[00:00:01]
WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE YOU TUNED IN, WHETHER YOU'RE WATCHING ON COX, ON AT T, ON FACEBOOK LIVE, YOUTUBE, OR IF YOU HAVE JOINED US, AS WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND YOU TO DO@BLA.GOV.
AND WE ALSO ARCHIVE OUR MEETINGS.
AND ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL, IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU AS PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT.
AND AT THIS TIME, HERE IS THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF EACH BATON ROUGE PARISH.
[CALL TO ORDER]
UH, CALL THE MEETING.I ORDER THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING, UH, THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2024.
UM, ASHLEY, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM? WE HAVE A QUORUM.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE, UH, THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS, UH, COMMEMORATING SEPTEMBER 11TH, UM, FROM THE, UH, BATON ROUGE AND ST.
GEORGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, COLOR GUARDS.
WE'LL, UH, HAVE AN INVOCATION BY PASTOR RUSS CRIPPS OF ACACIA CHURCH, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE FROM TUCKER GILL.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AFTER THE INVOCATION AND COMMEMORATION FOR SEPTEMBER 11TH.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR, UM, THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE KEPT US SAFE AND YOU CONTINUE TO KEEP US SAFE AND HEAVENLY.
FATHER, I JUST ASK THAT YOU WOULD, UM, THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THIS MEETING TONIGHT.
UM, THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS ARE SERVANTS.
AND BEING A SERVANT IS NOT ONE OF THE HIGHEST CALLINGS OF ALL OF HUMANITY.
JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM, LORD, UH, HAS SOME SENSE OF COMPASSION FOR A GREATER GOOD, AND THEY HAVE INFLUENCE, UH, FOR THAT GREATER GOOD.
AND LORD, I JUST PRAY THAT YOU WOULD, UH, GUIDE OUR WORDS TONIGHT, THAT YOU WOULD GUIDE OUR MOTIVES TONIGHT, THAT YOU WOULD JUST GIVE US WISDOM AS THE BOOK OF JAMES SAYS THAT IF WE LACK WISDOM, WE CAN ASK FOR IT AND YOU'LL GIVE IT.
AND LORD, I JUST PRAY FOR THAT TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW.
AND LORD, SO MUCH OF YOUR WORD, YOU INVITE US INTO THINGS TONIGHT, WE'RE INVITING YOU INTO, INTO THIS MEETING.
SO WOULD YOU, WOULD YOU LEAD? WOULD YOU GUIDE? WOULD YOU BLESS? IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY.
SO THIS IS MY NEPHEW, TUCKER GILL.
UH, TUCKER IS LEARNING A SL AT SCHOOL.
AND SO, UH, HE'S GONNA DO HIS BEST TO SIGN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WITH US.
AND, UH, SO TUCKER, TAKE IT AWAY.
FLAG OF THE UNITED OF AMERICA, UNITED TO THE REPUBLIC, WHICH IT STANDS.
IT SAYS ONE NATION, INDIVISIBLE, INDIVISIBLE, LIBERTY AND LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.
[00:05:02]
THANK YOU GENTLEMEN.[ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
OKAY.WE'LL HAVE, UH, APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 28TH, 2024 BY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR, TREASURER.
WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN HUT AND SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION
[INTRODUCTIONS]
TO APPROVE? ASHLEY, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE INTRODUCTIONS SECTION 2.12 INTRODUCTIONS NUMBER TWO, THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL SITTING AS THE BOARD OF REVIEW ON PARISH ASSESSMENTS BY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR TREASURER.NUMBER THREE, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT A GRANT AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,758 TO ENHANCE COLLABORATIVE PLANNING FOR MASS DISPENSING RESPONSE.
IN COORDINATION WITH THE LOUISIANA OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH BUREAU OF COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS FOR STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE CITY'S READINESS INITIATIVE BY HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DIRECTOR NUMBER FOUR, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO AMEND THE, THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH LIVE AFTER FIVE INC.
FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE FALL OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES FROM $75,000 TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $82,500 BY MAYOR PRESIDENT.
NUMBER FIVE, TO URGE AND REQUEST THE CITY PARISH GOVERNMENT OF EAST BATON ROUGE TO NAME A PORTION OF THE BUILDING OR A ROOM AT THE CHARLES R. KELLY COMMUNITY CENTER, LOCATED AT 35 35 RILEY STREET.
FIELDS BY COUNCILMAN DARRYL HURST,
[CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS]
CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS NUMBER SIX, GREGORY DANELLE WILLIAMS, ET AL.COUNCIL DISTRICT, I'M SORRY, COUNT, UH, AVENUE J COUNCIL, DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER SEVEN, KATIE EVANS.
9 9 4 5 AVENUE B COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER EIGHT, FRANKLIN WILSON AND ADRIANA MOORE WILSON.
1 5 8 8 SWAN AVENUE AND 1 5 9 0 SWAN AVENUE COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER NINE, FRANKLIN WILSON AND ADRIANA MOORE WILSON.
1 5 8 4 SWAN AVENUE AND 1 5 8 6 SWAN AVENUE COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO BANKS, NUMBER 10 BROTHERS, BATON ROUGE, LLC 1, 2 4, 1 5.
DOLORES DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE HEARST NUMBER 11, THE ESTATE OF WENDY LEONARD TOLIVER.
4 4 6 3 ADAMS AVENUE COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN DEANNE NUMBER 12, STELLA OSA, WASHINGTON POSEY, WASHINGTON, AND IKE WASHINGTON.
1 0 0 6 PROGRESS STREET COUNCIL, DISTRICT SEVEN DRAZAN.
NUMBER 13, PEWS MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
8 5 0 NORTH 38TH STREET AND 8 4 2 NORTH 30 38TH STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN ANNE NUMBER 14, RDHW VENTURES, LLC 2 8 5 5 MILLERVILLE ROAD COUNCIL, DISTRICT EIGHT, AMAROSA NUMBER 15, SUE A LEWIS JACKSON, ET AL.
1 7 7 TYLER STREET COUNCIL, DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 16, MORRIS ANTHONY GOSSAN, 1 9 8 8 70 FIFTH AVENUE COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN NUMBER 17, LEE MARTIN IN THE ESTATE OF LINA COLEMAN MARTIN, 1 1 6 0 CHARLES T. SMITH DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN ADJUDICATED
[ADJUDICATED PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS]
PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS NUMBER 18 LOT 78 SQUARE ONE SUBDIVISION PROGRESS PARK METRO COUNCIL, DISTRICT SEVEN, ANNE MODA OWN ALL ITEMS REQUIRE READING.AND A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS IS IN ORDER.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS EXCEPT 15, DELETE 15 PLEASE.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCKA TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS, SAY FOR ITEM 15.
DO WE HAVE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
[Additional Item]
WE HAVE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE BY COUNCILMAN DUN JR.AS THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE IN THE CHAMBER DRESSED IN WHITE, JOIN ME.
UM, AT THE PODIUM, I WANNA MAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE, UH, FRANKIE BEVERLY.
UH, FOR THOSE OF YOU ALL WHO DON'T KNOW, UH, FRANKIE PASSED AWAY THIS PAST WEEK, AND HE WAS A LEGENDARY MUSIC ICON, UH, SINGER AND BAND LEADER OF THE GROUP.
MAZE, FRANKLY, WAS FROM THE PHILADELPHIA AREA, BUT THERE WAS SOME OF US IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, PARTICULARLY IN BACK IN NEW ORLEANS, THAT YOU COULDN'T TELL US THAT HE WASN'T FROM LOUISIANA OR NEW ORLEANS PERFORMING MANY TIMES AT THE SINGER THEATER, UM, AT THE LAKEFRONT ARENA, AT ESSENCE FEST, EVEN PERFORMED ONCE AT THE RIVER CENTER, WHICH WAS AT THAT TIME CALLED THE, UH, CENTRAL PLEX.
UM, AND MANY OF US WILL ALSO TELL YOU THAT US OUR CHILDREN, OUR PARENTS AND OUR GRANDPARENTS WOULD TELL YOU THAT HIS MUSIC AND THEIR MUSIC WAS IN MANY WAYS THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES BEING PRESENT AT GRADUATIONS, AT FAMILY REUNIONS, AT WEDDINGS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
[00:10:01]
WHITE, UH, UH, COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA TOLD ME THAT YOU DON'T WEAR WHITE AFTER, UH, LABOR DAY, WAS IT? AND, UH, ROWDY TOLD ME, AND, UH, DARRYL THAT, UH, WELCOME TO THE NNC BAND WITH OUR WHITE JACKETS ONBOYS, MEN, BOYS, MEN, I'M SORRY, BUT WE'RE WEARING ALL WHITE BECAUSE THIS WAS FRANKIE'S SIGNATURE ATTIRE.
HE WORE WHITE, AND WHEN YOU ATTENDED THEIR CONCERTS AND THEIR PERFORMANCES, THE ARTIST'S WORE ALL WHITE IN TRIBUTE TO THEM.
SO WE WANT TO TAKE THIS POINT OF PER PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR FRANKIE BEVERLY, AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
SAY, GOOD AFTERNOON TO ALL OF YOU.
AND WE'RE GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO STAND HERE IN WHITE, UH, OUR LOVE LETTER TO FRANKIE.
THIS IS THE CAPITAL CITY MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO AN ICON.
YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL ABOUT LEAVING A LEGACY.
SO WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE LEGACY THAT WE WILL LEAVE.
AND THIS WILL BE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER THE 29TH AT 5:00 PM IN AURORA PLAZA.
SO IT WILL BE FAMILY FRIENDLY LAWN CHAIRS, WELCOME ALL WHITE ATTIRE REQUESTED AGAIN, EVEN AFTER LABOR DAY.
THE SONG THAT RESONATES PROFOUNDLY TO US IS WE ARE ONE.
THAT IS SEPTEMBER 29TH AT 5:00 PM ROAR PLAZA.
ALL RIGHT, I KNOW EVERYBODY'S COMING
[119. 24-01129]
BACK TO THEIR SEATS.WE'RE GONNA JUMP ACTUALLY THE, UH, CHANGE ORDERS.
WE'RE GONNA GO TO ITEM ONE 19, REPRESENTATIVE A HU REPLACEMENT CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR, BOB BEARD AND ASSOCIATES.
UH, CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT IS FOR DAYS, 155 DAYS.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NONE.
WILL GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
[120. 24-01158]
ITEM ONE 20, DICKSON DRIVE AT BEN HUR, CONTRACTOR OMEGA FOUNDATION SERVICES INC.CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $31,434 31 CENTS.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
[121. 24-01121]
ACCEPTANCES ITEM 1 21 RIVER CENTER, A HU REPLACEMENT CONTRACTOR, BOB RINARD AND ASSOCIATES MECHANICAL FINAL COST $4,019,000.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
[122. 24-01166]
NICHOLSON DRIVE AT BENHUR CONTRACTOR OMEGA FOUNDATION SERVICES INC.FINAL COST, $1,673,315 AND 88 CENTS.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN, JR.
[123. 24-01161]
OF LOW BIDS.ANNUAL PARISH WATER, UH, ANNUAL PARISH WIDE WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM, EMERGENCY REPAIRS, UH, LOW BID, ALLEN AND LELONG, LLC $3,298,685.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? SAY NONE.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[124. 24-01162]
ANNUAL PARISH WIDE SEWER REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT, ALLEN AND LLC $2,545,374.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[125. 24-01178]
CHOCTAW DRIVE, AREA A DA TRANSITION PROJECT, LOW BID.THE LUSTER GROUP, LLC $363,132 AND 95 CENTS.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE.
GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN, JR.
[00:15:01]
HERS TO APPROVE.[CONDEMNATIONS]
NOW WE'RE GONNA GO, UH, BACK TO CONDEMNATIONS.SEE YOUR SEPARATE SHEET FOR CONDEMNATIONS FOR DPW RECOMMENDATIONS.
RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO PROCEED WITH ITEM NUMBER 60 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 AND 67 AND TO DEFER TO THE OCTOBER 9TH, 2024, ITEM 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, AND 78.
AND TO DELETE ITEMS 58, 59 AND 61.
DOES ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS? SEE NONE.
WE HAVE A MOTION, 60, UH, DAYS ON 60 63 AND 64, 60, 63 AND 64.
SO WE DON'T HAVE A 60 DAY BECAUSE THIS IS COMING OFF OF A RE IRREGULAR TIME.
SO JUST, UH, A DATE WE WOULD NEED, IF YOU WANT 60 DAYS, WE COULD DO OCTOBER 9TH OR OCTOBER 23RD MEETING.
60 WOULD 60 IF YOU, YEAH, YOU'D PROBABLY WANT NOVEMBER 13TH OR 26TH.
THOSE WERE 60, 63 AND 64? YES.
ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY, SO MOTION IS BY COUNCILMAN DUN, JR.
IS TO PROCEED WITH ITEM 62 65, 66, 67 TO DEFER TO THE OCTOBER 9TH MEETING, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, AND TO DEFER TO THE NOVEMBER 13TH MEETINGS.
ITEM 60, 63 AND 64 AND TO DELETE ITEM 58, 59 AND 61.
[79. 24-00979]
OKAY, ASHLEY, I'M GONNA ASK YOU TO TAKE ITEM 79.ITEM 79, ADOPTING THE FOLLOWING VALOR, TAX MILLAGE RATES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FOLLOWING, TAXING JURISDICTIONS ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY TO BE LEVIED DURING THE YEAR 2024 IN ORDER TO ADJUST DOWNWARD THE 2024 MILAGE RATES AS COMPARED TO THE 2023 MILAGE RATES AS REQUIRED BY ARTICLE SEVEN.
SECTION 23 B OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH OPERATING TAX 3.15 MILS TO 2.96 MILLS, CITY OF BATON ROUGE OPERATING TAX.
5.75 MILLS TO 5.44 MILLS, CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
PLATOON POLICE TAX FROM 0.87 MILLS TO 0.82 MILLS EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH MOSQUITO ABATEMENT AND RODENT CONTROL DISTRICT.
ADDITIONAL 0.37 MILLS TO 0.35 MILLS EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY FROM 10.52 MILLS TO 9.89 MILLS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 10 MILLS TO 9.50 MILLS.
2.13 MILLS TO 2.0 MILLS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, 1.42 MILLS TO 1.33 MILLS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, 3.13 MILLS TO 2.94 MILLS CONSOLIDATED ROAD LIGHTING DISTRICT NUMBER ONE 1.85 MILLS TO 1.71 MILLS BATON ROUGE MUNICIPAL FIRE SALARIES AND BENEFITS 6.0 MILLS TO 5.68 MILLS.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER ONE, NINE MILLS TO 8.52 MILLS BROWNSFIELD.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE FROM 10 MILLS TO 8.83 MILLS BROWNSFIELD.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE, ADDITIONAL FIVE MILLS TO 4.41 MILLS BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE, ADDITIONAL FROM 10 MILLS TO 8.83 MILLS, CHENEY, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN FROM 10 MILLS, TEN NINE POINT ZERO NINE MILLS CHENEY, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN, ADDITIONAL FROM 10 MILLS TO 9.09 MILLS CHENEY.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN, ADDITIONAL FROM 10 MILLS TO 9.09 MILLS PRIDE, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT FROM 10 MILLS TO 8.97 MILLS PRIDE, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT, ADDITIONAL 15 MILLS TO 13.45 MILLS, ALLISON, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER NINE FROM 10 MILLS TO 9.82 MILLS, ALLISON, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER NINE.
ADDITIONAL FROM FIVE MILLS TO 4.91 MILS BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR.
UM, THIS ITEM REQUIRES A PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 79 AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE UM, THIS IS NOT THE ROLL FORWARD ITEM.
THE NEXT ITEM IS ROLL FORWARD.
UH, GOOD COUNCIL MEMBERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAT, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN
[00:20:01]
COLEMAN.[80. 24-00980]
RIGHT.COLEMAN WAS SECOND MO MADE THE MOTION.
SORRY, ASHLEY, IF YOU TAKE ITEM 80 FOR US, ALRIGHT.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM.
THERE WILL BE NO VOTE AFTER THIS PUBLIC HEARING.
WE ARE GONNA READ THE ITEM A SECOND TIME THAT WE WILL THEN HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING AND A MOTION CAN BE MADE AND A VOTE ON THE SECOND TIME.
BUT WE'RE GONNA ALLOW PUBLIC COMMENT TWICE ON THIS ITEM.
ADOPTING THE FOLLOWING, INCREASED AVALOR TAX MILLAGE RATES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FOLLOWING, TAXING JURISDICTIONS ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY AND ADOPTING ALL OTHER AD VALOREM, TAX MILLAGE RATES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FOLLOWING TAXING JURISDICTIONS ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY, EXCEPT THAT THE MILLAGE RATE FOR THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT SHALL BE LEVIED ON REAL PROPERTY ONLY TO BE LEVIED DURING THE YEAR 2024.
AS PERMITTED BY ARTICLE SEVEN, SECTION 23 C OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND ADOPTING ALL OTHER MILLAGE RATES FOR 2024.
ADOPTION OF INCREASED AVALOR TAX MILLAGE RATES FOR 2024.
ROLL FORWARD EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FROM 2.94 MILS TO 3.13 MILS.
COUNSEL ON AGING FROM TWO MILLS TO 2.13 MILLS, BATON ROUGE MUNICIPAL FIRE SALARIES AND BENEFITS.
5.68 MILLS TO SIX MILLS, CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
PLATOON POLICE TAX FROM 0.82 MILLS TO 0.87 MILLS.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER ONE FROM 8.52 MILLS TO NINE MILLS BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE FROM 8.83 MILLS TO 10 MILLS BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE, ADDITIONAL FROM 4.41 MILLS TO FIVE MILLS BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE, ADDITIONAL FROM 8.83 MILLS TO 10 MILLS CHENEY.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN FROM 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS CHENEY.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN, ADDITIONAL FROM 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS CHENEY.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN, ADDITIONAL 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS PRIDE.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT FROM 8.97 MILLS TO 10 MILLS PRIDE.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT, ADDITIONAL FROM 13.45 MILS TO 15 MILS.
ALLISON, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER NINE FROM 9.82 MILS TO 10 MILS.
ALLISON FIRE PROTECT PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER NINE, ADDITIONAL FROM 4.91 MILS TO FIVE MILS.
ADOPTION OF ALL OTHER AVALOR TAX MILLAGE RATES FOR 2024 EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH OPERATING TAX 2.96 MILS, CITY OF BATON ROUGE OPERATING TAX.
5.44 MILLS EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH MOSQUITO ABATEMENT AND RODENT CONTROL CONTROL DISTRICT 1.06 MILLS EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH MOSQUITO ABATEMENT AND RODENT CONTROL DISTRICT.
ADDITIONAL 0.35 MILLS EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY, 9.0 9.89 MILLS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 9.5 MILLS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, 1.33 MILLS CONSOLIDATED ROAD LIGHTING DISTRICT NUMBER ONE 1.71 MILLS BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE, ADDITIONAL 10 MILLS CHENEY, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN, ADDITIONAL 10 MILLS.
ALLISON, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER NINE.
ADDITIONAL 10 MILLS BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR AND THE VARIOUS TAXING DISTRICTS.
THIS ITEM IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? PLEASE SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
JAKE MORGAN, CITIZEN OF BATON ROUGE AND PRESIDENT OF THE BATON ROUGE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.
OUR, OUR MILLAGE FOR THE MUNICIPAL POLICE OR MUNICIPAL FIRE SALARIES AND BENEFITS WAS ORIGINALLY PASSED BY THE CITIZENS OF BATON ROUGE IN 2000.
THIS MILLAGE HAS BEEN IN PLACE SIX MILLS.
THIS ROLE ALWAYS ROLLED FORWARD SINCE THE YEAR 2000.
24 YEARS IN THIS MONEY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 24% OF OUR SALARIES AND BENEFITS.
IT'S NOT USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE.
NOT THE FIRE STATIONS, NOT FOR FIRE TRUCKS, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
IT'S NO SECRET THAT WE'RE IN SEARCH OF HIGHER PAY HERE IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
THIS COULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INCREASE OUR SPECIAL FUND FOR OUR, FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
I'M HERE JUST TO ASK FOR YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER PASSING THIS ROLE FORWARD FOR US.
ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
NOT A RESIDENT OF BATON ROUGE, BUT I DO REPRESENT THE MEMBERS OF ST.
UH, FOR OUR LOCAL I DO WANT TO, UH, SAY WE DO SUPPORT THE ROLE FORWARD FOR THE BATON ROUGE FIREMEN AND THE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ALL IN GENERAL.
I DON'T THINK I HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT THEY DO, UM, AND WHAT THEY GO THROUGH.
UM, BUT WE HAD NO OPPOSITION TO OUR ROLL FORWARD LAST MONTH AND ASKING, SAME THING HERE.
PLEASE PASS THEIR, WE SUPPORT IT.
[00:25:01]
IT.ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
UM, WHILE I APPRECIATE THE SLIGHT DECREASES IN THE PREVIOUS, UM, LET'S SEE WHAT IT WAS.
UM, I'M AGAINST ANY MILLAGE INCREASES, PARTICULARLY RIGHT NOW WHEN THE CITIZENS OF EAST BATON ROUGE ARE SEEING INCREASES FROM INSURANCE INFLATION, OTHER MILLAGES INCREASES LIKE BRECK AND CATS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD, I TOTALLY SUPPORT.
