Metropolitan Council - Regular Meeting

. You're ready? We'll go in five seconds. Three. Two. Welcome to our regularly scheduled Metropolitan Council meeting. We'll start off today with our recognitions. First off, we'll start off with our mayor. President said Edwards will recognize today two, two, five day for Baton Rouge. Good evening everyone. Today is the day we honor Baton Rouge. The culture, the traditions, the pride, and most of all, the love. Every year on February 25th, we celebrate two, two, five day. You may see people across the city sharing old memories, dancing and celebrating the place that shaped them. Originally, Baton Rouge and the surrounding region used area code 504. But as more people got cell phones, fax machines, pagers and internet dial up connections, they started running out of available phone numbers. In 1998, the phone system created a new area code to solve the problem. Area code 225 was officially introduced on August 1st, 1998, and has been a part of our identity ever since. Baton Rouge is home to the LSU Tigers, the Southern University Human Jukebox, and the mighty Mississippi River. It is home to famous artists, actors and politicians. But most importantly, Baton Rouge has always been my home. It is the place where I share my most beautiful memories. Today is not only a celebration, it is a day of Baton Rouge pride. There is no place on this planet with a culture and people like Baton Rouge. The observance of 2 to 5 day provides an opportunity to celebrate the people, neighborhoods, traditions, music, cuisine, and cultural heritage that define Baton Rouge. While uplifting local businesses, organizations and leaders whose dedication strengthens the fabric of our city. Recognizing February 25th as two, two, five day affirms the unity and creativity of Baton Rouge citizens. So today, on behalf of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton

Rouge, mayor president said that was proclaimed February 25th, 2026 as 225 day. Thank you all. Next, we'll have Councilman Anthony Kenny recognize Amaya Nirenberg. Alright. Good afternoon, Council members. Today I have an opportunity to recognize a bright light in our community. This young lady is Miss Amaya Nunberg. She is currently the Miss Louisiana Elementary. She is currently representing Baton Rouge, her peers and her family. And today we want to make sure we recognize her leadership and the work she's trying to do in the community, and also for her to talk about some of the work that she's doing under her reign and Miss Louisiana Elementary. Let's give her a round of applause. Good afternoon. Thank you for having me here today. My name is Amaya Nirenberg. I attend McKinley elementary and I am Miss Louisiana Elementary 2026, second grade. This summer I'll be traveling to little Rock to compete for Miss Elementary America and Miss Elementary America. Platform is brave, which stands for Voting Respect

and Values for everyone. I'm honored to represent not only the great state of Louisiana, but especially my hometown of Baton Rouge. Right here, right here. So also, come on, come on. Stand right here. So also Maya. She came to my office. Her and her mom, Miss Jordan, right here talking about bringing awareness for allergies for kids. When we go to different parks, many different public places, we may not think about that. Children may experience different allergies, such as garlic. Things of that nature. Right. And so Amaya want to ensure during her reign she brings exposure about allergies in public spaces and making sure that we be good neighbors and good friends with people who may have a large array of allergies. So, Amaya, I have a special certificate for you on behalf of the City of Baton Rouge in in recognition of outstanding poise, leadership, confidence and excellence demonstrated throughout the 2026 Miss Louisiana Elementary Pageant. Your dedication, grace, and commitment to excellence embody the true spirit of the title that you currently hold. May accomplishment mark the beginning of continued success and inspiration to others. Let's give a round of applause, everybody. All right. And we'd like to invite her mom up to take a picture as well. Hey, I want to tell you that what I see is a future leader. Like, anytime I see somebody your age speak so well on the microphone. What your mom is doing for you is amazing. By allowing you to be in these pageants and really just exude

the real inner beauty, which is the boldness for your speech. So thank you mom as well. Next, we'll have Metropolitan Councilman Anthony Kenny recognize Reverend Doctor Gregory V White Beech Grove Baptist Church for his service to district two community through ministry and the Beech Grove Baptist Church and the resident of District five. Thank you. He had to throw that one in there. Thank you, Councilman Hurst. Today I'd like to recognize a man amongst men, especially with the clergy and leadership in district two and North Baton Rouge. Reverend Doctor Gregory White. I met Mr. Right and his family on the campaign trail for Metro Council. But I can definitely say when I visited his church, I felt like I was at home. And so, Reverend White, I want to make sure I recognize you for your leadership in district two in North Baton Rouge and community. Let's bring him on up, Reverend Doctor Gregory. Right. Let's give him a round of applause, everybody. Invocation remarks. You want to say we're honored here today, giving God glory and praise and thanksgiving. Councilman Kennedy, you have done so much for our community in such a short time, and we are proud. Amen to have you to represent us and to all of you that are here. I want to say this is a beautiful day. We'll never forget this day. And I accept this honor in Christ's name. God bless sir. Alright, stay up here, Reverend Pastor White, and recognition your dedicated service to the North Baton Rouge community through faithful ministry and your steadfast leadership at Beech Grove Baptist Church in District two. Your commitment to spiritual guidance, community uplift, and compassionate service has made a lasting impact in the lives

of so many people. Your leadership reflects integrity, faith, and a genuine heart for service. It was sincere gratitude for your continued dedication and meaningful contribution to the district two in North Baton Rouge community giving on this day, February 25th, 2026. Let's give a round of applause, everybody. See also we want to recognize behind every great man is a greater woman, his wife, Lady White. Let's give a round of applause as well. If you want to come on up and take a picture with pastor as well. I just would like to say anytime, if you're in the North Baton Rouge area community, we have a community garden ad that is definitely open to the public where we want to try to get people to eat better, to grow better, sustain life. It is a food place where you can just learn and grow elderly anybody. So that's on Thomas Road, the Beech Grove Outreach Seed Time and Harvest community Garden. Next, we'll have Councilman Darrel Herz recognizing Southern University Laboratory varsity cheer competition team. First of all, anytime you see your school winning championships, it's to be expected. Normally, we don't cheer for those things, but this is the first cheer national championship that Southern University Laboratory School has participated in. I will tell you this, I remember one time in Baton Rouge minority. My heavily minority populated schools did not do competitive cheer. They did

game day cheer. And I'm so proud to see, even at this late day and age in Baton Rouge, the integration and growth of young black girls having the opportunity to compete on national level, and especially the ones that come from our alma mater, the greatest school on earth, Southern University Laboratory School. And so today I would like to recognize them for their success. I have a certificate of recognition that says, where is a Southern University laboratory varsity competition? Cheer team achieved a historic milestone by winning the first National Cheerleaders Association championship in school history. Y'all give him a round of applause for that. Placing first in their division and outscoring more than 150 teams across all divisions with the highest score of the of the competition. And whereas, under the exceptional leadership of Coach Britt Dawson, the Lab Ladies successfully adapted to virtual competition. Following the Ice Cream the Ice Storm in Texas and delivered a championship performance. So I'm gonna stop right there. So the show and what I what I love, and I hope it taught y'all, is that you're going to face mountains and hurdles in life. It's not about the mountain of hurdle you face. It's how you think about getting over it, under or around it. And when the ice storm hit and they couldn't travel, they had to compete online against other kids, and which made the competition even greater. And they outscored those. But whereas Coach Dawson's dedication to mentorship, discipline and athletic excellence has been instrumental in the team's historic success, now therefore, it be proclaimed that we proudly recognize Coach Britt Dawson for outstanding leadership and for guiding the Lab varsity competition cheer team to national championship success, bringing pride to the

Jaguar Kittens family. So first, I'll call up Coach Britt Dawson, give her hers, and then I'll bring the rest of the team up. Good afternoon. I just want to say we literally came here straight from school, so we're still in educational capacities. But on behalf of Southern Lab University, excuse me, on behalf of Southern University Laboratory School's varsity cheer and competition team, we sincerely thank you for honoring our athletes and recognizing their hard work and dedication. Your support means more to our students than you could understand. A special thank you to Councilman Hurst as he stated, a proud Eshu Lab alum for always pouring back into the school that you helped shape. And thank you for your continued investment in our scholars and athletes because it doesn't go unnoticed. We would be remiss to not give a moment of gratitude to Councilwoman Coleman as well, who serves in district ten, where Southern Lab is located, and thank her for her steadfast commitment as well. I also want to thank our co-coach coach, Daquan Mark, who serves tirelessly with our team and program and also to our competition team, because again, you all truly are trailblazers. You have done something that no one else in southern history has done and I am proud f you. So thank you all so much. Now here's a little joke. Britt went to Saint Joseph's but was always around Southern Lab, so she is honorary. And yes, and now she teaches there because she didn't have the privilege of going. But let me call out her entire team. This is for

Coach Daquan. So we'll put that to the side. Next we'll have Dylan Robertson. Bailey Hilton. It's our little cousin. Zilla Kristoff. Did I say that right okay. Raven. Mccastle. Brooke Petree. Brianna Hendrix. And last but not least, Madison Stampley. All right, let's get

a big smile from everybody. Alright. Good. One more. Alright. Congratulations, ladies. Give the ladies a round of applause. So that wraps up our recognitions for today's metropolitan meeting. We are briefly recessed, and we'll come back for today's regular scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. Thank you all so much.

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I remember that. Well. I ran into it. Hello. Hello, everybody. Welcome to the council chamber of East Baton Rouge Parish, the home of the Metropolitan council of East Baton Rouge Parish. Our council members are here. The month is flying already. Our last meeting, the 25th of February. And at this time, here is the mayor, president pro tem of East Baton Rouge Parish, Councilman Brandon Noel. Councilman. Thank you. Dennis. Welcome, everybody, to the Metropolitan Council meeting this Wednesday, February 25th, 2026. We'll call the meeting to order. Ashley, do we have a quorum? We have a quorum. We're going to have an invocation by Reverend Doctor Gregory White

of Beech Grove Baptist Church and the pledge by Amaya Nirenberg. Let us pray. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. The great God. We come at this hour today with thanksgiving and praise for the meeting that is at hand. We need you. We thank you for this council ask. Your blessing will flow upon each and every one of them as agenda is before us. The community is here, but we ask you, oh Lord, that you will grant them wisdom, give them knowledge, give them understanding. And then, Father God, as we come now we give you thanks and praise for this meeting and then make our community a safer community. These have been called to serve and as we come now, we are servants of the Most High. We give you praise and glory in Christ's name. Amen, Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Well done. Amaya. Okay, adoption and approval of the minutes. Approval and adoption of the minutes of the Metropolitan

Council meeting of February 11th, 2026. Metropolitan Council Zoning Meeting of February 18th, 2026 by Council Administrator treasurer. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman, second by Councilman Gaudet. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Ashley, can you please read the introductions? Section 2.12 introductions. Number two, amending the 2026 annual operating budget so as to appropriate $1,350,000 from general fund fund balance. Unassigned to provide operational support for the District Attorney's Office and the amount of $850,000 in Public Defender's office, and the amount of $500,000 by the mayor President. Number three amending title eight Building Regulations. Chapter eight, section eight colon 801 Schedule of Permit fees so as to provide for an increase of certain permitting fees and add subsection 33, Fire Prevention Fees by Development Director and Fire Chief Number four. Establishing a new fee schedule for inspection and testing for public improvements for subdivisions and subdivisions by the Development Director. Number five. Authorizing the mayor President to execute an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Saint George for the provision of animal control services in the City of Saint George, at a cost of $405,170, paid to the city parish for the year 2026 and continuing year to year after that. Upon mutual consent of the parties, and sign all documents in connection therewith by the Animal Control Director. Number six, amending ordinance 8367, adopted March 11th, 1987, which provided for a fire safety fee and service fee schedule for the City of Baton Rouge so as to delete and or increase certain fees and address other related matters. By Fire Chief Michael Kimball, Mayor Edwards, and Councilman Daryl Hurst. Condemnation instructions number seven Nettie B Williams. Nichols, 1060 Osprey Avenue Council, district two, number eight, Dolce Enterprises LLC, 2406 Bradley Road Council, district

two. Kinney number nine Home First LLC. 5573 Douglas Avenue. Council district five. Number ten Elm Grove Baptist Church. 8573 Gravel Springs Road. Council district five. Hurst number 11 Louise Cooley Foster, 2435 East Smiley Avenue. Council. District six Dunn, junior. Number 12, square two, Inc. 4621 Osborn Avenue. Council. District seven Harris. Number 13 Mamie Tate McArdle. 8725 Saint G. Wilbur Street. Council, district two. Kinney, number 14, Prudent Acquisitions, LLC. 5056 Clayton Street. Council, district seven. Harris. Number 15 Jameson Dunbar, 1202 North 43rd Street. Council. District seven Harris. Number 16 Cedric James, pitcher 1618 North 23rd Street. Council. District seven Harris. Number 17 Katie Charlotte Everett and David Everett 1031 North 47th Street. Council district seven Harris, number 18 Valerie F Selders and Guarantee Acceptance Corp. 3704 North Foster Drive, Council district seven. Harris, number 19 Jeremy Jerome Williams and Lashonda Edward Williams, 3231 Calumet Street. Council, district seven. Harris, number 20, the estate of Lillian Collins Wilson, 638 North 38th Street. Council, district seven. Harris. Number 21 Albert Coleman and Thelma Perkins. Coleman, 655 North 28th Street. Council, district seven Coleman adjudicated property introductions. Number 24, lot three, part plus square 16, subdivision Istrouma Council district ten Coleman. Number 23, lot 32 and 34 square 42, subdivision, South Baton Rouge. Council District ten Coleman, number 24, lot nine and ten square one subdivision, Enterprise Council, district ten Coleman, number 25, lot 28, subdivision Kelly Council, district two. Kinney. Number 26.

