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>> WELCOME, EVERYBODY TO THE PRESENTATION PORTION OF OUR MARCH 26TH,
[Presentations and Special Recognitions]
2025 MEETING OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH PRESENTATION BY MAYOR-PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS AND THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEMBERS TO RECOGNIZE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH. MAYOR?
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON TO EVERYONE.
WE'RE CERTAINLY CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.
WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT THEM? MARCH IS A TIME TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN ACROSS OUR NATION.
THE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH HIGHLIGHTS THE COURAGE, RESILIENCE, AND LEADERSHIP OF THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR EQUALITY AND PAVED THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
IN PARTICULAR, WE'RE HONORING THE WOMEN OF CITY PARISH GOVERNMENT TODAY.
I WANT TO PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE INCREDIBLE WOMEN SERVING IN MY OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR AND ALSO ALL WOMEN WORKING IN CITY PARISH GOVERNMENT.
YOUR DEDICATION, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE PROGRESS OF BATON ROUGE.
WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE COME FORWARD TO TAKE A PICTURE.
CONGRATULATIONS, AND FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, WE DO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. COME ON UP [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND]
>> COUNCILWOMAN. NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE COUNCILMEMBERS TWAHNA P. HARRIS AND CAROLYN COLEMAN TO RECOGNIZE JOVONNA EGANA FOR KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH. COUNCILWOMEN?
HERE WE ARE ACKNOWLEDGING KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH.
I KNOW THAT THIS IS NEW FOR MANY OF US.
TODAY, I'D LIKE TO ASK JOVONNA EGANA WHO ALSO IS KNOWN AS JOJO.
YOU ALL MAY SEE AND KNOW HER TO BE ALWAYS HAPPY AND JOLLY AND HELPFUL.
BUT IN 2014, SHE RECEIVED SOME TERRIFYING NEWS OF STAGE 3 RENAL FAILURE.
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ONLY BEING 21-YEARS-OLD.SHE DIDN'T TAKE THIS DISEASE AS SERIOUS AS SHE SHOULD HAVE.
BUT AFTER ONLY SIX MONTHS OF FINDING THAT OUT, JOJO WAS SET TO START DIALYSIS IN 2015.
SIX YEARS OF DIALYSIS, SHE CAN FINALLY SAY THAT SHE IS A SURVIVOR OF KIDNEY DISEASE [APPLAUSE] FOUR YEARS AGO, JOJO WAS BLESSED TO RECEIVE A TRANSPLANT.
>> AND HERE'S A CERTIFICATE TO RECOGNIZE THE NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION AS WELL.
YOU'RE WELCOME. KEEP PUSHING [APPLAUSE]
>> COME ON. LET'S GO FOR OUR PICTURE [APPLAUSE]
MAYOR SID EDWARDS OPENED THIS UP WITH A GREAT CELEBRATION TO WOMEN HISTORY MONTH.
WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE SOME MORE WOMEN TODAY AS WELL WHO WORKS AND DO SUCH A PHENOMENAL JOB IN CITY GOVERNMENT, WHO KEEPS THIS MACHINE WELL OILED AND WHO WORKS VERY CLOSELY WITH THE COUNCIL TO MAKE US WHO WE ARE AS COUNCILMEMBERS.
THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THEY'RE BEING HONORED TODAY.
WE WILL RECOGNIZE THEM IN A FEW MINUTES.
BUT WE ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE SOME LADIES IN DISTRICT 7 WHO HAS DONE SOME PHENOMENAL WORK, WHO'S COMMITTED TO DISTRICT 7, WHO VOLUNTEER LONG HOURS, WHO'S ALWAYS AVAILABLE WHEN WE CALL, WHO WE CAN COUNT ON TO KEEP DISTRICT 7 ALL VERY WELL AND MOVING ALONG.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE FIRST DR. KRISTIE PERRY WHO WORKS AT THE SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, WHO'S THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH.
SHE'S ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY.
SHE'S A GREAT ASSET TO THE STUDENT BODY AND LOCAL COMMUNITY.
DR. PERRY [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US.
THAT'S YOURS AND THIS IS YOURS AS WELL.
LET'S GET A PHOTO. WE HAVE MISS ETHEL HARRIS, WHO'S A CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT 7, MISS HARRIS MAKES HERSELF AVAILABLE TO HELP IN THE COMMUNITY WHENEVER NEEDED.
SHE IS A JEWEL TO OUR COMMUNITY.
[APPLAUSE] SHE DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS BEING HONORED TODAY.
[INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE THIS ALONG.
ALSO, WE WILL RECOGNIZE MISS TANISHA HAWKINS, WHO'S THE FIRST FEMALE TO BECOME A SUPERVISOR IN THE DRAINAGE DEPARTMENT.
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SHE IS CURRENTLY THE FIRST FEMALE SUPERINTENDENT OF SOUTH DRAINAGE.SHE HAS BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR 17 YEARS [APPLAUSE] I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH HER ON A PROJECT, AND SHE DID THE JOB AND DID IT WELL, SO SHE DESERVES THIS HONOR.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE] JUST STAND RIGHT HERE.
[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE MAGGIE CONARRO IS A BATON ROUGE NATIVE WHO GREW UP IN DISTRICT 7, WHERE SHE CURRENTLY LIVES WITH HER HUSBAND.
AS THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR SERVE LOUISIANA, A LOCAL PROGRAM.
MAGGIE CONNECTS EMERGING LEADERS WITH 11 MONTH FULL-TIME SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT NON-PROFITS ACROSS THE STATE.
SHE'S AN ACTIVE LEADER WITH TOGETHER BATON ROUGE.
TWO YEARS AGO, MAGGIE CO-FOUNDED A GROUP WITH OVER 50 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, PARENTS STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE A SHARED VISION OF MAKING BATON ROUGE THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE MORE PEOPLE HAPPILY CHOOSE TO STAY.
MAGGIE? IS SHE HERE? THERE SHE IS.
[APPLAUSE] [INAUDIBLE] I'M GETTING THROUGH IT.
CANDACE STARTED WITH US IN RESIDENTIAL AS A DRIVER, THEN MOVED OVER TO COMMERCIAL AS A DRIVER AND DECIDED AT THAT POINT, SHE WANTED TO BECOME A SUPERVISOR.
SHE WAS A RESIDENTIAL SUPERVISOR FOR QUITE SOME TIME THEN DECIDED TO BE PROMOTED TO A COMMERCIAL SUPERVISOR. MISS SHAVERS? COME ON [APPLAUSE] THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANY OF THIS [APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER] WE SALUTE YOU, MISS SHAVERS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO SERVING THE GREAT PEOPLE OF BATON ROUGE.
SHARON HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE, TOO.
>> SHARON HELPED TO PULL THIS OFF AS WELL [LAUGHTER] MAYOR PRO TEM, I KNOW, BUT I'M ALMOST DONE [APPLAUSE] WE HAVE MISS JEANETTE SHAVERS.
MISS JEANETTE STARTED WITH REPUBLIC AS A DRIVER IN RESIDENTIAL, THEN GOT PROMOTED TO A COMMERCIAL DRIVING POSITION.
AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF DOING THAT, SHE BECAME A COMMERCIAL SUPERVISOR.
[APPLAUSE] WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO THIS LAST YEAR, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK OUT, SO IT'S WORKING OUT THIS YEAR.
[LAUGHTER] MISS MOORE COULDN'T BE WITH US TODAY.
SHE'S ON VACATION, BUT SHE'S A DRIVER AS WELL,
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AND SHE WAS PROMOTED TO A LEAD DRIVER.SHE RECENTLY BECAME AN OPERATION SUPERVISOR AND IS REALLY DOING A GREAT JOB.
SHE MAKES SURE ALL OF HER CUSTOMERS ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND TAKES CARE OF HER TEAM.
HER NIECE IS THE APPLE OF HER EYE.
MISS MOORE, WE'VE GIVEN YOU A SHOUT OUT FROM CITY HALL.
[APPLAUSE] I THINK I HAVE EVERYONE.
>> I'M SORRY, MISS. DONNA JEFFRYON. COME ON UP, MISS.
JEFFRYON. WHERE ARE YOU? [APPLAUSE]. YEAH, MISS.
>> THERE YOU GO. IT'S AN HONOR TO DO THIS.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU.
>> WE REALLY SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST.
ASHLEY BECK, WE NEED YOU TO COME UP.
[APPLAUSE]. JAMIE PRESLEY, WE NEED YOU TO COME UP.
[APPLAUSE] SHARONICA LOLI, WE NEED YOU TO COME UP.
MARY CATHERINE. WHERE IS MARY? IS SHE STILL HERE? GET MARY.
WELL, WE WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE EACH OF YOU FOR DOING ALL THAT YOU DO FOR THE CITY COUNCIL.
YOU'RE REALLY THE BACKBONE OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
JAMIE, I KNOW THAT WE CALL AT THE LAST MINUTE ABOUT PRESENTATIONS OR PRESS RELEASES.
WHERE'S DENNIS? NOWHERE ELSE TO BE FOUND.
WHERE'S WALDO? BUT JAMIE, WE APPRECIATE YOU GREATLY.
THIS IS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, AND I SPEAK FOR EVERYONE HERE.
ASH, CALL YOU ON THE WEEKEND LATE AT NIGHT, JUST CALL YOU AND YOU ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
YOU ALWAYS MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE FOR US.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND YOU'RE A BACKBONE AS WELL OF THIS COUNCIL.
WHERE IS ANGIE? COME ON UP. YOU TOO, ANGIE.
ANGIE, SUPPLIES IN A CALL, AND WE CALL, AND EVERYBODY CALL.
ANGIE, AS WELL. WHERE'S JOJO? JOJO, WHERE ARE YOU? JOJO, AS WELL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US.
WE DIDN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW. WE WANTED TO SURPRISE YOU.
MAYOR PRO TEM, I HEARD THAT YOU WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THEM AS WELL.
>> WELL, I WANT TO FIRST THANK COUNCILMAN HARRIS FOR ORGANIZING THIS, AND WHAT A WONDERFUL THING TO GET ALL OF THE COUNCIL TO TAKE PART IN. WHAT A REALLY NEAT THING.
SARAH GRACE BROOKS, IF SHE'D COME UP, PLEASE.
I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW THE BROOKS FAMILY AND THE GRACE FAMILY THROUGH MY INVOLVEMENT IN SHENANDOAH.
BUT SARAH IS JUST AN EXCEPTIONAL LEADER FOR OUR AREA, NOT ONLY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT IN THE AREA, IN BUSINESS, AND EVERYTHING.
SHE'S REALLY AN INSPIRING PERSON THROUGH HEALTH CHALLENGES, THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT LIFE THROWS AT YOU.
YOU CONTINUE TO INSPIRE US ALL IN DISTRICT 9.
FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS, THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMAN, DON'T FORGET TO GIVE HER HER FLOWERS AND HER COOKIE AS WELL.
WHERE'S YOUR LITTLE GIRL? SHE NEEDS TO GET A COOKIE.
MAKE SURE WE GIVE HER A COOKIE. I MET THEM TODAY.
>> I'LL NOW GRAB ONE FOR MYSELF TOO.
>> THIS WASN'T ON MY LIST THAT I SENT TO YOU GUYS, BUT I WAS A LITTLE WORRIED.
I'D BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE OUR COUNCIL WOMEN AS WELL.
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WE HAVE CERTIFICATES FOR ALL OF YOU.I WASN'T AUTHORIZED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE MEN OF THE COUNCIL, BUT WE COULDN'T DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT YOU, WITHOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO COOPERATE AND LEARN FROM YOU, SO THANK YOU.
>> FROM DISTRICT 2, I'D LIKE TO BRING UP MISS.
MIRANDA RILEY. MISS MIRANDA IS OVER THE DIRECTOR OF MAGNOLIA ROSE FOUNDATION.
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT INCLUSIVENESS FOR ARTISTIC KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHO WANTS TO BELONG, WHO WANTS TO BE A PART OF SOCIETY, HER FOUNDATION DOES AN AMAZING JOB BRINGING AWARENESS TO THOSE KIDS IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE RECOGNIZE, GIVE FLOWERS TODAY TO MISS.
MIRANDA RILEY. LET'S GIVE MIRANDA APPLAUSE.
THANK YOU. CONGRATS. NEXT UP FROM LITTLE OLE ALSEN, LOUISIANA.
I HAVE MISS. BETTY JEFFERSON. MISS. BETTY, COME ON UP.
BETTY, THE MAYOR OF ALSEN, MISS.
BETTY IS A FEARLESS ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY OF ALSEN.
ALSEN SERVES A HISTORICAL COMMUNITY WITHIN DISTRICT 2.
MISS. BETTY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GIVE YOU YOUR FLOWERS FOR THE AMAZING WORK AND ADVOCACY YOU DO FOR ALSEN, LOUISIANA.
>> ONE LAST PERSON, SHE COULD NOT MAKE IT TODAY, MISS. MONIQUE BUTLER.
MISS MONIQUE SERVES AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE BAKER SCHOOL SYSTEM.
MISS MONIQUE IS A FEARLESS ADVOCATE FOR THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS IN BAKER, LOUISIANA.
LET'S GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> I WANT TO CALL MISS. DITTLER, PEOPLE'S BLUNT, PLEASE.
IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, WE HONOR AND RECOGNIZE YOUR REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AS A LIFE COACH AND MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE.
YOUR DEDICATION TO EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS AND PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH WELL-BEING HAS MADE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON COUNTLESS LIVES.
THROUGH YOUR GUIDANCE, YOU HAVE HELPED OTHERS DISCOVER THEIR INNER STRENGTH AND OVERCOME CHALLENGES, AND ACHIEVE PERSONAL GROWTH.
SHE IS ALSO THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE LOUISIANA'S FIRST MENTAL HEALTH GALLERY LOCATED IN THE STATES CAPITOL.
I HAVE WORKED WITH THIS LADY ON SOME PROJECTS, AND SHE IS FABULOUS, AS WELL AS HER HUSBAND.
>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. [APPLAUSE].
>> HERE I STAND WITH A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR THE DISTRICT 10 WOMEN.
I COULD NOT CHOOSE ONE OR TWO OR THREE, OR FOUR TO REPRESENT THEM, WOMEN THAT I HAVE IN MY DISTRICT.
I STAND HERE IN EVERY SENSE, 2020, 2021, I'VE HAD SOME PHENOMENAL WOMEN TO WORK WITH ME.
WHEN I STARTED THIS THING, I LET THEM KNOW THAT I COULD NOT DO THIS ALONE, AND I WILL NOT TRY.
I SAY IN HONOR OF WOMEN HISTORY MONTH, I RECOGNIZE THE EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION TO EDUCATE AND TO INSPIRING AND TO IMPROVING AND EMPOWERING OTHERS.
THROUGH THEIR LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE, THEY EMBODIED THE THEME MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER, CREATING LASTING CHANGE AND GUIDING FUTURE GENERATIONS TOWARD GROWTH AND SUCCESS.
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THIS RECOGNITION HONORS THE WOMEN OF DISTRICT 10 FROM THE BLUFFS TO THE AVENUES ON AROUND TO TIGER LAND, NOT LEAVING OUT DIXIE, NOT LEAVING OUT ANYBODY, BUT ALL OF THOSE WOMEN AND THEIR STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS CONTINUE TO SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY DISTRICT 10.>> NOW, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FOLLOW ALL OF THAT? [LAUGHTER].
IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, I HAVE THE HONOR OF RECOGNIZING THREE PHENOMENAL WOMEN OF DISTRICT 6 THAT HAVE MADE A GREAT IMPACT ON THE DISTRICT, MANY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, AND THROUGHOUT THIS PARISH.
I'M GOING TO START WITH VERNA BRADLEY JACKSON.
I WANT TO READ THE CERTIFICATE AS SHE COMES.
I'M NOT GOING TO READ THE WHOLE THING. I'M GOING TO JUST READ A SNIPPET OF IT.
WITH GRATITUDE AND ADMIRATION FOR YOUR EXCEPTIONAL WORK AT ONE TOUCH MINISTRIES, WHERE YOUR DEDICATION TO UPLIFTING OTHERS HAS CREATED A POSITIVE CHANGE.
YOU HAVE DEDICATED YOUR TIME AND ENERGY TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE, NOT JUST THROUGH YOUR SERVICE BUT BY INSPIRING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.
YOUR WORK EXEMPLIFIES WHAT IT MEANS TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER, FOSTERING A COMMUNITY OF COMPASSION, HOPE, AND SUPPORT.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO, VERNA.
NEXT, WE HAVE SHETILA BURRELL, AS SHE COMES.
IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR DEDICATION, COMPASSION, AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH YOUR WORK AT HEART 2 HEART CARE CLINIC, YOU HAVE CONSISTENTLY GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS, FOSTERING HEALTH, HOPE, AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL.
YOUR COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING OTHERS IS A TRUE REFLECTION OF THE POWER OF WOMEN WORKING TOGETHER TO MOVE FORWARD, CREATING LASTING, POSITIVE CHANGE AND HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES.
NEXT, WE HAVE KIM MARY WALKER, AS SHE COMES.
YOUR EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO FOSTERING PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING THROUGH YOUR WORK AND MOVE YOUR BODY YOGA, YOUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE HEALTHIER AND MORE BALANCED LIVES IS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL.
THROUGH YOUR GUIDANCE, YOU HAVE NOT ONLY EDUCATED YOUR COMMUNITY BUT ALSO INSPIRED COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS TO EMBRACE WELLNESS AND MINDFULNESS.
>> I'M RECOGNIZING TWO EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN TODAY.
THE FIRST, THOSE OF YOU AROUND CITY PARISH HAVE KNOWN FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND LISA, COME ON UP, LISA RIO, MY AIDE WHO REALLY RUNS DISTRICT 1.
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SHE'S PHENOMENAL. SHE MAKES ME LOOK GOOD DAY IN DAY OUT, WHICH IS NOT EASY.LISA IS SUCH A FAITH-FILLED INDIVIDUAL, AND THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SPENT TIME WITH HER AND GOTTEN TO KNOW HER RECOGNIZE THAT ABOUT HER.
SHE IS INSTRUMENTAL IN MY LIFE.
NOT ONLY DOES SHE HELP ME BE ABLE TO SURVIVE ALL OF THE GOINGS ON HERE AT CITY PARISH AND HELP ME BE A BETTER COUNCILMAN, BUT SHE TRULY HELPS ME TO BE A BETTER PERSON AND SO MANY OTHERS AROUND HER.
HELP ME IN RECOGNIZING LISA RIO.
>> HERE'S [INAUDIBLE] NEXT, WE HAVE JENNIFER BOYD LANDRY.
JENNIFER IS THE FOUNDING MEMBER SHE'S THE FOUNDER OF DOGWOOD FINANCIAL GROUP.
SHE HELPS EDUCATE PEOPLE ON FINANCES AND HAVING GOOD FINANCIAL SOUND DECISIONS AND HELPS PEOPLE COME OR WITH CREDIT COUNSELING AND GETTING A BETTER FINANCIAL SITUATION.
JENNIFER IS ALSO WONDERFULLY FAITHFULL, AND SHE'S INSTRUMENTAL IN SO MANY THINGS IN MY LIFE.
SHE'S ANOTHER ONE THAT HELPS ME LOOK GOOD, WHICH IS A HEAVY LIFT.
IT TAKES A BUNCH AND IT'S STILL DIFFICULT. SHE'S ALWAYS GREAT.
SHE HELPS ME WITH PR AND DIFFERENT THINGS THAT I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA.
JENNIFER IS A FRIEND. SHE'S LIKE A SISTER TO ME.
ALSO, COUNCILWOMAN AND ZACHARY, COUNCILWOMAN JENNIFER LANDRY.
HELP ME AND RECOGNIZE JENNIFER BOYD LANDRY.
[APPLAUSE] SHE'S MORE EXCITED ABOUT TO COOK IT IN THE FLOWER.
>> THERE WE GO. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
WHAT A GREAT IDEA, COUNCILMAN HARRIS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP MELISSA DEGENERES FROM DISTRICT 11.
[LAUGHTER] THE FIRST TIME I MET MELISSA, I WAS A YOUNG MOM IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE AND I ACTUALLY DIDN'T KNOW HER OR REALLY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP OR A FRIENDSHIP WITH HER AT THAT POINT.
BUT I WAS A MEMBER AND SHE WAS THE PRESIDENT, AND SHE WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE LADIES WHO I LOOKED UP TO, ALWAYS ORGANIZED, ALWAYS STRATEGIC IN HER THINKING, ALWAYS DEDICATED WITH EXCEPTIONAL MATURITY IN HER ACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES SHE CHOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN.
NOW, BEING ON COUNCIL, AND HAS BROUGHT THINGS BACK AROUND TO WHERE WE NOW HAVE A FRIENDSHIP AND A WORKING RELATIONSHIP.
WHAT I HAVE COME TO ADMIRE ABOUT MELISSA AND SO MANY OTHER LADIES IN OUR COMMUNITY IS THAT OUR WOMEN PRETTY MUCH CAN DO ANYTHING NOWADAYS.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE SAND AND GRAVEL PIT [LAUGHTER] MELISSA OPERATES, WHICH IS VERY IMPRESSIVE.
SHE IS AN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL WOMAN IN A WORLD THAT I THINK HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN A MAN'S WORLD.
