Jul 23, 2025 Metropolitan Council

[00:00:02]

>> [BACKGROUND] GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH METRO COUNCIL MEETING.

[Additional Item]

AND TODAY, FIRST, I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE THE FORMER SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND STUDENT LEADERS FOR THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE THAT IT CONDUCTED LAST WEEK IN DISTRICT 2. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

TODAY, I HAVE A GROUP OF FORMER FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND STUDENT LEADERS FROM SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL THAT CONDUCTED A VERY SUCCESSFUL BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE LAST FRIDAY AT SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE THEY TOUCHED OVER 300 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM GRADES K-12.

I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH THESE YOUNG MEN.

THESE YOUNG MEN GO TO A VARIETY OF HBCUS AND INSTITUTIONS FROM GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY, SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, AND SO MANY INSTITUTIONS.

SO I THINK IT'S A VERY FULL CIRCLE MOMENT TO SEE THESE YOUNG MEN COME BACK TO THE VERY SAME COMMUNITY AND HIGH SCHOOL THAT GAVE TO THEM AND GIVE BACK TO THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THE SOCIETY.

I'LL BRING IN MR. BRYCE CAGE AND MISS BRUE LEE TO THE MIC TO GIVE A FEW WORDS. [APPLAUSE]

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE PLATFORM TO DO THE THINGS THAT I'M DOING AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

MY MAIN GOAL IS TO SHOW KIDS, EVERYBODY KNOW THE NIL AND THINGS THAT'S GOING AROUND WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL, THE SHOW IS MORE THAN JUST BUY AND CHANGE CARS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, ALSO TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

IT ALSO SHOW THAT YOU COULD DO THIS AT EVERY LEVEL, HBCU, FCS, FBS, AND POWER 5, AND POWER 4, AND G4.

>> TELL THEM THE INSTITUTION YOU GO TO.

>> I CURRENTLY GO TO GRAMBLING STATE.

THIS WILL BE MY SENIOR YEAR AND MY MOST DOMINANT YEAR, AND HOPEFULLY AFTER THAT, LEAGUE.

>> SIR, WE WON'T HOLD A GRAMBLING AGAINST YOU.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT. [LAUGHTER]

>> I KNOW YOU GO TO SOUTHERN, MAN.

>> I AM FORMER LINEBACKER, BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW, NO, WE LOVE HBCUS.

AND WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY IS THANK HIM FOR HONORING YOU.

I ACTUALLY COULDN'T MAKE IT. I WANTED TO MAKE IT BECAUSE I SAW IT ONLINE.

>> YES, SIR.

>> BUT FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO BE DOING THIS, YOU GUYS ARE THIS FAR AWAY FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

AND FOR YOU TO BE SETTING THAT EXAMPLE AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO REACH THOSE KIDS A LOT MORE THAN A LOT OF US CAN, A LOT OF LEAGUE FOLKS CAN, SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, MAN.

>> YES, SIR. [APPLAUSE]

>> HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING? MY NAME IS MORGAN PATTON.

I'M THE FORMER SGA PRESIDENT AT GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY.

WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LET US COME BACK AND GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY.

JUST LIKE THEY SAID, IT'S BIGGER THAN US.

FROM THESE COLLEGE PLAYERS, YES, YOU SEE THEM ON THE FIELD, BUT FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION, THEY GET TO SEE THEM IN THE COMMUNITY, GIVING BACK TO THEM, SEEING SMILES ON THESE KIDS' FACES, AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN BATON ROUGE. SO THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU, YOUNG MEN, FOR GIVING BACK TO DISTRICT 2 IN THIS COMMUNITY.

TODAY, FOR EACH OF YOU, I HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION.

THROUGH YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE, YOU'VE PROVIDED ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND A STRONG START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR MANY YOUNG SCHOLARS.

YOUR COMMITMENT TO SHOWING UP BY OUR STUDENTS HELPED YOU RAISE BURDENS AND REMIND FAMILY THAT THIS COMMUNITY STANDS BEHIND HIM.

SO I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE YOU ALL WITH THESE CERTIFICATES ON BEHALF OF MY OFFICE AND EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. COME ON UP. [APPLAUSE]

>> IN 5, 4.

>> GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] NEXT UP, WE'LL HAVE COUNCILWOMAN TWAHNA HARRIS, WHO'S GOING TO RECOGNIZE THE CAPITAL CITY GOLF ASSOCIATION FOR CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN THE BATON ROUGE CITY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILMAN KENNEY, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S A GREAT HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE CAPITAL CITY GOLF ASSOCIATION, HONORING THE CAPITAL CITY GOLF ASSOCIATION ON 60 YEARS OF SERVICE.

[00:05:01]

AND WHEREAS, FOR SIX DECADES, CCGA HAS SERVED AS A LEADER IN ENCOURAGING YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN GOLF, ESPECIALLY THROUGH ITS SUPPORT OF FIRST TEE, A NATIONAL PROGRAM THAT TEACHES CHARACTER, LIFE SKILLS, AND EDUCATIONAL VALUES THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF.

AND CCGA COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY EXTENDS BEYOND THE GOLF COURSE.

WITH ONGOING SUPPORT FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING SCHOOLS, FOOD BANKS, AND FAMILY SERVICE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER BATON ROUGE AREA, AND IN CELEBRATION OF HIS 60TH ANNIVERSARY, CCGA HOSTED ITS ANNUAL CHARITY-OWNED TOURNAMENT IN JUNE AT SANTA MARIA GOLF COURSE, BRINGING TOGETHER GOLFERS AND VOLUNTEERS FROM ACROSS LOUISIANA, TEXAS, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, FLORIDA, AND CALIFORNIA.

AND THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT RONALD WILLIAMS, VICE PRESIDENT BARRY ROBINSON, SECRETARY GABRIELLE BROWN MORGAN, TREASURER JUANITA COVERSON, AND TOURNAMENT CHAIR ART DUBRIEL, CONTINUES TO UPHOLD THE VALUES OF SERVICE, INTEGRITY, AND EXCELLENCE THAT HAVE DEFINED THE ASSOCIATION FOR GENERATIONS.

AND THE CAPITAL CITY GOLF ASSOCIATION HAS NOT ONLY GROWN THE GAME OF GOLF IN OUR REGION, BUT IT HAS ALSO UNIFIED YOUTH, SUPPORTED LOCAL INITIATIVES, AND BUILT A LEGACY OF INCLUSION AND OPPORTUNITY.

NOW, THEREFORE, I COUNCILWOMAN TWAHNA P. HARRIS, ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE CAPITAL CITY GOLF ASSOCIATION ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 60TH ANNIVERSARY AND EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR ITS CONTINUED SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I DO HEREBY SET MY HAND ON THIS 23RD DAY OF JULY, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2025, HONORING CAPITAL CITY GOLF ASSOCIATION.

PLEASE COME FORWARD. [APPLAUSE] MR. DUBRIEL, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, SAY SOME WORDS. HERE, THE MIC.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> ON BEHALF OF OUR ORGANIZATION, WE APPRECIATE YOU FOR HONORING US TODAY, BUT THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I KNOW IT THAT WE'VE BEEN HONORED BY THE COUNCIL ALL THESE YEARS.

[APPLAUSE] WE REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT, AND MAYBE WE CAN GO HIGHER THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY GIVE THE MONEY TO ALL ORGANIZATION WE CAN FIND AND HELP THEM OUT. [APPLAUSE]

>> I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO CAN BEAT MR. ART? BECAUSE HE TALKS SMACK. I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT.

[LAUGHTER] WHO CAN BEAT HIM? THAT'S ALL I WANT TO KNOW.

>> NOBODY IN THIS ROOM CAN BEAT ME. [LAUGHTER]

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I COORDINATE SO I DON'T HAVE TO WIN. [LAUGHTER]

>> I'D LIKE TO ASK IF YOU ALL WILL CONSIDER.

SEE, GOLF IS SOMETHING THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT EXPOSED TO.

SO I HAVE A SUMMER PROGRAM EVERY SUMMER WITH 100 PLUS CHILDREN, BUT THIS WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL COMING TO TEACH THEM THE FUNDAMENTALS ABOUT GOLF.

SO I DEFINITELY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THAT.

YES, SIR.

AND I START IN JUNE, AND I SURELY WILL. THANK YOU.

[BACKGROUND]

>> EVERYBODY LOOK MY WAY. BIG SMILE FROM EVERYBODY. GOOD, HOLD THAT. [BACKGROUND]

>> ONCE

[00:10:20]

[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.

THAT WILL CONCLUDE TODAY'S RECOGNITIONS.

OUR OFFICIAL COUNCIL MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4:00 PM.

WE'LL SEE YOU ALL THEN. THANK YOU.

>> GIVE ME THREE BUY-INS?

>> GIVE ME ABOUT THREE OF THEM. [NOISE]

>> EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU TUNED IN ON COX,

[CALL TO ORDER]

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU A PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT.

OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE HERE.

AND 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 THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY, JULY 23RD, 2025.

WE COULD CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.

ASHLEY, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM?

>> WE HAVE A QUORUM.

>> COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, TELL US WHO IS GIVING OUR INVOCATION AND OUR PLEDGE TODAY.

>> EMILY FONTENOT WILL DELIVER THE PRAYER, AND MARVIN ANDERSON WILL DO OUR PLEDGE FOR US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.

WE THANK YOU FOR OUR MAYOR.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THE CONSTITUENTS OF THIS PARISH, LORD GOD.

WE PRAY AND ASK THAT YOU LET THIS MEETING BE PRODUCTIVE AND FRUITFUL, LORD GOD, AND WE PRAY THAT YOU CONTINUE TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE AND PROTECTED.

IN JESUS NAME, I PRAY, AMEN.

>>

>> ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES.

[ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

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

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ASHLEY, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE INTRODUCTIONS?

[INTRODUCTIONS]

>> 2.12 INTRODUCTIONS, NUMBER 2, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, TITLE 9 BY ADDING CHAPTER 25 (SMOKE/VAPE SHOPS), SO AS TO DEFINE AND REGULATE DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS AND SIGNAGE ON THE SALE OF TOBACCO, VAPE, AND SIMILAR PRODUCTS BY COUNCILMAN ROWDY GAUDET, COUNCILWOMAN DENISE AMOROSO, COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN COLEMAN, AND COUNCILWOMAN TWAHNA HARRIS.

NUMBER 3, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SEWAGE COMMISSION TO MAKE APPLICATION TO THE STATE BOND COMMISSION FOR CONSENT AND AUTHORITY TO ISSUE THE, A, NOT EXCEEDING $497,925,000 REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2025A OF THE COMMISSION FOR PURPOSES OF PROVIDING SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO REFUND ALL OR A PORTION OF THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF, ONE, THE COMMISSION'S $224,900,000 REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS SERIES 2020B, (TAXABLE); AND (II) THE LOUISIANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, $361,325,000 SUBORDINATE LIEN REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, (EAST BATON ROUGE SEWERAGE COMMISSION PROJECTS), SERIES 2020A, (TAXABLE); AND TO PAY THE COST OF ISSUANCE OF THE SERIES OF 2025A REFUNDING BONDS; AND B, NOT EXCEEDING $277,115,000 REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2025B OF THE COMMISSION FOR PURPOSES OF PROVIDING SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO REFUND ALL OR A PORTION OF THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE AUTHORITY'S SUBORDINATE LIEN REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS,( EAST BATON ROUGE SEWERAGE COMMISSION PROJECTS SERIES), 2020A, (TAXABLE), AND TO PAY THE COST OF ISSUANCE OF THE SERIES 2025B REFUNDING BONDS, AUTHORIZING THE SELECTION OF THE UNDERWRITER AND DEALER MANAGER IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE SALE ON DELIVERY OF THE 2025A REFUNDING BONDS AND THE SERIES 2025B REFUNDING BONDS, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF ANY AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF THE SERIES 2025A REFUNDING BONDS AND THE SERIES 2025B REFUNDING BONDS.

INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNDERWRITER AND DEALER MANAGER AGREEMENT WITH THE DEALER MANAGER, AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF A PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT

[00:15:04]

NUMBER 4, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA FOR THE STATE TO PROVIDE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,025,000 FROM FUNDING PROVIDED IN ACT 641 OF THE 2025 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION, TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS SUCH AS YOUTH PROGRAMMING, COMMUNITY SERVICE, FOOD AND HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES, AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDING FOR SAID PURPOSE BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.

NUMBER 5, 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 SO AS TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 14TH, 2025.

ADD NEW CLASSIFICATION, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER PAY GRADE 2380 BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.

NUMBER 6, AMEND THE 2025 ALLOTMENT OF POSITIONS FOR THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE SO AS TO CHANGE THE ALLOTMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SERVICES, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 14TH, 2025.

INFORMATION SERVICES, ADD ONE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER.

>> DELETE ONE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES AND ONE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, DELETE IN 2026 WHEN VACATED THROUGH ATTRITION BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, AND THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.

[NOISE] NUMBER 7, AMEND THE 2025 PAY PLAN FOR THE CLASSIFIED, UNCLASSIFIED, NON-CLASSIFIED CONTRACT FIRE AND POLICE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, SO AS TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 14, 2025.

ADD A NEW CLASSIFICATION, CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER PAY GRADE 2340.

CHIEF EFFICIENCY OFFICER PAY GRADE 2380.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH, PAY GRADE 2360.

VIOLENCE PREVENTION ADMINISTRATOR, PAY GRADE 2310.

TITLE CHANGE FROM ASSISTANT URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT'S OFFICE AND THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.

NUMBER 8, AMEND THE 2025 ALLOTMENT OF POSITIONS FOR THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, SO AS TO CHANGE THE ALLOTMENT OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

MAYOR-PRESIDENT, ADD ONE CHIEF EFFICIENCY OFFICER AND DELETE ONE GRANT ADMINISTRATOR.

MAYOR-PRESIDENT'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ADD ONE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ONE CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER, ONE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH, ONE VIOLENCE PREVENTION ADMINISTRATOR, AND DELETE ONE ASSISTANT URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, AND TWO PROGRAM SPECIALIST AND ONE URBAN DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.

BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT'S OFFICE AND HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.

CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS, NUMBER 9, MICHAEL LYRON DUPUY, 18115 PLANK ROAD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 10, TIFFANY O. PRATER, 288, NANCY DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 - MOAK.

NUMBER 11, CHRISTIAN D. LEWIS, 296 PONDEROSA DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 - MOAK.

NUMBER 12, NAOMI JEAN BELL, SANDRA K. MAYFIELD, ANGELA BELL, AND SYLVESTER TOSTON, 4928 PEERLESS STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 13, WANDA GAIL TATE MYLES, 5025 MAPLE DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 14, THELMA EPPS 4133, POCASSET STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 15, LILLIE VALLERY WILLIAMS, 1133 NORTH 47TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 16, VOTE LOUISIANA 2254 SCENIC HIGHWAY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 17, SAM TRUMAN COLEMAN, 1327 LAURIE BURGESS AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 18, STEVEN KENNEDY SENIOR, 19640 DEER CREEK DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 - NOEL.

NUMBER 19, IVORY RAY SMITH, PHIL SMITH, AND JANE SMITH HART, 1583 KING STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 20, PELICAN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC, 1713 SPAIN STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 21, EDEASSA JONES LAWSON AND MARK JEROME LAWSON, 11625 NIMITZ STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNY.

NUMBER 22, ALEXIS D. HUNT, 1956 NORTH ACADIAN THRUWAY, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 23, EASTER DOTSON, 2148 MISSOURI STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 24, ALPHONSO OTIS POTTER III, 955 COTTON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 25, THE RECORD GROUP LLC, 1456 NORTH 44TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 26, VANTAGE REALTY INCORPORATED, 1956 MULBERRY STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

ADJUDICATED PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS.

NUMBER 27, LOT 17, 18, 19, AND 20 SQUARE 5, SUBDIVISION BANKS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 28, LOT 45-A-4, SUBDIVISION GIBBENS PLACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 29, LOT 19, SQUARE 48, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 - HARRIS.

NUMBER 30, LOT 129, SUBDIVISION FAIRLANE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 - HURST.

NUMBER 31, LOT 85, SUBDIVISION NORTH BATON ROUGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

[00:20:04]

NUMBER 33, LOT 189, SUBDIVISION BAKER ESTATES, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNEY.

NUMBER 34, LOT 6 PART, SQUARE 240, SUBDIVISION FAVROT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 35, LOT 4 PART, SQUARE 241, SUBDIVISION FAVROT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 36, LOT 62, SQUARE 1, SUBDIVISION RICHMOND PARK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 37, LOT SECTION 5, WARD 2, SUBDIVISION GC MILLS TRACT, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 - NOEL.

NUMBER 38, LOT 48, SUBDIVISION DONWOOD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 - MOAK.

NUMBER 39, LOT 7A SQUARE 30, SUBDIVISION UNIVERSITY PLACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 - KENNY.

NUMBER 40, LOT 16+ SQUARE 163, SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

NUMBER 41, LOT J SQUARE 92, SUBDIVISION ISTROUMA COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 - COLEMAN.

ALL ITEMS THAT REQUIRE READING OF THE MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS AS IN ORDER.

>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MAYOR INTRODUCTIONS. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. AN OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

WE'RE GOING TO A SEPARATE CHIEF FOR CONDEMNATIONS.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DPW TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 85 86,

[CONDEMNATION]

NINETY DAYS 96, 99, 105, 106, 117, DELETE ITEMS 121 AND 130.

I HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FROM DISTRICT 7, 30 DAYS ON ITEMS 103 AND 107, 90 DAYS ON 124.

COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS SAID 30 DAYS ON ITEM 89.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> YES. HAVE 30 DAYS ON 111 AND 131.

>> 111, 131, 30 DAYS.

>> 111 AND 131.

I HAVE 60 DAYS 92.

>> NINETY-TWO, 60 DAYS.

>> I HAVE 90 DAYS ON 94, 97, AND YOU CAN TAKE 98 OFF BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN TORN DOWN.

NINETY DAYS ON 109, 115, AND 132.

>> 94, 97 WERE 90 DAYS, DELETE WHICH ONE?

>> NINETY-EIGHT.

>> NINETY-EIGHT, DELETE.

>> BECAUSE IT'S TORN DOWN.

>> OKAY.

>> 109, 115, 132, 90 DAYS.

>> 109, 115, AND WHEN WAS THE LAST ONE? 132. I MISSED 132.

DELETE 115, 109, 97, 94. ANYBODY ELSE?

>> NINETY DAYS ON 90.

>> NINETY DAYS ON 90.

>> THIRTY DAYS ON 99, 104, AND 116.

>> NINETY DAYS IS RECOMMENDATION IS 90.

YOU SAID YOU WANT TO MAKE IT 30?

>> YEAH. FOR 99, 30 DAYS, 104, 30 DAYS, AND 116, 30 DAYS.

>> 104, 30. >> AND 116.

>> 116, 30 AS WELL?

>> YEP.

>> ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE? ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS? SAY NONE.

[00:25:06]

WE'RE TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 85, 86, 87, 88, 91, 93, 100, 101, 102, 108, 110, 112, 113, 114.

118, 119, 120, 122, 123, 125, 126, 127, 128, AND 129.

WE'RE GOING TO 30 DAYS ON ITEM 89, 99, 103, 104, 107, 111, 116, AND 131, 60 DAYS ON ITEM 92, 90 DAYS ON ITEMS 90, 94, 96, 97, 105, 106, 109, 115, 117, 124, AND 132, AND WE'RE GOING TO DELETE ITEMS 98, 121, AND 130.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

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

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 133, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF

[133. 25-00723]

THIS MOU ESTABLISHES TERMS FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF BRPD PERSONNEL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FURNISHING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER TO THE EBR PSS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR BY POLICE CHIEF.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? RAVEN ANDERSON, HOW ARE YOU?

>> I AM GOOD. HOW ARE ALL OF YOU? I SPECIFICALLY AM IN OPPOSITION TO THIS ITEM FOR SEVERAL REASONS.

BESIDES THE FACT THAT THIS IS A RATHER VAGUE MOU THAT ASSIGNS UNNECESSARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLES AND GIVES VERY LITTLE OF ANY POWER TO EITHER PARENTS, PARTICULARLY PARENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN.

IT HAS RESPONSIBILITIES IN IT THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE TO AN AGENCY THAT SHOULD BE PROVIDING SECURITY SERVICES.

ALSO, ONE OF THE ISSUES I HAVE WITH THIS PARTICULAR AGREEMENT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT HAS ANY PARENT HAD THE RIGHT TO VET THIS FOR LEGALITY.

FOR WHO IS ALLOWED IN THE SCHOOLS AROUND THEIR CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE FACT THAT IN THIS PARTICULAR PARISH, WE HAD AN 11-YEAR-OLD CHILD WHO WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER.

FOR SO MANY REASONS, INCLUDING THE FACT, I THINK IT IS AN ABSOLUTELY HIDEOUSLY WRITTEN DOCUMENT AND LEGALLY QUESTIONABLE.

I WOULD ASK THIS BODY TO PULL THIS ITEM.

>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS SIDE? SAY, NO. WE'LL GO TO COUNCILMAN DUNN, JR..

>> CHIEF DOCTOR MAY I COME IN?

>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US THE PURPOSE AND THE SPIRIT IN WHICH THIS ITEM WAS BROUGHT WITH YOU'RE TRYING TO GET ACCOMPLISHED?

>> WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IS PUT RESOURCE OFFICERS BACK INTO OUR SCHOOLS.

A RESOURCE OFFICER IS A PERSON WHO'S THERE TO HELP WITH THE SAFETY AND OVERALL CONDUCT AT THE SCHOOL, NOT FROM THE STUDENTS SO MUCH.

WE THERE AS WE INTERACT WITH STUDENTS, THAT'S A NEED ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATORS TO CALL US INTO THAT.

BUT IT'S THE OUTSIDE FORCES THAT FIND THEIR WAY ONTO THE SCHOOLS.

IT'S A NATIONAL TREND.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABSENT FROM FOR A FEW YEARS, BUT WE'RE HOPING TO GET BACK INTO ASSISTING OUR SCHOOLS IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN.

>> IS THIS AN ARMED OFFICER?