Lot three, subdivision Richardson, DJ track Council, district nine Hudson. Number 27. Lot nine square one subdivision Lemon Place. Council district ten Coleman. Number 28. Lot 31 square 11 subdivision, South Baton Rouge. Council district ten Coleman. Number 29. Lot 25 subdivision, Cypress Park. Council district nine, Hudson. Number 30. Lot 21 square B subdivision. Crawford addition. Council district seven Harris. Number 31. Lot 21 square two subdivision. Victory Place. Council. District seven Harris. Number 32 lot subdivision, University Place. Council. District two. Kinney. Number 33 lot. Section one. Ward two subdivision one acres. Council. District two. Kinney. Number 34 lot. Subdivision Ralph Robert A Bryan track Council. District four. Number 35. Lot 21 square 23 subdivision. Hickey Town Council, district ten Coleman number 36, lot eight square 89, subdivision Istrouma Council district ten Coleman. Number 17, lot 17, Park Subdivision, Clark. Council. District ten Coleman. Number 38 lot section zero. Ward three subdivision 0.52 acres. Council. Council. District four, number 39. Lot five square two subdivision North Holland addition. Council district five. Number 40. Lot 56, part square nine subdivision. South Baton Rouge. Council district ten Coleman. Number 41, lot H, Park square seven, subdivision. Abramson Council district ten Coleman. Number 42, lot one, square nine, subdivision Wilson Place. Council district ten Coleman. Number 43. Lot eight plus square two subdivision. Edgewood Lawn. Council district ten Coleman. Number 44. Lot 61, square 17 subdivision, South Baton Rouge. Council district ten Coleman. Number 45, lot 31 through 34, square 11 subdivision. Banks. Council. District two Kenny, number 46, lot six and seven square 52

subdivision. Banks. Council. District two Kenny, number 47. Lot four plus square 52 subdivision. Banks. Council. District two Kenny. Number 48. Lot 17 subdivision Allison Heights. Council. District two Kenny. Number 49. Lot 52 and 53 square two subdivision, Victory Place Council, district seven Harris number 50, lot 13 square, A subdivision, Victory Place, Council district seven, Harris, number 51, lot three square 52 subdivision. Fortune Council, district five. Hurst. Number 52, lot square, lot four square 52 subdivision. Fortune Council, district five. Hurst. Number 53. Lot 41 square 14. Subdivision South Baton Rouge Council. District ten Coleman. Number 54. Lot 26 square 163, subdivision South Baton Rouge. Council district ten Coleman, number 55, lot seven through ten, square six, subdivision Paradise Council, district two Kenny, number 56, lot eight Plus square 28 subdivision, Greenville Extension Council, district seven Harris. Number 57, lot 259 subdivision Belfair homes Council. District seven Harris. Number 58. Lot 51 subdivision Greenway Place. Council district five. Hurst. Number 59. Lot 12 square L subdivision, Fairfield Council district seven Harris. Number 60. Lot nine, subdivision East Fairlane Council District five. Hurst. Number 61. Lot 62, subdivision Greenway Place. Council District five. Hurst. Number 62. Lot 12 square 44 subdivision, University Place. Council district two. Kinney. Number 63. Lot 38 subdivision. Fairlane Council District five. Hurst. Number 64. Lot 30 subdivision Fairwood Council district seven Harris. All lines are reading have been read. A motion to introduce all items is an order. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Hudson, second by Councilwoman Amoroso. Is there any

opposition? Motion carries. Go to your separate sheets for condemnations. I'm going to read these as presented. First. Recommendations are to proceed with item 85, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 101, 102, and 103 30 days on items 86 and 89, and to delete items 83, 84, 93 and 100. I do have recommendations from district seven on 30 days for 85, 87, 95 and from district five for 30 days on item 94. 60 days on item 103103 60 days. All right. Hey, did you say delete 84 you had on your list? 84 is the deletion okay? Yes. Anybody else? Okay, I'm going to read them back. We are to proceed with items 88, 90, 91, 92, 96, 97, 98, 99, 101102, 30 days on items 85, 86, 87, 89, 94, 95, 60 days on item 103 and to delete items 83, 84, 93, and 100. Anyone wishing to speak on these items? Yes, please. Just

just come on up and give. Give your name and address for the record and which item you're speaking on. My name is Thornton. My address is 6405 vineyard. And I'm speaking on item 93 that you said delete. I was told to be here today, so I'm just. We don't really know what this means. My cousin and I was just trying to see what we should be doing. So the recommendation is to delete it off of the condemnation list. So it's my my assumption is that you or someone has already remedied the property to the point where they're not recommended recommending condemnation any further. Okay, so we're free to go. You're always free to go. But I think, I think I think you'd be most pleased with that scenario. I thank you also, Miss Thornton, that followed my district. I know Miss Parker has talked to your family estate. So have you got any questions going forward? Feel free to follow up with her. Okay. All right. Thank you. Anybody else wishing to speak on any of these items? Seeing none. We'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Amoroso, second by Councilman Don junior. Any opposition motion carries. All right, item 104. There's been a request to defer this item to the March 11th meeting authorizing the mayor president to execute a cooperative endeavor agreement with Birdville Development Corporation and SLP development, LLC, outlining the the transfer of $1.2 million in traffic impact fees for the installation of a roundabout on Bluebonnet and Harvesting Way by Transportation and Drainage Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. Council members, you should have received one email comment in opposition to item 104. Again, there's a request to defer to March 11th motion by Councilman Goad. Second by Councilwoman Amoroso. Any

opposition? Motion carries. Item 105 authorizing the mayor president to execute an agreement between City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge on behalf of the Office of Community Development and Saint Vincent de Paul, in an amount not to exceed $250,000 for the term beginning February 1st, 2026 and ending January 31st, 2027 by Community Development Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing now go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Harris, second by Councilman Gaudet. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Item 106 authorizing the president, on behalf of the Office of Community Development, to amend the contract with ACC Environmental Consultants to expand scope of work and increase compensation by $4,125 by Community Development Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Gudes, second by Councilman Hudson. Is there any opposition? Motion carries item 107 authorizing the mayor president to accept an amendment on behalf of the Division of Human Development and Services, Office of Social Services with the Louisiana Workforce Commission for Community Services Block Grant in an amount of $1,523,028 by the Human Development Services Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion o Councilman Gaudet. Thank you. Who is overseeing this item? Item number 107. Somebody from the mayor's office or human development? It's item 107.

It's a community services block grant in conjunction with Louisiana Workforce. Do you know details on it, Councilman, I don't I'm not seeing the director here. I just guess I'd ask y'all defer this item until the next meeting. I'm not. Oh. Never mind. How you doing? I'm sorry. I had an emergency on the first. What was the question? Workforce group. No, no, no. Item 107 is the community services Block grant. It's by DS, is that not? Yeah. I didn't think that fell under you. Yeah, I'll take it. I don't see doctors unless it's 1.5 million. It's in conjunction with the Louisiana Workforce Commission. I was wondering what the funds would be utilized. Yeah. OS utility and rental. So some of it is there's another portion that comes through OS on the Csbg grant that handles other qualifications. A lot of acronyms there, I know. Look, I said the same thing yesterday. Social services. This is with Louisiana Workforce Commission. Yes okay. It's not workforce training dollars. No okay. All right. Thank you much. Let me see. We have a motion from Councilman Hudson. I'm sorry, Councilman Gaudet. You good? I think I'm good. Yes, sir. I was making one more click, but I'm good. Okay. We have a motion by Councilman Hudson. Do we have a second? I'll second. Second by Councilman Gordo, is there any opposition? Motion carries at 108 authorizing the mayor president on behalf of the Division of Human Development and Services. Ryan White, program to amend the minority Aids initiative. Subrecipient contract with Our Lady of the Lake in the amount of $62,659, for a total award amount $75,390 by Human Development

and Services Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. Do we have a motion? Motion by councilman, second by Councilman Hurst. Is there any opposition? Motion carries item 109, authorizing the mayor president to execute an agreement with Rose Flores Posterior, LLC for architectural design services in connection with the Baker Branch Library. Renovations and additions. In an amount not to exceed $635,093.78 by Building and Grounds Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Kenney, second by Councilman Hudson. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 110 authorized mayor president to execute an amendment to the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with South Central Planning and Development Commission to provide my project now software for the 311 call center by Office of Business Operations. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Yes, ma'am. Hello, my name is Shawanda Duplantier. I really appreciate you allowing me to speak for a moment. Three one is this software going to improve the the operations? Because I've submitted over 30, right, right. At 30 311 request since 2024 and 25. I have the paperwork here and many of the tickets are closed. They're opened and then they're closed. They're open and then they're closed. And then the problem is never resolved. I just want to know if it's going to improve efficiency. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none. We'll go to council, Councilman Gaudet. I'll let. I guess it's Trina that this is out of the Office of Business Operations.

I don't think she's up here, but do this, this, this item and put it on the agenda. So this is an amendment to the existing contract, and it's just to basically it's our annual fee for using this software. So there's no it's not changing it. It's just the fee that it costs for the software to operate every year. Your your agency has the contract with South Central, correct. Yeah. We we have a software agreement with them as well. But this is an amendment to. To provide my project. So we've paid this amount since 2011 2009, something like that. This has been an annual contract that's always renewed. Look, here she is. I tried, I tried it's okay. So the queue alert system, my project now is only the shelter system that the work work orders go into. And so with this for the past 14 years, this system has been in place. The amount has been in force, but it's been placed in the budget this year, the name of the vendor was not in the budget. So we had to bring it to council because it's $70,000. The South Central planning name. Yeah. So we used to and Angie can attest to this. Over the years, we've put the names of the vendors in the budget book. Okay, okay. And a couple years ago we changed that. So I don't know if you heard Miss Duplantier, I hope I said that. Right. Well, I heard the beginning, so I didn't is it is is it accenting the software. Is it providing

additional ultimate. And that was the ultimate question I had too. So it was an amendment to . It sounds like that software, my project now is already implemented with three one. Yeah. This is no change is it's already been in place. This is just the amount that we pay for the, the system itself. And so the amount has been $70,000 for the last probably 7 to 8 years. But it's been in the budget book. So when you all approve the budget in December, it's been in the budget this year. The name of the the vendor is not in the budget. Gotcha. So we had to bring it to council. But the original contract was much less. It was like $58,000 for the year. And because we have gotten it approved in the budget, we didn't have to bring it back to council before. I'll address Miss Duplantier, thank you for your question. The information she provided, I think, satisfied what I was looking for. What I would say to you is I don't know where you live, but whichever council district I'm confident they'd be willing to assist you with researching those 311 tickets. That's fine. Well, as far as 311 tickets themselves, once the tickets are entered into the system, that goes to the departments. Yes. And the departments themselves address the actual work correct work orders. And so if there is an outstanding service request, we can get that to you. Yeah. Thank you. Trainer. Hi. If you could please come back, please. So sorry. I didn't want you to run away too fast. So I've been working with the mayor's team, and he sent folks out to a bunch of my HOA meetings and civic association meetings with regards to 311, and in particular to some of those things being entered, it may be able to answer some of her questions. Mr. lawn has done a

very effective job of explaining, explaining to my constituents whenever A311 request is put in. Sometimes they're duplicated, sometimes because of duplication efforts that are that are put in by several constituents in the area. Some are deleted, others are kept. And it appears that the work has been done, but yet it has not been done. And they have talked about trying to to assist with and have the software change to where the constituent can see whether or not the work has been completed, other than just saying that their their service request has been deleted. Can you speak to that at all, or is there anybody here that can help explain the revamping of the 311 process and what's going on, to be able to have the public better understand that their efforts are are being recognized? It's just taking a minute. Thank you, Miss Rachel. So I can explain the workflow of q Q alert in 311. Thank you. So when the work orders are entered into the system, they flow to whatever department is responsible responsible for the work. So there are what we call workflows that have email addresses that's tied to service request types. And those actually flow to the departments. Now there are several methods of entering information into the 311 call system. That is by calling in. That's by using the app. That's also by someone going online and entering a request that can that could be a reason for a duplication, because if a person goes on to the system,

the the app and they enter it, they're. They could have entered that after they've called it in to the call center. There's also situations where if they, they, they go to the department and the investigator goes out there and they close the request, they may not have put in what the enough accurate information so that the constituent would know what actually happened. Because when a call is entered into the system, there's a checkbox where that constituent can get an email every time an action occurs within the system. And some constituents want email responses, some don't. And so when that information is sent back to the constituent, it could be comprehensive of what's happened or not necessarily based on the information that's been entered into the system. So that's something that's being worked on within the departments of putting more detailed information into the work orders so that the constituents have a good overview of what's happened with their service request. Thank you so much for that information. I have very active, engaged HOA residents in district 12. And Mr. Fred Raiford shaking his head. Yes. So oftentimes what will happen is if they see a pothole or something that needs to be fixed, they'll encourage everyone in the district to send an email or put A311 request in. And I think you guys will get flooded with that. So for the folks at home, can you miss Rachel or whoever would like to? Could you explain how that works and what the effect that has on your system and what and what the the best course of action moving forward? And let's just use this as a teaching piece

for the folks that are listening at home to maybe help our systems move more efficiently, because people actually love 311 whenever it is working properly. So if you don't mind. So just to give you a preview of some of the things that we are working with, as far as 311 call center is concerned, we're working with our Is team as we speak, trying to implement some of the AI technology to where individuals can call in the AI. II would actually capture some of that information based on workflows that we already have and policies and procedures that's in place. So AI is one of our one of the things that we are trying to implement with in, in with our Is team, I'll say gotcha. And so Mr. Rizwan, he's come to us from the state of Louisiana and he's very, very versed on advanced technology. And so with that will do for us, of course, is allow the citizens to enter information just by speaking into the, the, the phone. They don't necessarily have to speak to an individual. And it would just allow them some more ways of getting information without going through an individual. As we know, AI does not have a bad day. So sometimes, you know, individuals call in and it's been a day of individuals calling in and screaming at the at the reps. And so we see that AI will be beneficial in trying to assist in that manner. Awesome. Thank you. I think Mr. Daniels has something else.

