Apr 23, 2025 Metropolitan Council

>> THAT MIKE IS ON.

[00:00:10]

THREE, TWO, ONE.

>> WELCOME, EVERYBODY TO THE PRESENTATION PORTION OF OUR METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING THIS APRIL 23RD, 2025.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FIRST CHIEF DUFF TO RECOGNIZE FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES FOR AUTISM AWARENESS. CHIEF?

>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL.

TODAY, WE LIKE TO TALK ABOUT AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH.

APRIL IS THE MONTH THAT IS VERY SPECIAL AND HOT SPELLED TO OUR OFFICE.

THIS MONTH, WE RECOGNIZE AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH, AT TIMES TO SUPPORT, CELEBRATE, AND STAND WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE ARTISTIC COMMUNITY.

OUR MAYOR, MAYOR EDWARDS, IS A CHAMPION FOR THE AUTISM AWARENESS.

FOR THIS MONTH, PARTICULARLY, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF BEING A MAYOR AND RECOGNIZING SPECIAL DAYS, BUT BECAUSE HE'S THE FATHER OF TWO AUTISTIC SONS.

HIS PERSONAL JOURNEY FUELS HIS DEEP COMMITMENT TO ADVOCACY, SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY AUTISM IN OUR PARISH.

TODAY, WE STAND PROUDLY WITH FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES, AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS MADE AN INCREDIBLE IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY, AFFECTING FAMILIES AS THEY NAVIGATE AUTISM.

AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE MEMBERS OF FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES TO COME FORWARD AND SHARE A FEW WORD.

WE'LL HAVE TO GIVE THIS TO HIM AT A LATER TIME.

BUT WE DO HAVE SOMEONE WHO'S HERE WITH US.

YOU READY FOR A SECOND ONE? MAYOR PRO TEM?

>> GO AHEAD, CHIEF.

>> WE HAVE A MAYOR FOR THE DAY TODAY.

EARLY THIS MORNING, I CAME INTO THE OFFICE, AND I WAS GREETED BY A SMILING FACE.

UNLIKE THE FACES I SEE EVERY DAY, I HAD THIS BEAUTIFUL YOUNG FACE.

TODAY, WE'RE EXCITED TO SHARE THE NEWS THAT A NEW MAYORS IN TOWN MEET KATE NOWORTH, A BRIGHT AND INSPIRING FIFTH GRADER RIGHT HERE FROM BATON ROUGE WHO SERVED AS MAYOR FOR TODAY.4 [APPLAUSE] KATE BROUGHT A FRESH PERSPECTIVE AND A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

SHE STOOD CONFIDENTLY IN FRONT OF MEETINGS, GATHERED WITH AND ENGAGED WITH STAFF, EVEN PRESENTED A CERTIFICATE ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT.

SHE WAS AN ABSOLUTE JOY TO HAVE LEAD OUR OFFICE TODAY WITH HER POISE AND CREATIVITY.

WE'RE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU, AND I'M GOING TO PERSONALLY INVITE YOU TO COME BACK.

I ENJOYED YOU BEING MY BOSS TODAY.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS TO THE COUNCIL?

>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. IT'S FINE.

>> GET RID OF THAT GUY, MAN. THAT'S WHAT YOU DO.

>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WAS INVOLVED WITH THIS CERTIFICATE, AND IT WAS JUST A GREAT EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD JOB, MAYOR. [APPLAUSE]

>> I GO TO BATON CENTER FOR VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.

>> WONDERFUL. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE OF BOY? ME.

>> I DON'T HAVE FAVORITES.

>> YOU ARE THE MAYOR. SHE'S POLITICIAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. HERE YOU GO, MISS KATE.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE.

[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE ONE LAST PRESENTATION.

I'D LIKE TO ASK A FRIEND TO COME STAND WITH ME.

WE HAVE MIKE DENCLA.

MIKE IS THE DIRECTOR OF EMS. BUT LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MIKE.

I'VE KNOWN MIKE FOR QUITE A LONG TIME.

HE'S BEEN A JOY TO WORK WITH OVER THESE LAST FOUR MONTHS.

BUT I'D RATHER TELL YOU ABOUT THE GUY I'VE BEEN KNOWING FOR A LONG TIME.

I WORKED WITH MIKE DURING HURRICANE KATRINA, WORKED WITH HIM THROUGH HURRICANE GUSTAV.

[00:05:02]

HE'S BEEN A EMS LIFESAVING PARAMEDIC.

BUT MOST OF ALL, HE'S BEEN A FRIEND TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN THIS COMMUNITY.

MIKE RETIRED AND THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION NEEDED SOMEBODY TO LEAD THIS ORGANIZATION, AND THEY COULDN'T HAVE FOUND A BETTER PERSON SO MIKE CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT.

THIS IS A SECOND TIME RETIREMENT.

I'M FOLLOWING YOUR FOOTSTEPS, MIKE.

I'M COPYING BEHIND YOU THIS TIME.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS.

BATON ROUGE REMEMBERS WHO HELPS THEM.

THAT'S THE COMMUNITY WE ARE.

BATON ROUGE NEVER FORGET THOSE FACES, THOSE NAMES.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN THE GROCERY STORE, AND SOMEBODY'S GOING TO WALK UP TO YOU AND SAY, THANK YOU, AND JUST KNOW THEY'RE REPRESENTING ALL THE PEOPLE OVER ALL THE YEARS THAT YOU'VE TOUCHED AND DONE WONDERFUL THINGS FOR.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU YOUR FAMILY FOR SHARING. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. FIRST OFF AND FOREMOST, I WOULDN'T BE HERE IF IT WOULDN'T BE FOR MY LOVELY WIFE.

WHEN I WAS CALLED TO ASK TO CONSIDER BEING THE ADMINISTRATOR OF EMS IN 2021, I HAD A LITTLE HESITANCY.

BUT SHE GAVE ME A GOOD NUDGE AND I'M VERY HAPPY SHE DID.

I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE STAFF I HAVE AND SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE HERE TODAY.

I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT TO HAVE GOOD PEOPLE AROUND YOU AND PEOPLE THAT CAN HELP YOU AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE HELPED.

THE COUNCIL HAS HELPED THE DEPARTMENT OF EMS GREATLY AND IT'S VERY APPRECIATED.

RUDY HAS HELPED US MANY TIMES WITH SOME ISSUES THAT WE'VE HAD.

MISS HARRIS HELP US THROUGH COUNCILMAN COLE WHEN SHE WAS HIS ASSISTANT.

COUNCIL MCKINNEY HE'S NEW, BUT ME AND HIM HAVE ALREADY HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS.

ME AND DENNIS ARE ON THE BOARD OF THE BRIDGE CENTER FOR HOPE.

ME AND MR. HUDSON HAS DONE SOME TALKING AND WE'VE HAD SOME THINGS PASS.

I'VE SEEN ASHLEY GETTING SOME JEWELRY AT THE JEWELRY STORE AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

BUT SHE'S HELPED US OUT WITH SOME STUFF, TOO.

DENNIS MCCAIN HAS HELPED EMS IMMENSELY, AND I MUST SAY THIS IN 1981, A MAN NAMED DREW MCCAIN PASSED AWAY.

HIS WIFE STARTED A COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP THAT WENT IN FRONT OF THE COUNCIL MEMBER AND PAT SCREEN, THE MAYOR AT THAT TIME AND SAID THAT MY HUSBAND DIED OF SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S WHERE EMS WAS BORN.

DENNIS MCCAIN HELPED RAISE MONEY.

THEY WENT AROUND THE COUNCILMAN AT THAT TIME, WENT AROUND THE UNITED STATES AND LOOKED AT OTHER EMS SYSTEMS, AND THAT'S SIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EMS WAS BORN.

HERE WE ARE TODAY. WHEN I TALKED TO MISS MCKINNIS THE OTHER DAY BECAUSE WE'RE WANTING TO NAME A MEMORIAL STATION AFTER HER HUSBAND, THAT'S ON COMMERCE VILLAGE AND MISS HARRIS'S AREA, I BELIEVE.

SHE WAS SO EXCITED.

SHE SAID, THOSE FOUR TRUCKS IS STILL RUNNING.

I SAID IT'S 47 TRUCKS, 13 STATIONS AROUND THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE.

OUR MEDICS TAKE GOOD CARE OF OUR CITIZENS IN OUR PARISH AND THAT'S WHERE OUR HEART LIES.

I THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR HELPING ME IN THIS POSITION THAT I AM, AND I'M GOING TO RETIRING, I APPRECIATE IT.

WE'LL HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE AT CC'S ONE DAY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

[00:10:28]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE, MIKE.

NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE COUNCILWOMAN TWAHNA HARRIS TO RECOGNIZE GERALD HAYNES, ROSIE GIBBONS, MICHAEL DRIGHT, AND DAZ ROBINSON FOR A SECOND CHAN.

COUNCILWOMAN? YOU WANT TO WAIT?

>> YEAH.

>> WE'LL WAIT. COUNCIL MCKINNEY, YOU'RE READY? NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE METROPOLITAN COUNCILMAN ANTHONY KENNEY JR. TO RECOGNIZE ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY. COUNCILMAN.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL. TODAY IS NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT DAY TODAY, AND SO I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF OUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTS ACROSS CITY PARISH AND OUR CITY PARISH OFFICES, BUT SPECIFICALLY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY TWO LEGISLATIVE AIDES, NIKITA PARKER, AND MADISON STEWART, COME ON UP.

THIS IS A SURPRISE TO THEM, SO I SNUCK THIS ONE IN.

THANK YOU, JAMIE. NOW, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'M SORRY, I'M TRYING TO GIVE YOU OUT A MEMORY.

I'LL TRY TO SNEAK THIS AT THE LAST MINUTE, SO MY APOLOGIES.

BUT I JUST WANT TO PRESENT THE CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION.

PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY, IF YOU WANT TO GET A JOB DONE, PUT SOME STRONG WOMEN BEHIND YOU.

I HAVE SOME AMAZING LEGISLATIVE AIDES WHO HAVE HELPED ME OVER THE PAST FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS OF MY TERM, SO I JUST WANT TO GIVE THEM THEIR FLOWERS ON TODAY ON NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT DAY.

THANK YOU, LADIES FOR YOUR HARD WORK.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. MY SECOND RECOGNITION TODAY IS FOR PRINCIPAL PAUL JACKSON.

MR. JACKSON HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS THE REGIONAL SECTION 5 PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR FOR MAGNET SCHOOLS OF AMERICA.

MR. JACKSON HAS BEEN A GREAT LEADER AT THE SCHOOL MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL, ONE OF OUR BIGGEST AND LEADING HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT 2 AREA, SO I'D LIKE TO BRING THEM UP TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS.

PRINCIPAL JACKSON. LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COUNCILMAN KENNEY, MAYOR PRO TEM NOEL, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

THIS IS DEFINITELY AN INDIVIDUAL AWARD THAT IS THE RESULT OF TEAM SUCCESS.

WE HAVE A PHENOMENAL TEACHING STAFF AT [INAUDIBLE] MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL WHO DO GREAT WORK AND DO IT TIRELESSLY AND OFTENTIMES WITHOUT A LOT OF PRAISE SO I'M GRATEFUL TO THEM, AS WELL AS OBVIOUSLY, SUPERINTENDENT COLE AND HIS LEADERSHIP TEAM.

OUR MAGNET DEPARTMENT AT THE DISTRICT THAT DOES A PHENOMENAL JOB.

FOR ME, PERSONALLY, I HAVE TO THANK MY FAMILY, PARTICULARLY AND MY WIFE, TAM, WHO'S HERE WITH ME, WHO IS MY WIFE AND THE REASON THAT PUSHES ME, SO THANK YOU FOR THIS, AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE THE SUCCESS. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM NOEL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

APRIL MARKS THE SECOND CHANCE MONTH, A NATIONAL RECOGNIZED CELEBRATION OF SECOND CHANCES.

FRESH STARTS AND BREAKING BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

SECOND CHANCE BEGINS, APRIL 1ST IS DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FACED BY INDIVIDUALS AFTER INCARCERATION.

[00:15:03]

EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF REDUCING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR A FORMALLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL.

THIS YEAR'S THEME IS SECOND CHANCES FOR STRONGER COMMUNITIES, ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT.

WE WILL RECOGNIZE TODAY, GERALD HAYNES, ROSIE GIBBONS, MICHAEL DRIGHT, AND DEZELLE ROBINSON.

I WANT TO SAY TO THEM, CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING IN YOUR COMMUNITIES, GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITIES AND MAKING CERTAIN THAT YOU ARE THE LIGHT IN YOUR COMMUNITY THAT OTHERS NEED TO SEE.

THEY'RE NOT HERE WITH US RIGHT NOW AT THIS MOMENT, BUT WE WILL MAKE CERTAIN THAT THEY RECEIVE THE CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. LAST, WE HAVE REPUBLIC FOR USA EBRP ASSEMBLY ANNOUNCEMENT. YES, MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU. EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SETTLEMENT COVENANT, LOUISIANA NATION PREAMBLE.

WE THE SOVEREIGN PEOPLE LIVING ON THE LAND IN EAST BATON ROUGE NATION, A FREE AND INDEPENDENT NATION IN ORDER TO LIVE TOGETHER IN HARMONY UNDER COMMON LAW OF THE ALMIGHTY CREATOR, TO FACILITATE THE AVOIDANCE OF DISPUTES, TO FACILITATE THE QUICK SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES WHICH MIGHT ARISE, TO PROVIDE FOR ORGANIZED DEFENSE OF LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PRIVATE PROPERTY.

TO PROTECT AND ADMINISTER PUBLIC PROPERTY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INHABITANTS AND TO MAKE CERTAIN LIMITED AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER SETTLEMENTS OF SOVEREIGN PEOPLE FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT, ORDAIN COMMON ACCORD AND RECOGNITION THE FOLLOWING.

NOTICE, DATE FEBRUARY 14, 2022, COME NOW, INHABITANTS OF EAST BATON ROUGE NATION BY ABSOLUTE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS AND WITH ABSOLUTE RESOLVE REBUT ALL CORPORATE AUTHORITY.

PARISH SETTLEMENT COVENANT IN ALL 64 PARISHES, ORIGINAL SIMONE AND LIBRARY OF RECORDS ON DATE FEBRUARY 12, 2022.

GIVES THIS NATION SETTLEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT.

EAST BATON ROUGE NATION SETTLEMENT COVENANT IN HARMONY WITH ALL 64 PARISHES, WE FIND.

ARTICLE 1, BY ALMIGHTY GOD GRANTING US FREEDOM, BY UNANIMOUS DECREE, THE LOCAL PEOPLES IN LOCAL PEACEABLE LAWFUL ASSEMBLY, IN SETTLEMENT COVENANT IN LOUISIANA, A FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATE, A MEMBER FREE AND INDEPENDENT NATIONS WITH OTHER FREE AND INDEPENDENT NATIONS, ALL KNOWN AS REPUBLIC FOR THE UNITED STATES FOR AMERICA.

SECTION 1. LOCAL PEOPLE IN FAMILY OF MAN AND WOMAN, CENTER IN ALMIGHTY GOD, LIVE ON LOCAL LAND AND USE WAY LAND IN PEOPLE JURISDICTION IN GRACE AFFIRMED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, CIRCUS 1776, AND BILL OF RIGHTS ARTICLES, FIFTH, SEVENTH, NINTH, AND 10TH, 1787 TO 1791 AND BEYOND.

BEYOND THE REACH OF PREDATOR OTHERS AND ALSO AFFIRMED BY THE 1812 LOUISIANA CONSTITUTION AND THE COVENANT OF LOUISIANA, A FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATE 2020.

THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT MAY BE REVIEWED AT LOUISIANA STATE JURAL ASSEMBLY RECORDS LIBRARIAN DURING ASSEMBLY MEETING.

NOTICE TO THE PRINCIPAL IS NOTICE TO THE AGENT, AND NOTICE TO THE AGENT IS NOTICE TO THE PRINCIPAL.

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH IS NOW SETTLED AS A DE JURE PARISH OF THE LAND.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION PORTION OF OUR MEETING, REGULAR MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4:00.

>> [BACKGROUND] WELL, HELLO, EVERYBODY.

[CALL TO ORDER]

GOOD TO HAVE ALL OF YOU WATCHING ON COX, AT&T, ON YOUTUBE, ON FACEBOOK LIVE AND STREAMING ON OUR WEBSITE @BRLA.GOV.

IT'S APRIL 23RD.

OUR YEAR ALREADY A THIRD OVER.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT AT THIS TIME.

HERE IS THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, OUR COUNCILMEMBER FROM DISTRICT 1.

>> THANK YOU, DENNIS. WELCOME EVERYBODY

[00:20:01]

WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.

ASHLEY, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM?

>> WE HAVE A QUORUM.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF PASTOR WILL CAMPBELL, SERENITY PRAISE & WORSHIP TABERNACLE.

PASTOR? THANK YOU, PASTOR.

NUMBER 1, APPROVAL ON ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

[ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ASHLEY, CAN YOU READ THE INTRODUCTIONS?

[INTRODUCTIONS]

>> SECTION 2.12, INTRODUCTIONS NUMBER 2, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER ENTITLED CLIFFORD FORD, CHANTELL GRIFFIN, KEONDRA FORD, BRITTANY FRANKLIN, AND JALILAH THOMPSON, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF HER MINOR SON, AMIR COLLINS VERSUS KEITH WILSON IN THE CITY PARISH.

IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,900 PLUS COURT COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,192.53 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $252,092.53; AND APPROPRIATING THAT SUM FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.

NUMBER 3, AMENDING CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, SO AS TO ADD CHAPTER 25 TO TITLE 9( LICENSING AND REGULATIONS OF TRADES AND OCCUPATIONS) TO ESTABLISH THE LOCAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDER PARTICIPATION PROGRAM IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 40:1248.1 THROUGH 1248.10 BY COUNCILWOMAN LAURIE ADAMS AND COUNCILMAN BRANDON NOEL.

NUMBER 4, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE AGREEMENT WITH TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION LLC, RELATED TO THE ELM GROVE GARDEN PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $443,776.51 BY TRANSPORTATION [INAUDIBLE].

CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS.

ANNIE HAWKINS, 8607 SCENIC HIGHWAY DISTRICT 2 KENNEY.

NUMBER 6, THE ESTATE OF JAMES SMITH AND THE ESTATE OF LILLIAN BOWMAN SMITH, 2565 JAY STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 7, RONALD JOHNSON INVESTMENT LLC, 1079 OSPREY AVENUE AND 1072 TOWNSLEY STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.

NUMBER 8, CAREY L. FORD AND PAMELA B. FORD, 6085 SMILEY STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 9, THE ESTATE OF JOYCE ELAYNE CARTER HUFF, 2842 IBERIA STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 HURST.

NUMBER 10, THE ESTATE OF PAUL MILLS AND THE ESTATE OF ALMA MILLS, 6390 HANKS DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 11, PHARAOH JOHNSON III, 5758 ST. GERARD AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 12, GEAUX BIG 3, LLC, 4316 CANNON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 13, OLLIZO RICHARD AND BETTY GREENE RICHARD, 1022 NORTH 48TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 14, MARGARET MCCLAIN 3904, MONROE AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 15, BATON ROUGE GREATER FIRST APOSTOLIC CHURCH, 3674, CLAYTON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 16, PRUDENT ACQUISITIONS, LLC, 3250 ELM DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 17, THE ESTATE OF CLARENCE MARTIN, AND THE ESTATE OF MARTHA MARTIN, 1567 NORTH 48TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 18, MATTIE D. WILLIAMS, 1246 SOUTH 14TH STREET,

[00:25:02]

NUMBER 19, GEORGIA BERNARDEZ, 2671 WENONAH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 20, TERESA ANN ROBINS, ET AL.

2732 LUPINE AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 21, JUANA RICO VARGAS AND SARA NAOMI ESPANA ARDON, 1340 EDDIE ROBINSON SENIOR DRIVE COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 22, HUON THI NGUYEN AND BILLY BUI HILL, 690 LORI BURGESS AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 23, JEHANE DRAPER, 1021 NORTH 30TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

ADJUDICATD PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS.

NUMBER 24, LOT 11 SQUARE 51, SUBDIVISION, GREENVILLE EXTENSION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 25, LOT 30 SQUARE 21, SUBDIVISION, FORTUNE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 26, LOT 66, SQUARE RUNS, 1 SUBDIVISION RICHMOND PARK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10- COLEMAN.

NUMBER 27, LOT 19 PLUS SQUARE 39, SUBDIVISION, BANKS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 28, LOT 21, 22, 23 AND 24, SQUARE 39, SUBDIVISION, BANKS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 29, LOT 16 SQUARE 30, SUBDIVISION, EAST GARDEN CITY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 30, LOT 18 SQUARE 20, SUBDIVISION EAST GARDEN CITY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 31, LOT 31, AND 32 SQUARE 4, SUBDIVISION, SCOTLAND HEIGHTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 32, LOT 27, SQUARE 1, SUBDIVISION, LEVERA, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 33, LOT 23, SQUARE 9, SUBDIVISION, GREENVILLE EXTENSION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 34, LOT 11, SQUARE 38, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 35, LOT 5, SQUARE 11, SUBDIVISION, SOUTH BATON ROUGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10- COLEMAN.

ALL ITEMS THAT REQUIRE READING HAVE BEEN READ, THE MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS AS IN ORDER.

>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MCKINNEY. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

I'M GOING TO GO TO OUR SEPARATE CONDEMNATION SHEET.

[CONDEMNATIONS]

IS ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS? SEEING NO ONE, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL.

I DO HAVE, LET'S SEE, DISTRICT 7 RECOMMENDATIONS, 30 DAYS ON 59 AND 61, 90 DAYS ON ITEM 63 AND TO DELETE ITEM 57.

ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> YES. I HAVE 30 DAYS ON NUMBER 48.

I HAVE ON 65 AND 66, I HAVE 90 DAYS.

>> I'M SORRY. CAN YOU GIVE ME THOSE AGAIN?

>> SIXTY-FIVE AND 66.

>> GOT IT.

>> ON 68, 60 DAYS AND 69, 60 DAYS.

>> ANYBODY ELSE? I'M READING BACK.

WE HAVE TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 53, 54, 55, 56, 62, 64, 67, 30 DAYS ON ITEM 48, 49, 50, 52, 58, 59, 60 AND 61.

SIXTY DAYS ON ITEM 68 AND 69, 90 DAYS ON ITEM 63, 65, AND 66, AND TO DELETE ITEMS 51 AND 57.

WE HAVE A MOTION IN THAT REGARD? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[00:30:08]

[70. 25-00389]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING NON, I GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 71, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH

[71. 25-00391]

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

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, ITEM 72,

[72. 25-00394]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?

>> LEAD AND NOW I'M GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY, ANY OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 73, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT,

[73. 25-00395]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, AND NOW I GO TO COUNCIL.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUN JR. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY, ANY OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 74,

[74. 25-00396]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 75, AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR-PRESIDENT,

[75. 25-00397]

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

WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 76,

[76. 25-00398]

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

WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

SEVENTY-SEVEN, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT THE MATTER ENTITLED

[77. 25-00399]

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

WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

ANY OPPOSED? WE HAVE ONE OPPOSITION.

COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. ANYBODY ELSE? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 78, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT IN THE MATTER

[78. 25-00400]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? [NOISE] SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL.

WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND?

[00:35:02]

ITEM 79, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT

[79. 25-00401]

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 DUNN JUNIOR.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 80, RESCINDING AND DIRECTING CLERK COURT TO CANCEL

[80. 25-00402]

REASON FOR RECESSION, CONSTITUENTS SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROPERTY TO BE PLACED BACK IN THE COMMERCE BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[81. 25-00403]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY. WE HAVE A SECOND.

SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO A OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 82, RESCINDING THE DIRECTOR AND CLERK OF COURT TO COUNCIL,

[82. 25-00404]

REASON FOR RECISION, MISCOMMUNICATION REGARDING DEFERRING THIS ITEM, CONDEMNING IT AT THE MARCH 12, 2025 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE WE GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES ITEM 83,

[83. 25-00414]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE AND GO TO COUNCIL.

WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, EM 84,

[84. 25-00415]

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

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, ANY OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES.

[85. 25-00416]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE, GO TO COUNCIL. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 86,

[86. 25-00430]

WITH THE OPTION OF 31-YEAR EXTENSIONS, LOUISIANA DENTAL PLAN WILL PROVIDE A DENTAL DISCOUNT CARD.

THE PLAN WILL NOT REPLACE TRADITIONAL DENTAL INSURANCE PROVIDED BY THE CITY PARISH, BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, AND HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE. GO TO COUNCIL, COUNCILMAN DUN JR.

>> LON OR SOMEWHERE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.

CAN YOU COME UP AND SPEAK TO THIS ITEM?

>> AND SPECIFICALLY, I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT JUST FOR THE PUBLIC BECAUSE YOU EXPLAIN THE CHANGE THAT'S GOING TO BE MADE AND PARTICULARLY FOR THE EMPLOYEES THAT THIS CHANGE IS GOING TO IMPACT.

>> GOT YOU. YEAH. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU FOR CALLING ME UP.

WHAT THIS WILL DO IS THIS OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE CITY PARISH-PROVIDED DENTAL PROGRAM TO ENROLL AT A DISCOUNT PLAN FOR

[00:40:02]

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, YOU BELIEVE AND ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES THAT THIS WILL BE A COST-SAVING TO THE PARISH AS WELL AS THE PAYEE BEING IN THE EMPLOYEE?

>> CORRECT. POTENTIALLY IT COULD BE.

ONCE WE WOULD GO TO NEXT YEAR FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT, ANY CURRENT DENTAL INSURANCE PROVIDED EMPLOYEES COULD THEN TRANSFER OVER TO THIS PLAN.

THAT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY A SAVINGS OF $16-32 PER EMPLOYEE PER PAY PERIOD.

IF THEY DO DECIDE TO SWITCH OVER, IT WOULD SAVE THEM MONEY AND ALSO SAVE THE CITY-PARISH MONEY.

THEN JUST AS SAVINGS COST POTENTIAL ON THIS, I PERSONALLY WENT THROUGH SOME DENTAL SERVICES RECENTLY AND I WAS ABLE TO TAKE WHAT I PAID WITH MY DENTAL INSURANCE AND COMPARE IT TO THIS.

IF I WENT TO AN NETWORK PROVIDER, IT WOULD HAVE ACTUALLY SAVED ME MONEY OFF OF WHAT I PAID ON MY CURRENT DENTAL INSURANCE WITH THE CITY-PARISH GOVERNMENT.

>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUN JR. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 87, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR

[87. 25-00432]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?

