May 28, 2025 Metropolitan Council

>> GOOD AFTERNOON TO EVERYONE.

[Presentations and Special Recognitions]

[00:00:03]

TO BEGIN WITH, I'M GOING TO ASK MR. LON VICKNAIR, WHO'S IN MAYOR PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS' INSTEAD TO COME AND RECOGNIZE MAE EDEL, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, AND WILLIAM COLES, COLLEGE STUDENT, FOR RECIPIENTS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP, MR. VICKNAIR.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. TODAY IS ALL ABOUT CELEBRATING SOME OF THE INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY, FROM STUDENTS, BLAZE, AND NEW TRAILS TO HEROES WHO STEPPED UP WHEN IT MATTERED THE MOST TO KEEP US SAFE, CREATIVE, AND PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE.

AS THE COUNCILWOMAN MENTIONED, WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE MAE EDEL AND WILLIAM COLES, TWO BRIGHT STARS, OUR AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS.

MAE EDEL IS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WITH A FUTURE AS PROMISING AS HER HEART IS BIG, AND WILLIAM COLES, A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO'S NOT JUST LEARNING ABOUT BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT ABOUT BUILDING A BETTER WORLD.

WE'RE BEHIND YOU BOTH EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, AND CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] YOU'D LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING. NO?

>> THANKS, SIR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HERE YOU GO, MAE. HERE YOU GO, WILLIAM. [APPLAUSE]

>> NEXT IN, MR. VICKNAIR, I THINK YOU CAN REMAIN UP THERE.

BRANDON SEARS FOR THE MAYOR'S COMMENDATION FOR COURAGE.

>> THANK YOU, AGAIN, COUNCILWOMAN.

THERE ARE MOMENTS WHEN SOMEONE STEPS UP IN A WAY THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING, AND TODAY WE HONOR EXACTLY THAT KIND OF MOMENT.

BRANDON SEARS' QUICK THINKING WAS NOTHING SHORT OF HEROIC.

HE DISARMED AN ALLEGED BANK ROBBER AND HELD HIM UNTIL THE BATON ROUGE POLICE COULD ARRIVE.

HE SHOWED COURAGE, CALM, AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING OTHERS.

HE IS NOW GOING THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO JOIN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

BRANDON, TODAY, WE HONOR YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYBE HE'S DOING ANOTHER ONE.

[LAUGHTER] AT THIS TIME, MR. VICKNAIR, YOU WILL RECOGNIZE CHRIS LANDRY, THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF EMS. THIS IS EMS'S WEEK RECOGNITION.

>> YES, MA'AM. EMS WEEK RECOGNITION.

TODAY, WE ALSO PAUSE TO RECOGNIZE OUR EMS PROFESSIONALS.

THE FIRST TO ARRIVE AND THE LAST TO LEAVE, THE ONES WHO ARE ALWAYS READY.

TO EVERY EMT, PARAMEDIC, AND EMERGENCY SUPPORT, EMERGENCY RESPONDER IN OUR CITY, THANK YOU.

YOUR SACRIFICE, YOUR STEADY HANDS, YOUR CALM IN THE STORM, YOU MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

YOU CARE FOR OUR FAMILIES LIKE THEY'RE YOUR OWN, AND WHILE WE MAY NOT SAY IT ENOUGH, WE SEE YOU, WE VALUE, AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> JUST ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR RECOGNIZING THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION THAT OUR STAFF EXHIBIT EVERY DAY.

IT IS TRULY A CALLING.

IT TAKES A VERY SPECIAL PERSON TO DO WHAT OUR FOLKS DO EVERY DAY, DAY IN AND DAY OUT, TO RESPOND TO EVERYONE'S CRISIS AND BE THE CALM IN THEIR STORM.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE OUR STAFF.

IT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]

>> I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOU GETTING THE POSITION AS THE DIRECTOR OF EMS. BIG SHOES TO FILL, SET A CONVERSATION OVER HERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT THAT POSITION IS IN THE PETERS PARISH.

THEY SEE THE SEVERED BODIES BEFORE THEY EVER GO TO THE HOSPITAL OR THE MORGUE.

THE TRAUMAS THAT THEY DEAL WITH TO MAKE OUR CITY PARISH A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.

A LOT OF TIMES IS OVERLOOKED.

[00:05:02]

>> MR. VICKNAIR.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> NOW YOU'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE SOME SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS BEING HONORED FOR RECEIVING AN EMMY AWARD FOR THEIR FILM, THE HIDDEN SPORT.

>> WOW, THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

WE ARE ALSO PROUD TO CELEBRATE FIVE INCREDIBLY TALENTED STUDENTS FROM SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY WHO HAVE BROUGHT NATIONAL RECOGNITION TO BATON ROUGE.

THEIR FILM, THE HIDDEN SPORT, SHINES A POWERFUL LIGHT ON THE LEGACY OF THE SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY HUMAN JUKEBOX MARCHING BAND AND ITS CULTURAL IMPACT ON SPORTS AND HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THIS STUDENT-PRODUCED PROJECT DIDN'T JUST TELL A STORY.

IT CAPTURED A MOMENT, AND IT EARNED AN EMMY AWARD FOR ITS EXCELLENCE.

YES, YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT, EMMY AWARD. [APPLAUSE]

>> YES. COME ON.

>> THE STUDENTS BEHIND THIS POWERFUL FILM, YOUR VISION, YOUR STORYTELLING, AND YOUR ABILITY TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SEEN ARE REMARKABLE.

YOU'VE MADE US ALL PROUD.

YOU'VE PROVEN THAT THE FUTURE OF CREATIVE STORYTELLING IS ALREADY HERE AND IS SHINING BRIGHT IN BATON ROUGE.

>> GIVE IT UP FOR [INAUDIBLE]. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND]

>> WE'RE NOT THE WHOLE TEAM.

WE'RE MISSING ASHLEY LOVELACE, LOREN SULLIVAN, AND SIDNEY CUILLIER.

WE DEDICATED THIS FILM TO THE LATE GREAT COACH WALLACE AND CALEB, A BAND MEMBER, THEY PASSED.

IT'S JUST AN HONOR TO GIVE BACK TO THE ORGANIZATION.

THEY GAVE SO MUCH TO ME BECAUSE I'VE BEEN WATCHING FOR FOUR YEARS IN THE BAND, AND I KNOW I OWE THE BAND A LOT OF MY CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, AND ESPECIALLY THESE GUYS RIGHT HERE.

THANK GOD FOR THEM FOR SURE. THIS IS FOR THE CITY. [APPLAUSE]

>> GIVE IT UP FOR THESE GENTLEMEN HERE.

YES, INDEED. YOU ALL COME ON UP HERE AND TAKE THAT PICTURE, RODRICK.

[BACKGROUND]

>> EVERYBODY LOOK THIS WAY FOR ME? [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND]

>> GREAT WORK.

AT THIS POINT, WE'RE GOING TO AND HERE AGAIN, LON VICKNAIR, AND MAYOR PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS, STATE, AND I, WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE LOUISIANA ARTS AND SCIENCE MUSEUM, THE TWO LADIES THAT ARE REPRESENTED TODAY FOR THE HISTORIC 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAIN DEPOT.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER] FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL, COME ON UP HERE, LADIES.

[LAUGHTER] WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOU ALL PRESENTED TO THE LOUISIANA ARTS AND SCIENCE MUSEUM, THE IRENE W. PENNINGTON PLANETARIUM FORWARD.

THIS OCCASION OF YOUR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> CENTENNIAL.

THAT'S 100 YEARS FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT MAY NOT KNOW.

WE ARE JUST SO ELATED ABOUT THE FACT AS WE STAND HERE TODAY, TO BE ABLE TO JUST STAND HERE WITH YOU IN ACCOMMODATION.

VICKNAIR, YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.

>> THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER]

>> HUNDRED YEARS. WOW. THAT'S AMAZING.

IT'S AN AMAZING FACILITY, AND SO SOMETHING THAT AGE, IT TAKES A LOT TO KEEP RUNNING.

THANK Y'ALL FOR WHAT YOU'LL DO.

I WON'T BE HERE, BUT SOMEONE WILL BE HERE IN THE NEXT 100 YEARS, GET YOUR [OVERLAPPING].

>> MAYBE SOMEONE YOUNGER. [LAUGHTER]

>> SOMEONE, AND SO WHY DON'T YOU?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M KAREN SONIAT, AND I AM DELIGHTED TO SERVE AS THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE MUSEUM.

I WANT TO THANK THE CITY, THE METRO COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO ARTS AND SCIENCE MUSEUM OVER THE YEARS.

THE CITY PARISH, MANY YEARS AGO, BOUGHT THIS HISTORIC BUILDING, ENTERED INTO A LEASE WITH LASM,

[00:10:02]

MANY PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN THAT DECISION: METRO COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AT THE TIME, ALONG WITH A LOT OF IMPORTANT AND JUST PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO BELIEVED IN THE POWER OF THE ARTS TO CHANGE LIVES.

WE KNOW WE DO THAT EVERY DAY.

AN EXAMPLE I WANT TO SHARE QUICKLY.

LAST YEAR, WE WERE PRIVILEGED TO BRING A GROUP OF FOSTER CARE STUDENTS THROUGH THE MUSEUM.

ONE OF THE YOUNG MEN WENT IN TO SEE AN ART EXHIBIT THAT WE HAD UP BY CHASE MULLENS.

HE IS A WONDERFUL, TALENTED BATON ROUGE-BASED ARTIST.

HE PAINTS PICTURES THAT ARE WILDLIFE, BUT THEY'RE FANCIFUL.

THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING, MR. HURST KNOWS THE STORY.

HE TOLD ME TO SHARE IT A LONG TIME AGO.

THE PAINTING WAS OF A TURTLE, AND THE TURTLE BARELY HAD HIS HEAD ABOVE WATER, AND HE HAD A STORK ON HIS BACK.

I WALKED UP TO THIS YOUNG MAN WITH MY WONDERFUL EDUCATION DIRECTOR, AND HE WAS JUST REALLY INTENTLY LOOKING AT THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART.

WE SAID, DO YOU LIKE THIS PIECE? HE SAID, YES, MA'AM.

HE SAID, THIS PIECE REALLY SPEAKS TO ME.

WE ASKED, WHAT IS IT? WE CALLED HIS NAME, THAT SPEAKS TO YOU ABOUT THIS.

HE SAID, BECAUSE I'M LIKE THIS TURTLE.

I CARRY A LOT OF PEOPLE ON MY BACK, AND I AM JUST NOW GETTING MY HEAD ABOVE WATER.

I JUST WENT, OH, MY GOSH, IF THAT DOESN'T UNDERSCORE THE MISSION OF WHAT WE DO AT LASM.

WE BRING SOME 22,000 STUDENTS A YEAR THROUGH OUR PROGRAMMING, STRUCTURED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.

WE ARE A NONPROFIT.

WHEN WE DO THAT, WE ARE WORKING WITH CITY PARISH.

WE ARE WORKING WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT OUR PARISH AND OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITY TO BRING THEM TO LASM FOR THAT EXPERIENCE THAT THEY MAY NOT GET ANYWHERE ELSE.

I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE STAFF.

I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY FOR THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE THANK THE CITY PARISH, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT THAT YOU BRING TO US EVERY YEAR.

ON 10, 10, '25, COME JOIN US FOR THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

IT'S GOING TO BE CALLED PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ.

IT IS A FUNDRAISER FOR LASM.

WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US. PLEASE, JOIN US.

SOON, YOU'LL BE SEEING IN OUR MUSEUM A BEAUTIFUL EXHIBITION TITLED CROSSROADS AND CONNECTIONS, WHERE WE ARE GOING BACK AND HEARKENING BACK TO THE BEGINNING 100 YEARS OF THIS BEAUTIFUL MUSEUM.

WE ARE COLLECTING ORAL HISTORY STORIES.

IF ANY OF YOU HAVE ORAL HISTORIES, YOU HAVE OLD ARTIFACTS, YOU HAVE OLD PHOTOGRAPHS, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

LOOK FOR THAT EXHIBIT COMING UP REAL SOON.

I'LL SAY A COUPLE MORE THINGS, AND THEN I'LL LET YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, PLEASE.

WE ALSO BRING IN SOME CLOSE TO 9,000 FIRST RESPONDERS, SPEAKING OF EMS, VETERANS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF VETERANS, AND THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US THROUGH OUR MUSEUM, THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL INSURANCE COMPANY, AND IT'S PART OF THE BLUE STAR MUSEUM PROGRAM.

THEY COME IN FREE TO OUR MUSEUM.

THE OTHER THING I'LL SHARE WITH YOU IS THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

LASM OPENS OUR DOORS TO OUR COMMUNITY, FREE OF CHARGE.

THUS FAR THIS YEAR, JUST SINCE FEBRUARY, MARCH, AND APRIL, WE HAVE HAD NEARLY 3,000 PEOPLE COME THROUGH OUR DOORS ON SUNDAYS.

WE DID A MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU THIS PAST MAY, FIRST FREE SUNDAY, 01,100 PEOPLE CAME THROUGH OUR DOORS.

I KNOW WHAT WE DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

I THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TO DO THIS FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE HOPE YOU'LL BE A PART OF OUR FUTURE AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> ON YOUR DESK AND IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, IS A COMMEMORATIVE COIN THAT MARKS 100 ANNIVERSARY OF OUR TRAIN STATION.

WE HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY THIS AND PUT IT ON YOUR DESK AND DISPLAY IT PROUDLY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> YOU ALL SEE AND HEAR THE ENTHUSIASM.

[LAUGHTER] I GUESS WE'LL WEAR A COUNCILMAN MEDALLION ON US.

I'LL BE MISTY, YOU'LL BE MR. [INAUDIBLE] AND WE CAN GO FORWARD.

YOU HAD BETTER COME ON UP HERE AND GET A PHOTO.

[00:15:11]

[APPLAUSE] WHAT? MADISON, THEY'RE GOING TO PUT YOU BEHIND A FLOOD.

WE'RE GOING TO DO FLOOD AWARENESS MONTH.

THEN ALL RIGHT.

FLOOD AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION BY MR. LON VICKNAIR IN THE NAME OF MAYOR PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, AND FINALLY, AS WE CLOSE OUT MAY WE RECOGNIZE FLOOD AWARENESS MONTH.

WE'VE ALL SEEN HOW FAST AND FIERCELY FLOODING CAN IMPACT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

THIS IS WHY THIS MONTH AND EVERY MONTH, WE'RE ENCOURAGING EVERYONE TO LEARN, PREPARE, AND PROTECT.

THE CITY IS CONTINUING TO INVEST IN SMARTER INFRASTRUCTURE, BETTER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, AND STRONGER SUPPORT FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

BUT THIS IS ALSO ABOUT ALL OF US DOING OUR PART, CHECKING OUR FLOOD PLANS, KNOWING OUR ZONES, AND HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST.

LET'S STAY READY, STAY INFORMED, AND TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER.

[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT, THE FLOOD OFFICE, AND ALSO THE REST OF DPW AS WE CONTINUE TO BRING FLOOD AWARENESS AND REDUCE OUR FLOOD RISK IN OUR PARISH.

[APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU, RACHEL.

COME ON UP, MADISON SMITH, MISS BATON ROUGE 2025.

COUNCILMAN KENNEY, TALK ABOUT HER.

>> WE CAN FINALLY GET PAST THE FLOOD.

