Meetings

Regular Meeting

April 20, 2017 

City Council Chamber

City Council Regular Meeting News Summary April 6, 2017

NEW ORLEANS - At today's meeting, the Council received a presentation from the New Orleans Chapter of the Links, Inc., honored graduating high school students from District "B", heard the second in a series of periodic updates on tornado recovery and passed an ordinance relative to bicycle safety.

Additionally, the Council approved a permit for an outdoor bar along the Lafitte Greenway, passed a motion to allow demolition of the former Nora Navra Library, adopted a resolution affirming its commitment to reproductive health services, and passed a new campus development process for schools.

City Council Regular Meeting News Summary April 6, 2017

NEW ORLEANS - At today's meeting, the Council received a presentation from the New Orleans Chapter of the Links, Inc., honored graduating high school students from District "B", heard the second in a series of periodic updates on tornado recovery and passed an ordinance relative to bicycle safety.

Additionally, the Council approved a permit for an outdoor bar along the Lafitte Greenway, passed a motion to allow demolition of the former Nora Navra Library, adopted a resolution affirming its commitment to reproductive health services, and passed a new campus development process for schools.

New Orleans Chapter of the Links Recognized by the Council

Today, the Council recognized the New Orleans (LA) Chapter of the Links, Inc. in celebration of its 60th anniversary. The Links, Incorporated, founded in 1946, is a women's volunteer service organization committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African-Americans and other persons of African-American ancestry. 

The New Orleans (LA) Chapter of the Links serves as a volunteer service organization committed to providing life-changing community service throughout the Metro New Orleans area. The New Orleans chapter is a part of the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated, which includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and the Bahamas. 

The women have extended their outreach to include national and international endeavors and developed programs that nurtured the visual and performing arts, along with other programs, to address the issues of the times.

District "C" Councilmember Ramsey, a proud member of the Links organization since 1990, introduced the group as the first order of business today.



Passed New Campus Development Process for New Orleans Schools

The Council passed Cal. No. 31,817, which amends the planning process required for schools in order to encourage more thoughtful planning and create safer environments for children. Prior to the passage of this ordinance, schools that were looking to substantially change the buildings on their campuses were required to create a Master Plan, which included a complex, six-criteria process.
 
Cal. No. 31,817 created a new Campus Development process that is more streamlined than the Master Plan process by reducing the criteria from six to two. Campus Development plans also focus their requirements on issues related to safety and traffic. As part of the Plan, schools will be required to submit an inventory of school zone signage, pedestrian beacons, crosswalk striping and ADA compliance. 

These additional requirements are critical for children's safety around schools. In addition, schools will be required to identify circulation routes for all modes of traffic, to submit a plan for staff supervision during peak hours, and to detail the curbside usage and off-site capacities. Although there are fewer requirements in the Campus Development Plan process, these changes encourage schools to focus on safety as they consider the long-term vision for their campuses.  

Honored Graduating High School Students from District "B"

The Council recognized a group of graduating students from District "B" schools with the annual citizenship award. These students were selected throughout the district for serving as exemplary models of academic achievement, community service, and leadership.

Those students honored by the Council today included the following: Lucy Galloway, Madison Keller, Jemiya Jacob, Benjamin Calico, Josyel J. Fung, Tiara Langston, Mattie Zimmer, Alexander Dupuy, Victoria Suazo, Eddie Hoffman, Ronia Barnes, Michael Smith, Jane Thomas, Colin Price, Kaliya Myles, Destiny Letterman, Mariyah Antill, Jasmine Stalks, Nolen Lofton, Monteja' James, Mia Robertson, Adelia Obioha, Anna Mermilliod, Angelle Roche, Tyler Davis, Kenneth Ballard, Teranisha McGuire, Toi Robinson, Claire Labbe, Jordan Williams, Karriem Bennett, Kajon Foster, Nakeitha Williams and Devin Starks.

"These 34 students are the future leaders of New Orleans, and hopefully with their help, we can continue to improve as a City," said District "B" Councilmember Cantrell. "To all of you students and to your families, thank you for your hard work and continued leadership."



Demolition Permit Approved for Former Nora Navra Library

The Council passed a motion granting the "approval" of the Neighborhood Conservation District Advisory Committee's request for a demolition permit for the property located at 1902 St. Bernard Ave.

This motion allows the demolition of the former Nora Navra Library, which will be replaced with a new $3.3 million, 7,800 square feet library. The original 2,500 square foot library was constructed in 1954 and was severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina. 

It will provide adult and children reading areas, computer work stations, meeting rooms and staff offices and break rooms. This energy efficient building will feature a hurricane resistant exterior, high-efficiency HVAC systems, insulated roofs and walls, LED lighting, and ADA accessibility. Funding for the library came from Disaster Community Development Block Grant (D-CDBG), FEMA public assistance and City bond funds.

Adopted Resolution Promoting Equal Access to Reproductive Health Services

The Council adopted a resolution, which affirms the Council's commitment to making public health a top priority through the promotion of policies that ensure access to a full range of reproductive health services and elimination of disparities for low-income and minority women.

This resolution also commits full support of the Council toward state legislation that allows comprehensive, age and developmentally appropriate sex education to be provided to all students in Orleans Parish.

Additionally, the Council pledges to support legislation to ensure that New Orleans public school students participate in surveys that assess risk behaviors to aid in the development and accountability of local programs.

Conditional Use Permit for Outdoor Bar Unanimously Approved

The Council approved a Conditional Use Permit for an outdoor bar to be constructed at 501 North Genois Street along the Lafitte Greenway. Prior to the vote, local business partners and owners of the Bulldog, Velvet Cactus and Camp Bow Wow, presented their plans to the Council, which received unanimous support.

District "A" Councilmember Susan Guidry, whose district the project falls under, praised the gentlemen for their local businesses and thanked them for the positive impact they've had on their surrounding communities.

The plans include a one-story, elevated structure, which will include a mezzanine, nine parking spots, more than 60 bicycle parking spots, an off-street loading space, a dumpster pad and three 230-square-foot covered outdoor seating areas.

The Council's support today reflects ongoing efforts to promote bicycling throughout the City following the decision to implement a bike share program coming in fall 2017.

Local Community Leaders Provided Tornado Recovery Updates

The Council heard the second in a series of periodic updates on tornado recovery from local community leaders. Collectively, these individuals and the groups they represent have dedicated substantial financial resources and volunteer hours toward assisting their neighbors and communities in tornado recovery.

Those who presented to the Council included Pastor Antoine Barriere and First Lady Mrs. Dale Barriere of Household Faith Church, Pastor Tyrone Smith of Next Generation of Original Morningstar FGBC, Father Jeffrey Muga, Pastor of Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church, Meredith Beers of SBP, Stephen Pate of the New Orleans Saints and Belinda Batiste with the Links Organization.

The presentation focused on the group's efforts in continuing to raise funds to aid in rebuilding, particularly for the uninsured. 

Bicycle Safety Ordinance Passed

The Council voted to pass an ordinance, as part of a series of ordinances authored by District "D" Councilmember Jared Brossett, to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety. The ordinance prohibits motor vehicles from operating in bicycle lanes and puts limitations on motor vehicle operators when passing bicyclists, requiring them to exercise caution. In addition, it prohibits any harassment toward bicyclists.

The ordinances were initially proposed at a City Transportation Committee meeting in August after a year-long study by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Advisory Committee. The study produced four key findings, including a need for transparent local crash data and a coordinated attempt across all City departments and agencies regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety.

According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 703 traffic fatalities in Louisiana in 2013. Additionally, 13.8 percent involved pedestrians, making it the fifth-highest rate in the country. The ultimate goal of the ordinance passed today is to increase safety measures and therefore, decrease the rate of cyclist and pedestrian injuries and deaths. 

"As a community, we must remember that all roadway users have a responsibility to use public roads safely and conscientiously," said District "D" Councilmember Brossett. "Today represents an important first step toward making New Orleans a safer city in which cyclists feel comfortable and protected."

Created on: 6/21/2018 11:28:45 AM | Last updated: 6/21/2018 11:28:45 AM

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