EVEN WITH HAVING ALL THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES TO RUN HER OWN VERY INVOLVED BUSINESS, SHE IS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO IS ALWAYS LOOKING AROUND, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EXPLORING AVENUES WHERE SHE CAN TAKE HER GOOD GIVEN SKILLS AND TALENTS AND INVEST THEM IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN OTHER PEOPLE.
NEVER SEEKING A SLUM LIGHT OR SPOTLIGHT FOR HERSELF, BUT ALWAYS TRYING TO SET OTHER PEOPLE UP FOR SUCCESS AND MAKE SURE THAT SHE IS LEAVING OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY, EVERY MONTH AND EVERY YEAR, A BETTER PLACE THAN WHAT SHE FOUND IT.
SO IT'S MY HONOR, MELISSA, TODAY TO HONOR YOU ON BEHALF OF THE MANY OTHER WONDERFUL WOMEN IN DISTRICT 11.
[INAUDIBLE] UNFORTUNATELY, COUNCILWOMAN ROCCA WAS NOT HERE.
I'M NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT HERE TODAY, AND I'M GOING TO ASK MELISSA TO STEP BACK UP HERE WITH ME FOR A MINUTE.
COUNCILWOMAN ROCCA WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT FOR PRESENTATIONS.
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BUT LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE AMAZING WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY.THESE DISTRICT 12 LADIES ARE ALSO WELL KNOWN TO ME, AND I AM HONORED TO CONSIDER THEM BOTH FRIENDS OF MINE, AND THEY ALSO DO WORK IN DISTRICT 11 AS WELL.
FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT MISS ANN GARCIO, AND I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE IN YOUR PRAYERS KEEP ANNE FOREFRONT AND THE FOREFRONT OF YOUR PRAYERS.
SHE'S CURRENTLY BATTLING CANCER, AND SHE COULD CERTAINLY USE EVERY LITTLE PRAYER WE CAN OFFER FOR HER.
BUT ANNE IS ONE OF THOSE LADIES WHO KEEPS HER NEIGHBORHOOD AND HER COMMUNITY GOING.
I THINK IT'S VERY FAIR TO SAY THAT SHE IS AFFECTIONALLY THOUGHT OF AS THE MAYOR OF MEADOW LEE.
ANYTIME THERE'S ANYTHING GOING ON IN ANY STREET, ANY HOUSE, ANY CONCERN, AND ANNE IS THERE, SHE UNDERSTANDS HOW TO GET THINGS DONE.
SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE.
SHE IS A HECK OF A LOT OF FUN ON A SOUTH DOWNS MARTI GRAD PARADE.
MELISSA IS ALSO GOOD FRIENDS WITH ANNE, AND THEY'RE ABOUT TO SHARE, HOPEFULLY ONE DAY GRANDCHILDREN BECAUSE THEIR CHILDREN ARE ABOUT TO GET MARRIED.
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THIS TO YOU, MELISSA AND ASK THAT YOU WOULD SHARE IT WITH ANNE AND GIVE HER OUR LOVE AND AFFECTION AS WELL.
>> I DON'T THINK ANNE REALLY WANTS HER COOKIE SO WELL.
>> LET'S TAKE A PICTURE. WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE REALLY QUICK.
[APPLAUSE] [INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU.
YES, WE'RE DONE. THE LAST DISTRICT 12 LADY THAT I HAVE THE HONOR OF RECOGNIZING COULD NOT BE HERE WITH US TODAY, BUT SHE IS A DEAR CLOSE FRIEND, PROBABLY EVEN MY SISTER.
SHE IS THE PRINCIPAL OF TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL.
THERE'S NO WAY FOR ME TO FULLY EXPRESS THE ROLE THAT MARSHA HAS PLAYED IN MY LIFE AND IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SHE HAS SERVED AS A SPANISH TEACHER.
SHE HAS SERVED AS AN ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR, AND NOW AS THE HEAD OF SCHOOL AT TRINITY EPISCOPAL.
I DO NOT KNOW OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAS A BIGGER HEART FOR CHILDREN AND ESPECIALLY CHILDREN WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN SCHOOLS AND JUST NEED THAT LITTLE EXTRA SOMETHING.
SHE IS WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA MILE AT EVERY TURN TO MAKE SURE THAT A CHILD IS GETTING WHAT THEY NEED.
SHE HAS TWO CHILDREN OF HER OWN, WHICH BEING AHEAD OF A SCHOOL AND HAVING TWO CHILDREN OF YOUR OWN IS VERY BUSY AND THEN DIDN'T HESITATE TO DROP EVERYTHING AND TURN HER LIFE UPSIDE DOWN WHEN RECENTLY A CHILD IN HER LIFE NEEDED FOSTER CARE.
THAT'S NOT A SACRIFICE THAT EVERY BUSY PERSON IN THE WORLD IS WILLING TO MAKE, BUT SHE WELCOMED THAT SWEET BABY INTO HER HOUSE AT A TIME WHEN HE WAS IN DESPERATE NEED.
I'D ASK YOU TO JOIN ME IN CELEBRATING MISS MARSHA PALMER IN THE INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTION SHE'S MADE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. OBVIOUSLY, I'M NOT COUNCILWOMAN ROCCA, BUT HER BAD LUCK IS MY GOOD FORTUNE.
I'M VERY HONORED TODAY TO PRESENT THIS CERTIFICATE TO AN OUTSTANDING WOMAN IN DISTRICT 12.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA FREIBERG, PLEASE COME UP.
[APPLAUSE] WHO IS MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE?
>> SHE OCCUPIED THAT CHAIR RIGHT OVER THERE FOR HOW MANY YEARS?
>> I KNOW THIS COUNCIL HAS A SOFT PLACE IN HER HEART.
SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE'D LIKE TO SERVE ON THIS COUNCIL.
SHE WENT ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS.
WE'RE VERY PROUD OF HER FOR THAT.
COUNCILWOMAN ROCCA REGRETS THAT SHE CAN'T BE HERE TODAY, BUT I'M GLAD I'M HERE.
>> IF ANYBODY KNOWS HER, THEN I'M JUST REPEATING THIS, BUT SHE HAS BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR HOW LONG?
SHE TURNED THAT LIFE INTO PUBLIC SERVICE.
IF YOU KNOW HER, SHE IS A VERY STRONG PUBLIC SERVANT.
I'LL NEVER FORGET ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES I MET HER THERE.
I CAME TO A MEETING EARLY, WHICH I DON'T DO ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THIS.
SHE HAD A PROBLEM WITH A POTHOLE, AND SHE WAS NOT HAPPY.
BUT WE TOOK CARE OF IT, I THINK, AND SHE AND I HAVE HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP EVER SINCE I
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WAS SO HAPPY TO SERVE UNDERNEATH HER COUNCIL.SHE'S A TREMENDOUS MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER.
I'VE BEEN IN A MEETING WITH HER WHEN A GRANDCHILD WILL CALL AND SAY, YOU COME TO THE CARPOOL.
CAN YOU STOP BY CHICK-FIL-A AND THEY PUT THEIR ORDER IN.
IF YOU HAD ANY MEETING IN YOUR DISTRICT, SHE WOULD SHOW UP.
WHEN SHE WAS A COUNCIL PERSON, I'M SURE SHE STILL DOES THAT NOW, I DON'T CARE IF IT'S ABOUT A SPEED BUMP IN DISTRICT 10.
SHE'D BE THERE TO SUPPORT YOU.
SHE WENT TO EVERY MEETING I EVER WENT TO THAT CONCERNED ANYTHING.
IT'S NOT A SURPRISE THAT COUNCILWOMAN ROCCA WOULD WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOU.
WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU. YES, MA'AM.
>> THANKS FOR YOU ALL. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.
>> I'M SORRY, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A PICTURE [INAUDIBLE].
>> THAT'S MY FOREVER, YOU GUYS.
>> I HAVE NO FLOWERS. THAT WAS GREAT.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE RED CROSS MONTH.
RED CROSS MONTH WAS FIRST DECLARED IN 1943 BY PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT TO RAISE AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS DURING WORLD WAR II.
EVERY MARCH, WE HONORED A MISSION OF THE RED CROSS AND THE VOLUNTEERS, DONORS, AND EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE LIFESAVING EFFORTS POSSIBLE.
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS PROVIDES AID DURING DISASTERS, WARS, AND EMERGENCIES, BRINGING RELIEF AND HOPE TO THOSE IN NEED.
THEY SUPPORT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, HELP WITH BLOOD DONATIONS, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AND LIFESAVING CPR TRAINING.
RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF WORK TIRELESSLY TO PROVIDE RELIEF AND SUPPORT.
AS WE CELEBRATE RED CROSS MONTH, LET'S ENCOURAGE OUR RESIDENTS TO GET INVOLVED, VOLUNTEER, DONATE BLOOD, SUPPORT DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS, AND SPREAD AWARENESS OF THE RED CROSS LIFESAVING MISSION.
IF ANY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE RED CROSS ARE HERE, PLEASE COME ON UP.
[BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE] THIS ONE IS VERY SPECIAL.
THE MARCH 1960 BATON ROUGE SIT IN.
TODAY, WE HONORED THE COURAGEOUS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WHO IN MARCH OF 1960 LET PEACEFUL SIT INS IN BATON ROUGE TO CHALLENGE SEGREGATION.
DENIED SERVICE AT A DOWNTOWN LUNCH COUNTER BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE, SEVERAL STUDENTS, INCLUDING VERNON JORDAN AND HENRY GARNER, WERE UNJUSTLY ARRESTED UNDER DISTURBING THE PEACE LAWS.
THEIR CASE, GARNER VERSUS LOUISIANA, REACHED THE US SUPREME COURT IN 1961, WHERE JUSTICES UNANIMOUSLY RULED THAT THEIR PEACEFUL PROTESTS WAS PROTECTED UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT.
THESE STUDENTS EMBODIED THE STRENGTH OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, RISKING THEIR EDUCATION AND FREEDOM IN THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE.
THEIR ACTIONS IGNITED PROTEST ACROSS LOUISIANA AND HELPED FUEL THE MOMENTUM FOR CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION.
AS A CITY, WE REFLECT ON OUR PAST AND COMMIT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY RESIDENT IS TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
IN HONORING THE HEROES OF 1960, WE REAFFIRM OUR DUTY TO PRESERVE AND UPHOLD THEIR LEGACY.
I NOW INVITE MISS JOHN GARNER, DAUGHTER OF MR. HENRY GARNER, THE SHAAN JORDAN, DAUGHTER OF VERNON JORDAN, AND SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR DR. SAMUELS TO THE PODIUM.
[00:45:05]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ACKNOWLEDGING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT.
THE MEMBERS OF THE METRO COUNCIL, THE CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE HERE AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
IN TWO DAYS WILL BE THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST OF THE SIT INS THAT TOOK PLACE HERE IN BATON ROUGE.
I'D LIKE TO JUST FOR THE RECORD, READ THE NAMES OF ALL OF THE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CITIES.