NEXT UP, WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE MCQUEEN AS AMONGST OUR CITY, MISS MADISON SMITH.

MISS MADISON SMITH SERVES AS THE MISS BATON ROUGE 2025.

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT GRACE, LEADERSHIP, AND A WAVERING COMMITMENT TO IMPACTING THE BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY AND BEING AN AMBASSADOR? MISS SMITH EMBODIES ALL AMAZING QUALITIES.

I WANT TO BRING HER UP TO RECOGNIZE HER FOR HER REIGNITED WORK, A COMMITMENT TO THE BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY, AND BEING AN AMAZING AMBASSADOR FOR OUR CAPITAL CITY.

COME ON UP, MISS MADISON.

[APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S SUCH AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND SUPPORTED BY YOU ALL TODAY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THE MISS BATON ROUGE COMPETITION HAD ACTUALLY BEEN ON A NINE-YEAR HIATUS, THAT'S ALMOST A DECADE.

IT'S AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY AND REPRESENT OUR CITY.

ONE OF MY MAIN GOALS WHEN ACHIEVING THIS AMAZING TITLE WAS TO JUST RE-ESTABLISH THE PRESENCE OF MISS BATON ROUGE AND REMINDING PEOPLE WHAT TITLE HOLDERS ARE HERE TO DO, AND THAT'S TO GET BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS POURED SO MUCH INTO US.

I'VE EVEN BEEN ABLE TO SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT MY COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE POST-SMART.

THAT STANDS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY, WHERE I CHOOSE TO HELP ADVOCATE AND HELP PEOPLE JUST LEARN HOW TO NAVIGATE THE DIGITAL WORLD, BECAUSE SOCIAL MEDIA GROWS AS WE GROW.

IT'S BEEN VERY SPECIAL TO ADVOCATE FOR SOMETHING THAT I'M SO PASSIONATE ABOUT AND THAT I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN ADVOCATING FOR SINCE I WAS JUST 16 YEARS OLD WITHIN THE MISS AMERICA OPPORTUNITY.

I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY.

I HOPE TO MAKE YOU ALL VERY PROUD AT THE MISS LOUISIANA COMPETITION COMING UP IN JUNE, ABOUT 18 DAYS AWAY, BUT WHO'S COUNTING.

I'M VERY EXCITED, AND I HOPE TO MAKE YOU ALL PROUD.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND]

>> GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]

>> COUNCILMAN KENNEY, YOU ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE DAVIYAH ANTHONY.

CORRECT ME IF I'M IN ERROR.

FOR THE 2025 GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARS SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH GRADUATE CLASS OF 2025.

>> I'M GOING TO TAKE A PAGE OUT OF YOUR BOOK, COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

[00:20:02]

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIP, BILL GATES HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT'S OPEN TO ANY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ACROSS AMERICA, AND WE HAVE A STUDENT OUT OF NORTH BATON ROUGE, SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.

[APPLAUSE] FUNNY STORY.

WHEN I SAW IT. I WAS LIKE, MAN.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO BE SOME OF THE VERY FIRST STUDENTS WHO WERE ABLE TO GET THIS SCHOLARSHIP, AND OUT OF 700 STUDENTS ACROSS AMERICA.

MY BAD. MAMA BAG, THEY GOT ME RIGHT. THAT'S RIGHT.

OUT OF 48,000 STUDENTS ACROSS AMERICA, THIS YOUNG LADY REPRESENTS NOT ONLY HER FAMILY, BUT NORTH BATON ROUGE, SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL, BUT BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA IN GENERAL.

COME ON UP, MISS ANTHONY. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS DAVIYAH ANTHONY, AND I'M INCREDIBLY HONORED TO BE A GATES SCHOLAR.

BUT THIS ACHIEVEMENT IS NOT MINE ALONE.

IT REFLECTS THE SUPPORT OF SO MANY AMAZING PEOPLE.

I WANT TO THANK MY MOTHER, MISS MARY MORGAN, AND MISS ANGELICA JOHNSON SMITH FOR ALWAYS BELIEVING IN ME AND PUSHING ME TO BE MY BEST.

TO BRING YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT HAS MEANT SO MUCH TO SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.

THANK YOU FOR SHAPING ME INTO A WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUAL, AND TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO CHEERED ME ON, YOUR SUPPORT KEEPS ME GOING.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCILMAN KENNEY AND THE METRO COUNCIL FOR THIS HONOR.

I WILL CONTINUE TO REPRESENT MY FAMILY IN SCHOOL WITH THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FROM THE GATES MILLENNIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION TO BE A LEADER AND EXAMPLE FOR MY PEERS IN MY COMMUNITY.

[APPLAUSE]

>> MISS ANTHONY, WITH GREAT PRIDE, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE YOU WITH THIS A TYPICAL RECOGNITION FOR THIS AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT THAT YOU HAVE DONE.

WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.

SHE'S GOING TO XAVIER UNIVERSITY ON A FULL-RIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO MAJOR IN BIOLOGY.

LET GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] PLEASE TAKE THIS RECOGNITION THAT YOU HAVE A VILLAGE, NOT ONLY HERE AT THE METRO COUNCIL, BUT SCOTLANDVILLE, NORTH BATON ROUGE, AND BATON ROUGE IN GENERAL, AND WE'RE CHEERING YOU ON TO BE GREAT AT XAVIER UNIVERSITY.

CONGRATULATIONS. COME TAKE A PICTURE.

>> COUNCILMAN, IF YOU TAKE THAT PICTURE AND LET MOM COME UP TOO.

>> FAMILY, COME ON UP.

>> MOM, COME ON UP.

>> COME ON.

>> LET'S GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE]

>> THE NEXT PERSON WILL BE MR. DARRYL HONORE FOR HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, SCOTLANDVILLE PRECINCT CAPTAIN.

COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE NOT ONLY A GIANT AND LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY.

MR. DARRYL HONORE HAS COMMITTED OVER 25 YEARS TO THE BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY THROUGH HIS SERVICE AT THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HE'S GOING TO FINALLY BECOME THE LAME DUCK AND ABLE TO SIT BACK AND RELAX AT HOME AND ENJOY RETIREMENT, AND FOREVER VACATION.

BUT MR. HONORE HAS BEEN SUCH A LEADER IN THE SCOTLANDVILLE COMMUNITY.

HIS LEADERSHIP WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BIG SHOES TO FILL FOR THE CURRENT INCOMING CAPTAIN FOR OUR PRECINCT.

BUT MR. HONORE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR DECADES OF DEVOTED LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.

I HATE THAT YOU RETIRE SIX MONTHS INTO MY TURN, BUT IT'S OKAY.

YOU'RE ALREADY ALWAYS ON SPEED DIAL, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP TO THE BATON ROUGE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO BATON ROUGE FOR MANY DECADES.

[APPLAUSE]

>> MISS COLEMAN. ADDITIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS, EVERYONE PRESENT.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. MR. KENNEY.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE CITIZENS OF BATON ROUGE FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME IN AND OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND SERVE THEM BECAUSE THAT WAS TRULY AN HONOR.

A LOT OF THEM WEREN'T HAPPY WHEN I LEFT.

BUT THAT GOES WITH THE TERRITORY.

I ALWAYS TRIED TO TELL EVERYONE THAT I WAS PROUD TO SUPERVISE.

THE JOB IS VERY SIMPLE, JUST BE HONEST AND BE FAIR.

[00:25:02]

A BUNCH OF GREAT OFFICERS, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING ALONGSIDE FOR 30 YEARS.

BEING ABLE TO STEP AWAY IN ONE PIECE AND GOOD MIND, GOODBYE, I FEEL GOOD.

THANK YOU. I'M NOT GOING TO FORGET.

I'M GOING TO THANK MY FAMILY, WIFE, KIDS, AND PARENTS, SIBLINGS, FRIENDS, EVERYONE THAT WAS THERE TO SUPPORT ME.

[APPLAUSE]

>> I'M GOING TO TAKE A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE.

THIS MAN I DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS RETIRED.

I TOLD HIM I WAS MAD HE DIDN'T TELL ME.

BUT EVERY COMMUNITY MEETING, EVERY PHONE CALL THAT I'VE EVER CALLED YOU, YOU'VE ANSWERED WHETHER YOU WERE OFF THE CLOCK, ON THE CLOCK.

YOU MADE SHORT THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 5, DISTRICT 2, AND WHEREVER ELSE YOU-ALL CAME FROM, YOUR PRECINCT AND COVER HAD THE RESOURCES AND TOOLS THAT THEY NEED.

HE WAS THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN NEIGHBORS WITH SPOTLIGHTS AND DOGS, AND I MEAN, LITERALLY JUST WAS A SOCIAL WORKER FOR THE COMMUNITY.

YOU WENT WELL BEYOND WHAT YOU WERE COMMISSIONED TO DO, AND YOU WILL TRULY BE MISSED, MY FRIEND.

YOU SPELLED YOUR NAME THE RIGHT WAY. THANK YOU.

>> A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]

>> AT THIS TIME, THE NATIONAL COALITION OF THE 100 BLACK WOMEN METROPOLITAN BATON ROUGE CHAPTER AND THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS CHAPTER WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS THE ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF BLACK WOMEN AND CHILDREN BY DARRYL HURST.

>> I STAND HERE EXCITED.

I SAY BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN IS A GREAT WOMAN, AND I'M GOING TO SAY BEHIND EVERY GREAT COMMUNITY IS A COALITION OF WOMEN.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY ON THE TRANSITION TEAM.

I'VE HEARD SO MANY GREAT STORIES ABOUT MISS COURTNEY HUNT.

NO ORGANIZATION IS GREAT WITHOUT GREAT LEADERSHIP.

THE TAIL WILL FALL IF THE HEAD IS NOT ON STRAIGHT.

I JUST WANT TO THANK HER FOR THE TIME THAT SHE PUTS IN AND EVERYTHING THAT SHE DOES IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT ESPECIALLY BEING THE LEADER OF THIS AMAZING ORGANIZATION.

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION PROUDLY PRESENTED TO THE NATIONAL COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN, PROCLAMATION HONOR THE NATIONAL COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN INCORPORATED, WHEREAS THE NATIONAL COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN INCORPORATED, NCBW WAS FOUNDED WITH A STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS PROMOTING LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT, AND GENDER EQUITY IN THE AREAS OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

WHEREAS FOR DECADES, NCBW HAS UPLIFTED AND EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES THROUGH TIRELESS EFFORTS, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, AND PROGRAMS THAT CREATE SUSTAINABLE CHANGE, BUILD CAPACITY, AND ADDRESS SYSTEMIC BARRIERS.

WHEREAS THE LEADERSHIP AND MEMBERS OF NCBW HAVE SERVED AS BEACONS OF ADVOCACY AND AGENTS OF TRANSFORMATION PROMOTING THE VOICES, NEEDS, AND CONCERNS OF BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS ON LOCAL STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS, AND WHEREAS THE COALITIONS UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO SOCIAL JUSTICE, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND PUBLIC POLICY REFORM CONTINUES TO SHAPE A MORE EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT WE DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE NATIONAL COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN INCORPORATED FOR ITS EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE, VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, AND LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND EMPOWERMENT.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THIS PROCLAMATION IS ISSUED AS A SYMBOL OF DEEP APPRECIATION AND RESPECT FOR THE IMPACTFUL WORK OF NCBW AND ITS CONTINUED LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE WITH HONOR AND GRATITUDE, PRESIDENT COURTNEY HUNT. [APPLAUSE]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HURST FOR THIS GREAT HONOR.

WE ARE MOST APPRECIATIVE OF YOU AND ALL OF THE METRO COUNCIL FOR ALWAYS SUPPORTING OUR EFFORTS.

[00:30:05]

WE HAVE WORKED IN JUST ABOUT EVERY DISTRICT, 02, 6, 5, 10.

WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL.

AS THE PRESIDENT, IT'S ALWAYS HUMBLING WHEN PEOPLE KNOW YOUR WORK AND KNOW WHAT YOU DO FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

BUT OF COURSE, I CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT ALL OF MY SISTERS, AND I WANT YOU ALL TO STAND.

[APPLAUSE] AMONG US OUR LEADERS THAT YOU SEE EVERY DAY IN THE FIELD ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS.

ALTHOUGH OUR MISSION SAYS BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS, WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR ALL WOMEN AND ALL GIRLS.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN HURST, AGAIN, FOR THIS HONOR.

HE IS A FRIEND, AND HE IS A LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT REALLY CARES ABOUT NORTH BATON ROUGE IN PARTICULAR, BUT ALL PEOPLE.

I THINK THAT'S WHY WE MISSED RIGHT AWAY ON THE TRANSITION TEAM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS HONOR.

>> THANK YOU-ALL.

[APPLAUSE]

>> YOU WELCOME. THANK YOU ALL. LOOK. I'M GOING TO TAKE A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE.

WE HAVE 12 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR.

EACH MONTH MATCHES A COUNCIL DISTRICT.

WE HAVE CRAWFISH TODAY, FREE FOR EVERYBODY, AFTER THE COUNCIL MEETING.

IF YOU ALL WANT TO STAY, SHOULDN'T BE THAT LONG, SOMEWHERE AROUND 5:00, 05:30, AND ADULT STUFF AS WELL. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

> AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO ACKNOWLEDGE LOVE IMPACT COALITION.

THEY'RE HAVING A FREE HEALTH CLINIC, AND THAT IS MISS DONNA COLLINS-LEWIS AND MISS NICOLE THOMAS, AND COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN WILL DO THE HONOR.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.

I HAVE THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF RECOGNIZING SOMEONE WHO IS NO STRANGER TO THIS CHAMBER, NO STRANGER TO CITY PARISH GOVERNMENT, OUR FORMER COUNCILWOMAN DONNA COLLINS-LEWIS, WHO IS MY PREDECESSOR, FORMER COUNCILPERSON FOR DISTRICT 6.

RECOGNIZING HER AND HER PARTNER IN HEALTHCARE, NICOLE THOMAS.

THIS ENDEAVOR, ALTHOUGH IT HAS A NEW NAME, THEY HAVE BEEN IN PARTNERSHIP, BEING A BEACON OF LIGHT, A BEACON OF HOPE, AND A BEACON OF ACCESS FOR MANY, AS IT RELATES TO HEALTHCARE, BEING SOMEONE WHO MAKE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.

WE KNOW THE GAPS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

THEY THOUGHT IT TO BE THEIR MISSION TO MAKE SURE THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT HERE IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.

WE APPRECIATE THEM FOR THAT.

WE APPRECIATE ALL THE SPONSORS AND PARTNERS WHO HELPED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

I HAVE A STACK OF CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE PARTNERS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

I ASSURED MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMAN MOAK, I WOULDN'T READ THEM ALL.

WE'LL LET DONNA AND NICOLE TAKE CARE OF THAT, BUT I WANT TO BRING THEM UP AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE ABOUT THE CLINIC THAT'S COMING SOON, AND TALK ABOUT WHAT'S BEING MADE AVAILABLE, HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS, AND JUST ENCOURAGE OUR RESIDENTS TO COME OUT.

HEALTHCARE IS A HUGE EXPENSE, OFTENTIMES, THE MOST EXPENSE IN MANY HOUSEHOLDS WHEN YOU HAVE A HEALTHCARE NIGHTMARE AND CAN BANKRUPT YOU.

