[00:00:01]
AND NOW YOU'RE DOWN TO TWO.[CALL TO ORDER]
TO THE SPECIAL MEETING, UH, OF THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.ASHLEY, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM? WE HAVE A QUORUM.
[1. 22-01422]
ONE AMENDING THE PRELIMINARY CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE FOR THE YEAR OF 2023.SUBMITTED BY THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND ADOPTING THE FINAL CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE FOR THE YEAR 2023 BY MAYOR, PRESIDENT, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO, UH, MR. DARRYL GISEL.
THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT, THE ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS THAT THE PROPOSED 2023 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL OF NOVEMBER 1ST BE APPROVED WITH AN AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 5 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR MS FOUR COMPLIANCE FOR STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
UM, THE PROPOSED SOURCE OF THE FUNDING FOR THE AMENDMENT IS THE FUND BALANCE UNASSIGNED IN THE GENERAL FUND.
THIS IS IN KEEPING WITH CORRESPONDENCE THAT WAS SENT TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS LAST WEEK.
UM, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION'S BEING DISTRIBUTED NOW.
WE'LL OPEN THE FLORIDA COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I COULDN'T GET TO THE BUTTON FAST ENOUGH.
UM, THIS $5 MILLION IS FROM THE, THE, THE GENERAL FUND, UH, FUND BALANCE UNASSIGNED, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, DID WE JUST, UH, THROUGH EITHER A GRANT OR SOMEWHERE ACQUIRE ANOTHER 5 MILLION THAT WAS A FUND THROUGH THE WATERSHED INITIATIVE PROGRAM THAT WE, UH, WERE APPROVED YESTERDAY? ALL THE DETAILS HAVE BEEN RESOLVED, BUT IT DOES HAVE TO DEAL, I THINK, WITH SOME OF THE TREATMENT PLANT, WHICH ALSO IMPACTS WATER QUALITY THAT WE WERE ALSO LOOKING AT.
SO WE GOT THIS 5 MILLION AND THEN THAT OTHER 5 MILLION COMING IN, I CAN SPEAK FOR SURE ON THIS 5 MILLION.
THE OTHER, WE, I DON'T KNOW ALL THE DETAILS AT THIS POINT, AND I, I, I, I KNOW IT'S BEEN, UH, BEEN APPROVED FROM A STANDPOINT.
UH, A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PRO PROPOSED BUDGET AS PRESENTED, UH, IS IN ORDER.
AND THEN THIS WILL INCLUDE THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
SO MOVED BY RAA, SECONDED BY DUNN.
ANY IN OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
[2. 22-01545]
ONE CARRIES.ITEM TWO, ADOPTING THE REVISED 2023 PAY PLAN FOR CLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED, NON-CLASSIFIED CONTRACT, FIRE AND POLICE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE.
ESTABLISHING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SAID PLAN AS DECEMBER 31ST, 2022.
AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CON CONFLICT HERE WITH BY HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
UH, ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
[3. 22-01546]
THREE, FIXING THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES OF THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND AGENCIES TO WHICH APPROPRIATIONS ARE MADE.AND ESTABLISHING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF DECEMBER 31ST, 2022.
AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HERE WITH BY HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR WILL OPEN THE FLOOR, UH, THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM NUMBER THREE.
SING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MR. HURS, I'M GONNA ABSTAIN FROM VOTE ON THIS.
PLEASE SHOW MR. HURST'S OBSTA ABSTAINING MOTION BY THE CHAIR.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
[4. 22-01538]
ITEM FOUR, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE SERVICES CONTRACT WITH TECHNICAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.TSG TO PROVIDE ONSITE BROADCAST PRODUCTION PERSONNEL FOR SIX PRESCHEDULED MEETINGS PER MONTH HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND PERFORM OPERATIONAL CHECKS OF ALL AUDIO VISUAL, UH, EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO THE MEETING GOING LIVE.
THIS CONTRACT IS IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,000.
WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM FOUR, SAYING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MO MOTION BY RAA.
SECONDED BY, UH, PLEASE SHOW MR. HURST IS UPSTANDING.
SECOND BY COUNCILMAN NOLAN, SEEING NO OPPOSITION.
[Items 5 - 7]
WE'RE GONNA TAKE ITEMS FIVE AND SEVEN TOGETHER.ITEM FIVE, AUTHORIZED AMER PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF JUVENILE SERVICES EXECUTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH DR.
ROMANO AND ASSOCIATES, LLC TO CONDUCT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT SERVICES FOR YOUTH AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE.
[00:05:01]
AT AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $55,000 BY JUVENILE JUSTICE DIRECTOR.ITEM SIX, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF JUVENILE SERVICES TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH NEW DECISIONS AND INSTITUTE COORDINATING, CONDUCTING SOCIAL AND THERAPEUTIC RECREATIONAL SERVICES TO YOUTH.
REFERRED TO THE EVENING WEEKEND CLINICS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICE, INCLUDING PRODUCTION OF TEACHING MATERIALS, COORDINATION AND CLASS ACTIVITIES IN THE MOUNTAIN TICS.
EXCEED $75,000 BY THE JUVENILE SERVICES DIRECTOR.
ITEM SEVEN, AUTHORIZED AMER PRESENT AND DIRECTOR OF JUVENILE SERVICES TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE CONVENIENT CARE LAKE AFTER HOURS DOING BUSINESS AS TOTAL OCCUPATION TO PROVIDE JUVENILE SERVICES, ACCESS TO CONTINUUM AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INCLUDING SCREENING, PREVENTION, HEALTH, EDUCATION, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT AS THE ONSITE MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND PROVIDED AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $150,000 BY THE JUVENILE SERVICES DIRECTOR.
IS ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS FIVE THROUGH SEVEN? WE HAVE DR.
GOOD AFTERNOON, REVEREND ALEXIS ANDERSON, 2 48 STEEL BOULEVARD.
I WAS HERE ON NOVEMBER 29TH AND I HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROCESS AS A WHOLE, ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE PUBLIC WAS NOT GIVEN WORKSHOPS OR INFORMATION, BUT IN PARTICULAR THE CRISES IN THE JUVENILE FACILITY THAT THESE CONTRACTS ARE BEING CONSIDERED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN OPEN CONVERSATION, AN AUDIT, A EVALUATION OF THE CRISES THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE JUVENILE FACILITY.
AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT ONE, WHAT WAS THE PROCESS FOR MAKING THESE CONTRACTS? WAS THIS AN OPEN PROCESS? WERE FAMILIES AND STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY PART OF THE PROCESS? THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, AS A TAXPAYER, I FOUND IT VERY TROUBLESOME THAT ON NOVEMBER 29TH I WAS NOT PART OF THE PROCESS.
THE COUNCIL WAS, BUT NOT ONE CITIZEN WAS ALLOWED TO HAVE INPUT OR QUESTIONS.
AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE ARE SIGNING OFF TO THINGS WITHOUT EITHER THE INPUT OR QUITE FRANKLY THE APPROVAL OF THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM EVERYBODY ON THIS COUNCIL IS SUPPOSED TO GET THAT INFORMATION.
IS ANYONE ELSE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS FIVE THROUGH SEVEN? COUNCIL MEMBERS? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS FIVE THROUGH SEVEN? I HAVE A QUESTION.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE THAT CAN ANSWER THE A QUESTION? GOOD AFTERNOON TO EVERYONE.
TAMARI WADE, DIRECTOR AND CHIEF OFFICER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES.
ON NOVEMBER 29TH, AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNCIL, I DID IN FACT PRESENT A PRESENTATION OUTLINE AND DATED OPERATION SERVICES AS WELL AS THE BUDGET.
AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME, WE DISCUSSED THAT ALL OF THE CONTRACTS ARE RENEWING CONTRACTS FROM ESTABLISHED PROVIDERS, UM, MAINLY EVEN BEFORE MY TENURE THAT HAS BEEN, UH, APPOINTED AND MANDATED THROUGH THE COURT.
ALL OF THE CONTRACTS THAT ARE LISTED ARE FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, INTAKES AND SCREENINGS.
ROMANO FOR THE PAST 20 TO 25 YEARS AND WE'VE WORKED WITH ALL OTHER INDIVIDUALS FOR THE LAST FIVE TO 15 YEARS.
SO NO CONTRACT THAT APPEAR IS A NEW CONTRACT.
THERE'S A, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT SHE'S ALLUDING TO.
YOU KNOW, THE, UM, THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE NOW AND THE WAY, UM, THE WAY, UH, WE A LOT OF TIMES WITH THE WAY WE ASSESS MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IS DIFFERENT, UM, FOR THE LAST 20, 25 YEARS AS WELL AS FIVE.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I, UM, DEFINITELY BELIEVE IN IS THAT WE, THAT WE DON'T JUST CONT HAVE A CONTINUOUS PATTERN OF RENEWING THE SAME CONTRACT, BUT THAT THERE IS A PROCESS BY WHICH WE, UM, LOOK AT THE WORK.
AND THAT IS WHAT, UH, DR UH, THAT'S WHAT REVEREND ANDERSON IS SAYING, THAT NOT THAT THERE ISN'T A NEED OR THAT THE MONEY ISN'T THERE, BUT WHAT IS THE DATA THAT SAYS NOT ONLY THAT IT SHOULD NOT, CUZ IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE, UM, WE SHOULD ALWAYS FIRST THINK IN TERMS
[00:10:01]
OF IS THERE SOMETHING BETTER? AND THEN, UM, FROM THAT CONCLUSION, I MEAN IT'S LIKE, LIKE EVERYTHING WE SAY GET THREE, GET THREE BIDS ALMOST.SO WHAT SHE'S ASKING IS IN THESE CONTRACTS, WAS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE AND GIVE OTHER VENDORS A CHANCE? UM, CUZ I MEAN WE ARE DEALING WITH A DIFFERENT, UH, ISSUES TW YOU KNOW, IN THIS 21ST, 22ND IN WHICH, YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ME AS WELL AS I DO.
SO WHAT IS NEW? WHAT IS NEW, UH, AS IT RELATES TO SCREENING? AS IT RELATES TO PREVENTION HEALTHCARE? BECAUSE IF WE LOOK AT THE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON WITH OUR YOUTH, THEY NEED MORE.
AND CHANCES ARE WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON THE LAST FIVE TO 25 YEARS NO LONGER WORKS FOR THE KIDS TODAY.
SO THAT'S WHAT SHE'S ASKING YOU.
WHAT OTHER PARAMETERS THAT YOU LOOK AT BEFORE YOU CHOSE THESE SAME VENDORS AND UM, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT SHE'S LOOKING FOR.
SO LET ME SAY THIS, OUR OBSERVATION AND EVALUATION IS NOT ANNUAL.
IT IS DONE MONTHLY BASED ON THE SERVICES THAT ARE RENDERED.
UM, IF YOU ALL CAN RECALL, I SAID THAT ONE OF THE CONTRACTORS MOST RECENTLY CAME ON BOARD.
SO THAT MEAN THAT AT THE ONSET OF MY LEADERSHIP, THERE WERE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE NOW THROUGH OBSERVATIONS REVIEW AND SEVERAL MEETINGS, WE DETERMINED THAT THE QUALITY OF WORK THAT WAS BEING PROVIDED BY DR.
ROMANO AS WELL AS TOTAL OCCUPATIONAL, WHO THE CITY PARISH USES, UM, WAS SUFFICIENT IN MANY CASES, MORE THAN SUFFICIENT.
WHILE THE PAY MAY HAVE BEEN, UM, NOT UP TO PAR.
AND THEY CONTINUE TO WORK WITH US IN THOSE PARTICULAR ASPECTS.
ALSO, WHEN IT COMES TO THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES AS IT RELATES TO JUVENILE DETENTION, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OF THOSE MANDATES ARE THROUGH OUR JUVENILE COURT JUDGES.
AND IN DOING SO, WE CONSULT ON A DAILY BASIS, UM, TO DISCUSS THE HEALTHCARE, THE CONTINUUM OF CARE.
AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT UH, THE JUDGES AS WELL AS THE LEADERSHIP WITH JUVENILE SERVICES, WE HAVE REVIEWED IN DETAIL.
WE HAVE MET AND WE THOUGHT THESE TO BE THE BEST PROVIDERS.
SO WHEN YOU SAY THE JUDGES MANDATE, ARE THEY MANDATING WHO PROVIDES THE SERVICES? ARE THAT THE SERVICES BE PROVIDED? THAT IS THE, THEY DO NOT MANDATE WHO PROVIDES THE SERVICES.
WE HAVE AN OPEN THAT'S TALKING ABOUT, WE HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION MM-HMM.
UH, AS WE MEET, UM, WITH OUR INTERNAL STAFF AND REVIEW, UM, WHAT WE CONSIDER, UM, A VETTING PROCESS.
UH, ALSO ON A MONTHLY BASIS, WE DON'T PAY ANY INVOICE IF THOSE SERVICES HAVE NOT BEEN MET AND THEY ARE NOT UP TO PAR.
SO IN VETTING THAT MEANS THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE, UM, VENDORS, BUT BASED ON WHAT YOU'VE STATED, YOU DON'T LOOK OUT, YOU HAVE NOT LOOKED OUTSIDE OF THE CURRENT VENDOR.
AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, THINKING ABOUT MY DAYS AT DCFS FOR EVERY SERVICE WE HAVE TWO OR THREE PROVIDERS, YOU KNOW, SO WE MIGHT HAVE A AND LIKE, AND WHICH IS A GOOD PRACTICE, IF YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, YOU DIDN'T GET PAID.
