NEW ORLEANS - At today's regular City Council meeting, the Council approved City Council/Harrah's Community Support Grants, passed a motion recommending polling place relocations, adopted a resolution approving Entergy's financing plan, and established a new economic development district near the corner of Howard Avenue and Broad Street.
Additionally, the Council heard a presentation from Shift Change on sexual harassment in the service industry, honored Loyola University's first female non-Jesuit President Tania Tetlow, and celebrated iconic New Orleans jazz musician Charlie Gabriel on his 86th birthday.
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City Council/Harrah's Community Support Grants Approved
The Council unanimously approved City Council/Harrah's Community Support Grants per each Council district. In March of 2016, the Council adopted an ordinance to establish the grant program, which provides for $225,000 to be funded twice a year ($112,500 semi-annually).
The purpose of the program is to provide grant support to local organizations and projects that contribute substantially to the well-being, development, and growth of the New Orleans community. City Council/Harrah's Community Support Grants are intended to be broad-based and foster a diversity of commendable organizations and projects.
To view the complete list of grant recipients approved at today's meeting, click here.
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Shift Change Presents on Sexual Harassment in the Service Industry
As the first special order of business today, the Council heard a presentation from Shift Change highlighting new initiatives to help combat sexual harassment in the service industry. Shift Change is a local non-profit organization engaged in sexual violence prevention, response, and education for service industry professionals.
According to a 2017 report from the University of New Orleans, "leisure and hospitality" employs roughly one of every seven workers in the area (approximately 88,900 people). As the industry continues to grow and expand to sustain the city's increased tourism, so has the need for the types of services provided by Shift Change.
The newly-founded organization was started in 2018 by industry professionals Caroline Richter and Mark Schettler, who attended today's meeting to present their work to the Council. Shift Change has grown to include veteran members of the New Orleans food and beverage community and has been nationally recognized for its comprehensive personalized sexual harassment training. The organization currently offers two-day workshops aimed at facilitating healing in service industry markets across the country.
Members of the Council with Shift Change founders Caroline Richter & Mark Schettler
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Approval of Entergy New Orleans Financing Plan
The Council adopted a resolution granting approval of a financing plan submitted by Entergy New Orleans (ENO) to issue new first mortgage bonds and new preferred securities. On March 2, 2018, ENO filed an application requesting authority from the Council to issue long-term debt in an effort to pay off and/or refinance outstanding debt and preferred securities, to acquire property and improve ENO's current facilities.
As stated in ENO's application to the Council, utilities must continue to maintain financial flexibility and versatility in addition to the traditional and historical methods of utility finance (i.e., the issuance of bonds and preferred securities). In considering the future financial needs of ENO, and the unreliability of market conditions, the Council voted to approve this measure and provide more financial options to benefit ENO's ratepayers.
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Council Authorizes New Economic Development District
The Council passed an ordinance to establish a new economic development district near the Southeast corner of Howard Avenue and Broad Street. The Broad Street Sports Entertainment and Dining Economic Development District, which will be governed by the Council, will contribute to the ongoing economic development and growth of this rich and diverse area of the city.
Rendering of the proposed Drive Shack golfing-entertainment complex under consideration to replace the former Times-Picayune building on Howard Avenue via Uptown Messenger
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Polling Place Relocations Confirmed
The Council approved a motion recommending the immediate relocation of six polling places no longer available for use leading up to the opening of qualifying on Wednesday, July 18. To see the full list, click here.
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