[00:00:01] WELCOME, EVERYBODY TO THE PRESENTATION PORTION OF [CALL TO ORDER] OUR METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING THIS DECEMBER 10TH, 2025, AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYBODY. WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH A PRESENTATION BY [Additional Item] MAYOR-PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS TO RECOGNIZE RESTAURANTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE TABLE FOR OUR INITIATIVE. MAYOR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. WHAT A GREAT INITIATIVE. I'VE GOT TO GIVE CREDIT TO CHASELYN GRANT HERE WHO CAME UP WITH THIS CONCEPT DURING A TOUGH TIME IN OUR COMMUNITY. A TABLE FOR ALL. IT'S GOD'S WORK. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL THING TO HELP FEED OUR COMMUNITY. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WISH WE JUST DO IT YEAR-ROUND, A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT A LOT OF GOOD FOOD. WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE RESTAURANTS AND THE PEOPLE THAT MADE THIS HAPPEN, THIS BEAUTIFUL THING. I'M GOING TO CALL THEM ALL, BUT I LIKE THEM TO COME UP ONE AT A TIME AND COME UP HERE AND GATHER. BUT THERE MAY BE SOME FOLKS WHO AREN'T HERE, BUT I WANT AT LEAST THEIR RESTAURANT TO BE HEARD. ODOM'S KITCHEN, TRAY STREET KITCHEN. [APPLAUSE] KOK WINGS & THINGS. IT GOT TO BE KNOWN THAT CHASELYN VISITED ALL THESE RESTAURANTS EVERY DAY AND BROUGHT FOOD BACK, AND THAT'S WHY THE PANTS ARE A LITTLE TIGHT. BULL FISH BISTRO. [APPLAUSE] SOUTHERN CLASSIC CHICKEN. [APPLAUSE] DEARMANS DINER. [APPLAUSE] DOUGHNUTS, COFFEE, AND BURGERS, AND I HAD ONE OF EACH. [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] PENIER BATON ROUGE AND SALAD STATION. CHICKEN SHACK. [APPLAUSE] LOOK, I HAD A LITTLE CHICKEN SHACK, BUT ENOUGH, AND I TOLD HIM, MAN, YOU NEED TO COME ON BACK. SOUTHERN STYLE BISTRO. [APPLAUSE] THE GOLDEN CORRAL. [APPLAUSE] PAST TIME. THE SMOKY PIT [APPLAUSE] DOCTOR FEELGOOD [APPLAUSE]. NOW, YOU SEE, DR. FEELGOOD IS HEALTH FOOD. I ATE SOME OF THAT, TOO. SMOKEY WATSON BARBECUE. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, OOH-LAWA-LA PIZZA [APPLAUSE]. GOD BLESS Y'ALL FOR DOING THIS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHEN YOU GO OUT TO EAT AND YOU SPEND MONEY, LOOK TO THESE PEOPLE. THIS IS WHERE YOU NEED TO GO. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO GAVE BACK. GOD BLESS YOU. IF IT'S OKAY, WE COULD GET A PICTURE RIGHT UP FRONT. [APPLAUSE] [INAUDIBLE] [APPLAUSE] WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF COMBINATION HERE.THIS IS A WONDERFUL MAN. WE'RE GOING TO MISS HIM VERY, VERY MUCH. HE IS RETIRING.MUCH OF THE CHAGRIN OF ALL OF THE BUILDING AND ALL OF CITY HALL.THIS MAN HAS DONE WONDERFUL WORK. HE'S GOING TO BE HARD TO REPLACE. HE'S PROMISED US HE WOULD VISIT FROM TIME TO TIME. WHEN WE CALL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE JUST PROMISED, BUT MR. ROMERO, WE [00:05:01] ARE HONORED AND PRIVILEGED FOR ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE FOR US AND EVERYTHING YOU DO. THIS HONOR IS FOR MR. ERIC ROMERO. [APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU. >> I GET TO TURN. YOU'LL STAND UP AGAIN IN JUST A MINUTE. ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL, WE'VE ALL HAD SOME INTERACTIONS WITH ERIC FOR SURE. I'M PROUD TO SAY I WAS A COLLEAGUE OF HIS FOR A FEW YEARS. SO THANK YOU, MAYOR-PRESIDENT, FOR ALLOWING ME TO JOIN YOU IN THIS RECOGNITION. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO, ACTUALLY, BECAUSE IT'LL MAKE FOR BETTER PHOTOGRAPHS, THE TEAM FROM IS CAN STAND, ALL, COME ON UP. [APPLAUSE] THESE ARE THE FOLKS WE CALL ON FOR EVERY ISSUE THAT WE HAVE, BUT ERIC, WHEN YOU LEAVE A PLACE, WHEN YOU'RE THE PERSON LEAVING WHERE YOU WORK, ESPECIALLY FOR SO LONG, YOU CERTAINLY WANT TO LOOK BACK AND WONDER, DID MY CONTRIBUTIONS MAKE AN IMPACT? DID I MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THE WORK SIDE OF THINGS, AND CERTAINLY WITH 30 YEARS AND THE WAY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HAS ADVANCED OVER THAT TIME PERIOD, I THINK YOU CAN CONFIDENTLY LOOK BACK AND SAY, YES, YOUR EFFORTS, YOUR LEADERSHIP HAD A TRUE IMPACT. FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THESE FOLKS AND THE FOLKS IN THIS ROOM WHO LOOKED TO YOU FOR THE VOICE IN THE MEETING, WHO WAS GOING TO BE THE CALM PRESENCE AND THE REALITY OF WHAT WE COULD AND COULD NOT DO IN A GIVEN SCENARIO. WHAT I REMEMBER WHEN THE RAIN WAS COMING IN SIDEWAYS, MAYOR, AND FOUND HIM AND HIS TEAM AT ABOUT TWO IN THE MORNING, STILL WORKING TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT WAS GOING TO FUNCTION AS IT SHOULD, AND WE TOLD HIM TO GO HOME, AND HE REFUSED BECAUSE THE JOB HAD TO GET DONE. THOSE ARE THE THINGS THESE FOLKS REMEMBER. THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS YOU HAD THAT HELP THEM GROW AS EMPLOYEES, AS INDIVIDUALS. THAT'S THE REAL CONTRIBUTION YOU MADE, ERIC, AND WE CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY, BROTHER, YOU HAD A LOT OF THOSE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] ONE MORE. HE ALSO IS A GREAT DAD. I SEE HIM WITH HIS BOY SCOUT SON STANDING OUTSIDE OF CHURCH, AND HE MENTORS THAT YOUNG MAN AS WELL. KUDOS ON THAT. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, COACH. THANK YOU, VARDY, COUNCILMAN. IT'S BEEN A RIDE. STARTED 30 YEARS AGO AS A PROGRAMMER IN THE BASEMENT. WORKED MY WAY UP, NOT OUT OF THE BASEMENT, BUT UP TO DIRECTOR, AND CERTAINLY WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO FIRST MAYOR HOLDEN FOR TAKING A CHANCE ON ME, APPOINTING ME AS INTERIM DIRECTOR, MAYOR BROOME FOR TAKING THE INTERIM TAG OFF AND MAKING ME PERMANENT DIRECTOR, AND THANK YOU COACH, FOR KEEPING ME ON BOARD TO HELP WITH THE TRANSITION. THANK YOU ALL, COUNCIL MEMBERS, FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THAT YOU ALL HAVE GIVEN, NOT JUST ME, BUT THE DEPARTMENT. CERTAINLY, THANKS TO THE DEPARTMENT, BECAUSE ALL THE ACCOLADES THAT WE'VE GOTTEN, IT HASN'T BEEN ABOUT ME. IT'S BEEN ABOUT WE, DEPARTMENT, MAYORS, COUNCIL, AND CERTAINLY MY FAMILY AS WELL. ROWDY MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF TIMES WHEN I WAS SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR AT THE EOC, WHILE THEY WERE AT HOME, WHEN MY WIFE WAS AT HOME, TAKING CARE OF TWO KIDS DURING A HURRICANE OR DURING A SNOWSTORM. BUT TO BE HONEST, I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING. PUBLIC SERVICE HAS BEEN GREAT TO ME. IT HAS HELPED ME GROW. THE POSITION HAS HELPED ME BECOME A BETTER LEADER. JUST THANK YOU ALL. THANKS. [APPLAUSE]. >> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO ERIC AND MAYOR HOLDEN APPOINTING HIM, WHEN I HIRED ERIC TO BE THE JOB, MAYOR HOLDEN COULDN'T HAVE PICKED HIM OUT OF A LINEUP. >> BOUCHER SAID SHE HIRED. >> YEAH. WELL, I MISS BOUCHER. I GOT TO GIVE HER CREDIT. SHE SAID THERE'S A GUY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER. IT WAS ERIC. LITERALLY TWO YEARS AFTER WE HIRED ERIC, WE WERE A TOP TEN DIGITAL CITY. WE HAVE STAYED THAT WAY.HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS PARISH ARE UNIMAGINABLE. THEY ARE I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYBODY ELSE STEPPING IN, BUT SOMEONE'S GOING TO HAVE TO. WE WILL SUPPORT HIM AS WELL, BUT ERIC HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST DEDICATED, BRILLIANT EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE EVER WORKED IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, AND I DON'T REALLY WANT TO LET HIM GO. [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] [00:10:05] >> HEY, ERIC. IF I MAY FOR ONE SECOND. I REMEMBER COMING ON AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, AND OF COURSE, I'M GETTING ALL USED TO EQUIPMENT AND EVERYTHING IN THE OFFICE AND ALL, AND I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM CONNECTING TO SOMETHING. OF COURSE, I'M LIKE, I CAN FIGURE THIS OUT, I GOT THIS, GOT THIS. I CALLED, I GUESS ERIC CALLED BECAUSE IT'S LIKE HE'S A COUNCIL MEMBER. HE STARTED HELPING ME DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. HE STARTS GOING THROUGH ALL THIS DIFFERENT STUFF, AND IT AND SPECS AND JUST TOTAL TECHNICAL. I'M LIKE, "LOOK, I OWN IT COMPANY. I'M AN IT PERSON." HE GOES, "OH, WELL, DID YOU UNPLUG IT AND PLUG IT BACK IN?" [LAUGHTER] IN GREAT IT FASHION. YOU KNOW, THE FIRST THING YOU TELL EVERYBODY IS, DID YOU UNPLUG IT AND PLUG IT BACK IN. ANYWAY, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT. >> LOOK AT ME FIRST. [INAUDIBLE] >> NEXT, I'VE GOT A PRESENTATION BY COUNCILMAN ANTHONY KENNEY. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS. IF YOU WAS WONDERING WHY IT'S BEEN VERY COLD OUTSIDE, IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL MONTH, FOR A VERY GREAT GROUP OF MEN. LAST WEEK OF DECEMBER 4TH, 2025, WE CELEBRATED ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INCORPORATED, 119 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP IN SERVICE IN NOT ONLY LOUISIANA COMMUNITY, THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND WORLD. TODAY, WE PROBABLY RECOGNIZE 119 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP AND SERVICE FROM ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INCORPORATED, THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN INTERCOLLEGIATE FRATERNITY AND A TRAILBLAZING SHAPING A GENERATION OF LEADERS ACROSS THE NATION AND WITHIN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES. AS A PROUD MEMBER, THIS AMAZING FRATERNITY. IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND HERE TO CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE, ADVOCACY, AND UPLIFT THAT ALPHA MEN HAS CARRIED SINCE 1906. FROM EDUCATION AND CIVIL RIGHTS TO VOTER ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT, ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INCORPORATED HAS BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF MEANINGFUL CHANGE. OUR BROTHERHOOD HAS STRINGED NEIGHBORHOODS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL LEADERSHIP AND POLITICS, BUT WE HAVE ALSO ENCOURAGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO DREAM BIGGER EACH AND EVERY DAY. I AM GRATEFUL TO STAND ON THE SHOULDERS, WHICH WE HAVE STAND FOR FOR MANY YEARS AND CONTINUE TO WORK WE DO TO PUSH OUR COMMUNITIES FORWARD. TODAY, WE'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INCORPORATED FOR 190 OF IMPACT AND LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND WORLD AND CONTINUE TO LIGHT THE WAY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. I'D LIKE TO BRING UP THE LOUISIANA DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INCORPORATED, DR. ANTHONY JACKSON. [APPLAUSE]. >> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN KENNEY. HE'S ALSO A BROTHER, MENTEE, AND SOMEONE THAT WE WORK WITH VERY CLOSE. TO THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, MS. EDWARDS, TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BATON ROUGE METRO COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR THIS MEANINGFUL RECOGNITION ON BEHALF OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INCORPORATED AND THE LOUISIANA DISTRICT. IT'S VERY MEANINGFUL TO US. WE HAVE FOUR CHAPTERS IN BATON ROUGE. WE HAVE THE LAMBDA ALPHA ALUMNI CHAPTER, THE ZETA NU LAMBDA CHAPTER, AND WE HAVE BROTHERS HERE. WE'RE GOING TO ASK THEM TO STAND AS WELL, NU PI AND THE BETA SIGMA CHAPTER. I'M HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR 119 YEARS FOR MANLY DEEDS, SCHOLARSHIP, LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND. WE'VE BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF DEVELOPING LEADERS, ADVOCATING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, AND ADVANCING SCHOLARSHIP AND SERVICE. [00:15:02] AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ALPHA PHI ALPHA AND THE WORK THAT WE DO, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE MOVING ONWARD AND UPWARD. THANK YOU AGAIN. [APPLAUSE]. >> THIS ATYPICAL RECOGNITION IS PRESENTED TO ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INCORPORATED IN RECOGNITION OF BEING THE FIRST INTERCOLLEGIATE AFRICAN AMERICAN FRATERNITY WHOSE UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SCHOLARSHIP, MANLY DEEDS, AND LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND HAS AFFECTED OUR COMMUNITIES AND INSPIRED GENERATIONAL LEADERS. ESTABLISHED DECEMBER 4TH, 1906, AT CORNELL IN ITHACA, NEW YORK. WITH GRATITUDE AND HONOR, WE CELEBRATE YOUR LEGACY OF SERVICE, LEADERSHIP, AND ACHIEVEMENT. YOUR TIMELESS PRINCIPLES CONTINUE TO SHAPE VISIONARY TRAILBLAZERS WHO STAND AT THE FOREFRONT OF JUSTICE, EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT, AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, GIVEN ON ITS DATES, DECEMBER 10, 2025, WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR THE EAST BOUNDARIES PAIRS METRO COUNCIL. CONGRATULATIONS, FRATERNITY. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE] >> COUNCILMAN ROCCO. >> TODAY, I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO THE CHOCTAW MARINE CORPS LEAGUE OF LEAGUE AUXILIARY. THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED WITH GREAT RESPECT AND APPRECIATION TO THE CHOCTAW MARINE CORPS LEAGUE AUXILIARY, A DEDICATED 501 C4 ORGANIZATION CHARTERED IN NOVEMBER OF 2024, FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO SERVING MARINES, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE GREATER BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY. THROUGH SERVICE EFFORTS GROUNDED IN AMERICANISM, CHILD WELFARE, CIVICS, REHABILITATION, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORT, YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL PASSION AND LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCING THE MISSION AND VALUES OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS AND THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE INC. IN LESS THAN A YEAR, YOUR GROWING ORGANIZATION HAS ALREADY MADE A REMARKABLE IMPACT, AND YOUR CONTINUED DEDICATION REFLECTS AN UNWAVERING PROMISE TO UPLIFT THOSE WHO HAVE BRAVELY SERVED OUR NATION. AS THEY'RE COMING FORWARD, I'D LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW FROM JULY 1ST, 2024 UNTIL MAY 1ST, 2025, JUST 10 MONTHS WITH ONLY 19 MEMBERS. THE FOLLOWING STATS WERE RECORDED. 570 VOLUNTEER OCCURRENCES, 7,798 HOURS IN SERVICE, AND OVER 14,000 MILES WERE PUT ON THEIR CARS SERVICING VETERANS. TO PLEASE STAND AND RECOGNIZE THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WITH ME TODAY. [APPLAUSE] MY FIRST CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION ASIDE FROM THE GENERAL LEAGUE IS FOR MISS DON MUSCARELLO. >> THANK YOU. >> MY NEXT IS FOR MISS JULIE MOREHEAD. MISS NANCY BRANCH. MISS LYDIA, SIR. GENDRON. MISS CLARE FEELS BETTER. LAURIE MASSENA. SAMANTHA MASSENA. MISS ALTA MORO. IF YOU DON'T TAKE A PICTURE. MAYOR, CAN WE GET A PICTURE WITH YOU TOO, PLEASE, SIR? [00:20:14] >> COUNCILMAN DARRYL HURST. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL, GOOD AFTERNOON. TODAY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE SOMEBODY WHO'S NOT JUST MAKING WAVES IN NEW ORLEANS, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, BUT ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AND ALL OVER THE WORLD. TELL YOU ALL A STORY. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH DR. CALVIN MACKEY WITH STEM NOLA, STEM BATON ROUGE, STEM GLOBAL AND HAS A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER ONES. HE HAS STEM AT CLEMSON AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER PLACES. BUT I SAT DOWN WITH HIM. HE TALKED ABOUT ONE, TWO EXPANDED IN BATON ROUGE, AND I STARTED MAKING PHONE CALLS. I CALLED TWO ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE HE WAS LOOKING TO STEM INTO ONCE A MONTH DOING STEM SATURDAYS IN BATON ROUGE, LIKE HE DOES IN NEW ORLEANS. WHEN I CALL THESE FOLKS, THEY WERE MORE EXCITED THAT I WAS CALLING THEM TO INTRODUCE HIM BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN LOOKING TO HAVE HIM TO BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER AND RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT THAT HE'S HAD, NOT ONLY IN THE WORLD, BUT ON OUR KIDS IN THE STATE LOUISIANA. TODAY, I PROUDLY PRESENT TO DR. CALVIN MACKEY. WHEREAS DR. CALVIN MACKEY IS RENOWNED ENGINEER, EDUCATOR, AUTHOR, ENTREPRENEUR, AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, WHOSE EXTRAORDINARY WORK HAS EMPOWERED THOUSANDS TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS. WHEREAS THE FOUNDER OF STEM NOLA AND STEM GLOBAL ACTION, DR. MACKEY HAS REVOLUTIONIZED STEM ENGAGEMENT FOR UNDER REPRESENTED COMMUNITIES CREATING HANDS ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE CURIOSITY, CONFIDENCE, AND INNOVATION AMONG YOUTH. WHEREAS THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY, DR. MACKEY HAS BUILT BRIDGES BETWEEN EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY, ENSURING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS HAVE ACCESS TO THE TOOLS NEEDED TO SUCCEED IN AN EVOLVING GLOBAL ECONOMY. WHEREAS HIS VISION AND DEDICATION OF TRANSFORMED CLASSROOMS, COMMUNITIES AND CITIES, ESTABLISHING HIM AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT OF COMMUNITY UPLIFT AND WHEREAS, DR. MACKEY'S LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO SERVICE EXCELLENCE, AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF OTHERS CONTINUES TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF DREAMERS, THINKERS AND INNOVATORS. NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED THAT WE HONOR AND RECOGNIZE DR. CALVIN MACKEY FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION, INNOVATION, AND COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION, AND FOR HIS ENDURING IMPACT AS A CHAMPION FOR STEM, EQUITY AND EMPOWERMENT. TODAY, YOU ALL, I GIVE YOU ALL DR. CALVIN MACKEY. BY THE WAY, HIS BROTHER IS CAPTAIN AMERICA, ANTHONY MACKEY. [APPLAUSE] >> TO COUNCILMAN HURST. THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR BOTH OF YOU RECEIVING ME INTO BATON ROUGE AND ALLOWING ME TO MAKE A PATHWAY FOR ALL KIDS. IN SHORT FROM NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA. I STARTED COLLEGE IN REMEDIAL READING, DEVELOPMENTAL MATH. I HAD TEST SCORES THAT SAID I WASN'T COLLEGE MATERIAL AND 3.5 YEARS LATER, I FINISHED MOREHOUSE, NUMBER ONE IN MATHEMATICS. I WENT ACROSS STREET TO GEORGIA TECH AND 8.5 YEARS LATER, I FINISHED GEORGIA TECH WITH A BS, MS AND PHD IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. I TELL THAT STORY BECAUSE AFTER 11 YEARS, I HAD FOUR STEM DEGREES. COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, WHEN I LOOK OUT AND I LOOK AT OUR CHILDREN, I SEE EVERY KID BECAUSE I KNOW THE POSSIBILITY AND THE HOPE AND A DREAM AND THE GREATNESS IN EVERY CHILD THAT EXISTS NOT ONLY IN THIS WORLD BUT IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. WHAT WE'RE DOING IN NEW ORLEANS AND NOW IN OTHER STATES, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT IT BEFORE EVERY KID IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. THANK YOU ALL AND THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> NEXT, I WANT TO TELL YOU ALL, HE DID THE BIO CLASSIC STEM FEST RIGHT AFTER THE PRESS CONFERENCE. IT WAS HUNDREDS OF KIDS, DID THE SAME THING AT LEADERSHIP, HUNDREDS OF KIDS SPONSORED BY EXXON MOBIL. THEY'RE MAKING WAVES IN BATON ROUGE ALREADY. NEXT, I GOT A CALL FROM MISS WRIGHT AT SOUTHERN LAB MAMA MATA. [00:25:05] SHE TALKED ABOUT THIS AMAZING GOVERNMENT AP CLASS THAT SHE HAD AND THAT THEY WANTED TO GET CIVICALLY ENGAGED AND UNDERSTAND CITY PARIS GOVERNMENT. TODAY IS ACTUALLY A FIELD TRIP FOR THEM DOWN TO THE CITY COUNCIL. IT'S NOT JUST FOR THEM TO LISTEN AND LEARN, BUT TO ALSO ENGAGE. WE HAVE SIX PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SPEAK THROUGHOUT THE MEETING TODAY AT SOME POINT VERY BRIEFLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A CHRISTMAS PARTY. BUT WE WENT TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT AREAS. WE WENT TO THE 19 JDC AND GOT TO MEET WITH MY FRIEND WHO I'LL HONOR SHORTLY JUST BRING UP. BUT THE NEW JUDGE, JUDGE VERONICA VICKY JONES, WE MET WITH HILLER MOORE AS THE NEXT STEP. MAYOR EDWARDS, NOW THE COUNCIL, AND DA HILLER MORE WANTS TO BRING BACK THE JUNIOR DA PROGRAM STARTING WITH THIS GROUP OVER HERE. WHAT I WANT TO DO IS JUST WE'VE ALREADY TAKEN A PICTURE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET UP, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO MOVE FROM THOSE SEATS. I THINK WE HAVE TO MOVE FROM THOSE SEATS, NO. ALL STAY. BUT I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO. ONE THING WE TALK ABOUT IS THAT PEOPLE DON'T GET CIVICALLY ENGAGED. FOR YOU ALL TO BE CIVICALLY ENGAGED AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE IT MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND, THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR ABILITY TO VOTE. BUT MOST OF ALL, THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR ABILITY TO VOICE YOUR OPINION AND GIVE IMPACT STATEMENTS BECAUSE YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE WHAT ALLOW US TO DO WHAT WE DO TO SERVE YOU, TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF BATON ROUGE AND EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. WE TOOK THE PICTURE EARLIER. ALL PLEASE GIVE ME A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THESE YOUNG FOLKS HERE GAGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] I WANT TO BRING, I DO HAVE ONE CERTIFICATE. IT JUST SAYS, THIS ONE IS PRESENTED, NOT TO COME UP BUT TO KYLIE BOOY AP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS, AND RECOGNITION OF YOUR OUTSTANDING ABILITY TO ANALYZE HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS RESPOND TO COMMUNITY ISSUES AND ADDRESS CONCERNS RAISED BY CITIZENS. YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED STRONG INSIGHT INTO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION, THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC PARTICIPATION, AND THE VITAL ROLE TOWN HALL MEETINGS PLAY IN DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND POLICYMAKING. YOUR COMMITMENT TO UNDERSTANDING AND EVALUATING THESE FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE REFLECTS A HIGH LEVEL OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND AWARENESS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> WE HAVE ONE MORE SPECIAL GUEST AND SPECIAL PRESENTATION. I THINK DENNIS IS LOOKING FOR OUR SPECIAL GUEST. DENNIS, DO YOU HAVE OUR SPECIAL GUEST? >> MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE. WOW. IT IS SO GOOD TO BE BACK IN HERE THIS YEAR. LOTS TO THINK, LIKE I TELL YOU, EVERY YEAR. I KEEP WATCHFUL EYE, JUST WATCHING THE WHOLE TIME. WOW. OUT OF ALL THE CITIES I'VE VISITED, SO GLAD TO BE BACK HERE. LET'S JUST START OFF. TALK ABOUT SOME NAUGHTY THINGS FOUND IN OFFICES. I KNOW ALL OF YOU ALL RIDE SIDE BY SIDE EVERYWHERE YOU GO. THIS WHOLE NEW ADMINISTRATION, EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO THRIVE RIGHT THROUGH THE WHOLE YEAR. BUT HERE WE ARE. OUT OF EVERYTHING THAT I'VE WATCHED THIS YEAR THAT ALL HAVE DONE, EVERYTHING THAT POPS UP IN THE NEWS, EVERYTHING THAT POPS UP ONLINE, EVERYTHING. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE'S THIS KEY. WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE KEY THAT SOMEBODY WANT? I'M LIKE, IS EVERYBODY JEALOUS? THEN I'M THINKING TO MYSELF, WHAT DOES SANTA CLAUS NEED TO BRING TO EVERYONE THIS YEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS OKAY. LET'S START OFF RIGHT HERE. COUNCILWOMAN TWANA HARRIS. COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE]. HOLD ON. COUNCILWOMAN ROSA. [00:30:31] COUNCILMAN HURST. [INAUDIBLE] COUNCILMAN ANTHONY KENNEY. NOW, YOU KNOW WHAT SANTA ROUGE IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN YOUR SEAT. COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS? COUNCILMAN CLEVE DON JUNIOR? YOU ALL, DOES THIS FELLOW SHOW UP AT ALL? EVERY TIME I'VE COME HERE, HE'S NEVER HERE. COUNCILMAN AARON MOE, IS HE IN THE BUILDING? HE'S NEVER HERE. >> DEFINITELY ON THE LIST. >> IF I COULD HAVE WHAT TO ME, NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR SID EDWARDS? MERRY CHRISTMAS. SO YES, YOU MAY NOW OPEN THEM. AGAIN, WITH EVERYTHING THAT I'VE HEARING AND NEWS THAT TOOK FULL PRECEDENCE OVER EVERYTHING, I OFFER YOU A KEY TO THE CITY OF CENTRAL [LAUGHTER] AS AN HONORARY KEY HOLDER TO THE CITY OF CENTRAL. NOW, IF YOU WILL NOTICE YOUR KEYS, THERE'S NO CUT IN IT BECAUSE THERE'S NO CITY HALL IN CENTRAL FOR YOU TO GET INTO AT THE MOMENT. BUT I'M WORKING WITH THE MAYOR, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET HIM A CITY HALL OPEN THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ALL, I HOPE ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL REST OF YOUR YEAR AND A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON. [APPLAUSE] >> YOU-ALL GET A PICTURE. EVERYBODY GET A PICTURE. I WANT THIS ONE. >> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH SANTA AND WE'LL HAVE A THREE MINUTES, MAYBE FIVE BETWEEN THIS AND THE COUNCIL MEETING. EVERYBODY WHILE WE'RE IN THIS BREAK BEFORE WE START THE MEETING, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A COUPLE OF THE SOUTHERN LAB STUDENTS COME UP AND ADDRESS US AND LET US KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND MAKE A STATEMENT. WHO WANTS TO GO FIRST? WHO'S THE BRAVE SOUL THAT'S GOING TO BE FIRST? HERE THEY COME. EVERYBODY GIVE THEM AROUND. [APPLAUSE]. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JANE DOMINICK. MY QUESTION IS, HOW CAN WE, AS HIGH SCHOOLERS, BETTER SIT AS A WHOLE? >> WELL, FIRST OFF, IF YOU'RE LIVING IN DISTRICT 10, YOU'RE ALREADY DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB. BUT LOOK, ENGAGING WITH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IS KEY. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU NEED AS A CONSTITUENT UNLESS YOU COME AND TALK TO US. A LOT OF FOLKS THINK THAT THERE'S A BARRIER TO GOVERNMENT TO GET ACCESS. CERTAINLY IT'S NOT HERE AT YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WE GET WISDOM FROM THE PEOPLE. IF YOU GO OUT AND ENGAGE WITH US, YOU GO OUT AND TELL US WHAT YOU NEED, THAT'S WHERE WE'LL GET THE WISDOM AND BE ABLE TO HELP YOU. KEEP THAT IN MIND. THANK YOU. [00:35:04] >> YOUNG MAN. THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. LOOK, I HAVE ANSWER FOR I'M COUNCIL MCKINNEY. I'M YOUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR NEXT TO COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN AND SKYLER V IN SOUTHERN. BUT I WOULD SAY, NEVER FEEL LIKE YOU'RE TOO YOUNG TO BE A LEADER, NEVER FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR PERMISSION TO BE A LEADER. YOU ALL LIVE IN THE SAME COMMUNITY THAT WE LIVE EACH AND EVERY DAY. MAKE SURE YOU PRETTY SURE YOU TRAVEL ACROSS THE ENTIRE WORLD AND COME TO BATON ROUGE, AND BE LIKE, "HEY, I WANT BATON ROUGE TO LOOK LIKE THIS." JUST NOTE THAT THE THINGS AND VISION THAT YOU HAVE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY IS JUST AS VALUABLE ANY OTHER PERSON WHO MAY BE 80-YEARS-OLD WHO LIVE IN THAT COMMUNITY. JUST KNOW THAT YOUR VISION, THAT REMIND OF YOU-ALL'S GOALS, THAT WE WANT THE SAME BATON ROUGE THAT YOU-ALL WANT AS WELL. >> HI. MY NAME IS SOSA, AND I GO TO SOUTHERN LAB AND I WANT TO ASK WHAT STEM PROGRAMS COULD I JOIN TO BECOME A MECHANICAL ENGINEER? >> I KNOW CALVIN MACKEY JUST LEFT HERE, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE DOES IS HE HAS MULTIPLE ENGINEERING DEGREES. HE WAS SECOND CHAIR TWO LANE AND CONSIDERED TO BE THE CHAIR TWO LANE FOR THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. GETTING WITH STEM NOLA, STEM BATON ROUGE, THERE'S A BUNCH OF STEM STUFF AROUND HERE. GETTING ENGAGED EARLY BECAUSE THERE'S MULTIPLE PARTS OF ENGINEERING THAT YOU CAN EXPLORE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S THE RIGHT PATH, AND IF IT'S NOT, THEN THEY HAVE OTHER THINGS THAT ALLOW YOU TO FIND THE RIGHT ONE FOR THEM. ALSO TOO, THERE'S A SUMMER PROGRAM AT EXXON MOBILE. THEY DO IT EVERY SUMMER. IF YOU GET WITH ME, I'LL MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU, BUT AS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WORKING IN THE CHEMICAL PLANTS AND THE REFINERY LEARNING ABOUT THE PROCESSES TO DETERMINE IF THAT'S CAREER PATH, YOU WANT TO GO DOWN. GOOD QUESTION. >> ALSO, THEY'RE STEM BR, SO MR. ERIC LEWIS. THEN YOU KNOW WE HAVE MR. WILLIAM DANIELS HERE WHO IS AN ENGINEER AND HE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO HELP YOU IN THAT MANNER. YES. GREAT QUESTION. NEXT. >> MY NAME IS MASON BOYD. MY QUESTION IS, ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON JOB TRAINING OR INTERNSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS? >> GREAT QUESTION. MAYOR'S OFFICE COME AND ANSWER THIS. >> I'M SORRY, MY FRIEND. I WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION IN CLASS. I WAS OVER THERE HANDLING BUSINESS, BUT PLEASE ASK THE QUESTION AGAIN, MY FRIEND. PULL IT UP. >> ANY UPCOMING PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON JOB TRAINING OR INTERNSHIPS? >> YES. WE DID MAYOR'S WORKFORCE COMMISSION LAST SUMMER. THAT'S BEEN A HISTORICAL IN OUR PARISH FOR A WHILE. BUT WE'RE LOOKING ON ADDING AND GROWING THAT THING, GETTING MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED. WE'RE GOING TO DO A JOB FAIR FOR OUR EMPLOYEES HERE THAT HAVE BEEN LAID OFF, BUT WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE YOUTH AS WELL, WITH A GOVERNMENTAL TWIST TO IT ALSO. WILL YOU COME IF WE DO IT? NO, MAN, HOW YOU ASKING ME THIS QUESTION AND YOU GO SEE HOW YOU CAN? WHAT'S YOUR NAME? >> MASON BOYD. >> MASON BOYD. YES. WE WANT TO DO AS MANY OF THOSE INITIATIVES AS WE CAN. IT'S IMPRESSIVE IF YOU-ALL COME AND IMPRESSIVE WHAT YOU-ALL LEARNING. COUNCILMAN HURST, WHAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DOING, SO THANK YOU. >> THERE YOU GO. >> THAT WAS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT SAID THEY NEED EXPLORERS. YOU NEED TO GO OVER THERE AND SHAKE THAT GENTLEMAN'S HAND AND GET HIS CONTACT INFORMATION, AND EMS. THAT'S HOW YOU DO THAT, YOU-ALL, YOU'RE WORKING. KEEP WALKING. >> BEFORE YOU GO TO THE NEXT QUESTION AND THE NEXT SPEAKER, MASON, I HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED THE BATON ROUGE YOUTH AVIATION EXPERIENCE, AND WE EXPOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO ALL THE CAREER PATHS IN AVIATION, TAKE THEM TO AVIATION CONFERENCE AND GET THEM EXPOSURE TO TUTORING, INTERNSHIPS, MENTORSHIPS, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. MY LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT IS GOING TO CONNECT WITH YOU AND GET YOUR INFORMATION IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THAT PROGRAM, WE'LL GET YOU ENROLLED. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS KAYLIN WILLIAMS, AND MY QUESTION IS, WHAT IS BEING DONE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SPACES LIKE PARKS, RECREATION CENTERS, AND SPORTS FIELDS FOR STUDENTS LIKE US AND YOUNG INDIVIDUALS? KAYLIN. >> DO YOU WANT TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION? >> THANK YOU, KAYLIN. DID I SAY IT RIGHT? >> YES, SIR. >> APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTION. [00:40:01] IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, WE HAVE AN ENTITY KNOWN AS BREC, B-R-E-C THAT HANDLES ALL THE RECREATIONAL AREAS FOR THIS PARISH. THAT ENTITY, TO SPEAK TO THE LAST QUESTION, IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR YOUNG BRIGHT MINDS LIKE YOURS TO INTERN WITH THEM DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, TO EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE SUMMER PROGRAM THEY OFFER. IN BATON ROUGE, WE HAVE ONE OF THE TOP, IF NOT THE TOP RECREATION AND PARK SYSTEM IN THE STATE AND IN THE COUNTRY. IF YOU'D LIKE TO BE CONNECTED, KAYLIN, I'M HAPPY TO MAKE A CONNECTION FOR YOU WITH THE LEADERS OF THAT ORGANIZATION WHO WE INTERACT WITH. THERE'S A COUPLE OF OUR MEMBERS WHO SIT ON THAT BOARD, AND THE IMPORTANCE AND THE QUALITY OF OUR RECREATIONAL AREAS FOR THE PUBLIC IS SOMETHING THAT'S A PARAMOUNT PRIORITY TO THIS COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR RAISING THAT ISSUE AND FOR YOUR PASSION ABOUT THAT ISSUE. >> THANK YOU. >> I ALSO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN FOR MEMORIAL PARK, BECAUSE THAT'S COMING OVER THERE WHERE THE MEMORIAL STADIUM CURRENTLY IS, AND IT'S GOING TO BE FABULOUS AND IT WILL ENGAGE YOU YOUNG PEOPLE. THAT'LL BE A PLACE FOR YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU GOT TO KEEP YOUR EARS AND EYES OPEN AND UNDERSTAND THAT THIS STUFF IS ONGOING. IT'S NOT A ONE TIME LICK. >> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE SO WELCOME. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS KYLIE LOWIE. MY QUESTION IS, HOW IS THE CITY ADDRESSING RISING CRIME RATES, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS NEAR SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORHOOD? >> GREAT, KYLIE. >> WHAT'S YOUR NAME AGAIN? >> KYLIE. >> HEY, KYLIE. GREAT, GREAT QUESTION. REALLY A TECHNOLOGY IS REALLY DRIVING US RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE A LACK OF MANPOWER. WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT STATS. EVERY WEEK, WE MEET WITH ALL THE COMMAND STAFF AND IT SAYS, "HERE'S OUR HOT SPOT FOR BURGLARIES. HERE'S OUR HOT SPOT FOR SHOOTINGS," AND WE POUR ALL OF OUR RESOURCES WITH LICENSE PAID READERS, CRIME CAMERAS, MORE DIRECTED PATROLS INTO THOSE AREAS. WHAT WE'VE SEEN THIS YEAR IS WE ACTUALLY HAVE A 20% DECREASE IN SHOOTINGS AS COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR. LAST YEAR WE FINISHED WITH A 10% DECREASE. WE'RE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I KNOW IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THAT ALL THE TIME, BUT WE'RE REALLY JUST TRYING TO BOLSTER THEIR SPECIAL UNITS TO GET IN THOSE AREAS AND USE TECHNOLOGY. GREAT QUESTION, THOUGH. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, CHIEF. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TAYLOR SALZBY. MY QUESTION IS, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO GO TO SCHOOLS IN THE BATON ROUGE AREA WITH THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU ALL MENTIONED, WOULD YOU ALL BE WILLING TO DO WORKSHOPS WITH THE STUDENTS IN THE AREA? >> ALL RIGHT, LAURI, ANSWER THAT, BUT I'M SURE ALL OF US OUGHT TO BE SAYING YES TO YOU. COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. >> ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THE BEST PART OF OUR JOB IS WHEN WE GET TO INTERACT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ESPECIALLY WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE DEFINITELY REALIZE WE'RE SERVING FOR THIS TIME, BUT THIS IS A STEWARDSHIP. SOON ENOUGH, WE'RE GOING TO BE HANDING OVER THESE RESPONSIBILITIES TO YOU-ALL. YEAH, LET'S VISIT ABOUT THAT. I'D LOVE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WAYS WE COULD INTERACT YOUR SCHOOL, HELP WITH CIVICS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WHATEVER INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM WE HAVE, WE WOULD LOVE TO SHARE IT WITH YOU AND LEARN FROM YOU AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, TAYLOR. [APPLAUSE] >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GIVE IT UP FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE ASKED SOME QUESTIONS THAT MANY OF YOU MAY HAVE BEEN APPREHENSIVE ABOUT ASKING. GREAT JOB, YOUNG PEOPLE. >> BRANDON GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE AT THE BEGINNING. IT IS 30 SECONDS. HE TOLD ME TO WAIT. I TRIED TO DO IT EARLIER, YOU-ALL. BUT I WANT TO BRING MY FRIEND AND YOUR NEW JUDGE VICKI JONES TO THE MIC. WE TALKED ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES, HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE, PUBLIC SAFETY AND FAIRNESS. I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY JUST TO ADDRESS TO COUNSEL AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO TO SERVE CITY PARISH. >> THANK YOU. FIRST, LET ME SAY THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR AND TO THE COUNCIL FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME. IT IS TRULY A PRIVILEGE AND AN HONOR TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN A DIFFERENT WAY AS THE NEW JUDGE FOR DIVISION O OF THE 19 JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT. AS I STATED DURING MY CAMPAIGN, MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN. MY GOAL IS TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY, STAY ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY, SO THAT THE COURT CAN ADDRESS THE CONCERNS AS THEY ARE BROUGHT TO US. AGAIN, I JUST SAY THANK YOU AND THANK YOU ALL. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS. [00:45:08] >> HELLO, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. GOOD TO HAVE ALL OF YOU WATCHING THIS AFTERNOON ON METRO 21 ON OUR CITY WEBSITE AT BRLA.GOV ON YOUTUBE AND ON FACEBOOK LIVE. ON BEHALF OF MAYOR PRESIDENT SID EDWARDS AND MEMBERS OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, MERRY CHRISTMAS, TO ALL OF YOU. HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON WITH YOUR FAMILIES. ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE IN A CHEERFUL MOOD TODAY AND READY TO TAKE CARE OF CITY BUSINESS. AT THIS TIME, HERE IS THE MAYOR PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH. COUNCILMAN BRANDON NOEL. COUNCILMAN. >> THANK YOU, DENNIS. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO OUR METROPOLITAN COUNCIL THIS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10TH, 2025, WE WILL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER. ASHLEY, DO WE HAVE A QUORUM? >> WE HAVE A QUORUM. >> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE INVOCATION AND PLEDGE LED BY CHOCTAW MARINE CORPS LEAGUE AUXILIARY. LADIES? >> HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU IN OUR WEAKNESSES, SEEKING YOUR DIVINE STRENGTH AND PEACE. YOU ARE OUR REFUGE, AND WE TRUST THAT YOUR POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN OUR STRUGGLES. GRANT US THE COURAGE TO FACE CHALLENGES, THE RESILIENCE TO ENDURE AND THE FAITH TO TRUST IN YOUR PLAN. PLEASE FILL US WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT TO RENEW OUR MINDS AND STRENGTHEN OUR HEARTS THAT WE MAY PERSEVERE THROUGH TRIALS, REMIND US THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE, AND WITH THAT, YOU, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. AT THIS SPECIAL TIME OF THE YEAR, WE LIFT UP OUR NATION'S MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND ASK FOR YOUR UNIQUE BLESSINGS UPON THEM. WE ASK FOR THEIR SAFETY AND PROTECTION WHILE ALSO ASKING FOR PEACE, STRENGTH, AND COMMUNITY FOR THE FAMILIES THEY LEAVE. GRANT THOSE LEFT BEHIND COURAGE, PATIENCE, AND A DEEP SENSE OF PEACE THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING. SURROUND THESE FAMILIES WITH COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT TO HELP THEM THROUGH FEELINGS OF LONELINESS AND ANXIETY. WE THANK YOU FOR THEIR SACRIFICE, THEIR RESILIENCE, AND THEIR LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRY. MAY THEY FEEL YOUR PRESENCE AND KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT ALONE. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR EACH PERSON IN THIS MEETING AND THE UNIQUE TALENTS AND PERSPECTIVES THEY BRING. WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER TOGETHER AND WORK TOWARDS THE BETTERMENT AND ENRICHMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY. IN YOUR HOLY NAME, WE PRAY. AMEN. SALUTE. >> >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, LADIES. [ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES] >> APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MINUTE THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 25TH, 2025, THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ZONING MEETING OF DECEMBER 3RD, 2025 AND THE GREATER BATON ROUGE AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 2ND, 2025 BY THE COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE TREASURER. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCKENNY, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ASHLEY, CAN YOU READ THE INTRODUCTIONS? [INTRODUCTIONS] >> SECTION 2.12 INTRODUCTIONS, NUMBER 2, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, CREATING THE DELMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT WITHIN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, ON THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED ON EXHIBIT A SHOWN ON EXHIBIT B, DEFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPERTY FROM WHICH NEW AREA SALES AND USE TAXES AND HOTEL OCCUPANCY 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 TITLE 27 OF TITLE 33 OF LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTES FROM 1950 AS AMENDED, DESIGNATING THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF THE DISTRICT, ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR 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. NUMBER 3, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULT OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE. [00:50:01] ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11TH, 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A 10 MILLS VALOREM TAX FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS BEGINNING WITH THE TAX COLLECTION FOR THE YEAR 2027 AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 2031 AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE WITH BY BOARD COUNCIL. CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS. NUMBER 4, JERRY AND LINDA BROOKS, 816 KENNER DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, MCKENNY. NUMBER 5, TODD W. CAMPBELL, 8435 COMITE DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, MCKENNY, NUMBER 6, REGINALD GALAN AND AL 8211 10TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, MCKENNY. NUMBER 7, CHANEL LYNN MONROE MINOR, 8645 GRAHAM DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX DUNN JUNIOR, NUMBER 8, G FLAY JANITORIAL AND CLEANING ENTERPRISE, LLC, 4206 GUS YOUNG AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS NUMBER 9, TONY'S RENTAL PROPERTIES, LLC. 4050B WINBOURNE AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS. NUMBER 10, JAMESEAN DUNBAR, 1202 NORTH 43RD STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS. NUMBER 11, TAMIKO MITCHELL MORAN AND JUDE WARREN MORAN, 4912 WINBOURNE AVENUE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS, NUMBER 12, 1842 ARKANSAS STREET, LLC, 1842 ARKANSAS STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10-COLMAN, NUMBER 13, DARION HARRIS, 4237 HIGHLAND ROAD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10- COLEMAN, NUMBER 14, JOHN AUGUSTUS, 1340 NORTH 29TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10- COLEMAN, NUMBER 15, RONALD STEVENSON, 538 SOUTH 17TH STREET, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10- COLEMAN, NUMBER 16, AHNL INVESTMENTS, LLC, 1441 THOMAS H DELIPT DRIVE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10- COLEMAN, NUMBER 17 CHO VAN TRAN, AND MAY THI NGUYEN 3848 PLANK ROAD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS. THE UCR PROPERTY INTRODUCTIONS, NUMBER 18, LOT 12, SQUARE 44, SUBDIVISION UNIVERSITY PLACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2- KENNEY. NUMBER 19, LOT 31-34 SQUARE 11, SUBDIVISION BANKS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2- KENNEY, NUMBER 20, LOT 6 AND SEVEN, SQUARE 52 SUBDIVISION BANKS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2- KENNEY NUMBER 21, LOT 4 PLUS SQUARE 52, SUBDIVISION BANKS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2- KENNEY NUMBER 22, LOT 17, SUBDIVISION ALLISON HEIGHTS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2- KENNEY, NUMBER 23, LOT 52 AND 53, SQUARE 2, SUBDIVISION VICTORY PLACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS. NUMBER 24, LOT 13 SQUARE A, SUBDIVISION VICTORY PLACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS, NUMBER 25, LOT 3, SQUARE 52, SUBDIVISION FORTUNE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5- HURST, NUMBER 26, LOT 4, SQUARE 52, SUBDIVISION FORTUNE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5- HURST. NUMBER 27, LOT 41, SQUARE 14, SUBDIVISION SOUTH BATON ROUGE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10- COLEMAN, NUMBER 28, LOT 26 SQUARE 163, SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 10- COLEMAN, NUMBER 29, LOT 7 THROUGH TEN, SQUARE 6, SUBDIVISION PARADISE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, PENNY, NUMBER 30 LOT 8 PLUS SQUARE 28, SUBDIVISION GREENVILLE EXTENSION, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS, NUMBER 31, LOT 259 PLUS, SUBDIVISION BEL FAIR HOMES, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS. NUMBER 32, LOT 51, SUBDIVISION GREENWAY PLACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5- HURST, NUMBER 33, LOT 12, SQUARE L, SUBDIVISION FAIRFIELD, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS. NUMBER 34, LOT 9, SUBDIVISION EAST FAIR LANE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5- HURST, NUMBER 35, LOT 62, SUBDIVISION GREENWAY PLACE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5- HURST, NUMBER 36, LOT 69, SUBDIVISION WEST FAIR FIELDS, COUNCIL DISTRICT 7-HARRIS, NUMBER 37, LOT 38, SUBDIVISION FAIR LANE, COUNCIL DISTRICT 5- HURST, ALL ITEMS PART READING HAVE BEEN READ. >> MOTION TO INTRODUCE ITEMS 3 THROUGH 37. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ITEMS 3 THROUGH 37. >> SECOND. >> BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. >> I OBJECT. >> YOU HAVE A SUBSTITUTE. >> I HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO INTRODUCE THEM ALL. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS BY COUNCILMAN MOE, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON SUBSTITUTE MOTION FIRST. I SAY HURST. SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOE, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HURST. WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON SUBSTITUTE MOTIONS FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES. >> MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS [BACKGROUND] HOW MANY VOTES? >> WE NEED TO VOTE AGAIN. WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THE MACHINES, EVERYBODY READY? WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON SUBSTITUTE MOTION. IF YOUR MACHINE'S NOT WORKING, LET ASHLAND KNOW YOU VOTE. >> MACHINE OPEN ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION. INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS. [00:55:02] SIX VOTES. >> MOTION FAILS. WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION. >> ORIGINAL MOTION. >> THE ORIGINAL MOTION. >> MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION TO INTRODUCE ITEMS 3 THROUGH 37. SIX VOTES. >> MAKE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS. MOTION BY THE CHAIR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GODDY, THEY INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS. ANY OPPOSITION? WE SHOW ON ONE OPPOSED. WE'LL VOTE ON THE MACHINES. >> COUNCIL MEMBERS, MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO INTRODUCE ALL ITEMS. ARE YOU IN? >> MOTION TO INTRODUCE ITEMS 7 THROUGH 37. >> MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO INTRODUCE ITEMS 3 THROUGH 37. >> WE WENT ON SECOND. >> I'M SORRY. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN. >> HOW IS MY FAULT. SORRY. >> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS TO INTRODUCE ITEMS 3 THROUGH 37. ANY OPPOSITION? WE HAVE OPPOSITION, WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES. >> I'M GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF, APOLOGIES. MACHINES ARE NOW OPEN ON THE MOTION TO INTRODUCE ITEMS 3 THROUGH 37. >> GOT YOU. >> MOTION CARRIES. WE'LL GO TO SEPARATE CHIEF FOR CONDEMNATIONS. [CONDEMNATIONS] RECOMMENDATIONS FROM DPWR TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70,71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 90 DAYS ON ITEM 67, DELETE ITEMS 58, 59, 63, 79, AND 84. I DO HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR DISTRICT 7 TO EXTEND 30 DAYS TO ITEM 77 AND 78. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COUNCIL? >> 60 DAYS ON 58. >> 58. >> YES. >> IT WAS IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE DELETED. >> THAT'S FINE. >> COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, DO YOU HAVE ANY? COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATION? >> GO ON. >> 60 ON 60, 30 ON 62, 30 ON 65, 60 ON 64, 60 ON 66. DOT HAS 68, SO WE CAN DELETE THAT ONE 68, 60 ON 72, 60 ON 73. THAT'S IT. >> COUNCILMAN MCKENNY, WE'RE GOOD. ANYBODY ELSE? I'M GOING TO READ THEM BACK. WE ARE TO PROCEED WITH ITEMS 61, 69, 70, 71, 74, 75, 76, 80, 81, 82, AND 83, 30 DAYS ON ITEM 62, 65, 77, 78, 60 DAYS ON ITEM 60, 64, 66, 72, AND 73, 90 DAYS ON ITEM 67, DELETE ITEM 58, 59, 63, 68, 79, AND 84. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? SEEING ONE. >> WHAT ABOUT 81? >> DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> NO [INAUDIBLE] BE CORRECT. >> DO WE HAVE A MOTION THAT'S READ? MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, ANY OPPOSITION. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 85, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING WRITTEN NOTICE TO [85. 25-01521] [01:00:02] THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OUTLINING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD REGARDING SUPER INSULATION LLC'S NON COMPLIANCE WITH THE INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM CONTACT FOR THE YEARS OF 2022 AND 2023 BY THE COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR TREASURER. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, GO TO COUNCIL. GO AHEAD. >> COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF YOU REMEMBER, THIS IS A SIMILAR ITEM THAT YOU HAD A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THIS BUSINESS IS NON COMPLIANT WITH THEIR ITAP CONTRACT, AND PREVIOUS ACTION TAKEN WAS TO DEFER ANY ACTION TO THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY FOR THE OTHER NON COMPLIANT BUSINESSES. >> WE HAVE A MOTION. I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE PROCEED ALLOWING THE BOARD TO DETERMINE THE ACTION TO BE MADE. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GODDY, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES 86, GRANTING FIVE YEAR PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT ESTIMATED AT [86. 25-01575] $18,376 PER YEAR FOR VAGABOND PROPERTIES LLC LOCATED AT 1620, 1640 AND 1660 GOVERNMENT STREET BY THE PLANNING DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? >> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 86. >> SEEING NO AND GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. AN OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES 87, [87. 25-01564] A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CANVASSING IN RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULT OF SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN PARISH AT BANE STATE, LOUISIANA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE PARISH TO EXTEND AND LEVY AND 11.1 MILLS AT TAX AUTHORIZED FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY PURPOSES UPON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION WITHIN THE PARISH ADDITIONAL FOR AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEARS BEGINNING WITH YEAR 2026, TWO AND INCLUDING YEAR 2035 AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING PARISH TO REDEDICATE $52,400,000 PROCEEDS OF THE TAX HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER, RECEIVED FOR PARISH WIDE GENERAL PURPOSES AND REDEDICATE THE USE OF PROCEEDS FOR THE TAX SO THAT PROCEEDS HERE AND HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER, RECEIVED BY THE 8.3 MILLS OF THE TAX SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE EAST BAD ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY, BOARDER CONTROL AND USED TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE THE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM OF THE PARISH, INCLUDING ACQUIRING LAND AND CONSTRUCTING NEW LIBRARY FACILITIES AND PROCEEDS, HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER, RECEIVED FROM 2.8 MILLS OF THE TAX SHALL BE USED FOR PARISH WIDE GENERAL PURPOSES AND PROVIDED FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY THE BOND COUNCIL. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS SIDE? SEEING NONE, WE WILL GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODDY, COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. >> THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION WITH THIS ITEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY UNDERSTAND. BUT 87, 88, 89 ARE ESSENTIALLY MINISTERIAL DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL. WE'RE JUST RECEIVING THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION THAT WAS HELD. THIS IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM IS A NEW PROPOSAL OR ANYTHING THAT ANYBODY NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT, WE'RE JUST CLOSING THE LOOP ON THE ELECTION THAT JUST TOOK PLACE. >> I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WAS ANY MISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA I NEVER HAVE. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODDY. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 88, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CANVASSING IN RETURNS AND [88. 25-01565] DECLARING THE RESULT OF A SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE PARISH OF EAST BADGE STATE, LOUISIANA ON SATURDAY IN NOVEMBER 15, 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE PARISH TO EXTEND THE LEVY OF ONE MILL AT BARIUM TAX, AUTHORIZED FOR MOSQUITO ABATEMENT ROAD AND CONTROL PURPOSES ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION WITHIN THE PARISH FOR 10 YEARS BEGINNING THE YEAR 2072 AND INCLUDING 2036, AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING PARISH TO REDEDICATE 6 MILLION OR PROCEEDS OF THE TAX HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER RECEIVED FOR PARISH WIDE GENERAL PURPOSES, AND REDEDICATE THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE TAX SO THAT PROCEEDS HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER RECEIVED FROM HALF MILLS OF THE TAX SHALL BE USED ENTIRELY AND EXCLUSIVELY TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO PURCHASE, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE MACHINERY, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY IN THE ERADICATION ABATEMENT OR CONTROL OF MOSQUITOES, ARTHROPODS OF PUBLIC HEALTH, IMPORTANCE AND RODENTS, AND PROVIDING FOR ADEQUATE ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT STAFF AND PROCEEDS HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER RECEIVED FROM HALF MILLS OF THE TAX SHALL BE USED FOR PARISH WIDE GENERAL PURPOSES AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY THE BOND COUNCIL. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. AN OPPOSITION. MOTION CARRIES 89, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CANVASSING OF [89. 