Feb 12, 2025 Metropolitan Council

[Presentations and Special Recognitions]

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WELCOME, EVERYBODY. WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN THE PRESENTATION PORTION OF THIS METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING THIS FEBRUARY 12, 2025. WE'LL START WITH MAYOR-PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS TO RECOGNIZE THE MEMBERS OF THE ALPHA SIGMA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI, INC., CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF EXISTENCE ON FEBRUARY 22, 2025.

MAYOR. THANK YOU.

WE GOT ACTION. PERFECT. IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THIS INCREDIBLE MILESTONE 90 YEARS OF SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT FROM THE DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE ALPHA SIGMA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FATERNITY, CHARTERED ON FEBRUARY THE 22, 1935. THE IMPACT OF ALPHA SIGMA IS VISIBLE IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS THAT CONTINUE TO UPLIFT AND EMPOWER.

AS MAYOR-PRESIDENT , I AM PROUD TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE YOUR LEGACY AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CITY.

IF THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT IS HERE, I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO COME ON UP AND SPEAK.

WHERE'S THE PREZ? I THOUGHT YOU WERE THE PARLIAMENTARIAN.

[LAUGHTER] NO, I AM NOT THE PRESIDENT BUT I AM A PROUD MEMBER OF THE ALPHA SIGMA CHAPTER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI, INCORPORATED DATED FEBRUARY 22, 1935 AT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.

THE BROTHERS ARE ON THEIR WAY, BUT I WILL ACCEPT THIS ON BEHALF OF OUR ALPHA SIGMA CHAPTER.

AND THANK YOU, MAYOR EDWARDS, FOR ACKNOWLEDGING US AND THE HARD WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING ON THE BLUFF FOR NOW, 90 YEARS. SO THANK YOU AND I'LL ACCEPT IT ON OUR BEHALF.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE METROPOLITAN COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN COLEMAN TO RECOGNIZE JOE AND PRECIOUS DELPIT AND HENRY BAPTISTE FOR THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHICKEN SHACK RESTAURANT. COUNCILWOMAN. [APPLAUSE] AND SEE EVERYBODY IN HERE KNOW CHICKEN SHACK. AIN'T THAT RIGHT? SO I'M GOING TO ASK THAT THE.

COME ON, ALL YOU DELPIT'S. I DARE NOT JUST CALL A NAME, BUT ALL YOU DELPIT'S.

COME ON UP, COME ON UP. ACT AS IF YOU'RE SELLING CHICKEN TONIGHT.

[LAUGHTER] I HEARD THERE WOULD BE SAMPLES. IS THAT NOT ACCURATE? YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT, THAT'S RIGHT. THAT GENTLEMAN TOLD US THAT.

AND, MR. BAPTISTE, ARE YOU IN THE HOUSE? BAPTISTE? HE'S NOT HERE. COME ON AROUND, Y'ALL. COME ON.

COME ON, EVERYBODY ACT LIKE YOU OWN UP HERE. YES.

AND SO, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HERE WE ARE HERE TONIGHT.

SO YOU ALL SEE WHY AND HOW THIS CHICKEN WAS SO GOOD WITH ALL OF THESE PEOPLE.

IF ONE DROPPED THE BALL, THE OTHER ONE WILL PICK IT UP.

AND YOU'LL NEVER KNOW THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH SEASONING ON IT.

[LAUGHTER] AND SO A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION.

THIS PLACE HAS BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN MANY OF YOU.

AND SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OWNERS OF THE LEGENDARY CHICKEN SHACK RESTAURANT.

AND SO THE CELEBRATION OF 90, 90 Y'ALL YEARS OF EXCELLENCE, DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. AND SO WE PROUDLY RECOGNIZE THE LEGACY OF THE CHICKEN SHACK RESTAURANT.

YOUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING DELICIOUS FOOD, FOSTERING COMMUNITY SPIRIT, AND PRESERVING A RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE HAS MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON GENERATIONS AND MANY STOMACHS AS WE HONOR THIS MILESTONE DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE COMMEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO BLACK

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YOUR ESTABLISHMENT STANDS AS A BEACON OF TRADITION, RESILIENCE, AND SUCCESS, INSPIRING FUTURE GENERATIONS. AND WHEN YOU LOOK UP HERE, YOU SEE MANY, MANY, MANY GENERATIONS.

SO CHICKEN SHACK'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE, Y'ALL.

SO WITH DEEP APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE, WE CELEBRATE THIS HISTORICAL ACHIEVEMENT AND WISH YOU CONTINUED PROSPERITY FOR YEARS TO COME. AND GIVEN THIS DAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025, WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE. AND GUESS WHAT? BOTH PLACES CHICKEN SHACK HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN DISTRICT 10 , THE BEST DISTRICT THERE IS. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE UNTO SET MY LITTLE HANDS AS MY OFFICIAL SIGNATURE AND CAUSE TO BE AFFIXED THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA.

ALONG WITH MY MAYOR. COME ON, MAYOR SID EDWARDS, YOU CAN COME ON OVER HERE.

IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD ANY OF THIS CHICKEN, YOU SHALL GET SOME.

[LAUGHTER] YOU SHALL GET SOME. HE LOVES CHICKEN.

SO HE LOVES CHICKEN SHACK. OKAY. SO, CAROLYN COLEMAN METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 10 . AND I ALSO HAVE ONE FOR. MR. BAPTISTE., HENRY BAPTISTE. SO, WITH SO MANY OF YOU, I'M GOING TO LET YOU ALL DECIDE WHO'S GOING TO TAKE THIS, BECAUSE I'M NOT WRESTLING WITH THE CHICKEN SHACK.

I'LL ACCEPT IT. OKAY, YOU WILL ACCEPT. COME ON UP HERE THEN ACCEPT SO YOU CAN GET.

AND THEN. YEAH. ALRIGHT. COME ON. COME ON MAN.

IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT? MAKE SURE YOU GET THESE CHILDREN.

COME ON. WE GOT COUNCILMAN HUDSON, DID YOU GET THAT MENU I SENT TO YOU FROM LAST TIME? ALRIGHT, MAKE HIM BUY SOME. COME ON MAYOR. SAY SOMETHING THERE.

SAY SOMETHING GENTLEMEN, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK.

THIS BIG DEAL HERE. SO. OH, THEY. CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT IS A LEGACY AWARD. AND THOSE ARE HARD TO COME BY.

AND THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COLEMAN, FOR RECOGNIZING THEM.

AND AS YOU KNOW, I'M I'M A PRETTY GOOD REGULAR.

AND THAT INCLUDES THE CANDY APPLES FOR DESSERT, YOU KNOW, FOR MY MAN.

SO GOD BLESS Y'ALL. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO JUST A OUTSTANDING STELLAR INSTITUTION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COME ON.

[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE. WELL, FIRST, LET ME THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, FOR HONORING US AND MR. HENRY BAPTISTE WITH THIS AWARD. I'M GOING TO START TO MY RIGHT.

I GOT MY AUNTIE T. DESIREE DELPIT. I GOT JANAE DELPIT.

DIAMOND DELPIT, MY SON, NICHOLAS, DEXTER, MY COUSIN, THE CEO OF THE COMPANY RIGHT HERE.

HE'S TAKING. HEY, HE'S TAKING US TO BIGGER AND BETTER PLACES. UNCLE DEREK, DEREK DELPIT, WE GOT JADA DELPIT AND WE GOT MY OTHER TWO SONS, COLE AND KANE. AND OF COURSE, I'M DOUGLAS SMITH.

[LAUGHTER] ALRIGHT. ALL DELPIT'S. [APPLAUSE] YES, MA'AM.

COME ON, LET'S TAKE A PICTURE UP HERE, Y'ALL.

AND THESE TWO HERE, THESE CHILDREN GO TO MCKINLEY.

ELEMENTARY. ELEMENTARY. AND WE GOT MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL RIGHT HERE.

ALRIGHT, THERE YOU GO. BLEEDING BLUE. ALRIGHT, NOW.

NOW AND NO, ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY LOOK THIS WAY FOR ME. ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET A BIG SMILE FOR EVERYBODY. HOLD THAT. GOOD. THREE. TWO. ONE.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. GREAT. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] OH, YOU GOTTA RUN. YEAH. I'M COMING.

APPRECIATE IT. NEXT, WE HAVE METROPOLITAN COUNCILMAN ANTHONY KENNEY TO RECOGNIZE

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COUNCILMAN. ALL RIGHT. MISS CAROLYN, COME AND JUST RECOGNIZE A GOOD ORGANIZATION FOR THE SOUTH? WE'RE ABOUT TO TAKE HER BACK TO THE NORTH SIDE OF BATON ROUGE, BUT NO, ON A SERIOUS NOTE, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MR. ALVIN DOUGLAS AND THE SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.

THE ASSOCIATION OF MY HIGH SCHOOL. THE BEST HIGH SCHOOL IN BATON ROUGE SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.

[APPLAUSE] JUST GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF BRIEF HISTORY.

SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL IT'S THE MAIN NEIGHBORHOOD HIGH SCHOOL IN DISTRICT 2 .

THIS HIGH SCHOOL HAS SO MUCH RICH HISTORY WITHIN THE SCOTLANDVILLE AND NORTH BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY.

AND SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE, AS THE INCOMING COUNCILPERSON, THAT WE ARE REBUILDING THE BRIDGE BACK TO THE CITY'S FAMOUS AND ITS GREAT AND ITS REVERED ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, BATON ROUGE, I'D LIKE TO BRING UP MR. ALVIN DOUGLAS TO GIVE A FEW WORDS. COME ON ALVIN.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN KENNEY. TO THE TO MAYOR EDWARDS AND THE METRO COUNCIL.

GREATLY APPRECIATE THIS RECOGNITION, COUNCILMAN KENNEY, BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT ALVIN DOUGLAS.

IT'S ABOUT THE SCOTLANDVILLE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.

[APPLAUSE] IT'S A TEAM EFFORT. I'M JUST THE PERSON THEY ELECTED TO BE THE PRESIDENT, BUT I CAN'T DO IT BY MYSELF, SO I'M HUMBLED. I APPRECIATE THE HONOR. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CROSSING THAT BRIDGE THAT WE'RE REBUILDING TOGETHER.

THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. [APPLAUSE] ALRIGHT, SO I'D LIKE TO CALL ALL ALUMNI SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL TO THE FRONT.

WE'LL TAKE A GROUP PICTURE. MARY EDWARDS, YOU WANT TO COME UP AS WELL TO TAKE A GROUP PICTURE WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION? ALL RIGHT.

HELLO, MR. JACKSON, HOW YOU DOING? I'M DOING WELL.

YES SIR. I'M KIDDING.

ALRIGHT EVERYBODY LOOK THIS WAY. ALRIGHT, LET'S GET A BIG SMILE.

HOLD THAT FOR ME. GOOD. THREE. TWO. ONE. ALRIGHT, WE GOT ALL RIGHT.

NEXT UP, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE REVEREND TOMMY CAIN, SENIOR.

HE IS THE SENIOR PASTOR AND MINISTER IN MOUNT PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH IN DISTRICT 2 IN SCOTLANDVILLE, LOUISIANA. THIS CERTIFICATE IS LEADING THE INVOCATION AT A REGULAR MEETING FOR TODAY'S METRO COUNCIL MEETING, BUT ALSO CERTIFICATE REVEREND CAIN, FOR YOUR WORK IN THE SCOTLANDVILLE COMMUNITY THROUGH MOUNT PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH. SO CONGRATULATIONS. W ANT TO SAY A COUPLE WORDS. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU BROTHER KENNEY FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE.

AND HOW HAVE YOU BLESSED MOUNT PILGRIM IN SO MANY WAYS.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND THE CITY HERE IN BATON ROUGE.

WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE WE'RE WILLING TO DO IT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN.

NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE METROPOLITAN COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN, JR.

TO RECOGNIZE MYRA RICHARDSON, FOUNDER OF THE 225 FEST AND SPONSORS.

COUNCILMAN. THANK YOU. CERTIFICATES. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE IN THE CHAMBER. GOOD EVENING TO THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING US AT HOME.

I'M HONORED AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE MYRA RICHARDSON AND THE ORGANIZERS OF THE 225 FEST.

THE SPONSORS AND ALL THE CITIZENS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THIS GREAT HIGHLIGHT OF OUR CITY, OF OUR CULTURE, OF OUR MUSIC, AND JUST BATON ROUGE IN GENERAL.

AS YOU KNOW, 225 DAY FEBRUARY 25TH IS APPROACHING US.

AND THAT'S 225 FEST IS APPROACHING US. SO I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MYRA FOR HER WORK ON BUILDING THIS AMAZING PROFILE AND HIGHLIGHT OF OUR CITY ATTRACTED SOME 14,000 PEOPLE ON LAST YEAR. I ANTICIPATE IT WILL EXCEED THAT ON THIS YEAR, AND I'M GLAD THAT SHE CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA TO HIGHLIGHT AND RECOGNIZE OUR CITY AND OUR CULTURE. WE HAVE A STACK OF CERTIFICATES HERE FOR THOSE WHO WORK WITH HER IN COLLABORATION TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

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AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO CALL ALL THESE NAMES. WE'RE GOING TO LET MAYA TAKE CARE OF THAT.

BUT WE DEFINITELY WANT TO RECOGNIZE HER AND HER TEAM FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE CITY AND HIGHLIGHTING THE CITY.

AND I WANT TO BRING MYRA UP AS SHE SAY A FEW WORDS TO TALK ABOUT THE FEST COMING UP AND ANY OTHER THINGS YOU WANT TO ADD.

MYRA RICHARDSON. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN, JR..

NOT JUST FOR BEING A CHAMPION OF THIS FESTIVAL WITH YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO ON BATON ROUGE, DC. THE THINGS THAT WE DO TO CONSTANTLY UPLIFT THE PROFILE OF BATON ROUGE.

FOR ME, I AM BORN AND RAISED IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND I SEE SO MANY TIMES PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT ATTRACT INVESTMENT. SO IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO FIND REASONS TO CELEBRATE CULTURE IN THE CAPITAL REGION.

THIS FESTIVAL IS IN ITS THIRD YEAR. IN YEAR ONE WE HAD 14,000 PEOPLE.

IN YEAR TWO, WE HAD 30,000 PEOPLE. IN THIS YEAR ON MARCH 1ST AND SECOND FROM 1 P.M.

TO 6 P.M. AT THE BREC STATE FAIRGROUNDS WE ALREADY HAVE 16,000 PEOPLE REGISTERED, SO WE'RE SO EXCITED TO BRING THESE FOOD TRUCKS, TO BRING THIS FESTIVAL, TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY TO MANY OF THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE IN HERE.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK OUR FINANCIAL SPONSORS WHO MAKE SURE THIS IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, AETNA, COX MOBILE, AT&T, POWER COALITION, LOUISIANA HEALTHCARE CONNECTIONS, BREC, COCA-COLA, CUMULUS, VISIT BATON ROUGE, PATIENT PLUS URGENT CARE, LOUISIANA WASTE SYSTEMS, THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT, THE ARTS COUNCIL, THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY, THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION, BATON ROUGE GENERAL, AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTNERS. BECAUSE EVERYBODY SEES COLLECTIVELY HOW IMPORTANT BATON ROUGE IN CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY IS. SO IF Y'ALL COULD ALL GIVE YOURSELVES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] ALL OF OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS. YES, YES. AND IF ALL OF OUR SPONSORS CAN COME ON UP AND PARTNERS COME ON UP TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH COUNCILMAN DUNN.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND ALL OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD ALSO GET IN THE PHOTO, BECAUSE THIS DOESN'T JUST TOUCH ONE DISTRICT OR ANOTHER.

THESE VENDORS, THESE PARTICIPANTS, THESE SPONSORS REPRESENT EVERY DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE IN THE GREATER BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AREA.

SO WE'LL COME ON UP FOR A PICTURE NOW. AND, MYRA, AS EVERYONE COMING UP FOR THE PICTURE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION FOR LISTENING TO THIS PLAN, LISTENING TO THIS VISION OF MYRA, ACCEPTING IT AND PARTNERING WITH HER.

AND I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION FOR EMBRACING IT AS WELL AND SEEING HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO CONTINUE THAT PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE IT UP HERE. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE IT UP HERE. ALL RIGHT. YOU WHERE? YOU WANT IT? ARE YOU. DO YOU WANT EVERYBODY TO HOLD THEM OUT OR.

HOW ARE YOU.

YEAH. YEAH.

YEAH, YEAH.

MIC] JUST HOLD IT THERE. JUST HOLD IT THERE.

BIG SMILE FROM EVERYBODY. GOOD. HOLD THAT. TWO.

ONE [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION PORTION OF OUR MEETING. THE REGULAR MEETING WILL START AT 4:00.

THANK YOU. DO YOU WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT THERE'S.

[CALL TO ORDER]

GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU. WISH YOU WERE HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

BUT SINCE YOU'RE NOT, WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE WATCHING ON COX METRO 21 AND ON AT&T YOUTUBE.

ALSO ON FACEBOOK LIVE. AND WE ARE STREAMING AT OUR WEBSITE ON THIS DAY, FEBRUARY 12TH, 2025.

WELCOME AGAIN. AT THIS TIME, HERE IS THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.

[00:20:03]

ASHLEY, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM? WE HAVE A QUORUM.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN INVOCATION AND PLEDGE BY REVEREND TOMMY CAIN SENIOR OF MOUNT PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH.

REVEREND.

LET US STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

LET US PRAY. OUR FATHER, OUR GOD IN HEAVEN, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, GOD.

AND WE THANK YOU FOR THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE DECISIONS TONIGHT.

OH, GOD WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS THEM WITH YOUR HAND OF MERCY.

WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS EVERYONE HERE. OH, GOD.

WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS THIS COUNCIL. OH, GOD. WE ASK THAT YOU KEEP THEM SAFE.

AND GOD W E ASK THAT YOU GIVE THEM THE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE GODLY DECISION ON BEHALF OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR MERCY.

IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY. AMEN. AMEN. HEY HOW ARE YOU DOING? WELL THANK YOU, REVEREND. OKAY. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE SOME PEOPLE WE HAVE WITH US HERE TODAY.

WE HAVE MAYOR DAVID MCDAVID FROM CITY OF ZACHARY AND COUNCILWOMAN AMBRE DEVIRGILIO FROM CITY OF ZACHARY, COUNCILWOMAN BRANDY WESTMORELAND FROM CITY OF ZACHARY, COUNCILMAN JAMES GRAVES FROM CITY OF ZACHARY, AND COUNCILWOMAN JENNIFER LANDRY FROM THE CITY OF ZACHARY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY. THANK YOU.

[ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN, JR.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ASHLEY, CAN YOU READ INTRODUCTIONS, PLEASE?

[INTRODUCTIONS]

NUMBER THREE, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULT OF A SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE ALSEN ST.

IRMA LEE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER NINE OF THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A TEN MILS AD VALOREM TAX ON THE DOLLAR OF ASSESSED VALUATION OF ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICT FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS, COMMENCING WITH THE YEAR 2026 TO AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 2035, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY BOND COUNSEL. NUMBER FOUR, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND CLEARING THE RESULTS OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, NUMBER THREE OF THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A TEN MILLS AD VALOREM TAX FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS, COMMENCING WITH THE YEAR 2026 AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 2035, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY BOND COUNSEL.

NUMBER FIVE, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULT OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER ONE OF THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A NINE MILLS AD VALOREM TAX FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS, COMMENCING WITH THE YEAR 2026 TO AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 2035, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY BOND COUNSEL. NUMBER SIX, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS OF THE PARISH VARIOUS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE SUMMARY FOR PROPOSED PLAN OF GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY BOND COUNSEL.

NUMBER SEVEN, ADOPTING THE FOLLOWING INCREASED AD VALOREM TAX MILLAGE RATES WITHOUT FURTHER VOTE OF APPROVAL WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FOLLOWING TAXING JURISDICTIONS ON

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COUNCIL ON AGING FROM 2.0 MILLS TO 2.13 MILLS.

BATON ROUGE MUNICIPAL FIRE SALARIES AND BENEFITS 5.68 MILLS TO SIX MILLS.

CITY OF BATON ROUGE 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 TEN MILLS.

BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE ADDITIONAL FROM 4.41 MILLS TO 5 MILLS.

BROWNSFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE ADDITIONAL FROM 8.83 MILLS TO 10 MILLS.

CHENEYVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN FROM 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS.

CHENEYVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN ADDITIONAL 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS.

CHENEYVILLE 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 MILLS TO 15 MILLS.

ALSEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 9 FROM 9.82 MILLS TO TEN MILLS ALSEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER NINE ADDITIONAL FROM 4.1 MILS TO 5 MILLS BY COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN, JR.. NUMBER EIGHT, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A LOCAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND VISIT BATON ROUGE AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE LOUISIANA STATE BOND COMMISSION, IF NECESSARY, APPOINTING BOND COUNSEL TO THE CITY PARISH IF NECESSARY, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY MAYOR-PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS, COUNCIL MEMBER ROWDY GAUDET, AND COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN COLEMAN. NUMBER NINE ADOPTING AND LEVYING AN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE OF 6.0 MILLS ON ALL PROPERTY, SUBJECT TO TAXATION WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TO BE LEVIED FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS, COMMENCING WITH THE TAX COLLECTION FOR THE YEAR 2025, AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER TO AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 2034, TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR INCREASING SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE MUNICIPAL FIRE AND POLICE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT. NUMBER TEN. AMEND THE 2025 PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED, UNCLASSIFIED AND NON-CLASSIFIED CONTRACT.

FIRE AND POLICE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE 19433 SO AS TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES EFFECTIVE MARCH 8, 2025, AND APPROPRIATING $14,063,560 FOR SUCH PURPOSE.

MUNICIPAL FIRE PAY PLAN INCREASED 19%. ALL MUNICIPAL FIRE CLASSIFICATIONS ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASE FOR THE ENTIRE MUNICIPAL FIRE PAY PLAN BY MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR. NUMBER 11, A RESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING AN ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11TH, 2025, TO AUTHORIZE THE PARISH TO EXTEND THE LEVY OF A 9.80 MILLS AD VALOREM TAX CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED FOR THE PUBLIC LIBRARY PURPOSES UPON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION WITHIN THE PARISH FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEN YEARS, BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR 2026 TO AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 2035, AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE PARISH TO ONE REDEDICATE $114 MILLION OF PROCEEDS OF THE TAX HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER RECEIVED FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE PARISH, INCLUDING THE MAINTENANCE, OPERATION, LAND ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW LIBRARY FACILITIES WITHIN THE PARISH AND REDEDICATE THE USE OF PROCEEDS OF THE TAX HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER RECEIVE FOR GENERAL OPERATION OF THE PARISH, INCLUDING THE MAINTENANCE, OPERATION AND ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW LIBRARY FACILITIES WITHIN THE PARISH.

MAKING APPLICATION TO THE LOUISIANA STATE BOND COMMISSION. PROVIDING NOTICE THAT A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12TH, 2025 AT 4:00 PM AT THE REGULAR MEETING PLACE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.

THIRD FLOOR, CITY HALL ROOM 348, 222 SAINT LOUIS STREET, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA.

AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT. NUMBER 12, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES WITH SEAN STOKES OF KELLER AND HECKMAN LLP, INCREASING THE CONTRACT BY $30,000 TO A REVISED AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $130,000.

THIS MATTER MAY BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY. NUMBER 13, AMENDING AND REENACTING ORDINANCE 15791 AND ORDINANCE 16011 TO APPROVE THE SALE AND OR TRANSFER OF THE NATURAL GAS ASSETS OPERATED BY ENTERGY GULF STATES LOUISIANA LLC TO DELTA CAPITAL GAS COMPANY, AND ACCEPTING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ORDINANCE 15791 AND 16011 AND AGREEING TO COMPLY THEREWITH AND PRESCRIBING ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS AS SET FORTH BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL BY COUNCILWOMAN JEN RACCA AND COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN, JR..

NUMBER 14. AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE.

TITLE TWO, CHAPTER SIX. SO AS TO ADDRESS BROADBAND FRANCHISE FEES IN AREAS OF THE CITY.

PARISH ELIGIBLE FOR GUMBO 2.0 FUNDING IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 51:2378 ET SEQ BY COUNCILMAN ROWDY GAUDET AND COUNCILMAN ANTHONY KENNEY CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS. NUMBER 15 JOHN WILLIS JR. 10041 AVENUE J.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 KENNEY. NUMBER 16 PAMELA FORD 1065 CENTRAL ROAD COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 KENNEY.

NUMBER 17 JILL ANN GRAVES CRUITTI 3138 ELM DRIVE.

COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS. NUMBER 18 REGGIE MORGAN, 3671 NORTH FOSTER DRIVE.

[00:30:05]

COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS. NUMBER 20 JUON ALEXANDER, 3484 MYRTLE LAWN STREET.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS. NUMBER 21 THE UNOPENED SUCCESSION OF LOUISE D.

PATTERSON, 2731 ONTARIO STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 , HARRIS.

NUMBER 22 NISREEN DAWAN 3326 NORTH ACADIAN THRUWAY COUNCIL, DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS.

NUMBER 23. ROUND TABLE INVESTMENT GROUP LLC 2125 NORTH 38TH STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS.

NUMBER 24 ARCHIE LEE 3733 ELM DRIVE COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS.

NUMBER 25 WARDEL MARIE JACKSON, 914 NORTH 36TH STREET.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS. NUMBER 26 JEANETTAER SERAPHINE BELL 1567 NORTH 36TH STREET.

COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS. NUMBER 27 BEATRICE SERATHINE SCOTT 2415 WILLOW STREET.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS. NUMBER 28 RICHARD RABY 2975 BROWNLEE STREET.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS. NUMBER 29 THE SUCCESSION OF DAMON P.

CAIN, 2284 GEORGIA STREET. COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN.

NUMBER 30 QUENTIN RAYNORD JARVIS 1173 WEST MCKINLEY STREET.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN. NUMBER 31 DORIS SYLVIA JOHNSON 595 WEST MCKINLEY STREET.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN. NUMBER 32 THE ESTATE OF RONNIE BLUFORD 173 LOUISE STREET.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN. NUMBER 33 IRENE WILSON, KEYSA SHAW-SANDERS, AND ROBERT SANDERS, III 962 SOUTH 12TH STREET COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN.

ALL ITEMS REQUIRE READING BE READ IN A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS AS IN ORDER. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. OKAY. FOR EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE.

JUST POINT OF ORDER, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEM 76, WHICH I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HERE FOR.

THAT ITEM WILL BE LAST ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT.

EVERYTHING ELSE, ALL OTHER ACTION ITEMS AND ALL OTHER CITY BUSINESS COULD BE TAKEN BEFORE THAT.

WE FULLY ANTICIPATE THAT TO BE A LENGTHY ITEM.

AND I KNOW THAT'S NOT MAYBE A POPULAR THING, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GET THROUGH ALL THE OTHER CITY BUSINESS.

AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN DO THAT SWIFTLY. BUT THAT ITEM WILL BE TAKEN UP LAST ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT.

OKAY, COUNCIL, GO TO YOUR SEPARATE SHEET FOR CONDEMNATIONS.

[CONDEMNATIONS]

ITEM 67? YES, MA'AM. YES. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DOCTOR PATRICIA BARANCO.

I'M THE OWNER OF 991 MAXIMILIAN STREET IN OLD SOUTH BATON ROUGE.

I AM THE YOUNGEST CHILD OF DOCTOR BV BARANCO AND EVELYN BARANCO.

IT IS INDEED FITTING THAT I APPEAR BEFORE YOU DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

MY FATHER WAS THE SON OF BV BARANCO SENIOR WHO CONSTRUCTED THE TEMPLE ROOF.

THE TEMPLE BUILDING OFF NORTH BOULEVARD. BV SENIOR WORKED AT THE US MINT IN NEW ORLEANS AND WAS SEATED AT THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IN 1922. HE HOSTED BOOKER T. WASHINGTON IN BATON ROUGE FOR A VISIT.

MY FATHER WAS THE THIRD AFRICAN AMERICAN DENTIST TO SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY FROM 26 THROUGH 85.

HE WAS SUPREME KNIGHT OF THE KNIGHTS OF PETER CLAVER.

HE, HIS BROTHER AND HIS WIFE, EVELYN BARANCO FORMED THE GOOD SAMARITANS, WHICH WAS HOUSED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING.

THE GOOD SAMARITANS COLLECTED MONIES AND DISTRIBUTED TOYS AND CLOTHING TO AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN DURING THE CHRISTMAS TIME.

MY MOTHER, EVELYN, WAS A MATH AND ENGLISH TEACHER AT MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS.

MA'AM, YOU'RE HERE TO SPEAK ON A CONDEMNATION? YES. OKAY, I'LL GET TO IT. YOU GOT A MINUTE 37 LEFT.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET TO THAT PART. ALRIGHT.

I'M ALMOST FINISHED. SO, ANYWAY SO ANYWAY, TWO OF HER STUDENTS WERE EDDIE ROBINSON AND JOE DELPIT.

MA'AM. I'M SORRY. PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP IT ON POINT.

ALL RIGHT OKAY. THE BUILDING WAS A CONTRIBUTING ELEMENT IN THE OLD SOUTH BATON ROUGE HISTORIC BUILDING.

[00:35:02]

AND THIS WAS VERIFIED TO ME THIS MORNING THAT IT IS ON THE LIST FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS.

SO I WOULD ASK THAT YOU GIVE US MORE TIME SO WE CAN BECAUSE IT IS ON THE LIST FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS.

IT'S ALREADY ON THE LIST. COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN'S COUNCILWOMAN.

YES. DOCTOR BARANCO, I'M AWARE OF THIS BUILDING.

I'M AWARE OF ALL OF THE HISTORY THAT YOU SPOKE OF.

SO I'M ASKING. I MEAN, WHAT ARE YOU ASKING FOR? WHAT KIND OF TIME? 30 DAYS. 60 DAYS? OH, I WAS ASKING.

I WAS ASKING FOR SIX MONTHS. WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED.

I HAVE STARTED I HAVE ALREADY STARTED RESTORATION.

SO IF YOU COULD GIVE ME SOME MORE TIME, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

OKAY, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT I'M GOING TO DO THE MOST I CAN GIVE YOU. THE MOST I CAN GIVE YOU IS 90 DAYS.

BUT SOME PROGRESS WILL HAVE TO HAVE BEEN MADE WITHIN THAT TIME.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THESE AGENDA ITEMS? CONDEMNATION. YES, SIR. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M SPEAKING ON 66. OKAY. NAME, SIR.

MY NAME IS SPENCER WILLIAMS. OKAY. THANK YOU.

CHRISTINE BATTLEY AND MY BROTHER. I'M THE OWNER.

ACTUALLY, I'M THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE. OKAY. WHERE WOULD THEY SEND ME? WAS THE GARAGE. WE HAD ISSUES ON THE GARAGE. I'VE BEEN OVER THERE SINCE THEN AND CLEANED IT UP.

I HAVE PICTURES I HAVE IT. I NEED TO SEE HOW MUCH TIME I HAVE THAT THERE ARE TREES, SO I CAN'T REBUILD RIGHT NOW, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO KEEP. THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD LUMBER THAT I WAS TRYING TO KEEP.

THAT'S WHY I WAS TRYING TO HANG ON TO IT, SO I FINALLY GOT IT DOWN.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VIEW THE PICTURES BEFORE I REALLY COME UP WITH A BUILDING.

JUST THE GARAGE. BUT BEFORE I COME BACK UP WITH A BUILDING, SOME TREES NEED TO BE CUT.

THERE'S A LOT OF TREES IN THE AREA THAT'S BLOCKING THE BUILDING THAT IS A HAZARD TO THE BUILDING.

OKAY. AND SO ON. IT SAYS NO IMPROVEMENTS MADE.

THIS IS ON TECUMSEH. REAR SHED ONLY. YES, MA'AM.

SO HAVE YOU DEMOLISHED OR HAVE YOU UPDATED OR HAVE YOU DONE ANYTHING TO THAT BUILDING? I HAVE PICTURES HERE. I'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT, MATTER OF FACT, THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

OKAY. AND I HAVE IT DOWN TO PRETTY MUCH THE GOOD LUMBER THAT I COULD USE AND EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN DEMOLISHED AND HAULED AWAY.

OKAY. SO WHAT I'M GOING TO DO, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU 30 DAYS, AND WITHIN 30 DAYS, SOMEONE WILL HAVE BEEN OUT THERE TO SEE IF EVERYTHING IS UP TO PAR.

