City Council - Regular Meeting

Did you go after that? Yeah. Madam Clerk, we can get started when you're ready.

Roll call. Council President Murrell, Vice President Wood, Council Member McCarran, Council Member Harris, Council Member King, Council Member Green, Council Member Hughes, we have five members, we have a quorum.

Thank you very much. First up, we have the... Thank you very much, Mr. Jefferson.

Good morning. Shall we stand, please? Let us all bow our heads as we shall pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, your word declares that men ought to always pray, not faint. And we come today just to say thank you. We thank you for your goodness and your kindness towards us. Your loving kindness is better than life. We thank you for your tender mercies. They are new every morning. And for that, God, we say great is thy faithfulness. We thank you for this day that you have made. we shall rejoice and be glad in it, for your word declares and everything gives thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. We thank you, Father, for this great counsel. We ask that you continue to lead them and guide them in the ways that you would have them to go. But we declare your word, and your word says the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his ways. We thank you for unity right now in the name of the Lord Jesus. South City, God, in the name of the Lord Jesus. Father, we come against every attack on our city. No weapon that's formed against our city shall prosper. Every tongue that rises up against our city in judgment shall be condemned. We speak the blessings of the Lord upon our city and we speak that we shall be a role model city in the name of the Lord Jesus. Father, allow your glory, your presence, your anointing, your spirit, your love, your joy to fill this place as we take care of the business of this city. We give you praise and we thank you in advance for what you're going to do. In Jesus' name, thank God. Amen.

Amen. I will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, All right, play ball.

Consent agenda. We have a communication from Erin Spears. This may be received. We have a communication from Jennifer Vagno. This may be received. We have a communication from Amy B. Trepanier. This may be received and referred to the Budget Committee. We have a communication from Ron Lazzle. This may be received hearing day 6-4-26. We have a communication from Abigail Yen. This may be received and referred to the Budget Committee. We have a communication of Kiel Wilson. This may be received and referred to the Governmental Affairs Committee. We have a report of Cassandra B. Robert. This may be received. We have a report of Kaya Howard. This may be received. We have a report of Eleanor Burke, 1537-1539 Eutropa Street. This may be received. We have a report of Kaylin Tamarick. This may be received. We have a report of Robert D. Rivers. This may be received. Hearing date 6-4-26. We have motion M-26... by council members Morrell, McCarran, Harris, Green, and Hughes by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26201 by council members Morrell, McCarran, Harris, Green, and Hughes by request. Governmental Affairs recommended approval. We have motion M26202 by Council Members Morrell, McCarran, Harris, Green, and Hughes by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26204 by Council Member Harris. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26205 by Council Member Morrell by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26206 by Council Member Morrell by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26207 by Councilmember Morrell by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26208 by Councilmember Hughes by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26209 by Councilmember King by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26210 by by Councilmember King by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26211 by Councilmember Green by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26212 by Councilmember McCarran by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26213 by Councilmember Green by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26214 by Councilmember King by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26215 by Councilmember McCarran by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26216 by Councilmember McCarran by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. M26217 by Councilmember King by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. We have motion M26223 by Councilmember McCarran by request. Governmental Affairs Committee recommended approval. This is all matters on consent.

Madam Clerk, just to be clear, there were no cards on the consent agenda, correct? Okay.

Council Member, can we get a motion and a second for the record? Allowed.

It was moved by Hughes, seconded by McCarran.

All right. Regular agenda. We have legislative grouping. RTA application 1419 through 1421 Dauphine Street along with resolution line over R26168 has been deferred to the meeting of December 17th. At the top of page 13, item 3, we have HDLC appeal of 6309 through 11 South Claiborne Avenue has been deferred to the meeting of June 4th. We have item 4, HDLC appeal of 6307 through 6309 South Miro Street has been deferred to the meeting of June 4th. At the top of page 14, item 4, HDLC, appeal 3100 Calhoun Street, has been deferred to the meeting of June 4th. We have item 6, legislative group in zoning docket 1426, 2400 Napoleon Avenue, LLC, requesting an amendment to ordinance number 29359, MCS, zoning docket 8422, which granted a conditional use to permit a reception facility over 10,000 square feet in the HUMU historic urban neighborhood and mixed-use district to permit a planned development authorizing a live performance venue located on square 584, block 1A-3 in the 6th municipal district bounded by LaSalle Street, Ferret Street, Jenna Street, and Napoleon Avenue. Municipal address 2400 Napoleon Avenue. The recommendation of the CPC being effective than now for lack of legal majority... section 4.2.D.3.C. We have motion M26196 by Councilmember Harris approving and modifying the applicant's request for zoning document 1526.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. CPC, will you brief us on your report?

Yes, zoning docket 1426 is a request for a plan development to allow a live performance venue in an HUMU district and to amend an existing conditional use that granted a reception facility to allow this dual use at this site on Napoleon Avenue just off Ferret Street. The site is built with a church in the Spanish colonial revival style. It has recently been renovated for use as a reception hall, which was approved, like I said, as a conditional use in 2022. The owners are now seeking to additionally allow the live performance venue to bring more revenue and opportunities to the site. The live performance venue would otherwise be prohibited in the HUMU district, which this property falls within, if not for the planned development process. The planned development process essentially seeks to allow customized zoning regulations to support the preservation and adaptive reuse of historical structures. There was both support and opposition at the City Planning Commission meeting. Neighbors cited concerns with traffic, noise, intensity of operations, lack of public benefit hours, increased neighborhood activity, safety in parking. The agent for the applicant proposed additional provisos could be added, limiting the guest count and setting hours of operation to provide more guardrails. The commissioners deliberated about those proposed hours of operation, the allowed numbers of attendees, open for parking. Among other things, the agent asked to discuss this proposal with the applicant and for more time to do so. However, the motion to defer the item to a subsequent meeting was never passed. It failed. So a second motion was made to approve the request along with additional provisos presented by the applicant, limiting the attendees to 8.50 and limiting the closing time to 10.45 p.m. on Sunday. through Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. However, no commissioner seconded the motion to approve, so the motion could not ultimately be voted on. That is why, with no legal action on the matter, you are receiving this with a recommendation for lack of a majority.

Great, thank you. I have a bunch of cards here. We are limited by council rules to 30 minutes of comments. So as you do public comment, please, if you can, keep your remarks free so we can hear from everyone. You also need to state your name and address for the record as well as if you are a paid actor. But before we get to public comment, let me say this. I've received both support and opposition to this project, and there's been substantial outreach to myself and to my office. Much of the support is a result of neighborhood and applicant negotiations to reach the provisos that you see in this motion before you, and I believe that much of this opposition could be resolved with additional time for the community and applicants to continue their conversations toward an updated proviso and a possible good neighbor agreement. Procedurally, land use and zoning dockets require two levels of approval, a motion and an ordinance. Just because this council approves a motion does not mean that we will approve the zoning docket by ordinance. This means that there is additional time for continued conversation and I will not have the ordinance come before us for the 90 days that it is permitted by law to sit over. Again, I do believe that it is worth a digital conversation with the neighbors and the developer, and I am happy to participate in those conversations. With that, again, public comment is limited to 30 minutes, so if you don't get to your comment, note that your support or opposition will be put into the record. The first person up is Julie Peggy Littlejohn. If we could put 30 minutes on timer, that would be great. Ms. Littlejohn? All right, she's in opposition. Janice? Oh, okay, I see.

Good morning. My name is Julia Peggy Littlejohn and I reside at the address of 2334 Napoleon Avenue. I have been living there for 38 years. My husband and I purchased the property in 1987. At the present time, my real concern is adding any more traffic to this area. As it is, we have Bellwether, we have the Josephine, and we're going to get the famous Trader Joe's, which has not even opened yet. And traffic on LaSalle Street is horrendous already. It is a two-way street with parking permitted on either side, and most of the time it becomes a one-way street. You wait at either end, whichever is first, in order to proceed forward or whichever way you're going. The traffic is so great during busy hours, you would not believe. And we also have people parking in our lovely neighborhood. They park to the end of the corner. It doesn't matter where you park. You can park in the wrong direction. It doesn't matter. Park it anywhere anywhere Unless and I will say if you says no parking they're pretty good about that They might park right to your corner where you can't see anything if you're coming out But they're they adhere to a no parking sign Now Trader Joe's is not even open and it's going to bring a tremendous amount of traffic to our area and I am not in favor of any

Thank you. That's your time. Janice de Armas.

Hi, my name is Janice D'Armas, 2336 Napoleon Avenue. I am opposed. The planned development process that the Josephine is seeking allows unique exceptions for properties that are historic and provide a significant public benefit. The city planning commission recommended it with two exceptions. And the main one is no off-street or on-street parking would be required at that point. Sherman Strategies claims that they have addressed parking and traffic impacts proactively by seeking three blocks away from 55 cars. That would be for employees and patrons. This plan is not working with the existing operation. They claim patrons will use rideshare, but will only have five cars that fit in the front. And with five cars of rideshare, where will they stage their pickup and their drop-offs? It's just an impossible thing. The site is adjacent to residential zoning. Our Lady of Lourdes Church was not open until 1 a.m., but not even 10 p.m. So the Josephine requests that they stay open until 1 a.m. on the weekends, and it will be 2 a.m. before they're cleared out. Ticket events by Sherman's own summary will bring a different... a customer base, they will also bring many variables that they will not be able to control, such as where the patrons park, traffic, foot traffic, loud drunk patrons, trash, and crime that we do not want in our neighborhood. With all that said, Trader Joe's has not opened yet. That's going to be a huge impact. And there is no guarantee that customers will use their parking lot. They can park wherever they want. If you add Trader Joe's to Josephine, all together, it's a recipe for disaster. Just imagine, 850 people. We're requesting in the standing room only at the Josephine with Trader Joe's open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. And what's going to happen? It's a recipe for disaster.

That's your time. Thank you. Brooke Tesler, followed by Toy Carter.

I'm Brooke Tesler, I'm at 2410 General Pershing, and my bedroom windows are one half block away from this venue. I already sent my detailed formal email, so I want to speak plainly for a moment. Just, not about just zoning, but about people. I bought my home in this neighborhood because it felt safe, stable, and relatively quiet. a place where I could care for my aging parents and invest in the community long term. Like many of my neighbors, I made that investment based on the existing character of the area and the rules that were in place at the time. Since then, this property has already been allowed to operate under a conditional use that did not exist when many of us bought our homes. And even though that change has already brought disruption to the neighborhood, I did not oppose it. I knew it would. You never saw my face. You never received an email. I understood and still understand the desire for businesses to succeed, and I tried to be reasonable and supportive. But the current business model is already affecting residents' daily lives. We deal with intoxicated guests late at night walking our streets to get in and out of their cars, loud conversations outside bedroom windows as late as midnight, increased traffic noise disruption to the basic peace that people expect in their homes, that you expect in your home. And now we are being asked to accept an even more intensive entertainment use. What is most difficult about this process is the feeling that the people being asked to absorb these impacts are not the people making the decision. The developers and business owners do not live with these consequences. And respectfully, neither do the members of this council. The decision you make today will likely have no meaningful impact on your quality of life. It will have a very real and lasting impact on mine and theirs. We are not abstract opposition. We are people who live here, who invested here, who care for our families, and simply want to preserve some degree of peace and stability. I ask that you put residents first, and when you cast your vote, you look us in the eyes when you do it.