>> YES. IT'S A COMMISSION, BATON ROUGE POLICE OFFICER, AS WELL AS EBR SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS POST CERTIFIED SHERIFF DEPUTIES AND SCHOOLS AS WELL.

>> THAT WAS MY FOLLOW UP QUESTION.

WHAT'S GOING TO DIFFERENTIATE BRPD FROM WHAT THE SHERIFF IS CURRENTLY DOING WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM?

>> IT'S THE SAME THING. WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW, JUST IN AN EXTRA DUTY ROW.

>> DO YOU WANT TO ADDRESS ANY OF THE CONCERNS THAT WERE BROUGHT BY?

>> I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH WHO OR WHEN THAT ASSAULT OCCURRED, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT MY REPUTATION STANDS FOR IT,

[00:30:03]

>> IF THIS MOVE FORWARD, WHEN DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT BRPD OFFICERS WOULD START OPERATING?

>> WE HOPING TO START WITH THE SCHOOL YEAR.

WE'RE DOING THINGS NOW, COUNSEL, TO HELP GET READY FOR THE SCHOOL TO START A SCHOOL.

THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF SCHOOL IS THE MOST CRITICAL.

THE LAST FEW DAYS ARE THE MOST CRITICAL.

WE HAVE TO BE AT THE TRANSFER LOCATIONS, WE HAVE TO BE AT THE SCHOOL.

WE HAVE TO KNOW WHO'S COMING IN AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND JUST BE READY.

IF WE CAN START THE SCHOOL YEAR WELL AND GET IT TO THE BEGINNING OF THE HOLIDAYS, WE'RE GOING TO WIN.

>> WILL OUR OFFICERS JUST BE IN SCHOOLS IN THE CITY LIMITS OR WILL YOU BE?

>> YES, SIR. WE WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO WORK OUTSIDE OF OUR JURISDICTION.

>> SO THE SHERIFFS WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM WORKING IN THE CITY NOW?

>> NO, SIR.

>> THEY WILL STILL BE IN THE CITY LIMITS?

>> YES, SIR.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY OFFICERS HOW MANY SCHOOLS?

>> NO, I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER, BUT I CAN GET THAT FOR YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> I WILL JUST TAKE MY TIME TALKING.

I DID WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT.

THERE WAS FESTERING IN MY BRAIN WHEN YOU SAID THAT ABOUT KIDS BEING TOUCHED BY A SINGLE OFFICER.

I FEEL THAT'S DEPLORABLE IN ANY SITUATION.

BUT ALSO FEEL IT'S DEPLORABLE, WHEN A TEACHER DOES IT OR WHEN A PARENT DOES IT OR WHEN ANYBODY ELSE DOES IT.

I DON'T WANT TO STRICTLY TARGET AN OFFICER, COULD BE A CUSTODIAN.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF STORIES NATIONWIDE WHERE WE'VE HAD PEDOPHILES AND SITUATIONS WHO WE THOUGHT WERE FRIENDS, BUT ENDED UP BEING ENEMIES TO OUR SOCIETY.

I DON'T EVER WANT TO TARGET A POLICE OFFICER OR LET THAT BE A NARRATIVE WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO RESTORE GOOD IMAGES IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

I JUST WANT TO GO ON THE RECORD OF SAYING THAT ONE BAD OFFICER WILL NOT SPOIL A BUNCH.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BACKGROUND CHECKS, OFFICERS GO THROUGH MORE SCRUTINY THAN THE TEACHER, CUSTODIAN, EVER WILL OR EVEN A PARENT THAT HAS TO SIGN A PERMISSION SLIP OR TO BE ABLE TO COME ON CAMPUS AND VOLUNTEER.

THE ONE WHO HAS THE MOST BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THEM, I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE THE NARRATIVE THAT WE TALK ABOUT TODAY BECAUSE IT'S A RESOURCE OFFICES IN EVERY SCHOOL.

I WISH I COULD STRIKE IT FROM THE RECORD, BUT I CAN'T.

I WANT TO KNOW WE HAVE SOME GREAT OFFICES, AND WE HAVE SOME OFFICES THAT AREN'T GOOD.

THE ONES THAT AREN'T GOOD, WE DISCIPLINE THEM, AND THE ONES THAT ARE GOOD, WE CELEBRATE THEM. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.

>> YES. CHIEF AIDELPH, CAN YOU COME BACK UP FOR ME, PLEASE? THANK YOU, CHIEF. THIS IS WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING WITH EBR SCHOOL.

THIS IS NOTHING NEW, RIGHT?

>> NO.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING YOU'VE DONE IN THE PAST, AND IT HAS WORKED?

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> IMPLEMENTED IN A POSITIVE WAY IN A GOOD WAY FOR BOTH ENTITIES, CORRECT?

>> THERE'S A YOUNG MAN.

HE'S A SERGEANT SPELLING, WHO'S BEEN AT AT AND IF DR. LANGFORD WAS IN HERE, SHE COULD TELL YOU FROM HER TIME AT ISTROUMA COACH WITH HIS TIME AT ISTROUMA, WHAT IMPACT THIS YOUNG MAN HAS HAD ON THE STUDENTS THAT HE INTERACTED WITH ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> GOOD. THANK YOU, CHIEF.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE, PLEASE.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.

SECOND, BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 134, GRANTING A FIVE YEAR PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT,

[134. 25-00724]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?

>> SEE NO, AND GO TO COUNCIL OF MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 135, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT FUNDING FROM

[135. 25-00725]

THAT'S THE FIRST ALLOCATION, 835,746, SECOND ALLOCATION, 1,229,369 FOR A TOTAL FEDERAL AWARD OF $2,065,115 FOR GRANT PERIOD OF MARCH 1 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28 BY THE UM HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

[00:35:03]

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 136, AMENDING 2025 EXPENSE BUDGET FOR THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT,

[136. 25-00791 ]

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

MOTION BY COUNCIL MC COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HARRIS, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[137. 25-00765]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? JUST STATE YOUR NAME.

>> TABA PARO BARNES, CHIEF OPERATIONS FOR THE CORNER'S OFFICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SO NOW, WE GO TO COUNSEL, COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.

>> YEAH. WE HAD CONVERSATION THE OTHER DAY.

WHY DON'T YOU EXPLAIN THE NEED THAT YOU HAVE FOR THESE RADIOS? THE SITUATION YOU ALL ARE IN RIGHT NOW?

>> RIGHT. SO THIS IS OUR SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPT TO GET RADIOS.

WE PREVIOUSLY BOUGHT SECONDHAND RADIOS FROM EMS. WE'RE DOWN TO FOUR.

THEY ARE NO LONGER SUPPORTED SINCE 2018.

WE'VE BEEN LIVING ALONG.

THIS IS HOW WE COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND A MASS FATALITY, MASS CASUALTY, ANY TYPE OF EXAMPLE, THE 2016 FLOOD, WHEN THE PHONES GO DOWN, IF WE DON'T HAVE RADIOS, WE CANNOT COMMUNICATE TO RESPOND IF WE NEED TO BE THERE.

THIS IS WHERE WE'RE AT NOW.

>> I KNOW THAT THIS IS A SITUATION BECAUSE I KNEW THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS IN CHARGE OF KATRINA, AND HE SAID THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THEY HAD WAS NO COMMUNICATION FROM ONE TO THE OTHER.

I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND AND I MAKE MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ITEM 138, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT IN THE MATTER

[138. 25-00741]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? I'LL SHOW ME AS OPPOSED.

>> SHOW ME AS ABSTAINING.

>> EVERYBODY ELSE GOOD. ANOTHER OPPOSITION.

LET'S VOTE ON THE MACHINES.

>> MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE. ITEM 138.

>> IT'S MY VOTE THING'S NOT UP, BUT I'M GOING TO.

>> CAN YOU PUT ME DOWN AS A NO? I MISSED THE VOTE, SORRY.

>> A BY GOOD? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 139, AMENDING TITLE NINE,

[139. 25-00764]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NOW WE WILL GO TO COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

>> COUNCIL MEMBERS. IN COLLABORATION WITH COUNCILMAN HUDSON, WE IDENTIFIED ALONG WITH THE ABC BOARD.

THAT HAS BEEN A TICK UNDER AGE.

LIQUOR SALES HAVE BEEN GOING ON IN EASTBOUND ROS PARISH.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ADD MORE TEETH AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THE AREA WITH SO MUCH GROWTH OF TECHNOLOGY, LA WILE, SO MUCH MORE SO WE CAN HELP IDENTIFY UNDERAGE POTENTIAL PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BUY THINGS FOR THESE STORES.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HOLDING THESE BUSINESS ACCOUNTABLE AS WELL.

I WANT TO BRING UP CHRIS FROM THE ABC BOARD, TALK ABOUT THE UPTICK, AND DATA-WISE.

THERE'S BEEN AROUND UNDERAGE LIQUOR SALES IN THE AREA.

AS CHRIS COME UP, I HAD A COUPLE OF CONSTITUENTS CALLED FROM MY AREA,

[00:40:04]

A LOT OF DISTRICT TWO DOES FEED INTO SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.

WE HAVE LIQUOR STORES, GAS STATIONS AS WELL, A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS HAS BROUGHT A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT SEEING A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVING OUT WITH LIQUOR AS WELL.

WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET IN FRONT OF IT AND BE IN A GAP TO ADDRESS IT. CHRIS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.

SO PROBABLY SINCE COVID, WE'VE SEEN UPTICK IN THE SALES TO UNLAWFUL PERSONS, THAT BEING ANYWHERE 2119-20 IN BELOW.

JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME NUMBERS.

HISTORICALLY, OUR NON-COMPLIANCE RATE WAS PROBABLY IN THE 6-7% RANGE AFTER COVID, BUT SPECIFICALLY IN 2024, WE DID 300 AND 356 COMPLIANCE CHECKS, AND 91 OF THOSE SOLD.

BUT THAT'S A LITTLE OVER 25%.

SO FAR IN 2005, WE'VE DONE 168 COMPLIANCE CHECKS, AND 59 OF THOSE HAVE SOLD.

SO THAT'S IT NOW WE'RE 35%.

IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, WE'VE GONE FROM 6% TO UP TO 35%.

IN 2004, WE HAD 10 SECOND OFFENSES AND TWO THIRD OFFENSES.

SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, PROBABLY CLOSE TO 30 YEARS NOW, WE'VE NEVER HAD THIRD OFFENSES.

WE'VE HAD VERY FEW SECOND OFFENSES.

2025, WE'VE HAD 15 SECOND OFFENSES AND EIGHT THIRD OFFENSES.

WE'RE TRENDING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

BUT WE'VE TALKED TO SOME OF THE COUNSEL TO ASK HIM TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE OPTIONS FOR US.

ONE OF THOSE WAS TO INCREASE THE FINES AND MAYBE THE SUSPENSIONS.

THE ABC OFFICE IS GOING TO START IN-PERSON CLASSES AGAIN.

WE HAD TO STOP THAT SHORTLY AFTER COVID.

WE'RE WAITING, I BELIEVE THE STATE BOARD IS GOING TO MEET IN SEPTEMBER, AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET APPROVAL IN.

WE'VE GOT TO GO THROUGH SOME PAPERWORK AND SOME RECERTIFICATION.

ALSO, WE'RE SEEING AS PART OF THAT PROBLEM, WE THINK MAYBE THE LANGUAGE BARRIER, OWNERSHIP OF CONVENIENCE STORES, EVEN GROCERY STORES AND RESTAURANTS NOW HAS CHANGED, AND WE'RE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE PEOPLE THAT COME IN WITH I GUESS INTERPRETING OUR RULES AND REGULATIONS AND BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE TEACHING THEM OR WHAT WE'RE TELL THEM. THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT.

>> NO, THANK YOU FOR THAT, CHRIS.

A COUPLE MORE THINGS AS WELL, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT ONLY PUSHING TO LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS, BUT TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE PURCHASING ALCOHOL, THEY'RE NOT OF AGE.

IT'S A TWO WAY STREET OF A CONVERSATION, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S REALLY CRITICAL WITH THOSE EDUCATIONAL CLASSES FOR THESE BUSINESS IN THE AREA THAT WE'RE REALLY PUSHING TO THEM ON THE FRONT END RIGHT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN MAKING SURE EDUCATING PEOPLE TO THE BEST OF VIABILITY BEFORE HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PUSHING THOSE CLASS TO BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE AREA. SURE. ALL RIGHT.

>> COCMAN DON JUNIOR.

>> THANK YOU. CHRIS, IN YOUR ENFORCEMENT, WHERE ARE YOU SEEING THESE NUMBERS, MOSTLY CONVENIENCE STORE PURCHASES OR NIGHTCLUB ENVIRONMENT?

>> MOSTLY CONVENIENCE STORES.

>> YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT A LANGUAGE BARRIER, YOU THINK IS HAPPENING IN THE IMMIGRANT POPULATION PRIMARILY?

>> MY GEOGRAPHY IS NOT REAL GOOD, BUT I WOULD SAY WE HAVE MORE MIDDLE EASTERN OWNERS NOW THAT PROBABLY HAVE THE BIGGEST LANGUAGE ISSUES WITH US.

>> JUST FOR CLARITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE AND THE PUBLIC, I KNOW WE HAVE A SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS HERE, BUT JUST TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING TO DO FROM THE INCREASE IN FINE AND PENALTIES.

WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY DOING RIGHT NOW AS IT RELATES TO THESE THINGS AND WHAT ARE YOU PROPOSING TO DO? DIFFERENT.

>> IT'S A LOT TO IT, I HAVE A HANDOUT.

I GUESS WE COULD PASS AROUND IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THAT.

BASICALLY, WE'RE INCREASING THE FINES ON THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS.

>> A FINE ON A BUSINESS IS CURRENTLY WHAT?

>> SO THE CURRENT FINE FOR 17 AND UNDER WHICH WOULD BE YOUR MINORS.

YES IS 250 FOR THE PERSON AND 250 FOR THE BUSINESS WITH A 30-DAY SUSPENSION THAT CAN BE SUSPENDED BY THE BOARD IF THERE'S MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> YOU'RE PROPOSING TO GO TO WHAT?

>> PROPOSING TO GO TO A $2,500 FINE WITH A MINIMUM 30 DAY SUSPENSION, WHICH COULD ALSO BE REDUCED BY THE BOARD.

>> THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.

THAT'S WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SEEING NATIONWIDE BEST PRACTICES WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO?

>> I CANNOT SPEAK TO THAT.

>> HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NUMBERS? YOU DIDN'T LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES AND INDUSTRY STANDARD?

>> WE SIT DOWN WITH A COUPLE OF THE COUNSEL PEOPLE, SOME PEOPLE FROM OUR OFFICE, AND WE DISCUSSED IT.

THE PROBLEM THAT WE'RE SEEING IS THE FINES REALLY DON'T MEAN A LOT. THEY JUST PAY.

>> YOU SAY THE FINES DON'T MEAN A LOT.

THE CURRENT, THE FINE OR ANY FINE.

>> THE $250 FINE IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH PENALTY.

>> GOT YOU. OKAY. ANY OTHER CHANGES?

[00:45:05]

>> MOSTLY IT'S THE FINES IN THE SUSPENSIONS, BUT IT'S 17 AND UNDER GROUP, AND YOU'RE ALSO LOOKING AT INCREASES FROM THE 18, 19, AND 20 ROLES? A SIMILAR INCREASE, LIKE SIMILAR INCREASES, AND WE HAVE FIRST SECOND, AND THIRD OFFENSES AND STARTS AT 2,500 WILL INCREASE TO A MAXIMUM OF 5,000.

>> GOT YOU. SO AS YOUR BELIEF BY INCREASING THE FINE AMOUNT, YOU THINK THAT WOULD DETER THE OWNERSHIP BEHAVIORS OF SERVING UNDERAGE PEOPLE?

>> I THINK THAT AND THE EDUCATION PIECE, YEAH. I THINK IT WILL HELP.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE PENALTY PIECE, BUT WHAT'S THE I MEAN, THE FINE PIECE, BUT THE SUSPENSION IS GOING FROM WHAT TO WHAT?

>> SUSPENSIONS DEPENDING ON THE VIOLATION.

CURRENTLY, FOR A BUSINESS SELLING TO A SEVEN I'M SORRY, 18 19 AND 20-YEAR-OLD.

IT'S A $750 FINE.

THERE'S NO SUSPENSION THERE.

WE'RE PROPOSING THAT THE SUSPENSION GO TO A MINIMUM OF I THINK A MINIMUM OF 30 DAYS.

FOR A FIRST OFFENSE, SECOND OFFENSE, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A MINIMUM OF A SIX-MONTH SUSPENSION.

AGAIN, THESE CAN BE REDUCED IF THERE'S MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE BOARD.

FOR A THIRD OFFENSE WITHIN TWO YEARS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A PERMANENT REVOCATION FOR THE EMPLOYEE AND THE BUSINESS OWNER'S LIFE.

>> GOT YOU. I DO THINK THE CURRENT FINE IS PROBABLY TOO SMALL AND NOT ENOUGH OF A DETERRENT.

AND SO THEY PROBABLY DO NEED TO LOOK AT THE INCREASE.

IT DOES SHOCK ME AND SURPRISE ME THAT YOU DIDN'T DO ANY RESEARCH OR DATA TO LOOK AT YOUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO SEE AND GET FEEDBACK FROM THEM, WHAT THEY'RE DOING DIFFERENTLY TO DO THAT.

IF I'M MISREPRESENTING, YOU PLEASE CORRECT ME, BUT I'M SHOCKED THAT YOU HADN'T BROUGHT ANY INFORMATION TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAS DONE.

AM I MISREPRESENTING YOU?

>> NO. I CAN'T SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BUT I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT FROM PREVIOUS RESEARCH INTO THAT, WE'RE PROBABLY LOWER THAN MOST STATES.

> >GOT YOU. THANK YOU.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR TRYING TO KEEP THE CITY SAFE FROM ALL THOSE UNDERAGE DRINKERS.

BUT ANYWAY, GOOD JOB, GUYS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS.

I DON'T WANT TO THROW A RANCH IN ANYTHING, BUT I DO WANT TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION.

WE JUST HAD A BIG HICCUP IN THE LEGISLATURE WHENEVER THEY CHANGED THE FEES AND FINES FOR DWIS.

WHAT THAT HAPPENED IN SOME MUNICIPALITIES WAS IT REMOVED DWIS FROM ZACHARY CITY COURT, AND NOW THEY HAVE TO BE HEARD IN 19 JDC.

SO WHILE YOU GUYS WERE DISCUSSING AND HAVING GREAT DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON, I CONSULTED THE CITY PARISH, AND WE HAVE TWO WONDERFUL LAWYERS FROM THE CITY HERE, AND I'D LIKE TO CALL THEM UP NOW.

I THINK TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION AND NOT REMOVE SOME OF THE FUNNY LET ME START OVER.

CITY PARIS ACROSS THE STREET, THE CITY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE RECEIVES THESE FINES.

THESE FINES HELP KEEP THE CITY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND THE CITY COURTS RUNNING AND MOVING.

TO REMOVE THAT REVENUE AT A TIME WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO SAVE EVERY SINGLE PENNY HERE IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND REMOVE IT TO THE 19TH JDC, THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REVENUE STREAM MOVING OVER TO A DIFFERENT COURT.

MISS COURTNEY AND MISS ASLAM, PLEASE.

I THINK THAT THEY HAVE A REALLY GOOD SOLUTION.

I THINK THEY HAVE SOME FLOOR AMENDMENTS, AND THEY CAN EVEN SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE JURISDICTION AND MAYBE SOME CHANGES IF YOU'D BE SO WILLING TO HEAR THOSE, JUST TO KEEP THAT REVENUE HERE IN CITY PARISH. THANK YOU, LADIES.

>> AS YOU GO AHEAD AND TALK ABOUT THE JURISDICTION, THE LIMITATION OF THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT. SO CITY COURT AND CITY MISDEMEANORS PUNISHED AND PROSECUTED AT BATOR CITY COURT ARE LIMITED TO A $1,000 FINE AND PENALTIES OF UP TO AND OR UP TO SIX MONTHS.

IF WE WERE TO.

GENERALLY, MOST INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CITED AS A PERSON WHO HAS SOLD TO AN UNDERAGE OR A MINOR, INSTEAD OF GETTING A CITATION TO GO BEFORE THE BOARD, THEY GET A CRIMINAL SUMMONS TO COME BEFORE CITY COURT.

IF AS IN PARAGRAPH THREE OF THE ORDINANCE, IF THE PENALTIES THAT ARE NOW BEING INCREASED ALSO APPLY TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD BE CRIMINALLY CITED, IT WOULD PUSH IT OUTSIDE OF THE JURISDICTIONAL $1,000 FINE AND OR A SIX-MONTH LIMIT THAT CITY COURT MAINTAINS, AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE GOING IN TO THE DISTRICT COURT.

WHAT WE COULD DO IS OFFER UP A FLOOR AMENDMENT, FOR THE COUNSEL'S CONSIDERATION TO SEPARATE THE BUSINESS FINE AND LEAVE THAT AS THE PROPOSED AMOUNT THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEFORE YOU,

[00:50:05]

THE PROSECUTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL WILL REMAIN IN CITY COURT.

>> MR. DUNN HAS QUESTION, I'LL GIVE HIM A PORTION OF MY TIME TO CLEAR THAT UP.

>> WOULDN'T A BUSINESS FINE LEAVE CITY COURT AS WELL BECAUSE IT'S GOING ABOVE THE HUNDRED DOLLAR IN MY MISUNDERSTANDING?

>> BUSINESSES WON'T GO TO CITY COURT.

THEY'LL GO BEFORE THE ABC BOARD.

OKAY. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, LADIES. I APPRECIATE YOU GETTING THAT INFORMATION TO US IN SUCH A SHORT TIME FRAME. THAT WAS GREAT WORK.

>> THANK YOU. NO. WE APPRECIATE YOU TALKING TO US ABOUT IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I WOULD WELCOME THE WRITERS OF THE ITEM TO MAYBE CONSIDER THAT.

WELL, I'D LIKE TO MAKE ADOPT THE AMENDMENTS AS STATED BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

THANK YOU. MR. CHRIS.

>> YOU ADVISE AS FAR AS THE FINES GO, ONCE YOU ESTABLISHED THAT THEY VIOLATED THE CODE AND EVERYTHING, SOLD TO MINORS, AND EVERYTHING.