AND THEN, IF SO, ME AND YOU GOOD. IF NOT, YOU STILL GOT SOME WORK TO DO.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. OKAY. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE CONDEMNATION? WITH THAT, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ITEM 70.

I NEED TO GIVE THEM 90 DAYS. ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

. THANK YOU. NUMBER 53. DELETE. MOVE FORWARD WITH 58 AND 90 DAYS FOR 64. ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMAN HARRIS.

GIVE ME UNTIL THE 26TH ON 62. ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 68 AND 69. TWO WEEKS ON ITEM 62, 30 DAYS ON ITEM 65 AND 66.

90 DAYS ON ITEM 54, 64, 67, 70, AND 71 AND TO DELETE ITEMS 53 AND 63.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION. 30 DAYS ON ITEM 68. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM

[72. 24-01626 ]

[00:40:09]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 72.

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET TO DEFER.

SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA. ANY OPPOSED? TO DEFER TO THE MARCH 26TH IS THE REQUEST.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 73. THERE'S A REQUEST TO DELETE THIS ITEM BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN

[Items 73 & 74]

COUNCILMAN DUNN . ITEM 73 AND 74 I WANT CHARLIE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO JUST COME SPEAK TO THIS ITEM.

THIS WAS DEFERRED AT THE JANUARY 8TH MEETING.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A MUCH MORE IMPACTFUL PLAN IN PLAY, AND I JUST WANT HIM TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE PUBLIC.

AND I KNOW CHANCELLOR PIERRE IS HERE AS IT RELATES TO 74, AND I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM HIM ON THAT AS WELL.

OKAY. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN DUNN. OUR OFFICE HAS TALKED TO BOTH LSU AND SOUTHERN.

I KNOW THE CHANCELLOR IS HERE TONIGHT. WE'RE NOT READY TO UNVEIL ANY BIG PLANS, BUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR HUGE THINGS TO DO WITH SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.

AND SO WE JUST FELT THIS MONEY COULD BE REINVESTED TOWARD LARGER PROJECTS.

BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LETTING ME COME UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT IT. THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JOHN PIERRE, SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE PRESIDENT SHIELDS AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO MAYOR EDWARDS ADMINISTRATION ABOUT SOME LARGER PLANS THAT WE THINK ARE GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL TO SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, INCLUDING A GROCERY STORE, SUPERMARKET CLOSE TO CAMPUS. THESE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT OUR STUDENTS WANT, AND WE BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO GETTING THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO GET DONE. THANK YOU CHANCELLOR. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN GAUDET, WOULD YOU MIND? YES, I WOULD HAVE SWORN I SAW ON THE BIGGEST STAGE IN THE WORLD AT THE SUPER BOWL WHAT LOOKED LIKE THE HUMAN JUKEBOX BAND.

[LAUGHTER] I WOULD HAVE SWORN, CHANCELLOR, THAT I SAW THAT.

YOU DID. [APPLAUSE] AND THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB.

AND THERE'S MORE TO COME. AMEN TO THAT. AMEN.

HEY, THEY WERE A HIGHLIGHT. THEY WERE AMAZING. KUDOS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY. THANK YOU.

AS STATED AS A REQUEST TO DELETE ITEM 73, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 74. WE KIND OF ALREADY TALKED ON IT, BUT AGAIN, AS A REQUESTED DELETE BY THE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR AN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH ENTREPRENEURIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO GO TO COUNCIL.

COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE MORE COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 74. HAVE A MOTION TO DELETE BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 75 A RESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE ON SATURDAY,

[75. 24-01721 ]

MAKING APPLICATION TO THE LOUISIANA STATE BOND COMMISSION BY BOND COUNSEL REQUEST OF THE DOWNTOWN AT THE REQUEST OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.

COUNCIL MEMBERS , YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED TWO EMAIL COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 75.

SO MOVED. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 77 AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN BREC AND THE CITY PARISH.

[77. 25-00039]

[00:45:04]

SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR .. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.

I'LL SPEAK. COUNCILMAN GAUDET. THE AGREEMENT THAT'S ATTACHED HERE HAS A TERMINATION DATE IN THE PAST.

IF THIS PASSES AS IT'S PUBLICLY POSTED, IT'S NULL AND VOID.

THE CONCERN THAT COUNCILMAN GAUDET BRINGS UP AS YOU ALL KNOW, I BROUGHT IT UP TO YOU GUYS ABOUT THE DIFFERENT VERSION OF THE DRAFT.

I MADE THE PARISH ATTORNEY AWARE. I MADE OUR COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR AWARE, AS HE POINTED OUT TO ME.

AND I THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT TO ME THAT THE INCORRECT ITEM WAS SUBMITTED AS SUPPORTING DOCUMENT.

ASHLEY CORRECTED THAT AND SUBMITTED THE CORRECT DOCUMENT AS WAS TOLD TO ME.

SO THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR HER IS THE RIGHT DOCUMENT SUBMITTED.

COUNCILMAN GAUDET BROUGHT THAT TO MY ATTENTION AGAIN WHEN HE CAME HERE TODAY.

I BROUGHT IT TO ASHLEY'S ATTENTION. SHE DISAGREED WITH HIS OPINION ON THAT, BUT I'M OPEN TO HEARING HER FEEDBACK AS IT RELATES TO WHAT HE'S ALLEGING.

AND I'LL SAY AN AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE DATE TO 2026 IS WHAT I'D OFFER.

HOW ABOUT THAT? ASHLEY, WHEN I CLICK ON THE DRAFT MOU FROM THE AGENDA THAT'S HERE AND FROM THE AGENDA THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, IT PULLS UP SECTION 4.7 WITH THE TERMINATION DATE LAST MONTH.

SO SO THAT WE'RE CLEAR WITH THE PUBLIC AND MY COLLEAGUE WANTS TO DO THIS IN THE INTERESTS OF TRANSPARENCY.

I'LL OFFER AN AMENDMENT TO MAKE IT JANUARY 10, 2026.

OKAY. I APPRECIATE THAT. AND I RECEIVED THAT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

BUT MY CONCERN IS, IF THAT'S THE CASE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING THAT'S IN THE FINAL DOCUMENT IS THERE.

I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY IS HE SEEING A DIFFERENT VERSION THAN WHAT WE ALL SAW AND WHAT YOU SUBMITTED.

SO I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK ON THAT. ARE WE HAVING A GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM? I'LL BE HONEST, I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED WITH IT.

I'VE HAD WE HAVE HAD SOME ISSUES IN THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS WITH AGENDA ITEMS, ATTACHMENTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE, AND I THOUGHT WE HAD ADDRESSED IT BASED ON WHAT COUNCILMAN GAUDET IS POINTING OUT.

THERE'S OBVIOUSLY STILL AN ISSUE, BUT I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THE AGENDA ITEM IS CORRECT.

THE RESOLUTION IS CORRECT. THERE IS THE AGREEMENT THAT IS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW HAS SOME DIFFERENT TERMS THAN WHAT YOU ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED.

SO I DO THINK IT WOULD BE PROBABLY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF CLARITY TO ADOPT THE ITEM WITH THE CHANGE TO SECTION 4.7 TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TERMINATION DATE IS CORRECT.

BUT THE RESOLUTION THAT IS UP FOR ADOPTION IS CORRECT, WHICH IS THE SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE THAT'S BEFORE YOU ALL.

THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARITY. GREG, COULD YOU GET KALLEY TO COME UP, PLEASE? KALLEY, CAN YOU COME UP? AND JUST FOR THE PUBLIC'S KNOWLEDGE AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT MOU BEFORE US KALLEY, CAN YOU JUST READ THROUGH THE AMENDMENTS OR THE CHANGES WE MADE TO THE FINAL DOCUMENT? BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON, THE SYSTEM IS PRESENTING THE DOCUMENT THAT'S NOT FINAL, BUT CAN YOU JUST KIND OF READ THROUGH SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE OFFERED UP TO AND, THEN WE'LL MAKE THAT AMENDMENT, INCLUDING THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WITH THE DATE CHANGE THAT COUNCILMAN GAUDET RECOMMENDED.

OKAY. SO YOU WANT ALL OF THOSE LANGUAGE CHANGES THAT WE DISCUSSED? YES. OKAY. CAN I GRAB MY. SURE. TAKE YOUR TIME.

[00:50:31]

WE MADE THE LANGUAGE MORE ASPIRATIONAL. CHANGE IT TO WISHES TO THE DESIGN.

1.3 C IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE COST OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE DISTRICT 6 COMMUNITY CENTER SHALL BE APPROXIMATELY $7 MILLION.

WE CHANGE THAT TO ESTIMATED. 1.3 C, I BELIEVE.

1.4 WE SAID THE PROJECT IS ANTICIPATED TO RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING SERVICES AND AMENITIES.

AND 1.7 WE SAID THAT WHILE THE PARTIES AIM TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE THESE DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS AT A LATER DATE, THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ALL TERMS WILL BE AGREED UPON OR THAT THE AGREEMENTS WILL BE FINALIZED.

THE PARTIES INTEND TO NEGOTIATE THE TERMS OF THESE DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS IN GOOD FAITH AT A FUTURE TIME, WITH THE HOPE OF REACHING MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE TERMS. 2.1 C EXCEPT FOR BREC FINANCIAL COMMITMENT AS SET FORTH BELOW, THE CITY PARISH INTENDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROJECT FUNDING SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS IN PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES.

SO WE PUT THAT CAVEAT IN THERE AS WELL. IN 2.1 E, WE SAID BREC EXPRESSES AN INTENTION TO CONTRIBUTE THE USE OF PROPERTY PURSUANT TO A RIGHT OF USE AGREEMENT.

SO THEY HAVE AN INTENTION OF DOING THAT IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT.

ON PAGE FIVE, WE SAID THAT THE CITY PARISH MAY, IN ITS DISCRETION, ENDEAVOR TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS, WHICH MAY INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING.

AT THE LAST SENTENCE OF THAT SAYS, THE SCOPE AND NATURE OF THESE CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE SHAPED BY SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES AND PRIORITIES THAT ARISE DURING THE PROJECT.

JUST TO GIVE THE CITY PARISH SOME ROOM IN CASE THOSE FUNDS OR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT GOOD FOR THE CITY AT THAT TIME.

ON THE SAME PAGE ON C, WHERE IT SAYS CONTRIBUTIONS OF BREC, WE SAID THE POTENTIAL TO MATCH THE CONTRIBUTION RECEIVED BY THE CITY PARISH TO BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION COSTS UP TO AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2 MILLION.

2.3 RIGHT OF USE AGREEMENT. IN A WE SAID THE TERMS EXPECTED TO BE NO MORE THAN 75 YEARS AS THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RIGHT OF USE AGREEMENT WHICH COULD CHANGE IN FUTURE AGREEMENTS.

IN ARTICLE THREE, WE SAID IN C, EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS MEMORANDUM WAS NOT INTENDED TO CREATE OR CONSTITUTE A LEGALLY BINDING OBLIGATION ON ANY PARTY, AND NO PARTY SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO THE OTHER WITH RESPECT TO THE PROVISIONS HEREOF, UNLESS AND UNTIL THE DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS ARE PREPARED, NEGOTIATED, AUTHORIZED, EXECUTED AND DELIVERED BY THE PARTIES.

AND THEN 4.7 WHICH THE ISSUE OF THE TERMINATION DATE.

WE CHANGED THAT FROM JANUARY 10 TO 2025 OF JANUARY 10TH OF 2026.

AND THAT WOULD BE THE LAST CHANGE. AND DO WE HAVE THIS WITNESS SIGNATURE ON THE CITIZEN WITNESS SIGNATURE? YES. CAN YOU JUST READ THAT FOR THE RECORD. THAT'S ON PAGE EIGHT OF TEN.

SHARON WESTON BROOME, CITIZEN WITNESS. THANK YOU.

KALLEY. COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.. I JUST WANT TO ASK OR REQUEST.

ARE YOU GOING TO AMEND YOUR MOTION TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED AS READ BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY? YES. OKAY. I AMEND MY MOTION. I'VE REMOVED MY PREVIOUS MOTION AND MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, AS READ BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY. LET ME THANK THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

THANK KALLEY IN PARTICULAR, WHO'S BEEN WORKING HARD ON THIS. WITH ALL THIS LANGUAGE AND DRAFTS, I WANT TO THANK BREC AND PARTNERSHIP. I WANT TO THANK ALL MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES FOR YOUR INPUT, FOR YOUR SUPPORT INCLUDING COUNCILMAN GAUDET, FOR BRINGING THIS TO MY ATTENTION AND MAKING SURE WE CLEAN THIS UP.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO BE CLEAR ON, BECAUSE I WAS ASKED THIS, WE HAVE THIS WITNESS SIGNATURE THAT'S SHARON WESTON BROOME.

[00:55:07]

THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. SO I ASKED FOR A CITIZEN WITNESS SIGNATURE JUST TO YOU KNOW, HAVE HER AS A PART OF THE PROCESS AND THANKING HER FOR HER CONTRIBUTION TO IT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION FOR EMBRACING THE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE IN DISTRICT SIX, INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY CENTER, AND OUR MOTTO HAS A SHELTER IN IT.

WE JUST SAW THE NEED THAT THIS CITY PARISH HAS FOR SHELTERS WITH THE PREVIOUS WINTER STORM.

SO I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR SUPPORTING THE PROCESS.

LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE THE PROCESS. WE WANTED TO DO THIS MOU SO WE CAN GET MORE STAKEHOLDER INPUT AND BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING.

AND WE WILL FOLLOW THIS UP WITH A CEA, WHICH IS A BINDING DOCUMENT.

BUT AGAIN THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET AS AMENDED. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 78 WAIVING THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE,

[78. 25-00037]

CHAPTER 18. WINE, BEER AND LIQUOR. SECTION NINE 110.

1010 B REGARDING 300 FOOT DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS SO AS TO ALLOW AN APPLICANT WITH A BUSINESS LOCATED AT 7510 FLORIDA BOULEVARD.

7806 TO APPLY FOR ALCOHOL LICENSE BY COUNCILWOMAN LAURIE ADAMS. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? COUNCIL MEMBER.

YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO 978.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.

COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE QUICK THING.

SO I STARTED THE PROCESS WITH THIS CONVENIENCE STORE THAT WAS IN BUSINESS FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS BEFORE THE BREC PARK WAS BUILT RIGHT THERE.

THEY CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS, CLOSED LONG ENOUGH THAT THEY NEEDED TO REAPPLY FOR THEIR LICENSE.

BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS, THE DISTRICT HAS CHANGED.

SO THIS IS ACTUALLY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS'S DISTRICT.

BUT I TOLD HER I WOULD COMPLETE THIS, SO JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT.

AND WITH THAT, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL. THANK YOU.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.

AS APPROPRIATE. ANYONE IN OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

[79. 25-00119 ]

CHAPTER 11 REGULATION OF BROADBAND. FRANCHISE FEES RELATIVE TO AREAS OF THE CITY.

PARISH ELIGIBLE FOR GUMBO 2.0. FUNDING AND CONFORMANCE WITH LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTES 51 2370 BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET AND COUNCILMAN KENNEY. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? OKAY. GO AHEAD. YEP OH, SORRY.

PLEASE. YES, SIR. GOOD AFTERNOON. I THOUGHT YOU WERE OFFERING THE AMENDMENT.

OH, YOU WANT ME TO GO AHEAD WITH THE AMENDMENTS? PLEASE. OKAY.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, WE HAVE TWO FLOOR AMENDMENTS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND HOPEFULLY ACCEPTANCE.

THE FIRST ONE IS THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS GOING TO BE ADDED TO CHAPTER SIX OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES.

IT WILL NOT BE A NEW CHAPTER AFTER SPEAKING WITH WITH SUBDIVISIONS.

YEAH. THEY SUGGESTED THAT THAT WOULD BE A BETTER FIT FOR IT.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE HOPE TO MOVE IT IN CHAPTER SIX.

AND THEN BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE MOVED IN CHAPTER SIX, THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND NUMBER THE PROVISIONS ACCORDINGLY WITH THE CORRECT SECTION NUMBER. SO THAT'S THE SECOND AMENDMENT THAT THE SECTION NUMBERS BE ADDED ACCORDINGLY.

AND THAT'S ALL.

COUNCILMAN HUDSON. I JUST REAL QUICK I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE COUNCILMAN GAUDET AND COUNCILMAN KENNEY ON GETTING THIS DONE.

BUT I ALSO WANTED TO CONGRATULATE FORMER ASSISTANT CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER VENEETH IYENGAR , WHO HELPED YOU GUYS WITH THIS. VENEETH AND HIS TEAM WERE LOUISIANA BECAME THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO SECURE FEDERAL APPROVAL FOR ITS PLAN TO DEPLOY $1.3 BILLION IN BROADBAND ACCESS. AND I THINK AS A FORMER CITY PARISH EMPLOYEE, THAT'S TO BE COMMENDED.

SO GOOD JOB BENEATH COUNCILOR MCKINNEY. ALL RIGHT.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN GAUDET THIS IS MY FIRST ORDINANCE, AND SO I'M EXCITED TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU WITH THIS FORWARD THINKING PROCESS.

[APPLAUSE] AND SO AS WE LOOK TO KIND OF CONQUER THE DIGITAL DIVIDE OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH I REALLY APPRECIATE COUNCILMAN GAUDET BRINGING THIS UP. SO I DEFINITELY THINK IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO BRING THAT BROADBAND ACCESS TO OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT 2 , BAKER AND THE CITIES BEYOND, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILMAN GAUDET. AND THANK YOU TO THE TEAM THE PARISH ATTORNEY OFFICE VENEETH AND HIS

[01:00:04]

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, CHAPTERS AND ORDINANCES WITH THE REALITY FOR THE FOLKS IN THIS AUDIENCE AND THROUGHOUT EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH IS THIS MEANS 3000 LOCATIONS THAT DON'T CURRENTLY GET FIBER INTERNET ARE GOING TO GET THAT SERVICE.

AND $2.7 MILLION OF FEDERAL GRANT DOLLARS COMES TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.

SO IT MEANS PROGRESS FOR OUR COMMUNITY IS WHAT ALL THIS LANGUAGE AND AMENDMENTS AND ORDINANCES MEAN.

SO AND APPRECIATE I'LL ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON MR. IYENGAR FROM THE STATE. HE AND HIS TEAM WERE VERY HELPFUL.

THEY REACHED OUT TO US, CALLED US TO OUR ATTENTION.

AND THIS ORDINANCE CHANGE GETS US INTO COMPLIANCE.

OKAY. BELIEVE A MOTION'S IN ORDER. I ALSO WANT TO ADD COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN WANTED TO CO-SPONSOR THIS, AND I WASN'T ABLE TO GET HER NAME ON THE AGENDA IN TIME.

SO I APPRECIATE HER OFFERING HER OFFERING HER SUPPORT ON THIS ONE.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 80. AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-P RESIDENT, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER THREE

[80. 25-00041]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WE'RE GOING TO COUNCIL, WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[81. 25-00042 ]

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[82. 25-00043 ]

ITEM 83 AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION. EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO TO THE PARKING MANAGEMENT CONTRACT WITH SP+ | A METROPOLIS

[83. 25-00044]

THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2029, CONTINGENT UPON $325,000 INVESTMENT IN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS PARKING FACILITIES BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[84. 25-00045 ]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.

COUNCILMAN HURST. CAN I HAVE. I'M JUST JOKING.

MOTION TO APPROVE. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURST, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

. ANY OPPOSED? ANY OPPOSED. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 85. AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT THE GRANT AWARD FROM THE BURN JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT,

[85. 25-00062]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? HOW ARE WE DOING? I AM GOOD ALWAYS. I'M STILL IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT SEEN ME.

I AM ASKING THIS QUESTION ON THIS ITEM, BUT ALSO FOR ANY ITEM THAT IS TIED TO FEDERAL FUNDING GIVEN THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

I AM JUST CONSIDERING AND WONDERING IF FOR ANY REASON, FUNDS ARE FROZEN AND PURCHASES ARE MADE AND DEBT IS ACQUIRED IS THERE A PLAN BY THE PARISH FOR ANYTHING THAT COMES THROUGH THAT IS GRANT FUNDED AND WILL REQUIRE AN ACTUAL PURCHASE

[01:05:04]

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 86. AUTHORIZE.

[86. 25-00063]

AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THE ABILITY TO DRAW DOWN FUNDS FOR REIMBURSEMENTS.

A LOT OF OUR GRANTS ARE REIMBURSEMENT BASIS FROM OUR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE BELONG TO.

THERE HAS BEEN ANY NEW GRANT THAT WE APPLIED FOR MAY BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE OR MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR RENEWAL.

SO THAT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING. LIKE I SAID, WE'VE IT'S OUR END OF THE YEAR AND A LOT OF GRANTS ARE EXPIRING.

AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN DRAWING DOWN FUNDS.

DID YOU GET AN ANSWER? REVEREND ANDERSON, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ELABORATE ON? WELL, MY QUESTION IS. COME TO THE MIC. COME TO THE MIC.

STAY RIGHT THERE FOR A MINUTE, PLEASE. MY QUESTION IS VERY SIMPLE THAT IF, AS HAS ALREADY HAPPENED, THAT GRANT FUNDING IS REDUCED OR ELIMINATED WITH LITTLE OR NO NOTICE, WHAT IS THE PARISH'S PLAN THAT THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING. IF PURCHASES HAVE BEEN MADE SO THAT DEBT HAS BEEN ACQUIRED.

DOES THE THE PARISH HAVE A PLAN IF FOR ANY REASON, THOSE FUNDS DO NOT COME FORWARD? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. SO LET ME SAY THIS BEFORE YOU RESPOND.

I THINK THE PLAN WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF WHAT THE PLAN IS.

I THINK WHAT ANGIE CAN GIVE YOU IS THE CURRENT PROCESS THAT'S IN PLACE.

AND SO SHE CAN REITERATE THE PROCESS THAT'S IN PLACE.

NOW, ANY PLAN OR STRATEGY THAT WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.

SO I'LL LET YOU RESPOND. ANGIE AND CHARLIE OR [INAUDIBLE] IF ONE OF Y'ALL WANT TO RESPOND ABOUT A PLAN OR TALKING ABOUT GIVING THE PUBLIC OR US A FUTURE PLAN, YOU CAN DO THAT. GO AHEAD, ANGELA. SO CURRENTLY, ALL THE GRANTS WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED TODAY, WE HAVE AGREEMENTS WITH THEM, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY INDICATION THAT THEY WILL NOT FULFILL THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE ON RECORD.

THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN RACCA. HOLD ON. OH, SORRY.

THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN. SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE ENCOURAGING US TO HAVE MORE MONEY IN THE GENERAL FUND.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE. IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE GETTING AT? [LAUGHTER] IF THAT'S THE CASE, I AGREE.

I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY WISE FOR THE CITY PARISH TO HAVE A BIGGER BANK BALANCE AND LESS DEBT.

BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE'RE NOT AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC GRANT FUNDS THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE.

BUT IF IT DOES HAPPEN, IT'S GOING TO ADD TO OUR WOES.

NOT TAKE AWAY FROM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

MR. CHARLIE OR MISS ANGIE, CAN EITHER OF YOU SPEAK TO WHENEVER THE GRANT IS AWARDED? HOW QUICKLY ARE THE FUNDS SPENT? DO WE WAIT UNTIL THE FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED? WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? EACH GRANT HAS DIFFERENT TERMS, SO IT DEPENDS ON THE TERMS OF THE GRANT.

THE MAJORITY OF OUR GRANTS ARE COST REIMBURSEMENTS.

SO IT DEPENDS IF YOU HAVE A GRANT FOR POLICE OVERTIME FOR A NARCOTIC OVERTIME INVESTIGATION, THEN IT WOULD BE EVERY PAYROLL. AND THEN ONCE THE PAYROLL WAS SATISFIED, WE SEND COPIES OF THE CHECKS AS PROOF THAT WE ISSUED THE PAYROLL.

THEN WE WOULD DRAW DOWN THE REIMBURSEMENTS. SO SOME REIMBURSEMENTS ARE MONTHLY QUARTERLY THAT'S TYPICALLY HOW WE DO MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY.

SO WHEN YOU SAY SOME REIMBURSEMENTS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GIVING YOU THOSE REIMBURSEMENTS EITHER ON A MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY BASIS.

YES, MA'AM. AND TYPICALLY WHENEVER YOU GUYS, LET'S SAY, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU HAVE THIS, JAG GRANT FOR EQUIPMENT PURPOSES WITH $99,980. YOU DON'T SPEND THAT MONEY UNTIL YOU ARE AWARDED THE GRANT.

YOU HAVE AN ACCEPTANCE LETTER, CORRECT? AGREE? YES.

WE DO NOT RECORD IT UNTIL WE RECEIVE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE COUNCIL.

AND THE LETTER WITH ALL SIGNATURES. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT. COUNCILMAN GAUDET. I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, REVEREND ANDERSON.

[01:10:01]

I WOULD NOT BE OKAY WITH BACKFILLING WITH GENERAL FUNDS.

WE WOULD. WE WOULD FIGHT LIKE HELL TO GET THEM FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

ALL RIGHT. ITEM 86 AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT THE GRANT SUB AWARD FROM THE LOUISIANA COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, FISCAL YEAR 2023. BURN JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,647 TO PURCHASE LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT BY THE POLICE CHIEF.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NOW GO TO COUNCIL.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 87 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH WAGNER ENGINEERING FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT

[87. 25-00095]

[88. 25-00096]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNCIL.

MOTION BY THE CHAIR. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET .

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEMS 89 AND 90 TOGETHER.

[Items 89 & 90]

UNDER THE RYAN WHITE ENDING HIV EPIDEMIC PROGRAM BY THE HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR.

ITEM 90 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES, RYAN WHITE PROGRAM TO AMEND SUBRECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH OUR LADY OF THE LAKE, INC., INCREASING THE AMOUNT BY $60,500 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $610,482 AWARDED UNDER THE RYAN WHITE ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC PROGRAM.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? YES, MA'AM.

PLEASE COME. STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. HI, Y'ALL.

PENNY MAE LANDRY WEST CONTOUR. I'M IN OPPOSITION TO THIS.

I SPOKE IN 2024 IN OPPOSITION TO, I THINK THE TOTAL WAS 24 DIFFERENT ITEMS, WHICH TOTALED APPROXIMATELY $14 MILLION IN ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC PROGRAMS IN EAST BATON ROUGE. HIV, ACCORDING TO SEVERAL DOCTORS THAT I CONTACTED, ACCORDING TO MY SISTER, WHO'S VERY INVOLVED IN THE GAY COMMUNITY, ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL REPORTS I'VE READ IS NO LONGER AN EPIDEMIC. WE HAVE A NEW EPIDEMIC IN EAST BATON ROUGE.

IT'S CALLED MENTAL ILLNESS. AND I PLEADED HERE BEFORE YOU IN 2024 TO SEE HOW WE CAN SHRINK FUNDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUNDING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NO LONGER EPIDEMIC.

AND MOVE THESE FUNDS TO THE CURRENT EPIDEMIC.

AND YOU KNOW, AARON, I SEE YOU ROLLING YOUR EYES THAT WE YOU KNOW, THAT WE MOVE THIS MONEY TO THE NEW EPIDEMIC, WHICH IS MENTAL ILLNESS.

AND I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO NOTE THAT THERE HADN'T BEEN ANY ORDINANCES DEALING WITH PUTTING MONEY TOWARDS MENTAL ILLNESS THAT I'VE SEEN.

MAYBE I MISSED THEM, BUT PLEASE CONSIDER THE NEW EPIDEMIC.

BECAUSE THE HIV EPIDEMIC HAS BEEN HANDLED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? OKAY. WITH THAT, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. I'LL JUST START BY SAYING MISS LANDRY.

I BELIEVE IF YOU WOULD GET US GRANT DOLLARS TO FUND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, I THINK WE'D APPROVE IT JUST LIKE THESE.

BUT, COUNCILMAN MOAK. THE REASON IT'S NOT AN EPIDEMIC IS BECAUSE OF FUNDS LIKE THIS THAT WE APPROVE FOR THE CITIZENS OUT

[01:15:08]

IF I EVEN THOUGHT THAT DISCOVERY, OR PREP OR ANY OF THESE MEDS THAT ARE MADE FOR HIV AIDS, OF WHICH THIS GRANT IS FOR, COULD HELP MENTAL ILLNESS, THEN I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHARE THE WEALTH, BUT THEY'RE NOT MADE FOR THAT. SO THIS GRANT IS SPECIFIC TO THIS RIGHT HERE TO KEEP IT FROM BECOMING AN EPIDEMIC AGAIN.

SO IF EVERY TIME THIS COMES UP, YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT NOT TAKING GRANT MONEY TO NOT HELP PEOPLE THAT GET INFECTED. THEN YOU MIGHT AS WELL JUST, YOU KNOW, PRINT IT OUT AND PUT IT IN FRONT OF US EACH AND EVERY SINGLE TIME BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE SAME. AND THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE GIVEN IS WRONG.

COUNCILWOMAN RACCA. HI, EVERYBODY. WELCOME. I'M JUST GOING TO REITERATE WHAT I SAID LAST TIME WHEN THIS CONVERSATION CAME UP.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, THESE ARE FEDERAL GRANT DOLLARS.

THEY CAN'T BE REALLOCATED TO ANY OTHER CONDITION, TREATMENT FACILITY OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.

ALSO MEDICAID, WHICH IS FUNDED BY TAXPAYER DOLLARS SPENDS ALMOST, IF I REMEMBER MY NUMBERS CORRECTLY.

I'M SORRY I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT THIS AGAIN.

$11 BILLION IN FUNDING FOR FOLKS THAT HAVE HIV AND AIDS, AND OUR GOVERNMENT HAS FOUND IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH WHAT AN INSURANCE POLICY LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT THE COST OF HEALTH CARE LOOK LIKE, OUR GOVERNMENT HAS FOUND THAT IT COSTS TAXPAYERS DOLLARS LESS DOLLARS TO FIGHT AIDS AND HIV ON THE FRONT END, THAN TO FIGHT IT ON THE BACK END, WHERE PEOPLE ARE DYING SICK AND HAVE MEDICAL NECESSITIES THAT CAN'T BE CONTROLLED WITH JUST A MEDICATION OR A PILL.

SO WHETHER YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN, THE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE THING THAT OUR GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO DO IS TO FUND THIS RESEARCH AND TO FUND THESE PROGRAMS TO FIGHT THE EPIDEMIC ON THE BACK END.

AND OBVIOUSLY, IT'S WORKING BECAUSE OUR NUMBERS HAVE DWINDLED.

HOWEVER, LET ME WARN YOU THAT WHEN YOU DO A SIMPLE GOOGLE RESEARCH GOOGLE SEARCH, YOU SEE THAT LOUISIANA IS STILL RANKED EXTREMELY HIGH IN COMPARISON TO THE REST OF THE STATES. SO IT'S NOT OVER.

IT'S NOT DONE. OUR PRISONS HOUSE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE HIV POSITIVE.

THIS MEDICATION IS IMPORTANT. AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT'S FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. COUNCILMAN HARRIS, DIRECTOR MARY, COME ON DOWN.

A LOT OF TIMES WE'RE DEFENDING A DEPARTMENT THAT HAS ALL THE INFORMATION AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FEDERAL COMPLIANCE WITH THIS GRANT. AND SO INSTEAD OF US SPEAKING ON YOUR BEHALF, I WANT YOU TO JUST SPEAK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, BECAUSE FOR THOSE WHO WATCH, THOSE WHO SIT IN THE CROWD, SOMETIMES THE CROWD IS VOICE IS LOUDER THAN THE PEOPLE UP HERE.

SO WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU HOW THOSE FUNDS ARE DIRECTED TO YOU, HOW THEY'RE APPROPRIATING THE CITY PARISH AND THE IMPACT THAT THEY MAKE.

THANK YOU. SO GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. THE FUNDS ARE SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED FOR THOSE PERSONS LIVING WITH OR HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH HIV.

WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ELSE WITH THOSE FUNDS. IT WAS STRICTLY JUST FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV.

THE MEDICINES ARE WORKING. AT ONE TIME WE WERE NUMBER EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.

WE WERE NUMBER TWO. WE WENT DOWN TO NUMBER TEN.

WE SERVED NINE PARISHES. IT'S WORKING, BUT WE CAN'T DO NOTHING ELSE WITH THOSE DOLLARS.

BUT SERVE FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING WITH HIV.

OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO FOR THE RECORD, WHEN THIS COMES UP ANNUALLY, THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO BUT CONTINUE TO MAKE OUR PARISH BETTER AND REDUCE WHERE WE ARE ON THE LIST. CORRECT? CORRECT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. OH LOOK, AARON CAN HAVE THE REST OF MY TIME.