THEY WERE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.
EDDIE, C. BROWN JUNIOR, JOHN LARRELL GARDNER.
>> JANET HOSTIN HARRIS, COLONEL LAWRENCE HURST, JOHN W. JOHNSON, KENNETH JOHNSON JR., MARK HENRY JONES, SANDRA ANNE JONES, VERNON J JORDAN, MARY INOLA BRISCOE, KOMANI JOANNE MORRIS, DONALD MOSS, LARRY NICHOLAS, TULS PEABODY, MARVIN E. ROBINSON, AND FELTON WALDRI.
WE OWE ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS A DEBT OF GRATITUDE.
IN 1960, THEY WERE TAKING SIGNIFICANT RISK.
THE CITY MOVEMENTS HAD STARTED AT NORTH CAROLINA ANT AND WAS SPREADING ACROSS THE SOUTH.
THE LOUISIANA OFFICIALS AT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAD MADE IT CLEAR TO THE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS THAT THEY WEREN'T GOING TO TOLERATE ANY STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THIS.
FELDMAN CLARK, AND THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTHERN, ACTUALLY TRIED TO DISCOURAGE THE STUDENTS FROM PARTICIPATING.
OF COURSE, YOUNG PEOPLE BEING YOUNG PEOPLE, THEY TOOK IT AS A DARE, AND THEY DECIDED TO PROTEST ANYWAY.
YOU HAD SEVEN STUDENTS AND PROTESTERS AT KRESS' DEPARTMENT STORE ON MARCH 28, AND THEY WERE ARRESTED.
TWO ADDITIONAL STUDENTS SAT IN AT THE GREYHOUND BUS STATION.
ALSO, ANOTHER SEVEN STUDENTS SAT IN AT THE SITMANS DRUG STORE, SO 16 STUDENTS AND ALL.
WHEN THEY CAME BACK TO CAMPUS, THEY WERE BASICALLY LIKE ROCK STARS.
ALMOST A SPONTANEOUS RALLY HAPPENED ON THE CAMPUS.
SHORTLY THEREAFTER, OVER 3,000 STUDENTS BASICALLY MARCHED TO THE STATE CAPITOL.
AT THE TIME, THE STUDENT BODY OF STUD UNIVERSITY WAS ABOUT 3,500, THAT'S BASICALLY ALMOST EVERYBODY, SHOWED UP.
THE STUDENTS WHO DID THESE THINGS BASICALLY ENDED UP BEING SUSPENDED, BASICALLY GOT PUT OUT OF SCHOOL FOR THE EFFORTS.
THERE WERE STUDENT BOYCOTTS THAT EVENTUALLY FIZZLED.
BUT ULTIMATELY, AS THE MAYOR INDICATED, THIS CASE WOUND UP IN THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT; GARNER VERSUS LOUISIANA, 1961, WHICH IS A CASE WHICH BROADENED THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE TO PROTEST.
BUT THE SUPREME COURT BASICALLY UNANIMOUSLY SIDING WITH THE STUDENTS THAT THE CONVICTIONS BY LOUISIANA UNDER THE DISTURBING THE PEACE LAWS, THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF THOSE WERE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND VIOLATED THEIR RIGHTS UNDER DUE PROCESS.
BECAUSE OF THESE STUDENTS, WE HAVE EXPANDED THE BORDERS OF DEMOCRACY.
OFTEN TIME IT IS ALWAYS THE YOUNG PEOPLE, MANY TIMES WHO PUSHED THE ENVELOPE AND ARE THE ONES WHO ARE CALLING US TO BE TRUTHS OF OUR IDEALS.
FOR THAT, WE THANK THEM AND WE ARE IN THEIR DEBT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MAYOR PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS, THE METRO COUNCIL, AND COUNCILMAN KENNEY AND THEIR STAFF.
ON THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE REMEMBER AND HONOR THIS HISTORY, AND FOR THAT, WE ARE GRATEFUL.
MY FATHER, JOHN B. GARNER, A LAW STUDENT AT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, SAT IN AT SITMANS DRUG STORE WITH MR. VERNON JORDAN, WHOSE DAUGHTER IS HERE TODAY, DASHAWN JORDAN.
[00:50:03]
THEY WERE BOTH OF SCOTLANDVILLE.IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES THAT WERE MADE BY THESE STUDENTS OF THEIR ARREST AND CONVICTION, WHICH WAS OVERTURNED BY THE US SUPREME COURT.
THE CONDITIONS THAT THE 16 STUDENTS AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN BATON ROUGE FACED INCLUDED A CROSS THAT WAS BURNED NEAR SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, RESULTING IN TRAUMA, WHICH IS EPIGENETIC.
THE STUDENTS WERE EXPELLED FROM SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND THEIR LIVES UPROOTED.
ON THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO WORK TOWARD RACIAL HEALING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IN BATON ROUGE SO THAT ALL MAY ENJOY A MORE PROSPEROUS CITY.
IS OUR HOPE AS DESCENDANTS TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN OUR BIRTH CITY OF BATON ROUGE TOWARDS THESE GOALS.
WE ARE ASKING MAYOR SID, THE METRO COUNCIL, AND THE PEOPLE OF BATON ROUGE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THE LEGACY WORK THAT WE STAND IN.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I AM STILL MAKING SACRIFICES TODAY, INCLUDING FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC SACRIFICES, TO BE ABLE TO STAND WITHIN THIS WORK AND MAKE SURE THAT THE HISTORY IS PROPERLY PRESERVED AND THAT THIS HISTORY IS HONORED, AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DASHAWN JORDAN.
I'M THE DAUGHTER OF VERNON JORDAN.
MY DAD IS NOT HERE WITH US TODAY, BUT I WILL WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT MY FATHER.
HE WAS THE STRONGEST BLACK MAN I'VE EVER MET.
NEVER SEEN HIM FEAR, AND HE'S ALWAYS BEEN HONEST.
HE DIDN'T TELL US ABOUT THIS HISTORY MUCH UNTIL IT STARTED TO COME OUT BECAUSE HE WANTED TO LEAVE HIS LIFE.
HAVING TO DO AND SACRIFICE FOR HIS FAMILY.
WHEN I HAD MY FATHER TELL THIS STORY AT 82 YEARS OLD, I'VE NEVER SEEN MY FATHER CRY IN MY LIFE.
THAT WAS THE PAIN THAT MY FATHER CARRIED FROM HAVING TO ENDURE AND BE IN THESE SITUATIONS.
I'M GLAD MY FATHER'S STORY IS BEING TOLD, BUT IT ALSO NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT.
I DIDN'T LEARN THIS IN SCHOOL.
I LEARNED IT AT HOME, BUT THE HISTORY OF BATON ROUGE IS NOT BEING TAUGHT.
I WANT TO STAND HERE AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE AWARD.
I'M GRATEFUL, MY DAD WILL BE GRATEFUL, AND THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING US TODAY.
>> NEXT, WE'LL HAVE COUNCILMAN DWIGHT HUDSON TO RECOGNIZE RENE RAGAS OF FACHE, PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF WOMAN'S HOSPITAL FOR CELEBRATION OF 400,000 BABIES BORN. COUNCILMAN.
WOMAN'S HOSPITAL CELEBRATED THE ARRIVAL OF ITS 400,000TH BABY.
BABY BLAIR ARRIVES SATURDAY, MARCH 15, WEIGHING FIVE POUNDS 14 OUNCES AND MEASURING 19.5 " LONG.
HER DELIVERY MARKS A HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT IN THE WOMAN'S HOSPITALS, MORE THAN 56 YEARS OF SERVING FAMILIES ACROSS LOUISIANA.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WOMAN'S HOSPITAL.
MOST OF US PROBABLY WERE BORN THERE.
BUT IF YOU DON'T, THEN YOU KNOW ABOUT THE INSTITUTION, OF COURSE.
WOMAN'S OPERATES A LEVEL 3S, NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.
THEY HAVE EXPERTISE IN MAMMOGRAPHY, AS WELL AS BREAST AND GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER CARE.
AS A PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, ALL FUNDS ARE REINVESTED INTO THE HOSPITAL TO CONTINUE WOMAN'S MISSION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF WOMEN AND INFANTS THROUGH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF, AND CRITICAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
WHAT A GREAT INSTITUTION IN DISTRICT 9 THAT WE'RE BLESSED WITH THAT SERVES THIS ENTIRE PARISH.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN HELPING CELEBRATE THE 400,000 BABY AT WOMAN'S HOSPITAL.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
[00:55:02]
JUST A QUICK WORD OF THANKS TO ALL OF THE COUNCIL, MAYOR-PRESIDENT, IT'S AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE 2,500+ TEAM MEMBERS OF WOMAN'S HOSPITAL.THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, IT HAS BEEN A REALLY GREAT AWARENESS OF WHAT WOMAN'S HOSPITAL HAS IMPACTED ON OUR COMMUNITY.
THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, WE HAVE REALIZED THAT OF OUR 400,000 BABIES, WHICH WE'RE NOW PAST THAT, THAT WE HAVE WOMEN'S BABIES THAT ARE NOW GROWING UP IN ALL 50 STATES AND OVER NINE COUNTRIES, AND YOU'VE SEEN IT AROUND TOWN THAT OUR LABOR OF LOVE CONTINUES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, I'M HONORED TO BE HERE AS A CITIZEN.
ALL THREE OF MY BOYS AND MY WIFE WERE ALL BORN AT WOMAN'S HOSPITAL, AND VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT AS WELL AND TO BE A CITIZEN HERE IN BATON ROUGE.
>> THANK Y'ALL. NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE COUNCILMAN ANTHONY KENNEDY JR. TO RECOGNIZE JARRIS COLLINS, BAKER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE YEAR. COUNCILMAN.
>> LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MR. JARRIS COLLINS.
HE HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE BAKER STUDENT OF THE YEAR AT BAKER HIGH SCHOOL.
IT'S A PHENOMENAL OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE 1% OF HIS HIGH SCHOOL.
WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION, AND ACADEMIC RIGOR TO BE PRESENTED THIS HONOR TO BE THE STUDENT OF THE YEAR AT BAKER HIGH SCHOOL.
YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS TO THE COUNCIL.
>> I'M REALLY HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO BE IN THIS PRESENCE OF THE COUNCIL.
I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN ANTHONY KENNY AND OUR TEACHER TOLD ME I'LL BE HERE.
ALSO, AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, I DO PLAN ON ATTENDING D CITY UNIVERSITY AND MARCHING WITH THE HUMAN JUKEBOX.
SO I LOOK FORWARD TO BEGIN. [APPLAUSE].
HEY, MOM, WHAT'S GOING ON? WHOLE FAMILY.
>> THIS CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION PORTION OF OUR MEETING.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL MEETING BEGINS.
>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. GOOD TO HAVE YOU TUNING IN TO WATCH OUR COUNCIL MEETING THIS AFTERNOON.