IT COMES BEFORE Y'ALL, THEN Y'ALL GET TO DECIDE AT THAT POINT WHETHER THEY ACTUALLY PAY THE FINE OR SUSPENSION, OR WHATEVER ELSE.

Y'ALL MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT Y'ALL WOULD LIKE TO DO AT THAT POINT?

>> ONCE WE DO WHAT WE DO OUT IN THE FIELD, THE CASE FILE IS CREATED, AND IT'S PUT ON THE AGENDA, IT GOES BEFORE THE ABC BOARD, AND THE BOARD MAKES THOSE DECISIONS.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, IF SOMEONE COMES BEFORE YOU AND THEY FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE SOLD TO A MINOR, AND Y'ALL DECIDE YOU'VE ACCEPTED THAT FACT.

WE, AS ABC BOARD DECIDE NOT TO FINE YOU.

THIS IS YOUR FIRST MARK.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO FIND YOU. IS THAT AN OPTION? > THAT IS AN OPTION ON 18,19-20 YEAR OLDS.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S AN OPTION ON 17 AND BELOW.

THAT'S MANDATED BY THE COUNCIL.

MANDATORY SUSPENSION.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK THIS ORDINANCE IS FOR.

>> THE MANDATORY PART WOULD BE $1,000 AND OR SUSPENSION OR BOTH.

WE'RE TALKING 20 YEAR OLDS AND ABOVE, 18, 19, 20, AM I CORRECT?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS 18,19, AND 20.

>> EIGHTEEN, 19, AND 20, THERE'S A MANDATORY FOR THE FIRST [INAUDIBLE] AND SECOND OFF WITHIN A 12, A MINIMUM OF 15 D AND THEN A THIRD OFF WITH A MANDATORY MINIMUM.

>> HERE?

>> SORRY. I'LL STEP IN IF YOU DON'T MIND AND ANSWER THAT PART OF THE QUESTION.

THE SALE OF MINORS IS SALE TO MINORS AND SALES TO UNDERAGE.

MINORS WOULD BE THOSE UNDER 17.

UNDER AGE WOULD BE 18, 19, AND 20.

FOR A FIRST OFFENSE SALE TO PERSONS 18, 19, AND 20, IT'S A MANDATORY $1000 FINE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

>> THE $1,000 FINE, THE BOARD HAS NO OPTION TO RESCIND THAT FINE OR CANCEL IT. YOU DID IT.

HERE'S A SLAP ON HERE'S A SLAP ON THE WRIST. DON'T DO IT AGAIN.

IT'S YOUR FIRST OFFENSE.

THEY'RE GETTING $1,000 FINE, NO MATTER WHAT.

THE ABC BOARD HAS NO OPTION TO CANCEL THAT OUT.

>> I DON'T THINK SO. I DO THINK THAT THEY DO HAVE AN OPTION.

THE BOARD HAS ISSUED WARNINGS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS WHERE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS CONSIDERED MITIGATED OR IT WAS A FIRST OFFENSE, AND THE BUSINESS HAD SOME GOOD REASON WHY THIS HAPPENED, AND IT WAS A MISTAKE.

WE HADN'T HAD ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE BUSINESS.

I HAVE SEEN THE BOARD ISSUE WARNINGS OR ISSUE THE FINE AND SUSPEND IT, PENDING NO FURTHER VIOLATIONS IN THE FUTURE.

>> IF WE'RE GOING TO SET THESE RULES AND ORDINANCES, THEN WE'RE GOING TO SET THESE FINES AND WE'RE GOING TO SET THE PENALTY FOR WHAT THEY DO, AND I GET THE DUE PROCESS OF FINDING OUT WHAT THEY DID, WHY, GOING THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS.

BUT THEN THEY FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED THIS.

YOU HAVE SOLD TO, THE BUSINESS HAS SOLD TO, THE PERSON IN THE BUSINESS HAS SOLD TO, THEY EXECUTE THOSE FINES.

MAYBE I'M WRONG OR THINKING ABOUT THIS, BUT THAT'S PART OF THE THING, ALSO IS, IF SOMEONE GOES IN KNOWING THAT I CAN I CAN GET RID OF THIS OR MAKE IT GO AWAY OR WHATEVER, WHY WOULD WE NOT JUST INSTITUTE THE FINE NO MATTER WHAT,

[00:55:01]

>> THE FINE IS IN INSTITUTED.

THERE ARE ONLY VERY RARE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE BOARD MAY SEE FIT TO FIND THAT A VIOLATION OCCURRED, ASSESS THE PENALTY, AND IN VERY RARE OCCASIONS, SUSPEND THAT SUM OF THAT FINE OR ALL OF THAT FINE, PENDING NO FURTHER VIOLATIONS FOR A CALENDAR YEAR, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> AS FAR AS THE VIOLATION AND THE PENALTIES, IS IT THE FINE AND SUSPENSION? IS IT BOTH OR AND OR?

>> FOR SALES TO 18, 19, 20S, THE SUSPENSIVE PART OF IT IS ON THE BOARD'S DISCRETION.

THERE'S NO MANDATORY SUSPENSION ASPECT WITH 18, 19, OR 20 WITH EXCEPT FOR THIRD OFFENSES, WHICH THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE IS SUGGESTING A MANDATORY MINIMUM 10-DAY SUSPENSION.

CURRENTLY, THERE IS NO REQUIRED SUSPENSION FOR THE BUSINESS.

THE BOARD CAN'T MAY SUSPEND, BUT THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT STATUTORILY.

>> BUT THE PERSON THAT DID IT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO HAVE SOLD TO UNDER AGE.

>> COUNCILMAN, YOU WANT JAKE TO STOP?

>> YES, PLEASE. HAS BEEN PROVEN TO SOLD UNDER UNDER AGE, THEY HAVE THE OPTION OF ONE OR THE OTHER.

>> OR BOTH. THEY COULD BOTH FINE AND SUSPEND THE LICENSE.

THE THE STATUTE ALLOWS THEY SHALL IMPLEMENT THESE PENALTIES, THE FINES, AND MAY, IN ADDITION TO THE FINES, IMPOSE ANY SUSPENSION.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S UP TO THE BOARD'S DISCRETION ON WHAT THAT SUSPENSION MAY BE.

THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE IS TO IMPLEMENT A MANDATORY MINIMUM WHEN IT COMES TO THIRD OFFENSE SALES.

>> THAT TO ME, I GUESS, WHEN WE GET IN THE GRAY AREA, IS WHEN YOU HAVE THAT OPTION TO WAIVE THOSE, THAT THE PENALTY COULD GO AWAY, I THINK THAT'S NOT SEEN AS A DETERRENT TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM SELLING TO MINORS OR UNDERAGE OR WHATEVER.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT PARAGRAPH FIVE WHEN IT RELATES TO MINORS UNDER 17, THE INSTANCES WHERE THAT SUSPENSION CAN BE WAIVED OR REDUCED IS THEY LIST A, B, C, AND D UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THE BOARD COULD SEE FIT TO WAIVE ANY MANDATORY SUSPENSION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

>> THANK YOU. I'M JUST GOING TO COMPLIMENT THE AUTHORS FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS.

I DO THINK THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THE SALE OF ALCOHOL TO MINORS WON'T BE TOLERATED IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS THAT YOU'RE UNDERTAKING.

CHRIS, THE FOLKS THAT WORK WITH YOU WORK FOR YOU AND ARE OUT THERE HOLDING BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS ACCOUNTABLE.

I ALWAYS TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLIMENT, WHICH I'LL DO, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD WORK, GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

>> CHRIS, BEFORE WE ASK SOME QUESTIONS TO THE ATTORNEYS, I WANT TO PUT INTO CONTEXT THE DISCUSSION AROUND SALE TO MINORS.

TALK TO ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE COMPLIANCE CHECKS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A VERY SMALL POPULATION OF PEOPLE.

>> AS FAR AS MINORS 17 OR UNDER, YES. THAT'S CORRECT.

2024, FOUR BUSINESSES SOLD TO PERSONS UNDER 17.

THAT'S OUT OF 356 COMPLIANCE CHECKS.

IN 2025, NOBODY THIS YEAR HAS SOLD TO A 17 AND UNDER AND THAT'S OUT OF 168 COMPLIANCE SHIT.

>> AGAIN, JUST TO PUT THAT INTO CONTEXT, SALE TO I ALWAYS GET THIS CONFUSED.

SALE TO UNDER AGE IS REALLY THE BIG ISSUE THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH NOW, BUT WE DO NEED TO HAVE BETTER PENALTIES FOR SALE TO MINORS AS WELL.

>> THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS THE 18, 19, AND 20-YEAR-OLDS.

SEVENTEEN, WE DO GET THEM.

WE HAD A NINE-YEAR-OLD LAST YEAR THAT CAME IN A GROCERY STORE AND BOUGHT ALCOHOL.

IT HAPPENS. WELL, THE BIGGER FINE GETS THEIR ATTENTION, I WOULD THINK SO, BUT EDUCATION AND OTHER PARTS ARE GOING TO HELP TOO.

>> LET ME BRING COURTNEY UP. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE AMENDMENT REAL QUICK.

COURTNEY. JUST TAP ON THE SHOULDER, CHRISTIE.

I JUST WANTED TO CHECK REAL QUICK.

I KNOW AS WE WERE DRAFTING THIS, WE DISCUSSED THRESHOLDS THAT WOULD REQUIRE US TO GO TO DIFFERENT COURTS AND THAT KIND OF THING, OR POSSIBLY PUT US IN DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

[01:00:06]

JUST WALK ME THROUGH IT AGAIN SO THAT WE ALL UNDERSTAND IT.

IF WE GO ABOVE 100 FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, WE TAKE THE MONEY OUT OF CITY COURT?

>> YEAH BECAUSE THE JURISDICTIONAL LIMIT FOR CITY COURT WOULD BE $1,000, ANY EVEN HIGHER THAN THAT, IT'S GOING TO KICK IT OVER TO THE 19 JDC.

>> I THINK IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, WE WERE LOOKING AT THE MAX WE COULD ASSESS AN INDIVIDUAL AND STILL BE HAD TO BE CONSIDERED A MISDEMEANOR.

WE DIDN'T LOOK AT WHAT COURT IT WAS GOING TO GO TO, I GUESS.

>> NO, AND AT THE TIME WE WERE THINKING, THE ABC BOARD IS GOING TO PROBABLY LIKELY HEAR IT.

I WAS JUST TALKING TO AISHALA ABOUT THIS BECAUSE SOME OF IT DOES BOIL DOWN TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT ISSUES THE CITATION.

IF THE ABC BOARD ISSUES THE CITATION, USUALLY THEY'RE ISSUING THE CITATION SO THAT IT COULD GO BEFORE THE ABC BOARD.

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, CHRIS, ARE YOU ALL ISSUING ANY CITATIONS AND THEN DIRECTING PEOPLE TO GO TO CITY COURT FOR THEIR HEARING? I KNOW BRPD IS GOING TO CITY COURT.

>> BRPD USUALLY WORKS WITH US WHEN WE DO THESE CHECKS.

WE'LL WRITE THE BUSINESS A ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL WRITE THE CLERK CRIMINAL CITATION AND THEN THEY'LL GO TO CITY COURT.

WE CAN DO BOTH, BUT IF WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER, WE USUALLY LET THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> I'LL GO AHEAD AND LET AISHALA JUST LET YOU KNOW WHAT SHE'S WHISPERING.

[LAUGHTER] I CAN REPEAT IT, BUT I'M TIRED.

>> I WAS JUST SAYING THAT GENERALLY, THE INDIVIDUAL WHEN CRIMINALLY CITED, THEY'RE NOT BEING CITED UNDER TITLE 9, SO THIS ORDINANCE WOULD NOT COME INTO PLAY.

THEY'RE BEING CITED BY A BRPD OFFICER UNDER TITLE 13, SPECIFICALLY 1391.2, WHICH IS UNLAWFUL SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE TO A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21, AND THAT ORDINANCE DOES HAVE THE JURISDICTIONAL CAP ON IT THAT IS A CITY COURT MISDEMEANOR.

>> I THINK THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS IT'S GOOD TO HAVE SOMEONE ON THIS METRO COUNCIL THAT HAS A PARISH ATTORNEY BACKGROUND.

I JUST WANT TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

THAT WAS A REALLY GOOD SUGGESTIONS.

THEN I DO WANT TO JUST ADDRESS REAL QUICK THE QUESTION OF HOW WE CAME UP WITH THE AMOUNTS.

THE AMOUNTS ARE GEARED AROUND COMPLIANCE IN OUR LOCAL MARKET.

THE IDEA IS THAT THESE BUSINESSES PRIOR TO THIS, I DON'T THINK CARED MUCH ABOUT THE FINES, AND THAT'S THE FEEDBACK THAT WE GOT FROM THE ABC BOARD, ANYHOW.

THE BIGGEST THING THAT THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT WAS THE SUSPENSION OF THEIR LICENSE.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE BOTH THE FINE AND THE SUSPENSION BE A FACTOR.

WE DID LEAVE THE FLEXIBILITY ABOUT SUSPENDING PART OF THE SUSPENSION TO GIVE THEM FLEXIBILITY, SO I THINK IT REALLY GIVES THE ABC BOARD THE MOST TOOLS NECESSARY TO GET THE JOB DONE. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS VERY QUICKLY TO ANSWER COUNCILMAN DUNN'S QUESTION ABOUT WHAT THEY CHARGE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANY OTHER STATE, BUT I WAS IN ALASKA EARLY 2000, THEY CHARGED $20,000 FOR SELLING TO A MINOR.

IT COULD BE MORE BY NOW.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

ANYWAY, SO 2000 IS REALLY NOTHING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ANYWAY, MOTION TO APPROVE?

>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

GOOD WORK. ITEM 140 RESCINDING AND DIRECTING.

[140. 25-00783 ]

THE PROPERTY IS BEING RENOVATED BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

ONCE AGAIN, NOT BEING RENOVATED BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY, BUT THIS ITEM IS BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

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

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 141, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT,

[141. 25-00742 ]

[01:05:03]

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN, JR., SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 142, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT,

[142. 25-00743]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN, JR., SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 143, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF

[143. 25-00744]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?

>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

AMELIA HERRERA, 1,700 CEDAR LAKE DRIVE.

I DO WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS MORE OF A PUNITIVE NATURE.

IF WE WANT TO BUILD TRUST, THIS IS NOT THE APPROACH.

I THINK THAT INSTEAD OF ALLOCATING THESE FUNDS FOR A JUVENILE TO GO AND SEE A PROBATION OFFICER INSIDE OF A JUVENILE ON DETENTION OR COURT ROOM, WHATEVER, IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO FOSTER ANY TRUST, AND WE'RE ALREADY HAVING ISSUES WITH OUR JUVENILES.

IF THEY'RE HAVING A MENTAL PROBLEM, IF THEY'RE HAVING ISSUES AT HOME, WHERE THEY HAVE TO WORK TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY TO BE THAT SECOND FINANCIAL PERSON THAT'S BRINGING IN MONEY, IF THEY'RE IN AN ABUSIVE SITUATION, A TOXIC FAMILY, WE WANT TO MAKE THEM GO AND REPORT TO A JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER, REALLY? THAT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.

WE'RE TRYING TO HELP OUR YOUTH, NOT PUNISH THEM. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

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

WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA. COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

>> WELL, I GUESS IT'S DR. WADE TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT WERE EXPRESSED? IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN ADDRESS MISS AMELIA'S CONCERNS?

>> DR. WADE IS NOT HERE.

SHE'S ON VACATION, COUNCILMAN.

>> YOU GOT THE SHORT STRAW?

>> EXCUSE ME.

>> YOU GOT THE SHORT STRAW?

>> I GOT THE SHORT STRAW. IN CONSULTATION WITH WHAT'S GOING ON WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO BOTH THE JUVENILE COURT AND JUVENILE SERVICES TO RENDER SERVICES.

SPACE, MONIES, AND THE COMMITMENT TO THE KIDS, ALL THINGS THAT WE LOOK AT WHEN WE WORK IN OUR PROGRAMS AT JUVENILE SERVICES.

INCREASING THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, HAVING DIRECT SERVICES FORM ON SITE.

THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON.

SPINS IS ONSITE AT THE JUVENILE SERVICES, AND WE HAVE A FORMER PROSECUTOR WHO WORKS FOR THE SNOW IN THE FORM OF MISS AISHALA BURGESS, WHO MAY BE ABLE TO ANSWER SOME MORE IN-DEPTH QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE.

>> YEAH. IT'S MY APPRECIATION FROM READING THE DESCRIPTION ON THE AGENDA, THIS IS SOCIAL NEEDS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND THAT'S WHAT FINS AS FAMILIES IN NEEDS OF SERVICES.

MISS MILLA, MAYBE I CAN ASK YOU EXPAND, PLEASE ON WHAT YOUR CONCERNS WERE.

I WASN'T MAKING THE CONNECTION, AND SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT WHAT'S BEEN SAID HAS ADDRESSED YOUR ISSUE. THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> I DO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THAT IT'S BEEN IN PLACE IT HASN'T BEEN WORKING.

AS A COMMUNITY LEADER AND BEING OUT IN COMMUNITY AND SPEAKING WITH FAMILIES THAT ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED AND ARE UNDERSERVED, I FIND THAT I THINK A DIFFERENT APPROACH NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT SOCIAL WORK AND MAYBE MORE COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

THIS FINS THING, I LIKE TO SEE THE METRICS.

HOW ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I DON'T SEE IT HAPPENING WITH BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

[01:10:04]

SOMETIMES THEY REALLY HAVE TO MISS SCHOOL BECAUSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AT HOME.

WE NEED TO DIG A LITTLE DEEPER AND FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AT HOME AND STOP PUTTING LAW ENFORCEMENT IN EVERY ASPECT OF A BLACK CHILD'S LIFE.

>> I KNOW YOUR VOICE AND TRUST YOUR VOICE, AND I APPRECIATE IT.

THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO INQUIRE ON WHAT YOU WERE ASKING.

I DO SEE THAT THERE'S QUARTERLY FISCAL REPORTS, PROGRAMMATIC REPORTS, SO I'M HAPPY TO HELP MAKE A CONNECTION TO GET YOU THE INFORMATION YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT HAS BEEN PROPERLY MOTION AND SECONDED? IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 144, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT

[144. 25-00745 ]

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

MOTION APPROVED BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

SECOND BY COUNCIL MCKINNEY.

IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION?

>> I'LL GO AGAINST, SORRY.

>> COUNCILMAN GAUDET. SORRY.

>> I'M CURIOUS TONIGHT, SORRY.

IS THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR IN?

>> HELLO, MISS MANM.

>> HEY, COUNCILMAN.

>> IF YOU'LL JUST OUTLINE THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE CONTRACTED PERSON AND WHY YOU FEEL LIKE THIS IS A PRIORITY FOR THE LIBRARY.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. SINCE 2016, WHEN WE FIRST BEGAN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA, WE HAVE ARRANGED FOR CASE WORKERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS TO POP IN AT LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT THE PARISH, AND WE HAVE GRADUALLY BUILT UP A REGULAR SCHEDULE SO THAT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN KNOW WHEN TO COME AND GET THAT SPECIAL HELP, THE KINDS OF HELP THAT THEY'RE GIVING US AT EIGHT LOCATIONS NOW ON ASSIGNMENT, AND THEN OTHER LOCATIONS AS NEEDED.

WE'RE SEEING THAT THERE'S A LITTLE ISSUES EVEN OUT AT PRIDE CHENEYVILL, THEY WILL DEPLOY OUT THERE.

WE'RE ALSO WORKING, OF COURSE, WITH THE MOBILE TEAM, BUT WE HAVE A CASE MANAGER, AN OUTREACH WORKER AND EIGHT LOCATIONS GIVING SERVICE EVERY WEEK.

THEY DO GIVE US REPORTS OF WHAT THEY'RE HELPING THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY WITH, AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE ON PHONE AFTER HOURS BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, THE LIBRARY IS OPEN AFTER FOUR AND FIVE IN THE EVENING, EVEN THOUGH MANY AGENCIES ARE CLOSED.

THIS GIVES US A PLACE TO CALL WHERE SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS ALL THE STUFF CAN HELP OUR STAFF HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS FOR PERSONS WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND SO THEY'RE NOT ASSIGNED TO ONE PARTICULAR LIBRARY, YOU'RE DEPLOYING THEM ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. WE WORK WITH THE BRANCH STAFF, WHO MIGHT SEE THAT THERE'S A PATTERN OF SOMEBODY COMING IN TO A PARTICULAR LIBRARY, NOT JUST THE MAIN LIBRARY, NOT JUST THE RIVER CENTER BRANCH, BUT ANYWHERE.

COULD BE GREEN MALL SPRINGS.

THE QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE GETTING HAVE TO DO WITH BUS PASSES, VETERAN SERVICES SO IMPORTANT, BUS TICKET HOME PROJECT, HOW TO GET TO VETERANS COURT, HOW TO GET AN ID, AND ALL THE THINGS RELATED TO YOUNG CHILDREN AND SNAP AND THESE SO IMPORTANT RESOURCES THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE TO THEM.

>> THEY'RE CONNECTED TO THE ONE STOP RESOURCES, OUR HMIS SYSTEM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MA'AM. APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> COUNCILMAN HURST.

>> NO, YOU SAY IT'S JUST A KUDOS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK ABOUT THE LIBRARY AND HOW WE DIFFERENTIATE OURSELVES FROM OTHER LIBRARY SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY.

WHAT ARE BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE COUNTRY, WILL BATON ROUGE JUST CREATING BEST PRACTICES.

DEALING WITH THE INDIGENT POPULATION, DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE FORMERLY INCARCERATED, DEALING WITH TONS OF TOOLS, RESOURCES FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT YOU MAY NOT GET IN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.

NO LET ALONE THE UNITED STATES, BUT THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.

I JUST WANT TO SAY HATS OFF, I WANT PEOPLE ASK QUESTIONS, WHY? WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING? WHAT ARE WE DOING? HOW ARE WE IMPACTING THE PEOPLE? WHY ARE THESE RESOURCES AT THE LIBRARY BECAUSE THE LIBRARY HERE IS NOT JUST FOR BOOKS.