OUR FIREFIGHTERS HAVE THE MOST RESPECT FOR THEM.
SO I AGREE WITH THE INCREASE IN THE FIRE SALARIES AND BENEFITS.
UH, I'D LIKE THESE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS TO LOOK AT BUDGETING FOR 2025, JUST LIKE ALL OF US ARE HAVING TO DO IN ORDER TO SURVIVE.
UM, THE OTHER THING IS THAT THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH OPERATING TAX AND THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE OPERATING TAX TOTALS 8.4.
THAT IS JUST ONE OF THE EXPENSES PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYERS IN THE CITIZENS OF EAST BATON ROUGE.
AND WHILE IT IS A SLIGHT DECREASE, IT'S A WASHOUT FOR US BECAUSE OF THE OTHER INCREASES.
OKAY? SO WE DON'T GET AHEAD, EVEN THOUGH THIS WENT DOWN A LITTLE BIT, EVERYTHING WENT UP, ALL THESE OTHER MILLAGES WENT UP WAY BEYOND THESE TINY LITTLE DECREASES.
SO I'M JUST IMPLORING Y'ALL TO LOOK INTO YOUR HEARTS AND KNOW THAT YOU'RE MANY, MANY, MANY OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE STRUGGLING.
AND, UH, I ALSO ASK THE POLICE FIRE, I MEAN THE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS TO, YOU KNOW, SAY, YAY, WE GOT A RAISE AND NOT INCREASE THE MILLAGES ON THE PEOPLE.
UM, AND LOOK BETTER AT DOING A BETTER JOB AT BUDGETING.
ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
WE'RE GONNA CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE COMMENT AND ONE EMAIL COMMENT AND OPPOSITION TO THIS ITEM.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS A PUBLIC MEETING ON ITEM 79 ADOPTING, I'M SORRY, ON ITEM 80.
UM, THIS IS A PUBLIC MEETING ON ITEM 80, ADOPTING THE FOLLOWING, INCREASED AVALOR TAX MILLAGE RATES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FOLLOWING, TAXING JURISDICTIONS ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY AND ADOPTING ALL OTHER AVALOR TAX MILLAGE RATES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FOLLOWING TAXING JURISDICTIONS ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTIES, EXCEPT THE MILLAGE RATE FOR THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT SHALL BE LEVIED ON REAL PROPERTY ONLY TO BE LEVIED DURING THE YEAR 2024 AS PERMITTED BY ARTICLE SEVEN, SECTION 23 C OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND ADOPTING ALL OTHER MILLAGE MILLAGE RATES FOR 2024.
ADOPTION OF INCREASED A VALOREM TAX MILLAGE RATES FOR 2024.
ROLL FORWARD EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FROM 2.94 MILS TO 3.13 MILS.
COUNSEL ON AGING 2.0 MILS TO 2.13 MILS BATON BATON ROUGE MUNICIPAL FIRE SALARIES AND BENEFITS FROM 5.68 MILS TO 6.0 MILLS.
THREE PLATOON POLICE TAX FROM 0.82 MILLS TO 0.87 MILLS.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER ONE FROM 8.52 MILLS TO NINE MILLS BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE FROM 8.83 MILLS TO 10 MILLS BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE, ADDITIONAL FROM 4.41 MILLS TO FIVE MILLS BROWNSFIELD.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE, ADDITIONAL 8.83 MILLS TO 10 MILLS CHENEY, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS, CHENEY, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN, ADDITIONAL 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS, CHENEY, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN, ADDITIONAL 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS PRIDE, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT 8.97 MILLS TO 10 MILLS PRIDE, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT, ADDITIONAL 13.45 MILLS TO 15 MILLS.
ALLISON, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER NINE, 9.82 MILLS TO 10 MILLS.
ALLISON, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER NINE, ADDITIONAL 4.91 MILLS TO FIVE MILLS.
ADOPTION OF ALL OTHER AVALOR TAX MILLAGE RATES FOR 2024 EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH OPERATING TAX, 2.96 MILLS, CITY OF BATON ROUGE OPERATING TAX.
5.44 MILLS EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH MOSQUITO ABATEMENT AND RODENT CONTROL DISTRICT 1.06 MILLS EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH MOSQUITO ABATEMENT AND RODENT CONTROLLED DISTRICT.
ADDITIONAL 0.35 MILLS EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY, 9.89 MILLS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 9.50.
MILLS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, 1.33 MILLS CONSOLIDATED
[00:30:01]
ROAD LIGHTING DISTRICT NUMBER ONE 1.71 MILLS BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE, ADDITIONAL 10.0 MILLS.CHENEY, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN, ADDITIONAL 10.0 MILLS.
ALLISON, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER NINE, ADDITIONAL 10 MILLS BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR ON VARIOUS TAXING DISTRICTS.
UH, THIS IS A PUBLIC MEETING ON THIS ITEM.
UH, IF THERE'S ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK, I WILL GO TO COUNCIL.
UH, ASHLEY, I'D LIKE YOUR HELP ON THIS WITH ITEMS ONE THROUGH 15.
THOSE WOULD BE INCREASES VERSUS ITEM 16 THROUGH 26.
SINCE THOSE ARE BASICALLY NEW VOTED ON BY THE PEOPLE, THOSE ARE WHERE THEY'RE AT, NOT GOING UP OR DOWN.
THE ITEMS ONE THROUGH 16 REPRESENT A REQUEST FOR A ROLL FORWARD, WHICH MEANS THEY ARE ASKING TO LEVY THE SAME MILLAGE OR THEIR MAXIMUM MILLAGE THAT THEY WERE ALLOWED TO LEVY IN 2023.
UM, SO THEY'RE, THEY WOULD COLLECT MORE MONEY AFTER REASSESSMENT.
UM, ITEM 16 THROUGH 26 ARE THE ROLLED BACK MILLAGE.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT, TO ACCEPT THE ROLL FORWARD ON ITEMS 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
THIS IS WHERE I NEED YOUR GUIDANCE ON THIS 16 THROUGH 26.
DO THOSE GET AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDED IN OR DO I YOU CAN APPROVE THOSE.
YOU CAN, YOU CAN HAVE THOSE IN YOUR MOTION TO APPROVE.
AND THOSE ARE NOT A ROLL FORWARD.
THOSE ARE JUST STARTING BECAUSE OF A VOTE BY THE PEOPLE.
THEY'RE JUST CONFIRMING THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE LEVIED AT THE ROLLED BACK AT THE ROLL BACK FATE.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN MOOCH TO APPROVE THE ROLL FORWARD.
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM WITH THE ROLL FORWARD FOR ITEMS 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, AND 16 THROUGH 26.
MY COMFORTABLE ROCA, I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN OBJECTION AND MAKE A, UM, SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
AND I'M GONNA NEED YOUR GUIDANCE AS WELL, ASHLEY.
SO I'M GONNA NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE LANGUAGE, WHETHER THIS IS ROLL FORWARD, ROLL BACKWARDS.
THE INTENT OF MY MOTION IS TO PROVE, IMPROVE, APPROVE ALL THE ITEMS THAT ARE LISTED AT THE CURRENT AMOUNT BEING COLLECTED.
SO WHAT IS THE PROPER MOTION OR TERMINOLOGY TO USE TO MAKE THAT MOTION AND CANNOT MAKE IT? SO, UM, AN ITEM 79, THAT IS WHAT YOU APPROVED IN ITEM 79.
Y'ALL APPROVED ALL OF THESE TAXING JURISDICTIONS COLLECTING THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY COLLECTED THIS YEAR.
THAT'S THE ROLLBACK TAKES INTO ACCOUNT INCREASED PROPERTY VALUES AND SETS THE MILLAGE AT WHAT THE ESTIMATED THE ESTIMATED COLLECTION BEING THE SAME THAT IT WAS FOR 2023.
THAT'S BEEN TAKEN AND NO OTHER ADDITIONAL ACTION WOULD NEED TO BE TAKEN.
SO ON ITEM 80, THESE TAXING JURISDICTIONS ARE REQUESTING TO BASICALLY KEEP THEIR MILLAGE AT THE MAXIMUM LEVEL IT WAS APPROVED AT IN 2023.
AND THAT THUS COLLECTING MORE MONEY BASED ON INCREASED PROPERTY VALUE.
I WANNA MAKE SURE I'M, I'M UNDERSTANDING YOU PROPERLY.
SO THIS ITEM ALLOWS THEM AN INCREASE ALL OF THEM ITEM.
UM, THE, THE TAXING DISTRICTS IN LISTED IN ITEMS ONE THROUGH 15 IN THIS ITEM WOULD RECEIVE INCREASED COLLECTIONS BASED ON ROLLING FORWARD.
SO 16 THROUGH 26 WASN'T IN THE PREVIOUS ITEM.
UM, IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO GET THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT OKAY.
CAN YOU HELP ME OUT? I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE BECAUSE IF, IF YOU, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING YOU CORRECTLY, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE APPROVED ALL OF 'EM AT THE CURRENT RATE AND THERE'S NO NEED FOR NUMBER 80 UNLESS WE WANT TO INCREASE ON SOMEBODY.
AM I CORRECT? AND YOU HELP ME OUT? THAT'S
[00:35:01]
CORRECT.WE'RE JUST FOLLOWING PROCEDURE FOR IT.
SO I BELIEVE ASHLEY, UM, IF YOU DO NOT APPROVE ITEM 80, ALL OF THE MILLAGES THAT YOU LEVIED IN ITEM 79, WE'LL STAND, WHICH WAS A ROLLBACK.
AND THIS IS LOOKING AT ALL OF THEM AGAIN AND PICKING THE ONES THAT YOU WANNA ROLL FORWARD.
WELL, I'M GONNA MAKE MY, BASED ON THAT UNDERSTANDING, I'M GLAD ALL OF THEM HAVE HAVE WHAT THEY HAD LAST YEAR.
MY SUBSTITUTE MOTION IS GONNA BE ROLLED FORWARD.
OKAY, SO, SO YOUR MOTION WOULD BE TO APPROVE ITEM 80? YES.
APPROVED BY COUNCILMAN DOMINA MOTION.
LET ME, LET ME MAKE SURE YOU, YOU GOT IT.
I WANT THE INCREASE FOR EVERYBODY WHO, WHO REQUESTED IT.
YOU WANNA READ IT JUST SO EVERYBODY'S CLEAR.
IT'S, IT'S JUST A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 80.
YEAH, I KNOW, BUT I, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT ACTION TAKES PLACE ONCE WE APPROVE IT.
IF, IF ITEM 80 IS APPROVED, THE TAXING JURISDICTIONS LISTED IN ONE THROUGH 15 WILL LEVIE THEIR A VALOREM TAX AT THE HIGHER MILLAGE RATE AT THE MAXIMUM THAT THEY WERE ALLOWED LAST YEAR INSTEAD OF THE ROLLED BACK RATE.
THAT INDICATES THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE MORE MONEY THROUGH PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS IN 2024 THAN MORE MONEY THAN THEY COLLECTED IN 2023.
SO IN 79 WE WERE MOSTLY, UH, REDUCING THE TAX, YOU'RE REDUCING THE MILLAGE RATE YES.
TO YOU WILL COLLECT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY IN 79? YES.
EACH JURISDICTION WE'LL COLLECT, WE'RE ESTIMATING THAT THEY WILL COLLECT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY, BUT ROLLING THE MILLAGE RATE BACK.
SO WHEN IT SAYS 3.5, I MEAN, UH, 3.15 FOR THE 2023 LEVY.
BUT THEN IT SAYS ADOPTING 2024 2.96.
SO HOW COULD IT BE THE SAME? OKAY, BECAUSE THIS IS A REASSESSMENT YEAR.
SO IF Y'ALL KEPT ALL OF THESE MILLAGE RATES AT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY, PROPERTY TAXPAYERS WOULD BE PAYING MORE MONEY IN PROPERTY TAXES, KEEPING THAT MILLAGE THE SAME BECAUSE YOUR PROPERTY VALUE HAS INCREASED.
SO TAKING ALL OF THAT INTO ACCOUNT, THESE TAXING JURISDICTIONS ARE REQUESTING TO ROLL IT BACK SO THAT THEY COLLECT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY COLLECTED IN 2023.
BUT THEN IN 80, IT SOUNDS LIKE AN INCREASE IN 80, THEY WILL COLLECT MORE MONEY IN 2024 THAN THEY DID IN 2023 INCREASE.
SO HOW DO WE GET IT WHERE THEY JUST COLLECT THE SAME, YOU DID THAT IN ITEM 79.
SO WHY ARE WE, THEY'RE ALLOWED TO, IN A REASSESSMENT YEAR, TAXING JURISDICTIONS ARE ALLOWED TO REQUEST, UM, TO ROLL THEIR MILLAGE FORWARD.
UM, UM, CAN I ASK HIM SOMETHING? I, I NEED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION.
SO YOU ARE, YOU'RE THINKING GIVE 'EM ALL A RAISE, ESSENTIALLY.
IS THAT CORRECT? WELL, I, I WANTED TO CLEAR THINGS UP AS, AS ASHLEY MENTIONED, AND, AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS BY LAW WE WAS REQUIRED TO DO 79, WHICH ROLLS IT BACK.
IF WE DO 80, IT BASICALLY RETURNS IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL STATE.
AM I CORRECT, ASHLEY? OH, THAT'S WRONG.
[00:40:01]
IT'S NOT AN INCREASE OF, OF THE MILLAGE.IT'S AN INCREASE, BUT IT'S NOT AN INCREASE OF THE MILLAGE.
THE COLLECTIONS ARE AN INCREASE, NOT THE MILLAGE.
THE MILL IS, THERE'S NOT AN INCREASE OF THE MILLAGE.
THE ONLY WAY IT'S AN INCREASE BECAUSE THE PROPERTY VALUE WENT UP.
SO WE'RE NOT INCREASING THE MILLAGE.
SO NOW WHAT ARE WE DOING?
I THOUGHT WE WERE HAVING TECHNICALITIES THERE.
UM, WELL, I, I'M, I WANT THE, THE, BECAUSE THERE'S A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER TO ROLL FORWARD OR NOT.
I WOULD LIKE THE ENTITIES NAMED IN ONE THROUGH 15 TO COME UP AND PROVIDE INFORMATION AS TO WHY A ROLL FORWARD IS REQUESTED.
ALRIGHT, LET'S DO COUNCIL ON AGING.
HERE'S WHY WE, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO, TO ROLL FORWARD.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, UM, YOU ROLLED THIS BACK RIGHT? DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE, UM, APPROVED FOR 2.25 MEALS.
YOU ROLLED US BACK TO TWO POINT, UM, ONE THREE WHERE WE CURRENTLY ARE.
IF YOU ROLL US AGAIN TO 2.0 WHEN IT'S TIME, WE, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF YEARS LEFT IN OUR MILLAGE.
WHEN IT'S TIME TO RERUN, WE'RE GONNA RERUN AT AT ANOTHER LOWER AMOUNT.
SECONDLY, WE HAVE BECOME THE SECOND LARGEST COUNCIL ON AGENT IN THE STATE.
LAST YEAR ALONE, THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, UM, ALL COUNCILS ON AGENTS.
OF THE 6 MILLION MEALS IN ONE YEAR, THIS COUNCIL ON AGENT DID 22% OF ALL THE MEALS, WHICH IS ABOUT 1,000,003.
THIS YEAR ALONE, WE ARE ALREADY AT 1.4 MILLION MEALS.
OUR ISSUE IS WE JUST CAME TO YOU ALL SOME MONTHS AGO AND YOU GAVE US 560,000 IN A RP FUNDS.
OUR ISSUE IS WE HAVE MORE DEMAND NOW THAN EVER BEFORE.
AND WE DO NOT WANT TO TELL YOUR CONSTITUENTS, NO, WE CAN'T SERVE YOU.
PART OF OUR PROBLEM IS WE GREW, GREW FROM EIGHT, UM, SENIOR CENTERS AND FEEDING SITES TO CURRENTLY 20 AND TWO MORE ON THE WAY.
I HAVE, WE DO 69,000 MEALS A MONTH FOR HOME BOUND SENIORS, WHICH IS ABOUT $5 MILLION OF THE $10 MILLION THAT YOU TRY TO KEEP US AT.
SO MOST ALL OF THE MONEY IS GOING INTO SERVICES.
AND SO WHEN I TELL A SENIOR IN YOUR AREA, NO, WE CAN, WE CAN'T SERVE YOU BECAUSE I HAVE TOO MANY.
THEN THEY CALL YOU AND YOU CALL ME AND I SAY, WELL, WE GONNA MAKE IT HAPPEN.
AND SO WE CAME AND WE GOT FIVE 60, THE SEVEN 50, THAT'LL BE EXTRA.
WHAT REALLY BE THE WHOLE THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THESE SENIORS ON THE PROGRAM? 'CAUSE IF NOT, I GOTTA GO BACK AND TURN ABOUT 1500 AWAY OR SO.
MS. AMO, FORGIVE ME, I I REALIZE I'M ON A CLOCK HERE.
DID YOUR BOARD VOTE TO ROLL FORWARD THE MILLAGE? YES.
HOW ABOUT BROWNSVILLE? FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT THREE.
I'M GONNA TRY TO GET TO ALL THE ENTITIES.
CAROL CAMPBELL, THE FIRE CHIEF AT BROWNSVILLE.
ONE OF THE BIG REASONS THAT WE WANNA TRY TO ROLL THIS FORWARD IS MANPOWER.
YOU KNOW, RATING IS, IS COMING UP.
UH, IT TAKES MANPOWER FORWARD RATING.
NOT ONLY THAT EQUIPMENT, YOU KNOW, FUEL IS UP, PPES, YOU KNOW, THE, UH, PERSONAL, UH, PROTECTION EQUIPMENT THAT WE USE.
YOU KNOW, TURNOUTS AND STUFF OUT OF THE CEILING.
BUY A FIRE TRUCK TODAY, SEE WHAT THAT COSTS.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING CLOSE TO A MILLION DOLLARS AND, UH, SO MUCH, SO MANY OF THESE THINGS.
BUT WE DO NEED IT FOR SUPPLIES, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND THIS TYPE OF STUFF.
OUR CONTRACT PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF CONTRACT PEOPLE AND WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THAT.
SO ANY QUESTIONS ON BE GLAD TO THANK CHIEF.
CHIEF CHANEY AND PRIDE AND ALLISON CAN COME FORWARD.
UH, FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER ONE.
I DON'T KNOW IF I SKIPPED THEM.
WE HEARD FROM, UH, JAKE FROM THE, UH, MUNICIPAL FIRE THREE PLATOON TAX, I GUESS WOULD BE REPRESENTED BY OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
YOU MUST JUSTIFY THE ROLL FORWARD
[00:45:03]
ALRIGHT.HEY TASHA, CAN YOU COME TO THE MIC? SO, AND I, I DON'T KNOW THE FULL DETAILS.
I JUST REMEMBER THE DISCUSSION SEMI ABOUT THE 500,000, HOW IT WAS ORIGINALLY BUDGETED, BUT THEN IT WAS PULLED BACK.
AND SO WE SUPPLEMENTED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SENIOR POPULATION DIDN'T SUFFER.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT PLEASE? SO WHEN WE WERE LAST TIERED, UM, THE MAYOR, UH, AFFORDED US AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET 560,000 OF OUR A RP DOLLARS TO SOLELY SERVE SENIORS IN, UH, ALL OVER THE PARISH AND FOR MEALS ON WHEELS BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A, A STEADY INFLUX OF SENIORS.
'CAUSE WHAT WE ARE LEARNING, NOT JUST HERE, BUT EVERYWHERE, SENIORS ARE LIVING LONGER, BUT THEY'RE NOT AGING WELL.
THEY'RE NOT AS HEALTHY AS THEY SHOULD BE WHEN THEY START TO DECLINING.
SO WE HAVE QUITE A FEW SENIORS THAT GET MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERED TO THEIR HOME.
THEY'RE HOME BOUND SENIORS THAT ARE ILL OR SUFFERING WITH SOME HEALTH COMPLICATIONS.
AND SO SHE GAVE YOU ALL AFFORD US THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS MONEY THROUGH DECEMBER.
SO, AND ONE, ONE THING I ALWAYS SAY IS, UH, TANGIBLE RESULTS ARE, ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
AND, AND NOBODY CAN DENY THAT YOU GUYS HAVE PUT UP A LOT OF BRICK AND MORTAR YEAH.
THAT DIRECTLY SERVES OUR SENIOR POPULATION.
SO ANYBODY UP HERE THAT SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR MONEY'S GOING, THEN YOU COME TAKE A TOUR OF YOUR FACILITY OR FACILITIES.
AND THE IMPACT THAT IT'S MAKING.
BUT, UM, MY QUESTION IS, WITH THE GROWTH AND THE DEFICIT THAT YOU RAN THIS YEAR, RIGHT, WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE MOVING FORWARD IF WE WEREN'T ABLE TO PUT THESE MILLS IN PLACE? IT'S GONNA BE DIFFICULT.
I'M GONNA TO PUT SOME SENIORS ON HOME BOUND PROGRAMS ON WAITING LIST, AND I'M GONNA HAVE TO REDUCE SOME OF MY SENIORS AT, UM, AT SENIOR CENTERS, AS YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE, YOU CENTRAL AND ANTIOCH ARE MY LARGEST, UH, SENIOR CENTERS IN, IN THE PARISH WITH NEARLY A HUNDRED FIFTY, TWO HUNDRED FIFTY PEOPLE DAILY EATING, DOING EXERCISE, ALL, ALL KIND OF THINGS.
