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."