Thank you so much for all that information. Okay. Thank you Councilman. Councilwoman. So three and one is a great system. It's a complaint system. It's and one of the, one of the drawbacks with 311 since we we purchased it and we knew it was a drawback was it doesn't create a work order. And so we have recently rectified that. We are getting a work order system which speaks to queue alert. And so the queue alert information will flow to the work order system. It'll create a work order. When our guys go and respond. That information will be captured. We'll know how much it costs to do things, how much, how long they were in out there. Then it will when the work orders completed, then it will then talk back to queue alert and post it in the system that it's been completed. The idea is, is that sometimes it's difficult to to find the the completed project in queue alert, but this should make that a lot easier and alert will have the updated work order information that it's been completed. Now, admittedly, some work orders take longer to do than others, so some people check in and we haven't got it done yet, and they're frustrated. But we are getting to them as quickly as possible. Can you speak specifically to you? Have a work order and maybe that work order is still pending, but another neighbor may have the same work order, but it appears closed to that neighbor. And what the the hiccups with that are like, well, what? And we're trying actually we're, we're trying to look at that because what happens is you I think you veryf there's ten calls coming in and

they're duplicates, the other nine get closed. And the one but what we're we're actually trying to have a conversation with Charlotte about is it will show up, not as a close call, but the one that survived should show up as still being open. I think that will eliminate a lot of confusion and frustration that we're seeing across district 12 specifically, but maybe some others as well. Thank you sir. Councilman Hudson William, you may be the best to answer this quick question about the workflow and how it works for garbage complaints. I know that in the previous garbage contract, when Republic had it all, all of the garbage complaints went to them. They would service it, they would close it out immediately and then service them. Now that it's separated between two different vendors, is everything still going to Republic or does it go to Richards as well, or how is that working? I do believe that it goes to Richards as well, but I'm not 100% clear on that. We've been discussing that the last few weeks. You've been in some of the meetings, but I will find out and I will let you know exactly how that works. But I do believe it goes to Richards. I, I do believe they have cameras as well. So. So Republic is not checking Richards complaints. Those are two separate contracts. Gotcha. Thank you. Councilwoman Coleman. Yeah, just a quick question, Mr. Sanchez. Come, come, please. And my question to you were your question and was your question answered. No, ma'am. I didn't think so. Yes, ma'am. So you asked about the fact that. Well, let me let you restate your question. I don't want to speak for you. Thank you. I asked if the if it

would be if this is going to actually improve the system. 311 works very well in New Orleans, Louisiana. That's where I'm actually a resident. I own properties throughout Baton Rouge, Louisiana as well. It seems that there is some type of either glitch in the system, and I'll say it's a glitch and or not hiring the appropriate contractors. I had a serious dumping problem and Councilman Hurst District, to the point where I was pretty much forced to purchase the property because I could not rent it out. Affordable housing to my to to your constituents because I'm not allowed to vote here. Because I'm a resident of New Orleans, I provide quality housing and quality living for people in the city of Baton Rouge. Okay, but when I have called, the people are very nice, professional, but there is a level of it's kind of like you're nice until you hang up the phone. I've had 14. There were 14 cases that were actually closed without action from the fifth district. I've never I haven't had one closed on the one over 70808I can't remember what district that is. Thank you for taking care of those issues. But I've had 30 calls, over 30 calls to different offices to include the blight area to, to include blight reference dumping. I have pictures of these things. I've reported them to my councilman, to the councilman of that area. He offered to assist and I didn't receive any assistance. It ended up costing me about $30,000 to clear a lot where that was, that I have the photos. I'm not going to waste your time. I can pass, I can give them to the to the council. My only request. I am not trying to bash 311. I am, I am, I'm an ally. Okay. Affordable housing in this in this city is is is pretty much nonexistent. Okay. And there was also a

murder on the street that that that I also rent that property on. I think if the, the neighborhood didn't look like this and we actually took care of our neighborhoods and our and our constituents, the way we live in our in our communities, I think Baton Rouge would be a better place. I am going to take the time to ask this question of my councilman, Councilman Hurst, because I have been reaching out to him for the last two years and he has not responded to me. I do have communications, like I said, where he offered help via Facebook and I didn't receive any assistance. But this is what I need. Go ahead. I'm sorry, Councilman Coleman, and ask you to answer her question. I hear the come on. So the answer is, is they're dumping the debris on private property, and we're not allowed to clean up private property. So what we do is we send a violation letter to the to who? We think the owner of the private property is. If it's on the servitude, we can clean it up. But if it's on, if it's up in the lot, we're not allowed to clean it. Right. But the question is 311. Her question was will this software that's going to be implemented will perfect the 311 call center that that was there? The the 311 complaints are being closed because when we go out to investigate it's on private property and we don't have any jurisdiction. So we close it. So we respond back. Do we put that in the 311 information. What do we do. That's the question we do. We do put it in. But I'm going to let Miss

Lambert explain. I only looked at a few, but she did contact someone in our office yesterday, and I had a just a little bit of time to look at it. Look at it just while we're talking about this. But some of it appeared that she called in some something to where maybe Republic or Richards would have gotten the request, and then it was deemed that it was on private property so that it was closed. Some of it, you know, I know that we have sent her a violation letter. I spoke with some of my team yesterday for the debris that was on private property. Like William said, we can't go on private property without a court order, but there is information that's input into 311. I saw a comment on private property and then closed. Basically not on this. Thank you. Councilman Hurst. Okay, so some of those three on one tickets were picked up. But what happens in urban communities that are heavily blighted is you picking up today. And they put it back down tomorrow. So although it looks the same it was picked up a number of times to where it was verified through Rachel's department that the blight was abated, either because it was adjudicated and we had the ability to go on the property, or to the point where I reached out to Adam Smith to put cameras out there. But the one thing that I will not accept from anybody is disrespect. And I will set boundaries and I won't take your phone calls anymore. So I've intentionally told my staff not to take her calls because she calls very disrespectful. And that would go for anybody in this audience or on the listening television. So yes. No, I'm not answering the calls for two years and I won't answer them. God bless you. Councilman Hudson. Just just a note, I guess, for staff and the administration. You know, one of the issues that we had previously with 311 and

that we requested help from the administration on was adding notes to 311. And that really is is what's what the public needs. Right. To understand what happened to their complaint. It's a it's a staffing issue. Right? We have to constantly drive that message home to staff and let staff know that that is the expectation that we are updating and putting good notes in three, one, one. So just a recommendation. Councilman mode. Oh, sorry. Okay. Councilman Moak. Yeah. Daniel, whoever else needs to come up. We've talked about this 311 and closing tickets forever for multiple different times and everything else would a I don't know, this would possibly be a solution. I don't know if this is already in there. I get that you go out to the property. You see it's on private. I'm just using this one for an example. You see it's on private property. You put it in the notes. This is private property. We can't do anything about this or whatever the notes say. You close the ticket. The constituent gets the information that they're whether it's automatically responds to them or whatever, they get the information that says ticket closed. Would it possibly be able to put the notes in the system and set it to close within so many days, to give the constituent time to respond to the note after it closes? I don't know if they can respond to it anymore or if they have to reopen a new ticket, but would it be possible to say, you know, a lot of times my tech support stuff, I'll send clients and if they don't respond to what I've told them, this is what we've done. This is where we're at. We leave the ticket open and but it's automatically set to close and it sends a notification. We have not heard from you. We are closing this ticket at this time or whatever. It'll automatically close it. Would that be an option in the

system or something like that? Because at least you give the constituent time to respond to you, or give a reason to possibly keep the ticket open or meet one on one face to face instead of closing the ticket on their face. So I believe that may be some programing that we can speak with Charlotte on, and also some things that could be implemented with the AI. But what I think work order system as well, I believe one one important thing that needs to be noted is that 311 itself, those individuals that they're speaking to when they call in, those are not the individuals that's doing the work. Correct. So when people say that 311 is not doing their job, they are they're answering the calls. They're a call center, they're answering the calls and they're sending it out. I will agree, I will agree with that. And that was one of the problems we had at the beginning. 311 would answer the call. They input the system. They they do their job, they get it to the correct place. But three one, one is then closing because they 311 doesn't close. It used to be they would when they sent it off to whatever department it needed to be, they would close their part or do whatever. Noted that, hey, we sent this to DPW, we sent this here, we sent that there, and they would close it. If that's going to be the designated spot that the citizens are going to go to, then it seems 311 should not do anything until they get a response back or they get whatever they do. And I think it's like that now. But again, we're still getting tickets that are being when they're done, they close the ticket. Councilman Moak 1311 enters the service request. It's routed to the departments, and those individuals are the ones that's closing it. The 311 call center reps do not close work orders at all. Okay. And the system

has never been designed for them to do that. So as far as the as far as workflow, the departments within themselves that are responsible for the work, it has been communicated and also training done with them to try and put in better notes so that when the the work order is closed, those citizens are receiving good information in, you know, that's still something that we hear that they don't get enough information when they when the service requests are closed. And Rachel. Right. Specific point. So we actually have a work order system. We use my permit now and it everything that goes into 311 comes in and creates a project. And we're working out of that now. I looked at several of hers just some more as I went and sat down. A lot of them had the note that this is a duplicate and to see XYZ and that's it's in 311. Now if she's calling, you know, she would have to call back to be able to see that update. Now she's using her app or the web. She should be able to see that update when she goes back into her history. And then there are some where it seems like it was the one that the that the duplicates that we referenced, where we were going through and doing the process. There are still there are still one, two, three, four for at least four of her. I don't know, I'd say 15 requests that are, that are still open and potentially active and stuff like that. So there's some tall grass, somepjn private property, some debris removal, some tire dumping, and then some illegal dumping on private on public property. So there's a myriad of different requests and there are quite a few duplicates. Okay. So yes. Again, once the tickets closed, whoever closes it, what response does the constituent

have once it's closed, they can call our office back. Typically, you know, if we're referencing a duplicate then we're going to put the notes are being put in. Right. So whether it's a duplicate, whether it's actual work that was done, whether it was work that was deemed that it didn't need to be due. Yeah. Once the tickets closed in the system, other than calling back what happens on the constituent end if they go to check on that ticket, they can see our notes. They can they can see your notes. Yes. Can they make any response to it? Can they continue forward with it? That ticket, once it's closed by city. Parish? No, sir. Not unless they call the office and reopen it. And most likely, when they call the office, they will wind up having to reopen a new ticket because that one's been closed. Or can y'all reopen it? We can reopen it. You can reopen it. It can reopen. Okay. But they have to call the office and get through to everybody and do all that process again. I go back to I whether it's just I don't think it's just it that does this. When I send a ticket out to a client or they, they call in a ticket on my system and I respond to it. We logged into the system, we moved the icon from one side of the screen to the other. Sorry for the inconvenience and we tell them the job is finished. It's done. It sends it out to them and we wait for their response. Either they respond to us saying thank you, wonderful job moving that icon across the screen, or they just don't respond at all. But then they get a notification that says, we have not heard from you. This ticket is going to close in X amount of days, I got you. So we are working as part of a bigger scheme, which is why I came up to talk about the AI stuff, is that we were going to use blight as a, you know, kind of a test pilot, as, you know, being able to have more explanation so that we could have something like that. Hey, we found that this was a

duplicate, you know, would you like to subscribe to updates about the the original complaint or, you know, we could take your suggestion and, you know, say we're going to close this if we don't hear back from you, etcetera, etcetera. And then being able to provide more information, that's definitely one of the the thought processes and the conversations we've been having with this AI as well. That's what I would ask, because you put the onus on them to respond. Yeah. And you have the auto responses that, hey, hadn't heard from you, hadn't heard from you, tickets closed, you know, so that's I understand we do have challenges with volume, but we strive to, you know, provide ever, you know, better information. Thank you. Also councilor not every not everybody leaves contact information when they enter a ticket. So sometimes we can't recontact them. So but if they're entering ticket information online or even if they call, they if they call back to check on a ticket, they just have to give the ticket number. And nobody asks if you're the complainant or if you're whatever. I can just call in and check on any ticket. If they know the ticket number, you can call, you can get online and check on any ticket. Okay. So there has you can input tickets without any kind of contact information. So they call in, they say there's a pothole okay I don't want to leave my name and number, but there's a pothole here. And so we have the the information but we don't have the who to contact. Okay I won't disagree with that. But the ones that are complaining to us that we go to check on our tickets and we go to check on this, that and the other. I have a feeling those are people that are actually putting contact information in, and they may be the ones that are complaining and they may be. And like I say, there are notes in there. I don't think the notes are sufficient. That's one of the reasons we think the work order

system will solve a lot of this. We think some of the other things that we're doing are going to solve it. But I like your idea about not closing it until. You know, maybe five days goes by after we've put the notes in and then we'll see. We'll have to talk to Charlotte and see if they can do that. Yeah. I mean, we just got to the point. It's basically a CIA thing, and we're giving them the hey, you have to close this. So thank you. Sure. Councilman Don junior. Thank you, William Treanor. As many of us have have stated this, this 311 ticket closing opening has been a challenge for many of our constituents. And our districts get a lot of calls about this. A couple of things I heard that I want to reinforce and just walk through with you guys to make sure that we are doing this or instituting these things. I heard you guys admit that in your opinion, the notes in the past have not either been put on the file or hadn't been sufficient enough. Is that correct? That's correct. Can we make sure that staff know the importance of putting the notes there? Can we mandate that if you take A311 call or if you as a department head, receive A311 file, that whatever action you take or whatever research or you do to look into it, that you mandatory that you put notes in there. Can we do that? I've talked to three of them in the last ten minutes, Councilman. Okay, good. The second thing I didn't know if the notes was just there, or did the constituent have an opportunity to review the notes if they went back? You guys said they can't see the notes when they go back, right? They can see the notes. Okay. To Councilman, most point I would like to not close the ticket because we get a lot of calls

about constituents being upset that the ticket was closed. So do not close the ticket until we verify that the person who made the complaint was able to go back and review the notes, can we will confirm that we cannot. We get 10,000 calls a month. Councilman, there's no way we can confirm every single. Let me tell you how that can be done. One of the things you said was some people don't give contact information. When you make the report, you can make contact information or required field. I'm calling anonymous okay. But you can. We asked for contact information to them because we get these calls about you know, they being closed out into Councilman Mo's point. I think the people that's calling us, they want to stay in contact. They want to give you the information. I understand there may be some who won't do that, but for those who want to do that, they want to be kept in contact with. They reaching out to us for updates, asking us to intervene. So can we strongly encourage those to leave their contact information and share with them the downfalls when they don't give their contact information because they can't be updated adequately? Because what I would say is prior to closing it out, you may don't have to leave it open for two weeks, three weeks a month, but give it a timeline three days, five days a week or whatever that is, and say we're going to keep this open until we confirm that an email, a call has went back to the person who left their contact information and been able to review whatever the findings were before we close it, we can email them back. Councilman, there's no way we can call, but we can email them or maybe even text message. But we're working on that with AI to see if if AI can and AI can call them back. But we don't have the staff to call back. All those, just some point of contact I think would be greatly appreciated. Or email or call or text any of that, because right now they're not

getting anything. They're just going there and see the ticket is closed. And oftentimes there are no notes. There are no reason they either reopening the ticket or filing a a duplicate ticket, which is creating more backlog and time and things of that nature. One more thing I want to touch on. I think the challenge is as it relates to the dog and and the trash, many of us, council members and constituents alike are operating on the original contract. When Republic had everything. Now that we have two contracts, Republic and Richards, there's a different standard, there's a different expectation. So some of the frustration is, hey, for the past year, two years, five years, you pick this up. But now I put the ticket in and the ticket is closed. You telling me you don't? So some of that is outreach, messaging and making sure everybody understand the new standard and new expectation. We have done a lot of outreach. We will continue to do so. All right. Thank you, Councilman Hurst. So y'all stay there. So Councilman Dunn gave a big point of this is an issue in City of Paris in general is that people always say when I got in government that government run slow. And some of it is checks and balances, but some of it is lack of accountability. Even the immune system, which has nothing to do with y'all, it'll send somebody Q to get approved for a week, doesn't get reminded to approve it. And unless you call them and go to their desk and ask them to look over the shoulder and get it done, sometimes it doesn't happen. And I talked to Eric about that before he left, about how do we get alerts for that system as well. But what I will say is that recently before I was able to attain a customer, they used something called Sesame AI. Y'all need to go back and listen to this recording and look at it. It

