Regular Meeting

January 09, 2014 

City Council Chamber

City Council January 9, 2014 Regular Meeting Summary

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Called Election to Consider Changes to Inauguration Dates for Council and Mayor

The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 29,885, authored by Councilmember Clarkson, repealing Ordinance No. 25,622 M.C.S. and calling an election for Tuesday, November 4, 2014 for consideration of a proposal to amend the Home Rule Charter relative to inauguration dates for the Mayor and Council.

The proposed amendment to the Home Rule Charter sets the beginning of the terms of the Mayor and Councilmembers to the second Monday in January following their election. Representatives of the League of Women Voters appeared before the Council to express their support for the Charter amendment.

If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of the proposition, the amendment to the Home Rule Charter will take effect on June 1, 2018, after the 2018 inauguration occurs, and will apply to the 2022 inauguration.

Council President Clarkson said, "We highly commend the League of Women Voters for initiating a change in our election and inaugural dates in order to reduce cost and increase voter participation. Their leadership in the legislature and on behalf of our City makes this Council so very proud to work with them."

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Honored Retiring Sewerage and Water Board Director for Years of Service

The Council recognized Marcia A. St. Martin, retiring Executive Director for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, for her 42 years of public service to the citizens of New Orleans. Ms. St. Martin has announced that she will be retiring on January 31, 2014.

Marcia St. Martin has worked for the City of New Orleans for 42 years, serving in various departments including the Equipment Management Division, the Department of Streets, the Department of Safety and Permits, and the Sewerage and Water Board. In 2004, she became the first woman and the first African-American Executive Director of the Sewerage and Water Board. St. Martin is a member of the American Water Works Association, American Public Works Association, the Clean Water America Alliance and Board of Trustees of the Louisiana Asset Management Pool, Inc. (LAMP), and the EPA National Drinking Water Advisory Council.

Council President Clarkson said, "After 42 years in public service, we send Marcia St. Martin to help the Sisters of the Holy Family. She truly exemplifies public service and she will be missed drastically. We wish Marcia the very best as she goes on to support a greater cause and we will always highly regard the legacy she is leaving behind."

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Recognized Health Commissioner for National Appointment

The Council presented Dr. Karen DeSalvo with a Proclamation honoring and thanking her for her service as New Orleans Health Commissioner, her commitment to improving access to affordable high quality healthcare and her many contributions to the people of New Orleans.

Dr. DeSalvo's 20-year career has focused on assisting vulnerable populations by making healthcare more accessible and affordable. DeSalvo has served as New Orleans Health Commissioner since 2011, during which time she developed an innovative model of neighborhood-based primary care and mental health services, transitioned operation of the city's primary care clinics to a network of high-quality community health centers, and transformed the Health Department into a more modern, effective department. President Obama has appointed Dr. DeSalvo as the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.

Council President Clarkson said, "Dr. Karen DeSalvo is one of the best women I've had the pleasure of serving with in city government. After many years in public health and three years as our health commissioner, we send her to Washington DC to work with United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. Although she will be so very missed, we wish her success as her star only continues to rise!"

District "B" Councilmember Cantrell said, "Under Dr. DeSalvo's outstanding leadership, our Health Department has achieved tremendous progress. We are grateful for her contributions to our City and we wish her luck in her future endeavors in Washington, D.C."

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Set 2014 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule

The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 29,880, authored by Councilmembers Clarkson and Head, to amend the City Code to set the parade schedule for the 2014 Mardi Gras season.

Click here to view the 2014 Mardi Gras parade schedule.

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Received Presentation on New WWII Museum Exhibit

The Council received a presentation from Edward Tresch, Retired Colonel Russell Mayeur, Dr. Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller and Bill Detweiler recognizing Bobby and Lori Savoie for their generous support of the new "Train Car Experience" at the WWII Museum.

The "Train Car Experience," which opened this past Veterans Day, is the museum's latest exhibit that features an immersive experience in a stationary train modeled after the Pullman sleeper cars of the 1940s and aims to recreate for guests the experience of going off to war. The exhibit is located in the museum's Louisiana Memorial Pavilion and was made possible by a gift from The Bobby and Lori Kent Savoie family in honor of Lori's father, Leroy Wayne "Pete" Kent, a World War II veteran. Click here for more information on the "Train Car Experience."

Council President Clarkson said, "I want to commend Bobby and Lori Savoie for their generous donation to the National WWII Museum to fund the new 'Train Car Experience,' which brings an exciting new aspect to the Museum. I also want to thank them for the thoughtful timing of their donation, which came post-Katrina and allowed the Museum to leverage additional government and private funds."