CAN YOU ANSWER ONE MORE QUESTION REAL QUICK? SO THERE'S MULTIPLE RYAN WHITE FUNDS, MULTIPLE GRANTS THAT WE GET THAT ARE FOR SPECIFIC THINGS THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL THAT WE APPLY FOR. SO THERE'S GOING TO BE MULTIPLE ITEMS THAT COME UP THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WHICH IS GOING TO TOTAL A LOT OF MONEY THAT WE'RE RECEIVING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT. BUT EACH FUND HAS A SPECIFIC PURPOSE.

WHO WE CAN SERVE, EHE IS ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FOLKS LIVING WITH HIV, LIVING WITH THE STIGMA OF HIV.

RYAN WHITE PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE UNDERINSURED OR WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE MEDICATION,

[01:20:03]

BUT THE GOAL IS TO REDUCE PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.

MIND YOU, WE SERVE NINE PARISHES AND THAT IS INCLUDING IN THOSE MEDICINES PREP THAT PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM EVEN GETTING HIV AND LOWERS OUR NUMBERS. YES, SIR. AND NONE OF IT CAN BE USED FOR USED FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

FOR WHAT? FOR MENTAL HEALTH? NO, SIR. THANK YOU.

COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. THANK YOU. IF I MAY JUST ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE DID PASS A MILLAGE.

IT'S ON THE BACK OF YOUR TAX EVERY AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY YEAR THAT YOU PAY TOWARDS THE BRIDGE FOR HOPE THAT ADDRESSES MENTAL ILLNESS ISSUES. SO OUR MENTAL ILLNESS IS BEING ADDRESSED BY OUR CONSTITUENTS WITH YOUR TAX DOLLARS.

ANYONE ELSE? DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 91 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE LOUISIANA BLACK HISTORY HALL OF FAME GRANTING THE USE AND OCCUPANCY OF CITY PARISH

[91. 25-00117]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

PENNY LANDRY. I'M DOING A DEEP DIVE INTO EAST BATON ROUGE PROPERTY OWNED BY EAST BATON ROUGE PROPERTY.

IT'S IN THE THOUSANDS. I'M AGAINST THIS ITEM.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LOUISIANA BLACK HISTORY.

IT SAYS LOUISIANA BLACK HISTORY HALL OF FAME.

SO I'M TAKING THAT THAT'S A STATE ORGANIZATION.

THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY COULD BE GENERATING PROPERTY TAX.

WE HAVE, LIKE, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PROPERTIES THAT ARE NOT GENERATING PROPERTY TAX THAT COULD GO TOWARDS THINGS LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY. ET CETERA. ET CETERA. SO I AM AGAINST USING THIS LOT BLOCK WHATEVER AS SOMETHING THAT. WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO? HOLD EVENTS THERE OR SOMETHING? IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT A BUILDING. BUT IF THAT LOT COULD BE SOLD AND GENERATE SOME TAX REVENUE, AND MAYBE THE LOUISIANA HALL OF FAME COULD LOCATE IN ONE OF OUR EXISTING COMMUNITY CENTERS.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

YEAH. WELL, I SO MOVE. PENNY, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER.

SO I AM SO MOVED THAT THIS ITEM BE. YEAH. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 92. AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE,

[92. 25-00118 ]

SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 93. AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE,

[93. 25-00120]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? COUNCIL MEMBERS , YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 93.

[INAUDIBLE] NOW GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 94 RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURT TO CANCEL THE NOTICE TO ATTEND.

[94. 25-00121 ]

IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS STATE OF LESLIE T MCCOY AND THE ESTATE OF CARRIE MCCOY.

REASON FOR RESCISSION MORE DETAILED PROPERTY DESCRIPTION IS NEEDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.

[01:25:07]

[95. 25-00122 ]

REASON FOR RESCISSION IS THE PROPERTY WAS SOLD AND NEW OWNERS HAVE APPLIED FOR A REMODEL PERMIT BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNCIL. MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS]

INTRODUCTION ITEM. ITEM A AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AND FILE APPLICATIONS WITH THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATING ADMINISTRATION IN THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED BY 49 U.S.C.

CHAPTER 53, TITLE 23. UNITED STATES CODE OR OTHER FEDERAL STATUTES.

ADMINISTERED BY THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING MEETING ON FEBRUARY 26TH, 2025. THE REASON FOR THIS ITEM IS BEING REQUESTED AS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER IS THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION SET FORTH A DEADLINE OF MARCH 4TH, 2025 FOR AGENCIES TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE BY SUBMITTING THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.

NEED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? DO I HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURST, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. I NEED A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? SEEING NONE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VOTE ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.

ANY OPPOSITION ON WAIVING THE RULES. I NEED A MOTION TO INTRODUCE THE ITEMS. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURST? SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED TO INTRODUCE AN ITEM? ITEMS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.

[Items 96 & 97]

96 SOUTH CHOCTAW DRIVE, FLANNERY ROAD TO CENTRAL THRUWAY CONTRACTOR RJ DAIGLE AND SONS.

CONTRACTORS. CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT CREDIT $82,207.79.

LOVE IT. ITEM 97 SALES TAX, STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 1901 STREETS IN GREENWOOD.

CONTRACTOR M-TRAK, LLC . CHANGE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF CREDIT $61,529.86.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.

WHO WANTS THE CREDIT? COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. FINAL ACCEPTANCES.

[Items 98 - 100]

BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT PASSENGER BOARDING BRIDGES REPLACEMENT CONTRACTOR OSHKOSH AEROTECH, LLC. . FINAL COST $6,032,555. ITEM 99 SOUTH CHOCTAW DRIVE, FLANNERY ROAD TO CENTRAL THRUWAY CONTRACTOR R.J.

DAIGLE & SONS CONTRACTORS, INC. FINAL COST $6,475,929.72.

ITEM 100 SALES TAX AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM.

PROJECT 1901 STREETS TO GREENWOOD. CONTRACTOR M-TRAK, LLC .

FINAL COST $588,535.14. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ACCEPTANCE OF LOW BID.

[Items 101 - 103]

101 OLD HAMMOND HIGHWAY. SEGMENT 1- S. FLANNERY TO GOODWOOD BROWN INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION, LLC. LOW BID $6,375,614.95. ITEM 102 EVANGELINE STREET.

MONSTER DRIVE AREA ADA PROJECT. LOW BID TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION, L.L.C $503,940.06.

ITEM 103 100 OAKS AVENUE SIDEWALKS. PERKINS ROAD TO SOUTH ACADIAN THRUWAY.

LOW BID GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION $663,119.

WE HAVE A REQUEST TO DELETE ITEM 102. SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEM 101 AND 103.

WE'RE TAKING ITEM 101 AND 103 YET. ITEM 101 THAT MATTER IS STILL UNDER LITIGATION.

WE HAD A HEARING THIS WEEK. THE JUDGE EXTENDED THE RESTRAINING ORDER.

101? 101 YES, SIR. WE'D ASK THAT THAT SOMEBODY MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER IT FOR A FEW WEEKS.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THESE SEPARATE NOW, EVERYBODY.

I UNDERSTAND. [LAUGHTER] ITEM 101 OLD HAMMOND HIGHWAY, SEGMENT ONE SOUTH FLANNERY TO GOODWOOD.

LOW BID, BROWN INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION LLC $6,375,614.95.

THAT MATTER WAS HEARD. IT WAS A LEGAL HEARING ON MONDAY.

[01:30:02]

SO WE'RE ASKING THAT Y'ALL DEFER THAT ONE YEAH. OKAY. IS THAT GOOD OR NO. YEAH. DEFER MARCH 12TH TO THE MARCH 25TH.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. YEAH. DEFER IT TO THE NEXT MEETING. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA. TO DEFER TO THE NEXT MEETING.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. 1 0 2 WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DELETE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REBID THAT. OKAY. 102 THERE'S A REQUEST TO DELETE.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE REBID. EVANGELINE ST– ALAMONSTER DRIVE AREA ADA PROJECT LOW BID.

TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION, LLC $503,940.06. WE HAVE A MOTION TO DELETE.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

ANY OPPOSED? ANYONE NEEDING TO SPEAK ON THAT? ITEM 103 100 OAKS AVENUE SIDEWALKS. PERKINS ROAD, SOUTH ACADIAN THRUWAY GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION, $663,119. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA . A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ALRIGHT. ITEM 104. RECEIVING A REPORT FROM THE HOMELESS PREVENTION DIRECTOR, JESSICA LEWIS,

[104. 25-00105]

COUNCIL MEMBERS , AS YOU GUYS KNOW, JESSICA IS OUT ON MATERNITY LEAVE AND SHE SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERED TWO BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN.

PRIOR TO HER. YEAH, Y'ALL CAN GIVE IT UP FOR HER.

[APPLAUSE] PRIOR TO HER DEPARTING FOR MATERNITY LEAVE.

SHE RECORDED HER REPORT HERE IN THE CHAMBER AND PREPARED IT FOR OUR REVIEW.

SO JUSTIN IS GOING TO CUE IT UP AND PLAY IT. AND IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS WE CAN PRESENT THOSE.

OKAY.

GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS . MY NAME IS JESSICA LEWIS, AND I AM THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION DIRECTOR IN THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT 'S OFFICE.

TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOU REGARDING SOME KEY INITIATIVES THAT THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN DOING OVER THE PAST TEN MONTHS.

NEXT SLIDE.

HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS, POLICY ADVOCACY AND SYSTEM CHANGE, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS AND SAFETY INITIATIVES, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH.

THESE THINGS INCLUDE THE REVAMP OF THE HOT TEAM, A JOB PIPELINE FOR HOMELESSNESS, TRACKING TOOL FOR CALL INS AND DATA COLLECTION, ESTABLISHED PARTNERSHIPS FOR RESOURCES, CLOSING ENCAMPMENTS AND ENGAGING OUR HOMELESS POPULATION.

NEXT SLIDE.

COORDINATION ACROSS AGENCIES, UNDERLYING CAUSES.

COMMUNITY RESISTANCE, SPECIFIC DATA COLLECTION OBTAINED FROM AGENCIES TO REACH THE COMMON GOAL, POLICY BARRIERS, PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND POLITICAL PRESSURE.

NEXT SLIDE. THESE ARE SOME OF THE WINS THAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR IN REGARDS TO THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION OFFICE AS WELL.

WE'VE HOUSED 200 HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AN ADDITIONAL 33 THROUGH THE REGULAR ERAP PROGRAM.

WE'VE REVAMPED THE HOT TEAM WITH A NEW RULE OF 24 HOURS OF ASSESSMENT AND CLEAN UP, INSTEAD OF 48 HOURS.

WE'VE FOSTERED MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS. 49% OF HOMELESS THAT WERE SENT TO OUTSIDE WORK AGENCIES HAVE ALSO BEEN HIRED AS WELL. WE'VE ADVOCATED FOR EXTENDED SHELTER HOURS TO COINCIDE WITH ONE STOP OPENING AT 8 A.M., TO CUT DOWN ON LOITERING AND PANHANDLING DURING BUSY TRAFFIC HOURS.

WE'VE ESTABLISHED RESERVE BEDS AT SHELTERS FOR AFTER 4:00 PM AND WEEKENDS THROUGH THE HOT TEAM.

WE'VE ADVOCATED FOR 400,000. IN REGARDS TO ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS, ASSISTED IN PLANNING STAGES FOR A NEW NON-CONGREGATE SHELTER PARTNERSHIP.

[01:35:13]

WE'VE ALSO LAUNCHED A NEW HOMELESS RESOURCE PAGE.

WE'VE CREATED AND DISSEMINATED A FACT SHEET CALLED WHAT TO DO IF.

SO FAR, THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY HAS SHARED THAT THEY ARE NOW STARTING TO TRUST THE MAYOR'S OFFICE BASED ON RESOURCES, GIVEN THAT HAS ACTUALLY WORKED FOR THEM. WE'VE ALSO STARTED TO PLACE A NON TRESPASSING SIGNS UNDER UNDERPASSES PASSES AND IN OTHER PLACES THAT ARE PUBLIC FOR HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS, MOVED FEEDING AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS FROM UNDERNEATH THE NORTH BOULEVARD UNDERPASS TO DISCOURAGE CAMPING.

AND WE HAVE NEW SIGNS FOR UNATTENDED BELONGINGS THAT HAS BEEN POSTED IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

AND WE ALSO HAVE A NEW ADVOCACY THAT WE'RE DOING AS WELL.

THAT INCLUDES FUNDING A POSSIBLE FUNDING OF THE ONE STOP UNTIL MARCH 31ST.

NEXT SLIDE.

OF LAST YEAR. COORDINATED ENTRY HAS ABOUT 3200 IN THEIR SYSTEM SINCE 2023 OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, 2250 OF THOSE PEOPLE PERSONS ARE ALSO ENTERED BETWEEN JANUARY AND AUGUST OF LAST YEAR IN THE IN THE COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM. ABOUT 584 HOUSING VOUCHERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.

IN YOUR HANDOUT YOU'LL SEE THOSE STATS IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO THAT NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

NOW HERE ARE SOME NUMBERS REGARDING THE ERAP PROGRAM BASED ON CALLS INTO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

THE HIGHEST CALLS CAME IN IN SEPTEMBER. WE HAVE 92% OF THOSE CALLS.

WE DID HAVE TO ASSIST AND 73% WAS PEOPLE THAT WERE ALREADY EVICTED.

MAJORITY HAS BEEN HOMELESS LESS THAN SIX MONTHS, WHICH IS A CRITICAL TIME TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK INTO HOUSING.

61% ARE NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE SOME SORT OF CRITERIA IN REGARDS TO HAVING THOSE SAME INDIVIDUALS THAT CALL INTO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO EITHER BE WORKING OR POSSIBLY ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR WORK. 98% OF THOSE CALLS THAT WE RECEIVE WERE FROM AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN, MOSTLY. NEXT SLIDE.

17% ARE ACTUALLY HOUSED AND CONTINUE TO PANHANDLE.

WE WOULD NEED A MAJOR ENFORCEMENT OF SO THAT PANHANDLING CAN BE SOMETHING THAT'S IN THE PAST.

86% OF OUTREACH RESOURCES WERE OFFERED AT THE TIME OF CONTACT.

I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO IMPLEMENT SOME SORT OF PROGRAM IN REGARDS TO HOUSING AND JOBS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE PANHANDLING WITH THE CONSEQUENCE OF POSSIBLY LOSING HOUSING IF THEY ARE CAUGHT DOING SO. NEXT SLIDE.

NOW HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT FACTS AND DATA ABOUT ENCAMPMENTS.

EAST BATON ROUGE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND BATON ROUGE CITY POLICE HAVE BEEN DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB IN REGARDS TO HOMELESS ISSUES ACROSS THE CITY AND THE PARISH.

MAJORITY OF THE LOCATIONS OF ENCAMPMENTS ARE IN THE JURISDICTION OF BATON ROUGE CITY POLICE.

97% HAS BEEN ASSISTED AND MAJORITY HAVE 1 TO 2 PERSONS IN EACH ENCAMPMENT.

MOST ENCAMPMENTS ARE MADE UP OF 50% MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE RELATED, AND THE OTHER 50% OF INDIVIDUALS THAT LIFE JUST HAPPENED.

NOW THIS IS HUGE. 96% OF ENCAMPMENTS THAT WE HAVE WENT TO MAKE CONTACT TO AS REFUSED SERVICES, INCLUDING SHELTERS AND FOOD AND ANY OTHER RESOURCES THAT WE MAY HAVE.

[01:40:04]

HOWEVER, 75% OF ENCAMPMENTS HAVE BEEN CLOSED SINCE MARCH.

NEXT SLIDE. HERE ARE SOME RELATED POLICY CHANGES THAT YOU MAY NEED TO BE AWARE OF.

ACTS 678 INCLUDES THE STATE LAW FOR PANHANDLING, ORDINANCE, CHANGES THAT ARE POSSIBLY COMING AN A SUPREME COURT RULING THAT GIVES MUNICIPALITIES AUTHORITY TO HANDLE HOMELESS ISSUES IN THE MANNER THAT THEY SEE FIT.

NEXT SLIDE.

I WOULD LIKE TO LIKE TO INCREASE HOUSING SOLUTIONS, ENHANCE OUTREACH AND EMPLOYMENT, EXPAND CLEAN UP AND SAFETY MEASURES, COLLABORATE WITH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL EXPERTS, STRENGTHEN DATA TRACKING AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. NEXT SLIDE. THESE ARE SOME ALLOCATIONS THAT ARE PERTAINING TO HOMELESSNESS FUNDING THAT ARE URGENT MATTERS.

ONE OF THOSE ALLOCATIONS IS DEALING WITH THE HOT TEAM CLEANUP CONTRACTS 50,000 CURRENTLY IT'S HOUSED IN DPW, IS A DURATION OF THREE MONTHS AND IS HOUSED OUT OF ARP FUNDING.

WE HAVE SPENT SO FAR $28,000. WE HAVE ANOTHER CONTRACT IN REGARDS TO THE OUTREACH, WHICH IS $15,000.

THAT'S HOUSED OCD THAT CONTRACT DURATION IS ALSO THREE MONTHS HOUSED UNDER HOME ARP UNDER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER CONTRACT FOR $50,000 THAT'S HOUSED IN DPW FOR PRESSURE WASHING DOWNTOWN AREA.

FUNDING NEEDED WOULD BE AROUND $560,000 TO KEEP THE DAY SHELTER OPEN FOR A YEAR.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO PREVENT HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS FROM LOITERING AND PANHANDLING DURING THE DAY, WHICH AFFECTS BUSINESSES. DOORS WILL CLOSE IN MARCH 2025 WITHOUT FUNDING.

WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING BACK THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WHICH WILL PROBABLY NEED AROUND 3.6 MILLION DOLLARS BUT IT ENDED IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR. ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS, 100,000 OUTREACH PROGRAM, ANNUAL MEETING, ABOUT 80,000.

AND WE WILL NEED FUNDING FOR WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR PSH VOUCHERS.

AROUND 208 MILLION FOR ABOUT 200 HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS.

THE CITY HAS APPROXIMATELY ABOUT 410 HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND THE PROGRAM COULD ADDRESS SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION. ALSO, THE OTHER CONTRACT IS THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION DIRECTOR CONTRACT DOES EXPIRE MARCH 30TH.

I HAVE MANAGED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IN REGARDS TO HOMELESSNESS, WITH NO TRUE BUDGET, BUT WITH OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS.

IF IT'S ANYTHING ELSE THAT THE HOMELESS POPULATION MAY NEED, THEY NEED ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT SERVICES THAT WE'RE OFFERING.

NEXT SLIDE. NOW THAT YOU'VE SEEN THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION ABOUT THE HOMELESS POPULATION AND THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION OFFICE I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THE TESTIMONIES AS WELL AS THE STORIES TO UNDERSTAND HOW IMPACTFUL OUR WORK IS HERE IN THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION OFFICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT ANYTHING YOU'RE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME THROUGH EMAIL OR PHONE.

YOU HAVE MY CONTACT INFORMATION LOCATED IN YOUR END OF YEAR PACKET.

WE HAVE WISHING TO SPEAK. REVEREND ANDERSON. AGAIN.

GOOD EVENING. THOSE THAT ARE UNSHELTERED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE SOLUTION FOR BEING UNSHELTERED IS SHELTER, NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE GRANTS PASS SUPREME COURT DECISION, NOT DEMONIZING, NOT CRIMINALIZING. IT IS IRONIC THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF SERVING THE UNSHELTERED

[01:45:06]

A SHELTER IS NOT A HOME. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THREE THINGS IN THIS REPORT.

ONE IS I THINK THE SNOWSTORM POINTED OUT WE ARE NOT ADDRESSING OUR PROBLEM.

SECOND, ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL LIBRARIANS IN HERE CAN GIVE YOU FAR MORE FACTS ABOUT THE UNSHELTERED STATUS OF THIS PARISH. THIRD, THE LOUISIANA HOUSING CORPORATION JUST GOT A RECORD $39.1 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING TO SERVE A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT SPECIFIC TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. THE 2024 POINT IN TIME COUNT JUST HAPPENED.

THE EAST BATON ROUGE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE A HUGE NUMBER OF UNSHELTERED CHILDREN.

SO WHEN WE USE SHORT TERM, SIMPLE, EASY THINGS TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK THERE'S ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

WHEN WE DO A DISSERVICE TO THE SENIORS IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND LIVING IN HOUSING SO DILAPIDATED, BUT BECAUSE THEY OWN TITLE TO IT, THEY ARE TERRIFIED ABOUT ANYBODY COMING IN AND MAKING THEM PART OF THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY. WE HAVE AN ORGANIZATION CALLED YOUTH OASIS IN THIS PARISH THAT CAN TELL YOU THE FASTEST LINE TO BEING UNSHELTERED IS TO BE A FOSTER CHILD THAT AGES OUT.

I DON'T SAY THESE THINGS BECAUSE I'M HAPPY. I SAY THESE THINGS BECAUSE THERE ARE REAL SOLUTIONS, BUT THEY NEVER START UNTIL THERE'S AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

THESE ARE OUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. EVERY PERSON THAT HAS FOUND THEMSELVES ON THE EVICTION LINES HAS A STORY ABOUT HOW THEY GOT THERE. AND I WOULD ASK THIS COUNCIL TO DO THREE THINGS.

ONE, MAKE THIS REPORT AVAILABLE TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY SERVE ON THE FRONT LINES SO THEY CAN EITHER VALIDATE OR GIVE YOU BETTER INFORMATION. THE SECOND PIECE, AND I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH.

REVEREND, WE'RE AT THE END. THREE MINUTES. AND YET Y'ALL MISS ME.

I KNOW Y'ALL DID. WE DO MISS YOU, BUT WE GOT A LOT TO GET THROUGH. I KNOW YOU DID, BUT I AM GOING TO SAY THIS UNTIL YOU BREAK IT DOWN BY EACH OF YOUR DISTRICTS.

KNOW WHAT'S IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD AND THEN COME BACK WITH PROPOSALS.

DON'T BRING THAT. KNOW WHO'S IN YOUR HOUSE. THANK YOU, REVEREND.

[APPLAUSE] ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT? HI MARY JANE MARCANTEL AND DOWNTOWN BATON ROUGE.

FOR 15 YEARS, I HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINE DEALING WITH THE HOMELESS OUT THERE.

I AM NOW WORKING WITH THE NEW MAYOR ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND IRONICALLY, WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS COME TO US WHO WANTS TO HELP ON THAT, TO PROVIDE A PLACE FOR A HOMELESS PERSON TO LIVE, GET COUNSELING THAT INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH AND DRUG COUNSELING.

PROVIDE JOBS FOR THEM AT NO COST TO THE TAXPAYER.

I HAVE GIVEN A PROPOSAL THROUGH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

I'VE GIVEN IT TO HILLER. HILLER LOOKED AT IT.

HE TOLD ME THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE MAY HAVE TO WORK THROUGH.

I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR A MEETING IN WHICH PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP SIT AT THE TABLE TO GET SOMETHING IN PLACE, TO HELP THE PEOPLE GET OFF THE STREET, WHO WANT TO GET OFF THE STREET.

I SHARE HER VIEW. HOUSING IS FIRST. I Y'ALL HEARD ME SPEAK BEFORE MANY TIMES, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE PUT INTO THESE SERVICES COULD WELL BE DIRECTED TO HOUSING AND TO OTHER SERVICES VERSUS SOME OF THESE MONIES THAT ARE PAID FOR SALARIES. AND OTHER THINGS THAT GO ON OUT THERE.

THERE IS AN OPTION OUT THERE. WE'RE WORKING TOWARD IT.

[01:50:01]

I HOPE Y'ALL WILL STEP UP. GOOD AFTERNOON, JENNIFER CARWILE, 1855 OLD CARRIAGE LANE.

FOR THE PAST YEAR, I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HOMELESS PROVIDERS, FACILITATING MEETINGS WITH THEM TO KIND OF COORDINATE.

AND I WANTED TO SHOW Y'ALL SOMETHING. THIS MAP SHOWS.

THIS MAP SHOWS WHERE THE MAIN SERVICES AND SHELTERS ARE AND WHERE OUR ENCAMPMENTS TEND TO BE. SO AS YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT TO DO, I'M REALLY HAPPY TO HEAR FUNDING FOR THE ONE STOP BEING UP THERE.

BUT THE ONE STOPS UP HERE, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WE TALK TO IN SHELTERS ARE AFRAID TO GO IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEY'VE GOT SMALL CHILDREN, THEY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE, THEY'VE BEEN BEATEN UP OR WHATEVER.

SO NOBODY WANTS FOLKS IN THEIR BACKYARD. I TOTALLY GET THAT.

BUT THEY'RE THERE ALREADY. SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE SHELTER, WHERE WE SHELTER, HOW WE HOUSE, WHERE WE HOUSE, AND WHEN WE CLEAN UP ENCAMPMENTS.

I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU'VE GOT PROPERTY, IT'S FRUSTRATING THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE CAMPING ON YOUR PROPERTY.

HOWEVER, WHEN YOU GO AND THROW AWAY THOSE PEOPLE'S STUFF, THE PEOPLE DO NOT DISAPPEAR.

THEY ARE STILL THERE, NEEDING A PLACE TO GO. AND WHEN YOU'VE THROWN AWAY THEIR TENT, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO GET A NEW TENT, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO GET ONE SOME KIND OF WAY. IS IT STEALING SOMETHING? IS IT BORROWING SOMETHING? IS IT WORKING FOR THE DAY, GETTING SOMETHING? I DON'T KNOW, I GET IT'S FRUSTRATING TO SEE THAT. BUT IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO HOUSE THE PEOPLE, THROWING AWAY THEIR THINGS IS INEFFECTIVE.

BECAUSE WHEN I SEE IT ON THE FACEBOOK DAYS LATER, PEOPLE WILL BE LIKE, THEY'RE THERE AGAIN.

WHERE DO YOU THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GO? THEY ARE PEOPLE, THEY DON'T DISAPPEAR BECAUSE YOU THREW AWAY THEIR STUFF. SO LET'S HOUSE THESE PEOPLE AND STOP TRYING TO BRUSH THEM AWAY. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

LET'S HOUSE THEM. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? YES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. JACOB NEWSOM BATON ROUGE RESIDENT I LIVE OVER IN BROADMOOR.

I'M JUST GOING TO ECHO WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID.

A LOT OF TIMES WE VIEW THESE PEOPLE AS HOMELESS PEOPLE. WE FORGET THAT THAT'S TWO THINGS. THEY'RE HOMELESS AND THEY'RE ALSO PEOPLE.

AND WHEN YOU THROW AWAY THE THINGS YOU DO A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT, YOU DON'T PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOLUTION THE PROBLEM'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY AS THE WOMAN BEFORE ME JUST SAID. I WORK WITH AN ORGANIZATION SUPER INFORMAL.

WE FEED THE HOMELESS EVERY SATURDAY. WE TRY TO GET THEM HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

IT RUNS ALL ON DONATIONS. WE SEE THE SAME PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND AND THEY'RE JUST PEOPLE TRYING TO GET BY.

SO IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO OFFER THEM HOUSING AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING PERMANENT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING THIS PROBLEM TO DO EXCEPT GET WORSE.

MOST PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY LOWER INCOME, ARE VERY CLOSE TO EVICTION, ESPECIALLY WITH RISING PRICES OF GROCERIES, GASOLINE. ET CETERA. ET CETERA. SO WE'RE GOING TO NEED A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR OUR HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM.

AND TO REPEAT WHAT THE REVEREND SAID, THE FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IS PROVIDE SOME SORT OF PERMANENT HOUSING, NOT A SHELTER, NOT HOMELESS CLEAN UP SWEEPS, HOPING THEY'LL, I DON'T KNOW, MOVE DOWN THE ROAD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.. THANK YOU.

COUPLE OF THINGS. ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID WHEN WE EMBARKED UPON BRINGING THE COMMUNITY CENTER TO DISTRICT 6 IS WE DID A NEEDS ANALYSIS.

THAT NEEDS ANALYSIS WITH A LOT OF STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK REVEAL THAT THERE ARE LITTLE TO NO SHELTERS TO THE EAST IN THE PARISH. THAT'S WHY OUR COMMUNITY CENTER MODEL HAS A SHELTER PROPOSED IN IT.

EVEN MANY OF OUR FACILITIES, COMMUNITY CENTERS THAT WE USE AS SHELTERS FROM TIME TO TIME DOESN'T HAVE SOME OF THE WRAPAROUND NEEDS OR AMENITIES LIKE SHOWERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

I KNOW COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN IS WORKING TO PUT THAT INTO THE BUTLER CENTER IF THEY HADN'T COMPLETED THAT PROCESS YET.

BUT MANY OF THE PLACES THAT WE UTILIZE, WE CAN HOUSE PEOPLE, BUT WE CAN'T ADEQUATELY SEPARATE THEM, FEED THEM THINGS OF THAT NATURE. SO THAT'S WHY WE PUT THAT COMPONENT INTO THE DISTRICT 6 COMMUNITY CENTER.

ANOTHER THING I AGREE, MISS MARCANTEL, THAT THE HEAVY THE MAJOR SHARE OF THE RESOURCES FOR HOMELESSNESS

[01:55:01]

SPEAKING OF A PERSON SUCH AS THAT JESSICA AS I MENTIONED BEFORE THIS YOUNG LADY IS PREGNANT OR WAS PREGNANT WITH TWINS. PUT THIS PLAN TOGETHER. PUT THIS REPORT TOGETHER DURING THE WINTER STORM WE ACTUALLY HAD TO MAKE HER FOCUS ON HER KIDS AND DELIVERING THOSE BABIES BECAUSE SHE WAS AT OUR ATTENTION, AT THE CITIZENS ATTENTION, AT THE HOMELESS ATTENTION, TRYING TO FIND RESOURCES, TRYING TO GET THIS POPULATION CARED FOR.

WE LITERALLY HAD TO TELL HER, JESSICA, FOCUS ON YOUR KIDS, FOCUS ON YOUR HEALTH.

SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS POPULATION. SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THEM GETTING SHELTER.

AND SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNEW THE INFORMATION HAD THE RESOURCES TO GET TO THIS POPULATION.

SO I WANT TO COMMEND HER FOR THAT AND ASK YOU TO GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] ALL OF US RECEIVE HER SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT IN THIS AREA, AND THIS IS THE TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT WE NEED COMMITTED TO THIS PROCESS.

PASSIONATE ABOUT IT AND DOING THIS WORK. SO. SO WITH THAT, MAYOR EDWARDS, I WANT TO GET YOU TO COME UP AND GET YOU TO RESPOND TO SOMETHING HERE.

JESSICA MENTIONED THAT THE HOMELESS PREVENTION CONTRACT THAT SHE'S UNDER IS EXPIRING ON MARCH 30TH.

IF YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST COUNCIL MEETING, THE BATON ROUGE FILM COMMISSION DIRECTOR OR CHAIR OR WHATEVER, MISS PRYOR, KATIE PRYOR SERVES AS IS PREGNANT AND WAS PREGNANT.

MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUE, COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS WHITE, BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THE CHALLENGES THAT SHE WAS FACING WITH TRYING TO DELIVER HER CHILD, AND DIDN'T WANT TO PUT HER UNDER THE TENSION OF WORRYING ABOUT IF THAT CONTRACT WAS GOING TO BE EXTENDED.

AND WE APPEALED TO YOU AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION, AND WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT WITHOUT DELAY.

JESSICA IS IN THE SAME SITUATION, HAS DELIVERED HER KID, BUT HAS WORKED FROM THAT DELIVERY BED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THIS POPULATION AND SERVE THIS PARISH. I WANT TO ASK YOU, WHAT IS YOUR COMMITMENT TO A CONTRACT OR AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS THAT TYPE OF COMMITMENT TO THIS POPULATION AND HAS THAT TYPE OF COMMITMENT TO THIS CITY PARISH? OH, WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

WE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF HER AND THEM TWO BABIES.

SHE WAS VERY PREGNANT. I SEEN HER ON HER LAST DAYS.

AND WE ABSOLUTELY WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. AND YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T BOTHERED HER TOO MUCH, RIGHT? BECAUSE SHE'S AT HOME. BUT, YES, WE HAVE T HAT'S HOW WE ROLL HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE. THANK YOU SIR.

ITEM 105 RECEIVING THE FOURTH QUARTER 2024 REPORT FROM THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT BY COUNCILMAN ROWDY GAUDET.

OH, SORRY, I GOTTA HIT IT. COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

JUST WANTED TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF MR. COUNCILMAN DUNN. AND IN ADDITION TO THAT AND ANYONE ELSE.