was a role play for AI. Freaked me out. I had to convince the AI app why I should get the business from this customer, and he grilled me better than the customer would have grilled me. Freaked me out. But when you start talking about role play scenarios 4311 callers, you can kind of stage it so they get some of the worst calls ever and that they role play to make sure that their customer service is at a level and they create emotion that they sustain emotional intelligence. Because we know that as humans on the phone, and just because the customer gets loud doesn't mean that they should. Right? And they may have had a bad morning, but when they crossed that that threshold at work, that's supposed to go away. So I would encourage you that as you explore AI Sesame, be one to work on modeling how to create best practices for interacting with constituents who may be frustrated. So that was my only comment when you said AI. I thought about that, and that's a very good point. We do endeavor to make sure that our call center agents treat all the customers with respect. All the calls are recorded. If someone has a. Issue and they believes that the the agent has disrespected them, we can listen to the recording and see I agree with you, but at that point it's too late. They've already. It is the feathers. I'm just saying. But it allows us to to, you know, train and discipline the employee. I appreciate it, I'm just saying ongoing training, quarterly training, whatever it may be, you know, you're going to the working world in corporate America, it's annual trainings. I think that that part of it role playing best practices, that should be a part of it as well for city, parish, because customer service is what we provide in that area to the

people who pay tax dollars. Customer service is our number one goal. Thank you all so much, Katrina. Thanks. One second. I just got I just you good. I just wanted to give you all an opportunity. So I enter a number of three, one one requests from my, my personal and my Gmail account. And I just went and checked my deleted items when when they are closed, there are closing comments that are entered. So for instance, this 1st February ninth, I said there was some illegally dumped tires and the closing comments are tires were removed per inspection on February 6th. I have another one that just said Joshua serviced, which doesn't tell me a whole lot, but it tells me at least it was serviced. So. So the folks in the field are entering comments and I, as a user of the app that comes to my email and tells me what action has taken place. I mean, I just wanted you to give you an opportunity to provide that information. Yes. As long as there's an email provided to the to the call center reps or even in the app, as long as there's an email assigned to that account or that service request, then they'll get an automatic response when it's closed. Can you talk about the app, please? Just because there's folks watching and it'so 311 is the red 311 app. It is for Android iPhone iPhone, Apple products as well. So you can enroll, set up an account in. You will be able to see everything that's associated with your accounts. Thank you. Councilman Hudson. Members, I'm going to ask that we defer this item so we can continue this discussion next time next week. This is an important topic. I'm just joking. Motion. Motion to approve. We have a motion by Councilman Hudson, second by Councilman Hurst. Is there any opposition motion carries anyone 11 authorizing the mayor

president, on behalf of the Baton Rouge Police Department, to enter into a subscription services agreement with the Leeds Online, LLC to provide the Power Plus investigation system and sell Hawk cell phone mapping and Analysis system subscription subscriptions for investigative services. Total compensation of the agreement is not to exceed $180,030 by the police chief. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilman Hudson. Is there any opposition? Motion carries item 112 authorizing the mayor president, on behalf of the Baton Rouge Police Department, to accept a grant award from the United States Police Canine Association, American Kennel Club reunite canine in an amount of 7500 by the police chief. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none. We'll go to council. Councilman Gaudet. Thank you sir. Yes, Neal, are you handling this one or is the chief. Thank you. Chief, give us a little information, please, about a canine officer coming to your department. Yeah, sure. So, United States Police Canine Association, national organization that regulates the training and certification of police dogs. Fun fact we are actually the very first agency in the entire country, back in the 60s that had our own training facility that was recognized by the United States Police Canine Association right here in Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Police Department. So they have an award program. They're going to give us $7,500, which we then put up the rest about $5,500 to be able to purchase another patrol dog. Our dogs retire, usually after about 7 or 8 years of working them in the field. And so we have dog retiring, and we're looking at replacing that dog and purchasing another one. Are

they dedicated to certain areas of the city? No, sir. So we have usually about 3 or 4 canines per shift at night. And so they kind of just spread out, you know, they might rotate. One will work first district one night while another one, second district kind of move out to the city mainly focused on violent crimes in progress, responding to alarms, things like that, and backing up officers in the field. You know, I was in canine for seven years myself, so it's definitely a good division and something very worthwhile. We usually call to help other agencies as well, everything from locating missing people to evidence recovery and then suspect apprehension. That's great. Thank you. Anything? Good. Thank you. Chief. Question. Motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilwoman Amoroso. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Item 113 amending the 2026 annual operating budget so as to transfer funding in the amount of $50,000 from the police department to the parish attorney's office for the purpose of funding salaries to support operations within the parish Attorney's office by the police Chief. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Council members, you should have received one email comment in opposition to item 113. Seeing no go to council, we have a motion. Motion by Councilman Gudes, second by Councilman Hurst, Councilman Don Jr. Chief, come up please. Some of you may remember this discussion during the budgetary process, I made the recommendation to the chief that he needed to help the parish attorney's office out. Cover the expense for the attorneys. That's dedicated over at Brpd. At that meeting, he had strong opposition towards that recommendation. But I'm glad to see he's been enlightened and transferred some money over there to help supplement the pay for this

parish attorney that's stationed over at his department. Comments I met with the parish attorney, Mr. Rome. Salary of the parish attorney that is assigned to our office. I think he said with benefits, everything is about $200,000. So I agreed to help pay part of that to help out with their, you know, every, every division inside the city parish has taken massive cuts. And so we agreed to help out a little bit there. Thank you sir. Yes, sir. Thanks, chief. Probably motion. And second, is there any opposition? Motion carries item 114 authorizing mayor president to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal and to appropriate funding in the amount of $250,000 to to purchase equipment, tools, personal protective equipment, communication equipment, and other equipment items to maintain Louisiana USAR Task Force two by the Fire Chief. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Adams. Councilwoman Coleman, we have a second by Councilman Hurst. Great. I'd like to ask chief to come up and tell us what this is, please. Good afternoon. Council. What this is, is. In 2005, the East Baton Rouge Parish formed a group of men and women that are trained to handle specialized technical rescues from building collapses, water rescues, trench rescues, all kind of different specialized events. After Katrina happened, the state of Louisiana noticed that we needed to have some formalized teams placed across the state. Baton Rouge was one of three. We received some funding from

the state at that time. Since then, we've received no funding. The fire marshal, Brian Adams, has been working with the legislation and the governor to get some funding for us. This is the first time we have received this funding since 2005. This team is made up of most of the fire service and EMS services across this parish. We have responded to every natural natural disaster in this country from Texas, across the Gulf, all the way up to the Carolinas. Some 80 men and women of highly technically trained personnel. This money will help bring our equipment to where we need it to be and replace some things. Thank you. Okay, it's been probably motion and second Councilman Moak. No. Probably motion. And second, any opposition. Motion carries. Item 115 authorization for the mayor, president and chairman of the Airport Commission to execute a building lease agreement with Anna Jones, State Farm insurance agent for 4718 404,718ftS of office space located on Harding Boulevard for a period of one year commencing January 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2026, at a rental rate of $3,315 per month by the Aviation Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing no one go to council? We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Kenny, second by Councilwoman Coleman. Is there any opposition? Councilman Hurst I don't know about this, but if this is the current State Farm building, I'm a tenant. So for that reason, ask that I abstain from abstain. So, Councilman Hurst abstaining. Any objection? Motion carries. Item 116 authorize authorization for the mayor, president and chairman of the Airport Commission to execute amendment Number three with architecture for

Construction Administration at the BTR metropolitan Airport, an amount not to exceed $320,817 by the Aviation Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Don junior. Second by Councilman Kenny. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 117 authorization for the mayor, president and chairman of the Airport Commission to execute a contract with Corporate Green, LLC, doing business as Green Seasons to provide full service landscaping and irrigation system maintenance for an amount not to exceed $150,000 by the Aviation Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. Do we have a motion? Motion by Councilwoman Harris, second by Councilman Don junior. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 118 awarding the contract for RFP number 2025. Dash 11 1200 Integrated Library System and authorizing the mayor president to enter into a professional services agreement with Innovative Interfaces, Inc. for integrated library system products and services for the East Baton Rouge Parish Library in an amount of $623,797 by the Library Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Council members, you should have received one email comment in opposition to item 118. Seeing none, we'll go to council. Councilman Gaudet. Thank you, Katrina or Miss Stein, whoever would like to educate us on the system that you're implementing and how it benefits the public. Good evening. Hello. An integrated library system is a collection. It is a database system specifically created for libraries. It combines a number of systems, including front end.

Test, user test specifically for patrons such as the online computer catalog materials requests. What am I missing? So reservations, reservations, book ordering. The cataloging. Is the brain for outgoing and incoming of the entire library system. It's an update to your current system. That's correct. The current system is from 2009, so this will replace the current system technology terms. That's 100 years ago. Yes. Begin to understand that the the owner of the current system is not in phased in the US. Yes. The owner of our current system actually dates. It's a legacy dating back to 1987. We have dated in 2009, updated a little bit more in 2015, but it cannot be updated anymore. And it is not even a system based in the continental United States. So we now have a new vendor we worked with purchasing and is there were so helpful to the RFQ process. And they tested all the applicants for this highly specialized proprietary system and committees. And purchasing again was so helpful for our Is staff and the committee. And they even sandboxed it. They played with the various proprietary systems that were offering their services and selected one which we're very pleased with. Library users and patrons notice a difference in terms of the visuals or how they interact with it. It will be totally in about a year. It's like an elephant, baby. It'll take a long time to map over millions of records, thousands of patrons, and then all the other back of house systems. But you will see a difference and it will be good. A system that was more user friendly to both staff and patrons was one of the biggest considerations.

Very good. Right. Good. Thank you. Very excited. Thanks. City staff as well. Yes. Motion by Councilman Gudes, second by Councilwoman Harris. Is there any opposition? Motion carries item 119 a resolution of the Metropolitan Council, the parish of East Baton Rouge, City of Baton Rouge, acknowledging receipt of a resolution adopted by the City of Saint George concerning the Highland Road and Picou Lane Intersection Improvement Project and providing for the Council determination to proceed with the originally designed signalized intersection based on safety, operational and fiscal analysis by Councilman Rowdy Gaudet and Councilman Dwight Hudson. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Please? Excuse me. With all due respect to the council, I have to make a statement as it pertains to the inflammatory remarks of me being disrespectful. Sir, we can't. It's not germane to item 119. We can't have that right now. Okay. Anybody wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none. We'll go to council. Councilman Dunn. Junior. Fred, come up please. Yes, I'm seeing this resolution is about a infrastructure project in Saint George with. Signalized intersections and things of that nature. Tell me why this resolution is needed. Why, why, why do we need to recognize the receipt of the resolution from the Saint George Council? Talk to me about talk me through this. Well, one of the questions is when I attended a meeting at Saint George to have the discussion about the

roundabout or the three alternatives that were being considered as part of the overall infrastructure improvement. There were three alignments that we looked at. One was an existing signal signalized intersection where it was placed, where currently with Lane, there was one that actually moved the right of way. Original design. That's what you call the original design. Yes. And we had meetings about the roundabout. And then from the public meeting, the roundabout was basically discarded because the public did not want it at that meeting or responses back, did not want the roundabout. Okay. So we looked at the intersection. Is was our number one option $7.93 million? Yes, sir. And then the other was to look at doing the realignment of PCU, shifting it more to the, to the west is that the signalized intersection alternative two. Yes, sir. $10.4 million. Yes, sir. And then the last one was to look at maybe shifting a little bit from where we had to the east, but it had some, some issues dealing with the drainage and things like that for the additional costs. Okay. And is your recommendation to go with the original design? Our recommendation and was to look at alternate, I mean, the original design, which is the signalized intersection at the location that was originally proposed. Yes. And correct me if I'm wrong, their resolution is saying that they support the original design. Yes, sir. Okay, so can you go back to my original question why? Why do we need to do this? I think number one, when when not the project itself. Why do we need the the resolution? Well, I certainly would probably let the council person respond to that. But that being said, I think the fact that they put this in writing to us what

their position was, I think our council wanted to be sure they knew that we support that decision, and this is the recommendation that the city is moving forward with the city of the parish. Parish. And this is a movie VR project. Yes, sir. All right. Councilman Hudson. Councilman Gaudet, y'all want to add anything to why you felt the need to bring the resolution? Yeah. So? So my appreciation is they actually, their response was requesting the roundabout, right. Am I incorrect in that, councilman? So that. Yeah, they're they're resolution was supporting either a roundabout or to look at an alternative from the originally approved item. So he misspoke when he referenced that. So before they had all the analysis they be in City of Saint George, had all the analysis and cost estimations. They passed their resolution, which referenced a roundabout or an alternative design that was previously recommended by DotD. The the design recommended by move BR is the most cost efficient and safest route. And so this resolution number one acknowledges that Saint George, as a body, passed a resolution and submitted it to this body. And so we are acknowledging receipt of that and saying based on updated information, we are going with the original design as proposed by the move by our team. Thank you. Thank you for that point of clarity. Thank you. Fred. Yes, sir. Councilman. No. Yeah. No, I was just going to reiterate when there was dead silence after asking why the resolution? I mean, we've done that through the city of central. You know, when it comes to parish decisions and

working together, we submit resolutions and, you know, hey, this is what we we'd like to see. We ask y'all to kind of look at it and go from there. Anybody else need a motion? Motion to approve? Motion by Councilman Hudson, second by Councilman Gaudet. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Item 120 authorizing payment of the compromise judgment in the matter entitled Cheryl Horton versus Baton Rouge City Police, et al. On docket of 19th Judicial District Court in an amount of $325,000 plus court costs, an amount of $9,224.46 for an amount of $334,224.46 by the parish attorney. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. Councilman Mo, I'd like to move for executive session to discuss this item in private. That may affect any outcome. Make a motion. Yeah. Oh, okay. Motion by Councilman. Second by Councilwoman Harris. Is there any opposition for executive session meeting? We reached out.

To.

Oh, yeah? Yeah.

I know we. Have.

