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[CALL TO ORDER (Part 1 of 2) ]
AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO THE PRESENTATION PORTION OF OUR REGULAR METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING OF FIRST.WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR MAYOR, PRESIDENT SHARON, WESTERN BROOM AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, SHAUNA BANKS,
[Additional Item ]
CORRECTION.WE'RE GOING TO HAVE COUNCIL MEMBERS, SEAN BANKS, UP TO RECOGNIZE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ARTS EXPLOSION, KIDS CAMPS, COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS.
YOU SUPPOSED TO BE READY TO COUNSEL? NO, I'M JUST MESSING WITH YOU.
UM, SO GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
UH, WE HAD A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY AT THE GEORGE J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER TO BRING ARTS TO THE STUDENTS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PARISH.
IT WAS SUCH AN AWESOME EVENT THAT IT STARTED OFF WHERE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE 30 KIDS.
WE ENDED UP WITH A REGISTRATION OF 50 KIDS AND WE HAD A WAITING LIST.
AND THAT IS TO SAY HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAMS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PARISH AND WITH OUR YOUTH IN GENERAL, AS IT RELATES TO THE ARTS.
SO THE PROGRAM WAS CALLED ART EXPLOSION AND, UM, IT WAS IN PARTNERSHIP AND HOSTED BY THE, UM, ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER BATON ROUGE.
AND IT WAS UNDERWRITTEN BY THE JUNIOR LEAGUE, THE BATON ROUGE JUNIOR LEAGUE.
SO WE JUST HAD AN AWESOME TIME, UM, WITH WORKING WITH THEM, WORKING WITH THE KIDS, WE HAD A CULMINATING EVENT WHERE THE PARENTS AND AS YOU KNOW, THE GRANDPARENTS AND EVERYBODY WAS THERE, UM, THERE'S ONE PARTICULAR, UH, PARTICIPANT WHO WAS FOUR OR FIVE.
THAT WAS SO FUNNY TO ME BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW, AT SOME POINT THEY MUST'VE TAUGHT THEM TO DO YOGA.
AND SO THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM, THE LITTLE GIRL WAS SITTING WITH HER LEG, YOU KNOW, AN INDIAN LEG AND SHE KEPT DOING THIS AND IT WAS JUST SO FUNNY.
AND SO WE JUST HAD A REALLY, REALLY GOOD TIME WITH THE KIDS.
AND, UM, I'M GOING TO HAVE THE CENTER MANAGER COME IN AND JUST TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE DIFFERENT SHOWCASE OF PERSONS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY THAT VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME TO COME WORK WITH THESE KIDS TO OVER WITH DIFFERENT KINDS OF ACTIVITIES.
AND THEN I'LL COME BACK AND MAKE A PRESENTATION WITH, UM, WITH THE ARTS COUNCIL AND THE JUNIOR LEAGUE.
AND, YOU KNOW, BEFORE WE GO, I DEFINITELY WILL MAKE SURE THAT I, THERE ARE SOME VIP'S IN THE AUDIENCE THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THESE NONPROFITS AND THEY ARE OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND WE'LL GIVE THEM ALL AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
SO I'M GOING TO BRING UP OUR CENTER MANAGER, CANDICE SQUARE.
I'M FROM, UM, JOEL J NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER.
I DON'T REALLY HAVE TOO LONG OF REMARKS.
I JUST WANT TO REALLY SAY THAT WE APPRECIATED THE PARTICIPATION OF ALL THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE PARENTS, THE CHILDREN, EVERYONE, AND, UM, THE GEORGIA J COMMUNITY CENTER STAFF.
OF COURSE IT HELPS TO MAKE THOUGHTS FLOWS AND CAMPUS SIX DESKS.
UM, IF ANYONE'S FAMILIAR WITH OUR AREA, IT IS MAJORITY AFRICAN-AMERICAN.
AND TO SEE SO MANY OF THOSE CHILDREN RECEIVE ARTS EDUCATION, BE EXPOSED TO THINGS THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN.
UM, I WILL SAY A LOT OF THEM HAD NEVER HEARD THE WORD POETRY.
SO THEY SAID, WELL, WHAT A CLASS ARE WE GOING TO SAY, POETRY? THEY SAID, WHAT'S THAT? UM, AND SO THEY JUST LEARNED A TIME AND IT WAS AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE.
AND I WANTED LIKE TO SAY PERSONALLY, THANK YOU TO DR.
AGASSI FROM THE GREATER BATON ROUGE ARTS COUNCIL AND ALL OF THE TEACHERS THAT, UM, TALKED TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT CLASSES.
WE HAD MUSIC, BREDA WRITING, UM, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND, BUT ALSO VISUAL ARTS.
SO IT WAS KIND OF LIKE A TOTAL EXPERIENCE, HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE.
AND WE HAD A WONDERFUL FULL TIME.
THE FIRST EARTH WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ADAM WORK, ADAM WORK ARCHITECT FROM BRETT
WE HAD TWO VOLUNTEERS FROM BREAK AND HERE'S THE OTHER
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ONE.AND WE LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MS. ASHLEY BRIQUETTE, CORRECT ANOTHER ARCHITECT.
AND IF YOU JUST WAIT FOR JUST ONE MINUTE, OKAY.
AND NOW I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MS. DEIDRE VICTORY BROWN, UH, STRAIGHT OUT OF
SHE'S NOT HERE WITH US, BUT HERE YOU ARE.
SHARI I'M PLUMBER WITH ALSO VOLUNTEERS.
SO THANK YOU, HER AND ALSO OWNER AND CREATIVE BANKER.
UH, BRIDGET, I, SIR, I GAVE HER, I SAY, UH, BRIDGET, I SAID, WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR BUSINESS? SHE SAID, I DON'T KNOW.
SO I HAVE OFFICIALLY NAMED HER BUSINESS BAKE ARTISTS AND BRIDGET LIVES IN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA.
UM, LAST BUT NOT LEAST LEGISLATIVE AID AND PHOTOGRAPHER, WILBERT.
SO IF WE COULD DO A PICTURE AFTER I PRESENT.
MS. TAYLOR ALSO, UM, OF WRITING, PLEASE COME UP.
SO YOU SEE WHO WAS IN CHARGE, RIGHT? ALL RIGHT.
SO, UM, AS A RESULT OF THE GREATER COUNCIL OF GREATER BATON ROUGE THERE ART DIRECTOR, DR.
CINDERELLA, IF YOU WOULD JUST COME UP ALSO THEIR, UM, DIRECTOR, UM, AND THERE, SEE ALL OF THE GREATER BATON ROUGE ARTS COUNCIL, MS. RENEE SHADOWLAND, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND GIVE REMARKS ON THE PROGRAM AND ANY OTHER REMARK, I KNOW YOU HAVE ANY BIG COMING UP.
SO IF YOU WANT, BRING IT FORWARD GOOD AFTERNOON.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH TO COUNCILWOMAN SHAUNA BANKS AND TO THE METRO COUNCIL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND FOR INVITING US AND HOSTING THIS EVENT.
AND EARLIER THIS MONTH, WE HAD TO PLEASURE ON BEHALF OF THE ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER BATON ROUGE, TO COLLABORATES WITH THE JUUL DREAM NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER IN THIS SCOTLANDVILLE COMMUNITY, TARDY STUDENTS, AS YOU HEARD, CAME TOGETHER TO EXPERIENCE POETRY, VISUAL ARTS, CREATIVE WRITING MUSIC, AND, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES.
THEY LEARNED ABOUT CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH, NUTRITION, AND HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PHYSICAL BODY, AS WELL AS EXPLORING DEAD MEANING OF THE METAPHORICAL MEANING OF HEARTS.
IT'S THROUGH THESE ARTS, UH, PLATFORMS, UM, ARTS EDUCATION IS EXTREMELY WHY TALL AFFORDED DEVELOPMENT AND THE GROWTH OF CHILDREN.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, HAVING ACCESS TO QUALITY ARTS EDUCATION SHOULD BE THE RIGHTS OF EACH AND EVERY STUDENT.
AND THERE WAS A MULTITUDE OF BENEFITS THAT COME WITH ARTS EDUCATION ARTS EDUCATION CREATES THE PLATFORM FOR CREATIVITY, PROBLEM SOLVING, TEAMWORK IT'S ENCOURAGES AND BUILDS UP A SELF-ESTEEM.
AND, UH, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THERE THERE'S SO MUCH MORE, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, ARTS EDUCATION ALLOWS STUDENTS TO IMAGINE A DIFFERENT REALITY, A DIFFERENT REALITY FROM THE ONE THAT THEY ARE LIVING IN DURING THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE IT'S THROUGH HAVING THESE SCALES, THEY BUILD RESILIENCE AND THAT THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO JUST DO SOME SO MUCH GREATER, AND THEY HAVE THE AMBITION TO ACHIEVE MUCH GREATER THINGS IN LIFE TODAY.
I'M VERY EXCITED THAT VR HERE TO RECOGNIZE AND BRING ATTENTION TO THE WONDERFUL AND AMAZING TANG OF THESE TEACHING ARTISTS THAT THEY GO
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OUT OF THEIR WAYS TO DO FOR OUR STUDENTS.AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH THESE AMAZING FOUR TEACHING ARTISTS DURING THIS CAMP.
AND I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEM.
THE ART EDUCATORS ARE NOT ONLY TEACHERS.
THEY ARE ARTS ADVOCATES ASIDE FROM THE TIME THAT THEY SPEND DURING THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.
THEY GO OUT OF THEIR WAYS DURING THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES TO ADVOCATES FOR THE ARTS RAISE AWARENESS AND EDUCATED, EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ARTS EDUCATION.
THERE ARE ALSO LIFELONG LEARNERS AFTER WE ANNOUNCED THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE, UH, THE, UM, THE NEXT ARTS BLOCKCHAIN KITS CAMP IN THE COMMUNITY OF SCOTLANDVILLE.
THE FIRST RESPONSES THAT WE RECEIVED WAS THAT HOW CAN WE PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE SCOTLANDVILLE? SO THEY CAN BE MINDFUL DURING WHEN THEY ARE PLANNING THEIR LESSON PLANS SO THAT THEY WOULD REFLECT THE COMMUNITY.
AND SO THAT IS WHAT BETTER RESONATE WITH THE STUDENTS.
THERE ARE SO ADAPTABLE STUDENTS WALK IN DURING THEIR CLASSES WITH DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, DIFFERENT SKILL SETS, DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES, AND THEY ARE READY TO SHIFT GEARS AND CHANGE THE LESSON PLAN SO THAT IT'S WITH MEET THE STUDENTS' NEEDS.
AND THEY ALWAYS PUT THE STUDENTS IN CENTER.
THERE IS SO MUCH THAT THEY DO BEHIND THE SCENE.
THERE'S SO MUCH WORK THAT IT TAKES TO SECURE THE ARTS SUPPLIES, TO TRANSPORT THEM TO THE LOCATION THAT THEY ARE TEACHING.
THERE ARE ALL THESE THEY'RE MUCH, MUCH BEFORE TO INSTRUCTIONAL TIME STARTS, AND THEY ARE THE LAST PEOPLE TO LEAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS BEING RUN VERY SMOOTHLY.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.
SO BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS IS CRUCIAL FOR ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY.
THEN THE TEACHERS BUILD GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS.
THEY ARE NOT AFRAID TO TAKE RISKS AND THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO, THEY ARE OPEN TO TRYING NEW THINGS, AND IT'S TRUE THAT AT THEY WILL, AND THROUGH THAT THEY WILL, UM, JUST, UH, BE OPEN TO MAKE MISTAKES AND SOLVE THE PROBLEMS. SO THE LIST GOES ON AND ON I'M SHORT IN TIME, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO, UM, RECOGNIZE THE TEACHERS.
IT IS MUCH NEEDED, SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND EDUCATION AND OUR COMMUNITY HI, EVERYONE, RENEE SHAD LANE WITH THE ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER BATON ROUGE.
AND ALL I WANTED TO ADD TO THAT REALLY BEAUTIFUL SPEECH WAS TO RECOGNIZE, UM, LAURIE WELLS.
LAURIE, COULD YOU COME UP, PLEASE? LAURIE IS THE, UM, HEALTH INSTRUCTOR, AND THIS IS AN ARTS FLUSH IN SUMMER CAMP, BUT WE ARE CONTINUING TO DEVELOP A HEART TRAIL SO THAT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES CAN EXPERIENCE THE PHYSICAL FITNESS AROUND THE GROUNDS OF THE JILL J NIM AND COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER.
AND IT'S GOING TO CULMINATE IN A REALLY BEAUTIFUL MURAL ON THE SIDE WALL, WHICH WILL ENHANCE THE TRAIL AND INCENTIVES TO DO THAT WALK THAT YOU MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE WANT TO DO.
AND WE'RE WORKING WITH SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, UM, PROFESSORS, UH, TO REALLY END WITH SKINNY DOPE OR JOHN BROWN.
IF YOU GUYS KNOW THAT ARTIST TO CREATE A SCENE SCAPE OF HISTORIC SCOTLANDVILLE ON THAT MURAL, AND IT SHOULD BE REALLY FABULOUS.
I'D LIKE TO ALSO RECOGNIZE THE CHAIR OF MY BOARD, MONIQUE SCOTT SPALDING, UM, WHO MA HELPS TO CONNECT THE COMMUNITY IN SO MANY WAYS.
AND WE'RE JUST HONORED THAT SHE'S PART OF OUR ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS.
THANK YOU, SHAUNA BANKS FOR RECOGNIZING US AND ALLOWING US TO PLAY AT THE JOEL J NIM AND COMMUNITY ART CENTER, URBAN LEAGUE THAT'S.
WELL, LET'S DO A QUICK PICTURE CAUSE WE HAVE ONE MORE PRESENTATION AT COUNCIL MEETINGS BEFORE MY NAME CAN DO THE JUNIOR LEAGUE.
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WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT YEAH.MAYOR, PRESIDENT SHARON WESTERN BROOKLYN COUNCIL MEMBER, SHAUNA BANKS.
IS AN AMERICAN ACTOR AND CLASSICALLY TRAINED SINGER DANCER AND HAS MANY OFF BROADWAY AND REGIONAL THEATER CREDIT.
HE TRAINED AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY'S TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND THE DEVIN DEBBIE ALLEN DANCE ACADEMY.
CURRENTLY HE IS STARRING AS REESE.
WELL ON TYLER PERRY'S SISTERS ON BET.
JORDAN IS A NATIVE OF BATON ROUGE.
HE IS MY FELLOW SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY LABORATORY SCHOOL KID, AND A PRODUCT OF SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY.
HE'S HAD FILM ROLES IN BOLDEN, THE BUDDY BOAT AND STORY GET ON UP AND ALSO IN THE NEW B E T HOLIDAY FAM CHRISTMAS BALES.
I BRING THE MIRROR, UH, THANK YOU, COUNCIL WOMAN.
YOU'VE PRETTY MUCH COVERED, UH, MR. JORDAN'S HISTORY AND HIS EXEMPLARY REPRESENTATION OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
AND WE ARE TRULY PROUD OF EVERYTHING THAT HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED.
I THINK WHEN WE TAKE INVENTORY OF INDIVIDUALS, UH, WHO ARE IN, UH, WHO HAVE MADE IT IN VARIOUS SPHERES OF INFLUENCE, INCLUDING THE ARTS FIND THE BATON ROUGE HAS GREAT REPRESENTATION.
AND SO WE ARE SO GLAD THAT WE CAN CELEBRATE YOU MR. JORDAN, TODAY AS A NATIVE BATON ROUGE AND THEN SOMEONE WHO'S MAKING THEIR MARK IN THE FILM INDUSTRY.
SO IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU A CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION, UH, FOR THE CREATION AND PRODUCTION OF RILEY, WHICH IS PLAYING RIGHT HERE, UH, IN BATON ROUGE, UH, TOMORROW NIGHT AND FRIDAY NIGHT, FRIDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY NIGHT HERE IN BATON ROUGE.
AND OF COURSE, WE'RE GONNA LET YOU TELL THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT IT, BUT I THINK COUNSELING, YES.
I'M GOING TO TAKE SOME OF US DOWN MEMORY LANE.
UH, SOME OF YOU GUYS KNOW SOME OF YOU GUYS DON'T, UH, SOMETIME AGO I OWNED A DANCE STUDIO, DANCE, NEW OUR STUDIO.
UM, JUSTIN IS GONNA OBLIGE ME WITH SOME OF THE PHOTOS UP HERE.
UH, THE FIRST PHOTO, THAT'S A PICTURE OF A LOT OF THE STUDENTS ON STAGE THERE AT THE LSU SHAVER THEATER GO ONTO THE NEXT ONE.
THE NEXT ONE, THAT'S ME UP TALKING, GIVING AWARDS OUT FOR THE, UH, THE RECITAL PERFORMANCE.
THE NEXT ONE, THAT SOME OF THE STAFF, ASHLEY COX AND TYLER WHO ALSO WORKED IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AT SOME TIME, TYLER WAS A STUDENT DINNER THEN, UH, UH, INSTRUCTOR GO ON TO THE NEXT ONE.
THEN YOU'LL SEE A FAMILIAR FACE THERE THAT'S COUNCILWOMAN GREEN, WHO WAS BACKSTAGE HELPING OUT, GETTING HIGH TOGETHER BEFORE THE RECITAL.
UH, THE NEXT PICTURE YOU HAVE IS COUNCILWOMAN GREEN, AGAIN AT A COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT WITH SOME OF THE STUDENTS.
AND THEN THE NEXT PICTURE IS A VERY MALE PRESIDENT WITH SOME OF THE STUDENTS AT A COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT.
AND THEN YOU GO ON TO THE PICTURE IN THE STUDIO ITSELF AND YOU SEE THE INSTRUCTOR THERE, MR. BRIAN, JORDAN, JR.
HE WAS ON STAFF AT DANCE IN NEW ORLEANS.
HE WAS ONE OF OUR INSTRUCTORS.
HE WAS WILLING WITH SEVERAL YEARS.
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HAPPY AND EXCITED FOR HIS GROWTH, HIS EVOLUTION AND ITS SUCCESS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT IN GENERAL.AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS.
BRIAN WAS AN ATHLETE, AS YOU CAN SEE ALL OF HIS LIFE.
SO HE DIDN'T START WITH A FOUNDATION AND DANCE.
HE HAD A, UH, HE HAD TO CATCH UP CAUSE MOST OF HIS COUNTERPARTS HAD YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
AND HE WAS ALWAYS TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH THOSE WHO HAD BEEN DOING IT FOR 10 OR 15 YEARS.
AND THAT, THAT I THINK THAT JOURNEY HELPED HIM GET HUNGER AND DESIRE AND IT PUSHED HIM.
AND NOW WE SEE HIM ON A BIG SCREEN.
SO ON A PART OF THE METRO COUNCIL, BRIAN, WE WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATION, WISHING MUST ASSESS AND APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING YOUR NEW PRODUCTION TO BATON ROUGE.
UM, I'M SO HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY.
UM, AS A CHILD OF THIS COMMUNITY, IT WARMS MY HEART TO SEE SO MANY MILLION FACES AND TO BE BACK HERE, UM, AND BEING CELEBRATED LIKE THIS IS JUST WONDERFUL.
UM, I HAVE TO JUST SAY, UH, I DIDN'T THINK THAT RENEE SHADOWLAND WOULD BE HERE TODAY.
IT'S JUST SO GOOD TO SEE IF SHE'S ONE OF MY FIRST BALLET TEACHERS AND I WAS, UM, WHAT, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING AND OH, THANK YOU.
BUT JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY SHOW.
THE SHOW IS CALLED RILEY, THE MUSICAL, AND I'LL BE DOING AN INTERACTIVE CONCERT AT MAN SHIP THEATER.
THAT'S FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT 7:30 PM.
UM, THE SHOW IS, UH, I DECIDED TO COME BACK TO BATON ROUGE TO DO IT BECAUSE IT IS SET IN LOUISIANA AND IT JOURNEYS THE HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGE EXPERIENCE FOR SIX STUDENTS, UM, MATRICULATING THROUGH A SCHOOL AND THE SCHOOL THAT'S MOST DEAR TO MY HEART WHEN IT COMES TO BLACK COLLEGES IS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.
AND SO THE COLORS OF RILEY ARE BLUE AND GOLD AND, UM, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL SHOW.
THE MUSIC IS BEAUTIFUL AND I WROTE THE MUSIC AND THE STORY AND I'M SO EXCITED.
UM, WE HAVE SOME PHENOMENAL ALL LOCAL CAST TALENT, INCLUDING MYSELF.
UM, AND I'M SO, SO EXCITED TO BRING THIS SHOW TO BATON ROUGE FOR LOUISIANA AUDIENCES TO HEAR IT FIRST MAN SHIP THEATER, THE.ORG.
WHY DON'T YOU SAY WHAT'D YOU SAY THERE'S ANOTHER PICTURE THAT I'M ON.
CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE TIME NOW IS 3 59.
WE'LL BREAK BRIEFLY FOR ABOUT THREE MINUTES AND THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.
[CALL TO ORDER (Part 2 of 2) ]
HELLO EVERYBODY.AND WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
AND ON BEHALF OF THE METRO COUNCIL, WE ARE HAPPY THAT ALL OVER.
YOU'RE WATCHING ON METRO 21 AND THAT'S COX CHANNEL 21 ON CABLE ON UVERSE ATNT IT'S CHANNEL 99, AND YOU CAN ALSO SEE IT ON OUR WEBSITE.
AND OF COURSE OUR WEBSITE IS WWW DOT VR, LA.GOV/METRO 21.
AND THEN ON FACEBOOK AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CITY OF BATON ROUGE, WE'RE IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, THE LARGEST PARISH.
IF YOU'RE WATCHING FROM OUT OF TOWN, WE ARE THE LARGEST PARISH BY POPULATION IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
AND AT THIS TIME HERE IS THE MAYOR PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF EAST BATON ROUGE, PARISH, COUNCILMAN LAMONT,
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GOLD COUNCILMAN LET'S GIVE DENNIS AROUND HER FLOOR THEN IT'S ALL MY MOMMA WAS WATCHING IT.I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO, UH, OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING.
I WANT TO WELCOME EVERYONE BACK TO THE CHAMBER FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING.
LET ME STATE THAT WITH, UH, COVID CASES ON THE RISE AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ON THE RISE, UH, AND WITH THE CDC RECOMMENDED THAT EVEN VACCINATED PEOPLE WEAR MASK INSIDE, I AM GENERALLY ASKING THE PUBLIC TO DO THE SAME TO WEAR YOUR MASK WHILE IN THE CHAMBER, UH, AND THE EFFORT TO BE SAFE AND IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY.
UH, AT THIS TIME I LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER JUSTIN, DO WE HAVE A FORUM? WE HAVE A CALL AT THIS TIME.
WE WILL BE LED IN THE INVOCATION, UH, BY BARRY'S SPECIAL GUEST, BISHOP CHARLES E. WALLACE, UH, VOICES CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
AND WE WILL BE LED IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY OUR NEW SUPERINTENDENT, DR.
NAZIS WILL MAKE A VERY, VERY BRIEF PRESENTATION AS WE ALL RECOGNIZE.
SCHOOL BEGINS IN TWO WEEKS, UH, FOR THE STUDENTS HERE IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
AND I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR NEW SUPERINTENDENT BECAUSE, UH, HIS SUCCESS IS OUR STUDENT SUCCESS.
SO MR. WALLACE, IF YOU WILL, FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS PRIVILEGE, THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME INTO YOUR PRESENT AND TO CALL UPON YOUR NAME.
WE COME WITH BANKS IN OUR HEART, THE PRAISE UPON OUR LIPS.
WE THANK YOU FOR WATCHING OVER US, KEEPING US PRESERVE AND SUSTAINING US DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND ALL OF THE PENN PNEUMONIA.
YOU HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL AND GREATEST SHOW FAITHFULNESS AND FATHER, YOU HAVE BROUGHT US TO THIS PLACE, BUT SUCH A TIME AS DEATH.
AND WE ASKED THAT YOUR ANOINTING WOULD FEEL THIS CHAMBER REMOVE EVERY BURDEN, DESTROY EVERY YOKE, BE GLORIFIED IN EVERYTHING THAT WE SAY.
AND DO WE THANK YOU FATHER FOR OUR COUNCIL MONTHS.
WE THANK YOU FOR OUR MAYOR AND ALL THOSE IN AUTHORITY, WE ASKED THAT YOU WOULD AUTODESK STEPS DIRECT THAT PATH AND LEAD THEM BY YOUR SPIRIT, PROSPER THEIR MINDS, GIVE THEM THOUGHTS AND IDEAS OF WAYS AND MEANS TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT THE ASSIGNMENT THAT HAS BEEN LAID BEFORE THEM.
WE THANK YOU FOR OUR CITY IN OUR STATE, WE ASK FATHER THAT YOU WOULD SEE MEN, OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TOGETHER MAKE US ONE AND USE US AS ONE, HELP US TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND REALIZE THAT WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER.
AND TEAMWORK STILL MAKE THE DREAM WORK.
NOW, FATHER, FOR EVERYTHING THAT WILL BE SAID AND DONE TODAY, WE GIVE YOU ALL PRAISE HONOR AND GLORY.
WE THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE HERE THAT HAVE COME TO OBSERVE THE PEOPLE BUSINESS BEING DONE.
WE BLESS YOU AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOU IN JESUS NAME.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[Additional Item ]
DOCUMENT CEASE, IF YOU WOULD.UH, MAYOR PRO TEMP COLE AND, UH, METRO COUNCIL, UM, SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS SCHOOL YEAR.
UM, WANTED TO FIRST JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR THE WARM WELCOME.
I NEVER, I KEEP SAYING WELCOME.
YOU'RE BRAND NEW, BUT I THINK AFTER MONTH SIX, I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE WELCOME WOULD STOP AND I'LL KEEP TAKING IT.
IT'S JUST BEEN A GREAT TO MOVE HERE TO BATON ROUGE AND BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.
AND SO WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
UH, I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE YOU A VERY HIGH-LEVEL OVERALL BRIEF OVERVIEW OF OUR ACADEMIC YEAR.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL THINGS COMING TOGETHER.
UM, AND I ALSO WANT TO JUST SHOW YOU A LITTLE BIT, JUST, YOU KNOW, IN THIS WORK I TELL FOLKS I MAY BE THE SUPERINTENDENT, BUT I'VE LEARNED FROM A LOT OF SUPERINTENDENTS BECAUSE I WAS NUMBER TWO, THREE, AND FOUR, AND THOSE JOBS THAT IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO ACTUALLY DO THE WORK.
AND YOU'RE REALLY JUST THE FACILITATOR, FACILITATOR AND COORDINATOR OF THAT WORK.
SO IF I COULD JUST HAVE SOME OF MY FOLKS COME UP, JUST SO YOU CAN SEE, UM, IF YOU COULD JUST SOME OF YOU THAT HAVE COME UP WITH SOME OF THE CHIEFS JUST TO COME UP HERE, JUST SO YOU CAN USE TO SEE IS JUST, I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT LEADS OUR CITY, UH, IN THIS IMPORTANT WORK FOR OUR CHILDREN HERE.
I ALSO WANT TO ACCESS ICR BOARD MEMBER HERE, MR. LANDIS, AND
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ALSO THE MAYOR.IF SHE DOESN'T MIND TO COME UP, MAYOR BROOME, IF YOU COULD COME UP JUST ONE TO SHOW YOU A PART OF THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING.
UM, DO YOU HAVE THE SLIDE UP? UH, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IN OUR WORK IS WE WANT TO MAKE BATON ROUGE, THE LITERACY CAPITAL OF LOUISIANA, UH, ONE OF THE MAJOR SHIFTS AND CHALLENGES AS I'VE COME TO JUST LEARN ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE IS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO NOT ONLY SERVICE ONE COMMUNITY, BUT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND SO A PART OF WHAT WE TALK ABOUT IS EVERY SCHOOL, EVERY COMMUNITY, EVERY DAY, AND BROWN, THE WORK THAT WE TEND TO DO.
SO WANTED TO TALK THROUGH A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.
HERE'S SOME SPACES IN TERMS OF KEYS TO SUCCESS.
AND THE REASON I FIND IT IMPORTANT TO JUST HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THESE THINGS, BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE ALL OF US IN TERMS OF THE SUPPORT TO GET THIS DONE, NOT JUST THE SUPERINTENDENT, AS I TELL EVERYBODY THAT I WORK WITH.
UM, AND I, I APPRECIATE MAYOR BLOOMBERG HELPING US TO TRY TO THINK THROUGH THAT.
AND SO I WANTED TO SHOW YOU SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE DO A PART OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN CLEAR FROM BASE ON HIGH-LEVEL.
THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS BEEN, WE ARE PUSHING TO HAVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ACROSS OUR CITY.
AND WHY TELL FOLKS IS, UH, EARLY CHILDHOOD IS DEFINED BY ZERO TO FOUR.
RIGHT NOW WE DO NOT SERVE AS ZERO TO FOUR CHILDREN IN OUR CITY.
AND WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS CHILDREN ARE FALLING BEHIND BEFORE THEY EVEN START SCHOOL.