WHEREVER YOU'RE WATCHING FROM, AROUND BATON ROUGE OR AROUND THE COUNTRY, GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.
OUR COUNCIL ALWAYS WANTS YOU TO BE A PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT HERE IN BATON ROUGE.
IT'S THE 26TH DAY OF MARCH 2025.
NOW, HERE IS THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, COUNCILMAN BRANDON NOAH. COUNCILMAN.
>> THANK YOU, DENNIS. WELCOME, EVERYBODY.
[CALL TO ORDER]
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2025.WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE MEETING AND ORDER.
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR INVOCATION THIS EVENING BY [INAUDIBLE] FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY FALLON BROWN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. CAN EVERYBODY PLEASE STAND AND BOW YOUR HEADS? LORD, WE COME TO YOU TODAY WITH THANKFUL HEARTS.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE SAFETY YOU PROVIDED US, AND WE'VE ALL GATHERED HERE READY TO WORK
[01:00:01]
TOGETHER FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY YOU'VE CREATED.WE THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US TOGETHER AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.
WE ASK FOR YOUR PRESENCE TO GUIDE US TODAY, HELPING US TO WORK IN UNITY AND COLLABORATION.
WE PRAY THAT THIS MEETING WILL BE PRODUCTIVE AND THAT WE'LL MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT ALL OF BATON ROUGE.
WE LIFT UP OUR CONSTITUENTS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO YOU.
PLEASE BLESS THEM WITH PEACE, GOOD HEALTH, AND EVERYTHING THEY NEED.
YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM, AND WE ASK FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AS WE MAKE IMPORTANT DECISIONS TODAY.
HELP US STAY TRUE TO YOU, YOUR WILL, AND LEAD US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
WE TRUST YOU TO SHOW US THE WAY.
>> THANK YOU, LADIES. WE HAVE ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES, NUMBER 1,
[ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 12, 2025, AND THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ZONING MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2025 BY THE COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE TREASURY.WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA AND SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
ESTHER, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE INTRODUCTIONS?
[INTRODUCTIONS]
>> SECTION 2.12, INTRODUCTIONS, NUMBER 2, GRANTING A FIVE YEAR RENEWAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT ESTIMATED AT $8,784 PER YEAR FOR LOUISIANA FISH FRY PRODUCTS LIMITED, LOCATED AT 1450 AIRWAY DRIVE BY PLANNING DIRECTOR.
NUMBER 3, AMENDING THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET, SO AS TO TRANSFER FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 FROM THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DISTRICT 11 BUDGET TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PIPE REPAIRS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DISTRICT 11 BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS AND THE COUNCIL BUDGET OFFICER.
CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS, NUMBER 4, VERNON WAYNE ROBINSON AND LARRY ALEXANDER, 11151 CYPRESS GLENN AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 5, MILTON HAYNES KLEIN PETER AND EVA BONE KLEIN PETER, 8235 SOUTHERN AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 6, GLYNN O WEBSTER, 250 RAF MARE ROAD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 7, THE ESTATE OF MARY ROD JACKSON, 4444 ST. GERARD AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5, HURST, NUMBER 8, 316 INVESTMENTS, 3164 AMARILLO STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5, HURST.
NUMBER 9, CALEB COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, 4884 PAGE STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5, HURST.
NUMBER 10, SARITA ANNETTE TATE, 3852 BYRON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5, HURST.
NUMBER 11, GARY PODERO AND KATHLEEN BOONE PODERO 10721, SANDRINGHAM AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 6, DUNN JUNIOR.
NUMBER 12, RACHEL BENDON, 1314 NORTH 48TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 13, ADRIAN LINETTE BIRD AND THE ESTATE OF ISAAC BIRD, 1740 NORTH 46 STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 14, PENTECOSTAL ONE WAY HOLY CHURCH OF GOD, 1002 COLUMBUS DUNN DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 15, DANIEL FIELD AND CALLY FIELD, 1654 NORTH 44TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS.
NUMBER 16, IVY LEE REED AND LORRAINE GRAY REED, 4062 PROVO STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 17, ASHLEY G TURNER 4408 ELM DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS.
NUMBER 18, CHASSITY MAISHA REENA CASI 614 NORTH 33RD STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 19, JOHN EARL WILLIAMS AND ARSULA WILLIAMS, 2122 BATEMAN CIRCLE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 20, ALBERT LAWRENCE, 404, SOUTH 18TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 21, DREW LUVIER, 758 NAPOLEON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 22, BETTY MILLER, 2809 WELLER AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 23, LULA COATES, 2113 KANSAS STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 24, DOUGLAS FRANCIS 1112 ST. JOSEPH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 25, DAYNE ALEXANDER AND KATHY ALEXANDER, 2530 LAUREL STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 26, CHARLIE DAVISON, 1349 THOMAS H DELPIT DRIVE, COUNCIL OF DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
ADJUDICATED PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS, NUMBER 27, LOT 6A SQUARE 254, SUBDIVISION SWART, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 28, LOT 19, SQUARE 38, SUBDIVISION SOUTH DOT ROUGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
[01:05:01]
SUBDIVISION AIRLINE TERRACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNY.NUMBER 30, LOT 38, SQUARE 2, SUBDIVISION PROGRESS PARK EDITION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 31, LOT 171, SUBDIVISION COLONIAL HILL, COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS, NUMBER 32, LOT T-1-E-3, SUBDIVISION SOUTH PARK FOREST, COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE HURST, NUMBER 33, LOT 45, SUBDIVISION AIRLINE TERRACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY, NUMBER 34, LOT 46, SUBDIVISION AIRLINE TERRACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 35, LOT 26, SUBDIVISION AIRLINE TERRACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 36, LOT 17 AND 18 SQUARE THREE, SUBDIVISION SCOTLANDVILLE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY, NUMBER 37, LOT 1 PLUS SQUARE 52, SUBDIVISION FORTUNE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5, HURST.
NUMBER 38, LOT 7 A SQUARE 2, SUBDIVISION BANK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY, NUMBER 39, LOT J, SQUARE 92, SUBDIVISION STROMA, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 40, LOT 82, SUBDIVISION WOODALE PARK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 6, DUNN JUNIOR.
NUMBER 41, LOT 33, SUBDIVISION SUNNYBROOK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5, HURST.
NUMBER 42, LOT AC-2B, SUBDIVISION ANTHONY CATRONA TRACT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 43, LOT 46, SQUARE 2, SUBDIVISION BABIN, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 44, LOT 6, SUBDIVISION SWORD EDITION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 45, LOT 7-B SQUARE 257 SUBDIVISION SORT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 46, LOT 7, SUBDIVISION SWORD EDITION, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN, ALL ITEMS THAT REQUIRE READING HAVE BEEN READ, A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS IS IN ORDER.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> SECOND, BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. I'M GOING TO GO TO OUR SEPARATE CHIEF FOR CONDEMNATIONS.
[CONDEMNATIONS]
RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO PROCEED WITH ITEM 68, 72, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, AND 88, 30 DAY DEFERRAL ON ITEM 69 AND 70, A 60 DAY DEFERRAL ON ITEM 87, 90 DAY DEFERRAL ON ITEM 84 AND TO DELETE ITEM 71, 75 AND 83.DOES ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS? I SEE NONE.
WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR.
>> MISS JACKSON WAS HERE EARLIER REQUESTING A 30 DAY DEFERRAL ON 79.
COUNCILMAN HURST GAVE A TWO WEEKS AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, AND SHE'S REQUESTING 30 DAYS ONLY THIS TIME.
>> ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMAN KENNEY.
>> ALL RIGHT. THE STEPPER FAMILY ALSO CAME AS WELL TO REQUEST A 60 DAY FOR 77TH SO I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A 60 DAY DEFERRAL TO IT TOO.
>> ALL RIGHT. FOR 87, THE GIBSON COMPANY AS BEN GIBSON NEED 60 DAYS, STATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE I10.
>> EIGHTY EIGHT, DO YOU HAVE THAT ONE? COMPLETING SUCCESSION, SELF DEMO 60 DAYS, PLEASE.
>> SIXTY ON 88. ANYONE ELSE? I'M GOING TO READ HIM BACK.
WE'RE GOING TO PROCEED WITH ITEM 68, 72, 73, 74, 76, 78, 80, 81 82, 85, AND 86, 30 DAYS ON ITEM 69, 70 AND 79, 60 DAYS ON 77, 87 AND 88, 90 DAYS ON 84 AND DELETE, 71, 75 AND 83.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN AND HE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 89, THERE'S BEEN A RECOMMENDATION TO DELETE THIS ITEM,
[89. 24-01626 ]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH CROSSROADS STRATEGIES LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000 FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS SERVICES FOR THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR AND THE OPTION FOR ONE YEAR RENEWALS CONTINGENT UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 89.
[01:10:04]
>> THERE'S A RECOMMENDATION TO DELETE ITEM WAS REINTRODUCED TODAY OR SIMILAR ITEMS. DO YOU HAVE A MOTION IN THAT REGARD? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, TO DELETE ANY OPPOSED? TO DELETE.
YOU WITHDRAW YOUR MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED TO DELETE? YOU OPPOSED COUNCILMAN?
>> CAN WE HEAR FROM SOMEBODY FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND GET UNDERSTANDING WHY?
>> YEAH. COUNCIL MEMBERS MASON BATS WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
WE MADE THE MOTION TO DELETE, AND IT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING.
THERE'S CROSS ROADS AND CORNERSTONE STRATEGIES.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CORNERSTONE STRATEGIES AT THE NEXT MEETING.
WE ARE INTRODUCING IT TONIGHT WHERE I'VE ALREADY INTRODUCED IT, SO THAT'S WHY.
>> THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT ENTITIES?
>> THE FEDERAL LOBBYISTS WILL NOW BE ASSUMING WE GET APPROVAL WOULD BE CORNERSTONE STRATEGIES AND THE PREVIOUS ONE CROSSROADS, WILL SAVE ABOUT 100 GRAND ON THE CONTRACT.
>> WAS THIS A RPRQ? I SEE $250,000.
WAS THIS A DIRECT APPOINTMENT?
>> YES. I THINK FOR AT LEAST THE LAST TWO YEARS, THIS WAS THE FEDERAL LOBBYIST FOR THE CITY.
>> PASS THE ATTORNEY, PLEASE, GREG.
>> COULD YOU EDUCATE ME AND THE PUBLIC ON OUR PUBLIC BID POLICY AND THE THRESHOLD WHERE WE NEED A RPRQ?
COME ON UP. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT.
>> DOES PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRE RPFQ OF THIS AMOUNT?
>> I GOT IN HERE, I APOLOGIZE.
I WAS TALKING TO RACHEL ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE, BUT SO THIS HAS BEEN THE ONE IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS CROSSROADS?
