[00:00:02]
WELCOME TO THE WEDNESDAY, JULY 24TH, 2024 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, UH, PRESENTATIONS.[ADDITIONAL ITEM]
UP, WE'LL HAVE MAYOR, PRESIDENT SHARON WESTON BROOME TO RECOGNIZE RETIRED COLONEL VERONICA E SMITH FOR 35 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE MAYOR BROOM.IT IS AN HONOR TO RECOGNIZE THE DISTINGUISHED 35 YEAR CAREER OF COLONEL RETIRED VERONICA E SMITH, HIGHLIGHTING HER REMARKABLE JOURNEY.
FROM ENLISTED SERVICE TO THE RANK OF COLONEL COLONEL SMITH MADE A PIVOTAL DECISION TO TRANSITION FROM THE ADMINISTRATION CAREER FIELD TO COMMUNICATIONS WHERE SHE EXCELLED ACROSS VARIOUS ROLES KNOWN AS A FIXER.
HER EFFICIENCY AND LEADERSHIP WERE EVIDENT IN EVERY ASSIGNMENT, INCLUDING HER PIVOTAL ROLE AT THE WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATION AGENCY, WHERE SHE LED ADVANCED TEAMS IN DEPLOYING CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS ASSETS FOR CLASSIFIED PRESIDENTIAL TRIPS.
THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, COLONEL SMITH MAINTAINED EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH STANDARDS EXEMPLIFIED DURING HER COMMAND OF A COMMUNICATION SQUADRON IN MISSISSIPPI AND HER TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT AS A BRIGADIER OFFICER AT THE PENTAGON.
SHE EARNED PERSONAL RECOGNITION, INCLUDING A PRESIDENTIAL COIN FROM FORMER PRESIDENT OBAMA, UNDERSCORING HER IMPACT AND RESPECT WITHIN THE MILITARY COMMUNITY.
COLONEL SMITH'S JOURNEY FROM AIRMAN TO COLONEL IS A TESTAMENT TO HER DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP, LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM.
HER NUMEROUS AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS REFLECT HER COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND HONOR.
WE ARE PROUD HERE IN THE CITY AND PARISH OF, UM, BATON ROUGE AND EAST BATON ROUGE.
TO PROUDLY CELEBRATE COLONEL VERONICA E SMITH FOR HER DISTINGUISHED MILITARY CAREER AND LASTING CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR NATION.
COLONEL SMITH, THIS COMMENDATION SAYS, IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, YOUR COMMITMENT TO DUTY AND LEADERSHIP HAS CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE AIR FORCE'S MISSION AND THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION.
YOUR DEDICATION SERVES AS AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL, AND WE APPLAUD YOUR EXEMPLARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WE CELEBRATE YOUR RETIREMENT.
LET'S MOVE OVER JUST A LITTLE.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I HAVE WITH ME MY AUNT DOROTHY JONES, MY COUSIN MONICA, MY MOM ELLA MA SMITH, MY BROTHER CLAVER SMITH, JR.
MY COUSIN BARBARA HAYES, AND MY SISTER-IN-LAW.
MAYOR, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR THIS RECOGNITION.
I ACTUALLY GREW UP IN, IN, UH, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH AND LEFT TO GO INTO THE SERVICE, AND SO IT IS GREAT TO BE HOME, TO BE HERE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
I, I WASN'T JOKING WHEN I SAID
WE NEED SOMEBODY LIKE YOU, UH, IN OUR, UH, ADMINISTRATION.
SO IF YOU WANT TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT AND COME WORK FOR THE CITY PARISH, I THINK WE HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU.
SO JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE MAYOR, PRESIDENT SHARON WEIN BROOM AND METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEMBER ROWDY GODDE TO RECOGNIZE MR. JAY GRIMES FOR 21 YEARS OF SERVICE.
AS CHIEF METEOROLOGIST FOR WAFB TV, OH, WE ARE VERY HAPPY, UM, TO ACKNOWLEDGE AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
[00:05:01]
HAS GREATLY BENEFITED OUR COMMUNITY.JAY GRIMES, HE IS NO STRANGER TO ANYONE IN BATON ROUGE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.
FOR 21 YEARS, JAY HAS SERVED AS THE CHIEF METEOROLOGIST FOR WAFB TV, EARNING THE WELL-DESERVED TITLE OF THE PEOPLE'S METEOROLOGIST.
WHEN JAY ROLLS UP THOSE SLEEVES, WE ALL KNOW IT'S TIME TO TAKE ACTION.
JAY HAS BEEN AN INVALUABLE PARTNER, AND I WAS JUST DISCUSSING THIS WITH HIM TO OUR CITY AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
WE JUST DID A TRAINING SESSION LAST WEEK, AND WE'VE GOT ANOTHER ONE, UH, THIS WEEK.
HIS GUIDANCE AND FORECAST AND SITES DURING HURRICANE SEASONS HAVE BEEN CRUCIAL FOR OUR PRE-DISASTER PLANNING, UNIFIED MESSAGING, AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS.
HIS DEDICATION HAS ENSURED THAT OUR CITY AND PARISH ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR ANY WEATHER CHALLENGES TO COME OUR WAY.
AS JAY TRANSITIONS TO HIS NEW ROLE AS THE PERMANENT STATE CLIMATOLOGIST, WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE HIM CONTINUE SERVING THE PUBLIC IN HIS ROLE.
HE WILL WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TO ASSIST OUR STATE WITH EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND MITIGATION.
ADDITIONALLY, HE WILL OVERSEE THE LOUISIANA OFFICE OF STATE CLIMATOLOGY AT LSU.
AND SO, JAY, YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU OVER THE YEARS, AND WE EXTEND OUR HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND BEST WISHES FOR YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
WE KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO SHINE LIKE THE SUN AND WHEREVER YOU GO, AND SO WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.
I THINK COUNCILMAN GODDE ALSO WANTED TO SHARE A FEW WORDS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR AND AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IT'S, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO REPRESENT THIS COUNCIL IN PRESENTING A CERTIFICATE TO, UH, MR. GRIMES.
AS, AS YOU ALL KNOW, I SPENT ABOUT THREE YEARS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HALLWAY IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND IN THAT THREE YEAR PERIOD, WE PROBABLY, UH, ACTIVATED EP FOR WEATHER RELATED EVENTS NORTH OF 20 TIMES OVER THAT THREE YEAR PERIOD.
AND WHEN YOU'RE IN THAT SITUATION ROOM OVER THERE AND YOU'RE TRYING TO GET YOUR HANDS ON AS MUCH DATA AS YOU CAN, AND GIVEN WEATHER SITUATIONS, SOMETIMES THE DATA ISN'T ALWAYS READILY AVAILABLE.
THE NEXT BEST THING IS YOU WANT GOOD INFORMATION AND GOOD INTUITION.
AND I WILL TELL YOU, OUR CALLS WITH JAY WAS WHERE WE GOT THAT INFORMATION AND THAT INTUITION, WE COULD TRUST WHAT WAS BEING FORECASTED FOR US WITH INCLEMENT WEATHER, WITH ONCOMING AND APPROACHING WEATHER.
AND IT WAS ALWAYS SUCH AN ADDED VALUE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT PARTNERSHIP AND RECEIVE THAT, THAT GREAT INFORMATION.
SO I WAS ALWAYS VERY GRATEFUL.
UH, AND, AND LET ME SAY, NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF THE EVENING
AND SO WE WERE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
AND SO IT WAS, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO, TO REPRESENT THE COUNCIL, TO PRESENT HIM WITH A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION.
SO JAY, IF YOU'LL COME UP PLEASE AND SAY A FEW WORDS.
WELL, THE ONLY WORDS I HAVE ARE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR AND, UH, COUNCILMAN GODDE.
UH, FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT MAYBE DON'T KNOW, I GO BACK THREE ADMINISTRATIONS.
IN FACT, MY FIRST WORK WITH THE PARISH WAS EVEN BEFORE THERE WAS A HARDING BOULEVARD BUILDING.
UH, SO I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A, A GOOD LONG TIME, AND I'VE GOTTA TELL YOU, IT'S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF MY JOB.
UH, TV IS ONE THING, BUT WHEN I REALLY GET THE, UH, RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD WHEN WE GET TO HELP MAKE BETTER DECISIONS, AND I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALWAYS TURNING TO CHANNEL NINE AND TO ME FOR THAT INFORMATION.
AND WHILE I AM CHANGING SHOES, AS WE'VE SAID BEFORE, I'M STILL IN THE BUSINESS STILL HOPEFUL THAT, UH, THE PARISH WILL REACH OUT TO ME AND I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP ANY WAY THAT I CAN.
BUT SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO GO ANOTHER ROUTE, I CAN TELL YOU THAT CHANNEL NINE, AND I'LL TELL ALL OF YOU, CHANNEL NINE IS GONNA BE REPRESENTED SUPERBLY WITH THE THREE GENTLEMEN.
AND NOW THE YOUNG LADY THAT ARE GONNA REMAIN ON STAFF.
I'M, UH, UH, I'M ALMOST ENVIOUS OF WHERE CHANNEL NINE WEATHER IS GONNA GO IN THE COMING YEARS BECAUSE, UH, DR.
STEVE AND THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE ARE JUST GONNA TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
SO A BIG THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL, A BIG THANK YOU TO MY GM, JOE QUIRINO, FOR COMING HERE, ALONG WITH MY PARTNER, ELIZABETH VAL, MAYOR, COUNCILMAN, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
[00:10:06]
SOMEWHERE HE'S BEEN WAITING TO SAY THAT.JOE AND LIZ, IF Y'ALL WANT TO COME UP HERE TOO, WE'RE GONNA TAKE A PICTURE LIKE THIS.
IF YOU WANNA SWING AROUND, LEMME GET THIS QUICK ONE REAL QUICK IN 2 1, 2, AND THREE.
LET ME GET ONE MORE ONE TO IT.
EVERYONE GETTING IN TOGETHER?
ALRIGHT, SIX SMILE FROM EVERYBODY RIGHT HERE.
WHILE WE HAVE THE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBERS DOWN HERE, WE'RE GONNA TAKE ONE MORE PHOTO HERE WHILE WE HAVE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS DOWN HERE WITH THE COLONEL.
THANK WHAT, WHAT? NO, I DON'T, OH, NO.
IT'S, BUT, UM, I THINK, UM, MISS, NEXT UP WE'LL HAVE MAYOR, PRESIDENT SHARON WESTON BROOME TO RECOGNIZE FRIDA VARMA FOR 40 YEARS OF SERVICE AS BATON ROUGE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD.
YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY'S ALWAYS BRINGING GREAT PEOPLE TO THE MAYOR'S ATTENTION.
AND SO, UM, RECENTLY SOMEBODY PUT A BUG IN MY EAR ABOUT, UM, MR. BURMA.
IN FACT, I THINK I WAS TRYING TO GET TO THE EVENT THAT YOU ALL WERE HAVING THE CROSSING GUARDS.
THEY HAD A WORKSHOP, UH, RECENTLY, AND I WAS TRYING TO GET THERE.
BY THE TIME I DID, THEY WERE, UH, GONE.
UH, BUT I HAD HEARD ABOUT, UM, MS. AL AND I WANTED TO BRING HER TO EVERYONE'S ATTENTION.
UH, IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS DEVOTED OVER 40 YEARS TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.
MS. AL'S COMMITMENT AND UNWAVERING PRESENCE HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS FAMILIES.
HER DEDICATION TO SAFEGUARDING OUR CHILDREN IN HER WARM, CARING DEMEANOR HAVE EARNED HER ADMIRATION AND GRATITUDE OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
AND SO, MS. VARMA, FOR YOUR EXTRAORDINARY, UH, SERVICE AND DEDICATION, UH, TO THIS COMMUNITY, AND ON BEHALF OF YOUR 40 PLUS YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY, I WANT TO PRESENT
[00:15:01]
YOU WITH A CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION, UH, FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY'S CHILDREN AND FOR BEING AN INSPIRATION TO ALL OF US.LET ME JUST SAY THAT YOUR LEGACY OF SAFETY AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE REMEMBERED AND CHERISHED.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S GONNA BE ANOTHER FREEDOM VERMA, I'LL JUST TELL YOU THAT.
YOU WANNA SAY A FEW WORDS? THANK YOU.
CAN WE ASK WHERE SHE WAS ON? YEAH.
WHERE, WHERE DID YOU, UM, WHERE WAS YOUR DUTY? I'M AT PARK ELEMENTARY.
FOUR BLOCKS, FOUR BLOCKS FROM HER HOUSE.
AND SO NOW YOU'RE GOING TO OFFICIALLY, YOU'RE GONNA STAY ON FOR A WHILE.
THIS IS NOT A RETIREMENT PLUS, PLUS
SHE'S GONNA KEEP GOING ON PAST 40.
SO IF YOU DON'T MIND, DID YOU WANNA SAY A FEW WORDS, SIR? NO.
WE'RE GONNA MOVE RIGHT HERE TO THE LEFT, MS. MONT.
NEXT UP, WE'LL HAVE MAYOR, PRESIDENT SHARON WEST AND BROOME AND METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEMBER DARRYL HURST TO RECOGNIZE COACH JOHNNY DUNCAN FOR BEING NAMED 2024 COACH OF THE YEAR, LOUISIANA TRACK AND FIELD COACHES ASSOCIATION.
IT IS MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT AND INDIVIDUAL IN OUR COMMUNITY.
GLEN OAKS HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD COACH JOHNNY DUNCAN.
UH, JOINING ME FOR THIS IS, UH, COUNCILMAN HURST.
UH, JOHNNY DUNCAN HAS BEEN NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR, UH, BY THE LOUISIANA TRACK AND FIELD COACHES ASSOCIATION.
UNDER COACH DUNCAN'S EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP, THE GLEN OAKS MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRACK TEAMS HAVE TRIUMPHED AS THE L-H-S-A-A THREE A TRACK AND FIELD STATE CHAMPIONS.
THIS OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENT REFLECTS NOT ONLY COACH DUNCAN'S DEDICATION AND EXPERTISE, BUT ALSO THE HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION OF THE ENTIRE TEAM.
COACH DUNCAN'S COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE HAS SET A HIGH STANDARD AND INSPIRED BOTH HIS ATHLETES AND OUR COMMUNITY.
HIS GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT HAVE PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE SUCCESS OF OUR YOUNG ATHLETES.
AND HIS RECOGNITION AS COACH OF THE YEAR IS A TESTAMENT TO HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS.
AND SO, ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, I WANNA PRESENT YOU WITH THIS CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION, UH, FOR, UH, MR. JOHNNY DUNCAN, 2024 COACH OF THE YEAR, THE LOUISIANA TRACK AND FIELD COACHES ASSOCIATION IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION AND COACHING TRACK AND FIELD.
I THINK COUNCILMAN HURST WANTS TO ADD SOMETHING.
NOW LOOK, WE, WE SEE JOHNNY, I'LL TELL YOU TWO SCHOOLS WE SEE HERE REGULARLY, A GLEN OAKS PARK ELEMENTARY, AND WE SEE, UH, GLEN OAKS, MAG HIGH SCHOOLS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM BECAUSE THEY HAVE OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN SPORTS.
AND I'VE SAID THIS A NUMBER OF TIMES, BUT SPORTS IS TYPICALLY THE FRONT DOOR FOR ANY SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY.
YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SPORTS PROGRAM BEFORE.
A LOT OF TIMES YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ACADEMICS.
AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN MARGINALIZED AND SOMEWHAT UNDERSERVED, AND IT'S GOING THROUGH A REVITALIZATION EFFORT, YOU NEED WINS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.
AND SO JOHNNY DUNCAN HAS COME OUT NOWHERE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AND HELPED TO TRANSFORM OR BRING A NEW FACE OF GLEN OAKS HIGH SCHOOL TO BRING KIDS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD'VE GONE OTHER PLACES FOR OTHER REASONS.
A REASON TO COME TO OAKS NOT ONLY TO COME, BUT TO STAY THERE AS WELL.
[00:20:01]
OUTSIDE OF WHAT HE'S DOING ON TRACK AND FIELD, HE'S MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE STUDENT ATHLETES WITH STUDENT BEING THE FIRST PIECE OF IT.I WON'T READ THE WHOLE, UM, PART OF THE PROCLAMATION BECAUSE THE MAYOR DID AN ELOQUENT JOB EARLIER, BUT IT JUST SAYS THAT COACH DUNCAN'S ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BROUGHT GREAT PRIDE TO THE GLEN OAKS, UH, TO GLEN OAKS, THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF LOUISIANA, ENSURING A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AND BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE SPORT OF TRACK AND FIELD.
AND TODAY, I RECOGNIZE MY FRATERNITY BROTHER AND MY COMMUNITY PARTNER TO MAKE DISTRICT FIVE AND GLEN OAKS BETTER COACH JOHNNY DUNCAN, YOU WANNA SAY, UM, I KNOW Y'ALL PROBABLY TIRED OF SEEING ME UP HERE.
THIS IS MY THIRD TIME
BUT, UM, I, I WANT TO COMMEND, UM, MR. HURST BECAUSE HIS SON RUNS FOR YOU HIGH AND THEY'RE IN OUR DISTRICT.
AND, YOU KNOW, AS MUCH AS I LOVE HIM TO DEATH, I HAD TO DO IT TO HIM THIS YEAR.
BUT, YOU KNOW, WE, WE KEPT IT IN THE FAMILY.
IT'S, IT IS, YOU KNOW, IT IS A PLEASURE.
UH, WHAT, LIKE HE SAID, IT IS ABOUT STUDENT ATHLETES.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE ME PROUD IS, FIRST OF ALL, I'M A GRADUATE OF GLEN OAKS HIGH SCHOOL, SO IT FEELS A WHOLE LOT BETTER COMING BACK HOME.
BUT NOT ONLY THAT, I WAS ABLE TO GET SEVEN KIDS IN COLLEGE THAT DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE GONNA GO TO COLLEGE.
SO, YOU KNOW, THAT MEANS MORE TO ME THAN ALL THE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE WORLD BECAUSE NOW THEY HAVE A FUTURE.
AND I HAD TO HAVE A, YOU KNOW, A SMALL PART OF THAT.
I'M, I'M, I'M PLEASED ALL AROUND AND, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR Y'ALL SEE ME AGAIN THREE, FOUR TIMES
AND FOR OUR FINAL PRESENTATION OF THE EVENING, WE'LL HAVE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEMBER DARRYL HURST TO RECOGNIZE BRYSON ADDISON FOR SHOWCASING DEDICATION AND EXCELLENCE.
SO I HAVE A, A DUAL, UM, LOVE.
TODAY I GET TO RECOGNIZE A SOUTHERN LAB STUDENT AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF DISTRICT FIVE, UH, MR. BRYSON ADDISON FOR WINNING AN ORATORIAL UH, ORATOR COMPETITION.
RECENTLY, BRYSON ADDISON HAS DEMONSTRATED OUTSTANDING PARTICIPATION AND EXEMPLARY REPRESENTATION OF THE THIRD MASONIC DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AT THE JW VAUGHN TORICAL CONTEST, SHOWCASING DEDICATION AND EXCELLENCE.
AND WHEREAS HIS ELOQUENCE AND COMMITMENT HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT REFLECTING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE PAUL GRAND LODGE OF LOUISIANA.
WHEREAS BRYSON ADDISON, A STUDENT OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY LABORATORY SCHOOL, HAS FURTHER DIS DISTINGUISHED THEMSELF BY REPRESENTING THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE IN THE STATEWIDE COMPETITION.
SO, UM, AS A PROUD COUNCIL MEMBER OF DISTRICT FIVE AND A PROUD GRADUATE OF SOUTHERN LAB, UH, RECOGNIZED MR. BRYSON ADDISON
SO SINCE THIS AWARD IS ALL ABOUT SPEAKING, I HOPE HE'S GONNA USE HIS MICROPHONE UP HERE.
IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO BE HERE AS WELL AS IT WAS AN HONOR TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
[00:25:02]
THANK YOU EVERYONE.THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATIONS.
UH, WE WILL RESUME OUR REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING AT 4:00 PM HELLO EVERYBODY.
WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
IT'S THE HOME OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, THE MOST POPULATED PARISH IF YOU'RE WATCHING FROM OUT OF TOWN IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
GOOD TO HAVE ALL OF YOU WATCHING, AND AT THIS TIME, CHAIRING TODAY'S MEETING IS DISTRICT NINE COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCILMAN DWIGHT HUDSON.
WELCOME TO THE WEDNESDAY, JULY 24TH, 2024 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING.
WE'LL CALL THE ORDER AND HAVE A ROLL CALL.
ASHLEY, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM? WE HAVE A QUORUM.
OUR INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL BE HANDLED BY MS. YOLANDA BATIST TODAY.
MS. BATISTE, MS. BOW, HERE, IT'S GRACIOUS.
FATHER, WE THANK YOU RIGHT NOW FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND MEET ON THE, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE LIFT THIS MEETING UP TO YOU TONIGHT.
WE LIFT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS UP, OUR COUNCIL LEADERS, AND ALL OF OUR LEADERS UP TO YOU TONIGHT.
WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD ALLOW US TO BE ON ONE ACCORD AS WE ARE CONTINUING TO STRIVE TO BE PRODUCTIVE FOR THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
WE GIVE YOU GLORY, HONOR, AND PRAISE IN JESUS CHRIST'S NAME, AMEN.
A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FAITH OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INVIS WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
WE'LL HAVE ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
ASHLEY, PLEASE READ THE INTRODUCTIONS.
[ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
NEED A MOTION ON THAT.WE NEED A MOTION ON ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
SO MOVED BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCKA.
ALL UH, ANY OPPOSED? SEEING NONE.
[INTRODUCTIONS]
INTRODUCTIONS.ASHLEY, PLEASE READ THE INTRODUCTIONS.
NUMBER TWO, GRANTING A FIVE YEAR RENEWAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT ESTIMATED AT $202,045 PER YEAR FOR ARDEN DALE OAKS APARTMENTS, LLC, LOCATED AT 2136 NORTH DALE BOULEVARD BY THE PLANNING DIRECTOR.
NUMBER THREE, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO APPROPRIATE STATE FUNDS FROM ACT 3 97 OF THE 2023 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 FOR EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SERVICE OUTREACH FUNCTIONS AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE MAYOR'S HEALTHY CITY INITIATIVE BY THE MAYOR.
PRESIDENT NUMBER FOUR, AMENDING THE 2024 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER ONE TO APPROPRIATE $20,560 TO FUND THE PURCHASE OF OPERATIONAL SUPPLIES FOR A NEW FIRE TRUCK BY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER ONE.
NUMBER FIVE, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZED IN THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS DISTRICT TO PROCEED WITH THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $220 MILLION OF MOVE BR SALES TAX REVENUE BONDS IN ONE OR MORE SERIES BY THE BOND COUNSEL NUMBER SIX, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER ENTITLED LEE SCHAFER VERSUS THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE ON THE DOCKET OF THE US DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,000 IN APPROPRIATING $39,000 FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.
NUMBER SEVEN, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA FOR THE STATE AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $80,000 FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES PROJECT RESET BY THE OFFICE OF MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES
[CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS]
CONDEMNATION.INTRODUCTIONS NUMBER EIGHT, LAURIE ANN MCNEIL.
9 1 5 4 REDBUD STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX, DUN JUNIOR.
NUMBER NINE, THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY HANE KALER 2 1 7 7 BATEMAN CIRCLE COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE, NUMBER 10, ELLA MARY EVAN GAINES.
1 7 6 8 NORTH 46TH STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE.
NUMBER 11, CLAUDIA NORWOOD JOHNSON AND DARLENE NORWOOD 1 7 6 9 NORTH 46TH STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE NUMBER 12, HINES ENTERPRISES OF BATON ROUGE LLC 2 3 2 3 NORTH ACADIAN THREE A WEST COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE NUMBER 13, THE ESTATE OF CHARLIE JACKSON, THE ESTATE OF MERCEDES JACKSON AND ANGELO JOHNNY ROBERSON.
1 8 7 0 BART STREET COUNCIL, DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 14, LISA WARREN HAMMOND AND GRAYLIN HAMMOND.
3 1 0 4 EVANGELINE STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 15, SOUTH 17TH PROPERTIES LLC 2 1 1 7 5 SOUTH 17TH STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 16 LM SCHOMBERG, 9 8 4 9 AVENUE J COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN.
NUMBER 17, ALMA ALEXANDER IN THE ESTATE OF DIXIE ALEXANDER.
2 8 4 6 60 NINTH AVENUE COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN
[ADJUDICATED PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS]
ADJUDICATED PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS NUMBER 18 LOT 2 81 SUBDIVISION EAST DAYTON[00:30:01]
COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE NUMBER 19 LOT 24 SQUARE 22 SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 20 LOT 16 PLUS SQUARE ONE 10 SUBDIVISION ESMA COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 21 LOT 12 SQUARE 27 SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN NUMBER 22 LOT 180 4 SUBDIVISION COLONIAL HILL COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE NUMBER 23 LOT 180 2 SUBDIVISION COLONIAL HILL COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE NUMBER 24 LOT SIX SQUARE FOUR SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE NUMBER 25 LOT FIVE SQUARE SIX SUBDIVISION SCOTT COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 26 LOT EIGHT PART SQUARE 2 51 SUBDIVISION SWART COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 27 LOT SEVEN SQUARE 11 SUBDIVISION JORDAN TERRACE.COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS NUMBER 28 LOT 32 SUBDIVISION SOUTHERN HEIGHTS COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS NUMBER 29 LOT ONE SUBDIVISION.
IDA STEWART, TRACK COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE KNOLL NUMBER 30 LOT 23 AND 24 SQUARE 32 SUBDIVISION FORTUNE COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE HEARST NUMBER 31 LOT ONE A SQUARE 41 SUBDIVISION FORTUNE COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE HEARST NUMBER 32 LOT 1 1 4 1 DASH A SUBDIVISION SHERWOOD FOREST COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR MOOCH NUMBER 33, LOT SIX SUBDIVISION RIVERLAND COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE, GOD, DAY NUMBER 34 LOT 23 SUBDIVISION SHERWOOD OAKS PARK COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX DUN JUNIOR NUMBER 35 LOT 20 SUBDIVISION SHERWOOD OAKS PARK COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX DUN JUNIOR NUMBER 36 LOT ONE 50 A, 1 51 A AND 1 51 B SUBDIVISION ASHLEY COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX DUNN, JR.
NUMBER 37 LOT 12 SQUARE 13 SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE.
ALL ITEMS REQUIRE READING OF IN RED.
A MOTION TO DELETE ITEM 60 AT THE REQUEST OF THE SPONSOR AND INTRODUCE ALL OTHER ITEMS AS AN ORDER.
SO MOVED BY COUNCILMAN GODDE, SECONDED BY THE CHAIR.
ANY OPPOSITION TO THE MOTION ON INTRODUCTIONS? SEEING NONE.
[CONDEMNATIONS]
CARRIES.WE'LL HAVE CON UH, CONDEMNATIONS, UH, MEMBERS, PLEASE GO TO YOUR SEPARATE SHEETS FOR DPW RECOMMENDATIONS.
ASHLEY, IF YOU WOULD READ THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUESTED CHANGES.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM DPW ARE TO PROCEED THE 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 AND 91 TO DEFER FOR 30 DAYS.
UM, AND I'M OPEN IT FOR PUBLIC HEARING, SO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING IF YOU'RE HERE TO SPEAK ON A CONDEMNATION.
ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO SPEAK ON A CONDEMNATION.
SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON CONDEMNATIONS COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE HAVE REQUESTS FOR SEVERAL ITEMS, UM, TWO WEEKS ON ITEM 72, 30 DAYS ON ITEMS 88, 89 AND 90, 90 DAYS ON ITEM 77 AND 71.
UH, ARE THERE ANY OTHER REQUESTED CHANGES FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? YES.
THEY'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF SUCCESSION, SO I WANT TO GIVE 'EM 90 DAYS NUMBER, 74 PERMIT APPLIED FOR.
AND SO, UM, YES, GIVE THEM 30 DAYS, UH, NUMBER 79 SUCCESSION COMPLETE.
SO WE'RE GONNA GIVE THEM 30 DAYS.
AND THE SAME WITH NUMBER 8 80, 30 DAYS.
SO THAT'S 73 90 DAYS, 74, 30 DAYS, 79, 30 DAYS, AND 80 30 DAYS.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
ANY OTHER MEMBERS? WISHING TO MAKE CHANGES ON CONDEMNATIONS? SEEING NONE, WE'LL HAVE ASHLEY READ THE MOTION.
THE MOTION WILL BE TO PROCEED WITH ITEM 75, 79, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 AND 91 TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
ITEM 74, 79, 80, 81, 88, 89, AND 90 TO DEFER FOR 90 DAYS ITEMS 71 73, 76, 77.
AND TO DELETE ITEM 78, WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE.
SIR, YOU'RE HERE TO SPEAK ON A CONDEMNATION.
WE'LL REOPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR YOU.
[Items 82-87]
ON.UH, PLEASE STATE THE ITEM NUMBER OR THE ADDRESS FOR WHICH, WHICH ONE YOU'RE LOOKING
[00:35:01]
AT AND GOOD.MY NAME IS IMAD NOEL AND, UH, MY, UH, LISTING BETWEEN 82 AND 87, ALL OF THEM WITH MY NAME ON IT.
