Regular Meeting
February 16, 2012
City Council Chamber
City Council February 16, 2012 Regular Meeting Summary
New Orleans, LA - February, 16, 2012 - Today, the City Council passed a resolution requesting the State of Louisiana to identify alternative healthcare cuts in order to reduce the impact on the City of New Orleans. The Council also adopted ordinances supporting the revitalization of Iberville and its surrounding neighborhoods and authorizing cooperative law enforcement efforts between the city and the Jefferson Parish Law Enforcement District.
As the count-down to Mardi Gras continues, the carnival spirit was in full swing in the Council Chamber, as the King of the Krewe of Endymion appeared before the Council to discuss the Endymion 2012 parade. The Council also honored several community leaders for their active work, recognized the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office Young Marines and acknowledged the creator of the Orleans Parish portion of the State of Louisiana quilt.
Authorized Cooperative Efforts with Jefferson Parish Law Enforcement District
The Council adopted Ordinance Cal. No. 28,846, co-authored by Councilmember Guidry and Council President Clarkson, that authorizes the Mayor of the City of New Orleans to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Jefferson Parish Law Enforcement District, represented by Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand. Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes currently have an Intergovernmental Agreement that establishes a regional public safety communications system. Together, the four parishes comprise the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) New Orleans Region. Using federal, state, and local funding the parishes of the UASI have cooperated to build and maintain an interconnected communications network of voice and data technology. Because the prime site for the communication system is in the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (JPSO), the JPSO purchases and maintains the necessary equipment. The adopted ordinance allows Orleans Parish to reimburse the Jefferson Parish Law Enforcement District for contracts on behalf of the Region for maintenance and installation of communications equipment and software.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "This agreement offers Orleans and Jefferson parishes resources to use in developing and implementing crime fighting strategies. As Co-chair of the Council's Criminal Justice Committee, I am keenly interested in looking at any and all strategies to assist law enforcement personnel to accomplish their challenging and important work."
Requested State Identify Alternative Healthcare Cuts to Reduce Impact in New Orleans
The Council passed Resolution R-12-64, authored by Councilmember Guidry, that requests that the State of Louisiana and LSU Interim Hospital immediately identify any and all alternative ways to make necessary budget cuts that will not result in a reduction of mental health or substance abuse services and resources in New Orleans. The State recently announced $29 million in budget cuts to the LSU Hospital System. LSU Interim Hospital will absorb $15 million of those cuts, resulting in the elimination of beds for chemical detox and psychiatric patients. The resolution requests that the State and LSU Interim Hospital work with the City of New Orleans, and in conjunction with the New Orleans Health Department and local mental health and substance abuse service providers, to make the necessary cuts without reducing mental health or substance abuse services in New Orleans.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "Our City is just beginning to improve delivery of mental health and substance abuse services. To severely curtail in-patient services to our most vulnerable population and to shift funds to plug a deficit caused by overpayment to private providers is wrong on every level. We urge the Governor to stop this action and consider the far reaching impact it has on individuals and families."
Honored First African-American Endymion King
At the request of Councilmember Hedge-Morrell and Council President Clarkson, George LaFargue, Jr., the 2012 King of the Krewe of Endymion appeared before the Council. LaFargue, a New Orleans native and member of Endymion since 2005, will be the Krewe's first African-American King. LaFargue grew up in the Lower 9th Ward. He graduated from Francis T. Nicholls Senior High in 1982. Mr. LaFargue went on to become the owner of George's Produce, a small grocery store, in Terrytown. Lafargue, is also a member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. He and his wife of 23 years, Chanel LaFargue, have two children, Joliet-Cheri and George, III. The Krewe of Endymion will parade Saturday, February 18th.
District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "At its very essence, Mardi Gras is a celebration for New Orleanians. The historic traditions of carnival span every neighborhood, family and culture of our beloved City. I am thrilled that George LaFargue, Jr., long-time community leader and businessman, is leading the fantastic Super Krewe - Endymion - as its King."
Council President Clarkson said, "Congratulations King LaFargue. May your reign with the Krewe of Endymion be the most spectacular in the parade's history. We are proud and grateful to you for your work in the community and appreciate all that you have done to maintain and support the diverse traditions of our carnival season."
