Regular Meeting
October 24, 2013
City Council Chamber
City Council October 24, 2013 Regular Meeting Summary
Thursday, October 24, 2013 - New Orleans, LA - At today's regular City Council Meeting, the Council passed a Motion amending the Council rules to comply with recent changes to state and local law. The Council also honored the 2013 Bureau of Governmental Research Excellence in Government Award winners.
In other business, the Council recognized the passing of community leader Dr. Joseph Walter Davis. Following the regular City Council Meeting, the Council also convened as the governing authority of the Magnolia Economic Development District to address matters pertaining to the newly established MEDD.
In recognition and support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month each Councilmember wore pink, the signature Breast Cancer Awareness color.
City Council October 24, 2013 Regular Meeting Summary
Thursday, October 24, 2013 - New Orleans, LA - At today's regular City Council Meeting, the Council passed a Motion amending the Council rules to comply with recent changes to state and local law. The Council also honored the 2013 Bureau of Governmental Research Excellence in Government Award winners.
In other business, the Council recognized the passing of community leader Dr. Joseph Walter Davis. Following the regular City Council Meeting, the Council also convened as the governing authority of the Magnolia Economic Development District to address matters pertaining to the newly established MEDD.
In recognition and support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month each Councilmember wore pink, the signature Breast Cancer Awareness color.
Convened as Governing Authority of Magnolia Economic Development District
Following the adjournment of the regular Council meeting, the Council convened as the Governing Authority of the Magnolia Economic Development District (MEDD) to address matters pertaining to the newly designated MEDD.
The Governing Authority passed Resolution R-13-1, giving notice of its intent to hold a public hearing relative to the proposed levy of a one percent sales tax within the MEDD. The revenues of this tax will provide funds for economic development projects within the MEDD. Economic Development Districts are permitted to levy sales taxes at a rate up to two percent.
The Resolution also employs Foley & Judell, L.L.P. and Auzenne & Associates, LLC, as Co-Bond Counsel for MEDD with respect to the levy of the one percent sales tax and the issuance and sale of bonds of the MEDD.
Convened as Governing Authority of Magnolia Economic Development District
Following the adjournment of the regular Council meeting, the Council convened as the Governing Authority of the Magnolia Economic Development District (MEDD) to address matters pertaining to the newly designated MEDD.
The Governing Authority passed Resolution R-13-1, giving notice of its intent to hold a public hearing relative to the proposed levy of a one percent sales tax within the MEDD. The revenues of this tax will provide funds for economic development projects within the MEDD. Economic Development Districts are permitted to levy sales taxes at a rate up to two percent.
The Resolution also employs Foley & Judell, L.L.P. and Auzenne & Associates, LLC, as Co-Bond Counsel for MEDD with respect to the levy of the one percent sales tax and the issuance and sale of bonds of the MEDD.
Honored Award Winners for Excellence in Government
The Council recognized the following 2013 Bureau of Governmental Research Excellence in Government Award winners:
- Recipient of the Merit Award, Jennifer Rene Cecil, Director of Operations, One Stop Shop, City of New Orleans
- Recipient of the Innovation Award, Sara Hudson, Web Content Manager, Information Technology and Innovation, City of New Orleans
- Recipient of the Innovation Award, Malachi S. Hull, Director, Taxicab and For Hire Bureau, City of New Orleans
- Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award, Walter R. Brooks, Executive Director, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission
The annual awards program, which was established in 1994, recognizes government employees for their excellence in problem-solving and performance through four different awards: the Innovation Award, the Merit Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Citizenship Award. Click here for more information on the awards and this year's recipients.
Council President Clarkson said, “ We are honored to recognize City employees Malachi Hull, Jennifer Cecil and Sara Hudson and Regional Planning Commission executive director Walter Brooks for their many achievements and dedication to their work for the City. We congratulate all of you on receiving these awards from BGR and thank you for your commitment to New Orleans.”
Honored Award Winners for Excellence in Government
The Council recognized the following 2013 Bureau of Governmental Research Excellence in Government Award winners:
- Recipient of the Merit Award, Jennifer Rene Cecil, Director of Operations, One Stop Shop, City of New Orleans
- Recipient of the Innovation Award, Sara Hudson, Web Content Manager, Information Technology and Innovation, City of New Orleans
- Recipient of the Innovation Award, Malachi S. Hull, Director, Taxicab and For Hire Bureau, City of New Orleans
- Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award, Walter R. Brooks, Executive Director, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission
The annual awards program, which was established in 1994, recognizes government employees for their excellence in problem-solving and performance through four different awards: the Innovation Award, the Merit Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Citizenship Award. Click here for more information on the awards and this year's recipients.