AND YOU'RE CORRECT. WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH SHELTERS.

WE'VE NOT HAD ENOUGH SHELTERS FOR EVER AND EVER.

AND SO I KNOW THAT THERE'S THE ONE STOP. AND I REALLY SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT THAT INFORMATION WITH ME TONIGHT SO THAT I COULD SHARE WITH YOU THE MONEY THAT ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT ENTITIES ARE GETTING.

BUT YET THE ISSUE IS STILL LAYING OUT HERE. AND SO THIS NEED TO BE TO BE BROUGHT TOGETHER OVER AND TEN.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF THIS AND THAT IS THIS HOMELESS POPULATION.

AND YES, MARY JANE HAS HELPED US WITH A LOT WITH THE BUS TICKET THING.

AND I SAY THANK YOU TO THAT. ALSO, THE MINISTRY OF NEW LIFE CHURCH, AND THAT'S ON EDDIE ROBINSON KNOW WHAT THEY'VE DONE.

THEY HAVE BUILT SHOWERS AND IT'S THERE IN THEIR CHURCH.

AND SO THAT'S AN ADDED SOMETHING. SO I APPEAL TO ALL THE THESE PASTORS OUT HERE THAT YOU KNOW, THE HOMELESS WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER.

AND IF NOT BUILDING THAT IN YOUR CHURCH, SUPPORTING THOSE THAT HAVE IT, BECAUSE DEFINITELY IT IS A BIG ISSUE.

[02:00:09]

AND SO FROM THAT AND OF COURSE, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE WHEN WE HAVE THESE KIND OF THINGS TO HAPPEN. BUT FROM THAT GENTLEMAN THAT WAS IN THE SHELTER GOT A JOB, AND HE'S WORKING, AS A MATTER OF FACT, AT COUNCIL ON AGING. AND I'M GOING TO SAY, YEAH, THE MAN'S MAKING $15 AN HOUR.

IN ADDITION TO THAT WE WORKED WITH HOUSING, AND HE MOVED.

HE GOT HIS KEYS YESTERDAY. SO HE'S MOVING IN TODAY.

AND SO THAT'S REAL. [APPLAUSE] AND THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL WORKING WITH THIS POPULATION.

MAKING A DENT IN THIS AND THEN FINISHING. STARTING IS ONE THING.

BUT UNLESS YOU FINISH A THING, YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING.

COUNCILMAN HARRIS. I DO WANT TO AGREE WITH MARY JANE MARCANTEL, OUR 14TH MEMBER AND OUR 13TH MEMBER, REVEREND ALEXIS ANDERSON, FOR THEIR COMMENTARY ON HOMELESSNESS.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO TACKLE THIS IN DISTRICT 5 FOR A WHILE.

LAST YEAR, Y'ALL, IF Y'ALL WERE HERE WITH THE TWO HOUR DISCUSSION ABOUT WHY I NEEDED APPLIANCES IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER, THEY PROVED TO WORK AND MAKE A HUGE IMPACT. FOR ABOUT A YEAR, A LITTLE BIT UNDER A YEAR NOW THE WAY THAT WE TACKLED HOMELESSNESS WAS SHOWING LOVE. WE STARTED A FEEDING PROGRAM. SO WE FEED EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY.

SAINT JARED REDEMPTORIST WAS FEEDING ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY.

WE ASKED WHERE EVERYBODY WAS EATING ON THE OPPOSITE DAYS.

THEY SAID, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO IT. SO THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE APPROVED TO ALLOW FOR THAT TO COME TO OUR COMMUNITY CENTER.

A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE DO AND JUST TALKING ABOUT HOW WE'RE EXPANDING, I'M JUST TELLING WHERE WE ARE SO WE CAN OPEN THE DOOR FOR MORE PARTNERSHIPS, BUT WE WASH CLOTHES. THEY BRING THEM IN THERE, WE PUT THE CLOTHES IN THE SACK, WE WASH THEM FOR THEM, GIVE THEM BACK TO THEM, FOLDED. WE ALLOW THEM TO TAKE SHOWERS.

WE HAVE A SHOWER TRAILER. THANK YOU, CLAY, WITH MOHSEP FOR HELPING US PROCURE THAT THROUGH THAT FUND BALANCE.

THAT WAS GIVEN TO US. SO WE HAVE A THREE STALL SHOWER TRAILER THAT CAN BE USED DURING DISASTERS.

IT'S MOBILE, BUT WE HAVE A FIXED POSITION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE THAT WE GET RID OF THE BLACK AND GRAY WATER.

AND WE ALSO PROVIDE FEEDING AND THEN WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

SO WHETHER IT BE TRANSPORTATION TOOLS, JOB READINESS.

BUT WE WELCOME ANYBODY WHO'S DEALING WITH THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO BE A PARTNER, ESPECIALLY FOR HOUSING. AND I WILL I WANT TO GIVE A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO ONE PARTNER.

I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL KNOW BETTY CLAIBORNE, BUT HER SON IS A PASTOR IN SOUTH BATON ROUGE IN DISTRICT 10 , BUT HE LIVES IN MY DISTRICT AND HE HAS A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNIT WITH ABOUT TEN BEDS.

SO FOR ANYBODY WHO IS HOMELESS AND LOOKING FOR A PLACE PRIMARILY GEARED TOWARDS MEN, THAT'S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE.

FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT. BUT WE DO HAVE A PLACE TO PUT HIM FOR A VERY INEXPENSIVE RATE.

AND UNDER THE MONEYS THAT WE HAVE LEFT, WE DO COVER THAT EXPENSE.

AND THEN FINALLY WHEN WE CUT THE RIBBON, I JUST TELL THE STORY.

DURING THE HURRICANE LAST YEAR IN SEPTEMBER, THERE WERE THREE GUYS THAT WERE SLEEPING OUTSIDE OF THE CHARLES KELLY COMMUNITY CENTER.

SINCE THEN, ONE HAS BEEN HOMED, HAS A JOB. HE'S A VETERAN.

HE'S GOTTEN HIS MENTAL HEALTH BACK ON TRACK. AND VETERANS AFFAIRS HAS MADE SURE HE'S ELIGIBLE FOR THE MILITARY AGAIN.

AND HE WANTS TO BE A PART OF BRPD. SO WE GOT A LOT OF FOLKS IN THIS ROOM.

HE WANTS TO PROTECT AND SERVE US BECAUSE HE SAW SOMEBODY GAVE HIM, SO HE WANTS TO PAY IT FORWARD.

SO A LOT OF TIMES WE FROWN ON THESE PEOPLE, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH. AND I JUST ASK THAT EVERYBODY OPEN THEIR HEARTS, OPEN THEIR MINDS AND BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION AND NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM.

PUSHING THEM AWAY DOESN'T HELP THEM. SHOWING THEM THE LOVE THAT WE WANT.

IT ALLOWS YOU TO INVITE THEM IN, AND PEOPLE DON'T CARE HOW MUCH THEY KNOW OR HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.

SO AGAIN, MY SHELTER IS NOT A SHELTER WAS DURING THE STORM, BUT THE COMMUNITY CENTER HAS BEEN AN AID FOR ABOUT THE LAST 9 OR 12 MONTHS.

SO ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO BRING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR HELP US PROCURE MORE WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO GET PEOPLE HOME, WE WELCOME THAT. SO THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.

[02:05:02]

WE FOUND THAT MANY VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WERE HOMELESS WITH CHILDREN.

AND EVERY TIME I PICKED UP THE PHONE AND CONTACTED JESSICA, SHE'S ALWAYS BEEN ACCESSIBLE AND ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO GET INVOLVED AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT THAT MOTHER AND HER CHILDREN HAD A PLACE TO LAY THEIR HEADS AT NIGHT.

FROM ASSISTING THEM WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE, HELPING THEM TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET WHETHER IT'S CLOTHING AND FOOD OR SOMEWHERE TO STAY AT A HOTEL FOR A NIGHT OR TWO. SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE TO SEE US THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

JESSICA HAS NEVER TURNED ANYONE AWAY WHENEVER THEY'RE IN NEED.

SHE'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE. I FIND MYSELF MANY NIGHTS CONTACTING HER AFTER HOURS, LETTING HER KNOW THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED A CALL FROM A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND THEY HAD NO PLACE TO GO. THEY WERE LIVING IN THEIR CARS WITH THEIR THREE CHILDREN OR ONE CHILD, AND SHE MADE IT HAPPEN FOR THEM. SO TO MAYOR SID EDWARDS AND YOUR ADMINISTRATION, YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS PASSIONATE AND COMMITTED TO THIS WORK.

AND I HOPE THAT WHEN SHE RETURNS, SHE WILL STILL BE HERE WITH US, SERVING IN THIS CAPACITY TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT SHE STARTED OVER THE YEARS.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU EVERYONE. ITEM 105 RECEIVING THE FOURTH QUARTER 2024 REPORT FROM

[105. 24-00246]

[INAUDIBLE] COUNCILMEMBERS, THIS REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY.

IT IS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA FOR REVIEW. CERTAINLY AS WE GO FORWARD, YOU KNOW, REVIEW IT IN ADVANCE IF YOU'D LIKE.

MR. VERLANDER, THE DIRECTOR OF THIS AGENCY, TO COME TO US.

CERTAINLY WILL. BUT I'VE ASKED HIM HERE FORWARD TO SUBMIT THE REPORT ELECTRONICALLY FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE AGENDA.

AND I'M SORRY. I WILL MOVE TO ACCEPT THE REPORT.

SECOND BY THE CHAIR. ANY OPPOSED? SO MOVED. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS ON THE MEETING BEFORE ITEM 76, JUST TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE LOGISTICS IN ORDER.

AND AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM EVERYONE.

SO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS. ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY, WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED. MICHAEL. YEAH. ITEM 76 A RESOLUTION ORDERING AND CALLING AN ELECTION TO BE HELD IN

[76. 25-00003]

STATE OF LOUISIANA FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS, COMMENCING WITH THE TAX COLLECTION FOR THE YEAR 2026, AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER TO AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 2035, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS AFTER PAYING REASONABLE AND NECESSARY EXPENSES, OF COLLECTING AND ADMINISTERING THE TAX TO BE USED ENTIRELY AND EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING AND OPERATING THE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM OF THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND ITS BRANCHES IMPROVING SERVICES, ACQUIRING LAND AND CONSTRUCTION.

CONSTRUCTING NEW LIBRARY FACILITIES BY THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR.

OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO START THE PUBLIC HEARING HERE. I WANT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO GO IN ORDER THAT I HAVE HERE ON THOSE WISHING TO SPEAK.

IF SOMEBODY IS ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR, I'M GOING TO CALL THE FIRST FIVE NAMES.

IF YOU ARE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR, GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN AND FORM A LINE IN THE AISLE BEHIND THE PODIUM.

IF YOU HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. IF I CALL YOUR NAME, IF YOU'RE COMING FROM THE EIGHTH FLOOR, AFTER YOU SPEAK, YOU NEED TO GO BACK UP TO THE EIGHTH FLOOR.

WE'RE GOING TO GIVE EVERYBODY TIME. IF I CALLED YOUR NAME AND WE MOVE ON TO SOMEONE ELSE.

IF YOU'RE STANDING IN THE LINE, JUST COME UP AND SAY, HEY, YOU CALLED MY NAME. WE'RE GOING TO TRY. I'M GOING TO TRY TO WORK THROUGH IT IN ORDER.

BUT IF WE HAVE SOMEBODY STANDING HERE WHO IS BEFORE YOU AND SOMEBODY'S COMING FROM THE EIGHTH FLOOR, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE JUST GOING TO TRY TO MOVE IT ALONG AS FAST AS WE CAN. WE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH.

I THINK THERE'S OVER 100 PEOPLE WANTING TO COMMENT.

ALSO, I WANT TO BE CLEAR ON THIS READ THE AGENDA ITEM THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

ITEM 76 IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT.

YOUR COMMENTS SHOULD BE GERMANE TO ITEM 76. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE MAYOR HAS A PROPOSAL THAT DOES, IN A WAY TIE INTO THIS. THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING TONIGHT.

THAT WAS INTRODUCED AT THIS MEETING, AND IT WILL BE HEARD AT A LATER MEETING.

YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO COMMENT ON THAT AT THAT MEETING THAT IT BUT IT WAS INTRODUCED AND CANNOT BE DISCUSSED TONIGHT.

[02:10:01]

WITH THAT WE'RE GOING TO START I'M GOING TO CALL THE FIRST.

YEAH. OH I APOLOGIZE. YEAH. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE LIBRARY SPEAK FIRST.

Y'ALL GOING TO HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL, AND THEN AFTER THAT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

EVERYBODY WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. I'M GOING TO GIVE EVERYBODY SOME LATITUDE ON THE TIME TO FINISH YOUR COMMENTS IF YOU GO TO THE THREE MINUTES.

BUT PLEASE TRY TO BE CONCISE. PLEASE TRY TO KEEP, YOU KNOW, RELEVANT INFORMATION.

IF WE'RE HEARING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER, OBVIOUSLY EVERYBODY YOU HAVE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO SPEAK.

BUT TRY TO KEEP IT CONCISE AND WITHIN THE THREE MINUTES.

LADIES. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. JUSTIN, CAN YOU PUT THE SLIDESHOW UP? GREAT. SO I'M MARY STEIN, THE ASSISTANT LIBRARY DIRECTOR OF YOUR EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY.

THANK YOU FOR HEARING US TONIGHT. [APPLAUSE] AND I KNOW IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT I'M GOING TO BE BRIEF.

SO FIRST, I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KATRINA STOKES.

THANK YOU. MARY. FIRST SLIDE JUSTIN, PLEASE. I AM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY, KATRINA STOKES I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE FIRST MOMENT TO GIVE A HEARTFELT THANKS TO ALL WHO TOOK THE TIME AND EFFORT TO WRITE, CALL AND EVEN ATTEND THIS MEETING. WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY TO ASK THAT THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL AUTHORIZE A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 11, 2025. AT THAT TIME, WE WILL SUBMIT TO THE VOTERS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH THAT THE RENEWAL OF 10.5 MILLS AD VALOREM TAX FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS.

THIS IS NOT A NEW TAX. THIS IS THE SOLE REVENUE FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY SYSTEM.

THE VOTERS APPROVED A RATE OF 11.1 MILLS IN 1995, 2005 AND 2015.

HOWEVER, WE ARE ASKING TO RENEW THE LIBRARY'S TEN YEAR DEDICATED PROPERTY TAX AT A LOWER MILLAGE RATE OF 10.5 MILLS AND COMMIT TO ROLLBACK EVERY FOUR YEARS. YOU ASKED US TO LOOK DEEPLY AT OUR BUDGET.

AFTER MONTHS OF RESEARCH INPUT FROM THE LOCAL EXPERTS AND STUDYING BUDGET PROJECTIONS, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT 10.5 MILLS WILL GENERATE SUFFICIENT FUNDING TO OPERATE ALL 15 LOCATIONS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, WITH NO DIMINISHMENT OF SERVICE.

WE ARE ABLE TO ASK FOR ASK FOR THIS LOWER RATE BECAUSE WE HAVE COMPLETED ALL MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE 30 YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

REVENUES GENERATED BY THE 10.5 MILLS TAX WILL ALSO IMPLEMENT THE NEXT PHASE OF THE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN, INCLUDING THE IMPROVEMENTS AND RENOVATIONS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S INVESTMENT.

THE LIBRARY HAS MAINTAINED A PAY AS YOU GO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN SINCE 1986.

WE HAVE CONSTRUCTED ALL OF OUR WELL USED LOCATIONS WITH NO BONDS OR INDEBTEDNESS.

THE 10.5 MILLS RENEWAL WILL ENABLE US TO MAINTAIN THE SOUND PRACTICE AND CONTINUE WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE FACILITIES AS NEEDED OVER TIME. WITH CAREFUL PLANNING AND FEEDBACK FROM OUR COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, WE ARE ADDRESSING OUR COMMUNITY'S NEED FOR MEETING SPACES WHICH ARE IN HIGH IN HIGH DEMAND AMONG LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS. VARIOUS CHARITABLE AND LOCAL INTEREST GROUPS, TUTORS, ETC.. CONCERNS REGARDING THE CRIME RATE.

ACCESS TO SOCIAL WORKERS, PROGRAMS FOR LEARNING, UPDATING VOCATIONAL SKILLS.

SUPPORTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS CAREER COUNSELING AND SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES.

SUPPORTING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. WE HOST TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND VOTER REGISTRATION, EDUCATION, EARLY LITERACY SUPPORT, SUPPLEMENTAL READING AND HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN, AND MATERIALS FOR LIFELONG LEARNING FOR ALL AGES, AND ADDRESSING SOCIAL CONCERNS SUCH AS HEALTH AND WELLNESS, FOOD SECURITY, CONSUMER EDUCATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND MORE.

THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY HAS MADE MEASURABLE IMPACTS ON THE LIVES OF THE INDIVIDUALS AND THE FAMILIES THAT MAKE UP OUR COMMUNITY.

YOUR FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION OF THIS REQUEST WILL BE APPRECIATED.

THANK YOU. AND, JUSTIN, NOW IF YOU COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU GUYS THAT YOUR LIBRARIES ARE WELL USED.

I HAVE HAPPY LITTLE STATISTICS THAT I SHARE OFTEN, AND I'M NOT AFRAID TO USE THEM, BUT WE DON'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT THEM.

BASICALLY, YOU JUST NEED TO REMEMBER THAT ALL OF YOUR CONVENIENT LOCATIONS ARE OPEN DAILY,

[02:15:04]

AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT DEAD PEOPLE IN CHICAGO VOTING.

[LAUGHTER] OUTREACH SERVICES GOES OUT AND ABOUT AND FINDS PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

AND THEN WE MEET PEOPLE ONLINE, AS YOU KNOW. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE, JUSTIN, WITHOUT THIS TAX, FUNDAMENTALLY THERE IS NO LIBRARY SYSTEM. I LIKE TO REITERATE THIS IS NOT A NEW TAX.

THIS TAX IS OUR ENTIRE BUDGET. WE'RE ASKING FOR A REDUCED RATE AND FACTORING IN ROLLBACKS.

NEXT SLIDE. THIS TEN YEAR DEDICATED BUDGET FUNDS ALL LIBRARY OPERATIONS.

I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE. WE DON'T BORROW, WE DON'T BOND, AND THERE'S NO RICH UNCLE AND THERE'S NO LIBRARY FAIRY.

SO. [APPLAUSE] I LOVED IT WHEN I WENT SOMEWHERE AND SAID, Y'ALL ARE THE DAVE RAMSEY OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

I WAS LIKE, YES, MAYOR. YES. BUDGET TIME. WHAT TIME? NEXT SLIDE. JUSTIN AND I LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO TELL YOU WE DON'T HAVE A SURPLUS.

WE HAVE A FUND BALANCE. THAT'S WHERE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET IS PARKED.

BECAUSE WE ARE PAY AS YOU GO. WE'RE PAID FIRST AND THEN HAVE TO MANAGE THE REST OF THE YEAR.

AND THE FUNDS ARE SAVED OVER TIME IN FUND BALANCE FOR THE WONDERFUL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT THAT LORI IS GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT ON THE NEXT SLIDE. JUSTIN. THAT'S FIVE.

THAT'S TIME. OKAY. THEN IF I CAN TELL YOU THIS ENTIRE PRESENTATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, AS IS ALL THE INFORMATION THAT YOU WOULD EVER WANT TO SLEEP DEEPLY WITH AT NIGHT. AND I ECHO KATRINA'S THANKS TO THE PEOPLE IN BLUE.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU IN BLUE. ESPECIALLY OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WEARING BLUE AND OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE HERE SUPPORTING US TODAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

OKAY. WE'LL START THE PUBLIC HEARING. THE FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS, CARL FRIEDMAN, KATHY [INAUDIBLE], ANNETTE PELTIER, CANDACE TEMPLE, MATTHEW ASCH.

I'M CARL FRIEDMAN, I'M A RETIRED LSU PROFESSOR.

I'VE BEEN IN BATON ROUGE FOR A LONG TIME, SINCE 1984, AND I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEM. I WAS QUITE FRANKLY, SOMEWHAT SURPRISED WHEN I FIRST LEARNED HOW GOOD THIS LIBRARY SYSTEM IS, THAT IT HAS RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION THAT THERE ARE, OF COURSE, PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, BUT THAT FEW OF THEM ACTUALLY PROVIDE THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES, THE SAME KIND OF HOURS, THE SAME VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT OUR LIBRARY DOES.

AND SO I JUST I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT YOU KNOW EAST BATON ROUGE HAS BUILT A FANTASTIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, SOMETHING VERY VALUABLE.

AND I'M SURE EAST BATON ROUGE WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN IT AT ITS CURRENT OUTSTANDING LEVEL.

GOOD EVENING, KATHY [INAUDIBLE] WASCOM. ABERDEEN AVENUE IN BATON ROUGE.

I'M ALSO A MEMBER, A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE LIBRARY BOARD.

I HAVE MIGHT BE ONE OF THE OLDER PEOPLE IN THE ROOM, BUT I STARTED WORKING AT THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH PART TIME IN 1981. I DID NOT UNDERSTAND, FRANKLY, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEDICATED TAX AND A TAX.

A GENERAL FUND TAX. THE LIBRARY AT THAT TIME WAS FUNDED BY GENERAL FUND MONEY.

AND AS HAPPENS WITH GENERAL FUND MONEY, THERE ARE ALWAYS USES FOR THAT MONEY THAT DID NOT INCLUDE THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.

THE LIBRARY SYSTEM BEGAN TO FAIL AS MONEY WAS DELETED FROM THAT SYSTEM, BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE GENERAL FUND AND NOT IN A DEDICATED FUND, AND I THINK IT WAS 1985 ALL STAFF, PART TIME STAFF WAS CALLED TO THE BACK ROOM IN THE LIBRARY AND TOLD WE WERE ALL LAID OFF. ESSENTIALLY, WE WERE ALL FIRED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO MORE MONEY.

WE HAD RUN OUT OF MONEY. WE HAD TO SHORTEN HOURS.

WE HAD TO CLOSE FACILITIES BECAUSE THERE WAS NO MORE MONEY IN THE GENERAL FUND TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.

[02:20:01]

THE LIBRARY SYSTEM IN MANY OF ITS BOARD MEMBERS, ITS STAFF FROM STAN BARDWELL TO THE CARNAHANS TO GEORGIA BROWN, TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE ME, THEY HAVE MANAGED, THEY HAVE SAVED AND SAVED AND SAVED FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS BEFORE THE MAIN LIBRARY THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY FALLING DOWN.

WAS ABLE TO BE BUILT AND PUT UP AND ALL YOUR SYSTEMS, WE PROVIDE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF SERVICES TO PROGRAMS THAT HELP GET JOBS TO SOCIAL SERVICES, TO ALL KIND OF READING SERVICES, TO LITERACY SERVICES. AND I CANNOT BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM IS TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD ALL WORK TOGETHER, ALL THE AGENCIES.

BUT WE REALLY NEED A DEDICATED TAX TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE SYSTEM.

THANK YOU. HELLO, I'M CANDACE TEMPLE, I'M THE BOARD PRESIDENT.

I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BOARD FOR ALMOST EIGHT YEARS NOW.

AND SO I FIRST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL, THE METRO COUNCIL, THROUGHOUT THE EIGHT YEARS, EVERY TIME WE'VE COME TO YOU ALL, YOU HAVE BEEN WILLING TO MEET WITH US TO UNDERSTAND OUR BUDGET, UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE LINE ITEMS ARE, TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR FUND BALANCE IS AND HOW WE OPERATE, AND HOW WE'RE ABLE TO BE SO RESPONSIBLE WITH THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE VERY VITAL TO HELPING THE COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO NEEDS TO HELP PREVENT CITIZENS FROM BECOMING INDIVIDUALS THAT COMMIT CRIMES. I KNOW CRIME HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT I'VE HEARD A COUNCILMAN SAY, HEY, LET'S FOCUS ON THE ROOT PROBLEM OF CRIME AND THE COUNCILMAN SAID, IT'S LITERACY.

WE HAVE PROGRAMS TO HELP WITH THAT. WE HAVE PROGRAMS TO HELP IMPROVE EDUCATION SO THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE OPPORTUNITIES, BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T, IF THEY GET AN OPPORTUNITY BUT THEY'RE ILLITERATE OR THEY CAN'T COMPREHEND OR ANALYZE DATA, IT DOESN'T MATTER. SO AGAIN, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE SUPPORTERS THAT ARE HERE.

THEY WILL GIVE YOU EXAMPLES OF THINGS THAT THEY UTILIZE FROM OUR SYSTEM TO HELP IMPROVE THEIR BUSINESSES, HELP IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE AND CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND KNOW THAT THIS IS A GOOD PLAN THAT WE OPERATE VERY, VERY EFFICIENTLY. AS THE REVEREND MENTIONED, ABOUT HAVING A PLAN, IF FUNDS ARE NOT THERE, WE HAVE A PLAN. IF OUR BOOKMOBILE GOES OUT, WE HAVE A BUDGET LINE ITEM TO FIX THAT IMMEDIATELY.

WE LOOK AT EVERYTHING IN DETAIL, AND I AM VERY PROUD OF THE STAFF IN THE COMMUNITY AND YOU ALL FOR ACTUALLY LISTENING TO US BEFORE YOU MAKE DECISIONS THAT AFFECTS SO MANY PEOPLE. [APPLAUSE] I'M MATTHEW ASH, AND I'M A JUNIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL IN THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM.

NOW, COUNTLESS PEOPLE HERE TODAY HAVE GIVEN AND WILL GIVE THEIR OWN WAYS THAT THE LIBRARY HAS HELPED THEM IN THEIR LIVES.

BUT RIGHT NOW, I JUST WANT TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE FACTS ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE CUT THE LIBRARY'S TAX.

THE LIBRARY DOES NEED THEIR CURRENT TAXES TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY.

NOW, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS THAT THESE TAXES COULD BE SPENT, AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM TODAY THAT WILL DENY THAT CRIME RATES NEED TO COME DOWN. BUT THE CITY PARISH ALREADY STRUGGLES TO REPAIR ROADS, TO FUND SCHOOLS AND TO CLEAN THE CITY.

IF MORE OF THAT MONEY IS TAKEN AWAY AND HAS TO BE GIVEN TO THE LIBRARY, NOT ONLY WILL THE LIBRARY NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, BUT WE WON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR THOSE OTHER SERVICES AND A CHANGE TO THE TAXES.

GIVING THE LIBRARY LESS MONEY WILL ALSO NOT HELP CRIME RATES NO MATTER WHAT WE SEND THE MONEY TO.

AGAIN, I THINK EVERYONE HERE AGREES THAT WE NEED TO STOP CRIME AND THERE ARE OTHER WAYS THAT WE COULD DO THAT.

BUT THE LIBRARY IS NECESSARY. THE LIBRARY HAS PLENTY OF PROGRAMS THAT HELP DECREASE CRIME RATES, SUCH AS PROVIDING HELP TO THOSE PRISONERS THAT WERE JUST RELEASED.

IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, 14.9% OF PRISONERS ARE HABITUAL OFFENDERS.

BUT IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, THAT NUMBER IS ONLY 3.3%.

[02:25:04]

BATON ROUGE CRIME RATES ARE HIGH, BUT THE BEST WAY TO BRING THEM DOWN TO HELP OUR CITY IS NOT TO DECREASE THE LIBRARY'S TAXES.

THAT WILL ONLY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. [APPLAUSE] GOOD EVENING.

I'M ANNETTE PELTIER AND I AM A RETIRED ATTORNEY, BUT NOW I'M A FULL TIME GRANDMOTHER.

AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU AS MAMAW. THAT THE LIBRARY IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL IN THIS COMMUNITY. IT IS. IT'S A TREASURE. AND I CAN TELL YOU, AS A GRANDMOTHER, BABYSITTING FOR TWO YOUNG BOYS ALMOST EVERY DAY, THERE IS SOMETHING HAPPENING AT ONE OF THE BRANCHES FOR CHILDREN, AND IT'S FAMILY ORIENTED.

IT'S TO HELP FAMILIES. AND, YOU KNOW, ANYTHING FROM STORY TIME TO CRAFTS, ACTIVITIES, EVENTS. IT'S JUST IT'S WONDERFUL.

AND THE CHILDREN'S SPACES IN THE LIBRARIES ARE WONDERFUL AND THEY'RE SAFE.

THEY'RE A HAVEN. I PLEASE, ALL OF YOU, GO TO YOUR BRANCHES.

GO TO ALL OF THE BRANCHES AND CHECK IT OUT. IT'S AMAZING.

AND, YOU KNOW, I REALLY FEAR THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE LIBRARIES IF YOU DON'T PASS THE MILLAGE.

THANK YOU. NEXT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MARCELLA AND VALENTINA HERNANDEZ, JOHN DAIGLE, ELENA DELUCIA, KRISTA CARVER AND SYDNEY TWEED. PLEASE.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS MARCELLA HERNANDEZ.

I'M A SOCIAL WORKER. I'M AN ORGANIZER AND AN ADVOCATE.

I'M ALSO A CONCERNED BATON ROUGE RESIDENT WHO HAS DECIDED TO BE HERE TODAY TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH MY LIBRARY AND TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER APPROVING THE LIBRARY PROPOSITION. AS A MOTHER, I CONSIDER THE LIBRARY AN ESSENTIAL PART OF MY COMMUNITY.

I VISIT THE LIBRARY AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. ON TUESDAYS, MY DAUGHTER AND I GO TO THE LIBRARY AFTER SCHOOL TO COMPLETE HOMEWORK, INTERACT WITH OTHER CHILDREN, AND GROW TOGETHER IN A SAFE PLACE.

AS SOMEONE WHO SPEAKS TWO LANGUAGES AND A DAUGHTER WHO IS LEARNING A THIRD LANGUAGE, I FIND IT ESSENTIAL TO HAVE A FREE RESOURCE LIKE THIS WHERE I CAN FIND THE SUPPORT MY FAMILY NEEDS TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY.

WHEN WE ARRIVE AT THE LIBRARY, I SEE MANY OF MY DAUGHTER'S CLASSMATES, TEACHERS, AND FRIENDS ENJOYING THE SPACE.

DURING THE SCHOOL VACATION, THERE ARE SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES TO ENGAGE IN HIGH QUALITY LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT HELP REDUCING CRIME AND OTHER NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS THAT OUR COMMUNITY FACE.

THE LIBRARY IS ALWAYS CLEAN, ORGANIZED, AND WELL MAINTAINED MAKING ME FEEL WELCOME AND VALUED.

THE HARD WORKING AND HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF ARE ALWAYS RESPECTFUL AND ATTENTIVE TO OUR NEEDS, ENSURING THAT OUR EXPERIENCE AT THE LIBRARY IS ALWAYS POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE.

I BELIEVE LIBRARIES ARE MORE JUST THAN PLACES FOR BOOKS.

THEY ARE SAFE HAVENS FOR OUR CHILDREN WHERE THEY CAN LEARN, GROW AND IMAGINE A BETTER FUTURE.

LIBRARIES OFFER OPPORTUNITY AND REFUGE, GIVING EVERY CHILD, REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND, THE TOOLS TO SUCCEED. I FULLY SUPPORT THE LIBRARY INITIATIVES AND THIS IS WHY TODAY I STAND BEFORE YOU AND ASK YOU TO APPROVE THE LIBRARY RESOLUTION. I AM HAPPY TO PAY MY TAXES KNOWING THAT MY MONEY WILL GO DIRECTLY INTO PLACES LIKE THIS.

I AM PROUD TO KNOW THAT MY TAX DOLLARS ARE SUPPORTING THE LIBRARY.

INVESTING IN THE BATON ROUGE LIBRARIES MEANS INVESTING IN EDUCATING OPPORTUNITY IN MY COMMUNITIES WELL-BEING.

THANK YOU. INVESTING IN THE LIBRARY'S FUTURE AND MEANS IS FULFILLING, AS OUR LIBRARY IS A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN ACCESS KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES THAT CAN CHANGE LIVES. KNOWING MY CONTRIBUTIONS HELP THAT POSSIBLE, FILLS ME WITH PRIDE, AND I BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF LIBRARIES TO UPLIFT AND STRENGTHEN OUR SOCIETY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS VALENTINA HERNANDEZ.

I'M SIX YEARS OLD. I ATTEND FIRST GRADE AT [INAUDIBLE].

[02:30:03]

I'M HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT ALL OF THE LIBRARIES IN BATON ROUGE.

I GO TO THE LIBRARY TO READ BOOKS, LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS, AND PLAY.

