Council Monitors Gustav's Approach
To Gulf Coast
(August 28, 2008)

As the final weekend of the month approached, the threat of Tropical Storm Gustav was bearing down on the City of New Orleans. The City Council monitored the track of Gustav and was briefed by the City’s Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Colonel Jerry Sneed on emergency operations plans.

Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson emphasized that she and her colleagues would remain in New Orleans at least until the threat of Gustav had passed. The Council reinforced the importance that citizens prepare early and begin implementation of individual and family emergency plans – before the tropical storm became a hurricane.

Councilmember Clarkson said, “We want to encourage citizens to closely monitor media reports to ensure they receive the most current information from state and local government. Our intention is to be present at City Hall making ourselves available to constituents that may need assistance.  However, we want to encourage citizens to be prepared to leave the City should an evacuation be necessary.”

In light of the recent withdrawal of Full Spectrum of New York from the World Trade Center lease negotiations, the Council reaffirms its belief that this property, arguably one of the most valuable in the United States, will be developed to its fullest potential for the benefit of the City and the World Trade Center.
 
The Council supports the New Orleans Building Corporation's continuing efforts to identify a suitable developer for the World Trade Center property, an important and valuable city asset.

While disappointed that Full Spectrum has withdrawn from the project, the Council is confident that a developer will be found and an agreement reached that is most beneficial to the City and its citizens.

Oversight of the process by the Inspector General will guarantee fairness and transparency in the future award of this important development.
 
The Council will continue its full support of the World Trade Center redevelopment process, understanding its importance to the future development and growth of the City's riverfront.

To view complete News Release click here.

The Council adopted Resolution R-08-487 in support of Utility Committee Chair Shelley Midura's letter to Entergy New Orleans (ENO) CEO Rod West, asking ENO to cooperate with the Council in defending New Orleans ratepayers from the impact of withdrawal of Entergy Arkansas and Mississippi from the Entergy system agreement.
 
Entergy Arkansas, Inc. (EAI) and Entergy Mississippi, Inc. are seeking to withdraw from the system. Withdrawal of these subsidiaries from the system threatens to leave New Orleans ratepayers saddled with millions of dollars in potential rate increases.
 
ENO ratepayers currently benefit from the cheaper coal power assets of EAI as well as the leverage of system joint power purchases on the open market of cheaper fuel. New Orleans ratepayers have shared in the expenses of infrastructure development system-wide for the better part of the last 50 years with the understanding that the benefits would in turn also be shared system-wide.

Councilmember Midura's letter threatens legal action if ENO ratepayers are forced to absorb unjust and unreasonable rate increases as a result of any withdrawals from the system agreement.

To view complete News Release click here.

The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 27,063, authored by District "B" Councilmember Stacy Head, supporting the maintenance and publication of all current and executed Professional Services contracts on the City Council and City websites.

Councilmember Head said, "It is important that we provide the citizens of New Orleans with access to these Professional Services contracts. We are working to ensure that transparency and accessibility are a part of the Professional Services contracts process."

The Ordinance reflects the Council's belief that accessibility and transparency are an integral part of keeping the public informed and engaged in the business and activities of the City of New Orleans.

To view complete News Release click here.

The Council passed an Ordinance supporting the beginning of the rebuilding phase of the C.J. Peete Housing Development and addressed New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) crime prevention initiatives and a presentation from the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center.

Supports Rebuilding of C.J. Peete Housing Development

The Council passed Ordinance Calendar No. 27,097, authored by District "B" Councilmember Stacy Head, to begin the rebuilding phase of the C.J. Peete housing development bounded by Louisiana Ave. and Washington Ave. and Toledano St. and LaSalle St.
 
The housing development, developed by McCormack, Baron and Salazar, will be made up of single, double and multiple family dwellings and will include programmed space and activities for school age children, as well as designated green spaces within the development.

Addresses NOPD Crime Prevention Initiatives

New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Superintendent Warren Riley, accompanied by Deputy Chief Lawrence Weathersby and Captain Michael Pfeiffer, appeared before the Council to make a presentation on the status of the NOPD's crime prevention initiatives.
 
The presentation highlighted crime statistics in the City for the 1st and 2nd quarters of the year, and gave an update on the number of police officers who have joined the force since the start of the nationwide recruiting campaign launched in May.

The Council requested that Superintendent Riley along with Deputy Chief Weathersby and Captain Pfeiffer attend a Criminal Justice Committee meeting in the near future to discuss this topic further. 

Addresses Greater New Orleans Community Data Center Report
 
The Council received a report from Allison Plyer, Co-Director of the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center on the recovery of the City of New Orleans.

The report addressed the New Orleans Index, published by the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center. The index provides a statistical analysis of the City, highlighting the population, economy, housing and infrastructures in New Orleans.

To view complete News Release click here.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin appeared before the Council, at the request of Council President Clarkson, to address recent investigations of New Orleans Affordable Homeownership (NOAH).
 
Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, "Mayor, we thank you for coming today and speaking with us about NOAH. We recognize the importance of working together to get to the bottom of this issue and we look forward to assisting in any way we can with the ongoing investigation."

Mayor Nagin stated that the Administration was currently conducting an internal investigation of NOAH and would continue to do so to resolve all issues related to work done on NOAH properties throughout the City. The Mayor also assured the Council that the Administration was in no way impeding the investigations of NOAH being done by any other agency. 

To view complete News Release click here.

Members of the Panama Canal Delegation appeared before the Council, at the request of Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow, to give a debriefing on the Delegation's trip to Panama.
 
The Delegation addressed the progress being made in Panama with regard to the expansion of the Panama Canal, as well as the necessity to take action to be a part of this important economic development opportunity.
 
The Delegation was made up of Plaquemines Parish President Bill Nungesser, State Senator A.G. Crowe, Port of New Orleans President Gary LaGrange, and the Honorable Eric Rodriguez, Consul General of Panama.

To view complete News Release click here.

The Council heard a presentation from Ken Pailet and other members of the Pailet, Meunier & LeBlanc, L.L.P. accounting firm, regarding the Civil Service Commission's recommendation on the base pay rate for firefighters.

The Council previously requested that Pailet, Meunier & LeBlanc prepare a comparative review of the pay rates to determine whether the base pay rate for firefighters was determined fairly.

Budget Committee Chair District "D" Councilmember Hedge-Morrell said, "The Council's intention is to request that the Civil Service Commission re-examine all base pay rates not at the Southern Regional Average and work towards bringing those pay rates to the Southern Regional Average."

To view complete News Release click here.

The Council passed Resolution R-08-456, authored by Councilmember Willard-Lewis, in support of beginning the second phase of the "Desire Hope VI Project" in Council District "E."
 
The second phase includes the addition of 160 units to the Savoy Place Apartments. This phase will complete the project which, at its completion, will have added a total of 318 units to the apartment complex.

The project was first approved in 2006 to improve housing and encourage community development in the Desire Florida area.

To view complete News Release click here.

The property tax rolls were officially opened on August 1st and taxpayers had the opportunity to inspect the rolls and to meet with their Assessors to attempt to informally resolve any complaint they may have had with their property tax assessment.
 
Assessment lists were open for public inspection until August 15th in the Assessor's Offices on the fourth floor of City Hall located at 1300 Perdido Street.
 
Taxpayers were also able to check their assessments online at the Orleans Parish Assessor's website www.opboa.org.

To accommodate citizens waiting to meet with their Assessors on regular workdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. between August 1st and August 15th, the City Council authorized the use of seating in the City Council Chamber.

Click here to access the City Council's website for detailed information regarding Property Tax Assessments and the Appeals process in Orleans Parish.

To view complete News Release click here.

Airport Committee Chair District "D" Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell held the first of a series of hearings on the future of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at a recent Airport Committee meeting.

The Committee has several goals, which include:
 
- To understand the new state legislation, Act 972,  
  which was passed earlier this year
 
- To determine what rights the citizens of New Orleans
  have through their Home Rule Charter
 
- To determine how the airport can best serve the
  citizens of New Orleans, the greater metropolitan area,
  the State of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region
 
- To determine the fiscal importance of the airport and
  the surrounding area for tourism, business travelers
  and economic development

Aviation Board Chairman Dan Packer addressed the Committee along with attorney A. J. Hebert. 

To view complete News Release click here.

Algiers residents were provided the opportunity to address concerns and discuss ideas to improve Behrman Park and the surrounding neighborhood at a Community Walk at Behrman Park organized by District “C” Councilmember James Carter.

Councilmember Carter led the community walk with the Director of New Orleans Recreation Department Larry Barabino, Director of Parks and Parkways Ann MacDonald and Director of Property Management Pamela Smith.

Councilmember Carter later joined the Department of Code Enforcement and some area residents in a code sweep of the Tunisburg Area. Code Enforcement inspected property in the areas bounded by Magellan St., Odeon Ave., Flanders St. and General Meyer Ave, and Flanders St., Patterson Dr., Wiltz Lane and General Meyer Ave.

Councilmember Carter said, "The Behrman Park Community Walk provided local residents with the opportunity to engage government about their specific concerns and offer community based solutions. The code enforcement sweep was an education in the enforcement process and we all learned more about specific codes and how they impact neighborhoods.”