SO SOME OF I'M, I'M GONNA HAVE TO TURN SOME PEOPLE AWAY.
AND, AND SO I SAY THAT ONLY BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT WISH EVERY COUNCILMAN THAT HAD A, UM, COMMUNITY CENTER, AND AT SOME POINT I HOPE WE GET THERE, RIGHT? YEAH.
BUT BRANDON CAN TELL YOU FROM CHENEY, AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT A REPUBLICAN, A DEMOCRAT, A WHITE OR BLACK OR RICH OR POOR.
THIS IS IF YOU EITHER HAD THE EXPERIENCE OR DIDN'T.
AND I FOUND THAT OUT THE DAY I WAS ASKING FOR SUPPLEMENTAL MONIES TO PROVIDE, UH, ACCESS TO THE HOMELESS PEOPLE ON BLANK ROAD OR MM-HMM.
AND JUST THAT BRANDON HAD SOME SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OLDER BUILDINGS, LACK OF RESOURCES AND HOW HE MADE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS.
SO I CAN TALK TO MS. DEANNE WHO, UM, IS NEWER, BUT SHE COMES TO THE CHARLES R. KELLY CENTER WITH, WITH, WITH MS. JOYCE.
WHO WORKS FOR, WHO WORKS FOR CLEVE DUNN TAWANA, WHO'S OVER AT THE, UM, MLK CENTER ON A REGULAR BASIS SERVING THAT DISTRICT.
COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, WHO'S AT THE LEO BUTLER CENTER SERVING HER DISTRICT.
COUNCILMAN BANKS ETTE, JEWEL NEWMAN.
I ONLY SAY THIS BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT LIVED EXPERIENCE, YOU DON'T REALIZE THE IMPACT THAT THEY'RE MAKING.
THEY ARE, UM, REDUCING MENTAL ISSUES, UM, UH, PHYSICAL AILMENTS THAT COME FROM BEING STUCK IN YOUR HOUSE ALL DAY.
I CALLED, I'M GONNA BRING UP A CONVERSATION WE HAD OTHER DAY.
SO I CALLED TASHA AND I SAID, TASHA, WE GOT ALL THIS WEIGHTS LEFT OVER FROM THIS FOOD.
SHE WAS LIKE, WELL, THEY CAN TAKE IT HOME WITH HIM.
AND, UM, ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAD THAT DISCUSSION IS BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION JUST WITH THE, THE SENATE DIRECTOR OF IF THE FOOD COULD LEAVE THE BUILDING, BUT IT WAS ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 60 THAT DID NOT QUALIFY.
THAT THE FOOD COULDN'T LEAVE THE BUILDING.
AND YOU HAVE SOME SENIORS, I DON'T WANT TO, I'M TRYING TO SAY A DIRECT THAT COME AND TELL AND SAY THEY GOT TWO PLATES.
AND MY RESPONSE TO THAT WAS, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THAT CUPBOARD AT HOME.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THAT REFRIGERATOR.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THAT BANK ACCOUNT.
SO IF THEY WANTED THREE PLATES, I'M OKAY WITH 'EM BECAUSE SOMEBODY'S GONNA EAT THAT FOOD.
SOMEBODY'S GONNA EAT THAT FOOD.
SO NOT ONLY ARE THEY PROVIDING THE MENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL RESOURCES, THE, THE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES, THAT'S KEEPING THESE PEOPLE ALIVE AND WILL, THEY'RE ALSO CLOSING THE GAP ON INSECURITIES WHEN THEY LEAVE THERE.
SO, UM, I'M ONLY SAYING THIS BECAUSE I SAW THAT YOU WERE EXCLUDING IN THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
AND FOR THAT REASON, MY MOTION WILL BE TO APPROVE ALL OR APPROVE NONE.
AND AND COUNCILMAN HURST, JUST, JUST FOR THE RECORD, YOU CAN HAVE MY NEXT FIVE MINUTES IF YOU WANNA TALK.
WE, WE HAVE, UM, BEEN NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY FOR OUR WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE.
THE NEW YORK TIMES NPR, UM, ALL OVER THE COUNTRY EXCEPT FOR HOME.
UM, SO THAT YOU ALL WILL COME INTO YOUR, INTO THE FACILITIES AND SEE WHAT WE
[00:50:01]
DO, SEE FOR YOURSELF, HOW WE ARE BREAKING SOCIAL ISOLATION AND TEACHERS, SENIORS, HOW NOT TO FALL WITH JUST THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF SENIORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS FALSE.AND SO WE HAVE A CLASS CALLED MATTER OF BALANCE AND SOME OTHER THINGS.
SO, SO LOOK, I'M GONNA MAKE A SUGGESTION FOR YOU.
UH, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET, I INVITED THEM A LOT OF TIMES.
LISTEN, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GIVE THEM A CAT VOICE FOR A LONG TIME.
WHY DON'T WE MAKE IT ALL IN ONE TRIP WHERE WE GET ON THE BUS AND VISIT A COMMUNITY CENTER THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH CATS.
I, I CAN PICK YOU UP ON, THAT'LL BE A DUAL, DUAL TWO IN ONE, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO SET UP MULTIPLE TRIPS.
I COULD PICK YOU GUYS UP ON OUR BUSES.
I HOPE TO STICK WITH CATS BECAUSE, BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT Y'ALL PUT THAT TOGETHER AND OKAY.
I, I WOULD LOVE TO ATTEND AS WELL.
JUST ASKING A BASIC QUESTION NOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF, UM, I'M STILL A LITTLE CONFUSED.
I JUST, I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT KIND OF IMPACT ARE THESE ROLLING FORWARDS GOING TO BE ON OUR CONSTITUENTS POCKETS? IF ANYBODY CAN, I MEAN, IS IT GONNA BE A HUGE IMPACT? IS IT JUST GONNA BE A MATTER OF SENSE? YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE STRUGGLING.
UM, SO THAT, I KNOW THAT'S A VERY BASIC QUESTION, A VERY ELEMENTARY QUESTION.
UM, BUT ROLLING FORWARD, HOW ARE OUR CONSTITUENTS POCKETBOOK GONNA BE IMPACTED? THE BIG ANSWER TO THAT IS THAT IT DEPENDS ON WHERE THEY LIVE.
UM, AND WHICH MILLAGES ARE ROLLED FORWARD, WHERE THEY LIVE.
ARE THEY IN BAKER, ZACHARY, BATON ROUGE, ST.
GEORGE, UM, UNINCORPORATED AREAS, WHAT HAVE YOU.
BUT IN GENERAL, IF, UM, LET'S SEE, FOR THE FIRE TAX, FOR EXAMPLE, ON A $200,000 HOME, IT WOULD BE $6 AND 40 CENTS INCREASE.
$6 AND 40 CENTS INCREASE ON A $200,000 HOME PER YEAR.
SO, AND THAT'S JUST ONE BEING ROLLED FORWARD.
UH, EMS ON $200,000 WOULD BE $2 AND 38 CENTS.
SO IT DEPENDS ON WHERE THEY LIVE, THE VALUE OF THEIR HOME.
UM, THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS TO THAT.
SO IT'S A VERY LOADED QUESTION.
BUT I MEAN, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE CONCERNED AND, YOU KNOW, OUR HOMES, OUR HOMES ARE, UM, MAYBE A SMALL HOME, BUT IT'S STILL VERY EXPENSIVE THESE DAYS.
YOU KNOW, THAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN DO TO KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER.
COUNCILMAN DON JR COULD YOU COME BACK UP PLEASE? I KNOW YOU ONLY MENTIONED TWO, ONE BEING $6, ONE BEING $2.
ARE THERE ANY ON YOUR LIST THAT'S, UH, HIGHER THAN A $6 INCREASE? OR IS THE AVERAGE BETWEEN TWO AND $6? IT DEPENDS, UM, BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF EACH ONE BEING ROLLED FORWARD IS A BIT DIFFERENT.
AND AGAIN, THAT WAS ON $200,000.
OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT FOR 300 OR 400, ET CETERA.
UM, WE NEED A BASELINE JUST TO HAVE AN IDEA THOUGH.
SO FOR 200,000, UH, FIRE DISTRICT ONE WOULD BE AT $6.
AND THAT'S A PORT A 0.48 MILL INCREASE.
THEY HAVE THREE THAT ARE, UM, BEING ROLLED FORWARD.
AND IN TOTAL, THAT'S $36 AND 63 CENTS FOR THE THREE OF THEM COMBINED.
AND PRIDE AND DISTRICT SEVEN ARE SIMILAR IN THAT RANGE BECAUSE THEY HAVE MULTIPLE MILLAGES.
SO IT COULD BE EQUIVALENT 36 $40, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THEY'RE 36 63 FOR BROWNSVILLE, 32, 25 FOR PRIDE AND 34 13 FOR CHENEY MILL.
SO THEY'RE ALL IN THE $30 RANGE, BUT AGAIN, THERE'S MULTIPLE MILLAGES.
SO WOULD IT BE SAFE TO SAY THE ROLL FORWARD WAS ON 15, SOMEWHERE IN TWO TO $300 A YEAR, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE? SOMETHING LIKE THAT? DEPENDS ON WHERE THEY LIVE.
AND IF THERE'S A ROLL FORWARD, SO IF WE'RE NOT ROLLING FORWARD THE TAX, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR THE PARISH OR THE CITY, THEN THOSE CITIZENS WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY THOSE.
BUT MAYBE IF, AND I DON'T KNOW IF BAKER AND ZACHARY ARE, BUT IF BAKER AND ZACHARY ROLL FORWARD, THEN THOSE CITIZENS WOULD HAVE THAT VERSUS THE CITIZENS IN BATON ROUGE OR THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS WOULD NOT.
AND THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA FOR THE QUESTION.
'CAUSE IT KIND OF GIVES US SOMEWHAT OF AN IDEA, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE
[00:55:01]
OF WHAT THE IMPACT IS ON THE, ON THE CITIZEN.I THOUGHT COUNCILMAN GODDE ASKED A, A GOOD QUESTION TOO.
THE REQUEST OF THE INDIVIDUALS ASKING THE ROLL FORWARD TO KIND OF JUSTIFY IT.
UM, VERY INTERESTING TO ME THAT WE ONLY HAVE ONE OR TWO PRESENT THAT ARE WILLING TO, UH, BE HERE AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS AND HAVE THE INFORMATION BEFORE US TODAY TO LET US KNOW WHAT THEIR JUSTIFICATION IS.
UH, ONE, BEING A COUNCIL ON AGENT, UM, AND THOUGHT COUNCILMAN HURST MADE A LOT OF GOOD POINTS.
MOST OF US KNOW THE IMPACT THAT THE COUNCIL ON AGENT ARE MAKING.
UH, HE MADE THE POINT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CENTERS.
I'M ONE OF THE DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE A COMMUNITY CENTER YET.
HOWEVER, AND, UM, ASHA WILL TELL YOU THIS, ALL OF US HAVE SENIOR CENTERS IN OUR DISTRICTS.
SO EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE COMMUNITY CENTERS, WE KNOW THE IMPACT.
AND, AND COUNCILMAN COUNCILMAN HUDSON'S, UH, DISTRICT IS THE MOST RECENT DISTRICT TO RECEIVE A CENTER, CENTER, SENIOR CENTER AND REALIZE THE IMPACTS, UH, THAT THE COUNCIL ON AGENT IS MAKING.
SO WE SEE THE BRICK AND MORTAR AS COUNCILMAN HURST MENTIONED.
WE SEE AND FEEL AND HEAR THE IMPACT FROM THE RESIDENTS AND THE, UH, SERVICE THAT THE COUNCIL ON AGENT IS BRINGING.
UM, WE KNOW THEY'RE DOING THE WORK.
WE KNOW, UH, THAT THIS WORK AND THIS, UH, THESE RESOURCES ARE GETTING TO THE PEOPLE.
SO LET'S, LET'S CUT THE GAMES OUT AND, AND, AND ROLL THESE, UH, MILLAGES FORWARD.
I'M GONNA GO BACK TO THE OPENING PRAYER BY THE PASTOR.
I JOTTED THIS DOWN WHEN HE SAID THAT.
'CAUSE I, I KIND OF THOUGHT THIS WOULD RESONATE AND HAVE SOME SUBSTANCE AND, AND MEANING TO THIS MEETING.
HE SAID TWO THINGS THAT STUCK OUT TO ME.
HE ASKED US TO GUIDE OUR WORDS AND GUIDE OUR MOTIVES.
SO I'M GONNA ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO GUIDE YOUR WORDS, WHICH I THINK WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB OF THAT.
BUT NOW I'M GONNA ASK YOU TO GUIDE YOUR MOTIVES BECAUSE THE COUNCIL ON AGENT DESERVES TO BE ROLLED FORWARD.
COUNCILMAN HERSH, YOU ALREADY SPOKE TWICE.
JEN, CAN I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR TIME? SO WE GONNA GO TO ME? DID I REALLY SPEAK TWICE ALREADY? YEAH, YOU DID.
IN FACT, I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO WARN YOU.
YOU ACCEPTED IT BEFORE IT GOT TO IT.
OH, I DIDN'T YELL AT SO YOU DID.
SO, UM, I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH A LOT OF, UH, WHAT WAS SAID ON THE JUSTIFICATIONS BEHIND THESE.
UM, VILLE COMMUNITY CENTER, Y'ALL ARE THERE FEEDING PEOPLE EVERY DAY AND, AND I APPRECIATE IT.
AND OUR, OUR, UH, FIRST RESPONDERS, THE, THE GOOD WORK Y'ALL DO, UM, IS ABSOLUTELY NOTICED AND RECOGNIZED.
AND I'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH YOU ALL PLENTY OF TIMES.
UM, I THINK, UH, I'LL JUST GIVE SOME PERSPECTIVE ON HOW I VIEW THIS.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, UH, TAXES THAT WERE PASSED ON AN AMOUNT TO, UH, THAT WAS NEEDED WHEN IT WAS PASSED.
THESE ARE THE DOLLARS THAT ARE GONNA BE RECEIVED.
AND, UM, SO ITEM 79 WAS THERE BECAUSE THAT CORRECTS FOR THE REASSESSMENT TO RECEIVE THOSE SAME DOLLARS THAT WERE PASSED WHEN THE TAX WAS PASSED BY THE PEOPLE.
AND SO WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE ROLL FORWARD, IT'S GOING BACK TO THE MILLAGES THAT WERE APPROVED AT THAT TIME WITH THE HIGHER AMOUNTS YOU HEAR, UM, LATELY ON A NATIONAL NEWS LEVEL, PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT TAXING, UNREALIZED GAINS, WHICH SIDE NOTE I THINK WOULD PUT US DIRECTLY INTO A DEPRESSION.
BUT THIS IS IN, IN A, IN A, UH, A SMALL WAY, A VERY SIMILAR THING YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
YOU HAVE REALIZED THROUGH YOUR ASSESSMENT AN INCREASE IN YOUR PROPERTY VALUE AND YOU'RE GONNA BE TAXED MORE ON IT BECAUSE OF THAT INCREASE.
WHAT THAT ROLLBACK DOES IS IT, UH, GIVES YOU SOME RELIEF FROM THAT.
SO YOUR, YOUR, UH, QUOTE UNQUOTE BALANCE SHEET, YOU KNOW, YOUR PERSONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT LOOKS GREATER BECAUSE YOU HAVE A MORE VALUABLE ASSET IN YOUR HOME OR ON YOUR PROPERTY, BUT THAT DOESN'T PUT MORE DOLLARS IN YOUR POCKET.
THAT DOESN'T GIVE YOU LIQUIDITY.
AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT BEING TAXED MORE ON THAT, YOU KNOW, UNLESS YOU GOT A RAISE, YOU DON'T HAVE A ROLL FORWARD IN YOUR SALARY.
UM, AND SO THAT'S KIND OF HOW I VIEW THIS.
UM, AGAIN, I, I SEE THE JUSTIFICATIONS, BUT I DO SEE THIS AS A TAX INCREASE.
UM, AND I THINK IT'S, IT'S, UH, IN ITS MOST SIMPLIFIED FORM THAT IS WHAT THIS IS.
IT IS ASKING FOR MORE FROM SOMETHING THAT WHEN THE PEOPLE DIDN'T NECESSARILY, UM, GET AN INCREASE IN THEIR, IN THEIR, UH, BANK ACCOUNTS FOR IT.
UM, WE KNOW THE WOES THAT ARE BEING SEEN WITH INSURANCE IN OUR STATE ARE PLENTIFUL.
UM, THAT'S AFFECTING EVERYONE.
I THINK PEOPLE, WE, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE IT AND IT'S ONLY GONNA GET A LITTLE BIT WORSE.
I THINK WITH INSURANCE, YOU'RE SEEING PEOPLE IF THEY'RE NOT ALREADY ON THE BRINK OF BEING FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMES IN SOME SITUATIONS BECAUSE OF INSURANCE.
[01:00:01]
CAUTION ON US USING, UH, OR EXACERBATING THAT THROUGH THE TAXES, WHICH ARE USUALLY, MOST PEOPLE ESCROW IT ON THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE.SO, UM, AGAIN, I I, I RECOGNIZE THE JUSTIFICATIONS FORM.
UM, AND, AND, AND IN, IN SOME WAYS IN THIS SEAT, WE HAVE SUPPORTED YOU BRINGING AN EXTRA TAX TO THE PEOPLE AND MAKING YOUR CASE TO 'EM.
AND I BELIEVE IN THAT, WHEN YOU HAVE A JUSTIFICATION AND YOU THINK YOU CAN GO TO THE PEOPLE AND ASK FOR A MILLAGE, I I'M WILLING TO GIVE YOU THAT, TO BRING TO THEM IF I BELIEVE IN THE JUSTIFICATION YOU'RE SAYING.
SO, UH, BUT ON A ROLL FORWARD, AGAIN, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, YOU IT, IT DOES, UH, LOOK LIKE A TAX INCREASE ON, ON, ON THE PEOPLE.
WELL, I, I WASN'T GONNA SPEAK ON THIS ITEM UNTIL COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.
USED MY OWN PASTOR'S PRAYER AGAINST ME.
LOOK, I, I APPRECIATE WHAT, WHAT EVERYONE HAS SAID.
UM, UH, YOU KNOW, I I TOO LOOK AT IT AS A TAX INCREASE.
UH, AND, AND I LOOK AT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE, UH, OF WHAT ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS VIEW THIS AS.
UH, AND THAT IS AT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO SHELL OUT SOME MORE MONEY TO GET THE SAME SERVICES THAT THEY'RE ALREADY GETTING.
UM, I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYONE COME AND TELL ME THAT, UH, NOT ROLLING THESE MILLAGES FORWARD, UM, WILL CAUSE THEM TO, UH, DIRECTLY IMPACT THEIR, THEIR, UH, BENEFITS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES, UH, YOU KNOW, DIRECTLY IMPACT THEIR PAY OR THEIR, OR, OR THEIR OTHER BENEFITS.
UM, AND SO LOOK, I I JUST THINK JUST LIKE OUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE TO DO MORE WITH LESS, UH, WE'RE ACTUALLY ASKING THESE ENTITIES TO DO MORE WITH THE SAME, RIGHT? SO, UH, YOU'RE IN A LITTLE BIT BETTER POSITION THERE.
UM, SO I'M IN FAVOR AND I KNOW WE ALREADY HAVE TWO MOTIONS ON THE FLOOR, BUT, UH, I'M IN FAVOR OF SIMPLY ACCEPTING THE 2024 ADJUSTED MILLAGE AFTER REASSESSMENT.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I'LL BE HOPEFULLY GETTING FOR SUPPORT THIS EVENING.
COUNCILMAN HURST, YOU HAVE STILL SPOKEN TWICE AND I HAVE GOTTEN A COMMITMENT TO USE JEN ROCK'S FIRST FILE.
WELL, JEN ROCKA WILL HAVE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION WITH HER TIME FOR THAT.
SO, COUNCILWOMAN ROCKA, CAN YOU USE MY TIME IN 30 SECONDS OR LESS? SO DWIGHT HUDSON MADE A GREAT POINT THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DOING MORE WITH LESS.
WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS IS LESS DUE TO INFLATION, NOT, NOT LESS INCOME.
PEOPLE'S SALARIES AREN'T CHANGING.
THERE'S NO DIFFERENT THAN THE BUDGETS IN THESE BUSINESSES, BUT THEY'RE EXPECTED TO DO THE SAME THING.
ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE IS BEING ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE.
'CAUSE YOU REALIZE IT ONLY PUTS YOU IN THE OFFICE TO BUILD YOU UP.
THEY'LL TELL YOU RIGHT BACK DOWN TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU'RE NOT DOING THE SAME THING WITH THESE FIREMEN.
SAME THING WITH THE COUNCIL ON ASIAN.
SAME THING WITH FRED RAFFORD WITH DRAINAGE.
AND THE REASON WHY I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA CALL US NEXT YEAR, COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE NOT PROVIDING FOR THE CITY.
YOU'RE GONNA TELL US, UM, HAVE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY DO MORE WITH LESS.
BUT WE'RE ALREADY PAYING DPW $8 AN HOUR IN SOME CASES.