OKAY, SO WE GOT HURST, THEY'RE ALL HURST.
COUNCILMAN HURST, I, UH, YEAH, ALL THIS IS ON ONE.
I MEAN, ALTHOUGH IT SHOWS THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE ITEMS THERE.
UM, ON ONE PROPERTY THAT IS ONE 3.75 ACRE PROPERTY, UM, I BOUGHT THAT WITH AN INTENTION TO KIND OF CONVERT IN A SMALL FARM.
AND I GOT, UM, UH, BEHIND, I, HI, MY NUMBERS.
NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS EXACTLY THE DECISION FOR MY NUMBER.
SO I'M TRYING TO REACT TO THE, I SAID 82 AND 83.
WHAT, WHAT IS THIS? YOU'RE GIVEN TIME, YOU ARE GIVEN IMMEDIATE TERMINATION.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS EXACTLY YEAH, SO THE, TO CLARIFY, THE, THE DPW RECOMMENDATION ON THOSE IS TO PROCEED, BUT, UH, WE'LL HEAR FROM COUNCILMAN HURST ON HIS PREROGATIVE FOR THOSE.
SO I'LL JUST ASK YOU, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS? 'CAUSE I'M LOOKING AT THE PICTURE.
I, I ALREADY, ALREADY HAVE, UH, MADE A, A DEAL WITH SOMEBODY.
HE CAN BUY THE PROPERTY AND CLEAN EVERYTHING THERE.
AND I'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO THAT.
THE PROBLEM IS THE, UM, LATELY THE, THE WEATHER DID NOT HELP ME.
SO MY PROPERTY IS REALLY, SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO REPORT IT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S NOT VISIBLE FROM ANY, IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP, THAT'S, I CALL, I, I TRIED TO CONTACT MY COUNCILMAN.
UH, UH, I I AM YOUR COUNCILMAN.
ANYWAY, THE PROPERTY IS NOT LIKE IN THE SIGHT OF ANYBODY.
THE PROPERTY IS NOT A DANGER TO ANYBODY.
IT'S, THERE IS NO NEIGHBORS THERE, THERE IS NOBODY.
SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO SELL A LOT NEXT TO ME.
I'M NOT SAYING IT IS NOT IN A, IN, IN, YOU KNOW, IT NEED REPAIRS AND IT NEED FIXING AND IT NEEDS SECURITY.
AND I WILL, I WILL, I WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT.
BUT REALLY IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP, I DON'T KNOW WHO HAS REVIEWED THIS, BUT THE PROPERTY IS COMPLETELY, IT'S LIKE A RURAL PROPERTY, ALTHOUGH IT IS IN THE CITY, BUT COMPLETELY, IT HAS EVEN NO SEAWATER AND WATER.
SIR, NONE, NONE OF THESE HOMES ARE HABITABLE, OKAY? NOR ARE THEY A CONDITION FOR REPAIR BASED ON MY NAKED AND EYE.
I'M NOT A CONTRACTOR, BUT I'M GONNA MAKE AN ASSUMPTION HERE.
SO THEY WOULD'VE TO BE TORN DOWN WHETHER YOU PURCHASED THE PROPERTY OR SOMEBODY ELSE DID.
SO I'M GOING TO ASK THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONDEMNATION.
YOU STILL OWN THE PROPERTY, YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY THE CITY FOR TEARING YOUR BUILDINGS DOWN.
NOW, IN THE MEANTIME, BEFORE WE GET TO YOUR BUILDINGS, IF YOU DECIDE TO GO AHEAD AND DEMOLISH THEM YOURSELVES, WHICH WILL SAVE YOU A LITTLE MONEY, HAVE NO PROBLEM DOING THAT.
BUT THE CITY'S GONNA MOVE FORWARD WITH TEARING 'EM DOWN AND POTENTIALLY REMEDYING THE PROPERTY IN TERMS JUNK, TRASH, DEBRIS AS WELL AS THE OVERGROWN BRUSH.
SO IF SOMEBODY REPORTED IT, WHERE DO YOU LIVE SIR? WHAT PART OF TOWN? MYSELF? YEAH.
UH, ON, UH, YOU HAD TO GIVE YOUR ADDRESS.
WHERE IS THAT? WHAT AREA IS, THAT'S A BLUE BONNET AND
SO DO, DO YOUR NEIGHBORS CUT THEIR GRASS? YEAH, I DO CUT MY GRASS ON
AND IF, BUT YOU DON'T CUT THE GRASS IN MY DISTRICT.
UH, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT AND WE'LL MAKE SURE, JUST KEEP, KEEP IT UP, KEEP IT CUT.
WHEN YOU DON'T CUT IT, WE CUT IT FOR YOU.
NOW WE'RE NOT A LAWN SERVICE, BUT WE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE RESPECTED IN THAT AREA THE SAME WAY YOU WANNA BE RESPECTED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND IN ORDER FOR A CONDEMNATION TO GET WHERE IT IS, IT HAD TO GO THROUGH A STRENUOUS PROCESS, WHICH ON AVERAGE, LINDSAY IS WHAT? SO BETWEEN 30 AND 120 DAYS.
SO THERE'S BEEN DRY WEATHER BETWEEN 30 AND 120 DAYS TO CREATE THIS CONDEMNATION.
SO IF YOU HAVEN'T CUT YOUR YARD IN 120 DAYS, AND I KNOW WHEN I CUT MY YARD AS SOON AS THE RAIN HITS, IT IS UP FIVE DAYS LATER.
OKAY? SO I, I, I, HERE'S THE DEAL.
IF YOU WANT TO GO AND DEMOLISH IT IN BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE SEE A SEND A CREW OUT, I'M OKAY WITH THAT.
AND THEN YOU CAN COME BACK TO ME AND SHOW ME PICTURES AND I'LL GO BACK AND RESEND IT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T TRY TO BILL YOU FOR WHAT WE DO.
'CAUSE WE WANT TO DOUBLE CHARGE YOU.
PROBABLY GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS ARE DIFFERENT THAN PERSONAL, BUT THAT NEED TO COME DOWN BECAUSE NONE OF THOSE ARE HABITABLE HOMES OR, OR ARE, ARE IN A POSITION TO BE REPAIRED.
SO THE MOTION HAS BEEN READ AND SECONDED.
UH, UH, YEAH, I MAY, WELL, I'M, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE.
SECOND IT FROM COUNCILMAN ADAMS. THANK YOU.
ANY OBJECTIONS? SEEING AND NONE CONDEMNATIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
WE'LL MOVE TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[166. 24-00736]
MEMBERS WE'RE GONNA TAKE ITEM 1 66 FIRST.[00:40:01]
OTHER ITEMS TO BE ADOPTED EMERGENCY CONSIDERING AN APPEAL OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION DECISION IN CASE HP C3 DASH 24, MADE ON JUNE 12TH, 2024 BY COUNCIL, ADMINISTRATOR, TREASURER, UH, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.I WANNA BE SURE AND MENTION THAT THE APPLICANT HAS REMOVED THEIR, UH, THEIR REQUEST FOR THIS APPEAL.
THE ONLY I, UH, ACTION THAT THIS BODY CAN TAKE TONIGHT IS TO DELETE THE ITEM.
AGAIN, I WANNA STRESS THAT THE ONLY ACTION THAT THIS BODY HAS AVAILABLE TO IT TONIGHT ON THIS ITEM IS TO DELETE THE ITEM.
BY ALL MEANS, IF YOU WANNA PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND COME UP HERE AND SPEAK, WE WELCOME YOU TO DO THAT.
BUT AGAIN, THE ONLY ACTION THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY TAKE TONIGHT IS, UH, IS TO DELETE THE ITEM.
I'M GONNA READ OFF THE SPEAKER CARDS FIRST AND THEN IF, UH, IF ANYBODY AFTER THAT WANTS TO SPEAK, UH, THAT'S FINE.
IF YOU'RE ON THE SPEAKER CARD AS WANTING TO SPEAK AND YOU DON'T WANNA SPEAK, JUST SIMPLY, UH, WAVE OFF OR, OR DON'T APPROACH.
UH, FIRST WE HAVE, UH, CAROLYN BENNETT.
YEAH, I TELL YOU WHAT, Y'ALL GO AHEAD AND COME UP DARRYL, IF Y'ALL WANNA COME UP AS A GROUP.
AND THEN I, I, I HAVE TO READ THE SPEAKER CARDS INTO THE RECORD, BUT, UM, THAT'LL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO, TO DO THAT.
SO I DO NOT NEED TO SPEAK, BUT THANK DAR IS OUR GROUP.
AGAIN, WE WANNA THANK COUNCILWOMAN COLE.
DARRYL IF WOULD SAY YOUR NAME, NAME AND ADDRESS, WHATEVER AS A GROUP.
WE WANNA THANK CAROLYN COLEMAN, OUR COUNCILWOMAN FOR HELPING BRING THIS, UH, RESOLUTION TO FRUITION.
UM, AGAIN, WE'RE PRESERVING A HUGE PART OF BATON ROUGE'S HISTORY, AND WE'RE ALSO MAINTAINING GOOD PLANNING PRACTICES FOR OUR DAN 10 AREA THAT WE'VE FOUGHT FOR, FOR 30 YEARS.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU THE COUNCIL.
I'M GONNA READ THESE SPEAKER CARDS IN TO THE RECORD.
UH, IF YOU DON'T WANNA SPEAK, THEN JUST, JUST DON'T APPROACH.
CAROLYN BENNETT, SUZANNE TURNER.
DARRELL GISEL, MIGNON DOOSAN PROBABLY MESSED THAT UP.
HI, I AM SANDRA STOKES AND I, I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBER AND ALSO THE DEVELOPERS FOR PULLING THIS.
I REPRESENT LOUISIANA LANDMARK SOCIETY OUT OF NEW ORLEANS.
WE'RE A 75-YEAR-OLD ORGANIZATION, AND ALSO THE LOUISIANA TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, A HISTORIC, UH, STATEWIDE GROUP.
AND I WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS GOES BEYOND THE CITY LIMITS AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE SAVING THIS BUILDING.
ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM? SEE, AND NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
UH, THE APPROPRIATE MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL IS TO DELETE THE ITEMS. SO MOVED BY COUNCILMAN HURST.
FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THIS GROUP HERE.
THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE, UH, IS THE EPITOME OF WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING, BELIEVE SOMETHING AND SHOW SOMETHING.
AND SO WHEN THEY DID WHAT THEY DID AND EVEN AVAILED THEMSELVES TO, UH, HELP THE OPPONENT, I MEAN, IT'S AMAZING.
AND SO I WANNA SAY THANK YOU ALL PUBLICLY FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE.
I HAVE RECEIVED MANY, MANY, MANY CALLS AND EMAILS FROM PEOPLE NOT WANTING THIS TO HAPPEN.
AND SO I SO MOVE THAT THIS BE DELETED.
LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT IF COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN HAS MADE A MOTION TO DELETE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST, ANY OPPOSITION, SEEING NONE, THE ITEM 1 66 IS
[92. 24-00492]
DELETED.MEMBERS WILL GO BACK TO ITEM 92, UH, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT SHARON WESTON BROOME TO AUTHORIZE A CONTRACT AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARIS OF PARIS, OF EAST BATON ROUGE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND ST.
VINCENT DE PAUL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NON CONGREGANT HOMELESS SHELTER FOR A PERIOD OF JUNE 1ST, 2024 TO JUNE 30TH, 2026 FOR SOME NOT TO EXCEED $1 MILLION BY MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S A REQUEST FROM THE STAFF TO DEFER FOR 60 DAYS OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 92, WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM ITEM 92 IS MS. PENNY LA PENNY MAE LANDRY.
MS. LANDRY, IF YOU WOULD HELLO, PENNY MAE LANDRY, DISTRICT 11 7 0 8 0 9.
[00:45:01]
TO, WELL, TO REQUEST THAT IT BE DEFERRED, WHICH I THINK YOU JUST DID.UM, IN ADDITION TO THAT, UH, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DEFERRED ITEM INCLUDE THE MEMBERS OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
IS THAT A MAYOR APPOINTED COMMITTEE? AND HOW MANY MEMBERS OR SERVE DOES ANYONE KNOW? OKAY, I CAN'T ASK QUESTIONS.
UM, WHAT I'D LIKE TO SAY IS THAT, UH, WHILE THIS IS BEING DEFERRED, I WOULD HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD APPRECIATE THAT OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS $35 TRILLION IN DEBT.
AND IN THE COMING YEAR AND YEARS, WE'RE GONNA SEE LESS AND LESS FEDERAL FUNDING AVAILABLE.
SO, TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN, IN SUMS OF A MILLION DOLLARS, WHICH I BELIEVE THIS IS ALL TAXPAYER FUNDED, UM, MAY BE USED FOR OTHER THINGS.
SO I'D LIKE, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, OTHER ITEMS DEALING WITH HOMELESSNESS.
UH, I'VE ALSO BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THE NUMBER OF UNDERUTILIZED BUILDINGS THAT ARE OWNED BY EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
AND DURING THE TIME THAT THIS ITEM IS DEFERRED, I WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL PEOPLE TO LOOK AND SEE IF THERE IS ANY EXISTING STRUCTURE, UH, WITHIN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH THAT MIGHT BE RENOVATED TO CREATE THIS NON CONGREGATE, UH, FACILITY FOR THE HOMELESS.
UH, THAT COULD BE DONE AT A COST SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN $1 MILLION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION.
ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 92? SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COUNCIL MEMBERS.
YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED TWO EMAIL COMMENTS AND OPPOSITION TO ITEM 92.
SEEING NO, THE SPEAKERS WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN THE FLOOR TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, MS. LANDRY, THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IS A DEPARTMENT AND OUR DIVISION OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
I, I DIDN'T ASK YOU TO COME UP.
I WAS JUST, AND HOW MANY PEOPLE WORK IN THAT MS. LANDRY, IF YOU WOULD, YOU DON'T HAVE THE FLOOR, SO IF YOU WOULD PLEASE HAVE A SEAT.
AND, AND AGAIN, I KNOW WE'RE DEFERRING THIS ITEM, BUT, UH, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING AND, AND TALKING WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND ALL, SO THIS MILLION DOLLARS IS PART OF A, UM, ASSISTANCE TO BUILD THIS FACILITY AND IT MATCHES WITH THE $5 MILLION THAT THE STATE'S GOING IN WITH TO HELP WITH THIS, UH, BUILD THIS FACILITY AND THEN, UH, FIND A ORGANIZATION TO MANAGE IT.
SO IT'S, IT'S JUST PART OF A, WHAT I CONSIDER A MATCHING FUND THAT, UH, WE CAN HELP THE HOMELESS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THERE'S A MOTION TO DEFER FOR 60 DAYS FROM COUNCILMAN DUNN.
SECOND IT BY I'LL, I'LL SECOND IT TO DEFER.
DEFER, BUT I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE BEFORE, OR I'LL WAIT UNTIL AFTER.
THIS IS A CONCERN OF ABOUT THREE OF THE CONGREGATIONS OVER THERE.
SO I'M GOING TO ASK THAT ALL PARTIES THAT ARE INVOLVED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CONSIDER THE, WHERE THIS IS GOING TO BE PLACED.
AND SECOND, ANY AND OPPOSITION TO DEFER FOR 60 DAYS.
[93. 24-00610]
IS DEFERRED.ITEM 93 AUTHORIZING THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO TAKE SUCH SUCH ACTION AS MAY BE REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PURCHASE AND ACQUISITION OF TRACK 17 DASH A DASH A DASH B VICTORIA FARM SUBDIVISION 72 84 GREENWELL STREET FROM J AND R FOOD BROKERS OF LOUISIANA, INC.
FOR THE SUM AND APPRAISAL VALUE OF $207,200 FOR THE PURPOSE AND USE AS A NEW SHERIFF SUBSTATION IN APPROPRIATING THIS SUM BY PARISH ATTORNEY, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 93.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 93 C AND NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN DUNN.
[94. 24-00693]
CARRIES ITEM 94.THERE IS A REQUEST FROM THE SPONSOR TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS ON THIS ITEM.
ITEM 94, AUTHORIZING AN ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA CO CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE SEVEN, SECTION 21 OH FOR PROPERTY THAT IS OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY A FIRST RESPONDER AS DEFINED BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION.
AND PROVIDING NOTICE OF THE ADOPTION OF THIS EXEMPTION TO THE ASSESSOR BY COUNCILMAN LAMONT COLE, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 94.
[00:50:01]
TO SPEAK ON ITEM 94? SEEING AND NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.THERE'S A MOTION TO DEFER FROM COUNCILMAN GODDE FOR TWO WEEKS.
MOTION BY, UH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN RAA.
ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING AND NONE? ITEM 94 HAS BEEN DEFERRED FOR TWO WEEKS.
[95. 24-00735]
ITEM 95, UH, IN THE CASE OF A PRESIDENTIAL DECLARATION OF A MAJOR DISASTER OR EMERGENCY, THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE HEREBY AUTHORIZES A WAIVER OF THE LAND USE REGULATIONS RELATIVE TO APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, AS WELL AS ENFORCEMENT OF ALL APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF TITLE EIGHT A OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE IN ORDER TO ALLOW TEMPORARY HOUSING IN THE FORM OF MOBILE HOMES, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, AND OTHER TEMPORARY HOUSING FOLLOWING A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY BY HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DIRECTOR.WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 95.
SEEING AND NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN ROCKA.
COUNCILMAN GODDE, I WAS GONNA ASK CLAY TO COME UP REAL QUICK.
CLAY REEVES, WHO HEADS UP OUR MAYOR'S OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CLAY, AS YOU'RE COMING UP, THIS IS A, A REALLY GOOD PROACTIVE MEASURE AND I JUST WANTED YOU TO KIND OF TALK THROUGH IT SO THAT COUNCIL GETS A GOOD EXPLANATION IN THE HOPEFULLY VERY UNFORTUNATE EVENT THAT, UH, SOMETHING HAPPENS THIS YEAR DURING HURRICANE SEASON.
HISTORICALLY, THIS CAME UP THROUGH HURRICANE IDA, UM, IN TERREBONNE, UH, PARISH A UH, THE STATE WAS WAITING, UM, FOR FEMA TO PASS OR TO AUTHORIZE THEIR TEMPORARY HOUSING AND IT WAS GONNA TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS.
SO THE STATE ACTUALLY CREATED THIS PROGRAM.
AND SO WHAT THIS DOES, IT CERTIFIES A CERTIFICATION PROCESS THAT ANY PARISH THAT WANTS TO OPT IN, THEY HAVE TO OPT IN 'CAUSE THEY'RE NOT, YOU'RE NOT OPTED IN UNLESS YOU GO THROUGH THESE STEPS AND, AND YOU WERE OPTING IN TO ALLOW FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING IN THE EVENT THAT A DISASTER OCCURS.
EAST BATON ROUGE CAN BE A, CAN BE A, SO IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A DECLARE DECLARATION.
THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE FUNDING TO DO THE, THE PROGRAM AND THEN WE, WE WOULD HAVE TO REQUEST THAT FROM, AND IT COULD BE MADE ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT TWO WEEKS AND OR A MONTH TO COME TO THIS BODY AFTER A DISASTER.
I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT MOSEF DOES AND, AND PARTICULARLY ON THIS.
THANK YOU CLAY COUNCILMAN HURST.
UH, IT IS RELATED TO THIS MAN, BUT I WANT TO JUST THANK CLAY.
WE WERE IN A DISTRICT MEETING ABOUT, PROBABLY ABOUT TWO, THREE MONTHS AGO, AND WE HAD, IT WAS A PACKED HOUSE ON A RAINY DAY.
WE SHOULD SHOULD'VE CANCELED IT.
BUT, UM, IT MADE PEOPLE ASK A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS THIS SEASON AND WE REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A HUGE, UM, LEVEL OF, OF, OF UNKNOWN OF WHAT THE STATE, FEDERAL, AND LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES WERE.
AND FROM THAT MEETING YOU HAD CLARISSA MOORE WITH, UH, TROY, CONGRESSMAN TROY CARTER'S OFFICE.
STATE FOLKS WHO PUT TOGETHER HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS MEETING AND BRUCE PACK WALL TO WALL.
AND SO THROUGH CLAY'S, UM, EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC AND OPEN UP THE WINDOW TO DO IT FOR THE MASTER.
SO I WANNA THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, MAN.
SEEMS LIKE ALL YOUR MEETINGS ARE ON VERY RAINY DAYS.
HEY, BUT THE PEOPLE STILL SHOW UP THOUGH.
IT IS A PACKED HOUSE, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH THERE.
ANY, ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE MOTION? SEEING NONE, ITEM 95 CARRIES
[96. 24-00737]
ITEM 96.THERE IS A REQUEST TO DEFER UNTIL THE 8 28 MEETING, UH, AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT TWO BLOCK 2 0 8 SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION MUNICIPAL ADDRESS 3 8 8 0, UH, POCOT STREET AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND NOT NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE.
AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAME PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 33 47 12 ATEC UNTO WILFORD JACKSON FOR THE SUM OF $22,000 BY PARISH ATTORNEY.
OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 96.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 96? SEE AND NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS FROM COUNCILMAN DUNN 30 DAYS.
UH, AND SECOND IT BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY, UH, ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
[97. 24-00790]
CARRIES.ITEM 97, A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ANNUAL PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAX RELATIVE TO A PROPOSED SOLAR FARM TO BE CONSTRUCTION IN ACADIA PARISH IN ACCORDANCE WITH A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CAPITAL AREA FINANCE AUTHORITY AND ADA SOLAR LLC BY COUNCILMAN LAMONT COLE, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 97.
SEE AND NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE CHAIR.
SECOND AND BY COUNCILMAN GODDE.
[00:55:01]
SEEING NONE.[98. 24-00739]
CARRIES ITEM 98.THERE IS A REQUEST FROM THE SPONSORS TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
UH, AMENDING TITLE ONE MUNICIPAL AND PARISH ORGANIZATION, CHAPTER ONE, GOVERNING BODY OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE.
SO AS AMEND SECTION ONE TWO C ONE TO ADD A REQUIREMENT THAT THE PARISH ATTORNEY APPROVE ALL ITEMS SEEKING SETTLEMENT PRIOR TO SUBMISSION TO THE AGENDA BY COUNCILMAN JEN ROCKA AND COUNCILMAN DWIGHT HUDSON.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 98.
SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THERE IS A MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS FROM COUNCILMAN HURST, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
ITEM 98 IS DEFERRED FOR TWO WEEKS.
[99. 24-00775]
ITEM 99 AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT OF THE CLAIM OF STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY AS SUBY OF JASON AND CRYSTAL FURLONG FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A BATON ROUGE POLICE OFFICER IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,260 52 CENTS BY PARISH ATTORNEY.WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 99.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE CHAIR.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
[100. 24-00787]
ITEM 100, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE BODILY INJURY CLAIM OF DARYL THOMPSON THAT OCCURRED AT THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,000 BY PARISH ATTORNEY.OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 100.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE CHAIR.
[101. 24-00779]
CARRIES ITEM 1 0 1, DIRECTING THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO TERMINATE THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND THE SCOTLANDVILLE SCHOOL HORNETS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY GRANTED TO THE ASSOCIATION ON THE OLD FIRE STATION.NUMBER 16, LOCATED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF LEWIS AND ROSENWALD BY COUNCILWOMAN SHAUNA BANKS.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 1.
WE DO HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKER CARDS.
FIRST WE'LL HAVE JANICE MONTAGUE MILES.
MS. MILES, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
UM, UH, GENTLEMEN AND LADIES OF THE COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS JANICE MONTE HOUSE.
I'M AN ATTORNEY AND I'M HERE IN OPPOSITION TO THE RESOLUTION TO TERMINATE THE CEA BETWEEN THE CITY PARISH AND SCOTLANDVILLE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
BACK IN, UH, 2015, UH, THE FORMER MAYOR KIPP HOLDEN AND THE THEN COUNCILMAN FOR THAT PARTICULAR DISTRICT, UH, THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO ENTER THAT AGREEMENT ALONG WITH, ALONG WITH THE COUNCILMAN AT THAT TIME.
AND WHEN I LOOK AT THIS RESOLUTION, IT SIMPLY SAYS, IT, IT IT IS ASKING YOU TO VOTE TO HAVE THE, UM, THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO TERMINATE THIS CONTRACT.
UM, INSIDE OF THIS RESOLUTION, IT SIMPLY STATES THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAS NOT MADE USE OF THIS PROPERTY AS IN VISION AND CONTEMPLATED IN THE AFOREMENTIONED CORPORATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT AND HAS NOT FULFILLED THE TERMS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THAT AGREEMENT.
AND MY QUESTION IS IN WHAT WAY? AND IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY VALIDITY TO THIS BLANKET STATEMENT, VERY GENERAL STATEMENT, IT WOULD'VE STATED, AND I WOULD THINK AS MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, YOU WOULD WANNA KNOW EXACTLY IN WHAT WAY HAS THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION VIOLATED ANY TERM OF THE AGREEMENT? IN WHAT WAY HAS THE ASSOCIATION NOT, UH, PRODUCE WHAT THEY, UH, WHAT HAS BEEN ENVISIONED? THEY'VE HAD IT FOR NINE YEARS AND YES, THERE PROBABLY HAVE BEEN SOME, UH, SETBACKS AND SOME THINGS, BUT TO SAY THAT THEY HAVEN'T USED IT TO SAY THAT THEY'VE VIOLATED THE AGREEMENT IN ANY WAY, CANNOT UH, BE SAID.
ONE OTHER THING THAT I WANT TO POINT OUT IN THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT ON ITEM 11, ON PAGE SIX, I BELIEVE IT CLEARLY STATES THAT IT IS THE, THAT THIS AGREEMENT IS THE EXCLUSIVE.
[01:00:01]
ENTIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES.UH, IF, IF THERE'S A, UH, TERMINATION, THE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO SHOW THAT THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION VIOLATED SOME TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT.
I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY VIOLATION AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THANK YOU MR. MILES.
NEXT UP WE'LL HAVE ALVIN DOUGLAS, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, SIR.
GOOD EVENING TO THE MEMBERS OF THE METRO COUNCIL, GUESTS, FAMILY, FRIENDS OF THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY SCOTLANDVILLE COMMUNITY.
I'M THE PRESIDENT SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND A GRADUATE OF SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH CLASS OF 1980.
I'M A RETIRED DISTRICT CHIEF FOR THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH 32 YEARS OF SERVICE.
I CURRENTLY SERVE AS THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL REGION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS.
LASTLY, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, I'M AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE CAPITAL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, DR. RONALD L. ROBINSON, SENIOR PASTOR.
TODAY I STAND BEFORE YOU REPRESENTING THE SKYVILLE PARTY ART CENTER, FONDLY KNOWN AS THE SHAQ DEEPER ROOTING THE SCHOLAR SCOVILLE COMMUNITY.
I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ENDEAVORS TO TRANSFORM THE SHACK SINCE MY ELECTION AS PRESIDENT OF THE SCOVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION IN 2021, I HAVE GUIDED THE EFFORT TO REFURBISH THE SHACK DESPITE THE SETBACKS THAT LIFE HAS THROWN AT US.
LIKE THE FLOOD OF 16 COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE DEPRESSED ECONOMY, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE A RESILIENT SPIRIT THROUGHOUT COMBINED EFFORTS.
WE HAVE BEEN TENACIOUS AS A HORNET AND WE CONTINUED OUR EFFORTS TO SYSTEMATICALLY RENOVATE THE BUILDING WHICH WE ACCEPTED IN A DEPLOYABLE CONDITION.
WE HAVE SAW LIKE THE EAGLE COMING UP WITH NEW IDEAS TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY FOR THE USE OF OUR BUILDING THROUGH PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, AND PROJECT FUNDING.
WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT TODAY THAT WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THESE AREAS TOGETHER, OUR GROUP MAY BE SMALL IN NUMBER.
WE HAVE A LARGE DESIRE TO GIVE TO THE FUTURE OF OUR SCOVILLE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE RESTORATION OF THE OLD FIRE STATION INTO THE SHACK, THE SCOVILLE HORNETS ART CENTER.
I WILL CLOSE WITH A SCRIPTURE FROM MATTHEW 7 24 THROUGH 27.
I LIKEN HIM TO A WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK AND THE RAIN DESCENDED AND FLOODS CAME AND THE WINDS BLEW AND BEAT ON THAT HOUSE AND IT DID NOT FALL BEFORE IT WAS FOUNDED ON THE ROCK.
I OPPOSED THE EFFORTS TO TERMINATE THE CORPORATE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SCOVILLE HORNETS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY PARISH.
WE HAVE HISTORY, WE ARE THE FOUNDATION, WE HAVE A PLAN, OUR VISION AND OUR GOAL.
ONE VILLE, ONE SHAQ, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT UP WE'LL HAVE GLENDA CHAPPELLE, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME.
I'M A 74 GRADUATE OF SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL AND A LIFETIME MEMBER OF THE SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FOR WHICH I SERVE AS SECRETARY.
I'M HERE THIS EVENING ONLY TO SPEAK TO THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY SINCE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT JANUARY 1ST, 2015.