>> I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM. THANK YOU.
>> YEAH. WE WERE COMPLETED WITH IT.
ANYBODY ELSE YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON? ASHLEY, CAN YOU TAKE OUT 90?
[90. 25-00138 ]
>> ITEM 90. ADOPTING THE FOLLOWING INCREASED AD VALOREM TAX MILLAGE RATES WITHOUT FURTHER VOTE OF APPROVAL WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FOLLOWING TAXING JURISDICTIONS ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY TO BE LEVIED DURING THE YEAR 2025 AS PERMITTED BY ARTICLE 7, SECTION 23(C) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
THIS IS ADOPTION OF INCREASED AD VALOREM TAX MILLAGE RATES FOR 2025 ROLL FORWARD.
COUNCIL ON AGING 2025 ADJUSTED MILLAGE AFTER REASSESSMENT IS 2.0 MILLS, 2025 FOR ROLL FORWARD WOULD BE 2.13 MILLS.
BATON ROUGE MUNICIPAL FIRE SALARIES AND BENEFITS FROM 5.68 MILLS TO SIX MILLS.
CITY OF BATON ROUGE 3 PLATOON POLICE TAX FROM 0.82 MILLS TO 0.87 MILLS.
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 1 FROM 8.52 MILLS TO NINE MILLS.
BROWNFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 3 FROM 8.83 MILLS TO 10 MILLS.
BROWNFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE ADDITIONAL FROM 4.41 MILLS TO FIVE MILLS.
BROWNFIELD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER THREE ADDITIONAL FROM 8.83 MILLS TO TEN MILLS.
CHANEYVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 7 FROM 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS.
CHANEYVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 7, ADDITIONAL FROM 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS.
CHANEYVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 7 FROM 9.09 MILLS TO 10 MILLS.
PROD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 8 FROM 8.97 MILLS TO 10 MILLS.
PROD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 8, ADDITIONAL FROM 13.45 MILLS TO 15 MILLS.
ALLISON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 9, 9.82 MILLS TO 10 MILLS.
ALLISON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 9, ADDITIONAL FROM 4.91 MILLS TO FIVE MILLS BY COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN JUNIOR.
>> ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. JAKE MORGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE BATON ROUGE FIREFIGHTER ASSOCIATION.
ATTEMPT NUMBER 3, THE FIRE SERVICE USES THESE MILLAGES AND HAS FOR A LONG TIME ACROSS OUR PARISH TO PAY FOR WHAT IT COSTS TO RUN A FIRE DEPARTMENT, BUYING TRUCKS, BUYING STATIONS, PAYING OUR PEOPLE, AND WHEN WE PASS THESE MILLAGES, IT'S THOUGHT OUT.
[01:15:01]
WE NEED THE CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MILLS TO OPERATE OUR DEPARTMENTS AND PAY OUR PEOPLE, MAINTAIN OUR STATIONS, MAINTAIN OUR TRUCKS.IN THE LAST SIX YEARS, THE COST OF A FIRE TRUCK HAS GONE UP, AN ENGINE HAS GONE UP FROM ROUGHLY $600,000 TO RIGHT SHY OF 1 MILLION.
A LADDER TRUCK HAS GONE UP FROM, SAY, 900,000 TO OVER 1.7 MILLION DOLLAR.
JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN OUR LIVES, PRICES GO UP FOR THIS STUFF.
WHEN THE TAX ASSESSOR REASSESSES OUR PROPERTIES HERE IN THE PARISH, THE PUBLIC VOTES ON A MILLAGE, NOT A SET AMOUNT OF MONEY.
THE MILLAGES ARE MEANT TO GO UP AND DOWN WITH THE COST OF PROPERTY, AND THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT.
WE USE THESE MILLAGES ALMOST WHEN THEY ROLL FORWARD ALMOST AS A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT BECAUSE THE PRICE OF RUNNING FIRE DEPARTMENTS IS MORE EXPENSIVE AND I'M SURE THE POLICE CAN SPEAK ON THE SAME MATTER.
FOR THESE ROLL FORWARDS, THE PUBLIC VOTES ON A SET MILLAGE.
FOR BATON ROUGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, IT'S SIX MILLS.
THAT'S WHAT THEY VOTE ON. THEY DON'T VOTE ON.
I'M GOING TO PAY $100 A YEAR IN TAXES.
WE HOPE THAT YOU GUYS SEE THE VALUE IN THAT.
WE NEED THIS MONEY TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE OUR APARTMENTS, THE WAY WE'VE BEEN RUNNING IN THIS PARISH AND I JUST ASK THAT YOU GUYS CONSIDER THIS AND PASS IT SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITHOUT ANY MORE INTERRUPTIONS. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. GOOD EVENING. HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY.
GOOD? ABOUT ALL I CAN DO IS ECHO WHAT JAKE JUST SAID.
IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE PREPARED, BE READY TO GO.
THE COST OF EQUIPMENT IS SO HIGH.
PERSONNEL, WE HAVE TO PAY PERSONNEL A DECENT SALARY IN ORDER TO KEEP THEM.
I'M A CHIEF OF A SMALL DEPARTMENT IN BROWNSVILLE, WHICH WE HAVE TWO STATIONS, BUT IT STILL COSTS US TO MAINTAIN AND KEEP EVERYTHING UP.
THE BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND NOT ONLY THAT FUEL, REPAIRS ON TRUCKS AND THIS TYPE STUFF.
JAKE SAID A WHILE AGO, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS OR CLOSE TO A MILLION DOLLARS FOR A PUMPER.
WE USE PUMPERS AT EACH STATION FOR SURE.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE ANY AERIAL TRUCKS TO BUY.
BUT ANYWAY, I'M JUST ASKING YOU, PLEASE CONSIDER IT OUR COMMUNITY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THEM WITH THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT AND SO FORTH, AND SO ON.
BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING US SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT IT.
BUT PLEASE OPEN UP YOUR HEART AND THINK ABOUT IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. AS YOUR FIRE CHIEF OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, I KNOW MULTIPLE YOU HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH US.
WHAT DOES THIS DO FOR EACH DEPARTMENT? EVERY DEPARTMENT HAS THEIR STORY.
FOR US IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, IT HELPS ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF YOUR CITY'S BRAVEST.
IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND BRING MORE FIREFIGHTERS INTO THE CITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? SEE NO ONE. WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL, COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.
>> THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO OFFER AMENDMENT TO REMOVE NUMBER 1, COUNCIL ON AGING AND MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
AS SOME OF YOU ARE AWARE AND SOME OF YOU ARE NOT, THE COUNCIL ON AGING WAS A PART OF THE PROPOSED THRIVE EAST BATON ROUGE PARIS PLAN, AND THAT MILLAGE WILL BE A PART OF THAT PLAN AND WE WILL CALL COUNCIL ON AGING OFF OF THIS ITEM AND INCLUDED IN THAT WHEN THAT ITEM IS INTRODUCED AND ULTIMATELY PUT FORTH BEFORE THIS BODY.
>> DO YOU HAVE A SECOND FOR THAT MOTION?
>> COLLEAGUES, AND TO THE PUBLIC, AND I'LL STATE THIS OVER EACH AND OVER EACH TIME.
THESE MILLAGES RIGHT HERE ARE THE FEW THAT ACTUALLY HAVE A RETURN ON COST AND A RETURN ON INVESTMENT AS FAR AS WHAT WE GIVE THEM OR ALLOW THEM TO ROLL FORWARD.
AS WE ALL KNOW, THE FIRE SERVICE, ESPECIALLY HAS A CLASSIFICATION RATING THROUGH THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
INSURANCE COMPANIES RATE ALL THESE FIRE DEPARTMENTS FROM A LEVEL OF 1-10, AND THE LOWER THE LEVEL THAT THEY ARE, THE LOWER THE HOME INSURANCE RATES ARE.
COULD BE ANYWHERE 15-25% WITH EACH CLASSIFICATION THAT THEY DO.
IN THEIR ROLL FORWARD IN THE FEW DOLLARS THAT WE PAY MORE EACH YEAR FOR EACH DEPARTMENT OR WHATEVER DEPARTMENT THAT YOU LIVE IN, SOME OF THEM HAVE MULTIPLE MILLAGES THAT GET APPROVED, SO THOSE WILL COST A LITTLE BIT MORE.
BUT THE COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF APPROVING THIS AND THE SAVINGS THAT THEY HAVE THROUGH THEIR INSURANCE RATINGS THROUGH THE HOMEOWNERS OVER THE YEAR,
[01:20:01]
ACTUALLY GIVES THEM MORE OF A RETURN ON INVESTMENT I FEEL.I WOULD ASK THAT WE ALL COME ON THE BOARD TO APPROVE THIS. THANK YOU.
>> I KNOW I'VE STATED THIS BEFORE THE PREVIOUS TWO TIMES.
I APPRECIATE CHIEFS AND JAKE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING UP AND ALL KNOW I SUPPORT YOU ALL.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ROLL FORWARD, MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THIS IS A TAX INCREASE ON AN UNREALIZED GAIN OF PEOPLE'S PROPERTIES.
JUST BECAUSE THE ASSESSOR STATED THAT THEY HAD AN INCREASE IN VALUATION, IT DOESN'T PUT MORE DOLLARS IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS.
WHILE IT MIGHT BE A MINOR AMOUNT FOR SOMEBODY ON A FIXED INCOME AND WHAT SOME MAY THINK IS MINOR, MAY NOT BE FOR OTHERS.
I JUST CAN NEVER SUPPORT BEING PART OF RAISING TAXES ON AN UNREALIZED GAIN UNILATERALLY AS A BODY ON CONSTITUENTS WITHOUT THEM HAVING A VOTE ON IT.
IN THE PAST, WE'VE SEEN ALL COME UP AND WE'VE SUPPORTED PUTTING TAXES ON THE BALLOT FOR YOU ALL AND I'D SUPPORT THAT AGAIN, AS LONG AS THERE'S A JUSTIFICATION FOR IT, YOU ALL KNOW THAT.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO US ROLLING FORWARD, LIKE I SAY, I UNDERSTAND IT'S LEGAL TO DO IT, BUT I LOOK AT US UNILATERALLY AS A BODY RAISING TAXES ON AN UNREALIZED GAIN WITHOUT A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, SO I WON'T BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR AMENDED BY REMOVING NUMBER 1 BUT TO APPROVE THE REMAINING, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES?
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED, REMOVING COUNCIL ON AGING AND APPROVING ALL OTHERS. MOTION FAILS.
>> I WOULD NOT MIND IF COME AGAIN.
>> MOTION WOULD STILL FAIL. WE'LL VOTE AGAIN.
IS EVERYBODY READY? YES. THIS REQUIRES EIGHT VOTES TO BE APPROVED.
MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED. MOTION FAILS.