WE, WE, THERE'S NOT A LIVABLE WAGE.
AND I'M GONNA GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW AS WE REDUCE SOME OF OUR BUDGETS.
DPW IS BUILDING GROUNDS WHO NEED SOME OF THAT OVERTIME THAT THEY GET NOW CAN'T GET IT.
SO THEY NOW HAVE TO GO GET ANOTHER JOB BECAUSE THEIR CURRENT JOB IS NOT PROVIDED LIVABLE WAGE ONLY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET OVERTIME WITH THE CURRENT FISCAL STATE.
SO WE'RE ASKING THESE OTHER FOLKS TO OPERATE ON TOMORROW'S, UM, UM, FISCAL STATE WITH TODAY'S CURRENT BUDGET.
SO THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR ANYBODY.
IT DOESN'T WORK FOR US PERSONALLY.
IT DOESN'T WORK FOR THEM BUSINESS WISE.
SO THE INCREASES NOT JUST HERE, BUT IN OTHER PLACES.
DON'T CALL AND COMPLAIN WHEN THEY CAN'T GIVE YOU NEXT YEAR WHAT THEY GAVE YOU THIS YEAR.
DO YOU WANT TO COME TO THE MIC? I DO.
YOU GOT THE REST OF HER TIME? ABSOLUTELY.
MR. CHAIR, IS THAT ACCEPTABLE? WAIT, COUNCILWOMAN ROCKA, HE WAS WA
SIR, YOU CAN HAVE MY EXTRA TIME.
I REPRESENT THE COUNCIL ON AGING.
I JUST WANNA ADD A COUPLE OF THINGS TO WHAT COUNCILMAN HURST AND SOME OF THE OTHERS HAD SAID, AND WHAT TASHA SAID SEVEN YEARS AGO WHEN THIS MILLAGE WAS PASSED, IT WAS 2.25.
UH, ONE OF THE PROPOSALS OR THE AUTOMATIC ROLLBACK WOULD'VE BEEN 2.0.
IF YOU KEEP IT AT 2.0 THAT IS GONNA BE $750,000 LESS TO THE COUNCIL ON AGING IN REAL DOLLARS.
AND THE REASON IS BECAUSE COUNCIL ON AGING, LIKE SOME OF THESE OTHER
[01:05:01]
AGENCIES, GET MONEY FROM OTHER SOURCES.COUNCIL ON AGING, THIS NEXT YEAR WILL GET $750,000 LESS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
I CAN'T TELL YOU WHY THEY CUT THOSE, BUT THEY DID.
IF YOU KEEP IT AT THE 2.13, THEY WILL HAVE THE SAME THAT THEY HAD LAST YEAR IN REAL DOLLARS.
AND THE MILLAGE WOULD BE THE SAME.
2.13 I SUPPORT HOLDING IT AT 2.13 AND, AND URGE YOU TO DO SO.
IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT WE AS GOVERNMENT OR YOU AS GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO, IS TO CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO CANNOT CARE FOR THEMSELVES.
THAT'S WHAT THE COUNCIL IN AGING DOES IN A BIG WAY.
AND THEY HAVE RECEIVED HUGE ACCOLADES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY FOR DOING JUST THAT.
SO TO CLARIFY, WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUN JR.
SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN BANKS TO APPROVE ALL ROLL FORWARD AND THE REST OF THE ITEMS FOR ITEM 80.
DO WE HAVE ANY OPPOSITION TO THAT? CAN I GET CLARIFICATION? SURE.
THE MOTION, THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION YOU JUST REFERENCED.
WE HAVE, WE HAVE OBJECTION, MULTIPLE OBJECTIONS.
WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON THE MACHINES SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
FIRST, JUST AS A REMINDER, THIS ITEM REQUIRES EIGHT VOTES TO BE APPROVED.
EITHER WAY, ANY, WE'RE VOTING ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 80 AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR AGENDA.
MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE.
I'M GONNA RESET IT WHEN COUNCILWOMAN COMPUTERS READY.
MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 80.
MOTION FAILS NOW WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MO, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCKA TO APPROVE ALL ITEMS. ITEM 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 FOR THE ROLL FORWARD AND ADOPTING ITEM 16 THROUGH 26 AS WRITTEN.
DO WE HAVE ANY OBJECTION? NO OBJECTION.
WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON THE MACHINES.
MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, AND 16 THROUGH 26.
UH, WE'RE GONNA RE WE'RE GONNA, UM, OPEN THE MACHINES AGAIN FOR THAT VOTE.
I'M NOT GONNA READ THE ENTIRE THING AGAIN.
MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN MOOCH.
CAN I RECONSIDER THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION? YOU, YOU CAN RE URGE YOUR MOTION.
I'D LIKE TO RE URGE MY MOTION.
MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO APPROVE ITEM 80 BY COUNCILMAN DUNN.
IS THERE A SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION BY? YES.
SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST TO APPROVE ITEM 80 AS WRITTEN.
DO WE HAVE ANY OPPOSITION? WE HAVE OPPOSITION.
WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON THE MACHINES.
MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 80.
ITEM 81, AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF NOT TO EXCEED 183 THOU 183,415,000.
[01:10:01]
I'M SORRY, Y'ALL.[106. 24-01074]
JUMP TO ITEM UH, 1 0 6.WE'RE GONNA TAKE 1 0 6 THROUGH ONE 11.
UH, 1 0 6 CERTIFYING THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT AT THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
AND THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AGREES TO CERTAIN STIPULATIONS REQUIRED BY L-A-D-O-T-D AS PREREQUISITES FOR PARTICIPATION BY THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND THE OFF SYSTEM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SCENE NONE.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCCA.
[107. 24-01083]
ITEM 1 0 7 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH ALL SOUTH CONSULTING ENGINEERS LLC TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROBERTSON AVENUE SIDEWALKS HOLLYWOOD STREET TO DENI STREET IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $179,879 AND 89 CENTS BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE.
I WILL GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ROCK.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? APOLOGIES.
THERE YOU HAD, SHOULD HAVE HAD ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 1 0 7.
MOTION 1 0 8 CARRIES ITEM 1 0 9
[109. 24-01085]
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH EVANS GRAVES ENGINEERS INC.TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CORA DRIVE SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS GOODWOOD BOULEVARD TO FLORIDA BOULEVARD IN THE MOUNTAIN NOT TO EXCEED $264,171 75 CENTS BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEN NONE.
WILL GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCKA.
[110. 24-01086]
ITEM ONE 10 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT WITH JAMESTOWN MITIGATION BANK LLC TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF WETLAND MITIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOVE VR ENHANCEMENT PROJECT, MCCO ROAD, AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $98,670 BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR, ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY CHAIR SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN MOROCCO.I DID NO ON 1 0 8 WHEN YOU REFERENCED 1 0 7.
[108. 24-01084]
MY APOLOGIES.AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH BONTON ASSOCIATES TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROSENWALD SIDEWALK SCENIC HIGHWAY TO SKYLAND AVENUE IN A MOUNTAIN NOT TO EXCEED $192,491 AND 62 CENTS BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEN NONE.
GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCIL MOROCCO.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
I READ THE SAME ONE TWICE, I GUESS.
[81. 24-01060 ]
ITEM 81.AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF NOT TO EXCEED $183,415,058 AND 30 CENTS OF BOND PROCEEDS AND OTHER FUNDS FROM SEWER SYSTEM TO REFUND THE 2 20 20 B SEWER REVENUE BONDS BY DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND FINANCE DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? 81.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAM.
[82. 24-01065]
82.A SUPPLEMENTAL RESOLUTION AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING AMENDED AND RESTATED GENERAL BOND RESOLUTION NUMBER 5 7 9 3 4 PROVIDING FOR THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2024.
BY AND BETWEEN THE EAST BATON ROUGE SEWAGE COMMISSION AND THE LOUISIANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROVIDING FOR THE LOAN PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS OF THE EAST BATON ROUGE SEWAGE COMMISSION UNDER SAID LOAN AGREEMENT.
AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE WITH BY BOND COUNSEL.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? THEME NUMBER? GO TO COUNCIL.
SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST, THEN HE OPPOSED.
[83. 24-01080]
83, AMENDING THE 2024 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CHEY BILL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.SO AS TO APPROPRIATE $50,000 FROM THE COLLECTION OF 2024.
PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE PAYROLL BENEFITS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND NECESSARY REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STATION AND EQUIPMENT BY CHANEY.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEN NONE.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE CHAIR.
ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES A 84
[84. 24-00923]
FOR SENDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURT TO CANCEL THE DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 11TH, 2022 IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSE PRIMI MOORE AND FEDERICO MARQUEZ COVA COVA 41 62 ODELL STREET.[01:15:01]
OWNER IS SELLING THE PROPERTY BY COUNCILWOMAN.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SCENE NOW WILL GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN DEANNE.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANYONE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES
[85. 24-00924]
A 85 RE SENDING DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO CANCEL THE NOTICE TO ATTEND.RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 28TH, 2024.
AND DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON JULY 1ST, 2024 IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE V DEBORAH WALKER, PHILISTINE WALKER IRVING.
REASON NEW OWNER PLANS TO RENOVATE THE PROPERTY AND PLACE IT BACK INTO COMMERCE BY COUNCILWOMAN Z.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AND SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. MOTION CARRIES ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[86. 24-01021]
86 RESCIND AND DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURT TO CANCEL MULTIPLE NOTICES TO ATTEND RECORDED ON MAY 31ST, 2024 IN THE DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON JULY 1ST, 2024 IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS GERALD JOHN CHARLA JR.REASON FOR RESCISSIONS PROPERTY OWNER INTENDS TO SELL THE PROPERTY BY COUNCILMAN HURST.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURST.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[87. 24-00993]
WE'RE SENDING DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO CANCEL MULTIPLE NOTICE TO 10.RECORDED ON NOVEMBER 30TH, 2023 AND THE DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON MARCH 4TH, 2024 IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND DIANA CALLAHAN.
REASON FOR CISION PROPERTY OWNERS, PROPERTY OWNERS SELLING THE PROPERTY BY COUNCILWOMAN ANN.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE.
SECOND COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[88. 24-01009]
88 AUTHORIZING METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT TO BLOCK 2 0 8 IS TRUE OF SUBDIVISION MUNICIPAL ADDRESS 38 80 ETTE STREET, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, 7 0 8 0 5 AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND NOT NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE.AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF THE SAME PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 33 4 7 1 2 AT SEC UNTO WILFORD JACKSON FOR THE SUM OF $22,000 BY PARISH ATTORNEY.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING I'LL GO TO COUNCIL.
[Items 89 - 92]
WE'RE GONNA TAKE ITEMS 89 THROUGH 92 TOGETHER AUTHORIZING THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO INSTITUTE EXP APPROPRIATION PROCEEDINGS AND OR TO TAKE SUCH OTHER ACTIONS AS MAY BE REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF LAND NECESSARY FOR THE MOVE BEYOND ENHANCEMENT PROJECT FLORIDA BOULEVARD.SECOND TWO CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT 22ND STREET TO AIRLINE BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.
ITEM 90 AUTHORIZING THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO INSTITUTE ITS APPROPRIATION PROCEEDINGS AND OR TO TAKE OTHER ACTIONS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF LAND AND NECESSARY FOR THE MOVE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT NORTH BOULEVARD.
ENHANCEMENTS I 10 TO FOSTER SLASH FLORIDA BY PARISH ATTORNEY AUTHORIZING THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO INSTITUTE EXP APPROPRIATION PROCEEDINGS AND OR TAKE OTHER SUCH ACTIONS AS MAY BE REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF LAND NECESSARY FOR THE MOVE.
BR ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS, SYNCHRONIZATION AND COMMUNICATION SIGNAL REBUILD PHASE ONE BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY AUTHORIZING THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO INSTITUTE EXPROPRIATION PROCEEDINGS AND OR TO TAKE OTHER ACTIONS AS MAY BE REQUIRED IN A CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF LAND NECESSARY FOR THE MOVE BEYOND ENHANCEMENT PROJECT SYNCHRONIZATION AND COMMUNICATION SIGNAL REBUILD PHASE TWO BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.
IS ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? 89 THROUGH 92 SAY NONE.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 89.
ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES FOR ITEMS 89 THROUGH 92.
[93. 24-01046]
THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO REFUND AN ERRONEOUS SALES TAX REMITTANCE TO INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,699 AND 70 CENTS FOR REMITTING SALES TAX ON NON-TAXABLE MEDICAL DEVICES USED ON MEDICARE INSURED PATIENTS FOR THE AUDIT PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2016 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2019 BY FINANCE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GOEY? SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[94. 24-01010]
ITEM 94 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT, AND OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE AN AN AMENDMENT TO LEASE WITH ROCCO RESCUE INC.TO EXTEND THE 1.85 ACRE LAND LEASE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEARS COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2024 BASED ON THEIR INVESTMENT OF $125,000 WORTH OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROPERTY BY AVIATION DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GOEY? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN, JR.
[95. 24-01057]
[01:20:01]
ITEM 95, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT, AND OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH INFRASTRUCTURE CONSULTING AND ENGINEERING P-L-L-P-L-L-C TO PROVIDE TAXI LANE WIDENING DESIGN, BIDDING AND CONSTRUCTION PHASE SERVICES AT THE BTR METROPOLITAN AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $91,759 AND 18 CENTS BY AVIATION DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE GO TO COUNCIL.
[96. 24-01066]
96 AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT, THE CLAIM OF LISA PITCHER FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM A SEWER BACKUP AND CLAIMANT'S HOME FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $25,147 AND 67 CENTS BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCKA.
[97. 24-01067]
97 AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE CLAIM OF TRINITY LOPEZ FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A BATON ROUGE POLICE OFFICER IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,536 AND 90 CENTS BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNSEL.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GOEY.
[98. 24-01069]
AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT IN THE CLAIM OF WILLIE TURNER FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A BATON ROUGE POLICE OFFICER IN THE MODEL OF $55,000 BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NOW I'M GO TO COUNCIL MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCK.
[99. 24-01012 (Part 1 of 2)]
ITEM 99 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT THROUGH THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA 21 EMPLOYEE BR TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CAR CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,720 FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 THROUGH AUGUST 31ST, 2025 BY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NOW I'M GO TO COUNCIL COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS ANYONE FROM EMPLOYEE BR HERE PLEASE? MAYOR'S OFFICE? MAYBE ANYBODY.
IS SOMEBODY HERE WITH EMPLOYEE B? I WANT, I WANNA BETTER UNDERSTAND.
JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THESE TWO ITEMS AND WHAT EMPLOYEE B IS, IS WORKING TOWARDS.
I CAN CALL HER FOR YOU AND COME BACK.
IS SHE, YOU THINK SHE'S IN THE BILL? YOU THINK SHE'S LEFT? HER OFFICE IS OFFSITE, BUT I CAN CALL HER.
AND AND SEE IF WE CAN GET HER OKAY.
GET SOME ANSWERS TO YOU OFF OFFLINE IF YOU WANNA DO THAT AND COME BACK TO THIS.
THAT WOULD GOOD, THAT WOULD BE GOOD.
ARE WE'RE CLOSE TO THE END, AREN'T WE THOUGH? WE'RE ALMOST DONE.
I'D IMAGINE FOR 99 AND 100 YOU'D WANT TO TALK TO.
[101. 24-01014]
RIGHT.ITEM 1 0 1, AUTHORIZING CITY CONSTABLE TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SHERIFF OR A SUB-GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,125 THROUGH THE LOUISIANA COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM BRIAN JUSTICE ASSISTANT GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE EBR JOINT WARRANT TASK FORCE BY CONSTABLE.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? TEAM NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN? SECOND BY CHAIR.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[102. 24-01063]
1 0 2, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT AN AMENDMENT ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES, OFFICE OF SOCIAL SERVICES WITH THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT, INCREASING DISCRETIONARY FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 FOR THE RIDE TO WORK PROJECT FOR A TOTAL OF $1,466,330 BY HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE.
ANYONE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES A RIDE TO WORK PROJECT.
HELLO? UH, THIS IS A PILOT PROGRAM WITH THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION
[01:25:01]
AND THE, UM, LOUISIANA PAROLE PROJECT TO HELP PAROLEES GET TO AND FROM WORK.RIGHT NOW WHAT THEY'RE HAVING TO DO IS GET EVERYBODY THERE ON THE VAN, WHICH IS CAUSING PAROLEES TO BE LATE FOR WORK.
SO THIS IS JUST A PILOT TO OFFER ALTERNATIVE WAY RATHER THAN HAVING TO PUT EVERYBODY ON A VAN TO GET EVERYBODY TO WORK SO THAT THEY CAN MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT.
SO HOW WILL THEY BE GETTING TO WORK AS OPPOSED TO THAT VAN? TWO THINGS.
WE'RE GONNA BE BUYING E-BIKES AND WE WILL ALSO BE HAVING UU UM, UBER, UM, UM, RISE FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER, BUT WE ARE PURCHASING FIVE E-BIKES THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE USING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
UH, COUNCILMAN HUDSON, TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
I I I KNOW WE'RE NOT SPENDING A MILLION DOLLARS FOR FIVE EBIKES, IT'S $40,000.
BUT THE TOTAL PROGRAM, THAT'S OUR TOTAL BUDGET FROM CSBG, THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING THAT WE DO WITHIN THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
THIS PILOT PROGRAM IS ONLY 40,000 BUCKS.
EXPLAIN TO ME THE BREAKDOWN BETWEEN E-BIKES AND UBER.
ARE WE ONLY USING UBER DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER? WE'RE GONNA USE THE, UM, E-BIKES EVERY DAY AND WE ALSO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR THEM TO HAVE RAIN GEAR WHEN THE WEATHER'S NOT SO BAD, BUT THEY CAN USE RAIN COATS AND BOOSTS.
BUT WHEN THE WEATHER IS REALLY, REALLY BAD AND THEY CAN'T USE THE E-BIKES, WE WILL HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GET TO WORK.
SO THE WHOLE GOAL IS SO THAT WE CAN GET THEM TO WORK, UH, WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT EVERYBODY ON ONE VAN.
BECAUSE IF EVERYBODY HAS TO BE TO WORK AT EIGHT O'CLOCK, YOU CAN'T BE IN FIVE DIFFERENT 10 DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS TRYING TO GET EVERYBODY TO WORK.
SO THIS IS JUST AN ALTERNATIVE WAY SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT THEY MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT.
IF WE FIGURE OUT THAT NOBODY WANTS TO USE THE E-BIKES AND THEY JUST WANNA USE UBER, CAN THEY STILL USE UBER? THAT'S NOT AN OPTION.
OKAY, WE'RE GONNA PURCHASE FIVE E-BIKES AND WHERE WILL THOSE BE STATIONED? AT THE LOUIS LOUISIANA PAROLE PROJECT.
WE ARE DOING THIS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION, WITH US AS A COMMISSION ACTION AGENCY.
AND WITH THE, UH, LOUISIANA PAROLE PROJECT, THE BIKES WILL REMAIN IN THE CUSTODY POSSESSION OF THE LOUISIANA PAROLE PROJECT.
SO THEY'LL REMAIN AT A CERTAIN LOCATION OR THEY'LL TAKE THEM HOME, NOT THE PAROLE.
THEY'RE GONNA STAY ON SITE WITH THE UM, UM, PAROLE, UM, LOUISIANA PAROLE PROJECT.
THEY WILL NOT GO HOME WITH THE PAROLE RELEASE.
WHERE IS THIS FACILITY LOCATED? I DON'T KNOW.
THIS IS LOUISIANA, UH, PAROLE PROJECT WITH LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION.
ALL THEY ASKING US TO DO IS COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY.
IT'S TO JOIN IN THE COLLABORATION TO SEE IF WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK, IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DO, UM, ON A LARGER SCALE.
SO IT'S JUST A TEST, IT'S JUST A PILOT TO SEE IF THIS WILL WORK.
SO WOULD IT BE THIS OFFICE LOCATION DOWNTOWN? YES.
SO IT'S NOT SOME OUTSIDE AREA WHERE THEY'RE HAVING TO GET ON? OH, NO SIR.
MAJOR STREETS AND THE LOUISIANA PAROLE PROJECT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE INSURANCE THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT.
THE, UM, THE MAINTENANCE OF THE, OF THE BIKES AND ALL THAT.
ALL THAT'S GONNA BE COVERED IN THE PACKAGE, THE PERON PACKAGE.
BUT ALL THAT FALLS ON THE LOUISIANA PAROLE PROJECT.
DO WE STILL HAVE THE BIKE PROGRAM? OKAY.
WE DO STILL HAVE THE BIKE PROGRAM HERE.
WHY CAN'T WE JUST USE THOSE? UM, IT WAS PRESENTED TO ME AS A POLY PRO PROJECT FROM LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION.
THEY JUST ASKED AS WE JOIN IN ON THIS.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, THE EXISTING BIKE, UM, THAT WE ALREADY HAVE SERVICE OR NOT.
THIS WAS STRICTLY JUST FOR FIVE PAROLEES SO THAT WE COULD TEST TO SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN USE ONGOING SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THEM EMPLOYED BY GETTING TO WORK ON TIME.
I LOOK, I I'M ALL FOR KEEPING 'EM EMPLOYED.
