Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow joined with New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) Director Larry Barabino, Jr. at Norman Playground in Algiers to accept the donation of ten new John Deere lawnmowers, thanks to a $25,000 donation by Councilmember Fielkow's Playground Partnership, for the maintenance of NORD playgrounds.

“With school letting out for the summer soon, it is imperative that our kids have well-maintained places to play. We have 105 NORD recreation areas and many are still in need of attention since Hurricane Katrina. As we prepare to enter the third summer after the storm, it’s time to return to normal maintenance of these fields so all New Orleans citizens can use them,” said Councilmember Fielkow. 

The Playground Partnership received generous donations from Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Acadian Ambulance and Gordon Arata McCollam Duplantis & Eagan LLP, which went toward the purchase of the lawnmowers. Emanuel Fitch, Operations Manager of the Lowe's Home Store on Elysian Fields Avenue in Council District "D" arranged the lawnmower purchase at cost.

“This donation of lawnmowers will go a long way toward helping NORD become more self-sufficient in providing regular play-area maintenance this summer,” said NORD Director Larry Barabino.

Councilmember Fielkow started the Playground Partnership in the fall of 2006 to provide necessary financial and personnel resources to assist in the cleanup and repair of damaged NORD facilities.

District "C" Councilmember James Carter held a District "C" Town Hall Meeting at the African American Museum to discuss eliminating blight and promoting sustainable neighborhoods.

Councilmember Carter said, “These Town Hall meetings give constituents an opportunity to come together and discuss what is going on in their neighborhoods. These discussions are an important part of addressing issues throughout the district and are essential in developing concrete solutions.”

Representatives from NORA (New Orleans Redevelopment Authority) as well as community members and residents were present at the District "C" Town Hall Meeting to participate in the discussion.

Councilmembers-at-Large Arnie Fielkow and Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson traveled to Washington, D.C. along with Plaquemines Parish Council Chairman John Friedman and Vice Chairman Lynda Banta to highlight regional priority issues.

The trip was a united effort between Orleans and Plaquemines Parish leadership to urge Congress and the Administration to provide additional relief for these regions.

The regional leaders met with members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation, as well as federal agencies, prominent national think-tanks - the Brookings Institute and the Heritage Foundation, and the Office of the Federal Coordinator to highlight critical needs in Orleans and Plaquemines Parishes.

Councilmember-at-Large Clarkson said, "We will be meeting with Louisiana's two newest representatives, Congressman Steve Scalise and Congressman Don Cazayoux. Having served with both of these gentlemen in the Louisiana House, I can attest to the fact that they will strongly represent and support our region and our state. So, I am especially looking forward to representing our regional priorities to them."

To view complete News Release click here.

The Council adopted Motion M-08-255, authored by Councilmembers Head, Midura and Fielkow, initiating an investigation of the operations of the Mayor's Office of Technology regarding contractual obligations and budget expenditures for the 311 system and crime cameras.

Councilmembers and Council staff have repeatedly requested information, documentation and testimony from the Mayor's Office of Technology over the past several months.

District "A" Councilmember Shelley Midura said, "I still have many questions that have gone unanswered and so I will continue the open investigation of the Mayor's Office of Technology."

The Council requested specific information and documentation including the following:

• All expenditures for crime camera installation and maintenance in 2007
• Budgeted and expected expenditures for installation and maintenance of crime cameras in 2008
• All contracts related to installation and maintenance of crime cameras in 2007 and 2008
• All expenditures for 311 services in 2007
• Budgeted and expected expenditures for 311 services in 2008
• All contracts related to 311 service for 2007 and 2008
• Testimony from the Director of the Mayor's Office of Technology

To view complete News Release click here.

The Council adopted Resolution R-08-246, authored by Councilmembers Hedge-Morrell, Fielkow and Midura, supporting the Green Building Program and requesting a report and recommendations from the Administration concerning this Resolution and the Green Building Program.

District "D" Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell said, "Our children deserve to grow and learn in a healthy environment. This program will improve the quality of life for New Orleanians."

The City reviewed the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system and determined it to be the most suitable standard to achieve a meaningful level of green building in City buildings and in private sector development.

The Green Building Program includes various requirements and actions including that all new public schools constructed in the City be designed, constructed and certified at the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Certification Level; that all major renovations be designed and constructed according to the City's criteria for green schools; and that the impact of school districts operations on the environment be minimized.