>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED AN E-MAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 87.

>> SEE, NO ONE AND GO TO COUNCIL.

WE HAVE A MOTION MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUN JR., SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, ANY OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES, ITEM 88,

[88. 25-00434]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO, AND GO TO COUNCIL.

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 89, THERE'S A REQUEST TO DELETE THIS ITEM,

[89. 25-00436]

AGAIN, THERE'S A REQUEST BY OCD TO DELETE THIS ITEM.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE, GO TO COUNCIL, ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO DELETE.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK. SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 90, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO

[90. 25-00444]

DURING THE FORMATION OF NEW GOVERNMENT FOR ST.

GEORGE AND TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO AMENDMENTS TO REDUCE OR CONTINUE SERVICES AND THE PAYMENTS RECEIVED AS THE TRANSITION TO A FULLY FUNCTIONING CITY OF ST. GEORGE TAKES PLACE AND ADJUST THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY BY THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE E-MAIL COMMENT IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 90.

>> PLEASE, MAYOR. MAY WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE, BUT STATE'S NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE?

>> DUSTIN YATES, CITY OF ST. GEORGE.

THANK YOU FOR COUNCIL FOR HAVING ME HERE THIS EVENING.

TO ME, THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT AN AGREEMENT.

IT'S ABOUT BUILDING RELATIONSHIP MOVING FORWARD.

ST. GEORGE, ALTHOUGH WE'RE A NEW CITY, WE'RE NOT IN A NEW PARISH.

WE WANT TO BE A GREAT PARTNER IN EAST BEN ROSE PARISH.

WE WANT TO BE EQUITABLE, WE WANT TO BE FAIR.

WE WANT TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT OTHER GREAT PARTNERS HAVE.

YOU NOW HAVE FIVE CITIES WITHIN EAST BEN ROSE PARISH, AND I BELIEVE THAT ALL FIVE OF THEM ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE OVERALL SUCCESS OF EAST BEN ROSE PARISH.

I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, I BELIEVE WITH EVERY COUNCIL PERSON HERE.

AT SOME POINT IN TIME, OVER THE LAST WEEK OR TWO.

I'VE SHARED WITH THEM MY POSITION.

I'VE GIVEN THEM MY COMMENTS, I'VE TAKEN THEIR FEEDBACK AS WELL.

AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MAYBE AFTER THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, I'M PRESUMING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[00:45:01]

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. CHARLIE?

>> THANKS, COUNCIL. I JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND REITERATE THAT THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP.

I THINK THE FIRST OF MANY STEPS, MANY AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND THE CITY PARISH, AND THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE.

THIS IS NOT THE END.

THIS IS REALLY THE BEGINNING OF A NUMBER OF AGREEMENTS AND DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE THAT REALLY PUT US IN A MUCH BETTER SITUATION FOR EVERYBODY TO THRIVE.

NOT JUST THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY, BUT THE CITIZENS OF THE PARISH AS WELL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK THAT THE STAFF HAS PUT INTO EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO HAPPEN WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSFERRING SERVICES ON TAX REVENUE. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, CHARLIE. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE WILL GO TO COUNCIL.

WE HAVE MOTION MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. COUNCILMAN DUN JR.

>> WITH THIS ITEM, I THINK THIS ITEM IS INCOMPLETE.

WHEN WE INTRODUCED THIS ITEM AT THE LAST MEETING, I OBJECTED TO IT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S INCOMPLETE.

I THINK IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE AN AGREEMENT.

THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT ITEM, THIS DRAFT DOES NOT INCLUDE.

THIS DRAFT DOES NOT IDENTIFY THE INCORPORATION DATE.

THIS DRAFT DOES NOT RELEASE THE CITY PARIS FROM LIABILITY FROM 2019, AS WAS DISCUSSED AND TALKED ABOUT PROPOSED.

THIS DRAFT OR THIS ITEM SPECIFICALLY DOES NOT HAVE TWO COMPONENTS IN THE SEWER COLLECTION AGREEMENT, AND A TAX COLLECTION AGREEMENT, WHICH I THINK ARE KEY COMPONENTS TO THE ITEM.

IT WAS MY GOAL TO COME HERE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE IN THIS AGREEMENT THAT WAS PROPOSED AND DISCUSSED TO RELEASE THE PARISH FROM LIABILITY.

IT WAS MY GOAL TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE THE SEWER COLLECTION FEE, AND ALSO INCLUDE THE TAX COLLECTION FEE.

AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS AGENDA, NONE OF THAT IS IN ONE ITEM LIKE WAS PROPOSED AND DISCUSSED.

WE HAVE TWO ITEMS AND YET WE HAVE TWO THINGS THAT ARE LEFT OFF.

THE SEWER COLLECTION FEE IS NOT EVEN INTRODUCED AS AN ITEM.

I CAN'T MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE THAT BECAUSE IT HADN'T BEEN PROPERLY NOTICED, BUT I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE A PART OF THIS.

I WOULD PREFER THAT WE DON'T FOLLOW IT UP AND DO IT STEP BY STEP BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY STEPS IN THIS PROCESS.

THERE ARE OTHER STEPS THAT NEED TO BE MADE.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WERE TALKED ABOUT.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WERE DISCUSSED.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE ALL THIS TAKEN TOGETHER.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN TOGETHER.

IT WAS DISCUSSED TO BE TAKEN TOGETHER.

BUT THE ADMINISTRATION, SOMEBODY CHOSE TO SUBMIT IT IN THIS WAY.

THIS IS NOT HOW IT WAS PRESENTED TO US.

IT WAS PRESENTED TO US, THAT THE WAIVER OR LIABILITY WOULD BE INCLUDED, THAT THE SEWER COLLECTION FEE AGREEMENT WOULD BE INCLUDED, AND THAT THE TAX AGREEMENT COLLECTION AGREEMENT WOULD BE INCLUDED.

THAT'S NOT WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED.

THAT'S WHY I'M AGAINST THIS ITEM AS IT'S DRAFTED.

WILL BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM, IF ALL OF THOSE COMPONENTS WAS A PART OF IT, AS WE SHARED WITH ME AND DISCUSSED WITH ME BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND OTHERS.

IT'S FOR THAT REASON THAT I AM NOT IN SUPPORT OF THE ITEM AS WRITTEN.

I THINK THOSE THINGS BEING INCLUDED PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE PARISH, I WAS ELECTED AND I HAVE A FIDUCIARY DUTY LIKE MY COLLEAGUES TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THIS PARISH, NOT ANYONE ELSE, AND MY ACTIONS ARE SOLELY TO DO THAT.

I FIRMLY BELIEVE IF THOSE COMPONENTS WAS IN THE AGREEMENT, WE WOULD BE DOING OUR FIDUCIARY DUTY, PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF THE PARISH.

IF WE APPROVE A ITEM, SUCH AS THIS THAT DOES NOT HAVE THAT IN THERE.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE DOING OUR FIDUCIARY DUTY.

I THINK WE'RE PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE PARISH. THANK YOU.

>> COTMAN HURST.

>> HEY, MAYOR. DO YOU MIND COMING WITH THE MIKE, PLEASE? THANK YOU.

>> THOUGH, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME HEALTHY DISCUSSION.

THE ONE THING I THINK THAT COMES OUT OF IT FOR EVERYBODY IS THAT WE ALL WANT A GREAT CITY PARISH, NOT JUST A GREAT CITY.

WE WANT THE PARISH TO THRIVE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT WE SUPPORT DON'T THRIVE UNLESS THE ENTIRE PARISH IS HEALTHY.

THERE WERE A COUPLE COMPONENTS THAT I WANT TO ASK THE ADMINISTRATION PUBLICLY THAT YOU FELT NEEDED TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT AGREEMENT FOR IT TO MAKE SENSE FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

[00:50:02]

>> SURE. JUST SO EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS, I THINK THE POINT OF CONTENTION IS THE FACT THAT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SIGN A DOCUMENT THAT WAIVES ALL LIABILITY OF THE CITY PARISH WHEN I DON'T EXACTLY KNOW WHAT I'M WAVING.

WE TALK ABOUT OUR CONSTITUENCIES ALL THE TIME AND THAT WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO OUR CONSTITUENCIES.

THERE'S NO WAY FOR ME TO SIGN A DOCUMENT WAVING LIABILITY THAT I'M NOT REALLY QUITE SURE EVEN WHAT IT IS YET.

IF I WOULD SIGN THAT DOCUMENT AND GO BACK TO MY CONSTITUENCIES, THEY WOULD SAY, WELL, WHAT DID YOU WAIVE? I WOULD HAVE TO TELL THEM I HAVE NO IDEA.

TO ME, THE MOST PRUDENT WAY TO DO REALLY ISN'T FOR EITHER SIDE TO WAIVE ANY LIABILITY.

DISCUSSIONS THAT I'VE HAD WITH SOME OF Y'ALL, SOME OF THE COUNSEL FOLKS IS THAT ONCE THIS AGREEMENT GETS DONE, BRING IN A THIRD PARTY, AND LAY IT ALL ON THE LINE.

SEE WHERE THE LIABILITIES ARE, SEE WHERE THE ASSETS ARE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE TALK ABOUT A WHOLE LOT HERE.

IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE LIABILITIES, BUT THERE'S ASSETS INVOLVED HERE AS WELL.

THAT'S MY SUGGESTION, THAT WOULD BE MY HOPE IN THE SPIRIT OF WHAT MR. CHARLIE DAVIS SAID EARLIER.

I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN MANY AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE.

I DON'T KNOW IF I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION.

>> BUT YOU DEFINITELY DID.

I'M GOING TO TURN IT TO THE PARISH ATTORNEY. STAY THERE FOR ME.

JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, GREG, CAN YOU JUST TELL US WHAT SPECIFIC ITEMS OR WHERE WE ARE? CAN WE INCLUDE SOMETHING SPECIFIC OR DOES IT NEED TO STAY GENERAL AND WHY IS THAT?

>> IS WHAT PART, GENERAL AS TO WHAT PART?

>> IN TERMS OF LIABILITY THAT HE'S WAIVING.

>> WELL, I WOULD DISAGREE WITH SOME OF IT, I THOUGHT WE WERE SPECIFIC ABOUT WAIVING LIABILITY FOR TAX COLLECTED SINCE 2019.

I THOUGHT WE WERE SPECIFIC, THEY MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT POSITION ON THAT.

>> I'M NOT A LAWYER, SO I DON'T GET IN BETWEEN ALL OF THAT, BUT I JUST ASKED THAT LANGUAGE AS MUCH AS IT CAN BE IRONED OUT, DO SO.

BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH, GREG.

ONE OTHER THING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IS EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT EQUITY FOR ST. GEORGE.

I WANT EQUITY FOR BATON ROUGE BECAUSE ALL OF MY CONSTITUENTS LIVE IN THE CITY PARISH, BUT LIVE IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.

WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT AGREEMENTS MOVING FORWARD, AGAIN, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SOLELY PATROLS YOUR AREA.

YET, THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY PARISH PAY FOR, BUT WHEN WE DIAL 911, THEY DON'T COME TO OUR DOORSTEPS.

BRPD DOES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> BUT WE STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SAME SERVICES THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING THAT YOU ARE.

NOW, THEY COME TO MY HOUSE BECAUSE I LIVE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA TO BE TRANSPARENT.

BUT THE MAJORITY OF MY DISTRICT DOES NOT GET THAT.

WE WANT EQUITY. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT SERVICE IS OFFERED, WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR, AND THEN WHAT YOU COULD BE PAYING FOR THAT YOU'RE NOT LIKE THE DAS TAX.

THIS IS THE ONE CONVERSATION I'VE HAD WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.

DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES THAT WE MADE WITH CENTRAL AND BAKER AND SOME OF THE OTHER PREVIOUS COUNCILS.

MAYBE WE HAVE TO PUT MORE PRESSURE THERE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT HILL HAVING TO GO OUT FOR HIS OWN TAX BECAUSE HE'S ONLY BEEN COLLECTING FEES IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE OR SEWER IMPACT FEES OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

I JUST WANT YOU GUYS TO BE AMENABLE TO DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PAY OUR SHARE, BUT THAT ST. GEORGE DOES THE SAME THING AS WELL.

WE HAD THAT DISCUSSION, I'LL GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND AND GIVE FEEDBACK.

HOLD ON ONE SECOND.

TO GIVE FEEDBACK ON THAT.

>> SURE. YEAH, YOU AND I DISCUSSED THIS IN GREAT DEPTH.

I THINK THE WHOLE SYSTEM HAS TO BE LOOKED AT.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT EQUITY, YOU HAVE A PARISH ONCE AGAIN WITH FIVE MUNICIPALITIES.

ONCE AGAIN, I THINK THAT THE BEST THING TO DO MOVING FORWARD IS REALLY BRING IN A THIRD PARTY TO PUT SOME EYEBALLS ON IT, MAYBE A FRESH SET OF EYES CAN LOOK AT IT AND MAYBE THERE'S A SOLUTION THERE FOR MORE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.

I CAN'T ANSWER THAT. I UNDERSTAND HOW THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT WORKS.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES, EVERYBODY IN THE PARISH PAYS THOSE.

>> COUNCIL, NO EXTRA TIME.

>> LET HIM FINISH THE STATEMENT.

>> WE PAY FOR THE SHERIFF CURRENTLY, AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR POSITION.

I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND.

I'VE HAD SOME PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SHERIFF AND THE SHERIFF'S STAFF AS WELL IN REGARD TO THIS.