I'M ALL FOR GETTING 'EM TO WORK, GETTING 'EM HOME FROM WORK TO, TO WHERE THEY BACK TO WHEREVER THEY NEED TO BE AND STUFF.
THIS JUST SOUNDS LIKE A AND LOOK, IT'S $40,000 THAT'S BEING GIVEN TO YOU, OBVIOUSLY FROM THE STATE.
BUT YOU ARE GIVING 'EM RING GEAR A BIKE, THEY GO BACK AND FORTH, THEY TAKE THEIR BIKE OUT, IT'S STORMING BECAUSE YOU SAID IT'S, YOU KNOW, THE, THE RAIN GEAR IS FOR BASIC
[01:30:01]
LIGHT RAIN.THEY LEAVE THE BIKE, THEY GET AN UBER AND GO BACK AT THAT POINT AND THEN GO PICK UP THE BIKE THE NEXT.
THIS JUST SOUNDS LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT COULD GO.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE WOULD HAVE, WE HAVE RESOURCES THAT ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE THAT COULD BE DONE WITH THIS.
I, I'M ALL I WANT TO HELP NOW.
I'VE, I'VE HISTORICALLY VOTED FOR STUFF THAT THAT HELPS OUR, UM, COMM UH, CONVICTED COMMUNITY, UM, GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT THIS JUST SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD JUST BE A PROBLEM AFTER A PROBLEM.
YOU'RE WANTING TO ACCEPT IT BECAUSE IT'S BEING OFFERED TO YOU.
WHY NOT? HEY, IT'S 40 GRAND, GO GIVE THIS A TRY.
BUT I, IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT, LET'S SAY WE, IT KIND OF DOES WORK FOR A LITTLE BIT 'CAUSE IT'S NEW AND THEN IT JUST FIZZES OUT.
DO WE HAVE TO DO WE THEN AT THAT POINT, THE NEXT YEAR, THE 40 OR $50,000 OR WHATEVER IT COSTS FOR THE RAIN GEAR AND THE BIKES AND STUFF AND WE DON'T GET A GRANT TO CONTINUE, THEN WE'RE, THEN WE'RE STUCK WITH THIS NEW PROGRAM, CORRECT? WELL, NO SIR.
WE'RE NOT GONNA BE STUCK WITH IT.
THESE ARE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS.
SO THIS ABOVE AND ABOVE, UH, THIS IS THE ABOVE AND BEYOND OUR ALLOCATION THAT WE GET FROM, UM, CSBG FOR THESE SERVICES.
UM, BUT IT IS DURING THIS PERIOD THAT WE CAN CAPTURE THE DATA TO SEE IF THIS IS GOING TO WORK OR NOT.
SO IT'S NOT ABOUT JUST GIVING THEM A A A E-BIKE AND SAY, GET THE WORK THAT'S, CAPTURE THE DATA TO SEE IF THIS EVEN WORTH IT, IF IT EVEN MAKES SENSE.
AND THESE ARE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS ABOVE OUR NORMAL ALLOCATION THAT WE GET.
WE ARE JUST TRYING TO TEST IT OUT TO SEE IF THIS IS GONNA WORK, WILL JUST HELP US ENSURE THAT THEY CAN GET TO WORK ON A REGULAR BASIS WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT TRYING TO GET, YOU KNOW, 15 DIFFERENT, UH, PAROLEES AT ONE SITE, DIFFERENT SITES AT THE SAME TIME.
DID, DID THEY COME TO US WITH THIS PROGRAM OR THEY CAME TO US WITH THIS PROGRAM OR DID WE RESEARCH IT IN OTHER PLACES? NO, SIR.
HAVE WE DONE OUR RESEARCH OR DUE DILIGENCE AS FAR AS THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM WORKING IN OTHER LOCATIONS? I CAN'T ANSWER THAT, SIR.
I CAN GET THAT ANSWER FOR YOU, BUT I DON'T HAVE THAT ANSWER.
I MEAN, I WOULD, I WOULD SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE AGAIN, IT, WE'RE ACCEPTING THE MONEY, BUT WE SHOULD DO OUR RESEARCH TO, TO SEE WHAT THIS HAS DONE IN OTHER LOCATIONS, SIMILAR SIZE CITIES.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT THIS COUNCIL'S ASKED FOR, FOR OTHER THINGS AND SO ON.
COUNCILOR MO, YOU OBJECT TO TIME? UH, YEAH, SO I, I GUESS IF ANYBODY ELSE CAN ANSWER THAT, UH, YOU'RE WANTING TO SPEAK REALLY BAD, GO AHEAD.
UM, I HEAR YOUR CONCERNS COUNCILMAN MO.
MY ONLY CONCERN IS BECAUSE IT IS DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, WE HAVE A TIME LIMIT OF NINE 30 TO EITHER ACCEPT IT OR NOT.
AND HERE WE'RE BACK TO THE, THE IMMEDIATE ACCEPTANCE, UM, BEING PUT FOR US, THE $40,000 HAS TO BE USED ON E-BIKES.
IT HAS TO BE USED FOR THIS PROJECT RIDE TO WORK PROJECT RIDE TO WORK PROJECT.
THE, IF WE SAID WE'RE GONNA TAKE THE $40,000 AND ONLY DO UBER, CAN WE, NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANNA DO.
SO THIS IS AN E-BIKE PROJECT PROJECT, RIGHT.
WITH AN UBER AS A BACKUP ONLY FOR INCLEMENT, EXTREME INCLEMENT WEATHER.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE BUYING THE RAINCOATS AND THE RAIN PANTS AND THE BAGS WHERE THEY CAN BRING THEIR LUNCH.
THEY WILL ONLY USE THE UBER FOR EXTREME WEATHER ONLY.
YEAH, SO, UM, JEN SAID IT IN MY EAR OVER HERE.
WHAT I WAS GONNA SAY, IT'S ONLY A GRANT.
IT IS THAT, UM,
AND NUMBER THREE, WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE BIKE, WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT WHILE YOU WERE TALKING, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA THOUGH, AARON, BUT THE DIFFERENCE IN AN E-BIKE AND A TRADITIONAL BIKE IS PEDALS VERSUS GOING LONG DISTANCES.
I KNOW, BUT THESE, THESE KIND OF WORK ON THEIR OWN AND GO LONG DISTANCES.
SO IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN A, THAN AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER VERSUS WHEN YOU GOTTA KICK WITH YOUR FOOT, HOW FAR DO YOU WANT TO GO ON A SCOOTER THAT YOU GOTTA KICK FROM DOWNTOWN TO NORTH BATON ROUGE VERSUS ON AN E-BIKE OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S MOTORIZED.
SO, UM, I DEFINITELY SUPPORT IT.
I BELIEVE GETTING PEOPLE BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE IS THE KEY TO TRANSITION EVERY AREA OF TOWN THAT WE LIVE IN.
'CAUSE PEOPLE WITH MONEY TYPICALLY DON'T ROB STEALING KILL.
SO I ASK THAT WE SUPPORT THIS AND AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
[01:35:01]
COUNCILMAN DUNN, JR.UM, I THINK IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT JEN IS NOT GONNA GET DOWN ANY MORE OF OUR TIME
BUT THE POINT I WANNA MAKE IS, UM, THE POPULATION IN WHICH YOU SERVING PEOPLE REENTERING TO SOCIETY, UM, FROM BEING INCARCERATED, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF BARRIERS IN PLACE.
UM, SOME SELF-INFLICTED, SOME SYSTEM INFLICTED ON THIS POPULATION.
SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ASSIST AND AID TO KEEP THE POPULATION IN THE WORKFORCE AND NOT, YOU KNOW, BEING PUT IN A POSITION TO BE TEMPTED TO RETURN TO PAST ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD RETURN THEM BACK TO BEING INCARCERATED IS SOMETHING I'M IN SUPPORT OF.
UM, ALSO, UM, YOU KNOW, AS WAS MENTIONED BEFORE, THIS IS A PILOT PROGRAM.
IT'S EXPERIMENTAL TO GAIN DATA AND INFORMATION TO SEE IF THIS WORKS.
IF IT DON'T WORK, WE WON'T CONTINUE IT.
IF IT DO, WE WILL EXPAND IT AND SEEK FUNDS TO DO THAT.
I THINK WHETHER IT IS A BUSINESS OR WHETHER IT'S GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE TO GIVE LEADERS THE AUTONOMY TO INNOVATE AND TRY THINGS AND, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
UM, COUNCILMAN MOOCH IS RIGHT.
WE DO OFTENTIMES LOOK AT OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, LOOK AT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND SEE IF THEY'VE TRIED THINGS.
BUT SOMETIMES IT'S OKAY TO BE THE FIRST OR THE SECOND TO TRY IT.
AND, AND SOME OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, SOME OTHER CITY ORGANIZATIONS LOOK AT YOUR DATA AND SEE, YOU KNOW, IF IT WORKS.
SO, UM, IS IT GREAT? PROBABLY NOT.
IS IT A GOOD THING? I THINK SO.
SO WE DON'T NEED TO LET GOOD BE THE ENEMY OR GREAT.
I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD EXPLORE AND SO SOMETHING WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH.
AND SO AS COUNCILMAN T SAID, I SUPPORTED AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE VOTE.
IF A MOTION HADN'T BEEN MADE, I'LL MAKE ONE TO APPROVE.
AS IS COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, I'M ASSUMING YOU WANT TO ASK IF THE E-BIKES CAN GO THROUGH DRIVE-THROUGHS? THEY THEY ABSOLUTELY CAN GO THROUGH DRIVE-THROUGHS I BELONG BELONGS THROUGH THE DRIVE, DRIVE-THROUGHS.
OKAY, SO, UM, I, I THINK FOR ME THIS IS MORE ABOUT, AND I, I SUSPECT THIS IS WHY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN WAS ASKING THIS QUESTION.
'CAUSE THIS IS, WHEN I READ THIS ITEM, THIS IS WHAT'S GOING THROUGH MY MIND IS, UM, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE INTEGRATE THE THINGS WE'RE ALREADY DOING? AND SO WHEN I READ THIS, I WAS THINKING, WAIT A MINUTE, WHERE ARE WE NOT, UM, DOING THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO WITH OUR TRANSIT SERVICE, RIGHT? I MEAN, WE KNOW THAT, THAT THAT'S, WE WANT THAT TO BE A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK.
SO, UM, SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT MY THOUGHT WAS.
UM, SO I'D LIKE TO EXPLORE THAT WITH YOU FURTHER AT SOME POINT.
WOULD YOU JUST PUT A LITTLE NOTE SOMEWHERE TO, TO REMEMBER TO COME BACK, YOU KNOW, IN WHAT, SIX MONTHS, NINE MONTHS, EVEN BRING THE PAROLE PROJECT.
LET US KNOW HOW THIS IS WORKING AND LET'S KEEP THAT CONVERSATION OPEN.
'CAUSE I REALLY DO WANNA SEE OUR, ALSO OUR CAT TRANSIT SYSTEM, UM, BE A A, A VEHICLE, A LIFELINE FOR, UM, FOR, FOR POPULATIONS FOR GETTING BACK INTO THE, TO WORK TO THE WORKFORCE AS WELL.
SO YOU MAY HAVE SOME, SOME FEEDBACK THAT WE NEED TO PASS ON TO CATS.
UM, THE PAROLE PROJECT MAY HAVE SOME FEEDBACK AS WELL THAT WE NEED TO PASS ON TO CATS.
SO I JUST, YOU KNOW, NOT OPPOSED TO IT, JUST WANTED TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE, UM, JUST CONNECT ALL THE DOTS.
AND SO I'LL COME BACK IN SIX MONTHS WITH THE PARTNERS AND LET US TALK ABOUT THE DATA THAT WE CAPTURED AND GAIN FROM THIS EXPERIENCE.
I HAVE A QUESTION AND I'LL, I'LL GIVE, I'LL GIVE HIM MY LAST 3 29 MINUTES.
WELL, BASED ON, BASED ON COMING BACK AND REPORTING TO US, HOW LONG IS IT GONNA TAKE TO GET THIS PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED? IT STARTS TONIGHT WITH APPROVAL FROM THE COUNCIL.
OH, ARE YOU GOING TO PICK UP THE BIKES WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE OR I CAN'T EVEN PLACE THE ORDER UNTIL I GET APPROVAL.
WELL, I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING IS THE SIX MONTHS AFTER FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THEY START ACTUALLY USING THEM.
WELL SOUNDS LIKE GET, SO WE CAN HAVE A A FULL, WE GONNA HAVE A FULL PRESENTATION.
I MEAN YOU GUYS CAN GET ALL THAT.
I'LL MAKE SURE THAT ALL YOU GUYS INCLUDED IN THAT, BUT I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN THE PROCESS 'CAUSE I CAN'T, I GOTTA GET APPROVAL FIRST JUST TO PURCHASE IT FROM ADAMS. YOU GOOD? OKAY.
AND SECOND, DO WE HAVE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
[99. 24-01012 (Part 2 of 2)]
GOING BACK TO ITEMS 99 AND AND AND A HUNDRED, UH, WE'LL START WITH 99.THERE'S, THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST.
I WAS JUST REPORTING BACK TO YOU THAT THESE WERE REQUESTED TO BE DELETED BECAUSE WHEN THEY GOT THEIR STATE AND FEDERAL ALLOCATION, IT, THIS WAS TO HELP STREAMLINE THEIR APPLICATION PROCESS AND GO PAPERLESS.
BUT, UM, THEY DIDN'T RECEIVE ENOUGH FUNDS FROM THE STATE OR THE FEDS TO SUPPORT IT.
SO ITEM 99 AUTHORIZING MAYOR, PRESIDENT THROUGH THE
[01:40:01]
CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH EAST BATON ROUGE LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA 21, EMPLOYEE B TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CARESOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,720 FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 THROUGH AUGUST 31ST, 2025 BY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO DELETE? MOTION BY CONSTABLE MOROCCO? SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS? ANY OPPOSED? ITEM HAS BEEN DELETED.
[100. 24-01013]
A HUNDRED, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, PRESIDENT THROUGH THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH EAST BATON ROUGE LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA 21, EMPLOYEE B TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CLOUD SYNAPSE INC.IN THE AMOUNT OF $216,292 FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 13TH, 2024 BY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO DELETE? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOOCH.
[103. 24-01064]
ALL RIGHT.ITEM 1 0 3, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT THE GRANT AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES, OFFICE OF SOCIAL SERVICES WITH THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION FOR A COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,410,349 BY THE HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I'M GO TO COUNCIL.
[104. 24-01070]
AUTHORIZED TO BEAR PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ADDING $40,000, BRINGING THE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,836,240 AND 69 CENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND URBAN RESTORATION ENHANCEMENT CORPORATION BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL.
[105. 24-01072]
ITEM 1 0 5, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO AMEND CONTRACT BY ADDING $40,000, BRINGING TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,099,474 AND 13 CENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND YWCA GREATER BATON ROUGE, MY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE.
WE'LL GO TO THE COUNCIL AND MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.
ITEM 1 0 6, CERTIFY OH, WE ALREADY DID 1 0 6 ITEM ONE
[111. 24-01087]
11 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH HUB INTERNATIONAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $225,000 TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR CITY PARISH BENEFITS.EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS WITH THE OPTION OF TWO ONE YEAR EXTENSIONS THEREAFTER BY HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? COUNCIL MEMBERS YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM ONE 11.
ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT COUNCILMAN ROCKA IS ABSTAINING FROM ITEM ONE 11.
SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN, JR.
[Items 112 - 118]
WE'RE GONNA GO TO APPOINTMENTS.FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER ONE.
ADVISORY BOARD CONSIDER CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING C JORDAN CHAR WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON AUGUST 23RD, 2024.
CONSIDER ITEM ONE 13 CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING CHARLES HALL WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON AUGUST 23RD, 2024.
CONSIDER, UH, ITEM ONE 14 CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING JESSE MOLIN WHOSE TERM EXPIRES AUGUST 23RD, 2024.
ITEM ONE 15, CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING LARRY POLINSKY WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON AUGUST 23RD, 2024.
ITEM ONE 16 CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING THOMAS SCOTT WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON AUGUST 9TH, 2024.
THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST BY FIVE OF THE SIXTH TO REMAIN AND THEN WE HAVE ONE NEW APPLICANT.
IS ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE GO TO COUNSEL.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE REAPPOINT C JORDAN CHARLA, CHARLES HALL, LARRY POLINSKY, THOMAS SCOTT.
AND THEN WE ADD CHRISTIE GROVE IN REPLACING MR. JESSE MOLEN WHO WAS NOT SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT.
I HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCK.
ANY OPPOSED? DID I SAY THOMAS SCOTT? OKAY.
AND AND TO REAPPOINT THOMAS SCOTT.
[01:45:03]
MOTION CARRIES.ITEM ONE 17, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING AMY FRANON WHOSE TERM EXPIRED ON AUGUST 12TH, 2024.
MICHAEL BECK, SPANISH TOWN RESIDENT APPLICATION SUBMITTED.
JASON, HE DREW PLACE RESIDENT APPLICATION SUBMITTED.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? COUNCIL MEMBERS YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN FAVOR OF MICHAEL BECK FOR ITEM ONE 17.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
AND, UH, I DIDN'T COME TO SPEAK, BUT IF ANY MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL WANT TO INTERVIEW ME, HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO OBLIGE YOU.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO, OH, WELL, HANG ON.
DOES ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NOW WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPOINT MR. MICHAEL BECK.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA.
ANY OPPOSED CASEY? CONGRATULATIONS MR. BECK.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CONSIDERING CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING OYO OKE THIS TERM.
THIS TERM WILL EXPIRE ON SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2024 POINT OF ORDER.
WHAT, WHAT WAS THAT? REPLACE WHO?
YOU SHOULD HAVE IT IN THE PACKET.
I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T HEAR THAT YOU YAHOO.
WHO E DUKE HAVE IN YOUR PACKET CURRENT BALLOT.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM NOW I'M GONNA GO TO COUNCIL.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT MR. JASON HESSE.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
[126. 24-00792]
1 26.DISCUSSION OF ANTI-DISCRIMINATION EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY IN THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH INCLUSIVE OF PURPOSE.
SCOPE, PROHIBITIONS, REPORTING INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION BY COUNCILWOMAN BANKS.
THIS HAS BEEN A REQUESTED TO FURTHER THIS ITEM.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER THIS ITEM UNTIL THE JANUARY, UM, CALENDAR.
MOTION TO DEFER TO JANUARY 2ND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. DO YOU HAVE ANY OPPOSITION? I'LL MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO DEFER FOR, UH, OCTOBER 9TH.
SECOND, WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO DEFER TO OCTOBER 9TH.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION SUBSTITUTE? MOTION CARRIES.
[127. 24-00919]
THERE HAS BEEN A REQUESTED DELETE THIS RECEIVING A REPORT BY B-R-D-B-R-P-D, CHIEF MORRIS IN THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING ROAD CLOSURE PERMIT TIMELINES FOR BATON ROUGE SLINGSHOT RIDERS KING OF THE BAYOU EVENT JULY 12TH AND 13TH BY COUNCILWOMAN BANKS.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? SEEING NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL MOTION.
IS THERE A MOTION TO DELETE? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN NUT JR.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION? UH, THE PRO ITEM'S BEEN DELETED.
[128. 24-01068]
ITEM 1 28.A DISCUSSION OF OUT OF CART TRASH SERVICE BY COUNCILMAN AARON MOOCH.
ANYONE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? WE'RE GONNA HAVE THE PRESENTATION AND THEN WE'LL HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING ACTUALLY.
SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S REALLY A FULL BLOWN PRESENTATION.
I KNOW HE IS UP THERE TO SPEAK 'CAUSE UH, WE'RE GO HERE, WE'RE HERE TO ASK QUESTIONS.
AND I HAVE, UH, THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM RDI IS HERE ALSO.
THE REASON I ASKED FOR THIS DISCUSSION ITEM IS I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT, UH, AS FAR AS CONTRACTS GOES THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONES I THINK WE'VE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH.
AND NOT JUST IN MY PARTICULAR DISTRICT, BUT I HEAR ABOUT IT FROM OTHER DISTRICTS.
BUT I WANNA GIVE YOU YOUR OPTION TO, TO SAY OR DISCUSS THIS ITEM HERE.
MY PROBLEM IS I AM, I AM CONSTANTLY GETTING PHONE CALLS, UM, FOR TWO THINGS.
AND THIS DISCUSSION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GARBAGE IN CART.
[01:50:01]
OUTTA CART, I'M MENTIONING TWO THINGS.THE ITEMS THAT CAN BE PUT OUT BY THE ROAD, THE 10 ITEMS, AND ONE OF THOSE ITEMS IS A BUNDLE OF STICKS, REFRIGERATOR, WHATEVER YOU'RE PUTTING OUT THERE, BAGS OF LEAVES AND STUFF LIKE THAT, UP TO 10 ITEMS PER TIME.
THEN YOU HAVE THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS CONSIDERED OUT OF CART ALSO, WHICH WE HAVE, OR WE CALL IT WOODY WASTE.
AND THIS IS WHETHER IT'S STORM DAMAGE, EXCUSE ME, STORM DAMAGE IS HANDLED UNDER EMERGENCY CONTRACT.