To view complete News Release click here.

The Council adopted Resolution R-08-263, co-authored by all Councilmembers, strongly urging the adoption of Louisiana Senate Bill 740 (Road Home Program Applicants Bill of Rights) and addressing many inequities of the Road Home Program.

The Road Home Program Applicants Bill of Rights aims to correct many of the problems being experienced by Road Home applicants by providing these citizens with certain rights.

The Council also emphasized its support of the Citizen's Road Home Action Team (CHAT) to establish a Road Home Bill of Rights.

To view complete News Release click here.

Elects New Council President and Vice President
(May 15, 2008)

The Council passed Motions M-08-244 and M-08-245 providing for the election of Councilmember-at-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson as Council President and Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow as Council Vice President.

Councilmember-at-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, "I am honored to serve as City Council President and I look forward to continuing the great work of this Council, leading the City in its recovery."

In accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Council, both the Council President and Council Vice President will serve one-year terms beginning June 1, 2008 and ending May 31, 2009.

To view complete News Release click here.

District "B" Councilmember Stacy Head introduced two legislative instruments, Motion M-08-254 and Ordinance Calendar No. 27,008, that would allow the public to review all professional services contracts issued by the City - further expanding the Council's efforts to increase government transparency.

Councilmember Head said, "Professional services contracts should be available to the public in an easily accessible format. We have looked at other municipalities in the region, such as the City of Kenner, who have managed to provide their constituents with a user-friendly list of their current contracts."

The legislation also emphasizes the importance of providing constituents with information about the use of public funds.

Councilmember Willard-Lewis Leads State Public Hearing
Regarding Chef Menteur Landfill
(May 8, 2008)

District "E" Councilmember Cynthia Willard Lewis led a spirited discussion at a Public Hearing regarding wastewater at Chef Menteur Landfill.

New Orleans East residents, religious and community leaders and environmentalists were present at the hearing to voice their concerns about the wastewater from the landfill.

Councilmember Willard-Lewis said, “This hearing presented the residents of New Orleans East with a forum to voice their concerns and ask the necessary questions. It is important that residents are involved in the things happening in their community and that they have the opportunity to give input.”

The hearing was held by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) at Mary Queen of Vietnam Church Parish Hall.

Council Supports NOPD Community Policing Initiatives,
Addresses Blight Prevention Efforts & Honors NOLA's 1st African American Mayor
(May 1, 2008)

The Council supported the New Orleans Police Department's (NOPD) community policing initiatives and addressed the blight prevention efforts of the NOPD and the Office of Recovery and Development Administration. The Council also honored the 30th anniversary of the inauguration of New Orleans' first African American Mayor, Dutch Morial.

Supports NOPD Community Policing Initiatives
New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Superintendent Warren Riley, accompanied by NOPD Assistant Superintendent Marlon Defillo and NOPD Deputy Superintendent Anthony Cannatella, appeared before the Council to make a presentation on NOPD's current crime prevention initiatives.

Superintendent Riley's appearance marks the beginning of monthly reports to the City Council to discuss the NOPD's short-term tactical initiatives to combat crime.

Addresses NOPD Blight Prevention Efforts
Representatives from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the Office of Recovery and Development Administration (ORDA) came before the Council to brief Councilmembers on the NOPD blighted NOPD and ORDA Representatives housing list.

At the request of Councilmember-at-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, NOPD Superintendent Warren Riley presented the list of blighted houses that are crime hot spots in order for ORDA to make it a priority.

Honors First African American Mayor of New Orleans
The Council passed Resolution R-08-202 honoring the 30th anniversary of Ernest N. "Dutch" Morial's inauguration as the first African American Mayor of the City of New Orleans.

District "E" Councilmember Cynthia Willard-Lewis said, "We are honored today to recognize this very significant anniversary of the inauguration of New Orleans' first African American Mayor. The Honorable Ernest N. Morial was an outstanding hero and leader - a great servant of the people and of this City."

The Council presented Sybil Morial, the widow of the late Dutch Morial, with a leather-bound family record album and a resolution declaring May 1, 2008 as Ernest N. "Dutch" Morial Day. Sybil Morial also received a proclamation from Mayor Ray Nagin.

To view complete News Release click here.