AND ONE OF THE PART OF THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO IS ENSURE THAT WE CAN WORK WITH OUR DAYCARE PROVIDERS AND OTHER FOLKS TO GIVE THEM SUPPORT, TO GET THEM IN SCHOOLS, TO DO THAT WORK.
AND SO YOU NOTICE THAT IN OUR FIRST AREA IS ACCESS TO QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD.
THE SECOND IS AROUND ENSURING THAT WE HAVE CHILDREN READY FOR KINDERGARTEN.
AS YOU KNOW, THE STATE JUST PASSED MANDATORY KINDERGARTEN.
UH, UH, SENATOR FIELDS DID THAT WITH, UH, THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
WE'RE SUPER EXCITED FOR THAT, BUT I TELL THEM THAT'S NOT FAR ENOUGH.
WE GOT TO GET IT TO EARLY CHILDHOOD.
SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT THAT IS THE NEXT SPACE THAT WILL MOVE THE WORK.
AND AS YOU KNOW, TRYING TO GET CHILDREN TO READ AT THIRD GRADE LEVEL THEM FROM SCHOOL, BUT WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM INTO WHAT WE CALL A DUAL ENROLLMENT SYSTEM, WHERE CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO, TO TAKE EARLY COLLEGE COURSES AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
WE'VE BEEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LSU SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY BRCC AND SOME OF THAT WORK.
AND WE'RE HOPING TO EXPAND THAT ACROSS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
IF YOU ASK ME QUESTION ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE, NUMBER ONE, YOU SHOULD SEE IT'S UNDER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP.
DOESN'T MATTER WHAT COMMUNITY YOU LIVE IN, WHERE YOU LIVE IN OUR PAIRS.
THE BEAUTIFUL THING IS I'VE FELT THE WELCOME HERE IS THAT WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR, WE HAVE QUALITY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS AND THAT EVERYBODY HE FEELS WELCOME NO MATTER WHAT, THE TYPE OF SCHOOL THAT YOU'RE AT.
AND, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO THAT.
WE'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING WITH THE CHAMBER AROUND.
WE CALL A TALENT ACTION COMMITTEE WHERE WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF CEOS ACROSS THE CITY, RIGHT, THAT STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND SAID, HEY, HOW CAN WE SUPPORT TO DO THAT WORK? AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE A PART OF THAT WORK.
WE ALSO MOVING AROUND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS AND TUTORING PROGRAMS THAT WERE INCREASING ACROSS SCHOOLS, EXTENDING THE SCHOOL DAY AROUND THAT WORK.
AND AS I SHARED WITH YOU AROUND THE DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM, AND WE'VE ALSO BROKEN UP OUR CITY INTO FIVE DIFFERENT REGIONS, AND THAT'S MORE OF AN INTERNAL PROCESS TO SHOW YOU.
AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE, I HAVE A QUICK LITTLE BOARD.
I CAN JUST SHOW YOU AND I CAN GIVE YOU COPIES IF YOU WANT.
UH, BUT THE REGIONS ARE BROKEN UP INTO FIVE DIFFERENT WAYS.
AND THAT HELPS JUST TO ALIGN OUR SUPPORTS.
AS YOU SEE, YOU HAVE THE BLUE REGION, WHICH WE CAN CALLED THE, UH, NORTH NETWORK REGION.
WE HAVE OUR BROADMORE, UM, SHERWOOD REGION MID-CITY AND THEN HERE WE HAVE OUR HIGHLAND OLD SOUTH BATON ROUGE REGION.
AND THEN OUR BOTTOM REGION HERE IS THE SOUTHEAST REGION.
THE REASON WE'VE DONE IT THIS WAY IS BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, NOT ALL COMMUNITY NEEDS ARE THE SAME.
SO WE, WHEN WE DEFINE THE WORK AROUND THE EQUITY WORK THAT WE ARE DOING TO SUPPORT HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS ACROSS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, WE WANT TO TAILOR THAT TO THE NEEDS OF THAT PARTICULAR COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMICS, RACE, CLASS, WHATEVER CATEGORY, BUT IT'S ABOUT NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE.
ROBINSON, IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, I'LL TALK JUST ABOUT QUICKLY, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT STRATEGIC PLAN AND WORK.
AND LET ME JUST HIGHLIGHT THIS PART APART, WHICH I WANT TO JUST THANK OUR MAYOR FOR SUPPORTING WE'VE CREATED A LITERACY TASK FORCE WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
THIS HAS BEEN A PART OF THAT WITH OTHER TEAMS, TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GET AGENCIES TO WRAP AROUND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY.
SO WE CAN MAKE A READING THE MAIN THING IN OUR CITY.
SO NO MATTER WHAT BUSINESS, WHAT COMMUNITY, NO MATTER WHAT SCHOOL.
AND WHEN I TALK ABOUT SCHOOL, I TELL PEOPLE ALL SCHOOLS ARE SCHOOLS.
IT DOESN'T MATTER THE TYPE OF SCHOOL, PA TRADITIONAL CHARTER MAGNET, WHATEVER CATEGORY YOU SAY.
THE BIG PART IS ALL OF THE STUDENTS, OUR STUDENTS IN THIS CITY, AND
[00:35:01]
WE ARE TRYING TO EXPAND HIGH QUALITY OPTIONS FOR THEM.SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH I GIVE THE BOARD CREDIT, WHEN ACCOMPLISHING THIS OVER THE LAST FIVE MONTHS, THEY HAVE SAID THERE ARE FOUR CORNERSTONES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE WORK.
NUMBER ONE, FOCUSING OUR STUDENTS ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, MAKING SURE CHILDREN CAN READ AND WRITE AND COMPREHEND ACROSS ALL SCHOOL AREAS.
NUMBER TWO, PROVIDING CUSTOMER SERVICE ACROSS SCHOOLS, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.
I KNOW WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, FIRST THING I NOTICED WALKING UP THE STAIRS WAS THEY SAY, HEY, HOW ARE YOU? WELCOME TO OUR, TO THE METRO COUNCIL MEETING, HAVING THE SAME CONCEPT AND APPROACH AND MAKING FAMILIES WANT TO BE A PART OF OUR PARISH AND OUR SYSTEM.
THE THIRD IS AROUND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES, ENSURING THAT THE BUSES RUN ON TIME AND THE TRAINS RUN ON TIME.
WE DON'T HAVE TRAINS HERE IN BATON ROUGE, BUT WHATEVER THAT MEANS TO YOU, MAKING THINGS RUN ON TIME FOR QUALITY OF SERVICE AND LAST BUT NOT.
AND HE SAYS, YOU CAN IMAGINE EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT AND ENSURING THAT EMPLOYEES ARE DEVELOPED AND THEY'RE REACHING THEIR GOALS ON WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IN THEIR WORK.
WE'VE ALSO MOVED TOWARDS A NEW MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT WHERE WE, UH, THE BOARD HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT THEY WANT TO INSPIRE.
UH, THEY SAID INSPIRING, ASPIRING HUMANITY FROM TRANSFORMATIONAL LEARNING AND IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE COMMUNITY.
AND I CAN'T EMPHASIZE THE COMMUNITY AND WE ALL MAKE UP THE COMMUNITY NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU MAKE UP THE COMMUNITY LAST BUT NOT LEAST.
ALSO US TALK ABOUT OUR VISION.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL BE THE CORNERSTONE OF THE COMMUNITY AS THE PREMIERE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, BY INSPIRING CULTIVATING AND PRODUCING A MODERN WORKFORCE PREPARED TO CREATE A ROBUST AND THRIVING ECONOMY SIMPLY SAID IS OUR JOB IS TO MAKE THE DREAMS OF STUDENTS TO COME CLOSER TO THEM.
THE REASON WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS A DUAL ENROLLMENT SYSTEM IS BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE ARE JOBS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE OPEN HERE IN BATON ROUGE, AND WE HAVE KIDS PREPARED FOR THOSE JOBS.
ONCE THEY GOT OUT OF 12TH GRADE, YOU HAVE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SPACE THAT YOU LIVE IN.
OUR ACHIEVEMENT GAP IS AN ECONOMIC GAP.
AND IF WE CLOSE THAT ECONOMIC GAP, WE WILL BE ONE OUTSTANDING CITY, NOT ONLY FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, BUT FOR THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY.
AND SO I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW BIG THINGS.
I ALWAYS GET THE CHANCE TO SAY, HERE'S, WHAT'S COMING UP TODAY.
UM, I THINK EXXONMOBIL W UH, BR Z AS WELL AS, UM, UH, CANE'S CHICKEN, UH, THAT HELPED US TO, UH, BE ABLE TO GET SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS TODAY.
AND YOU LOOK AT THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE UP TO DATE.
WE'VE INCREASED ABOUT 1064, PRE-K THREE AND FOUR SEATS FOR FAMILIES.
HAVE YOU BEEN HERE? AND WE PUT A LOT OF INVESTMENT FOR THAT.
SO WE'RE ALMOST 6,400 KIDS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD IN THE CITY.
WE PROVIDE A 625 ADDITIONAL SEATS SO FAR FOR SOME ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AND ATHLETICS PEOPLE SAY, WHY ARE WE INVESTING IN THAT? I SAY, YOU KEEP KIDS BUSY, THE BUSIER THEY ARE IN THE LESS PROBLEMS THEY'RE GOING TO GET INTO.
AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THERE'S ELEMENTARY SPORTS THAT ARE ADDED IN WITH A LITTLE BIT OF READING AND THE KIDS ARE A LITTLE SOMETIMES SAYING, OH, WE GOT TO READ.
I SAID, ABSOLUTELY WITH SOME TUTORING IN THERE, UH, WE'VE ALSO, UM, UH, LAUNCHED A CITY-WIDE LITERACY INITIATIVE WHERE WE HAVE LITERACY COACHES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH THE GAPS THAT THEY HAVE AND SUPPORT TEACHERS, WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH IT, PARENT ENGAGEMENT SPECIALISTS ACROSS THE CITY.
WE'VE ALSO COMPLETED A FACILITIES FACILITIES REVIEW PLAN.
IN THE LAST BOARD MEETING, YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THAT WE HAVE A REVIEW OF ALL OUR ENTIRE LAND IN THE CITY.
SO HOW WE THINK ABOUT ECONOMICALLY BEING ABLE TO TAKE OUR RESOURCES AND ALIGN THEM IN DIFFERENT WAYS SO WE CAN PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS.
UM, AND THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST WANTED TO JUST ANNOUNCE THINGS WE HAVE COMING UP.
WE ARE GOING TO BE IN THANK THE MAYOR AND THE MAYOR PRO TEMP AND ALL THE PARTNERS AT EXXON MOBILE AND ALL THE VARIOUS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HAVE HELPED US.
WE ARE GOING TO DO A BACK TO SCHOOL ON AUGUST 7TH AT THE, UH, RIVER CANE CENTER WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, UH, IT WILL BE FROM 10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM.
AND WE INVITE THE ENTIRE CITY.
WE ARE PROJECTED TO HAVE OVER 3000 PLUS FOLKS THERE WHERE WE WILL HAVE, UH, VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT THE MAYOR HAS BEEN HELPING US WITH.
WE'LL HAVE PARTNERS AT SET CORY HERE FROM REC THEY'LL BE HERE.
ALL OF THESE PARTNERS WILL BE GIVING HAIRCUTS TO KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL, BACKPACKS, YOU NAME IT.
IT'S GOING TO BE A ONE-STOP SHOP.
LANA SAYS, ALL THE TIME SAYS, KEEP IT AS A ONE-STOP SHOP.
SO FAMILIES CAN FEEL CONNECTED.
UH, WE'LL ALSO BE PROVIDING VACCINES.
UH, I WAS GLAD TO HEAR THIS MORNING.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHEN VACCINES ARE GOING TO BE TALKED ABOUT AN EBR SCHOOLS.
AND I TOLD FOLKS, AUGUST 3RD, EVERYONE WILL KNOW WHAT WE WILL BE DOING.
WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR HEALTH ADVISORY COMMISSION, UH, WITH THE, OUR LADY OF LAKES AND OTHER OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROFESSIONALS ON WHAT WE'RE DOING.
SO, UH, JUST TO SAY, UM, I KNOW I WAS TRYING TO GET AS MUCH IN AS POSSIBLE, BUT, UH, AND I CAN GET A WHOLE LOT MORE, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT I ONLY GOT A FEW MINUTES.
AND SO HOPEFULLY A MAYOR PRO TEM.
I DIDN'T GO OVER MY TIME, BUT, UH, I ALWAYS LOVED TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION.
[00:40:01]
SO, UH, JUST EXCITED THAT, UH, TO BE HERE, TO PRESENT.WELL, THANK YOU, MR. SUPERINTENDENT, YOU WENT OVER YOUR TIME, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. DR.
SEAS? ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS FOR DR.
WE SUPPORT YOU AND WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL YEAR.
THEY ENDED UP OUT IN THE HALL.
I'LL BE OUTSIDE AND TAKE A REAL QUICK PHOTO WITH BOTH OF YOU.
[ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES ]
AT THIS TIME, JUSTIN, WOULD YOU, UH, UH, ITEM ONE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 23RD, 2021, THE GREATER METRO BATON ROUGE AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 13TH AND THE METROPOLITAN COUNSELING ZONING MEETING OF JUNE 16TH, 2021 BY COUNCIL, ADMINISTRATOR, AND TREASURER.SO PUBLIC AREA, IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE? IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE COUNCIL MEMBERS, MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON.
[INTRODUCTIONS ]
JUSTIN, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE INTRODUCTIONS? YES, SIR.NUMBER TWO, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT SMITH, THE 2021 ACTION PLAN TO THE U S DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT HOME INVESTMENTS AND PARTNERSHIP HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH AIDS, EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS, GRANTS AND HOME AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TOTALING, APPROXIMATELY $12,585,401 PLUS $725,000 ESTIMATED PROGRAM INCOME BY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
NUMBER THREE, AMENDING THE 2021 CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET FOR THE
SO AS TO APPROPRIATE $26,400 FROM FUND BALANCE DESIGNATED FOR COMMUNITY CENTERS FOR BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS BY CHENEY, BILL COMMUNITY CENTER, DIRECTOR, AND COUNCILMAN KNOLL NUMBER FOR AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER ENTITLED TRIVIA CLARK VERSUS FREDERICK THORTON AND CITY PARISH CONSOLIDATED WITH ROBIN MCCALPIN VERSUS FREDERICK THORTON IN CITY PARISH, AND THE AMOUNT OF $270,000 PLUS COURT COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF 700, $5 AND 94 CENTS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 270,700, $5 AND 94 CENTS AND APPROPRIATING $270,705 AND 94 CENTS FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY PARISH, ATTORNEY NUMBER FIVE, A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ANNUAL PAYMENT AND LOU AND LOU OF TAX TO THE SHERIFF OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE CURRENT PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT OF $6,768 AND 26 CENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CAPITAL AREA FINANCE AUTHORITY AND THE BANYAN FOUNDATION BY COUNCILWOMAN, SHAUNA BANKS, NUMBER SIX, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE IN PARIS OF EAST BATON ROUGE, TITLE 13, SECTION 13, COLON 35 DOT THREE.
SO AS TO AMEND AND ADD DEFINITIONS, ADD A PROVISION FOR SECOND OFFENSE, DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY AMEND THE PENALTIES FOR CONVICTION.
ADD A PROVISION TO DETERMINE PRIOR CONVICTIONS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, BATTERY AND AG CLEANSING PERIOD FOR PRIOR DOMESTIC ABUSE BATTERY CONDITIONS BY PARISH ATTORNEY NUMBER SEVEN, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE IN PARIS OF EAST BATON ROUGE, TITLE 13.
SO AS TO ADD SECTION 13, COLON 35 SPOT FOR BATTERY OF A DATING PARTNER BY PARISH ATTORNEY NUMBER EIGHT, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE CLAIM OF KATHERINE SET FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM A SEWER BACKUP IN HER HOME FOR A TOTAL FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 60 1006 53 47 AND APPROPRIATING 60 1006 53 47 FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY PARISH ATTORNEY NUMBER NINE, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER ENTITLED TIMOTHY BERGE VERSUS THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, AND THE AMOUNT OF $250,000 PLUS COURT COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $330 AND 14 CENTS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $250,330 AND 14 CENTS AND APPROPRIATING $250,330 AND 14 CENTS FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY PARIS ATTORNEY.
YEAH, NUMBER 10, A RESOLUTION PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT OR THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE IN CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE SUMMARY OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE OF GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE BRANCH UPDATES ATTACHED HERE TO ORDERING AND CALLING AN ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE PARISH OF EAST BATTERY'S STATE OF LOUISIANA ON NOVEMBER 13TH, 2021, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS OF THE PARISH, THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANET GOVERNMENT, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE SUMMARY OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANNER GOVERNMENT, EXECUTIVE BRANCH UPDATES ATTACHED HERE TO MAKING APPLICATIONS, THE LOUISIANA STATE BOND COMMISSION PROVIDING NOTICE THAT A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ACTING AS THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF THE PARISH SHALL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 2021 AT 4:00 PM AT THE REGULAR MEETING PLACE, THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, THIRD FLOOR CITY HALL ROOM 3 48, 2 2 2
[00:45:01]
ST.LOUIS STREET, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS CONNECTION THERE WITH THAT COUNCIL COUNCILMAN BROWDY GO DAY NUMBER 11, AMENDING TITLE 11 CHAPTER SIX, SECTION 11, COLON 73, DRAG RACING AND RACING ON PUBLIC ROADS.
SO AS TO ADD DEFINITIONS FOR ORGANIZER AND PARTICIPANT AND PENALTY PROVISIONS BY COUNCILMAN RODRIGUEZ, OKAY.
NUMBER 12, A RESOLUTION PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT OF THE PARIS OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT AS MORE PARTICULARLY PRESCRIBED DESCRIBED IN THE SUMMARY OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROCEDURAL UPDATES, BORDERING AND CALLING AN ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA ON NOVEMBER 13TH, 2021, OR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS OF THE PARISH, THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANET GOVERNMENT, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE SUMMARY PROPOSAL AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANET, GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROCEDURAL UPDATES ATTACHED TO YOUR TUBE, MAKING APPLICATIONS TO THE LOUISIANA STATE BOND COMMISSION PROVIDED.
I NOTICED THAT A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ACTING AS THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF THE PARISH SHALL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 2021 AT 4:00 PM AT THE REGULAR MEETING PLACE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.
THIRD FLOOR CITY HALL ROOM 3 48, 2 22 ST.
LOUIS STREET, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE WITH, BY COUNCILMAN ROWDY, GO DAY NUMBER 13, RESOLUTION OPPOSING AMENDMENTS, THE PLANET GOVERNMENT, OR THE PARISH OF EASTBOUND REGION, CITY OF BATON ROUGE, THE PLANET GOVERNMENT AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN SUMMARY OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLACE GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE BRANCH UPDATES, BORDERING AND CALLING AN ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA ON NOVEMBER 13TH, 2021, WHERE THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS OF THE PARISH, THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN SUMMARY OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE BRANCH UPDATES ATTACHED HERE TO MAKING APPLICATION TO THE LOUISIANA STATE BOND COMMISSION, PROVIDING ARTISTS THAT ARE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ACTING AS THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF THE PARISH SHALL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 2021 AT 4:00 PM AT THE REGULAR MEETING PLACE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.
THIRD FLOOR CITY HALL ROOM 3 48, 2 2 2 ST.
LOUIS STREET, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE WITH, BY COUNCILMAN ROWDY, GO DAY NUMBER 14 IN THE 2021 PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED AND UNCLASSIFIED NON-CLASSIFIED CONTRACT FIRE AND POLICE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARIS OF EACH BATON ROUGE ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE NUMBER 1 7 9 9 4 DATED 12 8, 20 20.
SO AS TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES EFFECTIVE AUGUST 14TH, 2021 AMENDMENT TO THE CLASSIFIED AND UNCLASSIFIED APPENDIX ONE BY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, ADMINISTRATOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES, DIRECTOR, NUMBER 15, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO FILE AN APPLICATION, EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF LOUISIANA TO ADMINISTER A MEDICAL AND PHARMACY BENEFITS PLAN FOR CITY PARISHES, EMPLOYEES, AND RETIREES, AND TO ADMINISTER A FULLY INSURED MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CONTRACT FOR RETIREE MEDICAL AND PHARMACY COVERAGE FOR A PERIOD, NOT TO EXCEED FIVE YEARS WITH THE OPTION OF TWO ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, 2022 BY HUMAN RESOURCES, DIRECTOR NUMBER 16, AMENDING THE 2021 CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET.
SO AS TO APPROPRIATE $10,110 TO BE RECEIVED IN RENTAL INCOME AT THE LEO S BUTLER COMMUNITY CENTER, THIS APPROPRIATION WILL BE USED TO INSTALL VIDEO ACCESS CONTROL TO THE MAIN ENTRANCE DOORS AT THE FACILITY FOR EXTRA SECURITY BY COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN COLEMAN, NUMBER 17 RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ANNUAL PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAX TO THE SHERIFF OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE CURRENT PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT OF $1,790 AND 73 CENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CAPILLARY OR FINANCE AUTHORITY AND CST MULTIFAMILY REAL ESTATE SERVICE LLC ACCOUNTS OF WOMAN SHAWNA BANKS, CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS NUMBER 18, STONY PROPERTIES LLC.
1 9 9 1 8 DEER CREEK DRIVE COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE NOTE NUMBER 19, JESSE DEMMER AND CLARA MAY GEORGE DEMARR, 8 0 3 4 KING FISHER AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS.
NUMBER 20 JANNA JANE HENRY MACK, PATRICIA HENRY ALLEN, SANDRA HENRY TILLEY, JAMES BRAISER HENRY NOW INVESTMENTS, LLC PROVISTA WILLIAMS JR.
BARBARA NE NETTLES WILLIAMS AND THE ESTATE OF MITCHELL HENRY SINK SR 1 0 2 4 0 AVENUE E COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 21, JOHN DEWEY, THOMAS JR.
AND ALTHEA KNIGHT AND THOMAS 7 2 3 4 PERIMETER DRIVE COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE, GREEN NUMBER 22, SAM COLEMAN 6 2 5 9 KALYAN DRIVE COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE GREEN NUMBER 23, ANDREW DONALDSON AND ANNA DONALDSON COUNCIL ONE AT 1 0 2, 5 5, MOLLY LEE DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX, DUNGEON YER NUMBER 24, LINDA HAMRICK ELLIS
[00:50:01]
JOHN DAVID ELLIS AND THE ESTATE OF CHRISTOPHER ROBERT ELLIS 1 0 0 6 7 EL CAMINO AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX, DUN NUMBER 25, MALCOLM BAZIL, 1 42 9 NORTH 44TH STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN, COLE NUMBER 26, DARRYL BROWN 6 0 8 0 CONFIDENCE STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN, COLE NUMBER 27, CHARLES TARELL 4 4 6 1 SHERWOOD STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN, COLE NUMBER 28, GLASGOW ANTWAN AND RAY HILL AND BEVERLY ANTWAN 3 9 5 9 DALTON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN, COLE NUMBER 29 C ENTERPRISES INC 6 0 0 7 BYRON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE, NUMBER 30, CARRIE RICHARD BENTON AND SHARON THACKERAY HAD DONE 2 8 1 2 EVANGELISTS STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLWIN NUMBER 31, JOHN EWING, SENIOR 2 1 5 TERRACE STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN ADJUDICATED PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS.NUMBER 32 LOT 90 PARTS OF DIVISION SWART EDITION COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 33, LOT 75 SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 34 LOT 27 8 SUBDIVISION BANK COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 35, LOT FIVE.
NUMBER 36 SPOT 180 5 SUBDIVISION BAKER HILLS COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 37, LOT 24 SUBDIVISION SCOTLANDVILLE COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 38, BUT A 18 B SUBDIVISION NORTH ZACHARY FARMS WEST COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE, NO NUMBER 39, LOT 46 SUBDIVISION BROWNFIELD COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 40 LOT ONE SUBDIVISION TRACK TO BE COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 41 LOT 13 AND 15 SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 42, A LOT 15 AND 15, A SUBDIVISION ST.
AROMA LEA COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS NUMBER 43 LOT 19 SUBDIVISION STRINGER COUNSELED DISTRICT DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 44, A LOT 27.
IRMA LEE COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 45 LOT, 1 42 SUBDIVISION SEGUN VILLAGE COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE, GO DAY NUMBER 46, A LOT ONE.
SO DIVISION NORTH BATON ROUGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 47, LOT 47 PLUS A DIVISION FORTUNATE COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE GREEN NUMBER 48 LOT SIX SUBDIVISION FRATERNITY PLACE.
COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 49, LOT FIVE SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COUNCIL SEVEN COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE, NUMBER 50, A LOT 22 SUBDIVISION ST.
IRMA LEA COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 51 LOT 18 SUBDIVISION LELAND COLLEGE ANNEX COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, ALL ITEMS THAT REQUIRE READING HAVE BEEN READ AND A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS EXCEPT EXCEPT ITEM 70 IS IN ORDER.
THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTED ITEM 70 B DELETED COUNCIL MEMBERS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL INTRODUCTIONS, MOTION BY HUDSON, SECONDED BY ROCCA, ALL ITEMS REQUIRING INTRODUCTION HAVE BEEN APPROVED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM YOU WANTED TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
I SAID ALL ITEMS THAT REQUIRE A, UH, ALL INTRODUCTIONS HAVE BEEN READ.
THERE WAS A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER, HUDSON AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ROCKET.
BUT PRIOR TO US CAN BE SAYING, UH, IS THERE AN OPPOSITION COUNCIL MEMBER HAD SOME ALTERNATIVE SUBSTITUTE MOTION? YEAH.
I'D LIKE TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION OVER THE ITEMS OF, UM, WE CAN'T DISCUSS ANY OF THAT, UH, INTRODUCTION ITEMS AT ALL.
YOU CAN EITHER MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO THE LEAD ONE WHILE WE MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THEM ALL.
AND THEN WHEN WE HEAR THE ITEM AND WE CAN DISCUSS IT SO WEEKS, I APOLOGIZE FOR MY IGNORANCE WHEN WE, IF I MAKE THE MOTION TO, UM, DELETE, APPROVE ALL ITEMS, EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN ITEMS THAT WOULD BRING UP DISCUSSION AT THAT POINT, OR WE, YOU JUST VOTE ON IT AND MOVE FORWARD.
BUT IF YOU GET A SECOND, WE'LL TAKE THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION FIRST.
IF IT FAILS, WE GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
SO THERE'S A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL ITEMS, UH, BEING READ AS INTRODUCTIONS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 70 BY COUNCIL MEMBER, HUDSON SECONDED BY ROCKY.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION OR A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO BE OFFERED? NO OPPOSITION, ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
[CONDEMNATIONS ]
COUNCIL MEMBERS.WOULD YOU GO TO YOUR SECOND, THE SEPARATE SHEET FOR CONDEMNATIONS, A SEPARATE SHEET FOR CONDEMNATIONS.
I'M GOING TO READ THE DPW A RECOMMENDATION.
IF THEY ARE TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS
[00:55:01]
1 0 8 1 0 9 1 12 1 13 1 14 1 18 1 19 1 21 21, 1 22, 1 23, 1 24, 1 25, 1 26, 27 AND 1 28 DEFER ITEMS, ONE 15 AND ONE 17 AND ONE 16 FOR 30 DAYS.DELETE ITEMS ONE 10 AND ITEMS ONE 11.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ANY CONDEMNATIONS? IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ANY CONDEMNATIONS? NO ONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ANY CONDEMNATIONS WE GO BACK TO, OH, WE DO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL COME ON UP.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ANY CONDEMNATIONS? LET ME, LET ME BE CLEAR.
AND I DO RECOGNIZE WE MAY HAVE SOME PEOPLE WENT OVER TO THE LIBRARY BY MISTAKE, BUT WE ARE BACK IN THE CHAMBER.
SO IF THERE'S NO ONE HERE TO SPEAK ON, UH, ANY CONDEMNATIONS, UH, WE'LL GO BACK TO THE COUNCIL COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'D LIKE TO DEFER ITEM 1 26 FOR 30 DAYS.
MAY I APPROACH HIM NUMBER ONE 19, PLEASE? 30 DAYS, 30 DAYS, 1 19 38.
ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE? I DON'T.
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU CALLED FOR, TO DELETE A ONE 14 ON PAGE 22, WE DID NOT.
ONE 12 FOR 30 DAYS AS WELL, PLEASE, SIR.
I HAD TO MOVE ONE TO 12 FOR 30 DAYS.
UM, 1 20, 1 90 DAYS ON 1 21 COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IS THAT ALL COUNCIL NUMBER? NO.
30 DAYS ON 1 17, 30 DAYS ON 1 72.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN DEFERRED FOR 30 DAYS.
ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT, LET ME READ THE STATED CHANGES THERE.
UNCERTAIN FOR, SEE WHAT ITEMS? 1 0 9 1 13 1 18 1 21 22, 1 23, 1 24, 1 26, 1 27, 1 28.
WE'RE GOING TO DEFER FOR 30 DAYS ITEMS. 1 12, 1 15, 1 16, 1 17 1 19 1 26.
WE'RE GOING TO DEFER FOR 90 DAYS.
AND WE'RE GOING TO DELETE ITEMS 1, 1 0 AND 1, 1, 1 AND ONE 14.
