New Orleans City Council

Meetings

Regular Meeting

December 06, 2012 

City Council Chamber

City Council December 6, 2012 Regular Meeting Summary

Thursday, December 6, 2012 - New Orleans, LA - At today's regular City Council Meeting, the Council adopted Ordinances approving increases to the rates for sewerage and water usage. The Council also passed a Motion authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the State of Louisiana regarding the Eastern New Orleans Hospital.

 

In other business, Dr. Peter Fos, the new President of the University of New Orleans, appeared before the Council to discuss future plans for the University. A presentation was received by the Council from King Milling, Chairman of the Board for the America's WETLAND Foundation, about the importance of Coastal Restoration. Also, representatives from the Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund were recognized for over a 100 years of dedicated service to needy children of the community.

Received Presentation from King Milling, Chairman of America's WETLAND Foundation

Chairman of America's WETLAND Foundation, King Milling, gave a presentation to the Council regarding the importance of Coastal Restoration. Milling, a New Orleans resident, is a staunch advocate for restoration of the Gulf Coast Wetlands. He is also the Chairman of Governor Bobby Jindal's Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection and Restoration. Through Milling's leadership America's WETLAND Foundation and its initiatives have brought about awareness to how critical our wetlands are to the nation's energy and economic security. Long before hurricane Katrina propelled the issue into the nation's headlines, Milling was spearheading the protection of our marshes and wetlands. Mr. Milling was recently awarded the prestigious Times-Picayune Loving Cup and the National Wildlife Federation - Conservationist of the Year.

Approved Sewerage and Water Rate Increase

The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 29, 296 and Ordinance Calendar No. 29, 297, authored by Council Vice President Clarkson, that approved rates to be charged users of the sewerage and water systems of the City of New Orleans. Sewerage and water rates will each increase by 10% per year over an eight year period. Since 1998, the Sewerage and Water Board has been under a Federal Consent Decree requiring that the City invest in infrastructure improvements to comply with federal standards for healthy water. The funds generated from the rate increase will assistance in funding a $3.3 billion Capital Improvement Program to repair the 300 year old system and ensure the City's water supply meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health and safety standards. To lessen the burden on rate payers, the City has secured additional federal dollars to pay for the required system improvements and is applying the rate increase over an extended time frame. The Sewerage and Water Board is also expected to provide financial assistance to elderly and low income residents under the expanded water help program, to protect them from the adverse consequences of this rate increase.

 

Council Vice President Clarkson said, “It was a privilege to author this legislation as I have served on many of the Councils that put it off. The difference this time was that Mayor Landrieu went to Washington DC and secured an extension, more money and rate changes, making it much more doable. This made it time to move as we were putting the health and safety of the citizens of New Orleans at risk if we continued to wait to pass this legislation.”

Recognized Dr. Peter Fos New President of the University of New Orleans

Dr. Peter Fos, the new President of the University of New Orleans (UNO), appeared before the Council accompanied by a number of University officials. By Resolution R-12-466, authored by Council Vice President Clarkson, the Council congratulated Dr. Fos on his recent achievements and praised his commitment to improve the quality of UNO athletics. Fos is a UNO graduate and is also the program director for health policy and systems management at LSU Health Sciences Center. The University of New Orleans is being granted membership in the Southland Conference, marking another major step for the UNO athletic program post-hurricane Katrina.

Authorized Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for Construction of the New Orleans East Hospital

The Council adopted Motion M-12-451, authored by Councilmember Bajoie, that authorizes the Mayor to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) between the City and the State of Louisiana for the purpose of funding the planning, design, and construction of the Eastern New Orleans Hospital. Major progress has been made towards the building of the new hospital. Since last year, $26 million in new funds have been acquired for the hospital. Earlier this summer, the Orleans Parish Hospital Service District (HSD) submitted an application for a loan guarantee to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Design drawings for the facility have been completed and construction documents are in development.

Honored the Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund for Over a Century of Service to the Community

At the request of Councilmember Bajoie, the Council Honored the Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund for 116 years of dedicated service to the community. Since 1896, the Doll and Toy Fund has been a tradition in New Orleans in which needy children have been able receive a holiday gift. As in past years, children under twelve attend the holiday event and leave with a special toy, provided by private and corporate donations. This year's event will be held on December 15 at Delgado Community College's Student Life Center. The doors will open at 8:00 a.m. and children will be admitted until 11:00 a.m. Toys will be distributed amongst the children beginning approximately at 11:00 a.m. The Doll and Toy Fund supports similar events by organizations in Luling, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Folsom, Chalmette, and Kenner.

Created on: 6/21/2018 11:49:03 AM | Last updated: 6/21/2018 11:49:03 AM

Watch

View the live stream
Opens in a popup window

Back to top