THIS IS A VITAL SERVICE THAT THEY PROVIDE, VERY IMPORTANT, AND I'M PROUD TO BE ONE OF THE SPONSORS FOR THE EVENT.

COME ON UP, OUR FORMER COUNCILWOMAN, DONNA COLLINS-LEWIS, AND NICOLE THOMAS.

[APPLAUSE]

>> [APPLAUSE] GOOD EVENING, SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST.

>> YEAH.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BE REALLY BRIEF THOUGH.

I STARTED THIS WORK IN 2018 AFTER TRAVELING TO BOISE, IDAHO AND WITNESSING THE CLINIC THERE, CAME BACK TO BATON ROUGE AND SAID, WE'VE GOT TO DO THIS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE GENTLEMAN THAT I WORKED FOR AT THE TIME, FRED CORNFORTH, HE WAS A DEVELOPER HERE IN BATON ROUGE AND BROUGHT ME TO BOISE.

HE HAS SINCE DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN ALMOST A YEAR AGO.

[00:35:03]

DENNIS MCCAIN WAS AT OUR FIRST CLINIC AT THE MOSQUITO ROTTEN BUILDING BY THE AIRPORT, IT WAS NOT OCCUPIED AT THE TIME.

IT WAS ZERO DEGREE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE, AND WHEN WE LEFT WE THOUGHT THAT NO ONE WAS GOING TO ATTEND THE CLINIC.

WE ARRIVED AT 5:00 A.M TO FIND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SITTING IN CHAIRS, WRAPPED IN BLANKETS, WAITING TO RECEIVE SERVICES.

THAT'S JUST HOW GREAT THE NEEDS ARE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY NOT A HEALTH FAIR, PEOPLE CALL IT THAT.

THIS IS AN ACTUAL HEALTH CLINIC WHERE WE PROVIDE FREE VISION, DENTAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES, FREE EXTRACTIONS, FREE CLEANINGS, FREE FILLINGS.

WHEN WE FIRST DID THE CLINICS, WE WERE DOING CROWNS, ROOT CANALS, WE WERE DOING THE WHOLE NINE YARDS.

NICOLE THOMAS, WHO HAS BEEN WITH ME SINCE DAY ONE WITH THIS WORK, COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT HER.

I'M NOT A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL, I'M A COMMUNITY SERVANT AND LOVE SERVING PEOPLE.

BUT WHEN I CALLED OUT TO NICOLE, SHE DID NOT HESITATE AND SHE HAS BEEN WITH ME THROUGH THIS WORK.

WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT OUR SPONSORS IN THE COMMUNITY.

OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR THIS CLINIC IS EXXON MOBIL, OUR PLATINUM SPONSORS ARE LOUISIANA HEALTHCARE CONNECTIONS.

CIVIL SPONSORS, METRO COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN, WE LOVE YOU.

HE'S MOVED SO MANY BARRIERS, PLUS GIVEN US BARRIERS.

BRO, CLINIC ON SATURDAY.

[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> LITERALLY.

>> YES. OUR BRONZE SPONSOR IS BATON ROUGE COUNCILMAN A.G. WE ALSO HAVE AS ONE OF OUR CIVIL SPONSORS, METROMORPHOSIS, WHO'S ALSO BEEN A GREAT SUPPORTER SINCE WE STARTED THIS WORK, SO WE'RE GRATEFUL TO STILL HAVE THEM ON BOARD.

AGAIN, BRONZE SPONSOR EAST BATON ROUGE COUNCILMAN A.G. OUR KIDS ZONE SPONSOR, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE CHILDREN ATTENDING OUR CLINIC, IS LAKE URGENT CARE.

MEDIA SPONSORS CUMULUS MEDIA OF BATON ROUGE, MAX 94.1, Q 106.5, HEAVEN 95.7 FM, AND 1460 AM.

OUR T-SHIRT SPONSOR IS ROVER JANITORIAL SERVICES.

OUR SUPPORTERS ARE WOMAN'S HOSPITAL, CAPITAL AREA TRANSIT SYSTEM, GORDON GIVES, TAN CARES, THE BATON ROGUE GENERAL.

WE WANT TO GIVE SPECIAL THANKS TO COUNCILMAN HURST, COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, COUNCILMAN KENNEY, AND COUNCILMAN DUNN, FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT THIS EVENT, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CREATING LONG TERM INVESTMENT FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

I'M GOING TO LET NICOLE TAKE OVER FROM HERE.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY THAT THIS WORK IS VERY, VERY REWARDING.

I AM A BIRTH CHILD OF THE EARL K. LONG, WAS MY VERY FIRST NURSING JOB, ME AND LAKISHA ON FOUR NORTH.

BUT THAT WAS REALLY AND TRULY WHERE I GOT TO SEE THE TRUE DEFICITS OF HEALTHCARE, AND IT'S REAL, AND THAT'S ONE THING THAT DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY OF US.

BEING ABLE TO DO THIS WORK AND REALLY AND TRULY BE THE BEACON OF LIFE AND PEOPLE'S MOST VULNERABLE TIME WHEN WE'RE ALL SICK, IS DEFINITELY REWARDING.

JUST THANK YOU, MS. DONNA FOR STARTING THE MISSION, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO CARRY IT OUT.

>> YES. WE WANT TO INVITE EACH OF YOU.

THE CLINIC WILL BE THIS SATURDAY, MAY 31ST AT THE RAISING CANE'S RIVER CENTER FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 7:00 PM.

WE WILL ARRIVE AT 5:30, YOU CAN MEET US THERE IF YOU WANT TO, [LAUGHTER] AND WE WILL BE THERE UNTIL WE SERVE THE LAST PATIENT.

WE ARE GOING TO DO A RIBBON CUTTING, SO YOU GUYS ARE ALL INVITED TO COME TO THE CLINIC.

WE JUST WANT TO THROW THIS OUT THERE, COUNCILMAN GAUDET, WHO'S BEEN A GREAT SUPPORTER WHEN HE'S IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ALSO.

BUT WE HAVE 38% OF THE PEOPLE THAT COME FROM YOUR DISTRICT THAT HAVE ATTENDED OUR CLINICS.

WE HAVE PROBABLY INVESTED $4.2 MILLION, I GAVE EACH ONE OF YOU GUYS A LITTLE BROCHURE, IN DOLLARS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES.

WE SERVED OVER 7,000 PEOPLE SINCE WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS WORK.

EVERY CLINIC THAT WE'VE HAD, WE LITERALLY HAD TO TURN PEOPLE AWAY BECAUSE THE NEEDS WERE SO GREAT, BUT WE DID NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SERVE EVERYONE.

WE'RE HOPING AND WE'RE THANKFUL FOR MAYOR EDWARDS WHO JUMPED IN AND RESCUED US LAST WEEK TO USE AVAILABLE PARKING.

WE DO WANT TO PRESENT THIS T-SHIRT TO MAYOR EDWARDS.

I'M NOT SURE IF LON IS STILL HERE OR SOMEONE FROM HIS OFFICE, THERE YOU GO.

WE WANT TO PRESENT THIS TO MAYOR EDWARDS AND THANK HIM FOR HIS SUPPORT OF OUR CLINIC.

AGAIN, PLEASE GUYS, IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO GET THERE AT 7:00 AM, PLEASE COME OUT AND LAY YOUR EYES ON THIS CLINIC.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO COME IN FOR REGISTRATION.

WE DO TRIAGE, WE HAVE MEDICINES THAT WE PROVIDE FREE OF SERVICES.

IF THERE'S SOMEONE THAT NEEDS A PRESCRIPTION, WE WRITE THE PRESCRIPTION ON SITE, AND WE PROVIDE THOSE MEDS FOR THE PERSON SO THEY DON'T BEAR ANY EXPENSE FROM THE CLINIC.

THE CLINIC IS FREE FOR ANYONE WHO COMES, NO INSURANCE OR ID REQUIRED.

BUT AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, THIS WORK IS NOT FREE TO PUT ON.

WE WELCOME SPONSORS.

AGAIN, WE CANNOT DO THIS WORK WITHOUT YOU GUYS. WE THANK YOU.

WE THANK THE CITY FOR THEIR PAST PARTNERSHIP, THEIR PRESENT PARTNERSHIP, AND FOR THEIR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

AGAIN, THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN DUNN.

I SEE MEYER APPROACHING FROM BEHIND, DOES THAT MEAN MY TIME'S UP MEYER?

>> AT THIS MOMENT, WE WANT TO STAND TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF OUR SPONSORS WHO ARE PRESENT AND THEN TAKE A PHOTO RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.

[00:40:03]

WE'RE GOING TO BRING THEM ALL UP FOR A QUICK PHOTO, AND GIVE THEM ALL OF THEIR PROCLAMATIONS AS WELL.

>> YES. WE HAVE OUR MAJOR AGAIN, PREVIOUS SPONSOR ROY.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS WHILE WE'RE GATHERING FOR A PICTURE REAL QUICK? COME ON.

>> YOU CAN COME STAND BY ME.

>> GOOD EVENING. I'M ROY DENA COLO WITH EXXON MOBIL, AND I HAVE REGINA DAVIS, OUR REFINERY PLANT MANAGER.

WE WERE EXCITED TO COME ON THIS YEAR AS OUR FIRST TIME PREMIER SPONSOR.

WHEN YOU MEET THESE TWO LADIES, YOU CAN'T SAY NO.

IT'S VERY EASY AND THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE SERVE IN NORTH BATON ROUGE AREA.

BUT IT'S ALL ZIP CODES, IT'S ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND HEALTHCARE SHOULD BE AN ACCESS FOR EVERYONE.

IT'S SOMETHING WE WERE EASY TO JUMP ABOARD, AND WE ARE EXCITED TO BE THERE THIS SATURDAY.

WE'LL BE VOLUNTEERING RIGHT ALONGSIDE THESE WOMEN.

PLEASE COME OUT AND JOIN.

>> TANZEL, LOUISIANA HEALTHCARE CONNECTIONS, WHO HAS BEEN AN AWESOME SPONSOR FROM DAY ONE.

THIS GIRL THINKS OF RAIN COATS IF IT'S RAINING FOR THE PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE, SO NO STONES ARE LEFT UNTURNED.

>> THANK YOU. I'M TANZEL MONTGOMERY, SENIOR COMMUNITY RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE FOR LOUISIANA HEALTHCARE CONNECTIONS.

WE JUST CONSIDERED A PRIVILEGE TO DO THIS WORK.

TO WORK WITH GREAT PEOPLE, THE IMPACT THAT THEY'RE MAKING ON THE COMMUNITY TO AFFECT OUTCOMES.

FOR LOUISIANA HEALTHCARE CONNECTIONS, OUR MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM THE HEALTH OF LOUISIANA, ONE PERSON AT A TIME.

WHEN WE GET TO PARTNER WITH PEOPLE LIKE NICOLE AND MS. DONNA, AND YOU SEE HOW PASSIONATE THEY ARE ABOUT THIS WORK, YOU CAN'T HELP, BUT BE A PART OF IT AND WANT TO STEP UP.

THANK YOU GUYS. I SEE IT.

YOU SEE WHAT'S BEING DONE, AND YOU SEE WHAT GOES BEHIND IT.

WE WELCOME SPONSORS AND PEOPLE WITH MONEY.

[LAUGHTER] COME ON. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND].

>> HERE WE GO.

>> [BACKGROUND] [INAUDIBLE] LOUISIANA HEALTHCARE CONNECTIONS WILL GET CENTER?

>> NO.

>> NO, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW. THEN COUNCILMAN DUNN, IF COULD GET IN THE CENTER AS WELL.

>> OKAY.

>> WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR LOVE IN THAT COALITION.

>> IF ALL OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL COME DOWN OR STAND UP WHERE YOU ARE.

>> DEFINITELY

>> COUNCILMAN KENNEY, CAN YOU COME ON THIS SIDE SO WE'RE EVEN? THERE WE GO. ROWDY, COUNCILMAN. THERE WE GO.

[BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER] EVERYBODY EYES OPEN, 01, 2, 3, 1,2,3, 1,2,3.

I'M GOING TO LET THEM GO.

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

[APPLAUSE].

[00:51:51]

[00:57:27]

>> [BACKGROUND] HELLO, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:57:29]

GREAT TO HAVE ALL OF YOU WATCHING THIS AFTERNOON.

IT'S USUAL OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU AT ANY TIME.

YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE @BRLA.COM, AND WE HAVE A NUMEROSITY OF PHONE NUMBERS AND EMAILS AVAILABLE TO YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AT THIS TIME.

HERE IS THE MAYOR PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.

COUNCILMAN BRANDON, NOEL. COUNCILMAN.

>> THANK YOU, DENNIS. WELCOME, EVERYBODY TO THIS METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025.

WE CALL THE MEETING IN ORDER. ASHLEY, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM?

>> WE HAVE A QUORUM.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE INVOCATION LED BY BISHOP GREGORY COOPER FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE BY ARIANNA GRIFFIN.

>> LET US PRAY. OUR FATHER AND GOD, WE COME NOW.

IT'S IN THE NAME OF JESUS WILL SAY, THANK YOU.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR ALL THINGS.

WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ALONE OH GOD.

ON TODAY, WE THANK YOU AND ASK THAT YOU WOULD ALLOW US IN YOUR PRESENCE.

THAT IN YOUR PRESENCE, WE HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR POWER.

WE PRAY TO GOD THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THESE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND OUR PRESIDENT, BLESS THIS GREAT STATE AND OUR GOVERNOR.

BLESS THIS GREAT CITY AND OUR MAYOR.

ON TODAY WE LIFT UP THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS BEFORE YOU.

THAT AS THEY GATHER TO DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE, I ASK THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES FIRST.

THEN GIVE THEM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON, THAT ON TODAY DECISIONS WILL BE MADE, AND YOU WOULD GRANT THEM KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.

GOD, WE UNDERSTAND IN LIFE, THERE ARE DEFICITS AND SHORTCOMINGS, BUT YOU ALONE OWN EVERYTHING.

AS THEY DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE, I PRAY OH GOD, THAT WITH THE WISDOM YOU GRANT TO THEM, THEY WOULD FIND PLENTY.

BLESS EVEN NOW, WE PRAY IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, IN LIBERTY AND JUST FOR ALL. AMEN.

>> THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE APPROVAL

[ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

[01:00:03]

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN MAROSA.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ASHLEY, CAN YOU READ INTRODUCTIONS?

[INTRODUCTIONS]

>> SECTION 2.12 INTRODUCTIONS, NUMBER 2, AMEND THE 2025 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CHARLES R.

KELLY COMMUNITY CENTER TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS BY INCREASING THE REVENUE OF $24,000 BY $15,000 TO HELP SUPPORT EXPENSES IN THE 2025 BUDGET BY CHARLES R. KELLY COMMUNITY CENTER.

NUMBER 3, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER ENTITLED LEROY TENNNART VERSUS THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE ET AL, CONSOLIDATED WITH NIKOLE SMITH ET AL VERSUS THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE ET AL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $625,000 AND APPROPRIATING $625,000 FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.

NUMBER 4, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER TANISHA LANE VERSUS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ET AL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000 PLUS COURT COSTS AND THE AMOUNT OF $106.50 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $75,106.50 AND APPROPRIATING THAT SUM FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.

