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[Presentations and Special Recognitions]
BATON ROUGE. HERE WE ARE.YES, I AM CAROLYN R. COLEMAN COUNCILWOMAN IN DISTRICT 10, AND THIS IS THE TENTH MONTH OF THE YEAR, SO THIS IS REALLY MY MONTH.
WE SHALL BEGIN FIRST HERE WITH OUR MAYOR, PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS, AND HE'S GOING TO RECOGNIZE WHITNEY HOFFMAN SAYAL, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR HER OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, AND DEDICATED SERVICE.
FIRST OFF, THIS IS A SURPRISE, I'M SURE.
BUT ON BEHALF OF MAYOR PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS, WE ARE HONORED TO RECOGNIZE A LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY, MISS WHITNEY SAYAL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, UNDER HER VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, THE DDD, AND THE EAST BATON RIDGE PARISH HAVE SECURED SEVERAL GRANTS THAT FUNDED VITAL PUBLIC SPACES, AND ENHANCED BICYCLES AND PEDESTRIANS INFRASTRUCTURES, INCLUDING THE DOWNTOWN GREENWAY, AND RIVER ROAD PROJECTS.
MANY OF THESE INITIATIVES HAVE RECEIVED RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS AT THE LOCAL STATE, AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS.
OUR DOWNTOWN AREA STANDS AS A VIBRANT SPACE WHERE THE COMMUNITY GATHERS, CONNECTS, AND GROWS, A REFLECTION OF MISS WHITNEY'S DEDICATION, AND LEADERSHIP.
HER LEGACY WILL CONTINUE TO SHAPE THE HEART OF BATON ROUGE FOR YEARS TO COME.
TODAY, WE PROUDLY HONOR MISS WHITNEY FOR HER OUTSTANDING SERVICE, VISION, AND COMMITMENT TO MAKING DOWNTOWN BATON ROUGE A PLACE WE ALL CAN BE PROUD OF.
WE JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]
>> MY TEAM IS DEFINITELY A PART OF ALL OF THIS.
>> COME ON UP QUICK. I TOLD YOU, YOU WERE NUMBER 1. LAST NIGHT.
>> FOLLOWING, MISS WHITNEY, WE HAVE THE MEMBERS OF THE ALPHA TAU CHAPTER OF THE DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY IN CELEBRATION OF SPRING 2,000 LINES 25TH ANNIVERSARY.
YES, THESE ARE THE LADIES IN RED.
>> TODAY, WE WANT TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THE BEST SORORITY KNOWN TO MEN.
[LAUGHTER] MY CHAPTER, DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY INCORPORATED THE ALPHA TAU CHAPTER, SPRING 2000 LINE.
WE CELEBRATE YOUR 25 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, AND SERVICE, A LEGACY THAT CONTINUES TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN BATON ROUGE, AND BEYOND.
SINCE ITS CHARTERING, THE ALPHA TAU CHAPTER HAS EMBODIED DELTA SIGMA THETA'S CORE VALUES, PUBLIC SERVICE, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, AND THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
THE SPRING 2000 LINE HAS CONTINUED THIS MISSION WITH GRACE AND DETERMINATION, CARRYING THE TORCH OF SISTERHOOD THROUGH THEIR CAREERS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
MEMBERS OF THIS LINE HAVE SERVED IN LEADERSHIP ROLES ACROSS EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, HEALTH CARE, BUSINESS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
THEIR EFFORTS HAVE STRENGTHEN LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH MENTORING PROGRAMS, YOUTH OUTREACH, AND SOCIAL ACTION INITIATIVES THAT ALIGN WITH DELTA'S FIVE PROGRAMMATIC THRUST.
25 YEARS OF SERVICE IS NOT JUST A MILESTONE.
IT'S A TESTAMENT TO ENDURING COMMITMENT, SHARED PURPOSE, AND LOVE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THE SPRING 2000 LINES, UNITY AND DEDICATION EXEMPLIFY THE BEST OF WHAT DELTA SIGMA THETA REPRESENTS; INTELLIGENCE, COMPASSION AND WOMEN WHO LEAD WITH INTEGRITY.
TODAY, WE CONGRATULATE EACH MEMBER OF THE ALPHA TAU CHAPTER, SPRING 2000 LINE FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROGRESS OF BATON ROUGE, AND THE BETTERMENT OF OUR PEOPLE.
YOUR EXAMPLE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN LIKE MYSELF TO LEAD,
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SERVE AND UPLIFT OTHERS.CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS ANNIVERSARY, AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE AND SISTERHOOD.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING.
WE ALSO WANT TO HONOR THEIR THREE BELOVED LINE SISTERS WHO PASSED AWAY, MISS LAUREN ROBERTSON, DR. CASETA SHANNON, AND MISS JACKSON.
AGAIN, WE JUST THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
>> ALSO, MISS TRACY FOUNDER. THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH. IF ALL WOULD LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING, Y'ALL COULD COME TO THE MIC.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK YOU'VE COVERED MOST OF IT, SO I WON'T BE REPETITIVE.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR PRESIDENT EDWARDS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND HONORED GUEST.
ON BEHALF OF MY BELOVED LINES, SPRING 2000 OF ALPHA TAU CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY INCORPORATED.
WE ARE DEEPLY HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION, CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD, SERVICE, AND SOCIAL ACTION.
OUR JOURNEY BEGAN AT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, A&M COLLEGE, WHERE WE WERE NOT ONLY EDUCATED, BUT SHAPED AS LEADERS.
FROM THOSE FORMATIVE YEARS, WE HAVE BUILT CAREERS ACROSS MEDICINE, LAW, BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY, GOVERNMENT, AND BEYOND.
THESE PATHS HAVE EMPOWERED US TO NOT ONLY IMPACT OUR INDUSTRIES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES BY MENTORING YOU, ADVANCING EDUCATION, AND PROMOTING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
THIS PROCLAMATION IS NOT ONLY A REFLECTION OF WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.
IT IS A CALL TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH EVEN GREATER PURPOSE. THANK YOU.
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE.
THAT'S MY FAVORITE DELTA LINE IN THE HISTORY OF DELTA SIGMA DATA I'M GOING TO TELL YOU ALL WHY BECAUSE MY WIFE IS A PART OF THAT LINE.
[LAUGHTER] SHE COULDN'T MAKE IT TODAY MY DAUGHTER IS A SOPHOMORE MAD, BUT SHE SAID SO WELL WISHES THAT WOMAN'S LOVE TO ALIGN SISTERS. THANK YOU.
THERE WE GO. LET'S GET A MIX SMILE FROM EVERYBODY.
>> THANK YOU, LADIES, AND I STAND TO BE CORRECTED.
I SHOULD HAVE SAID THE LADIES IN RED, AND BLACK.
[LAUGHTER] NOW AT THIS TIME, WE WILL ALLOW COUNCILMAN ANTHONY KENNEY TO COME FORWARD, AND RECOGNIZE MARIE SMITH, MICHAEL JOHNSON, MELANIE SPRY, SHANNEL LUCAS, AND SHANNON HANNEMAN FOR KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN. COUNCIL MEMBERS.
TODAY, I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHTS CHARITY AND ORGANIZATION.
THIS ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WORKING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, VARIOUS SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPACT KIDS, TO FOSTER YOUTH OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE CASTS AND STARTED THEIR OWN SHORT FILMS, AND ALSO EXPOSE THEM TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.
TODAY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF AN ORGANIZATION AND FAMILY OF MISS JOHNSON AND HER CHARITY, SO I'LL LET TO COME UP AND TALK ABOUT FROM THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.
LET'S GET THEM AROUND OF A APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]
>> I'D LIKE HER FAMILY TAI CHI CHARITY FAMILY TO JOIN ME, PLEASE.
ON OCTOBER 17TH, WE WILL, IN COLLABORATION WITH MULTIPLE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, RECOGNIZE KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR THEIR WORK.
KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT IS THE ONLY NATIONAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES YOUTH AND FOSTER CARE TO HEAL THEIR TRAUMA THROUGH FILM.
THIS ORGANIZATION WILL BE HERE ON FRIDAY AGAIN, OCTOBER 17TH, AT THE EBR MAIN LIBRARY.
DURING THAT PRESENTATION, WE WILL HAVE A FILM THAT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED CALLED RECOVERING INNOCENCE.
RECOVERING INNOCENCE DEPICTS CHILDREN WHO ARE IN FOSTER CARE THAT HAVE BEEN DISPENSED MULTIPLE PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS.
WE WILL HAVE A SEMINAR RELATIVE TO RECOVERING INNOCENCE.
WE'RE RECOGNIZING KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT
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PROVIDES YOUTH AND FOSTER CARE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL THROUGH TRAUMA, UTILIZING FILM.WE HAVE HER FAMILY WITH US TODAY.
HER FATHER, MR. JOHNSON, AND YOU ARE?
>> ADOPTED SISTER. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE THIS RECOGNITION TO MISS CHARITY TODAY.
>> BEFORE Y'ALL LEAVE, ON BEHALF OF THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH METRO COUNCIL, WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THIS RECOGNITION TO THIS AMAZING ORGANIZATION WORK THAT THEY DO.
WE HOPE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THESE VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND HOPEFULLY IF YOU'RE IN THE BATON ROUGE AND BAKER AREA NEXT WEEK, PLEASE SUPPORT THIS AMAZING EVENT, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY OFFICE WILL MAKE SURE YOU GET THE FLYER FOR THIS EVENT AS WELL.
LET'S GET THIS ORGANIZATION AROUND OF A APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]
>> I'M SHANNEL LUCAS, LIKE I SAID, I'M FIRST COUSIN OF TAI CHI, AND SHE DID WRITE SOMETHING ON BEHALF OF HER ABSENCE TODAY.
SHE IS LOCATED IN NEW YORK CURRENTLY.
ON BEHALF OF TAIJI CHARITY, FOUNDER AND CEO OF KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT, SHE WANTS TO EXPRESS HER DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO BATON ROUGE METRO COUNCIL, ALL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCILMAN KENNEY, AND MAYOR EDWARDS, FOR THE INCREDIBLE HONOR.
SHE ALSO SAID THAT BEING RECOGNIZED BY MY HOMETOWN FILLS MY HEART IN WAYS WORDS CAN HARDLY EXPRESS.
BATON ROUGE IS WHERE MY STORY BEGAN.
WHERE MY PARENTS AND FAMILY TAUGHT ME FAITH, RESILIENCE, AND POWER OF COMMUNITY.
THOSE LESSONS SHAPED EVERYTHING I'VE BEEN BLESSED TO DO THROUGH KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT, AND GIVING FOSTER YOUTH A CHANCE TO BE SEEN, HEARD, VALIDATED, CELEBRATED, AND EMPLOYED.
TO RECEIVE THIS RECOGNITION FROM THE CITY THAT HELPED RAISE ME IN A BEAUTIFUL, FULL CIRCLE MOMENT, I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE LOVE, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT OF MY FAMILY AND COMMUNITY, AND I CARRY THAT LOVE WITH ME EVERY DAY.
FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR FOR RECOGNIZING ME AND FOR REMINDING ME THAT HOME IS WHERE MY ROOTS, HEART, AND PRIDE WILL ALWAYS LIVE.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO DR. MARIE FOR OPENING THE DOOR FOR OUR WORK AT KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT TO BE SHARED IN MY HOME STATE.
I'M GRATEFUL, AND BLESSED AT THE SAME TIME.
>> LET'S GET AROUND OF A APPLAUSE.
>> A, BIG SMILE FROM EVERYBODY. [APPLAUSE] THAT FOR ME.
>> AT THIS TIME, COUNCILMAN ANTHONY KENNEY, WILL RECOGNIZE MR. AND MRS. SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH, AND THE BAKER BUFFALO FESTIVAL QUEEN.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD DAY WHEN I CAN RECOGNIZE STUDENTS AT MY ALMA MATTER, SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.
TODAY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE TWO OF THE TWO FACES OF THE STUDENT LEADERSHIP AT SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL, MISS SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL, MISS ALEAH ALLEN AND MR. SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, JADEN SMITH.
THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE VOTED BY THEIR STUDENT BODY AND PEERS TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.
TODAY, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM FOR THEIR AMAZING WORK.
I TELL THEM BEING A PART OF A LEGACY OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP.
MANY INDIVIDUAL ATTENDED SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL, WITH MISS SCOTLANDVILLE, AND MR. HIGH SCOTLANDVILLE.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE UPLIFT THEM AND ALLOW THEM TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
ALSO, IT'S HOMECOMING WEEK COMING UP AS WELL.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CELEBRATE THEM.
ALONG HERE TODAY, WE HAVE SOME OF THEIR ADVISORS AND STAFF AND ALSO PRINCIPAL JACKSON AS WELL.
WE'LL LET THE STUDENTS COME UP AND SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS.
LET'S GET THEM A ROUND OF A APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND GUESTS.
I AM HONORED TO SERVE AS THE MR. SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
I'M A PROUD STUDENT ATHLETE ON THE SCOTLANDVILLE HIGH BASKETBALL TEAM.
THROUGHOUT MY TIME AT SCOTLANDVILLE, I'VE LEARNED THAT LEADERSHIP IS MORE THAN JUST SOME TITLE.
IT'S ABOUT CHARACTER, CONSISTENCY, AND COMMUNITY.
THAT'S WHY I WORKED HARD TO EXPAND MY IMPACT ON BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.
THIS YEAR, I WAS HONORED TO RECEIVE AN ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP AT CSRS,
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WHERE I GAINED HANDS ON EXPERIENCE AND DESIGN, PROBLEM SOLVING, INNOVATION.ONE OF MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCES IS WHEN OUR BASKETBALL TEAM VISITS LOCAL SCHOOLS AND READS WITH ELEMENTARY STUDENTS.
THESE MOMENTS REMIND ME THAT THE NEXT GENERATION IS ALWAYS WATCHING AND IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SET THAT EXAMPLE.
AT SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL.
WE ARE TAUGHT TO REPRESENT EXCELLENCE AND EVERYTHING WE DO, WHETHER IT'S ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, OR SERVICE.
AS MR. SCOTLANDVILLE, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE OTHER YOUNG MEN TO LEAVE WITH HUMILITY, AND GET BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND ALWAYS STRIVE FOR GREATNESS.
TO OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO CREATE STUDENTS ACROSS BATON ROUGE.
TO OUR PRINCIPAL, MR. PAUL JACKSON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR STEADY GUIDANCE, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND FOR SHOWING US THAT SUCCESS BEGINS WITH DISCIPLINE AND PRAYER.
I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT HOLY NATION AND THE SPIRIT OF SCOTLANDVILLE WITH LEADERSHIP, LEARNING THAT LEGACY COME TOGETHER. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ALEAH ALLEN, AND I AM HONORED TO SERVE AS THE 64TH MISS SCOTLANDVILLE.
TODAY, I REPRESENT NOT ONLY MY SCHOOL, BUT ALSO THE BRIGHT AND DETERMINED STUDENTS OF NORTH BATON ROUGE WHO ARE WORKING EVERY DAY TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE.
IN ADDITION TO MY HOME SCHOOL, I'M ALSO ENROLLED AT EAST BATON ROUGE CAREER EDUCATION CENTER, A SECONDARY OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAM.
I EARNED MY EMR LICENSE IN 11TH GRADE, AND I'M CURRENTLY IN THE EMT PROGRAM WITH MISS CRAWFORD, WORKING TO EARN MY EMT LICENSE, SO I CAN JUMP-START MY CAREER AFTER GRADUATING IN MAY 2026.
AT SCOTLANDVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL, WE ARE MORE THAN STUDENTS.
WE ARE FUTURE LEADERS, SCHOLARS, AND CHANGEMAKERS.
OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF PUSH US TO THINK CRITICALLY, SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, AND TAKE PRIDE IN WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE COME FROM.
AS MISS SCOTLANDVILLE, I HOPE TO INSPIRE MY PEERS TO LEAD WITH PURPOSE, GIVE BACK THROUGH SERVICE, AND STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING WE DO.
TRUE LEADERSHIP IS NOT ABOUT STANDING ABOVE OTHERS, BUT STANDING WITH THEM, ENCOURAGING AND EMPOWERING THEM WHILE REPRESENTING THEM WITH INTEGRITY.
ON BEHALF OF THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF SCOTLANDVILLE BILL MAGNET HIGH, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING EDUCATION, YOUTH PROGRAMS, AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP US GROW INTO THE LEADERS BATON ROUGE NEEDS.
TOGETHER, WE CAN KEEP OUR COMMUNITY STRONG, UNITED, AND FULL OF HOPE.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME REPRESENT HORN NATION TODAY.
WE ARE SCOTLAND PROUD, BILL STRONG.
>> TODAY, COUNCIL MEMBERS, ON BEHALF OF THE EAST BAROS PAS MITCHELL COUNCIL, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND GET A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO MISS SCOTLAND V MANDA HIGH SCHOOL AND MISS SCOLE VERANDA HIGH SCHOOL.
LET'S GET THESE AMAZING STUDENT LEADERS AROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> I'M GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER PERSONAL APPOINTED PRIVILEGE, AND I COACH A LOT OF KIDS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH THIS BUILDING, AND YOU ALL KNOW HIM BY HIS GOVERNMENT NAME.
BUT HE'S AN AMAZING BALLPLAYER.
IS GOING TO BE AN EVEN BETTER LEADER IN THE CITY. THANK YOU.
>> A MILE, EVERYBODY LOOKED MY WAY FROM ME.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, MR. AND MISS SCOTLAND DALE MAGNET HIGH, AND THE BAKER BUFFALO FESTIVAL QUEEN.
AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE YOU CAN RECOGNIZE PASTOR ALBERT WHITE, ABOUNDING LOVE MINISTRY CHURCH FOR 20TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
>> BEFORE I GET STARTED, I'M GOING TO GIVE A QUICK STORY.
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I GET A CALL AND THEY SAID, PASTOR WHITE DIED.I'M LIKE, NOBODY TOLD ME ABOUT THE FUNERAL.
I SAID, THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PASTORS IN MY DISTRICT.
I SAID WE HAD BREAKFAST TOGETHER SEVERAL TIMES.
THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, I SEE HIM AT A EVENT IN L'AUBERGE.
I SAID, MAN, YOU'RE STILL LIVING.
I'M JUST TELLING YOU MY HEART HAS SUNK, AND TO SEE HIM SHOW ME THE JOY AND THE IMPACT THAT HE REALLY HAS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THE RECOGNITION TODAY IS GOING TO DEMONSTRATE THAT EVEN FURTHER.
I WON'T READ THE WHOLE CERTIFICATE BECAUSE I HAVE TWO OF THEM.
I'LL READ ONE, BUT WE GET TO RECOGNIZE TWO THINGS TODAY.
THEY'VE LAUNCHED THE STARS PROGRAM.
AS AN INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO NURTURE THE HEARTS, MINDS, AND SPIRITS OF INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THEIR CONGREGATION AND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
STARS, WHICH STANDS FOR SERVICE, TALENT, ASPIRATION, RESPONSIBILITY, AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH, EMBODIES THE CORE VALUES THAT GUIDE THEIR MISSION TO UPLIFT, EMPOWER, AND INSPIRE.
THE STARS PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MENTORSHIP, EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ROUGH STRUCTURE WORKSHOPS, FAITH-BASED GUIDANCE, TALENT DEVELOPMENT, AND SERVICE PROJECTS.
PARTICIPANTS LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY, COMPASSIONATE, ACTION.
THE PROGRAM IS OPEN INDIVIDUALS ALL AGES, AND I'M GOING TO READ THE WHOLE THING, BUT I'LL TELL YOU FOR 20 YEARS HE'S BEEN DOING THIS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LAST 20 DAYS OR 20 MONTHS, KNOWING HOW TO RUN A PROGRAM, KNOWING HOW TO INTEGRATE YOURSELF IN THE COMMUNITY, AND HAVE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE PARISH COME TO YOU BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU DO, THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES, THEY TRUST YOU WITH THEIR KIDS, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE THE SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
TODAY, WE HONOR THE STARS PROGRAM FOR 20 YEARS.
BUT I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO MR. ALBERT AND ADRIAN WHITE.
WHEREAS LOVE IS THE FOUNDATION OF FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND LASTING BONDS, AND THE UNION OF ALBERT WHITE AND ADRIAN WHITE IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF COMMITMENT, FAITH, AND ENDURING DEVOTION, AND WHEREAS ALBERT AND ADRIAN, AND WHITE HAVE SHARED THEIR JOURNEY TOGETHER WITH GREAT STRENGTH AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR ONE ANOTHER, DEMONSTRATING THAT TRUE LOVE IS BOTH PATIENT AND KIND.
WHEREAS THEIR MARRIAGE REFLECTS NOT ONLY A PERSONAL PROMISE, BUT ALSO A LEGACY OF INSPIRATION TO FAMILY FRIENDS AND ALL WHO ARE BLESSED TO WITNESS THEIR UNITY, AND WHEREAS THROUGH THEIR ABOUNDING LOVE, ALBERT AND ADRIAN AND WHITE HAVE NURTURED A PARTNERSHIP THAT UPLIFTS OTHERS, BUILDS COMMUNITY AND STANDS AS A TESTIMONY TO THE BEAUTY AND DEDICATION AND MUTUAL RESPECT AND WHEREAS IT IS FITTING AND PROPER TO CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE THE STRENGTH OF THEIR LOVE AND THE POSITIVE EXAMPLE THEY SET WITHIN THE CITY OF EAST BOSTON.
LET ME TELL YOU WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.
A LOT OF TIMES, MEN WILL NEVER TAKE A BACK SEAT TO THEIR WIFE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TOO MUCH TESTOSTERONE AND PRIDE.
BUT HE WAS THE FOUNDING PASTOR OF THE CHURCH.
HE SAW THE SPECIAL GIFTS THAT HIS WIFE COULD OFFER THE COMMUNITY, TOOK A BACKSEAT, AND ALLOW HIS WIFE TO STAND UP AND LEAD THE CHURCH AND TO FOLLOW IN HER CALLING.
TODAY, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ABOUNDING LOVE, WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE CHURCH, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP.
I'LL JUST HONOR BOTH OF THEM AND CELEBRATE THEM TODAY.
COME TO THE PODIUM, MR. AND MS. WHITE.
>> WELL, TO OUR PRESIDENT, SID EDWARDS, AND TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, AND ESPECIALLY TO MY FRIEND, OUR COUNCILMAN DO HURST, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE HONORING TODAY AND NORMALLY.
WE ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS ACTUALLY HONORING PEOPLE.
IT'S DIFFERENT FOR US, BUT WE THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.
AS WE LOOK AT OUR STARS PROGRAM, MY WIFE AND THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS, I'LL SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THEM.
BUT MY WIFE AND I ARE FROM FRANKLIN, LOUISIANA, WHERE WE HAD A VERY GOOD UPBRINGING AS IT RELATES TO EXPOSURE TO OUR COMMUNITY IN FRANKLIN.
SHE ACTUALLY GRADUATED FROM LSU, I DIDN'T FIND HER LSU.
I FOLLOWED HER FROM FRANKLIN TO LSU, AND EVERYBODY THOUGHT I GRADUATED FROM LSU, BUT I DID NOT.
I GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ADRIAN JACKSON.
WHO IS NOW ADRIAN WHITE, AND WE'RE ALL GOING ON 43 YEARS OF MARRIAGE.
BUT THE STARS PROGRAM WAS SOMETHING THAT GOD GAVE TO ME A LITTLE BIT OVER 20 YEARS AGO.
I DID NOT NAME IT THE STARS PROGRAM.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE TWO INDIVIDUALS BEHIND ME ACTUALLY TOOK THE VISION THAT WAS IN MY HEART AND RAN WITH IT FROM 25 STUDENTS IN 2005.
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NOW WE'RE SERVICING OVER THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS EACH YEAR THROUGH OUR SUMMER CAMP, THROUGH OUR HOLIDAY CAMPS, AND ALSO OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH SHARON HIS ELEMENTARY AND A FIELD THE SCHOOLS IN THE GLEN OAKS AREA.ALSO, WE DO EVERY MONDAY OF THE MONTH DURING THE SCHOOL YEARS WITH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL BOSS MENTORING PROGRAM CALLED SEC STARS ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSE.
THIS HAVE COME TO FRUITION BECAUSE OF THESE THREE PEOPLE RIGHT HERE.
AND THIS YOUNG LADY RIGHT HERE, MINISTER SUE EVANS, FROM DAY ONE, SHE TOOK THE STARS PROGRAM AND NOW HAVE MADE IT WHAT IT IS.
HER DAUGHTER STARTED AS A CHILD IN THE STARS PROGRAM.
SHE NOW IS OUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR.
WHAT WE'VE ENDEAVORED TO DO IS THAT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT COME THROUGH THE STARS PROGRAM THAT THEY WILL COME BACK AND GIVE BACK.
FOR THE MOST PART, A MAJORITY OF THEM, EVEN THIS PAST SUMMER, OUR WHOLE STAFF CONSISTED OF CHILDREN THAT CAME THROUGH THE STARS PROGRAM AND NOW WORKING IN OUR COMMUNITY, MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE.
THIS CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION, AND THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING FOR OCTOBER 8 WILL BEGIN AT FOUR O'CLOCK.
[CALL TO ORDER]
>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF EAST BATON PARISH.
GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU WATCHING THIS AFTERNOON.
WE'RE ON AT&T, ON COX, FACEBOOK LIVE.
WE'RE ON YOUTUBE, AND WE ARE STREAMING AT BRLA.GOV.
YOU CAN GO BACK AND WATCH ALL OF OUR PAST COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND YOU CAN GO TO THE ITEM THAT YOU WANT TO WATCH, AND JUST TYPE THAT IN.
I'LL TAKE YOU STRAIGHT TO IT, AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO MANEUVER THE WEBSITE.
ALWAYS, WE SAY, GOOD LUCK TO OUR FOOTBALL TEAMS, THE LSU TIGERS, HOSTING THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAME COCKS, AND THEY ARE FROM COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND I KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT IS THE CAPITAL CITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
TWO CAPITAL CITIES PLAYING 645 ESPN, SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAGUARS, THEY'RE ON THE ROAD, AND GUESS WHERE THEY ARE.
THEY'RE IN DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA.
THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE ON THE BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS.
THEIR MOONEY GO GO JAGUARS IN THAT GAME.
AT THIS TIME, I GIVE YOU THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT PRO TEAM OF EAST PATCH PARISH.
COUNCILMAN BRANDON NOEL, COUNCILMAN.
>> THANK YOU, DENNIS. WE CALL THE MET IN THE ORDER, ACTUALLY, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM?
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE INVOCATION LED BY COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN COLEMAN AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY JEFF CORBIN, THE LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT TO COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. COUNCILWOMAN?
>> YES, SIR. LET US ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRESENCE OF THE ALMIGHTY.
ALMIGHTY CREATOR, IT IS OUR DESIRE THAT YOUR ORDINANCES, THAT YOUR RESOLUTIONS, THAT YOUR RULES ARE ALIGNED WITH THOSE THAT WE HAVE CHOSEN TO ABIDE BY.
FOR YOUR WORD SAYS THAT EVERY MAN EXAMINE HIMSELF, AND THIS IS NOT GENDER SPECIFIC, RIGHTEOUSNESS YOU REWARD AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS YOU CONVICT.
BUT WE ARE HERE AS LEADERS AFTER YOUR OWN HEART OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
YOUR WORD SAYS THAT EVERY KNEE MUST BOW, AND EVERY TONGUE MUST CONFESS THAT YOU ARE LORD AND NOT MAN.
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WE SHALL MAKE A QUALITY DECISION THAT WE SHALL AND WILL NOT PUT ANY PERSON, ANY PLACE, OR ANYTHING IN THE ALMIGHTY PLACE AS WE CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK THAT WE HAVE TAKEN AN OATH TO DO.YOUR WORD SAYS THAT IF WE'RE WILLING AND OBEDIENT, THAT WE SHALL EAT THE GOOD OF THE LAND, AND WE DESIRE TO EAT WELL.
DAVID SAID THAT I WAS ONCE YOUNG, BUT NOW I'M OLD, BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN NOR HIS SEED BEGGING BREAD.
THEREFORE, WE BOW AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE ALMIGHTY WORD AS BEING TRUTH AND NOT TO BE DISREGARDED, THEN WE CAN WATCH THE ALMIGHTY MOVE.
OUR HEARTS SHOULD ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF THE INFAMOUS HARD MELVIN AND TEDDY PENDERGRASS, WAKE UP EVERYBODY, NO MORE SLEEPING IN BED.
NO MORE BACKWARDS THINKING, TIME FOR THINKING AHEAD.
THE WORLD HAS CHANGED SO VERY MUCH FROM WHAT IT USED TO BE; THERE'S SO MUCH HATRED, WAR, AND POVERTY.
THE WORLD WOULD GET ANY BETTER IF WE JUST LET IT BE.
IT WON'T GET ANY BETTER IF WE JUST LET IT BE.
IT'S TIME TO BUILD A NEW LAND.
I KNOW THAT WE COULD DO IT IF WE ALL LEND A HAND.
THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO DO IS PUT IT IN OUR MINDS.
THE WORLD WON'T GET ANY BETTER IF WE JUST LET IT BE.
WAKE UP, BATON ROUGE, FOR YOU ARE PART OF THIS WORLD. AMEN.
ITEM NUMBER 1, APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF
[ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
THE MINUTES OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2025, AND THE SPECIAL METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2025 BY THE COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE TREASURER.WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO, SECOND, BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ASHLEY, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE INTRODUCTIONS?
[INTRODUCTIONS]
>> SECTION 2.12, INTRODUCTIONS.
NUMBER 2, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000 FOR CRITICAL BUILDING NEEDS AND IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER FROM FUNDING PROVIDED IN ACT 1 OF THE 2025 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION BY MAYOR PRESIDENT AND JUVENILE SERVICES.
NUMBER 3, AMENDING THE 2025 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR PRIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT SO AS TO APPROPRIATE $359,283.60 FROM THE DISTRICT'S FUND BALANCE BY PRIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 8.
NUMBER 4, AMEND THE 2025 CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET SO AS TO APPROPRIATE THE PROCEEDS, NOT TO EXCEED $55 MILLION OF THE ROAD AND STREET IMPROVEMENT SALES TAX REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CURRENT REFUNDING, THE ROAD AND STREET IMPROVEMENT SALES TAX REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2015, AND THE LOUISIANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENHANCEMENT AND FACILITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SUBORDINATE LIEN REVENUE REFUNDING BOND, SERIES 2015, AND PAYING THE COST OF ISSUANCE AND RELATED DEBT SERVICE BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR.
NUMBER 5, A SUPPLEMENTAL SALES TAX BOND RESOLUTION, AMENDING AND SUPPORTING GENERAL SALES TAX BOND RESOLUTION NUMBER 44609, AND AUTHORIZING AND PROVIDING THE ISSUANCE, SALE, AND DELIVERY BY THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, OF ITS ROAD AND STREET IMPROVEMENT SALES TAX REVENUE REFUNDING BOND, SERIES 2025, PRESCRIBING THE FORM, FIXING THE DETAILS, AND PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON SUCH BONDS AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO BY BOND COUNCIL.
NUMBER 6, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT TO THE CURRENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH KASTEL ENTERPRISES MK, LLC, TO EXTEND THE TERM FOR A TERM OF NOVEMBER 1ST, 2025 THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST, 2026,
[00:35:02]
TO PROVIDE SANITATION SERVICES FOR CITY-PARISH APPROVED EVENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING $50,934 BY THE MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR.CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS, NUMBER 7, BOOKER T. DOTY AND DELLA STEWART JUDSON, 23911 PLANK ROAD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 1, NOEL.
NUMBER 8, EDWARD NAUM AVILA, 1045, CARDINAL STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 9, VERSATILE INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC, 1040, OWL AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 10, TINA LESLIE BERNARD ET AL, 1079, TOWNSLEY STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 11, CHRISTINE MCCOY AND THE ESTATE OF CARRIE MCCOY, 9200, SCOTLAND AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 12, CALEB NIXON AND CYNTHIA NIXON, 728, AVOCET STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 13, SARAH PARKER MCFADDEN, 5727, BEECH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5, HURST.
NUMBER 14, GOLDEN WINGS, LA, LLC, 5151, HOLLYWOOD STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5, HURST.
NUMBER 15, BBPA HOLDINGS, LLC, 2949 AND 2951, BOGAN WALK, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 16, EUGENE MIMS, 1444, COLUMBUS DUNN DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 17, TM CAPITAL, LLC, 4082, PROVOST STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 18, JACQUES CHRISTOPHER DANIELS, 823, NORTH 47TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 19, JOHN CHRISTOPHER PILLEY AND CLINTON FRANCIS, 5836, BYRON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 20, VALLERY LOMAS, 6866, WINBOURNE AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 21, THE ARKANSAS CONFERENCE OF ASSOCIATION OF SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST ETA AL, 3601, PRESCOTT ROAD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 22, SONYA DENISE LEE, 4213 PROVOST STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7, HARRIS.
NUMBER 23, THE HARMONY CENTER, INCORPORATED, 223, ATKINSON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 24, THE HARMONY CENTER, INC, 236, ATKINSON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
NUMBER 25, ISAAC HORACE PATTERSON SR., 2663, DAYTON STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, COLEMAN.
ADJUDICATED PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS, NUMBER 26, LOT 17, SUBDIVISION, SOUTHERN GARDENS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, KENNEY.
NUMBER 27, LOT 180, SUBDIVISION LA BELLE AIRE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 6, DUNN JR. ALL ITEMS OF PRIOR READING HAVE BEEN READ AND A MOTION INTRODUCED. ALL ITEMS IS IN ORDER.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
WE'RE GOING TO GO TO YOUR SEPARATE CHIEF FOR CONDEMNATIONS.
[CONDEMNATIONS]
RECOMMENDATIONS OR TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61,62, AND 63, 90 DAYS ON ITEMS 51, 54, 59, AND 64, AND TO DELETE ITEM 65.I DO HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM DISTRICT 10 AND DISTRICT 7.
LET'S SEE, 30 DAYS ON ITEMS `55, 62, AND 63, 60 DAYS ON ITEMS 48 AND 49, AND TO DELETE ITEM 53.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER CHANGES? COUNCILMAN.
>> THIRTY DAYS FOR 50 AND 60 DAYS FOR 51.
>> YOU WANT TO CHANGE IT FROM 90 DAYS TO 60 DAYS FOR 51? THE RECOMMENDATION WAS FOR 90.
ANYONE ELSE? I'M GOING TO READ THEM BACK.
RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 46, 47, 52, 56, 57, 58, 60, AND 61, 30 DAYS ON ITEMS 50, 55, 62, AND 63, 60 DAYS ON ITEM 48, 49, 51, 90 DAYS ON ITEMS 54, 59, 64, AND TO DELETE ITEMS 53 AND 65.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. DO I HAVE A MOTION IN THAT REGARD? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
[119. 25-01299]
ITEM 119, APPOINTMENTS.[00:40:01]
BATON ROUGE REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF ONE MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE BATON ROUGE REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.CURRENT BALLOT, PAUL ARRIGO, MATTHEW BUTLER, CLEVE DUNN JR., JOHN FIFE, VALERY VAL LOWERY, AARON MOAK, KIZZY PAYTON, BILL PROFITA, JOY WOMACK.
THIS IS THE SAME BALLOT FOR ALL NINE OF THESE ITEMS FROM 119-127.
I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH EACH ONE BY READING THE APPOINTMENT TERM.
I'M NOT GOING TO REDO THE BALLOT ON EACH ONE.
THERE'S NINE PEOPLE AND NINE ITEMS. FOR THE FIRST ONE FOR 119, THIS APPOINTMENT IS A FIVE-YEAR TERM.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL?
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO PUT COUNCILMAN DUNN, FIVE YEARS.
>> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.
>> ITEM 120. THIS APPOINTMENT IS FOR A FIVE-YEAR TERM.
[120. 25-01300]
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.>> MOTION TO APPOINT JOHNNY FIFE FOR A FIVE-YEAR TERM.
>> HANG ON. WE HAD A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN FOR PAUL ARRIGO.
I'D LIKE TO JUST GIVE A QUICK RUNDOWN OF WHAT WE'VE LOOKED AT, AND WE SPOKE ABOUT THIS, SOME COMMISSION MEMBERS.
WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS NON MEMBERS, NON POSITIONS.
THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE SERVING, AND THE TIME LEFT ON THEIR TERM, WE'RE TRYING TO MATCH THEM UP.
THE WAY THESE COME UP, THE WAY WE'RE VOTING, AND THE WAY I PLAN ON NOMINATING IS WE FINISH OUT THE TERMS THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY.
EVERYBODY KEEPS THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME EVEN GOING TO THE NEW BOARD.
THAT'S WHY I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO MAKE A SECONDARY MOTION.
>> YOU ALREADY DID? I'D LIKE TO DO A SUBSTITUTE MOTION FOR MR. JOHN FIFE AT THE FIVE-YEAR TERM.
>> I'LL MAKE A SECOND TO THAT.
JUST FYI SO EVERYBODY KNOWS ALL NINE CURRENT AIRPORT BOARD COMMISSION MEMBERS WILL BE REAPPOINTED.
IT'S SOMETHING WE DISCUSSED AT THE COMMISSION MEETING AND WE DISCUSSED THE AUDIT WHICH WE'LL APPOINT.
EVERYBODY, FROM THE COMMISSION STANDPOINT, IS ON THE SAME PAGE.
>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES.
WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES.
WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION FIRST. I'M SORRY.
>> NOT REAL CLEAR. ARE THERE ARE CERTAIN ONES HERE THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO SERVE FIVE TERMS SERVE?
>> CORRECT. WE'RE ON ITEM 120 RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS A FIVE-YEAR.
>> HOW DO WE KNOW WHICH IS WHICH.
>> MAY I ANSWER? AS WE WERE APPOINTED, YOU'RE APPOINTED TO X AMOUNT OF TERM.
YOU GET THREE TERMS AT X AMOUNT OF YEARS.
EACH OF US HAVE SO MANY YEARS REMAINING MINUS THREE.
I HAVE THREE YEARS REMAINING ON MINE.
WHAT YOU HAVE IS NINE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, TWO FIVE, TWO FOUR, TWO THREE, TWO TWOS, AND ONE ONE-YEAR TERM.
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS MATCH UP THE COMMISSION MEMBERS WITH WHAT THEY HAVE LEFT ON THEIR TERM.
>> HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT'S LEFT ON WHOSE TERM? THAT'S MY QUESTION.
WE GOT WITH ASHLEY AND FIGURED OUT WHO HAD WHAT LEFT ON THEIR TERM.
IF YOU WANT, I CAN GO THROUGH THE WHOLE LIST RIGHT NOW AND GIVE YOU THE LIST, BUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE DIFFERENT YEARS, WE'RE ASKING THAT ME AND COUNCILMAN DUNN ARE JUST GIVEN THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE AT THAT TERM.
>> I THINK MR. PAUL IS A WONDERFUL GUY.
I TALKED TO HIM TODAY AND YESTERDAY AND MR. PAUL HAS TWO LEFT.
WHEN IT COMES UP TO THE TWO, I WAS GOING TO REQUEST THAT HE BE APPOINTED AT THE TWO-YEAR TERM.
>> I TELL YOU WHAT, I GUESS WE'RE GOING TO YIELD TO THE TWO OF YOU.
[00:45:01]
>> HANG ON. IT'S COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO'S TIME.
>> THEN WILL HE BE ABLE TO COME BACK AND BE REAPPOINTED AGAIN AFTER TWO YEARS?
>> WHEN EVERYBODY FINISHES OUT THEIR TERM, THEY COME RIGHT BACK UP JUST LIKE ANY OTHER TERM EXPIRATION.
WE JUST WANTED TO KEEP IT FAIR AND MATCHED UP TO WHAT THEY HAVE NOW.
>> I TOTALLY AGREE. WE JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHO HAD WHAT LEFT OVER. THAT WAS THE THING.
>> I APOLOGIZE, MS. CAROLYN AND ANY OF YOU-ALL FOR MAYBE NOT EXPLAINING THAT EARLIER OR GOING OVER IT OR MAYBE WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT THESE UP, BUT YES.
>> THAT'S FINE. YOU'VE GOT THE INFORMATION, GO WITH IT.
>> I JUST REMAIN A LITTLE CONFUSED.
IF I'M UNDERSTANDING, PEOPLE STILL HAVE TIME LEFT ON THEIR CURRENT TERM, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?
>> YES, SIR. LIKE MYSELF, I HAVE THREE YEARS LEFT.
>> WHY ARE WE REAPPOINTING AT THIS POINT?
>> BECAUSE WE'RE CREATING A WHOLE NEW COMMISSION.
>> HANG ON. I'M TALKING TO ASHLEY.
THE LEGISLATURE CREATED THE BATON ROUGE REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AT THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
YOU-ALL HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO PUT THAT INTO MOTION.
THE FAA STILL NEEDS TO MAKE APPROVALS, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THE AUTHORITY NEEDS TO BEGIN DOING WORK.
WHAT WE WILL HAVE IS TWO BOARDS OPERATING CONCURRENTLY.
YOU WILL HAVE THE GREATER BATON ROUGE AIRPORT COMMISSION CONTINUING TO OPERATE, AND YOU WILL HAVE THE BATON ROUGE REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
ONCE THE REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY ACTUALLY COMES INTO BEING AND IS OPERATIONAL, THE GREATER BATON ROUGE AIRPORT AUTHORITY WILL BE NO MORE.