Supported Iberville Revitalization
The Council adopted Ordinances Cal. No. 28,841 and Cal No. 28,849, authored by Councilmember Gisleson Palmer, that facilitate the revitalization of Iberville and its surrounding communities. Ordinance Cal. No. 28,841 authorizes the Mayor of New Orleans to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City, the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), the Recovery School District (RSD), and the Iberville Revitalization Company, relative to the comprehensive revitalization of Iberville and its surrounding communities. Ordinance Cal. No. 28,849 allows the City, HANO, RSD and Iberville Revitalization Company to enter into a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Agreement, facilitating the acceptance of the Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant for the amount of $30.5 million for the revitalization of Iberville and the surrounding area. The Grant Agreement outlines the duties and responsibilities of HUD, HANO and the City for the implementation of the grant.
District "C" Councilmember Gisleson Palmer said, "I am pleased to see the revitalization of Iberville and its surrounding area move forward. We must ensure that this revitalization addresses the existing blight in these neighborhoods. These ordinances make important strides to this end. The Council is fully supportive of the revitalization efforts and its far reaching impact on the adjacent neighborhoods."
Recognized Orleans Parish Sheriff's Young Marines
At the request of Councilmember Guidry, Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman and the Orleans Parish Sheriff Office (OPSO) Young Marines appeared before the Council. Sheriff Gusman sponsors The OPSO Young Marines program. The OPSO Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, age 8 through completion of high school. The Young Marines Program provides an environment for youth that fosters a sense of pride in themselves, community and country. The program promotes mental, moral, and physical development and focuses on character building, leadership, and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The youth, along with the assistance of adult staff, help to police their own ranks providing an opportunity to develop self-discipline, leadership and motivation. The Young Marines program is part of the United States Marine Corps youth drug demand reduction efforts. The Council presented proclamations honoring the important mentoring accomplishments of the Young Marines Program.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "The Young Marines is an incredible program that instills important skills, ideals and values in our youth. On behalf of the City Council, I would like to thank Sheriff Gusman for his commitment to the youth of New Orleans. To the members of the Young Marines, congratulations on your accomplishments and for all you do for your families and your communities."
Celebrated Contributions of Community Leaders
At the request of Councilmember Johnson community leaders appeared before the Council to receive Council recognition. Justin T. Augustine, III, Vice President of Veolia Transportation Services and General Manager of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA), was designated a "Champion of Change" by President Obama's Administration. Augustine was nominated for his work on New Orleans Streetcar Recovery and Reinvestment Act Project, which has been instrumental in the push to extend streetcar lines through the Lower 9th Ward. Sister Jennie, another "Champion of Change" was also honored by the Council for her designation and for her work in the community. Sister Jennie Jones has been a Sister of the Holy Family for 42 years. She has served as a school principal for 27 years at various Catholic schools. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina Sister Jennie worked to rebuild and expand St. Mary's Academy to accommodate students and families displaced by the Hurricane. Additionally, the Council recognized Pastor Douglas Haywood of the New Israel Baptist Church and Monsignor Earl Gauthreaux of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church for their outstanding leadership in the community. Particularly in the months following Hurricane Katrina, Pastor Haywood and Monsignor Gauthreaux made their facilities, provisions and services available to those in need.
District "E" Councilmember Johnson said, "We are fortunate to have so many committed and vibrant people who truly love and care about the people of our City. There are so many people who still need help after Hurricane Katrina and these individuals are doing everything they can to assist in the continued rebuilding of the city."
Acknowledged Creator of Orleans Parish Portion of State Quilt
At the request of Councilmember Hedge-Morrell, New Orleans native Denise D. Taylor appeared before the Council to receive Council recognition for her creation of the Orleans Parish portion of a State of Louisiana quilt. Taylor, a quilter for over forty years, came to the aid of Orleans Parish when under extreme time constraints the Parish nearly did not have a swatch in the quilt. The quilt, with Taylor's hand-made Orleans Parish swatch, will be displayed in the former State Capital building, located in Baton Rouge.
District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "We are grateful to Ms. Taylor for working so efficiently to make a beautiful Orleans Parish swatch for our new state quilt. I am so proud of our Orleans Parish portion of the quilt. It is beautifully crafted and includes the names of the Mayor and all seven City Councilmembers. I look forward to the quilt's public display in Baton Rouge."