Regular Meeting
September 01, 2011
City Council Chamber
City Council September 1, 2011 Regular Meeting Summary
New Orleans, LA - September 1, 2011 - Today, the City Council called a March 2012 Special Election to fill the unexpired term of one of the Council's at-Large seats and set forth the application process to select an Interim at-Large Councilmember.
In other action, the Council adopted ordinances authorizing the restoration of the Milne Boys Home Site; renaming a portion of Girod Street near the Superdome in honor of the late Dave Dixon; and placing environmental standards on motorcycles operating in the French Quarter.
The Council also passed a resolution calling a November 19th election for the Pressburg East Neighborhood Special Taxing District.
The Legacy Donor Foundation, a nonprofit organization that educates and promotes public awareness of organ donation, made a presentation before the Council to raise awareness about organ donation.
Call Election for Pressburg East Neighborhood Special Taxing District
The Council passed Resolution R-11-404, co-authored by Councilmembers Johnson and Hedge-Morrell that approved a special election to be held on the November 19, 2011. The resolution places on the ballot a referendum to create the Pressburg East Neighborhood Improvement and Security Special Taxing District. The District will collect a special ad valorem tax or a flat fee. The ad valorem tax is not to exceed 5 mills on taxable real property within the District. The flat fee levied on parcels in the District is not to exceed $200 per parcel anually. The estimated annual collection amount is $210,400 and collection is set for the years 2012 through 2015. The annual collection will be used solely for the purposes of encouraging and promoting the beautification, security and overall betterment of the Pressburg East Neighborhood Improvement and Security District.
District "E" Councilmember Johnson said "New Orleans East residents are resilient and they want their recovering neighborhoods to be safe and secure. The Council's action enables the citizens of Eastern New Orleans to decide this issue which, if approved, will impact future business and neighborhood development."
Call Special Election for Council's At-Large Seat and Set Forth Selection Process for Interim At-Large Councilmember
The Council passed Resolution R-11-407, co-authored by Councilmembers Clarkson, Fielkow, Head, Guidry, Gisleson Palmer, Hedge-Morrell and Johnson to call a Special Election on Saturday, March 24, 2012 to fill the unexpired term of the office of Councilmember-at-Large. If a run-off is necessary, the election will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Qualifying is December 7-9, 2011. The Council also passed Motion M-11-412, authored by Council President Clarkson to reschedule the City Council's next regular meeting to September 22, 2011 for the purpose of considering prospective applicants for the Interim Councilmember-at-Large. The Council's Governmental Affairs Committee will review Interim Councilmember applications at a meeting scheduled on September 15, 2011. Applicants will be considered by the full Council at its regular meeting on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 11 a.m. The Interim Councilmember is prohibited by the Home Rule Charter from entering his or her name as a candidate in the Special Election to permanently fill the unexpired Council seat. For information about the Interim City Councilmember-at-Large application process, click here.
Council President Clarkson said, "By resolution the City Council called an election for March 24, 2012 to fill the vacancy created by Councilmember Fielkow's resignation. This resolution was based on input from the City Attorney and Secretary of State and legal opinions from the Council attorney and the Attorney General."
Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee and District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "With the City's 2012 budget process nearly upon us, it is important that we move quickly and orderly to fill the interim position. Our goal is to insure that the process is fair and transparent and that the business of the Council is uninterrupted by the interim appointment and the March 2012 election to permanently fill the at-large Council seat."
Receive Presentation from the Legacy Donor Foundation
At the request of Councilmember Head, a representative of the Legacy Donor Foundation appeared before the City Council to discuss the organization's mission to prevent the loss of life through the promotion of organ donations. Founded in 1999, the Legacy Donor Foundation is a nonprofit organization that educates and promotes public awareness of organ donation. According to the Legacy Donor Foundation currently there are 1.9 million registered donors in Louisiana.
District "B" Councilmember Head said, "The Legacy Donor Foundation does incredible work to inform the public of the need for organ, eye and tissue donations. Because of this work, Louisiana is a leader in organ donation. I am a donor and I fully encourage everyone to support this mission and donate life."
Authorize Milne Boys Home Site Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No 28,626, co-authored by Councilmembers Hedge-Morrell, Clarkson, Fielkow, Guidry, Head, Gisleson Palmer and Johnson to authorize a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement be signed between the Administration and the Gentilly Development District (GDD) to restore the Milne Boys Home site. The Cooperative Endeavor Agreement will return the historic site to use and provide recreational space and a multi-purpose community center. The GDD will contribute $600,000 for the project.
District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "This project is another significant recovery milestone for the Gentilly Neighborhood. The partnership between the City and the Gentilly Development District is another important step forward for New Orleans."
Name City Street Near Superdome in Honor of the Late Dave Dixon
The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 28,595, co-authored by Councilmembers Fielkow and Clarkson, to name a part of Girod Street between LaSalle Street and West Stadium Drive, Dave Dixon Drive. This segment of street bordering one side of the Superdome and across from the New Orleans Arena will honor and recognize the late Dave Dixon. The name will apply to the municipal address of property owned and governed by the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District. Dixon had an instrumental role in establishing the New Orleans Saints franchise and is known as the father of the Superdome.
Council Vice President Fielkow said, "His foresight and civic leadership in regards to the construction of the Louisiana Superdome, and the resulting New Orleans Arena and sports and entertainment complex, greatly contributed to the establishment of New Orleans as a world class professional sports city."
Place Environmental Standards on Motorcycles Operating in the French Quarter
The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No 28,639, authored by Councilmember Gisleson Palmer, that requires motorcycles be equipped with Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliant mufflers when operating in the Vieux Carre. In compliance with EPA standards, motorcycles will be required to be equipped with an exhaust muffler affixed with a label and/or a certificate of compliance.
District "C" Councilmember Gisleson Palmer said, "Enforcing the EPA requirements reduces noise pollution and promotes environmental health. This new environmental standard will improve to the quality of life for visitors and residents in the Vieux Carre."