>> BUT THEY'RE THE SAME PEOPLE ON BOTH BOARDS.
>> THAT IS WHAT'S BEING PRESENTED TO YOU TONIGHT.
>> YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM A TIMELINE OF WHEN?
>> JUST A ADDITIONAL POINT OF CLARITY.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, A VERY DETAILED EMAIL WAS SENT OUT TO ALL OF US EXPLAINING ALL OF THIS, THE REASONS WHY.
AS THE POINT WAS MADE, IN MANY INSTANCES, BOTH OF THESE BOARDS WILL OPERATE AT THE SAME TIME.
IT'S VERY EASY TO HAVE THE SAME FOLKS IN TWO DIFFERENT MEETINGS VERSUS DIFFERENT FOLKS IN TWO DIFFERENT MEETINGS.
THE SITUATION AWARENESS, THE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRANSITION AND THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE IS VERY ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE SAME PEOPLE TO BE INVOLVED INSTEAD OF BRINGING NEW PEOPLE ON, GETTING THEM CAUGHT UP TO SPEED.
THE OTHER PIECE IS THESE APPOINTMENTS, AS YOU KNOW, STAGGER.
EVERYBODY CAN'T HAVE THE SAME THREE-YEAR TERM, A FIVE-YEAR TERM.
OTHERWISE, EVERYBODY FALL OFF AT THE SAME TIME, AND WE'LL BE APPOINTING NINE PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME EVERY YEAR.
BY LAW AND BY STATUE, IT HAS TO BE STAGGERED.
WE HAD A COMMISSION MEETING ON YESTERDAY DISCUSSED THIS IN-DEPTH WITH OUR CONSULTANTS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND WITH COMMISSION MEMBERS.
AS COUNCILMAN MOAK MENTIONED, WE MET WITH ASHLEY TO GET THE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW BEST TO MOVE FORWARD IN THIS MANNER.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY FOR ITEM 120 FOR A FIVE-YEAR TERM FOR MR. PAUL ARRIGO.
WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. FOR JOHN FIFE.
WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES. WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON A SUBSTITUTE MOTION FIRST.
>> YOU'RE READY? COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MOTION MACHINES ARE NOW OPEN ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO APPOINT JOHN FIFE.
YES. THIS IS FOR A FIVE-YEAR TERM.
MR. FIFE HAS BEEN APPOINTED. I'M GOING TO DO THAT.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'M GOING TO DO A ROLL CALL.
I NEED YOU TO SAY YES OR NO. COUNCILMAN MOAK.
>> POINT OF ORDER. YOU SKIPPED.
>> I'M SORRY. COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS.
>> THAT'S WAS UNINTENTIONAL. GO ON.
[121. 25-01302]
THIS APPOINTMENT IS FOR A FOUR-YEAR TERM.ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? SEEING, NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.
>> MOTION TO APPOINT BILL PROFITA.
[00:50:03]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR., SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN RACCA TO APPOINT BILL PROFITA. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 122, THIS APPOINTMENT FOR A FOUR-YEAR TERM.
[122. 25-01303]
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING, NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL?>> MOTION TO APPROVE KIZZY PAYTON, FOUR-YEAR TERM.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. TO APPOINT KIZZY PAYTON.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 123. THIS APPOINTMENT IS FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM.
[123. 25-01304]
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL?>> MOTION TO APPOINT AARON MOAK.
>> I AM SO HONORED. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
I APPRECIATE. CAN I GIVE IT ACCEPTANCE SPEAKING.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN, JUNIOR.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 0.24. THIS IS FOR A THREE-YEAR APPOINTMENT.
[124. 25-01305]
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO AND GO TO COUNSEL.>> MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT VALERIE SENIOR.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR TO APPOINT VALERIE LAURIE.
IS ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 125 IS FOR A TWO YEAR APPOINTMENT.
[125. 25-01306]
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE GO TO COUNSEL?>> MOTION TO APPOINT PAUL RIGO.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN MOAK TO APPOINT PAUL RIGO. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 126 IS A TWO YEAR APPOINTMENT.
[126. 25-01307]
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING, NO ONE GO TO COUNSEL?>> MOTION TO APPOINT MR. MATTHEW BUTLER, SR.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR TO APPOINT MATTHEW BUTLER.
THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 127. THIS IS FOR A ONE YEAR TERM.
[127. 25-01308]
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE GO TO COUNSEL?>> MOTION TO APPOINT JOY WOMAN.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
>> ANYBODY APPOINTED, HAVE ANYTHING? NO, GOOD.
>> MR. PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'D LIKE TO INVITE SPENCER, JUST TO GIVE A BRIEF SCENARIO WHERE THEY STAND AND HOW WE MOVE FORWARD.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY FOR THIS IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE GOVERNANCE TRANSITION.
WITH THESE APPOINTMENTS, WE'RE GOING TO START TO MEET WITH THE AUTHORITY BOARD AS WELL AS THE COMMISSION.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND THINGS IN RUNNING IN PARALLEL IS BECAUSE BOTH BOARDS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REVIEW AND EXECUTE GOVERNING DOCUMENTATIONS, AS WELL AS THE COUNCIL HERE.
OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, WE'RE GOING TO BE COMING FORWARD WITH THAT GOVERNING DOCUMENTATION IN VARIOUS AGREEMENTS THAT WILL NEED TO BE EXECUTED BETWEEN THE AUTHORITY AND THE COUNCIL SPECIFICALLY, AND INFORMATION WOULD ALSO BE REVIEWED THROUGH THE COMMISSION AND RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL.
BETWEEN NOW AND APRIL 1ST, WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON THAT.
AN APPLICATION WILL GO INTO THE FAA TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY.
THAT'S OUR GOAL AND WE'RE HOPING TO MEET IT.
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE THEM.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GUYS. WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO ITEM 66.
[66.]
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE SALE AND DELIVERY OF NOT EXCEEDING $215,000 REVENUE BOND SERIES 2025 OF THE CHANEYVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, NUMBER 7 OF THE PAST OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY CHANEYVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE GO TO COUNSEL. MOTION BY CHAIR.
>> SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAM.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 67, THERE HAS BEEN A REQUEST TO DELETE THIS ITEM,
[67. 25-01152]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH EAST BATON ROUGE, REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DOING BUSINESS AS BILL BATON ROUGE, AND THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO EXTEND THE CURRENT AGREEMENT TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2025 BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO IITEM 67?
>> AGAIN, THERE IS A REQUEST TO DELETE THIS.
[NOISE] ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? ANYONE GO TO COUNSEL.
[00:55:04]
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO, TO DELETE, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.ITEM 68, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO
[68. 25-01234]
AND EXECUTE AFFILIATION AGREEMENTS WITH PHYSICIAN GROUPS, PROVIDING QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES, AFFILIATION AGREEMENTS AS REQUIRED BY THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BY COUNCILWOMAN LAURIE ADAMS. IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING, NO ONE GO TO COUNSEL. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 69,[69. 25-01153]
AUTHORIZING AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR PRESIDENT AND OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT WITH MARSH MCLENNAN AGENCY TO PROVIDE PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE BROKER SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING, $120,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE GO TO COUNSEL.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 70, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND OR
[70. 25-01154]
CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO CONSENT TO AN ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF LEASE BY CNAK CONSULTING LLC AND ITS ASSIGNEE, DAWSON MANAGEMENT LLC TO HANCOCK AVIATION LLC AND EXECUTED CONSENT TO LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE BY AVIATION DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? I SEE NONE, GO TO COUNSEL.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. THERE ARE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 71,
[71. 25-01155]
AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR PRESIDENT AND OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT EXECUTE A CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF LEASE FROM GULF WIDE AVIATION LLC TO GH ENTERPRISES INC BY AVIATION DIRECTOR, ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.SEEING, NO ONE, GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 72, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR PRESIDENT AND OR CHAIRMAN OF
[72. 25-01156]
THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH LYFT INC FOR TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR PASSENGERS AT THE BATON ROUGE AIRPORT FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS AT THE RATE OF FIVE DOLLARS PER PICKUP BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR.
SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 73.
[73. 25-01157]
AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH GAT AIRLINE GROUND SUPPORT FOR 100 SQUARE FOOT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE FOR AN ANNUAL RATE OF $8,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, SECOND BY COUNCIL MCKINNEY.
THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 74, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT,
[74. 25-01158]
AND OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE A NON FEDERAL REIMBURSABLE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AND THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE ON BEHALF OF THE GREATER BATON ROUGE AIRPORT DISTRICT IN AN AMOUNT OF $76,214.91 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE GO TO COUNSEL.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 75,
[75.]
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND ADOPTING NEW PARKING RATE STRUCTURE FOR PUBLIC PARKING AT THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR OR ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING, NO ONE GO TO COUNSEL. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR. COUNCILWOMAN ADAM.>> CAN WE GET SOMEONE FROM THE AIRPORT TO COME AND TALK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE PARKING RATE STRUCTURE CHANGES? I JUST I'VE HAD SOME QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.
>> WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE LOOK LIKE RIGHT NOW? WHAT ARE PAYING FOR PARKING RIGHT NOW?
>> CURRENTLY, WE'RE CHARGING $12 A DAY TO PARK IN THE GARAGE AND NINE DOLLARS A DAY IN THE ECONOMY LOT, WHICH IS OUR SURFACE LOT LOCATED BEHIND THE GARAGE.
LEADING UP TO THIS RATE INCREASE, WE WENT AND LOOKED AT AIRPORTS BOTH ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THEN HERE REGIONALLY.
I SHOULD MENTION, WE HAVEN'T INCREASED OUR PARKING RATES SINCE 2016.
HOWEVER, SINCE THAT TIME, OUR OPERATING COSTS HAVE INCREASED BY 32% WHILE REVENUE HAS INCREASED BY 23%.
REALLY, THIS IS JUST A WAY THAT WE CAN KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION WITHOUT PASSING COSTS ONTO THE AIRLINES.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE NOT SUPPORTED.
THE AIRPORT DOESN'T RECEIVE ANY LOCAL TAX FUNDS OR ANY FUNDS FROM THE CITY PARISH GENERAL FUNDS.
WE HAVE TO GENERATE ALL OF OUR OWN REVENUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES AT THE AIRPORT.
WE'RE REALLY RIGHT NOW FOCUSED ON ELEVATING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.
WE DON'T WANT TO PASS THOSE COSTS ON TO THE AIRLINES BECAUSE THAT IMPACTS OUR ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO BRING IN NEW SERVICE IF WE'RE INCREASING THEIR COST.
[01:00:05]
PARKING IS ONE OF THE MAIN WAYS THAT AIRPORTS FUND IMPROVEMENTS.AGAIN, WE DID LOOK AT PEER AIRPORTS AND I CAN GO THROUGH THEIR RATES, BUT WITH THIS ADJUSTMENT, WE'LL BE STILL WELL BELOW SOME OF OUR REGIONAL COMPETITORS AND BOTH OTHER AIRPORTS NATIONALLY.
>> WHAT WILL THE NEW RATES BE?
>> YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION ASKED.
>> WE'LL BE GOING FROM $12 A DAY FOR THE GARAGE TO $16 A DAY.
THEN FOR THE ECONOMY LOT, WE'LL BE GOING FROM NINE DOLLARS PER DAY TO $13 A DAY.
FOUR DOLLARS INCREASE ON BOTH PRODUCTS.
WE ALSO ARE GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT SOME NEW PARKING PRODUCTS.
WE'RE GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT PREMIUM RESERVE PARKING WHERE WE'LL HAVE DESIGNATED SPOTS THAT A CUSTOMER COULD GO ONTO OUR WEBSITE AND BOOK A SPOT, KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO PARK, AND THOSE WILL BE LOCATED IN PREMIUM AREAS CLOSER TO ENTRANCES OR IN THE SURFACE LOT, THE COVERED PARKING WILL NOW BE A PREMIUM PRODUCT.
YOU'LL ALSO BE ABLE TO JUST RESERVE ANY SPOT AT THE BASE RATE, BUT IF YOU WANT THAT CLOSER LOCATION, THE PREMIUM SPOT, THEN YOU CAN DO THAT AS WELL.
THAT WILL BE AT A COST FOR THE PREMIUM.
SORRY. THOSE WILL GO TO, I BELIEVE IT'S $20 A DAY FOR THE PARKING GARAGE FOR THE PREMIUM.
>> THEN ALSO WE'VE INSTALLED EV CHARGING STATIONS.
NOW YOU'LL BE ABLE TO RESERVE A SPOT IF YOU HAVE ELECTRIC VEHICLE.
YOU CAN CHARGE WHILE YOU'RE TRAVELING, AND WE'RE ABLE TO MONETIZE THAT AS WELL.
WE'RE CHARGING $0.37 PER KILOWATT HOUR IN ADDITION TO THE PARKING FEE FOR THOSE SPOTS.
>> GOT IT. WHEN YOU LOOK REGIONALLY, AT WHAT THE PRICE STRUCTURE IS AT OTHER AIRPORTS, ARE WE AT THE AVERAGE OR WE WOULD JUST.
>> MSY, FOR SHORT TERM PARKING, WHICH IS THEIR GARAGE CLOSEST TO THE TERMINAL.
IT'S COMPARABLE TO OUR GARAGE.
IF THIS RATE INCREASES APPROVED, WE'LL BE CHARGING $16 A DAY.
THEY CHARGE 26, IT WILL BE $10 LOWER FOR THEIR SURFACE LOT, THEY CHARGE $20 PER DAY.
LAFAYETTE, CURRENTLY, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A GARAGE.
THEY'RE CHARGING $15 A DAY CURRENTLY JUST FOR THE SURFACE LOT.
THEN FOR THEIR REMOTE LOT, THEY CHARGE NINE DOLLARS A DAY.
>> IT'S NOT COVERED. WE DO HAVE THE COVERED PARKING IN THE SURFACE LOT.
SOME OTHER AIRPORTS WE LOOKED AT WERE HECTOR INTERNATIONAL AND FARGO NORTH DAKOTA.
THEY CHARGED 22 A DAY FOR THEIR LOT AND $16 A DAY FOR LONG TERM NORTHWEST ARKANSAS AIRPORT, $20 A DAY FOR THEIR GARAGE.
THEN $12 A DAY FOR THEIR LONG TERM, AND THEN CLOSER TO BATON, JACKSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CHARGES $19 A DAY FOR THE GARAGE AND 17.
WE'LL STILL BE UNDER THOSE AIRPORTS.
>> IN LINE WITH THEM. ALL THE REVENUE THAT COMES IN FROM THE PARKING.
>> JUST ANOTHER MINUTE. THOSE FUNDS GO TO HELP FUND THE OPERATIONS OF THE AIRPORT, SO THEY ALL STAY AT THE AIRPORT.
>> YES. THAT'S CORRECT. SPECIFICALLY RIGHT NOW, PARKING REVENUE FUNDS, OUR AIRFIELD, EQUIPMENT, AND VEHICLES, DEBT SERVICE ON ONE OF OUR HANGERS, OF ALL OF OUR CONTRACTS, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS ARE FUNDED THROUGH PARKING REVENUE.
OUR ELECTRIC BILL, GAS, OUR INSURANCE COSTS.
WE CHARGE ALL OF OUR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE TO PARKING REVENUE, CLEANING SUPPLIES, COMPUTER SUPPLIES, AIRFIELD SIGNS, AND THEN ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES SALARIES OVERTIME AND BENEFITS ARE FUNDED THROUGH PARKING REVENUE.
>> THAT'S TERRIFIC. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. MIKE ANSWERED A FEW OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE, BUT I SEE GREG HERE AS WELL.
WANT TO TOUCH ON SOME OF THE VALUE ADD THAT THIS IS BRINGING AS WELL.
HE TOUCHED ON THE RESERVATION PARKING, HE TOUCHED ON THE EV PARKING AS WELL.
BUT THE TECHNOLOGY, GREG, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE TECHNOLOGY, THE THINGS THEY WOULD DO AND HOW WOULD MAKE THINGS MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE AT THE PARKING GARAGE.
>> CERTAINLY, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL TODAY.
GREG PEARSON, VICE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH REGION, SP PLUS METROPOLIS.
WE OVERSEE THE PARKING OPERATION AT THE BATON ROUGE AIRPORT.
[01:05:03]
TO CLEVES POINT, WE'LL BE INTRODUCING NEW AI TECHNOLOGY THAT ALLOWS YOU TO ACTUALLY DRIVE IN, RECOGNIZE YOUR VEHICLE, GET A DIGITAL FINGERPRINT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN CHARGE YOU BASED OFF OF THAT VISITS AND SO FORTH.THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THE EV CHARGING THAT WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO INSTALL.
THAT'S PART OF OUR $300,000 COMMITMENT TO THE AIRPORT.
>> JUST TO ADD REAL QUICKLY TO MIKE'S POINT AS WELL.
THIS IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RATES FOR THE OTHER AIRPORTS IN THIS AREA.
WE SAMPLED ALL THE AIRPORTS IN LOUISIANA, BUT ALSO MISSISSIPPI AND SO FORTH.
FARGO NORTH DAKOTA CAME UP JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PARKING RAMP, AND COINCIDENTALLY THEY RAISED THEIR RATES ACTUALLY TO $28 RECENTLY, SO.
>> I APOLOGIZE I DIDN'T TURN ON MY MIC.
>> A COUPLE OF OTHER ENHANCEMENTS ALSO IS PREPAID PARKING AND CALL AHEAD SERVICE OR A SERVICE THAT YOU CAN DESIGNATE A SPOT.
>> ON THE AIRPORTS WEBSITE, WE'LL BE DEPLOYING THE ABILITY TO PRE BOOK IN ADVANCE.
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GO ONLINE, LOOK AT THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU.
IT WON'T JUST BE PARKING GARAGE AND ECONOMY LOT.
IT'LL ALSO BE THE PREMIUM RESERVE AREA THAT'S COVERED NOW, ALSO IN THE ECONOMY LOT.
NOW THIS TAKES THE STRESS OUT OF THE TRAVEL.
WHEN YOU TRAVEL, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND PRE BOOK YOUR PARKING.
BUT ALSO A LOT OF TIME WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT WHEN YOU ACTUALLY BOOK YOUR FLIGHT, YOU'RE GOING TO BOOK YOUR PARKING AT THAT SAME TIME.
WE MAY LOSE REVENUE IN THE PAST TO PEOPLE THAT CHOOSE TO DO TNC, TAKE A TAXI, BUT NOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LOSE THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE ACTUALLY DOING ALL THAT AT ONE TIME AT TO MIKE'S POINT.
WE'D RATHER GET THE REVENUE THROUGH PARKING THAN SHIFT THAT TO ANOTHER REVENUE STREAM, SUCH AS INC REVENUE AND SO FORTH. YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> THANKS, GREG. THANKS, MIKE.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES? ITEM 76,
[76. 25-01163]
AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE PRE LITIGATION CLAIM OF JADA PITTS FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BATON ROUGE POLICE OFFICER IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,500 BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.IS ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING, NO ONE GO TO COUNSEL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.
WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
THERE ARE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 77, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF
[77. 25-01164]
THE PRE LITIGATION CLAIM OF QUINDARIS ROBINS FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BATON ROUGE POLICE OFFICER IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,500 BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING, NONE GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> MOTION BY COUNSEL MCKENNEY, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES ITEM 78,
[78. 25-01165]
AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF PRE-LITIGATION CLAIM BY DAVID SWINDELL FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM A SEWER BACK-UP IN THE CLAIMANT'S HOME FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $13,838 AND 72 CENTS.BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SAY NO WE WILL CANCEL THE MOTION.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCA, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GODE. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 79,
[79. 25-01182]
AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE PRE-LITIGATION CLAIM OF KESHAUN KNOX FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BALON POLICE OFFICER IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,100 BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
SAY NO AND GO TO COUNSEL? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODE. WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 80.
[80. 25-01180]
CONSIDERATION OF THE ITEP APPLICATION FROM WR GRACE AND COMPANY FOR A PROJECT LOCATED IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH REFERRED TO THE PARISH BY THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AS A TAX EXEMPTION APPLICATION NUMBER 20230485-ITE $31,241,000 BY THE COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR TREASURER.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>>THE STATE'S NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> JASON NEWELL. GOOD EVENING. GOOD TO BE WITH YOU ALL.
MY NAME IS JASON NEWELL. I WORK AT THE BATON ROUGE AREA CHAMBER.
I'M ON THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TEAM.
I'M NEW TO THE ROLE THAT I'M IN NOW, BUT I'VE BEEN AT BRAC FOR SEVEN YEARS, MOSTLY WORKING IN THE OTHER EIGHT PARISHES THAT WE COVER.
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EVERYONE, MOVING FORWARD.
