Regular Meeting
March 03, 2011
City Council Chamber
City Council March 3, 2011 Regular Meeting Summary
New Orleans, LA – March 3, 2011 – Today, the New Orleans City Council passed a resolution urging that federal funding continue for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), which includes the AmeriCorps Program. By motion, the Council authorized the Council President to execute a contract to provide professional redistricting services to the City Council. And, the Council recognized the Krewe of Petronius on their 50th Anniversary.
Urged Federal Funding Continue for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
The Council passed Resolution R-11-119, authored by Councilmembers Guidry and Gisleson Palmer, urging Congress and the administration of President Barack Obama to continue federal funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), which includes the AmeriCorps Program. CNCS is one of the largest and most important providers of civic education and public service in the United States.
District “A” Councilmember Guidry said, “As a result of this national service organization’s volunteer work, New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region have benefited immeasurably in recovery efforts from hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the recent BP Oil Spill. CNCS faces the loss of all federal funding for 2012, so we must continue telling the story of critical disaster and emergency assistance they provide both here and throughout the country.”
Redistricting Process Initiated
The Council passed Motion M-11-122 authored by Councilmembers Clarkson, Fielkow, Hedge-Morrell and Guidry that authorizes the Council President to execute a contract with Redistricting, L.L.C. to provide assistance to the Council to complete the redistricting process. The recommendation was made to the full Council by the Election Code and Reapportionment Committee. The Council must adopt by ordinance a redistricting plan and submit the plan to the Justice Department within six months of the release of the census figures. Following that timeline, the deadline for submittal to the Justice Department is August 4, 2011.
Council Vice-President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, "District Councilmembers will begin arranging for public meetings in their respective districts, in conjunction with our consultant, Redistricting LLC, as soon as they are contractually engaged. We will invite a great deal of public input, especially towards the goal of maintaining neighborhood integrity."
Commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Krewe of Petronius
At the request of Councilmember Gisleson Palmer, the Council recognized William M. McCarthy, Queen Petronius, James De Blanc, King Petronius, and Randolph Chauvin, Captain Petronius, on the 50th Anniversary of the Krewe. Petronius was founded in 1961 and is one of the oldest gay organizations in the world. Petronius is considered one of the major Mardi Gras events in New Orleans.
District "C" Councilmember Gisleson Palmer said, "Petronius is recognized as one of New Orleans' most unique cultural institutions. I am honored to welcome its members, help the Krewe commemorate this 50th Anniversary and celebrate its many contributions to Mardi Gras."