUSTRY ON JANUARY 29, 2021 BY THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATIVE TREASURER.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM 87? I'M TOLD THERE ARE SOME FOLKS HERE ARE.
WELCOME BACK, MS. CARLISLE, WHAT HAPPENED TO SEE YOU? WELCOME BACK.
UM, MY NAME IS JENNIFER CARLISLE, UH, 1855 OLD CARRIAGE LANE.
UH, I AM HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF TOGETHER BATON ROUGE AND THEN TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.
UM, TOGETHER BATTERIES HAS NOT COME OUT PUBLICLY AGAINST THIS.
I TIP, UH, BUT, UH, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FEW POINTS.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE FOR 80 YEARS.
UM, IT HAS BEEN INTENDED TO BE A JOB CREATION, INCENTIVE, UM, NEW BUSINESS INCENTIVE EXPANSIONS.
UM, WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IS THAT CONTINUES, UM, TODAY THIS EXEMPTION THAT YOU'RE, UH, THAT YOU'RE VOTING ON TODAY IS GOING TO $2 MILLION A YEAR.
THAT IS NOT GOING TO COME INTO OUR, UH, YOU KNOW, PARISH CONGRESS, UH, TODAY AT THE BOARD OF CAVERNOUS MINISTRY.
EXXON HAS FOUR OTHER ITECHS THAT HAVE JUST BEEN APPROVED.
THAT GOING TO BE ABOUT $4 MILLION.
THAT'S $6 MILLION JUST TODAY, BUT YOU GUYS ARE, YOU KNOW, GOING TO BE HAVING TO THINK ABOUT LOSING.
UH, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROJECT IS IMPORTANT FOR, UM, UPDATING THE, UH, THING, UM, FACILITY, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE REMEMBER THAT THIS IS FOR JOB CREATION.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE PAST 20 YEARS, EXXON HAS HAD JOB DECREASES.
UM, THIS JUST NEEDS TO, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS NOT A EVERY YEAR COMING BACK.
IF THIS IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS IS NOT A SLIPPERY SLOPE BACK TO RUBBER STAMPING, UM, IS THIS, THIS EXEMPTION? UM, I ALSO WANT TO SPEAK ON MY OWN BEHALF.
UH, I PAY ABOUT 10% OF MY INCOME AND PROPERTY TAX.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT IS THAT AS I WAS LOOKING AT EXXON, UH, THEIR DIVIDENDS HAVE INCREASED EVERY YEAR.
WE HAD A REALLY BAD YEAR WITH, UH, UH, A PANDEMIC.
THEY DIDN'T DROP THEIR DIVIDEND IS THIS YEAR.
SO THEY'RE TELLING YOU, WE NEED THIS MONEY.
AND FOR BATON ROUGE, MAYBE WE NEED THIS MONEY TO, TO UPDATE THIS PLAN.
BUT AS FAR AS EXXON GOES, THAT NEEDING TO REDUCE THE DIVIDENDS THEY'RE GIVING TO THEIR SHAREHOLDERS.
THEY DON'T NEED TO TAKE THAT MONEY AWAY FROM THE TAXPAYER SALARY.
THANK YOU, MS. CARLA, ANYONE, ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 87, ITEM 87.
AND THE THIRD TIME WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IF NO ONE ELSE IS HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 87, COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL HAVE SOME PUBLIC COMMENTS, SOME EMAIL PUBLIC COMMENTS.
FIRST EMAIL PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 87 IS FROM MATT.
JENNY I'M OPPOSED TO ITEP TAX EXEMPTION FOR EXXON MOBILE, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS OUTWEIGH THE MINIMAL BENEFITS.
THE EXXON REFINERY HAS A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF POLLUTING OUR COMMUNITY WITH TOXIC CHEMICALS CHEMICALS.
A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE TAX EXEMPTION SHOULD CONSIDER THE ELEVATED RATES OF ASTHMA CANCER, AND C O P D THAT WILL RESULT FROM EXPANDED REFINERY OPERATIONS.
THE COST SHOULD ALSO FACTOR IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE, WHICH POSES AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT
[00:25:01]
TO OUR COMMUNITY AND ARE EXACERBATED BY THE OPERATIONS OF THE EXXON REFINERY.LASTLY, THE FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES THAT WILL BEAR THE BRUNT OF THESE COSTS WILL RECEIVE FEW OF THE BENEFITS, FURTHER EXASPERATING INEQUALITY IN OUR COMMUNITY, OUR OF COUNCIL TO VOTE AGAINST CORPORATE WELFARE.
NEXT COMMENT ON ITEM MAYBE 87 IS MICHAEL BLUE.
THIS IS TO ERIN MOTE COUNCIL REP FOR DISTRICT FOUR.
AS MY REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT FOUR, I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND THE UPCOMING VOTE FOR ITIP.
AND THE INCENTIVE THAT THIS PROJECT WILL BRING TO RESIDENTS OF THE GREATER BATON ROUGE AREA.
THE NEXT COMMENT IS FROM PHILIPPA LARD, BECAUSE EXXON HAS BEEN IN BATON ROUGE FOR SO LONG AND HAS A PROVEN RECORD OF SUPPORTING JOBS AND ADDING A LOCAL, ADDING TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY FOR DECADES.
I'M IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THIS SPECIFIC ITEP APPLICATION.
HOWEVER, IF A FUTURE GASOLINE TAX IS ADDED BY THE STATE OF LOUISIANA OR OTHERS, I REQUEST THAT EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH BE EXEMPT FROM ANY FUTURE ADDITIONAL GASOLINE TAX.
SINCE EAST BATON ROUGE, PARISH AND LOCAL TAXPAYERS WOULD ALREADY BE PROVIDING A LARGE TAX EXEMPTION TO EXXON.
IF THE ITEP APPLICATION IS APPROVED, NEXT COMMENT IS JILL TOPOSA TIP TUESDAY, DEAR METRO COUNCIL, I WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED $27 MILLION TACTICS GUMPTION FOR THE EXXONMOBIL REFINERY PROPPING UP CORPORATE GREED AND THE BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS HAS BEEN THE SHORTCOMING OF BATON ROUGE FOR TOO LONG.
THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY HAS RAVAGED THE PLANET ON THE WHOLE, BUT MORE SPECIFICALLY MS. SHAPE IN COASTAL LOUISIANA, ALMOST BEYOND REPAIR AS A CLIMATE SCIENTIST.
THIS IS THE VERY ISSUE THAT I HAVE DEDICATED MY LIFE AND CAREER TO UNDERSTANDING AND PREVENTING.
EXXONMOBIL IS NOT AN ALLY OF BATON ROUGE.
THEY WILL QUITE LITERALLY BE OUR DOWNFALL.
IF WE REMAIN THE UGLY CO-DEPENDENT RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.
AND BY DOWNFALL, I SPECIFICALLY REFERENCED THE RATE OF RELATIVE SEA LEVEL RISE IN LOUISIANA, THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR, EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT COMPELLED TO ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE REGARDING CLIMATE CHANGE, ANY SELF-RESPECTING LOUISIANIAN CANNOT DENY THE VERY REAL THREAT OF SEA LEVEL RISE.
ALL THOSE SANDBAGS AND WATER PUMPS YOU HAVE TO PARK.
YOU HAD TO BARGE US IN 2016 AFTER YOUR HOME FLOODED EXXONMOBIL SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT.
AS SOMEONE WHO IS INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH LOCAL GEOLOGY, I WOULD LIKE TO APPRISE THE COUNCIL OF THE FACT THAT EXXON MOBILE AND ALL THE OTHER CORPORATE CRONIES OF THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HUSH UP FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS, EXTRACTIVE PRACTICES, A CO CAUSE A HIGHER THAN NORMAL RATE OF SEA LEVEL RISE BECAUSE THEY REMOVED THE VOLUME OF OIL AND GAS FROM BELOW THE LAND SURFACE.
IT'S LIKE SUCKING UP IN MILKSHAKE THROUGH A STRAW AT THE END, YOU'RE LEFT WITH JUST THE WHIPPED CREAM SUNK TO THE BOTTOM.
THE AVERAGE RATE OF SEA LEVEL RISE IS TWO MILLIMETERS PER THROUGHOUT THE PER YEAR THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
BUT IN LOUISIANA, IT IS 10 TO 20 TIMES.
FASTER THAN THAT, OIL AND GAS ARE THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNTENABLE RATE.
THEY SINK THE LAND, THEN SELL US THE PRODUCT THAT FURTHER EXACERBATES THE PROBLEM.
IT'S UNBELIEVABLE THAT THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DEMAND $27 MILLION FROM A CITY THAT WILL BE UNDERWATER IN THE COMING DECADES DUE TO THEIR AVARICE.
EXXONMOBIL PROPOSES NO JOB CREATION, NO REAL PLAN FOR OFFSETTING THE FOOTPRINT, BUT THEY PROPOSE THAT THEY PROMISE HIGHER RATES OF ASTHMA FOR OUR CHILDREN AND POLLUTION FOR THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HIT.
THE HARDEST BY CLIMATE CHANGE.
THE PLAN FOR MODERNIZATION IS A FAKE GREENWASHING, AND I IMPLORE YOU NOT TO FALL FOR IT.
EVEN IF YOU CAN'T MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION ON PRINCIPLE, PLEASE DO IT ON PRACTICALITY.
THE SHORT TERM GOAL, THE SHORT TERM GAIN OF EXXONMOBIL'S CONTINUED PRESENCE IS FAR OUTWEIGHED BY THE COSTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF TOMORROW.
I URGE THIS COUNCIL NOT TO SIMPLY BEND TO OVER AT EXXON MOBILE'S EGREGIOUS DEMANDS.
LET EXXON MOBILE THREATENED TO GO TO TEXAS.
THERE ARE ONLY TWO WORDS THAT BATON ROUGE SHOULD HAVE FOR THEM AS THEY RETREAT.
UH, THAT CONCLUDES THE COMMENTS FOR ITEM 87.
YOU WANT TO READ THE LAST ONE AGAIN? THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, ANY COUNT OUR COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON.
IS THERE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE FROM EXXON? IS THERE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE FROM EXXON? I DO HAVE TWO QUESTIONS AND LET ME BE VERY CLEAR.
SOME OF MY CONSTITUENTS, UH, HAVE ASKED ME TO ASK THESE TWO QUESTIONS AND I TOLD THEM I WOULD.
AND SO IF THERE IS SOMEONE HERE FROM EXXON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WOULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD PLEASE? MA'AM MR. MACATA W QUESTION NUMBER ONE, BASED ON MARKET PROJECTIONS FOR OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY CAN EXXON GUARANTEE THE RETENTION OF THE JOBS AND MENTIONING THE PROJECT FOR THE DURATION OF THE EXEMPTION EARLY AND YOU KNOW, NOTHING IS EVER GUARANTEED.
[00:30:01]
WITH THIS RECENT DOWNTURN, WE ARE REALLY WERE ABLE TO KEEP ALL THE JOBS HERE IN BATON ROUGE ON ANTICIPATION OF AN INVESTMENT LIKE THIS.SO WHEN WE DO GET AN INVESTMENT OF THIS SIZE, IT IMPROVES OUR COMPETITIVENESS.
IT HELPS ASSURE THAT JOB RETENTION.
ALSO, WE HAVE CURRENTLY OVER 1300 DIRECT EMPLOYEES AT THE REFINERY AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY HIRING TO REPLACE RETIREMENTS AND OTHER ATTRITION.
SO THIS YEAR ALONE, WE HAVE 40 ROSES TECHNICIANS THAT WERE HIRING.
QUESTION NUMBER TWO, W WOULD SIMPLY BE, AS IT RELATES TO LET ME READ THIS SPECIFICALLY AS ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS SENT IT TO ME, AS IT RELATES TO, UH, THE TAX EXEMPTION THAT YOU ALL ARE REQUESTING.
HOW MANY OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT EXXON WAS OUT IN THE PARISH, IF YOU HAVE THAT ANSWER, WHAT'S THE PERCENTAGE OF THE EMPLOYEES WHO WORK FOR EXXON AND BATON ROUGE AND RESIDE IN THE PARISH.
UH, ONE MOMENT I NEED TO ASK SOMEONE HERE WITH EXXON THAT MIGHT HAPPEN.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.
I JUST ASKED IT BECAUSE I TOLD MY CONSTITUENT WITH SOUTHWOOD.
I UNDERSTAND IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, BUT I DID TELL HIM, I WOULD ASK THAT QUESTION.
SO IF YOU COULD GET THAT INFORMATION TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, UH, WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT.
WE CAN CERTAINLY FOLLOW UP WHILE I DON'T HAVE A PRECISE NUMBER.
I KNOW THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR EMPLOYEES BACK REPAIRED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE ITEM MOTION TO APPROVE BY HUDSON.
ANY OPPOSITION, HAVING NONE MOTION CARRIES COUNCIL MEMBERS.
[83. 21-00138]
TO ITEM NUMBER 83, ITEM NUMBER 83, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER TO A PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICE AGREEMENT ON A CONTINGENT FEE BASIS WITH MICHAEL G STAG, LLC AND STACK LUSA LLC.AVIN D KELLY AND DEMARIS, LLC SPEARS AND SPEARS, LLC.
LABORDE EARL'S PLC TO REPRESENT THE CITY PARIS AND PROSECUTING YOUR CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST DEFENDANTS WHO MANUFACTURED, MARKETED, DISTRIBUTED, AND SOLD EQUALLY AS FILM FOR ME, PHONE FIRE LIGHTING PRODUCT BY MERE PRESIDENT PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 83, PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 83, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
ARE YOU HERE JUST TO ASK THE QUESTIONS OR DID YOU WANT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS? WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT, UH, MY FIRM IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN DOING ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS.
AND I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THE LITIGATION.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 83, ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM THREE, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MOTION TO APPROVE BY ROCKERS.
SECOND BY HUDSON MOTION CARRIES ITEM 84,
[84. 21-00139]
AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER ENTITLED THE WANTING TO TAKE JOHNNY MCSHANE VERSUS JAMES WITH ROY IN THE AMOUNT OF $185,000 PLUS COURT COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $148 AND 50 CENTS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $185,148 AND 50 CENTS AND APPROPRIATING ONE $85, A 141 AND $85,148 AND 50 CENTS FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY CONTINGENT UPON BUDGET SUPPLEMENT, BEING SIGNED, PUBLIC, HEARING ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 84, SHOWING NON COUNCIL MEMBERS, NOT EVERYBODY AT ONE TIME, MOSTLY TO APPROVE BY A COUNCIL MEMBER GO.THEY SECONDED BY EVERYBODY DID AT ONE TIME WHEN I SAID THAT COUNCIL NUMBER GO THERE.
SECOND BY HUDSON MOTION CARRIES ITEM 85,
[85. 21-00157]
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH NILES HAIMER FOR LEGAL SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A GRANT FROM THE JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $86,685 BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY[00:35:01]
SAYS CITY PROSECUTOR, PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 85 COUNCIL MEMBERS.I THINK EVERYONE HERE WAS SHOCKED ABOUT THE ITEP ITEM GOING LIKE IT DID EVERYBODY SHOT MOST TO APPROVAL BY DON SECOND BY ROCKER MOTION CARRIES ITEM
[86. 21-00161]
86, AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF THE COMPROMISED JUDGMENT IN THE MATTER ENTITLED SENATOR COLLINS AND FRANK DE NORDEN AND THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $806,140 AND 32 CENTS PLUS COURT COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,429 AND 13 CENTS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $820,569 AND 45 CENTS, WHICH AMOUNTS SHALL BE PAID FROM THE ACCOUNT DESIGNATED COMPROMISED JUDGMENT BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 86, SHOWING NONE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION TO APPROVE BY ROCCA SECONDED BY HUDSON MOTION CARRIES ITEM
[88. 21-00141]
88 AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE A UTILITY RELOCATION AGREEMENT WITH 18 T FOR THE RELOCATION OF UTILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RUNWAY 1331 SAFETY AREA, RPZ IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $42,044 AND 19 CENTS BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR.PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM, SHOWING NONE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, MOTION ROCKER.
[89. 21-00142]
ITEM 89 AMENDING TO 2021 CURRENCY SPITS BUDGET FOR TRAINING OF YOUR FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, TOO.SO AS THE APPROPRIATE $29,150 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPLACING EQUIPMENT LOST IN A FIRE TRUCK BY CHAIN OF YOUR FIRE PROTECTION CONTINUED UPON BUDGET SUPPLEMENT BEING SIGNED, PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON IDEA MANY NINE COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY ROCCA.
SECOND BY ADAMS MOTION CARRIES
[90. 21-00146]
ITEM 90, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ACTUALLY COOPERATE AND DEBORAH AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND THE STATE CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF 5 MILLION, $450,000 IN THE STATE ARE REQUIRED.AND THEY REQUIRE A LOCAL MATCH OF $1,816,667 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 7 MILLION, $266,667 FOR THE OLD HAMMOND HIGHWAY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS FROM BOULEVARD TO PROVIDENCE TO MILLERSVILLE ROAD BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE AND DIRECTOR OF FINANCE CONTINGENT UPON A BUDGET SUPPLEMENT BEING SIGNED.
THERE'S A PUBLIC HEARING, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON I 90 SHOWING NONE MOTION BY BOTH SECOND BY ROCCA MOTION CARRIES ITEM 91
[91. 21-00148]
AUTHORIZING OF THEIR PRESIDENTIAL RENEWED AND RAISING CLAIMS FOR RIVER CENTER RENTAL WAIVER AGREEMENT AND VISITED BATON ROUGE.MR. CHAIR, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GETTING THIS MOVING ALONG THIS MEETING, BUT I DO HAVE A POINT.
I DO HAVE A QUESTION ON THIS ONE.
YOU DEFINITELY ON A ROLL, DEFINITELY ON A ROLL OF A FRED.
YOU DON'T MIND ME, RIGHT? I AM ON 90, CORRECT.
LET'S SAY THAT I WAS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING ON ITEM TWO, BUT YOU'D ALREADY MOVED ON.
UH, I KNOW WE BROUGHT THIS UP BEFORE AND I THINK THE LAST TIME THIS ACTUALLY CAME UP FOR DISCUSSION WAS, UH, IT WAS TALKING ABOUT GETTING THIS STATE MONEY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO WITH THIS APPROVED, CAN YOU KIND OF GIVE US A TIMELINE, UM, OF HOW WORKS IN WITH THE OTHER SECTION AND HOW THEY'LL MOVE FORWARD WHEN THEY'RE TOGETHER NOW, OR THEY'LL STILL BE DONE SEPARATELY.
I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO BE DONE SEPARATELY.
UH, THIS WALLET, IT LAYS OUT TO PUT ALL THE WAY TO MILLERSVILLE.
WE HAVE FUNDS ALREADY SET UP FROM, UH, FLANNERY TO, UH, TO MELVILLE IN THE PROGRAM ALREADY.
BUT THIS PHASE RIGHT HERE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FROM, UH, BOULEVARD, THE PROVINCE TO ASHLEY IT'S TO FLANNERY, THAT'S THE FUNDS THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR UNDER THE CAPITAL OUTLAY, THE STATE HAS AGREED TO FUND THOSE AND WHAT THAT IT'S, IT'S IN PHASE THREE, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A COUPLE YEARS, BUT THIS ACTUALLY GETS US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF UPDATING THE PLANS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE DONE.
IT'S PRETTY COSTLY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TWO BRIDGES THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT WITH JONES CREEK AND ALSO THE LOUDLY BY YOU BRIDGE.
AND THERE'LL BE SUFFICIENT RIGHT AWAY.
THERE'S GOING TO NEED TO BE ACQUIRED, WHICH IS WHAT THESE FONTS WILL HELP US MOVE FORWARD TO DO THE SECTION FROM, UH, FROM FLANNERY TO ACTUALLY MELVILLE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S PART OF THE ROUNDABOUT, UH, PORTION THAT WE'RE GONNA LOOK AT FLANNERY AND OH, HAMMOND, THAT'S A SEPARATE PHASE.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL BE PROBABLY SOMETIME END OF NEXT YEAR COULD BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
CAN WE STILL HAVE TO DO THE ACQUISITION OF RIGHT-AWAY PLANS ARE JUST ABOUT FINISHED, BUT WE'LL STILL HAVE TO DO THE ACQUISITION AND ALSO RELOCATION.
AND THE SECTION FROM MELVILLE ALL THE WAY TO O'NEIL.
THAT WAS THE ITEM THAT WAS DISCUSSED
[00:40:01]
A LOT AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING.UH, WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING THE ACQUISITION.
THIS WILL PROBABLY BE ONE OF THE FIRST PROJECTS TO GET DONE ON O'HARA.
IT WILL BE FROM MELVILLE TO O'NEIL.
UH, AND THEN RIGHT AFTER THAT, WE'LL PROBABLY BE THE ROUNDABOUT FOLLOWING THAT THEY'LL TAKE CARE FROM FLANNERY UP TO, UH, MELVILLE.
AND THEN THE LAST PHASE WILL BE FROM THE FLANNERY BACK TO, UM, UH, BOULEVARD, THE PROMINENCE YOU'RE LOOKING AT PROBABLY AT LEAST TWO AND A HALF, THREE YEARS TOTAL.
NOW THAT'S WHEN THEY'LL START IN CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION ON SEMINARS, W WE'LL PROBABLY TAKE A LITTLE WHILE DUE TO THE ACTUAL TRAFFIC.
WE'LL HAVE TO MANAGE AND DEAL WITHOUT THAT, BUT WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON THIS COUNCIL.
AND I CAN TELL YOU IT'S EXCITING.
NORMALLY WE DON'T EVEN GET THE APPROVAL OR AT LEAST A CONSENSUS OF APPROVAL FROM ON A CAPITAL OUTLAY.
SO THAT IS A GOOD NEWS FROM OUR STANDPOINT.
SO THE, THE, THE ROUNDABOUT PART'S ALREADY BEEN FUNDED, YOU SAID THAT'S IN PHASE TWO AND THIS ALREADY BEING FUNDED.
WE'LL BASICALLY KEEP THE WHOLE PROJECT MOVING THROUGH THE WHOLE SECTION OVER A TWO TO THREE YEARS, THREE AND A HALF YEARS.
NOW WE'VE DIFFERENT PARTS FOR RIGHT AWAY.
I MEAN, YOU WILL HAVE UTILITY RELOCATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD BE ON THE CONSTRUCTION THREE TO TWO TO THREE YEARS FOR MOST OF EXCEPT MAYBE THE BOULEVARD OR PROMINENCE, BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF UTILITY CONCERNS THAT WE'LL HAVE TO ADDRESS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE UPDATE.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS? I THINK HE WAS ALREADY MOTION TO APPROVE.
I THINK WE PASSED IT ALREADY, BUT MOVING ON TO ITEM 91, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENTS TO RENEW THE RAISING CANE RIVER CENTER RENTAL WAIVER AGREEMENT WITH VISIT BATON ROUGE AND ASM GLOBAL FOR A PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2021 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2024 BY MAYOR, PRESIDENT VISIT BATON ROUGE AND ASM GLOBAL.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 91, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 91, THE FAMOUS OR INFAMOUS.
SO I HOPE YOU ALL CAN UNDERSTAND ME THROUGH THIS WITH MY NEW ORLEANS ACCENT, BUT I'M GOING TO GET MY SECOND SHOT LATER THIS NEXT WEEK.
AND I'M NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES WHEN WE WISH YOU ALL WELL WITH YOUR HEALTH.
UH, MAY I PUT IT DOWN? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I'M PAULA RIGO, UH, PRESIDENT VISITED BATON ROUGE, YOU AND THE CREDIT, THE DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION, POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE THIS AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY PARISH IN ORDER FOR US TO CONTINUE TO BRING IN CONFERENCES, EVENTS, ET CETERA, TO THE RAISING CANES RIVER CENTER.
THIS WEEKEND, WE'LL HAVE ALMOST 2000 COMPETITORS AND FANS SPECTATORS FOR A WRESTLING TOURNAMENT, UH, IN, IN THE BUILDING, UH, RIGHT NOW 25% OF OUR HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IS UNEMPLOYED DUE TO COVID.
WE NEED TO GET THEM BACK TO WORK, AND THIS IS ONE WAY WE CAN DO IT.
I HAVE WITH ME, MY DIRECTOR OF DESTINATION SALES AND SERVICES, IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS.
AND THIS PLAN IS FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT REACH A CERTAIN THRESHOLD OF WHICH, UH, MISS, UH, MS. HUNT, UH, WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT MONITORS THE METRICS, RIGHT? THANK YOU, MR. RICO, WE DO HAVE SOME EMAIL COMMENTS.
WE DO HAVE SOME EMAIL COMMENTS, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM STAN HARRIS.
ON BEHALF OF LOUISIANA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, WE SUPPORT, WE SUPPORT REAUTHORIZING, THE RAISING CANES RIVER CENTER RENTAL WAIVER AGREEMENT FOR AN ADDITIONAL THREE-YEAR TERM AS OUR TRAVEL MEETINGS AND TOURISM ACTIVITIES BEGAN TO RETURN AS WE WORK THROUGH COVID.
THIS WAIVER PROVIDES AN INVALUABLE INCENTIVE TOOL TO MARKET BATON ROUGE AS A DESTINATION VERSUS OTHER MARKETS.
