Regular Meeting
July 15, 2010
City Council Chamber
City Council July 15, 2010 Regular Meeting Summary
New Orleans, LA - July 15, 2010 - Today, the New Orleans City Council received reports from area parish leaders presenting updates on the Gulf of Mexico oil leak and its effect on neighboring parishes.
The Council also passed Resolutions encouraging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the implementation of local coastal protection plans, and recognizing and celebrating the career and community service of accomplished actress Alfre Ette Woodard.
Received Update on Oil Spill from Area Parish Leaders
Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis, Jefferson Parish Councilmember Chris Roberts, Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner and St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro, Jr., appeared before the Council to present updates on the Gulf of Mexico oil leak.
The area parish leaders discussed the latest developments on the oil spill and how each parish is being affected. The parish representatives provided reports on clean-up efforts and coastal protection measures currently being used, as well as gave updates on the availability of resources and emphasized the importance of continuing to share resources, information and support among neighboring parishes.
Council Vice President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, "We want to recognize each of you for all the hard work you have been doing, and we implore the federal government to listen to these local leaders - no one knows better than they do what their parishes need to be successful in protecting our coastline."
Encouraged Army Corps to Expedite Implementation of Local Coastal Protection Plans
The Council passed Resolution R-10-303, authored by Councilmember Clarkson, requesting that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issue the emergency permits necessary to implement the plans developed by local authorities, including the construction and use of protective measures supported by the impacted local governments and the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and that BP be directed to fund the implementation costs.
Approximately 520 miles of protective boom have been deployed to little avail, and state and local authorities have called for federal regulatory flexibility and demanded the use of sand berms, rock dikes, barges, oil absorbent fencing and other protective measures, which they feel would be more effective than the containment measures tried to date.
Councilmember-at-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, "Federal authorities are more concerned with the environmental impact of sand and rocks than they are the use of over a million gallons of chemical dispersants, which have never before been applied to United States waters in such quantities, nor below the sea surface. We must encourage the Army Corps to support the plans that have been developed by our local governments."
Recognized Accomplished Actress for Worldwide Community Service
The Council presented a Proclamation and passed Resolution R-10-306, authored by Councilmember Johnson, recognizing and celebrating the career and community service of accomplished actress Alfre Ette Woodard, who appeared before the Council today and is currently filming the television series "Memphis Beat" in New Orleans.
Woodard, whose career includes more than 100 productions, including stage plays, motion pictures, animated series, mini-series and drama series, is a Co-Founder and Board Member of "Artists for a New South Africa," an organization that combats HIV/AIDS, assists children orphaned by this disease, advances human and civil rights, educates and empowers youth, and builds bonds between nations through the arts, culture, and our shared pursuit of social justice.
District "E" Councilmember Jon D. Johnson said. "On behalf of the City Council, we are honored to recognize Ms. Woodard for her many accomplishments both on and off the screen. Her dedication to helping communities is evident as she continues to freely give her time and resources to good causes throughout the United States and the world, and we feel lucky to have her in our great City."