ONCE AGAIN, I THINK OVER THE NEXT 12 - 18 MONTHS, THERE'S GOING TO BE LOTS OF DISCUSSIONS LIKE THIS, AND LOTS OF AGREEMENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE MADE.

BUT WE WILL NEVER GET THERE.

WE CAN NEVER GET THERE AS A PARISH IF WE DON'T START SOMEWHERE.

THAT'S WHY I'LL GO BACK TO MY INITIAL STATEMENT THAT I MADE THAT TO ME, THIS IS ABOUT BUILDING THE RELATIONSHIP TO HAVE THOSE HARD CONVERSATIONS AND TO LOOK AT THE PARISH AS A WHOLE, WHERE THINGS ARE DISTRIBUTED AS A WHOLE BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST ST. GEORGE.

[00:55:05]

IT'S NOT JUST CENTRAL. IT'S NOT JUST ZACHARY.

IT'S NOT JUST BATON ROUGE. IT'S A PARISH, AND IF WE'RE GOING TO REALLY LOOK AT IT AS A PARISH, WE HAVE TO REALLY LOOK AT IT AS A PARISH.

>> I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER COLEMAN?

>> YES. MAYOR YATES.

I JUST HAVE A BOTTOM-LINE QUESTION FOR YOU.

YOU SAY YOU WANT TO BE EQUITABLE.

YOU WANT TO BE FAIR.

I TELL FOLK FAIR COMES ONCE A YEAR.

YOU WANT TO BE A GROWN-UP.

YOU WANT TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP.

I HAVE ONE QUESTION.

IF THIS DOESN'T PASS TONIGHT, YES OR NO.

CAN I GET YOU ON RECORD SAYING THAT YOU WILL NOT SUE US?

>> IF THIS DOES NOT PASS TONIGHT? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING ME?

>> THAT'S WHAT I SAID.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN ACCURATELY ANSWER THAT QUESTION BECAUSE IT WOULD BE HARD FOR ME TO DO IT WITHOUT ALL THE INFORMATION IN FRONT OF ME.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU THIS.

I'VE HAD FOLKS IN MY AREA, MY CONSTITUENTS THAT HAVE WANTED ME TO FILE SUIT FOR EIGHT OR NINE MONTHS NOW.

>> YEAH. BUT YOU'VE READ WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA.

I JUST HAVE A BOTTOM LINE, SEE I'M GETTING INTO EVENING YEARS.

I DON'T HAVE TIME TO WASTE NO TIME.

I NEED A YES OR NO.

>> I TRY TO AVOID LITIGATION AT ALL COSTS, COUNCILWOMAN.

I'VE TRIED TO AVOID LITIGATION AT ALL COSTS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

>> SO THAT'S YOUR ANSWER?

>> I HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF IT.

IT'S IT'S THERE. I'VE ALREADY GONE THROUGH THE LITIGATION PROCESS.

TOOK US FIVE YEARS TO GET THROUGH IT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I DON'T WANT TO WASTE ANY MORE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

I DON'T WANT TO WASTE ANY MORE TAXPAYERS' TIME.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> I'LL STATE A FEW THINGS.

I THINK WE ALL WISH THERE WAS A COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT TO COVER ALL ASPECTS OF WHAT THIS SITUATION IS GOING TO ENCOMPASS TO MAKE SURE THAT ST.

GEORGE HAS EVERYTHING IT NEEDS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO DISRUPTION OF SERVICES FOR THE CITIZENS OF ST. GEORGE.

ULTIMATELY, I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS.

BUT WITHOUT QUESTION, WE KNOW AS WE HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS, OFTENTIMES WHEN YOU DIVE INTO ANY PORTION OF THIS MORE QUESTIONS ARISE.

JUST LIKE MAYOR YATES MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HEAR OFTEN TALK ABOUT LIABILITY BUT THERE'S AN ASSET SIDE TO IT AS WELL.

THE FURTHER YOU GO BACK AND TRY TO UNPACK HOW DOLLARS WERE SPENT WHERE IT'S ALMOST FORENSIC ACCOUNTING AT THAT POINT.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY DISAGREES THAT IT'S WORTHY OF IRONING OUT AND FIGURING OUT WHAT'S OWED WHERE AND WHAT SERVICES WERE HAD, AND, OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT GOING BACK, MANY YEARS OF TAX DOLLARS, THEN THERE'S A BILL THAT COMES ALONG WITH IT, HOW MUCH OF IT WASHES.

I THINK WE ALL AGREE THERE'S SOMETHING THERE AND THERE'S GIVE AND TAKE, BUT REALLY UNPACKING THAT IS QUITE ROBUST AND QUITE DIFFICULT AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME AND PROBABLY, I AGREE WE'LL TAKE A THIRD PARTY TO COME IN AND DO THAT AND MAYBE EVEN THE COURT SYSTEM.

I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR THAT, AND THAT'S POSSIBLY A GOOD ROUTE TO HANDLE THE THINGS THAT CAN BE IRONED OUT.

HOWEVER, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE ARE A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT ARE AGREED UPON AND SHOULD BE, WHICH IS GOING TO PREVENT A DISRUPTION OF SERVICES TO CITIZENS OF THIS PARISH AND OF ST. GEORGE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A CONTINUATION OF SERVICES, BUT ALSO THAT THE TAX DOLLARS THAT NEED TO GO TO ST. GEORGE ARE GOING TO GO TO ST. GEORGE, AND SO WE CAN START MOVING FORWARD AND THEY CAN START OPERATING THE WAY THEY NEED TO.

BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, I AGREE.

I HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY AT CITY PARISH, AND WE VOTE ON THINGS EVERY DAY ON ITEMS THAT DON'T AFFECT MY DISTRICT, NECESSARILY, BUT AFFECT THE ENTIRETY OF THE PARISH.

THE REALITY IS CITIZENS OF ST. GEORGE ARE PART OF THAT PARISH, JUST LIKE THE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE PARISH.

I THINK THIS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP AND I'M EXCITED THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION.

[01:00:03]

I THINK GOING TOGETHER TO A THIRD PARTY TO FIGURE OUT THE THINGS THAT ARE JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE CHALLENGING AND EVEN MAYBE GOING TO THE COURT SYSTEM TO FIGURE OUT THINGS THAT ARE BEYOND MEDIATION ARE APPROPRIATE.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS DISMISSING THAT OR SAYING THAT THAT'S NOT A POSSIBILITY OR SHOULDN'T BE.

I THINK BOTH SIDES ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MAYBE THAT'S THE ROUTE WE NEED TO TAKE, AND THAT'S OKAY TO DO THAT.

BUT TO STOP EVERYTHING AND NOT AGREE UPON THE ITEMS THAT CAN BE AGREED UPON, I THINK THE ONLY PURPOSE IN THAT IS SHOWING BAD FAITH BECAUSE ONE IS HOPING TO LEVERAGE SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD NOT TRY TO LEVERAGE TO GAIN SOMETHING ELSE.

I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ITEMS WE CAN ALL AGREE UPON, HELP OUR FELLOW CITIZENS IN THE PARISH THAT ARE PART OF ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY TO MOVE FORWARD AND CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND PROVIDE SERVICES WHERE APPROPRIATE.

AGREED UPON TERMS LIKE THIS AND LET THE OTHER STUFF BE DEALT WITH.

IF WE AGREE UPON 10 OTHER THINGS, WE CAN COME BACK WITH AN AGREEMENT FOR THOSE.

IF WE DON'T, THEN WE HANDLE IT THROUGH THIRD-PARTY MEDIATION OR THE COURT SYSTEM, AND I THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.

CHARLIE, WILL YOU COME TO THE MIC, PLEASE? YOU WERE IN THE MEETING WHEN WE WERE THERE, CORRECT? YOU WERE THERE ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATION, CORRECT? DURING OUR MEETING, IT WAS DISCUSSED THAT THERE WAS THREE DOCUMENTS THAT WAS GOING TO BE PRESENTED TO US, CORRECT?

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE MAIN DOCUMENT, THE COLLECTION DOCUMENT, THE SEWAGE DOCUMENT?

>> YES.

>> CORRECT.

>> YOU WERE THERE WHEN THAT WAS STATED, RIGHT?

>> I WAS IN FOUR OR FIVE MEETINGS.

I DON'T RECALL THAT BUT PROBABLY.

>> CHARLIE, YOU WERE THERE.

>> PROBABLY.

>> YOU WERE THERE. IF THOSE THREE DOCUMENTS THAT WERE DISCUSSED AND AGREED UPON AND SAID THAT IT WOULD BE BROUGHT TO COUNCIL AND PLACED ON THE AGENDA AS ITEMS, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT. WAIT.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> CORRECT?

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> LOOKING AT THIS AGENDA.

WHERE'S THE THIRD ITEM?

>> THE THIRD ITEM HASN'T BEEN FINALIZED YET.

WE SENT IT BACK TO ST. GEORGE THIS AFTERNOON ON THE SEWAGE.

>> SINCE WHEN? THIS AFTERNOON?

>> TODAY, WE FINISHED EDITING IT ON OUR SIDE AND SENT IT BACK TO ST. GEORGE, I BELIEVE THIS AFTERNOON.

THE FIRST TWO ITEMS WERE DONE.

IN FACT, THEY WERE ALL INTRODUCED SEPARATELY.

THE FIRST ITEM WAS INTRODUCED IN TIME FOR THE NORMAL AGENDA.

I THINK THE SECOND ITEM CAME EITHER AS ADMINISTRATIVE OR AN EMERGENCY ITEM FOR ANNOUNCEMENT INTRODUCTION LAST MEETING, AND THE SEWAGE ITEM DID NOT MAKE THE CUT.

IT WASN'T READY IN TIME.

BUT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE WHAT I SAID IN THE BEGINNING.

THIS IS NOT THE ONLY THREE DOCUMENTS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE MANY MORE COMING AFTER THIS ONE.

>> BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE THREE DOCUMENTS, CORRECT? IT'S BEEN HOW MANY WEEKS NOW SINCE WE MET IN THE MEETING AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE SEWER DOCUMENT APPEARS TODAY, RIGHT?

>> THE SAME DOCUMENT HAS BEEN BATTED AROUND FOR MONTHS.

IT JUST HASN'T BEEN FINALIZED YET.

THERE ISN'T A FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN ST.

GEORGE AND THE CITY-PARISH ON THE SEWAGE DOCUMENT YET.

>> CHARLIE, WHAT WE AGREED UPON IN THAT MEETING, YOU KNOW IT AS WELL AS I DO, AND EVERYONE WHO WAS IN ATTENDANCE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT'S BEING REFLECTED IN THIS AGENDA.

>> I APOLOGIZE FOR THE CONFUSION.

THE SEWAGE DOCUMENT HAS NOT BEEN FINALIZED YET.

>> THANKS, CHARLIE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HAVE A GOOD DAY.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER KENNEY.

>> CHARLIE, YOU CAN COME BACK UP OR ANGIE.

MY QUESTION IS, HOW TIGHT IS THE TIMELINE? IN A CASE SCENARIO, LET'S SAY THIS DOES NOT PASS IN A CASE SCENARIO, IT GETS DEFERRED.

WHERE DOES THAT PUT THE CITY-PARISH FROM A STATE PARISH STANDPOINT AS FAR AS TIMELINE?

>> ANGIE CAN PROBABLY DO A BETTER JOB OF ANSWERING THIS THAN MYSELF, BUT I THINK WE'RE ALREADY WAY BEYOND THE DATE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE HAD AN AGREEMENT SIGNED.

OUR GOAL IS TO BEGIN TRANSFERRING SERVICES AS OF JULY 1, AND SO WE'RE ALMOST 60 DAYS AWAY FROM JULY 1ST SO WE REALLY NEED TO GET THIS DONE TONIGHT.

[01:05:07]

>> AS WE MENTIONED IN THOSE MEETINGS THAT WE HAD WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF THIS AGREEMENT DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD, THE GROUP WILL REGROUP AND COME UP WITH ANOTHER PLAN HOW TO PROCEED.

BUT, IN MY PERSPECTIVE, FOR FINANCIAL PLANNING PURPOSES, HAVING AN AGREEMENT THAT OUTLINES THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES, THE OPERATIONAL ASPECTS IS IN THE BEST INTEREST FOR EVERYBODY.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER HUDSON.

>> ANGIE, CHARLIE, COME BACK IF YOU DON'T MIND, SORRY.

DUSTIN MAYOR YATES, IF YOU WOULD COME AS WELL.

Y'ALL STAND BY, BUT I'M GOING TO START WITH MAYOR YATES.

SINCE IT'S BEEN MENTIONED ABOUT THE SEWER AGREEMENT, I'M HOPING YOU CAN UPDATE US ON THIS.

I THINK PARTICULARLY THE CONCERN ABOUT THE SEWER AGREEMENT WAS THAT IT WAS TOLD TO US THAT ST. GEORGE INITIALLY WASN'T COLLECTING THE SEWER FEE.

I THINK THAT'S BEEN REMEDIED NOW, BUT I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, OR MAYBE MR. BYRD CAN ANSWER BETTER THAN YOU, BUT YOU GUYS ARE NOW COLLECTING SEWER FEES IN YOUR DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, RIGHT?

>> SURE. SHERRY, OUR CITY ATTORNEY, IF YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR QUESTIONS TO ASK ON A LEGAL BASIS, SHE WOULD BE THE ONE TO ASK FOR THAT. BUT THERE'S NO DISPUTE.