AS YOU'RE AWARE, BRAC SUPPORTS BUSINESS GROWTH ACROSS THE NINE PARISH REGION, WORKING TO FACILITATE GROWTH OF BOTH OUR EXISTING BUSINESSES AS WELL AS NEW ONES AS WELL.
WE'VE IN THE PAST, HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN THE ITEP PROCESS, BOTH EDUCATING OUR STAKEHOLDERS AS WELL AS PROVIDING RETURN ON INVESTMENT NUMBERS AND JUST TRYING TO BE A FACILITATOR OF THE PROCESS AS A WHOLE.
[01:10:01]
OBVIOUSLY, THESE RULES HAVE ADJUSTED SO MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, AND TONIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR TWO THAT ARE A PART OF THE 2018 RULES.AGAIN, THEY'VE CHANGED AGAIN RECENTLY WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, AND SO THERE'LL BE A RELATIVELY NEW PROCESS MOVING FORWARD AFTER THIS.
THE WR GRACE PROJECT IS A $31 MILLION INVESTMENT AT THEIR FACILITY IN NORTH BATON ROUGE, AND IT'S PART OF MORE THAN $300 MILLION THAT THEY'RE MAKING ACROSS LOUISIANA.
THESE INVESTMENTS IS ENHANCING THEIR FACILITY IT'S AN OLDER FACILITY AND ALLOWS THEM TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMPETITIVE EDGE.
IT ALSO IS GOING TO RETAIN THE JOBS THAT ARE ALREADY THERE AS WELL, THE 143.
BASED ON OUR CALCULATIONS OF BOTH SALES AND PROPERTY TAXES, WE BELIEVE THAT THE PAIRS COULD SEE A $3.1 MILLION RETURN OVER THE 20-YEAR PERIOD, AND THAT INCLUDES $635,000 IN NEW SALES TAXES AS A RESULT DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OBVIOUSLY, WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS VITAL TO CONTINUE TO APPROVE THESE TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESS IN THE PARISH AND SO HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
THERE'S ALSO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMPANY AND THEIR CONSULTANTS AS WELL, IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT.
>> THANK YOU, JASON ANYONE ELSE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? TEN OF THE COUNSEL.
WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ADAM.
SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR? THERE IN THE OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 81, CONSIDERATION OF THE ITEP APPLICATION FOR
[81. 25-01181]
INTERNATIONAL MESO FOR A PROJECT LOCATED IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, REFERRED TO THE PARISH BY THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AS TAX EXEMPTION APPLICATION NUMBER 20240044-ITE $216,366 BY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR TREASURER.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> I'LL BE BRIEF. JASON NEWELL AGAIN.
THIS IS A $216,000 INVESTMENT AGAIN IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.
YOU'VE SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE APPLICATIONS IN THE PAST FOR THIS COMPANY, THEY CONTINUE TO GROW AND CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THEIR FACILITY.
WE ESTIMATE, AGAIN, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT SMALLER THAN THE PREVIOUS ONE, BUT A $28,000 RETURN TO THE PARISH ON BOTH SALES AND PROPERTY TAXES OVER THE 20-YEAR PERIOD AND AGAIN, HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
THERE IS SOMEBODY FROM THE COMPANY THAT'S HERE AS WELL, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE PROJECT.
>> THANK YOU ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS? SAY NO TO THE COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR IS ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 82, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO EXECUTE
[82. 25-01188]
AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH THE PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION INC., BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY 125,000 FOR A NEW TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $639,250 BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SAY NO AND GO TO COUNCIL HAVE A MOTION.>> I'D LIKE TO KNOW A BIT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I'M LOOKING ITEM 82, 83, 84, AND 85, AND IT'S THE SAME THING SO I NEED TO KNOW A BIT MORE ABOUT ALL OF THESE INCREASES.
>> YES, MA'AM. YOU JUST WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THEM? I MISSED IT FOR A FEW WEEKS, SO THEY DID A FIVE YEAR RFP ON ALL OF THESE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.
THESE ARE ALL OUR REHAB CONTRACTORS SO FOR OUR NEW POT OF MONEY THAT JUST STARTED OCTOBER 1ST, ON OUR NEW FIVE YEAR PLAN, WE'RE GETTING AHEAD OF IT.
WE ARE LOOKING AT DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BUT THESE ARE ALL THE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE DOING THE REHAB WORK.
WE JUST INCREASED EVERY ONE OF THEM SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD INTO NEXT YEAR.
>> YOU GOT IT COUNCILWOMAN? COUNCILMAN MOAK.
>> CAN YOU BREAK THAT DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER SO YOU BASICALLY HAVE IN THESE MULTIPLE ORDINANCES, BUT WE'LL STICK WITH THIS ONE RIGHT HERE.
YOU HAVE MULTIPLE CONTRACTORS AND EACH ONE IS GETTING INCREASED BY X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS? [OVERLAPPING] DO THEY REBID.
>> THEY DID IT FOR FIVE YEARS. I THINK THAT WAS A BIT LONG, SO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN AT THE TOP OF THE YEAR.
WE'RE ADDING PREFAB ROOFS AND RAMPS AND TREE TRIM BACK.
RIGHT NOW, SOME OF THESE CONTRACTORS DO ROOFS, SOME DO INTERNAL INSIDE REHABS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> THIS FUNDING GETS APPROVED? IT'S ALREADY ALLOCATED?
>> [OVERLAPPING] THIS IS A CONTRACT THERE?
>> YES, SIR, CDBG HOME CONTRACTS, AND WE CAN ONLY USE THESE SET CONTRACTORS THE WAY THAT IT'S BEEN ALLOCATED.
>> IT'S ALL THE CONTRACTORS WORK UNDER THIS ONE UMBRELLA.
[01:15:04]
WE'RE JUST PUTTING THIS MONEY IN THIS ONE UMBRELLA, AND THEN Y'ALL FOR WHATEVER IT NEEDS TO BE USED FOR, WHETHER IT'S ROOF OR INTERNAL OR WHATEVER, THAT'S WHERE Y'ALL WILL SEND IT TO?>> KELLY, I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
IS IT THE SAME PROCESS THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE OVER THE YEARS OR THERE'S A NEW PROCESS FOR HOW YOU GO BY CHOOSING WHAT HOUSES NEED TO BE REHABBED?
>> RIGHT NOW IT WAS JUST A EVERYBODY APPLY.
I THINK THERE'S CLOSE TO 300 PEOPLE ON THE LIST.
WE'RE WORKING ON NEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES GOING INTO OUR FIVE YEAR PLAN THAT WERE APPROVED, SO WHERE IS MORE IMPLEMENTATIONAL.
THE SAME INCIDENT WE'RE WORKING ON IN VALLEY PARK.
>> WE'RE REHABBING OUR OWN HOME SO THAT WE CAN DO TITLE CHANGES AND TAKE INDIVIDUALS AND PUT THEM IN A NEW HOME AND THEN REHAB THEIRS.
WE PUT IN OUR NEW FIVE YEAR TO DO FROM THE GROUND UP, NEW CONSTRUCTION THAT WASN'T EVER FOR HOME DOLLARS.
WE'RE DOING SOME NEW THINGS TO TRY TO PINPOINT CERTAIN GROUPS, CERTAIN AREAS SO THAT IT'S NOT JUST A LONG WAITING LIST OF PEOPLE THAT NEVER GET HELP AND JUST SIT ON A WAIT LIST.
>> YOU HAVE A LIST, A WAITING LIST, SO AS FOLKS APPLY, YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO WITH THE APPLICATION, GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF VETTING THE APPLICATION, AND THEN HOW YOU CHOOSE FROM THAT POINT.
>> IT DEPENDS ON IF WE CAN REALLY HELP THEM IF THE HOME IS OFF THE GROUND, IF THERE'S MORE SEVERE ISSUES THAN WHAT WE CAN HELP WITH, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A REHAB TO SPRUCE THE HOME UP AND FIND A PATH FORWARD.
THERE'S A PROCESS, BUT IT COULD BE BETTER, AND WE'RE WORKING ON MAKING IT BETTER, SO WE JUST DON'T HAVE A SITTING WAITING LIST.
>> WE'RE ON ITEM NUMBER 82, THE AMOUNT THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE A 639250.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT'S BEEN DONE FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY ON THAT PARTICULAR CONTRACT? HOW MANY ROOFS, HOW MANY HOUSES HAVE BEEN REHAB? CAN YOU TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT'S BEEN LIKE OUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT?
>> EACH ONE THAT IS COMING UP TO THE SECONDARY AMOUNT THAT WAS AMENDED LAST TIME, WE'VE DONE 84 HOMES THIS YEAR TO DATE.
BUT AGAIN, THIS WAS DONE PRIOR TO ME GETTING HERE LAST.
RIGHT NOW, 83 HOMES, AND THAT'S INTERNAL REHABS, BATHROOMS, KITCHENS.
WE JUST DID ONE ON GRAYSON STREET NOT TOO LONG AGO, THAT WASN'T GUTTED OUT FROM THE FLOOD, BUT 82 IN TOTAL.
>> WHERE DID THESE DOLLARS COME FROM?
>> IS THAT GRANT MONEY OR IS THAT GENERAL FUND DOLLARS, SO FOR THE PUBLIC, EXPLAIN WHERE THOSE DOLLARS COME FROM, BECAUSE WE'RE ASKING FOLKS TO PASS THRIVE.
THEY SEE THESE BIG NUMBERS HERE ON OUR AGENDAS, AND THEY'RE LIKE IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY.
BUT CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN FOR THE PUBLIC AT HOME EXACTLY WHERE THESE DOLLARS COME FROM AND HOW THEY'RE USED?
>> THESE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS FROM HOOD.
OUR ALLOCATION, WE'RE AN ENTITLEMENT CITY, SO EVERY YEAR, WE GET AN ALLOTMENT OF MONEY AND IT'S BROKEN DOWN IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES.
NO, IT'S NOT GENERAL FUND MONEY, FEDERAL ALLOCATION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ADAM, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HARRIS.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 83, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF HOMES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO
[83.]
EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH EDR CONSTRUCTION LLC BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY 125,000 FOR A NEW TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $739,250 BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
SEE NOW WE WILL GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HARRIS. WE HAVE A SECOND.
SECOND BY CHAIR. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 84, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT,
[84. 25-01190]
ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH PEN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC BETWEEN CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, INCREASING CONTRACT AMOUNT BY 125,000 FOR A NEW TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $639,250 BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? THEN GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ALEAH ALLEN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, IS THE OPPOSITION.
[85. 25-01191]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH URBAN RESTORATION ENHANCEMENT CORP, BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH VAST BATON ROUGE, INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY 125,000 FOR A NEW TOTAL AND NOT TAKE AMOUNT OF 470,000 BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANY ONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
SAY NO AND GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR.
>> COUNCILMAN HARRIS ASKED ABOUT THE PROCESS AS IT RELATES TO HOMEOWNERS OR
[01:20:04]
FOLKS LOOKING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GETTING THEIR HOMES REPAIRED THROUGH THESE DOLLARS.I'M LOOKING AT SOME OF THE VENDORS ON HERE.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PROCESS? IS THIS DONE TO ROUGH A COMPETITIVE BID? IF IT'S DONE THROUGH A COMPETITIVE BID, HOW CAN OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN DOING SOME OF HIS WORK ON BEHALF OF THE CITY CONTACT YOU OR BE A PART OF THE PROGRAM?
>> YES, SO IT WAS A FIVE YEAR RFP THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY DONE, SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOCKED IN.
MATTER OF FACT [INAUDIBLE], SENATOR BARRO WORKING ON A RESOURCE FAIR.
I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE A NEW LOOK, ESPECIALLY IF WE'RE GOING TO DO TREE TREND BACK AND SOME FACADE IMPROVEMENTS ON BUSINESSES AND NEW CONSTRUCTION, SO WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO OPEN IT BACK UP IN 2026.
WE'RE JUST DOING THE POLICIES AHEAD OF MAKING THOSE CHANGES.
>> WE HAD A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR IS ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES 86,
[86. 25-01192]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES HEADS START PROGRAMS AMENDING RESOLUTION 25-00972 SO AS TO EXTEND THE DATES OF THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH CLAY YOUNG ENTERPRISES, LLC TO DECEMBER 30, 2025 BY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. TEN AND GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HARRIS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 87, AUTHORIZING MAYOR-PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF
[87. 25-01193]
THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES RYAN WHITE PROGRAM TO ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION IN AN AMOUNT OF $417,954, FIRST ALLOCATION, 841,600, SECOND ALLOCATION 740,446, THIRD ALLOCATION FOR 417,954 TOTAL FEDERAL AWARD $2 MILLION BY THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? GO TO COUNCILMAN MOAK.
>> OFFICER OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] SPEAK ON THAT.
>> I FIGURED YOU SAT DOWN LONG ENOUGH, CALL YOU BACK UP.
>> YOU JUST GO BE MY GO TO CALL UP EVERY TIME I NEED TO SPEAK KELLY.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING UP. I KNOW WE'RE ON ITEM 87, BUT I'M HIT THAT 87, 88, AND 89, BUT PARTICULARLY TO 87, AGAIN, IS THIS APPROPRIATION OF THE FEDERAL FUNDS TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH?
>> THAT'S AS FAR AS IT GOES, THIS IS JUST SENDING IT TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH?
>> AFTER THAT, THEN WE HAVE MORE ORDINANCES THAT COME LATER ON DOWN THE PIPE WHEN WE GO OUT TO THE INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATIONS?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION? COUNCILMAN HARRIS.
>> DR. ZANDEZ, CAN YOU COME UP, PLEASE? CAN YOU COME BACK UP?
>> YES, MA'AM. ORGANIZATIONS A FEW SECONDS AGO WHEN COUNSELOR MOAK WAS QUESTIONING YOU.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHO THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE? YOU.
I DON'T HAVE MY PAPER IN FRONT OF ME, BUT I KNOW LADY OF LAKE IS ONE OF LOUISIANA.
>> NOW YOU MIGHT WANT TO CARRY THAT WITH YOU. JUST IN CASE YOU GOT IT.
>> KELLY WOULD TO KNOW. [LAUGHTER]
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 88.
[88. 25-01194]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESENT ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES RYAN WHITE PROGRAM TO ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, FUNDING AN AMOUNT OF $858,489.FIRST ALLOCATION 841,600, SECOND ALLOCATION 740,446, THIRD ALLOCATION 417,954, AND FOURTH ALLOCATION 858,459.
TOTAL FEDERAL AWARD, 2,858,459 BY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.
THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 89.
[89. 25-01195]
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESENT ON BEHALF OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES RYAN WHITE PROGRAM TO AMEND A SUB RECIPIENT CONTRACT WITH NO AIDS TASK FORCE AND THE AMOUNT OF $69,365 FOR A TOTAL AWARD AND THE AMOUNT OF $124,467 BY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES DIRECTOR.[01:25:05]
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION? COUNCILMAN MOAK.>> YEAH. COULD YOU COME BACK UP? THIS ONE DOES HAVE A SPECIFIC TO THE NO AIDS TASK FORCE.
CAN YOU GIVE A LITTLE INFORMATION ON ON THAT ONE, NUMBER 89? NUMBER 89.
LEFT THE NOTES FOR MYSELF WITH THIS.
THE NO AIDS TASK FORCE, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM PART A BUT THESE ARE EMERGENCY FUNDS THAT THEY HAVE DELIVERED TO RYAN WHITE AND THAT WAS DUE TO THEM AND SO IT'S NOT LIKE YOUR TRADITIONAL GRANT THAT THEY RECEIVED EVERY YEAR OR EVERY TWO YEARS.
>> IS THIS A SPECIFIC PROGRAM OR IS IT A GROUP?
>> NO, IT'S A SPECIFIC PROGRAM.
WE HAVE TWO PROGRAMS, ONE IS RYAN WHITE PART A, AND THEN THE OTHER IS ENDING THE AIDS EPIDEMIC, YOU CAN CALL IT PART B, BUT IT'S EHE.
>> COUNCILMAN, THIS ONE SEEMS TO BE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE SIGNIFICANT HEALTHCARE COVERAGE OR FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 90. AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF
[90. 25-01211]
THE DIVISION OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES HEAD START PROGRAM TO SUBMIT CONTINUATION GRANT APPLICATION TO THE OFFICE OF HEAD START AND RECEIVE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,882,609 FOR OPERATIONAL BUDGET AND $124,351 FOR TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $13,006,960 BY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK.
WE HAVE A SECOND SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
[91. 25-01217]
AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION AND RECEIVE FUNDING FROM LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OFFICE OF NUTRITION SERVICES FOR THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM IN AMOUNT OF $917,224.56 BY THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 92-96 TOGETHER.
[Items 92 - 96]
92, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH CAPITAL AREA CONSTRUCTION LLC FOR DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES, PACKAGE A11 AND AN AMOUNT I TAKE $73,493 BY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 93, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH ABG CONTRACTORS INC FOR DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES, PACKAGE A12, AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $80,360 BY THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, 94 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH SPURLOCK COMPANY, INC, FOR THE DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES PACKAGE A13 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $60,350 BY THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ITEM 95. AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH SPURLOCK COMPANY, INC, FOR DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES PACKAGE A14 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $104,825 BY THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
ITEM 96. AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH CAPITAL AREA, CONSTRUCTION LLC FOR DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES PACKAGE A15 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $85,114 BY THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING NO ONE WE GO TO COUNCIL, WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES 97.
[97. 25-01203]
ASSENDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK COURT TO CANCEL THE NOTICE TO ATTEND, RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 19, 2025, AND THE DECISION ON ORDER RECORDED ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE V. JAMES E.SEPTER AND VERNAL W. SEPTER 12965 WEDGEWOOD DRIVE.
THE REASON FOR ASCENDING IS THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF BAKER, WHICH IS NOT OUR JURISDICTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 98.
RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURT TO CANCEL
[98.]
THE NOTICE TO ATTEND RECORDED ON JANUARY 13, 2025 IN THE DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON JUNE 3, 2025.[01:30:01]
MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE V. JILL ANNE GRAVES CRUTTI, 3138 ELM DRIVE, REASON FOR ASCENDING THE PROPERTY HAS A NEW OWNER THAT HAS PLANNED TO REMODEL AND PUT IT BACK INTO COMMERCE.THIS IS BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, NOW GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 99.
RESCINDING AND DIRECTING CLERK COURT TO COUNCIL A NOTICE TO ATTEND RECORDED ON MAY 12,
[99. 25-01209]
2023 AND DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON MAY 25, 2023 IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BAD ROUGE V. CLIFFORD WARREN SANFORD, OLLIE BELL, DANIEL SANFORD, JUANITA SANFORD, BRADFORD, 8446, SCOTLAND AVENUE.THE REASON FOR RESCINDING THIS PROPERTY IS IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING OWNERSHIP AND THE NEW OWNER HAS PLANS TO WORK ON IT IS BY COUNCIL MCKINNEY.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ADAM 100, RESCINDING AND DIRECTING THE CLERK COURT TO CANCEL,
[100. 25-01227]
NOTICE TO ATTEND RECORDED ON JULY 22, 2024, AND THE DECISION AND ORDER RECORDED ON OCTOBER 11, 2024, IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF BATON ROUGE V. ETHEL MAE WILLIAMS AND THE ESTATE OF DARREL WINFREY, 1513 MYRTLE WALK.REASON FOR RESCINDING. PROPERTY OWNER HAS BOARDED UP AND SECURED THE PROPERTY.
A FALLEN TREE WILL BE REMOVED AND THE ROOF DAMAGES TO BE REPAIRED.
THIS IS BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, NOW GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. WE'VE GOT A SECOND.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 101.
[101. 25-01214]
REPEALING ORDINANCE 8668 ADOPTED MAY 25, THAT'S WRONG, 1988, AND AMENDING ORDINANCE 8148 ADOPTED MAY 14, 1986, RELATING TO THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARIS COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, BY COUNCILMAN ROWDY GAUDET AND COUNCILMAN DWIGHT HUDSON.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR.
>> THANK YOU. CAN THE AUTHORS OR WHOEVER HELPED DRAFT IT, JUST TALK ABOUT THE CHANGE IN THE LANGUAGE, WHAT THE LANGUAGE CURRENTLY STATES AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO AND WHAT YOU'RE HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE CHANGE IN LANGUAGE?
>> COUNCILMAN DUNN. YES. THE AUTHORS REQUESTED THAT WE LOOK AT THIS AND GET THE CITY PARISH ORDINANCE IN CONFORMITY WITH THE STATE LAW.
THE STATE LAW PROVIDES THAT THE MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD SHALL BE REGISTERED VOTERS, PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE PARISH.
OUR ORDINANCE SPECIFIED PARTICULAR OFFICE HOLDERS FOR THOSE SEATS, AND THAT WAS NOT IN CONFORMITY WITH THE STATE LAW.
COUNCILMAN GAUDET AND COUNCILMAN HUDSON ASKED FOR THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO WORK ON CORRECTING THAT.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 102.
