Regular Meeting
January 07, 2016
City Council Chamber
City Council January 7, 2016 Regular Meeting News Summary
Thursday, January 7, 2016 - New Orleans, LA - At today's Regular Council meeting, the Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting the hiring of employees under the age of twenty-one at adult live performance venues. The Council also passed resolutions calling a special election to approve public safety and capital improvements millages and established the Special Committee for Youth Services and Empowerment.
In other business, the Council received a presentation from InspireNOLA CEO Jamar McKneely about the accomplishments and achievements of charter schools managed by InspireNOLA and recognized the 2016 Community Arts Grants recipients. The Council was also joined by family and friends of the late Allen Toussaint in celebrating his life and accomplishments and declared January 14 as "Allen Toussaint Day" in the City of New Orleans and recognized retired Criminal District Court Judge Frank Marullo and Louisiana State Senator Edwin Murray.
Prohibited the Hiring of Employees under the Age of Twenty-One at Adult Live Performance Venues
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| Covenant House New Orleans Executive Director Jim Kelly speaks before the Council |
The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 31,035, authored by Councilmembers Williams and Head, prohibiting the hiring of employees under the age of twenty-one at adult live performance venues. Under the Ordinance, establishments that sell alcoholic beverages and have persons working at the establishment unclothed, or dressed in a revealing manner, shall not hire employees under the age of twenty-one. The Alcohol Beverage Control Board will determine if an establishment is in violation. Penalties for violation are as follows:- First offense - Suspension of Alcohol Beverage Permits for no less than seven days
- Second offense - Suspension of Alcohol Beverage Permits for no less than thirty days
- Third offense - Suspension of Alcohol Beverage Permits for no less than ninety days
- Fourth Offense - Suspension of Alcohol Beverage Permits for one year or revocation
In related news, the Council adopted Motion M-16-22, authored by Councilmembers Head and Williams, directing the City Planning Commission to conduct a public hearing and study on the use of adult live performance venues in the City of New Orleans. The study will be used to ensure comprehensive regulation of adult live performance venues by the City Code and the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The study will include:
- Whether the total number of adult live performance venues permitted in the Vieux Carre Entertainment District (VCE) should be limited.
- Whether there are best practices of adult live performance venue regulations.
- Input from industry representatives.
- The available and most appropriate land-use mechanisms to limit the total number of adult live performance venues.
- If the current use standards need to be amended or added to further regulate use.
Council President Williams said, "The passage of this ordinance sends a clear message to these establishments that choose to circumvent the law that the City and people of New Orleans will not tolerate their treatment of vulnerable and at risk youth. This is just one aspect of the City and State's efforts to identify and prosecute people who victimize and exploit vulnerable young people."
Received Presentation from InspireNOLA Charter Schools
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| Andrew Wilson Principal Lee Green, InspireNOLA CEO Jamar McKneely, Alice Harte Principal Robert Hill, and Edna Karr Principal Harold Clay joined by InspireNOLA faculty and students before the Council |
The Council received a presentation from InspireNOLA Charter Schools CEO, Jamar McKneely, on the structure of InspireNOLA Charter Schools, a charter school management company. InspireNOLA is dedicated to providing a rigorous, supportive, structured, and high quality college preparatory program for every child and family in New Orleans. Mr. McKneely's presentation detailed the ways InspireNOLA schools motivate students to invest in their own education and success by creating a strong and positive school culture. The InspireNOLA schools system consists of over 2,400 students across three schools and is the only charter network with two A-graded schools. Robert Hill, Principal of Alice M. Harte Charter School, Harold Clay, Principal of Edna Karr High School, and Lee C. Green, Principal of Andrew Wilson Charter School, joined Mr. McKneely to highlight the accomplishments and achievements of InspireNOLA students along with the individual schools' goals for 2016.
District "C" Councilmember Nadine Ramsey said, "InspireNOLA schools are making leaps and bounds in providing college preparatory programs for New Orleans youth. The organization's comprehensive outlook on student development will create well-rounded adults ready for future challenges. On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank InspireNOLA CEO Jamar McKneely, Alice M. Harte Principal Robert Hill, Edna Karr Principal Harold Clay and Andrew Wilson Principal Lee C. Green for working with our young people and wish you all the best of luck in 2016."
Recognized 2016 Community Arts Grant Recipients
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| New Orleans Art Council Deputy Director Nick Stillman and Associate Director Joycelyn Reynolds present before the Council |
The Council joined New Orleans Arts Council Deputy Director, Nick Stillman, and New Orleans Arts Council Associate Director, Joycelyn Reynolds, in recognizing the 2016 Community Arts Grant recipients. The Arts Council of New Orleans provides funding to support arts and cultural activities in Orleans Parish through the Louisiana Decentralized Arts Funding program. The Arts Council's overall mission is to nurture creativity and enrich lives through inspiration, connection, transformation, and investment in the New Orleans arts and cultural community. Through the Community Arts Grants, the Arts Council seeks to further its mission by providing support for a range of arts activities that impact New Orleans residents. Click here to view the 2016 Community Arts Grants recipients.
District "B" Councilmember LaToya Cantrell said, "Through the Community Arts Grants, the New Orleans Arts Council and Grant recipients are creating a more beautiful and vibrant city. I am excited to see the completion and implementation of the projects and programs made possible by these grants."