I ALSO ATTEND EVENTS THAT THE LIBRARY MAKES FOR FAMILIES.

I AM HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE APPROVE THE LIBRARY REQUEST AND ALLOW RESIDENTS TO VOTE ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT MATTER. VOTING MATTERS BECAUSE THIS IS HOW YOUR VOICE IS HEARD.

THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD DAY. [APPLAUSE] AND BY THE WAY, SHE MADE IT.

SHE MADE THAT STATEMENT. SHE MADE IT. YOU DID SO WELL.

YOU DID AMAZING.

YOU. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL. MY NAME IS KRISTA CARVER, AND I AM PLEASED TO SPEAK TO YOU THIS EVENING ON BEHALF OF MY WALLET IN SUPPORT OF THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY SYSTEM.

YOU SEE, WHEN I CAME TO BATON ROUGE ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AGO, I DID SO AS A DOCTORAL STUDENT, WHICH MEANS THAT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, I DID A LOT OF WORK FOR VERY LITTLE PAY.

AND I AM AN AVID READER. I READ HUNDREDS OF BOOKS EVERY YEAR, AND WITHOUT THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY SYSTEM, THOSE TWO THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN INCOMPATIBLE.

I SPENT MANY WEEKENDS WANDERING THE ROWS OF THE CARVER BRANCH RIVER CITY, WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL, BY THE WAY, AND THE MAIN LIBRARY BRANCHES, ENJOYING WHAT IS ONE OF OUR LAST FEW PLACES TO SPEND TIME WITHOUT BEING EXPECTED TO SPEND MONEY. WHEN I HAD LITTLE TO SPEND ON OTHER ACTIVITIES.

THESE, THE FANTASTIC COLLECTIONS DEPARTMENT HAS APPROVED SO MANY OF MY PURCHASE REQUESTS, GIVING ME ACCESS TO BOOKS THAT I LIKELY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS OTHERWISE.

AND OVER THE YEARS THAT I HAVE LIVED IN BATON ROUGE, I DO NOT EXAGGERATE WHEN I SAY THAT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM HAS SAVED ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH RESIDENT TO HAVE THIS KIND OF EXPERIENCE, LET ALONE THE ONLY PERSON WHO SEES THE KIND OF VALUE THAT OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM BRINGS TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT BATON ROUGE RESIDENTS HAVE SAID YES TO THIS DEDICATED TAX FOR 30 YEARS, TELLS YOU UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT OUR COMMUNITY SEES THE TREASURE THAT IS THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY SYSTEM.

IT DESERVES OUR SUPPORT. AND YOURS. SAY YES TO THIS RESOLUTION TODAY SO THAT WE, THE VOTERS, MAY SAY YES TO THE DEDICATED TAX RENEWAL IN OCTOBER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

[APPLAUSE] MY NAME IS SYDNEY TWEED. I AM A JUNIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I GO TO BATON ROUGE HIGH. I'M MOSTLY HERE BECAUSE I WAS JUST COMING TO SUPPORT ONE OF MY FRIENDS COMING TO SPEAK AND, YOU KNOW, BE INVOLVED. AND I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF YOUNG PEOPLE HERE.

AND I JUST WANTED TO GIVE MY PERSPECTIVE AS A HIGH SCHOOLER AS WELL AS MY FRIENDS PERSPECTIVES, WHO SENT ME SOME THINGS TO TALK ABOUT. I KNOW NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE FAILING CLASSES IF THEY HAD NOT HAD THE RESOURCES AT THE LIBRARY. FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, EVERY TIME I'VE GONE TO THE LIBRARY, THERE HAVE BEEN COUNTLESS GROUPS OF OTHER HIGH SCHOOLERS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS IN THE TEEN SECTION WORKING ON PROJECTS. WITHOUT THE JONES CREEK LIBRARY, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PASS ONE OF MY ENGLISH THINGS.

SO IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. IT'S ALSO A THIRD SPACE FOR TEENAGERS.

THERE'S NOT VERY MANY PLACES THAT TEENAGERS CAN GO FOR FREE WITHOUT HAVING TO LIKE, YEAH, YOU CAN GO HANG OUT AT THE MALL, BUT FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS AFTER SIX, YOU CAN'T.

SO HAVING A PLACE LIKE THE LIBRARY THAT IS WELL FUNDED AND IS UP TO THE STANDARD THAT IT IS RIGHT NOW IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR MYSELF AND MANY OF MY OTHER FRIENDS.

I HAVE ATTENDED NUMEROUS FREE EVENTS AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE ADOPTED ANIMALS FROM LIKE FUNCTIONS HELD AT THE LIBRARY.

[02:35:09]

AND ALSO THERE ARE WHAT, IN AMERICA, AT LEAST, THERE ARE 11.5 MILLION AMERICANS WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.

SO THE LIBRARY IS A CRUCIAL PART OF LETTING CHILDREN AND JUST ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT, ABLE TO REACH THAT INFORMATION. AND THAT IS WHY I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE FOR THE RENEWAL.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] HELLO, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS ELENA DELARA.

I AM A RESIDENT AT LEE DRIVE. MY COUNCILWOMAN IS COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE CIVIL SERVANTS THAT ARE IN THE ROOM TODAY.

IN MY DAY JOB, I AM A PROBLEM SOLVER. I JUST WANT TO START BY SHARING A STORY.

I GREW UP NEXT TO THE JONES CREEK LIBRARY. I WAS IN WALKING DISTANCE.

MY MOM WAS AN ADMINISTRATOR AT A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

THE QUALITY OF MY LIFE FOR HAVING THAT LIBRARY CHANGED EXPONENTIALLY.

I ALSO SUPPORT RAISES FOR THE POLICE. I THINK AS A PERSON WHO HAS A FAIR WAGE, THE POLICE SHOULD HAVE A FAIR WAGE.

LIKE I SAID, I'M ALSO A PROBLEM SOLVER, SO I'LL OFFER THIS ONE SOLUTION.

AND THAT SOLUTION IS WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY THAT WE COULD BE GETTING IF WE DIDN'T CONTINUE TO APPROVE INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR CORPORATIONS. AND IT'S NOT A MATTER OF A CORPORATION LEAVING.

IT'S A MATTER OF LOUISIANA HAVING LOST $20 BILLION SINCE 1998 TO THIS TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM.

THERE IS PLENTY ENOUGH MONEY FOR THE LIBRARY.

THERE IS PLENTY ENOUGH MONEY FOR THE POLICE IN 2023.

THIS METRO COUNCIL APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY AN INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION FOR A PROPERTY WORTH $250 MILLION.

MY HOUSE ISN'T WORTH. THAT IS YOURS. IT'S Y'ALL'S, MA'AM.

AND I STILL HAVE TO PAY. IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA, THOUGH. LET'S KEEP IT ON THE LIBRARY. THAT'S RIGHT. SO I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT TO CHEW ON. WE ARE NOT IN OPPOSITION TO ONE ANOTHER.

SEND IT TO THE VOTERS. WE'LL APPROVE THE MILLAGE.

ALLOW THE POLICE A RAISE. WE GOT THE MONEY. THANKS, EVERYBODY.

[APPLAUSE] IS JOHN DAIGLE. JOHN DAIGLE HERE.

OKAY, WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT FIVE. JOHN DAIGLE, IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR ME THE FIRST TIME. COME ON DOWN, LYNETTE LEE.

REVEREND ANDERSON. LEE PATTERSON. BEN WENT AND RONNIE HARRIS.

HELLO. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT ONE. JUST ONE OF THE HUNDREDS OF SERVICES THAT THE LIBRARY OFFERS.

AND THAT IS. WHAT'S YOUR NAME? OH, MY NAME IS LYNETTE LEE.

AND THAT IS THE CAREER CENTER WHERE I HAVE WORKED FOR THE PAST DECADE.

I'M A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL RESUME WRITER WITH THE CAREER CENTER, AND WHAT WE DO THERE IS WE HELP PEOPLE FIND JOBS, WHICH IS A CRITICAL NEED IN EBR. IN THE TIME THAT I'VE BEEN THERE, I PERSONALLY HAVE DONE HUNDREDS OF RESUME WRITING AND INTERVIEW COACHING SESSIONS.

EVERY YEAR WE HELP THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THEIR JOB SEARCH.

ALL KINDS OF CITIZENS. WE HELP MILITARY VETERANS TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN JOBS.

WE HELP FORMERLY INCARCERATED CIVILIANS TRANSITION BACK INTO SOCIETY.

IF YOU GUYS WANT TO TALK ABOUT CRIME PREVENTION.

I HELP EX-CONS FIND JOBS. THERE IS NO BETTER CRIME PREVENTION THAN THAT.

WE HELP PEOPLE CLAW THEIR WAY OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.

WE HELP PEOPLE ESCAPE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY ACHIEVING FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, BY HELPING THEM FIND JOBS.

REVEREND ANDERSON AND SEVERAL OTHERS WERE SPEAKING EARLIER ABOUT THE HOMELESSNESS EPIDEMIC.

HELPING PEOPLE FIND EMPLOYMENT IS A HUGE ASPECT OF THAT.

SOMETHING THAT WE DO AT THE LIBRARY EVERY DAY.

WE HELP TEENAGERS FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO FOR A LIVING.

WE HELP FORMER STAY AT HOME PARENTS WHO HAVE LARGE GAPS IN THEIR EMPLOYMENT, FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR A LIVING.

WE GO INTO SCHOOLS AND PRISONS AND SOBER LIVING FACILITIES AND JOB FAIRS.

WE REACH OUT TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE ALSO HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL THAT HAS MORE THAN 190 INSTRUCTIONAL JOB SEARCH VIDEOS, MORE THAN 4000 SUBSCRIBERS AND MORE THAN 700,000 VIEWS. AND WE HAVE A NATIONAL AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FOR CAREER CENTER

[02:40:03]

YES, I TELL YOU ALL OF THIS TO TELL YOU THIS, THE LIBRARY CANNOT BE RUN MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN IT ALREADY IS.

THERE IS NO BETTER USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY IF YOU TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM US-I0 WE WILL HAVE TO CUT CRITICAL PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS THAT THE COMMUNITY CLEARLY WANTS. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] HELLO AGAIN. I BROUGHT MY SON, QUENTIN ANTHONY ANDERSON WITH ME BECAUSE WE ARE A LIBRARY FAMILY AND LAST YEAR MY SON TAUGHT A CLASS FOR CONSTITUTION DAY AT OUR RIVER CENTER LIBRARY. LAST YEAR WE BROUGHT A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SPEAKER.

MANY OF THEM TO OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM. I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HOW MUCH OUR LIBRARIES HAVE MEANT TO OUR ARTISTIC COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF ARTISTS, BUT FOR THOSE WALLS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD THEIR FIRST EXHIBIT.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF AUTHORS WHO, BUT FOR OUR LIBRARIES, WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY.

AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, LAST YEAR WE BROUGHT JOHN LEGEND HERE.

JOHN LEGEND WENT TO OUR RIVER CENTER LIBRARY AND SAID, OH MY GOD, IS THIS YOUR LIBRARY? AND I SAID, MY FAVORITE LINE, OH BABY, WE GOT 14 OF THESE.

[LAUGHTER] WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO SELL YOUR HOME, HAVING ONE OF OUR LIBRARIES IN YOUR COMMUNITY IS A VALUE ADDED. WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO BRING INDUSTRY INTO YOUR COMMUNITY.

HAVING THE NUMBER ONE LIBRARY SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY IS A VALUE ADDED.

WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND KEEP IN MIND WE HAVE TWO WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITIES HERE. IT IS A VALUE ADDED.

AND LET ME LEAVE YOU WITH THIS LAST COMMENT. WHEN I SAID WE'RE A LIBRARY FAMILY, MY SON TOOK HIS FIRST STEPS.

NOT IN THIS LIBRARY, BUT IN A LIBRARY. LIBRARIES DO WHAT NO OTHER INSTITUTION DOES.

THEY MAKE SPACE FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS. WE CHOSE TO PAY THAT TAX FOR THAT LIBRARY.

65% OF THE VOTERS ON THE LAST TIME CHOSE IT. THAT'S OUR CHOICE.

AND I ASK THIS METRO COUNCIL, PASS THIS SO THAT WE CAN TAKE IT UP TO 70 OR MAYBE 75, AND THEN MAYBE THE NEXT TIME IT COMES AROUND, THE ONLY DISCUSSION WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IS, WHAT MORE MAGICAL CAN OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM BE THAN IT ALREADY IS, BECAUSE IT'S NUMBER ONE. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] MY NAME IS LEE PATTERSON. I'M A BIOLOGIST HERE IN BATON ROUGE.

I'VE LIVED MY WHOLE LIFE IN THE CITY. I'VE BEEN IN THE LIBRARY REGULARLY SINCE I FIRST JOINED THE JONES CREEK BRANCH CHESS TEAM ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO. I MY TWO KIDS WHO I'VE RAISED HAVE BEEN IN THE LIBRARY BASICALLY 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK FOR THEIR ENTIRE LIVES. IT'D BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO LIST ALL THE DIFFERENT EVENTS AND SERVICES THAT WE'VE UTILIZED FROM THE LIBRARY.

THE NUMBER OF BOOKS WE GO THROUGH, THE NUMBER OF BOOKS I GO THROUGH THAT I GET FROM THE LIBRARY, IT WOULD BE ECONOMICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO PROVIDE THAT KIND OF A NUMBER OF BOOKS TO THEM OR TO MYSELF. AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM IS THAT IT'S JUST A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GET TOGETHER AND SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER AND THEY'RE JUST NOT IN OUR REALLY CAR CENTRIC COMMUNITY THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN JUST KIND OF HANG OUT AND SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

SO I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR T HE PROSPERITY OF THIS CITY TO KEEP OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM ALIVE AND STRONG.

[02:45:01]

I WORK AT THE LIBRARY. AND I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP EARLIER IN THIS MEETING ABOUT BROADBAND ACCESS, ABOUT HELPING THE HOMELESS, ABOUT THE SNOWSTORM.

THE WAY THAT PEOPLE GET THEIR INTERNET ACCESS RIGHT NOW, IF THEY DO NOT HAVE BROADBAND IN THEIR AREA, THEY HAVE TWO WAYS THEY CAN COME TO THE LIBRARY.

OR THEY CAN CHECK OUT A WI-FI HOTSPOT FROM THE LIBRARY.

ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR THINGS THAT WE CHECK OUT AND WE GET CALLS ABOUT ALL THE TIME. ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE SNOWSTORM.

WHAT WAS OPEN DURING THE SNOWSTORM? IT WASN'T THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IT WAS THE LIBRARY. OKAY, SO ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE HELPFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THEY SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES. THESE THINGS SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES.

OKAY. AND THEN THE FIRST THING THAT I DID WHEN I MOVED HERE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WAS GO TO THE LIBRARY AND GET MY LIBRARY CARD.

THE SECOND THING I DID WAS GO TO LSU AND SEE IF I COULD GET A LIBRARY CARD THERE.

LSU LIBRARY IS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING. THE EAST BATON ROUGE LIBRARY SUPPLEMENTS LSU'S FAILURE TO FUND THEIR LIBRARY.

ALL RIGHT. THE SECOND THING IS, IF THE MAYOR IS CONCERNED ABOUT MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS, HE SHOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT THE CATS BOARD, WHO CANNOT WHO WILL NOT NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION.

AND INSTEAD THEY'RE PAYING SIX FIGURES TO SOME LAWYERS WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

SO IF THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT. S IR. THINGS WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE LIBRARY WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE FUNDING AND HOW WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT THE FUNDING. IF WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT FUNDING, WE SHOULD CONSIDER FUNDING THE LIBRARY AND NOT THE SIX FIGURE SALARIES OF LAWYERS WHO ARE CONFUSED ABOUT HOW LABOR RIGHTS WORK. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS RONNIE HARRIS. MY WIFE AND I RESIDE AT 1135 CARTER AVENUE IN OLD GOODWOOD.

11 YEARS AGO, WE WALKED INTO THE OLD MAIN LIBRARY.

AND THE ONE THING THAT STRUCK ME BESIDES THE AGE OF THAT LIBRARY WAS THE PERSON BEHIND THE DESK.

THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE EVER SEEN. AND MY HATS OFF TO THE STAFF OF THE LIBRARY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO IN TRAINING, BUT THEY DO A TERRIFIC JOB BECAUSE OVER THE LAST 11 YEARS I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM EXCEPT HELP FROM THE LIBRARIANS. NOW, YESTERDAY I CAME BY TO BY TO DELIVER A LETTER TO THE MAYOR.

AND I COPIED ALL OF YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS. I PAID $2 AT THE PARKING GARAGE.

TODAY I WANTED TO SHOW UP IN, YOU KNOW, WITH MY FRIENDS FROM SUPPORTING THE LIBRARY, AND THEY'RE CHARGING $10 AT THE PARKING GARAGE BECAUSE THERE'S AN EVENT AND THE EVENT IS YOUR COUNCIL MEETING. AND TO ME, THAT'S AN INSULT TO THE RESIDENTS AND VOTERS AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE ATTENDING THIS MEETING.

[APPLAUSE] AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COUNCIL IF IT'S THE CONTRACTOR DOING IT, CHANGE THE CONTRACT TO SAY, NEVER, EVER RAISE THE RATES WHEN A COUNCIL MEETING IS IN SESSION.

BUT I DIGRESS. BECAUSE IN MY LETTER I TOLD YOU EXACTLY HOW MUCH TAXES I PAY.

I VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE TAX IN 2015 AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE.

NOW WHY DO I DO IT? EXCELLENT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LIBRARY, EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, WONDERFUL PROGRAMS AND YEARS AGO MANY PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED GOOD GOVERNMENT DEMANDED DEDICATED TAXES.

DON'T SPEND IT IN THE GENERAL FUND. WE WANT TO SEE IT.

WE WANT TO SEE WHERE THE MONEY GOES. WELL, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE LIBRARY AS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT GOVERNMENT CAN DO RIGHT IF PROPERLY FUNDED.

NOW, WHAT IS THERE TO LIKE? WELL, THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE COMPUTERS FOR FOLKS, PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT ENGAGES THE PUBLIC IN GOVERNMENT AND OTHER THINGS, THE CULTURAL EVENTS THAT THEY HAVE, CONCERTS, MOVIES FOR THE KIDS THEY'RE OPEN THE HOURS WHERE PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY USE THE LIBRARY.

ISN'T THAT NOVEL? AND YOU NEED MONEY TO DO THAT, TO HAVE A PROPER STAFF.

NOW, IT'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN THIS PARISH.

SO I ASK YOU TO BE PROUD OF THE LIBRARY. SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL THAT YOUR PEOPLE, YOUR EMPLOYEES HAVE PRESENTED TO YOU THAT THE VOTERS ARE SAYING THAT THEY WILL SUPPORT. BE PROUD OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.

NOW, WHO WOULD BE AGAINST IT? WELL, THOSE WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND GOVERNMENT FUNDING.

THOSE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT USE THE LIBRARY EVER.

BECAUSE IF THEY STEP FOOT IN THE LIBRARY, THEY WOULD SEE, WOW, MY TAX DOLLARS GO TO THIS.

BUT WHO ELSE MAY NOT LIKE IT? BOND COUNSEL S.

BOND ATTORNEYS. BOND COMPANIES. THE PEOPLE WHO STAND TO MAKE DOLLARS.

THE FACT IS, PAY AS YOU GO IS A UNIQUE CONCEPT IN GOVERNMENT.

[02:50:03]

AND THE LIBRARY DOES THAT. SO, PLEASE, I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL THAT THE LIBRARY SERVICE HAS PRESENTED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] NO. ALL RIGHT. NEXT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ADAM SAINT-PIERRE.

NICOLAS LABORDE. DAVID GRAY. KEITH BURNSIDE. DAVID LINDENFELD.

AND I APOLOGIZE IF I'M SAYING Y'ALL'S NAMES WRONG. I'M TRYING.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS ADAM SAINT-PIERRE.

I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF BATON ROUGE. I'M HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY SYSTEM'S PROPOSITION TO BRING TEN AND A HALF MILLS TAX RENEWAL REDUCED FROM 11.1 TO THE VOTERS IN OCTOBER.

I SAY THIS AS A PROPERTY TAX PAYING CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT.

A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF 15 YEARS, A MEMBER OF TOGETHER BATON ROUGE AND A CURRENT BOARD MEMBER OF THE PATRONS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY NONPROFIT, WHICH IS A LOT OF HATS. HOWEVER, I AM USED TO THAT AS MANY OF MY EBRPL COLLEAGUES WORE A LOT OF HATS.

I PERSONALLY SAW HOW THE LIBRARY CHANGED PEOPLE'S LIVES I N MY DAILY WORK AND THE WORK OF MY FORMER COLLEAGUES, THE LIBRARY MILLAGE FUNDING SUPPORTS DAILY OPERATIONS SERVICES AND SPECIAL PROGRAMING.

PROGRAMING LIKE THE MID CITY MICRO-CON, WHICH JUST HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 8TH AND ATTRACTS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR.

THE BATON ROUGE MAKER FAIR THAT JUST COMPLETED ITS EIGHTH OR EXCUSE ME, ITS 11TH YEAR AND ATTRACTS THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND IS FAMILY FRIENDLY. ATTIC TREASURES, WHICH ALLOWS FOLKS TO BRING THEIR COLLECTIBLES TO BE GIVEN AN ESTIMATED VALUE.

WHEN I WAS A STAFF MEMBER, I SAW PEOPLE RECORD THEIR AUDIO BOOKS IN OUR MAKERSPACES.

AND LEARN NEW SKILLS FOR THEIR LIVES AS WELL AS FOR THEIR OWN ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

I HELPED INDIVIDUALS PUBLISH THEIR BOOKS, FIND THEIR FAVORITE TV SHOWS AND MANY OTHER THINGS.

THE LIBRARY HAS RENEWED THIS MILLAGE IN 1995, 2005 AND 2015.

BEFORE THE MILLAGE, FUNDING WAS SCARCE AND THERE WERE HIRING FREEZES AND NO ADDITIONAL MATERIALS BOUGHT.

THE LIBRARY PAYS FOR ALL OF ITS EXPENDITURES AS THEY GO AND HAS SHOWN FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY OVER THE YEARS.

I URGE YOU TO APPROVE THE LIBRARY'S PROPOSITION.

THANK YOU.

HELLO. MY NAME IS DAVID GRAY. FIRST OF ALL, LET ME ECHO THE GUY EARLIER WHO TALKED ABOUT THE PARKING SITUATION BECAUSE YEAH $10 THAT'S KIND OF ANNOYING TO COME TO SPEAK OVER HERE, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT IS WHAT IT IS. BUT AGAIN, I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF BATON ROUGE.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT 12, COUNCILWOMAN RACCA'S DISTRICT, AND I'M A SUPPORTER AND PROUD TAXPAYER FOR THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY SYSTEM.

I GREW UP IN A SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD. I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH.

MY FAMILY DIDN'T HAVE MUCH MONEY GROWING UP. I DIDN'T HAVE A CELL PHONE OR COMPUTER OR INTERNET UNTIL I GOT TO COLLEGE, WHICH KIND OF SEEMS UNTHINKABLE NOWADAYS. BUT LUCKILY, I HAD THE THE LIBRARY.

I, FOR SOME REASON, HAVE ALWAYS LIVED WITHIN NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I'VE MOVED, I'VE ALWAYS LIVED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF THE BLUEBONNET BRANCH.

SO I HAVE SPENT GROWING UP THAT'S WHERE I WAS AT ALL THE TIME LIKE I SAID, I DIDN'T HAVE A COMPUTER OR ANYTHING.

SO SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS, ALL THAT STUFF I WOULD HAVE I THINK THE THE WOMEN WHO WORK AROUND THE PRINTING STATIONS USED TO PROBABLY GET ANNOYED WHEN THEY SAW ME BECAUSE THEY KNEW I WAS GOING TO PRINT OUT 100 ITEMS BECAUSE, AGAIN, I DIDN'T HAVE THAT AT HOME, AND THE LIBRARY MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO HAVE THAT.

AND YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T HAVE CABLE OR TELEVISION, SO I READ A LOT, AND I COULD NOT HAVE AFFORDED ANY OF THOSE BOOKS GROWING UP BUT FOR THE LIBRARY SYSTEM. SO I WAS A LITTLE DISCOURAGED AND DISAPPOINTED WHEN I HEARD THAT THERE MIGHT BE THERE THAT THE LIBRARY'S FUNDING MIGHT BE IN JEOPARDY WHEN IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT WE HAVE OR ANY AGENCY IN GENERAL, BUSINESS OR OTHERWISE, HOW MANY CAN SAY THAT THEY HAD A 30 YEAR PLAN AND THEY FOLLOWED IT TO THE T? THAT DOESN'T REALLY HAPPEN AT ALL IN GOVERNMENT OR IN BUSINESS.

AND AS YOU SAW IN THEIR PRESENTATION AND THEIR MILLAGE WEBSITE, I MEAN, THEY HAD A 22 PAGE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.

[02:55:05]

SO, I MEAN, THEY'RE THEY'RE GIVING YOU ALL THE DETAILS THAT YOU WANT.

THEY'RE SHOWING YOU EXACTLY WHERE THOSE DOLLARS HAVE GONE AND WHERE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GO. AND NOW THEIR NEXT PLAN IS TO ASSIST NORTH BATON ROUGE, THE NORTHERN PART OF OUR PARISH, WHICH I QUOTE SOMEONE WHEN THEY SAID THOSE LIBRARY BRANCHES WERE BUILT BEFORE THE INTERNET.

SO THAT MEANS THEY ARE IN DIRE NEED OF UPGRADES AND REPAIRS FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN NORTH BATON ROUGE, AND WITHOUT THEM HAVING A DEDICATED SOURCE OF FUNDING, THOSE PLANS DON'T HAPPEN.

THE ONLY REASON WHY WE HAVE THE BRANCHES THAT WE HAVE NOW, THE FACILITIES, THE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE NOW, IS BECAUSE OF DEDICATED FUNDING. AND IF IT GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND, IT IS NOT A POSSIBILITY.

IT IS A CERTAINTY THAT THERE WILL BE A REDUCTION IN SERVICES.

IT'S NOT A MAYBE THAT'S A GUARANTEE THAT THERE WOULD BE A REDUCTION IN SERVICES WITHOUT A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE LIBRARY.

AND JUST ONE LAST THING. MY PROPERTY TAX BILL LAST YEAR WAS 140 BUCKS.

ME AND MY WIFE CHECKED OUT NEARLY 200 BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARY, WHICH, IF YOU DID $2 A PIECE, THAT'S $400. SO WE MORE THAN DOUBLED OUR INVESTMENT.

AND I AM EXPECTING MY FIRST CHILD, AND I KNOW I'M GOING TO BE CHECKING OUT A LOT MORE BOOKS BECAUSE MY KID WILL BE THE FASTEST TO COMPLETE 1000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN, SO WE WILL DO THAT. [APPLAUSE] SO I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS NICK LABORDE, AND I LEARNED A THING OR TWO ABOUT BUDGETS LAST YEAR WHEN I RAN FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

I WANT TO START WITH A QUOTE. SO THE AMERICA I STILL LOVE EXISTS, IF NOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE OR THE SUPREME COURT OR THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OR THE MEDIA. THE AMERICA I LOVE STILL EXISTS AT THE FRONT DESK OF OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

THAT'S A QUOTE BY KURT VONNEGUT. WE'VE SAID SO MANY THINGS TONIGHT THAT I'M NOT GOING TO REPEAT, BUT THERE'S SOMETHING I WANT TO GO INTO. THE LIBRARY IS NOT A PLACE.

IT'S NOT A BOOK WAREHOUSE. IT IS A COMMUNITY INSTITUTION.

AT ANY GIVEN TIME, YES, YOU CAN CHECK OUT A BOOK OR AN AUDIO BOOK OR A MOVIE THROUGH LIBBY.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO DOWNLOAD LIBBY. THEY DIDN'T PAY ME TO SAY THAT, I PROMISE. WE HAVE SO MANY SERVICES.

YOU CAN GO TO ONE OF THE BEST GENEALOGY RESOURCES FOR FREE AT THE MAIN LIBRARY ON GOODWOOD, AND FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY HISTORY HUNDREDS OF YEARS INTO THE PAST.

AT ANY TIME YOU CAN GO AND SEE A CLASS BEING TAUGHT, YOU CAN ADVANCE YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, YOU CAN GET A RESUME DONE, YOU CAN GET PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

YOU CAN HOST A GATHERING TO TALK ABOUT THE LIBRARY IF YOU WANTED TO.

YOU CAN DO SO MANY THINGS AT THE LIBRARY AND IT IS BECAUSE IT IS WELL FUNDED.

HOW MANY OF US IN THIS ROOM OUR WHOLE LIVES HAVE HEARD LOUISIANA 48, 49, 50 THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE NUMBER ONE OR CLOSE TO NUMBER ONE AT, AND WE NEED TO KEEP BEING NUMBER ONE.

AND I WANT TO MENTION THIS WHILE I RAN FOR OFFICE IN BATON ROUGE, I ADMITTED MANY TIMES PUBLICLY THAT I AM A TWO TIME RAGIN CAJUN.

I WENT TO UL IN LAFAYETTE, BUT I MARRIED A TIGER, SO I'M RIGHT WITH THE LORD IN THE END.

[LAUGHTER] BUT I LIVED IN LAFAYETTE FOR SIX GREAT YEARS OF MY LIFE AND GOT TWO DEGREES THERE.

BUT AS I LEFT, SOMETHING STARTED HAPPENING. THEY STARTED TALKING ABOUT HOW THE LIBRARY SYSTEM THERE HAD A SURPLUS.

THEY STARTED TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY NEEDED TO REDEDICATE MONEY.

AND YOU ALL KNOW HOW THIS STORY GOES BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN HERE.

DON'T LET IT HAPPEN HERE. THIS IS ONE OF OUR BEST RESOURCES IN THIS CITY, IN THIS PARISH, IN THIS STATE. THE LIBRARY, AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED, IS THE LAST PLACE LEFT IN OUR SOCIETY WHERE YOU CAN EXIST FOR FREE.

YOU CAN'T EVEN GO TO STARBUCKS AND USE THE BATHROOM ANYMORE. THEY'RE GOING TO CHARGE YOU TO GO PEE AT STARBUCKS. COME ON NOW.

PLEASE, I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES. KEEP US AT THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR SOMETHING, AND KEEP MAKING BATON ROUGE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KEITH BURNSIDE.

I'M A RESIDENT OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. IT'S BEEN VERY HEARTFELT TO LISTEN TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COME FORWARD HERE AND MORE YET TO COME TO GIVE YOU SOME VERY PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHY THE LIBRARY IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.

THINGS ARE BEING SAID THAT I CANNOT ADD TO OR CANNOT EVEN BEGIN TO TRY TO SAY.

ALL MY LIFE I'VE BEEN KIND OF A NUMBERS GUY. SO I'M GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT NUMBERS.

AS YOU KNOW, THE LIBRARY HAS BEEN OPERATING UNDER A MILLAGE OF 11.1 MILLS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THAT MILLAGE RATE WAS ROLLED BACK TO 10.52 IN 2020 AND TO 9.89 IN 2024

[03:00:05]

THEY HAD A IMPROVEMENT PLAN THAT HAS BEEN NEARLY COMPLETED NOW THAT INCLUDED, YOU KNOW, THE FINALIZING THE RENOVATION OR THE NEW BUILDING OF THE MAIN LIBRARY ON GOODWOOD.

OF COURSE, OUR BEAUTIFUL NEW DOWNTOWN RIVER CENTER LIBRARY, AS WELL AS A NEW FAIRWOOD BRANCH FOR THE LIBRARY.

SO THEY'VE CONTINUED TO DO THEIR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES OVER THIS TIME.

THEY HAVE ALSO ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR PLANNED FACILITIES MASTER PLAN FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS, IN WHICH THEY PLAN ALMOST $50 MILLION WORTH OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS AT THE CARVER, AT THE PRIDE CHANEYVILLE AND AT THE EDEN PARK BRANCHES, SO THEY'RE CONTINUING TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

NOW, HAVING SAID ALL THAT, I ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS WHAT IS SOMETIMES THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM AND THAT IS THE LIBRARY FUND BALANCE.

DURING THIS TEN YEAR PERIOD OF TIME WITH THE 11.1 MILLAGE ASSESSMENT, IT IS A FACT THAT THE LIBRARY FUND BALANCE HAS GROWN BY ALMOST $20 MILLION, FROM ABOUT 73.3 MILLION AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS TEN YEAR PERIOD TO WHAT IS NOW PROJECTED TO BE ABOUT 92.8 MILLION AT THE END OF 2025.

