>> WELCOME, EVERYBODY TO THE PRESENTATION PORTION OF
[Presentations and Special Recognitions]
[00:00:03]
OUR COUNCIL MEETING THIS NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025.WE HAVE THE MAYOR CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND HAPPY NOVEMBER.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE MAYOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON VETERAN AFFAIRS.
I WANT TO TELL YOU ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AS A MARINE CORPS VETERAN AND ALL THE VETERANS AND THE ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS THAT ARE SITTING BEHIND US.
I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE FOR CONTINUING TO RECOGNIZE THEM.
THEIR SERVICE AND THEIR SACRIFICE AND ALSO THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND TO PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE MAYOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL, METRO COUNCIL, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, AND THE STATE.
BECAUSE TOGETHER WHEN WE WORK THE WAY THAT WE ARE WORKING, WE TRULY CAN CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEHIND US AND LOOK AT THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AS MEANINGFUL.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION AND HONOR VETERANS MONTH WHEREAS WITH 12 SIGNATURES, THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE HONORS THE STRENGTH AND SACRIFICES OF THE FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS, AND SURVIVORS OF OUR VETERANS AND OUR CURRENT SERVICE MEMBERS.
WHEREAS TOURS OF DUTY, DEPLOYMENT, AND ROTATIONS ARE DIFFICULT FOR OUR MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES.
WE MARVEL AT THE DEVOTION OF MILITARY FAMILIES AND THEIR RESILIENCE TO UPLAUD THEIR LIVES EVERY FEW YEARS AND TO MOVE TO A NEW COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS TO BE A VETERAN OR A SERVICE MEMBER IS TO HAVE ENDURED AND SURVIVED CHALLENGES, MOST AMERICANS WILL NEVER KNOW.
FAMILIES WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE AND ON HOLD SO THAT OUR MILITARY CAN HOLD THE LINE TO REPRESENT THE BEST OF AMERICA, AND WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT THEY DO FOR OUR NATION.
NOW, BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE, METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, DO HEAR I HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS VETERANS MONTH.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, WE HERE TO SET OUR HAND IN THE OFFICIAL SIGNATURE AND CAUSE THIS DAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.
I'D LIKE TO FIRST RECOGNIZE BY DISTRICT, THE MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE, AND I'D LIKE TO START WITH DISTRICT 2, ANTHONY KENNEY, TO RECOGNIZE YOUR VETERANS, PLEASE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I HAVE FOUR DISTINGUISHED VETERANS TODAY.
FIRST OFF, WE HAVE MR. JEFFREY CHARLES GRAY.
HE WAS A COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
I'D LIKE TO BRING HIM UP. LET'S GET MR. GRAY A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE] NEXT UP, MR. WARREN A. RES, A RETIRED SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER E MIN MAN.
LET'S GET HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE] NEXT UP, MR. LANE RON, E5, UNITED STATES ARMY.
[APPLAUSE] LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, MISS BRENDA ROGERS, SERGEANT, UNITED STATES ARMY.
[APPLAUSE] TO THESE FOUR DISTINGUISHED VETERANS, AS WE CELEBRATE YOU ALL TODAY FOR YOUR SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP TO OUR GREAT COUNTRY, IS IT WITH GRATITUDE AND RECOGNITION OF YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY, YOUR COURAGEOUS DEDICATION, SACRIFICE, ARE COMMENDABLE.
WE ARE FOREVER INDEBTED FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO PROTECT THE FREEDOM IN OUR NATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. [APPLAUSE]
>> NO INDIVIDUAL. [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND].
>> I THINK YOU WERE ON THE TOP. [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT, WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER ROWDY GAUDET,
[00:05:01]
DISTRICT 3, WITH HIS VETERANS.>> I WELCOME UP AND PLEASE FAMILY, Y'ALL COME AND JOIN HIM.
I'D WELCOME ALL TO COME AND SURROUND HIM.
CAMERA-SHY. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'LL READ A LITTLE BIT FROM THE CERTIFICATE THAT MR. MARCUS OR SERGEANT BARADEZ IS GOING TO RECEIVE TODAY IN RECOGNITION OF HIS HONORABLE SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES ARMY, FAITHFULLY SERVING AS A SERGEANT, VOLUNTARILY ENLISTING IN 1972, RECEIVING HIS HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN 1979, DURING HIS SERVICE.
HE SERVED AS A 74 DELTA COMPUTER MACHINE OPERATOR.
STATIONED IN FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, AND ALSO TRAVELING TO LOCATIONS, INCLUDING GERMANY, KOREA, OR CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA, AND FOR POKE HERE IN LOUISIANA.
HIS COMMENDATIONS INCLUDE THE NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AWARDED FOR CONTINUOUS ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE DURING DESIGNATED CONFLICT PERIODS, AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, DENOTING THREE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS EXEMPLARY BEHAVIOR, EFFICIENCY AND FIDELITY.
FOLLOWING HIS SERVICE, SERGEANT BARADEZ CONTINUED HIS COMMITMENT TO OUR NATION BY SERVING VOLUNTARILY IN THE US ARMY RESERVES FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR.
AFTER HIS MILITARY CAREER, HE CONTINUED SERVING THIS COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, RETIRING IN 2019 AS AN ASSOCIATE HORTICULTURAL PROFESSOR AT THE BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND A LONGTIME AND VERY PROUD RESIDENT OF THE GARDIER COMMUNITY.
HE CERTAINLY EXEMPLIFIES SERVICE, LEADERSHIP, AND DEDICATION TO OTHERS.
WE CERTAINLY WANT TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE SERGEANT BARADEZ FOR HIS SERVICE. THANK YOU, SIR. [APPLAUSE]
>> I GOT A LITTLE SPEECH I'D LIKE TO READ.
NERVOUS LONG-TAILED CAT IN THE ROOM FOR A ROCKET CHAT.
[LAUGHTER] THEN I LEFT MY GLASSES AND I HAD TO BOTH SOMEBODY ELSE GLASSES SO THAT'S TWO STRIKES, SO LET ME SEE LET ME GET THE THIRD ONE.
>> NO STRIKES. COUNCILMAN GAUDET, DISTRICT 3.
FIRST, ALL GLORY AND HONOR TO GOD, TO MAYOR.
SAID EVERS, EAST BATNIG PARS, METRO COUNCIL, MY WIFE, MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, AND MY COMMUNITY.
I AM HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS RECOGNITION OF MY SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
IT WAS A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO VOLUNTARILY SIGN UP TO PROUDLY SERVE AS ONE OF MANY MEN AND WOMEN OF THE US ARMY.
MY PATRIOTIC DUTY ALLOWED ME TO SERVE MY COUNTRY, AND IT'S MY COMMUNITY PRIDE THAT I HAVE FOR MY GUARDIAN COMMUNITY WITH ITS BEN BURGER COUNCIL ON AGENT CENTER, THAT ALLOWED ME TO SERVE WITHIN MY COMMUNITY.
[APPLAUSE] I HAVE ONE QUESTION I WANT TO ASK EVERYBODY.
THEY SAY, OH. WHAT DO PORKY PIG SAY? THAT'S ALL, FOLKS. [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]
>> YOU WANT TO COME UP? [BACKGROUND].
>> I'D LIKE TO WELCOME DISTRICT 5, COUNCILMEMBER DARRYL HURST.
[00:10:01]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL AND DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING US TO CELEBRATE MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOVE OUR COUNTRY AND ARE WILLING TO TURN LOVE INTO AN ACTION WORD, WHICH IS TO GO OUT AND FIGHT ON OUR BEHALF SO THAT WE CAN FEEL FREE AND COMFORTABLE AS WE SIT ON OUR COUCHES AND WATCH NETFLIX.
THIS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE THAT CAME BEFORE US, BUT MY SON JUST MADE A DECISION TO GO TO THE AIR FORCE.
[APPLAUSE] HE IS BIO PRE MED, BUT HE WANTS TO BE A DOCTOR TO THE PEOPLE THAT FIGHT FOR US AND SERVE IN THE AIR FORCE. MEANS A LOT.
I HAVE THREE PEOPLE THAT I WANT TO HONOR TODAY.
ONE OF THEM HAS NOT MADE IT YET, SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART, BUT FIRST ONE IS FREDDIE JOHNSON JUNIOR, WHEREAS VETERANS DAY PROVIDES A MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES, STANDING IN DEFENSE OF OUR FREEDOMS, WITH COURAGE, DISCIPLINE, AND UNWAVERING RESOLVE.
WHEREAS FREDDIE JOHNSON JUNIOR FAITHFULLY SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY FOR 20 YEARS, DEMONSTRATING OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO DUTY, READINESS AND HONOR WHILE PROTECTING THE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH OUR NATION STANDS.
WHEREAS THROUGHOUT HIS MILITARY CAREER, FREDDIE JOHNSON JUNIOR EXEMPLIFIES STRENGTH OF CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP AND THE ENDURING SPIRIT OF SERVICE, CONTRIBUTING TO SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE MISSION CAPABILITY AND EXCELLENCE OF OUR ARMED FORCES.
WHEREAS HIS SERVICE REFLECTS NOT ONLY THE PERSONAL SACRIFICE, BUT ALSO THE SACRIFICE OF LOVED ONES AND FAMILY.
MEMBERS WHO SUPPORT HIS JOURNEY REINFORCING THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT REQUIRED TO PRESERVE OUR NATION'S FREEDOM.
WHEREAS THE DEDICATION, HONORABLE SERVICE OF FREDDIE JOHNSON JUNIOR WILL FOREVER STAND AS A SOURCE OF PRIDE, RESPECT, AND GRATITUDE WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY AND ACROSS OUR NATION.
WHEREAS BOTH FITTING AND OUR SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY TO RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS HEARTFELT APPRECIATION FOR SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS, MR. FREDDIE JOHNSON, HE WAS A SERGEANT AND RECRUITER FOR THE MILITARY.
[APPLAUSE] ALL OF THEM READ THE SAME.
THE NEXT ONE IS HONORING MR. EDDIE JACKSON, WHO CONTRIBUTED 33 YEARS TO THE UNITED STATES ARMY, ALL GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE] I'M HOPING THE THIRD ONE SLIDES IN THERE BECAUSE HE IS COMING. I'LL SAVE IT.
>> I'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND WELCOME DWIGHT HUDSON.
NOW I HAVE TO LOOK AT DISTRICT 9. SORRY.
>> THANK YOU, MEMBERS. I'M BLESSED TO HAVE THREE FOLKS THAT WE ARE HONORING HERE TODAY.
MR. TOM HERSHEY, PETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASS, UNITED STATES NAVY.
FIRST, AL TIVA, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE RESERVES.
[APPLAUSE] MR. JIM TALBOT, UNITED STATES NAVY, COMMUNICATION TECHNICIAN, THIRD CLASS.
[APPLAUSE] WHAT I'LL SAY ABOUT THESE THREE GENTLEMEN, AND THIS IS A THEME, I THINK THAT YOU FIND A LOT WITH VETERANS IS THAT ALL THREE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS CONTINUE TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF THEIR SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES.
MR. TALBOT HAS BEEN A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND IS NOW A ST. GEORGE COUNCILMEMBER AT LARGE.
MR. HERSHEY, I THINK AS LONG AS MID HAS BEEN AROUND, YOU'VE BEEN EITHER ON THE HOA BOARD ON THE CRIME PREVENTION DISTRICT?
>> FORTY YEARS. MR. TIPDO HAS WORKED WITH US IN DISTRICT 9 ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS, BUT ALSO SERVES AS HOA BOARD AND HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS.
FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEART IN DISTRICT 9 AND ALL THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND TO OUR COMMUNITY AS A HOLDING.
[00:15:03]
>> I'LL GO THERE AND TAKE PICTURE.
>> DISTRICT 10, CAROLYN COLEMAN.
>> WE'RE GOOD. COME ON. I SAY GOOD AFTERNOON TO ALL OF YOU.
HERE TOGETHER, SO I'M YIELD TO YOU SEVEN FIRST.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SPECIALIST MARVIN ANDERSON SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY AS AN ACTIVE DUTY, 95 BRAVO 93 CHARLIE MILITARY POLICE IN THE US ARMY.
MARVIN SERVED AS A ROAD GARRISON OFFICER AND TOP-SECRET INTELLIGENCE FACILITY OFFICER.
MARVIN ACCOUNTS HIS MILITARY SERVICE AS THE FOUNDATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE AS HE CONTINUES HIS PUBLIC SERVICE TODAY BY SERVING AND EMPOWERING OTHERS THROUGH HIS VARIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY.
WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MARVIN ANDERSON TODAY. PLEASE JOIN US.
[APPLAUSE] MARVIN DOES A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER THINGS IN DISTRICT 7 ALONG WITH DISTRICT 12.
YOU CAN CALL ON, DEPEND ON, AND HE IS A TRUE SERVANT AT HEART.
MARVIN, WE WANT TO HONOR YOU TODAY, SIR.
>> WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT WITH TEN AND I'M COMING.
I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOME VETERANS THAT HAVE FOUGHT AND THAT ARE NO LONGER WITH US PHYSICALLY.
THAT IS CURTIS ROBINSON JUNIOR, A SERGEANT IN THE US ARMY, C SAMUEL WILSON, THE US ARMY, AND JOHN ANTHONY ROBINSON, A MEMBER OF THE US MARINE CORPS.
>> I HAVE DISTRICT 6, COUNCIL MEMBER DUNN.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING? I HAVE THE HONOR AND THE PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE MR. JOHN FORMAN SENIOR.
I HAVE A LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT I'M GOING TO READ OFF TO YOU GUYS, BUT I'LL GET TO THAT.
FIRST, BEFORE I RECOGNIZE HIS SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE HIM AS A MAN, AS A HUMAN, AS A FATHER, AS A HUSBAND, AS A MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I WAS BLESSED WITH A FATHER AND TWO GRANDFATHERS TO OBSERVE, MONITOR, AND HAVE A UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT A MAN WAS SUPPOSED TO DO AS IT RELATES TO MEETING YOUR OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
BUT I ALSO WAS BLESSED WITH UNCLES AND COUSINS AND FOLKS LIKE JOHN FORMAN, WHO I WATCHED FROM AFAR AS THEY MADE POSITIVE IMPACTS ON OUR COMMUNITY, THEIR FAMILIES, RAISING THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS, AND BEING JUST BEACONS OF LIGHT AND EXAMPLES FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION TO LOOK UP TO AND KNOW HOW TO CONDUCT YOURSELF.
JOHN WAS ONE OF THOSE MANY INDIVIDUALS, ALONG WITH UNCLE KIRK.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE HIM FOR BEING THERE FIRST.
I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT NOW THAT HE'S A CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI MAN, ALONG WITH MR. FREDY BAD WHO YOU RECOGNIZE.
>> WHAT SCHOOL DID YOUR CHILD GO TO WITH GREEN AND GOD? [LAUGHTER]
[00:20:02]
>> THANK YOU. JUST ONE OF THEM.
>> WHAT SCHOOL DID YOUR GRANDCHILDREN GO TO WITH GREEN AND GOD?
>> THAT'S DOCTOR POINT. [LAUGHTER]
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE HIS SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY AND THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF STUFF HERE, SO ALL BEAR WITH ME.
JOHN WAS IN THE BRANCH OF THE ARMY.
HE SERVED IN ACTIVE DUTY, ARMY RESERVE FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
HE SERVED IN DESERT STORM, DESERT SHIELD, ENDURING FREEDOM.
HE WAS A SPECIALIST IN THE TRANSPORTATION MOVEMENT SPECIALLY AND RETENTION SERGEANT, SUPPLY SERGEANT.
HE'S ALSO A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 505 IN THE VFW VETERANS OF FEIGN WAR POST 11169.
THE DAV DISABILITY VETERAN, AND HE ALSO SERVED IN CAREER IN GERMANY, AND HE RETIRED AS A E7 SERGEANT FIRST CLASS.
YOU GUYS GIVE IT UP AS WE RECOGNIZE IN HONOR, MR. JOHN CORN. [APPLAUSE]
>> I GUESS I COULD SPEAK FOR EVERY SERVICE MEMBER THAT'S HERE ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SERVE AND STILL SERVING AND EXPECTED TO THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN.
I TAKE THIS HERE WITH HONOR IN RECEIVING THIS AWARD.
I WANT TO SAY TO YOU THAT, MR. JOHN, YOU'VE BEEN KNOWING HIM A LONG TIME, BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW HE BELONGS TO DISTRICT 7.
[LAUGHTER] YOU CAN BORROW MANY TIME JUST SEND HIM BACK.
>> WOW. HE BELONGS TO EVERYONE. LET'S PUT IT LIKE THAT.
>> I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE DISTRICT 10, COUNCIL MEMBER AEROSA. DISTRICT 8.
>> NO. WE DON'T GIVE ME ANYBODY'S BECAUSE SHE AIN'T GOING TO GIVE IT AWAY.
>> GOOD EVENING. WE DECIDED TO RECOGNIZE THIS PERSON JOINTLY TODAY.
THE VETERAN WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE IS A RETIRED NAVY OFFICER WITH 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, INCLUDING MULTIPLE DEPLOYMENTS TO COMBAT ZONES LIKE AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, BOSNIA, AND THE HORN OF AFRICA.
HIS MILITARY CAREER, WHICH ENDED IN 2020, INCLUDED ROLES AS CHIEF WIN OFFICER AND SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR.
FOLLOWING HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE NAVY, HE SERVED IN MANAGERIAL ROLES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
OUR DISTINGUISHED VETERAN IS EACH BATON ROUGE PARISH, MAYOR PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS CHIEF OF STAFF, LON VIGNER.
FOR BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE YOU.
ON BEHALF OF THE WHOLE METRO COUNCIL, WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE YOU IN THE WORK NOT ONLY THAT YOU SERVED IN THE MILITARY AND THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THIS COUNTRY, BUT THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT HERE AT HOME IN EAST BENT ROUGE PARIS.
JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW HE IS FROM CENTRAL AND DISTRICT 4.
>> BUT I PICKED HIM BECAUSE HE'S NAVY. THERE'S THAT.
MY SON WAS IN THE NAVY, SO YOU KNOW. THANK YOU.
>> I'LL JUST SAY YOU. THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE COUNCIL FOR TAKING SOME TIME TO DO THIS FOR OUR VETERANS.
YESTERDAY BEING VETERANS DAY, WENT AROUND TALKING TO TALKING TO VETERANS, AND IT'S IT'S IMPRESSIVE TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE HAVE DONE FOR THIS COUNTRY AND CONTINUE TO DO FOR THIS COUNTRY.
I SAY THANK YOU TO THE VETERANS.
THE ONES THAT ARE HERE FOR YOUR SERVICES.
IT CAN BE LOST IN A HEARTBEAT.
[00:25:01]
TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT WILL ANSWER THE CALL AND STEP UP NOT FOR THEM BUT FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THEM IS JUST AMAZING.THE MOST REWARDING PART OF MY CAREER WAS SERVING WITH PEOPLE LIKE THAT THAT BELIEVE IN SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THEMSELVES.
WE KNOW WE HAD WE HAD GOD AND COUNTRY.
WITH THAT, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR SIGN OF THIS, IT REALLY MEANS A LOT. THANK YOU.
>> LET ME JUST SAY ONE THING IF YOU DON'T MIND.
ONE THING THAT USED TO AGGRAVATE ME SO MUCH WHEN MY SON WAS IN THE MILITARY WAS PEOPLE'S COMMENTS WAS, WHAT'S THE MATTER? YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING BETTER THAN THAT? WITH MATTER, HE CAN'T GET INTO COLLEGE.
THE ONE THING IS IS THAT VETERANS, IT'S 100% VOLUNTEER.
THEY ARE NOT BEING DRAFTED, SO THEY ARE STEPPING UP TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY, THEIR FAMILY, THE COMMUNITY.
THE OTHER THING WAS THAT ONLY 1% OF THE PEOPLE EVEN END UP IN THE MILITARY, AND TODAY, IT IS HARDER TO GET INTO THE MILITARY THAN IT IS TO GET INTO A COLLEGE.
WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE VOLUNTEER STEPPING UP, SERVING THEIR COUNTRY, THEIR COMMUNITY, THESE PEOPLE DO NEED TO BE COMMENDED AND APPRECIATED.
>> ALSO, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ONE OTHER DISTINGUISHED VETERAN.
IN THE CITY OF CENTRAL HAD THEIR VETERANS DAY PROGRAM LAST NIGHT AT ONE AT THE CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND OUR GUEST SPEAKER LAST NIGHT TOLD AN AMAZING STORY ABOUT HER SERVICE AND HER CAREER AND THE THINGS THAT SHE HAD DONE.
IT SAT THERE AND LAWN HAD SPOKE A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE ABOUT HIS SERVICE AND WHAT HE HAD DONE AND TO LISTEN TO THIS PERSON SPEAK, YOU HEAR ALL THESE THINGS THAT THEY'VE DONE AND NOT ONLY JUST AS THEY SERVED, BUT AS THEY CAME OUT OF THE MILITARY AND CONTINUED TO SERVE IN PUBLIC.
WE RECOGNIZED LAWN JUST A SECOND AGO, BUT HIS WIFE HAS A DISTINGUISHED CAREER ALSO IN THE MILITARY AND SERVED AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT BOTH OF THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE SERVED.
IF YOU COULD, I'D LIKE TO IF YOU COULD TAKE THIS TO MS. REBECCA FOR HER SERVICE ALSO TO THE MILITARY.
THEY BOTH SERVED IN THE NAVY, AND THAT'S FROM AND THESE ARE FROM DISTRICT 4.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. TAYLOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> CAN I LOOK THIS WAY FROM ME? CAN WE GET ALL OF THAT.
>> I HAVE NOW DISTRICT 11, COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS.
>> Y'ALL ARE GOING TO BE SHOCKED.
I'M NOT KNOWN FOR DOING A WHOLE LOT OF PRESENTATIONS.
I HAVE EIGHT INDIVIDUALS THAT I'M GOING TO HONOR TODAY.
I'M GOING TO CALL EVERYBODY UP AND THEN I'LL READ YOUR CERTIFICATES.
I'D LIKE TO CALL UP CORPORAL DON ELLIOTT.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL AVIA MS. CAIDA.
[00:30:04]
TRINA HALL, LARRY WILLIAMS, FRANK HOPE AND LES NICHOLSON.HOW'S IT GOING ON? I'M GOING TO START I'M GOING TO START WITH DON ELLIOTT.
MR. ELLIOTT LIVES IN OLD GOODWOOD, AND IS A MEMBER OF THE GOODWOOD PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION.
HE SERVED AT AL TORO THE MARINE STATION IN AL TORO, CALIFORNIA, 1986-1990.
I FIRST LEARNED ABOUT MR. ELLIOTT AT A GOODWOOD PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION MEETING AND FOUND OUT THAT HE IS THE PERSON IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD, WHO THREE TIMES A YEAR PUTS OUT THE FLAGS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I ASKED HIM HOW HE GOT STARTED DOING THAT, AND HE'S A PERSON OF SERVICE.
ONE OF THE GENTLEMEN WHO HAD BEEN DOING IT, HAD A BACK ISSUE AND SO HE WAS ASKED TO FILL IN AND HE WAS HAPPY TO FILL IN WHILE THE GENTLEMAN HAD A BACKACHE, AND MANY YEARS LATER, HE IS STILL THE ONE SETTING OUT THE FLAGS.
I KNOW THAT COMES AS NO SURPRISE THAT SOMEONE WHO STEPPED UP TO SERVICE IN 1986 FOR HIS COUNTRY CONTINUES TO STEP UP TO SERVICE IN HIS COMMUNITY TODAY. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] I THINK I PUT HAND THAT TO YOU.
NEXT UP, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS LIEUTENANT COLONEL EVITA MOSQUEDA.
BETTER. GOOD. WITH 17 YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE, LIEUTENANT COLONEL MASQUEDA, HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH MENTORING YOUNG WOMEN IN THE ROLES OF LEADERSHIP, BOTH IN THEIR PERSONAL LIFE AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE.
SHE'S AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBER, VOLUNTEERING AT NURSING HOME SCHOOLS AND MULTIPLE COMMUNITY EVENTS.
HER TILES SERVICE IS AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW, AND WE SALUTE HER DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY, THE COUNTRY, AND, OF COURSE, THE CORE. THANK YOU.
NOW WE HAVE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MAJOR, LUCAS CULVER, SERVES AS THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE BATON ROUGE RECRUITING STATION.
MAJOR CULVER AND HIS MARINES HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR RECRUITING OUR FUTURE MARINES AND ALSO FOR KEEPING THE COMMUNITY ENGAGED THROUGH VARIOUS MILITARY PROGRAMS. HE TIRELESSLY DEDICATES HIS TIME TO THE YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY AND IS ALSO AN EXEMPLARY EXAMPLE OF MARINES MARINE.
THE LEGENDS ARE CREATED IN THE BAYU, AND HIS STATUS IS FOREVER ETCHED IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, MAJOR CULVER.
[APPLAUSE] ARMY VETERAN, SERGEANT ANTONIA COLEMAN CRUMP.
THE CITY PARISH PROUDLY RECOGNIZES SERGEANT ANTONIA COLEMAN CRUMP, UNITED STATES ARMY VETERAN AND DEDICATED MEMBER OF THE CONSTABLES OFFICE.
SERGEANT COLEMAN CRUMP EXEMPLIFIES SERVICE, DISCIPLINE, AND LEADERSHIP.
VALUES SHE CONTINUES TO HOLD EACH DAY IN HER COMMITMENT TO THE CITIZENS OF BATON ROUGE.
WE THANK HER FOR HER HONORABLE SERVICE, MILITARY SERVICE AND HER CONTINUED DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITY.
TRINA. DO I SEE TRINA? THERE YOU ARE. THE CITY PARISH PROUDLY RECOGNIZES TRINA HALL, UNITED STATES ARMY VETERAN AND DEDICATED EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
MISS HALL CONTINUES TO DEMONSTRATE THE SAME INTEGRITY, PERSEVERANCE, AND COMMITMENT TO SERVICE THAT DEFINED HER MILITARY CAREER.
WE THANK HER FOR HER HONORABLE SERVICE TO OUR NATION, CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY. MISS HALL.
THIS GENTLEMAN, I DON'T BELIEVE IS WITH US, LARRY WILLIAMS. BUT I'M STILL GOING TO I'VE GOT A CERTIFICATE FORM, WHERE YOU GET IT TO HIM.
UNITED STATES VETERAN, LARRY WILLIAMS IS A RETIRED SERGEANT FIRST CLASS WHO SERVED 20 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
HE IS NOW A DEDICATED AND DEVOTED LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMPLOYEE, SERVING AS THE VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAM DIRECTOR.
LARRY IS TASKED WITH LEADING THE VETERANS AFFAIRS GOLD STAR FAMILY PROGRAM, BLUE STAR FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM, VETERAN HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM, WOMEN'S VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAM, VETERANS PLACEMENT REFERRALS PROGRAM, AND PROVIDING FOR THE LOUISIANA VET CORE NAVIGATOR PROGRAM.
I SEE WHY HE COULDN'T MAKE IT TODAY.
[LAUGHTER] HE IS ALSO A PROUD MEMBER OF THE MAYOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON VETERANS AFFAIRS.
MR. WILLIAMS, WE SALUTE YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
[APPLAUSE] US AIR FORCE VETERAN FRANK HOPE.
THE CITY PARISH PROUDLY RECOGNIZES FRANK HOPE,
[00:35:03]
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE VETERAN WHO SERVED AS A TACTICAL AIR CONTROL PARTY SPECIALIST.MR. HOPE'S DEDICATION, PRECISION, AND COURAGE AND SERVICE REFLECTS THE HIGHEST IDEALS OF THE US AIR FORCE.
TODAY, HE CONTINUES THAT SPIRIT OF SERVICE AS AN ACTIVE AND ENGAGED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXEMPLARY MILITARY SERVICE AND YOUR CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITIZENS OF BATON ROUGE.
>> LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST IS A GENTLEMAN WHO IS NOT A VETERAN.
SORRY, I HAD TO THROW A CURVEBALL.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LES NICHOLSON.
LES NICHOLSON HAS PROBABLY DONE MORE IN THE PAST TWO, THREE YEARS TO PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF THE USS KIDD AND TO PRESERVE THE SHIP ITSELF THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I DID NOT FEEL LIKE WE COULD PASS TODAY BY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU AS VETERANS, YOU SERVE, BUT YOU DON'T SERVE ALONE AND THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE, FAMILY MEMBERS, PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, PEOPLE LIKE LES WHO COME ALONGSIDE TO ENHANCE AND HONOR YOUR JOURNEY AS VETERANS.
I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE LES NICHOLSON, CHAIR OF THE LOUISIANA NAVAL WAR MEMORIAL COMMISSION.
MR. NICHOLSON'S STEADFAST LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION HAVE ENSURED THE CONTINUED PRESERVATION AND HONOR OF LOUISIANA'S NAVAL HERITAGE.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR DISTINGUISHED AND ONGOING COMMITMENT TO HONORING OUR STATES VETERANS AND THEIR LEGACY.
I'M GOING TO ASK, LES, WOULD YOU MIND TELLING EVERYBODY WHAT THE LATEST UPDATE ON THE USS KIDD IS? I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE.
I KNOW YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THE MICROPHONE.
>> THE BEST NEWS IS, I'LL BE FREE.
THE KIDD IS SAFELY IN THE WATER AGAIN.
IT WILL RETURN TO BATON ROUGE IN THE SPRING WHEN THE WATER IS HIGH ENOUGH FOR IT TO GET BACK IN ITS CRADLE.
THE SHIP YARD IS LOOKING AFTER IT UNTIL THEN.
WE'RE PLANNING A GREAT CITY WIDE CELEBRATION LED BY A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, AND IT HAS BEEN A REAL PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE TO BATON ROUGE, CAME HERE ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.
I WENT TO COLLEGE HERE, MET MY WIFE HERE.
MY WIFE DID SUGGEST WE SHOULD COME BACK HERE, SO WE DID, AND IT'S JUST BEEN A WONDERFUL THING TO DO.
I WILL ADMIT THE CLOSEST I'VE COME TO COMBAT IN MY LIFE IS I'M NOW SERVING ON OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HOA.
ON BEHALF OF OF LESS AND EVERYBODY WHO'S INVOLVED WITH THE NAVAL WAR MUSEUM AND THE USS KIDD, I'M GOING TO ASK THAT EVERYBODY PLEASE PRAY FOR LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF SNOW IN THE NORTH BECAUSE WE NEED ALL OF THAT MELTING SNOW TO BRING THE WATER.
WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO BE HURT, BUT JUST A HEALTHY AMOUNT OF SNOW SO WE CAN BRING THAT KIDD UP THE MISSISSIPPI.
I JUST ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SAY BRIEFLY, THAT WHEN I ASKED FOR A LIST OF VETERANS WHO ARE SERVING IN CITY PARISH, WHO ARE WORKING FOR THE CITY PARISH.
I WAS GIVEN A LIST OF 179 NAMES.
THAT IS WE HAVE AT LEAST 179 WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY CITY PARISH.
I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHERS THAT WE DO NOT KNOW THAT THEY ARE VETERANS.
I LOVE THAT ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF SERVICE, AND WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER.
I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS WHO ARE CITY PARISH EMPLOYEES.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR NATION, AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY TODAY.
CAN I TALK EVERYBODY IN TAKE A PICTURE WITH ME OVER THERE? AWESOME. THANK YOU.
GOOD, BIG SMILE FROM EVERYBODY.
>> COUNCIL, IF I COULD HAVE A POINT OF PRIVILEGE.
I'D LIKE TO JUST SAY WITH LIEUTENANT COLONEL MOSQUERA DON'T GO ANYWHERE, MA'AM.
THERE IS A LARGE GROUP OF HER SISTERS THAT ARE HERE.
THEY ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS CALLED THE FLAMINGOS.
I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO HAVE THEM JOIN HER FOR A PHOTOGRAPH.
AS RUMOR HAS IT, SHE MIGHT NOT BE STAYING IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR A LONG TIME.
AS EVERYONE KNOWS, MILITARY HAS A HARD LIFE AND THEY MUST MOVE.
BUT I WOULD REALLY LOVE FOR YOU ALL TO COME UP HERE AND TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH WITH HER. I'M ONE.
[00:40:47]
THIS CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATIONS.AGAIN, COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR OUR VETERANS.
IF ALL THE VETERANS THAT ARE HERE AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE HERE, WE'D LOVE TO GATHER YOU ALL FOR ONE LARGE GROUP PHOTO.
THIS WILL BE THE LARGEST ONE WE'VE HAD SINCE WE STARTED THE THANK A VETERAN PROGRAM THREE YEARS AGO.
>> IF YOU DON'T MIND, CAN I SAY SOMETHING PLEASE?
>> TO THE COUNCILMEN AND COUNCIL LADIES OF BATON ROUGE, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE VETERANS.
BUT HOWEVER, SPEAKING FOR THE VETERANS, I DON'T THINK ANY OF US VETERANS COULD HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT FAMILY SUPPORT.
FOR THE FAMILIES THAT HAS SUPPORTED US, WHILE WE SERVE THIS COUNTRY, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TOO.
[00:59:12]
>> [BACKGROUND] GENTLEMEN, HOW MUCH LONGER?
[00:59:15]
[00:59:16]
>> WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME. [BACKGROUND]
>> FROM THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF EAST PAT RIDGE PARISH.
[CALL TO ORDER]
HELLO, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.GOOD TO HAVE ALL OF YOU TUNED IN, WHETHER IT'S ON AT&T ON COX, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, ARE STREAMING AT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.VR.GOV.
GLAD TO HAVE YOU WATCH THIS AFTERNOON.
[01:00:03]
AT THIS TIME, HERE IS THE MAYOR PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF EAST BATONROUGE PARISH.COUNCILMAN, BRANDON NOBLE, COUNCILMAN.
>> THANK YOU, DENNIS. WELCOME, EVERYBODY.
THIS METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2025.
WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE MEETING AND ORDER. ASK YOU, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM?
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE INVOCATION AND PLEDGE INTRODUCED BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'D LIKE TO CALL MR. WADE FRANKLIN TO THE PODIUM TO OFFER THE INVOCATION.
MR. FRANKLIN, IN KEEPING WITH OUR VETERANS DAY THEME TODAY, HE IS DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS FOR THE BOOT, WHICH IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, OPERATING IN LOUISIANA THAT HELPS PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT MILITARY SERVICE TO ACCLIMATE AND THRIVE IN POST SERVICE LIFE.
MR. FRANKLIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU. ASK WILL JOIN ME IN PRAYER.
DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS GATHERING AS WE MEET TO CONDUCT THE CITY'S BUSINESS AND REFLECT ON VETERANS DAY.
ON THIS DAY, WE ASK THAT YOU REMIND US OF THE BLESSINGS AND FREEDOMS WE ENJOY IN THIS CITY IN THE STATE AND THE NATION.
WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS VETERANS THAT HAVE BEEN CALLED TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THIS NATION.
MAY YOU CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THEM A MISSION IN CIVILIAN LIFE THAT THEY MAY BE EXAMPLES OF SELFLESS SERVICE TO OTHERS.
WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU BLESS THIS COUNCIL AND IMPART YOUR WISDOM.
MAY TODAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THIS CITY TO DO YOUR WILL AND HONOR YOU IN ALL WE DO.
IN JESUS YOUR SON'S NAME, WE PRAY. AMEN.
>> NOW I'D LIKE TO ASK MR. ASHER BEAL TO COME TO THE PODIUM.
ASHER IS A SIXTH GRADE STUDENT AT SACRED HEART OF JESUS SCHOOL, WHERE HE IS A CLASS REPRESENTATIVE.
HE IS BEGINNING HIS PUBLIC SERVICE LIFE.
YOU CAN GO TO THAT. YOU WANT TO STAY FROM THERE?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES,
[ ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 22ND, 2025, AND THE SPECIAL METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5TH, 2025 BY THE COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE TREASURER.WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN KENNY, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA.
ASHLEY, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE INTRODUCTIONS?
[ INTRODUCTIONS]
>> CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS. NUMBER 2, ERNESTINE GWENDOLYN IN 835 PINE STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 KENNEY.
NUMBER 3, DENISE ZUBIT, 281 RAF MARE ROAD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 KENNEY.
NUMBER 4, VERNETTA, ALIMENT WEBB JOHNSON, 1360 CARVER STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 KENNEY.
NUMBER 5, GABRIEL GERONIMO, 1677 74TH AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 KENNEY.
NUMBER 6, EDITH MAY GARDNER, 825 GREENWELL STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 HURST.
NUMBER 7, PATRICE GARRISON, 6142 MATTHEW STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 HURST.
NUMBER 8, WILVER FUENTES OSORIO, 4918 SHELLY STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 HURST.
NUMBER 9, MARY LEE WASHINGTON, 4108 PROVO STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS, NUMBER 10, CYRIL SLAUGHTER, AND THE ESTATE OF DELMA GRAY MCCRAE, 4130 PITTER STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS.
NUMBER 11, CHARLIE GRAY, 4122 PITT STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS.
NUMBER 12, AR 20 LLC, 4017 NORTH FOSTER DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS.
NUMBER 13, THE ESTATE OF DORSEY JOHNSON, 2930 BROWNLEE STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS.
NUMBER 14, MELANIE RAY, 527 ENGLESIDE DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HARRIS.
NUMBER 15, EUGENE, JOSEPH NICHOLAS AND ESTELLA NICHOLAS, 8865 NORTH 39TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 HARRIS.
NUMBER 16, DIANA JOHNSON, 1935 CHOCTAW STREET, CHOCTAW DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN.
NUMBER 17, OPPORTUNITY ZONE FUND, LLC, 1204 SOUTH 18TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COLEMAN.
ALL ITEMS THAT REQUIRE READING HAVE BEEN READ IN A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS AS IN ORDER.
>> THANK YOU, ASHLEY. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? INTRODUCTIONS. WE HAVE A MATION? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
LET'S GO TO OUR SEPARATE SHEFT FOR CONDEMNATIONS.
[CONDEMNATIONS]
RECOMMENDATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS, TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49,[01:05:01]
50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, AND 62.NINETY DAYS ON ITEMS 46 AND 51 AND TO DELETE ITEM 40, 56 AND 63.
I'VE GOT RECOMMENDATIONS ON ITEM 48, 30 DAYS, ITEM 52, 30 DAYS, AND ITEM 59, 90 DAYS.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS?
>> FORTY FIVE, 30 DAYS, PLEASE.
>> I ALREADY HAVE THAT ONE. ANYONE ELSE? I'M READ THEM BACK. THE REQUEST IS TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 41, 42, 43, 44, 49, 50 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 60, 61, AND 62; 30 DAYS FOR ITEMS 45, 48, AND 52, 90 DAYS FOR ITEMS 46, 47, 51, AND 59, AND TO DELETE ITEMS 40, 56 AND 63.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS? YES, SIR. JUST COME UP AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND WHICH ITEM YOU'RE SPEAKING ON.
CURRENTLY, I WORK WITH THE ARCHITECT AND CONTRACTOR.
WE HAVE PLANS AND A RENDERING TO OF COURSE, TO UPDATE THE PROPERTY THERE.
I JUST RECEIVED THIS NOTICE, TWO DAYS AGO SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M HEARD.
BUT MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IS UP FOR CONDEMNATION OR DEMOLITION, WHAT IS THE ACTION HERE?
>> THIS IS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CONDEMNATION, WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A DEMOLITION.
COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, WHAT DO YOU NEED?
>> WELL, FIRST I NEED MONEY AND A PERMIT.
>> WELL, I DON'T HAVE THAT FOR YOU, BUT.
>> GIVE YOU 30, 60 DAY. WHAT'S YOUR PLAN? [OVERLAPPING] I TELL YOU WHAT YOU GOING TO TALK WITH MY LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT AND HE WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT WE DO.
>> WHAT'S YOUR RECOMMENDATION, COUNCILWOMAN?
>> I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU 30 DAYS.
WITHIN 30 DAYS, YOU GOT TO HAVE A PLAN.
IN THE MEANTIME, TALK TO MY LEGISLATIVE PERSON.
>> THAT WILL BE OKAY. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS? SEE, NONE. I'M GOING TO READ THEM BACK ONE MORE TIME.
YOU'LL PROCEED WITH ITEMS 41, 42, 43, 44, 50, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 60 AND 61, 30 DAYS ON ITEMS 45, 48, 52, AND 62, 60 DAYS ON ITEM 49, 90 DAYS ON 46, 47, 51 AND 59, AND TO DELETE ITEMS 40, 56 AND 63.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
>> ITEM 64, AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF NOT TO EXCEED 258,346,892.84 OF
[64. 25-01340]
BOND PROCEEDS AND OTHER FINANCING SOURCES FROM THE SEWER SYSTEM TO PARTIALLY REFUND THE 2020 A AND 2020 B SEWER REVENUE BONDS BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND FINANCE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? PLEASE.
>> HI. PENNY MA LANDRY WEST BATON ROUGE WITH A HOT TUB.
[01:10:02]
I WOULD LIKE TO JUST SAY THAT I'M HOPING THAT OUR COUNCIL WILL WAIT AND MOVE THESE ITEMS FOR NEW BOND INITIATIVES OR RENEWALS OF BONDS UNTIL AFTER THE 2026 BUDGET IS AMENDED AND ADOPTED.I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK FOR THIS ITEM TO BE DEFERRED AND THE SECOND ITEM AFTER IT ALSO UNTIL AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE 2026 BUDGET. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS SIDE? SEEING, NONE. I'LL GO TO COUNCIL.
WE GOT MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODDE, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 65, A SUPPLEMENTAL BOND RESOLUTION AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING
[65. 25-01426]
AMENDED AND RESTARTED GENERAL BOND RESOLUTION NUMBER 44893, PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF THE REFUNDING BOND, SERIES 2025 A OF THE EAST BATON ROUGE SEWAGE COMMISSION BY THE BOND COUNCIL.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 66, AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF 215,000 BOND
[66. 25-01369]
PROCEEDS FROM 2025 REVENUE BONDS FROM CHANYVE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW FIRE STATION OR RENOVATE AN EXISTING FIRE STATION AND PAY ALL THE ASSOCIATED COSTS OF ISSUANCE BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR AND CHANYVE FIRE CHIEF.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOG. SECOND BY THE CHAIRS.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 67, AMENDING THE PRELIMINARY CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE FOR THE YEAR 2026 SUBMITTED BY THE MAYOR PRESIDENT AND ADOPTING THE FINAL CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE FOR THE YEAR 2026 BY THE MAYOR PRESIDENT.
NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON THIS ITEM.
THE ITEM MUST BE RECESSED TO THE DECEMBER 9,TH 2025 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING.
THIS IS JUST A NECESSARY STEP OF THE BUDGET PROCESS.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO RECESS.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODDE, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 68, AMENDING THE 2025 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET
[68. 25-01365]
FOR THE JEWEL J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER SO AS TO APPROPRIATE $71,744 FROM THE FUND BALANCE ASSIGNED TO JEWEL J.NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER GENERATED THROUGH PRIOR YEAR RENTAL REVENUES AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, BUILDING REPAIRS, AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER BY JEWEL J. NEWMAN COMMUNITY CENTER.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. WE GO TO COUNCIL.
SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 69, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING
[69. 25-01363]
WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OUTLINING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD REGARDING CUSTOM METALWORKS, INC, NON COMPLIANCE WITH THE INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM CONTRACT FOR THE YEARS, 2022, 23, AND 24 BY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE TREASURER.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR.
>> WHO FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO SPEAK ON THIS.
>> COUNCILMAN DUNN, THE NOTICE HAS COME TO MY OFFICE.
I DON'T KNOW IF SOMEBODY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO COMMENT ON IT, BUT THE NOTICES FROM LED COME TO MY OFFICE.
>> WELL, THAT'S FINE. AS. I KNOW WE GOT CORRESPONDENCE FROM YOU ABOUT THE OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE.
YOU MIND STATING THOSE FOR THE PUB?
>> WE GOT THREE LETTERS FROM THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT GIVES THE COUNCIL THE OPTION TO ONE, DEFER ANY ACTION FOR NON COMPLIANCE TO THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, ESSENTIALLY ALLOWING THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY TO DETERMINE WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN FOR NON COMPLIANCE, IF ANY.
SECOND OPTION IS TO RECOMMEND A PARTICULAR COURSE OF ACTION TO THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
THIRD, WOULD BE TO AGREE WITH THE COMPANY ON A DEFAULT PAYMENT TO ALL OF THE TAXING ENTITIES THAT APPROVED THE ITEP.
THAT'S A STEP THAT ACTUALLY HAS TO BE TAKEN IN CONJUNCTION AND NEGOTIATION WITH THE APPLICANT WITH CUSTOM METAL WORKS.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY REASON OR JUSTIFICATION GIVEN BY WHY THEY DIDN'T MEET THE EMPLOYMENT GOAL AGAIN OR?
[01:15:06]
>> [OVERLAPPING] I CAN SPEAK TO IT.
I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH JASON NEWELL EARLIER FROM BRACK.
HE DID REACH OUT TO THE COMPANY.
THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT THEY DID PURCHASE THE EQUIPMENT.
AFTER THE COVID SLOWDOWNS AND THE THINGS WITH THE INDUSTRY, THEY NEVER PUT THAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT ONLINE.
THAT'S WHY THEY THEY ACTUALLY NEVER STARTED UTILIZING AND NEVER MADE HIRES SPECIFICALLY FOR IT.
THEY RECOGNIZED THAT THAT CERTAINLY STILL MAKES THEM NOT IN COMPLIANCE.
THEY THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, BUT STILL HAVE INTENTION TO USE IT IN THE FUTURE, I THINK WILL PROBABLY COME INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THIS.
THEY JUST DIDN'T GET IT ONLINE, AND THE INDUSTRY MADE SOME SHIFTS, AND THAT'S WHAT IT WAS ABOUT.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT CONTEXT.
ASHLEY, WHAT ARE THE ENTITIES THAT ABATED THE TAXES?
>> WE ONLY GET NOTICE FOR THE ONES THAT WE HAVE THAT THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL AGREED TO ABATE CITY PARISH PROPERTY TAXES.
BUT THE OTHER ENTITIES WOULD BE THE SHERIFF AND THE SCHOOL BOARD.
I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THEY RECEIVED SIMILAR NOTICE.
>> GOT YOU. THE SPIRIT OF THESE AD TIPS AND INCENTIVE IS TO USE IT AS AN ATTRACTION TO LURE AND IMPACT JOBS AND JOB CREATION.
OBVIOUSLY, THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN HERE.
EVEN IF THEY HAVE THE INTEREST IN DOING IT IN THE FUTURE, IT DIDN'T TAKE PLACE.
I'M OPEN TO HEARING WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE TO SAY, BUT I LIKE THE OPTION OF COMING UP WITH A SETTLEMENT TO GIVE THE ABATEMENT MONEY BACK TO THE ENTITIES THAT WHERE THE TAXES WERE EVADED.
BUT I'LL LISTEN TO WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAVE TO SAY.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. MR. CLIFFORD, I'VE KNOWN HIM IN A LONG TIME.
I KNOW HIS INTENTIONS ARE WELL, AND I DON'T DOUBT THAT IF IT'S SOMETHING SINCE HE'S ALREADY GOT THE EQUIPMENT, THAT SOMETHING THAT HE COULD PUSH LATER, WHETHER HE REAPPLIES OR NOT.
BUT I WOULD LIKE THE OPTION NUMBER ONE TO PUSH IT TO THE BOARD AND LET THEM WORK OUT SOMETHING, LET US KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE.
I DO THINK THAT HE NEEDS TO PAY THOSE BACK, BUT IF THE BOARD HANDLES IT, THEN THERE MAY BE SOME OPTIONS THAT CAN WORK INTO WHERE HE CAN REAPPLY LATER.
TOTALLY RESPECT THAT HE NEEDS TO PAY BACK THE ONES THAT HE MISSED OR DIDN'T MAKE.
IF HE DOES THAT, THEN IF THEY ALLOW HIM THE OPTION TO REAPPLY LATER, IF SO CHOOSES TO USE THAT EQUIPMENT AND THE THINGS THAT HE WAS INITIALLY PLANNING, POSSIBLY THROUGH BETTER RECOVERY, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT OPTION NUMBER ONE.
>> JUST A POINT OF CLARITY, IF WE SEND THE RECOMMENDATION, ATTEMPT TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT THEY PAY IT BACK, DOES THAT PREVENT THEM FROM APPLYING IN THE FUTURE, ASHLEY?
>> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE METRO COUNCIL CAN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO BOARD OF COMMERCE INDUSTRY.
THE BOARD COULD CHOOSE TO DISREGARD YOUR RECOMMENDATION.
BUT I DON'T THINK COMING TO THEM WITH A RECOMMENDATION PRECLUDES THE COMPANY FROM FUTURE APPLICATIONS.
>> I GUESS JUST THINKING ABOUT IT.
IF THEY DO REAPPLY LATER ON, WITH THE RULE CHANGES AND EVERYTHING, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT ANYWAY.
ONCE WE PASS THIS OFF TO THEM OR THEY COME UP WITH SOMETHING, EVEN IF THEY REAPPLY, WE'RE NOT SEEING THESE THINGS ANYMORE ANYWAY BECAUSE OF THE NEW RULES AND STUFF.
>> I'LL GIVE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, I SUPPOSE.
I THINK THAT WAS ALWAYS THE ISSUE WITH THE RULE CHANGES THAT CAME OUT ON ITEP WAS THAT IT WASN'T A GREAT JOBS PROGRAM.
REALLY, THERE'S TWO COMPONENTS TO ITEP IN MY MIND, THAT IS TO SPUR INVESTMENT IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, AND THEN AND THEN THE SUBSEQUENT WAS JOBS.
SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK OUT, AND SO WE'RE LEFT WITH THIS WEIRD THING THAT HAPPENS WHENEVER THE ECONOMY MAKES CHANGES.
MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO EITHER NOT TAKE ACTION OR YOU MIGHT HAVE TO RESTATE THE OPTION, SO I SAY IT CORRECTLY, ASHLEY, BUT EITHER NOT TAKE ACTION OR SEND A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE DON'T MAKE THEM REPAY IT.
I'M SAYING THAT BECAUSE THEY DID MAKE THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT.
THAT'S THE MAJOR THING THAT WE WANT TO SEE IS CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
>> I REACHED OUT TO BRACK IN THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS ACTUALLY, JUST TALKING ABOUT ITEP AND THE IMPORTANCE OF IT AND HOW GOOD ITEP IS GOOD, BUT BAD ITEP IS BAD, AS ANY GOOD ACTOR IS GOOD, ANY BAD ACTOR IS BAD.
AS LONG AS THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS, AND WE START TALKING ABOUT GETTING REPORT FROM
[01:20:03]
LED THAT THEY COULD COME BACK AND DO MORE UP HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY TAKE THE TAXES FROM US THAT THEY GO TO THE RIGHT PLACES TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOES HAVE A DESIRED IMPACT.ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO SEE ON FUTURE ITEP IS JOB CREATIONS, WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT THE CORRIDOR IN NORTH BATON ROUGE, AND WE START TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE CHEMICALS IN THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPENS LIKE THAT.
WHEN YOU HAVE A PLACE LIKE I WANT TO SAY NAMES, WHEN YOU HAVE COMPANIES THAT ARE GOOD ACTORS AND EMPLOY A LOT OF FOLKS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO SEE FROM ITEP, AND EVEN IF THEY WANT TO COME BACK AND NEGOTIATE WITH THE COUNCIL IS FOR THE ONES THAT COME BEFORE US FOR JOBS, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT FROM OUR PARISH.
LET'S MAKE SURE MAYBE THEY'RE FROM THE ZIP CODES THAT SURROUND THESE CHEMICAL PLANTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO CHANGE THE ECONOMY, BUT A LOT OF TIMES THEY GO OTHER PLACES, AND THEY HAVE THE TRAINING RESOURCES TO TAKE SOMEBODY WHO'S UNSKILLED AND MAKE THEM SKILLED.
SAYING UNQUALIFIED IS AN EXCUSE, MAYBE UNSKILLED, BUT MOST PEOPLE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO LEARN.
WHOEVER ADVOCATES FOR EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH THAT REPRESENTS THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ON THIS COUNCIL, THAT'S WHAT WE NEED MORE OF. THANK YOU.
>> GETTING BACK TO THIS TOPIC, IS THERE ANYBODY FROM THE BOARD HERE? ANYBODY THAT SPEAK ON THIS.
COUNCILMAN HUDSON, I THINK YOU BROUGHT UP A GOOD POINT.
I WOULD THINK THAT YES, THEY NEED TO MEET ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS THAT THEY SIGNED UP FOR, SIGNED ON THE DOTTED LINE AND EVERYTHING.
BUT I GUESS ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS, WILL THEY KEEP THE CREDITS FOR THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY PURCHASED AND PAY THE EMPLOYEE TAX PART OF IT, THAT WAS ABATED.
BUT I THINK AND WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE WITH OTHERS.
I KNOW ONE, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT PAYMENT, ONE, WE COMPLETELY FORGAVE AND EVERYTHING, BUT I AGREE WITH YOU ON THE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
IT'S JUST THE ECONOMY WENT SOUTH AND COVID AND EVERYTHING ELSE, SO THEY COULDN'T DO THE EMPLOYEE PART.
AGAIN, I THINK A RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD THAT OVERSEES THESE THINGS CAN MAKE THAT DETERMINATION ON WHAT THEY WOULD OWE BASED ON EQUIPMENT PURCHASE VERSUS THE EMPLOYEE PART.
MY RECOMMENDATION TO MAKE A MOTION TO SEND IT TO THE BOARD FOR THEIR FINAL DECISION.
ALSO, I AGREE THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND EVERYTHING, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THESE AGAIN.
THE STATE PULLED EVERYTHING BACK TO THEM NOW.
SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO BE TOLD WHAT ITEPS ARE OUT THERE.
>> I TEND TO AGREE, AGAIN, KNOWING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS ENTITY AND HAVING DEALT WITH THEM IN THE PAST AND HEARING THE UNDERSTANDING ABOUT WHAT OCCURRED HERE.
THAT'S TRUE. COUNCILMAN HUDSON TOUCHED ON IT WHEN WE HAVE CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY, BUSINESSES HAVE TO ADAPT AND CERTAINLY THINGS CHANGE.
I THINK AS FAR US TRYING TO QUANTIFY A REASONABLE RECOMMENDATION TO TO THAT BODY FOR WHAT ABATEMENT SHOULD BE RETURNED.
I THINK NOW THAT THIS BODY IS DEALING WITH THIS REGULARLY AND THEY'RE IN THE SCOPE OF SEEING THESE OFTEN AND RESEARCHING THEM AND APPROVING THEM, I TEND TO AGREE WITH THAT RECOMMENDATION TO GO AHEAD AND JUST SEND THE NOTICE TO THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
OUTLINING WHAT OCCURRED, MAKING SURE THEY'RE AWARE AND LET THEM IF THEY SEE FIT, THAT A REFUND OF THE ABATEMENT HAS TO HAPPEN, THEN I THINK THEY'RE BETTER THEY'RE GOING TO BE BETTER QUALIFIED TO QUANTIFY THAT AND DECIDE WHAT'S THE REASONABLE APPROACH? I'D IMAGINE DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER WITH THE COMPANY TO SEE IF THERE'S GOING TO BE IF THIS EQUIPMENT IS GOING TO BE COMING ONLINE, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND MAYBE A PENALTY, BUT MAYBE NOT THE ENTIRETY, BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL, IN FACT, TRYING TO DO IT, AND AS COUNCILMAN HUDSON POINTED OUT, THEY DID, IN FACT, MAKE THAT INVESTMENT, TOO.
I TEND TO AGREE WITH THE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOG AND THE SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO THAT APPROACH, AND OBVIOUSLY WITH THE THE CHANGE OF THE LAW, IT PUTS US IN A DIFFERENT POSITION BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT COMING BACK TO US.
[01:25:02]
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE TWO COMPONENTS LIKE COUNCILMAN HUDSON SAID, THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND JOB CREATION PIES AND MAYBE THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE IMPORTANT TO COUNCILMAN HUDSON, BUT THE JOB CREATION PIECE IS AS IMPORTANT TO ME AS WELL.SPECIFICALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS PARISH AND LIVE IN THIS CITY AND THOSE WHO ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THESE INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
I DON'T WANT TO MINIMIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE JOB CREATION PIECE.
EVEN WITH US NOT MAKING A DECISION ANYMORE AND BEING MORE ON THE STATE LEVEL, I STILL THINK WE NEED TO IMPRESS UPON WHO'S MAKING A DECISION BECAUSE THEY'RE ABATING OUR TAXES.
WE ARE DEALING WITH BUDGET ISSUES RIGHT NOW AND DOLLARS LEAVING OUT OF THE DOOR, WHETHER WHAT ENTITIES IS GETTING THOSE DOLLARS.
WE NEED TO IMPRESS UPON THEM THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VALUE OF OUR TAX DOLLARS OF PROVIDING SERVICES FOR OUR RESIDENTS, AND JOB CREATION IS A PIECE OF IT.
I DON'T WANT TO DOWN SIZE THAT OR MINIMIZE THAT.
THE JOB CREATION PIECE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT PIECE, BUT I'M FINE WITH LETTING THE BOARD WHO'S MAKING THE DECISION MOVING FORWARD MAKE THE DECISION ON THIS.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOG, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON TO DEFER ACTION TO THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
[70. 25-01383]
ITEM 7, THE AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE PRE LITIGATION CLAIM OF SHERRY WARDEN HATSKI, FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM A SEWER BACKUP IN CLAIMANT'S HOME FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $16,731 AND CENTS BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NO AND GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODDE, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HARRIS.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 71, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LUSTER GROUP,
[71. 25-01324]
LLC FOR DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES PACKAGE A 16 AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $58,075 BY THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> SEE, NO AND GO TO COUNSEL. A MOTION MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURD, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GODE.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 72, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LUSTER GROUP,
[72. 25-01325]
LLC FOR DEMOLITION AND ABATEMENT SERVICES PACKAGE 817, AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $72,452 BY THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO, AND GO TO COUNSEL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAM, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST. THERE IN OPPOSITION.
MOTION CARRIES. SEVENTY THREE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT,
[73. 25-01327]
AND OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION EXECUTE A CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT FROM ALL STAR PROPERTIES, THREE LLC TO CGR BR CHEF N BY AVIATION DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
SEE, NO, GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GODE, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 74, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR,
[74. 25-01339]
PRESIDENT AND OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 TO THE AIRPORT BRIDGE COMPANY, INCORPORATED CONTRACT TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO THE JET BRIDGES IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? YES, MA'AM.
>> PENNY MAY LANDRY, I REPEATEDLY SHOW UP HERE AND SPEAK ABOUT SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRACTS, AND I'VE ASKED BEFORE THAT WE CHANGE THE WAY THAT WE AWARD THESE CONTRACTS.
THERE SEEMS TO BE A STRATEGY THAT WHEN IT'S AN RFP OR WHATEVER, PEOPLE LOW BID AND THEY GET THE CONTRACT, AND THEN Y'ALL ALLOW THEM TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR ADDITIONAL MONIES.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO BETTER VETTING WHEN WE ROD THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTS AND THAT ALSO THE CITIZENS ARE ABLE TO SEE WHAT ADDITIONAL WORK IS BEING DONE, AND WHAT WERE THE REASONS THAT THE INITIAL CONTRACT AMOUNT WAS NOT ENOUGH.
I, AGAIN, AND AGAINST US AS CITY PARISH, SPENDING ANY ADDITIONAL MONEY, ESPECIALLY FOR AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL COUNTS GIVING CONTRACTORS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO BID CORRECTLY, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE UNDER BIDDING AND GETTING THE CONTRACT AND THEN REPEATEDLY COMING BACK FOR MORE MONEY.
[01:30:02]
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO PUT THIS ASIDE UNTIL I DON'T THINK ANYTHING THIS $100,000 IS GOING TO MAKE A REAL BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOW AND THE FIRST OF THE YEAR AFTER WE HAVE A NEW BUDGET.I AM AGAINST THIS ITEM. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS SIDE? SEE NO GO TO COUNCILMAN DUNN JR.
>> LEWIS OF MIKE, COULD YOU COME UP, PLEASE? [INAUDIBLE] YOU COME UP.
THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. COULD YOU GIVE US A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE JET BRIDGE? WHAT DOES IT DO? HOW DO WE ARRIVE AT NEEDING NEW JET BRIDGES, AND HOW DO WE ARRIVE A NEEDING TO AMEND THIS CONTRACT ON THIS JET BRIDGE REPAIR?
>> YES. THE JET BRIDGES OR THE PASSENGER LOADING BRIDGES THAT THE PUBLIC USES TO BOARD AIRCRAFT AT THE AIRPORT FACILITY.
AS YOU MENTIONED, THE AIRPORT RECEIVED GRANT FUNDING LAST YEAR TO INSTALL SIX NEW JET BRIDGES.
THIS CONTRACT HERE IS JUST FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF THOSE JET BRIDGES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THEY NEED MAINTENANCE SOMETIME BY USER ERROR OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
ABC IS ON CONTRACT TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE FOR THOSE JET BRIDGES.
>> JUST ELABORATE ON THAT, HOW MUCH MONEY DID WE GET IN GRANT DOLLARS TO PROVIDE NEW JET BRIDGES? HOW MUCH WHAT WAS THAT AMOUNT, AND WHERE DID THE FUNDS COME FROM?
>> THE FUNDS CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IT WAS A FEDERAL GRANT.
I BELIEVE THE GRANT WAS TO A TUNE OF 6 OR $7 MILLION.
>> DID OTHER AIRPORTS AROUND THE COUNTRY RECEIVE A SIMILAR GRANT?
>> NO. IT'S A COMPETITIVE PROCESS THAT WE KNOW THAT YOU APPLIED FOR ANNUALLY, AND NOW WE WERE FORTUNATE TO RECEIVE THAT AWARD.
>> APART OF HAVING A JET BRIDGE OR ANY OTHER HEAVY EQUIPMENT AT THE AIRPORT, DO YOU ROUTINELY HAVE SERVICE PROVIDERS ON CONTRACT IN THE EVENT THAT A DAMAGE OR REPAIR NEEDS TO BE MADE TO THAT?
>> YES. THAT'S A COMMON PRACTICE.
>> THANK YOU. FARRELL, DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING? APPRECIATE YOUR MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
SEVENTY FIVE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT ON BEHALF
[75. 25-01338]
OF THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT A GRANT AWARD FROM LOUISIANA HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSION IN THE AMOUNT OF $979,800 BY THE POLICE CHIEF.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO GO TO COUNSEL.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE], SECOND BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 76, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO
[76. 25-01366]
AND EXECUTE AGREEMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES IN COORDINATION WITH THE FUNDING RECEIVED FROM THE LOUISIANA OPR ABATEMENT SETTLEMENT TO SUPPORT MOBILE INTERVENTION, TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES OFFERED BY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.SUPPORT PEOPLE IN TREATMENT AND RECOVERY WHILE CONDUCTING COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION STRATEGIES AND WORKFORCE TRAINING AND THE AMOUNT OF $405,866.93, INCLUDES $128,907.20 FOR CITY OF ZACHARY CITY HALL, $32,949 ZACHARY FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND $83,810.73 ZACHARY POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND $160,200 CITY OF ST. GEORGE BATON ROGE DREAM CENTER.
PROVIDE COUNSELING, TREATMENT, RECOVERY, AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES IN ADDITION TO CASE MANAGEMENT AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES BY CERTIFIED SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS TO CRIMINALLY INVOLVE PERSONS IN THE AMOUNT OF 257,000 BY THE BAKER CITY COURT AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS AND CONNECTIONS HEREWITH BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE] SECOND BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 77, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO
[77. 25-01389 ]
A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING AND THE AMOUNT OF 3,500,000 FOR THE EXPENSES RELATED TO THE US BOWLING CONGRESS 2025 OPEN TOURNAMENT FROM FUNDING PROVIDED IN THE MAJOR INCENTIVES FUND FROM ACT 1 OF THE 2025 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION BY THE MAYOR PRESIDENT.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. SEE NO GO TO COUNCIL.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 78, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO
[78. 25-01385]
COLLABORATE WITH CAPITAL REGION PLANNING COMMISSION TO IMPLEMENT ALL PHASES OF THE MOVEBR COLLEGE DRIVE CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT BY TRANSPORTATION DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
[01:35:01]
SEE NO AND GO TO COUNSEL.SECOND BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
SEVENTY NINE AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO
[79. 25-01393]
EXECUTE A LIGHTING AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN CONNECTION WITH PECUE LANE, I-10 INTERCHANGE PHASE 3 BY THE TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO GO TO COUNCIL.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GODE.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 8, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE THE CEA WITH THE CITY OF CENTRAL FOR
[80. 25-01396]
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT JEWEL ROAD AND SULLIVAN ROAD ROUNDABOUT PROJECT BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO WE GO TO COUNCIL.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MO, SECOND BY COUNCIL MCKINNEY.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE], THEY FIGURED OUT HOW TO USE ROUNDABOUTS THERE YET?
>> WE ARE ROUNDABOUTING EVERYTHING IN THE CITY OF CENTRAL.
YOU JUST GO DRIVE CIRCLES AND GET STUCK IN THERE.
[81. 25-01398]
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE DETOUR FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AT CATALINA AVENUE BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? HEY, FRED?
>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
THAT ITEM WAS APPROVED AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, SO WE NEEDED TO DELETE IT.
I APOLOGIZE FOR HAVING IT ON THE AGENDA.
>> NOT A PROBLEM. I'M JUST GLAD TO SEE IT'S A BRIDGE NOT IN DISTRICT 1.
>> I SAW THAT BRIDGE ON LOUIS ZACHARY I ACTUALLY LIVE. THAT'S HORRIBLE.
BUT I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PART FOR US PRESIDENT AND OUR SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT, WHO IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT DROVE AUCTION NEEDED TO FIX THIS BRIDGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO DELETE.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE], SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 82, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH GEC INC FOR
[82. 25-01402]
CONSTRUCTION IN SPECIAL SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR ENHANCEMENT PROJECT, FLORIDA, BOULEVARD, SEGMENT TWO, CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT 22ND STREET TO AIRLINE HIGHWAY, AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 1.2 MILLION BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO GO TO COUNSEL.
FRED. COULD YOU GIVE YOU A LITTLE INFO ON THIS?
>> YES, SIR. THIS IS PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS THAT DUE TO THE FEDERAL GRANT THAT WE DID RECEIVE ON THIS PROGRAM UNDER THE INFO GRANT.
IT DOES REQUIRE A CONSULTANT TO BE TO DO THE ACTUAL INSPECTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED.
IT'S PRETTY INTENSE BASED ON THE REGULATIONS AND THE REQUIREMENTS THAT NOT ONLY THAT THE FEDS REQUIRE, BUT ALSO WITH DOTD THAT IS REQUIRED.
WE HAVE NEGOTIATED WITH GEC WHO'S DONE A LOT OF THIS WORK WITH DOTD IN THE PAST.
CERTAINLY I KNOW THAT 1.2 IS A LOT OF MONEY.
NOBODY GOT TO TELL ME THAT, BUT THAT CERTAINLY WOULD NOT BE NOT TO EXCEED, BUT IT IS ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS WE NEED TO HAVE TO BE SURE THAT WE HAVE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE GRANT ITSELF.
>> IT WILL BE EXPECTING THE NEW ROAD WORK THAT'S TAKEN PLACE ON THE FLORIDA BOULEVARD THAT WE WANT THE INFO GRANT ON.
[OVERLAPPING] THE WAY TO 22ND STREET.
>> IT WILL BE MORE IN A LOT MORE THAN JUST THE OVERLAY WAS ONE OF THE GRANTS THAT YOU APPROVED A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEETINGS AGO IN REGARDS TO THE [INAUDIBLE] THAT IT WILL BE ROAD WORK, DRAINAGE WORK, BEAUTIFICATION, SIDEWALKS AND ALL THE COMPONENTS THAT WERE ARE REQUIRED IN THE GRANT ITSELF.
>> I GUESS WHAT I'M GETTING AT IS, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE SOME PRETTY INTENSE WORK AS FAR AS BRINGING FLORIDA BOULEVARD THE OVERLAY OR REDO OF FLORIDA BOULEVARD.
I GUESS WHAT I'M GETTING AT IS, THIS IS JUST ONE SEGMENT HERE.
IS IT THE BEGINNING OF THE WHOLE THING THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SINCE WE WERE ELECTED SIX YEARS AGO.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING FLORIDA BOULEVARD FROM DENHAM SPRINGS ALL THE WAY TO DOWNTOWN?
>> YES, SIR. I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER GRANTS THAT ARE BEING LOOKED AT IN REGARDS TO THE OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASPECT STANDPOINT.
BUT I WILL JUST SAY THIS AT THIS POINT WHEN WE APPLIED, THIS WAS THE GRANT THAT WE LOOKED FOR AND IT WAS THE ONLY AREA THAT WE HAD THE INFORMATION OF THE FUNDING THAT WAS APPROVED ALSO BY MOVEBR, TO DO THIS PROJECT IN GENERAL.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE] SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 83, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH
[83. 25-01405]
[01:40:01]
TEMPLE INC FOR GLANCE SUPPORT AND CONNECTIVITY RENEWAL AGREEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR THE CONNECTION AND SERVICE OF SCHOOL DEVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $262,704 BY TRANSPORTATION DRAINAGE DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO AND GO TO COUNSEL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE].
