Regular Meeting
March 03, 2016
City Council Chamber
City Council March 3, 2016 Regular Meeting News Summary
Thursday, March 3, 2016 - New Orleans, LA - At today's Regular Council Meeting, the Council considered and adopted an amendment to the marijuana ordinance, authorized a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Orleans Parish Communications District (OPCD) to consolidate 9-1-1 call operations, and authorized a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide consulting services to the Council in its role as the Board of Review.
In other business, the Council received a presentation from the University of New Orleans Center for Hazards Assessment, Response & Technology (UNO-CHART) and recognized various youth workforce development programs for their efforts to improve youth employment rates in New Orleans.
City Council March 3, 2016 Regular Meeting News Summary
Thursday, March 3, 2016 - New Orleans, LA - At today's Regular Council Meeting, the Council considered and adopted an amendment to the marijuana ordinance, authorized a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Orleans Parish Communications District (OPCD) to consolidate 9-1-1 call operations, and authorized a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide consulting services to the Council in its role as the Board of Review.
In other business, the Council received a presentation from the University of New Orleans Center for Hazards Assessment, Response & Technology (UNO-CHART) and recognized various youth workforce development programs for their efforts to improve youth employment rates in New Orleans.
Considered and Amended Marijuana Ordinance
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District "A"
Councilmember Guidry |
The Council considered and adopted an amendment to Ordinance Calendar No. 31,148, authored by Councilmember Guidry, establishing penalties and providing for the issuance of summons in lieu of custodial arrest for simple possession of marijuana and/or synthetic cannabinoids. After adopting the amendment, the Council deferred the ordinance to the March 17, 2016 Regular Meeting.
Under the Ordinance as amended, it is unlawful to possess marijuana, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or any derivatives of THC. Penalties for violation are as follows:
- First Conviction: Offender will be fined no more than $40.00.
- Second Conviction: Offender will be fined no more than $60.00.
- Third Conviction: Offender will be fined no more than $80.00.
- Fourth and Subsequent Convictions: Offender will be fined no more $100.00.
The Ordinance also establishes penalties for the possession of synthetic cannabinoids:- First Conviction: The offender will be fined no more than $500.00, confined in parish jail for no more than six months, or both.
- Second Conviction: The offender will be fined no more than $750.00, confined in parish jail for no more than six months, or both.
- Subsequent Conviction: The offender will be fined no more than $1,000.00, confined in parish jail for no more than six months, or both.
Offenses for both marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids will be enforced though court summons as opposed to custodial arrest. Prior violations for marijuana possession that occurred more than two years before the violation shall not be considered a predicate violation.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "Today's Council action clarifies the schedule of fines for convictions of marijuana possession. I look forward to further discussion with my colleagues, the NOPD, and the public as we craft this piece of effective, common-sense reform legislation."
Considered and Amended Marijuana Ordinance
|
District "A"
Councilmember Guidry |
The Council considered and adopted an amendment to Ordinance Calendar No. 31,148, authored by Councilmember Guidry, establishing penalties and providing for the issuance of summons in lieu of custodial arrest for simple possession of marijuana and/or synthetic cannabinoids. After adopting the amendment, the Council deferred the ordinance to the March 17, 2016 Regular Meeting.
Under the Ordinance as amended, it is unlawful to possess marijuana, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or any derivatives of THC. Penalties for violation are as follows:
- First Conviction: Offender will be fined no more than $40.00.
- Second Conviction: Offender will be fined no more than $60.00.
- Third Conviction: Offender will be fined no more than $80.00.
- Fourth and Subsequent Convictions: Offender will be fined no more $100.00.
The Ordinance also establishes penalties for the possession of synthetic cannabinoids:- First Conviction: The offender will be fined no more than $500.00, confined in parish jail for no more than six months, or both.
- Second Conviction: The offender will be fined no more than $750.00, confined in parish jail for no more than six months, or both.
