Regular Meeting
March 08, 2018 10:00 AM
Council Chamber
Scheduled, 10 a.m., Council Chamber
The City Council will convene its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 10 a.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall.
City Council Meeting News Summary March 8, 2018
NEW ORLEANS - At today's regular City Council meeting, the Council voted in favor of Entergy New Orleans' proposal for a new power plant, approved two ordinances to appropriate funds from the Fund Balance for outstanding settlements and judgments, passed a series of ordinances to streamline stormwater management, and adopted a resolution opposing the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. Additionally, the Council welcomed Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and the Capital Projects Administration for a ribbon-cutting to commemorate the first regular meeting of 2018 in the newly-renovated Council Chamber at City Hall.
Council Approves Entergy New Orleans' Proposal for New Power Plant
Today, the Council heard several hours of public comment and voted in favor of Resolution R-18-65, which requests approval for the construction of a new Entergy power station in New Orleans East. This decision was the result of more than 18 months of discussion between the Council, Entergy New Orleans, the Landrieu Administration and numerous community partners to determine the best possible solution for meeting the city's current utility needs.
Per the proposal, Entergy New Orleans insisted that a new electricity-generating facility was needed within city limits since a pair of aging units in Michoud were brought offline in 2016. The proposed plant would use less groundwater for cooling, and would also have "black start" capability that could be activated whether or not it was connected to an outside power source. Entergy spokespersons have ensured that the new facility would be safe, reliable and would serve to spur economic development through job creation and driving new businesses to the city.
Photo rendering of the proposed New Orleans Power Station courtesy of Entergy New Orleans
Funds Transferred for Outstanding City Judgments
The Council approved two ordinances to appropriate funds from the Fund Balance to the Department of Law for outstanding settlements and judgments. These ordinances roll over 2017 funds that were dedicated by the Council for this purpose.
On Nov. 16, 2017, the Council voted to establish a new, dedicated fund known as the "Judgment Fund," to dedicate certain funds for the payment of legal judgments rendered against the City. This initiative alongside the measures approved by the Council today, allows the City to begin to alleviate more than $40 million in judgments owed to individuals and groups who have successfully sued the City dating back more than 20 years.
Ordinances Passed to Streamline Stormwater Management
The Council passed a series of ordinances to streamline stormwater management in the City of New Orleans, ensuring the City's long-term environmental sustainability. Ordinance 132, 78 establishes a new dedicated fund titled the "Integrated Green Infrastructure Project Fund," to dedicate the funds received by the City relative to properties that do not physically comply with the Stormwater Code; Ordinance 132, 79 establishes appropriate fees-in-lieu of rate for properties that do not physically comply with the Stormwater Code; and Ordinance 32, 180 establishes permitting and submittal requirements, fees, plan review, and various standards for stormwater management.
These measures represent ongoing efforts by the Council and the Administration to develop and implement sustainable stormwater strategies that will ultimately reduce the impact of development on the environment. For more information on the City's Comprehensive Stormwater Management strategy, click here.
Council Adopts Resolution Opposing Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
The Council adopted a resolution opposing H.R.38 and S.446 also known as the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017. According to the resolution, these pieces of legislation would force states to allow people, even those without any form of permit, to carry concealed firearms.
In Louisiana, residents are currently required to obtain a permit, training, and a criminal history background check in order to carry a concealed firearm in public. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would make it difficult for Louisiana law enforcement officers to verify the validity of permits from other states and determine whether or not individuals are carrying firearms lawfully, ultimately limiting their ability to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands.