Regular Meeting
January 05, 2012
City Council Chamber
City Council January 5, 2012 Regular Meeting Summary
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New Orleans, LA - January 5, 2012 - Today, the City Council adopted ordinances modifying and amending the weekend juvenile curfew hours in the French Quarter and the Marigny and extending the moratorium on the issuance and renewal of alcoholic beverage permits in the Carrollton Riverbend Neighborhood.
Former Mayor Sidney J. Barthelemy was honored by the Council for his service to the City from 1986 to 1994. The Council declared January 6, 2012 Allison "Big Chief" Tootie Montana Day in the City of New Orleans. Edna Karr High School was recognized for recent athletic and entrepreneurial achievements. |
Strengthened Weekend Juvenile Curfew in the French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny
The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 28,787, authored by Councilmember Gisleson Palmer, that modified and amended current weekend curfew hours for minors, persons age 16 years or younger, in the French Quarter and the section of Faubourg Marigny containing the Frenchmen Street entertainment district. The curfew modification impacts only portions of Council Districts "C" and "B". The specific boundaries include both sides of Canal Street to Elysian Fields and the Mississippi River to North Rampart. The modification specifies that minors, 16 years or younger, cannot be on City streets past 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings in this area. The modified curfew hours exclude, children accompanied by a guardian or parent and a minor in the course or scope of work, on the way home from running an errand, with a church group or organized function and spending time in front of their home or a neighbor's home. The ordinance amends the current citywide juvenile curfew law which was adopted by the City Council in 1994. At that time, the original New Orleans juvenile curfew law adopted by the Council was the first of its kind in a major American City.
District "C" Councilmember Gisleson Palmer said, "I am pleased to put forth this measure as our City is poised to host the nation with the BCS Championship and Carnival Season celebrations. Public safety, especially the safety of minors, is crucial. This ordinance strengthens the current law and protects unsupervised minors from potentially dangerous situations in areas of the City that have posed significant challenges to law enforcement personnel."
Congratulated Edna Karr High School Entrepreneurial and Sports Achievements
At the request of Council President Clarkson, representatives of Edna Karr High School appeared before the Council to be recognized for recent accomplishments in sports and entrepreneurial activities. Principal John Hiser discussed the Karr students' recent winning entry in the Drew Brees 2011 "Trust Your Crazy Ideas" competition. Members of the entrepreneurial team displayed the winning T-Shirt design "#NOLALOVE" and Principal Hiser explained the students' vision to encourage a movement to change the culture of violence among youth in the community. The Council congratulated Coach Juluke and the Edna Karr Cougars for their hard work and dedication which placed the school in the 4A State Finals for the second consecutive year.
Council President Clarkson said, "We are proud of these young people for performance par excellence in every important aspect of academics, athletics, and the arts. We are delighted to celebrate your two latest achievements - runner-up in the LHSAA Football State Championships and winner of The Drew Brees Dream Foundation's 'Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge'. You have inherited an important legacy at Karr and are mandated to continue it. You are living up to your responsibilities and demonstrating leadership in your community."
Extended Alcoholic Beverage Permit Moratorium in Carrollton Riverbend Neighborhood
The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 28,800, authored by Councilmember Guidry, which extends a temporary moratorium on the issuance and renewal of alcoholic beverage permits in the Carrollton Riverbend Neighborhood. The new ordinance extends the moratorium 180 days, from February 10, 2012 to August 7, 2012. The moratorium offers additional time to fully review alcoholic beverage permits for those establishments that do not hold a current valid alcoholic beverage outlet (ABO) permit or a conditional use to permit an alcoholic beverage outlet and are engaged in the commercial sale of alcoholic beverages in bars, cocktail lounges, package liquor stores, grocery stores or restaurants. The moratorium remains in effect while the review and implementation of land use measures are decided by the City Planning Commission. During the moratorium period, ABO permit request appeals may be made and heard before the City Planning Commission and the City Council, as required by the law.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "We all want strong, viable businesses and safe streets in every neighborhood in the City. This action extends the time period for thoughtful review by the City Planning Commission to consider ABO permit requests to ensure that decisions are made in keeping with the City's master land use plan."
Recognized Former New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy
At the request of Council President Clarkson, former Mayor Sidney J. Barthelemy appeared with his wife Mickey Barthelemy before the Council and was recognized for his service as Mayor of the City of New Orleans. Mayor Barthelemy took office 25 years ago and served from May of 1986 to May of 1994. The Council acknowledged Barthelemy's contributions to the City. Among the Barthelemy Administration's major accomplishments were the development and construction of Harrah's Casino, the Riverfront Streetcar, the Aquarium of the Americas and the New Orleans Arena, all of which have had a lasting economic impact on the City. The former Mayor was instrumental in the redevelopment of the former D.H. Holmes Department Store into a first class Canal Street hotel. Also during his tenure, the City hosted the Republican National Convention in 1988 and the NCAA Final Four Tournament in 1993.
Council President Clarkson said, "Mayor Barthelemy clearly understood the relationship between major sporting events, our hospitality industry, and economic development. His vision for the City was business and culturally driven. The D.H. Holmes Conversion that he led was the beginning of the resurgence of Canal Street. The Mayoral legacy of Sidney Barthelemy endures and extends to generations of citizens and visitors to our beloved New Orleans."
Declared January 6th Allison “Big Chief” Tootie Montana Day
At the request of Councilmember Hedge-Morrell, the family of Allison "Big Chief" Tootie Montana appeared before the Council regarding the Council resolution passed December 15, 2011, declaring January 6, 2012, the first day of Carnival Season, as Allison "Big Chief" Tootie Montana Day in the City of New Orleans. "Big Chief" Tootie Montana, commonly known as the "Chief of Chiefs", dedicated more than fifty years of his life to the culture of the internationally renowned Mardi Gras Indians. "Big Chief" Tootie Montana of the Yellow Pocahontas tribe was critical in the change of the Mardi Gras Indian tradition from one of physical violence to its current focus on aesthetic competition. The memory and commitment of "Big Chief" Tootie Montana has been honored with the exhibit "He's the Prettiest" at the New Orleans Museum of Art. The exhibit displayed his famous handcrafted suits and educated the public on "Big Chief" Tootie's contributions to the culture of the Mardi Gras Indians. In July of 2005, "Big Chief" Tootie Montana died tragically of a heart attack while speaking on behalf of Mardi Gras Indians at a City Council meeting. He was surrounded by his Mardi Gras Indian Chiefs, members of their tribes, family and supporters. For the Montana's crafting and wearing Mardi Gras Indian costumes is a family and a cultural tradition. The late Chief Tootie Montana was preceded by his father the late Chief Alfred Montana. Today, Darryl Montana is his father's successor as Big Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas tribe.
District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "It is an honor to have the family of Big Chief Allison Tootie Montana in the Chamber today. Big Chief Tootie Montana was a man who personified the Mardi Gras Indian tradition. The Montana family has contributed so much to the rich culture of our City. The legacy of Big Chief Tootie Montana will live on through the people who knew and loved him and the future generations of Mardi Gras Indians."