- Subsequent Conviction: The offender will be fined no more than $1,000.00, confined in parish jail for no more than six months, or both.
Offenses for both marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids will be enforced though court summons as opposed to custodial arrest. Prior violations for marijuana possession that occurred more than two years before the violation shall not be considered a predicate violation.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "Today's Council action clarifies the schedule of fines for convictions of marijuana possession. I look forward to further discussion with my colleagues, the NOPD, and the public as we craft this piece of effective, common-sense reform legislation."
Authorized CEA for 9-1-1 Call Operations Consolidation
The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 31,164, authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) regarding the funding and management of consolidated 9-1-1 operations. Currently, the City employs 9-1-1 operational personnel through various City departments, including the police department, fire department, and emergency medical services. The CEA provides for the physical and organizational consolidation of all emergency communications functions into one facility to support the New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans Emergency Medical Services, and the New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Consolidation under the CEA will provide for a reduction in the number of transferred and abandoned calls, a streamlining of automated systems and processes, and the implementation of formal training and quality assurance programs.
Authorized CEA for 9-1-1 Call Operations Consolidation
The Council adopted Ordinance Calendar No. 31,164, authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) regarding the funding and management of consolidated 9-1-1 operations. Currently, the City employs 9-1-1 operational personnel through various City departments, including the police department, fire department, and emergency medical services. The CEA provides for the physical and organizational consolidation of all emergency communications functions into one facility to support the New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans Emergency Medical Services, and the New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Consolidation under the CEA will provide for a reduction in the number of transferred and abandoned calls, a streamlining of automated systems and processes, and the implementation of formal training and quality assurance programs.
Authorized Request for Proposals for Board of Review Consulting Services
The Council passed Motion No. M-16-72, authored by Councilmembers Head, Williams, Guidry, Cantrell and Brossett, authorizing and directing Council staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional consulting services in support of the Board of Review for 2016 and four subsequent years. Selected firms will provide professional consulting services to the City Council in its role as Board of Review and assist in the organization of a property tax appeal hearing process that ensures efficiency, consistency and fairness on tax appeals. Once officially advertised, the RFP will be posted to the Council's website.
Authorized Request for Proposals for Board of Review Consulting Services
The Council passed Motion No. M-16-72, authored by Councilmembers Head, Williams, Guidry, Cantrell and Brossett, authorizing and directing Council staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional consulting services in support of the Board of Review for 2016 and four subsequent years. Selected firms will provide professional consulting services to the City Council in its role as Board of Review and assist in the organization of a property tax appeal hearing process that ensures efficiency, consistency and fairness on tax appeals. Once officially advertised, the RFP will be posted to the Council's website.
Received Presentation from UNO Center for Hazards Assessment, Response & Technology
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Councilmember Guidry, Dr. Shirley Laska, and
Dr. Monica Farris with UNO-CHART graduates |
The Council received a presentation by University of New Orleans Center for Hazards Assessment, Response & Technology (UNO-CHART) Founder, Dr. Shirley Laska, and Director, Dr. Monica Farris, regarding the center's objectives and recent accomplishments, including the graduation of 100 students from the program over the past 15 years. In the presentation, Dr. Farris outlined UNO-CHART's function as an applied social science hazards research center that assists communities in reducing risk associated with natural hazards, specifically hurricane and climate hazards. Dr. Laska highlighted how students in the program not only research a wide variety of topics including repetitive flooding, disaster mitigation planning, community resilience assessments, and storm mitigation efforts by coastal communities, but gain valuable hands-on experience in supporting the New Orleans Community.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "I would like to congratulate Dr. Shirley Laska and Dr. Monica Farris along with the entire UNO-CHART organization for training so many well prepared and qualified students. UNO-CHART prepares students to effectively manage hazard mitigation and risk reduction programs, both of which are essential to a resilient New Orleans."
Received Presentation from UNO Center for Hazards Assessment, Response & Technology
|
Councilmember Guidry, Dr. Shirley Laska, and
Dr. Monica Farris with UNO-CHART graduates |
The Council received a presentation by University of New Orleans Center for Hazards Assessment, Response & Technology (UNO-CHART) Founder, Dr. Shirley Laska, and Director, Dr. Monica Farris, regarding the center's objectives and recent accomplishments, including the graduation of 100 students from the program over the past 15 years. In the presentation, Dr. Farris outlined UNO-CHART's function as an applied social science hazards research center that assists communities in reducing risk associated with natural hazards, specifically hurricane and climate hazards. Dr. Laska highlighted how students in the program not only research a wide variety of topics including repetitive flooding, disaster mitigation planning, community resilience assessments, and storm mitigation efforts by coastal communities, but gain valuable hands-on experience in supporting the New Orleans Community.
District "A" Councilmember Guidry said, "I would like to congratulate Dr. Shirley Laska and Dr. Monica Farris along with the entire UNO-CHART organization for training so many well prepared and qualified students. UNO-CHART prepares students to effectively manage hazard mitigation and risk reduction programs, both of which are essential to a resilient New Orleans."
Recognized Youth Workforce Development Programs
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Cafe Reconcile Employment and Education Dir. Kathy Litchfield, Louisiana Green Corps Exec. Dir. Monique Pilé, and Liberty's Kitchen Program Dir. Dennis Bagneris |
The Council recognized youth workforce development programs, Café Reconcile, Liberty's Kitchen and Green Corps for the organizations' efforts to improve youth employment rates in New Orleans. Presenting before the Council was Café Reconcile Employment and Education Manager, Kathy Litchfield, and Liberty's Kitchen Program Director, Dennis Bagneris, regarding their respective nonprofit restaurant programs that provide culinary training and life skills to students from at risk communities aged 16-22. Louisiana Green Corps Executive Director, Monique Pilé, outlined how Green Corps' programs provide environmentally sustainable job skills training and service learning opportunities to youth and young adults ages 16-24 in the Greater New Orleans Area. Young people involved in LA Green Corps programs are able to develop real life construction skills while completing restoration projects for local residents.
District "B" Councilmember LaToya Cantrell said, "When compared to other cities in the country, New Orleans has one of the highest numbers of young people who disconnected from the available workforce development resources. On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank Café Reconcile, Liberty's Kitchen, and Louisiana Green Corps for providing outstanding job training programs for our youth. Graduates of these programs are becoming well-rounded young adults who are making major contributions to our local workforce and community. However, these organizations need our help with more outreach and education to our city's youth."
Recognized Youth Workforce Development Programs
|
Cafe Reconcile Employment and Education Dir. Kathy Litchfield, Louisiana Green Corps Exec. Dir. Monique Pilé, and Liberty's Kitchen Program Dir. Dennis Bagneris |
The Council recognized youth workforce development programs, Café Reconcile, Liberty's Kitchen and Green Corps for the organizations' efforts to improve youth employment rates in New Orleans. Presenting before the Council was Café Reconcile Employment and Education Manager, Kathy Litchfield, and Liberty's Kitchen Program Director, Dennis Bagneris, regarding their respective nonprofit restaurant programs that provide culinary training and life skills to students from at risk communities aged 16-22. Louisiana Green Corps Executive Director, Monique Pilé, outlined how Green Corps' programs provide environmentally sustainable job skills training and service learning opportunities to youth and young adults ages 16-24 in the Greater New Orleans Area. Young people involved in LA Green Corps programs are able to develop real life construction skills while completing restoration projects for local residents.
District "B" Councilmember LaToya Cantrell said, "When compared to other cities in the country, New Orleans has one of the highest numbers of young people who disconnected from the available workforce development resources. On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank Café Reconcile, Liberty's Kitchen, and Louisiana Green Corps for providing outstanding job training programs for our youth. Graduates of these programs are becoming well-rounded young adults who are making major contributions to our local workforce and community. However, these organizations need our help with more outreach and education to our city's youth."