ACCORDING TO MY RECORDS, WHAT I HAVE ON FILE IS SIMPLY A COMMUNICATION FROM THE PARISH ATTORNEY IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR REGARDING THE USE OF THE PROPERTY OR LACK THEREOF.
AND THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE LUM ALUMNI WAS INTERESTED IN TERMINATING THE AGREEMENT.
THE RESPONSE WAS ISSUED IMMEDIATELY BY THE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT THAT THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WAS COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE AGREEMENT AND CARRYING OUT OUR INITIAL GOALS FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND THEREFORE IS NOT INTERESTED IN TERMINATION.
OUR RESPONSE WAS RECEIVED THE NEXT DAY FROM THE PARISH ATTORNEY STATING THAT A NOTATION WOULD BE MADE IN THE FILE UNTIL BEING NOTIFIED APPROXIMATELY THAT THE, UH, WEEK AGO THAT AN ITEM HAD BEEN PLACED ON THE
[01:05:01]
DOCKET OF THIS MEETING TO REQUEST THAT THE PROCESS BE STARTED TO TERMINATE THE AGREEMENT MADE WITH THE CITY REGARDING THE OLD FIRE FIRE STATION I AM AWARE OF AND HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE STATUS, ANY CONCERNS OR ANYTHING OTHERWISE REGARDING THIS AGREEMENT.THANK YOU MR. RODERICK WELLS, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, SIR.
I'M RODERICK WELLS AND I'M A SKYVILLE GRAD AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF THE ALUMNI.
I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT REALLY QUICKLY ABOUT THE PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE CONDUCTED WHILE THE, UH, OWNERS OF THIS, UH, UM, FIREHOUSE, UH, THE FIRST THING WE DID, OUR FIREHOUSE WASN'T ACTUALLY USABLE TO HAVE PEOPLE IN.
SO RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE FIREHOUSE, THERE'S THE FIRST PRES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLANDVILLE.
THEY ALLOWED US TO USE THEIR FACILITY TO CONDUCT SOME OF OUR PROGRAMS. AND THE FIRST THING THAT WE DID, WE HAD A, WHAT WE CALL A, UM, A FIREHOUSE CRAWL.
WE UNITED WITH THE, UH, ARTS COUNCIL, EXCUSE ME, ARTS COUNCIL AND THE MID-CITY REDEVELOPMENT, UH, ALLIANCE.
AND WE HAD BUSES TAKE KIDS FROM ONE FIREHOUSE TO THE NEXT FIREHOUSE.
WHAT WE WANTED 'EM TO DO IS SEE WHAT WE WERE PLANNING AND WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO.
BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE DIDN'T WANT TO SIT AND DO NOTHING.
WE PUT ON SUMMER CAMPS AGAIN WITH THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ACROSS THE STREET TO GIVE US MORE ROOM AND MORE OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE THE COMMUNITY AND LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHAT WE WERE LOOKING TO DO AND PLANNING TO DO IN THE FUTURE.
WE ALSO GOT ONE OF OUR GRADUATES WHO HAS BEEN WORKING IN ARTS, UH, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.
MARGIE JOHNSON REESE, IF YOU CAN LOOK, YOU CAN LOOK HER UP.
SHE'S ON EVERYTHING, THE FACEBOOK AND WHATEVER.
AND SHE CAME AND GAVE US SOME REALLY GOOD INSTRUCTION, UH, SOME REALLY GOOD GUIDANCE AND TRAINING.
SO OUR CAMPS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL, UH, SUMMERS.
UM, WE ALSO GOT SOME LOCAL TALENT TO HELP US, MR. RDE HENRY, UH, MR. RONALD KENNEDY, UH, GRACIE PERKINS FOR DANCE AND ART, EXCUSE ME, AND CHAUNCEY SLACK FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
UH, OUR CAMPS WERE VERY, VERY PRODUCTIVE.
AND WE EVEN TRIED TO SUPPLY A, UH, ENDING CAMP PERFORMANCE.
AND WE ACTUALLY HAD THE DALLAS JAZZ ENSEMBLE PERFORMED AT ONE OF OUR ENDING OF ONE OF OUR CAMPS.
SO THE WHAT WE ARE DOING IS, IS NOT JUST SITTING.
WE'RE ACTUALLY MAKING THINGS GO FOR THE COMMUNITY AND WE WANT THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT WE WANT THE SHACK TO STAY THE SHACK.
NEXT UP WE'LL HAVE ANTHONY KENNY JR.
MR. KENNY, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
UM, I'M A PROUD GRADUATE OF JAMMAS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLAR V MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL BY WAY OF 2015.
SO I COME TODAY, UM, AS A CONCERNED COMMUNITY LEADER AROUND THIS ISSUE.
UM, WHEN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NOTIFIED ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE, UM, IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO STRENGTHEN A QUALITY PARTNERSHIP, UH, WITH THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE TO COUNCIL, OUR COUNCILWOMAN AND THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
AS EVERYBODY SAID BEFORE ME, THIS AT ENTIRE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN INVESTED INTO THIS SHAQ 10 SHARE THAT THE KIDS AND DISTRICT TWO AND SCHOLAR HAVE SOMEWHERE THEY COULD COME MEET THE ALUMNI AT THIS GREAT INSTITUTION, ALSO BE ABLE TO MEET AND PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE RIGHT PATH.
MYSELF BEING FOR THE NORTH BATON ROUGE AND DISTRICT TWO AND SCOVILLE COMMUNITY, I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF WHY THESE PROGRAMS ARE SO CRITICAL IN OUR AREA IN DISTRICT TWO.
AND SO ALL WE ASK FOR HERE TODAY, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD THAT WE DEFERRED THIS ITEM BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE THE SCHOLAR, WE KNOW THE SKYVILLE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HAVE BEEN DOING AN AMAZING JOB IN EMPLOYING THIS SHACK TO BE A KEY PILLAR IN THIS COMMUNITY.
SKYVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN A PILLAR IN SCOTLANDVILLE FOR 30 PLUS YEARS AND BEYOND, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THROUGH THIS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND THIS SHACK HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO IMPACT KIDS FOR MANY MORE YEARS TO COME.
THANK YOU MR. KENNY AND MS. PENNY MA.
[01:10:01]
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.PENNY MAY LANDRY, UM, I'M SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO THIS.
UM, THE CITY MADE AN AGREEMENT, UM, FOR THE SCOTLANDVILLE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS AND AS WAS NOTED BY ONE OF THE OTHER COMMENTERS, UM, THE ISSUE IS THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAS NOT MADE USE OF THE BUILDING.
UM, I WOULD BEG TO SAY THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY BUILDINGS IN EAST BATON ROUGE THAT WE HAVE NOT MADE USE OF.
SO, UM, I'M HERE IN SUPPORT AND, UH, MY FRIEND DR.
DENA JOHNSON, WHO IS RUNNING FOR DISTRICT TWO COUNCIL PERSON, SHE JUST TEXTED ME, SHE COULDN'T BE HERE BECAUSE THERE'S FLOODING AND MAJOR TRAFFIC TRYING TO GET FROM NORTH BATON ROUGE TO HERE.
SO I'D JUST LIKE TO STATE FOR MYSELF AND DR.
DENA JOHNSON THAT WE ARE BOTH IN.
WHAT'S FUNNY, WE ARE BOTH IN THE OPPOSITION TO THIS ITEM.
ALSO WISHING TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION ARE PATRICIA MCALLISTER.
PAT MCALLISTER, LEDUFF REPRESENTING, UH, SCOTLANDVILLE, ONE OF THE COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND ALSO A LIFETIME MEMBER OF SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH 1978.
AND, UM, REPRESENTING SCOTLANDVILLE, CDC AND OF COURSE, GAV COMMUNITY AGAINST DRUG AND VIOLENCE.
BOTH OF THOSE NONPROFITS ARE ACTUALLY 30 YEAR PLUS, UH, MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND I'M STANDING, UH, UH, IN OPPOSITION AS WELL.
I'M STANDING IN SUPPORT OF MY SCHOOL AND, UH, AND MY ALUMNI, UM, FOR THE EFFORTS THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY PUT FORTH, AND THAT IS PROVIDING SUMMER CAMP FOR THE CHILDREN IN SCOTLANDVILLE.
SO WE, WE SPONSOR CHILDREN, UH, KADA AND SCOTLANDVILLE, CDC.
WE SPONSOR CHILDREN FOR SUMMER CAMP THERE.
AND, UH, IT'S A PLUS FOR US BECAUSE OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CHILD EXPERIENCED SUMMER CAMP.
SO IT STARTS WITH BRECK, BUT EVERYBODY CAN'T DO BRE.
SO EVERY OTHER CAMP IN THE COMMUNITY, UH, WE SEND OUR CHILDREN, THE MONEY FOLLOWS THE CHILD, WHATEVER CAMP THEY CAN FIND.
SO WE ARE ELATED TO HAVE SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SEND OUR KIDS.
AND SO, UH, OUR MISSION IS TO BUILD CAPACITY WITHIN THE FAMILIES WE SERVE, UH, WITH NECESSARY RESOURCES.
UM, AND, UH, I WANNA SPEAK ON BEHALF OF BLIGHT.
UH, THAT PLACE WAS VERY DEPLORABLE, AND IT MAY NOT BE WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE, BUT IT IS A LIGHT ON THE CORNER OF, UH, ROSENWALD RIGHT NOW.
AND SO, UM, THERE'S ARTWORK ON THE BUILDING.
AND FOR ME, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF BLIGHT, THAT'S A GOOD THING.
ALSO, WISHING TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION IS KENDRICK.
I AM HERE IN OPPOSITION OF THE ITEM ONE ON ONE.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOU GUYS REAL QUICK ON THE MAINTENANCE THAT HAS BEEN DONE, UH, FOR THE BUILDING.
UH, TODAY I STAND BEFORE YOU WITH A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE AND OPTIMISM REGARDING OUR OLD FIRE STATION, NUMBER 16 ON ROSENWALD, UM, ENTRUSTED TO THE SCOTLANDVILLE ALUMNI.
UM, I HAVE SERVED AS THE SHAQ CHAIR.
UH, CURRENTLY, UH, THIS BUILD THIS BUILDING HAS UNDERGONE SIGNIFICANT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, UM, PAVING THE WAY FOR A VIBRANT FUTURE FOR A HUB AND CREATE, UM, FOR CREATIVITY, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT.
UH, THE JOURNEY TO TRANSFORM THIS FIREHOUSE, UH, HAS BEEN MARKED BY DEDICATION AND COLLABORATION.
UM, WE HAVE, UM, INVESTED OVER $50,000 WITHIN THE BUILDING ALREADY.
UH, SO WE ARE, UM, ACTIVELY, UH, MOVING TOWARDS, UM, GETTING THE BUILDING TO WHERE, UM, IT NEEDS TO BE.
AND ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT THERE ARE SECTIONS OF THE BUILDING THAT WE ARE, UM, IF NOT ALREADY, UH, WE ARE INHABITING AND WE ARE USING, UM, THE, THE EXPENSES, UM, FROM THAT $50,000 INCLUDE EXPENSES FROM CONSTRUCTION, DRAWINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, UH, STRATEGIC PLANNING, REPAIR OF THE ROOF, UH, REPAIRS TO PLUMBING, RENOVATION OF RESTROOM FOR PUBLIC USE, INSTALLATION OF AC UNITS, UH, DRAINAGE SYSTEM STRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS, AND, UH, ALSO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENTS TO ACCESSIBILITIES.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THAT, UH, THE MAINTENANCE ALSO, UH, THAT INCLUDES MONTHLY EXPENSES.
[01:15:01]
THE UTILITY, UH, THE WASTE, THE LANDSCAPING, UM, TOWARDS THE BUILDING ON, UM, A MONTHLY OR BIWEEKLY BASIS BASED ON THE SAID EXPENSE.SO, UH, THEREFORE I AM, UH, PUSHING TOWARDS OPPOSITION OF THIS, UH, BY INVESTING.
I THINK WE SHOULD BE MORE OF A PARTNERSHIP VERSUS, UM, MORE OF KIND OF WHAT IS GOING ON NOW.
UM, SO WE DO WANT TO, UM, ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO, UH, CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US AS WELL AS FIND OPPORTUNITIES AND PARTNERSHIP, UM, AS WELL AS, UH, MOVING FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE WITHIN THIS BUILDING.
UH, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS A GRADUATED MYSELF THAT, UH, WE DO HAVE, UH, PLACES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY TO GROW THESE THINGS.
AND LIKE I SAID, TO SPEAKING TO MAINTENANCE, UM, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK DONE, AND THERE HAS BEEN INVESTMENT DONE BY US GOING OUT, FINDING THIS FUNDING.
UM, THERE'S ALWAYS, UM, ROOM TO GROW, BUT I WOULD WANT TO ENSURE THE COUNCIL TONIGHT THAT THAT HAS, THAT IMPROVEMENT HAS ALREADY STARTED, THAT IMPROVEMENT HAS, HAS BEEN STARTED A, A WHILE BACK AGO.
SO, UH, AS WE PUSH FORWARD, AS THE THINGS WE COME THROUGH WITH LIFE HAPPENS, UH, WE ARE PUSHING SHORT FORWARD AND STRIVING TOWARDS GETTING THIS SHACK FROM BEING, UM, A DREAM, A VISION TO A REALITY.
AND WE'LL LIKE TO ASK FOR YOU GUYS ASSISTANCE IN THAT.
ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE, ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 0 1 COUNCIL MEMBERS? YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED TWO EMAIL COMMENTS AND OPPOSITION TO ITEM 1 0 1.
SEEING NO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK WE'LL MOVE NOW TO COUNCIL MEMBERS LIKE WILLIAM MARNER.
WE'RE GONNA START WITH SOME, WITH, WITH, I WAS JUST RECOGNIZING YOU THAT YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
UM, SO YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ME SINCE, UH, 2014 WHEN I PROPOSED THIS IDEA, UM, TO DONATE THIS BUILDING TO THE SKYVILLE, UH, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRESIDENT THEN, WHICH WAS, UM, WHAT'S HER NAME? MS. BRAXTON.
AND SO I, AND I ALONE FACILITATED THE BUILDING, BUT OF COURSE, UM, PROVIDED A COURTESY FOR OUR FORMER MAYOR HOLDING TO ADD HIS NAME TO MY AGENDA ITEM.
UM, JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KIND OF GIVE SOME DETAILS.
I'VE ALSO, I JUST KIND OF COPIED EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE SENT ON THIS AND JUST TO KIND OF BRING US UP TO DATE OF WHAT ALL HAS BEEN GOING ON.
WE HAVE A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE ASSOCIATION.
IT WAS EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1ST, 2015.
IT PROVIDED FOR THE RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY OF THAT PROPERTY, WE DID NOT TRANSFER A TITLE TO IT.
WE GAVE 'EM THE RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY.
OF COURSE, THERE WERE ANY NUMBER OF THINGS THAT HAD TO BE DONE.
UM, BUT IT WAS FOR NINE, NINE YEARS, WHICH IS THE LEGAL LIMIT OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU CAN DO THAT KIND OF THING.
UM, THE ASSOCIATION WAS REQUIRED TO IMMEDIATELY SECURE THE BUILDING AND TO, UH, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
UM, THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO ALSO EVALUATE THE PROPERTY AND ASSESS AND COME UP WITH A, DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR THE BUILDING.
UM, AND TO FULLY OCCUPY THE BUILDING IN A TIMELY FASHION.
THEY WERE TO PROVIDE INSURANCE ON THE BUILDING.
THEY WERE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS AND, UM, ALTERATIONS TO THE BUILDING THEY NEEDED.
UM, AND THEY, OF COURSE, THEY WERE TO PAY UTILITIES.
OVER THE YEARS, WE'VE HAD, I, I GET CALLS ABOUT THIS BUILDING AND ASKING IF IT WAS BEING USED OR IF IT, THE BUILDING WAS AVAILABLE.
AND I WOULD TELL THE FOLKS WE HAD THE CEA WITH, UH, SCOTT BILL IN LATE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR.
I DID REACH OUT TO THE ASSOCIATION AND, AND JUST SAY, HEY, I'M JUST CHECKING IN.
MR. DOUGLAS IMMEDIATELY REPLIED AND SAID THAT SCOTLANDVILLE STILL HAD A PLAN FOR THE BUILDING AND THEY WERE MOVING FORWARD.
UH, AND I WROTE BACK AND SAID, THANK YOU.
WE'RE PUTTING THAT NOTE IN THE FILE.
UH, A FEW WEEKS LATER, AN ATTORNEY BY THE NAME OF FRANK BROWN CONTACTED ME AND SAID, HE WORKS WITH THE ASSOCIATION, NOT NOT REPRESENTING, BUT WORKS WITH HIM AS, AND SAID THEY WERE COMING UP WITH SOME PLANS TO DO AN ART FACILITY OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE, AND HE WOULD SEND 'EM TO ME.
I THINK THEY HAD SENT AN EMAIL THIS WEEK WITH SOME PLANS.
UM, THAT'S THE CRUX OF IT, THAT THE, UH, THE CEA DOES GIVE US THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE AGREEMENT WITH 30 DAYS NOTICE IF THEY HAVE NOT FULLY, UM, COMPLIED WITH THE, THE CEA AND THE PLANS OF IT.
THE AGENDA ITEM TONIGHT WOULD BE, IF APPROVED, WOULD BE TO AUTHORIZE THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO MOVE FORWARD IN MAKING THAT NOTICE TO THE ASSOCIATION.
SO, I, UM, TO MY COLLEAGUES AND ALL OF THE, FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK SCOTLANDVILLE, UM, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
[01:20:01]
FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT.THIS IS THE KIND OF ENERGY, UM, THAT WE HAVE BEEN NEEDING FOR 10 YEARS, UM, OVER THE 10 YEARS.
FOR ONE THING, UM, WHEN PAULA BRAXTON ASKED ME TO PUT THIS ITEM, THEY HAD BEEN ASKING THE MAYOR AND THE FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER, BASED ON HER, WHAT SHE SAID FOR MANY YEARS TO ASK, TO DONATE, UH, USE OF THE BUILDING FOR THE COMMUNITY, NOT FOR THE ASSOCIATION, BUT SO THAT THE ASSOCIATION WOULD RUN PROGRAMMING OUT.
UM, OF COURSE, UH, THAT WAS A NO BRAINER FOR ME.
UH, THOUGH I AM NOT A GRADUATE OF SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, NORTH SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.
MY MOTHER IS PART OF THE VERY FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF SCOTLANDVILLE IN 1956.
HER FATHER WAS THE FIRST PTA PRESIDENT FOR SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
HER 11 SIBLINGS ALL GRADUATED FROM SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
HER FIRST TEACHING JOB WAS AT SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
AND MY FATHER, WHO ALSO WAS A SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY LABORATORY SCHOOL, UM, UH, GRADUATED.
BUT HIS TWO SI, HIS TWO, UH, SISTERS GRADUATED FROM COLLIN, UM, SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
ALL MY FIRST COUSINS IN, UH, THE SCOTLANDVILLE COMMUNITY GRADUATED FROM THE SCHOOL.
AND MY ONLY CHILD IN 2007 GRADUATED FROM SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.
SO FOR ME, THIS WAS A VERY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY AND ONE THAT ACTUALLY OPENED THE DOOR TO THE CITY LOOKING AT ALL OF ITS FIRE STATIONS AND HOW WE COULD BRING 'EM INTO COMMERCE.
UM, IN THIS FIVE YEARS, UH, I, I HAVE INITIATED EVERY CONTACT AS IT RELATES TO THIS PROGRAM, THIS PROJECT.
IT WASN'T JUST DONATED TO THEM.
I HAVE MET WITH, AFTER PAULA BRAXTON, I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS TIMES.
EVERY TIME WE GOT A COMPLAINT, I PUSHED THE ENVELOPE BACK AND, OR SOMEONE REQUESTING WHY IT'S NOT BEING USED.
AND I WOULD CALL THEIR LEADERSHIP OR YOLANDA DAY.
YOLANDA ALVIN, WHETHER IT WAS HOWARD DAVIS, UM, WHOEVER THE PRESIDENT WAS AT THAT TIME, SAYING, LOOK, SOMETHING HAS TO HAPPEN AT THIS BUILDING.
PEOPLE WANNA KNOW WHY IT'S NOT BEING A YOUTH THEY WANTED.
THEY'RE SAYING THAT IT IS, UM, THE ROSENWALD CORRIDOR IN WHICH WE, WE WERE GETTING THE STATS, HOW THE CRIME HAS GONE UP IN THOSE 10 YEARS, TO THE POINT THAT, UM, WE HAD A MEETING AT VISION CHRISTIAN CENTER ON ROSENWALD TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE COULD DO IN THE, UH, CRIME DEPARTMENT WITH THE BRTD DID AN ENTIRE SWIPE OF THAT ENTIRE AREA, UM, IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT THE GENTLEMAN MENTIONED.
THE MEETING AT, UH, AT THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
I WASN'T INVITED, BUT I HEARD ABOUT IT AGAIN.
I OFFERED, I'VE OFFERED, UM, TO, FIRST OF ALL, TO LET THEM USE MY COMMUNITY CENTER WHERE THEY MEET EVERY MONTH.
NOW, IF THEY HAD THIS BUILDING IN SHAPE, THEY WOULDN'T STILL FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, BE MEETING AT THE JJ NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER, FREE OF CHARGE.
THEY HOLD FUNDRAISERS ALL THEIR, THEY HAVE THEIR FUNDRAISERS.
ALMOST EVERY SCHOOL HAS, I THINK IT'S THEIR CHRISTMAS PARTY.
ALMOST EVERY SCHOOL HAS THEIR, UM, ALUMNI AND REUNION PARTIES AT THE JEWEL J NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER.
UM, I KNOW THAT, UM, I ACTUALLY HAVE SP MET, THIS WAS UNDER HOWARD DAVIS.
I MET WITH TWO GUY I, THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS, WHICH I, I ASKED, THIS IS ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO.
LET'S TALK, LET'S GET AN AMOUNT.
SO I, I SAY, I WILL HELP YOU WITH A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN.
EVERYTHING I HAVE OFFERED, THE LEADERSHIP CHANGES OR IT'S BAD LEADERSHIP AND THERE'S NO FOLLOW UP.
SO TODAY WE ARE AT A, A POINT WHERE FOR 10 YEARS, THE CITY WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROPERTY AND THE COMMUNITY, IT IS NOT OWNED BY THE SCOTLANDVILLE ASSOCIATION.
THE LIABILITY LIES WITH THE SCOTLANDVILLE ASSOCIATION.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE AGREEMENTS.
AND I ACTUALLY, UM, SPOKE WITH THE PRESIDENT, UM, ALVIN DOUGLAS YESTERDAY AFTER HE CALLED FORMER COUNCILMAN THAT PROCEEDED ME, ULYSSES BONES, ADDISON, ASKING HIM, UH, TO OPPOSE THIS ITEM AND TO SPEAK WITH ME.
I SAID, I TOLD HIM JUST WHAT A MATTER OF
[01:25:01]
FACT, ANYBODY THAT CALLED ME, I TOLD HIM THIS STORY.AND THEY WOULD SAY, WELL, DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
BUT I ASKED COUNCILMAN ADDISON, I SAID, I AM WILLING TO WORK WITH THE ASSOCIATION AS I HAVE FOR 10 YEARS.
BUT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING THAT PUTS IN PLACE A, AN A CORPORATE ENDEAVOR WHERE THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY ON BOTH OF OUR PART WHERE THERE ARE CHECK MARKS ON BOTH OF OUR PART.
EITHER WAY, IT NEEDS TO END ALSO THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO, TO, TO, UM, TO PURCHASE IT, THE OPPORTUNITY.
EVEN DO A LONG-TERM LEASE ON TO OWNERSHIP.
THERE ARE MULTI, I I TALKED TO MR. UM, SO I AGREED TO MEET THEM EIGHT O'CLOCK AT, UM, LAST NIGHT AT THE INVITATION OF ALVIN DOUGLAS.
I WAS TO COME LAST NIGHT TO THE SHACK, AS THEY CALL IT, EIGHT O'CLOCK THIS MORNING.
HE CALLED AND SAID THEY HAD TOO MUCH GOING.
HE HAD TOO MUCH GOING ON, AND HE COULD NOT MEET WITH ME.
THAT HE COULD NOT MEET COUNCIL.
COUNCILMAN BANKS HAS THE FLOOR.
I'M SORRY THAT HE COULD NOT MEET WITH ME.
I, AGAIN, I, WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? I AM WILLING, THIS IS AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL GIVE US 30 DAYS TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING TO BETTER UTILIZE THIS BUILDING.
UM, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY BUILDING.
I HAVE, I HAD TWO BUILDINGS LIKE THIS AND I FEEL THAT I BOMBED BOTH OF 'EM WITH THIS LEASE I BOMBED.
AND THE OTHER ONE ON 72ND AVENUE UFF.
YOU KNOW, IT IS BLIGHT AS WELL.
WE HAVE THE PICTURES OF THIS BUILDING.
I HAVE, WE HAVE TO HAVE, AND I HAVE NEVER, I'VE ASKED FOR THESE THINGS.
PART OF THIS AGREEMENT IS A GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE THAT FOR EVERY FIVE YEARS, FOR A MILLION DOLLARS FOR EACH OCCURRENCE.
YEAH, THAT, THAT'S YOUR SECOND FIVE MINUTES.
BUT COUNCILMAN HURST HAS OFFERED TO GIVE YOU SOME ADDITIONAL TIME.
IF THEY HAVE THAT, BRING IT TO ME RIGHT NOW.
IF THAT, THERE'S A PROPERTY COVERAGE WITH $350,000 WITH A 80% CO-INSURANCE.
WHEN I WENT TO THE BUILDING, THERE WERE TWO YOUNG MEN, DR.
UM, SMOKING DOPE UNDER THE AWNING.
'CAUSE IT HAD STARTED RAINING.
THOSE ARE THE KIND OF CALLS WE HAVE BEEN GETTING.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT, I KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE, PROBABLY ALL OF YOU.
I WOULD SAY MAYBE 1% LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO LIVE IN SCOTLANDVILLE.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOUR AND YOUR LEGACY.
AND I DID A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO MAKE SURE, TO TRY TO WORK, TRY TO DO EVERYTHING I DO.
I'VE ALL, I'VE TOLD MR. FRANK BROWN, I SAID, SIR, MR. BROWN, SOMEBODY GOTTA GET A LOAN OR SOMETHING.
SOMEBODY GOTTA, IF YOU BELIEVE IN IT THAT MUCH, GET A LOAN FOR AT LEAST A PARTIAL AND THEN SOMEBODY WILL MEET YOU WITH SOME FUNDS.
BUT I CAN'T MAKE 'EM DO NOTHING.
I TALKED TO YOLANDA, YOLANDA SAY, WE, WE DON'T HAVE THAT MANY PEOPLE.
WHAT AM I TO DO? I CANNOT LEAVE THIS ON THIS COMMUNITY.
THEY DON'T DESERVE, I HAVE 30,000 PEOPLE.
I CANNOT, BASED ON 12 OR 15 PEOPLE, LET, UM, LET THE CITY BUILT THAT THE CITY IS OWNER.
IF SOMETHING HAPPENS THERE, THAT'S THE CITY THAT'S NOT ON YOU ALL.
AND THEN YOU ALL DON'T EVEN HAVE AN INSURANCE.
I'M GONNA LET HIM SHOW THE PICTURES.
WELL, I'VE ASKED FOR, IT'S ALL I CAN SAY SPEAK OUT FROM THE AUDIENCE, BUT WE ASKED MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SHOW.
PLEASE DON'T SPEAK OUT FROM THE AUDIENCE.
UH, JOE BUTLEY, HE'S GONNA COME UP 'CAUSE HE'S ALSO EVALUATED THE BUILDING.
JODY, IF YOU DON'T MIND, YOU'RE GONNA, UH, GIVE SOME CONTEXT TO IT.
I, I KNOW YOU WALKED THE BUILDING AS WELL.
UM, AND I KNOW TODAY YOU'RE GONNA BE ASKING FOR A KEY.
SO YOU COULD DO THE INTERNAL AND YOU, AND I'LL BE GOING OVER.
UM, BUT IF YOU WOULD JUST KINDA TELL WHAT YOUR ASSESSMENT WAS AT, AT THAT POINT.
UM, SO I DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE BUILDING, UH, THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING.
BUT WALKING THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING, UH, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURES, UH, THERE'S SOME EXTERNAL WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO THE FACADE.
UH, SOME, SOME WOOD THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
UH, AND THEN THE WINDOWS AS WELL.
I'M NOT CERTAIN THE ACTUAL CONDITION OF IT BECAUSE I WASN'T ABLE TO, UH, ACTUALLY WALK UP TO THEM.
BUT, UM, LIKE SOME OF THOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
SO IT'S NO MORE THAN WHAT YOU SEE
[01:30:01]
ON THE PICTURES.UM, BUT A FULL ASSESSMENT WILL NEED TO BE DONE TO GET A A HUNDRED PERCENT OF WHERE WE AT ON THE BUILDING.
UM, THE GENTLEMAN CAME UP, ALL THE THINGS THEY'VE DONE, PART OF THIS AGREEMENT IS THAT THEY CANNOT MAKE ANY, UM, ALTERATIONS WITH THIS BUILDING WITHOUT BEING APPROVED BY THE BUILDING, UM, BY THE CITY PARISH BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
SO IF THERE'S A ROOFING STRUCTURE, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL HAVOC, THEN THERE SHOULD BE A PERMIT ON THE CITY RECORDS THAT YOU ALL APPLY FOR TO GET THIS WORK DONE.