[102. 25-01226]
AMENDING TITLE 12, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 12101, SO AS TO ADD A DECIBEL THRESHOLD AND ADD SECTION 12105, EXCEPTIONS BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET, COLEMAN AND AMAROSO.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 103.
[103. 25-01228]
AMENDING TITLE 9, SO AS TO ADD CHAPTER 26, PRIVATE BOOTING AND IMMOBILIZATION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS GAUDET COLEMAN AND RACCA.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? WE HAVE AARON HARROW.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK FOR YOU.
I JUST WANT TO SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR THE ATTENTION YOU'RE PAYING TO OUR INDUSTRY, AND ESPECIALLY COUNCIL MEMBERS GAUDET, COLEMAN AND RACCA, FOR THE WORK YOU PUT ON THIS ORDINANCE.
I AM THE MANAGER WITH AMERICAN COACH WORKS.
WE'RE THE LARGEST BOOTING OPERATION IN THE GREATER BATON ROUGE AREA.
WE DO ACTUALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THERE BEING SOME OVERSIGHT AND REGULATION INTO OUR INDUSTRY.
WE PAST IN OTHER CITIES, SOMETIMES WHEN THINGS HAVE HAD A LOT OF BAD ACTORS, PER SE, AND REALLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PUBLIC, THEN THE CITY COUNCIL STEPS IN AND REALLY JUST THROWS THE BOOK AT OUR WHOLE INDUSTRY, SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY THAT YOU ALL ARE GETTING AHEAD OF IT, ESPECIALLY AS A COMPANY THAT WE HAVE STRIVED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN COHERENCE WITH ALL THE STATE ORDINANCES, AND EVERYTHING ELSE AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE CITY PARISH GOING FORWARD.
COUNCILMAN GAUDET HAS BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO SPEAK WITH HIM MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, EXCUSE ME.
[01:35:01]
IN RESPONSE TO WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT VERSUS THIS, ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT CHANGED WAS THE CAP ON THE FEE, WAS ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES.THOUGH I APPRECIATE Y'ALL WORKING WITH US, THE CAP FEE, IT IS STILL GOING TO HURT AND HONESTLY IS GOING TO TAKE AWAY ABOUT 25% OF MY REVENUE.
BUT AS I EXPLAINED TO COUNCILMAN GAUDET, IN REALITY WHEN SOME OF THESE OTHER CITIES AND OTHER PLACES HAVE LOWERED THE CAP TOO LOW, IT PUTS BOOTING COMPANIES OUT OF BUSINESS.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT IS THE TOW TRUCKS COME BACK OUT.
OUR CLIENTS ARE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS OR PRIVATE PROPERTY MANAGERS, THEY HAVE CERTAIN THINGS THEY WANT TO HAVE.
APARTMENT COMPLEX MAY RENT OUT COVERED PARKING AND REQUIRE PEOPLE TO HAVE A PERMIT.
WELL, THEY DO ENFORCE THAT OR ELSE THE PEOPLE PAYING THEM EXTRA MONEY OR TAKING THEIR SPOT AWAY FROM THEM.
IN THE CASE OF PAID PARKING LOTS, THESE ARE PRIVATE BUSINESSES THAT BRING CONCERNS IS THAT PEOPLE ARE PARKING THERE AND NOT PAYING AND BASICALLY NOT PAYING FOR THE SERVICE THAT THEY'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF.
THERE ARE OTHER WAYS OF ENFORCEMENT, THEY FOUND THAT BOOTING IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO GO ABOUT IT FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT REASONS.
BECAUSE I SAID, IF THE TOW TRUCKS COME BACK OUT, IT IS A MORE AGGRESSIVE WAY, IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE.
SOMEONE HAS TO TRAVEL TO THE TOW YARD TO GET THEIR VEHICLE OUT, WHEREAS WITH BOOTING, IT'S LESS EXPENSIVE, THEY CAN GET THEIR VEHICLE RIGHT THERE IN THERE AS SOON AS THEY CALL SOMEBODY, SOMEONE SHOWS UP.
ALSO FOR OUR CLIENTS, WE FOUND THAT MOST OF MY CLIENTS PREFER BOOTING PRIOR TO TOWING, NOT JUST BECAUSE IT'S LESS AGGRESSIVE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE IT HELPS PROVIDE A VISUAL DETERRENT, WHEREAS TOWING CAN SOMETIMES BECOME JUST A REVOLVING DOOR.
ESPECIALLY AN LSU HOME GAME OR SOUTHERN HOME GAME, WE'LL GO TOW A CAR AWAY, AND WHEN YOU COME BACK, THERE'S ANOTHER ONE RIGHT THERE IN THE SAME SPOT.
WHEREAS BOOTING THE CAR MIGHT BE GONE, BUT IT PROVIDES A VISUAL DETERRENT THAT HELPS OTHER PEOPLE FROM PARKING THERE.
JUST TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I REALLY DO APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK YOU'LL PUT INTO THIS ORDINANCE AND YOUR ATTENTION YOU'RE PAYING TO OUR INDUSTRY, AND ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YOU HAVE, I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER.
WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL ALLOWING US THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
ESPECIALLY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, COUNCILWOMAN RACCA, AND COUNCILMAN GAUDET, I APPRECIATE Y'ALL TIME LOOKING INTO THIS, LIKE AARON WITH AMERICAN COACH WORK SAID, THIS IS GOING TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE BAD ACTORS WE'VE HAD IN THIS INDUSTRY, AND WE DO NOT WANT THAT ATTACHED TO OUR NAME BECAUSE WE'RE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION, AND I TRY TO HIRE A LOT OF THE GUYS THAT ARE OUR EMPLOYEES THAT WE HAVE, MYSELF, BEING A TEN YEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT VETERAN, WE HIRE US MILITARY VETERANS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT VETERANS.
WORKING WITH COUNCILMAN GAUDET, I THINK SOME OF OUR ISSUES, WE PRIMARILY TARGET THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND 18 WHEELERS THAT ARE IN THE PARKING LOTS OR TEARING UP THE PARKING LOTS, THAT ARE DESTROYING SOME OF THE PARKING LOTS.
MOST OF OUR CLIENTS ARE ON THAT SIDE, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN AMERICAN CAT TRUCKS.
THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME, 40 PLUS YEARS, THEY HAVE A LOT MORE OF THE SMALLER VEHICLES, OUR BUSINESS TARGET SPECIFICALLY THE LARGER COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND 18 WHEELERS THAT NOBODY HAS THE ABILITY TO IMMOBILIZE.
LIKE I SAID, MY NAME IS CHAD JENKINS.
MY WIFE, TERESA JENKINS, THE COMPANY, OUR COMPANY IS VIPER STRIKER, LLC AND WE HAVE CONTRACTS FROM WEST BATON ROUGE, TANJA BAJOA, ASCENSION, INTO EAST BATON ROUGE IN LIVINGSTON.
I DON'T WANT TO COVER EVERYTHING THAT AARON DID, HE DOES A GREAT JOB OF COVERING EVERYTHING, SO WE'RE HERE TO HELP EVERYBODY THAT HAS ANY QUESTIONS.
OUR COMPANY IS ONE SPECIFIC THING THAT COUNCILMAN GAUDET HAS, WE HAVE AN ITEM CALLED THE BARNACLE, WE'RE THE ONLY COMPANY IN LOUISIANA THAT HAS IT.
IT IS AN MOBILIZATION DEVICE FOR THE WINDSHIELDS, AND WE'VE HAD THAT FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND IT'S A RELEASABLE DEVICE WHERE THE CLIENT CAN RELEASE IT THEMSELVES AND RETURN THAT DEVICE INTO A BOX.
THAT'S BEEN PRETTY BENEFICIAL TO OUR INDUSTRY.
IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS LIKE WITH AARON, WE'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THE BOOTING LAWS ARE PRETTY SPECIFIC, AND THEY SPELL OUT EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE FROM YOUR SIGNS ON YOUR TRUCK, SIGNS ON THE PROPERTIES, IT'S PRETTY SPECIFIC, DOWN TO THE SIZE OF THE LETTERING AND THE HEIGHT OF THE LETTERING.
AGAIN, I KNOW Y'ALL HAD ADDED ALL THAT 1491 STATUTE INTO YOUR ORDINANCE,
[01:40:04]
SO IT'LL BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO HELP REGULATE IT.>> JOHN HARUN. I'M WITH BATON ROUGE PARKING.
I NEED TO TRY TO MAKE A BIT OF A DISTINCTION.
I AM A PARKING OPERATOR THAT USES A BOOT TO COLLECT FOLKS THAT HAVE NOT PAID THEIR FEE.
I'M NOT A BOOTING COMPANY, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE ADDITIONAL CLARITY IN THIS BILL TO SEPARATE WHAT IS A PARKING OPERATOR TO WHAT IS A BOOTING COMPANY.
VERY LITTLE AMOUNT OF MY MONEY COMES FROM BOOTING, MAJORITY OF MY MONEY COMES FROM PARKING.
I HAVE TO USE THE BOOT WHEN SOMEONE HADN'T PAID THREE OR FOUR BILLS TO COLLECT THEM SO THEY STOP THINKING THEY CAN COME ON THE PARKING LOT WITHOUT HAVING CONSEQUENCES.
I APPRECIATE THAT WE'VE HAD SOME LANGUAGES.
I FEEL THAT I CAN DO WHAT I NEED TO DO AS A PARKING OPERATOR UNDER THE CURRENT CHANGES.
JUST WISH THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE CLARITY BETWEEN A BOOTER, AND ALL THEY DO IS BOOT CARS, VERSUS A PARKING OPERATOR USING A BOOT TO POLICE HIS LOT. THANKS.
>> I DON'T WANT TO UPSET ANYONE HERE, AND I'VE BEEN EXTREMELY PLEASED.
I'VE TESTIFIED AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE NUMEROUS TIMES.
I WANT TO TELL YOU I'VE NEVER HAD A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE WORK WITH US THE WAY AND I'M SORRY, MOST OF OUR CONTACT HAS BEEN WITH MR. GODE.
IT WAS EXTREMELY ENCOURAGING, TO HAVE MR. GODE WORK WITH US SO, BUT I'M GOING TO ADDRESS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM AND THAT'S THE RATES.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS $150 RATE WAS ACHIEVED.
WHEN WE STARTED AMERICAN COACHWORKS, MAINLY DID PRIVATE PROPERTY TOWING FOR THE LAST 20 SOME YEARS, 30 YEARS, REALLY.
IN 2016, AFTER THE FLOOD AND THERE WERE SO MANY CARS TO TOW, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THAT.
I LOOKED INTO THE BOOTING, AND STATE LAW ADDRESSED EVERYTHING BUT RATES, WHERE THE PRIVATE PROPERTY TOWING, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DOES THE RATES AND THE STATE POLICE ENFORCE THAT.
IN 2016, A PRIVATE PROPERTY TOW AVERAGE $237.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME INSURANCE, THE SAME SIGNAGE, THE SAME THIS, THE SAME THAT.
WE HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE 24/7, WHICH A TOWING COMPANY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE.
I ESTABLISHED OUR RATE AT $200 BASED ON BASICALLY WHAT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION HAD DONE WITH THE TOWING RATES BUT SLIGHTLY LOWER.
WE WERE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING RAISING OUR RATES TO 250 AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION HAS RAISED THOSE PRICES 37% ON TOWING COMPANIES SINCE 2016.
IT IS WELL OVER RIGHT AT $350 AVERAGE IF YOU GET YOUR CAR TOWED NOW.
EVEN A $200 FEET, BUT I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU ARRIVED AT THIS FIGURE.
LIKE I SAY, IT'S AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, AND I'M SENSITIVE ABOUT IT ALSO, BUT IS IT JUST A FIGURE YOU PICKED OUT OF THE AIR? WAS THERE ANY ACCOUNTING DONE TO SEE IF THIS IS A SUSTAINABLE RATE? IF IT'S A REASONABLE RATE, AND THERE'S NOTHING'S ADDRESSED ABOUT HOW TO INCREASE THAT RATE.
WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, THEY HAVE ACCOUNTING SERVICES THAT GO INTO AND STUDY A BUSINESS TO DETERMINE IT.
I KNEW THAT THIS WAS COMING THAT, MUNICIPALITY HAS A RIGHT UNDER STATE LAW TO ADDRESS THIS, BUT YOU DON'T PUT PRICES ON ANY OTHER SERVICE ANYWHERE IN EAST BATON ROGUE PARISH.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY FOR YOU TO SINGLE OUT THE BOOTING INDUSTRY? MY TIME IS UP. BUT I'LL BE GLAD TO ASK QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU. THERESA JENKINS.
ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? PLEASE.
[01:45:02]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCILMAN.
I'M WHITNEY HOFFMAN SAL, THE DIRECTOR OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, IT'S ALSO BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH THE COUNCIL PEOPLE AND CREATING THIS.
THIS REALLY CAME ABOUT AND BOOTING GOES BEYOND THE SCOPE OF DOWNTOWN, BUT OUR FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WAS APPROVED IN 2023, WHERE WE GOT ABOUT 1,400 RESPONSES FROM OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
RESIDENTS, VISITORS, REGIONAL, REALLY MADE A POINT THAT PARKING WAS CONFUSING AND THAT WAS AN ADHERENT TO PEOPLE COMING DOWNTOWN AND CONDUCTING BUSINESS HERE.
WE'VE ALSO, AS AN OFFICE, GOTTEN MANY COMPLAINTS, QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INCLARITY AROUND BOOTING, AND I THINK THAT WHEN WE WORKED WITH VINCENTIA DE BATON ROUGE ON THIS AS WELL BECAUSE THEY'VE ALSO GOTTEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, WE LOOKED TO OTHER PEER CITIES ON WHAT THEY'RE DOING AS WELL AS OBVIOUSLY THE STATE LAW.
WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT OTHER PEER CITIES ON HOW THEY WERE ALSO MANAGING THIS, WE LOOKED AT COMPARABLE CITIES LIKE ATLANTA, MEMPHIS, NEW ORLEANS, AND LOOKED AT THE RATES THAT THEY WERE CHARGING.
THOSE RATES, HONESTLY, WERE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN, I DON'T HAVE THEM RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, BUT SOMEWHERE $70-100.
I DO THINK ALSO THAT WE NEED TO NOT GET TOTALLY OUT OF LINE WITH OUR OTHER PEER CITIES, ESPECIALLY IF WE WANT PEOPLE TO WANT TO COME DOWNTOWN OR OTHER PLACES THAT HAVE BOOTING TAKING PLACE.
IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT CLARITY AND ALSO, NOT AN EXPERT IN TOWING SPECIFICALLY, BUT I DO THINK THERE ARE EQUIPMENT DIFFERENCES AND NEEDS, AND I DO THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALIGNED WITH OTHER CITIES AND ARE NOT CHARGING MORE AND MAKING DOWNTOWN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO COME.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? GO TO COUNCIL, COUNCILMAN DAN JUNIOR.
>> THANK YOU. I FORGET THE GENTLEMAN'S NAME WHO HAD A PARKING GARAGE HAD TO COMMENT. CAN YOU COME UP?
>> PARKING LOT. PARKING GARAGE.
I HAVE HEARD OF BORERS WITH EXCESSIVE FEES.
I SUPPORT THE EFFORTS AND THE APPROACH TO THE AUTHORS ON THIS.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
AS I HEAR YOUR CONCERN, I THINK I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE SAYING IF I HAVE SOMEONE WHO PARKS IN MY GARAGE OR PARKING LOT FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, AND THAT FEE THAT THEY OWE YOU EXCEEDS THIS RATE MINIMUM, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO EAT THE DIFFERENCE.
AM I UNDERSTANDING YOU CORRECTLY?
>> I FEEL I CAN COLLECT THE UNPAID PARKING FEE.
I'M NOT REAL WORRIED ABOUT THE BOOT FEE.
I'M JUST TRULY TRYING TO COLLECT.
WE WILL GET REPEAT OFFENDERS ON OUR LOTS ALL THE TIME.
SOMEBODY WILL ROLL IN AND THEY DON'T PAY $50 FEE.
SOMEBODY ROLL IN, THEY DON'T PAY $50 FEE.
SOMEBODY I'LL LOOK UP AND SOMEBODY IS $250 AND THEY'VE DONE THIS FIVE TIMES IN A ROW.
THAT'S WHEN WE GO PUT THE BOOT ON THE CAR AND COLLECT OUR UNPAID [OVERLAPPING].
>> YOU FEEL LIKE THE LANGUAGE IS NOT CLEAR ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU THE FREEDOM TO GO COLLECT THAT.
YOU FEEL LIKE IT LUMPS YOU IN AS A BOOTER?
>> WELL, IN READING THE NUANCES AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THIS WORKING WITH MR. GODE HERE, I FEEL THERE IS LANGUAGE TO GIVE ME WHAT I NEED TO DO AS A PARKING OPERATOR.
I JUST WISH IT WAS LESS GRAY AND MORE BLACK AND WHITE.
BECAUSE, YES, I USE A BOOT FOUR TIMES A WEEK.
AS AN EXAMPLE, 96% OF MY REVENUE IS MONTHLY PARKERS OR DAILY PARKERS.
I'M NOT A BOOTING COMPANY. I'M A PARKING COMPANY.
I USE THE BOOT TO ENFORCE THOSE THAT SOMETIMES DON'T LIKE TO DEAL WITH PRICKLY PARKING SITUATIONS, AND I'VE GOT TO TO GET THAT PERSON EITHER TO STOP PARKING ON MY LOT OR PAY BILLS OR GET AWAY.
>> UNDERSTOOD. AGAIN, I'M SENSITIVE TO YOUR CONCERN.
I I WOULD ASK THE AUTHORS TO CONSIDER SOME ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE TO BRING SOME CLARITY TO IT SO YOU WON'T FEEL RESTRICTED.
BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS WHAT YOU'RE COMPLAINING WITH.
>> COUNCILMAN GODE AND I'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH WITH SOME LANGUAGE.
I'VE ALSO ASKED FOR SOME CLARITY FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY TO GIVE ME AN OPINION ON WHERE I AM AS A OPERATOR, NOT A BOOTING COMPANY.
>> COUNCILMAN GODE COURTNEY, DO YOU GUYS HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE FROM THE FLOOR THAT YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE TO BRING SOME CLARITY TO HIS CONCERN?
ACTUALLY, WE DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE FOR YOU GUYS TO
[01:50:03]
CONSIDER BECAUSE SECTION 1409 ALREADY TAKES CARE OF MR. HERON'S CONCERN.>> CAN YOU READ IT AND HELP US UNDERSTAND?
>> BASICALLY, I'M JUST GOING TO SUMMARIZE IT THAT IT STATES THAT A PARKING FACILITY OWNER SHALL NOT RECEIVE ANY COMPENSATION IN CONNECTION WITH BOOTING A VEHICLE.
HOWEVER, THEY CAN COLLECT THE PARKING FEES THAT ARE DUE TO THEM.
IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT'S WHAT HE'S CONCERNED WITH.
HE CAN COLLECT HIS OUTSTANDING PARKING FEES.
HE CAN GO OUT THERE AND BOOT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE HE'S GETTING PAID.
THEN WHEN THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS UP, HE GETS HIS MONEY FOR THE PARKING FEES.
HE JUST CAN'T CHARGE FOR THE REMOVAL ITSELF.
>> WHAT IS YOUR CONFLICT OF MISUNDERSTANDING WITH WHAT SHE JUST READ? COME TO THE MIC, PLEASE.
>> AGAIN, OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, WE'VE CLARIFIED THAT.
I'VE GOTTEN THIS TODAY TO RE READ IT AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE I AM.
I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT SUPER CLEAR THAT WE WILL FOLLOW THE RULES THAT ARE IN THIS ORDINANCE, BUT WE'RE COMING AT IT FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE.
AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO COLLECT UNPAID FEES.
>> IT SOUNDS TO ME WHAT SHE JUST READ TO ME THAT IT DIFFERENTIATES THE BOOT FEE VERSUS THE PARKING FEE.
I JUST LOOKING FOR A LITTLE MORE SEPARATION BETWEEN WHAT I DO.
I DON'T THINK WE NECESSARILY NEED TO MAKE GOOD THE ENEMY A GREAT.
BUT IT SEEMS AS IF IT'S ABOUT YOUR LANGUAGE AND HOW YOU PHRASE IT.
YOU CAN'T INCREASE THE BOOT FEE, BUT WHATEVER THEY OWE YOU FOR PARKING THAT DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, YOU CAN COLLECT THAT.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR THE CLARITY.
MR. HERON, I THINK YOU'RE OKAY THERE.
I THINK SHORT OF DAM AND YOU PERSONALLY IN THE ORDINANCE, IT'S AS CLEAR AS IT CAN BE FOR YOU.
I'LL TELL YOU, I TALKED TO COUNCILMAN GODE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS AND AND IT WAS LATE ON THIS.