NEXT COMMENT FROM BEN BLACKWELL AS A HOTELIER IN DOWNTOWN BATON ROUGE THAT OVERSEES TWO HOTELS.
THE BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE PARAMOUNT TO KEEP US COMPETITIVE WITH OUR PEERS AROUND THE STATE, WITHOUT BUSINESS IN THE RIVER CENTER, OUR DOWNTOWN HOTELS AND SURROUNDING AREAS WILL BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED.
I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS RENEWAL.
RALPH MAY I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM AS GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BATON ROUGE MARRIOTT HOTEL.
I WANT TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR ITEM 91 TO RENEW THE RAISING CANES RIVER CENTER RENTAL WAIVER AGREEMENT.
BATON ROUGE MUST CONTINUE TO COMPETE WITH OTHER CITIES HOSTING LARGE CONVENTIONS WITHOUT THE WAIVER RENEWAL.
WE WILL POTENTIALLY LOSE BUSINESS THAT FILLS OUR HOTELS AND KEEPS OUR STAFF EMPLOYED.
HOTEL TAXES GENERATED BY CONVENTIONS, HELP FUND THE RIVER CENTER, RIVERFRONT CATS AND RESEARCH PARK AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS RENEWAL RENEE SHADOW LANE.
THIS RUNNER RENTAL WAIVER ALLOWS BATON ROUGE TO BE A COMPETITIVE, TO BE COMPETITIVE AMONGST PEER VENUES FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND FOR CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS, ECONOMIC EFFECT WILL POSITIVELY OUTWEIGH ANY DISCOUNT GIVEN IN THIS RENTAL WAIVER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND SUPPORT J STEVEN HIGHTOWER.
THIS IS A VITAL TOOL FOR ATTRACTING CONVENTIONS AND SPORTING EVENTS TO
[00:45:01]
OUR GREAT CITY AND PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN HELPING THE RESTAURANT AND HOTEL INDUSTRY.BATON ROUGE DESERVES TO BE A DESTINATION CITY AND THESE EVENTS HELP ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE RENEWAL OF THE RENTAL WAIVER AGREEMENT, VERY GAMBLED WITH THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, BEING ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE DURING THIS PANDEMIC.
WE NEED ALL THE RESOURCES WE CAN GET TO GET US BACK ON OUR FEET.
ONE OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY IS GROUPS AND ESPECIALLY LARGE GROUPS THAT LARGE GROUPS THAT FILL HOTELS, PUSH HIGHER AVERAGE RATES, FILL RESTAURANTS AND FLIGHTS INTO BATON ROUGE.
IF A DECISION-MAKER IS DECIDING THAT THE RENT IS AN ISSUE THAT WE'LL SEND THEM TO ANOTHER CITY, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THIS LOSS DOES NOT HAPPEN.
WE ALL NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.
THIS RENTAL WAIVER AGREEMENT HAS BEEN ANY FACT FOR 12 YEARS AND IT NEEDS TO BE RENEWED.
WE NEED THE CONTINUATION FOUR OF THIS FOR US TO COMPETE WITH PEER VENUES, THE RENTAL WAIVER AGREEMENT WAVES, OR REDUCES RENTAL OF THE RIVER CENTER FOR QUALIFIED CONVENTIONS AND SPORTING EVENTS.
DAVID JOHNSON, I SUPPORT THE RIVER CENTER RENTAL WAIVER AGREEMENT, NICHOLAS FISHER IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 91, JANE JAMES, I'M SORRY, JANICE DILEMMA.
AS A MEMBER OF THE BATON ROUGE AND LOUISIANA HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY ASKED YOU TO SUPPORT THE RENEWAL AGREEMENT, LAURA KAYLEEN I'M RIGHT IN SUPPORT OF THE CONTINUATION OF THE RENTAL WAIVER AGREEMENT, ALLOWING VISIT BATON ROUGE TO REDUCE OR WAIVE THE RENTAL FEES OF THE RIVER CENTER FOR QUALIFIED CONVENTIONS AND SPORTING EVENTS.
THIS HELPS KEEP BATON ROUGE COMPETITIVE IN THE CONVENTIONS MARKET AND BRINGS BIG BUSINESS TO BATON ROUGE, HOTELS, LOCAL RESTAURANTS, ATTRACTIONS, AND RETAIL STOCK SHOPS MEETINGS MEAN BUSINESS FOR BATON ROUGE.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEKING BUSINESS TRAVELERS RETURNED TO OUR CITY AFTER A TOUGH YEAR, JOE KUDAIR I'M WRITING TOO.
I SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION OF THE AGREEMENT, ALLOWING VISIT BATON ROUGE TO REDUCE OR WAIVE THE RENTAL FEE FOR THE RIVER CENTER FOR QUALIFIED CONVENTIONS IN SPORTING EVENTS.
THIS IS A COMMON PRACTICE AND OTHER CITIES AND FREQUENTLY REQUESTED BY MEETING PLANNERS WHO AIM TO BRING BIG BUSINESS INTO BATON ROUGE MEETINGS MEAN BUSINESS FOR BATON ROUGE AND NOT JUST AT THE RIVER CENTER BUSINESS TRAVELERS SPEND MONEY AT HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, RETAIL SHOPS, AND ATTRACTIONS.
AFTER A TOUGH YEAR FOR TOURISM, YOUR VOTE TO SUPPORT THIS AGREEMENT WILL HELP BATON ROUGE REMAIN COMPETITIVE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK TO KEEP BUSINESS IN BATON ROUGE, SCOTT MITCHELL LEE, DEAR METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEMBERS AS PRESIDENT OF THE BATON ROUGE LODGING ASSOCIATION AND CHAIRMAN OF VISIT BATON OR JUST BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT AND PASS THE RAVING RAISING CANES RIVER CENTER WAIVER AGREEMENT ITEM AT TONIGHT'S COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, AS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE LARGEST FULL SERVICE HOTEL IN BATON ROUGE, I CAN ATTEST THAT THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HAS AND CONTINUES TO BE SEVERELY IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC AS AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS.
IT IS VITAL THAT WE'RE ABLE TO REBOUND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THROUGH AN ANALYSIS RECENTLY RELEASED THE BATON BY THE BATON ROUGE AREA CHAMBER IT'S ESTIMATED THE 12,000 LOCALS EMPLOYED IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.
25% OF THOSE ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF WORK DUE TO THESE UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE RENEWAL OF THE RAISING CANES RIVER CENTER RENTAL WAIVER PROGRAM, WHICH WAS INITIALLY INSTITUTED IN 2006, WILL ALLOW OUR CITY'S TRAVEL AND TOURISM EFFORTS TO REBOUND AND PROVIDE THE RECOVERY FOR A VIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.
THIS WILL ALSO HELP OUR CITY TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO COMPETE AND EARN BUSINESS OF SECURING FUTURE MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS FOR MORE ON THIS PROGRAM AND WHAT YOUR SUPPORT MEANS.
I'VE INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING THIS PROGRAM IS USED AS A TOOL TO ATTRACT EVENTS THAT GENERATE SIGNIFICANT CONVENTION AND TOWARDS ACTIVITY THAT SUPPORT ECONOMIC IMPACT FELT THROUGHOUT EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
THESE TYPES OF AGREEMENTS TO INCLUDE WAIVERS AND DISCOUNTS ARE COMMONLY USED BY CITIES WITH CONVENTION CENTER BUSINESS AND ARE VITAL TO ATTRACTING THESE EVENTS TO OUR PARISH.
OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, THE CITY HAS HOSTED OVER 40 CONVENTIONS AND YOUTH EVENTS AT THE RAISING CANE RIVER CENTER, BRINGING OVER 90,000 PARTICIPANTS.
TOTAL DIRECT SPENDING IN THE METRO AREA SPENT ON FOOD, HOTELS AND ENTERTAINMENT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY $60 MILLION.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR INDUSTRY AND YOUR RENEWAL OF THE RAISING CANE'S RIVER CENTER, RENTAL WAIVER AGREEMENT.
I CONCLUDE THE PUBLIC COMMENTS OF ITEM 91 MOTION TO APPROVE BY GO DAYS, SECONDED BY PHONE SOME ALL STAR, MR. GOLDEN.
UH, I WILL ULTIMATELY THANK YOU.
MAKE THAT A MOTION TO APPROVE.
WE HAD SUCH A NUMBER OF, UM, COMMENTS AND SUPPORT, BUT CERTAINLY WE'LL JUST ADD, YOU KNOW, WE JUST HEARD FROM THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY, THE HOTEL AND LODGING INDUSTRY HOSPITALITY, THE ARTS COMMUNITY, UH, AND I THINK YOU HEAR A RESOUNDING, UH, YOU KNOW, WE WILL, IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY TO RECOVER
[00:50:01]
FROM WHERE WE ARE NOW.UH, THIS IS PART OF AN OVERARCHING, UH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND TOURISM ATTRACTION STRATEGY.
AND SO CERTAINLY, UH, APPRECIATE ANY SUPPORT THAT EVERYONE CAN OFFER FOR THIS.
THANK YOU ALSO TO PAUL, UH, WHO, WHO GETS TO SPEAK AT THE MICROPHONE, BUT REALLY IS GERALDINE THAT DOES ALL THE WORK.
SO THERE'LL BE, UH, AS THE DIRECTOR OF, UH, DESTINATION SALES AND EXPERIENCE, UH, WHICH IS A GREAT TITLE.
UH, SO THANK YOU TO THEM FOR WHAT THEY'RE DOING, UH, TO INFORM US ON THIS ISSUE.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS? WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY GO-TO'S COUNCIL MEMBER GO.
THEY SECONDED BY ROCCA MOTION PASSES, MOVE ON
[92. 21-00149]
TO ITEM 92, REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT WITH GREEN SEASONS BY $70,000 FOR LANDSCAPING SERVICES AT ALL.LIBRARY BRANCHES BY LIBRARY DIRECTOR, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 80 92 COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION TO APPROVE BY MOKE 17 BY THE CHAIR ITEM CARES,
[93. 21-00152]
ITEM 93, REPEALING A RESOLUTION FIVE FIVE, TWO SEVEN, EIGHT ADOPTED NOVEMBER 24 OF 2020, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH MERCK ENGINEERING, LLC FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE EBR EMERGENCY GENERATOR GRANT PART ONE DESIGN AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $148,000, EXCUSE ME, $148,900 BY THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 93, COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY ROCCA SECONDED BY ADAM'S MOTION CARRIES ITEM 94,
[94. 21-00155]
EXCUSE ME.AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON.
WE STILL APPLY FOR ONE 94 ITEM 94.
SO YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER MOAT GOT ME OFF DISCOMBOBULATED ITEM 94, REPEALING RESOLUTION FIVE FIVE, TWO SEVEN NINE ADOPTED NOVEMBER 24, 2020, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR.
PRESIDENT EXECUTING AN AGREEMENT WITH GREG CRAIG, AIRBASE ENGINEERING, LLC ARCHITECTURE SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE EBR IMMERSE IN GENERATED GRANT PARK TO DESIGN IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $80,000, $80,450 BY BUILDING AND GROUNDS DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 94, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 94, COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY ROCKER.
[95. 21-00179]
ITEM 95 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT OF BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON.WE STILL APPLIED FOR A GRANT FUNDING THROUGH THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $939,970 FOR HVAC IMPROVEMENT AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION AND CONNECTION THERE WITH CONTINGENT UPON BUDGET SUPPLEMENT BEING SIGNED.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 95, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM 95 COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY BANK.
SECOND BY ROCCO ITEM CARRIES ITEM
[96. 21-00165]
96, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT.NUMBER TWO TO THE CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH SIGMA CONSULTING GROUP INCORPORATED FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOVIE, OUR CAPACITY PROJECT JONES CREEK ROAD, EXTENSION SEGMENT ONE, ANY AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $187,020 AND 16 CENTS BY THE TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 96, COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY ROCCA SECOND BY BANKS,
[97. 21-00178]
97 AUTHORIZED MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT.NUMBER ONE TO THE CONTRACT FOR ABSTRACTING SERVICES WITH ADVANCED ABSTRACTS, LLC FOR FOUR ABSTRACTS ASSOCIATED WITH MOVE BR CAPACITY PROJECT PERKINS ROAD.
THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR THE ADDITION OF $35,723 TO AN EXISTING CONTRACT BY THE TRANSPORTATION IN DRAINAGE DIRECTION.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 97, COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY ROCCA SECOND BY ADAMS 98,
[98. 21-00166]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO APPROPRIATE AND ALLOCATE GRANT FUNDS AWARDED UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS AID RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY CARES ACT MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE THIRD ALLOCATION OF FUNDING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BROCK, THE BLOCK GRANT CDBG PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF 2 MILLION, $18,024 ALLOCATION APPROPRIATION OF THIS AWARD IS CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL OF THE GRANTS REVIEW AND CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.IS THERE ANYONE HERE SPEAK ON ITEM 98, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON 98, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
THIS IS CHRISTINE GRINDING AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF.
[00:55:01]
PARTNERS WITH EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM, YOUR HEALTH CARE CENTERS IN SCHOOLS, PART OF OUR LADY OF THE LAKE, AND WE PROVIDE MEDICAL AND MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO STUDENTS.AND THROUGH THIS GRANT, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO NOT ONLY PROVIDE CARE WITHIN THE FOUR WALLS, BUT REALLY OUTSIDE OF THE FOUR WALLS OF SCHOOL.
AND WHAT I REALLY WANT TO IMPRESS UPON YOU TODAY IS THE NEED FOR THAT.
WE HAD A STUDENT ACTUALLY YESTERDAY WHO HAD AN URGENT MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WERE ABLE TO SEE THAT CHILD, BUT SEND THEM OUT BACK INTO THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WAS CAUSING THE MENTAL HEALTH STRESSORS.
SO WITH THIS PROGRAM, WE WOULD HAVE SCHOOL HEALTH OUTREACH WORKERS WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT WORK OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL AND CONNECT THAT CHILD TO RESOURCES THROUGH ALL THE PARTNERS WHO WOULD SUPPORT THIS GRANT.
SO I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I STRESS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE PROVIDED CARE IN EDUCATION VERY WELL, BUT THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, WE WOULD UTILIZE A MULTI-SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO PROVIDE A MULTITUDE OF RESOURCES TO NOT ONLY STUDENTS, BUT THEIR FAMILIES ACROSS MULTIPLE LINES TO TRULY DISRUPT AND DISCONTINUE THE CYCLES OF VIOLENCE THAT ARE TRULY AFFECTING EDUCATION IN THE WELLBEING OF OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AS OUR COMMUNITY CAN SEE.
ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 98, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 98, COUNCIL MOTION BY ROCCA SECOND BY COLEMAN COUNCIL MEMBER GO, DAVE.
I SIMPLY WANTED TO, UH, RECOGNIZE THE MAYOR AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR THEIR, UH, TRANSPARENCY ON THESE ITEMS. AND WITH THESE CARES ACT DOLLARS, OBVIOUSLY, UM, THE INTENT IS TO MOVE SWIFTLY TO DEPLOY THEM INTO THE COMMUNITY.
UH, AND I THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT, UH, TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU CAN WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS AND THE PROCESS THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH.
UM, BUT I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR THAT.
BEFORE WE GO TO NEXT COUNSELOR, I DID HAVE A NUMBER MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY COME UP.
THEY WERE, UH, THERE AND I DIDN'T SEE HIM.
HOW ARE YOU? HI, MY NAME IS
UM, I AM ASKING THAT YOU ALL APPROVE THIS MEASURE FOR SEVERAL REASONS.
I'M ALSO A PARTNER OF HIS, SO ST.
AND WHAT WE'RE BRINGING TO THE TABLE IS A COMMUNITY TEAM.
COMMUNITY HISTORY TEAM IS SOMETHING WHERE WE HAVE SEEN, UM, BRING A LOT OF CYST OF THE COMMUNITY, HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY GO OUT TO, UH, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, SPEAK WITH THE RESIDENTS WITH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS, SPEAK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
UM, JUST TO KIND OF UNDERSTAND HOW UTILIZING THE COMMUNITY COMBAT THE VIOLENCE THAT ACTUALLY OCCURS IN THE COMMUNITY IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF THIS IS DONE BY UTILIZING POLES FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE CREDIBLE PEOPLE WHO HAS A CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY AND HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DIRECTLY INTERVENE AND PREVENT THE CYCLE OF THAT.
UM, THERE ARE SO-CALLED DIFFERENT.
UM, IN THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM, ONE OF THE BEING HABITS, UM, INTERNATIONALIST, INTERVENTIONIST LOAVES INTO THE COMMUNITY, WORKS WITH THE COMMUNITY.
THEY IDENTIFY SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT MAY OCCUR AND THEY'VE MAYBE FACILITATING OR CREATE SOME OF THE BOTTLES THAT WE SEE.
THEY WORK ON BUILDING SOLUTIONS FOR MITIGATING.
SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT CREATE SPREAD THAT NOT NECESSARILY EVEN HAS TO, YOU KNOW, GO BACK TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT IT'S MANAGED WITHIN THE, I THINK ATTACKING VIOLENCE FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE.
UM, THE FISH CHOICE, UH, SO OFTEN OUR, OUR APPROACH IS TO ALL THE POLICE.
UM, SO JUST LIKE A RECIPE, A TECH, UM, VIOLENCE, AND THERE ARE SO MANY FACTORS THAT IMPACT VIOLENCE.
SO WORKING WITH MEDICAID WITH THE PEOPLE, WITH OUR, OUR RESIDENTS WOULD BE THE BEST ROUTE TO INTERVENE AND PREVENT THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.
SO THIS IS WHY I'M STANDING HERE TODAY.
I'M ASKING YOU ALL, ACTUALLY REALLY SUPPORT THIS BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, SO UTILIZE.
BUT I THINK THAT BY US MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION, THIS IS GOING TO GIVE US THE IMPACT.
AND, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR WE SAW A MAJOR INCREASE IN, UM, BABA CRONES.
WE SAW, I THINK 37 VICTIMS OF HOMICIDE LAST YEAR.
OUR GOAL IS TO CONTINUE, UM, VIOLENCE AND THE IMPACT
[01:00:01]
OF IN OUR COMMUNITY.SO THIS IS WHY I THINK THAT THIS IS INTERESTING.
THANK YOU, MS. TATE, ANYONE ELSE IN THE PUBLIC WHO IS MOVING SLOW, SMALLER DEPARTMENTS.
NOW LET'S MOVE TO DEPARTMENTS.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, MR. MILTON.
MY NAME IS EMMANUEL MILTON ARTICLE ABOUT A COMMUNITY ORGANIZING HERE AND ADVISORY BOARD PROCEDURES UNITED, UM, WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON VIOLENCE REDUCTION AMONGST AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND BRAIN SAFE, NOPE, FULL AND HOPE SAFE, HEALTHY AND HOPEFUL COMMUNITIES.
UM, THIS WORK IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND I FEEL SO STRONG ENOUGH ABOUT IT THAT I WANT IT TO COME HERE AND EXPRESS MY SUPPORT IN IT.
UH, THIS WORK IS VERY EFFECTIVE.
WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS WORK WITH CITIES UNITED VOLT FOR 10 YEARS.
AND THE MISSION OF CITIES UNITED IS TO TRY TO REDUCE THE ACTS OF VIOLENCE THAT'S GOING ON IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO CREATE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE IN THESE COMMUNITIES.
UH, WHENEVER THE FOUNDATION STARTED, THERE WERE 12 BLACK MEN DYING IN AMERICA TO GUN VIOLENCE, EVERY 24 HOURS WITH THIS FRAMEWORK.
AND THIS MODEL, THAT NUMBER TODAY HAS DROPPED BY TWO NUMBERS AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SAVE TWO LIVES EVERY 24 HOURS.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO EXPAND HIS WORK HERE IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA.
AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THIS SO WE CAN SAVE LIVES ON BOTH ENDS.
THANK YOU, MR. MILTON, ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC HERE? ARE WE MOVING NOW? WE MOVE.
UM, MY NAME IS KARLA CHAMBERS AND I REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY.
UH, WE KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE WHEN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AND THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FAIL COMMUNITY.
EVERYDAY PEOPLE TAKE ACTION TO CREATE SAFETY.
IT IS MY DEEPEST DESIRE TO LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE YOU CAN REALIZE THROUGH COMMUNITY.
WHEN WE GET TO THAT WORLD, THE POSSIBILITY FOR TRANSFORMATION WILL BECOME ENLIST.
CHARLENE CARRUTHERS, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE FUNDERS FOR JUSTICE, COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION IN BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT PRIVATE CITIZENS CAN PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN PREVENTING CRIME IN THEIR COMMUNITY RESEARCH SHOW, THE COMMUNITY BASED APPROACH TO PREVENTION CAN HAVE A MUCH GREATER IMPACT ON CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR THAN ENFORCEMENT ALONE.
THE WIDE VARIETY OF STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED RESULTS IN ADVANCED RANG INTO RESPONSES TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, COMMUNITY SAFETY AND COHESIVELY ISSUE.
I TAKEN JOINT ACTION THAT BRINGS IN EXPERTISE AND INSIGHTS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THERE'S A MUCH GREATER POTENTIAL FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS.
AFTER ALL THE BROAD BASE SUPPORT AND MULTIPLICATION OF RESOURCES FROM ACROSS THE COMMUNITY MEANS THAT EVERYONE HAS A STAKE IN ACHIEVING RESULTS AND FEEL PRIDE IN THE EFFORT THEY UNDERTAKE THE BROAD BASE OF SUPPORT ME INITIATIVES, MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE SUSTAINED OVER THE LONGER TERM.
I AM HERE TO SHARE THAT I BELIEVE IT IS IMPERATIVE.
WE PRIORITIZE SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITY.
WE WILL PARTNER BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTRIBUTE.
WE WILL PARTICIPATE MORE IN COMMUNITY EVENTS AND DO ANYTHING NECESSARY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND WORK HARD, TO BE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL WITH AN AFRICAN CITY.
ANYONE ELSE HERE? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 98, ANYONE HERE? ALL RIGHT BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, MOTION BY ROCKER.
SECOND BY COLEMAN MOTION PASSES, MOVING ON ITEM 199,
[99. 21-00172]
AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH PARKING ON INC DBA FLOW BIRD TO PROVIDE PARKING EQUIPMENT, TO INCLUDE SINGLE AND DOUBLE SPACE METERS, MULTI PASTES KIOSK, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES.SO AN ON STREET PARKING IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $850,000 BY MAYOR.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 99, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 99, WE DO HAVE SOME EMAIL COMMENTS.
THIS IS FROM PHILIPPA LARD BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ATTAIN, OBTAIN A COPY OF THE
I SUBMITTED A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST FOR THE CONTRACT ON FEBRUARY 5TH, 2025, 2021, AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A COPY OF THE CONTRACT AS OF 9:00 AM
[01:05:01]
TODAY.I WAS ALSO NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THE PARK'S CONTRACT IN A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST UNTIL AFTER THE METRO COUNCIL APPROVED ITS EXECUTION.
I RECEIVED A COPY OF THE PARK'S CONTRACT ON FEBRUARY 19TH.
IN MY OPINION, THE METRO COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH A COPY OF THE RFP OF ALL THE PROPOSALS, THE GRADING OF THE PROPOSALS, ANY ACTUAL FINAL CONTRACT PRIOR TO APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT LIKE THIS ONE IN ADDITION, CITIZENS SHOULD BE ABLE TO ATTEND, OBTAIN A COPY IN A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST, OR THE CONTRACT SHOULD BE ATTACHED AS DOCUMENTATION WITH THE ASSOCIATED AGENDA ITEM PRIOR TO IT BEING APPROVED FOR EXECUTION.
IF THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS REALLY SUPPOSED TO BE TRANSPARENT, IT CONCLUDES THE COMMENTS ON ITEM 99, COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL COUNCIL MEMBER A.
IS THERE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE AS FAR AS, OKAY, THANK YOU.
THE $850,000 IS THAT I KNOW I TALKED TO Y'ALL EARLIER TODAY AND Y'ALL SAID IT COVERS ALL PRETTY MUCH ALL THE METERS BRINGING THEM UP TO DATE AND EVERYTHING, AS FAR AS, UH, CREDIT CARD PROCESSING OR, UH, DIFFERENT FORMS OF PAYMENT, OTHER THAN TRYING TO DIG TO YOUR CARD AND FIND COINS, UH, THE $850,000 IS THAT, THAT NUMBER THAT YOU CAME UP HERE WITH $850,000, THEY WENT OUT AND CHECKED EACH ONE AND THEY SAID, DOES EVERYONE, THIS IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO REPLACE EVERYONE, OR IS THERE SOME BUILT IN HERE AS FAR AS COVERING ANY OTHER EXPENSES THAT MAY THANK YOU.
SO THE 850,000 IS BASED ON OUR ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT PARKING LAYOUT.
WE ARE LOOKING TO OPTIMIZE AND USE AS MANY KIOSKS AS POSSIBLE.
CURRENTLY WE HAVE AREAS WHERE WE MIGHT ONLY HAVE TWO SPOTS AND THEN A LARGE LOADING ZONE.
A KIOSK IS A VERY EXPENSIVE INVESTMENT.