NUMBER 5, AUTHORIZING AN OFFER OF JUDGMENT IN THE MATTER ENTITLED TINA CRAIN VERSUS DANIEL BALDRIDGE CONSOLIDATED WITH DANIEL BALDRIDGE VERSUS THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000 PLUS COURT COST AND THE AMOUNT OF $2,483 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $252,483 AND APPROPRIATING THAT SUM FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.

NUMBER 6, AMENDING THE 2025 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE JEWEL J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER, SO AS TO APPROPRIATE $5,000 FROM THE FUND BALANCE ASSIGNED TO JEWEL J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER BY THE JEWEL J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER.

CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS. NUMBER 7, BRITTANI WASHINGTON AND SHANA WHITFIELD, 1580 NORTH 48TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 8, TELLIUS MONTREL CARR, 3334, WASHINGTON AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 9, RAYMOND BRAGGS, 5139 JEAN STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 10, FRED H. RESS, III AND EUGENIA HYDEL RESS, 13734 BUCKLEY AVENUE, COUNCILS COUNCIL DISTRICT 8 - AMOROSO.

NUMBER 11, FRANK WILLIAMS, 2424 MADISON AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 12, THE ESTATE OF MARY L. ANDERSON, 739, CURLEW STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 13, DOROTHY HAWKINS JARVIS, 420 WOODCOCK STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY, NUMBER 14, SDH PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC AND MARY WILLIAMS CARROLL, 5186 PEERLESS STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 15, CALEB COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, 4884 PAIGE STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 16, DELARETTE LATHON, 920, NORTH ACADIAN THROUGH-WAY EAST, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 17, ZEBEDEE R. DILWORTH, 647 NORTH 38TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 18, FREDERICA M. PATRICK, 1306 NORTH 47TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 19, COLLIS B. TEMPLE JUNIOR AND SOUNDRA JOHNSON, 926 EAST BOULEVARD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 20, SEFRONIA MCCRORY ET AL, 1502, LEHMAN STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN. NUMBER 21.

STEVEN JEROME GRAY, 842 ASTER STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 22, DELLA SEABERRY 257 MARGARET STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

ADJUDICATED PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS. NUMBER 23, LOT 15 A AND 17 A SQUARE 48, SUBDIVISION BANKS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 24, LOT 29, SUBDIVISION SCOTLANDVILLE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 25, LOT 19 SQUARE 19, SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 26, LOT 2, 3, AND 4, SQUARE 8, SUBDIVISION SCOTLAND HEIGHTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 27, LOT 10 PLUS SQUARE 16, SUBDIVISION BANKS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 28, LOT 28 SQUARE 9, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 29, LOT 22 SQUARE 9, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 30, LOT 129, SUBDIVISION CEDAR MILL RUN, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 - MOAK.

NUMBER 31, LOT 15, 16, 17 AND 18 SQUARE 21, SUBDIVISION FORTUNE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 32, LOT 11 SQUARE 51, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 33, LOT 30 SQUARE 21, SUBDIVISION FORTUNE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 34, LOT 66 SQUARE 1, SUBDIVISION RICHMOND PARK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 35, LOT 19 PLUS SQUARE 39, SUBDIVISION BANKS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 36, LOT 21, 22, 23, AND 24, SQUARE 39, SUBDIVISION BANKS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 37, LOT 16, SQUARE 30, SUBDIVISION EAST GARDEN CITY,

[01:05:01]

NUMBER 38, LOT 18, SQUARE 30, SUBDIVISION EAST GARDEN CITY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 39, LOT 31 AND 32 SQUARE 4, SUBDIVISION SCOTLAND HEIGHTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 40, LOT 27 SQUARE 1, SUBDIVISION LEVERA, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 41, LOT 23, SQUARE 9, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 42, LOT 11, SQUARE 38, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 43, LOT 5, SQUARE 11, SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN, ALL ITEMS REQUIRE READING AND BEEN READ.

WE HAVE A REQUEST TO DELETE BY THE DEPARTMENT, ITEMS 5 AND 10, AND INTRODUCE ALL OTHER ITEMS.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN THAT MANNER? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HARRISON, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

GO TO OUR SEPARATE SHEET FOR CONDEMNATIONS.

[CONDEMNATIONS]

THIRTY DAYS FOR ITEM 75, 78, 79, AND 80 AND 60 DAYS FOR ITEM 76.

NINETY DAYS FOR ITEM 77 AND TO DELETE ITEM 73 AND 88.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING ON DO YOU HAVE?

>> YES, I DO.

NUMBER 62, AND I'M GOING TO DELETE 62, 66.

THEY ARE SELF DEMOLISHING, AND 89 HAS ALREADY DEMOLISHED.

THAT'S 62, 66, 89, AND THEN 84, I'M GIVEN 30 DAYS.

>> EIGHTY-FOUR. OKAY.

>> COUNCIL MCKINNEY.

>> I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND 30 DAYS FOR 60 AND FOR 72. THIRTY-DAY DEFERRAL.

>> SIXTY AND 72?

>> YEAH, 30-DAY DEFERRAL.

>> ANYBODY ELSE? I'LL READ THEM BACK AGAIN.

WE'RE TO PROCEED WITH ITEM 58, 59, 61, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 74, 81 82, 83, 85 86, AND 87, 30 DAYS FOR ITEM 60 72, 75, 78, 79, 80, AND 84, 60 DAYS FOR 76, 90 DAYS FOR ITEM 77, AND TO DELETE ITEM 62, 66, 73, 88, AND 89.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

ANY OPPOSED? I APOLOGIZE.

I DIDN'T HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYBODY WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? THAT WOULD BE 58-89.

SEEING NONE, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 90, AMENDING OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF

[90. 25-00481]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 91,

[91. 25-00524]

[01:10:01]

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

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 92, GRANTING FIVE-YEAR PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT ESTIMATED AT

[92. 25-00525]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 92.

>> SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNCIL.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 93,

[93. 25-00543]

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

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ITEMS 94-99 TOGETHER.

[Items 94 - 99]

ITEM 95, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO AMEND A SUB RECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER BATON ROUGE FOR AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF $94,275 AND EXTEND THE CONTRACT PERIOD UNTIL AUGUST 31ST, 2025, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $851,897 BY THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR.

ITEM 96, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUB RECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH THE CAPITAL CITY FAMILY HEALTH CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $129,250 UNDER THE RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS PROGRAM FOR THE GRANT PERIOD, MARCH 15TH, 2025, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH, 2026, BY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR.

NINETY-SEVEN, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUB RECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH FAMILY SERVICE OF GREATER BATON ROUGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $159,000 UNDER THE RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS PROGRAM FOR THE GRANT PERIOD, MARCH 15TH, 2025, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH, 2026, BY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES DIRECTOR.

ITEM 98, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUB RECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH HIV/AIDS ALLIANCE FOR REGION 2 IN AN AMOUNT OF $213,783 UNDER THE RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS PROGRAM FOR THE GRANT PERIOD, MARCH 15TH, 2025, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH, 2026, BY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES DIRECTOR.

ITEM 99, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUB RECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH OUR LADY OF THE LAKE INC IN AN AMOUNT OF $83,517 UNDER THE RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS PROGRAM FOR THE GRANT PERIOD MARCH 15TH, 2025, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH, 2026, BY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES DIRECTOR.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS?

>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS DR. LEANDER SHANE SANDERS, AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF DHS.

WE'RE ASKING THAT ALL THESE SERVICES BE CONTINUED BETWEEN ITEM 94 AND 99.

>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS?

>> I'M DR. SIDNEY EPPS.

I JUST HAVE A QUESTION IN TERMS OF JUST CALCULATING HOW MUCH THIS CULMINATES TO.

HOW ARE YOU ASSESSING EFFICACY IN TERMS OF ASSURING THAT SOME TYPE OF METRICS ARE BEING MET FOR THIS AGENDA? THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

>> THANK YOU. WHAT'S THE NEW GENTLEMAN'S NAME WHO'S OVER THE DEPARTMENT?

>> SANDERS.

>> YOU WANT TO COME TO RESPOND TO HER QUESTION?

>> COULD YOU REPEAT YOUR QUESTION AGAIN? THE PROGRAMS ARE EVALUATED BY OUR OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE,

[01:15:06]

WE ALSO HAVE OUR OVERSIGHT FROM WASHINGTON THAT ACTUALLY EVALUATES THE PROGRAMS ONCE A YEAR.

>> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK OUT OF TIME, BUT IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS, WE'VE HAD THIS CONCERN BROUGHT UP, AND WHAT WAS PRESENTED WAS BASICALLY THE NUMBERS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE REPORTED CASES OF AIDS AND HIV IN THE PARISH AND IN THE CITY, THOSE NUMBERS HAVE DECREASED BASED ON MANY OF THE EFFORTS.

WHAT WE WILL DO, SIR, WE'LL ASK YOU TO COME BACK AT SOME POINT AND GIVE A REPORT, BUT I KNOW WE HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT DATA PRESENTED BEFORE US THAT SHOW THAT THE WORK AND THE EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS, ALONG WITH CITY PARISH, HAS DECREASED THE AFFECTION RATE TREMENDOUSLY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. I'VE SEEN THOSE ALSO NUMBER, SO JUST TELL ME WHEN YOU NEED IT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU SHOW ME AS ABSTAINING FROM 98, MR. PRO TEM. OUTSIDE OF THAT, IF THERE'S NOT A MOTION TO APPROVE THE OTHERS, I I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

I'LL MAKE THE MOTION. MOTION BY THE CHAIR.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK. ANY OPPOSED? SHOW COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. ABSTAINING FROM ITEM 98, APOLOGIES. MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 100, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO AMEND THAT CERTAIN CONTRACT FOR

[100. 25-00551]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 101, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO AMEND THAT CERTAIN CONTRACT FOR

[101. 25-00552]

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

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I DON'T KNOW IF THEY SHOULD GET ANY MORE CONTRACTS JUST BECAUSE THE NAME IS SO DIFFICULT FOR THAT FIRM.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 102, AUTHORIZING

[102. 25-00554]

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

MOTION MY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND MY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 103. HE SNIPPED IT.

>> POINT OF ORDER, I HAD A QUESTION.

>> I'M SORRY. COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

>> UNLESS MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUE WANT TO GO BEFORE ME ABOUT THIS APPROPRIATION.

CAN SOMEBODY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION COME? FRED, GIVE ME SOME HISTORY ON THIS.

>> THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR MANY YEARS IN THE MAGNOLIA WOODS AREA, AND I WOULD SAY 99% OF THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY IN FAVOR.

IN FACT, THERE'S ONE OF THE OWNERS HERE TODAY.

HE ASKED ME ABOUT THE ISSUE AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS? I WENT OVER THE PROCESS WITH HIM.

I SAID, THE EXPROPRIATION IS A STEP THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT WHATEVER AGREEMENTS THAT COME OUT, WE CAN AT LEAST ULTIMATELY END UP WITH THE PROJECT BEING COMPLETED, BUT FAIR MARKET VALUE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE, BUT THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT IF WORST COMES TO WORST, WE GO TO COURT, AND THAT JUDGE MAKES THAT FINAL DECISION AND WHETHER IT WAS FAIR MARKET VALUE OR NOT.

>> HOW MANY PIECES OF PROPERTY, FRED?

>> SEVEN.

>> SEVEN PIECES OF PROPERTY?

>> YES.

>> HOW MANY OWNERS?

[01:20:05]

>> ONE PROPERTY OWNER HAS FOUR, SO IT'S PROBABLY FIVE OWNERS. YES.

>> THE GENTLEMAN, WHO WOULD YOU POINT OUT SAYING WAS ONE OF THE PRIVATE OWNERS? DO YOU MIND ANSWERING A QUESTION FOR ME?

>> DO YOU WANT TO COME UP?

>> NO. THAT'S FINE.

>> HE GOOD. FROM YOUR RECOLLECTION, FRED, ALL THE PROPERTY OWNERS SEEM COMFORTABLE WITH THE OFFER THAT WAS MADE?

>> YES, SIR. WE HAVEN'T MADE THE OFFER YET, BUT WE HAVE THE APPRAISALS, BUT THIS IS ONE OF THE STEPS WE GO THROUGH IS TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE EXPROPRIATION BECAUSE WE WANT TO DO THE PROJECT, THE PEOPLE WANT THE PROJECT DONE.

PART OF THE PROCESS IS TO GO THROUGH THE EXPROPRIATION, BUT THAT IS OUR LAST STRAW WHEN WE DID IT BECAUSE WE TRIED TO NEGOTIATE FAIR MARKET VALUE AND WE'VE DONE A PRETTY GOOD PROCESS.

WE FOLLOW IT VERY WELL WORKING WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY.

I DON'T BELIEVE WE WOULD HAVE ANY REAL ISSUES ON THIS PROJECT.

>> THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THE APPRAISALS?

>> NO, SIR. BUT, AGAIN, WE'RE ASKING TO EXPROPRIATE WHAT WE HAVEN'T EVEN MADE THE OFFERS YET, BUT THIS HAS BEEN THE NORMAL PROCESS.

WE GO AND PUT IT ON THE AGENDA TO DO THAT.

IF WE DON'T NEED TO EXPROPRIATE IT, WE CAN MAKE THE OFFERS, AND EVERYBODY'S HAPPY. THAT'S GOOD TOO.

>> GOT YOU. THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED SOME POINT OF CLARITY ON IT.

>> YES.

>> APPRECIATE YOU.

>> I'LL ASK AGAIN, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 103, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER ENTITLED

[103. 25-00562 (Part 1 of 2)]

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

>> MR. MAYOR PRO TEM, I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION SO THAT WE CAN

[Additional Item]

>> MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION BECAUSE DISCUSSION IN PUBLIC MIGHT BE DETRIMENTAL TO CITY PARISH'S POSITION IN LITIGATION.

>> WHAT SHE SAID.

>> IS THAT YOUR MOTION?

>> WHAT SHE SAID, YES.

>> DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

ANY OPPOSITION? WE'LL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> WE CALL THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER.

[103. 25-00562 (Part 2 of 2)]

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. WE HAVE A SECOND.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

ANY OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 104, RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK COURT TO CANCEL THE NOTICE TO ATTEND,

[104. 25-00590]

REASON FOR RESCINDING, THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING DEMOLITION AND CONSTRUCTION PERMITS BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

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

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

SECOND BY THE CHAIR. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 105, RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURT TO

[105. 25-00591]

REASON FOR RESCINDING, THE PURPOSE IS THE NEW OWNER WAS OBTAINING PERMITS TO REMODEL.

MOVED BY COUNCILMAN NOEL. ANY ONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

SEEING NO ONE, GO TO COUNCIL. MOTION BY THE CHAIR.

WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 106, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT A GRANT AWARD FROM

[106. 25-00553]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 107,

[107. 25-00555]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

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

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

[01:25:03]

ITEM 108, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE

[108. 25-00556]

THE MEMO WILL INCREASE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $100,000 FOR NOT TO EXCEED TOTAL OF $531,250 FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.

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

>> MY NAME IS ROBIN MULDER.

I RESIDE AT 9265 BERMUDA AVENUE.

I UNDERSTAND, OF COURSE, I HAVE TO SPEAK TO THIS ISSUE.

THIS ISSUE INVOLVES EXPENDING A LARGE SUM OF MONEY.

MY FATHER WAS FROM THE OZARK MOUNTAINS.

HE TOLD ME MANY TIMES HE KNEW THE SOUTH END OF A NORTHBOUND MULE.

THE MAN TAUGHT ME THAT HONESTY WAS ABOVE ALL.

HE WAS A MARINE.

HE WAS PRACTICING INVADING WHEN JAPAN WAS BOMBED.

I DON'T HAVE ANY TRUCK WITH LIARS AND CHEATS.

BUT THIS COUNCIL SPENDS A LOT OF MONEY.

THIS ITEM IS A LOT OF MONEY.

WE TRUST YOU TO HAVE INTEGRITY AND I BELIEVE MOST OF YOU DO.

BUT I HAVE AN EXTREME ISSUE WITH MY REPRESENTATIVE IN DISTRICT 11, MS. ADAMS. I HAVE 780,000 REASONS TO DISTRUST HER INTEGRITY.

I WOULD REQUEST THAT MS. ADAMS RECUSE HERSELF FROM THIS OR ANY OTHER LARGE SUM OF MONEY AS SHE HAS PROVEN, WELL, OR AT LEAST AS ALLEGED.

>> POINT OF ORDER. YOU'RE NOT ON TOPIC.

>> SIR, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS TOPIC AT ALL.

>> I AM SAYING THAT THOSE WHO VOTE ON SPENDING MY MONEY, THE CITIZEN'S MONEY NEED TO HAVE INTEGRITY, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT MY REPRESENTATIVE HAS AN INTEGRITY.

>> SIR, I'M ASKING YOU TO STEP DOWN.

>> STEP DOWN.

>> YOU NEED TO STEP DOWN.

>> THANK YOU.

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

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 110, A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND CONFIRMING. I'M SORRY.

>> ONE O NINE.

>> SORRY, 109. AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT

[109. 25-00557 ]

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

WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 110, A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE ISSUANCE

[110. 25-00563]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 111,

[111. 25-00561]

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

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURST, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

ANY OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES.

[Items 112 - 114]

AMENDMENT TO THE CLASSIFIED AND UNCLASSIFIED APPENDIX 1, CRITICAL RETENTION/HIRING OF HEAD START EMPLOYEES, AND OPTIONAL SPECIAL RECRUITING RATE IS ALLOWABLE UP TO STEP 17 FOR THE TEACHER SERIES IF RECOMMENDED BY THE DIRECTOR AND APPROVED BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.

TEACHER CLASSIFICATIONS ARE IDENTIFIED AS FOLLOWS, TEACHER 9.5 MONTHS, TEACHER ADVANCED 9.5 MONTHS, TEACHER AID 9.5 MONTHS, CRITICAL RETENTION, HIRING OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES EMPLOYEES, AND OPTIONAL SPECIAL RECRUITING RATE IS ALLOWABLE UP TO THE ESTABLISHED STEP FOR

[01:30:02]

ASSISTANT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR HEAD START STEP 12, CASE MANAGEMENT STEP 17, CASE MANAGER 9.5 MONTHS STEP 17, CONTENT AREA SPECIALIST STEP 11, CONTENT AREA SPECIALIST 9.5 MONTHS STEP 11, HEAD START CENTER SUPERVISOR STEP 14, HEAD START CENTER SUPERVISOR 9.5 MONTHS STEP 14, HEAD START PRACTICE BASED COACH STEP 11, KITCHEN SUPERVISOR STEP 14, KITCHEN SUPERVISOR 9.5 MONTHS STEP 14, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR HEAD START STEP 14, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR HIV/AIDS STEP 12 BY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES DIRECTOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR. WE'LL TAKE THEM ALL TOGETHER.

>> YEAH.

>> ITEM 113, AMEND THE 2025 PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED, UNCLASSIFIED, NON-CLASSIFIED CONTRACT FIRE AND POLICE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ADOPTED 12/10/2024, SO AS TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES EFFECTIVE, MAY 31ST, 2025.

ADD NEW CLASSIFICATION, CONTENT SPECIALIST DISABILITY, CONTENT SPECIALIST EDUCATION, CONTENT SPECIALIST ERSEA, CONTENT SPECIALIST MENTAL HEALTH, CONTENT SPECIALIST NUTRITION AND HEALTH, HEAD START KITCHEN BUILDING AND SUPPORT, HEAD START KITCHEN BUILDING SUPPORT.

AMENDMENT TO CLASSIFIED AND UNCLASSIFIED APPENDIX 1, CRITICAL RETENTION HIRING OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES EMPLOYEES, AN OPTIONAL SPECIAL RECRUITING RATE IS ALLOWABLE UP TO THE ESTABLISHED STEP FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICE CLASSIFICATIONS, IF RECOMMENDED BY THE DIRECTOR AND APPROVED BY THE HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE CLASSIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHED STEPS ARE IDENTIFIED AS FOLLOWS.

ASSISTANT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR HEAD START STEP 12, CASE MANAGER STEP 17, CASE MANAGER 9.5 MONTH STEP 17, CONTENT SPECIALIST DISABILITY STEP 11, CONTENT SPECIALIST EDUCATION STEP 11, CONTENT SPECIALIST ERSEA STEP 11, CONTENT SPECIALIST MENTAL HEALTH STEP 11, CONTENT SPECIALIST NUTRITION AND HEALTH STEP 11, HEAD START CENTER SUPERVISOR STEP 14, HEAD START CENTER SUPERVISOR 9.5 MONTH STEP 14, HEAD START KITCHEN BUILDING SUPPORT STEP 9, HEAD START KITCHEN BUILDING SUPPORT 9.5 MONTH STEP 19, HEAD START PRACTICE BASED COACH STEP 11, KITCHEN SUPERVISOR STEP 14, KITCHEN SUPERVISOR 9.5 MONTHS STEP 14, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR HEAD START STEP 14, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR HIV/AIDS STEP 12 BY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.

ITEM 114, AMENDMENT 2025, ALLOTMENT OF POSITIONS FOR THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ADOPTED 12/10/2024 SO AS TO CHANGE THE ALLOTMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES EFFECTIVE MAY 31ST, 2025.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES HEAD START CENTERS CASE MANAGER 9.5 MONTHS, CONTENT SPECIALIST DISABILITY, CONTENT SPECIALIST EDUCATION, CONTENT SPECIALIST ERSEA, CONTENT SPECIALIST MENTAL HEALTH, HEAD START KITCHEN BUILDING SUPPORT 9.5 MONTH, AND THE LEAD BUILDING ATTENDANT 9.5 MONTH, CLERICAL SPECIALIST 9.5 MONTH, CONTENT AREA SPECIALIST, ERSEA SPECIALIST, HEAD START CENTER SUPERVISORS 9.5 MONTH, KITCHEN SUPERVISOR 9.5 MONTH, TEACHER ADVANCED 9.5 MONTH, TEACHER AID 9.5 MONTH.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES CHILDCARE FOOD PROGRAM, AND CONTENT SPECIALIST NUTRITION AND HEALTH HEAD START KITCHEN BUILDING SUPPORT 9.5 MONTH, COOK 9.5 MONTH, NUTRITION SUPERVISOR BY THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES DIRECTOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.

[LAUGHTER] ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS?

>> YES, SIR.

>> CAROL WOLFF HARRIS?

>> YES, SIR.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS CAROL WOLFF HARRIS, AND ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND THE CLERICAL STAFF IN HEAD START, OUR REBUTTAL IS THIS PROPOSAL THAT YOU JUST READ, IT WAS FROM OUR UNDERSTANDING, THE CLERICAL STAFF THAT WE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RETROACTIVE PAY INCREASE.

WE FEEL IT'S UNFAIR, IT'S DISCRIMINATING.

WE WERE INFORMED BY MY SUPERVISOR THAT DURING A ZOOM MEETING WITH THE ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR, SHE STATED TO THE SUPERVISORS THAT THE CLERICAL STAFF WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THIS RETROACTIVE PAY BEGINNING JANUARY 11, 2025 PAY INCREASE.

[01:35:03]

SHE STATED BY RENAMING THOSE POSITIONS WOULD ALLOW THOSE EMPLOYEES IN HEAD START TO RECEIVE THOSE INCENTIVES AND PAY INCREASE THAT WAS BEING GIVEN TO THE CLASSROOM STAFF.

ON BEHALF OF THE CLERICAL, THE SIX, WE WERE NOT RENAMED OFFICE SUPPORT THROUGH HR, WHICH WOULD MAKE US ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE SAME PAY INCREASE AT RETROACTIVE PAY PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY THE 11, 2025.

DURING THE MEETING ON 05/14, I ATTENDED, I ALSO SPOKE WITH THE HR DIRECTOR BECAUSE I HAD SOME CONCERNS, AND WE ALL CLERICAL HAD SOME CONCERNS.

I ASKED HER, I SAID, WELL, WILL THE CLERICALS BE INCLUDED WITH THIS PAY INCREASE, RETROACTIVE.

THE HR DIRECTOR TOLD ME, SHE SAYING NO, BECAUSE THEY HAVE OTHER CLERICALS IN THE CITY PARISH DEPARTMENTS.

BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THEY ARE COOKS, THEY ARE MAINTENANCE PEOPLE THAT'S IN OTHER CITY PARISH DEPARTMENTS.

BUT THEY RENAMED THOSE PEOPLE TO COOK/BUILDING SUPPORT.

BUT THEY DIDN'T NAME CLERICAL OR DIDN'T RENAME US.

THEY COULD HAVE RENAMED US TO OFFICE SUPPORT SO WE COULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SAME THING WITH THE REST OF THE HEAD START STAFF HERE IN BATON ROUGE.

>> YOU'VE GOT ABOUT 15 SECONDS.

I'M TRYING TO GET IT ALL IN.

JUST LIKE YOU STATED, MR. HURST, THAT HEAD START STAFF HAS TO APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, ENERGY ASSISTANCE, MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE, THEY HAVE FOOD STAMPS.

WE CLERICAL ARE THE SAME STAFF.

WE'RE CLERICAL HEAD START.

WE STEP IN AND DO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE CASE MANAGERS WHEN THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO DO, WE HAVE TO DO THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOW, ONE MORE QUESTION. I CAN'T FINISH IT?

>> THANK YOU.

>> I'LL LET YOU GO A LITTLE BIT OVER TO FINISH THE THOUGHT.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?

>> ASKING THAT WE BE VOTED.

>> SAME NOW GO TO THE COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HANG TIGHT.

>> COME ON BACK UP.

>> ASKED YOU TO COME UP.

>> COME ON BACK UP, MA'AM. I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS TO A MINUTE AMOUNT OF TIME TO COMPLETE YOUR STATEMENTS.

WHAT WAS LEFT OUT THAT YOU WANTED TO INCLUDE?

>> WHAT WAS LEFT OUT IS THAT WE'VE BEEN LEFT OUT 2022, 2023.

MATTER OF FACT, YOU TALKED WITH ME ON THE PHONE AND YOU SAID, MS. WOLFF HARRIS, IF YOU WOULD HAVE COME TO US IN THE BEGINNING, BEFORE THEY DECIDED NOT TO GIVE US THE MONEY THEN SENATORS AND ALL OF THAT THAT THEY GOT THE TWO YEARS AGO, THINGS MAY HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.

BUT SHE HAD US UNDER THE INFLUENCE THAT WE'RE GOING TO RENAME Y'ALL.

IT HADN'T BEEN DENIED AND IT'S JUST DELAYED RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T COME TO ALL BECAUSE WE WAS WAITING ON THE DH DIRECT AT THE TIME TO RENAME US SO WE COULD BE INCLUDED.

DO YOU REMEMBER TALKING TO ME?

>> I DO.

>> WE FEEL REJECTED, WE FEEL LEFT OUT AND IT'S NOT RIGHT.

SUPPOSE THAT THE MAYOR SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M GOING TO GIVE ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS $20,000, BUT I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU OUT, MR. DUNN. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?

>> I'D FEEL LEFT OUT.

>> THAT'S THE WAY WE FEEL TOO, LEFT OUT.

>> YOU KNOW THE MAYOR SAID HE WAS GOING TO GIVE ALL OF US $1,000,000 AT ONE POINT.

>> [LAUGHTER] THAT SOUNDS GOOD, BUT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE THE CLERICAL SOME MONEY TOO.

>> BUT I'M GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO SAY, I'LL BRING YOU UP.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BUT I WANT TO BRING UP MS. PETERSON, THE HR DIRECTOR.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I GUESS MY SECOND QUESTION IS YOU TO CLARIFY JUST IN SIMPLE TERMS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

BUT FIRST, I WANT YOU TO SPEAK TO THE ACCUSATION OR THE STATEMENTS THAT THE CLERICAL FOLKS HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WAS A PART OF THAT PROCESS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS A DEPARTMENT HEAD DECISION AT THE TIME, CURRENT DEPARTMENT HEAD, OR WHAT HAVE YOU, BUT WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO OFFER TO SPEAK TO THAT, HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THE POINT TO WHERE THEY WERE LEFT OUT, AND IS IT SOME TYPE OF POLICY A LEGAL REASON WHY THEY WAS NOT INCLUDED TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

[01:40:07]

>> TO MY KNOWLEDGE WITH THESE DSHS SALARY INCREASES, THE CLERICAL POSITIONS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PROPOSAL BECAUSE THOSE POSITIONS ARE ALSO ALLOTTED IN MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.

THE DIRECTOR AT THAT TIME PLANNED TO REVISIT THOSE CLASSIFICATIONS IN THE 2026 BUDGET, BUT THERE WAS A TIME LIMIT THAT WERE AWARE OF WITH USING THESE FUNDS THAT WERE OBLIGATED BY THE GRANT.

THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE RESEARCH TO DEVELOP A NEW CLASSIFICATION AND ESTABLISH A PAY GRADE TO PUT THE CLERICAL POSITIONS IN ITS OWN TITLE THAT'S UNIQUE TO THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE TO DO THOSE PAY GRADE INCREASES.

THE INTENTION WAS TO ADDRESS THAT DURING THE 2026 BUDGET.

>> BUT THERE WAS TIME TO RESEARCH ALL THE OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS?

>> RIGHT. WE RESEARCHED THE INFORMATION AS IT WAS BROUGHT TO US BY THE DEPARTMENT SO WHEN THE DISCUSSION CAME UP ABOUT CLERICAL, WE WERE ALREADY AGAINST THE DEADLINE THAT HR COULD NOT MEET WITH MAKING THOSE DETERMINATIONS.

THEN WE ALSO RELY ON INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS TO WHAT THEY WANT THOSE PHYSICIANS TO DO IN TERMS OF JOB DUTIES, WORK EXPERIENCE.

THERE IS AN EVALUATION AND RESEARCH PERIOD WITH DEVELOPING NEW CLASSIFICATIONS.

>> WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME THAT IT TAKES IF YOU STARTED TOMORROW TO RESEARCH THE CLERICAL TO GET THE DATA BACK, TO KNOW WHAT THE CLASSIFICATION SHOULD BE, WHAT THE PAY SHOULD BE?

>> WE WILL FIRST RELY OR ASK THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE US INFORMATION.

WHATEVER TIME THEY NEED TO GET US THE INFORMATION TO HR AND THEN WE WOULD AT LEAST ASK FOR A WEEK OR TWO TO REVIEW IT.

LOOK AT SALARY DATA WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES TO SEE IF THEY HAVE COMPARABLE CLASSES, COMPARABLE JOB DUTIES SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION ON OUR RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> HOW LONG DID IT TAKE ON THE OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS?