IS THAT CORRECT? MEAN EVERYBODY'S LOOKING.
WAIT, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM ONE 18.
PARISH ATTORNEY 30 DAYS MADE A RECOMMENDATION.
I'M GONNA READ THAT AGAIN REALLY QUICKLY.
I'M GONNA LEAVE IT AGAIN REALLY QUICK.
YOU WANT TO GET IT RIGHT? OKAY.
THE, SOME OF THE FOCUS ON COST.
UH, RUDY STATED RECOMMENDATIONS AGAIN.
WE'RE GOING TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS. 1, 1 0 9 1 13 1 21 22, 1 23, 1 25 1 2 1 24, 1 27, 1 28, DEFER ITEMS, 1 12, 1 15, 1 16, 1 17 1 19 1 18 AND 1 25 FOR 30 DAYS.
AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO DEFER ITEMS 90.
I MEAN, FOR 90 DAYS, 1 21 AND 1 0 8, DELETE ITEMS. 1, 1 0, 1, 1, 1 AND ONE 14.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER MOTION TO APPROVE ALL CONDEMNATIONS BY ADAMS, SECONDED BY NO CONDEMNATIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
UH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I MEAN COUNCIL MEMBERS, WOULD YOU GO TO 1 29 FOR PUBLIC HEARING? I, AS ALWAYS, BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I WANT TO, UH, WELCOME ALL OF OUR GUESTS FOR A YEAR BACK INTO THE CHAMBER.
WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOU ALL FOR COMING TO JOIN US THIS EVENING AS ALWAYS ALL OF OUR CITY PARIS EMPLOYEES WHO ARE HERE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US THIS EVENING FOR THESE 197 ITEMS WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA.
WE KNOW YOU HAVE TO BE HERE, BUT WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS AND YOUR HARD WORK.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE STATE REPRESENTATIVE, UH, DENISE MARCEL.
HOW YOU DOING REPRESENTATIVE MARCEL WHO SEE THAT SERVANT.
NOW SHE USED TO SERVE A DISTRICT SEVEN.
[01:00:01]
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WAS GOOD AS ME, BUT SHE'S HERE.SO I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
[129. 21-00886 ]
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO ITEMS 1 29, 1 29 OR RESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD.AND THE PARENTS OF THESE BATTLES, THE STATE OF LOUISIANA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, 2021 TO AUTHORIZE THE PARISH TO EXTEND THE LEVY OF A SPECIAL TAX CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED TO BE 11 ANNUALLY AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 2025 FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY PURPOSES.
UPON ALL PROPERTIES UP TO TAXATION WITHIN THE PARISH CURRENTLY LEVERAGED IN THE AMOUNT OF 10.5, TWO MEALS FOR AN ADDITIONAL SIX YEARS COMMENCING WITH THE YEAR 20, 26 AND ENDING ON THE YEAR 2031.
AND TO HENCEFORTH, WE DEDICATE TO TEXT SO THAT THE PROCEEDS COLLECTED FROM 9.52 MEALS OF THE TEXT.
THERE'LL BE A MINISTER TO THE EASTBOUND WITH PARIS LIBRARY SYSTEM PARENTS, AND INCLUDES THE BRANCHES, IMPROVING SERVICES, ACQUIRING LAND CONSTRUCTING THE LIBRARY FACILITIES TITLED TO WHICH SHALL BE PUBLIC.
THE PROCEEDS COLLECTED FROM 1.00 MEALS OF THE TEXT SHALL BE USED TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO MAINTAIN CONSTRUCTION FRUITS.
VANTAGE WORKS BASED ON PROPORTION OF COLLECTIONS WITHIN THE PARISH AND THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, BAKER, ZACHARY AND CENTRAL MAKING APPLICATION TO LOUISIANA STATE BOND COMMISSION.
PROVIDING NOTICE THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL SHALL BE HIT ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 28TH, 2021 AT 4:00 PM AT THE REGULAR MEETING PLACE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.
THIRD FLOOR OF CITY HALL ROOM 3 42 TO TWO ST.
LOUIS STREET BATTERIES, THE WE THEN AND PROVIDING FOR MATTERS AND CONNECTION DEALT WITH BY COUNCIL MEMBER, THE HUSSON AND THE CHAIR.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 29? WE DO HAVE SOME SPEAKERS.
SO I'M GOING TO BEGIN WITH KATHY
WOULD YOU PLEASE COME UP, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD? AND THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WISHING TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION.
UH, I'M ON THE CATHY WASSERMAN, THE EASTBOUND RIDGE PARISH LIBRARY BOARD.
WE HAVE THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD HERE AND I WOULD ASK THAT YOU LET HIM SPEAK BEFORE I DO.
BUT YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
MY NAME IS JASON JACOB, 46 52 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE BATON ROUGE.
BEFORE YOU AS PRESIDENT OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF CONTROL, WE MET YESTERDAY AT A SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS THIS PROPOSITION.
WE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY UNANIMOUSLY UNANIMOUSLY TO SEND THIS RESOLUTION TO YOU.
I WON'T READ IT IN ITS ENTIRETY, BUT I WILL SHARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SALIENT POINTS, WHEREAS THE PASSAGE AND CONTINUED EXISTENCE AND INTEGRITY OF THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARIES 10 YEAR DEDICATED TAX IS CRITICAL TO THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, INCLUDING COMMITMENTS TO CURRENT AND FUTURE PROMISE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS, WHEREAS SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING THE LIBRARIES DEDICATED TAX BEFORE THE NORMAL TAXING DECADE CONCLUDES IN 2025.
WE'RE NOT ONLY HARMED THE LIBRARY SYSTEM'S ABILITY TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, BUT ALSO COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF THE MILLAGE SYSTEM AND ERODE THE PUBLIC TRUST AND THE ENTIRE MILLAGE PROCESS RELATED TO DEDICATED FUNDING FOR ANY PURPOSE.
WHEREAS THE 1.0 MILL LIBRARY TAX REDEDICATION PROPOSITION IS HARMFUL TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY SYSTEM, AND WILL RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL CUTS TO SERVICES HOURS AND LIBRARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE PARISH AND WERE THREATENED THE SCOPE, TIMING, AND QUALITY OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN AS PROMISED TO THE VOTERS IN 2015.
WHEREAS THE RUSH TIMELINE AND PLANNING PROCESS FOR THE REDEDICATION PROPOSITION HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO ASSESS AND CAUSES CONCERN THAT OTHER ALTERNATIVES WERE NOT FULLY CONSIDERED, INCLUDING A PLAN WHERE THE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MORE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED AMONG OTHER AGENCIES AND FUNDING SOURCES.
BE IT THERE FOR RESOLVE THAT WE, THE LIBRARY BOARD OF CONTROL DO HEREBY AFFIRM OUR SUPPORT FOR THE PROCESS FOR DEDICATING MILLAGES AS WE HAVE DONE.
SO SINCE 1986 AND OPPOSE ANY SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF THE LIBRARIES MILLAGE AS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS IN 2015.
THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, PLEASE STICK AROUND AT MY HOUSE ON QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
UH, CATHY WASSERMAN, KATHY WASC, UM, 1255 ABERDEEN AVENUE, UH, MS. RAWKUS DISTRICT.
UM, I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE SPANISH PARISH LIBRARY BOARD IN 1981.
UH, I WAS A YOUNG MOM WITH A THREE BABIES AT HOME, BUT IT NEEDS TO SUPPLEMENT
[01:05:01]
OUR INCOME.AND I WORKED STARTED WORKING PART-TIME AT THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS AS A MOONLIGHTER.
UM, AT THAT TIME PERIOD, THE CITY PARISH RAN INTO FINANCIAL PROBLEMS AND WE WERE ALL CALLED TO A MEETING AND THE ENTIRE, UH, PART-TIME LIBRARY STAFF WAS LAID OFF IN 1985.
WE SIMPLY WERE CALLED TO A MEETING AND LOST ALL OUR JOBS BECAUSE OF THE CITY TROUBLE WITH THE CITY PARISH FINANCING SUBSEQUENTLY, UH, A DEDICATED TAX WAS VOTED ON BY THE PEOPLE SO THAT THE LIBRARY WOULD NOT COME INTO JEOPARDY ANYMORE.
THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR 35 YEARS.
THE LIBRARY IS A PAY AS YOU GO.
IT IS AN ENORMOUS COMMUNITY ASSET AND HAS RECEIVED A FIVE STAR RATING NATIONALLY.
IT IS A JUUL OF THE CITY PARISH.
UH, WE HAVE A DEDICATED TAX TO FUND THE LIBRARY SYSTEM BECAUSE WE MAKE PROMISES TO PEOPLE.
IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS TAX, AND THIS IS WHAT WE DO, WE HAVE PLANNING AND WE HAVE PLANNING FOR THAT 10 YEAR PROCESS.
WE HAVE COMPLETED LIBRARIES IN THE SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHERN PART, AND WE WILL START ON LIBRARIES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PARISH THAT NEED UPDATING.
WE HAVE A WHOLE PLANNING PROCESS, A WHOLE FUNDING PROCESS, AND THE WHOLE SAVINGS PROCESS.
WE HAVE A PROCESS WHERE IF THERE IS AN, UH, AN EVENT, WE HAVE MONEY TO GO IN THERE AND COVER, UH, START TO START TO REBUILD BEFORE INSURANCE COMES, EVERYTHING.
THIS LIBRARY SYSTEM HAS DONE THE BOARDS, THE LATE STAN BARDWELL JOHN RICHARD, MR. CARNAHAN, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME BEFORE ME HAVE JUST, UH, HANDLED THIS WHOLE SITUATION WITH INTEGRITY.
AND I ASKED YOU PLEASE, TO OPPOSE THIS, TO LEAVE THE SYSTEM IN PLACE AS A DEDICATED TAX AND THE LIBRARY SYSTEM AS AN ENORMOUS ASSET TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND NOT DIVIDE US AGENCY BY AGENCY, UH, AND LOOK AT THE FUNDING FOR THE ENTIRE PARISH AS WE GO FORWARD.
THANK YOU, MS. LAWSON, GREG BALDWIN, I'VE BEEN VOTING SINCE 1960.
THE VOTERS IN THIS PARISH HAVE ALWAYS BOARDED AT THE LIBRARY.
THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT BY A FORMER MAYOR PAT SCREEN TO STEAL MONEY FROM THE BUDGET.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS MR. GODADDY AND I'VE SENT YOU, I SENT HIM AN EMAIL EXPRESSING DISAPPROVAL AND I GOT THE MOST INSINCERE RESPONSE.
I THINK I'VE EVER HAD THIS RESPONSE WAS THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
WELL, IT MUST NOT BE TOO IMPORTANT.
I THINK ANY, NO SHOW IS EFFECTIVELY AND NO IS A YES VOTE.
AND I THINK THE VOTERS WILL REMEMBER.
LET'S SEE, MR. HUDSON AND MR. CODE.
THE ONLY THING I CAN FIGURE IS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT ELABORATE SYSTEM MEANS TO THESE PEOPLE.
IT'S A MUCH MORE THAN A REPOSITORY FOR BOOK.
AND I THINK THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO REMEMBER IT.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 29, ITEM 1 29 STAY REPRESENTED.
AND, UM, PRO TAM CALLED, WHO RECOGNIZED THAT I PASSED HIM THE TORCH THAT WAS ALREADY HOT.
THAT'S WHY HE HAD TO ASK HIMSELF WHO WAS THE BEST.
THE TORCH WAS ALREADY HOT WHEN I PASSED IT TO YOU, SIR.
SO I'M NOT GONNA SAY HE STARTED THIS FINE, SIR.
UM, I COME DOWN HERE, UH, NOT OFTEN, YOU KNOW, I VERY FREQUENTLY GET INVOLVED IN THE, WHAT I, WHERE I USED TO SERVE.
I DO VOICE MY OPINION SOMETIMES, BUT TO COME DOWN HERE, I THINK AT THE LAST TIME WAS THE COUNCIL ON AGING AND A SIMILAR PROPOSAL WAS ON THE TABLE.
[01:10:01]
I'M GOING TO BE CONSISTENT, WHETHER IT'S THE COUNCIL ON AGING OR WHETHER IT'S THE LIBRARY OR WHETHER IT'S THE MOSQUITO OR WHETHER IT'S BRICK.WHEN THE VOTERS SPEAK, THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN AS A FORMER MEMBER OF THIS BODY AND CURRENT STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 61.
I'M IN TOTAL OPPOSITION OF ITEM NUMBER 21 0 0 8 8 6, A PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO REDEDICATE TAX MONEY FROM BOTH THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY AND THE MOSQUITO ABATEMENT ENROLLED IN CONTROL.
MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS WOULD BE DIVERTING A PORTION OF VOTER APPROVED PROPERTY TAX RATES TO TEMPORARILY ADDRESSED ANOTHER ISSUE.
AND I SAY THAT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IT'S A TEMPORARY FIX.
IT'S NOT A PERMANENT FIX WHILE I DO AGREE THAT WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE DRAINING SYSTEM AND FLOODING, WE SHOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN A POSITION TO CHANGE WHAT VOTERS HAVE PREVIOUSLY VOICED AND VOTED IN FAVOR OF NOR DO I FEEL THE SOLUTION SHOULD BE ON THE BACKS OF TWO PARISH AGENCIES, ESPECIALLY THE LIBRARY, CONSIDERING THE NEGATIVE IMPACT THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC HAS HAS TAKEN ON OUR EDUCATION.
WE NEED TO STAND BY OUR LIBRARIES.
I STAND IN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF MOSQUITO ABATEMENT AND RODENT CONTROL THAT VOTERS TRUST WILL BE COMPROMISED IF WE FIND NO POTENTIAL HARM IN CHANGING FUNDS THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY VOTED FOR, FOR A SPECIFIC THING.
AND LATER A LOT IN THOSE PROCEEDS OF FUNDS TO OTHER AREAS, WE NEED TO FIND A BETTER SOLUTION THAN THE PROPOSAL AT HAND, TO ADDRESS OUR DRAIN DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
UNLESS SOMEONE IS PRIVY TO INFORMATION THAT WE NO LONGER EXPERIENCED FLOODING IN THE, AT THE END, BY THE END OF 2031, WHICH AGENCY WILL BE SUBJECT TO HAVING THEIR FUNDS REDEDICATED NEXT WHO'S NEXT.
I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE HEADED ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE.
I THINK THAT WE SHOULD STEP BACK, LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE DOING AND FACE THE FACT THAT THE VOTERS VOTED FOR A SPECIFIC TAX FOR A SPECIFIC REASON.
AND THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT DEDICATED.
AND I OPPOSED THIS ITEM AND I ASKED YOU TO JOIN ME IN THE OPPOSITION AND STAND FOR THE VOTERS OF THIS PARISH.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 29? GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS REVEREND ALEXIS ANDERSON 2 48 STEEL BOULEVARD, AND I SPEAK IN OPPOSITION OF ITEM NUMBER 1 29.
WHEN I ARRIVED IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, THERE WERE THREE FACILITIES THAT MADE THIS PLACE FEEL LIKE HOME FOR ME, B O DALLAS WILLIAMS AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM, THE BREAKFAST CENTER AND THE EAST BATON ROUGE LIBRARY SYSTEM.
I BELIEVE THAT ONE, THIS IS A FALSE NARRATIVE.
WE DO NOT STAND BEFORE THE CITIZENS IN PARTICULARLY OUR CHILDREN AND TALK ABOUT LITERACY AND THEN TAKE MONIES FROM A WORLD-CLASS SYSTEM THAT LITERALLY SUPPORTS EVERYBODY FROM THE HOMELESS TO THE WEALTHY DURING THIS PANDEMIC.
WHEN MANY OF OUR SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN AND DID NOT SERVICE THE CITIZENS OF THIS PARISH, OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM NEVER FAILED TO FEED OUR CHILDREN TO GATHER OUR PRESCHOOLERS, TO NURTURE OUR HOMELESS.
I BELIEVE THAT FROM THE TIME I HAVE BEEN HERE, THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FUNDS THROUGH FEMA AND FEDERAL FUNDING AFTER EVERY FLOOD, AFTER EVERY HURRICANE THAT HAS SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE.
AND SO I WOULD HONESTLY ASK THAT THIS BODY RESPECT, THAT I'VE VOTED ENTHUSIASTICALLY WITH JOY, FOR THE LIBRARY TAX.
I TELL EVERYBODY THAT COMES HERE THAT HAS EVER BEEN HERE.
WE HAVE A WORLD CLASS WORLD CLASS LIBRARY SYSTEM, SECOND TO NINE.
MY YOUNGEST CHILD LIVES IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AND SHE BRAGS CONSTANTLY ABOUT OUR SYSTEM.
AND I WOULD ASK OUR METRO COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE THE APOCRYPHA OF NOT EVEN A FEW MONTHS AGO.
WE WERE DOWN AT THE STATE CAPITOL FIGHTING FOR BREATH ALSO WORLD-CLASS AND NOW WE STAND IN THIS BODY FIGHTING FOR THE SECOND JEWEL AND OUR SYSTEM.
AND I WOULD ASK US TO STOP BEING SHORT TERM PEOPLE
[01:15:01]
AND START REIMAGINING THAT.HOW DO WE SAY TO OUR CHILDREN? WE WANT TO BE A LITERATE AND A LITERACY COMMUNITY, BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT BY STEALING FROM THE SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN STEADFAST AND A MOVEABLE IN PROVIDING THAT VERY SERVICE.
I RESIDE AT 43 0 2 MELBOURNE STREET IN BAKER, LOUISIANA.
AND I'M A MEMBER OF TOGETHER BATON ROUGE WITH 35 INSTITUTIONS.
WE WANT YOU TO OPPOSE THIS ON POINTS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY MADE.
THIS IS WHERE THE PUBLIC WANTING TO DIRECT US IT'S DOLLARS.
AND WE'VE MET WITH THE, WITH THE LIBRARY AND UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS AND WHAT DAMAGE THEY WILL DO TO THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.
BUT DON'T LOOK AT JUST A LIBRARY SYSTEM.
DON'T LOOK AT THE BUILDINGS AND THE BOOKS LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY SERVE AND THE SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE.
YOU KNOW, WE WILL FALL BEHIND IN, IN EDUCATION AND CHILDREN LEARNING AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE EVEN FURTHER BEHIND.
ARE WE WILLING TO WORK WITH THIS COUNCIL, COUNCILMAN HUDSON, TO TRY TO SOLVE THE FLOODING ISSUES BECAUSE THAT'S A PROBLEM TOO, BUT THIS IS NOT THE WAY YOU CORRECT IT.
AND YOU KNOW, IRONICALLY, WE'VE BEEN DOWN HERE MANY TIMES ASKING IN FIGHTING THAT YOU REALLY LOOK AT THESE EXEMPTIONS THAT YOU'RE GIVING AWAY TO THESE CORPORATIONS WHERE IF YOU'RE NOT BEEN GIVING AWAY THE MONEY SO FREELY, YOU WILL HAVE MONEY TO ADDRESS FLOODING.
IF IT'S THAT IMPORTANT, THAT BIG OF A CONCERN, WHICH IT IS, LET'S PUT THAT ON THE BALLOT AND THAT'S THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT IT.
THAT'S ALREADY BEEN VOTED BY THE PEOPLE OR WHERE THEY WANT TO CORRECT TO DIRECT THAT TAX DOLLARS.
YOU'RE NOT GETTING REVENUE THAT YOU COULD GET BY GRANDY'S EXEMPTIONS, BUT YOU STILL WANT TO TAKE REVENUE AWAY FROM AN INSTITUTION OR AN ENTITY WHERE THE TAXPAYERS HAVE SAID, WE WANT THEM TO HAVE IT.
WE WANT THEM TO HAVE IT BECAUSE IT'S AN IMPORTANT SERVICE AND IS NECESSARY.
AND IT'S FOR OUR IT'S FOR OUR KIDS.
AND PLEASE, WE ASK YOU TO OPPOSE THIS BECAUSE YOU'LL BE HURTING OUR COMMUNITY.
AND YOU ALSO WILL BE HURTING THE IMAGE OF BATON ROUGE ON, AND YOU LOSE THE TRUST OF THE PUBLIC.
BY SAYING, IF WE VOTE ON A MILLAGE, THE TAX ISSUE, DOESN'T MATTER.
THIS METRO COUNCIL CAN TRY TO COME IN AND CHANGE IT THE WAY THEY WANT TO.
SO ALL WE ASK YOU IS TO RESPECT OUR DECISION.
AND IF YOU WANT TO PUT A FLOODING MILLAGE ON THE BALLOT, WE WILL CONSIDER SUPPORTING THAT, BUT DON'T TAKE IT AWAY FROM SOMETHING THAT ALREADY EXISTS.
SO PLEASE OPPOSE THIS, THIS SWAP YOU CAN COME ON.
I'M WITH LIVE AT 9 0 0 5 HIGHLAND ROAD, UH, COUNCILWOMAN RAKAS DISTRICT.
UM, I CAN'T SAY MUCH MORE THAN IT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, SO I'M NOT GOING TO REHASH THAT.
UH, I THINK THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS SIX YEARS LATER, FOUR YEARS EARLY.
UM, WE, UH, HAVE SPOKEN, LIKE THEY SAID, 58% OF THE VOTERS CAME OUT AND APPROVED THIS MILLAGE.
UH, WE HAVE DONE STRATEGIC PLANNING.
WE'VE LIVED UP TO THOSE PROMISES SO FAR, AND THIS WOULD JEOPARDIZE THE PROMISES THAT THE LIBRARY BOARD OF CONTROL, WHICH I'M A MEMBER OF, UH, HAVE MADE TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE JUST WANT TO CONTINUE, UH, OFFERING OUR SERVICES.
UH, AND, UH, THIS MILLAGE IS, IS VITAL TO THAT.
UH, I HOPE THAT Y'ALL WILL CONSIDER SAVING THE FUNDING FOR THE LIBRARY.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 29? MY NAME IS CHARLES
CAN WE GET THE LIBRARY BOARD OR SOMEBODY TO GIVE US ABOUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SCREEN THE DOG ON DITCH BY MY HOUSE THAT FLOODED THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE THE LIBRARIES THAT WE DO HAVE, WHICH IS YOU HAVE TO SWIM THERE.
IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO GO CHECK ANYTHING OUT.
WE BOXED OURSELVES IN WITH THIS IDEA OF HAVING ALL THESE DEDICATED TAXES.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT Y'ALL ARE, I DON'T KNOW SOMEBODY IS FACING IT.
I THINK IT OUGHT TO GO BACK IN THE BALLOT AND GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE STUCK.
[01:20:01]
IF IT'S MY AUNT, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A LIBRARY HAS $64 MILLION IN EXCESS.IS THAT RIGHT? ANYBODY GOING TO SAY YES.
SO, HEY, YOU KNOW, IT'S WONDERFUL.
I LOVE TO BE ABLE TO GO DOWN THE STREET WHEN IT'S RAINING AND I'D HAVE TO WALK UP TO MY KNEES AND WATER.
BUT HAVE YOU SAID, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 29? I SEE SOMEONE COMING, TWO PEOPLE.
WHY DON'T YOU COME STAY AT SIX FEET APART AT THE PODIUM SO YOU CAN BE COME ON RIGHT UP.
I LIVE AT 2222 GENERAL ADAMS AVENUE IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA.
UH, I LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM.
UH, I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE GIS IN THE BASEMENT, THERE IS A MAP OF THE 2016 FLOOD, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE SCARIEST PICTURES YOU WOULD EVER WANT TO SEE.
IT IS ON THE WALL RIGHT THERE.
WHEN YOU WALK IN VIRTUALLY THREE FOURTHS OF THE CITY WAS INUNDATED WITH WATER.
SO THE THING IS THAT THERE IS A DRAINAGE NEED.
I WOULD LIKE TO APPLAUD THE, UH, MEASURE AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
IT WILL BE ABLE TO DO FOR THE CITY.
I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND REALLY CAREFULLY ANALYZE OUR DRAINAGE ISSUES BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, IF WE LOOK AT ONE MORE BIG FLOOD LIKE THAT, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT GENERATIONS BEING WIPED OUT.
AND IF WE DON'T START A PROCESS NOW TO FIX THIS DEAL, WE WILL BE FLOATING IN THE WATER PROVERBIALLY.
SO BY ALL MEANS, LET'S LOOK AT THIS THING WITH ALL THE ANALYTICS AND DO WHAT WE GOTTA DO TO FIX THIS FLOODING ISSUE.
HI, I'M CALLING KISSELL AT, UH, 10 24 MONTEREY BOULEVARD.
UM, AND I AM OPPOSED TO THIS ITEM.
IF I COULD HAVE A SHOW OF HANDS FROM THE PEOPLE HERE, IF YOU'VE BEEN TO THE LIBRARY IN THE LAST MONTH FROM THE MEMBERS AND THE BOARD.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT RAISED YOUR HAND, THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE IN THE LIBRARY.
WHEN I SHOW UP, WHEN THEY'RE READY TO OPEN, THERE ARE PEOPLE WAITING OUTSIDE FOR THE LIBRARY TO OPEN THE NIGHTS THAT I GET THERE LATE TO RETURN A BOOK BECAUSE IT'S DUE.
THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE WHEN THE LIBRARY IS CLOSING THAT THEY HAVE TO SHOE OUT.
I AM THERE EVERY WEEK AT THE LIBRARY.
I SENT YOU ALL AN EMAIL WITH MY CONTACT INFORMATION.
IF YOU EVER WANT TO MEET ME AT THE LIBRARY, I'LL BE THERE.
TALK ABOUT THEIR GREAT AND VITAL SERVICES DURING COVID.
THEY HAD A BOOK DRIVE THROUGH THAT HAS LINES THROUGH THE PARKING LOT OF PEOPLE WAITING TO PICK UP BOOKS BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GO INSIDE.
SO A LIBRARIAN WOULD GO TO THE SHELVES AND GET THEM FOR YOU.
UM, THEY HAD INFORMATION ABOUT COVID ON THEIR WEBSITE BEFORE MANY OTHER GOVERNMENT WEBSITES.
DID THEY HAVE JOBS SERVICES? THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE IN THE CAREER CENTER WORKING ON A RESUME OR WORKING ON A JOB SEARCH.
THEY HAVE COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET FOR STUDENTS WHO DON'T HAVE IT AND ADULTS WHO DON'T HAVE IT IN THEIR HOMES.
THEY HAVE ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR GENEALOGY AND RECIPES AND PLENTY OF OTHER THINGS.
SO I RECOMMEND YOU LOOK THROUGH IT.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY HAVE BOOKS, RIGHT? MY KIDS LEARN TO READ AT THE LIBRARY.
UM, ONE OF THEM JUST PICKED UP CHAPTER BOOKS THIS YEAR.
SO THIS SUMMER DURING SUMMER READING, HE CAN EASILY READ THREE CHAPTER BOOKS A DAY.
UM, AND I DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM, RIGHT? I DON'T HAVE TO GO TO A BOOKSTORE AND BUY THREE BOOKS A DAY CAUSE I CAN'T.
UM, BUT WE GO TO THE LIBRARY AND WE CHECK OUT 25 BOOKS THIS TIME AND THEY LAUGH AT US, BUT WE DO.
IF I WANT TO READ A BOOK, I'LL SAY I READ A REVIEW ONLINE AND WASHINGTON POST AT LIKE TWO IN THE MORNING WHEN I'M AWAKE FOR NO REASON.
AND I THINK THAT'S A GOOD BOOK.
I GOOGLE IT ON THE LIBRARY WEBSITE.
AND IF THEY HAVE IT, I PUT A HOLD ON IT.
AND THE NEXT WEEK WHEN I GO, I GOT A SURPRISE PRESENT FOR MYSELF.
I VOTED TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY, NOT FOR YOU TO TAKE THE MONEY, TO FILL HOLES IN THE BUDGET SOMEWHERE ELSE.
WE DO NEED DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT.
WE NEED THEM, BUT I WOULD VOTE FOR A DEDICATED TAX FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS.
CAN YOU TELL US TO REDIRECT KIDS EVERY WEEK? I READ THE BIBLE.
I'M GLAD YOU'RE PLAYING ATTENTION.
MA'AM IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK AND COME ON DOWN, MAN.
I WAS SUPPOSED TO SPEAK LATER WHERE HE CONSTANTINE SPANISH TOWN ROAD, CAROLYN COLEMAN, BUT
[01:25:01]
I THINK I SHOULD SPEAK NOW.UM, I THINK I HAVE SOME ANSWERS.
I THINK THESE WORK CALVIN HILL AND THEM ARE PRETTY OVERWHELMED AND THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO, UM, HAVE FOUND WAYS TO FIND MONEY.
AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT AS A MEMBER OF THE LOUISIANA STORMWATER COALITION.
OUR MISSION IS TO INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF PERMANENTLY FUNDED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS OFTEN PROVEN SOLUTIONS TO LITTER AND FLOODING PROBLEMS. LET'S TAKE FLORIDA.
FOR EXAMPLE, SINCE THEY ARE A HIGH PRECIPITATION PRECIPITATION STATE, JUST LIKE US, WE LOOK AT THEM OVER 34 YEARS AGO, THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE DECLARED STORMWATER TO BE UTILITY.