Dinner. Yeah. No idea. I took a little bit. What about, like you expected? Did did they not, like, tell you what the judge was going to be? When when y'allgo. Oh are you talking about the. Yeah. Well I. I don't. Call the meeting back to order item 120. Do we have a motion? Motion to deny. We have a motion to approve by Councilman Hudson. Do we have a second? Second by Councilman Gaudet, do we have a substitute motion? I'll make a substitute motion to deny, to delete. Delete. Okay, we have a substitute motion to delete. Do we have a second for the substitute motion? Second by Councilwoman Harris. We're going to vote on the substitute motion first. Okay. We vote on we're going to vote on the

machines. To judgment payment policy. Yes. Maybe clarify that just to make sure I get the well, the motion. Let me clarify the motion. The original motion is to approve the payment according to the. The judgment payment policy. Accurate. Ashley. Okay. Substitute motion is to delete the item. Yes. Okay. Is everybody clear? Machines are open on the substitute motion to delete. I don't have a thing. Motion fails. Did you not want to vote? Okay, we're going to vote on the original motion, which is to approve. Okay. Machines are now open on the original motion to approve the item. Motion fails. I want to try again. You can just move on. I got what I wanted, I know what I want. If I could get question of the parish attorney's office. And maybe finance if if there available as well. So the motion is to approve subject to the judgment payment policy. If the two of you and whoever's most appropriate is fine, just can explain how the judgment payment policy works so that we all understand. But Greg, don't go far. I'm not to answer your question. That's what the item is, is to vote to pay it

pursuant to the judgment payment. So the payment policy approved by this council is to allocate funding for settlements that you all have approved quarterly. They will be paid out based on the budget. So the budget that was approved in the 26 budget was half $1 million. So this will be paid out since this is enough to. Angie. Forgive me. You said settlements. Is it settlements or just settlement? Judgment. I'm sorry. Yeah. It has to go through the judgment process and they waive all interest in accordance with the policy. Yes. Gotcha. And so, Greg, my question to you is, are statement and then a question. You've received feedback from this council that we want you to we want to see you try more cases. We want you to see it. We want to see you fight for the city parish fight for our public taxpayer dollars. Take things as far as you can. And you have in this case, right? Yes, sir. Gotcha. All right. So I'll make another motion to approve the item. Motion by Councilman Hudson to approve the item. Second by the chair. Is there any opposition? One objection. Councilman mock, let's vote on the machines. Machines are open on the motion to approve. Motion fails. All right, move on. Item 121, authorizing settlement of the Pre-litigation claim of Sidney and Crystal Perry for damages resulting from an auto accident caused by a Baton Rouge police officer in the amount of $12,367.15 by the parish attorney. Anyone here wishing

to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Gaudet. A second, second by Councilman Hudson. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Item 122 authorizing settlement of the Pre-litigation claim of Samuel Monastere for damages resulting from a sewer backup in the claimant's home, for a total amount of $14,567.45 by the parish attorney. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to counsel. Have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilwoman Adams. Is there any opposition? Councilman Gaudet, opposition or. Okay. Motion carries. Item 123 authorizing settlement of the matter entitled Beverly Himmel Rafferty versus Bradley Bennett. An amount of $50,000 plus court costs in the amount of $2,411.64, for a total amount of $52,411.64 by the parish attorney. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item one. Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion to delete. We have a motion by Councilman Hudson to delete. Second by Councilwoman Adams. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Item 124 authorizing settlement of the Pre-litigation claim of John Parker for damages resulting from an auto accident caused by a Public Works street maintenance employee and amount of $14,500 by the parish attorney. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Gaudet, second by Councilwoman Adams. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 125 authorizing settlement of the Pre-litigation claim of Carolyn Smith for damages

resulting from an auto accident caused by a Baton Rouge police officer in the amount of $22,500 by the parish attorney. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Don junior. Second by Councilman Kenny. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 126 authorizing settlement of the Pre-litigation claim of Lorraine for damages resulting from a backup in the claimant's home. I'm assuming a sewer backup for a total amount of $13,876.67 by the parish attorney. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to counsel. Motion by Councilwoman Adams, second by Councilman Gaudet. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 127 authorizing settlement of the matter entitled Prentice Hawkins versus City of Baton Rouge and Belford Johnson in an amount of $300,000 plus court costs in an amount of $6,170.66 by the parish attorney. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none go to counsel. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Adams, second by Councilman Gaudet. Is there any opposition? Opposition? Councilman, let's vote on the machines. Go on. Machines are open on the motion to approve item 127. The motion carries. Okay. We're going to take items 128 through 130 together authorizing mayor President to execute an agreement with the luster Group, LLC for demolition and abatement services. Package A18, an amount not to exceed $79,235 by the Development Director, authorizing the mayor to

execute an agreement with Caldwell Environmental Solutions, LLC for demolition and abatement services. Package A19 in an amount not to exceed $50,852 by Development Director, authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Capital Area Construction, demot services. Package A20 in an amount not to exceed $69,524 by Development Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on these items? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Adams, second by Councilwoman Amoroso. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 131. Urge and request the mayor president to rename the city parish building located at 3773 Harding Boulevard, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Melvin Kip Holden, Advance Traffic Management and Emergency Operations Center, in honor of former Mayor Melvin Kip Holden and to wade the two year waiting period as mandated under resolution 30147 by Mayor Edwards and Councilman Anthony Kenny. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Mayor. Mayor. Good evening. Good to see you all. Happy two, two, five day. This item here is personally very important to me. When you look at our the great city of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish, there's certainly a lot of things to celebrate. But to celebrate this man. We've talked about him before. Transformational. How much does our parish need? Transformational people. And this man lived it for 12 years. I think this is a tremendous honor. And it's got my 100% support and I'm excited for it. I know the family is here, and I want to thank y'all for everything y'all have done and continue to do for our parish.

And I think this would be a great honor. And I'd like to say that it won't be the last honor for Mayor Kip Holden. I think there's other things that need to happen for him to be recognized and be seen. His footprints are all over Baton Rouge, so thank you for the time. I just wanted to come up and give my my huge support for this. Thank you mayor. William. Thank you. William. Daniel, I think this is a fitting tribute to a great mayor and a great man. And the mayor thanked the family. I'd like to thank the family for all the sacrifices they made while Mayor Holden was up here at these meetings. So I hope that. Y'all look at this favorably. Thank you. Chief Council, if you notice, I don't stand very often to speak in this chamber. I have my time back in the day. I try to avoid this mic like the plague. Right. Councilwoman Harris, you remember? Yes. I'm going to give you a timeline. I'm going to take you back to August of 2005, when Councilman Kenny said he was going to propose renaming the ATM after Kip Holden. I thought that was the right place. I think Baton Rouge will look different. If it wasn't for Melvin Kip Holden, I think it would look different. Some of you were kids 20 years ago. Children went on that Friday the 26th. We reported to the ATM and we were talking

about a storm that was growing in the Gulf of Mexico. And by the 29th, we had a city much larger than ours moving into our city by air, by land and by sea. They came up the Mississippi River on barges, and we could have thrown our hands up. I was ready to. I was a young chief who was just on the heels of three officers being shot, Terry Malone being dead. That young man right there suffering in the hospital. And another guy, Dennis Smith, with a bullet in his head in the hospital. Kip held all that together. And changed our city. He changed our city. I would be honored if you honor this family and his memory by naming that building after him. But I'm going to ask you to pass on something to the next generation, because I hope that other building that they built next to it, that new building, there should be another name on that building one day. No time soon, I hope. I hope the name of that building is named after Walter Monsour, because those two people together held this city together. Please consider passing this and name that building after my friend. Thank you. Chief. Anybody else wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. Councilman McKinney. Thank you. Councilman. Council members. This. I think mayor

Edwards, Mr. Duff and Mr. Bill definitely said a lot of great points. I think when last year when Mayor Holden had passed away, I think there was a lot of conversation around City Hall and other particular buildings. We were trying to notify where we can honor him in his name. When I proposed this, I talked to the mayor's office about it. Kip was a former councilman, the same seat I sit in from Scotlandville, Louisiana. And when I thought about a facility that that people in Scotlandville in Baton Rouge benefit that sits in my district, I thought about Mossop. And I think when you think about Mel Holden's contribution during the most historical natural disaster in Baton Rouge from Hurricane Katrina, Gustav and beyond, he led the city with leadership. And so I definitely thought this particular building, it's a no brainer. And so I ask for your support on this. I appreciate everybody who took my call and definitely, you know, expressed their position on it more so not to get it, not honoring him, but to technicality part of it. And, you know, ensure any of you want to say any words about it. But more so look at this as some kind of way that we're honoring a man who did a lot for this city, who did a lot for Scotlandville, Louisiana, but most importantly, who impacted all of our lives and paved the way for the work that we're doing today. And so, Mayor Pro Tem, I'd like to move for a motion to approve. We have a motion to approve. Do we have a second? Second by Councilwoman Amorosa, I'd like to just say, Councilman McKinney, I appreciate reaching out on this and and taking a lead on this. And I can appreciate the passion behind it and want to thank the family for being here and and for everybody who spoke. I think, you know, I love to see the passion behind that and what a great legacy to leave behind. As I shared with you, Councilman Kenny, my issue with this isn't with what is being proposed to do. It's the it's the waiting period for me. I just feel like that's a rule

that's been standing and I don't want to. I think everybody will see a reason to utilize waiving that rule going forward. If we waive it now, I would prefer to wait again. I don't have a problem with the premise. I don't have a problem with anything that's been said, and I think that's appropriate. I just think the two year period is important. I think that was it was put in place for a reason, and I don't think we'd be able to justify why to do it in one instance and maybe not another should that arise. And I think that's what's going to happen. And I think especially when you start talking about we understand that someone, of course, does have to pass away for this naming, for naming of a building. But even beyond that, I think the sooner that that has occurred, the higher emotions are, and probably the more difficult something like this becomes, which is probably why that was implemented, that waiting period. So while I support the intent here, I won't support it only because of the waiting period. I'd prefer to just wait until that point. So. But I appreciate you understanding that and having a conversation. And again, I agree with all the sentiments. I had the pleasure of meeting Mayor Holden when I served on Zachary Council when he came for a groundbreaking project there, and I was amazed that just his presence and the way he was able to joke and he had a he brought a pair of boots with him and just everything about how he operated was inspiring and incredible. And so again, I support the intent. And if it's just a few months beyond, I would support the the motion as well. But I am going to be in opposition for for that reason. Councilman Moak. Yeah. One one the rule two. Councilman Kenny, thank you for

calling and giving my opinion on it. I, I am just not one as far as naming buildings and things like that. It's one of or we said we weren't going tol- name buildings after people and so on, but but that's not the thing here. What, what mayor Holden, I agree with what everybody said. I've worked with the gentleman multiple times, even during the what he was talking about, with the emergency situations and everything coming on and working at the emergency center and all that, I would like to see. Mayor Holden looked over this city and took care of this city and East Baton Rouge Parish, I think, like no one else will ever be able to do. His enthusiasm, his tenacity to work with the public, to be with the public, to be one with the public, you know, so many events that I went to and he would recognize me. And I remember one special time it was when East Baton Rouge Parish first, first brought up the Fairness Ordinance, and it was discussed right here in East Council chambers. And it was the first time that I had ever spoke as myself. And Scott was mayor Pro Tem. Scott Wilson didn't even know about me or whatever else. But I stood up there and spoke, and I remember talking to Mayor Holden before and after and his support and everything me, where I was going, what I was looking to do, what I was trying to accomplish as that person and do whatever. So look, I totally love Mayor Kip Holden. I just not wanting to name me the building, but I would tell you this sitting right outside by this other

statue, looking over City Hall or the riverfront, which he was passionate about, putting a statue up there of Mayor Kip Holden and honoring him. Looking over the city of Baton Rouge in East Baton Rouge Parish like he did. I would go for that in a heartbeat and work with agencies, the Art Council or whatever to possibly help fund that, give them space and everything else. I just like to explain to you the naming the building thing, you know, whether it's ten years from now, 100 years from now or whatever, I wouldn't want anything named after me because somebody comes up with something and says something. Later on, it becomes a big debacle and you start renaming them, like, we're doing all the high schools now. And I get it's not the same situation, but I think there's other ways to honor him that I would be more than happy to do that, I think would represent even more to East Baton Rouge Parish than just naming a building after him. Thank you, Councilman Hudson. I just want to also thank Councilman Kenny for the way you've handled this item, the calls, and making sure that you had all your ducks in a row. You know, my my history with Mayor Holden. I was a college kid interested in politics and got involved in the campaign to oppose his bond proposal. And I remember my first foray into politics. The coolest thing was that a an elected official with as much profile as he had, was still willing to engage and debate with me, a young guy who didn't know anything about what he was talking about. And so I always respected that about him in that he really cared about the next generation. He really cared about engaging with constituents to the point that he'd mix it up with you out and about in the town, and then

he'd engage with, you know, the the big business officials and everything. So, you know, to some of the points made here tonight, I'll say, look, when you honor someone with naming a building after them or naming a street after them or whatever, you do that with their entirety, right? You do it with the good things that they did. You did it with the flaws, which we all have flaws. And so look, I'm happy to support this item. I think. I think it's great. I think that when we've had transformational leaders like Mayor Holden, we need to put up those those pillars in our community. You know, we need to set up those. We need to set up those stones. Right? People talk about the in Israel, they used to make pillars of stones as, as an example to teach the next generation. I think that's, that's our chance to do this here with this item. So thank you for bringing it and I'll be happy to support it. Councilman Don junior. Like the rest of my colleagues, want to thank Councilman Kenny for bringing this item. I hear a couple of concerns from from Councilman Noel, Councilman Moak the two years, and I don't know where we are with the vote on this thing. I hope the votes are there to pass it as is. But if they are not, I offer a friendly amendment to pass it contingent on that is named after the two year period. Hopefully we don't need that Councilman Kenny. Hopefully we can pass it as is and do it right now in real time. But I just offered that up to you to consider. If we don't have the

votes to pass it as is. My thought on the spot of that is that if the if the actual action is being taken tonight to rename it, I don't think that delaying putting the name on the building would change the fact that you still need to waive the two year period. I guess that would be a question for Councilman Noel and Councilman Moak to do. Would you have opposition with that? Yeah, I think for the same reason. I think it'spremature because in that same vein and I'm talking about, you know, this is kind of the the slippery slope argument. Should another scenario arise where somebody wants to name a building after someone who maybe just passed away last week, that same high level of emotion and emotionally charged situation, which is, I think, the intent behind the two year period would be present for the same thing to say. Well, even if we're saying no, no, no, do it two years from now, but we want a decision now. It presents the same issue. So that's how I view it. I got you, well, let's do this. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. I just want to offer that up as an option again. Hopefully the option is not needed. So if Councilman Kenny could call for the question, I'll make a motion. I think we have a motion by Councilman Kenny and a second by Councilwoman Amoroso. Okay, now, hopefully we don't need that. Councilwoman Coleman. Oh, okay. Good evening, Holden family and the rest of you. I want it to