SO WE HAVE MODELED BASED ON HOW THE CURRENT LAYOUT IS WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES TO OPTIMIZE THE LOADING ZONES AND USE AS MANY KIOSKS AS POSSIBLE.
SO THE $850,000 IS REALLY COMPRISED OF APPROXIMATELY 750,000 FOR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.
AND THEN THERE IS AN ANNUAL ASSOCIATED LICENSING COST HAS IT'S A, IT'S A WIFI TECHNOLOGY BASED SOLUTION.
THAT'S APPROXIMATELY A HUNDRED THOUSAND.
SO WE'VE FORECASTED 850,000, UH, TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH UNTIL WE HAVE APPROVAL TO NEGOTIATE FOR THE METRO COUNCIL.
SO WE DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT, UH, BUT WE CERTAINLY WILL BE NEGOTIATING AS WE GO FORWARD.
ANOTHER QUESTION KIOSK VERSUS NOW, WHEN YOU SAY KIOSK THAT DEFINE KIOSKS, CAUSE I'VE SEEN LIKE IN NEW ORLEANS AND I THINK YOU'LL HAVE ONE DOWN HERE IN FRONT OF CAPITOL CITY GRILL IS YOU PUT ONE KIOSK UP AND IT COVERS LIKE A WHOLE SECTION.
IS THAT WHAT KIOSKS BAR VERSUS INDIVIDUAL PARKING METERS? SO WE HAVE MODELED THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EQUIPMENT IN OUR ASSUMPTIONS BASED ON OUR CURRENT LAYOUT, YOU HAVE A SINGLE SPOT SINGLE METER.
YOU CAN HAVE DOUBLE SPOTS WITH A SINGLE METER BECAUSE THEY'RE NOW DIGITAL.
SO YOU CAN PAY FOR THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT OR IN THE BACK, THAT'S CALLED THE DOUBLE METER.
AND THEN WE HAVE MULTI SPACE, UH, KIOSKS OR MULTI SPACE, UH, UNITS.
THOSE ARE ACTUALLY LICENSED PLATE BASED.
SO UNLIKE HAVING TO PAY RIGHT THERE, IF YOU'RE WALKING NORTH ON THIRD STREET AND SEE A PLACE YOU WANT TO PAY, AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S A LITTLE FURTHER UP THE ROAD, YOU CAN PAY RIGHT THERE OR, UH, THAT WAY YOU'RE NOT WALKING AROUND THE BLOCK OR STUCK SPECIFICALLY ON YOUR BLOCK.
AND LAST THING ON THE PUBLIC REQUEST, UM, I KNOW ON PUBLIC REQUESTS YOU HAVE SO LONG TO RESPOND AND YOU'RE SAYING THAT THERE WAS NOTHING REALLY TO GIVE THAT INFORMATION TO THAT PERSON, AS FAR AS THE PUBLIC REQUESTS, WAS THAT INFORMATION GIVEN TO THEM AS FAR AS WHAT YOU JUST TOLD US, UH, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, WE, WE DO RESPOND, UM, STATE LAW KIND OF DICTATES HOW LONG WE HAVE.
WE, WE SHOULD HAVE RESPONDED THAT AT THIS TIME A CONTRACT WASN'T AVAILABLE HAS W WE HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO ONE.
DO WE KNOW WHAT THAT WAS DONE? UH, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, IT WAS BECAUSE I TALKED TO MY ASSISTANT ABOUT IT.
AND WHEN WE HAD THE REQUEST AND I MENTIONED THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A CONTRACT TO SHARE, AND WE WOULD NORMALLY WORK WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO THE PUBLIC RECORDS TO LET THEM KNOW, THANK YOU, COUNSEL NUMBER DONE.
ADDRESS ONE OF MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION PIECE AND CHRIS, YOU SAY THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, BUT CAN YOU VERIFY THAT, YOU KNOW, PHILIP ASKED FOR A LOT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS AND HE'S VERY ACTIVE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
I ACTUALLY AGREE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A CONTRACT BEFORE WE APPROVE IT, BUT IF THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE, LET'S COMMUNICATE THAT INFORMATION TO HIM.
UM, I WANTED YOU HAVE A NEED FOR SOMEBODY TO KIND OF SPEAK TO THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE ADVANCEMENTS IN THE TECHNOLOGY AND HOW THIS IS GOING TO BRING US UP TO THE 21ST CENTURY AS IT RELATES TO
[01:10:01]
THIS, THE NEEDS YOU WANT TO FIRST, YOU GOT IT.UH, SO, UH, HAS, YOU KNOW, CURRENTLY THE METERS WE HAVE, UM, ARE ASSOCIATED AROUND WITH OUR ORDINANCE VINTAGE 1988.
THEY WERE PRONE TO A LOT OF VANDALISM AND OTHER ISSUES, ASSHOLE, AND THEY ACCEPTED COINS.
UH, THE NEW METERS WILL ACCEPT BOTH COINS AS WELL AS DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS.
AND YOU CAN ALSO PAY WITH AN APP.
SO, UH, I THINK WE'RE MAKING EASIER FOR USERS TO COME DOWN.
ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES IS HELPING GET TURNOVER AT THE SPOT SO THAT FOLKS CAN PATRONIZE THE BUSINESSES.
SO WE ACTUALLY THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HELP TURN OVER AND IMPROVE THE ABILITY FOR FOLKS TO PATRONIZE THE BUSINESSES.
THE, UH, AS I MENTIONED, IF THE MULTI SPACE TYPE METERS YOU CAN PAY AT ANYONE, YOU PUT YOUR LICENSE PLATE IN, UH, YOU CAN ALSO SET IT UP ON YOUR PHONE WITH AN APP.
IF YOU'D LIKE, IT WILL NOTIFY YOU.
SO IF YOU'RE HAVING A POWER LUNCH AND THE LUNCH WAS AN HOUR AND YOU THINK YOU'RE GONNA BE AN HOUR AND A HALF, IT WILL ACTUALLY TIME YOU.
IF YOU'D LIKE, AND LET YOU KNOW, DO YOU WANT TO ADD 30 MINUTES OR YOU'RE GETTING READY TO EXPIRE.
SO, UH, WE DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE BUSINESS OF ISSUING TICKETS.
WE WANT TO MAKE THIS EASY FOR FOLKS TO PAY, AND WE WANT THEM TO KIND OF HELP FOLKS MOVE THROUGH THE TRAFFIC.
SO I THINK THAT THAT'S A HUGE ADVANTAGE.
THE OTHER QUESTION OR CONCERN HAS BEEN A LOT AROUND ENFORCEMENT.
UH, THE ENFORCEMENT ON THESE IS TYPICALLY DONE WITH THE LICENSE PLATE READERS.
SO IT'S REAL TIME IF YOU PUT YOUR LICENSE PLATE NUMBER IN THAT FROM A MULTI SPACE, UH, WHEN THE ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES DRIVING BY IT READS LICENSE PLATE, AND IT WILL SAY THIS PERSON'S PAID, OR THIS PERSON HAS NOT PAID.
THE GREAT PART OF THAT IS IF YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING AT THE SOUTH SIDE OF BATON ROUGE AND MAYBE HEADING NORTH, IF YOU'VE PAID, YOU'VE BOUGHT AN HOUR OR TWO FOR YOUR VEHICLE.
SO YOU ACTUALLY GET TO TAKE THAT TIME WITH YOU.
ONE OF THE THINGS CHRIS DIDN'T MENTION, AS HE DID MENTION ABOUT THE PEDESTRIAN WALKING PIECE, BUT ALSO THE APP WILL ALLOW YOU, IF YOU, IN TRANSITION TO DOWNTOWN TO SEE WHERE VACANCIES ARE AND PAY FOR THOSE VACANCIES.
SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO RIDE AROUND LOOKING FOR THEM, YOU CAN PAY FOR IT, AND IT BASICALLY RESERVE YOUR SPACE.
SO I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER CITIES AND WAS EXCITED WHEN VINNY AND CHRIS CAME TO ME TO, TO SHARE WITH ME ABOUT IT BECAUSE I'VE HEARD FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS IN OTHER CITIES WHO ALREADY HAVE IT.
SO A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS WE'RE MOVING FROM A, A DOUBLE, A TWO TIER PAY STRUCTURE TO A SINGLE PAY STRUCTURE.
AND JUST ANY SPECIFIC REASON WHY? YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
SO, UM, OUR CURRENT RATES ARE 25 CENTS PER HALF HOUR OR A NET 50 CENTS FOR AN HOUR.
UH, THIS TECHNOLOGY DOES COST A LITTLE MORE AND A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE CONNECTIVITY IN ADDITION, OUR RATES AS COMPARED TO OTHERS.
AND WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT THIS ON THE NEXT ONE, BUT OUR RATES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW MARKET, EVEN WITH A PROPOSED SINGLE RATE.
UM, BUT ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE IS WHEN YOU USE YOUR DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD, THERE IS A MERCHANT FEE AND IT'S A FLAT FEE HAS WELL AS A PERCENTAGE.
SO, UH, IF I WERE NOT, IF WE DO NOT RAISE THE RATES TO SOMETHING CLOSER TO MARKET, WE WILL LITERALLY LOSE MONEY, UH, WHEN SOMEBODY USES THEIR DEBIT CARD.
SO, UH, WE'RE TRYING TO JUST EQUALIZE IT.
I WILL SHARE WITH YOU THAT THE RATE STRUCTURE IS, IS 33% LOWER THAN LSUS, AND IT WILL BE, UH, 50 TO 66% LOWER THAN WHAT YOU WOULD FIND IN NOLA.
SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RATE IS LOW, KEEP FOLKS COMING DOWN, ALSO HELP WITH VEHICLE TURNOVER AND HELP MAKE IT EASY TO PAY.
AND H WHO IS THE, THE CREDIT CARD PROCESSOR ON THAT? IS IT FLOW BIRD OR IS IT, THEY HAVE A THIRD ONE? EXCELLENT QUESTION.
SO AT THIS MOMENT, UM, WE HAVE A MASTER AGREEMENT WITH OUR BANKING, SO WE ACTUALLY NEED TO WORK WITH THEM TO SEE IF WE CAN GET AN EXEMPTION.
I HAVE MODELED, UH, KIND OF THE FLOW BIRD RATE.
THAT'S NOT THAT WE'RE COMMITTED TO FLOW BIRD.
WE HAVE FOUND IN THE PAST THAT WHEN WE HAVE A LOT OF THESE SMALL SINGLE MERCHANT FEES, LET ALONE ON A WIRELESS TYPE NETWORK, YOU GET A LOT OF ERRORS.
AND SO HISTORICALLY OUR PRIMARY BANKER HAS SAID, GO AHEAD AND LET SOMEBODY ELSE DO IT BECAUSE IT'S THEIR PLATFORM AND THEIR TECHNOLOGY.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, UNTIL I, I HAVE AUTHORIZATION AND NEGOTIATE AND MOVE FORWARD, WE CAN'T WAIT.
SO WE'RE PURCHASING THESE THESE METERS.
RIGHT? AND SO, SO THE MAINTENANCE REPAIRS, THOSE WILL BE ON US, RIGHT? YES, IT IS.
UM, THE, THE PAYBACK PERIOD IS ROUGHLY AT THE REVISED RATE IS ROUGHLY 30 MONTHS.
SO, UM, THAT PAYBACK PERIOD ASSUMES THE $85,000, THE ANNUAL LICENSING MAINTENANCE, WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY.
AND THEN I HAVE MODELED, UH, WHAT WE BELIEVE BASED ON THE MIX OF $35,000 WARRANTY FEE.
UH, SO THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE EQUIPMENT.
I MEAN, WE ARE GETTING INTO WIRELESS AND CREDIT CARD READERS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
SO WARRANTY WORK WOULD BE COVERED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ANALYST.
AND THE WHAT'S THE LIFESPAN, UH, TYPICALLY
[01:15:01]
10 TO 15 YEARS ON THIS TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM.UM, SO, AND YOU SAID 30 MONTHS TO RECOUP OUR INVESTMENT AND THEN, UM, WHAT LONG-TERM, WHAT DO WE EXPECT THE REVENUE TO THE CITY TO BE FROM THESE MEANS GREAT, UH, HISTORICALLY OUR REVENUE, UM, WHEN WE HAD ALL THE METERS OPERATIONAL AT THE CURRENT RATE WAS ABOUT 250,000 A YEARS.
WHAT FINANCE AND I IDENTIFIED, UM, ON THE NEW RATE, IT WOULD BE A LITTLE HIGHER BECAUSE OF THE RATE PREMIUM, LESS THE MAINTENANCE COSTS, THE WARRANTY COSTS, THE CONDUCTIVITY COSTS AND THE CREDIT CARD MERCHANT FEE.
SO WE'RE STILL FORECASTING BETWEEN 250 AND UPSIDE OF 400.
THE UPSIDE COMES FROM HOW MANY TIMES PEOPLE FILL UP AND PARK AND SOMEBODY ELSE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO LEAVE YOU 30 OR 45 MINUTES WITH THE NEW METER YOU'RE PAYING FOR YOUR OWN CAR.
SO THEY HAVE SAID BASED ON OTHER STUDIES THAT TYPICALLY YOU WILL SEE A PAY RATE IN THE 50 TO 60%.
AND IF I BACKED INTO WHAT WE HISTORICALLY HAD, WE WERE ON THE FOURTH.
AND SO, AND YOU'VE NAMED OFF ALL OF THE EXPENSES, IS IT, THERE'S NOT A, IS THERE A REVENUE SHARING? NO.
UH, THE INITIALLY, UH, THAT, THAT WAS WHEN WE FIRST DID A SOLICITATION, THERE WAS THOSE TYPES OF REQUESTS AND, AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT.
NOW, SOME NUMBER HUDSON, CHRIS, I JUST WANTED TO SAY GOOD JOB ON GETTING IT DONE.
NOT, NOT JUST THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL, BUT I THINK EVEN THE COUNCIL BEFORE THAT IT WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS.
AND SO IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND, AND YOU HAVEN'T BEEN, YOU'VE BEEN HERE A WHILE NOW, BUT NOT TOO TERRIBLY LONG.
UM, A LITTLE BIT OF FEEDBACK AS IT RELATES TO, UM, THE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT WE GOT, YOU KNOW, I I'VE FOUND THAT IT'S, IT'S FAIRLY COMMON FOR US TO SEE DRAFT CONTRACTS.
UM, SO NOT NECESSARILY, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE FINAL DRAFT IS NOT SIGNED BY BOTH PARTIES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT, BUT DRAFT AGREEMENTS.
I, I THINK THAT IT'S INSTRUCTIVE TO THE COUNCIL, UM, AND IT'S INSTRUCTIVE TO THE PUBLIC TO KIND OF LET THEM KNOW WHERE THE NEGOTIATIONS START.
UM, SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE IN THE FUTURE.
UM, YOU KNOW, I JUST THINK IT'D BE GOOD FOR US, IS THAT YES, SIR.
WHAT, UH, DO I JUST SAY IT, BUT TELL ME ABOUT THAT RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT, THE NUMBER OF MONTHS? I THINK IN OUR CONVERSATION, WE TALKED ABOUT, UH, MAYBE, UH, 27 MONTHS TALK TO US TOO.
SO IF WE ASSUMED A 40% OCCUPANCY OF THE SPOTS AND RAN THROUGH THE NUMBERS, THE REVENUE WOULD BE ROUGHLY 494,000 AFTER LICENSING COSTS THE CREDIT CARD.
AND I HAVE TO MAKE AN ASSUMPTION ON 50% OF TIME AS A CREDIT CARD.
SO IT'S JUST A STAKE IN THE GROUND.
UH, AND THEN LESS 3% OF THE REVENUE HAS THE VARIABLE FEE.
AND THEN I ALSO MODELED THE WARRANTY THAT WOULD GENERATE ROUGHLY 251,000 IN REVENUE, UH, ON A $750,000 CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.
IF WE WERE TO, UH, SEE A HIGHER RATE, HIGHER, HIGHER PAY RATE, WHICH WE BELIEVE BASED ON, ON OTHER STUDIES, UH, WE'D BE LOOKING IN BETWEEN 370.
AND I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, THE FAR HIGH, HIGH, POSITIVE, AND, UH, BEING IN THE FOUR 50 RANGE.
SO, UM, AT 251,000 ON A $750,000 INVESTMENT, I WOULD TELL YOU, YOUR WORST CASE IS 36 MONTHS.
UH, WE EXPECT IT TO BE BETTER THAN THAT.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER GREEN.
I WENT BACK AND FORTH ON PRESSING THAT BUTTON, UM, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO BE THE LONE RANGER ON THIS ONE.
UM, I'M TYPICALLY, UM, ONE OF THOSE BUSINESS PERSONS THAT COME DOWNTOWN ALMOST EVERY DAY, UM, WHEN COUNCILMAN MOKE SAID NEW ORLEANS, I CRINGED BECAUSE WHEN YOU DON'T PAY, IT'S A BOOT.
AND THEN THAT'S A WHOLE NOTHER ISSUE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE BUSINESS PEOPLE THAT COME DOWNTOWN EVERY DAY.
UM, I DO BELIEVE I'M SUPPORTING IT.
AND I DO BELIEVE THAT IF, IF THE REVENUE AND THE STUDIES SHOW THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE REVENUE IS A GOOD IDEA.
UM, MY QUESTION IS IN REGARDS TO, IS IT, WILL IT BE OPERA OPERATING ON WEEKENDS AND EVENINGS? SOME CITIES DO THAT WHERE THEY CANCEL IT OUT.
UM, ON CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, CERTAIN INSTANCES HAPPENED.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAD ANOTHER SNOW DAY, IT'D BE CANCELED OUT.
NOT THAT YOU SHOULD BE DRIVING DURING THE SNOW, BUT, UM, THAT'S KINDA MY QUESTIONS.
CAUSE I KNOW THE, THE, THE, THE LAWYERS ARE GOING TO START CALLING ME AND SAYING, WHY DID YOU APPROVE THAT? BUT I JUST WANTED TO GET IT OUT THERE.
SO AT THIS TIME WE HAVE MODELED AND ASSUMED THE SAME HOURS OF OPERATION,
[01:20:01]
WHICH IS 8:00 AM TO 6:00 PM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS ARE EXCLUDED.I DO NOT FORESEE THE WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS CHANGING.
UM, WE DID HAVE A GREAT MEETING WITH MANY OF THE BUSINESSES WITH DDD.
UM, WE ARE ACTUALLY EVALUATING POTENTIALLY GOING FROM 7:00 AM TO 6:00 PM.
WE STILL WANT FOLKS TO COME DOWN AND ENJOY DINNER, BUT A LOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU'RE PULLING UP, YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE AN EIGHT O'CLOCK AND IT KIND OF GETS WEIRD IF YOU'RE NOT PAYING OR YOU'RE PAYING.
SO, UM, WE'RE ACTUALLY THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE HAVE WITH ADJUSTING OR NEEDING TO MAKE THE DECISION BETWEEN 7:00 AM OR 8:00 AM, IS THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT SIGNAGE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE MULTI SPACE KIOSKS.
AND SO WE NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR AND I WOULD HATE TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN SIGNAGE THAT SAYS EIGHT TO SIX ONLY TO TURN AROUND AND THEN SAY, YOU KNOW, HEY, WE WOULD LIKE TO DO SEVEN TO SIX.
SO WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH, UH, OUR PARTNERS DOWNTOWN AND THE SMALL BUSINESSES.
AS I SAID, WE'RE GOING TO OPTIMIZE THE LOADING ZONES AND THE UNLOADING ZONES.
WE WANT FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO GET IN AND OUT OF RESTAURANTS OR PICK UP THERE TO GO AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
I WANT, I'VE SEEN WHERE UPS, TRUCKS STRUGGLE THE PARK.
SO WE'RE GOING TO OPTIMIZE THAT.
AND I THINK THAT COLLECTIVELY, UH, WITH THEIR INPUT, WE'LL MAKE A FINAL DECISION IF WE WOULD ADJUST FROM SEVEN TO SIX OR KEEP IT EIGHT TO SIX.
UM, AND, AND THE BEST BET IS TO GET ADDITIONAL SPACES, BUT THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH ROOM ON THE STREETS DOWNTOWN, AND IT DOES GET CONGESTED IN CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY LUNCH HOUR, UM, EARLY MORNING, UH, IT REALLY DOES.
AND SO MOST PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT DOWNTOWN A LOT DON'T KNOW THAT, BUT, UM, I, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, I'M A SUPPORT IT, AND I WISH YOU THE BEST.
I'M HAPPY THAT THE QUESTION ASKED ABOUT HOW THE LIFETIME OF THE, THE, THE, UM, PRODUCT, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD THE OTHER ONES THAT LOOK TOO LONG.
I THINK THEY DIED AND WOKE BACK UP AT ONE POINT.
BUT, UH, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR WORK ON THE PROJECT.
I GOT A COUNCIL NUMBERS, COUNCIL NUMBER MODE REAL QUICK.
UM, YOU ANSWERED THIS FOR ME EARLIER.
I FORGOT TO WRITE IT DOWN, BUT THESE PARKING METERS THAT HAVE BEEN IN, I THINK THE NUMBER WAS 1988, 88 94, I THINK THEY'RE 88 VINTAGE VINTAGE 88.
UM, I JUST WANTED, AGAIN, I JUST WANTED THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND IS, AND I DIDN'T KNOW THIS TILL YOU BROUGHT IT UP A WHILE AGO, COUNCILMAN HUSBAND, BUT Y'ALL HAD BEEN WORKING ON THIS THROUGH TWO OTHER COUNCIL CON TIMES AND EVERYTHING.
AND, YOU KNOW, I, I, IN MY DISCUSSIONS EARLIER, I WAS JUST LIKE, THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN YOU GET DOWNTOWN AND I HAVE NO CASH AND NO COINS, AND I'M DIGGING THROUGH THE CAR AND I'M LIKE, DO I TAKE THE CHANCE AND RUN IN? DO I NOT HIT MY, GO GET THE BOOT WHENEVER I COME BACK OUT.
BUT, UH, I THINK IT'S A MUCH NEEDED UPGRADE, UH, FOR US SINCE 19.
WELL, SINCE THE LAST WORLD'S FAIR IN LOUISIANA.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS BACK YOU CHRIS FOR ELIMINATING THE COINS? WE STILL HAVE COINS, BUT WE HAVE LOTS OF OPTIONS MAKING IT EASY.
IS THERE A MOTION, MOTION TO APPROVE ON MOLT SECOND BY ADAMS COLEMAN HUSSON ANNE GREEN MOTION CARRIES MOTION CARRIES ITEM
[100. 21-00173]
NUMBER 100 AMENDED TITLE 11 CHAPTER.OR DID WE JUST DO THAT WHILE WE THEN, ALL RIGHT.
AMENDED TITLE 11 CHAPTER 28 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH EAST BATON ROUGE.
SO AS TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS AND TO ADD OR DELETE PROVISIONS BY OFFICE OF THE MAYOR PRESIDENT, IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 100? IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM 100 COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION TO APPROVE BY MOKE SECOND? OR YOU WANT TO GOT A QUESTION? OKAY, GO AHEAD.
NOW THAT WE'RE INTO THE FUNDING PART AND WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH IT, THE INCREASE IN COST AND EVERYTHING.
UM, I KNOW WE DISCUSSED IN THE LAST GO ROUND ABOUT THE COVERAGE OF THE EQUIPMENT BEING PAID FOR.
COULD YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE IDEA OF WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT EQUIPMENT PAID FOR AND WHAT THIS REVENUE IS GOES FOR? OKAY.
UM, SO I GUESS, UH, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
LET ME FIRST START WITH THIS INITIAL INVESTMENT.
UH, WE'VE ACTUALLY HAD MONEY ALLOCATED AND FINANCE CAN USE THE EXACT APPROPRIATE TERM, BUT THROUGH THE 30 PLUS YEARS OF THE OTHER ONE, WE'VE BUILT UP A SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
SO, UH, IN THIS FUND, THE FUNDING IS DEDICATED FOR PARKING METERS.
SO IT'S NOT THAT THIS IS COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.
IT'S, IT'S ALMOST BEEN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT OVER 30 YEARS THAT WE'VE BUILT UP, THAT WE NOW HAVE TO INVEST IN THE TECHNOLOGY.
HAS WE GO FORWARD WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BREAKEVEN OR THE PAYBACK PERIOD, THOSE FUNDS THE APP, THE TOTAL REVENUE DO COME BACK TO THE CITY IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL FUND, LESS
[01:25:01]
WHAT WOULD BE THE APPROPRIATE EXPENSES, WHICH WOULD BE THE CONNECTIVITY SERVICING FEE.AND THEN IF WE CHOOSE TO DO THE WARRANTY, SO THE NET REVENUE WOULD COME BACK TO THE CITY IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL FUND.
AND IT WOULD BE A LINE ITEM THAT WE WOULD SEE, UM, HISTORICALLY THAT'S WHERE WE WERE BASING THE ORIGINAL 240,000 ON WHEN WE HAD ALL THE METERS IN 2014.
AND THE ECONOMY WAS A LITTLE MORE NORMAL, UH, EXACTLY WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NEXT YEAR.
UM, I WOULD ALSO SHARE WITH YOU THAT WE ARE NOT RAISING THE RATES UNTIL JULY, TO BE HONEST, THE FIRST THREE OR FOUR MONTHS THAT THESE MAY BE OUT THERE.