WE KNOW WE HAVE TO COLLECT AND WE KNOW WE HAVE TO REMIT IT BACK TO THE CITY PARISH.

AS ALL THINGS GO WITH ATTORNEYS, NO OFFENSE TO ATTORNEYS IN THE ROOM.

THEY GO BACK AND FORTH AND SOMETIMES THERE'S A CROSS-T THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND DAH DAH AND SOMETIMES THAT TAKES TIME.

UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF THOSE THINGS ARE OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL.

BUT THERE'S NO DISPUTE HERE.

THE FEES ARE BEING COLLECTED, THEY'RE GOING TO BE REMITTED.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT ANSWERS EVERYTHING.

>> AS THE COUNCIL IS THE AUTHORITY FOR BATON, I THINK THAT WOULD BE OUR MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT THE MONEY WOULDN'T BE THERE.

I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT- [OVERLAPPING]

>> THE MONEY IS ABSOLUTELY THERE.

>> YOU'RE IN FACT COLLECTING THE MONEY AND IT WILL BE ABLE TO BE REMITTED. THAT'S THE MAJOR THING.

>> THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WOULD COME UP REAL QUICK AS WELL.

THAT'S IT. MAYOR YATES. THANK YOU.

IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THIS COULD ALL BE DONE IN ONE ITEM. I WAS JUST CURIOUS.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO ALL OF THESE AS A BULK PACKAGE, OR IS IT WHY DID WE DECIDE TO SET IT UP AS MULTIPLE ITEMS?

>> YOU'D HAVE TO ASK THE ADMINISTRATION THAT.

I DIDN'T PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA.

>> IT COULD HAVE BEEN ONE ITEM, BUT THEY BROKE THEM UP?

>> ABSOLUTELY. [BACKGROUND]

>> THANK YOU. ALL THREE OF THE DOCUMENTS WEREN'T READY IN TIME.

THIS DOCUMENT BARELY MADE THE AGENDA.

ADAM IS HERE WHO CAN SPEAK MORE IN THE DETAILS OF THE SEWAGE, IF YOU'LL WANT TO GET INTO THAT ISSUE.

BUT THE FIRST DOCUMENT MADE THE NORMAL CUTOFF.

THEN WE GOT THE SECOND ONE, IN THE THIRD ONE JUST WASN'T READY.

IN FACT, IT'S NOT YET READY TONIGHT, BUT I THINK IT WILL BE THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.

>> GOT YOU. I'M GOOD, ADAM.

ANGIE, THIS LAST ONE IS FOR YOU.

I KNOW YOU'VE EXPRESSED SOME CONCERNS TO US ABOUT THE ITEMS, AND MAYBE I'M SAYING THIS THE WRONG WAY, BUT OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO COLLECT THE TAX AT SOME POINT, WE LACK THE AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE TO COLLECT THIS TAX, AND THEN WE'RE IN A PINCH AS WELL.

EXPLAIN THAT TO ME AND WHERE WE ARE IN THAT PROCESS.

>> THERE'S A STATE STATUTE THAT SAYS THAT IN EACH PARISH, THERE'S A SINGLE SALES TAX COLLECTOR, AND THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS A SINGLE SALES TAX COLLECTOR FOR THE ENTIRE PARISH FOR ALL TAXING JURISDICTIONS.

THE VOTERS IN THE ST. GEORGE AREA DID VOTE TO ASSESS A TAX BEGINNING APRIL 1ST, WHICH IS BEING COLLECTED AND REMITTED TO BUSINESSES.

IT WILL BE REMITTED TO CITY PARISH IN MAY, AND THEN IN JUNE, CITY PARISH WOULD DISTRIBUTE THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TAXING JURISDICTION, WHICH IS WHY THE COLLECTION AGREEMENT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT IN PLACE THAT ALLOWS US TO DISTRIBUTE THOSE FUNDS, AND THEN ALSO RETAIN A COLLECTION FEE, WHICH IS CURRENTLY AT 0.80%, AND THAT FEE IS BASED ON ACTUAL CHARGES THAT WE INCUR TO COLLECT THE COST AND THAT IS RECALCULATED EVERY YEAR IF THE TAXING JURISDICTIONS PAY MORE THAN WHAT WE ASSUME THE COLLECTION COSTS WOULD BE, WE ISSUE THEM A CREDIT IF THEY PAY LESS THAN WHAT THE COLLECTION COSTS WOULD BE, THEY WOULD THEN REMIT A PAYMENT THROUGH THEIR TAXES.

>> GOT YOU. I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO OUR DISCUSSION AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AROUND THE BUDGET.

OUR 2025 BUDGET IS ESSENTIALLY BASED OFF THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE PASSED THIS AT SOME POINT, AND SO MY QUESTION IS, IF THIS DOESN'T PASS,

[01:10:01]

WHAT HAPPENS? HOW DO WE ADJUST A CITY PARISH FOR THAT?

>> WE DON'T LOSE THE ABILITY TO COLLECT, I THINK YOU WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO RETAIN IT WITHOUT BOTH PARTIES AGREEING THAT SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED AND YOU'RE RECEIVING A COMPENSATION FOR THAT.

>> AT SOME POINT, WHAT DO WE DO FINANCIALLY IF WE CAN'T RETAIN THE MONEY?

>> LIKE I MENTIONED TO COUNCILMAN KENNEY, I THINK THE GROUP WOULD HAVE TO GET TOGETHER AND DECIDE AND PRESENT A NEW PROPOSAL WITH BOTH PARTIES.

>> NO, THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT ISSUE FOR SEVERAL FOLKS THAT SIT ON THIS COUNCIL.

WE'VE HAD TO BALANCE THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT PORTION OF OUR TENURE HERE WHERE WE SERVE OUR CONSTITUENTS IN OUR INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS, BUT WE ALSO SERVE THE PARISH AS A WHOLE.

FOR SOME OF US, THAT HAS BEEN MORE CHALLENGING THAN OTHERS, BUT STICKING TO THE LAW AND THE FACTS, I THINK, HAVE GUIDED US PROPERLY IN THE DIRECTION THAT WE NEED TO GO.

I HAD THE ABILITY AND, I GUESS, GOOD FORTUNE TO BE ABLE TO SIT THROUGH SOME OF THE ST. GEORGE TRIAL IN THE 19TH ADC.

IN THAT TRIAL, WE HAD EXPERTS ON BOTH SIDES THAT TESTIFIED TO WHAT TODAY WOULD LOOK LIKE ONCE IT CAME TO US AND WHAT THE INCORPORATION WOULD LOOK LIKE.

IN THAT TESTIMONY, THERE WERE NUMBERS.

THESE NUMBERS THAT FOLKS ARE REFERENCING HYPOTHETICALLY HERE TODAY THAT WERE ACTUALLY GIVEN AND WRITTEN IN A JUDGMENT.

NOW, SURE, THIS WAS IN MAY OF 2022, SO THOSE NUMBERS HAVE SHIFTED AND THEY'RE NOT ACTUAL NUMBERS, BUT ONLY SHIFTED SO SLIGHTLY.

I'M GOING TO READ THESE NUMBERS TO YOU AND IMPART SOME OF THE WISDOM THAT THIS JUDGE WHO WAS FROM A WHOLE DIFFERENT PARISH THAT CAME IN, A PRO TEM JUDGE LET'S SEE MARTIN CODY, THAT CAME IN AND SAID, EXPERT, DR. WILL HEATH, STATED ON CROSS EXAMINATION THAT INCORPORATORS WOULD TAKE 2% SALES TAX REVENUE TOTALING WHAT WE NOW KNOW, APPROXIMATELY $48 MILLION FROM THE CITY PARISH BUDGET.

WHAT WE KNOW NOW MAY HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO COME.

THE JUDGE STATED, THE GENERAL FUNDS WITHIN THE BUDGET TOTAL APPROXIMATELY WE KNOW APPROXIMATELY NOW, $320 MILLION, WHICH CAN BE BROKEN DOWN INTO THREE CATEGORIES; MANDATED EXPENDITURES, DIFFICULT TO REDUCE, AND DISCRETIONARY, WHICH CAN BE REDUCED.

THE MANDATED EXPENDITURES ARE SET BY LAW AND ARE NOT SUBJECT TO REDUCTION.

THESE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES INCLUDE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH PRISON, THE COURTS, AND THE CORNER.

THESE LEGALLY MANDATED ITEMS TOTAL APPROXIMATELY NOW, $45 MILLION.

THE DIFFICULT-TO-REDUCE ITEMS INCLUDE PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THESE DIFFICULT-TO-REDUCE ITEMS TOTAL $169 MILLION.

TAKING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $320 MILLION SUBTRACTING 45 MILLION AND 169 MILLION LEAVES $106 MILLION THAT CAN BE REDUCED.

IF ST. GEORGE WERE TO INCORPORATE, NOW WE KNOW THEY ARE INCORPORATING, THE GENERAL FUND WOULD FURTHER BE REDUCED BY $48 MILLION LEAVING THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE WITH A 45% CUT IN ITS BUDGET.

THIS REDUCTION WOULD INCLUDE PUBLIC SERVICES SUCH AS ROADS, TRAFFIC CONTROL, THE RIVERFRONT, THE RIVER CENTER, THE STATE CAPITAL, AND OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE IN BATON ROUGE.

INCORPORATORS PROPOSE CONTRIBUTING $6.6 MILLION ANNUALLY TOWARDS THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES.

THIS RESULTS IN A REDUCTION OF APPROXIMATELY 5% FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NUMBERS TONIGHT HYPOTHETICALLY AND WHERE THEY COME FROM AND WHAT CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES THERE ARE.

WE HAVE AN EQUATION THAT'S WRITTEN OUT BASED UPON TESTIMONY FROM BOTH SIDES.

IT'S HERE. THESE NUMBERS AREN'T IMAGINARY.

THEY'RE NOT PULLED FROM THE SKY.

THESE PEOPLE WERE SWORN UNDER OATH TO TESTIFY IN COURT.

THE NEXT PIECE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT AN UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY OR UNFUNDED ACCRUED LIABILITIES HERE AND AFTER REFERRED TO UAL, AMOUNTS TO $650 MILLION FOR CPERS, WHICH IS THE CITY PARISH EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, KNOWN AS OPE,

[01:15:01]

THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT IF ST. GEORGE WERE TO INCORPORATE, THE CITY WOULD PAY AROUND NINE TO 9-10 MILLION PER YEAR FOR 30 YEARS TOWARDS THESE UNFUNDED LIABILITIES.

THE ESTIMATED COST OF 42 MILLION AND THE 9 MILLION IN UAL'S AMOUNTS OF $51 MILLION.

THE ESTIMATED REVENUE FOR THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE AT THAT TIME, THOSE NUMBERS HAVE CHANGED, IS $48 MILLION FROM THE 2% SALES TAX.

BASED ON THE EVIDENCE, THERE WOULD POTENTIALLY BE A DEFICIT BECAUSE THIS EXCLUDES THE COST OF THE SHARE.

ST. GEORGE HAS TO RUN A BALANCED BUDGET.

>> COUNCILWOMAN, YOU'RE AT TIME.

>> CITY OF BATON ROUGE HAS TO RUN A BALANCED BUDGET.

WE'RE PAST THAT? WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE NUMBERS, THOSE NUMBERS ARE THERE, THEY MAY HAVE CHANGED, THEY MAY HAVE SHIFTED, BUT WE'RE PAST THAT.

THIS JUDGE ALSO WENT ON TO SAY, WHICH I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT AT THIS JUNCTURE, WHILE WE ALL SIT HERE TODAY, AND WE WEIGH, WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS A PARISH AS A WHOLE, THE GOOD OF THE MANY VERSUS THE GOOD OF THE FEW.

HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD? WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THIS JUDGE THAT HAD THE INSIGHT TO PUT ALL OF THESE THINGS IN A WRITTEN REASON FOR JUDGMENT FOR ALL OF US TO HAVE MEMORIALIZED AND SEE HERE TODAY IS, EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT THE SEAMLESS TRANSITION OF SERVICES FROM EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH TO THE CITY OF CENTRAL WAS DUE IN PART TO THE COOPERATION OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH? WITH THE SAME TYPE OF COOPERATION FROM EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, THE TRANSITION OF SERVICE FROM THE PARISH TO ST. GEORGE SHOULD ALSO BE SEAMLESS.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO MAKE IT SEAMLESS AND TO MOVE FORWARD.

SURE THE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO BE OFF A LITTLE BIT, SURE THEY'RE GOING TO CHANGE, AND A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE MAY OF 2022.

BUT NOW IT'S TIME FOR US TO LOOK WHAT'S GOOD AS PARISH AS A WHOLE.

HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD? HOW ARE WE GOOD NEIGHBORS, AND HOW DO WE DO THE RIGHT THING MOVING FORWARD? IS THAT MORE LITIGATION IN COURT, PERHAPS, BUT WE CAN'T SOLVE THAT TODAY.

WHAT WE CAN SOLVE TODAY IS WHAT WE KNOW WITH THE NUMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED, THE AGREEMENT THAT'S BEFORE US, AND IF WE HAVE TO LITIGATE THE REST. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR.

>> GREG, BRETT, AND ANGIE, PLEASE.

CAN YOU HOLD MY TIME, PLEASE, SIR? WE HAVEN'T DONE TALKING HERE. THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE YOU. BRETT, CAN YOU LET EVERYBODY LET THE PUBLIC KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON THIS?