THEY DID THIS WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING LITTER BY 50% AND PRESERVING AND GROWING TOURISM, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FAST FORWARD TODAY, OVER 170 FLORIDA COMMUNITIES HAVE A PERMANENT MANAGEMENT FEE ON A UTILITY BILL RIGHT THERE NEXT TO THE SEARCH FEES.
BUT GUESS WHAT HAPPENED IN FLORIDA WHEN FLORIDA ADDRESSED THEIR LIVER ISSUES, THEY INADVERTENTLY CREATED PROGRAMS THAT TODAY PREVENT FLOODING.
WE'D LIKE TO LOOK AT MIAMI SINCE IT'S ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS BATON ROUGE, MIAMI CHARGES, $3 AND 50 CENTS A MONTH TO A RESIDENT.
AND THEY CHARGE SOME KIND OF IMPERMEABLE FEE TO BUSINESS IN INDUSTRY.
IT BRINGS IN 12 MILLION, A YEAR, 120 MILLION EVERY 10 YEARS.
CAN YOU IMAGINE REALLY GUYS, $3 AND 50 CENTS, 150 MILLION IN 10 YEARS? WHAT WOULD WE LOOK LIKE? WE'RE ASKING OUR PUBLIC WORKS PEOPLE TO, TO PERFORM A MIRACLE.
MANY COMMUNITIES GIVE A HARDSHIP CREDIT FOR THE MONTHLY FEE.
SO WHAT DOES A FULLY FUNDED STORMWATER PROGRAM PROVIDE? IT CREATES A DEPARTMENT WITH A DEDICATED BUDGET AND ITS OWN DEPARTMENT HEAD FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES TRAINED AS EXPERTS AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT MONEY FOR NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE UPGRADE AND MAINTENANCE MONEY NEEDED TO KEEP IT UP TO DATE, MONEY FOR THE BEST EQUIPMENT ON THE MARKET, DESIGNED TO CAPTURE FLOOD CAUSING SEDIMENTS AND LITTER DOWN TO THE HAIR ON YOUR HEAD.
THERE IS EQUIPMENT THAT CAPTURES SEDIMENTS AND LITTER AND IT'S 20 YEARS OLD.
AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE JUST ARE LEARNING ABOUT IN LOUISIANA.
WHEN I VISITED WITH STORMWATER FACILITIES MANAGER IN PENSACOLA TO SEE HIS PROGRAM, ROGER WILLIAMS, HE TOLD ME SOME OF HIS SEDIMENT CAPTURING EQUIPMENT, KEEPS HIM FROM HAVING TO SPEND MILLIONS TO DREDGE ON THE BACK END.
YOU CAN GO LOOK AT CAPITAL LAKES RIGHT NOW.
IT NEEDS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE THE SEDIMENTS AND THE LETTER HAS CAUSED IMPERMEABLE LAYERS THAT ARE SIX FEET DEEP.
AND FINALLY, HOW MUCH MORE TIME, BECAUSE YOUR TIME I'M RAPPING ABOUT 10 MORE SECONDS.
AND FINALLY, THE PROGRAM WOULD PROVIDE MONEY FOR LITTERS OURS.
THE FACT IS CLEAR WE'RE NUMBER ONE IN RAINFALL.
THIS IS WHY WE'RE HAVING PROBLEMS BECAUSE WE'RE NUMBER ONE IN RAINFALL.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS PROGRAM.
WE DON'T HAVE TO BE TAKING MONEY HERE AND THERE.
I'M ON THE LIBRARY BOARD AS WELL.
UM, I KIND OF WAS HESITANT TO COME UP HERE BECAUSE I'VE SEEN EVERYONE AND EMAIL AND I FEEL LIKE WE WERE GOING OVER THE SAME THING, BUT IT IS SOME KEY POINTS THAT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT, SO THAT IT'LL BE ON RECORD FOR EVERYONE.
UM, I AGREE WITH ALL THE OPPOSITION AND THE POINTS THAT EVERYONE HAS BROUGHT UP SO FAR.
UM, WHAT I WANT TO DISCUSS IS THE FACT THAT THIS MONEY IS WANTS TO BE, IF YOU ALL WANT TO REDIRECT THE MONEY FOR A PLAN, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS FOR THIS DRAINAGE.
WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS MONEY.
WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE'S MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO WORK ON DRAINAGE.
SO I FEEL WHY NOT USE THAT? WHY NOT SHOW THE COMMUNITY WHAT THE PLAN IS THAT YOU HAVE FOR THE MONEY THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE, OR THAT YOU ARE RECEIVING INSTEAD OF POSSIBLY DISMANTLING, UH, ONE OF THE BEST AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY I SELL REAL ESTATE.
THE FIRST THING THAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IS WHERE'S THE LIBRARY.
WE HEAR ALL THESE GOOD, GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.
SO WHY WOULD WE DESTROY THAT? WHY NOT LET THE MILLAGE CYCLE RUN OUT TO 2025? WHY THE CITY DEVELOPS A PLAN FOR THE MONEY THAT WE ALREADY HAVE, OR THAT'S PLANNING TO BE RECEIVED? WE HAVE A PLAN.
THE LIBRARY HAS A DETAILED STRATEGIC PLAN.
I KNOW WHEN MOVED BR WAS COMING UP AND I WOULD BE IN MEETINGS, EVERYBODY WOULD SAY, WELL, DOES THE MAYOR HAVE A PLAN FOR THIS MONEY? SHE
[01:30:01]
WANTS MORE MONEY, BUT SHE DOESN'T HAVE A POINT WHERE THE PLAN, BUT THE LIBRARY HAS A PLAN AND IT'S DETAILED.TALK TO THE LIBRARY FIRST, AT LEAST.
AND LET THEM HAVE A CHANCE TO ANALYZE WHAT THIS WOULD DO BEFORE WE JUST THROW OUT SOMETHING AND SAY, WELL, WE NEED THIS MONEY.
WE'VE DONE SOMETHING FOR THE CONSTITUENTS.
NOW WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH IT.
THAT'S NOT THE WAY WE SHOULDN'T CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME THING AND EXPECT A DIFFERENT RESULT.
WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 29.
ANYONE ELSE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 29.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HERE? WOULD YOU LINE UP AT THE PODIUM ABOUT SIX FEET APART? HI, MY NAME IS TANYA NYMAN OR 6 69 BENNETT DRIVE THAT IN RIDGE LOUISIANA.
UM, THE LITTLE PATIENTS WITH ME, I WASN'T PLANNING TO SPEAK.
I DID SEND EVERYONE AN EMAIL WITH MY ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSAL TO REDEDICATE THE FUNDS, BUT IN LIGHT OF A COUPLE OF COMMENTS THAT FOLKS MADE, UM, IN REGARDS TO THE MERITS OF, UM, REDEDICATING, THE, THE LIBRARY FUNDS TO DRAINAGE, I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE A LITTLE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
UM, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT IS HOW VERY OFTEN WE UNDERMINE GOOD THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY BY, UH, CREATING FALSE NARRATIVES, REPEATING DRAINAGE AGAINST THE LIBRARY.
AND THAT IS ENTIRELY UNNECESSARY.
WE CAN DO BOTH IF WE SO CHOOSE TO SO CHOSE TO.
SO, UM, I JUST WANTED TO READ A LITTLE BIT FROM GARRET GRAVES, PRESS RELEASE.
THE FIRST PARAGRAPH THAT HE'S BATON ROUGE, METRO COUNCIL RECENTLY APPROVED A 20 MILLION BUDGET FOR DRAINAGE PROJECTS FROM FEDERAL FUNDING.
THESE PROJECTS ACCOMPANYING OTHER PROJECTS IN THE CAPITAL REGION.
WE'LL TOGETHER, REDUCE FLOOD RISK FOR COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE AREA.
SO CLEARLY THERE IS FUNDING COMING.
WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE IT FROM THE LIBRARY.
THE OTHER THING SOMEONE MENTIONED THE INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION RECENTLY APPROVED IN FEBRUARY, WHICH WAS HEARTBREAKING.
IT WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY THIS COUNCIL, UM, GRANTING EXXON 23 MILLION IN TAX EXEMPTIONS OVER 10 YEARS.
AND UM, IF I HAD MORE TIME AND I WAS BETTER PREPARED, I WOULD DELINEATE WHAT A GROSS INJUSTICE THAT WAS.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BILLIONS IN PROFIT MADE BY EXXON THE MILLIONS, THEY PAY THEIR BOARD, NOT JUST THEIR, THEIR EXECUTIVES AND THEIR PART-TIME BOARD MEMBERS.
AND YET TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WE SHORT JANE CHANGE THE SERVICES AND THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN THIS PARISH TO BENEFIT A CORPORATION THAT HAS MADE BILLIONS OVER THE LAST CENTURY IN THIS PARISH.
SO THIS PROPOSAL THAT SOMEHOW OUR LIBRARY IS SUPPOSED TO PAY SOMETHING FROM THE PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATIONS THAT HAVE PROFITED IN THIS PARISH IS HEARTBREAKING.
AND I HOPE YOU VOTE NO TONIGHT.
DON'T DEFER IT, KILL IT TODAY.
ANYONE ELSE HERE, WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 29.
MY NAME'S ROBERT FERNET, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE LIBRARY POSITION THERE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE TAXES THAT WERE DEDICATED FOR THE USE OF THE LIBRARY TO BE USED FOR THE INTENDED PURPOSE.
I THINK THE ISSUE HERE IS A WORD CALLED ESCROW.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A GREAT TALK ABOUT THIS GIANT POT OF MONEY THAT'S BEING HELD THAT CAN BE TAKEN BY THE CITY OR USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THIS IS LIKE THE ESCROW ACCOUNT IN YOUR, ON YOUR HOUSE MORTGAGE, WHERE YOUR TAXES, THIS MONEY HAS BEEN SET ASIDE TO PAY FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLANNING.
THE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN LET AND IT'S INAPPROPRIATE FOR THAT MONEY TO BE TAKEN, TO BE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THIS IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE WAY THIS IS BEING DONE.
IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A TAX GARBAGE FOR, FOR DRAINAGE AND CLEANING DITCHES, THEN YOU SHOULD TELL THE PUBLIC THAT THAT'S WHAT THEY SHOULD VOTE FOR.
THERE'S TIME TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA AND HAVE A VOTE FOR IT.
THIS IS NOT THE WAY THAT YOU RUN A GOVERNMENT.
AND MY SUGGESTION IS THAT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE MONEY APPROPRIATED FOR DRAINAGE, DON'T TAKE IT AWAY FROM THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.
WE'VE GOT A FIVE-STAR LIBRARY SYSTEM HERE.
IT'S ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.
LOUISIANA LEAVES THE NATION AND WHAT THE BOTTOM OF EVERY LIST.
[01:35:02]
THANK GOD FOR MISSISSIPPI, RIGHT? AND NOW HERE, WE'VE GOT A LIBRARY THAT'S AAA FIVE STAR, AND YOU WANT TO TAKE IT AND PUT IT DOWN IN THE DITCH.WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO THAT? WHY DON'T YOU SAVE? WHAT'S GOOD AND BUILD ON IT.
I'M ALL FOR CLEANING THE DITCHES, BUT THIS IS NOT THE WAY YOU SHOULD DO IT.
AND I HAVE A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THIS BECAUSE I WAS HERE WHEN GOVERNOR EDWARDS TOOK THE $126 MILLION WORTH OF HIGHWAY TAX DEDICATED MONEY FOR GASOLINE TAXES.
DO YOU REMEMBER THAT? HE TOOK $126 MILLION.
THAT WAS DEDICATED BY LAW TO BE USED TO BILL ROADS.
AND HE SPENT IT AND WE SUED HIM AND WE GOT HIM DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
BUT GUESS WHAT? THEY EVEN HAD ALREADY SPENT ALL THE MONEY AND A DISTRICT JUDGE CAN'T ORDER A PUBLIC OFFICIAL TO ENTER INTO DEFICIT SPENDING.
SO FOR ONE YEAR THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IN THIS STATE HAD NO FUNDS TO OPERATE ON.
A LOT OF THEM WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND WE SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THIS IS NOT A GOOD POLICY.
THAT'S WHAT LED TO THE TRANSPORTATION FIRST FUND IS THE FACT THAT THE PUBLIC WOULDN'T TRUST THE PEOPLE, THE POLITICIANS SAY, WE'RE GOING TO USE THIS MONEY FOR THIS.
WE'RE GOING TO USE IT FOR GAS TAXES AND THEN, AND FIX THE ROADS AND THEN YOU GO USE IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
SO I JUST SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO DO THIS IS LET'S PUT A MILLAGE ON THE, ON THE BOOKS.
IF YOU WANT TO DO TWO OR THREE MEALS, TWO OR FOUR, A DRAINAGE, LET'S DO THAT, PUT IT, PUT IT TO THE VOTERS, LET THEM VOTE STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN ON IT, BUT DO NOT TAKE THE MONEY FROM THE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
ANYONE ELSE HERE? WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 29.
ANYONE ELSE HERE? COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON.
WELL, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT.
IT'S REALLY GOOD TO HAVE IT, EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF FOLKS WERE HERE IN OPPOSITION AND I, IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO HEAR THE FEEDBACK WITH YOU ALL BACK IN THE CHAMBERS.
AND I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD, REALLY GOOD DISCUSSION.
UH, I WANT TO DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE, UH, THE LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION, UH, MR. SPENCER WATSON, MS. MARY STEIN FOR THEIR WORKING WITH ME OVER THESE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
UH, THE PARTICIPATION THAT I'VE GOTTEN FROM YOU ALL HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL.
SO I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR THAT.
UH, I KNOW IT'S NEVER COMFORTABLE, UH, FOR ADMINISTRATORS HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT BUDGET CUTS.
UM, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TAXING AGENTS OR AGENCIES THAT ARE FUNDED LARGELY THROUGH DEDICATED TAXES, UH, THE TRUTH IS THAT WE HAVE THESE SORTS OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT, UH, MOVING MONEY AND MAKING SURE THAT PROPER, UH, AGENCIES ARE PROPERLY FUNDED DURING OUR BUDGET CYCLES EVERY YEAR.
UH, THIS IS, UH, UH, AN ISSUE THAT, UH, SEVERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT YOU SEE HERE IN THIS ROOM, UH, THEY HAVE TO DO THIS ONCE A YEAR.
IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DEDICATED TAXES.
UM, SO I WANT TO ADDRESS A COUPLE OF POINTS THAT WERE MADE, UH, AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT EXACTLY WE'RE LOOKING AT AND WHY WE'RE LOOKING AT IT.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A $1 BILLION BUDGET JUST ABOUT HERE IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, UH, BUT WE STILL FIND OURSELVES WITH AN $8 MILLION ANNUAL BUDGET FOR DRAINAGE.
AND WHY IS THAT? WELL, UH, YOU KNOW, 33% OF OUR BUDGET IS WHAT IS NOT DEDICATED.
SO THAT'S GENERAL FUND DOLLARS.
THAT GENERAL FUND IS THEN EATEN UP 55% BY FIRST RESPONDERS.
SO THEY'RE, YOU'RE LEFT WITH A RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY WHERE YOUR CITY PARISH CAN GO IN AND FUND YOUR MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES.
UH, YOU KNOW, THE FUNCTIONS OF MUNICIPALITY THAT, THAT LITERALLY KEEP THE WHEELS ON THE BUS.
UH, SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DEDICATED TAXES, UH, YOU KNOW, I DO, I ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'VE GOTTEN FROM SOME OF YOU THAT SAYS THE VOTERS APPROVE THIS AND, AND WE WANT IT TO STAY THE SAME.
WHY THEN WOULD WE LOOK AT IT? HERE'S WHY 2015, WHEN THE LIBRARY TAX WAS ORIGINALLY DEDICATED VOTERS APPROVED IT 58 IMMEDIATELY, THE NEXT YEAR WE HAVE A HISTORIC FLOOD OF 2016.
WE'VE HAD TWO HISTORIC FLOODS, EVEN SINCE THEN.
SO THAT'S THREE HISTORICAL LEVEL FLOODS IN A SIX-YEAR PERIOD.
IF WE DON'T LOOK CLOSELY AT OUR DEDICATIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY REFLECT THE FIRST PRIORITIES OF OUR PARISH, UH, THEN WE AS A COUNCIL ARE NOT DOING IT.
WE DO THAT ANNUALLY WITH OUR ENTIRE CITY PARISH BUDGET.
WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO GO IN AND DO IT WITH R D TAX DEDICATION SINCE AS WELL.
UH, I WANT TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES, UH, AT SOME OF THE COMMENTS TONIGHT HAVE HAVE ALLUDED TO THIS WOEFULLY DAMAGED THE LIBRARY, OR TOTALLY DESTROYED.
UH, LOOK RIGHT NOW WE FUND OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM AT ABOUT $110 PER CAPITA.
THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR LIBRARY FUNDING IS $44 PER CAPITA, EVEN UNDER THE ONE MIL,
[01:40:01]
UH, IDEA OF, OF REDEDICATION.WE STILL FIND IT A LEVEL OF ABOUT 140.
PER CAPITA, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TONIGHT, YOU WILL, WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE A WORLD-CLASS LIBRARY SYSTEM TO THE TUNE OF $46 MILLION ANNUALLY PLUS, UH, AND ONE OF THE BEST FUNDED LIBRARY SYSTEMS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
SO AS YOU GO TO THE POLLS AND AS YOU LOOK AT THIS ITEM, YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT, UH, YOU NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.
UH, ALSO I WANT TO BE SURE THAT FOLKS DO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A VOTER APPROVED REDEDICATION, RIGHT? SO YOU, AS VOTERS APPROVE THIS YEARS AGO, IT'LL GO BACK BEFORE YOU AND YOU'LL GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.
SOME OF THEM DO YOU UNDERSTAND WOULD LIKE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
AND SOME OF YOU WOULDN'T, UH, THIS COUNCIL, I THINK SHOULD GIVE YOU THE OPTION TO DECIDE, GO TO THE POLLS AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, THAT'S FINE.
UM, YOU KNOW, THE LAST THING I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH, UH, IS SOME OF THE COMMENTS TONIGHT HAVE ALLUDED TO THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT WE'RE GETTING DOWN.
LOOK, FOLKS, IF OUR PLAN FOR DRAINAGE IN THIS PARISH IS FEDERAL BAILOUTS.
YOU OUGHT TO SEND US ALL HOME.
I MEAN, THAT'S, THAT'S A RIDICULOUS IDEA.
THE IDEA THAT WE WOULD NOT PROPERLY FUND A DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT AND RELY ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUALLY COME AND BAIL US OUT OF THIS SITUATION.
UH, IT'S JUST, IT DOESN'T SIT RIGHT WITH ME.
IT SHOULDN'T SIT RIGHT WITH ANY OF US UP HERE.
UH, AND WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO CORRECT IT.
I BELIEVE THE VOTERS HAVE TOLD US THEY WANT TO SEE US DO A BETTER JOB WITH WHAT THEY'VE ALREADY GIVEN US BEFORE WE COME TO THEM WITH NEW TAXES.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT THIS ITEM DOES.
UH, I WILL SAY, HOWEVER, THAT I HAVE HEARD SOME OF THE CONCERNS FROM THE LIBRARY SYSTEM, I'VE HEARD THIS CONCERN FROM SOME OF YOU AND FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SO WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE TONIGHT IS THAT WE, UH, UH, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, UH, HOWEVER, THERE'LL BE AN AMENDMENT TO DO A 0.5 MIL REDUCTION FROM THE LIBRARY SYSTEM, AS OPPOSED TO THE ONE MILL REDUCTION.
THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO APPROVE BEFORE WE, UH, IS THERE A SECOND FIRST? IS THERE A SECOND? IS THERE A SECOND TO APPROVE AT 0.5? IS THERE A SECOND TO APPROVE THE 0.5? THERE WAS A SECOND TO APPROVE AT 0.5.
UH, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER DONE.
THANK YOU, MR. PRO TIM, LET ME FIRST, THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT AND SPEAKING ON HIS ITEM AND LETTING YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.
I HAVE TO, UM, ADDRESS ONE COMMENT THAT WAS MADE AS IT RELATES TO MOVIE BR AND THE MAYOR'S PLAN, UH, AS IT RELATES TO MOVIE B, UH, I HAVE TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THAT OPINION.
I THINK THAT THIS MAYOR, THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT HEADS DID AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH LAYING OUT A PLAN FOR MOVING TO VR.
THAT WAS A PLAN THAT WAS EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATED TO THIS COMMUNITY VIA, UH, COMMUNITY MEETINGS, RADIO TV.
AND THAT PLAN IS STILL READILY AVAILABLE ONLINE.
AND YOU CAN MEET WITH ANY DEPARTMENT HEAD OR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND GET THAT INFORMATION.
SO AGAIN, I HAVE TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THAT OPINION ON THIS ITEM.
I WILL NOT BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM.
I ACTUALLY THINK MOVIE VR IS A MODEL.
I THINK WE DO NEED A DEDICATED TAX JUSTICE.
MANY OF YOU HAVE MENTIONED AND MODERATELY BEHIND MOVIE BE ALL, WHICH HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS AS IT RELATES TO DEDICATED TAX AND RAISING THE MONEY FOR THIS ISSUE.
AND I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MANY OF YOU TO DEVELOP A PLAN, TO CREATE A DEDICATED TAX FOR OUR FLOODING AND DRYNESS ISSUES.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER MOKE.
UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO PUBLIC.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND EVERYTHING I'VE TALKED WITH.
UH, SEVERAL OF Y'ALL IN THE LIBRARY BOARDS, AND I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION THAT WE'VE HAD BACK AND FORTH.
UH, ALSO ON COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON'S, UH, UH, ADJUSTMENT AS FAR AS THE 0.5, APPRECIATE THAT.
AND AS FAR AS THE COMPROMISE AND DIFFERENT THINGS, I ALSO WANTED TO CLARIFY A FEW THINGS.
WE IN, I WASN'T NOT HERE, BUT IT WAS 86.
I ASSUME IT WAS THE COUNCIL THAT APPROVED THE REFERENDUM TO PUT ON THE BALLOT TO APPROVE A LIBRARY TAX.
AT THAT POINT, IT GOES BEFORE THE PUBLIC AND THE PUBLIC THEN DECIDED IF THEY WANTED TO PAY THAT TAX AND THAT LIBRARY TAX, THAT IS THE SAME CONDUIT THAT WE ARE ALLOWING RIGHT NOW.
AND THE REASON THAT CONDUIT IS HERE TO PUT BEFORE THE PEOPLE, IN MY OPINION, IS TO GIVE THEM THE OPTION.
THINGS CHANGE, CHANGE TIMES CHANGE OVER, UH, OVER DIFFERENT PERIODS.
THERE COMES DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.
THERE BECOMES DIFFERENT THINGS.
SOMEBODY MENTIONED BRECK A WHILE AGO.
WHY DIDN'T WE TAKE AWAY FROM BRECK OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? WELL, BRETT, FIRST OF ALL, IS A STATE CONTROL AGENCY.
AND, AND WE CAN'T CONTROL THAT JUST LIKE WITH THE BREAKAWAY EFFORT THAT THEY HAD A WHILE AGO.
[01:45:01]
IN THAT.I DID NOT, YOU KNOW, AGREE WITH THAT, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY DECISION IN THAT.
UM, AS THINGS CHANGED, THE PRIORITIES CHANGE, UH, EXAMPLE, I HAVE AN IT COMPANY.
I USED TO HAVE EIGHT, NINE EMPLOYEES THAT WOULD SIT THERE AND SOMEBODY WOULD CALL MY COMPANY AND THEY SAY, HEY, THIS COMPUTER'S BROKE.
I'D SEND THE PERSON OUT THERE.
THEY COME BACK AND THEY DO IT WELL NOW I'VE GOT THREE EMPLOYEES AND SOMEBODY CALLS IN AND WE SCROLL UP AND DOWN A COMPUTER REMOTE INTO THAT COMPUTER.
THAT'S WHAT HAS CHANGED AS FAR AS THE IT INDUSTRY, SAME WAY WITH THE LIBRARY SYSTEMS, MANY OTHER SYSTEMS, THE ADVOCATE, THE PAPER, THE DELIVERIES AND THINGS.
SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS GIVE THE VOTERS THE OPTION TO ADJUST THEIR PRIORITIES.
ONE THING I'VE HEARD MANY TIMES BEFORE, AND I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN IT AND LIVED IT AFTER 2016 IN THE SUBDIVISION THAT I LIVE IN.
RIGHT? AND IF THE PEOPLE KEEP FLOODING, AS WAS STATED, A WHILE AGO, THREE HISTORIC EVENTS, IF THE PEOPLE KEEP FLOODING, THERE'S NOT GONNA BE ANYBODY TO GO TO THE LIBRARY, THEY'RE GOING TO PACK THEIR STUFF UP AND THEY'RE GONNA MOVE OUT OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, OR IS IT GONNA MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE TO WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT? AND THEN THEY'LL GO TO THEIR LIBRARY SYSTEM.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM IN SUPPORTED THIS, AND I WILL BE VOTING TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.
BUT THE LAST THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP, EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT THIS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT'S COMING IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
YES, WE ARE GETTING MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THERE'S MONEY OUT THERE TO DO PROJECTS, UNDERSTAND THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE BEING FUNDED, AND ONCE THEY ARE FUNDED THE STATE OR THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS OR ANY OTHER AGENCIES THAT ARE COMING IN, THEY'RE GOING TO PACK THEIR BAGS AND THEY'RE GOING TO GO HOME AND THEY'LL GO SAY, GOOD LUCK.
EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, YOU NEED TO CONTINUALLY MAINTENANCE DEDICATE OR PUT MAINTENANCE TOWARD THIS TO KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
OR IT WILL BE BACK IN THE SAME SITUATION WHEN THE NEXT EVENT HAPPENS, HURRICANE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND WE'RE BACK OUT THERE WITH CLOGGED UP DITCHES AND DRAINS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
AND WE'RE STILL AT THE SAME $8 MILLION BUDGETED ITEM.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE PICKING ON CERTAIN THINGS.
I MEAN, I WOULD BE OPEN TO ADDING OTHER OPTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.
THIS WAS A WAY TO PUT IT BACK BEFORE THE PEOPLE, WITHOUT RAISING TAXES, WITHOUT CREATING NEW, UH, MAINTENANCE, MAKE NEW FEES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, AND GIVE THEM THE OPTION OF REDEDICATING THESE FUNDS.
AND I WOULD ASK THAT THE COUNCIL AT LEAST ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THIS DECISION.
AND THAT'S ALL WE'RE OFFERING FROM THIS VOTE TONIGHT IS ALLOWING THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THIS DECISION.
BEFORE WE GO TO COUNCIL NUMBER COLEMAN, WE DID HAVE SOME, UH, EMAIL COMMENTS WE NEGLECTED TO READ MY APOLOGIES.
WE'LL READ THOSE DOWN AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE HAD 17 COMMENTS EMAILED, UH, FOR THIS ITEM, UH, OPPOSITION.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN.
AS I SIT HERE AND, UH, AND GREG, ALL OF YOU ALL ARE HERE.
ANYTIME THAT DOOR OPEN, YOU'RE WELCOME TO BE HERE.
AND AS I SIT HERE AND I LISTEN, I'M REMINDED OF US ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL.
YOU ALL KNOW WHAT THAT MAY OR MAY BE.
AND SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TAKEN FROM MOSQUITOES AND WHEN THEY START BITING THEM, WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TAKING FROM THE LIBRARY AND THE VOICE OF THE VOTERS.
THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN, AND THAT'S SERIOUS TOO.
AND FOR ME, ESPECIALLY IN 10, BUT THROUGHOUT EBR HERE, WE SAT HERE.
AND WE WERE ALL IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE NEED, THE LITERACY.
AND THEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT HOW SO MANY CHILDREN, SO MANY PEOPLE CAN'T READ, BUT YET WE'RE SAYING CUT LITERACY.
AND THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE OF MINE WHEN THINGS DON'T CONNECT.
AND TODAY WE DO THIS AND TOMORROW WE DO THAT AND WE JUST VACILLATE.
AND SO THAT'S A CONCERN FOR ME WHEN MARIE CONSTANTINE REPORTED OUT EARLIER.
[01:50:01]
I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW MARIE, IF THEY ALL GOT IT, BUT I GOT IT.AND YOU MADE THAT CORRELATION, YOU MADE THAT CONNECTION AND YOU MADE THAT, WHICH NEED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THAT DRAINAGE, ALL THIS OTHER STUFF.
IF I'M MISSPEAKING, LET ME KNOW I'M ALL RIGHT, THEN BE CORRECTED.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, MAKING OUR WATERWAYS CLEANER AND HEALTHIER AND ALL OF THAT, BUT NOT ON THE BACKS OF, AND THE MOSQUITOES ARE ROLLING OVER THERE AND THEY'RE RIGHT.
CONCENTRATING THE MOSQUITOES OUT THERE.
SO YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE MONEY FROM THAT TO DO DRAINAGE AND THERE'S MONEY THAT'S THERE.
AND THEN WE HAVE FRED, THE NUMBER ONE DITCH MAN, WHO KNOWS HOW TO DO WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THE DOING.
AND SO HERE IT IS WHERE WE'RE PUTTING ONE GROUP AGAINST ANOTHER AND THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE FOR ME.
AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO BE RIGHT IN ALL THAT I DO.
AND IN ALL THAT I SAY, THAT'S ALL.
WHEN SHE TALKED ABOUT THE BOOM, THE LITTER CATCHING THAT WOULD HELP SOME OF THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE OF CONCERN HERE NOW.
AND THEN LET ME TELL YOU ALL SOMETHING THAT THIS DRAINING AND FLOODING, NO, THIS IS NOT JUST BIG, GONE OVER IN 10 DRAINING AND FLOODING BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME.
SO NOW WE WANT TO JUMP UP AND SNATCH SOMETHING FROM PETER, FOR PAUL, BECAUSE NOW IT'S HIDDEN IN SOME OTHER PLACES, UNACCEPTABLE, UNACCEPTABLE, UNACCEPTABLE, IN MY OPINION.
AND SO I, AND IF YOU DON'T REALIZE IT NOW, AND AS AN ACADEMICIAN, I WOULD NOT EVEN BE TRUE TO MYSELF TO SIT HERE AND SAY, CLOSE LOCK, TAKE MONEY, TAKE FROM LIBRARIES.
AND THEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE, THE VOICE OF THE VOTERS, THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.
AND SO YOU WANT TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT, YOU PUT THESE DITCHES, YOU PUT THIS FLOODING ON THE BALLOT AND LET THE PEOPLE VOTE FOR THAT, BUT THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.
SO I THINK I'LL KNOW HOW I'M VOTING.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER, COLEMAN COUNCIL MEMBER GREEN.
UM, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR COMING OUT TODAY.
UM, I ACTUALLY GOING TO START WHERE, UH, COUNCILWOMAN COLVIN LEFT OFF.
SHE, UM, TALKED ABOUT, UH, WELL, SHE LEFT OFF AND MENTIONED, UH, FRED RAFER, FRED, UH, RAYFORD HANDLES SOME OF OUR DRAINAGE ISSUES.
HE SENT OUT AN EMAIL TODAY THAT INDICATED THAT 21,021 MILLION, UM, IN DRAINAGE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN MOVING SINCE JUNE 23RD.
AND SO, UM, FRED, I ACTUALLY SENT THAT OUT TO MY DISTRICT TODAY IN AN EMAIL SO THAT THEY CAN SEE THAT THERE'S THERE'S PROGRESS HAPPENING FOR DRAINAGE.
I BRING, I BRING THAT UP BECAUSE, UM, DISTRICT FIVE IN 2016 REALLY, REALLY FLOODED.
AND SO I DON'T WANT MY DISTRICT TO THINK THAT I DON'T CARE ABOUT DRAINAGE, UM, AND DON'T CARE ABOUT HOW WE PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE.
BUT, UM, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MONEY, RIGHT? SO WHEN YOU DO A TEXT, YOU ARE COLLECTING, UM, A SHARE YOU'RE COLLECTING AND RECEIVING A SHARE, AND THE CITY IS COLLECTING AND RECEIVING A SHARE FROM THE TAX PAYERS.
UM, EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH RECEIVING ITS SHARE.
AND THAT'S THE SHARE THAT WANTS TO BE REDIRECTED, BUT, UM, BAKER AND ZACHARY IS A PART OF THAT, UM, MILLAGE THAT THE LIBRARY HAS, UM, IS RECEIVING AND COLLECTING AND CENTRAL.
AND SO WHEN WE CO WHEN WE COLLECT THAT, THAT SHARE WHAT IS HAPPENING IS, UM, WHEN YOU REDIRECT IT, YOU GONNA REDIRECT THAT BACK TO BAKER, ZACHARY AND CENTRAL, IN ADDITION TO EASTBOUND ROUGE, BAKER, ZACHARY, AND CENTRAL WILL BE THE GOVERNING BODY THAT DETERMINES TECHNICALLY WHERE THAT MONEY WILL GO, THAT'S COLLECTED.
WE TAKE THE MONEY RE WE REDIRECTED THE VOTERS OR WHOMEVER REDIRECTS IT.
AND IT AUTOMATICALLY GOES TO DRAINAGE.
THE HOPE IS THAT IT GOES TO DRAINAGE FOR EBR, BUT IT ACTUALLY WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF GOING TO BAKER, ZACHARY, AND CENTRAL AS WELL, FOR THEM TO
[01:55:01]
DETERMINE HOW THEY WILL USE THE DRAINAGE FUNDING, WHERE THE LIBRARY IS SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE ALL OF THAT MONEY.AND SO WHEN WE'RE THINKING ABOUT, AND YOU SAID IT RIGHT, UM, COUNCILMAN MO, WE'RE NOT RAISING TAXES, BUT THAT TAX COLLECTION HAS A PURPOSE WHEN YOU'RE SENDING IT OUT.
AND WHEN YOU'RE APPLYING THAT PURPOSE, YOU HAVE TO SEE IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO.
AND, AND, AND I, THAT'S WHERE I'M CONFUSED AT THAT'S WHERE I'M HAVING SOME UNCERTAINTY.
EVERYBODY KNOWS I'M A LITERACY ADVOCATE, AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO EVER CHANGE.
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT I, I SUPPORT THE LIBRARY.
UM, I ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT AN ADVOCATE FOR NOT HAVING A MOSQUITO ABATEMENT ISSUE AS MOSQUITO ISSUES IN OUR, IN OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL, BECAUSE I SEE THE TRUCK THAT GOES AROUND IN THE WORK THAT THEY DO IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
UM, BUT THE BUDGET THAT YOU SEE FROM THIS BOARD THAT COME THAT THE LIBRARY PRESENTS IS DEFINITELY, UM, ADDRESSING MORE THAN THIS YEAR.
IT LOOKS FORWARD TO ALL THE PROJECTS THAT THEY ANTICIPATE ON, UM, BRINGING.
AND SO, AGAIN, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MONEY, BUT LET'S BE CLEAR THAT THE DIRECTION THAT IT WILL GO IS NOT TOTALLY BEEN ADDRESSED IN THIS CONVERSATION AS WELL.
SO I'M, I'M, I'M OPPOSED TO IT I'M GONNA VOTE.
UM, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THAT WE'RE, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.
IF THE EMAIL THAT FRED RAYFORD SENT TODAY IS INDICATION THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, UH, WITH DRAINAGE AND WE HAVE FUNDING AND THAT WE ARE CLEARING 664 STORM DRAINS.
I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT PATH.
WE HAD TO MOVE IT QUICKER, BUT I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT PATH.
THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT.
THANK YOU FOR THE LIBRARY BOARD.
APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S, UH, COMMENTS AND, UM, AND EVERYBODY'S COMMENTS ON THIS.
UM, AND, UH, YOU KNOW, WE'VE RECEIVED A LOT OF EMAILS.
I KNOW, I HAVE, I'M SURE EVERYBODY ELSE HAS AS WELL.
UM, AND I'VE SEEN, UM, SOME MISINFORMATION.
UM, COURSE WE TRY TO RESPOND TO EVERYBODY AND SET, SET, SET THE RIGHT TONE.
UM, AND I THINK SOMEONE WHAT'S BEEN TOUCHED ON THIS EVENING IS IMPORTANT.
UM, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THINGS HAVE CHANGED WHEN, WHEN THE VOTERS PASSED THIS, LIKE WAS SAID, WE DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY HISTORIC FLOODS AS WE'VE SEEN SINCE.
AND I BELIEVE, UM, THIS APPROACH TO, UH, YOU KNOW, I KNOW I'VE HEARD IT EVEN BEING HERE IN THIS SEAT FOR SEVEN MONTHS.
AND, UH, AND, AND IN MY PREVIOUS ROLE, AND I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE HEARD IT TOO, THAT, UM, PREVENTING FLOODS AND, AND ADDRESSING DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE IS A PRIORITY.
WE HEAR ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME, AND THERE'S NO QUESTION IT'S A PRIORITY RIGHT NOW.
IT IS WHAT IS ON EVERYONE'S MIND.
IF YOU SHOW UP TO ANY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OR THE ZONING MEETINGS THAT THE COUNCIL HOLDS, YOU HEAR IT EVERY TIME SOMETHING COMES UP, WHEN PEOPLE COME UP TO OPPOSE, THEY BRING UP FLOODING.
EVEN IF IT'S NOT REALLY AN ISSUE IN THAT AREA, IT'S BROUGHT UP BECAUSE THERE'S A RECOGNITION THAT THERE ARE ADJACENT PROPERTIES TO NEW DEVELOPMENT.
WE ALL KNOW WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.
WE ARE STARTING TO ADDRESS IT.
WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS CONSTANTLY.
I KNOW I AM ON ADDRESSING SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.
SO THAT'S PART OF WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM IS WE FEEL, UM, OR AT LEAST I FEEL FROM MY CONSTITUENTS THAT, UH, THIS NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY.
THIS IS THEIR PRIORITY IS ADDRESSING DRAINAGE.
UM, THIS APPROACH IS TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE, THE, THE SHARP FALL ON FUNDING, ON DRAINAGE, MAINTENANCE, ONGOING MAINTENANCE THAT IS ONLY GOING TO CONTINUE TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES.
AND THAT'S WHAT I ACTUALLY LIKE ABOUT THIS APPROACH IS IT IS AN EFFORT TO DO THAT.
AND I UNDERSTAND IT CAN BE PAINFUL WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT DEALING WITH A BUDGET, SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID.
I THINK THE REASON YOU'RE SEEING THAT THOUGH, IS BECAUSE WE HAVE REALIZED THAT MAYBE PRIORITIES OF THE CONSTITUENTS HAVE CHANGED.
UM, MAYBE IT HASN'T, MAYBE WHEN THIS GETS BEFORE THEM, THEY SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'D PREFER TO JUST SEE ANOTHER TAX ON TOP, TAX US MORE FOR THE DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE.
WE DO WANT IT, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY AND THAT'S FINE, BUT I THINK THIS WARRANTS ENOUGH MERIT TO AT LEAST PUT IT BEFORE THE PEOPLE TO SEE.
AND I WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO, TO THE LIBRARY BOARD MAKING THEIR CASE, SHOULD THIS MOVE FORWARD? UM, I DO APPRECIATE A CONCESSION CUT IT IN HALF.
I THINK THAT'S, THAT'S A GOOD APPROACH.
[02:00:01]
SEE, UH, AN ANALYSIS ON THAT MOVING FORWARD AS WELL.UM, BUT I THINK IT AT LEAST WARRANTS A DISCUSSION AND IT HAS ENOUGH MERIT, UH, WHEN WE TRY TO RESOLVE ISSUES WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES, UM, THAT, UH, I THINK, I THINK IT WARRANTS ENOUGH MERIT TO PUT IT IN FRONT OF THE VOTERS AND, AND LET THEM HAVE A VOICE.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ROCCA.
SO I NEED, I THINK THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT WE RELY ON FACTS.
SO CAN WE HAVE FINANCE COME UP, PLEASE.
CAN WE HAVE FRED RAYFORD COME UP, PLEASE.
CAN WE HAVE SPENCER WATTS COME UP PLEASE? PRETTY QUICKLY.
CAUSE I HAVE SOME TIME THAT I HAVE TO GET THROUGH.
UM, FIRST ONE UP TO THE MIKE AND GETS THE QUESTIONS, MOVE IT.
ALL RIGHT, MR. RAYFORD, WE HAD SOME NUMBERS THROWN AROUND AND I LOVE LOOSE NUMBERS, BUT LET'S GET THOSE STRAIGHTENED OUT.
CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOUR BUDGET IS YEAR OVER YEAR AND WHAT THAT ENTAILS RIGHT NOW? MY BUDGET IS $13 MILLION, BUT THAT'S NOT JUST DRAINAGE.
THAT'S ALSO THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES THAT WE DEAL WITH, BUT TRAFFIC AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
AND WHAT DOES THAT ENCOMPASS EMPLOYEE PAY EMPLOYEE PAY? UH, ALSO PROVIDES EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE PERIODICALLY.
ALSO, THEY ARE IN A BENEFIT PACKAGE.
THAT'S ALSO INCLUDED IN THE SALARIES.
UH, VERY LITTLE, MY FUNDS ARE NECESSARILY SET ASIDE FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS.
WE NORMALLY TRY TO INCORPORATE THAT IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL REVENUES THAT ARE LEFT AND NORMALLY FINANCE WOULD HELP US, WE'LL TRY TO ADDRESS THAT.
AND I THINK I BEAT THIS POINT INTO THE GROUND, EVERY COUNCIL MEETING, BUT I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SAY IT ONE MORE TIME.
THE GARRET GRAVES MONEY THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE THAT MONEY'S GOING? ALL THE MONEY THAT WE'VE BEEN ALLOCATED ON EITHER HAZARD MITIGATION OR THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE DEALING WITH DRAINAGE AND ALSO THE WATERSHED INITIATIVE.
WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS IN THE PARISH TO MINIMIZE THE FLOOD RISK.
IT'S TAKING SOME TIME TO GET THROUGH THE PROCESS.
AND I'VE SAID IT MANY TIMES AT MANY MEETINGS, AND I ASSURE YOU I'VE BEEN TO A LOT OF MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THIS PARISH, BUT YOU KNOW, THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH TAKES TIME TO GET IT BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL DOLLARS.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S THE BIG ISSUE THAT I DEAL WITH.
AND PEOPLE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT TAKES SO LONG TO GET IT DONE.
YOU HAVE TWO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA TODAY THAT WE'RE APPROVING CONTRACTS.
ONE IS FOR HURRICANE CREEK AND THE OTHER ONE IS FOR THE WARDS CREEK PROJECT THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SINCE 2016, 17.
AND THEN WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE AS WELL, THE $20 MILLION THAT WE RECEIVED, THAT'S GOING FOR PAST DUE MAINTENANCE, CORRECT? YES.
MA'AM, IT'S MOSTLY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE KNOW THAT HAVEN'T BEEN ADDRESSED AND NOT AS CLEARING OUT SOME OF THE CHANNELS THAT ARE NOT PART OF THE, THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TRY TO GET IT BECAUSE WATER ALWAYS WORKS BETTER WHEN IT GOES DOWNHILL.
UH, CERTAINLY FOR NOW PERSPECTIVE WITH CLEANING, UH, NO STONE DRAINS, WHICH WE HAVE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AND BIGGEST ALSO AN ISSUE IS REPAIRING THE CAVE IN SOUNDS ON THE ROADSIDE TO ADDRESS THAT DRAINAGE, GETTING IT TO THE CANAL SO IT CAN ACTUALLY DRAIN OUT OF THE AREA.
I APPRECIATE YOU'RE REPEATING YOURSELF OVER AND OVER AGAIN EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT, BUT YOU'RE THE MAN.
UM, CAN I TALK TO YOU PLEASE? MA'AM MISS LINDA, CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME, HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS WITH REGARDS TO WHAT THESE TAXES LOOK LIKE AND WHAT THE DIFFERENT WOULD BE IF WE MOVED THE MILLAGES AROUND? YES, MA'AM UNDER THE CURRENT PROPOSAL, THE, UM, WITH THE ONE MALE AT THE LIBRARY, IT WOULD BE $4.6 MILLION IN NET COLLECTIONS FOR THE LIBRARY PORTION AND THE MOSQUITO AT A QUARTER OF A MILL WOULD BE 1 MILLION, 150,000.
AND CAN YOU TELL ME, WHAT HAVE YOU ANALYZED IF THERE ARE ANY ALTERNATIVE NUMBERS THAT WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY A LESS OF AN IMPACT ON THE LIBRARY AND THEIR BUDGET CURRENTLY, IS THERE A MIDDLE OF THE ROAD NUMBER? IS THERE A NUMBER THAT YOU MAKE A RECOMMENDATION OF? IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN TELL US? I DID WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LIBRARY AND LOOKED AT THEIR LONG RANGE PLANS, UM, AND, AND ANALYZE THEM WITH MY STAFF BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT WE WERE PROVIDED.
WE HAD A VERY HEALTHY DISCUSSION.
WE WENT BACK AND FORTH WITH ASSUMPTIONS.
PROJECTIONS ARE BASED ON ASSUMPTIONS.
AND I BELIEVE THAT, UM, AFTER ALL WAS SAID AND DONE THAT, THAT THEIR PLAN HAD REASONABLE ASSUMPTIONS IN IT.
YOU KNOW, ONE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU LOOK AT ARE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO IS A LARGE PART OF THAT.
[02:05:01]
DONE IN THE PAST IS THEY'VE USED PAY AS YOU GO FUNDING TO DO THEIR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, AS OPPOSED TO ISSUING DEBT.SO THEY HAVE TO BUILD UP RESERVES IN ORDER TO DO HAVE THE FUNDS IN PLACE TO DO THOSE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WHEN THEY GOT TO THAT POINT, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT AN ARCHITECT, SO WHAT THEY USE PER SQUARE FOOT TO DO THOSE IMPROVEMENTS, I JUST HAVE TO RELY THAT THOSE ASSUMPTIONS THAT, THAT, THAT THEY'VE USED ARE, ARE, ARE GOOD ASSUMPTIONS, BUT I DID LOOK AT IT AND I, AND I DO FEEL, I THINK THAT THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD NUMBER, I THINK THAT THERE WAS ONE DISCUSSED.
AND, UM, BUT I WILL, I REALLY WOULD PREFER TO DEFER TO MR. WATTS TO SAY WHAT HE THINKS THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
CAN I ASK YOU A FEW QUESTIONS? YES, MA'AM.
SO, UM, I MET WITH YOU AND YOUR TEAM, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAD AND THE PROJECTIONS THAT YOU GAVE ME.
UM, AND I MUST SAY WHILE YOU'RE STANDING THERE, I WALKED AROUND THE LIBRARY.
AND, UM, TO EVERYONE'S POINT, I SAW CHILDREN SITTING AT COMPUTERS DOING WORK IN THE SUMMERTIME, UH, HAVING ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. SO I COMMEND YOU ON THAT.
AND I THINK THAT THERE IS, UM, A NARRATIVE THAT IF WE TAKE MONEY FROM YOU GUYS, THAT THOSE PROGRAMS WOULD STOP, THAT THE LIBRARY WOULD STOP.
AND THERE'S ALSO A NARRATIVE THAT WE'RE TAKING MONEY FROM YOU.
UM, BUT ULTIMATELY WE'RE JUST MAKING A SUGGESTION THAT VOTERS GET TO VOTE ON.
WE'RE ONLY MAKING A SUGGESTION, IT'S UP TO THE PEOPLE OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH TO DECIDE EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT DONE.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'VE ALREADY VOTED.
PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY VOTED ON THAT BEFORE, BUT IF, IF YOU WERE IN A POSITION, UM, TO HAVE TO GIVE US A NUMBER OF WHAT THAT NUMBER WOULD LOOK LIKE, THAT WOULDN'T, UM, SEVERELY IMPACT YOUR PROGRAMS. DO YOU HAVE A NUMBER FOR US? WHAT THAT WOULD BE? IS IT 0.5? BECAUSE I HEARD THAT, BUT IS IT, I MEAN, WELL, THAT, THAT, WASN'T QUITE OUR ANALYSIS AND WE RAN SEVERAL PROJECTIONS AND TRIED TO LOOK AT A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
UH, OUR NUMBER WHERE WE THOUGHT THAT THE IMPACT WOULD, UM, IT WOULD BE, UM, WHERE THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY SEVERE IMPACT OR, AND THAT WE COULD MANAGE IT, ESPECIALLY OVER A NEW 10 YEAR CYCLE.
CAUSE THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.
WHAT'S GONNA NOT HAPPEN IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ESPECIALLY YEARS SEVEN THROUGH 10.
UM, THAT FIVE DIDN'T QUITE WORK FOR US BECAUSE ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE, UM, DEATHS THAT BEGAN TO SHOW UP NEAR THE END, WHICH MEANS THEN YOU HAVE TO CUT MORE SERVICES.
SO WITH A 0.5, INSTEAD OF LOSING WITH A 0.10, UH, PART OF OUR PLAN WOULD PROBABLY ENTAIL LOSING 55 TO 50 TO 65 POSITIONS, WHICH IS THE SIZE OF A, UM, A REGIONAL BRANCH STAFF AND HALF OF, UH, OF, UM, UH, COMMUNITY, UH, STAFF, UH, COMMUNITY LIBRARY STAFF, UH, THAT'D BE ROUGHLY HALF OF THAT.
WE WOULD PROBABLY LOSE A HALF TO LOSE ABOUT 20 TO 30 POSITIONS OVER TIME.
FULL-TIME MIXTURE OF FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME PROBABLY 25 FTES.
SO, BUT THAT IMPACT IS A LOT EASIER TO MANAGE.
UM, AND IT WOULDN'T BE QUITE AS BAD, BUT WE STILL FELT LIKE THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN, UM, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TO GIVE UP AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH.
AND IRONICALLY, WHEN THE NEW SOUTH BRANCH COMES ONLINE, WE BE ADDING ABOUT 21 NEW POSITIONS, ABOUT 15, 16 FTES.
AND THEN, AND WITH A HALF OF A MILLAGE POINT, ABOUT THREE YEARS LATER, WE'D HAVE TO START DEESCALATING MORE THAT THAT MANY POSITIONS OR MORE SO IT'S ALMOST HERE YOU GO UP AND GO DOWN.
SO, UM, OUR, OUR MAGIC NUMBER WAS KIND OF MORE, MORE AROUND 0.3 OR CERTAINLY NOT BE HUMP POINT.
AND I APPRECIATE YOU BEING CANDID ABOUT THAT AND GIVING US THAT NUMBER.
I, UM, IF I WERE TO VOTE ON THIS, I WOULD DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AT 0.3, COUNCIL MEMBER ROCK.
ARE YOU MAKING A SUBSTITUTE MOTION? THERE'S A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO AMEND 2.3.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION SECONDED BY MRL.
SO WE GO BACK TO THE COUNCIL MEMBER BACKS.
UM, I, I KEEP, I THINK WE SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT TO THAT.
WE BEGAN MESSING WITH PEOPLE'S VOTE.
WHEN SOMEONE GOES INTO A VOTING BOOTH AND THEY HIT THE LEVER FOR A 10 YEAR MEAL, THEY EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN.
[02:10:01]
ANY LARGE PURCHASE, WHENEVER YOU GO BUY A HOUSE OR A CAR IT'S BASED ON YOUR CURRENT AND FUTURE EARNINGS, YOU DON'T WANT OUR ANTICIPATE SOMEBODY COMING IN ONE DAY HALFWAY THROUGH AND FOUR, JUST BECAUSE OF WHATEVER THAT THEY TAKE YOUR INCOME.WE ALREADY HAVE A HARD TIME WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF VOTERS WHO SAY, OH, THEY'RE GOING TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO ANYWAY.
SO WHY VOTE? THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY.
I THINK MR. UM, UH, WHERE I TAPPED MY CONSTITUENT, I FORGOT HE LEFT.
HE DIDN'T, HE JUST SAID SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT THAT, THAT WE ARE APPROVING OUR TAIL MONEY, BUT YET WE ARE TAKING AWAY MONEY AND WE HAVE AN ITEL PROBABLY GOING TO BE COMING UP.
WE ALL YOU NANA, INCLUDING MYSELF, UNANIMOUS, MOOT, UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE LAST IDEA, HOW COULD WE TAKE MONEY FROM THIS? AND THEN WHEN THE NEXT EYE TABS COME UP, THEN WE BOTH FOR DRAINAGE IS A PROBLEM, BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM IN THE WORLD.
AND THIS IS NOT A NEW, IT'S NOT, THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS THAT HAVE EXISTED IN THIS AREA AND WE HAVE NOT CONSIDERED CHANGING OR MOVING TAXES.
WE'RE NOT TRYING THIS HASN'T BEEN BROUGHT UP AS IT RELATES TO CRIME TO INCREASE, UM, POLICE PAY.
WE'VE BEEN FOR 10 YEARS TRYING TO GET DPW, WHICH IS THE BACKBONE.
NOBODY IS TRY TO CHANGE THE TAXES SO WE COULD GIVE A LITTLE, UH, MINIMUM WAGE OR, I MEAN, A LIVING WAGE OF $15 AN HOUR.
UM, I KNOW IN MY JOB FOR 50 YEARS, WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, ISSUES.
NOBODY DECIDED TO CHANGE TO REDEDICATE TAXES, TO HANDLE THOSE THINGS.
UM, AND IT'S NOT FAIR THAT OF ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALL THE AGENCIES THAT ARE RELYING ON DEDICATED FUNDS, THAT WE CHERRY PICK TWO, THAT WE CHERRY PICK, UM, THE LIBRARY AND THE MOSQUITO.
WELL, WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER TWO? I WOULD HAVE AN ISSUE THAT I FEEL I WOULD FEEL PICKED ON IF YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE HOLISTIC AND I DO AGREE THAT WE NEED TO HOLISTICALLY LOOK AT OUR TAXES, BUT NOW WHERE YOU CHERRY PICK AND PICK, IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S RESEARCH-BASED ON EVERY AGENCY THAT RECEIVES A DEDICATED TAX.
THE OTHER THING IS, I DON'T THINK ANYONE ON THIS COUNCIL HAS THE, UM, THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE OF DEPTH NEWNESS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO, HOW THESE DEDICATED TAXES ARE BEING USED PER AGENCY.
YOU NEED TO EITHER BE AN ACTUARY AND IT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE FINANCED.
AND SINCE FINANCE IS THE PURSE, THE AGENCY OR THE DEPARTMENT, THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR FUNDING, I WOULD THINK THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE THE FIRST ONE WHO WOULD BE SAYING IN FINANCE, LOOK AT WHERE IT IS.
WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THE DEPARTMENTS, LOOK AT OUR TECH AND SEE WHERE WE COULD BE ABLE TO READ, DEDICATE FUNDS.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ANY OF OVER AS COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD HAVE THAT KIND OF ACTION.
AND SO WE HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES, MANY RACIST AND SYSTEMIC ISSUES.
IT IS MAN W OVERBUILT IN ONE PART AND NEGLECTED ANOTHER.
AND NOW YOU WANT TO TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE, MONEY, ALL OUR MONEY TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT YOU CAN'T CREATED.
IT MEANT IT IS NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED, UH, BECAUSE OF THE RAIN OR IT IS OUR CLIMATE CONTROL BECAUSE YOU'RE OVERBUILT IN ONE AREA YOU DEVELOPED IN ONE, IN ONE PARTICULAR PARISH, AND THEN YOU NEXTLY NEGLECTED.
YES, IT IS TRUE THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD THE PROPER MAINTENANCE, BUT THOSE THINGS DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN, BUT ALONE, BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HAVING FLOODING.
SO I, I THINK IS ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS AND WRONG TO EVEN CONSIDER CHANGING SOMETHING THAT THE PEOPLE VOTED ON.
WE'RE JUST GIVING THE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO VOTE, VOTE.
WHY AREN'T WE ARBITRARILY CHANGING THE VOTE THAT THEY MADE THE,
[02:15:01]
I DON'T SEE THE TAXPAYERS RUNNING AND SAYING, PLEASE RUNNING IN SAYING, UH, I WANT TO CHANGE MY VOTE.NO, THAT'S NOT COMING FROM THEM.
AND IT'S NOT FAIR TO THESE THINGS.
IT, AND IT'S NOT FAIR TO OUR TAXPAYERS, LET IT RUN ITS CYCLE.
AND IF THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO BRING BACK, BRING BACK.
BUT, BUT TO TAKE PEOPLE'S TRUST WITH THEM, CHOOSING A LEVER, AND THEN KNOWING THAT WE COULD JUST CHANGE.
AND HE DIDN'T LIKE THAT, THAT'S THAT THAT IS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.
AND AT SOME POINT THEN YOU DIDN'T GIVE ANY OF THESE AGENCIES A CHANCE TO COME UP WITH THEIR OWN PLAN.
YOU JUST WENT STRAIGHT TO TAKING THE MONEY.
THE FIRST THING YOU DO BUDGET ONE-ON-ONE IS WHAT CUTS CAN YOU MAKE? WHAT CAN YOU DO WORK WITH FOLKS FIRST THROUGH THAT? BUT IF WE TAKE THE MONEY TODAY FOR DRAINAGE, CAN I PUT A COUPLE ITEMS ON THERE TOMORROW TO PAY P DPW WORKERS? CAN I PUT SOMETHING ON THERE TO FUND THE BATON ROUGE, NORTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT? CAUSE THAT'S CAUSE IF YOU VOTE, YES, BUT IT'S TODAY, I'M PUTTING THAT, I'M INTRODUCING THAT NEXT WEEK AND I BETTER GET THE SAME BOAT.
I BETTER GET THE SAME BOAT BECAUSE I'M INTRODUCING NEXT WEEK THAT WE ARE TAKING, WE TAKE SOME MORE MONEY FROM SOME MORE AGENCIES AND FUN SO THAT WE CAN GET, HAVE MORE BUSINESSES IN ANOTHER PART OF PAYING MORE HOUSING IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PARIS, MORE SIDEWALKS OR INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS AND YOU DON'T VOTE FOR THAT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER, BANKS, COUNCIL MEMBER, HUDSON, UM, FRED, IF YOU WOULD COME UP AND THEN REGINAL, IF YOU WOULDN'T BE TOO FAR BEHIND, I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
FRED, WE ARE FINALLY GETTING CLOSE TO GETTING SOMEWHERE ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER DIVERSION CANAL.