BUT, UM, ESPECIALLY NOW WITH SUCH A LARGE INFLUX OF YOUTH, UM, THAT ARE COMING TO THE ATTENTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DETENTION, HAVING TWO OR THREE WILL QUICKEN AND MAKE MORE ACCESSIBLE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR JUVENILES TO BE SERVICED.
IF YOU DID HAVE ONLY TOTAL, YOU KNOW, THEN THAT KIND OF BOTTLENECKS THE PROCESS A LOT OF TIMES.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER, YOU WANT YOU EXTRA TIME.
UH, SO IS IT POSSIBLE TO, UM, I, I MEAN I KNOW WE ARE HERE AND I GUESS THAT'S PART OF THE THING.
IF WE COULD HAVE HAD THOSE QUESTIONS, THOSE KIND OF CONVERSATIONS IN ADVANCE.
BUT RIGHT NOW IT IS BEST PRACTICE, WHETHER IT'S THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OR YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE STATE AGENCIES THAT DEAL WITH CHILDREN, YOUTH THAT THEY ARE MORE THAN ONE PROVIDER FOR THAT'S PROVIDED AS SERVICE.
SO IS THIS A YEAR CONTRACT OR HOW LONG IT IS? UH, FOR ONE YEAR.
SO YOU THINK THAT AFTER THAT, BASED ON WHAT IS BEING DISCUSSED TODAY, BASED ON WHAT REVEREND ANDERSON IS SAYING, UM, WE CAN BEGIN HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND LOOKING AT MULTIPLE VENDORS.
UM, I KNOW, UM, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIME NOW THERE'S A NEED FOR JUST FINDING BLACK MALE PROVIDERS.
YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT TOTAL OCCUPATION JUST DID WORKMAN'S COMP, BUT, SO THAT'S A WHOLE WHOLE NOTHER STORY.
BUT YEAH, LET'S, YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK CLOSER, UM, AND JOIN AND, AND LET THE COMMUNITY BE PART OF THE STAKEHOLDER.
CUZ YOU DID HAVE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL,
[00:15:01]
I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL MET RECENTLY, BUT I HAVEN'T GOTTEN A LETTER IN A WHILE WHERE YOU DO TALK TO THE COMMUNITY AND YOU TALK TO PARENTS AND YOU TALK TO NONPROFITS AND THE SCHOOL SAYS THAT OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON HOW YOU'RE DOING AND YOU KNOW, I'M BEHIND YOU 100%, BUT I DO THINK IF YOU GET MULTIPLE, YOU CAN, YOU CAN GET MORE SERVICES IN AND A VARIED SERVICE.AND SO WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS WITH DIFFERENT, WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE HEALTHCARE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND YEAH.
AND THAT, AND THAT'S THAT THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THEY'RE GOOD.
AND SO WE ARE EXPERT IS GOOD FOR PROVIDING, BUT NOT NECESSARILY CHOOSING.
SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHOOSING A, A VARIOUS PERSONS TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES, GIVE PARENTS CHOICES, TO GIVE CHILDREN CHOICES.
BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE ONE VENDOR AND THAT KID DOESN'T TAKE TO THAT PERSON, THEN YOU'VE LOST IT.
SO THAT IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE DIFFERENT KIND OF PROVIDERS WITH THE SAME SERVICE.
SO I'M NOT A HEALTHCARE EXPERT, BUT I SURE KNOW WHAT, WHAT WORKS WITH CHILDREN, RIGHT.
AND I KNOW WHO WORKS WITH KIDS.
SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, A HOLISTIC APPROACH WHERE THESE KIDS ARE BEING ABLE TO GET SERVICES THAT FIT THEM BECAUSE IT'S NOT ONE SIZE FIT ALL ANYMORE.
SO I JUST HOPE YOU'LL BE OPEN TO THAT.
I THINK, UH, THIS IS A HEALTHY DISCUSSION AND A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ISSUE.
I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW THAT SHE WENT INTO THE DIRECTION OF SELECTING A VENDOR OR NOT SELECTING A VENDOR OR MULTIPLE VENDORS.
I THINK SHE JUST WANTED THE OPPORTUNITY AS A STAKEHOLDER TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION MUCH SOONER THAN TONIGHT.
AM I RIGHT IN MY ASSESSMENT? OKAY.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT SHE'S ASKING.
UM, THE ONE THING I KNOW ABOUT CHILDREN AS WELL IS ABOUT CONSISTENCY.
AND SO IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN IN SERVICE IN JUVENILE JUSTICE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, UM, THEY MAY HAVE STARTED OFF UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE IT PO POSSIBLY WASN'T THE RIGHT FIT FOR A PHYSICIAN OR FOR A MENTAL HEALTH PERSON.
BUT THAT'S WHO YOU GUYS HAVE, RIGHT? AND OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THOSE COUPLE LEVELS EASE AND THEY START TO OPEN UP AND THEY START TO DO THOSE THINGS AND THEN PEEL THOSE LAYERS OF THAT ONION BACK TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF WHY THEY'RE A PART OF THAT DETENTION CENTER AND DOING THE BEHAVIORS THAT THEY'RE DOING.
IS THAT HOW THAT WORKS? ABSOLUTELY.
AND OUR PARENTS OF THOSE YOUTH THAT ARE DETAINED OR INVOLVED IN MOST OF OUR PROCESSES, WE RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THEM.
AND I WILL TELL YOU, UH, DURING THE FOUR YEARS THAT I'VE LED DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES, THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES, UH, TO INDIVIDUALS THAT RECEIVE CONTRACTS.
SO THIS DOES NOT SIMPLY REPRESENT, UH, CONTINUUM OF, UH, FORMER PROVIDERS.
UM, WE DO HAVE NEW PROVIDERS, UM, AND THE FEEDBACK HAS SUGGESTED, UH, PARENTAL IMPROVEMENT.
AND SO WHEN WE CONSIDER, OR WHEN I CONSIDER, UH, THE INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE THE CHOICES, WE CERTAINLY DEEM THE PARENTS OF DETAINED YOUTH AND THOSE WHO HAVE COME THROUGH OUR FACILITY THAT THEIR VOICES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
AND SO THEY'RE INCLUDED NOT JUST IN THIS PARTICULAR PROCESS FOR HEALTHCARE, BUT IN MANY OF THE PROCESSES THAT WE HAVE.
AND, AND IT IS LIKE A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER COMING INTO A CLASSROOM.
THE CLASS IS GOING TO RESPOND AND ACT COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN THEY DO IN THE PRIMARY TEACHERS THERE.
YOU START THE SCHOOL YEAR OFF THE FIRST PART OF THE YEAR, YOU MAY NOT LIKE TO TEACH, EVENTUALLY GET USED TO THE CULTURE AND YOU START TO FALL IN LINE WITH THEIR TEACHER'S BEST PRACTICES.