Declared January 14 Allen Toussaint Day in the City of New Orleans
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| Councilmembers with friends and family of Allen Toussaint |
The Council passed Resolution R-16-12 declaring January 14, the birthday of Allen Toussaint, as Allen Toussaint day in the City of New Orleans. Toussaint's family joined the Council in celebrating the life and works of the New Orleans musician, who passed away on November 20, 2015 while on tour in Spain.
Toussaint grew up in the Gert Town neighborhood of New Orleans, where he learned to play piano and sing. As a teenager, he performed with other famed New Orleans musicians including Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew. Toussaint is known amongst musicians as a gifted producer and composer and has written and recorded songs for local musicians such as Irma Thomas, the Neville Brothers, George Porter, and Dr. John in addition to national and international acts, including the O'Jays, Ringo Starr, The Who, The Hollies, Otis Redding, the Yardbirds and the Rolling Stones. Toussaint is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the National Medal of the Arts by President Barack Obama in 2013.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "Our artists and musicians are our ambassadors, as their talents, hard work, and genius creates the culture for which we are internationally known. Their travels share that culture with countless individuals and communities, and their successes and creations infuse our city with a vibrancy and soul unmatched elsewhere in the world. Allen served our city as one of our finest ambassadors."
Called April 9 Public Safety and Capital Improvements Millage Special Election
The Council unanimously passed a series of resolutions calling a special election in Orleans Parish on Saturday, April 9, 2016 for voters to consider a public safety millage and the issuance of bonds to fund capital improvements. Resolution No. R-16-1 calls a special election for voters to consider additional ad valorem taxes to fund police and fire protection. Resolution No. R-16-4 calls for voters to consider the incurring of debt and the issuance of up to $120 million in general obligation bonds to fund capital improvements throughout the City. If approved by voters, $100 million will be dedicated to construct, renovate, and/or improve roads, streets and bridges, base stabilization, drainage adjustments and related sidewalks, curbing, street lighting, storm water management and landscaping. $15 million will go towards the construction, renovation and/or improvement of public buildings, parks and recreation activities and $5 million will go towards the purchase of new fire trucks and firefighting equipment.
The Council also passed Motion No. M-16-8 announcing the Council's intention to adopt a resolution at the February 18, 2016 Regular Council Meeting confirming the calling of the election on April 9, 2016.
Established Special Committee for Youth Services and Empowerment
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District "C"
Councilmember Ramsey |
The Council passed Motion M-16-3, authored by Councilmember Williams, establishing the Special Committee for Youth Services and Empowerment. The Committee will consider, review and make recommendations to the Council on programming, funding, legislation and other necessary and appropriate actions related to improving the lives and outcomes for New Orleans youth.
The Special Committee for Youth Services and Empowerment will consist of District "C" Councilmember Ramsey, Council President Williams, District "E" Councilmember Gray, and District "D" Councilmember Brossett. Councilmember Ramsey will serve as the Chair of the Special Committee for Youth Services and Empowerment.
District "C" Councilmember Ramsey said, "I am proud to be selected as Chair of the Special Committee for Youth Services. I would like to thank my colleagues on the Committee, and I look forward to working with them to positively affect New Orleans opportunity youth by looking at their most pressing needs and connecting them with the proper resources. This is a much needed committee and I am honored to be its chairperson."
Recognized New Orleans Public Servants
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| Retired Criminal District Court Judge Frank Marullo |
The Council passed a series of Resolutions, authored by Councilmember Brossett, recognizing New Orleans public servants.Resolution No. R-16-9 recognized retired Criminal District Court Judge Frank Marullo Jr. for his commitment and dedication to the citizens of New Orleans. A New Orleans native, Marullo attended Fortier High School and received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. After serving in the Merchant Marines, Marullo returned to New Orleans to attend law school at Loyola University. First elected in 1974, Judge Marullo has served over 40 years on the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court and is the longest sitting judge in the state of Louisiana. In addition to his service on the Court, Judge Marullo served as a member of the Louisiana State House of Representatives, Vice-Chairman of the ABA National Committee of Rights of Victims, Chairman of the Cabrini High School Board of Directors, and President of the Louisiana District Judges Association. Judge Marullo has played a crucial role in establishing homicide courts for violent offenders, victim compensation in courts and the introduction of computer technology in the courthouse.
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| Louisiana State Senator Edwin Murray |
Resolution No. R-16-10 recognized Louisiana State Senator Edwin R. Murray for his untiring dedication, humanitarian work, and constant efforts to serve the citizens of New Orleans legally, legislatively and financially. A native of New Orleans, Murray attended John F. Kennedy High School, and later Loyola University where he received a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degree. Murray served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1992 to 2004, and in the Louisiana State Senate from 2005 to 2015. In addition to serving politically, Murray is a Loyola Institute of Politics and Food for Seniors Fellow, partner in the law firm Murray, Darnell, & Associates, and a member of the African American National Bar Association and the National Black Council of State Legislators.
District "D" Councilmember Brossett said, "Judge Marullo and Senator Murray are shining examples of what it means to truly serve New Orleans. These native sons have dedicated their careers in pursuit of improving life for all citizens in the City of New Orleans and we owe them a continuous debt of gratitude and appreciation."