Metropolitan Council Meeting August 27, 2025: EDD Tax, Convention Center, Tire Ordinance
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Metropolitan Council Meeting – August 27, 2025
The East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council met on August 27, 2025, in a regular session preceded by a presentations portion. The meeting included recognition of the LSU Collegiate Recovery Program and City Year Baton Rouge’s 20th anniversary. The council voted on multiple agenda items, including a controversial one-cent sales tax for an LSU Economic Development District, a professional services contract for a convention center expansion, and a new ordinance regulating tire businesses. Extensive public comment and council debate occurred on several items.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from the August 5, 2025, Greater Baton Rouge Airport Commission meeting (motion by Amorosa, second by Dunn Jr., carried).
- Introduction of numerous ordinance and resolution items (items 2–26) via a single motion (carried).
- Condemnation recommendations with various deferrals and deletions (motion by Hurst, second by Amorosa, carried).
- Approval of multiple airport-related items (items 88–99, 108–113, 116–135, 151–156) with no opposition and brief council questions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 85 (LSU EDD sales tax): Charles Landry (volunteer, former attorney) supported the EDD, providing history; Ryan Cross (Our Lady of the Lake Health) supported as a healthcare partner; John Inquest supported the district. Darrell Glasper (former elected official) opposed, questioning the lack of resident voters and potential misuse; Woody Jenkins (910 Foster) opposed, citing constitutional sales tax limits and lack of voter input; Shirley Bowler (705) opposed, arguing the district was intentionally drawn to exclude voters; Penny Landry (West Contour) opposed, urging a delay; Coleman Brown (836 Mouton) opposed, stating LSU has sufficient funds.
- Item 86 (Hunden Partners contract): Darrell Glasper opposed, suggesting council members personally fund the study; Penny Landry opposed, citing budget concerns and competition with existing hotels; Coleman Brown opposed, requesting a financial feasibility study for the River Center; Rose Lee Washington spoke generally against tax increases (though this item was not a tax vote). Jill Kidder (Visit Baton Rouge) supported, emphasizing the need for an owner’s representative.
- Item 87 (St. George Fire protection note): Jason Turner (St. George Firefighters) supported; Jim Morgan (commissioner) opposed, alleging mismanagement and delayed response times; Chief Jerry Charlton supported, calling Morgan’s claims false and explaining the note covers cash flow.
- Item 106 (Tire business ordinance): Edgar Cage (Together Baton Rouge) strongly supported; Jennifer Richardson (Keep Tiger Town Beautiful) suggested requiring payment to haulers only after proper disposal. Several council members expressed support.
Discussion Items
- LSU Economic Development District (Item 85): Councilwoman Amorosa questioned finance and legal staff about EDD formation, existing EDDs, and the constitutional sales tax cap. Staff confirmed the LSU EDD was created by legislative act, that no residents live in any existing EDD in the parish, and that the statute allows the tax to exceed the three percent cap. After debate, a motion by Councilwoman Coleman and second by Councilman Hudson to approve the one-cent sales tax levy carried.
- Hunden Partners Convention Center Contract (Item 86): Councilman Moak questioned Jill Kidder and a Hunden representative about the selection process and potential benefits. Finance staff clarified the $1.16 million comes from dedicated state sales tax rebates for River Center improvements, not the general fund. Councilman Hudson and Councilwoman Amorosa spoke in favor. The motion to approve carried.
- St. George Fire Protection District Revenue Anticipation Note (Item 87): Councilman Dunn Jr. asked for clarification; finance staff explained the note is issued by the fire district, requires council approval, but has no impact on the city-parish. Councilman Moak confirmed with the chief that the note is a standard operational cash-flow tool. Motion carried.
- Tire Business Ordinance (Item 106): Adam (Environmental Services) presented the ordinance’s requirements: limits on tire storage and display, recordkeeping, permits ($100 annual), and penalties ($50 per tire per day for violations). Councilman Moak questioned enforcement and tracking; staff noted they will audit records and have a list of noncompliant businesses from LDEQ. Councilman Hearst described repeated illegal dumping and community support. The ordinance applies initially only to the city and unincorporated area, with other municipalities planning to adopt. Motion by Councilman Kenny, second by Councilman Hearst, carried.
- Head Start Pay Plan Report (Administrative Matter B): Councilwoman Coleman requested a report on implementation of previous pay increases. Employees (James Grayson) asked for retroactive pay for building attendants and clerical staff whose job titles were changed. Dr. Zanders (DHDS) and Dr. Roberts (Head Start) stated the federal Office of Head Start requires all staff to receive the raises, and non-compliance risks grant reduction. HR (Ms. Pierce) noted that the clerical positions are similar to citywide positions, creating legal complications, and a meeting with OHS is set for September 10. Councilman Dunn suggested exploring legal paths to resolve the conflict. Councilwoman Harris questioned delays. The report was accepted with no vote needed, but council directed the parish attorney and HR to find a solution within 30 days.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: LSU Economic Development District one-cent sales tax levy (Item 85).