OTHERWISE, AGAIN, YOU LAY YOU'RE LEAVING US IN A LIABILITY BECAUSE NO ONE HAS APPROVED OR INSPECTED YOUR WORK.
THIS IS WHAT, WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
WE'RE NOT TRYING, I'M NOT TRYING TO TAKE A BUILDING THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANYWAY.
OR, AND MAYBE I AM, BUT I AM TRYING TO GET ACCOUNTABILITY.
I AM TRYING TO GET ACCOUNTABILITY.
SO, AND, AND, AND I'VE ASKED FOREVER.
THIS IS ON THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON ROSENWALD.
THIS IS ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING CRIME, WHO DON'T LIKE WHAT WE'VE SEEN.
I'VE NEVER, THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.
BUT I AM WILLING, A MATTER OF FACT, WHEN I SPOKE TO MR. ADDISON, I SAID, WOULD YOU HELP ME TO FACILITATE TO MOVE? 'CAUSE THEY NEED BETTER LEADERSHIP.
THEY HAVE NOT HAD THE LEADERSHIP TO MOVE THIS THING FORWARD.
AND SO THAT IS ALL I AM SAYING.
WE HAVE TO TERMINATE THIS ANYWAY.
YOU LEASE, AND THAT'S ALL YOU ALL SAW.
YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD IT FOR 99, SO YOU COULD JUST CASUALLY GO.
THAT'S A BIG INVESTMENT THAT WE ARE MAKING A BIG TRUST INVESTMENT.
AND YOU HAVE NOT DONE ANY OF THEM ACCORDING TO THE CEA.
SO I'M ASKING MY COLLEAGUES TO, UM, APPROVE THIS, UH, THIS MATTER, UM, TO TERMINATE.
AND I'M SPEAKING AGAIN, JUST LIKE I TOLD ALVIN AND EVERYBODY ELSE.
THIS ISN'T, THIS ISN'T THE, THIS IS NOT THE END, BUT IT COULD BE THE BEGINNING BASED ON HOW YOU HANDLE IT.
BUT IF YOU TRY, IF YOU WANNA MAKE IT A BAD GOOD, GOOD AND BAD, THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
COUNCILMAN BANKS HAS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
IS THERE A SECOND? I'M SORRY, MA'AM.
I'M SORRY YOU DON'T HAVE THE FLOOR.
COUNCILMAN DUNN WISHES TO SPEAK.
LET ME FIRST, UM, AS A GRADUATE OF CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, PRESIDENT OF CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, LET ME FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE IN SUPPORT OF, UH, SCOTLANDVILLE.
UM, I KNOW, UH, YOU KNOW, THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, MCKINLEY, AND YOU GUYS KNOW, YOU KNOW, THE PLIGHT THAT WE HAVE OF UPHOLDING, YOU KNOW, THE LEGACY OF THESE, WHAT WE CALL HBCU HIGH SCHOOLS.
UH, SO WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE YOU GUYS ARE BEING ENGAGED, BEING INVOLVED.
WE HAVE SO MANY GRADUATES THAT COME FROM OUR HISTORIC INSTITUTIONS THAT LEFT AND, AND, AND GOT GREAT VALUE FROM THAT EDUCATION, BUT HAVE NOT POURED BACK INTO IT.
SO I JUST WANNA TIP MY HAT OFF TO YOU GUYS FOR BEING HERE.
UM, SECONDLY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A GENTLEMAN'S AND A GENTLE LADY AGREEMENT, UH, AMONGST COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ALMOST ALWAYS, NOT ALWAYS, BUT ALMOST ALWAYS, WE DEFER TO THE COUNCILWOMAN OR COUNCILMAN WHOSE DISTRICT THE ITEM IS IN.
AND WE LEAN ON THAT PERSON TO GET ADVICE AND COUNSEL FROM THEM ON A DIRECTION THAT WE WOULD, THEY WOULD LIKE US TO GO BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S THEIR DISTRICT.
UNLESS IT'S AN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCE.
UM, I'M CONFLICTED BECAUSE IN MY DISTRICT, I DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO NOT CONDEMN OR, OR, OR, OR TO PARTICIPATE WITH A WILLING PARTICIPANT TO PUT A PROPERTY BACK INTO COMMERCE.
I DON'T IMPRESS MY POLICY ON ANYBODY ELSE'S.
BUT IF I HAVE SOMEONE THAT'S INTERESTED IN PUTTING A PROPERTY BACK INTO COMMERCE, AND THEY'RE TAKING STEPS AND STRIDES, YOU KNOW, I'LL WORK WITH 'EM AND EXTEND IT AND EXTEND IT TO GIVE THEM THE TIME TO DO THAT.
UM, I DO REMEMBER WHEN THESE, UH, FIRE STATIONS WAS GIVEN TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, IN HOPES TO PUT 'EM BACK IN THE COMMERCE.
UH, I DO THINK, UH, WHEN THAT WAS DONE, UH, THE DESIRE, THE GOAL, THE INTENT WAS NOT TO TAKE 8, 9, 10 YEARS TO DO THAT.
I THINK WE GOTTA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
UM, BUT, UH, I DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU GUYS ARE, ARE TAKING STRIDES.
I'M GONNA MAKE AN APPEAL TO YOU GUYS AND COUNCILWOMAN BANKS TO, TO WORK THIS OUT.
I I WOULD HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO COME BEFORE US.
THAT Y'ALL COULD'VE WORKED THAT OUT IN SCOTLANDVILLE.
THIS DIDN'T NEED TO COME DOWNTOWN IN, IN MY MIND.
BUT AGAIN, IT IS NOT MY DISTRICT.
YOU KNOW, IT IS COUNCILWOMAN BANKS
[01:35:01]
DISTRICT.UH, AND I JUST GOTTA TELL YOU, I'M CONFLICTED.
I JUST WANTED TO OFFER THAT UP AND, AND LET Y'ALL KNOW MY PERSPECTIVE AND MY VIEW ON THINGS.
UH, THERE WAS A, UH, THE, THE ATTORNEY WANTED TO COME BACK TO THE MIC, SO I WANTED TO GIVE HER AN OPPORTUNITY.
YOU KNOW, I GREW UP IN SKYVILLE, SO BORN UP, KNOW UP IN SKYVILLE, SO I'M STRUGGLING AS WELL.
COUNCILMAN, DID YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR HER? NO, BUT I MEAN, I'M GIVING HER SOME TIME TO SPEAK THOUGH.
YOU CAN ASK, DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR QUESTION FOR YOU IS, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY? NOW COME TO THE MIC AND ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
I REALLY WANTED TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT, UH, COUNCILWOMAN BANKS MADE, UH, THAT WE DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH BECAUSE WE DO HAVE, UH, INSURANCE AND GRANT, THAT BUILDING WAS IN DEPLORABLE CONDITION WHEN WE TOOK IT ON.
WE ASSUME TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LIABILITY, BECAUSE IN THIS CONTRACT, IT INCLUDES AN INDEMNIFICATION TO THE CITY PARISH.
WE TOOK ON ALL RESPONSIBILITY OF REPAIRING THE BUILDING.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH OF LATE IS THE ROOF.
WE PUT $30,000 INTO THAT ROOF.
AND YES, WE, UH, THIS, THIS PLACE IS LOCATED IN A DEPRESSED ECONOMY.
THERE AREN'T PEOPLE JUST OUT THERE THROWING MONEY AT US.
UH, ALSO WE HAD AN AVESTA PROBLEM.
AND SO WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
AND AS FOR, YOU KNOW, THAT GENTLEMAN TOOK PICTURES ON THE OUTSIDE.
HE, HE HASN'T BEEN ON THE INSIDE.
AND YEAH, THERE ARE A LOT OF, A LOT OF WORK, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT 10 YEARS, NINE YEARS ACTUALLY IS SUFFICIENT OF TIME TO BRING THAT BUILDING WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.
AND I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT THE ASSOCIATION IS STILL WILLING TO RECOVER, REVIVE SUCH A DILAPIDATED BUILDING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
AND NOR HAVE WE ASKED THE CITY TO GIVE US ANY MONEY, NOR HAVE WE ASKED THE CITY TO TAKE ON ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY.
AND, UH, THE VISIBILITY OF COUNCILWOMAN BANKS IS NOT AS VISIBLE AS SHE'D LIKE YOU TO THINK.
SO I'M GONNA TAKE THE LAST COUPLE OF MINUTES.
UM, I, I, I DON'T, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT MY DISTRICT, SO I WON'T MAKE A DECISION EITHER WAY.
TODAY, I'M JUST GONNA ABSTAIN.
AND HOWEVER Y'ALL DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD, Y'ALL ARE GOOD TO GO.
UM, I, I SHARE IN THE FEELING CONFLICTED.
I'M, I'M GONNA OFFER TO MY, MY COLLEAGUE AND TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY, WHAT I HOPE IS SEEN AS A VERY FRIENDLY, UH, COMPROMISE AMENDMENT.
UM, BECAUSE AS, AS, UH, EVERYONE HAS SPOKEN, AND I'VE LISTENED VERY INTENTLY, I DO HEAR THE, THE DRIVE AND THE WILLINGNESS TO MAKE THIS SUCCESSFUL.
AND I MEAN FROM, FROM BOTH SIDES.
AND SO HOPEFULLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, UH, PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT COMMUNICATION WILL HELP.
AND I, AND I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER, YOU'VE MADE SOME, SOME REALLY VALID, VERY FAIR POINTS TONIGHT, UH, THAT I THINK FOLKS HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF.
SO I THINK SOME COMMUNICATION, UH, COULD TAKE PLACE.
SO THE COUNCIL MEMBER'S PROPOSAL WAS ENACT THIS TONIGHT TO GIVE YOU ALL 30 DAYS NOTICE, BUT I HEARD, UH, THE, THE, THE POTENTIAL FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT TO COME IN PLACE.
SO MY, MY OFFER TO TRY TO CONDENSE WHAT I'M SAYING IS TO DEFER THIS ITEM FOR 30 DAYS, PROVIDE THAT ONE MONTH WINDOW FOR THE COMMUNICATION TO OCCUR, AND THEN THIS ITEM CAN COME BACK IN THAT 30 DAY PERIOD.
PERHAPS ANOTHER CONTRACT COULD BE DRAFTED THAT THEN WE COULD CONSIDER AS A COUNCIL.
AND AGAIN, I'M, I'M MAKING THIS OFFER AS A, AS A FRIENDLY, UH, PROPOSAL AND A, AND A COMPROMISE FOR BOTH PARTIES.
SO FOR CLARITY, THERE IS A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN BANKS TO APPROVE.
UH, THERE'S NOT CURRENTLY A SECOND, SO I'LL WAIT TO SEE IF THERE'S A SECOND.
THERE'S NO SECOND IF THAT'S A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN GODDE FOR 30 DAYS.
WE'LL WAIT TO SEE IF THERE'S A SECOND.
SEEING THAT THERE'S NO SECOND.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER MOTIONS ON ITEM 1 0 1?
[01:40:01]
COUNCILMAN NOEL, WE GOT YOU AND I, COUNCILMAN GODDE.CAN YOU, CAN YOU RUN DOWN THE TIMELINE ON THAT? UM, ON THAT 30 DAY ON HOW THAT WOULD, HOW, HOW DEFERRING THIS ITEM WOULD COME BACK? WOULD IT COME BACK IN CONJUNCTION WITH A NEW CONTRACT? POTENTIALLY? LIKE LET'S RUN DOWN THAT TIMELINE.
THAT WOULD BE, WHICH YOU HAD IN MIND.
SO DEFER THIS ITEM FOUR 30 DAYS TO GIVE THE GROUPS TIME TO GET TOGETHER AND COMMUNICATE.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS REFERENCED THE NEED FOR A NEW CONTRACT.
SO THOSE DISCUSSIONS COULD TAKE PLACE.
MR. AARON COULD, COULD GET THAT CONTRACT UNDERWAY.
AND THEN IN 30 DAYS WHEN THIS ITEM COMES BEFORE US, WE COULD DELETE IT.
IF THERE'S AN INTRODUCTION OF A NEW CONTRACT, WAS HOW I SAW IT PLAYING OUT.
AND IF, IF NOT, LET ME SAY THE OPPOSITE.
IF NOT COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS, THIS ITEM COMES BACK, WE HEAR IT.
AND IF IT'S APPROVED THAT 30 DAY NOTICE IS THEN SERVED.
SO MAY MAY I DO, DO, I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE A RIGHT TO RESPOND.
COUNCILMAN GOODDAY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO YIELD SOME TIME TO COUNCILMAN BANKS? UH, I I'LL YIELD SOME MY TIME.
UM, SHOW YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ME.
SO FIRST OF ALL, UM, AS I INDICATED, UM, FOR NINE YEARS, EVERYTHING YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, I'VE HEARD FOR NINE YEARS.
EVERY TIME I'VE REACHED OUT, EVERYBODY I'VE SENT THEM TO ANYONE THEY ASK ME TO MEET WITH, UH, THE GENTLEMAN WHO SAID HE'S OVER THE SHACK.
I REMEMBER ASKING, UH, YOLANDA DAY TO CONNECT ME WITH HIM.
AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD GIVE HIM MY INFORMATION.
THE PROBLEM IS, THE PROBLEM IS, AS LONG AS THERE'S THIS NINE, I THINK THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD THE BUILDING FOR 99 YEARS.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE NO MATTER WHAT THE SEED A NEEDS TO TO END, AND AS LONG AS IT, IT'S HERE, THEN THERE'S GONNA BE LAXITY.
UM, AFTER, WHILE WE ARE APPROVING IS THE ALL WE ARE APPROVING IS TO TERMINATE, BUT IT IS THAT 30 DAYS THAT WE WILL BE MEETING.
SO IT, THIS IS, THIS DOESN'T END TODAY.
AND THAT'S, THAT, THAT IS WHERE OUR, THE CLOCK BEGINS TO 30 DAYS.
BUT, AND THE WAY I SEE IT, WITH THAT PENDING TIMELINE IN PLACE, WE COULD REALLY GET SOMETHING DONE THAT I COULD, I DID NOT HAVE THE POWER, THE AUTHORITY, THE INFLUENCE OR THE RESPECT TO BE ABLE TO GET FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS.
BUT NOW, AND THIS IS WHAT I'M BEING ADVISED BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY, WE NEED FOR, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M DOING MY DUE DILIGENCE.
THERE'S NOBODY HERE THAT I HAVEN'T, YOU KNOW, SO THAT'S A 30 DAY.
SO THAT'S WHY THE DEFERRAL ISN'T NECESSARY.
AND THE TIME IS WINDING DOWN BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE 30 DAYS.
COUNCILMAN NOLL, YOU STILL HAVE THE FLOOR.
SO I, I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU COUNCILWOMAN BANKS.
I THINK, I THINK THE, UH, THE PRESSURE ON DRAFTING SOMETHING NEW WOULD BE THERE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE HAVE A DEFERRAL TONIGHT.
UM, I, I THINK YOU COULD HAVE A, A POTENTIAL LAPSE THAT MAY NOT OCCUR IF SOMETHING NEW IS DRAFTED.
UM, I THINK IT'S AT YOUR PLEASURE.
BUT WHAT I WOULD OFFER, AND FEEL FREE TO PUT A SUBSTITUTE MOTION BEHIND IT, WHAT I WOULD OFFER IS A 30 DAY REFERRAL, UH, DEFERRAL.
AND, UM, SHOULD A NEW, SHOULD A NEW, UM, CONTRACT NOT BE, NOT COME TO US DRAFTED, THEN YOU'LL HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT ON A SECOND TO TERMINATE IN 30 DAYS.
UM, WHAT, HOW DO, HOW, I HAVE A QUESTION WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY, IF I MAY, IF COUNCILMAN NOEL IS COMFORTABLE WITH YOU STILL USING HER HIS TIME, THAT'S, YEAH.
SO BILLY, YES, BECAUSE I, AND I WANT, I WANNA BE FAIR WITH, UM, BOTH PARTIES.
HOW, SO THE MAIN THING IS FINANCING MONEY.
YOU KNOW, THAT, SO IN 10 YEARS, EVERY OTHER THAN THE TWO THAT I MESSED UP EVERY OTHER, UH, BUILDING IN THIS 10 YEARS HAVE BEEN FULLY RENOVATED AND FULLY IN COMMERCE.
AND THEY'RE OPEN FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS A WEEK EXCEPT THIS BUILDING.
SO WHAT I WANNA KNOW IS HOW DO WE MEASURE, DO WE DO, HOW ARE THOSE THINGS WE'RE GONNA PUT IN PLACE? BECAUSE THAT MEANS IN 30 DAYS, IS THAT A LETTER FROM A BANK? IS THAT A, HOW DO WE, YOU KNOW, HOW DO, 'CAUSE IT'S MONEY THAT IS KEEPING THIS FROM HAPPENING.
WELL, I THINK IT'S WHATEVER SATISFIES THE COUNCIL THAT THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR IS BEING A FIELD.
SO IF WE, IF WE HAVE THIS TIME TO
[01:45:01]
MEET AND TALK AND YOU'RE SATISFIED, THE METRICS, I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO, THERE'S VERY BASIC OBLIGATIONS TO FULFILL AND TO MAINTAIN AND TO IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO REVITALIZE THE BUILDING FOR THE COMMUNITY.SO IF THAT WERE TO SATISFY YOU AND THE COUNCIL, THEN I'M SATISFIED.
BUT IT REALLY IS UP TO THE COUNCIL YOURSELF.
AND I GUESS I NEED HELP FROM THE COUNCIL BECAUSE THAT HASN'T WORKED.
SO WE, WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL BUILDINGS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS PROCESS, BUT NOT MANY.
SOME 'EM HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN SOLD.
SOME STARTED OUT AS RIGHT OF USE, SOME HAVE SOLD.
SO I, I WOULD AGREE THIS, THIS UH, NEW CONTRACT, UH, THIS HYPOTHETICAL THAT WILL BE DRAFTED, I THINK SHOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE, UM, LANGUAGE THAT SPEAKS TO, IT'S SIMILAR TO A LEASE ON WHAT'S REQUIRED FROM EITHER PARTY ON, ON MAINTENANCE AND IT SHOULD COVER EVERYTHING.
UH, THE LIABILITY INSURANCE OF COURSE.
UM, BUT ON IMPROVEMENTS THERE SHOULD BE PERFORMANCE METRICS WITH TIMELINES IN IT.
AND I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT WAS MISSING HERE.
AND SO IT WAS JUST, WELL AS WE CAN DO IT AS WE HAVE MONEY, BUT I THINK THIS ONE SHOULD BE PRETTY IRONCLAD WITH PERFORMANCE METRICS, TIMELINES.
IF TIMELINES AREN'T MET, THEN WHAT I THINK THAT ALL NEEDS TO BE RUN OUT.
SIMILAR TO WHEN YOU, UH, WHEN YOU BRING TOGETHER AN ENTITY AND YOU HAVE BYLAWS, THAT'S THE PERFECT TIME TO THINK OF EVERY WORST CASE SCENARIO.
I DO THAT ANYTIME I GET INTO PARTNERSHIP OR, OR IN OUR BUSINESS WITH ANYBODY, IS WE THINK ABOUT IF I DIE, IF YOU DIE, IF MY KID HAS CANCER, IF YOUR KID HAS, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHAT DO WE DO? SO IF YOU IRON IT ALL OUT IN THE BEGINNING, THEN WHEN THOSE WORST CASE SCENARIOS HAPPEN, YOU ALREADY HAVE IT.
AND THERE'S NO EMOTION BEHIND IT.
WE'VE ALREADY AGREED THIS IS HOW WE'RE DOING IT AND IT GOES THROUGH.
SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT SHOULD OCCUR WITH WHAT WE DRAFT HERE.
BUT I THINK IT NEEDS TO GET TO WORK RIGHT AWAY IF WE'RE GONNA MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS DEFERRAL, WHICH I THINK IS THE APPROPRIATE WAY.
BUT AGAIN, IF IT DOESN'T OCCUR, THEN I'LL, I'LL BE IN FULL SUPPORT.
JUST BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE NEXT SPEAKER, COUNCILMAN GOODDAY MADE A MOTION, UH, BUT IT, IT DID NOT HAVE A SECOND.
COUNCILMAN NOEL IS MAKING ANOTHER MOTION.
AND SO WE'LL WAIT TO SEE IF THAT HAS A, A SECOND MOTION.
IT'S BEEN MOTIONED BY COUNCILMAN GODDE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NOEL TO DEFER FOR 30 DAYS.
WE'LL MOVE TO COUNCILWOMAN ASO.
SO BILLY, JUST FOR SOME CLARIFICATION, MY APOLOGY, 'CAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF, THERE'S A LOT OF, UM, TALKING GOING ON.
SO IF THIS PASSES TONIGHT, DOES THAT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN THAT THE, UM, CA GOES INTO, I MEAN, IS, WHAT AM I TRYING TO SAY? UM, IF IT, IF IT WERE TO PASS TONIGHT, I WOULD SEND A LETTER TO THE ORGANIZATION GIVING THEM 30 DAYS TO VACATE THE PREMISES.
SO, BUT IN THOSE 30 DAYS, ARE, IS THERE GONNA BE AN O UNDER, UNDER THAT? IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRAFT A NEW CONTRACT OR DO WE NEED TO DEFER THIS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO DRAFT A NEW CONTRACT? I WOULD NOT BE IN THE POSITION TO NEGOTIATE THAT, BUT IF THE COUNCIL WANTED TO DO THAT, PARTICULARLY COUNCILWOMAN BANKS, I'M HAPPY TO SIT AND DO THAT IN THE 30 DAYS PASSAGE, ANOTHER ITEM COULD BE BROUGHT BACK UP.
SO, BUT THE, THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS WE GIVE 'EM 30 DAYS NOTICE TO GET OUT.
THAT WOULD BE, AND THEN THAT'S IT.
THAT WOULD'VE BE MY INSTRUCTIONS UNLESS SOMETHING ELSE WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
IS THAT WHAT YOU WANNA THAT'S RIGHT BACK WHERE I AM.
COUNCILMAN A WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE COUNCILMAN BANKS? MAY I ASK HER A QUESTION? YES, YOU MAY.
SO ARE YOU LOOKING TO DO LIKE, WRITE UP A NEW AND AGREE A NEW CONTRACT? SO, YES.
SO AGAIN, THE MEETING THAT WE PLANNED FOR EIGHT O'CLOCK, ONE OR TWO DAYS AGO, THAT'S WHAT WE WERE, THAT'S WHAT WE AGREED.
THE PRESIDENT ACTUALLY SAID, WE'LL RECONVENE THURSDAY AFTER THE MEETING.
BUT HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT, WHEN I EXPLAINED WE NEED TO DO THIS, GET IT DONE, HE SAID, WE'LL MEET THURSDAY.
SO, BUT YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THEN, BUT THIS IS THE SAME THING.
WE ARE TERMINATING SO THAT WE COULD GET ON TO A, TO SEEING IF THERE'S SOMETHING WE COULD, UM, PUT TOGETHER IN 30 DAYS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST LIKE WHEN WE DO CONDEMNATIONS.
WELL THAT'S, THAT'S GONNA BE MY POINT.
SO, SO CAN WE DO, LIKE, WE DO COMBINATIONS, GIVE 'EM 30 DAYS.
YOU'VE GOT TO DO THIS MUCH WORK IN 90 DAYS, OR, YOU KNOW, GIVE THEM TIME CONSTRAINTS IN THAT NEW CONTRACT.
IF, IF YOU DIRECT ME TONIGHT TO SEND THE NOTICE, I'LL SEND THE NOTICE IF I'M DIRECTED THEREAFTER TO STOP IT, WE'LL STOP IT.
BUT WE CAN, BUT AS FAR AS THE WORK GETS DONE IN THE NEW
[01:50:01]
CONTRACT, THERE CAN BE TIMES JUST LIKE WE DO WITH CONDEMNATIONS, YOU KNOW SURE.WE GIVE PEOPLE 90 DAYS OR 30 DAYS OR WHATEVER TO CANCEL THE, THE REQUEST.
SO THAT'S WHY I'M MAKING A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE TONIGHT SO THAT WE COULD HAVE WORK, START WORKING IMMEDIATELY.
SO, UM, I'M JUST THINKING ABOUT THE TIMELINE HERE.
WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE FOCUSING ON 30 DAYS WOULD JUST REFERENCE TO, TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, WOULD 60 DAYS BE BETTER AS FAR AS DEFERRING THIS, INTRODUCE THE NEW CONTRACT, GO AHEAD AND WORK ON THE CONTRACT AND EVERYTHING, INTRODUCE THE NEW CONTRACT FOR INTRODUCTION IN 30 DAYS.
THAT WAY WHEN IT COMES BACK UP AT THE END OF THE 60 OR WHATEVER, THAT THE TIMING OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS IS.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS, IS FOR THIS ONE TO EXPIRE WHEN THE NEW ONE KICKS IN.
SO I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE TIMING HERE.
IF WE DEFER FOR 30 DAYS AND WE INTRODUCE A NEW CONTRACT AT THAT 30 DAYS, AND THIS ONE'S BACK UP ALSO, WE'RE NOT PREPARED.
WE'RE HAVING TO INTRODUCE, WE'RE NOT PREPARED TO KICK ONE IN AT THAT SAME TIME.
SO I WOULD JUST SAY I AGREE WITH WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.
LET'S, UH, LET'S JUST LOOK AT THE TIME AND EVERYTHING.
COUNCILMAN BRANDON NOEL, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT DISCUSSION? I JUST HAD, SO I THINK THE, THE ISSUE IS IF WE GET TO THE, IF, IF WE GET TO NEXT MEETING AND WE, WE ARE INTRODUCING AND IT'S NOT PASSED AT THAT POINT, WE HAVE THE OPTION TO DELETE THIS ITEM OR WE COULD DEFER IT AGAIN IF WE DO 60 DAYS THOUGH AND WE GET TO OUR NEXT MEETING 30 DAYS FROM NOW, AND NO, BUT WHAT, WHAT IF COMMUNICATION BREAKS DOWN AND THERE'S NO, UH, AGREEMENT ON A NEW CONTRACT AT THAT POINT, THEN I THINK WE WOULD WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TERMINATE AND WE WON'T HAVE THAT OPTION IF WE, IF WE DEFER IT FOR 60.
RIGHT? SO WE HAVE THE OPTION, IF WE DEFER IT TONIGHT FOR 30 DAYS AND 30 DAYS TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN, AND THEN THE, AND THEN WE HAVE THE FREEDOM, WE CAN DEFER IT AGAIN, WE CAN DELETE IT.
BUT I THINK IN AN EFFORT TO GET SOMETHING DONE IN 30 DAYS, WE NEED TO KEEP IT AT 30.
I THINK GOING TO 60, IT, IT DOESN'T ALLOW US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TERMINATION IN 30 DAYS IF NO SUBSTANTIVE COMMUNICATION HAS OCCURRED, RIGHT? YEAH.
I MEAN, I CAN, I CAN GO WITH THE, IF WE HAVE THE OPTION TO, I KNOW WE HAVE THE OPTION FOR THE EXTRA DEFERRAL TO KEEP THE CONTRACT IN PLACE UNTIL THE INTRODUCTION KICKS IN AND WE VOTE ON A NEW CONTRACT IF THE HYPOTHETICAL CONTRACT COMES TO FRUITION.
SO, YEAH, I MEAN WE CAN DO THAT.
LIKE I SAID, I JUST DIDN'T WANT ONE BEING INTRODUCED AS ONE WAS EXPIRING AND WE, WE KICK OUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A BLANK SPOT THERE THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE CONTRACT.
SO I, I'M READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
YOU KNOW, AS I SIT HERE, SCOTLANDVILLE ALUMNI AND, AND LET ME TELL YOU THE REASON WHAT I ALWAYS ASK, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN AND WHAT'S YOUR TIMELINE? SO I'M GONNA ASK THE PRESIDENT TO COME UP AND TELL ME WHAT IS YOUR PLAN AND WHAT IS YOUR TIMELINE? BECAUSE IF 10 YEARS HAVE PASSED, COME ON Y'ALL.
AND IF YOU ALL ARE DIEHARD HORNETS, THEN MORE SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED BY NOW.
YOU GOT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR CLASS, YOU GOT A, A FIREMAN WHO DONE RETIRED IN YOUR CLASS, YOU GOT OTHER FOLK IF YOU ARE, AND THEN YOU NEED TO REACH OUT TO THE REST OF THE ALUMNI AND SEE THIS BUMPS UP TO ME IN 10.
SO I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT I ALWAYS ASK WHAT'S YOUR PLAN AND WHAT'S YOUR TIMELINE? AND EVERYBODY IN HERE KNOWS IT TAKES MONEY TO DO WHATEVER.
SO IF YOU AIN'T GOT NO MONEY, YOU AIN'T GOT NO PLAN.
AND THAT'S JUST THE BOTTOM LINE TO THIS.
SO I'M GONNA YIELD TO YOU TO TELL US WHAT'S YOUR PLAN AND WHAT'S YOUR TIMELINE.
COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN? YES SIR.
YOU WERE MY TEACHER AT SCOTLANDVILLE.