Thank you. Toy Carter, followed by Joel Carranza.

My name is Toi Carter. I live at 2316 Jenna Street, and I've been facilitating this community's engagement process since January. We do not have an active neighborhood association. And all of us over here, raise your hand if you've participated in community engagement on this issue. We attempted to meet with Leslie Harris's office on this issue, a small group of us, to learn your position. And we were told by Dominic Jackson that we needed to instead meet with the developers, a developer-led process, and that we had no pathway to meet with your office. She would never answer that question. What pathway is there to meet with our council member? We were given no pathway. We launched a community survey with over 60 respondents within three blocks. We organized over 30 neighbors to show up to the first negotiation on April 30th at y'all's behest with Sherman Strategies at the Josephine. We also asked for two additional meetings, May 11th and May 18th. At the first negotiation, I asked for three things. I asked them to not use their power and political influence to ram through whatever they want in City Hall. I asked them to be transparent and to provide feedback in writing. And I asked them to not force decisions out of manufactured urgency. Michael Sherman and Nikki Brennan agreed to those terms of negotiation. They have violated all three. We created a proposal, raise your hand if you participated in that proposal, that took into account their financial needs and our community's needs, including neighbors who support the venue. They rejected it out of hand last Friday, and no one sent us a list of the provisos that y'all are looking at right now. We're supposed to be negotiating with the venue, and we did not receive those provisos to look at. They are making a farce of the master plan, the provision of community engagement, and a requirement for community benefits. They are not negotiating with us. They are using us to advance their business model, and Council Member Harris, I believe accepting their account is gospel over speaking with us.

That's your time. Joel Carranza, followed by Steve Pettis.

Hello. My name is Joel Carranza. I live at 2316 Jenna Street. I'm a part of the community that Toy just spoke of and has been in conversation with the Josephine. The developers have said repeatedly to us that they don't want to be Tipitinas. But the numbers they put forth as a proposal are exactly identical in capacity to that of Tipitinas. But my understanding of the provisos that we're looking at is three events a week, consistently throughout the year, that'll bring up to 800 people into our neighborhood each night. Where will the people park? These are the questions that we keep asking over and over again. How will rideshare vehicles get into and out of the neighborhood without creating dangerous traffic conditions that we see right now every day? There is still no parking plan to address the influx. There's no noise mitigation plan. I strongly believe and I think our neighbors support a traffic feasibility study, but it should be the starting point of the approval of a live music venue. It should not be a result of it. A study done after the fact will only confirm what we as neighbors already know, what we've already experienced, that our neighborhood is not able to support a massive increase in traffic that has been brought about by this development. A change in zoning to allow live music is supposed to be predicated on demonstrating substantial community benefit. They have not made that case. If the Josephine wants to host concerts like the New Orleans Philharmonic, like what they've talked about, they can do that under the existing special permit process. Nothing of substance has changed since the City Planning Commission heard from us and chose not to recommend this to the City Council. Please vote no. Thank you.

Thank you. Steve Pettis, followed by Gordie Brown.

Good morning, members of the council. My name is Steve Pettis, 720 Amethyst, New Orleans, Louisiana. I'm the managing partner of Dickey, Brennan & Company. We have the privilege of operating a number of establishments here in New Orleans, along with 600 of our teammates, some of which have joined us today. Our roots run deep in this city, and we've been blessed to be here for generations. Today, I'm here on behalf of the Josephine, which we operate and co-own. First, I want to say how proud we are of this project. This diamond in the rough has regained its original lust or beauty. Even the few detractors of the project cannot deny the magnificence of the renovation. It has been a labor of love for our entire team. Second, the Josephine is primarily a reception and private event venue. And our team has long experienced operating neighborhood establishments in New Orleans in a way that respects the surrounding community. We also operate the Pascal's Manali Restaurant just a few blocks away. The renovation of the historic church into the Josephine is part of a broader revitalization of the Perrette Corridor, which has become of the city's most vibrant neighborhood commercial districts, cultural activity, restaurants, arts, and live performances has been a major driver of the corridor's success, and we are proud to contribute to that energy. Today, the Josephine is already permitted to host events with live music, including weddings, dinners, fundraisers, receptions, and what we are asking for is not a fundamentally different use, but simply the ability to periodically host ticketed cultural performances, things like, as was mentioned earlier, the LPO, performing arts, such as plays. We are not seeking to expand on what we do, but to expand on those who may attend such events. We are asking for permission to allow public the ability to enjoy this majestic facility. Many of these types of events are actually less intensive than some of the events already hosted. So the request before you today does not expand the intent of the use of the building, it simply allows us to broaden the types of cultural programming We believe this was a reasonable request.

That's your time. Gordy, followed by Taylor Loria.

Good morning, council members. My name is Jordy Brower. I'm here to request support for the Josephine adding ticketed events. I want to address parking, traffic, and guest management. We've taken additional steps to reduce impact to the neighborhood. We have secured off-street parking nearby, including a parking lot on Napoleon Avenue to keep guest vehicles out of residential blocks. We also encourage Uber and Lyft, and we actively manage pickup and drop off patterns so that vehicles do not unnecessarily circulate the surrounding neighborhoods. We're also committed to cleaning streets around the perimeter of the property. After events, including Napoleon Avenue between Ferrette and South Liberty Street, LaSalle between Napoleon Avenue and Jenna Street, we're committed to a maximum number of attendees to live performance events, much lower than the far martial capacity. and security staffing based on attendance. These conditions give the neighborhood certainty. Make clear that ticketed live performances will be managed and defined with limits, staffing, cleaning, and accountability. Thank you.

Thank you. Taylor Loria, followed by Mike Sherman.

Good morning. My name is Taylor Lorio. I live at 908 Ridgewood in Metairie. I am the Director of Catering and Events for Dickey Brand and Company, and I oversee operations here. So the noise and neighborhood quality of life are extremely important to us. We know that operating in this neighborhood requires trust and accountability, and we have made significant, the provisos in front of you are a significant adjustment to our initial request that has been made in conjunction with the neighborhood, and while We maybe didn't get exactly to where everything that all of the neighbors wanted. We have made significant concessions and steps to try to get as close as possible to an agreement with them. We have lots of sound control measures for this building, including that we've added significant acoustic reduction materials in the building as well as a closed doors policy. We've committed that we would keep our courtyard next to Ms. Julia's house closed during live ticketed events so that we can reduce the amount of noise that comes through to our closest neighborhood. We demonstrated this directly with both the neighbors at the meeting and the city planning commission staff, that when we close the doors and have the sound up very loud, that it is less loud than car traffic on the street in front of the building. We also maintain, and as part of the provisos, a cell phone specifically for neighbors to call, this one right here, with a number and a card that we've circulated repeatedly so that if neighbors do have an issue, that we can respond in real time and try to address their concerns if it's possible. We do want the neptuzine to be a long-term asset to the neighborhood, and we've taken steps to ensure that, and we hope to be around for a long time for everyone's benefit. Thank you.

Thank you. Mike Sherman, followed by Michael Newcomer.

Good afternoon, council members. Mike Sherman, I'm really proud to be here on behalf of the applicants. I want to talk about process for a minute. This started six months ago when we welcomed neighbors into the Josephine. We've had repeated meetings with neighbors over and over again, and this is just one point in the continuing dialogue. Council member, you spoke today about this being a motion, not an ordinance, and that's really important because our dialogue will continue with the neighbors. The issues that have been framed, parking, traffic, noise. They're all solvable issues, and I hope each time we meet we continue to shrink those. We're here today because of something the City Council did 20 years ago. Ferrette corridor was sitting vacant, lighted, abandoned buildings. The City Council passed a zoning overlay to encourage investment, and now we have a thriving corridor with locally owned businesses. The Josephine took an empty, blighted church that was very important to the community and got it back into commerce in a thoughtful way, hosting receptions. And it's going to stay as a reception facility. When we wanted to add this additional use, it's not something that we don't already do, it's how we do it. It's by offering live ticketed events. And in many ways that's actually more inclusive than receptions. The only people coming to a wedding are invited guests. and people who are working the event. A live ticketed event can welcome the community, and that's exactly what we hope to do here. And throughout this process, it started in a place there was a sign on, Napoleon, if you pass by, no thousand person raves until 4 a.m. Well, here's the great thing. We don't want to do a thousand person event. We don't want to do a rave, and we don't want to be up until 4 a.m., So through this negotiation discussion process, we propose limits on hours of operation, limits on capacity. We have 53 off-street parking spaces just a block away, not required. We're going to add more. We're conducting a study on LaSalle Street to present to the neighbors evidence of turning it one way. So additional time would be great here. We ask for your support to continue that dialogue.

Thank you. Michael Newcomer, followed by Elizabeth Newcomer.

Good morning, Council. Michael Newcomer, 3430 Coliseum Street. I'm here as a representative of one of the arts organizations that benefits from this development. I'm the executive director and co-founder of Crescent City Stage, which is a nonprofit professional theater company here in New Orleans. In December of last year, we were able to partner with the Josephine to present a one-night-only benefit reading of our production of A Christmas Carol. It was an extraordinary success for us, for the community, But Josephine, its entire staff proved to be an outstanding partner. They were professional, welcoming, deeply committed to making the event work for us, for our artists, our audiences, and the community. What stood out most to us was just how well the space functioned. as a gathering place in the Uptown neighborhood. You may or may not know this, but Uptown New Orleans has no performance space for arts organizations like ours that are not associated with an educational institution. The Josephine, which sat empty from the day I moved here in 2014, fills that gap beautifully. The venue's layout, parking access, ease of pick up and drop off, made the event accessible, and of course the food and hospitality just elevated our experience for our patrons. It's literally a world-class facility right in the heart of Uptown. Importantly, we saw neighbors join us that night who might otherwise not be exposed to our art form, live theater, because it's in their neighborhood. The space created a genuine community moment. From our experience, this is exactly the kind of thoughtfully managed space cultural space that helps sustain the arts in New Orleans while serving its surrounding neighborhood and its other parts of its business model. I strongly encourage Council to approve this next step so that arts organizations like ours can have ticket events, can have a place to call home, and continue to uplift the cultural vitality that makes this city unique. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Elizabeth Newcomer, followed by Matthew who lived on Spain Street.

Good morning, council members. My name is Elizabeth Newcomer. I live at 3430 Coliseum Street, 70115. I am the artistic director of Crescent City Stage, a professional theater company at 6063 Magazine Street. I'm here today in support of the Josephine's reasoning request. This past December, as you heard from my business partner, we hosted a fundraising event at the Josephine, a staged reading of A Christmas Carol. What struck me was not just the beauty of the space, but the extraordinary care and professionalism the owners and developers bring to every decision, from who they invite in to how they operate, the standards they hold themselves to. From the beginning, they've been mindful of their surrounding community and their vision has always been larger than a private event venue. They want the Josephine to be a cultural resource for this neighborhood and for the entire city of New Orleans. New Orleans does not have enough performance spaces and Uptown has almost none. This building was once a church and what it has become is exactly what this city deserves and needs to enrich our cultural life. The Josephine has transformed a vacant, blighted space into a genuine asset, and their commitment to partnering with nonprofit organizations, arts organizations like ours, is exactly the kind of community investment that this neighborhood deserves, and that this rezoning would make possible. I urge you to support it, and thank you.

