Meetings

Regular Meeting

April 24, 2014 

City Council Chamber

City Council Regular Meeting News Summary April 24, 2014

Thursday, April 24, 2014 - New Orleans, LAAt today's regular City Council Meeting, the Council passed Resolutions supporting the City's streetlight LED conversion program and calling for a traffic study in the Vieux Carré. An ordinance was adopted to strengthen Mardi Gras parade requirements and protocols.  The Council also approved a Zoning Docket providing for construction of a Raising Cane's in Gentilly. The Council passed Resolutions supporting the progress of several Algiers facilities, and a Motion reorganizing the Council's Standing Committees. Today's National Anthem was performed by the Ursuline Academy kindergarten class. 

 

In other business, the Council recognized Robert Merrick for his philanthropic contribution to United Way, the St. Claude Main Street organization for its selection as a 2014 Louisiana Culture Award winner, and local bar owners and the Louisiana Public Health Institute for their efforts to reduce secondhand smoke exposure.  A proclamation was presented to honor Ernest Gethers for his years of work with the City and the outgoing Councilmembers were honored with Proclamations and certificates of appreciation.


Supported Streetlight LED Conversion Program

The Council passed Resolution R-14-155 approving the amount of $14.6 million (plus accrued interest) for use as part of the Energy Smart Program and in connection with the City's overall streetlighting LED conversion program.

The City operates and maintains more than 50,000 street lights and the City plans to convert its remaining conventional street lights to energy efficient lights or LEDs. LED lamps use 80 to 90 percent less energy than incandescent lamps and have a life of as many as 50,000 hours compared to about 8,000 hours for incandescent lamps, providing for lower energy, operation and maintenance costs. LED lamps provide for improved safety and reliability, as they are made up of a series of individual lights and therefore fail by partial rather than complete burnout.

 

In February 2008, the Council initiated the energy efficiency program "Energy Smart New Orleans," referred to as Energy Smart. The Council finds the City's streetlighting LED conversion program to be consistent with the energy savings goal of the Energy Smart program and believes it will ultimately reduce ratepayers' energy costs.

 

The funds are currently in the possession of Entergy New Orleans, Inc. (ENO) and were received as a result of the Entergy System's Seventh annual filing resulting from a complaint filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Resolution authorizes and orders ENO to transfer the funds to the City and specifies that the funds will be used solely for the implementation of the energy efficiency component of the City's streetlighting LED conversion program. The funds are also to be used for future LED conversions and the City is required to provide the Council and ENO with quarterly updates on its use of the funds, savings to date, plans for future fund use, and projected future savings.

 

District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "The reliability and functionality of our streetlights is critical to public safety. The Energy Smart program has made great strides in improving energy efficiency in our City and the LED Conversion program is an excellent complement to this program."


Recognized City Employee for Years of Service

Councilmember Hedge-Morrell presented a Proclamation honoring Ernest Gethers, New Orleans Economic Development Business Services Director, for the many projects and businesses he has helped bring to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, particularly Columbia Parc, Project Home Again, Walmart, and Canseco's Elysian Fields Market.

District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "It has been a privilege and an honor to work with Ernest over the years. His knowledge of and commitment to New Orleans are invaluable and I thank him for being such a supportive colleague."

Strengthened Protocols for Mardi Gras Parades

The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 30,081, coauthored by Councilmembers Clarkson and Cantrell, to amend the City Code to provide for the function of the Mayor's Mardi Gras Advisory Council and requirements related to parade permits and protocols, float numbering and inspection, and other parade-related issues.

The Mayor's Mardi Gras Advisory Council, which is comprised of representatives of each carnival organization currently participating in carnival parade festivities, has suggested changes to the City's Carnival ordinances, to provide for: 
  • Definitions for pull unit, marching band, night parade, and tandem float,
  • A maximum of 30 parade permits that may be issued for any carnival parade season (any carnival organization granted a permit in the prior Carnival parade season shall be granted a permit if all requirements are satisfied),
  • Contact names for each parade permit to be listed on the permit application,
  • The number of float pull units allowed and the unique and sequential numbering of each float in each parade,
  • The maximum size of truck floats and the number of truck floats allowed in each parade,
  • A minimum number of riders per float in a parade,
  • A minimum requirement for the number of marching bands in each parade, based on the number of float pull units in the parade,
  • Required inspection of floats greater than 130 feet in length,
  • Mandatory video documentation by the City of each permitted Carnival parade,
  • A protocol for the rescheduling of rained-out parades,
  • A $500 fine for violations of these provisions. 
Council President Clarkson said, "I'm grateful to the Mardi Gras Coordinating Committee and Krewe Captains for all coming together and helping us create new laws and rules to make Mardi Gras safer. As our city grows, it is important to preserve the greatness of Mardi Gras!"

District "B" Councilmember Cantrell said, "We worked very hard this past Carnival season to implement improved public safety measures to ensure that everyone could enjoy Mardi Gras. These new requirements and protocols are a promising next step in our efforts to prioritize public safety for our riders and our spectators while preserving our historic Carnival traditions."