I'M ASKING FOR ANY HELP GENERATING FUNDS HERE TONIGHT.
SECONDLY, I SENT A PRESENTATION TO EACH COUNCIL MEMBER SHOWING WHERE WE ARE PREPARED TO GO WITH THE SHAQ.
WE HAVE A CAPITAL OUTLAY PROGRAM WE ARE PUTTING INTO PLAY, WE ARE TRYING TO GET $750,000.
WE GOT A PHASE ONE, A PHASE TWO, AND A PHASE THREE.
WHAT WAS YOUR OTHER CONCERN? OKAY, SO
[01:55:01]
YOU JUST STARTED TIMELINE? YEAH, YOU'RE JUST STARTING, RIGHT? WELL, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, I TOOK PRECEDENT IN 21.SO I'M NOT GOING BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANYTHING BEFORE 21.
I'M NOT THROWING NOBODY UNDER THE I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT WE IN 24, LET'S JUST BE REAL.
WE'RE, BUT LIKE I SAID, WE HAD THE PANDEMIC.
MM-HMM
SO I MEAN WE UP, WE ARE UNDERDOGS.
I'VE BEEN UNDERDOG ALL MY LIFE, BUT CHECK MY RECORD, I STAND FOR EXCELLENCE.
OKAY? IF I PUT MY NAME ON IT, IT IS GOING SECEDE.
OKAY? YOU CAN HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE HERE TONIGHT.
SO WHAT, ASKING FOR, I'M WANNA GET THIS PROJECT DONE.
WHAT ASKING COUNCILMAN COLEMAN DO I NEED TO WORK WITH? COUNCILMAN COLEMAN DOES HAVE THE FLOOR.
AND THEN THAT'S THE OTHER THING.
AND I, I'M TELLING YOU, IF YOU DON'T WANT TRUTH, DON'T ASK ME NOTHING.
AND THAT'S FOR EVERYBODY OUT THERE.
SEE IN WHAT I SENSE THERE HAS NOT BEEN NO COLLABORATION, NO CONVERSATION, NO RESPECT BETWEEN YOU ALL AS FAR AS FOR HAVING DECENT CONVERSATIONS.
AND YOU DON'T GET ANYTHING? YES MA'AM.
WITH THAT, YOU GOT TO COME TO THE TABLE.
AND GET TO WHERE YOU TRYING YES MA'AM.
SO THAT'S MY RECOMMENDATION AT THIS TIME.
CAN I HAVE ONE FINAL THANK YOU, SIR.
UH, NOT IF COUNCILMAN COLEMAN HASN'T RECOGNIZED YOU.
COUNCILMAN DUNN? YES, THANK YOU.
A FEW CLOSING POINTS I WANNA MAKE.
I DON'T WANT, UH, IT TO BE LOST.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT BRANDON SAID, AND I KNOW HE WAS SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT DISAGREEMENT, BUT I, I DON'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER, BUT IT WAS SOME 7, 8, 9 OF THESE FIRE STATIONS THAT WENT TO ORGANIZATIONS.
AND UM, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE AGREEMENTS AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE SOME PARAMETERS IN PLACE IN THERE, TIMELINES, EXPECTATIONS, AND MOVING FORWARD.
WHAT I WOULD ASK OF US TO, UM, NOT SET THESE ORGANIZATIONS UP FOR FAILURE.
I REMEMBER WHEN ORGANIZATIONS WAS RUNNING AND SAYING, YEAH, I WANT A FIRE STATION.
BUT TO COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN'S POINT, A PART OF TAKING ON THIS PROJECT IS ONE, HAVING A PLAN, HAVING THE FINANCES TO FUND THAT PLAN.
AND I THINK WE GOTTA DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE AND NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, TRANSFER THESE PROPERTIES OVER WITHOUT HELPING THEM EITHER PARTNER WITH SOMEBODY WHO HAS THE FINANCES, THE RESOURCES, OUR PLAN, OR JUST HELPING THEM IDENTIFY SOMEBODY OR JUST ASSURING THAT THAT'S IN PLACE BEFORE WE JUST DUMP THIS ON THEM AND SAY, HEY, YOU GOTTA BUILD AND FIGURE IT OUT.
BECAUSE MANY OF THESE FOLKS, THE, THE, THEY'RE NOT ENGINEERS, THEY'RE NOT CONSTRUCTION FOLKS, THEY'RE NOT DEVELOPERS.
SO THEY MAY NOT, YOU KNOW, HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERTISE TO NAVIGATE THOSE WATERS.
SO I WOULD'VE ASKED THAT WE REVIEW THE PROCESS MOVING FORWARD AND MAKE SURE THE PARAMETERS ARE IN PLACE IN THE AGREEMENTS AND ALSO WE CAN HELP THEM.
WE HAVE ENGINEERS, CONSTRUCTION, FOLK DEVELOPMENT FOLKS THAT COME BEFORE US ALL THE TIME THAT WILL BE HAPPY TO PARTNER WITH THEM.
SOMEBODY MENTIONED CAPITAL OUTLAY.
YOU KNOW, CAPITAL OUTLAY DOLLARS ARE GIVEN OUT EVERY YEAR.
IT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN YOUR, YOUR SENATOR, YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES PLAN TO REQUEST THAT FROM THE STATE.
YOU KNOW, THE CITY COULD HAVE EVEN OFFERED SOME DOLLARS.
SO, SO WE GOTTA EXPLORE ALL OF THAT BEFORE WE JUST GIVE THESE, UH, PROPERTIES OVER TO ORGANIZATIONS.
THE OTHER THING I BRING UP IS, YOU KNOW, THE ALTERNATIVE, WE CAN GIVE THEM NOTICE, WE CAN ASK THEM TO VACATE.
AND THEN THE ALTERNATIVE IS WE HAVE A VACANT BILL AND NOBODY ASSUME A RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT.
SO WE GOTTA, WE GOTTA THINK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
AND I'M ALL FOR PUTTING MORE TEETH IN AGREEMENT.
I'M ALL FOR HOLDING 'EM ACCOUNTABLE.
BUT JUST THINK ABOUT IT, WE ASK THEM TO VACATE AND THERE'S A VACANT BUILDING, NOBODY DOING ANYTHING THERE AND NOBODY'S INVESTING IN IT.
SO I JUST WANTED TO OFFER THOSE THINGS UP AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DISCUSSION AND THE VOTE.
IT'S BEEN MOTIONED AND PLEASE HOLD YOUR, IT'S BEEN MOTIONED AND PROPERLY SECONDED FOR TO DEFER FOR 30 DAYS.
ANY OBJECTIONS? SEE SHOW COUNCILMAN BANKS IS OBJECTING.
ANY OTHER OBJECTIONS? SEEING NONE.
THE ITEM IS DEFERRED FOR 30 DAYS.
WE'LL MOVE NOW TO ITEM ONE 13.
WE'RE GONNA JUMP OVER TO ITEM ONE 13 REAL QUICK.
AMENDING THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET TO SO AS TO REALLOCATE $2,557,000 FROM THE AMERICAN, FROM THE PROCEEDS FROM THE LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES AS FOLLOWS, $1,040,000 FOR COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS AND INITIATIVES INCLUDING HOMELESSNESS.
800,000 IN ASSISTANCE TO OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.
400,000 FOR ECONOMIC BUSINESS INCENTIVES.
157,000 FOR ASSISTANCE WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES.
110,000 FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MAYFAIR
[02:00:01]
PARK GYM AND 50,000 FOR THE ARCH PROGRAM BY MAYOR, PRESIDENT.OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM ONE 13.
WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC SPEAKER CARD, MS. PENNY MAE LANDRY, MS. LANDRY.
PENNY MAE LANDRY, DISTRICT 11.
AND I'D LIKE TO ASK THAT, UM, COUNCILMAN DUNN, PLEASE RESPECT ME WHILE I'M SPEAKING AND NOT LAUGH.
WE ALL NEED TO GET ALONG AND RESPECT, SAY, RESPECT EACH OTHER.
UM, SAY YES MA'AM, I'M HOLDING SOME DOCUMENTS HERE.
UM, AND WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE IS MAYFAIR PARK GYM, UM, AND ARTS PROGRAMS, UH, FOR THE USE OF THIS $2.5 MILLION.
UM, THESE DOCUMENTS SHOW THAT BRECK HAS NOT FILED THEIR FINANCIALS WITH THE STATE SINCE 2021.
I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL ARE AWARE OF THAT.
THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO FILE 'EM ANNUALLY AND THEY HAVEN'T FILED THEM SINCE 2021.
THERE CURRENTLY IS AN $18 MILLION DEFICIT AT BRECK, 11 MILLION IN RECREATION, UM, ALMOST 2 MILLION IN GOLF, 3 MILLION AT THE ZOO.
AND THEY'RE HAVING A MEETING ON THE 25TH TO DISCUSS THE MILLAGES AND MOVING FORWARD.
SO PROUD OF TO INCREASE MORE MONEY COMING FROM THE PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT EACH OF YOU REPRESENT WHAT, $18 MILLION BRE DEFICIT AND HAVEN'T FILED THEIR FINANCIALS SINCE 2021.
NOW I MENTIONED THIS TO A COUPLE OF METRO COUNCIL PEOPLE AND THEY SAID, OH, WELL WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH BRECK.
YOU DO BECAUSE YOU CAN HAVE OUR MAYOR MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THESE COUNCILS AND COMMISSIONS FOR BRECK ARE MAKING THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
I'M UNSURE IF MAYFAIR PARK GYM COMES UNDER BRECK OR IF WHATEVER THIS ARTS PROGRAM IS COMES UNDER BRECK.
HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DEFER THIS ITEM UNTIL YOU RESEARCH THE FACT THAT BRECK HAS NOT FILED THEIR FINANCIALS SINCE 2021.
THEY HAVE AN $18 MILLION DEFICIT.
AND IF ANY OF THIS $2.5 MILLION IS GOING TO BRECK, I ASK THAT YOU LOOK INTO IT AND RESPECT THAT YOUR TAX, YOUR TAXPAYERS ARE HAVING TROUBLE MAKING ENDS MEET.
OKAY? SO PLEASE DEFER THIS ITEM UNTIL YOU DO A LITTLE MORE RESEARCH INTO BRACKET.
ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK, SPEAK ON THE ITEM COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL, COMMENT AND OPPOSITION TO ITEM ONE 13.
SEEING NO OTHER SPEAKERS WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
COUNCILMAN BANKS MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
PUT A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN BANKS.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
SO LET'S JUST CLEAR SOME THINGS UP.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK I WAS ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT SAID, NO, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BRECK OR WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH BRECK AS MS. PENNY MAY JUST SO ELOQUENTLY QUOTED ME.
UM, BUT THIS MATTER THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT HERE AND THE $110,000 FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MAYFAIR PARK GYM IS IN MY DISTRICT.
AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT BE, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR ALLOCATING THESE FUNDS TO THE MAYFAIR PARK GYM BECAUSE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THAT GYM IS THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE AN AIR CONDITIONER PLACED IN THE GYM.
AND THE RETIRED PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE MAYFAIR AREA THAT CURRENTLY HOST, UM, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN THAT GYM TO CHILDREN AFTER SCHOOL AND THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, WILL NOW HAVE AN AIR CONDITIONED FACILITY TO, TO DO THAT IN.
AND THEIR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN DON'T GET BEHIND AND TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN AREN'T ON THE STREETS AND TO ACT IN A FORM OF A CRIME PREVENTION MANNER
[02:05:01]
AND TO FURTHER THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN THAT AREA.SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE THAT'S HELPED THIS COME TO FRUITION.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR DONATING THE $110,000 FROM THE ARPA FUNDS AND MOVING THOSE SO THAT MY DISTRICT CAN FURTHER FIGHT CRIME.
AND I'D LIKE TO THANK MR. DANTE BIDWELL WHO HELPED ME AND ASSISTED, UH, ME WITH GETTING THIS THING, THIS MOVING FORWARD AND GETTING IT DONE.
AND ON BEHALF OF THE MAYFAIR CRIME PREVENTION DISTRICT, I'D LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN MY COMMUNITY AND MY DISTRICT.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS THAT TAKE THEIR TIME OUT, THE TAX PAYING VOLUNTEERS, BY THE WAY, THAT TAKE THEIR TIME OUT OF THE DAY AND TO HOST THESE CHILDREN THAT DON'T HAVE PEOPLE THAT WOULD REGULARLY HOST THEM IN THE AFTERNOONS BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS ARE WORKING OR THEY'RE NOT THERE WHEN THEY GET OFF THE SCHOOL BUS.
SO THANK YOU TO ALL THE LEADERS AND THE FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT 12 THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE.
THIS BEEN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BANKS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
ITEM ONE 13 CARRIES WE'LL MOVE BACK NOW TO ITEM 1 0 2, AUTHORIZING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO REFUND AN ERRONEOUS REMITTANCE OF ACCRUED USE TAX TO GEORGIA PACIFIC CONSUMER OPERATIONS LLC AND THE AMOUNT OF 1 MILLION 97 97 IS THIS, UH, $1,097,459 AND 4 CENTS FOR THE ACCRUING USE TAX ON NON-TAXABLE ITEMS FOR THE AUDIT PERIOD OF DECEMBER.
OF DECEMBER 1ST, 2017 THROUGH DECEMBER 1ST, 2020 BY FINANCE DIRECTOR OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 2.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE CHAIR.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
ITEM 1 0 2 CARRIES ITEM 1 0 3 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO AMEND THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TAX COMPLIANCE AND RECOVERY LLC AND THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATING TO RECOVERY OF SALES AND USE TAXES.
MY FINANCE DIRECTOR WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 3.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
UM, THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT WAS 50,000.
WAS THAT THE LOWEST BIDDER? AND IF IT WAS, WHAT DIFFERENCE IS CAUSING THE CONTRACT TO GO FROM 50,000 TO A HUNDRED THOUSAND? WHAT ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED? WE ALSO WANT TO EMPLOY PEOPLE IN EAST BATON ROUGE.
WE HAVE A FINANCE DEPARTMENT, AN ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT, A TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.
BETWEEN THOSE THREE ENTITIES, IT MIGHT BE A BETTER USE OF THESE FUNDS TO HIRE SOMEONE TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE AS PREFERRED TO A ONE-TIME OUTSIDE CONTRACT.
SO I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY I'M IN OPPOSITION TO THIS AS THE WAY IT READS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT INFORM THE TAXPAYER WHAT ADDITIONAL SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR A DOUBLING OF A CONTRACT.
AND THAT I'D ALSO LIKE THE METRO COUNCIL TO CONSIDER DEFERRING THIS ITEM TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMEONE WITHIN THE EXISTING ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE AND TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE THAT CAN DO THIS WORK OR THAT AN ADDITIONAL HIRE IS MET, MET MADE TO EMPLOY AN EAST BATON ROUGE CITIZEN.
ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 0 3? SEE NONE.
WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, MS. ANGIE, COULD YOU, UH, ENLIGHTEN US? YES.
SO THIS IS A CONTRACT THAT WE OUTSOURCE AUDITING SERVICES.
IT IS, THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT WAS 50,000.
AND THIS IS A CONTRACT THAT DOES A COMPREHENSIVE AUDIT.
SO WHEN THEY GO TO A TAXPAYER, THIS AUDIT FIRM IS ALSO DOING A STATE AUDIT, ANY OTHER PARISH AUDIT.
SO THAT FROM A TAXPAYER PROVIDES EFFICIENCIES.
THROUGH THIS CONTRACT, THEY HAVE, UH, RECAPTURED $2.3 MILLION IN SALES TAX AUDITS OVER THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT.
SO YOU, FOR THE A HUNDRED THOUSAND, YOU'RE GETTING A RATE OF, YOU KNOW, $2.3 MILLION RATE OF RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT OF 50,000 AT THAT POINT.
AND SO, SO
AS YOU KNOW, WITH SALARIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH BENEFITS,
[02:10:01]
ONE INDIVIDUAL IS PROBABLY A HUNDRED THOUSAND IN OUR STAFF THAT WOULD COST THE TAXPAYERS TO DO ONE AUDIT.AND IT WOULD BE A TAXPAYER WOULD ONLY BE AUDITED ON EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH WHERE THIS FIRM IS AUDITING CO COMPREHENSIVELY WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES AND OTHER TAXING JURISDICTIONS.
IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN MOOCH? SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN? ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
ITEM 1 0 3 CARRIES ITEM 1 0 4 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER, ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES INC.
FOR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF THE MUNI EXECUT TIME SOFTWARE PLATFORMS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $475,000 BY INFORMATION SERVICES.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 4.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SO MOVED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
ITEM 1 0 4 CARRIES ITEM 1 0 5.
THERE IS A REQUEST FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO DELETE THIS ITEM AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH INFORMATICS IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000 TO FUND DATA ANALYTICS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT, SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON THE SAFE, HOPEFUL HEALTHY INITIATIVE BY MAYOR'S OFFICE.
OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 5.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY THE CHAIR TO DELETE.
ITEM 1 0 6, AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A RIGHT OF WAY AGREEMENT WITH ENERGY LOUISIANA, LLC FOR THE GRANTING OF A 0.264 ACRE EASEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE I 10 WIDENING PROJECT BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 6.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND OPEN THE FLOOR TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN AROSO.
ITEM 1 0 7, AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT TO APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC IMPACT FEES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT BURBANK AND PELICAN LAKES ASSOCIATED WITH THE BURBANK AT PELICAN LAKES PROJECT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $400,000 BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE.
DIRECTOR, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 7.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN GODDE.
SECOND BY COUNCILMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
ITEM 1 0 7 CARRIES ITEM 1 0 8, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO AMEND THE CURRENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TRACE INFRARED ASPHALT RESTORATION LLC TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $50,000, BRINGING THE TOTAL CONTRACT TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 BY MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 8.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SO, MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECONDED BY THE CHAIR IN THE OPPOSITION.
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT.
NUMBER ONE FOR EDU ED EDU WALK.
ED EDU WALK ASSOCIATES TO PERFORM ADDITIONAL LIGHTING DESIGN SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVE VR CAPACITY PROJECT SCENIC HIGHWAY, HARDING BOULEVARD TO SWAN AVE IN THE MOUNTAINS.
I AM HERE IN OPPOSITION OF THE ITEM ONE ON ONE.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOU GUYS REAL QUICK ON THE MAINTENANCE THAT HAS BEEN DONE, UH, FOR THE BUILDING.
UH, TODAY I STAND BEFORE YOU WITH A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE AND OPTIMISM REGARDING OUR OLD FIRE STATION, NUMBER 16 ON ROSENWALD, UM, ENTRUSTED TO THE SKYVILLE ALUMNI.
UM, I HAVE SERVED AS THE SHAQ CHAIR.
UH, CURRENTLY, UH, THIS BUIL THIS BUILDING HAS UNDERGONE SIGNIFICANT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, UM, PAVING THE WAY FOR A VIBRANT FUTURE FOR A HUB AND CREA, UM, FOR CREATIVITY, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT.
UH, THE JOURNEY TO TRANSFORM THIS FIREHOUSE, UH, HAS BEEN MARKED BY DEDICATION AND COLLABORATION.
UM, WE HAVE, UM, INVESTED OVER $50,000 WITHIN THE BUILDING ALREADY.
UH, SO WE ARE, UM, ACTIVELY, UH, MOVING TOWARDS, UM, GETTING THE BUILDING TO WHERE, UM, IT NEEDS TO BE.
AND ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT THERE ARE SECTIONS OF THE BUILDING THAT WE ARE, UM, IF NOT ALREADY, UH, WE ARE INHABITING AND WE ARE USING, UM, THE, THE EXPENSES, UM, FROM THAT $50,000 INCLUDE EXPENSES FROM CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, UH, STRATEGIC PLANNING, REPAIR OF THE ROOF, UH, REPAIRS TO PLUMBING, RENOVATION OF RESTROOM FOR PUBLIC USE, INSTALLATION OF AC UNITS, UH, DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, STRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS, AND, UH, ALSO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENTS TO ACCESSIBILITIES.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THAT, UH, THE MAINTENANCE ALSO, UH, THAT INCLUDES MONTHLY EXPENSES.
[02:15:01]
THE UTILITY, UH, THE WASTE, THE LANDSCAPING, UM, TOWARDS THE BUILDING ON, UM, A MONTHLY OR BIWEEKLY BASIS BASED ON THE SAID EXPENSE.SO, UH, THEREFORE I AM, UH, PUSHING TOWARDS OPPOSITION OF THIS, UH, BY INVESTING.
I THINK WE SHOULD BE MORE OF A PARTNERSHIP VERSUS, UM, MORE OF KIND OF WHAT IS GOING ON NOW.
UM, SO WE DO WANT TO, UM, ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO, UH, CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US AS WELL AS FIND OPPORTUNITIES AND PARTNERSHIP, UM, AS WELL AS, UH, MOVING FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE WITHIN THIS BUILDING.
UH, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS A GRADUATED MYSELF THAT, UH, WE DO HAVE, UH, PLACES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY TO GROW THESE THINGS.
AND LIKE I SAID, TO SPEAKING TO MAINTENANCE, UM, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK DONE AND THERE HAS BEEN INVESTMENT DONE BY US GOING OUT, FINDING THIS FUNDING.
UM, THERE'S ALWAYS, UM, ROOM TO GROW, BUT I WOULD WANT TO ENSURE THE COUNCIL TONIGHT THAT THAT HAS, THAT IMPROVEMENT HAS ALREADY STARTED, THAT IMPROVEMENT HAS, HAS BEEN STARTED A, A WHILE BACK AGO.
SO, UH, AS WE PUSH FORWARD, AS THE THINGS WE COME THROUGH WITH LIFE HAPPENS, UH, WE ARE PUSHING SHORT FORWARD AND STRIVING TOWARDS GETTING THIS SHACK FROM BEING, UM, A DREAM, A VISION TO A REALITY.
AND WE'LL LIKE TO ASK FOR YOU GUYS ASSISTANCE IN THAT.
ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE, ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 0 1 COUNCIL MEMBERS? YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED TWO EMAIL COMMENTS AND OPPOSITION TO ITEM 1 0 1.
SEEING NO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK WE'LL MOVE NOW TO COUNCIL MEMBERS LIKE WILLIAM MARNER.
WE'RE GONNA START WITH SOME, WITH, WITH, I WAS JUST RECOGNIZING YOU THAT YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
UM, SO YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ME SINCE, UH, 2014 WHEN I PROPOSED THIS IDEA, UM, TO DONATE THIS BUILDING TO THE SKYVILLE, UH, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRESIDENT THEN, WHICH WAS, UM, WHAT'S HER NAME? MS. BRAXTON.
AND SO I, AND I ALONE FACILITATED THE BUILDING, BUT OF COURSE, UM, PROVIDED A COURTESY FOR OUR FORMER MAYOR, KEPT HOLDING TO ADD HIS NAME TO MY AGENDA ITEM.
UM, JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KIND OF GIVE SOME DETAILS.
I'VE ALSO, I JUST KIND OF COPIED EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE SENT ON THIS AND JUST TO KIND OF BRING US UP TO DATE OF WHAT ALL HAS BEEN GOING ON.
WE HAVE A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE ASSOCIATION.
IT WAS EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1ST, 2015.
IT PROVIDED FOR THE RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY OF THAT PROPERTY, WE DID NOT TRANSFER A TITLE TO IT.
WE GAVE 'EM THE RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY.
OF COURSE, THERE WERE ANY, A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT HAD TO BE DONE, UM, THAT IT WAS FOR NINE, NINE YEARS, WHICH IS THE LEGAL LIMIT OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU CAN DO THAT KIND OF THING.
UM, THE ASSOCIATION WAS REQUIRED TO IMMEDIATELY SECURE THE BUILDING AND TO, UH, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
UM, THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO ALSO EVALUATE THE PROPERTY AND ASSESS AND COME UP WITH A, DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR THE BUILDING.
UM, AND TO FULLY OCCUPY THE BUILDING IN A TIMELY FASHION.
THEY WERE TO PROVIDE INSURANCE ON THE BUILDING.
THEY WERE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS AND, UM, ALTERATIONS TO THE BUILDING THEY NEEDED.
UM, AND THEY, OF COURSE, THEY WERE TO PAY UTILITIES.
OVER THE YEARS, WE'VE HAD, I, I GET CALLS ABOUT THIS BUILDING AND ASKING IF IT WAS BEING USED OR IF THEY, THE BUILDING WAS AVAILABLE.
AND I WOULD TELL THE FOLKS WE HAD THE CEA WITH, UH, SCOTT LAVILLE IN LATE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR.
I DID REACH OUT TO THE ASSOCIATION AND, AND JUST SAY, HEY, I'M JUST CHECKING IN.
MR. DOUGLAS IMMEDIATELY REPLIED AND SAID THAT SCOTLANDVILLE STILL HAD A PLAN FOR THE BUILDING AND THEY WERE MOVING FORWARD.
UH, AND I WROTE BACK AND SAID, THANK YOU.
WE'RE PUTTING THAT NOTE IN THE FILE.
UH, A FEW WEEKS LATER, AN ATTORNEY BY THE NAME OF FRANK BROWN CONTACTED ME AND SAID HE WORKS WITH THE ASSOCIATION, NOT NOT REPRESENTING, BUT WORKS WITH 'EM AS, AND SAID THEY WERE COMING UP WITH SOME PLANS TO DO AN ART FACILITY OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE, AND HE WOULD SEND 'EM TO ME.
I THINK THEY HAD SENT AN EMAIL THIS WEEK WITH SOME PLANS.
UM, THAT'S THE CRUX OF IT, THAT THE, THE CEA DOES GIVE US THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE AGREEMENT WITH 30 DAYS NOTICE IF THEY HAVE NOT FULLY, UM, COMPLIED WITH THE, THE CEA AND THE PLANS OF IT.
THE AGENDA ITEM TONIGHT WOULD BE, IF APPROVED, WOULD BE TO AUTHORIZE THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO MOVE FORWARD IN MAKING THAT NOTICE TO THE ASSOCIATION.
SO, I, UM, TO MY COLLEAGUES AND ALL OF THE LISTENER, FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK SCOTLANDVILLE, UM, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FOR
[02:20:01]
COMING OUT TONIGHT.THIS IS THE KIND OF ENERGY, UM, THAT WE HAVE BEEN NEEDING FOR 10 YEARS, UM, OVER THE 10 YEARS.
FOR ONE THING, UM, WHEN PAULA BRAXTON ASKED ME TO PUT THIS ITEM, THEY HAD BEEN ASKING THE MAYOR AND THE FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER, BASED ON HER, WHAT SHE SAID, FOR MANY YEARS TO ACT, TO DONATE, UH, USE OF THE BUILDING FOR THE COMMUNITY, NOT FOR THE ASSOCIATION, BUT SO THAT THE ASSOCIATION WOULD RUN PROGRAMMING OUT.
UM, OF COURSE, UH, THAT WAS A NO BRAINER FOR ME.
UH, THOUGH I AM NOT A GRADUATE OF SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, NORTH SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.
MY MOTHER IS PART OF THE VERY FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF SCOTLANDVILLE IN 1956.
HER FATHER WAS THE FIRST PTA PRESIDENT FOR SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
HER 11 SIBLINGS ALL GRADUATED FROM SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
HER FIRST TEACHING JOB WAS AT SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
AND MY FATHER, WHO ALSO WAS A SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY LABORATORY SCHOOL, UM, UH, GRADUATE.
BUT HIS TWO SI, HIS TWO, UH, SISTERS GRADUATED FROM COLLIN, UM, SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
ALL MY FIRST COUSINS IN, UM, THE SCOTLANDVILLE COMMUNITY GRADUATED FROM THE SCHOOL.
AND MY ONLY CHILD IN 2007 GRADUATED FROM SKYVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.
SO FOR ME, THIS WAS A VERY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY AND ONE THAT ACTUALLY OPENED THE DOOR TO THE CITY LOOKING AT ALL OF ITS FIRE STATIONS AND HOW WE COULD BRING 'EM INTO COMMERCE.
UM, IN THIS FIVE YEARS, UH, I, I HAVE INITIATED EVERY CONTACT AS IT RELATES TO THIS PROGRAM, THIS PROJECT.
IT WASN'T JUST DONATED TO THEM.
I HAVE MET WITH, AFTER PAULA BRAXTON, I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS TIME.
EVERY TIME WE GOT A COMPLAINT, I PUSHED THE ENVELOPE BACK AND, OR SOMEONE REQUESTING WHY IT'S NOT BEING USED, AND I WILL CALL THEIR LEADERSHIP.
YOLANDA ALVIN, WHETHER IT WAS HOWARD DAVIS, UM, WHOEVER THE PRESIDENT WAS AT THAT TIME, SAYING, LOOK, SOMETHING HAS TO HAPPEN AT THIS BUILDING.
PEOPLE WANNA KNOW WHY IT'S NOT BEING A YOUTH THEY WANTED.
THEY'RE SAYING THAT IT IS, UM, THE ROSENWALD CORRIDOR IN WHICH WE, WE WERE GETTING THE STATS, HOW THE CRIME HAS GONE UP IN THOSE 10 YEARS, TO THE POINT THAT, UM, WE HAD A MEETING AT VISION CHRISTIANSEN ON ROSENWALD TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE COULD DO IN THE, UH, CRIME DEPARTMENT WITH THE BRTD DID AN ENTIRE SWIPE OF THAT ENTIRE AREA, UM, IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT THE GENTLEMAN MENTIONED.