>> YEAH. MY NAME IS BRETT FURR.

I'M A PARTNER WITH THE FIRM OF TAYLOR PORTER.

I HAD REPRESENTED COUNCILMAN COLE AND MAYOR BROOM IN THE ST. GEORGE LITIGATION, AND WHEN THE SUPREME COURT REVERSED, I WAS ASKED TO GET INVOLVED IN NEGOTIATING THE TRANSITION GIVEN THE BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION THAT I HAD.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. LET ME FIRST CORROBORATE COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS'S POINT, THAT ALL OF THOSE THINGS WAS PRESENTED TO US TO BE ON THE AGENDA AT THE SAME TIME IN ONE ITEM.

IT WAS DEFINITELY THERE IN THE MEETING THAT I WAS AT, I WASN'T AT THE SAME MEETING WITH HER, BUT THE SAME INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED.

CHARLIE SEEMED TO BE A LITTLE CONFUSED OR CLOUDED OR MISREMEMBERED, OR WHAT HAVE YOU, BUT THAT WAS PRESENTED THAT ALL OF THIS WOULD BE PRESENTED AT THE SAME TIME.

GREG, COULD YOU STEP FORWARD, PLEASE, AND INTERRUPT ME IF I SAY ANYTHING WRONG.

YOU DID CONFIRM TO COUNCILMAN HUDSON THAT ALL ITEMS IN YOUR OPINION COULD BE SUBMITTED AT THE SAME TIME, IT COULD BE IN ONE ITEM?

>> YEAH, IT COULD HAVE BEEN ONE ITEM.

>> BUT IT WASN'T YOUR JOB TO SUBMIT IT? IT WAS SUBMITTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS THE CONTROL OF THAT, RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR.

>> ALL RIGHT. ANGIE, IF YOU WILL, PLEASE.

ANGIE, YOU SPOKE VERY ELOQUENTLY ABOUT THE NEED FOR CERTAIN AGREEMENTS IN PLACE, THE RAMIFICATIONS THAT IT WOULD CAUSE CITY PARISH IF THEY WERE NOT IN PLACE.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THOSE AGREEMENTS NEED TO BE IN PLACE AS IT RELATES TO COLLECTION AND FEES?

>> YES, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. BRETT, CAN YOU SPEAK TO SOME OF THE UNRESOLVED ISSUES AROUND MONEY THAT'S OUT THERE, NOT SO MUCH IN DETAIL, BUT JUST THE FACT THAT THERE ARE UNRESOLVED ISSUES.

I THINK THOSE UNRESOLVED ISSUES SPEAK TO ANGIE'S CONCERN.

IF YOU HAVE UNRESOLVED ISSUES AS IT RELATES TO MONEY, AND THEN YOU DON'T HAVE AGREEMENTS IN PLACE AS IT RELATES TO OTHER MONIES THAT COULD TIE THOSE MONIES UP.

>>YES, COUNCILMAN DUNN.

WHAT THIS AGREEMENT DOES IS IT TAKES CARE OF THE MONEY SITUATION FROM APRIL OF 2024 THROUGH JUNE 30TH OF THIS YEAR, AND AFTER THAT, WHEN THE TAX BECOMES EFFECTIVE.

WHAT IT DOES NOT RESOLVE, HOWEVER, ARE CLAIMS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE THAT THE CITY PARISH WOULD OWE ST. GEORGE MONIES GOING BACK TO 2019.

FRANKLY, I THINK THOSE CLAIMS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS.

THERE'S NO BASIS AT ALL TO EVEN MAKE THOSE CLAIMS,

[01:20:03]

IT DOESN'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THE CITY PARISH, HOWEVER, WAS THE SOLE PROVIDER OF SERVICES FROM 2019, AND IS STILL ESSENTIALLY THE SOLE PROVIDER OF SERVICES IN THE AREA OF ST. GEORGE, AND SO THERE'S A COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

WHAT HAS BEEN ARTICULATED IS THAT THEY WANT TO HAVE A NEGOTIATION ABOUT AS COUNCILWOMAN RACCA MENTIONED, THE UNFUNDED ACCRUED LIABILITY AROUND THE TAXES THAT THEY CLAIM THAT WERE DUE.

LIKE I SAY, I THINK THE CLAIMS ARE RIDICULOUS, BUT THEY'RE CLAIMS, NONETHELESS.

I THOUGHT THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING WAS QUESTIONABLE, LET'S SAY, BUT THAT'S WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU. BECAUSE I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND I WANT TO GET THIS IN.

IN YOUR OPINION, AND BEING INVOLVED WITH THIS, DO YOU THINK IT'S VITAL TO HAVE THE RELEASE OF LIABILITY BECAUSE OF THAT ISSUE? DO YOU THINK IT'S VITAL TO HAVE THE SEWER AGREEMENT IN PLACE AND THE COLLECTION AGREEMENT, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> I THINK YOU NEED TO HAVE A SEWER AGREEMENT IN PLACE.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO HAVE A COLLECTION AGREEMENT IN PLACE.

IN FACT, ALL THE STATUTES AND EVERYTHING TALK ABOUT THAT SO I THINK THAT'S THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, THOUGH IT'S TWO DIFFERENT ITEMS THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU. GREG, DO YOU THINK IT'S VITAL AS TO BEING A PART OF THIS PROCESS TO HAVE THE RELEASE OF LIABILITY, THE SEWER COLLECTION AGREEMENT, AND THE TAX COLLECTION AGREEMENT IN PLACE?

>> I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED HAVING THE SEWER IMPACT AGREEMENT, AND I WANT YOU ALL TO HAVE THE COLLECTION AGREEMENT TOO.

>> THANK YOU. FOR THOSE REASONS WHY I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM TOGETHER ALL IN ONE ITEM, I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER OF THE NOTICE RESPONSIBILITY, PUBLIC MEETING REQUIREMENTS, WE CANNOT DO ALL OF THAT ON THIS MEETING.

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO DEFER THIS ITEM AND GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE A NEW ITEM THAT INCLUDES THE RELEASE OF LIABILITY, THE SEWER COLLECTION AGREEMENT, AND THE TAX COLLECTION AGREEMENT.

>> DEFER TO WHAT DATE?

>> THE NEXT MEETING.

>> WE HAVE A SECOND FOR THAT SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST. COUNCILMAN MO.

>> THANK YOU. ANGIE, YOU COME UP.

BASICALLY, WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH WITH THIS ITEM IS THE FINANCIAL PART OF THIS AS FAR AS TAXES BEING COLLECTED AND TAXES BEING PAID BACK OUT TO THE MUNICIPALITY.

>> SERVICES BEING RENDERED?

>> WELL CERTAIN SERVICES BEING RENDERED, CORRECT.

THE LITIGATION OF THE INCORPORATION DATE, HOW MUCH WHO OWES WHAT? ALL THAT IS SEPARATE AND OUTSIDE OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH THESE TAXES THAT WE ARE NOW BECAUSE OF THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE OF HAVING TO COLLECT AND REDISTRIBUTE.

>> IT'S NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS AGREEMENT.

>> CORRECT. IT'S NOT ADDRESSED.

BUT BY PASSING THIS AGREEMENT, HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THAT NEGOTIATION PART?

>> THAT'S A LEGAL QUESTION.

>> CAN ANYONE ANSWER THAT? SHERRY, IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP, PARISH ATTORNEY OR MR. BRETT? THE QUESTION IS, NOT PASSING THIS, HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE INTAKE AND OUR PART OF? [OVERLAPPING]

>> I'M NOT GOING INTO THE NEGOTIATION PART, BUT WE CAN STILL RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES IF YOU PASS THIS ITEM TONIGHT.

>> CORRECT.

>> IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING?

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING IS, IF WE PASS THIS TONIGHT, WE STILL ARE GOING TO BE AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, WHETHER IT'S A MEDIATOR, COURT ORDER THING OR WHATEVER, WE STILL HAVE TO GET TO THE POINT OF A INCORPORATION DATE.

WHETHER WE DEFER THIS OR NOT.

I DON'T SEE HOW DEFERRING THIS UNTIL THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING BECAUSE I DO THINK IT'S BEEN IN THE COURTS AND ALL FOR ALL THESE YEARS, WE'RE NOT GOING TO IN TWO WEEKS ALL OF A SUDDEN PICK AN INCORPORATION DATE.

I THINK BY TIME WE GET A MEDIATOR AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT INCORPORATION DATE THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE OR WISH THE SUPREME COURT WOULD HAVE PICKED AN INCORPORATION DATE, BUT THEY DIDN'T.

I HAVE TO CONCUR WITH SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ONE SO THE REST OF THE PROCESS CAN MOVE FORWARD.

THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE TWO MOTIONS.

WE HAVE THE ORIGINAL MOTION, WHICH IS TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON,

[01:25:02]

WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO DEFER TO THE NEXT MEETING, WHICH WILL BE FIRST MEETING IN MAY BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES.

EVERYBODY HAVE THEIR MACHINES WORKING?

>> SUBSTITUTE MOTION.

>> WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION FIRST.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> ANYONE WORK, MINE EITHER.

>> YOU ALL CAN GIVE ME YOUR VOTE IF YOU WANT.

>> WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION FIRST.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION IS TO DEFER UNTIL THE FIRST MEETING IN MAY.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON MACHINES.

>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO DEFER TO MAY 14TH.

MOTION FAILS.

>> NOW WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION, WHICH IS TO APPROVE.

>> MACHINES ARE NOW OPEN ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE.

MOTION CARRIES.

>> I HAVE 91, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER

[91. 25-00459]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO ONE. WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEMS 92-111.

>> MAYOR PRO TEM.

>> YES, COUNCILMAN.

>> JUST A MOMENT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

WE HAVE A PRACTICE IN THIS BODY OF RECOGNIZING ELECTED OFFICIALS WHEN THEY'RE IN THE AUDIENCE.

WE'VE HAD LEGISLATORS COME AND VISIT US.

WE HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE HERE.

IN ADDITION TO MAYOR DUSTIN YATES, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER RICHIE EDMONDS IS HERE.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER STEVE MONTICELLO IS HERE.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, I THINK I SAW MAX EMIL IS HERE.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER MS. PATTY COOK IS HERE, AND POLICE CHIEF TODD MORRIS IS ALSO HERE.

DID I MISS ANYONE? THERE'S ONLY ONE MORE OF YOU.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> WELCOME, YOU ALL. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> AS A PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR FOLK OVER THERE IN THIS CITY OF BATON ROUGE, SO LET US NOT FORGET.

GIVE IT UP FOR ALL PEOPLE OVER THERE IN THAT CORNER AND ANGIE, THE WHOLE CREW. [APPLAUSE]

>> I'LL JUST STATE ONE OTHER THING.

I'LL ADJOURN ANY MEETING WHERE IT'S THIS HOT EVER AGAIN.

[LAUGHTER] IF WE DON'T GET THESE AIR CONDITIONS FIXED.

I'M MELTING. ITEM 92 THROUGH 111,

[Items 92-111]

92, LOT 6A SQUARE 254, SUBDIVISION SWART, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER, HIDM JONES $100, 93, LOT 19 SQUARE 38, SUBDIVISION, SOUTH BATON ROUGE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN, HIGH BIDDER, CONNOR PROPERTIES AND INVESTMENTS, $2,700, 94 LOT 42, SUBDIVISION AIRLINE TERRACE METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY, HIGH BIDDER, WHITMORE WHITMORE ENTERPRISES, LLC, $1,700.

ITEM 95, LOT 38 SQUARE 2, SUBDIVISION PROGRESS PARK ADDITION, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN HIGH BIDDER, GERTOSA MATA, $5,300.

96 LOT 171, SUBDIVISION COLONIAL HILL, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS, HIGH BIDDER PHARAOH JOHNSON III $86,100.

ITEM 97, LOT-1-A-3, SUBDIVISION, SOUTH PARK FORREST, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 HURST, HIGH BIDDER, DANIEL WASHINGTON, $7,000.

ITEM 98, LOT 45 SUBDIVISION AIRLINE TERRACE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY, HIGH BIDDER, WHITMORE WHITMORE ENTERPRISES, LLC, $2,200.

ITEM 99, LOT 46 SUBDIVISION AIRLINE TERRACE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY, HIGH BIDDER, WHITMORE, WHITMORE ENTERPRISES, LLC, $3,200.

ITEM 100, LOT 26 SUBDIVISION AIRLINE TERRACE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 KENNEY, HIGH BIDDER TELFORD WILLIAMS, $2,600.

ITEM 101, LOT 17 AND 18 SQUARE THREE SUBDIVISION, SCOTLAND VILLE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY, HIGH BIDDER, WHITMORE AND WHITMORE ENTERPRISES, LLC, $4,000.

102, LOT 1+ SQUARE 52 SUBDIVISION FORTUNE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 HEARST, HIGH BIDDER, LATASHA A LONG, $100.

ITEM 103, LOT 7 A, SQUARE 2, SUBDIVISION BANKS, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY, HIGH BIDDER, THE WARNER GROUP, LLC, $8,000.

ITEM 104, LOT J, SQUARE 92, SUBDIVISION IS STROMAN METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN,

[01:30:03]

105, LOT 82, SUBDIVISION WOODALE PARK, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 6, DUNN JUNIOR HIGH BIDER, WHITMORE WHITMORE ENTERPRISES, $10,500.

ITEM 106, LOT 33, SUBDIVISION SONNY BROOK, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 HURST, HIGH BIDDER CALYN ROW, $3,800.