Thank you. Matthew, who lives on Spain Street, followed by Tim Milton. You are in support. Tim Milton followed by Jessica Moore. Tim Milton. Tim Milton's in support. Jessica Moore. Jessica's in support. Colin Flip. In support. Melissa Cosenza. In support. Mike Raybourne. In support, Perry Culbertson. In support, Michelle Borchard. In support, Barbara Kriegel. In support, Christine Koenig. In support, Heather Cannon. In support, Mark Hawley. In support, Christine Budis. Christine, you want to speak? She's in support. Stephanie Aubrey. In support, Lauren Brower. In support, Sandra Stokes, who is opposed. You have 30 minutes total on each agenda item. We're getting to six minutes. You're interrupting the time. Sandra Stokes, please go.

And I would ask that this be extended just for a few more minutes, just so the rest of the people can speak. I want to tell you, last night, Louisiana... I'm Sandra Stokes. I'm with Louisiana Landmark Society. And we represent neighborhoods across the city. Last night, we gave the... Award for Excellence in Preservation. It is indeed a wonderful preservation project, and we all want it to succeed. I think everyone in this room wants that building to succeed, but it's premature right now. The reception venue is just getting started. Let's get it, let it get its legs and get a little rhythm going and see how that business takes off. They need to build up their reputation in the bills, but there are problems that have not been addressed. And those... You've heard a lot of them today. I'm not going to go into them. But they are real problems that the neighborhoods have to live with on a daily basis. Now, the one thing you haven't mentioned is that if you grant this permit, it is in perpetuity. It is not for just right now. It is, I believe that Mr. Brennan and the people here right now have great intentions and are talking about doing wonderful things. But once granted, unless we can put into the provisos some sort of safeguards for the future. It can be a rave place. It can be whatever. Trader Joe's has not opened. Mr. Sherman testified when Tulane was opening that that store brings a quote, stunning amount of traffic and needed extra whatever to support it. We need to see how that works and let it run for a couple of months before and This is just premature, and we ask you to deny it today. Thank you.

Thank you. Judy Hammett, followed by Edward Fielding, followed by Gail Thomas. If you all could line up, that will help with time.

Good morning. I'm Judy Hackett, 4422 LaSalle, number C. Witnessed firsthand the problems that we're experiencing on our street. It's beautiful. We were excited for it to join our neighborhood. And so far, it's been a problem. But so far, we are still glad to have it. We just don't want to see it increased. I'm speaking also today for Ryan Art, who owns two businesses that would be impacted by the expanded operations. Hi Hat Cafe and Cafe Comingo can't be here today because he's working. He's not been consulted by the Brennan Group, Louisiana Restaurant Association, or Leslie Harris's office to ask for any input. He's opposed based on no plan for parking, 800 people, and no plans for traffic. The parking lot that's at Oxford is not one block away. It's far further than that. He believes the expanded numbers will have a negative impact on his business. He already has customers that tell him, regular customers, that tell him they don't come anymore because of limited parking. Thank you. I hope you oppose it.

Thank you. Edward Fielding, followed by Gail Thomas, followed by Stan Norwood.

Hi, Edward Yielding. I live at 2408 Mile End Street. That's two short blocks from the Josephine. I live there with my wife, who has spent her entire career in historic preservation. So living in the neighborhood and having that background, we care a great deal about the historic fabric of our neighborhood. And yet, the city is a living place, not a museum. And one of the things that makes a neighborhood feel alive and worth living in is culture. Live music brings people together, gives local artists a place to perform, small businesses foot traffic, and residents more reasons to spend time in their own neighborhood instead of leaving it. I understand that some of my neighbors... have concerns about noise and parking. Those concerns are real and they deserve thoughtful management. But I don't believe those challenges outweigh the public value of having vibrant cultural space in our neighborhood. Every community of Manatee creates some degree of inconvenience. Restaurants, parks, festivals, we accept their trade-offs because they make our neighborhoods richer, more connected, and more alive. If we allow minor inconvenience to shut down cultural activity, we risk creating neighborhoods that are, yes, quiet with ample parking, but also less joyful, less creative, less vibrant. This proposal is not some big new change that's fundamentally incompatible with residential life. It's asking for live music, one of the oldest and most important forms of community expression we have in New Orleans. I hope the council will support this and send a message that our city values artists, cultural, local gathering places, and vibrant civic life.

Thank you. There are six cards left and we have one minute left. I would ask that we put additional 12 minutes on the clock so we can get through these cards. Is there any opposition to that? Okay. I'll second. All right, if we can add 12 more minutes, then we can get through to Gail Thomas, followed by Stan Norwood.

Good morning. Good morning. Excuse me. My name is Gail Thomas. I stay at 2223 Jenner Street. Been in the neighborhood, in my house, 35 years. But also... Purchased a house on Napoleon in the 2200 block. Bought that home because my grandmother was a maid in it. Sold it. Played on Miss Reva Poets at the age of 15, Jenna and LaSalle. Sherman strategy came into our neighborhood. The zoning was to tear down, excuse me, demolish. They were supposed to restructure the building, but they tore the building down. The zoning was inappropriate, but they tore the building down. Then they, at a later date, got the right zoning. They never came into the neighborhood Fair and honest. I had damage to my house. I called Ashley Harris' office. She told me to get in touch with Sherman Strategy. Got in touch with Sherman Strategy. They told me to get a Louisiana State licensed contractor. Had him came to my house. When Sherman's strategy gentleman came to my house, very disrespectful, told me...

Wait, wait, wait. We're not going to do this. We are not doing this. We are not doing this. Ms. Thomas, go ahead and complete. Okay, so... You have about 10 seconds.

I have sent email after email after...

Turn her mic back on. Give her 10 seconds, please.

Since April of 25 until April of 26, they didn't come in our neighborhood. I asked them, what are the benefits that y'all bring into the neighborhood? We got green schools.

All for them, sir. Ms. Thomas, I'm going to ask you to wrap up because we have other business. But thank you for your comment. I know you're in opposition. Stan Norwood, followed by Leslie Compton, followed by Jeremy... who lives on Balance Street.

Good afternoon, I'm Stan Norwood of Uptown. I'm actually, I've been president of Neighborhood Association, neighbors united for a very long time. We haven't been completely active because of the high turnover of actual neighbors in and out of the neighborhood. However, the impact that this actually serves people of this actual community, there are people coming up here in support who don't live in the community, have not lived in the community, and will not live in the community. However, most of us, if I said to you, I would come to the last meeting we attended, I said, how would you like to have me come to your neighborhood where you live to open a venue or to rent a venue to throw the kind of parties I would like to throw? I got crickets in the room. The idea of speaking over and not allowing these people to have their voice heard about what's going on and how it impacts everybody around the community without really having a true meeting, a true honest meeting. You have provisions that was never presented to them. It was never presented to us. I have a business that I operate along Forest Street as well. Park will always be an impact situation. And it's terrible for Ms. Littlejohn to have to deal with the impact and understanding of what it means to bring in live music. You know as well as I know, live music in New Orleans, who's to say I can't throw a party? You said it's private for events of weddings, but it's public for ticketed events. Okay, if it's public for ticketed events, at what stance do you say, okay, where do you park people for 800 cars? They have 50 parking spaces. So which means all throughout the neighborhood, there will be parking, there will be people leaving at any hour tonight. The impact is way greater to our neighbors rather than the people who come in to hold the event there and then leave and go back to their own house. You brought up people that was in support who live on Coliseum, they live in all these other places, but they don't live directly surrounding that particular venue. That particular venue has neighbors who've lived there for 30 and 40 years, don't act as if they have not been there. The revitalization of the community does not mean there was never a community there prior to. Understand the impact of what it means to actually live directly.

That's your time. Leslie Compton followed by Jeremy. He lives on Ballant Street.

Hi, good morning. Leslie Compton, 2407 Robert Street. I am not particularly opposed or in favor. What I would like to see is more conversation and the existing concerns addressed before anything moves forward. There was talk about these have been addressed, but it hasn't been shared with the neighborhood. And it hasn't been activated. And so I don't feel like there's been enough communication and sharing and real problem solving happening. So until that happens, we should pause on any additional changes. Plus, there is already an opportunity, like our city stages, if that's their name, commented. They already held an event there. So there's already opportunities for the Josephine to be doing this extra events, ticketed events, in their current license or zoning. So I strongly urge a more in-depth investigation into how to alleviate the current problems. I've sent suggestions to the council office. I've sent them to Josephine. I've sent them to our neighbors. So I'd like to just see some action in that. And I also want to emphasize the importance of more local impact. The neighborhood association sent a proposal to on how to involve more culture bearers and nonprofits in this neighborhood organization, but any requests on that regard were denied or been unaddressed. So we just feel like there needs to be continuation before there's any movement to change the zoning.

Thank you. Jeremy followed by Susan Johnson, then David Fusilleri. Okay, Jeremy is in support, Susan Johnson, followed by David, followed by Keith, and that will be the end of comments.

Susan Johnson, 2822 LePage Street, historic New Orleans neighborhoods. I am not paid to be here. First, Mr. Sherman said something about a six-month process. Actually, this goes back to 2023, the development of this block face with city agency meetings, HDLC, CPC, city council, about 2,400 Napoleon, and 2428 Napoleon, Trader Joe's. The only neighbors I have run into, and I attended almost all of these meetings as a historic preservation person, born in Baptist Hospital is Ms. Tesler and Mr. DuPont. I have not run into these other neighbors at all. And I have to wonder about the notification process for this development. I just don't understand why all of a sudden, you know, it's a great big crisis. We should have been in the process. We should have had a more... I don't know what happened with notification. It failed, okay? That's number one. Number two, this development is going to... The neighbors are going to be part of the business. They can't help but be part of the business now. When you've got somebody's cell phone number, I mean, somebody's on call all the time for your life in the neighborhood, that's number two. And number three, I'm really sorry to bring this up, but the person who was the lead at Sherman Strategies, up until December is sitting on the dais, Miss Quigley, and I don't understand why. There seems like there has to be a Chinese wall between developers and government. You know, I don't understand why there's no recusal over here. It's very disturbing.

That's your time, David, followed by Keith, and then that's the end of public comment.

Hello, Council. I'm David Fusile, 819 North Fillory Street. First of all, my family was, you know, my grandmother lived in that neighborhood. My dad went to that church. My grandparents went to that church. So, I mean, we've been part of that neighborhood for two generations, three generations now. I personally live in Treme and there's second lines down my street once a week and I live across the street from Haley Jackson where I welcome the cultural, you know, events that occur across the street for me and I deal with the parking issues that come and I deal with the second line issues that come because I enjoy being a part of New Orleans and I enjoy being a part of, you know, the cultural fabric of the city. I mean, I think There's opposition like this on projects all across town, all the time, and this kind of reminds me of that project in the corner of Esplanade and Rampart, that Cuban restaurant. They fought to the death on that, and that turned out to be a great asset to the neighborhood and community. I just think that... The city of New Orleans is a cultural place. We went into that building. We purchased it. We risked a lot in order to do so, in order to turn it into the vibrant, beautiful property that it is now. And I think it can add a lot to the character of the city. Like the theater group just said, add a new venue to the uptown market that doesn't really have a venue like this. I mean, we need to be proactive in producing in this city, not, you know, regressing and shutting things down all the time. I mean, it's time for our city to, you know, expand and grow. And I think this is a great opportunity to do that. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Keith. Keith is in support. All right, members, thank you so much for listening to all of this public comment, both in opposition and in support. Again, I'm going to reiterate this. This motion is not a final approval of this application or the Josephine's expanded use. Zoning dockets require two levels of approval, both motion and ordinance. and I want this conversation to continue because I think that the neighbors and the developers can work it out along with the city. So I'm letting this, I'm asking my colleagues to support this motion, and then we will come back to ordinance if y'all can work it out, and I'm happy to be part of those conversations. So with that, I will move to adopt. Seconded by Councilmember Green. Four yeas, one nay, and it passes. Thank you.