AND WHAT I'VE SEEN IS THAT, UM, BY DEALING MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH DEALING WITH YOUTH, UM, BOTH IN THE EDUCATION AND NON-PROFIT WORLDS, THAT WHEN YOU HAVE THE INTERRUPTION OF SERVICES OR INTERRUPTION OF LEADERSHIP, THAT THE BEHAVIOR CHANGES.
THEY ACTUALLY KIND OF SHELL UP.
SO CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE IN YOUR WORLD WITH A DISRUPTION OF EITHER MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS, WORKERS THAT ARE THERE, UM, SUBSTITUTE WORKERS, AND HOW THOSE KIDS CHANGE AND RESPOND TO THAT, UH, IN, IN THAT JUVENILE SERVICES ENVIRONMENT? ABSOLUTELY.
UH, WITHIN THE ENTITY, UH, IT IS NO DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF A SCHOOL SETTING.
UH, MANY INDIVIDUALS, IF YOU VISIT DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES, YOU WILL SEE THAT WE OPERATE, UH, MOST LIKE, UH, NORMAL ACADEMIC INSTITUTION.
WE HAVE CLASSES FROM 8:00 AM TO 2:45 PM THEY ARE TAUGHT BY CERTIFIED EAST BAN ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, UH, TEACHERS UNDER THE EBR R READINESS CENTER.
UH, AND THE DIRECTION OF MR. LARA JAMES.
WE WORK CLOSELY NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE THE ACADEMICS, BUT TO ASSESS ALL
[00:20:01]
AREAS THAT COULD POSSIBLY AFFECT OR INTERFERE WITH WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE NOW I WAS GONNA SAY ONE THING.SO WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME IS THAT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER, THERE'S NO DIFFERENT THAN A SCHOOL COUNSELOR.
THE KID DOESN'T SELECT WHO THE COUNSELOR IS, THAT COUNSELORS ARE PART OF THAT SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AND THE KID EVENTUALLY OPENS UP TO THAT SCHOOL COUNSELOR.
CAUSE I'VE BEEN A PART OF JUVENILE SERVICES, I'VE, I'VE TOURED, I'VE SEEN THE DAYS, I'VE STAYED THERE WITH YOU FOR A LITTLE BIT.
AND IT'S RUN JUST LIKE A TRADITIONAL SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF THE DETENTION SIDE OF IT, RIGHT? YES, SIR.
SO WHAT THAT, WHAT THAT MENTAL HEALTH PORTION OF WHAT YOU DO IS, IS NO DIFFERENT THAN A SCHOOL COUNSELOR WHO'S VETTED THROUGH HR HIRED, IS THERE ON SITE AND BECOMES A RESOURCE FOR EVERYBODY IN THE EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT.
I JUST, I JUST BELIEVE IN CONSISTENCY.
AND SO YEAH, THE CONSISTENCY IS VERY IMPORTANT.
UM, WE CERTAINLY TRY, UM, ALTHOUGH THE CONTRACTS ARE FOR ONE YEAR, THE ASSESSMENT IS BASED ON HOW THEY HAVE PERFORMED AND ENGAGED WITH THE YOUTHS AS WELL AS OUR FAMILIES, UM, AND OUR TEACHERS IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AS WELL AS OUR DETENTION STAFF.
AND OUR FEEDBACK HAS BEEN, UH, RELATIVELY, UH, POSITIVE.
HEY, IS A PARISH ATTORNEY IN HERE? SOMEBODY? NO OBJECTION.
YE UH, JUST QUICK, JUST QUICK QUESTION.
SO MOST OF OUR CONTRACTS, THERE'S AN OUT CLAUSE IF THEY, THESE PEOPLE DON'T PERFORM THEIR SERVICES, UM, AS RENDERED BY THE CITY.
SO BASED ON YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ABOUT KIDS NOT IMPROVING, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CUT THAT CONTRACT AND PUT ANOTHER ONE IN PLACE THAT BETTER SERVICES YOUR KIDS, CORRECT? YES.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, CONCERNS? AT THIS TIME WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ROCK.
SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HURST.
ITEMS FIVE THROUGH SEVEN HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
[Items 8 - 11]
NOW GO TO ITEMS EIGHT THROUGH 11, AUTHORIZED AMERIC PRESIDENT TO RENEW A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT, CONVENIENT CARE, ANY AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $225,000 ANNUALLY FOR MEDICAL RELATED SERVICES AND $335,000 ANNUAL FOR FIFTH YEAR WELLNESS PHYSICALS FOR THE BATON ROUGE FIRE DEPARTMENT BY THE HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR.ITEM NINE, AUTHORIZED AMER PRESIDENT A RENEW PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH THE FRANCISCAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES, INCORPORATED IN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 360 TH THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY FOR HEALTHY LIVE SERVICES.
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2023 BY HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR.
ITEM 10, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESENT TO RENEW PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH HEALTHY REMEDY L L C AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 ANNUALLY FOR VARIOUS MEDICAL AND RELATED SERVICES.
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2023 BY HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR AND ITEM 11, AUTHORIZED AMER PRESIDENT TO RENEW A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH OUR LADY OF THE LATE PHYSICIAN GROUP LA CARDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES IN AMOUNT NOW TO EXCEED $60,000 ANNUAL FOR DIAGNOSTIC STRESS TESTING SERVICES BY HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 8 3 11? WE HAVE DR.
WE GOT YOU DOWN FOR 10 AND 11.
ANYONE ELSE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 8 3 11 WHEN I GO TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MOTION TO APPROVE BY ADAM? SECOND NUMBER BY NO ITEMS 8 3 11 HAVE BEEN APPROVED
[12. 22-01563]
WHEN I ITEM 12 AUTHORIZED MAYOR, PRESIDENT EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO WITH THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE SOUTH CENTRAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO EXTEND CONTRACT PERIOD THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2023 TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SERVICES AND STAFF OF AUGMENTATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,275,990 BY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, ANYONE IN WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 12, WE NOW GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER.SO MOVED BY ADAMS, SECONDED BY OUR PURSE.
[Items 13 & 14]
13 AND 14 WILL TAKE IT TOGETHER.AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT WITH PATENT PRODUCTION INCORPORATED FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED THE BAT ROUGE FILM COMMISSION FOR A PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2023.
AND THE AMOUNT NOW TO EXCEED, EXCUSE ME, THE AMOUNT OF 120,000 AND THE OPTION FOR ONE YEAR RENEWALS CONTINUED UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET BY MAYOR PRESIDENT'S OFFICE.
ITEM 14, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESENT, EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH NATHAN HALL FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT SERVICES RELATION TO THE BATTERY FILM PERMISSION FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2023 IN THE MOUNTAIN TIC C 59,000 AND THE OPTION OF A ONE YEAR RENEWAL IS CONTENDED UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET BY MAYOR PRESENT'S OFFICE.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS? 1314.