107, LOT AC 2B SUBDIVISION, ANTHONY CATRONO TRACK, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS, HIGH BIDDER, DEVON STEWART, $3,600.

ITEM 108, LOT 46 SQUARE 2, SUBDIVISION BABIN, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS, HIGH BIDDER, WORLDWIDE INVESTMENT 78, LLC, $500.

ITEM 109, LOT 6 SUBDIVISION SWART EDITION, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN, HIGH BIDDER, BEACHAM INVESTMENTS, LLC, $2,700.

ITEM 110, LOT 7B SQUARE 257, SUBDIVISION SWART METRO CONS DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN, HIGH BIDDER, CONNOR PROPERTIES, AND INVESTMENTS, $2,500.

ITEM 111, LOT 7, SUBDIVISION SWART EDITION, METRO COSO DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN, HIGH BIDDER BEACHAM INVESTMENTS, LLC, $3,000.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 92 THROUGH 111? SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL. DO WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. ANY OPPOSED.

>> I'D LIKE TO SAY ALL EXCEPT 104.

>> YOU'LL WITHDRAW YOUR SECOND? IS THAT YOUR MOTION, COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS? ALL EXCEPT 104? THAT'S A SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

ALL EXCEPT 104?

>> YES.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES? WE'RE GOING TO GO TO OUR SEPARATE SHEET FOR ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.

[ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS]

THESE ARE ALL FOR INTRODUCTION.

A, MAC WILLIS JUNIOR 2735 WASHINGTON AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS.

B, MATTHEW BARD JUNIOR 221 JEFFERSON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.

C, CFB 1956, LLC 4736 LOYOLA DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 12 ROCA.

D, RESCINDING AND DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO CANCEL THE NOTICE TO ATTEND RECORDED ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2024, IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS JANETTA, EVETTE RICHARDSON, CARLETON V HOWARD, TERESA A HOWARD, REGINALD, R HOWARD, AND C AS G HOWARD, AND THE DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 3, 2025, THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS JANETT EVETTE RICHARDSON, 2528, SHERWOOD STREET.

REASON FOR RECISION PROPERTY HAS BEEN APPROVED TO CLOSE WITH THE LOUISIANA HOUSING CORPORATION AS PART OF THE LOUISIANA RENTAL RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

E, RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK RE COURT TO CANCEL A NOTICE TO ATTEND RECORDED ON OCTOBER 13, 2023, AND DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON OCTOBER 30, 2023 IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS ANGEL D.

VANIA VELASQUEZ 5465 LINDON STREET, REASON FOR RECISION OWNER HAS PAID FOR A PERMIT BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.

F, RESCINDING AND DIRECTING CLERK COURT TO CANCEL THE DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON JULY 29, 2022 IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS HARRIS AT SENSLEY 1674 NORTH 44TH STREET, REASON FOR RESCISSION, PROPERTY IS BEING SOLD AND NEW OWNER PLANS TO MAKE REPAIRS BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.

G, RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK COURT TO CANCEL NOTICE TO ATTEND RECORDED ON MAY 16, 2024, AND THE DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON AUGUST 19, 2024, IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE VERSUS ABDALLAH SHAHIDI AND ABAD SHAHIDI 1435 SOUTH STREET REASON FOR RECISION.

MS. RICHARDSON IS PREPARING FOR THE CLOSING PROCESS WITH THE LOUISIANA HOUSING CORPORATION AS PART OF THE LA RENTAL RESTORATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

H, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION, EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH OOK JANITORIAL AND FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES AT THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $492,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR.

I, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PASH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $396,000 BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.

WE NEED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

WE NEED A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES. SEEING NONE.

IS THERE ANYONE OPPOSED TO MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES?

[01:35:03]

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN.

ANY OPPOSED? ITEMS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.

APPOINTMENTS, LIBRARY, BOARD OF CONTROL.

[112. 25-00484]

THIS IS A FOUR-YEAR TERM.

NONE VOTES ARE REQUIRED.

CURRENT BALLOT IS CANDACE TEMPLE REQUESTING REAPPOINTMENT.

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

>> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON SECOND BY COUNCIL MCKINNEY.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE UP HERE. I'M JUST CHECKING BECAUSE IT REQUIRED NONE.

CONGRATULATIONS, MS. TEMPLE. CHANGE ORDERS.

>> HEY, I WANT TO TAKE A PERSONAL APPOINTMENT MS. CANDIS BEFORE YOU LEAVE, TO JUST THANK YOU FOR THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DID WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CITY, HOW YOU STOOD STRONG, PROTECTED THE LIBRARY, BUT ALSO UNDERSTOOD THE NEED FOR THE CITY PARIS.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I'LL ECHO THOSE SENTIMENTS BECAUSE I WAS ONE OF THE ONES NEGOTIATING AGAINST HER AND MAN.

[LAUGHTER] GOOD JOB.

>> ITEM 113, EVANGELIN STREET SCENIC HIGHWAY AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT,

[113. 25-00483]

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

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

SECOND BY THE CHAIR. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 114, EVANGEL STREET,

[114. 25-00485]

CONTRACT OF THE LUSTER GROUP, FINAL COST $244,826.22.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. WE GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ACCEPTANCE OF LOW BIDS, 115,

[Items 115 & 116]

116, PLANK ROAD CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT, SEGMENT 2, DAWSON DRIVE TO HARDING BOULEVARD, LOW BID COMMAND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES, LLC, $2,257,313.50.

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

WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 115 AND 116.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 117, RECEIVING REPORT FROM THE DHDS DIRECTOR ON

[117. 25-00435]

WE'RE GOING TO HEAR THE REPORT. YES, MA'AM.

>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DEFER THIS REPORT UNTIL MAY 14.

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

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN HURST TO DEFER UNTIL MAY 14 MEETING. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. I SAID THE RIGHT DATE, MAY 14.

ITEM 118, RECEIVING A PRESENTATION FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

[118. 25-00443]

>> HI. GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> I HEAR THE REPORT AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. YES, MA'AM. SORRY.

>> WE DO HAVE THE PRESENTATION.

FOR RECORD, MY NAME IS LEXIE SHERMAN.

I AM THE PROGRAM MANAGER OVER SOME OF THE SPECIAL PROJECTS.

I'LL BE STEPPING IN FOR OUR DIRECTOR.

BUT I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO JUST SHARE SOME REALLY GREAT HIGHLIGHTS THAT WE HAVE COMING UP IN REGARDS TO OUR CONSOLIDATED PLAN, WHICH IS ULTIMATELY OUR FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY.

ARE YOU ALL ABLE TO SEE THE POWERPOINT OR REFERENCE TO IT? PERFECT. OUR FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS VERY VITAL FOR US.

WE CAN GO OVER TO THE NEXT SLIDE AND WHAT IT ACTUALLY HELPS US TO BE IS ONE IN COMPLIANCE WITH HUD, OUR HOUSING URBAN DEVELOPMENT WHERE WE RECEIVE ALLOCATED FUNDS EACH YEAR.

YOU'LL SEE JUST IN THE LEFT HAND CORNER THE ALLOCATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO OUR OFFICE SINCE 2021.

WE'RE AT A STAGE WHERE ALLOCATIONS ARE STILL WITH CONGRESS AND THEY'RE STILL DOING SOME NEGOTIATIONS THERE.

BUT ULTIMATELY, HELPS TO FUND THE FOUR PROGRAMS THAT ARE IN OUR OFFICE, WHICH IS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, AND THAT GIVES US A LITTLE BIT OF FLEXIBILITY TO DO SOME GREAT PROGRAMMING IN OUR COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THE LOW MODERATE INCOME AND WE'LL GET INTO THAT.

THE POPULATION THERE SUPPORT HOUSING, REHAB, AND ALSO BLIGHT, AND IT REALLY FLUCTUATES,

[01:40:02]

THEN ALSO HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS IS ANOTHER PROGRAM TO HELP WITH FUNDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND HOME BUYER SUPPORT.

THEN WE ALSO HAVE OUR EMERGENCY SOLUTION GRANT, WHICH ULTIMATELY SUPPORTS OUR HOMELESSNESS TO POPULATION.

ALSO HOPWA, WHICH SUPPORTS THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS, PROVIDING HOUSING, AND ALSO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN THE LOW INCOME BRACKET.

WE'LL GET INTO THE NEXT SLIDE WHERE WE HAVE HERE WITH US BAYU ENVIRONMENTAL TO CONSULT WITH US IN ROLLING OUT OUR STRATEGIC PLAN OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE OF MONTHS, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY IN MAY, WE WILL BE ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THIS IS VERY VITAL FOR THE PLAN BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING THEIR FEEDBACK.

YOU MAY HAVE ALSO SEEN THE FLYER OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS, WHICH IS GOING TO HAPPEN MAY 13 AND ALSO MAY 15, FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HOST WORKSHOPS TO GAIN FEEDBACK FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

THEN ALSO PARTNERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PARTNER WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS.

WE ARE MORE THAN WELCOMING OF ALL OF THE EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN US DISTRICTS SO THAT WE CAN SHARE THE SURVEY BECAUSE THAT SURVEY REALLY HELPS TO SHIFT THE STRATEGIC PLAN ON HOW WE SET UP FUTURE PROGRAMMING AND OUR ACTION PLAN THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE YEAR OF WHAT WE SET FORTH FOR PROJECTS TO FUND FOR THE YEAR.

WE TALK ABOUT ELIGIBILITY, WE HAVE JUST A HIGHLIGHT OF WHAT THAT INCOME BRACKET LOOKS LIKE FROM EXTREMELY LOW INCOME TO VERY LOW, AND THEN YOU ALSO HAVE YOUR A LOW INCOME BRACKET.

IT'S ALSO IDENTIFIED BY HUD WITH THE PERSONS IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

I JUST HAVE AN EXAMPLE HERE FOR WHAT THAT CAN LOOK LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, A FAMILY OF FOUR, THE 2024 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR BATON ROUGE AREA IS ABOUT 87,000 FOR ONE PERSON, THAT IS ABOUT 18 TO MAYBE AROUND 30,000, 40,000.

WHAT YOU'LL SEE IS ALSO AN INTERACTIVE MAP ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE WHERE WE HAVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO LOOK UP THEIR AREA OF INTEREST, WHETHER THAT'S THEIR ADDRESS, OR WHETHER THAT'S ALSO THEIR BUSINESS OR A PLACE WHERE THEY WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT WITH SOME OF THE PROJECTS.

IF YOU TYPE IN YOUR ADDRESS THERE ON OUR WEBSITE, WHICH YOU'LL SEE IN THE NEXT SLIDE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT CATEGORY YOUR AREA OF INTEREST FALLS UNDER AND ALSO AFFILIATED WITH OTHER MEASURES, WHETHER THAT'S THE LOW INCOME AREA AND/OR AREA OF LACK OF NECESSITY.

>> THIS SLIDE HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE PASSED OUT IN THE HALLWAY, AND ALSO VERY IMPORTANT, LIKE I MENTIONED FOR OUR UPCOMING WORKSHOPS.

THEN ALSO ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WE HAVE THE QR CODE, WHICH WE HAVE ENCOURAGED AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO MAY 16, WHERE WE ASSESS THE SURVEYS TO SEE THE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS VERY SHORT, BUT VERY VITAL ULTIMATELY TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

THEN AT THE END OF MAY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO REVIEW THOSE WITH OUR CONSULTANTS HERE.

THEN WE WILL HAVE AUGUST OUR CONSOLIDATED PLANS FOR OPEN COMMENT PERIOD.

ALSO CONSULT WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS AND ALSO WITH OUR DISTRICT COUNCIL, AS WELL AS HOSTING STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY VOICE IS HEARD AS WE ROLL OUT OUR 2025, 2029 CONSOLIDATED PLAN.

PAUL. ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT IS THAT THIS WEEK IS THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK.

I JUST WANTED TO JUST BRING THAT TO LIGHT AS WE HIGHLIGHT THE GREAT WORK THAT IS ALSO BEING DONE NATIONALLY.

WE ALSO HAVE A ONE PAGE FOR LOUISIANA SPECIFICALLY, WHERE WE HAVE SHARED WITH YOU ALL VIA E MAIL, BUT ALSO WITH OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT, BUT ULTIMATELY WHERE THE DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM? SEE NO GO TO COUNSEL? COUNCIL? COULD YOU COME BACK UP REAL QUICK.

COULD YOU PUT THE SLIDES BACK UP?

>> LIKE, THREE OR FOUR IN I DON'T SEE IT ON THE BIG SCREEN. HOLD ON.

THERE. THESE PROGRAMS THAT ARE ON HERE, DID YOUR DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY MANAGE THOSE OR DO YOU ALL CONTRACT THOSE SERVICES OUT?

>> WE HAVE PROGRAM MANAGERS OVER EACH ONE OF THOSE PROGRAMS.

[01:45:01]

SOME ARE MOSTLY DIRECTED BY WAY OF AOFA.

WE HAVE A NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES OR RFP, WHERE WE CAN PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, CHURCHES, OR EVEN CONSULTANTS TO HELP DISTRIBUTE THE SERVICE DIRECTLY.

>> HOPWA?

>> YES.

>> WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO FIND THOSE HOUSINGS OR?.

>> YES. WE HAVE PROGRAM MANAGER THAT OVERSEES IT, AND THEN WE ARE SOURCED OUT AND WE HAVE YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO TODAY.

>> HI.