[01:15:01]

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND LEADING THE CHARGE WITH THE LIBRARY.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION SECOND.

MOTION WAS BY COUNCILMAN HURST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MCKINNEY. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. MIGHT COME FORWARD.

>> GOT IT. I GUESS WHEN YOU ALLUDE TO THE HOMELESS POPULATION, TELL ME WHAT YOU DO WITH THEM AND FOR THEM BECAUSE I SEE MANY OF THEM STILL HANGING AROUND.

I WANT TO KNOW ONCE IT'S LIKE CATCHING A FISH. WHAT DO YOU DO? YOU CATCH IT AND LEAVE IT ON THE SIDE OF THE BANKS, OR DO YOU ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING WITH THAT? THEN TELL ME SOME NUMBERS AS TO WHAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE IN THE PAST.

>> OF COURSE, THE QUESTION OF PERSONS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS SO LAYERED AND COMPLEX.

I WILL TELL YOU MOST CITIZENS OF THE PARISH WOULD NOT REALIZE IF THEY'RE TALKING TO SOMEONE, THEY'RE ONE PAYCHECK AWAY FROM EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR TWO PAYCHECKS.

WELL, WE SEE PEOPLE THAT WE ASSUME ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AT EVERY LOCATION, NOT JUST THE RIVER CENTER BRANCH, NOT JUST THE MAIN LIBRARY.

THEY'RE IN ZACHARY.

THEY'RE IN GREENWELL SPRINGS, THEY'RE IN EDEN PARK.

SOME ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THEIR STORY.

THE QUESTION THERE IS GETTING THEM INVOLVED IN WHATEVER SOCIAL NET IS AVAILABLE FOR UP TO AGE 17, AND THEN WHEN THEY'RE 18, OF COURSE, THE RULES CHANGE.

THAT'S A MATTER OF OUR STAFF AND PEOPLE SUCH AS THESE VOA CASE WORKERS CONNECTING THEM WITH THE RIGHT AGENCY TO HELP THEM ON A PATH.

AS YOU KNOW, NOT EVERYONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WANTS TO BE HELPED OR IS READY TO BE HELPED.

THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER CATTLE OF FISH AND THAT'S WHY WE LIKE THE EXPERIENCED CASE MANAGER, SOCIAL WORKERS WHO HAVE THAT EXPERTISE TO HELP SERVE AS A LIAISON TO SEE IS SOMEONE READY?

>> I UNDERSTAND ALL OF THAT AND WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS POPULATION IS NOTHING NEW TO ME.

WHEN I WALK IN THE MORNING, I SEE THEM ALL OVER THE PLACE, I'M ASKING WHAT SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED.

WHAT ARE YOUR NUMBERS? WHAT HAS BEEN DONE? I UNDERSTAND ABOUT VOA AND ALLS IN THE ONE STOP AND THE OTHER STOP AND ALL OF THAT.

I'M ASKING FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POPULATION THAT YOU ARE SAYING THAT YOU'RE SERVING, WHAT IS ACTUALLY BEING PROVIDED FOR THEM.

>> HERE'S AN EXAMPLE. IF WE FIND SOMEONE ASLEEP IN THE DOORSTEP OR ON THE STAGE AT THE MAIN LIBRARY OR BEHIND THE GAZEBO IN THE PARK, A WHOLE FAMILY WAS LIVING THERE.

WE REACH OUT TO THE STREET TEAM TO CONTINUUM OF CARE, TO START AND WHOEVER'S IN OUR DATABASE AND SAY, WE'D LIKE YOU TO MAKE A VISIT HERE.

WE, OF COURSE, HAVE MADE VISITS AND SAY, IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN HELP YOU WITH? WE HAVE CARE PACKAGES THAT WE GIVE THEM THE SAME THINGS THAT MINISTERIAL PROGRAMS GIVE OUT SO THERE CAN BE SOMETHING FOR HEALTH CONCERNS, SANITARY CONCERNS.

OF COURSE, AS LONG AS SOMEONE IS INSIDE OUR LIBRARY, IF THEY OBEY THE RULES OF PUBLIC BEHAVIOR, THEY ARE WELCOME TO STAY.

THE LIBRARIES ARE SHELTERS DURING THE DAY, INTO THE EVENING ALL OVER THE PARISH FOR ANYONE OF ANY REASON WHO DOESN'T WANT TO BE AT THEIR HOME.

THEY ARE WELCOME AS LONG AS THEY ABIDE BY THE SAME RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS ABIDING BY.

IF THEY CANNOT FIT WITH THOSE RULES OF BEHAVIOR, THEY'RE ASKED TO LEAVE AND IF THEY WILL NOT LEAVE, THEN THEY'RE ASSISTED IN LEAVING.

IF THEY CAN COME BACK ANOTHER DAY WITH A FRESH START, ABSOLUTELY, WE WELCOME THEM JUST LIKE WE WELCOME A TEENAGER WHO IS HAVING A ROUGH DAY AND MAYBE NEEDS A LITTLE TIME OUT FROM THE LIBRARY.

WE WELCOME BACK THE NEXT DAY FOR A FRESH START.

WE'RE WORKING WITH THE AGENCIES IF THEY'RE READY TO TALK ABOUT EMPLOYEE BR OR TALK WITH OUR CAREER COACH.

WE HAVE HAD WONDERFUL SUCCESS STORIES WHERE SOMEONE IN THE ALICE POPULATION HAD A BAD SITUATION, WAS HOMELESS, COUCH SURFED, OR CAR SURFED FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND NOW HAS JOBS.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE SOME OF THOSE SUCCESS STORIES AND SOME WE'RE ALLOWED TO SHARE, BUT SOME FOR PRIVACY REASONS, WE'RE NOT EVER GOING TO SHARE OTHER THAN THERE WAS A LOT OF JOY WHEN SOMEONE FINALLY

[01:20:04]

IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE THOSE STORIES.

>> COUNCILWOMAN YOU WANT EXTRA TIME?

>> NO, I DON'T NEED IT. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. IT IS A VILLAGE.

>> ANYONE ELSE? ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 145, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO AMEND

[145. 25-00767]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAM, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST.

ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 146, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE

[146. 25-00769]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? WE WILL GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST ANY OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 147,

[147. 25-00770 ]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HARRIS, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 148,

[148. 25-00771]

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

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ADAM, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST, ANY OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 149,

[149. 25-00772]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ADAM, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HARRIS, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 150,

[150. 25-00773 ]

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

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 151,

[151. 25-00774]

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

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 152,

[152. 25-00775]

ANYONE HERE, WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

SEE NONE, GO TO COUNCIL.

WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 153, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO GRANT A CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH UNAM TO

[153. 25-00779]

[01:25:01]

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE SOME OF THESE TOGETHER.

OR CAN WE? PROBABLY NOT BECAUSE IT'S DIFFERENT.

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

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[154. 25-00781]

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

WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 155, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO GRANT

[155. 25-00782]

SEE NO ONE, GO TO COUNCIL, WE HAVE A MOTION. COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

>> HI. IS THE HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR HERE?

>> HI. HOW ARE YOU? MY AIDE GLORIA GREMIO EMAILED YOU EARLIER YESTERDAY.

THEN AGAIN TODAY, BECAUSE WE HAD I GUESS, HER CONCERNS AND THEN SOME CONCERNS OF OTHER EMPLOYEES, PROBABLY MOSTLY HERE ON THE THIRD FLOOR WITH REGARD TO AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THIS IS THE PROPER ITEM, BUT WITH REGARD TO TRANSAMERICA CANCER POLICY, AND THAT ONE BEING BEING DROPPED AND CONSIDERED SELF PAY.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO OUR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE LISTENING AND THAT ARE CONCERNED EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS TO THEM, WHAT SELF PAY MEANS, IF THAT POLICY THAT THEY PAID ON FOR 10+ YEARS, IF THAT'S STILL AVAILABLE TO THEM AND IN WHAT CAPACITY, JUST SO THERE'S A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> SURE. FOR OUR RETIREES AND OUR EMPLOYEES, THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR TRANSAMERICA POLICY AT THE SAME RATE THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY PAID.

WHAT THEY WOULD SIMPLY NEED TO DO IS CONTACT TRANSAMERICA AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY'RE INTERESTED IN CONTINUING THAT BENEFIT.

THEN FROM THAT POINT FORWARD, TRANSAMERICA WOULD DIRECT BILL THAT RETIREE OR EMPLOYEE.

>> WHENEVER THEY SAY SELF PAY, THAT WOULD BE DIRECTLY BILLED TO THEIR HOME AND THEIR MAILBOX, WHEREVER THEY ARE?

>> CORRECT. DIRECTLY BILLED TO THEM BY TRANSAMERICA.

>> THEN WITH REGARD TO THE RATES CHANGING, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A RATE FEE SHEET REQUEST AND SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING THAT.

>> THE CURRENT POLICY WITH TRANSAMERICA IS BASED OFF OF A MONTHLY FLAT FEE.

THE POLICY WITH METLIFE CRITICAL ILLNESS, WHICH INCLUDES CANCER COVERAGE IS AGE BASED.

TO TRY TO COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES, THE AVERAGE CITY PARISH EMPLOYEE IS AGE 44.

IF AN EMPLOYEE HAD EMPLOYEE ONLY COVERAGE UNDER OUR METLIFE CRITICAL ILLNESS POLICY, WHICH INCLUDES CANCER COVERAGE, THAT AMOUNT IS ABOUT $23.40.

THE EQUIVALENT WITH OUR TRANSAMERICA CANCER POLICY IS $36.80.

IT IS A DECREASE WITH US HAVING THE CANCER COVERAGE UNDER CRITICAL ILLNESS, WHICH DOES INCLUDE OTHER SERVICES AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE CHANGED BEFORE US TONIGHT ARE FOR EFFICIENCIES AND FOR COST SAVING MEASURES TO THE EMPLOYEES, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT. YES.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THEN ONE LAST QUESTION.

IF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE THESE QUESTIONS OBVIOUSLY, THEY ARE WELCOME TO REACH OUT TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.

BUT IS THERE SOMEONE THAT THEY SHOULD CONTACT WITH YOUR OFFICE TO GUIDE THEM THROUGH THESE CHANGES? I KNOW THE AIDES KNOW HOW TO FIND THEM, BUT THERE ARE OTHER EMPLOYEES.

WE HAVE 4,000 PLUS OR WHATEVER THAT NUMBER IS THESE DAYS.

>> YES. OUR HR PAYROLL AND BENEFITS DIVISION IS THE CONTACT.

THAT NUMBER IS 3893134.

WE'RE OPEN 08:00-05:00 PHONE EMAIL, AND WE HAVE A TEAM OF HR PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

>> MS. PEARSON, COULD YOU COME UP, PLEASE? JUST LOOKING AT ALL THESE ITEMS, A FEW BEFORE THIS ONE, A COUPLE MORE AFTER THIS ONE.

[01:30:02]

IF I'M NOT WRONG, JUST HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY THEY'RE BEING ITEMIZED LIKE THIS, AND I THINK BEFORE THEY WERE ALL IN ONE ITEM.

CAN YOU TALK ME THROUGH THAT, GIVE ME SOME CLARITY ON IT?

>> I THINK OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE STARTED THE POLICIES AT DIFFERENT TIMES, SO THAT'S WHY YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THEM IN THIS ONE GROUP.

ONE POLICY MAY HAVE BEEN IN 2002, ANOTHER IN 2007.

BUT FOR A FRESH LOOK AT ALL OF OUR ANCILLARY BENEFITS, WE DID OUR RFQ TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROVIDING THE BEST BENEFIT COVERAGE TO OUR EMPLOYEES.

THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SEEING THEM IN A GROUP NOW BECAUSE ALL OF OUR ANCILLARY BENEFITS WERE EVALUATED THIS YEAR.

>> THEY ALL WENT OFF FOR SOME SOLICITATION?

>> YES.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE METLIFE WANT THEM ALL?

>> METLIFE, THEY SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL FOR MOST OF OUR PRODUCTS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ITEM HAS BEEN PROPERLY MOTIONED AND SECONDED.

IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 156, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO

[156. 25-00784]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? THEN NOW GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, AND ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, ITEM 157,

[157. 25-00786 ]

THEN GO TO COUNCIL. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 158, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT

[158. 25-00787]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? WE GO TO COUNCIL? DO WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES ITEM 159,

[159. 25-00789]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? THEN NOW GO TO COUNCIL? DOES ANYBODY WISH TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS? I'D LIKE TO CALL CARLY UP, PLEASE.

JUST TO TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT.

WHILE THEY'RE COMING UP, THIS ITEM, AS SOME OF YOU WELL KNOW, THE CONTRACT PREVIOUSLY WAS WRITTEN IN A MANNER THAT INCLUDED US AS WELL AS THE ADMINISTRATION THAT WAS CHANGED, I BELIEVE A FEW YEARS BACK BY THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, I'VE DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION ABOUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO JUST TO GO BACK TO HOW IT WAS SO THAT WE CAN UTILIZE THEIR SERVICES AS WELL.

CARLY, CAN YOU GIVE A FEW SPECIFICS ON WHAT THE CHANGES WOULD LOOK LIKE REVERTING BACK TO THE OLD WAY AND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

>> SURE. IN THE 2025 AGREEMENT, IT SAYS ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, THAT WILL BE DELETED, AND IT WILL ONLY BE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY PARISH.

IN THE SCOPE OF SERVICES IN THE 2025 AGREEMENT, IT SAYS, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, THAT WILL ALSO BE DELETED TO INCLUDE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY PARISH.

THE CITY PARISH IS DEFINED AS THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, THE METRO COUNCIL, THROUGH THE COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR.

THAT WILL BE THE CHANGE FOR THE SCOPE.

IN SECTION 6 OF THE 2025 AGREEMENT, IT SAYS THAT IN COORDINATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, THAT WILL BE AMENDED TO SAY IN COORDINATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR.

IT ALSO SAYS AT THE DIRECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF THE CITY PARISH, AT THE DIRECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT WILL BE DELETED.

THE LAST PROVISION THAT WILL BE ADDED WILL BE SECTION B, AND THAT READS, "IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY BOTH PARTIES THAT THESE SERVICES SHALL SERVE THE INTERESTS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CITY PARISH, AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND ITS ASSOCIATED BOARDS AND FACILITIES.

IN THE EVENT, THERE IS A DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EBR COUNCIL AND MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON

[01:35:03]

COURSON NICKEL SHALL NOT LOBBY ADVOCATE OR OTHERWISE BE INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE OR CONSIDERATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE INSTRUMENT IN ANY FASHION OR MANNER."

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS CREATING THE VERBIAGE TO BE LIKE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> I THINK IDEALLY, THE WAY I SEE THIS BEING UTILIZED GOING FORWARD WOULD BE EVERYTHING THAT'S PRE FILED PRIOR TO SESSION, WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY MEET WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, WE WOULD MEET WITH COURSON NICKEL HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO SEE, AND I THINK AS A BODY FOR US, WHEN THERE'S ITEMS THAT WE WANT TO SEE ACTION ON OR THE ADMINISTRATION, WE WOULD BRING IT PROBABLY FOR A RESOLUTION INDIVIDUALLY BEFORE THIS BODY TO DECIDE WHERE WE STAND AND-.

>> THAT LANGUAGE WILL REMAIN IN THERE.

>> JUST FOR SOME CLARITY, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, CARLY. APPRECIATE IT.

ANYBODY ELSE? I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 160, APPROVING THE LEVY AND ASSESSMENT PURSUANT TO

[160. 25-00792]

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?

>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE E-MAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 160.

>> WE MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO 160 WITHOUT COMMENT. PRETTY GOOD.

SEEING NONE, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.

IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

[ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER INTRODUCTIONS]

WE HAVE ONE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER INTRODUCTION.

A, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING OFFICIAL NOTICE OF INTENT TO INCORPORATE THE BATON ROUGE AIRPORT AUTHORITY FOR THE OPERATION OF THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ACT NUMBER 118 OF THE 2025 REGULAR SESSION AND ADOPTING ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO FORM AND INCORPORATE SET AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO THE ACT AT A PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 4:00 PM.

ON AUGUST 27, 2025 BY COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN JR AND COUNCILMAN AARON MOAK.

THIS IS TO INTRODUCE FOR PUBLIC HEARING MEETING ON AUGUST 27, 2025.

NEED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES TO ALLOW THE ITEM TO BE INTRODUCED.

MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.

GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.

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

I'M GOING TO COUNCIL, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? NOW WE'RE GOING TO NEED A MOTION TO INTRODUCE THE ITEMS. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.

ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEMS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.

APPOINTMENTS.

[Items 161 - 167]

161 COMPLETE STREET CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ONE APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE ERIC DEXTER, CURRENT BALLOT DIJON ROBERT, 162, COMPLETE STREET CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ONE APPOINTMENT TO CONCUR IN THE NOMINATION BY THE FEDERATION OF GREATER BATON ROUGE CIVIC ASSOCIATION.

THE CURRENT BALLOT IS CHARLES ROBY SHIELDS, 163 COMPLETE STREET CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, ONE APPOINTMENT TO CONCUR IN THE NOMINATION BY THE BATON ROUGE GROWTH COALITION, CURRENT BALLOT, LAWRENCE LAMBERT, 164 COMPLETE STREETS, ONE APPOINTMENT TO CONCUR THE NOMINATION OF BIKE BATON ROUGE, CURRENT BALLOT STEPHEN POSS.

165 COMPLETE STREETS, ONE APPOINTMENT TO CONCUR WITH THE NOMINATION BY LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, CURRENT BALLOT DENNIS MITCHELL, 166 COMPLETE STREETS, ONE APPOINTMENT TO CONCUR IN THE NOMINATION BY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, CURRENT BALLOT, DR. PETER BRO.

167 COMPLETE STREETS, ONE APPOINTMENT TO CONCURRENT THE NOMINATION BY THE BOARD OF THE MAYOR'S HEALTH CITY INITIATIVE, CURRENT BALLOT RACHEL DORESTO.

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

WE MOTION TO APPROVE THE NOMINEES.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYBODY.

YES, MA'AM. COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.

>> DOES THE GENTLEMAN NOT WANT TO BE REAPPOINTED ERIC DEXTER?

>> NO.

>> NO.

>> WE NEED TO APPOINT SOMEBODY FOR THAT POSITION.

>> WE DID. [OVERLAPPING].

>> WE JUST DID.

>> OKAY. I'M SORRY. I APOLOGIZE.

[01:40:02]

>> IT'S OKAY.

>> WE ALREADY DID.

>> 168 AND 169,

[Items 168 & 169]

CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING CHRIS BROWN, TENANT REPRESENTATIVE.

THIS IS A FIVE YEAR TERM.

NINE VOTES ARE REQUIRED.

CURRENT BALLOT OF CHRIS BROWN.

HE'S REQUESTED REAPPOINTMENT.

169, HOUSING AUTHORITY OF EAST BATON ROUGE, CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING TERRY LANDRY JR WHO RESIGNED.

THE CURRENT BALLOT IS RASHAWNA HONER WHO SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION.

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

WE HAVE MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

CHANGE ORDERS. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 170-175 TOGETHER,

[Items 170 - 175]

171 FLANNERY ROAD, FLORIDA BOULEVARD AREA REHABILITATION PROJECT PHASE 3, CONTRACTOR NCMC-LLC, CREDIT OF $210,193.24.

172, SOUTH BOULEVARD AREA, ADA TRANSITION PROJECT, CONTRACTOR GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION, INC OF BATON ROUGE, $16,576.70, 173, PARISH WIDE TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENT, SPEED SIGNS, CONTRACTOR TRAFFIC COMMANDER, LLC, $47,436.

174, MCOS ROAD CLEARING AND GRUBB AND CONTRACTOR M&J CIVIL CONSTRUCTION LLC, $6,058.82, AND 175, SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM, PROJECT 184, PRESCOTT, MOHICAN, STREETS IN GARDEN CITY, SHELLEY STREET, ADAMS LANE, AND STREETS OFF OF PLAINS PORT HUDSON, CONTRACTOR BARBARA BROTHERS, CONTRACTING COMPANY LLC, CHANGE AUTO MOUNT, $383,420.44.

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

>> FRED, REAL QUICK ON ITEM 173.

I JUST WAS READING OVER IT REAL QUICK, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE DESCRIPTION SAYS, INSTALL TWO SIGNS AND THEN FOUR ON ANOTHER STREET, SO A TOTAL OF SIX SIGNS.

AM I READING THAT RIGHT? SIX SIGNS COST US $47,000?

>> THESE ARE THE SPEED SIGNS THAT WE'VE BEEN PUTTING OUT THROUGHOUT THE PARISH UNDER THE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND THE [OVERLAPPING].

>> IT'S LIKE A RADAR SIGN?

>> YES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

FINAL ACCEPTANCES, 176-178 TOGETHER,

[Items 176 - 178]

ITEM 178, SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM, PROJECT 184 PRESCOTT, MOHICAN, STREETS AND GARDEN CITY, SHELLEY STREET, ADAMS LANE, AND STREETS OFF PLAINS PORT HUDSON, CONTRACTOR BARBARA BROTHERS.

CONTRACT COMPANY, LLC, FINAL COST $5,859,469.44.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEE NONE, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN HURST. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES ACCEPTANCE OF LOW BIDS,

[Items 179 - 188]

179 PRIVATE FIRE DISTRICT, INDIAN MILE STATION, RESTART HOPKINS CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE LLC, $2,763,000, 180 PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX, H2 HEALTH UNIT TENANT BUILD CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION LLC, 5,205,000, 181 ENERGY MANAGEMENT FOR LIBRARIES INSTALLATION OF NEW ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT THE JONES CREEK REGIONAL BRANCH LIBRARY TO MAINTAIN THE HVAC SYSTEM.

LOUISIANA CONTROLS $119,750.

>> ONE EIGHTY TWO EAST BOULEVARD, GOVERNMENT STREET AREA SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT PHASE 2, TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION LLC, $430,680.

ONE EIGHTY THREE MOHEGAN STREET AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT, TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION, LLC, $421,987 AND 60 CENTS.

ONE EIGHTY FOUR GROOM ROAD MC TO PLANK, KCR CONTRACTORS LLC, $5,564,187 AND 10 CENTS.