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? COUNCILMAN DUNN JR. FRED, YOU SPEAKING ON THIS ONE?
>> WHAT IS GLANCE SUPPORTING AND TALK TO ME ABOUT THE CONNECTIVITY WITH SERVICES FOR SCHOOL DEVICES?
>> WE'RE GOING TO WATCH EVERYBODY WHO RUNS TO STOP SOMETHING. I'M JUST KIDDING.
IN REALITY, THE PROGRAM IS SET UP FOR ALL THE SCHOOL FLASHERS THAT SET UP WITHIN THE SYSTEM.
THERE'S PROBABLY OVER 250 THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY AT THIS POINT.
WHAT IT DOES IS PROVIDE US THE INFORMATION, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE AREA.
DURING THAT TIME GIVES US THE FLEXIBILITY TO ALSO CHANGE TIMES WHEN WE NEED TO WITHOUT HAVING TO GO OUT TO THE SYSTEM AND MAKE THOSE ADJUSTMENTS.
THE BIGGEST PLUS FROM MY STANDPOINT IS THAT IF DURING WEATHER EVENTS AND THE ISSUES NEED TO CHANGE, WE CAN PUT THE FLASHERS ON AND PUT PEOPLE ON NOTICE THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE BEING MOVING OUT AT THAT POINT.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAD BEFORE.
BUT BECAUSE OF THE UPGRADE OF THE SYSTEMS THAT WE'VE TAKEN PLACE IN THE MOVEBR PROGRAM, THIS IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER ASSET FOR US BETTER MONITOR IT ACTUALLY FROM THE SITE AT THE TRANSPORTATION CENTER AND BETTER MAKE WHATEVER CHANGES WE NEED TO DO APPROPRIATELY.
>> GOT YOU. THANK YOU FOR THAT INPUT. MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> WE ALREADY HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 84, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT AND/OR
[84. 25-01403]
EBROSCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 WITH ALLEN AND LEBLANC, LLC, CONSTRUCTION SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL PARISHWIDE SEWER REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT PROJECT RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN CONTRACT AND THE AMOUNT OF $146,832 BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR? ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.SEE, NO WE WILL GO TO COUNSEL.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE], IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 85, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A FIVE YEAR AGREEMENT
[85. 25-01408]
WITH CARAHSOFT (SAMSARA) FOR GPS, TRACKING AND MONITORING, SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS ANNUALLY OVER THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT, TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $1,344,140 BY DIRECTOR OF FLEET MANAGEMENT.THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO WE'LL GO TO COUNSEL.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 86, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO AND EXECUTE
[86. 25-01406]
A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT-OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION WITH DR. JUAN BARTHOLOME, AND AN AMOUNT OF 75,000 FOR THE TERM COMMENCED IN DECEMBER 1, 2025 AND TERMINATED IN JUNE, 2026 BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO, WE'LL GO TO COUNSEL. COUNCIL MCKINNEY.
>> HEY, CHIEF PHILADELPHIA ANYBODY FOR THE MAYORS ADMINISTRATION.
CAN SOMEBODY COME AND JUST EXPLAIN THE SCOPE OF SERVICES DR. BARTHOLOME WILL BE DOING THROUGH THIS CONTRACT?
>> SURE. I'M GOING TO LET MS. BURGESS PROFESSIONAL LIKE THIS.
>> IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR CONTRACT AND ATTACHMENT A LIST OUT EVERYTHING THAT WE PLAN FOR HIM TO DO, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL HAD A GOOD IDEA.
DR. BARTHOLOME WILL BE OUR RESEARCH EVALUATOR FOR THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
HE'LL DO ALL OUR POST SURVEYS, HE'LL WORK WITH OUR NATIONAL PARTNERS TO GAIN ALL OF OUR DATA, TO DO A END OF THE YEAR PROGRAM EVALUATION, TO MAKE SURE THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IS WORKING.
HE'S GOING TO DO THE PROBLEM ANALYSIS TO ENSURE THAT WHATEVER IS GOING ON IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF OUR PROBLEMS ARE, WHERE THERE'S A GANG PROBLEM.
WHETHER IT'S A DRUG PROBLEM, WHATEVER OUR PROBLEM IS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE MOVING AND TARGETING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
BUT HE WILL CALCULATE ALL OF OUR DATA, ALL OF OUR SURVEYS, ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY SURVEYS, ALL OF OUR SCHOOL SURVEYS, WORK WITH ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO OUR WORK.
HE WILL BE OUR ACADEMIC PARTNER.
HE'S DONE THIS WORK BEFORE IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
HE HAS ALL OF THE RISK ASSESSMENTS THAT WE MAY NEED SO THERE WON'T BE ANYTHING THAT WE AS A CITY WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE MOVING FORWARD, HE UNDERSTANDS HOW TO BREAK ALL OF THIS DOWN FOR US SO THAT WILL BE HIS ROLE WITH THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
[01:45:02]
>> I'VE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THIS.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD IN AND COMMENT TO SAY ON THE RECORD IS, AND MAYBE ALL CAN ANSWER TO THIS.
BASICALLY, THIS IS ANALYTICS STUDY, IF I'M CORRECT.
>> IT WOULD BE A LITTLE OF ANALYTIC STUDY, A LOT OF OUR CRIME DATA THAT HE WILL HAVE TO COLLECT FROM ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.
HE ALREADY HAS THE RELATIONSHIP WITH EVEN OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS.
WE ALREADY ARE AWARE OF HIM, ANY TYPE OF MLUS, OR ANY OF THOSE AGREEMENTS THAT WE MAY NEED, SO IT'S VERY ANALYTICAL AND ACADEMIC FOR US AS WELL.
>> WE'RE BRINGING ON AN ANALYSIS PERSON TO THIS CONTRACT.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AND RECOMMEND IS, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE PROGRAM.
IT'S A PROGRAM THAT WE HAD IN EFFECT PREVIOUSLY IN THE PAST, AND PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE AWAY WITH IT.
I FEEL AND WHAT I'VE LOOKED INTO THE RESEARCH AND THE DATA.
EVERYTHING IS DATA-DRIVEN THESE DAYS.
YOU CAN SEE ANYTHING THAT YOU NEED THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN, SO I AGREE WITH IT.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT INFORMATION CAN BE SHARED OR WHAT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ENTRY POINT BASELINE STARTING ANALYSIS.
NOT A HISTORY OF THE PREVIOUS AND THIS IS WHERE IT CAME FROM AND STARTED, BUT IF WE START JANUARY 1ST OR WHATEVER DATE, THIS IS OUR START DATE, THIS IS WHERE WE'RE AT.
WE'VE GOT X, Y, Z HERE AND HERE, AND THEN REPORT BACK TO THE COUNCIL WHATEVER AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT OR MIDDLE OF THE CONTRACT, THIS IS WHERE WE'RE AT SO THAT WE CAN SEE THE ACTUAL ANALYTIC DATA OF "YES, THIS IS SPECIFICALLY WORKING," WHETHER WE'VE STOPPED, 100 VIOLENT CRIMES, 100 MINOR CRIMES, OR WE'VE STOPPED ONE OR TWO.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IN THIS STUDY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. HE'S ALSO WILLING TO PROVIDE ANY PERFORMANCE REPORTS THAT THE COUNCIL MAY NEED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS AS WELL.
>> THAT'S GREAT. JUST FOR THE PUBLIC GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.
THIS IS A GRANT FUNDING FROM THE STATE, IF I'M CORRECT.
>> THIS IS PART OF THE ACT FOR MONEY THAT WAS GENEROUSLY DONATED TO US AND MOVED TO US FROM REGINA BARROW FROM THE STATE.
YES, IT IS DEDICATED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
>> THANK YOU. HISTORICALLY, THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION WORK HAS BEEN SUPPORTED FROM AN ANALYTICS STANDPOINT FROM GENERAL INFORMATICS, IF I'M SAYING IT RIGHT.
ARE THEY STILL A PART OF THE PLAN AND DOING ANALYTICS, IF SO, COULD YOU TELL US IN THE PUBLIC THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND WHAT THE GOOD DOCTOR IS DOING?
>> THEY'RE PROVIDING US WITH THE BREAKDOWN OF THE INFORMATION THAT'S COMING THROUGH THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT NOW.
WHAT THIS PROGRAM WILL DO WITH THE NATIONAL NETWORK IS DOING IS COLLECTING ALL DATA.
RIGHT NOW, WE WILL KNOW WHO THE PLAYERS ARE, WHO THE ACTORS ARE THROUGH BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT.
BUT HOW DOES THOSE GROUPS INTERACT? HOW DOES IT DRIVE CRIME? WHAT AREAS ARE AFFECTED BY THOSE CRIMES? THIS IS A DEEPER DIVE.
WE USE GENERAL INFORMATICS INFORMATION EVERY DAY. STILL THERE.
>> YOU MENTIONED THE BATON ROUGE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG IN SOME OF OUR CONVERSATIONS, THIS IS NOT JUST A CITY THING.
THIS IS A PARISH WIDE THING THAT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OR ANY TERTIARY AGENCIES WILL BE INVOLVED IN THESE ANALYTIC DATAS ALSO, CORRECT?
>> ABSOLUTELY. THE INFORMATION THAT COUNCILMAN DUNN ASKED ABOUT IS A BATON ROUGE DRIVEN.
THAT'S WHY I WAS ANSWERING THAT.
>> BUT TO THE PUBLIC, THIS IS NOT A CITY OF BATON ROUGE THING THAT WE'RE APPROVING HERE.
THIS IS PARISH WIDE THAT WE'LL BE WORKING WITH ALL AGENCIES.
>> SHERIFF DEPARTMENT IS FULLY AWARE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING.
>> OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND ALL. THANK YOU.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
BEFORE WE DO 87, THERE'S A REQUEST TO HAVE ITEM 119,
[119. 25-01436 ]
WHICH ACTUALLY DEALS WITH ITEM 87.THIS IS AN EMERGENCY ITEM, RECEIVING A REPORT FROM THE REVIVED PLANK ROAD PROJECT BY BATON ROUGE.
REASON FOR THE EMERGENCY IS TO ALLOW THE REPORT TO BE GIVEN TONIGHT.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE 16442, THIS ITEM MUST BE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY BY TWO THIRD VOTE IN METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.
[01:50:02]
I NEED A MOTION TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JR., SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HURST.
ANY OPPOSITION ON THE MOTION TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY? NOW WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE THE REPORT BEFORE WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM. PLEASE.
>> HI. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
DEIDRE DECULUS ROBERT ON BEHALF OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, ALSO KNOWN AS BUILD EAST BATON ROUGE BUILD EBR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT BEFORE YOU TODAY ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS AND STRENGTHENING OUR CORRIDORS AND OUR COMMUNITIES ON BEHALF OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
I HAVE A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION FOR YOU, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO RELY ON IT SOLELY BECAUSE YOU CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED A COPY OF THIS, OR WILL HAVE A COPY OF IT.
BUT WANTED TO RISE BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING TO TALK ABOUT REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WORK, OUR EDDS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS AND THE VALUE THAT THEY BRING TO OUR COMMUNITIES.
OF COURSE, OUR MISSION AT BUILD BATON ROUGE IS TO PROMOTE EQUITABLE INVESTMENT, INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT, AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES ACROSS ALL OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
WE HAVE TOOLS THAT ALL OF YOU, I KNOW, ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH REGARD TO THE LEGISLATION THAT ENABLED THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MANY YEARS AGO, SUCH AS OUR LAND BANK, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS, OUR PUBLIC FINANCING, AND INCENTIVES, URBAN PLANNING, AND OF COURSE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WHERE WE KNOW IT ALL STARTS.
WHAT ARE EDDS? THESE ARE DESIGNATED AREAS THAT REINVEST A PORTION OF NEW LOCAL TAX REVENUE BACK INTO THAT SAME AREA.
IT'S USED TO FUND INFRASTRUCTURE, REDEVELOPMENT, JOB CREATION, WITHOUT RAISING PARISH WIDE TAXES.
IT'S ESTABLISHED GENERALLY BY LOCAL ORDINANCE, OUR STATE STATUTE WITH CLEAR BOUNDARIES AND BOARD OVERSIGHT.
IT CAN BE STRUCTURED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS TO MEET THE LOCAL NEEDS.
EACH DISTRICT CAN HAVE THEIR OWN BOUNDARIES, THEIR OWN GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE, THEIR OWN REVENUE TOOLS THAT WORK PARTICULARLY TO THOSE DISTRICTS, SUCH AS SALES TAX INCREMENTS, PROPERTY TAX, FEE BASED MECHANISMS THAT CAN DRIVE REVENUE AND INVESTMENT INTO THOSE DISTRICTS.
WE KNOW THAT EDDS MATTER IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, BECAUSE DOING RESEARCH, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 22 CREATED SINCE 1987.
SOME OF THEM ARE STILL VIABLE AND ACTIVELY WORKING IN THE PARISH, SOME OF THEM ARE NO LONGER DOING THAT.
WHY DO THEY MATTER THOUGH? THEY MATTER BECAUSE IF THEY'RE STRUCTURED WELL WITH STRONG LEADERSHIP WITHIN A COMMUNITY OR A DISTRICT WHERE THE PEOPLE WANT THIS TYPE OF RESOURCE AND REVENUE TO DRIVE THEIR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT, THEN IT CAN DEFINITELY BE TRANSFORMATIVE AND A CATALYST TO DO GREAT WORK IN COMMUNITIES.
IT ENCOURAGES TARGETED PLACE BASED INVESTMENTS, WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST, GENERALLY IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMUNITY THAT IT'S SERVING, LEVERAGE EXISTING PUBLIC DOLLARS TO ATTRACT FEDERAL AND PRIVATE CAPITAL BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN MATCH DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR AND IN SOME CASES, EVEN MORE ON THE RETURN OF INVESTMENT.
IT CAN PROVIDE A TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE STRUCTURE FOR MEASURABLE COMMUNITY OUTCOMES.
FINALLY, TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMERCIAL VIABILITY AND EQUITY ACROSS PARISH CORRIDORS, EDDS ARE SIGNIFICANT WORK.
JUST THREE THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU.
CERTAINLY, WE HAVE THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT DDD, ONE OF LOUISIANA'S EARLIEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL MODELS FOR MIXED USE REVITALIZATION AND URBAN INVESTMENT.
BATON ROUGE NORTH EDD, ALSO KNOWN AS AS BRNEDD, WHICH PROMOTES SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH AND JOB CREATION IN NORTH BATON ROUGE, AS WELL AS THE CORTANA CORRIDOR EDD, ONE OF THE MOST RECENT ONES THAT STOOD UP, WHERE WE'RE REINVESTING SALES TAX GROWTH TO REDEVELOP THE FORMER CORTANA MALL AREA.
AT BUILD EBR, WE SERVE AS THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR CCEDD. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THAT MEANS THAT WE PROVIDE THE BACK OF OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SO THAT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT CAN BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH AUDITS, WITH FINANCIALS, WITH REPORTING, WITH BOARD STRUCTURE.
COMPLIANCE IS KEY TO A STRONG EDD.
OF COURSE, WE WOULD BE WILLING TO PROVIDE THAT TYPE OF SERVICE FANNY FUTURE EDDS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.
IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO BEST AT BUILD BATON ROUGE AND BUILD EAST BATON ROUGE.
BUILDING ON EXISTING DISTRICTS, OF COURSE, LOWERS THE RISK AND INCREASES THE INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN THESE AREAS.
IT ENSURES GROWTH IN BOTH ACCOUNTABILITY AND EQUITY.
WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT EDDS CAN HELP TURN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS INTO REAL COMMERCIAL VITALITY.
THIS HAS BEEN PROVEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND THE PLANK ROAD CORRIDOR, CURRENT PLANK ROAD CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE AWARE OF.
THERE'S SOME THAT WE KNOW OF THAT ARE GLARING.
THERE'S SOME THAT WE OBVIOUSLY DON'T KNOW OF UNLESS YOU'RE EMBEDDED AND LIVING IN THAT COMMUNITY.
[01:55:02]
MULTIPLE BUSINESS CLOSURES IN THE PAST YEAR.THE BIN STORE, FIRESTONE, PICCADILLY, PAYLESS, BANNER INSURANCE, CERTAINLY DECLINING FOOT TRAFFIC AND REINVESTMENT THREATEN TO TIP THIS CORRIDOR INTO A DOWNWARD SPIRAL.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WE TRY TO PAY ATTENTION TO BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT COMMUNITIES TO GET FURTHER OUT OF REACH AND UNTETHERED TO THE RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP THEM MAINTAIN, AND IN MANY CASES, IF DONE RIGHT, PIVOT AND TURN THE CORNER.
WITHOUT COMPLIMENTARY COMMERCIAL SUPPORT, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS ALONE CAN'T STABILIZE THE MARKET THERE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW FROM THE DATA.
WE KNOW WHAT PLANK ROAD CHALLENGES ARE TODAY.
WHEN WE THINK ABOUT PLANK ROAD FOR TOMORROW AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST.
NUMBER 1, PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS. WHAT HAVE WE DONE? CERTAINLY, MAJOR MOVE EBR ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY, IMPROVING CONNECTIVITY, STREETSCAPE QUALITY.
IF YOU'VE NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO RIDE OUT AND SEE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO SO.
THE BUS RAPID TRANSIT ARE ALSO KNOWN AS BRT.
THAT LINE WILL LINK NORTH BATON ROUGE TO MAJOR JOB CENTERS.
BRINGING HIGHER TRAFFIC AND VISIBILITY TO THE CORRIDOR FOR BUSINESSES.
IT'S LITERALLY RAISING PLANK ROAD UP.
IT'S LEVELIZED ROADWAY THAT MEANS THE BUS STOPS ARE ELEVATED, THE ENTIRE CORRIDOR REALLY LOOKS TRANSFORMATIVE ALREADY.
THESE PROJECTS, THESE CATALYTIC INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS, THEY LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR COMMERCIAL REVIVAL.
BUT IT HAS TO HAVE THAT COMPLIMENTARY INVESTMENT TO ATTRACT AND SUSTAIN THE BUSINESSES.
THE GOAL IS TO BRING BUSINESSES IN, KEEP THE BUSINESSES YOU HAVE, GROW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.
PLANK ROAD TOMORROW NUMBER 2, FEDERAL AND PRIVATE FUNDING LEVERAGE.
AT BUILD EBR, YOU ALL KNOW I'VE BEEN IN THE SEAT NOW FOR ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS, BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING EXTREMELY HARD FOR ALL OF EAST BATON ROUGE.
WE RECENTLY SECURED $140,000 GRANT FROM THE DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY, SPECIFICALLY TO ALIGN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES FOR JOB CREATION.
PLANK ROAD WAS ONE OF THE IDENTIFIED CORRIDORS IN THAT GRANT APPLICATION.
WE RECEIVED THAT FUNDING IN ORDER TO DO CATALYTIC AND TARGETED AND INTENTIONAL PLANNING FOR JOB CREATION ON THE PLANK ROAD CORRIDOR AS WELL AS THE SCENIC HIGHWAY CORRIDOR.
THIS DEMONSTRATES HOW LOCAL INVESTMENT CAN ATTRACT FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS AND HOW A DISTRICT STRUCTURE HELPS TO SCALE THAT SUCCESS.
CERTAINLY, WE HAD BRUNETTE WHO JOINED US IN THAT ASK, AS WELL AS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL.
WE KNOW THAT EDDS ALSO SIGNAL STABILITY, AND THEY REDUCE RISK, ENCOURAGING PRIVATE INVESTORS TO BRING CAPITAL INTO THE CORRIDOR AND IT GUARDS AGAINST DISPLACEMENT BY USING EDDS TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVE, LONG TERM GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE, WHICH ARE THE PEOPLE YOU WANT TO ULTIMATELY REAP THE REWARD OF WHATEVER INVESTMENT YOU POUR INTO THAT COMMUNITY.
PROPERTY CONTROL AND COORDINATION.
IN DISCUSSIONS AROUND THE DELMONT EDD, THERE'S BEEN LOTS OF COORDINATION ACROSS SECTORS OF BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, STAKEHOLDERS, AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT THE TABLE WHO WANT TO SEE THIS COMMUNITY GROW.
BUILD EBR AND CAFA, CAPITAL AREA FINANCE AUTHORITY, BOTH OWN SEVERAL PARCELS ALONG PLANK ROAD.
I BELIEVE OUR COORDINATED EFFORT IN DEVELOPMENT IS ONE OF THE CATALYTIC DRIVERS FOR PROPERTY CONTROL AND COORDINATION ON THIS CORRIDOR.
THESE SITES ARE BEING STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED FOR MIXED USE, HOUSING, AND COMMERCIAL REDEVELOPMENT WORK.
BY COORDINATING WITH PROPERTY OWNERSHIP AND PLANNING, WE CAN CREATE READY TO LAUNCH PROJECTS ON THIS CORRIDOR AND IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM AN EDD FRAMEWORK, WHERE YOU HAVE THAT DEDICATED REVENUE AND FUNDING THAT'S GOING IN AND THEN COMING BACK OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND READY TO LAUNCH PROJECTS WITH PARTNERS WHO HAVE PROPERTY IN THE CORRIDOR.
CERTAINLY CREATIVE PLACEMAKING AND FACADE READINESS.
IT CANNOT BE UNDERSCORED ENOUGH HOW A COMMUNITY THAT LOOKS BETTER, FEELS BETTER, DOES BETTER, WANTS TO ACHIEVE MORE.
WE HAVE LOCAL PARTNERS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH TO DEVELOP A ONE STOP SHOP AND APP, THAT'S ACCESSIBLE BY BUSINESS OWNERS IN THAT COMMUNITY, A SYSTEM WHERE THEY CAN HAVE A SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY FOR THEM TO ACCESS FACADE PROGRAMS, SIGNAGE PROGRAMS, IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS. READY TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAM DESIGN ENSURES QUICK DEPLOYMENT, ONCE WE HAVE THE FUNDING SECURED, AND THESE PARTNERS DO HAVE FUNDING AVAILABLE AND PAIRING SMALL DOLLAR INVESTMENTS WITH CREATIVE PLACE MAKING LIKE LIGHTING THAT WE SAW THIS ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY DO ON PLANK ROAD.
THAT INVESTMENT WAS SIGNIFICANT, LANDSCAPING, PUBLIC ART.
WE JUST CUT THE RIBBON, COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, THIS PAST SUMMER ON THE ERIE STREET ECHO PARK ON PLANK ROAD, WHICH IS COMPLIMENTARY, IT'S VISIBLE, AND IT BUILDS COMMUNITY PRIDE.
[02:00:02]
WHAT WE KNOW IN TERMS OF HOW DOES IT WORK? CAN IT WORK, WILL IT WORK? WE HAVE A PROOF OF CONCEPT ON GOVERNMENT STREET.GOVERNMENT STREETS TRANSFORMATION SHOWS HOW ROAD REDESIGN, PLACEMAKING, FACADE INVESTMENT CAN RESHAPE A CORRIDOR.
ONCE SEEN AS DECLINE, IT'S NOW A THRIVING SMALL BUSINESS AND DINING DISTRICT HERE.
INVESTMENTS IN LIGHTING, AGAIN, SIDEWALKS, FACADES, ART CREATED, AND INVITING ENVIRONMENT TO DRAW BOTH RESIDENTS AND INVESTORS WHO WANT TO BE THERE, WHO SEE THE COMMITMENT, NOT ONLY FROM THE LOCALS, BUT FROM PEOPLE COMING OUTSIDE TO HELP BUILD IT WITHIN.
WHAT DO WE KNOW? WE KNOW WHEN INFRASTRUCTURE MEETS PLACEMAKING, PEOPLE RETURN AND BUSINESSES FOLLOW.
THAT IS THE ULTIMATE DRIVER TO CREATE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITIES, TO CREATE PATHWAYS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP, PATHWAYS TO BUILDING FAMILIES AND LEGACY AND STAYING IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE WANT TO BE IN.
I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GROW WHERE THEY ARE PLANTED.
THAT'S WHAT AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT DOES FOR A COMMUNITY.
IT ALLOWS YOU TO DIVE INTO THAT COMMUNITY AND POUR INTO THAT COMMUNITY FOR THEIR SUCCESS.
LOOKING FORWARD, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE CREATION OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND WE THINK ABOUT HOW THAT MATCHES PERFECTLY WITH PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION AMONG ACROSS SECTORS OF BUSINESS, OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, OF STAKEHOLDERS, TO STRENGTHEN EXISTING AND FUTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS, WE KNOW THAT IT REQUIRES A CLEAR STRATEGIC PLAN WITH MEASURABLE GOALS, AND ANNUAL PROGRESS BENCHMARKS.
THERE HAS TO BE A REPORTING ON THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE.
TO ENSURE REGULAR REPORTING ON JOBS CREATED, THE DOLLARS INVESTED, AND THE MEASURABLE COMMUNITY BENEFIT THAT COMES FROM THAT EDD.
SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE DONE WITH THIS EDD.
PROMOTE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SO THAT RESIDENTS, SMALL BUSINESSES, LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS HAVE A VOICE IN SHAPING WHAT THAT DISTRICT'S PRIORITIES LOOK LIKE.
MONITOR GOVERNANCE TO ENSURE FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY, AND BALANCED REPRESENTATION. THAT IS CRITICAL.
CERTAINLY PRIORITIZING LEVERAGE AND RETURN SO THAT THE AIM, YOU ARE LOOKING FOR STRONG RATIOS OF PUBLIC TO PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND CLEAR FISCAL IMPACT.
THEN CERTAINLY TO GUARD AGAINST DISPLACEMENT BY USING EDDS TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVE, LONG TERM GROWTH AND BENEFITS FOR EXISTING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.
>> AT BUILD BATON ROUGE, WE'VE OPENED THE DOORS TO PARTNERSHIP.
BUILD HAS PLANK PLASENIC ROLLING RFP, SO WE CURRENTLY HAVE A ROLLING RFP ON PLANK ROAD BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT.
WE'VE INVITED LANDOWNERS, WE'VE INVITED DEVELOPERS TO COME TO THE TABLE.
WE HAVE HAD GREAT INTEREST ACROSS THE BOARD FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING TO DO COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTS, HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.
KEY POINTS THAT I THINK REALLY CRUCIAL HERE IS THAT A STANDING FLEXIBLE PROCESS THAT ALLOWS PROPOSALS YEAR-ROUND AS OPPORTUNITIES AND FUNDINGS ARISE IS CRITICAL.
RULING RP IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK HAS TO STAY ON CORRIDORS WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO DRIVE REINVESTMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT WORK.
YOU HAVE TO BE FOCUSED ON EQUITABLE INVESTMENT, JOB CREATION, AND CORRIDOR ACTIVATION, WHICH IN EDD SERVES AS A CORRIDOR ACTIVATION CATALYST.
ONCE YOU HAVE THE EDD, THEN IT SIGNALS TO BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY THAT YOU'RE COMMITTED TO POURING INTO THAT PARTICULAR COMMUNITY IN WAYS THAT WILL BENEFIT THE BUSINESS INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE CITIZENS.
THIS, OF COURSE, DEMONSTRATES THAT BUILD BR IS READY FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH SITES, PROCESSES, AND POLICIES IN PLACE AND ENCOURAGES CREATIVE PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION, WHICH I THINK IS ABSOLUTELY VITAL.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS ARE REALLY WHERE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK RESIDE CURRENTLY.
IN CLOSING, AND CERTAINLY, I WANT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT WHILE EDDS AREN'T A SILVER BULLET, THEY ARE A PROVEN STRUCTURE FOR CHANNELING LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL INVESTMENT AND SUSTAINED CORRIDOR VITALITY.
WE KNOW THAT WHEN PAIRED WITH TRANSPARENCY, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND CREATIVE PLACEMAKING, THEY CAN HELP TO ENSURE THAT EAST BATON ROUGE NOT ONLY GROWS, BUT GROWS WELL.
I THINK THE COMBINATION OF TARGETED WORK BEING DONE ON A CORRIDOR IN A COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN SYSTEMICALLY DISINVESTED IN OVER THE YEARS, COUPLED WITH A PROGRESSIVE, WELL-THOUGHT-OUT AND MANAGED EDD LIKE THE DELMONT EDD, COULD SIGNAL A TRANSFORMATIVE SHIFT IN A COMMUNITY THAT IS CURRENTLY AT A TURNING POINT.
I THINK ALL OF US AT BUILD EAST BATON ROUGE WANT TO BE PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.
WE WANT TO BE ENGAGED IN MAKING THAT CHANGE HAPPEN.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS BECOME A MODEL THAT ANY DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE OR ANY COMMUNITY COULD REPLICATE ACROSS EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WE'VE HAD 22 OF THEM SO FAR SINCE 1987.
[02:05:02]
SOME VERY SUCCESSFUL, SOME NOT AS MUCH FUNCTIONING ANYMORE, BUT CERTAINLY A TOOL THAT THIS COMMUNITY IS FAMILIAR WITH AND SHOULD CERTAINLY CONSIDER.ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO WE WILL GO AHEAD AND HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON YOUR REPORT AND THEN, IF ANYBODY, WE'LL TURN IT OVER TO THE COUNSEL IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYBODY WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT?
WE ALWAYS HEAR THIS EDDS DO THIS, EDDS DO THAT.
THE PRESENTATIONS ARE AWESOME, AND SHE DID AN AMAZING JOB.
I WAS THINKING THE OTHER DAY HOW MUCH OF THE TOTAL ACREAGE, THE LANDMASS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, IS NOW ENCOMPASSED IN AN EDD.
IF IT'S 10%, 20%, WE KEEP ADDING THEM.
I THINK WE ARE THE PARISH THAT HAS THE MOST EDDS IN THE STATE.
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU ALL HAVE LOOKED THAT UP OR NOT.
THE THING THAT CONCERNS ME, I'LL JUST BRING UP ONE POINT.
SIDEWALKS. EVERY EDD PRESENTATION THAT I'VE SEEN SAYS SIDEWALKS INCREASE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.
IS THERE A REPORT THAT I CAN READ FOR EACH OF THE EDDS THAT SHOWS THE NUMBER OF PEDESTRIANS PRIOR TO THE EDD PUTTING IN SIDEWALKS AND THE CURRENT NUMBER TODAY? IS THERE A REPORT ON ALL OF THE EDDS THAT SHOWS THE EXACT NUMBER OF MONEY INVESTED AND THE RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT? EDDS ARE IN MY STUDY OF THEM.
PEOPLE PAY PROPERTY TAXES AND EDD STARTS, AND THEN THEY HAVE AN ADDITIONAL SALES TAX AND ADDITIONAL PAY ON ADDITIONAL THING.
IT'S ALL PRESENTED AS THINGS ARE GOING TO BE WONDERFUL.
BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO MOVE IN.
A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME A FRIEND OF THEIRS WAS THINKING ABOUT EXPANDING THEIR BUSINESS TO BATON ROUGE.
THEY CAME IN FOR THREE DAYS TO LOOK AROUND, SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON.
OUR VISIT BATON ROUGE OFFICE IS CLOSED ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.
I WAS DOWNTOWN TWO SATURDAYS AGO, EIGHT HOMELESS PEOPLE LIKE.
>> THIS IS IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE REPORT.
>> ON THE REPORT, WE ARE BEING OVERTAKEN IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH BY EDDS, WHICH EQUALS MORE TAXES AND FROM WHAT I CAN SEE FROM THE EXISTING EDDS, VERY LITTLE ACTUALLY COMES BACK.
IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IN BENEFIT TO THE CITIZENS THAT LIVE WITHIN THOSE EDDS.
WHEN I LIVED IN THE NORTHEAST, THE EDDS WERE A JOKE AMONGST THE PEOPLE IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL RUN BY A CARTEL. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THANK YOU, MISS LANDER. [OVERLAPPING].
>> I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THAT MAYBE EAST BATON ROUGE HAS THAT PROBLEM AS WELL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. JUST A REMINDER, THIS IS ABOUT THE REPORT.
THERE IS AN EDD ITEM ON THE AGENDA THAT'S NEXT AND WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THAT TOO. BUT [OVERLAPPING].
>> WAIT A MINUTE. WHERE DO YOU WANT US TO SPEAK IF WE ARE?
>> YOU CAN SPEAK ON BOTH IF YOU WANT, BUT ONE'S ABOUT THE REPORT, THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE ACTUAL. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M GOING TO SPEAK ONE TIME.
>> YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THE ACTUAL EDD? WOULD YOU PREFER THAT?
>> THAT'S NEXT. WE'LL DO THAT.
WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING THERE.
ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT? PLEASE.
>> SEEMS SOME FAMILIAR FACES IN HERE.
I WORE IT FOR A LONG TIME STRAIGHT, AND THEN I SAW THIS ON THE AGENDA.
I WANTED TO COME IN AND PROVIDE SOME COMMENT.
MY NAME IS MARCUS WILLIAMS. I'M AN ARCHITECT HERE IN BATON ROUGE.
I AM COMING UP TO SPEAK ON BOTH ITEMS. WE VOLUNTEERED TO DO SOME OF THE RENDERINGS THAT YOU'LL SEE.
I'VE GOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND RENOVATING PROJECTS IN THE PLANK AREA.
WE'VE BEEN OPEN FOR I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 20 YEARS,
[02:10:02]
MOSTLY THIS TYPE OF DESIGN.PRIOR TO THIS, DID A LOT OF PLANNING WITH THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR THEIR TAX PLAN AND THEIR FLOOD RECOVERY.
WE HAD TO TOUCH A LOT OF BUILDINGS AND OTHER INTERESTS IN THE NORTH BAD RIDGE AREA.
NOTABLE PROJECTS THAT I WAS SPECIFICALLY INVOLVED IN WAS THE RENOVATION OF THE STROMA HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS AT THAT TIME, THE FLOOD RECOVERY AND RENOVATION TO THE GLENDOK HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS.
ALSO, THE OTHER ITEMS OF WHERE WE ARE THE ARCHITECT RECORD OF THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, THE INSPIRATION CENTER AT HOWELL PARK, THAT'S AROUND THE CORNER FROM PLANK ROAD, ALSO A PARISH RENOVATION AT ST. PAUL APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
I JUST WANTED TO ECHO THE COMMENTS FROM THE PREVIOUS REPORT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EDDS AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO COMMUNITY AND JUST INCREASING PRIDE AND OWNERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT IN CERTAIN AREAS THAT MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO START.
I THINK THAT AN EXTERIOR UPGRADE IS A RELATIVELY LOW-IMPACT, QUICK GAIN REPAIR CONCEPT THAT YOU CAN HAVE ON THESE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS THAT COULD GREATLY IMPACT THE DISTRICT.
I JUST WANT TO COME UP HERE AND INTRODUCE MYSELF, LET YOU KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON SOME OF THESE THINGS AS A VOLUNTEER.
IT'S THE BEST TYPES OF PROJECTS.
THEY ARE PROJECTS WHERE WE GET TO DO RENDERINGS WITH NO BUDGET.
IT LINES WITH OUR PRINCIPLES OF THE FIRM.
THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AND JUST WANT TO COME AND SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT? YES, SIR.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS PRESTON CASTILE.
I'M A MEMBER OF THE STATE BOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, AND I'M ALSO PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HELIX COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.
I WANT TO SPEAK ON BOTH TOPICS.
FIRST OF ALL, LET ME JUST THANK AND CONGRATULATE COUNCILMAN CLEVE DUNN.
WITH HELIX, BECAUSE OF CLEVE DUNN'S LEADERSHIP, WE'VE OPENED A SCHOOL WHEN NO ONE EVER THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLE, HELIX AVIATION ACADEMY AT THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT.
WE STARTED OFF WITH 50 STUDENTS, AND NOW WE HAVE 650 STUDENTS WHO ARE NOW LEARNING PATHWAYS INTO AVIATION, KIDS IN NORTH BATON ROUGE, WHO WE THOUGHT WOULD NEVER, EVER IMAGINE SUCH THINGS, BUT NOW THEY'RE LEARNING TO FLY.
THEY'RE LEARNING TO DO THINGS THAT WE NEVER EVER COULD IMAGINE.
I THINK ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT EVER HAPPENED TO THIS COMMUNITY IS THAT BUILD BATON ROUGE HIRED TEACHER ROBERT.
THE VISION THAT SHE'S BRINGING, THE HARD WORK THAT'S HAPPENING, NOT ONLY IN NORTH BATON ROUGE AND THE PLAN THAT'S BEING PRESENTED, BUT ALL OVER THIS PARISH.
WHEN I LOOK AT ALL THESE COUNCILMEN AND WOMEN AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING, THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A HUGE IMPACT IN NORTH BATON ROUGE IS INCREDIBLE.
WE RECENTLY BOUGHT A BUILDING AT 7701 PLANK ROAD IN NORTH BATON ROUGE AT ABOUT $15 MILLION.
WE ARE MAKING INVESTMENTS INTO THAT COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE BEING LEADERS IN THIS AREA AND BRINGING CREDIBLE PROJECTS.
COUNCILMAN DARRYL HURST, THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME AND CONTINUING TO PARTNER WITH OUR SCHOOLS, EDUCATION, COMMUNITY.
I THINK THAT THE CHILDREN TODAY, WHO WILL BE THE ADULTS OF TOMORROW, WILL BENEFIT GREATLY BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOUR COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP, AND I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
COUNCILMAN KENNEY, WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN NORTH BATON ROUGE, COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, WHICH YOU ALL HAVE BEEN JUST GREAT, GREAT PARTNERS WORKING WITH US IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE REALLY GREAT DECISIONS.
>> YES. GOOD EVENING, COUNSEL.
I JUST WANT TO THANK THE PRESENTATION THAT WE JUST GOT BY THE EXPERTS.
IT WAS REALLY LAID OUT BEAUTIFULLY.
AS SHE STATED THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IS NOT A SILVER BULLET.
BUT LOOK AT THE DELMONT AREA NOW, BEFORE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IS CREATED.
NOTHING. THINGS ARE LEAVING; IT'S DETERIORATING.
THIS ISN'T A CHANCE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THAT AREA TO SEE SOME MOVEMENT, TO SEE SOME ATTENTION, TO FEEL SOME PRIDE AND MAKE THIS AREA A DESTINATION POINT AND NOT AN AREA THAT YOU MOVE AWAY FROM.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE REPORT, AND I HOPE THE COUNCIL SEES A VISION AND THAT THIS COULD BE A MODEL FOR EVERY AREA THAT NEEDS IT.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT NOT COMING TO THE PARISH TO DO,
[02:15:02]
THE RESIDENTS TAKE UPON THEMSELVES TO DO IT.LET THEM CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY.
IT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE WANTED TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT? YES, MA'AM.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY I HAVE LIVED IN NORTH BATON ROUGE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
I HAVE SEEN PLANK ROAD AND THAT AREA, DELMONT, JUST GO DOWN.
IT FEELS SO GOOD RIGHT NOW TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT OUR COUNCILMAN TRYING TO DO TO HELP US OUT.
I CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW I FEEL TO SEE THAT THIS MAY BE COMING BACK AGAIN.
THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME IN OUR AREA AND NOT GO AWAY FROM IT.
I HAVE SEEN BUSINESS THAT WAS THERE THAT JUST FADE AWAY AND IT'S JUST GOOD TO BE ABLE TO SEE THIS COME BACK.
>> YES, MA'AM, CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE? I'M SORRY. DOROTHY THOMAS.
>> HELLO. I'M CLAUDIA DAVIS HAWKINS, DISTRICT 5.
AS MISS THOMAS SAID, I'VE BEEN IN DISTRICT 5 FOR ABOUT 46 YEARS.
I'VE SEEN THE BUSINESSES COME AND GO.
WITH THEM REPAVING AND REDOING PLANK ROAD, IS BRINGING LIFE BACK BECAUSE THE PLANT ROAD HAD BEEN JUST A MESSED-UP STREET FOR A LONG TIME.
I CONSIDER PLANK ROAD A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE, LIKE FLORIDA OR GOVERNMENT STREET OR WHATEVER.
I THINK WE DO NEED NEW BUSINESSES THERE, WHICH WILL CREATE NEW JOBS, AND I'M ALL FOR IT. THANK YOU.
>> GARY CHAMBERS, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 5.
I SERVED ON THE BOARD FOR THE NORTH BATON ROUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR 10 YEARS.
THE VOTERS OF NORTH BATON ROUGE CREATED AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR THEMSELVES OVER 10 YEARS AGO.
DOWNTOWN HAS THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT HAS EXPANDED ITS FOOTPRINT AND INCREASED THEIR REVENUE OVER THOSE 20 YEARS THAT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE.
THEY'RE NOT CREATING A BUNCH OF NEW DISTRICTS IN DOWNTOWN.
WHAT I THINK IS HAPPENING IN NORTH BATON ROUGE IS POLITICIANS WANT THEIR OWN LITTLE THING THAT THEY CAN GO TO THE COMMUNITY AND SAY, I DID THIS, AND THERE'S NO CONTINUITY AND THERE'S NO COLLABORATION.
AS A RESULT, OUR COMMUNITY SUFFERS IN A DEFICIT.
THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT THAT THE VOTERS APPROVED OVER 10 YEARS AGO GETS $200,000 A YEAR TO COVER ALL OF NORTH BATON ROUGE.
IF THIS COUNCIL IS SERIOUS ABOUT REALLY DOING THE WORK FOR NORTH BATON ROUGE, YOU'RE GOING TO SCRAP THIS, TAKE THE RESOURCES OF A 2% TAX ON THAT AREA, GIVE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT THE RESOURCES AND PUT A COMPETENT BOARD ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
I WAS KICKED OFF THAT BOARD BY SENATOR BARROW THREE TIMES BY LEGISLATION. THREE TIMES.
WHEN I GOT KICKED OFF, SEVERAL OTHER PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY WERE PUT OFF THE BOARD.
POLITICS PREVENTS US FROM BEING ABLE TO GET THE THINGS DONE IN NORTH BATON ROUGE THAT NEED TO GET DONE.
WE DON'T HAVE SOMEBODY WITH A BUNCH OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ARE RUNNING THE SAKE, THEY'RE GOING TO PUT THIS MONEY THERE.
WE NEED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WITH ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT CAN PULL EVERYBODY IN THE SAME DIRECTION, LIKE WE DID IN DOWNTOWN.
THE DDD, OVER 20 YEARS OF CONSISTENT INVESTMENT, CONSISTENT BUDGETS, CONSISTENT SUPPORT, HAS BROUGHT HOTELS INTO DOWNTOWN, HAS BROUGHT INVESTMENT INTO DOWNTOWN.
THE PROBLEM WITH DOWNTOWN IS THAT WE DON'T INVEST IN EVERY OTHER PART OF THE PARISH SO PEOPLE HAVE A STIGMA ABOUT DOWNTOWN AND IN THE MAJORITY BLACK PARISH, YOU ALL DON'T WANT BLACK FOLKS DOWNTOWN FOR REAL.
IF WE TELL THE TRUTH. I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S A BAD IDEA TO ATTEMPT TO DO SOMETHING FOR NORTH BATON ROUGE.
BUT ALL OF THESE PIECEMEAL PROJECTS IS WHY WE CONTINUE TO LOSE.
I HAVE LIVED IN THIS COMMUNITY MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND I'M TELLING YOU THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT WE HAVE, GIVING THEM ANOTHER LITTLE TOWER TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND SAY, I DID THIS, AND THEN THE COMMUNITY IS STILL SUFFERING, IS A FAILURE TO THE VOTERS WHO APPROVED AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 10 YEARS AGO.
IF THIS COUNCIL WANTS TO DO SOMETHING THAT REALLY
[02:20:01]
STRENGTHENS NORTH BATON ROUGE, GET IN A ROOM, GET THE POLITICS OUT OF THE WAY, GIVE US A COMPETENT BOARD FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, AND THEN YOU WILL SEE MOTION IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.UNTIL THEN, IT'S A PUMTING CIRCUMSTANCE AND BS.
>> ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT? I WANT TO GO TO COUNCIL. ANYBODY?
>> WE ACCEPT THE REPORT. THANK YOU.
ITEM 87, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE,
[87. 25-01418]
PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, CREATING A DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT WITHIN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA ON A PROPERTY DESCRIBED ON EXHIBIT A.DEFINING BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPERTY FROM WHICH AREA NEW SALES AND USE TAXES MAY BE LEVIED BY THE DISTRICT AND USED TO FUND ALL OR A PORTION OF THE COST OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, AS DESCRIBED HERE IN.
ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND AS AUTHORIZED BY CHAPTER 27 OF TITLE 33 OF THE LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTES OF 1950, AS AMENDED, ESTABLISHING A BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT, ACKNOWLEDGING THE DISTRICT'S BOARD AUTHORITY TO LEVY SALES AND USE TAXES AND HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING BY COUNCILMAN DARRYL HURST.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> THANK YOU, SIR. CHIEF TJ MORSE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I WANT TO FIRST THANK COUNCILMAN HURST FOR ALL THE CONVERSATIONS HE'S BEEN LEADING WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
I PULLED SOME STATS AT HIS REQUEST FOR THAT AREA, TALKING ABOUT PLANK ROAD FROM EVANGELINE TO AIRLINE, THAT WHOLE CORRIDOR, ABOUT 3 OR 4 BLOCKS OFF EACH SIDE OF PLANK ROAD.
SO FAR, YEAR TO DATE, BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS HANDLED, ACTUALLY, 03,575 CALLS FOR SERVICE WHERE FILE NUMBERS WERE PULLED IN THAT AREA.
OF THOSE, WE'VE HAD 20 ROBBERIES, 87 SHOTS FIRED.
ANY HELP THAT WE CAN GET, YOU HEAR ME ALL THE TIME AND NOW IT'S BECOME A CATCHPHRASE ABOUT HOW WE CAN'T POLICE OUR WAY OUT OF ALL CRIME.
WE NEED THE COMMUNITY'S HELP AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ANY WAY THAT WE CAN PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO HELP IMPROVE, GET RID OF BLIGHT, HELP INCREASE LIGHTING IN THE AREA, HAVE SOME PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP IN THE BUSINESSES AND REALLY BRING MORE PEOPLE DOWN IN THAT AREA.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
MY NAME IS KAY MCFOLLING, AND I AM A PROUD STUDENT AT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.
MY MOTHER GRADUATED FROM SOUTHERN IN 1981, AND FOR AS LONG AS SHE CAN REMEMBER, AND FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE LIVED, PLANK ROAD HAS NOT SEEN THE TYPE OF INVESTMENT THAT REFLECTS THE PRIDE, CULTURE, AND HISTORY OF NORTH BATON ROUGE.
GROWING UP AND EVEN NOW AS A COLLEGE STUDENT, I'VE ALWAYS FELT THE GAP.
BEFORE I HAD A CAR, SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS GETTING FOOD WAS A CHALLENGE.
MY FRIENDS AND I WOULD WAIT FOR DOORDASH FROM ACROSS TOWN, OR WE'D HAVE TO TRAVEL CLOSER TO LSU BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE OPTIONS WERE.
NOT BECAUSE WE WANTED TO, BUT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE.
WHEN WE WANTED TO CELEBRATE, EAT TOGETHER, OR SIMPLY FEEL A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, WE COULDN'T DO IT NEAR HOME.
WE WERE FORCED TO COMMUTE, DEAL WITH TRAFFIC, OR SETTLE.
THE MESSAGE THAT SENDS TO YOUNG PEOPLE YEAR AFTER YEAR IS THAT NORTH BATON ROUGE IS NOT WORTH INVESTING IN.
THIS IS ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS ABOUT GIVING RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, STUDENTS, AND ELDERS THE SAME DIGNITY ACROSS AND ACCESS THAT OTHER PARTS OF BATON ROUGE RECEIVE WITHOUT QUESTION.
THE REVIVE PLANK ROAD, DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IS NOT JUST A POLICY PROPOSAL.
IT IS A CHANCE TO FINALLY REWRITE A NARRATIVE THAT HAS BEEN UNCHANGED FOR GENERATIONS.
WE DESERVE RESTAURANTS, WE DESERVE SAFE WELL LIT SPACES.
WE DESERVE PLACES TO GATHER TO SPEND, TO CELEBRATE, TO FEEL SEEM RIGHT WHERE WE LIVE.
FOR STUDENTS LIKE ME AND FOR THE STUDENTS WHO WILL COME AFTER ME, THIS INVESTMENT SAYS THAT NORTH BATON ROUGE IS A PLACE TO STAY, TO GROW, TO BUILD, AND TO BELIEVE IN.
I'M ASKING YOU TODAY TO APPROVE THIS EDD, NOT JUST FOR ECONOMIC IMPACT, BUT FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT, FOR DIGNITY, FOR OPPORTUNITY, FOR A FUTURE, WE CAN FINALLY SEE HAPPENING RIGHT HERE.
THE CHANGE STARTS WITH THIS VOTE, AND THE CHANGE STARTS NOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M TYRA BANKS.
I GREW UP OFF PLANK ROAD, AND I CURRENTLY LIVE IN THE AREA, AND I'M VERY COMFORTABLE PAYING THIS TAX BECAUSE AS A MOM WHO'S RAISING KIDS THAT LIVE IN THE AREA, WHEN I SEE MY BABY SAY THINGS LIKE, MAN, IT'S LIKE GOING BACK IN TIME WHEN WE DRIVE HOME FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN.
THAT'S HEARTBREAKING. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT,
[02:25:06]
PLAYING POLITICS IS NOT THE SAME AS PROVIDING VIABLE SOLUTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY.I'VE HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING AS A COUNSEL AIDE HERE PRIOR TO MOVING BACK TO LOUISIANA.
I SPENT TIME AS LEGISLATIVE AIDE AND STAFF ASSISTANT FOR A CONGRESSWOMAN FROM ILLINOIS, JAN SCHAKOWSKY.
I'M A FORMER NEIGHBOR WORKS TRAINER, SO I'VE TAUGHT EDDS.
I'VE TAUGHT BLOCK BLOCK BLOCK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND EVEN IN BELIZE.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT THESE MODELS WORK.
THROUGH ALL MY WORK, I'VE SEEN ONE TRUTH HOLD STUDY.
WHEN A COMMUNITY INVESTS IN ITSELF, THAT IS WHAT PAYS THE DIVIDENDS.
THAT'S WHERE THE RIPPLE EFFECT STARTS.
IMAGINE MONEY FROM AN AREA REINVESTED DIRECTLY IN THAT AREA.
THINK ABOUT THE THINGS WE COULD HAVE, A VIABLE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION THAT RECEIVED SUPPORT, LIGHTING, STOREFRONT IMPROVEMENTS.
THIS IS NOT JUST PUTTING LIPSTICK OR BEAUTIFICATION ON SOMETHING.
IN HANNA CITY, ILLINOIS, THEY CREATED A SIMILAR DISTRICT TO IMPROVE THEIR CORRIDORS.
THREE YEARS AFTER THEY CREATED IT, WHERE THEY INVESTED IN REDOING OLDER BUILDINGS THAT WERE DILAPIDATED, THAT INVITED NEW GROWTH, NEW BUSINESSES SETTLED IN THOSE BUILDINGS.
IT TOOK AWAY SOME OF THE BARRIER TO ENTRY TO MOVE INTO THOSE COMMUNITIES, AND EAST ALDINE, TEXAS, WHICH IS JUST OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON.
THEY PASSED A $0.01 SALES TAX YOU ALL, NOT EVEN BIG, BUT YEARS LATER, THEY WERE ABLE TO FUND TRAILS, LIGHTING, A CITY CENTER, WHICH IS LIKE OUR TOWN CENTER, AND NOW THEY SEE AN INCREASE IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING.
THEY SEE AN INCREASE IN BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN RETAINED THERE AND BUSINESSES THAT ARE MOVING THERE.
THEY EVEN HOST FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN A COMMUNITY THAT WAS ONCE FORGOTTEN THAT BRINGS PEOPLE BACK TO THAT COMMUNITY TO SHOP AND EAT EVEN AFTER THOSE EVENTS ARE OVER.
THIS ISN'T ABOUT STORE FRONT YOU ALL, THIS IS ABOUT STABILITY.
THAT'S WHY I TOLD YOU ABOUT MY BACKGROUND.
BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND YOUR ASSIGNMENT WHEN IT COMES TO FISCAL ADMINISTRATION AND CARING ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT AS A TAXPAYER WHO IS COMFORTABLE LIVING IN NORTH BATON ROUGE AND PAYING THIS TAX, I ASK THAT YOU PASS THIS. THANK YOU.
WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP LOSING RESIDENTS TO PLACES LIKE ASCENSION.
WE CAN MAKE NORTH BATON ROUGE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE WALKING, SHOPPING, EATING, AND THRIVING. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M KYLA ROMANEK.
I'M THE CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF BOTH OF MYSELF AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY HILLAR MOORE.
HE IS OUT OF THE COUNTRY, AND ASKED THAT I BASICALLY GIVE A JOINT MESSAGE FROM THE TWO OF US.
THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DECREASE CRIME.
WE ARE BOTH ABSOLUTELY 100% FOR THIS BECAUSE NEITHER OF US WANTS OR CAN AFFORD ANY MORE CRIME IN THIS PARISH.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN THERE ARE BLIGHTED PROPERTIES AND PARTS OF THE PARISH THAT HAVE BEEN DISINVESTED IN, THAT LEADS TO OUR CRIME PROBLEMS. JOINTLY WITH THE EXTENT THAT WE HAVEN'T DONE THE RESEARCH OURSELF ON THIS DISTRICT, BUT IT STANDS TO REASON THAT IF WE INVEST IN PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE'VE HAD SOME GREATER CRIME PROBLEMS, IF WE INVEST ECONOMICALLY, THAT IT WOULD REDUCE CRIME AND SO FOR THAT REASON, WE ASK THAT YOU VOTE FOR THIS. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING TO THIS ESTEEMED COUNCIL.
I SEE ON THE COUNCIL, I SEE FRIENDS, FAMILY, ENEMIES.
[LAUGHTER] BUT I WILL SAY THIS AND SAY, THIS ORDINANCE SHOULD BE THE EASIEST THING YOU WANT TO DO FOR NORTH BATON ROUGE.
GROWING UP, SAY, I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF NORTH BATON ROUGE IN THE GLEN OAKS AREA.
WE HAVE, OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, INVESTED A LOT IN MAINTAINING WHAT WE FEEL IS A HIGHER LEVEL OF LIVING THAT THE REST OF THE PARISH SHOULD FOLLOW.
OF COURSE, FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF COUNCILMAN DARRYL HURST FOR PROVIDING NOT JUST AREA CLEANUPS, BUT ALSO GIVING US A WAY OF GOVERNING OURSELVES WHERE WE WORK, LIVE AND PLAY.
I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF NOT JUST MY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS THE GLEN OAKS AREA, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, BUT ZION CITY, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, DELMONT GARDENS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AS WELL AS VICTORIA FARMS. THESE ARE ALL AREAS WHO WANTED TO INVEST IN THEMSELVES TO BETTER THEIR COMMUNITY WHERE THEY LIVE.
[02:30:01]
THE EDD, I BELIEVE IS ANOTHER PIECE IN A PUZZLE THAT NORTH BATON ROUGE NEEDS.IF YOU INVEST IN THE AREA WHERE WE CAN SHOP, WHERE WE CAN GATHER, WHERE WE CAN DRIVE, WHERE WE CAN WORK, THEN I BELIEVE THAT THE WHOLE PARISH WILL SUCCEED WITH THAT.
I THINK THAT THIS ORDINANCE HERE IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF CONTINUING THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.
NOT IN DISTRICT 5, BUT IN DISTRICT 2 AS WELL, AND AS DISTRICT 10, BECAUSE WE ARE ALL CONNECTED IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
DOWNTOWN FLOWS INTO NORTH BATON ROUGE, DISTRICT 5 FLOWS INTO DISTRICT 2.
THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE IDEA, AND THIS IS ONE STONE THAT WILL BUILD IT DOWN WHERE IT CAN BE SUPPORTED.
I THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL MY RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU GIVE ME YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE?
>> I'M SORRY. CHRISTOPHER LINDALE RICHARD.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 5. I'M ALL FOR IT.
I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT IF THIS PAST, BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN COMPLAINING AND WHINING FOR YEARS, WE NEED MORE STUFF IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.
WE FINALLY GET THINGS ROLLING TO GET IT DONE AND LET'S GET SHOT DOWN AND SAY PEOPLE ARE PLAYING POLITICS.
NO, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED.
IT'S EMBARRASSING TO COME FROM THE AIRPORT AND HAVE TO TRAVEL ALL THE WAY ACROSS TOWN TO GO AND GET SOMETHING TO EAT.
IT'S EMBARRASSING THAT THE STUDENTS AT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY CAN'T GO RUN AND GET A JOB CLOSER.
THEY HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS TOWN.
ONCE PLANK ROAD IS DONE, WE NEED AIRLINE HIGHWAY, GREENWELL SPRINGS ROAD.
ALL THESE PLACES WERE ONCE THRIVING.
WE NEED TO BRING IT BACK AGAIN.
I'M EXCITED TO SEE ANY PROGRESS HAPPENING.
FOR THE PEOPLE WHO'S NOT, SHAME ON YOU.
BECAUSE WE CAN'T HAVE ONE SIDE OF TOWN LOOKING FABULOUS, AND THE OTHER SIDE IS JUST DEAD. IT'S JUST NOT FAIR.
I WANT TO SEE THINGS HAPPEN IN DISTRICT 5, DISTRICT 6, DISTRICT 7, 02, ALL YOUR ALL DISTRICTS.
WE NEED THINGS TO HAPPEN ALL AROUND.
LIKE I SAID, IT'S TOO CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT, PEOPLE COMING IN.
I USED TO WORK AT THE AIRPORT, AND THEY ASKED ME, WHERE DO WE GO EAT? ALL I GOT TO TELL THEM TO GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS TOWN. THE TRAFFIC.
THE BAD TRAFFIC, WHICH WE STILL DON'T HAVE. YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT'S ANOTHER CONVERSATION [LAUGHTER] BUT WE GOT TO START SOMEWHERE AND TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING, I'M ALL FOR IT.
I WOULD BE HAPPY IF YOU GUYS WERE FOR IT TOO BECAUSE IT JUST DON'T START IN ONE DISTRICT IS ALL OVER.
ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO MAKE US LOOK BETTER AS A CITY, I'M FOR IT. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JARVIS LEWIS, WITH THE LOUISIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION.
I ALSO HAPPENED TO BE A RESIDENT OF BATON ROUGE.
PRIOR TO BEING A RESIDENT OF BATON ROUGE, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS A COUNCIL MEMBER MYSELF AND I WORKED FOR COUNCIL MEMBER, SO I UNDERSTAND THE DECISION THAT'S BEFORE YOU, BUT I ALSO LEARNED IN THAT CAPACITY THAT STEWARDSHIP STARTED WITH ME AND IT ROLLED DOWN.
YOU GUYS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING REALLY GOOD WITH THIS DISTRICT.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH COUNCIL MEMBER HURST, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHAMBER THAT IF YOU INCENTIVIZE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH, YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WILL GROW.
YOUR PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT AND EVERYBODY WILL BE UPLIFTED TOGETHER.
WE STAND HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT, BUT WE ALSO STAND READY TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES IN THE AREA FROM A CHAMBER PERSPECTIVE SO THAT WE CAN HELP THOSE BUSINESSES GROW, WE HELP THEM SEEK FUNDS, WE HELP THEM DO BUSINESS PLANNING, MARKETING PLANNING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES WHERE THEY'RE PLANTED.
WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M ATTORNEY DEDRICK MOORE FROM THE LAW OFFICE OF DEDRICK A MOORE.
I'VE TAKEN THIS OPPORTUNITY AND I SAT BACK AND I LISTENED TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE, AND I LISTENED TO MS. ROBERTS.
I'VE TALKED TO SOME OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND I DO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR TREPIDATION IS WHEN WE SPEAK ABOUT MAYBE DOUBLE TAXATION ON THIS PARTICULAR COMMUNITY.
BUT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL WHEN I THINK- [MUSIC]
>> IT IS A GREAT DAY TO BE A LION.
[02:35:01]
IF NOBODY TOLD YOU THEY LOVE YOU TODAY, BABY, WE DO.>> HELLO. MY NAME IS JOURNII TAYLOR, AND I'M A SOPHOMORE AT CAPITOL HIGH.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING IN THE DEN SHOW ON LIONS TV.
WE'RE THE ONLY HIGH SCHOOL IN THE CITY THAT PRODUCES THEIR OWN TV SHOW THAT AIRS ON LOCAL TV.
TODAY, WE HAVE A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU THAT'S FULL OF SPECIAL GUESTS, SO SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE SHOW.
WE'LL BE BACK AFTER THIS BREAK.
>> TRYING TO GET A CLASS THIS? WE UNDERSTOOD THAT.
>> [BACKGROUND] WHAT'S UP ANTHONY THIS VAPOR DOES?
>> NO, NOT PUTTING THE TRASH INSIDE MY BODY.
>> I'M NOT YOU VAPE CAN CAUSE LUNG DAMAGE INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF A HEART ATTACK.
>> THAT'S RIGHT, AND ALSO CAUSES ORGAN DAMAGE AND ADDICTION.
I'M JOHNY TAYLOR, AND I'M HERE WITH OUR SPECIAL GUEST CONGRESSMAN CLEO FIELDS.
HE'S THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA.
CONGRESSMAN FIELDS, THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OF YOUR BUSINESS SCHEDULE TO BE WITH US TODAY.
>> WELL, IT IS AN HONOR TO BE WITH YOU, MS. TAYLOR.
>> WHEN WE SEE THESE THINGS COME BEFORE THE CITY, ALL YEAR LONG EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
IT'S ABOUT WHERE THERE'S A FIREMAN, THE POLICE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, AND WE DON'T RUN FROM THOSE THINGS.
WE FACE THEM HEAD FORWARD AND WE MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THOSE THINGS.
IT'S TIME TO TRULY GET OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES AND DO SOMETHING UNCONVENTIONAL AND SUPPORT THIS POOR AREA THAT WE CALL NORTH BATON ROUGE.
>> WADE EVANS. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MYSELF IN SUPPORT OF COUNCILMAN HURST.
ITEM. LOOK, WE KNOW THAT THE BEST WAY TO INCREASE EQUITY IN A NEIGHBORHOOD IS TO REINVEST IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE BUDGET PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE IN GOVERNMENT.
THIS IDEA WILL GIVE US DEDICATED FUNDING TO REINVEST INTO THIS AREA, TO INCREASE NECESSARY SAFETY CONTROLS, TO INCREASE NECESSARY GRASS CUTTING MAINTENANCE AND EDGING OF THE CONCRETE AND PICKING UP THE LITTER.
THESE ARE THINGS THAT HELP PEOPLE TO HAVE PRIDE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE ONLY WAY YOU'RE GOING TO REDEVELOP AN AREA THAT'S DOWNTRODDEN IS TO INCREASE THAT CIVIC PRIDE TO INCREASE THE EQUITY OF THOSE THAT ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THOSE OF US THAT SHOP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD DON'T MIND SPENDING ANOTHER DOLLAR PER THOUSAND OR PER 100, IF YOU WILL.
IN MY OPINION, THIS MAKES SENSE. I SUPPORT IT.
I SENT A LETTER TO MY COUNCILMAN.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS IS MORE OF A VISIONARY THING THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE CITY OF CENTRAL AS A MICRO ECONOMY OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU REINVEST THE REVENUES THAT ARE GENERATED THERE? YOU CAN DO THE SAME THING WITH EVERY ONE OF THESE EDDS, AND THE INTENT OF THE EDD IS TO TAKE THE REVENUE GENERATED THROUGH THAT DECLARATION AND REINVEST IT THERE.
SO YOU CAN HAVE THE INTENTIONAL CONTROL, THE INTENTIONAL INVESTMENT.
AND SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE PROVERBIAL BOX.
THE CONCERN OF THE EXTRA TAXATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF THAT DISTRICT, I WOULD ARGUE THAT THERE'S A PROCLIVITY OF CHECK CASHING PLACES AND PAWN SHOPS IN AREAS THAT ARE DOWNTRODDEN BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE TEND TO NEED THE MONEY FROM THEM AND THEY MAKE WAY MORE MONEY OFF OF THEM THAN WE WOULD ON THIS ADDITIONAL TAX THAT COULD GIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEEDED THE MOST.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT IT, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR EVANS, IS THAT A CITY PARISH ID BADGE ON YOU DO SIR?
>> COUNCILMAN, I HAVE A KEY TO GET IN THE BUILDING.
>> MAYOR EDWARDS, CAN I COME TO CENTRAL AND GET ONE OF THOSE?
>> WELL, YOU COULD BE MAYOR EDWARDS, SHE WALK AROUND WITH A BADGE.
I SAID BADGE. CAN YOU COME THERE AND GET ONE OF THOSE? I MEAN, YOU TAKE TOO LONG TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. I ASSUME NO.
>> MA'AM, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME VISIT ME.
[02:40:04]
IT DOESN'T HAVE A LOCK ON THE DOOR. ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS PAY.>> JUST FOR THE RECORD, WE DON'T HAVE ANY DOORS OR ANYTHING THAT NEEDS A BADGE.
WE CAN SEE ABOUT MAKING YOU A KEY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS BRELYN BENNETT.
I THINK THIS WILL HELP THE COMMUNITY BY REALLY REDUCING A CRIME RATE AND HELPING KIDS MY AGE TO NOT HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS TO ANOTHER PARISH TO GO GET FOOD OR GO TO HAVE A GOOD DINNER WITH THEIR FAMILY.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MARTHA DAVIS.
I'M HERE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE A LONG TIME AGO.
I REMEMBER PLANK ROAD BEING A THRIVING AREA.
I DID NOT HAVE A CAR THEN, BUT I REMEMBER GOING SHOPPING WITH MY SISTER IN LAW AT SHOPPERS FAIR IN BOULEVARD.
I ALSO REMEMBER SHOPPING AT WESTERN AUTO.
I REMEMBER THE SADNESS I FELT WHEN THOSE STORES CLOSED.
I'M SURE THERE WERE OTHER BUSINESSES.
I SEE OTHER AREAS OF TOWN BEING REVITALIZED, AND I THINK IT'S TIME TO REVITALIZE THE PLANK ROAD AREA.
I RARELY DRIVE ON PLANK ROAD BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE MY CAR SHAKING AND BOUNCING, BECAUSE THE STREET IS SO DETERIORATED.
THERE IS FINALLY CONSTRUCTION TO OVERLAY THE STREET, AND I THINK IT'S TIME TO REVITALIZE THAT AREA.
THERE WILL BE A REASON FOR PEOPLE TO DRIVE ON PLANK ROAD.
BUSINESSES WILL NOT BE ATTRACTED TO AN AREA THAT IS DECLINING.
WITH THIS PROJECT, JOBS WILL BE ADDED, PROPERTY VALUES WILL INCREASE, AND ONCE THE AREA IMPROVES, PEOPLE WILL COME.
ONCE PEOPLE COME, BUSINESSES WILL BE ATTRACTED TO THE AREA.
THAT IS WHY I ENCOURAGE THE METRO COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT.
A WIN FOR THE DELMONT DISTRICT IS A WIN FOR BATON ROUGE
>> MY NAME IS LORI MALAS. I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE GREATER BATON ROUGE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP.
YOU MIGHT REMEMBER US AS BRAC.
I JUST COME TO SAY THAT WE SUPPORT THIS EDD.
WE WORKED WITH COUNCILMAN HURST ON IT, AND WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS A GOOD THING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE PARISH AND THE COMMUNITY.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I'M CHRIS MEYER AT THE BATNERG AREA FOUNDATION.
COUNCILMAN HURST CALLED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO TALK ABOUT THIS IDEA.
I TOLD HIM WHEN HE CALLED THAT WE WERE ALL IN TO HELP IN ANY WAY WE COULD.
I THINK WHETHER THIS IS THE EXACT RIGHT FORMAT OR NOT, I THINK THE POINT THAT WE ARE TRYING SOMETHING INNOVATIVE, THAT WE ARE WORKING ON REINVESTING IN COMMUNITIES BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE BATNGE AREA FOUNDATION WANTS TO BE A PART OF AND HELP IN ANY WAY WE CAN.
AGAIN, WHATEVER DISPOSITION, WHATEVER WAY WE GO FOR, HOWEVER, THIS NEEDS TO BE DESIGNED ULTIMATELY.
I THINK WE SHOULD CERTAINLY APPLAUD THE EFFORT TO FOCUS REINVESTMENT, FOCUS REDEVELOPMENT, FOCUS ON SAFETY AND ALL THE THINGS THAT WE CAN REINVEST IN NOW AND BRINGING THESE NEW UNIQUE TOOLS AS DIER SO WELL LAID OUT EARLIER FROM BUILD BATON ROUGE OR BUILD DBR.
I THINK IT'S REALLY REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY IN ALL OF OUR AREAS.
I MAKE THAT COMMITMENT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP BRING A MORE THRIVING AND OPPORTUNITY FIELD FUTURE FOR BATON ROUGE.
THE FOUNDATION WANTS TO BE A PARTNER AND I CERTAINLY APPLAUD THE CREATIVITY IN THIS DESIGN AND THE INVESTMENT IT CAN BRING. THANK YOU.
>> BOY DID HE JUST GET ON OVER.
HEY YOU ALL HOW Y'ALL DOING? SURELY SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE UPSET WITH ME TODAY.
I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU ALL WANT TO COME TOGETHER TO BUILD A 15 MINUTE SMART CITY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THAT IS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES GOING ON IN THIS STATE IN THE CITY.
BUT THE THINGS THAT YOU GUYS ARE PUSHING IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK IT IS A PRIMARY.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES AT HAND.
