Regular Meeting
May 03, 2012
City Council Chamber
City Council May 3, 2012 Regular Meeting Summary
New Orleans, LA - May 3, 2012 - Today, the New Orleans City Council re-elected Councilmember At-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson as Council President and elected new Councilmember At-Large Stacy Head as Council Vice-President. By motion, the Council voted to establish an Interim Zoning District (IZD) impacting the future development of a stadium on the Tulane University Campus.
In the Council Chamber community, philanthropic and international guests were recognized including the family and friends of philanthropist and community activist of the late Luvenia Hickman Breaux, organizers of Brain Cancer Awareness "Gray Day" May 9th and representatives from the City of Rosh Ha'Ayin, Israel.
Approved Request for Interim Zoning District (IZD) Impacting University Development
The Council passed Motion No. M-12-150, authored by Councilmember Guidry, that directs the City Planning Commission to conduct a public hearing to determine whether to recommend to the council the establishment of an Interim Zoning District (IZD), which would require that any college or university located in a historic residential district undergo a review process by the City Planning Commission for the construction of any building or facility that will result in a building or facility in excess of 250,000 square feet of gross floor area and will cover a footprint of more than 50,000 square feet. In the fall of 2010, the Council adopted the City's Master Plan - The Plan for the 21st Century: New Orleans 2030. The Master Plan specifically addresses the attention and balance needed when considering college and university development in and near residential urban neighborhoods. The City Planning Commission is poised to present to the Council for final acceptance the City's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO), the legal document that implements the goals and policies of the Master Plan. The proposed new City CZO addresses and clarifies development and planning issues on urban college and university campuses. The implementation of the IZD would ensure that the intent of the City Master Plan and the City CZO as written reflect the consensus of the community and enhance the character and livability of all neighborhoods. Representatives from Tulane University appeared before the Council to object to the establishment of the IZD, citing that the action will impede its plans to construct a new football stadium on the uptown campus. Residents in the neighborhood opposing the construction of the stadium were also heard at the Council meeting.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "Today's action reflects an effort to ensure that everyone is heard, and that at the end of the day a fair and transparent decision is made. Our purpose with the IZD is to give the City Planning Commission and City Planners time to thoughtfully and clearly study the zoning issues and the impact that this project will have on the surrounding residential neighborhood."
Celebrated New Orleans - Rosh Ha'Ayin, Israel Partnership
At the request of Council President Clarkson, Mayor Moshe Sinai of Rosh Ha'Ayin, Israel appeared before the Council to be recognized for the continued partnership between Rosh Ha'Ayin and the City of New Orleans. Mayor Moshe Sinai with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans has connected the two cities by hosting annual cultural exchanges. The 2012 cultural exchange embraced the harmonious roots of both cities. Educators from Rosh Ha'Ayin's Music Conservatory explored New Orleans' musical heritage, and musicians sat in on classes at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), jammed with musicians at Musician's Village, performed at Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse and attended Jazz Fest. The representatives the Rosh Ha' Ayin's Music Conservatory also participated in events within the New Orleans Jewish Community.
Council President Clarkson said, "I commend Mayor Moshe Sinai for the committed work he does in promoting and nurturing the connections between the cities of Rosh Ha'Ayin and New Orleans. The relationship of our cities is based upon a unique and cherished cultural, community and intellectual partnership."
Recognized Brain Cancer Awareness "Gray Day" May 9th
At the request of Council President Clarkson, Nona Liengarten appeared before the Council to recognize May 9th as Gray Day in the City of New Orleans. Gray Day is a day set aside specifically to promote brain cancer awareness and to honor Gary Liengarten. Gary Liengarten, Nona's husband, was 59 years old when he died from brain cancer on March 9, 2010. Brain cancer is one of the two deadliest forms of cancer and the average five year survival rate is 33.3%. According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that 1 in 150 men and 1 in 185 women will develop brain cancer. On May 9th, over 5000 gray ribbons will be distributed throughout the community to help increase brain cancer awareness and to honor Gary Liengarten.
Council President Clarkson said, "By supporting May 9th as Gray Day, the City of New Orleans joins the effort to find a cure for brain cancer. We would also like to thank Ms. Liengarten for inspiring the community. Her courage and dedication to find a cure for this deadly disease is extraordinary."
Honored Legacy of Philanthropist and Community Activist of the late Luvenia Hickman Breaux
At the request of Council President Clarkson, family members of the late Luvenia Hickman Breaux were present at the Council meeting to receive a proclamation and to speak in her honor. Ms. Breaux held a continued presence throughout the City by being an active philanthropist. During her life, Ms. Breaux was Member, President and President Emeritus of the Missionary Society. Ms. Breaux was also inducted into the United States Army's Buffalo Soldiers, a group of African American men and women dedicated to the preservation of the history of African American soldiers. In her later life, Ms. Breaux served the Orleans Parish School Board as a liaison between home and school. Ms. Breaux is survived by three sons, two daughters, eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Council President Clarkson said, "Ms. Breaux is an American Treasure, a role model as one of the very first women in the military in 1941, a real WAC and one of our very own!"
Re-elected Council President and Elected New Council Vice-President
The Council passed Motion M-12-146 and Motion M-12-147, which re-elected Councilmember-At-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson as Council President and elected new Councilmember-At-Large Stacy Head as Council Vice President.