I'M JENNIFER ROBAN.

I'M THE CHIEF PROGRAM ANALYST FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

WHAT WE DO IS WE WORK WITH SUB RECIPIENTS.

HOPWA WHICH YOU ASKED ABOUT DIRECTLY, THAT'S THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH A? YOU GET THOSE CONTRACTS EVERY YEAR THROUGH COUNSEL TO APPROVE.

WE WORK WITH AND IT'S ALL SELECTED VIA THROUGH NOFA.

THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE GET WILL BE NOFA OUT NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY, AND THEN WE WORK WITH PERSONS LIKE HIV AIDS FOR REGION T2.

THAT'S PART STAR CORPORATION.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WE'VE WORKED WITH IN THE PAST.

>> IS THERE A PARTICULAR AS FAR AS FUNDING FOR THE HOUSING AND STUFF LIKE THAT, IS THAT BASED ON APPLICATION, OR IS THAT BASED ON JUST HOW MUCH YOU PARTICULARLY GET IN THE TOTAL PACKAGE, AND THEN YOU DIVIDED OUT AMONG THESE CATEGORIES?

>> WHENEVER THEY PUT IN AN APPLICATION, SO SPEAKING OF JUST PAPA, IF THEY PUT IN AN APPLICATION, THEY'RE GOING TO TELL US WHAT THEIR PROGRAM ENTAILS.

THEY'RE GOING TO ASK FOR A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF MONEY.

IF WE CAN AFFORD TO PROVIDE THAT TO THEM, THEN WE WILL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU. ITEM 119,

[119. 25-00458]

WE'RE GOING TO HEAR THE REPORT AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING.

>> I AM AMANDA. AMANDA STANLEY.

I'M THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR FOR WIOA OVER EMPLOYED BR.

AND THEN WE HAVE GAY MACK, THE PROD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BIG BUDDY WITH ME AS WELL.

WE'RE HERE TO GIVE YOU THE REPORT ON OUR SUMMER PROGRAM FROM LAST SUMMER.

WE DO AN EIGHT WEEK PROGRAM EVERY YEAR WITH THE MAYORS YOUTH WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE THAT COVERS MENTORSHIP.

IT'S BASICALLY PREPARING OUR SCHOLARS FOR REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE, AND WE JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEAS ABOUT THE SUCCESS WE HAD LAST SUMMER.

WE HAD 542 SCHOLARS THAT WENT THROUGH AND OF THOSE, WE HAD 488 COMPLETE.

THAT'S A 90% COMPLETION RATE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT COMPLETION RATE, WE ALSO TOOK IN A HIGHER NUMBER OF AT RISK YOUTH.

TO HAVE A COMPLETION RATE THAT HIGH, WE'RE VERY OF THAT.

THAT, THEY DID CLASSES.

THEY HAD INDUSTRY BASED CREDENTIALS.

WE GAVE OUT OVER 250 INDUSTRY BASED CREDENTIALS, AND 71% OF OUR SCHOLARS ACHIEVED WORK READY STATUS, AND WHAT THAT MEANS, AND YOU'LL SEE IT ON YOUR FLYER.

BUT THAT MEANS THEY ATTENDED FOR 80% OF THE TIME.

THEY EARNED AT LEAST TWO CREDENTIALS, AND THEY COMPLETED THREE SUCCESS PROJECTS.

WE WERE REALLY PROUD OF WHAT WE DID LAST SUMMER AND WE WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM.

SE NO GO TO COUNSEL. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

>> I DO WANT TO TAKE A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE TO ACKNOWLEDGE MISS GALEN, MC ALL THE HARD WORK THAT SHE DOES AND THAT DANCING WITH ME, BUDDY IS THIS SATURDAY, BEGINNING AT 6:00 P.M. YOU WANT TO COME THE MIKE, PLEASE, MA'AM?

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HURST.

YES, DANCING FOR BIG BUDDY IS THIS SATURDAY.

DOORS OPEN AT SIX, WE'LL BE AT THE LSU PMAC, AND COUNCILMAN HURST WILL BE DANCING.

HE PROMISES TO BRING ALL THE GLORY, HE PROMISES TO WIN.

YES. COUNCILMAN HURST.

PLEASE COME OUT AND SEE HIM.

IT SUPPORTS A GREAT CAUSE.

OF COURSE, THE WORK THAT WE DO IN THE COMMUNITY IS SUPPORTED THROUGH THIS EVENT.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HURST.

>> COUNSEL MC COMAN.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION REGARDING, SO IF YOU TWO LADIES WILL COME BACK, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CHILDREN. I DON'T CARE ABOUT.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE HAVE. TALK TO ME.

[01:50:01]

>> TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT EXACTLY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET IT RIGHT.

LIKE THE TYPE OF SCHOLARS WE HAVE COME THROUGH?

>> NO. I'M NOT ON THAT.

I WANT TO KNOW THIS SUMMER, THIS SUMMER 2025, JUNE 2025, THESE YOUTH THAT WE WILL HAVE IN EMPLOYEE BR, HOW WILL IT LOOK? WHAT WILL THEY BE DOING? WHERE IS IT? ALL OF THAT. HOW DO WE GET THEM? ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN COME UP WITH?

>> DOCTOR LANGFORD HAS COME ON BOARD FOR SUMMER 2025, AND SHE'S LEADING THAT WITH WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IN BATON ROCHE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

I'M GOING TO TURN THAT OVER TO HER.

>> THANK YOU DOCTOR.

>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL, COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

THIS SUMMER DOES LOOK A BIT DIFFERENT FROM LAST SUMMER.

I WANT TO START BY SAYING THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS MADE VAST CHANGES TO REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION, BEGINNING WITH THE CLASS OF 2026.

THE STUDENTS HAVE TO HAVE HIGH QUALITY INDUSTRY BASED CREDENTIALS, AND IN ORDER TO GET THOSE, THEY HAVE 28 HOURS OF CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, AND THEN 107 HOURS.

OF A PAID INTERNSHIP THAT IS RELEVANT TO THE COURSEWORK.

KEEPING THAT IN MIND, THE STUDENTS ARE ON TWO TRACKS THIS SUMMER.

OUR GOAL IS TO SEND AS MANY CHILDREN AS POSSIBLE BACK TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE HIGH QUALITY INDUSTRY BASED CREDENTIALS THEY NEED AND THAT INTERNSHIP TIME.

WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH SEVERAL GROUPS BECAUSE WE'RE LEVERAGING AREAS OF EXPERTISE.

BRCC HAS COME ABOARD AND THEY ARE GOING TO OR FREE, TEACH THE KIDS AND TEST THEM BECAUSE THOSE ARE THINGS YOU HAVE TO PAY THE STATE FOR, AND THE KIDS CAN GET THOSE CREDENTIALS.

WE HAVE FOUR CREDENTIALS THAT THE STATE CONSIDERS HIGH QUALITY, ARTS, AV AND COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, SKILL TRADES, AND HEALTH SCIENCES.

THE CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO PICK WHICH ONE OF THOSE TRACKS THEY'RE GOING TO GO IN.

IN THE MONTH OF JUNE, THEY WILL TAKE CLASSES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BRCC PROFESSORS AT THE END OF THE COURSE WORK, THEY WILL BE TESTED THE STATE TESTS FOR THE IBCS.

THEN IN JULY, THEY WILL WORK.

WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH BAC, BECAUSE THEIR SPECIALTY IS THE BUSINESS FIELD.

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE ABOUT 31 BUSINESSES THAT BRACK HAS SECURED TO SEND THE STUDENTS OUT.

SOME OF THOSE EVEN HERE IN THE CITY PARISH, AND THE KIDS WILL WORK TO GET THE HOURS NEEDED TO SECURE THE CREDENTIAL.

IN ADDITION TO THE STUDENTS SO LET ME BACK UP, BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE PRIORITIZE RISING SENIORS, STUDENTS THAT ARE IN THE 11TH GRADE.

AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE A LOT OF CHILDREN DON'T HAVE THE HIGH QUALITY CREDENTIAL THAT THEY NEED RIGHT NOW.

THAT DIFFERENCE IS WHAT HAS LED US TO THAT PATH.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME KIDS THAT HAVE SECURED THAT.

THE TWO TRACKS, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE NECESSARY CREDENTIAL, YOU'RE GOING TO GO IN, TAKE CARE OF THAT IN JUNE AND GO TO WORK IN JULY.

IF YOU HAVE SECURED THE NECESSARY CREDENTIAL FOR GRADUATING, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO GO STRAIGHT TO WORK AND WORK IN JUNE AND JULY.

WE ALSO HAVE OTHER PARTNERS, OF COURSE, BIG BUDDY AND EMPLOYED BR.

BUT LIKE I SAID, BRCC BAC IS TAKING CARE OF SECURING THE HOST SITES, BRICK, THE BATON ROS YOUTH COALITION, WHO PROVIDES A PLETHORA OF SERVICES TO STUDENTS FROM SEVENTH THROUGH 12TH GRADE AND GETTING THEM ON TRACK FOR GRADUATION, BUT ALSO HELPING THEM WITH COLLEGE APPLICATIONS, ACT PREP.

COUNCILWOMAN, YOU WANT J STO. THEY'RE ON BOARD.

THEY'LL BE WORKING WITH B RCC TO EMBED THEM SELVES IN THE CLASSROOM PORTION.

LASTLY, EAST BANNERS PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THEY HAVE THEIR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.

BUT WORKING WITH BRACK, WE HAVE A LOT OF PARTNERS WILLING TO TAKE KIDS ON.

[01:55:02]

IT DOES LOOK DIFFERENT, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CHILDREN TO GRADUATE IN MAY OF 26 IS MORE RIGOROUS.

>> DIFFERENT IS OKAY. WANT TO MAKE SURE.

WHAT ABOUT THESE CHILDREN THAT WILL BE IN CLASS IN JUNE.

WHAT'S THE HOURS, AND WILL THEY BE PAID WHILE THEY ARE IN CLASS AS THOSE THAT WILL BE WORKING?

>> YES, MA'AM. ALL OF THE CHILDREN WHO CAN COMPLETE THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS WILL BE PAID.

JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE IN CLASS IN JUNE AND NOT AT THE WORKSITE, THEY WILL STILL RECEIVE THEIR STIPENDS.

>> YOU GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND I THANK YOU MAN.

>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU.

>> ANYBODY ELSE? THANK YOU, LADIES.

MOVING ON TO ITEM 120 IS AN EMERGENCY ITEM

[120. 25-00479]

SIT BILL 176 IN THE 2025 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND URGING LEGISLATORS FROM THE EAST FROM EAST BOUND RG PARISH TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE BILL BY COUNCILMAN WHITE HUTSON, COUNCILMAN CLEVE DON JUNIOR AND COUNCILMAN AARON MOD REASON FOR THE EMERGENCY IS IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE ITEM TO BE HEARD BEFORE IT GOES TO COMMITTEE.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE 16442, THIS ITEM MUST BE DECLARED ON EMERGENCY BY TWO THIRD VOTE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.

NEED A MOTION TO DECLARE THE ITEM AN EMERGENCY.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MODE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO OPPOSITION.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM.

>> MR. PRO TIM, I'D LIKE TO AMEND THE ITEM.

NO ONE WILL GO TO COUNSEL, COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR.

AMEND THE ITEM AS AN EMERGENCY INTRODUCTION INSTEAD OF AN EMERGENCY ITEM TO BE HEARD TODAY.

>> I SECOND. WELL, WE JUST NEED TO DEFER IT THEN.

BECAUSE IT'S INTRODUCED AND CAN BE HEARD TODAY.

FIRST ITEM SO WE CAN JUST DEFER IT. THAT'S FINE.

>> WELL, COUNCILMAN HURST ASKED ME WHY WE'RE DEFERRING THAT I'M NOT HEARING IT TODAY.

THE BILL AS WRITTEN IS NOT IN THIS FINAL FORM, AND THERE ARE MANY AMENDMENTS THAT NEED TO BE PLACED ON THE ITEM.

I WOULD PREFER AND MY CO AUTHORS WOULD PREFER THAT THE ITEM IS IN THIS FINAL DRAFT BEFORE WE TAKE ACTION ON I LIKE TO THAT OTHER ITEM THAT I I LIKE MAY 14? NEXT MEETING. WE HAVE A MOTION BY CONCAN DUN JUNE SECOND BY COUNSELMAN MOTE TO DEFER TO MAY 14, AND OPPOSED? MOTION CARE.

>> MAY 10TH. YES. I KNOW WE'RE FIXING TO GO TO THE NEXT ITEM, WHICH IS ADJOURNMENT, BUT I'D LIKE TO TAKE A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE.

IF THERE'S ANY LEFT FOR THE EVENING.

ACTUALLY, WE HAD A LOT OF GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CONTRACT AND EVERYTHING WITH THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE AND EVERYTHING, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE A PUBLIC A NOTE THAT HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE CITY OF CENTRAL TODAY THE 23RD, 2005, WE INCORPORATED 20 YEARS AGO.

>> COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.

LEADS ADJOURN. ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS?

>> I WOULD SAY EVERYBODY SAID A PRAYER F MALE PRESIDENT EDWARDS FOR THE PASSION OF HIS FATHER, SO PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SEND YOUR PRAYERS OF CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.

>> THANK YOU, COUNSELMAN. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOU CONTINUED SERVICE.

REMEMBER TO SERVE YOUR FAMILIES, YOUR COMMUNITIES, BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST SERVE GOD. GOD BLESS.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.