SO MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER NOEL.
ITEMS 13 AND 14 HAVE BEEN APPROVED WHEN
[15. 22-01572]
GO ITEM 15, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESIDENT EXECUTE AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH POSSIBLY THE NETTERVILLE APAC AND THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE[00:25:01]
AUDIT AND THE RAISING KINGS RIVER CENTER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AUDIT IN AN AMOUNT OF 352,000 BY FINANCE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 15? WE NOW GO TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? SO MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER NOEL SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN.
ANY OBJECTIONS? ITEM 15 HAS BEEN APPROVED.
[16. 22-01573]
16, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR OF PRESIDENT TEXAS EXECUTE THE CONTRACT WITH EASTBOUND PARISH SCHOOL BOARD IN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $134,110 TO PROVIDE ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES FOR INMATES IN EAST BAR PARISH PRISON BY THE MAYOR PRESENT IN THE EAST BAR PARISH.SHERIFF, ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 16? REVEREND ANDERSON.
GOOD AFTERNOON, REVEREND ALEXIS ANDERSON.
I HAVE MULTIPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ITEM.
THE, UH, FOLKS THAT ARE CURRENTLY HOUSED IN OUR JAIL ARE PRIMARILY PRETRIAL, WHICH MEANS FOR THE MOST PART, FOLK ARE TRYING TO GET OUT.
UM, THE SECOND QUESTION I HAVE IS THAT THESE ARE CITIZENS OF THE PARISH ALMOST PRIMARILY.
AND SO WHY ARE WE HAVING A CONTRACT FOR SERVICE THAT IS PROVIDED ACROSS THE BOARD IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ALL OVER THE PARISH? WHY ARE WE HAVING A SEPARATE AND A PART CONTRACT, UH, BETWEEN UH, AN ENTITY THAT IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES AND PROVIDES THEM IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS? MY THIRD QUESTION IS THAT THE FAMILIES OF THOSE THAT ARE DETAINED CANNOT VISIT THEIR LOVED ONES IN THE JAIL.
AND IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY BUT THOSE FAMILIES ARE BEING ALLOWED TO COME IN THAT FACILITY EVEN THOUGH COVID IS STILL GOING ON EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES.
AND SO I HAVE REAL CONCERNS THAT WE ARE NOT MOVING TOWARDS TRYING TO FUND OR GIVE OBLIGATION TO OUR PUBLIC DEFENSE SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN HELP MOVE THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T NEED TO BE OUT OF THERE.
AND INSTEAD, WE ARE TRYING TO INSTITUTIONALIZE IF FOLK NEED EDUCATION.
BUT THE REALITY IS THERE ARE SUCH A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THAT FACILITY THAT, BUT FOR THE MONEY, THEY SHOULD BE AT HOME WORKING ON THEIR CASES.
AND SO I HAVE MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS, BUT PARTICULARLY THE FACT THAT FAMILIES STILL CANNOT AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE SINCE THE PANDEMIC TO VISIT WITH THEIR LOVED ONES, THAT WE ARE ALLOWING EVERYBODY AND THEIR BROTHER INTO THAT FACILITY IS NOT JUST WRONG.
ANYONE ELSE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 16? WE NOW GO TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I ENTERTAINED A MOTION AT THIS TIME.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON.
SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER NO.
[17. 22-01574]
APPROVED, WE GO TO ITEM 17, AUTHORIZED UNDER MAYOR PRESENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH CROSSROAD STRATEGIES LLC IN AN AMOUNT OF $250,000 FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SERVICES BY THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT.IS ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 17? WE NOW GO TO COUNCIL.
I'LL ENTERTAIN SOME MOVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ADAM, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOK.
ITEM 17 HAS BEEN APPROVED WITH NO OBJECTION.
[18. 22-01575]
ITEM 18, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT EXECUTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT.THE COURSE NICKEL AN AMOUNT UP TO 110,000 FOR LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023 AND OPTION FOR ONE YEAR RENEWALS CONTINUED UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET BY MAYOR, PRESIDENT, AND ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 18.
WHEN NOW GO TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IS THERE MUST SO MOVED BY ADAM, SECONDED BY ROA.
ITEM 18 HAS BEEN APPROVED WITH NO OBJECTION.
[Items 19 - 21]
WE'RE GONNA TAKE ITEMS 19 THROUGH 21.TOGETHER, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF ZACHARY AND AMOUNT NA EXCEED $115,500 TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SERVICES AS A BILLION AND COLLECTION AGENT OF SUE AND SOLID WASTE USER FEES FOR THE CITY PARISH BY FINANCE DIRECTOR.
ITEM 20, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF BACON AND THE AMOUNT NA EXCEED 90 $90,260 TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SERVICES AS A BILLING AND COLLECTION AGENT OF SU AND SOLID WEIGHT USER FEES FOR THE CITY PARISH.
ITEM 21, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE BATON ROUGE WATER COMPANY FOR THE PARISH WATER COMPANY, INCORPORATED IN THE MOUNT NTIC C $3,334,100 TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SERVICES AS BILLING AND COLLECTION AGENT OF SU SUING SOLID WASTES USER FEES FOR THE CITY PARISH DIRECTOR.
IS ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 19 THROUGH 21? NOW GO TO COUNCIL.
SO MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION? ITEMS 2019 THROUGH 21 HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
[Items 22 - 26]
TAKE ITEMS 22 THROUGH 26 TOGETHER AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESENT INTO CONTRACT FOR 2023 BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE AND DR.SANG G GODBY TO SERVE AS THE DEPARTMENT'S MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND NOT TO EXCEED $208,000 FUNDS BUDGETED IN THE 2023 PROPOSED BUDGET BY
[00:30:01]
THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO PAY REIMBURSEMENT SOLUTION SOLUTION GROUP AND AMOUNT ALLOW TO EXCEED 125,000 FOR 2023 BY THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.
ITEM 24 AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO PAY KENNEDY AND STREGER LLC AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 FOR 2023 BY THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.
ITEM 25, AUTHORIZED AMER PRESENT TO OUR DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO PAY CORUS REVENUE SOLUTIONS AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $400,000 FOR 2023 BY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.
ITEM 26, AUTHORIZED MAYOR PRESENT TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO PAY I T G STRATEGIES LLC AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 FOR 2023 BY THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTOR, ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 22 THROUGH 26? WE HAVE DR.
THIS WOULD'VE BEEN SO MUCH EASY IF WE'D HAVE DONE THIS ON THE 29TH.
UM, I HAD A QUESTION OF CLARIFICATION ON ITEM NUMBER 22.
THE, UH, DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PARISH.
AND, UM, I'M JUST CURIOUS, UH, IF THERE'S A REASON WHY THAT ROLE IS NOT A A, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PARISH.