WE HAVE A DIGITAL BIOMETRIC ID SYSTEM THAT'S BEING PUSHED ON THE PEOPLE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
>> EXCUSE ME, SIR. CAN YOU ADDRESS THE COUNCIL?
>> SAND BEHIND THE PORTAL AND LOOK AT THE COUNCIL.
>> THE MICROPHONE SO EVERYBODY CAN HEAR WHO'S WATCHING ONLINE.
>> I GOT YOU. IT'S NOT ABOUT THIS IS NOT ABOUT PROTECTING KIDS, THAT I KNOW THAT'S WHAT THE REGIME IS, IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING KIDS. THAT'S NOT WHAT SEE.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY DRACONI AND IT IS AGAINST THE PEOPLE'S RIGHT.
WE HAVE A 1974 PRIVACY ACT THAT IT IS AGAINST.
I'M I'M READY TO GET ABOUT IT HERE. I'M SORRY.
I'M MOVED TO TRS BASICALLY I KNOW I LOOK CRAZY.
[02:45:01]
PLEASE DON'T DON'T TELL ME NOTHING. I KNOW.BUT PLEASE DON'T GIVE NO 15 MINUTES.
NO DIGITAL BIOMETRICS, ID SYSTEMS. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE WANT TO LIVE SAFE.
I UNDERSTAND WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR KIDS. WE ALL WANT TO DO THAT.
BUT THIS IS NOT THE WORK OF THE LORD. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT.
FOR ANYBODY WHO STOOD UP TO A PLEDGE TO THE ALLEGIANCE, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WAS PLEDGING TO.
YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PLEDGING TO A REPUBLIC.
THAT MEAN THAT MEANS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FREE.
MOST OF YOU UP HERE ARE PROBABLY DEMOCRATIC.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO ME.
PLEASE THINK ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT WE ARE DOING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MY NAME IS SHASHONNIE STEWART.
I CURRENTLY SIT ON THE EAST BAD ROG PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, CURRENTLY SERVE AS THE BOARD PRESIDENT.
I AM HERE TO ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THIS MEASUREMENT.
WHY DO I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THIS? THE SCHOOL BOARD, ALONG WITH CITY PARISH, AND, OF COURSE, METRO CONCIL WE'VE BEEN PARTNERING AND COLLABORATING AND HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
THIS DIRECTLY IMPACTS OUR SCHOOLS.
IT DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE INVESTMENT AND THE FACE LIFT OF RENOVATING, GIVING PRIDE TO THE STUDENTS AROUND AND IN THAT AREA.
THERE ARE SEVERAL SCHOOLS IN AND AROUND THE PLANK ROAD AREA.
AS A RESULT, WE AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE REVITALIZING THINGS WITHIN OUR DISTRICT AS FAR AS BUILDINGS, EMPTY SPACES, CURRENTLY WORKING WITH REBUILD AS WELL FOR THAT PURPOSE.
AS A RESULT, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT IF WE CAN HELP BUILD AND CREATE AN INVESTMENT WITHIN THE AREA OF OUR SCHOOLS, IT THEN HELPS WITH THE MOTIVATION AND THE ECONOMIC VALUE THAT HELPS OUR FAMILIES THRIVE.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT. WE WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT BECAUSE THAT DIRECTLY IMPACTS OUR STUDENTS.
WHEN WE GIVE PRIDE AND REVITALIZE AND INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY IN THE AREAS AROUND US, IT DIRECTLY AFFECTS THOSE CHILDREN.
WHEN CHILDREN SEE THAT THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR PARENTS ARE THRIVING, THEY HAVE JOBS, THEY'RE DOING WELL IN THEIR HOUSEHOLDS, THAT HELPS THEM.
WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS, WITH STABILITY WITHIN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PARISH.
NOBODY WANTS TO GO TO THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PARISH.
WHY? BECAUSE OF THE DILAPIDATED LOOK, THE FACE FRONT OF THINGS.
PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THE SHINY, THE NEW. IT'S A MOTIVATION.
THEY WANT TO BE IN AN AREA WHERE THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE, THEY FEEL SAFE.
THEY WANT TO FEEL LIKE THEY'RE VALUED.
PEOPLE FEEL VALUED WHEN THINGS AROUND THEM LOOK LIKE THEY BELONG.
THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE IN THE RIGHT SPACE.
AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, AND AS THE BOARD PRESIDENT WITHIN LEADERSHIP, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING AND ASKING YOU GUYS, TO HELP US HELP THE COMMUNITY.
OUR STUDENTS ARE ONE OF OUR MOST, I CAN'T STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THE VALUE OF OUR STUDENTS ARE.
THE VALUE IN TRYING TO UPLIFT THEM, LETTING THEM SEE THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THEIR SURROUNDINGS, THEIR COMMUNITY.
THAT DIRECTLY IMPACTS THEM AND LETS THEM KNOW THAT YOU CARE.
I HAVE PROPERTY AND AROUND THE PLANK ROAD AREA.
I PERSONALLY DON'T MIND THE INCREASE.
WITH THAT, I ASK THAT YOU HELP THE STUDENTS OF EAST BATON PARISH, OF THE NORTHERN PART OF OUR PARISH.
THAT'S AN AREA THAT WE AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE WORKING ON, SO WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT THIS. THANK YOU, GUYS.
>> GREETINGS. MY NAME IS RICKY MCCANTS.
PLANK ROAD HAS BEEN DEAR TO ME FOR ALMOST 26 YEARS.
YOU MAY BE WONDERING HOW I GOT TO PLANK ROAD.
THE YEAR OF 1999, I OPENED A SUMMER CAMP HOUSE, AT WELLER AVENUE CHURCH WITH 200 KIDS GOT KICKED OUT BECAUSE I WOULDN'T MAKE CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE PARTNER.
DETERMINED, ME AND MY DIRECTOR DROVE DOWN PLANK ROAD, LOOKING FOR A BUILDING TO MOVE MY PROGRAMS TO AND SAW THE OLD SO BUILDING, BOARDED UP, THEY ARE LIKE MANY OF THE BUILDINGS NOW.
WE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED THROUGH THE CRACKED BOARDS ON PLANK ROAD.
IT WAS A SHELL INSIDE. BEN BOARDED UP.
MY DIRECTOR TURNED TO ME AND SAID, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS OUT OF A PRESCHOOL.
[02:50:04]
NOBODY BELIEVE THE VISION.I OPEN RIGHT BEGINNINGS PRESCHOOL.
MARCH 2000 WAS BLESSED BY GOD TO ESTABLISH THE SECOND LARGEST DAYCARE PRESCHOOL IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
FOR 17 YEARS, NOT IN BARROW ROOTS IN THE ENTIRE STATE, SERVICING OVER 5,500 PARENTS AND OVER 350 KIDS DAILY, INCLUDING BEFORE AFTER SCHOOL, SUMMER CAMPS, AND I'M BLESSED TO HAVE SERVICED OVER 1,400 EVENTS SUCH AS WEDDINGS.
WHEN YOU ESTABLISH NEW FACILITIES AND RENOVATE DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS AND OFFER OUTSTANDING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, THE COMMUNITY WILL SUPPORT YOU NOT JUST THE COMMUNITY, BUT THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, I HAVE INVESTED OVER $1.52 MILLION OF MY OWN PERSONAL PROCEEDS FROM MY BUSINESS, NEVER ASKED ABOUT, NOBODY FOR A PENNY, BUT ONE TIME, THE FACADE GRANT.
WHY INVEST THAT MUCH? PEOPLE WOULD ASK ME, WHY INVEST THAT MUCH MONEY ON PLANK ROAD? MY RESPONSE USUALLY WOULD BE, WHY NOT INVEST THAT MUCH MONEY? PLANK ROAD, 26 YEARS LATER STILL HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL.
IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS YOU WOULD SEE THE NEW RENAISSANCE CENT ON LIKE EVER BEFORE.
I STILL BELIEVE IN PLANK ROAD, CURRENTLY STILL INVESTING THOUSANDS AS WE SP.
WHY SHOULD YOU PASS THIS TAX? I BELIEVE THIS IS A MODEL PLAN THAT CAN AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN ALL OF NORTH BOUND ROS DISTRICTS.
WE ALL BENEFIT WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY, NORTH BOUND ROADS, EVEN THE CITY OF BARROWS WILL SURELY SUPPORT THIS NEW INITIATIVE.
IT WILL GIVE A NEW BREADTH OF LIFE ON ALL OF PLANK ROAD AND CREATE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY WHILE CHANGING THE MINDSET OF THE PEOPLE WHICH WILL YIELD A GREAT BENEFIT, AGAIN, NOT ONLY TO THE ENTIRE PLANK ROAD, BUT NORTH BOUND ROADS, AND WOULD SPILL OVER TO THE CITY.
ASK YOURSELF, IF NOT NOW WHEN, A 2% INVESTMENT IS NOTHING WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE RETURN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK? YES, SIR.
>> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I'M A LAWYER FROM NEW ORLEANS, AND I ACTUALLY WORK FOR THE PARISH FOR A TEMPORARY PURPOSE WHICH IS TO ASSIST THIS COUNSEL WITH THIS ORDINANCE.
WE WERE HIRED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE PARISH ATTORNEY TO BASICALLY DEVISE THE ORDINANCE, ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE HAVE AND SO I'M HERE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAD SOME QUESTIONS. SOME CAME UP.
WE DID AN AMENDMENT BY RED LINE, WHICH DEALT WITH THE BOARD COMPOSITION AND SO I'M HERE TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, ONE OF THE FIRST SPEAKERS THAT GAVE THE REPORT MENTIONED THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, WHICH WAS THE FIRST BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA FORMED IN 1974 DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF MOON LANDRIEU AS MAYOR OF NEW ORLEANS.
I HAD THE PLEASURE FOR 19 YEARS OF SERVING AS OUTSIDE GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THAT ENTITY AND CAN ADDRESS ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE AS TO HOW DO YOU EFFECTIVELY MAKE SUCH AN ENTITY WORK.
INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, A LADY CAME UP AND SHE SAID THAT THERE ARE NO STUDIES ON SIDEWALK TRAFFIC AND STUFF.
IF YOU GO TO THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT IN NEW ORLEANS, THERE'S A LOT OF STUDIES ON THAT.
IN FACT, THEY EVEN HAVE STUDIES ON HOW MUCH CHEWING GUM IS ATTACHED TO THE STREET TO THE SIDEWALKS EACH YEAR.
THE EDD SEEKS TO BASICALLY FILL A GAP AND WE HAVE TRIED TO DEVISE IT IN SUCH A WAY TO WHERE ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS ARE BROADLY BASED, SO THAT AS LONG AS IT MEETS THE CABELA TEST FOR WHATEVER IT WANTS TO DO.
THAT BASICALLY IS FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE IT'S NOT GRATUITOUS AND A RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT EQUAL TO THE INVESTMENT CAN BE SHOWN.
THAT'S BASICALLY HOW WE DESIGNED IT.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S INTENDED TO DO.
BUT IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS OF ME IN TERMS OF THE LEGAL ISSUES, WHETHER IT RELATES TO THE BOARD COMPOSITION, THE STAGGERED TERMS THAT WE PUT IN, THE TAX OR ANYTHING ELSE, I'M HERE TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY.
>> DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC, THEN WHEN IT GETS TO THE COUNCIL, IF ANYBODY HAS QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
THEY'LL CALL YOU UP. THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM?
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE E MAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 87?
[02:55:01]
>> I THINK THE MAYOR WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS. MAYOR WOODS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNSEL. ANYTIME PLANK ROAD OR THE 70805, LORD BATON ROUGE COMES UP, I ABSOLUTELY PIQUES MY INTEREST.
I'M HERE JUST TO GET MY SUPPORT FOR THIS EDD.
I KNOW WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT PLANK ROAD, AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE HAVE SEEN PLANK ROAD.
NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE RIDE OVER THERE, BUT THEY KNOW WHERE PLANK ROAD IS, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE KNOW HIAWATHA AND OSCEOLA AND WINBORNE AND CHIPPEWA AND I COULD GO ON AND ON AND ON.
THAT'S WHERE THE REAL STUFF IS. IT'S UP IN THERE.
I'VE COACHED THESE KIDS AT A STROMA, BUT I WAS THEIR WAY BEFORE I BECAME THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH.
I TOOK TWO OF THEM TO MY HOUSE ONE DAY TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE JOB TO DO YARD WORK.
I GOT BACK TO SCHOOL YESTERDAY AND THE REST OF THE KIDS ARE SAYING, COACH LIVES IN A MANSION.
THESE KIDS THAT ARE OVER THERE DON'T HAVE A LOT AND THEY DON'T GET TO SEE A LOT.
WE SENT TWO TO AN LSU FOOTBALL GAME AND THEIR EYES WERE THAT WIDE.
NORTH BATON ROUGE AND THE PLANK ROAD CORD OR NEED SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
HOPE. I'LL SAY THIS AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK OTHER THAN I SUPPORT.
I SUPPORT FOR ANYTHING ON MY BOOTS AND MY BUTT HAVE BEEN ON THE GROUND OVER THERE FOR A LONG TIME.
IT'S WAY PAST TIME THAT THESE PEOPLE GET SOME HELP AND RELIEF.
I SUPPORT IT. BY WHICHEVER WAY MEANS WE GOT TO GET TO CHICAGO TO DO IT, WE DO IT AND WE GET IT DONE.
BUT DO NOTE, A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.
IF YOU TURN ON THE TV, YOU HEAR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.
BUT UNTIL YOU CAN FEEL IT, IT REALLY DON'T MATTER.
I FEEL IT AND I JUST WANT FOR THOSE THINGS TO BE MUCH BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE THERE BY WHICHEVER MEANS IT COMES AND HOWEVER WE DO IT.
THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN HURST FOR PUTTING THIS UP AND ALL THE COUNSEL, I APPRECIATE YOU. GOD BLESS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. WE'LL GO TO COUNSEL.
>> TO MY COLLEAGUES, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS OF COMMUNITY AND ALL OTHERS THAT SPOKE UP IN SUPPORT OF THE EDD, YOU GET.
YOU UNDERSTAND NO BATON ROUGE AND THESE THAT ARE THERE.
WE HAVE A MAJOR CRIME ISSUE IN BATON ROUGE.
THEY RESPOND TO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS A CRIME OR POVERTY, INEQUALITY, LACK OF ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND RESOURCES.
THANK YOU, PRESIDENT STEWART AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONDITIONS, WE MIGHT JUST SWAP ALL THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS AND JUST USE THE NUMBER 70805, BECAUSE IF YOU GO THERE, THAT'S WHAT YOU'LL SEE.
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY TAKES THE BAND AID OFF THE BULLET WOUND AND BEGINS REAL COMMUNITY HEALING.
I'M GOING TO SAY THAT AGAIN, $18.3 MILLION ON PLANK ROAD OVER 10 YEARS AND I WANT TO THANK MR. MYERS.
FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE IT STARTED OFF AS A CONVERSATION AND IT WENT FROM YOU TO WHEN WE AND I KNEW AT THAT POINT YOU WERE GENUINELY BOUGHT IN.
WHEN WE BOND THIS OUT, WE CAN TAKE A 10 YEAR PROJECT AND DO IT IN TWO TO THREE YEARS.
WERE YOU GOING TO LOSE THE MONEY TO INFLATION, WE'RE GOING TO LOSE THE MONEY TO INTEREST AND WE'D RATHER LOSE IT TO INTEREST.
THIS TWO OR THREE YEAR PROJECT WILL CREATE AN OVERDUE TRANSFORMATION, WHICH WILL MAKE THE ONLY COLOR THAT MATTERS ON PLANK ROAD GREEN.
CAFA, WHICH IS CAPITAL AREA FINANCE AUTHORITY FOR THE ONES THAT DON'T KNOW, HAS SENT A LETTER THAT SAYS THEY WILL PROVIDE ALL OF THEIR FINANCIAL TOOLS, INCLUDING BONDING CAPACITY, NON TRADITIONAL FINANCING TO BUSINESS OWNERS TO FIX THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY INVESTMENT DOLLARS, THEY CAN'T USE THE WORD GRANT ANYMORE.
TO HELP CLOSE THE GAPS CREATED IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.
GREEN, WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THEY ONLY HAVE $200,000.
THEY PUT $130,000 IN PAYROLL, 20,000 IN OFFICE SUPPLIES, WHICH ONLY LEAVES $150,000 FOR FACADE AND SIGNAGE GRANTS IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.
THAT IS NOT EVEN A PENNY THAT'S A MEAL.
THEY'VE OFFERED TO USE THOSE $2,500 FOR SAD AND SIGNAGE IMPROVEMENT GRANTS TO BE A CAPITAL STACK.
THEY ARE PARTNER IN THIS EFFORT, BUT DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES INDEPENDENTLY TO DO SO.
[03:00:02]
THEY WILL BE A PART OF OUR FINANCIAL TOOLBOX.THE LOUISIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION, THANK YOU, MR. JARVIS, WILL BE PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO TURN HOSTERS INTO REAL BUSINESSES, PROVIDING MARKETING PLANS, AI INTEGRATION TO HELP BUSINESSES GET THE GREATEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT.
WE A HOUSEHOLD MEDIAN INCOME OF $26,301 AND A POVERTY RATE OF 40.7%, WHICH IS THREE TIMES THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, POVERTY RATE OF 40.7%, WHICH IS THREE TIMES THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
THIS EDD BRINGS LIVABLE WAGE JOBS, WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE THAT RAISE HOUSEHOLD MEDIAN INCOMES, TRANSFORMS BLAND AREAS INTO INVESTABLE AREAS AND TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE 06,000 EXXON MOBILE WORKERS WITH AN AVERAGE SALARY OF $109,000.
THE 8,600 STAFF AND STUDENTS AT SUD UNIVERSITY, THE 1,300 STAFF AND STUDENTS AT BRCC ACADIAN AND THE OVER 62,000 RESIDENTS IN A THREE MILE RADIUS.
THIS AREA IS PRIME, JUST LIKE DOWNTOWN WAS TO BE WHEN THE DDD WAS CREATED.
I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES AND THE CONVERSATION, WELL, THIS IS DIFFERENT TO DOWNTOWN.
THEY BROUGHT THE STATE BUILDINGS DOWNTOWN AND I AGREE WITH THEM.
THAT'S WHAT MADE DOWNTOWN HAVE VIABILITY.
BUT THE INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR DOES THE EXACT SAME THING FOR PLANK ROAD.
I TALKED ABOUT EXXON, BUT I DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE OTHER PLANS THAT SURROUNDED.
WE CAN INCORPORATE 20 MORE CITIES.
WE CALL THEM ST. GEORGE, ST. ANTHONY, ST. JOHN, ST. PATRICK.
BUT UNTIL WE CHANGE THE CRIME STATISTICS IN EAST BATON ROUGE YOU CAN PUT UP WHATEVER BOUNDARIES UP YOU WANT, IT'S STILL EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
WITHOUT CRITICAL INVESTMENTS LIKE THIS, IT'S JUST A NEW NAME WITH THE SAME STATISTICS.
YOUR VOTE TODAY WILL BE HISTORICAL AS THIS COUNCIL WILL BE THE ONE THAT MAKES THE VOTE TO CHANGE NORTH BATON ROUGE.
WHEN WE CHANGE NORTH BATON ROUGE, WE CHANGED EAST BATON ROUGE.
I ASK YOU TO VOTE AND I OFFER A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO COUNCILMAN HUTTON.
>> THE ATTORNEY THAT WORKED ON THIS.
WOULD YOU MIND COMING UP? I'M SORRY CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME AGAIN?
>> MY FULL NAME IS GIVEN BY MY PARENTS, WILLIAM DAVID AARON JUNIOR, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE WILLIAM AARON WHO PRACTICED FOR YEARS IN BATON ROUGE.
WHEN HE DIED, MY WIFE GOT CONDOLENCES.
>> WAS YOUR MOTHER WILLIAM AARON.
>> I MET SON. ANOTHER ASIDE, YEARS AGO, THE FATHER AND I WERE IN COURT, AND WE BOTH INTRODUCED OURSELVES AS WILLIAM AARON AND THE JUDGE SAID, COME UP HERE.
WE HAD TO SHOW OUR DRIVER'S LICENSE AND HE SAYS, MY GOD, YOU TWO HAVE THE SAME NAME.
>> MY QUESTION REVOLVES AROUND THE CABELA TEST.
THAT HAS BEEN ONE OF MY MAJOR CONCERNS WITH PROPOSITION.
I WORRY THAT FACADE IMPROVEMENTS, LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT, LIGHTING, SIGNAGE, THOSE MAY NOT PASS THE CABELA TEST.
WE HAVE CHALLENGES. I WANT YOU TO WALK ME THROUGH YOUR LET ME ANALYSIS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE HAD THAT ISSUE WITH THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IN NEW ORLEANS.
WE DID FACADE LOANS, WHICH ARE ACTUALLY PAID BACK, SO IT'S NOT REALLY AS MUCH OF AN ISSUE, BUT THE ISSUE CENTERS ON FACADE GRANTS, WHERE YOU'RE ACTUALLY GIVING SOMETHING AWAY AND AS YOU KNOW, THE STATE CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 7 SECTION 14 PROHIBITS DONATIONS OF PUBLIC PROPERTY HAS CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, THOUGH AND IT ALLOWS IN THE CASE WHERE THERE ARE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENTS, IF YOU CAN EFFECTIVELY SHOW THAT THE RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT IS EQUAL TO THE INVESTMENT.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW IN THE CASE OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IN NEW ORLEANS THAT WHEN WE IMPROVED THE FACADE, IT INCREASED THE VALUE OF THE BUSINESS AND THEREFORE, SUBJECTED THE BUSINESS TO A HIGHER TAX WHICH GENERATED REVENUE BACK INTO THE DISTRICT INTO THE CITY.
THAT'S AN EASY WAY OF SHOWING HOW DO YOU GET THE RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT UNDER THE CABELA TEST.
>> DID YOU ALL HAVE A CHALLENGE IN THAT DISTRICT OR?
>> WE HAD BASICALLY SOME PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP AT A MEETING AND RAISED ISSUES, THREATENED TO SUE, SUIT NEVER CAME.
I THINK WHAT HAPPENS IS THIS, YOU HAVE TO BASICALLY SHOW THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, NUMBER ONE, NOT GRATUITOUS, NUMBER TWO AND THAT THE RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT UNDER THE CABELA TEST IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE MONEY YOU'RE PUTTING OUT.
IF YOU CAN DO THAT, YOU'RE FINE.
IF YOU CAN'T, YOU GOT A PROBLEM.
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU TO THE RESIDENTS WHO CAME AND SPOKE TONIGHT.
I WANTED TO ASK MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT 5, WHAT PUBLIC INPUT DID YOU RECEIVE AND GO AND SEEK BEFORE BRINGING THIS MATTER BEFORE THE COUNCIL?
>> YOU ALL MAY HAVE SEEN THE PRESS RELEASE,
[03:05:03]
BUT I MET WITH ALL THE LETTER PARTNERS AS A WHOLE MORE THAN THEY ARTS COUNCIL, KF BECK HAS BEEN NOT A PARTNER, BUT THEN A GUIDANCE SINCE DAY ONE.BILL BATON ROUGE AND MISS ROBERT, THEY HAVE BEEN A GUIDANCE SINCE DAY ONE AND WHEN THE CEA IS PRODUCED, WILL BE A MANAGING PARTNER TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S DONE CORRECTLY.
THEN THEY HAVE OVERSIGHT ALONG WITH THE BOARD.
WE HAD ALL THE LETTER MEETINGS UP FRONT, JUST TO SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S VIABLE PASSES THE CABELA TEST TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO'S INSTITUTED TO DO SO WOULD AGREE THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE.
THE SECOND THING WE DID WAS WE SENT LETTERS OUT TO ALL THE LAND OWNERS AND THEN WE WENT DOOR TO DOOR TO EVERY BUSINESS TO NOTIFY THEM THAT WE WOULD HOST A MEETING FOR THE BUSINESSES.
ONE OF THE BUSINESSMAN FOR EMAIL FROM ANDREW MARCUS, HE OWNS A MAJOR PROPERTY UP THERE WHERE ACTUALLY ROSS WAS REACHING OUT AT ONE POINT TO PUT A STORE BUT DIDN'T DO SO BECAUSE OF THE CRIME IN THE AREA, WHICH IS WHY WE NEED THIS DISTRICT.
BUT HE'S COMMITTED TO BUILDING A PUBLIC SAFETY STATION.
HE SAID, WE NEED IT, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT.
THE FILE FAMILY THAT OWNS DELMONT VILLAGE, KATINA SPEAR THE MANAGER.
I'LL BE GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH BRANDON LANDRY, TEXTING ME JUST NOW.
HE SAID IT'S ME TOMORROW, LIKE THE MEETS TODAY.
WE'LL BE GOING BACK AND FORTH TO BY WALK ONS, WHETHER IT'S A PRIVATE INVESTMENT FROM A FRANCHISEE OR IF THEY WANT TO MAKE IT A CORPORATE STORE SINCE IT'S RIGHT HERE IN BATON ROUGE.
BUT THE OPPORTUNITY OF TURNING PICCADILLY INTO A WALK ON AND CREATING A FIRST SIT DOWN SPORTS BAR IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.
THE FILE FAMILY SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE'LL DEMOLISH PICCADILLY FOR BRANDON AND BUILD A BRAND NEW ONE AS LONG AS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT GOES THROUGH BECAUSE IT BRIGHTENS UP THE ENTIRE AREA.
NONE OF THE BUSINESSES SAID ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT IT.
THE NEXT MEETING WAS A PUBLIC MEETING. THAT WE HELD.
EVERY RESIDENT IN THERE SAID, WHEN IS IT COMING AND WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG AND THEN THE FINAL MEETING WAS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I GOT TO SAY, HE DIDN'T MAKE THAT ONE.
HE MADE ONE BEFORE, BUT SID GOTO DID MAKE THAT ONE AND THEY HAVE COMMITTED TO DO A JOINT TASK FORCE TO DO A BIKING COMMUNITY OFFICER BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE AND I DID TALK TO TERKA WILLIAMS A CONSTABLE AS WELL.
SHE COMMITTED TO DO A THREE PART PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE WITH THE SHORTAGE THAT WOULD CREATE A WALKING COMMUNITY IN NORTH BATON ROGO PLANK.
ALSO TALKED TO ADAM SMITH BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE IT DOWNTOWN NORTH.
WE DON'T JUST WANT TO HAVE BUSINESSES.
I ACTUALLY TOLD MARCUS WILLIAMS, THE ARCHITECT.
I SAID, I WANT YOU TO PUT A WHITE LADY WITH A STROLL IN FRONT OF SAMY MAN FASHION, BECAUSE I WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEMSELVES IN NORTH BATON ROUGE, IF YOU CAN SEE IT, YOU CAN BE IT.
FROM PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT WAS ONE QUESTION THAT BRANDON ASKED ME.
NUMBER 2 WAS, WHERE AM I GETTING MY STAFF? I SAID THE SAME PLACE YOU'VE BEEN GETTING SUD UNIVERSITY, THEY JUMPED TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY ACROSS TOWN, RIDE A BUS TO GET THERE.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING WITH SELVIN HAYDEN, WHO'S THE CEO OF CC'S COFFEE AND THEY'RE CHANGING THEIR FRANCHISE MODEL IN JANUARY TO ALLOW FRANCHISES WITHIN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND TYPICALLY ON ALL THE CORPORATE STORES.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING WITH IRIS NELLE THE PEACE COBBLER FACTORY.
BRIAN JOHNSON WITH MARMO SLAB CREAM, I'M SORRY.
BUT BOTTOM LINE IS, WE TALKED TO EVERY NOBODY SAID NO AT ALL. THERE YOU GO.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS.
IT'S HARD TO SLOW YOU DOWN ONCE YOU GET ROLLED.
LOOK, WE DON'T RIGHT IN ON THIS ISSUE AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE WHO CAME AND SPOKE WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE MATTER BEFORE THEM.
JUST DESCRIBE IF YOU WOULD, SOMEBODY'S AT HOME WATCHING AND DOESN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
DESCRIBE WHAT IT IS YOU'RE TRYING TO DO THROUGH THE CREATION OF THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
HOW DO TAX DOLLARS COME INTO PLAY?
>> TWO CENT SALES AND USE TAX SO YOU'VE GOT A AMAZON PACKAGE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WOULD REALLY COME TO YOUR HOME, BUT THE REST OF THEM WOULD BE IN THE STORES.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS WITH THE BUSINESS OWNERS, THE TAXES THAT WILL BE PUT ON THEM.
WE TALKED ABOUT THIS WITH THE LAND OWNERS.
WE TURNED THAT INTO DIFFERENT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES.
LISTEN, MY JOB IS TO CREATE IT, IT'S THE BOARD'S JOB TO CREATE WHAT OPPORTUNITIES COME INTO PLAY AND THAT WILL BE A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BRECK THAT'LL BE A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BILL BATON ROUGE, THAT'LL BE A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN KFA ABOUT BASED ON THE FINANCIAL TOOLS, WHAT THEY CAN DO.
>> BUT IT BEAUTIFIES PLANK ROAD.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT TURNS PLANK ROAD INTO PERKINS ROAD.
IT TURNS PLANK ROAD INTO PERKINS ROAD, CREATES A WALKABLE COMMUNITY THAT MAKES PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE WORK AND PLAY.
IT CREATES REINVESTMENT. LOOK AT DOWNTOWN.
DOWNTOWN HAD DRUG ADDICTS, EVERYWHERE,
[03:10:01]
PROSTITUTION, EXPERIENCED MAJOR HOMELESSNESS, AND WITH THE RIGHT INVESTMENT, IT IS A THRIVING ECONOMIC CORRIDOR, ESPECIALLY THIRD STREET FOR THE CITY PARISH AND IT'S GENERATED MORE TAX REVENUES.THE OTHER PART OF THE CABELA'S TEST IS THE BUSINESSES THAT WILL COME ON PLANT ROAD BECAUSE OF THE INVESTMENT THAT WE MAKE.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT Y'ALL ARE FORGETTING.
ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES SAID, HEY, IT'S JUST LIKE, I SEE THE BUSINESSES SHUT DOWN, BUT IT'S LIKE A BUSINESS LEAVES ANOTHER ONE COMES.
I SAID, HAVE YOU SEEN PLAY ROLL LATELY? THEY LEAVE AND THEY NEVER COME BACK.
IT TURNS INTO A GO TOWN IN THAT BUILDING.
IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING NOW, THEN WE WAIT ANOTHER 20 YEARS, 30 YEARS, 40 YEARS? THANK YOU.
>> FINAL QUESTION. THERE'S A RED LINE VERSION ATTACHED TO OUR AGENDA.
CAN YOU JUST TALK THROUGH WHAT THE BOARD WOULD LOOK LIKE WHO WOULD ADMINISTER THIS EDD?
>> SIMILAR TO THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, AND I WILL GO TO BOTH WANT TO COMPARE THE TWO.
YOU HAVE A MEMBER FROM BOGARD TOWN, YOU REMEMBER FROM SPANISH TOWN.
YOU HAVE PACKAGE AREA CHANGE PARTNERSHIP SENDER NAME, BUT THE PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEMBER AND THEN YOU HAVE FOUR BUSINESS OR LAND OWNERS FROM DOWNTOWN THAT SUPPORT THAT BOARD.
THAT'S A MODEL. WE HAVE A MAYOR'S APPOINTEE.
WE HAVE A STATE REP APPOINTEE.
WE HAVE THREE APPOINTEES FROM THE DISTRICT SO THAT PEOPLE IN THE AREA CAN MAKE SURE THAT AREA THRIVES AND THEN WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP APPOINTEE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A DRIVING FORCE FROM OUR CHAMBER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GOVERNANCE IS THERE AS WE PARTNER WITH BATON ROUGE TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. I COMPLIMENT YOU ON THE OUTREACH EFFORT YOU DID.
>> COUNCILMAN HARRIS, A QUICK QUESTION.
WHAT IS THE LONG TERM METRIC AND STATUE GOING TO KEEP UP WITH THE PROGRESS OF THE EDD?
>> LET ME TELL YOU THERE'S REALLY TWO PARTS OF THIS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LISTENING AT HOME AND IN THE AUDIENCE.
THIS ORDINANCE ONLY ENABLES IT.
IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY TIP IN IT.
IT JUST SAYS THAT WE ARE ENABLING THE ABILITY TO CREATE AN EDD.
THERE IS A CEA THAT FOLLOWS THAT THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE FULL AUTHORITY OVER.
THE COUNCIL IS STILL THE BOARD, EVEN WHEN THEY APPOINT OTHER PEOPLE, BECAUSE THIS EDD IS CREATED BY ORDINANCE, SO THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO REPEAL IT.
THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO APPOINT SOMEBODY, THEY HAVE SOMEBODY TO REMOVE.
NOW, BUT WHAT WE PLAN ON DOING THE CEA IS PROVIDE QUARTERLY REPORTING, BUT THE OTHER PART ABOUT AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IT BECOMES A SUBDISTRICT FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
OTHER THAT, IT'S JUST LIKE ANY MUNICIPALITY, IT HAS ITS OWN BONDING AUTHORITY, SO IT DOESN'T COME AGAINST THE CITY, EVEN THOUGH CAPITAL PLANS ON PROVIDING THE BONDING, BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO A QUARTERLY REPORTING UPDATE HERE IN THE COUNCIL MEETING AS A PART OF THE CEA.
IT IS SUBJECT TO STATE LEGISLATIVE AUDITORS, WHICH MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE STATE OVERSIGHT TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY IS BEING DONE IN A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY AND PROPERLY BENEFITING THE CITIZENS OF BATON ROUGE AND EAST BATON PARISH.
I WANT TO MAKE THIS STATE BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE IT EARLIER.
TENNESE MARCELL SAT IN THE MEETING IN THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND THE QUESTION CAME UP ABOUT THE TWO PITIES.
SOMEBODY SAID AND I SAID THIS MOST PROFOUND STATEMENT HER THE WHOLE TIME.
SHE SAID, DRIVING A CA LANE RIGHT NOW AND COLLEGE DRIVING EVERYWHERE ELSE.
WHO CARED, WHO GIVE THE DAMN ABOUT TWO PENNIES? BECAUSE WE'RE SPENDING MORE GAS THAN WE WOULD INVESTING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, WOULD WE GET A DIRECT RETURN ON INVESTMENT, NOT AN INDIRECT, BUT A DIRECT RETURN ON INVESTMENT?
>> APPRECIATE IT. REAL QUICKLY, I WILL ECHO THE STATEMENTS SO COUNCILMAN GODDE.
I SAID ONE OF THE PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT COUNCILMAN HURST DID.
JUST LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
I PERSONALLY WANT TO APPLAUD YOU.
I KNOW MY DISTRICT DISTRICT 2 AND DISTRICT 5.