Supported Development of Raising Cane's in Gentilly

The Council approved Zoning Docket No. 29/14, requesting a Conditional Use to permit a Raising Cane's fast food restaurant at 4800 Chef Menteur Highway in District "D". This will be among their first restaurants on the Eastbank of Orleans Parish, and is part of the company's growth plan to open as many as six new locations in New Orleans.

Councilmember Hedge-Morrell has been working with the Raising Cane's development team to assist them with the zoning and conditional-use approval process.

District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "We are excited to see forward progress on this exciting new development in the Gentilly community. We want to thank Raising Cane's for committing to investing in District "D" and we hope this will encourage other businesses to do the same."

Reorganized Council Standing Committees

The Council passed Motion M-14-132 amending Rule 39 of the Rules and Regulations of the Council to reduce the number of Standing Committees from fourteen to eight and increase the number of members on each committee from three to five.

The eight Standing Committees are:
  • Budget, Audit and Board of Review Committee
  • Community Development Committee
  • Criminal Justice Committee
  • Economic Development and Special Projects Committee
  • Governmental Affairs Committee
  • Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee
  • Transportation and Airport Committee
  • Utility, Cable, Telecommunications and Technology Committee
The Council passed Motion M-14-132 amending Rule 39 of the Rules and Regulations of the Council to reduce the number of Standing Committees from fourteen to eight and increase the number of members on each committee from three to five.

The eight Standing Committees are:
  • Budget, Audit and Board of Review Committee
  • Community Development Committee
  • Criminal Justice Committee
  • Economic Development and Special Projects Committee
  • Governmental Affairs Committee
  • Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee
  • Transportation and Airport Committee
  • Utility, Cable, Telecommunications and Technology Committee

Recognized Local Business Leader for Philanthropic Contribution

Latter & Blum President and CEO Robert W. Merrick appeared before the Council to be recognized for his $1 million contribution to the United Way. It is Merrick's hope that his contribution will inspire other New Orleanians to donate and give back to their community. The Council presented Mr. Merrick with a Proclamation honoring him for his donation.

Founded by Harry Latter and Joseph E. Blum in 1916 in New Orleans, Latter & Blum started out specializing in commercial real estate. Later, the company expanded into residential sales. In 1986, Robert W. Merrick purchased Latter & Blum and began a restructuring of the company that lead to important business growth. Since that time, Latter & Blum as expanded into the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Greater Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Alexandria, and operates the largest full-service Real Estate brokerage in the Gulf South.

Council President Clarkson said, "We are very thankful to Robert Merrick for donating $1 million to the United Way and supporting such a worthy cause."
Latter & Blum President and CEO Robert W. Merrick appeared before the Council to be recognized for his $1 million contribution to the United Way. It is Merrick's hope that his contribution will inspire other New Orleanians to donate and give back to their community. The Council presented Mr. Merrick with a Proclamation honoring him for his donation.

Founded by Harry Latter and Joseph E. Blum in 1916 in New Orleans, Latter & Blum started out specializing in commercial real estate. Later, the company expanded into residential sales. In 1986, Robert W. Merrick purchased Latter & Blum and began a restructuring of the company that lead to important business growth. Since that time, Latter & Blum as expanded into the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Greater Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Alexandria, and operates the largest full-service Real Estate brokerage in the Gulf South.

Council President Clarkson said, "We are very thankful to Robert Merrick for donating $1 million to the United Way and supporting such a worthy cause."

Supported Progress on Algiers Facilities

The Council passed Resolution R-14-157, authored by Councilmember Clarkson, urging the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission to consider developing a site plan for the future Behrman Soccer Complex that lies beyond the recommended 660 feet radius buffer to avoid disturbing a nesting bald eagle in the area. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protect the bald eagle from a variety of harmful activities and provide criminal and civil penalties up to $200,000 for persons who disturb a bald eagle.

The Council passed Resolution R-14-156, authored by Councilmember Clarkson, thanking those who have worked to develop a world-class recreation facility in Algiers and ratifying the Behrman Memorial Park projects articulated by the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and the Department of Capital Projects that remain to be completed, including renovation of the pool and the $12 million soccer complex at Behrman Memorial Park.

 

Council President Clarkson said, "Much has been done at Behrman by this Council and Administration and we were hoping to start on the soccer complex, but have been interrupted by a nesting eagle, which we must honor and preserve."

 

The Council also passed Resolution R-14-162, co-authored by Councilmembers Clarkson and Gisleson Palmer, recognizing that the achievements of Federal City were accomplished through the hard work of the New Orleans Federal Alliance and Algiers Development District, through the Joint Development Committee, which will continue to add more private development and retail.

 

Council President Clarkson said, "Federal City was created to preserve the military in our city because it has a significant economic impact. It is one of the largest economic development projects in the state and includes the largest Marine Reserves headquarters in the world for 40,000 Marines."