25-01566] RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULT OF SPECIAL ELECTION HELD THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATE OF LOUISIANA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE PARISH TO EXTEND A LEVY OF 2.25 MILLS AVALORM TAX UPON ALL PROPERTY, SUBJECT TO TAXATION WITHIN THE PARISH FOR TEN YEARS, BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR 2027, [01:05:01] AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER AND INCLUDING 2036 AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE PARISH TO REDEDICATE THE USE OF PROCEEDS OF THE TAX, HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER, RECEIVED SO THAT TWO MILLS SHALL BE USED EXCLUSIVELY BY THE EAST BOND PARISH COUNCIL ON AGING OR ANY SUCCESSOR THERE TOO, TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN PROGRAM, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES FOR ELDERLY CITIZENS IN THE PARISH, INCLUDING MEALS ON WHEELS, SENIOR CENTERS, HOMEMAKER SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND NUTRITION, WELLNESS, AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS TO ACQUIRE, CONSTRUCT, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN FACILITIES TO SERVE ELDERLY CITIZENS IN THE PARISH AND TO OTHERWISE FUND THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNCIL ON AGING AND QUARTER MILL SHALL BE USED FOR PARISH WIDE GENERAL PURPOSES AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY THE BOND COUNCIL. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. SEEING NO, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCA SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR IN OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 90 AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF [90. 25-01545] THE PRE LITIGATION CLAIM OF LINDA TRUST CARE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BATON ROUGE FIRE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,000 BY THE PASS ATTORNEY. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? >> SEE NO, AND GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. AN OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES 9-1, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE PRE-LITIGATION CLAIM OF [91. 25-01558] SARAH GRIFFITH FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE AMOUNT OF $13,500 BY PARISH ATTORNEY. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? THEN KNOW AND GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODA TAKING BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES 9-2 AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT THE MATTER ATTAINED CHARLES VALENTINE AND [92. 25-01625] JUANITA VALENTINE VERSUS EAST BATON ROUGE CITY PARISH GOVERNMENT AT ALL IN AN AMOUNT OF 41,000 PLUS COURT COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $430.63 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $41,430.63 BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO AND GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GODA, TAKEN BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. I'M GOING TO TAKE 9-3 THROUGH 101 TOGETHER. [Items 93 - 101] AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH VISAS CONSULTING USA LLC TO PROVIDE AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $60,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION EXECUTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH SL LLC TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES RELATED TO THE FAA, DBE, ACDB, AND FDBE PROGRAM. THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $80,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION EXECUTED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH MMR COMMUNICATIONS TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT FOR THE CCTV AND ACS SYSTEMS AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $80,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH COVALENT LOGIC TO PROVIDE ADVERTISING, MARKETING, AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $250,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION EXECUTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH STAR SERVICES TO PROVIDE HVAC SYSTEM AND EMS MAINTENANCE AND AN AMOUNT NOT TAXED $304,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH US COMPUTERS TO PROVIDE SERVICE REPORT, MAINTENANCE, AND BACKUP SERVICES FOR THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $60,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION EXECUTE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH LAMAR ADVERTISING TO PROVIDE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT, TWO STATIC BILLBOARD PANELS, AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED, $67,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION EXECUTE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH COURSE AND NIKO LLC TO PROVIDE GOVERNMENTAL RELATION SERVICES FOR THE BATON ROUGE METROPOLITAN AIRPORT AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $96,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR, PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION EXECUTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH EXXON TO PROVIDE FIREWALL AND NETWORK MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $80,000 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 93 THROUGH 101? SEE, NO AND GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. >> I JUST WANT TO BRING A POINT OF CLARITY, AND IF MICHAEL TAFAR CAN COME UP IN THESE BUDGET CRISIS DAYS WE HAVE, I WANT MICHAEL TO EXPLAIN THAT THE AIRPORT IS AN ENTERPRISE FUND AND SELF-GENERATED REVENUE, AND NONE OF THESE DOLLARS ARE COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND OF CITY PARRIS. CAN YOU SPEAK TORO THAT, MIKE? >> YES, COUNCIL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT IS CORRECT. THE AIRPORT IS AN ENTERPRISE FUND. WE ARE MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW. TO GENERATE OUR OWN REVENUE, WE DO THAT THROUGH LEASES, THROUGH CONCESSION AGREEMENTS, THROUGH OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, GRANT MONEY FUNDS, A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION. THESE MONEYS SPENT OR EARNED AT THE AIRPORT AND STAYS AT THE AIRPORT. IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE GENERAL FUND IN ANY WAY AND IT DOES NOT TAKE ANY TAX DOLLARS AWAY. [01:10:04] >> THANK YOU. MOTION TO APPROVE. >> COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 96. > WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 102, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR PRESIDENT [102. 25-01557] AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION TO AMEND THE LAND LEASE WITH AMERICA'S AUTO AUCTION BATON ROUGE TO REDUCE THE LEASED AREA FROM 27.292 ACRES TO 20 ACRES BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SE, NO, AND GO TO COUNCIL. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 103, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN OF [103. 25-01615] THE AIRPORT COMMISSION EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND THE GREATER BATON ROUGE AIRPORT DISTRICT TO LEASE A TOTAL OF 7.43 ACRES OF LAND FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS WITH A FIVE YEAR OPTION TO RENEW AT A RENTAL RATE OF $4,869.47 PER MONTH. OR $58,433.64 PER YEAR BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WHO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. SEE, NO, GO TO COUNCIL. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR, SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN GODA. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 101, AMENDING 2025 CURRENT EXPENSE AND CAPITAL BUDGET SO AS [104. 25-01600] TO ADJUST ESTIMATED REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE THEM MAKE CERTAIN DEPARTMENTAL INTER-FUND TRANSFERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE BUDGET ACT AND THE PLAN OF GOVERNMENT BUDGET 9132 BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, AND GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY THE CHAIR. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 105, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT, [105. 25-01559] [INAUDIBLE] TO SUBMIT AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY AND MITIGATION, RESILIENT COMMUNITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM, RECOVERY PROGRAM APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO THE LOUISIANA OFFICE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,915,204 BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN KENNEY. IS THAT NOT A MOTION IN THE SECOND? >> HEY, KELLY, CAN YOU COME ON UP? JUST REAL QUICKLY. HIGH LEVEL TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS IS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS. IN APRIL OF 2024, YOU ALL VOTED ON THE SAME ITEM, BUT THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT PROJECTS. ONE WAS FOR THE FOOD ACCESS PROGRAM AS A PRIORITY AND THE MASTER STORM WATER PLAN. A SERIES OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PRIORITIES CHANGED. THE LOUISIANA OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HAD ASKED THAT WE COME TO YOU TO INFORM YOU OF THAT CHANGE, AND ALSO SEND A LETTER TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE LOUISIANA OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INDICATING FROM MAYOR EDWARDS OF THE NEW CHANGES IN PRIORITY PROJECTS, MEANING THE FOOD ACCESS PROGRAM AND THE PLANK ROAD LIGHT PROJECT, WHICH IS COVERING 4.2 MILES OF SOLAR LIGHTING. THERE'S NO NEW MONEY, NO CHANGES OTHER THAN THE PRIORITIES. >> THANK YOU, DARYL. THANK YOU MISS KELLEY. MISS DARREL. >> YOU'RE WELL? > WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, SECOND BY COUNCIL MCKINNEY, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? >> MOTION CARRIES. [106. 25-01560] >> 106, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE PASHA EAST BATON ROUGE ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND GLEN OAK SECURITY DATA AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $75,000 WITH A TERM BEGINNING DECEMBER 1ST, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2026 AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION? >> MOTION. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURST, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? COUNCILMAN HUDSON. >> CAN SOMEONE COME UP AND JUST GIVE US THE SOURCE OF THESE FUNDS JUST FOR THE SAKE OF THE PUBLIC WATCHING? THEY'RE WATCHING HOW WE'RE SPENDING OUR MONEY, [01:15:01] SO WE JUST WANT TO KNOW THE SOURCE. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT, COUNCILMAN. THIS IS SENATOR REGINA BARROWS MONEY. SHE WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO GIVE CITY OF BATON ROUGE. THIS WAS HER DIRECT ALLOCATION IN HER ACT. THIS IS PASSED THROUGH ON STATE DOLLARS. NOT GENERAL FUND. >> THANK YOU. >> NO PROBLEM. >> COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR. >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MR. THOMAS STYLE AND GLEN SECURITY DADS THAT ARE IN THE ROOM. WANT TO GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IF THEY WANT TO, IF NOT. [APPLAUSE] THESE GENTLEMEN HAVE BEEN STAPLES IN THE NORTH BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN GLENOAK. MANY OF THEM KIDS WENT TO GLENOAK HIGH SCHOOL, GRADUATED FROM GLENOAK HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEY TOOK UP ON THIS MISSION TO PROVIDE EXTRA SECURITY AND SAFEGUARD FOR THOSE WHO ATTENDED GLENOAK ACTIVITIES, AND THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR PROBABLY OVER 30 YEARS NOW, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. THANK YOU GUYS. >> JUST DON'T LET ME FORGET. WE DO THAT. >> HE IS COMING. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TOMMY STOUT WITH THE GLENOAK HIGH SCHOOL SECURITY. LAST 32 YEARS, HE INSISTS I SPOKE, SO I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE WERE DOING. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED GLENOAK HIGH SCHOOL SECURITY DAY, IT WAS ACTUALLY BRINGING MORE DEATHS INTO THE SCHOOL. BUT EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED. WE HAD ABOUT 1,300 KIDS OVER THERE AT THE TIME. WE SERVED THIS SECURITY AT THE SCHOOL, ACTUALLY TRYING TO DETER ANY ACTIVITY THAT GOES ON. THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL. BUT OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, THE ENVIRONMENT HAS CHANGED. WE HAVE ABOUT 650 KIDS NOW. WE WERE HOMEOWNERS AT THE TIME, AND WE DIDN'T NEED ALL THE RESOURCES. BUT NOW WE ARE SERVING A LOT OF UNDERSERVED KIDS FROM RENTALS. OUR PROPERTY IS RENTAL PROPERTY NOW. IT'S NOT ON HOMEOWNERS. WE NEED THESE FUNDS TO PUT IN CERTAIN OUTREACH ACTIVITIES TO SERVE UNDER SERVED KIDS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, TOM. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN HURT. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR, IS ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 107-109, [Items 107 - 109] TOGETHER, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE CITY COURT TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH CLARE NEELY. THE CONTRACT IS NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF $72,000 FOR THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT, SERVICES PROVIDED ARE THE PERFORMANCE OF HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE COURT REPORTING ACTIVITIES, WHICH INCLUDE TAKING VERBATIM TESTIMONY DURING COURT PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSCRIBING BY CLERK COURT. JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATOR, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE CITY COURT TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH LACY DICE. CONTRACT IS NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF $72,000 FOR THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT. SERVICES PROVIDED ARE PERFORMANCE HER RESPONSIBLE COURT REPORTING ACTIVITIES, WHICH INCLUDE TAKING VERBATIM TESTIMONY DURING COURT PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSCRIBING, CLERK JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATOR. AUTHORIZE MAYOR, PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE CITY COURT TO EN TER INTO A CONTRACT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH MELISSA DAVE DOING BUSINESS AS MJ DAVE, LLC. CONTRACT IS NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF $72,000 FOR THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT, SERVICES PROVIDED OR THE PERFORMANCE OF HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE COURT REPORTING ACTIVITIES, WHICH INCLUDE TAKING VERBATIM TESTIMONY DURING COURT PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSCRIBING BY CLERK OF COURT, JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATOR. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 107-109? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 110, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, [110. 25-01570] PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH COURSE AND NIKO LLC IN THE AMOUNT UP TO $150,000 FOR LEGISLATIVE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE CITY PARISH FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026 AND THE OPTION FOR ONE YEAR RENEWALS CONTINGENT UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE AND GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 111 AUTHORIZED MAYOR PRESIDENT [111. 25-01571] TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH PATENT PRODUCTIONS INC FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO THE BATON ROUGE FILM COMMISSION FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 2ND, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2026, IN THE AMOUNT OF 120,000, AND OPTION FOR A ONE YEAR RENEWALS, CONTINGENT UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. >> JUST WANT TO NOTE FOR THE PUBLIC HERE AND THE PUBLIC WATCHING THAT THESE FUNDS INVESTED IN OUR BATON ROUGE FILM COMMISSION ARE MULTIPLIED. WE HAD AT LEAST $2 MILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS COME INTO THE PARISH. I'M LOOKING AT MAYOR PORT BECAUSE HE SITS ON THE BOARD WITH ME. COME INTO THE PARISH THIS YEAR, [01:20:02] AND THERE IS A HEALTHY PIPELINE FOR NEXT YEAR. I LOOK FORWARD TO US HAVING SOME GREAT ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT PROJECTS IN 2026 YEAR AND I MOVE APPROVAL. >> SECOND THE MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND BY CHAIR. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 112, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, [112. 25-01572] PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH NATHAN HALL, PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO THE BATON ROUGE FILM COMMISSION FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 2ND, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2026 AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 59,000 IN THE OPTION, FOR ONE YEAR RENEWALS CONTINGENT UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNCIL. MOTION BY CHAIR, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 113, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT [113. 25-01573] TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH BENJAMIN BACHOK FOR CURATIVE SERVICES FOR CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS IN 2026, AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $70,000 BY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES? 114, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, [114. 25-01574] PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO RENEW AN OPERATING SERVICES CONTRACT WITH EXXON ENTERPRISES TO PROVIDE CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES FOR IN CAR AND BODY CAMERA VIDEO SYSTEMS TO INCLUDE TASERS AND UPDATED CREATOR POINT MODEMS, INCLUDING INSTALLATION AND VEHICLES THROUGH A LEASE BUNDLE, MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT. THE ANNUAL ESTIMATED COMPENSATION OF THE AGREEMENT WILL NOT EXCEED 1,380,000 EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, 2026 BY THE POLICE CHIEF. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 115, AUTHORIZING MAYOR, [115. 25-01576] PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH THE LAW FIRM OF BRAZIL SAXY AND WILSON, LOP. CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR THE CHIEF OF POLICE DURING ADMINISTRATIVE AND MUNICIPAL FIRE AND POLICE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD HEARINGS. THE MAXIMUM COMPENSATION OF THE AGREEMENT WILL BE 150,000 BY THE POLICE CHIEF. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNCIL. PUT ME. I'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING. WE BROUGHT THIS ITEMS COME TO US BEFORE YEARS PAST. BRAZIL SAX HE'S REPRESENTED THE POLICE CHIEF, CURRENT CHIEF AND PREVIOUS CHIEF. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE HERE AND FOR THE PUBLIC WHO MAYBE WASN'T, ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME OUT OF THIS PREVIOUSLY, AND I THINK IS APPROPRIATE AGAIN, IS TO LOOK AT THIS BUDGET. IT WAS FAR LOWER YEARS AGO, AND THEN IT'S BEEN INCREASING. THERE'S A LOT OF MATTERS THAT COME BEFORE THIS BOARD, AND THAT'S OBVIOUSLY THE MORE THEY HAVE, THE MORE THAT'S GOING TO TAKE AND THE MORE TIME. THAT COST IS TYPICALLY GOING TO GO UP AND WE'VE SEEN THAT AND WE UNDERSTAND THE REASONING BEHIND THAT. HOWEVER, I THINK THERE'S NO REASON TO CHANGE THE APPROACH. I THOUGHT IT WAS SOUND WHEN WE DID IT PREVIOUSLY, WHICH IS TO KEEP IT AT THE HALF OF THE REQUEST HERE, DO IT AT $75,000. >> WHEN WE REACH TWO THIRDS OF THAT CONTRACT, HAVE THE CHIEF COME BACK, TALK ABOUT WHAT THE CASES ARE, WHAT'S GOING ON SO THAT NOT ONLY WE ARE INFORMED AND WE ARE ABLE TO PLAN BUDGETARILY ON THIS AND KNOW WHAT'S COMING, BUT ALSO SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THOSE FUNDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WHAT ARE THE CASES AND WHAT'S HAPPENING. WE SEE SETTLEMENTS WE HAD SOME EARLIER TONIGHT THAT COME THROUGH ALL THE TIME IN THESE DOLLARS AND DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE RATHER THAN DO A BLANKET ONE YEAR ON THIS AND JUST HAVE IT RUN UP AND IN MANY CASES, THEY HAVE TO COME BACK AND ASK BECAUSE IT EXCEEDS THAT, I THINK WHEN WE HIT TWO THIRDS OF THIS CONTRACT, IT'S APPROPRIATE TO COME BACK, LET'S SEE WHERE WE ARE, WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING AND SEE WHAT WE NEED TO INCREASE IT TO AND JUST CONTINUE DOWN THAT ROAD. THAT'S GOING TO BE MY RECOMMENDATION, IS WE APPROVE THIS FOR $75,000 AND WHEN TWO THIRDS OF THAT IS HIT, THAT CHIEF COMES BACK, LETS US KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND REQUESTS MORE. THAT'S MY MOTION. MOTION BY BY THE CHAIR, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? COUNCILMAN DUNN JR? >> I JUST WANT TO GIVE THE CHIEF AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO WHAT IS BEING PRESENTED AND WHAT'S HIS FEELINGS IN HIS DEPARTMENT'S VIEW ON THAT APPROACH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT, COUNCILMAN DUNN, I APPRECIATE IT, FOR GETTING TO SPEAK. JUST SO THAT EVERYBODY IS ON THE SAME PAGE, THIS LEGAL REPRESENTATION IS SOLELY FOR ME, YOU'D BE ABLE TO HOLD OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING WRONG THINGS. SO FAR THIS YEAR, I'VE HAD 60 DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS, [01:25:02] GIVEN OUT 450 SUSPENSION DAYS AND TWO TERMINATIONS. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE, INCLUDING LETTERS OF CAUTION, LETTERS OF REPRIMAND, IF I TAKE UNITS AWAY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR ACCIDENT THE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE CAN BE APPEALED TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD, AND THEN I HAVE TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY HELP ME REPRESENT TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT TO UPHOLD THAT DISCIPLINE THAT I RENDERED. SO FAR THIS YEAR ALONE, WE SPENT OVER $40,000 ON ONE CASE, AND THAT IS A TERMINATION OF THREE OFFICERS THAT ARE STILL FILING MOTIONS IN DISTRICT COURT AND THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS TO TRY TO GET THEIR JOBS BACK. THAT IS CONTINUING NEXT YEAR. THERE'S NO SIGN OF THAT STOPPING, MAINLY BECAUSE THE UNION HAS AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE ABLE TO FILE AS MANY MOTIONS AS THEY WANT AND APPEALS TO ANY DISCIPLINE I GIVE. THEY'RE ON A PART OF A NATIONAL CONTRACT WHICH GIVES THEM UNLIMITED FUNDS TO FILE MOTIONS, TO FILE APPEALS, TO TRY TO REVERSE DISCIPLINE DECISIONS I'VE MADE. I AM DOING THINGS TO KEEP. WE DID NOT HAVE TO COME FORWARD TO GET ANY INCREASE FOR THIS YEAR. THERE'S ALREADY THINGS IN PLACE THAT WE HIT CERTAIN MARKS THAT THEY REPORT TO THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT THEN REPORTS TO Y'ALL ON HOW WE ARE DOING WITH SPENDING THAT FUND. I DON'T THINK IT'S VERY FAIR TO SAY, HEY, I DON'T THINK YOU NEED $150,000, IT'S LIKE SAYING, WELL, I DON'T THINK YOU NEED AS MUCH ELECTRICITY BILL AS YOU'RE SPENDING. IT IS WHAT IT IS TO DO COST OF BUSINESS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DISCIPLINE THAT I RENDER IS GOING TO BE UPHELD. ONE OF THE THINGS I DID, JUST FOR EXAMPLE, IS EARLIER THIS YEAR, INSTEAD OF THE LAWYERS PUTTING OUT THE PRE-DISCIPLINARY HEARING NOTICES TO SAVE MONEY THAT IS NOW AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS JOB TO DO, THE COMMANDER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS DOES THAT. THAT IS SAVING SOME MONEY AND SOME BILLABLE HOURS, AND I'M ONLY USING THEM IN CERTAIN CASES. THIS YEAR WE HAD TWO CASES GO BEFORE THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD THAT GOT APPEALED, AND EVERYTHING ELSE WAS BASICALLY MOTIONS HAVING TO DO DEAL WITH ONGOING THINGS. NEXT YEAR, WE'LL HAVE THAT SAME CASE WITH THE THREE OFFICERS. ANOTHER OFFICER THAT WAS ARRESTED AND FIRED IS IN THE PROCESS OF FILING APPEALS. THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD UPHELD THAT FIRING, BUT HE'S A FILING APPEARS TO THE 19TH DC. IF THAT FAILS, HE'LL FILE IT TO THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS, AGAIN, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T COST THEM MANY MONEY, BUT IT DOES COST ME MONEY TO MAKE SURE THAT AN OFFICER LIKE THAT DOES NOT GET THEIR JOB BACK. I'D APPRECIATE IF Y'ALL HAVE SOME FAITH IN ME, APPROVE IT FOR $150,000 KNOWING THAT AS THAT MONEY IS SPENT, THAT I'LL BE GIVING YOU ALL UPDATES. >> CHIEF, IS IT YOUR BELIEF THAT REDUCING IT TO 75 OR ANY OTHER NUMBER RESTRICTS YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE ADEQUATE LEGAL REPRESENTATION? >> ON 1,000%. I WILL JUST BE IN FRONT OF Y'ALL PROBABLY NOT JUST IN A FEW MONTHS BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH IT PRETTY QUICKLY WITH THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE GOING ON JUST TO DEFEND THOSE DEFINITELY BY THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR. BUT $150,000, I THINK IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE. THIS YEAR WITH SOME OF THE CHANGES I'VE MADE, WE'RE GOING TO BE COMING IN RIGHT ABOUT 140. WE'RE TRYING NOT TO USE THEM AS MUCH, BUT I DEFINITELY RELY ON THEM FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T OPEN OURSELVES UP TO LAWSUITS AND THINGS THAT COULD COST US MORE MONEY. >> IS IT YOUR DESIRE FOR US TO APPROVE AS IT IS? >> YES, SIR. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. WITH THAT, I PUT FORTH A MOTION, A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO APPROVE AS IS. >> HOLD ON 1 SECOND. >> WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS IT IS, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> YES. >> COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN SECONDS THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, COUNCILMAN MOAK. >> ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE REALLY STARTED THAT POLICY A WHILE BACK WAS THE AMOUNT OF CASES WERE JUST EXPONENTIALLY GROWING AND GROWING, CONSTANTLY, CONSTANTLY COMING. YOU STAND BEFORE US TODAY, BASICALLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS, IT'S THE SAME PEOPLE, SAME DISCIPLINARY STUFF, JUST APPEALING AND APPEALING AND APPEALING. WHERE DO YOUR CASES STAND AS FAR AS THE AMOUNT OF CASES OR THE AMOUNT OF APPEALS AND EVERYTHING VERSUS MAYBE THE PREVIOUS YEAR, OR WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE INTO NEXT YEAR? >> YES. A GREAT QUESTION. I CAN'T REALLY ANTICIPATE INTO NEXT YEAR, OTHER THAN THE CASES THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH HOW THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD RULED AND ARE GOING TO THE 19 JDC FIRST CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS. BUT THIS YEAR, OUT OF ALL THAT DISCIPLINE THAT I HAD TO RENDER THIS YEAR, 450 SUSPENSION DAYS, TWO TERMINATIONS, ALL THOSE THINGS, LETTERS OF REPRIMAND, TAKING UNITS AWAY FOR DIFFERENT DISCIPLINE, I HAD TWO CASES THAT WENT IN FRONT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD, SO TWO OFFICERS THAT DID NOT AGREE WITH [01:30:01] THE DISCIPLINE THAT I GAVE THEM THAT WENT TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD. THAT COST MONEY, ONE OF THOSE CASES BECAUSE OF ALL THE MOTIONS THAT THEY FILE AND THE PRE WORK AND STUFF, ABOUT $9,000 FOR ONE OF THOSE CASES, JUST TO GO IN FRONT THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD, HAVE 10 HOURS OF HEARING, MULTIPLE WITNESSES, THOSE KIND OF THINGS. I THINK A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION HAD A LOT MORE OF APPEALS TO THE DISCIPLINE, THEY DIDN'T THINK THAT THAT DISCIPLINE WAS FAIR. A LOT OF THE DISCIPLINE I GIVE, OBVIOUSLY, THE OFFICERS THINK IT'S FAIR BECAUSE ONLY HAD TWO PEOPLE OUT OF ALL THOSE APPEAL TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD. >> I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING THAT. WE WANT TO SIT HERE AND SOME PEOPLE CAN SAY, WELL, WHAT'S GOOD FOR WHAT WE DID WITH PREVIOUS, WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING THAT HERE. I UNDERSTAND WHERE COUNCILMAN NOEL'S COMING FROM AND ALL, BUT LIKE I SAID, WHAT WE SAW LAST TIME WAS A CONSTANT APPEALING, NO MATTER WHAT AND SO ON AND SO FORTH, IT WAS A CONSTANT APPEAL. YOU FEEL LIKE YEAR OVER YEAR THE DISCIPLINARY PART HAS DECLINED ENOUGH AND THAT APPEALS HAVE GONE DOWN OR GOING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD HAVE GONE DOWN BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT, THIS IS RIGHT, I DON'T NEED TO DO THIS, I'M GOING TO LOSE ANYWAY. >> YES. THE NUMBER OF APPEALS HAS DEFINITELY GONE DOWN, BUT WITH THE WAY THAT THE UNION'S NEW LAWYER CONTRACTS WORK WHERE THEY BASICALLY HAVE AN ENDLESS AMOUNT OF MONEY THROUGH THE NATIONAL INSURANCE PLAN THAT THEY'RE UNDER, THE OFFICERS THAT DO DECIDE TO APPEAL, THE FEW THAT DO DECIDE TO APPEAL, LIKE THE ONES THAT WERE FIRED AND TRYING TO GET THEIR JOB BACK, ANOTHER ONE THAT'S FIRED AND TRYING TO GET THEIR JOB BACK, THEY DO A LOT MORE TYPES OF APPEALS. A LOT MORE DIFFERENT MOTIONS THAT THEY FILE GOING ALL THE WAY UP TO THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT PAYING FOR THOSE LAWYER FEES. IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO ME BEING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THEN BEING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THEY GOT ENDLESS MONEY AND I NEED THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO UPHOLD THE DISCIPLINE THAT I GIVE. >> YOU BROUGHT THAT UP, IS THAT A CHANGE BASED ON THEY COULD USE THE ATTORNEYS TO GO TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD, THEY DEFEND THEM AND EVERYTHING ELSE AND SUCH. IS IT A DIFFERENCE NOW TO WHERE IF CIVIL SERVICE BOARD DIDN'T AGREE WITH THEM, THE ATTORNEY JUST STICKS WITH THEM ALL THE WAY TO WHETHER IT MAY GO TO THE SUPREME COURT. WHERE BEFORE, IT ENDED AT A CERTAIN POINT. >> BEFORE THEY DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH MONEY. >> OKAY. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S NEW THAT STARTED? WHEN DID IT JUST KICK IN? >> I'M NOT SURE. I THINK JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF APPEALS THAT WERE HAPPENING BEFORE, THEY HAD TO LOOK AT HOW THEY WERE DOING BUSINESS DIFFERENT BECAUSE THE UNION ITSELF WAS SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY ON ATTORNEY FEES, THEY HAD TO LOOK AT A DIFFERENT BUSINESS MODEL. >> SO WHEN IT CAME UP FOR RENEWAL, THEY WENT TO [INAUDIBLE] UNTIL THE TIME? >> YES, SIR. >> THAT'S WHERE THE 150 COMES IN VERSUS PREVIOUS YEARS? >> YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMAN HUDSON. >> CHIEF, I THINK COUNCILMAN MOAK'S QUESTIONS WE'RE TOUCHING ON THIS A LITTLE BIT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND. YOUR TURNOVER RATE ON YOUR DECISIONS, DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT THAT IS? I RECALL IN THE PAST DISCUSSIONS AROUND THIS ITEM THAT THAT WAS A COMPONENT OF IT, THAT A LOT OF DECISIONS WERE BEING OVERTURNED. IS THAT STILL THE CASE? >> NO, SIR. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY DECISIONS OVERTURNED. CLOSEST I CAME WAS ONE CAME TO A STALEMATE BECAUSE THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH MEMBERS ON THE BOARD THAT DAY, THERE'S ONLY FIVE MEMBERS ON THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD, ONE DIDN'T COME AND IT WAS A 2-2 TIE DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT THE FIVE DAY SUSPENSION I GAVE SHOULD BE UPHELD OR NOT, SO IT CAME TO A STALEMATE. WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THE WHOLE THING, THE WHOLE TEN HOUR HEARING OVER AGAIN, AND INSTEAD OF SPENDING THAT MUCH MONEY, I CAME TO A CONSENT AGREEMENT WITH THAT OFFICER FOR LESSER THAN THE FIVE DAYS SO THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO SPEND MONEY OUT OF THAT $150,000 ALLOTMENT, I JUST DECIDED TO DO A CONSENT DISCIPLINE INSTEAD OF TRYING THE WHOLE THING OVER AGAIN. >> I DO KIND OF APPRECIATE THE THINKING OF COUNCILMAN NOEL IN THAT I REMEMBER MY FRIEND, JUDGE ERICA GREEN SITTING OVER THERE, AND WHENEVER WE WOULD DISAGREE ON SOMETHING, SHE WOULD ALWAYS SAY, OKAY, Y'ALL KEEP THAT SAME ENERGY. I WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE DO THAT BECAUSE IT'S AN IMPORTANT TASK. I DO UNDERSTAND THOUGH THAT WE ARE IN A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT REALITY, PARTICULARLY WITH THOSE THREE CASES THAT YOU MENTIONED, I UNDERSTAND THAT THOSE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE CASES THAT CAN DRIVE UP COSTS ON THIS ITEM. >> THEY'RE NOWHERE NEAR BEING DONE. >> RIGHT. FORGIVE MY IGNORANCE ON THIS, BUT WHERE IS THE CURRENT THRESHOLD FOR NOTICE TO THE PARISH ATTORNEYS IN THIS CONTRACT? >> I THINK IT'S SET AT 75%, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. >> I'M JUST CURIOUS IF MAYBE WE COULD MEET IN THE MIDDLE AND SAY, GIVE NOTICE AT 75 SO THAT WE CAN TRACK THE SPENDING, AT $75,000? >> GIVE NOTICE WHEN WE HIT THE 50% MARK AT $75,000 TO SEE WHERE WE'RE AT IN THE YEAR? [01:35:01] >> YEAH. I'LL JUST OFFER THAT UP AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT MAYBE COUNCILMAN DUNN WOULD CONSIDER. >> I'M FINE WITH THAT COUNCILMAN. BUT IF I CAN, I WANT TO GET THE PARISH ATTORNEY, GREG ROME COME UP REAL QUICK. WE'VE HAD THESE BUDGET HEARINGS, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WHAT I'VE CALLED THESE DEDICATED PARISH ATTORNEYS THAT YOU HAVE IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS, WHICH ONE IS BRPD, AND I'VE EVEN MADE A RECOMMENDATION THAT BRPD'S BUDGET SHOULD PAY FOR THAT LAWYER THAT'S OVER THERE, EVEN THOUGH THE CHIEF DISAGREES. BUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT ATTORNEY AND THIS OUTSIDE COUNSEL? CAN YOU JUST EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE IN ROLES? >> THAT'S WHY KIM IS RELUCTANTLY COMING UP HERE. I WANT TO TELL YOU TYPICALLY, I KNOW COUNCILMAN HUDSON SAID 75%, BUT I THINK IT HAS BEEN NOTIFICATION AT ABOUT TWO THIRDS. IT CAN BE WHATEVER Y'ALL WANT. >> FIFTY PERCENT, ESSENTIALLY, 75,000. >> BUT I'M SAYING, WE GET NOTIFICATION WHEN THEY USE UP ABOUT TWO THIRDS, JIM RAINES WILL EITHER CALL ME OR EMAIL ME AND SAY, HEY, GREG, HERE'S WHERE WE ARE, SO HE KEEPS COURTNEY AND REENA UPDATED. >> COUNCILMAN HUDSON, THAT'S 66% INSTEAD OF THE 75. >> I DIDN'T SAY THAT, COUNCILMAN. >> WAIT A MINUTE, GREG, ARE YOU PROPOSING THAT NOTICE THAT 50% AND KEEP IT IN PLACE? I'M FINE WITH THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF THE MOTION NEED TO BE MADE OR NOT. >> TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COUNCILMAN, WE HAVE A POLICE LEGAL ADVISOR THAT'S DEDICATED TO BATON ROUGE CITY POLICE, THAT IS AT THAT LOCATION AT 9,000 AIRLINE, THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT COMPENSATE US FOR THAT EMPLOYEE. THAT'S AN EMPLOYEE OF OUR OFFICE THAT GOES THERE EVERY DAY, THAT'S EMPLOYED BY THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THAT LAWYER DOES NOT DO POLICE DISCIPLINE. MS. BROOKS HERE HAS DONE THAT IN THE PAST, HAS DONE BOTH ROLES, AND IF YOU NEED ANY HISTORY ON THAT, THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT HER UP HERE, SHE CAN GIVE YOU THAT. SHE DID IT FOR CHIEF DABITY, CHIEF JOHNNY DUNHAM, WHO WAS A TEMPORARY POLICE CHIEF, AND THEN A LITTLE WHILE FOR CHIEF MURPHY, PAUL, AND THEN CHIEF PAUL WANTED HIS OWN DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL. I THINK MS. BATSON DID THAT OR MR. DODSON, I CAN'T REMEMBER, ONE OF THEM, HE WANTED HIS OWN DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL AND OUR OFFICE ACCOMMODATED HIM WITH THAT. THEN I THINK ROUGHLY AROUND THE SAME TIME, CHIEF MARS AND I CAME IN ABOUT THE SAME TIME AND THEN WHEN THAT CONTRACT CAME UP, HE AND I DISCUSSED IT. I THINK RIGHT AT THE FRONT END, HE WANTED TO KEEP IT IN PLACE, I SAID FINE, IF HE WANTED TO KEEP IT IN PLACE. I DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. I THINK IT GOT RENEWED AGAIN AFTER THAT. I CAN'T REMEMBER. I'M SORRY, CHIEF, I JUST DON'T REMEMBER BUT HERE WE ARE AGAIN, BASICALLY. >> JUST WANTED YOU TO CLARIFY THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TWO ROLES IN THE ATTORNEYS IN YOUR OFFICE IN THE CONTRACT ONE. BUT ON TO THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, IF I UNDERSTAND IT CORRECTLY, I THINK WHAT COUNCILMAN HUDSON IS OFFERING FOR ME TO AMEND IT TO APPROVE AS IS, BUT CHANGE THE NOTICE TO 50% NOTICE. IF THAT'S WHAT HE'S OFFERING, I'M OKAY WITH AMENDING MINE. >> THAT IS CORRECT. AS A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, MY MATH WAS CORRECT, 75,000 IS A HALF 150,000, OKAY? >> IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT NOTICE TO MY OFFICE, I DON'T THINK BRAZIL SAXON CARES. IF Y'ALL PICK A NUMBER, JIM RAINES WILL LET US KNOW, I PROMISE YOU. >> FIFTY PERCENT, $75,000. >> THANK YOU. >> COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, YOU STILL SECOND COUNCILMAN DUNN JR'S MOTION AS AMENDED? >> CORRECT. >> COUNCILMAN MOAK. >> I JUST WANTED THE CLARIFICATION TO SAY WE HAVE A PARISH ATTORNEY PERSON THAT WORKS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT GOES TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT EACH DAY FROM THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? >> WELL, THEY DON'T COME, THEY GO STRAIGHT. >. THEY GO STRAIGHT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT? >> YES SIR. >> THROUGH THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THEY REPRESENT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS BASICALLY AS A WHOLE? >> SIR. >> THEY REPRESENT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR LEGAL ADVICE AND STUFF TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE? >> YES. >> THIS ONE WE'RE CONTRACTING IS CHIEF MORRIS' ATTORNEY. STRICTLY FOR DISCIPLINE AND WHAT HE DOES? >> STRICTLY DISCIPLINE. JUST DISCIPLINARY, COUNSEL. >> THANK YOU. >> COME ON. WHAT'S THE MATTER? DID I SAY SOMETHING WRONG? >> NO. I WAS TALKING TO SOMEBODY ELSE, SO I DIDN'T HEAR WHAT YOU SAID. >> WAS JUST TRYING TO SAY THAT THE CONTRACT LAWYER JUST DOES DISCIPLINE. >> CAME TO PROBABLY GIVE SOME INSIGHT AS TO WHAT DALEY [01:40:03] IS DOING HERE SINCE SHE DID THE JOB SO THAT THEY KNOW. WHAT OUR OFFICE DOES FOR BRPD. >> WELL, AND ALSO BY DISCIPLINE, YOU HAVE YOUR ASSISTANT CHIEFS AND STUFF, THEY DISCIPLINE ALSO. WHO DOES THE ATTORNEY REPRESENT THEM, OR OR YOU THE ONLY ONE THAT DOES THAT DISCIPLINE? >> THE DEPUTY CHIEFS GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT COURT OF CIVIL SERVICE, I'M THE APPOINTED AUTHORITY, AND I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT IS ALLOWED TO RENDER DISCIPLINE. IT ALL HAS TO BE MY DECISION. THEY, OF COURSE, GIVE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ALWAYS MY DECISION. >> YEAH, THAT TRANSLATES TO ME AS YOU'RE ATTORNEY FOR DISCIPLINE REACTION? YOU'RE ATTORNEY? >> FOR THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT? >> RIGHT. >> THAT IS RENDERING THE DISCIPLINE, AND I'M THE POINTING AUTHORITY DOING IT, YES. >> THANK YOU. >> WHAT YOU TOLD ME, DELEY DON? >> AS A GENERAL RULE, WHEN I WAS A POLICE LEGAL ADVISOR, I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT SHE DOES ON A DAILY BASIS NOW, BUT YOU ANSWER PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS. POLICE OFFICERS CALL YOU, THEY GIVE YOU INFORMATION, THEY ASK YOU IF YOU THINK THAT THEY HAVE REASONABLE SUSPICION OR PROBABLE CAUSE TO MAKE AN ARREST OR TO DO A STOP. THAT CAN COME IN EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I ALSO USED TO TEACH AT THE POLICE ACADEMY, OR TEACH LAW AT THE POLICE ACADEMY, TEACH OTHER CLASSES WHEN THEY HAD TO HAVE UPDATES, ANSWER ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS THE CHIEF HAD, TALKED ABOUT IA INVESTIGATIONS ON OFFICERS BEFORE IT REACHED THE DISCIPLINARY PROCESS THROUGH THE CHIEF. EVERY DAY WAS JUST SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BUT NOT DISCIPLINE ISSUES UNTIL I CAME DOWNTOWN AND THEN BECAME THE DISCIPLINE ATTORNEY WHEN I HAD ANOTHER JOB AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. SOUND LIKE A LOT OF WORK ON BEHALF OF THE BRPD. >> IT IS. >> WHICH IS WHY I THINK THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET SHOULD FUND THAT POSITION. BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE GREG RON HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE CHIEF. >> COUNCILMAN HURST. YOU GOT TWO MINUTES LEFT, COUNCILMAN MOORE, CAN I SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT? >> CHIEF, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND TO? >> WHEN IT COMES TO THE PARISH ATTORNEY, AND I DO APPRECIATE HAVING MS. DELEY IN THE BUILDING, ABOUT 80, IT'S DIFFERENT WORLD THAN WHEN MS. BROOKS WAS THERE WITH BODY CAMERAS AND AS MANY PUBLIC ARREST REQUESTS WE GET NOW. I WOULD SAY PROBABLY ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF HER JOB IS LOOKING THROUGH PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST AND MAKING SURE WHAT WE RELEASE IN THE FORM OF REPORTS AND BODY CAMERAS, IS NOT GOING TO GET THE CITY PARISH SUED. IF I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO COVER THAT JOB, THEN I WOULD PROBABLY HIRE SOMEBODY THAT REPRESENTED THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND NOT THE CITY PARISH. IF IT'S GOING TO BE COMING OUT OF MY BUDGET, I'D WANT THEM TO REPRESENT THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND NOT THE CITY PARISH'S BEST INTEREST. THAT WOULD BE MY ARGUMENT AGAINST IT COMING OUT OF MY BUDGET TO COVER AN EMPLOYEE THAT I HAVE NO RIGHT TO HIRE OR FIRE OR DISCIPLINE. WHY WOULD I PAY FOR SOMEBODY THAT I CAN'T MAKE SURE THEY'RE DOING THEIR CORRECT JOB? THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN MOORE. >> COUNCILMAN HURST. >> IT'S PAST THE PERIOD, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT, SO YOU'RE WELCOME TO, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD? >> YES. FIRST, I'D JUST LIKE A LITTLE CLARIFICATION. THE 150,000 WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS COMING OUT OF THE MONEY THAT HAS BEEN BUDGETED FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. IT'S THEIR BUDGET. I WANT TO THANK THE CHIEF FOR STANDING FIRM ON DISCIPLINE AND URGE THE COUNCIL TO PROVIDE HIM THE FUNDS HE NEEDS TO CONTINUE DISCIPLINE. ONE SINGLE POLICE INCIDENT CAN COST AND HAS COST THE CITY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. WE NEED POLICE WHO DO THINGS RIGHT. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO APPROVE WITH AN AMENDMENT TO HAVE NOTIFICATION AT 50 PERCENT UTILIZATION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES. WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON SUBSTITUTE MOTION. >> MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO APPROVE. >> GOOD. >> YOU'RE REPORTING AT 50 PERCENT. >> MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 116, [116. 25-01577] AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENTER INTO AN OPERATING SERVICES CONTRACT WITH STAR SERVICES. I'M SORRY. YEAH. WE NEED A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THAT. >> SORRY. >> SORRY. >> APOLOGIES. >> ROLL CALL ON THE PREVIOUS ITEM, COUNCILMAN GAUDET. >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN MOAK? >> YES. >> COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN HURST? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN RACCA? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN NOEL? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN HUDSON? >> YES. >>COUNCILMAN AMAROSO? >> YES. >> COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN? [01:45:02] >> YES. >> EXCUSE ME. >> WATER. >> COUNCILMAN KENNEY? >> YES. >> COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS? >> NO. >> THANK YOU. >> ITEM 116, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENTER INTO AN OPERATING SERVICES CONTRACT WITH STAR SERVICES TO PROVIDE HVAC SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX. THE ESTIMATED COMPENSATION OF THE AGREEMENT IS NOT TO EXCEED 435,000 BY THE POLICE CHIEF. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING, NO, WE'LL GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES, 117, AUTHORIZING [117. 25-01578] THE MAYOR PRESIDENT ON BEHALF OF THE BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO RENEW PROFESSIONAL SERVICE. CONTRACT COOL MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS FOR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION COST OF THE COMMAND CENTRAL AWARE PROGRAM, THE ANNUAL ESTIMATED COMPENSATION OF THE AGREEMENT WILL NOT EXCEED $63,860 BY THE POLICE CHIEF. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THOSE ITEMS. SEEING NO, WE GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN AMAROSO, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES, 118, [118. 25-01579] AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESENT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE COMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO AMEND CONTRACT WITH BAYOU ROUGE ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANNING, LLC TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF WORK. EXTEND THE CONTRACT TERM THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2027, INCREASE COMPENSATION BY $139,850 FOR REVISED NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT $289,850 AND EXECUTE ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, WILL GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION. >> YES. >> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 119, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH IS [INAUDIBLE] LLP IN [119. 25-01591] AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,586,320 FOR THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE AUDIT, AND THE RAISING KANES RIVER CENTER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AUDIT FOR AUDITING SERVICES FOR THE YEAR 2025 THROUGH 2028, AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON AND FINANCE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE THE ENGAGEMENT LETTERS WITH SET AUDIT BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, WE GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. M120, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT WITH [120. 25-01592] THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD ON AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $134,110 TO PROVIDE ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES FOR THE INMATES IN THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH PRISON FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026 BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, WE GO TO COUNSEL, DO WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES, 121, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT WITH [121. 25-01593] TAX COMPLIANCE AND RECOVERY LLC AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $137,580 FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE RECOVERY OF SALES AND USE TAXES BY THE FINANCE DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, WE GO TO COUNSEL. >> MOTION. >> MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 122 AND 123 TOGETHER, [Items 122 & 123] AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES WITH GEC. FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT, OHAMON HIGHWAY SEGMENT 2, MILLERVILLE, O'NEAL AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 749,000 BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR. I'M SORRY, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH FORT DOLATA FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT, NICHOLSON DRIVE BESIDE D GERI AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $381,375.92. BY TRANSPORTATION AND DRAINAGE DIRECTOR. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 122 AND 123. SEEING NO, WE GO TO COUNSEL. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. YOU WANT TO SPEAK. COUNCILMAN GAUDET. LUCKILY. >> I'M ASKING. YEAH. THERE'S FRED. THANK YOU, EXCUSE ME. FRED, IT'S ON 123, THE NICHOLSON DRIVE. IF YOU CAN JUST SIMPLY GIVE AN UPDATE, I GOT A COUPLE OF INQUIRIES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ON THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT. >> YOU MUST GOT A CALL FROM ME THEN, TOO, HUH? YEAH. I'M JUST KIDDING. WELL, FIRST OFF, LET ME JUST SAY WE'RE MOVING ALONG MUCH BETTER AT THIS POINT IN TIME. WE DO HAVE OUR FINAL REVIEW PLANS, FINAL PLANS BEING LOOKED AT BY DOTD CURRENTLY. REASON IS THAT THE PLANS THAT WE ALREADY SUBMITTED, THERE WERE SOME CHANGES THAT DOTD WANTED TO SEE IN PLACE. THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS STILL A DOTD ROADWAY, [01:50:03] UNTIL IT'S CONSTRUCTED AND THEN IT WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE. SOME OF THOSE REQUESTS FOR PREEMPTION FOR THE RAILROAD AT [INAUDIBLE] WHICH I THINK IS GOOD. THEY ALSO HAD SOME SHEET PILE WORK FOR SOME DRAINAGE ALONG THE RAILROAD, WHICH WE ALSO THINK WAS GOOD, AND NOT JUST SOME BASIC COMMENTS IN REGARDS TO THAT NOW AS FAR AS WHERE IS THE STATUS IS, THE CLEARING AND GRUBBING. WE HAVE THE PLANS READY. THAT'S A WANING ON DOTD TO ADVERTISE THAT WORK. THAT WILL PROBABLY TAKE PLACE SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, WE HAD TO REQUEST APPROVAL, AND THEY WILL COME AND GET THEIR BIDS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TAKEN THE BIDS, AND THEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE WILL COME AND ALSO BRING IT TO THE COUNCIL FOR ALL'S APPROVAL ON THAT. IN REGARDS TO THE CLEARING GRUBBING, WE WILL PROBABLY ADVERTISE THAT AND HAVE THAT SOMETIME DURING APRIL. ALL THE RIGHT AWAY, EXCEPT FOR ONE PIECE OF PROPERTY HAS BEEN ACQUIRED, AND THAT IS BEING HANDLED AS SOMETIME WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO ADDRESS THAT, DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY PROBLEMS. I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING ABOUT IT. CERTAINLY, IT IS A CHALLENGE, SOMETIME DEALING WITH THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH. BUT WE'RE MOVING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION. I'M ALSO GOING TO BE MEETING TOMORROW MORNING WITH THE SECRETARY OF DOTD TO DISCUSS SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. BUT IN REALISTIC TERMS, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE US MOVE FASTER AND QUICKER ON SOME OF THESE PROJECTS. >> THANK YOU, FRED, AND THIS IS PHASE 1 SPECIFICALLY, WHICH IS GARY OF TWO. >> RIGHT. GARY OF TWO, WELL, ACTUALLY, SHORT OF BRIGHT SIDE BECAUSE THEY ALREADY DONE THE INTERSECTION AT THAT LOCATION. >> OKAY. AND THEN IS WHILE I RECOGNIZE THIS ITEM IS PHASE 1, IS PHASE 2 CONTINGENT UPON COMPLETION OF PHASE 1 OR THINGS ARE ADVANCING FOR PHASE 2, WHICH WOULD BE BRIGHTSIDE TO, I THINK, BLUE BONNET? >> YES, SIR. THAT IS THE REASON I'M MEETING WITH HIM TOMORROW. >> OKAY. >> BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE ISSUES ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY THAT NEEDS TO BE HANDLED, IT'S BEEN A LOT OF DELAY, AND I'M GOING TO ASK THE SECRETARY, AND WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY WANT TO SEE THIS PROJECT GO ALL THE WAY TO THE PARISH LINE. >> RIGHT. >> THAT IS WHAT WE HAD IN THE MOVEBR PROGRAM. BUT THERE'S A WAY THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET FUNDS FEDERAL DOLLARS IN REGARDS TO THIS PROJECT AND WE WANT TO LOOK AT THAT. BUT BOTTOM LINE IS THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH EITHER DOING THE ENVIRONMENTAL SO WE CAN GET SOME OF THESE FUNDS POTENTIALLY. ALSO THAT HOLDS TRUE FOR EVERY BILL AND ALSO ASCENSION PARISH. BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE ONLY WORRIED ABOUT OUR PARISH AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS FROM A TRANSPORTATION STANDPOINT. >> THANK YOU, FRED RAYFORD. >> YES. >> HOLD ON, FRED. >> COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR, REAL QUICK. >> YES. >> YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE ON 122 AND THE OHAMON HIGHWAY PROJECT. >> YES. >> SECONDLY, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE APPROACH THE CITY OF PARISH TOOK AND YOUR DEPARTMENT TOOK AS IT RELATES TO MOVEBR? SOME PEOPLE ARE INQUIRING ABOUT WHY THE CITY IS, YOU KNOW, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING SOME STATE HIGHWAYS. TALK ABOUT THE APPROACH THAT WAS TAKEN AS IT RELATES TO THAT. >> FIRST OFF, THE MOVEBR ON THE OHAMON TO PHASE 2, WHICH IS THE SECTION FROM MILLERVILLE TO O'NEIL LANE. WE DID RECEIVE THE BIDS. COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THOSE BIDS. WE'RE IN THE PROCESS, WE WERE LOOKING TO TRYING TO FIND SOMEBODY THAT COULD HANDLE THE PROJECT INSPECTION FOR US BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFFING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AT THIS POINT. SO THAT WAS THE ITEM THAT WAS APPROVED, AND OUR GOAL AND OBJECTIVE IS TO TRY TO START TO WORK ON EITHER FEBRUARY, I THINK AT THIS POINT BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO TAKE AT LEAST 30 DAYS TO GET THE CONTRACT SIGNED BY GEC, BUT WE'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. THEY'VE GETTING EVERYTHING SET UP FROM THAT STANDPOINT. IN REFERENCE TO ROADWAYS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, SOME PEOPLE CLAIM A STATE HIGHWAYS, AND THAT IS TRUE. THERE ARE SOME HIGHWAYS STILL OWNED BY THE STATE, BUT IT WILL BE TRANSFERRED. BUT OHAMON HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO US. WE OWN ALL OF OHAMON ACTUALLY FROM JEFFERSON HIGHWAY, ALL THE WAY TO FLORIDA BOULEVARD. THAT HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND SO WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PHASES THAT WE NEED TO DO, IN FACT, LOOKING AT TRYING TO FINALIZE THE ISSUE ON FLANNERY AND OHAMON AT THAT POINT. WE JUST FINISHED UP CONDEMNING THE HOUSE WAS TORE DOWN JUST RECENTLY, WHICH WAS A REAL ISSUE TO A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA. SO I MEAN, WE'RE GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS, A LOT OF THE ROADWAYS ARE ALREADY IRS, BUT THEN SOME ARE NOT BECAUSE ONLY FROM A CONSTRUCTION STANDPOINT ONCE THAT'S COMPLETE, THEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE WILL THEN BECOME THE OWNERS OF THAT ROADWAY. >> THANK YOU FOR, FRED. >> YES, SIR. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MOAK. [01:55:01] DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES, 124, [124. 25-01598] AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT A GRANT AWARD FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISASTER RECOVERY AND LOUISIANA WATERSHED INITIATIVE, IN AN AMOUNT OF $29,891,960 BY THE TRANSPORTATION DRAINAGE DIRECTOR? THIS IS CONTINGENT UPON GRANTS REVIEW. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES, 125 AUTHORIZE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO [125. 25-01599] EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH SOUTH CENTRAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 338,000 BY THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NO, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN GAUDET. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. AN OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 126 THROUGH 132 TOGETHER. [Items 126 - 132] AUTHORIZE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT NUMBER 5 WITHIN CMC LLC FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL STORMWATER INLET AND JUNCTION BOX REHABILITATION PROJECT RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN CONTRACT AND AN AMOUNT OF 600,000 AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026 BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZED MAYOR PRESIDENT, AND/OR ABRASCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER 13 WITH ECM CONSULTANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SUPPORT SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SUPPORT RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 600,000 AND AN EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TIME TO DECEMBER 31ST BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZED MAYOR PRESIDENT AND/OR ABRASCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER 8 TO THE CONTRACT WITH K3B, LLC FOR PUMP STATION LAWN MAINTENANCE EAST SITE GROUP BEING CITY PARISH CONTRACT 800-00-0776 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 175,000 AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZE MAYOR PRESIDENT AND/OR ABRASCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER 9 TO THE CONTRACT WITH WP ENTERPRISE, LLC FOR PUMP STATION LAWN MAINTENANCE NORTH SITE GROUP, FUND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 100,000 AND EXTENDED THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR. AUTHORIZE MAYOR PRESIDENT AND/OR ABRASCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER 8 TO THE CONTRACT WITH CARUTH HOLDINGS, LLC FOR PUMP STATION LAWN MAINTENANCE SOUTH SITE GROUP. FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 125,000 AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026, BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR. ONE THIRTY ONE AUTHORIZE MAYOR PRESIDENT AND/ ABRASCO TO EXECUTE AN EXTENSION TO THE CONTRACT WITH ARCO COMPANY FOR MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, INSTALLATION, AND STORAGE OF GENERATORS FOR PUMP STATION SITES FOR AN ADDITIONAL FIVE YEARS FOR A FEE NOT TO EXCEED 2,500,000 ANNUALLY BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR, 132 AUTHORIZED MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER 23 TO THE CONTRACT WITH CH2M HILL ENGINEERS, NOW JACOBS ENGINEERING FOR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, SERVICES FOR PHASE 2 OF THE BADGE SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW CONTROL AND WASTEWATER FACILITIES PROGRAM RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 03,250,000 AND AN EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TIME TO DECEMBER 31, 2026 BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 126 THROUGH 132? SEE, NONE, WE GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAM. SECOND BY COUNSEL MCKINNEY. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES? 133, THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST TO DELETE THIS ITEM, [133. 25-01609] AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE FOR THE PROVISION OF ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES IN THE CITY OF ST. GEORGE AT A COST OF $432,440 PAID TO THE CITY PARISH FOR THE YEAR 2026 AND CONTINUING YEAR TO YEAR AFTER THAT UPON THE MUTUAL CONSENT OF THE PARTIES AND TO SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH BY THE ANIMAL CONTROL DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR? YES. CAN SOMEBODY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION COME GIVE ME SOME INSIGHT ON THIS? WHY IS IT BEING DELETED? ARE THEY GOING TO DO THE SERVICES THEMSELVES? ARE WE AMENDING? WHAT'S THE HISTORY HERE? HI, COUNSELMAN. HOW ARE YOU DOING? I BELIEVE WE'RE STILL WORKING OUT JUST SOME MINOR DETAILS IN IT IN THE AGREEMENT, AND HOPEFULLY YOU SHOULD SEE IT AGAIN NEXT TIME AROUND. SO THE PLAN IS FOR US TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES, AND THEY PAY US FOR 2026? THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, YES. THAT'S THE WAY THE AGREEMENT IS STATED. ARE WE STARTING THE SERVICES PRIOR TO EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT? I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING THOSE SERVICES, BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO ASK ANIMAL CONTROL THAT. MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT THE AGREEMENT WOULD START JANUARY 1. HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT COME BEFORE YOU FOR INTRODUCTION UNTIL THE FIRST COUNCIL MEETING IN JANUARY. AND ARE THEY PAYING FOR THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE RIGHT NOW? I DO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER TO THAT. DOES ANYBODY HAVE AN ANSWER TO PUT IN? [02:00:10] TO MY KNOWLEDGE, I DO NOT THINK THEY ARE PAYING FOR IT. SO WHY ARE WE PROVIDING SERVICES THAT THEY'RE NOT PAYING FOR? I THINK IT WAS JUST AN OVERSIGHT AND IN THIS AGREEMENT, WE RECOGNIZED THAT WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES. THEY DO WANT THE SERVICES. WE JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF DETAILS WE NEED TO WORK OUT. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S YOUR DEPARTMENT OR WHOSE DEPARTMENT THAT IS, AND I DON'T NEED IT RIGHT NOW, BUT I LIKE TO GET A REPORT THAT'S LETTING US KNOW ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE PROVIDING FOR ST. GEORGE, THAT THEY SHOULD BE PROVIDING TO THEMSELVES, IF THEY'RE PAYING FORM, AND IF THEY'RE NOT, WHY ARE THEY NOT PAYING FORM? AND WHAT IS THE PLAN TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR? YES, SIR. SO IS THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT, EDGY OR WOULD THAT BE SOMEBODY ELSE? I CAN COORDINATE WITH EVERYONE AND THEN WE CAN JUST SEND ONE REPORT INSTEAD OF THE DIFFERENT DIRECTOR SENDING MULTIPLE EMAILS. THANK YOU. AND ALSO REIMBURSEMENT STATUS. THEY REMEMBER HOW LAST TIME Y'ALL TO ASKED ME IF THEY SENT A REIMBURSEMENT CHECK FOR THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDED. THEY DID RECEIVE IT. THERE WAS SOME MISCOMMUNICATION. THE CHECK ACCIDENTALLY GOT SENT BACK, BUT IS IN THE PROCESS OF COMING BACK TO US. WE JUST NEED TO CLEAN ALL THAT UP. IT'S TOO MANY CHALLENGES WE HAVE FROM A BUDGET STANDPOINT. AND WE WERE EAGER IN GETTING THEM THE MONEY THAT THEY OWED, BUT DON'T SEEM AS IF WE WAS AS EAGER AS GETTING THE MONEY THAT THEY OWE US. THEY DID PAY US TIMELY. IN THAT SCENARIO, BUT YOU HAVE HERE ANOTHER ONE WHERE WE PROVIDING A SERVICE, WE'RE NOT GETTING PAID FOR IT. WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GETTING PAID FOR IT. THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. YES, SIR. THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE A MOTION TO DELETE? MOTION BY COUNSELMAN DAN JUNIOR, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 134, AUTHORIZE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER TEN WITH [134. 25-01612] GRADY CRAWFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL STORMWATER PIPE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT PROJECT, RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN CONTRACT AND THE AMOUNT OF 1,850,000, EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026 BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO, AND GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY CHAIR. IS ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES 135, AMENDING RESOLUTION 58496, ADOPTED FEBRUARY 26, [135. 25-01613] 2025 IN ORDER TO ADOPT A NEW FEE SCHEDULE FOR DUMPING AT THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH NORTH LANDFILL SITE AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERE TOO, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026 BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? THEN GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AEROSA. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 136, AUTHORIZE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE [136. 25-01614] SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER FOUR TO THE CONTRACT WITH JACOBS ENGINEERING, FORMERLY CH2M HILL FOR STORM WATER DIVISION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 400,000 IN AN EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT TIME THROUGH DECEMBER 31 BY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. SO YOU KNOW, GO TO COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY CONCMAN HUDSON, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 137, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR, [137. 25-01616] LEASE AGREEMENT WITH AMERICAN CRUISINES, PROVIDED FOR 20 YEAR FOR A 20 YEAR EXCLUSIVE DOCKING ARRANGEMENT AT THE CITY PARISH, PAPERCLIP DOC, IN CONSIDERATION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DOCKING FACILITIES, MAINTENANCE, AND OR RENTAL PAYMENTS, AND DOCKING FEES AS DICTATED BY CITY PARISH ORDINANCE, TITLE 10, CHAPTER 5, SECTION 10300 BY COUNCILWOMAN CARLY AND COLEMAN. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE, NO, GO TO COUNCIL. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. YES? YES, SIR. I MAKE THIS MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION WITH THE AMENDMENT THAT THE AGREEMENT IS NON-EXCLUSIVE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 138, AUTHORIZING [138. 25-01618] MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SSA CONSULTANTS IN AN AMOUNT UP TO 180,000 FOR HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE PROFESSIONAL WORK FOR THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR PRESIDENT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026 AND THE OPTION FOR ONE-YEAR RENEWALS CONTINGENT UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE? ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS SIDE? COUNCILMEMBER, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION 138. [02:05:04] COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. CAN YOU COME UP, PLEASE? THANKS, ANGIE. YES, MA'AM. WHAT IS THE FULL COST TO THE CITY PARISH FOR THE CAO POSITION WITH SALARY AND BENEFITS, PLEASE? WHAT WOULD THAT COST? IT'S 250,000. OF THAT, THE BASE SALARY IS 156, AND THEN THE BENEFITS IS ABOUT 102,000. THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS FREEZING THIS POSITION AND REALLOCATING THAT MONEY TO HELP SUPPORT THIS CONTRACT WHICH GENERATES A SAVINGS OF 78,000 THAT IS PART OF THEIR BUDGET REDUCTION PLAN THAT THEY'RE PRESENTING. TO ACCOMMODATE THE 11% BUDGET CUTS IN 2026. THANKS, ANI. APPRECIATE IT. YES, MA'AM. THE PARISH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, PLEASE? HI, CALLY. HI. HAS YOUR OFFICE REVIEWED THIS CONTRACT AND APPROVED IT? YES. WE'VE REVIEWED IT AND APPROVED IT AS TO FORM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I MAKE A MOTION TOO. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCK, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES 139 APPROVING THE LEVY AND ASSESSMENT PURSUANT TO [139. 25-01626] LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTE 333,9038.76 E2B OF THE SALES AND USE TAX AND HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX IN THE LSU EDD ATHLETIC SUBDISTRICT AS ESTABLISHED BY THE SUBDISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BY COUNCILWOMAN CARLY AND COLEMAN. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE. WE'LL GO TO. YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL COMMENT IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 139. COUNCIL MANHURST. CALL THE QUESTION. WE DON'T FOLLOW ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER, SO CALL THE QUESTION IS NOT APPLICABLE. ASHLEY. YOU CAN MAKE A PROCEDURAL MOTION TO CALL THE QUESTION. YOU NEED A SECOND, AND IT REQUIRES TWO THIRDS VOTE. SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ROCA TO CALL THE QUESTION, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. DO WE HAVE ANY OPPOSITION ON THE MOTION TO CALL THE QUESTION? WE HAVE ONE OPPOSITION. WE'LL VOTE ON THE MACHINES ON THE MOTION TO CALL THE QUESTION. MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO CALL THE QUESTION THAT WILL END DEBATE ON THE ITEM. MOTION CARRIES. DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE ITEM? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION TO THE ITEM? MOTION CARRIES? ITEM 140, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF [140. 25-01628] THE RFP 2025-22-5400 EVALUATION COMMITTEE TO ISSUE A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH HUNT GET AND ASSOCIATES, LLC FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT GRANT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF H HAZARD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS BY EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, MAYOR'S OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NOW, WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL. COUNCIL MANHURST, IS THIS FOR THIS ONE OR FOR THE LAST ITEM. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN G DAY. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 141, AUTHORIZING MAYOR PRESIDENT AND THE DIRECTOR OF [141. 25-01629] JUVENILE SERVICES TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH COMA CARE LAKE, AFTER HOURS, DOING BUSINESS TOTAL OCCUPATIONAL TO PROVIDE JUVENILE ACCESS TO CONTINUUM HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INCLUDING SCREENING, PREVENTION, HEALTH EDUCATION, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, AS THE ONSITE MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND PROVIDER IN AN AMOUNT NOT EXCEED $150,000 BY THE JUVENILE SERVICES DIRECTOR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO, GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS.SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES 142, ADJUDICATED PROPERTY LOT 66 AND 67 SUBDIVISION MCCL PLACE, [ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES] METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO KINNEY, BAM, IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNSEL MCKINNEY. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. GO TO YOUR SEPARATE CHIEF FOR ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS. [ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS] A, RECEIVING A REPORT FROM CHIEF BAT ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON CRIME STATISTICS IN METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN FOR 2025 BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. I NEED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES TO ALLOW THE ITEM TO BE INTRODUCED. WE HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. [02:10:01] I'M GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES. IS THERE A SECOND OF THE MOTION MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS? WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MOTION WAIVE THE RULES, ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES. SEE NO, I'M GOING TO HAVE A VOTE ON THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE RULES, ANY OPPOSITION. NOW WE NEED A MOTION TO INTRODUCE THE ITEMS. O THE ITEM. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS, SECOND, BY COUNSELMAN DAN JUNIOR, IS ANY OPPOSITION?MOTION CARRIES. ITEMS INTRODUCED. INTRODUCED. APPOINTMENTS. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, [143. 25-01714] METROPOLITAN, CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING PARKER EWING, WHO IS TERM-LIMITED TERM EFFECT OF JANUARY 2, 2026, IS A FIVE-YEAR TERM CURRENT BALLOT, BRAD ANOVA, WHO SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. SEE NONE, GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS? I MOVE THAT WE APPOINT MR. ANOVA. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS TO APPOINT MR. ANOVA. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN A. MAROSA. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 144, CHANYVILL VOLUNTEER FIRE [144. 25-01715] DISTRICT CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING CLAUDE FISHER, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31, 2025, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026, IS A TWO-YEAR TERM. CURRENT BALLOT IS CLAUDE AISHER FISHER REQUESTING REAPPOINTMENT. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO AND GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN A. MAROSA TO REAPPOINT CLAUDE FISHER. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. 145 EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, [145. 25-01716] MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT, MARK. CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING DR. REBECCA, D HAYES CRESPO. TERM EXPIRES JANUARY 10, 2026 IS A THREE-YEAR TERM. MUST BE AN ENTOMOLOGIST. DOCTOR REBECA D HAYES CRESPO IS REQUESTING REAPPOINTMENT. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO AND GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS TO REAPPOINT DR. CRESPO. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMAROSA. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. GAS UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER ONE. [146. 25-01717] BOARD COMMISSIONERS' CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING NATHAN LAMA SENIOR, WHOSE TERM EXPIRES ON JANUARY 1, 2026, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2, 2026 IS A FIVE-YEAR TERM. MUST LIVE IN THE DISTRICT. CURRENT BALLOT IS NATHAN LOIN SENIOR REQUESTING REAPPOINTMENT. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NO AND GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND BY THE CHAIR. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 147, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION [147. 25-01718] CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTING OR REPLACING EVAN SCROGG. THIS APPOINTMENT IS A FOUR-YEAR TERM. MUST LIVE IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE. CURRENT BALLOT: REX AVIANS, EVANS SCROG, REQUESTING REAPPOINTMENT AND SPENCER MAXIE. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEE NONE, I'LL GO TO COUNSEL. I'LL MAKE A MOTION. WE APPOINT SPENCER MAXIE. MOTION BY THE CHAIR, SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN HARRIS. I MAKE A MOTION WE REAPPOINT MR. EVANS SCROG. WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO REAPPOINT EVANS SCROG. DO YOU HAVE A SECOND? MOTION FAILS. NO. I'LL SECOND THAT. WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON? QUESTION. I MEAN GODAY. COUNCILMAN GODAY. YES. TO THE COUNCIL ADMINISTRATOR. YOU HAVE VERIFIED CITY OF BATON V CITY LIMITS FOR THESE THREE APPLICANTS? YES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAD AN APPLICANT THAT DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA. THESE THREE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE HAVE SUBSTITUTE MOTION. WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINE. SUBSTITUTE MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GODAY FOR REAPPOINTMENT OF EVANS SCROG. WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MACHINES. MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO APPOINT EVANS SCROG. >> WE'LL NOW VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION TO APPOINT SPENCER MAXIE. >> MACHINES ARE OPEN ON THE MOTION TO APPOINT SPENCER MAXIE. >> CONGRATULATIONS, MR. MAXIE. CHANGE ORDERS, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE 148 THROUGH 153 TOGETHER. [Items 148 - 153] BATON ROUGE AIRPORT HVAC UPGRADES, CONTRACTOR BOB BURN ARD AND ASSOCIATES, MECHANICAL LLC, CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $85,060.95 CONTRACT TIME INCREASED BY ZERO DAYS, 149 JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORKS FACILITIES, CONTRACTOR OOK JANITORIAL SERVICES, CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT $39,260.80, [02:15:03] 150 JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORK LOCATIONS, CONTRACTOR ROMELI JANITORIAL SERVICES CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, $35,923.20, 151, HANKS DRIVE, LANDIS DRIVE, PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS, PHASE 2 AND 3, CONTRACTOR TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION LLC, CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, CREDIT, $19,041.40, 152, PARISH WIDE TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS SPEED SIGNS, CONTRACTOR TRAFFIC COMMANDER, LLC, CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, CREDIT $2,500, 153, NORTH BOULEVARD AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT, CONTRACTOR HONOATE COMPANIES, LLC, CHANGE ORDER AMOUNT, CREDIT, $2,631.70. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 148 THROUGH 153? SEEING, NONE, WE'LL GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. FINAL ACCEPTANCES 154-157, 154, [Items 154 - 157] BATON ROUGE AIRPORT TERMINAL, HVAC GRADES CONTRACTOR BOB BERNARD ASSOCIATES MECHANICAL LLC. FINAL COST $2,823,060.95. HANKS DRIVE, LANDIS DRIVE, PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS, PHASE 2 AND 2, CONTRACTOR TRIM CONSTRUCTION LLC, FINAL COST 2,750,958.60. PARISH WIDE TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS, SPEED SIGNS, CONTRACTOR TRAFFIC COMMANDER, LLC, FINAL COST $300,436. NORTH BOULEVARD AREA ADA TRANSITION PROJECT CONTRACTOR HONOR COMPANIES, LLC, FINAL COST $531,340.45. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 154-157? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNSEL. MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN MOAK. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ACCEPTANCE OF LOW BIDS, 158, [158. 25-01712] SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM AND SELMO LANE, BLUE BONNET TO ESSEN, BARNER FORMAN ROAD, AIRLINE TO JEFFERSON. BARBARA BROTHERS, CONTRACTING LLC, $759,331. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 159, THIS IS EMERGENCY ITEM ACTUALLY, 159 AND 160. THERE'S A REQUEST TO DELETE THESE. WE DO NOT NEED TO CONSIDER THESE AN EMERGENCY. WE'RE GOING TO GO STRAIGHT. 161-164. IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE 16442, THESE ITEMS MUST BE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY BY TWO THIRDS VOTE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL. NEED A MOTION TO DECLARE THESE ITEMS IN EMERGENCY, MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DON JUNIOR. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILMAN HUDSON. ANY OPPOSITION ON THE MOTION TO DECLARE THESE ITEMS IN EMERGENCY? WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ON ONE BY ONE, 161, AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR PRESIDENT AND/OR CHAIRMAN [161. 25-01676] OF THE AIRPORT COMMISSION EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER 2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH STEVEN BALDWIN ASSOCIATES TO PERFORM ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR THE GOVERNANCE MODEL REVIEW ASSESSMENT AND TRANSFER IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,120 BY THE AVIATION DIRECTOR REASON FOR THE EMERGENCY ITEMS DEEMED AN EMERGENCY TO MEET CERTAIN DEADLINES. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNSEL. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DUNN JUNIOR SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES, 162 AUTHORIZING [162. 25-01713] THE MAYOR PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARIS COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THE AGREEMENT, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026 BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. THE REASON FOR EMERGENCIES TO BE PRESENTED AND VOTED ON PRIOR TO 2026. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS. SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES, 163, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CALLING OF [163. 25-01677] A SPECIAL ELECTION BY THE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 06, [INAUDIBLE] STATE, LOUISIANA, THE DISTRICT ON SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026 FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A SPECIAL FIVE MILLS AVALORM TAX WITH THE AVAILS OR PROCEEDS OF SAID TAX TO BE USED ENTIRELY AND EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE FIRE PROTECTION FACILITIES OF THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING THE COST OF OBTAINING WATER. FOR FIRE PROTECTION PURPOSES AND FIRE HYDRANTS WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THERE WITH BY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NUMBER 6, REASON FOR EMERGENCY IN ORDER TO MEET THE BOND COMMISSION DEADLINE FOR A MAY ELECTION. [02:20:04] ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. SEEING NONE, WE GO TO COUNSEL. WE HAVE A MOTION, MOTION BY COUNCILWOMAN ADAMS, SECOND, BY COUNCILMAN MOAK ANY OPPOSITION. MOTION CARRIES, 164, [164. 25-01721] RECEIVING A REPORT FROM THE CEO OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER BATON ROUGE, GIVING AN UPDATE ON THE WORK HABITAT IS DOING WITHIN THE CITY PARISH AND TO THANK COUNSEL FOR THE SUPPORT BY COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN COLEMAN, REASON FOR THE EMERGENCY BEING REQUESTED AS AN EMERGENCY, ALLOW THE REPORT TO BE GIVEN BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. ANYONE HERE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? ACTUALLY, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR THE REPORT BEFORE WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING. LET'S HEAR THE REPORT FIRST. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS RICHIE GOBLE. I'M THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER BATON ROUGE, AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP THAT SPANS 17 YEARS, HELPING BRINGING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES TO HARDWORKING FAMILIES HERE IN BATON ROUGE. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR WORK TOGETHER INTO THE FUTURE. IN FACT, THIS WORK IS BEING COMPLETED AS WE SPEAK. MORE ON THAT IN A MOMENT. TOGETHER, WE HAVE SERVED AS A CATALYST FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY. SINCE 1989, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAS BUILT 426 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND REPAIRED OVER 130 EXISTING HOMES IN THE GREATER BATON ROUGE AREA. PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE, THIS PUTS US IN THE TOP 3% OF HABITAT AFFILIATES ACROSS THE NATION FOR HOUSING PRODUCTION. THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE VERY PROUD OF, BUT SOMETHING THAT YOU AND OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE PROUD OF. WE ARE JUST A VESSEL THROUGH WHICH THE COMMUNITY ACTS. OVER 130,000 VOLUNTEERS HAVE SWUNG A HAMMER WITH US THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. TRULY AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE CITY, THE SIZE OF BATON ROUGE. OUR MODEL IS UNIQUE AND SOMETIMES MISUNDERSTOOD. MANY THINK THAT WE JUST GIVE HOMES AWAY, AND THAT COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. OUR HOMEOWNERS TRULY EARN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HOME OWNERSHIP. MORE THAN MOST OF US WHO HAVE PURCHASED HOMES THROUGH CONVENTIONAL MEANS. IT CAN TAKE UP TO TWO YEARS FOR OUR PARTNER FAMILIES TO MAKE IT THROUGH OUR HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM, A PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE FINANCIAL LITERACY CLASSES, BUDGETING CLASSES, HOMEOWNERSHIP CLASSES, AND THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE, A SWEAT EQUITY COMPONENT. EACH FUTURE HOMEOWNER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AT LEAST 255 HOURS OF SWEAT EQUITY BUILDING HOMES BEFORE OTHERS BEFORE THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A HOME FOR THEMSELVES. THEN ONCE THE HOME IS COMPLETE, WE THEN SELL THE HOME TO OUR HOME OWNER AT APPRAISED VALUE WITH A 30 YEAR MORTGAGE BUT AT A 0% INTEREST RATE. THAT'S WHAT HELPS KEEP THE HOME AFFORDABLE. BACK TO OUR PARTNERSHIP, YOU'VE BEEN VERY MUCH A PART OF OUR HOUSING BASED MINISTRY. WE AT HABITAT, HAVE BEEN REGULAR RECIPIENTS OF HOME GRANT FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN SO INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING NEW INVESTMENT AND HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMUNITIES WHO HAVEN'T BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY IN THIS PIECE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM. WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED FEDERAL FUNDS THROUGH HOME GRANTS AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, LEVERAGING THOSE FUNDS WITH PHILANTHROPIC DOLLARS AND OTHER GRANT FUNDING TO MAKE HOMES HAPPEN. SINCE 2008, OUR AFFILIATE HAS RECEIVED $4.7 MILLION IN HOME GRANT FUNDING THROUGH EBR OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THIS FUNDING HAS HELPED BUILD 49 HOMES HERE IN BATON ROUGE. IN FACT, WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPENDING HOME GRANT FUNDS AS WE SPEAK TO BUILD FOUR MORE HABITAT HOMES ON DAYTON STREET AND 70805. RECENTLY COMPLETED TWO OF THESE HOMES WITH ONE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND ONE TO BREAK GROUND THIS SPRING. THIS WILL BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WITH YOUR HELP TO 51 HOMES. ADDITIONALLY, SINCE 2014, OUR HABITAT AFFILIATE HAS BEEN AWARDED CDBG FUNDS FROM THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WHICH HAS HELPED COMPLETE 45 CRITICAL HOME REPAIRS OWNED BY LOW INCOME FAMILIES. WITHOUT HOME GRANT FUNDINGS AND NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CDBG FUNDING FOR CRITICAL HOME REPAIRS, ALMOST 100 FAMILIES THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WOULD NOT HAVE A SAFE, DECENT AND AFFORDABLE PLACE TO CALL HOME. TOGETHER, THIS FUNDING HAS SERVED AS A CATALYST, NOT JUST FOR OUR AFFILIATE OF HABITAT, BUT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. LAST YEAR, OUR ACTIVITIES HAVE LED TO $7.6 MILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR EAST BATON RIDGE PARISH. AS A SIDE NOTE, HABITAT HOMEOWNERS PAY $86,000 A YEAR IN PROPERTY TAXES. WE HAVE SEEN PROPERTY VALUES RISE WHEN WE INVEST IN COMMUNITIES AS WELL. A FEW YEARS BACK, WE INVESTED IN HOUSING IN SCOTLANDVILLE. IN FIVE YEARS OF WORK, WE SAW APPRAISALS RISE 20%. AS OF TODAY, WE'VE BUILT ALMOST 50 HOMES IN THE EASY TOWN AND FAIRFIELD NEIGHBORHOODS, AND WE HAVE SEEN OUR APPRAISALS RISE HERE TOO. DATA ALSO SHOWS THAT SAFE AFFORDABLE HOUSING NOT ONLY LEADS TO MORE WEALTH CREATION, BUT BETTER EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH OUTCOMES, LESS CRIME, AND COMMUNITY PRIDE. BEYOND DATA, OUR HEART REALLY LIES WITH BUILDING HOPE, DIGNITY, AND THE POWER OF COMMUNITY. WE'RE NOT JUST FUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOMES, BUT WE ARE BUILDING STRONGER, MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES FROM THE GROUND UP. EVERY HABITAT HOME REPRESENTS FAR MORE THAN SHELTER. IT'S A FOUNDATION FOR A FAMILY'S FUTURE, A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN CAN STUDY WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT LEAKS IN THE ROOF, A PLACE WHERE PARENTS CAN FOCUS ON THE STABILITY INSTEAD OF SURVIVAL. IT'S A PLACE WHERE DREAMS BEGIN TO TAKE SHAPE AND WHERE FAMILIES REDISCOVER A SENSE OF BELONGING AND SECURITY THAT TOO OFTEN FEELS OUT OF REACH. WHEN YOU INVEST IN HABITAT, [02:25:01] YOU INVEST IN PEOPLE, YOU INVEST IN STABILITY, AND YOU INVEST IN HOPE ITSELF. THANK YOU FOR THE ROLE YOU'VE PLAYED IN HELPING OUR MINISTRY HAPPEN, AND LET'S KEEP BUILDING. NOT JUST HOUSES, BUT THE FOUNDATIONS OF A STRONGER AND MORE COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE REPORT, ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE REPORT? I'M GOING TO GO TO COUNCIL, COUNCILMAN GAUDET. >> HEY, RICHIE, WOULD YOU COME BACK UP HERE? FORGIVE ME, THE LAST NAME IS PRONOUNCED. >> GOBLE. >> GOBLE. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU AND HABITAT DO IN OUR COMMUNITY AND LYNN CLARK PREVIOUSLY OF COURSE WHO WE KNEW VERY WELL AND DID A LOT OF TREMENDOUS WORK. IN THE DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT THE GUARDIA COMMUNITY IS WITHIN DISTRICT 3, AND SO Y'ALL HAVE BEEN DOING WORK THERE RECENTLY AND JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR THAT INCREASING HOME OWNERSHIP WITHIN THE GUARDIA COMMUNITY IS TO ALL THE POINTS YOU MADE TOWARDS THE END OF YOUR STATEMENT. INCREASES RESILIENCY, INCREASES SURROUNDING PROPERTY RATES, ALL THE POSITIVE THINGS. ABSOLUTELY A GOAL THAT I SUPPORT, PARTICULARLY FOR GUARDIA. TO WHATEVER EXTENT I CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE TO YOU. THERE'S ORGANIZATIONS IN THAT COMMUNITY THAT HAVE THE TRUST OF THAT COMMUNITY THAT I ALWAYS VALUE HAVING BY MY SIDE WHEN I'M GOING INTO THE GUARDIA COMMUNITY. THEN IF EVER THERE'S A ZONING CHANGE, NEED, ANYTHING LIKE THAT, PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT. I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'LL DO EAST BATON ROUGE AS A WHOLE. BUT I'M HAPPY TO HELP IN THAT GUARDIA COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. >> I GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. >> COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN. >> YES. RICHIE, I APPRECIATE YOU, AND I THANK YOU. >> I WAS HOPING YOU WOULDN'T LET ME ESCAPE. >> YES, INDEED. LYEN IS STILL HANGING AROUND AND HELPING OUT AND THROWING YOU ALL THE WAY AWAY, BUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS THE KEY, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR WHAT ELSE YOU ALL HAVE ADDED. IT'S ONE THING GETTING SOMETHING, BUT IT'S ANOTHER THING MAINTAINING AND KEEPING IT AND KNOWING HOW TO, AND THEN ALSO THAT SWEAT EQUITY. YOU ALL PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ALL ARE DOING, AND SO YOU'RE REALLY CAUSING HOPE TO BE A PART OF FOLK LIVES, SO WE DEFINITELY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE. >> OF COURSE. >> EDUCATING ALL OF US, EVEN THOSE THAT ARE OVER THERE TALKING WHILE WE ARE, YEAH, EVEN THOSE. JUST WANT TO APPRECIATE YOU COMING HERE IN THE HOPE THAT YOU'RE PLANNING IN THE LIVES OF THESE PEOPLE. YOU ARE APPRECIATED. >> I APPRECIATE THAT, AND A LOT OF THIS, AGAIN, IT DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT AND YOU'RE HELPING US, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. GOBLE. >> CAN I ASK ONE QUICK QUESTION? IS IT OKAY? >> PLEASE. >> IF SOMEONE WANTS TO GET INVOLVED WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HERE IN BATON ROUGE, HOW SHOULD THEY REACH OUT? WHO SHOULD THEY REACH OUT TO? HOW SHOULD THEY ENGAGE? >> THERE'S A NUMBER OF WAYS TO GET INVOLVED. OF COURSE, I THINK PEOPLE THINK OF VOLUNTEERING AND HELPING US BUILD HOMES. ANOTHER IS THROUGH SHOPPING AT OUR RESTORES. WE HAVE TWO RETAIL LOCATIONS HERE IN BATON ROUGE WHERE WE SELL LIGHTLY USED HOME FURNISHINGS AND ALSO SOME CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS. WHEN YOU SHOP AT A RESTORE, YOU HELP FUND OUR MISSION. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT, BUT THAT IS CERTAINLY THE CASE WHEN YOU SHOP AT OUR RESTORE LOCATION. THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS TO GET INVOLVED. HELPING OUR HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM BECAUSE IT REALLY TRULY IS A FULLY IMMERSIVE PROGRAM, PREPARING FOLKS FOR HOME OWNERSHIP. GETTING INVOLVED WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE FINANCIAL LITERACY, HOMEOWNERSHIP CLASSES, THOSE THINGS, THAT'S ALL POSSIBLE. LOOK, YOU CAN COMMUNICATE WITH ME DIRECTLY, OUR WEBSITE HABITATBRLA.ORG. YOU CAN REACH OUT TO US AND WE CAN FIND A GOOD FIT. THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO SUPPORT US. PARTICULARLY RECENTLY WITH THE INCREASED COST OF BUILDING HOMES AND THE INCREASED COSTS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP PERIOD, ADVOCACY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS HUGE. TO BE SURE THAT WE'RE REMAINING ADVOCATES FOR FOLKS AND GET THEM INTO THAT PIECE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM THAT MANY OF US HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO EXPERIENCE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> I'D LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU COME UP WITH A DAY WHERE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, IT COULD BE A COUNCIL DAY WHERE THEY COME OUT AND PICK THAT HAMMER UP IN THOSE NAILS AND EVEN SOME FOLKS FROM UP HERE IN CITY PARISH. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THESE FOLKS UP HERE THAT WOULD NOT PICK THAT HAMMER IN THOSE NAILS UP AND ACROSS THAT HALL AS WELL. [02:30:04] >> LET'S DO IT, AND LET'S DO IT BEFORE IT GETS TOO HOT. >> THERE YOU GOT TO BELIEVE IT. >> CAN I SAY, I DON'T TRUST DWIGHT HUDSON WITH A HAMMER. I'M JUST GOING TO THROW THAT OUT THERE. PUT IT ON THE RECORD. >> WE'LL LET HIM BE THE WATER BOY. >> I AM FAIRLY HANDY, BUT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO HOLD A CLIPBOARD. >> WE HAVE JOBS FOR EVERYBODY. >> THERE IT IS. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE DO HAVE A REQUEST TO RECONSIDER ITEM 71 AND 74 OF CONDEMNATIONS BY COUNCILWOMAN COLEMAN, SECOND BY THE CHAIR. ANY OPPOSITION TO RECONSIDERING? THE REQUEST IS FOR 60 DAYS FOR BOTH ITEM 71 AND 74. MOTION BY THE CHAIR, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCIL MCKINNEY. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. COUNCILWOMAN AMOROSO. [Adjournment and Announcements] >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY. THANK Y'ALL. IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO SERVE WITH A ALL THIS YEAR. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.