At the top of page 25... Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. All right. At the top of page 25, we have item 36, M26-199. By Councilmembers Harris and King, by request, adding the President of Council as a signatory to the Amendment No. 1 to the Contract between the City of New Orleans and Wexford Health Sources, Inc., and authorizing the President of Council to sign the Amendment No. 1 to the Contract between the City of New Orleans and Wexford Health Sources, Inc. We need to suspend Rule 57.

I'll move to suspend, followed by Councilmember Hughes. Five yeas? Six yeas? We could discuss. Okay. I know that our sheriff is here along with her staff and Abby from the CAO's office. Can we talk about this Wexford contract, please?

Good morning, Council Members. I'm Abby Vian, Chief Performance Officer in the CAO's office, and I'm joined with Adam Gordon, an Innovation Manager in the CAO's office. And Sheriff Woodbrook needs an introduction, but I'll turn it over to her to say hello.

Good morning.

Do you want to present?

Yes, we can begin.

Okay.

Alrighty, so just to give some background on the contract extension that we're proposing today, for several years now, the CO's office has managed the jail healthcare contract. We, in 2023, went out to an RFP, and through that competitive procurement, we selected Oxford Health. That led to the execution of a professional services agreement in 2024 with an initial duration of two years, which is set to expire June 1st of 2026. And so we're here before you today to propose an extension of the existing agreement between the city, the sheriff's office, and Wexford Health for one year through June 1st, 2027.

Good morning, Council. I'm going to speak a little bit to the services that are provided by Wexford. A contractor is required to provide comprehensive medical services that include medical, mental health, addiction medicine, and dental care as well. They have been providing monthly and regular reporting to the city and the consent decree monitors. In 2023, along with procuring Wexford, we also procured another vendor, AVMed, which serves as a jail health facility. administrative contract monitor. They are responsible for monitoring Wexford's performance both from a fiscal and a clinical perspective. So they've been a great asset in working with the city and with Wexford in improving services. We're looking to extend the contract for one year. As you know, Sherwood Fork began her term on May 4th. We, the CEO's office, met with the incoming administration on May 7th to discuss jail health care. Wexford, OPSO, and the city have agreed to extend the contract for one year to ensure continuity of services. The one-year extension is meant to provide the sheriff and the leadership the opportunity to evaluate the current jail healthcare services and work together in partnership to identify our long-term vision for those services. The cost of the contract is $24 million. This is a cost plus contract, which means that we pay about $3 million in an administrative fee, and then we pay $21 million in operating costs. This serves as a pass-through in which every six months we receive a reconciliation for whatever has not been spent back. And to date, we estimate that every six months we receive about a million dollars back in credit. The current contract is a 3% increase from the previous year, and the reason for that is the price proposal built in a 3% inflation adjustment. So next steps for 2027. 2027 represents an important year for JL Healthcare. We anticipate Phase 3 coming online. There was an initial date of August 2026, but given what contractor progress that may extend beyond that. Once that is in service, we, in preparation for that being in service, we plan on partnering with a sheriff and identifying what the vision for that facility will look like and work with Wexford and appropriately staffing. As I mentioned before, this next year we want to take the opportunity to work with the sheriff's administration and identify what opportunities exist and ensure the best level of care for detained individuals at OPSO long term. And I'll turn it over to the sheriff.

Good morning, Chair Harris, President Morrell, and members of the Buddy Committee. And thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak about the opportunity to continue our health care services with the Wexford contract. I also want to thank the Council for your support, the support you have shown in these last couple of weeks. This is only my third week, but I have gotten calls and text messages and emails from each of you supporting the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, so thank you. We appreciate the spirit of partnership and collaboration as we begin this new chapter for the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office. And early priorities for me, since I've taken office, my immediate priorities have been clear to ensure the safety and security of everyone who works inside our facilities, ensuring the safety, security, and dignity of every person in the custody of the sheriff's office. and reaching compliance with the consent decree. Those responsibilities require stability, responsiveness, and continuity across all essential operations. And a major component of maintaining a safe and secure facility is ensuring continuity of medical care. We have to be able to respond appropriately and without interruption when someone is sick, injured, experiencing a mental health crisis, or in need of urgent medical attention. Any lapse in that medical service inside a correctional environment can create significant operational, legal, and humanitarian concerns. And so for those reasons, my administration agrees with the recommendation to extend the Wexford contract for a year. This extension, it helps us ensure there is no disruption in care while my administration conducts a comprehensive assessment of the financial condition of the agency, jail security and facility operations, the physical condition of our buildings and infrastructure, and the broader delivery of medical services inside the jail environment. And this additional time will allow my team and I to fully evaluate all available medical providers and industry best practices. So we want to be sure that future decisions regarding correctional healthcare are fully informed, transparent, and made in the best interest of both public safety and humane care. So over the next year, my team and I look forward to being fully engaged with the council, administration, Wexford, and all relevant stakeholders. We also look forward to participating in the process for the next bid in medical services. And in closing, we welcome open and transparent discussions with the mayor and the city council regarding the financial health of the agency and the work necessary to stabilize, strengthen, and grow the sheriff's office moving forward. Thank you again for your time, your partnership, and your consideration of this item. Thank you, Sheriff. Council Member Hughes.

Thank you, Madam Chair, Sheriff. Good morning. First of all, let me thank you for hitting the ground running in such a short period of time, and I appreciate your approach to this contract. I do think it's the right thing to do, give you the opportunity to You know, really assess the work that Wexford is doing. And, you know, I hope you will be playing a key role in the recommendations of what happens next year. I know the city, you know, assumes the cost for this, but your attention on quality of care for the women and men that are at your jail is critically important. So thank you for that. And I will have Justin in my office follow up with Mr. Lampkin. I know you mentioned phase three that will be coming online. I'd like to come toward that as soon as possible. And I know you and I have had conversations about that. So thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your partnership. Look forward to working with you.

Yes, and you just reminded me, of course, we want every member of the council, please come over and tour of the entire facility, all the things that we have concerns about, all the things that we are actually facing right now, and the things we are challenged with tackling to make sure this facility is safe and secure and we're looking at all revenue that we have coming in to make sure that it can happen and we'll be going to be transparent and open about exactly what we need to collaborate with the city on to help us make those things happen and make sure this facility is totally secure and that's what I'm going to be working on. Anybody who knows me knows I am very hands-on and engaged. As far as the Wexford or any other medical contractor, or any other contract that we have, I'm always there. I'm boots on the ground. I'm engaged in everything. So I have walked down, have talked to the staff at Wexford. We want to see the quality of care that the people who are housed there are getting. So that is very important to me. It's very important to my team. And so you're always going to see me there and engaged.

Thank you. Thank you, Sheriff, for being here this morning. I do want to take an opportunity to thank you for being there last night to meet with voices of the victims of crime. You know how important it is for us to focus on those who have been subjected to criminal activity and their families have suffered and they are survivors, but I thank you for that. The thing that I want to mention is also you used the word, you know, accountability, financial accountability. This contract Amongst others is a reminder of how much the citizens of New Orleans invest in the facility that you operate. This $24 million contract is something that the citizens of our city pay despite the fact that everyone in your facility is held on state charges. and that the state has a very unique relationship with us, but the city assumes many of those financial responsibilities with regards to your office. I just look forward to working with you. I appreciate you mentioning kind of financial concerns that you will address with us. I know that we're working toward one day having your office to be included in the BRSS system so there can be more oversight by our citizens. But this is just an opportunity when we look at $24 million to be reminded of the fact that local taxpayers are paying for something that has a unique relationship just as we pay for that facility. A unique relationship with the state and accountability and transparency is going to be helpful to me and to the people who ask questions about why we expend so much money on a facility that holds everyone who's on state charges. So thank you, and I look forward to working with you.

Yes, and I agree. It's important that Sheriff Woodford be a good steward of taxpayer dollars, and so I am looking into every dime and dollar that we spend, and it's important that people know why and what we're spending it on, so transparency is a must. We already have collaborated a meeting with the CAO and other stakeholders to talk about getting into the brass system. We're eager to do it. It's, of course, part of what's going to be one of those priorities that is in my 100 days. And so, absolutely, we're going to be transparent and let my citizens know where their tax dollars are being spent and why.

Thank you. And the state needs to help.

Thank you, Sheriff. If there are no questions or comments, I'll go ahead and move. Seconded by Councilmember Hughes. six J's, and happy birthday, Sheriff.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Members. We have a motion line over M-25-239 by Council Members Harris-Jerusalem, Moreno-Morrell, Green, and Thomas. We need to suspend the rules to receive.

I'll move to suspend the rules. And, y'all, because we had that budget meeting so close to this, we have to go back through the budget ordinances.

We need to suspend the rules to add.

I'll move to Council Member Hughes moves to suspend the rules to add. I've seconded.

Six shaves. We have a motion lined over M25239, submitting the council's approval for following amendments to the classified pay plan for lease as adopted by the Civil Service Commission at its March 14, 2025 meeting in accordance with Article 10, Section 10 of the Constitution of Louisiana is approved to be effective April 20, 2025.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. There was some discussion about these positions. These are the DNA analysis positions. I do know that there was some information sent to Council Member McCarran about furloughs. Can you all introduce yourselves and present what information you have for us?

Good morning, everyone. My name is Robin Labecki, and I am the DNA manager at the NOPD Crime Lab.

My name is Erin Levy. I'm a DNA supervisor at the Crime Lab.

All right. Can you guys go ahead and talk about these positions and why they are critical right now at this moment?

So currently we are seeking the CODIS administration position as well as the CODIS specialist and CODIS support. These positions are critical for what we do because DNA testing alone isn't going to solve crime, we need an internal database or a local database of criminal offenders that can help tie the evidence that we receive in the lab to offenders in the database. And that would help expedite justice and just a faster turnaround time.

Not only does it give us access to a local database, it gives us access to the state and national database.

Okay, we have two people on the board, Council President Morrell, followed by Council Member McCarron.