[01:45:04]

ONE EIGHTY SIX SOUTH HARRIS FERRY ROAD, BIKE LANE, SHERWOOD FOREST, O'NEILL LANE, TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION LLC, $1,133,756 AND 50 CENTS.

ONE EIGHTY SEVEN EVANGELINE STREET, ALAMONSTER DRIVE, AND EVANGELINE STREET AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT, [INAUDIBLE] CIVIL LLC, $498,673.

ONE EIGHTY EIGHT SOUTH SHERWOOD FOREST, SIDEWALKS, COURSE BOULEVARD TO I-12, TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION LLC, $843,376.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS?

>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEMS 185, 186, AND 188.

WE HAVE A REQUEST FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO DELETE ITEM 179.

>> REQUEST FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO DELETE 179.

WHY? CAN SOMEBODY SPEAK ON WHILE WE'RE DELETING 179? JOE HERE? THIS THING HAS BEEN DELAYED PLENTY OF TIMES.

I WANT TO KNOW WHY. CAN ANYBODY SPEAK TO THIS ON WHY WE'RE DELAYING 179? WELL, WHAT HAPPENS IF WE APPROVE IT, AND NEEDS TO BE DELETED?

>> I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA. IF YOU GO AHEAD AND APPROVE IT AND IF THE DEPARTMENT HAS AN ISSUE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO RESCIND THE APPROVAL.

>> SHOULD WE DEFER IT? CAN WE DEFER IT? WOULD THAT BE A PROBLEM? IT'S OKAY. I'M GOING TO DEFER IT.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>> BUT I MAKE A MOTION, WE DEFER 179 TO THE AUGUST MEETING, AUGUST 13TH AND APPROVE THE OTHER ITEMS?

>> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.

ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 189, RECEIVING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2025 REPORT

[189. 25-00154]

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

>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

>> SURE. THANK YOU ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THIS IS THE SECOND QUARTER QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARIS COMMUNICATION DISTRICT.

BACK ON MARCH 11TH, THE COMMUNICATION DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, SHERIFF SID GAUTREAUX, SUBMITTED A LETTER TO THIS COUNCIL STATING THAT THE BOARD BELIEVES THAT THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE SHOULD HAVE REPRESENTATION ON THE COMMUNICATION DISTRICT BOARD, EITHER BY REPLACING A CURRENT MEMBER OR BY ADDING ADDITIONAL SEATS TO THE BOARD.

ON APRIL 1ST OF THIS YEAR, REPRESENTATIVE EMILY CHENEVERT, AUTHORED HOUSE BILL 242, REQUESTING THAT THE LANGUAGE IN THE LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 33910386 BE AMENDED TO ALLOW TWO ADDITIONAL SEATS ON THE BOARD.

GOING FROM SEVEN PERSON BOARD TO A NINE PERSON BOARD.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE PASSED HB 242, WHICH WAS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR LANDRY ON JUNE 8TH OF THIS YEAR, AND THAT HB BECAME ACT 165 WITH EFFECTIVE DATE OF AUGUST 1ST, THUS CLEARING THE PATH TO ADD THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE TO THE BOARD AFTER AUGUST 1ST.

WE HAVE OUR 911 UPGRADE PROJECT THAT IS STILL ONGOING.

IT'S MOVING AHEAD ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE.

WE'RE TRANSITIONING TO A NEW NEXT GENERATION CALL HANDLING SYSTEM AND A NEW AZI-NET NETWORK THAT ALLOWS THAT NEXT GENERATION 911 SYSTEM TO RIDE ON.

WE'RE ALSO UPGRADING OUR CAD SYSTEM, WHICH IS THE COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCH.

THIS PROJECT IS MOVING AHEAD NICELY.

WE'RE UPGRADING OUR CAD NETWORK AND INFRASTRUCTURE,

[01:50:01]

WE ALSO HAD OUR NORTH TOWER PROJECT, WHICH THE NORTH TOWER PROJECT IS A NEW COMMUNICATION TOWER FOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS OF THE PARISH.

IT'S LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF ZACHARY AT 6330 PORT HUDSON-PRIDE ROAD.

THE LAST SECTION OF THE TOWER WAS INSTALLED ON JULY 8TH, WHICH IT'S A 300 FOOT TOWER.

IT'LL BE ABLE TO REACH A LARGE SECTION OF THE NORTH END OF THE PARISH.

THE TOWER IS NOW FULLY ERECTED.

THERE'S STILL WORK TO BE DONE ON WITH THE TOWER, SUCH AS INSTALLING ANTENNAS, BUT THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

THEN THE TOWER HAS TWO SPOTS ALSO AVAILABLE TO BE ABLE TO LEASE SPOTS TO CELL PHONE COMPANIES TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CELL PHONE COVERAGE IN THAT AREA, AND THIS WILL ALLOW FOR BETTER CELL RECEPTION WHEN PEOPLE IN THOSE AREAS ARE MAKING 911 CALLS.

I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL MIGHT HAVE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

ANYONE WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT? SEEING NONE, NOW GO TO COUNCILMAN MOAK.

>> THE CELL OF A CARRIES THAT TV LOOKING AT, WILL THOSE BE PRIMARILY BASED ON ONES THAT ENHANCE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AS IN AT&T'S FIRSTNET OR VERIZON'S SYSTEM THAT SPECIFICALLY ENHANCE FIRST RESPONDERS CELLULAR SERVICE THAT ARE SIGNED UP FOR THE SERVICE?

>> NO, SIR. IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE FOR THE ON THE PUBLIC SIDE OF THINGS.

THOUGH LIKE AT&T FIRSTNET, A LOT OF TIMES, THEY WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE ANTENNAS ON THERE ALSO WITH THEIR SERVICES.

>> FIRSTNET OR VERIZON, WHICH BOTH SPECIFICALLY HAVE EMERGENCY OPERATION SERVICES, THAT IF YOU'RE SIGNED UP FOR THAT SERVICE OR IF YOU'RE A FIRST RESPONDER PERSONNEL, YOU'RE SIGNED UP FOR A SPECIFIC SERVICE AND SO ON.

YOU ONLY HAVE TWO CARRIERS ON THE NET.

T-MOBILE COMES UP AND SAYS, I WANT ONE SPOT AND US CELLULAR COMES UP AND SAYS I WANT THE OTHER SPOT.

YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S STILL A FIRSTNET OR THERE'S EMERGENCY OPERATION CELLULAR CARRIER THAT WILL STILL BE ON THE TOWER ALSO?

>> THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE TOWER IS FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION.

>> VHF COMMUNICATION, CORRECT.

>> THEN THE CELLULAR SPOTS IS JUST THE SIZE OF THE TOWER DOES ALLOW FOR THOSE TWO ADDITIONAL SPOTS.

THERE'S NOT NECESSARILY A PURPOSE OTHER THAN THE LEASE AMOUNT THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE FROM THOSE TYPE OF CARRIERS WOULD HELP PAY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE TOWER?

>> WELL, I GUESS AS A RECOMMENDATION, I WOULD SUGGEST IF POSSIBLE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU JUST GO PUT IT OUT FOR BID OR SEE WHO WANTS TO USE THAT TOWER.

I JUST KNOW OF TWO CARRIERS THAT SPECIFICALLY WORK ON FIRST RESPONDER BASIS AS FAR AS CITY PARISH, DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES, NATIONWIDE, AND SO ON, THAT SPECIFICALLY CATER TO A FIRST RESPONSE SCENARIO.

IF CERTAIN TOWERS GO DOWN, IF THINGS GO IF THEY HAVE TO RAMP UP MOBILE UNITS OR WHATEVER, THEY CARRY THE FIRST RESPONDER, FIRSTNET SERVICES, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I WOULD ASK THAT ON YOUR TOWERS AND STUFF THAT YOU PRIORITIZE POSSIBLY TALKING TO THEM FIRST. JUST MY OPINION.

>> COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

>> THANK YOU, JIM. ON THE FIRST ITEM YOU REFERENCED, HOUSE BILL 242, TWO ADDITIONAL SEATS BEING ADDED TO THE BOARD.

THERE WAS AN AUGUST 1ST DATE WHEN IT GOES INTO EFFECT, SO THAT'S IN THE COMING WEEKS.

IS THAT ON THIS BODY TO MAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS? WILL YOUR BOARD COME TO US WITH RECOMMENDATIONS? HOW DO YOU ENVISION THAT WORKING?

>> IT IS ON THIS BODY TO ACTUALLY ASSIGN THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD FILL THOSE SEATS.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW.

IT HASN'T BEEN THOROUGHLY DISCUSSED ON AS FAR AS HAVING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD PROBABLY REACH OUT TO THE BOARD TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THAT SUGGESTION OF HAVING YOU GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.

>> THE LANGUAGE OF THAT LEGISLATION DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY SAY ST. GEORGE MAYOR, CORRECT?

>> NO, IT DOES NOT.

>> IS YOUR SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW RELATED TO THAT TOPIC?

>> IT IS NOT. THE REASON THAT THIS INITIATIVE WAS PUT FORTH WAS TO ALLOW FOR A SEAT FOR THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE.

THERE'S OTHER SEATS ON THE BOARD, WHICH IS THE CITY OF BAKER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ZACHARY, MAYOR IN THE CITY OF CENTRAL MAYOR.

THE IDEA WAS THAT THE OF THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE NOW THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY A CITY,

[01:55:03]

>> GOOD. IT'D BE MY RECOMMENDATION THAT WE HAVE THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY REPRESENTED THERE BECAUSE OF THE ROLE THAT THEY PLAY IN OUR PARISH WHITE COMMUNICATIONS.

I WILL TALK TO THE CHAIR, BUT WE'LL CERTAINLY SEE WHAT COMES FORWARD TO THIS BODY.

THE 911 UPGRADE YOU MENTIONED THAT WAS ON SCHEDULE.

WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR THAT?

>> IT SHOULD BE READY BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

THERE'S SOME THINGS, SOME FACTORS THAT MAKE IT UP TO THE CARRIERS, ALL THE DIFFERENT CARRIERS THAT PROVIDE PHONE SERVICE.

THEY ALL HAVE TO MOVE ALL THEIR SERVICES FROM WHERE THEY CURRENTLY GO AND POINT THEM, WHICH IS THEY CURRENTLY POINT AT AT&T, AND THEY WILL BE POINTING AT IN DIGITAL.

IT'S THAT TRANSITION PERIOD THAT'S UNKNOWN THE COMPANY THAT WE'RE USING IN DIGITAL FOR THAT BACK INSIDE CORE SERVICES HAVE A REALLY GOOD TRACK RECORD OF WORKING WITH ALL THESE VENDORS.

BUT AGAIN, IT'S STILL UP TO THOSE VENDORS TO MOVE QUICK.

>> THANK YOU. THEN OUTLINE THE ITEM THAT YOU ALL ARE CONSIDERING TOMORROW.

IT'S CALLED PSAP.

>> YES. TO GO ALONG WITH THE NEW 911 SYSTEM, THERE'S THE MAPS THAT HAVE TO BE ENTERED IN, SO WE'LL KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE ROUTING OF ALL THE 911 CALLS WHERE THEY ACTUALLY GO.

WE'RE GOING FROM AN OLDER ANALOG SYSTEM THAT THE LOCATION OF AN VISUAL CALL IS REALLY UP TO ABOUT 01,000 FEET AREA TO WITH THE NEW NEXT GENERATION CORE SERVICES, WHERE YOU SEE ON YOUR PHONE, THE LITTLE BLUE DOT, WHERE THAT BLUE DOT IS.

WE KNOW THAT THAT'S EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE.

HAVING THAT THERE WILL ALLOW US TO REALLY TIGHTEN HOW WE DIVIDE UP THE PARISH AS FAR AS WHERE WE CAN ROUTE CALLS TO.

PREVIOUSLY, THERE WAS ONLY THREE PLACES IN THE ENTIRE PARISH THAT WE COULD ROUTE CALLS TO.

ONE IS TO HARDING BOULEVARD, WHICH EMS IS ACTUALLY WHO DOES IT, AND THEN THE CITY OF BAKER, WHICH WAS BASICALLY THE ROUGH AREA OF THE CITY OF BAKER, AND THEN THE CITY OF ZACHARY, WHICH WAS AGAIN, THE ROUGH AREA OF THE CITY OF ZACHARY.

THAT'S ALL WE HAD.

NOW WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DIVIDE IT UP, HOWEVER WE WANT TO INTO AS MANY CHUNKS TO BE ABLE TO POINT THE CALLS TO WHICHEVER PIECE APP THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEING PROPOSED IS A PSAP FOR THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE, WHICH WOULD, IN ESSENCE, A PSA, PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINT IS WHERE 911 CALLS ARE INITIALLY ANSWERED.

CURRENTLY ST. GEORGE DOES RECEIVE 911 CALLS, BUT ONLY CALLS THAT ARE TRANSFERRED TO THEM.

THIS WILL ALLOW THOSE CALLS TO BE INITIALLY ANSWERED AT THAT LOCATION.

>> BAKER AND ZACHARY HAVE THAT CAPABILITY AS WELL?

>> CORRECT.

>> YOU WERE SAYING ROUGH AREAS OF THOSE OR DID I MISUNDERSTAND YOU?

>> AGAIN, WHENEVER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WITHIN 1,000 FEET OR SO AS FAR AS THE ACCURACY IS.

>> GOT YOU.

>> OUR MAP IS VERY TIGHT, BUT IT'S WITHIN 1,000 FEET OR SO.

>> WHAT'S LOCATED AT BONA CARY SHOPPING CENTER?

>> [OVERLAPPING] COUNCILMAN DO YOU WANT EXTRA TIME?

>> PLEASE.

>> THAT'S OUR BACKUP SYSTEM, BACKUP LOCATION AND THE OFFICES OF THE COMMUNICATION DISTRICT.

THAT'S WHERE MY OFFICE IS.

WE CALLED THE BUCC B-U-C-C, THE BACKUP UNIFIED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.

IT'S TO ALLOW FOR A LOCATION IF SUCH A PLACE AS OUR HARDING LOCATION, WHICH HAS 45 INDIVIDUAL SEATS, LOTS OF DIFFERENT AGENCIES, THEY'RE RECEIVING THESE 911 CALLS AND DISPATCHING.

IF THAT BUILDING GOES DARK FOR SOME REASON, ANY REASON, IT ALLOWS FOR A SECONDARY LOCATION FOR ALL THOSE AGENCIES TO BE ABLE TO MOVE TO.

>> THANK YOU, JIM. APPRECIATE IT.

>> SURE.

>> THANKS SO MUCH. I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT I WATCHED THAT 300 FOOT TOWER GO UP ON PRIOR PORT HUDSON AND IT LOOKS GREAT.

I DID HAVE A QUESTION.

IT JUST CAME TO MIND WHILE I WAS WATCHING AND I'M NOT SAYING THIS ONE IS OR ISN'T, BUT IT BEING SO TALL.

WHEN THEY ERECT THOSE, DO THEY LOOK AT STRUCTURES THAT COULD BE IN THE FALL LINE? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT COMES UP ON INSURANCE A LOT AND CAN BE PROBLEMATIC WITH INSURANCE CARRIER SEEMINGLY LOOKING FOR ANY REASON TO NOT COVER SOMEONE.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS SOMETHING.

THERE'S A SUBDIVISION ACROSS THE STREET.

ONE HOUSE IS BUILT NEAR THAT AND THERE'S ANOTHER LOT AVAILABLE AND THEN OF COURSE, THERE'S NEIGHBORS.

I DON'T THINK MR. BOWINSKI IS DOING ANYTHING MORE ON HIS PROPERTY RIGHT NOW, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS A CONSIDERATION IF THAT'S LOOKED AT IF

[02:00:02]

>> AS A DESIGN OF THE TOWER, WHICH I CAN'T SPEAK TO.

I'M NOT AN ARCHITECT, BUT THEY'RE MADE NOT TO FALL OVER.

GENERALLY, THEY'LL CRUMPLE AROUND ALMOST TO CALL LIKE IN A CIRCLE, KEEPING THE FOOTPRINT OF ANY COLLAPSE VERY SMALL.

>> THAT'S ALL. COUNCILMAN DUNN, JR.

>> THANK YOU. YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE NEW LEGISLATION AND THE ADDITION OF THE TWO SEATS TO GIVE ST. GEORGE SOME REPRESENTATION.

CAN YOU BREAK DOWN THE CURRENT MAKEUP OF THE BOARD, WHO THOSE SPECIFIC APPOINTMENTS ARE? FOR YOU MENTIONED TWO SEATS FOR ST. GEORGE, BUT I WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU WERE SAYING WAS THE SEATS ALLOCATED FOR THE OTHER CITIES.

>> CURRENTLY THE BOARD IS SET AT SEVEN WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD BEING SHERIFF SID GAUTREAUX.

THE MAYORS OF BAKER, ZACHARY, AND CENTRAL, ALL HAVE SEATS ON THE BOARD.

THEN ON THE CITY PARISH SIDE, THERE'S THE BATON ROUGE FIRE CHIEF, THERE'S THE EMS DIRECTOR, AND THEN THE BATON ROUGE POLICE CHIEF DOES HAVE A SEAT ON THE BOARD, THOUGH HE HAS A PERSON THAT SITS ON THE BOARD FOR HIM, WHICH IS DEPUTY CHIEF MYRON DAN.

>> LET ME MAKE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING YOU.

THE SEAT THAT THE SHERIFF SITS IN IS AN APPOINTMENT DESIGNEE FOR THE SHERIFF.

>> I CAN'T SAY THAT IT'S APPOINTMENT OF THE SHERIFF.

>> YOU'RE TELLING WHO'S SITTING THERE.

I'M ASKING YOU, WHO ARE THE APPOINTEES, WHO IS THE DESIGNATION FOR? DOES THE LEGISLATION OLD OR CURRENT STATE THAT?

>> THERE IS LEGISLATION THAT NAMES INDIVIDUAL SEATS.

I KNOW THAT OUR LEGAL ADVISOR HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT ANY LEGISLATION THAT NAMES A SPECIFIC ENTITY AND IT'S REALLY NAMING AN INDIVIDUAL PERSON IS ACTUALLY WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT NAMING A SAT TO SAY THAT THE BATON ROUGE CITY POLICE CHIEF HAS A SEAT.

IT SHOULD BE THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS APPOINTED.

>> NONE OF THE SEATS IN THE PREVIOUS OTHER NEW LEGISLATION IS DESIGNATED FOR A CITY POSITION.

IS JUST INDIVIDUAL CERTAIN REPRESENTATION.

>> YES. IT'S INDIVIDUALS THAT REPRESENT THOSE AREAS.

>> SAY AGAIN?

>> IT'S INDIVIDUALS WHO THEN REPRESENT THOSE AREAS.

>> GOT YOU. THAT LEADS TO MY NEXT QUESTION.

YOU AND COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE] WAS TALKING ABOUT THE CHAIR OF YOUR BOARD AND SENDING RECOMMENDATIONS.

IT WOULD BE THE SAME PROCESS, ASHLEY, THAT ANY OTHER APPOINTMENT GOES TO THOSE INTERESTED WOULD SUBMIT THAT TO US.

>> CORRECT. IF I CAN MAYBE SHED A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT, AND I THINK MR. BERN LANDER WAS TRYING TO BE DIPLOMATIC ABOUT IT, BUT WE HAVE OUR STATE STATUTE DOES NOT COINCIDE NEATLY WITH THE CITY-PARISH ORDINANCE ON THIS BOARD.

IT'S BEEN A MATTER THAT PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND I HAVE WORKED ON THROUGH THE YEARS TRYING TO GET THOSE TWO NOT TO CONFLICT WE HAVEN'T HAD MUCH LUCK PUSHING THEM FORWARD.

I THINK NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME FOR US TO ADDRESS THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT THE LOCAL ORDINANCE MATCHES THE STATE LAW.

BUT TO YOUR QUESTION, YES ANY OPEN VACANCY ON A BOARD OR COMMISSION GOES THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND IT'S PURELY METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DETERMINATION OF WHO TO APPOINT TO THOSE SEATS.

>> WELL, THAT REINFORCES MY CONCERN.

THE NEXT ITEM 191, WE SEEKING CLARIFICATION OR ADVICE FROM AG ON THE BRET COMMISSION AND THOSE APPOINTMENTS WITH NEW LEGISLATION.

WE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT BLIGHT LEGISLATION, AND IS IT IN CONFLICT OR CONCERT WITH OUR CHARTER AND DO THE STATE HAVE AUTHORITY TO DICTATE TO US WHAT WE SHOULD DO AS IT RELATES TO BLIGHT OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

WE FEEL AND WAS ADVISED THAT WE ALREADY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO HANDLE BLIGHT IN THE WAY THAT OUR CHARTER SAYS I'M JUST MAKING AN OVERALL POINT, IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES, WHETHER IT'S COMMISSIONS OR LEGISLATION COMING DOWN THE PIKE FROM THE PREVIOUS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THAT'S NOT IN CONCERT WITH EITHER ORDINANCE OR OUR CITY CHARTER? I JUST WANT TO OFFER UP.

I'D LIKE FOR US TO GET SOME CLARITY ON THIS AND MAKE DECISIONS ON

[02:05:01]

ON THIS ITEM, 191, THE BLIGHT ITEM, IT JUST SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF CONFUSION.

>> COUNCILMAN MOAK.

>> THE TWO SPOTS THAT ARE BEING ADDED, JUST ONE OF THEM IS FOR CITY OF ST. GEORGE, CORRECT? SPECIFICALLY TO THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE.

>> THE BOARD HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE REPRESENTED ON THE BOARD.

NOW AS FAR AS WHO GETS WHAT SEATS?

>> YOU'RE ADDING TWO SEATS.

ONE, YOU WANT A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE, WHETHER IT BE THE MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

>> THE OTHER ONE IS JUST OFF BALANCE INSTEAD OF HAVING AN EQUAL NUMBER ON THE BOARD.

IT COULD BE ANYBODY FROM THE PARISH.

>> YOU ALL CAN APPOINT ANYBODY THAT YOU'LL WISH.

>> BOTH OF THEM COULD BE ANYBODY FROM THE PARISH, BUT WE WANT TO BALANCE IT OUT LIKE BAKER, CENTRAL ZACHARY, THEIR MAYORS OR DESIGNATE.

WE WANT TO DO THAT FOR ST. GEORGE.