Council President Clarkson said, “ We are honored to recognize City employees Malachi Hull, Jennifer Cecil and Sara Hudson and Regional Planning Commission executive director Walter Brooks for their many achievements and dedication to their work for the City. We congratulate all of you on receiving these awards from BGR and thank you for your commitment to New Orleans.”
Established 2014 Council Meeting and Government Holiday Schedules
The Council passed Motions M-13-397 and M-13-398, authored by Councilmembers Clarkson and Head, establishing the Regular City Council Meeting schedule and the City Government holiday schedule for the year 2014. Click here to view the Regular City Council Meeting schedule. Click here to view the City Government Holiday schedule.
Established 2014 Council Meeting and Government Holiday Schedules
The Council passed Motions M-13-397 and M-13-398, authored by Councilmembers Clarkson and Head, establishing the Regular City Council Meeting schedule and the City Government holiday schedule for the year 2014. Click here to view the Regular City Council Meeting schedule. Click here to view the City Government Holiday schedule.
Amended Council Rules to Comply with Recent Changes to State and Local Law
The Council passed Motion M-13-367amending the Rules and Regulations of the Council in order to comply with recent changes to state and local law.
The Motion provides for technical amendments to Rule 15.1, relative to the appointment of persons by the entire Council, and Rule 45, relative to the competitive selection process for the Council's professional service contracts.
The Motion also amends Rule 10 relative to the Consent Agenda. Specifically, the amendment to Rule 10 provides that when a Council meeting agenda contains more than 50 items, for the items on the Consent Agenda, the Clerk shall only be required to read the number or title of each Consent Agenda item and its annotation, but shall not be required to read the description or brief of the Consent Agenda items.
Council President Clarkson said, "These changes to our Council rules ensure that we are in compliance with state and local law, while also giving us the opportunity to move through our Council meeting agenda in a more efficient and timely manner."
Amended Council Rules to Comply with Recent Changes to State and Local Law
The Council passed Motion M-13-367amending the Rules and Regulations of the Council in order to comply with recent changes to state and local law.
The Motion provides for technical amendments to Rule 15.1, relative to the appointment of persons by the entire Council, and Rule 45, relative to the competitive selection process for the Council's professional service contracts.
The Motion also amends Rule 10 relative to the Consent Agenda. Specifically, the amendment to Rule 10 provides that when a Council meeting agenda contains more than 50 items, for the items on the Consent Agenda, the Clerk shall only be required to read the number or title of each Consent Agenda item and its annotation, but shall not be required to read the description or brief of the Consent Agenda items.
Council President Clarkson said, "These changes to our Council rules ensure that we are in compliance with state and local law, while also giving us the opportunity to move through our Council meeting agenda in a more efficient and timely manner."
Recognized Passing of Community Leader
The Council recognized the passing of Dr. Joseph Walter Davis and presented his family with a Proclamation honoring Davis' life.
An alumnus of Dillard University and Xavier University, Davis served the New Orleans community as a teacher, school social worker, community school coordinator, mental health therapist and counselor, part-time adjunct professor at Southern University, and coordinator at the University of New Orleans. Davis also served as a volunteer counselor for the American Red Cross and organized and directed the Good Gang Program for at-risk youth.
"District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "For nearly four decades, Dr. Davis served our community as an educator, counselor and volunteer, and his honors include the Whitney N. Young Jr. Award, the Our Black Mentor Award and many others. His unwavering dedication to making a difference in our City is something we can all aspire to and he will be dearly missed."
Recognized Passing of Community Leader
The Council recognized the passing of Dr. Joseph Walter Davis and presented his family with a Proclamation honoring Davis' life.
An alumnus of Dillard University and Xavier University, Davis served the New Orleans community as a teacher, school social worker, community school coordinator, mental health therapist and counselor, part-time adjunct professor at Southern University, and coordinator at the University of New Orleans. Davis also served as a volunteer counselor for the American Red Cross and organized and directed the Good Gang Program for at-risk youth.
"District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "For nearly four decades, Dr. Davis served our community as an educator, counselor and volunteer, and his honors include the Whitney N. Young Jr. Award, the Our Black Mentor Award and many others. His unwavering dedication to making a difference in our City is something we can all aspire to and he will be dearly missed."