Thank you. I want to begin by saying I appreciate both of you coming here today, but I think... There has been a significant amount of miscommunication about the council's position on these positions. I don't think anyone on this council is opposed to filling these two positions. The question that has been brought up repeatedly, and I'm going to go into, I think it was addressed by the CAO last night, is how do we pay for them? I think that, I say this because I know several council members have been receiving a tremendous amount of text messages and calls and outreach from people challenging why they don't support the DNA lab. I want to go on record with a couple of things. First, and I'm sure you guys know, maybe the public doesn't know, in 2014, our inspector general uncovered that there were hundreds, I know that former NOPD officer, commander, Michelle Wolford knows this, there were a significant amount of untested rape kits at the New Orleans Police Department. It was a huge scandal, mismanagement of our special victims unit, and it was a huge stain upon the city of New Orleans. As a legislator, in 2014, I introduced legislation that required every single law enforcement agency in the state of Louisiana to catalog and track all of their DNA, and rape kits in particular, because they were not doing it in 2015 we then came back and said now you have to report how many untested rape kits you have by jurisdiction by law enforcement agency then again in 2018 we came back as a legislature and said not only that we are going to create a sexual assault oversight commission to create a framework to catalog and make sure that everyone is doing it in the appropriate way and create standards i say that because Every member of this council has at some point in their career supported victims and supported DNA processing. As I said, that's my record as a legislator. I know that when I was doing campus sexual assault, I was working with then in the private government sector, Mr. Hughes, as we were working together to try and protect sexual assault on college campuses. I know that both My colleagues Willard and Hughes in the legislature fought annually for the funding. Our law enforcement agencies to do this kind of processing. I know that Council Member McCarran is a member of Council Member Jeruso, now CEO of Jeruso Staff, who worked on this very ordinance. And I know Council Member Green is always a huge outspoken advocate for victims, but we all support absolutely what you're trying to do. What we needed was a notation from the CAO as to what positions would be offered up to do it, which he does. In the memorandum we got last night, he talks about getting rid of, I believe it is, let's see what he has here. Thank you. You're a great help, Mr. Vice President. The administration has chosen not to fill two vacant urban policy four positions in the mayor's office, which will fund these two positions. So I want to be clear because there has some misinformation that's been escalating. We support the work you're doing and we'll continue to support whatever resources we can bring. But as fiscally responsible council members, we have to be able to tell the public where the money is coming from to pay for these positions because there is no money tree behind City Hall, and there are a variety of groups that come to us on a daily basis that need resources that are worthy organizations, and we have to turn them away. And unless we're able to identify specifically what we're sacrificing to move priorities forward, that is what caused pause at the Budget Committee. But the information that was sent to us from Council Member DeRusso, that's been resolved because he said this is how we're going to fund it. And as long as we can see and track where that money is coming from, we as council members, I only speak for myself, probably my colleagues, we fully support moving forward now that the administration has identified how they're going to pay for the positions. Thank you.

Council Member McCarran. Thank you. And thank you, Council President Morrell. I just have a couple things to add. Also, I want to thank the administration and CAO Jeruso for providing the information requested that, you know, I and other members had at the budget committee meeting. We have tough times, obviously, through this. You know, we've got staff on furloughs. We've got other people on furloughs. And so whenever we're adding positions, like Council President Morrell said, we just need to make sure that we're doing it in a fiscally responsible way and that we have a clear path. And that was, you know, all that was meant by asking questions in Budget Committee. We are doing our job as elected officials to make sure that we are being fiscally responsible during this fiscal crisis and that we can pull out of it together. I appreciate all the information, and I am in support of these positions now that I have that clear path. And we look forward to having all the work that you all do with helping our victims and helping solve crimes. Thank you.

Can I add a comment or two? Because I have to publicly express my support in moving forward with these positions. Because of the great value that they have. I know I am no longer a member of the New Orleans Police Department, not an active member, but in my heart I'll always be a part of NOPD. So since I was there and that crime lab opened, I just want to say a few words about why. Because it adds great value. to public safety in our city. Expanding our local ability to analyze forensic evidence collected at crime scenes and process results more quickly is critical. It's critically important to modern law enforcement and the criminal justice operation. During my career with NOPD and later through my work with the DA's office, I've personally seen the difference strong forensic evidence can make in investigations and in prosecutions. Timely fingerprinting and DNA analysis helps investigators identify suspects more quickly. It supports accurate and expedient arrests and gives prosecutors stronger evidence to present at trial to hold perpetrators accountable and keep our communities safe. These additional positions will also strengthen the outstanding work already being done by Dr. Kelly, she's amazing, and her team at the crime lab as they continue moving even closer toward full accreditation and expanding operations. This investment is an investment in science-based policing and the safety of the people of New Orleans. I appreciate the council's support and the faith in local growth. And just, you know, to finish off what I want to say, it's critical. It's real important. We need these positions. I know we all, everything costs money, right? We're always, we have to, of course, remain fiscally sound. But this is real important. It's real important to the entire criminal justice system. And I think, and I fully support them and I hope you do too.

Thank you, Sheriff. Thank you for your words, and thank you both for being here today. I also want to thank the administration for getting the requested information over. I can tell you that the past council approved $3.5 million to clear the backlog of DNA evidence that was sitting at the state labs. So these positions... mean that moving forward, once we get full accreditation, that we will no longer face that backlog. There will no longer be DNA kits sitting on a shelf waiting to be tested and that the victims of crime can get justice. So I'm really excited about these positions. Thank you to this entire council for supporting this. And with that, I will move to adopt. Senator, Council Member McCarran. Six Js. Thank you all for being here.

Council members, we're going to go back to page 15. Number 8, Zone Docket 2426 has been deferred to the meeting of 6-4. At the bottom of the page, we have a legislative grouping items 9 and 10. Zone and docket 2626, 420 Julia Property, Holder LLC. Requesting a conditional use to permit a social club in the CBD 6 Urban Core Neighborhood Intensity Mixed Use District located on square 1, 2, and 3 Locks SE in the 1st Municipal District bounded by Constance Street, Julia Street, St. Joseph Street, and Trapatula Street. Municipal address 420 Julia Street. The recommendation of the CPC being for approval subject to two provisos. We have motion M26222 by Councilmember Harris approving and modifying with additional provisos the Atkins request on zoning document 2626.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. CPC, will you brief us on your report?

Yes, this is a request for a social club for hotel and long-term residential development in the CBD 6 district. The site currently operates as a hotel with its ancillary uses and residence known as the Common House. The hotel and residential development shares amenities that include a restaurant, bars, fitness center, rooftop pool, and workspaces, all of which are permitted ancillary uses of a hotel and are also akin to uses associated with a social club. The CBD-6 district allows multifamily residential uses and hotels, however, does not allow for standalone social club uses. The applicant expressed interest in converting the hotel rooms into residential units, but would like to retain the social club uses that are currently ancillary to the hotel, which requires this conditional use. This applicant is pursuing this conditional use essentially to remain flexible with the customization of range of residential and commercial uses within the building. There's no structural changes proposed, no footprint changes of the building, increased traffic or such. If approved, the property could offer more residential uses, converted from the commercial uses from the hotel rooms that are currently there, while maintaining the membership-based social play, continuing providing those amenities. All in all, the Planning Commission believes that the request aligned with the United Zoning District proposed to provide mixed-use residential and commercial uses in the CBD District. We received public comments both in support and opposition of the request. Residents in opposition asked that attention be given to the location of speakers so that the quality of life is considered when events take place at the site. The Commission asked the applicant to be cognizant of those related issues and approved or recommended approval of their request subject to two provisos.

Thank you. I have two comment cards. Jeffrey Gosa, followed by Richard Cortezas. They're both in support. Y'all heard from CPC. I'm going to go ahead and move to adopt based on that recommendation. Seconded by Council Member Hughes. Five yays. Thank you.

At the top of page 16, we have item 11, zoning docket 3126. It's been deferred to the meeting of the school. Item 12, zoning docket 3826, has been deferred to the meeting of 6-4. At the top of page 17, item 13, zoning docket 3926, has been deferred to the meeting of 6-4. Item 14, zoning docket 4020, has been withdrawn at the applicant's request. We have zoning docket 4126, has been deferred to the meeting of 6-4. At the top of page 18, we have item 16, legislative grouping. Ordinance calendar 34,385, motion line over M23426 and motion line over M23427 has been deferred to the meeting of 6-4. Item 19, ordinance calendar 35,117 has been deferred to the meeting of 6-4. Item 20, ordinance calendar 35,384 has been deferred to the meeting of 6-4. At the top of page 20, we have item 21, ordinance count 35,432 by council members Harris, McCarran, King, Green, Hughes, Morrell, and Willard. An ordinance to establish Division 56 of Chapter 7A, Article 3 of the Code of the City of New Orleans to create a 2026 Caesar Lease Rent Strip Self-Proceeds Fund dedicated to the housing industry. Dedicated to housing the city's proceeds anticipated from the sale of certain future lease payments from Jazz Casino Company, LLC for the season New Orleans Casino to create restrictions on expenditures and otherwise to provide respect thereto. The budget can be recommended approval.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Council members, these next items have all been approved at budget. We just have to approve them again because of the timing of that meeting. So I will move to adopt. Seconded by Councilmember Hughes. Six shays. Thank you.

We have item 22, ordinance calendar 35,434 has been deferred to the meeting of 6-4. Item 23, ordinance calendar 35,435 by council members Harris, Moreau, Willard, and McCarran by request. An ordinance to amend ordinance 30,530 MCS as amended in title. An ordinance providing an operating budget of revenues for the city of New Orleans for the year 2026 to appropriate grant funds to promote healthy behaviors and access to high-quality health care. The grant supports the health department with providing these services through community outreach staff and otherwise to provide respect there too. Budget committee recommended approval.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'll go ahead and move to adopt. Seconded by Council President Morrell. I need a couple more votes, y'all. Eugene, can you press? We have four yeas. Thank you. We need five.

We need five.

We need five. All right, we're waiting for one more.

All right, we have five. Five years. Thank you. At the top of page 21, we have item 24, ordinance calendar 35,436 by council members Harris, Murrell, Willard, and McCarron by request. An ordinance to amend ordinance 30,531 MCS as entitled. An ordinance providing an operating budget of expenditures for the city of New Orleans. for the year 2026 to appropriate grant funds to the Health Department to promote healthy behaviors and access to high-quality health care. The grant supports the Health Department with providing these services through community outreach staff and otherwise supervised respects. There too, Budget Committee recommended approval.

Thank you. I've moved. Council Member McCarran seconded. Five years.

We have ordinance calendar 35,437 by council members Harris, Morrell, Willard, and McCarran by request. An ordinance to amend ordinance 30,530 MCS as amended in title. An ordinance providing an operating budget of revenues for the city of New Orleans for the year 2026 to appropriate private grant funds to the health department from the Robert Wood Johnson grant for operating expenses and otherwise to provide respects there too. Budget committee recommended approval.

I've moved. Seconded by council member McCarran. One more vote. Thank you.

We have ordinance under 35,438 by council members Harris, Morrell, Willard, and McCarran by request. An ordinance to amend ordinance 30,531 MCS as amended in title. An ordinance providing an operating budget of expenditures for the city of New Orleans. For the year 2026, to appropriate private grant funds to the Health Department from the Robert Wood Johnson Grant for Operating Expenses and Otherwise Supervised Respects, there too, Budget Committee recommended approval.

I've moved. Council Member McCarran seconds. Six shays, thanks.

At the top of page 22, we have ordinance calendar 35,439 by council members Harris, Morrell, Willard, and McCarran by request. An ordinance to amend ordinance 30,530 MCS as amended in title. An ordinance providing operating budget of revenues for the city of New Orleans for the year 2026. to appropriate private grant funds to the New Orleans Health Department Office of Violence Prevention for professional services related to violence prevention and victim support initiatives and otherwise to provide respect there too. Budget committee recommended approval.

Thank you. I've moved. Council President Morrell seconds. Five yays.

Six yays. Six yays. We have ordinance calendar 35,440 by council members Harris, Morrell, Willard, and McCarran by request. An ordinance to amend ordinance 30,531 MCS amended and titled. An ordinance providing operating budget of expenditures for the city of New Orleans for the year 2026 to appropriate private grant funds The New Orleans Health Department Office of Violence Prevention for professional services related to violence prevention and victim support initiatives and otherwise to provide respect there too. Budget committee recommended approval.

Thank you. I've moved. Council President Morrell seconds. Six shays.

We have item 29 on this calendar. 35,441 has been deferred to the meeting of June 4th. At the top of page 23, we have ordinance calendar 35,442 by council members Harris, Morrell, Willard, and McCarron by request. An ordinance to amend ordinance 30,531 as amended in title. An ordinance providing operating budget of expenditures for the city of New Orleans for the year 2026 to transfer funds within the NAR fiscal year 2026 budget. for personnel services and other operating expenses to correct the classification error and allow funds to be used for operational, programmatic, and facility maintenance needed without increasing the overall budget and otherwise to provide respect to their two budget committee recommended approval.

Thank you. I've moved. Seconded by Councilmember McCarran.

Six yes. We have ordinance calendar 35,443 by council members Harris and King by request. An ordinance to amend ordinance 30,530 MCS as amended title. An ordinance to provide an operating budget of revenues for the city of New Orleans for the year 2026 to appropriate funds to allow the city of New Orleans to implement components of the French Quarter Economic Development District 2026 adopted budget and otherwise to provide respect there too. Budget committee recommended approval.

Thank you. I've moved. Seconded by Councilmember McCarran. Six sheds.

We have ordinance calendar 35,444 by Councilmembers Harris and King by request an ordinance to amend ordinance 30,531 MCS as amended entitled an ordinance providing an operating budget of expenditures for the city of new orleans for the year 2026 to appropriate funds to allow the city of new orleans to implement components of the french quarter economic development district 2026 adopted budget and otherwise to provide respects there too budget committee recommended approval our machines are not working i'll move second to my council president morrell all in favor stick shades We have ordinance calendar 35,445 by council members Green and Harris by request. An ordinance to amend and reordain ordinance 30,532 MCS entitled. An ordinance providing a capital budget for the year 2026 to effect the following change to the 2026 capital budget. To deappropriate funds from the Department of Public Works in the Department of Property Management to appropriate funds to the Chief Administrative Office and otherwise to provide respects thereto. Budget Committee recommended approval.

Councilmember Harris.

Council Member Green?

I'm pleased to work with you and sponsor this through the budget committee, but I do want to say to the residents of the Desire community who have asked, this is real, that after a long period of time, we are allocating the bond funds to the Desire Square project, and it helps fulfill a long-standing commitment to the Desire community by reallocating those funds. These funds are directed from projects that don't need immediate attention. So at the end of the day, I want those who are engaged with the discussions relative to a pharmacy, a particular grocery store, or some other business that will feel that very important Desire Square development to know that this is serious and this is the project. funding that we've been looking for for a while. I want to thank the CAO and the Moreno administration for their attention to this community, which has been easy to ignore in the past, but has a great and bright future in front of it. Thank you.

Council Member Green, do you want to move to the next? Thank you. I'll second. Six shays. Thank you.

We have item 34, motion M26197 by Councilmember Willard, ratifying, confirming, and approving the appointment of Arthur Morrell, Vice Highly Sharp, as a member of the Parking Facilities Corporation, effective upon approval by the Council of the City of New Orleans for a term that will expire on December 31, 2029.

Council President Morrell.

Thank you. Just to notify the body, I will be recusing myself on this vote because the individual is my father.

Thank you, President Morrell. Members, this motion appoints Mr. Arthur Morrell to the Parking Facilities Corporation. Mr. Morrell served the New Orleans community for decades as a member of the state legislature and as the... clerk of Criminal District Court. His wife, Cynthia, served on this city council with my aunt, Cynthia Willard-Lewis, and obviously we all know his son now serves as our president of city council. With that, I will motion to adopt, seconded by Councilmember Hughes. All in favor? Five yays, no nays. Thank you.

We have motion M26198 has been deferred to the meeting of June 4th. On page 25, we have item 37, motion M26203 by Councilmember Harris, ratifying, confirming, and approving the appointment of Stephanie Burks, Vice Scott Poloff, nominee of the District B Councilmember as a member of the Downtown Development District, effective August 8, 2026, upon approval of the Council of the City of New Orleans to serve a term ending August 8, 2031.

Appointment is effective on August 8th. That's the change that was made. I'll move. Seconded by Councilmember Hughes.

Six shaves. Item 38, we have Resolution R26218 by Councilmember Harris by request, approving the completed Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire prepared by the Department of Finance as part of the 2025 Annual Audit.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor requires the City to submit a completed Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire that must be adopted by resolution. This questionnaire was completed by our Department of Finance and signed by Mayor Moreno. With that, I'll move. Seconded by Council Member McCarran. Six shows.

We have motion M26219 by Councilmembers Morrell and Willard, appointing Councilmember Freddie King III, Vice Oliver Thomas to the District Councilmember seat of the Sanford Sandy Krasnoff New Orleans Criminal Justice Committee.

Thank you. Thank you. The motion is self-explanatory as the chair of the Criminal Justice Committee. This is eventually the position that is established on Sandy Krasnoff from the council. I'll move to adopt. Like my customer Hughes, these electric machines. Sick shapes, no nays.

At the top of page 26, item 40, we have resolution R26220 by council members McCarran, Morrell, Willard-Harris, Green, King, and Hughes. A resolution in order establishing rulemaking to consider revising the integrated resource plan rules with respect to distributed energy resources, document number UD2601. The utilities telecommunication, the UTTC committee recommended approval.

Members, we heard this yesterday in utilities and climate change. I'll be brief on this. This resolution establishes and opens a formal rulemaking proceeding to modernize the city's integrated resource plan, IRP rules, to better define and analyze distributed energy resources, or DERs. relative to the City of New Orleans Integrated Resource Plan's demand side management. This resolution does not adopt substantive rule changes today. Instead, it creates a transparent stakeholder process or procedural schedule to evaluate and develop proposed revisions to the IRP rules. Updating these rules will help the Council ensure that future Future resource planning reflects current technology and market conditions, supports grid reliability and resilience, evaluates customer cost impacts appropriately, and aligns with the Council's broader energy and climate policy objectives. With that, I'll move the motion to approve. Seconded by Council President Morrell. Six yays. Thank you.

We have Resolution R26-221 by Councilmembers Morrell and Willard stating that the application deadline for the Cesar New Orleans Casino Community Support Grant and the City Council Cox Communications Louisiana Community Grant is Friday, July 10, 2026.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Members, for those five people watching, this simply establishes that the deadline to apply for our two pools of grants, one from Caesars and one from Cox, is July 10, 2026. I will move. Thank you, my Council Member Hughes. Please vote your machines. Six yays, no nays.

We have a motion on the suspension. We need the suspender rules to receive. Seconded by Council Member Hughes.

We need to suspend the rules to add. I'll move to suspend the rules to add. Seconded by Council President Morrell. All in favor?

Aye.

All right, members, let me read it. Sure. We have Resolution R26224 by Council Member Harris, a resolution calling an election to the Turo-Beligny Security District for November 3, 2026.

Thank you, members. The Terra Bullion Security District reached out earlier this week to begin the process of working towards a council resolution that will then go to the State Bond Commission in the hopes of a renewal appearing on the December ballot. We realized that that wasn't feasible this year, given the state law prohibition that applies to Orleans during congressional election years. So we've sped up the timeline in coordination with the law department and Shelly Landrieu. With the approval of today's resolution, the Security District Board can make it onto the State Bond Commission's docketed meetings in time for the renewal to appear on November's ballot. Any questions? If not, I'll move. Seconded by Council, Vice President Willard.

Big shades. Thank you. We can suspend the rules to go to ordinance on 1st Street.

I'll move. Second by Council Vice President Willard. All in favor? Aye. We're on first reads.

Ordinance on first reads. Ordinance calendar number 35,447 by Councilmember Morrell. An ordinance to amend and ordain section 154-777 of the Code of the City of New Orleans to increase the fee for immobilization of unoccupied vehicles and otherwise to provide with respect thereto. Ordinance calendar number 35,448 by Councilmember King. An ordinance to temporarily waive certain fees, permit fees, and requirements within and around Huntersfield Playground located at 1659 North Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana in conjunction with the Associate Aid and Pleasure Club Coalition Picnic Event on Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 845 a.m. to 7 p.m. to specify the duration and boundaries of said waiver and otherwise to provide with respect thereto. Ordinance calendar number 35,449 by Councilmember King. An ordinance to amend and ordain Article 18 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance number 4264 MCS as amended by Ordinance number 26413 MCS and subsequent amendments to establish a new overlay district called the Burman Mixed-Use Integrity Overlay District. The intent of which is to ensure that any multifamily development proposed within the SMU suburban neighborhood mixed-use district and the M1 medium-intensity mixed-use district bounded by Wall Boulevard, Holiday Drive, and General DeGaulle Drive contain non-residential uses which align with the mixed-use goals of those districts and otherwise provide with respect to zoning document number 3426. Ordinance calendar number 35,450 by council member King by request. An ordinance to amend ordinance number 30,530 MCS as amended entitled an ordinance providing an operating budget of revenues for the city of New Orleans for the year 2026 to appropriate funds for the implementation of NOPs a district drone program within the french quarter economic development district and otherwise and otherwise to provide with respect or two ordinance calendar number thirty five thousand four fifty one by council member king by request an ordinance to amend ordinance number thirty thousand five thirty one mcs as amended entitled the ordinance providing an operating of expenditures for the City of New Orleans for the year 2026 to appropriate funds for the implementation of the NOPD's 8-District Drone Program within the French Quarter Economic Development District and otherwise to provide with respect thereto. screen by request. An ordinance to authorize the mayor of the city of New Orleans to return to amendment number one to a previously executed cooperative endeavor agreement between the city of New Orleans and University Medical Center Management Corporation relative to the data sharing agreement with UMC desire to modify the provisions of the CEA and extended the term thereof for an additional five years is more fully set forth in the amendment number one form attached hereto as exhibit A and made a part hereof and otherwise to provide with respect thereto. That concludes the ordinances on first reads.

Special orders of business. First order of business presentation, National Water Safety Month. Speakers, Dr. Jennifer Vagno, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services, William Johnson, Injury Prevention Management, New Orleans Health and Human Service Department, Tyler Bowden, Injury Prevention, Senior Analyst, New Orleans Health and Human Services Department, Anthony T. Davis, Director of Code Enforcement, and Larry Barabino, CEO, New Orleans Recreational Development Commission. May is National Water Safety Month. In the New Orleans Health and Human Services Department, New Orleans Recreational Development Commission, and the Department of Code Enforcement, We'll share updates on the city efforts, including Big Easy Swim Easy, to ensure water safety and prevention, prevent injury and death this summer and year-round. Big Easy Swim Easy is a water safety and drowning prevention initiative launched by the city in 2024. This important safety initiative represents a coordinated effort across the city departments and partner organizations. During this session, department leadership will discuss the need for such initiatives and initiative, outline their respective roles, present MAID program outcomes, and offer recommendations for future efforts.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Members, May, as we just heard, is National Water Safety Month, and today we have a great opportunity to hear directly from the city departments and partners who work to keep our children and our families safe in and around water. Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury death for children in this country, and here in Louisiana, our rate is nearly double the national average. New Orleans is a city surrounded by water. That makes water safety not just a public health priority, but a matter of survival for our children and for our communities. Thank you to all of you who showed up to give us a presentation this morning. We look forward to hearing from you. You can take it away. Dr. Vagno.