UH, THERE IS NO REVENUE GENERATED.
ONCE YOU LOOK AT THE EXPENSES AND I'M PAYING 20 CENTS TO HAVE YOU USE YOUR CREDIT CARD.
SO, UH, BUT WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND IN THE HOSPITALITY.
AND I, I THINK THEY'VE BEEN GREAT SUPPORTERS OF THE CAIN CENTER.
I THINK WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM AS WELL.
SO, SO THE REVENUE FROM, FROM ALL THE METERS AND EVERYTHING JUST GO INTO THE GENERAL FUND, IT DOES GO BACK TO THE GENERAL, NO SPECIFIC ENHANCEMENTS AS FAR AS DOWNTOWN OR WHERE THEY'RE AT, AS FAR AS ADDITIONAL PARKING OR PURCHASING, I GUESS I DON'T WANT TO SAY RIGHT AWAY, I GUESS I'M JUST TRYING TO, YOU KNOW,
THAT'S WHY I SAID I WAS GOING TO CALL A FRIEND LINDA, HI, COUNCILMAN IN ANTICIPATION OF GETTING THESE PARKING IMPROVEMENTS IN PLACE.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE $500,000 CURRENTLY BUDGETED IN THE GENERAL FUND FOR ANTICIPATED REVENUE FROM THIS SOURCE.
SO IT'S, IT'S, IT'S SUPPORTING ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH ALSO INCLUDE THE COST OF MAINTENANCE COLLECTION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO I, YOU KNOW, WE'VE ALREADY COUNTED ON IT, I GUESS, IS, IS THE ANSWER TO THAT AND ANYTHING THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET IN ADDITION TO, OF COURSE, THEN WE COULD, WE COULD CONSIDER IT FOR OTHER ENHANCEMENTS.
UH, AGAIN, IT GO BACK TO THE POINT THAT I'D ASKED YOU EARLIER TODAY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, DID, DID THE CITY PARISH OWN ANY PARKING GARAGES? UM, AND I KNOW WE HAVE THE EAST AND WEST OVER HERE, OR IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER, I THOUGHT WE HAD THE ONE DOWNTOWN ABOVE THE POLICE STATION ON THIRD, BUT, UH, THAT'S A PRIVATE INDUSTRY OR WHATEVER ELSE.
I JUST DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT REVENUE, UM, WE JUST PASSED THE LIGHTING AND EVERYTHING ENHANCEMENTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
DOES THE REVENUE GO FOR THAT ALSO SINCE WE'RE GETTING THE PARKING FEES AND THE GARAGE AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, OR DOES THE GARAGE COVER ITSELF? I HAVE A GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE ANSWER.
I'M GOING TO TURN OVER THE, YEAH, SO WE, WE DO KEEP OUR PARKING FUNCTIONS IN FOR THE PARKING GARAGE FACILITIES IN AN ENTERPRISE FUND, WHICH IS A, IT'S A FUND THAT OPERATES KIND OF LIKE A, LIKE A BUSINESS FUND TO WHERE WE ACCOUNT FOR ALL THE REVENUES THAT COME IN FOR THE EAST, THE WEST GARAGE AND ALL, UH, SURFACE PARKING.
AND WE ACCOUNT FOR ALL THE EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
AND, AND WE, YOU KNOW, THOSE SUPPORT THEMSELVES.
AND THEN IF WE PAY THE MAINTENANCE OUT OF THERE, IF WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL MONEY, WHAT WE USUALLY DO IS WE KEEP THOSE IN RESERVES FOR NEEDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
SO WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER PROBABLY THE LAST 15 YEARS IS WHENEVER WE HAD ANY TYPE OF SURPLUS IN THAT PARKING GARAGE, FINE.
WE KNEW THAT WE HAD TO MAKE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, LIKE FIX THE ELEVATORS AND THINGS LIKE THAT IN THE GARAGE, DO THE LIGHTING.
WE ALSO WERE ABLE TO RESERVE MONEY TO DO THE PARKS EQUIPMENT THAT IS GOING TO BE NEW EQUIPMENT THAT IS GOING TO BE INSTALLED, UH, IN THE PARKING GARAGES THEMSELVES, THE GATE SYSTEMS AND THINGS.
AND SO THAT EQUIPMENT WILL ALSO COME OUT OF THAT SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT WITH THE, THE ELEVATORS THAT WE'VE REPAIRED, THIS NEW PARKING EQUIPMENT AND THE NEW PARKING FUND AND THE LIGHTING, WE'VE PRETTY MUCH DEPLETED WHAT WE'VE SAVED UP.
AND SO WE NEED TO START RELYING ON THESE REVENUE SOURCES NOW TO SUPPORT THOSE MAINTENANCE FUNCTIONS AND TO TRY TO BUILD UP SOME BALANCES IN CASE WE NEED TO MAKE FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE FACILITIES.
YOU GOT TO EXPLAIN THAT, UH, THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO GET AT, I GUESS, MAINLY MORE FOR PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE BECAUSE WE'RE SITTING HERE WITH AN ORDINANCE.
I JUST, YOU KNOW WHAT PUBLICITY IS, IS WE'RE INCREASING FEES.
AND, UH, AGAIN, I GO BACK TO ANOTHER DATE.
YOU TOLD ME THE LAST TIME THOSE FEES WERE PUT IN PLACE WHERE MAC 1988.
SO AGAIN, WE GO BACK TO THAT FAR AND, BUT YOU KNOW, COSTS AND EXPENSIVE HAS INCREASED IN, IN DIFFERENT STANDARDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO I JUST WANTED THE PUBLIC TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THESE, I THINK WE'RE JUST FINALLY CATCHING UP IS WHAT WE'RE DOING, UH, WITH THESE FEES AND EVERYTHING.
SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR THAT EXPLANATION.
[01:30:01]
ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION? WAS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT? DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO A PROMOTION BY GOLDADE SECOND BY ADAMS MOTION CARRIES MOTION CARRIES ITEM NUMBER[101. 21-00176]
101 AUTHORIZING THEIR PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT A SUB-RECIPIENT GRANT AWARD FROM THE BANDWIDTH CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR THE RAPID CASE ASSESSMENT TEAM PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $86,685 FOR THE GRANT PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2021 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2021 BY THE CITY PROSECUTOR, COUNCIL BUDGET.OFFICER, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 101, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE OH ONE COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY
[102. 21-00187 (Part 1 of 2)]
OH TWO AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESENT ON BEHALF OF THE BATTLERS POLICE DEPARTMENT TO AMEND A PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARENTS OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND TIMOTHY H. HARDY OF BRAZIL SACKS AND WILSON LLP.THE AMENDMENT WOULD INCREASE THE MAXIMUM COMPENSATION EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, 2020 BY $52,168 AND 94 CENT FROM $78,000 TO $130,168 94 CENTS BY POLICE CHIEF.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE OH TWO COUNTS.
THIS IS JENNIFER CARLISLE AGAIN.
UM, I'VE JUST WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD GET, UH, SOME KIND OF INCLINATION OR INKLING OF WHY SUCH A LARGE, UH, INCREASE IS, DOES THERE HAVE BEEN MORE COURT CASES COMING UP OR WHAT, WHAT IS IT THAT'S CAUSING THIS INCREASE? THANK YOU.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TAKE A STAB AT ANSWERING THAT QUESTION IN TERMS OF WHY THIS CONTRACT IS GOING UP WHILE WE'RE WAITING, I'M GOING TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY ALSO TO RECOGNIZE MOST UP AND THANK THEM.
UH, THEY, THEY IN PARTICIPATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH, UH, HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREP, A HOUSE 800 RESIDENTS ON LAST WEEK, THEY WERE ABLE TO HOUSE 800 RESIDENTS DURING THE STORM, MOST UP HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPARATION.
WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS LAST WEEK DURING THE STORM AS WELL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR.
MR. HARDY IS AN OUTSIDE COUNSEL SIGNED UP BY OUR OFFICE TO THE BENEFIT OF THE CHIEF PAUL.
HIS SOLE JOB IS TO HANDLE DISCIPLINE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND REPRESENTING THE CHIEF BEFORE THE FIRE HUMAN AND MUNICIPAL BOARD CAN SAY THE WORD SOMETIMES MUNICIPAL BOY.
UM, I KNOW THAT THE INVOICES FLOW THROUGH OUR OFFICE, BUT THEY'RE THEN PAID THROUGH FINANCE AND EVERYTHING THAT NATURE.
I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION TODAY AS TO WHY THAT'S A SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED AS BETWEEN THE CHIEF AND MR. HARDY, BECAUSE IT COMES OUT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET AND NOT OUR USUAL OUTSIDE COUNSEL BUDGET, BUT I WILL OBTAIN THAT INFORMATION AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S PROVIDED Y'ALL HAVE THE CHIEF PROVIDED INFORMATION TO Y'ALL AS TO THE REASONING.
SO WE APPROVED AN INCREASE LAST WEEK.
DIDN'T WE? ANDY? WHAT WAS THAT ONE FOR? SORRY TO GO BACKWARDS, BUT I MEAN, I FEEL LIKE EVERY WEEKS THESE ATTORNEYS ARE GETTING INCREASES.
I'LL TELL YOU WHY THAT'S, THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.
UH, COUNCIL, WOMAN, AND WHAT IT IS IS THAT WHEN WE INITIALLY SIGNED UP AN OUTSIDE COUNSEL, WE TYPICALLY PROJECT WHAT WE THINK THE CAUSE MAY BE FOR WHATEVER ISSUE THEY'RE HANDLING OR WHATEVER JOB THEY'RE HANDLING.
ONCE THEY GET IN AND THEY START WORKING IT, THEN WE GET AN INDICATION THAT THERE MAY BE SOME OTHER ADDITIONAL WORK THAT THEY NEED TO DO AS THE CONTRACTS THAT WERE LAST WEEK.
I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER WHICH ONES, THIS ONE'S THE ONE THAT WAS DELETED.
BUT THE CONTRACTS THAT COME DIRECTLY OUT OF MY OFFICE, I CAN TELL YOU, ONE WAS, I THINK ONE WAS DEALING WITH A MR. COLTON'S CONTRACT.
ONE WAS DEALING WITH A CONTRACT WHERE, UM, WAS CATCHER.
LUCY WAS HANDLING THE LITIGATION IN A FORMER MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, SCOTT WILSON'S CASE.
UH, THAT CASE IS GOT A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT THAN WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE.
UH, IT'S ACTUALLY SET FOR, IT WAS SET FOR TRIAL AT THIS TIME, AND SHE'S ACTUALLY TAKEN ON SOME ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
WE HAD A HEARING, UH, AND THERE WAS A RULING THAT WE THINK WAS NOT CONDUCIVE TO WHAT THE LAW STATES AT THIS TIME.
AND SHE WANTED TO TAKE AN APPEAL IN AN ORDER FOR IT TO TAKE AN APPEAL WE NEEDED TO, UH, EXTEND THE CONTRACT TO ADD SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY TO OUR CONTRACT.
SO I CAN TELL YOU FOR SURE, THAT'S WHY THAT ONE WAS ADDED FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY.
OUR GOAL IS TO APPEAL, STILL LOOKING AT TRYING TO SETTLE OR POTENTIALLY
[01:35:01]
GO TO TRIAL.WE GOT TO GO TO TRIAL, BUT WE THOUGHT IT PRUDENT FOR US TO TAKE IT UP TO THE COURT OF APPEAL, BUT THAT WILL REQUIRE US ADDING ADDITIONAL MONEY.
SO THOSE ARE THE GENERAL KIND OF REASONS AS TO WHY WE WOULD ADD MONEY TO THE CONTRACT.
WE DON'T WANT TO, AT THE, AT, AT THE BEGINNING MAKE A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR CONTRACT.
WE DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S BENEFICIAL AS WELL.
IN THEORY, THAT MAY GIVE US A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO NOT HAVE TO KEEP COMING BACK TO THE COUNCIL.
BUT MY GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE KIND OF PROJECT, WHAT IT MAY BE AND TRY AND KEEP THE OUTSIDE COUNSEL WITHIN THAT, WITHIN THOSE CONFINES, IF WE CAN.
BUT AGAIN, SOMETIMES LITIGATION GETS A LITTLE HAIRY OR CERTAIN THINGS COME UP THAT REQUIRES TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT OR INCREASE THE AMOUNT UNDER THE CONTRACT COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON.
SO, ANNIE, MY QUESTION IS WHY, WHY ARE WE HAVING OUTSIDE COUNTY COUNCIL DO THIS AS OPPOSED TO INSIDE COUNSEL, IT SEEMS LIKE WHAT HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN A FUNCTION OF YOUR OFFICE? AND I UNDERSTAND GOING TO OUTSIDE COUNSEL FOR SPECIFIC CASES AND THAT SORT OF THING, BUT TO, TO TOTALLY FARM OUT THIS FUNCTION, TO OUTSIDE COUNSEL THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE CBD SEEMS LIKE IT SEEMS LIKE THIS WOULD BE THE LEE'S POSITION AND WHAT SHE WOULD NORMALLY DO TALKING ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC POLICE CONTRACT.
THIS IS AT THE REQUEST OF THE CHIEF.
SO THIS IS ACCOMMODATING THE CHIEF AND HIS REQUEST THAT HE WANTED, UM, SEPARATE COUNSEL TO HANDLE THE, UM, DISCIPLINE, AS OPPOSED TO HAVING DEALER WHO IS HIS GENERAL COUNSEL, WHO HANDLES ALL MATTERS, BANDAGE POLICE, AND IS INVOLVED IN COUNSELING HIM WITH CERTAIN SITUATIONS, DEALING WITH HIRING AND FIRING, BUT HE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED, AND I WISH HE WAS HERE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION, BUT HE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO HAVE THIS COUNSEL AND I ACCOMMODATED HIM, UH, KNOWING THAT THIS AMOUNT WILL COME OUT OF HIS BUDGET AND HE WANTED TO HAVE A SPECIFIC COUNCIL.
AND I DIDN'T HAVE AN OBJECTION TO HIM.
IS THERE A, IS THERE SOME SORT OF CONFLICT WITH DAILY OR SOMEONE IN YOUR OFFICE PROVIDING THESE SERVICES? NO, SIR.
IT'S, IT'S, IT'S ALMOST A MANPOWER THING DAILY WITH ALL THE THINGS SHE WAS DOING AT THAT TIME, A COUPLE OF SOME WORK SHE WAS DOING IN OUR OFFICE.
UH, THAT WAS ONE ASPECT OF IT WAS HE WANTED TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO WAS, UH, ABLE TO FOCUS A LITTLE BIT MORE SOLELY ON THAT.
UH, HE WAS TRYING TO CLEAR THE DECKS OF A LOT OF PENDING, UH, DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS THAT HE HAS.
AND THEY'VE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY ON THOSE, UM, DAILY IS MORE THAN CAPABLE TO HANDLE THAT KIND OF WORK AND IN GENERAL COUNSEL.
AND I THINK THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION OFFICE IN GENERAL, UH, SINCE I'VE TAKEN OVER, THE ONLY TIME WE'VE REALLY LOOKED AT HIRING OUTSIDE COUNSEL IS IN VERY SPECIALIZED AREAS.
LIKE THE ANNEXATION COUNCILS THAT WE HIRED IN THE SUIT THAT WAS FILED AGAINST THE CITY PAIR.
WE HIRED MICHAEL A BEAR IN HIS LAW FIRM OUT OF LAFAYETTE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DISTINCT SPECIALIZATION IN ANNEXATION CASES OR WHERE THERE'S A CONFLICT LIKE WE DID IN SCOTT WILSON'S CASE IN MS. CASTLE LOSI, THE CT DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL CONFLICT IN THE CASE, AND WE COULD NOT REPRESENT THE CITY PARISH AND MR. WILSON, UH, DAILY'S CURRENT WORKLOAD, UH, IS SHE AT CAPACITY NEAR CAPACITY OVER CAPACITY? UH, SHE IS WORKING AT WE'RE ALL WORKING, BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE A CLIENT, SIR, THAT REQUIRES CERTAIN THINGS AND CERTAIN ATTENTION TO CERTAIN DETAILS, YOU KNOW, THIS WAY, IF SHE WERE TO TAKE BACK OVER THIS ROLE, WOULD SHE HAVE CAPACITY? NO, YOU CANNOT TAKE OVER THE ENTIRETY OF THIS SITUATION.
SHE COULD, IT WOULD REQUIRE US TO SHUFFLE SOME OTHER THINGS AWAY FROM HER.
LET ME, LET ME QUALIFY THE ANSWER.
IF SHE KEEPS WHAT SHE HAS NOW AND THAT'S ADDED TO IT AND NO, I COULD NOT DO THAT TO HER AND REQUIRED TO DO THAT, BUT I COULD ADJUST AND TAKE SOME OF THE THINGS SHE HAS NOW BACK TO SOME OTHER PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE AND HAVE HER DO THIS.
SHE SERVED AT OTHER FUNCTIONS AS THE, LIKE THE ATTORNEY FOR DIFFERENT BOARDS AND THAT KIND OF STUFF.
THE ONLY OTHER THING SHE'S DOING IS IF YOU REMEMBER DEALER CAME FROM THE LITIGATION SIDE BEFORE SHE BECAME THE VETERANS POLICE DEPARTMENT LEGAL LIAISON.
AND SO THE WAY THAT OFFICE WORKED, AND THIS WAS A DECISION THAT'S MADE BEFORE I CAME OVER AND I AGREE WITH HIM IS IF YOU'RE ON THE FILING YOUR HAND ON THE CASE, IT REALLY BEHOOVES US FOR THAT.
AND IF YOU MOVE OVER TO A DIFFERENT POSITION, THAT'S HAPPENED TO MS. LAWRENCE WHEN SHE WENT TO BECOME THE CITY PROSECUTOR IS HAPPENED TO, UH, WHEN BROWN, WHO LEFT LITIGATION AND BECAME, UH, THE, UM, PERS, UH, EXCUSE ME.
THE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST SECTION CHIEF IS HAVING TO APOLLO MESSINA WHO HANDLES THE CITY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS PLANNING, ZONING.
AND SO SHE'S BALANCING THOSE CASES AS WELL AS HANDLING THE CHIEF'S DAY TO DAY, UH, GENERAL COUNCIL ACTIVITIES.
BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION AGAIN, YES, WE COULD DO SOME SHUFFLING AND THAT CAN HAPPEN, BUT AGAIN, THAT'S A QUESTION YOU HAVE TO HAVE WITH THE CHIEF, CAUSE IT WAS HIS REQUEST THAT HE WOULD HAVE THIS DONE.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
MOST OF MY HUSBANDS HAD THE FIRST SECOND BY MOKE COUNCIL MEMBER DONE.
AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING UP IN TRYING TO PROVIDE SOME POINT OF CLARITY.
UM, BUT THERE ARE STILL UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND, UM, FOR THE CHIEF AND ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT HEAD, WHEN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA SPECIFICALLY,
[01:40:02]
WHEN THERE'S INCREASES IN REVENUE AND FINANCES, WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.IF SOMEONE IS HERE, PRESENT THAT CAN SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE ISSUE AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
SO CHIEF PAUL, IF YOU CAN'T COME SEE ONE OF THE GREAT MEN AND WOMEN OR WOMEN OF BRP RPD TO COME ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, BUT JUST NOT, NOT ONLY FOR BR PD, BUT ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT HEAD, UM, THANK YOU.
I JUST, UH, SENT THE CHIEF OF POLICE, A TEXT MESSAGE AND TOLD HIM WE NEED TO HEAR FROM HIM.
IF YOU GUYS WANT TO DELETE THIS ITEM AND COME BACK TO IT MOMENTARILY, UH, WE CAN DO THAT.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER MOROSA MOKE, WOULD YOU ALL WANT TO SPEAK? NOW, GO AHEAD.
COUNCIL MEMBER HELPED ME UNDERSTAND ANDY.
THESE ATTORNEYS ARE JUST FOR THEM, THESE PARTICULAR CASES, THEY ARE THE, THEY HANDLE DISCIPLINARY MATTERS FOR THE CHIEF.
I MEAN, ARE THEY LIKE ON RETAINER? ARE THEY FULL TIME? HAVE NO MA'AM THEY, THEY ARE A LAW FIRM AND THEY HAVE A PARTNER THAT'S ASSIGNED.
AND, UM, I WOULD SUSPECT SOME ASSOCIATES THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO HANDLE THESE FILES.
SO THEY DECIDE AS A LAW FIRM, HOW MUCH TIME THEY DEDICATE TO HANDLING THESE CASES, BUT IT'S THEIR JOB TO HANDLE THE, OR COUNSEL THE CHIEF ON HOW HE DISCIPLINES, WHAT HE DISCIPLINES, THE MANNER IN WHICH HE DISCIPLINES.
AND IF THE MATTER IS APPEALED TO THE POLICE OR FIRE MUNICIPAL BOARD, THEY REPRESENT HIM BEFORE THAT BOARD.
AND THERE'S ANY LITIGATION THAT COMES OUT OF IT.
WE HAD A CASE RECENTLY WHERE SOMEBODY SUED AFTER THEY CAME FROM THE MUNICIPAL POLICE OR FIRE BOARD.
AND WE SENT THAT CASE OVER TO THEM INSTEAD OF SOMEONE IN MY OFFICE DOING IT BECAUSE THEY WERE THE ONES HANDLING THE CASE, THEY WERE GETTING PAID TO DO IT.
SO IT SHOULD BE PART OF THEIR WORK TO DO SO.
THEIR WORK HAS CONFINED COUNCILWOMAN TO JUST DOING THE POLICE AND FIRE MUNICIPAL BOARD WORK AND DEALING WITH THE DISCIPLINE, UH, FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, COUNCIL MEMBER MOKE.
UM, UH, I'M GLAD COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON BROUGHT UP THE, UH, THE DEFERRAL CAUSE I, AND GRANTED, I, I SPEND WEDNESDAYS DOWN HERE AND THAT'S WHEN I DO TRY AND DO THEM IN MEETINGS.
AND IF I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND EVERYTHING, AND I'LL PUT SOME OF THE BLAME ON ME FOR NOT ASKING BEFOREHAND OR WHATEVER, BUT I CALLED THE CHIEF OF POLICE OFFICE EARLIER TODAY.
AND I GUESS THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT OR WHATEVER ANSWERED THAT SENT ME TO ANOTHER OFFICE, A SERGEANT'S OFFICE.
HE TRIED TO GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION, BUT THEN HE SENT ME TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT, WHICH THAT DEPARTMENT HAD TO CALL ME BACK.
ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER, SHE DIDN'T CALL ME BACK A COUPLE HOURS LATER AND I STILL HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM IT.
SO I APPRECIATE YOU, UH, HAVING THE POLICE CHIEF COME IN.
AND, UH, BUT IF WE DON'T, YOU KNOW, WITH THESE QUESTIONS AND EVERYTHING IS THE INCREASE IN FEES AND EVERYTHING, I WOULD STILL SUPPORT IT.
THE FURROW LATER ON, EVEN AFTER THE POLICE CHIEF, IF WE NEED TO SEE WHAT WE NEED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DONE SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO, UH, TAKE THIS ITEM AND MOVE IT BACK.
UH, TAKE ANOTHER ITEM OUT OF TURN TO GIVE CHIEF'S TIME TO COME.
I DON'T THINK WE NECESSARILY HAVE TO TAKE A MOTION ON IT, DO IT.
NO, YOU CAN DECIDE AND COME BACK TO IT.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON'S MOTION HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
I DON'T MIND WITH JOHN, MY MOTION FOR THE SAKE OF ALLOWING THE CHIEF WAS ALREADY ON HIS WAY TO COME AND TALK TO US.
I'M PROBABLY STILL GONNA MAKE A MOTION TO THE FAR LATER ON.
UH, IF COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON WITHDRAWS, HIS MOTION DOES
AND THEN ONCE HE GETS HERE, WE'LL MOVE ON AND COME BACK TO THE ITEM ONCE HE GETS HERE.
[Items 103 - 117]
A ONE OH THREE.NOW I'M GOING TO TAKE ITEMS ONE ON THREE AND ONE 31 17 TOGETHER.
UH, AND AT THE END OF READING THEM ALL, THERE WILL BE A MOTION.
I WILL NEED A MOTION TO DEFER TO THE MARCH 24TH, 2020 FOURTH MEETING, ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES ITEM ONE OH THREE LOT FOUR SQUARE, FOUR SUBDIVISION, DAYTON, METRO COUNCIL, DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN.
I HAD ONE ON FOUR LOT, 19 SQUARE, THREE SUBDIVISION BABIN, METRO COUNCIL, DISTRICT SEVEN COLE.
I HAD ONE OH FIVE LOT, ONE 18 DASH.
METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, ONE OH SIX, LOT 24 SQUARE, 15 SUBDIVISION, SMILING HEIGHTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE ONE OH SEVEN, LOT THREE SUBDIVISION WOULD THEIR DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN.
I DON'T WANT TO EIGHT LOT FIVE AND SIX SUBDIVISION DAVIS, LOTS DISTRICT, TWO BANKS.
I DON'T WANT TO NINE LOT 62 SQUARE AT 35 SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN ITEM ONE, 10 LOT FIVE, FIVE, FOUR SUBDIVISION.
METRO EAST DISTRICT SIX DONE FOR JUNIOR.
I DON'T WANT 11 LOT 83 SUBDIVISION PARK ADDITION, COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE, LOT ITEM ONE,
[01:45:01]
12 LOT SIX EIGHT SUBDIVISION.DISTRICT SEVEN COLE, ONE 13 LIVE FOUR SQUARE AT 38 SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN.
I HAD A ONE 14 LOT D SUBDIVISION, TRAVIS TRACT DISTRICT ONE KNOLL ITEM ONE 15 LOT THREE SQUARE, TWO NINE, FOUR SUBDIVISION LAKE PARK, DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN ITEM ONE 16 LOT 14 SQUARE, TWO SUBDIVISION BABIN DISTRICT SEVEN COLE ITEM ONE 17 LOT 15 SQUARE, TWO SUBDIVISION BATMAN DISTRICT SEVEN COLE MOTION TO DEFER ITEMS. OH, PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS. ONE OH THREE TO ONE 17
MOVING ON ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY APPOINTMENTS.
[118. 21-00167]
ITEM ONE 18 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, METROPOLITAN CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING AND REPLACING PROPER UNION WHOSE TERM EXPIRED ON JANUARY 1ST, 2021 EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2ND, 2021.THE CURRENT BALLOT IS PARKER UNION, WHO IS REQUESTING REAPPOINTMENT.
DISAPPOINTMENT REQUIRES NINE VOTES FOR REAPPOINTMENT MURDER, MCCULLOUGH AND CHRIS PIKE FOR MARIE MCCULLOUGH AND CHRIS PIKE.
DO YOU FLY SEVEN? SO SEVEN VOTES FOR MARIA MCCULLOUGH AND CHRIS PIPE, BUT NINE VOTES FOR PARKING UNION.
IS THERE A MOTION ON ANY OF THE, OR DO YOU ALL WANT TO VOTE ON A MACHINE? IS, ARE ANY OF THOSE HERE OR AT THE LIBRARY? PARKER, EWING MACOLA, CHRIS PIKE, ANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HERE AT THE LIBRARY, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT MR. PARKER, EALING MOTION BY HUDSON SECOND BY ROCCA, ANY OBJECTIONS CONGRATULATION, MR. EWAN, YOU'D BEEN REAPPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ITEM
[119. 21-00255]
ONE, 19 RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING JERRY JONES, WHO HAS RESIGNED.HIS TERM WILL EXPIRE ON JANUARY 1ST, 2022.
THE CURRENT BALLOT IS JOHN RANDY ALVAREZ, JACKIE SPERRY CALL A COCHRAN, ANDREA COZY AUTHOR.
DUBRUL JASON HUGHES, DOW HURST, ANTHONY JONES, BRIAN, THE FLIR LINTON.
I CAN BRIAN PALMA AND CAPTAIN VICTORIAN, OR ANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HERE OR AT THE LIBRARY OR ANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HERE AT THE LIBRARY? YES.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
RANDY, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE PANTEL TONIGHT.
IT'S AN HONOR TO BE RECOMMENDED BY A COUNSELOR.
AT THIS POINT, YOU, I, HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE SEEN MY RESUME AND PHOTO.
YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT IT.
WE'LL LET THE COMMUNITY PARKS AND RECREATION AND PRETTY MUCH MY WHOLE LIFE BEEN A PROFESSIONAL FOR OVER 35 YEARS.
PARKS AND RECREATION ACTUALLY WORKED AT CORRECT 1987 TO 2002.
GOT MY FEET WET THERE AS A COLLEGE STUDENT AND SUMMER DAY CAMP AND STAYED THERE UNTIL 2002 OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AROSE IN THE Y.
UH, I'M CURRENTLY THE PRESIDENT OF LOUISIANA RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION, WHICH I AM THE ONLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OR THAT STATE ASSOCIATION.
AND I CURRENTLY SERVE ONLY LOUISIANA AS THE LIAISON FOR THE STATE ASSOCIATION FOR OVER 13 YEARS NOW, BORN AND RAISED IN BATON ROUGE, GRADUATED AND GLUTES, UM, LIVING ZACHARY NOW WITH MY FAMILY FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS, MARRIED TO A SCHOOL TEACHER, ZACHARY TO A COLLEGE AGED CHILDREN.
IMAGINE WHAT WITHOUT GOING THROUGH WITH THAT.
ANY PLAY PARTS OR RECREATION TO ME IS IT'S NOTHING BETTER DOING SOMETHING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY THAT ENHANCES THE LIVES OF CITIZENS.
UM, ALL AGES, ALL BACKGROUNDS, ALL OPPORTUNITIES,
[01:50:01]
PARKS AND REC.IT'S BETTER TO SHARE PARK CONDITION TO MAKE EACH
IT'S SOMETIMES AN ADVANTAGE OUT LAST NAME.
IT STARTS WITH A, I FEEL LIKE I'M IN THE TALENT CONTEST.
UM, A LOT OF YOU OR A FEW OF YOU MAY KNOW MARK
UM, I WORKED THERE FOR 28 AND A HALF YEARS RETIRED IN 2018.
AND FOR 25 OF THOSE YEARS OUT OF ONE, A SPORTS MANAGER HANDLING ADULT BOARDS BEFORE, UH, DURING, I MEAN, BIG TIME OF PARTICIPATION.
UH, I GOT THAT A COUPLE OF, YOU KNOW, SCHEDULING SPECIAL EVENTS AND DOING THE BREATH STAGE FOR YOU.
UH, THE QUESTION WAS ASKED TO READ THE EMAIL THAT I RECEIVED, WHAT THE MAIN REASON WAS.
UH, I WAS APPLYING FOR THE JOB OR APPLYING FOR THE POSITION.
I WANTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT ON THE BOARD AND HELP OUR COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST A SMALL PART OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BATTLING BETTER, ALSO KNOWLEDGE OF OPERATIONS.
AND MY RECENT HISTORY HERE, I FEEL WOULD BE INVALUABLE.
I DON'T WANT TO WASTE A LOT OF IT.
I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM.
THAT'S A LITTLE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE, TYPICAL HIGH SCHOOL.
I ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY WHERE I GRADUATED IN MAY OF 1988.
IT'S ALSO A GOOGLE APPOINTMENT.
WE SERVE A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, THE ONLY PREDOMINANTLY BLACK SCHOOL IN THE GARDEN WHO EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS, SINCE 2014, I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE AREA MARKET OF THE MARKET.
I SERVED THAT LEADERSHIP POSITION THERE AS THE BOARD CHAIR FOR 2016, 17.
AND THEN AGAIN, AS AN INTERIM BOARD CHAIR FROM OCTOBER, 2018, THROUGH THE END OF 2019, I AM A MEMBER OF OUR CHAPTER AS A CHAPTER FROM 2010, 2014.
AND I AM CURRENTLY CHAIR OF OUR NONPROFIT RICHMOND FOUNDATION.
UH, FROM THERE, UH, 15, I SERVED AS THE ONLY GOLF ADVISORY COMMITTEE, 2015 TO 2018
[01:55:02]
PRESIDENT.I SERVED, UH, UM, AS EVIDENCE FROM MY PAST EXPERIENCES.
UH, I HAVE THE ABILITY I HAVE THE AMBITION.
I HAVE COMMITMENT AND DETERMINATION
I'M A LIFELONG BATTERY AND, UH, CAREER STAYED THE LAST 15 YEARS, HIGHEST LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT IN STATE GOVERNMENT HERE IN BEDFORD.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I SPENT 14 YEARS AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNICATION IN IT, ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR BREATH AND MRS. BOTTLE HERE POSITION.
HONESTLY, IT GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY SEE THE INSIDE AND YOUR WORK WITH BREAKFAST, BREAKFAST FACILITIES AND HOW YOU WENT ABOUT MARKETING COMMUNICATION BARKING PROFESSIONALLY.
AND, UH, SO I REALLY THINK I A WHO OFFERED THE PRACTICE.
I'M HERE FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THAT LEAD A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THERE.
THAT'S AN AMERICAN CANDIDATES HERE.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNSEL, AND MOROCCO.
SO I, UM, HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF A CONFLICT WITH MY CURRENT EMPLOYER.
WE WRITE THE BENEFITS FOR BRECK.
SO OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, I WILL BE ABSTAINING FROM THIS VOTE.
UH, JUST A QUESTION ON, UH, PROCESS.
WELL, ACTUALLY FIRST OFF WE HAVE 12 QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS.
UM, I WANT TO CERTAINLY THANK MR. ALVAREZ, MR. BERRY,
[02:00:01]
MR.UH, WE HAVE 12 TOTAL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.
UH, I WOULD ASSUME MR. PRO TIM, THAT, UH, THERE MAY BE A NEED FOR ONE MORE THAN ONE ROUND OF VOTING.
COULD WE OUTLINE WHAT THAT PROCESS WOULD LOOK LIKE? UM, SO THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF HOW THIS WILL GO.
SO I THINK I KNOW WHAT I LET ASHLEY TAKE IT.
UM, SO WE RUN ONE ROUND OF VOTING WHERE EACH COUNCIL MEMBER HAS ONE VOTE.
SO YOU CAN ONLY VOTE FOR ONE CANDIDATE, THE TOP TWO VOTE GETTERS IN THE FIRST ROUND.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE SECOND ROUND.
SO IN THE SECOND ROUND, VOTING STARTS OVER AND YOU CAN VOTE FOR SOMEONE DIFFERENT THAN YOU VOTED FOR IN THE FIRST ROUND.
UM, AND THEN SUBSEQUENT ROUNDS CAN, CAN GO IF WE CAN'T GET A, UM, A SEVEN VOTES FOR ONE MEMBER.
UM, BUT AT SOME POINT, IF WE CAN'T GET SEVEN VOTES, WE IT'S BEST TO TAKE A MOTION TO DEFER THE ITEM ON THE FIRST ONE.
IF YOU, IF ONE PERSON GETS SEVEN VOTES IN THE FIRST ROUND, THEN THAT PERSON IS APPOINTED.
AND WE DON'T VOTE ON THE OTHER.
SO THE FIRST PERSON GETS SEVEN VOTES.
WE WON'T HAVE TO VOTE ON THE OTHERS.
NO, I WANT TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES.
I'M GOING TO TAKE THEM IN ORDER.
THEY ARE SEEN ON THE, UH, THE AGENDA COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I WANT, I WANT, I WANT TO SAY THIS FOR THOSE OF YOU.
CAUSE I'VE MADE THIS MISTAKE A FEW TIMES.
WHEN I FIRST GOT ON THE COUNCIL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO VOTE AGAINST ANYONE.
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO VOTE FOR THAT PERSON JUST DON'T VOTE AT ALL.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO VOTE? NO.
IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA, YOU ONLY NEED A YES.
SO IF IT'S NOT GOING TO BE YES, VOTE.
NOW, IF YOU GOT PERSONAL BEEF WITH THE PERSON, RATHER THAN JUMP ON THEM, DO YOU WANT TO VOTE? NO.
ON STAND, BUT I'M SIMPLY SAYING, UH, YOU DON'T HAVE TO VOTE.
NO, YOU JUST DON'T HAVE TO VOTE AT ALL.
AND MS. ROCKET, JUST FOR CLARITY, I HAVE YOU AS ABSTAINING FROM ALL THE BOATS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS MACHINES ARE FIRST GOING TO BE OPEN FOR JOHN RANDY ALVAREZ.
THE MACHINES ARE OPEN ONE VOTE COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE MACHINES.
YOU'RE NEXT GOING TO BE OPEN FOR JOCK.
BARRY MACHINES ARE OPEN
GOING TO BE OPEN FOR CARLA KOREAN MACHINES ARE OPEN
WHEN MACHINES ARE OPEN MACHINES ARE NEXT GOING TO BE OPEN FOR ARTHUR.
GOING TO BE OPEN FOR JASON HUGHES MACHINES ARE OPEN.
JASON HUGHES MACHINES ARE NEXT.
GOING TO BE OPEN FOR DARRYL HEARST MACHINES ARE OPEN.
GOING TO BE OPEN FOR ANTHONY JONES MACHINES ARE OPEN
[02:05:03]
MACHINES ARE NEXT.KNOCKING MACHINES ARE OPEN
SHE INTERNET'S GOING TO BE OPEN FOR BRIAN PALMER.
SHE IS ARRIVING
VICTORIAN MACHINES ARE OPEN COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AFTER THE THIRD ROUND, WE HAVE TWO WHO HAVE GOTTEN TO VOTE.
TWO MEMBERS WHO HAVE TWO APPLICANTS WHO HAVE GOTTEN TWO VOTES AND TWO AND ONE APPLICANT HAS GOTTEN THREE VOTES.
SO MOVE INTO THE NEXT ROUND OR JACQUES BARRY, JASON HUGHES AND BRIAN THE FLOOR.
OBVIOUSLY, MACHINES ARE FIRST GOING TO BE OPEN FOR SHOCK.
MS. JANE'S ARE NEXT GOING TO BE OPEN FOR JASON HUGHES MACHINES ARE OPEN.
THE TOP TWO VOTE GETTERS IN THAT ROUND ARE SHOCK.
BARRY AND JASON, HUGE AND MOVE ON TO THE THIRD ROUND OF VOTING BETWEEN JOCK BARRY AND JASON HUGHES.
THE MACHINES ARE FIRST GOING TO BE OPEN FOR SHOCK.
BERRY MACHINES ARE OPEN MACHINES ARE NEXT GOING TO BE OPEN FOR JASON HUGHES AND SHE INTERRUPTED.
FIVE VOTES, MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
UH, THESE WILL BE THE ONLY TWO CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT IN TWO WEEKS, CORRECT? UNLESS Y'ALL MAKE A MOTION.
IN TWO WEEKS, THE TWO CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT WILL BE JOHN BARRY AND JASON HOUSTON COUNCIL MEMBER GO.
THEY WOULD LIKE TO GO ANOTHER ROUND FOR THESE TWO.
IF THERE'S NO ONE WHO'S NOT IN OPPOSITION.
WELL, MR. HUDSON MADE A MOTION THAT WAS NOT SECONDED.
HEY, HE'S WITHDRAWING THE MOTION.
ANOTHER AROUND TWO CANDIDATES IN THIS ROUND ARE JACQUES BARRY AND JASON HUGHES MACHINES ARE OPEN FOR DOC BERRY.
THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS FOUR MINUTES MACHINES ARE NEXT CAN BE UP.
AND FOR JASON HUGHES MACHINES ARE OUT THERE.
I'M GONNA NEED THE MONEY IN THE DEPARTMENT.
MOTION TO DEFER BY HUDSON SECOND BY MOLT FOR TWO WEEKS, FOR TWO WEEKS, FOR TWO WEEKS, MOVING ON BOARD OF APPEAL,
[120. 21-00257]
CURRENT ITEM 21, 20 BOARD OF APPEAL CONCURRING IN THE MAYOR.PRESIDENT'S RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE CRAIG SOVIAK WHO IS DECEASED.
[02:10:02]
MY, OUR CONDOLENCES.THIS IS A FOUR-YEAR TERM EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 24, 2021.
CURRENT VALID IS FLOYD LUSTER.
FLOYD LUSTER IS THE ONLY ONE, ONLY A MOTION TO APPOINT BY MOLD.
SECOND BY MOROSA MR. LUSTER, YOU HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF APPEAL.
WE'RE MOVING ON TO CHANGE ORDERS, UNLESS YOU ALL WANT TO.
WOULD YOU ALL LIKE TO TAKE THAT ITEM NOW? I'VE
[102. 21-00187 (Part 2 of 2)]
SO WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO ITEM ONE, ONE OH TWO.WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO ITEM ONE OH TWO.
NOW IN ESSENCE OF TIME, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, SOME OF YOU HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN ON ITEM ONE OH TWO, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD, UH, IF YOU HAVE VERY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF, I DON'T MIND, UH, ASHLEY, IF IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO TAKE THOSE, ASK THE QUESTIONS AGAIN FOR THOSE MEMBERS WHO, UH, HAVE SPOKEN TWICE, UH, BECAUSE I THINK SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS, OUR PARISH ATTORNEY MADE AN ATTEMPT TO ANSWER, BUT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
WE KNOW YOU WERE DEALING WITH A VERY SERIOUS, UH, POLICE MATTER AND YOU, YOU CAME HERE.
YEAH, I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING HERE.
I WAS, UM, IN THE MIDST OF BEING BRIEFED ON THE SENSITIVE INVESTIGATION THAT I AM NOT ABLE TO SPEAK ON PUBLICLY AT THIS TIME.
UH, WE'LL START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER MOKE.
I THINK YOU HAD A FEW QUESTIONS COUNCIL MEMBER.
UM, YEAH, SO I, I CONTACTED SEVERAL OFFICERS AND I, AND I APPRECIATE THEY'VE DONE EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO GET BACK WITH ME, BUT THE FINAL THING WAS TO MEET AND STARTED BEFORE WE GET TO IT.
I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, AND I THINK WE FOUND OUT EARLIER, THIS IS LEGAL SERVICES FOR EMPLOYEE, I GUESS, BETWEEN THE EMPLOYEES, UH, LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT EMPLOYEE ISSUES.
SO, SO THE, THE, THE FIRM ONLY REPRESENTS US ON DISCIPLINARY MATTERS, NOT DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS, NOT PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS, FOR EXAMPLE, UH, THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ASSIGNS A, AN ATTORNEY TO US, UM, FULL TIME.
UH, THEY TAKEN ABOUT 1400 PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS, A YEAR, 1400.
WE GET A LOT OF, UH, PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS.
THE PARISH ATTORNEY ALSO FEEL QUESTIONS DAILY ON OPERATIONAL ISSUES.
IF A POLICE OFFICER HAS A QUESTION ABOUT THE LEGALITIES OF AN ARREST, OR IF MY STAFF AND I HAVE QUESTIONS, UM, THEY ALSO REPRESENT ME ON, UH, GRIEVANCES, UH, AS WELL, IF THERE'S A GRIEVANCE PROCESS OR, UH, SOME TYPE OF A, UM, A COMPLAINT THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY, UM, UM, DISCIPLINARY THAT WON'T WOULD GO BEFORE THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD.
WHEN I DISCIPLINE A POLICE OFFICER, WE WORK AN INVESTIGATION.
THE LAW WAS CALLED THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BILL OF RIGHTS REQUIRES THAT WE HAVE A HEARING IT'S A FORMAL HEARING.
UH, THE LAW FIRM REPRESENTS ME AT THAT WHEN I GIVE DISCIPLINE, UH, THEY HELP, UM, THEY ACTUALLY, UM, WRITE THE CORRESPONDENCE ON THE DISCIPLINE, OVERSEE ALL THE LEGAL ISSUES.
AND WHEN THEY, AND WHEN AN EMPLOYEE APPEALS THAT THEY REPRESENT ME BEFORE THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD OR ANY OTHER HEARINGS RELATED TO THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, I'VE BEEN, UM, THERE'VE BEEN INJUNCTIONS FILED AGAINST ME.
THEY REPRESENT ME, UH, ON AS WELL.
IS THIS A NEW POSITION OR A NEW, IT SAYS STARTING JANUARY 1ST, 20, 20, UH, OBVIOUSLY BUDGETED $78,000 ORIGINALLY.
AND WE'VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THAT OR WE'VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH $78,000 SINCE JANUARY.
THAT THAT'S NOT NEW, THAT THAT'S A YEARLY YEAR CONTRACT.
SO THIS HAS BEEN AN EFFECT GETS THERE BEFORE THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER CONTRACT.
WE HAD A, ANOTHER ATTORNEY, I BELIEVE.
UM, AT SOME POINT, UH, WE HIRED THIS FIRM.
THERE WAS ANOTHER FIRM THAT REPRESENTED US, UH, PRIOR TO THAT.
AND HOW LONG HAVE WE HAD COUNCIL SPECIFICALLY FOR EMPLOYEE ISSUES FOR EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE FOR, OKAY.
YES, EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE TO MAKE SURE I GET THE RIGHT THING.
THEY DO CORRECT EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE.
THEY REPRESENT YOU, UH, FOR EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE, NONE OF THE OTHER ATTORNEYS, WHETHER IT BE IN-HOUSE OR WHATEVER DO THIS PART.
SO SIR, HOW LONG HAS THIS POSITION BEEN THERE WHEN YOU CAME ON 2018 OTHER CHIEFS? THAT WASN'T ACTUALLY, IT WAS IN 2018.
UH, I BELIEVE WHEN WE SIGNED OUR ORIGINAL CONTRACT FOR OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL TO REPRESENT US.
AND, UH, I LEARNED THAT CHIEFS PRIOR TO ME ALSO
[02:15:01]
HAD OUTSIDE COUNSEL.SO I WENT TO THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND ASK IF I CAN DO WHAT FORMER CHIEFS HAD DONE AND HIRED OUTSIDE COUNSEL TO REPRESENT ME.
AND, UH, IT WAS APPROVED BY, UH, THIS CONSOLE.
NOW, WHEN, WHEN, WHETHER FORMER CHIEFS OR YOURSELF BEFORE THIS WAS INSTITUTED, AS FAR AS PART OF THE BUDGET, WAS THAT OUTSIDE COUNSEL STRICTLY CALLED IN FOR SPECIFIC MATTERS? STRICTLY FOR, I DON'T KNOW HOW THE FORMER CHIEF, IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING.
IT WAS FOR DISCIPLINE ONLY, NOT JUST DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONAL LEGAL ADVICE.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR RIGHT NOW.
APPRECIATE YOU COMING TOO, BY THE WAY.
I WAS THINKING OF, I THINK MY FIRST YEAR, THE MAYOR HOLDING ACTUALLY HIRED OUTSIDE ALSO, UM, WHEN HE WAS GOING TO FIRE A FIRE CHIEF FIRE, A POLICE CHIEF.
I THINK IT'S, UM, HAPPENS A LOT OF TIMES AND, UM, IN HIGH PROFILE LITIGATIONS, AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, SINCE YOU'VE BEEN HERE, EVERYTHING SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN, YOU INHERITED A LOT OF HIGH PROFILE.
UM, LITIGATION'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, UM, AS A COUNCIL MEMBER AND BEING THE CLIENT ONE 12TH OF BEING A CLIENT IS THE FACT THAT AS CLIENTS, WE DON'T GET TO CHOOSE OUR COUNSEL.
BUT I THINK THAT, UM, WITH THE CHIEF, KNOWING THE INTIMATE DETAILS OF, UM, DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, I THINK IT'S FAIR FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO WORK ONGOING BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES, UM, UH, MANY OF THE CASES, YOU KNOW, ONCE YOU ESTABLISH, I GUESS, UM, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A RUDIMENT, BUT YOU ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE, WITH THE ATTORNEY ON W HOW YOU OPERATE AND HAVING THAT BENEFIT.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO, IN EACH CASE, YOU'RE NOT STARTING OVER YOURSELF.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN A, UM, OUR ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE IS THAT THE CLIENT IS COMFORTABLE, UM, WITH THE, UM, WITH THE, THE LEGALITIES OR THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT NOT TO SAY THAT THERE'S ANYTHING NECESSARILY WRONG WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT HE INHERITED.
AND I THINK AS THE CHIEF WHO'S BEEN THROUGH SOME OF THE MOST, UM, UNCOMMON SITUATIONS, I PROBABLY IN THE HISTORY OF BATON ROUGE, I THINK HE HAS, HE DESERVES TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE LEGAL REPRESENTATION THAT, UM, HE CAN SPEAK WITH ONGOING AND WORK WITH ONGOING HAS CONFIDENCE IN, AND, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH THAT PERSON.
CAUSE I MEAN, ANYTIME YOU'RE DEALING WITH A PUBLIC AGENCY, THINGS DO LEAK OUT.
SO I, I JUST THINK IT'S FAIR, UM, TO ALLOW HIM TO HAVE REPRESENTATION THAT HE'S COMFORTABLE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER I'M ALSO.
UM, SO LAST WEEK I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO WHAT WE WERE TALKING TO ANDY ABOUT LAST WEEK, WE APPROVED, UM, ANOTHER, AN INCREASE THAT WAS MORE THAN DOUBLED THAN WHAT THE ATTORNEY WAS MAKING.
THIS ONE IS $52,000 MORE, THAT'S OVER $130,000 A YEAR THAT THE, THAT WE'RE APPROVING HERE.
WHY SUCH INCREASES LAST WEEK? LIKE I SAID, IT DOUBLED THIS FAKE IT'S 52,000.
WHY SO, YOU KNOW, CHANGING CULTURE IS HARD, RIGHT? AND, UM, UH, A LOT OF THE DISCIPLINE THAT I HAVE, UM, UH, GIVEN IT'S IT'S APPEALED, UH, AND I HAVE SOME NUMBERS FOR YOU SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THIS POSITION.
WHEN A POLICE OFFICER COMES BEFORE ME, WE LOOK AT WHAT ARE THE POLICY VIOLATIONS? THIS ATTORNEY REPRESENTS ME IN THOSE HEARINGS.
ALL OF THEM THERE'S THERE EVERY WEEK.
I HAD THREE TODAY, JUST TODAY.
I HAD THREE DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS.
SO SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, I'VE HAD, UH, 60, MM COUNSEL.
WHEN WE DID THE ATTORNEYS LAST WEEK, I HAD NOTHING TO DO.
WE INCREASE IT MORE THAN DOUBLED,
[02:20:01]
WHATEVER WHICH ONE? YES.FOR THIS SAME CONTRACT, AS WHAT SHE WAS SAYING, OH, IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
I THOUGHT YOU WAS SAYING THIS ONE, YOU CAN SPEAK TO THAT.
UH, MY POINT IS, IS THAT LAST WEEK WE APPROVED AN INCREASE OF FEE FOR AN ATTORNEY FOR YOU LAST WEEK.
IT WAS PUT UP BY THE POLICE CHIEF ONE.
IT DID, IT HAD BEEN THROUGH FIRST, AND THEN WE VOTED ON IT LATER ON.
NO, WHAT HAPPENED IS THERE WAS TWO ITEMS FOR THIS SAME MATTER LAST WEEK.
AND WHAT HAPPENED IS IT WAS, IT WAS A PLACE THAT ONE COLUMN NASH, YOU CAN TELL ME IF I'M WRONG.
IT WAS PLACED THE ONE COW COLUMN AND Y'ALL MOVED TO DELETED FROM THAT PART.
BUT THEN IT WAS PUT UP FOR AN EMERGENCY, I THINK, OR SOME OTHER AREA.
AND THEN IT WAS VOTED UPON TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
SO I THINK, UM, THE, THIS CONTRACT WAS PLACED ON FOR INTRODUCTION AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON FOR PUBLIC HEARING AT THE LAST MEETING, HOWEVER, THE AMOUNT WAS WRONG.
AND THE AMOUNT THAT THEY PUT THAT THEY PUT ON THE AGENDA WAS LOW, WAS LOWER THAN THE AMOUNT THEY ACTUALLY NEEDED APPROVED.
SO I TOLD THEM THAT, THAT WASN'T SUFFICIENT PUBLIC NOTICE TO APPROVE THAT ITEM.
SO THEY WOULD HAVE TO DELETE THAT ITEM.
Y'ALL THE COUNCIL DID DELETE THE ITEM LAST WEEK, BUT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER, Y'ALL INTRODUCED THIS ITEM THAT YOU ARE HEARING TONIGHT.
YOU ONLY INTRODUCED IT, YOU DIDN'T APPROVE IT.
SO THAT'S HOW THIS ITEM GOT ON THE AGENDA.
IT WAS, IT WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER INTRODUCTION.
IT WAS NOT AN EMERGENCY ITEM APPROVAL.
I MEAN, I KNOW YOU WERE FIXING TO GET SOME NUMBERS.
SO SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, UM, WE EITHER SUSTAINED OR NOT SUSTAINED A VIOLATION, MEANING THAT THE OFFICER WAS JUSTIFIED OR THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO DISPROVE TO PROVE OR DISPROVE THAT'S CALLED NOT SUSTAINING OR SUSTAIN IT.
WHEN I SUSTAINED A VIOLATION, I CAN GIVE DISCIPLINE A LOT OF THOUGH, MANY OF THOSE CASES OR APPEALED BEFORE THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD, CIVIL SERVICE BOARD THEN HEARS FROM THE ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING THE EMPLOYEE.
THIS FIRM REPRESENTS ME AT THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD AND APPEALS.
I THINK JUST ABOUT EVERY, UH, MONTH.
THERE'S AN APPEAL BEFORE THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD, BASED ON DISCIPLINE THAT I'VE GIVEN SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, THERE'S BEEN 65 CASES THAT I'VE HEARD, UH, WHERE IT WAS NOT SUSTAINED SUSTAINED VIOLATIONS THAT WAS HEARD, UM, 90.
SO THIS, THAT, THAT FIRM HAS BEEN, UH, PRIVATE FIRMS HAVE BEEN REPRESENTING ME SINCE 2018.
THAT'S 90 SUSTAINED CASES AND, UM, UH, 60 APOLOGIZED.
AND W LIKE, WHEN WE SAY THIS, I WANT TO CLEAR, YOU KNOW, UH, THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS BUSY.
I SPENT A WHOLE TIME THE DAY BECAUSE ALL OF MY EMAILS, I GET PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS.
AND THEN I GOT TO GO THROUGH IT AND LOOK AT CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAVE WITH YOU ALL OR WHOEVER MY, MY EMAILS ARE GETTING.
UM, UM, UM, EVERY EMAIL I GET, I GET A REQUEST FROM AN ATTORNEY SPECIFICALLY, RIGHT NOW, THIS IS WHAT'S GOING ON IN PARISH GOVERNMENT.
AND THEY WANT TO KNOW EVERY EMAIL CHIEF PAUL SENDS OUT.
SO COULD YOU IMAGINE EVERY EMAIL THAT DAILY MORRIS HAS TO GO THROUGH AND SAY, WELL, THIS IS LEGAL.
THIS IS A WORD RELATED TO A CASE.
THIS IS CLIENT ATTORNEY PRIVILEGE.
SHE HAS TO GO THROUGH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM THAT IS POLICING IN BATON ROUGE TODAY.
AND I GET PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS LIKE THE, I SPENT A DAY GOING THROUGH MY EMAILS BEFORE IT GOES OUT IN THE PUBLIC, SITTING DOWN AS THE CHIEF OF POLICE, BECAUSE I WANT TO KNOW EVERY EMAIL THAT'S GOING OUT FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION, WHAT I SAID, WHO I TALKED TO, SO I CAN BE PREPARED.
THAT IS WHAT THE PARISH ATTORNEY OFFICE HAS TO DO EVERY WEEK ON MY EMAILS.
JUST SO YOU KNOW, MR. CARL, MY HUSBAND, HEY G.
UH, SO, YOU KNOW, I SUPPORTED THIS, UH, AND I THINK I'VE SUPPORTED THE AMENDMENTS TO IT IN THE PAST AS WELL.
MY CONCERN, I GUESS, IS NOW WITH THE COSTS GOING UP TO 130, AND I'M ASSUMING THAT'S JUST ABOVE A 12 MONTH PERIOD.
NO, THAT IS FOR SOME, UH, EXPENDITURES THAT WOULD NOT PAY LAST YEAR, THAT IT ROLLED OVER AND THE ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES FOR THIS YEAR.
SO SOME OF THAT IS ACTUALLY FOR WORKING SERVICES FROM PROP FROM 2020.
SO FOR THIS QUESTION, I'M, I'M ASKING YOU TO SHOOT FOR THE HIP AND, UM, AND I'M NOT, UH, I'M NOT GOING TO HOLD YOU TO THIS NUMBER, BUT IN A CALENDAR YEAR, I JUST WANT A BUDGET CYCLE.
WHAT DO WE PAY FOR OUTSIDE COUNSEL FOR, UH, DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS? I DON'T HAVE THAT.
[02:25:01]
BASED ON THE NUMBER SHE GAVE, IT WOULD BE WHAT THAT DIFFERENCE IS BOTH.ACTUALLY, I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE CONTRACT.
I APOLOGIZE IF YOU'VE BEEN GIVING ME THE AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT.
SO I KNOW FROM JANUARY OF 2020, WE HAD GOTTEN YOU UP TO 78,000 AND NOW WE'RE, WE'VE EXCEEDED THAT.
SO MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT IT'S AT LEAST 78,000, RIGHT? EVERY YEAR AND THE BACK OF THE BOOK AND THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE SECTION, THERE'S A CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES TO REPRESENT HIM AT THE MUNICIPAL BOARD.
AND SO, SO NOW WE'RE, WE'RE STARTING TO GET TO WHERE WE'RE EXCEEDING 78,000 IN A, IN A CALENDAR YEAR.
UM, GENERALLY SPEAKING, IT ALMOST DOESN'T MATTER WHAT IT IS.
I'M ALL FOR CONTRACTING OUT SERVICES.
CAUSE IT SAVES US MONEY ON OTHER THINGS OVER THE LONG-TERM LIKE RETIREMENT COSTS, HEALTHCARE BENEFITS AND THAT KIND OF THING.
UM, BUT WHEN, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EXCEEDING $80,000 FOR A CALENDAR YEAR FOR ONE SERVICE, WE HAVE TO, I THINK WE HAVE TO START ASKING THE QUESTION OF, AND I UNDERSTAND IF IT'S NOT DAILY OR, YOU KNOW, WHOEVER THE, IF YOU NEED AN ADDITIONAL PERSON OR WHATEVER.
UH, BUT IT MAY MAKE MORE SENSE FINANCIALLY TO BRING IT BACK IN HOUSE, I GUESS.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE FOR US TO EXPLORE.
UM, I JUST, MY CONCERN IS THAT IF WE, IF WE CONTINUE DOWN THIS ROAD AT SOME POINT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING $130,000 IN A CALENDAR YEAR, UH, ON SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DONE IN HOUSE FOR MUCH CHEAPER.
AND I UNDERSTAND THE DEALER CAN'T DO IT.
WELL, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THIS COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON, I DO THINK, AND I'M GOING TO ASK THIS QUESTION BEFORE YOU RESPOND TO WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER HAS TO SAY.
I DO THINK WHEN ADMINISTERING DISCIPLINE FOR AN OFFICER WHO ALSO WORKS FOR THE CITY PAIRS, HE COULD POSSIBLY BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IF DEALIE WERE TO REPRESENT YOU AGAINST SOMEONE ELSE WHO WORKS FOR THE CITY PARIS, WHEN ALL THREE OF THE EMPLOYEES WORK FOR THE CITY PARIS.
AND SO I WANT YOU IN YOUR RESPONSE TO WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER MY HUSBAND JUST SAID OR ADDRESSED THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT COULD BE A POSSIBILITY.
UH, MAY I APPROACH HIM? I MEAN, THAT'S ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY.
WE ALWAYS LOOK AT FULLEST POTENTIAL CONFLICT AND DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY SUE FOR THAT'S RIGHT.
THEY COULD SAY THAT THE WAY THAT THEY SUE AND WHICH HAPPENS IN CERTAIN, CERTAIN CASES BRINGS IN A CONFLICT.
SO THAT CAN ALWAYS BE A PROBLEM.
THE ONE POINT I WANTED TO MAKE TO YOUR COUNCILMAN HUDSON ON WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE COST WAS EXCEEDING AS I, I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S HOLISTICALLY ACCURATE BECAUSE EACH YEAR FLUCTUATES.
THIS CONTRACT HAS BEEN IN PLACE, UH, ANDREA AND FORMALLY LICENSED ALMOST LIKE 2009.
AND SO EVERY YEAR WE STAYED PROBABLY WITHIN THE 78 PLUS OR MINUS A LITTLE BIT MORE THIS YEAR, JUST A LITTLE BIT OVER.
AND I, AND I THINK THAT'S JUST AN INDICATION OF THE WORK THAT DITCH THIS FIRM, MAYBE DEALING WITH THE CHIEF TO GET CAUGHT UP ON SOME BACKLOG CASES OUT OF THERE AND DOING SOME OTHER MATTERS NEXT YEAR, IT MAY BE BELOW 70,000.
WE JUST ARE NOT, I CAN'T TELL YOU FOR SURE THAT THIS IS A DEFINITE TREND AND IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE THIS EVERY YEAR COMING.
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.
SO YOU'RE SAYING THIS COULD BE AN ANOMALY.
I DON'T WANT TO USE THE WORD ANOMALY, CAUSE THAT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE IT'S AN ABERRATION AND THAT'S NOT THAT, BUT IT'S, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE YEARS THAT YOU GO HIGH, USUALLY GO LOW.
I KNOW FROM BILLING FOR 10 YEARS WHEN I WAS AT PHILLIPS DUNBAR, I HAD GREAT YEARS THAT I BUILT AND I HAD NOT SO GREAT YEARS.
AND I BUILT IT DEPENDS ON THE MARKET.
IT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH WORK THAT PARTICULAR CLIENT HAS THAT YEAR.
AND THIS YEAR, CHIEF PAUL UNFORTUNATELY HAS A LOT OF WORK NEXT YEAR.
HE MAY NOT HAVE A LOT OF WORK.
SO ON THE QUESTION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST THAT COUNCIL NICOLE BROUGHT UP, I THINK THAT WAS THE FIRST QUESTION I ASKED YOU WHEN YOU CAME UP LAST TIME.
IT'S NOT, IT IS NOT IN FACT, A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR SOMEONE FROM THE PARISH ATTORNEY.
I THINK WHAT YOU ASKED ME WAS WHY WAS THIS FROM HIRE? AND I TELL YOU, THEY WERE HIRED SOLELY TO DO DISCIPLINE.
I SAID, SOMETIMES WE HAVE PEOPLE FOR CONFLICTS, BUT THE SOLE PURPOSE OF INITIATING THIS COMP THIS CONTRACT WAS NOT FOR CONFLICTS.
I THINK THE QUESTION I ASKED WAS IF DEALEY WERE TO DO THIS WORK, WOULD IT BE A CONFLICT? I THINK THE ANSWER WAS NO.
AND AGAIN, THAT'S GENERALLY A COUNSELOR, A COUNSELOR.
AND I, AND I STAND BY THAT ANSWER.
I THINK IT WOULD NOT BE A CONFLICT FOR A POTENTIALLY, I THINK THE PROBLEM COMES IN AND WORKLOAD AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT THE CHIEF WAS SAYING.
UH, BUT I, AND COUNCILMAN PROTECH MADE A PRETENTIOUS, RIGHT? THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE THAT THERE COULD BE A CONFLICT.
AND I WAS JUST ACKNOWLEDGING THAT ANSWER AS WELL.
BUT IN GENERAL, SHE, IN THEORY, SHE COULD DO ALL OF THAT WORK.
WELL, EARLIER I SAID THAT, I DIDN'T THINK MY QUESTIONS COULD BE ANSWERED THAT QUICKLY.
UH, YOU HAVE ANSWERED THEM AND INSTEAD OF MAKING THAT MOTION TO DEFER, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER, HUFFS AND MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON.
SECOND BY COLEMAN COUNCIL MEMBER DONE.
I WON'T BELABOR THE POINT, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE THIS POINT THAT I THINK IT'S SOLELY A SUPPLY
[02:30:01]
AND DEMAND SITUATION.UM, GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEF CHIEF.
WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU HAVE, UH, COME TO THE BRP D AND STEAL WHAT THEY CALL A 21ST CENTURY POLICE IN MODEL? W WE'RE MOVING IN THE DIRECTION? THERE'S SOME AREAS THAT WE'RE STILL WORKING ON AS IT RELATES TO, UH, THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THAT REPORT.
BUT, UH, I HAVE THAT WORK STARTED BEFORE I GOT HERE, UH, UNDER, UM, UM, OUR MAYOR WHEN SHE WAS FIRST APPOINTED AND WE'VE BEEN MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION, BUT YES, SIR.
A LOT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED.
SO IT HAS BEEN A, UH, AN ATTEMPT BY THE ADMINISTRATION, BOTH THE MAYOR'S ADMINISTRATION AND YOURS TO, TO CHANGE AND MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF THAT CHANGE IN THE CULTURE.
WOULD YOU SAY THAT HAS BEEN TOTALLY EMBRACED OR HAS THERE BEEN SOME PUSH BACK? UH, THERE'S BEEN SOME STRUGGLES.
UH, I THINK THAT, UH, SOME OF OUR OFFICERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF, UH, MOVING FORWARD, UH, WITH SOME OF THE CHANGES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
LOOK, UH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT, UM, UH, WE THERE'S ALLEGED, UH, LEGISLATIVE, UH, OF THIS BODY RIGHT NOW, OR LOOKING AT, UH, POLICE REFORM EFFORTS, A LOT OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL ALREADY MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.
SO WE, UH, WE CHOSE, UH, TO, TO BE TRANSPARENT IMPLEMENT REFORM LEGISLATION.
DIDN'T HAVE TO BRING US IN THAT DIRECTION.
WOULD YOU SAY WITH THAT TRANS, UH, TRANSITION HAVE A DISCIPLINARY ACTION INCREASED? UM, I WOULD PROBABLY SAY WHAT, WHAT, UM, WHAT WHAT'S APPEALED.
I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, BUT YES.
UH, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD NEXT MONTH, I ISSUED A LETTER OF CAUTION, WHICH IS SIM SIMILAR TO LET A CONSULTANT THAT YOU WOULD GIVE AN EMPLOYEE THAT'S BEEN APPEALED BEFORE THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD I'M BEING TOLD BY MY LEGAL STAFF AND MY OFFICERS THAT WE'VE NEVER APPEALED LETTERS OF CAUTION, UH, LET US CONSULATE.
SO THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, BUT I WILL SAY AS A MINOR DISCIPLINE, WHERE THERE WAS NO TIME OFF A LETTER OF REPRIMAND, WE SUSTAINED A VIOLATION.
I'VE HAD SEVERAL OF THOSE APPEAL BEFORE THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD.
NORMALLY WHAT I'M TOLD BY MY STAFF THAT DO THEIR, UH, UH, MANY YEARS IN, IN, IN, IN THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT, THOSE TYPES OF CASES, UH, WERE NOT BEING APPEALED AT THE RATE THAT THEY ARE NOW.
SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, YOU DON'T THINK DISCIPLINARY ACTION HAS INCREASED JUST THE APPEALS.
UM, I, I WOULD REALLY HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND I DON'T HAVE THAT DATA IN FRONT OF ME TO COMPARE.
I CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT I'VE DONE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
THOSE NUMBERS I JUST GAVE YOU, RIGHT.
I HAVEN'T REALLY LOOKED AT IT AND COMPARE US COMPARED IT TO PRIOR ADMINISTRATION, WHICH IS ABOUT A TOTAL OF 155 APPEALS.
SO I JUST KIND OF WANT TO, AGAIN, REINFORCE THE POINT THAT I THINK IS A SUPPLY AND DEMAND WITH THE NEW CULTURE, WITH THE CHANGE AND THE SHIFT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S COMING, THERE'S BEING MORE DEMAND FOR THIS TYPE OF LEGAL SERVICE.
AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS THAT CULTURE CHANGES, MAYBE THAT DEMAND GOES DOWN ONCE IT'S EMBRACED EVEN MORE.
BUT I THINK IT'S A SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
I THINK IT DESERVES TO HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN THESE MATTERS AND I SUPPORT THE ITEM.
ITEM WAS PROPERTY PROPERLY MOTIONED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER, HUDSON AND SECONDED BY COLEMAN.
ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS HAVING NONE? THANK YOU, CHIEF.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR TRANSPARENCY.
WE'LL LET YOU GO BACK TO WORK.
[121. 21-00222]
GOING TO MOVE TO ITEM ONE 21, WHICH IS A CHANGE ORDER SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT CENTRAL JONES, MONTECITO NORTHLADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THAT IS A CREDIT.
THEN FRED IS EXTREMELY ASTATIC.
THAT THAT IS A CREDIT COMING BACK TO THE CITY OF PARIS.
UH, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE 21 ANYWAY, TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE 21 COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY GREEN SECRETARY BY ADAMS FINAL ACCEPTANCES ITEM
[122. 21-00223]
NUMBER ONE 22 SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM.ON NORTH BOOYAH, SHERWOOD, BEACHWOOD, VICTORIA MARIBEL AND NEAR HARRY DRIVE CONTRACTOR, BARBARA BROTHERS CONTRACT HIS COMPANY, LLC FINAL COSTS OF $1,689,392 AND 23 CENTS.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE 22 SHOWING NON COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY ADAMS, SECONDED BY GREEN MOTION
[02:35:01]
CARRIES OTHER ITEMS. I[Item 123 - 128]
HAD A ONE 23 THROUGH ONE 21, 28.WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THOSE TOGETHER.
AND THE SPONSOR OF THOSE ITEMS HAS REQUESTED.
THEY BE DEFERRED FOR HOW LONG.
ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEMS ONE 23 TO ONE 28 TOGETHER.
I JUST WANTED TO INFORM YOU ALL THAT THE SPONSOR OF THOSE ITEMS HAS REQUESTED.
THEY BE DEFERRED FOR TWO WEEKS.
AND THEN WE'LL GO TO, LET ME READ THEM ALL.
AND THEN WE WILL GO TO THE PROCESS.
I HAD ONE 23 REQUESTS IN REPORT FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF PERSON REGARDING MOVE BEYOND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND ACTUAL CONTRACTS AWARDED TODAY DAY BY COUNCIL MEMBER CLEVE DONE ITEM ONE 24, REQUESTING A REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF MAYOR, PRESIDENT REGARDING SMALL WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS CONTRACT PARTICIPATION IN RELATION TO WILL BE OUR PROGRAM, A LIST OF ANY FIRM, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTS AND PENDING CONTRACTS, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTOR PARTICIPATION AS RECOMMENDED BY A NAVY SELECTION BOARD AND THE TOTAL CONTRACT VALUE MOVE FOR BOTH MOVIE VR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FIRMS, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTORS IN TERMS CONTRACT SERVICES BY COUNCIL MEMBER CLEVE DONE ITEM ONE 25 REQUESTING A REPORT FROM STAN TAB, RECORDING, SMALL WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES, CONTRACT PARTICIPATION IN RELATION TO THE MOVIE ART PROGRAM AND THE LIST A AND E FIRMS, INCLUDING THE SUBCONTRACTS AND PENDING CONTRACTS, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTOR PARTICIPATION RECOMMENDED BY ANY SEXUAL ELECTION BOARD AND THE TOTAL CONTRACT VALUE FOR BOTH WILL BE ALL PROGRAMS MANAGEMENT FIRMS, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTORS IN A TERMS, CONTRACT OR SERVICES BY COUNCIL MEMBER CLEVE DONE REQUESTED ITEM ONE 26, REQUESTING A REPORT FROM CSR RISKS, EVERYTHING ELSE I SAID IN THE PREVIOUS ITEM, NO, I'M JUST JOKING A REPORT FROM CSR REGARDING SMALL WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS CONTRACT PARTICIPATION IN RELATION TO THE MOVIE, OUR PROGRAM.
AND LET'S SAY ANY FIRM, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTS PENDING CONTRACTS, INCLUDING THE SUBCONTRACT PARTICIPATION AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SELECTION BOARD AND THE TOTAL CONTRACT VALUE FOR BALTIMORE.
WE ARE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FIRMS, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTORS AND THE TERMS CONTRACTED SERVICES BY COUNCIL MEMBER DONE TINY ONE 27 REQUESTING THEIR REPORT FROM METRO MORPHOSIS BECAUSE SMALL WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS CONTRACT PARTICIPATION RELATION IN RELATION TO THE MOVIE, OUR PROGRAM AND THE LIST AT ANY FIRM, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTS AND PENDING CONTRACTS, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTOR PARTICIPATION AND RECOMMENDED BY THE ANTI SELECTION BOARD AND THE TOTAL CONTRACT VALUE FOR BOTH MORE BR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FIRST AND FULLY SUBCONTRACTORS IN TERMS OF THE CONTRACT SERVICES BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE'VE DONE ITEM ONE 28 REQUESTING A REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGARDING SMALL WOMEN AND MINORITY ON BUSINESS CONTRACT PARTICIPATION IN RELATION TO THE MOVE PROGRAM OR LIST ANY FIRMS, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTS AND PENDING CONTRACTS, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACT PARTICIPATION AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AIDING SELECTION BOARD AND THE TOTAL CONTRACT VALUE FOR BOTH MOVIE OFF MANAGEMENT, FROM INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTORS AND THE TERMS CONTRACTOR SERVICES BY COUNCIL MEMBER.
AS YOU REMEMBER, THIS ITEM APPEAR BEFORE US LIKE TWO WEEKS AGO.
AND I ASKED FOR A DEFERRAL BECAUSE I WANT A REQUEST THE REPORTS PRIOR TO THE MEETING, AND I WANTED US TO READ AND REVIEW THEM AND PROCESS THEM AND NOT HAVE TO DO THAT IN THREE MINUTES OR FIVE MINUTES AT THE MIC.
UH, IT WAS THE, I GUESS THE GOAL THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OR THOSE THAT I REQUESTED IT FROM TO GET IT TO US LAST WEEK, AS YOU GUYS KNOW, UH, EVERYBODY'S PRIORITIES SHIFTED WITH THE WINTER STORM.
SO BECAUSE THEY WAS ABLE, WASN'T ABLE TO GET IT TO US DURING THAT WEEK.
THEY ASKED, COULD I GIVE THEM TWO MORE WEEKS TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO US? SO I GRANTED THEM TWO MORE WEEKS TO GET US THAT INFORMATION SO WE CAN REVIEW IT, PROCESS IT, AND BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS BASED ON REVIEWING IT AND NOT GIVING US A BOOK, UH, DOCUMENTS THAT WE TRYING TO PROCESS IN TWO, THREE MINUTES.
SO IS THERE A MOTION TO DEFER MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS BY COUNCIL MEMBER DONE THERE? SECOND, SECOND BY THE CHAIR.
OH, YOU ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION.
WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR THAT? NO, JUST JOKING.
UH, ANY OPPOSITION MOTION CARRIES.
I AM TEXTING WITH A COUNCIL MEMBER.
NO, HE REQUESTED THAT I ASK COUNCIL MEMBER MOKE AND COUNCIL MEMBER MOROSA DID YOU ALL COORDINATE YOUR OUTFITS? CAUSE EVERY TIME EITHER ONE OF YOU ON CAMERA, THE GREEN IS SHOWING.