WHEN I TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER, WHEN IT WAS PREVIOUSLY DEFERRED, MY QUESTION ON THIS WAS FROM A STANDPOINT OF SAFETY.
WHEN I VOICED MY CONCERN, HE TOLD ME A STORY THAT HE RECEIVED FROM SOMEONE THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT MY THOUGHT WAS.
IF YOU HAD A DINNER AND IT RUNS A LITTLE LONGER THAN YOU ANTICIPATED OR YOU JUST HAPPENED TO RUN A LITTLE BIT OVER.
WELL, IT TURNS OUT HE HAD RECEIVED WORD FROM SOMEONE DIRECTLY, WHO THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID.
THEY WERE ABOUT 20 MINUTES OVER AT DINNER. THEY KNEW IT.
THEY EXPECTED MAYBE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A TICKET OR ANOTHER FEE.
THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS A BOOT, AND I FORGET THE SPECIFICS, BUT IT WAS QUITE A LENGTHY PROCESS.
THERE WAS A LOT OF TIME INVOLVED.
HE WAS DOWNTOWN WITH HIS FAMILY AND HAD TO WAIT AND WAS VERY UPSET, DIDN'T FEEL SAFE ABOUT IT.
THE SAFETY PART OF THIS, TO ME, IS A FAR BIGGER ISSUE THAN THE COST.
PERSONALLY, WHEN I LOOK AT THIS, TOTALLY, I FEEL LIKE THE MARKET CAN DICTATE FEES JUST FINE.
I BELIEVE IN FREE MARKET, AND I THINK PERSONALLY, I WOULD RATHER THE MARKET COMPLETELY CONTROL THE COST OR THE FEE.
HOWEVER, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY, PRIVATE BUSINESS, AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO REGULATE THAT ANY MORE THAN WE HAVE TO EXCEPT SAFETY BECOMES PARAMOUNT AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO TRUMP A LOT OF THINGS.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SAFETY, FOR ME, I WOULD SAY I'D BE FINE WITH A $400 FEE IF I KNOW YOU CAN BE THERE IN 20 MINUTES AND TAKE CARE OF IT, OR IF I CAN SCAN SOMETHING WITH MY PHONE, AND THEN IT'S UNDONE AND TAKEN RIGHT YOU KNOW, I WOULDN'T CARE ABOUT THE FEE IF TIME CAN BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE THE SAFETY OF STANDING DOWNTOWN OR ANYWHERE, FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, I THINK BECOMES A FACTOR.
I'M A BANKER, WE MANAGE RISK ALL DAY LONG.
THAT'S WHAT WE DO. WHEN WE LOOK AT MANAGING RISK, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO THINK LIKE A CRIMINAL WHEN YOU DO THAT.
IF I'M A CRIMINAL AND I SEE A BOOT ON A CAR, I MIGHT SAY, THAT'S SOMEBODY WHO'S GOING TO BE SITTING THERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE VERY VULNERABLE.
THESE ARE THE THINGS I THINK OF WHEN IT COMES TO THE SAFETY ASPECT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS PART OF THE DISCUSSION AT ALL.
COUNCILMAN, IF THAT WAS, I WOULD EVEN SAY, AS FAR AS WHERE THE FEE CAME FROM, EVEN HAVING A FEE OR A SLIDING SCALE IF THE COMPANY CAN GET THERE IN 15 MINUTES, IS THIS PRICE, IF IT TAKES THE 30 AND NOW THE FEE STARTS GOING DOWN.
[01:55:06]
THE LONGER IT TAKES YOU TO GET THERE TO TAKE CARE OF THE BOOT YOU PUT THERE, THE LOWER YOU FEEL BE IT TO INCENTIVIZE YOU TO GET THERE QUICKER AND COLLECT MORE.I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THAT WAS PART OF THE DISCUSSION, AND I APOLOGIZE BECAUSE LIKE COUNCILMAN SAID, I WAS LATE TO BRINGING THAT UP, BUT TO ME, IT'S THE BIGGER ISSUE IS SAFETY, EVEN MORE SO THAN THE COST FROM MY POINT OF VIEW.
I DON'T KNOW, IF YOU ALL WANT TO PLEASE, IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO SPEAK TO THAT, IF THAT WAS PART OF SOMETHING YOU'LL DISCUSSED, I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS.
>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP VERY VALID POINT, VERY VALID QUESTION.
THE TWO THINGS I WOULD SAY THAT IS NUMBER 1, I BROUGHT UP EARLIER IF YOU GET RID OF THE BOOTING COMPANIES, THE TOW TRUCKS COME BACK OUT.
WHEN NOW SOMEBODY THEY GET TOWED, NOW THEY'RE STANDING AROUND REALLY STANDING AROUND.
THEY'RE NOT GETTING BACK TO IT TOMORROW.
GOD FORBID THEY GET TOWED ON FRIDAY, THEY MIGHT NOT GET BACK TILL MONDAY.
ALSO TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE COME OUT I'VE SPOKEN WITH COUNCILMAN GODE ABOUT, SAID WHAT'S CALLED RELEASABLE BOOTS.
IT'S WHERE TECHNOLOGY IS GOING IN OUR INDUSTRY.
WHEN WE CHECKED INTO THEM ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, THEY WEREN'T EVEN ABLE TO BE COMPLIANT WITH STATE LAW.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S COME OUT OF THESE DISCUSSIONS IS WE'VE HAD TO LOOK INTO RELEASEABLE BOOTS AGAIN, AND FOR MY COMPANY, IT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
THAT WAY, IF SOMEBODY SEES THE BOOT, THEY CAN PAY FOR IT, GET THEIR CAR BACK RIGHT THERE IN THERE AND JUST PUT THE BOOT IN A LITTLE RECEPTACLE.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, TECHNOLOGY WISE, THAT'S WHERE OUR INDUSTRY IS GOING ALREADY, AND STILL BETTER THAN GETTING TESTED.
>> TELL ME THIS, IN YOUR OPINION IN THAT SCENARIO, YOU'RE SAYING YOU'RE LOOKING LIKE YOU'RE GOING TOWARDS THAT.
IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE TIME CONSTRAINT PUT ON YOU THROUGH THIS ORDINANCE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO?
>> NO, SIR. WHENEVER SPEAKING COUNCIL GO TO ABOUT THE TIME CONSTRAINTS, THE STATE LAW SAYS 90 MINUTES, THE CURRENT ORDINANCE BRINGS DOWN TO 60.
ME AS A MANAGER, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DIDN'T REALLY TRY TO ARGUE WITH YOU THAT BECAUSE THAT JUST MEANS I NEED TO GET OFF MY BUTT AND BE ON CALL MORE OFTEN.
IT JUST MAKES ME PERSONALLY WORK HARDER. NO PROBLEM.
OUR MAIN CONCERN, THE WAY THE COMPANY I WOULD HAVE TO PARTNER WITH OR ONE OF THE TWO COMPANIES I HAVE TO PARTNER WITH? I'M SORRY.
>> IT'S MORE WITH THE FEE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF SAVINGS.
THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE A PART OF MY BOOTING FEE, BUT I WON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR EQUIPMENT, THINGS LIKE THAT.
THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THAT I'M BEING PUSHED MORE TOWARDS RELEASABLES.
WE WERE NATURALLY GOING TO GO THAT WAY ANYWAY.
WE WERE JUST WAITING FOR THE TECHNOLOGY TO CATCH UP.
IT'S WHERE WE COULD BE COMPLIANT WITH STATE LAWS.
NOW AS I'VE BEEN SPEAKING WITH THEM AGAIN, THEY HAVE CAUGHT UP AND CAN BE COMPLY WITH STATE LAWS AND BE COMPLIANT WITH THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE.
>> IT'S NOT A EXPENSE FOR YOU TO GO BUY ALL OF THESE NEW ONES NECESSARILY.
IT JUST MAKES THE ONES YOU HAVE OBSOLETE.
>> THERE'S DIFFERENT COMPANIES OPERATE DIFFERENT WAYS.
THE MAIN COMPANY THAT I'VE BEEN TALKING WITH, THEY WOULD PROVIDE ALL THE EQUIPMENT.
IT JUST MAKES THE EQUIPMENT I HAVE EITHER I KEEP IN A STORAGE UNIT FOR A RAINY DAY OR SCRAP IT.
>> SOME OF THEM YOU DO BUY AND YOU MAYBE JUST PAY FOR A SERVICE, MAYBE, IS THAT.
>> THEY HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
IT WOULD TAKE ME A LOT LONGER TIME.
>> THE REASON I ASKED THAT IS IF THERE WAS AN EXPENSE UP FRONT TO SWITCH TO THAT, AND YOU HAD AN INCENTIVE TO DO IT BY THE FACT THAT YOU COULD CHARGE A HIGHER FEE FOR A FASTER RELEASE, THAT WOULD PROBABLY MAKE FINANCIAL SENSE FOR YOU TO THEN GO AHEAD AND MAKE THAT SWITCH BECAUSE YOU WOULD EARN MORE.
>> WE USUALLY CHARGE A $200 BOOTING FEE.
GO TO 150, I'M GOING TO BE LOSING 25% OF MY REVENUE.
SWITCHING TO RELEASABLES IS GOING TO HELP ME STAY A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS, AND IT WOULD NOT MAKE ME RAISE MY FEE.
BUT IT WOULD IT'S GOING TO HELP US LOWER OUR COSTS, BASICALLY.
IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
>> IF I BOOT SOMEONE DOWNTOWN, I KEEP SOMEBODY STATIONED RIGHT DOWNTOWN, AND THEY MAY HAVE TO GET IN THE CUE OF THE LINE ONE OR TWO OR THREE PEOPLE.
GOT YOU. ALSO IN PRACTICE, JUST TO ANSWER ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS, WE DID ANYTIME I WAS BOOTING A PAID LOT, AND I CAN SHOW YOU IN THE FORMS OF AN EXAMPLE IF YOU'D LIKE.
BUT I WOULD HAVE MY DRIVER GO BY CHECK THE LICENSE PLATE THREE DIFFERENT WAYS, CHECK THE FULL LICENSE PLATE, THE FIRST THREE NUMBERS, AND THE LAST THREE NUMBERS SEPARATELY IN CASE SOMEBODY MADE A TYPO, TAGGED THE CAR, WAIT 15 MINUTES JUST IN CASE SOMEBODY WAS WALKING TO THE THING TO PAY HIM BACK, OR THEY WERE 15 MINUTES LATER, SO LOW GRACE PERIOD.
BUT AT THE TIME 15 MINUTES WAS UP, I WAS LOOKING AT IT GOING.
[02:00:01]
THIS IS ALL DECISIONS MADE BY MY CLIENTS, NOT NECESSARILY ME.THEY MAKE THE RULES. I JUST ENFORCE THEM.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SAY.
I ASSUME THAT THE BARNACLE DOES WHAT?
>> IT DOES. WE TRACK EVERYTHING.
EVERYTHING'S TRACKED VIA EMAIL.
USUALLY WHEN WE GET A PHONE CALL, OUR BUSINESS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN AMERICAN COACH WORKS.
WE USUALLY HAVE TO HIT AND RUN.
WE'RE USUALLY RELEASING OUR BOOTS WITHIN 15, 20 MINUTES.
NOW, LIKE HE SAID, STATE LAW IS 90 MINUTES.
I THINK THIS ORDINANCE NOW IS DOWN TO 60.
WE'RE USUALLY RELEASING BOOTS WITHIN 20 TO 30 MINUTES.
LIKE AARON SAID, IF WE TOW A VEHICLE, IT'S GOING TO BE A WAY A LOT LONGER THAN THAT.
BUT ON OUR SIDE OF THE BUSINESS, THEY DEAL WITH TIME STAMP STUFF.
WE TRACK EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF THAT SPECIFIC REASON ON THE STATE LAW, IT SAYS 90 MINUTES FROM THE FIRST CONTACT.
USUALLY OUR LOTS THAT WE HAVE OR OUR CLIENTS THAT WE HAVE, WE'RE USUALLY RIGHT ON TOP OF WHATEVER WE HAVE TO RELEASE BECAUSE WE CAN TAKE THOSE IMPLEMENTED DEVICES AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.
THE QUICKER WE GET OUR STUFF DONE, THE QUICKER WE CAN FURTHER OUR BUSINESS. NICE.
>> AS FAR AS YOU MENTIONED SCANNING, WE HAVE THE ABILITY ALREADY.
THAT'S THE WAY THE BARNACLE IS SET UP.
EVERYTHING'S TIME TRACKED AND EVERYTHING AND THEY ACTUALLY CAN SCAN AND PAY IMMEDIATELY.
>> THAT'S BEAUTIFUL. GOOD. COURT, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ADD?
>> BUT WE ALREADY DID. IT'S 60 MINUTES.
IF THEY DON'T ARRIVE BY 60 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE OWNER DOES NOT PLAY PAY.
>> GOOD. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN MOE.
>> SEEMS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON THE FEES AND WHETHER THE CREATORS OF THE ORDINANCE CAN ANSWER THIS OR IF SOMEONE ELSE CAN COME UP AND ANSWER IT.
AS FAR AS THE FEES GO, ARE THERE ANY ADOPTABILITY TO BE ABLE TO ADJUST THE FEES TO MARKET CONDITIONS AND OR SERVICING NEEDS OF THE COMPANIES, I.E COSTS GO UP, INFLATION, DIFFERENT THINGS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE LOCKING THE FEES IN AND EVERYTHING, OR DOES THAT JUST UPON THEIR REQUEST, THE INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS OWNERS THAT DO THE BOOTING AND EVERYTHING, DO THEY JUST COME BACK TO ONE OF YOU ALL OR US ON THE COUNCIL AND SAY, HEY, THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE, WE NEED TO ADJUST, OR IS THERE ANY PROVISIONS TO ADJUST TO MARKET CONDITIONS?
>> COUNCILMAN, YES. EVERYTHING THAT YOU STATED IS PRETTY MUCH CORRECT.
T I THINK IT'S US AND MAYBE NEW ORLEANS, WE'RE THE ONLY ONES THAT BELIEVE THAT HAVE BOOTING ORDINANCES.
NEW ORLEANS AT THIS POINT IS CHARGING $90.
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING, I THINK WE'RE THE HIGHEST IN THE STATE BECAUSE THERE'S JUST NOT MANY.
>> THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORKING ON VOLUME.
I GUESS IF YOU LOOK AT NEW ORLEANS VERSUS BATON ROUGE, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN WORKING ON VOLUME VERSUS COST.
>> PERHAPS. I THINK MOST OF THE MAJORITY OF THE BOOTING IN NEW ORLEANS IS PROBABLY HAPPENING DOWNTOWN.
>> IS IT EAST BAN, FRENCH WATER OR ALL OF THEM?
>> SURE. FOR EAST BAN ROUGE PARISH, I EVEN RECALL WHEN COUNCILWOMAN FREIBERG WAS HERE.
THIS IS WHEN IT REALLY STARTED RAMPING UP BECAUSE IT WAS HAPPENING A LOT IN HER DISTRICT.
THAT'S WHEN IT WAS REALLY FIRST BROUGHT TO LIGHT, BUT COUNCILMAN FREIBURG ENDED UP TRANSITIONING TO THE LEGISLATURE.
FOR WHATEVER REASON, I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE DIED DOWN.
COUNCILWOMAN ROCA SHE'S SHAKING HER HEAD.
NO. IT DOES NOT DIED DOWN IN HER DISTRICT.
WE'VE GOT SOME COMPANIES THAT THEY'RE COVERING THE PARISH.
VOLUME WISE, I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE NUMBERS TO COMPARE NEW ORLEANS AND IN OUR PARISH.
IF THERE WAS A DESIRE FOR THE FEE TO GO UP, THEN THE BUSINESS OWNERS WOULD JUST CONTACT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. COUNCILMAN GODEN.
>> I WANTED TO GIVE EVERYBODY AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEIR STATEMENTS.
LET ME JUST START BY CERTAINLY THANKING AARON AND MS. ANN FOR WORKING WITH ME SO CLOSELY.
[02:05:02]
CHAIR AS WELL. I KNOW AARON WAS PROVIDING SOME INFORMATION.THAT COMMUNICATION, THAT CORRESPONDENCE ABSOLUTELY CHANGED.
WHAT WAS INTRODUCED ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE INITIAL VERSION OF THIS, WHICH WAS AT $75, BUT THERE WERE OTHER PROVISIONS LIKE ACCOUNTING FOR 18 WHEELERS, CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES, A RETURN DISPATCH FEE, THINGS THAT I HADN'T THOUGHT THROUGH AND FLESHED OUT FULLY, THAT THEIR INPUT REALLY WAS CRITICAL TO GET THE ORDINANCE TO WHERE IT IS TODAY.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, COURTNEY, ALSO IS A CRITICAL PART OF EXERCISING THAT LANGUAGE.
THANKS TO HER AND DALY AS WELL.
HIGH LEVEL MAXIMUM BOOTING RATE, $150.
WE DO PUT IN A $60, A 60 MINUTE ARRIVAL TIME.
THEN THE OTHER BIG PIECE OF THIS IS THE SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS THAT HAVE TO BE DISPLAYED IN THE PARKING LOT, TELLING FOLKS THAT BOOTING WOULD TAKE PLACE.
I FEEL LIKE THROUGH THE CONVERSATION DAY, WE'VE ADDRESSED MR. JOHNS CONCERNS.
I DO WANT COURTNEY TO COME UP ON THE TAIL END OF MY TIME THOUGH.
WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE TITLE OF THAT SECTION THAT'S 9-1409.
I THINK THAT'S THE ONLY AMENDMENT WE'RE GOING TO OFFER.
WE CHANGE THE VERBIAGE TO MATCH STATE LAW.
I JUST NEGLECTED TO GO BACK AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE TITLE NEEDED TO BE AMENDED.
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, A FLOOR AMENDMENT IS GOING TO BE TO CHANGE THE TITLE OF SECTION 1409 FROM MONETARY OR OWNERSHIP INTEREST PROHIBITED TO CHANGE IT TO COMPENSATION BY PARKING FACILITY OWNER PROHIBITED.
>> THANK YOU, COURTNEY. I APPRECIATE THAT.
INITIALLY, LOOKING AT CITIES LIKE NEW ORLEANS AND OTHERS THAT AS THE DISCUSSION JUST TURNED TO HAVE A REAL CONCENTRATED DOWNTOWN AREA, AND SO NEW ORLEANS IS AT $90.
THEY HAVE A REAL CONCENTRATED DOWNTOWN AREA, AND SO IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
I TALKING WITH AARON, THE FEEDBACK WAS, IN THESE RULES ARE PRETTY SPREAD OUT.
THERE'S PRIVATE PARKING LOTS, NOT JUST DOWNTOWN, BUT SPREAD ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.
HE DOES BOOTING VEHICLES DO TRAVEL QUITE A BIT.
AND SO HE ENCOURAGED ME TO LOOK AT SOME OTHER COMMUNITIES.
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
THOSE WERE IN THE 135 TO 150 RANGE AND SO MODELED AFTER THOSE COMMUNITIES.
I DID ASK FOR A FORENSIC BREAKDOWN OF THE COSTS, WAS ABLE TO GET THAT FOR TOWING COMPANIES, BUT NOT NECESSARILY FOR BOOTING COMPANIES.
I DO THINK THERE'S AN AVENUE TO WORK, MS. ANN, WITH YOU AND WITH OUR PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, AT THE STATE LEVEL, THEY WANT TO TAKE THAT ON.
MAKE IT A STATEWIDE POLICY, I'M HAPPY TO MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS AND KEEP WORKING THAT BECAUSE I THINK ONCE EAST BATON ROUGE DOES THIS, WE MIGHT SEE SOME OTHER PARISHES LATCH ON AND WORK SOME SIMILAR LANGUAGE.
BUT IF PSC WANTS TO TAKE IT ON AND DO IT ON A STATEWIDE BASIS, I'D BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU ALL ON DOING THAT.
TELL ME IF ANYONE DIDN'T ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS.
>> NO, MA'AM MA'AM. UNLESS COUNCIL MEMBER HAS A QUESTION. COUNCILMAN MOE.
>> I JUST HAVEN'T HAD A QUESTION.
IF ANY ONE OF THE OWNERS COULD ANSWER THIS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL WORK STRICTLY IN BATON ROUGE OR IF YOU'LL WORK BATON ROUGE NEW ORLEANS, YOU HAVE MULTIPLE LOCATIONS.
I JUST FOR MYSELF AND MAYBE THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WANT TO KNOW.
I BROUGHT UP THE FACT OF YOU TO GET A $90 IN NEW ORLEANS.
HOW MANY BOOTS COULD BE OUT AT ONE TIME VERSUS IN BATON ROUGE, ALL PRETTY MUCH KNOW THE AREA, HOW MANY BOOTS COULD BE OUT AT ONE GIVEN TIME IN BATON ROUGE? ON AVERAGE. WHEN YOU GET TO THE MINT.
>> HANS BANK WITH AMERICAN CO. WE DO ABOUT 200 A MONTH AND WE'RE THE LARGEST IN THE BATON ROUGE AREA.
WE DO BATON ROUGE AND IN PARISH.
>> YOU GOT YOU JUST IN BATON ROUGE?
>> SEVENTY PERCENT OF IT IN BATON.140 BOOTS.
>> WAIT, THAT'S A MONTH WE DO.
>> NEW ORLEANS, YOU COULD DO 140 IN A FEW HOURS.
>> CORRECT. ANY OTHER TWO COMPANIES, I THINK THERE WERE TWO OTHER COMPANIES HERE OR ONE OTHER BOOTING COMPANY? WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER GENTLEMAN? ARE ALL ALL THE SAME COMPANY?
>> NO. IT'S TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES SO IT'S A FAMILY COPIES, MY MOTHER, I'M TAKING OVER.
>> THANK YOU. I'M JUST TRYING TO GET AN IDEA MYSELF.
THEY'VE WORKED REALLY HARD ON THIS.
ABSOLUTELY. I AGREE WITH WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
[02:10:01]
THE FEES IN NEW ORLEANS AND I'M JUST TRYING TO GET TO PUBLICLY UNDERSTAND.WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS, LIKE COUNCILMAN NOEL SAID, YOU GOT FREE ENTERPRISE, YOU GOT MARKET AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
DIFFERENT AREAS ARE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT COST.
I'M JUST TRYING TO GET AN IDEA, LIKE YOU SAID, I AGREE WITH YOU.
IN NEW ORLEANS IS BETWEEN FRENCHMAN STREET AREA, MARNI, ALL THE NINTH WARD DOWNTOWN CBD, FRENCH QUARTER, YOU COULD DO 150 AN HOUR.
VERSUS HERE, IF YOU'RE DOING 150 A MONTH, THAT PERSON WORKING IN NEW ORLEANS AND HERE IS GOING TO WANT THAT SAME HOURLY WAGE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. ALSO TO ADDRESS THAT, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP.
WHENEVER NEW ORLEANS STARTED THEIR ORDINANCE, SAID THEY SAID IT SO LOW THAT PRETTY MUCH EVERY BOOTING COMPANY NEW ORLEANS SHUT DOWN EXCEPT FOR ONE, AND THERE'S ANOTHER ONE TRYING TO POKE THEIR HEAD IN RIGHT NOW THAT I JUST REALLY LEARNED ABOUT.
LOOK, IF I HAD EVERY PAID PARKING LOT IN THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA, SURE.
I COULD AFFORD TO DO IT FOR $90 A BOOTS.
WONDERFUL GREAT CITY THAT I GREW UP IN AND I LOVE IS JUST NOT AS BIG AS NEW ORLEANS. THERE'S JUST TIMES OF VOLUME.
>> I JUST HAVE ONE MORE. THE COMPARISON BETWEEN US AND OTHER CITIES AND OTHER STATES MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE, BUT BECAUSE BY STATE LAW, I AM REQUIRED AS A BOOTING COMPANY TO HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME INSURANCES THAT TOWING COMPANY DOES, AND IF YOU WANT TO TALK TOWING, OUR INSURANCE ON ONE TRUCK WENT UP 200% IN ONE YEAR.
I'M REQUIRED TO HAVE GARAGE KEEPERS LEGAL LIABILITY, WHICH WOULD ONLY GO INTO EFFECT IF I TOOK POSSESSION OF A VEHICLE, WHICH I NEVER DO IN BOOTING, BUT I'M REQUIRED TO DO IT.
I DON'T THINK THE OTHER STATES ARE REQUIRING THIS LEVEL OF INSURANCE, AND SOMETHING WE HOPE TO ADDRESS WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU COOPERATED WITH WE SAID JUST INSURANCE AND STEP FORWARD.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. I GOT 130 LEFT IF THE TO MAKE A QUICK COMMENT.
WE'RE ABOUT 20 A WEEK ON THE BOOTS, ABOUT 80 TO 90 A MONTH.
WE'RE ABOUT THE SECOND LARGEST BOOTING COMPANY IN THE AREA.
>> WE GOT ABOUT 250 BOOTS GOING OUT A MONTH IN EAST BAN ROUGE PARISH.
I WOULD GUESS. BETWEEN ALL TWO.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY OTHER COMPANIES OUT THERE OR NOT.
>> IF I CLARIFY, I THINK YOUR QUESTION ALSO WAS LIKE, HOW MANY HAVE OUT IS IT AT A TIME OR PER THE MONTH?
>> IF WE'RE JUST OUT WORKING EVEN JUST A 24 HOUR SHIFT, IF A TEAM IS OUT WORKING, THEY CAN'T HAVE MORE THAN TEN BOOTS OUT AT A TIME BASED ON THE WAY OUR SYSTEM WORKS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'RE DIGITALIZED AND WE'RE WITH THE SCANNING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN'T HAVE MORE THAN TEN OUT AT A TIME.
>> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCO WITH THE AMENDED LANGUAGE.
>> SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 104, AMENDING TITLE 9, CHAPTER 18,
[104. 25-01240]
WINE BEER AND LIQUOR, SECTION 9, 10-10, BUILDING LOCATION ZONING, AND PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR BUSINESSES SO AS TO ADD SUBSECTION SECURITY BY COUNCIL MEMBERS ADAMS AND COLEMAN.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE AND GO TO COUNCIL.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAM, SECOND BY CONCILWOMAN COLEMAN, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 105, AUTHORIZING FINANCE DIRECTOR TO REFUND AND
[105. 25-01225]
ERRONEOUS REMITTANCE OF SALES TAX TO DRIVE TIME CARS SALES COMPANY, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $477,264.80 BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN MOE, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 106, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN ENTITY,
[106. ]
STATE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA VIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN CONNECTION WITH NORTH 22ND STREET TO US61, ALSO KNOWN FLORIDA, BOULEVARD, CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT, BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NONE AND GO TO COUNSEL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY CONCILWMAN AMAROSA. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 107,
[107. 25-01230]
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE[02:15:02]
AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT AND THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH EAST BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, TO PROVIDE DETO ROUTE FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT ON CHENEY ROAD AND MILDALE ROAD, BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.
MOTION BY CHAIR, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO
[108. 25-01233]
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC IMPACT FEES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A ROUNDABOUT ON BLUEBONNET AND HARVEST AND WAY FOR CONSTRUCTION AND THE AMOUNT OF M TAKE 1.2 MILLION BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL.
WE GOT MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ADAM, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GODAY. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 109 THROUGH 114 TOGETHER.
[Items 109 - 114]
AUTHORIZE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES WITH GOTECH INC FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED MOVEBR PROJECT, TERRACE AVENUE (HIGHLAND ROAD, PERKINS ROAD), AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $484,500 BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ITEM 110, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES WITH SUSTAINABLE DESIGN SOLUTIONS, LLC FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT OLD HAMMOND HIGHWAY AND THE AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING 18,000 BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.
ITEM 111 AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH TRC ENGINEERS INC FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT, OLD HAMMOND HIGHWAY AND THE AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING $110,540 BY THE TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.
ITEM 112, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES WITH MODJESKI AND MASTERS INC FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT, MALL LOUISIANA BOULEVARD, AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 405,000 FOR THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT AND TOTAL CONTRACT VALUE 935,000 BY THE TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.
ITEM 113, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH EVANS-GRAVES ENGINEERS INC FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT PROJECT, NORTH BOULEVARD, I-110, THE FOSTER, FLORIDA, AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 120,486.50 BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR, ITEM 114.
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES WITH SUSTAINABLE DESIGN SOLUTIONS, LLC FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MBR, ADA TRANSITION AND VARIOUS ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS AND M TAKE $489,000 BY THE TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISH TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEN GO TO COUNCIL, COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR.
DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN, ADAM.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 115. REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT,
[115. 25-01238]
INCLUDING MOWING AND LETTER PICKUP FOR FISCAL YEAR END IN JUNE 30, 2026 BETWEEN CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT BY THE MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO, AND GO TO COUNCIL.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN A MAROSA.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 116, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE
[116. 25-01243]
AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH AND PARISH OF EAST FOLICIANA, FOR COOPERATIVE MAINTENANCE OF LEMON BE ROAD AND THE AMOUNT NOTICE 10,003 $91.04 BY THE MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NONE GO TO COUNSEL. MOTION BY CHAIR, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION.
MOTION CARRIES. ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES 117 AND 118,
[ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES]
WE TAKE TOGETHER, 117, LOT 77, SUBDIVISION GREENDALE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE HURST, 118, LOT 31-32-33 SUBDIVISION FORTUNE, METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE HURST.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS. SEE, NONE GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAM, SECOND BY COUSELMAN GOD. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE GOING TO GO TO OUR SEPARATE CHIEF FOR ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.
[ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS]
ALL RIGHT. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS FOR INTRODUCTION, A AND B. I TAKE.YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THEM TOGETHER. ALL RIGHT.
A, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ANNUAL PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAX TO SHERIFF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH AND AMOUNT I TAKE $500 IN
[02:20:01]
ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CAPITAL AREA FINANCE AUTHORITY AND HOUSING PRESERVATION INC BY COUNCILMAN ANTHONY KENNEY, AND B, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ANNUAL PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAX TO SERIF AT BATON ROUGE PARISH AND AMOUNT I TAKE $1,500 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CAPITAL AREA FINANCE AUTHORITY AND HOUSING PRESERVATION INC BY COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN J.THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES FOR ITEMS TO BE INTRODUCED, MOTION BY COUNSEL MCKENNEY, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
SEE, NONE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VOTE ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTIONS ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? NEED A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ITEMS. MOTION BY COUNSEL MCKENNEY, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? ITEMS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED? ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER EMERGENCY ITEM C, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATE A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH EAST BATON ROUGE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DOING BUSINESSES, BUILD BATON ROUGE AND THE EAST BATON ROUGE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO EXTEND THE CURRENT AGREEMENT TO APRIL 1, 2026, PROVIDING THE PARAMETERS OF THE POTENTIAL TRANSFER OF ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED IN TARGETED AREAS TO BUILD BATON ROUGE FOR REDEVELOPMENT BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
I NEED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ADAM, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GOD.
WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
SE NONE. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? NO OBJECTION. I'M GOING TO CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM? SEEING NONE. GO TO THE COUNSEL MOTION BY COUNCILMAN ADAM.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION TO THE ITEM? MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.
ITEM 128, EAST BATON ROUGE PARIS COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT,
[128. 25-01309]
TWO APPOINTMENTS TO FILL NEWLY CREATED POSITIONS ON THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.EACH APPOINTMENT IS FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM.
TERM BEGINS OCTOBER 9, 2025, CURRENT BALLOT, CLAY REEVES AND FREDERICK ROBERTSON.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO, AND GO TO COUNSEL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. COUNCILMAN MO.
MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE CLAY REVES.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNSELMAN MO SECOND BY COUNSELMAN DUN JUNIOR TO APPROVE CLAY REEVES FOR ONE OF THE TWO APPOINTMENTS.
>> I'M SORRY. CAN YOU READ THE NAMES OF THE NOMINATIONS AGAIN?
>> CLAY REEVES AND FREDERICK ROBERTSON.
>> ALL RIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT MR. ROBERTSON.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNSELMAN MO.
>> WE DO THEM BOTH AT ONE TIME?
>> SURE. MOTION CLAY REEVES AND FRED R. FREDRICK ROBERTSON?THAT'S FINE.
>> AMENDED MOTION BY COUNSELMAN MOE, SECOND BY COUNSELMAN DUN JUNIOR TO APPOINT CLAY REVES AND FREDERICK ROBERSON, AS ANY OPPOSITION. MOTION CARRI.
CHANGE ORDERS, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 129 THROUGH 133 TOGETHER.
[Items 129 - 133]
129 ANITORIAL SERVICES FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORK FACILITIES, CONTRACTOR OK JANITORIAL SERVICES, CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT $19,630.40, 130 JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORK LOCATIONS, CONTRACTOR RAMI JANITORIAL SERVICES, CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT $17,961.60, ADEM 131, PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX, H TWO ROOF RECOVER CONTRACTOR LAP SERVICES, LLC, CHANGE AUTO AMOUNT $80,050.01 132, PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX, H TWO, BUILDING RENOVATION FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS CONTRACTOR SIENA CONSTRUCTION LLC, CHANGE ADO AMOUNT SEV $8,727, AND ITEM 133, SULLIVAN ROAD, WAX THE HOOPER SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENTS, CONTRACTOR GRADED CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $8,018.74.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEE NO GO TO COUNSEL, COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR.
ON ITEM NUMBER 129 K, JANITORIAL, THEY RECENTLY TOOK OVER SOME ACCOUNTS WITHIN CITY PARISH, ABC, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, WHERE WHERE MY COUNSEL OFFICE IS, AND WE'VE SEEN A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN SERVICE.
WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM. THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB.
APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MO, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
FINAL ACCEPTANCE IS 133 THROUGH 135 WILL TO TAKE TOGETHER I'M SORRY, 134 THROUGH 135,
[Items 134 & 135]
134, SULVAN ROAD, WAX HOOPER SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENTS CONTRACTOR GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC.[02:25:02]
FINAL COST $5,326,211.74, 135 PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX, H TWO, BUILDING RENOVATION FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS CONTRACTOR, SIENNA CONSTRUCTION LLC, FINAL COST $905,727.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEE NO GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MO.
AN OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
[136. 25-01285]
136, CENTRAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT DEMOLITION, LOW BID, ZIMMER, S CHET, SERVICE TWO LLC, $2,727,470.ANYONE HERE WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. SEE NO GO TO COUNSEL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.
SECOND BY THE CHAIR. AN OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 137, RECEIVING A THIRD QUARTER OF
[137. 25-00156]
2025 REPORT FROM THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT BY COUNCILMAN GOD.WE'RE GOING TO HEAR THE REPORT AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. SO I GUESS IT WOULD BE FOURTH QUARTER UPDATE WOULD BE THE CAD UPGRADE THAT WE'RE DOING.
THE UPGRADE IS STILL MOVING FORWARD.
LAST WEEK, WE MOVED THE CAD SYSTEM PRODUCTION NETWORK INTO THE CLOUD.
THIS IS GOING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SECURITY WHILE INCREASING FLEXIBILITY AND REDUNDANCY FOR OUR CAD SYSTEM, WHICH IS OUR COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH SYSTEM.
WITH OUR NORTH TOWER PROJECT, THE 300 FOOT TOWER THAT WE'VE BEEN PUTTING INTO SERVICE, THE NORTH COMMUNICATION TOWER FOR FIRST RESPONDERS IS NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL AND IS PROVIDING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN RECEPTION FOR THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PARISH.
WE ARE ALSO DOING THE 91 UPGRADES TO OUR 911 SYSTEM.
THE UPGRADES ARE STILL MOVING FORWARD.
THIS UPGRADE WILL PROVIDE A NEW NETWORK AND CALL HANDLING SOLUTION.
THE ESTIMATED COMPLETION FOR THAT PROJECT IS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
AND THEN LASTLY, TO SPEAK ON THE STATEWIDE 911 SERVICE INTERRUPTION BACK ON SEPTEMBER 25, ATT REPORTED A FIBER CUT BY A THIRD PARTY THAT CAUSED 91 SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS TO THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI, WHICH LASTED FOR ABOUT 2.5 HOURS.
DUE TO THE PRE PLANNING AND PREPARATIONS MADE BY THE EAST PATON RIDGE PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT, THE PUBLIC EXPERIENCED NO SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS IN EAST BATON RIDGE PARISH.
WE WERE ABLE TO RECEIVE ALL 911 CALLS AS WELL AS A FEW 911 CALLS FROM OTHER PARISHES.
THE CITY PARISH ACTIVATED THE EOC, THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER DURING THIS EVENT WHERE AGENCY AGENCY LEADERS I RECEIVED BRIEFINGS FROM THE COMMUNICATION DISTRICT PERSONNEL PROVIDING UP TO DATE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS INFORMATION REGARDING THE 91 OPERATIONS AND THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE SERVICE INTERRUPTION ACROSS THE STATE? ONCE AT&T SUCCESSFULLY RESTORED AND TESTED ALL 911 SERVICES, THE EOC ACTIVATION WAS CONCLUDED. THAT'S ALL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT? KNOW, AND GO TO COUNCIL COUNCILMAN GO THERE.
>> THANK YOU, JIM. YOU KIND OF BURIED THE LEAD THERE.
I THOUGHT YOU WOULD WAS WAITING ON YOU TO TALK ABOUT THE STATEWIDE OUTAGE.
MOSEPS ACTIVATION IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE REASONS I THOUGHT HAVING CLAY AND MOSEP BE PART OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT NOW WITH THE EXPANDED TWO MEMBERS WAS CRITICAL.
SO WALK ME JUST THROUGH YOUR PROCESS.
I MEAN, WHEN 911 GOES OUT, EVEN BEFORE YOU KNOW IT'S A STATEWIDE OUTAGE, WHAT IS YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION SORT OF WALK ME THROUGH THAT PROCESS TO MAKE SURE OUR RESIDENTS CAN STILL REMAIN IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY CAN GET EMERGENCY SERVICES WHEN THEY NEED IT.
>> SO WITH THE 911 SYSTEM, THERE'S CERTAIN FALLBACK THINGS THAT WE'VE PUT IN PLACE, SUCH AS IF WHENEVER YOU DIAL 911 AND IT HITS THE TOWER AND THAT TOWER TRIES TO PUT THAT 911 CALL INTO THE 911 NETWORK, IF THAT 911 NETWORK IS UNAVAILABLE, THEN THERE'S FALLBACK NUMBERS THAT IT CAN GO TO, WHICH THE FALLBACK NUMBER THAT WE HAVE IS THE SAME LOCATION THAT RECEIVES THAT 911,
[02:30:01]
IT'S JUST THROUGH ADMIN LINES INSTEAD OF THE ACTUAL 911 PHONE SYSTEM.SO THOSE PHONE LINES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE IS WHAT KEPT ALL THE 911 CALLS FLOWING.
NOW, THERE WAS DEFINITELY PLACES ACROSS THE STATE THAT LOST COMPLETE SERVICE.
IT WAS ACTUALLY A TRUE 911 OUTAGE FOR THOSE LOCATIONS, BUT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY USED AT&T FOR BOTH THE 911 SERVICES AND THEIR ADMIN SIDE.
SO WE HAVE DIVERSITY IN THERE JUST FOR THESE TYPE OF REASONS TO MAKE SURE THAT IF AT&T DOES EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM THAT WE DO HAVE A SECONDARY SERVICE, WHICH IS ACTUALLY REV WHO HANDLES THE ADMIN LINES FOR MOST OF THE AGENCIES.
HAVING THAT PUT IN PLACE THAT WAS ABLE TO ALLOW US TO CONTINUE HAVING THOSE CALLS IN, WE ALSO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ADMIN PHONES IN THOSE AREAS THAT GENERALLY ARE NOT BEING USED.
THEY'RE JUST EXTRA PHONES THAT WE HAVE ON HAND, THEY'RE IP BASED PHONES, THAT THROUGH ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT MIGHT ARISE, WE'RE ABLE TO POINT THINGS AT THOSE ADDITIONAL PHONES, WHETHER IT BE FOR 911, WHETHER IT BE ADMIN, WHO KNOWS WHAT IT MIGHT BE THEY'RE AVAILABLE.
SO AS WE WERE IDENTIFYING OUR CALL CALL VOLUME AT THE TIME.
LUCKILY, WHENEVER THE SERVICE INTERRUPTION HAPPENED, IT WAS JUST A THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
SO IT WASN'T KATRINA OR GUSTAV OR 2016 FLOOD WHERE WE HAD THIS HUGE OVERFLOW OF CALL VOLUME.
IT WAS JUST REGULAR CALL VOLUME.
SO WE WERE LOOKING AT STANDING UP THOSE ADDITIONAL PHONES, WHICH WOULD HAVE GIVEN US A FEW MORE SPACES OF BEING ABLE TO ANSWER THOSE CALLS.
BUT BY THE TIME THAT WE HAD GOTTEN TO THAT POINT, SERVICE WAS STARTING TO BE RESTORED ACROSS THE STATE.
I'M IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH THE DIRECTORS OF ALL THE 911 COMMUNICATION DISTRICTS ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE.
WE HAVE A A PROGRAM THAT WE WERE ABLE TO USE WHERE WE CAN COMMUNICATE AND CHAT LIVE.
SO I WAS GETTING INFORMATION LIVE AS IT WAS HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE BECAUSE WE ALL USE IT SO SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.