Thank you, Council Vice President and all the council members. We're really excited to be back before you talking about this great internal partnership and external partnership in order to improve water safety, particularly for our kids. I'll just get things kicked off. Councilmember, you know the statistics well. We see this as a public health crisis and it should be considered that because it is a leading cause of death in children. So if there's a leading cause of death, we need to figure out how to address it. Over 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths in the United States and more children drown and survive. And as an emergency physician, I have seen these cases, they are devastating to a family. So we have a big problem. We are in Louisiana above the national average in terms of our drowning rate. And we know that the rate of deaths and injuries is not equitable, that our black children are at higher risk of a drowning injury or a fatality. We also know that this is generational. When a child's parents were never taught swim, it's far less likely that that child is going to learn to swim. And so you can see how the inequities deepen. Those of us who are fortunate to have parents who knew how to swim and were able to facilitate swim lessons have a safer outcome than those who don't. So with all that as a background, at the health department, we wanted to see what we could do about it. Oh, I'm sorry, let me, one more stats, one more slide specific to Louisiana. And this is data from LDH in the past few years, thanks to the child death review. Again, Louisiana mirrors what we see in the nation in that our mortality rates are inequitable according to race. There's a wide diversity of where children are at risk and where they drown. And again, as you said, we are surrounded by water in New Orleans, and that's not just our large bodies of water like the lake or the river, but it's also our swimming pools, it's canals, it's even something as ubiquitous as the bathtub in your house. And if we look at where Louisiana children drown, it's in all of them. Teaching a child water safety and how to swim in one body of water will help protect them in every body of water. We know that many but not all of children, child drownings are in places without adult supervision and that takes That can be a number of different ways. And we know that a good percentage of them happened in areas that, but for a protective barrier, that drowning would not have occurred. So there's already a lot of intervention points that we can identify. I'm going to turn it over to Taylor Bodewam from the team. I'm going to give her the mic. Figure it out. There you go. to talk about our program.

Thank you. Good morning, Council Members. Thank you, Council Member Willard, for bringing this forward. My name is Taylor Bodwin. I work on the Division of Injury Prevention. In response to all of the statistics that Dr. Vagno laid out, we implemented our Big Easy, Swim Easy program. So this is a grant-funded initiative from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. It was started... Okay, this started in October of 2024 and is running through October of 2026. So this is a two-year grant and we are taking a three-pronged approach to this. So starting with water safety education, this is delivered by our Division of Injury Prevention team. We go out to schools, we go out to summer camps, we go out anywhere where the children are and we're presenting education on water safety techniques. This can be how to be safe in the pool, how to be safe in open water, how to spot someone in trouble, what to do if somebody's in trouble, and the rules you should follow around different types of bodies of water.

The other prong is swim lessons.

This half of our grant went towards providing free swim lessons to the community. This was through a partnership with 18th Ward which is a local youth nonprofit here in New Orleans that provides not just swimming but other sporting programs to the community as well. So they are providing our swim lessons and then we also partnered with the Office of Code Enforcement and they are doing pool inspections throughout the community as well. It's really important that our kids have all of these resources available to them and this program follows national drowning prevention best practices. So looking at some key metrics, just in our community outreach and education, we've reached over 1,600 members. This is through tabling events at community events. This is through education presentations that we go out and provide to students. We've reached over 899 students in schools. We've provided presentations in both English and Spanish to reach as many people as possible. Our swim lessons have reached over 723 participants with 18th Ward and based on some caregiver feedback there is a 94% swimming skill improvement seen in the kids that have gone through this program. I do want to acknowledge that our swim lesson interest far exceeds our capacity and we have over 238 kids on the wait list. So very important that we look for ways to continue to expand this and continue offering these services to kids throughout the city. So we've also done around 44 pool or code enforcement has done around 44 pool inspections throughout the city. This is at both hotel pools and apartment residential pools as well. So just looking at kind of geographic breakdown of where students are receiving swim lessons and the zip codes that they're coming from, it is all over the city. So this just references that. 18th Ward provides swim lessons at multiple pool locations throughout the city as well. We acknowledge transportation being a big barrier to accessing swim lessons, so having lessons available throughout the city is very important. So just some pictures from the events that we've been at. This is us presenting at schools and out at community events, sharing education, sharing opportunities, connecting members to resources. You can see some swim lessons on here as well that 18th Ward's providing. And just some community feedback. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from community members that have been through this program. I do want to acknowledge that people are saying our kid went from swimming in floaties to swimming on his own. They're seeing confidence in the water and kids being able to hold their breath underwater and learn these very important skills for staying safe. So as we head into this summer, we are starting a large public health campaign throughout the city. This is through bus ads, school banners, we're doing banners at Nord Parks as well, and a large print and online media to promote this initiative. So you can see on the map here, the red... flags are bus ad shelter locations, the yellow flags are school banner locations, the blue flags are where we've attended community events, and the green flags are where we've provided community education presentations. So we are looking to continue this throughout the summer, to continue to be at events in the community, to continue to provide water safety education at summer camps, and we're looking forward to just connecting people to where they can access swimming lessons as well.

So wrapping up, just some recommendations, conclusions as this program is wrapping up in October.

Funding is a big challenge. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is not extending this funding, unfortunately, going forward. So our injury prevention team is constantly looking for ways that we can continue to find funding. One thing that we do really want to focus on going forward as we look for grants is being able to incorporate transportation to and from swim lessons as well. Always something that we're open to and another barrier that we'd love to address in accessing sports. lessons. Our capacity far exceeds what we're able to provide from this grant as well so we're excited to be working with NORD going forward as well to promote their swim lessons and let people know that that is a resource that they will have available to them year-round. So we really want to ensure that these free swim lessons continue to be accessible to families who need them the most. We would love to support expanded swim lessons throughout the city and and just continued investment from all of you in support of our Big Easy Swim Easy program so we can continue to provide these resources to the community.

Thank you.

Director Davis. Okay, good afternoon City Council. Good to be before you. So our role in this is that we look at it from a safety perspective and to make sure that our pools are secured, that they have a minimum six-foot barrier around it, whether it's a pool, spa, hot tub, whatever it is, and making sure that the water is not stagnant because we know that that contributes significantly to mosquito-borne illnesses. and those of that nature and so it's been an honor to serve with the medical department and going out doing these pool inspections and offering advice to owners on how they can improve pool safety and of course those pools that are very egregious and that's been out of commission for quite some time, the department will work expeditiously to make sure that we get that pool filled. And particularly for properties that don't have a fence and where a child can stray off and potentially wind up in the backyard somewhere, make sure that we fill those pools first so that we can provide safety to all of our youth and adults alike throughout the city.

Good morning, council members. So as you all know, or maybe some of you do not know, NOAA has been in existence since 1947. And NOAA has been the staple throughout the entire city of New Orleans as it relates to swimming pools and providing water safety instructions and swim lessons since 1947. And I am excited to say that we are ready to open our pools this year. We're going to do a soft opening. of swimming pools this summer on Saturday, May 30th, with pools opening officially on Monday, June 1st. This year, we're going to be opening our five-year-round swimming pools, and we're going to be opening an additional 13, I'm sorry, 12 seasonal pools, and all have collectively 18 swimming pools in our portfolio. We have one swimming pool that we know definitely will not be open, which is Taylor Swimming Pool, because it's associated. There's a stormwater management project at Taylor Playground going on right now, and it was some vandalism that took place at the pool, but we know it's unsafe around there while the project is going on. Right now, also, Councilmember Harris, the contractors are out right now at A.L. Davis Pool. And they're going to be giving me the date of when they anticipate that project being finished. But we anticipate opening the rest of the swimming pools. Also, with that, NORD is bringing online this summer two new splash pads to its portfolio. One is at Velazquez in New Orleans East and also at Cutoff Splash Pad. And we're building, thanks to Congressman Troy Calder, a new indoor swimming pool project. that have broken ground and cut off community over in Algiers, which will be our sixth indoor swimming facility in Algiers. But we're excited to have those pools open this summer. And so with that, that's, you know, we'll have all those pools open this summer. So I just wanted to touch base on 2025 programming and what we did. So with our seasonal swimming pools in 2025, NOAA service, with our swim lessons, we provided 7,609 swim lessons with our seasonal swimming pools last year. Just during the seasonal swimming pools last year. During the summer months. I'm sorry. No, no, no. I want to make sure I'm on the right slide.

I can't see that.

Yes, okay, that was our seasonal slide. Is that the one that's up? Yes. Yes, so I'm sorry. So we had, what we did is we provided water aerobics with families with our seniors last year because NOAA just does not provide services for our youth with our swimming pools. We provided water aerobics with our seniors and our families. We've provided 3,272 We served 3,272 residents with water rule, but we served 25,143 families with our family swim last year. And we served 3,363 campers that came to our pools last summer. And we also offered, again, 7,609 swim lessons last year doing our own year-round swimming. Next slide. So this year alone, just the first half of this year so far, we provided 1,385 swim lessons this year alone. And also we provided 8,300 patrons that visit our pool so far with water aerobics. So our pools have been rolling so far this year as it relates to programming. That's just our indoor pools. We're excited again. We're looking forward to serving all the families as they come to our pools. Also, next slide. We have our online website now where families can start signing up for swim lessons during the summer months. We're excited about the new website where you can sign up and start registering your kids for swim lessons. They have the different levels of swim lessons that you can sign up, but again, the swim lessons are not only for the kids. They're for adults as well. We have adults that take swim lessons after the water aerobics class at North, swim lessons as well. Because, you know, as we often remind the families that the city of New Orleans is surrounded by water. Not just the kids need to learn how to swim. So our adults as well as our seniors that do not know how to swim need to participate in the swim lessons as well. Also with that, we have our partnership with Open Waters. We provide swim lessons in partnership with Open Waters for youth and teens ages five to 17 years old, and also we have a programming partnership with them where we're introducing our teens to the maritime industry, and we have our Maritime Interaction Day on June 10th for our teens ages 13 to 15 years old. Also with that, of course, we're always pushing for our lifeguard programming. And NORD has its junior lifeguard program where we have our 13 to 15-year-olds that we do during summer months with our junior lifeguards. And they can also earn the stipend while they're participating, 13 to 15 years old. And that's our program that we take those junior lifeguards, what we teach them how to swim, and they continue. And once they become 15 years old, they transition to become lifeguards. The great thing about it is last year we were able to recruit and have 76 lifeguards in North Pool last year. Right now we have 95 lifeguards that we have trained and that's going through the hiring process with the CEO's HR team right now to be hired and to work at North Pools this year. So with those 95 lifeguards, once they complete the process, in the 35-year-round lifeguards, we have notice at the cusp of having 131 lifeguards this year, you know, so we can fully staff all of our pools this year. So we're excited about this summer, and I want to thank the council and thank the administration for making sure that we had a healthy, robust budget to make sure that we can hire our seasonal staff so we can definitely staff our pools this year. Thank you all for that.

All right. Thank you very much. Thank you for everything that you guys are doing to keep our families and our children safe and educate them on water safety and teaching them how to swim. Council Member Green.