SO HE TOLD ME TO ASK THAT QUESTION.
SO I THOUGHT I'D ASKED THAT QUESTION AT THIS TIME, WE ARE GOING
[Items 129 - 131]
TO GO TO ITEMS ONE 29, ONE 30 AND ONE 31.[02:40:01]
THREE TOGETHER.UH, COUNCIL, UH, ITEM ONE 29, RECEIVING A REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE PLANET GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ON THE RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTERS TWO AND THREE OF THE PLANET, GOVERNMENT OF THE PARIS EAST BATTERER, THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, AS WELL AS A SUMMARY OF ALL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS CHAPTERS, TWO AND THREE OF THE PLANET GOVERNMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER RILEY, GO DATE ITEM ONE 30, RECEIVING A REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE PLANET GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ON THE RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTERS FOUR, EIGHT, AND 10 OF THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT OF THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, CITY OF BATON ROUGE, AS WELL AS A SUMMARY OF ALL PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CHAPTERS FOUR, EIGHT, AND 10 OF THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER, ROWDY GOLDEN AND ITEM ONE 31 RECEIVING A REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ON THE RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTERS ONE FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, NINE, AND 11 OF THE PLANET, GOVERNMENT OF THE PARIS OF EAST BATON ROUGE, THE CITY OF BATTERY, AS WELL AS A SUMMARY OF ALL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTERS ONE FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, AND NINE AND 11 OF THE PLAN, THE GOVERNMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER ROWDY GO THERE.
I WANT TO STATE THIS FOR THE RECORD.
THESE THREE ITEMS, WE WILL TAKE NO ACTION ON AT ALL.
WE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE ON THEM.
WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO VOTE TO RECEIVE THE REPORT.
IT IS SIMPLY A REPORT FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES.
SO I WANTED TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THESE ITEMS TONIGHT.
IF YOUR COMMENTS ARE IN AN EFFORT TO MOVE THE COUNCIL ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, AS IT RELATES TO THESE PARTICULAR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT, WE'RE SIMPLY GOING TO HEAR A REPORT FROM, UH, THE WORLD RENOWNED, FAMOUS FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER.
UH, BUT I'M GOING TO GIVE HER THE PROPER INTRODUCTION WHEN SHE COMES UP.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS PART WHILE AGAIN, UH, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF TOGETHER BATON ROUGE, AND WE'RE EXCITED TO HEAR THE REPORT.
WE'D LIKE TO HEAR ALL THE POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES, BUT ONE THING WE DO WANT TO PROMOTE IS MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS AMPLE, UH, INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC, UH, TOGETHER MEMBERS GOT VERY PROFICIENT AT DOING ZOOM MEETINGS.
SO WE'RE HAPPY TO FACILITATE COMMUNITY MEETINGS OVER SIGNAL IF WE CAN'T DO THEM IN PERSON, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S LOTS OF THEM, LOTS OF, UM, PUBLIC COMMENT.
THE OTHER THING IS WE WILL NOT BE PROBABLY GETTING RESULTS OF THE CENSUS UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
UH, AND WE HOPE THAT VOTING ON THIS MIGHT BE PUSHED BACK.
SO IF THERE'S ENOUGH TIME TO PROCESS SETS THIS INFORMATION, UH, BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT DISTRICTS, DISTRICTING, UH, NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS AT LARGE SEATS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT Y'ALL KEEP THAT IN MIND.
THANK YOU, MS. KAWA, ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS ONE 29 THROUGH ONE 31? ACTUALLY, I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT WHETHER WE'LL BE TAKING ANY QUESTIONS.
UM, I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCEDURE IN TERMS OF AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND WONDERING ABOUT HOW THAT PROCESS CAN SPEAK TO THAT.
IT'S 9:00 AM AND I'LL SPEAK TO IT.
AFTER WE HEAR ALL THE COMMENTS, PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS ONE 29 THROUGH ONE 31, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS ONE 29 THROUGH ONE 31, WE'LL MOVE IT BACK TO THE COUNCIL COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE'RE GONNA, WE HAVE SOME, UH, EMAIL COMMENTS, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I HAVE, UM, THREE COMMENTS FROM MR. PHILLIP VALARD, UM, ON ITEM ONE 29.
I'M AGAINST ITEM 2.01 B, WHICH INCLUDES REVISIONS TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE METRO COUNCIL AND ADDS AN AT-LARGE MEMBER I'M AGAINST SECTION 2.07 COMPENSATION BECAUSE I BELIEVE CITIZENS SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE A METRO COUNCIL SALARY INCREASES AND NOT METRO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I AM AGAINST THE PROPOSED REVISION THAT CHANGES THE NUMBER OF VOTES REQUIRED FOR METRO COUNCIL MEMBERS TO APPROVE ITEMS I'M AGAINST THE PROPOSED REVISION TO THE SECTION DUTY, TO REFRAIN FROM VOTING I'M AGAINST THE PROPOSED REVISION TO THE SECTION ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS.
ALSO, IF ANY OF THE PROPOSED REVISIONS EVER END UP ON A BALLOT, I BELIEVE EACH SECTION OF THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT TO BE REVISED OR ADDED SHOULD BE LISTED AS A SEPARATE ITEM ON THE BALLOT SO THAT CITIZENS CAN VOTE ON EACH INDIVIDUAL PROPOSED REVISION SEPARATELY.
AND ON ITEM ONE 30, I AM AGAINST SECTION 4.08, CHIEF OF STAFF AND 4.09 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
I'M ALSO AGAINST THE REVISION RELATED TO APPOINTMENT OF THE PLANNING DIRECTOR ON ITEM ONE 31, I BELIEVE IN SECTION 11.02, CONCERNING THE RECREATION APART COMMISSION SHOULD REMAIN IN THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT.
ALL THOSE, SOME WORDING REVISION MIGHT BE NEEDED, CONCLUDES THE EMAIL PUBLIC COMMENTS OR ITEMS ONE 29 OR ONE 30.
SO COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR THE REPORT AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU ALL FOR DISCUSSION.
[02:45:01]
TO BE JOINED BY THE INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LOCALLY ACCEPTED IN HER HOUSE.PLEASE JOIN ME AND GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR MY COUNCIL MEMBERS, DONNA COLLINS LEWIS.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
MY FRIEND, MY FRIEND, AND ALSO JOINING HER WILL BE MR. ADAM NAP.
I'M JUST MESSING WITH AUTOGRAPH.
THANK YOU FOR THAT WONDERFUL INTRODUCTION.
HEY MAN, I'M JUST MESSING WITH ADAM.
YOU CAN TAKE A JOKE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE BEFORE I START, I WANT TO THANK EACH ONE OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY FOR YOUR KIND WORDS, YOUR PRAYERS AND YOUR COMMENTS.
UM, WITH THE TRAGIC DEATH OF MY GRANDSON HAS BEEN VERY CHALLENGING.
UM, BEEN A STRUGGLE JUST FROM DAY TO DAY, UM, GETTING UP.
SO I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO IT CAUSE BECAUSE I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BREAK DOWN, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS AS WE, UH, MY FAMILY AND I JOURNEY THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND I KNOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS WHAT HAPPENED, AND I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, BUT EVEN IF I FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS, IT DOES NOT NEGATE THE HEARTACHE AND THE PAIN THAT MY FAMILY FEELS AND WHATEVER FIELD, BUT I'M GRATEFUL TO GOD THAT, UM, AS MUCH AS HE SAW FIT, MY GRANDSON LEFT US WITH A THREE MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER, UH, WHICH IS HIS SEED.
AND SO WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THAT, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS AND YOUR KIND WORDS.
UM, I KNOW IT'S LATE, SO I CAN REMEMBER SITTING BACK THERE ON THOSE SEATS WHEN IT SAW, UH, NEARING SEVEN AND YOU'RE HUNGRY AND TIRED.
SO, UH, JUST TO GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE TO, UH, MY, UH, THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT IS A DOCUMENT BY WHICH THIS BODY USES AS A GUIDE IN TERMS OF HOW DEPARTMENTS FUNCTION AND HOW GOVERNMENT FLOWS.
AND SO I KNOW FIRST, UH, COMING TO THE COUNCIL, I REALLY HAD NOT A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT WAS ABOUT.
CAUSE I DIDN'T REALLY TAKE TIME TO REALLY DIGEST IT AND LOOK AT IT AND READ IT AND UNDERSTAND IT.
SO HOPEFULLY, UH, WITH THE TIME THAT WE HAVE AT HAND WITH HOPING TO GET SOMETHING BEFORE YOU GUYS, THAT YOU CAN DECIDE ON ONE WAY OR THE OTHER TO VOTE, TO SEND IT TO VOTERS, UH, THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TIME TO DIGEST THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT.
LOOK AT IT, ASK QUESTIONS OR CHANGE ANYTHING.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE PLAN THAT WE HAVE PUT BEFORE YOU PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT, IT WILL BE THE DECISION OF THIS BODY TO DECIDE WHETHER ONE OF THESE CHANGES REQUIRED.
I MEAN, REQUEST IT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS GOES BEFORE THE VOTERS, WHETHER YOU CHANGE IT DELETED, ADD TO IT OR WHATEVER IS DONE TO THE PROPOSED, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE ENTIRELY UP TO THIS BODY.
UH, I WANT TO THANK ROWDY FOR, UH, CONTINUING TO PUSH THE WORK.
THIS, UH, COMMITTEE WAS PUT IN PLACE AND DID MEET FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS TO VET THIS DOCUMENT.
THE MEETINGS WERE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
WE HAD A RE A WIDE VARIETY OF MEMBERS THAT WERE A PART OF THE COMMITTEE.
UH, AND A LOT OF WORK DID GO INTO IT.
I THINK ASHLEY HAS, UH, CAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR.
YOU SAID HE DIDN'T GET IN HIS, BUT I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA NUGGET, THE INFORMATION, UH, AHEAD OF TIME TO BE ABLE TO VET IT.
SO HOPEFULLY AS THEY SENT THE INFORMATION, YOU GUYS HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT.
I KNOW IT'S A LOT TO DIGEST AND JUST EVEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
AND SO WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO JUST GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE ON SOME OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS CHANGES, UM, TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT HOPEFULLY GOING FORWARD.
WE HAVE, I KNOW THAT I HAVE HAD A PERSONAL MEETING WITH TOGETHER BATON ROUGE, UH, WHEN THE ITEM WAS ON THE AGENDA BEFORE THE END OF LAST YEAR, ADAM HAS MET WITH TOGETHER BATON ROUGE.
WE HAVE HAD ONGOING CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER GROUPS WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE, UH, ITEM BE PUT ON THE AGENDA LAST YEAR.
AND THE ITEM GOING BEFORE THE VOTE IS ON LAST YEAR.
SO WE KNEW THAT THAT WAS NOT GOING TO PASS.
AND SO THE PLAN IS TO CONTINUE TO PUT THIS INFORMATION OUT BEFORE THE PUBLIC, UH, TO HOST PUBLIC MEETINGS.
I'VE ALREADY REACHED OUT TO COUNCILMAN, UH, HUDSON ON, UH, DOING THE MEETING IF YOU NEED, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DOING A MEETING WITHIN YOUR DISTRICT.
SO THAT CONSTITUENTS DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ASK QUESTIONS, TO VET THE DOCUMENT, TO GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES OR HAVE SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE GOING FORWARD TO THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT CHANGES.
AND SO AGAIN, WE ARE GOING TO HOST THOSE MEETINGS, UM, DO THEM VIRTUALLY, I'M NOT SURE HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THEM IN THIS CURRENT STILL COVID ENVIRONMENT VIRTUALLY ARE.
IF WE WOULD DO THEM SOCIAL DISTANCING, IT WOULD BE UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND WHERE YOUR MEETING IS HELD.
AND IF WE CAN SAFELY SOCIAL DISTANCE, UM, I'M GOING TO INVITE ADAM TO COME UP.
UH, WOULD YOU HAVE A POWERPOINT? I DON'T KNOW IF ASHLEY HAS AND IF WE CAN PUT IT ON THE SCREEN OR NOT, WE DON'T, I'M SORRY.
SAY IT AGAIN IF WE CAN GET IT OVER HERE.
ADAM IS GOING TO FOUR, BUT, UM, BASICALLY THE, THE CHANGES THAT WE'LL REFILL WERE MOST IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS BEFORE THE BODY.
UM, WELL THE AD LARGE METRO COUNCIL SEATS WITH A CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND THE CITY MANAGER THROUGH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THE ANNUAL BUDGET, WHICH YOU WERE ASKING TO BE PUSHED BACK FOR AT LEAST 30 DAYS TO GIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS MORE TIME THAT MIRROR PRESIDENT TERM LIMIT CHANGE.
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT CHANGED THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
[02:50:01]
QUALIFICATIONS.AND THE OTHER CHANGES WERE BASICALLY GRAMMATICAL, UH, FOR THE MOST PART, UM, UNDERSTAND THAT AS A COMMITTEE CHAIR FOR THIS, UH, THESE ARE NOT MY PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
UH, I DID NOT VOTE ON EVERY ONE OF THESE AMENDMENTS.
UH, BUT AS A COMMITTEE, WE AGREED TO HAVE A MAJORITY VOTE IN ORDER TO PUSH THESE ITEMS FORWARD TO THE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.
AND SO WHAT YOU'LL BE SEEING HERE TONIGHT, OR IF WE CAN GET THE POWERPOINT UP, OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THIS BODY AS A WHOLE, AND AGAIN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU AS A BODY WILL DECIDE WHAT, IF ANYTHING WOULD GO TO THE VOTERS.
AND SO IF JUSTIN CAN GET IT UP, I'M GOING TO ASK ADAM TO COME UP AND JUST KIND OF GO BRIEFLY, GO OVER IT.
AND IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, WE CAN ADDRESS THEM TONIGHT, UM, OR YOU CAN COME BACK AND WE ARE PLANNING TO MEET.
IF ANYONE IS OPEN, OPENED INDIVIDUALLY WITH YOU, ONE-ON-ONE TO GO OVER THE PROPOSED CHANGES, IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO, WE WILL MAKE THAT AVAILABLE TO NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND TO, UH, CURRENT HOUSE MEMBERS WHO WERE ALREADY A PART OF THIS PROCESS, BUT WE WILL HAVE THOSE MEETINGS WITH YOU SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
SO IF YOU'RE ABLE TO GET THEM UP OF THE GENTLEMAN FROM LAKE CHARLES, GOOD MEMORY, THANK YOU MEMBERS.
UH, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR, YOUR LONG NIGHT OF SERVICE TONIGHT.
UH, AND AS ALWAYS, WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS, THE PROCESS, UH, THAT THE, UH, INFAMOUS FAMOUS, UH, DONNA COLLINS, LEWIS HAS BEEN LEADING.
THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN ONE THAT HAS BEEN, UH, EXHAUSTEDLY PUBLIC.
UH, IT BEGAN, UH, OVER TWO YEARS AGO, A BROAD GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS WERE INVITED BY THE, YOUR, YOUR PREDECESSORS ON THE COUNCIL, SOME OF YOU, THE CURRENT MEMBERS, UH, TO SERVE.
UH, AND, AND WE MET, UH, FOR WELL OVER TWO YEARS, UH, ALMOST, UH, AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH, MANY TIMES, TWICE AND THREE TIMES A MONTH HERE IN THIS ROOM.
UH, ALL OF THOSE WERE RECORDED, UH, PUT ONLINE THE CONTENTS OF HAVE ALL BEEN PUBLISHED ON THE CITY OF PARISHES WEBSITE.
UH, AND SO THERE, IF YOU CHOOSE TO, IF A CITIZEN CHOOSE TO, YOU CAN WATCH THE ENTIRE DELIBERATIONS OF THIS PROCESS TO GET US TO THE POINT OF A DOCUMENT BEING PRESENTED TO, AND TO THE LAST COUNCIL AND THE FORM IN WHICH YOU'VE RECEIVED IT.
UH, AND SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO SO, UH, WHAT WE DID AS A COMMITTEE, AND THIS WAS A KIND OF A BROAD SET OF STAKEHOLDERS THAT WERE APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL TO, UH, TO TRY TO DIVE INTO THIS DOCUMENT.
WE WERE ALL IN MANY CASES, UH, WE WERE ALL VOLUNTEERS, BUT IN MANY CASES, NEWCOMERS TO THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT OURSELVES, WE ACTUALLY STARTED OUT WITH A PRESENTATION OF WHAT IS THIS DOCUMENT AND HOW DID IT COME TO EXIST AND READING THE DOCUMENT AS YOU HAVE IT BEFORE YOU, WHAT GOVERNS OUR PARIS HAS A CONSTITUTION TODAY, YOU WILL SEE REFERENCES TO THE YEAR 1949 THROUGHOUT THE DOCUMENT.
THIS IS A DOCUMENT DESPERATELY IN NEED OF MODERNIZING AND UPDATING.
UH, AND IN MANY WAYS, THE CONVERSATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE WHERE THIS GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGING TIMES OF OUR, OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR PARISH AND THE STRUCTURE OF THIS CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENT NEEDS TO BE ALWAYS REVISITED.
YOU'LL SEE, IT HAS BEEN COMING UP ROUGHLY EVERY DECADE FOR A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE DOCUMENT, BUT THIS WAS PROBABLY THE MOST THOROUGH THAT WILL, IT WILL HAVE RECEIVED SINCE PROBABLY 1983, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR YEARS.
IT WENT THROUGH A BIG STRUCTURAL REVIEW, UH, THAT WAS ALSO LED BY, UH, PREDECESSORS ON THE COUNCIL, UH, TO GET TO THIS POINT, EVERYTHING THAT WAS BEFORE YOU WAS BROUGHT FORWARD WITH DISCUSSIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE, UH, DEPARTMENTS THAT DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES, UH, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THE MAYOR PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, UH, CITIZENS WHO CAME FORWARD TO GIVE SUGGESTIONS, UH, AND IN MANY CASES, EVERY CHAPTER TOOK MANY MONTHS TO GET THROUGH IN THE PROCESS OF READING, DISCUSSING, DEBATING, BRINGING RESEARCH FORWARD, UH, TO GET IT TO THIS POINT.
AND SO ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I THINK IT'S WORTH THIS BODY TO TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO UNDERSTAND IT, UH, IS THERE'S A LOT OF THIS THAT IS, WAS DIFFICULT FOR US TO WAIT INTO AS VOLUNTEERS.
AND I KNOW IF YOU HAVEN'T SPENT TIME IN THE DOCUMENT, IT'S GOING TO BE ONE THAT YOU WILL TAKE TIME TO GET INTO.
UH, I, I'M HAPPY TO GO THROUGH THE POWERPOINT.
I, I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S THE BEST USE OF YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO SO IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT OR COME BACK IN FUTURE PRESENTATIONS, UH, AND, AND GO THROUGH THAT, UH, UH, MR. PROTEIN.
YEAH, WHATEVER, WHATEVER YOUR WILL IS TO, TO GO THROUGH, UH, WHAT WE WOULD AND DONNA AND I, UH, COLLINS LEWIS, AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING THROUGH THIS, THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS REMAIN ENGAGED AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO GET FEEDBACK.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR ANYBODY, I'M JUST ONE VOLUNTEER OF MANY WHO SERVED ON THAT GROUP, TRY TO HELP FACILITATE THIS PROCESS ALONG AND OUT OF A DEEP SENSE OF LOYALTY TO, TO DONNA COLLINS, LEWIS WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO AS LONG AS REQUESTED, UH, BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS AN IMPORTANT THING TO TRY TO DO AND TO TRY TO GET RIGHT, UH, TO DO IMPORTANT THINGS.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT EVERY PIECE OF THIS SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS, UH, WERE, WERE ONES THAT THE BODY DELIBERATED, I WOULD SAY CONSCIENTIOUSLY, THERE WAS NOT AS MUCH DIVISION AND RANCOR AS, AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, BUT IT WAS A LOT OF COLLABORATION DISCUSSION BACK AND FORTH DEBATE TO DETERMINE WHAT WOULD SEEM TO MOVE US FORWARD, BUT ALSO PUSH THE CONVERSATION TO YOU TO
[02:55:01]
SAY, THESE ARE SOME GREAT SUGGESTIONS.IT'S YOUR DOCUMENT DO WITH IT AS YOU WILL.
UH, WE WERE MERELY VOLUNTEERS TO BRING YOU SUGGESTIONS.
UH, YOU HAVE THE PEN NOW, UH, AND YOU, YOU WILL BE THE ONES TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION OF WHAT, IF ANYTHING, SHOULD GO BEFORE THE VOTERS WOULD THAT, UH, MR. PRO TIM, I'M HAPPY TO EITHER GO THROUGH SOME, SOME OF THE DETAILS OF THE PRESENTATION OR ALLOW THAT TO COME BACK IN THE FUTURE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M GOING TO DEFER TO YOU ALL, IF YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE POWERPOINT, I'VE SEEN IT AND SEEN IT AND SEEN IT AGAIN.
UH, BUT I DON'T MIND WATCHING IT AGAIN.
SO LIKE, UH, COUNCILMAN DON SAID EARLIER, I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE POWERPOINT.
SO OUT OF RESPECT TO YOU, IF YOU GUYS WANT TO WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER TIME, THAT'S PERFECTLY OKAY WITH US.
I DO WANT TO SAY TO JENNIFER CARR WHILE SHE'S STILL IN THE LIBRARY THAT, UM, WE DO INTEND TO PUT THESE ON IT.
W WELL, IF YOU GUYS DECIDE, BUT SHE MADE A RECOMMENDATION OR SUGGESTION THAT WE PUT THEM ON CHAPTER BY CHAPTER, AND THAT IS SOMETHING, UH, THAT WE ALSO COULD CONSIDER.
SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT, WE WILL BE TAKING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OR SUGGESTIONS FROM PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ON HOW THEY WANT TO SEE THIS AND SELL THAT WILL AGAIN, COME BACK TO YOU.
IF THEY SAY THEY WANT TO SEE THIS, THE WAY THAT WE HAD IT BROKEN DOWN INTO CHAPTERS.
BUT IF THE PUBLIC DECIDES THAT THEY WOULD RATHER SEE THIS VOTED ON BY INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS, AGAIN, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO YOU.
UH, AS WE COMPILE THE INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT ARE HELD, WE WILL BRING THAT INFORMATION BACK AND GIVE IT TO ASHLEY WHO WILL BRING IT BACK TO YOU GUYS TO BRING BACK SUGGESTIONS FOR THOSE PARTS OF THE DOCUMENT.
AND YOU CAN PROCEED ON HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT AT THAT POINT.
SO I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT IN.
SO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO WATCH THE VIEW, THE POWER POINT, NOW WE CAN, I KNOW I'M COMING STRAIGHT TO YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER, DON FOR COMMENTS, BUT I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT UP TO YOU AND WE CAN DECIDE.
I DO THINK WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S GOING TO BE SOME OPPORTUNITY, UH, GOING FORWARD, UH, IN COMMUNITY MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, WHETHER IT BE BY ZOOM OR IN PERSON SO THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN ASK QUESTIONS.
I WOULD THINK IT'D BE WISE, UH, MS. LEWIS, IF, UH, THERE'S SOMETHING DONE FOR NEW MEMBERS, A PRIVATE MEETING FOR NEW MEMBERS, SO THEY CAN ASK THOSE QUESTIONS THAT WE DATE.
THEY HADN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACT.
SO JUST MAKE THAT RECOMMENDATION COUNCIL NUMBER DONE.
AS I MENTIONED ON MY ITEM, I THINK IS, YOU KNOW, BEST TIME SIR, TO REVIEW STUFF LIKE THIS PRIOR TO A TWO OR THREE MINUTE PRESENTATION.
SO I'D LIKE TO DEFER IT, BUT I'M A YIELD TO ROWDY BEING AT HIS ITEM, WHATEVER HIS WISHES IS ON IT, YOU KNOW, I'LL SUPPORT THAT.
AND LET ME SAY THIS, THAT THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION IS JUST A SMALL COMPILED AS AGENT OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS HAVE RECEIVED IN EACH CHAPTER.
SO THIS IS KIND OF JUST BREAKS IT DOWN OR MAKES IT A WHOLE LOT SIMPLER TO UNDERSTAND, INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH EVERY CHAPTER, CAUSE ASHLEY DID SEND THAT INFORMATION OR SAW IT IN THE BACKUP, BUT THIS WOULD JUST KIND OF BRING IT TOGETHER IN A MORE CONCISE WAY, UH, WITH THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION THAT WE HAVE.
BUT AGAIN, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE TO LOOK AT IT AND COMPARE, THEN WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF DIRECT QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
AS YOU MENTIONED ABOUT YOU CHAIRING THE COMMITTEE AND THE OTHER COMMISSION, WHATEVER YOU GUYS COINED IT, UH, BUT ALL OF THE ITEMS WASN'T NECESSARILY YOU WERE IN SUPPORT.
UH, SO FOR ME, I WANTED TO KNOW DIRECTLY FROM YOU ON A FEW OF THE ITEMS, WHERE DID YOU STAND? UH, ONE OF THEM BEING THE MINIMIZATION OF THE TERM LIMITS FOR THE MAYOR.