>> ITEM 91, WAVING THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE,
[91. 25-00270]
AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, TITLE 9, LICENSING AND REGULATION OF TRADE AND OCCUPATIONS, CHAPTER 18, WINE BEER AND LIQUOR.SECTION 9, 1010B REGARDING THE 300 FOOT DISTANCE REQUIREMENT SO AS TO ALLOW JB EATERY, LLC DOING BUSINESS AT SOUTHERN CHICKS CAFE, LOCATED AT 7112, FLORIDA BOULEVARD, BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA 70806 TO APPLY FOR AN ALCOHOL LICENSE BY COUNCILWOMAN TWAHNA P. HARRIS.
THIS IS BEING HEARD DUE TO THE EXPIRATION OF TIME AT THE MARCH 12TH, 2025 MEETING.
THIS ITEM WAS NOT CONSIDERED AT THAT MEETING.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 91.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 82, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE THE ENTITY STATE AGREEMENT BETWEEN
[92. 25-00260]
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT AND THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNDING FOR THE HARDWOOD DRIVE ROAD DIET, LANE, RECONFIGURATION PROJECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOUISIANA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PROGRAM BY THE TRANSPORTATION DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.THIS ITEM ALSO IS ON THIS AGENDA DUE TO THE EXPIRATION OF TIME OF THE MARCH 12TH, 2025 MEETING AND IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED AT THAT MEETING.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 92.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
CERTAINLY, THIS WAS BROUGHT UP AT THE LAST MEETING AND IT WAS ASKED TO BE DEFERRED AS AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILMAN DUNN, CERTAINLY WHAT I PROVIDED SOME OF THE INFORMATION TO COUNCILMAN DUNN, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S ACTUALLY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT ALL THE INFORMATION.
IT IS A LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PROGRAM, AND IT IS SOMETHING THESE GRANTS YOU DON'T GET VERY OFTEN.
ON THIS PARTICULAR ROADWAY WITH ARDENWOOD, BETWEEN FLORIDA BOULEVARD AND ALL THE WAY OUT TO CHOCTAW.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WILL BENEFIT THE AREA IN GENERAL.
TEN YEARS AGO, THERE WASN'T A WHOLE LOT OF DEVELOPMENT OUT THERE.
NOW WE'VE GOT A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT THAT'S TAKING PLACE,
[01:25:01]
PARTICULARLY RESIDENTIAL TYPE OF SITUATION.THE HOUSING AUTHORITIES BUILDING UNITS OUT THERE TO BE TO HELP FACILITATE MOVING PEOPLE IN AND AROUND, AND THEY HAVE SOME OTHER DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE ALSO BEING LOOKED AT IN THIS AREA.
IT'S A CHANCE TO GET SOME FEDERAL DOLLARS, ABOUT $800,000 OR $750,000 TO BE TO HELP LOOK AT REDUCING THE THE SPEED ON THE ROADWAY ITSELF, ALSO LOOK AT NARROWING DOWN THE LANES TO BETTER GET CONTROL OF TRAFFIC, BUT ALSO PROVIDE THE ACCESS AND NECESSITY EQUIPMENT TO DEAL WITH MOVING PEOPLE ACROSS THE STREETS, MOVING PEOPLE UP AND DOWN THE STREETS, PARTICULARLY PEDESTRIANS, AND OR EITHER BICYCLISTS.
THAT IS THE REAL PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM.
CERTAINLY, AS I MENTIONED TO COUNCILMAN DUNN TODAY AGAIN, I SAID, IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS, WHICH I WOULD ASK ALL TO CONSIDER, BUT THERE AGAIN, THAT'S THE DECISION YOU ALL MAKE.
THEN THIS GRANT WILL BE MOVED TO ANOTHER PARISH WITHIN OUR STATE OF LOUISIANA.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AT THIS POINT.
I'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE.
>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NOW WE GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.
>> THANK YOU. YES, I DID RECEIVE YOUR EMAIL, LOOKED AT THE DESIGN AND THE DOCUMENTS AND THE LAYOUT OF THE NEW DESIGN.
I DIDN'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION AT THE PREVIOUS.
YOU PROVIDED IT, AND I JUST WANTED TO GET MY EYES ON IT TO SEE WHAT THINGS LOOKED LIKE BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD.
I'M COMFORTABLE WITH MOVING FORWARD, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.
JUST FOR CLARITY, THIS ITEM WAS NOT DEFERRED.
I THINK WE HAD SAID WE'D GET BACK TO IT LATER ON THE MEETING.
WE DID NOT TAKE ACTION AT THAT MEETING, WHICH IS WHY IT'S ROLLING TO THIS ONE ACCURATE?
>> NO. I THOUGHT THE ITEM WAS EITHER WAY, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT'S SHOWN FOR THE WAY.
I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH EITHER ONE OF THEM THAT'S FINE. THANK YOU.
>> IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOTION AND SECOND, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
[93. 25-00265 ]
ITEM 93, RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK COURT TO CANCEL THE DECISION IN ORDER RECORDED ON NOVEMBER 14TH, 2014, IN A MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS RZ, PROPERTIES, LLC, 925 NORTH 30TH STREET.SOLD AND RENOVATED BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
THIS ITEM IS ON THIS AGENDA, DUE TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE TIME OF THE MARCH 12TH, 2025 MEETING, IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED AT THAT MEETING.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST. ANY HE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 94,
[94. 25-00269 ]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO AN EXISTING CONTRACT FOR BILLING SERVICES WITH THE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS GROUP FOR AN AMOUNT $22,909 BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THIS ITEMS ON THE AGENDA DUE TO EXPIRATION OF TIME AT THE MARCH 12TH, 2025 MEETING, IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED AT THAT MEETING.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WE GO TO COUNCIL.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 95,
[95. 25-00310 ]
APPROVING THE RESPONSES PROVIDED TO THE ANNUAL LOUISIANA COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE YEAR 2024 AS REQUIRED BY THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. AN OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 96,
[96. 25-00291]
AUTHORIZE PAST ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO ACQUIRE THROUGH PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, AND OUR INSTITUTION OF EXPROPRIATION PROCEEDINGS AND TO TAKE SUCH OTHER ACTIONS AS MAY BE REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF LAND NECESSARY FOR THE PIKU RIGOR COLLECTION SYSTEM BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST.
ITEM 97, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT,
[97. 25-00286]
THE MATTER ENTITLED BRENDA CAMP VERSUS ST. ALICE LAGUERRE AT ALL IN AN AMOUNT OF 30,000 PLUS COURT COST AND THE AMOUNT OF $1,418.30 FOR TOTAL AMOUNT OF $31,418.30 BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST.
[98. 25-00287]
ITEM 98, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CAMPBELL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY INC TO PERFORM THE RELOCATION OF A DIESEL TANK AND CONSTRUCTION OF TANK PAD IN THE AMOUNT I TAXED $59,713 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WE GO TO COUNCIL.
[01:30:01]
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 99,[99. 25-00288 ]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT AND BATON ROUGE TO APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION, ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT FOR THE SOUTH TREATMENT PLAN TO LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FOR THE MONITORING PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2024 BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECONDED, BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 100 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT [INAUDIBLE],
[100. 25-00289]
TO APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION, ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT FOR THE NORTH TREATMENT PLAN TO LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FOR THE MONITORING PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2024 BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING, NO ONE WE GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURST, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 101,
[101. 25-00290]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT BATON ROUGE TO APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF THE LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT FOR THE LAKE GEORGE PERMIT TO THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FOR THE MONITORING PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2024 BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE WE GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECONDED MATTER CHAIR, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 102,
[102. 25-00305]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO AMEND THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE BRIDGE CENTER FOR HOPING, TO INCLUDE PROVIDING AID TO CITIZENS IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH WHO CONTACT THE 911 SYSTEM FOR ASSISTANCE DUE TO A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND CLARIFYING APPROPRIATE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS DUE TO SAID TRANSFER OF 911 CALLERS TO THE BRITISH CENTER FOR HOPING FOR LOAD A MID ACUITY, PSYCHIATRIC ISSUES BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 103,
[103. 25-00309]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LUSTER GROUP, LLC FOR DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES PACKAGE A1 AND THE AMOUNT I TAKE C 97,000 BY THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> NO WE GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION, BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM ON FOUR, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH
[104. 25-00312 ]
SPERO COMPANY INC FOR DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES PACKAGE A3 IN AN AMOUNT I TAKE C OF 57,800 BY THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SAY, NO, WE'LL GO TO COUNSEL, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURD, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. A 105,
[105. 25-00313 ]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT SIX WITH WAGONER ENGINEERING FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MO BR CAPACITY PROJECT, JONES CREEK ROAD, TIGER BEN JEFFERSON, AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $75,853.79 BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE YOU KNOW AND GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCIL HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROSA. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM ONE OH SIX,
[106. 25-00315]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LUSTER GROUP, LLC FOR DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES PACKAGE A2, AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $93,750 BY THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
SECOND, BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES I'M GOING TO TAKE 107 THROUGH 126 TOGETHER,
[ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES]
107, LOT FIVE, SIX AND SEVEN SQUARE 54, SUBDIVISION FORTUNE METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE HURST HIGH BIDDER, ALDEN A CLARK $300, ITEM 108, LOT THREE PLUS SQUARE FIVE, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE ADDITION, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN, HARRIS HIGH BIDDER, JARED BOWIE, $2,400, 109, LOT FOUR SQUARE 25TH 251, SUBDIVISION SWART, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COMAN HIGH BIDDER QUADE HERMANN, $1,800, 110, LOT THREE SQUARE 251, SUBDIVISION SWART, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER MAYHEM CONSTRUCTION, $2,100.111, LOT ONE, SQUARE 17, SUBDIVISION ABRAMSON, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN, HIGH BIDDER WHITMORE, WHITMORE ENTERPRISES, LLC $1,200, 112, LOT SIX SQUARE 44, SUBDIVISION UNIVERSITY PLACE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO KENNY, HIGH BIDDER, JACKIE CLAYTON, $2,600, 113, LOT E SQUARE 261, SUBDIVISION SWART, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER.
COLIN PHILLIPS THE 3RD, $19,000, 114, LOT P SQUARE 23 SUBDIVISION NORTH BATON ROUGE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO KENNEY, HIGH BIDDER FISHER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, LLC, 4,500, 115, LOT E SQUARE 32 SUBDIVISION GRACY METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN,
[01:35:08]
HIGH BIDDER WHITMORE, WHITMORE ENTERPRISES, LLC, 1,500, 116 LOT K, SUBDIVISION MC TRA, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE HIGH BIDDER RENEWAL INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC, $20,000, 117, LOT ONE SQUARE SIX SUBDIVISION FU QUAL MON TOWN, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER WORLDWIDE INVESTMENT 78, LLC 8,300, 118, LOT B SUBDIVISION GOODWOOD ACRES, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT, 11 ADAMS, HIGH BIDDER, A DONS AMERICA, LLC $100, 119, LOT TWO SQUARE 250, SUBDIVISION SWART, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN, HIGH BIDDER, A DONS AMERICA, LLC, $200.120, LOT 12, SQUARE 13, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS, HIGH BIDDER, JARED BOWIE $4,100, 121, LOT SEVEN, SQUARE 34, SUBDIVISION IN STROM OF METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN, HIGH BIDDER, RICKY F MCCANN'S $100, 122, LOT FIVE, SQUARE 253, SUBDIVISION SWART, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER, MAYHEM CONSTRUCTION $2,000.