SO MY CHALLENGE TO THE LIBRARY BOARD CONTROL, AND THE STAFF IS TO CONTINUE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION AND MORE CLARITY AROUND HOW THIS PROPOSED MILLAGE OF 10.5 WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE PARISH WITH REGARDS TO CONTINUING OPERATIONS AND SERVICES AT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.

BUT LET'S NOT ALLOW THAT FUND BALANCE TO CONTINUE TO GROW AS IT HAS OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE ARE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE MONEY.

LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROPERLY MAKING OUR MILLAGE ASSESSMENTS AND APPLYING THE FUNDS APPROPRIATELY SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO STAND UP HERE TEN YEARS FROM NOW AND TRY TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE FUND BALANCE THAT HAS CONTINUED TO GROW.

BUT AGAIN, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT I AM HERE IN FULL AND TOTAL SUPPORT OF THIS PROPOSAL AND URGE THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE THIS SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE, YOU KNOW, TO PROVIDE CONSISTENT, EXCELLENT SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.

AND AS MAYOR SAID, HAS SAID HIMSELF TO MAINTAIN THE BEST PUBLICLY FUNDED LIBRARY IN THE STATE.

THANK YOU. OKAY. DAVID LINDENFELD. I THINK I CALLED ALREADY. SONIA BLAUVELT, CHRISTOPHER CUMMINGS, JACOB NEWSOM, SARA BONGIORNI, AND TANYA NYMAN. HELLO. MY NAME IS SONIA BLAUVELT, I'M A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND A PROFESSOR AT LSU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER. I LIVE IN MR. GAUDET'S DISTRICT, AND I WORK IN HIS DISTRICT AS WELL.

TODAY, I STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM.

MANY OF MY OWN THERAPY CLIENTS AND MY STUDENTS, PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD SO MANY BARRIERS TO SUCCESS, HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UTILIZE THE LIBRARY SERVICES TO FIND JOBS, LEARN INTERVIEW SKILLS, FIND HOBBIES AND INTERESTS, AND EVEN MAKE FRIENDS. I THINK SOME OF THEM WORKED WITH YOU.

LYNETTE, TOO I'VE HEARD GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOU. THANK YOU.

THEY DID IT ALL FOR FREE. THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A THING.

AND THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL. HAVING THIS KIND OF STABILITY FOR THEMSELVES AND SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY IS A FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

THIS IS WHAT CREATES A SAFER SOCIETY. I'VE LIVED IN NINE CITIES IN FOUR DIFFERENT STATES, AND THE FIRST THING I DO WHEN I MOVE SOMEWHERE IS I JOIN THE LIBRARY.

THE EAST BATON ROUGE LIBRARY SYSTEM IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN, AND I EVEN VISIT LIBRARIES WHEN I GO ON VACATION.

IT'S THE PLACE I PERSONALLY GO TO DECOMPRESS AFTER A LONG DAY OF SEEING CLIENTS.

IT IS MY SELF-CARE. PART OF MY HURRICANE PREP IS STOPPING AT THE BLUEBONNET BRANCH TO PICK UP BOOKS TO READ FOR WHEN WE LOSE POWER.

I ALWAYS FEEL WELCOME THERE. I WON'T CONTINUE TO REPEAT WHAT EVERYONE HAS ALREADY SAID.

I AGREE WITH EVERYONE'S STATEMENTS. I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON CITY COUNCIL RULES OR HOW THESE TAXES WORK.

[03:05:06]

THE VOTERS SHOULD NOT BE IN A POSITION TO CHOOSE BETWEEN LIBRARIES AND AN UNKNOWN OPTION, ONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED AND THAT COULD DEVASTATE OUR COMMUNITY, THE LIVES OF EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, AND THE LIVES OF ALL OF THOSE WE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT TODAY.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] G OOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER CUMMINGS. I'M A FORMER FEDERAL AND STATE CRIMINAL ATTORNEY, A BUSINESS OWNER HERE IN BATON ROUGE, AND A LIFELONG ADVOCATE FOR LIBRARIES.

I'VE SPENT OVER A DECADE WORKING WITH LIBRARIES, PARTNERING WITH HUNDREDS OF LIBRARIES AROUND THE WORLD.

I ALSO HAVE THE HONOR OF SITTING ON THE ADVISORY BOARD OF THE THIRD LARGEST LIBRARY SYSTEM IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'M A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY AND A FATHER WHO TAKES HIS FAMILY TO OUR LOCAL LIBRARIES BECAUSE I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE CRITICAL ROLE THEY PLAY IN SHAPING OUR CITY'S FUTURE. TONIGHT, I STAND TO ADVOCATE FOR THE TAX RENEWAL FOR THE LIBRARY SYSTEM.

AND WHILE THE LIBRARY IS WILLING TO LOWER THEIR PROPOSED RENEWAL RATE, I THINK IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO CUT ONE DIME.

IN MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH LIBRARIES AROUND THE WORLD YOU WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND A SINGLE LIBRARY SYSTEM RUNNING MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN OUR OWN.

AND ADVOCATING FOR OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM I WANT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO A VALUE THAT MANY DON'T THINK OF IN SUPPORTING LIBRARIES.

AND IT'S THAT LIBRARIES HELP REDUCE CRIME. I'LL ALSO DRAW ATTENTION TO ANOTHER ISSUE THAT CAME UP EARLIER AND THAT IS ABOUT THE HOMELESS.

AND I'LL ALSO POINT OUT THAT LIBRARIES PROVIDE CRITICAL SERVICES TO THE HOMELESS AND HOMELESS CARE.

WHILE TONIGHT WE AREN'T SPEAKING ABOUT THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL TO REDIRECT LIBRARY FUNDS.

THIS ROOM IS FULL OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE HERE WITH THIS CONCERN AT THE TOP OF THEIR MIND.

LET ME BE CLEAR. I SUPPORT OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND THEY DESERVE COMPETITIVE WAGES AND THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO KEEP OUR CITY SAFE.

BUT WHAT WE ARE POTENTIALLY FACING IS A FALSE CHOICE, A DECISION THAT PITS ONE VITAL PUBLIC SERVICE AGAINST ANOTHER.

AS IF WE MUST SACRIFICE LITERACY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR COMMUNITY STABILITY FOR CRIME REDUCTION.

THAT'S NOT THE WAY FORWARD. STUDIES CONSISTENTLY FIND THAT NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR PUBLIC LIBRARIES SEE SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN BURGLARY, VANDALISM, ROBBERY, AND ASSAULT. WHY? BECAUSE LIBRARIES PROVIDE A SAFE, STRUCTURED SPACE FOR AT RISK YOUTH KEEPING KIDS ENGAGED WITH EDUCATION INSTEAD OF CRIME. THEY OFFER FREE JOB TRAINING, RESUME HELP AND INTERNET ACCESS TO THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK, GIVING PEOPLE A PATH TO EMPLOYMENT RATHER THAN DESPERATION.

AND WHAT I THINK SOMEONE WAS SPEAKING TO EARLIER IS WHEN WE'RE FACED WITH A HURRICANE, WE'RE FACED WITH A RANDOM SNOWSTORM IN LOUISIANA WHEN PEOPLE HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO AND THEY NEED SOMEWHERE THAT'S WARM OR AIR CONDITIONED AND SHELTER.

THEY CAN GO TO THE LIBRARY TO FIND ACCESS TO THAT WHEN NO ONE ELSE WILL GIVE IT TO THEM.

LIBRARIES ALSO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, AND MANY HAVE FULL TIME SOCIAL WORKERS HELPING THE HOMELESS GET ACCESS TO THESE RESOURCES INSTEAD OF BEING LEFT WITH NOWHERE TO TURN. SO WHAT I WOULD SAY IS OUR LIBRARY IS NOT JUST A BUILDING FILLED WITH BOOKS.

IT'S A LIFELINE FOR THOUSANDS OF OUR RESIDENTS, AND IT'S PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT FUNDED THING WE HAVE IN ALL OF BATON ROUGE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] JACOB NEWSOM. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN TONIGHT VERY ALTRUISTICALLY ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF LIBRARIES AND SOCIETY AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND I WOULD LOVE TO ECHO THOSE SENTIMENTS. BEFORE I DO THAT, I THOUGHT MAYBE I MIGHT GET SOME CROWD PARTICIPATION AND ASK A SIMPLE QUESTION.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT ARE PARENTS? WE GOT PARENTS? I'M A PARENT, I GOT TWO. IF YOU'RE A PARENT, YOU HAVE A VERY REAL UNDERSTANDING OF JUST HOW IMPORTANT THE LIBRARY IS, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR CHILD AND YOU NEED SOMEWHERE TO GO AND YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS BOTH COST EFFECTIVE AND ALSO EDUCATIONAL. THE LIBRARY, SIMPLY AMONGST ALL THE OTHER THINGS IT PROVIDES, IT PROVIDES PEOPLE, FAMILIES, SINGLE INDIVIDUALS, TEENAGERS, OUR HOMELESS POPULATION A PLACE TO BE THAT DOES NOT COST AND WE ARE QUICKLY RUNNING OUT OF OTHER OPTIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN IT IS ENTIRELY TOO HOT TO BE OUTSIDE FOR ANY LIMIT A LONG AMOUNT OF TIME, ESPECIALLY WITH A YOUNG CHILD. WE MUST PASS THIS MILLAGE.

WE MUST RENEW THE LIBRARY FUNDING BECAUSE, LIKE WE SAID EARLIER ON A SEPARATE TOPIC ABOUT AIDS AND HIV MEDICATION.

THE REASON THAT THAT PROGRAM IS WORKING IS IT IS FUNDED.

[03:10:01]

IF THE LIBRARY DOES NOT HAVE A DEDICATED FUND, IT WILL CEASE TO BE AS EFFECTIVE AS IT IS.

AND ALL OF OUR PUBLIC ILLS THAT WE CURRENTLY FACE FUNCTIONAL ILLITERACY, HOMELESSNESS WHAT YOU WOULD CALL, I GUESS, VANDALISM OR PETTY CRIMES. THINGS OF THOSE NATURES WILL ALSO INCREASE.

AN INVESTMENT IN THE LIBRARY SYSTEM IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SOCIETY AND A SOCIETY THAT FUNCTIONS FOR EVERYBODY, NOT JUST THOSE THAT CAN AFFORD FOR IT TO FUNCTION FOR THEM.

AND WITH THIS, I HAVE TO SAY, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PASS THIS MILLAGE THIS EVENING, BUT I ALSO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE HERE THAT IS IN SUPPORT OF THE LIBRARY TO RETURN NEXT MONTH ON THE 12TH TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT FUND IS A DEDICATED FUND, BECAUSE IN A TIME OF INCREASED GOVERNMENT IN ACCOUNTABILITY AND HIGHER OFFICIALS, SOME WITHIN OUR VERY STATE THAT SEEM TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT WITH GENERAL FUND MONEY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMETHING THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BE FUNDED AT THE RATE AT WHICH IT IS.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] GOOD EVENING. TANYA NYMAN, DISTRICT 12.

AND I ALWAYS HAVE A CHANCE OF GETTING NERVOUS UP HERE.

AND SO, AS YOU ALL KNOW, I WROTE A DANGEROUS PROPOSITION, WHICH I EMAILED TO ALL OF YOU SO THAT Y'ALL CAN UNDERSTAND MY LENGTHY REASONS TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY. I DO THINK, LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED THE LIBRARY, I'VE BENEFITED FROM IT.

COULDN'T DO MY RESEARCH WITHOUT IT. MY CHILDREN HAVE BENEFITED FROM IT.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WHAT THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER MENTIONED TOO, ABOUT IT BEING A FALSE CHOICE.

OUR POLICE OFFICERS ABSOLUTELY DESERVE A LIVABLE WAGE.

AND WE NEED TO WORK FOR THAT AND FIND IT. BUT OUR OUR LIBRARIES ALSO DESERVE TO BE PROPERLY FUNDED.

AND I WANT TO REITERATE THE CLAIMS THAT WE DO NEED A DEDICATED MILLAGE FOR THE LIBRARY.

THAT SHOULD BE NON-NEGOTIABLE. ALSO, THE AMOUNT OF THE MILLAGE SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY A CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGETARY NEEDS OF THE AWARD WINNING SYSTEM.

THE PEOPLE IN THIS PARISH BUILT WITH THEIR TAX DOLLARS ON THEIR OWN VOLITION FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS.

YOU CAN'T DETERMINE THAT MILLAGE BASED ON AN APPLES AND ORANGES COMPARISON TO OTHER PARISHES.

TO ELIMINATE THE DEDICATED TAX AT THIS TIME IS AKIN TO BUILDING A HOUSE FREE AND CLEAR OF A MORTGAGE, AND RATHER THAN MAINTAINING IT, WALKING AWAY, OR ONLY ALLOCATING ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A SMALL BUNGALOW WHEN YOU BUILD SOMETHING MUCH LARGER. ONE OF THE EXPERIENCES I HAD, I GREW UP IN NEW ORLEANS.

I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW ORLEANS. MY HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS IS NOW A HIGH END RETIREMENT HOME BECAUSE WHEN THE NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM STARTED HAVING FINANCIAL ISSUES, THEY HAD TO THEY WERE FORCED TO SELL OFF PROPERTIES.

AND YES, SOME DEVELOPERS REALLY GOT THE BENEFIT OF THOSE PUBLICLY OWNED INFRASTRUCTURES WHEN THE PUBLIC ENTITY COULD NO LONGER AFFORD TO SUPPORT THEM.

SO I REALLY JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS DEDICATED MILLAGE.

LET'S FIND A RESPONSIBLE WAY TO TRULY PROVIDE THE BATON ROUGE POLICE WITH A RAISE, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THE PROPOSITION THAT'S ON THE TABLE FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE WILL GENUINELY DO THAT. AND YEAH. GO LIBRARIES. THANKS.

[APPLAUSE] COUNCILMEMBERS, I JUST WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION REAL QUICKLY.

IF WE DO NOT GET TO ACTION ON THIS ITEM TONIGHT, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPEAR ON YOUR NEXT AGENDA ON FEBRUARY 26TH.

THAT MEANS THAT THE ITEM WOULD BE, AGAIN, OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

AT THAT MEETING. AND HOWEVER, ACTION COULD NOT BE TAKEN ON THE ITEM TO APPROVE IT AT THAT MEETING BECAUSE OF ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS.

SO IF ACTION IS NOT TAKEN ON THE ITEM TONIGHT, IT WILL APPEAR ON FEBRUARY 26TH.

AGENDA. THEN AT THAT MEETING, YOU ALL WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER IT TO A MEETING AT WHICH YOU COULD TAKE ACTION.

SO I JUST WANNA BRING THAT TO Y'ALL'S ATTENTION AS WE'RE IT'S AT 7:17.

THANK YOU. BUT BEFORE WE MOVE ON, ASHLEY, CAN YOU ALSO EXPLAIN THAT NOT ONLY WILL WE NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE ACTION ON THE ITEM, THAT WOULD ALSO PUT THE ITEM THAT WAS INTRODUCED BY THE ADMINISTRATION TONIGHT AHEAD OF THIS ITEM, CORRECT? YES. SO THE ADMINISTRATION OBVIOUSLY HAS AN ITEM THAT WAS INTRODUCED TONIGHT THAT WILL BE ON FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON MARCH 12TH.

IF THE ITEM IF THIS LIBRARY MILLAGE ITEM IS APPEARS ON THE FEBRUARY 26TH AGENDA, THE NEXT MEETING AT WHICH IT COULD BE PROPERLY HEARD.

SO IT WOULD NEED TO BE DEFERRED TO MARCH 26TH.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'M JUST OFFERING THIS.

EVERYBODY'S GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. BUT IF SOMEBODY HAS ALREADY SAID WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY, MAYBE DON'T TAKE THE WHOLE THREE MINUTES, BUT IT'S UP TO YOU.

EVERYBODY HAS THREE MINUTES. NEXT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DONALD LUTHER, BRANDY LUTHER, ANNA FOSTER,

[03:15:06]

[INAUDIBLE] SURE. THAT WAS DONALD LUTHER.

ANYBODY ELSE? MA'AM, DID I CALL YOUR NAME? OKAY.

PLEASE. HI, MY NAME IS ANNA FOSTER. I AM IN DISTRICT 11.

AND I CAME HERE TO SUPPORT MY LIBRARY. I AM A USER OF THE LIBRARY.

AND THE LAST TIME I WAS AT THE LIBRARY, I WAS NEXT TO A WOMAN WHO WAS READING OUT LOUD TO HER DAUGHTER, AND HER DAUGHTER WAS SOUNDING OUT THE WORDS OF THE CHILDREN'S BOOK NEXT TO ME.

AND THAT WAS A REALLY HEARTWARMING MOMENT THAT I GOT TO WITNESS, THAT I KNOW HAPPENS EVERY DAY AT EVERY LIBRARY ACROSS BATON ROUGE.

IN A STATE WHERE THE EDUCATION OUTCOMES ARE SO POOR AND THE LITERACY RATES ARE SO POOR I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD REMOVE RESOURCES FROM THESE CHILDREN WHO ARE TRYING TO LEARN HOW TO READ.

THE TAXPAYERS CLEARLY WANT TO VOTE FOR THIS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN VOTING FOR THIS IF I UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY FROM THE PRESENTATION SINCE 1995.

AND OF COURSE I THINK EVERYBODY WHO PAYS TAXES IS IN FAVOR OF HAVING MORE CONTROL ABOUT HOW THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT AND NOT LESS. I HEAR THAT BATON ROUGE IS ALSO LOOKING TO ADDRESS ITS CRIME PROBLEM.

IF IT NEEDS TO USE FUNDS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS OF CRIME, I THINK CRIME PREVENTION COULD BE A REALLY GOOD USE OF OUR TAX DOLLARS AND NOT JUST REACTIONS TO CRIME.

EXPERTS ON CRIME PREVENTION AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME BEFORE ME AND SPOKEN UP HERE KNOW THAT ACCESS TO RESOURCES SUCH AS EDUCATION DECREASES CRIME MORE THAN ANYTHING. AND SO MANY OF THE POLICE IN THIS ROOM ARE HERE TODAY, I ASSUME IN UNDERSTANDING OF THAT.

AND TO SUPPORT THE SUPPORT THE LIBRARY'S FUNDING.

OUR LIBRARY IN BATON ROUGE IS ABOVE AVERAGE IN QUALITY, AS SO MANY HAVE SHOWN EARLIER.

WE HAVE A BETTER LIBRARY SYSTEM THAN SO MANY OTHER CITIES.

AND YOU CAN SEE THAT BY HOW MANY CITIZENS CAME OUT HERE TODAY TO SAY THAT THEY'RE SO EXCITED TO PAY THEIR TAXES.

YOU DON'T SEE THAT A LOT. SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD TAKE PRIDE IN THE MOST EXCEPTIONAL ASSET OF BATON ROUGE AND BE PROUD OF WHAT OUR CITY HAS INSTEAD OF CUTTING IT DOWN.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] WILLIAM LYNCH, BRANDY LUTHER AND NO DON. RILEY HAGEN.

HELLO. MY NAME IS WILLIAM LYNCH. SO OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE GOOD THE LIBRARY DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

AND I WOULD AGAIN, I AGREE WITH ALL OF THAT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE LIBRARY HAS CHANGED THINGS FOR ME PERSONALLY.

FOR ME, I STRUGGLED WITH MANY ISSUES. WHEN COVID CAME I HAD TO COME HOME FROM COLLEGE AND THINGS WEREN'T LOOKING GOOD.

THEN I STARTED ATTENDING EVENTS AT MY LIBRARY AND THINGS STARTED TO TURN AROUND.

IT GAVE ME CONFIDENCE BACK. IT GAVE ME BACK A SENSE OF PRIDE, IF YOU WILL, AND GOT ME BACK IN COLLEGE.

HONESTLY, WITHOUT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM, I DOUBT THAT I WOULD BE A FUNCTIONING ADULT.

SO I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARIES AND THAT'S ALL I REALLY HAVE TO SAY.

[APPLAUSE] MY NAME IS RILEY HAGEN. GOOD EVENING.

MAY IT PLEASE THE COUNCIL? I BELIEVE WHAT WE HAVE HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IS WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AT THE STATE LEVEL.

A RELATIVELY SMALL BUT VOCAL AND PASSIONATE AND ORGANIZED MINORITY ADVOCATES FOR DEDICATED FUNDING STREAMS TO THE DETRIMENT OF

[03:20:05]

THE SEA OF BLUE YOU SEE OUT THERE IS ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT.

I WOULD OFFER AS EXHIBIT TWO THE FACT THAT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS TONIGHT MAYBE 100 OR MORE ON ONE SIDE AND ONE ON THE OTHER, BUT WE SEE THIS AT THE STATE LEVEL THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY DEDICATIONS AND EVERY ELECTED STATE SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE THAT I'VE SPOKEN WITH EXPRESSES THEIR FRUSTRATION THAT THEY ONLY HAVE PRACTICAL CONTROL OVER A SMALL SLIVER OF THE BUDGET.

AND THE GOVERNOR FEELS THE SAME WAY. WE SEE THIS AT THE CITY PARISH LEVEL, PARTICULARLY WITH BREC AND THE LIBRARY.

AND IT IS NOT GOOD PUBLIC POLICY. BATON ROUGE HAS A CRIME CRISIS.

WE TOPPED THE LIST IN HOMICIDE RATES FOR CITIES OUR SIZE.

AND WE ALL KNOW THIS. WE ALSO KNOW THAT MORE BETTER EQUIPPED AND BETTER TRAINED POLICE CAN EFFECTIVELY REDUCE THIS.

MR. HAGEN, I UNDERSTAND. I UNDERSTAND. I'M TALKING ABOUT DEDICATED VERSUS GENERAL FUNDING.

THAT'S NOT WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA. THE LIBRARY MILLAGE IS ON THE AGENDA. I UNDERSTAND THAT. I NEED YOU TO KEEP IT ON LIBRARY MILLAGE. I UNDERSTAND THAT. I UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN MORE POLICE ARE DEPLOYED IN HIGH CRIME AREAS, THE SITUATION IMPROVES QUICKLY AND DRAMATICALLY.

AND IT ISN'T JUST HOMICIDES. SO OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THE CRIME ISSUE.

I'M ENTITLED TO SPEAK. ONE OUT OF 100 PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS.

KEEP SAYING WHAT YOU WANT, BUT I'M GOING TO KEEP INTERRUPTING YOU AND IT'S GOING TO RUN OUT YOUR TIME. I WOULD GET ON TOPIC IF YOU DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.

NO ONE HERE IS ANTI-LIBRARY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THERE IS NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT LIBRARIES THAT ENTITLES THEM TO BE INSULATED FROM DIFFICULT BUDGETARY DECISIONS THAT MUST BE MADE IN LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.

IN THE PAPER RECENTLY SOMEONE HAS STATED, IN EFFECT, WHY SHOULD THE LIBRARY HAVE TO FIGHT FOR MONEY FROM THE GENERAL FUND? AND MY QUESTION WOULD BE WHY NOT? WE ARE OVERTAXED AS IT IS, SO THE ANSWER IS NOT RAISING MORE REVENUE.

THE ANSWER IS SETTING THE CORRECT PRIORITIES AND MAKING THE MOST OF TAX DOLLARS, ALLOWING THE LIBRARIES TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN RELATIVE EXTRAVAGANCE WHILE THE REST OF CITY PARISH GOVERNMENT SERVICES STRUGGLE CANNOT CONTINUE.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ROBIN MCCULLOUGH-BADE. HAROLD GREER. CAROLYN HILL.

REVEREND ROBIN MCCULLOUGH-BADE. THANK YOU ALL FOR HEARING ALL OF THIS.

AND THANK YOU FOR BEING SO ATTENTIVE. I'VE LIVED IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES, AND THE LIBRARIES ARE THE JUST THE BEST HERE.

AND WHEN I WAS DIRECTING THE INTERFAITH FEDERATION, I RECENTLY RETIRED FROM THAT.

I WENT TO EVERY LIBRARY AND HOSTED EVENTS. AND IT WAS WONDERFUL WITH THE WORK IN ZION CITY, TO BE ABLE TO REFER PEOPLE, TO GET JOBS, TO HAVE HOPE, TO TAKE PEOPLE WHO PERHAPS HAD A DREAM AND BE ABLE TO TO GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES OF THE LIBRARIES. MANY OF US HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO GROW UP IN READING HOMES AND HAD THAT ENCOURAGED THAT THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES, BUT SO MANY HAVE NOT. THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES IT'S A GIFT TO THIS COMMUNITY.

AND AS WE TRY TO FIGURE OUT AS A COMMUNITY HOW TO BE A COMMUNITY, WE HAVE THIS WONDERFUL FOUNDATION THAT'S ALREADY WITH THIS TRACK RECORD OF DECADES. NOW, THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO ONE OF THE DEDICATIONS OF THE LIBRARY, I COULDN'T BELIEVE THEY ALREADY HAD PAID FOR IT.

NOW, MOST OF US, WHEN WE BUY OUR HOUSES, WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO PAY DECADES FOR IT IN INTEREST.

AND SO THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF SAVING MONEY, AND WHEN WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO COMPLETE A BUILDING SUCH AS A LIBRARY, SO WE CAN NOT ONLY DEDICATE IT BUT CELEBRATE THAT THERE'S NO MORE INTEREST, THAT'S NOT TYPICAL OF US.

AND SO WHY DOES IT COME OFF THAT WE'RE TRYING TO PENALIZE THIS WONDERFUL GIFT IN OUR COMMUNITY? I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS NOT JUST A SIMPLE DECISION TONIGHT TO PASS ON AS AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE WONDERFUL STAFF, THE WONDERFUL FACILITIES. AND IT'S JUST NOT BOOKS.

IT'S WHERE WE CAN TRAIN PEOPLE. SO I WAS FOR YEARS AN ADVISORY MEMBER OF THE POLICE CHIEFS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

I CAN'T FIND THE POLICE CHIEF ANYMORE, BUT A FORMER ONE.

SO KNOW THAT THOSE OF US WHO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY, WE SUPPORT OUR POLICE, AND WE HOPE WE CAN FIND A WAY TO NOT ONLY

[03:25:09]

WE HAVE GOT TO BE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FAITH COMMUNITIES WHO ARE WORKING DEEP IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, AND WE HAVE TO WORK WITH BRAC, AND WE HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR LIBRARIES AND WHY WE WOULD DO ANYTHING TO REDUCE THE QUALITY OF OUR LIBRARIES.

INSTEAD, WE NEED TO BE CREATIVE IN EXPANDING OUR PARTNERSHIPS SO THAT THE LIBRARIES BECOME THAT SAFE PLACE THAT PEOPLE CAN COME TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS AND THEIR HOPES. AND THAT'S HOW WE BECOME A COMMUNITY THAT IS VERY INCLUSIVE OF ALL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE] HAROLD GREER. NO. CAROLYN HILL.

DARYL GLASPER S ENIOR.

I THINK HE SAID HE HAD TO LEAVE. EMILY SMART.

HI, MY NAME IS EMILY SMART. I LIVE IN THE GARDEN DISTRICT.

I FULL DISCLOSURE, I'M A RETIRED LIBRARIAN. EVERYBODY SAID EVERYTHING I SO FAR THAT YOU NEED TO SAY ABOUT THE LIBRARY. OUR LIBRARY IS REALLY GREAT. I'M PROUD TO HAVE WORKED THERE.

I'M IMPRESSED AT HOW WELL THE MONEY IS MANAGED THERE.

AND I JUST SAY SUPPORT THE TAX. WE NEED IT. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] HI, I'M DONALD LUTHER. I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF CONTROL. I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT TO SUPPORT US TONIGHT.

WE LOVE Y'ALL. Y'ALL, Y'ALL. Y'ALL HAVE BEEN GREAT.

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT CAME OUT TONIGHT.

WE LOVE Y'ALL, TOO. WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU GUYS.

WE DEFINITELY BACK THE BLUE. WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

WE'VE GOT MORE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK THAN WE'VE GOT TIME TO DO THIS.

IF WE DON'T GET THIS SETTLED HERE SOON AND LET YOU ALL DO Y'ALL'S WORK, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS TRYING TO GET THIS PASSED AND TO THE NEXT LEVEL. SO WE NEED TO MAKE SOME DIFFERENT SOME CHANGES TO WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

AND SPEAKER PRO TEM, I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU WOULD TRY AND LIMIT OUR ACCESS, ALTHOUGH I WANT EVERYONE TO BE ABLE TO TALK, AND I NEED TO LIMIT MY TALKING TIME SO THAT WE CAN TRY AND GET TO A POINT AND BRING THIS MATTER TO A HEAD.

THANK YOU. DOCTOR PATRICIA BARANCO.

COURTNEY MACEY.

AND PLEASE, IF YOU CAN, LIMIT YOUR TIME. YES.

MY NAME IS COURTNEY MACEY. I'M A RESIDENT OF ZACHARY, LOUISIANA.

I'M ORIGINALLY FROM SHREVEPORT. I JUST HAVE TO SAY THAT MANY TIMES, I'VE HEARD LOTS OF COMPLAINTS OVER THE YEARS ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS, THIS AND THAT. BUT I WILL SAY THAT I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD TO LIVE IN ZACHARY OF OUR SCHOOLS.

LOUISIANA WAS THE ONLY STATE WHO IMPROVED THEIR READING SCORES BETWEEN THE YEARS 2019 AND 2024.

THAT'S A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO OUR TEACHERS. AND ALSO, I KNOW THAT OUR LIBRARIES PAID PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN THAT.

SO I WOULD ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] AMANDA LANATA.

KIRSTEN MARTINEZ OR MARTINEZ. KAMAL AN MOLLY. LAVAUD.

AND IF YOU'RE COMING FROM UPSTAIRS, JUST COME ON IN.

KELSEY FARRIS. JEREMIAH

[03:30:02]

SO I'M A PROFESSOR AT LSU, AND I'VE BEEN IN BEEN IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR ABOUT 18 YEARS.

THAT POSITION HAS AFFORDED ME A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO MEET PEOPLE THAT ARE NEW TO BATON ROUGE, THAT COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ACADEMIA.

AND THE ONE THING THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THOSE PEOPLE IS THE LIBRARY SYSTEM, AND HOW MUCH THAT HAS SHAPED THEIR EXPERIENCE HERE.

IT IS THE SINGLE PLACE IN OUR CITY WHICH GIVES ME AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF CIVIC PRIDE.

I SPEND I VISIT THE LIBRARY MULTIPLE TIMES EVERY MONTH.

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE LIBRARY SYSTEM, THE LIBRARY ON GOODWOOD ESPECIALLY, IS IT FEELS LIKE A HOME TO ME.

I HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO MATERIAL THAT HAS BROADENED MY HORIZONS.

I'VE LITERALLY CHECKED OUT TELESCOPES THAT HAVE ENABLED ME TO SEE THE STARS.

THOSE KIND OF FACILITIES ARE SO RARE AND SO VALUABLE.

IT IS THE CROWNING JEWEL OF OUR CITY. I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE, PLEASE CONTINUE THE SUPPORT FOR OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] KAYLA DOWDEN.

HELLO. MY NAME IS KAYLA DOWDEN. I LIVE IN MIDCITY, WHICH IS DISTRICT 7.

I'M JUST HERE TO SAY THAT I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE WOULD SUPPORT THE ABILITY TO VOTE ON THE NEW MILLAGE RATES.

BUT I DO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY, AND SO DOES EVERY OTHER VOTING AGE PERSON THAT I'M FRIENDS WITH.

SO IT'S NOT JUST ME. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN DISTRICT 7 WHO WANT TO VOTE YES ON THIS.

SO PLEASE GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT OUR LIBRARY.

[APPLAUSE] MAGGIE CANEIRO.

HELLO, IT'S CONERIO COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. I'M IN YOUR DISTRICT.

HIT ME BACK. I'M GOING TO YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME.

LET'S GET IT TO A VOTE. LET'S GET IT TO OUR BALLOT. THIS IS FOR US TO VOTE FOR. THANKS.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. JENNIFER CALDWELL. JENNIFER.

STILL HERE? PENNY MAE LANDRY.

OKAY, FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO SAY I APPRECIATE EVERY ONE OF YOU BEING HERE AS CITIZENS, I APPLAUD YOU.

I APPLAUD YOU FOR USING YOUR CITIZENS VOICE TO SPEAK FOR WHAT YOU WANT.

I'M HERE IN OPPOSITION. AND THERE'S A COUPLE OF REASONS I DO SUPPORT LIBRARIES.

I'M AN AVID READER. I'M AN EDUCATION ADVOCATE.