UH, TELL ME, WHO'S GOT TO MAINTAIN THAT.
AND WHAT FUNDING SOURCES HAVE WE IDENTIFIED TO, UH, TO MAINTAIN THAT IT CURRENTLY, IT WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
AND, UH, THAT WAS PART OF THE AGREEMENT THAT WE EXECUTED ON THE, THE COMMENT DIVERSION PROJECT.
AND WE DO HAVE PROBABLY ABOUT $150,000 THAT WE'VE ALLOCATED FOR THAT AT THIS POINT.
BUT WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO NEED A LOT MORE FUNDING FOR THAT.
UM, BUT ONE MORE FRED, EXCUSE ME, FOR THE GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF THAT.
UM, THE MOVE BE OUR PLAN WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, HOW MUCH MONEY IN THE MOVIE, OUR PLAN WAS DEDICATED TO MAINTENANCE OF A BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AND REALITY.
NOT VERY MUCH, BUT I WILL JUST TELL YOU SOME OF THE PRODUCTS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT USING THERE CERTAINLY WILL LAST A LOT LONGER, BUT IN REALITY, THERE WERE NO PACIFIC DOLLARS SITTING THERE THAT SAID, HERE'S WHAT WE USE FOR MAINTENANCE COMING OUT OF THAT REVENUE.
I, I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO YOU ARE TONIGHT.
WE ALWAYS CALL UP FRED FOR EVERYTHING, RIGHT.
UH, BUT REGINAL IS IN FACT, OUR NEW, UH, MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR HERE IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
I WANT TO TELL YOU ORIGINAL, YOU ARE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB.
THE COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR OFFICE SINCE YOU HAD COME ON, UH, IS A THOUSAND PERCENT BETTER.
UH, SO I WANT TO JUST TELL YOU, YOU'RE DOING AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB AND THANK YOU.
UM, REGIONAL, WHAT IS YOUR ANNUAL BUDGET? TOTAL, TOTAL FOOT OF DEPARTMENT OF MAINTENANCE, WHICH IS LANDSCAPE STREETS AND DRAINAGE IS 21 MILLION.
AND THEN JUST FOR DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE, WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT? 8 MILLION, 8 MILLION.
SO YOU'VE GOT $8 MILLION TO FUND THE MAINTENANCE OF DRAINAGE FOR THE ENTIRE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH 440 SOME ODD THOUSAND PEOPLE, RIGHT? YES.
OUTSIDE OF THIS PROPOSAL, DO YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING THAT'S BEEN PROPOSED THAT WOULD INCREASE YOUR BUDGET OR, OR MAKE YOU ABLE TO CLEAR YOUR THREE-YEAR BACKLOG? ANYTHING LIKE THAT? NOTHING'S BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION OUTSIDE OF THE WORK MR. RAYFORD GROUP IS DOING THAT IS HELPING GET HELP US CATCH UP ON SOME OF THE BACKLOG.
A COUPLE OF THINGS I DO WANT TO ADDRESS, UH, IT WAS MENTIONED THE ISSUE WITH BAKER'S AKRON CENTRAL.
UH, YOU WILL SEE IN YOUR BALLOT LANGUAGE THAT WE DO ADDRESS THAT, UH,
[02:20:01]
BAKER'S ZACHARY AND CENTRAL HANDLE THEIR OWN DRAINAGE.UH, AND SO THERE'S PROVISION WITHIN THE BALLOT LANGUAGE TO SEND A, TO DO A REBATE, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DO WITH THE, UH, THE ROAD TAXES, UH, TO SEND THOSE DOLLARS BACK TO THOSE MUNICIPALITIES, TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR, UH, DRAINAGE ISSUES AS WELL.
UH, ALSO I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THIS ITEM IS DEDICATED STRICTLY TO THE FUNCTION OF DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE, UH, FOR SOMEONE TO SAY THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO WITH IT, YOU DIDN'T READ THE ITEM, IT'S GOING TO BE DEDICATED STRICTLY TO THE FUNCTION OF DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE.
IT WILL BE USED BY ORIGINALS DEPARTMENT OR IS MAINTENANCE, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.
UM, AND I'VE BEEN TO THE LIBRARY.
AND SO THEY OF COURSE HELPED EDUCATE ME A LITTLE BIT AS A YOUNGSTER.
UH, AND, UH, I KNOW HOW TO COUNT TO SEVEN.
SO, UH, WHAT I WILL DO IS, UH, GO AHEAD AND ASK THAT WE VOTE AND, UM, I WILL GET BEHIND THE 0.3 MILL AND I HAVE A LITTLE LITTLE CARD THAT I'VE STUCK UP HERE SINCE ALL THE FUN THAT WE HAD AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS TERM.
UH, AND IT'S A VERSE FROM EPHESIANS AND IT SAYS MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH THE BOND OF PEACE.
UH, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY THINK THAT ONE MIL IS THE APPROPRIATE, UH, REDUCTION.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY THINK THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO FUND THE, UH, GREAT PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM TO THE TUNE OF IT BEING ONE OF THE BEST FUNDED IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, EVEN WITH A ONE MILL REDUCTION.
UH, BUT I WANT TO WORK WITH ALL YOU GUYS.
I WANT TO WORK WITH THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.
I WANT TO WORK WITH MOSQUITO ABATEMENT, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING ISSUES.
UH, WHEN WE PASS, IF, IF, AND WHEN WE DO PASS THIS TONIGHT, I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE'VE GOTTA BE HONEST WITH YOU.
EVEN IF THIS PASSES AT THE BALLOT, WE STILL WON'T HAVE A FULLY FUNDED DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT WILL BE DRASTICALLY UNDERFUNDED.
IF YOU'RE SITTING UP HERE IN ONE OF THESE SEATS, OR IF YOU'RE SITTING ACROSS THE HALL IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, YOU'VE GOT AN OBLIGATION TO FIX THIS ISSUE.
WE LITERALLY HAVE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THIS PARISH THAT HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TIMES NOW, UH, TO GO IN, PULL OUT THE SHEET ROCK, TOTALLY DISRUPT THEIR LIVES, LOSE THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES.
WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING LEADERS GOT TO LEAD.
SO THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, UH, BEFORE WE VOTE WITH OUR TWO ITEMS ON THE FLOOR, WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION FIRST, WHICH IS 4.3 MEALS.
AND THEN IF IT DOES NOT PASS, WE'LL VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
I JUST WANT TO SAY AT THE BEGINNING OF THESE CONVERSATIONS, I WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL PARTIES, UH, WERE WORKING IN CONCERT IN AN EFFORT TO, UH, FIGURE OUT A PLAN TO ADDRESS TRAININGS AND THAT THE LIBRARY WAS ON BOARD TO DO SO.
UH, IT WAS ALSO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE MAJORITY OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THIS COUNCIL WAS AS WELL ON WHAT TO DO.
SO, AND MY CONVERSATIONS TODAY, UH, WITH MEMBERS OF THE LIBRARY BOARD, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU ALL DO NOT SUPPORT A MILLAGE AT ALL.
NOW, WHAT I WANT TO STATE FOR THE RECORD IS VERY SIMPLE.
UH, FIRST AND FOREMOST, LET ME THANK ALL OF YOU.
WHO'VE COME HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
UH, THIS IS THE WAY, UH, WE SHOULD TRULY ENGAGE IN PUBLIC DISCOURSE AROUND ITEMS THAT ARE POLARIZING IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY ARE.
UH, SO I SINCERELY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU FOR COMING.
AND THEN I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, FOR ENGAGING IN SUCH CONVERSATION.
UH, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TONIGHT, HOWEVER, IS THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS ONE MEAL, AND THEN THERE WAS A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO FIVE, AND THEN THERE WAS ANOTHER MOTION TO THREE.
AND IT SEEMS AS IF THOUGH, UH, IF WE VOTE TONIGHT ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, IT IS AN EFFORT TO JUST HAVE A WIN.
AND I PERSONALLY CANNOT SUPPORT A MOTION THAT HAS BEEN ALTERED FROM THE FLOOR SO MANY DIFFERENT TIMES.
UH, THIS EVENING WHEN MY UNDERSTANDING AT THE BEGINNING IS THAT WE WERE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO.
SO I'M GOING TO ASK FOR THE RECORD WITH THE PRESIDENT OF LIBRARY, BOY, COME UP.
SO I CAN ASK YOU A VERY DIRECT QUESTION, UH, FOR THE RECORD, BECAUSE I WANT TO KNOW FROM YOU AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD AND YOU ALL VOTE, WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON A MILLAGE OF, UH, FOR, FOR, FOR US TO VOTE, TO SEND THE MILLERS TO THE VOTERS, TO TAKE MONEY FROM THE LIBRARY, WE OPPOSED TO ANY REDUCTION IN THE CURRENT MILLAGE AND WISH IT WOULD STAY IN UNTIL 2025.
SO WHAT YOU SAID WITH THAT, BEING THE CASE, UH, WE GONNA TO VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION FOR 0.3 MEALS FOR VOTING ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION IS THE INTERNET BACKUP.
WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, 4.3 MEALS, AND WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO TAKE THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
[02:25:01]
SO PLEASE OPEN THE MACHINES.THAT'S WHAT I WANT BOTTOM OF THE MACHINE.
WHEREAS THE MACHINES ARE ABOUT TO BE OPEN, TO VOTE ON 0.3 MEALS, THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION FOR THREE MEALS, MOTION FAILS FOR LACK OF SEVEN VOTES.
WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
AT THIS TIME, THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS TO SUPPORT 5.5 MILS.
THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS TO SUPPORT 0.5 MEALS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MACHINES ARE OPEN.
DO YOU HAVE ROOTS IN EMOTION HAS FAILED FOR LACK OF SUPPORT OF SEVEN COUNCIL MEMBER CLEAVE.
DUNN DID HAVE A CO DID YOU, DID YOU WANT TO ASK THAT QUESTION NOW? CAN YOU I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO DELETE, SO I MAKE A MOTION TO DELETE DESIGNER.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DELETE THE ITEM AFTER WE'VE ALREADY VOTED ON IT AND IT'S FAILED.
SO I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THERE COURTNEY, UH, ANDY GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, MAYOR PRO TEM THAT, UH, THE MOTION TO DELETE WHAT HAVE HAD TO HAVE PUT FORWARD PRIOR TO THE COUNCIL VOTING ON, ON THE ITEM.
AND SO NOW IT HAS THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE MOVE ON NOW AT COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THOSE OF YOU MOVE ON NOW TO COUNCIL.
I'M GOING TO ITEM 1 31 AND YOUR RESOLUTION, THE ORDERING AND CALLING AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD.
AND IT'S SANDY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN OF THE PARIS OF EAST BATON ROUGE.
[130. 21-00887 ]
EXCUSE ME.ITEM ONE 30 ITEM ONE 30 A RESOLUTION.
AND WE'RE GOING TO CALL HIM A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HAVING THE PARIS OF THESE BANNERS, STATE OF LOUISIANA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, 2021, TO AUTHORIZE THE PARENTS TO EXTEND THE LEVEL OF A SPECIAL TAX CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED SOME 11 ANNUALLY AND INCLUDING YOUR 2020 BUREAU MOSQUITO ROAD AND CONTROL PURPOSES UPON THE PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION WITHIN THE PEREZ COUNTY, NEVER THE AMOUNT OF 1.6 MEALS FOR ANY ADDITIONAL EIGHT YEARS CAN MESS IN THE YEAR 2024.
IF THE END OF THE YEAR 2031 AND A HALF FOR WE DEDICATE THE TAX SO THAT THE PROCEEDS COLLECTED 0.81 MEALS OF THE TAX WOULD BE TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN AND OPERATE MACHINERY FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT AND NECESSARY, AND USE THE, TO ERADICATE A BAIT AND CONTROL MOSQUITOES, RODENTS, AND ARTHROPODS AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE IN THE PARIS TITLE, WHICH SHALL BE IN THE PUBLIC AND PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT TO STAFF.
THE PROCEEDS COLLECTED FROM 0.2, FIVE MEALS AND ATTACHED SHALL BE USED TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO MAINTAIN CONSTRUCT AND IMPROVE.
PROPORTIONATE COLLECTIONS WITHIN THE PARIS AND THE CITIES BATTERY WAS BAKER ZACK.
WHEN CENTRAL MAKING APPLICATIONS TO LOUISIANA STATE BANCA MUST INVITED NOTICE THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ADOPTING THE RESOLUTION AND THE METROPOLITAN CALCIUM BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE, JULY 28TH, 2021 AT 4:00 PM AT THE REGULAR MEETING PLACE UP THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.
THIRD FLOOR OF CITY HALL ROOM 3 48, 2 2 2 7 LEWIS STREET.
BATTERIES WILL BE THE ANA AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION DEALT WITH BY COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE WHITE HUSSON AND THE CHAIR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS ITEM HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO BE DELETED.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS ITEM HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO BE DELETED, BUT IT IS AN ITEM.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? IS THERE ANYONE HERE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE SIDE OF THEM? MY NAME IS RODERICK WELLS.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE, UH, EAST BATON ROUGE, PARISH, MOSQUITO BATEMAN, AND RODIN CONTROL.
AND, UH, I AGREE THAT IT SHOULD BE DELETED.
UM, WE HAVE A NEW DIRECTOR IS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO ME THERE.
HE'S STILL GETTING HIS FEET WET ON WHAT GOES ON AND HOW WE DO THINGS.
UM, FOR US DEDICATED FUNDS, RE DEDICATED RE DEDICATED FUNDS DEDICATED DOESN'T WORK EITHER WAY.
YOU SAY SO, AS FAR AS WE'RE CONCERNED, IT'S A BREACH OF TRUST.
IT'S A BREACH OF TRUST TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY VOTED FOR THE MOSQUITO CONTROL STARTED IN 1979.
AND EVERY TIME A 10 YEAR RENEWAL CAME UP, WE ALWAYS GOT FAVORABLE RESULTS, USUALLY IN THE 70%.
SO WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT TO TAKE FUNDING FROM US TO FUND SOMETHING
[02:30:01]
ELSE IS JUST A BREACH OF TRUST TO THE CITIZENS.YES, WE HAVE A HEALTHY FUND BALANCE.
WE'VE ALWAYS DONE THAT IN THE BEGINNING.
OUR FRONT BALANCE WAS, UH, SAVED.
SO, AND ONE OF THOSE 10 YEAR PERIODS WHEN WE WERE BACK TO THE, UH, THE, THE, THE, THE CITIZENS AND THEY CHOSE NOT TO REDO US, WE'D BE ABLE TO OPERATE ONE YEAR WITHOUT ANY FUNDING, BUT THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED.
SO THAT ALWAYS HAS BEEN IN OUR FUND BALANCE.
WE ALSO USE OUR FUND BALANCE TO BUY EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED AS MOSQUITO CONTROL AND RODENT CONTROL HAS CHANGED IN THE EIGHTIES.
WE THOUGHT A GOOD IDEA WAS TO UTILIZE MOSQUITO TRUCKS THAT WERE THE SMALL S TENS.
THERE'S NOT BETTER GAS MILEAGE.
THE TRUCKS COULDN'T HOLD UP BECAUSE OF THE SPRAY SYSTEM ON THE BACK OF THE TRUCK, PUT MORE WEIGHT ON IT, SLOWED IT DOWN AND DIDN'T GET THE GAS MILEAGE.
SO WE HAD TO USE WITHIN OUR FUND BALANCE TO TRANSITION THOSE SMALL ASS TENS TO FULL-SIZE TRUCKS, WHICH IS WHAT WE USE NOW, BACK THEN, WE ALSO, THE DRIVERS WHO HAVE TO BE TRAINED TO SPRAY AT NIGHT, THEY HAD TO GET OUT OF THE TRUCK, STOCK THE MACHINE FROM THE OUTSIDE, AND THEN GET BACK IN THE TRUCK.
NOW WE HAVE THE SYSTEM WHERE THEY CAN START THE MACHINE FROM INSIDE THE TRUCK.
WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT US TO SPRAY THEY'LL COME IN AND SIT, SIGN UP AND GIVE US THEIR NAME AND THEIR ADDRESS.
SOME OF THEM LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BLOCK, BUT NOW WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY, THE DRIVER CAN DRIVE DOWN THE STREET, COME TO THAT ADDRESS, SHUT OFF THE MACHINE.
ONCE HE PASSES THE MACHINE, HE CAN TURN THE SYSTEM BACK ON WITHOUT HAVING TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE TRUCK WITH RODIN CONTROL.
WE USED TO GIVE OUT I'M SURE ANYBODY'S KNOWS THE LITTLE BAGS WERE USED TO GIVE UP TIME.
ALL RIGHT, WE'RE AGAINST IT, SIR.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE 30, ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE 30.
HI, CALLING KISSELL 10 24 MONTEREY BOULEVARD.
UM, I SUPPORT THE, UH, THE MOTION TO DELETE THIS ITEM OR TWO, IF THAT FAILS TO, UM, VOTE OPPOSED TO IT.
UM, JUST A SHORT ONE ON THIS ONE, I BROUGHT IN THE PAPER FROM, UH, LAST THURSDAY.
I'M JUST GONNA READ TWO QUOTES TO YOU.
UM, MOSQUITO KILLING CREWS ARE WORKING 10 HOUR DAYS DURING THE WEEK AND EIGHT HOURS ON SATURDAY TO BEAT BACK THE BLOODSUCKERS ACCORDING TO RE, UH RASHARD AND THEN ANOTHER ONE TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE.
SEVERAL MOSQUITOES CARRYING THE WEST NILE VIRUS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN TRAPS IN THE RECENT WEEK.
THAT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A DUMP APARTMENT.
WE WANT TO TAKE MONEY OUT OF TO PUT IT IN SOMETHING ELSE, MOSQUITOES AND DRAINAGE KIND OF GO HAND IN HAND THE DRAINAGE WATER EQUALS MOSQUITOES.
SO LET'S FIND OTHER MONEY WITH A DIFFERENT DEDICATED TAX FOR DRAINAGE AND KEEP THE MONEY IN MOSQUITOES WHERE IT SHOULD BE.
EXCUSE ME FOR NOT STAYING FOR COMMENTS ON THIS ONE.
I'M GOING TO TAKE MY KIDS TO DINNER.
JORDANNA MA'AM ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE 30.
ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE THIRD, A COUNCIL MEMBER DONE MOTION TO DELETE THE MOTION TO DELETE ITEM ONE 30 AND A SECOND.
WE DO HAVE SOME EMAIL COMMENTS, EMAIL COMMENTS.
YES, WE HAD, WE HAD 11 COMMENTS EMAILED IN ALL WERE AN OPPOSITION.
THERE HAS BEEN A MOTION TO DELETE THERE.
HASN'T BEEN A MOTION TO DELETE THE ITEM SECONDED BY THE CHAIR.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION TO THAT ITEM? I DIDN'T KNOW IF ANYONE WANTS TO SPEAK AND IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION TO THE ITEM
[131. 21-00891 ]
WE'LL MOVE ON NOW TO ITEM 1 31 OR RESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SHANI BUREAU, FIRE PROTECTION, DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN OF THE PARIS OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, THE DISTRICT ON NOVEMBER 13TH, 2021 FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING RENEWAL OF 11 AND COLLECTION 10 MILLION AD VALOREM TAX FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS TO BE USED BY THE DISTRICT TO ACQUIRE CONSTRUCT, IMPROVE, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES FOR THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING THE PURCHASE OF FIRE TRUCKS AND OTHER FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT, AND TO PAY THE COST OF OBTAINING WATER AND FIRE PROTECTION PURPOSES, INCLUDING THE HEIGHT AND REYNOLDS AND SERVE MAKING APPLICATION LOUISIANA STATE BACH, AND MS. MUMBAI NOTICED THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE ADOPTION, THE RESOLUTION OF THE METROPOLITAN CON ACT AND THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY IN YOUR DISTRICT SHALL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, JULY 28TH, 2021, 4:00 PM AT THE REGULAR SCHEDULE PLACED AT THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.THIRD FLOOR OF CITY HALL AT 3 48, 2 TO TWO ST.
LOUIS STREET BOUNDARIES, THE LOUISIANA, AND PROVIDING OTHER MATTERS AND CONNECTION THERE WITH THE BOND COUNCIL
[02:35:01]
AS PUBLIC HEARING.AND WHEN YOU SPEAK ON ITEM 1 31, AND WE HAD TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 31 COUNCIL MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION COUNCILMAN MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER? NO SECOND BY THE CHAIR,
[132. 21-00870 ]
WE MOVED TO ITEM 1 32, A RESOLUTION APPROVING.I HAVE A PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES TO SHERIFF.
A POINT COULD BE PERISHING AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE CURRENT PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT RESPECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CAPITA FINANCE AUTHORITY AND VENTURE SOLAR FROM ONE BY MAYOR'S OFFICE.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 32, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 32.
UH, WE GO BACK TO THE COUNCIL MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER, DONE MOTION TO APPROVE BY DONE SECONDED BY THE CHAIR.
[133. 21-00861 ]
WE GO TO ITEM 1 33 HAS BEEN REQUESTED THE FURTHEST ITEM AMENDING THE CITY PARISH ORDINANCE 1 7 1 9 4 ADOPTED NOVEMBER 26, 29.PARTICULARLY IT LOOKS OF EXCEPTIONS TO THE REQUIRED PARKING FEE, INCLUDING THE STUDENT WORK AND THE STUDENT INTERNS, JUROR ASSUMPTIONS, DISTRICT COURT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL SUBPOENAED BY COURT APPEARANCES TO ADD AN EXEMPTIONS TO THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEMBERS TO LEGISLATE THE BASE FROM THE REQUIRED MONTHLY PARKING FEE BY COUNCIL MEMBER, PLEASE DONE.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 33? IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 33 BACK TO THE COUNCIL COUNCIL MEMBERS? REMEMBER I AGREED TO WAIT TO HEAR FROM THE OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS REFER FOR 30 DAYS AS I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HIM YET.
SO IS THAT A MOTION TO DEFER THE MOST TO DEFER FOR 30 DAYS SECONDED BY COUNCILOR NUMBER? NO, WE MOVE ON TO COUNT TWO ITEM 1 35, 1 34.
[134. 21-00869 ]
I'M MOVING AHEAD OF MYSELF.I'VE MET IN A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BENDERS AND THE ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER BATON ROUGE TO ADDRESS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHARGES FOR UTILITIES INCURRED BY OR USE AT THE CURRENT PREMISES OF TRIANGLE BUILDING LOCATED AT 2 33 ST.
FERDINAND STREET BY COUNCIL MEMBER, CAROLYN COLEMAN, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 34.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 34? THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
UM, MY NAME IS MONIQUE SCOTT SPALDING.
I'M CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF THE ARTS COUNCIL.
MY ADDRESS IS 37 52 PLATT DRIVE AND BADGE AND ROUGE FIRST AND FOREMOST, I'D LIKE TO SAY THANKS TO, UM, MAYOR, PRESIDENT SHARON BROOM AND HER STAFF, THANKS TO COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN AND HER STAFF.
AND THANKS TO MR.
THIS AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED IN 2017.
IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY AND MISTAKENLY, THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR UTILITIES WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGREEMENT.
THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY'VE LISTED IT IN THE AMENDED AGREEMENT.
THAT CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR UTILITIES.
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THIS MEANS TO US.
THE BOARD HAS CHAIRED THE BOARD.
I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR ABOUT SIX, TWO YEARS, AND WE HAVE ALWAYS OPERATED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS WILL BE A LIKE, LIKE AGREEMENT.
WE'VE HAD A 47 YEAR AGREEMENT WITH CITY PARISH IN THE OLD BUILDING.
THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING US TO MOVE TO THE TRIANGLE BUILDING.
THE RENOVATIONS HAVE BEEN DONE.
AND WE ARE UNDER, WE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE AGREEMENT WAS THE SAME IN THE BUILDING, MEANING THAT CITY PARISH WOULD TAKE CARE OF UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCE.
AND SO THAT'S HOW WE'VE OPERATED.
THAT'S HOW WE PLANNED OUR BUDGET.
THAT'S HOW WE PLANNED OUR PROGRAMMING.
NO, THE ARTS COUNCIL AND YOU KNOW, THE WORK THAT WE DO, WE FOCUS ON ARTISTS.
WE FOCUS ON ART ORGANIZATIONS AND ART EDUCATION COMMUNITY.
WHEN WE FOCUS ON OUR ARTISTS, WE ARE WORKING WITH ENTREPRENEURS.
WE ARE WORKING WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE ARE SUPPORTING INCREASING THE TAX SPACE IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE CAN ONLY DO THAT IF WE ARE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE WITH THE LIKE, LIKE AGREEMENT AND NOT HAVE THE UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCE OF THE NEW BUILDING THAT HAS BEEN REFURBISHED TO IMPACT OUR BUCK TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR BUDGET.
THE OTHER THING I WILL SAY IS WHEN WE WORK WITH ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, WE WORK IN AN 11 PARISH REGION AND THOSE ORGANIZATIONS RELY ON US TOO HELP WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF ARTS IN THEIR COMMUNITY ARTS EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOLS, YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL'S BUDGETS HAVE BEEN IMPACTED AND ART AND MUSIC.
WAS IT THE FIRST THING TO GO IN THE SCHOOLS? AND SO ARTISTS IN OUR COMMUNITY PROVIDERS THAT EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS, IT FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT HAS STILL, YOU KNOW, MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR BUDGET HAS BEEN IMPACTED.
WE'RE SUPPORTED BY, UM, DONATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS AND OUR MEMBERSHIPS HAVE DECREASED OVER 20% AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE IMPACT POST COVID
[02:40:01]
WOULD BE, BUT THE EXPECTATION IS THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.SO WHAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TODAY IS TO APPROVE IT, THIS AMENDMENT TO ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE ARTS COUNCIL FOR THE BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 34, GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
RENEE CHAPDELAINE, I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER BATON ROUGE.
UM, MY ADDRESS IS 1 6 0 2 6 HIGHLAND BLUFF COURT.
UM, UH, IT IS MY HONOR TO SPEAK HERE TODAY AND ALSO TO, UM, TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS NEW BUILDING, THAT CITY PARISH OWNED WAS RENOVATED ENTIRELY WITH PRIVATE FUNDING.
UM, WE WANTED TO HAVE, UM, OUR COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER AND INVEST IN A SPACE THAT WOULD PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE WORKSPACE FOR ARTISTS TO WORK.
WE WANT THEM TO STAY IN THIS COMMUNITY AND DRIVE OUR ECONOMY AND, UM, ALSO TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR THEM TO DO MASTERCLASSES AND CREATE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MONIQUE SPOKE ABOUT.
UM, WE HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MAYOR PRESIDENT WITH, UM, DPW WITH ALL OF THE ENTITIES AND IT WAS JUST REALLY AN OVERSIGHT, BE A ORIGINAL AGREEMENT WHEN WE WERE AT FOUR TO SEVEN LAUREL STREET WAS TO ALLOW THE FIREMAN TO TAKE THAT SPACE SO THAT THEY COULD CREATE A FIRE MUSEUM AND THEN TO HAVE US MOVE INTO AN ALTERNATIVE SPACE, MAKING SURE THAT WAS A LIKELIKE ARRANGEMENT.
AND SO WE JUST ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THIS AMENDMENT SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT GOOD WORK AND WE, WE CAN, UM, WE CAN AFFORD TO DO SO.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 34 THAT YOU BACK TO THE COUNCIL? IS THERE A MOTION MOTION BY COUNCIL? I HAVE A QUESTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER DID THE LADY THAT WAS JUST SPEAKING WAS ABOVE THE FIRE STATION OVER ON LAUREL.
WHAT'S BEING DONE WITH THAT SPACE OR IS IT JUST, IT WAS GIVEN TO THE FIREMAN TO THEY DESIRE TO HAVE A FIRE MUSEUM.
THE LOWER FLOOR WAS, I DIDN'T KNOW, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE BOTH FLOORS NOW.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE, ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER? I DON'T SEE ANYONE SHOWING.
IS THERE A MOTION MOTION TO APPROVE BY MOLT SECONDED BY COLEMAN? WE MOVED
[135. 21-00890 ]
DOWN ITEM 1 35 AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESENT EXECUTED COOPERATIVE AND DEVIN GREEN BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARIS IN EAST BATON ROUGE AND THE FLORIDA BOULEVARD, ECONOMIC DISTRICT.NUMBER ONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING THE NAMA.
DEVILMENT IN THE FLORIDA BOULEVARD, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, AND PROVIDING RELATED MATTER BY MAYOR, PRESIDENT SHARON, WESTERN BROOM AND COUNCIL MEMBER CLEAN, DONE.
UH, THIS ITEM HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO BE DEFERRED, BUT IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THE IDLE BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBER DUNN WAS YOUR PLEASURE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THE DIFFERENT IS ITEM FOR TWO WEEKS.
THERE'S SOME, UM, LANGUAGE THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CARPET ENDEAVOR.
WE ATTENDED THE INCLUDED FROM THE FLOOR, BUT WE THEN FOUND BY THE PAST ATTORNEY THAT IT'S A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE AND WE NEEDED TO BE NOTICED PROPERLY.