IF SOMEBODY COULD ANSWER IT FOR ME.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION? WELCOME TO THE LIONS DEAN.
THE, UH, MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.
HIS EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN, HE IS, UH, MILITARY QUALIFIED.
HE IS, UH, QUALIFIED IN UH, MANY WAYS.
HE'S WON MANY NATIONAL AWARDS AND WE'VE CHOSEN DR.
GODBY, UH, SINCE 2013 TO BE THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE FACT THAT THE QUALITY THAT HE CAN GIVE THE CITIZENS OF THIS PARISH FOR PRE-HOSPITAL CARE IS, UH, UNSURPASSED.
IS ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THAT ITEM? I, I DO.
COUNCILMAN BANKS, I, I, IF I MAY BE MISTAKEN, SHE ASKS WHY IT, SHE DIDN'T ASK ABOUT THE, THE GENTLEMAN OR HIS QUALIFICATIONS.
SHE SAID, WHY ISN'T THE POSITION PART OF EITHER CLASSIFIED OR UNCLASSIFIED GOVERNMENT? THERE'S SUCH A APATHY WHEN WE DEAL WITH, UM, CERTAIN CONTRACTORS ON THIS YEAH.
WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE COUNCIL, WE, IF WE DEALING WITH THE JUVENILE SERVICES, PARISH PRISON, ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF BEING ABLE TO TAKE CARE AND DEFEND THEMSELF, THERE'S SUCH A APATHY HERE.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, I'M, I'M I I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT, BUT ANYWAY, GO AHEAD.
UH, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, HE IS A, UH, QUALIFIER.
NOT HIM, NOT, THERE IS NO PERSON IN CITY PARISH THAT THAT FITS THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THAT.
SOMEBODY'S COMING RIGHT BEHIND YOU TO HELP YOU OUT.
LIKE, DID YOU PUT IT OUT APPLICATION? IS THERE A JOB DESCRIPTION? COME ON MS. BERNARD.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.
COUNCILWOMAN, THERE IS NO, UH, POSITION IN THE CLASSIFIED, UNCLASSIFIED, UH, PLAN WITH A PHYSICIAN IN IT.
MOST OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE A CONTRACT, RIGHT.
UM, AND SECONDLY, THERE IS NO PAY SCALE THAT GOES UP THAT HIGH IN OUR PAY PLAN TO PAY TO COMPENSATE HIM.
SO I AM FAMILIAR WITH THAT FROM WHERE WE DID PRISON, BUT SHE'S ASKING A QUESTION.
BUT WE DO ALSO HAVE WHERE THOSE SAME THINGS CAN BE DONE, UH, UNDER UNCLASSIFIED BECAUSE WE DO HAVE UNCLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES WITH, WITH, WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME RESTRICTION.
AND I THINK ONE OF THE ISSUES AS WHAT WE SAW WITH THE CORONER'S OFFICE IS THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND MOST OFTEN THEY USE THE SAME, THE SAME EXCUSES.
THEY'RE THE ONLY ONE WITH THAT EXPERIENCE.
AND I JUST THINK THAT IT'S A POOR, UM, ANALOGY.
AND IF SO, THEN WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOLISTICALLY, WHY AREN'T WE TRAINING PEOPLE TO DO OUR JOBS? WHY ISN'T THERE A SUCCESSION PLAN? YOU KNOW? AND BEFORE THESE, THESE
[00:35:01]
ARE THE KIND OF ANSWERS THAT WE GET WHEN WE ASK, UM, BUSINESSES WHY THEY AREN'T HIRING MORE BLACK ENGINEERS.WE CAN'T FIND ANYBODY QUALIFIED AND THAT'S JUST RIDICULOUS.
AND WE JUST NEED TO DO BETTER.
SO, I MEAN, I'M NOT TRYING TO, I DON'T WANNA HOLD THINGS UP FOR TODAY, BUT, UM, ANOTHER THING, REVEREND ANDERSON, WHEN YOU SEE STUFF, DON'T WAIT TILL THE COUNCIL MEETING CUZ YOU NOT, YOU GONNA GET THEM.
THEY GONNA BE, IT'S GONNA BE APPROVED.
I AIN'T EVEN GOT TIME TO BE GONE THROUGH THAT.
BUT, UM, THESE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU SEE IN 23 THAT ARE GONNA COME UP IN 24.
SO LET'S HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN JANUARY AND START SEEING WHERE WE COULD GO.
I APPRECIATE YOU COUNCIL MEMBER DUN AGAIN, I THINK IT'S A HEALTHY DISCUSSION TO HAVE AND, AND COUNCILWOMAN, I, I AGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT YOU SAID.
ONE THING I WANT TO OFF, ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO OFFER UP, AND I'M SAYING THIS BECAUSE WE ARE DEALING WITH THIS AT THE AIRPORT.
SOMETIMES SOME OF THESE SPEC UH, POSITIONS, UH, HAVE SUCH SPECIFIC SKILL SETS AND DEMANDS.
UM, THE PAY SCALE AND CITY PARISH GOVERNMENT LIMITS YOUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT NOW TO COMPETE WITH, UH, INDUSTRY PARTNERS THAT ARE COMPETING FOR THE SAME TALENT THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO RECRUIT AND ATTRACT.
AND YOU KNOW, WE DEALING WITH THAT ISSUE HERE.
SO SOMETIMES YOU GONNA HAVE SOME POSITIONS THAT YOU GOTTA OUTSOURCE BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL RESTRAINTS OR THE PAY PLAN RESTRAINTS THAT CITY PARISH GOVERNMENT, UH, PRESENTS COUNCIL MEMBER HURST.
AND WITH THAT SAID, THAT IS A GREAT SEGUE TO TALK ABOUT WHY I'VE BEEN TALKING TO MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT DOING AN HR STUDY THAT INCLUDED, UM, HOW WE COMPARE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES OF SIMILAR SIZE.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ITEMS, SIR.
HOW YEAH, IT IS, BUT IT ALL, JUST THE THREE THINGS THAT IT INCLUDES, WHICH HELPS TO ADDRESS THIS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE PROPER PAY PLAN TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS.
SO WE'LL TIE IN WHICH GOES INTO HOW WE COMPARE THE INDUSTRY THAT TAKES OUR TALENT AND ALSO HOW WE DO, UM, I DON'T, UH, WOMEN'S PAY AND THE DISPARITY STUDIES THERE AND INCLUDE ALL OF THAT SO THAT WE CAN COMPETE AND NOT CONSTANTLY COME HERE ABOUT THE LACK OF RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE TO BE A BETTER SERVICE TO THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
AND THAT'S ALL DEPARTMENTS, NOT JUST, THAT'S EVERY DEPARTMENT ON THIS BUDGET.