be known. Miss Lois, if I could put your name up there, I would. Yes, yes, yes, because. Yes. And and so as I sit here, you know, I, I would hope that this would have been discussed to a point whereby you would all you all would not have come here tonight to get a no, to get a no. And so I sit here. Yeah. In support of this. You know, I, we could very well say something, make a motion that this be and this be the one or something. I don't know, but I, I just would have hoped that you all would not have had to come out here tonight to get a no. Councilman. Good. Oh, yeah. I, I just feel like it's. Look, I again, I appreciate everything. just feel like one again, you know, you open that door, you start waiving the rules for everything. Two. Yeah. That's me. It's on me. As far as buildings go. Personal thing. But I also feel like there's more we can do. There's better that we can do. I respect I rename your community center there named after people or whatever else, if you choose that. But as far as city, parish building and stuff. But I was just hoping the fact for and maybe it will come forward later on, I don't know. We're

doing a lot to the downtown area, but that was his passion and everything also, and I, I do feel like there's more, so please don't take it as a sign of disrespect to you or your family and to to people in East Baton Rouge Parish listening. It's just again, we talk about the rules. There was put there for a reason, and we've already had one council member that tried to rename things, and we passed on that. So again, I feel like that we should do more, especially here downtown. And I'm hoping that maybe we can one day. But please don't take it as a disrespect to the family. We're I'm going to stick to my part here. And I just wanted you all to know that because he meant a lot to me. He is one of the reasons I'm here now. So thank y'all to him. From me to y'all. Councilman Kenny, just real briefly. No, thank you, Councilman Mo, for those comments. And absolutely, regardless of what the result is tonight, we can definitely explore many other options. But I definitely think for this one, this very same building sitting in the very same community he's from. And so if we had to sit down and make a list, right, I think most of would probably come in at number one if, if, if it was in City Hall. So no, it's not as into an argument of pushback. But I do think ultimately if we were to circle the wagon back on it, I think most people come back as this particular option for it. Yes. Okay. Motion to approve items been properly motion. And second we're going to vote on the machines. Machines are open on the motion to approve item 131. Motion carries I'm going

to do a roll call vote. Councilman goad. Absolutely. Councilman Moak. Councilwoman Adams. Yes. Councilman. Dunn. Junior. Yes. Councilman Hurst is absent. Councilman. Rocco. Abstain. Councilman. Noll. Abstain. Councilman Hudson an enthusiastic. Yes. Councilwoman Amoroso. Yes. Councilman. Coleman. Yes. Councilman. Kenny. Yes. Thank you, Lord Councilwoman Harris. Yes. Thank you. Congratulations to the family. Would you like to order? Point of order, mayor pro tem. Mayor pro tem. I'd like Miss Holden to make a couple comments. Absolutely. Yes, ma'am. Good evening everyone. My name is Lois Holden, and I'm here with my family. Just to express my sincere gratitude to Councilman Anthony Kennedy and the Baton Rouge Metro Council, as well as Mayor President Sid Edwards for commemorating my late husband, Melvin Kip Holden, honoring his legacy by renaming the Emergency Management Building on Harding Boulevard is deeply meaningful for me, my family and the community. It is a profound honor to be here with you today, and I thank you so much for inviting me. Kip was truly a servant of the people, dedicating 12 years as mayor of this city, and I believe it is most fitting that his name is placed on a

building that houses officials who are committed to protecting and ensuring the safety of the public in the event of an emergency. If he were here today, I am certain he would be thrilled. Once again, thank you for this wonderful honor and for having us here today. Finally, I would like to recognize our other family members who are here. Our son, Melvin Kip Holden, Junior. Thank you. Kip. Our daughter Angela Jackson, and his sister, Evelyn Holden. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you've done to make this happen. There were many hours that Kip spent working with this council to make Baton Rouge a better place. And I am just elated that you thought enough of him to bestow this wonderful honor. Thank you once again. Thank you. Please. Holden family, don't leave yet. From someone who has lost an important person. That was part of this city. And my husband worked under, you know, Mayor Holden, I know that the important. It wasn't long after I lost my husband. They named a building after him. I know one of my fears, and probably yours, is that when you lose somebody very important, they're going

to be forgotten. That's my fear. But you can know now that your husband will never be forgotten. That's a very important thing. That's one of the reasons why I supported this. And not only that, he was a he was a great man. The times that I got to meet with him, with my husband and all, I don't think I ever saw that man without a smile on his face. He was just he was so personable and, you know, paid attention and and everything. And I know that he loved his job here as being mayor. So anyway, this assures him that he will not be forgotten. Thank you so much. Thank God. All right. Moving on. Item 132 authorizing the mayor president, on behalf of the Division of Human Development Services, Ryan White, program to amend part A, subrecipient contract with Our Lady of the Lake and an amount of $299,381, for a total awarded amount of $382,898, which includes all funding under the Ryan White Part, a HIV emergency relief grant program, and authorizing the execution of all documents in connection therewith by the Human Development and Services Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman, second by Councilwoman Amoroso. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Item 133. Excuse me. Authorizing the mayor president. On behalf of the Division of Human Development and Services, Ryan White program to impart a subrecipient contract with Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge in an amount of 75,000, for a total award amount of $993,184, which includes all funding under the Ryan White Part, a HIV

emergency relief grant program, and authorizing the execution of all documents in connection therewith by Human Development Services Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman, second by Councilwoman Coleman. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 134 authorizing the mayor president. On behalf of the Division of Human Development and Services Head Start programs, to enter into a contract with Clay Young Enterprises in an amount not to exceed 77,000 for provision of the social media management for period of February 2nd, 2026 through December 31st, 2026, authorizing the execution of don therewith by Human Development Services Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilwoman Harris. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 135 Amending ordinance 18504, ordinance 8614 so as to add a sewer user fee for a wholesale customer class by Environmental Services Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Council members, you should have received one email comment in opposition to item 135. Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilwoman Adams. Is there any opposition? Motion carries authorizing the mayor president to execute Supplemental Agreement Number three to the contract with Hntb for professional grant management services associated with the Infrastructure project identification, development, grant, submittal and implementation support, and an amount not to exceed $350,000 by Transportation and Drainage Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilwoman Adams. Is there any opposition? Motion carries

137 authorizing the mayor. President execute a right of way agreement with Entergy Louisiana, LLC for purchasing right of way for new power line services totaling 1.701 acres at a cost of $20,412 from city, parish by Transportation and Drainage Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilwoman Amorosa. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 138 authorizing mayor president to execute an intergovernmental cooperative agreement. Amendment number four, with the State of Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and City of Baton Rouge, parish of East Baton Rouge, phase two routes by Transportation and Drainage. Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none. Go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilwoman Adams. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. 139 authorized the president to execute a supplemental agreement for professional engineering services with Professional Engineering Consultants Corporation. For services associated with the project. Groom road, LA 19, the Plank Road and an amount not to exceed $10,047.87 and $0.08 by Transportation and Drainage Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman, second by Councilwoman Adams. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 140 authorizing the mayor president to execute an agreement with RCL architecture for architectural design services in connectionwith the mark chemical mixing service and storage, and an amount not to exceed $216,441 by building and grounds director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Stephen Long. Thank you for allowing a chance for me to speak on this. I'm a I'm a

senior architect with City Parish for ten years, and I've been working with Mark and have experience with with that organization and the development of their new headquarters and this this new proposed chemical mixing service and storage project would be very beneficial to them. They've been kind of planning it about 7 or 8 years, and it would provide a valuable service, convenience and savings for the agency's operations. The old chemical tanks at Mark's former site are rusted. They're patched up and have reached the end of their usefulness. Once the new chemical service is constructed, project will demolish the old tanks and remediate any potential environmental contamination there. The sheriff is interested in expanding into that old chemical tank space to better serve their training center. The engineer RCL architecture LLC is interested and capable of doing the work, have committed time and work into a viable proposal. A professional services agreement has been found mutually acceptable by Mark and RCL architecture LLC. The compensation is fair and consistent with the State of Louisiana facility planning and control fee model. I have developed a PSA personally and will provide project management as part of my typical duties for city parish architectural services and Mark Struck's plane and helicopter would be serviced more efficiently and safely with chemical storage, mixing and distribution on site. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Long. Anyone else wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none go to

council Councilman Hudson. Mr. long, if you would come back up, please. When the Mark building was originally designed, why? Why wasn't a chemical mixing facility included in that? That's a good question. And that was their intent. I think it was a and that was part of something that I wasn't a part of initially, but that was kind of they needed to create the the building enclosure first, and they were going to install the chemical service. And it was a had a designated space in one of the buildings. And there are three main buildings. It was in the maintenance building there and they were unable to proceed. At the time. There were some complications and some slight cost overruns, I think, but they would they would like to be finally kind of implementing that, getting it on site to to help make their operations more safe and efficient. You mentioned cost overruns with that project. I think you are well aware when when they built the headquarters, their old headquarters, where there are many kind of metal buildings and a trailer where they had their their chemical kind of chemistry place, they were, well, outmoded at the time and they deserved they certainly merited a new kind of headquarters. They initially had planned a headquarters that was maybe about $6 million total, and there were some overruns that that grew in the millions of dollars. I think one main contributing reason was the project management was not done within the city parish government structure.Normally

that would go through architectural services. That's the agency where I work, and we have registered architects like myself on staff that try to safeguard the city, parishes and citizens interest by minding that projects don't have unreasonable cost overruns and things like that. And when they went with an outside project manager, that that kind of duty, I think was not perceived by them. And, and the expenses grew. Let me, let me ask this as we and if Michael Doctor Becker, if you want to chime in on this as well, whichever one of you is most appropriate, you all decide. I understand this item is just for the architectural piece of it. For the design piece of it, explain to me what we imagine for this facility. I mean, the building that you guys have now is, is fantastic. I mean, it's a it's a very nice building. What sort of building do we need for a chemical mixing facility and, and what is being proposed here. So basically the chemical mixing system are large bulk storage tank. So you know, some of them are up to 600 gallons. They can hold up to 600 gallons. So these tanks were never installed in the new building. When you find the answer to that question I'd like to know. Also, I just don't know why they weren't installed, but I'm the director and I've been there five years. So since I started, people told me, by the way, they didn't install the new tanks, the tanks in their current condition, they've they've reached the end of their useful life. Some of them are 50 years old. One of them can't even be utilized. So, so so our. Our vision is to have the tanks, you know, the chemical mixing tanks at our new facility. Exact the exact details are yet to be worked out. But just so

that everybody's clear, I don't have any problem with you guys moving out of the old, moving the tanks out of the old facility, getting them over to the new. I think the sheriff wants that as well. From what I my conversation with him, I'm all for that. This item. Are we designing a building here or are we just putting tanks in an existing building? My my appreciation was that y'all's plans are to construct a new building out there. If I'm wrong on that, then then please correct me if you like. I have a kind of a brief pamphlet that kind of describes what's involved. Okay. It's more of an addition. Glad to share this with you or the other other council members. So it is an addition to the bill. You are adding square footage to your structure. Square to your structure. Right? Okay. My question would be, look, is this just shoot me straight. Is this something we could do with a metal building? Do we have to build something? You know, like the mosquito abatement building that we have out there now? Or is there a way to do this cheaper than than the. What was the mark building? Nine, $9 million. You want? Yes, please. It was originally, but if my memory serves me correct, the original Mark building was about 5 million. Was what it was supposed to be, maybe 5.5, and ended up being like nine, right? And then, you know, so I want to avoid that if at all possible on this. I want you guys to have a nice facility. I want you to have operationally, everything you need on site. But if a typical industrial metal building can suffice, do we have to build something, you know, something like this is my is my concern. And the reason again, why I bring this up is because when we deal with dedicated taxing agencies, sometimes we get into this mindset of they have the money, it doesn't matter. You know, we can't do anything else with the money. Look, I just think these

are taxpayer dollars. We have to be careful with them regardless of of, you know, what bucket they're in. So is there what what kind of building are we going to build? And can it be done for cheaper than what you'll imagine your your points are appreciated. And the the engineering firm RCL architecture LLC, they've developed a plans and you've got a copy of of them there. The they will mostly fit in the existing facility that is there already because their operations have slightly expanded over the years. They're going to be a just a small additional. It'll be a steel rigid frame, metal siding clad building. It'll be similar to what is there already. And that's one of the most affordable kind of building types. And it's basically to accommodate the chemical service mixing and storage that'll that'll be within. Also they have more they have more aircraft than they used to. They've got a helicopter now and that they need to have stuff that can service those new new vehicles. So do you guys have an overall budget for this project? I mean are we? I understand this is just the design piece, $200,000. But the engineer are we looking estimated and he's produced an extensive cost estimate over many itemized over many pages. They've estimated about $2.2 million. Just this is my feedback as a council member. That's that's a hard pill for me to swallow, right? I would hope that we could store chemical mixing tanks for cheaper. I'm okay with this item moving forward so that we can look at design, but I will tell you if if we're going to build another $2 million addition, I have concerns.