I RAN FOR BESSIE MANY YEARS AGO. HOWEVER, WE ARE AT A PLACE WHERE WE ARE OVERTAXED AND WE'RE OVERMILLED.

I HAVE A PICTURE HERE. I FORGOT TO BRING IT. I GO TO THE LIBRARY FOR PUBLIC MEETING.

I ATTEND A LOT OF THEM ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT ISSUES, AND I'VE HAD SOME GOOD EXPERIENCES, AND I'VE HAD SOME HORRIFIC EXPERIENCES AT THE LIBRARY BEING THERE TO ATTEND MEETINGS. ONE DAY I WAS AT THE LIBRARY AND THERE WAS AN EVENT AND I SAID, WELL, LET ME SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. SO THERE WAS A BUNCH OF GIVEAWAYS.

THEY WERE GIVING AWAY STUFF, LIKE EVERYBODY WAS GIVING FREE STUFF.

I WAS LIKE, WOW, WHAT CAN I GET FOR FREE? AND THE LADY SAID, DO YOU LIKE THIS PEN, MISS LANDRY? I SAID, YEAH. JUST FACE THE MIC OR ELSE IT'S NOT GOING TO PICK YOU UP.

OH THAT'S FINE. ANYWAY, THE PEN IS BEAUTIFUL.

I DIDN'T BRING IT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO LOSE IT.

IT HAS A GOLD CROWN ON IT. IT HAS GLITTER. AND I SAID, AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, ENGRAVED.

I SAID, I WONDER HOW MUCH THIS FREE PEN COST ME AS A TAXPAYER.

SO I LOOKED IT UP. IT'S ABOUT AN $8 PEN BOUGHT IN BULK.

OKAY. ANYWAY. WELL, Y'ALL MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT VENDOR.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CONTRACT IS, BUT ANYWAY, MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT.

HERE'S THE DEAL. MY TAX BILL SAYS 9.89 FOR 2024.

THAT WAS MY MILLAGE. OKAY, THIS NEEDS TO GO TO THE VOTERS.

[03:35:03]

OKAY. IF THE SURPLUS OR THE WHATEVER 114 MILLION CAN CARRY THE LIBRARY FOR TWO YEARS, THEN LET'S PUT IT TO A VOTE IN TWO YEARS.

THE THINGS THAT CONCERN ME ABOUT THE WAY THIS IS WRITTEN IS THAT IT CALLS FOR IMPROVING SERVICES.

EVERYONE HERE WHO SPOKE SAID THE SERVICES ARE EXCELLENT.

OKAY. IT ALSO SAYS ACQUIRING LAND. ACQUIRING LAND.

YOU WANT ME TO PAY MORE TAXES SO THE LIBRARY CAN BUY LAND? I ALREADY TOLD YOU, I'M DOING A DEEP DIVE INTO THE PROPERTY WE ALREADY OWN.

MS. LANDRY YOU GOT THREE SECONDS. AND SOMEBODY SAID THAT Y'ALL DON'T USE BONDS.

OKAY? THIS SAYS FOR THE LIBRARY TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE BOND COMMISSION, WHICH IS DOUBLE TAXATION.

CLOSE IT OUT. CLOSE IT OUT. YOU'RE OUT OF TIME.

OKAY, I THINK YOU GET MY POINT. YOU HAVE MY NUMBER.

IF YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IT, PLEASE AT LEAST DEFER THIS UNTIL YOU RETHINK IT.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] AARON BENDELLY.

NOT. SO SURE? NO, NOT. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS AARON BENDELLY.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS EVENING.

I'M HERE AS A RESIDENT OF BATON ROUGE AND A MEMBER OF A FAMILY WHO STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE LIBRARY SYSTEM WE ALWAYS HAVE.

IT WAS INCREDIBLY HELPFUL FOR ME GROWING UP. IT CONTINUES TO BE AN ASSET IN OUR COMMUNITY AND REALLY VALUED BY OUR FAMILY.

HOWEVER, THE DISCUSSION TONIGHT IS NOT ABOUT HOW MUCH WE LOVE OR DON'T LOVE LIBRARIES.

IT'S ABOUT HOW WE HOW WE FUND OUR PRIORITIES AS A COMMUNITY.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. I'M NOT HERE TO TALK PRO OR CON LIBRARY VERSUS SOMETHING ELSE.

MR. CHAIRMAN, AS YOU REMINDED US, THIS IS ABOUT THE DEDICATION OF A MILLAGE AND HOW WE FUND OUR PRIORITIES.

AND WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE ARE MANY PRIORITIES ACROSS LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

YOU HAVE A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY IN MEETING ALL THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND DOING SO IN A WAY THAT GIVES YOU THE FLEXIBILITY AND, FRANKLY, THE ABILITY TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND THE ABILITY TO EVOLVE WHEN CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE.

AND AS YOU'VE HEARD, WE HAVE A FANTASTIC LIBRARY SYSTEM THAT I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE WILL STAND ON ITS OWN MERIT WHEN THE TIME COMES FOR YOU TO MAKE THE DECISION OF HOW TO FUND SUCH A VALUABLE ASSET IN THE COMMUNITY.

FOR THOSE REASONS, I STAND IN OPPOSITION TO THIS PROPOSAL.

NOT BECAUSE I DON'T APPRECIATE THE TREMENDOUS SERVICES THAT THE LIBRARY PROVIDES.

BUT THIS IS NOT THE WAY THAT I BELIEVE IS RESPONSIBLE BUDGETING.

IT'S NOT THE BEST WAY TO BE STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYER MONEY, AND IT'S NOT THE WAY THAT YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELVES THE BEST ABILITY TO MEET THE MOST VITAL NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO I WOULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND.

AGAIN, THIS IS NOT DO YOU LOVE LIBRARIES OR NOT? THIS IS ABOUT HOW DO WE FUND A VALUABLE SERVICE AMONG MANY VALUABLE SERVICES AND CRITICAL NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY? PLEASE GIVE YOURSELVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS FOR THE LIBRARY AND FOR ALL THE OTHER SERVICES WISELY, TO BE ABLE TO DO SO IN A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER, AND ULTIMATELY TO NOT TIE YOUR HANDS.

GIVE YOURSELVES THE ABILITY TO MEET THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. GARY CHAMBERS.

GARY HERE EARLIER? I DON'T KNOW. HEY.

GOOD EVENING. LET ME START BY SAYING I SUPPORT THE LIBRARY.

I THINK THAT MOST OF US HERE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF GREAT COMMENTARY ABOUT ALL OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY DOES.

I DO WANT TO ADDRESS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, THOUGH, AND I THINK I AS A CITIZEN, IF OUR MAYOR HAS EXPRESSED SOME THINGS THAT WE GET TO TELL YOU ALL HOW WE FEEL ABOUT THOSE THINGS AS THEY IMPACT US, BECAUSE THE MAYOR SUGGESTING TO BRING A SEPARATE PROPOSAL THAT WILL END UP ON THE BALLOT. THIS IS A PROPOSAL THAT'S GOING TO BE ON BE ON THE BALLOT AND I SUPPORT THIS ONE.

BUT THE MAYOR FLOATED OUT AN IDEA, SO MUCH SO THAT WE GOT POLICE LINING UP THE WALL ALL OVER THE ROOM ABOUT THEM GETTING A PAY RAISE.

[03:40:09]

MR. CHAMBERS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE LIBRARY.

HEY, ALL OF THEM AROUND THE ROOM. AND THIS IS ABOUT THE LIBRARY.

AND THEY'RE WELCOME TO COME SPEAK. THIS IS ABOUT THE LIBRARY. BECAUSE THE MAYOR MADE MENTION.

AND THE CONFUSION IN THIS IS IF WE END UP WITH TWO ITEMS ON THE BALLOT.

THAT'S A CONFUSION TO US, BECAUSE Y'ALL GOT US HERE TONIGHT.

OKAY. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S COMING FROM THE PLAN, FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, BUT THAT'S WHY ALL OF THESE FOLKS ARE HERE TONIGHT.

WHAT I THINK THE COUNCIL HAS AN OBLIGATION TO DO IS TO REJECT PROPOSALS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN LAID OUT TO US, AS CLEAR AS THE LIBRARY HAS TONIGHT. WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, I'M ON THE SUBJECT.

OKAY. THIS PROPOSAL? THIS PROPOSAL THAT THE LIBRARY GAVE VERY CLEARLY, TONIGHT IS A GOOD THING FOR US BECAUSE WE CAN ALL DIGEST IT.

WE CAN ALL ARTICULATE WHAT'S IN IT. WE CAN ALL SIZE IT UP AND SEE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT WE GOT A HYPOTHETICAL THING THAT GOT ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE ROOM, AND THEY MAY BE HERE JUST TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR MONEY, WHICH I UNDERSTAND, RIGHT. BUT THEIR PRESENCE INTIMIDATES THE LIBRARY FOLKS.

NOW, THEY MAY NOT COME UP TO THE MIC AND SAY THAT, BUT THERE ARE WOMEN IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT ARE INTIMIDATED BY THE FACT THAT POLICE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STAND IN EVERY CORNER OF THE ROOM IN A WAY THAT NO OTHER CITY PARISH EMPLOYEE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO.

[APPLAUSE] LAST POINT I'M GOING TO MAKE. IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT PAY RAISES IN THE FUTURE, I'LL BE BACK IN TWO WEEKS TOO, OR WHENEVER A MONTH.

WE GOT PEOPLE THAT MAKE $22,000 IN THIS GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE DONE GAVE THE POLICE 3 OR 4 PAY RAISES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT. THAT'S VIEWPOINT DISCRIMINATION. I'LL SUE Y'ALL. IT'S NOT. IT IS.

IT'S THE SAME THING. YOU DON'T GET TO TELL ME WHY I CAN SAY WHAT I FEEL ABOUT WHATEVER THE AGENDA ITEM IS.

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE FULL THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU, SIR. BUT YOU TOOK SOME OF MY TIME. I WANT TO YOU TO.

BACK. I'M GONNA TAKE IT. NOPE. SO MY POINT IS, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO BRING A PROPOSAL THAT IS CLEARLY ACTIVATED THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

YOU SHOULD HEAR FROM US, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT'S THE SUBJECT.

BECAUSE THE SUBJECT THAT EVERYBODY IN THIS COMMUNITY IS CONCERNED ABOUT IS WHAT Y'ALL ARE GOING TO DO WITH THE MONEY THAT WE'VE ALREADY ALLOCATED THAT PEOPLE SUPPORT.

AND NOBODY SHOULD FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU'RE SPEAKING TRUTH.

CLOSE IT. TRUTH ABOUT IT. THREE MINUTES. WHEN YOU'RE SPEAKING TRUTH ABOUT A DEPARTMENT THAT HAS HAD FEDERAL JUDGES RULE AGAINST THEM, WITHOUT A CHIEF OF POLICE TO COME FORWARD AND SAY HOW THEY'RE CHANGING THOSE THINGS.

OF COURSE, THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO SHOW UP FOR THE LIBRARY BECAUSE THE LIBRARY CONTINUES TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THEM.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAMBERS. [APPLAUSE] OKAY. BEFORE WE GO TO ANYBODY WHO DIDN'T FILL OUT.

I'M GOING TO NAME THE NAMES THAT DIDN'T SPEAK THAT I CALLED EARLIER, JUST IN CASE SOMEBODY DIDN'T HEAR AND WAS UPSTAIRS.

JOHN DAIGLE. DAVID LINDENFELD. SARA BONGIORNI.

BRANDY LUTHER. CAROLYN HILL AND HAROLD GREER.

OKAY. ANYBODY WISHING TO SPEAK WHO DID NOT FILL OUT A CARD OR FILL OUT ON HERE, PLEASE? YES, SIR. JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. POINT OF INFORMATION. CAN YOU GIVE OUR OFFICIAL TIME THAT THE MEETING HAS TO END? 08:04. Y'ALL CAN MAKE A MOTION TO EXTEND IT. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING NOW.

AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME I'D LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION. AND I'LL SECOND IT.

HALF HOUR. MAKE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING TO 8:34.

[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO EXTEND THE MEETING TO 8:34.

ANY OPPOSITION. OPPOSITION. COUNCILMAN MOAK. NO.

MOTION CARRIES. YES. MY NAME IS SONNY CRANCH.

I AM A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.

AND I THINK THE ISSUE TONIGHT EVERY ONE OF YOU, EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, I THINK, BELIEVES THAT WE GOT A PRETTY DAMN GOOD LIBRARY.

AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO BE. WELL, I'M GLAD WE ARE REMINDED OF IT, BUT THE FACT IS, IT'S A GOOD LIBRARY.

AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTED BY DEDICATED TAX AND OTHER PEOPLE.

THE VOTERS OF THE PARISH HAVE SAID WE DIDN'T IMPOSE THAT.

THEY SAID, TAX ME, I WANT TO PAY THIS MONEY FOR THIS LIBRARY.

AND THIS WAS PARISH WIDE AND THEY'VE DONE IT, HAD DONE IT THREE TIMES, AND NOW WE'RE ASKING FOR THEM TO APPROVE THIS TAX SELF-IMPOSED TAX FOR ANOTHER TEN YEARS. THIS IS THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY.

IT'S NOT THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE LIBRARY, BUT IT'S SUPPORTED BY VOTERS IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS PARISH.

[03:45:08]

BUT I VOTED FOR THIS TAX EVERY TIME, AND I KNOW OTHERS WOULD DO THE SAME THING.

SO GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE FOR OURSELVES IF WE WANT TO IMPOSE THIS TAX AGAIN ON OURSELVES, TO SUSTAIN WHAT IS THIS WONDERFUL LIBRARY SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN BUILT OVER THESE MANY YEARS AND CAN CONTINUE TO GROW, AND CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE EVERYONE IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS PARISH? THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? WELL, YES I AM.

OKAY, THANKS. I AM CAROLYN BROWN AND I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE IN A WHILE.

AND I LIVE ON HYACINTH AVENUE IN BATON ROUGE 70808.

I GIVE YOU A PROPOSITION. GO ON AND PUT THIS RECOMMENDATION ON THE BALLOT FOR THE PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR NEXT MARCH THE 12TH.

GET THE MAYOR'S PROPOSITION AND PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.

AND HAVE THE PEOPLE OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH VOTE ON WHICH ONE THEY WANT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. I HAVE TWO, PLEASE.

GOOD EVENING. I'M MELISSA FLOURNOY, AND I'M A LIBRARY PATRON.

AND I JUST WANTED TO END ON A VERY POSITIVE NOTE.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT, FOR YOUR CONSCIENCE, FOR YOUR LOVE OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, FOR YOUR LOVE OF THE LIBRARIES. I WANT TO WELCOME YOU AND SAY, PLEASE GO TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARIES.

YOU'VE GOT 15 TERRIFIC FACILITIES. I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO TRYING TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY.

BUT MOST OF ALL, I WANT TO END ON A HIGH NOTE AND SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE CITIZENS WHO CAME OUT TODAY TO EXPRESS THEIR RESPECT AND AFFECTION FOR THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF AT THE LIBRARIES, AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN LOCAL INVESTMENT IN A WORLD CLASS LIBRARY SYSTEM THAT IS PART OF OUR COMMUNITY STRUCTURE THAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.

THAT PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, FOR FAMILIES, FOR JOB SEARCH, FOR AS A COMMUNITY LOCATION, AS A RESOURCE FOR NONPROFITS. AND REALLY, ONE OF THE BEST THINGS WE HAVE GOING FOR US.

AND SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE HERE IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT A COMMUNITY INSTITUTION THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER, THAT IS REPRESENTED IN EACH AREA OF OUR EXTENDED PARISH, THAT'S INVESTED IN WORLD CLASS FACILITIES, THAT'S COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY, TO SAFETY, TO FAMILY, TO EDUCATION, IT'S THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY SYSTEM.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY TONIGHT WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND WE CERTAINLY HOPE YOU'LL UNDERSTAND THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT AND APPRECIATION FROM THE VOTERS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, WHO FOR 30 YEARS HAVE CONTINUED TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO INVEST IN A WORLD CLASS LIBRARY SYSTEM.

IT MAKES US SAFER. IT MAKES US BETTER. IT BRINGS US TOGETHER.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] HI, MY NAME IS LAUREN CANINE, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I SUPPORT LETTING US BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THIS IN OCTOBER.

I THINK WE SHOULD REWARD THE LIBRARIES ABILITY TO MANAGE THEIR OWN BUDGET AND DO IT WELL AND GIVE US A REALLY GOOD LIBRARY SYSTEM TO USE.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] HI. MY NAME IS MARCELLE DUFFAU BORDELON.

I AM A HOMEOWNER AND A LOUISIANA NATIVE IN DISTRICT 3 , AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT HOW I WHEN I LIVED OUT OF STATE FOR TWO YEARS. LIKE I SAID, LOUISIANA NATIVE WHEN I LIVED OUT OF STATE FOR TWO YEARS IN MADISON, WISCONSIN, I SAW THIS MAKES ME WANT TO CRY. I SAW A PROFOUND EFFECT THAT LIBRARIES HAD ON THE COMMUNITY THERE.

MADISON, WISCONSIN, UNTIL RECENTLY HAD SOME OF THE LOWEST CRIME RATES OF ANY CITY IN THE UNITED STATES.

[03:50:01]

IT WAS A CITY WHERE I SAW CHILDREN GATHER IN LIBRARIES, GATHER IN PARKS WITH THEIR FAMILIES, VERY TIGHT KNIT COMMUNITIES WHERE CHILDREN WERE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO DO ANYTHING FROM RENT VIDEO GAMES TO DVDS TO BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARIES.

THERE WAS A WHOLE BUS IN MADISON DEDICATED TO BRINGING CHILDREN TO LIBRARIES FOR THOSE KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS.

AND WHAT I WANTED TO SEE WHEN I MOVED BACK TWO YEARS AGO TO LOUISIANA IS BATON ROUGE THRIVE THE WAY THAT MADISON HAS, I WANTED TO SEE THE COMMUNITIES HERE THRIVE. I WANTED TO SEE CRIME LOWERED.

AND I DO NOT THINK THAT THE WAY THAT WE FIX THOSE PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE IN BATON ROUGE IS BY DEFUNDING THINGS LIKE THE LIBRARY.

I THINK THAT ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO SOCIAL SERVICES GOES A LONG WAY.

WE SEE IT IN CITIES LIKE MADISON. WE SEE IT IN CITIES LIKE HOUSTON THAT ARE FACING THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS AND HAVE LOWERED IT BY 67%.

AND I REALLY THINK THAT SOMETHING WE SHOULD DO IS FOCUS ON FUNDING THE LIBRARY, FUNDING SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND NOT DEFUNDING IT, BECAUSE WE SEE THAT IT WORKS AND YOU DON'T FIX SOMETHING THAT'S NOT BROKEN.

SO LET'S PLEASE NOT FIX SOMETHING THAT'S NOT BROKEN.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? CHIEF. EVENING, SIR. I'M NOT GOING TO BE LONG BECAUSE I WANT Y'ALL TO BE ABLE TO HAVE Y'ALL'S TIME.

COUPLE THINGS I DID WANT TO JUST CLARIFY. WE WERE OPEN FOR THE STORM.

WE WERE NOBODY CLOSED DOWN. I GOT TO GIVE MY OFFICERS, MANY OF WHOM CAME HERE ON THEIR TIME OFF.

THEY HAD TO ADJUST THEIR WORK LIVES, THEIR HOME LIVES, WORK ADJUSTED SHIFTS, WORK EXTRA SHIFTS TO MAN, THE 90 SOMETHING ROAD CLOSURES, TRANSPORT PEOPLE IN THE STORM, GO PICK PEOPLE UP THAT WERE STRANDED PROVIDE SECURITY FOR OUR SHELTERS AND MAN THE MOHSEP OPERATIONS CENTER. SO I GOT TO REALLY COMMEND THEM.

STANDING OVER THERE, A COUPLE OF THEM I HAD TO JOKE AROUND WITH THEM. THEY SAID, CHIEF, YOU GO THROUGH THIS EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY. SO THEY GOT A NEW APPRECIATION FOR WHAT I HAVE IN MY NEW JOB AS WELL. BUT I JUST WANTED TO THANK MY OFFICERS THAT ARE HERE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COME UP AND SPEAK TONIGHT, CHIEF.

TALKING ABOUT THE LIBRARY. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COME.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COME TALK TONIGHT. BUT I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT THE THINGS THAT WERE SAID EARLIER, I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU CHIEF. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? ALL RIGHT.

SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBERS .

COUNCILMAN HUDSON. WELL, FIRST, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT.

I'VE BEEN HERE EIGHT YEARS. I CAN ONLY THINK OF MAYBE 1 OR 2 TIMES WHERE THE CROWD HAS RIVALED WHAT WE HAVE HERE TONIGHT.

SO IT'S GREAT TO SEE THIS. IT'S PARTICULARLY GREAT TO SEE THIS WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A BUDGET ITEM.

IF YOU'VE EVER ATTENDED A COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING, YOU KNOW THAT THOSE AREN'T WELL ATTENDED.

YOU KNOW, ALMOST NOBODY SHOWS UP EXCEPT FOR MISS PENNY MAE.

SHE DOES COME. SO I'LL GIVE HER I'LL GIVE HER THAT CREDIT.

YOU KNOW, AND SO I THINK THAT FUNDAMENTALLY WHAT THE ISSUE FOR ME IS A BEST PRACTICE WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WE'VE SEEN IT.

WE'VE, LIKE ONE OF THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS SAID, WE SEE AT THE STATE LEVEL WHERE THE LACK OF FLEXIBILITY CAUSES ISSUES FOR US WHEN IT COMES BUDGET TIME. EVERYBODY KNOWS WE'RE DEALING WITH CUTS THIS YEAR FROM THE SAINT GEORGE & CORPORATION, AND WE'LL FEEL THE FULL BRUNT OF THOSE CUTS NEXT YEAR.

ACROSS OUR CITY PARISH DEPARTMENTS WE'VE SEEN ANYWHERE FROM 8 TO 12% CUTS.

AND THOSE COULD INCREASE IN THE FUTURE. WHEREAS AT THE LIBRARY OR WITH OUR DIFFERENT DEDICATED FUNDING REVENUE SOURCES WE DON'T SEE THOSE CUTS.

THEY DON'T SHARE IN THE BURDEN THAT THE REST OF THE CITY PARISH SEES BECAUSE THEY HAVE THAT DEDICATED REVENUE SOURCE.

THE OTHER THING THAT THOSE OTHER DEPARTMENTS DON'T ENJOY IS A CONSTITUENCY LIKE WE SEE HERE TONIGHT.

I CAN ONLY THINK OF ONE OTHER DEPARTMENT WITHIN CITY PARISH THAT HAS THIS TYPE OF A GROUP OF CONSTITUENTS THAT WOULD COME OUT AND ADVOCATE FOR THEM.

AND THEY ARE ALSO A DEDICATED REVENUE SOURCE.

SO I THINK AS FAR AS THE BEST PRACTICE GOES, WHAT WOULD BE BEST FOR OUR CITIZENS IS TO COME OUT AND ADVOCATE FOR THIS TYPE OF FUNDING LEVEL AT OUR BUDGET HEARINGS. RIGHT. HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS WHERE WE WEIGH THE NEEDS OF THE PARISH.

WE WEIGH THE PRIORITIES OF THE PARISH AND SEE HOW THE BUDGET SHOULD SHAPE OUT.

[03:55:03]

ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE AN UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATION TO HAVE HERE TONIGHT, IT IS A GOOD THING.

YOU KNOW, I WILL SAY THERE WAS THE LAST SPEAKER REALLY BROUGHT UP A GOOD POINT ABOUT MADISON, WISCONSIN. I DID JUST A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH. SO, YOU KNOW, WE'LL HAVE TO CHECK THESE NUMBERS.

BUT AS I UNDERSTAND IT, MADISON, WISCONSIN HAS AN ANNUAL BUDGET FOR LIBRARIES OF ABOUT 20 MILLION WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 280,000.

WE HAVE A 60 PLUS MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET FOR LIBRARIES WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 470,000.

SO YOU CAN DO THAT MATH. PER CAPITA, WE ARE FUNDING OUR LIBRARIES AT A MUCH HIGHER DEGREE THAN MADISON, WISCONSIN, AND I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE CURRENT MILLAGE MAY NEED SOME TWEAKING.

I'M NOT TOTALLY SOLD ON THE IDEA OF HAVING TO COMPLETELY UNDEDICATE.

ALTHOUGH I THINK THAT, AGAIN, THAT IS A BEST PRACTICE.

BUT WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT THIS MILLAGE, AND WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT ADDRESSING SHORTFALLS WITHIN CITY PARISH PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO FIRST RESPONDERS AND SOME OTHER ISSUES WITHIN CITY PARISH.

SO I'D JUST LEAVE THAT AS FOOD FOR THOUGHT. I WILL MAKE A COMMITMENT THAT MY HOPE IS THAT EVERYONE COMES TO THE TABLE AND PARTICIPATES IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING AND FINDING A GOOD PATH FORWARD. BUT THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US COMING TO THE TABLE AND HAVING A REAL EARNEST DISCUSSION AND ALL PARTICIPATING IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE A PLAN THAT CAN ULTIMATELY WIN VOTER APPROVAL.

SO THANK YOU. COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN GAUDET. THANK YOU MUCH.

I'M GOING TO GO A LITTLE FASTER THAN NORMAL BECAUSE I WANT MY COLLEAGUES TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY. I THANK ALL THE SPEAKERS.

FIRST, I WANT TO I WANT TO DRAW OUT OF THAT CROWD, THOUGH.

MR. MATTHEW ASH MS. SYDNEY TWEED, WHO WERE HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND THE BEAUTIFUL MISS VALENTINA HERNANDEZ, WHO WAS THE FIRST GRADER. YOU ALL ARE THE THE REASON WE SHOULD BE HAVING THESE CRITICAL DEBATES IN OUR COMMUNITY SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS COMMUNITY WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY AND MAKE YOUR CAREER. SO I APPRECIATE THAT. THEY CAME AND SPOKE TONIGHT.

I'LL RESPECTFULLY CORRECT MR. WINCE WHO I KNOW FROM THE LIBRARIES.

I HAD SOME NEIGHBORS WHO GOT A LITTLE TOO ENJOYMENT IN THE SNOW BY PULLING A CANOE BEHIND THEIR VEHICLE.

AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID SHOW UP AND AND SO DID THE POLICE AND OUR EMS PERSONNEL AS WELL.

SO I DEFINITELY THANK THEM FOR THEIR CONTINUED THEY ALWAYS SHOW UP FOR US.

BUT LISTEN, LET US NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF MAKING THIS A BINARY CHOICE.

I'LL ECHO THE COMMENTS OF MR. CUMMINGS. WE SHOULDN'T SAY IT'S EITHER OR.

WE SHOULDN'T LOOK TO PUBLIC SAFETY OR LIBRARIES.

A GREAT COMMUNITY WILL FIND A WAY TO DO BOTH.

WE NEED TO DO THAT. ON THE FLIP SIDE, I THANK THE MAYOR FOR STARTING THIS CONVERSATION.

WE NEED TO HAVE IT IN THIS COMMUNITY. YOU ALL HAVE PROVEN WE CAN DO IT VERY RESPECTFULLY, BUT WE HAVE PRIORITIES IN THIS COMMUNITY, FROM A COMMUNITY THAT HAS FLOODED AND FROM A COMMUNITY THAT SUFFERS FROM TRAFFIC.

WE HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. 20 YEARS AGO, THIS COMMUNITY ELEVATED ITS PARKS.

30 YEARS AGO, THIS COMMUNITY ELEVATED ITS LIBRARIES.

AND BY THAT, I MEAN THAT'S WHERE WE PUT OUR MONEY.

HAD WE ELEVATED INFRASTRUCTURE 20 YEARS AGO TO BE A PRIORITY, WE'D BE LIVING IN A DIFFERENT COMMUNITY.

WE WOULDN'T HAVE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE IN SOUTH LOUISIANA.

SO I THINK THIS IS A WORTHY CONVERSATION TO HAVE.

TO MISS BENTLEY'S POINT, WHEN SHE CAME AND SPOKE, WE NEED TO DISCERN AS A COMMUNITY WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE.

AND THAT MAY BE SOME SHARED RESOURCES AMONGST THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED WHOLEHEARTEDLY IN THE PAST.

JUST FOR THE CROWD, WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO SOME OF THE MOTIONS ON THIS THING.

I DON'T NORMALLY DO MY POSITION ON THINGS, BUT I'M GOING TO ASK AND SUPPORT A DEFERRAL OF THIS ITEM.

IT'S MY HOPE WE CAN PUT IT ON THE SAME MARCH 12TH MEETING THAT THE MAYOR'S ITEM COMES UP AND OVER THE NEXT 30 DAYS, CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS VERY IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

IF SEVEN VOTES IS NOT OBTAINED TO DEFER IT, SOMEONE ELSE WILL MAKE ANOTHER MOTION.

I WILL SAY I WILL NOT NOT SUPPORT A DELETION OF THIS ITEM.

IF THAT GETS SEVEN VOTES, THEN THAT IS THE WILL OF THIS COUNCIL.

I WILL NOT SUPPORT THAT AT ALL. BEYOND THAT, IF NEITHER OF THOSE GAINED SEVEN VOTES, JUST SO YOU FOLKS KNOW, THEN IT'S KIND OF OPEN SEASON TO SEE WHAT THE COUNCIL WANTS TO DO.

SOMEONE COULD ASK TO PASS IT. SOMEONE COULD ASK TO GO BACK TO DEFERRAL.

WE'LL GET INTO THOSE VOTES AS WE NEED TO TAKE THEM.

BUT IT'S SEVEN. SEVEN IS THE NUMBER TO DO ANYTHING TONIGHT.

SO YOU ALL HAVE SHOWN WE CAN HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

I WANT TO THANK YOU. AGAIN, I WILL SAY I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION IN MARCH.

[04:00:05]

AND I THINK YOUR INPUT CONTINUES OVER THE NEXT 30 DAYS TO BE VERY CRITICAL.

AND BEYOND THAT, BUT ESPECIALLY OVER THE NEXT 30 DAYS.

SO THANK YOU ALL FOR SHOWING UP TONIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THE EMAILS YOU'VE SENT, FOR THE PHONE CALLS YOU'VE MADE, FOR THE TEXT MESSAGES YOU'VE SENT FOR COMING UP HERE TILL 8:30 AT NIGHT.

AND HOPEFULLY WE WAIVE PARKING TONIGHT. GOODNESS GRACIOUS WE SHOULDN'T CHARGE PEOPLE TO COME TO A PUBLIC MEETING.

[APPLAUSE] OKAY. SORRY, THAT WAS NOT. THAT WAS NOT A CLAP LINE.

SORRY. SORRY. DIDN'T WASN'T TRYING TO DO THAT.

SO, COUNCILMAN, ARE YOU MAKING THAT MOTION? IF YOU WILL.

I'LL SECOND IT. I'LL MAKE IT AN ORDINANCE THAT WE DON'T CHARGE PEOPLE TO COME TO A PUBLIC MEETING. [APPLAUSE]. NO, NOT THAT MEETING. THE DEFERRAL. I'LL INTRODUCE IT AT THE NEXT MEETING. [LAUGHTER] THE DEFERRAL? IS THAT A MOTION OR NOT? OH, AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMAN HARRIS.

OKAY. I HAVE A UNIQUE POSITION UP HERE BECAUSE I'M ON THE LIBRARY BOARD AS WELL.

AND I HAD THE SAME MINDSET THAT Y'ALL HAD, LIKE, OH, MY GOD, IT'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY.

IT'S A BIG POT OF GOLD OVER THERE. AND THEN I REALIZED THAT THEY WERE THE MOST FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AGENCY IN ALL OF CITY PARISH.

[APPLAUSE] SAVING ONE YEAR SO THAT YOU CAN SPEND THE NEXT.

NOT CREATING DEBT SERVICES SO THAT IT CREATES A RESPONSIBILITY ON A TAXPAYER TO FIND A WAY TO PAY THOSE SERVICES I'S HOW WE ALL WANT TO LIVE AT OUR HOMES, NOT JUST IN CITY PARISH, RIGHT? EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT BEING DEBT FREE, RIGHT? THE LIBRARY HAS ACHIEVED THAT BECAUSE OF THAT LEVEL OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.

ALSO, IF WE SAID, HEY, ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS WERE 4.0 SCHOOLS, BUT WE HAD OTHER GAPS IN CITY PARISH WHERE WE TAKE THE FUNDING AWAY FROM THE RESOURCES THAT EDUCATES US.