Congratulated St. Claude Main Street on Receipt of Louisiana Culture Award

Jonathan Rhodes, President of St. Claude Main Street, appeared before the Council for a presentation congratulating St. Claude Main Street on its selection as a 2014 Louisiana Culture Award winner.

Founded in 2007, St. Claude Main Street (SCMS) is a nonprofit organization working within the St. Claude Cultural District to support cultural and economic development of the St. Claude corridor and encourage community engagement. The organization is run by a board of volunteer community members. St. Claude Main Street is part of the statewide network of Main Street organizations, including Broad Street, North Rampart and Oretha Castle Haley Main Streets in New Orleans.

Rhodes outlined SCMS's goals, programs and community projects, and community impacts, including the creation of 27 new businesses, 117 new jobs, $431,000 in private investment, and $4,000,000 in public improvements.

District "C" Councilmember Gisleson Palmer said, "This is truly a great program. They are continuously working to highlight the assets that already exist in the St. Claude area, ultimately providing greater access to the community and encouraging future investment in the commercial corridor. Main Street programs are an important economic development tool and there are opportunities to replicate these program across the City."

Recognized Local Efforts to Reduce Secondhand Smoke Exposure

Torrie Harris, Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) Community Health Division Director, and Bertha Bradley, Owner of local bar and restaurant Bertha's Place, appeared before the Council to give a presentation on the efforts of local bar owners to reduce the risk of secondhand smoke exposure to patrons and employees.

Harris outlined the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL), a statewide tobacco control program which aims to implement initiatives that reduce and prevent tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. TFL is funded by a state excise tax on tobacco passed in 2002. LPHI coordinates the statewide implementation and evaluation of TFL. Harris and Bradley both emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the necessity of policies in all workplaces that protect employees and patrons from secondhand smoke.

The Council issued certificates of congratulation to each of the 99 bars in the City which has voluntarily become smoke-free.

District "B" Councilmember Cantrell, "I have made a pledge to join in this movement and I am proud to honor the 99 bars that have voluntarily become smoke-free. Knowing the health disparities that exist in our community and understanding the causes and effects of second-hand smoke I am in full support of this initiative."

Honored Departing Councilmembers

The Council presented Proclamations to the Councilmembers whose terms are ending, Council President Clarkson, District "C" Councilmember Gisleson Palmer, and District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell. This Council meeting was the departing Councilmembers' final Council meeting before the completion of their terms.

 

Each of the Proclamations highlighted the Councilmember's many accomplishments and achievements throughout their years in City service. The Councilmembers thanked their staff and colleagues for their support over the years. Additionally, family members of Council President Clarkson appeared to congratulate her on her distinguished career.

 

Additionally, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) Board Chairman and former Councilmember James Singleton and NORA Director of External Affairs Jasmine Haralson appeared before the Council to present Councilmembers Clarkson, Gisleson Palmer, and Hedge-Morrell with certificates of appreciation for their years of service.

 

Council President Clarkson said, "It's been a privilege and a pleasure to spend 24 years in public service. I'm grateful for all of the support I've been given to be elected and govern with many accomplishments while working with many wonderful colleagues and staff members. I left the business world, took a cut in pay and doubled my working hours and I wouldn't change a day I have spent in this office. I'm especially grateful to my husband and family for their love and support." 

 

District "C" Councilmember Gisleson Palmer said, "I am honored to have worked alongside my Council colleagues and to have served the citizens of New Orleans. I am committed to the continued advancement of our great City and I look forward to continuing my work with the many residents, business owners, and stakeholders I have had the privilege to work with during my time on the City Council."

 

District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "It has been a true honor to serve on this City Council. I thank my colleagues for their commitment to the betterment of New Orleans, my staff for their dedication and hours upon hours of hard work, and the citizens of New Orleans for allowing me to represent them over the years."


Called for Traffic Study in Vieux Carre

The Council passed Resolution R-14-160, authored by Councilmember Gisleson Palmer, requesting that the Department of Public Works undertake a comprehensive traffic study of the Vieux Carré, bounded by North Rampart Street, Esplanade Avenue, the Mississippi River, and Canal Street.

The study will examine the effects of vehicular traffic on congestion, safety, infrastructure and historic buildings, as well as the effect of new forms of vehicular traffic not considered in the 1996 traffic study including pedicabs, double-decker buses, party buses, mini cars, Segways, mobile cocktail lounges and amphibious vehicles. The study will also review violations of current laws regarding vehicular traffic, identify areas in need of enforcement, and recommend acceptable routes and limitations on traffic in the Vieux Carré.

 

District "C" Councilmember Gisleson Palmer said, "The rules governing vehicular traffic in the French Quarter are out of date and do not reflect new types of traffic or the increase in tourism and pedestrian traffic that our City has experienced in the last few decades. This traffic study will go a long way toward making improvements to traffic regulations in the Vieux Carré and protecting our residents, visitors, streets, and buildings."

Created on: 6/21/2018 11:34:18 AM | Last updated: 6/21/2018 11:34:18 AM

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