THE MEETING AT, UH, AT THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
I WASN'T INVITED, BUT I HEARD ABOUT IT AGAIN.
I OFFERED, I'VE OFFERED, UM, TO, FIRST OF ALL, TO LET THEM USE MY COMMUNITY CENTER WHERE THEY MEET EVERY MONTH.
NOW, IF THEY HAD THIS BUILDING IN SHAPE, THEY WOULDN'T STILL FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, BE MEETING AT THE GEORGE J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER, FREE OF CHARGE.
THEY HOLD FUNDRAISERS ALL THEIR, THEY HAVE THEIR FUNDRAISERS.
ALMOST EVERY SCHOOL HAS, I THINK IT'S OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY.
ALMOST EVERY SCHOOL HAS THEIR, UM, ALUMNI AND REUNION PARTIES AT THE JEWEL J NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER.
UM, I KNOW THAT, UM, I ACTUALLY HAVE SP MET, THIS WAS UNDER HOWARD DAVIS.
I MET WITH TWO GUY IN THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS, WHICH I, I ASKED, THIS IS ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO.
LET'S TALK, LET'S GET AN AMOUNT.
SO I, I SAID, I WILL HELP YOU WITH A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN.
EVERYTHING I HAVE OFFERED, THE LEADERSHIP CHANGES OR IT'S BAD LEADERSHIP, AND THERE'S NO FOLLOW UP.
SO TODAY WE ARE AT A, A POINT WHERE FOR 10 YEARS, THE CITY WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROPERTY AND THE COMMUNITY, IT IS NOT OWNED BY THE SCOTLANDVILLE ASSOCIATION.
THE LIABILITY LIES WITH THE SCOTLANDVILLE ASSOCIATION.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE AGREEMENTS.
AND I ACTUALLY, UM, SPOKE WITH THE PRESIDENT, UM, ALVIN DOUGLAS YESTERDAY AFTER HE CALLED FORMER COUNCILMAN THAT PROCEEDED ME, ULYSSES BONES, ADDISON, ASKING HIM, UH, TO OPPOSE THIS ITEM AND TO SPEAK WITH ME.
I SAID, I TOLD HIM JUST WHAT A MATTER OF
[02:25:01]
FACT, ANYBODY THAT CALLED ME, I TOLD HIM THIS STORY.AND THEY WOULD SAY, WELL, DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
BUT I ASKED COUNCILMAN ADDISON, I SAID, I AM WILLING TO WORK WITH THE ASSOCIATION AS I HAVE FOR 10 YEARS.
BUT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING THAT PUTS IN PLACE A, IN A CORPORATE ENDEAVOR WHERE THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY ON BOTH OF OUR PART WHERE THERE ARE CHECK MARKS ON BOTH OF OUR PART.
EITHER WAY, IT NEEDS TO END ALSO THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO, TO, TO, UM, TO PURCHASE IT, THE OPPORTUNITY.
EVEN DO A LONG-TERM LEASE, UH, TO OWNERSHIP.
THERE ARE MULTI, I I TALKED TO MR. UM, SO I AGREED TO MEET THEM EIGHT O'CLOCK AT, UM, LAST NIGHT AT THE INVITATION OF ALVIN DOUGLAS.
I WAS TO COME LAST NIGHT TO THE SHACK, AS THEY CALL IT, EIGHT O'CLOCK THIS MORNING.
HE CALLED AND SAID THEY HAD TOO MUCH GO.
HE HAD TOO MUCH GOING ON, AND HE COULD NOT MEET WITH ME.
THAT HE COULD NOT MEET COUNCIL.
COUNCILMAN BANKS HAS THE FLOOR.
I'M SORRY THAT HE COULD NOT MEET WITH ME.
I, AGAIN, I, WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? I AM WILLING, THIS IS AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL GIVE US 30 DAYS TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING TO BETTER UTILIZE THIS BUILDING.
UM, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY BUILDING AND IT WAS NOT INITIATED.
I HAVE, I HAD TWO BUILDINGS LIKE THIS AND I FEEL THAT I BOMBED BOTH OF 'EM WITH THIS LEASE I BOMBED.
AND THE OTHER ONE ON 72ND AVENUE UFF.
YOU KNOW, IT IS BLIGHT AS WELL.
WE HAVE THE PICTURES OF THIS BUILDING.
I HAVE, WE HAVE TO HAVE, AND I HAVE NEVER, I'VE ASKED FOR THESE THINGS.
PART OF THIS AGREEMENT IS A GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE THAT FOR EVERY FIVE YEARS, FOR A MILLION DOLLARS FOR EACH OCCURRENCE.
COUNCILMAN BANKS, I DO NEED MY EXTRA TIME.
YEAH, THAT, THAT'S YOUR SECOND FIVE MINUTES.
BUT COUNCILMAN HURST HAS OFFERED TO GIVE YOU SOME ADDITIONAL TIME.
IF THEY HAVE THAT, BRING IT TO ME RIGHT NOW.
IF THAT, THERE'S A PROPERTY COVERAGE WITH $350,000 WITH A 80% CO-INSURANCE.
WHEN I WENT TO THE BUILDING, THERE WERE TWO YOUNG MEN, DR.
UM, SMOKING DOPE UNDER THE AWNING 'CAUSE IT HAD STARTED RAINING.
THOSE ARE THE KIND OF CALLS WE HAVE BEEN GETTING.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT, I KNOW MANY OF YOU'LL, PROBABLY ALL OF YOU, I WOULD SAY MAYBE 1% LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO LIVE IN SCOTLANDVILLE.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOUR AND YOUR LEGACY.
AND I DID A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO MAKE SURE, TO TRY TO WORK, TRY TO DO EVERYTHING I DO.
I'VE ALL, I'VE TOLD MR. FRANK BROWN, I SAID, SIR, MR. BROWN, SOMEBODY GOTTA GET A LOAN OR SOMETHING.
SOMEBODY GOTTA, IF YOU BELIEVE IN IT THAT MUCH, GET A LOAN FOR AT LEAST A PARTIAL AND THEN SOMEBODY MEET YOU WITH SOME FUNDS.
BUT I CAN'T MAKE 'EM DO NOTHING.
I TALKED TO YOLANDA, YOLANDA SAY, WE, WE DON'T HAVE THAT MANY PEOPLE.
WHAT AM I TO DO? I CANNOT LEAVE THIS ON THIS COMMUNITY.
THEY DON'T DESERVE, I HAVE 30,000 PEOPLE.
I CANNOT, BASED ON 12 OR 15 PEOPLE, LET, UM, LET THE CITY BUILD THAT THE CITY IS OWNER.
IF SOMETHING HAPPENS THERE, THAT'S THE CITY THAT'S NOT ON YOU ALL.
AND THEN YOU ALL DON'T EVEN HAVE AN INSURANCE.
I'M GONNA LET HIM SHOW THE PICTURES.
PLEASE DON, SPEAK OUT FROM THE AUDIENCE.
BUT WE ASKED MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE.
PLEASE DON'T SPEAK OUT FROM THE AUDIENCE.
UH, JOE BUTLEY, IF HE'S GONNA COME UP.
'CAUSE HE'S ALSO EVALUATED THE BUILDING.
JODY, IF YOU DON'T MIND, YOU'RE GONNA, UH, GIVE SOME CONTEXT TO IT.
I, I KNOW YOU WALKED THE BUILDING AS WELL.
UM, AND I KNOW TODAY YOU'RE GONNA BE ASKING FOR A KEY.
SO YOU COULD DO THE INTERNAL YOU AND I'LL BE GOING OVER.
UM, BUT IF YOU WOULD JUST KINDA TELL WHAT YOUR ASSESSMENT WAS AT, AT THAT POINT.
UM, SO I DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE BUILDING, UH, THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING.
BUT WALKING THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING, UH, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURES, UH, THERE'S SOME, UM, EXTERNAL WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO THE FACADE.
UH, SOME, SOME WOOD THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
UH, AND THEN THE WINDOWS AS WELL.
UH, I'M NOT CERTAIN THE ACTUAL CONDITION OF IT BECAUSE I WASN'T ABLE TO, UH, ACTUALLY WALK UP TO THEM.
BUT, UM, LIKE SOME OF THOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
SO IT'S NO MORE THAN WHAT YOU SEE
[02:30:01]
ON THE PICTURES.UM, BUT A FULL ASSESSMENT WILL NEED TO BE DONE TO GET A A HUNDRED PERCENT OF WHERE WE AT ON THE BUILDING.
UM, THE GENTLEMAN CAME UP, ALL THE THINGS THEY'VE DONE, PART OF THIS AGREEMENT IS THAT THEY CANNOT MAKE ANY, UM, ALTERATIONS WITH THIS BUILDING WITHOUT BEING APPROVED BY THE BUILDING, UM, BY THE CITY PARISH BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
SO IF THERE'S A ROOFING STRUCTURE, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL HAVOC, THEN THERE SHOULD BE A PERMIT ON THE CITY RECORDS THAT YOU ALL APPLY FOR TO GET THIS WORK DONE.
OTHERWISE, AGAIN, YOU LAY YOU'RE LEAVING US IN A LIABILITY BECAUSE NO ONE HAS APPROVED OR INSPECTED YOUR WORK.
THIS IS WHAT, WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
WE'RE NOT TRYING, I'M NOT TRYING TO TAKE A BUILDING THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANYWAY.
OR, AND MAYBE I AM, BUT I AM TRYING TO GET ACCOUNTABILITY.
I AM TRYING TO GET ACCOUNTABILITY.
SO, AND, AND, AND I'VE ASKED FOREVER.
THIS IS ON THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON ROSENWALD.
THIS IS ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING CRIME, WHO DON'T LIKE WHAT WE'VE SEEN.
I'VE NEVER, THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.
BUT I AM WILLING, A MATTER OF FACT, WHEN I SPOKE TO MR. ADDISON, I SAID, WOULD YOU HELP ME TO FACILITATE TO MOVE? 'CAUSE THEY NEED BETTER LEADERSHIP.
THEY HAVE NOT HAD THE LEADERSHIP TO MOVE THIS THING FORWARD.
AND SO THAT IS ALL I AM SAYING.
WE HAVE TO TERMINATE THIS ANYWAY.
WE DON'T EVEN DO 99 YOUR LEASE.
YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD IT FOR 99, SO YOU COULD JUST CASUALLY GO.
THAT'S A BIG INVESTMENT THAT WE ARE MAKING A BIG TRUST INVESTMENT.
AND YOU HAVE NOT DONE ANY OF THEM ACCORDING TO THE CEA.
SO I'M ASKING MY COLLEAGUES TO, UM, APPROVE THIS, UH, THIS MATTER, UM, TO TERMINATE.
AND I'M SPEAKING AGAIN, JUST LIKE I TOLD ALVIN AND EVERYBODY ELSE.
THIS ISN'T, THIS ISN'T THE, THIS IS NOT THE END, BUT IT COULD BE THE BEGINNING BASED ON HOW YOU HANDLE IT.
BUT IF YOU TRY, IF YOU WANNA MAKE IT A BAD GOOD, GOOD BAD, THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
COUNCILMAN BANKS HAS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
IS THERE A SECOND? I'M SORRY, MA'AM.
YOU DON'T, YOU DON'T HAVE THE FLOOR.
COUNCILMAN DUNN WISHES TO SPEAK.
LET ME FIRST, UM, AS A GRADUATE OF CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, PRESIDENT OF CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, LET ME FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE IN SUPPORT OF, UH, SCOTLANDVILLE ITS LEGACY.
UM, I KNOW, UH, YOU KNOW, THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, MCKINLEY, AND YOU GUYS KNOW, YOU KNOW, THE PLIGHT THAT WE HAVE OF UPHOLDING, YOU KNOW, THE LEGACY OF THESE, WHAT WE CALL HBCU HIGH SCHOOLS.
UH, SO WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE YOU GUYS ARE BEING ENGAGED, BEING INVOLVED.
WE HAVE SO MANY GRADUATES THAT COME FROM OUR HISTORIC INSTITUTIONS THAT LEFT AND, AND, AND GOT GREAT VALUE FROM THAT EDUCATION, BUT HAVE NOT POURED BACK INTO IT.
SO I JUST WANNA TIP MY HAT OFF TO YOU GUYS FOR BEING HERE.
UM, SECONDLY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A GENTLEMAN'S AND A GENTLE LADY AGREEMENT, UH, AMONGST COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ALMOST ALWAYS, NOT ALWAYS, BUT ALMOST ALWAYS, WE DEFER TO THE COUNCILWOMAN OR COUNCILMAN WHOSE DISTRICT THE ITEM IS IN.
AND WE LEAN ON THAT PERSON TO GET ADVICE AND COUNCIL FROM THEM ON A DIRECTION THAT WE WOULD, THEY WOULD LIKE US TO GO BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S THEIR DISTRICT.
UNLESS IT'S AN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCE.
UM, I'M CONFLICTED BECAUSE IN MY DISTRICT, I DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO NOT CONDEMN OR, OR, OR, OR TO PARTICIPATE WITH A WILLING PARTICIPANT TO PUT A PROPERTY BACK INTO COMMERCE.
I DON'T IMPRESS MY POLICY ON ANYBODY ELSE'S.
BUT IF I HAVE SOMEONE THAT'S INTERESTED IN PUTTING THE PROPERTY BACK INTO COMMERCE, AND THEY'RE TAKING STEPS AND STRIDES, YOU KNOW, I'LL WORK WITH 'EM AND EXTEND IT AND EXTEND IT TO GIVE THEM THE TIME TO DO THAT.
UM, I DO REMEMBER WHEN THESE, UH, FIRE STATIONS WAS GIVEN TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, IN HOPES TO PUT 'EM BACK INTO COMMERCE.
UH, I DO THINK, UH, WHEN THAT WAS DONE, UH, THE DESIRE, THE GOAL, THE INTENT WAS NOT TO TAKE 8, 9, 10 YEARS TO DO THAT.
I THINK WE GOTTA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
UM, BUT, UH, I DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU GUYS ARE, ARE TAKING STRIDES.
I'M GONNA MAKE AN APPEAL TO YOU GUYS AND COUNCILWOMAN BANKS TO, TO WORK THIS OUT.
I I WOULD HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO COME BEFORE US.
THAT Y'ALL COULD HAVE WORKED THAT OUT IN SCOTLANDVILLE.
THIS DIDN'T NEED TO COME DOWNTOWN IN, IN MY MIND.
BUT AGAIN, IT IS NOT MY DISTRICT.
YOU KNOW, IT IS COUNCILWOMAN BANKS
[02:35:01]
DISTRICT.UH, AND I JUST GOTTA TELL YOU, I'M CONFLICTED.
I JUST WANTED TO OFFER THAT UP AND, AND LET Y'ALL KNOW MY PERSPECTIVE AND MY VIEW ON THINGS.
COUNCILMAN HURST, UH, THERE WAS A, UH, THE, THE ATTORNEY WANTED TO COME BACK TO THE MIC, SO I WANTED TO GIVE HER AN OPPORTUNITY.
YOU KNOW, I'M, I GREW UP IN SKYVILLE, SO BORN UP, KNOW UP IN SKYVILLE, SO I'M STRUGGLING AS WELL.
COUNCILMAN HURST, DID YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR HER? N NO, BUT I MEAN, I'M GIVING HER SOME TIME TO SPEAK.
YOU CAN ASK, DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS? QUESTION FOR YOU IS, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY? NOW COME TO THE MIC AND ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
I REALLY WANTED TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT, UH, COUNCILWOMAN BANKS MADE, UH, THAT WE DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE, UH, INSURANCE AND GRANT, THAT BUILDING WAS IN DEPLORABLE CONDITION.
WE ASSUMED TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LIABILITY, BECAUSE IN THIS CONTRACT, IT INCLUDES AN INDEMNIFICATION TO THE CITY PARISH.
WE TOOK ON ALL RESPONSIBILITY OF REPAIRING THE BUILDING.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH OF LATE IS THE ROOF.
WE'VE PUT $30,000 INTO THAT ROOF.
AND YES, WE, UH, THIS, THIS PLACE IS LOCATED IN A DEPRESSED ECONOMY.
THERE AREN'T PEOPLE JUST OUT THERE THROWING MONEY AT US.
UH, ALSO WE HAD AN AVESTA PROBLEM.
AND SO WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
AND AS FOR, YOU KNOW, THAT GENTLEMAN TOOK PICTURES ON THE OUTSIDE.
HE, HE HASN'T BEEN ON THE INSIDE.
AND YEAH, THERE ARE A LOT OF, A LOT OF WORK, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT 10 YEARS, NINE YEARS ACTUALLY IS SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TIME TO BRING THAT BUILDING WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.
AND I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT THE ASSOCIATION IS STILL WILLING TO RECOVER, REVIVE SUCH A DILAPIDATED BUILDING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
AND NOR HAVE WE ASKED THE CITY TO GIVE US ANY MONEY, NOR HAS WE ASKED THE CITY TO TAKE ON ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY.
AND, UH, THE VISIBILITY OF COUNCILWOMAN BANKS IS NOT AS VISIBLE AS SHE'D LIKE YOU TO THINK.
SO I'M GONNA TAKE THE LAST COUPLE OF MINUTES.
I, I I, I DON'T, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT MY DISTRICT, SO I WON'T MAKE A DECISION EITHER WAY.
TODAY I'M JUST GONNA ABSTAIN AND HAVE Y'ALL DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD.
UM, I, I SHARE IN THE FEELING CONFLICTED.
I'M, I'M GONNA OFFER TO MY, MY COLLEAGUE AND TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY, WHAT I HOPE IS SEEN AS A VERY FRIENDLY, UH, COMPROMISE AMENDMENT.
UM, BECAUSE AS, AS, UH, EVERYONE HAS SPOKEN, AND I'VE LISTENED VERY INTENTLY, I DO HEAR THE, THE DRIVE AND THE WILLINGNESS TO MAKE THIS SUCCESSFUL.
AND I MEAN FROM, FROM BOTH SIDES.
AND SO HOPEFULLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, UH, PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT COMMUNICATION WILL HELP.
AND I, AND I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER, YOU'VE MADE SOME, SOME REALLY VALID, VERY FAIR POINTS TONIGHT, UH, THAT I THINK FOLKS HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF.
SO I THINK SOME COMMUNICATION, UH, COULD TAKE PLACE.
SO THE COUNCIL MEMBER'S PROPOSAL WAS ENACT THIS TONIGHT TO GIVE YOU ALL 30 DAYS NOTICE.
BUT I HEARD, UH, THE, THE, THE POTENTIAL FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT TO COME IN PLACE.
SO MY, MY OFFER TO TRY TO CONDENSE WHAT I'M SAYING IS TO DEFER THIS ITEM FOR 30 DAYS, PROVIDE THAT ONE MONTH WINDOW FOR THE COMMUNICATION TO OCCUR, AND THEN THIS ITEM CAN COME BACK IN THAT 30 DAY PERIOD.
PERHAPS ANOTHER CONTRACT COULD BE DRAFTED THAT THEN WE COULD CONSIDER AS A COUNCIL.
AND AGAIN, I'M, I'M MAKING THIS OFFER AS A, AS A FRIENDLY, UH, PROPOSAL AND A, AND A COMPROMISE FOR BOTH PARTIES.
SO FOR CLARITY, THERE IS A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN BANKS TO APPROVE.
UH, THERE'S NOT CURRENTLY A SECOND, SO I'LL WAIT TO SEE IF THERE'S A SECOND.
THERE'S NO SECOND IF THAT'S A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN GOD DAY FOR 30 DAYS.
WE'LL WAIT TO SEE IF THERE'S A SECOND.
SEEING THAT THERE'S NO SECOND.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER MOTIONS ON ITEM 1 0 1? AHEAD?
[02:40:01]
COUNCILMAN NOEL? WE GOT YOU.UH, I, COUNCILMAN GOEY, CAN YOU, CAN YOU RUN DOWN THE TIMELINE ON THAT? UM, ON THAT 30 DAY ON HOW THAT WOULD, HOW, HOW DEFERRING THIS ITEM WOULD COME BACK? WOULD IT COME BACK IN CONJUNCTION WITH A NEW CONTRACT? POTENTIALLY? LIKE LET'S RUN DOWN THAT TIMELINE.
THAT WOULD BE, WHICH YOU HAD IN MIND.
SO DEFER THIS ITEM FOUR 30 DAYS TO GIVE THE GROUPS TIME TO GET TOGETHER AND COMMUNICATE.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS REFERENCED THE NEED FOR A NEW CONTRACT.
SO THOSE DISCUSSIONS COULD TAKE PLACE.
MR. AARON COULD, COULD GET THAT CONTRACT UNDERWAY.
AND THEN IN 30 DAYS WHEN THIS ITEM COMES BEFORE US, WE COULD DELETE IT.
IF THERE'S AN INTRODUCTION OF A NEW CONTRACT, WAS HOW I SAW IT PLAYING OUT.
AND IF, IF NOT, LET ME SAY THE OPPOSITE.
IF NOT COUNCIL MEMBER BANKS, THIS ITEM COMES BACK, WE HEAR IT.
AND IF IT'S APPROVED THAT 30 DAY NOTICE IS THEN SERVED.
SO MAY MAY I DO, DO, I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE A RIGHT TO RESPOND.
COUNCILMAN GOODDAY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO YIELD SOME TIME TO COUNCILMAN BANKS? I, I YIELD MY TIME.
UM, SHOW YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ME.
SO FIRST OF ALL, UM, AS I INDICATED, UM, FOR NINE YEARS, EVERYTHING YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, I'VE HEARD FOR NINE YEARS.
EVERY TIME I'VE REACHED OUT, EVERYBODY, I'VE SENT THEM TO ANYONE THEY ASKED ME TO MEET WITH, UH, THE GENTLEMAN WHO SAID HE'S OVER THE SHACK.
I REMEMBER ASKING, UH, YOLANDA DAY TO CONNECT ME WITH HIM.
AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD GIVE HIM MY INFORMATION.
THE PROBLEM IS, THE PROBLEM IS, AS LONG AS THERE'S THIS NINE, I THINK THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD THE BUILDING FOR 99 YEARS.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE NO MATTER WHAT THE SEED A NEEDS TO TO END, AND AS LONG AS IT, IT'S HERE, THEN THERE'S GONNA BE LAXITY.
UM, AFTER, WHILE WE ARE APPROVING IS THE ALL WE ARE APPROVING IS TO TERMINATE.
BUT IT IS THAT 30 DAYS THAT WE WILL BE MEETING.
SO IT, THIS IS, THIS DOESN'T END TODAY.
AND THAT'S, THAT, THAT IS WHERE OUR, THE CLOCK BEGINS TO 30 DAYS.
BUT, AND THE WAY I SEE IT, WITH THAT PENDING TIMELINE IN PLACE, WE COULD REALLY GET SOMETHING DONE THAT I COULD, I DID NOT HAVE THE POWER, THE AUTHORITY, THE INFLUENCE OR THE RESPECT TO BE ABLE TO GET FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS.
BUT NOW, AND THIS IS WHAT I'M BEING ADVISED BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY, WE NEED FOR, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M DOING MY DUE DILIGENCE.
THERE'S NOBODY HERE THAT I HAVEN'T, YOU KNOW, SO THAT'S A 30 DAY.
SO THAT'S WHY THE DEFERRAL ISN'T NECESSARY.
AND THE TIME IS WINDING DOWN BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE 30 DAYS.
COUNCILMAN DOLL, YOU SLIDE BEFORE.
SO I, I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU COUNCILWOMAN BANKS.
I THINK, I THINK THE, UH, THE PRESSURE ON DRAFTING SOMETHING NEW WOULD BE THERE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE HAVE A DEFERRAL TONIGHT.
UM, I, I THINK YOU COULD HAVE A, A POTENTIAL LAPSE THAT MAY NOT OCCUR IF SOMETHING NEW IS DRAFTED.
UM, I THINK IT'S AT YOUR PLEASURE.
BUT WHAT I WOULD OFFER, AND FEEL FREE TO PUT A SUBSTITUTE MOTION BEHIND IT, WHAT, WHAT I WOULD OFFER IS A 30 DAY REFERRAL, UH, DEFERRAL.
AND, UM, SHOULD A NEW, SHOULD A NEW, UM, CONTRACT NOT BE, NOT COME TO US DRAFTED, THEN YOU'LL HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT ON A SECOND TO TERMINATE IN 30 DAYS.
UM, WHAT, HOW DO, HOW, I HAVE A QUESTION WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY, IF I MAY, IF COUNCILMAN NOEL IS COMFORTABLE WITH YOU STILL USING HER HIS TIME, THAT'S, YEAH.
BECAUSE I, I, AND I WANT, I WANNA BE FAIR WITH, UM, BOTH PARTIES.
HOW, SO THE MAIN THING IS FINANCING MONEY.
YOU KNOW, SO IN 10 YEARS, EVERY OTHER THAN THE TWO THAT I MESSED UP EVERY OTHER, UH, BUILDING IN THIS 10 YEARS HAVE BEEN FULLY RENOVATED AND FULLY IN COMMERCE.
AND THEY'RE OPEN FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS A WEEK EXCEPT THIS BUILDING.
SO WHAT I WANNA KNOW IS HOW DO WE MEASURE, DO WE DO, HOW ARE THOSE THINGS WE'RE GONNA PUT IN PLACE? BECAUSE THAT MEANS IN 30 DAYS, IS THAT A LETTER FROM A BANK? IS THAT A, HOW DO WE, YOU KNOW, HOW DO, 'CAUSE IT'S MONEY THAT IS KEEPING THIS FROM HAPPENING.
WELL, I THINK IT'S WHATEVER SATISFIES THE COUNCIL THAT THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR IS BEING A FULFILLED.
SO IF WE, IF WE HAVE THIS TIME TO
[02:45:01]
MEET AND TALK AND YOU'RE SATISFIED, THE METRICS, I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO, THERE'S VERY BASIC OBLIGATIONS TO FULFILL AND TO MAINTAIN AND TO IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO REVITALIZE THE BUILDING FOR THE COMMUNITY.SO IF THAT WERE TO SATISFY YOU AND THE COUNCIL, THEN I'M SATISFIED.
BUT IT REALLY IS UP TO THE COUNCIL YOURSELF.
AND I GUESS I NEED HELP FROM THE COUNCIL BECAUSE THAT HASN'T WORKED.
SO WE, WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL BUILDINGS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS PROCESS, BUT NOT MANY.
SOME 'EM HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN SOLD.
SOME STARTED OUT AS RIGHT OF USE, SOME HAVE SOLD.
SO I, I WOULD AGREE THIS, THIS UH, NEW CONTRACT, UH, THIS HYPOTHETICAL THAT WILL BE DRAFTED, I THINK SHOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE, UM, LANGUAGE THAT SPEAKS TO, IT'S SIMILAR TO A LEASE ON WHAT'S REQUIRED FROM EITHER PARTY ON, ON MAINTENANCE, AND IT SHOULD COVER EVERYTHING.
UH, THE LIABILITY, THE INSURANCE OF COURSE.
UM, BUT ON IMPROVEMENTS, THERE SHOULD BE PERFORMANCE METRICS WITH TIMELINES IN IT.
AND I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT WAS MISSING HERE.
AND SO IT WAS JUST, WELL AS WE CAN DO IT AS WE HAVE MONEY, BUT I THINK THIS ONE SHOULD BE PRETTY IRONCLAD WITH PERFORMANCE METRICS, TIMELINES.
IF TIMELINES AREN'T MET, THEN WHAT I THINK WE, THAT ALL NEEDS TO BE RUN OUT.
SIMILAR TO WHEN YOU, UH, WHEN YOU BRING TOGETHER AN ENTITY AND YOU HAVE BYLAWS, THAT'S THE PERFECT TIME TO THINK OF EVERY WORST CASE SCENARIO.
I DO THAT ANYTIME I GET INTO PARTNERSHIP OR, OR IN OUR BUSINESS WITH ANYBODY, IS WE THINK ABOUT IF I DIE, IF YOU DIE, IF MY KID HAS CANCER, IF YOUR KID HAS CANCER, YOU KNOW WHAT, WHAT DO WE DO? SO IF YOU IRON IT ALL OUT IN THE BEGINNING, THEN WHEN THOSE WORST CASE SCENARIOS HAPPEN, YOU ALREADY HAVE IT.
AND THERE'S NO EMOTION BEHIND IT.
WE'VE ALREADY AGREED THIS IS HOW WE'RE DOING IT AND GOES THROUGH.
SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT SHOULD OCCUR WITH WHAT WE DRAFT HERE.
BUT I THINK IT NEEDS TO GET TO WORK RIGHT AWAY IF WE'RE GONNA MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS DEFERRAL, WHICH I THINK IS THE APPROPRIATE WAY.
BUT AGAIN, IF IT DOESN'T OCCUR, THEN I'LL, I'LL BE IN FULL SUPPORT.
JUST BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE NEXT SPEAKER, COUNCILMAN GOODDAY MADE A MOTION, UH, BUT IT, IT DID NOT HAVE A SECOND.
COUNCILMAN NOEL IS MAKING ANOTHER MOTION.
AND SO WE'LL WAIT TO SEE IF THAT HAS A, A SECOND MOTION TO MOTION.
