City Council - Regular Meeting

Ladies and gentlemen, we're going to get started. Council members, please come to the dis. Thank you. Roll call. Council President President Maru here. Vice President Willlet. Council member McCarron. Council member Harris here. Council member King. Council member Green here. Council member Hughes. We have five members. We have a quorum.

All right. Thank you very much. Uh first up, we have the invocation which will be done by Pastor Barry Hill. Come on down, Pastor Barill. Let us pray. Most holy gracious God, we thank you and we bless your name on today. Come now, Lord, lifting up our city to you. Pray now Lord that you would strengthen it, that you would build it up on every weak and leaning side. We pray for this council Lord. We pray that you would touch their minds, hearts, that they may make right decisions for our city. We pray for this meeting even today, Lord, that it may be a blessing to this city. And we be so careful to give you praise, honor, and glory. It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Amen. Pledge allegiance will be done by Council Green. 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. All right, play ball.

Consent agenda. We have a communication from Aaron Spears. This may be received. We have a communication from Darlene M. Jacobs, JD, 823 through 825 Atlantic Avenue. This may be received hearing date 5726. We have a communication from Ron Lazo 6309 through 6311 South Clayborn Avenue. This may be received hearing date 5726. We have a communication from Ron Lazo 6307 through 6309 South Mero Street. This may be received hearing date 5726. We have a communication from Ron Lazo 3100 Calhoun Street. This may be received hearing date 5726. We have a communication from Jeffrey Schwarz. This may be received and referred to the community development committee. We have a communication from Jill Susman, 1413 Columbus Street, Apartments A and B. This may be received hearing date 5726. We have a communication from Bonnie Porter, 4308 North Rampart Street and 4310 North Rampart Street. This may be received hearing date 5726. We have a reporter Ka Howard. This may be received. We have a reporter Jennifer Agno. This may be received. We have a reporter Lean Crowley. This may be received. We have a report of Cassandra B. Robert. This may be received. We have a report of Anita Curran which is being redrawn. We have ordinance calendar 35,392 by council member McCarron. Municipal address 3201 Orleans Avenue zoning docket 326. We have ordinance calendar 35,393 by council member Morell, zoning docket 626. We have ordinance calendar 35,394 by council member King, zoning docket 726. We have ordinance calendar 35,395

by council member Harris, municipal address 3329 Magazine Street, zoning docket 926. We have ordinance calendar 35,396 by council member Harris 4200 I rattle street zoning docket 1326 we have ordinance counter 35,45 by council members Harris Morel willer McCarron and King by request fiscal note received budget committee recommended approval we have ordinance calendar 35,46 by council members Harris Morell McCarron and King by request fiscal note was received budget committee recommended Ed approval. We have ordinance count to 35,47 by council members Harris, Morel, Willer, McCarron, and King by request. Fiscal note was received. Budget committee recommended approval. We have ordinance counter 35,48 by council members Harris, Morell, Willer, McCarron, and King by request. Fiscal note was received. Budget committee recommended approval. We have ordinance calendar 35,49 by council members Harris, Morel, Willard, McCarron, and King by request. Fiscal note was received. Budget committee recommended approval. We have ordinance calendar 35,410 by council members Harris Morell, Willlet McCarron, and King by request. Fiscal note was received. Budget committee recommended approval. We have ordinance calendar 35,411 by council members Harris, Morell, Willard, McCarron, and King by request. Fiscal note was received. Budget committee recommended approval. We have ordinance count to 35,412 by council members Harris Morel, Willer, McCarron, and King by request. Fiscal notes received budget committee recommended approval. We have ordinance calendar 35,413 count by council members Harris, Morell, Will, McCarron, and King. By request, fiscal notes received budget committee recommended approval. We have ordinance calendar 35,421 by council member Harris by request. Budget committee recommended approval. We have ordinance calendar 35,422

by council members Morell, Willlet, McCarron, King, and Hughes. Utilities, cable, telecommunication and technology committee and climate control, climate change and sustainability committee recommended approval. We have motion line over M2682 by council member Harris budget committee recommended approval. We have motion M26142 by council member Harris by request. Budget committee recommended approval. We have motion M26143 by Council Member Harris by request budget committee recommended approval. We have motion M26144 by council members Willer McCarron King and Hughes by request. Public works committee recommended approval. We have motion M26 145 by council members Willer McCarron King and Hughes by request. Public works committee recommended approval. We have motion M26147 by council member Willlet. Question that was received. Governmental affairs committee recommended approval. We have motion M26148 by council member Hughes. Questionnaires received government affairs committee recommended approval. We have motion M26149 by council member Harris. Questionnaires receive government affairs committee recommended approval. We have resolution R26150 by council members McCarron Morel, Willard, Green, and Hughes. Utility cable telecommunication technology committee and climate change and sustainability committee recommended approval. We have resolution R26151 by council member Morell utility cable telecommunication technology climate change and sustainability committee recommended approval. We have resolution R26152 by council member Morell utility cable telecommunication technology climate change and sustainability committee recommended approval. We have motion M26156 by council member McCarron by request. Question that was received governmental affairs recommended approval. We have motion M26157

by council member King by request. Question that has received governmental affairs committee recommended approval. We have motion M26158 by council member McCarron by request. Questioners received governmental affairs committee recommended approval. We have motion M26159 by council member King by request. Questionnaires received governmental affairs committee recommended approval. We have motion M26160 by council member Willer by request. Questionnaires received government affairs committee recommended approval. We have motion M26161 by council member Hughes by request. Questionnaires received government affairs committee recommended approval. We have motion M26162 by council member Hughes by request. Question is received. Government affairs committee recommended approval. We have motion M26163 by council member King by request. Questionnaires received government affairs committee recommended approval. We have motion M26164 by council member King by request. Questionnaires received government affairs committee recommended approval. We motion M26165 by council member King by request. Questionnaires received government affairs committee recommended approval. We have a motion M26166 by council member Green by request. Questionnaires received governmental affairs committee recommended approval. This is all matters on consent agenda. Thank you. First up we have Miss Susan Johnson who wants to speak on consent items 3, four, and five. How much time do I get, please?

Two minutes. Okay.

Susan Johnson, 2822 Leage Street, Town of Carolton Watch. I'm not paid to be here in search for an explicit statement about the zoning of the Frost Top Dorm. I have filed zoning verification requests for this project because the developer did not. So, Twain University is ostensively providing a dorm in HU1 HB1 zoning where dorms are prohibited because the project is off-campus. They don't have to amend their master plan. And now we're hearing from council district A that the zoning is actually classified as above the above the ground floor dwelling, which means living above the shop. That's how this policy was initially sold to the public in late 2021 or early 2022 with the image of mom and pop living above the shop. The goal was to allow for an increase in density in historic neighborhoods in the UN University area. That usually means building private dorms. So the inclusion of Ted's Frosttop or some other retailer is essential to the project acting as a delivery system for multif family housing in the zoning where the only multif family normally allowed would be the forplex. Social media has seized upon this idea of stacking students above retail. So we have from Stein's Deli, the creation of Stein's Commons, expanding student living into the lower garden district, and then Snake and Jake's housing, demolish the bar, keep the vibe. Anyway, these zoning verification requests can serve as the basis for a legal challenge to the zoning. Thank you.

Thank you. I see no further comments on the consent agenda. Councilman Green has moved. I will second. Please vote your machines. Five yays, six yays, no nays. Uh the consent agenda is adopted.

Okay, we have a communication and suspension. We need to vote to receive. Uh, I'll move second by council member King. All in favor? I think we're glitching out. Say I. I. Seven yays, no nays. The communication is received. We need a vote to add to the agenda. I will move seconded by council member Hughes. Uh, any opposed? Hearing none. We have seven yays, no nays. The uh matter is added to the agenda.

We have a communication from Jessica C. Dumis. This may be received hearing date 5726. All right.

Regular agenda. We have at the top of page 20 items one and two legislative group and communication from Winston for has been deferred to the meeting of 57. At the top of page 21 we have demo application of Olivier Enterprise LLC is being withdrawn. We have item four HDLC appeal of Ron Lazu has been deferred to the meeting of 57. Item five, HDLC appeal of Veronica Reed has been deferred to the meeting of 57. At the top of page 22, item six, HDLC appeal of Susan Johnson has been deferred to the meeting of 57. At the bottom of page 22, we have item seven, legislative grouping. HDLC of Susan Johnson, Town of Carolton Watch, Jeffrey Bernard, president of Maple Area Residents, Inc. and Gordon Marcus Mark London requesting to appeal the HDLC commission decision to approve the application for demolition for property located at 7310 Fet Street. At the top of page 23, item A, we have motion M26153 by Council Member McCarron, denying the applicant's request challenging the HDLC's approval of the application for demolition of the single family building located at 7310 Fred Street and the demolition is approved.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. HLC. Thank you. Due to the non-contributing status lack of architectural or social significance, the staff had no objection to the request for demolition to grade. At their hearing of March 11, 2026, the commission reviewed photos of the structure and the staff report. The commission then voted to approve the demolition. The HDLC does not have jurisdiction over the use of structures or the design of new construction in the Uptown Partial Control Local Historic District. staff respectfully requests that the city council uphold the decision of the historic district landmarks commission.

Thank you. Okay, I've got two comment cards on this one. U Susan Johnson, followed by Leah O'Donnell.

Susan Johnson, 2822 Leage Street, Town of Carolton Watch. I am not paid to be here. I am one appellant and I'm also uh representing another appellant Mari neighborhood organization. As we know this property is seriously blighted. The problem is um the developer who proposes to um demolish and redevelop it is a dorm developer and uh he has Endeavor Partners LLC. Um, we hear that he's promised to stick to his plans, but no plans have been proposed. This developer, Endeavor Partners, and its affiliate, uh, Lebontown Ventures have a long history of violations in the university area. I've extensively, it's extensively documented in the appeal letters. They've been trying to remedy the violations in the past two weeks in the run-up to this appeal, paying a $24,000 HDLC fine from three years ago and finally getting a certificate of occupancy for 7417 But which has been rented out for over two years. But this CIO should not have issued because the BCA told them to remove the paving in the front yard and they didn't. I'm omitting a lot, but it's all on the record. Including the half demol demolished building at 1530 Broadway unbraced and idle for 3 months and ready to collapse like their other dorm property at 1808 lower line collapsed 2 years ago. So if they tell you something, please get it in writing. Um, please get a neighborhood good neighbor agreement for the last home owner on this block. Everything else is DDS or dorm, private dorms. Developers, we know

they they tell you one thing, they don't keep your promises. I have I have an example of this happened to a council member. Please. Thank you, Susan. Um, Leah O'Donnell.

Leah O'Donnell, 1816 Hillary Street. Um, I'm the neighbor of 1808 Lowerline, the property that collapsed 2 years ago. It's owned by an affiliate of Endeavor Properties. The Lowerline development has been has had a negative impact on our neighborhood. Uh, the developers remain in violation with a no healthy home certificate or certificate of occupancy at 1808 lower line 1809 Hillary even though it's been rented for 2 years. Um, and I ask that the city holds the developers accountable um, whenever they're proposing new developments. Thank you. Thank you. Um, members. Okay. The interior of this home was unfortunately ruined by hoarding and before the previous before the previous owner tragically died inside. There are rats, bugs, feral cats now occupy it. It is a nuisance and a health hazard to neighbors. There are no current plans to redevelop the lot. The landowner has discussed rebuilding a single or two family home in its place, though there are no redevelopment plans at the moment. I understand neighbors concerns about this property, but this house at this point is a health hazard and significantly impacting the direct neighbors quality of life. Therefore, I move to deny the appeal and grant the demolition and approve motion M26153. So, with that, I'll motion seconded by council member King. Six, seven nays, no nays. Thank you very much. We have item nine, HDLC, appeal of Susan Johnson, has been deferred to the meeting of 57. We have zoning docket 2126 has been deferred to the meeting of June 4th. At the top of page 24, item 11, we have legislative group and zoning docket 2526, Rouse Lane Company, requesting a text amendment to amend

article 24 of the comprehensive zoning ordinance to create permissions, size restrictions, and other regulations for detach signage that extends over driveways or in or entry exit points to a site and zoning districts, including an MU1 medium intense mixeduse district. The proposed text amendment would affect regulations that are applied in the MU1 medium intensity mixeduse district. The recommendation of the CPC being for the now. We have motion M26170 by council member McCarron approving the applicant's request for zoning docket 2526 subject to the modifications as considered by the commission staff report. Thank you, Madam Clerk. CPC.

Good morning. Uh the request was prompted by the applicant's desire to install a detached sign for the Rouse's grocery store um that is located on North Carolton Avenue in Mid City. The proposal is prompted by sight specific conditions. Uh we have an a typically large lot with a grocery store that is set back far away from the right of way. uh even though the MU1 district is meant to support development that is normally near uh or on the property line with minimal setbacks and a strong and faces on walkability. The planning commission's position is that allowing pole like or entryway signage in this context would introduce O2 oriented elements that are inconsistent with these objectives. Further, CPC generally does not support crafting regulations that tailor to a specific property or a small number of property and instead seeks to maintain clarity and simplicity within the CCO and create regulations that are supported by a demonstrated citywide need. While the staff identified some alternative approach in the report that could allow the applicant to achieve a similar design outcome, the staff ultimately recommended denial and the commission voted to deny the the request, citing that where they were not against the signage at this specific location, it had concerns about the broader implications of a potentially undesirable signage type across the proposed zoning district.

Thank you. And I have one comment card from Jack Gion. Jack Grim, 1609 Corbin Road, Hammond, Louisiana, 70403. Uh we're in favor of this uh sign being installed. We've uh had uh quite a bit of feedback from Rouses about customers that are familiar with the area uh having trouble finding location. And so what we came up with the design on the um sign between the columns was uh in was very consistent what the other signs are in the area. And also the the old archway sign that was there from a previous grocery store is very similar to what we're proposing. So, we think it uh if people who are not familiar with the area are trying to access this area, uh it'll give them a little clearer insight of where they enter and exit and hopefully avoid any problems entering Carolton.

Thank you. Thank you.

Um members, first I want to thank CPC staff for working with my office to fine-tune this text amendment. Um, we put significant limits on where these signs can be installed catering to large development sites with either M1, MU1 or MU2 zoning. The sites must also be more than 3 acres in size, consist of one or more squares, and require structures to be set back at least 300 ft from the property line. These signs are limited to 20 ft and 75 square ft in their total size. They can only be used free They can only use freestanding le letters or logos and you can only have one driveway entry sign per site. Um these specifications will allow the Carolton Rouses to establish an archway sign on the existing brick columns. Are there any questions from the deis? Okay. Therefore with that I motion to approve M26 uh 170 seconded by council member King. Six yays, no nays. Thank you very much.

Council member, you need to vote as well. Seven. Thank you. At the bottom of the page, item 13, legislative group and zoning docket 2726 1013 1039 constants LLC requesting a conditional use to permit a hotel in the CBD3 cultural arts district in the transit lodge and inim zoning district located on square 137 li in the first municipal district bounded by constant street, prefer street, John Churchill, Chase Street, and Magazine Street. Municipal address 1039 Constant Street. The recommendation of the CPC being for approval subject to two proposals. At the top of page 25, we have motion M261 171 by council member Harris approving the applicant's request for zoning docket 2726 subject to two proposals and modifying the first provisal.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. CPC, will you brief us on your report? Yes, this is a site that was previously operated as a short-term rental and the uh applicants proposed to convert the site into a hotel with no alteration or addition to the facade or uh the building footprint. While hotels are normally permitted by right in the CBD3 district, they require conditional use approval uh within this transient lodging inter zoning district. Uh generally CPC found that the request is consistent with a master plan suitable for the primarily commercial neighborhood and uh will not displace any existing long-term housing. Um and instead we'll introduce a lodging use that supports local commerce. All of those standards are in the the ICD standards. Um anyway, therefore the staffers recommending approval subject to those two provisos.

Thank you. This motion approves a conditional use to permit a nine-unit hotel. All four units have three bedrooms and five units have two bedrooms. As uh CPC said, the site is currently developed as a four-story commercial building. I've modified CPC's proviso to exclude any short-term rentals from this location. This proposal receives support at its neighborhood participation meeting and the CPC hearing without any recorded opposition. Richard Cortez, do you want to speak? He's in favor of it. I will move. Second by council member McCarron 7. Thank you. Item 15, legislative group and zoning docket 2826 521 St. Joseph LLC requesting a conditional use of permit hotel in the CBD6 urban core neighborhood intensity mixeduse district in the transient lodging intram zoning district located on square 161 lie 6 in the first municipal district bounded by St. Joseph Street, Cam Street, Julia Street, and Magazine Street. Municipal address 521 St. Joseph Street. The recommendation of the CPC being for approval subject to two provisos. We are motion M26172 by Council Member Harris, approving the applicant's request for zoning docket 2826, subject to two provisals, modifying the first provisal.

Thank you. CPC, will you brief us on your report? Yes, this is a very similar request to the previous one. Uh, it's a site that's currently developed with a two and a half story residential structure that was previously operated as a short-term rental. And the applicant is proposing to convert this building into a 4-unit hotel. uh for the same reason as the previous one. Uh the fact that the site is located within a mostly commercial uh area uh staff finds that the proposal meets the master plan, the CZO and the ICD standards and CPC recommended approval.

Thank you. As before, I've modified CPC's proviso to exclude any short-term rentals at this location in the future. This proposal received support at its NPP meeting and did not receive any opposition at the CPC hearing. I have one public comment from Richard Cortez. Do you wish to speak? He does not. He's in favor of it. I move. Seconded by council member McCarron. 78. Thank you. At the top of page 26, we have item 17, legislative group and zoning docket 2926, 527, St. Joseph LLC requesting a conditional use of permit a hotel in the CBD5 urban core neighborhood lower intensity mixeduse district in the transit lodging interim zoning district located on square 161 lots one and two in the first municipal district bounded by St. Joseph Street Cam Street Magazine Street and Julia Street municipal address 527 St. Joseph Street. The recommendation of the CPC being for approval subject to two provisals. We have motion M26173 by council member Harris approving the applicant's request for zoning docket 2926 subject to two provisals and modifying the first provisal.

Thank you madam clerk. CPC will you provide your report? Uh this one is an approximately 19,000t fourstory mixeduse building. Uh not only is the site is in a CBD5 district which only allows hotel with a conditional use, it's also like the two other ones located in a citywide transit lodging and zoning district. Um again since this site is in the CBD in a mixeduse neighborhood and a reuse of a commercial building, CPC finds that the proposed use is appropriate uh at this location and recommends approval subject to two provisos.

Thank you. and we have modified CPC's proviso to exclude short-term rentals from existing at this location in the future. The proposal received support at its NPP meeting and did not receive any opposition at the CPC hearing. With that, I will move. Oh, Mr. Cortez is in support. Does not wish to speak. Seconded by council member King 7. Thank you all. At the bottom of page 26, we have item 19, zoning docket 3126 is deferred to the meeting of 57. On page 27, we have item 22, legislative group and zoning docket 3326. Gabrielle W requesting a conditional use to permit a single family residence in the GPD general plan development district on squares 128, lots 20 through 23 and 32 through 25. proposed lot 21A, Orleans track in the fifth municipal district bounded by Van Burn Street, Jackson Street, Woodland Avenue, and Mama's Avenue. Municipal address 3803 through 3909 Van Burn Street. The recommendation of the CPC being for approval subject to three provisals. We have motion M26169 by Council Member King approving the applicant's request for zoning docket 3326 subject to three provisals by the city planning commission. thinking about a clerk. CPC.

Yes. This is a corner lot uh corner through lot located in English D. The site is currently undeveloped. It has a combined area of uh almost 20,000 square ft on which the applicant proposes to build a single family residence. Uh CBC has no objection to the request and recommends approval. However, the submitted plans show a deficient sideyard setback which can be brought into compliance following staff's recommended provisor. Think can I make a motion to adopt? Second by council member McCarron. Seven yays, no nays. Thank you. At the bottom of the page, item 24, zoning docket 3426 has been deferred to the meeting of 57. At the top of page 29, we have item 25, zoning docket 3526 has been deferred to the meeting of 57. On page 30, we have item 26, legislative group and ordinance calendar 34,385 has been deferred to the meeting of 57 along with motions lying over M23426 and M23427. On page 31, we have item 29, ordinance calendar 35,117 has been deferred to the meeting of 57. At the bottom of the page, item 30, ordinance calendar 35,041 by council member Willlet by request an ordinance authorizing a matter city of New Orleans to enter into amendment number one to a cooperative endeavor agreement between the city of New Orleans and the arts council of New Orleans for a term greater than one year for the public purpose of promoting public art by establishing the procedure and funding for the execution and acquisition of works of art in a public place in the city of New Orleans as more fully detailed in amendment number one to the cooperative endeavor agreement form as exhibit A and otherwise with respect there too. Fiscal note was received. Thank you council members. This

ordinance this ordinance just trus up the arts council budget allocation to 1.5% of the 2026 amended budget uh which came in $75 million higher. Uh, so this increase is approximately $277,000. With that, I move to adopt. Uh, seconded by Council Member McCarron. All in favor? Waiting on one more vote. Uh, six yay, zero nays. The motion is adopted. We have item 32 on page 32. Ordinance calendar 35,043 by council member Green by request an ordinance authorizing the matter city of New Orleans to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement among the city of New Orleans and the New Orleans Recreational Development Commission in St. Augustine High School, Inc. New Orleans for a term greater than one year for the public purpose of support and promoting stimulating public interest in and raising the distribution funds to benefit the construction, creation, preservation, and maintenance of public parks and playgrounds, recreational facilities, and recreational and other leisure programs and activities in the city of New Orleans as more fully detailed in the cooperative endeavor agreement as exhibit A and otherwise to provide respects there too. I saw how excited Councilman King was when he heard the name St. Augustine High School mentioned.

Thank you for that. No, this is ordin ordinance represents a very smart and practical partnership and Mr. Barabino is here if you'd like to come forward for a second. This is a very important project. Through this agreement, St. Augustine High School will invest in and that's money and maintain Perry Rome Stadium ensuring that it remains a quality space for student athletes and the broader community and at the same time the city retains ownership of Perry Rome Stadium and oversight and the facility will continue to be available for Nord programming and other local schools. Mr. Barabino, for just a minute, could you explain to the public the significance of this development?

Sure. Good morning, council members. So basically what it is is we're entering into a partnership with St. Augustine High School on facilities maintenance upkeep um over at Peron Baseball Stadium. Right now the city is investing a little over 1.5 million into Peron with a new turf um infield but also uh S St. St. Augustine is investing 250,000 that's going toward the repairs um and the renovations that's going on there as well. So they're putting their money where their mouth is. And so what what it is is they'll have access to practice there, but help NOD maintain it. But Nord still will be able to allow other high schools uh to to use it, have access to it, as well as NOD running its little league games and etc. out of there. So this is one of the partnerships that we've been working on for about a year or two to make sure that it come to fruition. And as of right now, you know, Perry Rome is poised to be one of the city's top facilities with the renovations and repairs that's going on.

Thank you very much. And I'm glad that you're here because Perry Rome for a long time was not exactly what it is now. That new turf and with the renovations and also with this management agreement, it is going to be one of the top facilities within the NO portfolio relative to this stadium.

It will be. And so I'm I am excited to say last year with investments that we made with the city and with the turf that came from the Super Bowl, we renovated all of Nord's baseball stadiums. All of North baseball stadiums throughout the city have infield turf on new scoreboards and etc. So we're playing baseball at a higher level with our facilities citywide and that's whether it's Nord, whether it's collegic um as well as high schools. Thank you very much. And I do want to say um obviously I speak of St. Augustine High School often, but I want to say to the people who are watching from St. Augustine High School amongst the many thousands that are watching. I just want to say to them, thank you for your investment of money. You're concerned about the entirety of the community. This is a great investment and I thank you for your negotiations and the work that took place behind the scenes that people don't see that has resulted in a higher and better use of this facility.

Absolutely. So, members, I've moved and Councilman King is seconded for approval of 3543. Please vote your machines. Six Ys. The matter passes. Thank you. I'm going to ask Madame um clerk and um Mr. Chair for a deferral of item number 33. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm looking at it wrong on the calendar. No, let's let's move forward. I'm wrong.

Ready? At the top of page 33, item 33, ordinance calendar 35,044 by council member Green by request. An ordinance authorizing the mayor the city of New Orleans to enter into a coop cooperative endeavor agreement between the city of New Orleans and Sujan Water Board, New Orleans for a term greater than one year for the public purpose of construction of the Dewire Canal project and allowing public access and use of the project area following completion of the project in the city of New Orleans as more fully detailed in the CA form as exhibit A and otherwise provider respects their two fiscal note was received. This is an exciting project for not only the puncher train park community but our city in terms of us living with water and turning certain thorough affairs and basins into areas that can hold water and reduce flooding in our city. This ordinance authorizes an agreement with the sewage and water board to move forward with the dwire canal project. an important investment in both infrastructure and quality of life for all of our residents including those in Punter Train Park and Gentilly Woods. The agreement allows the city to construct improvements along the Dwa Canal corridor and that corridor runs from people's um the railroad basically to France road while the sewage and water board provides access to the property and maintains critical drain drainage infrastructure and upon completion this project will not only strengthen storm water management as I mentioned but it will also create accessible public space with trails amenities walkways for the entire community. If there are no comments, I will move for approval of 35404. We do have a card for Mr. Richard Cartezer who left, but he just expresses his support for this project. Thank you. Members, I've moved. Please vote your machines. 6 years. The matter passes. Thank you for your support.

At the bottom of the page, item 34, ordinance calendar 35,414 by council member Harris by request. An ordinance to authorize a matter of city of New Orleans 2022 cooperative endeavor agreement lease of land and act of donation between the city of New Orleans and Mercy Partners LLC for the public purpose of constructing water retention infrastructure at the site formerly known as Lindy Bogs Medical Center for the benefit of the water sewer and drainage infrastructure for the city of New Orleans and in turn the health, welfare and safety of the citizens in the city of New Orleans and related activities as more fully detailed. held in the cooperative endeavor agreement form as exhibit A, the lease of land form as exhibit B and the active donation form as exhibit C and otherwise supervisor respects there too. Thank you madam clerk. Um, from early 2022 when I was first sworn into office, activating the former Lindy Bogs Hospital, now known as Mercy, has been a priority. And I'm thrilled to be here today, moving forward as CA, that will finally bring the site back into commerce with commercial, residential, and incredibly innovative storm water uses that benefit our entire city. We're talking about a location of blight, vandalism, and criminal activity, and a serious nuisance to midity neighbors. Despite many unsuccessful attempts to redevelop the property over the years, now Mercy is moving forward with a transformative project with planned 200 housing units, retail office space, and landscaping. Additionally, the basement that's been prone to flooding will be used for exactly that purposes, taking up 4 million gallons of storm water and improving drainage in nearby neighborhoods by up to a foot. The CA provides $1.5 million in bond funding which will allow the demolition to take place through the end of this year with construction starting in early 2027. This project was announced yesterday as part of the mayor's 100day wins and I'm

thrilled to announce that after working four years on this project that it was featured in the mayor's wins. Thank you to the Woodward development team and I want to especially thank Jeff Schwarz who is here today for his work on this project. This is a great project that will really transform the Midsane neighborhood and I can't wait for more projects like this in the city of New Orleans. Jeff, do you have any comment? No. Come on, say something.

Thank you, Council Member Harrison and all council members. Um I I think you really covered it. Uh this project is a singular project and it's one that I know uh District B and the entire New Orleans community have waited to see for a very long time. Um as you said, it didn't happen overnight, but it's been amazing to see the momentum since inauguration. Uh the administration and the council working really closely together. I know uh Allison Ford on your team and you did did yman's work helping us get this introduced in time to be able to announce it for the 100 days. So I want to thank her and you as well. Um and yeah, this is a commitment that I know the entire council and the administration are making uh to invest precious resources um to get uh a really uh salient and seinal project. Um as you noted uh this is um going to be an amazing above ground project, but it's what's happening below ground in building a 4 million gallon uh drainage project uh that will be integrated into the city's storm water system that just makes this a real win-win. So, um, just thank you for the collaboration. Here to answer any technical questions. I know there's council, uh, Mr. Cortez, uh, representing the the developers here as well. Um, and just really excited to to get to a actual demolition um, in short order.

Yeah, me too. And, uh, you're right. Thank you to Allison Port, thank you to Liz Hullman. Thank you to Dominique um, for all of their work on this project and getting it to the finish line. Council member McCarron, I just want to say since this is a stones throw away from district A, I am also very excited for this day and I know that we've been working on it even when I was staff here. So, um I would just like to request to be a co-author on here. Okay, that's fine with me. All right, with that, any other comments? Any online comments? I'll move second by council member McCarron.

Six shays. Thank you. And thank you, Jeff. At the at the top of page 35, we have item 37, motion line over M25182, has been deferred to the meeting of 64. We have item 38, motion line over M25183, has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 39, motion line over M25184, has been deferred to the meeting of 64. At the top of page 36, item 40, motion line over M25186 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 41, motion line over M25187 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Motion line over M25189 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. At the top of page 37, item 43, motion line over M25235 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 44, motion line over M2536 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 45, motion M25238 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. At the top of page 38, item 46, M25239 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 47, M25288 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 48, M25435 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. and come in and say something about

at the top of page 39. Item 49, motion line over M2638 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 50, motion line over M2639 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 51, motion line over M2640, has been deferred to the meeting of 64. At the top of page 40, item 52, motion line over M2641, has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 53, motion line over M2644, has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 54, motion line over M26 83 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. On page 41, item 55, M26, motion line over M2684 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. Item 56, motion line over M26115 has been deferred to the meeting of 64. At the bottom of the page, item 57, resolution R26146 by council members Hughes, Morel, Willard, McCarron, Harris King, and Green, endorsing and supporting House Bill 573 by Representative Stephanie Healthy together with any amendments consistent with its purpose of strengthening local accountability, modernizing governance, preserving legal and financial obligations, and improving service to people of New to the people of New Orleans. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Members, this does just that. Uh, this is a resolution uh in support of Representative Hily's uh legislation right now going through the process at the state capital uh which seeks to reform sewage and water board uh and grant some muchneeded oversight and accountability uh to the local legislative branch of government. Uh I see the board is clear. With that, I'll move adoption. Second by council president Morurell. Please vote your machines. Vote your machines. Members, vote your machines. Seven. No.

On page 32, item 31, we have ordinance calendar 3542 by council member Morell by request an ordinance to authorize the mayor of the city of New Orleans to enter into amendment number one to an existing cooperative endeavor agreement between the city of New Orleans and the New Orleans and Company for continued distribution of short-term rental tax between the city of New Orleans New Orleans and New Orleans and Company. Amendment number one to the cooperative endeavor agreement will extend the CA through December 31st, 2028 and update terms and provisions set in the original CA and otherwise supervisor respects their two fiscal notes received.

Thank you. This extends the agreement through December 31st, 2028. It allows for a 4-year extension. Just to remind everyone who's watching, this maintains the revenue allocation of 25 25% to tourism promotion and 75% to the infrastructure maintenance fund, the IMF. 25% of the money in the IMF goes to small drainage. I will move for adoption. Can I get a second? Second by council member Hughes. Please watch your machines. Seven yays, no nays. Thank you. At the top of page 34, we have item 35, legislative grouping, ordinance calendar 35,420 by council member Morell. An ordinance to amend and reordain section 10-107 of the code of the city of New Orleans to clarify application requirements, provide timelines for granting applications, and provide for an appeal right and otherwise supervisor respects their two governmental affairs committee recommended approval. We have an amendment to the ordinance calendar 35,420 which is being withdrawn and there is a substitute amendment. The substitute amendment to calendar the ordinance calendar number 35,420 to clarify language extend the land of the temporary permits and to expand appeal rights and otherwise supervisor respects there too. We need to vote to receive the substitute amendment. I'll move to receive. Second by council member Harris. Please vote your machines. Seven yays. No nays.

You need a vote to edit a good day. I'll move to add. Second by council Harris. Please vot your machines. Seven ys no nays. It is added. Can we discuss now? Yes.

All right. The substitute amendment. This matter was thoroughly covered in governmental affairs including uh the content of this amendment was previously discussed. This amendment uh temporary permits in the original legislation are now 90 days. They were previously 60. It clarified the zoning review for all temporary permits and licenses to occur within 10 days of submitting the application. It is now five calendar days for finance to issue an occupational license. Previously 10. This now makes the entire permit process a maximum of 15 days. If the department of safety apps or finance does not grant or approve the tempor does not grant and approve the temporary permit or reject it within 15 days, it is automatically granted. It still requires councilmatic approval by council district before automatic grant. If the application is denied, applicant receives written reasons for the denial within 5 days. Applicant has 15 days to appeal the denial to the CEO or his design. If he disagrees with the department's decision, there are general changes to clarify a wording. U Mr. Will Dubos as a card, it's important like to speak. There are no other cards.

Thank you, Council President Morurell. Um I'll be brief. At its core, all we're trying to do is shift the culture of permitting um from one rooted in skepticism to one grounded in hospitality, efficiency, and compliance. All we're trying to do is allow businesses to operate while their applications are pending while still ensuring proper safeguards. Um specifically want to thank some members of the administration, uh Mr. Ernest Leger, Director Susanna Kirby, and Mr. Wil Austin Wilty uh and specifically Council President Morurell and his staff. Um Miss Julia Zuckermanman really saw the vision here and took it and helped us get this across the finish line after 2 years. So thank you all for your uh consideration and appreciate it.

All right, with that I will move. Can I get a second? Second by council member McCarron. Please vote your machines. Six yays. Seven yays. No nays. Thank you very much. Adopted as amended. That was on the amendment. We need to uh vote on the ordinance. I'll move amendment as adopt me of the ordinance as amended. Seconded by council member Hughes. Please vote your machines. Seven yays, no nays. The ordinance is adopted as amended.

At the top of page 42, we have resolution R 261 155 by Council Member Hughes. a resolution calling an election in the Lakewood East Security and Neighborhood Improvement District for November 3rd, 2026.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. This does just that. Um, this is a renewal. With that, I'll move adoption. Second by Council Member King. Please vote your machines. Seven yays, no names. Thank you. Item 59, we have motion M26167 by Council Member Green designating an intersection of Gentilli Boulevard and Allen Street as the Dr. SC Davenport honorary intersection pursuant to section 146-762 of the code of the city of New Orleans.

Members, Dr. Davenport is not with us today. Um, but he will be joining us on May the 7th. I'll tell you on May the 7th why we did it that way. But this motion honors Dr. S. Carver Davenport for more than 50 years of distinguished service as the director of the great concert choir of Diller University. As the longest tenured historically black college and university coral director in the nation, Dr. Davenport has elevated the university's music program to national and international recognition. Through his leadership, mentorship and artistry, he has shaped generations of students and last and left a lasting imprint on the cultural fabric of New Orleans. Designated designating the intersection of Gentley Boulevard and Allen Street in his honor near the campus where he built his legacy ensures his contributions are permanently recognized. And on the 7th of of May, members, if you are able to join me at 9:50, Dr. Davenport will be in the council chambers to be recognized and also to be informed that this has happened today. So, I move for approval of motion 26167, seconded by council member Hughes. Members, please vote your machines. Seven yays. I appreciate your support. See you on the 7th at 9:50 if you can make them. Madam Cler, before we grab this last item, council recognizing Councilman King for a moment of personal privilege.

Thank you, Council President Morell. At this time, I would like to recognize Pastor Barry Hill and the men, the pastors of the United Baptist Pastor Alliance of New Orleans and vicinity. So, Pastor Barry Hill, you want to tap the mic for a couple seconds to say hello?

Hello, city council. you're here on today just to um see how the inner workings of our city council um offer support and to let you all know that we're praying for our city and we believe that if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. So we're here today to offer ourselves as the religious agents to be a part of what you all are doing. God bless you and God keep you with our prayer. Thank you. Council members, any rebuttals? None. Rebuttals. No rebuttal. We're good. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Thank you, pastor. All right. One more item. At the bottom of the page, item 60, we have motion M261 174 by council members Morel and Hughes extending the deadline for the city planning commission to consider text amendments as directed by motion M2662 to 6 months from the date of this motion.

Thank you. Uh this is the uh extension for the city planning commission to consider tax limits regarding data centers. We have two people who would like to speak. Uh, we have Adler Rosenthal and Francois Beiel. I'm probably mispronouncing that last name, but the students I know I know they're students. I'm referring to their cars. It does not mention their their occupation.

Hi, good morning. My name is Francois Beiels and I'm speaking today because I'm concerned about the impact that these AI data centers could have on communities like ours. And I've also been studying the impact that they can have on our environment. And while I understand that new technology can bring opportunities, I think it's more important to look at this environmental impact, especially since these data centers use a lot a large amount of energy and require large amount of water to cool down their systems. And especially in our city, that can put a lot of pressure on local resources and infrastructure. And it puts a strain on water supplies that we depend on every day. And there's also other environmental concerns such as how carbon emissions and pollution of water from these data centers. And as a student, I care about the future of our city. And I want us to grow and succeed, but I'm also concerned about our future. And I hope you take the time to really consider the long-term effects that these data centers can have on our environment. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi everyone. Good morning. My name is Adler and I'm a student working on a citizenship project about artificial intelligence data centers and their impact on jobs. As part of my research, I spoke with people around New Orleans about the work and how AI is affecting them. A consistent concern I heard was that while I while AI is more efficient and it's growing to be like help people be more efficient, um it's also creating a lot of uncertainty and reducing job stability and also can potentially replace a lot of the workforce. I wanted to ask how should the city decide when AI and data center growth growths are genuinely improving services and economic growth versus when they're replacing human labor in a way that could harm workers and weaken long-term economic stability. I'm asking because many people are not against innovation, but they are concerned about whether there are standards in place to make sure this progress benefits the community as a whole, not just efficiency, expansion, and cost reduction.

All right, council brie. Uh thank you, Mr. President. Uh good morning. I just wanted to sincerely thank you both for uh being involved in this process, for coming and lending your voice today. Uh it it it's critically important. And you know, um I will say this is very heavy work, but what gives me hope is when your generation shows up and and speaks up. And I know that the future of our city is in really good hands. I know you said you had some research that you're doing a project. Uh, I certainly would love to to to see the results of it. I probably the entire council. Uh, but I just want you both to know how much I appreciate um you you know you all paying close attention and uh this council certainly shares your concern. Uh and that's why we're really trying to be thoughtful and take our time and and learn and understand the research. But thank you so much for your partnership. Really means a lot.

Thank you so much. Wait, one more council. Just very quickly, McGee, it's in my district and I did receive your email yesterday. So, thank you for that. Um, as Council Member Hughes said, I would love to see the research that you all uh come up with on data centers. I know that this is impactful not only for our generation, but your generation going forward. So, thank you and thank you to McGee for continuing to grow uh wonderful leaders like this. Thank you for being here today. Thank you. All right, I'll move to adopt. Second by councelor Buse. Please your machines. Seven yays, no nays. I believe we have a couple items under suspension. Madam clerk,

yes. We have motion M26175 by council member Harris by request adding the president of council as a signatory to the contract between the city of New Orleans and the Louisiana Department of Health STI HIV hepatitis program and authorizing the president of council to sign the contract between the city of New Orleans and Louisiana Department of Health STI HIV hepatitis program as exhibit A. We need the vote to suspend the rules to receive. I've moved council member King is seconded. Seven yes. We need to vote to add. I'll move council McCarron uh second. All in favor?

7 years. You can discuss the matter. Jeie uh from the health department is here. Would you like to discuss what this is?

Thank you. members. Uh Jeannie Donovan, director of public health and policy at the New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services. I've got our program manager, Vata Shantala here over our HIV programs to share just a tiny bit about this grant and why it's so important that we move it forward quickly today.

Good morning. Thank you for having us. um with first our office. We're a division of the New Orleans Health Department and we provide HIV prevention and treatment related services to citizens living in Orleans and seven surrounding parishes. Um with this grant, it is focused on HIV prevention and it is uh federally funded by um the CDC. The state is a pass through entity and the contract would u be effective September 1st and going all the way to August 31st, 2028 for approximately $2.7 million. The goal of the grant is to provide HIV prevention treatment related activities. So that includes testing um engagement in care and also prevention of new cases and addressing HIV stigma.

Thank you. Are there any questions from uh other council members? If not, I'll move to adopt. Seconded by council president Morell. We need to suspend rule 57 first. Okay. Well then I move to suspend. Council president seconds. All in favor? Seven yays. Now we can vote to adapt. Thank you for keeping me in line. I'll move second by council president Morell 78. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you

council members. We're going to go back to page 27. We have item 20. Legislative group and zoning docket 3226. Arleans Parish School Board requesting a zoning change from an MU1 medium intensity misuse district in an SRD suburban two family residential district to an OSR regional open space district in a conditional use to permit a stadium on lot Y on an undesated square in the third municipal district bounded by Almanza Avenue, Higgins Boulevard, Metropolitan Street and St. Ferin Street. Municipal address 4298 Avenue and 3059 Higgins Boulevard. The recommendation of the CPC being for approval subject to four provisos. We are motion M26154 by council member Green approving the applicant's request for zoning docket 3226 3226 subject to four provisals and the CPC staff report.

Members, this is an exciting day. This is an exciting project for a community that has been long underserved, the desire community, a historic community in our city. And I'm so pleased to represent that community as I see many positive developments taking place, including infrastructure investment. But maybe no infrastructure investment in that community that has taken place recently is going to be as significant as this, the building of the 9inth Ward Stadium next to Carver High School. I'm just so honored to have an opportunity to present to you today this zoning docket which reflects an important investment in youth education and community infrastructure. This request will allow the expansion of the George Washington Carver High School campus to include the 9inth Ward Stadium which will not only serve the school but students across the city. This project activates currently uni underutilized land, promotes public health and safety, and creates opportunity for youth athletics, community engagement, and economic activity. I strongly support this rebuilding community. I strongly support this particular project, this Ninth Ward Stadium, and I want to commend everyone who's been associated with this project and keeping it alive over the years. This is an example of the local, state, and federal branches of government and the private sector coming together to do something that is very good in a community that is very much in need but is moving in the right direction. When Mr. Arie Fuel Cole comes in. Members, I'm going to ask for a moment of personal privilege to allow him to just come to the mic to say something because he has been a catalyst behind keeping this project alive and putting together the funding, the zoning, and other support that makes it happen. So,

with this, I move on approval for approval of motion M261 154, the establishment of the zoning that allows for the George Washington Carver High School 9inth Ward Stadium. Am I move? Seconded by council vice president Willard. Members, I ask you to vote your machine and I thank you. Seven yays, no nays. I thank you for your support. Years from now when we look at this date. We'll remember that we made it possible for this project to stimulate growth and development in the desired community. Thank you very much.

Yeah. Madam clerk, we're going to do first reads before special orders. So move for first reads. Second by council member Harris. All in favor? Seven yays, no nays. First reads. Madam clerk ordinance is on first reads. Ordinance calendar number 35,000 2 423. Ordinance is on first reads. Ordinance calendar number 35,423 by council member Harris by request. an ordinance to amend and reordain sections 70-84 and 70-87 of the code of the city of New Orleans relative to budget reporting requirements and otherwise to provide with respect there too. Ordinance calendar number 35,424 by council member McCarron an ordinance to rename a portion of West Robert Elie Boulevarded by Hammond Highway Regent Street and Pontra Train Boulevard to Zephr Court and otherwise to provide with respect there to ordinance calendar number 35,425 by council members Morell and Harris by request an ordinance to amend and reordain sections of chapters 66 and 154 of the code of the city of New Orleans. Ian to transfer parking and towing enforcement from the department of public works to the department of police and otherwise to provide with respect there too. Ordinance calendar number 35,426 by council members Harris, Morell, Willard, McCarron, King, Green, and Hughes by request. An ordinance to authorize New Orleans Building Corporations, subject to NOBC board of directors approval, to sell its right to receive certain payments under the second amended and restated lease agreement dated April 3rd, 2020 by and between NOBC as landlord Jazz Casino Company LLC as tenant and the city as

intervenor to a newly formed entity arranged for and financed by TPG Angelo Gordon or one of its affiliates are designated funds for a lump sum payment at closing of at least 100,000 I mean 100 million a minimum the minimum purchase price to authorize the mayor of the city of New Orleans at the president of the city council as necessary or appropriate to execute and deliver an intercedor agreement between the city of New Orleans and the purchaser pursuant to which the city will agree to subordinate its right to receive certain other amounts payable under the lease under certain circumstances to authorize the mayor of the city of New Orleans and the president of the city council as necessary or appropriate to execute and deliver on behalf of the city of New Orleans such other documents as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the sale by NOBC and otherwise provide with respect there to ordinance calendar number 35,427 by council member King by request An ordinance authorizing the mayor of the city of New Orleans to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement among the city of New Orleans through New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and Friends of Inspire Nola for a term greater than one year for the public purpose of supporting, promoting, stimulating public interest in and raising and distributing funds to benefit the construction, creation, preservation, and maintenance of public parks and playgrounds, recreational facilities, and recreational and other leisure programs and activities in the city of New Orleans is more fully detailed in the cooperative endeavor agreement attached here to as exhibit A and otherwise provide with respect there too. That concludes the ordinances on first read. We only have five. We got public work and this

Oh, yeah. Yeah, this one. Yeah, you got it. You guys ready? All right. Are we ready for special order? All right, let's Mr. Bel's here. He said, so you can you can give us I know that Mr. Green wanted to give him personal privilege to make some comments on the night war stadium that we already passed. Saw him in the back. You just walked out. Okay. Well, all right. Do we Leslie, are you doing sex or you're doing sexual assault awareness month, right? Are they here yet? Okay. Why don't we go at ease for 15 minutes? Cuz I know some people were told Xavier's here.

Okay. All righty. So all the paperwork's coming up. Okay.

Oh, that was the one. different. Thank you for being that. So, So much that Mr. Chair, Mr. Chair and um members of the council, um I'm pleased to introduce former council member at large, Mr. Arie Filco. Um Mr. field co

just for a second but to the members of the public and to the council um I just want to say how appreciative I am for your work um in the desire community making sure that this ninth law stadium happens it's not only benefit to that community it's benefit to Carver High School the students there and to students throughout the nation I mean throughout the um city and there may be some people playing from other places but the most important thing is that You stayed with this project when it looked like it wasn't going to happen. You worked with local, state, and federal officials to identify monies with agencies such as the school board and the city of New Orleans. And what we did today was somewhat historic and so very important because I'm calling this one of the major transformative projects to hit the desire community in the last couple of decades. a community that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina as we know, but it is on the rebound. Part of the reason that it's on the rebound is because of your efforts and the efforts of those who want to see something done in that historic community that enhances it. So, I just want to tell you that the council voted unanimously today to support the zoning that is necessary to make this project happen. But I appreciate the fact that you came today and I wanted to give you an opportunity to say something, but for us to say thank you to you.

Thank you, Councilman. I very much appreciate and thank you to the entire city council. First of all, it's nice to be back in chambers and uh congratulations to all of you on your great leadership. Um I'm here to tell you the project is a go. Um we have uh after 17 years and my group has been involved um for 8 years um you know we we have now secured the necessary funding. We're uh we've raised a little bit over $15 million and what we originally thought was about a $5 million project escalated quite quickly. Um we um we are so excited for the community, for the youth, for Carver, but for everyone in New Orleans cuz this will be a a complex that'll be available to every public high school and middle school uh in New Orleans. Uh and and something very much needed. We hope to break ground in uh early June. We are awaiting uh contract finalization um on the project. Uh we have two private sector naming rights partners that have orally uh accepted and we're working on the contracts now. Those contracts have to be approved by the Orleans Paris School Board uh in the month of May. But we uh unless there's any uh thing that we're not expecting, we should be able to break ground in um in early June. It's a 12 to 13month build. Uh we're hoping to open the stadium in the summer of 2027 and uh be ready for the football season of of uh 27. We'll be able to play football, uh soccer, boys and girls soccer, um some other emerging sports, flag football, lacrosse that are coming into our community. And uh we're we're just so excited. I can't even tell you. Um it's been a labor of love for myself and our entire board of directors. And uh

lastly, I'll say this. We've raised the money to build this, you know, I think one of a kind um uh stadium, but we haven't given up on a priority 2 project, which is to build a track and field venue right next to it. Something even more needed in our community. We've got to raise the money for that. Uh, I have pledged that myself and our company, our corporation is going to spend the next year trying to raise the extra 5 million or so to be able to build that track and field. And if we do, this will be truly the nicest athletic facility, I believe, in all of New Orleans. So, again, we couldn't have done this without all of you. Um, this is a very unique project in that we have both federal, state, city, and private sector funding. I'm not sure I know of many projects like that. And again, um, just a a hearty thanks to each and every one of you for believing in us, believing in this project, and most importantly, believing in our kids. Look forward to seeing you all at groundbreaking. Um, and then obviously ribbon cutting a year later, and let's get this thing opening. And council member, thank you for your incredible leadership. You have been part of this from day one. And without your commitment and perseverance, we couldn't have uh moved to today. So, thank you, Council Member Green. so much.

Thank you, Council Member Fio. Really appreciate your support and that community is talking about this development. You know, very honestly, when I you've seen the turnout at the public meetings, for example, and there's just a lot more going on, too. Yes. Carver High School is so deserving. It is a great institution moving in a positive way. I'm going to point out that it's also the school from which our council president's father graduated and my parents taught. It's a historic institution. It's a very important part of a pillar of that community. So, this is just a winwin across the board. So, I thank you very much for taking the time and spending it over these past 8 years to get us to the point where we are now and certainly looking forward to the next 13 months.

It's my pleasure. And just one more thing, Cult, I I I would be remiss if I didn't thank uh Mayor Moreno when she was on the council and since she's been mayor, she's been incredibly supportive of this project. And uh again a a big kudos to her and all of you for for this. Thank you very much. Thank you members. Anybody wish to say anything? Okay. All righty.

Thank you. It's going to be again. lower cheerleader. Council President, I believe that Xavier cheer team is here.

All right, Madame Clerk, that will be item number two.

Second order of business, Xavier University cheer team coach Glenn Carrie Roads and Keshan Edgar. The Xavier University of Louisiana cheer team claimed the 2026 NIA National Championship with a standout performance at the national competition held March 27th through 28th at the Storm Mine Veil Event Center in Topeka, Kansas. The victory mark Xavier's second NIA national title in the past four years in the return to the top following consecutive runnerup finishes in 24 and 20 25. The team also earned a national title at the NCA Championship in 2024, further solidifying its place among the nation's elite cheers program.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. Well, good morning. Good morning. Good morning. We're so excited to have you here. Do you President Verrett, would you like to introduce yourself and then could each of the members of the team introduce themselves? I I am Reynold Veret, president of Xavier University of Louisiana, and we're very, very happy to be here. Thank you, madam. Hi, my name is Dylan Sonier. I'm a junior at Xavier. Hello, my name is Alexandra Richards. I'm a junior at Xavier. Hi, my name is Kelsey Allen and I'm a junior at Xavier. Also, hi, my name is Jordan Brown and I'm a sophomore at Xavier.

Hi, my name is Kayla Dy and I'm a freshman at Xavier. Hi, my name is Nicholas Taylor and I'm a freshman at middle. My name is Cameron Speed and I'm a junior. Good morning. My name is Kayla Merkson and I'm a freshman at Xavier. Y'all need to use your cheer voices. Come on. You can. Hi, my name is Britney Dixon. I'm assistant coach at Xavier. Hello, my name is Trey Bird and I'm a freshman at Xavier. Hello, my name is Anthony Glay and I'm a sophomore at Xavier.

All right, great. Thank you so much. I am so proud to recognize today the Xavier University of Louisiana cheer team on winning the 2026 NIA National Championship. I saw everything on YouTube and you were remarkable and fantastic. Thank you.

This is a fabulous achievement, but not their first one. This is their second national title in four years. That is not luck. That is a program that has built a culture of discipline, teamwork, and competitive excellence that is producing results at the highest level of collegiate competition. They represented New Orleans on a national stage, and they won. Xavier University holds a special place in this community. As an HBCU and a pillar of New Orleans for over a century, Xavier continues to develop extraordinary young people who go on to make us proud in classrooms, in their career, and now on the national competition floor. To the athletes, to the coaches, parents, and everyone who supported this program, your hard work, sacrifice, and your commitment to being the best did not go unnoticed. This council and this city celebrates you today and we are honored to formally rec recognize your achievement today. So, I want to thank you all for being here. If you want to do a little cheer, that would be great.

Thank you for having us. You're welcome. So, hi, I'm Glenn Casten. I'm the head cheer coach of Xavier University of Louisiana's competitive cheer program. And so, we have a couple gifts that we would like to present to you. Councilwoman Oh, thank you. Paris and we are extremely ecstatic to represent our city in the state of Louisiana on all of our national platforms. We are proud to be conference champs as well. And today we have some distinguished people here. We had 10 all-American um cheerleaders on our program this year. Amazing.

Sitting at the platform today is Kelsey Allen. Um she was uh voted as NIH cheerleader of the year as well. Amazing. and their scholar athletes. Many of them aren't here. The rest of the team, they're taking finals. This is our last stretch. Um, but this this small collective of us, we're so happy to come and represent the entire team. Um, we're so happy to have you here. Any council members want to say anything? Council member Green, you just assumed that I want to say something. Yes, I know. I know you want to.

That's a good thing. My claim to fame everyone with Xavier University is my father earned his master's degree in education from Xavier and my brother's a graduate a computer science graduate. So when I look at Xavier and I see what you I see you all I'm doubly proud because obviously my family is well represented. But I want to congratulate you all because you all represent the spirit of Xavier University a great institution that's doing so much in our city and being represented throughout the entire nation. But congratulations seconds in a row. Can you imagine how difficult that is? Because everybody was gunning to take out the champions and you all were able to continue the good work and achieve that championship. So, I'm just honored as someone who has deep ties to the great university. I'm honored as a New Orleian who enjoys our city of New Orleans. And I'm honored because I have a chance to see and this is a special day for me for a variety of reasons. I see more young people doing great things in our city. Congratulations and I'm looking forward to NIA championship number three next year.

Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Council President Moro. I mean since Eugene spoke I guess I know we all got uh Well, I mean my claim to fame with Xavier is that Norman Francis was my neighbor. Um my other claim to fame is I went to Spring Hill College which y'all beat at everything. That's about my extent. I mean Xavier obviously is a cornerstone of our community is a pillar of the city of New Orleans. We appreciate everything you do representing us and representing us well and we are so excited for your victory. Thank you. And Council Member Willard.

Thank you, Council Member Harris. Uh congratulations. Very excited uh for this championship. Like Council Member Green said, we're hoping for a three Pete. Uh it's always exciting and and just proud to be a New Orleian whenever uh we get put on the map and you guys are certainly doing that for everybody in the city of New Orleans, bringing home cheer competitions year after year. We're just ecstatic for it. We want to uh support you. We want to see you continue succeeding. Uh and we wish you the best in your educational endeavors as well. So, thank you all for coming down to city council today. Thank you,

Council Member King. Good morning everyone. I want to say congratulations coach. Congratulations on the second national championship with all the coaches uh you to Dr. Verrett but mainly to the to the students. I know it could be very difficult uh being a college student athlete especially with the high academic requirements that it takes to um be a student at Xavier. It's not an easy feat and to do that and be a national championship is something very very special. So congratulations on your second national championship. Look forward to many many more. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member McCarron. Yes, congratulations to you all. I know this is a highly competitive sport. So, this is fantastic for you guys. Great job on your second one. And like Council Member Willard said, we're hoping for a three repeat next year. Congrats again, y'all.

Thank you. We have our proclamations to present and the council members will come down and take photos. Who's the flyer of the group? All right, come on down. They're going to come around picture. What are we going to do?

All right, we're going to have our next order of business recognizing sexual assault awareness month. Want to have our next order of business. First order of business, presentation, health department recognizing sexual assault awareness month.

Anyone else coming? Pure support. There we go.

Superintendent, you come in as well. All right. Well, introduce yourselves and the floor is yours. All right. Good morning, council. My name is Dr. Jordan Pedalino. I work for the city of New Orleans Health Department, other known as New Orleans Health and Human Services. I'm an accompanied by this morning by I'll let you introduce yourselves. Good morning. I'm Sydney Wood. I work for the New Orleans Child Advocacy Center, also known as the Morgan Ray Center for Hope, as the human trafficking care coordinator. Good morning all. Alex Tarnowski. I am director of survivor services for STAR sexual trauma awareness and response.

New Orleans Health Department. Um, I am the engagement uh leazison. What's your name? My name is Latina Jalovette.

Thank you. Um, so thank you all for allowing us to come here this morning and talk about this critical issue. Right now, someone in the city of New Orleans is deciding whether or not they should tell someone about a sexual assault. Um, not whether to report, not whether to go to court, but whether they feel safe enough to tell someone. Um, and so that just isn't about sexual assault awareness, but it's about whether people in New Orleans feel safe um, and feel like they will be helped and believed to come forward. So, this month is sexual assault awareness month. Crescent City Courage is a citywide unified um, sexual assault initiative. And so, we developed our committee back in 2024. Um, it was developed out of a previously fragmented sexual assault awareness month and we wanted a month of cohesive events calendar and we didn't want overlapping events or inconsistent messaging. And so what we did was gather a whole bunch of partners. Um, these are our partners. You can see them here. Each one of these places is either a phone call, a hospital room, a courtroom, a police station, a shelter. Um, every part of the system works together so that survivors can feel comforted and trusted. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge our partners behind me. If you are a partner of Crescent City Courage, could you please stand up? So, as you can tell, we have a whole lot of partners. We've been working tirelessly every month. Um we have decided to take this committee a little bit further. So originally we were just a calendar of events. We were a place where we did movie screenings and workshops and public events. And then we

took it a step further this last year and we've begun to partner with uh nightlife establishments. We've begun to outreach to do trainings at other places. We've decided to start talking about sexual violence at a larger scale. So, I just wanted to put this up so you could see how hard that we've worked this month for April. Um, we had events all month long. We launched Teal Tuesdays where you wear Teal every Tuesday. Um, and we've outreached to the public via social media, emails, other organizations to try to get everyone on board to show their support for sexual violence. Um, I want to challenge something that most people think that they understand. Sexual violence is not about sex. It's about power and control. Um, it's about taking something from someone that no one should take. And that's why it doesn't always look like what people expect, right? It can happen without force. It can happen with force. It can happen with or without a weapon. It can happen in relationships, in homes, in places that people feel safe. Um, and that's exactly why it's missed and that's why it's not talked about so widely and it's minimized and it's misunderstood. And so when we respond, we are not just responding to an incident. We're responding to people in our community in the city of New Orleans. So I'm going to say these numbers, right? And I don't want you to look at them as numbers. I ask you to look at these as individual people. So one in three women, one in four men. That's not a statistic. That's people in this room right here. We all have been affected by sexual violence in some shape or form. Um, this is your staff. This is your family. And here's what should stop us in our tracks. Right? Most of the time the people who are assaulted are

assaulted by someone that they know. Um, this isn't a stranger problem. This is not a bad neighborhood problem. This is a human problem and it's a systems problem. And so we're trying to work to make sure that our systems can work better for the people in our community. So here's just a couple of numbers from 2025. 436 times someone walked into a hospital needing answers and care. 687 times someone made the decision to report to law enforcement knowing how hard that process would be. 303 survivors were served and um reached out for help from an agency and that turned into nearly 6,000 moments of support. Um but what you don't see on this slide, right, is the people who never came forward. We know that sexual violence is one of the most, if not the most under reportported crime out there. And so the ones who didn't think that they would be believed, the ones that didn't feel comfortable, those are the ones that were missing from this picture. A little bit about New Orleans Health Department sexual assault program. So I um we started the sexual assault program with the health department three years ago. I was brought on to strengthen the sexual assault program after the domestic violence one had been developed and been really implemented for a long time. Um and so we have a whole bunch of initiatives. We at the health department would like to be the contact for sexual violence. We run the sexual violence advisory response committee. We look at um different campuses. We have campus meetings. We have action coalitions. We train the health department. Last year alone, we trained every sworn officer in NOPD on sexual violence. Um we have trained criminal court judges. We've worked on legislation. And so when we talk about improving systems, the health

department is really trying to play their part here. I wanted to talk a little about our sexual assault response team meeting. So that is coordinated by the health department. However, we meet with the DA's office, NOPD, advocacy organizations, UMC, LSP, whole bunch of people in the room and we talk about cases. And so last year alone, we had 11 meetings where we discussed 94 cases. Um those cases can be referred by NOPD, UMC, anyone who feels there's a case that needs attention can bring it to the attention of us. Um what I wanted to show you is that a significant portion of these cases involved mental health housing instability and delayed reporting. Um and what we know is that we do not as a team have the the means to meet these needs. Um, we are struggling to meet the needs of the mentally ill, of the developmentally delayed, of the people who do not have housing stability. And so, as a result, cases require more coordination, more time, and more resources than what we currently have available. And so, some of our future priorities as the health department, as Crescent City Courage, as a SAR team, um, we want more data first. We do not want the numbers, but we want to see who is missing. We know that we are letting people slip through these cracks. And then we want flexible funding to reach those who are missing. We want to be able to put someone in a pinch in a hotel room for the night for their safety. We want to be able to give them gas money or a gas card to get them across state lines. Um, we need continued advocacy for these people who cannot advocate for themselves. Um, and so I always like to come to city council with a little what you can do. Um, because I think that's important. Leadership, right, you all

know, is not about recognizing problems. It's about deciding to do something with them and to act on them. And so there are things that we would love to ask of you. Um, first strengthening that data sharing infrastructure. Um right now there is um not much data sharing amongst all the agencies and so we want the support to be able to share the numbers with each other openly and see who's missing. We want to have funding to reach underserved populations and people who um are unable to advocate for themselves. We want to advance policies to support survivors. We want to partner with you. We would love for you to show up at one of our April events or one of our fall events that we host. We want you to use your platform to elevate. Um, we can only reach so many people and we need your help to reach the others. We also just want to work on stabilizing the system. We have a system and I really being in this work in New Orleans for 10 plus years, I've seen it grow and there's been so much growth, but we still have a long, long way to go and we just want your support to do that. I just wanted to put some resources up here. These numbers save lives, these places save lives, and these people um are there to help survivors in need. So, I wanted to put those. And then I just want to say thank you um Crescent City Courage, the health department, the SART team, myself, we all thank you for taking a few moments um to recognize this as an issue as a public health crisis. Um and we would love it if you could help spread the word. And so I put some QR codes for you to take out your phone if you'd like and follow us on Instagram and Facebook and to share that. Um, and I really appreciate your time and we'd love it if you have any feedback or questions.

All right. Thank you for your presentation. Thank you.

Going to follow the same order and start with Council Member Green for any comments from the dead. Thank you for your presentation and I thank everyone who is here today. Um, I certainly hear your concerns relative to communication and we should do everything that we can to share information. This week is actually National Crime Victim's Rights Week and um I'm a founder of an organization called Voices of the Victims of Crime and I want to say to anyone who's hesitant to report that you've been assaulted, please don't hesitate. I have confidence in the members of our New Orleans Police Department. our chief is chief is here today. But um the experience that I've had in referring folks who have concerns to the police has been a favorable one. But it's important to recognize that we have to report so that there can be action on the part of the law enforcement community. And I know how hard it is, but I just want to emphasize that. I want to also emphasize that during this week there were a number of organizations that are part of National Crime Victim's Rights Week. Those organizations, for example, gather tomorrow at 5:30 at Bayou St. John. And if you've been the victim or a family member or a supporter of somebody who's been a victim of crime, I want to encourage you to participate tomorrow at 5:30. But the most important thing about this week, it just it reminds us that every day we ought to be concerned. We must be concerned about the victims. The reason our criminal justice system must be enhanced and must work better is to prevent people from being victims. but if they've been victims, providing them with the maximum support. So, I thank you for the work that you're doing. I thank Councilman King for recognizing sexual assault awareness month. But I wanted to let you know that there are many people out there who are concerned, who are working with those who have been victimized, who are sympathetic, too. Um, if there's anything that I can do to help, feel free to call my office. But the main thing is I want you to have confidence in the New Orleans Police Department. there are some things that

aren't getting done that need need to get done relative to kids um you know sexual assault kits and the like but the bottom line is that we have to report we have to report more so anything that I can do to help I appreciate it and thank you for your presentation and for everyone who's here in support of those who have been victimized and who deserve to have the maximum support of government and of society. Thank you. Thank you all for coming out this morning. Um, and thank you for everything that you do. Uh, I worked a lot on these issues in the state legislature and certainly looking forward to continue some of that work here in the city of New Orleans. Uh, we all have a role to play. Um, thank you for using your voices. Thank you for showing up and speaking out. uh and please consider this city council as a partner uh to enable the work that you do to protect all of the victims in our city. So, thank you so much uh and I look forward to working with all of you.

Councilman Harris,

well, you all know that I'm a huge supporter of uh of the cause and your work with survivors. Um not only women but men as well. Um, and I just want to say thank you for that. Um, and thank you for your continued work. On a fun note, I get to MC the fashion show on the 29th and I'm really excited about that. Um, so I will be wearing my teal and doing my best RP Drag Race impersonation. Uh, but you know, keep up the good work. I did try to just do the Instagram. It's not pulling up. It might be city hall um lack of internet, but uh I will try again and I'll come and see you after this. But thank you everyone, all the organizations for everything that you do. Um it's really appreciated and we as a council need to do more, including getting our DNA lab up and running.

Council member McCar,

thank you all for being here today and for your presentation. And thank you for the coordination that you all provide. I know that's something that um is not easy to do to coordinate all of these different efforts and needs of of victims. So, I appreciate that work. I know it's it's very much needed. Um and we look forward to being a partner here um on the council and and you know, helping you all as as we need to. Um so, again, appreciate you all um being here today and for the presentation and look forward to seeing you soon. Um, lastly, I want to thank you all for work that you do all throughout the year. Uh, those numbers you presented were were alarming, but they they're sad, but however, they are they are true. Um, and it takes everyone's commitment in this room, throughout the city, throughout the world, actually, to to bring those numbers down, all of them down to zero. And I appreciate all the work that you do once again. and you have my commitment and everyone else on this day's commitment to making uh the place this this city better for our sexual assault victims. So there will be none in the future. Thank you. All right. Thank you. With that, I make a motion to adjourn. Second.

All right. Second by council Harris. All in favor? I. Five days. No names. Means a journ. Thank you.