Regular Meeting
October 18, 2012
City Council Chamber
City Council October 18, 2012 Regular Meeting Summary
Thursday, October 18, 2012 - New Orleans, LA -
At today's regular City Council Meeting, the Council adopted an ordinance adding the newly-created Uptown-University Cultural District to the list of the City's state certified cultural districts. By resolution, the Council approved and ratified revisions to historic building design guidelines and awarded community grants to non-profit organizations. In other business, the Council celebrated the 200th Anniversary of the Treme' Neighborhood and recognized the Ft. Pike Volunteer Fire Department for its service to the citizens of Lake Catherine and Venetian Isles.
Certified Uptown-University Cultural District
The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 29,223, authored by Councilmember Guidry, that added the newly created Uptown-University Cultural District to the list of New Orleans' state certified cultural districts. In August of 2012, a Council resolution authorized the creation of the Uptown-University Cultural District encompassing all parts of the Uptown neighborhood not presently included in an existing cultural district. Louisiana Act 298, passed by the legislature in 2007, authorized local governing authorities to create cultural districts to revitalize communities and promote cultural activity. New Orleans' 20 state certified cultural districts are designed to protect the cultural integrity of neighborhoods and restore historic building features to structures located within the districts.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "The Louisiana Cultural Districts Program is a state program that expands eligibility of historic tax credits for rehabilitation of commercial and residential structures and also exempts state and local sales tax on original, one-of-a-kind works of art. This new Uptown-University Cultural District provides another tool to preserve historic residential and commercial buildings within this area, while boosting the economy for its local artists."
Recognized Fort Pike Volunteer Fire Department
At the request of Council President Head and District "E" Councilmember Charbonnet, members of the Fort Pike Volunteer Fire Department presented an overview of the Department's work and were recognized for outstanding service by the Council. The Ft. Pike Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1952. The area served by the department is located outside the levee protection system. The firemen were acknowledged for volunteer service to the communities of Lake Catherine and Venetian Isles. Taking the brunt of Hurricane Isaac, Lake Catherine and Venetian Isles were in disarray in the days following the storm. The two communities are located approximately 20 miles from the center of New Orleans making it difficult for emergency teams to respond quickly during and in the aftermath of storms. However, the Fort Pike Volunteer Fire Department was nothing less than heroic, aiding in the search and rescue and relief efforts of their neighbors and residents in the Lake Catherine and Venetian Isles area. And, on a daily basis the department provides fire protection and EMS services to the residents of the area.
District "E" Councilmember Charbonnet said, "It is the Council's privilege to honor your service to the residents of Lake Catherine and Venetian Isles. Your commitment to community, personal bravery and unselfish actions during difficult days during and following Hurricane Isaac are sincerely appreciated."
Approved Community Grants
The Council passed Resolution R-12-384 that designated City Council / Harrah's Community Support Grant Program awards to non-profit organizations across the City. The program provides a total of $225,000 to be awarded twice annually to eligible organizations. The purpose of the City Council / Harrah's Community Support Grant Program is to assist and promote organizations and projects that contribute to the economic, cultural, and civic fabric of the City. Among the organizations receiving grants, Woodlands Conservancy; Parkway Partners; Algiers Economic Development Foundation, Inc.; Friends of City Park; Friends of the Ferry Foundation; Southern United Neighborhoods; Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School; People United for Armstrong Park; Crimestoppers; Mentoring Children of Promise Program; Faubourg St. Roch Project; Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association of New Orleans; New Orleans Afrikan Film and Arts Festival Project.
District "B" Councilmember Bajoie said, "We are pleased to award these grants to such outstanding and deserving organizations. The primary purpose of the grant program is to assist community organizations that contribute to the economic, cultural, and civic fabric of our City. The grants will provide vital supplemental funding to improve the quality of life for the citizens of New Orleans."
Approved Revised Historic Building Design Guidelines
The Council adopted Resolution R-12-397, authored by Council President Head, which ratified and approved revisions to historic building design guidelines. The design guidelines were adopted by both the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) and the Central Business District Landmarks Commission (CBDLC). The Council recognizes the importance of providing the citizens of New Orleans with design guidelines to aide in the preservation of the City's historical assets. Regularly updating these design guidelines corrects and eliminates structural design inconsistencies throughout the City.
Council President Head said, "The Council will continue to revise building design guidelines to ensure historical conformity. Consistency of these design guidelines will maintain our City's historical and cultural assets for years to come."
Celebrated 200th Anniversary of the Treme' Neighborhood
The Council recognized the culturally rich and historic Treme', as the neighborhood marks the 200th anniversary of its origins as a melting pot of New Orleans. The neighborhood gave rise to jazz music, amazing architecture, Mardi Gras Indians and several leaders of the civil rights movement. Treme' was populated primarily by free people of color, musicians, craftsman and Haitian Creoles, descendants and immigrants of the early 1800s Haitian revolution. Named for French milliner and property owner Claude Treme', the neighborhood holds a significant place in the history of Jazz. Treme' is home to Congo Square, where in the 18th and 19th centuries slaves were permitted to dance and play music evolving into America's musical art form Jazz. Generations of musicians hail from this neighborhood, recent notables being Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and Kermit Ruffins. The neighborhood is reviving after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. According to the 2010 census,over 4,000 people reside in the neighborhood. In conjunction with Louisiana's bicentennial, Treme' will celebrate its bicentennial (October 16-21) with a documentary screening, panel discussions, a block party, exhibits and concerts. Full details of all events can be found at www.Treme2012.com.
District "C" Councilmember Gisleson Palmer said, "Tremé is an incredibly important part of our City as America's oldest black neighborhood and as the place where so many of our festival, musical, and culinary traditions began. Today we are honoring the neighborhood's 200th Anniversary and the contributions Tremé's culture bearers and residents have created and shared with the City of New Orleans, our country, and the world."
Council President Head said, "Today, we celebrate something very special. We can point to this unique and historic neighborhood as the birthplace of the diversity that is New Orleans. Treme' succinctly defines the history, customs and traditions that distinguish our City from every other city on earth."
Council Vice President Clarkson said, "It's been a privilege to represent Treme' for many years. It is one of the most exciting places I've gotten to know because I was elected to this job! Treme' is the birthplace of jazz, brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians. Treme' is the root of our culture and we are so proud of it!"