SO, UH, I AM ACTIVELY WORKING ON THAT AND I ASK FOR MY COLLEAGUE SUPPORT WHEN I BRING IT TO YOU.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 22 THROUGH 26? SO MOVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOK SECOND AND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEM 22 THROUGH 26 HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
[27. 22-01586]
NOT GO ITEM 27, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRESIDENT EXECUTE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, A GREATER BATON ROUGE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP IN AN AMOUNT OF $339,500 FOR A PROFESSIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE QUALITY JOB GROWTH AND INCREASE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR CITY PARISH OPTS FOR ONE YEAR.RENEWALS CONTINUES UPON BUDGET BY MAYOR, PRESIDENT, ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 27 WHEN I THE COUNCIL? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 27? SO MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HERZ.
[Items 28 - 32]
WE'RE GONNA TAKE ITEMS 28 THROUGH 32 TOGETHER.AUTHORIZED MAYOR PRESENT ARE BRASCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER EIGHT FOR BAT ROUGE INSPECTION COALITION L C FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION, SUPPORT SERVICE SERVICES, AND THE CONNECTION WITH ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SUPPORT FIRM NUMBER TWO AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $550,000 BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.
DIRECT ITEM 29, AUTHORIZED MAYOR PRESIDENT BRASCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER 10 WITH ECM CONSULTANTS INCORPORATED FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION, SUPPORT, SERVICE, AND CONNECTION WITH ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SUPPORT FIRM ONE AND THE CONTRACT OF MOUNT NOW TO EXCEED $1,150,000 AND AN EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TIME BETWEEN DECEMBER 31ST, 2023 BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.
ITEM 30, AUTHORIZED MAYOR, PRESIDENT IN BRASCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER 12 WITH GO CHECK INCORPORATED FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION, SUPPORT, SERVICE, AND CONNECTION WITH DANIEL CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SUPPORT PROJECT GROUP TWO RESULTING IN AN INCREASE OF CONTRACT TIC EXCEED $500,000 BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AT RATE ITEM 31.
AUTHORIZED MAYOR, PRESIDENT IS EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER 20 TO THE CONTRACT CH TWO M HILL ENGINEERS FOR A PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR PHASE TWO OF THE BATON ROUGE SANITARY SEWER OR OVERFLOW CONTROLLING WASTEWATER FACILITIES PROGRAM RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 3,900,000.
ITEM 32 AUTHORIZED MERIT PRESIDENT EXECUTED SUPPLEMENT AGREEMENT NUMBER 10 TO THE CONTRACT WITH COMPLIANCE AND VIRAL SYSTEMS LLC BY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL PARISH BY SEWER CLEANING AND PHYSICAL INSPECTION SERVICES TO PROVIDE DRAINAGE BOX AND PIPE PLEADING FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $900,000.
IS ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 28 THROUGH 32? WE NOW GO TO COUNCIL THERE.
SO MOVED BY ADAM, SECONDED BY EARTH ITEM.
ANY OBJECTIONS? ITEMS 28 THROUGH 32 HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
MS. MA, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? THERE IS A MOTION TO ADJOURN MOTION BY MS. AMAROSA.
[00:40:01]
DO NEED TO READ A PRESS RELEASE THAT WAS JUST SENT OVER BY THE MAYOR.I THANK THE PRESS RELEASE IF I'M CORRECT, MR. GORE IS GONNA REQUIRE A LITTLE BIT OF DISCUSSION.
UH, EFFECTIVE BATON ROUGE FROM THE OFFICE OF MAYOR PRESENT, SHARON WESTERN BREWER, VETERANS LOUISIANA, DECEMBER 13TH, 2022 CITY PARIS BUILDINGS, INCLUDING THE HEADSTART WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH DUE TO POTENTIAL OF SEVERE WEATHER.
THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING WILL CONTINUE AT SCHEDULE AT 4:00 PM THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO PREPARE THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES MONITOR LOCAL WEATHER REPORTS AND MAKE A PLAN TO BE INSIDE ITS 30 STRUCTURES DURING SEVERE WEATHER CALLED 9 1 1.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, FOLLOW THE CITY ON THE REDICK READY ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER.
DOWNLOAD THE REDICK READY MOBILE APPLICATION FREE APPLE AND ANDROID DEVICES BY SEARCHING REDICK READY AND TEXT RED STICK READY TO 2 2 5 2 4 3 9 9 9 1 TO RECEIVE PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION THAT IS COMING FROM, UH, MAYOR PRESENT.
SO THE CITY WILL BE CLOSED ON TOMORROW.
I THINK THE DISCUSSION TO BE HAD IS, I THINK THERE'S AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE THAT PERHAPS WE SHOULD NOT HAVE A COUNCIL MEETING.
LET ME SAY, I RECOGNIZE IT'S THE END OF THE YEAR.
WE ARE FAST APPROACHING HOLIDAYS AND TRAVEL SCHEDULES, SO I CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO DELAY, UM, UM, PAST THE HOLIDAYS.
HOWEVER, I I THINK THERE IS A REASONABLE ARGUMENT THAT IF WE ARE ENCOURAGING CITIZENS TO STAY HOME AND TAKE SAFETY MEASURES AND, AND OUR CHILDREN ARE OFF THE ROADS, UH, FOR WEATHER CONCERNS, UM, I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT US HAVING A COUNCIL MEETING WILL ENTERTAIN CONVERSATION IF IT'S APPROPRIATE.
YEAH, I I MEAN I WOULD CONCUR WITH THAT.
JUST LIKE I'VE GOTTEN SEVERAL TEXTS AND EMAILS ABOUT SCHOOLS BEING CLOSED AND I'M ALREADY SEEING POST AND EVERYTHING ABOUT PARENTS TRYING TO EITHER HAVE TO TAKE OFF OF WORK AND, AND STAY WITH THEIR KIDS OR IF WE'VE HAD PEOPLE THAT WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE WHOLE THING AND THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE'RE HAVING TOMORROW, THEY'RE HAVING TO STAY HOME WITH THEIR KIDS CAN'T GET OUT TILL A CERTAIN TIME OR WHATEVER.
I'D LOVE TO KEEP THE OPEN DISCUSSION GOING AND SEE WHAT WE WANNA DO.
FROM OUR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DIRECTLY.
SO, UM, MOE HAS BEEN ON THE, UH, CONFERENCE CALLS TODAY WITH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, THE THREAT TOMORROW FOR EAST BATON ROUGE PARISHES FROM 1:00 AM TO 1:00 PM EXACTLY.
AND THE, UM, THE, THE, THE WEATHER IS, IS NOT WIND RELATED, IT'S WATER RELATED, RAIN RELATED.
SO WE'RE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE IN THE FORECAST BETWEEN FOUR TO SIX INCHES OF RAIN DURING THAT TIME PERIOD.
SO REALLY AS COUNCIL WOULD START AT FOUR, THE THREAT SHOULD ALREADY HAVE PASSED THROUGH EAST PAT ROUGE PARISH.