Thank you, Councilmember Willard, for having this brought forth as a special order of business, and I just want to, during this month and year round, just thank you all for the work that you do. You do important work in very special areas, and you make our city safer. I want to point out to Mr. Barabino that I remember a couple of years ago, you were taking a lot of heat because there weren't a lot of lifeguards. Still, in the country, there's a shortage of lifeguards, but we in New Orleans are about to have 130 that are working on different pools. That is something that we need to celebrate. I think that if we look at our accomplishments relative to other cities, we'll see that there's something that we can say that we're ahead of other cities in that respect. And that reduces the number of children who are subjected to water emergencies, the drownings. One thing about being an older person is that I've seen a lot, and I also therefore recognize progress where we've made it. I remember in the 1970s how many children would drown in the lake. or how many children would even drown in pools relative to where we are now. And I think that deliberate effort on the part of our city and on the part of officials such as yourself to making sure that our children know how to swim and that our children have access to safety, which is code enforcement, making sure that those open pools aren't the way they once were treated as, oh, that's no problem. Nobody goes in that pool. No, it's a potential hazard to young people. But I just want to thank you all for the work that you're doing and during this month where we recognize water safety and the importance of it. Just to emphasize again that the job that you do is important and it's appreciated. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Green. Dr. Vagno, it's probably a good time for us to initiate some type of social awareness campaign for people to report. any unsafe pools around the city so that we can get Director Davis' team on that. So I think that would be something good that maybe we could work together on with the council and the mayor's office. I just wanted to say that. Council Member McCarran.

Well, thank you all for being here. As a mom of seven-year-old twins and they are swimmers, I know the importance of water safety and the dangers that can be. As soon as I knew what age they could do swim lessons, I had to get them because that was a big fear of mine that they would be out of my sight for one second and be in a pool. So I appreciate all the work that you're doing on that. And I want to second what Councilmember Eugene Green said to you, Larry, about the Nord lifeguards. I remember when I was staff, it was a struggle with having the pools open because you guys weren't able to get enough lifeguards. So I really appreciate the work that you did on that. especially creating that pipeline of training younger kids to elevate into those positions i think that's great for for the youth to have that opportunity to be trained and then go ahead and have a job opportunity with the city and now this year we're able to get all of our pools open because of that work because of that training and because of those lifeguards so Really appreciate the work, and same to you, Director Davis, on making sure that our pools in all of the neighborhoods are safe and people are not just going in a backyard that isn't covered and having an accident in the pool. So thank you all so much.

If I may, first of all, I want to thank our elected officials in our city because being able to offer a salary of $17.58 and to be able to offer our 13- to 15-year-old junior lifeguards a stipend of $450 and a 15-year-old with a work permit a salary of $17.58 an hour, that's a huge incentive. To want to be a lifeguard, right? And so it's with the support that we receive from our administrators, from our mayor, from our administration, from our council, that we're able to do that. But a huge shout out goes out to the Nord Aquatic Leadership, who's working to train. Those young persons, because the key thing that we ask them to do is to come to the pool knowing how to swim. But the 13 to 15-year-olds often don't come to the pool knowing how to swim, but the work that the lifeguards and the pool managers do to do it. But then also, you know, a huge shout-out, because we've had challenges in the past, but a shout-out to the CO's HR team who's behind the scene working to process them. Once my team say they're ready, it's their challenge to now say, They're ready to get paid because it's on them to put them in a system to get paid so we don't have those challenges. So, you know, that's what we are. So just thank you. It's a huge team effort. And it starts with, you know, the support of you guys to make sure that we're able to pay them and able to give them stipends to be there. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, Director Barabino. Thank all of you for coming down today and educating us in the public. Appreciate your time. Thank you. Council Member Green.

Cool. Council members, we need a vote to add a second order of business to the agenda.

All right. It's not coming up.

There we go. All right. Five years. All right.

Second order of business presentation, St. Augustine gymnast Dwayne Johnson Jr., acknowledging St. Augustine gymnast Dwayne Johnson Jr., who won three consecutive LHSAA state championship gold medals in gymnastics from 2024 through 2026, and has signed a grant in aid for gymnastics at the University of Illinois in the fall.

I'm going to ask Mr. Johnson's family to come just stand behind him for a second. It's only going to take us maximum 10 minutes. I want the public to see Mr. Johnson and his family standing behind him and to recognize his tremendous accomplishments right behind him there. Coach, Mr. Johnson, Wayne, Dwayne, have a seat. Okay.

You can talk, buddy.

No, coaches and family. St. Augustine High School senior Dwayne Johnson is a standout gymnast. I see a family member who doesn't want to come here. I insist that you come up here. Secured his third consecutive. Everybody listen to that one. Third consecutive because it's been so low key. Louisiana State High School Athletic Association Gymnastics Championship. He's renowned for his exceptional performances. He's amassed over 200 medals and has committed to compete at the University of Illinois. As a three-peat champion, Dwayne Johnson captured the state championship gold medals in 2024, 25, and 26, solidifying his place among Louisiana's top high school gymnasts. He dominated the 2026 competition, cementing his legacy through precision. strength, and consistency. And in 2025, Dwayne Johnson earns his first all-around title and has continued to represent St. Augustine High School and I'm going to add proudly our citizens of New Orleans with elite performances Reflecting on his growth over the past three years, Dwayne Johnson, a high school senior, said, He's being honored today by the New Orleans City Council based on his achievements. I'm so honored that he is here today and that he is joined by his family as we celebrate his great successes. I have a proclamation, but before I say that, I'm going to ask Dwayne himself to give us a couple of remarks and any family member who'd like to do so and coach Dwayne Johnson.

I would like to say thank you to the whole council and the city in general. I've definitely been blessed and honored to be able to 3P at St. Aug and be able to show that my hard work is definitely paying off and everybody's sacrifices is paying off. And I hope that when I go to Illinois, I'm able to show y'all that it's even going harder. I appreciate everything and I'm going to, you know, really try hard out in Illinois. I appreciate y'all.

Thank you very much, Dwayne Johnson. Family member? And I love my mom. Thank you. Yes, mom. Good move, Dwayne. Good move. Mom. Great work, mom.

Thank you. I'm the mom and I'd like to say I appreciate the city council for standing behind us 100% of the time. um we've 10 years in and each year new orleans have never failed us you guys have always shown and to my son i am extremely proud this is a moment everybody you know you always wait for these moments for somebody to honor your son and i'm extremely honored to celebrate this with my family friends and most importantly saint augustine gave us this opportunity to represent them so That won't go unnoticed either. So we're appreciative and we celebrate you on today. And I love him too.

Great, great. Coach.

I just like to say most people don't realize the type of work this young man puts in. He goes to school, takes in at school at 7.15, gets out of school at 2.45, then he hits the bell chase and practices from 4 to 9, and keeping up with the schoolwork and all those different things. Most gymnasts are homeschooled students, and to be a top elite gymnast in the nation... You do it from home school. Well, he did it going to school every day like every other student. And that's the part you got to take. And we say about how great Dwayne is. If he was playing football, he would be ranked as one of the top 20 football players in the nation because he's a gymnast. Nobody really pays attention to it. Right. But as a sports person, all those different things. St. August was more blessed to have him than he have us. Right. It's a once in a lifetime thing. I believe, and there's been questions at the state championship, is this the first three-time state champion in gymnastics? Because we never really paid attention to it as a state as well. But just his hard work and dedication was not only a testament to his family, himself, but his classmates and everybody, you know, is very proud of Dwayne at 2,600. All right. Thank you very much, Coach.

I'm going to start with Councilmember Hughes, but I think that it's safe to say that everybody might have a comment, so Councilmember Hughes, if you would start.

Thank you, Councilmember Green. Dwayne, I'm not a big social media person, but a couple weeks ago, you went viral on social media, and I had a lot of pride in my heart. What I admire most about you is your faith, your humility, your dedication. I love my mom too, so I really appreciate how much you love your mom. And mom, I just see you beaming with pride in your whole family. And to have your whole family behind you, I know how much that means for you. Right now, the city's really excited to go to Paris to support the Saints game, but I'm really excited about 2028. when this whole city is going to descend upon Los Angeles to support you at the Summer Olympics. I'm claiming it today. I know you're going to be there. I believe that. And just know you have a whole city, a whole village rooting for you. You represent the best of our city. And I am just so extremely proud of you and will continue to lift you up when I pray on a daily basis. Congratulations. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Thank you, Council Member Hughes. Council Member Willard. Dwayne, just over the moon, excited about your potential and about your future. 3P is very rare, so we all know that we have something special in you. And, Mom, yes, that is your baby, and you did a fantastic job. When Coach said you practice from four to nine, I just almost lost my mind. That is a major commitment. You are definitely investing yourself. You made the entire St. Olaf community very proud of you. You made the entire city of New Orleans proud of you. And like Councilmember Hughes said, I think in a couple of years you're going to make the entire country proud because I'm depending on you to bring a gold medal back to St. Aug so that we can all celebrate in that victory with you. But continue the good work. Continue to, you know, love and work with your family because they'll always have your back no matter what. And the more you ascend, the more voices you'll start to get in your head. So don't forget that. But I'm just excited about what you're going to do to represent the city of New Orleans on an international scale. So continue the good work and know that you have a supporter and a partner in all of us. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Willard. Council Member Harris. Thank you.

Dwayne, don't forget us when you grab that gold in two years. You'll have to come back and show all of us city council members what it looks like, because I've never seen one, but I can't wait to see yours. To moms, to your family. None of us could do what we do without our moms, without our families surrounding us. And so that support system is really evident in you and your character and your dedication. So thank you to the family, to mom, and to the coach at San Diego. Council Member Green celebrates y'all all the time, and this is a perfect time to celebrate. So thank you for being here today and taking time out of your day.

Thank you, Council Member Harris. Council Member McCarran.

Well, thank you, Council Member Green, for bringing this to us. We should have known you had your purple tie on that. We'd have a St. Aug. We have a St. Aug. event coming today to Council Chambers. Dwayne, congratulations, and to your mom, too. I'm glad you said you love her and you support, I mean, the amount of, like, smiles and beams coming across their faces is amazing. So, we, you know, we counsel, we support you, and we hope to see you back here with a gold medal, as the other member said. Keep up the great work. We're really, really proud of you, and congrats again. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member McCarran, and to our fellow council members. Whereas the City of New Orleans is renowned for its food festivals, famous citizens, and foreign visitors, and whereas the City Council takes great pride in paying tribute to events and activities, now therefore be it proclaimed that the City of New Orleans on this day, through the Council, recognizes Dwayne Johnson, Jr., Congratulations on winning LHSAA state championship gold medals in 2024, 25, and 26. You've established yourself as one of the all-time greats in the history of Louisiana high school gymnastics. We wish you much continued success in your future endeavors then look forward to celebrating your continuing successes for many years to come. And it is designed by these distinguished members and all members of the New Orleans City Council. And as we close this out, I want to say on a personal note, interestingly enough, my daughter, Dr. Melanie Green, was a state champion in gymnastics one year, and she practiced every minute of the day. And I know what it took for you to get there. And I appreciate the work that you've done. But let's come down and take a picture of the fellow members and celebrate with Mr. Johnson and his family.

Can we make a motion to adjourn?

Yeah, sure.

Motion to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Harris. All in favor?

Aye.