Meetings

Regular Meeting

June 07, 2012 

City Council Chamber

City Council Regular Meeting Summary June 7, 2012

New Orleans, LA - June 7, 2012 - Today, at the New Orleans City Council meeting, Diana Bajoie, former long time Louisiana lawmaker, was seated as Interim District "B" Councilmember. The Council also introduced a new ordinance for consideration that would place a City Charter change proposal before voters that would alter the way At-Large City Councilmembers are elected.

 

In other business, food and beverage, gift, news, retail and banking outlet leases at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and additional taxicab and for hire vehicle industry reforms were authorized.

 

The Council, by motion, requested that the City Planning Commission hold a public hearing to consider new commercial and neighborhood uses in the New Orleans East Interim Zoning District (IZD). The Council also passed a resolution requesting all City roadways be patrolled by the State Police, allowing New Orleans Police to focus on fighting neighborhood based crime.

 

In other action, the Council approved a conditional use zoning designation to open a Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop owned by New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and announced the Council's revised summer meeting schedule.

Interim District "B" Councilmember Diana Bajoie Seated

Former state lawmaker Diana Bajoie was seated as the Interim City Council Member for District "B". Bajoie assumes the District "B" seat vacated by Councilmember Stacy Head who was elected in March to an At-Large Council seat.  Bajoie served in the state legislature for more than three decades. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976 and was the first African-American woman elected to the Senate, which she joined in 1991. In 2004, she was the first woman elected as Senate President Pro Tem. She left the legislature in 2008 and has worked as a community relations director for the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Under the City Charter, the interim Councilmember is not permitted to run in the November 6th election to permanently fill the seat. Bajoie was selected as the Interim Councilmember by Mayor Mitch Landrieu. The City Charter requires the Mayor to make the Interim Council appointment if the legislative body does not appoint an interim member within 30 days. This is the second time in recent history that a New Orleans Mayor has appointed an Interim Councilmember to the City's legislative governing body. 

 

Interim District "B" Councilmember Bajoie said, "To serve as a New Orleans City Councilmember is a great honor. I look forward to working alongside the members of this City Council and with Mayor Landrieu and his Administration to serve the great people of District "B."


Introduced New Ordinance for Consideration to Place a Proposal Before Voters Changing the Way At-Large City Councilmembers Are Elected

The Council introduced new Ordinance Calendar No. 29,053, co-authored by Councilmembers Hedge-Morrell and Johnson to place before voters a ballot proposition to amend the City's Home Rule Charter to change the way the two At-Large Councilmembers are elected. The amendment creates two distinct At-Large Councilmember offices that are voted on independently of one another. Under the proposal, the seats will continue to represent the entire City. All City Charter changes require a vote of the people. The new ordinance is expected to be considered by the full Council at its next Regular Council Meeting on June 28. If the measure is approved, the proposal will appear on the November 6th Presidential Election Ballot. 


Adopted Additional Taxicab Industry Reforms

The Council adopted Ordinances No. 28,991 and No. 28,994, authored by Councilmember Gisleson Palmer, which address additional Taxicab and the For Hire Vehicle Industry reforms. The ordinances deal with technical definitions and fees and are a part of a series of recently passed new rules, regulations and standards adopted at the Council meeting held on April 19th designed to assist the taxicab industry prepare and upgrade to provide and ensure excellent transportation service for the City's expected 2013 Super Bowl. The fee portion sets forth that expired driver's permits will have a delinquency fee of $100.00. Additionally, permit holders who allow their permits to expire beyond three months will be considered a new permit applicant and must pay any accumulated fees.  The ordinance sets forth that accessible taxicabs will be required to be available to citizens and are defined as a vehicle that accommodates a passenger using a wheelchair or other personal mobility device that needs a ramp or lift to enter or exit the vehicle; alternative fuel vehicles will be made available to citizens and are defined as any vehicle that is powered by natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, bio-diesel or propane as governed by the Environmental Protection Agency.  

Requested State Police Patrol State Roadways in City

The Council passed Resolution R-12-172, authored by Councilmember Johnson, which requests that the Louisiana State Police Department patrol all state roadways within the City of New Orleans.  The Council stands with the administration of Mayor Mitch Landrieu in its conviction that in light of growing crime in New Orleans, it is in the interest of public safety to allow officers of the New Orleans Police Department to direct greater manpower toward fighting crime in neighborhoods.  The request is an endeavor by the Council and the administration to protect the great strides the City has made toward full recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Approved Zoning for Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop in the University Area

The Council approved a conditional use zoning designation to permit a Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop in the Uptown University Area. The business is located at 7621 Maple Street and is owned by New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees. Jimmy John's is known for its fresh baked bread, meats and vegetables which are sliced fresh in-house everyday. Jimmy John's also delivers and has catering services. There are 1300 sandwich shops located throughout the country. Several neighbors spoke before the City Council opposing the conditional use zoning designation. Brees appeared before the Council to speak in favor of the economic and fresh food benefits of the gourmet sandwich shop. 

Announced Revised City Council Summer Meeting Schedule

The Council passed Motion M-12-174, co-authored by Councilmembers Clarkson and Head, which sets the Council's summer meeting schedule.  The Council will meet in regular session on the following Thursdays: June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9 and August 23.  The revised Council calendar can be found on the Council's website at www.nolacitycouncil.com.

Authorized Airport Food and Beverage, Gift, News, Retail and Banking Outlet Leases

The Council passed Ordinances Calendar No.29,007 and 29,008, authored by Councilmember Hedge-Morrell, that authorized the execution of leases at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport providing travelers new, innovative, high-quality food and beverage concessions, gift, news and retail outlets and banking amenities and services in the terminal, along concourses and in the baggage area. Under the executed leases, the Whitney Bank will provide expanded options and improvements for on-site banking and automatic teller machines. Armstrong Airport Concessions, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services and joint venture partner Chase Catering and Concessions will operate a new food and beverage concession concept in 25 separate units throughout the Armstrong Airport. Also adopted at the Council's Regular Meeting on May 3rd was related Ordinance Calendar No. 28,974, authored by Councilmember Hedge-Morrell stating that New Orleans Air Ventures will implement major capital improvements incorporating new designs to news and gifts, food and beverage, and locally-focused retail outlets will undergo major capital improvements. The new lease also reflects ongoing Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport improvements as the City prepares for the 2013 Super Bowl.

Approved Public Hearing to Consider Additional Commercial and Neighborhood Uses in the New Orleans East Interim Zoning District (IZD)

The Council passed Motion No. M-12-148 and Motion No. M-12-149, authored by Councilmember Johnson, that directs the City Planning Commission to conduct a public hearing to consider amendments to the Eastern New Orleans Renaissance Corridor Interim Zoning District (ENORC IZD). The amendment asks that retail uses within General Commercial and Neighborhood Districts with a gross floor area equal or greater than 7,500 square feet be designated as conditional uses. The provision also includes new construction, as well as the renovation of existing structures, or tenant spaces equal to or greater than 7,500 square feet in gross floor area. Another amendment addresses commercial signage. It states that commercial properties within the ENORC District will only be allowed to obtain permits for monument signs. Pole signage will be prohibited. The Council's action gives the City Planning Commission and City Planners flexibility within the ENORC IZD to make changes, establish consistency and continuity to apply regulation and design standards under the City's Master Plan and Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The amended ENORC IZD will be in effect for one year. 

Created on: 6/21/2018 11:49:06 AM | Last updated: 6/21/2018 11:49:06 AM

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