That's all I have. Thank you all. Councilman, you bring up chemical mixing facility. Are we like processing here processing chemicals. You get this one, you get that one, you get this one. You putting it all together and making mosquito spray. Yeah. So it's it's bulk storage tanks like I said. So a lot of the chemicals have to be mixed with a diluent. It's usually mineral oil. And so we call it mixing because we mix in the tanks with the oil and dilute it. And so you're not just putting like gas tanks in the ground. Right. And ordering 8000 gallons of off and putting it in the ground, you're actually creating a facility to where you get X, Y, z different chemicals, and then you have to make the chemicals that you need to put in the helicopter. You mix everything there. It's like a processing plant. And then you store it in the tanks, right? We mix it in the in the tanks and then they're stored in there. It stays in there. Yep. Okay. And can I see those plans? Oh if you got some for everybody might as well go ahead and get them out. So this is just the add on right here. Yeah. That should be the front page is just the add on or that's just a picture of the facility. It's exhibit C. Exhibit C. Is that

what you got. Exhibit C on this page right here. Is that what we're building. Because I see the aircraft hangars I assume those are already there about the two thirds on the the left side of that drawing are what are existing. And then the the right third is, is the proposed new part. And the stuff north are kind of like the dark outline is where the the new part will be. Okay. So the dark outline. All right. So we're talking now we're talking chemical requirements and everything. So we're not just talking about building the building putting a tank in it. We're talking about containment. We're talking about actual mixing and processing. We're talking about certain type structure. Everything has to be meet federal guidelines, I assume. Yes. So we're not just talking about building an add on metal building on the side of the existing building. We're talking about something that could contain, whether it be fire related, chemical related. We're talking about building a structure that does all of that, meeting guidelines for these chemicals. Correct? Correct. There will be certain fire resistance requirements that would be kind of a specially, you know, applied to this kind of facility. Correct. Those are standard parts, but we're not talking about just normal fire blocks in a building. We're talking about chemical resistant all everything. I mean, we're not I guess what I'm getting at is the one I'm okay with the existing, the building looking like the existing structure. I could imagine if they they redid Baton Rouge High School and they just said, well, we just need a regular school. They tore down this great structure or whatever. Two is. The add on to the structure is we're not just designing a building that is just going to house a couple tanks in it. We have to design

the building to be able to contain chemical fire leakage. Everything else that meets environmental. Or we're probably pay more than the 2.2 million if something was to happen. Correct? Correct. We have to have fire rated facility due to fire marshal codes, EPA regulations that we have to follow. So all that has to be designed. It wouldn't be as simple as us putting up a barn and just throwing the chemicals there. We have to meet those regulations in order to to store those chemicals, because that's correct. Okay. All right. Thank you. Councilman Hudson, you had both of your times. I did not yeah you did. Oh, I did, actually did. But if you're more than welcome to take the rest of mine, if you'd like the rest of mine. Thanks. Thanks. Appreciate you. Councilman. So just a simple question. I won't I won't need the rest of his time. Is there any way that we could do this for cheaper than $2 million? Is there any way that we could store these chemical tanks for less than $2 million? So we we will be diligent in making certain that the designs meet the requirements, but also to make sure we keep the cost low as possible. So this is a public bid. So based off the designs and the requirements is there. Those bids are come back based off of the the construction contractors bid back. I would love to see the guidelines that y'all are sending for the RFP. Oh absolutely. We can share that with you. Thank you. Not a problem. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman, second by Councilman Don junior. Any opposition? Motion carries item 141 authorizing mayor president to supplemental agreement with.

For professional engineering services with my engineers. For services associated with Mubarak project funnel drive sidewalks. Jefferson. To install an amount not to exceed $19,473.69 by Transportation and Drainage Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to Council. Councilwoman Adams. Hi, is anyone from Myers Engineering here tonight? Probably not. Okay. No no, no, no, I don't need you. I just wanted to say, because we haven't had a myers engineering item on the agenda in the last month or two, but our friend Ray Hartley, who is always here representing Myers Engineering, passed away a few weeks ago. He had a stroke. He fought valiantly to recover from that stroke, and it just wasn't to be. So I just want to offer my condolences, and I'm sure the whole council is. Condolences to Myers Engineering on the loss of their dear friend and our friend Ray, and our condolences to his wife and his two sons. So he was a wonderful man who did good work for us. And we we will miss him. And I'd like to move for approval. Thank you. Councilwoman motion by Councilwoman Adams. Councilwoman Rocha. No. Second by Councilman Don junior. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 142 authorizing mayor. President to execute supplemental agreement for professional engineering Services with Infinity Engineering Consultants, LLC. For services associated with Mood Air Project, bluegrass Drive improvements and sidewalks. Cadillac Street Fortune Addition Park in an amount not to exceed $26,994 by Transportation Drainage Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. Council members, you should

have received one email comment in opposition to item 142. Do we have a motion? Motion by Councilman Moak? Second, you should have received it. Motion by Councilman Moak. Do we have a second? Second by Councilwoman Amoroso? Any opposition motion carries. You said they should receive 143 consideration and approval of the identified projects from the call for projects program, phase two, as part of the 3% beautification portion of the one half cent sales and use tax for street and road improvements by Transportation and Drainage Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. Councilman motion. I know we're fixing to get into it and the accolades and everything else, but I just want to tell you from the get go, I'm actually impressed with this pamphlet, and Shauna wouldu and everything also. But don't you see it? You can at least see it, that's for sure. Yeah, you can definitely see it. But I just want to tell you from the get go, when you first came to us with this, with this initiative and what you were going to do with each council member's district and everything else, I just want to tell you, I, I've never been offered something like this as an elected official. Not only that, but you working with my office, and he probably did the same thing with all of y'all in sitting down and going over every single thing. What can and can't be done, where it can be done where it not. And tailoring something to my district and also the ability to be able to help out another district. You're welcome. Brett, to you, your office and everything. Thank you so much for for this and to the mayor's

office also for allowing this and what you all have put into everything. I want to thank the mayor's office also, but I just wanted to tell you that off the bat, because I know this is going to be a great thing for city, parish and for each council person's district. So thank you. I so move motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilman Gaudet. Any opposition motion carries. Thank you. Councilman 144 thank you all very much I appreciate it. Approve the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the Department of Transportation and Drainage to increase the pay of a car. Williams, senior clerical specialist, from step nine, $29,002 to step 15, $34,630 by transportation drainage Director and Human Services Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Amoroso, second by Councilwoman Coleman. Any opposition motion carries 145 authorizing the president to enter into a contract contractual agreement on behalf of the Division of Human Development Services, Office of Social Services with Capital Area United Way for the Vita program. Amount not to exceed $10,500 by Human Development Services Director. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Who do we have? A motion 145. Motion by Councilwoman Coleman. Do we have a second? Second by Councilman Hudson? Is there any opposition? Motion carries 146 rescinding and directing the Clerk of Court to cancel a notice to attend. Recorded on June 4th, 2025, in a matter of City of Baton Rouge versus Santi Pellico and Josh Maria Henderson, 2520 Lobelia Avenue. Reason for rescission is a property is being renovated by

the owner. It's by Councilwoman Coleman. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilwoman Amorosa. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 147 rescinding and directing. Clerk of court to cancel notice to attend. Recorded on May 8th, 2025. In a matter of City of Baton Rouge versus the State of Mary Woods. URLs 1221 North 37th Street. Reason for rescission property is being renovated by the owner by Councilwoman Harris. Is anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. I'm assuming motion by Councilwoman Coleman, second by Councilman Hudson. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. 148 rescinding directing clerk court to cancel notice to attend. Recorded on May 21st, 2025, in a matter of City of Baton Rouge versus Katy Charlotte Everett 6126, Barksdale Street. Reason for rescission of the property is being renovated by the owners by Councilman Hurst. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Councilman Mo. Thank you. So, can somebody come up? Can somebody come up to talk about the condemnations from development? Rachel's here. They all left. Okay, well, I'll go forward with it. I looked over each one of these condemnations. I'm looking at the pictures and everything. Every one of the condemnations have structures that I look over the time, and they've been done. And I didn't object to any of those. I look at the latest on this condemnation and half the house is gone. What are we rescinding? And I know Councilman Hurst has left, which not my problem or my

fault, but that's I'm discussing this one. If you look at the thing, that's why I was hoping somebody of the last people that had been out there to look at this, I'd like to know the condition that the last thing I saw was half of a house. How do you fix that? How do you pull that off? The condemnation? Do you want to defer it? Yes. For deferral, we have a motion to defer to March 11th. Could by councilman second by Councilwoman Amorosa. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. 149 rescinding, directing the clerk of Court. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Opposition. All right, let's vote on the machines. There's a motion to defer item 148 to the March 11th meeting. Machines are open on the motion to defer. Oh, wait. The motion to defer. Motion carries. Thank you. 149 rescinding directing clerk court to cancel notice to attend. Recorded on June 30th, 2025. In the matter of City of Baton Rouge versus Odessa Jones. I need to do a roll call. We need a roll call. I apologize, I apologize. That's my fault. Apologize. I'm not apologizing for anything. Councilman Gaudet. Abstain. Councilman. Moak. Yes. Councilman. Adams. Yes. Councilman. Rocca. Yes. Oops. I'm sorry. Councilman Don junior. No. Councilman. Noll. Yes. Councilman Hudson, an enthusiastic. No. Councilman. Amoroso. Yes. Councilman. Coleman. Councilman. Kenny. Yes. Councilman Harris was not in the room. Thank you. All right. 149 rescinding director, clerk, court, Council notice to attend. Recorded on June 30th, 2025, in

the matter of City of Baton Rouge versus Odessa Jones Lawson and Mark Jerome Lawson. 11625 Nimitz Street. Reason for rescission property is being renovated by the owners by Councilman Kenny. Anyone? Anyone wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. Motion by council McKinney, second by Councilwoman Harris. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 150 rescinding director. Clerk of Court to cancel notice to attend. Recorded on May 14th, 2025. In the matter city of Baton Rouge by Brittany Washington and Shannon Washington, 1580 North 48th Street. The reason for rescission. The property is being renovated by the owner. This is by Councilwoman Harris. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion by Councilwoman Harris. Second by Councilwoman Amoroso. Is there any opposition? Motion carries adjudicated properties 151 through 170. Together. Lot five, square 45 subdivision, South Baton Rouge. Council, district ten. Coleman. High bidder Marvin vessel, $1,800. Lot 14, square two subdivision, Baton Rouge Terrace. Council, district seven, Harris. High bidder Ken Tillis Construction Company LLC, 39,000, lot 12, square two subdivision, Baton Rouge Terrace, Council District seven, Harris, high bidder Ken Tillis Construction Company, $10,000, lot 38, subdivision, Greenville Extension Council, district seven, Harris High bidder Eleanor Hubert, $100. Lot 12 subdivision, Park Hills Council, district seven Harris. High bidder. Whitmore Whitmore Enterprises LLC, $2,900. Lot. Section one, Ward two subdivision drainer Council, district one Noel High bidder. Nakia white, $20,000. Lot eight square 106 B subdivision, North Baton Rouge Council, district two, Kenny High bidder Pharaoh Johnson, the third, $15,100, lot three, square three subdivision, Scott Council, district ten, Coleman High bidder one, Accord Property Solutions, $100, lot four,

square three, subdivision, Scott Council, district ten, Coleman High, bidder one, Accord Property Solutions, $100, lot eight, square three, subdivision, Scott Council, district ten, Coleman High bidder one, Accord Property Solutions, $100, lot one, 16 subdivision, Deer Park Council, district one Noel High bidder Jerome Williams, 14,511 subdivision, Langville Council, district seven Harris. High bidder. Urban Culture Real Estate LLC 16,500, lot 67, subdivision McHugh Council, district two. Kenny High bidder Clarence Catherine three $3,000, lot 33, subdivision, Leland College Annex Council, district two Kenny High bidder Clarence Catherine, $5,500, lot two, square one subdivision O'Connor Council, district ten Coleman High bidder Chelsea Murray, $200. Lot eight, square 251 subdivision Suort. Council, district ten Coleman. High. Bidder Bryant Keith, $10,500. Lot 14, square 348 subdivision Powers Council, district ten Coleman High bidder Dalton and LaToya Jack, $6,500, lot nine square, 207, subdivision Istrouma, Council, district ten, Coleman High bidder Alexis Mitchell and Antonio Harris, $25,200, lot one Square 14 subdivision, Fuqua Lemon Town, Metro Council, District ten, Coleman, high bidder Roosevelt Williams, third, $100, lot seven square 106 B subdivision, North Baton Rouge Council, district two Kenny High bidder Nikki White, 45,000. Anyone here wishing to speak on items 151 through 170? See no go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Gudes, second by Councilwoman Harris. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Administrative matters. Let's see your separate sheet.

We're going to take A and B together. I need a motion to waive the rules for the items to be introduced. Motion by Councilman Gaudet, second by Councilwoman Coleman to have a public hearing on the motion to waive the rules. Anyone wishing to speak on a motion to waive the rules? Seeing none, we have a vote on the motion to waive the rules. Any opposition on the motion to waive the rules? A authorizing parish attorney's office to institute expropriation proceedings and or takes other such actions as may be required in connection with the acquisition of land necessary for the enhancement project. LA 42, Highland Road at Peacock Lane by the parish attorney, and b authorizing mayor president on behalf of the Division of Human Development and Services, Ryan White program to accept funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration for the Ryan White HIV Aids program, and an amount of $1,243,770 by Human Development Services Director. Need a motion to introduce items A and B? Motion by Councilwoman Amoroso. Second by Councilman Gaudet. Any opposition items have been introduced. Administrative matter item C rescinding. Directing. Clerk of Court to cancel notice to attend. Recorded on September 17th, 2025. Original 179 bundle 13393 and decision and order recorded on October 13th, 2025 at original 71 bundle 13399 Matter of City of Baton Rouge versus Kendrick Jackson. Condemnation proceedings. South Highland Industrial Park, lot 12 be reason for rescission. Owner is in the process of selling the property, and the new owner intends to bring the property back into commerce. This is by Councilman Gaudet. I need a

motion to waive the rules. Motion by Councilwoman Amoroso, second by Councilman Gaudet. Have a public hearing on the motion to waive the rules. Anyone wishing to speak on the motion to waive the rules? Seeing none, we'll have a vote. Is there any opposition on the motion to waive the rules? Items introduced? We're going to have a public hearing on the item now. Is there anyone wishing to speak on the item? Seeing none. We'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Gaudet, second by Councilwoman Harris. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Appointments. Hospital. District number one, board of commissioners, Lane Regional Medical Center. Consideration of replacing David Bowman, who has resigned. Karen Ballard as Elizabeth Binzer. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none go to Council. Motion by chair. Second by Councilwoman Adams. Any opposition motion carries Adam 172 RDA appointing Metropolitan Council member representative from one of the following Council district. District two, five, six, 7 or 10. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. Councilman Don Junior motion to appoint Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman. I second that motion. Motion by Councilman Don junior. Second by Councilwoman Rocca to appoint Councilwoman Coleman. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Congratulations, Councilwoman 173 RDA appointing one Metropolitan Council member. Representative from one of the following Council. District. District one, three, four, eight, nine, 11, or 12. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. Councilwoman Baraka, I make the motion to appoint council person from district 11 Lori White. Second, we have a motion by councilwoman, second by Councilman Gaudet to appoint