PEOPLE GO ON THEIR YARD, THEY CUT 'EM DOWN, OR THEY CALL CONTRACTORS THAT CUT 'EM DOWN AND THEY'RE THROWING, YOU KNOW, UH, 300 FOOT TALL PINE TREES OUT BY THE ROAD WITH ALL THE BRUSH AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
AND IT'S JUST SITTING OUT THERE.
SO WHEN WE DID THIS CONTRACT AND IT BECAME TWO SEPARATE THINGS WHEN IT USED TO BE ONE, IT USED TO BE ONE CONTRACT THAT REPUBLIC HANDLED.
UM, IT WAS ONE CONTRACT, WELL REPUBLIC OR WHATEVER FOR WHATEVER REASON IT SEPARATED INTO TWO DIFFERENT CONTRACTS.
AND LOOK, I WILL SIT HERE AND BE ONE OF THE ONES I I AT LEAST I WILL FROM MY STANDPOINT AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, WE APPROVED THIS CONTRACT, WE APPROVED IT, HOPING IT WAS GONNA WORK.
WE APPROVED THE OUT OF CART CONTRACT AS A SEPARATE CONTRACT.
BUT I JUST DON'T THINK THAT IT'S WORKING OUT THE WAY THE CONTRACT INTENDED AND THE WAY WE INTENDED.
UM, WHETHER IT IS THE POINT THAT MAYBE, AND I HOPE THEY CAN TALK AND EXPLAIN WHETHER RDI MAY NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY, MANPOWER THE SIZE EQUIPMENT THAT'S, THAT MAYBE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WE NEEDED AT THE TIME.
AND I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO SPEAK IN JUST A MOMENT.
BUT I'M GETTING CALLS AND COMPLAINTS IN MY DISTRICT ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE JUST BEING LEFT OR THEY'RE NOT BEING PICKED UP.
UM, WHETHER THEY'RE FILLING UP WHAT THEY HAVE GOING TO THE DUMP, CAN'T MAKE IT BACK, THEN THEY HAVE TO TAKE ON A DIFFERENT AREA AT THE TIME AND SO ON.
AND THEN THE WHOLE OTHER PART IS THE, THE WOODY WASTE AND THE TREES.
WE KNOW IT'S NOT IN THE CONTRACT THAT CITY PARISH IS SUPPOSED TO PICK UP TREES THAT YOU CUT DOWN OFF OF YOUR PROPERTY.
WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO PUT CUT DOWN TREES ON YOUR PROPERTY AND PUT 'EM OUT.
IT WASN'T IN THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT.
AND THE REASON I'M BRINGING THAT UP IS SOMETIME PREVIOUSLY, WHETHER WHEN REPUBLIC WAS DOING IT OR NOT, SOMETIME PREVIOUSLY SOMEBODY MADE A DECISION AND SAID, YOU KNOW, IT'S SITTING OUT THERE, WE'RE GONNA GO PICK IT UP.
AND IT, YOU KNOW HOW THAT WORKS IT, ONCE YOU DO IT, THEN IT BECOMES A SITUATION TO WHERE YOU GOTTA KEEP DOING IT.
PEOPLE SEE CITY PARISH DOING IT.
OKAY, WELL THEY DID IT FOR THIS PERSON, THEY'LL COME IN AND DO IT FOR THE OTHER PERSON AND SO ON.
SO THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS DISCUSSION IS TWO THINGS.
ONE, I WANNA KNOW FROM ADAM POSSIBLY WHAT WE MIGHT COULD DO TO ENHANCE THE RDI CONTRACT IF IT'S NOT WORKING OUT.
AND Y'ALL CAN BRING UP YOUR SITUATIONS IF YOU NEED TO, IF Y'ALL ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THE WOODY WASTE AND THE EVICTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT ARE BEING THROWN OUT OF THE ROAD.
NOW I KNOW THAT'S NOT AN RDI, I PROBLEM PEOPLE GET EVICTED FROM THEIR PLACE AND THEY'RE EMPTYING OUT THEIR HOMES AND THEY'RE THROWING IT OUT ON THE ROAD.
THAT'S NOT AN RDI I'S CONTRACT TO JUST GO OUT THERE TO PICK THAT UP.
BUT IT'S SITTING THERE AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT.
WHETHER WE SEND ANOTHER CONTRACTOR AND WE PAY EXTRA, BUT THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO WORK OUT.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS.
WE'LL BE KICKING THIS CAN DOWN EVER SINCE WE APPROVED THIS CONTRACT AND WE FOUND OUT AGAIN, I WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.
THERE WAS NO CLAW TRUCKS IN THE CONTRACT AND WE APPROVED IT ANYWAY.
AND ALL AFTER THE FACT, I'M SITTING HERE GOING, HOLY CRAP, THERE WAS NO CONTRACT.
THERE ARE CLAW TRUCKS IN THE CONTRACT.
HOW ARE THEY GONNA DO ALL OF THIS WORK? SO WHAT I WANTED TO HAVE WAS A DISCUSSION TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT PROBLEMS Y'ALL MIGHT BE HAVING.
UH, WHAT MIGHT WE COULD HELP RDI ENHANCE THEIR SERVICES, WHAT, WHAT THEY'RE SEEING THAT THEY CAN'T PICK UP OR IF THERE'S ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT NOT BEING PICKED UP, THEN WHAT CAN WE DO TO TAKE CARE OF THE WOODY WASTE AND SOME OF THIS OTHER STUFF, WHETHER WE HAVE TO CREATE A THIRD CONTRACT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR OUTER CARD.
THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS.
I HOPE Y'ALL HAVE A DISCUSSION ON IT 'CAUSE NOW IS YOUR TIME TO DO IT AND WE STOP KICKING THIS CAN DOWN AND WE TRY AND FIX IT HERE IN THE NEXT LITTLE BIT.
HEY, SO, UM, I GOT A QUICK QUESTION.
[01:55:01]
COVERED BUT LIKE A FOUR BY EIGHT CORRUGATED JUST REGULAR LIKE SIGN WE PUT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE PICKED UP OR IS THAT TOO BIG? WATCH THIS.
UH, EXCUSE ME, HOW YOU DOING? MY NAME IS DWIGHT RICHARD OF RICHARDS DISPOSAL.
I'M THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BATON ROUGE YARD.
MR. MOOCH, I HEARD YOUR COMMENTS AND UM, YOU REFERENCED, YOU USED THE TERM NOT WORKING A DISCUSSION.
'CAUSE YOU GOTTA ADDRESS IT'S ON MY TIME SO.
I JUST HAD A LOT OF, I HAD A LOT OF COMMENTS BASED ON WHAT HE WAS SAYING.
WHAT WAS YOUR QUESTION? I'M SORRY.
FOUR BY EIGHT SIGN OR A FOUR BY FOUR SIGN IF IT'S LIKE A PIECE OF CORRUGATED BOARD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
IF IT IS LEFT ON THE ROAD, IS THAT OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE SIZE OF WHAT Y'ALL NORMALLY PICK UP? A FOUR BY EIGHT SIGN? PRETTY MUCH THAT PRETTY MUCH, YEAH.
ABOUT FOR ME TO ERR AND ABOUT FOUR FEET WIDE.
FOUR BY, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT POLITICAL SIGNS THAT ARE MISSING? NO, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT POLITICAL SIGNS.
IF IT'S A SIGN PROB WE MORE THAN LIKELY OUR TRUCKS WILL GET IT.
IF IT'S CONSTRUCTION THAT 'CAUSE A LOT.
IT'S JUST BEEN IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR TWO MONTHS TRYING TO GET PICKED UP.
IT'S NOT POLITICAL SIGNS OF KNOCKING.
IT'S BEEN ON THE STREET IN MY DRIVEWAY TO THE POINT WHERE I KEEP HAVING TO PUT 'EM UNDER MY CARPORT.
SO I'M TALKING PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND I, AND I DON'T CALL AND I DON'T DO THE I THE COUNCIL AND STUFF BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THE PRIORITY.
I WANT SEE HOW TO TREAT EVERYBODY.
SO THAT'S JUST MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
BUT I'VE HAD THE SAME ISSUES THROUGHOUT MY DISTRICT AND TRANSPARENTLY.
IT'S THE SAME ISSUE WE HAD WITH REPUBLIC WASTE WHEN THEY HAD THE OUT OF CART.
THE CARTS WERE ALWAYS FINE 'CAUSE YOU JUST LIFT AND AND DUMP.
AND IF WE MISS IT, WE COME BACK.
IT'S NEVER BEEN THE OUTER CARD FOR THE MOST PART.
THERE'S ALWAYS, I MEAN IN CARD HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE OUTER CARD STUFF THAT WE'VE HAD ISSUES WITH.
UM, SOME OF THE BLIGHT STUFF THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WITH AARON AND I, AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR RACHEL, BUT I BELIEVE SOME THAT DOES FALL UNDER BLIGHT.
I HAVE SOME OF THE HEAVILY BLIGHTED AREAS AND, AND I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO PICK THAT UP BECAUSE THAT'S THE HOMEOWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY.
UM, THE LAND, THE LANDLORD TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND MAINTAIN HIS PROPERTY.
AND IF NOT, I'M GONNA CALL LINDSAY OR RACHEL OR SOMEBODY SENT THROUGHOUT BLIGHT DEPARTMENT.
BUT UM, Y'ALL PICK UP TIRES TOO.
IS THAT Y'ALL? THAT'S CORRECT.
OH ADAM, CAN YOU COME TO THE MIC AND JUST TELL 'EM HOW BAD MY DISTRICT IS WITH TIRES AND NEVER GET PICKED UP? THEY'RE PROPERLY STACKED.
SO WHAT THEY'RE PICKING UP IS JUST WHAT'S IN FRONT OF A RESIDENCE I SENT YOU OUTSIDE OF THE 200, THE WHOLE AREA HAS HAD FOUR TIRES STACKED UP ON A REGULAR BASIS.
THAT'S WHY I SAID, HEY, IT IS NOT JUST THE 200 UNDER THE BRIDGE, IT'S THE FOUR THAT ARE PROPERLY STACKED UP NOW.
HAVE WEEDS GROWING THROUGH 'EM BECAUSE THEY WERE NEVER PICKED UP.
SO I DON'T KNOW HOW WE IMPROVED THIS, BUT WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW CAN'T CONTINUE.
AND I, AND LOOK, I I ALWAYS, AND MAYBE I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST NORTH BAT ROUGE, BUT I KNOW THIS HAPPENED EVERYWHERE.
UM, WE, WE GOTTA FIGURE OUT A WAY TO, TO MAKE THIS BETTER.
'CAUSE TIRES, MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AT MY HOUSE, I DID IT ON PURPOSE 'CAUSE I WANTED TO SEE IF IT WAS ME, IT WAS EVERYBODY.
I WANNA SEE HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE TO PUT IT OUT FOR Y'ALL TO PICK IT UP.
THESE ARE FEATHERWEIGHT ITEMS. I'M NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING HEAVY.
SO IF IT'S HAPPENING TO ME, I KNOW IT'S HAPPENING TO MY NEIGHBORS, HAPPENED TO THE FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT.
AND AT THIS POINT, ADAM, I MEAN IT'S REALLY BAD.
IT'S AS BAD AS IT WAS WITH REPUBLIC WHEN THEY HAD IT.
AND I LOVE REPUBLIC, GREAT PEOPLE, BUT THIS SERVICE WAS NOT GOOD FOR 'EM.
UM, WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY THEY GOT RID OF IT.
AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN STAYED AND BUNDLED SO WE CAN HOLD ONE PERSON ACCOUNTABLE.
UM, SO, UM, BUT THAT SOMETHING'S GOTTA IMPROVE.
WE GOTTA GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.
UH, SO I KNOW IT'S NOT A A REPORT NECESSARILY, IT'S A DISCUSSION ITEM, BUT ADAM, I'M HOPING YOU CAN POSSIBLY PROVIDE LIKE 3 1 1 DATA FOR US.
WHAT ARE OUR NUMBER OF REQUESTS? WHAT'S THE TREND? WHAT, WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT AS FAR AS COMPLAINTS THAT WE'RE RECEIVING AND THAT KIND OF THING? YEAH, ROUGHLY WE'RE AT, UH, ON AVERAGE WE'RE A LITTLE OVER A HUNDRED GIVE OR TAKE A WEEK.
FROM MISS FOR WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NOW, WHICH IS MISSED HAND PILE SERVICE AND OKAY.
SO WE HAVE REPORTED THAT THAT'S REPORTED, YES.
THEY WOULD EACH GET SERVICE ONCE A WEEK UNDER THE HAND PILE SERVICE.
AND LIKE I SAID, ON AVERAGE WE'RE AT ABOUT A HUNDRED A WEEK, GIVE OR TAKE DEPENDING ON SEASON.
AND HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO WHEN REPUBLIC HAD THE CONTRACT? IT'S IT'S ON PAR.
WHEN WE FIRST TRANSITIONED FROM THE OLD CONTRACT TO THE NEW CONTRACT, THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE TRACKING WAS TO SEE, OKAY, WHAT IS THIS AT THE, THE SAME WEEK, THE PRIOR YEAR,
[02:00:01]
WHAT DID IT LOOK LIKE? AND I MEAN, THERE WAS SOME FLUCTUATION, BUT IT, THERE'S NOTHING THAT'S JUST WAY OUTTA LINE WHERE IT'S, YOU KNOW, TWO TO THREE TIMES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.AND ARE Y'ALL, UH, THAT A HUNDRED A WEEK NUMBER THAT YOU'RE GIVING ME, IS THAT LIKE VALIDATED COMPLAINTS OR ARE YOU ACTUALLY GETTING MORE COMPLAINTS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH NO, THAT A GOOD, THE REQUEST NOT BEING COMPLIANT WITH THE SET OUT GUIDELINES? THAT, THAT, THAT'S A GOOD POINT.
I SHOULD HAVE POINTED THAT OUT.
THAT IS RAW NUMBERS THAT JUST PULL IT OUT Q ALERT AND THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
SO THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THESE THAT YOU'LL GET OUT THERE AND THEN THE, THE PILE WILL BE LARGER THAN WHAT WE ALLOW OR THEY'LL HAVE A BIG TREE TRUNK IN IT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THE DATA AND THE COMPLAINTS REALLY DO MATTER.
YOU KNOW, THE REPUB THE ISSUE THAT WE HAD WITH REPUBLICAN CART SERVICE IS WHAT CAUSED US TO EVENTUALLY ADD THOSE ITEMS, UM, FOR, UH, A QUARTERLY REPORT ON THIS.
AND I THINK WE'RE, WE'RE TO THAT POINT NOW WITH THIS.
UM, SO I, I THINK WE SHOULD WORK ON THAT AND SORT OF CREATE A PERFORMANCE METRIC THAT WE CAN GAUGE THIS BY SO WE CAN START WATCHING IT.
UM, BUT I WILL TELL YOU FROM, JUST FROM BEING A CONSTITUENT ALSO WHO, WHO USES THE SERVICE, UM, AND I'M USING THE SERVICE, UH, AT A RENTAL PROPERTY WHERE I'VE GOT A TENANT AND I'M, I'M USING THE SERVICE WHERE, UH, AT MY OWN HOME.
AND I CAN TELL YOU, UH, MY, MY RENTAL PROPERTY IS IN COUNCILMAN HURST DISTRICT.
UM, I SEE A LOT OF, UH, HAND PILE WOODY WASTE THAT'S NOT GETTING PICKED UP.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF, YOU KNOW, NOT EVERYBODY KNOWS TO CALL 3 1 1 OR WHAT, BUT IT DOES FEEL LIKE THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IF IT DOES FEEL LIKE THERE'S COMPLIANT PILES THAT ARE CONSISTENTLY NOT GETTING PICKED UP.
UM, AND SO, UM, MAYBE THE DATA DOESN'T PAN THAT OUT JUST YET, BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT CLOSER AND JUST WOULD ASK OUR CONTRACTORS, JUST PLEASE BE MINDFUL, YOU KNOW, JUST, JUST MAKE SURE YOU'RE RUNNING YOUR ROUTES.
UH, MAKE SURE YOU'RE PICKING UP ALL THE COMPLIANT PILES AND, AND, AND ADDRESSING THE SERVICE THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.
WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL COMING DOWN HERE TOO.
SO I, I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE ANGRY ABOUT TRASH IN GENERAL.
THEY'RE MAD ABOUT THE REPUBLIC CONTRACT, THEY'RE MAD ABOUT THE INCREASES, THEY'RE MAD ABOUT ALL SORTS OF THINGS.
AND I THINK THERE'S A GENERAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF, OF WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT AND WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING WHAT.
SO I'M ASSUMING THAT YOU GUYS AREN'T RECEIVING A LOT OF GRACE IN THAT AREA, AND YOU'RE PROBABLY GETTING BLAMED FOR A LOT OF THINGS THAT OTHER COMPANIES MAY, UH, IT MAY BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.
SO I WANNA THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND I HOPE TO GIVE YOU THAT GRACE.
BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, UM, MR. SMITH, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR? SO EVERYONE DOES HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING.
SO THESE GENTLEMEN DON'T TAKE THE HEAT FOR OTHER FOLKS THAT MAY NOT BE DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING TO HAVE CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY, PLEASE.
SO THEY HAVE SPECIFICALLY OUT OF CART SERVICE AND IT'S BASICALLY WHAT YOU CAN LOAD INTO THE BACK OF A TRUCK.
NOT, WE TALKED ABOUT THE BOOM TRUCKS EARLIER.
SO THAT IS NOT, UH, IN THEIR CONTRACT AS A, AS A SERVICE THE WAY THAT THE CONTRACT IS SET UP.
SO WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IS IF YOU CAN AS A, AS A RESIDENT, IF YOU CAN BRING SOMETHING OUT TO THE CURB YOURSELF, WHETHER IT'S A, A PILE OF LIMBS, STICKS, WHATEVER, UM, WHITE GOODS IS ANOTHER ITEM.
SO IF YOU'VE GOT NO WASHING MACHINE, DISHWASHER THAT BROKE, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, YOU CAN PUT THAT OUT AT THE CURB.
THAT'S ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT THEY ACCEPT.
A RESIDENT CAN PUT OUT UP TO FOUR TIRES INDIVIDUALLY AND, AND WE WILL PICK THEM UP WHERE FOUR COMES FROM.
IS LDEQ HAS A, A LIMIT OF FIVE? WE'RE WE STAY ONE BELOW THAT AND, AND WE SAY FOUR.
THAT'S WHY WE'VE, WE'VE SET THAT LIMIT THERE.
AND THEN THE OTHER THING IS, LET, LET'S SAY YOU GET A, A NEW, UH, SOFA, UM, NEW CHAIR, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, YOU WANNA PUT THE OLD ONE OUT.
THAT'S A, THAT'S CONSIDERED A BULKY ITEM, YOU CAN PUT THAT OUT AT THE CURB AND, AND PICK THAT UP.
I WAS JUST ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S, THAT'S NOT ALLOWED, THAT WAS IN THE PRIOR CONTRACT.
NOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I SEE THAT ARE CAUSING A LOT OF ISSUES.
NOW YOU CAN PUT INDIVIDUAL FENCE BOARDS AT THE, AT THE CURB, THAT'S OKAY.
BUT IF IT'S A FENCE SECTION, THAT IS GENERALLY, MOST OF THE TIME THAT'S A CONTRACTOR THAT'S DOING THAT.
IF THEY'RE TAKING AN, AN EIGHT FOOT SECTION OF WOODEN FENCE
[02:05:01]
AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE CUTTING IT IN HALF AND IT'S, YOU GOT TWO, FOUR FOOT WIDE SECTIONS OF WOODEN FENCE AND IT'S SITTING OUT THERE AT THE CURB AND IT'S ALL STACKED UP IN A NICE, NEAT PILE.THERE, THERE MAY BE A RESIDENT OR TWO THAT'S DOING IT THAT WAY, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, THAT'S A CONTRACTOR THAT'S DOING THAT.
AND I THINK THAT'S A, THAT'S A KEY PIECE OF JUST UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THINGS THAT I DON'T THINK, I DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC TRULY UNDERSTANDS THE CHANGES THAT OCCURRED THIS, THIS PREVIOUS YEAR AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
MO THERE ARE A LOT OF NEW RULES.
UM, THE SECOND PIECE THAT I WANNA ADD IS I, I'VE SEEN, I'VE SEEN YOUR EMPLOYEES OUT.
I'VE SEEN THESE PEOPLE HANGING OFF THE BACKS OF TRUCKS AND I'VE SEEN THEM LIFTING HEAVY THINGS AND THROWING THEM INTO THE TRUCKS.
UM, AND I HAVE TO COMMEND THEM BECAUSE THAT IS A LOT OF HARD WORK TO DO.
UM, CAN YOU PLEASE, MR. SMITH, TELL US WHO, WHO HAS THE BOOM TRUCKS CURRENTLY WITH THE CITY WHO'S, WHO'S OPERATING THOSE? WHERE'D THOSE GO? SO WE'VE GOT, WE'RE, WE'RE WORKING THROUGH RDI AND WE'RE USING SOME OF THEIR BOOM TRUCKS.
AND, AND THEN WE'RE ALSO, WE'VE, WE'VE GOT A CONTRACT WITH DRC THAT WE'RE USING AS WELL.
AND IT, LIKE, IN, IN MAY WHEN WE HAD THE WINDSTORM IN MAY, WE, WE BROUGHT IN DRC 'CAUSE THEY'VE GOT THE, THE LARGER CAPACITY TRUCKS.
UM, BUT FOR THE MOST PART WE'RE WORKING WITH RDI AND, AND LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S BECAUSE RESIDENTS DON'T KNOW AS MUCH AS WE TRY TO PUSH OUT THERE, WE WE'RE STILL SAYING, WELL, WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW IT CHANGED.
SO IF IT'S A, NOW WE'RE NOT DOING THE, HEY, I CUT DOWN A, A WHOLE TREE, OR OBVIOUSLY A CONTRACTOR DID IT AND WE'RE PICKING IT UP.
BUT IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT, YEAH, A, A RESIDENT COULD, COULD PROBABLY DO THAT, BUT THEY JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT CHANGED.
THEN WE'RE, WE'RE USING THE BOOM TRUCKS RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE SAYING, HEY, JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THE RULES CHANGED.
WE'RE GONNA PICK IT UP THIS TIME.
BUT GOING FORWARD, WE'RE, WE'RE NOT GONNA DO THAT ANYMORE.
SO THAT'S HOW WE'RE, UM, WE'RE USING THE BOOM TRUCKS RIGHT NOW MOVING FORWARD.
UM, DO YOU SEE, I, MY MY DISTRICT IS, HAS A LOT OF WOODY WASTE AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S DIFFERENT IN SOME OF THAT YOU WANT EXTRA TIME? YES, SIR.
UM, AS LONG AS I CAN HAVE SOME OF DARRYL'S LATER.
UM, SO I, I, I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OTHER, THE DISTRICTS HAVE LOTS MORE TREES THAN MINE DO, BUT I HAVE PEOPLE THAT'LL GO AND CUT LIMBS AND PRUNE THEIR YARD AND THEY HAVE PILES OF WOODY WASTE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHBOUND AREA THAT OBSTRUCT THE ROAD AND ALL THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
DO WE SEE A PATH MOVING FORWARD TO WHERE MAYBE WE CAN POTENTIALLY ASSIST THEM IN ADDING SOME BOOM TRUCKS TO THEIR CONTRACT OR, OR HELPING THEM, UM, INCREASE THEIR CONTRACT SO THAT MAYBE WE CAN GET SOME OF THOSE THINGS BACK? BECAUSE OVER THE PAST YEAR, MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE SURELY, UM, BEEN SOAR ABOUT NOT HAVING THOSE SERVICES THAT THEY WERE ONCE ACCUSTOMED TO RECEIVING.
NO, THAT, THAT'S ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO, UH, TALK TO Y'ALL ABOUT.
I, I HAD MENTIONED TO COUNCILMAN MOOCH WHEN I SAW THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA, IT WAS, WE WERE IN THE, IN THE PROCESS OF GATHERING SOME INFORMATION AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PROBABLY HAVE SOME, SOME MEETINGS MAYBE IN, YOU KNOW, THREE GROUPS OR SOMETHING AND, AND, AND BRING DIFFERENT THINGS TO Y'ALL TO, UM, TO MAKE SOME, TO HELP MAKE SOME DECISIONS ON THAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN THOSE.
I KNOW THAT, AGAIN, MY CONSTITUENTS ARE REALLY STILL, STILL A LITTLE SORE ABOUT ALL THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED.
AND I DO, I DO SEE THESE MEN AND THEIR EMPLOYEES OUT WORKING VERY, VERY HARD.
UM, I JUST THINK THAT IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO EVALUATE ADDING SOME OF THOSE SERVICES BACK BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S DEFINITELY IMPACTED US A LOT IN DISTRICT 12.
AND I WON'T SPEAK FOR EVERYONE ELSE'S DISTRICTS, BUT, UM, THAT IS ONE OF OUR NUMBER ONE COMPLAINTS.
I THINK THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD BE CLOSE TO EVEN COMING CLOSE WOULD BE CRIME.
UM, BUT THE, THE THING RIGHT NEXT TO IT IS ABSOLUTELY JUST, UM, TRASH.
AND I DON'T THINK IT'S ANY FAULT OF YOURS.
I JUST THINK IT'S SOME OF THE SORENESS THAT COMES WITH, UM, THAT RECENT CHANGES IN PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTANDING AND ALSO JUST A, SOME LESSER SERVICES THAT WE'VE HAD BEFORE.
NO, IT'S ON, I MEAN, YOU'VE GOT LIFETIME RESIDENTS OF THE PARISH THAT THIS, THAT'S ALL THEY'VE EVER DONE.
AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE USED TO DOING IT THAT WAY AND THEY, THEY EXPECT TO CONTINUE DOING IT THAT WAY.
AND, AND WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE, THE HEAVILY WOODED AREAS, IT'S UH, IT'S MUCH MORE PREVALENT.
AND I DON'T, I DON'T MEAN TO BE THAT, THAT TO BE A CRITICISM TO EITHER ONE OF YOU GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I THOUGHT JEN COUNCILWOMAN ROCKER MADE SOME, SOME GOOD POINTS AND ALSO OFFERED AND, UH, UH, EXTENDED ADAM AN OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER A POINT OF CLARITY THAT'S MUCH NEEDED.
UH, THE GENERAL, WE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE TRANSITION AND THE CHANGE FULLY, SO IT'S HARD TO EXPECT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WHO'S DOING WHAT.
[02:10:01]
THAT POINT OF CLARITY.TO PIGGYBACK ON COUNCILMAN MOOCH, UM, I THINK WE ALL, I'M, I'M GONNA TAKE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY.
WHEN WE MADE THIS CHANGE AND, AND, AND MADE THIS TRANSITION AND IMPROVED THE CONTRACT AS IS, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND AND REALIZE WHAT THE, UH, MAGNITUDE OR THE, THE TRANSITION OF THESE CHANGES WOULD BE.
UM, I WISH I WOULD'VE EVALUATED A LITTLE BIT MORE AND GOT A BETTER GRASP OF THE OUTCOMES BECAUSE THEY HAVE CHANGED.
WE LOST SOME SERVICE, WE TRANSITIONED SOME SERVICES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
I DID MAKE THE POINT THAT WHEN WE WAS DOING THIS, IT WAS VERY, UH, TELLING TO ME THAT IF REPUBLIC WAS WILLING TO LET THIS SERVICE GO, THAT IT HAD TO BE SOME SORT OF LOSS LEADER.
YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY NOT TRYING TO REDUCE REVENUE AND, AND IT APPEARS TO BE THAT.
SO, UM, WITH IT BEING A LOSS LEADER, WHETHER THEY HAVE IT, UH, RDI HAS IT, THERE GONNA BE SOME CHALLENGES.
SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE REVENUE, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE SCOPE, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE EQUIPMENT THAT'S REQUIRED FOR THIS.
AND WE NEED TO BE REALISTIC WITH OUR, UH, DESIRED OUTCOME AS IT RELATES TO THIS SERVICE.
BECAUSE AS WAS MENTIONED BEFORE, THERE WERE SOME CHALLENGES WHEN REPUBLIC HAD IT.
THERE ARE SOME CHALLENGES NOW.
UM, ONE THING I WILL SAY, I HAVE GOTTEN CALLS, I'VE GOTTEN EMAILS, AND WHEN I BROUGHT THOSE ISSUES TO YOUR ATTENTION OR THE VENDOR'S ATTENTION, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE RESPONDED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND ADDRESSED THEM.
YOU KNOW, NOT SAYING WE DIDN'T GET CAUSE AND CONCERNS, WE HAVE GOTTEN SOME, BUT WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION, THE, THE VENDOR RESPONDED AND ADDRESSED IT WITHIN A TIMELY MANNER.
THAT'S BEEN OUR EXPERIENCE IN DISTRICT SIX.
I CAN'T SPEAK TO ANYBODY ELSE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS STILL THE CASE, WE'RE TALKING WITH THE VENDOR WHERE THERE WAS PREVIOUSLY A REGULAR RUN ROUTE WITH THIS.
THERE IS NO REGULAR RUN ROUTE OR THERE WAS NO REGULAR RUN ROUTE AT THE TIME I HAD THAT CONVERSATION.
IS THAT STILL THE CASE? IS THERE NO REGULAR RUN ROUTE THERE, THERE'S NO REGULAR RUN ROUTE WITH THE BOOM TRUCKS THEMSELVES.
SO I THINK THAT'S A A, A PART OF THE PROBLEM.
IF WE JUST ON DEMAND ON REQUESTS, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE GONNA BE THINGS LEFT IN YOUR DRIVEWAY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
IF, IF YOU'RE NOT REGULARLY RUNNING.
I, I DON'T KNOW THAT ALL OF US KNEW THAT.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THE PUBLIC KNOWS THAT.
I'D LIKE TO SEE A REGULARLY RUN ROUTE.
I LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER THAT'S TWICE A WEEK, ONCE A WEEK, YOU KNOW, TWICE A MONTH, WHATEVER THAT IS, THAT THE TRUCK IS GONNA COME AROUND THE AREA AND CHECK.
BECAUSE I THINK MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY EXPECTING THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IN A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS THAT THEY'LL COME.
AND THEN WHEN THEY DON'T COME IN THREE WEEKS AND A MONTH GO BY, THAT'S WHEN WE GETTING THE CALL.
SO I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT A REGULAR RUN ROUTE.
THE LAST TIME WE HAD SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.
I DON'T WANNA TAKE IT SOME TIME.
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT A REGULAR RUN ROUTE FOR JUST RDI OR THE NO, JUST FOR RDI JUST, JUST FOR RDI, BECAUSE ADAM JUST MENTIONED THE BOOM TRUCK IS NOT ON A REGULAR RUN ROUTE.
THEY ALL ON A REGULAR ROAD IS RDI.
WELL, LEMME LET ADAM CLIP ADAM.
SO THE, THE, THE REAR LOAD TRUCKS, WHICH ARE THE, THE HAND PILES THAT IS ON A REGULAR RUN ROUTE, LIKE, LIKE IT WAS BEFORE.
THERE'S NOT ENOUGH BOOM TRUCKS TO RUN THE ENTIRE ROUTE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
SO WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS, IS THEY'RE, UH, WHEN SOMEBODY SEES IT, IT GETS RADIOED BACK IN AND THEN THEY HANDLE IT THAT WAY.
BUT, WELL, I LIKE TO SEE A REGULAR RUN ROUTE WITH THAT BECAUSE AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW THAT EVERYBODY KNOW THAT THAT'S THE EXPECTATION.
AND, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PUTTING THE RIGHT MESSAGING OUT THERE TO COMMUNICATE WHATEVER THE PROCESS IS, LET'S COMMUNICATE THAT.
BUT I THINK A REGULARLY RUN ROUTE WOULD, WOULD HELP.
UM, SECONDLY, WE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT THESE, UH, STAGING MM-HMM
WHAT, WHAT WAS THE, THE PROPER TERM COLLECTION FACILITY COLLECTION FACILITIES.
IT, HAVE WE FULLY IMPLEMENTED THAT? HOW IS THAT WORKING? IF WE HAVE, WE HAVE ONE.
IT'S, IT'S NEXT TO THE, UH, SOUTHWEST WATER TREATMENT PLANT IN THE GARDENIER AREA AND COUNCILMAN GOD'S DISTRICT.
UM, IT IT'S, IT'S WORKING REAL WELL.
IT'S, IT'S GROWING IN POPULARITY.
UM, I I THINK I'VE SEEN, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GETTING A DOZEN UP TO 15 PEOPLE A DAY MAYBE.
AND IT, IT'S BEEN INTERESTING.
IT'S, UH, AREAS THAT I, IT'S NOT JUST IN THAT ONE LITTLE SMALL AREA THAT PEOPLE ARE BRINGING IT.
UH, DOUBLE NICKEL ME PLEASE, SIR.
SO I, I, IT'S, UH, I I THINK IT'S WORKING WELL.
SO WE TALKED ABOUT THREE OR SO, UH, THAT WE PLAN TO ROLL OUT, RIGHT? WHAT, WHAT'S THE TIMELINE ON THE ADDITIONAL ONES THAT WE, WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK INTO SOME ADDITIONAL SITES, SEE WHERE, WHERE WE MAY PUT THE NEXT ONE.
AM I NOT CORRECT IN THAT WE WAS TALKING
[02:15:01]
THAT'LL HELP, YOU KNOW, EASE SOME OF THE BURDEN, BUT REGULAR ROUTE GO AHEAD AND FULLY IMPLEMENTING THAT.AND THE SECOND THING, THE LAST THING I WANNA MENTION, AND IT WAS, WAS KIND OF SORT OF MENTIONED BEFORE, IS IN THIS CONVERSATION WITH SO MANY VENDORS, D-R-C-R-D-A REPUBLIC, KNOWING WHO DOES WHAT AND SOMETHING THAT WE ALL GET CALLS AND FOR IS NONE OF THEM, OR OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSITIONING FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER WHERE THEY'RE MOVING AND THEY'RE JUST PUTTING THIS STUFF OUT ON THE CURB.
UM, THIS IS NOT IN ANY OF THESE INDIVIDUAL SCOPE OF WORK.
MANY OF THESE SITES, THESE, UH, FOURPLEXES AND APARTMENTS ARE SEEN AS COMMERCIAL AND A LOT OF THAT DEBRIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROPERTY OF LANDOWNER.
BUT WE GET THE CALLS, BUT THEN, YOU KNOW, THE STUFF SITS OUT THERE AND UH, IT CREATES A EYESORE AND BLIGHT AND ALL THOSE THINGS.
SO WE, WE GET THOSE CALLS AND, AND YOU KNOW, THE GENERAL PUBLIC EXPECTS US TO HAVE THE VENDOR TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
SO I DON'T KNOW THE SOLUTION TO THAT.
I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS, I DON'T KNOW THE SOLUTION TO THAT, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE CAN GET OUR HEADS WRAPPED AROUND WHAT ARE SOME OTHER CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES DOING, UM, TO ADDRESS SITUATIONS LIKE THAT.
BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF THAT IN MY DISTRICT WHERE PEOPLE ARE MOVING AND, YOU KNOW, THEY JUST LEAVING THE STUFF AT THE CURB.
SO HAVE, DO YOU HAVE ANY FEEDBACK OR ANY NOT MUCH OTHER THAN I AGREE WITH YOU IN THAT IT, IT'S AN ISSUE AND I DON'T HAVE A, A SOLUTION, BUT IT, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE, WE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATION ABOUT.
THANK YOU GENTLEMEN FOR COMING DOWN.
HEY, UH, YOU KNOW, ANYTIME WE IN HERE AND IT FEELS LIKE IT'S A BEAT UP SESSION, UM, I WANT MY TIME BACK IN.
WHY AM I GETTING, WHY AM I DOWN TO THREE MINUTES INSTEAD OF FIRES? OH, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE.
SO IT'S NOT A BEAT UP SESSION.
SOMEBODY CALLS ME ABOUT TRASH AT NINE O'CLOCK OR I'M CALLING ADAM, THAT'S YOUR JOB, NOT MINE.
BUT I'M DIRECT TO THE PERSON THAT'S INVOLVED.
NOW WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT ADAM HAS BEEN A GEM IN THE POSITION.
I'M WANT TO GIVE YOU A TREMENDOUS KUDOS FOR THAT.
ANYTIME I CALL YOU, YOU ARE EXTREMELY RESPONSIVE AND YOU GET IT RESOLVED.
SO THIS IS NOT A BEAT UP ADAM OR REALLY BEAT UP RDI SESSION.
THIS IS, SOMETHING'S WRONG WAS WRONG BEFORE Y'ALL TOOK OVER THE CONTRACT AND IT'S WRONG AFTER Y'ALL TOOK IT OVER AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT.
AND CLE SAID SOMETHING THAT I DISAGREE WITH.
THE, THE CONSUMER DOESN'T CARE WHO GIVES THE SERVICE.
THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT COMPANY'S DOING IT.
THEY KNOW I GOT A WATER BILL, IT HAD MY SEWAGE ON IT, IT HAD MY TRASH ON IT, I PAID THE BILL AND I EXPECT MY SERVICE TO GET DONE.
I DON'T CARE WHAT LABELS ON THE TRUCK AS LONG AS IT GETS DONE.
SO, UM, EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RDI AND REPUBLIC, THAT'S THE, THE CONSUMER THAT NEED TO KNOW THAT A CONSTITUENT, THEY JUST NEED TO KNOW MY TRASH WENT TO THE CURB AND IT GOT PICKED UP 'CAUSE I PAID MY BILL.
IT'S LIKE IF YOU GO TO A RESTAURANT AND YOU ORDER A MEAL AND THEY BRING YOU A RECEIPT, IF THEY DON'T BRING ME THE MEAL THAT I PAID FOR, I'M NOT PAYING THAT BILL UNTIL THEY FIX IT.
RIGHT? SO, BUT IF WE HOLD THEM HOSTAGE AND THEY SAY, I'M NOT PAYING MY BILL, THEN THAT WATER GETS CUT OFF.
SO IT'S, IT, IT IS DOING THEM A DISSERVICE.
'CAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY LEVERAGE TO SAY, I'M GONNA STOP PAYING YOU UNTIL YOU GET DO WHAT YOU GETTING PAID FOR.
AND WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, I'LL TELL YOU A CONVERSATION I HAD WITH ADAM AND I WANNA SAY IT'S PUBLICLY ON THE MIC.
THAT STORM DEBRIS, UM, NA DISASTER DEBRIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN STORED IN DISTRICT FIVE ACROSS FROM OLD BRICK HEADQUARTERS, SMELLED HORRIBLE FOR MONTHS AT A TIME WHEN IT'S THERE.
'CAUSE IT'S NOT ALWAYS PULLED AWAY.
AND I TOLD ADAM AND I TOLD COREY, I SAID, IF Y'ALL PUT DEBRIS OVER THERE, I'M GONNA HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN FRONT OF IT AND I'M GONNA MAKE SURE IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.
AND HE CAME TO ME THIS STORM AND HE SAID, HEY, ARE YOU OKAY? LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION.
I SAID, I'M NOT, DON'T HAVE STORM DEBRIS OVER THERE.
AND ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY IN MY DISCUSSION IS BECAUSE I HAVE ONE OF THE MOST BLIGHTED DISTRICTS.
AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ONLY A HUNDRED PEOPLE CALL IN, LEMME TELL YOU WHY.
'CAUSE MY CONVERSATION WITH ADAM WAS WHEN A KID'S OUT THERE PLAYING BASKETBALL AND ONE OF THE, THE SECOND MOST HEAVILY VISITED PARK IN ALL OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH AND HE'S USED TO TRASH BEING ACROSS THE STREET FROM HIM WHILE HE'S PLAYING BASKETBALL, HE EVENTUALLY DOESN'T SEE THE TRASH WHITE BECOMES NORMALCY, WHICH IT SHOULD NEVER BE.
AND IN DISTRICTS WHERE YOU DIDN'T PICK UP MY TIRES FOR SEVEN MONTHS AND I CALLED SEVEN MONTHS AGO AND I GOT FRUSTRATED AND I GOT P****D OFF AND I JUST GOT TIRED OF CALLING.
'CAUSE I FEEL LIKE THE WHITE SAID, I'M IN NORTH BATON
[02:20:01]
ROUGE AND I GET TREATED DIFFERENTLY.I'M USED TO GETTING BEAT UP BY POLICE.
I'M USED TO GETTING, AND I'M NOT SAYING ALL POLICE, I'M JUST TELLING YOU THAT THE, THE, THE, THE STEREOTYPES THAT COME IN MINORITY BASED DISTRICTS, RIGHT? THAT I'M GETTING TARGETED.
I'M NOT GONNA CALL, I CAN BE SHORTED OF SERVICES BECAUSE AT SOME POINT I'M USED TO BEING CRAFT ON.
WELL I DON'T WANT ANYBODY IN MY DISTRICT USED TO HAVING TIRES, TRASH, POLICE BRUTALITY OR ANYTHING.
I'M GONNA HOLD EVERYBODY ACCOUNTABLE.
AND SO WE FIGHT FOR MINORITY CONTRACTORS ALL THE TIME.
AND WE WERE SO HAPPY THAT YOU GUYS GOT THE JOB, BUT WE'RE GONNA BEAT YOU UP THE SAME WAY WE DID REPUBLIC.
IF YOU DON'T DO THE SERVICE RIGHT, THE MINORITY OR NOT, I'M ASKING FOR SOMEBODY TO COME THERE.
WHETHER IT'S WHITE, BLACK, YELLOW, BROWN, GREEN, SOMEBODY JUST GONNA PICK THE TRASH UP MAN.
AND THE FINAL THING IS THIS, I WAS IN THE SAME MEETING WITH C WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT MARKETING AND TELLING THE PEOPLE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.
GETTING BILLBOARDS, USING CARICATURES AND ANIMATION, SOMETHING'S GONNA CATCH THEIR ATTENTION, RIGHT? SO WE HAD TO MAKE US WIDENING MEETING, I JUST TALKED ABOUT THIS EARLIER.
WE PAY ALL THESE BIG FIRMS TO DO THESE BIG JOBS AND UM, NO, NO, NO SHOT AT FRANKLIN AND ASSOCIATES 'CAUSE THEY MOVE.
BUT I SAID FRED, I NEED ABOUT SIX, $700 WORTH OF SIGNS BECAUSE NICKENS ROAD IS A MAJOR THIRD FAIR IN MY DISTRICT.
AND IF I'M GONNA HOLD A MEETING, I WANNA HOLD A REAL MEETING LIKE I DO FOR MY DISTRICT.