THAT'S MOST LIKELY PROBABLY COULD BE ONE SPOT.

THE OTHER ONE IS JUST FOR THE OFFSET THE AMOUNT OF VOTES THAT WOULD HAPPEN ON A BOARD.

>> IT CAN BE SEEN THAT WAY, YES.

>> THANK YOU. I JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE NOT DESIGNATING BOTH OF THESE FOR ST. GEORGE.

>> I GUESS, IT IS NOT MY DECISION.

>> COUNCILMAN HARRIS.

>> HE HE BEAT ME TO THE POINT.

I THOUGHT CLEVE WAS GOING TO ASK YOU.

THAT'S WHY I TOOK MY NAME OFF.

HE DID AND AARON DID WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ONE I DO, ABSOLUTELY.

BECAUSE MY CONCERN WAS THAT IF EVERY OTHER MUNICIPALITY HAS ONE BASED ON WHAT YOU JUST SAID, OTHER THAN THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT WHO CAN HAVE DUAL ROLES, OBVIOUSLY, PARISH PRESIDENT AND THEN THE MAYOR BATON ROUGE.

>> WHICH HAS THREE.

>> THAT'S FINE, ABSOLUTELY.

REALLY HAS THREE, BUT WE'VE APPOINTED PEOPLE AT REQUEST.

BUT WHY WOULD ST. GEORGE BE CONSIDERED BECAUSE THAT CAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH FOR TWO SEATS? THAT'S WHAT HE SAID. I PROMISE YOU, YOU SAID IT.

>> APPARENTLY MISCOMMUNICATION.

>> THAT'S WHY I WAS LIKE, WHY WAS ST. GEORGE HAVE TWO AND EVERY OTHER CITY HAVE ONE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THAT? ALL RIGHT GOOD DEAL. THAT'S ALL I WANT TO KNOW.

>> COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

>> MR. VERLANDER, MY APPRECIATION IS THAT NONE OF THE SEATS ON THIS BOARD ARE DESIGNATED TO ANYONE IN PARTICULAR.

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS HOW IT'S WORKED OUT SO FAR.

>> CORRECT.

>> IN YOUR DISCUSSION WITH THE BOARD ON ADDING THE TWO ADDITIONAL SEATS SO THAT I DON'T ASK THIS QUESTION IN ANY LEADING WAY.

WHAT WAS THEIR REASONING FOR ADDING TWO ADDITIONAL SEATS?

>> THE REASON WAS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ST. GEORGE A SEAT ON THE BOARD.

THERE WAS DISCUSSION INITIALLY OF WHETHER OR NOT THAT WOULD BE HAVING SOMEBODY WHO'S ON THE BOARD STEP DOWN TO ALLOW THE PERSON FROM ST. GEORGE TO STEP IN, WHICH, AS THE DISCUSSIONS WENT, THE DISCUSSION WAS, THE CITY-PARISH DOES HAVE THREE, EACH ONE OF THE MAYORS HAVE ONE THERE WAS THE DISCUSSION OF WOULD CITY-PARISH BE WILLING TO GIVE UP ONE OF THEIR SEATS TO ALLOW THAT SEAT FOR THE MAYOR? THAT WAS APPARENTLY NOT VERY WELL RECEIVED IT WAS THOUGHT THAT, OKAY, WELL, IF THAT'S NOT THE DIRECTION, THEN THE ONLY OTHER OPTION IS TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF SEATS TO GO 7-9 THAT WAY, IT'S AN ODD NUMBER.

>> I THINK THAT'S A KEY.

>> YES AND AT LEAST ONE OF THE SEATS BE FOR ST. GEORGE REPRESENTATIVE.

THERE HAS BEEN COMMUNICATION WITH SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE BOTH SEATS GO TO ST. GEORGE THEN THERE'S THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ONE OF THE SEATS GO FOR ST. GEORGE AND ANOTHER SEAT GO FOR THEY ANOTHER CITY-PARISH REPRESENTATIVE.

>> THE COMMUNICATION THAT HAS HAPPENED AROUND TWO SEATS FOR ST. GEORGE, IT'S MY APPRECIATION THAT THE REASONING FOR THAT IS BASED OFF OF POPULATION YOU'VE GOT THREE SEATS FOR BATON ROUGE WHICH HAS 250 SOMETHING THOUSAND POPULATION,

[02:10:05]

>> YES.

>> I'M NOT MAKING ARGUMENTS EITHER ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THIS, BUT I JUST WANT TO GET ALL THE REASONINGS OUT THERE FOR HOW WE WOULD DO IT ULTIMATELY, THE DISCUSSION IS OUT THERE THAT IT'S OPEN AND WE CAN APPOINT WHOEVER WE WANT TO TO ANY OF THESE SEATS.

>> YES.

>> I'M SORRY, JUST A CLARIFICATION.

BECAUSE I THINK YOUR STATEMENT WAS INACCURATE.

THERE WERE THREE CITY OF BATON ROUGE REPRESENTATIVES, BUT EMS IS PARISH WIDE.

>> YES.

>> PARISH WIDE.

>> CITY-PARISH APPOINTMENTS.

>> THEY'RE ALL CITY OF PARISH.

WE MAKE ALL THE APPOINTMENTS.

AGAIN, I'LL MAKE MY ENDORSEMENT AS ANOTHER PARISH WIDE OFFICIAL INVOLVED IN COMMUNICATIONS, WHICH IS [INAUDIBLE].

>> COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

>> I'VE ALWAYS GIVEN HIM MY TIME.

>> THAT'S FINE. COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.

>> CAN YOU GO OVER AGAIN WHO CURRENTLY SITS ON THE BOARD FOR ME, PLEASE, SIR?

>> YES.

>> CAN YOU GIVE ME NAMES OF WHO'S CURRENTLY SITTING ON THE BOARD?

>> YES. SHERIFF SID GAUTREAUX.

MAYOR DARNELL WAITE.

MAYOR DAVID MCDAVID.

MAYOR WADE EVANS.

CHIEF MICHAEL KIMBLE.

INTERIM CHIEF CHRIS LANDRY.

>> HE'S WITH?

>> EMS.

>> AND DEPUTY CHIEF MYRON DANIELS WITH BATON ROUGE POLICE.

>> YOU'RE ADDING AN ADDITIONAL TWO SEATS, CORRECT? THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING TO DO? NOT AT THIS MOMENT, BUT

>> THAT'S WHAT STATE LAW HAS BEEN AMENDED TO.

>> RIGHT NOW, ACCORDING TO WHAT YOU JUST GAVE, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH HAS MORE PERSONS SITTING ON THE COMMISSION.

YOU SAID YOU STATED THAT? I WANT TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE.

>> THEY HAVE YOU UP HERE IN THIS, YOU'RE TRYING YOUR BEST TO GIVE US CORRECT INFORMATION AND YOU'RE STRUGGLING.

DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO HELP YOU? CHIEF KIMBALL, CAN YOU COME UP FOR A SECOND, PLEASE? YOU AND I HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS AND THIS MATTER HERE.

CAN YOU LAY OUT FOR ME THE CONVERSATION YOU AND I HAVE?

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> THE METRO COUNCIL AS WE KNOW, IS RESPONSIBLE TO APPOINT INDIVIDUALS TO THE 911 COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT.

IT DOES NOT STATE THE MAYORS OF THE CITIES, THE FIRE CHIEF, THE POLICE CHIEF, THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT'S APPOINTED BY YOU GUYS.

AS THE BOARD SAT, IT COME WHEN THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE BECOME AN INCORPORATED AREA, IT WAS REQUESTED BY THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE A SEAT ON THE BOARD.

THE BOARD HAD A DISCUSSION AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO YOU GUYS TO BRING IN FRONT OF LEGISLATION TO CHANGE THE STATE STATUTE, WHICH SAYS SEVEN MEMBERS CURRENTLY AND CHANGE IT TO NINE.

THEN AT THIS POINT IN AUGUST, IT'S COMING BACK TO YOU TO APPOINT TWO NEW PEOPLE TO ASSIST IN THE BOARD.

BUT DOES NOT STATE THAT IT'S THE ZACHARY MAYOR, THE BAKER MAYOR, THE BATON ROUGE FIRE CHIEF, IT'S THE APPOINTMENT OF YOU GUYS. IT COULD BE ANYBODY.

>> IT COULD BE ANYBODY.

>> THAT'S MY INTERPRETATION OF IT. YES, MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU FOR CLEARING THAT UP. THANK YOU, SIR.

>> IF THERE'S NOBODY ELSE, WE'LL GO ON TO ITEM 190. THANK YOU, MR. FAY LANDER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ITEM 190, RECEIVING A REPORT FROM

[190. 25-00718]

>> WE'LL RECEIVE THE REPORT AND THEN HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. AGAIN, MY NAME IS KEVIN GARDNER.

[02:15:02]

WE'RE BOTH WITH HUBBARD INTERNATIONAL.

WE WERE HIRED BY YOU IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR TO BE YOUR INSURANCE CONSULTANT.

WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE UNION OF WHERE THINGS STAND FINANCIALLY.

LIKE IN ANY BUSINESS OR MUNICIPALITY, OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU HAVE TO TRY TO CREATE EFFICIENCIES.

I THINK TO START OUT BY SAYING, ANYTIME YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF YOUR LARGEST BUDGET ITEMS, BUT IT'S ALSO ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS TO YOUR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, CERTAINLY WE KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE QUESTIONS.

IF YOU'D LIKE, WE CAN GO THROUGH THE FULL PRESENTATION AND THEN HAVE YOU COME BACK AND ANSWER QUESTIONS AS WE GO THROUGH IT.

THE FIRST SLIDE, IF WE CAN GO TO THIS, IS GOING TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE STATE OF THE UNION OF THE BUDGET.

WE HAVE ACTUAL CLAIMS THROUGH JUNE 30 OF 38,279,000.

WE THEN ACTUARIALLY LOOK BACK HISTORICALLY TO SEE, DO WE HAVE HIGHER CLAIMS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR OR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.

HISTORICALLY, YOUR CLAIMS HAVE TRENDED HIGHER IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR WE TAKE THAT ASSUMPTION ALONG WITH TREND TO GIVE YOU AN ESTIMATE OF WHERE WE THINK YOU'RE GOING TO END UP.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE ONE THING IS CLEAR TO ALL OF YOU ALL.

YOU ALL, THE CITY, IS ON A PARTIALLY SELF FUNDED PLAN.

YOU'RE NOT ON A FULLY INSURED PLAN THAT THE PREMIUMS ARE PREDICTABLE, YOUR COST OF YOUR PLAN IS DEPENDENT UPON THE UTILIZATION OF THE EMPLOYEE AND RETIREE POPULATION.

IT'S AN ESTIMATE BASED ON THOSE FACTS OF WHERE WE BELIEVE YOU'RE GOING TO END UP.

ONE THING WE KNOW FOR SURE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO END UP AT 79 MILLION.

YOU'RE EITHER GOING TO BE A LITTLE HIGHER OR A LITTLE LOWER, BUT THIS IS THE BEST ESTIMATE OF WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE.

IF WE LOOK AT WHAT WE BUDGETED, FOR THE 2025 YEAR, YOU WERE BUDGETED TO BE AT 78,657,000 YOU'RE RUNNING CLOSE TO BUDGET.

IF WE'RE ESTIMATING RIGHT NOW AND TAKING A GUESTIMATE, BASED ON ALL THOSE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT, YOU'LL BE SLIGHTLY ABOVE BUDGET IF THINGS CONTINUE AS THEY'RE GOING TODAY.

REMEMBER, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK AND TALK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT IN FUTURE MEETINGS IS WE'RE GOING TO ESTIMATE A BUDGET FOR WHAT 2026 LOOKS LIKE.

2026 IS GOING TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT IF WE LOOKED AT IT TODAY, THE BENEFITS AS YOU HAVE TODAY, UTILIZATION TODAY, AND WE'RE GOING TO ADD TREND INTO THAT.

TREND IS INFLATIONARY COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AND ALL THE COST OF THE MEDICAL PLAN, WHETHER IT'S HOSPITAL COST AND PHYSICIAN COST.

ONE THING WE ALL KNOW AS CONSUMERS, NONE OF THAT GOES DOWN ON A REGULAR BASIS.

IT'S ALWAYS INFLATIONARY ON WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE ESTIMATING THOSE.

WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH, AND ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WAS IMPORTANT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT, THE FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT, AND YOU, IS, DO WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE PLAN MORE EFFICIENT? ONE THING THAT I THINK IS BEING GOOD STEWARDS, ALL OF YOU, AND CERTAINLY US.

THE LAST THING WE'LL EVER LOOK FOR IN SAVINGS ON A PLAN IS REDUCING BENEFITS OR INCREASING PREMIUMS. THAT'S EASY.

WE CAN MAKE THOSE DECISIONS IF WE'RE IN A BUDGET SITUATION.

THE QUESTION IS GOING TO BE, CAN WE FIND EFFICIENCIES IN THE PLAN? IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS, SOME LOW HANGING FRUIT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO MAXIMIZE THE PROGRAM.

>> ALL OF US WHO HAVE HAD PARENTS WHO HAVE RETIRED, AND WE KNOW WHEN THEY RETIRE, THEY HAVE A COUPLE OF DECISIONS TO MAKE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE ON MEDICARE, AND THEY CAN PURCHASE A SUPPLEMENT PLAN, OR THEY CAN PURCHASE A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN.

THAT'S WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION HAS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE RETIREE COVERAGE.

THE CITY IS BLESSED WITH HAVING RETIREE COVERAGE.

WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE OVER THE LAST DECADE OR SO IS YOUR EMPLOYEES HAVE TWO OPTIONS.

THEY HAVE AN OPTION TO PARTICIPATE IN A MEDICARE GROUP PROGRAM, A GROUP MEDICARE PLAN, WHICH IS REALLY TAILORED TO YOUR CURRENT PLAN, OR THEY CAN STAY ON THE CURRENT MEDICAL PLAN THAT IS OFFERED TO THE ACTIVE EMPLOYEES.

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THAT PROGRAM, WHAT IS THAT BLUE CROSS BLUE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM? AGAIN, THAT'S THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THOSE EMPLOYEES.

[02:20:03]

YOU HAVE ABOUT 2,800 TOTAL RETIREE PARTICIPANTS THAT COULD BE ON YOUR PLAN, 01,000 TODAY ARE ON THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, 01,800 ARE ON YOUR ACTIVE PROGRAM, SO WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? FROM A GOOD STEWARDSHIP STANDPOINT, AND WHAT IS MOST FINANCIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS TO BOTH THE EMPLOYEE RETIREE AND THE CITY IS FOR THOSE MEMBERS TO BE ON A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM.

WHY IS THAT? A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM IS SUBSIDIZED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

YOUR PROGRAM THAT YOU HAVE WHEN THEY'RE ON AS A RETIREE THAT'S NOT ON THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, YOU'RE FUNDING THAT.

IT'S WHETHER WE'RE USING GOVERNMENT DOLLARS TO HELP OFFSET AND FUND OUR RETIREE POPULATION OR WE'RE USING OUR OWN DOLLARS.

NONE OF THIS IS ABOUT TAKING THINGS AWAY FROM THE EMPLOYEE, BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED MANY YEARS AGO PRIOR TO 2013 THAT THE CITY WAS FACED WITH A DECISION WITH BLUE CROSS.

WHEN YOU GAVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM, THERE WAS A TECHNOLOGY ISSUE WITH BLUE CROSS THAT REQUIRED THE CITY TO PUT IN A COORDINATION OF BENEFITS OR A LACK OF, WHICH GAVE THOSE RETIREES WHO ARE NOT ACTIVE, THE RETIREES ON A PLAN, A BETTER BENEFIT THAN THE ACTIVE EMPLOYEES.

TODAY, YOUR RETIREES WHO ELECT TO STAY ON THE CITY'S PLAN HAVE A PROGRAM THAT COVERS THEIR DEDUCTIBLE AND COINSURANCE, ESSENTIALLY GIVING THEM 100% COVERAGE.

IF YOU GO TO OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, AND WE WROTE DOWN JUST A FEW, WHETHER IT'S CITY OF SHREVEPORT, CITY OF SLIDELL, ASCENSION PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, VERMILION PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, ACADIANA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, TERREBONNE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, CITY OF ZACHARY, CITY OF PINEVILLE, CITY OF OPELOUSAS, ALL OF THESE AND IN MANY MORE HAVE ALL GIVEN THE OPTION TO THEIR EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE IN A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM, AND OVER TIME, OVER 90% HAVE MOVED TO THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM.

WHY? IT WAS A BETTER DEAL FOR THE EMPLOYEES.

IT WAS A BETTER BENEFIT.

IT'S LESS COST, MATTER OF FACT, NO COST, AND THE BENEFITS ARE BETTER, BUT WHAT WE DID AS A CITY MANY YEARS AGO, IS WE TOOK AWAY THAT ADVANTAGE BY PAYING THE EMPLOYEES DEDUCTIBLE AND COINSURANCE AND INCENTING THEM TO BE ON YOUR PLAN.

WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO FIND DOLLARS TO MAKE YOUR PROGRAM MORE EFFICIENT, AND WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GET IN THE POCKET OF YOUR RETIREES, BECAUSE ONE THING THAT I THINK ALL OF US REALIZE, EVERY SINGLE PERSON'S PHONE WILL RING IF YOU'RE TAKING AWAY BENEFITS FROM YOUR RETIREES, BUT YOU HAVE CREATED AN INEFFICIENT PLAN THE WAY IT'S SET UP TODAY.

IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT PAGE, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF EXAMPLES ON THAT.

OPTION 1 THAT YOU SEE ON YOUR PAGE GOES OVER THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM, WHERE TODAY WE HAVE 1,000 MEMBERS ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM.

OPTION 2 IS THE BLUE CROSS GROUP PLAN THAT EVERYONE WHO IS UNDER 65 IS ENROLLED ON.

THEY HAVE THREE OPTIONS FOR THAT PROGRAM, AND 1,800 PEOPLE ARE ENROLLED IN THAT PROGRAM.

IF YOU LOOKED AT IT ON THE SURFACE, TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, THE PREMIUM FOR THOSE RETIREES IS ZERO.

THERE'S A PREMIUM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CURRENT PROGRAM FOR THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD PROGRAM.

THE QUESTION AGAIN MAY BE, WHY WOULD SOMEONE MAKE THAT DECISION UNLESS THEY FELT THE COVERAGE WAS WORSE TO BE ON THE BLUE ADVANTAGE PLAN VERSUS THE CURRENT PROGRAM.

IF YOU TURN TO THE NEXT PAGE, JUST TO SOLIDIFY THINGS A LITTLE BIT MORE AND HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL IMPACT, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT TO THE RETIREE.

THE BLUE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM IS NOT FREE TO THE CITY.

THE CITY IN 2025 HAS TO PAY $310 PER MEMBER WHO'S PARTICIPATING, BUT UNDERSTAND THIS, THE COST, THAT $310 IS SET IN STONE.

THAT'S WHAT YOU WILL PAY IN 2025 FOR THIS YEAR, NO MATTER THE HEALTH OF THAT INDIVIDUAL.

THERE IS NO OUTLIER.

IT'S A PREDICTED COST.

[02:25:01]

IF WE ARE ABLE TO CONVERT, AND YOU'VE GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF AN IDEA OF THE PREMIUMS, I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU IN A SECOND, THE CLAIMS ON OUR POPULATION OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE IN THE CURRENT PROGRAM, NOT THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, BUT IN THE MEDICAL PROGRAM TODAY THAT ARE RETIREES, THOSE 1,800 PEOPLE, IN 2024, THAT SPEND WAS 14,119,000.

TRENDED FOR 2026 IS 16,638,000.

IF YOU AVERAGE THAT PER MEMBER, THE COST TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROGRAM IS $703 PER MEMBER.

THAT NUMBER FLUCTUATES ALMOST ALWAYS ONLY UP.

THE COST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IN 2026 IS 325.

REMEMBER, THE PREMIUM IS ZERO, AND THE BENEFITS WILL SHOW YOU ARE EQUAL TO OR BETTER THAN.

IF WE GO TO THE NEXT PAGE, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THE CITY, AND THEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING THE RETIREES, WHICH IS CRITICAL FOR THEIR BENEFIT.

WE CAN REALLY START ON THE RIGHT.

AGAIN, I KNOW THIS IS A LOT OF INFORMATION, AND IT'S INFORMATION OVERLOAD, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL UNDERSTAND IT, AND YOU TAKE NOTES AND ASK ME THESE QUESTIONS AND MICHAEL.

IF YOU REMEMBER, THERE WAS A GLITCH WE TALKED ABOUT IN 2013.

TO FIX THAT, YOU DECIDED TO PAY 100% COVERAGE TO DEDUCTIBLE AND COINSURANCE FOR YOUR RETIREES, MAKING THEIR BENEFIT BETTER.

IF YOU JUST MAKE THEIR BENEFIT EQUAL, THE SAVINGS IS 1.1 MILLION TO JUST MAKE EVERYONE ELIGIBLE FOR DEDUCTIBLE AND COINSURANCE, JUST LIKE AN ACTIVE EMPLOYEE.

WE'RE NOT MAKING A RETIREE HAVE WORSE THAN AN ACTIVE, SAME AS AN ACTIVE.

THE BENEFITS TO MAKE THEM SAME AS AN ACTIVE EMPLOYEE WOULD SAVE THE CITY 1.1 MILLION, BUT THE BIGGER THING IS, NOW YOU'RE CREATING AN ECONOMIC REASON FOR A RETIREE TO LISTEN TO WHY THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM IS BETTER.

TODAY, YOU'VE TAKEN AWAY THAT OPPORTUNITY TO EVEN LOOK AT IT BECAUSE YOU GAVE THEM EVERYTHING FREE, AND SO IF WE GO TO THE LEFT AND SAY, WE OFFER THIS TO THE EMPLOYEES, AND WE PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION, AND I WILL TELL YOU THIS, I KNOW MANY OF THE FOLKS IN HR AND ADMINISTRATION ARE WORRIED ABOUT REACTION IN EDUCATION AND THE NEED TO PROVE TO THE RETIREES WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT IS CORRECT, BUT IF YOU PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE EDUCATION, AND YOU FOLLOW THE PATHWAY OF ALL THESE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES AND WHAT THEY'VE DONE, THIS IS NOT A FIRST TIME TRY, THEY ALL END UP IN THE 90 PLUS PERCENT PARTICIPATION.

