Meetings

Regular Meeting

September 06, 2012 

City Council Chamber

City Council September 6, 2012 Regular Meeting Summary

Thursday September 6, 2012 – New Orleans, LA - At today’s regular City Council meeting, the Council, by resolution, formally initiated an inquiry into Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana’s Post-Hurricane Isaac Disaster Response. And, by ordinance the Council established the 2013 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule to accommodate Super Bowl XLVII to be held in the City on Sunday February 3, 2013. Retiring Chief Justice of the Louisiana State Supreme Court Catherine “Kitty” Kimball was honored by the City Council. Also today in the Chamber, the Council formally commemorated the 225th anniversary of the United States Constitution and on the occasion of its 25th anniversary recognized Covenant House New Orleans for its important work on behalf of the City’s youth.

Initiated Inquiry into Entergy’s Post-Hurricane Isaac Disaster Response

The Council passed Resolution No. R-12-332 to conduct an inquiry and fact finding examination of Entergy New Orleans (ENO) and Entergy Louisiana 's (ELL) preparation, response and storm recovery efforts Post Hurricane Isaac. Pursuant to the Louisiana Constitution and the Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans, the Council of the City of New Orleans is the governmental body with the power of supervision, regulation and control over public utilities providing services within the City of New Orleans.

 

To that end, the Council will exercise its retail regulatory responsibility to assure the companies are providing safe and reliable service, and that the costs that are incurred for recovery from New Orleans ratepayers are the result of prudent actions. The purpose of the hearing is to determine how post-Katrina recovery funds and storm reserve funds have been used, and whether the companies systems have been restored and improved in the most effective manner. The dates and locations of all hearings will be open to the public and advance notice will be provided.

 

Council President Head said, “I do not want there to be a misimpression that we, as a City, are ungrateful for the long hours and hard work expended for our benefit. However, as regulators of this monopoly, it is incumbent upon the City Council to ask the necessary questions to assure that Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana acted prudently and with appropriate speed before and after Isaac. And, this event requires that we examine the companies’ routines that may help mitigate future outages.”

Honored Retiring Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Kitty Kimball

At the request of Council Vice President Jacquelyn Bechtel Clarkson, retiring Chief Justice of the Louisiana State Supreme Court Catherine “Kitty” Kimball appeared before the City Council. By proclamation, the Council honored Chief Justice Kimball, the first woman to serve the State’s High Court as Chief, for her many years of legal and social service to the people of Louisiana. Chief Justice Kimball joined the State Supreme Court as an Associate Justice in 1992. She became Chief Justice in 2009. Before joining the State’s High Court she served as a District Judge in the 18th Judicial District. A graduate of the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, Chief Justice Kimball was named LSU Law Center Outstanding Alumni (1999) and the Louisiana Bar Foundation Distinguished Jurist (2006). The Chief Justice is a member of the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame. She has served in leadership positions on a variety of committees, including the Juvenile Justice Implementation Commission, the Louisiana Information Technology Advisory Board and Chair of the Judicial Council, among others. Chief Justice Kimball is the founder of the Sunshine Foundation, a non-profit that distributes free books to Louisiana’s preschoolers.  

 

Vice President Clarkson said, “As the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court, my good friend Kitty Kimball is a role model and inspiration. Her legal and social service contributions are immeasurable. Thank you, on behalf of all of the women of Louisiana, for your public service and for leading the way for so many women.”

Established 2013 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule to Accommodate Super Bowl XLVII

The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 29,186 that established the 2013 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule to accommodate Super Bowl XLVII to be held in the City on Sunday February 3, 2013.  Super Bowl XLVII will be held on the Sunday of what is normally the first weekend of the City’s Carnival parade season. To ensure a full complement of New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and City Department resources to accommodate Super Bowl crowds, krewes that normally parade on the first weekend of carnival will parade the weekend before the Super Bowl. (Friday, January 25 thru Sunday, January 27). The West Bank Krewes of Cleopatra and Choctaw have also agreed to parade that weekend along the St. Charles Avenue route, rather that the organizations normal West Bank parade route. Click here for a full 2013 Mardi Gras Schedule.

Commemorated 225th Anniversary of the U. S. Constitution

The Council passed Resolution No. R-12-334 by Council Vice President Clarkson that marks the 225th Anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution, the supreme law of the land and the document by which the country is governed. The Louisiana Society of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America will lead the commemoration with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Lafayette Square statue of Benjamin Franklin on September 15, 2012. Benjamin Franklin was a prominent delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and a signer of the Constitution. The American Revolution secured the independence of the United States of America and made possible the vibrant system of self-government of the United States.

 

Council Vice President Clarkson said, “The Council applauds the contributions of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America as well as the New Orleans based historical, educational and patriotic societies that promote patriotism and the values embodied in the Constitution of the United States.”

Recognized Youth Development Work of Covenant House New Orleans

The City Council recognized Covenant House New Orleans on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary. Covenant House is the only local provider of services to homeless and at-risk youth. Covenant House shelters an average of over 100 homeless young people nightly at its 70-bed Crisis Center and two transitional living residences. Covenant House has touched the lives of more than 17,000 youth providing them with food, shelter, clothing, medical attention, individual and family counseling, substance abuse management, educational assistance and vocational and job training.  

 

District “A” Councilmember Guidry said, “The Council takes great pride in recognizing Covenant House for its critical work on behalf of the youth of New Orleans. Covenant House’s mission, giving our young people a safe haven and engaging them in productive activities a world away from potential life threatening dangers and criminal elements, is of immeasurable assistance to the City.”

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

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