- Approved: Hunden Partners professional services agreement for convention center expansion, not to exceed $1.16 million (Item 86).
- Approved: St. George Fire Protection District revenue anticipation note of $12.5 million (Item 87).
- Approved: New tire business ordinance (Item 106), effective September 1, 2025, with a six-month compliance period.
- Deleted: Private booting and immobilization ordinance (Item 105), to be revised.
- Deferred: School resource officer cooperative endeavor agreement (Item 100) to September 10, 2025.
- Approved: Settlement of lawsuits in the matter of Kenya Messer et al. for $252,184.64 (Item 104), after executive session.
- Approved: Settlement of Shakita James et al. for $600,651.55 (Item 2).
- Approved: Head Start retiree pay plan implementation update received; council directed further action to resolve pay disputes.
- Approved: Multiple grant applications, professional service agreements, and budget amendments (items 108–135, 152–164) with no opposition.
- Appointments: Greg Gorman to the Board of Appeal (Item 151).
Meeting adjourned after announcements. The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome everybody to the presentation portion of our Metropolitan Council meeting August 27th, 2025. We're gonna begin with Councilman Aaron Moak to recognize Collegiate Recovery Program, LSU Division, for your work on prevention and recovery efforts for LSU students and citizens of East Boundary Parish. Councilman Metro Council members, audience, thank y'all for being here. If y'all would like to join me. I want to talk to y'all today about a crucial yet often overlooked part of creating a truly supportive and inclusive campus environment, talking about the College Gate Recovery and the incredible organization that supports students in their journey to sobriety and academic academic success. Today I want to recognize the amazing work of the College Gate Recovery Program and communities and show you why they are so vital for our students in our institutions. So what exactly is collegiate recovery? The vision is simple yet powerful to create a campus culture that not only embraces but actively supports students in recovery. A collegiate recovery program or CRP is a dedicated, supportive environment right here on our campuses in East Baton Rouge Parish. It's a community that's designed to help students who are in recovery from any substance abuse disorder. These programs are not just about providing information, they are about providing a supportive community. They offer peer report recovery for support services, creating a space where students can reinforce their decision to a lifelong recovery. Why is this important? Statistics tell a stark story. Students who struggle with substance abuse are more likely to face significant academic difficulties. They are at higher risk of dropping out and failing to graduate. This isn't just a personal struggle, it's a challenge to the very institution of our education. However, the solution is clear. Providing the recovery support makes a huge difference. By offering these services, we dramatically improve student retention and graduation rates. It's a win-win situation. We support the students and as they stay on their path toward a brighter future. Organizations like collegiate recovery are keeping students engaged and on a path that can truly change their lives. They are intervening at a crucial stage, providing a lifeline that helps students achieve not only their academic success, but a personal well-being. Collegiate recovery is more than just a service. It's a vital part of building an accessible and compassionate campus. By recognizing and supporting these programs, we are investing in our students' health, their academic success, and their futures. One of the reasons that I wanted to recognize this organization is I I feel like uh almost like I have a personal contact with uh a young gentleman in this, I call him young gentleman in this organization that contacted me. Um I've known him for a long time, but he's contacted me several weeks ago, uh, I guess about a month, month and a half ago, about lighting up the state capitol, and can I help light up the state capitol? You know, they for different things they they light up. Well, come this Sunday, I think it's Sunday, um the 31st, uh, we are lighting up the state capitol, and uh with the help of this gentleman here, uh Mr. James, we are lighting up Tiger Stadium also, all in purple in recognition of substance abuse recognition. International International Overdose Awareness Day. So if you're out and about and you see the Capitol lit up, um, you know, that's the reason why. Look, last council meeting we uh what was it two something two something million dollars that we passed for different uh opioid abuse and substance abuse in different organizations that that help out people and put them on the right path. And I really thought about this group and and I've seen the success that uh Mr. James has had, and I've seen what he's been through in his ups and downs personally, and I congratulate not only him but this whole organization, and I see what they have done for the students at LSU. I mean they have I will let um Mr. Adams speak a little bit about it and tell what they do on campus and all, but before we do that, um certificate of recognition presented to collegiate recovery program LSU division to your outstanding work and prevention and recovery efforts for LSU students in East Baton Rouge Parish and given this day, August 27th, 2025 with sincere gratitude. I recognize this certificate of achievement and congratulations to all the work that you do. Thank you very much. Yes, sir. Hey everybody. So my name is Adam Singer. Uh I have the pleasure of serving as LSU's collegiate recovery program manager. Uh so I have just the best job in the world. Uh so I I've been uh substance abuse counselor for a long time. I'm a social worker. Uh and I've worked mostly with folks in treatment centers who's who struggled with substance use disorder. And now uh for the last two and a half years I've had the privilege of working for LSU.
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