I GUESS WHAT I'M LOOKING AT IS THE ADJUSTMENTS IN PEOPLE THAT MAY WANT TO SHOW UP.
THEY'RE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS NOW BECAUSE SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED, DAYCARES ARE CLOSED.
ANY SERVICES LIKE THAT THAT YES, THE WEATHER POSSIBLY WILL PASS, BUT THEY'RE ALREADY ADJUSTING THEIR SCHEDULE FOR TODAY.
WHETHER THEY HAVE TO TAKE OFF OF WORK AND BE AT HOME WITH THEIR KIDS CUZ THEY CAN'T GET 'EM, THEY WON'T BE IN A FACILITY AND THEY MAY HAVE WANTED TO COME DOWN HERE FOR FOUR.
LIKE I SAID, IT'S JUST A, THAT'S THE BIGGEST COMPLAINT THAT I GET WHEN WE SHUT DOWN EITHER GOVERNMENT OR SCHOOLS AND DAYCARES IS THE ADJUSTMENT THAT THE, THE PARENTS HAVE TO MAKE TO, TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE KIDS.
NEXT WE'RE GOING GO, OKAY, SURE.
HEY, SO I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THE, UM, JUST DON'T HAVE THE AGENDA IN FRONT OF ME AND I'M SO FOCUSED ON TODAY, BUT ARE THERE ANY ITEMS ON THERE THAT HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY TOMORROW FOR THE FIRST OF THE YEAR? UH, ALL OF THE CONTRACT ITEMS NEED TO BE APPROVED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK IT'D BE A GREAT DAY FOR US TO TEACH THE PUBLIC AND THE KIDS THAT THEY BRING TO THE COUNCIL.
HOW ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESSES IN THAT? THANK YOU.
UM, SO THE, WHEN WE GOT THERE, ANNOUNCEMENT AT SCHOOL, IT IS BECAUSE OF THE MORNING KIDS TRYING TO GET, UM, TO SCHOOL DURING THE MORNING HOURS.
SO THAT'S WHY THE EXPLANATION WE WERE GIVEN AS TO WHY SCHOOL IS CLOSED.
SCHOOL IS OUT BETWEEN 2 25 AND WHAT THE LATEST I KNOW IS A THREE 30.
SO AT FOUR O'CLOCK, MOST KIDS AND PARENTS ARE AT HOME ANYWAY.
BUS ROUTES HAVE ALREADY BEEN, WHEN I LOOKED AT THE WEATHER IT SHOWED THAT BY FOUR O'CLOCK IT'S ONLY 10%.
SO I DON'T WANNA COME IN JANUARY AND BE HERE ALL NIGHT WITH EXACTLY THAT TOO.
ALL RIGHT, SO WE'LL MOVE FORWARD.
SO, I MEAN, ANYBODY ELSE? I DON'T THINK THERE HAS BEEN ANY, UH, SIGNIFICANT WE CAN DO A A A PO I GUESS WE CAN DO A POLL AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE GONNA HAVE THE MEETING TOMORROW.
I DON'T, I DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WE GO ABOUT DOING IT.
[00:45:01]
OUR PURPOSE FOR HAVING THE, UH, THIS GENTLEMAN HERE FROM MOOSE TELLING US WHAT IS AND ALL OF THIS, WHAT'S OUR PURPOSE FOR HAVING A PERSON WHO'S KNOWLEDGEABLE OF WHAT IS, WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE FOR NOT, UH, ADHERING TO WHAT HE HAS SHARED WITH US AS OPPOSED TO UH, EMOTIONS? WELL, YOU ACTUALLY, NOT TO YOU SIR, YOU NOTHING? YES MA'AM.I'LL KEEP MY MOUTH CLOSED THERE.
I'LL KEEP MY MOUTH CLOSED THROUGH, THROUGH MY 2 CENTS ON THAT.
I'M, I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF HAVING THE MEETING.
I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S GONNA BE A LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE TO TRY AND GET THE 12 OF US TOGETHER FOR A SPECIAL MEETING, UM, WITH HOLIDAY TRAVEL SCHEDULES AND THAT KIND OF THING AND GOING INTO NEXT WEEK IS JUST GONNA BE VERY TOUGH.
SO, UH, I'M ALL FOR HAVING THE MEETING TOMORROW.
I WANNA FIRST SAY I THINK IT WAS A VALID CON CONCERN FOR COUNCILMAN GOE TO BRING UP AND FOR US TO DISCUSS.
I DO THINK INFORMATION HAS BEEN PRESENTED BY EXPERT IN THE AREA WHO'S MONITORING THE SITUATION THAT SAYS THE THREAT WILL BE OVER AND I'M IN FAVOR OF MOVING FORWARD WITH THE MEETING AND SCHEDULE.
LEMME KNOW IF THE ALRIGHT, RIGHT.
THERE'S BEEN A MOTION TO, UH, OATH.
MY CLICKER, MY CLICKER DOESN'T WORK.
UM, THE ONLY THING I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS I KNOW WE'VE GOT SEVERAL CONTRACTS COMING UP.
THE RESOURCES I HAD, I HAD A COUPLE MEETINGS AND WE COULD PROBABLY CONVERT IT TO PHONE CALLS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT I HAD, I WAS PLANNING ON BEING DOWN HERE ALL DAY TOMORROW JUST LIKE I WAS, UM, TODAY AND, AND I UNDERSTAND I CAN COME DOWN ANYTIME IT'S NOT CLOSED OFF TO MY OFFICE OR WHATEVER, BUT, UH, IF WE NEED ACCESS TO ANY RESOURCES AND OR STUFF LIKE THAT, UM, THAT WE NEED TO GET A HOLD TO FOR MEETING FOR THE STUFF TOMORROW, THEN I JUST HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THAT.
I ALSO WORK WITH THE, UH, CITY OF CENTRAL ON EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AND IF WE HAVE, DO HAVE POSSIBLY ANY KIND OF INCIDENTS OR LOW LEVEL FLOODING OR STUFF LIKE THAT, WE'LL BE DEALING WITH THAT TOO.
SO I'M ALL FOR HAVING A MEETING TOMORROW IF WE WANT TO GO FORWARD WITH IT, BUT I'M JUST CONCERNED ABOUT RESOURCES.
COPY AND COUNCIL MEMBERS REAL QUICKLY, IF CONDITIONS CHANGE, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, UM, CLAY ALWAYS, UH, AND HIS STAFF ARE GREAT ABOUT STAYING IN TOUCH WITH US, BUT IF CONDITIONS CHANGE AND I NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH Y'ALL, I WILL.
AND THERE WILL STILL BE, BE ACCESS TO THE BUILDING TOMORROW THAT CONSTANTLY DOWNSTAIRS OFFICIAL.
THERE'S BEEN A MOTION TO ADJOURN AND THIS PROPERLY SECONDED MEETING ADJOURNED.