Councilwoman Adams. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Congratulations, Councilwoman 174 East Baton Rouge Parish Mosquito Abatement District. Consideration of reappointing or replacing Kenneth Parrott. Current balance Kenneth Parrott requesting reappointment. Is there anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none go to council. We have a motion. Motion? We reappoint Kenneth Parrott. Motion by Councilman Hudson, second by Councilwoman Amorosa. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. 175 East Baton Rouge Parish Mosquito Abatement District. Consideration of reappointing or replacing Steven Whiter. Anyone? We need to defer this. We don't we don't have a an idea of whether or not Mr. Steven is requesting reappointment. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Steven here by chance. Okay, we'll go to council. You talked about this one. If you want us to put you on it. Is there a request to defer? We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Adams to defer. Second by Councilman Gaudet. Is there any opposition? Motion carries acceptance of low bids. 176 Terrace Avenue, Highland Road to Perkins Road. Project low bid. Triumph construction LLC, $4,108,688.10. Anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Now go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilwoman Rocha, second by Councilwoman Amorosa. Is there any opposition? Motion carries 177 receiving. Fourth quarter 2025 report from East Baton Rouge Parish Communications District by Councilman Gaudet. We received the report already. I don't think we need to have a report. We have a public hearing. If anybody wishes to speak on this item, seeing no go to council. Yep. Just a

reminder, these reports are submitted in advance via email. Anytime anyone has questions or would like the director to come make a presentation, he will absolutely do that. Otherwise, the report is attached to the agenda and I move that be received. Motion by Councilman Gaudet, second by Councilman. Any opposition. Motion carries. 178 receiving a report from the Department of Information Services on the progress of the implementation. City. Parish, open data policy by Information Services Director. We're going to hear the report, and then we'll have a public hearing after the reports completed. Good evening everyone. My name is Justin Priola. I'm the data analytics and performance manager, Department of Information Services. I want to thank the council and Mayor Edwards for the opportunity to present this 2025 Open Data Policy report. Next slide, please. Before we dig into our work over the last year, I'd like to discuss the reason for today's presentation. In 2017, the Metropolitan Council unanimously approved a resolution to establish our first ever formal open data policy. The policy is rooted in national best practices that are known to support data driven operations and foster transparency in municipal operations. It's adopted adoption implemented an open by default mandate, which requires the city parish to publish high quality data that is of interest to the community we serve. In addition to creating the Data Governance Committee, which included requirements for procurement and contracting, required an annual report on policy implementation. Next slide please. Since policy adoption, we've made significant progress on our efforts to support data driven operations and foster transparency in the city parish government. This slide includes a brief timeline of key events within our Open Data program. While they are all significant milestones, I want to highlight some pivotal moments for our Open Data program. In 2015, we launched Open Data BR. That's

our central public facing portal that provides tools to help users create visualizations, filter views, charts, and tables. In 2018, we had our first significant expansions under the new Open Data Policy. We added new data sets to open data BR. We formed a data governance committee and we launched Open Checkbook BR which provides a checkbook level views. City parish spending. In 2020, we held the inaugural Citizen Data Academy, which laid the foundation for a community education program. In 2022. We were accepted into the Bloomberg Philanthropy City Data Alliance, which is an 18 month progrm that shaped our work as it relates to data governance and performance management. And 2023, we officially created the Data Analytics and Performance division from the GIS division. And is next slide. In 2023, we is restructured its operations. We integrated exiting and GIS web developer, GIS and web developer staff to form what we call DAP Division of Data Analytics and Performance. Our team is responsible for prioritizing the integration of analytics and performance measurement across city parish operations. We manage and maintain all data sets, published eight new data, collaborate with other departments and external agencies to improve efficiency and efficacy, and we support overall planning for an operations for both ES and the city parish. Much of the work we'll talk about today is driven by his team, and would not be possible without their dedication to our city parish government. Next slide. A few slides ago, we talked about the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance. Baton Rouge was one of 100 cities selected to engage with Peer City, subject matter experts and project managers to receive coaching and resources designed to improve our work through the lens of data governance and performance management. Data governance is a subset of data management, focusing n collecting, processing, and using data to support decision making processes and improve

outcomes. Since then, DAPs created a citywide data strategy. We set minimal standards for data collection and maintenance for both ES and city parish departments. This strategy helps us reduce inconsistencies in data collection. We have guidelines for collection of demographic data, enterprise data sets, technology, technological deployment and training, and departmental data standards. Our goal is to create ensure consistency, accessibility, efficiency and efficacy in data maintenance analysis and publication. Along with shaping our data strategy, the program was critical to our approach to performance management and how we use data to improve our operations. Next slide. Actually, yeah, I should go back. I'm sorry. As I just mentioned, in addition to our data governance framework, we leverage the City Data Alliance to develop a strong foundation for performance management within our operations. Performance management uses data and analytics to systematically monitor, measure and improve performance. We work alongside the city parish departments to leverage data resources, analyze existing policies and processes, and determine opportunities to improve operational efficacy and efficiency. Next slide please. As part of Bloomberg program, we worked with the Department of Development and Office of Community Development to develop a parish wide survey of nearly 6000 properties. Together, we created an invaluable database for blight in our parish to process through analyze workflows, improve data collection efforts, and develop a model for performance management that can be used by our departments. Next slide. The work included the development of a parish wide survey of up to 6000 properties. We leveraged spatial analysis tools and scripting to direct DoD inspectors into areas of the community where blight is more likely to occur, and assess properties and assign scores for prioritizing and optimizing remediation efforts. Collected

data is still is analyzed along with other inputs such as building permits, crime incidents to prioritize areas of greater need. Currently, the Department of Development uses the light survey data to inform surveys for condemnations. This in this past year. In 2025, we created a condemnations app and GIS layer that they also use to inform that process. Let's see next slide. Public Safety DApp operates within the frameworks of data governance and performance management to support data driven initiatives and policies that support public safety. In 2025, we worked with fire and police to integrate First Data into our Public Safety Common Operational Portal. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of public safety by supporting the direct integration of fire and EMS data into the platform and enhancing collaboration, we continue to support the integration of crime incident data from the Sheriff's office into Cop. We're also we're using that alongside data collected by Brpd to offer a comprehensive view of crime data across the parish. And in addition to leveraging public safety data from both agencies to inform the CBR crime Crime Incidents Data set and the Baton Rouge Crash Incident Map data from Scott Powers, tools like the Community Watch Platform and the Real Time Crime Center, which provides real time information on service calls and crime data. The data maintained at the Rctc is used to identify trends and public safety, improve resource allocation to reduce officers response time, and increase situational awareness. Further supporting data driven crime reduction initiatives. Next slide improved efficiency performance management provides data informed approach to city parish policies and procedures. We've adapted directly shaped improvements to city parish procurement and contracting policies to munis. Work for the Work Flow Working Group, which

meets monthly to review and adjust processes based on workflow data. The group tracks three key performance indicators within munis day spent in the requisition workflow, polls and rejections in the workflow, and aids to create a purchase order or contract. Through this effort, we've been able to assess every step of the procurement process, identify the gaps in resources and training, and process inefficiencies that contribute to delays by understanding where delays happen, working with departments to adjust procedures, Munis working Group has reduced the average number of days that a contract spends in procurement window by 81%, and reduced the average number of days that a purchase order spends in the procurement window by 46%. Next slide open data policy is designed to spur unprecedented levels of government transparency, and we directly support this through the collection, maintenance and publication of city parish owned data through the Open data BR and GIS platforms. The slide you see here provides just a handful of the web, maps and apps we offer to the public. It offers a wealth of data information to on the community they live and work in. Next slide. Similarly, we create and maintain dashboards that provide performance indicators, metrics and other statistical information and easy to view format. This slide, you'll see a screenshot of one of our publicly available public safety dashboards, the Crime Trends Analysis Dashboard, which offers real time insight into public safety calls for service. In addition to a brief listing of other critical dashboards we've created and continue to maintain. Next slide. In addition to web apps, maps, and dashboards, we also use city parish data to power lookup tools. There's a list of lookup tools here. Users can use them to find location based information, sales tax, domiciles, road closures, and which council district they live in. And there's other tools as well. Next slide please. Now we'll dive into some of the numbers, the work behind the work we're doing in 2025. We conducted that conducted both in-person and

digital outreach and education, focusing on open data initiatives, cybersecurity and other critical topics. For this, we've amassed 4.8 million impressions across our social media channels, nearly 5000 in-person engagements, and over 62,000 views on the Citizen Data Academy On Demand series. As of the end of last year, Open Data Platform hosted 243 data sets and 14.3 million rows of data and hosted 47 public dashboards and web apps. And some of those have been consolidated over time. So they may have been a reduction, but they the functionality is all the same. Next slide please. I'm honored to share that in 2025, the center for Digital Government named Baton Rouge as a top ten digital city for the 11th year in a row. I think that's a testament to the work done both within Is and across city parish operations. Next slide. As we move into 2026, our priorities will continue to focus on sustaining its current breadth of services with the significant budget cuts and potential further funding reductions, staff capacity will decrease and operational priorities will focus on the department's core competencies. While we navigate this period of change, we will, to the best of our ability, strengthen coordination with city parish departments on data governance standards, increased collaboration with agencies and municipalities for data sharing, and conduct outreach and education for staff, stakeholders and residents. Providing information on all of our comprehensive data resources and how they can be used to improve operations and overall quality of life. Next slide if you're interested in learning more about our Open Data program, you can visit our Open Data Report website at the link on the screen. There you'll find more details on the information resources presented today. Direct links to the data sets, dashboards and resources mentioned in this presentation, these slides, and even more information. I believe you also have a copy of the executive summary was given to you, hard copy and a presentation as well as hard copy. Please check it

out and share with your community members. Next slide. If you aren't already, make sure to follow us on City of Baton Rouge on Social Media. This is where we post our Tech Tuesday series and additional updates on our Open Data program. You can also find us on Facebook and YouTube at the handles on the screen. If you're interested in learning more about our Open Data program, or would like to schedule a presentation about cybersecurity, Open Data, GIS, or any other of the resources we have to offer, please send us an email at is outreach at b r gov. Next slide. Thank you for having me. I hope you enjoyed this update and open data program. I'll now take any questions you may have. Thank you so much. All right. Any questions. All right. Now we're going to have a public hearing on the report. Is anyone here wishing to speak on the report? Seeing none. We'll go to council. Councilman Hudson. Mr. I want to first thank you. You know, I recall the tenacity with which you pursued the data from the sheriff's office for the reporting. And so I want to first, thank you for that. I also know over the years all the different GIS functions that we've requested. And, you know, we usually would go to Eric for that. And I know he was I know you were the guy that actually was doing the work. So thank you. Yes. So a request and a question from me. So the request is in the future. I would love if this report would include a specific section of reporting around financial transparency efforts. I know that you've done a lot with open budget, open checkbook, and those are great parts of our system. I just want to know in the I'd like to see in the reporting in the future, you know, how we're changing that, how we're making it more user friendly and that kind of thing? Is that something that you can add to your report or make sure we

highlight in the report? Sure. We can do that. Yes. Awesome. Thank you. So the other question I have is it's sort of in the same vein, but there's been some other discussion tonight around AI and how we're employing it in city parish or how we can employ it in City Parish. So the question is, are we exploring AI and how it can help citizens navigate complex databases, particularly when it comes to open checkbook? I sometimes have trouble, you know, making sure I've clicked the right year, that I'm searching, you know, that kind of thing. And so, so sometimes, you know, those those databases to an average user may not be the most user friendly. So is AI something that we can employ to make those databases easier. So we've as Trina mentioned earlier, we've started to explore AI with the use of 311. So that's kind of our pilot project from there. Certainly we can look into things with open checkbook and things like that. I mean, as you're as you say, there's a lot of information on those sites and trying to sift them is is can be complex. So I can certainly mention that to. Yeah. In particular, I would love for open budget and open checkbook if we can explore how AI can make those databases more user friendly would be great. Thank you. Councilwoman Adams. Justin, I'm just don't have any questions. I just want to say thank you constantly amazed when I get into our portals at what's available there and just how much I can find and and how many wonderful spreadsheets I can create with the data that y'all are gathering. So thank you all so much. I really appreciate it. Thank you. And I think thanks goes to also to our our DAP team as well. Some of them are here but others are not. So yes, absolutely 100%. Congratulations and thank you to everybody who worked so hard. Yes thank you. Who else?

Questions. Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you. All right. Item 179. Authorization for mayor, president and or chairman of the Airport Commission to execute a professional services contract with EA Gulf Coast, LLC in an amount not to exceed $200,000 to support establishment of the financial, administrative and compliance framework needed for the new Airport Authority by the Aviation Director. In. This is an emergency item in accordance with ordinance 16442, this item must be declared an emergency by two thirds vote of the Metropolitan Council. I need a motion to declare an emergency motion by Councilman Dunn Jr. Second by Councilwoman Amoroso. Is there any opposition items? Declare an emergency. Can have a public hearing on the item. Is anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we'll go to council. We have a motion. Motion by Councilman Don junior. Second by Councilman Mug. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Alright. Councilwoman Harris has a request to reconsider item 83. Yes. Motion. Motion. Councilwoman Harris, second by the chair to reconsider. Item 83. Any opposition items being reconsidered? What's your pleasure? I would like to make a motion for reconsideration for item 120, please. What we're doing on item 83, we have not considered. I'm sorry not to delete to for it to remain 30 days, 30 days, 30 days on item 83. Yes. Okay. Motion by Councilwoman Harris, second by the chair for 30 days. Is there any opposition? Motion carries. Item 120. Motion to reconsider. Item 120. Yes? Councilwoman Harris has a motion to reconsider item 1/22 by the chair. Is there any opposition to reconsider item 120? I know

that's not 83 was a condemnation. 120 is not 120 is a compromise. This is the judgment. Motion by Councilwoman Harris, second by Councilman Hudson. Is there any opposition to a motion to reconsider? We have objection by Councilman Moak. We're going to vote on the machines on the motion to reconsider item 120. So what did I say that right. Okay. Item 120 is the settlement. It's not a settlement. It's the compromise judgment. So read it again. Yeah. Authorizing payment of compromise judgment in the matter entitled Cheryl Horton versus Baton Rouge City Police, et al. And a docket of 19 JDC and an amount of 325,000 plus court costs, an amount of $9,224.46, for a total amount of 334 two 2446 by the parish attorney. We're going to vote on the motion to reconsider personal privilege. This is this the matter where the Supreme Court said that they were going to recognize the judgment of the lower court? This is a judgment, right? This is a judgment. Yes. This is this has been all the way through the Supreme Court. Okay. So it was a judgment. Okay. I just wanted to make sure. So the motion on the floor is a motion to reconsider. Item 120. The machines are open on the motion to reconsider. So mean you'll get to vote on it again. Motion carries. Motion carries. Now we're going to entertain a motion on the item itself. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Harris. Second by Councilman Hudson. Is there any opposition motion? We have opposition from Councilman. We're going to vote on the machines. Do we need a roll

call? Yeah. Machines are open on. Machines are open on the motion to approve. Item 120. Motion carries. I'm gonna do a roll call. Vote. Councilman Gaudet. Yes, Councilman. Moak. No. Councilman. Adams. No. Councilman. Dunn. Junior. Yes. Councilman. Rocca. Yes. Councilman. Yes. Councilman. Hudson. Yes. Councilman. Amoroso. Yes. Councilman. Coleman. Yes. Councilman. Kenny. Yes. Councilman. Harris. Yes. Councilwoman. Amoroso. God bless all of y'all