Meetings

Regular Meeting

September 18, 2014 

City Council Chamber

City Council Regular Meeting News Summary September 18, 2014

Thursday, September 18, 2014 - New Orleans, LA - At today's regular City Council meeting, the Council adopted Ordinances establishing the Neighborhood Conservation District Advisory Committee, approving the lease agreement for use of premises at the St. Roch Market, amending the City Code to allow servitude agreements on portions of St. Charles, Louisiana, and Napoleon Avenues, and directing the City Planning Commission to consider the establishment of the Earhart Corridor Spur Track Interim Zoning District.

The Council also passed Resolutions in support of National Voter Registration Day and National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

In other business, the Council recognized the community contributions of the Young Men Olympian Junior Benevolent Association and local business owner and operator Henry Coaxum. The Council also received a presentation from local dance education and performance organization Dancing Grounds on an upcoming dance and social change festival.

Encouraged Citizens to Participate in Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

The Council passed Resolution R-14-400, authored by Councilmember Brossett, recognizing September 27, 2014 as National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and encouraging the public to participate in the event to safely dispose of their expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

The DEA is in the process of approving new regulations that implement the Safe and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an "ultimate user" (a patient or their family member, or pet owner) of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Customary methods for disposing of unused medicines, flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, pose potential safety and health hazards. Last year's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day brought in over 780,000 pounds of prescription drugs.

This year's event, hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, will take place on Saturday, September 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the following sites:   

District "D" Councilmember Brossett said, "Prescription drug abuse, as well as accidental poisonings and overdoses, is too prevalent in our country. As citizens, we must take proactive action to responsibly dispose of these potentially dangerous medicines once they are no longer needed in order to prevent misuse and theft. We encourage all of our citizens to look through their medicine cabinets for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs and bring them to one of the participating locations."

Recognized Young Men Olympian Junior Benevolent Association for 130th Anniversary

The Council recognized the Young Men Olympian Junior Benevolent Association (YMO) for its 130th Anniversary and its dedication and tradition in the Central City community. Founded in New Orleans in 1884, the YMO is the oldest benevolent association in the nation. The organization is comprised of 110 members from various professional and educational backgrounds, and was established on the premises of morality and charity. 

 

YMO's work in New Orleans includes providing care for the elderly and sick, assisting with the burial of the dead, working with youth, feeding the homeless and providing other generous acts of charity and benevolence. YMO also hosts second line events and two annual parades.

 

To commemorate its 130th anniversary, YMO is recognizing this month as "September to Remember," and will celebrate the milestone with various hosted events. 

 

Council President Head said, "I have seen firsthand the positive effects of this organization's work in Central City. Their dedication to community and willingness to help those in need, whether it be youth, elderly, or the chronically ill, is truly commendable, and I am excited to share in this anniversary."


Recognized McDonald's Owner and Operator for 30 Years of Service

The Council recognized Henry Coaxum, owner of Coaxum Enterprises and operator of seven New Orleans McDonald's Restaurants, for his 30th Anniversary with the McDonald's Corporation and his continued commitment to serving the citizens of New Orleans.

 

Coaxum, who has served on the NOLA Business Alliance and on the Board of Commissioners of the City's Hospital Service District Board, recently received a McDonald's 365 Black Award. He has also received "The Ronald Award" for outstanding service and has been recognized by the Neighborhood Development Foundation for exceptional leadership in the development and growth of New Orleans neighborhoods. 

 

Mr. Coaxum has worked with local organizations and charities for years, volunteering, fundraising, and offering his entrepreneurial expertise and extensive knowledge of the communities that he serves. In addition to sharing his state-of-the-art office space with local non-profits, business development groups, and universities, he also offers his student employees pay raises and scholarships for academic accomplishments.

 

Councilmember Gray said, "Henry Coaxum has played a very important part in the revival of New Orleans and continues to serve as an asset to the local business community. I commend him for his 30 years of philanthropic, community and business contributions to New Orleans and look forward to his continued leadership in the City."


Recognized Community Efforts of Local Dance Education and Performance Organization

The Council received a presentation from representatives of Dancing Grounds, a local dance education and performance organization, on the organization's mission and the upcoming Dance for Social Change Festival.

Dancing Grounds' mission is focused on providing accessible, high-quality dance education for New Orleanians through programming at the organization's studio and partnerships with local schools. The organization also works to provide training and support for dance teachers in afterschool and summer school programs.

 

On Sunday, September 21 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. in the 1300-1700 blocks of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, Dancing Grounds will host the first Dance for Social Change Festival. The event is designed to bring artists, activists and community members together to inspire dialogue and action about key city issues, centering on the theme Overcoming Violence. For a full schedule of the festival's featured events, click here.

 

District "B" Councilmember Cantrell said, "We are a city that nurtures, respects, and embraces creativity in all its forms, and we recognize the value that arts and cultural organizations bring to individual communities and the city as a whole. Dancing Grounds has done wonderful work throughout our City, providing accessible and well-developed programming for our youth and bringing community stakeholders together in meaningful discussions about making our City a stronger and safer place."


Called on Residents to Register to Vote

The Council passed Resolution R-14-398, authored by Councilmember Brossett, recognizing September 23, 2014 as National Voter Registration Day, and encouraging all eligible residents of the City to register to vote.


Civic-minded individuals and organizations across the country have collaborated to establish National Voter Registration Day to increase awareness of off-year national and local elections and to motivate Americans to vote. A midterm election will take place in New Orleans during November 2014 wherein voters will have the opportunity to vote to elect members of Congress, the State legislature and various judicial offices. 

  

Louisiana requires residents to register to vote at least 30 days prior to an election in order to be eligible to vote in that election. Residents can register to vote in person at a parish registrar of voters office by submitting proper proof of age, residency, and identity. Acceptable forms of identification include: a current Louisiana driver's license, birth certificate, or other documentation which reasonably establishes identity, age, and residence. For more information on elections and voting in Louisiana, click here.


District "D" Councilmember Brossett said, "As Americans, we have the right and the privilege to participate in our country's democratic process. We encourage all of our residents not only to register to vote, but also to get engaged and inform themselves on upcoming elections, candidates, and other matters that may come before them on Election Day."


Approved Lease for St. Roch Market

The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 30,300, authored by Councilmember Ramsey, authorizing the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement with Bayou Secret, LLC for use of premises at the St. Roch Market.

St. Roch Market is located at 2831 St. Claude Avenue, and its building and premises account for approximately 6,800 square feet. Earlier this year, the City announced that Bayou Secret will serve as master tenant for the property, which is owned by the City and managed by the New Orleans Building Corporation through a cooperative endeavor agreement with the City.

The approved lease is for a 10-year period, and grants Bayou Secret the privilege of operating a full-service neighborhood restaurant, as well as a fresh foods market that utilizes multiple vendors, Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The market is slated to open in Spring 2015.

District "C" Councilmember Ramsey said, "The City has invested $3 million to bring the St. Roch Market back into commerce. Now Bayou Secret is positioned to develop the market into what the community envisions - a multi-vendor fresh food market and restaurant. Based on the group's outreach plan, we are confident that Bayou Secret will continue to support community-based business as the plans for the market move forward. We have high hopes that St. Roch Market will serve as a community resource while spurring increased economic development in the area."

Allowed Servitude Agreements on St. Charles, Louisiana and Napoleon Avenues

The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 30,295, authored by Councilmember Cantrell, to amend the City Code relative to structures encroach upon the public right-of-way on portions of St. Charles Avenue, Louisiana Avenue, and Napoleon Avenue and provide exceptions to such prohibitions for leases and/or servitudes granted by the City.

 

Currently, it is illegal to erect, place, maintain, or continue to maintain (if already erected), any shed, showcase, sign, hitching rack or other structure on or over any part of the sidewalks, roadways or neutral ground of:  
  • Louisiana Avenue, between Water Street and Claiborne Avenue;
  • St. Charles Avenue, between Lee Circle and Carrollton Avenue; and
  • Napoleon Avenue, between Water Street and Broad Street, or on the portions of the streets and sidewalks of the streets that intersect St. Charles and Napoleon Avenues, which are situated within 50 ft. of the property lines of St. Charles and Napoleon Avenues.
The Ordinance will allow for servitudes and leases on these streets, as they are allowed on other streets. Servitudes and leases on these streets would still go through the administrative process and be subject to Council approval, as they are for other streets.

District "B" Councilmember Cantrell said, "This Ordinance allows for the City to enter into servitudes along Louisiana, St. Charles and Napoleon, just as it can along other streets in the City. I want to make sure that any future considerations for servitudes on these streets follow a process consistent with that of other streets in the City."

Established Neighborhood Conservation District Advisory Committee

The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 30,291, authored by Council President Head, to clarify the definition and purposes of the Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD), establish the Neighborhood Conservation District Advisory Committee (NCDAC), establish rules, procedures and applicable timelines to govern the NCDAC and City Council action regarding permits for demolitions of existing structures in the NCD, and establish application and permit fees and applicable penalties.

The Council confirmed that the purpose of the NCDAC shall be to:  
  • Preserve those buildings within the NCD that have a historical or architectural value, or buildings that contribute to the overall character of the neighborhood;
  • Preserve and stabilize neighborhoods through the protection of those structures that represent the character and quality of the neighborhood or the architectural history of New Orleans; and
  • Promote redevelopment that contributes to the historic character of the neighborhood.
The new NCDAC will advise the Council relative to permit applications to demolish certain structures. All NCDAC cases will receive review by the Council for final disposition.


Council President Head said, "The new advisory committee will play an instrumental role in the Council's governing of the Neighborhood Conservation District and assist us in maintaining the quality of life standards and architectural history of our neighborhoods."


Directed the CPC to Review Establishment of the Earhart Corridor Spur Track Interim Zoning District

The Council passed Motion M-14-401, coauthored by Councilmembers Head and Cantrell, directing the City Planning Commission (CPC) to conduct a public hearing to consider amending the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) No. 4264 M.C.S. for the purpose of establishing the Earhart Corridor Spur Track Interim Zoning District.

The Earhart corridor, which previously lacked investment and experienced environmental degradation, is now a thriving corridor and home to millions of dollars of new public and private investments. The Council asserts that Amtrak's plan to build a chain-link fence with a razor wire topping along the majority of the corridor, restricts passage throughout the community, is inconsistent with the aesthetics of the corridor, and threatens to stifle economic investment.  

In an effort to prevent disruptive actions that may interrupt the growth of the corridor and negatively impact the surrounding community, the establishment of the Interim Zoning District would prohibit the issuance of any permits prior to design review and approval by CPC staff, with the advice of the Department of Safety and Permits, and subject to appeal to the Council, to erect any barrier or other obstruction within fifteen feet on either side of the spur track in the area generally bounded by Earhart Boulevard, South Lopez Street, Euphrosine Street and South Broad Street. 

Council President Head said, "The Earhart Corridor exemplifies the type of growth and development that we endeavor to see throughout the City of New Orleans. We want to ensure that all investments and developments align with the vision of the City and impacted communities."

District "B" Councilmember Cantrell said, "We have to address any concerns that could negatively impact the positive gains we have made along the Earhart corridor. This area has witnessed significant growth that we want to see continue."

Created on: 6/21/2018 11:34:14 AM | Last updated: 6/21/2018 11:34:14 AM

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