Meetings

Regular Meeting

December 10, 2015 

City Council Chamber

City Council December 10, 2015 Regular Meeting News Summary

Tuesday, December 10, 2015 - New Orleans, LA - At today's Regular Council Meeting, the Council authorized contracts for Council professional services and approved rules and regulations for the DBE and HireNOLA programs.

In other business, the Council celebrated Military Day, which included presentations by the Mayor's Military Advisory Committee Chairman Major General David Mize and other senior officers from local and regional military organizations and performances by the United States Marine Corps Band.

City Council December 10, 2015 Regular Meeting News Summary

Tuesday, December 10, 2015 - New Orleans, LA - At today's Regular Council Meeting, the Council authorized contracts for Council professional services and approved rules and regulations for the DBE and HireNOLA programs.

In other business, the Council celebrated Military Day, which included presentations by the Mayor's Military Advisory Committee Chairman Major General David Mize and other senior officers from local and regional military organizations and performances by the United States Marine Corps Band.

Celebrated Military Appreciation Day

Major General David Mize, USMC Ret., with representatives of the U.S. Armed Forces
Chairman of the Mayor's Military Advisory Committee (MMAC), Major General David Mize, USMC Ret., appeared before the Council to lead the 22nd annual Military Day presentation. 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.

MMAC representatives presented the MMAC 2015 Annual Report, which included information on the Committee's activities and events over the past year and highlighted the MMAC's efforts to provide housing and support to homeless veterans. Senior officers from local and regional military organizations, specifically 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, ongoing activities, and community involvement of their respective organizations. The Military Day activities also included performances by the United States Marine Corps Band.

Council President Williams said, "On behalf of the City Council of New Orleans, I would like to extend the most sincere expression of thanks and gratitude to all the men and women who selflessly dedicate themselves to protecting our country. Let us all not forget the sacrifices they make so we can enjoy life as we know it."

District "C" Councilmember Ramsey said, "It is such an honor having you all here representing the heroes of the branches of the armed forces. Words cannot express our gratitude for your service and sacrifices of you and your families.  Our way of life and the beacon of hope that our democracy provides to people around the world is dependent upon you."

Celebrated Military Appreciation Day

Major General David Mize, USMC Ret., with representatives of the U.S. Armed Forces
Chairman of the Mayor's Military Advisory Committee (MMAC), Major General David Mize, USMC Ret., appeared before the Council to lead the 22nd annual Military Day presentation. 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.

MMAC representatives presented the MMAC 2015 Annual Report, which included information on the Committee's activities and events over the past year and highlighted the MMAC's efforts to provide housing and support to homeless veterans. Senior officers from local and regional military organizations, specifically 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, ongoing activities, and community involvement of their respective organizations. The Military Day activities also included performances by the United States Marine Corps Band.

Council President Williams said, "On behalf of the City Council of New Orleans, I would like to extend the most sincere expression of thanks and gratitude to all the men and women who selflessly dedicate themselves to protecting our country. Let us all not forget the sacrifices they make so we can enjoy life as we know it."

District "C" Councilmember Ramsey said, "It is such an honor having you all here representing the heroes of the branches of the armed forces. Words cannot express our gratitude for your service and sacrifices of you and your families.  Our way of life and the beacon of hope that our democracy provides to people around the world is dependent upon you."

Authorized Contracts for Council Professional Services

The Council passed Motion No. M-15-603, authored by Councilmembers Head and Williams, authorizing and requesting that the Council President execute a contract with Postlethwaite & Netterville to perform the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the Single Audit, and the Fire and Police Pension Systems Audits. The motion also authorizes and requests that the Council President execute a contract with Luther C. Speight & Co. to perform the Municipal Employees Retirement System audit for fiscal years 2015 through 2019. City Charter requires the City Council to secure an annual external audit of the City's financial statements. The Council reviewed proposals received from CPA firms and considered continuity of services, overall cost and disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) participation in professional services before making a selection.