SO I SAW WHENEVER THE FIRST AGENCIES FIRST WENT DOWN TO WHENEVER THE FIRST AGENCIES WERE STARTING TO COME BACK UP, WE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ITEM 138, RECEIVING AN INTRODUCTORY REPORT BY THE NEW CEO OF ST. VINCENT DE
[138. 25-01132]
PAUL OUTLINING HER VISION FOR THE ORGANIZATION BY COUNCILMAN CAROLYN COLEMAN.WE'LL HEAR THE REPORT, AND WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING.
>> GOOD EVENING. WE HAVE SOME HANDOUTS FOR EVERYONE.
IS IT OKAY IF WE PASS THEM OUT? WE ALSO BROUGHT A POWERPOINT.
GREAT. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO TAKE SOME OF YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS SUNNY JOHNSON LANE, AND I AM THE NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL BATON ROUGE.
I AM IN MY 18TH YEAR WITH THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.
THIS IS THE THIRD COUNCIL I'VE SERVED FOR, AND I AM TAKING THE PLACE OF MICHAEL ACALDO, WHO MANY OF YOU KNOW.
HE'S BEEN IN THIS SPOT MANY TIMES, WHO'S NOW A NATIONAL CEO.
I WAS CALLED DOWN FROM ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN TO TAKE THIS POSITION.
I AM A NEW RESIDENT OF BATON ROUGE, AND I WILL JUST TELL YOU BEFORE I LAUNCH IN WHEN DURING THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS, PART OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS WAS COMING AND VISITING BATON ROUGE AND I HAD NEVER BEEN HERE.
I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT BATON ROUGE, AND MY VISIT HERE ACTUALLY REALLY CEMENTED MY DESIRE TO SERVE.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY, AND I'M REALLY REALLY PROUD AND GRATEFUL TO BE A NEW CITIZEN.
I WANT TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT A GEM YOU HAVE IN ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE FOR THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY.
WE COULD NOT DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT THAT PARTNERSHIP.
JOINING ME BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER IS OUR CO, AUSTIN LORENZ, WHO'LL BE SHARING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR SERVICES.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG EVENING AND SO WE WON'T TAKE TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME.
I DON'T KNOW WHO'S IN CHARGE OF THE SLIDE SHOW. THANK YOU.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL OF BATON ROUGE IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE OLDEST ST VINCENT DE PAUL'S IN THE COUNTRY.
WE'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 1865, SO WE STARTED OUR MISSION THE SAME YEAR THE CIVIL WAR ENDED.
YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW MUCH HAS CHANGED, BUT OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME AND THAT IS THAT WE ARE A NETWORK OF FRIENDS INSPIRED BY GOSPEL VALUES, GROWING IN HOLINESS, AND BUILDING A MORE JUST WORLD THROUGH PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND SERVICE TO THOSE IN NEED.
THAT RELATIONSHIP PIECE IS REALLY CRITICAL AND THAT'S THE THREAD
[02:35:03]
THAT I WANT YOU ALL TO GRASP AS WE WALK THROUGH OUR SERVICES.ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTICED WHEN I CAME TO BATON ROUGE WAS THAT ST. VINCENT DE PAUL IS REVERED AND LOVED HERE, BUT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A LACK OF CLARITY OF WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO.
I WANT TO JUST TAKE A FEW MINUTES FOR AUSTIN TO WALK US THROUGH OUR FOUR KEY PILLARS.
WE ARE THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF ALL FOUR THINGS WE'LL TALK ABOUT TONIGHT IN THE BATON ROUGE AREA, AND THOSE FOUR THINGS ARE OUR KEY PILLARS OF FEED, CLOTHE, HOUSE, AND HEAL.
>> THANK YOU SUNNY. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FEEDING, SOME OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR DINING ROOM OPERATION.
IT'S RIGHT HERE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN IN BATON ROUGE.
WE SERVE OVER 300,000 MEALS ANNUALLY.
IT'S A WARM MEAL EACH DAY AND THEN A BROWN BAG DINNER FOR OUR GUESTS FOR THE EVENING.
THAT'S A SANDWICH CHIPS, EVERYTHING INVOLVED DRINKS.
THEY'RE JUST TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED FOR THE EVENING.
WE THINK ABOUT THE RISING COST OF RENT UTILITIES, THE COST OF LIVING, FREEING UP A MEAL AND EVEN TWO MEALS A DAY MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR A FAMILY AND FOR AN INDIVIDUAL.
THE OPERATION IS VERY IMPORTANT.
VOLUNTEERS ARE CRITICAL COMPONENT TO THAT.
THEN ALSO OUR DINING ROOM IS OPEN TO ALL.
ANYONE IS WELCOME. YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME TO COME BY, COME SEE THE OPERATION.
WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU. AS FAR AS THE CLOTHING ASPECT. OUR THRIFT STORES.
THOSE WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR, WE HAVE FOUR THRIFT STORES, ONE OF [INAUDIBLE] LANE, ONE IN GONZALES, HAMMOND, AND THEN IN PLANK ROAD HERE, WHICH IS OUR 99 CENT STORE.
HAMMOND, WE JUST HAD A GRAND REOPENING, WHICH IS VERY EXCITING.
THE COMMUNITY REALLY SHOWED OUT AND THEY REALLY SHOWED US HOW MUCH THEY MISSED US WHEN WE WEREN'T THERE. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE.
AS PART OF OUR CLOTHING PROGRAM, WE HAVE A UNIFORM FOR KIDS, WHICH WE JUST WENT THROUGH THAT SEASON, PROVIDING UNIFORMS TO THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT WAS A GREAT YEAR, AND THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE COMING OUT SOON.
MANY FOLKS ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR SHELTERS, SO WE DO HAVE FOUR DIFFERENT SHELTERS.
WE DID PROVIDE OVER 29,465 NIGHTS OF SHELTER.
WE HOUSE OVER 1,000 UNIQUE MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN, FAMILIES.
IT'S A VERY, VERY HUGE NEED FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ALSO HAVE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT WE PROVIDE FOR OUR GUESTS AS WELL.
THIS IS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
SUNNY'S GOING TO SPEAK TO ONE, BUT I'M GOING TO SPEAK TO THE HEALTH CARE SIDE.
THOSE WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR, WE HAVE A COMMUNITY PHARMACY WHICH PROVIDES MEDICATIONS AT NO COST TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE ALSO HAVE A BRAVO DENTAL PROGRAM, WHICH IS VOLUNTEER RUN.
OUR COMMUNITY PHARMACY HIT A MILESTONE THIS YEAR, WE PROVIDED $1 MILLION IN MEDICATION AT NO COST.
WE'RE NOT DONE WITH THE YEAR YET, SO THERE'S MORE TO COME.
OUR BRAVO DENTAL CLINIC, WHICH WAS FOUNDED IN 2021, IT SERVES 30-40 FOLKS EACH MONTH.
JUST TO RUN SOME NUMBERS REAL QUICK, SO WE SERVED SO FAR THIS YEAR, 852 PATIENTS, AVERAGING 90-120 PATIENTS PER MONTH.
AGAIN, WE'VE ALREADY HANDED OUT $1 MILLION WORTH OF MEDS SO FAR.
WE DO A LOT OF EDUCATION AND PATIENT ADVOCACY AS WELL.
JUST TO TELL A VERY QUICK STORY AND I'LL HAND IT OVER TO SUNNY.
AN EXAMPLE OF THAT, WE HAD AN INDIVIDUAL COMING TO OUR DENTAL CLINIC TO GET SOME ROUTINE WORK DONE.
IN THAT VISIT, WE ACTUALLY DISCOVERED A MASS INSIDE OF HIS SINUSES.
WE WERE ABLE TO REFER HIM AND TO GET MARY BIRD PERKINS INVOLVED, GET HIM TAKEN CARE OF, AND THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IF IT WEREN'T FOR OUR DENTAL CLINIC.
>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HEALING, WE TALK ABOUT PHYSICAL HEALING, BUT WE ALSO TALK ABOUT THE HOLISTIC APPROACH, AND THAT'S WHERE THE RELATIONSHIPS COME BACK IN.
EVERYTHING WE DO AT ST.VINCENT DE PAUL, WE TALK ABOUT BEING AT THE TABLE SERVICE, NOT ACROSS A COUNTER SERVICE.
THAT MEANS MUTUALITY AND SOLIDARITY IS AT THE CORE OF WHAT WE DO.
PART OF WHAT WE DO IS WE HELP PEOPLE HOLISTICALLY, AND WE TRY TO SEE THEM AS WHOLE PEOPLE.
UP HERE ON THE SLIDE, WE JUST STARTED PUTTING PRAYER BOXES IN ALL OF OUR SHELTERS AND PROGRAMS SO THAT OUR NEIGHBORS KNOW THAT WE CARE FOR THEM AND WE'RE PRAYING FOR THEM.
WE HAVE A CHAPEL ON SITE TO CELEBRATE MASS AND OTHER FAITH FILLED SERVICES, AND THEN THOSE PRAYER CARDS ON THE RIGHT ARE SOME OF THE PRAYERS THAT OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE SHARED WITH US.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT WE SEE THEM AND THEY HAVE VALUE.
EVERY NEIGHBOR THAT COMES INTO OUR SHELTER GETS A PERSONAL LETTER FROM ME THAT STARTS YOU ARE LOVED, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ABOUT AT ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.
THE ONE THING THAT WE DIDN'T INCLUDE IN THIS, AND THIS GOES THROUGH ALL FOUR OF THESE PILLARS ARE OUR CONFERENCES.
THOSE ARE OUR CHAPTERS THROUGHOUT BATON ROUGE.
VIRTUALLY EVERY CATHOLIC CHURCH IN BATON ROUGE HAS A ST.
VINCENT DE PAUL CONFERENCE THAT SERVES THE NEIGHBORS IN ITS AREA.
THOSE CONFERENCES EXTENDED OVER $1.1 MILLION IN RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE LAST YEAR, AND THEY ALSO HAVE A NETWORK OF FOOD PANTRIES.
REAL QUICKLY, I'LL GO ON WHERE WE'RE AT AND WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
[02:40:02]
THE FIRST IS OPERATIONS.ST, VINCENT DE PAUL JUST LIKE SO MANY OLDER ORGANIZATIONS, NEEDS A LITTLE REFRESH IN TERMS OF SOME OF ITS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
AUSTIN IS ACTUALLY OUR FIRST COO, SO A LOT OF OUR WORK WILL BE REALLY SYSTEMATIZING SOME OF OUR PROGRAMS, SO WE CAN HAVE MORE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AND MORE UNDERSTANDING DATA ON WHAT WE'RE DOING, WHAT THE IMPACT IS OF WHAT WE'RE DOING, SO WE CAN SERVE EVEN BETTER FACILITIES.
HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO OUR CAMPUS? I KNOW YOU HAVE.[LAUGHTER] PLEASE VISIT US.
I'VE LEFT MY CARD WITH ALL OF YOU.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HOST YOU ANY TIME TO SEE OUR CAMPUS, BUT IT'S AN OLD OLD CAMPUS, AND WE KNOW THERE'S MORE NEED THAN WE CAN CURRENTLY PROVIDE.
THAT FACILITIES AND THE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THAT WE'RE HOPING TO MAKE WILL HELP US TO REALLY BRING THAT CAMPUS INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.
THEN LAST, OUR THRIFT STORES, AS AUSTIN SAID, OUR FOUR THRIFT STORES ARE OUR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE. THEY DO THREE THINGS.
THE FIRST IS THAT EVERY DOLLAR FROM THOSE THRIFT STORES GOES RIGHT BACK INTO OUR MISSION.
THE SECOND IS THAT WE GIVE OUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR EVERY YEAR AND NO COST ITEMS TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED.
THE THIRD IS WE OFFER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THOSE WITH BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
REALLY ENHANCING THOSE THRIFT STORES TO REALLY MAKE THEM THE ENGINE FOR OUR MISSION IS A KEY AREA OF FOCUS FOR US.
WE'RE HOPING TO OPEN MORE THRIFT STORES IN BATON ROUGE SO WE CAN SERVE MORE NEIGHBORS.
THE LAST THING I'LL SHARE BEFORE I OPEN UP, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS IS OUR THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS, WHICH ARE FAITH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SERVICE.
THAT RELATIONSHIP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO US, THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON WE ENCOUNTER FEELS THEIR VALUE AND FEELS LOVE COMING FROM US.
THIS IMAGE HERE I LOVE VERY MUCH.
I'M HOPING YOU NOTICE THAT NONE OF THE SLIDES WE SHARE, SHARE, IDENTIFYING PHOTOS OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.
THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT THING TO US.
RECENTLY WE WERE ON CAMPUS AND WE HAD A PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PICTURES AND WE WERE BEING VERY, VERY CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE NONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS WERE IDENTIFIED.
WE WALKED OUT AND I WAS TALKING TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE COURTYARD AND IT WAS RIGHT WHEN SCHOOL WAS STARTING IT WAS SUMMER.
THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL WHO'S BEEN IN OUR SHELTER WITH HER THREE SIBLINGS AND HER MOM MOST OF THE SUMMER, AND SHE WAS JUST OUT THERE WITH THESE BUBBLES.
SHE WAS SO CAREFREE AND SO HAPPY.
I THOUGHT, WHAT A GIFT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THIS CHILD THIS MOMENT.
SHE'S NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING.
SHE'S JUST HAVING A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT AND THAT'S THE GIFT THAT ST, VINCENT DE PAUL GIVES TO THOSE WE SERVE.
I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE GOING TO DO A QUICK PUBLIC HEARING AND THEN EVERYBODY CAN.
DOES ANYONE WISH TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT? THEN WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN MCCOMAN.
>> SUNNY AND AUSTIN, I THANK YOU AND I APPRECIATE THE MEETING THAT WE HAD.
I LIKE THE STRUCTURE THAT YOU ALL HAVE BROUGHT TO THIS FACILITY BECAUSE THAT IS DEFINITELY WHAT WAS NEEDED, THE STRUCTURE TO INCLUDE SOME CLEANLINESS.
I GOT TO COME BACK BECAUSE I KNOW THAT HAS GOT TO BE CLEANER THAN WHAT IT WAS.
THERE HAS TO BE SOME DIFFERENCES MADE.
I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT 21ST CENTURY, BUT THAT BEFORE YOUR 21ST CENTURY UPGRADE THAT'LL BE GREAT.
MY QUESTION IS THE PLANS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN THAT SHELTER, THOSE THAT MAY BE IN THE PAST, BUT I KNOW THIS IS NOT HAPPENING NOW.
FOLK WERE HANGING AROUND AND A LOT WAS NOT HAPPENING WITH THIS POPULATION HANGING AROUND, SITTING AROUND.
TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT AND ALSO ALL OF THE OTHER ENTITIES THAT WOULD COME BY AND FEED THE FOLK THAT WERE THERE WHEN THAT MAY NOT BE WHAT WAS NEEDED AT THE TIME, BECAUSE YOU ALL WERE DOING THAT AND THEN IT LEFT A MESS AROUND THE FACILITY THERE.
TALK TO ME ABOUT THOSE THINGS, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP.
FIRST OF ALL, I DO HOPE YOU'LL VISIT.
I THINK YOU'LL SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE ON THE CAMPUS.
WE HAVE REALLY MADE A LOT OF FOCUS ON TIDYING, CLEANING, AND YOU'RE RIGHT.
I'VE BEEN A NONPROFIT FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS AND ONE OF MY BIGGEST CHALLENGES IS DUPLICATION OF EFFORT, DUPLICATION OF SERVICES.
WE ALWAYS HEARD TO BE WELCOMING PRESENTS ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE WE ARE SUCH A MAGNET FOR SERVICES.
[02:45:05]
OTHER GROUPS, AS YOU MENTIONED, HAVE COME ON OUR CAMPUS OR NEAR OUR CAMPUS TO SERVE IN WAYS THAT WE'RE ALREADY SERVING.WE'RE TRYING REALLY HARD TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THOSE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO ENCOURAGE THEM MAYBE TO GO TO OTHER UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY, BECAUSE MOST OF THOSE NEEDS ARE BEING MET ON OUR CAMPUS OR TO JOIN US AS VOLUNTEERS, PARTNER WITH US.
THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS EASY CONVERSATIONS, AND IT'S A BIG BOAT, AND IT TAKES A MINUTES TURN IT AROUND, BUT THOSE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS.
THANK YOU. WE REALLY WANT TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS.
WE WANT TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS, NOT JUST TO PEOPLE WE SERVE BUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE IT A BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN, AND DIGNIFIED SPACE.
THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S A HIGH PRIORITY FOR US.
ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO FOR YOU ANSWER?
>> HI. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING TODAY AND WELCOME TO BATON ROUGE.
I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING THAT YOU DO THAT I DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO.
THAT'S THE COMMUNITY PHARMACY.
I DID NOT KNOW UNTIL I HAD PEOPLE PASSING AWAY IN MY FAMILY AND YOU HAVE THESE DRAWERS AND DRAWERS OF ALL THESE MEDICATIONS, AND IT REPRESENTS JUST SO MUCH MONEY THAT YOUR MIND COULD JUST EXPLODE AND WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THESE MEDICATIONS KNOWING, IF WE CAN JUST GET THIS IN SOMEBODY'S HAND, IT'S BEEN PAID FOR.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO USE IT AND WAS ABLE TO DROP IT ALL OFF AT THE COMMUNITY PHARMACY.
I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO REALIZE IF YOU TAKE AN ANTIBIOTIC AND YOU'RE ALLERGIC TO IT, IF YOU TAKE A MEDICINE, IT'S NOT WORKING, YOU HAVE TO CHANGE MEDICATIONS AND YOU HAVE A BOTTLE OF MEDICATION SITTING IN YOUR HOUSE THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE USED AND POST 3, 4, $500.
WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH. CHECK OUT THE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL WEBSITE, FIND OUT IF THEY CAN ACCEPT THAT DONATION BECAUSE THERE'S NO REASON FOR IT TO SIT IN YOUR BATHROOM OR IN YOUR CLOSET, GET THAT INTO THE PHARMACY, SO IT CAN GO OUT TO SOMEBODY WHO NEEDS IT.
I THINK THAT'S JUST A TREMENDOUS SERVICE.
>> I WILL SAY THERE ARE MORE REGULATIONS IN LOUISIANA THAN THERE WERE IN OTHER STATES THAT I'VE SERVED ABOUT WHAT WE CAN ACCEPT.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN WORK ON TOGETHER.
>> BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY HAD THE LAWS CHANGED IN OHIO SO WE COULD ACCEPT MORE THE CHARITABLE PHARMACY THERE.
OUR PHARMACY IS AMAZING, AND WE DO ALSO ACCEPT ITEMS FOR THE PHARMACY, EVERYONE WHO COMES TO THE PHARMACY GETS A TOILETRY BAG, WHICH IS A REALLY BIG NEED FOR A LOT OF OUR PHARMACY PATIENTS.
WE ALSO ACCEPT DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LIKE WALKERS, CANES, BATH SEATS, ADULT DIAPERS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> THAT'S HUGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT'S BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH ALL AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'RE DOING.
ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL TIMES, YOUR SERVICES ARE CRITICAL 24/7, BUT CERTAINLY IN OUR COMMUNITY IS WHEN WE HAVE BAD WEATHER, OR WHEN WE HAVE COLD WEATHER, THOSE THINGS.
YOUR ABILITY TO OWN A DIME, STAND UP, ACCOMMODATE MORE FOLKS, YOU'RE A PART OF OUR EMERGENCY OPERATION SERVICES AND FUNCTIONING OUT OF OUR MSP OFFICE.
THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN US IT HAS TO BE STRONG, AND SO I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH.
THANKS TO COUNCILMEMBER COLEMAN FOR INVITING YOU TO COME AND DO THIS.
BUT IT'S GREAT TO HAVE A WORKING IN FACE RELATIONSHIP SO THAT DURING THOSE TIMES, AS CLAY ALWAYS SAYS, WHEN THE RAIN IS COMING IN SIDEWAYS, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE FIGURING OUT WHO YOUR PARTNERS ARE.
IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ESTABLISH THIS.
THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.[APPLAUSE] WELCOME, BY THE WAY.
WHEN SHE WAS STARTING TALKING ABOUT SHE CAME HERE.
I THOUGHT FOR SURE SHE WOULD TELL HER SHE GOT BOOTED.[LAUGHTER] I THOUGHT THAT WAS COMING, I SWEAR.
>> IT'S A GOOD FEEL.[LAUGHTER]
[139. 25-01297]
>> ITEM 139. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY ITEM, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION TESTING AND LABORATORY SERVICES WITH SOUTHERN EARTH SCIENCE INC FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MVR PROJECT, MA LOUISIANA PERKINS TO PERCARDY BY THE TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE 16442, THIS ITEM MUST BE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY BY TWO THIRDS VOTE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.
NEED A MOTION TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION ON THE MOTION TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY? ITEM IS AN EMERGENCY. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 139? SEEING NO AND GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
[BACKGROUND] MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
[Adjournment and Announcements]
ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? MEMBER GOING AND VOTE SATURDAY.[02:50:01]
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE. GOD BLESS.* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.