>> ON THE OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS, THIS PROPOSAL HAD BEEN IN PROGRESS ON AND OFF WITH DHDS FOR MONTHS, EVEN BACK INTO 2024.

AT THAT TIME, EVEN BACK INTO 2024, IT WAS NOT BROUGHT UP THE CLERICAL POSITIONS.

THE CLERICAL POSITIONS WERE NOT BROUGHT UP UNTIL THESE DOCUMENTS WAS FIRST BEING DRAFTED THE WEEK OF THE COUNSEL DEADLINE.

THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME, THREE OR FOUR DAYS TO DEVELOP AND COME UP WITH THE PLAN FOR THE CLASS.

>> THIS TOOK A COUPLE OF YEARS WITH ALL THESE OTHER POSITIONS?

>> NOT A COUPLE OF YEARS.

I WOULD SAY A COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT THE DISCUSSIONS HAPPENED BETWEEN DHDS AND HR TO COME UP WITH WHAT YOU HAVE PRESENTED TODAY.

BUT THE CLERICAL PIECE, THE QUESTION WAS NOT ASKED UNTIL A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THE ORIGINAL DEADLINE.

>> BUT BEING THAT IS ONLY ONE JOB DESCRIPTION, IT SHOULD BE A SHORTER TIME FRAME TO RESEARCH IT, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME, I DON'T HAVE THE TIME.

GIVE MY SECOND FIVE MINUTES, PLEASE, MR. PROTON.

DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO IMPLEMENT THEM WITH THIS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CONSTRAINTS ON THE FUNDING.

MY QUESTION IS, COULD WE START THE PROCESS IN EVALUATING THEM? THEN SECONDLY, DO WE HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO GIVE THEM THE REAL CLASSIFICATION AND THE APPROPRIATE PAY ASSOCIATED WITH THAT CLASSIFICATION WHEN THE REPORT COMES BACK?

>> I CAN ANSWER THE FIRST PART.

WE DEFINITELY CAN START THE REVIEW TO ADDRESS THE CLERICAL POSITIONS AND CREATE UNIQUE CLASSIFICATIONS FOR THEM AND DHDS.

BUT AS FAR AS THE FUNDING IS AVAILABLE, I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER TO THAT.

>> BUT MY QUESTION IS MORE SO WITH THE USE OF THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE YOUR POSITION OR YOUR STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO INCLUDE THEM.

BUT SOUNDS LIKE IF WE HAD TIME TO INCLUDE THEM, WE COULD USE THOSE FUNDS TO GIVE THEM THE APPROPRIATE PAY.

DOES IT ALLOW US TO RETAIN THOSE DOLLARS AND UTILIZE THEM FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS, ANOTHER CLASSIFICATION THAT MAY HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT AT A LATER DATE? IS THAT A FINANCE QUESTION? [OVERLAPPING]

>> IT IS A FINANCE QUESTION.

I DO WANT TO ADD TO THAT IF WE WERE TO INCLUDE MORE EMPLOYEES, MORE CLASSIFICATIONS, IT COULD HAVE REDUCED THE PAY LEVELS THAT ARE GRANTED TO THE POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA TODAY.

>> WHO COULD SPEAK TO THAT? FINANCE? PRIMARILY ON THE USE OF THE FUNDS WE ALREADY HAVE, BECAUSE I WOULD ASSUME IT WOULD BE TOUGH TO FIND NEW MONEY, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE SPIRIT WAS THERE TO CONSIDER THEM WITH THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE, BUT IT JUST WAS A TIME THING.

>> ONCE HR DOES AN ANALYSIS AND MAKES A RECOMMENDATION ON THE PAY, WE WILL THEN COST IT OUT AND WE WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO GENERATE SAVINGS IF THERE'S NOT SUFFICIENT FUNDS WITHIN THE CURRENT BUDGET, BUT WE WILL WORK WITH THEM AND TYPICALLY THEY ARE ABLE TO FIND THOSE SAVINGS.

FROM A CLERICAL STANDPOINT, I DON'T THINK WE'RE TALKING WITHIN HEAD START A LOT OF POSITIONS.

>> THIS IS DOABLE.

YOU THINK THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE THERE TO DO IT ONCE THE PROCESS IS COMPLETE?

>> ONCE WE GET HR'S RECOMMENDATION, THEN WE WILL COST OUT AND SEE IF FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE.

IF THERE ARE FUNDS NOT AVAILABLE, WE WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF THEY CAN GENERATE SOME SAVINGS AND SINCE IT'S A MIDYEAR IMPLEMENTATION, THIS SHOULDN'T BE THAT DIFFICULT.

[01:45:01]

>> FROM A TIME STANDPOINT, WE GET ALL THIS DONE.

YOU THINK BY JANUARY, THIS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE CLERICAL STAFF?

>> TO COST OUT, THE ALLOCATION WOULDN'T BE HARD.

HR WOULD NEED TO REFINE THE TIMELINE.

>> JUST AN EXPECTATION FOR THEM ON TIMELINE, THREE MONTHS, SIX MONTHS?

>> FOR AN EXPECTATION ON TIMELINE, WE WOULD MAYBE ASK FOR A MONTH TO MAYBE WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO FINALIZE THEIR PAY CHANGES, THE POSITION CHANGES THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR, AND THEN COME TO COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING APPROVAL.

>> THANK YOU. REAL QUICK. I GOT A QUESTION FOR YOU BECAUSE I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

>> SURE.

>> BASED ON EVERYTHING WE HEARD, THEY START IN THE PROCESS TOMORROW.

SHE'S THINKING A MONTH TO THREE MONTHS, WE CAN GET THIS DONE, SO ARE YOU GUYS OKAY WITH MOVING FORWARD KNOWING THAT THEY HAVE A MECHANISM IN PLACE TO INCLUDE YOU GUYS IN THREE MONTHS?

>> YES, SIR. CAN I JUST SAY ONE THING?

>> PLEASE, I NEED AN EXPLAINING.

>> I UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE TIMELINE AND EVERYTHING, BUT THIS BEEN SINCE 2020 AND THIS TWO MONTHS THEY NAMED THE MAINTENANCE IN THE COOK IN TWO MONTHS.

>> I UNDERSTAND, BUT I WANT TO MOVE FORWARD.

I'M NOT IN A POSITION TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PAST, BUT I'M TRYING TO GET IT DONE MOVING FORWARD.

>> RIGHT.

>> ARE YOU OKAY WITH US MOVING FORWARD KNOWING THAT THEY CAN GET YOU GUYS TAKEN CARE IN THREE MONTHS?

>> IN THREE MONTHS WE'LL BE RECEIVING THE SAME THING THE STAFF THAT WE'RE RECEIVING?

>> YES.

>> YES, SIR.

>> WELL, THE RECLASSIFICATION AND BASED ON THE EVALUATION THAT'S PRESENTED TO THEM, YOU'LL GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE, BUT YOU GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS EVERYBODY ELSE DID. YOU FINE WITH THAT?

>> YES, SIR.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> NO PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

WITH A MINUTE LEFT, CAN YOU JUST EXPLAIN IN SIMPLE TERMS EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON.

THERE'S THREE THINGS THAT'S TAKING PLACE HERE.

>> THERE ARE THREE LARGE AGENDA ITEMS RELATED TO DHDS.

JUST TO BREAK IT DOWN, THE FIRST REQUEST IS TO, ONE, IMPLEMENT THOSE PAY GRADE CHANGES.

THE SECOND REQUEST IS TO PROVIDE RETROACTIVE PAY BACK TO JANUARY 11, 2025.

BUT THE RETROACTIVE PAY DATE RANGE IS JANUARY 11 THROUGH MAY 30.

THAT'S GOING TO DO THAT LUMP SUM PAYMENT OF RETROACTIVE PAYMENT.

THE OTHER CHANGES ARE SIMPLY TO ADDRESS THE DEPARTMENT'S NEEDS, STAFFING NEEDS WITH CREATING NEW POSITIONS AND CHANGING THE LEVEL OF POSITIONS JUST FOR DEPARTMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND THEIR OPERATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MCKINNEY.

>> ALL RIGHT. MRS. PEARSON, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE AND APPRECIATE.

I KNOW EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DONE IN GOOD FAITH.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE POSITIONS GOING FORWARD, THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT EVERYBODY HOLISTICALLY.

JUST LIKE THE CLERICAL STAFF, NO, THEY WANT TO PAY RATES.

I'M PRETTY SURE THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER POSITIONS WITHIN HEAD START THEY FEEL LIKE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A VOICE AT THE TABLE.

LET'S JUST MAKE SURE GOING FORWARD.

I AIN'T SAY I HAVEN'T, BUT JUST MAKE SURE WE'RE LOOKING AT EVERYBODY ACROSS THE BOARD.

BECAUSE LIKE I SAY, IT'LL BE CLERICAL STAFF TODAY.

TOMORROW WILL BE SOMEBODY ELSE.

BUT WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THESE CONCERNS AND OF COURSE, I HAD NOT ONLY JUST MS. HAS, BUT OTHER EMPLOYEES REACH OUT TO MY OFFICE WITH THOSE CONCERNS.

THEY JUST WANT TO BE SEEN AND COMPENSATED.

I ALWAYS LOOK AT EVERYBODY, ANY DEPARTMENT AS EQUAL AND THEIR IMPORTANCE.

OUR CLERICAL STAFF, NOT JUST FOR HEAD START, ANY DEPARTMENTS TO BACKBONE OR OUR DEPARTMENT.

LET'S JUST MAKE SURE HOLISTICALLY WE'RE LOOKING AT EVERYBODY SO NOBODY FEEL LIKE THEY LEFT OFF.

EVEN IF BY REPORT, YOU'RE NOT DEEMED TO GET A PAY RAISE, BUT AT LEAST THEY'RE CONSIDERED.

>> RIGHT. WE'LL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO DO SO.

>> GOT YOU. THANK YOU, MRS. PEARSON.

>> COUNCILMAN HURST.

>> YOU CAN STEP THERE. ALSO I'M GOING TO ASK DR. LANGFORD TO COME TO THE MIC, PLEASE.

Y'ALL KNOW I'VE BEEN FIGHTING LONG AND HARD WITH Y'ALL, BESIDES Y'ALL WHEN Y'ALL WENT IN THE ROOM AND WHERE YOU WERE.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TRANSPARENT WITH INFORMATION AND TIMELINES RELATED TO FUNDING BECAUSE THAT'S MOST IMPORTANT, WE DON'T WANT TO PUT THE CAR BEFORE THE HORSE.

PLEASE GO AHEAD AND DISCUSS THE FUNDING, WHETHER IT'S AVAILABLE, NOT AVAILABLE, AND HOW IT IMPACTS WHAT WE JUST HEARD.

>> YES, SIR, GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL.

ONE QUAGMIRE THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN CURRENTLY, THE FUNDING FOR HEAD START ENDS JUNE 30, 2025.

WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE MADE AWARE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IF WE WOULD BE GETTING THE GRANT AGAIN, THE NOTICE WAS SUPPOSED TO COME IN MARCH, BUT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT.

AS WE STAND TODAY, OUR FUNDING ENDS JUNE 30TH, 2025.

ADDITIONALLY, THE CITY HAS HAD THIS GRANT FOR ABOUT 40 YEARS BUT CURRENTLY AS WE STAND, TWO ORGANIZATIONS HAVE WRITTEN AGAINST THE CITY FOR THE HEAD START GRANT.

[01:50:05]

>> I THINK WRITTEN AGAINST IT IS THE WRONG WORD, THE WORD SHOULD BE APPLIED.

IT'S A FEDERAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYBODY WHO FEELS THAT THEY CAN FACILITATE HEAD START PROGRAMS WITHIN THESE SPANISH PARENTS TO SERVICE OUR KIDS.

AFTER SPEAKING TO MRS. MAYBE ABOUT THE SAME ITEM PROBABLY DECEMBER, WE HAD A LONG CONVERSATION, I BELIEVE IT WAS DUE JANUARY 7, SOMEWHERE AROUND THE TIME FRAME, WE ALWAYS GOING AGAINST OTHER FOLKS AND WE'VE ALWAYS WON, AND IT'S COME BACK TO THE CITY PARISH.

I BELIEVE WHAT EVERYTHING IS GOING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THAT MAY BE SOME DELAYS, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY OF US LOSING THE FUNDING, WE'RE NO DIFFERENT THAN WE OWE AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE APPLY WITH THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION TO BE THE ADMINISTRATOR LOCALLY.

LET'S HAVE A REALISTIC CONVERSATION.

IF THAT FUNDING DOES NOT COME THROUGH BECAUSE WE NORMALLY KNOW IN A SOONER TIME PERIOD, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR HEAD START, SETTING REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM AND PEOPLE WATCHING.

>> PLAINLY SPOKEN, WHAT THAT MEANS IS HEAD START IS 100% GRANT FUNDED.

ALL OF THE MONEY, ALL OF THE SALARIES, EVERYTHING THAT IS ATTACHED TO HEAD START IS 100% GRANT FUNDED.

IF THE CITY DOES NOT RECEIVE THAT GRANT, THEN THERE WOULD BE NO FUNDING FOR HEAD START UNLESS YOU AMAZING COUNCIL MEMBERS COULD FIGURE SOMETHING ELSE OUT.

BUT THE EASIEST ANSWER TO THAT IS THAT THE PROGRAM WOULD CEASE TO EXIST BECAUSE IT'S 100% GRANT FUNDED.

>> MY QUESTION IS, WHERE IS THE ADMINISTRATION REACHING OUT TO THE FEDS ON GETTING AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE SO THAT WE CAN SET THE APPROPRIATE EXPECTATIONS? TWO REASONS, NUMBER 1, I BELIEVE WE'LL GET IT.

I BELIEVE IT'S A DELAY, BUT NUMBER 2, IF WE DON'T, THESE ARE LIVES.

WE JUST TALKED ABOUT FOOD STAMPS AND UNEMPLOYMENT AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT GOES ON LIGHT BILL ASSISTANCE.

I WANT TO SET PROPER EXPECTATIONS SO THAT ONE OF TWO THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

NUMBER 1, WE FIND THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE IN CITY PARISH WHERE THEY ARE POTENTIALLY HAVE VACANCIES SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE A DISRUPTION IN THE LIGHT BILL, AND THE WATER BILL, AND NO SERVICES.

THEN NUMBER 2, IF NOT, WE GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITY TO GET GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE OF CITY PARISH.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

I CAN SAY WE HAVE BEEN VERY PROACTIVE IN SEEKING GUIDANCE AND ANSWERS AROUND WHEN WE WILL FIND OUT IF WE HAVE THE GRANT, WE'VE BEEN IN CONSTANT CALLS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK WITH THE GRANT MANAGERS AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND THEY COMMUNICATE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THEN GIVE US THE ANSWERS.

BUT AS OF TWO DAYS AGO, THERE WERE NO ANSWERS FROM THEM.

BUT OF COURSE, IF WE DON'T GET IT, THE MAYOR EDWARDS AND THE ENTIRE TEAM WOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT NO STONE IS LEFT UNTURNED AND NONE OF THE EMPLOYEES ARE JUST LEFT OUT IN THE COLD.

>> THAT'S NOT REASSURING ENOUGH, NOT BECAUSE OF YOU.

IF I'M LISTENING TO THIS RIGHT NOW, EXCUSE ME, WHAT IT'S SAYING IS THAT I MAY NOT HAVE A JOB.

THAT'S ALL I HEAR. ALL THE REASSURING AND WE'RE GOING TO THINK ABOUT YOU.

THAT'S GOOD AND I KNOW YOU, SO I KNOW YOUR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE, BUT THAT DOESN'T LET SOMEBODY WHO'S EMPLOYED BE SETTLED.

>> COUNCILMAN YOU WANT EXTRA TIME?

>> I DO. WHAT I WANT TO ASK IS THAT MS. PEARSON AND MS. LANGFORD, YOU ALL HAVE A TOWN HALL WITH THE DHDS EMPLOYEES, SET PROPER EXPECTATIONS, SHOW POSITIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

I KNOW SOMETIMES THERE'S MORE POSITIONS AVAILABLE THAN WHAT WE PUT ON THE WEBSITE, GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO LATERAL MOVEMENTS WITHIN CITY PARISH, LIBRARY, MOSQUITO ABATEMENT, ANYBODY ELSE THAT HAS SOMETHING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE FUNDING FOR THEIR HOMES AND THEIR KIDS AND THEIR LIVES. THANK YOU.

>> I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT IT IS STANDARD PRACTICE FOR THE CITY PARISH AND HUMAN RESOURCES TO WORK WITH DEPARTMENTS AND EMPLOYEES, TO FIND THEM OTHER EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, OTHER EMPLOYMENT THAT IS CLOSE TO THE SALARY THAT THEY HAVE.

DEFINITELY, THAT WOULD HAPPEN DIRECT CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND DIRECTLY WITH THOSE EMPLOYEES IF WE GET TO THAT EVENT, TO FIND JOB PLACEMENTS.

>> WE ARE 30 DAYS AWAY FROM JUNE 30, WHICH IS WHAT YOU SAID.

IT'S MAY 28TH SO BY THE END OF THIS WEEK, WE'LL LITERALLY BE WITHIN THE 30 DAY TIME FRAME.

I WOULD ASK THAT THE FIRST OR SECOND WEEK IN JUNE IT BE PLANNED.

BECAUSE AT THAT POINT, THE HEART IS POUNDING OUT OF THE CHEST.

MAKE SURE THAT ALL DO THAT, PLEASE. THANK YOU.

[01:55:03]

>> A COUPLE OF CLARIFICATIONS I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT ABOUT.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, I BELIEVE IT CAME UP EARLIER ON WHY THESE CERTAIN CATEGORY OF EMPLOYEES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THESE CHANGES.

I JUST WANT TO SEE IF I'M RIGHT ON THIS.

THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THESE CHANGES, AND THE NAME CHANGES AND EVERYTHING BECAUSE THEIR CLASSIFICATIONS DON'T JUST CONTAIN TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD.

IF WE WOULD HAVE CHANGED THOSE CLASSIFICATIONS THAT THEY SAY DIDN'T GET CHANGED, WE'D HAD TO CHANGE THEM ACROSS THE BOARD FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.

>> IF WE WERE TO APPLY THE PAY GRADE CHANGES AS IS WITH THE CURRENT TITLE, WE WILL HAVE TO DO SO CITYWIDE.

[OVERLAPPING]

>> THE REST OF THESE THAT ARE IN HERE, [OVERLAPPING] SPECIFICALLY TO THIS DEPARTMENT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE.

WHEN WE START THIS PROCESS TOMORROW, ARE WE LOOKING AT CITY PARISH-WIDE, CHANGES IN CATEGORIES, OR ARE WE GOING TO TARGET JUST THESE DEPARTMENTS?

>> WHEN WE START THE PROCESS TO LAG, WE'LL BE LOOKING JUST AT THE CLERICAL POSITIONS IN DHDS TO DETERMINE IF WE CAN SEPARATE THEM OUT FROM THE CITYWIDE CLERICAL AND CREATE A CLASS UNIQUE TO DHDS TO SEPARATE THEM FROM THE OTHER CITY. [OVERLAPPING]

>> THE DHDS CLERICAL BLAH AND CREATE A WHOLE CATEGORY FOR THEM?

>> YES.

>> BASICALLY, WE'RE LOOKING AT CREATING NEW CATEGORIES.

>> CREATING A NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION, YES.

>> AS FAR AS THE FUNDING GOES, YOU SAID WRITTEN AGAINST THE CITY. COUNCILMAN HURST CLARIFIED ABOUT BASICALLY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, OTHER THAN THE MUNICIPALITY ITSELF APPLIES FOR THESE SAME GRANTS.

IT'S A MATTER OF WHO WINS IT EVERY YEAR.

THIS PARTICULAR ONE, THESE GRANTS JUST LIKE THE RYAN WHITE FUNDS AND DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE GET THROUGH CITY PARISH THAT COME THROUGH AND THEY GO SPECIFICALLY FOR CERTAIN THINGS.

THESE GRANTS OR FOR THESE DEPARTMENTS, CORRECT? ONLY?

>> YES, SIR.

>> HAVE THERE BEEN A TIME THAT THEY'VE PICKED MULTIPLE PEOPLE TO ADMINISTER THESE GRANTS? HAVE THERE BEEN A TIME WHERE WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS AND WE DIDN'T GET THE GRANT, AND THEN WE GOT IT, PICKED IT UP THE NEXT YEAR.

HAVE THERE BEEN ON AND OFF EVER SINCE WE STARTED THIS? HOW LONG DID YOU SAY WE'VE BEEN?

>> ROUGHLY 40 YEARS.

CURRENTLY, I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT ANSWERS TO THAT COUNCIL MEMO, BUT I'LL DEFINITELY RESEARCH THE HISTORY THROUGHOUT EAST BATON'S PARISH WITH HEAD START TO SEE IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME WHEN THE FUNDING WAS CUT OFF OR IF THE PARISH DID NOT RECEIVE THAT FUNDING, SO THAT I CAN GIVE YOU AN ACCURATE ANSWER.

>> OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU BASE WHOLE DEPARTMENTS, JOBS, AND EVERYTHING ON GRANTS, I'LL CLASSIFY THIS WHAT YOU HAVE TO ASSUME ONE DAY THAT MONEY IS GOING TO BE GONE.

NOT JUST WITH THIS DEPARTMENT, BUT WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

I KNOW THIS ONE INVOLVES EMPLOYEES, UNLIKE THE RYAN WHITE STUFF WHERE WE GIVE TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND EVERYTHING.

BUT THERE'S CONTINGENCIES IN PLACE ALREADY THAT TAKE CARE OF THESE EMPLOYEES AS FAR AS THAT, OR IS IT WHEN THESE EMPLOYEES COME ON THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS BASED ON GRANT FUNDING.

IT'S NOT FUNDED BY THE CITY PARISH ITSELF.

WE APPLY FOR THESE, WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET IT, BUT AT ANY TIME THIS COULD BE GONE.

>> YES, SIR. LATOYA CAN SPEAK TO THAT IN FURTHER DETAIL, BUT SHE DID BRIEFLY SHARE THE CONTINGENCY PLAN IF A FULLY GRANT FUNDED DEPARTMENT WERE TO LOSE THEIR FUNDING.

BUT SHE CAN SPEAK TO THAT DEEPER FROM THE A TO R PERSPECTIVE.

>> I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE CLARIFICATION ON THAT.

I THINK LIKE COUNCILMAN HURST SAID, WE GOT 30 DAYS OF A WHOLE DEPARTMENT KNOWING WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE JOBS OR NOT.

I WOULD THINK THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS IS HAPPENED IN CITY PARISH AS FAR AS THE DEPARTMENTS, JOBS, THINGS LIKE THAT [OVERLAPPING] [INAUDIBLE] YES, PLEASE.

[02:00:02]

HAVE YOU SEEN IT HAPPEN BEFORE? DOES IT WORK OUT? IS THERE SOME REASSURANCE THAT WE CAN LET OUR EMPLOYEES KNOW?

>> NOT IN TERMS OF GRANT FUNDED DEPARTMENTS, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER INSTANCES WHERE WE HAVE APPLIED A LAYOFF AVOIDANCE WHERE WE HAVE PLACED THOSE EMPLOYEES IN OTHER POSITIONS WITHIN THE CITY PARISH.

>> THEY AUTOMATICALLY GET PRIORITY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN?

>> YES.

>> WHERE IS DHDS? WHO'S HERE? WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DOING SUCH THINGS AS FOLK PAY AND YOU LEAVE OUT A POPULATION, DID YOU NOT THINK ABOUT THE MORALE THERE THAT WOULD BE AN ISSUE? WELL, I GUESS THEY NOT DID IT.

[OVERLAPPING] WOULD YOU THINK ABOUT THE MORALE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE WHERE EVERYBODY ELSE GETS SOMETHING, BUT THE CLERICAL OR OTHERS DON'T AND MORALE IS SOMETHING THAT WE MUST ALL THE TIME MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, AND THAT'S ONGOING.

THEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OF COURSE, JOBS BUT WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A 40-YEAR PLUS PROGRAM.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OTHER ENTITIES AND THERE HAVE BEEN CONVERSATIONS OUT HERE ABOUT OTHER ENTITIES APPLYING IN FOR HEAD START, AND MY QUESTION IS IF THESE ENTITIES ARE ENTITIES WITH ACADEMIC OR EDUCATION BACKGROUND OR WHATEVER TO DO SUCH.

THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER SOMETHING THAT I WOULD THINK ABOUT AND THEN IF WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THIS FOR 40 YEARS AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FEDERAL LEADERS AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS, I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, HAVE WE REACHED OUT TO THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE THERE IN DC AND ASKED THEM TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT WHAT IS AND WHAT'S GOING ON? YES IN THE PAST WHEN THINGS WERE OUTSOURCED, THEN WHAT WE DID WAS MADE SURE THAT THESE OTHER ENTITIES BROUGHT ON THESE EMPLOYEES TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE FOOD STAMP LINE.

THAT'S WHAT THIS OUGHT TO BE ALL ABOUT.

I JUST WANT TO SEE AND SAY THAT IF WE'VE BEEN DOING SOMETHING FOR 40 YEARS AND IF WE HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF HEAD START, THEN WHY AT THIS POINT THIS IS NO MORE IF WE'VE ALLOWED A WINDOW TO BE OPEN FOR OTHER ENTITIES TO COME IN AND BE THE RECIPIENT OF MONEY THAT HAVE COME IN AND SERVED OUR CHILDREN ALL THESE YEARS.

MY QUESTION IS, HAVE WE REACHED OUT TO FEDERAL LEADERS? HAVE WE REACHED OUT TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL GROUP THERE? WHAT ELSE HAVE WE DONE IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMETHING HAPPENS?

>> I'LL BRIEFLY HIT ON A COUPLE OF THOSE, COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO OUR FEDERAL LOUISIANA DELEGATION, AND THEY'RE WORKING AND TRYING TO GET ANSWERS.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE ALSO IN LIMBO, BUT WE ARE IN CONTACT WITH THEM.

THE SECOND PIECE, YOU SPOKE SPECIFICALLY TO THE CHILDREN.

WE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH OTHER ENTITIES IN PARTICULAR EAST BATON'S PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A NETWORK OF EARLY LEARNING CHILDHOOD CENTERS.

IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN AND WE DIDN'T GET THE FULL GRANT, WE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THEM.

THE CHILDREN WILL HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO.

THAT IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS.

AS MS. PEARSON SAID, THE CITY ALREADY HAS A CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO A GRANT FUNDED DEPARTMENT AND THOSE EMPLOYEES HAD TO BE DISPERSED TO OTHER GROUPS OR DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY.

BUT THE SAME GROUPS THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSION WITH ABOUT TAKING ON THE CHILDREN,

[02:05:02]

>> WE KNOW WHAT GROUPS THESE ARE THAT HAVE APPLIED?

>> YES, MA'AM. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO SHARE?

>> YES, PLEASE.

>> YWCA AND KIDS CAROUSEL.

THOSE ARE THE TWO GROUPS THAT ALSO APPLY FOR THE GRANT.

>> WE GOT 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE, BUT THAT HAS BEEN BEING PLANNED EVERYBODY.

>> REMINDER, THIS IS ITEMS 112 - 114. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[115. 25-00568 ]

THESE PROJECTS ARE FUNDED 100% BY LAD-OTD BY TRANSPORTATION DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.

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

MOTION BY CHAIR, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 116, AUTHORIZE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE CONTRACT WITH

[116. 25-00570]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST, ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. COUNCILMAN MOAK, SORRY.

>> COULD YOU COME UP, ADAM.

GIVE US A LITTLE INFO ON THIS.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS IS ALMOST HELPING WITH BLIGHT OF SIGNAGES, CORRECT? THAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT THE CITY?

>> THIS ONE, IT'S PUBLIC OUTREACH FOR OUR RMS4 PERMITS, STORM WATER PERMIT.

WE DO FOCUS SOMETIMES ON LITTER TO KEEP LITTER OUT OF THE WATERWAYS.

WE RUN DIFFERENT CAMPAIGNS, SOMETIMES IT'S KEEPING FERTILIZERS OUT OF THE STORM DRAINS.

I THINK THE NEXT ONE THAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON IS TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM BLOWING LEAVES AND GRASS CLIPPINGS INTO THE STORM DRAINS INTO THE ROADS, THAT TYPE OF THING. THAT'S WHAT THESE ARE FOR.

>> JUST LET THE PUBLIC KNOW FOR CLARIFICATION. THANK YOU.

>> WELCOME.

>> ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 117, THERE'S A REQUEST TO DELETE THIS ITEM BECAUSE 118 IS THE SAME THING,

[117. 25-00580 ]

IF YOU ALL REMEMBER 117 AUTHORIZED MAYOR PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT OF NEBRASKA TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE COLLECTION OF SEWER IMPACT FEES ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, AND THE EAST BATON ROUGE SEWAGE COMMISSION WITH THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE AND THE ST. GEORGE TRANSITION DISTRICT BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE WE'LL GO TO COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR.

>> SOMEBODY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OR ADAM, MAYBE YOU CAN SPEAK TO THIS.

SPEAK TO US AND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE SPECIFIC CHANGE THAT WAS MADE WITH THE LANGUAGE.

>> WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON THIS, WE THOUGHT WE HAD TO INCLUDE THE ST. GEORGE TRANSITION DISTRICT IN THE AGREEMENT BECAUSE THE AGREEMENT IS RETROACTIVE BACK TO OCTOBER 16, 2024 WHEN ST. GEORGE STARTED THEIR PERMIT OFFICE.

IN SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSIONS AFTER THIS WAS INTRODUCED, WE REALIZED THAT WE DO NOT NEED TO INCLUDE THE ST. GEORGE TRANSITION DISTRICT, BECAUSE THE AGREEMENT IN MOST PLACES POINTS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE ITSELF.

WE WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THEM.

THE NEXT ITEM IS GOING TO BE THE SAME AGREEMENT JUST WITH THE TRANSITION DISTRICT REMOVED.

>> THE AGREEMENT IS WITH THE CITY AND NOT THE TRANSITION?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. THE TRANSITION DISTRICT, IT WAS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE ON APRIL 1ST, 2025.

WE UNDERSTOOD THAT.

WITH IT BEING RETROACTIVE WE THOUGHT WE NEEDED BOTH, BUT THEN WE COME TO FIND OUT WE DO NOT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> I'M HAPPY TO SEE THIS FINAL COMPONENT OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT, NOT FINAL COMPONENT.

THE FINAL COMPONENT OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THESE SERIES OF AGREEMENTS FINALLY ARRIVED EVEN THOUGH WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE THERE ORIGINALLY, BUT HAPPY TO SEE THAT WE GOT TO A PLACE TO WHERE WE CAN GET THIS DONE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE 118.

>> MOTION TO DELETE 117.

>> MOTION TO DELETE 117. I'M SORRY.

[02:10:02]

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[118. 25-00596]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GODAY. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, ITEM 119 TO AMEND

[119. 25-00592]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ANNA ROSS.

SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 120,

[120. 25-00565]

>> I'D LIKE TO INVITE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR WHITNEY SALE TO COME TO THE PODIUM.

>> WE'RE OPEN TO PUBLIC HEARING.

>> I'M SORRY.

>> BUT IF WHITNEY WANTS TO SPEAK AS PART OF THE PUBLIC HEARING OR AFTER.

>> I CAN DO THAT. LET'S MAKE IT EFFICIENT.

COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS AND A FEW OTHERS HAVE SHOWN SOME INTEREST AND CONCERN ABOUT THE BALL MOSS PROBLEM THAT WE ARE HAVING IN THE CITY.

DOWNTOWN IS NOT THE ONLY ONE, BUT IT IS OBVIOUSLY ONE THAT IS A PROBLEM.

THERE WAS A SURVEY THAT WAS CONDUCTED ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO THAT ARTICULATED WHAT PERCENTAGE OF BALL MOSS ON EACH TREE WAS A PROBLEM.

WE KNOW THAT PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE FIVE YEARS AGO.

WE'LL BE UPDATING THE SURVEY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT AND BATON ROUGE GREEN TO SEE WHAT THAT DIFFERENCE IS AND THAT SPREAD.

BUT YOU CAN LOOK AT SOME HEAT MAPS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED BY GIS.

YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE FOCUS AREAS IN DOWNTOWN AND AROUND LSU, AND ALSO THERE'S ONE IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.

BASICALLY, THE BALL MOSS CAN BECOME A PROBLEM.

OUR STREET TREES ARE ALREADY IN A VERY DELICATE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE IT'S VERY HARSH.

YOU ADD ON THE DROUGHT THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED ON TOP OF THAT, AND IT'S JUST BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP OUR STREET TREES HEALTHY.

I THINK CREATING A COMMITTEE BECAUSE IT IS A PROBLEM THAT IS SOMEWHAT COMPLEX, AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT EXPERTS INVOLVED IN IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HELP FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.

>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, THEN WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS.

>> LET ME ASK YOU A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

WHY ARE WE WORRIED ABOUT BALL MOSS? WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? WHAT DOES IT DO TO THE TREES?

>> BALL MOSS IS LIKE A PARASITIC PLANT, I GUESS, BUT IT ATTACHES TO THE PLANT.

SOME ARE MORE IMMUNE THAN OTHERS, BUT IT BASICALLY MAKES IT VERY HARD FOR IT TO BE HEALTHY AND GROW AND DO ALL THAT KIND OF THING, BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THAT.

BUT IT CAN REALLY TAKE OVER A BRANCH.

THEN ONCE THAT BRANCH IS TAKEN OVER, THEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE LEAVES AND ALL OF THAT.

I AM NOT A SUPER EXPERT.

I CAN JUST TELL YOU WHAT WE SEE DOWNTOWN.

YOU CAN SEE SOME CONCENTRATIONS AROUND ST. JAMES CHURCH IS A BIG AREA. IF YOU LOOK.

ONCE YOU START LOOKING, THEN YOU CAN'T STOP NOTICING IT.

IT'S PARTICULARLY EVIDENT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN THE LEAVES AREN'T THERE, BUT YOU CAN SEE IT.

>> BUT IT'S NOT HARMFUL TO HUMANS.

>> NO. IT WON'T EAT YOU.

IT JUST WON'T LET THE LEAVES GROW.

>> I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS, THE BURDEN FACILITIES IN MY DISTRICT, AND SO I'VE BEEN OUT THERE FREQUENTLY, AND I'VE SPOKEN WITH STAFF AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE DISCUSSED THIS BEING A PROBLEM.

WHAT REALLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WAS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I WAS WALKING ON LSU CAMPUS, AND I WAS A STUDENT AT LSU, LOVED WALK ON LSU CAMPUS, AND REALLY NOTICED THAT THE LIVE OAKS.

IT'S ON THE LIVE OAKS AT LSU.

I SAW DYING BRANCHES.

IN SPEAKING WITH SOME LSU STAFF, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE SOME LIVE OAKS AT LSU THAT ARE ACTUALLY IN DANGER, AND I'VE HEARD ABOUT ONE THAT IS DYING BECAUSE OF THE BALL MOSS.

[02:15:01]

IT'S REALLY GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE ENGAGING IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS BUT JUST SO YOU KNOW IF YOU LIVE IN SPANISH TOWN, YOU LIVE IN BEGARD TOWN, YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS BALL MOSS, YOU CAN JUST REMOVE IT FROM YOUR OWN TREES AND HELP OUT WITH THAT.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO WAYS TO KILL IT USING BAKING SODA AND WATER.

ANYWAY. IF YOU ALL APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION AND ALLOW THE BALL MOSS COMMISSION TO GO FORWARD, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR FIRST MEETING ON JUNE 16TH AT 2:00 PM ON THE BURDEN RURAL LIFE MUSEUM, THE BURDEN CONFERENCE CENTER.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY WE DO HAVE A LOT OF DOWNTOWN STAKEHOLDERS THAT HAVE BEEN VOICING THEIR UNHAPPINESS ABOUT THE ISSUE.

>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN YOU REALLY STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BATON ROUGE IS KNOWN FOR IS OUR BEAUTIFUL TREE CANOPY.

IT'S REALLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DISTINGUISHES US.

YOU WALK OUTSIDE TONIGHT OR TOMORROW, AND JUST IMAGINE THE DOWNTOWN LANDSCAPE, WITHOUT TREES, IMAGINE LSU, WITHOUT THE LIVE OAKS.

WE'VE BECOME A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

I APPRECIATE YOU, WHITNEY. LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

>> SAME. THANK YOU.

>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY, SO WHEN COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS BROUGHT THIS TO MY ATTENTION, I GUESS, I DON'T KNOW A MONTH, TWO MONTHS AGO, I LOOKED AT IT SIDEWAYS.

I SAID, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? WHAT IS BALL MOSS? SHE TOLD ME ABOUT IT. SHE SAID, LOOK FOR IT AND SO I DID.

NOW I DO SEE IT EVERYWHERE, AND I STARTED NOTICING IT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SPECIMENS THAT SHE BROUGHT, THAT IS THE BALL MOSS BUT THE OTHER ONE THAT WE PASSED AROUND ON A BRANCH.

THAT'S A BRANCH THAT BROKE OFF AND DIED FROM CREPE MYRTLE, I THINK IN FRONT OF CITY CLUB, WHICH THERE'S THREE OR FOUR OF THEM RIGHT THERE, AND THEY ARE COVERED IN IT.

IT'S SMOTHERING THESE TREES AND IT REALLY IS A PROBLEM, AND I THINK THERE'S AN EASY SOLUTION AND SO THIS COMMITTEE BRINGING PUBLIC AWARENESS, I THINK IT'S A POSITIVE THING BECAUSE I DO AGREE OUR CANOPY IT'S AN APPEAL AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DO WANT TO ADDRESS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, SO KUDOS.

I DID THINK IT WAS INTERESTING WHEN YOU FIRST BROUGHT IT UP, BUT I DO SEE THE ABSOLUTE NEED.

I'VE NOTICED IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

>> COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS HAS TALKED TO ME EXTENSIVELY ABOUT BALL MOSS, AND I'VE LEARNED A LOT AND DONE MY OWN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK THAT SHE SAID THAT WE MAYBE NEED TO RESONATE AND TELL THE PUBLIC IS THAT YOU CAN PLUCK THE BALL MOSS FROM THE TREES YOURSELF, CORRECT? THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> COUNCILMAN MOAK.

>> I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT THAT IF YOU KNOW STAR TREK, IT LOOKS LIKE A TRIPLE.

IF YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW WHAT A TRIPLE LOOKS LIKE? THAT'S IT RIGHT THERE.

>> IT'S BEEN MOTIONED AND SECONDED.

ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES, 121-132 WE'RE GOING TO TAKE TOGETHER.

[Items 121 - 132]

IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE MEETING WHERE THESE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HAD.

ITEM 121, LOT 11, SQUARE 51 SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS, 122, LOT 30 SQUARE 21 SUBDIVISION FORTUNE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 HURST, 123, LOT 66 SQUARE ONE SUBDIVISION RICHMOND PARK, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN, 124, LOT 19 PLUS SQUARE 39 SUBDIVISION BANK, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 KENNEY, 125 LOT 21, 22, 23, 24, SQUARE 39, SUBDIVISION BANK, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 KENNEY.

NUMBER 126, LOT 16 SQUARE 30, SUBDIVISION EASTGARDEN CITY, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 HURST, AND 127, LOT 18 SQUARE 20 SUBDIVISION EASTGARDEN CITY, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 HURST, 128, LOT 31 AND 32, SQUARE 4, SUBDIVISION SCOTLAND HEIGHTS, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY, 129, LOT 27 SQUARE ONE SUBDIVISION LEVARA, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS, 130, LOT 11 SQUARE 38, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS, 131,

[02:20:01]

132 LOT 24 SQUARE 5 SUBDIVISION, VALLEY PARK AND METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS.

AGAIN, THESE NEED TO BE DELETED.

WHAT'S THE ACTUAL REASONING? YOU CAN EXPLAIN IT BETTER THAN I.

>> WE DID NOT HOLD THE AUCTION BECAUSE OF FORMER MAYOR PRESIDENT HOLDEN'S FUNERAL THAT WAS IN THE CITY HALL BUILDING ON THE DAY THE AUCTION WAS SCHEDULED.

>> I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO DELETE ITEMS 121-132.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

LET'S GO TO OUR SEPARATE CHIEF FOR

[ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS]

EMERGENCY ITEM, APPOINTMENT, DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, CONCURRING IN THE MAYOR PRESIDENT'S RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE PRESCOTT BAILEY, WHO RESIGNED THIS TERM IN SEPTEMBER 12, 2026.

THE CURRENT BALLOT IS GARY BLACK BY THE COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR.

NEED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

ANYONE IN OPPOSITION ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? NEED A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULE.

ANYONE WANT TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? SEEING NONE, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? NO OPPOSITION. SECOND BY THE CHAIR.

WE WILL CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

SECOND BY THE CHAIR, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 133 EASTBOUND RIDGE PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT BOARD OF

[133. 25-00645]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

CONGRATULATIONS, MR. LANDRY.

CHANGE ODERS, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 134-136 TOGETHER,

[Items 134 - 136]

135 PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX CHILLER REPLACEMENT CONTRACTOR, BOB BURN HARDAR ASSOCIATES MECHANICAL CHANGE AUTO AMOUNT, $61,831, 136 ELM GROVE, GARDENS, PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS, ROSENWALD ROAD TO BLOUNT ROAD, CONTRACTOR TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION LLC, CHANGE AUTO AMOUNT, $337,476.53.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? THEN I GO TO COUNCIL.

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WERE FLIPPING YOUR PEN OR YOU WERE TELLING ME TO GO AHEAD.

WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

FINAL ACCEPTANCES, 137, ALGROVE, GARDENS,

[137. 25-00643]

ANYONE HERE WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? THEN I'LL GO TO COUNCIL. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 138 AS REQUESTED DELETE THIS ITEM,

[138. 25-00559]

WE HAVE A MOTION TO DELETE.

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

WE HAVE A MOTION TO DELETE.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

I'M GOING TO TAKE 139-143 TOGETHER.

[Items 139 - 143]

140 ANNUAL PARISH-WIDE FENCE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT CORPORATE GREEN LLC, $257,399.25.

141 ANNUAL PARISH-WIDE MANHOLE REHABILITATION, NCMC, LLC, $1,782,570.

142 ANNUAL PARISH-WIDE HOMEOWNER SEWAGE PUMP INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE, J&W CONTRACTORS INC, $737,150, 143 ANNUAL PARISH WIDE SANITARY SEWER AND STORMWATER PUMP STATION WET WHILE CLEANING, ATA CAPPA SERVICES LLC, $598,250.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING NONE, I'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

[02:25:02]

>> THANK YOU. ADAM, THESE YOUR ITEMS? JUST A POINT OF INFORMATION.

I SEE WHAT APPEARS TO ME AS NEW LANGUAGE ON THE ITEM THAT'S IN BOLD HERE.

CAN YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT WHY THAT'S NEEDED, OR YOU GUYS FELT IT WAS NEEDED TO ADD THAT, OR AM I NOT ACCURATE THAT THAT'S NEW?

>> WELL, QUITE FRANKLY, WE'VE FORGOTTEN IT A FEW TIMES, SO THAT'S PROBABLY WHY YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT HERE RECENTLY.

BUT WHAT IT IS EACH ONE OF THESE HAS A BUDGET ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

THE CONTRACT AMOUNT IS WHATEVER THE BUDGET AMOUNT IS? SOME OF THEM THE BIDS CAME IN LOWER, SOME OF THEM THE BIDS CAME IN HIGHER, BUT EITHER WAY, WE'RE POINTING OUT THAT THE CONTRACT AMOUNT IS GOING TO BE THE BUDGETED AMOUNT, WHETHER THAT BID IS HIGHER OR LOWER.

WHAT IT'S REALLY DOING IS ALL OF THESE ARE ESTABLISHING A UNIT RATE, AND THEN WE ISSUE WORK ORDERS BASED ON WHAT THE RECEIVER NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND THEN THEY DO THE WORK ON THOSE UNIT RATES UP TO THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT.

>> GOT YOU. THANK YOU.

>> MOTION MOVED.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? TAKEN BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 144, THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST TO DELETE THIS ITEM,

[144. 25-00522]

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

MOTION TO DELETE BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR, SECONDED BY THE CHAIR.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

FINALLY, AS AN EMERGENCY ITEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE 16442, THIS ITEM MUST BE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY BY TWO THIRD VOTE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, ITEM 145 RECEIVING A LEGISLATIVE UPDATED REPORT,

[145. 25-00622]

WE HAVE A MOTION TO DECLARE THIS ITEM AN EMERGENCY.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? COUNCILWOMAN RACCA. WE HAVE A VOTE ON THE MOTION TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY VOTES.

ANYONE OPPOSED TO DECLARING IT AN EMERGENCY? ONE, TWO.

ITEM CANNOT BE HEARD.

IT IS NOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY.

COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO?

>> MOTION TO ADJOURN.

>> ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? NO ANNOUNCEMENTS?

>> DOESN'T [INAUDIBLE] COMING UP?

>> DO YOU KNOW WHEN? DO YOU KNOW THE DATE PEDDLING FOR PEACE?

>> JUNE 7TH. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> SOUNDED LIKE EXERCISE BLOCK. JUNE 13TH.

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER COUNCIL MEETING BEFORE.

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER COUNCIL MEETING. THANK YOU FOR Y'ALL'S CONTINUED SERVICE. REMEMBER TO.

>> GREET YOUR CHILDREN.

>> REMEMBER TO CONTINUE SERVING YOUR FAMILIES, YOUR COMMUNITIES, BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST, SERVE GOD. THANK YOU, GOD BLESS.

>> AMEN.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.