THE ANSWER'S NO. AND THAT'S WHAT THE LIBRARY DOES. AND PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS SEE THAT. YOU KNOW, I'M SO GLAD WE HAVE SO MANY POLICE OFFICERS AROUND THE ROOM TODAY, BECAUSE IT GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT LEADS TO THEM HAVING TO ARREST PEOPLE, WHICH ARE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF CRIME.

AND THE NUMBER ONE IS LACK OF LITERACY, LACK OF COMPREHENSION.

BUT GUESS WHAT HAPPENS AT THE LIBRARY? THEY CLOSE THAT GAP.

SO IF YOU WANT MORE CRIMINALS IN OUR COMMUNITY, THEN WE TAKE FUNDING AWAY FROM THE LIBRARY.

AND THEN WE CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE NO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, FOR HOMELESSNESS TO NOT HAVE WRAPAROUND SERVICES, TO TAKE THEM FROM HOME TO HOME, AND TO TAKE AWAY AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE KIDS DON'T PLAY OUTSIDE ANYMORE.

SO WHERE ARE THEY GOING? EXACTLY. THEY'RE GOING TO THE LIBRARY.

SO WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN MY HISTORY ON THE COUNCIL.

IS THAT SOMETIMES WE PASS JUDGMENT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T DIRECTLY AFFECT US.

AND LIKE, AS I WAS TALKING, AS MY COLLEAGUES STARTED TALKING AND SHE TALKED ABOUT THEY'RE PLAYING SPORTS.

SPORTS IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY'S NOT COORDINATED.

I'M JUST TELLING YOU, THE ARTS ARE A LOST PIECE.

GUESS WHAT HAPPENS AT THE LIBRARY. THE ARTS. SO EVERYBODY DOESN'T WANT TO KICK A BALL OR KICK THE CAN DOWN THE STREET.

EVERYBODY DOESN'T WANT TO PLAY A VIDEO GAME. BUT THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WERE SAID TODAY THAT ARE JUST NOT TRUE.

THERE WAS NEVER A MISS OVER-TAXATION OF $114 MILLION.

LET ME BE VERY CLEAR. THAT WAS OUR OPERATING BUDGET THE YEAR BEFORE THAT WAS USED THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

THERE'S NOT $114 MILLION SURPLUS. THERE'S THE MONEY THIS YEAR THAT'S WAITING TO BE USED IN 2026.

SO WE TALK ABOUT LITERACY RATES. I'M ON THE BOARD FOR ONE REASON.

I WANT NORTH BATON ROUGE'S HOUSEHOLD MEDIAN INCOMES TO GO UP.

AND AS YOUR CITY COUNCILMAN, THE WAY THAT I CHOSE TO DO THAT WAS TO BE A PART OF THIS LIBRARY BOARD, BECAUSE I KNEW THAT IF LITERACY RATES WENT UP AND COMPREHENSION RATES WENT UP, THEN WE'D HAVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

IF WE HAVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THEN WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY EDUCATION, RIGHT? AND WITH EDUCATION CRIME GOES DOWN. HOUSEHOLD MEDIAN COMES UP, HOPE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES CHANGE.

SO THE LIBRARY SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE'RE ON BOARD WITH THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO GO IN THE DEPTHS OF ZION CITY SO THAT THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T COME TO THE LIBRARY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE LIBRARY TO THEM. Y'ALL PLEASE GIVE MY COLLEAGUES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR VOTING FOR THAT PLEASE.

[04:05:02]

THEY CARE ABOUT ALL PARTS OF TOWN. AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HAVE HOUSEHOLDS WHERE THE PARENTS ARE UNEDUCATED, THEY DON'T SEE THE VALUE IN THE RESOURCES THAT ARE OFFERED.

WELL, THE LIBRARY SAID WE WANT TO BRING A RESOURCE TO THEM.

RIGHT NOW WE TALK ABOUT WHERE WE SHINE. WE SHINE A LIBRARY BUT WE'RE NUMBER FIVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TOTEM POLE FOR LITERACY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

BUT LIKE YOU SAID, OUR SCORES HAVE IMPROVED FOR FOURTH GRADERS BECAUSE OF WHAT? THE LIBRARY SYSTEMS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE. AND IF WE TAKE THE FUNDING AWAY, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK FROM FIVE TO 4 TO 3 TO 2 TO 1 AND NOT ON THE GOOD SIDE OF IT.

SO I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE DEFERRAL TONIGHT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS GO BACK AND DISCUSS WAYS THAT WE CAN ADVOCATE BETTER SO THAT MY COLLEAGUES UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN'T GET THE SEVEN VOTES. THANK YOU EVERYBODY.

I JUST WANT TO LET Y'ALL KNOW IF YOU DO HAVE A TICKET FOR THE PARKING GARAGE. THERE WAS AN EVENT AT THE RIVER CENTER AND THEY DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS A COUNCIL MEETING.

YOU WILL HAVE THAT REFUNDED. YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE AFTER 10 A.M.

TOMORROW TO THE OFFICE OF THE PARKING GARAGE.

IF YOU'RE WILLING TO DO IT, IT WILL BE REFUNDED.

SO. COUNCILMAN KENNEY. ALL RIGHT. SO ONE OF THE THINGS Y'ALL GOING TO HEAR A LOT FROM ME OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FOUR YEARS IS HOLISTIC AND COLLABORATION. AS WE LOOK AT BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND OUR FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE METRO COUNCIL ASPECT AND THE ASPECT, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE FIND COLLABORATION.

MY CHALLENGE TO HIS ADMINISTRATION I WOULD LOVE FOR US TO HAVE COMMUNITY MEETINGS AROUND THIS CONVERSATION, AND I WOULD LOVE FOR US TO HAVE COMMUNITY MEETINGS WITHIN THE LIBRARIES IN OUR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE TONIGHT YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO COME HERE MISINFORMED, BUT THOSE COMMUNITY MEETINGS FILL THE GAP IN THIS PROCESS.

AND SO, COACH MY BIGGEST THING IN CHATTING TO YOU ALL AS ADMINISTRATION, LET'S FIND A MIDDLE GROUND.

RIGHT. I KNOW THE LIBRARY UNDERSTANDS FISCALLY WHERE WE'RE AT AS A CITY PARISH.

AND I BELIEVE OTHER ENTITIES WITHIN CITY PARISH UNDERSTAND WHERE WE'RE AT FISCALLY AS WELL. AND SO WE NEED NOT ALSO JUST HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH THE LIBRARY, BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT EVERY DEPARTMENT THAT GETS A MILLAGE AND SAY, HEY, WE'RE IN THE SITUATION CITY PARISH GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW, AND WE NEED TO COME A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SAY EVERYBODY NEEDS TO PUT IN A PIECE OF THE PIE TO ENSURE WE GET THIS SHIP BACK RIGHT.

AND SO MY CHALLENGE TO THE METRO COUNCIL, MY CHALLENGE TO MY COLLEAGUES, MY CHALLENGE TO THE LIBRARY, LIKE WE HAVE TO GET THIS RIGHT BECAUSE OUR LIBRARIES ARE ACCESS POINTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

WHEN I DRIVE DOWN [INAUDIBLE] HIGHWAY ONE OF THE PILLARS AND ACCESS POINTS IN SCOTLANDVILLE, LOUISIANA IS THE SCOTLANDVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY. [APPLAUSE] ONE OF THE ACCESS POINTS IN BAKER, LOUISIANA IS THE BAKER LIBRARY. AND SO WE HAVE TO ALSO AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE TRYING TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SAFEGUARDING THESE, PILLARS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO MY CHALLENGE TO BOTH OF OUR ADMINISTRATIONS IS TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN FIND A GOOD MIDDLE GROUND, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THESE RESOURCES IN THESE COMMUNITIES.

I CAN SPEAK IN DISTRICT 2 . YOU KNOW, OUR LITERACY LEVELS AIN'T THE BEST.

BUT OUR LIBRARIES FILL THAT GAP. AND I ALSO KNOW AT THE SAME TIME, FOR US, WE HAVE TO ENSURE WE FILL THE GAP TO ENSURE OUR CITY PARISH CAN RUN EFFICIENTLY.

BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PROACTIVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THIS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE PROACTIVE CONVERSATIONS NOT AT THE METRO COUNCIL MEETING, BUT AT THESE COMMUNITY MEETINGS WHERE THE MAYORAL OFFICE, THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE LIBRARIES AND THESE ENTITIES ARE HAVING COLLABORATIVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THIS TOPIC AND ISSUE.

THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. THANK YOU. LET ME FIRST SAY I SUPPORT EVALUATING OR REEVALUATING OUR MILLAGES AS THEY STAND. OUR PRIORITIES TODAY ARE NOT THE PRIORITIES THAT WE HAD 10, 15, 20 YEARS AGO. SO I SUPPORT THAT. HOWEVER, MY PROBLEM WITH THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS NOT THE WHAT IT HAS BEEN THE HOW.

IN MY OPINION WE NEED TO BRING THE LIBRARY AND OTHER ENTITIES, OTHER MILLAGE HOLDERS TO THE TABLE AND HAVE A COLLABORATIVE, INCLUSIVE CONVERSATION ABOUT THOSE PRIORITIES THAT WAS MENTIONED.

WE ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.

WE HAVE NEEDS. AND I THINK WITH MY CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH LEADERSHIP FROM THESE MILLAGE HOLDERS THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO COME TO THE TABLE AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, BUT MANY OF THEM FEEL LIKE THEY HAD NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO THE TABLE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION IN A DETAILED WAY, IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY, AND BEING A PART OF THE PROCESS.

AGAIN, THIS DON'T NEED TO HAPPEN TO THE LIBRARY OR TO A MILLAGE HOLDER.

IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN WITH THEM IN COLLABORATION, IN PARTNERSHIP.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO. THAT'S THE PATH FORWARD. WE NEED TO MOVE.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS IN THE SPIRIT OF BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING, EVERY PIE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. AND I THINK LEADERSHIP HAS THAT UNDERSTANDING.

LEADERSHIP HAS COMMUNICATED TO ME THAT THEY HAVE THAT UNDERSTANDING AND THEY WANT TO HAVE A SIT DOWN WITH THE ADMINISTRATION,

[04:10:02]

COUNCILWOMAN RACCA AND I STARTED DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE THE LAST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR AND EXPLORING SOME POSSIBILITIES BECAUSE WE KNEW THIS DAY WAS COMING, WHERE THIS CONVERSATION WOULD COME TO A HEAD.

AND WE REACHED OUT TO SOME OF OUR MILLAGE HOLDERS TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THAT AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT LOOKING AT SOME MILLAGE REDUCTION PLANS AND LOOK AT SOME RESHIFTING OF PRIORITIES. AND IF YOU COULD JUST TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT, ABOUT, IS THIS POSSIBLE, LOOKING AT THE MILLAGE HOLISTICALLY THE THREE THAT ARE UNDER OUR FINANCIAL AUTHORITY AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT.

SURE. SO THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD DEALT WITH THE THERE ARE FIVE TAXES THAT ARE FOR WHICH THE PARISH AND THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL IS BOTH THE TAXING AUTHORITY AND THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY.

AND WITH RESPECT TO THOSE TAXES BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD WAS THE PRIOR RENEWAL OF THE LIBRARY BY ANALOGY, WAS AT 11.1 MILLS. THEY'RE CURRENTLY LEVYING 9.89 MILLS, OR THEY DID IN 2024.

IT IS POSSIBLE AND IT IS LEGALLY AVAILABLE TO ATTEMPT TO RENEW THAT TAX AT 11.1 MILLS, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT A PORTION OF IT WOULD BE REDEDICATED FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE CITY PARISH, WHILE STILL ALLOWING THE LIBRARY TO CONTINUE TO LEVY THE TAX AT 9.89 MILLS.

SO THAT WOULD BE AN OPTION FOR ALL TAXES THAT FOR WHICH, AGAIN, THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL IS BOTH THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY AND THE TAXING AUTHORITY.

AND TALK ABOUT OUR APPROACH WITH THOSE WHO WE ARE NOT THE GOVERNING AND TAXING AUTHORITY.

ALL RIGHT. SO THE TWO THAT WE DISCUSSED WERE BREC AND CATS.

AND WITH RESPECT TO THOSE TWO, THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME TO THE TABLE AND THEN AGREE AND COMMIT THAT IF THEY WERE THAT THE AMOUNT FOR WHICH THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED TO RENEW AT THEIR AT THE PRIOR ELECTION THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEEK TO RENEW ABOVE THAT AMOUNT, BUT CONTINUE TO LEVY AT THE CURRENT AMOUNT FOR WHICH THEY ARE LEVYING.

AND THEN PUBLICLY, THE COUNCIL AND EVERYBODY INVOLVED WOULD NEED TO IDENTIFY TO THE VOTERS THAT THE IDEA IS TO REMAIN TAX NEUTRAL. THANK YOU. THAT'S THE KIND OF HOLISTIC APPROACH THAT WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING.

ALL STAKEHOLDERS COMING TO THE TABLE AND HAVE A COLLABORATIVE CONVERSATION ON HOW WE CAN SOLVE THIS TOGETHER.

FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I WON'T GO INTO TOO MUCH MORE DEPTH, BUT I WILL SAY IS, I APPRECIATE ALL OUR TAXING AUTHORITIES, WHICH I FEEL ALL OF THEM HAVE BEEN FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

ALL OF THEM, AND SOME OF THEM HAVE EVEN PRODUCED SOME ASSETS THAT ARE REVENUE GENERATING THAT THEY DON'T RELY ON TAXES ANYMORE.

SO I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF THEM FOR THE CONVERSATION, FOR THE COLLABORATION AND THE WORK YOU DO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN RACCA. THANK YOU.

SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT AND OUT AND SHARING YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH US.

I'M GOING TO SHARE MINE. MY FIVE YEAR OLD'S FAVORITE BOOK IS PETE THE CAT.

HE LISTENS TO IT ON LIBBY, AND LIBBY READS IT TO HIM ON OCCASION.

AND I GO TO BED SOMETIMES SINGING, PETE, THE CAT'S A REAL GROOVY DUDE.

[LAUGHTER] SO OUR FAVORITE LIBRARY CURRENTLY IS THE BLUEBONNET LIBRARY, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE ROUZAN LIBRARY, THE SOUTHSIDE LIBRARY, WILL BE OPENING SOON. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF NICETIES HERE TONIGHT.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION AND YOU'VE SHARED YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

BUT ONE THING THAT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO, AND NOW THIS DEFERRAL GIVES US TIME FOR EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU TO GO AND DO IS ASK, WHY ARE WE HERE? WHY ARE WE HERE? WHY ARE WE ASKING FOR LIBRARY DOLLARS? WHAT NECESSITATED THAT CONVERSATION? I SEE WE HAVE A QUIET AUDIENCE.

THAT CONVERSATION IS A CONVERSATION EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US NEED TO HAVE THE EVALUATION AS TO WHY WE'RE HERE,

[04:15:02]

IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE YOUR MILLAGE ON THE BALLOT, AND ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS SO ELOQUENTLY PUT IT THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE BOTH OF THESE ON THE BALLOT. WELL, I'VE BEEN TOLD BY OUR ATTORNEY, OUR BOND ATTORNEY THAT THAT CAN'T BE DONE.

THAT WAS A GREAT IDEA. THANK YOU FOR THAT. BUT IT CANNOT BE DONE.

SO WHEN YOU SIT HERE AND YOU'RE ASKING, WHAT DOES OUR FUTURE LOOK LIKE? WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE FOR OUR CHILDREN THAT USE THE LIBRARY? WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE FOR OUR STUDENTS, OUR ARE FOLKS THAT ARE IN COLLEGE THAT ARE USING AND UTILIZING THESE RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN EXCELLENTLY FUNDED AND MAINTAINED.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE TEN YEARS FROM NOW? FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? AND WHY ARE WE HERE? AND THAT CONVERSATION MAY NOT BE GERMANE TO HAVE TONIGHT, BUT WE'VE BEEN AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO LOOK AT. AND YOU HOLDING YOUR LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE.

ALL 12 OF US THAT SIT UP HERE TODAY AND SAY WE DO OR DO NOT SUPPORT THIS MILLAGE.

AND HERE IS WHY. BUT DID WE SUPPORT THE THING THAT GOT US TO THE $60 MILLION DEFICIT? THOSE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE.

THAT'S THE TRANSPARENCY THAT WE NEED TO HAVE WITH OUR LEADERS.

AND THEN WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AS TO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE AND HOW DO WE GET THERE.

WHAT IS THAT VESSEL? BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE DONE.

IT IS A TOUGH CONVERSATION THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TONIGHT.

IT IS A TOUGH CONVERSATION THAT NO ONE SPOKE TO AS TO WHY WE ARE HERE, AND THAT IS A VERY INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT ELEMENT AS TO WHY WE ALL SIT HERE TODAY SHARING OUR STORIES ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO US, WHAT WE'VE SUCCEEDED AT, WHAT WE'VE BEEN FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE DOING.

BUT THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A DEFICIENCY. AND THIS DEFICIENCY DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.

IT'S BEEN COMING. WE'VE BEEN AWARE OF IT. COUNCILMAN DUNN AND I HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY SINCE THE END OF THE LAST QUARTER IN 2024 TO TRY TO FIND AND GO AND MAKE UP REVENUE THAT HAS BEEN LOST.

WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING. WE KNEW MORE BUDGET CUTS WERE COMING.

WE HAD THOSE IDEAS. WE HAD THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

WE WENT OUT AND SOUGHT MONEY FROM PRIVATE ENTITIES.

WE WENT AND LOOKED AT FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS TO GET MONEY THAT WAS LEFT ON THE TABLE.

AND NOW HERE WE ARE TALKING TO YOU ABOUT THIS MILLAGE, TALKING TO TAXPAYERS ABOUT WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.

DISTRICT 12, ALL OF MY CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT, WHEN YOU TURN YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILLS OVER AND YOU LOOK TO WHAT YOU PAY FOR, THESE THINGS THAT ARE GREAT, THESE THINGS THAT ARE FUNDED, THIS BURDEN IS COMING BACK TO YOU.

THIS BURDEN IS COMING BACK TO THE FOLKS WITHIN THE CITY.

IT'S COMING. AND WE CAN ALL SIT HERE AND DECIDE HOW WE WANT IT TO LOOK AND HOW WE WANT IT TO BE FUNDED.

BUT THE IMPORTANT QUESTION THAT I'M ASKING YOU BEFORE YOU COME HERE TO US THE NEXT TIME BEFORE WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING, I NEED YOU AS CITIZENS, AS EDUCATED CITIZENS TO RESEARCH THE WHY.

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THAT CONVERSATION WITH ALL OF YOU.

COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. [INAUDIBLE] NO, MA'AM. NO, MA'AM.

PUBLIC COMMENT IS OVER. COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SO I'LL MAKE MINE AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE.

MY MOM WAS A LIBRARIAN, AND I GREW UP IN A CITY THAT DIDN'T HAVE A LIBRARY.

THE NEAREST LIBRARY. WELL, WE HAD IT LATER ON, BUT WHEN I WAS YOUNG.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO THE LIBRARY WITH YOUR MOM EVERY WEEK. WE DIDN'T HAVE A LIBRARY.

THERE WAS A LIBRARY IN VESTAVIA HILLS WHERE MY MOTHER HAD HELPED, ACTUALLY SET UP THAT LIBRARY, HELPED CREATE THAT LIBRARY. AND I THINK ABOUT IT EVERY SINGLE TIME I COME INTO THIS BUILDING, BECAUSE THE DOORS THAT ARE ON THE FRONT OF THIS BUILDING AND IN THE BASEMENT ARE THE EXACT SAME DOORS THAT WERE ON THE LIBRARY THAT I GREW UP GOING TO.

MY SON IS AN AVID READER IN FIRST GRADE. SECOND GRADE, I DON'T REMEMBER HE WAS LIKE MOM, LIKE MISS CANIZARO, THE SCHOOL LIBRARIAN. LIKE SHE'S MY BEST FRIEND.

SO EVERYTHING Y'ALL TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT HAS CERTAINLY BEEN MY EXPERIENCE AND MY FAMILY'S EXPERIENCE.

AND I'VE PROVIDED THE SAME CHILDHOOD, THE SAME GROWING UP EXPERIENCES AS MANY OF YOU HAVE PROVIDED FOR YOUR FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

I DIDN'T GROW UP IN A CITY THAT HAD A LIBRARY.

IT DOES NOW, BUT I DID GROW UP IN A CITY THAT HAD SOME OF THE BEST FUNDED POLICE IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, MY FRIENDS, OTHER KIDS THEY DIED OF CAR WRECKS, CHRONIC DISEASES OR SUICIDE. THEY DID NOT DIE BECAUSE A BULLET CAME THROUGH THEIR HOUSE AND STRUCK THEM WHILE THEY WERE SLEEPING IN THEIR BED.

[04:20:09]

THAT'S NOT HOW KIDS DIED WHEN I WAS GROWING UP.

WE LIVE IN A VERY DIFFERENT WORLD. AND I WISH OH MY GOSH, I WISH I WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK TO THE 70S AND 80.

IT SEEMS LIKE THINGS WERE MUCH MORE SIMPLE. BUT THAT'S NOT WHERE WE ARE.

AND I AGREED TO LEAD IN THIS TIME. AND THAT HAS SOME REALLY HARD DECISIONS AND SOME REALLY HARD CHOICES AND SOME REALLY HARD CONVERSATIONS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS, THE PEOPLE THAT SIT BEHIND US OVER HERE, I'M NOT SURE WHO ALL IS BACK THERE TONIGHT, BUT BUT NORMALLY THESE ARE ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS IN CITY PARISH.

AND LET ME TELL YOU, THESE ARE SOME OF THE FINEST HUMAN BEINGS YOU COULD EVER MEET.

EVERY YEAR, IF THEY HAVE LESS MONEY AND THEY STILL FIND A WAY, WE EMAIL THEM.

WE CALL THEM, WE TEXT THEM. WE ARE CONSTANTLY SEEKING TO GET POTHOLES FILLED AND ROADS FIXED, AND CANALS THAT HAVE EROSION DRAINAGE CANALS CLEANED OUT.

THESE DEPARTMENT HEADS BACK HERE DESPERATELY WANT TO PROVIDE THE CITIZENS WITH THE SERVICES THEY NEED SO THAT NOT JUST OUR LIBRARIES OR OUR PARKS ARE THE CROWN JEWELS. WHAT IF OUR STREETS WERE THE CROWN JEWELS? WHAT IF OUR ALL OF OUR TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND ALL OF OUR STREET LIGHTS? AND WHAT IF. WHAT IF OUR CANALS WERE ALL CLEANED OUT.

WHAT IF AND WHAT IF KIDS WERE NOT STUDYING FOR A TEST? AND I HAVE SOME THIS HAPPENED TO IN MY DISTRICT, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WATER RUSHED IN AND THE YOUNG LADY WAS ON HER MATTRESS WITH HER BOOKS LAID OUT AROUND HER, STUDYING FOR A TEST, AND THE WATER IS RISING IN HER BEDROOM.

AND THEN THIS KID IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT LIKE, I MEAN, I REALLY NEED TO STUDY FOR MY TEST, BUT LIKE, I THINK MY MATTRESS IS GOING TO FLOAT. I'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. THESE ARE SOME OF THE CHOICES THAT WE ARE FACED WITH IN THIS COMMUNITY.

IT'S HARD. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

AND I DO NOT FEEL LIKE WALKING OUT OF HERE TONIGHT WITH THIS PROPOSAL STILL SITTING ON THE TABLE IS THE RIGHT CHOICE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY. AND SO AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, MISTER MAYOR PRO TEM, I MOVE TO DELETE THIS ITEM. COUNCILMAN MOAK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LOOK TO MY TO THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

I'M GOING TO GET RIGHT BACK TO YOU. BUT TO MY COLLEAGUES, YOU KNOW, OVER THE LAST WEEK EVERYBODY HAS BEEN SCRAMBLING FOR INFORMATION.

EVERYBODY HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR INFORMATION. EVERYBODY HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE THIS WHOLE BUT I GOT TO GIVE IT UP TO COUNCILWOMAN RACCA AND COUNCILMAN DUNN.

THEY HAVE REALLY DUG DEEP INTO THIS, AND I KNOW THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT A LONG TIME.

AND I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH Y'ALL DOING THAT, BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS INFORMATION THAT WE ALL KNOW COMES FROM WHAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE AND A POSSIBLE PLAN FORWARD TO WHERE WE CAN THIS COUNCIL CAN WORK WITH ADMINISTRATION TOGETHER, COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR BATON ROUGE, JUST LIKE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT Y'ALL TALKED. I DO WANT TO SAY TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND THE MAYOR'S ADMINISTRATION, YOU KNOW, IT TAKES A LOT TO COME UP WITH A BOLD INITIATIVE LIKE THIS AND TO PUT THESE ITEMS ON THE TABLE AND, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY RIGHT OFF THE BAT LIKE THIS.

BUT BUT YOU DID. AND HERE WE ARE TODAY TRYING TO MOVE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH FORWARD AND TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE LAST THINGS THAT WE HAD DISCUSSED AT THE LAST WHEN I INTRODUCED WAS ANALYZING ALL DIFFERENT TASKS, ALL DIFFERENT TAXING AUTHORITIES IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE FORWARD WITH THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE TAXING AUTHORITY, NOT JUST THE LIBRARY.

I THINK THERE ARE PRIORITIES THAT HAVE CHANGED.

I THINK THERE ARE TIMES THAT LOOK DIFFERENT. BUT I ALSO THINK TO THE PUBLIC, BASED ON Y'ALL'S COMMENT Y'ALL'S COMMENTS, THAT YOU HAVE MADE YOUR STRONG SUPPORT OF EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON.

I THINK THERE IS A WAY THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK AND WE CAN SATISFY EVERYONE.

WE CAN SATISFY ALL THE NEEDS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, WE CAN SATISFY THE NEEDS OF THE LIBRARY.

THERE'S SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE, AND WE'RE SO CLOSE TO GETTING IT DONE.

AT THIS POINT, I'D LIKE TO CALL UP MS. KATRINA.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD LOTS OF DISCUSSIONS BACK AND FORTH. I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE TALKED WITH THEM AND ADMINISTRATION.

SO YOU KNOW, I'D LIKE TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT YOU'VE HEARD TONIGHT.

AND YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. YEAH.

SO WE HAVE ALL CONFIRMED AMONGST OURSELVES, WE'VE CONFIRMED WITH SOME OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND WITH OUR BOARD MEMBERS,

[04:25:04]

WE WANT THE BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THE COMMUNITY HAS PUT A LOT OF TRUST IN OUR LIBRARIES.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT TRUST I'M GOING TO MOVE ON TO WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY.

AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IF THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL DEFER YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT MUST BE MUST BE ANNOUNCED FOR A SPECIFIED TIME PRIOR TO THE VOTE. IS THAT CORRECT? OKAY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE AUDIENCE, PLEASE BEAR WITH ME.

THAT'S NOT TRUE. ACTUALLY, CAN YOU CORRECT THAT? IF THE ITEM IS NOT ACTED UPON TONIGHT, THEN YOU ENCOUNTER THE ISSUE THAT YOU JUST RAISED.

IF THE COUNCIL CAN MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER IT, BUT THEY WOULD NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER IT TO MARCH 12TH OR LATER.

OKAY. OKAY. YES. SOMETIME IN THE NEXT SIX MINUTES.

THIS IS A DIFFICULT DECISION. I ASK THE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE TO SUPPORT US, TO PLEASE BEAR WITH US. BASED ON THESE MATTERS AND WHAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED.

AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION WITH MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, WE AGREE TO VOLUNTARILY DELETE OUR ITEM WITH.

PLEASE WAIT, PEOPLE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WILL WORK TO REACH A WORKABLE COMPROMISE TO MOVE THE LIBRARY'S TEN YEAR DEDICATED PROPERTY TAX FORWARD THIS FALL. WE WILL MOVE IT FORWARD THIS FALL, IN WHICH THE LIBRARY'S PREVIOUSLY COLLECTED REVENUES REMAIN DEDICATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIBRARY OPERATIONS, AND THE LIBRARY DOES NOT RETURN TO THE GENERAL FUND AND RETAINS ALL DEDICATED FUNDING FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIBRARY OPERATIONS. STRIKE THAT.

ALL FUTURE FUNDS DEDICATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIBRARY OPERATIONS.

WE DELETE THIS ITEM VOLUNTARILY WITH THE COUNCIL'S ASSURANCE IN THE EVENT THAT WE CANNOT REACH SUCH A SOLUTION, THE LIBRARY WILL RESUBMIT OUR ORIGINAL RESOLUTION OF A DEDICATED RENEWAL TAX OF THE 10.5 MILLS.

OKAY, SO I GOT 21 SECONDS. LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT.

YOU'RE OKAY. YOU'RE ASKING FOR A DELETION OF THIS ITEM SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH NEGOTIATIONS AND WORK WITH ALL TAXING AUTHORITIES, AND YOU ALL ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH US AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAINTAIN PARTS OF YOUR DEDICATED MILLAGE.

CORRECT. WE ASK THAT THE LIBRARY'S FUNDING REMAIN, AS YOU SAID, DEDICATED AND NOT PART OF THE GENERAL FUND.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. MAY HURRY.

WE HAVE 4 MINUTES. AND I GUESS I HAVE ONE. AND SO I GUESS MY LOOK AT THIS IS.

AND COUNCILWOMAN RACCA YOU ASKED THE QUESTION, WHY ARE WE HERE? I SAY BECAUSE OF THOSE 60 MILLION THAT WE OWE AND GOTTA PAY SAINT GEORGE.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE. [APPLAUSE] AND I SAY THAT'S.

YEAH, THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. AND LET ME TELL YOU, BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE EMAILS, THE CALLS, THE TEXTS THAT I RECEIVED FROM THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT, THAT'S DISTRICT 10 , THOSE CONSTITUENTS AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT YOU MENTIONED, COUNCILWOMAN AND THE TRANSPARENCY THAT YOU MENTIONED.

ALL OF THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME. AND SO I CONCUR WITH THE DEFERRAL OF THIS IN ORDER THAT MORE CONVERSATION CAN BE HAD AND EVERYBODY IS BROUGHT TO THE TABLE. EVERYBODY HAVE SOME SKIN IN THE GAME. EVERYBODY IS ABLE TO BE ABLE TO. TWO MINUTES. HEAR FROM EVERYBODY ELSE AND THEN GOOD CONVERSATION. AND I RECOMMEND THAT EVEN SOME OF THE CONSTITUENTS ARE INCLUDED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS. SO I MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE DEFER THIS ITEM.

SECOND. COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. I WILL SUPPORT THIS ITEM TO DEFER FOR TWO WEEKS.

AND ALL THAT'S BEEN SAID, I AGREE WE NEED TO BRING OUR STAKEHOLDERS TO THE TABLE AND WE HAVE TO FIND A BETTER SOLUTION FOR EVERYONE.

CALL THE QUESTION. IT'S A MOTION TO DEFER TO MARCH 12TH.

THAT IS CORRECT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO DEFER TO MARCH 12TH.

[04:30:03]

WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO DELETE. WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES. THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION WILL BE VOTED ON FIRST.

MADE BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

COUNCIL MEMBER'S MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO DELETE THE ITEM.

MOTION FAILS. COUNCIL MEMBERS THE MACHINES ARE NOW GOING TO BE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO DEFER THE ITEM TO MARCH 12TH.

MACHINES ARE OPEN.

MOTION FAILS. WE HAVE TWO MINUTES OR ONE MINUTE.

I'LL MAKE ANOTHER MOTION TO DELETE. AND AGAIN, I'LL STATE THAT THE REASON FOR THE DELETION IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL SIDES TO COME TOGETHER. I'LL STRESS THE FACT THAT WE DO STILL HAVE TIME TO PUT THIS ITEM BACK ON THE AGENDA, AND THE LIBRARY HAS UNILATERAL AUTHORITY TO REQUEST THE ITEM BE PUT BACK ON THE AGENDA BEFORE ANY DEADLINES ARE MET, IF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS FAIL. SO I'LL MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO DEFER.

IF YOU DO THIS, THE MAYOR'S ITEM IS GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

YOU WILL NOT GET AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR ITEM TO MOVE FORWARD.

YOU SHOULD SUPPORT THE DEFERRAL, NOT A DELETION.

IF YOU DELETE IT, IT'S OVER. OKAY, A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO DEFER.

MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO DEFER TO MARCH 12TH.

THE MOTION FAILS. VOTE ON THE MOTION. MACHINES ARE NOW OPEN ON THE MOTION TO DELETE.

TIME'S UP. MOTION FAILS. TIME'S UP. MEETING'S OVER.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.