IF WE GOT 90% PARTICIPATION, THE CITY WOULD SAVE 8.3 MILLION TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.

IF WE LOOK AT THE NEXT PAGE, AND I'M NOT GOING TO SPEND A TON OF TIME ON THIS NEXT PAGE, BUT IT'S TRYING TO GIVE YOU THE MATH.

IT JUST GOES THROUGH THE '24 SPEND, WHICH IS THE AMOUNT THAT WE'RE SPENDING IN CLAIMS, VERSE, REMEMBER, THE CITY IS STILL GOING TO HAVE TO PAY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT TO THE RETIREES.

THAT AMOUNT IS A SET NUMBER.

BASED ON 2025, 7.2 MILLION, THE DELTA, IF WE HAD EVERYONE PARTICIPATE, 9.2 MILLION.

I WOULD NOT BUDGET BASED ON 100%.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE THE EMPLOYEES THE OPTION TO BE ABLE TO SAY, I DON'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE, AND I WANT TO STILL STAY IN A CITY'S PLAN.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO FORCE YOUR RETIREES ONTO THIS.

OTHER MUNICIPALITIES HAVE DONE IT.

THERE'S LEGISLATION, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S EVEN GRAY THAT SAYS, YOU REALLY CAN'T FORCE THAT RETIREE INTO THIS DECISION.

WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM THE OPTION, BUT THE DECISION WILL BE EASY WHEN THEY HAVE NO PREMIUM, AND NOW THEY'RE COMPARING IT TO A PLAN THAT'S NOT 100%.

IN TODAY'S TIMES, I WILL TELL YOU, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE 100% COVERAGE.

ALL THIS STUFF IS UNAFFORDABLE.

EVERYTHING ON HEALTH CARE IS UNAFFORDABLE FROM THE PRICE STANDPOINT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT MAKES THE PLAYING FIELD LEVEL.

[02:30:03]

IT JUST TALKS ABOUT WHERE ARE WE IN THE PROCESS TODAY.

WE'RE EVALUATING THIS PART OF THE PROGRAM, WHICH IS CRITICAL.

WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AND TRYING TO RENEGOTIATE, AND WE'LL BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THIS, BUT RENEGOTIATING THE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH BLUE CROSS.

NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO REQUEST AND ASK YOU ALL FOR PERMISSION TO DO A FULL RFP OF THE PBM.

THE PBM IS A PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES HIRE TO MANAGE YOUR PHARMACY PROGRAM.

THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BLUE CROSS AND ASKING FOR A RENEGOTIATION OF THE CONTRACT DUE TO A MARKET CHECK.

A MARKET CHECK IS, WE DO AN INFORMAL RFP OF A CARRIER AND DETERMINE HOW FAR OFF ARE THEY ON THE CONTRACT, AND WE'LL NEGOTIATE WITH THAT.

THAT SHOULD RESULT IN A DECENT SAVINGS. WHAT IS THAT NUMBER? IT COULD BE ANYWHERE BETWEEN $2-3 MILLION ON THAT SAVINGS TO DO THAT.

NEXT YEAR'S RFP WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY BETTER.

ALSO, LOOKING AT DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU CAN PUT IN PLACE THAT CAN TRY TO GIVE DEPENDENTS, PARTICULARLY SPOUSES, THIS WOULD BE FOR NEXT YEAR, THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INCENTED TO GET COVERAGE ELSEWHERE, SO IF A PERSON HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE COVERED UNDER THEIR EMPLOYER'S PLAN, IT GIVES THEM THE INCENTIVE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN COMING MEETINGS.

THAT WAS A LOT. I WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER MICHAEL AND ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FIRST, AND THEN WE'LL GO TO THE COUNSEL TO ASK QUESTIONS.

THAT'S GREAT. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REPORT.

ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT? I SAY NOW WE WILL GO TO COUNSEL. COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN, SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

I'M GOING TO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU GUYS, BUT I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH A LITTLE HISTORY OF JEN RACCA AND INSURANCE WITH THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE THAT I THINK YOU MIGHT FIND VERY INTERESTING.

I HOPE YOU DO. ABOUT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO, I WAS JUST A PRIVATE CITIZEN THAT WORKED FOR A GLOBAL INSURANCE COMPANY THAT ANSWERED AN RFP FOR THE INSURANCE BENEFITS OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.

WHEN I DID THAT, I COULD NOT GET THE ADMINISTRATION TO LISTEN TO ME OR HEAR ME OUT WHENEVER I TALKED ABOUT ADVANTAGE PLANS OR PHARMACY CARVE OUTS OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS.

I TALKED TO SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS.

SOME WERE VERY RECEPTIVE, OUR RFP WENT OUT, THE COMPANY THAT I WORKED WITH DID NOT RECEIVE THE BENEFITS, IT WENT TO ANOTHER COMPANY.

HITTING ALL THE CLOSED DOORS, I DECIDED THAT, YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M GOING TO GIVE THIS COUNCIL THING A TRY, SO IT MOTIVATED ME TO TAKE BARBARA FREIBERG'S OPEN SEAT, AND THAT'S BASICALLY HOW I GOT HERE, GUYS.

IT ALL STEMMED FROM INSURANCE.

NOW, OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL YEARS OF BEING ON THE COUNCIL EVERY SINGLE YEAR, I HAVE HAD THIS SIMILAR ASK.

WE HAD PREVIOUS CONSULTANTS THAT WOULD TALK ABOUT IT, BUT WE'D NEVER HAVE A PLAN THAT GOT US THERE.

I MUST SAY WE'VE NEVER HAD SOMEONE BREAK IT DOWN AS ELOQUENTLY AS YOU GUYS DID SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.

WHAT PAINS ME TONIGHT IS TO KNOW THAT AT A MINIMUM, YOU SAID, WE HAD AN $8.3 MILLION WORTH OF SAVINGS.

COULD YOU TELL ME AT A MAXIMUM? IF WE IMPLEMENTED EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAD, WE TALK ABOUT PBMS, TELL ME WHAT THAT RANGE COULD POTENTIALLY BE FOR THE CITY.

>> PBM, GENERALLY, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A POTENTIAL OF A 20% SAVINGS.

I KNOW THAT SOUNDS A LOT, BUT MOST OF THAT IS IN REBATES.

REBATES ARE DOLLARS THAT THE PBM PUTS IN PLACE TO INCENT TO BE ON THEIR FORMULARY.

YOU ALL WHO ALL HAVE A CARD AND YOU SHOW UP AT WALGREENS OR CVS, OR INDEPENDENT DRUGSTORE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE DIFFERENT TIERS OF BENEFITS.

THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES ARE PAYING THESE PBMS TO BE ABLE TO BE ON THEIR FORMULARY.

THOSE DOLLARS COME BACK TO YOU AS THE CITY, THOSE REBATES.

YOUR REBATES, I THINK LAST YEAR, MICHAEL, WAS AROUND NINE MILLION.

YOUR SPEND ON PHARMACY ALONE WAS 34 MILLION.

THERE IS NO PART OF YOUR HEALTH PLAN THAT IS GOING TO BE MORE VOLATILE OVER THE NEXT 3-4 YEARS THAN THAT.

[02:35:01]

>> YOUR NEGOTIATION IS TO TYPICALLY IMPROVE THE REBATES THAT ARE BEING PAID BECAUSE THE PBM IS KEEPING A PORTION OF THAT.

THERE'S NO GUARANTEE IN THAT, BUT GENERALLY WHEN YOU DO AN RFP, AND IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE YOU'VE DONE IT, 20% WOULD BE A FAIR NUMBER TO STATE, SO THAT CLOSE TO $7 BILLION ON THAT PIECE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

THE OTHER IS DECIDING IN TO GET INTO ELIGIBILITY MANAGEMENT.

PART OF ANY CITY, SCHOOL BOARDS, ALL OF THIS IS THE SAME.

YOUR GENEROSITY LEADS TO NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED, MEANING YOU'RE PROVIDING GREAT BENEFITS AT A LOW COST, AND YOU ATTRACT A LOT OF DEPENDENCE ON THE PROGRAM.

THAT IS A REASON WHY PEOPLE ARE RECRUITED AND COME INTO YOUR CITY TO WORK.

I DON'T WANT TO SIT HERE AND TELL YOU, YOU SHOULD CHANGE PHILOSOPHIES AROUND HOW YOU PAY FOR YOUR BENEFITS AND WHAT YOU PAY FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHY THEY WORK HERE.

YOU CAN'T JUST BLANKETLY CUT THINGS LIKE THAT.

I KNOW YOU'RE NOT EVEN INTENDED TO DO THAT.

BUT BECAUSE OF THAT GENEROSITY, A LOT OF SPOUSES COME ON THE PLANS THAT COULD BE AND SHOULD BE COVERED THROUGH THEIR WORK, SO YOU'RE SUBSIDIZING OTHER EMPLOYERS.

THE ONLY QUESTION IS, IS THERE ALTERNATIVES OTHER THAN PENALIZING THEM, THAT COULD GIVE THEM AN INCENTIVE TO TAKE THE COVERAGE THROUGH THEIR WORK? A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF YOUR HIGHER UTILIZERS ON YOUR PLAN ARE SPOUSES.

IS IT SOMETHING FINANCIALLY TO LOOK AT? YOU SHOULD.

DOES IT TAKE TIME TO EDUCATE THAT AND DO THAT? IT DOES.

COUNCILWOMAN RACCA, I THINK YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY ON THAT TO CERTAINLY PICK UP 5-6 MILLION MORE IN DOING THAT, BUT THAT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE A SUGGESTION, MORE LEAD TIME THAN YOU HAVE TODAY, UNLESS THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO PUSH SUPER HARD.

>> SORRY TO INTERRUPT. SOMEWHERE YOU'RE SAYING ACTIONABLE ITEMS POTENTIALLY TODAY COULD LEAD TO $15 MILLION ROUNDABOUT, AND THEN ANOTHER ADDITIONAL $5 MILLION.

WHERE I WAS GOING WITH THAT IS, WE WORKED ON IT TOWARDS THE END OF THE LAST ADMINISTRATION, SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS AND I, COUNCILMAN DUNN.

WE WERE WORKING ON LOOKING AT SOME OF THESE THINGS AND REVAMPING THESE THINGS IN THE EVENT THAT WE HAD SOME EXPENDITURES COMING FORTH FOR THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE.

NOW WE KNOW THE THRIVE PLAN THAT WE HAVE MOVING FORWARD.

WE WERE LOOKING AT THOSE THINGS AND I THINK WE EVEN TOUCHED BASE WITH YOU GUYS AS SOON AS WE KNEW THAT YOU WERE HIRED TO LOOK THROUGH THOSE THINGS.

WE ENDED UP TALKING TO SOME FOLKS WITHIN THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION AND WE GOT TOLD WHAT A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OR BLUE ADVANTAGE DOES AND DOESN'T COVER, WHICH WASN'T ACTUALLY ACCURATE.

THEN WE ALSO GOT TOLD THAT SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES WOULD NOT LIKE THIS.

BUT THEN I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I TALKED TO YOU.

WE HAD OUR MEETING, AND I CALLED MAYOR EDWARDS, AND HE WAS IN DC AT THE TIME AND HE WAS AT DINNER, AND MASON BATTS ACTUALLY FACILITATED THAT CALL.

NOT ONLY DID THEY TAKE MY CALL WHILE THEY WERE IN DC AT DINNER, BUT HE LISTENED AND HE SAID, THANK YOU, AND HE SAID, LET'S MOVE FORWARD AND TELL ME MORE, FIGURE THIS OUT. THIS IS GREAT NEWS.

THIS IS INCREDIBLE. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING AT THIS.

THEY DIDN'T ASK ME MY BACKGROUND.

THEY DIDN'T ASK ME WHETHER OR NOT I KNEW INSURANCE.

THEY DIDN'T TELL ME WHAT INSURANCE COULD OR COULDN'T DO, HAVING NO BACKGROUND IN INSURANCE.

I WAS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL AFTER OVER SIX YEARS OF TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT INSURANCE THAT WE FINALLY MADE THIS LEEWAY.

MOVING FORWARD, ONE THING THAT I'D LIKE TO TELL MY COLLEAGUES, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SOMEONE BEING ON AN ADVANTAGE PLAN AND YOU WANT TO KNOW, YOU WANT TO HEAR, YOU WANT TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT, GO TO DISTRICT 12, USUALLY IN ANY OF THE COFFEE SHOPS, YOU CAN FIND A RETIREE FROM LSU.

THEY ARE ON THAT PLAN, AND YOU GO TALK TO THEM JUST LIKE I DID AND SEE HOW WELL RECEIVED IT IS AND HOW MUCH THEY LOVE IT, AND HOW MUCH MONEY THEY'VE SAVED.

I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO AND TRY TO DO THAT.

THE NEXT PIECE THAT I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN IS, WHAT IS THE TIMELINE? WHAT IS THE TIMEFRAME? THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

[02:40:01]

I'M SURE THAT YOU'RE AWARE.

WE'RE TRYING TO BRIDGE A GAP IN A HOLE THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE, AND WE HAVE THIS WONDERFUL THING CALLED THRIVE THAT WE ARE LEANING VERY HARD ON OUR VOTERS TO GO OUT AND VOTE AND BE AT THE POLLS AND MOVE THIS PIECE FORWARD.

THRIVE BRINGS US, I THINK APPROXIMATELY $23 MILLION OF REOCCURRING REVENUE, BUT YOU GUYS ARE STANDING HERE IN FRONT OF US SAYING, "HEY, JENN, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH A MINIMUM OF 8.3 OR $15 MILLION OF REOCCURRING REVENUE, AND POSSIBLY 20 MILLION.

EVERYBODY SHOULD BE KISSING YOU, CHEERING FOR YOU GUYS, APPLAUDING FOR YOU GUYS.

[LAUGHTER] MY POINT IS, WITH ALL THESE GOOD TIDINGS AND THESE GOOD NEWS THAT YOU'RE TELLING ME, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A PROCESS, AND WE HAVE 4,000 PLUS EMPLOYEES, 2,000 RETIREES.

HOW DOES THAT LOOK? CAN YOUR TEAM DO IT? CAN YOU GUYS DO IT? I DON'T THINK YOU'D STAND HERE IF YOU COULDN'T DO IT.

>> I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING TO THINK ABOUT IS DECISIONS YOU HAVE TO MAKE.

IF YOU ALL CAN LOOK AT PAGE 7, THE FIRST DECISION THAT YOU HAVE TO MAKE BECAUSE THERE'S A TIMING FROM BLUE CROSS ON THIS, IS THAT THE DECISION TO MAKE THE BENEFITS BETWEEN THE RETIREES AND THE ACTIVE EMPLOYEES THE SAME AND ELIMINATE THE 100% COVERAGE THAT'S IN PLACE TODAY.

IF THAT HAS TO BE DONE AND WE WERE TEXTING DURING THE MEETING LISTENING TO WHEN YOUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WAS, THAT DEADLINE WAS AUGUST 11.

YOUR MEETING IS AUGUST 13, I THINK, THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.

MICHAEL WAS TEXTING BLUE CROSS AND THEY SAID, WE CAN WAIT UNTIL AUGUST 13.

YOU CANNOT WAIT BEYOND THAT.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION ON THAT BECAUSE THEY NEED TO BUILD BENEFITS ON THEM.

>> POINT OF ORDER. WE CAN CALL A SPECIAL MEETING JUST FOR YOU.

>> YEAH.

>> YES, SIR. WE CAN.

>> GOOD.

>> WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN BEFORE, IF THAT HELPS, AND THAT'S THE WAY THAT THIS COUNCIL WANTS TO MOVE AND THIS BODY WANTS TO MOVE, WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN [OVERLAPPING]

>> THE MORE TIME YOU GIVE YOURSELF, BECAUSE HERE'S THE KEY.

ALL OF THIS SOUNDS GREAT.

>> HANG ON. JUST HOLD THAT THOUGHT.

COUNCILWOMAN RACCA IS OUT OF TIME.

I THINK SHE'S GOING TO BE GRANTED MORE TIME. COUNCILMAN GAUDET.

>> NO. LET HER FINISH, PLEASE.

HAVE SOME OF MY TIME. PLEASE FINISH YOUR THOUGHT.

>> WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY IS THAT A BIG PART OF THIS IS YOU WILL GET EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU PHONE CALLS FROM YOUR RETIREES, COMPLAINING THAT THINGS ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY.

YOU HAVE TO PUT TOGETHER, WE HAVE TO HELP YOU WITH IT AN HONEST, GOOD COMMUNICATION PLAN TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THIS, AND THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GETTING IS BETTER.

THE MORE TIME YOU GIVE YOURSELF TO DO THAT, THE BETTER.

IF YOU TALK TO ALL THESE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, THEY WILL ALL TELL YOU THE SAME THING.

THERE WAS TREMENDOUS FEAR.

THERE WAS ANGER.

>> SURE.

>> THERE WAS PEOPLE SAYING, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE DOING THIS TO ME, AND THEY ALL STILL ENROLLED IN A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

THEY HAVE AN OPTION TO ROLL OUT.

THEY ALL STILL DID IT, BECAUSE EVERYBODY MAKES DECISIONS BASED ON THEIR POCKETBOOK, AND WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE PREMIUM AND THEY LOOK AT WHAT THEIR OUT OF POCKET IS, AS LONG AS WE DO AN HONEST AND FAIR EDUCATION, WE'RE GOOD, BUT WE NEED TIME TO DO IT.

I THINK TO ASK HR, YOUR OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD IS GOING TO BE WHEN?

>> OCTOBER.

>> OCTOBER.

>> OCTOBER OR EARLY NOVEMBER.

>> YES. YOU CAN SEE OCTOBER BEING THE PERIOD, WE'RE MAKING A DECISION IN AUGUST.

WE'VE GOT A PRETTY QUICK RUNWAY TO DO A GOOD EDUCATION JOB.

>> FORGIVE ME. I MISSED YOUR NAME.

I'VE GOT MICHAEL, BUT I MISSED YOUR NAME.

>> KEVIN GARDNER.

>> THANK YOU KEVIN. I APPRECIATE IT. I WON'T BE KISSING EITHER OF YOU TODAY [OVERLAPPING]

>> NO PROBLEM. [LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU. I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT US TO SLIDE 7, AND I'M GOING TO THROW THE QUESTION AT YOU.

IT MAY ACTUALLY GO TOWARDS THE CITY PARISH EMPLOYEE, BUT UNDER CONCERNS, I GLUED IN ON COMPLIANCE WITH CITY PARISH ORDINANCE.

DO YOU ALL KNOW WHAT THOSE [INAUDIBLE]

>> I THINK WHAT THAT'S RELATING TO AND LATOYA CAN CONFIRM, IS THAT YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS PROGRAM MANDATORY.

LATOYA, IS THAT WHAT IT'S ABOUT? YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THAT?

>> WE CONSULTED WITH THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND THERE ARE CURRENT ORDINANCES THAT STATE WE CANNOT MAKE A MOVE TO THE BLUE ADVANTAGE PLAN MANDATORY FOR OUR CURRENT RETIREES.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED FOR OUR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE HIRED AFTER JANUARY 2 OF 2004, AND THIS IS BASED OFF EXISTING CITY PARISH ORDINANCES.

[02:45:03]

>> PRIOR TO 2004, YOU CANNOT REQUIRE.

>> SOME FOR HIRES ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2004, THEY ARE NOT PROMISED THE SAME OR EQUAL BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES HIRED PRIOR TO THAT DATE.

BUT FOR OUR CURRENT RETIREES, THE CURRENT LEGAL GUIDANCE IS THAT WE CANNOT MAKE A MOVE TO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MANDATORY.

>> ANYONE BEFORE THAT OF 2004 DATE?

>> YES.

>> ACHIEVING 100% PARTICIPATION HAS SOME CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH IT?

>> CORRECT. BASED OFF THEIR HIRE DATE?

>> CORRECT. GO AHEAD.

>> WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE SUGGESTION, AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO GET LEGAL REVIEW, IS THAT ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES THAT I MENTIONED, WHO FOLLOWED AND WENT THROUGH THOSE SAME RULES, OPERATED UNDER AN OPT-OUT ARRANGEMENT.

WHAT THEIR DETERMINATION WAS, EVERYBODY IS GOING TO PARTICIPATE AND GET EDUCATED, AND IF THEY DON'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE, THEY CAN OPT OUT, BUT OTHERWISE ARE AUTOMATICALLY GOING TO BE ENROLLED IN THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

THAT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY GET YOU THE PARTICIPATION YOU WANT.

IF YOU MADE THIS COMPLETELY VOLUNTARY, THEN YOUR NUMBERS ARE NOT GOING TO BE AT 90, BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T MAKE DECISIONS. THEY DON'T READ ANYTHING.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO READ.

I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING TO REALIZE IS THIS.

IF THE COUNCIL MAKES A DECISION THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET RID OF THE 100% THAT EXISTS TODAY, WE NEED THE EMPLOYEES TO GET ENGAGED BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO WAKE UP JANUARY 1 THINKING THEY HAVE 100% COVERAGE AND THEY DON'T.

THEY'LL ONLY HAVE 100% IF THEY ENROLL INTO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GET 100%.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I THINK MY NEXT QUESTION IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE FOR THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

I'M GOING TO USE THE 100% PARTICIPATION NUMBER OF 9.2 MILLION.

WOULD THAT ALL BE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS?

>> IT'S ONLY 38%.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I HAVE YOUR ANSWER. MY PIECE WAS THE ANCILLARY PORTION, BUT YOU ALL TOOK CARE OF THAT, SO I'M NOT JUST STANDING UP HERE LIKE A STATUE.

I DO APPRECIATE YOU ALL DOING THAT SO THAT I COULD JUST LET MR. GARDNER HERE TALK, BUT 38% OF THE SAVINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HITS THE GENERAL FUND.

>> THE OTHERS 62 [INAUDIBLE]. GO AHEAD.

>> IT'S WITH THE HEALTH PLAN FUND [INAUDIBLE]

>> HE IS CORRECT. WE HAD A MEETING TO DISCUSS ALL THOSE DIFFERENT QUESTIONS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE COME UP.