SO LINDA FOR HER FOR TWO WEEKS AND BRING IT BACK MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
IS THERE A SECOND MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS SETTING BY THE CHAIR? UH, WE DO HAVE SOME EMAIL COMMENTS.
SO WE DID HAVE ONE EMAIL COMMENT ON THE SIDE.
WE NOW MOVE, UH, MOST OF THE FIRST AND THE OPPOSITION MOTION CARRIES.
[136. 21-00902 ]
MOVE TO ITEM 1 36 AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT IN THE MATTER ENTITLED JERRY WASHINGTON AT ALL STATE OF LOUISIANA AND THE AMOUNT OF 125,000 PLUS COURT COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $466 AND 50% FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $125,466 AND 50 CENTS IN APPROPRIATE AND LEARNING $25,466 AND 57 FOR SUCH PURPOSE.THIS MATTER MAY BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 36.
WE NOW GO TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER.
[137. 21-00855 ]
GO TO ITEM 1 37 WAS SENDING IN DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURT TO COUNCIL.THE DECISION ORDER RECORDED ON MAY 19TH, 2021 AND A MATTER OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS EARLY IN ELOISE SLE 3, 2, 2 60 BATHOLITH STREET HOUSE IN THE SHEER REAL SHED WE'RE LOSING FOR RESCISSION.
THE HOMEOWNER INTENDS TO ACQUIRE A PERMIT TO REPAIR, TO COMPLIANCE AND RENT THE HOME BY COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 37, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 37 BACK TO COUNCIL.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE MOTION TO APPROVE BY GREEN SECOND AND BY ROCCO,
[138. 21-00856 ]
WE NOW GO TO ITEM 1 38.I'M IN THE TITLE 13 CRIMINAL LAW SECTION 13 1 0 1 9.
SO AS TO ADD SUBSECTION D THE POSSESSION OR SALE OF RAPID FENTANYL TEST STRIPS AS AN EXCEPTION BY THE CHAIR, IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 38? IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 38? UH, WE COME NOW
[02:45:01]
BACK TO THE COUNCIL MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE CHAIR IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DUNN, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER GREEN, JUST, UH, JUST REAL BRIEFLY, I THINK.UM, THAT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU DID THAT TODAY.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR DECLARED TODAY, UM, OPIOD AWARENESS DAY.
YES, I W I WAS AWARE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER GRAY.
I BEEN GOING TO LIKE ALL THE FANFARE.
UH, YOU JUST WANT TO TRY TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.
UH, THERE'S BEEN A MOTION TO APPROVE, BUT YOU'RE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DUNN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION MOTION CARRIES? WE MOVE NOW TO ITEM
[139. 21-00817 ]
1 39, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ASK YOU TO FILE AN APPLICATION.WE THEN HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSION FOR A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $83,556 TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ALCOHOL REPRESENT CONTROL AND THE JUVENILE UNDERAGE DRINKING ENFORCEMENT JUDE TASK FORCE APPROVING THE TIMELINE, BUT IN JUVENILE AND UNDERAGE DRINKING ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE FOR THE AUTHORIZATION EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS ACQUIRED AND CONDUCTION DEALT WITH BY ALCOHOL AND BOURBON CONTROL.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 39, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 39 BACK TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IS THERE A MOTION? IS THERE A MOTION MOTION BY ROCCA SECONDED BY GREEN.
WE NOW MOVE ANY OPPOSITION WHO DIED IN
[140. 21-00863 ]
ONE 40.WELL AS A MAYOR, PRESIDENT OF SQ TO CA WITH THE CITY PARISH AND BEALE BATON ROUGE, BUT SOMEONE AS RESOLUTION 4 7, 5 1 4 FOR TRANSFER TO FOLLOW HIM WITH JUDICATED PROPERTIES LIKE 19 OF SQUARE, 60 SUBDIVISION, SUBDIVISIONS, STROMA, AND LOT 20 OF SQUARE, 60 SUBDIVISION IN STROMA FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETURNING SET PROPERTIES TO PRODUCTIVE USE COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON 40 BACK TO COUNCIL COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN.
WHAT'S YOUR PLEASURE MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN.
SECOND BY DONE, WE NOW MOVE TO
[141. 21-00866 ]
ITEM 1 41.OTHERWISE THE MAYOR WAS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND FOR THE PARIS OF EAST BATTLEMENTS ENTERING INTO AN INTER-AGENCY AGREEMENT CONTRACT WITH THE JUVENILE COURT OF EASTBOUND WAS PARIS IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,468 TO CONTINUE TO OFFSET COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OPERATING THE FENCE PROGRAM FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES AND THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST 21, 20 21 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2022 BY JUVENILE SERVICES DIRECTOR.
ANYWAY, HE DID SPEAK ON ITEM 1 41 SHOWING NONE.
IS THERE A MOTION FIVE AND 1 41, SOME OLD BARAKA SECOND HIT BY GREEN.
[142. 21-00868 ]
MOVED ITEM 1 42 AUTHORIZATION OF MET PRESIDENT CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO ACTUALLY AT LEAST AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS TO LEASE 55,204 SQUARE FEET OF AIR CARGO SPACE FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR AT A RENTAL RATE OF 308,000 ANNUALLY BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 42 BACK TO COUNCIL.
SO MOVED BY DONE SECONDED BY ROCKER
[143. 21-00871 ]
AND MOVED ITEM 1 43, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT THE GRANT AWARD FOR THE FFY 2022 HIGHWAY SAFETY GRANT AND THE AMOUNT OF $98,500 ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE CITY COURT FROM THE LOUISIANA HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSION FOR THE OPERATION OF THE BATON WITH CITY COURT, WPI SOBRIETY COURT, AND FOR THE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE AND THE CLERK OF COURT JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR IN THE BATON ROUGE CITY COURT.THAT'S THE KEY TO ALL RELATED GRANT AGREEMENTS AND NECESSARY DOCUMENTS THAT CONDITIONED DEAL WITH THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO GRANT 100% FEDERALLY FUNDED THROUGH THE LOUISIANA HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSION.
THE GRANTS COMMITTEE SHALL REVIEW AND APPROVE THE LINE AND BUDGET PRIOR TO THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS BY CLERK OR COURT JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATOR.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 43, BACK TO THE COUNCIL.
SO MOVED BY ROCKER SECONDED BY THE CHAIR.
[144. 21-00874 ]
TO ITEM ONE FORTY FOUR, AUTHORIZING THE PHONE.JOHN ASKED RECORD THE REFUND AND ERRONEOUS FOR MINUTES OF SALES AND USE TAX TO LIBRA AMERICA, INC.
IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,313 FOR REMITTING SALES TAX ON A CANCELED SALE WITH THE COST OF SUCH A REFUND TO BE CHARGED AGAIN, SALES TAX REVENUES BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 44 COUNCIL MEMBERS AND EMOTIONAL ITEMS MOVED BY LOCKER SECONDED BY EMMA ROSA.
[145. 21-00885 ]
WE NOW GO TO ITEM ONE 40, THE FIVE AMENDING THE 2021 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET.SO AS TO APPROPRIATE 2 MILLION, 100,000 FOR THE EASTBOUND ONES, PARISH COMMUNITY VACCINATION CENTER, TO BE FUNDED THROUGH THE FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BY MAYOR PRESIDENT, IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK? ITEM 1 45 IS DANNY WHAT HE HAD TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 45.
WE GO BACK TO THE COUNSELOR, THAT EMOTION SO MOBILE BY COLEMAN, SECONDED BY ROCKER.
[146. 21-00893 ]
MOVE TO ITEM 1 46 WARDEN THE CONTRACT VAPOR PHASE ODOR CONTROL OPERATION AND MAKING THE SERVICES TO THE SELECTED VENDOR, APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LLC, AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF 525,000 FOR THE INITIAL TERM AND 400,000 ANNUALLY, THEREFORE COVERING SUCH WORK BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE DIRECTOR SERVICES DIRECTOR.IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 46, ANYONE HERE COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY ROCCA SECONDED BY GREEN.
[147. 21-00894 ]
1 47 AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND OR BRONCO JESSE Q SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT.NUMBER 11, THE CONTRACT OF ARCO COMPANY SERVICES INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE CATEGORY B EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE DELTA FOR A FEE NOT TO EXCEED $82,439
[02:50:01]
AND 99 CENTS BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 47.
WE MOVED NOW TO COUNCIL SMALL BY ROCK SECONDED BY IT.
[148. 21-00895 ]
GO TO THAT 1 48 AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT OR BRASCO TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTED RUMEN NUMBER 12 AND THE CONTRACT AND ORACLE COMPANY SERVICE INC TO PROVIDE CATEGORY B EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE MEDICINES IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE LAURA FOR A FEE NOT TO EXCEED $167,280 AND 65 CENTS BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 48.
COUNCIL MOVED BY ROCKET SECONDED BY NO, NO, GO
[149. 21-00896 ]
TO ITEM 1 49.OTHERWISE MAYOR, PRESIDENT, AND ALREADY
NUMBER 13, THE CONTACT WITH UNCLE COMPANY SERVES INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE A CATEGORY B EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE MEASURE IN RESPONSIBLE WINTER STORM JURY FOR FEE NOT TO EXCEED $34,095 AND 27 CENTS BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 49.
SO MOVED BY ROCCA SECONDED BY NO, WE NOW GO TO ITEM
[150. 21-00900 ]
ONE 50, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND OR BRASCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER THREE WITH THE PROFESSIONAL SEWER REHABILITATION, LLC, FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL PARISH.WHY SANITARY, SEWER, AND STORM WATER PUMP STATION WENT WHERE A CLEANING PROJECT RESULTING IN AN ANCHOR RESCIND CONTRACT 100,000.
AND EXTENDED THE CONTRACT THROUGH JULY 31ST, 2021 BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTORS, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE 15 BACK TO THE COUNCIL.
SO MOVED BY ROCCO 70 BY THE CHAIR.
[151. 21-00897 ]
NOW GO TO ITEM 1 51, AMEND THE 2021 PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED OR UNCLASSIFIED NON-CLASSIFIED CONTRACT, FIRE AND POLICE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.AND THE PARISH OF EASTBOUND WAS ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE 1 7 9, 9 4.
SO AS TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES EFFECTIVE, JULY 31ST, 2021 AND NEW PAY GRADE PAY GRADE CHANGE, DEPUTY FIRE, CHIEF JOB CODE 7 0 3 0 FROM PAY GRADE SEVEN 80 BY THE FIRE CHIEF AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR CONTINGENT ON SIGNATURE OF THE MAYOR.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 51? WE COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL.
SO MOBILE BY COUNCIL MEMBER DONE.
THE HONOR MEMBERS OF THE JURY.
UM, UH, SO LONG EVENING ANYWAY, CHAD MAJOR AND I'M CHIEF.
THE ONE THING I'D LIKE TO DO IS TO, UH, TO AMEND IT, TO TAKE EFFECT AUGUST 14TH, PLEASE THEN TO TAKE EFFECT AUGUST 14TH.
IS THERE A MOTION MOTION DONE.
ONE OF YOU HAD A QUESTION OVER THERE.
UH, COUNCILMAN BANKS LOOK LIKE YOU.
MA'AM IT WAS JUST AN OVERSIGHT ON OUR PART.
I MEAN, INDEED WE KNOW CHIEF, CORRECT? JUST SAY IGNORANT.
MA'AM YOU MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE THIS ON THE ROAD.
I'M THE ONE THAT GET THE BLAME.
SO YES, PEOPLE NEVER GET THE REAL JOB.
1 51 HAS BEEN PROPERLY MOTIONED AND SECONDED.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION WE'VE MOVED ON
[152. 21-00901 ]
ITEM 1 52, AUTHORIZING THE PRESENCE AT THE KEY ENTITY STATE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S BETTERMENT IN CONNECTION WITH DOWNTOWN RAILWAYS, LOUISIANA CONNECTED EVR FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PROJECT WOULD BE AT 80% FEDERAL 20% LOCAL COST FOR A COST UP TO 225,000 AND THE 80% FEDERAL 20% LOCAL FOR APPROVED COST, AN EXCESS OF 200 AND TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND BY THE TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR CONTINUED UPON APPROVAL OF GRANTS.REVIEW COMMITTEE, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON? I DON'T WANT 52.
UH, WE GO BACK TO THE COUNCIL NOW.
SO MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER COMA, SECONDED BY ROCCO.
[153. 21-00903 ]
TO ITEM 1 53, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO ACCEPT AND EXECUTE A STATE SPONSOR AGREEMENT FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT FOR ONE-WAY 13 DASH 31 RUNWAY SAFETY AREA AND PROTECTION ZONE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,515,176 BY AVIATION DIRECTOR CONTINUED UPON APPROVAL OF THE GRANTS REVIEW COMMITTEE.ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 53.
WE NOW GO BACK TO THE COUNCIL COUNT.
SO MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DONE SECONDED BY COLEMAN.
[154. 21-00904 ]
1 54, AMENDING READING AND REENACTING AND APPROVING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE BATTERIES FIRE DEPARTMENT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.UH, IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 54? SO THE RULES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVE CHANGED.
THEY CHANGED THAT I WILL VACATE THE PREMISES SOMETIMES IN OCTOBER, THE RULES HADN'T BEEN UPDATED AND THERE WAS SOMEONE ANTIQUATED TO STAND SINCE 1997.
[02:55:02]
UM, SO WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS GONE THROUGH THE RULES SEVERAL TIMES TO BRING THINGS UP INTO 2021.I DID SUBMIT SOMETHING TO DATA WHERE A COUPLE OF THINGS BACK WHEN I GOT MY, MY DRIVER'S LICENSE, A CLASS A IS WHAT YOU GOT IS A REGULAR DRIVER'S LICENSE TODAY.
A REGULAR DRIVER'S LICENSE IS A CLASSY, BUT IT WAS SOME THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T CATCH WHEN WE INITIALLY SUBMITTED IT FOR CONSIDERATION, UM, THAT I SENT TO, UH, TO THE OFFICE TODAY, WHICH THANK YOU, SIR.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I HAD 1 54, WAS SHE PRESENT? COUNCIL MEMBER DONE? SO MOVE MOTION IS SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN BANKS.
[155. 21-00905 ]
MOVE TO ITEM 1 55.PRESENT THAT TO SEE THE CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH MCKIM AND CREED INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING SERVICES, TO PREPARE CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND REPORTS OF WAR CREEK AS SEEKING LANE CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $251,179 AND 43 CENTS.
THEIR PROJECT BEING FUNDED THROUGH THE HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM.
100% FEDERAL FUNDS BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR CONTINGENT ON APPROVAL OF CONTRACTS.
REVIEW COMMITTEE, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 55 WILL GO TO COUNCIL NOW.
SO MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN, SETTING IT BY THE CHAIR.
[156. 21-00906 ]
1 56, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO APPROVE CONTRACT AMENDMENT.NUMBER ONE TO THE CONTRACT ADOPTED MARCH 10TH, 2021.
WHEN ANY NEW SERVICES WOULD MANSHACK CONSULTING GROUP INCORPORATED TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING SERVICES, TO PREPARE CONSTRUCTION PLAN AND REPORT FOR REPAIRS TO SECTION OF HURRICANE CREEK WEST THE PLANK ROAD BY REVIVING THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $238,055 SAID PROJECT IS BEING IN FRONT OF TO THE HEAD OF THE MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM.
A HUNDRED PERCENT FEDERAL BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR CONTINGENT ON APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACTS REVIEW COMMITTEE, AS ANYONE WHO TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 56, WE NOW MOVED BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SO MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN, SECONDED BY ADAMS. WE NOW GO
[157. 21-00926 ]
TO ITEM 1 57, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH STREET COLLABORATIVE, LLC, FOR ARCHITECTURE DESIGN SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THESE MEMBERS, PARENTS MUST HAVE LET HIM IN HIS BRANCH LIBRARY RENOVATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF NOTCHES.SEE $82,800 BY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS DIRECTOR.
WAS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 57? WE DO HAVE SOME EMAIL COMMENTS.
WE HAVE ONE EMAIL COME IN AND IT WAS A, AN OPPOSITION AND MOVE NOW TO COUNCIL.
IS THERE WHAT'S YOUR PLEASURE? IS THERE ANY EMOTIONAL ITEM? 1 57.
[ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES ]
PROPERTIES, COUNCIL MEMBERS.WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEMS 1 58 THROUGH 1 76 TOGETHER, DEFER FULL.
I'M GOING TO DEFER ITEM ONE 60 FOR 30 DAYS.
MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 1 59, 1 61.
SO I'M GOING TO TAKE THESE TOGETHER.
ONE OF THE PERSONS, IF I CAN GO BACK TO 1 28, THE PERSON WAS OVER WHEN WE GET IT, OH, CLOSER TO THE END.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER AND THEN WE'LL GO THAT WAY.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND FOLKS IN GENERAL PUPPIES ARE ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES.
LOT 30 SUBDIVISION NORTH FOREST HEIGHTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE MARINA.
HI PETER JAMES ESCORT, $5,700 ITEM 59, LOT 11 SUBDIVISION SQUARE 42 SUBDIVISION MONTICIANO HIGHLAND FARMS, DISTRICT FIVE GREEN HIGH BETTER LORRAINE LEE IN SHARMAN.
AGAIN, $200, 12 SQUARE, 42 SUBDIVISION, MONSANTO HIGHLAND FARMS, COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE GREEN HIGH BIDDER.
$300 ITEM 1 61, 1 LOT 3, 1 6 SUBDIVISION LENO'S DISTRICT FIVE GREEN, HIGH BIDDER ROBBINS RENTALS, LLC.
1 62 LOT 23 SQUARE, TWO SUBDIVISION, MONTECITO, HIGHLAND FARMS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER MISHA, JOSEPH TO $2,100.
1 63 LOT, 1 53 SUBDIVISION NORTH AMERICA, DELL COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE GREEN HOT BETTER MAISHA JOSEPH $6,600, 1 64, A LOT 89 SUBDIVISION MARRIED DALE COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE GREEN HIGH BITTER REDEEMED, 1 65 LOT Q SQUARED, 31 SUBDIVISION GRACIE DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BETTER SOUTHERN GRIT GROWTH INCORPORATED.
$5,000, 1 66, LOT 61 POINT SQUARE 38 SUBDIVISION.
YOU KNOW, DIVERSITY PLACE DISTRICT TWO BANKS, HIGH BIDDER, MY SHIT.
LINE 24 SQUARE 1 78 SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BETTER DENNIS SYLVIE.
$2,500, 1 68 LOT FOURSQUARE 61 SUBDIVISION UNIVERSITY PLACE DISTRICT TWO BANKS, HIGH BIDDER, GWENDOLYN JONES, $200, 1 69, LOT TWO SQUARES, 61 SUBDIVISION UNIVERSITY
[03:00:01]
PLACE DISTRICT TWO BANKS, HIGH BIDDER, GWENDOLYN JONES, $200, ONE 70 LOT 17 SUBDIVISION UNIVERSITY PLACE.I BITTER KATHY JONES, $500, 1 71 LOT 55 SQUARE 17 SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER, KATHY JONES, $500, 1 72, LOT 58 SUBDIVISION MARROWS EAST DISTRICT SIX DONE JUNIOR HIGH BIDDER ROBBINS WENT TO HIS LLC $41,100, 1 73 BY SUBDIVISION, 28 SQUARE 29 SUBDIVISION GREENFIELD EXTENSION, EXCUSE ME.
DISTRICT SEVEN COLE HIGH BIDDER TRAVIS DAY $100.
ITEM 1 74 LOT SEVEN SQUARE NINE SUBDIVISION.
THE BANK COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN, HIGH BIDDER OWEN HART AND SENIOR $500 ITEM 1 75, LOT 58 SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, HIGH BIDDER.
SHE COMMITS YOU $7,500 AN ITEM 1 76 PLUS SIX POINT SQUARE OF 2 66 SUBDIVISIONS WART COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 TO COLEMAN HOT BITTER.
CONSELLA KIND OF SWELLER MITCHELL, $7,000.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS? IT'S 1 58 THROUGH 1 76 COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS. 1 58 THROUGH 1 59 AND 1 61 THROUGH 1 76.
IS THERE A MOTION, MOTION TO APPROVE BY AMOROSA SECOND? YEAH, NO ITEMS 1 58.
THAT ITEMS 1 15 59 AND 1 61, 3, 1 6776.
[ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ]
WE NOW GO TO ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS, WHICH ARE GOING TO BE ON A SEPARATE SHEET.WE NOW GO TO ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ME DEDUCTION ITEM 8 21 0 1 0 7 8.
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESENT ON BEHALF OF THE PATTERN WAS POLICE DEPARTMENT TO A MINUTE PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES CONTRACT ENTERED TO BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATTERS EAST BATON ROUGE.
ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE IN PARIS ATTORNEY WITH TIMOTHY HRD IN BRAZIL, SAXON WILSON, LLP COUNCIL, THE AMENDMENT WOULD INCREASE THE MAXIMUM COMPENSATION EFFECTIVE MARCH 19TH, 2020 BY 72,000 FROM 78,000 TO 150,000.
ALL OTHER ITEMS THAT CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT, INCLUDING OPTIONS TO AMEND THE SCOPE AND TERM BY POLICE CHIEF.
BY TO INTRODUCE THIS ITEM FOR HEARING ON AUGUST 11TH, 2021, THE REASON THIS ITEM IS BEING REQUESTED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER TO DEADLINE WAS MISSED.
DUE TO LAST MEETING EDITS AND APPROVAL FROM LEGAL.
WE NEED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES, TO ALLOW THE ITEMS TO BE ANSWERED.
DO YOU NEED THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RUSE MOTION BY MARK SECONDED BY GREEN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HERE ON A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THAT WE NEED TO VOTE ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
IS THERE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES MOTION BY MO 70 BY GREEN? AND NOW WE NEED A MOTION TO INTRODUCE THE ITEMS MOTION BY BY MOST.
SECONDLY, BY GREEN, THE MOTION HAS BEEN PROPERLY INTRODUCED.
[Items 177. 21-00909 & 178. 21-00911 ]
UH, WE GO TO APPOINTMENTS.UH, THERE HAS BEEN A RECOMMENDATION FOR ITEMS 1 77 AND 1 78 TO DEFER.
WE DO NOT HAVE ANY INDIVIDUALS ON THE CURRENT BALLOT ON 77 BOARD OF APPEAL CONCURRING IN THE MAYOR, PRESIDENTS TO REPLACE RUSTY GOLDEN WHO HAS DECLINED REAPPOINTMENT.
THIS IS A FOUR YEAR TERM EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2021 AND 1 78 BOARD OF APPEAL CONCURRING IN THE MAYOR.
PRESIDENT'S REAPPOINTMENT OR TO REPLACEMENT OF KEITH CHILLERS.
THIS IS A FOUR YEAR TERM, A MEMBER AT LARGE, UH, AND 1 79.
WELL, LET'S TAKE ONE, UH, 77 TO 78 CENTS TO THE SAME BOARD.
UH, IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THOSE ITEMS, BUT NOW I'LL GO TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, MOTION TO DEFER, UH, BY COUNCIL MEMBER.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE FROM THE BOARD OF APPEALS? NOT A SOUL.
UH, I JUST, I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, DID I JUST PUT THIS OUT THERE ON THE PUBLIC OR WHATEVER IS THIS IS THIS SECOND OR THIRD TIME WE'VE DEFERRED THIS FOR THE BOARD OF APPEALS.
WE'RE NOT GETTING THE APPLICATIONS I'VE SEEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON OUR BOARD OF APPEALS IN THE OTHER PHYSICIAN.
AND UH, I'M JUST WONDERING IF WE NEED TO ADJUST SOMETHING OR WORK ON SOMETHING.
IS THERE A SECOND? I KNOW YOU MOTIONED BY MO SECOND ABOUT GREENING.
THE ITEMS HAVE BEEN DEFERRED FOR HOW LONG, AND WE DEFERRED THESE ITEMS TO THE AUGUST 11 MEETING.
[179. 21-00922 ]
SAME REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE.A RECOMMENDATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR ITEM 1 79, COMPLETE STREET CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, ONE APPOINTMENT TO CONCUR WITH THE NOMINATION BY THE BOARD OF MENTAL HEALTH.
THE CITY INITIATIVE, THE APPOINTMENT IS FOR FOUR YEARS.
CURRENTLY WE DO NOT HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL ON THE BALLOT.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 79 BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS? RECOMMENDATION IS DEFERRED FOR 30 DAYS.
MOTION BY MARK SECONDED BY DONE.
[180. 21-01066 ]
TO ITEM 180[03:05:01]
EAST BATON ROUGE, PARISH MOSQUITO ABATEMENT, DISTRICT CONSIDERATION FOR REPLACING DIANE STACY WHO HAS RESIGNED.THE TERM WILL EXPIRE ON FEBRUARY 13TH, 2023 CHAMPS L ARMSTRONG IS ON THE CURRENT BALLOT.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 180, ANYONE WHO IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 180.
NOW GO BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY NOLO SECONDED BY DONE, WE GO TO
[181. 21-01067 ]
180 1 HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT.NUMBER ONE BOARD OF COMMISSION LANE, REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING OR REPORTING THOMAS SMITH, WHOSE TERM EXPIRED ON JUNE 27TH, 2021 EFFECTIVE JUNE 28TH, 2021.
THIS IS A FOUR YEAR TERM MUST LIVE IN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.
CURRENT BALLOT IS SHERRY H COLLINS, THOMAS SCOTT, WHO REQUESTED REAPPOINTMENT.
IF ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 180 1 BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBER KNOLL RECOMMEND REAPPOINTMENT OF THOMAS SCOTT MOTION TO APPOINT THOMAS.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? THOMAS SCOTT HAS BEEN APPOINTED.
[182. 21-01068 ]
180 2 HOUSING AUTHORITY OF EAST BATON ROUGE, PARIS CONSIDERATION FOR REPLACING A REAPPOINTING TYRA STERLING WHOSE TERM EXPIRED ON JULY 23RD, 2021 EFFECTIVE JULY 24TH, 2021.THIS IS A FIVE-YEAR TERM TOWER.
STERLING HAS REQUESTED TO BE REAPPOINTED.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 180 2.
I'M TIRED OF BEING STERLING, UM, HAVE SERVED.
I CERTAINLY ENJOY SERVING ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITIES BOARD AND I'M HERE REQUESTING YOUR REAPPOINTMENT BACK TO COUNSELING.
MOST OF MY OMAROSA TO REAPPOINT MR. STERLING SECONDED BY, UH, COUNCIL NUMBER DONE MS. STONE.
I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY YOU'VE BEEN REAPPOINTED TO THEM TO A HOUSING AUTHORITY OF EASTBOUND.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
WE NOW GO TO ITEM 180 3, MAYOR PRO TEM, I THINK ON ONE SEVEN AND NINE.
YOU HAD A NAME THAT YEAH, ON THE SCREEN THAT WAS ON OUR AGENDA.
UH, WELL, HOW WE NEED TO HANDLE THAT JUSTIN, I CAN CHECK WITH ASHLEY.
IT WAS HER RECOMMENDATION TO DEFER THE ITEM, BUT I'LL CHECK WITH HER AND GET BACK.
I WILL BE GO TO CHANGE ORDERS.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEMS 180 4 AND 180 5 TOGETHER, 180 4 SHERIFF, FAR AS GOODWILL BOULEVARD.
[183. 21-01069 ]
FORGIVE ME MUNICIPAL FIRE AND POLICE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING OR REAPPOINTING, BRANDON WILLIAMS, WHOSE TERM EXPIRED ON JULY 23RD, 2021.THE CURRENT BALLOT IS BRANDON WILLIAMS. WHO'S REQUESTED REAPPOINTMENT.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1, 8, 3, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK EITHER 180 3 COUNCIL MEMBERS.
ANY OPPOSITION, BRANDON WILLIAMS BEING REAPPOINTED.
IF NONE BRANDON'S BEEN REAPPOINTED,
[Items 184. 21-01033 & 185. 21-01051 ]
WE NOW MOVE TO ITEM 180 4.WE CAN TAKE 84, 180 485 TOGETHER CHANGE ARTISTS SHARE WITH FAR AS GOODWOOD BOULEVARD, PIPELINE, PROJECT CONTRACTOR BOONE SERVICES, LLC CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $598,000.
AND ITEM 180 5 TRAFFIC SIGNAL, CONNECTION AND COMMUNICATION INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR, ERNEST P BRO ELECTRICAL INCORPORATED CHANGE OR THE $8,200 AND $78,207 AND 10 CENTS.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 180 4 AND 180 5, 180 4 AND 180 5 COUNCIL MEMBERS QUESTIONED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE BANKS, MAYBE A COMMENT, A WRONG PLACE.
ONE SAYS 1.2 MILLION AND THE OTHER ONE SAYS 12 MILLION AND THE ORIGINAL.
OH, BUT WHEN THEY ASKED THE 5 98, IS THAT RIGHT? THAT STILL WOULDN'T BE 12 ME NOW TO DO THE MATH ADDS UP PREVIOUS CHANGES 1.2.
MA'AM IS THERE A MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS BY COUNCIL MEMBER BANK SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER? NO,
[Items 186. 21-01034 & 187. 21-01041 ]
WE NOW MOVE TO FINAL ACCEPTANCES.WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEMS 180 6 THROUGH 180 7 TOGETHER.
SHARE WITH FOREST GOODWOOD BOULEVARD, PIPELINE, PROJECT CONTRACTOR BOONE SERVICES, LLC.
FINAL COST $12,466,841 AND 48 CENTS.
ITEM 180 7 S WWTP BACKING PRIME INSTALLATION, CONTRACTOR AND CMC LLC.
ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 180 6 AND 180 7.
NOW I'LL GO BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL, NOBODY COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS MOTION SECONDED BY A MOROSA.
[Items 188. 21-00963, 189. 21-00968, 190. 21-00969, 191. 21-00970 ]
[03:10:01]
WHEN NOW GO TO ITEMS 180 8.WE CAN TAKE ITEMS 180 8 THROUGH 1 91 TO GET THAT ACCEPTANCE OF LOW BIDS AND MAINTENANCE OF ELEVATORS ESCALATORS IN DUMBWAITERS POSITION.
THE ELEVATOR COMPANY $148,060 AND 90 CENTS.
AN OLDEST ELEVATORS COMPANY, $220,560.
THE AWARD WAS SPLIT BETWEEN TWO VENDORS.
THAT IS ITEM 180 8, ITEM 180 9 RIVER CENTER ARENA AND BALLROOM ROOF REPLACEMENT AND MAKE SURE ROOFING CONSTRUCTION, INC $1,669,007.
AND THEN ITEMS ONE 90 CARVER BRANCH LIBRARY, ROOF REPAIRS, CONSTRUCTION, PARDON ROOF LLC, $168,900.
AND THEN WE MOVED TO ITEM 1 91, JEWEL J NEWMAN, COMMUNITY CENTER, ADMINISTRATION AND BUILDING ROOF REPLACEMENT, SUPREME ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION LLC.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS? 180 8 THROUGH 1 91, ANYONE TO SPEAK ON 180, 1 91 BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, BUBBA.
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON EIGHT YEARS.
BUT I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE, AS IT RELATES TO THE ESTIMATE WHO KNOWS ABOUT THE ESTIMATE, UM, FOR THESE PROJECTS, IS THAT, IS THAT A CHRIS QUESTION IN GENERAL IS IT'S REALLY NOT JUST ABOUT TRADING FROM 180 8 TO 91? UH, I DON'T KNOW IF I JUST, ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED PAYING ATTENTION TO THEM.
I SHOULDN'T SAY THAT SHUTTER, BUT ANYWAY, UM, I I'M THINKING THAT AT WHAT POINT ARE, DO THE APPLICANTS THAT PUT IN THESE BEDS, KNOW WHAT THE ESTIMATE IS IN ADVANCE WHEN IT'S PART OF THAT'S PUBLISHED, RIGHT? WHEN IT GOES OUT FOR BED.
AND THAT'S DETERMINED THROUGH THE ARCHITECT, THE DESIGN ARCHITECT.
AND I THINK, UM, THIS QUESTION IS BEING PROMPTED BECAUSE CHRIS AND I TALK A LOT ABOUT THE, UM, THE PEOPLE THAT CLEAN UP AND THEIR BEDS.
AND I KNOW YOU ALL CHOOSE THE LOW BEDS, BUT IF YOU ESTIMATE IT'S 1 56, LET'S JUST GO AND THE LOWEST BID IS 1 23.
I'M WONDERING IF THAT'S WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR, AND THIS IS ALL A WORD ACCOUNTS FOR THE CHANGE ARTISTS, BECAUSE I KNOW IF I GET A BID, IF I KNOW YOU, YOU ESTIMATED 1 56 AND I'D BE AT 1 23, I'M NOT GOING TO SLEEP UNTIL I FIGURE OUT HOW I'M GOING TO GET THAT OTHER 30,000.
WE MAKE SURE AND OVERSEE IT, THAT WE DON'T JUST GIVE OUT MONEY.
BUT YOU SAID IT'S THE ESTIMATE THOUGH? OR IT'S JUST AN ESTIMATE.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR LABOR RATES ARE THAT THEY'RE PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT'S STRICTLY AN ESTIMATE TO GIVE US THE GROUND OF WHAT WE THINK THE PRICE SHOULD BE.
I'M JUST THINKING THAT IF I'M LIKE, I'LL BE LIKE, WE HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY.
WE HAVE, THAT'S WHAT IT'S BUDGET FOR.
WITHOUT THAT WAS OFF, UM, TWIZZLER MOMENT.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS? IS THAT A MOTION TO APPROVE MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS? SECOND
[192. 21-00857 ]
ABOUT A CHAIR.WE NOW GO TO ITEMS 1 92 RECEIVING A REPORT FROM LOUISIANA STONE, WATER COALITION REGARDING STORM WATER FUNDING AND MANAGEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 92? LET'S HAVE THE REPORT FIRST AND THEN ANY COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE COUNCIL MEMBER WHO'S GOING TO CONDUCT THIS REPORT.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, MARIE CONSTANTINE WAS HERE AND SHE DID HER REPORT AT A TIME WHEN THEY WERE DISCUSSING THE DRAWING NICHE LIBRARY AND ALL OF THAT.
SO WE GOOD, I THINK, ALL RIGHT, WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THIS ITEM BECAUSE IT WAS JUST A REPORT.
[Items 193. 21-00858 & 194. 21-00859 ]
HELP HANGING ON IT.WE MOVED DOWN TO ITEMS 1 93 AND 1 94 THAT HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO, FOR BOTH OF THESE ITEMS. FOR TWO WEEKS, I RECEIVED A REPORT ON THE BANNERS POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF MURPHY FALL ON THE WORK HISTORY DISCIPLINARY RECORD, ENCOURAGE DISTRICT ASSIGNMENT OF VETERANS POLICE DEPARTMENTS SAW THE DREW WHITE BY COUNCILMEMBER DUNN AND RECEIVING THE REPORTS ON THESE FAVORITE PAIR OF SHERIFFS DID GO JOE AND VETERANS POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF MURPHY, PAULA FINDING, AND THE DEATH OF DON DON TRYING TO TRY AND ROBINSON BY COUNCIL MEMBER, FIV DUNN, JR.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 1 93 AND 1 94? I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 1 93 AND 1 94 BACK TO COUNCIL COUNCIL MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW.
I SPOKE TO THE SHERIFF, HE AND HIS TOP BRASS.
I HAD A CONFERENCE OUT OF TOWN AND THIS WAS IN CONFLICT, SOMETHING THEY ALREADY HAD PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED.
[03:15:01]
TO BE ABLE TO GET A REPORT AND I WOULD PREFER THEM TO BE HERE AS WELL.SO I SPOKE WITH HIM AND THE CHIEF AND WE AGREED TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS, THE MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS, THE MOTION TO DEFER ITEMS 1 93 AND 1 94 FOR TWO WEEKS.
IS THERE A SEVENTH ON THE MOTION? 75 COLT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER MO YEAH.
UH, MY QUESTION ON FLORIDA, WE WERE DEALING WITH OBVIOUSLY PERSONNEL MATTERS OR SPECIFIC ITEM BEING THAT IS DEFERRED.
CAN, UH, CAN A LINE ITEM AS FAR AS HAVING THE CHOICE OF GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION BE ADDED BECAUSE, OKAY.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT DISCUSSING THIS IN PUBLIC.
IF WE'RE TRYING TO FIND OUT SPECIFICS ABOUT AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY PARISH OR A PARTICULAR ITEM, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
UH, UH, MR. DAWSON, BUT THE AUTHOR OF THE ITEM, UH, HAS THE RIGHT TO OFFER A REQUEST THAT WE GO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION OR NOT.
AND ALSO CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
ANY COUNCIL MEMBER CAN REQUEST ANY TIME TO GO ON IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, AS LONG AS IT'S BEEN NOTICED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AND I DON'T THINK THESE ITEMS HAVE, THEY CAUGHT US COMING HERE TO REMIND ME THAT AS LONG AS THESE ITEMS ARE NOTICED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND JUSTIN SHAKING HIS HEAD, IT CAN, BUT I WOULDN'T TELL YOU THIS COUNCIL AND MOKE, I'VE TALKED WITH THE CHIEF OF POLICE ABOUT BOTH OF THESE ITEMS AND TO THE EXTENT ANYTHING DEALS WITH PERSONNEL MATTERS.
THE ONLY THING THAT HE WOULD BE WILLING TO PROVIDE IS WHATEVER'S ALREADY PUBLIC RECORD.
THAT WOULD BE A PUBLIC RECORD.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S COMPLETE AND FINALIZED TO WHATEVER EXTENT DID THEY DEEMED IT TO BE CLOSED, AND IT'S A PUBLIC RECORD, THERE IS NO CONFIDENTIALITY IN TERMS OF PROVIDING THAT, YOU KNOW, KEEPING THAT INFORMATION FROM COMING OUT BECAUSE ANY INDIVIDUAL CITIZEN COULD SIT IN A PUBLIC RECORDS, REQUEST TO OUR OFFICE AND OBTAIN THE INFORMATION ANYWAY.
BUT ANYTHING THAT IS NOT COMPLETED, IT'S STILL IN THE PROCESS ON THE CONSIDERATION IS PRIVILEGED AND IT'S CONFIDENTIAL.
SO I GUESS MY QUESTION WOULD BE TO, UH, COUNCILMAN DUNN.
UM, I ASSUME THAT Y'ALL DISCUSSED THIS AS FAR AS WHAT IT IS, AND THESE THINGS ARE ALREADY PUBLIC OR KNOWLEDGE AND EVERYTHING HE HAS, THE PUMP WAS MADE UP.
ACTUALLY THE WHITE WAS THE FIRST PERSON REACHED OUT TO ME AND ASKING ME TO CONSIDER, I SPOKE WITH THE PARENTS AND TURN SPOKE WITH THE CHIEF AND THE SHOOTER.
AND I THINK ANDY EXPLAINED IT VERY ELOQUENTLY.
THIS CASE HAS ACTUALLY ALREADY BEEN DECIDED, YOU KNOW, THAT'S PUBLIC RECORD.
SO IT'S NOTHING THAT'S PRIVILEGED THERE AND ANYTHING THAT'S ONGOING, THEN THEY WILL REFRAIN FROM MENTIONING THAT.
SO I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A ISSUE WITH JEOPARDIZING ANY FUTURE LITIGATION MOTION, JUST MAKING SURE WE WAS A GOOD QUESTION.
UM, AND ARE YOU, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ANSWER THIS.
I DON'T KNOW THE, THE EMPLOYEE MENTIONED HERE, IS THIS A CURRENT EMPLOYEE? I CANNOT ANSWER THAT.
I'M NOT SURE THE CHIEF JUST LEFT.
UH, I, I JUST DON'T WANT TO ANSWER BECAUSE I JUST DON'T KNOW.
AND I KNOW THE CHIEF WAS JUST HERE.
HE ONLY LEFT WHEN HE KNEW THAT THE MATTER IS GOING TO BE DEFERRED.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS A CURRENT EMPLOYEE.
UM, SO I WOULD JUST TELL YOU FOR SPECIFICALLY FOR ITEM 1 93, I JUST REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH US HAVING AN ITEM ON A PUBLIC AGENDA DISCUSSING ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
UM, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IF WE NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE A PRIVATE CONVERSATION WITH THE CHIEF OR WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, I THINK THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT.
UM, FOR ITEM 1 94, UM, ANDY, TELL ME CLEAVE, YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT THIS CASE HAS NOW BEEN DECIDED, BUT I, I READ IT IN THE PAPER THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY AN ACTIVE CASE WHERE THERE'S, THERE'S A LAWSUIT PENDING.
AND I DIDN'T MEAN TO CUT YOU OFF.
NO COUNCILMAN DOES REFER, REFERRING TO ANY INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION.
YOU'RE REFERRING TO THE CIVIL MATTER.
SO THERE'S TWO, TWO SEPARATE MATTERS.
YOU ARE CORRECT THAT THE CIVIL MATTER IS STILL ONGOING AT THIS TIME.
AND I'VE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS TO COUNCILMAN DUNN ABOUT THAT.
AND HE UNDERSTANDS IT TOOK THE STICK.
ANY COMPENSATION GOES TOWARDS THAT.
I'VE ALREADY INSTRUCTED ANYBODY WHO WAS HERE.
AND IF I'M ASKED TO TALK, I WON'T SPEAK TO ANYTHING REGARDING THAT BECAUSE IT'S PENDING LITIGATION, BUT ANYTHING IN TERMS OF THE OTHER SIDE OF IT, THAT, AND I TALKED TO THE CHIEF ABOUT IT YESTERDAY.
SO ANYTHING THAT'S, AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO THIS OTHER GENTLEMAN THAT WAS 1 93.
IT WAS A MATTER THAT IT'S ALREADY BEEN CLOSED OUT PER POLICE DEPARTMENT PROTOCOL, AND IT'S SUBJECT TO PUBLIC RECORDS DISSEMINATION.
THEN IT FURY US DISCUSSING IT HERE.
AND I'LL JUST SAY, YOU'RE CONCERNED.
BELIEVE ME, BUT US DISCUSSING A HERE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN A CITIZEN GOING AND PICKING UP THE INFORMATION THEMSELVES FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR THROUGH OUR OFFICE AND FEAR OUT I GOT YOU.
I GOT YOU, BUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR RESERVATIONS.
YEAH, THE, MY RESERVATIONS REMAIN.
UM, SO I WILL TELL YOU, YOU KNOW, FOR ITEM 1 94, UM, I EVEN HAD A LITTLE HESITATION, PUT IT ON THE AGENDA WITH PUBLIC WITH, WITH SERVING THE PUBLIC, NOTICE THAT WE'D GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT AT A VERY MINIMUM, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD DELETE THIS ITEM.
[03:20:01]
UH, AND IF IT WANTS TO BE REINTRODUCED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, I THINK THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT.SO I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DELETE BOTH ITEMS 1 93 AND 1 94.
SO THAT IS A SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
SO THERE'S A SUBSTANCE AND THE ORIGINAL MOTION IS TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS BY COUNCIL MEMBER, DON SEVEN AND BY COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN, YOU'RE OFFERING A SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
SO SUBSTITUTE MOTION ON THE FLOOR IS TO DELETE THE ITEM.
IS THERE A SECOND FOR THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER, MOHLER COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS.
SO NEXT WEEK I KNOW I HAVE TWO REPORTS, A ONE CORRECT HEALTH WHERE MAY BE KIND OF LENGTHY.
AND THEN WITH THAT, UM, HEALTHY FOOD RETAIL.
AND I JUST DON'T WANT US TO, I DON'T KNOW THIS.
IT SOUNDED LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE LENGTHY TOO.
AND I WANTED TO KNOW FROM A COUNSELING DONE, IT WOULD 30 DAYS BE TOO MUCH, OR, I MEAN, IF Y'ALL OKAY WITH FOUR, I JUST KNOW IT'S A LOT.
WHEN WE, WHEN I SPOKE TO THE CHIEF AND THE SHERIFF, THEY BOTH LOOKED AT THE SCHEDULE AND THERE WAS A POTENTIAL CONFLICT 30 DAYS FROM NOW.
SO TWO WEEKS WOULD HAVE BEEN IDEAL FOR BOTH OF THEM.
GENTLEMEN, WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER.
NO, DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR SON.
UH, NO, I, I JUST, UH, W WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, I, I WOULD ACTUALLY PREFER TO SEE THAT PURELY, BECAUSE I THINK WE CAN SPEAK MORE CANDIDLY AND HAVE HAD THE CONVERSATION WITH THE ATTORNEYS, WHICH IS WHY IT'S PROVIDED BY EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AND, UH, LAST TIME WE HAD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, I THOUGHT IT WAS ACTUALLY VERY WELL HANDLED.
AND I THINK WE CAN JUST GET FAR MORE INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CASES THAT I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH.
SO I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT BEING AN OPTION, JUST SO THAT I THINK WE CAN HAVE A MORE CANDID CONVERSATION, COVER MORE GROUND AND GET CAUGHT UP TO SPEED ON THESE ITEMS THEN WOULD BE ABLE TO PUBLICLY, THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER, WISHING TO SPEAK.
WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES.
WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION FIRST, WHICH IS TO DELETE THE ITEM.
MACHINES ARE ABOUT TO BE UP AND ON THE MOTION TO DELETE ITEMS. 1 93 AND 1 94 MACHINES ARE NOW OPEN.
MOTION FOR THE HOUSE COUNCIL MEMBER PERSON.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND WHEN WE VOTE ON THE NEXT ITEM OR WE VOTE ON THE NEXT MOTION.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THIS, THE NEXT MOTION DOES NOT GET SEVEN VOTES? IS, IS THE ITEM EFFECTIVELY DELETED AT THAT POINT? I WOULD THINK THAT IT'S ALMOST LIKE WE NEED ANOTHER ITEM.
AS WE HAD A NIGHT WITH THE LIBRARY, IF IT'S NOT VOTED ON AND THERE'S NOT A SUCCESSFUL VOTE, GETTING A REPORT JUST WOULDN'T BE ACCEPTED.
WHAT I WOULD THINK THAT, RIGHT? ALL THE REPORT BOOK OUT IN THE HUDSON, THEY VOTE ON THE MACHINES ON THE NEXT MATTER, AND IT DOESN'T GET SUFFICIENT VOTES.
THEN IT WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD TONIGHT AND WOULD HAVE TO GO FORWARD WITH THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE TONIGHT, OR THE INFORMATION WE HAVE TONIGHT IS WHAT WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN.
SO THE FIRST NOT ADVANCED TO OUR NEXT AGENDA.
THAT'D BE EFFECTIVELY DELETED.
SO COUNCIL MEMBERS LIVE IN A VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION, WHICH IS TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS, WHICH IS TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
I THINK THEY SIT AT THE SCHOOL BOARD.
WE NORMALLY DON'T SAY OPEN THE MACHINE.
YOU'RE DOING MACHINES ARE UP AND, UH, ON THE MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
AND THIS IS ITEM 1 93, 1 90, OR DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
MOTION FAILS FOR LACK OF SEVEN VOTES.
WE HEAR THE MOTION THIS EVENING.
SO WE'LL TAKE ITEM 1 93, ITEM 1 93, RECEIVED A, A REPORT FROM THE BATTLEMENTS POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF MURPHY, PAUL FOR THE WORK HISTORY DISCIPLINARY RECORD, ENCOURAGE DISTRICT ASSIGNMENT OF BANNERS, POLICE DEPARTMENT, UH, DREW WHITE.
UH, IF IT PLEASE, THE COUNCIL COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN HAS REQUESTED TO TAKE
[03:25:01]
UP ANOTHER ITEM BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMEONE OVER, ACROSS IT WASN'T DARE TO SPEAK.I WOULD SUGGEST WE SEND, UH, CHIEF PAUL A TEXT AND TELL THEM TO COME BACK.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE ITEM TONIGHT AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK TO IT.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, I'M MAKING A MOTION TO DEFER THIS ITEM FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL WE CAN GET CHIEF PAUL BACK HERE TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM.
YEAH, BUT WE NEED TO VOTE FOR THAT TOO.
UH, SO MOTION TO DEFER FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL CHIEF PAUL CAN GET BACK.
UM, I'M NOT GONNA ASK THEM TO COME BACK.
WE COMMUNICATED WITH THE CHIEF AND TOLD HIM IT WOULD BE DEFERRED.
SO IF THIS BITE, I DON'T WANT TO, YOU KNOW, RESPECT HIS TIME IN THAT MANNER, THEN WE JUST MOVE FORWARD.
I'M NOT GOING TO ASK THEM TO COME BACK.
SO AT THIS POINT, RECEIVING A REPORT FROM CHIEF PAUL, WHO IS NOT HERE, UH, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE ON ITEM 1 93.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 93? ALL RIGHT.
ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL WISHING TO SPEAK ITEM 1 93, WE MOVE ON TO ITEM 1 94, RECEIVING A REPORT FROM THESE PATTERNS.
PARISH SHERIFF SAID GAUTREAUX BATON ROUGE, POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF MURPHY, PAUL, AND FINDING IN THE DEPTH OF SEAN, JOHN ROBINSON BY COUNCIL MEMBER.
CLEVE DONE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ONLY IN 1 94, ALTHOUGH I'VE ALREADY HAD A PUBLIC HEARING BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK.
[195. 21-00860 (Part 1 of 2) ]
WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 1 95, RECEIVING A REPORT FROM THE PARISH ATTORNEY, ANDY DOXING ON WHAT THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT SAYS AS IT RELATES TO THE CITY'S FINANCIAL AND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO FORMER CITY OFFICIALS LIKE SCOTT WILSON, CONTINUING LEGAL MATTERS.IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 95, ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 95 BACK TO COUNCIL.
WE'LL BE IN RECESS UNTIL THEY FINISHED THAT CONVERSATION.
LET'S GO BACK TO, UH, MAKE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER MOST OF MY CAROLYN AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER, HUDSON, ANY OPPOSITION
[128. 21-00883 ]
WE'RE GOING TO RECONSIDER ITEM ONE 20.WE'RE GOING TO RECONSIDER ITEM 1 28.
IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, IT'S A CONDEMNATION.
WHAT WOULD YOU, WHAT'S YOUR PLEASURE COUNSELING.
WHEN WE CONSIDER AN ITEM, 1 28 RUN PROPERLY MOTION IS SECONDED.
WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM? NOW WE'RE BACK TO THE COUNCIL OF COUNCIL MEMBER CALLED ME.
UM, MS. SCOTT IS, HAS MADE US AWARE THAT SHE HAS SOMEONE THAT'S GOING TO PURCHASE THAT PROPERTY.
SO I'M GOING TO GIVE HER TWO WEEKS TO MAKE A WEIGHT TO ME.
I'M GOING TO DEFER CONDEMNATION ITEM 1 28 FOR TWO WEEKS.
WE'RE GOING TO DEFER IT FOR TWO WEEKS.
PROPERTY MOTION, COUNSEL MEMBER COLEMAN, MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS BY COLEMAN SECONDED BY DONE ANY OPPOSITION ITEM.
1 28 HAS BEEN DEFERRED FOR TWO WEEKS.
[195. 21-00860 (Part 2 of 2) ]
NOW I'LL GO BACK TO ITEM 1 95, RECEIVING A REPORT FROM THE PARISH ATTORNEY ON WHAT THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT SAYS, AS IT RELATES TO THE CITY'S FINANCIAL AND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO FORMER CITY OFFICIALS LIKE SCOTT WILSON CONTINUED LEGAL MATTERS BY TELLING SOME OF THEM ARE DONE.UH, YOU'VE ALL RECEIVED THIS MEMORANDUM IN YOUR MATERIALS.
UH, I HOPE YOU'VE ALL HAD A CHANCE TO READ IT.
I, I'M NOT GONNA, I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY, SO I'M NOT GONNA SPEND A LOT OF TIME, YOU KNOW, REGURGITATING WHAT'S IN THE MEMO.
IT WAS PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD.
UH, THE BASIC GIST OF IT IS IF YOU DO SOMETHING WHILE YOU'RE IN THE COURSE AND SCOPE, AND I SHOULDN'T USE TO SCHOOL, BUT SHE USED THE LANGUAGE IN HERE, BUT IT'S ESSENTIALLY THE SAME.
IF YOU DO SOMETHING THAT YOU, UM, WERE IN THE SCOPE OF YOUR OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES, IT SHOULD BE COVERED IF YOU WERE ACTING IN GOOD FAITH AND YOU WERE IN THAT COURSE OF THE ACTUAL SCOPE OF YOUR OFFICIAL FUNCTION AND DO THIS UNLESS IT WAS CALLED BY WILTON WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCONDUCT.
AND THE WAY THAT WE LOOK AT IT IN THE WAY THAT WE ASSESS IT IS WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE A DEFENSE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THERE'S SOME KIND OF PROOF OF EVIDENCE OF THAT WANTING A WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.
AND AS FAR AS THE MATTER GOES WITH COUNSEL AND SCOTT WILSON, AS FAR AS MY OFFICE IS CONCERNED AND THE OUTSIDE COUNSEL SEE YOUR CANCER LOW.
SEE WHO'S HANDLING THAT MATTER.
AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO ANY POINT TO WHERE, IN MY OPINION, WE HAVE SEEN THAT KIND OF WANTING A WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.
SO AT THIS TIME THE CITY OF PARIS IS IN A POSITION TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR THAT UNTIL THE RESOLUTION OF THE CASE.
THANK BECKY, MR. DYSON, ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS GOT IT.
[196. 21-01071 ]
OTHER ITEMS TO BE ADOPTED ITEM 1 96, WHICH IS AN EMERGENCY ITEM AWARD, THE CONTRACT FOR DISASTER[03:30:01]
STREET, CLEARING DEBRIS COLLECTION REMOVAL PROCESS AND DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO SELECTED VENDOR DRC, EMERGENCY SERVICES, LLC, AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE TWO OTHER VENDORS WHO MET ALL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUOUSLY USING FOLLOWING DECLARED DISASTERS BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.DIRECTOR REASON FOR EMERGENCY TO CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRES IN AUGUST, 2021.
THIS WOULD ALLOW CITY PARIS TO GET UNDER CONTRACT WITHOUT ELAPSING SERVICE IN CASE OF ANY POTENTIAL DECLARED DISASTERS.
AS WE KNOW THIS IS HURRICANE SEASON IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE ORDINANCE 1 6 4 4, 2.
THIS ITEM MUST BE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY BY TWO THIRD VOTE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MOTION TO DECLARE THE EMERGENCY REQUIRES A SECOND.
IS THERE A MOTION TO DECLARE THIS ITEM AND EMERGENCY? IS THERE A MOTION MOTION BY AMOROSA? SECOND ABOUT COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION, UH, TO DECLARE THIS ITEM AND EMERGENCY? WELL, NOW I HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 96? IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM? WE NOW GO BACK TO THE COUNCIL.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM 1 96 COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON MOTION TO APPROVE BY GREEN.
RICK, IF YOU HAVE A SECOND, UH, WHO WERE THE OTHER TWO VENDORS WHO MET THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS WERE LIKE TO RESERVE THAT WHILE WE GO THROUGH NIGGA IN CASE THEY DON'T AGREE TO, TO THE TERMS THAT WE WANT THEM TO MEET, THAT WE'D LIKE TO RESERVE THAT AT THIS TIME, WE DON'T WANT TO DISCLOSE THEIR NAMES.
AND THE OTHER VENDORS, THEY MET THE QUALIFICATION PART OF THE RFP REVIEW PROCESS.
I I'LL JUST GIVE YOU MY FEEDBACK.
I'M OKAY WITH THIS ITEM TONIGHT, I'M GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR.
UM, BUT IN MY OPINION, IT'S TIME THAT WE PUT ALL OF OUR GUARD AND DISASTER DEBRIS.
WE NEED DEBRIS PICKED UP QUICKER, RIGHT? WE NEED EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW, AND TENT DEBRIS, PICKUP, AND GARBAGE SERVICE IN GENERAL.
SO I THINK IT'S TIME TO PUT EVERYBODY ON NOTICE, RIGHT? PROBABLY THE MOTION.
SECOND ABOUT NONE, ANY OPPOSITION TO GLARE ITEM 1 96 IN EMERGENCY ITEM 1 96 HAS BEEN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVED BY DONE SECOND TO BY M ROSSO
[Additional Item ]
ANNOUNCEMENTS, AREN'T THERE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS COUNCIL MEMBER GREEN.WE JUST WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO OUR BACK TO SCHOOL BIKE, RIDE BIKING WITH THE BADGE, UM, WHICH IS AT THE CHARLES R. KELLY COMMUNITY CENTER, 35 35 RALEIGH STREET.
UM, AND WE HAVE MANY GREAT PARTNERS THAT WORKED WITH US TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
UM, AND SO I HOPE YOU CAN BRING YOUR CHILDREN OUT AND HE COME GET SOME EXERCISE.
UM, AGAIN, 3:00 PM AT THE CHARLES R. KELLY COMMUNITY CENTER.
AND I LIKE TO INVITE ALL OF YOU AND THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL LISTENING AND VIEWING AUDIENCE, UH, OUT.
SO THIS SATURDAY, JULY 31ST AT 9:00 AM, UH, TO, UH, TO, UH, BATON ROUGE, HEALTH AND FITNESS EXPO, UH, THERE WILL BE VARIOUS DIFFERENT TRAINERS.
THEY'RE TAKING THOSE WHO WANT TO DO VARIOUS DIFFERENT EXERCISE SESSIONS THAT WILL BE GUEST SPEAKERS WHO SPEAK ON HEALTH AND FITNESS.
AND THERE WILL ALSO BE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS THEY'RE PROVIDING, UH, CHOLESTEROL CHECKS, BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS, AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER COMMUNITY SUPPORT RESOURCES.
AGAIN, THAT'S GOING TO BE HELD THIS SATURDAY, JULY 31ST, UH, AT MEMORIAL STADIUM LOCATED AT 1 7 0 2 FALL STREET.
AND THAT IS BEING HOSTED BY FOCUS FITNESS AS WELL AS THE PROGRAM 2013.
UH, PLEASE COME OUT OF NEW JERSEY.
AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE, MAKE SURE THEY READ BACK TO YOU.
AND I THINK WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE JESSICA FOR SITTING THERE FOR AFTER YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB.