Regular Meeting
February 04, 2016
City Council Chamber
City Council February 4, 2016 Regular Meeting News Summary
Thursday, February 4, 2016 - New Orleans, LA - At today's Regular Council Meeting, the Council established a new schedule of fines and rental rates for certain parking violations and parking spaces and authorized a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Audubon Commission to facilitate improvements at the Nature Center in Joe Brown Park and Audubon Park Riverview.
In other business, the Council received presentations from and recognized 2016 Mardi Gras royalty from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Krewe of Pandora, and Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale.
During the Orders of Business, Council President Williams took a point of personal privilege to recognize the life of Julia Aaron Humbles, a New Orleans native and Civil Rights activist who recently passed away. Ms. Humbles was a leader in the fight for equal rights. She participated in sit-ins, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and led freedom rides to protest segregation.
Established Schedule of Fines and Rental Rates for Certain Parking Violations and Spaces
The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 31,121, authored by Councilmembers Head, Guidry, Ramsey, Brossett and Gray, establishing the schedule of fines for certain parking violations. Violations include time limited parking, prohibited parking, parking on narrow one-way streets, and wrong way parking.
The new schedule of fines is as follows.- Initial Fine: $30.00
- After 30 Days: $60.00
- After 60 Days: $90.00
In related business, the Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 31,122, authored by Councilmembers Brossett, Head, Guidry, Ramsey and Gray, establishing rental rates for the use of curb space controlled by parking meters, including additional increases for specific areas of the City. Under the Ordinance, all companies parking large vehicles along curb space controlled by parking meters will be charged $30.00 per day on top of a fixed fee of $45.00. In the downtown area bounded by the Pontchartrain Expressway, South Claiborne Avenue, North Claiborne Avenue, and the River, daily fees will be assessed at $70.00 in addition to the $45.00 fixed fee.
Received Presentation from 2016 Krewe of Pandora Queen Lydia Glapion-Days
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Councilmembers with 2016 Krewe of Pandora Queen
Lydia Glapion-Days and Pandora members |
The Council received a presentation from 2016 Krewe of Pandora Queen Lydia Glapion-Days regarding the krewe's mission to establish and cultivate friendship among women from all walks of life and the krewe's signature throw: a hand-decorated Pandora's Box. Glapion-Days, co-founder of the all-female krewe, also serves on the krewe's executive committee. Glapion-Days grew up in New Orleans and received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Loyola University and a Masters in Urban Studies from the University of New Orleans. Currently, Glapion-Days is Director of the New Orleans City Council Research Division. The inaugural Krewe of Pandora parade will roll in Metairie on Lundi Gras, Monday, February 8.
District "C" Councilmember Ramsey said, "I would like to congratulate our own Lydia Glapion-Days for being named Queen of the Krewe of Pandora. By bringing together women from all walks of life, the Krewe of Pandora exemplifies what it means to create a community and embrace the culture of Mardi Gras. I send my best wishes in their inaugural roll on Lundi Gras."
Authorized CEA for Improvements at the Nature Center in New Orleans East and Audubon Riverview
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| District "E" Councilmember Gray |
The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 31,138, authored by Councilmembers Guidry and Gray, authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Audubon Commission to facilitate improvements at the Nature Center in New Orleans East and the Riverview in Audubon Park. Improvements at the Nature Center, located in Joe Brown Park, will include new gates and improved lighting in addition to the restoration of the center's classrooms and nature exhibits designed to educate about the Louisiana Gulf Coast ecosystem. Improvements to the Nature Center are expected to be completed in Fall 2016.
Improvements at the Riverview, commonly known as the "Fly," will include resurfacing the roadway, replacing lighting, installing an emergency communications system, repaving sidewalks, replacing benches, and adding bicycle lanes.
District "E" Councilmember Gray said, "The improvements at the Nature Center in Joe Brown Park will enable the Audubon Commission to continue its mission of providing educational and cultural experiences for New Orleans residents and visitors. I look forward to the project's completion and to visiting the new exhibits."
Regarding the Riverview improvements, District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "I appreciate the clarification from the Administration today that the bond funds for these improvements were approved by the voters in 2004, and that the funds will be used to improve the roadways and other infrastructure that will continue to be publicly accessible. The recent Carrollton Boosters project is entirely separate from this agreement."
Recognized 2016 Zulu Royalty
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| Councilmembers with the 2016 Zulu Royalty and Characters |
Members of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club appeared before the Council to present the 2016 Zulu royalty, Zulu King Elect Jay H. Banks and Zulu Queen Select Artelia Bennett-Banks, along with the 2016 Zulu Characters. The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club was created in the early 1900s and has continued to entertain New Orleanians since. The group's first appearance as Zulus came in 1909, and by 1916 the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club was incorporated. The Club's parade on Mardi Gras day has grown into one of the most popular parades, and the Zulu Coconut has become one of the most sought-after and treasured Mardi Gras throws. Zulu President Naaman C. Stewart joined the 2016 Royalty before the Council and highlighted how the organization credits itself as "the everyman club" due to its diverse membership, including people from all walks of life and professions. Stewart also noted that Zulu contributes to a number of community initiatives, including the Toys for Tots gift drive during the holiday season.
After the Zulu presentation, New Orleans Public Library Executive Director Charles Brown detailed to the Council the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club history exhibit on display at the Main Library. The exhibit features the elaborate costumes and artifacts worn by past Zulu royalty and will be on display until February 26.
District "C" Councilmember Ramsey said, "The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club has always been a positive force in our City, and an integral part of New Orleans Mardi Gras. I would like to thank all Zulu members for their commitment to making New Orleans the greatest City in the world."
District "D" Councilmember Brossett said, "It is an honor and privilege to recognize the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club 2016 Royalty. The Zulu organization has been a home for a number of great men, who have continued to allow all of us to celebrate what is best about the culture of our city. Zulu is truly a great New Orleans institution."
Recognized 2016 Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Queen Joan Rainey
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| 2016 Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Queen Joan Rainey |
The Council issued a proclamation to the 2016 Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Queen Joan Rainey recognizing her efforts in offering women of all backgrounds the opportunity to promote and support New Orleans' culture while uplifting the community. Rainey is a founding member of the krewe and serves as Parliamentarian and Chair of Fundraising. Also a registered nurse, Rainey works with critical care patients and serves as a forensic nurse specializing in sexual and domestic assault cases. The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale rolled on January 31 along the Uptown parade route. This year's theme was "The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Visits Theme Parks."
District "B" Councilmember Cantrell said, "I would like to thank Queen Joan Rainey along with the entire Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale for their efforts in bringing together women of all backgrounds to share in the love of New Orleans."