BUT THE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FUNDS, THE GENERAL FUND EMPLOYEES, THE SPECIAL FUND, THE ENTERPRISE, THE INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS, ALL ACTIVE EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES.

THE REMAINDER OF THE SAVINGS WOULD BE REALIZED IN PREMIUMS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE FUNDS.

>> SPREAD ACROSS THOSE FUNDS, SO 38% OF GENERAL FUND. THANK YOU.

THAT WAS MY QUESTIONS.

I YIELD THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME TO COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

I THINK WHAT WE SO ELOQUENTLY POINTED OUT IS THAT WE STILL NEED THRIVE, BUT WE ALSO NEED THIS AS WELL. THANK YOU.

THE ONE THING THAT I WANT TO JUST HAVE YOU GUYS CLEAR UP AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND IS OUR EMPLOYEES ARE THE ONES THAT ARE ON OUR CURRENT BENEFIT PLANS, THEY'RE NOT IMPACTED AT ALL, CORRECT?

>> THEY'RE NOT, BUT I WILL SAY THIS.

IF WE'RE UNABLE TO DO THIS, AND WE LOOK AT WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO FORECAST TREND, AND THE CITY IS GOING TO PICK UP AN ADDITIONAL $6-$7 MILLION JUST IN MEDICAL INFLATION TREND.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE INCREASING YOUR BUDGET BY AT LEAST THAT IF WE DID NOTHING.

THE QUESTION, I THINK, WOULD GO BACK TO THE CITY, IS IF THE CITY IS TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO CUT, THEN YOU WOULD BE FORCED TO REDUCE BENEFITS IN SOME WAY TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE RETIREES.

WE'RE SQUEEZING A BALLOON, AND IT'S GOING TO GO SOMEWHERE, AND IF WE'RE OPERATING WITH THE SAME BALLOON, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE REDUCTIONS IN SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS EVERYBODY.

WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE EFFICIENCIES FIRST BEFORE WE EVEN GET TO DOING THAT.

>> IT MAKES SENSE, AND FOR MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE'RE ALL WELL AWARE OF MAKING REDUCTIONS.

WE'RE FORCED WITH FINDING MONEY AND VARIOUS PLACES ARE REDUCING DEPARTMENTS BY 6%, MAYBE EVEN 12 ACROSS THE BOARD, SO CHANGING A BENEFIT IS DEFINITELY EASIER,

[02:50:01]

MY NEXT QUESTION IS, AND I THINK YOU HIT ON THIS, AND I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB, BUT I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR.

WITH THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN, YOU WERE SAYING THAT IT WAS APPROXIMATELY $325, CORRECT? WE TALKED ABOUT BEING PARTIALLY SELF-FUNDED OR SELF-FUNDED.

WITH THE $325, THAT IS ALL WE PAY.

IF OUR RETIREES HAVE A LOT OF HEALTH ISSUES, AND THE TREND GOES UP BECAUSE THAT HAPPENS OFTENTIMES, ESPECIALLY HERE IN LOUISIANA.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE SOME HEALTH ISSUES THAT WE EXPERIENCE MORE SO THAN OTHER PLACES.

BUT IF IT GOES UP AND THERE'S A TREND WHERE IT'S GOING UP, ARE WE CAPPED AT THAT NUMBER? I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTOOD THAT.

>> THE BLUE ADVANTAGE PREMIUMS TODAY ARE $310, AND THAT'S PER MEMBER.

IN 2026, THEY'RE GOING UP TO $325.

IT IS A FIXED COST EACH YEAR.

BLUE CROSS ISSUES A RENEWAL.

IT HAS REMAINED AT $310 FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, BLUE CROSS CONFIRMED THAT.

THIS YEAR IS THE ONLY YEAR IN ABOUT THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS THAT THEY'VE HAD TO ISSUE AN INCREASE, SO IT'S A MUCH MORE STABLE NUMBER.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. COUNCILMAN HUDSON.

>> CAN YOU ALL HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE TIMELINE AND WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN? I KNOW THE DATE OF AUGUST 13TH WAS JUST THROWN OUT.

EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THEN.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE UPON THE CHANGES YOU'RE GOING TO DO AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THE ENROLLMENT.

WE TALKED ABOUT OPT OUT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE ABOUT THE COORDINATION OF BENEFITS DECISION.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE PLAN MORE ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE MEMBER.

NOW THAT WE HAVE THAT, OUR JOB IS WE NEED TO HIT THE 90% PARTICIPATION, AND IT SHOULD DO IT ON ITS OWN AS LONG AS WE DO THE EDUCATION BECAUSE THE PLAN IS BETTER.

BUT WHAT WE'LL HAVE TO SIT WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT IS EVERY YEAR, BLUE CROSS CONDUCTS ENROLLMENT MEETINGS.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO MORE ROBUST MEETINGS WITH THOSE EMPLOYEES TO EDUCATE THEM ON THAT.

THAT HAS TO BE DONE PRIOR TO OPEN ENROLLMENT.

I'M SORRY, VICTORIA. GO AHEAD.

>> I JUST WANT TO ADD JUST FOR CLARITY ON THE TIMELINE, THE ONLY THING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS INFORMING BLUE CROSS THAT WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE COORDINATION OF BENEFITS.

OUR CURRENT ORDINANCES DO ALLOW FOR THAT, AND SO IF THE COUNCIL IS IN SUPPORT OF THAT, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH INFORMING BLUE CROSS.

>> DOES THAT REQUIRE A RESOLUTION FROM THIS COUNCIL TO DO?

>> IT DOES NOT BECAUSE THERE'S CURRENT, I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S AN ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION THAT ALLOWS FOR THAT.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT PART OF IT NOW, BUT YOU MENTIONED THE NEED TO COMMUNICATE TO THE EMPLOYEES.

IF WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IN THAT DIRECTION, HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE THAT QUICKLY? OR ARE YOU GUYS PREPARED TO EXECUTE ON COMMUNICATION THAT QUICKLY?

>> BLUE CROSS IS GOING TO DO A LOT OF THE HEAVY LIFTING.

THEY HAVE AN ENTIRE TEAM THAT DOES MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAMS. THEY WOULD BRING THEIR TEAM OUT, THEY WOULD CONDUCT MEETINGS.

WE WOULD DETERMINE AND HELP MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE APPROPRIATE STAFFING TO DO THAT, BUT THEY WOULD BE THE ONES PROVIDING THAT.

>> BUT THAT WOULD HAPPEN AFTER AUGUST 13TH, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

>> AFTER AUGUST 13TH, BUT BEFORE OPEN ENROLLMENT?

>> CORRECT.

>> WALK ME THROUGH.

THIS IS JUST A CURIOSITY OF MINE, THE NATIONAL DEBATE AROUND PBMS, AS I'VE LISTENED TO IT, HAS TALKED A LOT ABOUT REBATES.

THE IDEA THAT THOSE REBATES REALLY ARE DESIGNED FOR THE PLAN PARTICIPANT, BUT THEY END UP GOING TO THE PBM'S BOTTOM LINE.

WHAT IS THE REALITY HERE LOCALLY? WHAT IS HAPPENING? ARE WE AS PLAN MEMBERS ENJOYING THOSE BENEFITS, OR ARE THEY GOING TO THE BOTTOM LINE OF THE PBM?

>> FOR A MUNICIPALITY, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE REBATES COME BACK TO THE CITY, AND THE CITY OFFSETS THE COST OF THE PLAN BASED ON THE REBATE.

WHEN WE DO YOUR BUDGET, AND WE TALK ABOUT THE PHARMACY BEING AT 25 MILLION, WE MINUS THE REBATES OUT, AND BRING IT TO 26 MILLION, AND THAT'S THE BUDGET NUMBER WE USE TO SET EVERYONE'S RATES, THE EMPLOYEES' RATES, AND YOUR BUDGET.

EVERYONE IS SHARING IN IT, THE CITY IS SHARING IN IT, AND THE EMPLOYEES ARE SHARING IN IT.

DOES THE CITY SHARE MORE IN IT? THEY DO BECAUSE THEY PAY THE MAJORITY OF THE COST.

[02:55:01]

THEY KEEP THE MONEY.

THEIR ARGUMENT IS, IF YOU TOOK THAT MONEY AWAY, WE'D RAISE PREMIUMS, WHICH THEY WOULD.

IT'S SOMEWHAT OF THE SAME THING.

IF THAT MONEY, WHICH WAS PART OF LEGISLATION, GOES BACK TO THE EMPLOYEE, THE EMPLOYEE WOULD BE BENEFITED BY THAT, RATES WOULD GO UP GUARANTEED.

YOU WOULD, WITH NO QUESTION, HAVE TO INCREASE YOUR COST TO YOUR EMPLOYEES IF REBATES WENT TO THE EMPLOYEE.

BECAUSE YOU'RE USING THOSE DOLLARS TODAY TO OFFSET THE COST OF YOUR PLAN.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? LET ME TELL YOU THIS MUCH, YOU WISH HEALTHCARE WAS MORE SIMPLE.

WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE THAT? I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT.

I WISH I DID.

IT'S JUST SUCH A COMPLICATED SYSTEM, AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I THINK ANYONE IN THIS ROOM, ANY OF US, CAN FIX RIGHT NOW.

>> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAD.

THE ONLY OTHER THING I WANTED TO SAY WAS I TAKE PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR COUNCILWOMAN RACCA BEING HERE BECAUSE I WAS ON THE SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THE OTHER COMPANY THAT GOT SELECTED, SO TO MY COLLEAGUES, YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> [LAUGHTER] I THINK YOU MEANT TO SAY, I'M SORRY.

>> COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.

>> THANK YOU. I WON'T REITERATE EVERYTHING THAT COUNCILWOMAN RACCA SAID.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS GOOD NEWS.

WE DID JUMP INTO THIS WITH THE PREVIOUS PROVIDER BEFORE THEY DEPARTED, AND AS SHE SAID, SCRATCHED THE SURFACE, BUT Y'ALL GAVE US A REAL ROBUST OVERVIEW OF WHERE THINGS STAND, AND I'M IN SUPPORT OF MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE CHANGES.

I WOULD OFFER UP THAT I THINK, BASED ON WHAT MS. PETERSON SAID, THAT IT WOULD BE WISE OF US TO GIVE SOME FORMAL DIRECTIVE, EVEN IF THAT'S ENCOURAGING THE COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR TO SEND AN EMAIL REQUEST TO HR TELLING THEM WHAT OUR WISHES ARE.

WE CAN STATE THAT FOR THE RECORD TODAY, WE CAN DO A RESOLUTION, BUT I THINK SOMETHING FORMAL WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO SEND TO THEM, TO PUT THEM INTO ACTION.

THEN, AS YOU MENTIONED, WE DEFINITELY NEED SOME INFORMATION, SOME SESSIONS WITH EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES, AND WE NEED YOU GUYS TO HELP US WITH THAT DIALOGUE, ANY CONTENT, ANY PAMPHLETS YOU MAY HAVE.

IT'S GOING TO BE INCUMBENT UPON US TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE EMPLOYEES, THE DEPARTMENT HEADS.

COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS US COMMUNICATING TO THE RETIREES, SO THERE WON'T BE ANY MISINFORMATION.

I DO THINK WE NEED TO HAVE AN OUTREACH PLAN IN PLACE ONCE THE DIRECTIVE IS GIVEN THAT ALL OF US CAN PARTICIPATE IN, SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE MESSAGE IS CARRIED EFFECTIVELY, AND WE WON'T HAVE ANY MISCOMMUNICATION. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

>> AGREED. COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.

>> HR, I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONCERN HERE WITH THE COMPLIANCE WITH CITY-PARISH ORDINANCE, AND YOU SAID THOSE THAT WERE HIRED AFTER JANUARY 2004.

IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID?

>> I DID SAY THAT.

I'M THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE LEGAL OPINION, JUST IN CASE YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR ME.

>> NO, HONEY. I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PERSONS THAT THIS WILL AFFECT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE 2004 AND YOU SAID THAT IF THEY WERE NOT, THEN THAT WOULD BE A CONCERN.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT, APPROXIMATELY?

>> SURE. JUST ONE SECOND.

>> YES, MA'AM.

THEN, WHILE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THAT, WE DEFINITELY DO NOT WANT ANY MISINFORMATION GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE, AND I KNOW THAT THEY WILL HAVE MANY QUESTIONS, AND IT WILL BE INCUMBENT UPON ALL OF US TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED WITH ALL THE TRUTH THAT'S DOWN IN YOUR BONES.

I KNOW THAT THEY WILL WANT TO KNOW ALSO IF THEY WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO GO TO THEIR DOCTORS.

I KNOW THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE QUESTIONS, AND RIGHTFULLY SO.

THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE WANT TO MAKE SURE.

IT'S AMAZING THAT IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $19 MILLION THAT CAN COME

[03:00:02]

>> BASED ON OUR CURRENT PAYROLL FOR OUR NUMBER OF HIRES THAT WERE HIRED BETWEEN JANUARY 2ND, 2004, THROUGH OUR CURRENT PAYROLL IS APPROXIMATELY 2,518.

>> JUST WALK WITH ME.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE COMPLIANCE WITH THAT ORDINANCE WILL AFFECT 2,518 PEOPLE?

>> IF THE CITY DID DECIDE TO MAKE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MANDATORY, IT COULD ONLY APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 2,518 CURRENT EMPLOYEES.

>> TWO THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN, SO THAT'S ABOUT HALF OF THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT WE HAVE.

BUT IF WE ARE UP ON OUR BUSINESS AND DOING THAT BIG E WORD, EDUCATING THEM, AND THEN SEE HOW THIS CAN WORK AND NOT HOW IT CAN'T WORK, THEN WE'LL BE DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE.

THANK YOU, MA'AM. [INAUDIBLE] AND THEN GIVE US A MOMENT.

>> IF I COULD SAY JUST ONE THING.

I KNOW THERE MAY BE CONCERNS WHERE WE'RE FOCUSING ON RETIREES, AND MAINLY RETIREES WHO ARE MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOU ALL HAVE RETIREES THAT ARE NOT YET MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE, AND SO HOW WOULD THIS CHANGE AFFECT THEM? NOTHING CHANGES WITH THEIR COVERAGE.

THEY WOULD STILL BE ON THE GROUP HEALTH PLAN.

THEY DON'T GET ISSUED NEW ID CARDS, THEIR DEDUCTIBLES, THEIR CO-PAYS, THEIR OUT-OF-POCKETS, NOTHING CHANGES.

IT'S STATUS QUO FOR THEM, SO I DID WANT TO CONFIRM THAT.

>> THIS IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE 65 OR OLDER.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. WE HAD SOME FIREMEN AND POLICEMEN THAT WERE FRANTICALLY TEXTING ME THAT RETIRED AT QUITE A YOUNG AGE, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

>> THERE'S ALSO A SMALL SEGMENT OF PEOPLE, AND YOU MAY NOT HAVE IT, THAT DID NOT PAY INTO SOCIAL SECURITY, SO THEY'RE NOT EVEN ELIGIBLE.

THEY WOULD STAY ON THE CURRENT ACTIVE PLAN.

>> THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH, GENTLEMEN. WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY. [OVERLAPPING]

>> COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

>> MAYOR PRO TEM. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING QUICKLY.

>> SURE.

>> I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, JEN RACCA AND CLEVE DUNN, FOR DOING THE WORK.

FOR STARTING THIS PROCESS AND SEEING IT THROUGH.

THIS IS GREAT NEWS.

THIS IS AWESOME NEWS, AND I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD GIVE YOU A HAND FOR DOING THE WORK AND MAKING THIS POSSIBLE.

[APPLAUSE]

>> IF WE'RE GOING TO GO THERE, WE ACTUALLY HAD AN INSURANCE COMMITTEE THAT SELECTED THESE GENTLEMEN.

OUR COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR, ASHLEY BECK, WAS ON IT.

I'M NOT SURE WHO ELSE WAS ON IT, BUT THEY WENT THROUGH THE RP PROCESS.

THEY VETTED IT OUT. THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB, AND I'D LIKE TO COMMEND THEM ON THE WORK THEY DID.

>> KUDOS TO BECK [APPLAUSE] AND EVERYONE ELSE.

>> IT WAS LATOYA PIERSON, CHRISTY HADLEY, SHANE SPILLMAN, IF I'M MISSING SOMEBODY. I'M SORRY?

>> DR. COLLINS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, DR. COLLINS.

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ITEM 191. IT'S AN EMERGENCY ITEM,

[191. 25-00868]

THE REASON FOR EMERGENCY IS IN ORDER TO EXPEDITE AN OPINION REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE 16422, THIS ITEM MUST BE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY BY TWO-THIRD VOTE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.

I NEED A MOTION TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.

IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION ON A MOTION TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY? MOTION IS DECLARED AN EMERGENCY.

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

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

DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE ITEM? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. ANY OPPOSITION? COUNCILMAN GAUDET?

>> WE'LL JUST TALK THROUGH IT. I ASKED ASHLEY IN ADVANCE TO THE MEETING.

JUST ASHLEY, IF YOU'LL REPEAT WHAT YOU TOLD ME, PLEASE.

>> SURE. THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THIS ACT THAT RECOMPOSES THE BREC COMMISSION.

[03:05:06]

THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT PROVIDES VERY LIMITED REASONS FOR REMOVING PEOPLE WHO Y'ALL APPOINT FROM THOSE SEATS.

GENERALLY, IT HAS TO BE FOR CAUSE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RESPECTING THE RIGHTS OF THOSE THAT Y'ALL HAVE APPROPRIATELY APPOINTED TO THE BREC COMMISSION, SO WE'RE ASKING FOR GUIDANCE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WE'D LIKE TO ASK FOR GUIDANCE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT THESE CHANGES.

>> COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.?

>> THIS IS WHAT I SPOKE TO EARLIER.

ASHLEY, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, WHETHER IT'S THIS ITEM OR OTHER ITEMS THAT WE DISCUSSED, LIKE THE BLIGHT ITEM, AND SOME CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD WITH STATE LEGISLATURES, WITH OUR PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

EVEN THOUGH LAWS ARE PASSED AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE, WE FEEL FROM OUR LEGAL ADVICE AND LEGAL TEAM, THAT THE CITY CHARTER IS WHAT DICTATES WHAT HAPPENS HERE IN CITY GOVERNMENT, NOT STATE LAW.

IS THAT THE REFERENCE POINT IN WHICH WE'RE SEEKING HIS ADVICE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT?

>> YES, GENERALLY, BECAUSE THE CITY-PARISH IS A HOME RULE CHARTER ENTITY, WE HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS THAT NON-HOME RULE CHARTER ENTITIES DO NOT HAVE.

IT MAKES FOR A UNIQUE INTERPLAY BETWEEN STATE LAW AND LOCAL AUTONOMY.

THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT A HOME RULE CHARTER JURISDICTION WOULD HAVE THAT A NON-HOME RULE CHARTER JURISDICTION WOULD NOT HAVE.

SOME OF THESE STATE LAWS TEST WHERE THAT LINE IS.

>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO STATE THAT FOR THE RECORD, AND YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB, BEING VERY DIPLOMATIC ON YOUR ANSWER.

BUT I FIRMLY BELIEVE AND I KNOW, IN THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD WITH STATE LEGISLATORS WHO'VE DRAFTED AND PASSED THESE BILLS, THAT WE FELT THAT THEY INFRINGED ON THE RIGHT AND AUTHORITY OF THE CITY-PARISH IN OUR HOME RULE CHARTER.

WE FEEL AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY COUNSEL THAT THIS IS IN CONFLICT AND DOES NOT SUPERSEDE THE HOME RULE CHARTER.

I JUST WANT TO STATE ALL THAT FOR THE RECORD.

THIS ITEM, AS WELL AS THE BLIGHT ITEM, AND MAYBE SOME OTHERS.

>> THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOTIONED AND SECONDED.

IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO?

>> MOTION TO ADJOURN.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE.

GOD BLESS. ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS?

>> I HAVE ONE.

CATS-ONLY WELLNESS DAY.

I KNOW WE WANT DOGS, BUT WE DID DOGS BEFORE, SO WE'RE GOING TO LET THEM DO THE CATS, BUT THAT WILL BE AT THE LEO S BUTLER CENTER, 9:00-12:00 ON SATURDAY.

IF YOU'VE GOT A CAT, BRING IT ON OVER THERE IN ORDER THAT THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAT.

>> COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS?

>> THE APPELLING FOR PEACE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO AUGUST 15TH AT 6:00 PM.

IF YOU'VE ALREADY REGISTERED WITH US FOR A BIKE, YOU'RE STILL GOOD TO GO.

WE STILL HAVE YOUR NAME ON THE LIST FOR A BIKE, SO PUT IT ON YOUR SCHEDULE.

IT'S GOING TO BE HOT, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD HOT, AND WE'RE GOING TO PUSH THROUGH.

BECK, GET YOUR BIKE.

MAYOR PRO TEM, YOUR NAME IS NOT ON THE LIST.

SHOULD I ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST TONIGHT?

>> IT SOUNDS SUSPICIOUSLY LIKE EXERCISE, AND I DON'T DO THAT. [LAUGHTER]

>> ALSO, MY BACK-TO-SCHOOL ACTIVITY WILL BE AUGUST 2ND 10:00-12:00 AT THE LEO S BUTLER CENTER.

THAT'S THE DISTRICT 10 BACK-TO-SCHOOL.

>> WHAT IS IT WITH [INAUDIBLE] TONIGHT?

>> I DO HAVE ONE THING.

I HAVE ONE THING FOR EVERYBODY.

I HAD COUNCILMEMBERS REACH OUT TO ME ABOUT SOMETIMES WHEN WE DO DINNER.

WE KNOW THERE'S A DINNER FOR THE COUNCILMEMBERS, AND WE ALSO ORDER MORE, AND EVERYBODY ELSE IS WELCOME TO JOIN.

THE RULE IS GOING TO BE COUNCILMEMBERS FIRST AFTER 10 MINUTES, THEN IT'S FOR EVERYBODY.

BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN TIMES WHERE COUNCIL DOES NOT HAVE, IT'S GONE.

>> EATING FOOD IS THE LAST THING WE NEED TO WRESTLE OVER.

THIS HERE, I AIN'T THINKING ABOUT NO FOOD.

HAVE MINE IF YOU NEED TO.

[BACKGROUND]

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.