123, LOT SEVEN, SQUARE 35 SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS, HIGH BIDDER, BEACHAM CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT, LLC $600.01 24, LOT NINE SQUARE 35 SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS, HIGH BIDDER BEACHAM CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT, $500.
125, LOT 20 A AND 21 SQUARE TWO, SUBDIVISION, SOUTH BATON ROUGE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN, HIGH BIDDER, QUANTE HARDMAN, $45,100, 126, LOT 40 SUBDIVISION VICTORIA FARMS METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE HURST, HIGH BIDDER REDEEMED.
ITEMS 107 TO 126, ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS. SEE, NONE, GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROSA.
[ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER ITEMS]
WE HAVE ONE. IT'S AN APPOINTMENT.A ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD, ABC, CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING CHASE TISON WHO RESIGNED.
THE TERM EXPIRES DECEMBER 31ST, 2026.
CURRENT BALLOT IS AARON HOFFMAN.
I NEED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ROSA SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? SEE, I'M GOING TO HAVE A VOTE.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? NO OBJECTION. I'M GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM.
NO, WE'LL GO TO THE COUNCIL FLOOR IS OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS.
AARON HOFFMAN IS ON THE BALLOT.
>> COUNCILMAN. I'M SORRY, MAYOR [INAUDIBLE] I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT ON HOFFMAN'S APPLICATION AND HAVE HER BE OUR NEW ABC MEMBER.
I'VE KNOWN ERIN FOR 30 SOMETHING YEARS.
SHE'S A CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL, AND SHE WILL BE A VERY GOOD ADDITION TO THE PROFESSIONALISM IN THE BUSINESS OF THIS BOARD. I MAKE A MOTION.
>> I HAVE A MOTION. WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROSA ANY OPPOSED? CONGRATULATIONS, AARON.
APPOINTMENTS 127, CAPITAL AREA HUMAN SERVICES DISTRICT TO
[127. 25-00353]
REPLACE SHONA V HARRIS WHO IS NOT SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT NOMINEES AND MUST BE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA.HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IN FINANCE, ACCOUNTING, BUSINESS ENTERPRISE OR AUDITING, OR TWO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IN THE FIELD OF ADDICTIVE DISORDERS OR IS A PARENT CONSUMER OR ADVOCATE IN THE FIELD OF ADDICTIVE DISORDERS.
CURRENT BALLOT, DOCTOR NICOLA HALL.
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MUST SUBMIT TWO NAMES TO THE GOVERNOR FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPOINTMENT FOR EACH VACANCY.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NOW GO TO COUNCILMAN D JUNIOR.
>> THOSE OF US WHO WERE HERE LAST YEAR MAY OR MAY NOT REMEMBER THAT WE MADE A RECOMMENDATION FOR ONE OF THESE PREVIOUSLY.
WE HAVE TWO MORE BEFORE US RIGHT NOW.
I'M BEING TOLD THAT WE TYPICALLY DON'T GET ANY NOTICE OR CORRESPONDENCE AS IT RELATES TO IF AND WHEN THESE APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE HAVE SOME CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATION.
[01:40:02]
BUT ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE TIMELINE IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO, APPOINT THE ONE THAT WE RECOMMENDED LAST YEAR, AND YET WE HAVE TWO MORE.I WOULD HOPE THAT, IT DON'T TAKE, THIS LONG TO PLACE THESE TWO AS WELL.
BUT I ALSO BECAUSE IT SEEMS AS IF WE HAVE TO RECOMMEND TWO.
>> YOU ALL CAN NOMINATE PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR TONIGHT.
WE CAN RECOMMEND AT LEAST TWO.
YOU CAN RECOMMEND MORE THAN THAT, BUT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BY STATUTE, RECOMMEND AT LEAST TWO FOR EACH VACANCY.
>> IF WE CAN'T DO THIS, LET ME KNOW, BUT I WANT TO RECOMMEND THE PERSON I RECOMMENDED BEFORE TO INCREASE THEIR CHANCES OF GETTING ON DOCTOR CHRISTIANA RICARD, WHICH YOU ALREADY HAVE THE RESUME AND IT SUBMITTED FROM LAST YEAR AS ONE OF THESE.
BUT MORE THAN THAT, JUST WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN ENHANCE AND INCREASE OUR CORRESPONDENT COMMUNICATION WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND WHO'S EVER MAKING A DECISION ON THESE APPOINTMENTS AND THAT WE CAN PLACE THESE PEOPLE BECAUSE IT APPEARS THAT WE HAVE AT LEAST THREE VACANCIES RIGHT NOW.
>> THAT'S RIGHT WE HAVE THREE EAST BERGE PARISH VACANCIES.
JUST FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH THIS BOARD, THIS IS A BOARD CREATED BY STATE STATUTE AND THE PARISH NOMINATES AT LEAST TWO NAMES FOR EACH VACANCY.
WE SEND THOSE TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WHO THE GOVERNOR IS THE ONE WHO ACTUALLY MAKES THE APPOINTMENT FROM THAT LIST OF NOMINEES.
AS IT HAPPENS, THE LAST ONE THAT WE SENT IN OCTOBER, NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON IT.
I HEARD BACK FROM CAPITAL AREA HUMAN SERVICES DISTRICT WHEN SHE LET ME KNOW ABOUT THESE TWO VACANCIES THAT THEY HAD NEVER RECEIVED WORD ON THE ONE FROM OCTOBER.
I RE-URGED MY LETTER FROM JANUARY, SENT IT AGAIN, NO CORRESPONDENCE.
IN THE TIME THAT I'VE BEEN IN THIS JOB, I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED CORRESPONDENCE BACK FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON THIS, REGARDLESS OF WHO'S IN OFF.
THEY JUST DON'T THEY DO NOT SEND US CORRESPONDENCE TO LET US KNOW WHO WHO THEY HAVE CHOSEN.
>> WE HAVE WE DO HAVE A MOTION.
>> TO SEND THE TWO NAMES, DOCTOR NICOLA HALL AND DOCTOR CHRISTIANA RICARD.
THAT'S YOUR MOTION. COUNCIL, DO WE HAVE A SECOND FOR THAT MOTION?
>> I'D LIKE TO ADD SOMEONE TO THAT.
>> YEAH. BECAUSE YEAH. COUNCILWOMAN ROCK?
>> I WOULD I WOULD LIKE TO ADD SOMEONE, BUT I'LL WAIT AND I'LL RESERVE THAT UNTIL THE NEXT ITEM.
>> DO WE HAVE A SECOND FOR THE MOTION? SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 128, CAPITAL AREA OF HUMAN SERVICES DISTRICT
[128. 25-00387 ]
TO REPLACE VIRGINIA PEARSON, WHO HAS RESIGNED.THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MUST SUBMIT TWO NAMES TO THE GOVERNOR FOR CONSIDERATION.
NOMINEES, MUST MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA.
HAVE A PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IN FINANCE ACCOUNTING, BUSINESS ENTERPRISE OR AUDITING, HAVE A PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IN THE FIELD OF ADDICTIVE DISORDERS, OR IS A PARENT CONSUMER OR ADVOCATE IN THE FIELD OF ADDICTIVE DISORDERS? CURRENT BALLOT, DOCTOR NICOLA HALL, WHICH ACTUALLY, CORRECT ME IF I'M MISTAKEN.
DOCTOR NICOLA HALL CANNOT BE SENT ON THIS ONE.
>> I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THAT, BUT I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT 100% CANNOT.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH RE-URGING A NAME THAT COUNCILMAN THAT WE'VE DONE BEFORE, JUST BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN ON THAT ONE, BUT I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND INCLUDING HER NAME ON BOTH NOMINATIONS.
>> ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? I WILL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILWOMAN ROSA.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD A NAME TO THE BALLOT.
HOLGER HEAP PHD, HOLGER IS H-O-L-G-E-R. THEN HEAP IS H-E-A-P.
>> YOU ALL CAN DEFER THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING, IF YOU LIKE, IF WE DON'T HAVE OTHER NAMES, OR YOU CAN NOMINATE SOMEBODY TONIGHT AND FIND OUT AFTER THE MEETING IF THEY'RE INTERESTED.
>> YEAH. IF THERE'S A SEE, WE CAN SEND IT UP WE CAN SEND IT AGAIN, SEND IT TWICE.
COUNCILMAN, YOU WANT TO MAKE THAT MOTION WITH YOUR PERSON?
>> SURE. I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION WITH MR. HOLGER DOCTOR HOLGER.
[01:45:05]
>> MOTION IS TO SEND THE TWO NAMES OF DOCTOR NICOLA HALL AND DOCTOR HOLGER HEAP. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. CHANGE ORDERS.
[Items 129 - 131]
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 129 TO 131 TOGETHER.129 PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX, BOLER REPLACEMENT CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR GALLO MECHANICAL LLC DESCRIPTION.
TIME ADD FOR CHANGE ADER ONE, TIME TO RECONCILE, FINISH WORK WITH FINAL ACCEPTANCE.
ITEM 130, GARDEN HILL REGIONAL PUMP STATION, CONTRACTOR SOUTHERN UNDERGROUND, LOUISIANA, LLC, CHANGE ADER AMOUNT CREDIT, $73,947.18.
ITEM 131, EAST BOULEVARD AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT, CONTRACTOR PRO CIVIL LLC, CHANGE ADER AMOUNT, $7,684.55.
TWO CREDITS AND A TIME ONE. I LIKE THESE.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE? BE KNOW, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. FINAL ACCEPTANCES.
[Items 132 - 134]
132, PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX, BOLER REPLACEMENT, CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR GALLO MECHANICAL LLC, FINAL COST $707,411.133 GARDEN HILL REGIONAL PUMP STATION CONTRACTOR SOUTHERN UNDERGROUND, LOUISIANA, LLC, FINAL COST $771,135.19.
AT 1:34, EAST BOULEVARD AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT CONTRACTOR PRO CIVIL LLC, FINAL COST $480,871.05.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? PLEA NOW GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.
>> MEETING ADJOURN. ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? THANK YOU, EVERYBODY FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE.
CONTINUE SERVING YOUR COMMUNITIES, YOUR FAMILIES, BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST, SERVE GOD. THANK YOU GOD BLESS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.