Regular Meeting

City Council Chamber

City Council Regular Meeting News Summary July 27, 2017

Second Annual African American Male Wellness Walk Presentation

The Council heard a presentation from Dr. Corey Hebert, Bishop Tom Watson, Dr. Takeisha Davis, John Gregory, Dr. Eric Griggs and Dr. Kevin Stephens on the Second Annual African American Male Wellness Walk taking place September 30, 2017, at 7 a.m. in New Orleans East. The event will include free health screenings, exhibitors, musical entertainment and vendors.

The National African American Male Wellness Walk began 12 years ago in Columbus, Ohio to bring awareness to diseases affecting black men and to provide them with vital health screenings.

Studies show that chronic disease and prostate cancer disproportionately affect black males. Last year's inaugural African American Male Wellness Walk in New Orleans was presented by New Orleans East Hospital, in an effort to increase the number of annual doctor visits, to improve education on healthy habits and to encourage exercise for African American males throughout the regions.

For more information or to register, visit https://www.aawalk.org/.

Public Record Disclosure Exemptions Approved for New Orleans Police Department

The Council voted to pass an ordinance introduced by Councilmember Williams and Councilmember Guidry to clarify that certain records of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) are exempt from disclosure to the public if being utilized in ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions.

The ordinance states that research reports or copies of records may be withheld from the public when the original records are being held by the police department as evidence in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal charge until after such original records have been used in open court or the criminal charge or investigation has been finally disposed of.

Additionally, research reports or copies of records may be withheld from the public to protect from disclosure of information obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and designated by such bureau as "confidential."

Crescent City Community Land Trust Receives Council Proclamation

The Council heard a presentation from Executive Director Julius Kimborough, Jr. and Deputy Director Jenga Mwendo of the Crescent City Community Land Trust.

Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit, community-based organizations that own and manage the land on which affordable homes are built. By helping local families access jobs, grow their businesses, and live in affordable housing near areas of significant economic development and opportunity, the Crescent City Community Land Trust is playing an integral role in the long-term recovery and sustainability of the region.

There are currently 258 CLTs (about 9,000 units) in the U.S. Today's presentation detailed the organization's work in implementing the CLT movement in New Orleans and highlighted the flexibility of the CLT approach and how it has been adapted by different groups in different places for different results.

"We've seen community land trusts successfully implemented in other cities and the positive impact they've had," said District "B" Councilmember LaToya Cantrell. "You've done an amazing job getting CLTs off the ground in New Orleans, but we know there's still a lot more work to do and will supplement your efforts in any way we can."

Following the presentation, Councilmember-At-Large Jason Williams presented a proclamation on behalf of the Council to recognize the organization's efforts to develop permanently affordable real estate.

Council Votes on Master Plan Amendments

Council Passes Ordinances Relative to Funding for New Low Barrier Homeless Shelter