IT'S BEEN MOTIONED BY COUNCILMAN GODDE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NOEL TO DEFER FOR 30 DAYS.
WE'LL MOVE TO COUNCILWOMAN ASO.
SO BILLING, JUST FOR SOME CLARIFICATION, MY APOLOGY, 'CAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF, THERE'S A LOT OF, UM, TALKING GOING ON.
SO IF THIS PASSES TONIGHT, DOES THAT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN THAT THE, UM, CA GOES INTO, I MEAN, IS, WHAT AM I TRYING TO SAY? UM, IF IT, IF IT WERE TO PASS TONIGHT, I WOULD SEND A LETTER TO THE ORGANIZATION GIVING THEM 30 DAYS TO VACATE THE PREMISES.
SO, BUT IN THOSE 30 DAYS, ARE, IS THERE GONNA BE AN UNDER, UNDER THAT? IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRAFT A NEW CONTRACT OR DO WE NEED TO DEFER THIS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO DRAFT A NEW CONTRACT? I WOULD NOT BE IN THE POSITION TO NEGOTIATE THAT, BUT IF THE COUNCIL WANTED TO DO THAT, PARTICULARLY COUNCILWOMAN BANKS, I'M HAPPY TO SIT AND DO THAT IN THE 30 DAYS PASSAGE, ANOTHER ITEM COULD BE BROUGHT BACK UP.
SO, BUT THE, THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS WE GIVE 'EM 30 DAYS NO, TO GET OUT.
THAT WOULD BE, AND THEN THAT'S IT.
THAT WOULD BE MY INSTRUCTIONS, UNLESS SOMETHING ELSE BOUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
IS THAT WHAT, SO YOU WANNA THAT'S RIGHT BACK WHERE I'M COUNCILMAN AMARILLO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE COUNCILMAN BANKS? MAY I ASK HER A QUESTION? YES, YOU MAY.
SO ARE YOU LOOKING TO DO LIKE, WRITE UP A NEW AND AGREE A NEW CONTRACT? SO, YES.
SO AGAIN, THE MEETING THAT WE PLANNED FOR EIGHT O'CLOCK, ONE OR TWO DAYS AGO, THAT'S WHAT WE WERE, THAT'S WHAT WE AGREED.
THE PRESIDENT ACTUALLY SAID, WE WILL RECONVENE THURSDAY AFTER THE MEETING.
BUT HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT, WHEN I EXPLAINED WE NEED TO DO THIS, GET IT DONE, HE SAID, WE'LL MEET THURSDAY.
SO, BUT YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THEN, BUT THIS IS THE SAME THING.
WE ARE TERMINATING SO THAT WE COULD GET ON TO A, TO SEEING IF THERE'S SOMETHING WE COULD, UM, PUT TOGETHER IN 30 DAYS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST LIKE WHEN WE DO CONDEMNATIONS.
WELL THAT'S, THAT'S GONNA BE MY POINT.
SO, SO CAN WE DO, LIKE, WE DO COMBINATIONS, GIVE 'EM 30 DAYS.
YOU'VE GOT TO DO THIS MUCH WORK IN 90 DAYS, OR, YOU KNOW, GIVE THEM TIME CONSTRAINTS IN THAT NEW CONTRACT.
IF, IF YOU DIRECT ME TONIGHT TO SEND THE NOTICE, I'LL SEND THE NOTICE.
IF I'M DIRECTED THEREAFTER TO STOP IT, WE'LL STOP IT.
BUT WE CAN, BUT AS FAR AS THE WORK GETS DONE IN THE NEW
[02:50:01]
CONTRACT, THERE CAN BE TIMES JUST LIKE WE DO WITH CONDEMNATIONS, YOU KNOW SURE.WE GIVE PEOPLE 90 DAYS OR 30 DAYS OR WHATEVER TO CANCEL THE, THE REQUEST.
SO THAT'S WHY I'M MAKING A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE TONIGHT SO THAT WE COULD HAVE WORK, START WORKING IMMEDIATELY.
YEAH, SO I'M, I'M JUST THINKING ABOUT THE TIMELINE HERE.
WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE FOCUSING ON 30 DAYS, WOULD JUST REFERENCE IT TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WOULD 60 DAYS BE BETTER AS FAR AS DEFERRING THIS, INTRODUCE THE NEW CONTRACT, GO AHEAD AND WORK ON THE CONTRACT AND EVERYTHING.
INTRODUCE A NEW CONTRACT FOR INTRODUCTION IN 30 DAYS.
THAT WAY WHEN IT COMES BACK UP AT THE END OF THE 60 OR WHATEVER, THAT THE TIMING OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS IS.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS, IS FOR THIS ONE TO EXPIRE WHEN THE NEW ONE KICKS IN.
SO I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE TIMING HERE.
IF WE DEFER FOR 30 DAYS AND WE INTRODUCE A NEW CONTRACT AT THAT 30 DAYS, AND THIS ONE'S BACK UP ALSO, WE'RE NOT PREPARED.
WE'RE HAVING TO INTRODUCE, WE'RE NOT PREPARED TO KICK ONE IN AT THAT SAME TIME.
SO I WOULD JUST SAY I AGREE WITH WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.
LET'S, UH, LET'S JUST LOOK AT THE TIME AND EVERYTHING.
COUNCILMAN BRANDON NOEL, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT DISCUSSION? I JUST HAD, SO I THINK THE, THE ISSUE IS IF WE GET TO THE, IF, IF WE GET TO NEXT MEETING AND WE, WE ARE INTRODUCING AND IT'S NOT PASSED AT THAT POINT, WE HAVE THE OPTION TO DELETE THIS ITEM OR WE COULD DEFER IT AGAIN IF WE DO 60 DAYS THOUGH AND WE GET TO OUR NEXT MEETING 30 DAYS FROM NOW, AND NO, BUT WHAT, WHAT IF COMMUNICATION BREAKS DOWN AND THERE'S NO, UH, AGREEMENT ON A NEW CONTRACT AT THAT POINT, THEN I THINK WE WOULD WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TERMINATE AND WE WON'T HAVE THAT OPTION IF WE, IF WE DEFERRED IT FOR 60.
SO WE HAVE THE OPTION, IF WE DEFER IT TONIGHT FOR 30 DAYS AND 30 DAYS TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN, AND THEN THE, AND THEN WE HAVE THE FREEDOM, WE CAN DEFER IT AGAIN, WE CAN DELETE IT.
BUT I THINK IN AN EFFORT TO GET SOMETHING DONE IN 30 DAYS, WE NEED TO KEEP IT AT 30.
I THINK GOING TO 60, IT, IT DOESN'T ALLOW US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TERMINATION IN 30 DAYS IF NO SUBSTANTIVE COMMUNICATION HAS OCCURRED, RIGHT? YEAH.
I MEAN, I CAN, I CAN GO WITH THE, IF WE HAVE THE OPTION TO, I KNOW WE HAVE THE OPTION FOR THE EXTRA DEFERRAL TO KEEP THE CONTRACT IN PLACE UNTIL THE INTRODUCTION KICKS IN AND WE VOTE ON THE NEW CONTRACT IF THE HYPOTHETICAL CONTRACT COMES TO FRUITION.
SO, YEAH, I MEAN, WE CAN DO THAT.
LIKE I SAID, I JUST DIDN'T WANT ONE BEING INTRODUCED AS ONE WAS EXPIRING AND WE, WE KICK OUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A BLANK SPOT THERE THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE CONTRACT.
SO I, I'M READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
YOU KNOW, AS I SIT HERE, SCOTLANDVILLE ALUMNI, AND, AND LET ME TELL YOU THE REASON WHAT I ALWAYS ASK, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN AND WHAT'S YOUR TIMELINE? SO I'M GONNA ASK THE PRESIDENT TO COME UP AND TELL ME WHAT IS YOUR PLAN AND WHAT IS YOUR TIMELINE BECAUSE OF 10 YEARS HAVE PASSED.
AND IF YOU ALL ARE DIEHARD HORNETS, THEN MORE SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED BY NOW.
YOU GOT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR CLASS, YOU GOT A, A FIREMAN WHO DONE RETIRED IN YOUR CLASS, YOU GOT OTHER FOLK IF YOU ARE, AND THEN YOU NEED TO REACH OUT TO THE REST OF THE ALUMNI AND SEE THIS BUMPS UP TO ME IN 10 MM-HMM.
SO I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT I ALWAYS ASK WHAT'S YOUR PLAN AND WHAT'S YOUR TIMELINE? AND EVERYBODY IN HERE KNOWS IT TAKES MONEY TO DO WHATEVER.
SO IF YOU AIN'T GOT NO MONEY, YOU AIN'T GOT NO PLAN.
AND THAT'S JUST THE BOTTOM LINE TO THIS.
SO I'M GONNA YIELD TO YOU TO TELL US WHAT'S YOUR PLAN AND WHAT'S YOUR TIMELINE.
COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN? YES SIR.
YOU WERE MY TEACHER AT SCOTLANDVILLE.
I'M ASKING FOR ANY HELP GENERATING FUNDS HERE TONIGHT.
SECONDLY, I SENT A PRESENTATION TO EACH COUNCIL MEMBER SHOWING WHERE WE ARE PREPARED TO GO WITH THE SHQ.
WE HAVE A CAPITAL OUTLAY PROGRAM WE ARE PUTTING INTO PLAY.
WE ARE TRYING TO GET $750,000.
WE GOT A PHASE ONE, A PHASE TWO, AND A PHASE THREE.
WHAT WAS YOUR OTHER CONCERN? OKAY, SO
[02:55:01]
YOU JUST STARTED TIMELINE? YEAH, YOU'RE JUST STARTING, RIGHT? WELL, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, I TOOK PRESIDENT IN 21, SO I'M NOT GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANYTHING BEFORE 21.I'M NOT THROWING NOBODY UNDER THE BUS, I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT WE IN 24, LET'S JUST BE REAL MA'AM.
WE'RE, BUT LIKE I SAID, WE HAD THE PANDEMIC.
SO I MEAN, WE UP, WE ARE UNDERDOGS.
I'VE BEEN UNDERDOG ALL MY LIFE, BUT CHECK MY RECORD, I STAND FOR EXCELLENCE.
OKAY? IF I PUT MY NAME ON IT, IT IS GOING TO SECEDE.
OKAY? YOU CAN HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE HERE TONIGHT.
SO WHAT, ASKING FOR, I'M GONNA GET THIS PROJECT DONE.
WHAT I'M WILLING TO COUNCILWOMAN WITH COLEMAN, WHOEVER I NEED TO WORK WITH, COUNCILMAN COLEMAN DOES HAVE THE FLOOR.
AND THEN THAT'S THE OTHER THING.
AND I, I'M TELLING YOU, IF YOU DON'T WANT TRUTH, DON'T ASK ME NOTHING.
AND THAT'S FOR EVERYBODY OUT THERE.
SEE IN WHAT I SENSE THERE HAS NOT BEEN NO COLLABORATION, NO CONVERSATION, NO RESPECT BETWEEN YOU ALL AS FAR AS FOR HAVING DECENT CONVERSATION.
AND YOU DON'T GET ANYTHING MA'AM WITH THATAM, YOU GOT TO COME TO THE TABLE.
AND GET TO WHERE YOU TRYING MA'AM TO GET TO.
SO THAT'S MY RECOMMENDATION AT THIS TIME.
CAN I HAVE ONE FINAL THANK, THANK YOU, SIR.
UH, NOT IF COUNCILMAN COLEMAN HASN'T RECOGNIZED.
COUNCILMAN DUNN? YES, THANK YOU.
A FEW CLOSING POINTS I WANNA MAKE.
I DON'T WANT, UH, IT TO BE LOST.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT BRANDON SAID, AND I KNOW HE WAS SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT DISAGREEMENT, BUT, UH, I DON'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER, BUT IT WAS SOME 7, 8, 9 OF THESE FIRE STATIONS THAT WENT TO ORGANIZATIONS.
AND, UM, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE AGREEMENTS AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE SOME PARAMETERS IN PLACE IN THERE, TIMELINES, EXPECTATIONS, AND MOVING FORWARD.
WHAT I WOULD ASK OF US TO, UM, NOT SET THESE ORGANIZATIONS UP FOR FAILURE.
I REMEMBER WHEN ORGANIZATIONS WAS RUNNING AND SAYING, YEAH, I WANNA A FIRE STATION.
BUT TO COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN'S POINT, A PART OF TAKING ON THIS PROJECT IS ONE, HAVING A PLAN, HAVING THE FINANCES TO FUND THAT PLAN.
AND I THINK WE GOTTA DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE AND NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, TRANSFER THESE PROPERTIES OVER WITHOUT HELPING THEM EITHER PARTNER WITH SOMEBODY WHO HAS THE FINANCES, THE RESOURCES OR PLANNED, OR JUST HELPING THEM IDENTIFY SOMEBODY OR JUST ASSURING THAT THAT'S IN PLACE BEFORE WE JUST DUMP THIS ON THEM AND SAY, HEY, YOU GOTTA BUILD AND FIGURE IT OUT.
BECAUSE MANY OF THESE FOLKS, THE, THE, THEY'RE NOT ENGINEERS, THEY'RE NOT CONSTRUCTION FOLKS, THEY'RE NOT DEVELOPERS.
SO THEY MAY NOT, YOU KNOW, HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERTISE TO NAVIGATE THOSE WATERS.
SO I WOULD'VE ASKED THAT WE REVIEW THE PROCESS MOVING FORWARD AND MAKE SURE THE PARAMETERS ARE IN PLACE IN THE AGREEMENTS AND ALSO WE CAN HELP THEM.
WE HAVE ENGINEERS, CONSTRUCTION, FOLK DEVELOPMENT FOLKS THAT COME BEFORE US ALL THE TIME THAT WILL BE HAPPY TO PARTNER WITH THEM.
SOMEBODY MENTIONED CAPITAL OUTLAY.
YOU KNOW, CAPITAL OUTLAY DOLLARS ARE GIVEN OUT EVERY YEAR.
IT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN YOUR, YOUR SENATOR, YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES PLAN TO REQUEST THAT FROM THE STATE.
YOU KNOW, THE CITY COULD HAVE EVEN OFFERED SOME DOLLARS.
SO, SO WE GOTTA EXPLORE ALL OF THAT BEFORE WE JUST GIVE THESE, UH, PROPERTIES OVER TO ORGANIZATIONS.
THE OTHER THING I BRING UP IS, YOU KNOW, THE ALTERNATIVE, WE CAN GIVE THEM NOTICE, WE CAN ASK THEM TO VACATE.
AND THEN THE ALTERNATIVE IS WE HAVE A VACANT BUILDING AND NOBODY ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT.
SO WE GOTTA, WE GOTTA THINK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
AND I'M ALL FOR PUTTING MORE TEETH IN AGREEMENT.
I'M ALL FOR HOLDING 'EM ACCOUNTABLE.
WE ASKED THEM TO VACATE, THEN THERE'S A VACANT BUILDING, NOBODY DOING ANYTHING THERE AND NOBODY'S INVESTING IN IT.
SO I JUST WANTED TO OFFER THOSE THINGS UP AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DISCUSSION AND THE VOTE.
IT'S BEEN MOTIONED AND PLEASE HOLD YOUR UP LOSS.
IT'S BEEN MOTIONED AND PROPERLY SECONDED FOR, TO DEFER FOR 30 DAYS.
ANY OBJECTIONS? SEE SHOW COUNCILMAN BANKS IS OBJECTING.
ANY OTHER OBJECTIONS? SEEING NONE.
[113. 24-00789]
30 DAYS.WE'LL MOVE NOW TO ITEM ONE 13.
WE'RE GONNA JUMP OVER TO ITEM ONE 13 REAL QUICK.
AMENDING THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET TO SO AS TO REALLOCATE $2,557,000 FROM THE AMERICAN, UH, FROM THE PROCEEDS FROM THE LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES AS FOLLOWS, $1,040,000 FOR COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS AND INITIATIVES INCLUDING HOMELESSNESS.
800,000 IN ASSISTANCE TO OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.
400,000 FOR ECONOMIC BUSINESS INCENTIVES.
157,000 FOR ASSISTANCE WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES.
110,000 FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MAYFAIR
[03:00:01]
PARK GYM AND 50,000 FOR THE ARCH PROGRAM BY MAYOR, PRESIDENT.OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM ONE 13.
WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC SPEAKER CARD, MS. PENNY MAY LANDRY, MS. LANDRY, PENNY MAE LANDRY, DISTRICT 11.
AND I'D LIKE TO ASK THAT, UM, COUNCILMAN DUNN, PLEASE RESPECT ME WHILE I'M SPEAKING AND NOT LAUGH.
WE ALL NEED TO GET ALONG AND RESPECT, RESPECT EACH OTHER.
UM, SAY, YES MA'AM, I'M HOLDING SOME DOCUMENTS HERE.
UM, AND WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE IS MAYFAIR PARK GYM, UM, AND ARTS PROGRAMS, UH, FOR THE USE OF THIS $2.5 MILLION.
UM, THESE DOCUMENTS SHOW THAT BRECK HAS NOT FILED THEIR FINANCIALS WITH THE STATE SINCE 2021.
I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL ARE AWARE OF THAT.
THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO FILE 'EM ANNUALLY AND THEY HAVEN'T FILED 'EM SINCE 2021.
THEY'RE CURRENT IS AN $18 MILLION DEFICIT AT BRECK, 11 MILLION IN RECREATION, UM, ALMOST 2 MILLION IN GOLF, 3 MILLION AT THE ZOO.
AND THEY'RE HAVING A MEETING ON THE 25TH TO DISCUSS THE MILLAGES AND MOVING FORWARD.
SO PROUD OF TO INCREASE MORE MONEY COMING FROM THE PEOPLE LIKE ME, THAT EACH OF YOU REPRESENT $18 MILLION BRE DEFICIT AND HAVEN'T FILED THEIR FINANCIALS SINCE 2021.
NOW, I MENTIONED THIS TO A COUPLE OF METRO COUNCIL PEOPLE AND THEY SAID, OH, WELL WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH BRECK.
YOU DO BECAUSE YOU CAN HAVE OUR MAYOR MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THESE COUNCILS AND COMMISSIONS FOR BRE ARE MAKING THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
I'M UNSURE IF MAYFAIR PARK GYM COMES UNDER BRECK OR IF WHATEVER THIS ARTS PROGRAM IS, COMES UNDER BRECK.
HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DEFER THIS ITEM UNTIL YOU RESEARCH THE FACT THAT BRECK HAS NOT FILED THEIR FINANCIALS SINCE 2021.
THEY HAVE AN $18 MILLION DEFICIT.
AND IF ANY OF THIS $2.5 MILLION IS GOING TO BRECK, I ASK THAT YOU LOOK INTO IT AND RESPECT THAT YOUR TAX DOC, YOUR TAXPAYERS ARE HAVING TROUBLE MAKING ENDS MEET.
OKAY? SO PLEASE DEFER THIS ITEM UNTIL YOU DO A LITTLE MORE RESEARCH INTO BRACKET.
I MAKE SPEAK ON THE ITEM COUNCIL MEMBERS.
YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM ONE 13, SEEING NO OTHER SPEAKERS WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
COUNCILMAN BANKS MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
BEEN A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN BANKS.
SECONDED BY SECOND, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
SO LET'S JUST CLEAR SOME THINGS UP.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK I WAS ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT SAID, NO, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BRECK OR WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH BRECK AS MS. PENNY MAY JUST SO ELOQUENTLY QUOTED ME.
UM, BUT THIS MATTER THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT HERE AND THE $110,000 FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MAYFAIR PARK GYM IS IN MY DISTRICT.
AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR ALLOCATING THESE FUNDS TO THE MAYFAIR PARK GYM BECAUSE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THAT GYM IS THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE AN AIR CONDITIONER PLACED IN THE GYM.
AND THE RETIRED PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE MAYFAIR AREA THAT CURRENTLY HOST, UM, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN THAT GYM TO CHILDREN AFTER SCHOOL AND THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, WILL NOW HAVE AN AIR CONDITIONED FACILITY TO DO THAT IN.
AND THEIR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN DON'T GET BEHIND AND TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN AREN'T ON THE STREETS AND TO ACT IN A FORM OF A CRIME PREVENTION MANNER
[03:05:01]
AND TO FURTHER THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN THAT AREA.SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE THAT'S HELPED THIS COME TO FRUITION.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR DONATING THE $110,000 FROM THE ARPA FUNDS AND MOVING THOSE SO THAT MY DISTRICT CAN FURTHER FIGHT CRIME.
AND I'D LIKE TO THANK MR. DANTE BIDWELL WHO HELPED ME AND ASSISTED, UH, ME WITH GETTING THIS THING, THIS MOVING FORWARD AND GETTING IT DONE.
AND ON BEHALF OF THE MAYFAIR CRIME PREVENTION DISTRICT, I'D LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN MY COMMUNITY AND MY DISTRICT.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS THAT TAKE THEIR TIME OUT, THE TAX PAYING VOLUNTEERS, BY THE WAY, THAT TAKE THEIR TIME OUT OF THE DAY AND TO HOST THESE CHILDREN THAT DON'T HAVE PEOPLE THAT WOULD REGULARLY HOST THEM IN THE AFTERNOONS BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS ARE WORKING OR THEY'RE NOT THERE WHEN THEY GET OFF THE SCHOOL BUS.
SO THANK YOU TO ALL THE LEADERS AND THE FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT 12 THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE.
IT'S BEEN MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BANKS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
[102. 24-00754]
CARRIES WE'LL MOVE BACK NOW TO ITEM 1 0 2, AUTHORIZING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO REFUND AN ERRONEOUS REMITTANCE OF ACCRUED USE TAX TO GEORGIA PACIFIC CONSUMER OPERATIONS LLC AND THE AMOUNT OF 1 MILLION 97 97 IS THIS, UH, $1,097,459 AND 4 CENTS FOR THE ACCRUING USE TAX ON NON-TAXABLE ITEMS FOR THE AUDIT PERIOD OF DECEMBER.OF DECEMBER 1ST, 2017 THROUGH DECEMBER 1ST, 2020 BY FINANCE DIRECTOR OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 2.
SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE CHAIR.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
[103. 24-00753]
ITEM 1 0 3 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO AMEND THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TAX COMPLIANCE AND RECOVERY LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATING TO RECOVERY OF SALES AND USE TAXES BY FINANCE DIRECTOR WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 3.PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
UM, THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT WAS 50,000.
WAS THAT THE LOWEST BIDDER? AND IF IT WAS, WHAT DIFFERENCE IS CAUSING THE CONTRACT TO GO FROM 50,000 TO A HUNDRED THOUSAND? WHAT ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED? WE ALSO WANT TO EMPLOY PEOPLE IN EAST BATON ROUGE.
WE HAVE A FINANCE DEPARTMENT, AN ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT, A TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.
BETWEEN THOSE THREE ENTITIES, IT MIGHT BE A BETTER USE OF THESE FUNDS TO HIRE SOMEONE TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE AS PREFERRED TO A ONE-TIME OUTSIDE CONTRACT.
SO I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY I'M IN OPPOSITION TO THIS AS THE WAY IT READS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT INFORM THE TAXPAYER WHAT ADDITIONAL SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR A DOUBLING OF A CONTRACT.
AND THAT I'D ALSO LIKE THE METRO COUNCIL TO CONSIDER DEFERRING THIS ITEM TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMEONE WITHIN THE EXISTING ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE AND TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE THAT CAN DO THIS WORK OR THAT AN ADDITIONAL HIRE IS MET, MET MADE TO EMPLOY AN EAST BATON ROUGE CITIZEN.
ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 0 3? SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, MS. ANGIE, COULD YOU, UH, ENLIGHTEN US? YES.
SO THIS IS A CONTRACT THAT WE OUTSOURCE AUDITING SERVICES.
IT IS, THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT WAS 50,000.
AND THIS IS A CONTRACT THAT DOES A COMPREHENSIVE AUDIT.
SO WHEN THEY GO TO A TAXPAYER, THIS AUDIT FIRM IS ALSO DOING A STATE AUDIT, ANY OTHER PARISH AUDIT.
SO THAT FROM A TAXPAYER PROVIDES EFFICIENCIES.
THROUGH THIS CONTRACT, THEY HAVE, UH, RECAPTURED $2.3 MILLION IN SALES TAX AUDITS OVER THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT.
SO YOU, FOR THE A HUNDRED THOUSAND, YOU'RE GETTING A RATE OF, YOU KNOW, $2.3 MILLION RATE OF RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT OF 50,000 AT THAT POINT.
AND SO, SO
AS YOU KNOW, WITH SALARIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH BENEFITS.
[03:10:01]
ONE INDIVIDUAL IS PROBABLY A HUNDRED THOUSAND IN OUR STAFF THAT WOULD COST THE TAXPAYERS TO DO ONE AUDIT.AND IT WOULD BE A TAXPAYER WOULD ONLY BE AUDIT ON EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH WHERE THIS FIRM IS AUDITING CO COMPREHENSIVELY WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES AND OTHER TAXING JURISDICTIONS.
IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN MO? SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN? ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
[104. 24-00772]
ITEM 1 0 4 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER, ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES INC.FOR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF THE MUNI EXECUT TIME SOFTWARE PLATFORMS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $475,000 BY INFORMATION SERVICES.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 4.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SO MOVED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
[105. 24-00777]
ITEM 1 0 5.THERE IS A REQUEST FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO DELETE THIS ITEM AUTHORIZED IN THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH INFORMATICS IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000 TO FUND DATA ANALYTICS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT, SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON THE SAFE, HOPEFUL HEALTHY INITIATIVE BY MAYOR'S OFFICE.
OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 5.
SEE AND NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY THE CHAIR TO DELETE.
AND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROSO, ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
[106. 24-00774]
ITEM 1 0 6 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A RIGHT OF WAY AGREEMENT WITH ENERGY LOUISIANA, LLC FOR THE GRANTING OF A 0.264 ACRE EASEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE I 10 WIDENING PROJECT BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 6.SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN THE FLOOR TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ASO.
[107. 24-00776]
ITEM 1 0 7.AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC IMPACT FEES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT BURBANK AND PELICAN LAKES ASSOCIATED WITH THE BURBANK AT PELICAN LAKES PROJECT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $400,000 BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE.
DIRECTOR, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 7.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN GODDE.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
[108. 24-00731]
ITEM 1 0 8 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO AMEND THE CURRENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TRACE INFRARED ASPHALT RESTORATION LLC TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $50,000, BRINGING THE TOTAL CONTRACT TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 BY MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR.WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 8.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SO MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECONDED BY THE CHAIR IN THE OPPOSITION.
[109. 24-00778]
CARRIES ITEM 1 0 9.AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER ONE FOR EDU ED.
ED EDU WALK ASSOCIATES TO PERFORM ADDITIONAL LIGHTING DESIGN SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVE BEYOND CAPACITY.
PROJECT SCENIC HIGHWAY HARDING BOULEVARD TO SWAN AVE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $9,611 86 CENTS BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE.
DIRECTOR, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 0 9 SAYING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ADAMS TO APPROVE.
ANY OPPOSITION? ITEM 1 0 9, SEEING NONE.
[110. 24-00780]
CARRIES ITEM ONE 10.AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL THREE CONTRACT WITH GRESHAM SMITH TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTH SHERWOOD FOREST BOULEVARD.
MULTI-USE PATH I 12 TO OLD HAMMOND HIGHWAY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $29,877 36 CENTS BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM ONE 10.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL, COMMENT AND OPPOSITION TO ITEM ONE 10.
SEEING NO PUBLIC COMMENTS, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
COUNCILMAN ADAMS. MOTION TO APPROVE.
SO ANY OPPOSITION ITEM ONE 10.
SEEING NONE, THE ITEM CARRIES.
[111. 24-00791]
ITEM ONE 11, AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER SIX WITH GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL STORMWATER PIPE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT PROJECT AND AN AMOUNT OF $350,000 BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM ONE 11.
SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION APPROVED BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
[112. 24-00788]
ITEM ONE 12 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND OF DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES, EBRP HEAD START PROGRAM TO ACCEPT THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT INCREASED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OFFICE OF HEAD START IN THE AMOUNT OF $295,790 BY HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM ONE 12[03:15:01]
SAYING NONE.WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ADAMS TO APPROVE.
[114. 24-00796]
MOVE AHEAD TO ITEM ONE 14.PLEASE AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WITH THE EMS TRAINING SCHOOL DBA SCHOOL OF EMS NOT TO EXCEED 125,000 PER COHORT BY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM ONE 14.
SEEING NONE WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODES.
SECOND AND BY COUNCILMAN ADAMS IN THE OPPOSITION.
[115. 24-00797]
ITEM ONE 15, AMENDING THE 2024 ANNUAL OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO APPROPRIATE $1 MILLION FROM EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FUND FUND BALANCE UNASSIGNED TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF TEN FIRST RESPONDER UNITS.$730,000 AND FOUR MANNEQUINS FOR EMPLOYEE TRAINING.
$270,000 BY EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTOR WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM ONE 15.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY COUNCILMAN CAROLYN COLEMAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN AROSO.
[116. 24-00799]
ITEM ONE 16 AUTHORIZING THE BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TO PURCHASE A 2.31 ACRE TRACK LOCATED AT 1 1 4 3 0 PLANK ROAD FROM SAM WYNN FOR THE SUM OF $49,400 AND APPROPRIATING $51,180 FOR SAID PURPOSE BY BROWNSFIELD FIRE TREES.WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM ONE 16 SECOND AND NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN NOEL.