I STAYED OUT, DID IT MYSELF, PUT 'EM OUT TO ABOUT TWO IN THE MORNING ONE NIGHT AND WE HAD 150 PEOPLE SHOW UP.
YOU KNOW WHY? 'CAUSE THEY HAD SIGNS OUT THERE.
'CAUSE THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO SEE WHAT A MEETING WAS, WHAT WAS HAPPENING, WHAT THE CHANGES WERE.
AND IT WAS THE MOST, UH, ATTENDED MOVE PR MEETING IN THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM.
SO MY POINT IS, IF WHATEVER WE'RE DOING IS NOT WORKING TO AND FORMAL, WE HAVE A SIGN SHOP THAT WE CAN PUT IN EVERY DISTRICT THAT GIVES INSTRUCTION ON WHAT THEY SHOULD DO AND HOW THEY SHOULD DO IT.
SO WHAT WE'RE DOING IS, COUNCIL, I GOT IT.
WHAT WE'RE NOT DOING IS NOT WORKING.
WE NEED TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. UM, I JUST WANTED TO, TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM RDI.
UM, IT'S CERTAINLY BEEN A PROCESS.
UM, NOT, NOT YOUR FAULT, BUT THE EDUCATION PROCESS WITH WITH UM, OUR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, OUR NEIGHBORS.
PEOPLE DON'T, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND.
UM, BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM AND UM, AND WE'VE RUN INTO A FEW HITCHES ALONG THE WAY, PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T UNDERSTAND OR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
AND WHEN WE'VE CALLED Y'ALL 'CAUSE WE NEEDED HELP, Y'ALL HAVE SHOWN UP.
AND SO I WANNA SAY, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE JUST REACH A PLACE WHERE EDUCATION DOESN'T WORK.
WE JUST GOTTA DO WHAT WE GOTTA DO.
AND THANK YOU FOR BEING GOOD PARTNERS WHEN WE, WHEN WE HIT THOSE, THOSE BUMPS.
SO, UM, I MEAN, I'LL TELL YOU THE MORNING AFTER THE STORM, YOUR GUYS WERE ON MY STREET, I MEAN EARLY FIRST THING, UM, SMILES ON THEIR FACES, JUST, I DON'T KNOW, THEY'VE, I DISTRICT 11, I'VE HAD GREAT, GREAT GUYS, GREAT TRUCK DRIVERS.
IT'S UH, IT'S REALLY BEEN A GOOD, IT'S BEEN A GOOD RELATIONSHIP.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MCC COLEMAN.
I HAVE UM, A LOT OF TRASH, A LOT OF LIGHT, LOT OF EVERYTHING IN 10.
AND SO WHAT I DID WAS I REACHED OUT BECAUSE ONE OF THE, SOME OF THOSE GENTLEMEN THAT WORK IN THE BLIGHT DEPARTMENT SAID TO ME THAT BLIGHT CAN HELP OUT OTHER DEPARTMENTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE FRONT LOADERS AND THEY HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT THAT'S NEEDED AND THAT THEY WERE NOT OUT THERE EVEN DURING THE STORM TO HELP OUT BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OVER TIME, WHICH DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.
THEY WORK ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, THEY DEAL WITH CONDEMNATIONS, UH, DEMOLITION, ILLEGAL DUMPING, ALL OF THIS.
SO I WANT TO KNOW WHY IS IT THAT WE ARE NOT MAKING USE OF THAT ENTITY? ALL OF IT IS CITY PARISH.
WHY IS IT THAT WE ARE NOT MAKING USE OF, AND THEY ARE WILLING TO DO THE WORK AND THEY HAVE A GROUP OF, UH, INMATES THAT HELP WITH THE CLEANING AND ALL OF THAT.
SO THAT'S WHAT I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHY.
AND THEN I'M GONNA TELL YOU AFTER THE STORM, AND I'M GONNA HAVE TO SAY DPW AND OTHERS WHO ARE OUT THERE PICKING UP AND CLEANING OUT, UH, THE DIFFERENT AREAS.
[02:25:01]
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST STORM TIME.I'M TALKING ABOUT ONGOING PICKING UP AND GETTING THIS TRASH AND STUFF WHERE IT OUGHT TO BE.
I WAS EMBARRASSED TODAY WHEN I GOT ON A CAT'S BUS TO TAKE SOME FOLK AROUND TO SEE OUR DISTRICT AND THERE WAS SO MUCH STUFF THAT WAS OUT THERE THAT REALLY HAD BEEN OUT THERE.
THIS WASN'T STORM STUFF THAT REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN, UH, PICKED UP WASTE MANAGEMENT DUMPSTER JUST OVERFLOWING AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX ON FRANCE.
AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL ME BACK ABOUT THAT.
AND SO, BUT MY QUESTION IS, IF WE HAVE FOLK EMPLOYEES THAT WORK WITH BLIGHT AND THEY HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, WHY THERE IS NO COLLABORATION IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR DISTRICTS BETTER, COUNCILMAN COLEMAN, UM, THERE IS PLENTY OF BLIGHT AND THEY HAVE PLENTY TO DO.
THEY WORK, YOU KNOW, EIGHT HOURS A DAY, FIVE DAYS A WEEK PICKING UP BLIGHT.
WE HAVE A BACKLOG THAT THEY HAVE BECAUSE I, I'LL SAY MORE DISTRICTS THAN NOT, HAVE $0 LEFT IN THEIR ARPA DOLLARS.
SO WE ARE COVERING A WHOLE LOT OF STUFF AND THEY WERE ON STANDBY FOR THE STORM TO GO SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OF MAINTENANCE WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE RIGHT OF WAY.
AND WE WERE NOT CALLED TO SUPPORT THEM.
SO I LET MY GUYS HAVE, YOU KNOW, THEIR TIME AND THEY, BUT THEY WERE ON STANDBY.
I MADE SURE THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THAT.
STANDBY AND WORKING IS TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF MAINTENANCE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEARING TREES FROM THE RIGHT OF WAY.
AND THEY HAVE SPECIFIC, UM, THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO AND DOCUMENTATION FOR STORMS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
AND WE WERE NOT ASKED TO ASSIST.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAD IT COVERED.
BUT THE POINT IS YOU DID NOT, YOU WEREN'T ASKED.
AND I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID, THAT THEY WERE NOT ASKED AND WERE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK.
SO THAT'S MY QUESTION IS THAT COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT ENTITIES, TRASH IS TRASH.
AND SO, AND THE THREE ENTITIES, DES, DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF MAINTENANCE DO WORK REGULARLY HAND IN HAND BY ASSISTING EACH OTHER.
WHEN THE DEPARTMENT OF MAINTENANCE HAS STUFF THAT THEY CAN'T GET TO, WE GO HELP THEM ALL THE TIME.
AND DES IS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP US TOO.
WHEN, WHEN WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOME, SOME BIG JOBS THAT WE JUST CAN'T GET TO.
TRINA, ARE YOU HERE? SHE'S NOT, SHE'S NOT.
I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH TRI ABOUT THIS AND THE, AND THE RESPONSE WAS ABOUT AN ISSUE OF OVERTIME PAY FOR THIS POPULATION.
AND SO THAT'S MY CONCERN THERE UNTIL IT'S CLEANED UP.
COUNCILWOMAN, YOU WANT YOUR EXTRA TIME? YES, PLEASE.
UNTIL IT'S CLEANED UP, THEN THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GOING OUT AND FINDING SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THE BOOM TRUCK.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER CONTRACT AS OPPOSED TO UTILIZING WHAT WE HAVE IN HOUSE AND THEN THAT WILL ASSIST OUR EMPLOYEES AND THEIR SALARIES.
AND SO I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND IF BLIGHT CAN HELP OUT AND I KNOW THAT THEY CAN THEN, BECAUSE THAT OVER TIME THAT IS OF UTMOST, THEY CAN DO THAT.
AND I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.
SO I THINK WE'RE KIND OF BRINGING THIS CLOSE.
A COUPLE OF TWO THINGS I WANT TO BRING UP.
UM, I I I THINK WE NEED A SOLUTION TO THE EVICTIONS OR PEOPLE MOVING AND THROWING THEIR STUFF OUT TO THE ROAD.
THAT'S NOT IN Y'ALL'S CONTRACT TO, TO GO OUT THERE AND PICK THOSE UP.
UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M SEEING AND AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN TAKE IN ALL THESE IDEAS AND, AND WORK ON SOLUTIONS.
LOOK, WE WANT TO HELP Y'ALL SUCCEED.
WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR, OUR CITIZENS WITH WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE WE'RE JUST CONSTANTLY TRYING TO CATCH UP.
SO I HOPE WE CAN USE THIS DISCUSSION, UM, AS A WAY TO ENHANCE, MAKE THE CONTRACT BETTER, FIX WHAT WE CAN.
LOOK, WE DON'T WANNA GO UP ON PRICING.
UM, BUT SOME THINGS WE HAVE, WE HAVE
[02:30:01]
TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING FROM A WHOLE SCOPE OF WHAT WE TOOK OUTTA THE CONTRACT OR HOW WE CHANGED THE CONTRACT.AND I KNOW WE TALK ABOUT THAT EVERY TIME.
SEND OUT MAIL OUT FLYERS OR WE, WE POST THIS AND, AND WE ALWAYS POST IN A LITTLE POSTCARD THAT SAYS WHAT YOU CAN PUT OUT AND HOW IT GETS PUT OUT AND ALL.
OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF THAT'S NOT WORKING.
UM, YOU KNOW, I'VE SEEN PEOPLE PUT MAYBE JUST SOMETHING TO TAKE BACK TO Y'ALL'S PEOPLE AND, AND ADAM I'VE CALLED YOU ABOUT THIS.
WE'VE HAD PEOPLE PUT OUT MAYBE 13 OR 14 ITEMS AND THE WHOLE FOUR, EVERYTHING GETS SKIPPED BECAUSE IT'S TOO MANY ITEMS. OKAY? INSTEAD OF JUST GRABBING 10, LEAVING FOUR, A LOT OF THE TIMES IT GETS, UH, A LOT OF 'EM, THE 10 ITEMS WILL GET SKIPPED OR SO ON THAT THEY CAN PUT OUT AT THE TIME.
AGAIN, I THINK, I THINK Y'ALL ARE BUSTING YOUR BUTTS TO GET THINGS DONE.
I THINK Y'ALL ARE, Y'ALL ARE OUT THERE EVERY DAY.
LIKE COUNCILWOMAN ROCK HAS SAID, I SEE Y'ALL OUT THERE TOO.
AND YOU'RE, YOU'RE LIFTING THAT STUFF.
BUT I THINK THERE'S JUST SOME THINGS THAT WE NEED TO TWEAK.
UH, ADAM, WE DISCUSSED THIS EARLIER.
I THINK Y'ALL ARE LOOKING AT A PLAN.
I LIKE, I LOVE THE FACT THAT A WHILE BACK DURING THAT STORM CAME THROUGH YOU, YOU BROUGHT ON DRC TO WITH THE BOOM TRUCK THING TO, AND LOOK, EVERY TIME LIKE FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE SAID, WE CALL YOUR OFFICE, YOU GET IT DONE.
WHEN YOU SEND RDI, THEY GET IT DONE.
IT'S JUST WE'RE SEEING THINGS THAT HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIX TO WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO CALL Y'ALL THAT WAY CONSTANTLY AND MUCH MORE.
SO RDI, PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS AS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE JUST BEATING Y'ALL DOWN AND SO ON.
UM, WE JUST WANT TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR NOT ONLY Y'ALL, FOR US AS COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ESPECIALLY OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE SEEING THIS STUFF OUT THERE ALL THE TIME.
SO THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH FOR COMING.
UM, RDII DON'T THINK Y'ALL HAVE SPOKE ONE TIME.
UM, SO I WANNA GIVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO Y'ALL IF Y'ALL HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY OR, UM, ANY COMMENTS AS FAR AS WHAT WE'VE SAID TO Y'ALL? YOU GOT TWO MINUTES TO GO
SO, UH, AS MR. HURST WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT BOARD, UH, IT'S JUST GETTING EVERYBODY ON THE SAME PAGE.
'CAUSE A LOT OF STUFF HAS CHANGED IN THE CONTRACT.
SO WHAT THEY USED TO PICK UP WHEN THEY USED TO PICK UP EVERYTHING, WE'RE TELLING THEM YOU CAN'T PICK UP CONSTRUCTION, YOU CAN'T PICK UP, UH, TREE DEBRIS, UH, SO FORTH STREET SERVICES OR EVICTIONS.
SO, UH, WE MADE THE CORRECTIONS SO FORTH WITH THE DRIVERS 'CAUSE THEY MAY HAVE DEEMED THAT BOARD AS A CONSTRUCTION, UH, WHICH IS MAYBE JUST, YOU'VE SAID THIS ONE BOARD, UH, YOU KNOW, I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
BUT, UH, WE HAVE A SYSTEM NOW THAT EACH DRIVER, UH, DOES NOT, WHATEVER THEY DON'T PICK UP, THEY CALL IT IN.
SO THAT IS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE THAT WE PUT IN PLACE SO THAT WE'LL KNOW EVERYTHING THAT'S ON THAT STREET.
SO IF THEY DIDN'T PICK IT UP, THEY CALLING IT IN AND WE CAN GET THE RIGHT TRUCK TO IT, BE IT, YOU KNOW, OUR BOOM TRUCK OR FLATBED TRUCK OR WE HAVE TO CALL ADAM SO FORTH WITH, UH, DRC OR WHOEVER, UH, BLIGHT, UH, THAT COMES BY AND PICK UP THE OTHER STUFF THAT WE CAN'T PICK UP.
SO, UH, WE'VE MADE SOME CHANGES TO WHAT WE SEE OR WHAT WE SAW THAT WAS, UH, CONFUSION SOMETIMES ON SOME OF THE DRIVERS.
UH, BUT, YOU KNOW, UH, IT'S JUST SOME SMALL THINGS THAT WE TWEAKED AND, UH, YOU SHOULD SEE A DIFFERENCE.
BUT LIKE I SAY, WHEN THE STORMS COME IN, I TELL, YOU KNOW, I TALK TO ADAM VERY OFTEN.
UH, IT'S, IT'S ALWAYS GONNA BE A TWEAK.
AND LIKE I SAY WITH THE, UH, WITH THE 3 1 1 SYSTEM, IT'S A LOT OF, UH, IT'S A LOT OF, OF, UH, I GET YOU SAY, UH, OF, OF MIS I GUESS YOU SAY THEY, THEY, THEY MISCODED, UH, WHICH WE WOULD GO OUT THERE AND IT'S A BOOM PILE INSTEAD OF A HAND POWER OR, YOU KNOW, IT'S, UH, SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T PICK UP.
SO WITH ALL THAT, IT'S JUST TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DOING THE, WE ARE DOING THE THINGS THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, UH, TO CORRECT A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT Y'ALL SPOKE IN A MEETING.
SO WE, WE'VE HAD A MEETING JUST YESTERDAY, SO WE HAVE A MEETING EVERY WEDNESDAY.
UH, AND WE'RE, I SAY THAT WAS THIS MORNING.
I'M GETTING MY DAYS THIS MORNING.
UH, ADAM, I JUST WANTED A REAL QUICK POINT OF CLARIFICATION 'CAUSE NOW WE'RE IN A STORM DEBRIS PICKUP CONTRACT, RIGHT? UM, UH, IS RDI STILL PICKING UP HAND PILES? WHILE THE STORM DEBRIS CONTRACT IS ACTIVE, THEY'RE PICKING UP HAND PILES, BUT WE'VE DIVERTED THEIR BOOM TRUCKS TO OTHER ITEMS SO
[02:35:01]
THEY'RE NOT PICKING UP THE, THE WOODY WASTE BOOM PILES BECAUSE WE WANT THE EMERGENCY, THE DISASTER DEBRIS CONTRACTOR TO PICK THAT UP.THE REASON WHY I ASK THIS IS BECAUSE IN MY DISTRICT, UH, WHICH WE HAVE A LOT OF MATURE TREES IN MY DISTRICT, BUT MOST OF THE PILES FROM THIS STORM ENDED UP STILL BEING HAND PILES.
UM, SO THEY'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO PICK THOSE UP.
THE, THE SMALL HAND PILES, YES, THEY'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO PICK THOSE UP.
DO YOU MIND IF I HAVE LIKE 30 SECONDS OF YOUR TIME? I'M SUPPOSED TO ASK YOU A QUESTION.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER POINTS YOU'D LIKE TO ADD, SIR? YES, SIR.
UH, SO TWO, TWO POINTS OF CLARIFICATION.
I GET A COUPLE OF Y'ALL TALKED ABOUT THE DIFFERENT CONTRACTS.
I, I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT CONCERNED ME A LITTLE BIT.
AT FIRST, I DIDN'T KNOW HOW THAT WAS GONNA WORK 'CAUSE I, I'M LIKE, SOMEBODY SAID IT, LIKE I'D RATHER HAVE A PRIME, I DON'T KNOW WHO SAID IT, BUT RATHER HAVE A PRIME AND A SUB.
AND WHEN, WHEN WE'RE MANAGING PROJECTS, CONTRACTS, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, THAT THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY PREFER.
YOU GOT ONE PERSON TO GO TO AND, AND THEY HANDLE THEIR SUBS.
I I WILL SAY AFTER TRANSITIONING TO THIS, IT, IT'S ACTUALLY WORKING REALLY WELL.
AND AGAIN, I, I UNDERSTAND THERE'S ISSUES AND WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH THOSE ISSUES, BUT LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS, UH, LOOKING AT DIFFERENT THINGS, IT, IT'S, UH, REPUBLIC CAN FOCUS ON THE, THE GARBAGE AND THE RECYCLING CARTS AND JUST FOCUS ON THE CARTS.
AND THEN WE'VE GOT A SECOND CONTRACTOR THAT FOCUSES ON THE, THE ITEMS THAT ARE, THAT ARE OUT OF CART.
AND I THINK HAVING THOSE PEOPLE BE ABLE TO JUST TOTALLY FOCUS ON TWO DIFFERENT THINGS INSTEAD OF HAVING THE WAY IT WAS BEFORE RDI WAS HERE BEFORE, BUT THEY HAD A GARBAGE ROUTE, THEY HAD A RECYCLING ROUTE, THEY HAD SOME OUT OF CART ROUTES.
NOW THEY GET TO HAVE THEIR OWN LITTLE AREA OF EXPERTISE AND I THINK IT'S WORKING OUT A A LOT BETTER AND I THINK IT'S GONNA CONTINUE TO IMPROVE.
UM, SECONDLY TO, TO COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN'S POINT, WE, WE WILL, THE, WHEN WE COME BACK TO YOU, WHENEVER WE, WE SCHEDULE MEETINGS WITH YOU WITH DIFFERENT IDEAS, IT, IT WILL, IT'LL BE ALL INCLUSIVE.
WE'LL LOOK AT CONTRACTORS IN-HOUSE, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.
BUT IT WILL COME TO YOU WITH A, WITH AN ALL INCLUSIVE PLAN THAT, THAT DISCUSSES EVERYTHING.
ALL RIGHT, NOW THAT THE DISCUSSION'S BEEN HAD, WE'RE GONNA OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? SEEING NONE COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA ANNOUNCEMENTS? UH, WE HAVE MR. LUKE FROM LIVE AFTER FIVE.
WHO'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? YEAH, YEAH, I GUESS.
UM, I JUST WANNA BE HERE BECAUSE WE HAD AN INTRODUCTION EARLIER ABOUT A SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST, UM, FOR $7,500 FOR LIVE AFTER FIVE TO, UH, CONTINUE THE SECOND LINE.
YOU ALREADY SAID THANKS IN AN EMAIL.
UM, BUT, UH, I JUST WANTED TO BE HERE IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO LIVE AFTER FIVE IN QUITE A WHILE.
I DO HAVE SOME WRISTBANDS FOR EVERYBODY FOR THIS UPCOMING, UH, FRIDAY.
IF YOU WANNA SEE THE SECOND LINE IN ACTION.
UM, AND SEE EXACTLY HOW LIVE AFTER FIVE IS A HUGE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION THAT, UM, SUPPORTS ALL OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
HEY, IF YOU DON'T MIND, CAN I BRING UP WHAT WE DISCUSSED AS FAR AS, UM, WHAT, WHAT WE WERE GONNA DO IN CENTRAL REAL QUICK? SURE.
SO LIVE AFTER FIVE IS LOOKING TO DEVELOP A ON THE ROAD PROGRAM TO WHERE, UH, NOW WE ALREADY HAD A, THE, THE OCTOBER THAT WAS AVAILABLE.
WE ALREADY HAVE AN OUTDOOR EVENT SCHEDULED IN CENTRAL, SO I PUT 'EM ONTO, UH, COUNCILMAN NOEL, BUT THEY'RE LOOKING TO TAKE LIVE AFTER FIVE ON THE ROAD.
UM, SO THEY CAN, THEY CAN BRING HELP THE STAGE AND EVERYTHING, GET SET UP IN YOUR AREA AND HAVE AN EVENT POSSIBLY IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE PARISH FOR PEOPLE THAT CAN'T COME DOWNTOWN ON EVERY FRIDAY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SO SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT, GET WITH HIM.
ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE.
REMEMBER TO SERVE YOUR FAMILIES, SERVE YOUR COMMUNITIES, BUT FIRST SERVE GOD.