Authorized Contracts for Council Professional Services

The Council passed Motion No. M-15-603, authored by Councilmembers Head and Williams, authorizing and requesting that the Council President execute a contract with Postlethwaite & Netterville to perform the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the Single Audit, and the Fire and Police Pension Systems Audits. The motion also authorizes and requests that the Council President execute a contract with Luther C. Speight & Co. to perform the Municipal Employees Retirement System audit for fiscal years 2015 through 2019. City Charter requires the City Council to secure an annual external audit of the City's financial statements. The Council reviewed proposals received from CPA firms and considered continuity of services, overall cost and disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) participation in professional services before making a selection.

Approved Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and HireNOLA Rules and Regulations

District "E" 
Councilmember Gray
The Council passed Resolution No. R-15-613, authored by Councilmember Gray, approving the rules and regulations needed to fully implement the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. On June 6, 2013, the Council adopted an ordinance creating the DBE program to increase public contract opportunities for women and minority owned businesses. Today, in furtherance of that ordinance, the Council approved rules and regulations for the DBE program include:
  • A business may qualify for the DBE program if it is determined that the firm's ability to compete in the business world has been restricted due to industry practices, limited access to capital and/or restricted credit opportunities that are beyond the firm's control
  • A business may also qualify if it is owned, operated and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged person(s) and the person(s) own, operate and control at least 51% of the company
The Council also passed Resolution No. R-15-614, authored by Councilmember Gray, approving the rules and regulations needed to fully implement the HireNOLA program. On October 1, 2015, the Council adopted an ordinance creating the HireNOLA program to link local workers with quality employment opportunities created by City construction contracts and economic development projects. Approved rules and regulations for the HireNOLA program include: 
  • Applies to city construction contracts and development projects in excess of $150,000
  • Requires 30% of all work hours to be performed by workers residing in Orleans Parish with no less than 10% of those hours performed by disadvantaged local workers.
  • Work hour goals will increase by 5% annually until 2020
District "E" Councilmember Gray said, "Today's strengthening of the rules and regulations for participation in the City's DBE and HireNOLA programs is the culmination of an effort to ensure that New Orleans' workforce is fully engaged in the economic boom going on in this community. The implementation of these programs will greatly increase the opportunities available to local and disadvantaged workers." 

District "C" Councilmember Ramsey said, "It is so important that our citizens are given every opportunity to benefit from the continued growth that New Orleans is experiencing. The new rules on DBE and HireNOLA demonstrate the commitment to including locals and disadvantaged businesses in City contracts."

Approved Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and HireNOLA Rules and Regulations

District "E" 
Councilmember Gray
The Council passed Resolution No. R-15-613, authored by Councilmember Gray, approving the rules and regulations needed to fully implement the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. On June 6, 2013, the Council adopted an ordinance creating the DBE program to increase public contract opportunities for women and minority owned businesses. Today, in furtherance of that ordinance, the Council approved rules and regulations for the DBE program include:
  • A business may qualify for the DBE program if it is determined that the firm's ability to compete in the business world has been restricted due to industry practices, limited access to capital and/or restricted credit opportunities that are beyond the firm's control
  • A business may also qualify if it is owned, operated and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged person(s) and the person(s) own, operate and control at least 51% of the company
The Council also passed Resolution No. R-15-614, authored by Councilmember Gray, approving the rules and regulations needed to fully implement the HireNOLA program. On October 1, 2015, the Council adopted an ordinance creating the HireNOLA program to link local workers with quality employment opportunities created by City construction contracts and economic development projects. Approved rules and regulations for the HireNOLA program include: 
  • Applies to city construction contracts and development projects in excess of $150,000
  • Requires 30% of all work hours to be performed by workers residing in Orleans Parish with no less than 10% of those hours performed by disadvantaged local workers.
  • Work hour goals will increase by 5% annually until 2020
District "E" Councilmember Gray said, "Today's strengthening of the rules and regulations for participation in the City's DBE and HireNOLA programs is the culmination of an effort to ensure that New Orleans' workforce is fully engaged in the economic boom going on in this community. The implementation of these programs will greatly increase the opportunities available to local and disadvantaged workers." 

District "C" Councilmember Ramsey said, "It is so important that our citizens are given every opportunity to benefit from the continued growth that New Orleans is experiencing. The new rules on DBE and HireNOLA demonstrate the commitment to including locals and disadvantaged businesses in City contracts."

Created on: 6/21/2018 11:32:52 AM | Last updated: 6/21/2018 11:32:52 AM

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