ARE YOU IN SUPPORT OF THAT OR ARE YOU NOT IN SUPPORT? UM, I, I THOUGHT IT SHOULD HAVE STAYED WITH THE SAME TERM LIMITS OF THE COUNCIL HAS TO COINCIDE WITH THE COUNCIL, BUT IT WAS THE PLEASURE OF THE COMMITTEE THAT THEY VOTED TO DO TWO TERMS. AND SO THAT WAS THE VOTE OF THE ENTIRE COMMITTEE.
I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT STAY AT THREE TERMS, THE SAME AS THE COUNCIL AND THE COMPENSATION, AGAIN, AS ADAM SAID, THESE, ALL THESE MEETINGS ARE RECORDED.
UH, THE COMMITTEE FELT AT THE TIME THAT OTHER POSITIONS SUCH AS THE GOVERNOR WAS ONLY A TWO TERM LIMIT UNTIL THEY COMPARED OTHER OTHER OFFICES.
BUT MY CONCERN WAS, AGAIN, BACK TO THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR, THE COUNCIL HAD THREE TERMS. SO THE MAYOR'S TERMS THAT COINCIDE WITH THE SAME TERM AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, RIGHT? NOTED SECONDLY, UH, THE AT-LARGE SEATS, ARE YOU IN SUPPORT OF THAT OR ARE YOU NOT IN SUPPORT OF THEM? SO I WAS IN SUPPORT OF THE TWO AT LARGE SEAT, BUT SINCE THAT TIME HAPPENED, WE'VE ALSO REDUCED THAT BECAUSE OF PUBLIC COMMENTS, BUT MY CONCERN WAS THERE WAS ONE PARIS WHERE I SEE IT AND THERE WILL BE ONE CITY-WIDE.
AND LAURA'S SEE MY, UH, DISAPPROVAL WAS THAT THE COMMITTEE WANTED BOTH SEATS TO RUN PARISH WIDE.
AND I FELT IF THERE WAS A CITY SEAT, IT SHOULD ONLY BE VOTED ON BY THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY AND BY THE, BY THE ENTIRE PAIRS.
AND THAT THE OTHER SEAT WOULD BE VOTED ON PARISH WIDE.
BUT SINCE THAT TIME THEY WERE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE MADE TO REDUCE IT TO JUST ONE AT-LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND I DO SUPPORT HAVING ONE AT LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER AND FINALLY, THE CITY MANAGER.
WHERE, WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THAT? UM, I THINK THAT THE CITY MANAGER POSITION WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
IT WOULD DIVIDE DUTIES IN TERMS OF, UH, HOW THE OPPOSITE FUNCTION THE CITY MANAGER WOULD BASICALLY TAKE IN A POSITION OF RUNNING THE CITY, WHEREAS
[03:00:01]
WITH, UH, DARRELL, IF HE'S JUST DEALING IN A YEAR, IT, HE DOES IT ALL.HE DOES IT FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT.
AND FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE STANDPOINT, I THINK THE DIVISION OF DUTIES WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE CITY AND IN TERMS OF HOW THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FUNCTIONED.
HAVE Y'ALL SENT THAT POWERPOINT TO US.
AND THEY'LL SEND THE POWERPOINT TO US.
WE'LL FIND IT AND, AND UNDERSTAND IT'S IT'S COUNCILMAN ROWDY'S DECISION.
AND I WOULD DEFER TO HIM AS FAR AS WHAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DO, BUT, UM, UH, AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN DUNN ON I'D LIKE TO GET THE POWERPOINT, MATCH IT UP WITH THIS AND SEE WHERE WE CAN GO.
YOU KNOW, THEY BROUGHT IT UP A WHILE AGO, THE NEW MEMBERS AND STUFF THERE, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS IN HERE THAT BELIEVE ME IN MY 12 YEARS, THERE WERE STILL A LOT.
AND THAT'S JUST SAY, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY FOUR YEARS YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A TURNOVER.
BUT I THINK IF WE COULD RAPIDLY BRING THE NEW PEOPLE AT SPEED OR SIT DOWN WITH Y'ALL AND THINGS LIKE THAT, I THINK WE CAN GET IT BY THE TIME THE NEXT TURNOVER HAPPENS.
AND I DON'T, I DON'T WANT TO DRAG IT OUT FOR FOUR YEARS IF WE DON'T HAVE TO, BUT THERE'S A LOT IN HERE THAT, YOU KNOW, I'VE EXPERIENCED THAT IT'S WORKED OR NOT WORKED AND EVERYTHING.
AND, UH, YOU KNOW, I JUST LIKE TO GET THE POWERPOINT, THEN I CAN REALLY SIT DOWN AND GO THROUGH WITH Y'ALL INDIVIDUALLY OR DO PUBLIC MEETINGS.
WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO MAKE OURSELVES AVAILABLE TO GO OVER IT WITH YOU.
ONE-ON-ONE UH, I, I THINK ABOUT WHEN I CAME ON THE COUNCIL, UH, 12 YEARS AGO, THERE WERE 10 NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AND SO WE STUMBLED ALONG, BUT WE, WE, WE MADE IT THROUGH, WE MADE IT, IT'S A LOGGIA YOU'RE RIGHT.
SO WHATEVER THE PLEASURE OF THE BODY IS TONIGHT, UH, WE'RE WILLING TO JUST, UH, ADHERE TO THAT COUNCIL MEMBER GO THERE.
I WAS GOING TO WAIT AND SEE IF THERE WERE OTHER QUESTIONS.
UM, YOU KNOW, MY, MY INTENT WITH THE ITEMS THAT WE'RE TALKING THROUGH TONIGHT WAS TO MAKE IT AS PUBLIC AS POSSIBLE THAT THIS CONVERSATION, THIS DISCUSSION, THESE CONSIDERATIONS, UH, IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT GETS BACK INTO, UH, THE PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
AND SO, UM, I, I WILL YIELD AND SAY, WE CAN HOLD ON THE POWERPOINT.
UM, BUT I WANT TO WAIT AND SEE IF OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS SPECIFIC TO EITHER THE, THE ITEMS, UH, I'M SORRY, THE, UH, PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OR, UM, THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE.
AND THEN I'LL ASK MY QUESTIONS.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS COME FROM A REMOTE? YEAH.
UM, I, I GUESS, UH, COULD THIS TYPE OF DISCUSSION OR WHATEVER, AND I KNOW THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS FROM EVERYBODY ELSE, BUT, UM, COULD WE DO IT IN, I GUESS, A, A WORKSHOP MODE, YOU KNOW, IT'S A PUBLIC MEETING, IT'S THE FULL COUNCIL.
UM, WE'VE HAD WORKSHOPS, UH, ON OUR COUNCIL AND EVERYTHING, AND IT'S, IT'S JUST LIKE, UH, IT'S SPECIFIC TO THIS ITEM AND ALL THE QUESTIONS, OR IS THERE JUST NO DECISION MADE JUST LIKE TONIGHT, WE'RE HERE FOR STRICTLY FOR DISCUSSION OR WHATEVER.
COULD WE DO A SPECIFIC WORKSHOP IN THIS SETTING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS? I THINK THAT WOULD HELP.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO DO IT BECAUSE I THINK IF WE GOT INTO DISSECTING ALL OF THIS NOW, AND THEN THE QUESTION IS YOU WANT TO VOTE TO EXTEND THE COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT.
UM, SO THAT'S THE ONLY THING I WAS, I WAS LOOKING AT, BUT ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS CROSSMEMBER REMEMBER HUSTLING, UH, COUNCILMAN LEWIS.
I SHARED THIS WITH YOU ON THE PHONE, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY IN THIS SETTING, THE FACT THAT YOU'RE STILL ENGAGED IN THIS, UH, KUDOS.
WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT WORK.
UH, AGAIN, THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE SPENT A LONG TIME, UH, VETTING THIS DOCUMENT.
AND I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE A DISSERVICE TO THE PEOPLE THAT VOLUNTEERED ALL THOSE HOURS TO ALLOW THIS TO FALL BY THE WAYSIDE AND THEN NOT, NOT AT LEAST BRING IT TO THIS BODY FOR CONSIDERATION.
SO, UH, MY, MY, MY GOAL, UH, ALONE, NOT BY MYSELF, IS TO STICK WITH THIS WORK, UH, UNTIL THE BODY MAKES A DECISION ON HOW YOU GUYS WANT TO MOVE.
IT'S A, IT'S A TESTAMENT TO YOUR OVER DECADE OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
MY ONLY QUESTION FOR YOU AND ADAM IS ON THE TIMELINE.
I KNOW THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT TRYING TO SHOOT FOR A FALL AGENDA.
AND THEN THERE WAS A DATE IN APRIL WHERE SOMETHING WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE PASSED THE COUNCIL BIAS, THOSE DATES.
UH, SO I WANTED TO BACK THAT UP TO A POTENTIAL INTRODUCTION AND JUST KIND OF PUT THAT ON EVERYBODY'S RADAR.
SO MAYBE THE QUESTION REALLY SHOULD BE TO ASHLEY.
WHEN WOULD WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING PUT ON AN AGENDA FOR INTRODUCTION IN ORDER TO GET A FALL? SO I DON'T HAVE THE ELECTION SPREADSHEET IN FRONT OF, HE HAS IT FREE THING, JUST SPEAK TO IT AND YET OUTLINE AT A TIMELINE.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON.
SO, UH, APRIL ON APRIL 24TH BALLOT, UH, IS,
[03:05:01]
IS NOT IN MY MIND AT ALL FEASIBLE AND NOT ANYTHING I'M TRYING TO NUMBER ONE CRAMMED DOWN THE, THIS COUNCIL, BUT CERTAINLY TO THE PUBLIC, MORE VETTING IS NEEDED.SO LATER IN THE YEAR, THERE ARE TWO, UH, ELECTIONS, ONE ON OCTOBER 9TH AND A SECOND ON, UH, OR A FINAL ELECTION OF THE YEAR ON NOVEMBER 13TH TO GET ON THE BALLOT ON OCTOBER, THE NINTH, UH, COUNCIL APPROVAL WOULD NEED TO TAKE PLACE ON APRIL THE 14TH, UH, APRIL THE 14TH TO GET ON THE NOVEMBER 13TH BALLOT COUNCIL APPROVAL WOULD NEED TO TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 11TH.
SO WHAT I WOULD SAY NOW IS THERE ARE SOME WHAT I'LL REFER TO AS, UH, YOU KNOW, RUN OF THE MILL UPDATES, UH, MR. KNAPP REFERRED TO THEM SOME CHANGE OF PRONOUNS, SOME, SOME REMOVAL OF DATE REFERENCES, UM, THAT TO ME, UH, WHILE IT STILL DESERVES A VETTING THROUGH THE PUBLIC AND NEEDS TO BE PART OF THAT DISCUSSION, UH, COULD BE SOMETHING THIS COUNCIL CONSIDERS AS SOON AS APRIL FOR AN OCTOBER BALLOT.
AND THEN I THINK WE COULD WITH SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS THAT, UH, DESERVE A LITTLE MORE CONVERSATION.
AND WHAT I'LL SAY IS A LITTLE MORE CONTROVERSIAL WILL, UM, COULD WAIT UNTIL AUGUST TO GET ONTO A NOVEMBER BALLOT IF THAT'S THE WILL OF THIS COUNCIL.
SO IF I CAN JUST BACK THAT DATA UP A LITTLE BIT MORE COUNCILMAN GOTAY W WE WOULD NEED TO INTRODUCE BY MARCH 24TH.
FOR AN APRIL 14TH CONSIDERATION OF A PUBLIC HEARING, RATHER IN FRONT OF THIS BODY, YOU'LL PROBABLY OUGHT TO WATCH THAT POWERPOINT TONIGHT.
IF, IF THAT'S THE PLEASURE, I WANT THE OTHER THING, I THINK YOU'RE, ARE YOU REFERRING TO COUNSEL? UH, THE PROPOSAL HAS BEEN ON TWO DIFFERENT BALLOTS, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE RECOMMENDING OR SUGGESTING? SO THAT'S WHAT I JUST SPOKE TO THAT, UH, THERE ARE ITEMS THAT I'M CONFIDENT, UH, MERIT, A LOT MORE DISCUSSIONS ON SOME ITEMS, MORE THAN OTHERS, AND POTENTIALLY PUTTING THEM ON TWO SEPARATE BALLOTS, BUT THE LATER DATE WOULD GIVE THIS BODY MORE TIME AND THE COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC MORE TIME TO VET IT, UH, BEFORE THAT IS CORRECT.
SO, UM, AGAIN, THE PLEASURE OF THIS VALLEY, BUT FROM WHAT, FROM THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING, THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO HAVE MORE INPUT.
SO IF WE PUT ANYTHING FOR THE MARCH DATES, I THINK THAT WOULD BE, UM, A BIT AVERAGE FOR THE COMMITTEE.
I DON'T THINK THE COMMUNITY WOULD REALLY WANT TO SEE THAT.
I THINK THAT THE LATER DATE WOULD BE BETTER, UH, AS FAR AS BEING VETTED IN THE COMMUNITY.
UH, I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'RE GOING TO UNDERSTAND THE SEPARATION BETWEEN THE CHAPTERS AND IT JUST, THE PARTS THAT ARE MAYBE NOT CONSIDERED AS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO VOTE ON.
AND SO MY DESIRE, THIS IS JUST ME AS A COMMITTEE MEMBER WOULD BE TO SEE IT ALL GO ON ONE BALLOT.
I MEAN, WE DID THE LATER BALLOT TO MAKE SURE AGAIN, THAT WE WERE ABLE TO HOST PUBLIC MEETINGS.
SO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, MARK, I HATE TO INFORM YOU, YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN TWICE ON THIS, BUT IF THERE IS ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER WHO DOESN'T MIND YOU HAVING HIS OR HER TIME, UH, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T TYPICALLY DO THAT IN THE LAST COUNCIL, BUT I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO LOG YESTERDAY, YOU GOT ABOUT EIGHT MEMBERS SAYING YOU CAN HAVE THAT TIME.
SO WHO WANTS TO GIVE THEM SOME TIME? WELL, A COUNCIL MEMBER
WHY YOU ALL ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR FAST.
YOU ALL WANT TO BE COMMENDED FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE.
I, I, UM, I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, IN THE BEGINNING YOU TALKED ABOUT NEW MEMBERS NEEDING TO GET THIS INFORMATION.
YOU'VE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, UH, NEEDING TO BE INVOLVED AND GETTING THIS INFORMATION.
I CONCUR WITH ALL OF THAT, I GUESS.
AND WE'VE JUMPED TO WHEN VOTING IS, AND HERE IT IS, WE'RE, YOU KNOW, VOTING IS OUT THERE AND WE'VE NOT EVEN DISCUSSED THIS AND WHAT IT IS AND THE SUBSTANCE AND THE WHATEVER.
SO MY QUESTION IS, WHAT'S THE RUSH.
WHAT'S THE RUSH AT THIS POINT, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME WITH THIS AND I CAN READ, DON'T GET IT TWISTED.
BUT WHAT I AM SAYING IS THAT IT'S A, IT'S A LOT AND SO SHORT TIMEFRAME, AND THEN WE'RE TALKING
[03:10:01]
ABOUT APRIL, WE'RE ALREADY IN MARCH.AND SO I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S THE RUSH THAT THERE IS NO RUSH ON OUR PART.
AND THAT'S WHY I'M AGREEING WITH A LATER DATE FOR AUGUST, UH, IN TERM.
SO THERE ARE TIMELINES THAT THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE ADHERE TO, BUT I BELIEVE THAT AUGUST WOULD GIVE YOU AND THE COMMUNITY A LONGER TIME TO BE ABLE TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
AND FOR YOU GUYS TO HAVE MORE TIME TO BE ABLE TO VET AND UNDERSTAND THE, UH, ACTUAL PLAN OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PROPOSAL MEMBERS THAT ARE BEING RECOMMENDED.
SO, UM, UM, THE APRIL TO ME IS ALMOST IT'S, UM, I WOULD PREFER IT TO BE OFF THE TABLE IN TERMS OF THE TIMELINE AND GO WITH THE AUGUST DATE OF BEING ABLE TO BRING IT BACK TO YOU GUYS FOR A DECISION ON AGAIN, WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO PUT THIS TO THE VOTERS, EVEN AT THAT TIME.
SO IT STILL WOULD LIE WITHIN YOUR HANDS.
AND AGAIN, WE ARE OPEN AND, AND DO WANT TO, UH, START TO, UH, SCHEDULE THOSE MEETINGS WITH YOU GUYS.
ONE-ON-ONE WHENEVER YOU ARE READY AND WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND MEET, UH, WITH MYSELF OR ADAM OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE, UH, AS AVAILABILITY ZONES ARE MADE.
AND SO JUST AS COUNCIL THAT INVOLVED TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WE SEE ALL OF THIS ONE-ON-ONE WE CAN BUILD IN FRONT OF EACH OTHER.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN ON HERE, MAYBE ABLE TO ADD SOMETHING FOR OF US.
SO I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT ONE ON ONE, BUT I AM COMFORTABLE WITH A SESSION OR A, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, WHEREBY WE ALL SIT, YOU ALL PRESENT.
WE QUESTION, THEN WE CAN DEFINITELY TAKE THIS BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY, UM, THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.
AND SO, BUT I DON'T WANT TO MEET WITH YOU ALL ONE ON ONE.
WELL, THAT, I MEAN, THAT'S, THAT'S, WE WERE OFFERING THAT THAT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT, BUT I KNOW THAT IF THIS BODY MEETS AS A WHOLE, THAT IT HAS TO BE A PUBLIC MEETING.
SO IF YOU HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, THAT MEANS THAT THE PUBLIC IS ALSO INVITED TO COME AND WE WILL HAVE THOSE COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S THE PLAYERS OF THIS BODY THAT IS, UH, UP TO YOU GUYS.
AND YOU GUYS CAN SCHEDULE THAT WITH ASHLEY AND WE CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO DO THAT.
IF THAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNCIL, WHOEVER GAVE ME THEIR TIME.
I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE OF Y'ALL DID.
UM, I GUESS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ON THE, ON THE, WHAT I CONSIDER A WORKSHOP FORMAT THAT, THAT WE'VE DONE BEFORE IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, IT DOES HAVE PUBLIC, IT'S A LITTLE MORE RELAXED FORMAT AND IT, AND IT'S WORKED FOR US REALLY WELL, AS FAR AS PUBLIC GIVING THEIR INPUT, AS WE DISCUSS NOW, IS THIS NOT A SINGLE THING? IT'S JUST A QUICK ANSWERING QUESTION SESSION, SO ON, BUT IT'S MORE OF A, IT'S MORE OF A DISCUSSION FORMAT WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THEN THE PUBLIC KIND OF, YOU KNOW, THROW SOME IDEAS IN THERE.
UM, SO MY QUESTION TO YOU THAT DIRECTED TO YOU IS THE QUESTION CAME UP A WHILE AGO ABOUT BEING ON THE BALLOT IN AUGUST.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT IT IF IT, IF IT, WHEN IT COMES UP ON IT AND SAY THAT IF IT, WHEN IT COMES UP ON THE BALLOT, UM, OR YOU OR THE COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF PUTTING IT ALL ON THE BALLOT, BUT HAVING INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS, THAT'S GOING TO BE DETERMINED BY YOU GUYS, NOT ABOUT THE COMMITTEE.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT ALL ON THE BALLOT AS ONE WHOLE, NO, IT'S NOT AS ONE WHOLE.
IT WAS ALREADY, IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR AGENDA ITEM, THE WAY THAT THE REPORTS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PRESENTED TONIGHT, THAT'S HOW IT WOULD BE BROKEN DOWN INTO THOSE DIFFERENT CHAPTERS.
BUT IF THE PLAYERS ARE, THIS BODY IS TO SEE CHAPTER BY CHAPTER ON THE BALLOT, THEN THAT WOULD BE UP TO YOU GUYS TO DECIDE THAT, OKAY, YOU'RE WELCOME.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS? UM, I HAVE A CONSTITUENT WHO'S ASKED IF THE, UM, IF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE HAS HAD INPUT IN THIS AND IF THE MAYOR WILL BE, UM, OPEN OR AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO US AS THE COUNCIL KNOW, SINCE SHE'S BEEN WORKING UNDER THIS PLAN OF GOVERNMENT, THE MAYOR DID HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE ON THE COMMITTEE, UH, THE ENTIRE TENANT OF THE COMMITTEE MODE TO PROVIDE INPUT ON THE MAYOR'S BEHALF.
SO, YEAH, BUT I'M SURE THE MAYOR WOULD BE ALSO AVAILABLE AND WILLING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE DIRECTLY FROM HER.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS I'LL GO, I'LL GO LAST ONLY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL NUMBER GO THERE.
UM, ON THE DISCUSSION AROUND HOW THE ITEMS WERE PUT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA, THAT WAS REFLECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER BREAKDOWN, UH, THAT THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL AND THE, IN THE MANNER THAT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER COLLINS LEWIS HAD PRESENTED THESE, UM, WHAT I WOULD OFFER UP IS THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY HOW WE WOULD HAVE TO PROCEED FORWARD.
UH, AGAIN, THERE ARE SOME GENERIC, UH, CHANGES.
[03:15:01]
UH, WE COULD DO THAT AS A SINGLE ITEM AND THEN TAKE THE OTHERS THAT MERIT MORE DISCUSSION AND BREAK THOSE DOWN.SO THERE'S A FEW DIFFERENT APPROACHES THAT COULD BE TAKEN IN TERMS OF HOW WE, UH, IF, IF WE, UH, AGAIN, NOT TRYING TO GET US TO A VOTE JUST YET AND NOT TRYING TO RUSH THIS, THE POINT FOR ME IS A LOT OF WORK WENT INTO THESE, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS.
AND I DO BELIEVE THEY MERIT, UH, MORE PUBLIC VETTING AND DISCUSSION.
AND I THINK THIS COUNCIL CAN, UH, LEAD THE WAY IN HAVING AN OPEN AND PUBLIC DIALOGUE, EVEN ON ITEMS. WE MAY NOT NECESSARILY ENDORSE OR AGREE WITH.
UH, WE CAN HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN A PUBLIC SETTING TO GET THAT INPUT AND FEEDBACK, UH, FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, AND SO I WANT TO FIRST OFF THANK COUNCIL MEMBER COLLINS, LEWIS, WHO YOU REMAINED IN MY PRAYERS, UH, AND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
UM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WILLING TO, UH, PUT YOURSELF FORWARD TO CONTINUE THESE DISCUSSIONS, UH, TO THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WHO HAVE MADE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE.
I WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE OFFERS.
I WANT TO, UM, BE A PART OF HELPING TO PUT TOGETHER PUBLIC MEETINGS, UH, AND GAIN SOME PUBLIC INPUT ON THESE PROPOSALS.
UM, SO I'LL, I'LL YIELD THERE.
UM, FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS? WELL, WE WANT TO THANK YOU.
DO, ARE WE GOING TO WATCH THE POWERPOINT TONIGHT? COUNCIL MEMBERS? NO, NO.
SARAH, I DON'T BELIEVE WE ARE.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, CARLOS LEWIS.
UH, ADAM, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING.
YOU KNOW, LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE, WE ASKED YOU TO STEP NEXT DOOR, BUT WE'RE GLAD THAT YOU WERE HERE IN THE CHAMBER.
WE'RE WILLING TO GO TO THE LIBRARY.
I PROMISE YOU, WE WILL HAVE, DONNA IS AS LONG AS I'M IN THIS SEAT, YOU ALWAYS WANT TO ALWAYS BE IN THE CHAMBER IS DEAD THERE.
THERE'S NO OTHER BUSINESS, UH, COUNCIL
[Additional Item]
COUNCIL MEMBER MODE.I WOULD LIKE BEFORE WE ADJOURN, I'D LIKE TO, UH, MAKE IT PUBLIC IN A, I GUESS, AN ANNOUNCEMENT OR POINT PRIVILEGE.
UM, IN CASE Y'ALL, HAVEN'T HEARD OR SEEN, UM, THE FORMER BATON ROUGE POLICE, CHIEF WAYNE ROHELIO HAS, UH, PASSED AWAY.
HE SERVED THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE FROM 1985 TO 1992.
UM, I'VE KNOWN THAT MAN FOR A LONG TIME, SINCE I WAS LITTLE, UH, ME AND HIS SON WERE IN SCHOOL TOGETHER AND EVERYTHING.
AND I JUST WANT TO SEND OUT FROM US TO A GENTLEMAN THAT HAS SERVED THE CITY.
WELL, UH, WE, OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
YOU WANT A MOMENT OF SILENCE? YES, PLEASE.
A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR FORMER CHIEF POLICE.
[Adoption and Approval of Minutes]
ON THE AGENDA.COUNCIL MEMBERS, I ITEM NUMBER ONE, UH, APPROVAL OF ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 2020, A MEETING BY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE TREASURER.
IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE, SHOWING OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY DON SECOND BY MOKE.
WOULD THAT BEING SAID, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN MOTION BY EVERYONE? THANK YOU AGAIN FOR STAYING FOR THE MEETING.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WATCHING AT HOME WITH CHILDREN, PLEASE SPEND SOME TIME READING A BOOK TO YOUR CHILDREN AT NIGHT.
ONE OF THE MOST BORING THINGS WE CAN DO IS RETIRE CHILDREN RE TO OUR CHILDREN, AND THEN LET THEM READ BACK TO YOU.