[Items 117-122]
WE'LL TAKE ITEMS ONE 17 THROUGH 1 22 TOGETHER PLEASE NOTE.WE'LL TAKE THOSE ITEMS. ONE 17 THROUGH 1 22 TOGETHER, UH, AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR PRESENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HABITAT FOR, FOR HUMANITY FOR THE TERM JUNE 1ST, 2024 TO JULY 31ST, 2025 FOR A TOTAL SUM NOT TO EXCEED $450,000 TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES BY MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ITEM ONE 18 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARIS OF EAST BATON ROUGE ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND EDR CONSTRUCTION FOR A TOTAL SUM NOT TO EXCEED $450,000 TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES UNDER THE LEAD HEALTHY HOME LED HEALTHY HOMES AND REHAB PROGRAM BY MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ITEM ONE 19 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN RESTORATION ENHANCEMENT CORPORATION U REC FOR A TOTAL SUM NOT TO EXCEED $450,000 BY MAYOR'S OFFICE.
ITEM ONE 20 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PENN CONSTRUCTION GROUP FOR A TOTAL SUM NOT TO EXCEED $450,000 BY MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ITEM 1 21 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION FOR A TOTAL SUM NOT TO EXCEED $450,000 BY MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ON BEHALF OF OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PATRIOT RESPONSE GROUP FOR A TOTAL SUM NOT TO EXCEED $450,000 BY MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
UH, WE DO HAVE, UH, ONE PERSON WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS. SO WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEMS 1 22 1 17 THROUGH 1 22 AND RECOGNIZE MS. PENNY LANDRY.
PENNY MAY LANDRY, UH, IN OPPOSITION TO ITEMS, UH, 17 THROUGH 22.
UM, I I'M UNSURE WHAT LEAD HEALTHY HOMES REHAB PROGRAM IS, IF THAT'S A STATE PROGRAM, A LATE LOCAL PROGRAM, A NATIONAL PROGRAM BECAUSE, UH, AS IN MOST AGENDA ITEMS, IT, IT LEAVES A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
UM, THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT THE CONTRACT AMOUNT IS THE SAME.
SO IF YOU DO 450,000 TIMES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, UM, YOU KNOW, ONCE AGAIN, YOU KNOW, 450,000 HERE, 450,000 THERE PRETTY SOON IT'S BIG MONEY.
MY QUESTION IS THESE CONTRACTS ARE BEING AUTHORIZED FOR ENTITIES CALLED, UM, EDR CONSTRUCTION.
UM, LET'S SEE WHAT THE OTHER ONE IS.
URBAN RESTORATION ENHANCEMENT CORPORATION, PENN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION
[03:20:02]
AND PATRIOT RESPONSE GROUP.ARE THESE COMPANIES, THESE ENTITIES THAT ARE RECEIVING ALMOST A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS, ARE THEY BEING VETTED BY UM, EASTBOUND ROUGE PARISH TO DETERMINE IF THEY CAN ACTUALLY UH, COMPLETE THIS WORK? UH, WHAT, UM, YOU KNOW, WHO OWNS THEM? DO THEY HAVE THE CORRECT INSURANCE? I MEAN, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO LOOK UP WHO THESE ARE.
SOME, IT'S A LITTLE EASIER TO FIGURE OUT THAT THEY MAY BE, YOU KNOW, LEGIT COMPANIES, BUT I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT BEFORE WE GO DOLING OUT 450,000 HERE AND THERE THAT I KNOW WE HAVE PROGRAMS WHERE, UH, COMPANIES CAN APPLY TO DO BUSINESS WITH EAST BATON ROUGE AND AS A PART OF THAT, IT'S PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
THEY'RE VETTED AND, YOU KNOW, LOOKED INTO AND, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE LEGIT.
AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THESE COMPANIES THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYWHERE BEFORE, THAT THAT PROCESS HAS BEEN FOLLOWED AND THAT THEY ARE ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTOR'S LIST FOR EAST BATON ROUGE.
AND IF THEY ARE NOT, THEN I ASK YOU TO DEFER THESE ITEMS UNTIL YOU CAN PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH THAT ASSURANCE.
ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS ONE 17 THROUGH 1 22 COUNCIL MEMBERS? YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL, COMMENT AND OPPOSITION TO EACH OF THE ITEMS. ONE 17 THROUGH 1 22.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS ONE 17 THROUGH 1 22 BY THE CHAIR AND WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCILMAN ROSO.
I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYBODY FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THAT WOULD RESPOND TO HER QUESTIONS.
UM, SO, UH, AT THE LATER PART OF LAST YEAR, WE ACTUALLY HAD A, A PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL LETTING YOU ALL KNOW ABOUT OUR OPPORTUNITY FOR, UH, REHAB VENDORS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO QUALIFY TO BE A PART OF THIS NEW STRATEGY.
RIGHT NOW WHAT WE DO IS WE, EVERY SINGLE TIME WE GO AND INSPECT A HOME, WE PUT TOGETHER A SCOPE.
WE BRING THAT SCOPE TO YOU ALL.
WE PASS IT, WE BRING IT TO GRANT REVIEW, WE PASS IT THERE, WE TAKE IT IN UNI REQUISITIONS.
IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO HELP PEOPLE.
SOMETHING THAT WE LEARNED OR SOMETHING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT HAS REALLY BEEN, UH, DOING AND SPEARHEADING WITH, UH, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS IS THEY'LL TAKE A BATCH CONTRACT, UH, AND THEY'LL DO AN UP TO AMOUNT AND THEN THEY'LL ISSUE WORK ORDERS AS WORK BECOMES AVAILABLE.
AND THE SECOND WE INSPECT IT AND THE SECOND WE GET AN APPROVED SCOPE OF WORK, WE'RE ABLE TO SEND THAT OUT AND GET THAT PERSON HELP VERY QUICKLY.
SO THAT'S THE CONCEPT BEHIND THIS.
SO THIS IS NOT A $450,000 CHECK WE WRITE, UH, BUT WHAT IT IS IS, UH, WE'RE SAYING THAT WE CAN UP TO THIS AMOUNT ISSUE WORK ORDERS WITH UM, INDEPENDENT COST ESTIMATES AND THEN WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY INSPECTOR.
I SHOULD BE TAKING THAT CONTRACT TO YOU.
IT WAS INTRODUCED TODAY, A THIRD PARTY INSPECTOR TO GO AND INSPECT THE WORK BEFORE WE'LL ISSUE ANY PAYMENT TO ANY OF THESE VENDORS WITHIN THAT SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE, FOR THE AGREED UPON PRICE.
AND THE AGREEMENT IS, UH, THE MAX WE'LL SPEND ON THE THREE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. UH, SO WE HAVE A LEAD GRANT, UH, A HEALTHY HOMES GRANT, AND A-C-D-B-G REHAB GRANT.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT'S FUNDING ALL OF THIS WORK.
ITS BEEN MOTION AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
ITEM ONE SEVEN ITEMS ONE 17 THROUGH 1 22 CARRIED.
[Items 123-140]
MOVE NOW TO ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES AND TAKE ITEMS 1 23 THROUGH ONE 40 TOGETHER.ITEM 1 23 LOT SIX A SQUARE 16 SUBDIVISION DU PLACE METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER JOHNNY JENKINS $2,400.
ITEM 1 24 LOT FIVE PLUS SUBDIVISION BLOOM, PHILLIPS AND KEENER METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER GOER HOLDINGS.
ITEM 1 25 LOT SEVEN SQUARE SIX SUBDIVISION BLUE AND PHILLIPS AND KEENER METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER GOER HOLDINGS.
ITEM 1 26 1 SQUARE THREE SUBDIVISION GEORGETOWN METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE HIGH BIDDER NEGOTIATE HOLDINGS.
ITEM 1 27 LOT 43 SQUARE SEVEN.
SUBDIVISION BANKS METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER PHARAOH JOHNSON.
THE THIRD $33,100 ITEM 1 28 LOT FOUR FIVE AND SIX SQUARE 30 SUBDIVISION BANKS METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN WILSON $8,700.
ITEM 1 29 LOT FOUR SQUARE FOUR SUBDIVISION FAIRFIELD METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE HIGH BIDDER FREDDIE MATTHEWS.
$9,000 ITEM ONE 30 LOT FIVE SQUARE FOUR SUBDIVISION FAIRFIELDS METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE HIGH BIDDER
[03:25:01]
FREDDIE MATTHEWS.$8,000 I ITEM 1 31 LOT THREE SQUARE 14 SUBDIVISION RICHMOND PARK METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE HIGH BIDDER ADRIANA WIN WINDBUSH $100.
ITEM 1 32 LOT ONE SQUARE 14 SUBDIVISION RICHMOND PARK METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE HIGH BIDDER ADRIANA WIND BRUSH $100 ITEM 1 33 LOT EIGHT A SQUARE 39 SUBDIVISION BANKS METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER KEITH AND KEITH INVESTMENTS LLC $3,000 ITEM 1 34 LOT ONE AND TWO SQUARE 21 SUBDIVISION EAST FAIRFIELDS METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE HIGH BIDDER UPPER ECHELON $500.
ITEM 1 35 LOT NINE AND 10 SQUARE 21 SUBDIVISION EAST FAIRFIELDS METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN COLE HIGH BIDDER KEITH AND KEITH INVESTMENTS LLC $10,100.
ITEM 1 36 LOT 100 SUBDIVISION BROOKSTOWN PLACE METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE HEARST HIGH BIDDER PHARAOH JOHNSON.
THE THIRD $10,100 ITEM 1 37 LOT A THREE SUBDIVISION CREST WORTH METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS HIGH BIDDER.
ITEM 1 38 LOT D SUBDIVISION, HATTIE WOLF TRACK METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE NOEL HIGH BIDDER MECCA PROPERTIES $41,000.
ITEM 1 39 LOT TWO SQUARE 89 SUBDIVISION SORT EDITION METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER CHRISTOPHER EMERY.
$100 ITEM ONE 40 LOT 28 SUBDIVISION WORKPLACE METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER KEITH AND KEITH INVESTMENTS.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEMS 1 23 THROUGH ONE 40.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO COME AND SPEAK SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'D LIKE TO ASK THAT 1 28, 1 33 AND ONE 40.
I'VE NOT HEARD FROM THEM SO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO, DELETE OR WHATEVER.
ALRIGHT COUNCILWOMAN, DO YOU WANT TO DELETE OR DEFER THOSE SO THEY CAN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY? SEE YOUR PRE, YOUR PREFERENCE.
WHEN THEY COME TO YOU, WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM? WE TELL EVERYONE IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 TO CONTACT YOU.
AND YOU TOLD THEM THAT RIGHT? WE DO.
THE ONLY REASON I'M ASKING IS IF IT'S, IF IT'S DELETED, WE DELETE THE FILES.
IF YOU WANT TO GIVE 'EM ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO CONTACT YOU, YOU CAN.
SO WHAT ARE YOU RECOMMENDING TO ME FOR THOSE PARTICULAR ONES? I WOULD SUGGEST DEFERRAL AND GIVE 'EM AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT TO YOU AGAIN.
IF THEY DON'T, THEN I CERTAINLY HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE DELETION.
I'M GONNA ACCEPT WHAT YOU RECOMMEND AND I'M GONNA RECOMMEND THAT YOU REITERATE TO THEM WE DO IN WRITING TOO, THAT THEY WILL NOT GET ANY MORE SECOND CHANCES.
ALRIGHT, MOTION FROM THE KINDER GENTLER CAROLYN COLEMAN TO APPROVE ITEMS 1 23 THROUGH ONE 40 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS 1 28, 1 33 AND ONE 40.
ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE, THE ITEM CARRIES.
WE'LL MOVE NOW TO ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.
ITEM A AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT OR HER DE DESIGNEE TO APPLY FOR AN AUTHORIZED RECORDING OF THREE GRANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,025,585 $4,013,493 AND $7,212,606 TOTALING $13,251,000 $251,684 UPON RECEIPT OF AWARD NOTIFICATION, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE AND TO RECORD THE FUNDS.
2,309,000 FOR $548 RECEIVED FROM DOTD ASLA RELATED TO THE PLANK NICHOLSON BUS RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR FOR BUS RAPID TRANSIT.
THE REASON FOR THIS ITEM BEING REQUESTED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER IS FOR BUS RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM A.
WILL YOU GO AHEAD AND READ B? ALRIGHT, WE'LL READ IN B WHAT ITEM ADMINISTRATIVE WE'RE ON ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.
WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM B AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT, AND OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO SUBMIT AND EXECUTE A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION FAA AND THE STATE OF LOUISIANA OFFICE OF AVIATION FOR THE TERMINAL HVAC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,240,236 AND AN AUTHORIZATION
[03:30:01]
TO ACCEPT AND EXECUTE THE GRANT AGREEMENT BY AVIATION DIRECTOR.THE REASON THIS ITEM IS BEING REQUESTED AS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER INITIAL DEADLINE FOR AGENDA PASSED.
ALRIGHT, MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES TO ALLOW THIS, THE ITEMS TO BE INTRODUCED.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
ANY OPPOSITION? I HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES MAY APPROACH THE MICROPHONE AT THIS TIME SEEING NONE WILL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
WILL NEED A MOTION TO UH, WE'LL NOW NEED A MOTION TO INTRODUCE THE ITEMS. SO IT'S SO MOVED BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN, SECONDED BY THE CHAIR.
SEEING NONE, THOSE ITEMS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.
ALRIGHT, WE'LL MOVE NOW TO EMERGENCY MATTERS.
EMERGENCY ITEM ITEM C, ACCEPTANCE OF LOW BID SALES TAX AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM.
PROJECT 19 DASH FIVE FOSTER DRIVE, BARBARA BROTHERS CONTRACTING COMPANY LLC $3,966,287 BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR, WHY REQUIRED BIDS RECEIVED THIS WEEK? DIRECTOR'S REQUEST FOR WORK TO BEGIN, WE'LL HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
SO MOVED BY COUNCILMAN DUNN, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN AMAR PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES MAY APPROACH THE MICROPHONE AT THIS TIME SEEING AND NONE, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND VOTE ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
ANY OBJECTIONS? SEEING AND NONE WE WILL CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK, SEEING, AND NONE WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AND THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM THE CHAIR.
SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN COLEMAN.
[141. 24-00892]
WE'LL MOVE NOW TO APPOINTMENTS.ITEM 1 41, BOARD OF APPEALS CONCURRING IN THE MAYOR'S PRESIDENT'S RECOMMENDATION TO REAPPOINT JOSEPH ARWAN.
THE APPOINTMENT IS A FOUR YEAR TERM CURRENT BALLOT.
REQUEST TO REAPPOINTMENT OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM ONE FOUR.
CAN I TAKE ALL THESE TOGETHER OR, UH, YOU CAN TAKE 1 41 AND 1 42 TOGETHER.
OKAY, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 41.
SEEING NONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
UH, IS THERE A MOTION FOR MR. WAN FROM COUNCILMAN GODDE? SECONDED BY THE CHAIR.
ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE, THE ITEM CARRIES.
COUNCIL MEMBER ROSA, DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION? WHAT COURT OF APPEAL APPEAR? ITEM
[142. 24-00893]
1 42 BOARD OF APPEALS CONCURRING IN THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT'S RECOMMEND RECOMMENDATION TO REAPPOINT NEIL MILLER.THIS APPOINTMENT IS A FOUR YEAR TERM.
CURRENT BALLOT IS NEIL MILLER, MAYOR, PRESIDENT REQUESTED REAPPOINTMENT OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 42.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPOINT NEIL MILLER BY COUNCILMAN GOODDAY.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
[143. 24-00894]
CARRIES ITEM 1 43, CAPITAL AREA FINANCE AUTHORITY CONCURRING IN THE MAYOR PRESIDENT'S RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE SHERRY AUSBERRY CURRENT BALLOT.MAYOR, PRESIDENT REQUESTED APPOINTMENT WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 43.
SEE AND NONE WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE, MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPOINT MR. GAMBINO FROM COUNCILMAN NOEL.
[144. 24-00895]
CARRIES ITEM 1 44 HOUSING AUTHORITY OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING AL B BARON.THIS APPOINTMENT IS A FI UH, BARONE BARONE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THIS APPOINTMENT IS A FIVE YEAR TERM.
B BARONE REQUESTED REAPPOINTMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 44.
SO SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THERE'S A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN COLEMAN SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN BANKS.
ANY OPPOSITION TO MR. BARONE? I GOT IT RIGHT THAT TIME.
UH, SEEING NONE MR. BARONE IS IMPORTANT.
[145. 24-00896]
ITEM 1 45.MUNICIPAL FIRE AND POLICE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD.
CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING WILL BILL JOHANSEN WHO RESIGNED.
UH, WHO HAS RESIGNED CURRENT BALLOT.
JOSHUA RANDALL NEWVILLE REQUESTED APPOINTMENT.
CHRISTOPHER ARD REQUESTED APPOINTMENT.
OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 45.
ARE THERE ANY CANDIDATES HERE WHO WISH TO SPEAK? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK? NO.
WE'LL JUST RECOGNIZE THAT MR. ARD IS HERE AND THANK YOU FOR ATTENDANCE SIR.
ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK, SEEING AND NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL
[03:35:01]
MEMBERS.DO WE HAVE ANY MOTIONS? WE'RE ON THE BALLOT SEEING AND NONE.
WILL YOU HAVE A MOTION? COUNCILMAN ROCK MOTION TO APPOINT MR. NEWVILLE FROM COUNCILMAN ROA.
COUNCILMAN MOTION TO APPOINT MR. CHAR.
ALRIGHT, SO WE'LL JUST RUN THE BALLOT IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT WITH Y'ALL.
WE WILL, MY BALLOT MY THING TO VOTE AND TALK.
YOU CAN, UM, IF YOUR MACHINE IS NOT, IF YOUR MACHINE IS NOT UP, UM, YOU CAN LET ME KNOW HOW YOU'D LIKE FOR ME TO VOTE FOR YOU.
WE ARE GONNA START WITH MR. JOSHUA NEWVILLE.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO VOTE FOR JOSHUA NEWVILLE, PLEASE VOTE YES.
IF YOU DO NOT, YOU DON'T NEED TO VOTE AT ALL.
ASHLEY COUNCILMAN COLE SAID HIS MACHINE I WORK IN JUST VOTE FOR
MR. NEWVILLE MACHINES ARE NOW GONNA BE OPEN FOR MR. CHAR VOTE.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO VOTE FOR MR. CHAR, YOU'RE NOT HAVE TO VOTE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO DEFER THE ITEM? YES.
MOTION TO DEFER FROM COUNCILMAN ROA.
UH, ANY OPPOSITION? DEFER TILL NEXT MEETING.
MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS FROM COUNCILWOMAN ROCA.
ITEM 1 45 HAS BEEN DEFERRED FOR TWO WEEKS.
[146. 24-00897]
ITEM 1 46.THERE IS A MOTION TO DEFER THIS ITEM FOR TWO WEEKS.
UM, ITEM 1 46, VISIT BATON ROUGE CONSIDERING CONSIDERATION OF THE RE REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING CLAUDE RENO.
REQUEST A REAPPOINTMENT OPEN FROM THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 46.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING MOTION FROM THE CHAIR TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
WHO, WHO REQUESTED IT TO DEFER ME? UM, THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE AUGUST 14TH AGENDA AND I MISTAKENLY PUT IT ON THIS AGENDA.
UM, IS THAT A SECOND? COUNCILMAN GODDE? A HUNDRED PERCENT.
[Items 147-152]
WE'LL TAKE ITEMS 1 47 THROUGH 1 52 TOGETHER.UH, I'M SORRY, THIS IS CHANGE ORDERS.
UH, ITEM 1 47 BATON ROUGE AIRPORT EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT CONTRACTOR DUB JOHNSON PAVING CONTRACTOR INC.
CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $91,369 65 CENTS.
CONTRACT INCREASED BY ZERO DAYS.
ITEM 1 48 NW AVIATION TAXIWAY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT CONTRACTOR HENDRICK CONSTRUCTION CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $61,150 $150 37 CENTS.
CONTRACT TIME INCREASED BY ZERO DAYS.
EBRP FIRST RESPONDER, SAFE ROOM TRAINING CENTER.
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR MITE CONSTRUCTION.
ITEM ONE 50 SOUTH CHOCTAW DRIVE.
F FLANNERY ROAD TO CENTRAL THREE-WAY CONTRACTOR, RJ DAIGLE AND SONS CONTRACTOR INC.
CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $99,012 11 CENTS.
ITEM 1 51 TERRACE STREET DRAINAGE PUMPING STATIONS.
RENOVATIONS CONTRACTOR WHARTON SMITH INC.
CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $256,739 84 CENTS.
ITEM 1 52 EVANGELINE STREET, WEST AREA 88.
TRANSITION PROJECT CONTRACTOR, GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INCORPORATED.
CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT CREDIT OF 1,666 $1,606 69 CENTS.
I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEMS 1 47 TO 1 52.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE CHAIR.
ITEMS 1 47 THROUGH 1 52 ARE APPROVED.
[Items 153-155]
ACCEPTANCES WE'LL TAKE ITEMS. 1 53 THROUGH 1 55 TOGETHER.UH, BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT, EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT.
BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT, EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT CONTRACTOR DUB JOHNSON PAVING CONTRACTOR, INC.
ITEM 1 54 EBRP FIRST RESPONDER, SAFE ROOM TRAINING CENTER, CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR DU MIKE CONSTRUCTION, LLC.
ITEM 1 55 EVANGELINE STREET, WEST AREA 80 DA TRANSITION PROJECT CONTRACTOR, GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.
FINAL COST $397,505 51 CENTS I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEMS 1 53 THROUGH 1 55.
[03:40:01]
THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN DUNN.
SECOND AND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS ANY OPPOSITION SEEING AND NONE.
ITEMS 1 53 THROUGH 1 55, UH, ARE
[Items 156-160]
APPROVED.WE'LL MOVE NOW TO ACCEPTANCE OF LOW BIDS.
WE'LL TAKE ITEMS 1 56 THROUGH ONE 60 TOGETHER.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEMS 1 57 HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO BE REMOVED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
ITEM 1 56 MCQ ROAD IMPROVEMENTS NORTH PHASE A BAR, BARRY AIR CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC $1,988,109 70 CENTS.
ITEM 1 57 PARISH WIDE TRAFFIC, CALMING IMPROVEMENTS, PROJECT TRAFFIC COMMANDER LLC $255,500.
ITEM 1 58 WEST MCKINLEY STREET, ASHER STREET, AREA 88 TRANSITION PROJECT, GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY $361,258.
UH, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEMS. UH, ITEM 1 59 SOUTH BOULEVARD 80 A TRANSITION PROJECT.
GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, $252,606 20 CENTS.
PLAN ROAD, NICHOLSON, UM, I'M SORRY, ITEM ONE 60 PLANK PLANK NICHOLSON BUS, RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT, HARD ROCK CONSTRUCTION, LLC $46,462 46 MILLION 4 62 DO
MS. LANDRY, COME UP AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD PLEASE, MA'AM.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO STATE THAT I AM IN OPPOSITION TO A $40 MILLION PLANK NICHOLSON BUS RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT.
ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO SPEAK? COUNCIL MEMBERS? YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL, COMMENT AND OPPOSITION TO ITEM ONE 60.
SEEING NO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO SPEAK, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THERE IS A MOTION FROM THE CHAIR TO APPROVE ITEMS 1 56 THROUGH ONE 60 AND TO DELETE ITEMS ONE ITEM 1 57.
ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE, THOSE ITEMS CARRIED
[161. 24-00560]
OTHER ITEMS. ITEM 1 61.THERE'S A REQUEST TO DEFER THIS ITEM TO 8 28.
RECEIVING A REPORT ON BREX 2024 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK, STRATEGIC PLAN AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM BRECK SUPERINTENDENT CORY WILSON BY COUNCILWOMAN SHAUNA BANKS.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 61.
SEEING NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE TO COUNCIL COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN BANKS TO DEFER FOR 30 DAYS.
ITEM 1 61 HAS BEEN DEFERRED FOR 30 DAYS.
[Items 163-165]
UM, COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE'RE GONNA MOVE FORWARD ON ITEMS 1 63 THROUGH 1 65.THERE HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO DEFER ALL OF THESE ITEMS FOR TWO WEEKS, SO I'M GONNA READ THESE IN.
RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH ASSESSOR BRIAN WILSON ON MELROSE EAST CRIME PREVENTION DISTRICT BOARD REGARDING THE RECENT PARCEL FEE CHANGE AND OR REDUCTION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE PROCESS FOLLOWED FOR THE PARCEL FEE REDUCTION, AS WELL AS THE PROCESS FOR DISTRIBUTING NOTICES TO FEE PAYERS WITHOUT ACTION TAKEN BY THE METRO COUNCIL.
AND THE STEPS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN, IF ANY.
TO REMEDY THE ISSUE BY COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 63.
AGAIN, REQUEST TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
SEE AND NONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOVE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS MOTION BY THE CHAIR TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
ITEM 1 63 IS DEFERRED FOR TWO WEEKS.
ITEM 1 64, RECEIVING A REPORT FROM THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH ATTORNEY GREG ROME AND COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR ASHLEY BECK ON THEIR FINDINGS AND OUR COMMUNICATION WITH EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH ASSESSOR BRIAN WILSON AND THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE REGARDING THE MELROSE EAST CRIME PREVENTION DISTRICT AND THE RECENT PARCEL FEE CHANGE AND OR REDUCTION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE PROCESS FOR REDUCTION OF THE PARCEL FEE AND THE PROCESS FOR DISTRIBUTING REDUCED NOTICES, FEE PAYERS WITHOUT ACTION.
TAKEN BY THE METRO COUNCIL BY COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN.
UH, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 64 SAYING NONE.
WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING MOTION BY THE CHAIR TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
SECOND BY COUNCILMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? SEEING NONE.
ITEM 1 64 HAS BEEN DEFERRED FOR TWO WEEKS.
WE GOOD ON NUMBERS? UH, ITEM 1 65.
DISCUSSION OF ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY AND THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH INCLUSIVE OF PURPOSE, SCOPE, OR HOPE PROHIBITIONS.
REPORTING INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION BY COUNCILWOMAN SHAUNA BANKS.
OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 65.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS? WELL, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SEEING NO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO SPEAK COUNCILWOMAN BANKS MAKES A MOTION TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.
[03:45:01]
ITEM 1 65 IS DEFERRED FOR TWO WEEKS.[162. 24-00244]
COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL MOVE BACK TO ITEM 1 62, RECEIVING A SECOND RECORDER 2024 REPORT FROM EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT BY COUNCILMAN ROWDY GO DAY.WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM.
WE'LL RECEIVE THE REPORT FIRST AND THEN WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME AND SPEAK IN FRONT OF Y'ALL ONCE AGAIN.
UH, UH, SO JUST TO LET Y'ALL KNOW, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS, UH, A LOT OF, UM, ISSUES THAT CAME FORWARD WITH THE WHOLE CROWDSTRIKE, UH, SOFTWARE GLITCH THAT, THAT SHUT DOWN A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INCLUDING SOME 9 1 1 SYSTEMS ACROSS THE NINE, UH, ACROSS THE NATION.
THANK GOODNESS WE DID NOT USE CROWDSTRIKE.
SO WE WERE NOT AFFECTED WHATSOEVER WITH, UH, WITH THAT IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
SO WE HAVE MOVED FORWARD WITH THE NORTH, UH, DISPATCH TOWER, UH, WHICH IS GONNA BE JUST OUTSIDE OF ZACHARY.
WE HAVE ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT WITH MOTOROLA TO, UH, CONSTRUCT THE TOWER AND TO PROVIDE, UH, THE EQUIPMENT ON THE TOWER.
UM, AND THEN AS FAR AS THE, UH, THE BUCK GOES, OUR BACKUP CENTER, UH, WE'VE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE'VE BEEN HOSTING SOME TRAINING, UH, IN A TRAINING ROOM THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED IN THERE.
WE DO HAVE A BUNCH OF POSITIONS THAT ARE STARTING TO COME ONLINE.
SO WE WOULD BE PREPARED JUST IN CASE WE HAD, UH, ANY TYPE OF NEED FOR THE BACKUP CENTER ITSELF.
SO IF Y'ALL HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR ME, UH, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 1 62.
SEEING NO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO SPEAK, WE'LL OPEN THE FLOOR FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
COUNCILMAN GODDE, ANY COMMUNICATION NEEDS THAT YOU ALL HAVE AS FAR AS FROM THIS ENTITY? ANYTHING YOU FORESEE COMING THROUGH US? ANY NEEDS YOU HAVE FROM THIS BODY? BUDGET WISE? MOTION? UH, NOT AT THIS TIME.
NEXT TIME, UH, NEXT QUARTERLY REPORT.
I'LL TRY TO GET YOU MOVED UP TO THE FIRST REPORT INSTEAD OF THE LAST ONE.
I KNOW YOU ENJOY OUR MEETINGS THOUGH.
COUNCILMAN HURST WILL ALSO HAVE A CERTIFICATE FOR YOU.
ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE ADJOURN.
ANY OPPOSITION ON SEEING NONE? WE ARE ADJOURNED.