WE ENCOMPASS THE BULK OF NORTH BATON ROUGE.
I ONLY BEEN HERE FOR 11 MONTHS, BUT I CAN SAY WITH A CLEAR CHEST, THERE IS NOBODY WITH A BLANK CHECK COMING TO SAVE NORTH BATON ROUGE.
INNOVATIVE IDEA THAT COUNCILMAN HURST IS DOING JUST LIKE THAT IT'S NOT PERFECT.
NOT THAT HE DOES IS PERFECT, BUT THE RISK THAT HE'S TAKING TO HAVE AN INNOVATIVE PLAN LIKE THIS FOR A MAJOR CORRIDOR LIKE PLANK ROAD IS TO BE COMMENDED.
I THANK TO THE CONSTITUENTS IN HERE BECAUSE YOU ALL DRIVE ROUGH PLANK ROAD, LIKE YOU DRIVE THROUGH SCENIC HIGHWAY AND HART AND BOULEVARD.
THE CATALYTIC INVESTMENT THAT WE SEE IN SOME TYPE OF A PROJECT LIKE THIS, IT'S FIRST GROWTH IN OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
COUNCIL HURST, REGARDLESS OF THE RESULT IS, I APPLAUD YOUR EFFORTS.
COPLAN ROD IN NEEDED FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PLANS, A LOT OF MASTER PLANS AROUND NORTH BATON LOUNGE IN THESE AREAS, BUT IT TAKES COURAGEOUS LEADERS LIKE ALL OF US IN THIS COUNCIL TO REALLY SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? WHAT CATHOLIC INVEST, WE'RE ABOUT TO DO TO MAKE SURE THIS COMMUNITY SEES PROGRESS FOR YEARS TO COME.
[03:15:01]
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY I AGREE WITH A WHOLE LOT OF WHAT'S BEEN SAID THIS EVENING.
COUNSELMAN HURST, I THINK YOU HUSTLE THIS ITEM BETTER THAN ANYBODY.
YOU'RE RELENTLESS IN YOUR APPROACH ON IT, AND I APPLAUD THAT.
I THINK THAT YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT ANYTHING YOU GO AFTER AND I DO APPRECIATE THAT.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS AND I'LL TELL YOU, I'M A BIG FAN OF EDDS.
I THINK EVERYTHING THAT ALL OF THE SUPPORTERS GOT UP AND SAID, I AGREE WITH ALL OF IT.
I THINK AN EDD IT'S KEEPING LOCAL DOLLARS AS LOCAL AS POSSIBLE, AND THAT'S NEVER A BAD THING.
I VIEW IT USUALLY AS A SELF IMPOSED TAX, OFTENTIMES, I CERTAINLY I SUPPORT HEAVILY WHEN AN EDD IS CREATED AT INCEPTION OF A PROJECT, THAT DOESN'T EXIST AND IT'S KIND OF AN INCENTIVE TO BRING A PROJECT BECAUSE AT THAT POINT, IT'S THE ARGUMENT IS IN MY OPINION, AN EASIER ARGUMENT, WHICH IS THE PERCENTAGE OF SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN 100% OF NOTHING TYPE OF APPROACH, YOU'VE HEARD THAT.
IN THIS CASE, YOU HAVE EXISTING BUSINESSES THAT ARE OPERATING THAT WOULD FALL UNDER THE INCREASED TAX, BUT I THINK AS YOU'VE HEARD, THE OUTREACH WAS THERE ALL OF THE BUSINESSES WERE NOTIFIED, ALL OF THE PARTIES WERE NOTIFIED.
THE PUBLIC STILL SUPPORTING IT.
LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, IF YOU CAN'T TELL, I LIKE TO GO TO CRISPY CREAM AND TONY'S JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE AND SO I CERTAINLY DON'T MIND SPENDING THE EXTRA TWO PENNIES.
I THINK THE APPROACH ON THIS AND THE INTENT AND WHAT IT TRY WHAT THE EDD IS TRYING TO DO AND NOT JUST THIS EDD, BUT BROADLY SPEAKING, I THINK I SUPPORT EDDS FOR THAT REASON BECAUSE I THINK IT'S KEEPING LOCAL DOLLARS AS LOCAL AS POSSIBLE AND IT'S SELF IMPOSED AND THE PEOPLE AND YOU'VE HEARD IT TONIGHT, THE PEOPLE BUYING INTO IT.
I DO HAVE AN ISSUE THOUGH WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THIS EDD.
WITH THE BOARD, I THINK WITH THE BOARD MAKEUP WITHOUT AN INDIVIDUAL ENTITY OR PERSON, WHETHER IT BE A DEVELOPER OR SOMETHING LIKE WE SEE OFTEN THAT IS ACTUALLY A SKIN IN THE GAME DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THAT BOARD, THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY FOR THOSE DOLLARS AND TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS DONE CORRECTLY.
I FEEL LIKE THIS BODY IS GOING TO BE LOOKED AT AS A RESPONSIBLE PARTY FOR CREATION OF.
I DON'T THINK THIS PUTS US IN A LIABLE SITUATION.
I DON'T THINK IT MAKES US LIABLE, BUT I THINK WE WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE SHOULD SOMETHING NOT BE DONE CORRECTLY OR SOMETHING GO ARY.
I HAD OTHER ISSUES AND COUNCILMAN HURST AND I TALKED THROUGH HIM.
HE REMOVED SOME THINGS THAT I DIDN'T LIKE THE AD VAROLEM TAX ORIGINALLY.
STILL DON'T LOVE THE HOTEL MOTEL, BUT THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD FOR ME, BUT I THINK THAT THE CREATION, I WOULD PREFER TO SEE THIS BODY BE THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE EDD, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS THAT ARE CREATED, OR IF NOT, THEN I WOULD PREFER YOU'VE GOT STATE MEMBERS WHO ARE WILLING TO SERVE ON THIS.
I WOULD PREFER THIS TO BE CREATED BY THE STATE.
THEN I WOULD ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THE LEVY WHEN IT COMES TO THIS BODY IF THEY CREATED BECAUSE THEN I THINK THE ACCOUNTABILITY FALLS ON THEM.
I THINK THIS IS I THINK EDDS ARE GREAT.
I THINK WHAT THIS IS TRYING TO DO IN THE INTENT BEHIND IT IS EXCELLENT.
I JUST I JUST HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF AN ISSUE WITH THE STRUCTURE AS IT'S LAID OUT FOR THE BOARD AND THE WAY IT IT'S CREATED IN THIS CASE.
>> I AGREE WITH ALL MY COLLEAGUE, I'LL AGREE WITH WHAT THE PUBLIC SAID AND EVERYTHING.
I DO AGREE THAT NORTH BATON ROUGE.
LOOK, THAT'S ONE COMMON THING THAT I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT, IT PROBABLY 80, 90% OF THE PUBLIC THAT SPOKE, THEY TALKED ABOUT AND IN THEIR COMMENTS, THEY MENTIONED NORTH BATON ROUGE.
IT WASN'T SPECIFIC TO PLANK, IT WASN'T SPECIFIC TO AIRLINE.
WE DID DISCUSS PLANK BECAUSE THIS IS A PLANK ROAD INITIATIVE,
[03:20:01]
BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE BROUGHT UP THE COMMENT ABOUT NORTH BATON ROUGE, AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, MR. CHAMBERS JUST CAME BACK IN, IF YOU COULD COME UP REAL QUICK, BECAUSE I DON'T THEY KNOW I LIKE TO USE ALL MY TIME, BUT QUICK SYNOPSIS OF WHERE IS QUICK BOUNDARIES, WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER NORTH BATON ROUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT?>> I WOULD SAY THAT APRIL HARTHORN WAS IN HERE.
SHE KNOWS THE EXACT BOUNDARIES, THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF APRIL STILL IN, BUT FLORIDA BOULEVARD DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BORDER, FLORIDA BOULEVARD DOWN TO CLOSE TO YOUR DISTRICT TO BROWNSFIELD.
>> YES, SIR. UP UNTIL BROWNFIELD.
WHEN YOU GET TO BROWNFIELD, WHICH IS RIGHT PAST THE AIRPORT.
ALL OF THOSE FOLKS WHO LIVE IN BROWNSVIEL, THOSE ARE NORTH BATON ROUGE RESIDENTS, ALL OF THOSE FOLKS WHO LIVE IN SCOTLANVILLE, SHE FORREST, ALL THE WAY TO DOWNTOWN EAST.
>> THAT FOOTPRINT IS COVERED BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR NORTH BATON ROUGE, AND THEY GET $200,000 A YEAR.
>> YOU GET $200,000 A YEAR BASED ON HOW?
>> YES, SIR. ALL OF THE HOTEL MOTELS IN THE DISTRICT.
>> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS FOR THE RECORD.
I KIND OF AGREE WITH MR. CHAMBERS ON SOME OF THESE THINGS.
WE HAVE A NORTH BATON ROUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
FOR THIS WHOLE TIME BEING ON THIS COUNCIL, I'VE HEARD ABOUT NORTH BATON ROUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THE NORTH BATON ROUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THEM IN THIS, INCLUDING THEM IN THAT, PUTTING THEM IN HERE, ADDING THEM HERE, AND SO ON.
THEY TRY AND BE A VOICE IN JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.
ON THE AIRPORT COMMISSION, THEY SPEAK AT SOME EVENTS AND ALL.
WHY WOULD WE NOT TAKE SOME OF THE SAME IDEAS, AND FOCUS ON ALL OF NORTH BATON ROUGE.
LOOK, I DIDN'T SERVE ON THE COUNCIL 20 YEARS AGO.
I DIDN'T SERVE ON THE COUNCIL 30 YEARS AGO, 10 YEARS AGO.
I CAME ON RIGHT AT SIX YEARS AGO.
I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK FOR WHAT EVERYBODY GAVE UP ON NORTH BATON ROUGE AND SO ON.
I REMEMBER GOING TO WOLCOTT AS A KID AT PLANKTON AIRLINE.
I REMEMBER GOING TO THOSE AREAS AND STUFF, SO I KNOW WHAT NORTH BATON ROUGE CAN BE, BUT THAT'S NORTH BATON ROUGE, ALL OF NORTH BATON ROUGE.
I THINK AS A PARISH, ESPECIALLY WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON NOW, THAT'S WHAT THE FOCUS NEEDS TO BE IS ALL OF NORTH BATON ROUGE AND THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS WHILE FOCUSING ON OUR INCORPORATED AREAS AND OUR MAL.
WE CAN DO BOTH. BUT LET'S IMAGINE WHAT WE COULD DO OR WHAT THE BOARD COULD DO UNDER THE COUNCIL'S GUIDANCE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IF THAT TWO CENT TAX FOR ALL THOSE BUSINESSES IN THE NORTH BATON ROUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOT THAT OTHER THAN JUST A HOTEL MOTEL TAX.
THEN YOU'RE FOCUSING ON THE WHOLE AREA.
YOU'RE CLEANING YOU'RE ENCOURAGING ALL THE NORTH BATON ROUGE COMING ACROSS THE OLD BRIDGE, NEW BRIDGE, ALL THAT AREA.
THAT'S JUST ONE THING AS FAR AS MY THOUGHTS ON EDDS.
WE HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE ALREADY.
WE'VE ALREADY HAD A PLANK ROAD INITIATIVE, WHETHER IT'S A PLANK ROAD INITIATIVE OR A PLANK ROAD EDD.
WHAT WAS THAT 10 YEARS AGO, IF SOMEBODY CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONGFUL, I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A EDD CREATED ALREADY.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY NEVER INSTITUTED ANY SALES TAX OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
I AGREE WITH SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT THE STRUCTURE OF THIS.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT EVENTUALLY THAT THE BOARD STRUCTURE WOULD TAKE OVER FULL CONTROL.
I DO KNOW WE HAVE ONE EDD THAT WE THE COUNCIL APPROVED FOR THEIR BOARD TO RUN EVERYTHING AND SO ON.
ALL THE REST ARE CONTROLLED BY THE COUNCIL AT THE MOMENT.
I KNOW THE ORIGINAL ONE STARTED OFF OF THE ONE THAT HAS THE BOARD.
THEY STARTED OFF UNDER THE COUNCIL GUIDANCE AND IT WAS ANSWERED TO THE COUNCIL, WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT AREA.
THAT WAS A BRAND NEW GROWTH AREA.
NOTHING BUT LAND. IT WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
I'M NOT TRYING TO COMPARE IT EXACTLY TO IT.
THIS IS A REDEVELOPMENT REVITALIZATION.
MY THING IS WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THIS, COULD WE AMEND THIS TO BRING THE STRUCTURE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE COUNCIL TO WHERE IF WE'RE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT AND EVERYTHING, LET'S GET THIS THING OFF THE GROUND.
CREATE ALL THE CEAS CREATE EVERYTHING CAS AND ALL AND APPROVE THAT, BUT THAT'S WHAT I WOULD NEED WITH THIS IS TO AMEND IT TO THE COUNCIL GUIDANCE.
>> FRED, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT EXPECTING ME TO CALL YOU UP.
SORRY. I WANTED TO GET WE'VE DISCUSSED ABOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
[03:25:03]
I WANT TO GET SOME CLARITY ON WHAT THE INVESTMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY COMING TO THE AREA ARE.SO THE PLANK ROAD MOVE BR ENHANCEMENTS AND ALSO THE RAPID TRANSIT.
CAN YOU JUST HIGH LEVEL WALK US THOSE INVESTMENTS ARE?
>> WELL, I DO KNOW THE FACT BECAUSE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE BEING MADE ON PLANK ROAD RIGHT NOW AND IN THAT CORRIDOR THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, FROM MY VISITATION WITH A LOT OF THE NEW BUSINESSES THERE AND ALSO SOME OF THE OLD BUSINESSES, HOW THEY'RE TRYING TO REDEVELOP THEIR SITES AND WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AND TRY TO BE MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT THE OLD BIG PLAN IS.
THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT PLANK ROAD NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED.
I USED TO LIVE ON GREENWOOD STREET, MANY YEARS AGO, WENT TO HOLLYWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH DOESN'T EVEN EXIST ANYMORE.
I AM FAMILIAR VERY WELL WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
MOST OF THE TIME THAT I VISIT WITH THE PEOPLE UP THERE WITH COUNCILMAN HERTZ ALSO.
THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT'S TAKING PLACE.
>> WE'RE GETTING ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.
>> STILL HAVING ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, SIDEWALKS.
CERTAINLY THE BUS RAPID TRANSIT LIGHTING IS ALSO, WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS FROM OCD, WORKING WITH THEIR GROUP TO TRYING TO ADD MORE LIGHTING TO THE AREA BECAUSE THAT WAS PART OF THE REAL ISSUE FROM DAY ONE THAT NOBODY FELT SAFE.
I PROMISE YOU WHEN WE FINISH UP THE LIGHTING, WHAT WE'VE DONE, SOME OTHER AREAS, YOU BETTER SEE ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE OUT THERE. THAT'S FOR SURE.
>> IS THERE SOME LANDSCAPE AND BEAUTIFICATION FUNDING INCLUDED IN THAT?
>> THERE ARE SOME AREAS THAT WE HIGHLIGHTED.
BIGGEST ISSUE WAS IN ALL HONESTY, COUNCILWOMAN, IS THAT WE ALSO HAVE TO MAINTAIN THIS, AND WE DIDN'T WANT A LOT OF GRASS AREAS BECAUSE IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN AND FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, WE WERE TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE FROM A TRAFFIC ASPORT WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET TO AND FROM, FROM A WALKABILITY AND ALSO BEING A DRIVE INTO THE AREAS.
>> THANK YOU, FRED. I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT INVESTMENT WAS ALREADY ON THE WAY. THANK YOU.
>> YES. I KNOW I KNEW IT'S TENS OF MILLIONS.
IT'S TENS OF MILLIONS. I JUST WANT TO GET SOME TECHNICAL THINGS CORRECT.
>> THE TAXING PORTION OF THIS.
TECHNICALLY, WHO LEVIES THE TAX? WILL THE COUNCIL LEVY THAT TAX OR WILL THE BOARD OF THE EDD LEVY IT?
>> AS WRITTEN, THE BOARD WOULD LEVY THE TAX.
>> THANK YOU. THEN AS WRITTEN, WHERE DO THOSE FUNDS FLOW TO?
>> WELL, THE FUNDS WOULD BASICALLY FROM THE TAX, THE TAX WOULD BE COLLECTED BY THE CITY PARISH PURSUANT TO THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT, IT WOULD THEN FLOW INTO THE EDD.
>> FUNCTIONALLY, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? THE EDD NEEDS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR? IT NEEDS A BANK ACCOUNT.
IT NEEDS A FINANCE OFFICER, SOMEONE TO WRITE CHECKS, SOMEONE TO PROCESS GRANTS.
>> CORRECT. I OFFERED THE RESPONSE, BUT MY RESPONSE WAS GOING TO BE YOU NEED A STAFF.
YOU'D HAVE EITHER A PRESIDENT CEO OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WHICHEVER TERM YOU WANT TO USE, THAT HAVE PEOPLE REPORTING TO THAT PERSON.
YOU'D HAVE OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS, ACCOUNTANTS, LAWYERS, ETC, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER AGENCY WOULD.
YOU HAVE TO ENVISION THAT WHAT THE BOARD DOES IS IT SETS POLICY, IT THEN HIRES A STAFF.
IT CREATES THE INFRASTRUCTURE, IT'S THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT BASICALLY GIVES YOU THE GAME PLAN TO GET THINGS DONE.
NOW, THE OVERSIGHT, BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS, AND IN THE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT, WHICH YOU'VE ALREADY DRAFTED, WE BASICALLY WOULD SAY SINCE IT'S A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, IT HAS TO REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR.
BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, I HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT HERE THAT BASICALLY SAID THEY NEED SOME REVIEW, ETC, SO REPORTS WOULD GO TO THEM AS WELL.
THEN AS AN ADDITIONAL REPORTING SYSTEM, THE COUNCIL WOULD GET QUARTERLY REPORTS.
YOU BASICALLY HAVE HANDS ON ABILITY TO DETECT IF THERE'S A PROBLEM.
THE OTHER THING IS THIS, YOU CREATE THE ORDINANCE.
BY CREATING THE ORDINANCE, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REPEAL THE ORDINANCE, MODIFY THE ORDINANCE.
YOU ARE APPOINTING THESE PEOPLE, AND WE DID IT THAT WAY ON PURPOSE SO THAT AS THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY, BECAUSE YOU CAN REMOVE THESE PEOPLE.
IF THEY DON'T SHOW UP FOR MEETINGS OR WHATEVER ELSE, YOU CAN THEN TAKE SOME ACTION AGAINST IT.
>> KENNEY, FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT KIND OF OVERHEAD DO YOU EXPECT THAT AN EDD LIKE THIS WOULD HAVE? YOU'VE HELPED SET THESE UP BEFORE, AN OFFICE, AND THE STAFF AND WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT?
>> PROBLEM IS THIS [OVERLAPPING] AN ED, IF YOU REALLY WENT ON A CHEAP END, YOU'RE LOOKING 80-$100,000.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING ON A HIGHER END, SOME NONPROFITS, ESPECIALLY A GREATER NUANCES AND CORPORATIVES SPENDS AS MUCH AS 500,000 A YEAR JUST ON THE TOP PERSON, BUT I THINK YOU CAN FIND PEOPLE, AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE RANGE OF 80-100,000 AND YOU HAVE SUPPORT STAFF OR WHATEVER.
[03:30:04]
I THINK PROBABLY INITIALLY, YOU COULD COME UP WITH A STAFF OF MAYBE FIVE, HALF MILLION DOLLAR, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.I THINK YOU COULD BASICALLY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WITH WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.
THAT WOULD ONLY BE MAYBE A THIRD OF THE TOTAL REVENUE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE REVENUE PER YEAR WOULD BE ABOUT 1,000,008, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, SO FIVE, 600,000 WOULD BE ABOUT A THIRD.
YOU MAY BE ABLE TO DO SOME ECONOMIES OF SCALE TYING IN WITH SOME OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, WHICH HAVE PROMISED ASSISTANCE.
YOU'VE GOT THE CAPITAL AREA FINANCE AUTHORITY, YOU'VE GOT OTHER AREAS, OTHER ENTITIES THAT HAVE AGREED TO CONTRIBUTE.
WHAT YOU CAN DO IS IN THE SHORT TERM, YOU COULD HAVE SOME BASICALLY BORROWED EXECUTIVES, IF YOU WILL, TO COME IN ON SOMEBODY ELSE'S PAYROLL, SO YOU CAN SAVE SOME COSTS THAT WAY AND THEY PROVIDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERTISE AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE TO GET THINGS GOING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.
REALLY MY CONCERN, I HAVE A DIFFERENT STRUCTURAL CONCERN.
MY CONCERN IS THAT THE POWER TO TAX IS VERY POWERFUL, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO OVERSEE PEOPLE, WHO HAVE THE POWER TO LEVY TAXES, THAT THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES DO NOT PLACE ON THEMSELVES, DO NOT VOTE ON THEMSELVES, SHOULD BE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND BE RESPONSIVE THROUGH THAT ELECTION PROCESS.
DIFFERENT WITH BRC. BECAUSE THE PEOPLE VOTE FOR THE BRC TAX.
THEN WE APPOINT THOSE COMMISSIONERS WHO OVERSEE AND ADMINISTER THE FUNDS THAT WERE VOTED ON BY THE PEOPLE.
THIS, TO ME, IS VERY DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE ARE GIVING THE POWER TO LEVY THIS TAX TO NOT AN ELECTED BOARD, BUT A SELECTED BOARD.
I JUST PHILOSOPHICALLY HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THAT.
BUT I'VE LEARNED A LOT TONIGHT, AND I UNDERSTAND THE NEED.
I KNOW EVERY ONE HERE, THEIR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
WE ARE ALL STRIVING TOGETHER TO TRY TO MAKE OUR ENTIRE PARISH GROW AND FLOURISH.
WE KNOW THAT WE WILL NOT BE THE COMMUNITY WE WANT TO BE OR THE PARISH WE WANT TO BE UNTIL EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD AND EVERY COMMUNITY IS HEALTHY AND THRIVING.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN EDD AND THANK YOU D FOR YOUR LESSON ON WHAT AN EDD IS AND ALL OF THAT.
THEN THANK ALL OF YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND COMING, AND SO HOPE THAT THIS CONTINUES.
I'VE HEARD ABOUT PRIDE AND OWNERSHIP AND MOVEMENT AND ATTENTION AND INVESTING IN THEMSELVES AND DECREASING CRIME.
ALL OF THAT IS OF UTMOST IN ANY COMMUNITY.
I'VE HEARD ABOUT THE PERCENTAGE OF POVERTY IN THAT AREA, 40.7% IN THAT LITTLE AREA THERE.
I KNOW ABOUT THE CLOSED BUSINESSES, INCLUDING THE RESTAURANTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THERE ON PLANK ROAD, MAYOR.
I KNOW ABOUT PLANK ROAD AND NORTH BATON ROUGE AND ALL OF THAT.
WHAT I AM THINKING OF THE PEOPLE.
IF YOU'VE GOT A 40.7% POVERTY, AND THERE IS NO ANCHOR IN THAT COMMUNITY, A REAL ANCHOR TO CAUSE MONEY TO BE GENERATED, THEN THAT 2% IS GOING TO BE ON THAT 40.7% POVERTY.
THE FOLKS THAT ARE SAYING, I SUPPORT, YOU CAN AFFORD THAT 2%.
WHEN YOU DO THIS, I SEE FOLK BEING DISPLACED.
THE OTHER THING IS, I THOUGHT ABOUT WHY NOT A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
[03:35:01]
THAT SHOWS THE NEED FOR HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, PARKS, SAFETY, ALL OF THIS, AS OPPOSED TO PUTTING THIS 2% ON THE PEOPLE UP THERE THAT'S ALREADY STRUGGLING.I JUST TALKED WITH SOMEONE TODAY, AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY ARE IN CONVERSATION AND THAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE SO REAL TO THE EDGE NOW THAT HER NEIGHBOR WILL BE COMING UP THERE NEAR.
BUT I'M SURE MANY OF YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.
WHY? I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT, BUT ALL I DON'T KNOW CAN MAKE ANOTHER WORLD.
BUT HERE IT IS, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS BEING DONE IN AN AREA BY DELMONT AND THAT BEING DONE IN WHAT THEY CALL THE NORTH BATON ROUGE AREA.
I HEAR A THING ABOUT CPEX DOING A REAL GOOD STUDY.
I BELIEVE CPEX DID SOMETHING WITH NORTH BATON ROUGE, NOT SURE, BUT WE'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE.
THEN WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT DOING SOMETHING OF THIS NATURE, THIS IS A REAL RESPONSIBILITY.
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SERIOUS OVERSIGHT.
YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS RUNNING THROUGH, AND THAT IS ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT.
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE RELIABLE PEOPLE DOING THIS, AND YOU'VE NOT HAD ANY EXPERIENCE WITH EDD, AND THE PERSON WHO HAS THE EXPERIENCE WITH DOING EDDS HAD NOT HAD THEIR HAND ON THIS AT ALL.
THAT IS MY CONCERN WITH ALL OF THIS, AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ATTACKS FOR THE PEOPLE UP THERE THAT'S ALREADY OPERATING IN 40.7% POVERTY.
AGAIN, IT WAS ADDRESSED ABOUT THE FOUR APPOINTEES ON THE BOARD AND THE MAYOR HAVING ONE AND OTHERS, WHATEVER.
I JUST WOULD NOT WANT THIS TO BE AN ECONOMIC DEVASTATED DISTRICT.
A COMPLETE PLAN IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE WHERE THE VIABILITY AND THE PURPOSE AND NOT DISPLACED PEOPLE, AND LOOKING AT WHAT'S UP THERE AND HOW YOU CAN GO FORWARD AND CAUSING THIS TO BE SOMETHING GOOD FOR NORTH BATON ROUGE.
>> ANYONE ELSE? COUNCILMAN HURST.
>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR PUTTING SO MUCH TIME INTO THE COMMENTARY TODAY.
I DO WANT TO ADDRESS SOME ISSUES BECAUSE I DO MY HOMEWORK.
I TALKED TO DANIEL SADOWA WITH SHOPPERS VALUE.
THE PEOPLE THAT GO TO THOSE STORES ARE 80% SNAP BENEFITS, AND IT WOULD NOT DIRECTLY AFFECT THE GROSS.
CAN YOU'LL HOLD ON A WHILE I'M TALKING, PLEASE? CAN I HAVE MY TIME BACK.
IT DOES NOT DIRECTLY AFFECT THE PEOPLE IN TERMS OF THEIR ABILITY TO BUY GROCERIES IN THAT AREA.
WHEN I TALK TO SHOPPERS VALUE, THEY SAID, HEY, WE SUPPORT IT.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE WANT TO BE A PART OF IT, BUT IT DOES NOT AFFECT OUR CUSTOMER BASE.
THE CRAZY PART IS, WE JUST PASSED A SOUTHERN EDD AND THE LSU EDD THAT TAXES THE SAME PEOPLE, AND NOBODY HAD A COMMENT TO SAY ABOUT THAT AT ALL.
THE SAME PEOPLE IN NORTH BATON ROUGE, THE SAME PEOPLE IN SOUTH BATON ROUGE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT HOW IT WOULD AFFECT THEM AND HOW THEY LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.
WE MAY SAY IT WAS A STATE EDD, AND WE ONLY LEVIED THE TAX, BUT WHAT WE TOLD THE CONSTITUENTS THAT PUT US IN OFFICE TO PROTECT AND BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE TO THIS PARISH IS THAT WE'RE OKAY WITH YOU PAYING 1%.
I WAS ONE THAT VOTED FOR BECAUSE I WAS OKAY.
BUT GUESS WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN THE LSU EDD AND THE SOUTHERN EDD AND WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.
NOT ONE PIECE OF INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO US ABOUT WHERE THAT MONEY WAS GOING, AND WE JUST PUT BLINDFOLDS ON AND SAID, YES, IT'S LSU.
GUESS WHAT? SOUTHERN GOT IT ABOUT [INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE YOU WASN'T GOING TO DO ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER. I KNOW THE BACKSTORY.
MY POINT IN TELLING YOU ALL OF THIS IS THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY,
[03:40:04]
THE SAME PEOPLE THAT WE JUST TEXTED NOW YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH DOING SOMETHING THAT DIRECTLY BENEFITS THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY IN.YOU WERE OKAY WITH GIVING LSU ONE CENT.
YOU WERE OKAY WITH GIVING SOUTHERN AS A DEFAULT ONE CENT.
NOW YOU'RE NOT OKAY WITH PUTTING TWO PENNIES ON PLANK ROLL WHEN THE PEOPLE SAID THAT THEY WERE OKAY.
IN 70805, I HAD PEOPLE THAT RODE BUSES TO THE MEETING, PEOPLE THAT WALKED TO THE MEETING.
WE HAD PEOPLE WHO LITERALLY HAD TO CATCH A RIDE TO THE MEETING BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO BE A PART OF IT, AND THEY SAID, WE NEED THIS BECAUSE THE BENEFIT IS CREATING JOBS IN THAT CORRIDOR THAT TAKES THEM OUT OF POVERTY AND NOT KEEP THEM IN POVERTY.
YOU DON'T GET THAT WITHOUT THIS INVESTMENT.
WHEN YOU HAVE FIVE GROCERY STORES, THE ENCLOSURE I SPEND IN A CIRCLE AND DETERMINE WHICH ARE YOU GOING TO WALK IN, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE NOT TO HAVE FOOD NECESSITIES, NOT BECAUSE OF MONEY, BUT BECAUSE THERE'S NOWHERE TO BUY IT.
I WANT TO BRING ANDREW TO THE MIC REAL QUICK.
I WANT YOU TO TALK ABOUT VERY QUICKLY, AND ANTHONY KING, I'M ASKING FOR YOUR OTHER FIVE MINUTES IF I RUN OUT.
BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CORTANA COURT DOING.
BY THE WAY, THE LSU EDD DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT WAS GOING, THE PRESIDENT IS ON THE BOARD.
HE GETS TO PICK FOUR OTHER BUSINESSMEN, AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.
JUST HAVE WHY THAT THE BOARD WAS MADE UP.
I'M NOT AGAINST IT. I'M JUST TELLING YOU HOW WE DON'T CARE ABOUT OVERSIGHT IN CERTAIN PLACES.
BEFORE YOU START TALKING, ONE THING, I DID GO TO BATON ROUGE, NORTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, AND I BROUGHT THEM TO A MEETING ALONG WITH BILL BATON ROUGE, BEFORE WE GOT THERE IN DECEMBER.
I DID NOT FIND THAT THEY HAD GIVEN A GRANT IN OVER TWO YEARS WITH THE MONEY THAT THEY PUT THERE AND DIDN'T HAVE THE STRUCTURE TO MANAGE THE EDD.
I FOUND DARREN PIZZOLATO WHO RUNS TONY'S $100 MILLION CORPORATION, CREATED LOUISIANA FISH FRY PRODUCTS.
SHASHONNIE STEWARD, WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, AS WELL AS DEDRICK MOORE, WHO IS ONE OF THE BEST CRIMINAL ATTORNEYS IN BATON ROUGE AND HAS EXPERIENCE WITH KNOWING WHAT HIS CLIENTS NEED TO TRANSFORM MY COMMUNITY.
THE MAYOR SENT WILL CAMPBELL, WHO'S THE PRESIDENT OF B1 BANK FOUNDATION, AND A BILL BATON ROUGE BOARD MEMBER, WHO I WOULD HOPE THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY KNOWS HOW TO REDEVELOP.
THIS IS A GREAT FACADE IMPROVEMENT. I GOT YOU.
THAT'S FINE. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CORTANA MEGA VERY QUICKLY BECAUSE IT SIMPLY MODELS THIS AS WELL AS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT. GO AHEAD.
>> SURE. ANDREW FITZGERALD OF THE GREATER BATON ROUGE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP.
I HELPED TO WORK ON THE CORTANA QUARTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT WITH COUNCILMAN DUNN.
AT THE SAME TIME WE WORKED AT THE STATE LEVEL.
THAT WAS PASSED BY THE METRO COUNCIL.
AT THE SAME TIME WE PASSED THE PLANK ROAD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AT THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE.
ONE THING THAT I THINK COUNCILMAN HURST BROUGHT UP WAS THE STRUCTURE.
2021, THIS COUNCIL, I THINK NINE OR TEN OF THE SAME MEMBERS, PASSED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY, THE CORTANA CORRIDOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
IT TAKES 1-$2 MILLION PER YEAR OF SALES TAX.
THIS BODY DOES NOT HAVE OVERSIGHT OF IT.
THIS BODY GAVE OVERSIGHT TO FIVE MEMBERS THAT WERE TWO APPOINTED BY COUNCILMAN DUNN AND THREE APPOINTED BY BILL BATON ROUGE, I BELIEVE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SAYING THAT TEN OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE APPROVED THE SAME THING. THANK YOU.
>> AGAIN, I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE 10 PEOPLE HERE, AND YOU CAN DRAG ME THROUGH THE MUD ALL YOU WANT TO.
YOU CAN SAY, EVERYBODY'S COMING AFTER YOU OR WHATEVER ELSE.
I THINK 12 PEOPLE SITTING UP HERE TONIGHT WANTS TO MAKE THIS THING WORK, AND THEY WANT TO SEE IT HAPPEN, AND THEY WANT TO SEE ALL OF NORTH BATON ROUGE GROW AND THRIVE.
YOU CAN SIT HERE AND FEED US WITH ALL THE WORDS YOU WANT TO, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE OUTCOME AS FAR AS WHAT THE FOCUS IS AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO SEE.
ONLY THING I'M ASKING FOR IS WE GET THIS THING UP AND ROLLING.
UNDER THE GUIDANCE, INSTEAD OF JUST GIVING UP STRAIGHT UP CONTROL TO THE BOARD, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM AS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE UNTIL WE NAIL OUT AND WE NAIL DOWN ALL THE SPECIFICS THAT ARE GOING TO COME TO US AFTERWARDS.
WE WORK WITH THE BOARD THAT WE CREATE BY THESE APPOINTMENTS OR WHATEVER, APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL.
THEN ONCE WE GET EVERYTHING UP AND ROLL AND SUSTAINED, WE'RE GOING, IT'S LOOKING GREAT.
WHERE'S THE MONEY GOING, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE, THIS THAT AND THE OTHER? THEN JUST LIKE WE DID WITH HARVESTON, WE TURN THAT OVER TO THEM.
I AGREE THAT AT THE COUNCIL CREATES THE ORDINANCE, WE CAN PULL THE ORDINANCE OR WHATEVER.
[03:45:03]
I ALSO FEEL AND MR. CHAMBERS, IF YOU WANT TO COME TO ME, WE'LL WORK ON SOME FOR ALL OF NORTH BATON ROUGE, WHATEVER'S LEFT THAT DOESN'T HAVE A EDD.BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK AND MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER THIS UNTIL WE CAN REWRITE THIS FOR THE TIME BEING TO CREATE THE STRUCTURE, KEEP IT UNDER THE COUNCIL, CREATE THE BOARD AS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THEN WORK TOWARDS TURNING THE WHOLE THING OVER TO THAT BOARD ONCE WE GET THE STRUCTURE UP AND GOING.
WITH THAT, I MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER THE ITEM.
>> LOOK AT DECEMBER WAS OUR LAST MEETING.
>> WE'RE NOT DOING IT ON THE LAST MEETING.
>> NO. WAIT. WE'RE MOVING TO THANKSGIVING MEETING, RIGHT?
>> THE NEXT MEETING IS NOVEMBER 25TH AND THE MEETING AFTER THAT IS.
>> COUNCILMAN 10TH IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE COULD GET REDONE IN THAT SHORT TIME, GET IT IT'S JUST DEFERRED, WE REACH THERE, WE COME BACK HERE, WE PASSED IT ON THE 25TH.
>> I ACTUALLY, WOULD POTENTIALLY SUPPORT THAT AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S AGAINST WHAT I'M LOOKING AT.
ACTUALLY, I'VE TALKED WITH ASHLEY EARLIER ABOUT CREATING ADVICE.
>> IT'S SOMETHING I WOULD CONSIDER.
I STILL WOULD DO A SUBSTITUTE MOTION FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
>> I SAID THAT I WITHDRAW MY ORIGINAL MOTION.
I DO WANT TO MAKE ONE MORE COMMENT.
I MAY ASK ANTHONY HIS TIME, BUT I'M NOT AGAINST THAT.
AGAIN, I'M VERY NICE IN MY SPEECH, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME THINGS THAT POTENTIALLY ARE NOT RUNNING RIGHT AND NEED SOME CHANGE, I WOULDN'T WANT TO PUT THIS NEW EDD.
IT'S LIKE PUTTING NEW WINE AND OLD WINE SCANS, THAT'S BIBLICAL.
THAT'S WHAT IT WOULD BE TO GO TO BRINE AT THIS POINT, WHO HAS NOT GIVEN THE FACADE GRANT OUT IN OVER TWO YEARS.
THEY HAVE SOME ROOM TO BE RESTRUCTURED AT THIS POINT.
I WOULD POTENTIALLY CONSIDER AN ADVISORY COUNCIL AS A PART OF IT.
BUT I DO WANT ALL TO KNOW THAT BILL BATON ROUGE IS A PART OF THE CEA, WOULD BE A MANAGING PARTNER OF THE EDD AND PROVIDE OVERSIGHT.
WE GIVE THEM HALF $1 MILLION A YEAR SO THAT THEY CAN LEVERAGE THE EXPERTISE TO DO WHAT WE'RE ASKING THEM TO DO RIGHT NOW.
I WOULD WANT TO SUBSTITUTE MOTION, BUT WITH THE CONTINGENCY OF THE APPROVAL OF THE CEA BY THE BOARD AND IF IT DOESN'T GET APPROVED, I'LL REPEAL THE ORDINANCE, AND I WILL GO TO AN ADVISORY COUNCIL, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CEA TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COUNCIL, WHICH WOULD HAVE SIMILAR OVERSIGHTS BECAUSE THE CEA IS IS ACTUALLY THE GOVERNING.
>> WHAT [INAUDIBLE] DURING THIS TIME WHEN WE APPROVE IT, WE WORK WITH THIS ADVISORY COUNCIL TO CREATE THAT CEA.
I'M TALKING ABOUT CREATE GOING AND CREATE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL.
CHANGE THE STRUCTURE OF THIS ORDINANCE THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN TO CREATE THE ADVISORY COUNCIL UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THIS, AND THEN WE CREATE THAT CEA, AND THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL ANYWAY.
YOU'RE GETTING WHAT YOU WANT, BUT WE'LL JUST DEFER UNTIL THE 25TH.
>> REAL QUICKLY. THE LSU AND SOUTHERN EDDS WERE NOT CITY PARISH CREATED.
THEY WERE CREATED BY THE STATE.
OUR ROLE TO THOSE EDDS IS MINISTERIAL.
THOSE ARE DIFFERENT AND IF TRUTHFULLY, IF I HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR VOTING ON LSU OR SOUTHERN CREATION OF THOSE, I'VE EVOLVED ON THIS.
I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COMFORTABLE WITH THAT WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY POTENTIALLY, IF YOU WANT TO KEEP IT THE WAY IT IS, I THINK YOU MIGHT NEED TO GO TO THE STATE BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GIVE THAT ABILITY THAT'S ABROGATING OUR RESPONSIBILITIES.
I REALLY THINK IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A TAX, BE A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, IT NEEDS TO BE BY ELECTED PEOPLE.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO JUST CORRECT.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT SENATOR FIELDS WENT TO CHARLES LANDRY AND ASKED HIM TO DRAFT THE SOUTHERN EDD, THAT THAT WAS THE IMPETUS AND WHEN THEY WERE HAVING THEIR DISCUSSIONS, MR. LANDRY SAID, I GOT IT.
SENATOR, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO.
WHY DON'T WE DO BOTH SOUTHERN AND LSU AT THE SAME TIME? THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED, INCLUDING MR. LANDRY AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE THOSE TWO EDS CAME TO BE. THANK YOU.
[03:50:07]
I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK TONIGHT, BUT WHEN I GOT MY FACE CLAPPED AND ALL THOSE SORTS OF THINGS AND PEOPLE STARTED ROLLING THEIR EYES, I FIGURED, YOU KNOW WHAT? NOW IT'S MY TIME.
TIME TO SHINE. I LIKE TO GET ANGRY SOMETIMES. I LOVE AN EDD.
IF I COULD TAKE OUT MY LITTLE PURPLE PIN AND DRAW ONE ALL THE WAY AROUND DISTRICT 12 TO KEEP ALL MY DOLLARS THERE, I ABSOLUTELY WOULD.
BUT THAT WOULD TAKE A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.
WHAT I'VE SEEN AND HEARD HERE TONIGHT IS THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WANT CHANGE IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.
THAT WAS AN EXCELLENT QUESTION, LAURA'S ABOUT ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT ARE COMING TO NORTH BATON ROUGE, ALL THE DEVELOPMENT.
WHENEVER YOU TAKE THAT NOT IN A VACUUM AND YOU UNDERSTAND THAT CHANGE IS COMING, IT IS MOVING FORWARD, THEN WHAT WE ARE LEFT WITH IS AN EDD THAT ONLY COLLECTS $1.83 MILLION A YEAR AND THEN YOU TAKE AWAY THE 500 THE $600,000 THAT ARE GOING TO BE HANDED OVER TO LAWYERS AND POLITICIANS TO BE ABLE TO RUN THAT EDD, THEN YOU'RE NOT LEFT WITH VERY MUCH AT ALL.
I CAN PERSONALLY STATE THAT BASED UPON WHAT I'VE HEARD IN THE PICTURES AND PROJECTIONS THAT I SEE, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE TAKING PUBLIC DOLLARS TO MAKE PRIVATE BUSINESSES LOOK REALLY NICE.
BUT ULTIMATELY, I DON'T THINK THAT THE TAXPAYERS SHOULD BE FUNDING THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY ECONOMICALLY SUPPRESSED OR OPPRESSED.
YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE THEIR DOLLARS TO RENOVATE BUILDINGS IN A PARTICULAR AREA.
THERE ARE GRANTS, THERE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS.
THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT ARE GOING TO THIS AREA AS FRED STATED.
WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT EDDS AND WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE, WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC DRIVER? COUNCILMAN DUNN DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF FINDING AMAZON, AND THAT WAS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER THAT DID NOT TAKE THE MONEY FROM THE PEOPLE TO MAKE THE EDD.
IT WENT OUT TO THE AREA AND GAVE THE MONEY TO THE PEOPLE TO HAVE GROCERY STORES, TO HAVE IMPROVEMENTS.
HERE, THE ECONOMIC DRIVER IS TONY SEAFOOD.
SOUTHERN IS THE ECONOMIC DRIVER TO SUPPORT THE EDDS.
HERE, WE DON'T HAVE AN DRIVER.
IF COUNCILMAN HERTZ GOES AND FINDS ONE, I'LL GLADLY SUPPORT THE EDD, BUT I DON'T THINK THE DRIVER SHOULD BE A STORE OR A RESTAURANT, A GROCERY STORE, AND THAT'S THE SOLE ECONOMIC DRIVER.
I DON'T THINK THAT THE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY AND NOT HAVE THE DRIVER THERE TO SUPPORT THIS EDD.
BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, WHAT HAPPENS IS THE MONEY IS SO SMALL.
IT'S NOT GOING TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AFTER YOU SPEND THE $500,000-600,000.
LOOK, AND HOW DO I KNOW? BECAUSE I HAVE $1 MILLION WORTH OF NEW PR DOLLARS THAT I WAS GIVEN TO BY MR. FRED RAYFORD, AND HE TOLD ME, GO FIND THINGS IN YOUR DISTRICTS.
AFTER A CROSSWALK AND STREET SIGNS, GUESS HOW MUCH I HAVE LEFT? NOTHING. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
UNTIL WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT INCREASES THAT REVENUE THAT COMES IN EVERY SINGLE YEAR, I THINK WE'RE JUST TAKING MONEY FROM THE PEOPLE, AND IT'S NOT A GREAT IDEA.
MY ANSWER TO THIS IS MAYBE NOT RIGHT NOW.
MAYBE LATER, MAYBE WITH SOME MORE WORK WHERE WE ALL COME TOGETHER AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS, HAVE AN ECONOMIC DRIVER WHERE WE CAN SHOW SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT RATHER THAN JUST PIECEMEAL IMPROVEMENT.
>> THANK YOU. I ACTUALLY DIDN'T PLAN ON SPEAKING TONIGHT EITHER, BUT SINCE THE CORTANA COURT OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT WAS MENTIONED, I FEEL RESPONSIBLE TO TALK ABOUT THE SIMILARITIES TO THIS DISTRICT AND THE DIFFERENCES.
FIRST OF ALL, AS WE WERE WORKING TO ATTRACT AND RECRUIT AMAZON HERE, NOT ONLY MYSELF, OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, WE WANTED TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT INVESTMENT AND CREATE A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
THE FIRST SOURCE OF THE CREATION WAS THE STATE THAT WAS THE DESIRE TO CREATE IT AT THE STATE LEVEL.
BUT DUE TO TIME RESTRAINTS AND THE CONSTRUCTION, BLUEPRINT OR PLAN OF THE BUILDING OF THE FACILITY, AND IT COMING ONLINE, IT WAS SMARTER AND FASTER FOR US TO GET IT LOCALLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE INCENTIVES AND TAXES THAT WOULD BE CREATED FROM THAT CONSTRUCTION SO WE DECIDED TO DO IT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, BUT THE DESIRE WAS TO DO IT AT THE STATE LEVEL.
IT WASN'T OUR DESIRE ORIGINALLY TO CREATE IT HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
SECONDLY, AS COUNCILWOMAN RACCA MENTIONED, THE DIFFERENCE WITH THE CORTANA CORRIDOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IS THERE IS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER.
I THINK WE NEED TO CAUTION OURSELVES AND MAKE SURE WE
[03:55:04]
LOOK TO SEE WHAT THAT IMPACT IS WHEN THERE'S NOT AN ECONOMIC DRIVE.I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
AMAZON CREATED 1,900-2,500 JOBS.
ALL THOSE PEOPLE BUYING GROCERIES, GAS, FOOD, CAR WASHES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE THERE THAT ARE EXISTING, THEY CAPITALIZE OFF THAT NEW FOOT TRAFFIC, THAT NEW CUSTOMER BASE, THAT ADDITIONAL REVENUE STREAM.
THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE ADDITIONAL TWO CENT BECAUSE IT WAS OVER AND BEYOND WHAT THEY WERE MAKING FROM THE NEW BUSINESS.
THE QUESTION IS, AND I WOULD TASK COUNCILMAN HERTZ TO LOOK AT WHAT THAT IMPACT IS IF YOU DON'T HAVE A MAJOR ECONOMIC DRIVER AND WHAT STRAIN THAT MAY PUT ON THE TAXING BASE.
LET'S LOOK AT THAT. THE SECOND THING IS WHEN WE CREATED THE CORTANA CORRIDOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, ON THE FRONT END, WE KNEW WHERE THOSE INVESTMENTS WERE GOING.
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS AND FACADE INVESTMENTS ON THE FLORIDA CORRIDOR TO THE TUNE OF OVER $1 MILLION, AND TO THE TUNE OF A MINIMUM OF A HALF $1 MILLION GOING INTO THE CREATION OF THE DISTRICT 6 COMMUNITY CENTER.
WE OUTLINED THOSE PRIORITIES ON THE FRONT END, YOU KNEW EXACTLY WHERE THOSE DOLLARS WERE GOING.
THE OTHER THING, THE BOARD MAKEUP OF THE CORTANA CORRIDOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, DISTRICT 6 HAS TWO APPOINTEES.
THE REST OF THEM GO TO BILL BATON ROUGE, WHO IS THE OPERATOR AND THE ORGANIZER OF EVERYTHING CORTANA CORRIDOR AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
THE DISTRICT DON'T HAVE THREE APPOINTMENTS YOU DON'T HAVE FOUR APPOINTMENTS SO THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENCES.
THERE ARE SOME SIMILARITIES THAT THIS BODY DID VOTE FOR IT.
IT IS A LOCAL LED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT, THAT'S ABOUT IT.
I THINK HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB IN DOING IT.
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME RECOMMENDATIONS MADE, WHICH HE'S RECEIVED AND CHANGED AND MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS.
I THINK IF I WAS DOING IT, THERE WILL BE SOME MORE ADJUSTMENTS I WILL MAKE.
I SUPPORTED WHEN HE MOVED FORWARD.
BUT IT'S SIMILAR BUT NOT THE SAME AS THE CORTANA CORRIDOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
>> I WANTED TO GET JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARIFICATION AND COUNCILMAN DUNN, MAY BE ABLE TO ANSWER THIS, BUT IF NOT, ANDREW, MY RECOLLECTION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE CORTANA CORRIDOR DISTRICT WAS THAT WE DIDN'T LEVY THE ADDITIONAL $0.02 IT WAS JUST AN EDD ON THE GROWTH BASED ON CORTANA.
IS THAT HOW YOU RECALL IT OR ANDREW, IF YOU WANT TO COME UP?
>> SURE. ANDREW AGAIN, YOU'RE CORRECT EARLIER YOU MENTIONED ME, THERE'S A BASELINE SET WHERE X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS WERE COLLECTED AT HOME DEPOT AND LOWE'S AND ALL THAT HERE.
GOING FORWARD FOR THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD OF THE DISTRICT BEING IN EFFECT.
THE DELTA EVERYTHING ABOVE THAT, LET'S SAY IT WAS $1 MILLION BASELINE BETWEEN ONE MILLION UP WOULD GO TOWARDS THE DISTRICT.
IT'S BEEN ABOUT 900,000 TO $2 MILLION PER YEAR, I THINK, AND I THINK 2026 IS GOING TO BE THE LAST YEAR OF THAT.
BUT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT CITY PARISH STAYS THE SAME FOR GENERAL FUND BUT AT THE SAME TIME, ANY NEW REVENUES FOR A YEAR OR TWO COMING OUT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF AMAZON AFTER THE INCREASED TRAFFIC, THAT THE DISTRICT CAPTURES THAT AND THEN THERE'S A TWILIGHT AT THE END AND ENGINE 2026.
>> I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR TWO REASONS.
ONE, WE DON'T GIVE UP OUR ABILITY TO LEVY THE TAX, WHICH IS A FUNDAMENTAL CONCERN OF A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE.
BUT TWO, IT'S CLEAR IN THAT INSTANCE THAT THE CABELA TEST IS SATISFIED BECAUSE YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE GROWTH.
IT'S BASED ON THE GROWTH OF SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY THERE.
YOU MAY NOT HAVE THIS STAT SPECIFICALLY, BUT I THINK I PROBABLY VOTED AGAINST THAT.
>> [LAUGHTER] I DO REMEMBER MS. BAINE SAID YOU WERE APPLYING THE OINTMENT THAT DAY. I THINK THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
>> LOOK, THOSE WERE PARTICULAR CONCERNS OF MINE AROUND THE BOARD STRUCTURE AND AROUND SOME OF THE USES OF THE EDD.
SIMILARLY ON THIS ISSUE, I HAVE CONCERNS AROUND THE BOARD STRUCTURE AND THE USES OF THE EDD.
I DON'T THINK THEY'RE INSURMOUNTABLE.
I THINK THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THAT WE COULD WORK ON THEM AND DO SOMETHING THERE.
WE TALK ABOUT PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS, WE GOT TO BE CAREFUL. THANK YOU.
>> REAL QUICKLY. FOR THE SPEED OF DEFERRAL COUNCILMAN, WHAT WAS THE IDEA TO DEFERRAL, IF THE DEFERRAL ENTAIL, IF THERE'S ADVISORY BOARD? RESTATE THOSE DETAILS VERY QUICKLY.
>> WELL, MANY YEARS AGO, THERE WAS JUST ONE TIME.
I KNOW DARRELL WILL TAKE UP YOUR WHOLE FIVE MINUTES ANSWER THE QUESTION, SO I WAS GOING TO I'M A REST EIGHT TIME.
I'M SURE I COULD FILL IT ALL, BUT IN REALLY GENERAL, WHAT WE'RE CREATING HERE IS CREATE THE EDD,
[04:00:03]
THE BOARD THAT YOU CREATE NOW IN THIS ORDINANCE, THEY GOT IT.THEIR CONTROL. YES, WE CREATE IT, WE CAN PULL IT, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.
WHAT I'M RECOMMENDING IS DEFERRAL, REWRITE IT TO WHERE THE SAME STRUCTURE OF PICKING MEMBERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
UNDER THE GUISE OF THE COUNCIL UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT IT'S UP AND RUNNING, ALL THE AGREEMENTS ARE MADE, HOW EVERYTHING'S GOING TO STRUCTURE WORK AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
THE ADVISORY BOARD CAN DO ALL THAT, CREATE ALL THAT.
THEY BRING IT TO US, WE LIKE IT, WE APPROVE IT, AND SO ON.
THEN JUST LIKE HARVEST-ON, WAS TWO YEARS, THREE YEARS LATER, WE CAN TURN IT OVER TO THAT BOARD COMPLETELY IF EVERYTHING'S WORKING OUT.
THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO.
I THINK IT WOULD SATISFY MOST PEOPLE THAT ARE ON DEFENSE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE BIG THING'S BEEN STRUCTURED.
I AGREE WITH COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS ABOUT THE TAXING PART.
IF THEY'RE GOING TO CREATE A TAX IN THERE, THAT NEEDS TO COME TO US, AND THEN WE APPROVE IT, AND THEN THE BOARD CAN TAKE OVER.
>> DOCTOR, I JUST WANTED THAT FOR CLARIFICATION. COUNCILMAN HARRIS.
COUNCILMAN HARRIS, REAL QUICKLY, IF YOU WANT TO USE REST OF MY TIME.
GOOD. I WANT TO SAY THAT, LOOK, WE DID LOOK AT A BASELINE.
BUT WITH THE CITY PARISH RUNNING A $21 MILLION DEFICIT AND GOING UP TO THRIVE, DO YOU WANT TO REDIRECT ANY TAXES? NO. LSC DIDN'T LOOK AT A BASELINE.
THEY ADDED ONE PENNY BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD THE FINANCIAL STATE OF THE CITY PARISH IS IN.
I'M NOT REINVENTING THE WHEEL HERE.
CARTINA IS ONLY YIELDING $2 MILLION.
WE'RE TALKING ESTIMATED 1.83, WHICH COULD BE 2 MILLION NEXT YEAR.
THE BOARD DOES NOT TAKE HALF $1 MILLION DOLLAR, BECAUSE BRENES BOARD PAYS $130,000.
THAT WILL BE WAY LESS THAN 1.83 MILLION, WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR MORE MONEY TO GO DIRECTLY INTO THE PROJECT.
I HEARD COUNSEL IN MOROCCA I HEAR IT AND ECONOMIC DRIVERS.
YOU CAN SAY ALL OF THAT WHEN YOU HAVE PERKINS ROAD AND UNCLE ERLES, AND YOU HAVE TRADER JOE'S IN YOUR DISTRICT, AND YOU HAVE HOUSEHOLD MEDIAN INCOMES THAT ARE STONETROW FROM LSU AND THE LAKES AND ALL THESE OTHER PLACES.
YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THAT WHEN IT'S MILLION DOLLAR HOUSES.
IT'S HARD TO SAY THAT WHEN THE HOUSEHOLD MEDIAN INCOME IS 2600301, NOBODY WANTS TO PLAN AN ECONOMIC DRIVER THERE AND THE MARKET IS ALREADY SATURATED.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH EXISTING BUILDINGS? THEY HAVE TO BE BULLDOZED AND HAVE ENOUGH LAND TO CREATE THAT ECONOMY.
WHO'S GOING TO GO BOOT THOSE PLAYING ROW? WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY RIGHT NOW TO TEAR DOWN THE BLIGHTON CITY OF BAT RULE.
WE WE GOT TO DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF PARIS WE WANT.
AGAIN, LIKE I SAID, BREEDS PAYROLL IS $130,000.
LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S 80,000 FOR THE DIRECTOR 50,000 FOR THE ASSISTANT.
EVERYTHING ELSE IS OUTSOURCED AS A PART OF WHAT THEY DO.
EVERY SAME THING WITH THE COTA BOARD THEY'RE ONLY MAKING 2 MILLION, THEN THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
I DON'T SEE HOW IF $2 MILLION FOR FACADE 500,000 IS GOING TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH ONLY LEAVES 1.5 MILLION, WHICH IS LESS THAN MY 1.83.
I MEAN, STUFF TO PAY FOR BOARD PRESIDENT, CHAIR AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
I DON'T SEE HOW IT'S ANY DIFFERENT.
IT'S ACTUALLY LESS MONEY THAT GOES TOWARDS THE FACADE AND SIGNAGE IMPROVEMENT FOR THE DISTRICT.
DET CAN YOU COME UP HERE REALLY QUICKLY? REALLY QUICKLY.
BECAUSE I WANT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT WHY BECAUSE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REVIVED NORTH BAND ROUGE.
WALKS WILL BRING 50 JOBS, AT&T, 20 TO 30 JOBS, SOUTHERN CLASSIC CHICKEN, ANOTHER 20 JOBS.
NO IT'S NOT AMAZON WITH 1,900, BUT PUTTING 200 JOBS ON PLANK ROAD GOES A LONG WAY.
CAN YOU TELL THEM WHY WE CHOSE PLANK ROAD AND NOT NORTH PAD ROUGE BECAUSE I ACTUALLY BROUGHT THAT I DID TO IT.
IT WAS DID THAT CHANGED IT. THANK YOU.
>> AT DETRA DECKS ROBERT PRESIDENT CEO FOR BILL EAST BADOGE PARISH.
COUNCILMAN HARRIS AND I HAD A CONVERSATION AROUND THE WORK THAT WE WERE STRATEGICALLY TARGETING FOR PLANK ROAD, TALKING ABOUT THE PREVIOUS IMAGINED PLANK ROAD PLAN THAT BILL BA ROUGE HAD LAUNCHED ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, NOW WE'RE ON THE TAIL END OF THAT.
WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT NORTH BAND ROUGE AND TALKING ABOUT PLANK ROAD AND HIS DISTRICT, IN PARTICULAR, THE CONVERSATION CAME UP WELL, IS IT ALL OF NORTH BAND ROUGE OR IS IT JUST PLANK ROAD? IS IT A PARTICULAR AREA.
IF YOU SAY NORTH BAND ROUGE, AS WE LEARNED TONIGHT, AND SOME OF US ALREADY KNEW, IT'S A VERY LARGE AND ENCOMPASSING AREA.
BUT IT IS AN AREA WITH A FOOTPRINT OF MANY COMMUNITIES WITHIN THAT FOOTPRINT OF NORTH BATON ROUGE OR WHAT'S CALLED NORTH BAND ROUGE AND HOW THOSE BOUNDARIES ARE DEFINED NOW.
IN TALKING WITH COUNCILMAN HARRIS, I DID SAY I THOUGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE REVISED PLANK ROAD TO BE TARGETED TO BE SPECIFIC FOR THAT COMMUNITY WITHIN THE FOOTPRINT OF NORTH BATON ROUGE.
THANK YOU, MISS DEER. YOU'RE WELCOME. COUNCILMAN HARRIS.
>> FINALLY. COUNCILMAN HARRIS,
[04:05:04]
I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ON YOUR HARD WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE.YOU REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT THIS PROPOSITION THAT YOU WERE WORKING ON AT THE TIME.
YOU AND I NEVER OFFICIALLY SAT DOWN TO DISCUSS THIS.
I HAD SOME UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS AND DID SOME RESEARCH ABOUT IT AS WELL.
I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON HERE.
BUT WHAT STANDS OUT MOST TO ME WITH THIS NEW PROJECT, THIS NEW INITIATIVE, IS THE BOARD STRUCTURE.
NOT ONLY THE BOARD STRUCTURE, BUT ALSO THE ECONOMIC DRIVER WITH THIS NEW INITIATIVE.
WHAT WILL BE THE ECONOMIC DRIVER IN THIS? CAN YOU IF YOU DON'T MIND SHARING THAT WITH ME, PLEASE?
>> LIKE I JUST SAID, I JUST GOT A TEXT FROM BRANDON LANDRY ABOUT MEETING TOMORROW, ABOUT WALK ONS COMING TO THE CORRIDOR.
CAN ANYBODY TELL ME THE LAND WHERE WE CAN PUT AN AMAZON BUILDING OVER THERE? CAN ANYBODY TALK ABOUT PLAN ROAD, JUST THE SPACE THAT'S AVAILABLE? THERE IS NONE.
IT'S EITHER AN OPERATING BUILDING OR BLIGHT.
THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE. IN ORDER TO GET AN ECONOMIC DRIVER, IT'S GOING TO BE THE SMALL BUSINESSES.
IT'S USING THIS AS A CATALYTIC PROJECT THAT BRINGS A SMALL BUSINESS THAT CREATES THE JOBS THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN THEN COME BE A PART OF.
IF IT'S TEN BUSINESSES THAT CREATE 200 JOBS, AND THAT'S IT.
I'M OKAY WITH THAT BECAUSE THAT'S 200 JOBS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF AN AREA THAT HAS TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.
YOU SAID IS THE HOUSEHOLDER INCOME.
IT'S NOT ONE LARGE ECONOMIC DRIVER.
BUT IT'S MANY SMALL ECONOMIC DRIVERS THAT CREATE BUSINESSES THAT HIRE TEN TO 15 PEOPLE AND CREATE RETAIL AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT DON'T CURRENTLY EXIST.
>> WALKON, YOU'RE MEETING WITH THEM TOMORROW, IS WALKON GUARANTEEING YOU THAT THEY WILL BE IN DELMONT VILLAGE.
>> IN THIS IN THIS EVERYBODY THAT I'VE TALKED TO HAS BEEN CONTINGENT UPON APP APPROVAL OF THE EDD, IT'S BEEN CONTINGENT UPON THE APPROVAL.
THEY HAVE TO KNOW IF YOU SAW THE E MAIL THAT I JUST SENT YOU THE GUY, ANDREW MARCUS FROM NEW ORLEANS THAT OWNS A LARGE PROPERTY.
HE SAID, WE'RE EXCITED TO INVEST.
IT SEEMS THAT THE COMMUNITY IS EXCITED.
I DIDN'T ASK HIM TO SEND IT. HE JUST SENT IT SO I THOUGHT I FORWARDED TO YOU.
THESE BUSINESS LANDOWNERS WILL MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN THEIR OWN PROPERTY WHEN WE START BECAUSE I'M GOING TO STEAL CHRIS MYERS WORDS.
PUBLIC INVESTMENT LEASED TO PRIVATE INVESTMENT.
NOBODY'S COMING TO NORTH BEDE WITH A CAP TO SAVE US HE DIDN'T SAY THAT PART I DID.
WE HAVE TO SAVE OURSELVES, AND IT'S THROUGH ECONOMIC GROWTH OF SMALL BUSINESSES IN THAT COMMUNITY, NOT ONE LARGE ECONOMIC DRIVER.
THE ANSWER IS, HIGHLY CONSIDERED HE WOULD HAVE TO DO LAND NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FILE FAMILY AND HE'S NOT GOING TO COME IF THE REST OF THE BUSINESSES OUT THERE ARE NOT BEING APPROVED.
THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE, IF THEY DON'T GET APPROVED, HE DOESN'T COME.
>> ALSO, YOU MADE A STATEMENT EARLIER THAT AN EDD FOR SOUTHERN AND LSU WAS CREATED BY THE COUNCIL, AND COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS CLEARED THAT UP.
WHY DIDN'T YOU STATE THAT SPECIFICALLY THAT THOSE WERE CREATED BY THE STATE?
>> WHAT I SAID WAS IS THAT THE EDD WAS CREATED BY THE STATE, BUT THE TAX WAS LEVIED BY THE COUNCIL.
WHICH IS WHAT WE APPROVED A MONTH AGO.
WE HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR CONSTITUENTS TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT DIRECTLY PROVIDE THE ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT THEY NEED THAT PASS THE CABELA'S TEST.
I GOT TO ASK ALL, WHAT'S THE CABELA'S TEST FOR LSU BECAUSE WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THE MONEY'S GOING.
>> WHO'S ALL ARE YOU SPEAKING TO? THE COUNSEL.
I'M ASKING THE COUNSEL. SPEAKING YOU AND I ARE DOING THIS?
>> WHAT'S THE I'M ASKING YOU WHAT WAS THE ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE LSU EDD, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT STATE ONE PLACE WHERE THE MONEY WAS GOING IN TERMS OF PASSING THE CABELA'S TEST OF WHERE THE MONEY WOULD GOING TO BE IMPROVED.
OR SO THAT I'M ASKING. WE DID APPROVE THE LEG OF THE TEXT.
>> COUNCILMAN. I THINK I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN MOK.
I THINK HIS WHAT HE HAS PROPOSED, I THINK WE NEED TO GO WITH THAT, DEFER IT, COME BACK TO THE TABLE, MAKE THOSE CHANGES, CONSIDER MAKING THOSE CHANGES, AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. I DON'T DISAGREE.
I DO PLAN ON MAKING THOSE CHANGES.
I JUST I WAS JUST CLEARING THAT UP THAT THERE WAS NO CABELA'S TEST CONVERSATION ABOUT LIVING A TAX FOR THOSE TWO DISTRICTS.
[04:10:01]
>> YES. AGAIN, I WANT TO COMMEND COUNCILMAN HURST FOR HIS EFFORTS.
I WOULD I WOULD CHALLENGE HIM TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT THE ECONOMIC DRIVER.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHETHER YOU LOOK AT AMAZON AND WHAT WE WAS ABLE TO DO WITH IT AS A ECONOMIC DRIVER AND PULL THOSE RESOURCES FROM THAT CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT TO HELP AND INVEST IN OUR CITY IN OUR DISTRICT.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WORK THAT COUNCILMAN ROCK AND I DID WITH THE FRANCHISE FEE ON ENERGY AND MAKING SURE THAT THAT ENTITY PAID ITS FAIR SHARE FOR DOING BUSINESS IN OUR CITY AND IN OUR PARISH AND THE RESOURCES THAT THAT WAS ABLE TO CREATE I WOULD TELL YOU, MAYBE NOT ON PLANK ROAD, BUT AS YOU KNOW SCENIC HIGHWAY RUNS VERY PARALLEL TO PLANK ROAD.
YOU HAVE THE POWER AND THE ABILITY TO DRAW THE LINES OF THE DISTRICT.
I THINK THERE IS AN EXISTING ECONOMIC DRIVER.
THERE'S AN INDUSTRIAL CORD OR END OFF BOUND ROUGE.
I THINK YOU GUYS, WE GOT TO LOOK SERIOUSLY AND TALK SERIOUSLY ABOUT LOOKING AT BUSINESS IN INDUSTRY.
I KNOW THE BRACK AND BRAF PEOPLE OVER THERE PROBABLY CRINGING.
BUT WE'RE COMFORTABLE WITH SENDING THESE TAXES AND MILLAGES TO THE PUBLIC AND ASKING THE PUBLIC AND THE PEOPLE TO PAY MORE.
BUT WE GOT BUSINESS IN INDUSTRY HERE THAT'S MAKING BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
AGAIN, I WOULD CHALLENGE YOU TO LOOK AT THE SCENIC WAY CORRIDOR, AND THERE ARE ECONOMIC DRIVERS THERE.
I THINK THE BENEFIT OF AN ECONOMIC DRIVER, IT MOTIVATES ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT.
IT GIVES THOSE EXISTING BUSINESS, MORE FOOT TRAFFIC, MORE ABILITY TO MAKE MORE MONEY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE CORTANA CORRIDOR TO FLORIDA CORRIDOR, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, AFTER AMAZON, AFTER THE CREATION OF THE CARTA CORRIDOR, WE'VE ATTRACTED NOT ONE GROCERY STORE, WE'VE ATTRACTED TWO.
WE'VE ATTRACTED TROPICAL CAFE.
WE'VE ATTRACTED NOT ONE BUT TWO CAR WASHES EAST AND WEST OF THE FACILITY.
WE RAISING CRANES HAVE EXPANDED HIS FOOTPRINT.
MOVE YOUR BODY YOGA HAS COME TO NORTHBOUND RIDGE NORTH OF FLORIDA.
I'VE NEVER THOUGHT A YOGA STUDIO WOULD COME.
YOU LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS CREATED THE INDIRECT JOBS AWAY FROM THE 1,900 TO 2,500, BUT THE DRAW WAS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE ECONOMIC DRIVER BEING A PART OF THE PLAN. SURE.
>> OUR SITUATION AGAIN, IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT AND EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT SEE IT, WE ARE LANDLOCKED.
SON MOBILE HAS PURCHASED ALL OF THE BUILDINGS AND HOUSING IN FRONT OF IT TO CREATE AN EXPLOSION BUFFER ZONE WHICH CANNOT BE BUILT ON, WHICH IS THE ONLY GREEN SPACE THAT'S IN THE CORRIDOR.
TO BE TRANSPARENT, WE DON'T NECESSARILY NEED AN ECONOMIC DRIVER. WE HAVE SOUTHERN.
WE HAVE EXXON MOBIL THAT HAS THE EMPLOYEES WITH NOWHERE TO EAT AND BUY RETAIL.
WE HAVE BRCC THAT HAS 1,300 EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS EVERY DAY WITH NOWHERE TO GO.
THE ECONOMIC DRIVERS ARE ALREADY THERE, THE RESOURCES ARE NOT.
>> BUT LET ME INTERJECT AND WHAT I'M TELLING YOU TO LOOK AT A ECONOMIC DRIVER FROM A STANDPOINT OF DRAWING THEM IN THE DISTRICT SO THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE DISTRICT, NOT JUST THE MOM AND POP GROCERY STORES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, NOT JUST THE TOONIES OF THE WORLD.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS IS GENERATING MILLIONS AND BILLIONS AND TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
YOU CAN DRAW THEM IN THE DISTRICT.
I'M NOT SAYING NEW LAND OR NEW DEVELOPMENT.
YOU CAN DRAW THEM IN THE DISTRICT.
ALSO, THEY'RE COMING TO US FOR TEPS ALL THE TIME WITH EXPANSIONS IN THEIR CURRENT FOOTPRINT.
THEY'RE BUILDING THESE STRUCTURES SOMEWHERE.
THEY HAVE SOME LAND TO BUILD THESE ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
WE CAN TALK OFFLINE, BUT I THINK YOU NEED TO RETHINK THE ECONOMIC DRIVER PIECE.
>> COUNCILMAN HARRIS WITHDREW HIS ORIGINAL MOTION.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN.
>> LET ME USE 30 SECONDS OF THIS TIME. TO BRACK AND BREATH.
COUNCILMAN HARRIS MADE A COMMENT ABOUT PARTNERSHIP AND RUNNING IN CONTROL.
THIS IS NOT A DISBELIEF IN WHAT Y'ALL CAN DO AND WHAT ALL CAN ACCOMPLISH IN HELPING OUT WITH THIS.
I KNOW MYSELF, I WOULD HOPE I CAN SAY FOR THE COUNSEL.
WE TRUST ALL'S GUIDANCE AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INPUT AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WORRIED ABOUT ALL FINALLY GETTING CONTROL OR WHATEVER ELSE.
TO ME, IT'S ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND SETTING THE GUIDELINES AND RULES AND EVERYTHING TO NOT ONLY ASSIST US, ALL ASSISTING US, BUT US ASSISTING ALL IN GETTING THIS ON THE GROUND OFF THE GROUND. THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE] FOR A DEFERRAL UNTIL THE 25TH? DID DID YOU SECOND THAT MOTION? PREVIOUSLY. DID WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION TO THE MOTION TO DEFER TO THE 25TH?
[04:15:03]
MOTION CARRIES. GO TO YOUR SEPARATE CHIEF FOR ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.[ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ]
>> ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER INTRODUCTION, A AND B, ADJUDICATED PROPERTY LOT 66 AND 67, METRO COUNSEL DISTRICT TWO KENNEY, BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY, B, AUTHORIZING METROPOLITAN COUNSEL TO DECLARE LOT 62 FIELD CREST SUBDIVISION, MUNICIPAL ADDRESS 3048 VOSS DRIVE, BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA 7805 A SURPLUS PROPERTY AND NOT NEEDED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, AND AUTHORIZED AND SALE OF THE SAME PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED 34712 UNTO ERIC JAMES JUNIOR AND DARREN DENB FOR THE SUM OF $8,000 BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY.
I NEED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES TO ALLOW THE ITEMS TO BE INTRODUCED. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODAY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MAMAROSA.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? SEEING NO, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VOTE ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? NOW WE NEED A MOTION TO INTRODUCE THE ITEMS. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODAY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MAMAROSA.
ANY OPPOSITION TO INTRODUCING ITEMS A AND B? MOTION CARRIES.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER, EMERGENCY ITEM C, DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING PHILIP JORDAN, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2025.
THE CURRENT BALLOT IS THE REAPPOINTMENT OF PHILIP JORDAN.
NEED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MAMAROSA.
CAN I HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? I SEE NONE, WE HAVE A MOTION AND WAIVE THE RULES.
ANYBODY OBJECT ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES? NOW I'M GOING TO CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM? THEN NOW WILL GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE ITEM, MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODAY.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
APPOINTMENTS. WE CAN TAKE 88 AND 89 TOGETHER,
[Items 88 &89]
BADGE FILM COMMISSION CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING LAURI ADAMS ON THE BANG FILM COMMISSION WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2025, IS A FOUR-YEAR TERM, MUST BE A COUNSEL MEMBER, CURRENT BALLOT LAURI ADAMS REQUESTING REAPPOINTMENT, 89 BADGE FILM COMMISSION CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING BRAND AND NO ON THE BANE FILM COMMISSIONS TERM EXPIRES DECEMBER 31ST, 2025.IT IS A FOUR-YEAR TERM. MUST BE A COUNSEL MEMBER, BRAND, AND REQUESTING REAPPOINTMENT.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? THE KNOW AND GO TO COUNSEL.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN MAMAROSA.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
ITEM 90, VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT DISTRICT THREE, BROWNFIELD,
[90. 25-01472]
CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING DONALD WITHERSPOON, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2025, A TWO-YEAR TERM, CURRENT BALLOT, DONALD WITHERSPOON, REQUESTING REAPPOINTMENT.ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, GO TO COUNSEL.
WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MAMAROSA, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES 91 AND 92 TOGETHER.
[Items 91 & 92]
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE DISTRICT 8 PRIDE, CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTMENT OR REPLACING PIERRE RESAN, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON NOVEMBER 26TH, 2025, TWO YEAR TERM, CURRENT BALLOTS PIERRE RESAN, WESLEY TUCKER, VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DISTRICT 8 PRIDE, CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTMENT OR REPLACING WESLEY TUCKER, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES IN NOVEMBER 26TH, 2025, TWO YEAR TERM, CURRENT BALLOT PIERRE RESAN AND WESLEY TUCKER.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING, NO, GO TO COUNSEL.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPOINT PERRY ZANNA WESLEY TUCKER.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
[93. 25-01437]
FOR THE BRET COMMISSION RECREATION PARK COMMISSION ITEMS 93 THROUGH 96.ITEM 93, APPOINTED ONE MEMBER OF THE RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION FOR EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, MUST BE A RESIDENT AND QUALIFIED VOTER OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
THIS IS A THREE-YEAR TERM BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 13TH, 2025, CURRENT BALLOT.
EUGENE COLLINS, CRICKET GORDON, TORI LEWIS, JOSEPH ORTEGO, JENNI PETERS, MICHAEL POLITO, MICHAEL VICTORIAN.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? PLEASE.
>> HI. I'LL BE VERY BRIEF BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S BEEN A PACKED AGENDA.
I'M JENNI PETERS, AND I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH BRECK FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
I WAS ON THE 2004, THE VERY ORIGINAL IMAGINE PARKS GROUP WITH VAN COX.
I'VE BEEN THERE. I WAS ON THE 2010 IMAGINE PARKS.
ALSO WAS ON THE BRECK FOUNDATION BOARD WITH MY PRIORITIES AND FOCUS TO BE CREATING A PUBLIC TRACK IN BATON ROUGE BECAUSE BATON ROUGE HAS NO PUBLIC COMMUNITY WALKING TRACK,
[04:20:02]
AND MY GOAL WAS TO TRY TO GET PRIVATE FUNDS TO COMBINE WITH BRECK, WE LOOKED AT INDEPENDENCE PARK, WE LOOKED AT BROOKS PARK AND FURTHERMORE, THROUGH WORKING ON THE BRECK FOUNDATION, WE CREATED AND DEVELOPED SEVERAL BUSINESS PEOPLE ALONG WITH ME, PUT TOGETHER OUR OWN MONEY TO DO A SURVEY AND CREATE A PLAN FOR THE PERK INTRO UNDER PATH PATH.I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN AND COUNCILWOMAN ROCA, WHO HAVE HELPED IMMENSELY.
THANK YOU ALL BECAUSE YOU FUNDED IT FOR $2.2 MILLION.
HOPEFULLY, FRED'S HERE TO TELL ME THAT IT'LL START IN 2026.
>> WELL, MY HOPE IS THIS WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR ME BECAUSE IT WOULD ALLOW ME TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY THAN WHAT I'VE DONE IS JUST A CITIZEN, INTERESTED CITIZEN.
MY PRIORITIES ARE PATHS AND PUBLIC TRACKS.
>> THIS THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNSEL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I KNOW IT SAYS JOSEPH, BUT I GO BY MARSHALL, JOSEPH, MY FIRST NAME.
A LIFELONG BATON ROUGE NATIVE WHO HAS BEEN A VISITOR TO BRECK PARKS FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE.
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE FROM LSU RUNNING DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS THAT ARE A MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILY BUSINESS RIGHT HERE IN BATON ROUGE, AND I HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH INCREASING EFFICIENCY, MANAGING BUDGETS, CASH FLOW, AND GROWTH, AS WELL AS PROTECTING JOBS AND LONG-TERM ASSETS.
I'D LIKE TO USE THESE SKILLS TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY TO MAKE BRECK OPERATE LEANER, SMARTER, AND MORE TRANSPARENTLY WITH EVERY TAX DOLLAR.
APRIL, I MARRIED MY WIFE, MAISIE, AND WE'RE NOW EXPECTING OUR FIRST CHILD.
WITH THE GROWING FAMILY, MY PRIMARY FOCUS IS BUILDING A FUTURE BASED ON COMMUNITY AND STABILITY.
I WANT PLAYGROUNDS MY KIDS CAN PLAY ON SAFELY, QUALITY PARKS, MY COMMUNITY CAN ENJOY AND TRAILS AND FIELDS THAT WILL OUTLAST US.
I BELIEVE BRECK PARKS PROVIDE AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO MY FAMILY, AS WELL AS OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE TO ALLOW ME TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND BUILD A BETTER PARK SYSTEM THAT LASTS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? YES, SIR.
I'M RETIRED FROM ARMY RESERVES AND ALSO RETIRED FROM CITY NATIONAL BANK.
SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN ACTIVE IN BRECK LIKE THE LAST SIX YEARS.
I'VE HAD PEOPLE CALL ME AND SAY, LOOK, YOU NEED TO SAY SOMETHING FOR CRICKET GORDON.
SHE HAS BEEN ON THE BRICK COMMISSION FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW.
SHE GIVES A LOT OF THOUGHT TO WHAT SHE DOES, AND I'VE SEEN A LOT OF COMMISSIONERS AND DEALT WITH THEM, BUT SHE'S ONE OF THE STRONGEST ONES I'VE WORKED WITH.
ARE WE GOING TO TALK ABOUT 96 ALSO, OR IS THAT SEPARATE?
>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE EACH OF THEM UP SEPARATELY.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ITEM 93?
>> HOW YOU'RE DOING TONIGHT. MY NAME IS EUGENE COLLINS I SUBMITTED MY NAME TO SERVE ON THE COMMISSION.
I'M THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE NACP HERE IN BATON ROUGE, AS WELL AS THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BA ROUGE AID SOCIETY.
I SERVED LOUISIANA OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AS A CONTRACT MONITOR FOR OVER A DECADE SO WHEN IT COMES TO POLICY AND PUBLIC POLICY, THAT'S SOMETHING I HAVE EXPERTISE IN A PROVING TRACK RECORD.
I'VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME.
I CAN EVEN REMEMBER WHAT DWIGHT HA.
BE AT THIS A MINUTE. I'M GOING TO ASK FOR YOUR VOTE HERE TONIGHT TO SERVE IN THE DP CAPACITY WITH BRECK. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> COUNSEL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN SUPPORT OF JENNI PETERS.
>> WE'LL GO TO COUNSEL. BEFORE WE DO, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF ITEMS LEFT, AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THAT POINT.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO EXTEND? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOK, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION ON THE MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING? MOTION CARRIES. COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPOINT MIKE POLITO TO THE SEAT.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOK, TO APPOINT MICHAEL POLITO.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 94,
[94. 25-01438 ]
RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION APPOINTING ONE MEMBER TO THE RECREATION OF PARK COMMISSION EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH MUST BE A RESIDENT OR QUALIFIED VOTER AND QUALIFIED VOTER OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.THIS IS A THREE-YEAR TERM BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 13TH, 2025.
CURRENT BALLOT EUGENE COLLINS, CRICKET GORDON,
[04:25:03]
TORI LEWIS, JOSEPH ORTEGO, JENNI PETERS, AND MICHAEL VICTORIAN.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO I'LL GO TO COUNSEL. COUNCILMAN MOK?
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO NOMINATE MR. JOSEPH ORTEGO OR MARSHALL PRIV WHEN HE GOES BY.
>> EXCUSE ME. IS THIS THE BATON ROUGE, WHICH ONE?
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOK, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 95, RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION
[95. 25-01439]
APPOINTING ONE MEMBER TO THE RECREATION PARK COMMISSION FOR EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, MUST BE A RESIDENT AND QUALIFIED VOTER OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE PARISH.THIS IS A THREE-YEAR TERM BEGINS NOVEMBER 13TH, 2025, CURRENT BALLOT, MURELLE HARRISON, AND KYLE MORRIS.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, GO TO COUNCILMAN GODAY.
>> THANK YOU. MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT DR. MURELLE HARRISON.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODAY, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS TO APPOINT DR. MURELLE HARRISON, COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR.
>> UNINCORPORATED, YES. ITEM 95.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION TO THE MOTION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 96, RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION,
[96. 25-01439]
APPOINTING ONE MEMBER TO THE RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION OF EAST BATON ROUGE, MUST BE A RESIDENT AND A QUALIFIED VOTER ANYWHERE IN THE PARISH.THIS IS A THREE-YEAR TERM BEGINS NOVEMBER 13TH, 2025, CURRENT BALLOT.
RANDY ALVAREZ, JAMEE BLINK, EUGENE COLLINS, CRICKET GORDON, TORI LEWIS, KYLE MORRIS, JENNI PETERS, KENNETH POINTER, DWAYNE ROGERS, CALLIS TEMPLE III, MICHAEL VICTORIAN, JAMES VILAS.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SURE. PLEASE, SIR.
>> MY FEELINGS FOR CRICKET ARE STILL THE SAME.
BUT DWAYNE ROGERS IS SOMEBODY THAT I'VE WORKED WITH FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
HE WAS A TREASURER AND I KNOW THERE WAS A LOT OF ISSUES IN THE FINANCE AREA, WHICH HE BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT, AND HE'S VERY DILIGENT IN SUPPORTING BRECK AND I THINK HE'S BROUGHT A LOT OF CHANGES TO THE ORGANIZATION THAT HOPEFULLY MAKE US BETTER DOWN THE ROAD. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK? YES, SIR.
FIRST, I WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH, BECAUSE YOU ARE TRULY PUBLIC SERVANTS FOR WHAT YOU ALL GO THROUGH ON A WEEKLY BASIS.
I REALLY WASN'T PLANNING ON COMING UP TO SPEAK, BUT I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH BRECK FROM A GOOD POINT OF VIEW AND THEN A NOT SO GOOD POINT OF VIEW AS FAR AS HAVING RELATIONSHIPS, A RAISE MONEY FOR WHAT'S CALLED A MINI PITCH THAT WE HAVE DONE IN GARDER.
I ACTUALLY HAD TO GO OUT AND RAISE THE FUNDS FOR THAT, WORK WITH THE BRECK FOUNDATION, WORK WITH BRECK.
AGAIN, I'VE HAD GOOD EXPERIENCES.
I BROUGHT THE FIRST SEMI-PRO SOCCER TEAM HERE TO BATON ROUGE.
WE HOSTED GAMES AT OLYMPIA STADIUM AND HAD TO MANAGE AND DEAL WITH BRECK ON A CONSTANT BASIS.
I'VE SIGNED COOPERATIVE ENDEAVORS WITH BRECK.
WE HAVE STARTED A LATIN LEAGUE OUT IN THE HARTLEY V GARDINER AREA AND HAD TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH BRECK.
THIS WOULD NOT BE JUST WALKING IN AND STARTING NEW, I HAVE SEVERAL THOUGHTS AND IDEAS AS FAR AS HOW BRECK COULD BE STREAMLINED AND THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE IT MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.
I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT I WAS GOING TO BE IN THE HOPPER WITH ALL THESE ADDITIONAL NAMES OF DEFAULT, BUT AFTER NOW FALLING INTO THE NEW MUNICIPALITY OF ST. GEORGE, IT LEFT ME WITH ONLY THIS POSITION.
I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR VOTE TO GET ON THIS BRECK COMMISSION. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNSEL COUNSEL MCKINNEY.
[04:30:02]
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND EUGENE COLLINS FOR THIS POSITION FOR THE SEAT.
>> I'M SORRY. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNSEL MCKINNEY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, FOR EUGENE COLLINS, COUNCILMAN MOK.
>> ASHLEY, THIS POSITION IS SPECIFICALLY FOR WHAT?
>> THIS POSITION IS FOR ANYWHERE IN EAST BATON PARISH.
YOU CAN LIVE IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ANY MUNICIPALITY OR, UNINCORPORATED AREA.
IT COULD BE ANYWHERE IN EAST ROUGE PARISH.
>> I GUESS I'M JUST TRYING TO GET TO GET TO BREAKDOWN NOW OF WHAT WE HAVE.
THE GUIDELINES THAT THEY SET THAT THE STATE SET BEFORE US IN THE ORDINANCE AND EVERYTHING AS FAR AS WHAT WE'RE DOING, THEY SAID WE NEEDED TWO FROM THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE.
>> THE STATUTE SAYS AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS MUST BE FROM THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, AT LEAST ONE MEMBER MUST BE FROM THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE PARISH.
THAT LEAVES THE FOURTH MEMBER CAN BE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE PARISH.
>> THEN WE HAVE THE FOUR MAYORS.
>> AND EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH PRESIDENT DESIGNEE?
>> YOU ALL DON'T HAVE TO CONFIRM ANY MARITAL APPOINTMENTS OR DESIGNEES.
YOU ONLY HAVE TO STAY OVER THESE FOUR.
>> I'D LIKE TO APPOINT MR. JAMES VILAS.
>> THAT'S A SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
>> WE CAN ONLY HAVE TWO MOTIONS AT A TIME.
>> DO WE HAVE A SECOND FOR COUNCILMAN GODAY'S SUBSTITUTE MOTION? FAILS FOR LACK OF A SECOND. COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
>> I GUESS MY QUESTION WOULD BE, CAN WE JUST RUN THE BALLOT AND ASHLEY, IF YOU CAN-
>> WE TOOK A MOTION ALREADY. COUNCILWOMAN?
WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION FIRST, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
>> WHAT IS THE ORIGINAL MOTION?
>> THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, WE'LL VOTE ON FIRST.
WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES IS FOR CALLIS TEMPLE III.
>> COUNSEL MEMBERS, THE MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO APPOINT CALLIS TEMPLE III.
MR. TEMPLE HAS BEEN APPOINTED.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, SMITH TEMPLE.
WE DO NOT NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON ITEMS 97 THROUGH 103, AS THE EDD HAS BEEN DEFERRED. CHANGE ORDERS.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 104 THROUGH 110 TOGETHER.
[Items 104-110]
ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR. PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX, H2 ROOF.RECOVER CONTRACTOR, LAP SERVICES, LLC., CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $80,050.
THIS WILL SEND RESOLUTION 58968, ADOPTED ON 10825 AND THE AMOUNT OF $650,000. ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE.
EBR LIBRARY OUTREACH RENOVATIONS CONTRACTOR, SIENNA CONSTRUCTION LLC., CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, 5,656.
LAUREL LAFAYETTE AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT, CONTRACTOR, THE LUSTER GROUP, LLC., CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $153,849.42.
ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN. CONTRACT AMENDMENT NUMBER 2, HERBICIDE APPLICATION PROGRAM FOR CANALS, CONTRACTOR CHEMPRO SERVICES INC., TO ADD ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF 166,000 BRING IN THE TOTAL CONTRACTOR AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 675,292.
OAK SIDEWALKS PROJECT, ACADIAN AND THE PERKINS, CONTRACTOR GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC., CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, CREDIT, $142,996.94.
ONE HUNDRED AND NINE. PICARDY-PERKINS CONNECTOR, MALL OF LOUISIANA BOULEVARD PACKAGE 4- RAILROAD UNDERPASS AND PUMP STATION, CONTRACTOR DENLEY BROWN CONTRACTORS LLC., CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $18,476.63.
ONE HUNDRED AND TEN, SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 20-4, FOUNTAIN BLUE DRIVE, BIG BEN AVENUE, STREETS IN FOREST HEIGHTS PARK, CONTRACTOR BARRIER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LLC., CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, CREDIT $250,306.78.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING NONE, AND GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN,
[04:35:02]
IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. FINAL ACCEPTANCES.[Items 111-113]
ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN THROUGH 113, WE WILL TAKE TOGETHER 111 EBR LIBRARY OUTREACH, RENOVATIONS, CONTRACTOR SIENNA CONSTRUCTION, LLC., FINAL COST $2,265,203.ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE. OAK SIDEWALKS PROJECT, ACADIA AND PERKINS.
CONTRACTOR GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION, A FINAL COST $520,122.06.
SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 20-4 FARM BLUE DRIVE, BIG BEN AVENUE, STREETS IN FOREST HEIGHTS PARK, CONTRACTOR, BARRIER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LLC., FINAL COST $2,007,389.97.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING NO, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ACCEPTANCE OF [INAUDIBLE] 114 BATON FIRE DEPARTMENTS,
[114. 25-01441]
SARS BUILDING, SIENNA CONSTRUCTION, LLC, 1,924,000.ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST TO DEFER ITEM 115 TO NOVEMBER 25 MEETING, LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE OF CITY PARISH OWN LOTS AND FEMA PROPERTIES, 2 MEN AND A MOWER, $82,200.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, AND GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION TO DEFER.
MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO.
SECOND BY THE CHAIR. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN THROUGH 118, WILL TAKE TOGETHER,
[Items 116-118]
116 SALES TAX STREET ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 20-3, SPANISH TOWN ROAD, 22ND TO I-110, PERKINS ROAD, BRIDGE TO PARK, AND STREETS IN HUNDRED OAKS AREA, RJ DAG AND SONS CONTRACTORS.$2,329,845.45? ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN.
SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM, PROJECT 19-6 STREET AND 72ND AREA, BAL BROTHERS CONTRACTING COMPANY, LLC., $2,867,025.ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN.
BELL RIVER ROAD, MULTI USE CORRIDOR MC SERVICES INDUSTRIES, LLC., $258,136.20.
ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING NO, GO TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO.
SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 120, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE 16442,
[120. 25-01519]
THIS ITEM MUST BE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY BY TWO THIRDS VOTE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.MOTION TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY IS NEEDED AND REQUIRES A SECOND.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON.
ANY OPPOSITION ON THE MOTION TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY? SEE NONE.
ITEM 120, RESOLUTION APPROVING PURSUANT TO ACT NUMBER 177 OF THE 2025 REGULAR SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE AMENDING LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 332,740.7015, THE REBATE OF LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES COLLECTED ON THE SALE OF ADMISSION TICKETS, CONCESSIONS, AND PARKING FOR MAJOR EVENTS TO BE HELD ON MARCH 28, 2026 AND MAY 23, 2026 AT TIGER STADIUM AND EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, PURSUANT TO THE RECOMMENDATION OF VISIT BATON ROUGE AND RECOGNITION OF THE EVENTS EXPECTED ECONOMIC IMPACT, AND OTHERWISE TO PROVIDE WITH RESPECT THERE TOO BY MAYOR PRESIDENT CIT EDWARDS, COUNCILMAN ROWDY GAUDET, COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN COLEMAN, AND COUNCILWOMAN JENN RACCA.
THE REASON FOR THE EMERGENCY IS TO ALLOW APPROVAL BEFORE CERTAIN DEADLINES.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? JILL KIDDER, VISIT BATON ROUGE.
>> MAYOR PRO-TEM JILL KIDDER, VISIT BATON ROUGE, AND I WANT TO THANK THE ENTIRE COUNCIL FOR TAKING UP THIS ITEM TONIGHT BECAUSE NOW IS THE TIME TO LEVERAGE EXISTING IN PLANNED EVENT INFRASTRUCTURE TO ACTIVATE BATON ROUGE MUSIC ASSETS.
BATON ROUGE IS WELL POSITIONED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AN EVOLVING LANDSCAPE AND BECOME A MAJOR CITY LIKE AUSTIN TOOK ADVANTAGE OF IT AND NASHVILLE, AND OTHER AREAS.
WE HAVE NOT TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IT HERE.
RIGHT NOW, THE ISSUE IS THAT BATON ROUGE RANKS 11TH LOWEST IN CONCERTS PER CAPITA IN THE US.
THAT'S CONCERNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN I GET TO THE REASONS WHY IT REALLY MATTERS TO THIS CITY.
RESIDENTS OFTEN NOTE THAT MUSICAL ACTS OPT TO INCLUDE
[04:40:04]
NEW ORLEANS AND LAFAYETTE AND JUST JUMP OVER BATON ROUGE.THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO US.
THE 2022 GARTH BROOKS CONCERT IN TIGER STADIUM IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE IMPACT THAT WE WANT TO MAKE WITH THESE MAJOR MUSICAL EVENTS.
AS YOU'LL SEE IN THE ECONOMIC IMPACT HANDOUTS, AND IF THE MAYOR WOULD ALLOW ME, I'D REALLY LIKE TO HAND THESE OUT.
IS THE MAYOR IN THE ROOM BECAUSE I KNOW IF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS IN THE ROOM AND THE GOVERNOR IS NOT, I CAN CALL HIM THE GOVERNOR. [LAUGHTER]
>> I BARELY WANT THE JOB. [OVERLAPPING].
>> JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WOULD FIT BACK THROUGH THE DOOR.
[LAUGHTER] HEAD WOULD SQUEEZE THROUGH THAT DOOR.
>> I THINK IT WILL. AS YOU WILL SEE FROM THESE HANDOUTS WE PROVIDED.
AND I WANT TO ALSO THANK TIFFANY IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT FOR REVIEWING THOSE FOR US AND MAKING SURE WE HAD THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON THOSE.
AS YOU'LL SEE FROM THOSE, VISIT BATON ROUGE IS ESTIMATING THAT EACH OF THESE TWO CONCERTS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON WITH NUMEROUS PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY WOULD GENERATE MORE THAN $30 MILLION OF SPENDING IN OUR AREA, EACH.
THESE ARE IMPRESSIVE IMPACT NUMBERS, WE KNOW.
AND ACCORDING TO THE LAW, VISIT BATON ROUGE, THE BOARD HAS MET, AND THEY ARE RECOMMENDING TO THE METRO COUNCIL THAT YOU APPROVE THE STATE ENABLE 2% REBATE ON SALES TAX GENERATED ON TICKET SALES, CONCESSIONS, AND PARKING FROM EACH CONCERT.
THIS PROMISED SUPPORT, YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WHO ARE COMING TO THE TABLE TO HELP SUPPORT THIS, INCLUDING VISIT BATON ROUGE.
THEY ALSO VOTED IN THAT SAME MEETING TO PUT THEIR MONEY ON THE TABLE AS WELL.
IN THE PAST, THIS COUNCIL HAS APPROVED SIMILAR SUPPORT TO SECURE SUCCESSFUL EVENTS LIKE VALU COUNTRY SUPER FEST.
WHY DOES IT MATTER? BECAUSE IT IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DRIVER AND IN THREE KEY PRIORITIES THAT I KNOW THAT YOU HOLD DEAR AS WELL.
ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS, RETAIN TOP TALENT, AND ATTRACT VISITORS.
WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU PASS THIS TONIGHT AND SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE.
SO THANK YOU, AND IF I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE GLAD TO.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO, I WILL GO TO COUNCIL, COUNCILMAN MOAK.
>> I'M SORRY. WHAT? DID I MISS SOMETHING? [LAUGHTER] HOW MUCH TIME WE GOT LEFT? WELL, I REMEMBER MANY YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS A [LAUGHTER] PARK IN CENTRAL.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT AND TOUCH BASED ON WHAT MS. JILL SAID, AS FAR AS YES, WE NEED TO REALLY WORK ON THIS.
WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES HERE WITH TWO DIFFERENT ITEMS THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A YEAR OR MORE NOW, NOT ONLY WITH THE ARENA, BUT THE RIVER CENTER TO ATTRACT STUFF LIKE THIS.
LSU FOOTBALL STADIUM IS FOR THOSE FEW HUGE INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN FILL A STADIUM.
THE RIVER CENTER IS TOO SMALL FOR THESE MIDDLE CONCERTS AND EVERYTHING.
YES, I FULLY SUPPORT THIS, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO KEEP THE EYE ON THE PRIZE AND TRY AND FILL THESE VENUES FROM THE SMALLEST TO THE LARGEST THAT WE HAVE IN BATON ROUGE AND CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS ARENA IN THE RIVER CENTER.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN? COUNCILWOMAN RACCA.
>> HEY, MS. JILL. CAN I PLEASE ASK YOU A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS? WE RECEIVED SOME INQUIRIES FROM CONSTITUENTS, AND I JUST WANT TO CLEAR IT UP.
SO THAT THE PEOPLE AT HOME AND THE NOSY NEWSPAPERS OVER THERE SENDING TO HER RIGHT MAKE SURE THEY GET THIS RIGHT FOR.
>> YES, MA'AM. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I THINK YOU CAN EXPLAIN VERY EASILY IS WHENEVER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE REBATE OR THE INCENTIVE, CAN YOU EXPLAIN EXACTLY HOW THAT WORKS AND WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE PUTTING MONEY ON THE LINE OR HAVE ANY POTENTIAL FOR LOSING MONEY?
[04:45:05]
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT PLEASE?IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR REPORT AND I WISH I HAD ONE IN FRONT OF ME.
>> I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP WITH ME.
IF YOU'LL SEE THAT THE EVENT TICKET SALES ARE GOING TO BE EVEN JUST TAKE THE MARCH CONCERT.
A 20 MILLION, EVENT PARKING AND CONCESSIONS IS ESTIMATED AT ANOTHER FIVE MILLION.
TOTAL EVENT SPEND IS ABOUT 25 MILLION.
THE VISITOR NON EVENT SPEND, THAT MEANS HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, ATTRACTIONS, RETAIL, GAS ANYWHERE, OF COURSE, GOING TO HAVE TO GET HOME ON.
THAT'S ABOUT A $35 MILLION SPEND IN THE AREA.
YOU ARE BRING BUT FOR THIS CONCERT, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE THESE DOLLARS IN THE COMMUNITY.
THEN YOU'RE JUST RE REBATING 2% BACK, WHEREAS THE TOTAL NET LOCAL TAX REVENUES NET AFTER THAT REBATE WOULD BE ABOUT 1.7, 1.8 MILLION.
>> YES, MA'AM. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CONCERT CANCELS? WHAT HAPPENS IF THE ARTIST DOESN'T SHOW UP? HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE OUT?
I THINK WE'VE COVERED ALL OF THEIR CONCERNS, SO I AM VERY EXCITED.
WHO DID YOU SAY THOSE TWO WERE IN THE ARENA? [LAUGHTER]
>> I KNEW THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE QUESTION.
TWO OR THREE WEEKS YOU WERE GOING TO HEAR, AND YOU WILL BE AS EXCITED AS WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
>> COULD YOU SING YOUR FAVORITE SONG FOR US, MA'AM? [LAUGHTER]
>> NO. [LAUGHTER] I CAN'T SING.
NO ONE WOULD WANT ME TO DO THAT.
>> I'M FOR THIS. I WANT YOU TO GO FOR THAT.
>> I BELIEVE IN ECONOMIC GROWTH ALL AROUND, AND ANYTHING THAT DRIVES OUR ECONOMY BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT.
I JUST NEED THE SAME STUFF ON BOTH SIDES OF FLORIDA BOULEVARD.
>> I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS AND I'M GOING TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT WITH LAURIE WITH WITH CHRIS MEYER THAT THEY GET LABELED AS A SHADOW GOVERNMENT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DO IN TERMS OF HELPING THE DRIVE US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
BUT ALL I SEE IS, HOW CAN WE GET CONCERTS IN TIGER STADIUM? I WANT TO SEE ONE IN AW MUFFY.
>> ONE THING I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT JILL, HER BOARD, THEY FOCUSED ON TOURISM, COULDN'T COME OUT AND ENDORSE OR DO WHATEVER, BUT JILL CAME TO THE MEETINGS FOR THE OTHER DEAL.
SHE SAID, DARRYL, WHAT I WANT TO DO IS BRING FESTIVALS IN NORTH BATON ROUGE.
THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO HAVE A STRONG ECONOMY UP THERE, HAVE A STRONG WALKER COMMUNITY AND RETAIL. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I KNOW YOU BOARD AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AND INABILITY TO PROVIDE OFFICIAL SUPPORT, BUT I BELIEVE YOU BEING THERE AND GIVEN THE COMMENTARY WAS GOOD ENOUGH.
BUT AGAIN, WHEN NORTH BATON ROUGE WINS, EAST BATON ROUGE WINS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS A CITY PARISH, WE'RE FOCUSING ON BOTH SIDES OF FLORIDA BOULEVARD, AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT AT THE CORNER OF ARDENT WOOD OR CORNER OF FLORIDA AIRLINE, THAT'S NOT NORTH BATON ROUGE.
THOSE HOUSEHOLD MEDIAN INCOMES ARE STILL $150,000.
I'M TALKING ABOUT WHEN IT DROPS DOWN TO 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, EQUITY IS IMPORTANT.
AGAIN, WE CAN CREATE ALL THE CITIES WE WANT, BUT THE CRIME DOESN'T CHANGE JUST ANOTHER CITY WITH THE SAME CRIME.
I APPLAUD WHAT YOU DO AND I APPLAUD THIS CONCERT AND THANK YOU LAURIE AND BARACK FOR BEING A PART OF THIS AND HELPING THE DRIVE AND CHRIS AND WHOEVER ELSE WAS A PART OF IT AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE ARTS COUNCIL, AND EVERYBODY'S IN THE BUILDING.
THANK THE LIBRARY FOR BEING A PART OF IT TO MAYOR, BUT I JUST WANT TO AGREE.
IF THE COUNCIL CAN PASS THIS, I HOPE THAT THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS OF WORKING WITH AARON, THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MAKE THE CHANGE IN NORTH BATON ROUGE TO GET THESE RESOURCES THERE AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
TO APPROVE, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES.
WE HAVE A RECONSIDERATION OF ITEM 60 FROM COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN.
[60. 25-01359 ]
>> COME ON. [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING]
>> CONNOR PROPERTIES AND INVESTMENTS, LLC.
WHAT'S THE REQUEST, COUNCILWOMAN? YES, SIR.
>> GOOD EVENING. HOW YOU DOING? EXCUSE MY TARDINESS TO THE COUNCIL PROTOCOL ALREADY BEING ESTABLISHED,
[04:50:03]
MITCHELL CONNOR, CEO OF CONNOR PROPERTIES AND INVESTMENTS.HERE TO DISCUSS PROPERTY NUMBER 60.
>> WE CAN GIVE YOU 30 DAYS AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT PLAN YOU HAVE.
>> THAT'S FINE. I'LL TAKE THE 30 AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY THE CHAIR FOR 30 DAYS.
ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSO.
[Adjournment and Announcements]
>> METING'S ADJOURNED. [NOISE]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.