Meetings

Regular Meeting

December 11, 2014 

City Council Chamber

City Council Regular Meeting News Summary December 11, 2014

Thursday, December 11, 2014 - New Orleans, LA - At today's regular City Council meeting, the Council passed Motions approving a pay raise for police officers and other city employees, and approving an appointment to the Civil Service Commission. The Council adopted an Ordinance approving the construction of a community center in Marrero Commons. The Council also passed a Motion authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of New Orleans and the Police Association of Louisiana regarding the hosting of the 91st Annual Louisiana Police Jury Association Convention.


In other business, the Council received a presentation from the Mayor's Military Advisory Committee and showed their support for Military Appreciation Day.

Amended Classified Pay Plan Relative to Police and City Employee Pay

The Council passed Motion M-14-561 approving the amendment to the Classified Pay Plan, adopted by the Civil Service Commission at its meeting of December 5, 2014, to provide for a 5% increase in current hiring rates for all New Orleans Police Department officer classifications and a 5% increase in pay for all current NOPD recruits, officers, sergeants, lieutenants, captains and majors, effective January 1, 2015.


The Council also passed Motion M-14-565 approving the amendments to the Classified Pay Plan, adopted by the Civil Service Commission at its meeting of August 25, 2014, to raise the minimum wage rate for City employees to $10.10. This minimum wage rate increase will impact 40 hour per week city employees in classifications whose hourly rate is currently below $10.10.


The Council passed Motion M-14-566 approving adjustments to the Civil Service Rules as adopted by the Civil Service Commission to provide for a 1.25% increase in pay for city employees who merit a performance evaluation of competent or above. This increase is expected to take effect after annual civil service evaluations in the spring of 2015. 


Additionally, the Council passed Motion M-14-562 ratifying, confirming and approving the appointment of Tania Tetlow, fulfilling the unexpired term of Father Kevin Wildes, as a member of the Civil Service Commission, representing Tulane University, for a term that will expire June 30, 2017.


Supported Local Hosting of State Police Jury Association's Annual Convention

The Council passed Motion M-14-556, authored by Councilmembers Williams and Head, requesting and authorizing the Council President to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of New Orleans and the Police Jury Association of Louisiana (PJAL) relative to the hosting of the 91st Annual PJAL Convention in the City of New Orleans from January 29, 2015 through January 31, 2015.

Created in 1924 with the task of improving parish government in the State of Louisiana, the Police Jury Association of Louisiana's membership is open to all 64 parishes in Louisiana, including Police Juries, Parish Councils and Parish Commissions. The PJAL Annual Convention brings together federal, state and local government officials and interest groups for updates, forums and discussion on a variety of national, regional and local issues, including parish government daily operations. Council Vice President Williams serves on the PJAL Executive Board as the Region One representative for Orleans Parish.

Council Vice President Williams said, "We look forward to this event bringing government officials together to collaborate, share knowledge and ultimately work toward improved efficiency and operational capacity in Louisiana parish government."


Provided for Modifications to Community Center on Earhart Boulevard

The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 30,409 to amend Ordinance No. 23,189 M.C.S., which established a Residential Planned Community District overlay in an RM-3 Multiple-Family Residential District, in the First Municipal District, bounded by Earhart and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevards, Clio Place, South Prieur, Erato, South Miro, South Broad and South Dorgenois Streets, to allow modifications to the location and design of the community center component at 3400 Earhart Boulevard. Councilmembers Head, Guidry, Cantrell, Brossett and Gray voted in support of the Ordinance and Councilmembers Williams and Ramsey voted against the Ordinance.

The community center will provide an internet café, health club and other amenities for the Marrero Commons housing development and the surrounding neighborhood. The site, which formerly was utilized by the Silver City Dump, has undergone soil sample testing and other environmental testing by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality which determined that the site is safe to build on.

District "B" Councilmember Cantrell said, "We have done our due diligence on this zoning issue. We must rely on the available information provided to us by environmental experts. The ordinance was deferred until we were able to further research testing information and share it with interested parties. Extensive environmental testing and research at the site of this community center determined that building on the site is safe. This community center has the support of the community and will directly contribute to the full development of Marrero Commons."  

Celebrated Military Appreciation Day

Chairman of the Mayor's Military Advisory Committee (MMAC) Major General David Mize, USMC Ret., appeared before the Council to lead the 21st annual Military Day presentation.

MMAC representatives presented the MMAC 2014 Annual Report, which included information on the Committee's activities and events over the past year. Senior officers from local and regional military organizations, including the U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and the Louisiana Air and Army National Guard, provided the Council with updates on the programs, projects, and ongoing activities and community involvement of their respective organizations.The Military Day activities also included performances by the United States Marine Corps Band.

 

Chartered in 1972, the MMAC is charged with providing support to local military and their families, educating the public about the economic and social benefits associated with local military organizations, and retaining and growing the military bases in the region. The MMAC is an all volunteer organization with approximately 100 members.

 

District "E" Councilmember Gray said, "Our military organizations continue to make great contributions to our region and our country. Our service men and women demonstrate selfless dedication to our country and they should be honored and appreciated. I encourage all those people who might be considering a future in military service to take a closer look at the many wonderful opportunities that exist in our various branches of military."

Created on: 6/21/2018 11:34:12 AM | Last updated: 6/21/2018 11:34:12 AM

Watch

View the live stream
Opens in a popup window

Back to top